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I was looking forward to reading this book after reading the previous books in the series. For me, this was a “must read” and I was so excited to get my hands on it. I hold Cressida in high esteem and definitely view her as one of my favourite authors, so I had high hopes for this book! Once again, the beautifully illustrated cover sets us up ready to be transported to the beautiful sights of Cornwall & the expectations, excitement and drama of a wedding!

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Blurb:

Love is in the Cornish summer air…

Wedding planner Ellie Moon is dreaming up the most beautiful bespoke wedding for Charlie and Daniel, owners of Cornwall’s favourite cream tea bus. Even though her own life has been turned upside down and she’s had to rent out her charming Cornish cottage with its climbing roses and lavender beds, Ellie is determined to give them a day to remember.

Her new tenant, handsome mechanic Jago, keeps popping up around the picture-postcard seaside village of Porthgolow. When they’re thrown together in the effort to help his elderly father get a spring back in his step, she discovers that he is full of surprises. Can romance bloom and give Ellie the fresh start she’s been wishing for?

My thoughts:

I loved how, straight away, we were transported to the wonderful village of Porthgolow and this gave the book an escapist and familiar feel. I was back there again, in the setting that I have known to grow and love across the series.

However, as I always confess on my blog, I am not a traditionally big series reader and I prefer it when a book balances the needs of the series reader with the narrative talent of writing a self-contained plot. By introducing us to a new character in Ellie, but keeping us in touch with previous characters too, Cressida definitely does this. Therefore, though I would definitely recommend the series as a whole, this works well as a standalone book if you’re looking for a pick me up that will make you smile!

I loved seeing the planning and events of a wedding from the perspective of a wedding planner, and I definitely feel this is presented in a realistic way through the challenges Ellie faces, despite in some ways being seen as an idyllic job.

I loved the character of Ellie. She is hard-working, fun and I was rooting for her happiness throughout. Though, I loved meeting Jago and Arthur too.

This has once again been a comforting, uplifting and cosy read that has been a satisfying and sensory experience, as Cressida’s books always are. This is a perfect summer read, and if you are a fan of Milly Johnson or Jill Mansell, I urge you to pick this series up as you won’t regret it.

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I was attracted to this book as this has been an author which has been recommended to me many times. She is well known for her inspiring and dramatic domestic and contemporary fiction, so I definitely thought this book could be well suited to me.

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Blurb:

When Elizabeth’s husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, the only person she can turn to is her friend, Jo. Soon Jo has called in her daughter, Lucy, to help save Elizabeth from bankruptcy. Leaving her old life behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.

As life slowly begins to return to normal, these three women, thrown together by circumstance, become fast friends. But then Jo’s world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.

In search of solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish Sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice that will bring the whole community together…

My thoughts:

Wow. I definitely have a huge book hangover after this gorgeous and beautifully written book.

The book focuses on 3 main characters: Jo, Lucy and Elizabeth. I loved the fact that the chapters took us through such a pertinent window of time in their lives, and allowed us an insight into each of their thoughts, feelings and dilemmas. All three of these characters were likeable, interesting and raw characters presented with such an honesty and clarity that by the end, they almost felt like old friends. I probably identified with Lucy the most, in her quest to start over and make the best of things.

This has definitely sold to me the idea of visiting the beautiful coast of Ireland and the writer definitely serves and describes the area well. I feel like I have been there, but I also have the urge to visit the idyllic and peaceful place in “real life”, as if my understanding is not mistaken, Ballycove is in fact based on a beautiful coastal village. A favourite quote from the book is: “It was the stark beauty of the place – that was what had caught Dan unawares. It was the biting cold of the rain and the fulsome warmth of the people.” The quote really brings out the sense of community and companionship that is created in the book.

The book is also an important evaluation and exploration of what it means to be home, to have a home and to feel at home wherever you are. This was important for all the characters, but especially Lucy as she feels displaced after her relationship breakdown.

“It was the feeling of coming home, what it meant to really come home, and maybe that was as much as she needed right now.”

