May 2025 – Page 7 – My Sanctuary

Happy Publication Day – 5 May 2025

This Thing Called Love By Debbie Howells

What’s meant to be, will find you…

When Bee loses her job, home and boyfriend – all on the same day that a man accidentally spills coffee all over her; she decides life can’t get any worse. So when her mother finally tells Bee the name of the father she’s never met – a musician named Luke Friday – she decides to take a risk and go in search of him.

Meanwhile, Alex – who accidentally bumped into a pretty girl earlier that day, spilling his coffee all over her – returns home, where his mother is increasingly dependent on him. He wants to help her find some of her memories again. But the only person he thinks can help is a stranger to him. A man called Luke Friday, who his mother once played music with.

As Alex and Bee start their search for the same man, Luke’s nine-year-old daughter is also looking for something – anything – that might help her father with his grief. Little does she know her prayers might just be about to be answered… as a little thing called love starts to bring their lives together in ways none of them could possibly have imagined.

Review Card & Book Review- About Last Night By Christy McKellen

Keeping it strictly professional…

Radio DJ Lula Lazenby isn’t often lost for words, but this time she’s speechless! The man she just shared an exquisite one night with turns out to be her new boss…and his first job is to fire her!

Executive Tristan Bamfield wasn’t planning to stay in London long. Turn up, handle his father’s business and leave. But his inconvenient and instantaneous attraction to Lula has really gone and complicated things!

Tristan is a professional and everyone deserves a second chance – especially when you can’t escape the red-hot memories so he quickly reinstates Lula. Until that leads to weeks of tantalizing torture working with Lula in the studio. Tristan’s not here for a happy ever after, but his challenge now is going to be figuring out how to keep their off-the-charts attraction under wraps until it’s time to leave.

About The Author

My Review

Radio DJ Lula Lazenby is typically quiet and reserved, but after growing tired of being cautious, she decides to let loose for a night, pretending to be someone else, “Louise.” She does things she normally wouldn’t, including spending the night with the charming Tristan Bamfield. However, she’s horrified when she later discovers Tristan is actually her boss’s son, who has come to the radio station with the intention of firing her.

The story also follows Tristan, who meets Lu in a London pub while preparing to fire a DJ, Tallulah, at his father’s station after allegations of harassment. Meanwhile, Lu faces a career-altering meeting the next day but decides to let off some steam, with Tristan happily joining her. This rom-com, perfect for a holiday read, is filled with humor and relatable characters. It was the first book by this author that I’ve read, and I’m now eager to explore more of her work. It had everything I look for in a romance.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review- The Secret Christmas Bookshop By Cressida McLaughlin

Can their Christmas love story last a lifetime?

In a village by the sea, where wintry skies bring a dusting of sparkling snow, somebody is opening an unexpected gift…

When Sophie receives a surprise package, she’s intrigued to find a beautifully bound book inside.

Sophie is desperate to discover the mystery sender, and her hunt draws her to the enigmatic Harry. The subject of much gossip since his return from London, Harry keeps to himself in his crumbling manor house.

But they are both about to learn that the best stories can take on a life of their own.

About The Author

My Review

The story centers on Sophie, a complex protagonist shaped by a difficult upbringing, which has left her guarded and hesitant to trust. I found her to be a compelling character. Opposite her is Harry, the brooding new Lord of the manor, who initially comes off as antagonistic but has hidden depths. Their dynamic works well, with both characters complementing each other like two sides of the same coin. Harry’s love for books instantly makes him likable.

The book is filled with a colorful cast of characters—friends, family, neighbors, and even pets. The idyllic village of Mistingham in Norfolk, especially during Christmas, feels like the perfect cozy setting.

Though predictable, the story’s warmth and feel-good nature are part of its charm. It’s a comforting, uplifting romcom with a guaranteed happy ending, which is exactly what I wanted. I read it in one sitting and found myself lost in the village, the romance, and the festive atmosphere. While it concludes satisfyingly, I hope there’s more to come from Mistingham in future books.

