This is an author that has been on my TBR for way too long! After reading this one, I totally regret that!
Zoe is torn between the quiet, lonely but peaceful and secure single life and the excitement but also effort and disappointment of dating. Which path should she choose?
The book contained lots of hilarious dating anecdotes which had me chuckling out loud. Zoe tells us that she knows when it’s time to say “Thank you, next” or time to just make a run for it, but she is often too polite, stubborn or hungry to do so.
Zoe was a completely likeable character, with a very girl next door feel to her, and I enjoyed feeling like I was a fly on the wall as I saw how things developed for her.
The ending was absolutely perfect and I liked the fact that it was difficult to predict for the majority of the book where this one would go.
Overall, a light, fun, heart warming read by a new favourite of mine from the chick lit genre.
I was drawn to this book as I was intrigued by the title and the idea of a psychological thriller novella, which is something I’ve never read before.
It is clear that J A Andrews is a talented author of this genre as he immediately creates intriguing and mysterious characters in Alecia and Jake.
The story line is very dark and revolves around an underground club known as Sordida. The name itself provides some clues and hints, suggesting that the place will be linked to immoral, dishonourable people and actions. Alecia sees it as her glimmer of hope, her secret way to improve her social standing and get richer. Will this really be the case, or will she get more than she bargained and hoped for?
This was overall a quick, tense and dark read that I have enjoyed, though I found the reading at times quite uncomfortable!
I am very excited to present a promo post for Emily Harvale’s glorious book, Just for Christmas. Emily’s books are always fun, sweet, quick reads and I adore them. I hope you like the sound of this one 😁♥️
Just for Christmas
Could this be true love? Or is it just for Christmas?
Finding an abandoned dog beside the road isn’t the Christmas surprise interior designer, Molly Ford is hoping for. But when the local vet can’t find a space for the bedraggled dog, Molly makes a rash decision.
The problem is, she’s spending Christmas with her brother, Terence, and his girlfriend is allergic to dogs, so the bundle of wet fur, which Molly has named Miracle, might not be the only one needing a home this Christmas.
And Miracle causes chaos wherever he puts his paws. He pees on the Christmas tree, shreds the Christmas presents and eats the honeyed ham. That’s just the first night.
When Terence’s best friend, Chance offers Molly and Miracle a place to stay for Christmas, Molly is ecstatic. She doesn’t mind at all when he informs her there are strings attached. She’d rather like a festive fling with gorgeous Chance.
Now Molly’s in for another surprise. Chance is about to pop the question. Except it’s not to Molly. In fact, he needs her help to get the dilapidated cottage he’s bought, all clean and sparkly in time for his girlfriend’s impending arrival on New Year’s Eve.
But as Molly and Chance grow closer, spending time together beneath the stars in a winter wonderland and enjoying the Christmas festivities, they realise they have feelings for each other.
Could this be true love? Or is it just for Christmas?
Emily writes novels, novellas and short stories about friendship, family and falling in love. She loves a happy ending but knows that life doesn’t always go to plan. Her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.
Emily loves to connect with her readers and has a readers’ group in which many have become good friends. To catch up with Emily, find out about the group, or connect with her on social media, go to her website at www.emilyharvale.com.
Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now writes full-time. She’s a member of the SoA, an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. When not writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both. Emily has two mischievous rescue cats that like to sprawl across her keyboard, regardless of whether Emily is typing on it, or not.
I definitely sit in the “love” camp when it comes to the film Love Actually, but I haven’t always been there – I’d describe this film as a “grower”.
It caught my attention at first due to the big all star cast, which Gary admits is a huge selling point for the film, and quite possibly the (only) good thing about it. However, I have grown to love it as a completely unrealistic yet heart warming representation of what Christmas could, or should be about…
I was surprised then to read this extended critique and find myself agreeing at many points with Gary. It is certainly an excellent example of how to argue a point well and persuade others to agree with you!
This was a well researched, humorous, quick read which has taken me out of my reading comfort zone and given me food for thought regarding representation within films.
This was my first read by Liz Hinds but one I have really enjoyed. Sometimes you need the comfort and familiarity of a book about “normal” things, like marriage and family life, especially at the moment when the real world seems a little bit unbelievable and out of a control…
This was a huge comfort read for me. As I read on, Alison felt like an old friend. The way she described her mum really resonated with me as a true to life mum/daughter relationship. She is annoying, stubborn, stuck in her ways and they don’t agree on much, but she is still someone she knows she can rely and depend on (most of the time!)
I also love the way this author has created and described the female friendships within the group. They are far from perfect, and there’s some awkward situations, but the friendship of the main three female characters felt authentic as they face struggles, but stick together nonetheless.
