Val Penny is fantastic with her plots and twists, and she creates books that can be read as standalones while also building such depth of character as you read the series. You really get to know individuals, and each book layers another bit of intel about each character. This story brings us back to Hunter and a murder case (well, obvs, Ritu, the title tells us that!) But this case is a bit different in that the victim is known to most of the police force dealing with it. The backstory of the victim is well written at the beginning, and then how things progress, how characters with history emerge, and how they are involved in an intricate web of deceit, drug trafficking, and murder comes to light. There are also light moments with certain characters, and a romance thread that it is good to get little updates on, but ultimately, a great story. It kept me hooked!
About The Author
Val Penny’s crime novels, form the bestselling series of DI Wilson Series set in Edinburgh.
She is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.
School finished. My big news is that I have stepped down from my management role and will be solely a teacher in Nursery next academic year. A little less stress, no team to manage on top of the day-to-day work of a teacher. Yes, there will be a little pay drop, but I think my peace of mind is more important!
We had our Nursery Graduation, and I have two intakes, a morning and afternoon set of children. They are so, so different, and each ceremony was unique, but I must admit to enjoying the afternoon one a tad more as the children were so huggy, and we danced! As always, parents were very generous, and I have new notebooks, chocolates and pens galore!
Over the month, there have been other things happening, like going to the MeetCute Book Festival on 4th July, where I was a part of my first bookish panel! I went to a birthday party for an old school friend I haven’t seen since I was 7. We also had a wedding party to attend.
One of the highlights was the RNA Conference, which I attended this weekend… hence the late post. I spent the weekend in the company of wonderful writer friends, old and new, and particularly special was to be with Lucy Mitchell and Shelley Wilson for the weekend, blog buddies who are also authors! We learned so much, and danced like crazy on the Saturday. If you want to see more, you need to check my Instagram…
On the plus side, something rather exciting did happen on the Friday, but I cannot say anything right now. If anything comes of it, I will share further! All I can ask of you delightful Peeps of mine is to please keep your fingers crossed for me!
More stalling on the book front for me – sorry! But, again, it is such a hectic time of year! August. That will be my writing month, you’ll see!
My reading slowed because I read rather than listened, as I found it hard to read for long periods in the heatwave we were experiencing, and that put my July reading list behind! I panicked, but finally got back on track! But did I manage to read all the July ARCS? Er no, but I am catching up!
Thank goodness the holidays started, because I have a LOT of reading to catch up on!
A meet-cute that starts in a rather tense situation but ends with the two MCs, Nora and Cole, sent off into a parallel world powered by Christmas, which forces them to rethink their opinions on the festive season and on each other. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this, especially as we were going through heatwaves here in the UK! It certainly cooled me down, hearing about the cool weather and snow, and the romantic build-up comfortably warmed me!
Gracie is a successful salon owner and meets a client for a treatment who is someone she recognises from her past: Brooks, the love of her life. Thing is, he never knew how she felt about him as a teenager, and now he is back, dating her nemesis and looking hot as heck! Gracie has been on many blind dates, hoping to spark some sort of reaction, but none have been forthcoming. However, the voice in her head has a LOT to say every time she is in contact with Brooks. A thoroughly engaging and fun-to-listen-to romance.
It took me a while to finish this book, and I usually tear through my reading… The story of Raj, a wannabe Hollywood actor of Indian descent who lies to get a job as a personal assistant with a famous Hollywood family, didn’t quite hit it for me. There is dry humour, satire, and many issues covered, with a thread of Vanity Fair running through, but I didn’t gel with it, unfortunately.
Another gorgeous dual timeline story from Victoria Springfield, this time set on the island of Capri. You have a famous fashion house, Tellini, celebrating their centenary, and a hunt for a mysterious woman who became infamous as she accidentally gate-crashed a photo that became an iconic print. That woman is Tanya, who really doesn’t want to be associated with the fashion house, the photo, or the island. However, a little persuasion from her daughter, who discovers the truth, leads her back to the island of Capri, a place where she experienced genuine friendship, true love, and tragedy. What can I say? Well, I want to visit Capri now. I always find myself wanting to visit where Victoria sets her books! And I do love a multiple POV story, which this is, 100%, as well as being a dual timeline. There is a second-chance romance, as well as mystery and intrigue, on top of more romance in unexpected areas. I raced through this story and cannot wait for another book from the author!
