May 15, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- The French House Share By Gillian Harvey

‘I can’t live with total strangers… can I?’

Bella’s living her dream life, running a beautiful, rural French B&B and has finally put her past behind her. But when her husband suddenly asks for a divorce, everything changes.

Forced to abandon everything she’d built before, she finds herself moving to the beautiful town of Versailles, where she takes a job working in a hotel, and moves into a chaotic house share.

At first, it doesn’t feel like a problem that she can’t seem to convince her young housemates she’s older than them – it’s quite nice to pretend she’s in her 20s again. But when it becomes clear her new boss has also hired her under false pretences, she starts to wonder if she’s gone from living the dream to living a lie.

Despite the chaos though, she starts to feel that spark return. Even more so when handsome American landlord Brad arrives on the scene. But with so many secrets – now and in her past – how will Bella’s new start end?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, uplifting novel about starting over when life unravels unexpectedly. Bella appears to be living her dream in rural France, running a B&B and leaving her past behind—until her husband asks for a divorce and everything collapses. Forced to rebuild, Bella moves to Versailles, house-sharing with two twenty-somethings while quietly hiding her real age and a résumé exaggeration.

What truly shines is the atmosphere. Harvey’s descriptions of French villages, cafés, and city life are immersive and comforting, making the setting feel like a character in its own right. Bella is a wonderfully relatable heroine—flawed, insecure, funny, and resilient. Her struggles with self-doubt, especially when compared to her sister, feel authentic and heartfelt.

The supporting cast adds charm and warmth, particularly Odette, Henri, and the formidable Claudette. Brad, the handsome American landlord, brings a gentle romantic thread that complements the story without overpowering it. Filled with humour, emotional depth, and themes of love, loss, and second chances, this novel is far more than a simple romance—it’s a reassuring reminder that it’s never too late to begin again.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 15 May 2026

Edge Of Falling By Sophie Hamilton

One reckless lie was all it took to upend Avery Delgado’s teenage life. By saving Tanner Stone, she ruined her own chance of success and learned the hard way not to trust in love.

But when Tanner—now a hockey sensation—returns to Pine Springs, old sparks reignite. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Tanner isn’t shy about what he wants.

Avery’s walls are high, but as their summer fling burns hotter, she wonders if taking a risk might be worth it this time…

Until the threats start. Anonymous. Personal. Dangerous.

Someone wants Avery out of Tanner’s life, and they’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Avery helped Tanner all those years ago. Now he’s determined to unmask their enemy. And, as past wounds resurface and the pressure builds, Avery must decide if protecting her heart from Tanner is more painful than finally setting it free.

Coupling Up By Jo Lyons

The most adventurous thing unlucky-in-love primary school teacher Libby has done this year is buy an air fryer. So when she finds herself trading places with her twin sister during the summer holidays, to be a contestant on reality TV show Love on the Island, she is way out of her comfort zone.

Jetting off to a villa in Mexico full of promiscuous muscle-mountains coupling up with glamorous women with frozen foreheads and hidden agendas, and a she-devil executive producer hellbent on exposing her to ridicule, should be her worst nightmare but somehow Libby does end up catching feelings… for the one guy who is forbidden fruit. Gorgeous, sexy, show producer Cameron.

Suddenly Libby’s summer is picking up. But she’ll be kicked off the show and lose her chance with Cameron unless she learns how to become a crazed, fame-hungry, media whore… and fast.

Yes, love is about staying true to yourself. But it’s also about taking risky leaps of faith.

Review Card & Book Review- How To Be Fabulous By Carmen Reid

Family, fashion, fiascos—this is how to be fabulous. 💃🏼

Busy mum. Fashion guru. Domestic disaster waiting to happen?

When Annie Valentine agrees to help her best friend Svetlana pull off a charity fashion show, she thinks it’ll be a breeze. After all, no one knows couture quite like Annie, so how hard can it be?

Answer: very. With no venue, no clothes, and definitely no showstopper, Annie’s in danger of her first ever fashion fail.

And just when the wardrobe rails are about to collapse, her family life does too. Daughter Lauren is home from New York with a broken heart, son Owen is off to university with an empty wallet, and Annie is hanging on by a thread.

But when a mystery donation arrives in to save the day—and Annie—it feels like she might just pull it all together. That is, until Owen goes AWOL and everything unravels.

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, witty blend of fashion, family chaos, and heartfelt humor that pleasantly surprised me. What begins as a seemingly breezy fashion comedy quickly reveals more emotional depth, with Annie Valentine juggling a charity fashion show, family upheaval, and her own fraying nerves.

Annie is wonderfully drawn—capable and caring, yet perpetually overwhelmed. She can transform anyone with the right outfit, but her personal life is held together with loose threads. Reid excels at showing the messiness of midlife, balancing real emotional stakes with perfectly timed humor. Annie’s children bring their own challenges, adding tenderness and relatability without tipping the story into heaviness.

The fashion show plot is gloriously chaotic, spiraling into disaster in the most entertaining way, while small twists—like a mystery donation—offer moments of hope. Reid’s writing is confident and lived-in, with sharp but kind humor and a brisk, engaging pace.

Ultimately, this is a joyful, comforting read that celebrates resilience over perfection. Fabulous, it turns out, is simply getting through the day with grace—and maybe good lipstick.

My Rating