Today I’ve got a stonker of a story, with cricket at the heart! Hit for Six by Isabella May is the first in a cricket romance series.
The Blurb
A simmering Fangirl Down X Rivals X Crazy Rich Asians (with a British twist)LOLA is juggling two jobs to make ends meet; underpaid sales exec by day, and waitress in a cocktail bar by night.
MONTY is the captain of Bath Beasts cricket team and heir to a portfolio of luxury properties.
Girls like her don’t normally end up with boys like him. But when she accidentally bares all at his cup final, destiny (and the number six) ensures their match is a home run.
Unfortunately, Monty’s family has other ideas, doing all they can to prevent their golden boy from getting bowled over by the lowly Lola. Can their love survive the attacking shot? Or will they find themselves on a sticky wicket?
Well, a cricket romance… given my family connection to the gentleman’s sport, I had to read it! And I loved it! I’m excited to hear that it’s the first in a series. 🙂 Lola is a young woman in a job where she feels she is being passed over for promotions in favour of the males in the business. She has to accompany the team to a local cricket match, and it turns into a rather eventful team-building day out. Monty is the captain of the team, and he ends up with an eyeful after a spectacular six, which he will never forget for the life of him. The story centres around these two characters from two very different backgrounds, as they negotiate with life and families to make their own love story come true. I loved all the cricket metaphors and the chemistry between Lola and Monty simmered well before it hit the boil, keeping me reading. And I cannot wait for the next one now!
Isabella May lives in (mostly) sunny Andalusia, Spain with her husband, daughter and son, creatively inspired by the mountains and the sea. She grew up in Somerset on Glastonbury’s ley lines and loves to feature her quirky English hometown in her stories.
After a degree in Modern Languages and European Studies at UWE, Bristol (and a year working abroad in Bordeaux and Stuttgart), Isabella bagged an extremely jammy and fascinating job in children’s publishing… selling foreign rights for novelty, board, pop-up and non-fiction books all over the world; in every language from Icelandic to Korean, Bahasa Indonesian to Papiamento!
All of which has fuelled her curiosity and love of international food and travel – both feature extensively in her romcoms.
Isabella is also a Level 4 Pranic Healer and a stillbirth mum.
You can follow her Foodie Romance Journeys and Cricket Romances at the following hang-outs:
June has been the craziest of months. There has been a LOT going on at school, what with the preparation for next year, report checking, and some other situations that made it quite tough.
And reading is my go to to relax, but even so, I was so exhausted most nights, I fell asleep before getting much reading done! Ooops!
Still, I read, but I also went to the MeetCute Book Festival near Elstree on June 28th, which was an amazing place to celebrate all things romance fiction, and I was even invited to speak there! Such a great day!
Now, back to this month’s reads/listens. There were ARCS and Audiobook listens…
Yes, yes, yes to another fabulous Desi love story, filled with second chances, grumpy sunshine, lots of Italy, and hints of Mombasa! Laila Rafi crafts beautiful, heartfelt stories, and Seven Summers Later is no different. Safiya is back home in London after a painful divorce. She is nursing heartbreak, but it’s not her Kenya-based ex-husband that she can’t quite forget. Her self-confidence has eroded over six gruelling years in a loveless marriage, cementing the way she was made to feel by a close family member seven years ago. Slowly, she picks herself up hesitantly, dipping her toes back into the career she had always loved, but had lost, because of marriage: interior design. Murad has worked diligently to achieve his current position. He has a successful career, cars, a swanky penthouse, and money, but his life is lacking in love and romance. Because no one quite lives up to the love of his life, who slipped away seven years ago. A chance encounter brings them both together, once more, where they are not only forced to work together, but live alongside one another in a small village in Italy to renovate a crumbling villa. You can feel the emotions from the off, the hesitancy to even want to communicate with one another, as both Safiya and Murad struggle with the situation, but also with coming to terms with feelings they thought had long since been buried. The story centres around them, but also explores the themes of family honour and expectations, both of which can weigh heavily on the shoulders of many, taking chances and believing in oneself. I was even happier to read brief glimpses of characters who featured in Laila Rafi’s previous book, First Comes Marriage, a couple with links to the same family. Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing for an ARC.