The Baby Plan is a short book, but boy, does it pack a punch. The essence is a romance, but one that blossoms out of an enormous tragedy. Sophie is pootling along in her life in London when she gets horrifying news about her sister in Brighton. Finding herself literally holding the baby when she arrives to extremely sad news, Sophie has to navigate her own life, now entwined with that of a baby, and try to unravel the mysteries of her estranged sister, not least who the father is. Samson is shocked one night when an old fling of his arrives at his doorstep with a baby she claims is his. After absorbing the news, he attempts to meet her, only to find her no longer alive, and a prickly sister holding a child who supposedly is his. I loved both main characters, and though there was a teeny bit of conflict, it was minor. Instead, we could concentrate on the emotions of the journey they both travel. The way Bennet navigates to a very satisfactory conclusion is perfect, and I was happy to read a book that was easy to read but filled with potent feelings, too.
I loved listening to this one – a real mix of grumpy/sunshine, a bit of forced proximity and some good old-fashioned revenge! Gemma is off to be the Maid of Honour at her best friend’s destination wedding, but she has a bit of an agenda, and it is not a positive one. Then we meet Leon, the bride’s brother. He’s desperately trying to find the groom-to-be’s redeeming features to write in his speech, left at the last minute as he heads to the wedding. Finally, there is Francesca. the groom’s best friend, but she thinks there may be something more than friendship, and she wants to let him know before he makes a mistake. All three are on a late flight out that gets delayed and are stranded at Orly Airport for many hours. They bicker, argue, and uncover the real reasons behind each of their bitter thoughts about the upcoming nuptials. I had so many guesses about what was going to be the outcome, and plenty of them were totally wrong! But this was such an entertaining listen!
Jenni Keer weaves such magic within her words, and she has certainly struck gold again here, with this new story, which is the first of a trilogy about the Averly Sisters. The first sets the tone, with three sisters, all sent on an intriguing mission, as set out in their father’s will, and the story concentrates on the eldest sister, Edith. Edith ends up in an asylum, Green Briar, of her own will, to investigate a specific murder that her father could never solve, being the armchair detective that he was. She has a gift, something not many people are aware of, and it is both a boon and a bonus, given what she can see because of it, and that is how she is expected to solve her specific mystery. With a false backstory and a fake husband, Edith finds out some pretty gruesome secrets, as well as finding that she may just have feelings for a certain doctor… I was enthralled throughout the story and didn’t want it to end. Then, when I got to the end, I just wished the next story was already there for me to read! A fabulous historical romance with real fantastical elements and realism.
I was whisked away into a bookish world as I listened to this beautiful, fantastical dual-timeline story, based in Dublin, with bits in London and France. If you love a little conspiracy theory surrounding certain classic authors, this would be up your street. The Bronte sisters, in particular Emily, are the main focus. Opaline is a headstrong woman from the early 1900s. She is being coerced into getting married by her mother and brother, and runs away. Her travels take her to France, where she begins a journey entwined with the literary world and a search for a lost manuscript. She ends up in Dublin, running a magical bookshop, and her story grows increasingly complex as it unfolds. At present, we have two POVs: Martha, a young Irish woman running away from an abusive marriage, and Henry, a British researcher looking for a discovery to base his research paper on. The way the story entwines and the mysteries kept me totally engrossed, and I finished listening to the book over two days as I travelled up and down the country, stuck in traffic!
I cannot explain just how much I enjoyed reading this as a woman of a certain age. The story covers two single parents whose daughters are off to university, and the all-encompassing worry that surrounds that, from two very different perspectives. The story begins with a Facebook group-style chat for parents whose children are going to university for the first time, where our two main characters meet and clash. Heather is a character I can relate to (not the single-parent bit, though!). A mother who only wants the best for her child, but as the sole caregiver so far, she finds it hard to let go totally. Scott is a single father who feels he has equipped his daughter with everything she needs to be independent and a true life decision-maker for herself. They clash over mattress toppers at first, then, when the girls start university and are in the same accommodation block, tensions simmer as the two parents meet. There is midlife, and then there is MIDLIFE. These two are both there, and it is fantastic to read how they navigate their different parenting styles and the needs of their children, who grow close and have to spend more time together. Slowly, layers are unravelled, and you get to see the true reason they parent the way they do, and there is a bit of an enemies-to-lovers romance going on. Heather and Scott’s characters go on a journey as they learn to live and love a little again. I was invested the whole way through, and loved the little Facebook updates which echo the concerns of many parents as their children leave home for the first time, as well as giving a bit of a giggle with some questions and answers.
