Book Review | But I Smile Anyway...

Book and a Brew with Ritu – A New Chapter at the Borrow a Book Shop by @KileyDunbar @HeraBooks #NewRelease #BookReview

23 Jan 2025 2 Comments

by Ritu in Book & A Brew With Ritu, Reviews Tags: A New Chapter at the Borrow A Book Shop, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book and a brew with Ritu, Book Review, Kiley Dunbar

Is she a glutton for punishment, or does she just like my nibbles? Kiley is back for a fourth visit!

Today, I am thrilled to welcome amazing romance author Kiley Dunbar to my blog for a cuppa and a bit of a chat about all things writerly, especially her newest release, A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop. It’s out, TODAY!

Welcome back, Kiley, for your fourth Book and A Brew with Ritu! Something of a record,
there! What drink would you like? I’ve got all the usual, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, masala tea?

Hi! It’s so nice to be back round at yours! Thanks for having me back. I’ve been reading
your lovely characters in In God’s Hands. (I’m hiding behind my hands -eek!) and getting FOMO – so
please can I have some, with sugar!

Absolutely! And, today there are fairy cakes! ��

Ooh, nice! I brought some Scottish tablet, which I make every new year. Hope you love it,
it is ridiculously sweet. Why, thank you! The last time I had tablet was when we went camping for my Duke of Edinburgh Award nearly 35 years ago! (Jez, that makes me sound old!)

I love that you are back here for another cuppa with me, Kiley! How have you been?
What is new in Kiley Dunbar land?

Cheers! It’s so nice to be back. I feel like I’ve spent the last couple of weeks with you as
I’ve been reading In God’s Hands every night before bed and loving it!

Sheesh! Thank you!

What’s new with me? Well, I have lots of happy news this new year! A new book just released called A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop, as well as a new book series coming up later in the
year! Phew! It’s all go in Kiley Dunbar land!

And any new vintage bits you’ve acquired recently to tell me about?

Sooo many! From my vintage 1980’s Stead and Simpson (remember them?) ankle boots
(somehow never been worn and on eBay) and lots of little vintage trinkets for the house. I
can’t resist glassware or plant pots from the charity shops! I’d rather find and fix than buy
new. It’s all about the fun of the search for me!

I love seeing your posts with your finds!

I’m going to the Meet Cute festival this year. Will you be there? Is there anywhere
else that your reader fans may meet you this year?

Sadly no, I’m going to be laying low in 2025 (as far as events go) as I have two books to
write for my new series. It’s going to be a busy year. I’ll miss seeing you there, though; the
Meet Cute Festival always sounds amazing! Make sure you tell us all about it on your
blog!

Oh, I will do that! I have somehow managed to volunteer for one or two talks there, too!

Have you joined the Bluesky revolution? I have, but I don’t know if I am giving myself
more work, lol!

I’ve only just got on Threads, haha. Not sure I can cope with another new socials! I think
I’ll stick to enjoying my Instagram for now, I feel like I have most fun on there. I’m full of
admiration for folks branching out with Bluesky. Maybe I’ll see you over there one day!

I’ll be honest; I’m there, but not really active… I think Insta/FB are my main platforms and Tiktok/Threads come second!

Let’s return to the book of the moment, A New Chapter at The Borrow a Bookshop.
Book 5 in one of my favourite series! I did love this kind of second chance/friend-to-
lovers theme! Did you enjoy writing Annie and Harri’s story?

I enjoyed it more than any other book I’ve written. It’s my first ever attempt at my
favourite ever trope ‘friends to lovers’ and every page was fun! Harri and Annie were
made for each other, but of course they take a while to realise and there’s a lovely ‘will
they/won’t they’ slow burn with a tiny bit of spice along the way.

And the mystery of the Clove Lore Castle… that was entertaining! Inspired by
anything real that you may have read or a total figment of your imagination?

I wanted to explore a bit of the countryside around Clove Lore in this one and so the
creepy old castle and its mysterious hermit owner came into being. I also really wanted
Harri and Annie to spend the night accidentally locked-in somewhere away from the
bookshop, hence the castle’s old gothic library with the roaring fireplace where they,
ahem, realise they might be more than just friends. That was perfect!

Please tell me this isn’t the end of my dream holiday spot!

Well… I never say never. I hope one day I can go back to Clove Lore and make more book
nerds fall in love, but for now there’ll be a break in the series. I’m going to miss everyone
sooo much! I know that feeling. Right now, I am toying with the idea of a series book 4 or something totally different, but those Rishtay characters are so compelling!.

Now, what do we have in store for you, book-wise, next?