Another of my audiobook reads/listens. The story centres around three friends who own a business called Perfect Proposals. Lainey, Tash and Millie are childhood friends who went into business together to help couples create the perfect proposal moments. They are the ideal team, really, with Lainey being in a solid relationship with Cameron, the perfect poster couple for happily marrieds, and Millie, who is a die-hard romantic. Tash brings realism to the outfit, with a more laissez-faire approach to romance, as she is not one to be tied down herself. The story is told from the perspectives of all three women, each with a parallel storyline. Still, the focus is on Lainey, who discovers that they appear to be setting up a proposal for a couple, led by the female half… and the male half may be her husband. There is a lot of wariness, as she battles with whether she should confront him or not, and tries to convince herself that it is a coincidence that the man is called Cameron, with the same surname and job title as her own husband. I won’t tell you more, but though it sometimes took a while to get going, and I sometimes wanted to throttle her for not asking him straight out, the three friends hash out a plan to find out the truth, in the most spectacular way! The narrator was really great with accents, and I enjoyed listening to this.
Another enjoyable Emily Kerr story! Kat Fisher (yes, that is her real name) is a librarian. She feels she is stereotypical, a bit serious, not noticeable to anyone other than her regular library visitors, and unattractive to the opposite sex. So a chance match on a very specific, local dating app, SO OX develops into a relationship that shows promise… until it doesn’t. Leo Taylor, an ex-police officer, is minding his own business when he visits the library. However, he finds himself the recipient of her tongue, albeit in a hushed tone, as she chastises him for leaving his belongings everywhere, including his shoes, on the seat opposite. Somehow, they become embroiled in a bit of a covert investigation, when Kat finds herself, well, kat-fished by a smooth-tongued suitor. You know when you can feel the chemistry from the off? That is Kat and Leo, only they can’t quite get their act together, even though everyone around them seems to sense the attraction! There are some fantastic side characters, including a retired CEO, Doris, who now has a penchant for smutty books and even has a spicy bookstagram following! I enjoyed this read! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC
I’ll start by saying that I haven’t read books 1 and 2 in the series yet, and though it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this story, I 100% will be going back to catch up on the backstories of the others. Over The Sea To Skye centres around Valentina Wynter, a newly single parent, on her way to Skye from Inverness with her son, Barnaby, for a hopefully relaxed summer, after a fraught few months following the break-up of her marriage. Well, that is the plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans, and all that? Valentina is the oldest of three adopted sisters, and the only one with no link to her biological family. So, being in Skye, where her two sisters, Ess and Thea, live, is the closest she can get to being with people who love her. On the train journey, they end up seated with American tourists, Xander and his nephew Macdonald, who are here for some heritage searching and a bit of a break as well. What follows over the summer isn’t quite relaxing, but dealing with an unwell ex, needy, overbearing in-laws, a whole new branch of family, plus a sudden attraction to a certain Pittsburgher is undoubtedly worth it! I loved Xander. He showed a depth of feeling and emotion that is rare in men, and his relationship with his nephew is exemplary. Valentina and Xander are a partnership I was rooting for from the off! Yay for #ValeXander! Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.
If you want a book that will have you giggling on the sunlounger while beside the pool, then I think you have found your holiday read! A rom-com that gives so much com that I found myself laughing out loud at several points! Connie is a singer, stuck in a rut. She’s still grieving the loss of her mother and desperately trying to fit into the hole her mother left in the singing world. but nothing is going right. Her manager, Nancy give a last chance opportunity to her, to travel to Benidorm for a week, replacing a popular tribute act, with the Dollz as her warm-up act. The moment we meet the Dollz, you know they aren’t going to let any part of this working break be boring! Their outlandish makeup and outfits, sudden group ‘slut drops’, and pure party girl mentality are a touch too far removed from Connie’s usual life. And the journey starts with explosive moments, including Connie making quite an impression on the passenger sitting next to her, and not in the most positive of manners! There is drama, some funny situations and plenty of twists as Connie seems to mess up all her opportunities, both with her career and potential lovelife. The Dollz; yeah, maybe a tad too over the top, but they certainly never let anything get boring… And Connie? She gets there, in the end! Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Tally is a woman in her late twenties who runs a herb farm. It has always been a part of her family, first belonging to her grandma, then her mother, before Tally buys it outright from her mum. It’s a tough gig, especially as she has caring responsibilities for her mother, unwell with an unknown illness, but she loves being with the plants, and her guinea pigs, and especially Big Pig, her sow. She ends up with Zeb, a marketing consultant appointed by her mother, tagging along as she goes about her life. A chance visit from an up-and-coming band who want to use the farm to shoot videos gives Tally the chance of some more income, much-needed funds to continue her small, struggling business, and under the guidance of Zeb, she hesitantly agrees. But there are lots of things going on, with thinking about a certain band member, as well as looking out for her mother, and trying to quell feelings that are building about someone else. It’s a slow-rumbling romance, with a slightly darker moment when secrets are uncovered; however, it’s a lovely summer read. A gorgeous story filled with love, a twist of mystery and a lot of hope. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