There’s a cafe specialising in Matcha products, a current fave of mine; a bookshop nearby; a brooding MMC; a troubled FMC; a wonderful older couple; some beautiful friendships; as well as a rather nasty woman, cast as the landlord, all coupled with wonderful romance! What’s not to love? Sasha has a beautiful business going in her small village; a Matcha cafe alongside a side hustle of Matcha-making. Her superpower, of being able to see the romantic future of her matcha-drinking customers, brings a special vibe to the cafe. So, matcha reading? It’s like tea leaf reading, but instead of the leaves, she reads the bubbles of the matcha as she whisks. Then she literally bumps into Ben, a rather stern but handsome fellow, covering him in manure-scented water as she was watering her hanging baskets! Not quite a meet-cute, but the catalyst, nonetheless. There is grumpy sunshine as a trope, woven heavily within the story. I did enjoy the premise and the story. The only reason it is not 5-star is that I wish there was a little more romance build-up until the result. Sasha deserves to find love, like her clients, and Ben seems to know what he wants, but Sasha’s woman-made barriers stall the romance. And I wanted a little more depth to Sasha’s character, as she was the focus. I loved some of the side characters, too, and hope they might be featured in future novels.
This was another great listen, and amazingly it was free on Audible! A cute story with a sprinkling of spice, so if you want purely wholesome, you might be surprised. The story follows a famous nepo baby actress, Lee, who disappears for a while after being sidelined after her latest audition. She ends up in Scotland of all places, and finds herself wet and bedraggled, but not for long, as a knight in shining armour arrives to help her dry off, before disappearing. She somehow manages to get a job at a local cafe and does a great job of disguising herself as Natalie (so she thinks), and for the first time in her life, she feels like she is living a normal life. Of course, her knight ends up being her employer, so there is plenty of tension and chemistry because, did I say? He is rather easy on the eye, with a great Scottish accent! There are twists and turns as Natalie tries to hide herself, and the journey of the two of them finally hitting it off is great, with plenty of ups and downs. But is the call of Hollywood too strong? That I will leave you to listen and find out!
A simple, more mature romance set in Oxford. T.W.: addiction, alcoholism Clara has lived in Oxford her whole life and is the reverend at a college there. Tom is new to Oxford and sings in the local choir. Both are of a certain age, with their own life issues. Clara is a sweet woman with so much to give to her congregation and her friends, and Tom is a bit of a lost soul with a past that he is not sure how to deal with, open up about, and process. This story shows how their relationship develops and how they overcome hurdles. I had overlooked the fact that this was a Christian romance, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. It was an easy read, with not much thinking required.
I’ve enjoyed previous reads by Jane Lovering, so I requested this without reading the blurb, and I have to say I loved the little time-slip surprise! Pax has been dragged to Dunaire Castle by her brother, Lennox, who has bought the castle, seeing as it was a part of their heritage. Filled with ideas of renovating it and turning it into a hotel, and somehow reclaiming their ancestral home, he doesn’t realise Pax has disappeared. And she does, in the most surreal way! Falling down stairs and ending up in 18th-century Scotland with four others from the present, trapped in the past, Pax learns so much about her own history, and ends up… well, I shall not say because I’m not about spoilers! There is romance, but it is very slow; however, the entire premise of the story kept me turning the pages, and I finished this in a day! Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
I listened to this and thoroughly enjoyed the life of Mildred, an ordinary woman in the 50s, always there to support others. She finds herself embroiled in the lives of other ordinary women, all of whom are particularly excellent, as she goes about her days. Mildred is not old, nor young. She is unmarried, and the people around her who she knows assume that of her. This book helps to break those illusions and shows her, as well as the other characters, in their most excellent form. I listened to the story with pleasure and think I need to add some more Barbara Pym books to my list!
14 books read this month! More than I expected! Which one caught your eye?
So Happy to be on the Blog tour for the debut of Ko Porteous and her book, The Freshman Parents, the first in the Empty Nesters series.
The Blurb
They’re off for the time of their lives. But are you?
Book #1 in The Empty Nesters Series.
