But I Smile Anyway…

And just like that we have come to the end of August, and my summer holidays, ready to start a new academic year in September!

I’ve still been reading ARCS and listening to audiobooks while walking… but what else did I do?

We had quite a bit going on this month, with the end of our vacation, meeting my niece and her daughter for a girly break in London, going to Birmingham to see my parents, and attending the RNA Summer Fling!

I’ve seen family who I haven’t met for years, and we have said goodbye to a family member, too.

I have ventured into school on several occasions to set up my new nursery classroom, too, supported by my two TAs for the year.

Did I write? Well, finally, I have something to report! YES I DID! I returned from my holiday with an idea for another Chickpea Curry Lit story, unrelated to the Rishtay Series, but a new holiday romance-style book. EEK! I am so excited!

However, I kept reading and listening, thoroughly enjoying my books.

Now, back to this month’s reads/listens. There were ARCS and Audiobook listens…

Six Little Words by Sally Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sally Page’s books are always great and a must-read for me.
It took me a while longer to get into, maybe because I was away, but the story revolves around a diverse group of people, brought together by a small orange card pinned to a notice board in a cafe. To be or not to be…
Bardy and Kate are the two main characters, with Bardy, a newly separated former teacher, running a group for creatives in the area, and Kate, a single mother to two adult children, who has a special interest in painting.
They have one of those connections that you, as a reader, can feel from early on, but life keeps throwing curveballs at them.
The group comprises interesting characters, and somehow, all their stories overlap, allowing you to get to know and love each of the different people.
It’s a story that creeps up on you, then hooks you in, leaving you wanting to keep reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

The Secret Diary of a Bengali Bridezilla by Halima Khatun
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, I had such fun listening to this audiobook as I walked, with laugh-out-loud moments, and could relate to many of the situations our hapless Bridezilla goes through!
From letting her parents know she had found a suitor, without letting them know she had actually found and met him herself, to the rigmaroles of setting dates, wedding shopping, managing family expectations, and the always-present aunties… this was a true delight to listen to.
I have the rest of the series on my TBR, but I would love it if they were all on Audiobook!

Paper Heart by Cecelia Ahern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautifully crafted story about a woman trapped in a situation, and how she finally breaks free.
Pip is a 32-year-old woman who still lives at home with her parents and 16-year-old daughter, Bella.
She has spent the last 16 years living a life filled with guilt at having fallen pregnant so young, conforming to all the ideals her parents wish to portray.
Her only saving grace, besides her beautiful daughter, is her passion for art, origami and poetry, which she keeps hidden from everyone.
Many threads run through this tale, but a strong one is shame, as Pip’s mother has never really got over her child having a baby so young. Then there is control, where Pip has spent most of her adult life relying on her mother and father, as they have never fostered a sense of independence in her, and how a local wealthy family holds power over the family, as well as regret, stemming from Pip’s non-existent mother-daughter relationship with Bella.
I don’t want to regurgitate the story, but it comes full circle, and it is a joy to see Pip finally grow a backbone and begin to live the life she should have been living all these years.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC.

All Mine by Pippa Nixon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great simmering summer read!
Isabella Tucci is nearing the end of a year in which she aimed to prove to herself that she could be her own woman. Intending to fulfil her lifelong dream of opening a restaurant, she is almost there. Having moved to a small village and found her premises. And the other part of that year-long promise to herself was to be reliant on no one, especially men, so a no-sex ban has been in place.
It’s been hard enough getting over her marriage breakdown, but finally, things are falling into place.
Then she meets Etienne.
Scoping out the competition, she can’t help but notice the sexy restaurant owner whose business is on the opposite side of the square to hers. And he’s noticed her.
The story follows the last three months of her year, and it’s touch-and-go whether that business will be ready, and the no men/sex? Well, let’s say there may be quite a bit of touch, but will she let go?
The author utilises WhatsApp groups as a medium of communication and scene setting between Isabella and her family, as well as a group with her newfound local friends. Then there is Etienne’s group with his close friends.
And the cast of characters supporting Isabella and Etienne is all brilliant, leaving me with many questions about who will be the focus of the following story. Because Etienne is not the only gorgeous guy in this book, his friends are in the Adonis category too!
There is drama and tension both within the general story and the build-up of the relationship between Isabella and Etienne, and it all makes for a fantastic, spicy read in parts!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an ARC.

