Monthly Archives: September 2023

Book Review – Chasing Dreams On Sunshine Island By Georgina Troy

Welcome to Sunshine Island – where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle perfect and anything is possible…

Jax Hudson doesn’t mind the cold. He’s still wearing shorts and walking barefoot on the beach. He’s looking forward to spending the season with his girlfriend until she unexpectedly calls time on their relationship.

Alone and feeling very sorry for himself, Jax accepts an invitation to a Christmas Eve party and bumps into Phoebe Bishop who is still mortified about kissing him in the previous summer.

As the first snow flurries delight the party guests, the festive joy soon turns to disaster when a snowstorm knocks out the island’s power. Panic ensues as people realise their holiday plans may have to be cancelled.

Phoebe is reluctantly enlisted by Jax to help transport the partygoers to the comforts of their own homes. As Jax and Phoebe spend time together they realise they have more in common than either had imagined…

Could this be a holiday season full of magic, mistletoe and happy-ever-afters?

Published Date: 17 April 2023

My Review

This book is about Jax Hudson, a benevolent character always ready to help others. He eagerly anticipates spending Christmas with his girlfriend, only to be blindsided when she abruptly ends their relationship.In comes Phoebe Bishop, a character with unresolved matters with Jax from the previous summer. Their paths cross once more at a Christmas Eve party where, due to a sudden storm and power outage, they’re thrust into a situation requiring them to lead the community to safety. This unexpected event leads to them spending more time together, leaving them to question whether there are deeper feelings at play, or if it’s better for them to remain just friends.

The tale of Jax and Phoebe is delightful and captivating. Phoebe’s character particularly enthralled me, offering more depth than initially anticipated. I find her interactions with Jax particularly compelling. Her delightful nature pairs exceptionally well with Jax, enhancing the charm of the story. Overall, I found it to be a truly enjoyable reading experience.

My Rating

Review Card – Chasing Dreams On Sunshine Island By Georgina Troy

Welcome to Sunshine Island – where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle perfect and anything is possible…

Jax Hudson doesn’t mind the cold. He’s still wearing shorts and walking barefoot on the beach. He’s looking forward to spending the season with his girlfriend until she unexpectedly calls time on their relationship.

Alone and feeling very sorry for himself, Jax accepts an invitation to a Christmas Eve party and bumps into Phoebe Bishop who is still mortified about kissing him in the previous summer.

As the first snow flurries delight the party guests, the festive joy soon turns to disaster when a snowstorm knocks out the island’s power. Panic ensues as people realise their holiday plans may have to be cancelled.

Phoebe is reluctantly enlisted by Jax to help transport the partygoers to the comforts of their own homes. As Jax and Phoebe spend time together they realise they have more in common than either had imagined…

Could this be a holiday season full of magic, mistletoe and happy-ever-afters?

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 28 September 2023

Second Chances In Tuppenny Bridge By Sharon Booth

The end-of-summer sunset kisses the golden stone of Tuppenny Bridge’s Market Square and children chase fireflies past gardens brimming with sunflowers. Last year, Kat Pennyfeather’s life was turned upside down, but it seems destiny isn’t finished with her yet…

Kat Pennyfeather knows the joys and challenges of parenthood all too well – she’s been thrown into the deep end as a single, first-time mother to adorable baby Hattie. With the unwavering support of her beloved great aunties, affectionately known as The Lavender Ladies, and the sanctuary of her cosy home above Pennyfeather’s Wool Shop, Kat is holding things together…. mostly.

Across town, Jonah Brewster finds himself navigating the treacherous path of single parenthood after a painful divorce and unexpected loss. Jonah longs for stability, but the last thing he wants are the blind dates his well-meaning sister is constantly thrusting upon him.

When Kat and Jonah unexpectedly reconnect in the Market Café, something sparks between them. They’ve known each other for years, but now there’s a newfound understanding there… and, at least for Kat, something else too. But their shared past holds more than comfortable friendship – a terrible tragedy and some difficult unspoken truths. Can Kat and Jonah defy the odds and embrace an unexpected chance for happiness?

Meanwhile, The Lavender Ladies are making their own secret plans. Kat, well aware of their mischievous ways, hopes that whatever it is won’t put her job in the wool shop at risk. But when the truth is finally revealed, it’s so much worse than she thought. What on earth is she going to do now?

