Monthly Archives: June 2024

Review Card & Book Review – New Beginnings by the Sunflower Cliffs By Georgina Troy

People say that it’s hard not to fall in love living on the sunny island of Jersey, but for Bea Philips, still reeling from a divorce and the loss of her beloved godmother, she’s not sure she can find the time. While her soon-to-be-ex-husband is trying to take away the home she grew up in, surly but attractive builder Luke is doing it up. Her old flame Tom has just turned up as her new manager at the office, and she has no idea what the mysterious Jersey Kiss is that her godmother has bequeathed to her…

Is life going to give Bea a break, so she can keep her dream home, and maybe fall in love?

About The Author

My Review

Bea, going through a divorce and inheriting her aunt’s home, faces challenges when her ex-husband claims half its value. Sparks fly with Luke, a repairman, but Bea hesitates to pursue him. Determined to save her godmother’s house, she finds solace in its garden and support from friends. As the story unfolds with twists and a wedding, Bea navigates through complications while discovering the promise of new romance and a future on the island. The setting of Jersey adds depth, and the secondary characters bring humor and warmth. This escapist read offers a guaranteed happy ending and delivers a delightful summer romance amidst life’s challenges. Overall, it’s a heartwarming and engaging novel worth recommending.

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Review Card & Book Review – Change Of Heart By T.A. Williams

Two families at war and Alice finds herself caught in the middle. Can she re-write a story as old as time?

When cutbacks force Alice out of her assistant manager role at a Devonshire stately home, she turns her sights elsewhere: the picturesque hills above the historic city of Parma. An aristocratic Italian family are looking to open their medieval castle to the public, and Alice is just the woman for the job.

Four years ago, a life-changing accident pushed Alice into depression, but the beauty and charm of the Italian countryside works its magic in brightening her days. Especially when she keeps bumping into handsome Luca… But rivalries run deep in the town, and Alice’s work – not to mention her potential love life – are caught in the middle of a long-standing feud between two families.

With her job and future happiness in peril, can Alice save the future of the castle, and bring two warring families together?

About The Author

My Review

Alice, a woman with a tragic past and mobility restrictions, finds herself embarking on a new adventure when she takes a job helping an Italian family turn their castle into a tourist attraction. Along the way, she forms a deep connection with Luca, the architect, and rediscovers her love for horse riding and exploring the countryside around Parma. Despite facing opposition from the village mayor and confronting historic family feuds, Alice navigates the challenges with determination and finds happiness once again. The novel is filled with delightful characters, mouth-watering food, and a heartwarming romance set against the backdrop of the Italian countryside. With its perfect emotional touch, the story offers an uplifting escape from wintery weather, leaving readers thoroughly engaged and entertained.

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Review Card & Book Review – Starstruck By Amy Clipston

Can a small-town waitress capture the heart of a world-famous heartthrob?

For Heather Gordon, life in her small North Carolina town has always been simple and uneventful. Until one night when a rowdy food fight breaks out in her family’s restaurant where she’s a waitress. The culprits? The internationally famous rock band, Kirwan. And when Alex Kirwan, the charming and enigmatic lead singer, wants to make amends for his brothers’ (and bandmates’) behavior and invites her to attend one of their concerts as a guest of the band, Heather’s world is turned upside down . . . and sparks fly.

Alex has always loved music, but his rock-star life isn’t all glamorous people and parties. It’s also paparazzi and online tabloids, a new city every week, and the loneliness of touring—even if he has his brothers with him. But with Heather things are different, and he’s instantly smitten and determined to get to know the sweet, pretty woman who has absolutely no interest in his fame. If only he can convince her to take a chance on his crazy life.

Once Alex leaves on tour, he and Heather begin exchanging messages and calls. Despite the distance between them, they find themselves learning they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. But even while Heather and Alex’s relationship deepens, they must face the harsh realities of fame and the pressures it puts on their personal lives. Will their love be enough to overcome the challenges that come with celebrity, or will the rigors of distance and Alex’s life on the road tear them apart?

About The Author

My Review

Heather Gordon, a waitress in a small North Carolina town, has her world turned upside down when she becomes involved with Alex Kirwan, the charming lead singer of the internationally famous rock band Kirwan. Despite their differences, they form a deep connection, but they must navigate the challenges of fame and distance as Alex’s tour takes him away from Heather. As they exchange messages and calls, their relationship deepens, but they must confront the realities of celebrity life. Despite the obstacles, Heather and Alex’s love story unfolds against the backdrop of music, family, and personal dreams.

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Review Card & Book Review – Check & Mate By Ali Hazelwood

Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.

Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist….

As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…)

About The Author

My Review

The story revolves around Mallory, a complex character who works at an auto-repair shop and struggles with emotional intimacy due to past experiences, including her abandonment of chess, a once-passionate pursuit. Her love interest, Nolan Sawyer, the world’s top chess player, becomes infatuated with her after she beats him in a game. Despite the initial intrigue, the relationship lacks depth and development beyond their shared interest in chess. While Sawyer’s attraction to Mallory is initially based on her chess prowess, the reasons for his deeper feelings are not adequately explored. Additionally, Mallory’s familial and social relationships are depicted as negative and unsupportive, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story. Overall, while the book is entertaining and well-written, it falls short in developing the romantic relationship and addressing the complexity of Mallory’s personal connections.

