Monthly Archives: June 2026

Review Card & Book Review – The Italian Lakes Affair By Rachel Barnett

A glamorous escape. An irresistible attraction.

Amy’s life runs like clockwork – as personal assistant to a notoriously sharp-tongued celebrity food critic, she’s used to managing chaos without ever creating any of her own. But everything changes when she’s sent to a prestigious Italian cookery school and meets Tad, the enigmatic and quietly brilliant head chef running the show.

As sparks fly in the kitchen, Amy finds herself drawn into a world far removed from the one she’s always known. But with her demanding boss determined to be the centre of attention – and possibly Tad’s too – Amy must decide if she’s ready to step out from behind the scenes and take a chance on love.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a woman who escapes to Italy expecting a temporary change of scenery and instead finds herself confronting the quiet truths she’s long avoided. In this book, Amy arrives at a glamorous cookery school on Lake Garda and slowly begins to question the carefully managed life she left behind.

Amy is competent and emotionally guarded, so used to holding everything together that she’s forgotten what she wants. Watching her gradual awakening feels authentic and deeply satisfying. Her connection with Tad, a restrained and quietly magnetic chef, unfolds in a slow, simmering burn. Their chemistry is built on longing, hesitation, and stolen glances rather than grand gestures, which makes every moment feel earned.

The Lake Garda setting shimmers with indulgent detail, adding atmosphere without overwhelming the story. Food, wine, and golden sunsets enhance the emotional journey rather than distract from it.

Warm, witty, and gently insightful, this is a romance about reinvention, courage, and giving yourself permission to choose more.

Slow-burn romance

Opposites attract

Forced proximity

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Perceived supernatural presence

Happy Publication Day – 20 June 2026

Falling For You At Kelsea Sands By Sharon Booth

When Jenna’s husband fails to return from work one evening, she’s painfully aware what it might mean. Yet another woman.

This time, though, Jenna won’t sit and wait for Joel to come back to her. It’s the summer holidays and she wants to make sure her seven-year-old twins have fun. So, they head for the beautiful coastal village of Kelsea Sands, where her mum’s thrilled to have them stay.

At the village’s North Star inn, Sam is struggling with his reclusive father, pub landlord Seb, and is short-staffed for the summer. Jenna steps in; working evenings at the inn is the distraction she needs right now.

As the summer passes, Jenna opens up to Sam about her marriage, while he shares his own worries. With the twins gently working their magic on the grieving Seb, Jenna and Sam grow ever closer. But Joel hasn’t finished with her yet…

Review Card & Book Review – The Child We Lost By Sheila Norton

What would you do if your lost child came back…

She pouts, looking upset, and I want nothing more than to kiss her better and say ‘All right then, yes. Perhaps he can come back, perhaps he will, perhaps he has!’ But I can’t. I know I can’t lie to her about this…

The day we lost Josh, a part of me broke. He was only three-and-a-half years old. His twin, Ruby, suddenly an only child.

We thought we were doing as well as expected. But when Ruby comes to me and says she saw Josh – alive – I assume she’s struggling more than we realised. It’s her way of holding on. Of refusing to let go.

But then I see him too.

A boy with Josh’s same pale blue eyes, the silvery-white hair that falls across his forehead in exactly the same way. It’s more than a similarity. This boy could be Josh’s twin.

How can that be possible?

I know I have to listen to my rational brain, that this must be my grief messing with my mind. But I can’t let go of the feeling that something is going on. Who is this boy? And does someone know more than they’re letting on?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about grief, faith, and the fragile hope that follows unimaginable loss. In this book, the story unfolds through alternating first-person chapters from a mother and grandmother, creating an intimate portrait of a family struggling to heal.

Five-year-old Ruby, mourning her twin brother Josh, becomes convinced he is still alive after repeatedly seeing a boy who looks just like him. Her certainty unsettles the entire family, reopening wounds they are barely managing to survive. The emotional tension is handled with sensitivity, especially as Ruby begins to understand death more fully after the loss of a pet—an experience that gently guides her toward acceptance.

Ruby’s mother’s search for answers adds a thread of quiet suspense, leading to revelations that ripple through the family. Faith is woven thoughtfully into the narrative, offering comfort without preaching, particularly in conversations about prayer and belief.

The characters feel authentic and deeply human. Ultimately, this is a beautifully written novel about love, resilience, and the evolving meaning of family.

Grief and healing

Family drama

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Forced Emotional Vulnerability

Review Card & Book Review- Hot For Preacher By Anne Marsh

This preacher man is giving her something to believe in.

