But I Smile Anyway…

September, my 50th birthday month, had come to a close, and I would have posted my usual monthly review post. Still, circumstances beyond my control meant I could not post at the time I usually would, so I decided to combine these two months.

We, unfortunately, sadly lost my dear, dear brother-in-law after an emergency stay in ICU, at the end of September, on the 1st of October. I think you can see why my mind was all over the place. He was the same age as me, and such a wonderful soul. The family is in pieces. It was all so sudden… He was Hubby Dearest’s only sibling, had a beautiful relationship with his nephew and niece (Not So) Lil Man and Lil Princess, and has also been my big brother for the last 27 years…

It had already been a busy September because of school starting, and to end it like this was devastating.

There was one shining light over the two months, and that was getting to see my Finndian family, only for a day, but it was a day packed with so much love, so many giggles, and oodles of hugs, which we all needed.

Books were still my solace, but I didn’t have the same energy to read as usual. Then we hit half term, and I switched off from a lot and just lost myself in stories…

I’ve still been reading ARCs and listening to audiobooks while walking, when I could. The darker mornings and nights, our situation, and falling ill during half term meant my daily walks were lost, but I still tried to get out when I could…

The Best Wrong Move by Lily Parker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So another audiobook that I couldn’t listen to in the car if someone else were in there with me!
The Best Wrong Move begins with our FMC proposing to her boyfriend, only to receive the answer she didn’t expect, and subsequently becoming a laughingstock in NYC.
She takes a sabbatical to Hawaii and finds herself in a building with her neighbour, someone she really doesn’t want to see again.
A handsome stranger/turned landlord is on hand to support her in creating the tension she wants, but it bubbles up into something more.
Was it some complex, deep storyline, nah.
But it was pretty easy listening, and I didn’t need to do much thinking.
And there were definitely some spicy scenes – hence the listening alone!

A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve just finished listening to this, the first in the Nell Ward series of cosy crime books, and I have absolutely got the next one lined up!
Dr Nell Ward is an ecologist, very thorough in her day job, and is currently studying badger sets and bats. Somehow, she ends up as a suspect in the murder of Sophie Crows, and to clear her name, she, along with her work partner, Adam, becomes an amateur sleuth.
And none of this was ever going to be easy…
And entwined with the mystery, there are fledgling romances… but which one will succeed?
The book not only gives us a delicious murder mystery to solve, along with the MCs, but it also offers a glimpse into the lives of the aristocracy, while teaching us a bit of ecology as we go.
I would rate this story as easy to listen to/read, not gruesome, and with enough plot twists to keep readers/listeners interested until the end, where we have the setup for possibly the next story in the series.

Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another Lindsey Kelk story, in her special brand of RomCom.
This time, we are treated to a fake girlfriend trope, as our FMC, Laura, finds herself face to face with a very naked landlord, Callum, whose parents then arrive, and this is where the hilarity begins.
Mistaken identity, leads to Laura offering to help Callum out of a ‘situation’, by becoming his girlfriend over Christmas, only Callum has already told his family about his fictitious long-term partner, so she finds herself in a Scottish mansion, rechristened Caroline, and a tee-total, vegan masseuse… only she is a neurosurgeon in reality, and meat and alcohol are some of her closest friends!
We get family politics, a furious sister, a pining ex, parents with an agenda and some brilliant friends who drive up to rescue their Laura from a precarious situation, only to find that she may just be catching feelings…
A great festive romance, easy to read and enjoy, with a little mild spice and lots of laughs!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an ARC.

A Cast of Falcons by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I eagerly listened to the second in the Nell Ward series, A Cast of Falcons, and it was great to step straight back into the story with familiar characters, as well as plenty of new ones.
This time, our hapless ecologist turned amateur detective plans and hosts her best friend’s wedding. However, there are a few disgruntled guests…
This time, a shock death leads to a murder investigation among the guests, but the murders and awful events just don’t stop.
I thoroughly enjoyed following the twists and turns, eagerly trying to guess who it might be, and I was delighted that Nell’s love life found its feet, even after some rather awful disasters.
Plus, I got to learn a bit more about barn owls!
Number three, A Mischief of Rats, is already cued up to play next!

