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I was drawn to this book as I simply love R J Gould’s easy and engaging style. R J Gould writes stories full of humanity and gentle humour. Once again, the cover and title are mostly simplistic yet effective.

Blurb:

Sandy is about to retire following an illustrious career as editor of an upmarket fashion magazine.

Michael can’t retire, he thinks his work to explain the dangers of climate change is far too important.

Jonathan would like to retire from running his fundraising consultancy but a family crisis is getting in the way.

These three were the best of friends at university before a tragedy wrecked their friendship. That was fifty years ago and they haven’t spoken since.

Sandy urges the other two to join her at a weekend reunion. Together they reminisce about their student days, such a wild era with its heady mix of free love, drugs and ground-breaking music. They share their life journeys since the Swinging Sixties – the successes and failures, the happiness and despair, and their optimism and fears for the future.

The reunion is drawing to a close. Dare they tackle the incident that tore them apart, an event that has brought guilt for so many years? If they are to have any chance of reconciliation they have to, but the clock is ticking.

My thoughts:

I love how the title of this book is reflected in the structure, with R J Gould using multiple perspectives and “then” and “now” sections to draw out the story. I found myself torn between flying through the pages in order to reach the climax of the reunion, and devouring (especially) the “then” chapters in order to better understand what has shaped and driven these three characters throughout their lives.

Each character is facing different challenges and milestones in their life. It was interesting to see how the author was able to create 3 very distinctive and different characters, and yet able to bring them together so effectively and forcibly.

The book also provides an interesting commentary on the 1960s and how things have so drastically changed since then, both in good and bad ways. There is of course an exploration of relationships, family disharmony as well as some commentary on global warming and other ‘modern’ issues.

There are some great twists and the writer definitely has a great way of dealing sensitively with characters, their emotions and some quite controversial topics.

Another wonderful and thought-provoking read from R J Gould. I would highly recommend this author to fans of family drama or gentle romance, such as Graeme Simsion, Rachel Marks and T A Williams.

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I am always drawn to Maxine’s books by her fun, bright and attractive covers. However, what’s to be found inside her books matches, if not beats, the quality of her book covers! I love the title of this one: a well-known saying and something most of us strive to do!

Blurb:

Some days Bee feels invisible. Most days Bee does not feel as if she is ‘living her best life’.

Sure she has a loyal group of friends, a job she’s good at, and a small London flat to call home, but a lot of the time, Bee feels as if no one actually ‘sees’ her.  

Her best friend, the unfeasibly handsome and successful Luca Donato does not have that problem. People are practically falling over themselves whenever they see Luca, but one thing the two friends do have in common, is they haven’t yet found the ‘One’.  When their friend Tia challenges them to change all that through online dating, Luca and Bee set about the task with very different levels of enthusiasm.

The saying goes that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince, and it’s not long before Bee is ready to admit defeat. But with Luca inundated with potential love interests, Bee is determined not to give up. Surely her perfect partner is out there somewhere… 

My thoughts:

I was drawn into this book from the very beginning. I wanted to be part of Bee’s incredible group of friends, straight away! They are clearly a huge support to her, but the banter and light humour shared between them also provides wonderful entertainment within the story.

Bee herself is a complex, likeable and sympathetic character. In fact, I got completely lost in her telling of the story as I identified with her on so many levels. The descriptions of herself and comparisons to other women, really struck a chord with me. The analysis of her self worth and self identity felt quite raw and emotional at times. I thought that the idea of being self-confident related well to the title, as how can you love your life and live life to the fullest if you don’t “love” yourself?

The friendship and relationship between Bee and Luca was completely believable. Through this, you also get a sense of family and a sense of how your work should fit into your lifestyle. Despite both these characters being very successful, they are down to earth and clearly manage to maintain a strong moral code and work/life balance.

I always wonder how the author will manage to pull off a view of “modern dating” as I feel it’s quite unique, brutal at times and even tedious. But this is done very well, and through Bee’s disastrous dates we see some of the drawbacks of online dating!

I loved seeing Bee’s confidence grow as the novel progressed. The ending was satisfying in every way.

Overall, an adorable, feel-good read from a very talented writer. I’d recommend this book and author to fans of Jaimie Admans, Jenny Bayliss and Mary Jayne Baker.

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I was drawn to this book by the front cover. It looks very funky and attracts the eye. It sounded like an upbeat and modern rom-com, a new addition to the talented host of authors published by Bookouture.

Blurb:

If you can’t love yourself, how are you going to love somebody else? A sweet, funny, feel-good page-turner about getting your groove back.