When country singer Dixie Pearl’s van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Tennessee, it feels like rock bottom. Sharp-tongued Dixie prides herself on her independence, but after recent health struggles, her dream of making it big has never felt more out of reach.

It’s pure luck that the burly bearded man who hauls her out of the ditch is a beloved local minister. Dixie’s used to dive bars, truck stops and 2:00 a.m. brawls, not kindhearted preachers—especially one this hot.

For Jack Carter, being hospitable comes with the territory, but there’s something extra-special about Dixie. He’s dealt with his fair share of, um, quirkyparishioners. But nobody’s ever challenged him like firecracker Dixie, stirring an attraction Jack’s not sure how to reconcile with his life of devotion.

Dixie wants nothing more than to get out of town and back to Nashville, but the white-hot sparks between her and Jack are almost enough to make her want to stay…but only if she can fit their worlds together without letting go of the dreams she refuses to leave behind.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a fiery country singer and a steady small-town preacher whose worlds collide in a romance that’s equal parts sizzling and sincere. On paper, Dixie Pearl and Jack Carter seem like an unlikely match, but Anne Marsh fully embraces the opposites-attract trope and makes it feel heartfelt and believable.

Dixie is a standout heroine—sharp, independent, a little chaotic, and fiercely protective of her dreams. Beneath her bold exterior is a woman torn between chasing a music career that keeps slipping through her fingers and longing for something stable and real. Jack, devoted to his church and community, is her perfect counterbalance: calm, principled, and quietly wrestling with feelings that challenge the life he thought he’d mapped out. Their banter crackles, and their chemistry is undeniable.

The heart of the story lies in Dixie’s gradual openness to vulnerability and the possibility of putting down roots. The emotional intimacy is beautifully developed, making their connection feel earned. Though the ending moves quickly, the journey is passionate, tender, and deeply satisfying.

Opposites Attract

Small-Town Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 19 June 2026

Marry Me In Seahaven Bay By Nicola May

Life at the Seahaven Bay Retreat is flourishing, but Rita Jory’s second chance at happiness is about to face its biggest test yet. When Jago’s glamorous French ex-wife appears on the doorstep with a five-year-old daughter in tow, their blossoming relationship hangs by a thread.

Between juggling retreat guests seeking healing, her daughter Sennen’s desperate need for a last-minute wedding venue, and dealing with Elodie’s impossible demands, Rita’s already stretched to breaking point.

Then some very unexpected news forces her to reconsider everything she thought she wanted. But can she trust Jago with her secret, and embrace the new life ahead?

Rita must decide whether to protect her heart or fight for her future.

Review Card & Book Review – An Amish Country Lullaby By Patricia Johns

A friend from her past…
A new dream for their future?

Single dad Curtis Moore has returned to Apfelkuchen, Pennsylvania, with a dream to revitalize the town—if only he can unite its Amish and English residents. When local businesswoman Hope Taylor offers to care for his spirited toddler, Lucy, he jumps at the chance. Hope figures this is exactly the experience she needs. Not only is she planning to open a day care, but she’s expecting her first baby—her late husband’s child. As tensions rise over his development plans, Curtis and Hope grow closer—and they must decide if the heart of the town’s future might just lie in the growing love between them.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Hope and Curtis, two people with a shared past who are given an unexpected second chance at love—thanks in part to a mischievous little escape artist who keeps bringing them together. Both Hope and Curtis carry emotional burdens from their pasts, and those struggles shape their cautious but deeply moving reconnection. Their journey toward healing feels tender and authentic, making every step forward meaningful.

Set within a close-knit Amish community, the story beautifully highlights the importance of faith, fellowship, and seeking wise counsel. As Hope and Curtis attempt to navigate complicated circumstances and what seems like a carefully arranged “perfect” plan, it becomes clear that human intentions don’t always align with God’s greater purpose. Watching how this conflict unfolds keeps the reader invested, and the resolution is both satisfying and spiritually uplifting.

Patricia Johns skillfully blends romance, faith, and heartfelt life lessons into a touching narrative. With themes of forgiveness, trust, and surrendering to the Lord’s guidance, An Amish Country Lullaby is an inspiring and comforting read that gently reminds us where true peace is found.

Second Chance Romance

Reunited Sweethearts

Faith-Based Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 18 June 2026

My Big Fat Empty Nest By Nancy Peach

Her daughter has just flown the nest and her pensioner mum has dived headlong into internet dating – can Hattie hold on to her sanity?

Hattie is a 47-year-old mother whose daughter, Layla, is just about to head off to university. She’s not coping terribly well (Hattie that is – Layla seems to be coping admirably),bursting into tears at the drop of a hat.

