But I Smile Anyway…

Can you believe we have hit the second half of the year? I have no clue what I will be reading or how much, given it is the end of term, but let’s go! I have definitely slowed down in my weekly reading, though. I am finding myself so tired at the moment, and maybe it’s end of term-itis… or that perimenopause thing, but I don’t like it, because it makes me lose precious time reading!

Well, eleven books isn’t too shabby, is it? And there are some stonkers in there, too! And, three make my Christmas in July complete, too!

More Confessions of a Forty-Something Fk Up: The WTF AM I DOING NOW follow up to the runaway bestseller by Alexandra Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After thoroughly enjoying Confessions of a 40-Year-Old F*Up, I was thrilled to hear there was a sequel.
picking up around 18 months after the end of the first book, we are reintroduced to Nell, who seems to be settling into life better than she was before,
She is engaged to Edward, they are living together, and she has her trusted friendships, as well as her new best friend, Cricket, the octagenarian who she met in the first book.
The thing is, no matter how settled you think you are, life always has alternative plans, and Nell’s life is no different.
From that late urge to want motherhood to dealing with the beginnings of Perimenopause, friendships becoming fragile as everyone is dealing with their own issues and realising you might not actually have it all together, despite being closer to 50 than before.
I loved getting back in touch with Nell and her life, and though our situations are different, there was still plenty I could relate to, as a woman of a similar age.
And I just LOVE Cricket! Her character develops in a brilliant way, too, showing us that age should never be a factor that writes you off.
Fantastic sequel!¨C11CMany thanks to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for an ARC.

Releasing 17th August 2023

The Gingerbread Christmas Village: A totally uplifting and romantic seasonal read by Kiley Dunbar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lovely Kiley will be with me around release date for a Book and a Brew, again, so I will save my review until them, but it is a wonderful book!

Releasing 31st August, 2023

How (Not) To Have an Arranged Marriage by Amir Khan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been looking forward to diving into this since I saw it on several social media channels, and having read the blurb, it felt like a story right up my alley.
And I was not mistaken.
A fantastic story rooted in Pakistani British culture.
Yousef is the golden boy. Born to Pakistani-born parents, he has been brought up to live a certain way and schooled to study a certain career in order to have the best chances in life afforded by his parents.
Dilemmas strike when he is finally independent and at university, meeting different folk from other backgrounds. But he doesn’t expect romance to be a factor in his study of Medicine.
Meanwhile, his sister is feeling the pain of being a daughter and a bit of a burden on her family.
Both are of marriageable age and that is when plenty of problems can arise…
I don’t want to go into this too much, but I can definitely say I loved this book.
There was the multi-generational POV which, as a British Asian myself, I can see as being key to those from different backgrounds needing, so they can understand the dilemmas faced by British-born Asians and understand a little about the familial pressures put upon us as well.
I could relate to so many situations, despite not being from a Muslim background. There are some embarrassments that are universally Asian, not just belonging to a certain religious background.
The fear of what others will say, competing with the other families, parents wanting the best for their children, despite not really knowing what might be best for them, illicit relationships, falling in love after marriage, and the dreaded falling for someone outside of your cultural background… So much to take in, and so well written.
It was entertaining, educational and relatable.
Can’t wait for more fiction from the Dr.!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

Releasing 7th September, 2023

Better Left Unsaid by Tufayel Ahmed
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Now, you know me. I love a book centred around culture, and especially those books with Desi culture at its roots, so reading the blurb for Tufayel Ahmed’s Better Left Unsaid made me hit that ‘request’ button.
Three siblings, British Bangladeshi Muslims, and the fallout in their lives after losing both parents and suffering further upset after one of their own is targetted by a hate crime against women wearing a hijab.
Imran, Sumaya and Majid are brothers and sisters; however, all three have very different outlooks on life.
Imran, being the eldest, feels a sense of responsibility for his family since his parents died.
Sumaya broke the shackles of familial expectations and moved to a different country.
Majid is the youngest, seemingly unaffected by life and his family’s woes because he is so much younger.
The thing is, nothing is ever that simple.
Imran is in danger of losing his wife and job and already losing hold of the family left in his care.
Sumaya has been handed secrets and a huge promise to fulfil by her mother on her deathbed.
Majid – well, in many ways, he’s the only one living life as he should.
There is a lot to unpack in this novel. Cultural expectations, that ‘what will others say’ mentality that is embedded in the fabric of Asian society, gender-related expectations, the inability to just talk and be honest with one another…
I have to say I did not like Imran. But I am glad he had a change of heart by the end of the book.
Sumaya has her own difficulties, and yet, she does overcome them in a roundabout way.
I just feel that Majid needed more of a starring role. We don’t really get to know much about him until much later in the book, and considering I felt he was the catalyst for the shift in thinking, I wish we had learned more about him.
There is plenty of lamenting about being the one who had to look after parents and younger siblings by the older two, but there are so many other issues that could have held more importance.
Hidden sexualities, hate crimes, racism in workplaces.
It was a good read, though I feel there could have been a little more depth.
Many thanks to NetGAlley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.

Releasing 5th September, 2023

The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved The Keeper of Stories, so was so excited to read this second book by Sally Page,
The Book of Beginnings is a story of friendship tied up in grief and hidden histories.
Jo, who the story centres around, finds herself in London, looking after a quaint shop owned by her unwell uncle. As she settles into her temporary job, she meets fascinating people, neighbouring business owners, and interesting customers, some of whom become trusted and treasured friends.
There were so many layers to this story, including a little love story or two that tugged at the heartstrings.
A great read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 28th September, 2023

Baby Does A Runner: The debut novel from Anita Rani by Anita Rani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love any book with British Asian characters at the helm, so Anita Rani’s offering appealed straight away.
Baby Does A Runner is a brilliant story about Baby, or Simran; a British-born Sikh woman who is single, in her 30s and struggling a bit with not getting the same opportunities in life as her male counterparts at work, and with the loss of her father.
A secret revealed during a trip home sparks the interest in a fact-finding mission back to the motherland, though it is labelled as a bit of an Eat. Pray, Love type trip.
Baby learns so much about her own feelings as an Indian abroad, as well as one whose family lost so much during the partition. The reason for her trip bears fruit she wasn’t expecting in many forms, with truths being exposed, as well as the possibility of a little romance along the way.
So many things dealt with here, but Anita has joined the wave of authors, bringing the voice of British-Asians to the literary front, giving us characters and situations we can relate to.
I thoroughly enjoyed this!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for an ARC.

Released 20th July, 2023

Match Me If You Can by Sandy Barker

It’s so exclusive that I don’t even have a cover, but the wonderful Sandy will be joining me near publication date for another Book & A Brew so I will share more details there!

Witch You Weren’t Here by Emma Jackson

Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one I will be Book and Brewing with in October!

