June 21, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Rose Talisman is pinning it all on a fresh start.

Five years after her career as a therapist ended in one catastrophic instant, she is opening a retreat in Corfu. The understated, luxurious Villa Artemis is surrounded by wild pines and sea views.

Just six guests. One week. Time for Rose to help them face their secrets – and move forwards.

But Rose has staked everything on the retreat. It has to work – or she loses it all. And people’s secrets have a way of revealing themselves in ways no one expected.

Nobody’s past is staying hidden for long…

Will that include Rose’s, too?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about healing, hidden truths, and the courage it takes to begin again. In this book , Rose Talisman, once the celebrated face of TV’s The Talisman Effect opens Villa Artemis in Corfu, hoping to create a sanctuary for others while quietly guarding a secret of her own.

The Corfu setting is vividly drawn, all white beaches and glittering sea, providing a serene contrast to the emotional weight carried by the six retreat guests. Diane, India, Kiera, Dan, Bernard and Gracia each arrive burdened by personal struggles, and their individual journeys unfold with depth and compassion. Kelly handles serious issues with sensitivity, allowing each character’s pain and resilience to feel authentic and well researched.

Chef Christos adds warmth and humour, lightening heavier moments without diminishing them. The group dynamic is especially moving, as unexpected friendships form and shared vulnerability becomes transformative.

Ultimately, this is an uplifting, character-driven novel about facing the past, embracing resilience, and recognising that a hopeful future is still possible.

Found Family

Healing and Second Chances

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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