Thrilled to welcome Jane Lovering and her latest book, The Cottage At The Edge Of The Woods, to the blog!
The Blurb
Some houses won’t let go of the past. Some people won’t, either…
When single mum Libby is offered a life-changing sum of money to clear out an old cottage in the woods, she expects dust and decay. She doesn’t expect a house full of secrets, a room full of birds, and a woman who refuses to leave.
The handsome but stressed architect who hired Libby is also a puzzle. Why can’t Ross empty Elm Cottage himself? What can he possibly see in Libby, who has been burned by love and is wary of attachment? How can they persuade the mysterious but kindly Isobel to move on?
As Libby is pulled into the cottage’s story, she must face up to her own deepest fears. Can she help Isobel, fight the past that haunts her, and learn to open her own heart to love once more?
I love Jane Lovering’s stories, and this was a beautiful, gentle love story with more than romance at the heart. Libby is running, constantly hiding from her ex, worried that he will swoop in and take their beautiful toddler, Tilly, from her. She is barely surviving, and an intriguing job opportunity puts her in a difficult position: she has to visit a rundown cottage and persuade the squatters living there to leave. Facing phobias, meeting a mute older woman, as well as Ross, the strange but good-looking architect who has employed her, puts Libby in quite a position. The characters were genuine, and I could really feel Libby’s fears, as well as really warm to Tilly, her two-year-old, who was cute and very much a toddler in their terrible twos! This story has a little magic and a little intrigue, and it also addresses a few more serious topics, such as mental health and abusive relationships. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
About The Author
Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who won the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.
I’m back with another great blog tour review for fantastic author, Nicola May and her latest release, Escape To Seahaven Bay.
The Blurb
The heartwarming new novel from the author of the million-copy bestselling Cockleberry Bay series
Seahaven Bay has always been a place where the sparkling tides bring laughter, love and a lot of fun. But when Rita Jory’s beloved husband Archie dies in a tragic accident, she’s left alone on their failing Cornish farm with nothing but her grieving heart, a mountain of debt and some very badly behaved goats. Faced with selling the home she loves or finding a way to make it pay, Rita has a moment of desperate inspiration. She decides to transform her beloved Seahaven Farm into a place where broken souls can heal by the sea.
With help from her sharp-tongued mother-in-law, loyal best friend, daughter and new friends, the rundown farm soon blossoms into a haven of healing, creativity and community. Rita dares to believe her future might still shimmer with possibility – and even admits her growing attraction to Jago, the gorgeous neighbouring farmer with whom the Jorys had a decades-long feud.
But just as Rita begins to find peace, long-buried secrets about Archie’s past begin to surface, forcing her to question everything she believed about the life they built together.
Rita must discover the truth and decide if she’s ready to open her heart again – to love, to hope, and to the possibility that even after loss, life can still be full of surprises.
A tender, uplifting and hilarious tale of resilience, friendship and finding light in the darkest moments, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse.
You know that feeling, when you begin a book, and positively hum with happiness, knowing it is the first in a series and that you really want to read the next and the next? That’s how I felt as I got into this new book by the amazing Nicola May. Seahaven Bay is not far removed from Cockleberry Bay, but has its own cast of interesting characters. In this first book, we get to know Rita Jory, a mid-forties widow still in the throes of grief, running a farm almost single-handedly while looking out for her eccentric mother-in-law, Hilda, and a group of animals with their own personalities. Rita isn’t sure how long she can survive on the farm after being left with a lot of unexpected debt by her late husband, Archie. A spark of an idea to host a retreat on the property brings her much happiness and a sense of purpose, and she brings together a wonderful, motley crew to support her. But nothing is ever smooth sailing, is it? There is an old family secret gnawing at her, but not quite revealing itself, as well as many questions about Archie and what he may or may not have been hiding from her. Everything about this story was perfect! I felt for Rita so much, and it was wonderful to read about the support network around her, from old friends to new ones. Hilda is a real character, and Jory, the ‘enemy’ neighbour, is definitely a bit of hot stuff! And I cannot not mention Camilla. Yes, she’s a goat, but she has a lot to offer in the story, and though she cannot talk, her actions make sure she is noticed! Oh, and if it were real, I would so want to join them all on the month-long retreats that Rita provides!