This is definitely a book about the “indomitable spirit of friendship”, and this is evidenced in the creation and development of the swimming club. This book has also reminded me of the great physical and mental benefits of a refreshing dip, and the need for a dependable circle of friends through the highs and lows of life.

This is an emotional and beautifully written book, which is original in style and structure. Despite being emotional and dramatic, the ending has left me with a warm and uplifted feeling. This is one that I have devoured and the messages of which, will stay with me for a long time. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Sheila O’ Flanagan and Amanda Prowse.

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I was drawn to this book as last year I read Never Say No by this author and  I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also love the bright cover and the intriguing title.

Blurb:

Anna and Marley are best friends. So when Anna rings Marley, panicking because she has to miss a tour of an exclusive wedding venue, Marley agrees to go in her friend’s place.

After being totally ignored by the glamorous receptionist who can tell she doesn’t belong there, Marley meets handsome hotel manager Cameron. He assumes she’s Anna and instead of admitting that she’s not the blushing bride, but the unlucky-in-love single friend, Marley plays along to see what it’s like to be Anna for a day.
After all, Marley is unemployed, single and was woken up that morning by her flatmate playing the bagpipes. Anna has a high-flying career and is planning the perfect wedding. Why wouldn’t Marley want to be her?

Only she wasn’t counting on Cameron being so smart and funny. Or this spark between them that she can’t ignore. She hasn’t felt this way about a guy in forever. But he thinks she’s somebody better.

Marley needs a way out of this mix-up to get her shot at true love. But her fictional fiancé is now standing in her way and it’s harder than she thought to stop living someone else’s life…

My thoughts:

I really like Elizabeth’s books and I have not been disappointed by this one. Once again, the author has taken me on a journey and made me smile along the way.

She writes characters in such a way that they are easy to believe and like. Despite Marley’s life being completely different to mine in many ways, the way Neep exposes her insecurities, worries and desires makes her an easy character to connect with. I also connected to Anna and the pressures she felt.

This book was an easy and uplifting read that explores important topics in a light-hearted and fun way, namely friendship, romance and balancing adult responsibilities. I would recommend this book to fans of Sandy Barker and Samantha Tonge.

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I was drawn to this book by the gorgeous and crisp looking cover. In true Bookouture style, the simple title and intriguing tag line hooks you in and makes you wonder what really happened on The Vacation…

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Blurb:

The Thanksgiving retreat was meant to be a time for them to get away from it all, miles from the secrets that threaten to tear their family apart. But they’re each hiding something:

Rose hopes the pretty house overlooking the sea is just the break her family needs. But as she gazes at the water and remembers her own childhood, she is utterly terrified.

Brandon knows his wife Rose has barely forgiven him for his affair. He’s started drinking again, a road that led him to disaster once before.

Brianna, Rose’s sister-in-law, is recovering from her fifth miscarriage, and when she looks at her adorable niece, she can’t help but see the daughter she deserves.

Then three-year-old Lily disappears from her bed in the villa. Isolated in what should have been paradise, it quickly becomes clear that one of them took her.

As one by one their secrets are uncovered, who will be destroyed next?

My thoughts:

I definitely regret not picking up a book by this author before now, after reading this book. It has been an addictive, compelling and unpredictable read.

At first, the number of characters and the flipping back and fore overwhelmed me a bit. However, the writer’s talent is such that I quickly realised both these features were integral to the story and I started to really appreciate the way this allows the story to develop fully and peak your interest.

The characters are all seemingly respectable and family-orientated people at first, and then slowly but surely their characters develop and the high esteem in which we hold them, and they hold each other, disintegrates.

The twists and turns provide hints towards the true story but I loved the way this has kept me guessing until the end! I will definitely be looking to read more by this author.

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I was attracted to this book by the intriguing title and the wonderful cover. I was keen to know more about Daisy and find out more about her dilemma, which seems to be definitely romance related. The cover is gorgeous and definitely stands out, and the simplicity of it I find really sophisticated. I am a big lover of romantic comedies and am always keen to find new authors in this genre.