You Had Me at Pumpkin Patch by Anita Faulkner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know, sometimes, you just want to read something that will make you feel good, and this is exactly what Anita Faulkner’s books do to me. It’s been a while since her last one, so I was thrilled to be able to read it.
Rosie is on her way back home after finding out that AI had taken over her life in far too many ways, from her job, to elements of her relationship. But her car breaks down, and she finds herself at a farm, intending to ask for help. The help manifests differently from what she expected; not a phone call to the local recovery company, but as a job. And not one she is qualified for!
The farm has a ramshackle farmhouse filled with a menagerie of strays, and the owner thinks she is there to work.
Rosie finds herself in a small, gorgeous, cut-off wooden lodge-like house, where all sorts of inspiration begins to hit, and her neighbour happens to be a rather handsome pumpkin farmer. Zain. But he’s a bit gruff.
So we have some Grumpy: Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers-like vibes going on.
What ensues is a personal adventure, where we see Rosie grow in confidence, and reach for what she really wants, cold water swimming, sizzling slow burn romance, and lots and lots of pumpkins! And I cannot forget Steve the three-legged cat. Another real character!
I also loved the mention of some of the author’s previous book characters in this story as little cameos.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for an ARC.

The Windsor Love Connection: Will she give love a second chance? by Lizzie Chantree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don’t you love a series? A good one, where you get to know new characters, whilst also keeping track of others you’ve met before? It’s like a family reunion!
That’s how I felt when reading Book 2 of The Windsor Riverside Romance series, and Kudos to the author, Lizzie Chantree, for creating such a memorable world.
A character who had been briefly mentioned in the first book, Daisy, returns to Windsor, where she grew up, but also where she left many stories and severed relationships. She’s back with her daughter, Bronte, as a single parent, with a lot of unpicking to do, as well as growing up.
Maya, one of her best friends, encourages her to set up home in a new block of flats on the riverside and to build her fledgling garden design business. But what she omits to mention is that her neighbour ends up being Maya’s brother, Arthur, who is also an old friend/flame of Daisy.
But Daisy has to work through a lot of emotions and rebuild her friendships and relationships, as well as learn to fit back in.
There is so much tension, and honestly, it feels like every single man in this part of Windsor is fit!
But she comes good in the end, and we are left with a taster of what the third book will be about. I am eager to read it!

Watermelon by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finally got around to the beginning of the Walsh series by Marian Keyes!
I love listening to the story with an authentic Irish lilt. It makes it even more real.
The story is about Claire, one of the Walsh sisters. She is happily married and about to give birth, only to find that once she is handed her beautiful baby girl, she is also husbandless, as James chooses this time to tell her he is leaving, as he has found someone else.
Claire flies back to Ireland to her family home from London, distraught and trying to work out how to be a good mum, on top of processing her husband’s deceit.
Yes, there is sadness, and it all takes its toll on her, but with the Walsh family around, there are so many giggle-some laughs to get through the challenging situations.
Listening to Claire grow as a person, well, grow a backbone, was brilliant, and I’m glad she met the hunky Adam, to help her get over her idiot of a husband, even though that situation was also a bit hairy!
I’ve downloaded all the rest to listen to, too, finally!

One of my first September Blog Tours! Pop back to read the review!

Another of my blog tours in early September. I have read this previously, too, and now, the updated version!