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gotta love a Lynsey Kelk! Who doesn’t?
Phoebe Chapman is another typical hapless character Kelk has brought to us, filled with the woes of a life that isn’t going anywhere, a failed romance, and a job that used to ignite passion, but is now just bringing feelings of… meh.
She goes on holiday to visit her hight-flying sister in Hollywood Hills, is left to her own devices for a few days as her sister has to work, and ends up getting an eyeful from a possible pervert next-door neighbour, who turns out to be much the opposite, as well as rather hot!
Then the whirlwind that is Bel arrives, forging an instant friendship and declaring her undying love for the abovementioned neighbour.
Oh, talking of neighbours, Myrna Moore. She’s a reclusive octagenarian ‘faded’ film star who is a total character and a half, bringing all manner of different joys into Phoebe’s previously sheltered life!
But that other neighbour… Ren. Now he is hot in oh, so many ways. Physically attractive but also a genuinely nice guy. Caring, sympathetic, and not fake.
What a great match he would be for Bel.
Unless someone else finds themselves falling for someone they shouldn’t.
I won’t give anything more away, but it is a fantastic read. Definitely one for the beach hols, this summer!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, UK for an ARC

Released 20th July, 2023

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story! Josie Silver, you made me shed an emotional tear or two at the end!
The story centres around Iris, a woman who has fled an abusive relationship in the UK, to New York, where she hopes to rekindle memories of her late mother and her time as a singer in a band there in her youth,
She finds a surrogate family in the guise of Bobby and his partner when she takes a job in his noodle restaurant and ends up with a little home for herself just above her workplace.
She finds it hard to get out and about, the emotional scars from her previous relationship proving too deep to heal quickly, even though there are thousands of miles between them.
A visit out and about in New York with Bobby sparks a moment of recognition when she spots a familiar door that is the catalyst for so much. The possibility of new friendships and maybe even love, but it all ends up built on a couple of lies that grow bigger daily in her mind.
Geo is a kind-hearted man, still mourning the loss of his wife seven years ago. He is navigating another loss in the form of his uncle’s memory. Santo is the only one with the secret family recipe for the vanilla gelato that is sold in Belottis, their age-old family gelateria, which is renowned for this very ice cream.
Iris could solve his dilemma, but not without recounting a tragic story from many years ago, that could fracture a solid family.
Somehow she becomes involved in helping Geo try to recreate the recipe and inadvertently becomes involved in his family and with him, too.
I don’t really want to go into too much, because I really need you to go and read this beautiful story, which ends with such heart. I wasn’t joking when I said I cried at the end!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK – Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Penguin, for an ARC.

Releasing 12th October, 2023

This Christmas: The most romantic love story since The Holiday by Emma Heatherington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two souls suffering their own losses, craving moments alone and thrown together in a random situation. What could happen?
Rose can’t celebrate Christmas anymore. Not after a tragedy that left her alone and full of blame on Christmas Eve. All she wants is a few days on her own to reset, with no one expecting her to be all festive.
Off she heads to an extra special cottage in the middle of nowhere.
Charlie is in turmoil. After losing his daughter to another country, with her mum and new stepdad, Christmas has lost its sparkle… He needs to get away to wallow in his own misery.
A break suggested by his good friend in a secluded cottage in the back of beyond is arranged.
But the real tragedy is the fact that they are double booked into the same idyllic, isolated cottage. In the snow, where there is only one bedroom and no way for one of them to leave…
A recipe for disaster?
Both have their faithful pups with them, Max and George, who immediately become best canine buds. But the same can’t be said of their human companions, who fight to stay as disconnected as possible.
This is a classic case of forced proximity, as Rose and Charlie learn snippets about the other and, in tiny ways, begin to change, but are those snippets enough?
I read it all in a day. Loved the story and the little twists that really had you guessing what was really going on in Rose and Charlie’s personal lives back home.
Christmas is a time for love; this book showed it in spades.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House, UK, Cornerstone for an ARC.

Releasing 26th October, 2023

So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!

Not only was I reading this month, but also nervously awaiting reviews of my own book, number 2 in the Ristay Series, Straight As A Jalebi, out on June 1st! Heaven knows how I concentrated on other people’s books when I was so anxious about my own!

Coming Home by Smitha Vishwanath
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Coming Home is a book about self-discovery.
Shanaya is a woman in her late twenties, navigating life in Dubai with a great job in finance. Her life is turned upside down after the sudden death of her mother from cancer.
She returns to India to be with her father and sister and to find herself, too.
Is it a love story?
I’m not sure I would place it solely in the romance category, as the tale has more layers. But there definitely is a slow-burn romance in the offing, too.
Though she is independent, Shanaya has been instructed to meet Suresh, a doctor, who has been deemed a suitable proposal for her. But life in a different country means they have yet to meet. They do meet. But is that the romance which will change her life?
Or is there something more about Jay, an American Indian, heading a project she inadvertently becomes involved in?
I loved the ashram Shanaya visited. I’d love to go someplace like that!
Shanaya has some good friends throughout the story, who we meet, each with their own backstory that helps to give the story more depth.
An interesting story.

Begin Again: The most relatable book of 2023 by Helly Acton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t think anyone expects a kebab to be their final downfall, or at least not in how it affects Frankie Mackenzie.
She feels stuck in her life. Inn her job, relationship status, and location. Basically, adulthood sucks.
Then after what she feels is a disastrous first date, She meets with an untimely death.
But, lucky (or unlucky) for her, she’s granted a second chance at life, but with a twist.
She’s given the chance to revisit some major crossroads in her life, to see which change she should have made, and the opportunity to step back into her life with a possibly more positive outcome.
I guess we all have those moments of ‘what if?’ in our lives. Decisions we wish we had taken rather than the ones we did.
I loved how this story explored how the grass may look greener, but it isn’t always, and that we can make our lives what we want from whatever point we decide to make changes.
Frankie’s death by kebab incident allows her to reassess her life and what is important to her, and of course, there is the romantic side, too.
Is Toby really the ‘one that got away? Should she have stuck with rich playboy Callum? Or is nerdy Oli all that he seems, or more?
I romped through this on one sun-soaked day and enjoyed it immensely!

Releasing 6th July, 2023

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had to giggle at the end of this when reading the acknowledgements, especially the line about aunties asking if it was like 50 Shades… As I read some steamier bits, I thought the EXACT same thing!
OMG. Does that mean I am an aunty now??
Okay, back to the book!
I only recently read Dating Dr Dil, so the cast of characters was fresh in my mind and Tastes Like Shakkar was another fantastic addition to the Shakespearean-styled series that Nisha Sharma has crafted.
This time we go Taming of the Shrew.
Bobbi is an event planner hoping to take the reins of the family business she has worked hard to support over the years. But things aren’t going as smoothly as planned, and she needs to prove herself to her uncle while planning her best friend Kareena’s wedding.
Bunty is trying everything he can to avoid becoming the successor to his family business – frozen naan bread. And not any old naan bread, but the best in the US! Instead, he wants to focus on his passion, cooking. Plus, he has to support his best friend through his wedding to the above-mentioned Kareena.
This means they need to be together a lot. And that is a problem because they really don’t get on.
Well, there is crazy hot chemistry, but it’s like a lust/hate relationship… or is it?
I loved the plus-sized heroine, Bobbi, and Bunty, the Punjabi chef/son of the Naan King!
Nisha Sharma touched on some great topics through this story, especially the expectations of society when it comes to looks and familial expectations.
And she took the spice factor to another level!
I am eagerly awaiting the third book, taking the story further with another possible couple within this friendship!
Many thanks to NetGalley and, Harper Voyage, Avon Books for an arc.

