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July 2025 Books #AmReading

04 Aug 2025 9 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #AmReading, Am Listening, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Book Reviews, books, Goodreads, Netgalley, reading, romance

The end of July heralds the end of the school year, and as you read this, I am probably sunning myself on holiday! (I’ll chat about that in another post!) And that is also why this post is a couple of days late!

It’s been another month filled with ARCS – when will I say no to a blog tour, lol?

July started with me meeting the children whom I will be teaching next year as I head back to the school nursery, where it will be the babies of the school, the 3-to 4-year-olds who will hold my attention for the year. I am really looking forward to it. It feels like coming home, as that is where I started my teaching career properly.

It’s also been an emotional year at school. As treasured colleagues leave, the children I first taught in Nursery are flying off to their new starts at Secondary School, while my own Hoglets are moving up to the Main school. You know me. I get attached every year, and seeing these children blossom is something I feel blessed to see and be a part of.

Did I write? Er, no… but I have the get-up-and-go to start up again, thanks to the gorgeous holiday we took, so watch this space!

I have participated in charity walks, celebrated birthdays and other special occasions with friends, and navigated a few different emotional moments within my close circle, as well.

But I kept on reading and listening, thoroughly enjoying my books!

Now, back to this month’s reads/listens. There were ARCS and Audiobook listens…

True Love Again by Saz Vora
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You know me; I love a story with a South Asian twist to it, and Saz Vora, as a fellow Indian author with a Kenyan background, and brought up in the UK, writes some heart-wrenching stories, so when I was offered the chance to read True Love, Again as a part of the blog tour, I jumped at the chance.
The story centres around two people: Meera, a divorcee who has sworn off men after a traumatic break-up experience, and Krishan, a single father who has sworn off love after losing his wife in the most tragic of ways.
They meet at a wedding, under unusual circumstances, and what sparks between them is a relationship of convenience, as they seek to escape the Masi Mafia and the aunties who are forever trying to pair them off with a suitable match.
But sometimes the lines get blurred, and feelings begin to develop where they shouldn’t—or should they?
I enjoyed reading this, especially the details about the entire Masi Mafia, and how that community’s gossip can be used for both good and disastrous results.
I almost wish that the end had stretched a bit longer, so we saw how their relationship progressed, before a lovely, happy ending!

A Scottish Teashop in Napoli by Jane Lambert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imagine setting off on the holiday of a lifetime, with a dream wedding planned at the end, only to have it all come crashing down when he jilts you by not even getting on the plane.
This is the situation for poor Lucy, left alone in a tropical paradise by her fiance,
She takes the bull (or should I say buffalo?) by the horns and hands in her notice at the school where she taught, after finding an interesting-looking opportunity teaching English to students in Napoli, Italy.
Elena, in Naples, is suffering her tragedy, having been suddenly widowed, with her dream English school to run, as well as her husband’s family business, a handmade mozzarella factory to contribute to, plus being there for her son.
I loved this story; a celebration of female friendship, as well as new beginnings, and learning that you have to take every opportunity that comes your way.
Lucy is someone who seems to have always pleased others, and it is beautiful to see how, with the encouragement from her new Neapolitan friends, she blossoms with ideas for herself, as well as learning to love again.
Elena’s deep love for her husband and her loyalty to the family lead her to feel like she is failing everyone, including herself. Through this story, you see her grow and develop a friendship with her new English teacher, Lucy, that is more fruitful than she ever thought it would be.
And romance? Of course, there is! Dario, the godfather to Elena’s son Stefano, is a hunky police officer who comes to the aid of Lucy in several ways, and the slow burn of this romance is gorgeously built up.
Loss is covered in different forms, and mentions of the effect of the Mafia on families in Italy ground the story in a reality not many live through.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Another Lucky Number: Sun, sea and a surprising turn of events – the most entertaining sun lounger read of the year! by Nina Kaye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Lucky Number and was excited to receive the second instalment in the series, Another Lucky Number, which allowed us to continue the story of Emma as she adjusts to her life after a significant lottery win.
Emma is on a high-end luxury holiday with her friends, Cat and Amber, having handed in her notice at her job and with the possibility of a fledgling romance starting back home.
So much can happen in the few days ahead that could have a tremendous impact on Emma’s life from now on.
I loved her character arc. She went from a woman who found it hard to stand up for herself to, with a lot of support from those around her, a stronger one who had a clearer idea about where her life was going.
Emma has a cast of characters around her that make the story even more interesting. Amber is like that reality check friend with a heart, somewhere! And Emma’s best friend, Cat, is like the Ying to Amber’s Yang, offering grounding and emotional support where needed.
Then there is the ‘sexy hotelier! Sebastien and the wholesome James who vie for Emma’s attention.
Some choice hotel guests add an extra layer of tension to the story, but ultimately, it’s a feel-good tale and a perfect beach read.
And the location! The Bahamas is on my bucket list, and now I want to go more!
Although this is part of a series, I think it could work well as a standalone.

Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading Again, Rachel was a delight. Well, I say read, but I listened to the audiobook, and that lilting Irish accent was so smooth to listen to, to start with!
It was great to be brought back to Walsh Land, with Rachel as the main character, as she was always one of my favourites.
Set more in the present, Rachel is now working in a Rehab Clinic as a counsellor, and she is doing a grand job, having come through addiction herself. With her partner Quinn, she finally feels settled, though she can’t fully let go with him.
Throughout the story, she faces several situations that test her, including seeing her ex-husband, Luke, after many years, which brings back memories of a deep loss. Her memories of that time are skewed compared to his.
Her realisations are the pinnacle of the story; however, it was good to catch up with other members of the family.
A sensitive, emotional, brilliantly written sequel.

