But I Smile Anyway…

March heralds the entrance of Spring, apparently…

It’s also a term fully in school with no other days out, so how did I go with my reading?

So, the whole submission thing didn’t go to plan; however, I am not too worried. In fact, I am getting my covers redesigned, will be self-publishing the three books, and will hopefully start writing again soon!

So I read and listened as best I could.

The Alchemist’s Secret by Clare Marchant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t believe I haven’t read one of Clare Marchant’s books before, because this was right up my street!
A dual-timeline mystery with two very strong female MCs, one in each era: the present and 1672.
Paige is back in her family home after a disastrous ‘marriage’ and busies herself with helping her father and investigating the provenance of a gruesome piece of art in their ancestral home.
Meanwhile, in 1672, we meet Jeanne and her sister Marie. Two French sisters were brought over with the marriage of one of them to the lord of the house, but their own situation is precarious.
I can’t write much about the plot because that’s not what a review is, but I will say I was fully invested in this story and in finding out the origins of the “Phaedra” painting and what it all meant.
I really felt for Jeanne, who, at a time of little understanding, was trying to deal with her own sexuality, as well as supporting a sister suffering huge mental health issues, and the upheaval they encountered when they were made to leave their home.
All I can say is ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have often enjoyed Jay Shetty’s short motivational videos on various social media platforms, and many of his words have resonated with me, so I chose his book to be the first self-help book I listened to.
And I wasn’t disappointed.
Sure, there are lots of things I know I can’t or won’t do, but I have already found myself taking heed of some suggestions he has made regarding letting go of things I have no control over.
I’m a pretty positive, glass have full person, with a spiritual father, who has always recommended Simran, which is a type of meditation chant within our religion, Sikhism, and he’s also a trained yogi, so maybe I find some of what Jay suggesting a lot more achievable than those who aren’t already familiar with many of the ideals he discusses, but it was a fascinating listen, and with the PDF that came with it, to fill in and work on myself, I think it was a good investment.

The Mother of all Comebacks: Discover the deliciously relatable, laugh-out-loud funny and feel-good read for 2026! by Kathleen Whyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a corker of a read! And I cannot believe I have read none of Kathleen Whyman’s books before today. This was soooooo relatable!
Becca is a woman of a certain age, making her way through the empty-nester years, with a less-than-satisfactory job, a rather boring husband, and an increasingly demanding mother.
She is the epitome of a woman stuck in the sandwich generation: those who are still caring for and bringing up children, with the added strain of caring for older parents who have their own needs.
I found myself immersed in a world where there are so many situations I find myself in, right now, as a 50-year-old woman, thinking about what my grown children need, as well as constant concern for ailing parents, and with that urge to want to do something different with my working life, but not having the courage or belief in myself that I could do anything else.
The difference is that I get on very well with my mum and mother-in-law, and my relationship is not in question, but even with a solid partnership, other things can rock the boat.
Becca finds herself living with her mother, Josephine, to care for her, despite a very fragile relationship with her, and then her daughter, Sophie, who has flown the nest, comes back, bringing equal stress.
A brilliant theme of reinvention becomes apparent: with support and encouragement from those close to her, she finds a renewed passion for her old love of journalism and writing, as well as for her own appearance. And then there is Rey… Who makes her realise she isn’t actually dead inside, or rather, down below!
Josephine is quite a character in herself, and I cannot look at hand cream now, without thinking of her and applying sparingly, to save my door handles!
I think this story touches on and explores many important themes that will resonate with many women out there. And now I can’t wait to read a few more of Kathleen’s books!

Most Wanted by Andi Osho
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A humorous, yet slightly crazy take on what a couple would do to buy a house in a trendy part of London, with a not-so-humorous ending.
The couple in question find themselves sinking into a life of crime as they navigate the property ladder, in a possibly far-fetched journey to the house of their dreams.
I enjoyed the story, but it wasn’t as much of a page-turner as the previous books.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

