December 3, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- Going Overboard By Portia MacIntosh

That ship has sailed… right?

Jessa is happily cruising through life – until her boyfriend Todd dumps her, out of the blue, at a wedding, during the first dance. She doesn’t know it but just across the room, cricket superstar Brody is also being blindsided by his girlfriend, Nikki. It suddenly makes sense in the days that follow – Todd and Nikki are now together.

Jessa wants to crawl under a rock, but with her best friend’s destination wedding on a cruise to Sicily – and her ex and his new girlfriend onboard – there’s no escape. She’s hoping the ship is big enough to avoid them but, unlucky for her, a booking mix-up means she’s sharing a two-bed suite with Todd, Nikki, and the handsome but infuriating Brody too.

With no choice but to ride out the awkwardness, Jessa and Brody hatch a plan. If they can’t win their exes back, they’ll get them back – revenge – by faking a red-hot romance of their own. That’ll show them. But the better they get at faking it – and the more undeniable their chemistry – the blurrier the line becomes. Either way, there’s going to be trouble at sea because true love is never plain sailing!

About The Author

My Review

Going Overboard is a fun, flirty, and fast-paced summer romance that delivers all the classic tropes in the best way. When Jessa gets dumped during the first dance at a wedding (yes, really!), and Brody is ditched by his influencer girlfriend Nikki at the same time, sparks fly—not from heartbreak, but from a revenge pact that might just lead to real feelings.

The setup is perfect for fans of fake dating, forced proximity, and the ever-iconic “only one bed” scenario. Jessa and Brody pretend to fall in love to make their exes jealous, but of course, things don’t stay pretend for long. Their chemistry is immediate and infectious, and the banter between them is hilarious and heartwarming.

Jessa is a chaotic but lovable heroine—impulsive, funny, and easy to root for as she stumbles (sometimes literally) through the mess life has thrown at her. Brody, a reserved but charming cricket player, balances her out beautifully. Despite his fame, he remains grounded and genuine, which makes their connection feel even more real.

Their journey is sweet and satisfying, though the only downside is that it’s over too soon. A little more depth and time with the couple would’ve been lovely, but as a short and breezy read, Going Overboard hits the mark.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 3 December 2025

The Garden Of Shared Stories By Clare Swatman

Emma is at an all-time low the day she meets Nick. She sits down in a quiet rose garden in her local park, and from nowhere a handsome man sits next to her and turns her world upside down.

Over the weeks, she and Nick meet regularly, always in the same place, always at the same time. They discover they have a lot in common – shared heartbreak, and shared dreams. They tell each other stories about the people they’ve lost – things they’ve never told anyone else. Bit by bit, they get to know each other, and fall in love.

But there’s a catch, because however much they have in common, they have one big thing keeping them apart… twenty years apart. Because when Nick is sitting in the garden it’s 1999 – two decades before Emma is there.

Emma never expected to fall in love again, but now she has, she’s not going to give up on it without a fight. But how do you turn something impossible into a happy ever after?

Review Card & Book Review- Fixing A Broken Heart At The Highland Repair Shop By Kiley Dunbar

Never take broken for an answer…

When her career stalls and her boyfriend betrays her, Ally McIntyre’s dreams shatter into a hundred little pieces. Which is apt, given Ally’s family has built a haven for the worn out and broken: the Cairn Dhu Community Repair Shop and Café in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, famous for its band of expert fixers (and delicious baking). But repairing gadgets and restoring heirlooms is one thing, fixing herself is quite another.

Jamie Beaton is on a temporary summer transfer to Cairn Dhu as a Special Constable, though there’s a deeper, sadder reason that’s drawn him to the Highlands. When a scandal threatens the repair shop and Ally and Jamie’s paths cross, an instant connection – and attraction – sparks. Could finding new love, and the missing piece of Jamie’s past, help Ally’s heart to heal?

As the long summer days draw in, however, Jamie must leave. An unexpected job offer also comes Ally’s way, which could take her far from the Highlands. Should she take a leap into the unknown? Where does she truly feel whole?

About The Author

My Review

Ally finds herself stuck in a job she doesn’t enjoy, with a relationship that’s about to be turned upside down. Jamie, visiting the Cairngorms temporarily as a Special Constable, crosses paths with her in an unexpected way at her dad’s repair barn. From there, both of their lives begin to shift—not just individually, but for the people around them too.

What makes this book so special is its strong sense of community. The story goes beyond just Ally and Jamie—it draws you into the lives of their families, friends, and the wonderful cast of characters at the repair barn. The intergenerational interactions, where older and younger characters share skills and life lessons, add real heart and depth.

The novel also explores the nature of modern friendships and how easy it is to drift apart in a world of social media. Dunbar gently reminds us that behind the photos and online posts, people may be struggling in ways we don’t see.

There are a few emotional moments that may bring a tear or two—grief and loss are handled with sensitivity and care, adding further layers to the characters’ journeys.

Overall, this is a beautiful and uplifting read filled with warmth, resilience, and hope. It’s about fixing what’s broken—whether that’s a toaster, a friendship, or a heart. I’d love to see more of Ally and Jamie’s story, and especially learn more about Ally’s brother and the rest of the repair barn crew.