About The Author
Nicola May is an international bestselling author renowned for her heartwarming and humorous romantic comedies. With twenty books to her name, her work has captured readers’ hearts around the world, has been translated into fifteen languages and consistently ranks in the top 100 of Amazon’s Kindle bestseller charts. As a self-published author, she achieved the remarkable feat of reaching number one on Amazon twice, and has been a strong advocate for indie authors, pushing for a dedicated chart for them in The Bookseller magazine. Now signed to Storm Publishing, Nicola continues to write heartfelt rom-coms with her signature blend of warmth and wit.
I’m back with another great blog tour review for Clare Flynn’s Under A Southern Sky.
The Blurb
After a German fighter sinks her husband’s ship in the icy Atlantic, grief-stricken Hannah Kidd flees the rubble and ration queues of wartime Liverpool for a new life on the other side of the world. In sun-soaked Sydney, she discovers more than just refuge from nightly bombing raids—she finds unexpected family connections, meaningful work, and the handsome Eddie Greenbank.
As Hannah explores the golden beaches of Sydney’s eastern shores, the misty valleys of the Blue Mountains, and the rolling scenery of the Hunter Valley, she begins to believe that happiness isn’t lost forever. But even in Australia, the war’s long shadow threatens everything she’s begun to rebuild. Hannah must decide: will she let grief define her, or will she fight for the future she never thought she’d have?
A sweeping story of resilience and renewal set against the dramatic backdrop of wartime Australia, Under a Southern Sky explores how far we must sometimes travel—both in miles and in spirit—to find our way home.
A beautiful story set during WW2. Hannah Kidd is in Australia after tragically losing her husband in a war-related incident. She is still grieving but finding her way around life without him present. Australia was his home, so she tries to find links to him while getting on with life. There is a roller coaster of emotions as she dips into normality for a young woman, despite feeling anything but normal, and she finds herself in a predicament that she has no clue how to handle. This is a story that doesn’t rely purely on romance to tell it, but on Hannah’s feelings and hurt, and it gives a glimpse into what were very different wartime experiences from those usually read about in the UK. The ending came about very quickly but was most satisfying, given all Hannah went through. This book is part of a series, but the books can be read as standalones.
About The Author
Clare Flynn is the award-winning author of nineteen historical novels. She is the 2020 Selfies Adult Fiction prize winner for The Pearl of Penang and the 2022 Indie Champion for the Romantic Novelists Association. Clare is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Historical Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists Association. She lives in Eastbourne on the south coast of England.
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box below. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
I am excited to be on the blog tour for Margaret Amatt’s most recent release, Faking the Grade at Glenbriar High.
The Blurb
Fake dating isn’t on the curriculum… but neither is falling in love
He’s tall, dark and handsome… And he’s just announced his engagement to someone else.
Guidance teacher Clara Morgan thought her year couldn’t get any worse, but it just did. No matter how hard she tries to keep her chin up, it’s hard not to feel down.
Kind and intuitive English teacher and single dad Sam Addison realises something’s up with Clara; he puts two and two together and works out her secret.
Shocked that someone has discovered her unrequited love for one of her colleagues, Clara leans on Sam for support. When he’s invited to a wedding, Clara offers to go with him – as a friend. But she starts to see him in a whole new light when she introduces him to the concept of fake dating.
Sam gave up on love long ago and has a whole cupboard full of baggage, but Clara is just so loveable. If only he wasn’t stuck in a complicated home setup, and she wasn’t in love with someone else.
Sorting out their feelings will need some serious attention if their relationship is going to make the grade and give them the happy ending they deserve.♥ Faking the Grade at Glenbriar Highis the 17th book in The Glenbriar Series, but can be read on its own as a standalone.
♥ Set in the highlands of Scotland in a small town with fun, romance, drama, and a guaranteed happy ending, Faking the Grade at Glenbriar Highhas a bit of steam and lots of heart.d exactly where they’re meant to be.
I loved this gentle romance, with fake dating at the heart. Clara is a teacher at Glenbriar High and is coping with having her heart broken by her crush, unintentionally. What makes it worse is that they work together, and their paths cross regularly. Along comes Sam, another teacher with his own complicated personal story, and an opportunity to support one another through some complex situations. You know when you read a book, and feel that cosy sensation, knowing you are going to love the ending, without even having read it? That. That is what I felt reading this. Clara helps so many, and Sam does the same, so knowing they are headed towards one another is just heartwarming. A thoroughly enjoyable book that may be part of a long-standing series, but is perfectly fine being read as a standalone.
