When Jesse Lightning meets Minnie Byrne, he is having a bad day. Reeling from the effects of a very bruised heart, the last thing Jesse wants is a new friend. But Minnie is hard to say no to, and reluctantly Jesse realises that her impetuous playfulness might do him good.
So when Minnie suggests they go on fortnightly platonic dates with no strings, no promises, no expectations beyond good company, Jesse agrees before he has a chance to think too deeply about it.
Two friends.
Five days.
No chance of another broken heart.
Until Jesse reveals a secret that proves Minnie’s heart isn’t as safe as she thought. Thank goodness five days isn’t enough time to fall in love…
Minnie is heartbroken. Her therapist suggests she make new friends, so she decides to befriend a stranger who is having a bad day. Though Jesse is unsure, he agrees to meet her and just “hang out.” The rules are simple: only first names, no phone numbers, have fun, and no falling in love. Five days. No chance of falling in love, right?
I loved this book! In true Zoe Folbigg fashion, things are never what they seem. This book is fast-paced and dynamic; the way she describes the different locations and the characters’ interactions made me feel as if I were right there with them, watching the scenes unfold. I love that her stories have a serendipitous quality to them—it makes for the most heartwarming happily-ever-afters. And those plot twists?! I did not see them coming, that’s all I’m saying.
Jesse was so endearing. His life was in pieces; he was heartbroken and grieving, but he was sweet and flawed, making him quite relatable. Minnie was a bit of a mess, also heartbroken but for different reasons, and she is desperately trying to piece her life back together. They made quite the unexpected pair, falling for the versions of each other they knew—none of them had the full picture—but in reality, who does? In the end, they had more in common than they knew.
This is the perfect summer read, and the blurb doesn’t do this story justice—there is so much that happens in and between those five days.
Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her – she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closure and she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up.
Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he’s watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him focussed on the job and not her. But by trying to put up boundaries and keep things professional, Bea finds herself seeing the real man beneath the grumpy façade . Yet with so much at stake, she knows she shouldn’t fall for her sisters boss…but then again, it may just be the best unintentional mistake she’s ever made!
Ottilie Oakcroft can’t imagine living anywhere but the village of Thimblebury. Since moving there after her husband’s death, the villagers have welcomed her with open arms, and it’s been a long time since she’s felt this happy. Another reason for the sparkle in her eyes is her blossoming romance with Heath, who showed her that second chances at love can happen.
But when a chance meeting with Heath’s glamorous ex-wife Mila sparks a terrible argument between the pair, and with Ottilie’s patients keeping her too busy to repair the cracks in their relationship, things begin to feel a little shaky. Especially when Simon, a handsome new GP with dark eyes and broad shoulders, arrives in Thimblebury, and Heath shows a jealous side that Ottilie has never seen before…
Ottilie knows how lucky she is to have found Heath but when she discovers that Mila has been secretly visiting Thimblebury she fears the worst. Heath tries to reassure her, but why did he keep Mila’s visits a secret? Did Ottilie make a mistake when she opened her fragile heart or is she letting the hurt from her past stand in the way of their future?
In the second book of the series, we return to the Lakes and follow Ottilie, the nurse. The story resumes shortly after the events of the first book, but it provides enough background on the characters and previous events to be read as a standalone.
Ottilie and Heath are in a relationship, and the narrative explores their ups and downs, featuring some significant twists. Everything seems almost too perfect until it isn’t. Ottilie senses something is wrong but can’t pinpoint it. When she finally discovers the truth, it’s a major plot twist that I don’t want to spoil. The revelation leads to a dramatic upheaval, forcing Ottilie to confront many issues. I enjoyed watching her self-reflect, recognize her tendency to prioritize others over herself, and ultimately stand up for her own needs. It was empowering and relatable at times.
The secondary storyline of Stacey and Simon was heartwarming. I’m really happy for them after all their heartache; they deserve happiness. I appreciated how cautious they were with each other. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Ottilie, the village nurse.
The last thing vet nurse Aurora expects this summer is for her quiet life to be disrupted by the arrival of veterinarian Eli. Back to take up the reins of his late father’s practice, it’s clear he doesn’t want to be here. And with secrets of her own, Aurora’s attraction to the brooding doc is completely inconvenient. Yet, as a grudging respect develops, their feelings begin to shift… Could a moonlit kiss change everything?
Eli, a brooding veterinarian, and Aurora, a fiery vet tech, start as polar opposites, each running from their pasts. Over the course of the novel, they begin to bring out the best in each other, helped by a lovable pup named Bert. Supporting characters Matt and Marianne also play a significant role in softening the main characters and bringing them closer together. The romance develops slowly and tentatively, respecting the characters’ complex histories. The story includes various animal patients, adding to its charm. Overall, it is a well-paced romance with likable characters, and satisfying ending, making it an enjoyable read for dog lovers and those in the pet care field.
She wanted to give the ultimate gift. It became the ultimate betrayal.