The Way I Loved You: The BRAND-NEW captivating and emotional romantic novel with unexpected, magical, time-bending twists, perfect reading for Spring 2026 by Fiona Lucas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book!
A kind of time travel, speculative romance that I really got my teeth into.
Jess and Luke are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, and somehow end up in a row that has Luke walking out. Unsure what happened, Jess falls asleep and wakes up on the same day, twelve years earlier. And again, and again, until she has relived the same date for each year that has passed up to the present.
With the opportunity to learn from her mistakes and better understand Luke, she takes it, hoping that when she returns to the present, she can avoid the heartache she caused.
I love a bit of reflection for romantic relationships, and Jess has to reflect on her own life, reactions, and behaviours to really understand where fractures appeared in her and Luke’s marriage.
An often emotional page turner of a book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

Deep Swimmers by Richard Robinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Crime and espionage – not my usual go-to, but I was happy to read something different from my norm of culture, women’s fiction and romance!
Deep Swimmers is the fourth book in the Topaz Files series, and it was most definitely a gripping read that keeps the pages turning.
Since I hadn’t read the previous ones, I wasn’t privy to some of the earlier events that may have been referenced in Deep Swimmers, which did not detract from my enjoyment of this read.
Set in the 90s, with a tale of intrigue surrounding an elderly couple in Ireland, apparently committing suicide together… Or was it? Were they pushed?
That’s where the title Deep Swimmers comes from: those who may have had some connection to spy work but are no longer active are still recognised for the work they did.
The story may start there, but the reader is drawn into many more mysteries as connections between key characters and past events encroach upon their lives.
We have WW2 events entwined with more modern political issues in a delicate, but very clever way.
I really loved Jenny and Jones’ chemistry, and Mr Singh was a particular favourite!
If you love a bit of a mystery with espionage involvement, you will love this!

California Gold by Jodie Chapman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an intricately woven story beginning in the 70s, when British Frank met Californian Chrissy, and they fell into a deep relationship, with its roots in a house they travelled to see: the House of Tomorrow, all glass and steel.
They end up back in England and manage to create a replica, named Mirage, which is a sight to behold, then the rest of the story follows them, through highs and lows, and introduces us to Beth, and siblings, Clover, Jesse and Alice.
There is tragedy, and then emotional disconnect, crossed wires, and the effects a moment’s choices have on future generations.
An emotional rollercoaster of a ride.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, for an ARC.

The Bookshop by the Beach by J.C. Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to this on Audiobook, and it was an easy listen. I found myself smiling to myself several times and had a few laugh-out-loud moments, too!
Libby runs a bookshop by the beach, aptly called the same, and it is a family business, run by her grandparents before her on the Isle of Man.
It’s a beautiful place, but unfortunately is not raking in the dosh, so she is at risk of losing it.
The things this girl goes through to keep her shop, I tell you! Well, I won’t tell you because you need to read it yourself!
There are crossed wires, hilarious moments excellently captured (Bonk Shop on the Beach, anyone?), romances that falter at the first hurdle, and some not-very-nice people (person) out there, but with her best friend, Freya, and some other great characters, Libby finds her way through her problems.
Another fantastic addition is the journals she finds belonging to her grandfather, which she reads in parallel with the happenings at the shop, giving her more gumption to continue her fight.
Great fun!

Ticket To Ride by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know, Kay Bratt’s done it again with an amazing FIFTEENTH book in the Hart’s Ridge Series!
Taylor Grey is back with her tingling senses, with support from her husband Sam, when things get far too close to home for comfort.
Seeing crime and corruption within the folk who you expect to protect you is not what anyone wishes, but after the end of the last book, you know things are going to be deep and Ticket To Ride gives you that and more.
A missing person, a fugitive, a runaway; three different people but all ultimately connected through the wrongdoings of one person, and it takes Taylor and a little army behind her to solve the cases.
And there is emotion, lots of emotion. We don’t really hear much about Taylor’s family in this book, since there is so much going on, but this was a true page turner, and the end was brilliant – a lead up to more fab stories to come!

