But I Smile Anyway…

Firstly, sorry this is a tad later than the end of July, since I was busy sunning myself on my first beach holiday since 2004. Yes, you read that right. It’s been 20 years since I got on a plane to go away, purely for vacation reasons, and not family related ones! Lil Princess and I had a wonderful time in Gran Canaria, and I read lots and lots! It was much needed after a tumultuous academic year. I was totally exhausted, physically as well as mentally. It was a full on R & R & R time – Reading & Rest & Recuperation!

The big question is, what did I read, and did I continue to get words down?

I started the month with 10 NetGalley ARCs, and awaiting feedback on book 3 from some readers and my editor.

I wrote no new words, but I have submitted my manuscript for book 3, In God’s Hands, to my editor, and we have a prospective publication date of 5 November! I have been thinking up ideas for the next steps, though! Whether it will be connected to the first three books or a totally different project, I am not sure, but I have ideas for both!

I read 11 books, all of which were ARCs, and have a list of six left to read.

Definitely a 5 star read, but you’ll have to wait for the review, as I am inviting Lucy over around publication day to chat about her latest release!

Releasing 1st August, 2024

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I’m not sure what else to say! The Rose Code was fantastic, so I knew I was in for something special, and I was right!
Brilliant book!
Set in the 1950s in Washington, Briarwood House is home to a woman and her two children and a boarding house for women and their lodgers.
She’s not a particularly lovely landlady, but her children more than make up for her lack of manners and humanity.
Her guests are a real mishmash of characters, each with a very different backstory, from immigrants with secrets to army wives to women with nowhere else to go.
They all keep themselves to themselves until the arrival of Grace March, an enigmatic woman with an air of je ne sais quoi about her. She slowly builds relationships in the form of The Briar Club, where the lodgers and the children meet in her room for an illicit dinner club while the landlady is away. This time, she thaws the ice that has been present between the residents and slowly builds relationships that help each woman in the end.
It is a complex story, with the POV of each character in the form of a chapter, where we learn their backgrounds and what they may be running/hiding from.
Even the house has its say as it tries to make sense of an incident that brings all the women and other key characters together.
The book is set post-WW2 but amid the Korean War, and that timing dramatically impacts the story. There is fear of communism and spies, as well as racism, that is rife at that time.
It’s a book you need to give your time to, too, but once you are in there, you will find yourself turning the pages faster and faster as you become consumed by the twists and turns.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 18th July, 2024

The One That I Want by Sandy Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another cracker continuing the Ever After Agency series by Sandy Barker.
Is it better to find love the organic way, or do we all need a helping hand sometimes?
The One That I Want brings us back to the Ever After Agency with another client for Poppy, one of our wonderful matchmakers, to concentrate on.
Greta is the editor of a new online magazine. She focuses on her work but finds it challenging to add relationships to the mix.
Her boss, Anjali, decides to intervene by employing the services of her friend’s agency to help her employee with things through an elaborate ruse of a series of articles about dating.
There are some funny dates, a whole heap of confusion and plenty of ‘oooh!’ moments.
On paper, Greta is a successful woman with a great job, a supportive family, and good friends. However, as we find out, things aren’t always as straightforward as they seem. She doubts herself so much. I just wanted to take her to one side and tell her to believe in her instincts!
Her best friend, Tiggy, was brilliant. Straightforward, loud and hilarious. We all need a Tiggy in our lives!
It’s the kind of story I have come to expect from Sandy, with a host of challenges that Poppy faces when trying to match her client while fulfilling her brief.
Since this is book 3 in the series, it was good to revisit a few characters to see how they were getting on, including Poppy and her relationship, but it is easily read as a stand-alone, too. You’ll want to return and get the other two after because it’s such fun!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 23rd July, 2024

First Comes Marriage: The perfect slow-burn romcom you won’t be able to put down in 2024! by Laila Rafi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a while and was not disappointed.
I am a huge fan of South Asian-based fiction, stories that resonate with me as a South Asian woman.
Laila Rafi’s story is a culturally sensitive Halal romance with many relatable points.
Zafar and Reshma were married using the traditional arranged marriage route. She has visions of romance and slowly falling in love after their nikkah. He’s just happy he’s ticked off a box—another thing required of him as a son.
A wedding from Reshma’s side in the gorgeous setting of Mombasa becomes the catalyst for them to truly get to know one another and find that connection they have been missing.
Zafar isn’t keen. Business is at the forefront of his mind as he strives to keep his grandfather’s dream alive. However, sometimes you have to accept that another person’s dream may not be the best for you.
I don’t need heaps of spice to keep me reading. This is a true closed-door romance, where you get the hints, which is enough.
It was good to see how both characters grew and changed through the story, learning about themselves and their families and how others have shaped their thinking, sometimes for the better and for the worse,
I enjoyed this, especially as it was mainly set in Mombasa, where I spent many childhood holidays!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing for an ARC.

Releasing 25th July, 2024

Death in the Air by Ram Murali
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have always liked to support South Asian authors, and when I was approached to read a copy of this book for the book tour, I readily agreed.
Murder mysteries aren’t my usual choice of genre, though I have been known to read them.
Ram Murali’s main character, Ro Krishna, is involved in work-related problems from the beginning of the book. He meets some shady characters mentioned at the beginning, but they seem to disappear until the end.
Taking a complete break from his usual life, he ends up at a spa resort in the Himalayas, Samsara. There, he meets a few of the other guests and meets new people from completely different backgrounds.
Then tragedy strikes and a body is found.
He ends up being involved in the investigations and tries to solve the mystery with some of the others and the Police.
Honestly?
I was intrigued to find out what happened.
Still, I did find it hard to get into because there were many references to fashion brands, sometimes unnecessarily, and not every situation was clear.
Ro has a crystal, Pendy, whom he talks to, and their communication isn’t always easy to understand.
I’m not sure the ending was as clear-cut as I had hoped.

Hello Little Girl by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here we are, back at Hart’s Ridge with Taylor Gray and more cases for her to follow, although the story takes a slightly different slant this time.
In Hello Little Girl, we revisit a previous case that hasn’t been resolved: Lydia Grimes’s disappearance. Taylor is invested in this case, but this time, she is removed from it for a different mission: going undercover in one of the local women’s prisons.
It is another heartwrenching story where we learn more about Lydia’s incarceration, as well as the devastating news that another younger girl is in the situation with her.
As always, I love how these stories take root in reality, but the story itself is fiction.
Taylor’s experience was pretty horrific, too.
I missed having more contact with the Gray family in this book; however, given the ending, I am excited to read what happens next.
Nope, I am not spoiling it for you. I am just making sure you know to read the previous books, as they all build upon one another, which makes the anticipation even sweeter!

Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

BEAUTIFUL!
I say it every time I read an Amanda Prowse book, and I’m not scared to say it again: What a WONDERFUL story!
Swimming to Lundy is a dual-timeline story that converges at the end in a happy marriage of not necessarily happy events.
Told in the POVs of two women, we see two stories slowly unravel and reveal the ultimate knot that ties them together for good.
Tawrie Gunn is one of three generations of women who have lived in her home. Along with her loving grandma, Tawrie has her mother there with her. But she is in limbo. All three women are mourning the loss of over twenty years ago of Tawrie’s father. Unable to move forward, because of ties holding her back, Tawrie begins wild swimming, and the following events all tie in with her swimming.
Over twenty years back, we have the story of Harriet, whose life is turned upside down when she finds out about her husband’s infidelity. The upheaval of a family move to Ilfracombe seals the fate of her marriage and somehow sets a stone rolling which doesn’t rest for another two decades.
Amanda has a way with words, crafting real stories, tugging at the reader’s heartstrings, finding moments that are so believable, settings that will resonate with people, and sucking us into her ‘real’ fictional world.

Releasing 6th August, 2024

And So I Roar by Abi Daré
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

TW – references to FGM and rape.
Having read and loved The Girl With The Louding Voice in 2020, I was eager to read this next book by Abi Dare, especially since it is a continuation of Adunni’s story, the 15-year-old girl who escaped her life in the village after she was forced to marry an elder, to Lagos – where she was sold into domestic slavery to a woman who wasn’t good to her.
The story continues through her POV and Ms Tia, the woman who rescued her. Adunni’s life is set to change. She will start school as she has always dreamed, and Ms Tia will have the daughter she always dreamed of.
But nothing is that simple. A midnight disturbance finds men from the village clamouring to take Adunni back, as she is to be a part of a ritual sacrifice. There has been no rain, no crops, and animals are dying, and the blame lies on the shoulders of girls who have sinned.
Set over 24 hours, the story continues as Ms Tia follows her, and they get caught up in the tribal rituals the villagers follow.
Hearing about both Adunni’s and Ms Tia’s backstories, as well as the horrors of punishments bestowed upon girls for no reason and FGM, amongst other horrific customs, makes for a heartbreaking story filled with hope. It is a fantastic sequel, which is highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC

Releasing 8th August, 2024

Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve read all of Laura Jane Williams’s books. She is an auto-read author of mine, and I was lucky enough to have an arc of this book to take on holiday.
It is a fabulous blend of a great story, wonderful flawed characters, a great side cast, and just the right amount of spice! (“Though it can be a bit embarrassing to be reading a scene of that nature when by the side of the pool, with families surrounding you!
Flo is a woman who has been through the wringer, suffering a breakdown a few years previously. Her family still treat her like a fragile piece of china, wrapping her up in cotton wool. Well, alternating between that and her brother’s version of sibling-style care…
She’s on a family holiday and reeling from a rejection from someone she never thought would mean something to her: her brother’s best friend, Jamie.
Then, there he is, on her family holiday, to cause all manner of feelings.
I won’t go into it too much, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC.

Releasing 15th August, 2024

One Hundred Moments of Us: A gorgeously heartwarming, uplifting romance by Jon Rance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a story that is reminiscent of One Day by Dave Nicholls, in the way we have revisited two people’s meetings and encountered them over a certain amount of years.
It includes the buildups, the near misses, and the highs and lows of Charlie and Ashley from 6th form, when Charlie has an unrequited crush on Ashley, to the present day.
Yes, there is happiness, but equally, as each relationship shows, there is sadness.
I almost gasped at the end, thinking we were looking at another tragic ending, like One Day, but no—we were saved, thank goodness!
A lovely story.

Releasing 22nd August, 2024

The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sally Page’s stories have captured me since I read her first one, so being allowed to read this would always be taken gratefully.
The Secrets of Flowers is a beautiful, intricate tale based on a real person, with hints of interest by the author, but its storyline and the main characters are fictional.
Emma is a woman who is coming to grips with the loss of her husband, who quite suddenly died. She is still young, but flo9undering in her existing life.
Taking a break from her normality as a scientist, she begins to enjoy a job at the small local garden centre, remembering her father’s love for flowers and immersing herself in good memories.
But she is still nervous about socialising and mixing with others.
A small chain of events leads to her burying herself in research about the Titanic, and a pull towards the flowers on board leads her towards Violet Jessop, the only woman to have survived three major shipwrecks, including the Olympics and the Titanic.
She can’t help but feel a connection to the woman but cannot figure out what it is.
Aided by Garden Centre owners Betty and Les and Tamass, their flower delivery guy, and a whole host of other people, they slowly piece together the life of a young woman and her role on the ships, revealing the connection that Emma felt so strongly with this woman.
It is such a beautifully told dual-timeline story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Fiction for an ARC.

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

Okay, no, where did that month go?

The first half of the year is done, and I might have just hit my Goodreads reading target for the year already! Plus, it has been a busy month with completing assessments for my classes, paperwork, and meetings with the new parents for next year. And we still have the month of July to go, too! Coupled with that, we had Lil Princess finishing her exams and her prom, which was the best experience for her, and Not-so Lil Man’s 19th birthday to celebrate, too. Busy, I told you!

The big question is, what did I read, and did I continue to get words down?

I started the month with 10 NetGalley ARCs and around 10K to write on book three…

I wrote all the words needed to finish my first draft! Y’all, In God’s Hands, is an actual, full story! It’s with a couple of trusted readers before I do the reflective read, and then it will be sent to my editor, but I am finished! (Some feedback already which has amazed me… I warn any future readers, you may need tissues, apparently!)

I read nine books, and I am surprised I managed that, what with the busyness of the month.

And I ended up with Nine Netgalley ARCS still to read! I need to control this urge to say yes to everything!

If I Were You: The new unforgettable novel of 2024 from the queen of ‘what if’ love stories by Cesca Major
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love a flipped identity story, which is why I requested to read If I Were You.
Flynn and Amy seem to be viewing their relationship from entirely different viewpoints.
It’s been two years, and he is smitten. He wants to take the next steps with the woman who feels like she can give him all he has craved for his whole life. Amy isn’t sure because she doesn’t feel the right vibe of commitment coming from him since he rarely opens up about his own life to her.
Something happens when they are struck with lightning. They are horrified when they realise they have swapped bodies and are on their way to Amy’s sister’s wedding, where a whole heap of other complications are set to arise.
A bit of forced-proximity always helps a relationship along, doesn’t it?
Cesca Major highlights in this story the importance of openness and communication within relationships of all sorts and how a little white lie, or even a failure to mention certain details, can mess things up, as misunderstandings are borne from miscommunication.
Sometimes, the changeovers of POV, knowing the characters were in each other’s bodies, got a teeny bit confusing, but I guess that is to be expected when he is a he in a she body and vice versa!
I sped through this book and was gutted that my Kindle died on me at the last few pages. Thank goodness for the Kindle app, eh! I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 4th July, 2024

