April 27, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Back where We Belong By Jo Bartlett

Fifteen years ago, one desperate act tore sisters Bex and Briony apart. 👭💕✨

Growing up side by side against the backdrop of a feckless father and a hardworking mum, they were inseparable—until Briony’s attempt to save Bex from a disastrous engagement shattered their bond.

Now Bex has the life she dreamed of: a loving family, a new glamping site on the family farm, and roots she’s proud of. Briony, living under the online alias “Holly Day,” drifts from place to place in her van, watching her sister’s happiness from afar.

When their beloved mum falls seriously ill, Bex must track down the sister she hasn’t seen in over a decade. But finding Briony brings more than old wounds—it brings unexpected closeness, new beginnings, and the realisation that some bonds never truly break.

Playing For Keeps By Bella North

It’s all fun and games until fake starts to feel like forever…

My life revolves around two things: football, and family. Romance? Not so much. But my fans have other ideas. And they’ve turned my easy-going life into a nightmare with their campaign to find me a wife…

My childhood best friend Serena thinks it’s hilarious. She’s always wanted the big, swoony love story, but instead, she has a controlling ex she can’t shake breathing down her neck. And then the solution to both our problems hits me: a fake romance. ‘Settling down’ with Serena will get the fans off my back, and having a muscly football player on her arm should be enough to warn off her ex. Plus, we’re best friends, so what could go wrong?

Our first date is set for the city’s annual charity ball. I’m smug as I imagine how easy my life will be after tonight. Except, when my lips touch Serena’s in front of the flashing cameras, when I hear her soft sigh as I dip her lower, something like panic creeps through my chest. I’m not meant for love—letting people down runs in my genes. I can’t do that to Serena. I won’t.

As the story we’re spinning gets bigger, so do the feelings I’ve worked so hard to chase away. We want completely different things. But I can’t stop wondering: do we both want the one thing that counts—each other?

When your name literally means “forever alone,” it takes a lot of positive self-talk to stay optimistic in the hellscape that is dating. But on the cusp of thirty, Rikki Romona is determined to find her person.

Columnist, therapist, podcaster, entrepreneur—Rikki is an overachiever who thrives on schedules. She can absolutely handle two weddings in two days, and lock down someone to drag along as a plus-one.

And yet, spoiler: She doesn’t.

Rikki finds herself flying hopelessly solo at a themed wedding in New Jersey. A lonely Rapunzel waiting for her Flynn.

Enter Reed Tyler: writer, podcast producer, wannabe actor. Surprisingly single with startling blue eyes, he seems perfect. The catch? He lives kind of far away, so dating him would be a bit of a hike. Like an intense, all-the-way-across-the-country hike.

After one unforgettable night together, Rikki’s sure this is the end. But as she braces herself for heartache, the universe, it seems, has other plans…

About The Author

My Review

This blends contemporary romance with gentle magical realism to create a story that is both playful and emotionally thoughtful. At its heart is Rikki Romona, a heroine navigating the challenges of a long-distance relationship while also confronting her own fears, insecurities, and patterns of self-sabotage. Though the novel includes elements of wish fulfillment—supportive friends, an accommodating partner, and even the universe seemingly rooting for her—it never loses its emotional sincerity. Instead, it feels like a personal exploration of what it means to be truly ready for love.

Riccio’s writing voice is the book’s strongest asset: warm, humorous, and sharply observant. Her portrayal of emotional messiness, especially from a woman’s perspective, feels honest and relatable. While the plot grows somewhat loose in the second half, that uncertainty mirrors Rikki’s internal journey and ultimately strengthens the theme of personal growth. What begins as an idealized, cinematic romance gradually transforms into a deeper meditation on self-discovery, emotional readiness, and the work required to build lasting love. The result is a charming, heartfelt novel with a satisfying emotional payoff.

My Rating