Another timeless, beautiful read by Rachel Burton!
The Blurb
914: Anticipating a long summer of freedom at her friend’s family estate in Cambridge, Grace Villiers is disappointed by an unexpected addition to their party. Then the new arrival offers to teach Grace to swim, and she is forced to see there is more to Algernon Lake than his reputation. But, with war brewing across Europe, this will be a summer that changes everything.
1997: Following her father’s sudden death, Barbara finds herself living with her mother in a house that is, literally, falling down around them. As she tries to put their new home in order, she discovers a photograph of her grandfather as a young man with his friend – two soldiers at the start of the First World War. Setting aside her grief, Barbara becomes determined to uncover their story, hoping it will bring her closer to the family she feels slipping away.
But when her search for answers opens up truths she isn’t prepared for, Barbara will come to realise that some secrets may be best left alone.
A beautifully told dual timeline story by the fantastic Rachel Burton! Set in both 1914, before WW1 started, and in 1997, The House at River’s Edge tells the story of a family and unearths secrets that rock and could shatter many. In 1997, Barbara is helping her mother deal with her father’s death and coming to terms with her own premature widowhood. They end up moving into her mother’s ancestral home in Cambridge, and along with Barbara’s daughter, Penny, they find subsidence that threatens to cut their stay short, and a trunk filled with paperwork that could prove all they know about their lives was built upon lies. In 1914, we meet Grace, who is summering at her friend’s house in Cambridge, not wanting to go back to France where her mother is continually trying to marry her off to one eligible bachelor or another. Here, she enjoys a blissful summer, filled with an innocence that is snatched away as the announcement of war is made. The earlier story spans six years, and each section drips more information about Barbara and her mother’s heritage as the more modern timeline entwines perfectly with the discoveries. I was engrossed in this book and loved the subtle romances within. Burton dealt with the way young people must have felt as they either signed up during the Great War, or if they were a person sat at home, anxiously waiting for news of a loved one who had been called up with great sensitivity. Themes of sexuality, hiding your own self, and suicide feature within. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Rachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and romantic comedies. Rachel was born in Cambridge and studied Classics and English Literature before starting a career in law. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books.
Er, hello? Where did April go? One third of the year done, and only 8 months left!
This month, we had a school holiday for two weeks, so I got some more reading in. (It’s a good thing since I have so many blog tours to read ARCS for!)
I was also determined to do some writing, and I have started a teeny bit, but not as much as I hoped.
TW: Miscarriage/Loss/Grief/Rape Oh, what an emotional read! I’m used to slightly more lighthearted small village stories by Nicola May, but this one still had a community feel and a deeper thread. Gracie, the FMC, is reeling from a tremendous loss and feels that she doesn’t have the support of her partner, Lewis. A betrayal from him is the last straw, and she starts from scratch in her 30s. I don’t want to sit here and regurgitate the story, but it is a beautifully sad story with an uplifting ending. Gracie is going through such a tough time, and it resonated with me, as I expect it will with many other women out there who have suffered a miscarriage. The grief from that can take a long time to overcome. She became a character who supported other women in a similar situation and hammered home the message that miscarriage, whether an early loss or a later one, hits hard for all. Throughout the story, she meets several people, and one is Ed, whom she begins to date. His situation is precarious. (Again, I’m not saying anything because – SPOILERS!) But he is a person who helps build her back up again. We also have a parallel story of Maya and her psychiatrist lover, which weaves in and out of Gracie’s with ease as hidden connections are revealed. All in all it was a great read, and I championed Gracie from the off!
