But I Smile Anyway…

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?

So, I Met This Guy by Alexandra Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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.

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

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 by Liam Livings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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.

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

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!

A Shore Thing by Portia MacIntosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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’m on the Blog Tour for this one next month!

Look Up, Handsome by Jack Strange
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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!

House of Crimson Hearts by Ruby Roe (That is Sacha Black for all my older followers, responsible for organising the Annual Bloggers Bash!)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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!).

Love by the Book by Jessica George
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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.

House of Crimson Kisses by Ruby Roe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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!

House of Crimson Nights by Ruby Roe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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?

Er, seriously? December has ended, already?!

It’s been a strange month. Yes, school was crazy in those last few weeks, with festive fun happening, winding the children up. But my heart wasn’t as into it as it usually is. There was a big gap where my Brother-in-Law had sat, and his memory was everywhere. It was tough for us all.

Coupled with the fact that Pops has been unwell and needed an operation in the lead-up to Christmas, it’s all been a bit much. (He’s okay, thank goodness, and I got to spend a few days with my parents alone, which was an early present for me.)

But to top it off, I found out that my excellent publishers are closing in the new year! So that means I need to start thinking about how to relaunch my Rishtay Series, again. Do I look for a total rebranding with new covers, too, or just a tweak inside, and republish?

And I guess that means that I need to get writing again…

So I read and listened as best I could.

And as the year ends, I finished on over 167 (I think – though Goodreads thinks it’s 170!) books read or listened to, and books really were my saviour this year.

Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 4 in the Walsh Family saga, and this time, we are learning more about Anna Walsh, the fourth sister in the family.
I guess there should be trigger warnings for this one, because although Keyes’s trademark humour is threaded through, we are looking at death, loss, and grieving in this story.
Anna lives in New York with her husband, Aiden, and she finds herself back with her family after a horrific accident, but all she really wants is to get home to her hubby and the city she has come to call home.
Through the story, she is searching for her husband, who appears to have disappeared, until the penny drops…
This really highlighted how the brain works in times of grief, and how Anna’s mind shut off certain things to allow her to heal physically, before letting her return to reality, and navigate a loss she had forgotten.
Anna’s tribulations with trying to contact Aiden were hilarious at times and heart-wrenching at others.
I loved the little email asides from Mammy Walsh and Helen, the youngest sister, as their little side stories played out!

An Ambush of Tigers by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have really enjoyed the Nell Ward series in its entirety, and was thrilled to read this seventh book.
It may be read as a standalone, but I think the reader’s enjoyment will be further enhanced if they have read the previous ones, as there are many instances in the book where the past is mentioned. Certain relationships make more sense with that background.
After being in Ireland for one story, this one takes us to India for the first part of the story as our favourite ecologist turned detective, Nell, finally ties the knot with the dashing Rav Kashyap, her partner at work, as well as romantically, and somehow he’s become her partner in uncovering crime too.
Amid the celebrations, there is a death, which sparks a train of activity that leads to more death and mysterious activity once most of the wedding party reaches Finchmere, Nell’s family estate.
This one held a special place in my heart for its connections to India and certain aspects that really hammer home the effects of colonialism, but the rest of the story was as gripping as always, and it is amazing how Nell’s ecological knowledge is used to uncover the culprit this time, too.
Can’t wait for another instalment!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for an ARC.

Golden Girls on the Run by Judy Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this Thelma and Louise style adventure for our Golden Girls, Sadie and Bronagh, two sisters-in-law, who take off in a nephew’s canary yellow Ferrari, and leave Ireland for an impromptu trip to Devon!
They really showed that age ain’t nothing but a number for having fun, and along the way they helped so many people and learned new things about themselves, too.
The Irish contingency who end up in the sleepy village in Devon add another layer of fun, though it was sometimes, a bit crazy keeping up with what was happening where. Still, I enjoyed it thoroughly, and intend to be a Bronagh, living it up, being silly and truly enjoying the Golden years when they beckon, with the slight caution exercised by Sadie!

