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I absolutely adore Zara’s books and I am very excited to be involved in a blog tour for her books for the first time. She is an ‘automatic buy’ author for me – I don’t even really need to read the blurb and I know I will want to read, and highly likely, thoroughly enjoy the book as she is such an incredible author of romantic fiction.

Blurb:

One dog. Two strangers. An unfurgettable romance.

Wanted: someone nice, normal and trustworthy to housesit a beautiful cottage in the Lake District while the owner is away on a business trip. Must like dogs.

Wanting to escape from crap bosses and useless boyfriends, Becky jumps at the chance of being a dog sitter and the perfect escape – rest, relaxation and a very cute pooch called Bella.

But looking after Bella comes with a catch, namely gorgeous, brooding, Chris Hemsworth-worthy Ash James, who claims Bella is his dog and will stop at nothing to get her back!

Becky’s not about to hand over lovely Bella to any Tom, Dick or Ash.  She’s determined to watch every move Ash James makes…even if it gets her very hot under the collar.

My thoughts:

The bright and beautiful cover immediately draws attention to the fun, romantic, uplifting nature of this book. I quickly identified with Bella and her desire, or more accurately, her need, to escape from her old reality and her ex-partner, who comes across as a very narcissistic, rude and condescending man. I was immediately on her side and hoped that Becky would get the peace and self-care she deserves during her trip to Cumbria…

I loved the description of the natural, idyllic and secluded setting. At times, I felt I had been whisked away and escaped to Cumbria with Becky (oh how I wish!). The descriptions in the early chapters created some tension and also provided light relief, and the romantic plot-line was set up from quite early on.

I loved seeing how the story progressed. The character development was great. Although a little cliched at points, I think it was totally right for the style and tone of the book, and I really was rooting for Becky throughout. I also found Ash to be rather intriguing and irresistible!

Overall, this has been an entertaining, escapist and enjoyable read by one of my favourite authors! I would recommend this book to fans of Lisa Swift, Portia Macintosh and Paige Toon.

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I am so excited to be involved in the blog tour for this beautiful and emotional tale! The blurb of this book completely sold it to me and I can confirm that it did not disappoint. I hope it sounds like something you will enjoy, too!

Blurb:

As a man holds his wife’s frail hand, he recounts a journey like no other…

Daniel and Olivia are destined to be together. At least, Daniel thinks this the night he sees Olivia across a sea of people. As he backpacks through Australia, Daniel and Liv continue to cross paths, yet never speak.

Until one night, Liv joins Daniel for a drink. And that night everything changes. Back in London, stuck in a monotonous routine, Daniel finds himself daydreaming of the woman with green eyes and fiery hair. Armed with only a name he vows to find her, yet with every passing moment, Daniel’s hopes begin to disappear. What if it wasn’t meant to be?But then fate steps in, and Daniel and Olivia’s story can truly begin…

This is a tale of serendipity, missed chances and the power of love.

My thoughts:

The opening of the book broke me into pieces. It is completely heart-wrenching and emotional from the beginning. By the end of the first chapter, I already had a sense of the powerful nature of Liv and Daniel’s love, and was intrigued to learn about their journey and story.

I was completely pulled into the story. I absolutely loved the character of Olivia. Fierce, independent, but honest and forthcoming with her dreams and failures – I really felt like she became an old friend by the end of the story.

Daniel was a wonderfully devoted man and husband, whose love and commitment to Olivia and their family shone throughout the book.

This book deals with quite difficult topics, and this is done in a raw and forthright way. It is completely juxtaposed with the soft comfort of the beautiful family bond we witness.

This book has been heartbreaking and heartwarming: a book about true love, commitment and sacrifice. This is a powerful story and I have not read a love story with quite so much depth and beauty in quite some time. Undoubtedly worth 5 stars, and I hope this review does it justice.

P.S. Thank you to Aria Fiction for sending me a lovely proof copy.

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I was excited to read this book as I’ve really fallen in love with the historical fiction genre, and have always been completely encapsulated and shocked by fiction that explores (sometimes in a brutally realistic and honest way) the treatment of black people or ethnic minorities. This is, in fact, what I wrote my dissertation about many moons ago..