Single parent Heather isn’t neurotic (honest!) – she’s simply dreading the day her only child leaves for university – so her meticulous checklists grow longer by the hour. When she seeks advice on a parents’ forum, she clashes with Scott, a single dad whose “helpful” statistics and assertions about “helicopter parenting” leave her fuming.
Move-in day delivers the ultimate surprise: their daughters aren’t just roommates – they are self-declared “besties for life”. Suddenly, Heather and Scott are thrown into a begrudging alliance.
As they navigate the new status quo, Heather’s instinct to organise meets Scott’s philosophy of letting go. Their practical text messages about mattress toppers and emergency supplies evolve into conversations about dream jobs and bucket list aspirations. Despite their intentions to avoid relationships at all costs, unpredictable events keep throwing them together, meaning Heather and Scott find it increasingly difficult to ignore each other…
I cannot explain just how much I enjoyed reading this as a woman of a certain age. The story covers two single parents whose daughters are off to university, and the all-encompassing worry that surrounds that, from two very different perspectives. The story begins with a Facebook group-style chat for parents whose children are going to university for the first time, where our two main characters meet and clash. Heather is a character I can relate to (not the single-parent bit, though!). A mother who only wants the best for her child, but as the sole caregiver so far, she finds it hard to let go totally. Scott is a single father who feels he has equipped his daughter with everything she needs to be independent and a true life decision-maker for herself. They clash over mattress toppers at first, then, when the girls start university and are in the same accommodation block, tensions simmer as the two parents meet. There is midlife, and then there is MIDLIFE. These two are both there, and it is fantastic to read how they navigate their different parenting styles and the needs of their children, who grow close and have to spend more time together. Slowly, layers are unravelled, and you get to see the true reason they parent the way they do, and there is a bit of an enemies-to-lovers romance going on. Heather and Scott’s characters go on a journey as they learn to live and love a little again. I was invested the whole way through, and loved the little Facebook updates which echo the concerns of many parents as their children leave home for the first time, as well as giving a bit of a giggle with some questions and answers.
About The Author
Ko Porteous lived in a tiny fishing village in the north of Scotland before moving to Edinburgh aged 10.
Ko loves meeting people with interesting stories to tell and is constantly on the lookout for knotty story themes, particularly involving women navigating the messiness of life. She has worked as a Research Chemist, Assistant Chef, Teacher and School Leader.
As well as writing, Ko works as a Business Manager and provides listening services for a mental health charity aiming to reduce the number of deaths caused by suicide.
In her free time Ko loves to run, meditate and travel; preferably all on the same day.
Ko has been married for 25 years, has 2 children of her own and is now navigating her own empty nest.
The Freshman Parents is Ko’s debut novel and is the first in ‘The Empty Nesters’ series.
How is it already the end of June? That is half of 2026 done!
So… it’s been another busy one at school. The build-up to the end of term is always huge. We have the prep of the new classes for next year, and for the Early Years side, which starts a lot earlier than the rest of the school, as we have to accept applications to school, as well as nursery, then there is form filling, and working out classes, who will be where, which staff will be where… and report writing. I managed to do the lion’s share of report writing in the half term, but there has been plenty of other preparation to keep me busy!
And… another BIG thing. My (Not So) Lil Man turned 21! Like, seriously? How does that happen so fast? He is, with God’s blessing, a happy, healthy soul, with a good job, and (for the most part!) a sensible lad, and we couldn’t be more proud of him!
Plus… Lil Princess finished her A-level exams and had her final ever prom! So, now it is the wait for results, and a time for her to decide what to do with her life. She is hoping to sign up for an apprenticeship next week, and has started her driving lessons… my baby is growing up!
We have also had a few losses again within family and friends, and there were at least 2 funerals that the family needed to attend, which also made life a little delicate, as memories arose from our big loss from last year…
I have been trying to push my book babies, but honestly, with all the above happening, it hasn’t been that easy.
Oh, and how can I forget the HEATWAVE! Honestly, sitting in a classroom with 20/30 irate 3-4-year-olds is not fun! We have sweltered, and I just found out there are a few more days like that coming next month… God help me!