Oh, what a beautiful, sad, yet heartwarming story! Mallory receives some devastating news and just knows that she has to ‘get her ducks in a row’ as her father used to say, before life for her and those she loves the most implodes. There are two stories entwined within this book; one following two sisters, Rose and Gigi, who become estranged after a misunderstanding, and one, thirty years later, of Mallory, and her cousin Penny as they try hard to bring their mothers back together, using a special wedding dress. for Mallory, this is a chance to not only get her mother, Gigi, and her aunt, Rose, back in touch, but to finally tell them her awful news. I was hooked from the beginning. The story covers a few topics, such as racism, loss, grief, but we also have more than one second chance romance touched upon, too. There is such sadness within the story, but it is filled with light-hearted humour as well. The situation Mallory is in is one no mother would ever want to be put in, and that made my heart bleed for her. I feared for an ending that would have me in tears, but instead, hope and positivity shone through. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
The moment I saw this book up for review, I jumped at the chance because I have enjoyed every one of Jenni Keer’s novels, and I love the way historical aspects are woven into her fantastic fiction. The House of Lost Whispers is no different. I think it is one of my favourite Jenni Keer books! There is a dual timeline, with a difference. Olivia Davenport, the FMC and daughter of a famous author, is grieving after losing her parents tragically as passengers on the ill-fated Titanic. Olivia is taken to the village of Merriford Lode to live with her legal guardian and her father’s best friend, Sir Hugo, in his large manor house. Olivia loses herself in the fantasy world created in her mind until she is reintroduced to four sons of the family, one younger, one a similar age, and two much older. She finds herself drawn to a particular wing of the house and requests that she be allowed to stay there, displacing a young gardener. The dual timeline bit comes here, where Olivia finds someone else here, not a ghost, but someone who appears to live in the same place, but in a different dimension. He’s the same gardener she displaced, Seth Tanner, and as they go through time, they build an unlikely friendship that sees them through personal ups and downs and the First World War. They never see each other but are strangely able to hear one another. Like the movie The Butterfly Effect, one difference in their lives at a key moment garners different effects to their lives. You have a bit of history, along with fiction, a bit of a murder mystery and a little paranormal romance thrown in. I was hooked from the beginning and loved it. I’m sure I won’t be the only one hoping and wishing for a secret portal to open up, allowing these two very different individuals to meet… I’m not saying anything else. Don’t want to ruin the story for anyone, but it was pure magic! Can’t wait for whatever comes next, Jenni!
Released 27th April, 2025
I’ll be on the blog tour for this at the beginning of May. It’s a great story and another 5 star read for me!
Bel is an undercover journalist, recently moved to a small office in Manchester where she works with a colleague, Aaron. An intern, Connor, slightly older than the usual interns, comes to join the team, and he ends up entwined in her professional life and possibly more. I’ll admit that it took me a little while to get into the story, but after the first few chapters, I was right in there. Told with a dual POV, we learn about Bel and Connor, their pasts, and their current situations. Yes, there is romance, but not conventional, and there is the exposé that both characters find themselves investigating, with a sleazy mayor. Both characters are a bit damaged from past relationships, and it’s great to read how they move from disinterested colleagues, to friends, to, potentially, more. Well written, with a more serious storyline attached to the developing romance, Another brilliant book by Mhairi McFarlane. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC.
Releasing 8th May, 2025
Another read I’ll be reviewing fully on a blog tour soon!
Releasing 6th May, 2025
Another Blog Tour treat for next month, by an author I am extremely fond of!
Give me a book about books, bookshops, and book lovers; you know I’m there. Add in the fact that there may be a magical bookshop, and I’m a goner! Amanda James’ books have delighted me over the last few years, and The Midnight Bookshop’s blurb hooked me immediately! It’s not a straightforward story. Three main characters, each with their troubles, and a bookshop they had never seen before, bring them together. Adelaide is a married woman stuck in a painful marriage with a narcissistic husband who spares no opportunity to put her down. Jo is lucky on the face of it. She has everything. A magnificent house, parents who are more than well off and leave her to want for nothing, no inclination to work… but she feels no connection to her mother, and her mother constantly belittles her. Kye is a young man stuck in a life he hates because of circumstances. An unwell mother, and an overbearing brother who has overridden all of his dreams, and he is in trouble of getting sucked up into worse scenarios. In a somewhat fantastical way, the bookshop helps each character to explore the power of books, and the owner, Fay, helps each of her new readers to interpret the messages the books they choose wish to convey. There is fantasy, romance, family expectation, and much more within! Once I was into the story, I didn’t want to climb out! I want to visit that bookshop, too, and let a book choose me, so I can ‘edit’ my life, too! Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC.
I always enjoy Leoni Mack’s European romantic adventures because they feature some physical activity I am highly unlikely to participate in. The descriptions are more than enough for me! This time, I was transported to Italy with Sophie-Leigh, the FMC, a wedding planner, as she was instructed to help plan a wedding for two clients who wanted more than your average destination wedding. They are looking for the thrill of a climb, with commitment at the top of a peak, preferably with a cross there. Memories of a past romance threaten to take over her mind, as Sophie begins the organisation, those memories become a reality as she is faced with the man who effectively popped her climbing cherry, and then her heart, after a whirlwind romance. Combining the climbing and romance, we are taken on a journey, and several climbs where Sophie is paired with Andreas to scout suitable locations, with plenty of time to unpick and rehash their break-up. As I always say in reviews, you don’t want me telling you the plot; that is for you to read, but you want an opinion. Mine is that this is a fantastic read, with a hint of spice, and a shed load of precarious situations where there is a second chance, close proximity and one-bed tropes explored! Thoroughly enjoyed the read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Releasing 8th May, 2025
Publishing in May, and I am on the Blog tour for this one, so you’ll have to wait until 18th May for the full review !