Fabiola has spent her life being good. The perfect daughter to her single father. A supportive wife to her entrepreneurial husband, who’s throwing everything they have at launching his start-up. A devoted mother to her three beautiful children. And a loyal best friend to Liz, who’s been by Fabiola’s side since Liz married her oldest childhood friend, Peter.
When Liz needs help starting her own family, Fabiola comes up with the perfect plan. She’s good at being pregnant, and she so badly wants to help her friend. It seems like the greatest gift one woman can give another. And Peter? For Peter – she doesn’t even have to think – she would do anything.
But then one reckless moment changes everything. Now Fabiola must decide who to protect: her best friend, the man she’s never stopped loving, or the child growing inside her. With her marriage unraveling and her teenage daughter hiding secrets of her own, she’s discovering that the hardest promises to keep are the ones we make to ourselves.
NYPD diver Gavin Hayes can’t stop thinking about the woman he rang in the New Year with. Assistant district attorney Sera Forte needs to find the man she spent the night with and break the news of her unexpected pregnancy. When they learn they’ve been paired up for a new criminal task force, they realize they need to solve more than the mystery they’ve been given. The burning attraction that brought them together still smolders. But the case Gavin and Sera are working is a dangerous one. Can he protect the woman he loves and their baby?
The story combines romance and suspense, revolving around Gavin and Sera, who shared an anonymous New Year’s Eve and haven’t forgotten each other since. Sera, now pregnant, doesn’t know how to find Gavin. She is an assistant district attorney who joins a special task force, only to unexpectedly encounter Gavin, a diver with the NYPD’s Harbor Unit. Their initial meeting is awkward, but they soon reconnect and develop a deeper relationship. Sera’s pregnancy shocks Gavin, but he quickly embraces it. Both are initially hesitant to admit their strong feelings but grow closer over time. The suspense element involves a case with a weapons cache and escalating danger, keeping the story engaging. The team’s efforts and the final confrontation add to the story’s intensity and excitement.
Ten years after graduating, the class of 2014 are back at Tisdale Comprehensive for the reunion, packed into a school gym full of familiar faces—and plenty of new secrets.
MOST LIKELY TO END UP TOGETHER – Shaun and Steph were each other’s first love. Now, they’re settled and planning the perfect wedding— to other people. Could reconnecting spark a new romance?
MOST LIKELY TO BECOME FAMOUS – Bryony was supposed to travel the world, rule the West End, have a dazzling career as a TV actress… Now, she’s a drama teacher who’s exaggerated her whole life on Instagram, and is desperate to save face.
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED – Hayden was told he’d achieve great things, like be on the cover of TIME, win a Nobel prize… or, the accolade his daughters just awarded him: World’s Best Dad. Is it too late for him to turn things around, and more importantly, does he even want to?
MOST LIKELY TO KILL EACH OTHER – Ashleigh was an A+ student, and Ryan the star of the school rugby team. After years of putting each other down, they left school each convinced they would have the better life. Now, that old rivalry finds them drawn back together in a new, intoxicating way—one they’re both determined to hide.
With an evening of power cuts, fire alarms, sneaking off to explore classrooms in the dark, stolen kisses and heated fights—it’s like they never left at all.
With This Ring By Amy Clipston
Dakota thought she had left her dreams of happily-ever-after behind, along with the pain of a broken engagement to her high school sweetheart, Hudson. Now, as the proud owner of Fairytale Bridal Shop in the picturesque town of Flowering Grove, she’s built a life and a business on helping brides find their perfect dress for their own fairytale weddings. But running a small business is not for the faint of heart, and when her ex-fiancé unexpectedly returns to town with a mission—to put a stop to his sister’s wedding—Dakota’s problems go from bad to worse.
Hudson Garrity should be living his dream. After selling his software company, he’s single, handsome, and rich, but an unexpected call from his baby sister has him flying down to his hometown, determined to protect Layla from yet another big mistake. Though he’s single-minded in his effort to derail the nuptials, he instead finds himself thrown into family chaos and roped into helping his sister with her plans . . . bringing him once more into contact with Dakota Jamison, the one who got away.
For Hudson, coming home means revisiting his painful childhood, repairing a strained relationship with his sister, and coming face-to-face with the woman he never stopped loving. For Dakota, it means confronting the tender memories she buried deep within her heart. As Layla’s wedding date draws close, the two reunited lovers begin to question if what went wrong between them really happened the way they remembered it at all. Will they continue believing the lies they’ve told themselves, or will they remain forever entangled in the threads of what could have been?
Track Her Down By Melinda Leigh
A teenager returns home from work and finds her parents shot to death in their bed. Responding to the call, Sheriff Bree Taggert realizes the crime wasn’t a burglary gone wrong. The couple was executed. The sole survivor: their traumatized teenage daughter, Claire Mason.
Bree teams up with investigator Matt Flynn to work the case, but together they uncover more questions than answers. When Claire is stalked at the park, it’s clear the killer isn’t finished—and she’s the next target.
As Bree and Matt sift through the past—suspect by suspect—a tangled web of deception emerges, and the truth becomes harder to see. Because the victims’ entire lives were a lie. And the only way to protect the vulnerable girl is to unravel her parents’ secrets.