I enjoyed this instalment in the Just a series by Becky Monson, revisiting old friends (characters) and getting to know some acquaintances (other characters) much better! This focuses on Quinn, a plus-size TV Anchor who doesn’t feel she deserves to be loved for who she is because of how she looks. It doesn’t help that her mother is always trying to ‘help’ with constant reminders of how she could lose weight, as well as rather nasty emails from a viewer. Then she meets Brit Henry, who seems to like her… until they find out they will be working together, and he is her new boss… And she hasn’t told him a rather embarrassing work-related secret! Lots of angst and fun, as well as feeling.
I have enjoyed all of Laura Jane Williams’ previous books, so to read this was a no-brainer. A little different to some of her previous stories, this one focuses on two very different women. CJ, who lives in Lisbon and is a single mother, is living with a cousin and his husband, managing an apartment complex and Ash, who has come away from life in the UK, with possible heartbreak and a need for a reset. She is staying at the complex, and the two clash horribly, then seem to go for the same guy. But you can feel the chemistry crackling somewhere else. Previously, having any feelings for another woman had not even been given the time of day. Now, something else is happening for them both. I loved Ash’s line about not loving men or women, but loving people. A story of finding out where true happiness is. Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and Cornerstone for an ARC.
Some people really know how to write gritty, dark thrillers, and Zoe Rosi is 100% one of them! It’s not a read or listen for the faint-hearted, I have to say. All Expenses Paid takes a very extreme look at social media and the lives of some influencers. Debbie is one of those influencers, pootling along with a decent follower count and an obsession with her likes and comment numbers, constantly comparing herself to others, including one of her good friends, Amelia. An invitation for what looks like a gorgeous holiday in a distant, exotic location, with the opportunity for lots of content, and a chance to earn some good money, is too much for her to say no to, so she, along with Amelia, heads off to what she discovers is the much darker, more gruesome side of influencing and big money. I found myself inwardly flinching as I listened to the story, and it really made me wonder… is there really stuff like this behind the content of some ‘influencers’, or is it just a very dark exaggeration for fiction’s sake? Either way, it was disturbing but, in a weird way, interesting. Hats off to the author and the narrator, who kept me listening!
After reading Nine Dolls, last year, reading this was a simple decision for me. Rupa Mahadevan writes brilliantly crafted domestic thrillers and creates nuanced, fragile, damaged characters with great skill. The protagonist, Clara, is all the above. Damaged, hugely, through experiences, and fragile as a result. Roshini is her lifeline, her buoy in a sea of negativity and misunderstanding. When Roshini disappears, Clara is thrown into a huge tailspin. There were so many threads to this story, and the twists and turns to reach the conclusion were so well written, I was totally unaware of the ending until it was revealed!
I think a lot of us have an unconscious relationship with food. Some are minor. You eat to live. Sustenance, that is it. Some of us have memories embedded deep within, relating to food, meals, and certain dishes. Memories that mould our relationship with grub. Dawn O’Porter explores her own seesaw relationship with food, and how it affected her health, physically and mentally, and how it shaped so much of her life, even now, as she feels the most stable she has ever felt. This was a raw memoir, peppered with some real emotion and seasoned with the best recipes, nostalgic, with modern twists, that I am sure most people would relate to.
This is the series that really got me into UK cosy crime, and it is still keeping me as hooked as the first book! The Nosy Parker in question is Jodie Parker, a past police officer, current caterer, wife to DI Nathan Withers, and somehow a murder sleuth! Okay, so it’s not everywhere she goes, but somehow, once or twice a year, she finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation. So much so that the local police force, knowing her background and excellent deductive skills, has unofficially got her on their books! And it appears that nowhere is sacred! Even her honeymoon. It starts a bit unconventionally anyway, as Jodie’s mother and daughter, along with her dog, Germaine, accompany them. They are at the soft opening of a new sustainable luxury resort on one of the Cornish Isles, and though there are some questionable characters, everything is fine. Until it isn’t. Find someone with a grudge or motive, or possibly several people, and some inclement weather, and you are in for a treat! I love how there are comedic moments throughout, as well as the real feel of traditional whodunnits of the past, meaning that though there is murder, there is also lightness to it. I really do enjoy these stories, and long may they continue!
