Goodreads

May 2020 Books #AmReading

31 May 2020 43 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Amazon, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Blogger, Book Review, Goodreads, Netgalley, Reader, Reviews

The month of May! Aaaah, the spring evenings seguing into summer. Lazy weekends filled with barbeques and drinks in the garden, or catching up with friends…

Or maybe not.

Coronagate is still with us, at the moment, so the meeting friends bit, well, that’s not gonna happen in the same way as before. But I hope the weather was good for you, and the added time allowed you to read plenty too!

Here’s what I managed.

Christmas Wedding (Cliffside Bay Series)

Christmas Wedding by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am steadily working my way through Tess’s Cliffside Bay series and this was a little novella to slip into the stream of love stories.
We finally get to see the wedding of Raphael and Lisa, but not without a few dramas along the way.
I enjoy how these extra snippets of stories add another layer to the relationship that us readers are building with all the characters in the series, and the fact that it is set in Emerson Pass, after reading the first book in Tess’s newest series, well, that was another pleasant surprise!
Onwards to the next book.

Scarred: Trey and Autumn (Cliffside Bay, #8)

Scarred: Trey and Autumn by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 8 of the Cliffside Bay series, but the tenth I’ve read, counting the novellas.
I love that I kinda know what is going to be the conclusion, but knowing how Tess’s stories evolve, I am aware that it won’t be a straight path.
Scarred is the story of the pairing together of Autumn, the scarred sister of Wolf, Stone, and Trey, one of the Wolves pack. Again, plenty of loose threads from previous books are tied up, but there are a good few left dangling, so you know the next book has some work to do!

Jilted: Nico and Sophie (Cliffside Bay, #9)

Jilted: Nico and Sophie by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boy, am I enjoying steaming through this series! I almost don’t want to have to wait for June for the last book!
Jilted gives us the story of the fourth Wolf, Nico, and his blossoming love story with Dog Sane’s half-sister, Sophie.
Both souls with feelings of abandonment, but totally different life situations, they go from pushing each other away to drawing close like two opposite ends of a magnet.
I enjoyed this next instalment, and can’t wait for David and Sara’s story. Thank goodness I still have a couple of novellas to read!

Kissed: A Cliffside Bay Christmas Short by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another short novella to tie up some loose ends in Tess Thompson’s Cliffside Bay series.
This time we jumped to the seniors who now live there, and follow the blossoming romance between Rapahel’s mother, Rosa (Mama) Soto and Lisa’s Uncle Dominic.
A lovely, magical, light read to make your heart feel good.

Chateau Wedding by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finally! I got to see (read) Pepper and Stone’s wedding!
Tess Thompson delivers a short side tale to her Cliffside Bay series, whisking the readers away to France to witness the dream marriage, that has its fair share of ups and downs, even in such a short book!
I could have carried on reading more!

They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher by Pete Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Retired elementary school teacher, Pete Springer, uses his experience and knowledge to create a wonderful book that is as much memoir as it is a handy tool to have as a teacher about to embark upon the best job in the world (I’m a teacher, maybe I’m biased), and just as useful for a parent to read, so they can understand a little more about the role the teacher plays in their children’s lives.
Peppered with anecdotes from his teaching career, as well as the story detailing how he ended up becoming a teacher, the book gives a personal account of the life of aa teacher, as well as many handy hints for setting up and running a successful classroom of your own.

My Untold Truth by Sharon Punni Khakh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine being that child who can see and hear awful things being done to your mother, then, when you try and raise an alarm, you get shot down?
This is the true story of Sharon, who, from a young age, witnessed her mother suffer from mental and physical abuse from her father, and eventually had to deal with fatal consequences.
The harsh truth is that there is still stigma attached to families who are vocal about abuse or wrongdoings in families in many Indian communities, even now. So much so, that it is easier to ignore the reality, or cover it up, rather than seek help and face the repercussions.
Well done to Sharon for bravely writing about this awful situation, with the hope it will give other young people the courage to come forward and speak out for members of their family in similar situations, who feel unable to themselves.
Domestic violence, physical, mental and emotional abuse is NEVER right.

Self Love by T.L. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A young woman; single, plump, and totally unconfident in her appearance.
That’s Molly.
But she’s a great florist, and a good friend, though she can be a bit self-absorbed sometimes.
But let’s be honest, who can honestly say, hand on heart that they never think about themselves, and only others?
And that’s why many readers will identify with Molly.
As I read her story, trying to find love, and acceptance for herself, as well as that elusive ideal weight, I found myself comparing certain parts of her life with mine.
I totally got her with the dieting, and ‘life-changing’ health plans. I’ve been up and down my whole life, and though many who know me, would say I’ve never been ‘big’, I know I have, compared to my previous, svelte self.
That hating what you see in the mirror? Yup. Been there, done that.
I read about her dating mishaps with intrigue, probably because I never went through all that online dating malarkey, myself.
She had her ups and downs, but Molly learns how to accept herself, and build changes into her life so she really does end up loving herself – and, no spoilers here, but she might just find someone else who loves her too!
There’s a lesson in the story for us all.
Self-care, and self-love is as important as getting acceptance from the outside.
I’m just glad Molly stopped apologising for herself by the end!

Pixy by Linda g. Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always enjoy the book sof Linda’s that I have read, and this short story, a free treat from Linda, was no different.

We are introduced to the world of Pixies, and meet Merryn, who has been transported to the human world as a joke, but there he meets Ivy, a widow, and they start a romance that develops in a flash, in human years, but takes much time, in pixy years! A cute love story with a twist!