I also loved the bright colours and intriguing image on the front of this one. It made me all the more eager to pick it up…

Blurb:

“I watched in awe as Miz Rosa stopped those men on the bus with her clear, calm “no” and I thought about that word. What if I said no? What if I refused to follow the path these White folks wanted for us? What if I kept this precious baby?

Montgomery, Alabama, 1955
On a cold December evening, Mattie Banks packs a suitcase and leaves her family home. Sixteen years old and pregnant, she has already made the mistake that will ruin her life and disgrace her widowed mother. Boarding the 2857 bus, she sits with her case on her lap, hoping that the driver will take her away from disaster. Instead, Mattie witnesses an act of bravery by a woman named Rosa Parks that changes everything. But as Mattie strives to turn her life around, the dangers that first led her to run are never far away. Forging a new life in a harsh world at constant risk of exposure, Mattie will need to fight to keep her baby safe.

Atlanta, Georgia, present day
Ashlee Turner is going home. Her relationship in ruins, her career held back by prejudice, she is returning to the family who have always been her rock. But Ashlee’s home is not the safe haven she remembers. Her beloved grandmother is dying and is determined to share her story before she leaves…

When Ashlee finds a stack of yellowing letters hidden in her nana’s closet, she can’t help the curiosity that compels her to read, and she uncovers an old secret that could wreak havoc on her already grieving family. As she tries to make sense of what she has learned, Ashlee faces a devastating choice: to protect her loved ones from the revelations, or honor her grandmother’s wishes and follow the path to the truth, no matter where it may lead.

My thoughts:

I loved so many things about this book. I loved the use of the two timelines to draw attention to the two women’s unique, yet similar in some way, stories. I have to say that I was more encapsulated by Mattie’s story, but found both narratives enjoyable…

I thought it was brilliantly unique and interesting to see the story of Rosa Parks from another point of view. I am very familiar with the story, but it was great to see how this event sparked not just a movement, but a personal sense of determination and injustice that spread far and wide.

As a woman with a black partner and a mixed race daughter, some of the treatment of black women within the novel completely infuriated me and broke my heart. Unfortunately, my partner reinforces to me daily that this is an issue that has not gone away, not by any stretch.

I absolutely loved the characters and thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the strong will and determination of these two black female characters.

Overall, this has been a powerful, inspiring and thought-provoking read that I would recommend to fans of multicultural and/or historical fiction.

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I am very excited to be kicking off the blog tour for this wonderfully humorous and heart-warming novel. I was drawn to this book by the gorgeously bright and eye-catching cover. I found the cover image to be quite humorous, but it also resonated with me as this person (mother) seems overwhelmed by the fast-paced nature and pressure of modern motherhood.

Blurb:

Mother-of-one Saoirse is just about holding it all together – combining part time work with the school run, while her husband David gets to focus on his career. But when David loses his job, everything has to change.

With no hesitation, Saoirse suggests she takes on the role of main breadwinner. After all, how hard can it be? And when a new client offers her a life-changing sum of money, Saoirse can look the other over-achieving Woodvale school-run mums in the eye with pride.

But there’s a problem with keeping too many balls in the air – eventually one is bound to drop. And when that happens – well, who knows what the consequences could be…

Laugh-out-loud funny, achingly relatable, but with a heart of gold, and warmth running through every page. This is the perfect read for anyone who has way too many balls in the air! The novel may or may not have been inspired by real life…

My thoughts:

We are thrown into a scene of domestic chaos straight away, at the beginning of the book. However, this is chaos of a lighter kind – a normal, everyday chaos if you like. The kind where everyone, but especially the central character Saoirse is rushing around, trying to do and be lots of things all at once. I immediately identified with the character and her situation – “it’s been a mad day” is a phrase I use often! Saoirse describes herself delving into the “cupboard of crap” in order to keep her child happy, and I found myself laughing out loud at these lively descriptions.

There are many light and humorous observations throughout the book and I could really sympathise with the pressure Saoirse felt to be a “perfect mum”, and I loved that she had the strength and confidence to do things her way! This instantly made her a likeable character and one that I could see myself being friends with.

There are many interesting relationships explored within the book, including that of having a best friend (as an adult), an only child and even a journey of discovery involving a birth mother. This is where Emma Murray takes this book to another level, and gives it a depth and warmth that are sometimes missed in favour of laugh out loud humour in similar style books.