Overall, this is a heartwarming, nostalgic read that fills you with joy and warmth, perfect for cozy winter nights.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review- Christmas With The Knights By Hannah Langdon

When event planner Fallon Honeywood collapses from overwork after a particularly punishing Christmas party, she reluctantly agrees to spend the holidays with her soap opera-star mother at Blakeney Hall, a grand English manor on the frosty Yorkshire moors. But what starts as an awkward family reunion soon becomes an unexpected adventure…

Fallon finds herself drawn into the charming world of the aristocratic owners of the estate – handsome widower Alexander Knight and his sensitive son Theo. As her eyes and Alexander’s meet across plans to launch his new artisanal gin business at the local Christmas Fayre, Fallon wonders if her chaotic city life might have been masking a deep loneliness she’s hidden all along…

With the help of eccentric aunt Constance Knight, a rescue donkey named Heathcliff and her adorably scruffy little dog Runcible, Fallon slowly begins to heal. But as Christmas draws near – pine needles and spicy cloves scenting the air and mistletoe festooning the doorways – Fallon faces a terrifying decision. Could this be the year she finally opens her heart? And will she choose to return to her old life in London, or find an unexpected home among the snowflake-dusted Yorkshire moors, where Christmas wishes just might come true?

About The Author

My Review

This is an enjoyable, festive read that explores real-life issues like love, relationships, and loss. Fallon Honeywood, on the verge of burnout from her event planning business, reluctantly joins her soap opera star mother at a Yorkshire manor for the holidays. The picturesque setting helps Fallon unwind and reflect on her strained relationship with her manipulative mother, while also confronting her own insecurities around love.

Though Fallon’s personal growth is somewhat predictable, the story is engaging, thanks to a colorful cast, including Runcible, her quirky dog, and Heathcliff, a carrot-loving rescue donkey. Fallon’s bond with Theo, a young boy struggling with loss, adds emotional depth to the narrative. Drama is provided by Fallon’s difficult mother and Annabel, a rival for the attention of the manor’s handsome widower.

Overall, this is an entertaining holiday read with heartwarming moments and a lively supporting cast.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- Christmas At The Little Bookshop By The Sea By Eliza J. Scott

A festive treat brimming with the magic of bookshops and Christmas…

In the seaside town of Micklewick Bay, Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte are gearing up for a magical Christmas at the Happy Hartes Bookshop. Florrie’s book-themed decorations are the talk of the town, while Ed’s dazzling window displays could have been plucked straight from a fairytale. With romance in the air, this promises to be their best holiday season yet.

But after a surprise phone call from his father, Florrie worries that Ed is keeping a secret. Why is he spending so much time in the attic? And what’s making him act so distantly?

Determined to make this Christmas unforgettable, Florrie packs their days with festive treats from gingerbread hot chocolates to sleigh rides under the stars. But when Ed disappears just a few days before Christmas, Florrie fears the worst. Will her holiday dreams shatter like a dropped bauble? Or is Florrie in for a Christmas surprise of her own?

About The Author

My Review

This is an absolutely delightful and cozy festive story, perfect for anyone who loves heartwarming Christmas reads. Although it’s the fourth book in Eliza J. Scott’s series, it stands well on its own. I still found their journey as a couple to be truly endearing. If you’re less focused on intricate character development, this book is an ideal, feel-good read for a snowy day. The charming setting of Micklewick Bay and the Happy Hartes Bookstore adds even more magic to the festive atmosphere.

Florrie and Ed are a lovable couple, and the strong sense of community and friendship surrounding them only enhances the story’s warmth. Filled with humor, sweetness, romance, and festive spirit, the book is a true Christmas treat. While the plot is light and pleasant, the enchanting holiday details—like Christmas lights, mulled wine, and ice skating—make it an immersive and heartwarming read. It fully captures the essence of Christmas, offering a perfect blend of romance, family, and community that’s sure to leave you smiling.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 2 May 2025

The Lighthouse Keeper Of Anglesey By Caroline Young

When single mother Seren Evans returns to the Welsh island of Anglesey with her five-year-old daughter Enya, she hopes to finally escape her troubled past in London. Moving into a cottage near the iconic Black Point lighthouse where she spent her early childhood, Seren reunites with her estranged father Lloyd and begins to piece together the mystery of why her mother suddenly abandoned them decades ago.

As Seren adapts to island life and takes a job at a local art gallery, she finds unexpected romance with Jamie, a Scottish journalist seeking solace from his own tragic history. But with the shadows of her past threatening to catch up with her, and with long-buried family secrets coming to light, can Seren find the peaceful life she’s always dreamed of?