Nikki has it all—a great career, a gorgeous apartment and a boyfriend who is basically perfect. Okay, maybe things have grown a little too comfortable… but Nikki can handle it if it means keeping hot and wholesome Bron in her life.

Then the unthinkable happens and Bron walks out, leaving Nikki feeling like a total failure. They were supposed to have marriage and babies… but instead she’s got a guilty conscience, pissed-off parents who just want her to win him back and the realization that without “Nikki-and-Bron” to hide behind, she has no idea who she really is.

Desperate to pull her out of her slump, best friends Alicia and Chay embark on a mission to help Nikki find Nikki again… by tossing her straight back into the dating pool. There she meets Mike – sweet, laid-back and the first white guy she’s ever been with. There’s no doubt there’s some serious chemistry between them, but is becoming part of Mike’s world taking Nikki even further away from herself?

Then Bron unexpectedly comes knocking, just as things are getting serious with Mike, and the rule book goes right out the window…

This feel-good read about finding yourself is perfect for fans of How to Be Single, Just the Way I Am and Spoiler Alert.

My thoughts:

I was definitely pulled into this book, and really felt for Nikki when Bron walked out on her.

Nikki is a great main character, and I really felt she was well-developed. It was interesting to see how her culture and upbringing had impacted her character and her decisions. As a mum to a mixed race daughter, it was refreshing for me to read a novel with a heroine other than a “pretty little white girl” at its core. Nikki’s character is likeable, charismatic, unique and appropriately complex.

I enjoyed following her quest with Mike, and the added drama of Bron popping back up certainly complicated things.

I mostly thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I do fell the anticipation of the ending and the ending itself didn’t quite match up.

Having said that, Leesha’s character development and the themes of family, friendship and dating were all well explored and executed.

Overall, a fun and entertaining story that kept me interested from the beginning. Full of romance and comedy, I would recommend this book and author to fans if Portia Macintosh, Paige Toon and Christina Lauren.

I am a firm fan of this author’s works, and I have previously loved The Love Island Bookshop and The Amsterdam Affair. I loved the fact that this book would be transporting me to yet another stunning setting. This time Kate takes me to probably the most beautiful place I have ever visited, the gorgeous Greek Isles. The cover depicts the islands just as I like to remember them: peaceful, beautiful and full of sunshine.

Blurb:

Taking a chance on love is just the beginning…

All NEW from bestselling author Kate Frost.

When Harlow Sands arrives on an idyllic Greek island to work on a big budget movie, it should be the opportunity of a lifetime. But her uncertainty over the direction of her life and the high expectations of Maeve Fennimore-Bell, her domineering Hollywood producer mum, threatens to ruin her summer on beautiful Skopelos.

Location manager Tyler Reed has his fair share of demons. His and Harlow’s lives have been entwined for over a decade and now forced to work together, their complicated past begins to unravel.

Harlow is desperate to break free and make her own way in the world, but with a fractured family, a long-hidden secret and a need to belong, can her happy-ever-after be found during one Greek summer?

Escape to the beautiful Greek isles with bestseller Kate Frost for the perfect uplifting, feel-good romantic read.

My thoughts:

In many ways, Kate Frost is a queen of armchair travel. I felt like I have gone on every step of this journey with likeable and quirky Harlow, and could picture each scene perfectly from her dazzling descriptions. I will be dreaming about beaches and loukomades for quite some time!

Harlow is a really well developed character. I liked that we got to learn so much about her back story, as your relationship with your parents and your parents’ relationship in and of itself does set a precedence and a tone for our relationships, whether that be following in their footsteps, or in Harlow and her mum’s case, being completely “chalk and cheese.” I also thought the way Harlow identifies herself in relation to her mother’s career success and their fractious relationship provided another layer of meaning and drama to the story.

There are two love interests at the core of this story and I was definitely Team Adonis, despite him being quite closed off for some of the book. You will be left guessing as to what Harlow will do and who she will choose, and this definitely kept me that little bit more hooked on the story.

This is definitely a feel-good and escapist story about self-discovery, and another great release by Kate Frost. I would recommend this book and author to fans of Sue Moorcroft, Daisy James and T A Williams.

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I am always looking for a new romantic fiction author to try, and I was totally seduced by the beautiful landscape on this cover, the wonderful reviews of past installments in this series and the hint from the title that this book might centre around a wedding!

Blurb:

Art dealer Ruby Lambert is on a mission to lose her baby weight ahead of her sister’s Olivia’s wedding in 6 months’ time.
To add fuel the fire, Ruby has also been ‘honoured’ with the unenviable task of being Head Bridesmaid. So determined not to let Olivia down, she signs up to a swanky new diet & fitness club, The Bluebell Booty Busters.