There are some interesting and possibly triggering subjects explored in the book, including adoption, death and baby loss. However, I felt that these are dealt with in a sophisticated and sensitive way.

Overall, I have found this to be a heart-warming and uplifting tale about remembering what’s important in life – namely connection, compassion and self care. I have really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of Suzy K Quinn and Gill Sims.

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I was drawn to this one by the gorgeously crisp but also eerie cover. I was also very intrigued and excited to try my first foray into translated fiction.

Blurb:

Early spring has its icy grip on Ödesmark, a small village in northernmost Sweden, abandoned by many of its inhabitants. But Liv Björnlund never left. She lives in a derelict house together with her teenage son, Simon, and her ageing father, Vidar. They make for a peculiar family, and Liv knows that they are cause for gossip among their few remaining neighbours.

Just why has Liv stayed by her domineering father’s side all these years? And is it true that Vidar is sitting on a small fortune? His questionable business decisions have made him many enemies over the years, and in Ödesmark everyone knows everyone, and no one ever forgets.

Now someone wants back what is rightfully theirs. And they will stop at nothing to get it, no matter who stands in their way…

My thoughts:

This book did not disappoint and I am completely sold on the idea of translated fiction. The book is hauntingly beautiful, yet dark, throughout. I absolutely loved being transported to another country and culture, and was able to draw interesting comparisons and contrasts with quintessentially “British” fiction.

Vidar is a cleverly crafted villainous character, made out to be all the more evil from the dangerous village gossip that surrounds him, some of the truth of which is left undiscovered at the end of the book. This makes Vidar an extremely intriguing character; a mysterious and aloof man whom it is easy to dislike.

Conversely, his daughter Liv and grandson, Simon, provide some warmth to the book. Though clearly miserable and frustrated, they demonstrate a closeness, and at times, a hope for the future. But can their relationship withstand the mystery and shock of Vidar’s sudden murder?

A quote that really stood out to me was: “If you leave me I’ll drown myself, he says at regular intervals, and love and threats become the tapestry that enfolds them and holds them tight. The village is a black hole that sucks them in and will never let them leave.”

This to me demonstrates the suffocating and isolating atmosphere of the village, as well as the unique and bizarre familial relationship between the three main characters. It also brings to the fore some of the key themes of the book: power, control and abuse.

This is a dark book that could be triggering for some readers. However, I found it to be completely encapsulating and it left me guessing and uncertain until the very last pages.

My reading experience of this book has definitely made me eager to try out more translated fiction in the future!

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I’ve been excited about this book since I saw Wendy talk about it, and the writing process for it, at a Bookouture Panel which aired live on Facebook during last year’s lockdown. This book was definitely worth the wait!

Blurb:

Everyone in town said it was a mercy that she remembered so little. But there are some things Maya has never forgotten: that her mother was beautiful and kind, and she loved Maya very much. It’s what her father Stephen always tells her, about his perfect wife.

Years later, Maya still lives with her father in their cliffside home. Thankful for all the sacrifices he has made for her, she never pushes to find out what happened the night he lost the woman he loved. Even when she hears the whispers in town about him, and what they say he’s done.

But then Stephen introduces Maya to his new girlfriend Amy, and Maya starts to feel uneasy. With her soft dark hair and big blue eyes, Amy looks just like Maya’s mother. The more time they spend together the more Maya notices just how similar they are. And the tune Amy hums whilst cleaning the dishes is the same lullaby Maya’s mother sang to her when she was a little girl…

A thrilling and twisty tale, His Hidden Wife will keep you up all night, desperate to race through to its final conclusion. Readers of Gone Girl, The Couple Next Door and Lisa Jewell will be hooked. (less)

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I love the fact that although the central character, and possible villain of the story is Stephen, we get to see the action through the point of view of two female characters. I actually felt quite sorry for Maya from quite early on. She is an empathetic character in my opinion, and I felt sad that she had given up so much of her life to fulfil a subverted sense of duty and obligation, to fill a ‘hole’ that was left when her mother, which she knows deep down can never be filled. It is clear that, despite the years having passed, she is still full of grief and longing for what she has lost.