Life in the Old Girls Yet by Celia Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always great to revisit old characters, and the Saga Louts have definitely found a soft spot in my reading heart!
I’m increasingly likely to head for a book with more mature main characters because, well, they have so much substance, don’t they?
This was a book with two dominant stories linked.
The first centres on Beryl, one of the original Saga Louts. She’s an older lady and can be pretty demanding, but she has a deep sadness, and many gaps in the story of her son, who died far too young.
Then there is the appearance of Vee, now in her fifties, but with a connection to Beryl’s son, and her own demons to face and overcome.
Many loose ends are tied up in this fantastic adventure, as well as quite a few new romances started, and even though Eva Glyn says it’s possibly the last in the series, I can’t quite see those Saga Louts letting her go that easily!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

This is a January Blog Tour read for me, so come back to check the reviews!

The Italian Village in the Hills by Victoria Springfield

The Italian Village in the Hills is an emotive story from the very talented Victoria Springfield, an author who makes me want to head off to Italy whenever I read her books!
This story follows three families: two from the small village near Liguria in Italy with a chequered past linking them both together, and one from the UK, where a young lady, Amy, finds the courage to follow in the footsteps of her late grandfather, as she tries to trace the origins of a couple of intriguing objects he leaves behind.
Stella finds herself back in her home village after many years of avoiding visiting, filled with shame from past misdeeds,
Somehow, their paths cross, and, slowly as the story unfolds, discoveries are made, guilt assuaged, and links are forged.
First loves, last loves, new loves, friendships repaired, and secrets laid to rest.
A beautiful story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Life as Planned by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always know I am going to be in for an emotional ride when I read an Amanda Prowse book, and feel many relatable things as I follow the story, and this gorgeous book was no different.
One decision made at the tender age of ten sets in motion a particular trajectory of events in the lives of twins Remy and Ashleigh, and the book follows their story from that age to much later in life.
There’s something to be said for the connection between twins, and this is explored so well: both women live very different lives, yet that decision all those years ago weighs so heavily on both of them.
Parental pressures and expectations, dreams of the future, loves and family; we see them all develop, falter, finish, and continue.
It’s hard to describe what I found relatable, but I felt extremely teary-eyed reading certain sections, and I raced through the book, hoping for a satisfying ending, which I got in spades.
Get your tissues out!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for an ARC.

My Big Greek Island Ex-Scape: Your next beach read: A BRAND NEW sun-kissed romantic comedy from bestseller Sandy Barker for 2026 by Sandy Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve always loved Sandy Barker’s stories, and was very excited to read this new story.
Ally is the ‘Divorced Diva’. Having been through the D-word three times, she is now an expert in all things related to moving on and coping without that messy man you’ve left behind. After all, she has managed to come out three times, unscathed!
Then a call to action comes, and it is from one of her ex-husbands, Julian (#3), and the chance to partner with him on his exclusive island resort, with her becoming the influencer to support the promotion.
The only thing is that once she arrives, she finds that another one of her exes, Tommy (#1), is also there, causing a flare-up of emotions and unresolved emotions that she really should not be having, as it is not brand-appropriate.
I loved the descriptions of the locations, the food and drink, and all the scene setting. I think I want to visit, now too!
And the story has not only shed loads of ‘will they-won’t they?’ moments, but also spicy sparks and a little mystery thrown in, which was a pleasant surprise.
Another cracker from Sandy!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Mystery at Mercy Close by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

TW: Depression, Mental Health and Suicidal Thoughts
Book 5 in the Walsh Family series, and it was great dipping back into the family, finding out what madcap things were occurring.
This time, the focus is on Helen, the youngest sister.
She is a PI operating on her own and is commandeered to work a very high-profile case by someone she really didn’t want to deal with. It involves the disappearance of a celebrity, Wayne Diffnety, at a crucial point of the return tour of his band, Laddz.
While there are the usual madcap situations, Marian Keyes has also delved into mental health and depression, showing something about the workings of a mind that may be addled with a darkness that they are trying to live with, and thoughts of suicide.
I enjoyed listening to this story, as it has its crazy moments as well more serious aspects that are handled well.

