May 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – A Cowgirl’s Christmas Reunion By Cari Lynn Webb

Everything is riding on Christmas…

Especially second chances

Ten years ago, former trick rider Willow Blackwell gave up on Christmas miracles…along with the idea of family and even love. But this year, the ghosts of Christmas past have reared up. Willow has one chance to perform with her sisters—the Blackwell Belles—and prove she’s the riding star she was born to be. But coming face-to-face with her ex, champion bull rider Nolan Elliot, is one reunion she’s not prepared for. It’s the ultimate holiday do-over. But is Willow finally leaving the past behind…or finding the love she was always meant to have?

About The Author

My Review

The final book in the Blackwell Belles series brings long-awaited resolutions, focusing on Willow’s story and her reunion with her sisters after years of estrangement. At the heart of the tale is Willow’s second-chance romance with Nolan, her teenage love, whose relationship was thwarted by her controlling mother during the peak of the Belles’ fame.

Willow and Nolan reconnect as adults, both at pivotal crossroads in their lives, and their journey is full of heartfelt moments as they grapple with the past and determine their future together. The reunion is sweet but not without challenges, as Willow navigates personal struggles while finding support in her sisters, who work through their own unresolved issues stemming from their mother’s choices and the dissolution of their touring act.

A highlight of the story is the warmth and love shown by Nolan’s family, especially as they embrace both Nolan and Willow during the holidays. Having missed out on traditional Christmases growing up, the festive setting adds a heartwarming touch, with Nolan’s family going “all in” to create meaningful memories.

This holiday-themed conclusion delivers closure on multiple fronts—addressing family healing, rekindled love, and personal growth—making it a fitting end to a series about sisterhood, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – Church Girl By Naima Simone

She’s a preacher’s daughter, a runaway bride and now the (not quite) qualified nanny for a sexy tattoo artist with a beautiful daughter—and a dirty mouth.

What’s a bad boy to do with a woman like her?

Everything…

Aaliyah Montgomery isn’t just ditching her wedding. She’s also fleeing her suffocating small town and her family’s expectations. She’s got plans—for college, for finding herself. But landing a job in Chicago that fits her schedule isn’t easy. Good thing Von Howard is desperate to find a live-in nanny. Bad thing that he’s a gritty, grumpy, gorgeous tattoo artist carrying as much baggage as he has ink.

Von’s new hire is inexperienced and a fire hazard in the kitchen. She’s also all thick curls, thicker curves, and a distracting mix of innocence and sensuality. After the upheaval of a divorce, he just needs a nanny, not a sneaky link. Meanwhile, Aaliyah is bonding with his seven-year-old and showing an unexpected flair for tattoo art. Who could resist?

Yet deep down, Aaliyah’s still running—from her feelings and her fear of losing herself to someone else’s expectations again. Even as their pasts return to haunt them, their undeniable heat says maybe it’s time to stand and fight for a love they didn’t see coming.

About The Author

My Review

Aaliyah, seeking self-acceptance and freedom, leaves her fiancé at the altar and escapes Parsons, Alabama, for Chicago. With her cousin Tamara as her support, she focuses on education and finally putting herself first. In Chicago, she meets Von, a tattoo artist in need of a nanny for his seven-year-old daughter, Gia. Their instant chemistry and witty banter add charm to the story, while Von’s complex character—shaped by past betrayals—reveals unexpected depth. His devotion to Gia and growing care for Aaliyah highlight his softer side, making him irresistible. Aaliyah’s journey of finding her voice, prioritizing happiness, and staying true to herself is inspiring. The diverse, layered characters emphasize the importance of found family, and Aaliyah and Von’s story proves that love conquers all. I loved her engaging writing and fresh take on the grumpy-sunshine trope. Perfect for fans of women’s empowerment, healing, and inner growth—with plenty of spice!

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 30 May 2025

Love, Accidentally By Phoebe MacLeod

Sometimes, what happens on the nightshift, should stay on the nightshift…

As an accident and emergency room nurse, there’s not much that can catch Tilly off guard (not even those kinds of accidents). But when her bachelor flatmate gets a girlfriend and her sister announces she wants another baby, Tilly is surprised to find herself questioning her happily single existence.