Love Story by Lindsey Kelk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, I love a Lindsey Kelk book. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of Lindsey Kelk?
And wasn’t I excited to read a book about a teacher who was writing, albeit secretly, unlike myself, and had published a massive hit of a book, even though critics were labelling it as escapism/romantic fluff/smut?
Este Cox has a massive hit on her hands, Butterflies, but no one, bar her agent (her brother William) and publisher (her godfather, Mal), knows who Este Cox is.
The problem is that Sophie Taylor, daughter of a publishing powerhouse father, highly acclaimed book critic mother, and the author of Butterflies, cannot take the credit, knowing how her family feels about romance.
She’s fulfilled a dream of writing a novel that has been widely acclaimed and become a TikTok BookTok sensation, as well as reams of women and some men raving about the writing and enjoying the naughty bits. Now, she needs to finish that sequel before the publisher goes wild with frustration. However, something is just not clicking as she writes.
Joe Walsh is a hugely attractive man who manages to push many of Sophie’s buttons, some good, some not so good, within a short space of time. Then, when she thinks she is safe, she finds herself stuck with him for a whole weekend! Plus, he becomes someone who can relate to many of her familial problems with his publishing powerhouse dad.
Both have secrets and are trying to forge their own paths in the literary world without having their achievements branded ‘nepo-baby’.
Kelk’s brilliant creation of sexual tension between these two made me root for them, especially in their forced proximity situation.
There were some hilarious scenes, too, and one of my favourites has to be the older men who end up in a bouncy castle trying to have a duel over some work-related rivalry.
This story has plenty of layers, and it definitely waves the #RespectRomFic hashtag flag that all of us Romance readers and writers support.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 4th July, 2024

The Accidental Holiday: The perfect sun-drenched, enemies-to-lovers romcom by Mimi Deb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Honestly, how would you feel?
Imagine you’ve been holding out for this one deal, and everything is riding on it. (I know you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket, but sometimes it’s the only way.)
Then you get to the airport, and it appears someone else is getting all your perks! And then it happens at the hotel, too!
This is the case for Maya, a precise, methodical woman with a plan for everything.
Battling it out with Alex, a guy who appears to have no care in the world and seems to be winning the holiday lottery at every turn.
I enjoyed this light summer read about two different people thrown together after a booking mix-up.
Maya and Alex being chucked together in a luxury suite would always have consequences, wouldn’t it?
They even overcome her list of roomie ‘rules’ and his inability to follow them. It’s a total Grumpy vs. Sunshine thing going on here, with the FMC being the grumpy one!
It may sound simple, but there are deeper layers to the story, dealing with loss of trust and loss of belief in oneself, as well as coping with the loss of a loved one.
And the resort they end up at sounds amazing, too. I’d happily read this on the sun lounger there, with the tanning waiter at my beck and call!
A great one-bedroom forced-proximity story in a setting that is idyllic, too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.

Releasing 4th July, 2024

The Right Place by Sophia Money-Coutts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another good Sophia Money-Coutts read.
Maggie Lemon finds herself in Provence after inheriting a hotel once run successfully by her eccentric aunt Phil, a retired supermodel.
She’s not seen her aunt for many years after a falling out, but they used to be close. She could credit her aunt for igniting her passion for cooking and food.
But her passions have dimmed recently after a tumultuous time of trying to have a family with her husband, Mungo LE-Mon. (Pretentious? Yup!)
The thing is, once she is back where her dreams started, her feelings about her future begin to change, or rather, the fog of infertility clears.
And then, there is that rather hot Hollywood hunk and current bad boy, Grey, who’s just rolled up, wanting a place to be where he won’t be discovered.
This was a great read with some interesting characters, and I think I’d like to stay at the hotel and meet the donkeys!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC.

Releasing 18th July, 2024

Take a Chance on Me by Emily Houghton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is another excellent read for Emily Houghton fans and others, too.
Emily Jackson loves a plan. Everything she does is planned to the last detail—well, everything is in her control.
Suddenly, she is sent off on a trip she hasn’t accounted for—a trip planned by her little sister, who passed away, to India of all places.
There, she encounters Jacob Green, a man opposite her. He appears to live on the whim of a roll of a dice and has been travelling the world for the past few years, apparently with no cares in this world and no inclination to settle anywhere.
Now, I’ll start by saying that India is a place that is dear to me. I loved Houghton’s descriptions of different places in Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Goa. India assaults your senses in many ways, and you feel it in the writing.
Back to the two main characters, since the story is told from two POVs.
Emily is a grieving woman. Her loss is fresh. And you can feel it in every decision she makes, sometimes ones she doesn’t feel comfortable with.
Jacob is a breath of fresh air, but despite his carefree attitude, I could feel an undercurrent of him hiding from or running from something.
She makes him question some of his laissez-faire decisions. He makes her reconsider how she’s been living without thinking about what she wants rather than what she should be doing.
Beautifully told and gripping. I don’t want to write too much about the story, but it is not quite friends to lovers or enemies to lovers. Neither is it forced proximity. To me, this is a story about fate…
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 1st August, 2024

The Hollywood Governess: The BRAND NEW gorgeous, romantic story of forbidden love in Golden Age Hollywood from Alexandra Weston for 2024 by Alexandra Weston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love a bit of old-school Hollywood glitz and glamour, and this book gave us that, as well as peeling back a few layers to see what hides under that sheen.
Hester Carlisle is a much sought-after British governess who is requested to work for a family in Hollywood. This is a tough task, considering the painful memories she associates with the States and New York in particular. Physically scarred and suffering from PTSD, she is unsure whether she can do this. However, a much-needed wage packet is promised to help her family back home.
Aidan Neill is a 30s Hollywood heartthrob. He’s carved his career from simple beginnings and is a huge success, but he cannot enjoy it due to a huge personal tragedy.
This is where Miss Carlisle comes in to teach his young daughter, Erin, who is now motherless.
But she uncovers secrets that change her thinking and set her on a journey of discovery to discover the truth.
A third character, Maria Calvez, a scriptwriter for one of the big studios, makes up the trifecta of POVs in the book, and her slant gives food for thought.
All the characters are well formed; you feel for Aidan, Hester, and their respective worries. Erin is a real sassy character, with her American 30s slang, that Hester tries desperately to curb, to no avail!
Is there romance? Of course, there is, but it doesn’t come as expected.
Enjoyed reading this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 26th June, 2024

The Garden of Memories by Amanda James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Amanda James corker!
Set in Cornwall, we follow the story of Rose, a retired nurse and widow. She’s not sure what she will do with her life; now, she has no work to go to, and some unexpected friendships bubble up, along with her best friend Daisy, bringing meaning back into her life.
This was a truly beautiful read. We see Rose’s development as well as Daisy’s and Flora’s. Flora is a woman in her late 70s who has always been held back in certain areas of life by an overbearing mother who, even in death, won’t leave her alone. But she still manages to stir it up with her hippie-dippy wardrobe and crazy hair colour!
We meet Louise, or Weez, as she is christened by Rose’s grandson. She lived only for her husband and turned into somewhat of a hermit after his death.
There are so many other characters, young and old, including Josh, Lily, Sally, James, and Tristan, who are all affected by a magic that captivates them in Rose’s garden.
The garden in question was tended by Rose’s late husband, Glen. She begins by giving it some of her new free time as a retired woman, and slowly, the tranquillity of the space, along with her calming nature, brings her friends, new and old, to her garden, urging them to plant flowers and shrubs as memories that will live on.
I loved the premise of stepping out of those boxes we seem to put ourselves into and learning to live again without the constant worry of what others may think, no matter your age.
Beautifully told and immersive. It makes me want to become greenfingered… but I’m terrible with plants!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC.