The Congress of Rough Writers: Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1 by Charli Mills
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Flash Fiction and I feel blessed to have got to know the crew over at the Carrot Ranch, with Charli, the head buccaneer!
I’ve had this anthology to read for a long while, but time, and so many books… you know.
But finally, thanks to Lockdown, I got to savour the wonderful bite-sized morsels that 99-word fiction can provide.
I enjoy crafting the stories to go with Charli’s weekly prompts, and I am also eager to read how someone else interprets the same prompt.
The first half of this book is filled with these, kind of like appetisers.
Then the second half has slightly longer pieces, like your main course, but selected Ranchers, and finishes with a dessert of essays from memoirists.
A wonderful collection to savour over time, or devour in one sitting!

The Sight of You by Holly Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, what an emotional ride!
Imagine having a gift that could give so much joy, but at the same time, suck the joy of living from you?
This was what life was like for Joel, and what stopped him from fully living his own life.
And Callie? A simple, loveable woman, who isn’t quite sure where here future lies, until she meets Joel.
Add in Murphy, Callie’s dog, and you have a beautiful bittersweet love story, with an ending you didn;t expect… or did you?
I absolutely loved this story of Joel and Callie, and their forever love, that just wasn’t meant to be.
Descriptive, emotive writing that kept me reading all day, so I could finish the book, all the while not wanting it to end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Life and Other Happy Endings by Melanie Cantor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked this book to read when it was still registered as Death and other Happy Endings. The title piqued my interest, and the blurb confirmed I would be up for reading.
Upon reading the book, I think the new title Life and other Happy Endings, is much better suited!
I was fully prepared for a swing of emotions, knowing I was going to be reading about a woman counting down to the end of her life, writing letters to three people who were so important in her life, and I wasn’t wrong there.
But the swing of emotions included laughter and smiles, as well as the sadness and dread that I had expected.
I loved the twist to the story in the middle, and the extra U-Turn at the end. Nope. Don’t ask for details. You need to read to find out!
Great book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One Summer in Santorini (Holiday Romance Book 1)

One Summer in Santorini by Sandy Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wonderfully whimsical, romantic read, perfect for a sunny holiday read, or even a read when there is no holiday sun around, as the vivid descriptions of Greek islands will whisk you away anyway!
I loved meeting Sarah, the woman who has sworn off men, taking a trip away to get away from all that romantic nonsense, then ends up with not one, but two suitors, and all with the backdrop of this beautiful greek scenery!
I really enjoyed this debut from Sandy Barker, and am already excited to dive into book two!

That Night in Paris (Holiday Romance Book 2)

That Night in Paris by Sandy Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What? So, I finished book one yesterday, and today, I’m here reviewing book two.
Think that is a clue in itself as to how readable Sandy Barker’s books are becoming to me.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah’s story in book one, One Summer in Santorini, and it was great to pick up on the story, interlinked, but on its own journey, about Catherine, Sarah’s sister.
Not only do you get a whistlestop tour of some of Europe’s most famous cities, complete with descriptions that make you feel like you are standing in the middle of said cities, but there is the huge dollop of ‘will she/won’t she’ romance added to keep you turning pages.
Cat’s been hurt before. She’s sworn off relationships and men, until a mistaken (bit more than a ) fumble with her flatmate. Disasterous enough to make her book a hasty coach tour around Europe, to get away from the atmosphere she’s created, by trying to stay away from her newly love-lorn flatmate.
On the tour, she visits amazing places, cements life long friendships with her ‘bus buddies’, and ends up bumping into her teen pen pal, Jean Luc, in Paris. And he’s no longer that cute, gawky teen whose features haven’t quite grown into adulthood at the same time.
No.
Now he is all kinds of hot, good looking – like model good looking, tall, with a to die for physique… and he seems to actually ‘like’ like Cat.
I don’t want to tell you what happens, but wills he be able to stick to her ‘no relationships’ stance, or will a holiday fling be enough? And what about that flatmate?
Book three – I am diving in, right now!!

A Sunset in Sydney (Holiday Romance Book 3)

A Sunset in Sydney by Sandy Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having devoured the first two books in Sandy’ Barker’s series, I was eager to get to this concluding title to see what happened.
And I wasn’t disappointed.
Sarah went on a trip to the Greek islands, sworn off men, and ended up coming home with the possibility of two relationships at the end of the first book.
In this third episode detailing the lusts, losses and loves of Sarah, along with plenty of wine and alcohol, we hoped to come to some conclusion.
And it didn’t disappoint!
Sandy Barker has a great way of describing the places visited, so you feel as if you are there with the characters, so I feel like I can say I’ve visited Maui, Sydney and parts of New Zealand!
Aside from the travel, the ‘who will she choose?’ scenario kept me on my toes the whole book.
Would it be cute, young American dude, Josh, or older, more experienced, extremely attractive, and rather rich, James?
Of course, I’m not going to tell you… you’ll have to get the book to find out!

Many thanks to NetGalley. Harper Collings and One More Chapter for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Releasing on 3rd July, 2020

Okay, so this is a definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, but I’m saving the review for the Blog Tour of which I’ll be a part.

Releasing on 7th July, 2020

Busted in Bollywood by Nicola Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first Nicola Marsh book, and I had great fun delving into the very familiar world of India, Bollywood and cross-cultural East-West mixes.
I loved the doses of masala as we saw met Shari, the MC, thrown into a duplicitous situation, where she had to pretend to be her best friend Amrita, to break up an arranged marriage engagement.
What she didn’t count on, was hot Bollywood Dudes, stalkers, soothsayers, superstar opportunities and a new aunty who was eager to fatten her up and get her married off.
A fun read full of vibrancy.

