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A Billionaire for Christmas by Jo Lyons #BookTour #Blog Tour @J0Lyons @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

01 Sep 2025 1 Comment

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Boldwood Books, Book Tour, Jo Lyons, Rachel's Random Resources

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

So This is Christmas by Helen Rolfe #BookTour #Blog Tour @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

24 Aug 2025 3 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Boldwood Books, Book Tour, Helen Rolfe, Rachel's Random Resources

Another wonderful blog tour stop this time for Helen Rolfe and her gorgeous festive novel, So this is Christmas.

The Blurb

Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.

But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.

Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…

My Review

So This is Christmas by Helen Rolfe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, what a beautiful story with friendship at the core!
The story starts many decades ago, with two friends, Greta and Bea. They both move from Vienna to England, and begin the habit of writing letters to one another regularly, including that Christmas ‘newsletter’ style update every year.
Fast forward fifty-odd years later, and they are still writing to one another. Bea from her care home in England and Greta from Vienna, where she moved back with her husband, Walter.
Both use the assistance of others to support their writing, as they are in their 80s and have failing eyesight, which makes technology difficult for them to comprehend.
Of these helpers, Bea has Sophie, a care home assistant who has become more of a daughter than a helper. Together, they curate letters, and Sophie sends them on, and in Vienna, Walter does the same for his wife, with a bit of assistance from Jennie, a woman like an adopted daughter, and their son Nick.
Unfortunate circumstances mean Sophie ends up taking a trip to Vienna to visit Greta on Bea’s behalf, and what she finds there is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
The art of letter-writing is dying, and I loved the fact that these letters were at the heart of everything within this book. Greta and Bea’s friendship lasted a lifetime, and their bond stretched further to encompass many souls who were floundering, bringing them back to safer shores.
This is such a beautiful Christmas read.

About The Author

Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women’s fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @HelenRolfeAuthor

Instagram: @helen_j_rolfe

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

Bookbub profile: @helenrolfe

The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley by Jane Lovering #BookTour #Blog Tour @rararesources @KateGalley1 @BoldwoodBooks

04 Aug 2025 5 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Boldwood Books, Book Tour, Kate Galley, Rachel's Random Resources, The Last Laugh Club

Thrilled to be on the blog tour for Kate Galley’s The Last Laugh Club!

The Blurb

Three former friends. One last request. The journey of a lifetime!

In life, Norman George – passionate knitter, excellent friend and secret youtube sensation – liked nothing better than a good laugh. And, it seems, he gets the last laugh even in death, because at his funeral, he invites his three closest friends to scatter his ashes in a place close to his heart, the Shetland Islands. The only issue is, while Bridget, Gloria and Derek might have loved Norman, they can’t stand each other.

So it’s with trepidation that the eclectic trio set off in their minivan on the ferry to Lerwick, each harbouring their own reason for wanting to grant Norman this last request. But as storm clouds roll in over the Shetland Islands, all of them are about to discover that some secrets are best shared, and that even after death, good friendship can change everything…

My Review

The Last Laugh Club by Kate Galley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another caper of the older generation, thanks to Kate Galley, whose books I have come to enjoy because they give hope that life doesn’t enter a stagnant period after a certain age.
This time, we are on a journey with three old work colleagues: Bridget, Gloria, and Derek. They are brought together by the sad demise of another ex-colleague, Norman, who tasks them with a simple request. To scatter his ashes at the northernmost point of the UK, which is the arse end of nowhere!
They were never the best of friends, these three, so the idea of having to spend more than a few hours together is a bit of a chore, but the trip is not without incident, and there is a bit of soul-searching along the way!
Bridget’s character is battling with memory loss, which causes its own issues. Gloria can’t quite shake off the persona of the ex-boss of these other people, and Derek is just desperately trying to ensure his friend’s last wishes are upheld, along with a bit of unrequited love to add to the mix.
I loved the story from start to finish, and the little twists of mystery and secrets that are uncovered made this a real page-turner!

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

About The Author

Kate Galley is the author of uplifting golden years fiction, including The Second Chance Holiday Club. She lives with her family in Buckinghamshire and works part time as a mobile hairdresser.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @KateGalleyAuthor

Twitter: @KateGalley1

Instagram: @kategalley1

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

Bookbub profile: @kategalley1

Once Upon A Thyme by Jane Lovering #BookTour #Blog Tour @rararesources @janelovering @BoldwoodBooks

25 Jun 2025 2 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Posg, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Boldwood Books, Book Review, Book Tour, Jane Lovering, Once Upon A Thyme, Rachel's Random Resources

Thrilled to welcome Jane Lovering and her latest book, Once Upon a Thyme, to the blog!