Blurb:

Florist Daisy is loved-up and blossoming. Boyfriend Dominic has proposed marriage!

However, Dominic isn’t in any rush to buy a ring, and meeting the parents is looong overdue. What is the problem? After all, Daisy’s mum has already bought her big hat and wants to know the wedding date!

Then careless words plant seeds of doubt and, like weed, Daisy’s concerns begin to multiply. Is Dominic hiding something?

Meanwhile, sexy ex Harry is back on the scene and begging Daisy for a reconciliation. He thought the grass was greener with HER but now says he made a mistake. Is Harry – for once – being genuine, or simply leading Daisy up the garden path?

New neighbour Seth seems like a fun guy, but a single throwaway comment has Daisy mimicking a species of Calla Lily – Red Alert! It’s time to do some digging. But even she never anticipated a mad car chase across London or unearthing a shocking secret that changes everything.

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

My thoughts:

Life is pretty stressful and hectic right now and this has definitely been the pick me up and tonic that I have needed. I knew that I was going to adore this book from the opening pages, as Debbie had me laughing out loud and smiling in the first few pages. I read romantic comedies often, and though they often make me smile and I find them light-hearted, they very rarely make me laugh in the way this one has.

There is a perfect mix in the book of drama, romance, comedy and outstanding storytelling. This is partly due to Debbie’s obvious talent for writing and stylistic humour, but it is also down to the wonderful array of characters in the book. I really liked Daisy as a character and thought her inner monologues were a great touch to allow the reader to get inside her head and develop a relationship with, and sympathy for, her.

Debbie explores some very important topics. As someone who myself has been through divorce and found myself questioning my choices, I feel like this book explored some important issues about re-building your self confidence and trust.

I have absolutely adored this book and following Daisy’s journey. I was rooting for her happiness throughout. I am very keen to invest in Debbie’s back catalogue as she is certainly a rare diamond in the way she writes romantic fiction that is equally heart-felt and hilarious. I would recommend this book and author to fans of Camilla Isley, Mary Jayne Baker and Victoria Cooke.

I can’t believe it has taken me this long to pick up a book by this author. I have been recommended her books a number of times and I love her fun sounding titles. I actually still have My Year of Saying No sat unread on my shelf, but I hope to pick it up soon!

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Blurb:

What if what you really need is right there in front of you, if you just take a moment to look up?

Milly has been waiting for this moment forever and finally it’s just an hour away – an interview with Vogue magazine and the opportunity to get her Louboutin-clad foot in the door.  There’s just one problem – totally engrossed in her mobile phone, Milly doesn’t see the bus that is fast approaching – until it’s too late…

When Milly next opens her eyes, the consequences of her accident become clear. Everything she has worked for and dreamed of suddenly feels out of reach. But there is one bright spot on her horizon – the reappearance of her ex Jed, in all of his six-foot-four, broad-shouldered glory, with the most piercing ice blue eyes Milly ever saw.

Once used to working in a whirlwind, Milly now has the chance to reconsider how to live. Will she rush back to the treadmill, get her head down and back to business, or is there a whole other life waiting for her, if she’ll just look up to see it?

‘Read yourself happy’ with Maxine Morrey’s latest uplifting, page-turning, heart-warming romance, guaranteed to brighten up your day.

My thoughts:

I loved so many things about this book “Read yourself happy” is definitely a good way to describe how I felt about this book. I was hooked from the very beginning, as there’s not many more exciting ways to start your novel than to literally throw your main character under a bus!

I definitely identified with Milly’s character and the digital obsession is something I battle with on a daily basis, both in my personal and professional life. I do feel like any life-changing situation makes you take stock and take a good, long look at yourself and where you could possibly have your priorities wrong and this is something I have done.

There are parts of the story which are inevitable, predictable and you could possibly even say overly exaggerated but this is the writer’s perogative and I don’t think it hampered my enjoyment of the story at all. Instead, it took me on a wonderful and life-affirming journey which reminded me of what’s important and how we work to live, not live to work, as in a corporate setting no-one is irreplaceable.