Releasing 1st August, 2023

The Women Who Wouldn’t Leave by Victoria Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another beautiful story from author Victoria Scott.
Connie has run away from her life in London, back to her mother’s house in a small village, away from prying eyes.
She grew up on the estate before leaving for the bright lights in the capital to live with her father.
She doesn’t know much about the people there, though she knows of them, and neither does she have any interest in getting to know them better.
Matilda has lived in her house on the estate since it was built. She has been there for decades, yet she still doesn’t know her neighbours and isn’t interested in getting to know them. She has her house, her memories and her animals.
Both women have secrets that they’d rather keep to themselves. However, an accident somehow builds a bridge of communication that becomes stronger as time goes on, especially when there is a fear of both women losing their safe spaces.
I loved this beautiful story of friendship and resilience.
Both these characters have a tragedy-filled story behind them, which is heartrending to read, and though they are polar opposites, I loved how they connected and the development of their relationship, despite being from such different generations.
The whole community on the estate is an interesting bunch, and the animals, though noisy, were what ultimately brought them together.
A fantastic read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an ARC.

Releasing 3rd August, 2023

Join me near publication day, to have a catch up with Mandy when we meet for a Book & A Brew!

The book review will follow, there. Obviously it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Releasing 15th August, 2023

The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was extremely excited to read this second book in Karen’s Swan’s series. The first showed what a departure it was from her usual stand-alone stories. However, the level of detail and evident research made that a compelling read.
The Stolen Hours was no different. Written at a parallel time to the first, we see events unfold through the eyes of the second of a trio of friends from St Kilda. The first was Effie’s view. This time we learned more about Mhaira.
The oldest daughter of the postmaster, and one of many children, it is high time for her to marry.
Since the island is small and there are scarce prospects, a man is suggested from one of the neighbouring isles.
She meets him and finds some attraction, but confusion sets in as certain feelings she experiences may not be appropriate, especially as they are not all for the man to be her intended.
Back on the isle, there are further problems, which we already know, as a reader, if the first book has been read. Mhaira has several more worries of her own on top of that.
I don’t want to spill the beans, as that would ruin it for a prospective reader.
The journey we started at the end of book one is extended further at the end of this book, with the mystery surrounding the factor’s death on the island, the day the inhabitants had to evacuate, which is left unsolved, obviously to be revealed during the next book, I guess, but we are given plenty more backstory for the characters we got to know in the first book, as well as more of a glimpse into their futures on the mainland.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

Releasing 20th July, 2023

Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a retelling of a classic Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, with a twist.
Rosaline is a character mentioned briefly in the play, and this novel builds a whole other side to the story of the romance, which is Romeo and Juliet.
It’s like a twisted fairytale, as everything romantic and heartwrenching is proven to be incorrect and, in fact, tortured, horrific and incredibly sad in those versions of events.
We, as a reader, if we know the original play, are made to question so much. There is enough ambiguity within the play to make a lot of what happens in Fair Rosaline a distinct possibility.
The point is, do we want to believe that there could have been a more sinister plot at play behind the scenes?
I have studied different texts like this, for example, Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, by Tom Stoppard, based upon two characters mentioned in passing in Hamlet. and they create fascinating backstories which may not have been on our Bard’s mind but can add another level of depth to an already well-known story.
I have to say it did hook me and made me feel a bit upset at the thought of Romeo not being who we always thought he was!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books, Manilla Press, for an ARC.

Releasing 3rd August, 2023

The Dance Deception by Becky Ward
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed a few books set in reality tv life, specifically using a dance competition as the base for the story, so I was excited to read this.
Kate, our main character, is in a funk at work, and having lost her boyfriend to a colleague, ends up entering a dance competition and leaving her job, with no prospects beyond the possibility of winning the £25,000 prize.
Enter a hot dance partner (or 2). There were ups and downs, followed by a decent conclusion.
Unfortunately, it left me a little flat on the storyline. I wasn’t really given a chance to know the characters. However, I was given plenty of detail when it came to their sexual activity!
You are mere paragraphs into the story before things become rater steamy, and this is more the flavour of the book. Open door scenes aplenty, but not so much substance.
It was an easy read but not necessarily something I would pick up again.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.

Releasing 3rd August, 2023

Bad Men: The feminist serial killer you didn’t know you were waiting for by Julie Mae Cohen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve read a few thrillers recently with the whole #MeToo as its motive for women serial killers, so when I read the book blurb, I was intrigued, especially as there was an alternative dimension to this story, compared with the others.
Saffy is one of the protagonists. She is quite a contradiction in terms. A wealthy heiress, she would stoop at nothing to protect her younger sister. Having been wronged in the past, it feels like her mission to rid the world of as many Bad Men as she can. It’s not a pastime, like her charitable work, that she can add to any CV, but she is proud of what she does and the intricate planning involved in all her missions.
What she does feel a bit of a hypocrite about is her crush.
Jonathon is a real crime podcaster, specifically investigating serial killers, and an author, writing about cases he has investigated and, at times, even helped to solve when the police were hitting dead ends. He should be a mortal enemy. Someone able to read her like a book. Someone she should be steering clear of.
But she just can’t help herself.
I read it pretty fast as I turned the pages, learning how Saffy started on her #MeToo crusade before the hashtag even existed and then how their paths crossed and become intertwined.
Lots of twists and turns kept me reading!
I enjoyed it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books, Zaffre, for an ARC.

Releasing 20th July, 2023

Saving the Good News Gazette by Jessie Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read The Good News Gazette when I really needed something light-hearted and positive, and it was just the tonic, so I was extremely excited to get a chance to read this sequel to Saving the Good News Gazette.
I mean, who doesn’t want a feel-good paper and a lot of wonderful people in the community clubbing together to make things happen?
This time we enter the story with Zoe, our editor, a year or so into her journey of publishing her own little paper with her friend, Ollie.
There is a little worry about advertising and revenue, but they are hopeful. As with the last one, somehow, Zoe gets reeled into helping with another huge project to save the community’s cinema from being knocked down by a developer.
But she has other things on her mind, in the shape of her boyfriend, Sam, and his rival, and her now work colleague, Daniel…
Plus, there’s a movie being filmed in the village, and the local hooligans are threatening to sabotage any positive steps the community make with their project.
this is a review, not a synopsis, so let me stop there and say I loved this one every bit as much as the first. It was a joy to rekindle relationships with the characters and follow the simmering passions in Zoe’s life!
I have to say that the ending was a bit of a cliff-hanger, but at least that means I know more is coming!
Many thanks to NetGalley, and Harper Collins, UK One More Chapter for an arc.

Releasing 4th August, 2023

So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!

I don’t think I am even going to comment on what ARCs I have, because whenever I think I get to the end of my pile, an other arrives! Still, I am not complaining. It means I have all the more books to share with you!