I was swept right back into the world of Rita Jory and the community in Seahavem Bay with this second book in the series. Rita is a woman of a certain age, a widow with two grown children and a fledgling business started after the death of her husband. The wellness retreat has been well received by the locals and those who have stayed, and Rita’s romance with the neighbour, who also has a bit of a complicated connection with her late husband, is blossoming. In the first book, we hear so many secrets, and though most are accepted, there are still other little things coming out of the woodwork through book two. First, an ex-wife appears, then Rita discovers something about herself… All with the retreat needing to be used for a wedding, a new band of guests with their own issues, and an intruder who threatens to put the kibosh on the whole site and business! So much going on! I loved seeing what the original characters were up to, and I love Teo, Rita’s husband’s son from another relationship, who treats Rita like his own mother. Rita certainly goes through the wringer, again, losing another loved one, but gaining many more in the process If you love stories with family at the heart, and a gorgeous village setting, then you won’t be disappointed!
I have been eyeing up Kimberley Adams’s books for a while, and I got a chance to listen to the audiobook of Love Lindisfarne. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed at all! The story of Ellie, jilted, not quite at the altar, in London, gets away, to the Isles in Northumberland, namely Lindisfarne, to lick her proverbial wounds in private, but also to help with some animals at a sanctuary there. Life is at a different pace from what she is used to, and it is a world away from her usual work. Armed with her phone so she can stay in touch with her group of friends and family, and a woefully under-packed suitcase, she arrives dramatically, which signals exactly how the rest of her stay will go. Ellie really finds herself through this story, and even though it is a bit cut off from the world, I fancy a trip to Lindisfarne, too! She also makes some great new friends to add to her circle, a new four-legged pal, Nacho, and one or two romantic interests. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this, and Colleen Prendergast’s narration was 100% on point! I know I will be adding the next lot of books to my ever-growing TBR!
This was a gorgeous dual-timeline story that had me hooked from the off. Set partly in Victorian London and modern-day London, the story centres around philanthropy and an interesting connection to a famous Victorian author and one of his most successful novels. Isabelle, or Belle, keeps a set of journals about her life in the 1800s, as well as a recount of a rather otherworldly event she experienced, and then buries her writing somewhere so it won’t be found easily… Nearly 200 years later, Emily, a history lecturer, is given access to the newly unearthed journals in a crumbling old house in Cheapside, and the discovery sends her on an emotional journey of her own. There is so much to unpick here, from second chances to personal transformations, as well as bringing to the forefront the importance of certain historical places and their origins. I don’t want to rehash the story, but I will say that this is one of my favourite Victoria Scott books!
I requested this book even before reading the synopsis because the name Mr Sidhu jumped out at me. Sidhu being my mother’s maiden name, and the lead that it would be a Sikh at the forefront of the story had me requesting before anything else. I was somewhat aware of the Horizon scandal, but not in much detail, so I was intrigued to see how it played out in the story, too. Mr Sidhu, Sukdev, or Dave/David to the British locals around his post office in Richmond, has worked hard his whole life to serve the community and provide for his family. He hails from rural Punjab, and, not having any interest in the usual Jatt-puna of working the ancestral land, he concentrates on his studies, and with the backing of his father, Sukhdev finally ends up in England, a place hailed as some kind of money-making heaven by many back home. Along with his wife, he built up his Richmond-based business while living in Hounslow, and when she passed, he continued at the shop as the Postmaster, with Rose at the shop till. Mr Sidhu becomes caught up in the PO scandal when money begins to disappear from his accounts, recently upgraded to the new Post Office software. Here we see how his family react to what is happening, as well as how they need to find someone to blame. Rose becomes an important presence in Mr Sidhu’s life when he thought he would have been sitting back, playing with the grandchildren he and his wife always thought their children, Meenu and Raju, would have provided, with a solid business to pass on to the next generation. I loved how the softly, softly nature of Mr Sidhu mirrors many of the elders in our community. Always present, always supportive, but not interested in causing any trouble, even if they suffer difficulties. I found Meenu very annoying. I wanted to shake her. Questioning her gentle father, unable to stand by him when he needed her and disappearing at a time he really needed her. Raju’s character was also interesting. A product of two traditional individuals, who allowed both their children to find their own paths, Raju works as an actor, and I love that he doesn’t give up. Rose is just lovely. David’s (Mr Sidhu) real support through a tough time is proof that there are people out there who look beyond colour and culture and see the goodness inside. The story is gentle yet aggressive. A journey to satisfaction, marked by delays and setbacks, and the special delivery of minor racism. This was a brilliant read. Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ, Juniper, for an ARC.