I’ve listened to another audiobook, and it’s the third in the Auschwitz trilogy by Heather Morris. This is another beautifully told story of the three Mellor sisters, who made a promise to their father on his deathbed, when they were mere slips of girls, to always look after each other—a promise they upheld, and then some. The three sisters go on quite an emotional, and often tragic journey through the war, separated then reunited in the most awful of places; Auschwitz. But their journey doesn’t end there. They separate once more for two to go on another massive, eventful trek to Israel, to help create a homeland for the Jewish community. Though all is thankfully well for them at the end, this book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions: sadness, fear, terror, hope, and confusion. Why the confusion? Because of the mention of Gaza and Palestine within the book. What hit me was that this story of persecution, and an entire community just looking for a safe space, echoes what is happening right now in Gaza, and yet this time it is the same people who suffered, causing suffering to another innocent community. True, it is a whole new generation, but I know of many older Jewish folk who are horrified, feeling and hearing the echoes of what they experienced, happening all over. Still, this time the persecutors are their own. The stories from Auschwitz and many other concentration camps, the death marches, losing unnecessary Jewish lives… Stories uncovered and retold many years later, and yet we are seeing the horrors to innocent Gaza residents in real-time, and still it’s not stopping. It’s not about religion, it’s about one-upmanship, and no consideration for lives destroyed so horrifically. Sorry to get political in a review; it hit a nerve.
Reading the blurb after the title pulled me in and made me eager to read this book. Now, was it worth it? We have Tash, an author whose first novel, a female-centric dystopian piece, has reached the level of fandom that it is being commissioned for adaptation as a TV series. Only the producer wants it to be ‘sexed-ed up’ more for the screen, as well as a significant change to the ending. Tash battles with this idea, as it is so far from her ideals and the book’s concept. Threatened with the loss of any say, she teams up with an Intimacy Co-ordinator, Caleb, celebrated in his field for helping to create, well, hot scenes! Here, we end up with a bit of a grumpy-sunshine workplace romance, as Tash battles with her more visceral feelings towards her work partner and her strong feelings about her book, which is going to be ‘butchered’ for the screen, losing all integrity. An easy-to-read summer romance, but considering the title The Dirty Version, any action is very much closed-door! Many thanks to NetGalley and Verve Books for an ARC.
Published 26th June, 2025
The first of my July Book tour arcs. I’ll be featuring the full review on 2nd July! And it’s a cricket-based romance, so given my family obsession with the sport, it just had to be read!
I listened to this title as I walked, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Gina and Nick, two pastry chefs with a history and each with a thirst to win the Golden Whisk Award. I really enjoyed this story of two individuals who are so perfect for each other, but with huge barriers, such as misconceptions that they struggle to clear up. Set with the backdrop of Vienna at Christmas time, it’s a perfect Christmas read(listen)!
It was a pleasure to leap back into the world of Emmy Lake and her fellow Magazine colleagues as they clamber through the murky end-of-war years. We are treated to weddings, a relocation, and a fair few tragedies, as well as some mystery as Hester disappears for a while. I loved this last installment, and AJ Pearce really helps the reader get a feel for what many families on the home front would have felt like, nervously awaiting news of their loved ones in Europe, as war sounds like it is ending. There are less of the Dear Miss Lake letters, as Emmy gets engrossed in helping women and families trying to trace their family members who are prisoners of war, and that is not without emotion. An enjoyable addition to the series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
Published 3rd July, 2025
An early July Blog tour review will be up for this one, so be patient!
Thrilled to welcome Jane Lovering and her latest book, Once Upon a Thyme, to the blog!
The Blurb
All her life, Natalie Fisher has been taught not to ask questions. Why risk uncovering uncomfortable truths, when you can stay in the safety of blissful denial?
Since taking over the family herb farm, Natalie has stuck with what she knows, rarely venturing much further than the nearby village where her invalid mother now lives. But then, one day, everything changes with the arrival of unexpected visitors.
First comes Zeb, employed by Natalie’s mother to help with the business but soon hinting at other motives. Then comes Simon with the famous band he manages, wanting to film in Natalie’s beautiful garden. The band causes chaos and the attitude of one particular member throws Natalie’s ordered life into confusion.
Over one magical summer of revelations and of uncovering secrets, Natalie starts to blossom and by the time autumn arrives she knows nothing will ever be the same again. Will she finally get an answer to the mystery of her childhood? And can she embrace the fresh start she so deserves – but which means she’ll have to take one enormous and brave leap of faith?