Summer At The Lake by Erica James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautifully written and narrated story, encompassing friendships and long-lost loves, as well as new relationships forged after an accident.
The story revolves around Floriana, a young woman involved in a hit-and-run, Adam, the man who comes to her rescue, and Esme, an older lady who also witnessed the event.
Their friendship deepens as they learn more about each other.
In a twist of fate, a wedding Floriana has been invited to, on Lake Como in Italy, sparks memories for Esme of her first love during a holiday there after the war.
The three of them find themselves in Italy, where Floriana has two good friends to support her attendance at a wedding she would rather not be at, and Esme seeks out information about the one that got away.
Beautiful, and emotional, with a wonderful ending to finish it off.

A Picture-Perfect Christmas by Liam Livings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A fabulous festive read, filled with grumpy/sunshine vibes, and all the spicy vibes you want for a truly magical Christmas romance!
So, we have Christophe, a reality TV star, a council estate boy done good, with not much more than his personality and handsome looks. Loud, brash, and used to his way.
And he wants a portrait painted.
And on the flip side is artist Thomas. Shy and not a lover of attention (some may even say boring…), he’s bowled over in more than one way by his newest client, who appears the total opposite of himself.
There is sizzling chemistry from the off, and as we all know, opposites attract.
Though they fight it for a while, getting snowed in at Thomas’s house over Christmas gives both of them a chance to get to know one another without their masks on. And at some points, without clothes on, too, wink wink!
There is everything there, from the cosy Christmassy setting to the glitz and glamour of fame and star-studded events, with plenty of angst and even more spice!

Releasing in November, 2025

All Wrapped Up by Heidi Swain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seasonal books are always fantastic, and this influx of autumnal books is terrific, so cosy, like a hug in a book!
We travel to Wynbridge, where influencer Clemmie Bridge has lived for the past 18 months. She’s kept herself to herself, renovating and decorating her cottage, as well as building up a community of autumn-loving followers on her Instagram account that is all things Autumn.
A chance meeting with a local who has decided to pop in and visit the reclusive new resident gets Clemmie involved in a huge local autumn festival – something she would love, but also something that could catapult her back into an awful situation she had removed herself from previously.
The book is a journey for Clemmie as she slowly builds her trust in a few people and begins to engage with the local community, all while protecting her fragile heart.
Clemmie meets some real characters, including Lizzie, who is the reason she finally gets out into the real world, along with the other Cherry Tree Cafe girls, and Molly, the local ‘witch’ as well as Ash, the gorgeous, sensitive vet who is there for Clemmie in many situations, but will he help her to heal her heart?
Of course, I can’t review this book without mentioning Pixie, the little rescue dog who Clemmie finds herself with – a beautiful bundle of love who helps to anchor her.
There is sadness, but there is also hope. There is grief, alongside acceptance. And there is autumn – lots of it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC.

This was a wonderful pre-Second World War time read, and I am excited as it is the first in a series! I will be in the Blog Tour in September, if you wish to get the full review, but it is definitely 5 star!

Another one where I am on the Blog Tour in September and a real feast of family secrets, twists and turns!

The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another of my audiobook listens, and I can honestly say it was a beautiful listen.
The story revolves around four central characters; Elisabeth, an older woman who has just lost her husband and finds out about huge debts that he had hidden; Jo, her friend, who wants to support Elizabeth but has other issues that she is trying to suppress; Lucy, Jo’s daughter, a single mum to teenager Niall, who she has to bring back to her sleepy hometown by the coast for the summer, rather than the busy, more teen-friendly Dublin, and Dan, a scriptwriter from London who has had a string of bad luck, and who hopes that some time in a sleepy backwater in Ireland may spark some inspiration, as well as help him find out some of his own home truths.
Through their connections, the ladies embark on a regular midnight swim in the sea, and this thread runs through the story, which is substance-filled, emotional, and endearing.
I was sure I would end up in tears on my walk, as I listened towards the end, in some sadness, but also in happiness, too!