The Village Cafe in the Loire by Gillian Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes I think Gillian Harvey is going to turn me into a Francophile, with all the gorgeous French setting books she writes, and this is one of those that makes me want to jump on the Eurostar, begin drinking coffee, and don a beret!
Becky is the protagonist, a thirty-something career woman who is on the brink of brilliant success; however, an inheritance looks set to derail all her plans.
She finds herself signed off from work, and ends up in a small village in the Loire, at the behest of her late great aunt, with a cafe for which she has no training, other than drinking coffee, and to pop the cherry on top, there is a lodger who it seems is resistant to leaving the building, even though all she wants to do is sell it.
Of course, that hunky, troublesome lodger named Pascale gives her another thing to think about.
Becky has few friends, Amber being her best friend, and her mother is there to guide her in life. But she sometimes cannot see beyond her own problems, often ignoring the SOS signs from those around her.
The storyline is one of self-discovery, and we see Becky begin to question all she has thought about her future before, and also to begin to look beyond herself, considering others, with a little romance along the way.
There is, of course, a little twist in the tale, too, to keep readers on their toes!

The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association by Ola Awonubi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love stories steeped in cultures that are fighting to keep themselves heard while in another country, so this UK-based story with a Nigerian cast of characters was right up my street!
Sade Sodipo is a successful career woman with her own house, unmarried, and, shock, horror, fifty years of age! This is a sticking point for her mother, the various aunties of the church, and pretty much anyone in her Nigerian circle.
The story is based on Sade’s own ingrained religious and cultural beliefs, which include saving herself for ‘The One’ and true love leading to marriage and children. However, with her age against her and her health not cooperating, this is looking increasingly unlikely.
Is it a romance? Well, yes, romance 100% plays a part in this story, as Sade meets someone, but it is more about her accepting herself, as she is, and realising that maybe she needs to think a bit more about the expectations she (and the community) has put upon herself.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter, for an ARC.

Fixing a Broken Heart at the Highland Repair Shop: A BRAND NEW feel-good story of wit, romance and community spirit from Kiley Dunbar by Kiley Dunbar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have read every one of Kiley Dunbar’s books avidly, enjoying her story building and the way she layers her characters.
The start of this new series got me extremely excited!
Ally, the main character, lives in Cairn Dhu, a small Scottish village, with her parents. There, she has a remote day job, and she spends her Saturdays assisting her father at his Highland Repair Shop, where everyone who volunteers is an advocate for sustainability and strives to reverse the throwaway mentality that many people have nowadays, instead of simply discarding things or trying to upcycle. Imagine a barn similar to the one featured on The Repair Shop, the TV programme.
Well, repairing things is one aspect, but when happenings at the Repair Shop show signs of repairing relationships, that’s when things get exciting!
I found Ally endearing. She is capable of so much, but has no self-belief. It takes a lot for her to realise that she hasn’t been left behind in life.
And Jamie. Oh, Jamie! The gentle, considerate volunteer police constable who has his emotional repairs to navigate, as well as fighting feelings for a certain flame-haired Cairn Dhu-an.
The picturesque settings are beautifully described, as are the folklore tales, which add a hint of mystery to the different places the author mentions.
This is a true feel-good story, with so much positivity and some twists in the tale to keep you turning pages. I am glad this is the start of a series, as I want to know a lot more about the visitors and volunteers at the Highland Repair Shop!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

The X Ingredient by Roslyn Sinclair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook of this with no expectations or preconceived ideas, other than what I thought from the blurb.
Southern Belle Laurie is up for a job at a lawyer’s firm for a PA role for Diana, the founder of the firm. She’s straight-laced, strict and a no-nonsense kind of woman.
Somehow, Laurie ends up with the job, and she proves herself as a hard-working, diligent PA… then the spicy stuff kicks in!
Workplace romance – Yup
FF romance – Yup
Open Door – You Open WIDE
I was listening as I walked, and the detail of certain scenes raised a flush on my face!
Still, it was a hot read!

Now and Then by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I cannot believe we are on the 13th book of the Hart’s Ridge series!
We are back with Taylor Gray and her husband Sam, where she is no longer a member of the police force. Instead, she has teamed up with Sam to start their very own PI agency, allowing for them both to be there for their baby, Lennon, and Alice, Sam’s daughter, as well as working on jobs they are passionate about.
Their first big case has a connection to Sam, as his aunt is fighting to get her husband’s conviction from ten years ago overturned with some new speculative evidence.
Alongside Taylor’s adventure, we focus on Taylor’s sister, Anna’s, life as she settles into her dream job of being a nurse now her divorce is settled and the children are happy. But Happiness is just not meant to be straightforward for her, as she finds herself in a dubious situation, all thanks to her ex.
Both storylines had me turning pages faster and faster, as usual, because I always find myself fully immersed in these books.
That there is an inkling of reality in each of the cases that are featured in the books always makes these even more interesting to read!
And I cannot wait to read #14!

On the blog tour for this Early August!

Another early August Blog tour read for me!

The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage by Halima Khatun
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another one for my Audiobook reads.
I love anything with a cultural twist, and this is a brilliantly funny look at the epic ride when trying to get married as a British-born Bengali woman.
There were many laugh-out-loud moments, and I could relate to so much that was going on within this story!
The protagonist recounts her journey into finding a partner through the arranged marriage route, with a bit of help from internet dating, too, and it was hilarious!
It’s like an older, female Adrian Mole with a Bengali twist.
I’ve already downloaded book 2!

Ever After by Amanda Prowse

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, what can I say? That fabulous author, Amanda Prowse, has done it again with her latest book, Ever After.
Enya is a widow with one grown-up son. His life seems all set, with a fantastic girlfriend, who is also the daughter of Enya’s best friend, Jen.
A car accident causes Enya to have feelings for a person when she never thought she would feel again. Just as she is bucking up the courage to act upon this unforeseen impulse, possibly, her son hits her with another blindside, and all her thoughts of, maybe, moving on herself get put on the back burner.
As a wife and mother, this resonated with me. We sometimes find ourselves trapped in a situation that is not of our choosing, but it is the best for everyone else. As a result, many women end up in this same situation, doing nothing they wish, out of fear of rocking everyone else’s boat.
Enya has a shot at happiness, but she loses grasp of it as she fights with her inner instincts to do right by so many of the others in her life, forgoing her second chance at happiness.
However, sometimes there are others out there who do observe, and note things, and who will act in your benefit, rather than let you continue to wallow, and hold yourself back.
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful story.

Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a great Christmas in July story, especially as I read it in the glorious sunshine of Tunisia by the poolside!
Aubrey starts the story on the morning of her wedding, as she is getting ready to walk down the aisle to her soon-to-be husband, Miles, but for whatever reason, that walk never happens as he leaves her stranded.
Jilted, Aubrey continues with her honeymoon trip — a dream of a festive journey aboard a luxury train decked out to celebrate Christmas, with stops at many Festive fairs across Europe, and finishing in Lapland. She finds herself surrounded by loved-up couples, and somehow ends up telling people her very new husband sadly passed away, rather than face the pity of folk if they knew she had been jilted.
What makes the story, above the fabulous wintery destinations, is the group of friends she makes on board, as the singletons find themselves at a table together, away from the lovey-dovey folk.
Princess, the fabulously wealthy widow times three, and Brian the tryer. There’s Karen and CJ, and then there is Jasper. He’s a journalist, a gentleman, and rather hot…
There are some real hoots along the way, as love is found by more than one person, as well as trying to work out a mystery about a breakup, all accompanying Aubrey’s attempts to correct her friends on the real status of her love life – but no one wants to listen to her truths, insisting that she is dealing with the different stages of grief!
And, as I mentioned before, the different cities and markets mentioned make me want to board this Winter Wonderland, especially to have the chance to stay in the glass igloos in Lapland and see the Northern Lights while snuggled up with a loved one.
A great feel-good read.

Releasing 13th August, 2025

10 books this month! Which one did you fancy?

Another August blog tour for me, but a great read!

Yet another August Blog tour, but such fun!

So, that was 16 books in July, given the fantastic opportunity I had for uninterrupted reading in the sunshine! Which one caught your eye?

June 2025 Books #AmReading

30 Jun 2025 2 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Am Listening, AmREading, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Goodreads, Netgalley, reading

How is it the end of June, already??

June has been the craziest of months. There has been a LOT going on at school, what with the preparation for next year, report checking, and some other situations that made it quite tough.

And reading is my go to to relax, but even so, I was so exhausted most nights, I fell asleep before getting much reading done! Ooops!

Still, I read, but I also went to the MeetCute Book Festival near Elstree on June 28th, which was an amazing place to celebrate all things romance fiction, and I was even invited to speak there! Such a great day!

Now, back to this month’s reads/listens. There were ARCS and Audiobook listens…

Seven Summers Later: The new emotional and unforgettable second-chance romance by Laila Rafi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, yes, yes to another fabulous Desi love story, filled with second chances, grumpy sunshine, lots of Italy, and hints of Mombasa!
Laila Rafi crafts beautiful, heartfelt stories, and Seven Summers Later is no different.
Safiya is back home in London after a painful divorce. She is nursing heartbreak, but it’s not her Kenya-based ex-husband that she can’t quite forget.
Her self-confidence has eroded over six gruelling years in a loveless marriage, cementing the way she was made to feel by a close family member seven years ago. Slowly, she picks herself up hesitantly, dipping her toes back into the career she had always loved, but had lost, because of marriage: interior design.
Murad has worked diligently to achieve his current position. He has a successful career, cars, a swanky penthouse, and money, but his life is lacking in love and romance. Because no one quite lives up to the love of his life, who slipped away seven years ago.
A chance encounter brings them both together, once more, where they are not only forced to work together, but live alongside one another in a small village in Italy to renovate a crumbling villa.
You can feel the emotions from the off, the hesitancy to even want to communicate with one another, as both Safiya and Murad struggle with the situation, but also with coming to terms with feelings they thought had long since been buried.
The story centres around them, but also explores the themes of family honour and expectations, both of which can weigh heavily on the shoulders of many, taking chances and believing in oneself.
I was even happier to read brief glimpses of characters who featured in Laila Rafi’s previous book, First Comes Marriage, a couple with links to the same family.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing for an ARC.

Published 5th June, 2025

The Moment of Truth by Shari Low
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another of my audiobook reads/listens.
The story centres around three friends who own a business called Perfect Proposals. Lainey, Tash and Millie are childhood friends who went into business together to help couples create the perfect proposal moments.
They are the ideal team, really, with Lainey being in a solid relationship with Cameron, the perfect poster couple for happily marrieds, and Millie, who is a die-hard romantic. Tash brings realism to the outfit, with a more laissez-faire approach to romance, as she is not one to be tied down herself.
The story is told from the perspectives of all three women, each with a parallel storyline. Still, the focus is on Lainey, who discovers that they appear to be setting up a proposal for a couple, led by the female half… and the male half may be her husband.
There is a lot of wariness, as she battles with whether she should confront him or not, and tries to convince herself that it is a coincidence that the man is called Cameron, with the same surname and job title as her own husband.
I won’t tell you more, but though it sometimes took a while to get going, and I sometimes wanted to throttle her for not asking him straight out, the three friends hash out a plan to find out the truth, in the most spectacular way!
The narrator was really great with accents, and I enjoyed listening to this.