Keep Her Secret by Mark Edwards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another captivating read by best-selling psychological thriller author Mark Edwards!
Matthew is in a good place, having rekindled his university romance with his old girlfriend, Helena.
Only, on a trip to Iceland, faced with losing her life, Helena confesses to something which has far-reaching consequences for both their lives.
I can’t say much more about the story because then I would give the twists away, but I can say that I was hooked from the moment I picked this book up! I was reading in the bath, as you do, and before I knew it, the water was cold, and I was nearly at page one hundred! Needless to say, it didn’t take me long at all to finish this book!
I won’t say it was an easy read – which psychological thriller is? But it swallowed you whole, and you just want to keep reading to find out which twist will be revealed next!
There were moments I felt so sorry for Helena, but then doubts crept in and then would get swept away again… And I did feel for Matthew, dragged into a situation that he would never have been in had he not met Helena again after all these years.
But the ending. Wow.
And I always thought rollercoasters had a firm end in sight…

Released 30th May, 2023

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve not read any books by Kuang before, so this was a new-to-me author.
A trainwreck story about an author who hasn’t achieved success, whereas her counterpart has hit the big time.
Being cherry-picked as the diverse writer of the moment, Athena has experienced none of the disappointments and rejections that the average writer does, like her friend June.
June and Athena have spent an inordinate time together, despite not really being friends, and then one day, on a night out, Athena is suddenly not there any more.
A too-tempting opportunity arises, and soon, June, now known as Juniper Song, is also hailed as a literary success, but not without huge bumps and attacks on her conscience following the big time.
This book delves deep into the psyche of an anxious writer and the publishing world. It is very interestingly written but quite niche in its appeal to a mass market.
There are some extreme situations, but they have been executed well.

Released 16th May, 2023

Just Like That: The perfect feel-good romance to make you smile by Nina Kaye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nina Kaye has done it again with this captivating read!
Jess is an event manager. Not any old event manager but a brilliant one. She’s heading places in her industry. People are trying to headhunt her.
Then a tragedy in her personal life means she has to scale back on her work, leaving her with some less than favourable minor events to organise, rather than the big glitzy ones she has been used to.
And to top it off, she gets to her new main client and has to deal with a grumpy grouch of a man, there too, who seems hell-bent on making her life a misery… or is he?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially as it had not only a build-up of romance and enemies to lovers but cute animals! And how could it not, since the majority of it is set in a wildlife reserve?
Jess is torn between wanting to be the best in her job and fulfilling family duties. I truly felt for her throughout.
Then you have Nick, the grouchy grouch head keeper at the reserve, with whom she has to work closely… Tensions simmer and are built up fantastically through Kaye’s writing.
There is a very sensitive portrayal of learning how to live with a disability and how caring for someone suddenly incapacitated can take its toll on your life.
A fantastic read that I would recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an ARC.

Releasing 1st June, 2023 (like my book, Straight As A Jalebi!)

Unladylike Lessons in Love: spicy and romantic Regency debut for 2023 perfect for fans of Bridgerton by Amita Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ever since Bridgerton hit the screens, I have searched out Regency Romance novels, devouring the Julia Quinn books and several others.
The premise for this book intrigued me, with a woman, the illegitimate child of an English nobleman and his Indian second wife, or mistress, as the rest of the Ton would say, and how she navigates the world of the wealthy in upper-class London.
Lila Marleigh is a fantastic character, full of spunk. She’s carved out her own place in society as the hostess of salon nights, where gambling and drinking take place, as well as some more (in)discreet meetings of lovers and the suchlike.
You can tell she has resigned herself to a life alone regarding relationships, but she has a huge heart, which shows in how she treats her staff, and those around her.
Things go awry with the arrival of a certain ice-blue-eyed gentleman to her salon nights. Ivan looks like he might be trouble, wrapped up in a nobleman’s guise…
I have to say I devoured this in a day and enjoyed the diversity at play, as well as the storyline. And this is another example of how racy those Recency folk were, too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 30th May, 2023

The Little Italian Hotel by Phaedra Patrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fabulous summer read!
Ginny Splinter spends her days advising the public about all matters in their lives and her evenings enjoying time with her husband, Adrian.
They appear to have a perfect marriage and are on the eve of celebrating their silver wedding anniversary, as well as the impending wedding of their daughter.
Until Adrian drops a bombshell that almost destroys Ginny.
Instead, she picks up the pieces of her life and finds herself on a three-week holiday in a little rustic hotel with four total strangers, each with their own heartache.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Ginny is at that time in her life, about to hit 50, thinking that everything is just as it should be. I guess it’s rare to be in such a position, so when everything comes crashing down around her, I felt huge empathy for her.
The little hotel the motley crew end up in is quaint, lived in, and filled with some secret power that allows each of these guests to open up and accept their lot in life.
I loved Edna, the octagenarian, who brings so much wisdom to the group, what with all her experiences in life.
Did the ending totally convince me? I’m not sure. Maybe I would have liked it tied up a little more unless, of course, Phaedra Patrick is planning a sequel to let us all know what happens!
However, a beautiful book that I raced through easily in a day.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

Releasing 20th July, 2023

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An engaging, frustrating, but great story!
Samantha Gales has returned to Martha’s Vineyard to help her dad and step-mum with some ‘supervision ‘ of her younger teenage brother while they leave for a few weeks. Life hasn’t been easy for her, losing out on a promotion and ending up with no job.
Arriving at home, she is thrown against a hot, bookish guy on the ferry, and a not-so-typical relationship begins.
You see, Sam is not so typical, either. As a woman diagnosed with dyslexia as a teenager, she has struggled to find her niche in life, and that is where the kitchen welcomed her. So to find herself strangely drawn to a guy who appears to love books and one who appears to be way out of her league, that is a frightening situation,
Bennet, or Ben, is in Martha’s Vineyard for the summer with a mystery to solve and hadn’t foreseen meeting a woman in his plans.
I don’t want to tell you the story; this is a review, but needless to say, it was a good read. A woman who has felt rejection keenly over the years, I feel Sam’s pain purely because characters on a page won’t sit still for her. She is a brilliant chef, yet still gets overlooked for so much, not knowing whether her condition or gender are to blame for her stilted rise to success.
And Ben is just a darling! He has his issues, obviously, but to see someone so caring and considerate, despite his own issues, was a pleasure.
There are a couple of steamy scenes, which added a bit of spice, too! And there are those key ‘will-they/won’t they?’ moments, too!
Recently, there has been a slew of books with some neurodivergent MCs at the help. It makes my heart happy to see these stories out there, considering how many people operate in a non-neurotypical manner. Way to go, diversity and inclusive literature!