A Mischief of Rats by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m continuing to listen to the Nell Ward Series. I started Book 3, A Mischief of Rats, eagerly, and I was not disappointed!
This time, the investigation centres around a murder that occurs during a racing event held at Nell’s family estate. A high-profile murder at a prestigious event, and many other secrets are uncovered as the investigation progresses.
One thing I really love is how each book is entwined with the others, and even though you can listen or read without having devoured the previous ones, if you have, you can jump right back into Nell’s world.
And, yet again, Nell’s unofficial sleuthing, combined with her ecological knowledge, helps to save the day.
Alongside the murder investigation, there is also Nell’s relationship with Rav, her work partner-turned romantic partner, and the hurdles that a mixed heritage relationship sometimes has to jump.
Fantastic, with lots of twists and turns, and I was ready to jump straight into the next, A Generation of Vipers!

A Copenhagen Snowmance by Pernille Hughes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think I need to go visit Copenhagen after reading this festive Scandi treat!
Anna is popping back ‘home’ from London, to say some final goodbyes, and rid herself of guilt, but finds herself stranded in Copenhagen in peak Christmas season. And she cannot leave fast enough.
Jamie is a handsome Scot, with whom she has several negative encounters, but who shows more than a heart of gold in the long run.
I have always enjoyed Pernille Hughes’ books and this one filled with broken hearts and angsty romance, as well as second chances, not with people, rather with places, was no exception.
Both characters have been burned in the past, and it takes time, but this slow burn romance is a gorgeous read, as we see them grow their friendship into something more… but there is always a bump in the road to slow things down.
I was fully immersed in the sensory delights of a Christmas in Copenhagen, and wanted to visit all the places mentioned, as well as most of the delicious-sounding food and drink!

A Generation of Vipers by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am speeding through this fantastic series on Audiobook and thoroughly enjoying each foray into Nell Ward’s world.
An ecologist by profession, Nell finds herself entangled in murder investigation after murder investigation. She supports the police in their enquiries, using her own knowledge, in fact, sometimes fully uncovering the mysteries before the good old boys in blue!
This time, there’s a serial killer on the loose, but this killer is wily and has slipped away without their cover being blown every time.
However, the reptiles, more importantly, the snakes that Nell and her co-workers are monitoring and re-homing are just as slippery, and also give support in their own way to help with the mystery.
I have to say that I was listening to a particular chapter where Nell is in a rather sticky situation involving loose snakes and country roads, and I was driving along some at the same time. I found myself stuck at a lower speed than usual, and ended up with a tailgating driver behind me, probably as annoyed at me as Nell’s tailgater was!
Another great story, and it follows on perfectly from the previous books.

The Peculiar Incident at Thistlewick House by Jenni Keer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jenni Keer’s books have a wonderfully magical quality, and they are infinitely readable because of the amazing storytelling!
The Peculiar Incident at Thistlewick House is a brilliantly written historical story of some mysterious goings on in the small village of Thistlewick.
Edward Blackmore, a communicator with spirits, and a lauded presence in London, is summoned to the home of his cousin, whose wife is undergoing some creepy changes after a bout of illness. Though he is reluctant to go, the pull is too strong and he arrives, finding himself in the thick of some extremely strange and unexplainable happenings.
Edward is a man with his own secrets, and though there is no love lost between him and the cousin he visits to help, they still have a bond which helps through the solving of the mystery.
It’s not a dual timeline book, but there is a section where we go back 40 years, to unravel secrets, and we are treated to circuses, strange exhibits, and a village intent on being the purest place ever…
A fabulous book, with spooky goings on that keep the pages turning, and a great read for the autumn season, and the eeriness of Halloween!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

A Trace of Hares by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The fifth book in the Nell Ward series, and I have listened to it as avidly as the previous ones.
The story takes us to the Emerald Isles as Nell’s mother’s security detail, Connor, is due to wed one of Nell’s dear friends.
Nell is there with her wheelchair user partner, Ray, and James, the DI who has been involved in all the previous books, who is also a guest, and his girlfriend, Shannon.
All these characters are known to a reader who has followed the series, and it’s great to have more layers revealed about all of them, as the stories progress.
They end up embroiled in another murder investigation, this time, as a body is uncovered at one of the wildlife sites that Nell visits, where the peat bogs have preserved many things, including this body.
As Conner and his brothers end up being suspects, this one is as close to home for Nell as all the previous investigations, but again, with her ecological background, and the skills and knowledge from both Rav and Shannon, with her art expertise, they all end up supporting enquiries and helping to solve another crime.
It was a brilliant listen!