I like the fact that the story begins at a slower pace, with the narrative and character’s internal monologues giving subtle hints at the potential danger and eeriness to the story. I found this book difficult to put down, as I was eager to find out where the title of the novel would come into, and the secrets finally revealed.

This is definitely a sophisticated, well-paced and gripping tale. It is intended to shock, and I found the twists and turns to be completely unpredictable. I highly recommend this book to fans of Arianne Richmonde, Lisa Jewell and Shalini Boland.

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I was drawn to this book by the gorgeously bright and eye-catching cover, plus the sumptuous looking cake and the way it is juxtaposed with the rather threatening looking knife. I was immediately intrigued about the plot and setting for this cosy mystery series.

Blurb:

The first book in a NEW cosy mystery series!

Still spinning from the hustle and bustle of city life, Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is glad to be back in the Cornish village she calls home. Having quit the Met Police in search of something less dangerous, the change of pace means she can finally start her dream catering company and raise her daughter, Daisy, somewhere safer.

But there’s nothing like having your first job back at home to be catering an ex-boyfriend’s wedding to remind you of just how small your village is. And when the bride, Cheryl, vanishes Jodie is drawn into the investigation, realising that life in the countryside might not be as quaint as she remembers…

With a missing bride on their hands, there is murder and mayhem around every corner but surely saving the day will be a piece of cake for this not-so-amateur sleuth?

The first book in the Murder on the Menu cosy mystery series. Can be read as a standalone. A humorous cosy mystery with a British female sleuth in a small village. Includes one of Jodie’s Tried and Tested Recipes! Written in British English. Mild profanity and peril.

My thoughts:

I loved so many things about this book. I loved the fact that Jodie is described as ‘Nosey Parker’ as this is a nickname I’ve been given many times before. There is a good range of characters within the book, and they are all believable, and many likeable, whilst of course having your fair share of potential suspects! I love the fact that the main character and ‘heroine’ is a woman, and a down-to-earth, likeable woman, too!

I absolutely loved the setting of the North Cornwall coast. The descriptions of the setting evoked nostalgic images of holidays to the area and really brought the story to life.

I loved that there is a focus around food throughout the book as this has a lovely link with the cover. I found myself becoming very hungry at times and enjoyed reading these sumptuous and delightful descriptions.

This is definitely an edgy cosy mystery, that has all the best ingredients of the genre. There is well thought out and intentional humour, alongside a plot that makes for compulsive and addictive reading.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new cosy mystery author or series. I am really looking forward to seeing what the next book brings!

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I don’t know about you, but I am absolute love a romance (especially one set on British soil!) I also fall in love with illustrated covers. They remind me of the first books I ever read. You know those wonderfully vivid and beautiful illustrated front covers? If this sounds like something for you, I have SUCH a teatime treat for you today!

Blurb:

Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands for a heartwarming and feel good cosy romance that will whisk you away from lockdown!

When Scotland’s sleepiest hamlet becomes the centre of hot gossip, Layla Devlin finds herself caught in a mystery…

When Layla’s fiancée has an unexpected heart attack and dies – in another woman’s arms, no less – Layla is determined to pack up and leave Loch Harris, the village she’s always called home. But an unexpected inheritance and love for her quiet corner of Scotland send her down a new path.

Now Layla finds herself facing a whole new kind of drama. Rumours swirl that a celebrity has moved into Coorie Cottage and Layla is determined to have him headline her opening night at local music venue The Conch Club. But the reclusive star is equally determined to thwart Layla’s efforts. Rafe Buchanan is in hiding for a reason, and soon his past comes to Loch Harris to haunt him…

I hope you like the sound of this one as much as I do. I certainly can’t wait to read it!

You can preorder here:

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I was drawn to this one as I am always quite intrigued by books that are based on true events. The cover of the book is also completely fascinating, and there are a lot of symbols displayed which relate to a main theme of the book: identity. I was keen to find out how the title and cover fitted into the book, and linked to its themes.