Read Between the Lines by Emily Kerr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another enjoyable Emily Kerr story!
Kat Fisher (yes, that is her real name) is a librarian. She feels she is stereotypical, a bit serious, not noticeable to anyone other than her regular library visitors, and unattractive to the opposite sex. So a chance match on a very specific, local dating app, SO OX develops into a relationship that shows promise… until it doesn’t.
Leo Taylor, an ex-police officer, is minding his own business when he visits the library. However, he finds himself the recipient of her tongue, albeit in a hushed tone, as she chastises him for leaving his belongings everywhere, including his shoes, on the seat opposite.
Somehow, they become embroiled in a bit of a covert investigation, when Kat finds herself, well, kat-fished by a smooth-tongued suitor.
You know when you can feel the chemistry from the off? That is Kat and Leo, only they can’t quite get their act together, even though everyone around them seems to sense the attraction!
There are some fantastic side characters, including a retired CEO, Doris, who now has a penchant for smutty books and even has a spicy bookstagram following!
I enjoyed this read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC

Released 13th June, 2025

Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ll start by saying that I haven’t read books 1 and 2 in the series yet, and though it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this story, I 100% will be going back to catch up on the backstories of the others.
Over The Sea To Skye centres around Valentina Wynter, a newly single parent, on her way to Skye from Inverness with her son, Barnaby, for a hopefully relaxed summer, after a fraught few months following the break-up of her marriage.
Well, that is the plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans, and all that?
Valentina is the oldest of three adopted sisters, and the only one with no link to her biological family. So, being in Skye, where her two sisters, Ess and Thea, live, is the closest she can get to being with people who love her.
On the train journey, they end up seated with American tourists, Xander and his nephew Macdonald, who are here for some heritage searching and a bit of a break as well.
What follows over the summer isn’t quite relaxing, but dealing with an unwell ex, needy, overbearing in-laws, a whole new branch of family, plus a sudden attraction to a certain Pittsburgher is undoubtedly worth it!
I loved Xander. He showed a depth of feeling and emotion that is rare in men, and his relationship with his nephew is exemplary.
Valentina and Xander are a partnership I was rooting for from the off! Yay for #ValeXander!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.

Released 5th June, 2025

Girls Just Want to Have Sun: A hilarious novel of sun, surprises and chaos from Jo Lyons by Jo Lyons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you want a book that will have you giggling on the sunlounger while beside the pool, then I think you have found your holiday read!
A rom-com that gives so much com that I found myself laughing out loud at several points!
Connie is a singer, stuck in a rut. She’s still grieving the loss of her mother and desperately trying to fit into the hole her mother left in the singing world. but nothing is going right.
Her manager, Nancy give a last chance opportunity to her, to travel to Benidorm for a week, replacing a popular tribute act, with the Dollz as her warm-up act.
The moment we meet the Dollz, you know they aren’t going to let any part of this working break be boring! Their outlandish makeup and outfits, sudden group ‘slut drops’, and pure party girl mentality are a touch too far removed from Connie’s usual life.
And the journey starts with explosive moments, including Connie making quite an impression on the passenger sitting next to her, and not in the most positive of manners!
There is drama, some funny situations and plenty of twists as Connie seems to mess up all her opportunities, both with her career and potential lovelife.
The Dollz; yeah, maybe a tad too over the top, but they certainly never let anything get boring…
And Connie? She gets there, in the end!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Released 14th June, 2025

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

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

Released on 24th June, 2025

Three Sisters by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve listened to another audiobook, and it’s the third in the Auschwitz trilogy by Heather Morris.
This is another beautifully told story of the three Mellor sisters, who made a promise to their father on his deathbed, when they were mere slips of girls, to always look after each other—a promise they upheld, and then some.
The three sisters go on quite an emotional, and often tragic journey through the war, separated then reunited in the most awful of places; Auschwitz.
But their journey doesn’t end there. They separate once more for two to go on another massive, eventful trek to Israel, to help create a homeland for the Jewish community.
Though all is thankfully well for them at the end, this book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions: sadness, fear, terror, hope, and confusion.
Why the confusion? Because of the mention of Gaza and Palestine within the book. What hit me was that this story of persecution, and an entire community just looking for a safe space, echoes what is happening right now in Gaza, and yet this time it is the same people who suffered, causing suffering to another innocent community.
True, it is a whole new generation, but I know of many older Jewish folk who are horrified, feeling and hearing the echoes of what they experienced, happening all over. Still, this time the persecutors are their own. The stories from Auschwitz and many other concentration camps, the death marches, losing unnecessary Jewish lives… Stories uncovered and retold many years later, and yet we are seeing the horrors to innocent Gaza residents in real-time, and still it’s not stopping. It’s not about religion, it’s about one-upmanship, and no consideration for lives destroyed so horrifically.
Sorry to get political in a review; it hit a nerve.

The Dirty Version by Turner Gable Kahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading the blurb after the title pulled me in and made me eager to read this book. Now, was it worth it?
We have Tash, an author whose first novel, a female-centric dystopian piece, has reached the level of fandom that it is being commissioned for adaptation as a TV series. Only the producer wants it to be ‘sexed-ed up’ more for the screen, as well as a significant change to the ending.
Tash battles with this idea, as it is so far from her ideals and the book’s concept.
Threatened with the loss of any say, she teams up with an Intimacy Co-ordinator, Caleb, celebrated in his field for helping to create, well, hot scenes!
Here, we end up with a bit of a grumpy-sunshine workplace romance, as Tash battles with her more visceral feelings towards her work partner and her strong feelings about her book, which is going to be ‘butchered’ for the screen, losing all integrity.
An easy-to-read summer romance, but considering the title The Dirty Version, any action is very much closed-door!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Verve Books for an ARC.

Published 26th June, 2025

The first of my July Book tour arcs. I’ll be featuring the full review on 2nd July! And it’s a cricket-based romance, so given my family obsession with the sport, it just had to be read!

Whisked Away at Christmas by Mahi Cheshire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this title as I walked, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Gina and Nick, two pastry chefs with a history and each with a thirst to win the Golden Whisk Award.
I really enjoyed this story of two individuals who are so perfect for each other, but with huge barriers, such as misconceptions that they struggle to clear up.
Set with the backdrop of Vienna at Christmas time, it’s a perfect Christmas read(listen)!

Dear Miss Lake by A.J. Pearce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a pleasure to leap back into the world of Emmy Lake and her fellow Magazine colleagues as they clamber through the murky end-of-war years.
We are treated to weddings, a relocation, and a fair few tragedies, as well as some mystery as Hester disappears for a while.
I loved this last installment, and AJ Pearce really helps the reader get a feel for what many families on the home front would have felt like, nervously awaiting news of their loved ones in Europe, as war sounds like it is ending.
There are less of the Dear Miss Lake letters, as Emmy gets engrossed in helping women and families trying to trace their family members who are prisoners of war, and that is not without emotion.
An enjoyable addition to the series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.