Oh my, I had sooo many thoughts and predictions as I read/listened to this, and I wasn’t far wrong, but also I wasn’t right either! Marie is married to Scott, and they have a gorgeous little girl. Scott also has children from a previous marriage, but Marie has yet to meet her stepchildren, and create a blended family that she thinks would be great for her own daughter, who has no siblings. Only Scott has the ex-wife from h*ll, determined to place a wedge into their chances of happiness and constantly placing demands on his time. Marie is hoping that they can start trying for baby #2, so her own little one has a sibling at least. Marie is also a wedding dress designer, and has plenty of brides-to-be dramas of her own to sort out along with home life, as well as finding out the dishy GP she has taken a bit of a secret fancy to, is one of her client’s brothers, and chance means they keep on meeting. All this along with her French mother and aunt who like to cause their own mischief, as well as a cousin who is firmly on her side, but has her own opinions. I was fully ensconced in Marie’s life, rooting for her, cheering her along, and maybe, just maybe, gently encouraging her to explore ‘things’ with that dishy GP! A fab book, a great listen and a brilliant story!
Mila is a jinx. Well, she’s convinced herself she is a jinx with weddings, having messed up the seven weddings she’s been in the wedding party for. Convincing her best friend that she cannot be a part of her wedding party is the big thing here. Mila doesn’t want to ruin her BFF’s special day. And also, she cannot be around Grayson, her boss. Because, well, she seems to have a boss thing, too. Lots of tension, close proximity, and chemistry bubbling over, as well as plenty of giggles! I had fun reading/listening to this one!
I am on the blog tour for this gorgeous read in mid-July, so keep your eyes peeled for the review!
13 books read this month! Lucky for some! Which one caught your eye?
I’m back with another great blog tour review for fantastic author, Nicola May and her latest release, Marry Me in Seahaven Bay.
The Blurb
The emotional and uplifting new novel from the author of the million-copy bestselling Cockleberry Bay series.
Life at the Seahaven Bay Retreat is flourishing, but Rita Jory’s second chance at happiness is about to face its biggest test yet. When Jago’s glamorous French ex-wife appears on the doorstep with a five-year-old daughter in tow, their blossoming relationship hangs by a thread.
Between juggling retreat guests seeking healing, her daughter Sennen’s desperate need for a last-minute wedding venue, and dealing with Elodie’s impossible demands, Rita’s already stretched to breaking point.
Then some very unexpected news forces her to reconsider everything she thought she wanted. But can she trust Jago with her secret and embrace the new life ahead?
Rita must decide whether to protect her heart or fight for her future.
A joyful, tender and laugh-out-loud tale of family, forgiveness and finding the courage to say yes to life’s beautiful surprises. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse.
I was swept right back into the world of Rita Jory and the community in Seahavem Bay with this second book in the series. Rita is a woman of a certain age, a widow with two grown children and a fledgling business started after the death of her husband. The wellness retreat has been well received by the locals and those who have stayed, and Rita’s romance with the neighbour, who also has a bit of a complicated connection with her late husband, is blossoming. In the first book, we hear so many secrets, and though most are accepted, there are still other little things coming out of the woodwork through book two. First, an ex-wife appears, then Rita discovers something about herself… All with the retreat needing to be used for a wedding, a new band of guests with their own issues, and an intruder who threatens to put the kibosh on the whole site and business! So much going on! I loved seeing what the original characters were up to, and I love Teo, Rita’s husband’s son from another relationship, who treats Rita like his own mother. Rita certainly goes through the wringer, again, losing another loved one, but gaining many more in the process If you love stories with family at the heart, and a gorgeous village setting, then you won’t be disappointed!
Nicola May is a bestselling author renowned for her heartwarming and humorous romantic comedies. With twenty-two books to her name, her work has captured readers’ hearts around the world, has been translated into fifteen languages and consistently ranks in the top 100 of Amazon’s Kindle bestseller charts. As a self-published author, she achieved the remarkable feat of reaching number one on Amazon twice, and has been a strong advocate for indie authors, pushing for a dedicated chart for them in The Bookseller magazine. Now signed to Storm Publishing, Nicola continues to write heartfelt rom-coms with her signature blend of warmth and wit.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys cream teas in her beloved Devon, hikes through nature, and occasionally places a bet on the horses.
But I Smile Anyway... 