May 2026 – Page 4 – My Sanctuary

Happy Publication Day – 7 May 2026

Fuel To The Fire By Sophie L. Henderson

The best way to avoid single-shaming and a broken heart? Fake date Brock Holt—the infuriating yet smokin’ hot firefighter with a saviour complex and tough guy attitude. And the last person I’d ever fall for.

Sworn to singlehood with abandonment issues after my mom walked out, I need a date to my cousin’s engagement party. Anything to avoid being setup with another boring banker. Bitter and twisted after a bad breakup, Brock needs a girl on his arm to impress at a firefighter gala. No strings, no drama, and absolutely no feelings. We have a deal.

The problem is, as I watch him pull a family from a huge car wreck, and after a steamy forbidden kiss in the fire hall, I can feel myself falling. Hard. We’ve hooked up before and I can’t forget how wild those two weeks burned. But I’ve seen the dumpster fire left behind when relationships fizzle out.

The deeper we get into this lie, the more we’re getting to know each other. Brock has a short fuse, but underneath that rugged exterior, he’s protective and considerate.

Bookshop Summer By Stephanie Butland

When the Lost for Words bookshop in York hosts an event for a new reading project, four strangers’ lives will change in ways they could never have expected . . .

Trixie is hosting the event. She loves her job at Lost for Words, and she’s feeling grounded and calm – until a phone call from her ex throws everything off course.

Cherry only goes to the event because she needs to get out. Caring for her grandmother without any help is exhausting – and lonely. Maybe things will be different if her long-lost sister finally comes home.

Rhiannon and Guy really hit it off at the bookshop; it feels like the start of something special. And Guy is fantastic with Rhiannon’s baby. But Rhiannon is keeping quite a big secret . . .

When you spend time with people who love books, you’re sure to learn something about yourself – and maybe see a way to start in a different direction. As each of them is about to find out . . .

The Greatest Game By Tara Sexton

Get in the mood for the 2026 World Cup…

She’s met her match. But will the winner take all or lose everything?

Marcee Ackerman’s dream job as head soccer coach at Pemberton Prep is turning into a nightmare. Her new boss has given her an ultimatum—win the state championship or she’s fired. To make matters worse, Pemberton’s rival school hires hotshot ex-England player Remington Lockley as their new coach. How can she compete against a world-class pro?

To keep her job and her reputation safe, Marcee will do whatever it takes. But one steamy encounter with Remy has thrown her plans off-course. Falling for the enemy may be just what Marcee’s boss needs to get rid of her for good, yet she is powerless to resist as she gets to know the real Remy behind the tabloid scandals.

Soccer is life, but love is the greatest game of all. Even Marcee’s competitiveness might not be enough for her to win…

Beneath The Orange Blossom By Emma Cowell

A lost love. A devastating secret. And a summer that could change everything…

Two years on from her husband’s death, dressmaker Ellen is learning how to live again and put memories of a difficult marriage behind her.

However, never far from her mind is another memory: Alexandros, her first love from the summer she turned eighteen.

The moment she’d arrived in his hometown of Kardamyli in Greece, Ellen had been intoxicated by the scent of orange blossom in the air, the days of endless sunshine and sparkling azure waters – but most of all by Alexandros himself. They were meant to be, until a devastating secret forced Ellen to leave and never look back…

But now, when her best friend suggests they recreate their teenage summer in Greece, Ellen knows it’s time to confront her past. Will Greece give her the freedom – and happiness – she desperately craves? And there, amidst the lush olive groves, could she rediscover the love she thought she’d lost forever?

Her Slap Shot By Emma Kate

She’s his head hockey coach. He’s her player…

As the first female head coach in professional hockey, Finley Blake knows what’s at stake. One wrong move and she’s not just risking her career, she’s setting back every woman who dreams of leading in this industry.

She didn’t work this hard to throw it all away on a six-foot-three hockey player she had a crush on in high school. Especially one who doesn’t even remember helping her with her slap shot.

Beckett Kane does one thing—hockey. Traded to the Denver Yeti midseason, the veteran defenseman is chasing the captain position he’s always wanted before his body makes him hang up his skates. He’s not here to make friends. He’s not here to feel things. And he’s definitely not here to fall for the best coach he’s ever had.

When Finley and Beckett are paired up for a team challenge, the line they shouldn’t cross starts to look enticingly thin. But some slap shots are worth taking…even the ones that could cost you everything.

Late Learner By Ciara Geraghty

Ronda dares to dream… but will she dare to live?

Ronda McCann lives a quiet, careful life. She cycles back and forth to her job at the local care home and plays chess with a robot in the evenings. At forty-four years old, she is perfectly okay with that.

Then everything changes at once. Her mother threatens to sell their home. The care home is under siege from investors looking to buy. And a scruffy solicitor in a camper van sees something in Ronda that she’s never seen in herself.

Now, Ronda has a choice to make…

Keep playing it safe on the sidelines? Or finally become the person she’s always imagined herself to be…

Review Card & Book Review – A Fling With The ER Doc By Sue MacKay

Clocking off with the doc!

When tragedy struck and Nikki’s husband left her, the ER doc’s life fell apart at the seams. Then handsome new doctor Shaun arrives in town… Nikki can’t help but tentatively put herself back out there. And, oh, do Shaun’s mind-blowing kisses make her feel alive again! Though Nikki isn’t the only one of them running from a painful past, it’s getting harder to keep their emotions under lock and key… Dare Nikki take the leap of faith, from no-strings to forever?

About The Author

My Review

This book delivers an emotionally engaging medical romance that explores healing, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to start again. The story centres on Nikki, an ER doctor whose life has quietly unravelled, leaving her wary of relationships and firmly uninterested in returning to the dating scene. That is, until the arrival of the new doctor, Shaun, whose presence challenges everything she thought she wanted.

From their first interactions, Nikki and Shaun share an undeniable connection, but both carry unresolved issues from their pasts that shape how they approach change and commitment. Nikki tends to retreat inward, guarding her heart, while Shaun pushes himself to confront his emotions head-on. This contrast creates a satisfying emotional tension that keeps their relationship grounded and believable.

What makes their story especially compelling is the way their growing chemistry steadily pushes them toward honesty and risk. The romance feels earned, not rushed, as both characters must decide whether to protect themselves or fight for the possibility of lasting happiness.

Warm, sincere, and emotionally layered, this novel is a touching reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is give love another chance.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 6 May 2026

Rein Me In By Camilla Isley

Ryder is a rugged cowboy and small town royalty. Faye is his son’s strict first grade teacher.

Faye came to Blue Crescent Harbor for a fresh start. A place to disappear, teach first grade, and keep her secrets buried. She didn’t expect the hottest single dad in school and small-town royalty to march into her classroom to share his stubborn opinions. Tall, rugged, and fiercely devoted to his son, he’s a walking complication in flannel and cowboy boots.

Ryder has no patience for anyone telling him how to raise his kid. Especially not a sharp-tongued teacher with city polish and eyes promising trouble. Their mutual dislike is second only to their explosive chemistry!

Too bad she can’t avoid him. At parent meetings. On the dancefloor at the local dive bar. In her dreams, wearing that backward baseball cap and a grin that makes her forget she’s sworn off men. But he’s off-limits. She’s his son’s teacher, and this town loves to gossip. Yet Ryder’s flirty banter, his son’s adoration, and his dedication to his family’s ranch make sticking to the rules difficult. Staying invisible was the plan, but he makes her want to be seen. What if the real risk is not running, but wanting to stay?

Review Book & Book Review- Hot Nights With The Paramedic By Carol Marinelli

The hottest mistake of her life?

Obstetrician Monica Hamilton loves her job, yet with every tiny baby she delivers, she longs for her own even more. When she’s poised to explore single motherhood, it’s terrible timing to notice sexy Argentinean paramedic Luke Arias. All he can promise is no strings and scorching hot nights. He’s already had to bring up his orphaned siblings—children are 100 percent off his agenda. Usually cautious Monica is powerless to resist Luke’s charisma…but will their temporary fling break her heart or unlock everything she’s ever wanted?

About The Author

My Review

Monica, a 35-year-old consultant obstetrician, and Luke, a 32-year-old paramedic, share instant, combustible chemistry. Their differences drive the emotional conflict: Monica longs for children and stability, while Luke avoids commitment and doesn’t want a family. Both are professionals who’ve learned to suppress their emotions to survive in high-pressure careers — a coping mechanism that complicates romance when they agree to keep things “just for fun.”

The novel shines in its blend of intense, moving medical moments and deeply personal struggles. A patient’s death hits Luke harder than anything before, triggering a chain of misunderstandings that threaten their fragile bond.

Though the title promises heat, the focus is firmly on character growth, emotional realism, and hard-won love. Sympathetic leads, thoughtful conflict, and heartfelt storytelling make this a rewarding read. is an engaging, emotionally rich medical romance that weaves seamlessly alongside CM’s earlier novel Nurse’s Nine-Month Surprise.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- The Last Dinner At Wisteria House By Sue Roberts

On a peaceful avenue stands the once-grand Wisteria House. Now it’s split into apartments, occupied by strangers who rarely say hello. Could one last dinner party bring it to life again?

Ninety-year-old Alice has one last wish: to fill her new home with light and laughter, just like when her husband was alive. So she sets out her favourite plates, opens an old recipe book, and sends invitations to the neighbours she’s certain need friendship just as much as she does…

Declan hasn’t believed he deserves to follow his dreams since he tragically lost his sister.

Jess has been working herself to the bone to provide for her little daughter and has no time for joy in her own life.

Mark, a widower, has been isolated in his grief for so long.

Over a shared meal, Alice reminds each of them that sharing stories keeps those we love alive, and that time is our most precious gift. As they hug goodbye, everyone feels lighter than they have in years. Little do they know Alice has her own secret reason for gathering them together…

The next morning the tenants receive terrible news. Is their first dinner party destined to be the last? With Wisteria House under threat, can they come together to save the one place that has only just started to feel like home? Or will they lose their little community just when they need it most?

About The Author

My Review

This is a quietly beautiful novel that radiates warmth, hope, and gentle emotional depth. Subtle rather than showy, it’s the kind of story that slowly wraps itself around you and lingers long after the final page.

At its heart is Alice, a ninety-year-old woman whose simple wish to host one last home-cooked meal becomes a powerful act of connection. Inviting her neighbours into the fading grandeur of Wisteria House, Alice creates a space where loneliness softens and stories are finally shared. Around her table gather Declan, Jess, and Mark, each carrying their own burdens — grief, exhaustion, guilt, and dreams long put aside.

As food is shared and conversations deepen, the characters begin to rediscover the comfort of being truly seen and understood. Their tentative bonds feel organic and deeply moving. Adding emotional tension is the looming threat to Wisteria House itself, raising the stakes just as a sense of belonging begins to bloom.

Sue Roberts’ writing is gentle, sincere, and beautifully restrained. The novel never overreaches, allowing its emotional moments to land naturally. Ultimately, this is a cozy, heartfelt story about found family, second chances, and the transformative power of kindness.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 5 May 2026

Wishes On The Waves By Catherine Michaels

She’s convinced love belongs in her memories.

He’s certain his second chance already came and went.

But Gull Island has other plans.

Widowed business owner Annie Lawson lives a full life running her shop, raising her young son, and keeping her heart carefully guarded. Letting someone in again isn’t on her to-do list. But when the cottage next door fills with a bestselling author and single dad carrying more regret than momentum, the rhythms of her predictable life begin to shift.

Cal Carter comes to Gull Island to escape a painful divorce, rediscover his writing voice, and rebuild trust with his teenage daughter. What he doesn’t expect is a neighbor whose warmth slips past his defenses and makes him question the future he thought was settled.

Between sea turtle nests, summer storms, and twilight talks, Annie and Cal drift closer than either intended until a long-buried truth from Cal’s past asks them to risk what they’ve worked hard to protect.

Forty Love By Jane Costello

It’s never too late for a comeback!

Single mum Jules lives next to a tennis club, but has no plans to play. Especially when her old school crush, handsome doctor Sam Delaney, returns thirty years after he left and is now displaying a killer forehand in direct view of her bedroom window.

But when she’s hit by an unprecedented wave of anxiety – brought on by her 19-year-old daughter’s solo trip around the world – she’s in urgent need of a distraction and rashly agrees to join an amateur women’s tennis team. They are desperate for players. The fact that she doesn’t really play doesn’t seem to matter . . .

As rallies are hit and friendships are formed, Jules is astonished to find herself in the grip of a passionate, all-consuming relationship . . . and not only with the tennis. But will these sexy encounters she keeps stumbling into with Sam put her on course to a devastating double fault?

A Brewed Awakening By Pepper Basham

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She’s built her life–and her late grandmother’s tearoom, Tea Thyme–around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He’s looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn’t matter that she’s ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn’s heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled–Wisteria hasn’t seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship–and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

Home No Matter Where By Nancy Naigle

Nina is at her wit’s end with her teenage daughter, Kendra. Still dealing with her own wounds of divorce, Nina hopes a change of scenery will help. She and Kendra head to the serene coastal town of Whelk’s Island to spend a restorative summer with Nina’s mother, Rosemary—bringing three generations under one roof for the first time in years. Amid the island’s charm, old wounds begin to heal, and as new friendships bloom—especially with the steady and enigmatic Fisher—light begins to break through the cracks of Nina’s tightly controlled life.

Kendra’s reckless behavior continues but Fisher’s intervention during a critical moment for Kendra sparks a sense of hope in Nina that she thought was lost. Still, change is never easy.

As the women navigate the tides of forgiveness, growing up, and letting go, healing begins and new love brings surprises. While Whelk’s Island may not hold all the answers, it has a way of reminding people that moving forward doesn’t follow a set path—it requires the bravery to start anew.

Come Back To The World By Catherine Ryan Hyde

Amelia Booker, a journalist and expert in American literature, receives a photograph leading to the possible whereabouts of E. L. Swann, an author who vanished forty years ago after the success of her first and only novel. It’s too intriguing a literary mystery for Amelia not to follow.

In Santa Rosarita, Mexico, Amelia and her seven-year-old son, Jaden, meet the elderly and guarded Ella Steinbach, known to locals for riding her donkey to market, then retreating from the world again to her hilltop house. Prickly and defensive at first, Ella reluctantly concedes the truth about her identity. If not for Ella’s deep affection for the bright and introverted Jaden, she would have found the intrusion unforgivable. Instead, she grants an interview on the condition that Amelia tell no one where E. L. Swann has been found.

As days turn into weeks, and Ella reveals more than expected about her past, she and Amelia form a difficult but surprising bond. From it comes the realization that the personal struggles we endure determine the necessary choices we make to move forward. But no matter how much Amelia tries to convince her otherwise, E. L. Swann really does wish to be left alone. And only by accepting the author as she is can Amelia maintain the life-changing connection.

Review Card & Book Review- The Dating Pact By Lulu Morris

He’s acting royalty. She’s a nurse at The Royal hospital. What happens when their scripted romance starts to feel too real…?

When Ellie bluffs her way into a high-end party with her best friend, the last thing she expects is to end up going home with infamous actor Alex King, because he’s too drunk to remember what hotel he’s staying in. But when the paparazzi catch them together the morning after, their new friendship suddenly becomes the tabloids’ front page.

Alex needs a plus-one. Not only is his brother marrying his ex, but he’s become the villain in the eyes of the press. With a loved-up date by his side, the public might finally see him as moving on and his new play might finally get the ticket sales it needs to not close down.

But a wedding in the Bahamas, surrounded by gorgeous celebrities, with the paparazzi lurking everywhere, is plus-sized Ellie’s worst nightmare. Even as Alex’s displays of affectionate become more real and less fake, will she lose a part of herself during their pact?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, feel-good romcom that delivers big 90s movie vibes with plenty of heart, humour, and emotional warmth. The story follows Ellie, a plus-sized, overworked nurse, who — along with her best friend Hannah — bluffs her way into an exclusive party and unexpectedly catches the attention of Alex King, the down-to-earth son of Hollywood royalty.

What begins as an easy friendship quickly deepens. Alex is captivated by Ellie’s honesty and warmth, while Ellie discovers that behind Alex’s famous surname is a genuinely kind, thoughtful man. When Alex is forced to attend the wedding of his cheating ex and estranged brother — and his agent suggests a fake relationship to deflect bad press — Ellie agrees to be his pretend girlfriend. With their chemistry already undeniable, the line between “fake” and real soon disappears.

Ellie is a wonderfully written heroine: confident yet realistically vulnerable, her journey toward self-acceptance feels authentic and empowering. Alex is equally lovable — charming, respectful, and refreshingly grounded despite his upbringing. The writing is sweet, immersive, and reminiscent of Mhairi McFarlane’s style.

While the ending leans heavily into romcom clichés and feels slightly rushed, it’s also irresistibly cheesy in the best way. Overall, this is a warm, uplifting romance that leaves you smiling.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review – The Arctic Cruise By Caroline James

Will the Arctic wonderland work its magic this winter?

Joy never imagined stepping aboard a cruise ship without her husband, Tom. Now widowed, Joy wonders what her voyage on the Emerald Dream will hold – and as it glides through breathtaking Norwegian fjords, she longs to believe in happiness again. However, she carries a secret that could unravel her fragile hopes if it ever came to light…

Elsewhere on deck, as the sun dips below the horizon and the polar night sets in, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, is living his dream of seeing the Northern Lights. Having long since given up on love, he now dedicates himself to his passion for photography. But when he meets Joy, is it more than the aurora borealis that catches his eye?

As they embark on a snow-dusted adventure which takes them from bustling ports to reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, will Joy and Henry find the courage to embrace love again? Or will hidden truths sink the possibility of a new beginning?

About The Author

My Review

This is a wonderfully uplifting, feel-good novel that offers the perfect escape — especially for readers who enjoy armchair travel and festive settings. Set aboard The Emerald Dream as it sails through the spectacular Norwegian fjords over Christmas, the story follows a delightful group of passengers whose lives become gently intertwined over the course of the voyage.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its cast of characters. I developed an immediate soft spot for Henry, whose quiet kindness and old-fashioned courtesy shine, particularly through a deeply touching act of generosity near the novel’s conclusion. Joy is another standout — a warm, engaging presence whose hidden depths gradually emerge in a very satisfying way. I also appreciated the focus on older characters, a refreshing and realistic choice that suits the cruise setting beautifully.

James brings the journey vividly to life with engaging descriptions of both onboard activities and shore excursions. The talks, the chance of spotting the Northern Lights, and the breathtaking scenery make the trip feel wonderfully immersive.

Adding sparkle and laughter are the gloriously pretentious Kenneth and Barbara, whose antics provide constant amusement. With blossoming romances, heartfelt moments, gentle humour, and secrets slowly revealed, The Arctic Cruise is a charming, light-hearted read that leaves you smiling long after the final page.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review – Life In The Old Girls Yet By Celia Anderson

Vee is nervous about returning to the village of Willowbrook. Not only is Dragonfly Cottage – the house her late mum left her – in need of a total refurb, but the neighbours still remember Vee as a troublesome teen, even though she’s now in her fifties.

Luckily, Vee’s quickly swept up by the Saga Louts, three irrepressible women whose friendship, humour and zest for life prove impossible to resist. With Rick, the handsome local handyman who’s helping to renovate the cottage also at her side, Vee begins to feel like it’s never too late to start again.

When the group set off on a road trip to France, laughter, friendship and plenty of vin rouge are on the cards. But some surprising revelations are about to come out, too…

Can Vee finally come to terms with the past and seize her future with both hands?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, uplifting novel about second chances, buried secrets, and the unexpected friendships that change everything. Venetia “Vee” Prescott returns reluctantly to her childhood home, carrying emotional baggage she’d rather leave untouched. What she finds instead is a new beginning—and the unforgettable trio of Althea, Beryl, and Winnie, affectionately known as the Saga Louts. These sharp, spirited women welcome Vee into their circle and quickly become the heart of the story.

The town itself hums with long-held secrets and complicated family history, creating a rich backdrop for Vee’s journey of rediscovery. As past and present intertwine, a trip to France adds both charm and emotional weight, revealing truths that reshape everything.

What truly makes this book shine is its cast of characters. Each one adds depth and warmth, and the cleverly placed hints about their lives and secrets keep the pages turning. Their individual stories are as delightful as Vee’s own. This is a beautiful, comforting read about healing, redemption, and the power of starting over—proof that new friendships can be just as life-changing as old ones.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 3 April 2026

One Sunny Day By Shari Low

As the sun rises on a summer’s day, four people are about to find out what it takes to make their dreams come true.

Global TV megastar Ollie Chiles has fame, fortune, and now he’s met Stevie Dixon, the love of his life. But he’s realised that he can’t have it all. He has a huge decision to make – and no matter what he chooses, he’s going to hurt someone he loves.

Widow Netta McGonigle gave up her dreams to spend a lifetime taking care of everyone else. Alone now, she’s resigned herself to quiet contentment – but what if life still has one or two surprises in store for her?

Single mum Kiki Strang has remained in the shadows raising her daughter Ava, while the man who promised he’d come back for her chased the limelight. With that promise broken, should Kiki fade away quietly or share his secrets with the world?

Actress Ginny Canavan has a chance to land the role of a lifetime. But when fate throws in a plot twist even she could never have predicted, will she find a way to rewrite her own script?