Published 3rd July, 2025

An early July Blog tour review will be up for this one, so be patient!

12 books this month! Which one did you fancy?

March 2025 Books #AmReading

31 Mar 2025 9 Comments

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

March is here. Spring is here! A time of new beginnings and, for me, a whole host of new books to read!

So, I read 9 books – A little slower than the past 2 months, but considering how manic school has been, I think that is pretty good.

Most of them were Blog tour books, so you will need to come back for the full reviews!

But, I did branch out into Sci-Fi with my last read… it might not be my go-to genre, but if I Was in a rut I wouldn’t mind picking another up!

Releasing 8th April, 2025 – Another Blog tour in April for this one!

Releasing 11th April, 2025 – Another Blog Tour one for April!

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

I’ve devoured the previous books in this series and this was no different!
Our resident nosy parker, Jodie is all set for her dream wedding to Nathan, except it’s like cases seem to follow her wherever she goes, and a murder on the first night ends up with their wedding as a sideshow to an investigation, because, quite frankly neither Jodie, nor Nathan, can stop themselves!
Another great read, though, and it’s always fun with a series , to be able to catch up with all the characters.
There were certainly some twists and turns throughout the story, and there was lots packed into what was essentially just a few days in the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter, for an ARC.

Releasing 29th April, 2025

Lucky Number: Life, love and a lottery win – a fun and heartfelt read for 2025! by Nina Kaye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve loved Nina Kaye’s previous novels, so I was excited to read this new book of hers (and also rather pleased to know there was a second part to the story coming not long after.
The story centres around Emma, a young woman embarking upon a celebration for her birthday, however circumstances change rather suddenly, leaving her without her boyfriend, and stuck in a convenience shop, trying to find a bottle opener to drink her sorrows away.
What follows is a string of events that somehow lead to her winning a substantial prize on the Lottery. Oh, and not to mention Jamie, a certain young man who just pops up in all scenarios, annoying the heck out of Emma!
How do you deal with a win of that magnitude after a real personal blow?
Emma lives the life of a millionaire for a week, treating herself as well as her friends, before being sensible with her winnings, and all sorts happen in the short 5 days of the week.
I loved all the characters in this story, from Emma herself to her friends Cat and the rather outspoken Amber! Emma has an older friend, Lottie, whom she trusts more than her own parents, and her interactions throughout the story were brilliant. I think we all need a Lottie in our lives.
We don’t really get to know James that well, but the times he shows up, I got to know enough to warm to him, and I was urging Emma to open her mind and eyes to the great person he was! (Unlike the ex, Dave, who , lets fact it, is a right idiot)
That ‘will they/won’t they?’ romance thread runs through the story, and the conclusion is perfect, though frustrating as it is right at the end, and now I have to wait to hear more about that part of the story.
Impatiently waiting, Nina!

Released March 27th, 2025

Releasing 1st April and there will be a Blog Tour post!

A Recipe for Love by Amelia Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a lovely story filled with cake, castles and love!
Bella and Adam are very different characters who meet in Spain under extraordinary circumstances.
Their whirlwind romance leads to a quick proposal, and all seems terrific until they arrive back home in Scotland, where Adam learns some sad news about his father.
The thing is, he’s not told his now fiance much about his life, and he is a Laird and has his own castle (that the whole family refers to as a house).
The way Bella and Adam fall in love is cute, and how Bella, a free spirit, deals with the possibility of a future very different from anything she has ever imagined is a great story.
There’s not one, but two Dowager Lady Lowbridges to contend with, as well as a small, tight-knit community in the village of Lowbridge, where Adam’s family lives.
Bella tries her hardest to ingratiate herself into the day-to-day running of the castle, offering so much to help the family get out of a tight spot. It is great to see how her character deals with the future looking very different from what she ever thought.
An excellent cast of characters, including Poppy, the castle ghost, brings more flavour to the story.
Of course, there is plenty of mention of food and cakes in particular, which I always enjoy.
Looking forward to reading what comes next!

Published 27th March, 2025

Blog Tour post on 4th April!

Blog tour and review on 7th April!

Blog Tour on 14th April!

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

February 2025 Books #AmReading

28 Feb 2025 4 Comments

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

February. That month, for me, of birthdays. Oh, so many birthdays, meals out and cake! And Romance, obviously. Plus the added bonus of our February half term where I read loads.

My plan was to, aside from any arcs, go for love stories in any form; cosy, spicy, second chance, whatever. It ended up being a whole load of ARCs, but all with some level of romance attached (apart from one).

So, I read 13 books – And most were arcs ready for blog tours!

Slow Burn Summer: A Novel by Josie Silver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve loved previous Josie Silver books, so was excited to read this one, too.
Slow Burn Summer is exactly that. A slow burn romance, that has us as readers simmering throughout, as well as the characters!
Kate is reeling from a recent divorce and trying to find her feet again. Her daughter is at university, her ex living in what was their family home with his new partner, and Kate is in a flat belonging to her sister, attempting to make sense of her new life.
She bites the bullet and contacts her old agent, from before she got married, twenty years ago, in the hope that she can rekindle her acting career as a means to an end, and finds herself with a most unexpected role. That of an author. Specifically, she is to act as the author of a book she hasn’t written because the actual author doesn’t want to have their already famous name associated with this particular story.
Oh, and her agent? He’s not the person she started out with, two decades previously, the flamboyant Jojo Fernandes. Instead he is working with Charlie Fernandes, his son. And a rather lovely looking, decent kind of man!
Without going into detail, Kate’s life is a rollercoaster as the publication day arrives and the popularity of the novel soars.
She needs all the support she can get, and her sister is one amazing character, a real momma bear, who wonn’t let anyone hurt her sister. And, of course, Charlie…
There’s a lot that goes on, and it makes for a very entertaining read, and the slow burn is brilliantly done. A fantastic summer read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC.

