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?
It is blog tour time for another book! This time, A Shore Thing by Portia Macintosh
The Blurb
Lights. Camera…Showmance!
From the moment Cleo met Lockie, her infuriatingly charming co-casting producer on hit reality show Welcome to Singledom, he’s been getting under her skin. Their job? Casting singles for the ultimate island romance. Their problem? They can’t agree on anything.
Now, the cameras are ready to roll, and the contestants—well, most of them—are en route. But when the threat of a tropical storm delays half the cast, launch night turns into a total disaster. With no Plan B, Cleo and Lockie are forced to step in as contestants. Just for 24 hours until the real stars arrive.
Simple, right? Except tensions are sky-high and sparks are flying for all the wrong reasons! All they have to do is couple-up and get voted off – but there’s a storm coming, so leaving the island might not be so easy. Cleo’s used to pulling strings behind the scenes, not falling headfirst into the drama.
But when the cameras stop rolling, will their fake fling fade with the credits—or could it be Cleo’s most unexpected plot twist yet?
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.
Purchase Link –
About the Author
Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 30 romantic comedy novels.
From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.
Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.
Today, I am on the blog tour for Dean Koontz’s newest novel, The Friend of the Family.
The Blurb
A girl liberated from a carnival sideshow discovers her mysterious purpose in a moving fable about family, sacrifice, and transcendent love by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz.
The human ‘oddities’ in the Museum of the Strange are less wondrous than the gawking rubes had been promised.
But Alida is something else. The real thing.
Traveling Depression-era America from carnival midways to speakeasies, Alida is resigned to an exploited and lonely life on the road as the museum’s golden ticket. Until she’s rescued by two compassionate strangers.
Franklin and Loretta Fairchild see in Alida a gifted and uncannily well-read girl in need of a loving touch and a family. With the openhearted couple and their three precociously imaginative children, Alida finds exactly that. Yet despite everyone’s overwhelming generosity and acceptance, Alida knows she is still a very different kind of girl.
Her dreams bear that out. They’re vivid, unsettling, and threatening. Alida fears that they’re also warnings. And that it’s the Fairchilds who may need rescue from a bad, bad world.
Alida will do anything to help those she now holds nearest and dearest.
Empowered with a purpose to vanquish evil, she will not fail her family.
I was introduced to Dean Koontz and his quirky books a couple of years ago, and I thought they wouldn’t be my cup of tea, but I must say I’m always pleasantly surprised by how drawn in I get to these stories. The Friend of the Family is my favourite one so far. Set in the years between the two World Wars, the story is told from the perspective of Alide, a young woman who is discovered by the showbiz couple Franklin and Loretta Fairchild at a speakeasy one night. Alide is an attraction in one of those travelling ‘freak’ shows. Born with an unfortunate disability, her ‘owner’ takes advantage of her, treating her as a commodity rather than a human. The couple are horrified, and something spurs them on to take Alide under their wing, adopting her and giving her all the love and family she has missed out on from her younger years. Alide becomes Adiel and is surrounded by people who either don’t know the full extent of her disability or don’t care. She flourishes, supporting her new family in so many ways over the years as she begins to understand her own reason for being in this world. I was so emotionally invested in this story, wanting our Alide/Adeil to be accepted for the amazing person she is, and I did cry at the end, I will admit. The entire tale is beautifully crafted, and really shows that there are some amazing people out there in this world, alongside the awful ones, and that we shouldn’t give up hope, ever.
About the Author
Dean Koontz won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition when he was a senior in college, and has been writing ever since. Fourteen of his novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list (One Door Away From Heaven, From the Corner of His Eye, Midnight, Cold Fire, The Bad Place, Hideaway, Dragon Tears, Intensity, Sole Survivor, The Husband, Odd Hours, Relentless, What the Night Knows, and 77 Shadow Street), making him one of only a dozen writers ever to have achieved that milestone. Sixteen of his books have risen to the number one position in paperback. His books have also been major bestsellers in countries as diverse as Japan and Sweden. Many of his books have been made into films.
The New York Times has called his writing “psychologically complex, masterly and satisfying”. The New Orleans Times-Picayune said Koontz is “at times lyrical without ever being naive or romantic. [He creates] a grotesque world, much like that of Flannery O’Conner or Walker Percy … scary, worthwhile reading.” Rolling Stone has hailed him as “America’s most popular suspense novelist”.
Dean Koontz was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University), and his first job after graduation was with the Appalachian Poverty Program, where he was expected to counsel and tutor underprivileged children on a one-to-one basis. His first day on the job, he discovered that the previous occupier of his position had been beaten up by the very kids he had been trying to help and had landed in the hospital for several weeks. The following year was filled with challenge but also tension, and Koontz was more highly motivated than ever to build a career as a writer. He wrote nights and weekends, which he continued to do after leaving the poverty program and going to work as an English teacher in a suburban school district outside Harrisburg. After a year and a half in that position, his wife, Gerda, made him an offer he couldn’t refuse: “I’ll support you for five years,” she said, “and if you can’t make it as a writer in that time, you’ll never make it.” By the end of those five years, Gerda had quit her job to run the business end of her husband’s writing career.
Dean Koontz lives in Southern California with Gerda and their golden retriever, Elsa. Dean and Gerda share a deep love of dogs.
I’m back with another great blog tour review for my friend, Susan Buchanan and her latest release, Teh Boulangerie on the Corner.
The Blurb
🥖🥐🥖🥐 Grab your passport for the first in the European Escapes series 🥐🥖🥐🥖
No home. No job. No boyfriend.
When Lia loses her job straight after a break-up, she escapes to the Molins’ family-run boulangerie in Toulouse – the place she was last happy, far away from her cheating ex.
Sworn off men, she isn’t prepared for the spark she feels for charming cheesemaker Jean-Luc, nor for things heating up at the family’s country home in Gascony when handsome, self-assured vineyard-owner Théo asks her out.
Torn between the two and her connections to the Molins family, Lia has some tough decisions to make.
Lia loves being back in France with the people she cares about, helping in the boulangerie. On discovering it is under threat of closure, she is devastated and resolves to do everything in her power to help it stay open.
Will she succeed? And will she be able to choose between the two handsome Frenchmen and live her happily ever after?
For fans of Gillian Harvey, Rebecca Raisin, Jo Thomas and Veronica Henry.
I loved this beautiful story of hope, compassion and love. Lia is in a funk and ends up retracing her steps to where she felt happiest, only to find that her job is no more and her idiot of a boyfriend ups and leaves her. She finds herself in rural France, living with a family she spent time with as a youngster, and finally feels she belongs, especially when the family faces a huge personal hiccup. There is plenty of sizzle as Lia finds herself with a couple of rather hot locals to take her mind off the idiot she has left behind. And could there be a little love..? The hope and compassion come as she realises it may be in her hands to support the family; a family who mean more to her than she can explain. All I know is that I want to end up in a boulangerie, with the sweet smells of fresh-baked bread and other ‘chocolatines’ every day and beautiful people all around me!
About The Author
Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship and community.
She is the author of The Leap Year Proposal, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit, Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, The Dating Game and Sign of the Times.
As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it.
She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.
When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out, and she has recently discovered a love of writing retreats.
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But I Smile Anyway... 