Mammy Walsh’s A-Z of the Walsh Family by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 5.5 in the Walsh family series kept me company on a long drive today, and I listened to it in one sitting as it is a brief reminder/teaser of the rest of the series!
Mammy Walsh is quite a character, and this little A-Z really delves into her wonderful world!
I loved her take on some incidents, words and phrases we have heard much of in the main books, like ‘feathery strokers’ and the ‘jolly boys’, but there are some other classics, off on a tangent things like her thoughts on ‘vajazzling’, that had me laughing out loud as I drove. I am sure other drivers may have thought I was slightly loopy as a result!
Her total non-PC persona was hilarious and refreshing, too, as it humorously reflects her generation and age.

Into the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A delightfully whimsical tale, with a character-driven plot, and a subtle, slow-burning romance that suddenly ups the spice levels!
Into the Midnight Wood is a story about two men, housemates in the Midnight Cottage, which sits at the edge of the Midnight Wood. The Midnight Wood is an enchanted wood, and Meredith, one of our main characters, has a real affinity with all the mysterious folk who live in there. David, whose point of view the story is told from, is the long-suffering man who shares the house with this man-child who has wormed his way into David’s being, and not in a comfortable way.
It took me a while to get into it, I will admit, but I am glad I stuck with it, as there was a real story behind Meri and his whimsy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an ARC.

A January blog tour review coming for this quirky read by Dean Koontz

My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Walsh series, and hearing Marian Keyes herself narrating the story was another treat.
My Favourite Mistake follows Anna as she goes from being in a tentative relationship after losing her husband, Aidan, to finding herself alone again, without the support of her best friend Jackie, unfulfilled, perimenopausal, and back in Ireland.
She ends up using her PR skills differently, supporting another friend with their new retreat, which the locals are not too pleased with, but she has to work with a blast from the past, Narky Joey, who is the reason she lost touch with her best friend.
There is so much in this story to relate to, and love, with the Walsh clan turning up, as always, to cause their mischief, but also dealing with mental health, and of course, that biggie, Perimenopause.
I was pleased with the ending, I have to say, and loved each chapter!

Another lovely book, which I will be on the blog tour for soon. 🙂

The French House Share: A BRAND NEW heartwarming story of new beginnings, friendship and finding love again from Gillian Harvey for 2026 by Gillian Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, Gillian, you’ve done it again!
Now, not only do I want to go and live in France, but I fancy a change of career to hospitality!
Bella is living in a small village in France with her husband, living the dream. Or rather, her dream.
She has, from a young age, wanted to run a B&B in France, after what was to her an idyllic school trip there, cementing her hopes for the future. And she has achieved that with her husband.
But things are never as simple as that, are they? It’s not for him, after eight years, and he wants a clean break, if she isn’t prepared to up sticks and head back ‘home’ to the UK.
What follows is Bella trying to live part of her dream and reinventing herself several times, unintentionally, as she moves to Versailles and gets herself a job in a Paris boutique hotel, under somewhat cloudy circumstances. (I won’t say false, as I am sure there are plenty out there who have slightly elaborated CVs to get interviews and jobs!)
The characters she meets along the way, including the students she ends up house sharing with, and the elusive landlord, as well as her new boss, and a rather scary cantankerous old woman who lives at the hotel where she secures a job, all make for a fantastic supporting cast, to this story of second chances, and learning more about oneself in times of pressure.
Oh, and of course there is romance, but it’s not always about the handsome French dude…!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

So, that was 15 books over the last month. Which one caught your eye?