Okay, grumpy-sunshine/enemies to lovers, eat your heart out! I’ve read a few of Victoria Walters’ books now, and this was precisely the kind of story I would have expected. Another story in the publishing world which I LOVE! Our FMC is Freya. She’s a true romantic, as well as a romance fan. Working as an assistant at a Literary agency is a dream for her, and she aspires to be an agent one day. Enter our MMC, Jake, a grumpy but popular romance author who is one of Freya’s boss’s biggest clients, and also out of favour with the romance community at this stage, because of some unsavoury comments about the genre. By a twist of fate, Freya ends up on a business trip to New York, a place she has dreamt of going to, accompanying Jake, with the sole goal of repairing his reputation at a Romance conference. OMG! So much to love, here! We always go into a romance expecting a HEA or HFN, and the journey to that ending makes or breaks a story. The difficulties that both Freya and Jake go through during this trip make for gripping reading. I finished this in one day! Plus, there is a bit of a spice factor going on!! And featuring a previous book’s character was another little bonus. I love revisiting characters and hearing how they are getting on. 🙂
Publishing 19th May, 2025
Yet another one I am on the Blog Tour for next month!
It is blog tour time for another book! This post is dedicated to Too Hot To Handle by Portia Macintpsh
The Blurb
The laugh out loud, sun-drenched holiday romance from MILLION COPY BESTSELLER Portia MacIntosh ✨ Tropes & Themes ✨ ✧ Wedding💗✧ Sun-drenched romance ☀️ ✧Forced proximity 🤭 ✧Sweet and spicy 🌶️✧ 😬Rivals
One bachelorette party. One stag do. One double-booked villa and only one way to decide who gets a competition.
Workaholic Molly is buzzing when her best friend tells her she’s getting married. As maid of honour Molly can’t wait for the perfect bachelorette party in Spain. What could be better than a week in a stunning villa? Sun, sea, cocktails and gossiping – and best of all, no boys allowed. But when the hens arrive they discover that they are not alone. The villa has been accidentally double booked by a group of stags who make it very clear they’re not leaving!
It’s a disaster, and no one wants to give up their place in paradise. Attempts at compromising fail instantly, so their only option is to have a winner takes all competition. Battle lines are drawn and it is girls v boys – but will the competition be too hot to handle?
As their rivalry heats up, and Molly finds herself gravitating towards stag Travis, it’s clear that he’s enjoying the attention – but Molly can’t let herself get distracted, and under no circumstances can she fall for the enemy.
Lots of fantastic romance tropes rolled into one to make this a proper page turner of a read! A luxury villa for two weeks in Spain, a destination wedding at a much sought after hotel, four girls (bride included) excited about a hen week, before a glam wedding… what could go wrong? Finding that the villa was double booked. And there are four rather hunky male specimens already there, and not willing to give up their spot in paradise without a fight! Molly, one of the ladies group, and a bridesmaid, is here after a break-up, which has left her doubting the male species. And she has a whole heap of work stress to deal with, too. However, she keeps getting drawn to one lad, Travis, despite a girl pact that they would not get involved with any of the ‘enemies’ and concentrate their efforts on winning the villa for the second week. This is 100% a romantic comedy with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It also has the added spice of forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and that underlying spice throughout the trip. I finished it in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it! Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
About the Author
Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 30 romantic comedy novels.
From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.
Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.
After my last post, I feel it’s only right to update you on my new journey!
Day 37 in the SlimPod House… (As I write that, I can hear it playing like the guy from Big Brother (UK) who used to narrate, Marcus Bentley, with his distinctive Geordie voice!)
Yes, I am still going with the SlimPod pods and listening to them at least once daily before bed. Sometimes I might even listen twice, if I feel like it.
Three have been released for me at this stage: the original SlimPod, the ChillPod, and the new SugarPod.
It’s only the first one that is essential to listen to daily. The second is suitable for relaxing or even being used as a stress buster, and the third, the SugarPod, is something to listen to, especially if you have feelings of addiction to certain things. It’s called SugarPod, but it’s not just about sugar; the mindset can relate to many things. If your mind is not quite ready for it, it can make a listener feel the urge to binge! So, it is additional, and up to you to judge when you may want to listen.
I was a bit scared, but in the end, I added it to my playlist and listen to it daily. I’m actually listening right now as I type because it is talking to my unconscious mind, so I don’t have to actively listen.
What are the changes I have noticed?
Well, let’s start with Fibro Frank (remember, I have given my Fibromyalgia a unique name!) I am feeling more energetic and finding the pains are not as constant. That may be because of meds I am on, but the positive feeling is attributed to my mindset.