Thankfully, the arrival of a new face on the ward offers a welcome distraction. With his lustrous hair, and charming personality, Dr Luke sets hearts racing all across the hospital. But as Tilly and Luke get to know each other better, she starts to wonder if he’s really her McDreamy after all…

Is Tilly being blinded by her determination to find someone? And while she’s looking in Luke’s direction, will Tilly miss what’s right in front of her?

Review Card & Book Review – Second Chances At Hollyhock Farm By Georgina Troy

Festival season has come to Hollyhock Farm…

Since his sister Lettie took over their parents’ farm on the beautiful island of Jersey at the start of the year, Zac Torel’s life has changed completely. Zac loves Hollyhock Farm, and he’s determined to help Lettie succeed, but when their insurance company refuses to pay for the restoration of one of their barns in time for winter, the clock is ticking for the Torrels to raise the money themselves.

The siblings decide to host a wellness festival, but with the summer already well underway, they’ve got their work cut out to get everything ready before the season ends. Lettie recruits the help of Melody, a yoga teacher from Edinburgh. New to the island, Melody is determined to shake things up and make a success of Lettie’s festival.

But Melody has come to Jersey with more baggage than her small backpack implies. And as her friendship with Zac grows, will her past catch up with her?

About The Author

My Review

In Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm, Zac and Lettie Tovel are working to save their family farm after a storm damages a barn, leaving their animals vulnerable as winter approaches. With insurance falling short, they organize a wellness festival to raise funds for repairs. Zac, a sound engineer, and Lettie, a former fashion professional, are dedicated to preserving their 80-acre organic farm, which also houses rescue animals.

Melody, a yoga instructor, and her quirky grandmother, Patsy, join the farm as temporary residents, bringing fresh energy to the fundraiser. Melody takes a lead role in planning the event while forming a budding romance with Zac. However, both Zac and Melody carry personal secrets that threaten to complicate their growing relationship.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Jersey, this heartwarming story highlights community spirit, second chances, and the joy of new beginnings. It’s a delightful continuation of the Hollyhock Farm series, leaving readers eager for the next installment.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Sisters Making Mischief By Maddie Please

A fresh start with a French twist!

Joy Chandler had one simple wish: a nice, drama-free family reunion. But instead? Daughter Sara announces she’s getting divorced and seems determined to drown her sorrows in wine, while son John and his perfect wife Vanessa casually drop the bombshell that they’re moving to New York—without so much as making her a cup of tea!

So, with her patience gone, Joy packs her bags and heads to France to visit her free-spirited sister Isabel. Isabel’s potato farm might be rustic chaos but the sisters soon find themselves sloshing red wine, rediscovering their wild sides, and laughing until their sides hurt.

Before long, Joy has a new job, a new man, and a life that’s looking très magnifique. Turns out, drama isn’t so bad…when it comes with red wine and a side of sisterly mischief! Because these golden girls just want to have fun!

About The Author

My Review

This inspiring story follows Joy, a senior woman who reevaluates her life after a chaotic Christmas. A trip to France with her carefree sister sparks self-discovery, humor, and adventure. As Joy reclaims her happiness through a bucket list, new love with Luc, and embracing imperfection, she learns it’s never too late to live fully. Maddie Please’s heartwarming tale blends laughter, rich characters, and meaningful growth in a delightful celebration of second chances.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 29 May 2025

All Our Missing Pieces By Sophie Ranald

One house. Four strangers. A secret that changes everything.

When Orla Clifford inherits her grandmother’s crumbling Georgian house on Damask Square, she sees a chance to rebuild her life while restoring its faded grandeur. But beneath its peeling wallpaper and weathered floors, the house holds more than just memories.

To make ends meet, she takes in lodgers: Luke, a handyman with artistic dreams; compassionate Livvie; and Beatrice – young, privileged, and haunted by the question of her own past.

As Orla pours her heart into her morning journal, Beatrice searches through the house’s hidden corners, coming dangerously close to uncovering what Orla has spent decades concealing.

