March 2026 – Page 5 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – Happily Never After By Phoebe MacLeod

She’s looking for writing inspiration, but she may just find Mr Right…

Laura Spalding has life all worked out: a flourishing writing career, a lovely home, a cute dog, and a handsome boyfriend Angus.

Then, plot twist, Angus walks out, leaving Laura with sole charge of Meg the dog, and a serious case of writer’s block. With the deadline on her latest novel looming, Laura gives in to her agent’s suggestion that she go on a writer’s retreat. Perhaps two weeks in the South of France will help her find inspiration again?

But when Laura arrives in the idyllic village of St-Antonin-Noble-Val, she’s surprised to discover the other guests are less than thrilled to have a published author in their mix. Only non-writer Finn is willing to give her the time of day, and they immediately become close. And, incredibly, Laura finds she can write again.

Then a surprise arrival at the retreat throws everything off course, and Laura realises that there’s more to life than professional success. Should she risk everything to follow her heart?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, easy-to-enjoy rom com that blends humor, heart, and a dash of escapism. The story follows Laura Spalding, a romance novelist whose seemingly perfect life crumbles when her boyfriend leaves her and her creative spark vanishes. Hoping to find inspiration—and perhaps herself—Laura joins a writer’s retreat in the South of France, where sunlit days, eccentric fellow writers, and an unexpected romantic spark begin to mend her bruised heart.

MacLeod’s writing is warm and witty, with plenty of feel-good moments and a cozy, escapist atmosphere. The French setting adds a lovely touch of wanderlust, while Laura’s journey of rediscovering her confidence and creativity feels genuine and relatable. Although the plot occasionally lingers and lacks deeper emotional tension, the story’s charm lies in its lighthearted optimism and likable cast.

Ideal for readers craving a gentle, uplifting escape rather than a high-drama romance, Happily Never After is a sweet, comforting read that celebrates resilience, friendship, and the idea that love—and inspiration—can find you when you least expect it.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 10 March 2026

The Time Of My Life By Samantha Tonge

How far would you go to change your life?

When Eliza Woods sees an advertisement for someone’s whole life for sale – their house, car, all their belongings, even their clothes and cat – not to mention a trial-run in their job and an introduction to their friends… she decides it’s fate.

Grabbing a different life with both hands is exactly what she needs. Even if 26-year-old Carrie’s wildly-social life and job in a bar couldn’t be more different from Eliza’s quieter existence.

As for Carrie, she’s heading off to Greece, desperate to run away from everything she’s familiar with in England. The two women message each other after the deal has gone through, with Eliza excited to go for cocktails with Carrie’s friends before her first shift at her new job.

What Carrie doesn’t tell her is why she put her life up for sale. And what Eliza doesn’t tell Carrie is that she’s about to turn 75. And that isn’t her only secret…

The A To Z Of Everything By Debbie Johnson

“My darlings . . . Not to be too Hollywood about this, but if you’re watching this tape, that can mean only one thing: I have shuffled off this mortal coil . . . and you two are going to need each other more than ever. You need to set aside your differences and look out for each other—just like you always used to.”

Poppy and Rose used to be close as sisters could be—until everything went wrong. Now in their forties, they haven’t spoken in years. But when their vivacious, glamorous, powerhouse of a mother dies, they are both faced with the shock of grief. However, their mother was not one to go shrinking into the night. No, their mother, Andrea, has left them a project to work on together: a sort of scavenger hunt through their lives, which she calls the A to Z of Everything. Her final wish: to heal the fractured relationship between her daughters that broke her heart.

A is for Ashes. C is for champagne. D is for Daddy Issues. But when they get to F for Forgiveness, can they make a start, even when they can barely look at each other?

With Andrea’s wicked sense of humor and wild stories from her acting career, she has left the quest in a series of boxes filled with letters, recordings, videos, mementos, and instructions.

From Liverpool to London and even Paris, the sisters follow the trail toward a glimmer of hope: despite loss, there is room for laughter, love, and healing—and for second chances.

A New Start At The Happily Ever After Bookshop By Emma Bennet

She’s sworn off romance.

But this summer, love might rewrite her story . . .

Single mum Carrie Worsley doesn’t need another disappointment — she needs a fresh start.

So when she’s offered the chance to run her great-aunt’s romance bookshop in the Cornish seaside town of Castle Cove, she packs up her six-year-old daughter and takes the leap.

Secret beaches. Golden sunsets. And The Happily Ever After Bookshop — a pastel-pink sanctuary filled with stories of second chances.

But it’s only temporary.

