Monthly Archives: May 2023

Book Review – The Keepsake Quilters By Felicity Hayes – McCoy

One family. Three generations. And the threads that bind them together …

Successful TV producer Penny has always been a planner. She knows exactly what her future looks like – until an unexpected pregnancy forces her to rethink everything, especially her relationship with the baby’s father.

Penny’s mum Val raised her alone and always taught her daughter to be independent. But she can’t understand why Penny seems intent on pushing her away now, when she needs her more than ever.

Marguerite, Val’s recently widowed mother, has an idea to help heal this rift: sewing together a keepsake quilt for the baby. But as the quilt takes shape, memories surface, and the three women begin to discover more about each other than they ever could have imagined. As Christmas approaches, will they finally realise that maybe they’ve been looking for happiness in all the wrong places?

Published Date: 22 October 2022

My Review

This is a story of 3 generations of women focusing on the story surrounding the pregnancy of Penny. It started with a lunch with her grandma Marguerite and mother, Val where Penny break the news to both of them.  From the beginning, the 3 generation of women are disconnected as a family with only random meetup between them. But Penny’s pregnancy has brought Marguerite and Val to come together to help Penny which Penny is trying to avoid. So, they decide to make a keepsake quilt for the baby.

It is a heart-warming read that tell the story of 3 persons from different generation. The story is very engaging and well written story plot. Love reading each of the main characters’ approaches in life which can be as different as it is.

My Rating

Review Card -The Keepsake Quilters By Felicity Hayes – McCoy

One family. Three generations. And the threads that bind them together …

Successful TV producer Penny has always been a planner. She knows exactly what her future looks like – until an unexpected pregnancy forces her to rethink everything, especially her relationship with the baby’s father.

Penny’s mum Val raised her alone and always taught her daughter to be independent. But she can’t understand why Penny seems intent on pushing her away now, when she needs her more than ever.

Marguerite, Val’s recently widowed mother, has an idea to help heal this rift: sewing together a keepsake quilt for the baby. But as the quilt takes shape, memories surface, and the three women begin to discover more about each other than they ever could have imagined. As Christmas approaches, will they finally realise that maybe they’ve been looking for happiness in all the wrong places?

About The Author

USA Today bestselling Irish author Felicity Hayes-McCoy’s latest book, a standalone novel, The Keepsake Quilters (Hachette Irl 2022), was published to critical acclaim. Best-selling Irish authors Roisin Meaney and Carmel Harringon called it “the perfect festive read” and “warm and wise … an absolute joy”; Claudia Carroll and Patricia Scanlan say it’s “warm, funny and full of heart” and “a fascinating, beautifully-written generational saga”; and television presenters Barbara Scully and Mary Kennedy have described it as “a gorgeous novel” and “a beautifully-crafted story.”

Felicity is also the author of the ‘Finfarran’ novels, set in a fictional county on Ireland’s West Coast. Marian Keyes calls her writing “a pitch-perfect delight”, Cathy Kelly, bestselling author of “Between Sisters” and “Secrets of a Happy Marriage”, has described the Finfarran books as “a delicious feast”, and “sunshine on the page”, while Jenny Colgan, bestselling author of “The Cafe by the Sea”, calls them “charming and heartwarming”. The Heart of Summer, (Finfarran #6) was published by Hachette Irl in May 2020. Ireland’s Sunday Business Post reviewer wrote “This works perfectly well as a standalone novel … her writing sings”, and bestselling author Patricia Scanlan wrote “Fans of Maeve Binchy will adore it – she just gets better and better!”

Link To Purchase

Book Review – There’s No Place Like Home By Jane Lovering

Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life. 

A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.

Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.

As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when Izzy finally tells them the truth that has brought her out on the Moors, will that be the end of their adventure, or the beginning of her future? Because what Izzy really needs is a place to call home, and someone to share it with could be even better…

Published Date: 10 January 2023

My Review

Six people decide to join a reality show where they have to stay in each other company for a month when it is freezing cold and raining camping with basic amenities. Each of them has their reasons to take part in this reality show. Izzy want to find money for rental downpayment, Kanga is certain that her participation in this show will lead her to greater things, Ruth with her innocent outlook what to start to explore life, Junior is chasing bigfoot, Sebastian is convinced he saw something on the moor and want to find out the truth while guarding his secret closely and Mac, a grumpy guy who don’t wish to be there at all.