The Love Square by Laura Jane Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed Laura Jane Williams first foray into fiction, One Stop, and was excited to get the opportunity to read her second offering, The Love Square.
A story about Love, of all sorts.
Penny is a cancer survivor, burned by her last serious relationship. She is a business owner, with a thirst for success with her cafe, but a huge amount of family loyalty too. And most of all, she wants love.
And it comes, from many directions, from her friends, her uncles and sister, and from three very different men.
Caught in a love square, Penny has to make decisions that could hurt, but could equally give her the best future ever.
I loved Penny. She’s a strong woman, who doesn’t actually know her own strength. Sometimes the need for approval of others overtakes the fact that she needs to be happy in herself, and love herself first.
Her three choices:
Francesco, the Italian chef with a passion for food to rival hers, and the promise of falling in friendship.
Thomas, the happy go lucky playboy with a huge heart.
Priyush, the mature, wave and sophisticated older man who is ready to offer a life of elegance and romance.
I loved the story and the characters. An easy to read tale with a deeper meaning that the cover may let on.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Releasing 29th June 2020

The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finally finished The Sugar Queen of Emerson Pass and I LOVED it!
Tess Thompson’s signature style of concentrating on a couple, within a group of close-knit friends, worked brilliantly, along with tying into the first book of the series The Schol Mistress Of Emerson Pass, even though it is set in a totally different timeline.
And I was overjoyed to get all the connections to the Cliffside Bay residents too!
A true story of second chance romance, with two childhood sweethearts torn apart in the midst of young love, and then thrown back together years later in very different circumstances, but in the same setting.
The story tore at my heart, with loss and confusion, misplaced loyalties and rediscovered romance. Oh and the build-up to the next romance. Loved it, truly!
Can’t wait for the next one, Tess. 💜

Love's Child: Power, deceit and betrayal, all in the name of love!

Love’s Child by Lizzie Chantree
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not sure what I was expecting with this first Lizzie Chantree novel, but it wasn’t the interesting twists within this delicious novel.
David is the product of a loveless marriage, and left with his degenerate father, he learns, the hard way, how to get through life.
In adulthood, he’s found a way to channel all the negativity into a project to benefit the community, and turned his bad experiences into something positive.
Finally, life is going great, with his girlfriend Tilly, pregnant, and happy, then things start to go wrong.
Love’s Child takes you on a journey of mysterious twists, exploring certain family dynamics, and ultimately, LOVE.

Mr Portobello’s Morning Paper by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s no secret.
Amanda Prowse is one of my favourite authors, and when she announced her novella, Mr Portobello’s Morning Paper, it sped its way onto my Kindle and raced to the top of my TBR pile. Her books always do. I’m not apologising!
Mr Portobello’s Morning Paper was a beautifully crafted novella and it hit many notes for me for several reasons.
Sophie is my age. Sophia is (was) a teacher. Like me. Disillusioned with the way teaching is going – been there, done that. Sophia loves books. Yup, me again.
That’s where the similarities end.
But the story. Oh, the story.
Sophia leaves her job to open a book emporium filled with the old books from her parents’ house. She develops. friendship with the eighty-year-old Mr Portobello, who was the previous tenant of her shop.
He pops in at 10 am every morning, on his way to get his morning paper, and slowly they build a relationship that leaves Sophia beginning to think long and hard about how she’s been living her life.
Mr Portobello’s Morning Paper is a bittersweet story which will tug at your heartstrings.

A Convenient Marriage by Jeevani Charika
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stigmas are something many of us have to live with, and there are different stigmas attached to different diasporas.
Chaya is a Sri Lankan girl trusted to leave her family and study in the far away, yet prestigious university of Oxford. Love is the last thing on her mind, or shouldn’t be.
Gimhana is another Sri Lankan displaced in the UK. He’s hoping to get his qualifications and become that successful lawyer, as well as be able to be the real himself – a self that loves men, not women.
In a clever way, Jeevani Charika weaves chapters laying foundations and dripping clues as to what the past knew that hindered the progression of both individuals.
Fast forward to a time where both are being hounded by their families to get married.
In a strange twist of fate, they meet, and end up in a marriage of convenience, for them both. No expectations from each other, a friendship, and no secrets… but are there?
I really enjoyed reading this story, especially as a fellow South Asian, and knowing so many of these expectations that are hung around our necks as youngsters, weights that can hinder rather than help our lives.
There is a shift now, in the way many of the issues raised are thought of now, but not big enough.
An enjoyable read, and a cultural education for many, I believe.

The Opposite of Hew by Lisa W. Tetting
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having read Tetting’s story about Zora, and loving it, I was happy to pick up her book, The Opposite of Huw.
A quick read with an interesting premise, but I do feel it was rushed.
The whole idea of the spreading of the main character’s aunt’s ashes in key places could have been stretched more, and though I liked the main character, Kay, and her feisty nature, the idea of her aunt just forcing marriage upon her, was unrealistic in the setting.

That was over twenty books this month!!!!

So, which book caught your eye?