Blurb:

“1993 was the year that Stephen Lawrence got murdered by racists, and I became an angry Black lad with a ‘chip on his shoulder’.” Aeon is a mixed-race teenager from a middle-class English suburb. At sixteen, he has already been arrested three times for crimes he did not commit. Aeon is desperate to understand the Black identity foisted on him by others. For want of Black role models, Aeon has immersed himself in gangsta rap, grown dreadlocks, and bought some big red boots. And now he’s in Jamaica. Within days of being in Jamaica, Aeon has been mugged and stabbed, arrested and banged up. Aeon has to fight for survival, fight for respect, and fight for his big red boots. And he has to fight for his identity because, here, Aeon is the White boy. Aeon’s cousin, Increase, is from a Birmingham ghetto. He has lived with Aeon’s family since his dad, a Yardie gangster, died during the ‘81 riots. In a bid to be his father’s antithesis, Increase has immersed himself in conservative Christianity, anti-Black ideology, and plaid tank tops. Now Increase is alone in Jamaica. He is being extorted by a criminal gang because of Aeon, and he thinks the owner of their hotel is in on the plot. Once back together, the cousins must attempt to stay alive, atone with their ancestors, and escape from Jamaica illegally…

My thoughts:

As a partner to an African man, and a mother to a mixed race daughter who was born and will be brought up in Wales, it has become increasingly important to me to understand the challenges she may face in her life.

This is a submersive and, at times, fascinating and shocking book that looks at lots of aspects of racial and cultural identity.

I enjoyed meeting and getting to know their two main characters, and found it interesting to see how despite their connections and commonalities, they differed so much. Aeon is desperate to embrace his cultural heritage, if only he could work out what that was. Increase, on the author hand, has spent his whole life running away from it. On many levels, they are an unlikely pairing, but this adds another layer of intrigue to the story at times.

I found the opening of the book quite slow and meandering, but it does pick up pace and takes some unexpected twists and turns. I also found the Jamaican dialect difficult to read at times, and wasn’t sure it really added anything to the book, but I know this would really suit and engage lots of readers.

Overall, this has been an eye-opening tale that has encouraged me to ponder some big philosophical questions about identity, race and culture. This is an important and honest book that I would recommend to fans of contemporary fiction.

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I was drawn to this book by the gorgeously bright and striking cover. I was also intrigued by the tag line, and keen to know the outcome of this unusual, far-fetched and original storyline!

Blurb:

Meet Patrick Cooper – desperately down on his luck, and head-over-heels in unrequited love with his best friend Bridget.

Meet Bridget’s sister, Emma Donovan –  eternally single maker-of-cakes for many a happy couple, whilst never making it down the aisle herself.

Emma has four younger sisters, all of whom are married or getting married, and an Italian mother who can’t understand what is ‘wrong’ with her eldest daughter, who seems to be stranded on the shelf.  Despairing of her own ability to find a suitable husband, Emma agrees to be part of a compatibility project to get married at first sight. 

Meanwhile Cooper is struggling to get over his crush on Bridget and seems destined to stay firmly on the shelf too. Perhaps it’s time his fate was taken out of his hands…

Is happily-ever-after just about daring to take a chance, or do you need some extra magic to make love last?

Join Beth Moran, Cooper and the Donovan sisters on this life-affirming and uplifting tale of love, family, friendship, and risking it all for happiness. 

My thoughts:

The opening of the book is engaging and throws us into the drama and horrifying hilarity of Emma’s failing dating life. We also quickly get a sense of the close knit nature and togetherness of the Donovan family, especially the sisters.

The plot, as I have said, is original and far-fetched, and one that I was hooked on. It took me a little while to get into, but then I got swept into the drama of family life and intrigued by the experiment Emma decides to take part in, and I struggled to put it down from about 40% in.

One quote that stands out, and is returned to throughout the book is this: “Chemistry, kindness and commitment – good soil in which love can take root, and a family can grow.” I really love this quote and I actually completely agree with it. A longlasting romantic relationship is more than just a physical attraction. That’s important, but commitment to one another, to common life goals, and kindness and respect for each other, in all sense of the word, is also vital for a healthy and resilient relationship. Emma goes on a journey that seeks to find out if these three things can be created and nourished after the wedding. Will it be the start of a new, happy beginning, or will it be a big mistake?

I would definitely describe this as an uplifting and original read. I would recommend it to fans of Portia Macintosh and Paige Toon.

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