Until she meets Michael — the quiet, brooding, local bookbinder with kind eyes and an adorably chaotic dog!

Michael isn’t looking for forever. Carrie doesn’t believe in it anymore. But stolen glances turn into slow-burn tension. Friendly coffees become lingering touches. And suddenly the chemistry isn’t just fictional — it’s undeniable.

Between sea-salted evenings, cinnamon-scented mornings, and long afternoons lost among the shelves, Carrie begins to wonder . . .

What if this time, the love story is hers?

Review Card & Book Review- One December Morning By Emma Davies

One chance meeting. Two strangers. And a sprinkling of Christmas magic…

Fifty-five-year-old Peg has been lonely for as long as she can remember. As she battles through traffic while the snow softly falls around her, the best she can hope for is to get home for Christmas safely, and to spend it wrapped in a blanket by a roaring open fire in her tumbledown cottage in the Cotswolds. Little does she know that everything is about to change…

Because Henry is also stuck on the road, and when their cars come to a complete standstill, he and Peg strike up a conversation over a homemade mince pie and a flask of hot tea. Towering over Peg, his navy waffle-knit jumper charmingly threadbare at the elbows, he chats effortlessly. With his tortoiseshell glasses pushed back into his mass of curly dark hair, Henry makes Peg laugh, and the two click. As something shifts, Peg realises that it’s been a long time since she smiled like this.

Peg discovers that Henry is single too, but he’s off to grit his teeth through the forced jollity of another family Christmas with his insufferably perfect daughter-in-law in the next village. Before they get a chance to exchange numbers, the traffic starts to move and Peg and Henry are wrenched apart…

She doesn’t expect to see him again. But then, days later, there’s a knock on Peg’s door: Henry needs her help. In an instant, she knows this will be a Christmas she’ll never forget, in ways she could never have imagined. Can she let herself get involved and risk being vulnerable, or will she shy away?

Peg doesn’t open her heart to anyone. But can the magic of Christmas persuade her to give it to someone special…?

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, uplifting holiday story about love, hope, and rediscovery later in life. Peg, expecting to spend Christmas alone, finds her plans upended when a snowstorm brings chaos—and an unexpected connection with Henry, a kind stranger whose warmth slowly melts her loneliness. Their chance encounter evolves into a touching journey of companionship, laughter, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

Emma Davies writes with her signature warmth and grace, painting a vivid picture of snow-covered landscapes, twinkling lights, and the quiet magic of the season. Peg is a beautifully written heroine—resilient, generous, and ready to believe that joy and love aren’t bound by age. Henry, too, adds gentle humor and heart, making their growing bond feel authentic and deeply comforting.

What makes this story shine is its message: it’s never too late to find happiness or fall in love again. One December Morning is a cozy, heartfelt read that captures the true spirit of Christmas—hope, connection, and the simple beauty of finding someone who feels like home.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review – Christmas At The Sturcombe Bay By Susanne McCarthy

Two broken hearts. One magical Christmas by the sea.

When Jess calls off her wedding just weeks before the big day, she escapes to the coastal village of Sturcombe Bay for a fresh start.

Swapping wedding plans for Christmas preparation at the fading Carleton Hotel, she’s not looking for love — until she meets Paul Channing, a rugged local with secrets of his own.

Shelley doesn’t let people in — not even at Christmas. But when kind-hearted Canadian pilot Daniel Crocombe steps in to defend her at the Carleton Hotel, his quiet warmth begins to break through her walls. With Christmas approaching, can Shelley believe she’s worthy of the love she’s always longed for?

As fairy lights go up around the village and snow dusts the bay, Jess and Shelley must find the courage to let go of the past — and discover that love often arrives when you least expect it.

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming, multi-layered festive romance that weaves together the stories of love, loss, and second chances in a charming seaside town. The novel follows several intertwining lives—Jess, Shelley, Mike, Kathy, and their prospective partners—as each faces crossroads of the heart during the Christmas season.

After calling off her wedding, Jess seeks refuge with her sister and must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again. Shelley, a resilient young woman who’s overcome a difficult past, finds unexpected chemistry with Alex, a Canadian visitor hiding his own secrets. Meanwhile, hotel manager Mike wrestles with grief and loneliness, finding comfort and the possibility of new love through dance classes, while Kathy, the café owner, longs to rediscover her spark.