Releasing 20th July, 2023

Tough Crowd by Andi Osho
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was thrilled to be asked to read Andi Osho’s latest offering, having enjoyed her debut very much,
Tough Crown is well written, funny, and emotional journey for the female MC Abi, who is battling negativity from her mother for her chosen path, becoming a comedian, as well as navigating a new relationship that brings her into new territory of not only being girlfriend but needing the approval of children…
I loved Abi. She knows what she wants in life, and despite everything, is trying her hardest, even though there are successes all around her, sometimes ready to make her vow never to cross a stage again. And to be thrown into the role of ‘Dad’s new girlfriend’, well, that’s gotta be pretty tough for someone who never thought they wanted kids!
There is a great supporting cast, including Will, her new beau, who could be The One, but with some excess baggage.
The kids, Elle and Elsie are two opposite characters, but they truly make Abi work for her own money, Elle especially.
But I loved Abi’s father. Only has a small role within the book, but he is a star, ever her cheerleader, and someone who has his own mini-character arc within the book.
This a good insight into the stand-up comedy circuit gigs and how those comedians struggle to make it big… if only it were that easy to just stand on stage and rattle off a few jokes…
A great read. Again. Well done, Andi Oshi!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

Releasing 20th July, 2023

A Midlife Gamble by Cary J. Hansson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was honoured to be sent an ARC of this book to complete the Midlife trilogy I have devoured.
It is always great to revisit characters who feel like old friends, and this one is no different.
We meet Kat, Helen and Caro again, after that fateful holiday, where their friendship showed its frailty after thirty years.
However, friendship, true friendship, can overcome even the biggest hurdles.
There are old moments revisited, new battles to overcome, as well as a brilliant surprise trip to Vegas, where so much happens.
Ultimately a book about friendship, growing older and how friendships have to change, and the importance of trust and honesty.
Rather like the beautiful Japanese are of Kintsugi, repairing broken things with threads of gold, we see the fragments of this friendship slowly being glued back together with gold… but is gold strong enough to keep it together?

Published 17th May, 2023

What Would Jane Austen Do? by Linda Corbett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You can read my review soon when the lovey Linda comes to visit me for a Book & A Brew with Ritu!

Releasing 16th June, 2023

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, so I admit to having this on my TBR shelf a tad longer than I wanted, but finally got to read it, and I enjoyed it!
Kareena is older than the average Single Indian Female and has a deadline looming. If she doesn’t get engaged or married, she forfeits a chunk of money that would help her with her dream of buying a certain house.
Prem is a cardiologist who might mend broken hearts but not emotionally broken ones. He has no belief in love, even though that’s what his name stands for. He’s about to lose grasp of an investor through an unfortunate incident that went viral, and his dreams of a special medical centre are fading.
Of course, they meet/clash/whatever you call it.
And they find themselves in a bit of a predicament, where they could use each other, only they appear to hate one another and have totally opposite views on love and marriage.
But do they?
Honestly, I love a book with South Asian characters. I love the whole familial dynamics at play, being able to recognise so many of the characteristics of different members of the extended family and the expectations put upon youngsters by the elders.
Nisha Sharma has written a great story here with the Shakespearean classic, Taming of the Shrew, as the backbone of the story.
There is much to love, a fantastic extended cast of characters, and the promise of more stories spun around the same faces you root for.
Oh, and it is a bit steamy, too, if you catch my drift! If you can look beyond a rather funny nickname for a certain appendage, you will surely enjoy!

Instant Karma by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore these Hart’s Ridge books by Kay Bratt and was thrilled to get a copy of Instant Karma, book 5 in the series, as an ARC.
This time, along with keeping up with Taylor Gray, the main character whose thread runs through all these books, we get to know more about her sister, Jo, and her son. Until now, readers haven’t had a chance to get to know much about her, other than that she is a single mother, so getting the background on her was another stepping stone to being immersed in the Gray family.
It was wonderful to see how Kate, Taylor’s mother, continues to build on her dream of an animal sanctuary, meaning we get to meet all wonderful animals, too!
Since there is always a crime or mystery to solve, we also have a chance to peep into the life of Faire, one of the long-term residents of Hart’s Reige, but someone who has become an almost recluse, with her bird, Baby, as her main company. Fearful of a lonely future, with not much money left in her coffers, Faire offers a room in her house to a lodge, which brings more than just rent money to the table.
Another truly wonderful read!
I can’t wait for number 6, and am even more excited knowing there are 8 in total!

Releasing 29th July, 2023, Kiltie will be joining me for another Book & A Brew, though it might be with Bubbles!

Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me! I will share the review with you in that post!

The List by Yomi Adegoke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ola and Michael are the #BlackLove poster couple. A hot, young pairing who seems to have it all, with just weeks to their wedding, when Ola finds something extremely disturbing about her fiance.
Someone on Twitter has been collating a Google Spreadsheet named The List, with men on there deemed toxic.
And her man is on there.
A topical book, given all the slurs and allegations that get slung around due to the internet’s openness, damaging innocent people’s reputations.
Equally as important is the fact that though some men may be innocent, there are plenty who aren’t, yet still get the chance to either sweep accusations under the carpet or, within a few months, have managed to shine their tarnished images once again and appear unblemished.
I enjoyed this book, and though the middle may have been a little slower, the build-up was fantastic, and the ending… well. Wow. Honestly wasn’t expecting that!
Many thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for an ARC.

Releasing 20th July, 2023

A Game of Romance and Ruin by Ruby Roe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My, oh my, Ruby Roe, you naughty girl!
I thought the first book was risque, but I was mistaken.
Graphic Sapphic taken to another level!
A Game of R&R is book two in the Girl Games series, and though it could be read as a stand-alone, it is better if you read the first to get the backstory, which is referred to on multiple occasions throughout book 2.
The story is an extremely steamy but emotional second chance romance for Stirling and Morrigan, who have a chequered history with one another.
One is a scorned lover, the other a hacked-off princess. But they both feel a magnetic pull between them, regardless of all situations. And as a reader, we feel that pull, too!
Roe’s world-building is fantastically intricate, and the level of detail involved in the story is mindblowing.
I loved getting back into this series,
It had me gripped from the off.
But choose carefully where you are sitting to read it! 🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Releasing 22nd June, 2023

Releasing 11h July, 2023

No review yet as Gillian and her fab newest release will be featured on a Book & A Brew with Ritu in the near future!

Releasing 2nd October, 2023.

Another one where I will hold my review until Jodie visits for a Book & a Brew with Ritu in September! Another lovely. quick read!

So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!

I don’t think I will even comment on what ARCs I have because whenever I think I get to the end of my pile, another arrives! Still, I am not complaining. It means I have all the more books to share with you! But I hope you will be proud of me. I have also managed to read some already released books, too!

Her Fixer Upper: A brand new friends-to-lovers romance for 2023 by Emily Kerr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, I LOVED this! I have read some other Emily Kerr books, so I knew I would enjoy this, but I sped through it, wanting to read every last word and to know exactly how things ended!
Freya and Charlie are childhood friends who have lost touch but meet again, by chance, in a pub.
And their fateful meeting couldn’t come at a better time, as both are trying to get on the property ladder, but neither is having any luck, what with the economy, and the state of most people’s finances, right now.
One thing leads to another, and the two friends find themselves celebrating their renewed friendship with the added golden handshake of a joint mortgage on a doozy of a fixer-upper!
I love property renovation, and I pictured Oak Tree Cottage as they gently rid it of its debris and began to make it a house worthy of living in.
And, more than the conversion of the house, I loved how the friendship between the two main characters began to morph, too.
Aided brilliantly by Arthur, Freya’s Grandfather, and her best friend, Leila, and not forgetting Ted, Aarthur’s dog, who ends up with them for a while, it was a pleasure to read the developments!
Hutch and Humph for life!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC.