Live, Laugh, Leave Me Alone by Harper Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Right. Where do I start with how much I loved and related to this book?
Lucy is a 53-year-old woman. She’s got a great job, is single, and is working on her next steps in life, specifically a promotion at work, which looks likely.
Until she’s surprised by a new colleague, Tara, not much younger than Lucy, but filled with the glamour and perfection of one of those women who have Instagram-worthy perfect diets/families/lives.
And so she finds herself in a position of competition, and that competition pulls her into a wellness frenzy.
Okay, so the book had me laughing out loud at the various wellness techniques Lucy ends up signing up for, and I rolled my eyes several times, recalling similar services constantly touted on social media as the next big thing. Especially those diets and meds for perimenopausal women, and the different ‘Zen’ activity apps that claim to have you looking 10 years younger in 4 weeks and 15lb slimmer, too…
But it wasn’t just a funny ride, this read.
Through the competitive element, Lucy gets to know her arch-nemesis, Tara. She uncovers aspects of a particular ‘wellness guru’ who is being lauded as remarkable that raise alarm bells.
And that’s when a deeper element of this story kicks in. Midlife insecurities, and a constant bombardment of claims to ‘banish this’ and ‘cure that’ that I know most of us women of a certain age feel, show themselves, and the ugly side of ‘wellness’, along with it.
Fantastically written and a hard recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.

One of Us by Elizabeth Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ll start this by saying this is a sequel of sorts; however, it can be read as a standalone.
It took me a little while to get into the swing of this story, as there were four POVs to get used to; however, that did not detract from the story’s overall appeal.
It’s a story of power and politics, with privilege thrown into the mix.
Martin is a man from a simple background. He’s worked hard to get where he is now. Out of the blue, he is invited to the funeral of the sister of a man whom he once considered a best friend, but who he has, for the last few years, been persona non grata.
Serena is the wife of his old best friend, Ben, a man on a mission to become the next PM.
Richard is a disgraced MP who finds himself needed by Ben to fulfil his political ambitions.
Cosima (Cozzie) is the eco-activist, eldest daughter of Ben – Ironic since Ben is the current Eco Minister.
So, yes, Ben is the thread that binds them all, but it’s the events that unfold, as well as the revelations from the past and the more recent events surrounding Ben’s sister’s death, that make for an enthralling read. Honestly, I was reading until 1 am, and had to put it down forcibly as I had an early start the next day.
I read several reviews that mentioned this being a funny read.
I’m not sure it was funny. Yes, some situations raised a laugh, but there were a lot more serious issues at hand.
The way money and power are used to belittle the opinions and feelings of those less fortunate, as well as the treatment of women by certain key characters, really didn’t make me laugh.
There are serious issues regarding the environment, substance abuse, and SA and rape that feature in certain scenes, which are decidedly unfunny.
But, still, a good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for an ARC.

Another of my blog tour reads, ready for the September tour! Look out for my review!

Another of my audiobook walking listens. I didn’t purposefully seek out this book. It was one of the titles included in my Audible subscription, so I thought I’d give it a go, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Autumn is from the UK, but residing in New York, and a chance meeting with Bluebell, also from England, sets off a string of events.
Autumn finds herself slowly pulled into a romantic relationship with Bluebell’s brother, Bowie, one of a set of twins, and the relationship goes beautifully until she finds out about his terminal cancer diagnosis.
She then ends up living in the UK with him and the rest of his family as he lives out his last days.
Things happen, that cause extreme emotional outbursts from each member of the family, but I’m not going to mention them here!
I found it a fantastic listen and was invested in all the characters.
Yes, so there may be some technical aspects of certain situations that an eagle eyed reader/keen listener may spot and question, but I like to think that sometimes in creativity, you can allow a little leeway!

A rerelease of this book is happening next month, so this is the older cover, but look out for the newest one, which I will be adding as a post on the 1st, as well as being on the Blog tour at the end of September for the full review!

A fab Psychological thriller which I will be featuring next month on a Book and a Brew Post, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

So, that was 20 books in August! You can tell I was on Summer holidays, can’t you? Which one caught your eye?