This has been an uplifting, entertaining read which I found myself getting lost in and I found difficult to put down. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

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I was drawn to this book for a number of reasons. Firstly, Sam Hepburn is an author who has been recommended to me a number of times as I am a big fan of this genre. Also, Bookouture has done its usual brilliant job of creating an eye-catching and thought-provoking cover and tag line.

Blurb:

I see my son’s scooter lying in the undergrowth. Time stands still. Where is he? Deafened by my own heartbeat, I keep looking but I can’t see him. This is all my fault. My punishment for the things I did, and the things I should have done.

All I ever wanted was to keep my son safe. I married the perfect husband, built the perfect home. I’ve tried to give Finn the life I never had.

Everything was going so well. Until now.

It’s just small things at first – a punctured tyre, an open gate that I’m sure I locked. But then I see the photograph of two young girls, and a night I’ve tried to forget.

I know I have to stop pretending that nothing is happening. I can’t escape the truth.

Someone knows my secret. But what do they want from me?

My thoughts:

I think the author built up the tension well throughout this story. I liked the fact that the incidents that frighten Nicola are so random and quite insignificant at first, that it almost makes her appear paranoid and you do question if the threats are real or imagined. However, the use of the dual timeline of past and present, makes it clear that there is definitely reason to suspect a build up towards a more serious situation.

I have to confess I didn’t really like the main characters in this book. I found them to be cold, selfish and difficult to connect with. Despite Nicola’s past painful experiences, I really didn’t feel like I could have tolerated Ian in the way she does.

This had a slower pace than I was expecting and in the first section especially I found myself getting quite impatient to learn how the story progressed. However, it definitely ramped up and I was not disappointed when it did, especially due to the number of twists and unpredictable moments.

I think the writer chose an interesting topic to focus on here – motherhood and how your past influences your present, even in ways you didn’t intend it to.

I would definitely recommend this author to fans of the domestic and psychological fiction genre and specifically fans of Miranda Rijks, Arianne Richmonde and K L Slater.

I was drawn to this book by the thought-provoking oxymoron of the title – Legal Crime. It definitely intrigued me and made me wonder how this would fit into the book.

Blurb:

This exciting and captivating page-turner transports you into the fascinating story of sixteen-year-old aspiring singer Fiona Watson who runs away from her family, oblivious to the dangers outside her shielded comfort zone. As she journeys through her new world, leaving her past behind and determined to find a new identity, she uncovers surprising secrets buried deep within her long ago…

How do her new friends link to her past? What secrets are they hiding behind their misleading smiles? How much of herself has she really left behind? And how will she cope when she realises that she has made a huge mistake… one that could ruin her forever?

My thoughts:

I think this is a well-written book, especially when we consider the fact that this is a book written by a 13 year young lady and is best suited to young adults.

This book was not as gritty as I was expecting but it definitely packs some punch in the way it explores teenage drama and angst. It explores probably the most important issues for teens: identity, family, relationships and prospects for the future.

I liked the use of a diary style as I think it fitted well with the writer’s intentions in terms of plot and theme, as well as the use of the internal monologue. This was actually really original and engaging, and not something I see very often in fiction books that I’ve read of late.

Overall, this is definitely a well-intentioned and well-written book that I think would definitely be enjoyable for young adults.

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I was drawn to this book by the haunting and original title and cover. I was keen to find out who the hunted girls were, and of course who was hunting them. It’s only when I started reading the book I realised that I had read the previous book in the series and loved it!

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Blurb:

Stumbling through the pitch-black forest, twigs scratching her bare feet, she sobs as she imagines her children crying for their mommy. By now everyone will know she is missing. Please, please let me find the way home. Before he comes back.

As Agent Nadine Finch rushes to investigate the murder of newlywed Nikki Darnell in Ocala National Forest, Florida, fear floods her body. She swore she’d never set foot there again, not since the case fifteen years ago which tore her life apart. But taking in the triangular cuts scarring Nikki’s perfect pale skin, she knows she must put her own traumatic past aside to find justice for Nikki and her inconsolable husband.