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Review Card & Book Review – Before I’m Gone By Heidi McLaughlin

Palmer Sinclair has never needed anyone’s help. A successful loan officer, she’s all work and no play. But when splitting headaches and blurred vision begin to affect her job, she begrudgingly sees a doctor and receives a diagnosis that leaves her shaken to her core and with little time left. Facing an uncertain future, Palmer makes a bucket list, determined to do the things she’d only dreamed of before she goes.

Kent Wagner has dedicated his life to helping others. An army medic turned paramedic, he’s a regular at Palmer’s bank who makes his monthly car loan payments in person just to see her radiant smile. After responding to not one but two 911 calls involving Palmer, he learns about her bucket list. Touched by her circumstances—and needing a distraction from his own—Kent offers to take Palmer to the places on her list.

Neither is prepared for the emotional journey ahead…or how little time they have left together, but the friendship they find in that brief time might be the most lasting legacy of all.

About The Author

My Review

“Before I’m Gone” is a poignant love story about Palmer Sinclair, who, upon learning she has advanced brain cancer with only six months to live, creates a bucket list. Kent, a paramedic who responds to her emergencies, joins her on this journey, and they develop a deep bond. Despite the inevitable sadness, the book inspires with themes of living life to the fullest, experiencing love, and finding solace in companionship. Palmer’s resilience and Kent’s unwavering support make for a touching and believable relationship, teaching the reader valuable lessons about cherishing every moment. The novel navigates through themes of choice, love, loss, grief, acceptance, and moving forward after loss, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

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Review Card & Book Review – The First Day Without You By Melissa Hill

Leonie has left behind everything and everyone she loves for a fresh start in California. Desperate to outrun the mess she’s come from, she hopes the change of scenery can mend her broken heart and bury her secrets forever. But when she discovers a bundle of unread love letters hidden in the back of a wardrobe in her new apartment, she is intrigued by the mystery behind them…and can’t help but notice the similarities between them and her own story.

With the help of her new friend Alex, a news reporter toting around baggage of her own, Leonie embarks on a quest down the West Coast to find the ill-fated lovers from the letters and reunite them, whatever it takes. Even if it means confronting the hurt she’s buried deep within herself. Because if the couple behind the love letters can find a happy ending, then perhaps she just might too.

About The Author

My Review

Leonie moves to California for a fresh start, but discovers a bundle of unread love letters in her new apartment, sparking a quest to reunite the lovers mentioned in them. With the help of her friend Alex, she uncovers surprising twists and confronts her own past, leading to unexpected revelations. Despite a slow start, the novel’s intriguing premise, well-developed characters, and the vivid San Francisco backdrop make it an enjoyable read filled with surprises and genuine emotions.

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Happy Publication Day – 19 June 2024

The Plot Twist By Victoria Walters

One new boss, one ex-boyfriend, one big dilemma…

Stevie Phillips has just landed her dream job working for a publishing company and it seems like this is page one of her new, improved life.

But her first day throws more curveballs than she thinks she can handle: there’s been a takeover and the whole publicity team has been fired. And her new boss is the last face she expected to see.

Because Noah Anderson also happens to be her ex-boyfriend.

Thrown together on a campaign for a book the rest of the staff don’t want to touch with a barge-pole, Stevie resolves to make the best of a bad situation. This is her chance to prove herself, and she’s not going to let the man who broke her heart ruin it for her.

When Noah starts hinting that there was more to their break up then him just not loving her, Stevie’s resolution starts to wobble. Getting back with your ex is never a good idea, is it? Especially not when your ex is also your boss…

Review Card & Book Review – The Whole Time By Catherine Bybee

Salena Barone has broken free of her family and moved into an apartment above the D’Angelos’ restaurant, where she works as a manager—without a husband, thank you very much. But even on a restaurant salary, she soon finds herself strapped for cash. Salena’s never been afraid of living on the wild side, though, so she takes on a side hustle that’ll raise big bucks…and eyebrows, if anyone finds out.

Tattooed biker Ryan is the youngest of the wealthy Rutledge wine family and has never dreamed of rings, forever, or continuing the family business. He’s perfectly happy living his own life and helping out hardworking folks in his own way.

When these two independent singles spot each other at a Rutledge-D’Angelo wedding, the attraction is instant. But as their friendship with benefits evolves into something more, the secrets Salena’s keeping—from family, friends, and Ryan—threaten the happily ever after she never knew she wanted.

About The Author

My Review

In “THE WHOLE TIME,” Salena Barone, enamored with the D’Angelo family, works in their restaurant and moves to the top floor to escape her overprotective parents. At a D’Angelo wedding, she meets Ryan, instantly sparking chemistry. Despite claiming they’re not seeking commitment, their casual dating evolves into something deeper. Ryan, the black sheep of the Rutledge family, resists joining his family’s wine business, mirroring Salena’s desire to forge her own path. As their story unfolds, filled with beauty and heartbreak, readers are drawn into the captivating world of the D’Angelo family, eager for more.

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