Releasing 19th May, 2023

I Love You, Always, Forever by Charlie Dean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, what a rollercoaster of emotion this book put me through!
Not least because there is sensitive subject matter but because of all the reminiscing I could do, thanks to the book’s timeframe.
The story is set in the now, as an adult Charlie, the main character, is coming to terms with life as a middle-aged woman, and dealing with all that comes with it, including dealing with loss and illnesses of loved ones, as well as a dual timeline of the 90s when she is a student in 6th form (like me), shy, exploring different elements of her personality, and experimenting with a very special relationship.
I loved it because I lived with so many of these experiences as a teenager. The nostalgia I felt was unreal. And then the additional relatability of life as a middle-aged woman. It was just wonderfully written!
There is romance, budding and established, friendships, family and the awakening of sexual feelings. A bit steamy in places too, but honestly, I got all the feels, in a good way!

The one that he wants: A gorgeous and exciting, enemies to lovers romance to escape with. by Lizzie Chantree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was absolutely into Cherry Blossom Lane with book 1, so I couldn’t wait to be reunited with the characters and learn more about what was happening with Sasha this time!
And Lizzie Chantree did not disappoint.
It was wonderful to see Poppy again, follow the lead-up to her wedding, and watch with intrigue the development of Sasha’s self-confidence and her romantic life.
Ollie is the Taylor brother in the picture this time round, and he is certainly a complex character.
There were plenty of ‘Will they? Won’t they?’ moments as different characters introduced themselves as prospective spanners in the works!
I love how the intrigue has been built for the next book… And cannot wait for it to be out!

Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I stepped into the gorgeous worlds created by Kim Nash and her characters, and I truly enjoyed this foray to the Cornish coast!
Meredith made a bit of a drunken decision to purchase a lighthouse, miles away from the rest of her life, to have a fresh start, a project and to put some distance between her and her old life that, apart from her best friend, seemed to have begun to stagnate.
Well, what can I say? There are always dubious purchases made with the aid of alcohol when you aren’t feeling yourself, and when she arrives at her new, unviewed, apart from some stylised photos, home, she is in for a shock.
And the shocks don’t start there, but at the local supermarket, where she encounters rude locals that get her back up from the off.
I will not go into the story, as what would be the point of you reading it if I was just to regurgitate it here, but I will say that you won’t want to put it down once you start reading!
Meredith is a character who will resonate with many women, especially those of a certain age. She had a fire in her belly that was dampened by her previous life, but the sea and sea air might have just reignited it rather than put it out completely!
There are many characters to keep you wanting to read, not least Vi, who I think is an amazing woman. What a character! And her dog, Gladys, is just adorable!
Meredith has old friends, but the new ones she makes as she begins what feels like a thankless task of renovating and restoring her purchase are a choice bunch.
But there are always that core of locals who ‘hate’ newcomers. She has her work cut out, I’ll tell you.
And, of course, there’s Clem… A brooding, moody man who ends up rather helpful in many ways. But will he be the one who helps her realise she is not just a middle-aged woman undeserving of a fresh start romantically as well as generally?
The restoration of the lighthouse was fascinating to read about, too, and just reading the descriptions makes me want to go and stay in one right now!
A wonderful read from start to finish!

A Summer on the Riviera: a gorgeously heartwarming and escapist summer read of friendship, forbidden love and family secrets by Rachel Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Definitely, an easy read for the coming summer!
Bella, the MC, has found herself the perfect summer job, as the first stewardess on a super yacht, using all the hospitality skills she has learned over the years working in hotels and restaurants, except she forgot that it is on a boat for the whole summer. And she gets travel sick! Oops!
First hurdle.
The second one is her roomie for the duration, who seems rather miffed at this newbie coming in and taking the position on the boat that she had hoped for.
Third, the first guests she has to host include a famous actress and her extremely tasty nephew.
And she CANNOT get involved… Can she?
This was an easy book to get into, with a good solid boy-meets-girl romance and several twists and turns along the way.
I can tell you that there was a moment towards the end before the climax when I literally held my breath, thinking that things might not work out…
So good!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for an ARC.

Releasing 2nd May, 2023

Borrowed Time by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kay Bratt has wowed me again with this fantastic addition to the Hart’s Ridge series!
We meet Taylor Grey again in her role as a small-town cop, dealing with another heinous crime, this time against a very close friend of hers, Sissy, who has gone missing.
Aside from the investigation, we get to meet another of Taylor’s sisters, Anna, in more detail. Anna is the one who has remained rather aloof through the series, having married well and living in an affluent part of the town, with an Instagram-perfect kind of life.
Until it begins to crumble.
The sisters continue to build their support network together, and it is a joy to read about how their mother, Cate, is faring.
Obviously, there is Diesel, the dog, and several others that join the cast, sure to have starring roles in future stories!
So much happens in this book, and Kay touches upon many topics, such as suicidal thoughts and IDV, sensitively.
There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the book, which I have come to expect from the Hart’s Ridge Series, and the hint of what is to come in book 5, Instant Karma, makes me even more impatient as I wait for its release!
Thank you to Kay Bratt and the publishers for an ARC.

The Bay of Lost Souls: A Beautiful, Uplifting, Perfect Summer Read. by Kiltie Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, Kiltie Jackson. Well, you’ve done it again, haven’t you?
This is the third of your books I have read so far, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Each one I have read has a slightly different genre, and each has its own beauty.The Bay of Lost Souls centres around Perrie, a woman who is running from something to the isolated Broatiescombe Bay to be alone and come to terms with her life.
Morgan is a single father to one gorgeous little girl, Daisy, who has his own tragedy to overcome.
Fate rolls them into one another (literally), and the beauty of the bay, and a little girl obsessed with Disney princess Merida, try their hardest to seal the deal.
Thing is, nothing is ever what it seems.
I loved the bay and the little cottage Perrie moves into for her stay and her cats, Timothy and George. What a pair of characters!
All the book’s characters are believable, real souls to whom you can relate.
Daisy was a firm favourite, too, as a feisty little pre-schooler who knows what she wants.
The secret Perrie carries is a big twist and causes all manner of drama, as it should, but everything is revealed and handled in an extremely sensitive manner.
A love story with secrets, twists and turns, and adventure, too.
Definitely worth a read.

The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After reading and thoroughly enjoying Ask Again, Yes, by Mary Beth Keane, I was excited to delve into another of her books.
The Half Moon centres around a bar named The Half Moon and a short period of time during which the owners, Malcolm and Jess, are going through their own marital struggles.
It’s that time-old tragedy of the threat of infertility taking its toll on a relationship.
Coupled with a little disappearing person case.
I found it a little tough to get into if I am honest. The same emotions that I felt reading Ask weren’t awakened.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Michael Joseph and Penguin Randon House for an ARC.

