February 2024 – Page 3

Book Review – Love Quest By Camilla Isley

She didn’t go to the jungle to meet the man of her dreams. Luckily, Dr Logan Spencer is NOT the man of her dreams!

As epic meet-cutes go, travel photographer, Winter Knowles thinks finding a gorgeous naked man outside her Thailand villa is pretty perfect. But then she discovers the naked heartthrob is none other than Dr Logan Spencer, her gruff standoffish (but sexy as hell) jungle expedition leader.

Dr Logan is on the mission of a lifetime. There’s a lost city of gold to discover and he doesn’t need any distractions – especially not the stubborn, sassy beautiful photographer type! His reputation is on the line.

These arch rivals get off on the wrong foot. But when the heat rises in the jungle, Winter and Logan are forced together in the face of danger. Is trusting someone with your life the best meet-cute of all?

Published Date: 8 July 2023

My Review

Winter, a secretive photographer on assignment in Thailand, anticipates an extraordinary journey capturing detailed evidence. Meanwhile, Dr. Logan Spencer, an esteemed archaeologist, leads a team to uncover a hidden city. Logan, skeptical of Winter’s role, expects her to be a distraction. Their clash begins immediately, fueling mutual dislike. As the expedition takes a dramatic turn, Winter and Logan’s relationship evolves into a survival battle, intertwined with escalating chemistry.

A delightful read filled with action, adventure, danger, banter, and the classic “will they/won’t they” suspense. While I noticed a few minor plot holes that didn’t completely round out the book for me, overall, it offered a quick, enjoyable experience. It featured tense and scary moments, but the evolution of the relationships added a fun element to follow.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 14 February 2024

Shout Out To My Ex By Sandy Barker

Fashion designer Elle Bliss is unlucky in love.

She’s still hung up on her first love, Leo, who ended things abruptly, then mysteriously disappeared – and a decade on, no one else can measure up.

But Elle’s all-time dream of showing in Paris Fashion Week is about to become a reality, and she has no time to dwell on her dismal love life. That is until Leo – now going by Lorenzo – comes back into her life.

An up-and-coming shoe designer, ‘Lorenzo’ is nothing like the man she fell in love with. Rude, brash and with an ego the size of Paris, he’s too caught up in his own celebrity.

But as they constantly cross paths in the city of love, Elle begins to question how much of ‘Lorenzo’ is an act – a persona for the cameras. Because deep down, she can see glimpses of the man he was, and feelings from all those years ago become impossible to ignore…

Review Card – Love Quest By Camilla Isley

She didn’t go to the jungle to meet the man of her dreams. Luckily, Dr Logan Spencer is NOT the man of her dreams!

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 13 February 2024

The Island Of Dreams By Helen McGinn

Martha is the youngest of three sisters and, in her mid-thirties, has the dubious honour of being the only one to call off a wedding at the last moment.

Now, feeling as if she’ll be single forever, and trying to keep her low opinion of her sister Iris’s fiancé to herself for risk of looking bitter, Martha needs a change of scene.

When she is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake.

But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home. How can Martha leave behind the warmth of the people, the freedom and the fun, not to mention Harry and Milo when it’s time for her to go home…

Book Review – A Month In Provence By Gillian Harvey

Interior designer Nicky always used to know how to make the best of things. Ever since she lost her husband though, things haven’t been easy. She’s had to raise her two daughters alone and she’s so proud to see them all grown up, and she knows that’s down to her. But she can’t help but feel like she doesn’t know what to do with her life now…

Then her best friend begs her to help out. Jenny is a TV exec and her new renovation show is in peril. Only Nicky can help.

The catch – Nicky needs to fly to Provence… tomorrow. To renovate a tumbledown B&B. Jenny doesn’t mention the fact that the grumpy B&B owner Robert seems to need a makeover too. Or that the budget is next to nothing…

Will Nicky be able to turn the B&B’s fortunes around, save her best friend’s job, and maybe even find some happiness for herself, under the blazing hot French sun this summer…?

Published Date: 11 July 2023

My Review

After a decade as a widow, Nicky struggled to move beyond the tragic car accident that claimed her husband. Initially absorbed in raising her now-grown daughters, she had set aside her own dreams. Jenny’s enticing proposition became an unexpected challenge Nicky had unknowingly awaited.

Arriving in Provence to revamp a rundown B&B, Nicky faced the daunting task. Meeting Robert, the widower owner, she realized she might have taken on more than she could handle. Robert, grappling with his own challenges, lacked people skills and appropriate attire. Together, could Nicky and Robert turn the dreams he shared with his late wife into reality, fostering confidence, winning the competition, and possibly finding happiness with newfound perspectives on life?

The charm of this book lies in its middle-aged protagonists, Nicky and Robert, both grappling with personal heartaches. At a juncture in life where a gentle push might break them free from their respective ruts, their journey unfolds with joy as they rediscover themselves and breathe new life into the venerable old B&B.