The Blurb

All her life, Natalie Fisher has been taught not to ask questions. Why risk uncovering uncomfortable truths, when you can stay in the safety of blissful denial?

Since taking over the family herb farm, Natalie has stuck with what she knows, rarely venturing much further than the nearby village where her invalid mother now lives. But then, one day, everything changes with the arrival of unexpected visitors.

First comes Zeb, employed by Natalie’s mother to help with the business but soon hinting at other motives. Then comes Simon with the famous band he manages, wanting to film in Natalie’s beautiful garden. The band causes chaos and the attitude of one particular member throws Natalie’s ordered life into confusion.

Over one magical summer of revelations and of uncovering secrets, Natalie starts to blossom and by the time autumn arrives she knows nothing will ever be the same again. Will she finally get an answer to the mystery of her childhood? And can she embrace the fresh start she so deserves – but which means she’ll have to take one enormous and brave leap of faith?

An uplifting novel about fresh starts, family secrets and finding love when you least expect it.

My Review

Once Upon a Thyme by Jane Lovering
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tally is a woman in her late twenties who runs a herb farm. It has always been a part of her family, first belonging to her grandma, then her mother, before Tally buys it outright from her mum.
It’s a tough gig, especially as she has caring responsibilities for her mother, unwell with an unknown illness, but she loves being with the plants, and her guinea pigs, and especially Big Pig, her sow.
She ends up with Zeb, a marketing consultant appointed by her mother, tagging along as she goes about her life.
A chance visit from an up-and-coming band who want to use the farm to shoot videos gives Tally the chance of some more income, much-needed funds to continue her small, struggling business, and under the guidance of Zeb, she hesitantly agrees.
But there are lots of things going on, with thinking about a certain band member, as well as looking out for her mother, and trying to quell feelings that are building about someone else.
It’s a slow-rumbling romance, with a slightly darker moment when secrets are uncovered; however, it’s a lovely summer read.
A gorgeous story filled with love, a twist of mystery and a lot of hope.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

About The Author

Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who won the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @jane.lovering

Twitter: @janelovering

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

Bookbub profile: @janelovering

The Silver Ladies Seize The Day by Judy Leigh #BookTour #Blog Tour @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks @JudyLeighWriter

04 Jun 2025 10 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Boldwood Books, Book Tour, Judy Leigh, Rachel's Random Resources, The Silver Ladies Seize The Day

Thrilled to be on the blog Tour for Judy Leigh’s lovely book, The Silver Ladies Seize The Day!

The Blurb

You’re never too old to fall in love…again!

Cecily Hamilton is months away from her ninety-second birthday. She’s lived life to the full, choosing work over romance, friendship over love. And now she has a host of silver-haired friends living nearby, ready to fill her time with picnic lunches, prosecco and cheer!

Cecily thought she was content. She thought her cup was full…

But when the granddaughter of Cecily’s first and only love arrives on her doorstep, claiming that her grandfather, Eddie, is still in love with Cecily after all these years, Cecily wonders if there might be room for a little romance after all. Especially since, one by one, her friends keep falling head over heels for old flames and new.

Can the oldest silver lady of the bunch really hope for her own second chance at love? Is it finally time for Cecily to seize the day?

My Review

The Silver Ladies Seize the Day by Judy Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic story about women of a certain age, and more, as they grasp their second chances in love and life!
Cecily Hamilton is a 91-year-old ex-teacher. She still lives in the village where she taught for her entire teaching career and has forged friendships with many of her former pupils.
Even those whom she first taught are in their 70s, and they laughingly call themselves the Silver Ladies, as they meet regularly.
And all of them have a story, and various barriers prevent them from thoroughly enjoying their lives.
The key part of the story is Cecily rediscovering her one true love. I shan’t go into it more, as you need to read it. Still, I enjoyed the complete story, which follows all of the ladies and other residents of the village as they tackle a particular menace, come together as a hive mind to solve a couple of other village issues, and then the gentle romances that are blooming along the way. A beautiful read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

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

About the Author

Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens, A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @judyleighuk

Twitter: @JudyLeighWriter

Instagram: @judyrleigh

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

Bookbub profile: @judyrleigh