Midnight In Paris By Gillian Harvey
Ten years. Two people. One last visit…
Sophie and Tom first visited Paris together as students. During their weekend away in the world’s most romantic city, falling in love – with the place, and each other – was simply inevitable.
They resolved to return every summer and kept their word, until something happened that changed their world forever.
Five years on, Sophie’s travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight.
Because life has torn them apart. And now Sophie has something to tell Tom. Something that will change everything…
Everyone’s heard of Matteo De Luca: tycoon, soccer player and international thrill seeker. Until an injury sees him permanently benched—and bored! So bored that when his neighbor’s kid drives off another nanny, Matteo volunteers to step in, adding “manny” to his CV. After unexpectedly becoming her nephew’s guardian, it’s clear Porsha’s defenses are high. But as Matteo gets to know the woman beneath, a startlingly intense connection emerges… Could this be his biggest adventure yet?
We get stuck straight into the story when Matteo, stuck bored out of his mind in his London town house, gets assaulted by a shocking pink bra flung at him from across his garden fence. On tracking down the owner, he comes across his frazzled, uptight neighbour, Porsha, and her nephew, Fin. Without missing a beat, this newly retired super star football player soon finds himself mannying a 7 year old while fighting off a deep connection to his neighbour.
Matteo himself is known as a bit of a playboy and rebel – but it’s very early on that we learn that he’s so much more than that. He’s definitely a charmer but there’s something so boyishly adorable about him that I didn’t even try not to fall in love with him. But fear not, the man does have his issues. Luckily these are dealt with respectfully, honestly and just made him more real and even more likeable.
Porsha is nothing if not a romance heroine in the making. She’s a workaholic struggling with the responsibility and guilt of suddenly finding herself in the role of permanent guardian for her 7 year old nephew. Which also means dealing with both their grief. But she was stoic, solid and showed just enough cracks in her armour to be someone I was urging to get her happily ever after.
There was something so gentle about the relationship between Matteo and Porsha and how it changed and grew. But that’s not to say that they didn’t have chemistry from the very start because almost from the moment our couple meet, little hearts were appearing in both their eyes. But nothing is ever plain sailing (thankfully – because how boring would that be?) and there are definitely plenty of ups and downs for our couple. I honestly wondered how they would work things out, on occasion, but thankfully I know Rachael Stewart and Mills and Boon – so I knew all would be well. Once our pairing went through a little torture!
While we start off in London, we’re soon transported to sunny Italy. Rachael Stewart’s writing easily bring to life the landscape, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the people. It all appears before us as if we’re really there and just adds to the fresh, chilled, summer vibe that this book evokes. Ms Stewart also writes with her whole heart. You can feel the emotion, the love, the urgency – the highs and the lows. She makes me cry and then makes everything in the world right again.
Following the death of a crime boss he put behind bars, Ian Carpenter leaves witness protection—and runs right into an ambush. To escape assailants bent on revenge, he turns to his former handler, US marshal Meadow Ames, and her K-9 partner. But the stakes grow higher when Ian’s cousin is abducted. With threats closing in, can they rescue a kidnapped teen…and stop the criminals for good?
This book follows Ian Carpenter, a former undercover deputy who enters witness protection after helping to arrest a crime boss. Despite the criminal and his allies supposedly being dead, Ian leaves witness protection to help his cousin. He soon realizes that the criminal’s allies are alive and targeting him. Contacting his handler, Meadow Ames, for help puts her and her K-9 partner, Grace, in danger. The story intensifies when Ian’s young cousin is kidnapped, forcing him to confront his PTSD while rescuing her amidst flying bullets.
The book is part of the Mountain Country K-9 series but stands alone. It features a mix of suspense, bravery, and romance, with well-developed characters facing danger and personal challenges. Ian’s struggle with his past and path to redemption, along with Meadow’s strength and determination, add depth to the narrative. The faith elements are seamlessly integrated, providing a hopeful and uplifting message. The story is fast-paced with twists that keep readers engaged until the end, making it a satisfying read for fans of Love Inspired Suspense.
The Widows Wine Club of Viv, Janet and Zelda have navigated choppy waters before.
Having supported each other through the first shaky years of widowhood, the future was starting to look brighter. But when Janet is dealt another blow, it’s all hands on deck for the firm friends.
Deciding what Janet needs is a change of scenery, Viv and Zelda book a luxury cruise on the Queen Mary 2, heading for the bright lights of New York. And once on board, the women are entranced. A floating pleasure palace, the Queen Mary is just what the doctor ordered. From tai chi to dance lessons, cocktails to crafting, there’s nothing they can’t do to while away the miles at sea.
But when they are joined at their first supper by fellow widow Primrose Carmichael, the holiday takes an unexpected turn. Because not only does Primrose share Janet’s surname, but their late husbands were both called Mal… As the similarities between the two women stack up, so do Viv and Zelda’s suspicions. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery before they’re in sight of the Statue of Liberty, the friends are ready to waive a few rules…
My Sanctuary 