Releasing 20th June, 2024

The Butterfly Garden: A BRAND NEW heartbreaking historical read from Rachel Burton for 2024 by Rachel Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve enjoyed Rachel Burton’s books in the past and, after perusing the blurb, looked forward to reading The Butterfly Garden.
It did not disappoint.
The story is moving and has a dual timeline. We start with Meredith, who has just found out she has inherited a cottage from a family member she didn’t know existed.
The news comes after a string of upsets in her life and could be looked at as a lifeline, but initially, she’s not so sure after finding out her inheritance isn’t as simple as selling the cottage and paying off her dues.
Instead, she finds another person involved and a whole host of mysteries that need to be solved to find out who her great aunt, Clara, really was.
The dual timeline part tells us the background of Clara’s story in her words, but the whole truth doesn’t unfold until the end of the story.
I felt for Meredith and loved the hint of romance we were fed from the beginning. I guessed a couple of the conclusions but had a bit of a worry about what else would come out, but thankfully, it had a good conclusion!
Beautifully told and a compelling read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 28th June, 2024

Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The premise of this book intrigued me, given the constant pressure on youngsters to look a certain way and how much social media influences thinking.
Temi is fresh out of university, living in Nigeria, and desperate for a larger, more shapely behind. Having seen all her friends and family women blessed in a way she is not, she is convinced a better bumbum will increase her prospects in all parts of her life.
However, will her family understand?
This book has many POVs, from Temi herself to her sister, mother, and aunts. While it provides some backstories, it can also get confusing as there are so many threads of stories to follow to conclude.
It was good to read a story that gave insight into a different culture, including using language and dialect to convey the tale, but it was also a bit confusing.
However, I was invested enough to want to read to the end to find out what happened.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC.

Releasing 18th September, 2024

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

May – the weather gets better, and things are hotting up in school, as well. Lil Princess has started her GCSE exams, as well as our report writing and assessment windows getting tighter….

I guess the big question is, what did I read, and did I continue to get words down?

I started the month with 11 (oops!) NetGalley ARCs and around another 10K left to write on book three…

I wrote not many words on the book, but many words, as in the comments for the end of year reports we, as teachers, have to write.

I also had my week of half term, however that was busy with various appointments, as well as being mum taxi, still, to my Not-So Lil Man, and ending the week with a set of antibiotics, as I appear to have a throat infection, affecting my ears and giving me a wonderful temperature. Fingers crossed they will kick in soon, and I’ll be better for back to school on Monday!

I read 11 books. Yes, all were arcs… but they were good! Some were NetGalley, some were sent by publishers for blog tours.

And I ended up with ten Netgalley ARCS still to read! Ooops! But I promise, I stopped saying yes to them, last week, for a while!

Unladylike Rules of Attraction by Amita Murray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the first book in this series and was excited to read the second, as I wanted to know what happened to the other sisters from book 1.
This book centres around the middle sister, Anya. She is a sitar player in Queen Anne’s court and finds herself inheriting a large sum of money, with conditions attached, such as marriage, and a rather prickly executor, Damien.
What follows is some amateur sleuthing, as the family she inherits from tries to discredit both her and her executor, and Anya and Damien find themselves in increasingly hot water.
There is mild spice, and though I knew, romance-wise, exactly where it would go, it was fun reading the lead-ups to it and the little mysteries to solve!
I enjoyed reading Anya’s story and can’t wait for Maya’s!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 13th May, 2024

Prickly Company by Kitty Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which provides some great information about Hedgehogs and how we can help this endangered animal. It also takes us through the rollercoaster lives of the residents of Hilltop Place.
Frances is a widow who isn’t interested in learning how to live in the now, preferring to live in the comfort of the past. She starts the campaign to create a hedgehog highway when the animals she has come to love come to harm.
Then there is Jess and Michael, a couple with their own upsets, trying to complete their family with a difficult adoption.
Tara is a single mum with a bit of a reputation.
Irene lives in the Place and has her son, Ryan, living with her, having come back from a war zone with life-changing injuries.
Then there’s Justin and Helen, the epitome of a perfect couple, hiding their secrets.
There are some real twists and turns through the book, as the residents live entwined with one another, as they also help the hedgehogs along the way.
A real twist at the end, too!
Enjoyed this.

The House in the Water by Victoria Darke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do love a dual timeline!
And this first book by Author Victoria Darke was a pleasure to read.
Set between 1942, in the war years, and 2013, we see the connections build between a young nurse working in a hospital on an island in the Thames, where May Day House sits, and the present era when a young couple decides to invest in said house and island with all manner of ideas, but then strange things start to happen.
Ellen is a nurse, already haunted by what she has seen of the treatment given to men suffering what we now know as PTSD, including electric shock therapy. She is transferred to May Day House, filled with the hope that the humane methods used by the doctor she has worked with previously will be administered here, but she comes in for a shock of her own. All the while, her personal life becomes more and more muddled.
Meredith finds this beautiful but dilapidated house for sale on an Island not far from where her husband, Philip, grew up. She becomes almost obsessed with building their home and business around the property. Her husband being a pilot means she spends increasingly long amounts of time alone as she tries to tidy up, as best she can, decades of ruin and process hidden truths she slowly uncovers while reading a diary she found from 1942 written by a nurse who lived there.
Oh, and ghosts! There had to be hints of ghosts, didn’t there?
The twists and turns revealed kept me turning pages way longer than I was meant to stay awake. The way Meredith’s mind gets confused as she learns more and more tugged at my heart, and reading Ellen’s experiences with her beau and how his mental health was essentially compartmentalized in an era when there wasn’t much knowledge was heartwrenching. And I wasn’t even aware that the Thames had little islands, like this one!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 27th May, 2024