Discovering water in Nikki’s lungs, and certain the triangular wounds were made by arrowheads, Nadine must convince her team of her terrifying theory: that Nikki was hunted down and drowned before being left for them to find. But what monster would do such a thing? And why? Then another woman, a mother of two, is discovered in the woods, tell-tale arrow marks all over her body.

Recognizing her as a local waitress, Nadine has just traced the arrow heads to an outdoors store when her own partner disappears and she receives a chilling note: “Three little birds. So pretty in their cages. I caught them all for you.”

Now the rules of this twisted game are terrifyingly clear. A killer obsessed with the case in Nadine’s past is closing in, targeting a stranger; then an acquaintance; then someone close to her. Will she need to sacrifice herself to save one of her own? And can she stop this deadly hunter before more innocent lives are taken?

Jaw-dropping, packed with twists and turns, and impossible to put down until you reach the final page. Fans of Robert Dugoni, Lisa Gardner and Rachel Caine will be totally addicted to The Hunted Girls.

My thoughts:

The opening of the book describes the killing without giving away any details on who the killer is. Despite being clearly dark and gruesome, I found this completely compelling and intriguing.

I liked the character of Nadine. She is clearly complex, intelligent and hard working. I did find it a little strange that she talked a lot about her family history of killing so much, when she had tried so hard to move away from that and make a life and career for herself in forensic psychology. Though, I suppose it is also a career where you are faced with death and killing on a almost daily basis, and it is ingrained in you to ask questions and wonder about people’s life choices.

Call me sick, but I loved the graphic insight into the crime scenez as it really made me feel more involved in the story. I was able to visualise certain things and make assumptions or guess about the killer. I also find it fascinating what we can learn and figure out from a dead body.

This is definitely a page turner and I enjoyed the balance of seeing the way Nadine faced challenges in both her private and professional life.

I would recommend this book to fans of A A Chaudhuri and Keri Beevis.

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Well, surely it’s impossible NOT to fall in love with this book based on the gorgeous cover? The beautiful and calming colours and scene suggest this will be an uplifting, escapist and fun read. I couldn’t wait to pick it up!

Blurb:

Pull on your sunglasses, spring is here!

When Finn Gallichan, the new man in artist, Jools Jones’ life leaves the boardwalk to go travelling for several months, she’s not too worried. She has her paintings to work on as well as keeping busy helping her grandmother run the only second-hand bookshop in the village. She’s happy to wait for Finn’s return to pick up where they left off their relationship. That is, until she decides to secretly help a new customer trace a copy of a book he wrote years before and meets his grandson, Marius Arnesen, a glass artist who, fascinated by her paintings, asks her to take part in an art exhibition.

When she begins to suspect that Finn isn’t quite the person she had hoped and Marius steps up to save someone close to her, she wonders if maybe she’s made the wrong decision…

My thoughts:

Firstly, I must confess that when I signed up to this blog tour I did not realise this was the 4th (and final) book in a series. I was just captivated by the cover and what sounded like an uplifting, escapist read. Thankfully, this works well as a standalone book and I don’t think it’s hampered my enjoyment of it, except for some points at the beginning which didn’t quite make sense. However; I completely accept that this is my fault and not the author’s!

The opening description brings the story to life immediately and I could identify Jools’ relief at the coming of Spring – this is my favourite time of year.

I liked and admired Jools as a character straight away. I was in awe of her artistic talent, and she comes across as a hard-working, kind and overall likeable character. Georgina really brings characters to life so that they jump off the page and this book contains a wonderful cast of primary and secondary characters, including of course Marius and his granddad.

I love it when an author develops a romantic situation in which we are introduced to two possible love interests and we have to take sides. I was, of course, rooting for wonderful Marius.

This book definitely contains everything I look for in a book of this type. I have enjoyed going on this journey with Jools. It has been heart-warming and entertaining. I definitely want to go back and read the other books in the series.

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