Would You Ask My Husband That by Kathleen Whyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my second Kathleen Whyman book, and honestly, I am kicking myself for not finding her books sooner!
Would You Ask My Husband That? is a story about a couple and the differences between being a working mum and a working dad.
I won’t lie and say I didn’t feel seen, but oh my goodness, I felt laid bare with this book!
Sarah and Will are married, and both work at the same firm. He’s a director, and she is on the team there. A chance occurrence means that Will finds himself out of a job, and Sarah finds she can rectify their income deficit with a different role, but they have the kids to worry about.
That age-old situation for a mother where you feel you are giving no aspect of your life the full 100%. If you want to be there for your children, your career suffers. If you want to progress, your time with the family is compromised.
Only with Will at home, things should be a bit easier, right?
This is that possibly stereotypical but very realistic scenario where Dad is home, but acts like he is babysitting, and despite being at home all day, Sarah is still finding herself running ragged, cleaning messes, doing laundry and cooking batch meals…
And Will? He gets the green light from teachers and other mothers for being the caring dad, though he isn’t quite as hands on as they think.
And then he joins the Friday Fizz Club, and things go awry.
It is a comedic look at role reversal that I think many working mothers would read and nod their heads at, and though things are slowly worked out, I know there were plenty of times that I wanted to give Will a kick up the backside!
I was engrossed in listening to the story!

The Pledge: The nail-biting, escapist crime thriller from the half-million copy bestseller by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having devoured the Nell Ward series, I was eager to find out what Sarah Yarwood-Lovett was going to write next, and this one, The Pledge, was another brilliant page-turning thriller!
Thea receives a mysterious invitation to somewhere, and when she arrives at an idyllic Caribbean island, with fellow guests being billionaires, famous folk, and her husband, she is confused and intrigued.
But as the group come to terms with why they have been gathered, a murder occurs, and sends them all into panic.
They all have secrets to hide, and motives… but Thea is determined to find out what went on. And more murders happen…
So many twists and turns kept me reading long into the night as I wanted to know who the murderer was, and why this was all happening! Fantastically done!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for an ARC.

The Irish Midwife at War by Seána Tinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the first in this series, and I ADORED The Irish Midwife at War!
Seana Tinley has written another highly emotive, beautiful story about the handywomen in Belfast. This time, we follow the story of Kathleen, who is introduced to the art of being a handywoman at the tender age of 16, and explore her life as she faces the routine experiences of a young woman until the world is embroiled in World War 2. She steps up and is recognised in more ways than just being a good handywoman,
The exploration of her romantic life, as well as long-hidden secrets coming to the surface, makes this a real page-turner, and I couldn’t stop reading one day, but I was so sad that it had finished. I eagerly await another story in the same vein.
Many Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.

You are the Fuhrer’s Unrequited Love by Jean-Noël Orengo
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have to admit I requested this book after reading the blurb, hinting at historical fiction based upon some truths about a fascinating pair of characters.
The writing style read more like an academic study than fiction, and I found it very hard to stay engaged in the story.
It will be for others, but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc.

I’m on the blog tour for this early next month so stop by for the review then!

Pretty Evil by Zoe Rosi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book when it first came out and was extremely excited to listen to the audiobook version! Narrated by Frankie Porter, I was immersed in the world of Camilla, all over again, and it was brilliantly read!
Oh, my days!
When I read the blurb, I thought, “Why not? Sounds like an intriguing read.”
Well, intriguing is perhaps not quite the word to describe it.
Hugely dark and (excuse my language, but) bloody fantastic!
Camilla, our protagonist, is a woman with a past so deeply ingrained that it’s almost hollowed out any other emotion in her.
Wronged as a child, growing up, and abused as a young woman, she casts herself in the role of vigilante for womankind, wreaking havoc and her own version of revenge upon unsuspecting predators
I found myself strangely aroused, a bit disturbed, and definitely sympathetic towards the woman with what appears to be no emotion, but whose heart is feeling again.
Laced with sex, gore, and much suspense, I was kept on my toes, reading the book almost in one sitting, and I truly didn’t predict the ending either.
What a dark, kinky web the author has woven…

My Neighbor’s Secret by Lauren Rowe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why do I not learn from my mistakes?
Listening to a bit of a saucy book while driving, with my daughter in the car!
This was a lighthearted, fun, kinky story about two people brought together in strange circumstances and then finding a rather novel way to solve their problems.
Think of students and people with debts, then add a bit of online enjoyment and voyeurism into it… a bit Only Fans, and two rather hot and horny people…
I have to say it was a bit far-fetched in some ways, but absolutely hilarious and, as I mentioned before, saucy! And I don’t think I will ever think of puppet shows in the same way…

17 books this month! Which caught your eye?