One More Day Of Us By Shari Low

Would you give up your dreams for love? ❤️

1990: In a hot, humid Hong Kong summer, three young singers are loving life, performing to packed crowds every night in a swanky hotel bar. Twenty-three-year-old Scottish songbird, Moira Chiles is living the dream alongside Carina Lloyd and Lisa Dixon. They work hard, play hard, and always stick together… until one day Moira has to make a choice that changes everything.

Fast forward to…

2025: In a wet, chilly, Glasgow summer, Moira has just retired after singing in Glasgow pubs and Caribbean cruise ships for three decades. Now she’s ready for a new adventure – one that takes her to Hong Kong to revisit a world she left behind. Moira hasn’t seen Carina or Lisa for over thirty years, but will an invitation to join her on a holiday of a lifetime rekindle the friendships that changed her life? Or will stepping back in time expose secrets that could break their hearts?

Review Card & Book Review – Eden’s Comfort Kitchen By Tilly Tennant

Run away to Seaglass Bay where the waves crash against ivory cliffs, the beach is a perfect golden ribbon of sand, and a little café is about to change Eden’s life forever…

When Eden turns the key in the red door of Four Winds Cottage, the clifftop house where she used to holiday as a child, she is overwhelmed with bittersweet memories. She lost her mother recently, and she’s hoping Seaglass Bay will heal her broken heart.

The villagers welcome Eden with open arms, but she can’t help but notice that life is tough for them when the holidaymakers go home. Her mother always gave so much to those around her, and Eden is determined to follow in her footsteps. She sets up a community kitchen where her new friends can enjoy a homecooked meal, and as she watches people chatting over delicious stews, she feels sure that her mum would be a little bit proud of her.

But Eden’s happiness doesn’t last long. An unwelcome visitor arrives in Seaglass Bay in the form of handsome, chiselled Cam, who wants to buy the land the kitchen stands on. Eden is determined to save it and challenges him to a fortnight working with her so he can see how much would be lost if it closed.

As Cam rolls up his shirtsleeves and whips up his famous roast chicken, sparks fly and Eden feels a sense of triumph – he clearly can’t resist a challenge. The heat rises as they mess around in the kitchen, Cam’s dark hair dishevelled and his blue eyes shining with fun, and she realises that maybe he doesn’t have a heart of stone after all…

But just as she begins to let her guard down, Cam disappears without warning. Has she failed to win over the man she swore she’d never catch feelings for? And can she save the place that’s helped save her?

About The Author

My Review

Eden’s Comfort Kitchen by Tilly Tennant follows Eden as she retreats to Seaglass Bay after her mother’s sudden death. Struggling with grief, Eden embraces small-town life and opens a community café where locals pay what they can. However, tension arises when a developer threatens the café. While the story had potential, it felt rushed, with underdeveloped characters and a romance that seemed forced. The town’s charm and Eden’s growth were highlights, but the abrupt ending and unresolved plot points left it feeling incomplete. Despite its flaws, the book had heartfelt moments and a strong sense of community.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- Not Exactly A Small- Town Romance By JJ Knight

Kelsey Whitaker knows every hit rom-com by heart and why they work. It’s her job. As a casting assistant to a fearsome boss nicknamed the Demon, Kelsey creates chemistry with perfect leads. Let the tropes take it from there. So where’s the meet-cute in her own life? That she’ll have to make happen herself.

With the help of her best friend and wingman, Zachery Carter—a total Hemsworth, even if his career is ebbing—Kelsey trades in her big-city stilettos for small-town tennies and hits the back roads. Somewhere between Hollywood and her Alabama roots, she’s determined to strategically stumble into the arms of an all-American flannel-wearing, decent-hearted, rustic boy next door. It’s a blockbuster blueprint for success! Isn’t it?

It’s all a secretly smitten Zachery can do not to tell Kelsey she’s looking for love in all the wrong places. If she really wants a happy ending, they may have to do a little rewriting, town by town and mile by mile. Together.

About The Author

My Review

Kelsey, a matchmaker for on-screen romances, tries to create her own real-life Hallmark-style meet-cute after visiting a fortune teller, unaware that her best friend Zach, who deeply cares for her, is her perfect match. Zach supports her in every way, but Kelsey takes him for granted while chasing love elsewhere.