April 2020 Books #AmReading

30 Apr 2020 26 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: #BookReview, Amazon, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Goodreads, Netgalley, Waterstones

Month four of the year, and it’s a different life we are living at the moment. Have you managed to read more, or less? I have found that I am easily distracted from books at the moment, but that’s not so say I’m not going to try! I’ve been reading in bed, in the bath, on the sofa, in the garden, and even while walking! (yes honestly!) Last April, I think I managed around 15 books in a month. Did I hit anywhere near that number this month?

Only You by Kate Eberlen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two young souls meet in Rome and end up striking up a friendship which turns to an intense romance. With a dance background behind both of them, music and dance bring them together more.
Until their pasts catch up with them.
I must confess that it took me a while to get into this book. Written from two perspectives, we learned about Alf and Letty, how they were feeling in Rome, but it took a little while to get in the swing of things. The second section, which jumps back, explaining the whys of the story, gave me a good few Aha! moments. And the conclusion... well, it was what we all would want from a love story.
But, I have to say, I did enjoy it,  once I got into the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Booms And Busts by Geoff Le Pard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, I was glad to get back to the adventures of Harry Spittle in his lawyer days!
What a fantastically farcical tale of the mishaps and misadventures that Harry finds himself in, narrowly escaping prison, mixing with the wrong sorts, and with reappearing ghouls from the past. I really enjoyed it, and Le Pard’s way with words, his dry sense of humour, makes the book for me!
Hooray for Harry, the hapless hero!

The School Mistress of Emerson Pass by Tess Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a lovely story filled with love, hope and true goodness.
Just the kind of book to read, to surround yourself with positivity.
Quinn Cooper travels to a tiny backwater, Emerson Pass, in the snowy winter, to take up a position as a school teacher, where she can earn money, and send some back to her poverty-stricken mother and sister, back home.
Lord Alexander Barnes has managed to fulfil his dreams. He moved from England to the USA, and has, slowly, built up a small town, Emerson Pass – a place he’s proud to call home. A place his children can grow up happily, despite their lack of a mother. All they need is a school, with a good teacher at it’s helm.
It’s safe to say that neither Quinn, nor Alexander were what the other imagined, but as they get to know one another, it’s clear they need one another.
Their story is entwined with tales of the residents of Emerson Pass, bigotry, racism, honour, respect, love.
A happily ever after that I know is going to spawn some great sequels!

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but the blurb held an interesting premise.
Unfortunately, I found it very hard to get into.
The way the book was written with no regard to traditional structure or punctuation was different, but also confusing.
Nevertheless, each short section detailing a different strong woman’s life was intriguing. I had to read to the end to find out how it all tied together.
But… I just wish there were fewer characters, so I could get to know some in more detail, rather than so many, women, who seemed to blend into each other after a while.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Published 2nd May 2020

People Like Us by Louise Fein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having read The Book Thief before, and loving it, this book, People Like Us really appealed to me and I was not disappointed,
A love story, set in Germany, detailing the relationship between Hetty, daughter of a high ranking SS officer, and Walter, a young Jewish neighbour.
The story starts at a time when they were children, and Hetty owes her life to Walter when he rescued her from drowning. It is a time of innocence, when there is no real distinction between Aryan and other races, for the children at least.
As time goes by, and the Nazi regime begins to take hold of the lives and thoughts of the younger generations, friendship turns to forbidden love.
I was engrossed from very early on in the book, and my heart went out to the innocents in the war. All those whose lives were ripped apart because of the thinking of that one man, Hitler, and his henchmen.
Highly recommended,
Many thanks to NetGalley ad Head Of Zeus for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review,

Published 7th May 2020

Marred: Kyle and Violet (Cliffside Bay, #4)

Marred: Kyle and Violet by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s been a couple of months since I started the Cliffside Bay series, and what with ARCS and a certain pandemic, it has taken me a while to get back to the books, but I was determined!
This wonderful series of books takes a look at the lives of a group of friends whose lives become entwined in different ways. Each book takes a look at a specific couple, winding threads from previous stories, and planting the seeds for the next ones.
In Marred, we learn more about Kyle and Violet.
Kyle, or Kale, as Violet’s son calls him, is a successful property developer with a ton of money, a portfolio bulging with properties and a reputation as a ladies man.
Violet is a single mother with a conscience. She takes an instant dislike to this man who wants to commercialise her beloved home town, Cliffside Bay, with a holiday resort, but finds herself in a situation where, not only is she working for him, but living with him too.
A wonderful read, where you know the happily ever after will come, but not without its fair share of ups and downs.
Thank you, Tess! On to Tainted!

Tainted: Lance and Mary (Cliffside Bay,…

Tainted: Lance and Mary by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 5 of the Cliffside Bay series and I am not tired of it at all.
In fact, since I came into it so late, I am lucky that there still a good few for me to read!
This story focuses on the last of the Dogs, Lance, and his relationship with Mary, who tumbled into the lives of the Cliffside Bay gang when her father, Dax, married Lance’s housekeeper, Flora.
We get to learn, as we do in each story, more about these key characters, as well as taking deeper looks into the lives of the established pairs. And then there is always the introductions of fresh blood, that give you good indications of the stories that may be to come.
I loved that Tess Thompson dealt with the issues around losing a baby, mid-pregnancy. Miscarriage, in all its different forms, is an awful thing to go through. I know. Been there done that. But it is handled with kid gloves, and you end the story with a huge helping of hope.
Tess’s books are always filled with positivity, no matter what bumpy ride the characters may take you on, to get to the end of their journey.
I can’t wait to get to the next one, now!