McCarthy expertly balances these emotional threads, crafting a story rich in warmth, community, and festive spirit. The setting of Sturcombe Bay feels alive—filled with friendship, hope, and the quiet magic of the holidays. Christmas at Sturcombe Bay is a cozy, feel-good read about healing, new beginnings, and the timeless power of love at Christmas.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 9 March 2026

Family Ties For The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant

As the clouds chase the sun across the Lake District hills, and the warm breeze hints at spring on the way, midwife Zoe Padbury is counting her blessings. Until a surprise arrival changes everything…

Zoe Padbury is a big believer in second chances. She’s been so happy since she started over in the village of Thimblebury. Especially now she’s moved into Hilltop Farm with her boyfriend Alex and can be on hand to help his daughter when her baby arrives.

All that changes when Zoe’s father arrives, arm in arm with his newly pregnant fiancée Chantal. Chantal is bowled over by Thimblebury’s picture-perfect charm, and before Zoe’s had a chance to draw breath, they’ve made plans to get married in the old stone church, make Zoe their future baby’s midwife and move into the cottage next door.

Worried about her mum’s broken heart and how Alex feels about having her family so close by, at first Zoe doesn’t notice that Chantal’s brother has also moved in and is determined to make trouble, ruining the lives of the people who have made her feel so welcome. With the villagers up in arms about his behaviour Zoe is torn in two. Can she protect her new life and love without losing her family?

Review Card & Book Review- Falling For Polkerran Point By Cass Grafton

Will she get a new start with an old love?

Ellie Arbon thought she left Polkerran Point behind her, for good. But when her cousin Nicki needs her help, Ellie has no choice but to return.

The cove stirs up memories Ellie would rather forget. Will Farmer left her years ago to pursue an acting career, and now he’s back.

Handsome and famous, Ellie is sure he’s all but forgotten her. Every encounter they have suggests otherwise – there’s an undeniable spark between them and old feelings return once more.

Ellie must decide whether she wants to fight for a future together, or whether Will is – and will always be – the one who got away.

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, second-chance romance set against the breathtaking Cornish coast. The story opens with a nostalgic flashback to Ellie’s first visit to Polkerran Point twelve years earlier, when she met and fell for Will. Now, returning to help her cousin, Ellie finds herself face-to-face with the man she’s never truly forgotten.

Grafton writes with warmth and emotional honesty, capturing the ache of unresolved love and the frustration of misunderstandings left to fester. Ellie and Will’s interactions are tense yet charged with longing, and their inability to communicate feels both real and heart-wrenching. Through a blend of memories and present-day moments, the author reveals how pride, pain, and assumptions can keep two people apart even when love remains.

The familiar setting, sprinkled with returning characters like Nicki, Hamish, Anna, and Oliver, adds a comforting sense of community and continuity. Heartfelt and gently uplifting, Falling for Polkerran Point is the literary equivalent of a warm embrace—a beautifully written story about forgiveness, rediscovery, and finding your way home again.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo,

Review Card & Book Review – The Grump I Loathe By Leslie North

Connor Lockhart is gorgeous, grumpy, and about as charming as a brick wall. He’s also—plot twist—my new boss. Our first meeting? A total disaster. I’m late for a major panel at a gaming convention, standing in line for a burrito, and the guy in front of me is treating the menu like it’s a gourmet tasting. I ask if I can cut. He says no—like I asked for his social security number. I may or may not have dumped super spicy salsa all over his precious order.

Fast forward: that burrito snob? Now signs my paychecks. At the company of my dreams. Dream job. Nightmare boss.

He’s impossible—cold, cranky, allergic to small talk. Smiling seems physically painful for him.Sure, he’s got that jaw-dropping face. And when the smile does show up? Swoon.But there’s something else—something under all that grump that’s way too easy to like.

When his nine-year-old daughter starts feuding with my nine-year-old half-sister, we’re forced into a truce. Then a kiss. Then… way too many feelings.I don’t want to fall for my grumpy boss. I just want to get him out of my system.Too bad my heart has other plans.

About The Author

My Review

This is a sweet, low-angst romance that wraps up the Lockhart Brothers series with charm and heart. The story follows Connor, the youngest Lockhart brother—a single dad still healing from divorce—as he unexpectedly finds love again with Eddie, a vibrant and optimistic woman who turns his orderly world upside down. Their first meeting at a video game convention is delightfully awkward and funny, setting the tone for a romance that’s both relatable and endearing.

Though marketed as an enemies-to-lovers story, the dynamic feels more grumpy/sunshine than combative, allowing their relationship to develop naturally rather than through constant friction. North strikes a nice balance between humor, family warmth, and emotional depth. Connor’s devotion to his daughter adds tenderness, while Eddie’s presence brings light and laughter back into his life.