Releasing 19th June, 2025

A Thread of Light by Neema Shah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a British-born Indian with Kenyan-born Indian parents, I am always drawn to stories that relate to my home country and the Commonwealth countries, and the premise of this novel really piqued my interest.
I enjoy reading WW2-related stories, but I have never read one that focuses on Indians in Britain. This book shone a light on a part of the war era that I wasn’t even aware of.
The story centres around Ruby, an air raid warden, and Kitty, a lawyer. Both have connections to India.
Ruby is half Indian but has never made this public knowledge, and hasn’t had to as she favours her English mother in looks, rather than her Indian father.
Hindu Kitty moved to England with her Muslim husband from Bombay after defying her family and marrying out of her religion.
Their stories collide when Ruby finds herself drawn to the India Forum and begins attending meetings where Indians in England are supporting their home country by continuing to campaign for India’s independence from the British Empire. Kitty is already a member of the group, however she doesn’t trust the stranger in their midst, who doesn’t look like them.
I know it is fictional, but it has highlighted a situation that I was unaware of, and I feel compelled to learn more. The occupation of India, and the subsequent independence and partition are such sore topics, right to this day, and the mode of story is just one way to educate those who don’t know.
A passionately told story featuring prejudices, love, suspicion, trust, and the questioning of loyalties.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for an ARC.

Releasing 10th July, 2025

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gotta love a YA psychological thriller!
Sariyah, our FMC is a girl with a bit of a special power. Somehow she can sense the ‘needs’ of people around her, except those she is very close to.
It can be deafening, hearing random things in her mind, as she walks around crowds.
She does her best to help, but it can get overwhelming.
She and her friends are suddenly caught up in a missing person case, when one of their friends disappears at a music festival.
Sariyah’s life turns upside down as they try to find out what happened to Deja, especially as she lost her best friend, as a missing person, never found, a few years previously.
What is interesting, on top of all the twists and turns, which are 100% page-turning, is the theme of how a white girl’s disappearance and a black girl’s disappearance are treated. Social media traction, hashtags, news going viral…
And, I was NOT expecting that ending!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an ARC.

Released 13th February, 2025

What Happens in Paradise by Olivia Spring
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve not read the first in this series and it did not detract from the enjoyment of the book, at all.
The Love Hotel in Spain is a boutique affair where singletons apply and are matched to holiday with a person who should be their perfect partner. Jasmine is one of the guest relations managers, and very good at her job. Alejandro is the sous chef, who also happens to be rather gorgeous.
One rule of the hotel is no relationships between co-workers. But there are sparks between these two that they both try hard to ignore.
Until they get sent on a work trip to Jamaica!
Sun, sand… you know what the menu holds.
The story simmers throughout as both parties try their hardest to stay professional, but boy, when the sparks fly, they are HOT!
Though, will what happens in paradise stay in paradise?
Both characters are damaged in their own way and have to learn to overcome their own flaws (which may only be flaws in their eyes) to even accept that another person would be attracted to them.
I really enjoyed this book. A light-hearted read with a huge heap of spice!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Released 14th February, 2025

Blog Tour Review in March!

The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A tragic love story.
Lucy is still somewhat in mourning after losing her great love, Gabe, ten years previously.
She finds a slip of paper in his things with an Italian address on it and finds herself on a trip of discovery to find out more about who lives there, why they were important to Gabe, and to finally put his ghost to rest, so she can get on with her life.
Lucy meets Dr Dax in Italy and finds her self drawn to him and some deep sadness within him.
There is the matter of being a divorced mum of 3, with a tremendous secret hanging over the family, that could make or break many relationships.
Lucy has a lot to deal with, not least the fall out of that secret becoming known, as well as navigating whether she is ready to move on, somehow, or whether she doesn’t deserve any more happiness.
It was heartbreaking but equally beautiful to read.
I’ve not read the first book The Love We Lost, but I could read The Love We Found with no issue.s I do, however, now want to read the first book to understand a bit more about how the whole situation arose!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Publishing for an ARC.

Releasing 18th March, 2025

Releasing 23rd March, 2025 – Blog Tour post to follow!

Releasing in April, and yes, another Blog Tour review from me then!

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every one of Emily Henry’s books captivates me in different ways, and Great Big Beautiful Life was just simply amazing!
There is Grumpy/Sunshine in the mix, but so, SO much more in the story.
Alice is a journalist who has finally been given a chance to stretch her writing muscles on a story that is close to her heart.
Hayden is a Pulitzer prize willing writer looking to fill the gap he’s feeling after writing a biography that took his whole being to write.
She’s full of the light of life, finding the silver linings in all situations.
He’s – well – grump. Unapproachable, gruff, rude. And hot.
The story finds both of them competing in a month-long interview to see who will be granted permission to write the biography for Margaret Ives, the infamous, reclusive heiress to the tabloid conglomerate built by the Ives family.
The story is mostly told from Alice’s POV, with a subtle dual timeline that takes us back to Margaret’s past. We learn so much about all three main characters, and in between, the simmering chemistry between Alice and Hayden bubbles along in true Henry style.
There is love, loss, grief, tragedy, scandal, and an unexpected twist at the end, which brings about pain and healing all at once.
I LOVED this book.
I think this might be her best, yet, and my favourite Emily Henry read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC.

Publishing 22nd April, 2025

Releasing 9th March, 2025. Blog tour in March!

