But I Smile Anyway…

Hello, tail end of May! The time sure is flying, isn’t it?

Yup, it’s the end of May, and my Whitsun week half term, most of which has been taken up writing the end of year reports, as well as walking and reading.

Did I write? Nothing more than the reports, unfortunately…

Now, back to this month’s reads… I even started listening to Audio books as I walk, this month, and that has been a revelation! I realised that with such a huge list of ARCS to read, my physical TBR pile would never lessen, so I found some of the books on my shelf and listened.

In fact, I read 10 books and listened to 8 this month. Pretty productive, eh?

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have just listened to The Midnight Library as an audiobook, and this was the first book I have listened to, ever!
Was it a good choice?
Absolutely!
I was immersed in the story about Nora, a woman who thinks her life is worth nothing. Taking an attempt to end it all spirals into a visit to The Midnight Library, aptly named because that is when she slips from consciousness.
Instead of finding peace in her own The End, Nora is confronted with many, many choices. The chance to wipe her regrets away.
It was both intriguing and uplifting by the end.
You know how we end up thinking ‘what if?’ regarding certain situations? This is Nora’s chance to remedy some of those regrets.
Nora’s character is battling with low self-esteem and what appears to be depression. But this brilliantly composed journey of hers shows that there is light at the end of most tunnels.
I really enjoyed listening to this.

The Santorini Writing Retreat: Escape to Greece in 2025 with this joyful new novel about friendship, lost love and hidden stories! by Eva Glyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having read the Dubrovnik Book Club last year, I was thrilled to read this book by Eva Glyn.
And the added plus for me was that one character was someone I had met before!
Set in Santorini, we meet Zina and Lambros, a young married couple who have shifted back to Zina’s family farm, away from Athens, to support her widowed mother and give Lambros a chance to balance his wellbeing and mental health.
He busies himself with building the farm back to what it used to be, and Zina creates a luxurious space where retreats can be held.
Her first is one for writers, hosted by a famous author who writes under a pen name and several unpublished writers looking to be tutored and guided by this person.
A colourful group of people congregate for a month-long retreat, including Karmela, whom we met in a previous book.
There are secrets, love stories, relationship difficulties, and much more tackled within the story, all set in a beautiful rural part of a country well-known for its tourism attraction beauty.
I enjoyed this read and was fully invested in the story, wanting to know what would happen to all the characters at the end!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins One More Chapter for an ARC.

Published 22nd May, 2025

Every Little Thing by Kay Bratt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, what can I say, except Kay Bratt has done it again, with another brilliant book for the ever-growing Harts Ridge series!
Two storylines work in parallel as we follow Taylor and her husband to Mexico to attend the wedding of her stepfather, Ellis’s daughter, and we are hot on the trail of Lucy, Taylor’s youngest sister, who has run away, again, leaving her son Johnny with her family.
Though Taylor is supposed to be taking a break from anything crime-related, she ends up slap bang in the middle of a double kidnapping case, which is connected to the wedding they are there to attend.
Meanwhile, Lucy is on the run, and ends up meeting folk, some kind, some unsavoury, and she ends up back in a place she thought she’d never return to.
I won’t go into more detail, but the ending was more than satisfying for more than one character whom we, as readers, have come to love, and there is scope for more of these wonderful Harts Ridge stories!

Released 5th May, 2025

The Start of Something Wonderful by Jane Lambert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do love a book with a relatable FMC.
Emily is a woman in her early 40s, recently single after being in a long-term relationship, and in need of a change.
She quits her career in the air as a flight attendant, and embarks upon a lifelong dream – to become an actress.
And why shouldn’t one aspire to make those dreams come true?
Emily is lucky to have supportive friends, but her mother does not necessarily believe that Emily is doing what is right for a woman of her age.
Emily meets some wonderful people who become a second family to her in a small Italian restaurant, where, like most jobbing actors, she has found a job to keep her head above water, until she lands the perfect role. And she also meets someone rather special too.
Let me not regurgitate the story here, but in a nutshell, we have a lovely story of second chances in both love and life.
Remember, it’s never too late!

Released 8th May, 2025

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, hands up to being verrrrry late to this bookish party, but the book has been on my shelf for ages, and I decided to audiobook it as I walked.
The following is Olive, a PhD student, who somehow accidentally finds herself ‘fake-dating’ Professor Adam Carlson, who is not only arrogant and moody but also hot!
Olive is a bit of a nerdy character, not experienced in relationships and boy, does it show! But the fake dating allows her to build a friendship with her fake boyfriend, and in her head, it becomes more of a situationship than she intended.
It was a lighthearted read, and as the story built up, I willed for them to come clean to one another about the obvious to everyone else chemistry that they oozed!
Now, the steamy part… yes, it was built up slowly, but OMG when it hit, it was HOT!
I enjoyed the book even more than I thought I would, as is often the case with books that have been hyped up so much. I totally got the hype this time!
A slow burn stem romance with some real sizzle when it comes to the crunch!

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My third audiobook so far, and this was a more serious listen.
The story of Lale, the Slovakian Jew, captured in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, was harrowing, and that it was based on a true story makes it even more heart-wrenching to listen to.
Lale was well-educated, with his wits about him in an incredibly tough situation. How he finds himself as the Tätowierer, or the master tattooist of Auschwitz, is a sad tale in itself, but how he uses his role to help his fellow prisoners is inspiring.
Inside the camp, he meets a girl, Gita, and somehow they develop a relationship despite the restrictions.
From the beginning, Lale shows a sense of positivity, even though terrible things are happening to him and around him.
These two lovers don’t know if they will depart the camp alive or dead, together or apart, but that faith is forever there.
I was so moved, listening to this beautiful account of a horribly ugly time in the world’s history.

Finding Love at the Magical Curiosity Shop by Jaimie Admans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story of Mickey Teasdale, who owns a shop selling curiosities on the wonderfully named Ever After Street.
She’s determined to match her wonderfully odd collection of stock with the right person, and she always has a story behind each item, whether truth or fiction.
Teenager Ava tumbles into her shop one day, followed by her father, Ren. An initial clash of personalities gives way to a friendship and the possibility of something more, especially as they discover a secret in one item that Mickey sells to Ren.
A possible real diary of a mermaid piques their curiosity, as one person is desperate for it to be true, and the other is determined to disprove any thoughts of sea people being real. And the third, well, she’s just excited to be there for the ride!
I loved that we met all three characters right from the beginning, and it was wonderful to read how their relationships developed, with all the ups and downs accompanying two damaged souls.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and then I realised it was a part of a series. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the book whatsoever.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Released 26th May, 2025

The Pop-Up Cake Shop by Rosie Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ll admit to not having read any of the other Little Duck Pond Cafe books, but after reading this one, I think I will be visiting again soon, to catch up!
The Pop-Up Cake Shop can be easily read as a standalone.
I loved this story which centred around Katya, a woman who finds herself single, after discovering that her partner is not the faithful man she believed.
Ellie, her heavily pregnant boss and friend, brings her aboard on a new venture, a travelling cake van, where customers can buy lovely fresh cakes at reduced prices, to stop wastage from some of the local food businesses.
Along the way, she meets some interesting people including several new singletons, and they form a little group.
An early encounter with a stubborn bulldozer driver, Ivan, and his foreman boss, Caleb turns into something more, as the weeks pass by, and the visits to the surrounding villages become regular.
I enjoyed meeting lots of characters who I suspect, if I go back to the beginning of the series, I would learn a lot about, but I was especially glad that Katya got the ending she deserved!

Released 4th April, 2025

Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have listened to this book on my journey to work and back, as well as while walking, and it blew me away, almost as much as The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Cilka’s Journey looks at the life of Cilka, to whom we were introduced in The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Cilka Klein was another prisoner in Auschwitz and played a part in Lale’s journey to freedom, but her own story was intriguing, so I was so grateful to Heather Morris for doing all the research to write this next book.
The book is set in Russia, where Cilka ends up as a prisoner in a Russian camp, charged with crimes she hasn’t committed.
It is horrific to know the degradation and rape that the women in these camps were subjected to, on top of poor living conditions, barely any sustenance, and the threat of death, any day.
Cilka’s story shows how she managed to pull herself through this second round of horror, and in that time, bettered herself, and often the lives of the other prisoners who lived with her, even though she was still being subjected to horrific attacks regularly.
It did warm my heart to hear the ending. Though it is based on many facts, there are fictional elements, as Morris could not talk to Cilka herself, because she had passed away at the time of the writing of this story.
The thought of what that innocent 16-year-old was subjected to over many years doesn’t bear thinking about, but it is also important that the facts are laid out, so people like us know exactly what happened in these camps and prisons. Hopefully, this will breed some compassion into those reading or listening, given the world’s horrors.

The Woman Who Met Herself by Laura Pearson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, I love these kinds of family-related stories!
I thoroughly enjoyed the last Laura Pearson book I read, so was thrilled to read this newest title from her.
Imagine getting to your 60s and suddenly being faced with a person who should have been in your life from day one?
This is what happens to Debbie Jones and Ruth Waverly.
Faced with one another, on one of Debbie’s routine door-knock visits as a part of her job, collecting donations and secular donors for a charity, the two women are shocked to see themselves.
Two people who look almost identical.
I don’t want to rehash the story, but this is the almost unbelievable story of twins, separated at a very young age, unaware of the existence of the other.
How they go about finding out their beginnings, the reason for their separation, and how each woman grows, as if by finding the other, they have finally gained the confidence to take steps they never would have before, is written so beautifully.
There is a cast of side characters that give both women extra layers to their personalities and characters.
I really enjoyed this.

Released 23rd May, 2025

The Windsor Love Pact: Can fake-dating turn into love? by Lizzie Chantree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoy a fake dating trope in my romance reads, and Lizzie Chantree has given me a wonderful one here.
The Windsor Love Pact is the first in a new series, set in Windsor. Maya, a wonderfully talented jewellery designer and artist, recently moved back ‘home’ after an unpleasant break-up. A chance encounter with Noah Benedict, a handsome and famous actor who has moved in close by, changes her life’s path.
Both characters have a lot on their plates, and the idea of fake dating seems like the perfect solution to the constant cries of ‘when will you find a partner?’ for both of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the build-up of chemistry between Maya and Noah and the meddling from specific individuals. There are secrets and little twists that are a fantastic surprise for readers as the end of the story comes into view.
I loved all the different aspects of this book, from the colourful characters, whom I look forward to learning more about as the series progresses, to Bertha, the old ferry that Maya sometimes works on. The descriptions of the riverside views and the plants and flowers surrounding the area made me want to visit!
I’m now getting impatient to read the next one! Roll on, August!

Breaking the Rules by Kitty Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Continuing my Audiobook journey, I decided to choose this book, by an author I have already read and enjoyed.
Breaking the Rules, the first in The Cornish Village School series was a fantastic listen as I strode each evening.
I even laughed out loud at several scenes, so may now look like my local village madwoman as I walk and listen!
The story centres around Rosie, the headteacher of the local school, which suddenly finds itself in danger of closure and amalgamation with other village schools, and Matt, her new rather hunky neighbour.
There are comedic meet-cute moments. Not one, but several, that really kept me listening.
Rosie has baggage of the emotional kind and she doesn’t feel ready for any sort of encounter with a male, however her body and one part of her mind insists on barraging her thoughts, filling them with Matt.
We also have the POV of Matt, who has moved for a change, and also because of his job. He has his own reasons for trying hard to steer clear, but both his mind and the behaviour of his scruff of a dog keet bringing him back face to face with Rosie.
There are some great characters introduced, who I am sure will feature in future books, and this was the epitome of a romcom!

The Anatomy of Us: A Love Story by Leah Hazard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another audiobook down.
Well, it was one I got free, and though it was entertaining, it wasn’t a taxing listen, and the story of two doctors who somehow become connected romantically was okay. There are lies, misunderstandings, and a theme of mental health, which I feel could have been explored more.
The narration was pretty good, though, and made the book, as the characters’ Scottish, Irish, and English accents were brilliantly done!

There will be a Blog tour in the next few days for this one, with the full review!

Releasing 28th May, 2025

The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Remind me not to listen to Lauren Blakely books while driving my car, with passengers in!
This story of Monroe and Juliet is a steamy romance of the spiciest degree!
Both MCs are hosts on a dating podcast, and they also know each other through Juliet’s brother.
There’s a brief history there, and Munrow struggles to keep his feelings quiet.
But that gets harder when an extremely satisfied listener gifts them a house which they intend to sell, and when visiting it, they discover it only has one bed…a double bunk bed. With mirrored ceilings! And, to top it off, Juliet asks him to be her dating coach as her life is filled with failed dates.
The story is told through both Munroe and Juliet’s POV, and all I will say is that they definitely found out that they were physically compatible, as the pretend dates they went on morphed into something more.
Phew!
Grumpy sunshine/forced proximity at its spiciest!

Another June Blog tour for this one, so you will have to wait for the full review!

One Cornish Summer With You by Phillipa Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful, emotional story told by Phillipa Ashley.
The story centres around two characters; Tammy, who has lived in Porthmellow all her life. She’s a sand artist and also helps at a local gallery. Having lost her father, she is a bit untethered and quite reluctant to forge relationships with people other than her most trusted friends.
The second is Ruan. He’s a solicitor, recently moved to the area, but with connections to the village and surrounding area that become more and more apparent as the story goes on.
You feel the connection between the two characters from the beginning, and feel the effects of past secrets coming out on that fragile start of something that could be so special.
I loved the story, and the cast of side characters brought extra depth to the story, especially Davey and Polly.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC.

Publishing on 5th June, 2025

Escape to the Hummingbird Hotel by Daisy James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An easy-to-listen-to/read of a book.
Abbie finds out that she has inherited a property, not long after an embarrassing breakup, and finds herself in Corfu, where she becomes the owner of a small hotel inland.
With her dreams of finding a small cottage in the countryside, with the proceeds of the sale of this unwanted hotel, she arrives in Corfu, with the aims of a quick visit, and finds herself sucked into the small community there, and ends up honouring one of the bookings made prior to her aunt’s death.
She meets some characters, including a spiritual Aussie yoga instructor with a penchant for skintight lycra, a wonderful older woman who owns the local taverna and then there is Nikos.
Nikos, a former Michelin-starred chef, owns the vineyard next to the hotel, is young, and somewhat handsome, as well as very helpful, rescuing Abbie from all sorts of scrapes. He’s also in a place because of necessity, rather than passion.
There is romance, and lots of gigglesome moments along the way, but I cannot 5 star it as I didn’t gel with the narrator as much as I would have liked.

18 books this month! Which one did you fancy?