The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love by Eve Devon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ashleigh has found her happy place, away from the ‘career’ her family thought she wanted, in a city away from everyone who knows her. Cleaning has been her saviour, though many would doubt that it was a sensible career move from her home in editorial.
The satisfaction she gets from cleaning the messes of others and learning about people she rarely meets helps her forget the real tragedy behind her leaving her first job.
Then she finds a new client who doesn’t seem to need her, with a spotless, almost sterile apartment in a beautiful location. However, she finds a crossword incomplete, sparking a chain of events that will inevitably bring about a meeting of the two.
George, from the sterile apartment, lived his whole life in the UK to move to New York for a job, and his girlfriend, Anya, who happens to be his boss’s daughter. He’s lonely but happy in many ways, though he knows no one other than his colleagues and a couple of neighbours. This suits him, as it stops him from having to think about the medical condition he had, which caused his family to stifle his childhood and continue to worry about him even though he’s quite okay.
Until the panic attack.
I love anything about words; essentially, words bring these two crashing into each other’s lives. Ashleigh has been through the trauma of loss and in a cycle of blame which she has never admitted to anyone. George has spent his life trying to show everyone he is capable of living a normal life, just like anyone else, but there are still wobbles, which despite his best efforts, manifest in ways that affect his whole life.
I love the additional cast of characters: Ozzie and Carlos and their coffee shop, Oscars, as well as Hildy, the elderly neighbour of George and a client of Ashleigh’s who, in their own way, become fast friends and a real network for both Ashleigh and George.A lovely summer romance read, with a lotta heart.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

Releasing 24th May, 2024

Bookishly Ever After by Mia Page
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I do love a good bookish story.
This is an enemies-to-lovers story about rival book shop owners Lexi Austen and Sam Dickens, who vie for the most custom in their Washington, DC, book shops.
Both shops have coexisted fine over the years until Sam takes over Great Expectations, primarily a second-hand bookstore, and begins changing his offerings. This affects Lexi’s business, a bookshop set up by her grandmother.
You have plenty of Britishisms, with Lexi’s character originally having been from the UK, and comparisons. Obviously, there is a connection to two classic authors, given the names of our two main characters, but it was a bit predictable.
Yes, Lexi and Sam have chemistry, but ultimately, they come across as quite mature in handling situations, considering they are meant to be mature business-owning adults.
There’s plenty of to-ing and fro-ing, will they, won’t they situations, but it was a pretty long-winded read and could have been shorter.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.

Releasing 6th June, 2024

Scripted by Fearne Cotton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was excited to read Fearne Cotton’s new offering, which has the intriguing premise of finding scripts that foresee important conversations that have yet to take place in your life.
That sounds great, doesn’t it?
What if you could know what was to come so you could be prepared or even try to change the outcome?
Well, this is what happens to Jade, our MC. Jade is a woman in a stale relationship, with a job she enjoys but a boss who, quite frankly, takes the mick with what he asks of her, and a family who also leave a lot to be desired, especially her sister, around whom the world appears to revolve.
It was an okay story, but it felt a bit flat once the initial premise was introduced. I didn’t feel a huge affinity to Jade and the other characters, though her workmates were a bit of a laugh.
If you need a read to plug some spare time, this is one of those books, but maybe not if you want to read something groundbreaking.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for an ARC.

Releasing 6th June, 2024

You’ll need to wait for a post coming in the next couple of days for the review, as Mark is joining me for a Book & Brew!

Releasing 1st June, 2024

The Riviera House Swap: The BRAND NEW uplifting, sun-drenched getaway romance from BESTSELLING AUTHOR Gillian Harvey for 2024 by Gillian Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gillian Harvey’s books have made me want to chuck everything in and disappear to a small village in France numerous times, and The Riviera House was no different!
Nina is off-kilter. Having turned forty, she is amicably divorced and still stuck in a job where she’s pootling along. Something in her decides it is time to live life for herself. However, it’s hard when you’ve spent your life being sensible, doing the right thing, and thinking of others before your needs.
Finding a batch of never=quite-forgotten love letters in the back of her cupboard as she sifts through her stuff, spurs her on to make a huge decision to leave her comfortable life and go on an adventure alone, by arranging a house swap with a man whose own home is on the French Riviera, and happens to be where her ‘one that got away’ was from.
Will she find her second chance?
Well, I’m not going to tell you that. You need to read the book! Nina is a woman on the cusp of that perimenopausal time we women have to deal with. She’s not sure if her hormones or something else are making her make certain decisions, and I think there are a few of us who could relate to that!
Nina has some wonderful friends, both in the UK, who cheer her on, and people she meets in France who become close to her, and they make a wonderful addition to the story.
And there is romance from several angles, involving others, as well as our main character, Nina.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, devoured it in a day, and now want to go and swap my home for one in a gorgeous European setting… (But I’ll take my Hubby, as he doesn’t need swapping!)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 11th June, 2024

The Plot Twist by Victoria Walters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve read several Victoria Walters books and have loved each one.
The Plot Twist is based on books, the publishing industry, and bookshops, with books at the heart—what more would a bookworm like me want?
Stevie Phillips is nervous about starting a new job. It’s the job of her dreams in an established publishing house. When she gets there, she finds most of the staff are leaving due to a takeover and immediate redundancies, and, horror of horrors, her new boss turns out to be Noah Anderson, her ex!
She’s faced with a conundrum: leave the job she so desperately wanted or stick it out and deal with the ‘uncomfortable-ex’ situation.
Chuck in an author described as a diva who Stevie adored growing up, a romance-hating colleague, and the EX, and Stevie has her work cut out.
I was hooked from the off.
I read this in a few hours, as I could not put it down!
Stevie is a fantastic character with passion. Her stance on #RespectRomFic is highlighted throughout the book. Where would we be without romances? How she gathers the troops to stand against those trashing her favourite genre is fabulous. I would have attended that protest if I could!
The simmering chemistry between her and Noah is HOT, too! Maybe don’t read this when you have people around. You may find yourself a little flustered during certain scenes, lol!
It was great to get a little update on Liv and Aiden, characters we were introduced to in Walters’ previous release, The Love Interest. But don’t worry—this is a stand-alone book, though I love it when stories interlink in some way.
Loved it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 19th June, 2024

Lucky Day by Beth Morrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Beth Morrey’s Saving Missy and Em & Me, so I was delighted to be able to read Lucky Day.
Clove Hendry is not far off my age, and having the MC as someone who I can relate to is always a bonus.
She’s your typical middle-aged woman, married with two kids, in a stable job, with a loving hubby who doesn’t know how much she does. He’s not a bad guy; he’s just oblivious.
She’s got an annoying boss and an even more annoying mother.
One morning, she wakes with a migraine, takes a dodgy tablet, and then bumps her head, which seems to be the catalyst for one of the most open, honest, ‘lucky’ days of her life.
Suddenly, she’s filled with the strength to be honest instead of saying what is heeded to constantly crowd-please.
Does it make the world better? Well, maybe not for some, but it sure feels liberating to Clover!
I loved how it built up, with little foibles that she managed to address, to much bigger issues, that she finally managed to air, culminating in a chance to finally bury one of her biggest fears,
Fantastically written!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Fiction for an ARC.