This book focuses on life, family, friendship and relationship between one to another. The characters are with different personality and each of them have their own story to tell. Overall, the story plot is good albeit abit draggy, full of twists and turns and overall it is a good read to me.

My Rating

Review Card – There’s No Place Like Home By Jane Lovering

Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life. 

A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.

Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.

As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when Izzy finally tells them the truth that has brought her out on the Moors, will that be the end of their adventure, or the beginning of her future? Because what Izzy really needs is a place to call home, and someone to share it with could be even better…

About The Author

Jane was, presumably, born, although everyone concerned denies all knowledge. However there is evidence that her early years were spent in Devon (she can still talk like a pirate under the right conditions) and of her subsequent removal to Yorkshire under a sack and sedation. She now lives in North Yorkshire, where she writes romantic comedies and labours under the tragic misapprehension that Johnny Depp is coming for her any day now. Owing to a terrible outbreak of insanity she is now the minder of five cats and three dogs – just as the five kids showed signs of leaving home, and she has to spend considerable amounts of time in a darkened room as a result (of the animals, not the kids leaving home).

Jane’s likes include marshmallows, the smell of cucumbers and the understairs cupboard, words beginning with B, and Doctor Who. She writes with her laptop balanced on her knees whilst lying on her bed, and her children have been brought up to believe that real food has a high carbon content. And a kind of amorphous shape.

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 19 May 2023

Winter Whimsy On The Boardwalk By Georgina Troy

When Lexi Davies discovers that her father has sold the fishermen’s cottages that she lives in and runs as holiday lets, she is furious and heartbroken. Lexi realises that her whole future at her beloved cottages is now over.

New owner, handsome, Scottish entrepreneur Oliver Whimsy arrives on the island in a blaze of glory and immediately upsets the locals.

When he offers Lexi her old job, she’s unsure whether to accept but needing a roof over her head for the winter, she finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Pride does not pay the bills. As they get to know one another, there’s far more to Oliver Whimsy than she or anyone else had imagined.

What heartache is Oliver trying so desperately to hide from?
And why was he so determined to buy the cottages?
Lexi is on a mission to find out…

Happy Publication Day – 18 May 2023

Fly Me To Paris By Helga Jensen

Can Penny find the courage to spread her wings?

Penny is not living her best life.  Her job is far from thrilling and her long-term boyfriend shows no sign of wanting to commit.  She has just turned fifty and is going nowhere.

Wanting a new start, Penny applies for a job as cabin crew, to find out if she can push herself out of her comfort zone.

Her new job brings the adventure she craves, even if she does keep bumping into impossibly handsome but deeply annoying pilot, Matt Garcia.

Stuck in Paris on an unscheduled stopover, the chemistry between them grows. But the path of love never did fly smooth, as Matt’s past threatens to come between them.

Beside which, Penny is not looking for love. But what if love finds her?

Mr Jerk By Leslie North

The first time I met Noah Parker, he asked if I was an escort. Apparently when you’re a billionaire sports agent, finding strange half-naked women in your hotel room is…normal? That didn’t stop me launching a stiletto at him. He’s fine—good reflexes.

Still, he walked into my hotel room—claiming it’s his—and has no plans on leaving.Neither do I. Which is how I end up sharing a bed with Mr. Jerk. Platonically…more or less. Nothing happened, I just might have had a few naughty thoughts and some very pleasant dreams.He’s hot, all right? A hot jerk. Volcanic levels of hotness.

But a jerk nonetheless. Like when he fires his assistant in front of me. And then asks me if I want the job. Only a 5-star, card-carrying, world-revolves-around-me, A—hole would be so brazen. But he’s also paying me triple what my newspaper assistant job did. Giving me access to legit superstars.