To add to the angst, Hattie’s mother, Meredith, has started online dating -unfortunately it’s Hattie who has to pick up the pieces when it all goes wrong.

With everyone around her starting new adventures, is it time for Hattie to find one of her own?

The Life I Didn’t Plan By Charlotte Butterfield

Beth didn’t expect to get pregnant at seventeen.

Nor did she think she’d lose the name and address of the father of her child. Swept up in romance on her French exchange, all she remembers is that his hair smelt like mangoes.

Now, in 2026, at her school reunion, she opens the time capsule she wrote to herself at that time. Inside she finds a letter that alters everything Beth thought she knew about her past, and provides an all important clue for finding the father of her 19-year-old daughter, Maisie.

Hit hard by the difference between the life she hoped for and the one she’s living, Beth is faced with a choice: chase the adventures she once dreamed of, or embrace the new opportunities life presents?

Big Apple Farm By Megan Clawson

Beatrice Norton is a country girl. Working on a farm by day and pulling pints at the Big Apple pub by night, her simple life suits her just fine.

Arthur Redgrave is city boy. Raised in luxury by acting royalty, he dreams of conquering the Big Apple – New York – and isn’t afraid to trade off his parents’ name to get there.

But fed up with his entitled attitude, his parents ship him off to his dad’s childhood farm for a reality check. Tasked with showing Arthur the ropes, Beatrice finds herself stuck with man who can’t tell a pitchfork from a salad fork.

Despite their efforts to remain at odds, Arthur finds himself respecting the straight-talking farm girl and Beatrice wonders whether there’s more beneath his polished (and handsome) exterior. Can love bridge the gap between rural roots and big-city dreams, or will their hearts remain worlds apart?

Storm Clouds Ahead For The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant

As the sun crests the indigo Lake District hills and blossom froths in the trees, midwife Zoe Padbury reaches for her boyfriend’s hand. Her life, at this moment, feels perfect. She has no idea of the storm clouds that lie ahead…

The villagers of Thimblebury know that midwife Zoe Padbury loves babies and now that she’s settled at Hilltop Farm with her boyfriend Alex, they can’t resist wondering when she’s going to start a family of her own. Yet it doesn’t feel like quite the right time. Alex is so busy and Zoe has her hands full with all her new mums to look after. Still, she has hopes for the future…

But what she doesn’t expect is to walk into her cosy kitchen and find Alex’s glamorous ex-girlfriend sitting at the scrubbed pine kitchen table. Virginia claims to be helping Alex with work but as she looks Zoe up and down and offers her a perfectly manicured hand to shake, Zoe can’t ignore a shiver of foreboding. What will this mean for her and Alex?

Zoe tries to quash the pangs of jealousy that wash over her, but with Virginia around what feels like all hours of the day, she and Alex end up in a devastating argument. And when she receives some news that changes everything, she doesn’t know if she can share her troubles… Can they find their way back to each other? Or will these storm clouds break their bond forever?

Review Card & Book Review- Falling For The Rabbi By Jennifer Wilck

Can opposites attract when tradition stands in the way?

Josh Axelrod is incensed! His matchmaker date brought along her annoying best friend—Emma something-or-other. The same Emma who’s ruining the house filled with the young rabbi’s childhood memories and turning it into a bookstore. Sure, she captures his attention but—no. Just no. Emma is too impulsive. Too out there. And he’s a Rabbi, for God’s sake! Except now, it seems impossible to avoid her. And with every encounter, “no” feels more like “yes.” Perhaps the unwitting Josh and Emma were always the match meant to be…

About The Author

My Review

This book start with Josh Axelrod, a devoted rabbi whose deep faith anchors his life—yet also makes him wary of change. Comfortable in tradition but hesitant about stepping outside his routines, Josh struggles to move forward, especially when it comes to finding a life partner. Concerned for his happiness, his loving (and cleverly persistent) grandmother Muriel nudges him toward a matchmaker, setting in motion a journey neither Josh nor his match anticipates.

Enter Emma Geffner, a woman who has long battled feelings of inadequacy and a fear of failure. The idea of building a future with someone so rooted in faith and community only heightens her anxieties. Still, the undeniable spark between Emma and Josh makes it impossible to walk away.

What makes this story shine is the emotional depth of its characters. Their internal struggles—Josh’s resistance to change and Emma’s self-doubt—feel authentic and relatable. Watching them grow individually and together is both tender and uplifting. Add in Muriel’s warm, wise, and slightly meddlesome presence, and the result is a heartfelt, beautifully layered romance about faith, forgiveness, and embracing change.

Matchmaker Grandparent

Opposites Attract

Emotional Healing

My Rating

Link To Purchase