Releasing 20th June, 2024

The Cornish Campsite Murder by Fiona Leitch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I binged the first six of these books a while back and had so much fun with this cosy mystery series, with Jodie ‘Nosy’ Parker, the ex-cop turned caterer who can’t help but get involved in the investigations for the local murders. It’s obviously in the blood with her father having been pretty high up in the forces, too.
This time, Jodie and her partner, Nathan, a DI, are operating a catering van for a friend at a festival. The only crimes should be how many pies people are eating, Jodie trying to keep an eye on her teenage daughter, with all the drugs flying around.
But that wouldn’t be a Cornish mystery, would it?
Playing at the festival is one of Jodie’s teen idol bands, and once she gets over her fangirling moment, she’s knee-deep in another investigation, as an ex-band member is found dead.
Is it murder or an unfortunate accident?
Well, I shan’t tell you because what would be the point of your reading the book?
But it was fantastic to be back with Jodie and the crew, including her daughter and mother, and their dog, as they spent the weekend slumming it (Unless, like Jodie’s mum, you were in a luxury yurt!) experiencing festival life, as well as investigating said death.
Again, Fiona, you made me hungry with the food you described!
It’s a brilliant addition to the series, and I hope we hear more from Jodie and her crime-busting!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC.

Releasing 28th June, 2024

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

I quite like April. I usually have half off, as it is the Easter break, and half in school… that means more reading (and writing) time!

I guess the big question is, what did I read, and did I continue to get words down?

I started the month with 11 (oops!) NetGalley ARCs and around another 30K to write on book three…

I wrote 40k in 2 weeks! 3 chapters and an epilogue to go….

I read 10 books, and countless pucture books in school!.

And I ended up with sixteen Netgalley ARCS still to read! I need to control this urge to say yes to everything!

Second Chance Summer: The romantic, escapist and heartwarming summer read from the Sunday Times bestselling author by Phillipa Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lily Harper is a bit of a workaholic.
She’s built up her business to a successful level and acquired a rather formidable reputation, thanks to some past unsavoury editing from the media.
But she has her reasons.
Then, one day, it all comes to a head, and she finds herself railroaded into taking a much-needed, relaxing break for her physical as well as mental health.
Where she ends up is a bit more rustic than relaxing, shall we say.
Clashes with the weather, the locals, and her ‘host’, Sam, create a rocky start to the holiday, and then a near catastrophic incident leaves her questioning many decisions in her life.
Lily feels like a female Alan Sugar: no qualifications, but she’s built a business with sheer grit and determination, just not to the multi-millionaire of the aforementioned Sugar! She has succumbed to loss and hurt but has hidden it as she strives to prove herself to all those who weren’t sure she would make it.
Sam has also experienced his own form of loss. And this retreat he’s built is meant to channel his attention into something else. It’s just that he didn’t expect to find himself falling for the first guest.
I’ve never considered visiting the Scilly Isles, but the breathtaking landscapes described made me put it on my list.
Though the situation may be a bit far-fetched, why not indulge in a second chance romance, where rugged is not just the romantic interest but the landscape, too?
I enjoyed this story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, for an ARC.

Releasing 6th June, 2024

Second Chances at the Board Game Café by Jennifer Page
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love slipping back into a community where I feel like I’m visiting old friends, and Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe was just that.
This time, we meet a single mum, Taylor, a sewist/seamstress. She is not entirely living her dream of being a fashion designer but struggles to keep her head above water. She also has a steady life for her son, Max, who finds certain situations difficult to handle.
And then we have train enthusiast and accountant, Harry. He’s a bit socially awkward and not very experienced with women, but he finds himself strangely attracted to this young woman he keeps seeing in places.
The Board Game Cafe is integral to finally getting them to know one another, albeit under circumstances that have nothing to do with romance! (Don’t worry; that follows!)
Taylor is a complex character. Because of falling pregnant, she has not been able to realise her childhood dream, but rather than feel upset, she tries her hardest to give her son the best life she can.
Harry is such a sweetheart, and he really doesn’t know it!
I love the way their relationship develops, but Harry’s connection with little Max is possibly one of the cutest! Though it isn’t made much of, seeing two people with similar social anxieties and interests come together is wonderful. I only wish they had met sooner!
Hearing updates on the other characters, such as Mr B, his wonderful ladyfriend, and even Jo from the last book, was lovely. As I mentioned earlier, it’s like visiting friends.
It is a remarkable story with the community at the heart and a great message about upcycling, along with raising awareness of the difficulties some children have at school when they are neurodiverse.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an ARC.

Releasing 6th June, 2024

Northern Boy: A big Bollywood dream. A small-town chance. by Iqbal Hussain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a brilliant debut by Iqbal Hussain!
I love finding a voice where I can relate to the characters and the situations, and the story is compelling, too. This had all that in spades.
Northern Boy uses a dual timeline to tell the story of Rafi Aziz. It follows his childhood in Blackburn from the 1970s to the early 2000s as he returns home, ending with an ending in the present era.
Rafi Aziz is not your usual young Pakistani Muslim boy living in North England. He’d rather be dressing up with his best mate, Shazia, and dancing around her room, singing pop songs and Bollywood hits, than playing football with the rest of the lads.
Music has been a part of his growing up since he can remember, with a mother who sings with a beautiful voice around the house and dotes on her youngest son, encouraging her to join in with her all the time.
Things come to a head when the family realises that his talent is a passion, and he wants to pursue his love of music, singing, and dancing rather than become a doctor or an accountant.
Then, negativity starts, and “What would the neighbours/community say?” becomes more important than allowing Rafi to realise his dreams.
When we jolt forward, Rafi is older and more established as a well-known stage actor/performer, living a life he’s sure his family would disapprove of in Australia. He heads back to his hometown for Shazia’s wedding, where he has to deal with the fireworks and many concealed parts of his life are uncovered.
There were so many things I loved about this book. Rafi is a boy I could have met growing up. I knew of many who suppressed their interests because it wasn’t the done thing.
I also really related to Maam, his mother, who was battling her cultural demons, missing her homeland, and wanting what was best for her children.
This is Billy Elliot, the British Pakistani Edit! An incredible immersion into the life of a boy who just wanted to follow his dreams.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Unbound for an ARC.