I had settled into my three healthy meals a day, and then I began to listen to my body more and eat when hungry. I try my best, given that I am in school during term time! One big thing I noticed was that I am not really hungry first thing in the morning. I have a cup of green tea and then get going. I have my first meal at around 11.30 when we have lunchtime at school. If I snack, which is rarely, I will have fruit. After school, I used to have a cup of tea and some sweet/savoury snacks. I’m not doing that much now. I have a good, healthy dinner. If I want something sweet, I reach for fruit and Greek yoghurt.
The plan advocates the 80:20 rule: eat well 80% of the time and enjoy the other 20%!
So, I can forgive myself for the odd takeaway once a week or eating a chocolate bar or crisps occasionally. I’m just not craving them as much.
Another big thing is that I have started walking every day. I usually hit my step targets because of my job, but now, I go for a purposeful walk at the end of the workday, once I am home, or earlier on the weekend. I am blessed that we live in a village, so I get to walk through the lanes, chatting to the local sheep or horses as I go or singing along to my music while I walk! (Still wearing my SnoozeBand. In fact, I have two. One for inside and one for outdoors!)
I’m feeling more confident, genuinely, better about myself, and I have lost 10 lbs. Healthy weight loss is just brilliant. I feel good! That dress below is even a little loose for me.
I’m fully endorsing this programme, and below is an affiliate link if you are interested in the free trial or even signing up after!
I’ve devoured the previous books in this series and this was no different! Our resident nosy parker, Jodie is all set for her dream wedding to Nathan, except it’s like cases seem to follow her wherever she goes, and a murder on the first night ends up with their wedding as a sideshow to an investigation, because, quite frankly neither Jodie, nor Nathan, can stop themselves! Another great read, though, and it’s always fun with a series , to be able to catch up with all the characters. There were certainly some twists and turns throughout the story, and there was lots packed into what was essentially just a few days in the story. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter, for an ARC.
I’ve loved Nina Kaye’s previous novels, so I was excited to read this new book of hers (and also rather pleased to know there was a second part to the story coming not long after. The story centres around Emma, a young woman embarking upon a celebration for her birthday, however circumstances change rather suddenly, leaving her without her boyfriend, and stuck in a convenience shop, trying to find a bottle opener to drink her sorrows away. What follows is a string of events that somehow lead to her winning a substantial prize on the Lottery. Oh, and not to mention Jamie, a certain young man who just pops up in all scenarios, annoying the heck out of Emma! How do you deal with a win of that magnitude after a real personal blow? Emma lives the life of a millionaire for a week, treating herself as well as her friends, before being sensible with her winnings, and all sorts happen in the short 5 days of the week. I loved all the characters in this story, from Emma herself to her friends Cat and the rather outspoken Amber! Emma has an older friend, Lottie, whom she trusts more than her own parents, and her interactions throughout the story were brilliant. I think we all need a Lottie in our lives. We don’t really get to know James that well, but the times he shows up, I got to know enough to warm to him, and I was urging Emma to open her mind and eyes to the great person he was! (Unlike the ex, Dave, who , lets fact it, is a right idiot) That ‘will they/won’t they?’ romance thread runs through the story, and the conclusion is perfect, though frustrating as it is right at the end, and now I have to wait to hear more about that part of the story. Impatiently waiting, Nina!
Released March 27th, 2025
Releasing 1st April and there will be a Blog Tour post!
What a lovely story filled with cake, castles and love! Bella and Adam are very different characters who meet in Spain under extraordinary circumstances. Their whirlwind romance leads to a quick proposal, and all seems terrific until they arrive back home in Scotland, where Adam learns some sad news about his father. The thing is, he’s not told his now fiance much about his life, and he is a Laird and has his own castle (that the whole family refers to as a house). The way Bella and Adam fall in love is cute, and how Bella, a free spirit, deals with the possibility of a future very different from anything she has ever imagined is a great story. There’s not one, but two Dowager Lady Lowbridges to contend with, as well as a small, tight-knit community in the village of Lowbridge, where Adam’s family lives. Bella tries her hardest to ingratiate herself into the day-to-day running of the castle, offering so much to help the family get out of a tight spot. It is great to see how her character deals with the future looking very different from what she ever thought. An excellent cast of characters, including Poppy, the castle ghost, brings more flavour to the story. Of course, there is plenty of mention of food and cakes in particular, which I always enjoy. Looking forward to reading what comes next!
Published 27th March, 2025
Blog Tour post on 4th April!
Blog tour and review on 7th April!
Blog Tour on 14th April!
So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!
But I Smile Anyway... 