The Monday Night Heartbreak Club: A BRAND NEW heart‑warming novel of heartbreak, friendship & second chances from Jane Lovering by Jane Lovering
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wonderfully different romance, stemming from heartbreak, but with so many other strands to the story.
Fee has had enough of her worthless, sexist boyfriend, and somehow finds herself at the gathering of people suffering heartbreak after seeing a leaflet at her local wine bar.
Through the club, we get to meet many people, each with their own story, from a woman going through divorce, a woman suspecting her husband is having an affair, a woman coming out of a long-term relationship, and a man who can’t even find a relationship, let alone suffer heartbreak.
Along with Flynn, the bartender at the wine bar, they make up a motley crew and end up as amateur investigators, as well as dealing with a larger emergency, with many hearts meeting over the course of the book.
Heartwarming read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC

A Swarm of Butterflies by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The sixth and final (so far) instalment of the Nell Ward series, and it indeed finished with a bang!
This time, we are a little while away from the last book, as Nell and Ra’s rewilding experiment has gained traction and a huge social media following on their YouTube channel. Or rathe,r Rav has gained quite a following.
And after a fire breaks out at Nell’s home, they discover that Rav has his very own stalker. Only as the weekend progresses, they come to find out just how sinister this person can get.
Another fantastic murder mystery where nature helps to solve the puzzle.
I do have to mention that you do wonder, after reading/listening to these books, exactly how much bad luck a person can have, with so many huge murder cases happening where she happens to be!
The entire series is narrated brilliantly by Kristin Atherton.
If you love cosy crime, then this is 100% the series for you!

Dreams Come True at the Fairytale Museum by Jaimie Admans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I caught up with the Ever After Street crew in this sixth instalment of Jaimie Adman’s series, and it was another corker of a story.
Grumpy sunshine at work here, as Lissa fights Warren who arrives at her wonderful museum, dedicated to Disney Fairytales, with a plan to demolish it and build a heartless cinema multiplex.
But magic does exist if you believe, and despite some pretty harsh odds, Lissa makes it through with lots of positivity, with help from her Ever After crew, and another unexpected ally.
I truly enjoyed this, and if there was a place like the Colours of the Wind Museum, I would 100% be a regular visitor!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Tell No One by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, so I have watched a few Harlan Coben series that have been serialisations of his books, so I figured I would try to listen to one.
Psychological thrillers aren’t my go-to, but I don’t mind reading them, and this one certainly kept me listening.
A grieving husband, suddenly contacted out of the blue by a stranger who has connections to his late wife, eight years after her death, is the starting point of this story.
Dr Beck misses Elizabeth something rotten and cannot get her out of his mind or heart.
Her death was tragic, but the case had been resolved, but this contact opens wounds that uncover a lot of unsolved ends.
It was fast-paced and a great listen as I went on my walks!

Remain by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, a marriage of tragic romance and paranormal mystery by the kings of both genres, Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan.
Tate is rebuilding his life after suffering a deep loss and being in a psych unit to help with acute depression. He arrives in Heatherington to help his best friend to design and build their family home, and finds himself privy to Wren, the owner of the B&B he is staying in, only she is not actually alive.
With the mystery surrounding her untimely demise, as well as the surreal relationship that builds between the two of them, this was a book that kept me turning the pages.
Thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Old Gals’ Bucket List by Karen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do love a story centred around characters of a certain age, and this was a perfect pick-me-up, A reminder that just because you are a bit older, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep on learning and experiencing new things in life.
Sandra is widowed and struggling to get the confidence to live without her beloved husband Brian. Her son wants her to up sticks and move closer to where he will be living with his family, as they are also moving.
A chance meeting with an old colleague and friend, Patti, who is also alone now and a cancer survivor, kick-starts a life-changing set of decisions that helps both women begin to live again.
They create their own bucket lists, including learning new things and defeating lifelong fears, and with the help of Patti’s granddaughter, they start an Instagram account following the Old Gals and their Bucket List quest.
I loved this. The idea of a bucket list has always intrigued me, but I haven’t ever created one myself. I think I may have to, now, after reading this!
There is so much to revel in from rekindling old friendships to igniting other sparks, as well as a good old-fashioned adventure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

One Last Day of Summer by Shari Low
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A story told almost entirely over one flight to the Caribbean, through four POVs, and it had me hooked from the start, especially as the stories began to overlap!
Tadgh, a fledgling rockstar, is off to get married, but a disturbing message he sees before the flight has his mind and heart in shreds.
Bernadette is off on the holiday of a lifetime, booked for her by her controlling husband, and though she is out of his clutches, her partner of choice has had to back out at the last minute, and she’s venturing off alone.
Hayley is flying out on holiday with her successful Dr. husband, hoping that the sun and sea will support their floundering fertility journey.
Dev is on a mad dash out to see if he can find ‘the one that got away’, after a one-night stand that he is convinced has changed his life.
They all sit beside one another and over the long flight, their stories come to light, and so much more.
I really enjoyed listening to this one, and was hugely happy with the ending!