Releasing 6th June, 2024

The Lost Lover by Karen Swan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I couldn’t wait to get back to the thrill of the lives of the St Kildans and their epic move. I’ve been hooked on this series since the first book.
Each book is the story of a different resident on the isle, told in their point of view. This means in many ways, each book can be read as a standalone, but, if you have read the other two, there is a deeper understanding of the relationships of the characters and their emotions.
This time, the story is told from Flora’s perspective. Flora is the eye-candy on the isle but pretty much unaffected by it, unless outsiders come to visit, and are stunned by her natural beauty.
A visit from another rich family, spurs on an unlikely romance between her and one of holiday makers, with a promise to return, and make her his own.
But an unexpected surprise, followed by tragedy, and a huge move from the isle to the mainland means that Flora’s beautiful future has been snatched from her.
Her looks continue to catch the eyes of all and sundry, leading her to end up in Paris as a star performer in a theatre show, where more secrets are uncovered.
There were highs, then lows, then highs, followed by another cliffhanger, with excitement and frustration in equal parts!
I wanted a happy ending, but equally I am now sure there will be another story to follow, because (please, Karen Swan!) we can’t be left not knowing!
I loved this next book. Even though we hear the same story, at the beginning, it is both a refresher for those who have read the first two, and another dimension to add to what we already know.Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

Releasing 7th May, 2024

Blackbird by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 9 in the Hart’s Ridge series, and I couldn’t be happier to be diving right back to the residents of Hart’s Ridge, more atrocities committed, and a brief update on Taylor and the Gray family.
Alongside settling into married life with Sam and his daughter, Alice, Taylor is still busy with her job as a deputy at the police station.
This time round, Taylor spends time with her colleague Caleb, who tragically lost his wife the year before, as detailed in the previous book. However, there are signs that the conclusion reached may not be the correct one.
Alongside this, we meet Allison, another person Taylor has helped in the past. She is struggling to run from an abusive relationship and needs all the help she can get.
What can I say, apart from LOVED IT!
Though this story didn’t include as much about the Gray family, we still get a good roundup of what they are all doing and the indication that Taylor is working herself to the bone and isn’t leaving much of herself to her own family.
As they unfolded, the two cases were sensitively handled, mainly since one is based upon the author’s personal experiences and the other bears some resemblance to another true crime story.
Again, we end on a cliffhanger, and though they can be a little annoying, this time, it filled me with excitement that there is at least another book in the series, especially as Kay initially started with this being an eight-book series and we are now on number nine!
I foresee some significant changes in Taylor Gray’s life, too.
Cannot wait for book 10!

Released 30th April, 2024

Five stars from me! What a powerful book! Danielle will be joining me for a Book and a Brew near release date, so look out for the full review then!

Releasing on 6th May, 2024

The Holiday Escape by Heidi Swain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another wonderful holiday romance by fantastic author Heidi Swain!
Ally lives in the idyllic coastal village of Kittiwake with her father, helping him to run a retreat that was the dream of both him and her mother. She loves her dad, but this was never the life she envisioned for herself. Instead, a promise to her mother, before she died, ties Ally to a place filled with memories that aren’t all pleasant.
On a much needed break away, Ally reinvents herself and meets a young man, Logan, who she begins to develop[p feelings for, and not wanting him to know the extent of her pitiful real life, she ghosts him.
Coming back home, she makes plans to finally admit to her father that running the retreat with him is not what she wants to do, forever, but then several spanners get thrown in the works, with the reappearance of an old school ‘friend’, Tara, and, then, ironically, Logan.
Nothing is ever as straightforward as that, so I’ll leave you to the book to find out what happens!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, immersing myself in the life of Ally and the Kittiwake residents.
Ally, herself is a mixed up character, trying to fulfil a vow while forsaking all she really wants.
Her best friend, Flora, is a real rock, and you see the ups and downs they both travel, as various events unfold. And the strength of friendship.
Logan – I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with, as I could see how good they were for one another, but as I came to realise certain things, I doubted his character, but he redeemed himself!
I LOVED Kasuku, the foul-mouthed parrot who was inherited along with the cottage by Ally’s parents was a fabulous addition to the cast of colourful characters, too.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC.

Released 25th April 2024

Review coming soon as we are on the blog tour for this particular translated fiction story! \

Releasing 16th May, 2024

Old Girls Behaving Badly by Kate Galley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a rollicking fun read!
It shows you don’t have to lose your adventurous side just because you are on the other side of 70!
Gina is reeling from the news that her husband of 43 years is leaving her to find himself and wishes to end their marriage. She’s given her all to the marriage and her family, losing sight of herself in the process.
A chance response to an advert in a magazine requesting a companion for an elderly lady spurs Gina on to apply.
Widowed Dorothy may be nearing the end of her eighties, but a silly fall will not stop her, even if her family feels she needs more support.
Luckily for them both, Dorothy meets Gina and decides if anyone is worth the job she is.
But it ends up being more of a private detective job than a companion/carer, as Dorothy finds out that Gina’s knowledge of art history may be precisely what she is looking for in solving the mystery of a theft and the subsequent death of her husband.
They are to attend a wedding with an ulterior motive at the beautiful home of eccentric and rather unlikeable Leonard.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I loved spirited octogenarian Dorothy, with her ideas, and her granddaughter, Juliet, who joined their band of investigators and made what would be a boring week of wedding stuff into something far more exciting for a young teenager.
Gina’s character develops and strengthens through the story, and it is a joy to see her find herself again and learn to believe in her own abilities.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 13th May, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love GAME by Emma Rae

A contemporary romance set around Wimbledon with a woman searching for an out from an awful relationship, and an opportunity to be the personal live in chef for a tennis pro.

It was… okay….

Releasing 16th May, 2024

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

March ending means we have passed a quarter of the year. I am not quite sure where the time is flying…

I guess the big question is, what did I read, and did I continue to get words down?

I started the month with 5 NetGalley ARCs and around another 30K to write on book three…

I barely wrote anything. Life was hard this month, with a very busy work schedule.

I read not as much as I hoped.

And I ended up with eleven Netgalley ARCS still to read! I need to control this urge to say yes to everything!

Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly by Joanna Glen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly is a slow moving, but deep story about two unique individuals; Addie and Sol.
Both have been sheltered from a lot of reality by their families. Both have very different, strange family dynamics, and it takes their courage to step away from the expectations piled upon them to find one another.
I don’t quite know how to describe the story, but it takes a while, then digs deeper into your soul as you read, and become more and more immersed in the ‘puffin-esque’ (is that even a word!) of their developing relationship.
A beautiful story about two misfits, and how they end up fitting one another perfectly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC.

