But I Smile Anyway…

Another wonderful blog tour stop this time for Karen King and her fab book, The Old Gals Bucket List.

The Blurb

‘It’s time to really live our lives!’

It’s been eight months since Sandra lost her beloved husband, and she knows something has to change. Her son wants her to sell up her home and move into a retirement apartment, close to him. But she doesn’t feel ready for that yet.

Then she bumps into her old friend Patti, heading off to get her first tattoo. Patti explains she’s beaten cancer and now she’s ready to make every second count… And – sitting down for a cuppa and a slice of cake – the women land on the perfect idea – a bucket list!

As they set out to fulfil dreams, overcome fears, and have the adventure of their lives, their lives intertwine with others who feel the same, including Mary and her anxious husband…

If anyone can help them live their best lives… it’s the old gals!

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/OldGalsBucketList

My Review

The Old Gals’ Bucket List by Karen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do love a story centred around characters of a certain age, and this was a perfect pick-me-up, A reminder that just because you are a bit older, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep on learning and experiencing new things in life.
Sandra is widowed and struggling to get the confidence to live without her beloved husband Brian. Her son wants her to up sticks and move closer to where he will be living with his family, as they are also moving.
A chance meeting with an old colleague and friend, Patti, who is also alone now and a cancer survivor, kick-starts a life-changing set of decisions that helps both women begin to live again.
They create their own bucket lists, including learning new things and defeating lifelong fears, and with the help of Patti’s granddaughter, they start an Instagram account following the Old Gals and their Bucket List quest.
I loved this. The idea of a bucket list has always intrigued me, but I haven’t ever created one myself. I think I may have to, now, after reading this!
There is so much to revel in from rekindling old friendships to igniting other sparks, as well as a good old-fashioned adventure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

About The Author

Karen King writes psychological suspense and women’s fiction and is celebrating her fortieth year of publication. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors, the Crime Writers’ Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

Social Media Links

Facebook: @KarenKingAuthor

Twitter: @karen_king

Instagram: @karenkingauthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KarenKingNews

Bookbub profile: @KarenKing

Another wonderful blog tour stop this time for Jo Lyons and her fabulous festive novel, A Billionaire for Christmas.

The Blurb

When talented chef Molly’s best friend and business partner, Ava, passes away, she leaves Molly their beloved restaurant – and a wild, impossible bucket list to complete. But thanks to a legal mix-up, Molly’s inheritance is at risk unless she ticks off every outrageous item before the Christmas Eve deadline: just twelve days away.

Determined to honour Ava’s wishes and desperate to save her dream, Molly searches for a billionaire willing to share Champagne with her in a hot tub – one of the more extravagant challenges on the bucket list. She’s in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps so it might just be doable. But then she meets Levi. A devastatingly handsome billionaire, yes, but infuriatingly resistant to getting involved!

As the snow falls and sparks fly, Molly is entangled in a series of increasingly embarrassing escapades. With time running out, can she pull off the impossible – and maybe even find love along the way?

Hot enough to melt the Alpine snow, this romantic comedy is perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Olivia Spring and Sophie Kinsella.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/BillionaireChristmas

My Review

A Billionaire for Christmas by Jo Lyons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Molly is still grieving her best friend and business partner, though it has been nearly a year. She is reminded of a clause in the will affecting her inheritance of their restaurant, which includes fulfilling the rest of Ava’s Bucket List.
There are some choice items on there, including costumes, nakedness, silliness and finding a billionaire!
Luckily enough, Molly is working at a ski resort to top up her income while her inheritance is in probate, and it is the kind of resort where you are likely to find yourself a few billionaires!
And meet one she does. She only goes and gets snowed in with him, along with his family, and misunderstandings and hilarity ensue.
Along with the sexual tension that builds between two people who are attracted to one another, but who cannot show their actual feelings.
I loved all the characters and their own brief stories that accompanied them.
Reading about Molly’s attempts to get these bucket list capers ticked off in 12 days made me giggle!
Thank you, Jo Lyons, for a great little read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC

About The Author

Jo Lyons is the bestselling author of six novels and was shortlisted for the prestigious Comedy Women in Print Awards in 2021. She spent years working abroad in sunny destinations like Turkey, Spain and the south of France at a vineyard (trying her best not to drink them out of business). Jo writes uplifting, laugh-out-loud, warm-hearted romantic comedies, including Girls Just Want to Have Sun.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @JoLyons

Twitter: @J0Lyons

Instagram: @hinnywhowrites

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JoLyonsNews

Bookbub profile: @joannalyons