The Approval of Sheep by Karen Storey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This debut novel by Karen Storey was a wonderfully well written tale with its heart based on a true covenant.
I’ve heard of sheep in London and covenants about them being allowed to run through certain areas according to these ancient covenants, so to have this book’s core being about a similar covenant, was intriguing.
Gordon, our MC is in a bit of a bind at his job, in that due to possible redundancies, he may be out of a job, on top of a failed marriage proposal. He’s feeling quite useless, compared to his heigh flying siblings.
Then with the knowledge of a covenant involving sheep being allowed to run throught the hotel he works at, he tries to bargain for a promotion.
He finds himself in Wales in order to negotiate with the owner of the covenant, and finds himself stuch with some stubborn, untrusting folk and a lot of sheep.
The whole story was highly entertaining, and there were some lovely emotional elements that made Gordon appear more human as the story progressed, and I was more than satisfied with the ending.
A little romance, a lot of self discovery and a shed load of sheep!

The House on the Cliff by Victoria Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have always enjoyed Victoria Scott’s immersive stories and this one blew me a way.
An old Catholic boarding school run by monks, with a questionable past, and one incident in particular that has never been laid to rest, and a school nurse who cannot forget the guilt of her involvement.
And a woman following her husband to join him as he works there, caught up in some mysterious goings on, as well as trying to deal with the onset of perimenopause and a touch of empty nest syndrome.
The story is told through a dual time line from the perpective of the two women, with Theresa during the 1960s and Amanda in the present.
A tragedy that occured in 1966 threads its way throught the whole story, bringing both these women’s storues together in a way you wouldn’t imagine.
Boarding schools have always held my interest, not least because of the years of reading Mallory Towers and St Claire’s books by Enid Blyton, but also because my own brother attended one for his secondary years. The ragging, and the loneliness, as well as the cameraderie that can come from the experience.

Christmas with the Princes by Hannah Langdon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sweet Christmas tale with a bit of grumpy/sunshine in the mix, as well as a bit of European royalty and a fantastically friendly, yet naughty dog!
Laura is a widowed nurse, and she takes a job over Christmas to work with the Prince Family, specifically with the matriarch, Marilise.
While there, she not only rediscovers her own love of the festive season, but helps the rest of the family realise theirs, too.
This was an easy-to-read Festive romance, which does exactly what it says on the box.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Books for an ARC.

A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m on the Blog Tour for this lovely festive story next month, so stay tuned!

New Beginnings for Christmas: The Book of Beginnings, Book 2 by Sally Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sweet novella revisiting characters from Sally Page’s previous novel, The Book of Beginnings.
78-year-old Malcolm wants to give his friend Rev. Ruth a restful Christmas day as she is always rushed off her feet, helping others and supporting those in need. Still, his plans don’t quite go as he expected; despite not being what he had planned, he ends up giving her —and many more —the best Christmas ever, including himself.
A lovely short Christmas tale that can be read as a standalone, which warms the festive cockles of the heart.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC.

You Had Me at Chateau by Portia MacIntosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Honestly, I needed the hapless FMC Amber and her train wreck life in this story to get me through my tough spot, and it worked!
Amber is an author and stuck in a rut. She is meant to write romcoms, but her heart wants to write cosy murder mysteries.
She finds herself sent to France for an exclusive writers’ retreat with some of her publishers’ other romance-writing queens, but it’s not them who give her the inspo she needs!
Amber has been asked to spice up her books, and writing spice doesn’t come naturally; however, the scrapes she finds herself in, with not one but two hot guys, give her plenty of chances to fill her notebooks!
A light-hearted, funny read!