Releasing 20th June, 2024

Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another gorgeous read from Kim Nash, with book two in the Driftwood Series.
I always enjoy being able to revisit characters and settings in a good series, and this was no different, with the first book’s mc, Meredith, featuring within book two, but fear not! It can be read as a stand alone, too.
In Finding Family at the Cornish Cove, we get to know more about Gemma, the local cafe owner. She’s embarking on a huge change in her life, renovating the much loved cafe that her mother had started, many years ago. Having had a tumultuous few years in her own life, losing her beloved mother, then the breakdown of her marriage, this new direction is both exciting and scary.
Along the way, she meets Occy, a feisty teen, who has gaps in her own family, and Occy’s fireman father, Jude, who quite possibly could be something more, but the both of them are once bitten twice shy, and they embark upon a friendship that they both need, too.
I loved learning more about the community, and the characters I had met before, as well as delving into Gemma’s life more. Learning about her sister, Lucy, their close relationship, and how they navigated the loss of their mother, and how she impacted upon their life was beautiful.
The developing relationship between Gemma and Occy is also a joy to read. Kim has really delved into the complexities of modern family life, and shone a light on the impact of one person shouldering the responsibility of being a parent, and how that can affect people in different ways.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and can’t wait to delve into the third book, so I can visit Driftwood Bay, and imagine myself back in this beautiful Cornish village.

Making Memories at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not content with getting us all obsessed with lighthouses, now Kim Nash has turned our heads to dancing!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two books in the Cornish Cove series, and this third was a wonderful addition. In Makin Memories, we focus on Lydia, the mother of the first Cove main character, Meredith.
Lydia is a woman of a certain age. In her seventies, she has been divorced several times and finally wants to put herself first. She is sent a box of old belongings that starts a cascade of memories from when she fell pregnant with Mere, and feelings arise once it starts.
Lydia loved dancing competitively, though no one knew this. An opportunity to take part in a competition brings many thoughts back to the forefront of her mind, including how she could improve her relationship with her daughter and whether, at 71, she is too old for romance.
What a lovely story! Easy to read and such fun, with plenty of revisits to the characters from the first two books, but enough in them for you to read as a stand-alone.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 17th April, 2024

Silent Tears: A Female led Charity Anthology on the cultural struggles of women worldwide. by Faiqa Mansab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not just saying this because I feature, but I read the other stories within this anthology and, what an impact, showing strong and fearless women, dealing with everyday situations!
Some beautiful words, and I was struck, especially by certain lines within the story by Faiqa Mansab.
A brilliant read, for a most worthy cause.
Please, if you get a chance, order this book, as all proceeds go to charity.

𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 via Anuera 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝘇𝗮 (𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 1.2 Million ).

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 , 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲.

“𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙫𝙪𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩.
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚, 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝.”

Order here: rb.gy/c2x57e

The Typo by Emily Kerr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed some of Emily Kerr’s books already, so I was looking forward to reading The Typo.
A simple typo that could have been ignored ends up connecting two individuals who are unknown to one another.
Amy thinks she is a failed violinist, trudging along in her life as a marketing manager for an Edinburgh theatre that is possibly about to close.
An email that lands in her inbox because of a typo means she somehow ends up searching for the person who should have received it.
Cameron is on a boat in the Antarctic when he receives a message from a stranger who forwards an amazing opportunity to him.
I enjoyed the story and how the two strangers built a relationship via email despite not knowing one another.
Their being strangers ends up being a significant factor in their character development, as their closeness develops and they realise they aren’t being true to themselves or the other, which spurs them on to do different things with their lives that they have been too afraid to try and do.
Could there have been more romance?
Probably.
They didn’t finally meet until very late in the book, so we don’t get a chance to see their relationship develop in the same way that we see their friendship begin to blossom, but a cute ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Fiction for an ARC.

Releasing May 3rd, 2024

Love Letters at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I won’t share my full review here as lovely Kiley is popping over for a Book and a Brew around release date to chat about her newest book, so I will keep it for then!

Releasing April 25th 2024

Absolute 5-stars from me, but you will have to wait for my review, as I have the lovely Lucy on my Blog for a Book & a Brew soon, to chat about the book.

Releasing 23rd April, 2024

The Suite Life by Portia MacIntosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is probably the second of Portia Macintosh’s books that I have read, and it was as easy and entertaining as the first.
Gigi is in a bit of a bind. She has a beautiful opportunity to visit Maui, where her sister is getting married in a proper destination wedding, complete with a venue and hotel that costs an arm and a leg, and possibly a lot more besides.
However, she will have to contend with her ex being there, with his new influencer girlfriend, as he is her brother-in-law’s best friend and best man. And she has no date of her own.
Instead of owning her single status, Gigi announces that she has a surprise plus-one joining her there and then finds herself in a bind as she tries to procure an impressive date with only a few days until she flies out.
Hilarity ensues as she suffers some horrendous dates, and then she opts to find someone in Maui.
While there, she gets an upgrade to her room, which is more than a kingsize bed. She finds herself in a suite suitable for a billionaire, with everyone waiting hand on foot for her and the undying adoration of far too many males around her.
She makes one friend, Donnie, who seems to be the only average person around, and the story develops as she continues her search for the perfect date.
There are some funny moments throughout the story, and it’s a quick, easy holiday read that made me want to go to Maui to see the gorgeous views and maybe experience some of that billionaire suite life!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 16th April, 2024

The Winner Bakes It All by Jeevani Charika
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another wonderful romance by Jeevani Charika, which has a dash of culture, and a sprinkle of health knowledge and a pinch of hate-to-love!
The Winner Bakes It All is a great example of rivalry to love, where our FMC, Elodie, is desperately trying to make her business venture a success. She’s a talented baker and cake decorator and has a small unit in the arcade of shops in her small town. An opportunity arises for expansion, and she is excited. Finally, wanting to be able to prove her family wrong, she waits to sign a new lease.
Then Mal happens.
Mal is a man bun-toting gym bro with a penchant for all things Keto. He’s appeared on the scene with a signed lease for the very space Elodie has been waiting for.
The story unfolds with a lot of negativity, and to top it off, a battle for an exclusive catering contract is thrown into the mix (-ing bowl? Sorry!)
I love cake, baking, and admiring those who can create amazing edible art through cake decorating. So, loving Elodie was going to be easy, wasn’t it? I felt for her as she strives to make those around her believe that her dream isn’t just a fad or a placeholder until something better or ‘proper’ comes along.
And Mal… what a sweetheart in muscly disguise! Here’s me, the antithesis of anything healthy. (I’m Sitting here eating a coconut and raspberry sponge for breakfast!) Yet, somehow, I found myself sympathising with a gym-bro, lol! Thanks, Jeevani!
I also learned something about the Ketogenic diet, referred to throughout the story. I have tried it as a weight loss aid, but I didn’t realise there were medical conditions that could be controlled, too!
An exciting cast of side characters, including Elodies’ right-hand man, Marty, her not-too-nice brother, Travis, Mal’s business partner and best friend, Jake, and a high-maintenance influencer, Saffron, added another layer of depth to the story.
Oh, and I didn’t like Leon!
If you love cake, healthy eating, and drama, this book is for you!
Oh, and I am now humming ABBA tunes. Thanks again, Jeevani!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for an ARC.

Releasing 4th June, 2024

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