What will happen when the secret Orla has carried for twenty years finally comes to light? Will it destroy the fragile bonds forming beneath this roof – or become the missing piece they’ve all been searching for?

Review Card & Book Review- I Knew You Were Trouble By Emma Rae

He’s the world’s most famous frontman. She couldn’t care less.

Lexi is only thirty years old, but is already an Oscar-winning documentary director. So when she is asked to ditch her current project to film the reunion tour of boy band Rebel Heart, she is disappointed. She didn’t work this hard to follow a boy group on tour and document their every manufactured move for teenage fans.

But after meeting Aidan, the unofficial ‘head’ of the band, something new stirs inside her. She thinks he’s egotistical, entitled, and impulsive. Equally, Aidan thinks Lexi is high-strung, secretive, and emotionally devoid.

Tensions rise, and as Lexi blends work and pleasure, she can’t let go of her difficult past with the father that abandoned her. She doesn’t expect people to stay in her life for long. Especially the lead of a boy band. But is this project about to prove all of her expectations wrong…?

About The Author

My Review

In I Knew You Were Trouble, Lexi, a grounded and mature professional, takes on a documentary project following Aidan’s boy band. Unlike the typical fan-turned-love-interest trope, Lexi is focused on doing her job well, bringing empathy and depth to her work while navigating the chaotic world of fame. Aidan, a dedicated and loyal bandmate, shares a natural and growing chemistry with Lexi, resulting in a romance that feels genuine and heartfelt.

Beyond the love story, the book offers a captivating glimpse into the high-paced, emotional life of a boy band, exploring the challenges, joys, and camaraderie that come with fame. The supporting characters, including the band members and close friends, add warmth and charm, creating a family-like dynamic that enhances the story.

Charming yet grounded, mature yet lighthearted, the novel balances romance, character growth, and deeper themes, making it a refreshing and engaging read—even for those who don’t typically enjoy celebrity romances.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 28 May 2025

Stuck In The Midlife With You By Freya Kennedy

Your forties just got fabulous…

Becca Burnside is going to make this the year she turns her forties around, and creates a life her 16-year-old self would be proud of… A smidgen of romance wouldn’t go amiss either.

And with a new job, and a blossoming friendship with handsome Conal, she’s off to a great start. Or at least, she was, until her youngest son dropped the mother of all bombshells: his girlfriend, who just happens to be the daughter of Becca’s best friend Niamh, is pregnant. Now Becca and Niamh find themselves not only facing the usual problems that come with being women of a certain age, they’re going to be grannies.

So when Becca’s new job invites them on a weekend retreat, it seems the perfect way to distract themselves from ‘the Situation’. But will wild water swimming and yoga be enough to help the women face the biggest challenge of their adult lives? And can their friendship survive the chaos of a new baby?

Happy Publication Day – 28 May 2025

Stuck In The Midlife With You By Freya Kennedy

Your forties just got fabulous…

Becca Burnside is going to make this the year she turns her forties around, and creates a life her 16-year-old self would be proud of… A smidgen of romance wouldn’t go amiss either.

Review Card & Book Review- The Mr. Right Checklist By Melissa Foster

Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though it’s not in the stars for her yet—honestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?—she wants it for others. When Destiny’s first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, she’s ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own.

Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny get her business on track, if she’ll play the part of his adoring girlfriend at his brother’s wedding.

A professional situationship with her grumpy dog-grooming client? Destiny adores his pup, and she could put up with him to get her business off the ground. With any luck, she might even get that chip about love off his shoulder.

About The Author

My Review

This book is a lighthearted romantic comedy centered on Lana, a quirky, fun-loving woman who’s the black sheep of her family. When her sister’s wedding in Australia approaches, Lana decides to bring a plus one to make a statement, especially after her family stages an intervention, urging her to behave. Enter Ethan, Lana’s charming and sweet ex-fling, who unexpectedly reappears after two years. Despite their undeniable chemistry, their history of causing chaos together makes their reunion risky. As the wedding draws closer, the pair navigate old sparks, new challenges, and plenty of comedic mishaps. This laugh-out-loud, feel-good story is perfect for readers seeking an easy, entertaining read filled with humor and heart.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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