While the third-act breakup feels predictable, it resolves quickly and satisfyingly. Overall, The Grump I Loathe is a cozy, feel-good romance about second chances, parenthood, and learning to love again—an enjoyable conclusion to a heartwarming series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- Fighting For Hope By Katie Reus

He never expected someone like her…

Redemption Harbor security expert Bradford never thought he would fall in love, until Hope blew up his world. But after their wedding in Vegas, she disappeared—and he was shipped out to places unknown. He still doesn’t know why she ran, and he’s learned to live with that. The one thing he can’t accept is living without her. So when he discovers she’s in danger, he won’t be walking away this time.

Now he’s ready to burn down the world to keep her safe.

Investigative journalist Hope has never gotten over Bradford. But no matter how much she loves him, it never would have worked. She doesn’t know how to love herself, let alone someone else—and he deserves someone who can give him everything. Only now that a dangerous enemy is gunning for her, she can’t trust anyone except Bradford. As they race to stay alive and uncover the truth, she finds herself struggling to protect her heart against the biggest threat of all: her estranged husband.

About The Author

My Review

This is a passionate, suspenseful friends-to-lovers romance that perfectly balances emotional vulnerability with high-stakes danger. After a whirlwind Vegas marriage, Hope panics and runs from Bradford, afraid she can’t give him the love he deserves. When Bradford returns from his military assignment and learns that Hope’s father has passed away, he vows to be there for her—whether she wants him to or not.

Back in her hometown, Hope faces more than grief. Someone is targeting her and her late father’s home, and the danger quickly escalates. With Bradford and his Redemption Harbor Security team by her side, the two must navigate both external threats and the emotional tension that still burns between them.

Reus delivers a fast-paced, emotionally charged story filled with protective heroes, heartfelt second chances, and sizzling chemistry. Hope’s journey from fear to courage, and Bradford’s unwavering devotion, make this story deeply satisfying. With its perfect blend of romance and intrigue, Fighting for Hope is another compelling addition to the Redemption Harbor series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 7 March 2026

The Barefoot Bookshop On The Beach By Rebecca Raisin

We need a bookseller for the Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach… apply here!

When Harper sees an ad for what must surely be the most idyllic job in the world, she’s almost tempted. But she can’t possibly leave her bookshop job in London, or her burgeoning career as a successful Bookstagram influencer… That is, until a casual remark about a debut author lands her in deep trouble.

So she applies. After all, now she’s got nothing to lose. Except maybe her heart, she realises, as she lands on the beautiful island of Ésperé in the Seychelles and finds herself seemingly surrounded by beautiful men. Including the hotel owner, moody but heartbreakingly-handsome Xavier.

But inter-staff relations are strictly forbidden. And Harper has enough on her plate, with a member of staff missing and a wily band of expats to contend with. Plus, she’s determined to make the bookshop and new start the success they deserve to be… Even if – under the blazing sunshine – the romance novel superfan in her can’t help but hope the boss of the hotel might not be quite the grump he seems…

Review Card & Book Review – Pregnant Behind The Veil By Emmy Grayson

For better or worse
she’s having his heir!

Alessandra. I could have destroyed my hard-won legal career with one indulgent encounter. My anonymous lover was Michail Sullivan, the illegitimate son of my most hated client. Not only do I have to disclose the shocking terms of his late father’s will to him…but also reveal I’m pregnant!

Michail. Alessandra Wright will marry me to secure my inheritance and my legacy. Still, I’ve seen how ruinous passion can be, so our union will be strictly on paper. Until Alessandra walks down the aisle and the air between us crackles with insatiable desire…

About The Author

My Review

This book delivers an emotional, passionate finale to the Brides for Greek Brothers trilogy. Alessandra (Lexi) and Michail’s story begins with a fiery one-night stand that spirals into a web of secrets, betrayal, and unexpected love. When Alessandra, now pregnant, faces Michail across a conference table while reading the twisted conditions of his late father’s will, both are forced to confront not only their past encounter but also the legacies of pain and manipulation left behind by a cruel patriarch.

Grayson writes with intensity and emotional depth, peeling back the layers of two wounded souls who must learn to trust—and forgive. Michail’s fury and defensiveness hide a heart scarred by years of control, while Alessandra’s strength and compassion shine through as she refuses to let his anger break her.

The chemistry between them is explosive, the drama compelling, and the resolution deeply satisfying. Blending sensual tension with heartfelt redemption, Pregnant Behind the Veil is a passionate, beautifully written story about breaking cycles of pain and finding love in the most unexpected of places.

My Rating