A Springtime Affair by Katie Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Katie Fford’s books have kept me company through much of my adult life, from the end of university, marriage, kids, and now, as we live in this surreal world of COVID-19.
I was smitten with the story of Helena and her ‘not romantic at all’ relationship with her evil, about to evict her, landlord, Jago, as well as the tale of Gilly, Helena’s mother, who has side away from love after her divorce.
Needless to say, there’s definitely a happy ending, with a few wrong ‘uns thrown in, along the way.
I love how Fford writes in a way that makes the reader lose themselves in the story, forgetting reality while being immersed in her lovely stories.
Definitely a great feel-good romance!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Missed: Rafael and Lisa (Cliffside Bay, #6)

Missed: Rafael and Lisa by Tess Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This time we are venturing into the world of the Wolves, and their romantic pursuits.
The Wolves are a secondary pack of men who have, for various reasons, ended up in Cliffside Bay and have been mentioned in the previous 5 books, so it is easy to see how their stories slot into the adventures of the Dogs.
This time we are given more of an understanding about Rafael and his dark past, and Lisa, with her disturbed background, and hopes and dreams.
I knew they were going to get together. I knew all was going to be fine at the end, but Thompson took her scenic route, as always, to get us to the end.
Another wonderful addition to the Cliffside Bay series!

Cliffside Bay Christmas by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do love these little novellas that Tess Thompson has written, to add a little splash of extra spice into her Cliffside Bay Series!
Here we get to become involved in the expansion of the Dogs and their families, with not one, but two births, and all during the season of Christmas!
A lovely, easy read that you can devour in one sitting.

Healed: Stone and Pepper (Cliffside Bay, #7)

Healed: Stone and Pepper by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book seven of the Cliffside Bay series, and Tess Thompson takes us on another romantic journey, uniting a pair who are destined to be together, even though they don’t quite know it yet!
We follow one of the Wolves, Stone, and his developing feelings for Pepper.
Another tale of heartbreaks, and emotional upheavals that result in that Happy Ever After!

11. So I managed eleven. That’s not so bad, is it, and I managed to read lot’s of Tess Thompson’s series which was on my Kindle FOREVER!

I have omitted an arc I read as well, and I have been dipping into craft books and online courses, as well as writing, and popping in to school to do the Covid-19 version of my day job, so I don’t think eleven books is to be sniffed at!

So, how has your reading month been? Seen anything you like the look of?

March 2020 Books #AmReading

01 Apr 2020 19 Comments

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

March ending means a quarter of 2020 is gone.

I honestly thought I would get about five books read, but what with all that is happening in the world, I have managed to plough through a few more books than that… check out what I have been reading!

Family For Beginners by Sarah Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Flora works in a florist. She is there morning, noon, and would happily be there night, too, if the place didn’t close. She filled gaps in her own life, by working nonstop, choosing beautiful blooms at the markets, creating floral masterpieces and generally brightening the days of the customers.
But nothing fills the void she feels upon entering her substandard apartment. No family to call her own. No partner to share a meal with. Just a space filled with damp and discord.
Losing her mother at a young age, and having to live with an aunt who makes it pretty clear she wasn’t wanted, does nothing for her self esteem.
Then she meets Jack.
Or rather Jack enters the florist and her house.
Jack, who has voids of his own.
Despite her best efforts, Flora gets swept up into a romance that she is convinced won’t work. After all, no one else important in her life ever hangs around.
Besides, Jack already has a family. Two motherless girls. How is that going to work?
And then, he wants to take her on a long-standing family holiday to visit the dead wife’s best friend, Claire?
Sarah Morgan, you did it again!
I knew I’d enjoy this book. I’ve liked other Sarah Morgan books, so I was under no doubt of that. But, it wasn’t just good, it was fantastic!
I felt so much emotion, learning about Flora and her background, I rooted for Izzy, Jack’s eldest daughter, who didn’t want anyone taking the place of her mother. I sympathised with Claire, a woman who lost who she thought was her best friend,,,
Told from the point of view of the three women, this story really captured the feelings of different people involved in familial loss.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published 2nd April

The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside by Jessica Ryn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, so I have to officially say, I am in love with this book.
I was lucky enough to win an advance copy from HQ Stories, and I am so grateful to them for choosing me as a winner because this book was just AMAZING
Through quite a light-hearted way, author Jessica Ryn tackles some pretty HUGE issues, such as mental health, postnatal and homelessness, and more.
It is told from the perspective of two women.
Dawn Brightside, our main character, who is homeless, and running from someone, has been for a long time, yet has the positivity of Little Miss Sunshine. All she wants to do is help others. And find her daughter, Rosie.
Then there is Grace Jennings, manager of St Judes, a hostel for the homeless that is on the brink of having funding pulled.
Both have led hard lives in their own ways.
Both want to help others.
Both would be devastated if St Judes closed.
I don’t quite know how much to say, without giving away spoilers, but I was totally immersed in the story, pretty much immediately.
I giggled at points, and honestly, felt tears pricking at others. Life, love, relationships – all covered.
A simply magnificent debut from this author, who I will definitely want to read more from!

Published in May 2020

The Book of Us by Andrea Michael
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A bittersweet tale about a friendship that soured because of an awful mistake made, and the illness and small child who brought them back together.
Lauren, or Loll, is reeling from the break up of her marriage, then she receives a letter from someone who was more important to her than anyone else, in her life, until that mistake.
Cass has never really forgiven herself for the huge mistake she made, that lost her the best friend a girl could ask for. Would she be able to rekindle that bond now, six years later, knowing she had such little time, and so much to say and explain?
Vee’s life is turning upside down. Her mum is getting sicker and suddenly her new ‘aunty’ shows up.
This book tells of a journey, both physical, and metaphorical, of two women who try to patch up a relationship that tore apart.
Can they repair it?
A sad tale, but beautifully written.
Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Sardinian Summer by Michaël Uras
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The description of this book made me intrigued enough to request it.
Unfortunately, the story failed to capture my attention enough.
A Sardinian translator travels back home to see his grandmother who is on her deathbed while in the middle of translating a version of Moby Dick.
There were no chapters in the book, which I found a bit strange,
I finished, but at a push.
But it did make me intrigued about Sardinia… maybe one day I’ll visit the Domas de Janas…
NetGalley and Hodder and Staughton, for an ARC . in exchange for an honest review.

The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A classic rom-com, if ever there was one!
Imagine, being in a grief-stricken stupor, adding alcohol to it, and ending up at home with a hot stranger who leaves you wanting more, but disappears the next morning,
Then, finding out the next morning that said hot stranger is actually the new employee at your own company!
That is exactly what happens here and the ups and downs that ensure make for a great, addictive story!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter fort an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Summer at the Highland Coral Beach by Kiley Dunbar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kiley Dunbar is an author who I have come to love, having read her first two releases swiftly in 2019.
Summer at the Highland Coral Beach most definitely didn’t disappoint my expectations.
A feel-good story, with a touch of sadness, but filled with positivity and hope.
Beatrice finds herself in a rickety old pub hotel in Port Willow, a tiny village in Scotland after the devastation of a miscarriage and separation.
A drunken decision to get away, at first, seems like a great idea, but after arriving, Beatrice has second thoughts.
A place in the back of beyond, with gruff, rude landlords, a tiny room, and to top it, the activity she’d booked, hadn’t been.
The story unfolds as Beatrice begins to get to know characters in the village, despite promising herself to leave and go back t the Midlands, and her woeful life back home.
The landlords, brothers Eugene and Atholl reveal softer sides, and yearnings of their own,
Ever the problem solver, Beatrice gets sucked into their lives, and soon finds herself having feelings for someone she hadn’t been expecting.
There’s matchmaking, romance, a broody Scotsman, laughter, celebration and acceptance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is definitely a book I think all young women of a certain age should have access to reading.
It follows the story of Marin, a high school student at her prime, gearing up for college applications. She ends up developing a kind of friendship with an English teacher, Bex, that turns sour soon enough.
He takes advantage of opportunities presented to him, and when Merin finally finds the confidence to tell someone of authority, she is the one blackened, not him.
She loses friends, and more importantly, her best friend, and her self respect, for a while.
But there are people out there for her too…
A tale about trust, mistrust, abuse of power and belief in one’s self.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published, 16th April 2020

My Lies, Your Lies by Susan Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have long been a fan of Susan Lewis, and this book was another delve into fantastic storytelling,
Joely is reeling from a marriage that is collapsing, due to her husband embarking upon an affair with her best friend. The betrayal doesn’t end there. He. decides to move out and their daughter decides she wants to leave too.
An opportunity arises for Joely to work away for a while, as a ghostwriter for an established enigma of an author who ends up with much more than just her own story to tell.
Forbidden love, loss, revenge, lies and secrecy: it’s all there and more.
Such a compelling story, I finished it in a day!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published April 30th 2020

The Switch by Beth O’Leary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, I really enjoyed this book, soooo much!
Initially, I wondered if it was going to be a fictional version of from 13 to 30, you know, that film where the girl wishes she was older and somehow ends up in her 30th decade.
But now, this was a book with a much more literal switch!.
Leena Cotton is suffering. She might be on the cusp of having a breakdown. In fact, she kinda does in the middle of an extremely important presentation at her high-flying job.
Being forced into a two month paid break by her boss means she decides to go back home. Leave the bustle of London for her family village in the north, to the home of her grandmother, Eileen Cotton.
Eileen has been struggling in her own way. in her golden years, with no husband any more, she wants options, and there are not many local to her.
What ends up happening is the switching of lifestyles of these two women, in a surprisingly entertaining way.
I loved both Leena and Eileen. I want a grandma like her!
There was excitement, love, conflict, and many cups of tea.
a perfect book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published April 16th 2020

Some really great reads up there! Which one caught your eye? What have you been reading this month?

February 2020 Books #AmReading

29 Feb 2020 64 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Goodreads, Netgalley

The second month of 2020 is done and dusted. What did Ritu manage to read this time, in between school, her own book release, several family birthdays, and half term?

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I requested this arc with high hopes, reading the book description, but was left feeling flat.
I am afraid that this book was not something I found easy to get into, read or follow, and the ending left a lot to be desired too.
The jumping of points of view from character to character really confused me and I don’t feel any sense of completion upon finishing the book either.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Picador for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Published March 5th, 2020

Through the Nethergate by Roberta Eaton Cheadle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, wow!
What can I say
I have read a few of the author’s books already, aimed at younger readers, and this particular novel is a definite veer off the children’s fiction track!
We follow the story of Margaret, a girl who has lost her parents and is brought to Bungay to live with her grandfather.
Here, it becomes apparent that she has a gift (or is it?) of seeing ghosts. Not only seeing ghosts but giving them the illusion of a physical figure, rather than a spirit.
The Inn her Grandfather lives in is filled with spirits who vie for her attention.
Some good, some not so good, and some downright BAD!
What I really loved about the way this was written was that the author has weaved a fictional tale but used the stories of true characters as the spirits in the tale.
Together with them, she travels a road where Evil is trying its hardest to overcome Good.
Will Lucifer succeed?
All I will say is, it was pretty gripping, and I am going to be asking for a Part Two please, Mrs Cheadle!

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second of McFarlane’s books that I have read, and I .enjoyed it as much as the first.
Laurie and Dan are the perfect couple – both lawyers in great jobs, at the same firm. House under their belt, together for many years, and the prospect of a wonderful future together.
Until Dan drops a bombshell. He’s not feeling it anymore.
Laurie is sucked into a whirlwind of emotion. What happened? Why her? Why them?
Then she finds out he’s with someone… and she’s pregnant.
Enter company stud, Jamie.
He comes forth with a plan for a faux romance between the two of them that will benefit both – His career prospects, and her revenge relationship, guaranteed to shake Dan’s new boat.
I really loved the whole story, from beginning to end. The way the characters developed, I felt I really knew them, and the twists and turns to get to that HEA… Fantastic!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mr. Sagittarius by M.J. Mallon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A magical book filled with prose, poetry and photographs all linking back to twin brothers, William and Harold.
A fascination with the botanical gardens, and regular visits to the bench under the Golden weeping willow, spark poetic memorise and introduce magical creatures.
I have to say, I loved the Bubble Monster!
The author, MJ, Mallon, has weaved a mystical tale using her poetry and story-telling, to produce a lovely short read that can be dipped into whenever you want.

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
My rating: 5 of 5 star

What can I say?
I was pretty much blown away by this book.
It started with me wondering whether I could keep up with reading the account of the life of Adunni, a young Nigerian girl, born and brought up in a village, with the hope of an education.
Married off at fourteen, by her father, desperate for money, she dreams of the time she may be able to allow her own ‘louding voice’ be heard.
The book is written in the Niger way of speaking, using their pidgeon English, at the start, then, as Adunni’s own learning grows, so does her voice and vocabulary.
I loved it so much that by the end, I was reading the whole thing in her voice, not thinking of the strangeness of some words.
Child marriage, death, sold into slavery, physical abuse, even the prospect of rape: she experiences so much, until she meets her own angels, who help her reach a destination she only ever dreamed of.
A novel filled with the hope of many young girls out there, especially in third world countries, denied the chance to educate, and better themselves.
GO ADUNNI!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published 5th March, 2020

And The Stars Were Burning Brightly by Danielle Jawando
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another day, another book, and what a book!
Al was a talented artist. He was going places. An offer for Cambridge University, the support of his family and teachers. Then it all ends.
Nate is trying to cope with with the loss of his older brother, Al, through suicide. Why did he do it? He had so much to live for.
Megan feels guilty. Why did she not spot the signs within her weird friend, Al? A behind closed doors friendship she was ashamed to acknowledge in front of others until it is too late.
Nate and Megan tread a path, tentatively, together, to discover the truth, uncovering hate, social media and cyberbullying.
This debut by Danielle Jawando is harrowing and heart-wrenching. A book that should be read by all young adults. Words are not always simply words. Banter is not always just banter. Words and banter can hurt.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published 9th March, 2020

The Summer Villa by Melissa Hill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Three women needing to get away – American Kim, English Colette and Irish Annie.
One crumbling villa – their destination
Three friendships born.
And relationships?
Six years later, the friends, scattered across the world, meet up again for a reunion, masked as the launch of a new business venture, that ends up as explosive as the fireworks put on for the event!
This was the first Melissa Hill book for me, and I enjoyed reading it. It would make a great holiday read. I loved the descriptions of the Amalfi coast in Italy.
Set over two timelines, it gives you a dripfeed of history, tying in with the happenings of the present, creating a few ‘aha!’ moments along the way.
A pleasant read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Heart’s Desire: A Romance Collection from the New Romance Cafe by Jorja Tabu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A short collection of romantic stories written by both experienced, and newer writers.
Easy to enjoy a story at a time.

Dovetail: A Novel of Love Everlasting by Karen McQuestion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read a few Karen McQuestion books, and I think I may have just found my favourite.
Dovetail is a beautifully crafted pair of love stories, running simultaneously in both 1916 and 1983.

In 1916, Pearl is a beautiful young woman in her prime, wishing to be swept away by love, into a world of glamour, rather than the smalltown lifestyle she has. Her elder sister, Alice, has looked after her and the rest of the family since their own mother died. News of a new, and possibly eligible, man, Jack, coming to live and work near them, sends Pearl into a frenzy of planning her own escape from this life, but fate has other plans.

In 1983, Joe is trying to wrangle with strange repetitive dreams he keeps on having. They scare his family so much, he is committed to a hospital for treatment. Joe struggles there, until one day, he’s granted freedom, in the form of a grandmother he never knew was alive.

Slowly, connections between Joe’s dreams, and Pearl’s early adult life form parallels that no one could have expected.

Oh, I truly loved this story so much! I realised the similarities and the possible ending before finishing, but I had to keep going because I just wanted to see how everything happened!

A tale filled with surprises, and blossoming romances.

A MUST read!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published March 10th, 2020

Staunch by Eleanor Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I requested this book, but I definitely didn’t realise it was a memoir of sorts, not that that’s a bad thing!
A heartfelt account of a woman going through a lot of mental anguish, after the break up of a long term relationship, and the subsequent finding of herself, with the aid of her older female relatives, on a wonderful trip to Goa.
I enjoyed reading it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published March 19th, 2020

I’m intrigued… what have you been reading this month?

January 2020 Books #AmReading

31 Jan 2020 30 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Arcs, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Goodreads, Netgalley

Well, looky here! It’s the end of January, meaning a whole month has passed by in this new decade. What have you been up to? You’ll know my news, having read my Chai And A Chat updates, won’t you? And on top of madcap life, I have been reading, as alway.

The aim, this year is to read at least 50 books, rather than nearly 150 like last year, because I need to try and put a little more time into writing!

But read, I did; eight books to the eleven I managed in January, last year; and here are the reviews!

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, #1)

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, that went down better than expected!
I was given a copy of this book by a friend, and I’ll have to be honest, it wasn’t the sort of read I would usually pick up, but, seeing as I had been lovingly gifted it, I thought ‘why not?’
And I am glad I did.
A book based heavily upon historical fact, peppered, liberally with fictional elements, charting the life of Abraham Lincoln, not only towards the presidency, but of his alternate life as a vampire hunter.
Honestly, it was written brilliantly; even the gore!
And I think that is high praise indeed, from a diehard RomCom fan!
Really want to watch the film now!

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dear Edward is an intriguing read, focussing on Edward Adler, a 12-year-old boy who is the sole survivor of a plane crash.
We move between a dual timeline throughout the book; that of the day of the crash, where we view the day from the viewpoint of several of the passengers and crew on the flight, and the life of Edward, as he comes to terms with being the only one alive, losing his family, and trying to make sense of his survival.
It’s not a situation that would be familiar to many people, but I was eager to keep on reading, to find out what actually happened on that crash day, and whether Edward came out of his PTSD feeling whole, or still as empty as the shell who ended up living with his aunt and uncle after the crash, not sure whether he should even have been alive.
A thought-provoking read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Traded: Brody and Kara (Cliffside Bay, #1)

Traded: Brody and Kara by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why do I do this to myself?
Why, when I already love an author, do I go and start the first book in a series that will make me want to just forget life when I am back to work after a break?
I’ve read some of Tess Thompson’s other series and found myself drawn to the characters and story, eager to read on, and Traded, the first in the Cliffside Bay series, was no different.
Whipped from the life she knows and loves, Kara is sent to a sleepy town no one has heard of, for her safety, and there, she meets Brody, a famous footballer, and his family and friends.
The twists and turns the story takes, not only hooking you to the developing love between Kara and Brody, but sucking you into the lives of the other characters, makes this an addictive read, especially knowing there are plenty more stories to come!

Deleted: Jackson and Maggie (Cliffside Bay, #2)

Deleted: Jackson and Maggie by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, now I need to go and get book three ready!
I love series where you become totally engrossed with all the characters, and each story leads to another, exploring other characters, and this set of books is exactly that!
This time, we learn more about Jackson and Maggie, who comes back from the dead. (I can’t go into, it, but what a twisted tale!)
Awful history uncovered, mysteries solved, and even more connections are planted like seeds, leaving the reader guessing as to who will get the Cliffside Bay treatment in the next book!
Love it Love it Love it!

Jaded: Zane and Honor by Tess Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really enjoying getting myself totally immersed in Tess Thompson’s Cliffside Bay series.
The story of Zane and Honor is another touching one, where we learn more about the tragedies of Honor’s life in care, and how she becomes the way she is.
Zane’s background is no walk in the park either, with a mother who walked out on him as a baby, and as he settles into adulthood, a father who needs to go into care, and a family business to run.
Stubbornness keeps them apart, though a magnetic attraction keeps pulling them together.
Coupled with new additions to the family, Honor and Zane’s story is another page-turner!

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A book I really enjoyed reading.
Lydia Bird has it all. A job she loves, a family she adores and a fiance she can’t wait to get married to.
Everything is going to plan when a tragic accident claims his life on her birthday.
Life doesn’t seem worth living. Everywhere she turns, reminders of Freddie greet her. Including Jonah. Jonah, who was her best friend, as a child, then became Freddie’s.
But what happens when the magic of a little pink pill offers a chance to live the life she had expected?
Fantastically written, and, well, I knew what the end would be, but I was willing it to happen!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Cockatoo from Timbuktu by William A.E. Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Beautiful Book!

What a beautifully illustrated story of going home!
I was captivated by the tale of Kian the Cockatoo who escaped from the zoo to find his way home to Timbucktoo.
He visits many lands on his quest, then finally remembers the advice his mother gave him about finding the way home.
Will it help him?
Well, you’ll have to read on to find out, and I can guarantee a colourful, fact filled journey along the way!

One Year of Ugly by Caroline Mackenzie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I was in, I WAS IN!
We are swept into a year in the life of the extended Palacious family in Trinidad. Venezuelan by birth, but living in Trini as illegal immigrants. The story is told from the view of Yola, one of the daughters of the family.
They all get caught up in a drama caused by illegal undertakings organised by Celia, Yola’s deceased aunt, and are introduced to Ugly, a not very nice character, with his fingers in all the wrong pies.
He expects the family to all club together by working for him, to run illegal safe houses for immigrants trying to start a new life in Trinidad.
Yola is already missing her aunt more than she could imagine, then has to deal with finding out about infidelities, untruths, and she meets Roman, one of Ugly’s henchmen, for whom she develops a real soft spot.
What helps her through a year of struggle, is a manuscript that was penned by her aunt, Yola’s only supporter of her writing.
It was funny, dramatic, and I found it addictive by the end!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and The Borough Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Published 5th March 2020

So, what have you been reading, so far this year?