Margaret Amatt is a bestselling Scottish author, professional daydreamer, and certified chocolate addict. She’s been making up stories for as long as she can remember – some of them even made it onto paper (and, tragically, onto floppy disks that no computer can read anymore). After two decades of writing in secret, she finally unleashed her first novel on the world in 2021, kicking off a ten-book series set on the stunning Isle of Mull.
But why stop there? She’s also the creator of The Glenbriar Series, where romance, small-town drama, and a pinch of spice keep readers coming back for more. This series is still going strong, with more books planned!
Margaret has spent her whole life in Scotland’s breath-taking Highland Perthshire, despite her entire extended family coming from the Glasgow area. Her books are romantic and emotional, sweet and funny, and each one can be read as a standalone, but long-time readers know the joy of familiar faces popping up, adding to the chaos.
So, if you love relatable characters, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of banter, you’re in the right place – just don’t blame Margaret when you stay up way too late reading just one more chapter.
First month of our new year is up, and what did I get up to? Back to school with 7 new whippersnappers starting in Nursery! It’s been busy. Plus I went out with colleagues one evening for a Thai meal and to watch a really funny panto, Robin Hood in Space, starring an old colleague of ours!
A few thousand words more on my newest writing project, which I need to concentrate on, especially now that I have no publisher! I wrote a synopsis for it, which I will break down into a more detailed plan, but for now, it’s getting words on that page.
I read, and I listened to a variety of books, and though it’s not as many as I can read, I have been exhausted over the month, so I was quite pleased with what I achieved! I have also tried not to go too mad with Blog Tours as I do need to write, but my NetGalley habit is still strong, so my TBR list is still filled with ARCS! Will I never learn?
Loved this fab story, which was a bit like a Thelma and Louise style story, only they are chasing after someone, and no one dies in the end! Maggie is a 49 year old, living in a caravan with nothing to her name. Declined cards, and even her cat, George, has disappeared. Well, I lie there. She has a £20 note but in this cashless society, even that is not worth the paper it’s printed on. Into her life comes Flick, a 20-something journalist with a story in mind, that is, in fact, Maggie’s story. Together, after a little umm-ing and ahh-ing, they embark upon a cross continent trip to chase down a romance fraudster who has stripped Maggie’s life of any meaning, to get, hopefully, some answers, and for Flick, the recognition she needs to become a renowned journalist, not just the local rag’s regional news reporter. So many locations, so many laugh-out-loud moments, which I have come to expect from Potter’s books, and a good few little twists within, too. I especially loved the side character, Birdy ‘with a y, not an ie, because no one wants die at the end of their name!’ She’s a mature lady with her wits about her, and a few secrets of her own. Maggie and Flick are two very different characters, but how they begin to mellow towards one another, and the development of their relationship are beautiful to watch (read) as they unfold. A thoroughly fun, fab book! Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
I don’t know how to explain just how much I am enjoying listening to this series by Halima Khatun, but it is just brilliant! Our Bengali heroine is now married, after going through the (not quite) arranged marriage process, and having been the crazed Bridezilla, too. She not only has a new hubby but also a new city to live in and new colleagues to get to know. I have to say that I laughed and sniggered out loud at some situations she found herself in, and could relate to so many of them, too. But I also felt her struggles, especially for her emotions towards her own family, and how it felt not living there anymore. Just the descriptions of how her dad would wordlessly describe so much through his actions got me a bit teary. Honestly, such a true reflection of life as a second-generation British Asian, with a foot in one culture and the other in another world, navigating one traditional family for another, with a difference. I cannot wait to listen to the next one!
Love is a Question is a beautifully crafted story of three men, and how their lives entwine. The way Livings navigates those tough years when Nicholas and Bobby were both younger, and being gay wasn’t as easy to admit, the mixed feelings from family, and how they blossomed, stepping up for each other… so, so beautifully done! And the introduction of Guy, and again, him being such a sensitive soul. I was so glad Nicholas found someone to continue living with, as well as honouring Bobby’s memory. I laughed a little and shed a tear. Two, at times. Beautifully written.
I loved listening to this, the fourth book in Halima Khatun’s Secret Diary of a Bengali Woman series. In this instalment, we follow our MC through her thought process as she navigates the next step in her life: contemplating whether she and M are ready for children. Again, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and so much relatable content. The pressure you feel to keep going to the next level of life, from studies to job to marriage to parenthood and beyond. It’s like playing a computer game and being happy at the level you have got to, only for the outside to be pushing you, metaphorically, to conquer the next one. Khatun has put her special spin on the level, with humour and emotion. I could feel the pull our MC feels to keep going with her career, something she has worked so hard to succeed in, alongside being a good daughter-in-law and a faithful daughter. Seeing her own parents growing older, beginning to identify with her own mother differently. And then finally identifying that need, to get pregnant. Wonderfully written and entertainingly narrated. I cannot wait to listen to book five when it finally comes out!