I have a brand new series launching in summer 2025 (with publisher Boldwood Books)
called The Highland Repair Shop. It’s set in my version of the Scottish Cairngorm
mountains and centres round a community of expert fixers. It’s all about people who love
their planet and will not take broken for an answer. That goes for broken hearts too. I
promise it will be very, very romantic as well as community and sustainability-minded.
Are you a make-do-and-mender, Ritu? It suits my thrifty (read ‘tight with money’ haha)
disposition.

This sounds like another corker, Kiley! I cannae wait! And, while I’m not much of a mender, I totally agree with the thrifty mentality!

Thanks so much for a lovely cuppa and chat! You really know how to help a girl celebrate
a book launch, Ritu! I’ve had a blast.

I am thrilled to have been able to host you again, Kiley. I know it won’t be long before you are back!

Now, as I mentioned before, I was lucky enough to read an ARC of A New Chapter At The Borrow A Bookshop, so let me share the blurb and my review.

The Blurb

A decade after they said goodbye after graduation, old friends Harri and Annie reunite in the beautiful village of Clove Lore in Devon – what more could these bookworms want than a holiday running the tumbledown bookshop?

Unbeknownst to Annie, Harri is arriving with a bruised heart after the end of his long-term relationship, while Annie is running away from painful memories in Texas.

Elsewhere in Clove Lore, the mysterious owner of Castle Lore has died, causing much gossip in the village. When Harri and Annie are sent to investigate the huge Gothic library, they find themselves locked in overnight and soon, are discovering their connection might be more than just good friends…

My Review

A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I make no secret of the fact that I am a total Kiley Dubar Fan. I have read every one of her books and love the worlds she builds. They are relatable and visitable all in one!
Clovelore is somewhere I want to go, and I’ve already said in previous reviews that if there were a Borrow A Bookshop holiday scheme, I would 100% be up for it!
This time, we meet the new borrowers, Harri and Annie, old friends who were Uni pals and flatmates, then separated after graduation. Harri stayed in Wales with his girlfriend, and Annie flew back to The States.
The simmering chemistry between these two friends is obvious, and Kiley turns the heat up in teeny notches. You can feel the attraction slowly reaching the boiling point, and I love how she does that!
Of course,, we get to catch up with all the other Clovelore locals and some of the previous borrowers, as well as meet a wonderful new character, William Sabine, who has a heartbreaking story of his own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful read. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend the rest of the series, too, simply because it is such a brilliant concept!
May thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC.

LINK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Chapter-Borrow-Bookshop-ebook/dp/B0DGL9Z2ZY

And here’s a little about Kiley and her other books.

Kiley Dunbar is Scottish and lives in England with her husband, two kids and Amos the Bedlington Terrier. She writes around her work at a university in the North of England where she lectures in English Literature and Creative Writing.

Twitter: @KileyDunbar

‘Kiley Dunbar Author Book Page’ on Facebook

Website and newsletter: www.kileydunbar.co.uk

Instagram: @kileydunbarauthor

Book and a Brew with Ritu – Midnight In Paris by @GillPlusFive #NewRelease #BookReview @BoldwoodBooks @rararesources

19 Jan 2025 5 Comments

by Ritu in Book & A Brew With Ritu, Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book and a brew with Ritu, Book Review, Gillian Harvey, Mdnight In Paris, New Release, Rachel's Random Resources

Loving this series!

Today, I am incredibly excited to have a fantastic author and interweb friend of mine, Gillian Harvey, over for the second time, this time to talk about her latest release, Midnight in Paris

Hello, and welcome to But I Smile Anyway, Gillian! Let’s get you set with a drink, first.

What would you like to drink? All the hot beverages are available to you, as well as my trusty masala tea!

A coffee please, Ritu.

And what would you like to eat? I’ve been making fairy cakes and cookies, but also fried up some fresh pakoras, too!

I’ll try a bit of everything!‘Midnight in Paris’ has one foot in France and the other in the UK (Cambridge), which has created a nice balance. My next is set in a small French village, but I’m working on something set firmly in the UK as well! So a bit of both.

So lovely to have you back here, Gillian! And a change for you since we last spoke. You’ve moved back to the UK – How is that going for you with your writing?

We loved our time in France, but it felt like the right time to move back to the UK. We’ve landed in a lovely seaside town in Norfolk, and it’s been a great experience so far (albeit exhausting)! The writing is going great – I’m feeling really creative and the words are flowing! Sounds lovely, and yay for the words!

Last time, we spoke about how much France had inspired your writing recently. Will that country always feature in your novels, or will we get more UK-based stories, or even based in far-flung destinations?