Starring in my dirtiest of fantasies. And that’s a problem. Because I can’t fall for my bosshole. They say he always gets what he wants. But he’s not getting me.

Book Review – Finding Home In Dolphin’s Cove By Kellie Hailes

All Kenna Sanders has ever wanted is to find a place she can call home. So when her grandmother leaves her failing bait shop business to her, Kenna sees a chance at building a stable life in the Cornish village she was born in but never knew. But her grandmother’s will has one stipulation: she has to share the cottage with a total stranger!

Kyran has lost everyone he holds dear and now his business is on the verge of collapse. The last thing he wants is for a woman to waltz in, promise to make it all better, and stir up feelings he’s long supressed. Especially a woman in such close proximity…

Kenna has an idea to save the business: set up a fishing festival to reinspire interest in the bait shop. As they work closely together, attraction quickly sparks between them. But while Kenna is looking for forever, Kyran is too afraid to get hurt again. Can they find a way to make the festival a success and escape with their hearts intact?

Published Date: 22 August 20232

My Review

Kenna went back to take over the bait shop that her grandmother leave her. She saw the chance to set up a stable for herself in the Cornish village she born into but never stay around before. However, her inheritance came with a clause, she have to stay with Kyran who basically a stranger to her. The bait business is on the verge of collapse and Kenna have to come up with something to save the business.

This story is about family and finding love again. Both Kenna and Kyran comes from a dysfunctional family. While Kenna have her mum, Kyran was alone since he was small and it was Kenna’s grandma who take care of him. He also experienced painful loss and it was rather difficult for him to be closed to someone again. It is rather emotional read for me reading the story as the main characters individually dealing with some emotional conflicts.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 16 May 2023

Funny Guy By Emma Barry

Sam can’t escape the smash hit “Lost Boy” because, well, he is the lost boy. His pop-singer ex immortalized him in a song about his childish ways, and now his comedy career is on the line.

At least he still has Bree, his best friend and confidante. Bree has always been there for Sam, but she’s never revealed her biggest secret: she’s in love with him. To help herself move on, Bree applies for her dream job across the country—and doesn’t say a thing to Sam.

But as Sam tries to resuscitate his career, he turns to Bree for support—and maybe more. In the confines of her tiny apartment, they share a different dynamic. A charged dynamic. But she’s his friend. He can’t be falling for her.

Except he is.

Are his feelings for Bree just funny business? Or is their smoldering attraction the real deal?

The Coach Trip By Izzy Bromley

In this heartwarming story of hope and second chances, Emma and Mel are about to discover that sometimes life is about the journey, not the destination…

Classic forgetful Emma—she’s done it again, this time accidentally ruining a Valentine’s Day surprise for her best friend Mel. Desperate to make up for it, she promises Mel a birthday trip to Edinburgh—a girls’ weekend to end all girls’ weekends. There’s just one massive hitch…

Emma has already promised her grandma that she’ll go on a coach trip with her to scatter her grandad’s ashes…In Edinburgh. On Mel’s birthday weekend. Oh God.

That’s right, with one innocent but inevitable diary clash, two very different road trips are thrust together. Surrounded by a bunch of septuagenarians who seem to have forgotten how to have fun, can Emma support Grandma through her grief and give Mel a birthday to remember? Or is their friendship doomed to become roadkill? She’s about to find out…

Summer In Tuppenny By Sharon Booth

It’s July in Tuppenny Bridge. The warm air swirls with butterflies and violets tumble from the window boxes of the pretty stone cottages lining the market square. Summer Fletcher – handy barmaid, devoted stablehand and definitely her mother’s daughter – is ready for a lazy summer in the Yorkshire Dales, but fate has other plans… 

Summer and her mum soon find their hands full with the arrival of her future stepsister, Frankie – a blue-haired teen firecracker who’s nothing like the sweet little girl they remember. Meanwhile, local vet Ben is struggling – buried under a mountain of responsibility with trying to keep his crumbling family home Monk’s Folly standing, while supporting his reclusive mother and errant younger brother.

When Summer and Ben unexpectedly cross paths in the local bookshop, sparks fly… but despite Summer’s name, it isn’t all sunshine and roses. In Tuppenny Bridge, gossip travels fast, and each of them has their own demons they can’t quite leave behind. Will the weight of their pasts tear them apart just when they need each other the most?

With more than one heart in need of mending, a beloved old horse named Shadow, a missing pair of young lovers, and a family wedding on the cards – it will be a summer that the residents of Tuppenny Bridge will never forget.

The Memory Of You By Samantha Tonge

Alex would like to believe she’s a woman who has it all. Or that’s what she tells everyone, including herself. But this is far from true. Actually she’s on the cusp of losing her home, her dream career as a writer is in tatters, her ex won’t speak to her, and her mother’s gone forever.

But then a chance meeting with a stranger named Hope gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, when Hope jokes that perhaps Alex should take over her job in a cafe while she goes travelling.

Just at that moment, it sounds like the answer to all her problems. So Alex persuades Hope to let her step into her shoes for a month. She brushes away Hope’s attempts to explain about the café, instead demanding to know more about the owner Tom.

But she should have asked to know more. Because the ‘Wrong Order Café’ isn’t like anywhere she’s ever been before. And Alex’s life is about to change forever…

Review Card – Finding Home In Dolphin’s Cove By Kellie Hailes

All Kenna Sanders has ever wanted is to find a place she can call home. So when her grandmother leaves her failing bait shop business to her, Kenna sees a chance at building a stable life in the Cornish village she was born in but never knew. But her grandmother’s will has one stipulation: she has to share the cottage with a total stranger!

Kyran has lost everyone he holds dear and now his business is on the verge of collapse. The last thing he wants is for a woman to waltz in, promise to make it all better, and stir up feelings he’s long supressed. Especially a woman in such close proximity…

Kenna has an idea to save the business: set up a fishing festival to reinspire interest in the bait shop. As they work closely together, attraction quickly sparks between them. But while Kenna is looking for forever, Kyran is too afraid to get hurt again. Can they find a way to make the festival a success and escape with their hearts intact?

About The Author

At the age of five Kellie Hailes declared she was going to write books when she grew up. It took a while for her to get there, with a career as a radio copywriter, freelance copywriter and beauty editor filling the dream-hole, until now. Kellie lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her patient husband and very entertaining daughter. When the characters in her head aren’t dictating their story to her, she can be found taking short walks, eating good cheese and hanging out for her next coffee fix.

Link To Purchase

Book Review – Once Upon A Royal Christmas By Teri Wilson

“I’m Prince Nikolas of San Glacera. Oh, you’ve never heard of us? Well, you’re not the only one. Our country relies on winter tourism, but we’re attracting fewer and fewer visitors. I admit it’s a problem. I just don’t think the solution is an American who likes to play dress-up.

You see, while I was away on a trip, my younger sister convinced the palace to hold a contest. The winner gets to star in our annual Ice Village festivities and accompany our royal family to holiday events.

And who did they choose? Gracie Clark, who runs a children’s party business and performs as—I kid you not—‘Princess Snowflake.’

Of course, I do respect the fact that she volunteers at children’s hospitals. I suppose to some, she might have a certain charm… But the whole cheap spectacle is beneath our dignity.

I’m not going to shirk my duty to my kingdom. I’ll go to every event with her. At least, once Christmas is over, she’ll be gone…”

Published Date: 1 November 2022

My Review

Gracie is a Princess Snowflakes who dress up as princesses and other characters for party and openings. All her application for loan to expand her business was rejected as Bank doesn’t see her business prospects. Her business partner entered her for a contest and the winner will win $30k, the exact amount that she needs for her business. And she indeed won the contest and now, she have to travel to the Royal Palace in San Glacera to help with their winter festival. When she arrives, she met Prince Nikolas, the heir to the throne, who come across as a grumpy.

It is a light, entertaining and predictable story with a twist on the Cinderella theme. I love Gracie and Nikolas’ characters. They are so different in their background but yet similar at the same time. I enjoyed reading their relationshipThere were many heart warming moments that make me smile. Overall it is a sweet love story to me.

My Rating