Releasing 13th July, 2023

Wish Upon a Cornish Moon by Amanda James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, What a beautiful story!
I will probably end up gushing about this story to more than one person because I loved it that much!
This story spans several eras through two families, but they are all connected by a thread: the power of the moon and a belief in magic.
During and after WW2, Lamorna, and later on, her sister Morwenna, follow an old folk tale known in their community, harnessing the magic of the moon and a particular cove near where they live, in Cornwall, to launch their wishes for a love of their own, using a short incantation, and a message in a bottle.
In the present day, Merrin is not very easily adjusting to her life as a newly divorced mother to a teenager who is due to spread her wings and leave the family nest, too.
Fate brings her in touch with Morwenna, a lonely elderly lady who lives locally and shares the moon’s secret with her.
And the way everything falls into place is just beautifully planned.
I don’t want to go too far into it, but I can say that it is a gorgeous story filled with – fate, or maybe it really is magic.
I loved all the characters, and honestly, if I weren’t happily settled down, I’d be ready to rush to that cove and take a punt on a message in a bottle, helping me with my own future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC.

Releasing 5th May, 2023

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, what a gorgeous read!
Mukesh is grieving the loss of his wife.
Aleisha is stuck in a dead-end summer job before returning to Sixth Form in September.
Neither of them enjoys reading.
Then, a twist of fate, and a certain list, throw them together to forge an unlikely friendship as they learn to love books and the messages they can give.
I was invested from the off with the elderly Mukesh. His unexpected transformation regarding reading is sparked by his trying to keep a closeness to Naina, his wife, who loved her books, and the library.
And Aleisha, as a young adult, just needs a simple job since she is helping her brother care for her mother. Books take on a different meaning, allowing her to accept life and see situations through different eyes.
Of course, the selection of books on that reading list was brilliant, too.
A must-read for book lovers and one for non-readers, too. Who knows, it might spur you on to read something different.

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions by Kaye Lynne Booth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another beautiful poetry anthology featuring some familiar names and some new-to-me poets.
Kaye Lynne Booth has collated a fantastic selection of poems centring around Passions, and some of these verses really tug at your heartstrings.
Robbie Cheadle, with her verses relating to family and illnesses and Willow Willers, exploring her passions and the feelings passion can encourage, had me speeding through the book.
Colleen Chesebro and D. Wallace Peach also feature in this fantastic collection, with examples of their evocative poetry.

The Twilight Garden: Escape with the life-affirming, uplifting new novel for 2023 from acclaimed author of The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved The Reading List, so when I heard that there was a second book from Sara Nisha Adams, I was thrilled, and, having read it, I was not disappointed at all.
Winston lives in a rented house with his partner Lewis. They have a huge garden that is shared with their neighbouring house, which has been empty since they lived there. The garden is overgrown but a solace to him as he ponders his life, not quite what his parents envisaged when they sent him to London from India.
Then one day, they have new neighbours: Beatrice and her young son, Seb. Beatrice is a recently divorced woman, who wants the best for her child and is excited to have this home with a large garden for her child, only she isn’t quite sure of the shared part.
Animosity brews, and then a set of anonymous letters start to arrive, first for Winston, then for Beatrice, which causes a chain reaction that changes their lives in a huge way.
There is a dual timeline, showing the house’s history, with the POV of the previous residents, Maya and Alma, which gives the story a solid background.
I loved learning about Maya and her start in England and Alma, the grumpy neighbour who becomes family to Maya, her husband, Prem and their daughter.
The anonymous list/letter seems to be a device in both Adams’ books, and it has also been used well this time.
A crew of flawed characters who you come to care about.
A good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 8th June, 2023

Review to follow in a Book & A Brew post, soon! But, it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Releasing 1st May, 2023 Blog Tour post to follow!

The Coach Trip by Izzy Bromley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this read about a couple of younger women who end up on a coach trip, typically for the more mature holidaymaker.
Emma wants to give her best friend, Mel, a birthday to remember, but double books herself when she promises to go with her grandmother on a coach trip, originally booked as an anniversary present for her husband. Sadly, Grandad passed away before the trip, but Emma wants to make her grandma happy.
Emma and Mel end up on this coach trip with many preconceived ideas about older people, and it is a pleasure to see how these misconceptions are sh=mashed as the week-long trip progresses.
Getting old isn’t fun in many ways. It is often hard for the younger generation to sympathise with that old lady who takes so long to walk or the man who is holding up the supermarket checkout line…
This is a book that makes you rethink your ideas, and it definitely reinforced my already strong respect for the elderly.
And… Mel did have a great birthday too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.

Releasing 10th May, 2023

Releasing 23rd May, 2023 – Look out for my review and a Book & A Brew with Ritu Post around publication date! But, again, another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!

So, tell me what you have been reading and what caught your eye from the above!

The first quarter of the year has flown by, hasn’t it?

A couple of ARCS on my list… When are there ever not? (As of 11th March, er, there are more than a couple. now…!)

13 books for this month, and a short story arc read, too! And, apart from one, they were all ARCs! But pretty good ones!

Where Do I Go From Here? by India Rigg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a read!
TW – loss, early miscarriage, infertility
Seffy is a woman about to hit thirty. She’s divorced, childless, with a job that sucks the life out of her.
Thanks to her best friend, she ends up on a sabbatical to reflect upon her life and add to her Thirty Before Thirty bucket list.
Parallel to the present-day story is a journal of her year trying to conceive with her then-husband.
It took me longer than usual to read this book since it is focused so much on Seffy’s infertility journey, and some parts made me quite emotional.
Social media and the habit of sharing your good news and perfect life over the realities mean that often you are presented with image upon image and post upon post of people achieving exactly what you are struggling with. Even though you want to be happy, it is tough, sometimes, to be able to smile through the pain.
I felt this pain with Seffy but also saw her growth as she travels and meets different people who make her realise that her life doesn’t have to be incomplete just because her journey to motherhood will never be a simple one.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ll admit to having this on my TBR trolley for a little while now, and the TV series release gave me a push to read it because I always like to read the book before a screen version, if possible.
DJ&TS is written as if reading the transcript of a series of interviews for a docuseries.
The series revolves around a hugely-successful fictional rock band from the 70s, or rather a band, The Sixes, which then took on Daisy Jones as the female vocalist who, alongside Billy, the lead singer, helped to catapult them to great heights.
It’s mixed with the rock and roll lifestyle, rife with sex and drugs, excesses that strip away soul and talent, and friendships, as well as highlighting the complexity of relationships and the importance of your childhood and upbringing, and how it reflects upon decisions made in adulthood.
I enjoyed it, and how it was written made me feel it could have happened.
I did research it a little after, and there are points of inspiration taken from the story of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, but it is essentially a fiction story.

Blog tour with a review coming soon on April 2nd!

Letters to a Writer of Color by Deepa Anappara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a writer of Colour, I was intrigued to read these essays by writers of various shades, with nuggets of advice and situations so similar, we have to sit up and take note.
An interesting read from a wide range of writers of colour. And it awakened an eye-opening sadness that we all face the same barriers in publishing, unfortunately… Unless we conform.
It’s not enough to write what we want in the prose that we feel sits naturally and best with us if we want to get past the gatekeepers of the big publishers out there and into the hands of the readers. Or the readers those same publishers seem to think we should be writing for.
There are many more readers out there that don’t fit the standard blueprint of all readers as they see it.
As POC writers, we can deliver our stories with different nuances.
We can make that bland story come alive with the extra spice or flavour we can add, depending on our background.
Unfortunately, it is sometimes dictated to us how ‘hot’ a curry (book) our readers can handle. Often we are stuck writing a mild chicken tikka masala when we want to add so much more.
Our writing should not always be considered a literary piece of art that can be studied and picked apart to learn about certain people. It should be read as fiction. To entertain, make people think, laugh, cry, as just that. Fiction. Not fiction from/for a certain diaspora.
I know I write how I want to write. My own experiences are woven within the stories to make them more real. And I will forever continue my Chickpea Curry Lit!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK and Vintaage for an ARC.