This book, truly radiates sweetness and warmth. It seamlessly blends humor, touching moments, and a love-filled narrative. It has the power to nestle into your heart, leaving you with a radiant smile and a deep sense of happiness in your soul.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 12 February 2024

The Love Interest By Victoria Walters

No man can be as good as the one in your imagination…

Librarian Liv Jones has always dreamed of writing a romance novel. But she’s stuck when it comes to creating a romantic hero – sadly – lacking anyone in real life to base him on.

When her brother suggests his best friend stay in their shared flat for a few weeks, she can’t believe her bad luck. Aiden Rivers is irritating and pushes all her buttons. Worst of all, he’s gorgeous, has a sexy accent and reminds her of her all-time favourite character Mr Darcy.

Liv finds herself unexpectedly inspired and the leading man in her novel begins to bear an uncanny resemblance to Aiden. He can never find out though: she’d never live it down. Because Aiden can only ever be her love interest in the pages of her book – and definitely not in real life… right?!

Review Card – A Month In Provence By Gillian Harvey

A totally gorgeous escapist new story from the author of the international bestseller, A Year at the French Farmhouse.

Then her best friend begs her to help out. Jenny is a TV exec and her new renovation show is in peril. Only Nicky can help.

Will Nicky be able to turn the B&B’s fortunes around, save her best friend’s job, and maybe even find some happiness for herself, under the blazing hot French sun this summer…?

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Book Review – Second Chances For The Lifeboat Sisters By Tilly Tennant

In the tiny village of Port Promise, where the wind tangles your hair and the cobbled streets twist down to the honeycomb beaches, Clara Morrow is planning her wedding.

After a whirlwind romance, Clara is excitedly planning her wedding to her handsome fiancé Logan in the picture-perfect Cornish village of Port Promise, with her mother and three sisters at her side.

She will never forget the day when she first caught sight of artist Logan, the sea-mist curling the ends of his dark hair, as he strode across the gorse-covered cliffs near the village. She feels so lucky that Logan seems happy to make her home his own, painting on the windswept Cornish beaches and calling in for lunch at the fish shack where she works with her best friend.

But when Logan inherits a beautiful house in London and reveals that he wants them to build a life there, it’s a huge shock for Clara. She knows it could be an amazing new start, but when she thinks about leaving her family behind, her heart aches.

Suddenly it seems like she and Logan have very different dreams. Can they find a way back to their happy ever after or will the mismatched lives they want threaten everything they have built together?

Published Date: 14 July 2023

My Review

Clara, distinct from her more outgoing sisters Ava and Gaby, feels stuck in a life where she believes she has compromised her dreams for Logan’s career. Despite her engagement, Clara senses imperfections in their relationship, especially as Logan seems disconnected from Port Promise. Cormac, the charismatic Irishman, becomes a notable contrast to Logan. As Clara navigates her emotions, Logan’s shortcomings become increasingly apparent, and when he inherits a house in London, the couple faces a dilemma. Clara must decide whether to compromise her identity for Logan’s desires or remain true to herself. The latter part of the book explores Clara’s emotional struggle, leading to a surprising turn of events. “Second Chances for the Lifeboat Sisters” delivers a heartwarming tale of love, choices, and second chances, making the Morrow sisters’ stories captivating reads.

My Rating

Review Card – Second Chances For The Lifeboat Sisters By Tilly Tennant

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Book Review – Happy Ever After For The Cornish Midwife By Jo Bartlett

Midwife Jess is so used to helping other mums achieve their dreams that she’s put her own hopes of motherhood firmly on hold. After having her heart broken once before, Jess is determined to focus all she has on her small family and stepson Riley and make sure he feels safe, happy and loved.

But when Jess is asked to care for a tiny baby and new mum in need of support, she’s torn. Jess wants to help, but she isn’t sure her battered heart could cope with saying goodbye to another baby she’s fallen in love with.

Jess knows this could be the happy ever after she’s always dreamed of, but what if it costs her more heartache along the way? Is she brave enough to take one last chance at motherhood?

Published Date: 5 July 2023

My Review

Midwife Jess, deeply passionate about her vocation, cherishes the privilege of dedicating her days to it. However, her career choices have come at a personal cost, as she realizes she may have forfeited her own dreams of motherhood. Despite this, the optimistic Jess chooses to focus on her existing family, including her stepson Riley. When presented with the opportunity to care for a newborn and a struggling mother, Jess faces an unprecedented test, grappling with the possibility of sacrificing her dreams and the fear of enduring another heartbreak. Now, Jess stands at a crossroads, contemplating whether to embrace this chance, listening to her heart, or potentially regretting a decision to turn away from a mother and baby in need.

Centered on a midwifery unit in the village of Port Agnes, The Cornish Midwife series concludes beautifully with Happily Ever After for the Cornish Midwife. The enchanting setting captures the essence of home, and the characters, with their endearing qualities, extend not only mutual support but also contribute to the well-being of their community and its surroundings.

My Rating