Midnight in Paris’ has one foot in France and the other in the UK (Cambridge), which has created a nice balance. My next is set in a small French village, but I’m working on something set firmly in the UK as well! So a bit of both. Exciting for us readers!

I know I asked this last time, but obviously, you have uprooted yourself since then, so do you now have your writing room/area in your new place? Or are you visiting cafes, perching for hours, consuming coffee, and typing away?

Right now, we’re in rented accommodation while we look for a forever home. It’s a lovely house, but a little on the small side – especially as my kids keep insisting on growing at an alarming rate! This means, right now, my desk is in my bedroom which isn’t ideal. Especially as I seem to create chaos around my work area. But I’m hoping within the next year I’ll have my own office to work in, fingers crossed. As for cafes, no. I love going to them, but I’d be too shy to work in one! Too many people asking me what I’m up to (at least, in my imagination)! Oh, I do hope so, for your sake, and you are right. These kids don’t half grow fast!

Are you planning to go to any author/book-related events this year? I am attending the MeetCute festival in June!

One of the things I really looked forward to about moving to the UK is the fact that I’ll be more able to travel to book festivals – I had serious FOMO looking at author pics on Instagram after some of the bigger events. But right now, I haven’t got anything in the diary. I think that moving has been so tumultuous I’m still catching my breath. But I’m determined to get out and about more this year – and may well see you in June. Oh, I do hope so, it would be awesome to see you!

It’s time to talk about the book in question, Midnight In Paris. Oh my goodness, this was an emotional read! Where did the inspiration for this story come from?

Often my stories come to me as a ‘snapshot’ of a moment. This story built from the idea of the bridge and all it signifies in the story and went from there. Paris is also quite special to me – my husband and I went to Paris for a trip away when we were first seeing each other. It was a real budget event, using coupons from the paper! We went again for our honeymoon in rather more lavish style. Although our room had room service, we actually kept ordering tea and biscuits – so I suppose you can take the Brit out of Britain… but some things are hardwired. I have to agree, my tea is so important, too, but then again, I am Indian, living in Britain, with Kenyan influence, so Tea was always going to be a thing, lol!

Were you intending to write a tear-jerker?

I knew that there would be an emotional element in the book due to the bridge scene, but I think the eventual book went a little deeper than expected. I wanted to write really meaningful characters that the reader connected with, so I hope that’s been the case! I haven’t been through anything like the characters in this book, but I have had an emotional year with the move and other ups and downs, and I think sometimes that channels into a book. Basically, it was a therapy session! I’m really proud of this story. And so you should be! It was beautifully written!

The story touches on trying to start a family. Is this something you wrote with any personal experience? I know how hard that can be, having done the same with my latest novel.

Yes, my husband and I were told we’d never be able to conceive naturally. It took two rounds of IVF before I had my daughter, then another for my sons. Then we had two unexpected pregnancies afterwards – I guess doctors don’t always get it right. That’s a whole novel in itself… Tell me about it! I have PCOS and spoke to a friend who was diagnosed as a young girl. She was told she would never have children, and when it came to marriage, she stated this fact to whoever her suitor was, as she didn’t want any comeback, then she she was happily married, settled and devoid of any inclination to have a family, she ended up with four kids! It gave me some hope!

And, finally, please let us know what we can expect from you next!

I’m just working on a novel right now. It’s set in France and really focuses on the importance of friendship. I’m hoping to create an emotive experience for the reader, while injecting some upbeat, humorous moments too. I’m also working on a side-project that I’m really excited about. But it’s all very hush-hush for now. 😊 oo

Ooohhh! Secret side project! Now I am even more intrigued, lol!

Thank you so much for popping over for a visit, Gillian!

Thanks for having me, Ritu!

The Blurb

Ten years. Two people. One last visit…

Sophie and Tom first visited Paris together as students. During their weekend away in the world’s most romantic city, falling in love – with the place, and each other – was simply inevitable.

They resolved to return every summer and kept their word, until something happened that changed their world forever.

Five years on, Sophie’s travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight.

Because life has torn them apart. And now Sophie has something to tell Tom. Something that will change everything…

The most heartbreaking, uplifting and powerful novel you’ll read all year. Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Kristin Hannah and The Notebook.

My Review

Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, Gillian Havey! What are you doing to me?
I’ve always loved the author’s books, especially the stories set in France, but this was something else. Not as light hearted, but as much of a good read as the others, if not more.
The emotional rollercoaster I went on as I read was unbelievable.
Tom and Sophie have a place in Paris that has become their place, and they have visited it over the years. This last visit is so poignant, and its reason is heart-wrenching. I shall give nothing away, but I was in bits.
It is a more serious tale, detailing hard-hitting issues, but in a nuanced, sensitive way.
A true page-turner of a book, I loved it.
I think it’s my favourite so far!