Portia MacIntosh’s books are a surefire light-hearted read, and I was excited to read A Shore Thing. Set in the world of Reality TV, we have our FMC, Cleo, who is a behind-the-scenes hero. She casts for a show that is waning in popularity, given the glut of reality TV. And she is introduced to the MMC, Lockie, in an unconventional manner, only to find out he will be working closely with her. Their chemistry is immediately palpable, and how Cleo tries to keep it all simmering, but not boiling over, is an art in itself, especially when their show goes a bit wrong, and she finds herself in an unexpected situation. There are hilarious moments, high tension, and a few scenes that you know might be spicy, but the reader can use their imagination instead of getting blow-by-blow accounts. I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
I love romances of any sort, so this MM story was right up my alley! And set in the village of Hay in Wales, with its bookish connections, was a great boost. Quinn is a bookseller specialising in all things queer, from the books he sells to the services his unique bookshop provides. But he’s struggling. Not only in life but also in his business. Threatened with being evicted, he’s clueless about what to do, apart from burying his head in the sand. Noah is a successful author who originally hails from Hay, though he has his own demons to deal with there, so he much prefers London life. You can feel the chemistry between the two characters, highlighted in some humorous scenes, as well as plenty of heartrending ones, too. There is great backstory, especially the one detailing Quinn’s connection with books and his late father, as well as the reason Noah finds being home hard. Books, romance, Christmas – what’s not to love!
I’ve systematically read everything by Ruby Roe so far, before this, and if you thought Girl Games was a little spicy, boy, have I got news for you! The gripping, high-octane, fantastical, sapphic, vampire story also proved jaw-droppingly naughty! We follow Octavia, one of the original three vampires – a powerful woman in her own right, and Red, one of the city’s Hunters – and someone out for Octavia’s demise after some pretty messed history. But they have an attraction, a pull towards one another that they cannot ignore. This book sets the scene for the ones that follow, with a dangerous trial they are paired for, competing against other pairs of vampires/hunters to help open a portal that is threatening to be lost forever. Okay, so I won’t say more about that because it is an integral part of the story. As is the SPICE! OMG, I can tell you from experience that if you are listening to the audiobook, which I was, be prepared to not listen on a loudspeaker or in the car if you have anyone around you, as it is pure filth! Naughty Ruby! Having said that, I am already partway through book 2 (through earphones or when alone, as it promises the same heat factor, lol!).
I enjoyed Jessica George’s Maame and was delighted to get a chance to read Love by the Book, her second novel. Though it was a little slower-paced than some of my recent reads, it was no less enthralling. The story is told from two POVs: Remy, an author struggling to write her second book after a successful debut built on her wonderful friendship group, and Simone, a Primary school teacher with a bit of a different side hustle to make more money. Their paths cross as adults, and two very different characters begin to forge a tentative relationship. This entire book really explores the dynamics of female friendships and the intricacies of balancing those friendships as life moves along. Beautifully told. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.
I listened to the audiobook of this straight after finishing the first one, because, quite frankly, I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next! This ultra steamy sapphic fantasy continues with the two MCs, Red and Octavia, partnered in an epic trial, and oh so much angst! Red is a hunter, and Octavia is a vampire. They shouldn’t be partnered together, let alone be amicable, but their bond is something altogether quite different. We learn more about Octavia’s vampire mother, Cordelia, and a past relationship of hers that has a huge effect on the trials being carried out, and I relished the scenes that brought us closer to understanding why she is who she is. The chemistry, the steam, the extra hot spice – oh my. I said this before, but wow – you gotta be hella careful where you listen to this one!
A short, sweet, spicy prologue to help understand the characters of Red and Octavia, prior to all the craziness of the main series. It is best read after the first book, and really gives a softer view of their romance, and also, as is usual with Ruby Roe, a nice shot of sapphic spice to go along with it! And this one is narrated by the author, too, which gives it an extra bit of oompfh!
So, that was 11 books over the last month. Not bad for the first month of the year! Which one caught your eye?
But I Smile Anyway... 