In My Life by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, I love Kay Bratt and her books!
She is one author who can turn her hand to so many genres! In this series alone, you’re looking at small-town fiction, romance, family drama, and mystery. And dogs!
As always, Taylor Gray is one of the main points of view, back in her police position, investigating a triple homicide in their town of Hart’s Ridge, as well as mothering her siblings, all whilst having her real mother back on the scene. Oh, and a tingle of romance occurring in more than one place, too!
I love learning more about Taylor, and each of her siblings, hoping that a future book will delve more into their stories.
The murders are the main opening point of the story. However, they do not overshadow what I feel is more important, and that is how Kay explores different relationships within the story.
It was great to learn more about her mother and her backstory, as well as get more of an idea about Anna and her life.
And how can I forget the dogs? Diesel is a key character, as always, but we might have a new regular in the form of Brandy!
Can’t wait to read more!

Blog tour review coming next month!

The Book-Lovers’ Retreat by Heidi Swain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, what a beauty of a book!
A tale of three friends off on a much dreamed-of holiday to the cottage where their favourite book and movie was set and filmed.
Only things are never that simple.
With one dropping out, one in a controlling relationship, and one not knowing where her life is leading, this trip takes on a different meaning.
As I read it, I kept thinking of Mama Mia and how three old friends take a holiday to reminisce about their youth and a similar vacation.
I know these ladies are younger, but Em, Rachel and Tori go on a real personal journey as they navigate this trip of a lifetime. And meeting Alex and Connor along the way makes for an even more interesting ride.
I loved the characters, the setting, and the concept. Heck, I want to go on a holiday like this, too!
I flew through this book and almost wish I hadn’t read it so fast!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC.

Releasing 30th August, 2023

Somewhere in the Crowd: The joyous Eurovision romcom you need to read in 2023 by Katrina Logan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Four strangers (well, two strangers and two friends!) meet in 2011 at the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, and a bond is built, with a pact made to meet every year to celebrate all that is wonderful about the contest.
Millie and James are best friends from England. They’ve grown up loving Eurovision due to a wonderful love story that started when Millie’s grandparents met in the 60s at one of the finals.
Aggie is a German musician who holds a deep love for the contest, too, and is desperate to be a part of the whole process.
Noah is travelling, and there by chance, with no real interest in Eurovision.
The story spans over ten years as the quartet meets yearly in the city where the Grand final is due.
Over the years, dynamics change, relationships strengthen, crumble and sometimes get rebuilt.
There is great character development for each of the four individuals, who are so different in their ways but held together by this pact to meet every year.
Romance? Yes, there is a low, simmering love story for more than one of them, too!
I enjoyed this read, especially because Eurovision is one of those constants in my life since childhood!

Releasing 20th April, 2023

Releasing 1st May, 2023. Blog Tour post coming in May!

Mrs. Porter Calling by A.J. Pearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the first two books in AJ Pearce’s Mrs Bird series and was thrilled to see a third in the offing, meaning we get to visit all those fabulous characters again!
War-torn Britain is both a devastatingly sad place, as well as one filled with hope. This comes across in Mrs Porter Calling, where Emmy continues her journey with Woman’s Friend magazine.
The arrival of Mrs Porter, the new ‘boss’, causes a stir. Their beloved magazine goes from one loved and read by women who can relate to every article to something akin to a third-rate Vogue or another society magazine.
Of course, the story doesn’t revolve solely around the magazine but also Emmy’s personal life as she navigates early marriage with her husband stationed abroad, living with her best friend Bunty, and a new set of housemates.
There is tragedy, but how it is dealt with still brings hope to the reader.
A lovely addition to the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

Releasing 25th May, 2023

The Motherload by Katy Cox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed The M-Word, so getting to read The Motherload was great!
It hit so many personal notes on so many levels.
Lucy is back with her family of fellow musician husband, Ed, and two boys. She’s struggling to build her cellist career again after motherhood, and Ed is trying his hardest to keep things afloat as they navigate the next chapter of parenthood, i.e., starting school.
Alongside her friends Charlie and Jen, with the support of her family, albeit far away in Wales, and the sometimes unwanted help of her mother-in-law, Lucy gets through some pretty sticky situations.
I am a teacher, and a Reception one at that, so reading about Stanley, Lucy’s 4-year-old son, and his struggles as he fails to settle in school while his obsessions and quirks get more and more pronounced, made me want to hug Lucy.
Autism is a broad spectrum, and it is being diagnosed much more, but still so misunderstood. I applaud how the staff were portrayed, as that is a daily scene in most classrooms, as we help parents and children come to terms with the possibility of diagnosis.
Brilliantly done, and I want to know what happens next in Lucy and her family’s life!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atlantic and Corvus Books for an ARC.

Releasing June 1st, 2023

A Taste of Italian Sunshine by Leonie Mack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jenn is a woman on a mission. Having landed in Italy, she must prove to her boss (and crush) that she has a wealth of knowledge and ‘the nose’ to root out the perfect prosecco for the hotel chain she is working for.
There are several issues, though, including where she has to stay and that her ‘nose’ isn’t all that friendly with bubbles.
Oh, and there is a moody farmer, Tiziano, who keeps. popping up wherever she is. A farmer with his own deep-rooted secrets and nightmares.
I loved our Korean heroine, fighting to balance her mother’s expectations for her life and career, as well as navigating certain cultural expectations that kept on popping into her mind at inopportune moments, with her true desires for her life and future, that became clearer as she spent the summer in Veneto, among the farming community and in the bosom of Tiziano’s family.
Lovely arcs for both main characters and fun to read!
I enjoyed this and read it pretty much in one sitting!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 12th May, 2023

It’s Complicated by Emma Hughes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Imagine being in your mid-thirties and told that you’d better get a wiggle on if you want kids because your body is not being very cooperative.
This is the situation our main character, Dee, finds herself in. She’s always wanted a family, and now, with a relationship that hinges on a childhood crush crumbling, she is at a loss as to what she can do to boost her chances of making her dream come true.
Dee rides the storm with her two best friends, Roo, inseparable since school, and Minnie, a more recent addition to their friendship circle. Both have strong opinions and battles to fight in the fertility/pregnancy stakes.
The idea of co-parenting with someone else desperate for a child but not in a relationship is planted. Soon, a chance meeting with chef Andy and some drunken disclosures later, Dee finds herself possibly embarking on a co-parenting journey.
This book has many offshoot stories regarding Dee’s friends, her mother, Alice and her partner Ines, and snippets of her relationship with her estranged father, who is living in Denmark.
It is a pleasant read with some deeper issues that haven’t been explored fully.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Cornerstone (Penguin Books) for an ARC.

Releasing 6th July, 2023

So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!