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

Author Bio

Writer  Journalist  Author

Freelance writer and author Gillian Harvey lives in France with husband, Ray and their five children. She regularly pens articles and short stories for UK magazines including Woman’s Weekly and People’s Friend. She also writes opinion pieces and has been published in Independent, Guardian, Metro.

Gillian started her career in the teaching profession working at secondary school level. After moving to France in 2009, she started freelance writing for publications in the UK, France and the US.

Gillian has written a monthly column in Writing Magazine since 2020. She has previously been columnist for Prima Baby and Living France magazines.

Gillian’s first novel ‘Everything is Fine’ was published worldwide with Orion in May 2020. Her second, ‘Perfect on Paper’ was published in UK May 2021. She has since moved to Boldwood Books where she published the best-selling ‘A Year at the French Farmhouse’ and, most recently ‘One French Summer.’

And click below to find Gillian on Social Media!

Social Media Links

https://linktr.ee/gillianharveyauthor

Facebook: @GillianHarveyAuthor

Twitter: @GillPlusFive

Instagram: @GillPlusFive

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

Bookbub profile: @gillplusfive

Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellan #BlogTour #RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks @christymckellen

18 Jan 2025 3 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Best Mistake Ever, Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Rachel's Random Resources

Please join me on the blog tour for Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellan

Some mistakes are worth making

Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her – she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closure and she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up.

Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he’s watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him focussed on the job and not her. But by trying to put up boundaries and keep things professional, Bea finds herself seeing the real man beneath the grumpy façade . Yet with so much at stake, she knows she shouldn’t fall for her sisters boss…but then again, it may just be the best unintentional mistake she’s ever made!

My Review

Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bea has a twin sister, Dee.
They couldn’t be more different in personality. However, they are identical, aside from one having long hair and the other short.
Bea is determined, focused and reliable.
Dee is artistic, scatty and disorganised.
An unfortunate incident causes Dee to ask Bea to swap places with her for a few days at her new job, as she can’t go in with an injury, and Bea, being her caring sister, can’t say no.
So she’s in an industry she knows nothing about, hospitality, with a cranky ‘boss’ who is also very good-looking…
I really enjoyed this story with the unexpected romantic twists and the grumpy sunshine nature of the romance.

Author Bio –

Christy McKellen is the author of provocative and sexy romance novels that have sold over half a million copies worldwide.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @christymckellenauthor

Twitter: @christymckellen

Instagram: @christymckellen

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

Bookbub profile: @ChristyMcKellen

Dashiki by Florence Wetzel #BlogTour Plus a #Giveaway! #RachelsRandomResources @rararesources

12 Jan 2025 2 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Dashiki, Florence Wetzel, Rachel's Random Resources

Please join me on the blog tour for Dashiki by Florence Wetzel

A cozy mystery with a dash of romance set in the vibrant world of jazz.

During an interview with reclusive jazz singer Betty Brown, journalist Virginia Farrell is shown priceless tapes from the iconic 1957 Thelonious Monk-John Coltrane gig at the Five Spot. When Betty is found murdered, Virginia is determined to recover the tapes and uncover the truth behind Betty’s death.

In the spirit of Nancy Drew, Virginia teams up with her six-foot blonde roommate to investigate the various suspects. Detective Robert Smith from the Hoboken Police Department joins the case, quickly becoming absorbed by an unsolved murder possibly linked to Betty Brown’s death, as well as an undeniable attraction to Virginia.

Dashiki is a cozy mystery laced with romance, immersing readers in the captivating world of jazz, where musicians, journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts intersect in an entertaining whodunit.

My Review

Dashiki: A Jazz Mystery by Florence Wetzel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An intriguingly written murder mystery set in Hoboken, US, centring on some little-known jazz musicians and a woman whose interest in Jazz finds her amid the investigation.
Virginia Farell is a journalist, and she’s just conducted the most amazing interview of her career after locating Betty Brown, a jazz singer who turned into a recluse.
Brimming with exciting news, she looks forward to helping the singer set things straight, but then is shocked to find out about her death, shortly after their interview.
An interesting story, which taught me a good bit about jazz, as well as a compelling mystery surrounding the sudden death of Betty Brown.

Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of Dashiki by Florence Wetzel (Open to UK / US / Canada only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK / US & Canada entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494603/?