Only For Christmas By Tracy Corbett

One month to pretend… or one month to fall in love?

How do I turn down an overly keen colleague I have zero interest in dating? Should I:

  • Stammer and bluster my way through every excuse in the book
  • Accept and then immediately turn in my resignation letter, change my number and leave the country
  • Allow my hot, new, doctor neighbour to step in and pretend to be my boyfriend

The answer: there are no right answers.

But option 3 is happening and I’m fake dating Lucas just to survive my work Christmas party without any further unwanted advances.

Match Me If You Can By Sandy Barker

Welcome to the Ever After Agency – a clandestine organisation offering bespoke solutions to romantic problems.

Whether you’re looking for the love of your life, a fresh romantic start, or just want to keep up appearances, the agency can tailor a solution to meet your needs.

When Tristan Fellows walks into the agency, Poppy Dean knows she’s in for a challenge. A typical bachelor, Tristan has no intention of falling in love, but in order to receive his 30-million-pound inheritance, he must find himself a wife before his 35th birthday.

This may be Poppy’s hardest case yet, but even the most arrogant of men can sometimes warm a woman’s heart…

Book Review – Under A Greek Sun By Mandy Baggot

Eve Collins is looking forward to the holidays. 

Her job as a counsellor has been as taxing as it has been rewarding, and she can’t wait for some downtime on the Greek island of Corfu with best-friend, Gabby. But between Eve’s brother, Ben, unexpectedly joining and Gabby’s job at the animal rescue centre keeping her busy, Eve might have to start mucking in…

When Gianni arrives in the village of Episkepsi, it’s like a model has stepped straight off the pages of Vogue Italia… with an uptight personality to match. He may be super-sexy but there are obvious chips on those broad shoulders.

As Eve and Gianni get to know each other and both start to lean into the Greek customs and avrio mentality, an initial attraction starts to turn into something more. But with so much family drama in both their lives, neither of them were looking for a holiday romance…

Published Date: 18 April 2023

My Review

Eve Collins, a counselor by profession, is eagerly anticipating her upcoming vacation. The demanding but fulfilling nature of her work has left her yearning for a break on Corfu, a Greek island, with her best friend Gabby. However, the unexpected arrival of her brother Ben, along with Gabby’s commitments at an animal rescue center, may require Eve to chip in more than she planned.

Then, Gianni makes his appearance in the Episkepsi village, exuding a model-like charm reminiscent of Vogue Italia, but his personality is rather rigid. As Eve and Gianni acquaint themselves with each other and embrace the local Greek traditions and ‘avrio’ lifestyle, a spark of attraction begins to evolve into something deeper.

However, both have their own familial dramas to untangle before they can dive into a holiday romance. This is a love story where two disparate individuals discover each other amidst turmoil, leading to a blossoming romance. They must, however, confront their past and familial issues before they can enjoy their ‘Happily Ever After’.

The storyline is ingeniously laced with emotional turns that kept me enthralled. At times, I was moved to tears and I found myself unable to resist the pull of the narrative. All in all, I found it to be a delightful read.

My Rating

Review Card – Under A Greek Sun By Mandy Baggot

Eve Collins is looking forward to the holidays. 

Her job as a counsellor has been as taxing as it has been rewarding, and she can’t wait for some downtime on the Greek island of Corfu with best-friend, Gabby. But between Eve’s brother, Ben, unexpectedly joining and Gabby’s job at the animal rescue centre keeping her busy, Eve might have to start mucking in…

When Gianni arrives in the village of Episkepsi, it’s like a model has stepped straight off the pages of Vogue Italia… with an uptight personality to match. He may be super-sexy but there are obvious chips on those broad shoulders.

As Eve and Gianni get to know each other and both start to lean into the Greek customs and avrio mentality, an initial attraction starts to turn into something more. But with so much family drama in both their lives, neither of them were looking for a holiday romance…

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 26 September 2023

The Wedding Shake-Up By JJ Knight

A destination wedding on La Jarra Island for Tillie James’s sister has its drawbacks: hair-wrecking ocean spray and pincher crabs. And its perks: sexy, hotheaded beachfront bartender Gabe Landers, who brings out the competitive streak in fellow drinkslinger Tillie. When the rivals get together for a cocktail-making challenge, the blend is pure bliss, leaving them shaken and stirred.