The Orphans by Fiona McIntosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve not read any Fiona McIntosh books before, and I do love a bit of historical fiction. This story, set in Australia in the early 1900s was another first for me.
Set in both the Outback and Flinders Range, as well as Adelaide, we start the story with a young 10 year old boy, Tom Catchlove, whose family lives among the sheep shearers. Suddenly losing his mum while she was in childbirth, and his father far away on a job, uncontactable, Tom is set on a fateful journey to Adelaide to her mother’s family, for a short while, where she meets a precocious young 8 year old, Fleur Appleby, the daughter of the undertaker looking after his mother.
She leaves an indelible mark on his memory, which doesn’t dull as he gets older. As does he on hers.
They meet, by chance, as adults, both in very different situations, and both orphans of a like.
Tom is the wool classes he always said he would be, and Fleur is striving to be the best mortician in Australia, and one of the first female ones.
What pursues is a love story that is achingly painful, and romantic, as well as a heart rending story as they fight the odds to be together.
I sped through this book over one day. Beautifully written.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC.

Publishing 21st March, 2025

Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you’re looking for a feel good, light summer read, then you won’t go wrong with a Heidi Swain story, and Best Summer Ever is a great choice.
Daisy is back home after a breakup with her cheating partner. She’s looking forward to a chance to reset her batteries, but not looking forward to the grilling she’ll get from her parents, having lost yet another job, and now the boyfriend they thought was the bees knees.
Before even getting home, she encounters Josh, a rather hot American tourist, several times in increasingly embarrassing situations as she reaches the Norfolk village of Wynmouth, near her childhood home.
What follows is a series of events that eventually brings Daisy back to the job she always dreamed of, but was advised against, as well as a summer fling that may be so much more.
Wynbrook Manor, the only home Daisy has ever known, is wonderfully picturesque. Its owner, Algy, is a wonderful character. He is Daisy’s surrogate grandfather, who only wants the best for her and hides his own grief.
Daisy has a wonderful cast of side characters of her childhood friends, too, who help to carry the story along, as well as a little drama of their own to add a little more flavour.
There are (not so) little secrets that all come together to a very satisfying ending,
And I cannot forget little Luna the cat who has her own starring role!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC.

Releasing 24th April, 2025

The Midnight Secret by Karen Swan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have followed this series with great interest over the last few years, and I was so thankful to receive this ARC.
We are back to visit the characters of the Wild Isles series, and this time, the story begins with the POV of Jayne, a woman who can foresee certain events. She’s married to Norman, a nasty piece of work, but she doesn’t have the strength to fight back in any way.
What she witnesses during her last night on St. Kilda is something she doesn’t realise will be significant until further on in the story.
Through this book, we follow Effie, Mhairi, and Flora, key characters in the first three books, and each is left with loose ends that are slowly tied up through The Midnight Secret.
As the book progresses, we visit Canada, different parts of the Highlands, and a return to St Kilda.
The stories of the fictional St Kildan community leading up to the catalyst that finds them leaving their beloved island and all they know and following them as they try to settle on the Scottish Mainland were beautifully crafted.
The entire series is just amazing. Karen Swan made me care about every character, and their stories unfolded unforgettably, so each addition to the series enhanced the previous book.
I hope we will see more series in this vein from the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for an ARC.

Releasing 29th April, 2025

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

January 2025 Books #AmReading

31 Jan 2025 6 Comments

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

And so it begins, doesn’t it? A new year means a new Goodreads challenge and lots of lovely books to read.

One thing I know for sure is that I am not making any big promises.

I won’t say no arcs because I know myself. I won’t say only my TBR books because I know that won’t happen!

I’ll just enjoy the stories that come to me, and let you know what I think!

So, I read 13 books – unlucky for some, but not for me! Lots of lovely stories. Some to be released, some from my TBR, and lots for blog tours! (I went a bit mad saying yes to things before Christmas!)

A February Blog Tour Review

A February Blog Tour and Book and a Brew appearance!

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Seven Summers last year, and knew Paige Toon was one of those authors who would hook me with pretty much whatever she wrote.
What If I Never Get Over You absolutely hooked me, reeling me in so much that I read the whole book in a day!
Set in three parts, the story is told by Ellie. We start a few years previously, where she is nearing the end of what should have been an adventure of a lifetime, inter-railling around Europe. Only circumstances are much sadder than she expected. As she gets ready to finish the trip, and plod into the family business, continuing to bow to the demands of her parents, she meets Ash, a young Welsh guy, who has the free soul she years to have, too. And he’s hot.
Fighting attraction is always tough, especially in these circumstances, but they forge a connection through shared situations and mutual attraction.
Only plans don’t always work out.
After losing touch, the second part shows Elli happy in her new life. She’s not totally forgotten Ash, having taken some of his life advice, and is forging ahead with her dream job as a gardener. Ash comes bounding back into her life unexpectedly, causing turmoil and even more attraction.
The third part jumps ahead again, drawing the story to a rocky, but ultimately heartwarming conclusion.
Oh goodness, I loved this, so much!
The book explores many themes, including grief, dealing with parental expectations, conforming to societal norms, and not feeling good enough.
Was the conclusion a surprise? Not really, but that’s not a bad thing. There are many rocky moments before we reach that point of satisfaction!
A very good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House, Cornerstone for an ARC.

Publishing 10th April, 2025

My Heart Sings Your Song by Saz Vora
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is a beautiful romance laced with Gujerati culture, set in 1980s Britain, specifically the Midlands.
Reena is from a simple Gujerati family and attends Warwick University. Her father is unhappy that she is leaving home, but she has hopes and dreams.
She literally bumps into Nikesh, a rich boy from a London-based Gujerati family, and though there are sparks, she tries to ignore them because nothing can come of their union.
However, Nikesh never relents in his efforts. So we follow the next few years of their tumultuous relationship as they overcome certain social taboos, meet each other’s families, and face difficulties laced with spice from their cultural backgrounds while living the life of Western-brought-up young people.
Nikesh and Reena have their own familial burdens to carry, as well as the cultural expectations and these provide the barriers they have to overcome to be together.
This book caught my attention from the off, as I am a Midlands girl, myself, and British Asian, so there are many parallels I could identify with. I am a little younger than the MCs, but I could understand the pull of independence and university life, that covert relationship status, and the disapproval of certain family members.
I recognised and loved reading about specific locations, such as Leicester, certain roads and shops, and even Warwick University, which I visited as a schoolgirl on various trips.
Reading about Nikesh’s aunt, and her obsession with astrology, following her Guru blindly, felt very accurate. There are still folk who allow their lives to be governed by the words of soothsayers, and this is not always for the better.
A wonderfully written story with huge elements that were relatable and many topics covered would speak to readers of a particular demographic and educate those from others.