The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder by Fiona Leitch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the Nosey Parker series by Fiona Leitch and was eager to dive back into the lives of the Penstowan locals, especially our favourite non-police character, Jodie Parker! This time, the story revolves around the local pantomime, where everyone is excited either to have a role within the production, on stage or off, or to be part of the audience. However, a gruesome murder is discovered partway through the first performance. As usual, the police are involved, led by DCI Nathan Withers, aka husband of ex-Met police officer Jodie Parker, who always manages to find clues to support her husband and the local constabulary when solving cases. Along the way, Jodie is feeling the effects of a woman of a certain age, and that was something I could definitely relate to, if not the crime solving! Another highly entertaining cosy murder mystery to add to a fantastic series! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, for an ARC.

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you want a good read with a more mature set of MCs, then Kim Nash is definitely one author to turn to.
I’ve loved the small communities she has created through her fiction, and the Cornish Cottage series, featuring three women who become close later in life, is a beautiful setup.
This time the focus is on Emma, a relatively recently widowed woman, who is settling into life in her new home after losing her husband Ben.
A blast from the past walks into her life, causing many feelings, from embarrassment and anger, to confusion.
Then she is somehow railroaded into taking over the local Christmas panto production, on top of running her Lonely Hearts group, where she is forced to confront those feelings, as well as come to terms with her own past.
Emma and Tom’s story comes full circle, and this is a beautiful, festive story filled with hope and second chances.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

All We Want for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve always enjoyed Phillipa Ashley’s books, and it wouldn’t be the lead up to the festive period without one!
Lara works at Ravendale Castle in the Lake District, and loves her job as the Events Manager. It’s been one way to forget some not-so-pleasant happenings at her previous job. Then she almost destroys an ancient chalice associated with the castle and King Henry VIII, when a new employee makes his presence known rather suddenly.
Flynn is starting his new job at the castle, and Lara is one reason he’s there. However, she doesn’t know it.
But life isn’t as simple as throwing two well-suited people together and letting them have their HEA. Several twists make what everyone wants to happen look less and less likely…
This was an easy read with two characters a little older than your average romance, which I always love, and it’s set in a castle! At Christmas! What’s not to love!

How Can I Resist You? by Jeevani Charika
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vidya finds herself in a bit of a situation when her younger sister falls pregnant after a one-night stand, and as the eldest, she is straight into problem-solving mode.
The problem is that she knows the father works at the same company as her, but she’s just not sure who.
Cue some extreme antics to get herself in a position where she can help narrow down the search.
She didn’t expect to find more than that errant tattoo that she was searching for, though.
Leo is the uptight lawyer with no sense of humour, and Caleb is a joker with a cheeky grin, and both are handsome and very good at what they do.
It’s up to Vidya to somehow dig behind the masks they put on, outwardly, to find out what is really going on, and who, if any of them, could be the father of her unborn nephew/niece.
Vidya is a real woman with her own insecurities and feelings, and reading about her battling through what she thinks is right and what she really wants was page-turning.
Loved how this story played out, and with the added cultural pressure, it was a fantastic read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Publishing for an ARC.

Another one I am on the Blog Tour for in November, and another treat of a story about ladies of a certain age!

Small Acts of Resistance by Anita Frank
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is May 1915 in rural France, and the story tells of a British Airman, Henry, crashing, then finding a place to hide in the house of locals: a grandmother, her two granddaughters, Marie and Elodie and their dog.
What makes their actions riskier is that the Germans already occupy the village, and harbouring a British man is an enormous risk, possibly resulting in their own execution.
Then they face the problem of housing two German personnel—another vast issue.
It could have been awful. I mean, it’s no picnic, but the emotions described, as humanity and empathy battle with patriotism, really resonated with me.
A beautiful story of love, patriotism, resistance, and humanity.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

The Secrets Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I understand that this is a sequel, but I have neither read nor listened to the first book, and it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this fantastic story. In fact, I think I will have to get that to read!
Bhima is a hardworking woman, cleaning for several regular customers, so she can ensure her granddaughter, Maya, can attend college and escape the life she has lived.
Many elements of her past have shaped the way her future unfolds, and she can only hope that she will provide all that Maya needs.
Her path crosses with Parvati, an older, caustic woman who has a deformity and sells old vegetables in Mumbai.
Slowly, over time, these two women begin to trust one another and learn about each other’s pasts, which are filled with tragedy.
They end up in business, and as they start to celebrate their little successes cautiously, their relationship strengthens.
There is still more tragedy to come, but also hope and strength in these two women, as well as in the other characters we meet.
A story filled with slums, the red-light district, and how your past doesn’t have to define you.

So, that was 29 books, I think, over the last two months. Which one caught your eye?