The spirited blue-eyed tourist from Georgia makes Gabe’s head spin faster than his signature drink, the mermaid sunrise. But he’s determined not to obsess—out-of-towner love stories never last. Tillie agrees. They’ll just enjoy each other for now and make a clean break. No strings. No attachments. No chance. But when Tillie’s kiss goodbye comes with an invitation for Gabe to visit Atlanta, he can’t resist. As fate has it, it’s home to a heartbreaking piece of his own past.

As Tillie and Gabe face new challenges, destiny could tear them apart…or turn an intoxicating romance on the rocks into more than they ever expected.

Snowball Unwrapped By Kristen McKanagh

Take two humans destined for love (even if they don’t know it), add one adorably mischievous cat with a penchant for playing cupid, and throw in a gorgeous mountainside B&B decked out for the holidays…it’s Snowball’s recipe for the purrrfect Weber Haus Christmas!

Jocelyn Becker would do anything for her twin sister. Unfortunately, “anything” this time means taking Ilse’s place as host of tv’s Home & Hearth and filming five Christmas-themed episodes at the Victorian inn and shops of Weber Haus. Somehow, Jocelyn will have to convince the world—and her co-host, Ben—that she is Ilse, who can craft, cook, bake, sing, and skate. Jocelyn, however, cannot.

Snowball, the inn’s official greeter, is also having double trouble. The show has its own feline star, a Snowball-lookalike named Angel who’s more of a devil in disguise. Meanwhile, Snowball has noticed enough sparks between Ben and Jocelyn to light up a Christmas tree. But thanks to Jocelyn’s deception and Angel’s antics, this is going to be Snowball’s most challenging match yet.Still, the holidays are made for mistletoe kisses, crackling fires, cozy evenings, and of course, sweet Snowball shenanigans . . .

The Sound Of Sleighbells By Janet Dailey

After her divorce, Ruth McCoy is eager to trade her children’s painful memories for new holiday traditions. But Ruth has a whole new set of distractions when fate brings the man she once loved together with the son he never knew he had…

Life has thrown Judd Rankin some tough turns, and he’s startled by the feelings he still has for Ruth. Though the successful rancher knows better than to chase old dreams, he doesn’t mind lending the struggling single mom a hand. And when Judd sees Ruth’s teenaged son’s interest in his custom saddle business, he’s happy to let the boy help him build the harness for Branding Iron’s Christmas sleigh. Besides, the kid reminds Judd of the young man he once was. A man who believed anything was possible…

Powerless to deny the growing bond between her son and Judd, Ruth knows it’s only a matter of time before her secret is discovered. But will the revelation shatter the tender feelings between her and Judd—or turn out to be her family’s greatest gift?

Book Review – The Renegade By Kimberly Kincaid

He’s a younger man. An ex-Marine with a traumatic past. And he wants only one thing.

Her.

The last thing Jo Rossi expects when she goes to Remington for a make-or-break audition is to end up meeting an ex-Marine who’s more than half a decade younger than her and hotter than a freaking supernova.

And wait. Is he flirting with her?

The one and only time Jo has ever acted on impulse, she ended up with a surprise baby and a career she had to put on hold for six years. She needs to play it safe. Smart. And she definitely needs to not have a wild, impulsive, no-strings-attached fling so far from home.

Except Sawyer Knox is definitely flirting with her. And the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to resist…

Sawyer learned the hard way how short life can be. So when he sees Jo at the end of his bar, with her sassy smile and her mile-long legs, hell yes he flirts with her. He just didn’t mean to have a scorching-hot fling with her. Or to spend so much time with her after that.

He definitely didn’t mean to fall for her so fast or so hard.

Sawyer wants her. He wants it all. But Jo has to decide—can she risk her heart and go from fling to forever?