Where Have We Come by Saz Vora
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I began to read this book straight after the first in the series, My Heart Sings Your Song, to follow the journey of Reena and Nikesh, a British Gujerati couple who, against many odds, have come together in marriage and are now at the next stage of their relationship, becoming parents.
Whereas the first book was a romance with cultural threads, this story is much more hard-hitting, as it has a tragic theme.
There is a love story within, but it is not lighthearted.
Reena and Nikesh are blessed with a beautiful son, Amar, but it becomes apparent that Amar has enormous difficulties and a limited lifespan.
As the story develops, we see how the support of family and friends can help a couple through tough times and how these challenging times can affect the couple themselves.
Again, there is the cultural theme of astrology, and some families blindly follow the words of their Guru, hoping to reverse whatever ‘bad luck’ has befallen the family. However, there is also the stigma of what previous readings have shown and how that affects relationships.
There is sadness, but there is hope, and love does win, after all.
With the author threading her personal experiences of having a profoundly disabled child through the story, this is deeply emotional. And so many of these situations are relatable. Taboos surrounding infertility and loss, are still here, and echo the sentiments in this book, though the time of the story is decades before the present.

Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not quite sure where to place this book, if someone were to ask me to pinpoint a genre.
There are so many elements to it.
Yes, it’s a sapphic romance, but that’s not the entirety of it.
There is friendship, loss and grief, discovery and some pretty tough cultural topics raised throughout.
Jade and Nia are two-thirds of a friendship group. Three years previously, the third friend, Michal, died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. There were things left undone and unsaid at the time, and misunderstandings, along with grief, meant their friendship fractured.
With the help of letters written by Michal before she died, the two friends, along with Jonah, Jade’s twin brother and boyfriend of Michal, embark upon a painful but ultimately eye-opening road trip that had been planned by the three friends way before.
They explore their Jewish heritage and learn disturbing facts about their ancestor’s history, facts that were never taught in school.
Because of their mixed heritage backgrounds, they encounter other barriers.
And then, there is the elephant in the room. Unspoken feelings that have not been discussed.
It was an education, an emotional ride and a good read all in one.

Anyone But Him by Ronali Collings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Ronali Collings’s first book, so I was eager to read this second offering, and it did not disappoint.
Ingrid is a woman in her 40s, trapped in a loveless marriage with an absent husband, a young daughter and a mother with very high expectations. She works hard to keep her family in the manner they are accustomed to until her husband reappears, having had the ultimate midlife crisis, and asks for a divorce.
The story follows Ingrid, who is shell-shocked by the request. However, as she processes what her new life will look like, she discovers more about her character and realises she needs to change, not just in her personal life but also in her work life.
And some of those changes aren’t looked upon favourably by certain members of her family and community.
It is a journey of change and development for more than one throughout.
And there is romance. It is an age-gap romance, and seeing as how much of a nasty character her husband is, Jacob is the knight in shining armour. He’s hot, caring, considerate, hot, and good with her daughter and family. Did I mention hot?!
Idealistic? Maybe. But then again, why do we read stories? For the happy ending, and I definitely felt the feel-good factor once I finished this.
Releasing 11th February, 2025

Blog tour review in Feb for this one!

The Love Intervention by Caroline Khoury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not a love triangle, but a love SQUARE in this one!
Laila is a clinical scientist, and she has been working hard to secure a promotion at work, putting in the hours, as well as looking after her mother, who suffered a fall and is incapacitated.
Things take a downturn at work at the same time as her two closest friends decide to stage a Love Intervention for their friend, knowing that relationships are very low on her priority list.
Laila finds herself on a trip to the US and beyond, under the guise of work, to meet three men from her past, to see if they might just be her one, but things are never that simple, are they?
I did enjoy the story, though not sure that planning to meet and possibly hook up with three different men, knowing there may be emotions attached, was the best play, however I know which of the three was my favourite from the off, and Laila definitely has fun as she meets each one, with a bit of sizzle and spice (And sometimes a lot!) included.
There are different factors in Laila’s past, including her estranged father and her mother, who won’t talk openly about many things, given her background, that also come up during the trip, just to add some more seasoning to an already spicy story!
An easy, fun read.
Many thanks to Canelo Books for an ARC.

Releasing 13th February, 2025

Another Feb Blog Tour for this one!

The Mountains Between Us by Imogen Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a brilliantly written story. I loved it!
The Mountain Between Us is a story set in the gold rush era around San Francisco and California in the 1800s.
Grace Randolph and her husband, James, have just travelled far, to get to her brother’s home in Oregon hoping to settle when news comes of gold being found.
Eager to be among the first, James plans to leave to join the Argonauts already there, and Grace accompanies him, begrudgingly leaving her brothers to be with her husband.
The tale details the hardships they face along the way, the successes they savour and the tragedies.
They forge new friendships ,and unfortunately make new enemies, as well as welcoming faces of old.
During one period of hardship, Grace is left alone, with another woman and her family, as the menfolk go to find more gold to support their families, and James is captured.
It is not the story of just one woman’s bravery, but of several, in their own way, forging a path that rescues the captured men, and begins to create justice in a lawless society.
Grace is a tough woman, who I admired.
Ling Mei, a Chinese immigrant, brings her own calm and knowledge to their story.
And I did love Cora, one of a pair of French sisters, originally brought over as courtesans to work in a saloon, but who show their own strength of character as they build their own business.
I read this pretty quickly, eager to know how it ended, and I’m mighty glad that there is already a book detailing how James and Grace met, which I was unaware of.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC.