Review Card & Book Review – My Not So Perfect Summer By Phoebe MacLeod

Can Autumn turn her life around?

As spring flowers start to bloom in London, Autumn’s life is looking up! She has a great relationship with her brilliant teenage daughter Chloe and she’s on track to be Deputy Head at the London school where she works. And with a pay rise on the cards, she’s excited for her and her long-term boyfriend Marc to buy their first home.

But Autumn’s barely opened the estate agent’s website when Marc vanishes with half their savings, leaving her no choice but to move into grandma’s rural home in Kent. And things go from bad to worse when Autumn is involved in an accident during the move, leaving the village’s dashing new baker Jake in plaster cast, and making her a local outcast before she’s even unpacked her bags.

Determined to put things right, Autumn offers to help Jake in the bakery over the summer holidays. But as things heat up in the kitchen, Autumn can’t help noticing that Jake is a lot more Paul Hollywood and a lot less Mr Kipling than she originally thought.

Maybe this summer isn’t such a write off after all?

About The Author

My Review

Autumn and Marc, high school sweethearts, faced a life-altering event when Marc unexpectedly left, leaving behind a letter, half their savings, and his family. This sudden departure forced Autumn, who had just begun a new job as Deputy Head at a London school, to pick up the pieces and care for their nearly sixteen-year-old daughter, Chloe. To start anew, Autumn and Chloe moved to rural Kent to live with Autumn’s mother. On their first day, Autumn accidentally hit a local baker with her car, sending him to the hospital. To make amends, she offered to help run his bakery during his recovery. As the summer unfolded, both Autumn and Chloe settled into village life, meeting quirky and eccentric locals. Autumn developed a bond with Jake, a steady presence in her life, while Chloe quickly adapted to the change, likely due to a recent breakup. Autumn’s mother provided steady support throughout their journey, though the village’s tight-knit community came with its share of gossip and misunderstandings. Despite Marc’s betrayal, Autumn and Chloe found comfort in their new surroundings, but some readers felt Autumn’s recovery from Marc’s abandonment was too swift. Overall, the story was a heartwarming exploration of family, community, and rebuilding a life after unexpected challenges, appealing to fans of women’s fiction with elements of romance and family.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- One Greek Summer Wedding By Mandy Baggot

Love is in the air…

When singer Cara is invited to a big, fat Greek wedding in Corfu, she sees it as a mixed blessing: some time to heal on the beautiful Greek island with her aunt will be a tonic, but it’s going to stir up memories – of before Seb ghosted her and disappeared off the face of the earth.  

Akis Diakos, brother of the groom, should be looking forward to planning the bachelor party, but burdened by the weight of family expectation, his mind is elsewhere: he has a decision to make – one that could, apparently, ruin his little brother’s life forever. 

When Cara learns that her aunt Margot brought her here under false pretences, she’s faced with a dilemma. She’s not sung in public since that fateful day at Eurovision when her life fell apart, and she’s not planning to now. But with Akis’s encouragement, it’s time for both of them to face up to their fears. 

And who knows – maybe this beautiful duet will also lead to a beautiful romance? 

About The Author

My Review

Cara and her aunt Margo are heading to a wedding in Corfu, even though Cara only found out about it the day before. It’s the wedding of the son of Margo’s old school friend, but when they arrive, Cara discovers that not everything is as straightforward as it seems.

Cara is still recovering from a traumatic event that cost her career, her fiancé, and nearly her sanity. Can the gentle Akis help her rediscover herself, even as he faces his own issues, with a domineering mother who insists he join the priesthood to lift a family curse before his upcoming birthday?

I loved the characters in this book, particularly Cara and her aunt Margo. Mandy Baggot creates the perfect relationship between them as the story reveals what connects them. With a dashing Greek hero, Akis, who has a significant decision to make, and his quirky family, this book offers a delightful mix of romance and comedy. The story is a fantastic summer read, with engaging characters and a light-hearted touch. Beyond Corfu, the author also treats us to some beautiful scenes set in Santorini. Mandy’s books never disappoint.

My Rating

Link To Purchase