Uncertain of what to expect Ruby meets Harry Small, a wealthy local businessman who ‘joins’ Booty Busters, after pressure from his wife, who’s worried about his health and growing waistline.

Ruby and Harry soon team up as diet buddies, supporting each other through their dieting crisis’s. But something seems amiss at Booty Busters when they both discover that if it looks too good to be true; it probably is….

Will Ruby and Harry ever reach their targets?

And will Ruby do her sister proud and be the Belle of the Ball?

My thoughts:

I feel like I have discovered a new author in this genre, and my only regret is that it’s taken me so long to try one of her books. I found myself pulled in immediately, enjoying Della’s easy and yet sometimes dramatic style.

This is part of Della’s Bluebell Cliff series, and even though I’ve never read any of her other books, I thoroughly enjoyed this as a standalone story. Della provides adequate background information about the storylines so you don’t feel lost or overwhelmed, whilst the main focus remains on Ruby and Harry’s ongoing struggles and relationships. After reading, I definitely want to go back and read other books in this series!

In the book, Ruby is described as “lovely from the inside out” and I couldn’t agree more with this description. A perfect heroine, but not in the “flawless, uncomplicated” sort of way, rather the very real, very complicated, very self-aware and still absolutely sporting a heart of pure gold. Harry’s storyline was also quite unique, and definitely made me sympathetic towards him and pulled me into the story more.

I found myself very drawn into this story, eagerly anticipating the ending but also feeling sad that the pages of this 1were passing me by!

I would highly recommend this book and author to fans of Heidi Swain, Holly Martin and Jenny Colgan.

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I am a relative newcomer to S E Lynes, having previously read Her Sister’s Secret, but I was incredibly impressed. I am so excited to share my views on her latest release. An intriguing title, subverting the image of what should be one of life’s happiest occasions on its head. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in!

Blurb:

She doesn’t know I’m there, watching her in the mirror. She slides her hand under her blouse. And then I see something impossible. She isn’t pregnant…

She bursts into my life like a storm, and nothing is the same again. She seems so perfect, with her lilting laugh and her beautiful face. One by one, I watch as my friends fall under her spell.

Only I seem to suspect something. Only I see that her smiles don’t reach her cold, furious eyes. And when I’m accused of things I didn’t do, when my home is vandalized, I know she’s behind it. But she only lets her mask slip when no one is looking, so if I say anything, I’ll look crazy.

So when the baby shower comes around I’m there, sitting on a velvet sofa in a posh hotel room, surrounded by balloons. We share gifts, we pour small glasses of champagne, and she beams, her bump just visible under her bright red shirt.

But that afternoon, I finally learn the unbelievable truth.

There is no baby…

A stunningly twisty story of toxic female friendships, guilt and lies from S.E. Lynes, author of the no.1 bestseller The Housewarming. If you like Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins, you’ll be glued to The Baby Shower.

My thoughts:

After reading, it appears S E Lynes may have read a handbook on “how to take your psychological thriller to the next level”. If such a thing does not exist, she should write one as this is certainly what she does in this book.

I could not put this book down. I know some reviewers refute that phrase, so let me be absolutely clear. I stayed up late. I got up early. I asked for lifts so I could read and travel. I read in the bath. I ate with a fork in one hand and a kindle in the other. For me, this was one of the most addictive and compelling psychological thrillers I have read.

It has everything you’d want from a psychological thriller, and more. There are a number of timelines and points of view, some of which seem completely unrelated and leave you puzzled until very near the end. There is a creepy, sneaky, mysterious character in the form of Lexie, and the likeable heroine in the form of Jane. But are their roles as clear cut as that?

But let’s talk about my claim that this is “next level”. This is not just a book that grips you, keeps you guessing, puts you on the edge of your seat and all the other cliche expressions used for a standard psychological thriller. Oh no! This book is full of heart as well as heat and tension. It is very thought provoking and at one point I did actually cry.

It is stacked full of important themes, some of which we all encounter to an certain extent in our every day lives. This is a book about loyalty, upbringing, guilt and lies. These themes are arguably quite common in psychological thrillers. However, S E Lynes also explores other important themes including: hard work, gender expectations, fertility and probably most significantly of all: the challenges and tribulations of adult female friendships, especially in the era of “throwaway” culture and “social media addiction” in which we all live. These themes are handled with sophistication, sensitivity and really hold up a mirror to us in order for us to assess some of our experiences and thoughts on these topics.

I could probably go on for days about how good this book is, but instead of reading this I suggest you now pop onto Amazon and download this book for 99p. I apologise for the short-term lack of sleep you will have as a result, but I’m sure you will thank me in the long run!

A definite must read for fans of Lisa Jewell, T M Logan and Gillian Flynn. Yes, I know this is what I lot of people say about SO many books in this genre, but this author and this book is genuinely comparable to them.

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I’m going to start with a conversation I had with my mum a week or two ago.

Me: *kindle in hand, waiting for kettle to boil*.

Mam: What are you smiling at?

Me: Oh I’m reading Chocolate Cake For Breakfast by Rosie Green. I love this series.

Mam: What book in the series is that?

Me: Number 20.

Mam: Wow, that’s amazing!

And it really truly is. This series, and what the author has achieved by planning, writing, and publishing over 20+ books in this one series, deserves a huge number of superlatives! Another incredible fact is that I’ve actually read most of them, which is testament to how enjoyable and addictive this series is.

Blurb:

After a shocking accident, Martha Munro has given up on her childhood dreams. With her confidence shattered, even leaving the house is scary, and a promising romance with gorgeous Logan is over before it even had a chance to begin. But cheered on by her dad and her great friend, Madison, she makes a decision that could change everything. Can Martha find the courage to step out into the world and love again?

My thoughts:

I think I’ve already made it very clear that I’m a huge fan of this series. However, I don’t want you to think for one second that if you like the sound of this book today you need to go back and find the time to read all 20 (of course I’d highly recommend this if you do happen to have the time!).

Part of the beauty and attraction of this series to me is that you can dip in and out of it, and that each book works beautifully as a standalone, with each one focusing on a well-developed character but all centred around the focal point of the delightful Duck Pond Cafe.

I loved meeting Martha in this installment. She comes across as a likeable, loyal, strong and brave woman who has been through so much more than most of us would even dare to imagine. I really wished for her own happy ending, and I also felt quite fondly for her devoted Dad, too.

There are a number of twists and turns, some of which are really shocking and also displaying quite an interesting insight into female friendships in adulthood. This has definitely a book that has kept me gripped!

I am absolutely torn between being very excited for the next installment, and heartbroken as the series draws to a close, with only 22 books currently planned.

I would highly recommend this series and author for fans of Rosie Dean, Milly Johnson and Heidi Swain.

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I absolutely love Debbie’s books and I’m so excited to be on another tour for one of her brilliant books. I love the cute and romantic covers and Debbie’s overall “brand” look; it is definitely what attracted me to these books in the first place.

Blurb:

When Sadie Harding’s posh wedding to Felix Barrington-Jones is abruptly cancelled, she’s devastated. While tears are to be expected, surely taking to her bed for a prolonged period is a little OTT? But that’s because Sadie has a secret about what really happened prior to everything being called off. And the guilt is unbearable.

Three years later Sadie has a new guy in her life, but this chap has four legs, not two. William Beagle is a rescue dog that suits her perfectly. He parps like a man, snores like a man, and loves her unconditionally. But what she hadn’t reckoned upon was an unexpected dispute of ownership with the gorgeous but grumpy Jack Farrell.

Jack has his own problems. Namely blackmail. The last thing Sadie ever anticipated was being unwittingly implicated. When a peaceful walk turns into a police investigation and William Beagle’s mugshot is splashed across the papers, she’s badly triggered. Can Sadie finally confront the demons of the past in order to face the future?

Sparks are set to fly in this gorgeous romantic comedy about love, trust, and new beginnings.

My thoughts:

This might just be my favourite book by Debbie Vigianno. It is definitely on a par with Daisy’s Dilemma. It may be that it came to me at the right time: at a time when I really needed an uplifting, escapist and addictive read. This is definitely how I would summarise this book in three words.

Debbie does a sterling job of creating believable, likeable, sympathetic characters with adequate depth and the main characters, Jack and Sadie, in particular, have intriguing backstories. I particularly liked how Debbie structured the book in order to drip feed Sadie’s back story for maximum effect and drama.

The pets in the story provide another delightful dimension to the story and reinforce the themes of companionship, loyalty and trust, which become more and more important as the story develops.

The ending was far more explosive than I expected, and I absolutely loved the twists and turns! It turned a little bit dark for a while, but in true Debbie style, the book leaves with you an ultimate sense of comfort and warmth.

I cannot recommend this book and author highly enough. Her books are perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Holly Martin and Jessica Redland. A perfectly cosy and comforting spring-time read.

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I am so excited and honoured to be reviewing the third installment in this brilliant series. A relative newcomer to the genre, Emma Tallon is one of my go-to favourites.

Blurb:

f you love reading Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers you will be totally gripped by this gritty, gangland crime thriller. Once you meet fearless and strong Scarlet Drew, you won’t be able to stop reading.

Head of the family crime business, and with a new guy in her life, things have never been better for Scarlet Drew. Working with her aunt Lily on their biggest ever job – revenge on the woman who set fire to their factory, with Lily’s daughter trapped inside – Scarlet is suddenly dragged into the local police station to answer questions about the death of a local gangster. The face she sees across the interview table shocks her to her core. It’s her new boyfriend, John.

Hours later, John is banging on Scarlet’s door, telling her he loves her and she can trust him. Can Scarlet risk believing the only man she’s ever loved, or is she putting her family in unthinkable danger?

As the night of Lily’s plan draws near, the police come knocking once again. This time with evidence that could see Scarlet locked-up for good. Can they still pull off their biggest job yet, or has Scarlet made a fatal mistake and let John get one step ahead of them?

A completely unputdownable crime thriller that will keep you up all night!

My thoughts:

I would be a hypocrite if I were to say that as this is part of a series, you need to read them in order. This is something I rarely do, but I have managed it with this series and I definitely see the advantages of it. Each story is action packed and works well as a standalone, but I have loved revisiting and catching up with the Drew family, especially as the 2nd installment in the series made me quite invested in how Scarlet and Ruby were getting on.

Emma includes all the main themes you’d come to expect from a gangland thriller, including rivalry, loyalty, violence and danger. There is the added complexity within this book not only of rivalry across the different firms, but within the Drew “firm”. These are all handled perfectly, for maximum effect!

Of course, the best thing about these books are being back with the brutal characters that we all know and love. I particularly appreciate the fact that, at the heart of the story, are three strong and brutal women with their own personal battles. These characters are vibrant, entertaining and endearing. I was already invested in them from previous books, but I definitely loved following them on this journey, too!

Once again, Emma Tallon has left me wanting more! I can’t wait for the next installment in this series as I can smell trouble brewing … again! Emma Tallon is a true gangland fiction queen!

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Carmen been compared to some of my favourite authors, and I really enjoyed a previous release by her, so I don’t know why it’s taken so long for me to pick up another of her books! This looked like a fun and light-hearted read.

Blurb:

Meet Annie Valentine: stylish, savvy, multi-tasker extraordinaire. As a personal shopper in a swanky London store, Annie can be relied on to solve everyone’s problems . . . except her own.

Because as a busy single mum to two kids, Annie’s realised there’s a gap in her life as well as her wardrobe. But with her heart still hurting from losing the love of her life, Annie’s discovered that finding the perfect partner is turning out to be so much trickier than finding the perfect pair of shoes!

Can she source a genuine classic? A lifelong investment? Or will Annie realise that her perfect man is already sitting on the front row of her life…

Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon will love this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestselling author Carmen Reid.

My thoughts:

I was totally impressed, surprised and happy to find out that this is a reworking of Carmen’s 2007 release. I am grateful for this as it has fully brought Carmen’s talents and this series to my attention. After this book, I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

I have to admit, it did take me a little while to get into the book. The high life of London and the use of a personal shopper depicts a lifestyle far removed from my own, but I soon learned to appreciate this book for the escapist treat that it is.

I can’t remember how far into the book it was that I got fully pulled into the story and forgot all my initial reservations, but I know that by the ‘jacuzzi incident’ I was completely hooked and crying with laughter (cruel I know!)

I loved the fact that the main character was already a mature woman, if you know what I mean by that. Annie is successful, independent, a wonderful mother to her children and has a secure support network around her. Only one thing is missing from her life.. Well, I suppose you could say 2 but the first would be “more money” and I guess most people would say that’s missing from their lives! The 2nd thing is a life partner, one that will live up to, but could never replace, her beloved Roddy. I guess you probably summarise Annie’s desire in my one word: security.

The love quest in this story is definitely endearing and entertaining. Annie faces a battle we are all familiar with, that of heart vs head. The head says to go with successful, secure, safe Gray but her heart is pulling her towards selfless, spirited and unofficially sexy Ed. Which will she choose?

I also got on board with the focus on clothes, brands etc as the story grew on me. What initially felt a little clunky although relevant to Annie’s job, becomes an important part of the story. The clothes become a symbol of success, identity and confidence. Perhaps not a story of “don’t judge a book by its cover” but rather “don’t judge a woman by her handbag” or more precisely, “don’t judge a man by his ugly cagoule!” This was an heart-warming, uplifting read with lively and vibrant characters. I can’t wait to read book 2!

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