Published Date: 7 April 2023

My Review

Jo Rossi is in the city, on the brink of what could be a major turning point in her career. An audition for a starring role in a new series has presented itself, and while she cherishes her role as a mother, her passion for her profession has been notably absent. Sawyer Knox is no stranger to taking bold risks and understands the implications of returning home. Despite being younger than Jo, he’s drawn to her, wanting to aid in boosting her confidence for her upcoming audition. Jo initially harbors doubts, but as she becomes familiar with Sawyer, her emotions start to stir, yet she’s hesitant due to past experiences where taking a risk led to a pause in her dreams. As Sawyer gradually dismantles her barriers, Jo is confronted with a choice that has the potential to change her life irrevocably.

This narrative is steeped in themes of love and risk-taking that push boundaries, and explores the true meaning of love, friendship, and family.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 25 September 2023

Some Kind Of Blunderful By Livy Hart

If you ask Mia Madden, the road to dating hell is paved with suspiciously hot online profiles. Take tonight’s date, for example. Alex Conroy’s whole “boardroom in the streets, lumberjack in the sheets” thing totally works for her, but his profile did not convey that he represents everything she loathes about corporate hustle culture. He’s not even worth her bottle of purse wine.

Imagine her horror when it turns out that Alex is also the hot-shot new boss her dad can’t stop complaining about—the Forbes 30-under-30 company fixer of his nightmares. Worse, their respective best friends are dating. Mia and Alex are constantly thrown together, whether it’s for corporate volunteer hours at the animal rescue, squaring off at the company picnic, or literally trapped in an escape room. It’s one nightmare after another…no matter how sexy the company is.

Mia’s life is now a romantic-comedy of errors, complete with her kinda, sorta, accidentally sleeping with the enemy. And she’s not sure which is worse: that Alex could ruin her dad’s career, or that she might actually like him.

Review Card – The Renegade By Kimberly Kincaid

The last thing Jo Rossi expects when she goes to Remington for a make-or-break audition is to end up meeting an ex-Marine who’s more than half a decade younger than her and hotter than a freaking supernova.

And wait. Is he flirting with her?

The one and only time Jo has ever acted on impulse, she ended up with a surprise baby and a career she had to put on hold for six years. She needs to play it safe. Smart. And she definitely needs to not have a wild, impulsive, no-strings-attached fling so far from home.

Except Sawyer Knox is definitely flirting with her. And the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to resist…

Sawyer learned the hard way how short life can be. So when he sees Jo at the end of his bar, with her sassy smile and her mile-long legs, hell yes he flirts with her. He just didn’t mean to have a scorching-hot fling with her. Or to spend so much time with her after that.

He definitely didn’t mean to fall for her so fast or so hard.

Sawyer wants her. He wants it all. But Jo has to decide—can she risk her heart and go from fling to forever?

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Book Review – One Last Summer At Seabreeze Farm By Jo Bartlett

A summer to remember…

Georgia Banks knows she’s living on borrowed time. So, when doctors tell her she’s got one last summer to make all her dreams come true, she’s determined to make every day count.

The one thing that’s never in doubt, is that she wants her best friend, Gabe, to be with her every step of the way. And so, Georgia draws up her not-a-bucket list with all the things she’s determined to tick off before she goes – number one of which is to spend one last summer by the sea.

Seabreeze Farm perched high on the cliffs above the English Channel is the perfect spot, and surrounded by the antics of its menagerie of rescued animals and the warmth of the friendship she’s offered there, Georgia starts to believe she can live out all her dreams before it’s too late.

And just when she thinks there’s nothing left to wish for, Georgia gets another chance at life. But taking it might mean losing the one person she cares about the most.

As she faces her biggest challenge yet, Georgia wonders if her last summer at Seabreeze Farm will mean the end of her biggest dream of all.

Published Date: 13 April 2023

My Review

Upon receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis, Georgia resolves to live her remaining time to the fullest, choosing to spend her last summer by the sea. Her bucket list is filled with simple yet meaningful things like fundraising for a charity or adopting a puppy. Despite the intense curiosity of her best friend, Gabe, and her mother, Caroline, about possible treatments, Georgia remains focused on savoring her summer in Kelsea Bay. Here, she manages to check off wishes from her list, discovers love, nurtures hope for what lies ahead, and surrounds herself with a host of lively animals and supportive friends, characters that have become beloved from previous books.

This book was truly a beautiful read. It beautifully explores themes of finding hope in despair, the joy in life’s small moments, and the development of a remarkable relationship at the heart of the story. Overall, I found the book deeply satisfying.

My Rating