An uplifting novel about fresh starts, family secrets and finding love when you least expect it.
Tally is a woman in her late twenties who runs a herb farm. It has always been a part of her family, first belonging to her grandma, then her mother, before Tally buys it outright from her mum. It’s a tough gig, especially as she has caring responsibilities for her mother, unwell with an unknown illness, but she loves being with the plants, and her guinea pigs, and especially Big Pig, her sow. She ends up with Zeb, a marketing consultant appointed by her mother, tagging along as she goes about her life. A chance visit from an up-and-coming band who want to use the farm to shoot videos gives Tally the chance of some more income, much-needed funds to continue her small, struggling business, and under the guidance of Zeb, she hesitantly agrees. But there are lots of things going on, with thinking about a certain band member, as well as looking out for her mother, and trying to quell feelings that are building about someone else. It’s a slow-rumbling romance, with a slightly darker moment when secrets are uncovered; however, it’s a lovely summer read. A gorgeous story filled with love, a twist of mystery and a lot of hope. 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.
Today we have the lovely Jo Lyon’s most recent book, Girls Just Want To Have Fun featuring on the blog!
The Blurb
She never expected to find herself in Benidorm. But when life gives you lemons, add a shot of tequila…
Connie’s singing career isn’t exactly going to plan. On a final warning from her agent and failing every big audition, she’s desperate for a fresh start. So when she lands a last-minute gig in Benidorm (of all places) she jumps at the chance – despite knowing she’s completely out of her depth.
Thrown into the wild world of the Dollz, a cocktail-fuelled girl group who love glitter as much as they love drama, Connie struggles to fit in. Then there’s Matteo – the brooding, annoyingly attractive local who seems to be everywhere she turns, throwing her further off course.
As she stumbles through a week of sun, surprises and absolute chaos, Connie has to decide: is this rock bottom, or can she find her own way to shine?
If you want a book that will have you giggling on the sunlounger while beside the pool, then I think you have found your holiday read! A rom-com that gives so much com that I found myself laughing out loud at several points! Connie is a singer, stuck in a rut. She’s still grieving the loss of her mother and desperately trying to fit into the hole her mother left in the singing world. but nothing is going right. Her manager, Nancy give a last chance opportunity to her, to travel to Benidorm for a week, replacing a popular tribute act, with the Dollz as her warm-up act. The moment we meet the Dollz, you know they aren’t going to let any part of this working break be boring! Their outlandish makeup and outfits, sudden group ‘slut drops’, and pure party girl mentality are a touch too far removed from Connie’s usual life. And the journey starts with explosive moments, including Connie making quite an impression on the passenger sitting next to her, and not in the most positive of manners! There is drama, some funny situations and plenty of twists as Connie seems to mess up all her opportunities, both with her career and potential lovelife. The Dollz; yeah, maybe a tad too over the top, but they certainly never let anything get boring… And Connie? She gets there, in the end! Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
I am thrilled to have the President of the RNA, and fabulous author, Sue Moorcroft’s latest release, Over The Sea to Skye, on the blog today!
The Blurb
One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…
Valentina Taylor’s life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.
But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…
Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.
Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?
Lose yourself in a heartfelt story of second chances, love, and self-discovery, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Isle of Skye. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.
I’ll start by saying that I haven’t read books 1 and 2 in the series yet, and though it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this story, I 100% will be going back to catch up on the backstories of the others. Over The Sea To Skye centres around Valentina Wynter, a newly single parent, on her way to Skye from Inverness with her son, Barnaby, for a hopefully relaxed summer, after a fraught few months following the break-up of her marriage. Well, that is the plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans, and all that? Valentina is the oldest of three adopted sisters, and the only one with no link to her biological family. So, being in Skye, where her two sisters, Ess and Thea, live, is the closest she can get to being with people who love her. On the train journey, they end up seated with American tourists, Xander and his nephew Macdonald, who are here for some heritage searching and a bit of a break as well. What follows over the summer isn’t quite relaxing, but dealing with an unwell ex, needy, overbearing in-laws, a whole new branch of family, plus a sudden attraction to a certain Pittsburgher is undoubtedly worth it! I loved Xander. He showed a depth of feeling and emotion that is rare in men, and his relationship with his nephew is exemplary. Valentina and Xander are a partnership I was rooting for from the off! Yay for #ValeXander! Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.
About The Author
Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author. Her novels have been #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US, Canada, Germany and Italy. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award, two HOLT Medallions and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She’s the president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.
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But I Smile Anyway... 