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS1R2KNQ/

Author Bio – Florence Wetzel was born 1962 in Brooklyn, NY. Her novels include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard and the Swedish mystery The Grand Man. She has also authored horror short stories, a book of poems and memoir essays, and co-authored jazz clarinettist Perry Robinson’s autobiography. In July 2024, she published Sara My Sara: A Memoir of Friendship and Loss.

Social Media Links – Facebook

Florence Wetzel (@florencewetzel108) • Instagram profile

(1) Florence Wetzel | LinkedIn

December 2024 Books #AmReading

31 Dec 2024 6 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Am Reading, Arc, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Book Reviews, books, Goodreads, Netgalley, reading

Okay, now who went and pressed fast forward on the year? Come on, own up. How is it the end of December already?

Tis the season to be jolly and all that, and what is more festive than the lead-up to Christmas in a school, especially with the younger children? We’ve been making all sorts of Christmas crafts, had a Festive Fayre, performed a nativity, and juggled plenty of absences as the lurgy hit, and staff have scheduled days off, too. And then, school finishes in time for the craziness of the holidays. I’m just glad we aren’t back into school until the 6th Jan!

The big question is, what did I read, and did I manage to write anything?

This month, I realised I really cannot say no! I have numerous book tours in January, so there was a bit of reading for them, as well as everything else. (Hence the lack of actual reviews on here as I am saving them for the tour posts!

Writing – I thought I would end this month saying no new words, but I would be lying… I have written a tentative beginning for what could be book 4 in the Rishtay Series, as well as started a plan for a separate project that would be a two-book venture… Just hoping my publisher is loving the ideas, too!

I read man books… it totals 116 this year!

Blog tour review on 12th January

Blog Tour Review coming 18th January

Blog tour review in A Book & a Brew coming 19th January – Five star, by the way!

So This Is Christmas by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 11 in the Hart’s Ridge Series by Kay Bratt, and it’s another page-turner!
This story is just as good, if a little different, than the rest of the series.
We are still focussing on the Grey family; however, this time, Taylor, our usual police officer, is still incapacitated after an incident in the previous book.
The crime in question is under Deputy Shane Weaver, though he still feels he needs Taylor’s support. A quadruple homicide is the case this book is dealing with, along with Taylor and her own family’s issues.
Sensitively told and page turning, as is standard for a Hart’s Ridge novel.

Another 24th January Blog Tour one!

Another 24th January Blog tour one!

The Storyteller’s Daughter by Victoria Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always loved Victoria Scott’s books, and she’s 100% done it again with this one, the Storyteller’s Daughter!
A dual timeline story told from the points of view of Nita Bineham in the 1940s and of her great niece Beth in the present age.
Nita was a bit of an enigma during her time. She does not have the figure and looks preferred in those times, but she comes from a family of means. Her mother laments that the war has not given her daughter a chance to be presented to society, meaning less chance of a suitable match. On top of it all, fewer men are around, as they are all being called up.
Her father arranges for Nita to escape the house for a few days here and there, helping at the local paper. What was meant to be a brief break becomes a massive part of her life as she embarks on a junior reporter career.
On her deathbed, Nita requests that her great-niece, Beth, find a box in the attic with secrets for her to unfold.
This strange task comes at the perfect time for Beth, though she doesn’t realise it. Suffering the news that her marriage is about to end and that her job in the family business may not be there for her, she embarks upon an adventure. She mourns her great aunt and tries to piece clues together to solve the cryptic puzzle that Nita has left her.
Pages were turned quicker and quicker as I became absorbed in this story.
I’ve always loved dual timelines done well and throwing the war years into it, and I am hooked! The way Nita and Beth’s lives and connections come full circle kept me reading.
Fantastic story!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

This One Life by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anything by Amanda Prowse is an automatic buy/read for me, and though This One Life has a different feel, it was by no means anything less than a brilliant read.
A dual timeline provides us with the current story and the background as we meet Edith-Madelaine, a young child living in the East End of London. Although she has little in her home, love surrounds her.
Fast forward to now, we meet Madelaine, the exquisitely put-together interior designer with a career to dream of, wealth, respect, and suitors she can pick, as well as a new chapter about to begin in her work and life abroad.
We are then taken back to eight years before, when Madelaine, as she now likes to be known, is facing a significant decision in her life.
Madelaine comes from a small, loving family, but expectations and disappointments remain regardless of how much her parents care for her.
It’s hard to be a woman who has it all. Amanda Prowse has sensitively explored this topic, and the lesson I learned from this story is that it is possible, but a life like that will always involve compromises.
I read it in a day, and the ending did leave me all warm and fuzzy.

Releasing 7th January 2024