Her efforts lead to funny, embarrassing situations, and she eventually realizes the small-town romances she seeks aren’t for her. The story blends humor and heart, though Kelsey’s dependency on Zach becomes more apparent when she struggles without him. Overall, it’s a lighthearted, entertaining read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 1 May 2025

The Dolce Vita Divas By Maddie Please

Sunshine, Sisterhood, and Second Chances 💃🏻✨

At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself seeking a new adventure. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.

As Jo’s 65th birthday looms, she’s left wondering: Is this it?

Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite refuse: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo’s not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.

Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…

Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to wonder: Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?

The Captain’s SEALS By Katie Knight & Leslie North

This team of Navy SEALs have faced down danger, conquered impossible missions, and sworn off love—but they’re about to meet their match.

Dive into six sizzling romances from USA Today Bestselling authors Leslie North & Katie Knight, featuring tough, irresistible SEAL heroes who live by the code of brotherhood and honor. When duty ignites desire, even the strongest heroes can’t resist…

Snowed in with the SEAL

After the Navy mistakenly declares Preston Lawson killed in action, he joins an elite BlackOps unit—perfect for a man with no family or commitments. But on leave, a return to the only place he’s ever felt peace brings him face-to-face with Lila, the love he left behind—and the son he never knew existed.

The SEAL’s Accidental Pregnancy

Navy SEAL Demetri Lewis thrives under pressure, but nothing prepares him for the shock of finding Diana—his best friend’s little sister and his unforgettable one-night stand—in danger. He’s ready to protect her at all costs, but the stakes soar when he learns Diana carries his child. Protecting his family just became his most critical mission.

Protecting His Pretend Family

Aurora Sunshine is eager to start her dream job, only to discover her new boss is Jackson Sheppard, the ex-SEAL she spent one passionate night with. Ready to resign rather than face their undeniable attraction, she’s stopped when their security firm is tasked with protecting an infant. Forced to pose as a family, can they resist falling in love as danger looms?

SEAL’s Unexpected Triplets

Dedicated nanny Cora Caspian’s world flips upside down when the tragic loss of the triplet girls’ parents names former Navy SEAL William Royce as co-guardian. William’s all hardened muscle and military command—not at all what Cora thinks the girls need. Yet the chemistry between them sparks an irresistible flame, challenging both their hearts.

The Protective SEAL

Franklin Harris thought he’d lost everything when an injury ended his Navy SEAL career. But when Samantha Engel—once under his protection—shows up in danger, stranded with a child who might be his, everything changes. With Sam’s powerful father threatening to tear them apart, Franklin will risk everything for the family he never knew he needed.

Coming to Her Rescue

Peter Addison’s protective instincts flare when he sees Hanna—his squad mate’s sister—up for auction at a charity event. Their sizzling night together leaves Peter conflicted, but when Hanna becomes the target of a deadly threat, he steps back into her life. Learning she carries his child transforms his duty-bound rescue into a fight for the family and future he never expected.

Review Card & Book Review- Swipe Right For Mr. Perfect By Justine Lewis

THE ART OF DATING A DUKE

For art conservationist Laura, suffering chronic endometriosis means no relationships. Only, thanks to her interfering mother, she’s matched online with @FarmerDan and can’t bring herself to swipe left… But then she learns “Dan” is really her new boss, Henry, and their attraction is as intense in person as in cyberspace! Being a modern-day duke, Henry’s duty-bound to produce an heir. So while meeting Laura is thrilling, it becomes clear that her condition makes her fertility uncertain. With life pulling them in different directions, is their connection strong enough to flourish offline?

About The Author

My Review

Laura, an art conservationist dealing with endometriosis, connects with a man on a dating app. Though she’s not ready for a relationship, they stay friends due to their strong connection. Meanwhile, her new boss, a charming Duke, might be the same man from the app, and they hit it off in real life as well. However, the Duke needs an heir to preserve his title and legacy, complicating their future due to Laura’s fertility challenges.

Laura and Henry have a great connection, both online and in person, but his need for an heir poses a major obstacle to their happiness. The story is enhanced by delightful side characters, especially their mothers, and the setting at the Duke’s estate adds charm. Laura’s endometriosis is portrayed with care, and Henry’s supportive response to her condition is especially heartwarming.

Despite the short length, their relationship is well-developed, though the reader might wish to see more of their future after the satisfying epilogue.

My Rating