There are some dramatic plot points which add another layer to the book, but each of them is faced with a natural humour, which I feel is a very British defence mechanism and adds to the narrative of the book. I also loved the obsession with biscuits and could definitely identify with Alison on that level too, haha!
Overall, an entertaining heart felt read by an author I will definitely be returning to.
I am a huge psychological thriller fan, and I am always on the look out for new authors to add to the wish list and new titles to get absorbed in!
This was my first read by Karen King and it did not disappoint. I was completely pulled in by the characters – you have sweet, lovely, but determined and opinionated Freya, who I admired throughout for her strength and bravery. Then you have creepy, malicious Phil and questionable Daisy, who is Freya’s sister. The characters completely made the story and gripped me from the beginning.
Phil is involved in what is thought to be an accident, until investigations by the police and insurance company seem to prove otherwise. Freya has fallen out of love with Phil and wants to leave him, but she knows that even for her, that would be one step so far. So who is responsible for trying to kill Phil? (Totally had an Eastenders flashback there haha).
I really identified with Freya as I have also been at the receiving end of manipulative, aggressive, deceitful behaviour by a man who is so clever, cunning and trusted that it’s hard to believe what goes on behind closed doors…
This book kept me hooked, and at times I found myself a little frustrated as I just wanted to know the truth! The book is full of amazing twists and complications that really make the story original and engaging.
This has been a great psychological thriller read and I am sure I would return to this author again in the future.
I am very excited and honoured to be involved in my first blog tour for an illustrated children’s book!
Hector is trying to make the perfect cake for his Granny. Try as he might, he cannot get hold of the one missing, key ingredient – peanut butter. Will he get hold of the peanut better so that the cake can be perfect? And if not, will his Granny appreciate it anyway?
I read this book with my daughter Lili, who is 2.5 years old. She was very excited to receive her first bit of #bookmail and absolutely adored the book.
The cover image is striking and the pictures throughout are bright and engaging. The pictures have clearly been thoughtfully illustrated as after a few times of reading my daughter was able to “read” or follow the story using the pictures alone.
I do enjoy a children’s book with a lesson, or moral, and this one seems to be about resilience, perseverance, determination, but also appreciation of family and kindness.
A truly lovely book that I would recommend for all pre school children and early readers.
Thank you so much to the author and publishers for our #giftedcopy.
This was a 2013 book that the author believed needed to be re-read and readvertised due to the current relevance to the Covid19 pandemic. At the time of writing, the idea of a pandemic was almost entirely fictional to the majority of those reading the book… now, obviously, things have changed quite a lot. Therefore, it was interesting to read this book in the light of current circumstances.
Spencer is a financial journalist looking for the story to make his career. He focuses his efforts and attention on Alex Reid, a mysterious multi millionaire who has a noble and selfless ambition of protecting society from a deadly virus. Will what Spencer uncovers save or threaten humanity?
This was an original read and a poignant one within the current circumstances.
The book was gripping at times, especially through the second half, and the plot was complex and the characters were unique and well developed.
Overall, a relevant read for the times and a great choice for fans of books with a science fiction, dystopian feel!
As an English teacher, I was very excited to get my hands on an early copy of this book and share it with my students, before writing this review for the blog tour.
The book itself is very user friendly and attractive to the reader/user. The activities within the book are simple, in that there is not an overload of information or instructions, but still thought provoking activities that allow the learner to really think about and focus on their writing.
The pupils who I used the activity book with were secondary school pupils who struggled with confidence in writing due to dyslexia or other learning needs, and they said they liked the fact that the activities were varied and allowed them to choose a subject or topic that interested them. They also liked the fact that the layout of the book meant that they could focus on the quality of their writing rather than the quantity, as many of the activities were short, snappy activities that allowed pupils to focus on their ideas, but also basics such as sentence construction.
This book is highly valued at my school and has been used multiple times by the literacy support teachers, who praise it highly.
I would like to thank the author and the publishers for this gifted copy and the opportunity to take part in the tour.
This is not my usual read but it is still a fantastic police procedural and mystery story.
Clark Stanton is faced with an impossible choice. Should he risk his career in order to save his wife’s? Can his marriage survive the fall out?
The action is piled on from the very beginning and this book was a rollercoaster ride, full of drama and intrigue.
The characters were relatable and I felt like I was immersed in the busy city life of Seattle. Some of the interactions between the character struck very deep emotions within me, as it made me question what I would do in their position. Others provided well needed light relief from the politics and suspense of the story.
Overall, an original and brilliant read for police procedural fans!
*Ceri's Lil Blog* 