Monthly Archives: August 2026

Small-Town Coastal Romance

Happy Publication Day – 5 August 2026

Revenge Puck By Sara Ney

The first rule of revenge? Don’t fall for your enemy’s sister. When I catch my girl with my hockey teammate and best friend—scratch that, ex-best friend—I’m done playing nice.

Declan betrayed me. But I have the perfect way to get even: his sister.

Juliette is sweet, bookish, gorgeous… and completely off-limits.

Fake dating her should be easy. A little wining and dining, a little harmless flirting, and I’ll get revenge on the guy who wrecked my life.

But Juliette throws me completely off my game.

Beneath her button-up shirts and wide eyes is the sexiest and most fascinating woman I’ve ever met. All good-girl by day, lacy underwear by night.

She sees right through my bad attitude… and somehow likes me anyway.

Suddenly the one thing worse than losing my best friend, would be losing her.

I’m desperate for revenge. But hurting Juliette? That’s a penalty I just can’t take…

Review Card & Book Review- The Irish Cottage By The Sea By Clodagh Murphy

A fresh start by the Irish coast – and a second chance at love where she least expects it…

When single mum Lou moves from the chaos of Dublin to a forgotten seaside cottage in Dingle, she hopes for a calmer life for her son, Jack – a place where he can grow up surrounded by the warmth of a small community.

But village life isn’t without its challenges. The cottage needs work and Lou needs a job, but at least Jack quickly makes friends – including Bo, the spirited daughter of Aidan, the head chef of the restaurant where Lou eventually finds work. Aidan is serious, skilled, and a little distant, yet there’s something about him Lou is drawn to.

Lou is firm in her decision not to get involved with anyone, not after the heartache Jack’s father caused them both. But as Lou and Aidan grow closer, they may just discover what matters most: family, community, and the unexpected joys of opening your heart again.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about starting over, chasing long-buried dreams, and discovering that home can appear where you least expect it. In this story, Lou relocates from Dublin to Dingle with her young son after unexpectedly inheriting a cottage, hoping a fresh start will bring stability and purpose to their lives.

Murphy captures the magic of coastal Ireland beautifully, turning the rugged scenery, village life, and bustling local food scene into a vivid backdrop that feels almost transportive. The romance between Lou and Aiden unfolds as a gentle slow burn, built on witty banter, shared ambition, and growing trust rather than instant sparks. Their relationship feels grounded and believable, never overshadowing Lou’s personal journey toward confidence and independence.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its sense of community. Aiden’s loud, loving, and slightly intrusive family adds humour and warmth, creating the cosy atmosphere readers expect from a comforting contemporary romance.

Overall, this is a heartfelt, uplifting story about second chances, courage, and the joy of rebuilding a life step by step.

New Beginnings

Slow-Burn Romance

Single Parent Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 4 August 2026

The Pilot By Susan Stoker

Ex-fighter pilot Lincoln “Linc” Young is a survivor, masking his PTSD and nightmares behind a calm exterior. When his father’s death brings him back to Maine to help his mom, he never expects to cross paths with his former high school tormentor. But the woman who once made his life hell now stirs completely different emotions in Linc, and when he finds Harper in need, he impulsively offers her and her young son a place to stay.

Harper Bates thought she’d hit rock bottom after returning to her childhood home in Rockville, Maine. Then her father begins judging her every move—and worse, her son Kash, when they discover he’s being bullied at school. The last person she expects help from is Linc, the boy Harper herself had bullied years ago. Now a commanding presence who makes her and Kash feel safe, Linc inspires both a growing attraction…and lingering shame over her past actions.

Temporary cohabitation quickly turns into something more as Harper and Linc reveal intimate secrets that put them both on a path to healing. But they’re unaware someone else has a secret. And it’s about to impact the one person the couple can’t live without—Kash.

The Midwife By The Sea By Jo Bartlett

Working between St Piran’s hospital and the community midwifery unit of Port Agnes, Hope quickly finds herself drawn into the lives of her patients and colleagues. From dramatic deliveries and joyous newborns to heartbreaking struggles with infertility, she is on hand to share in all the hopes, worries and incredible love that motherhood can bring.

But Hope is carrying a secret that could change everything – and she faces an impossible dilemma.

Should she reveal the truth and shatter the lives of those around her, or protect the fragile happiness of the family she’s only just found?

As friendships deepen, romance blooms and emotions run high, Hope must decide whether some secrets are better left untold… and what it truly means to belong.

How To Find Love In The Cereal Aisle By Alissa Derogatis

If you can’t write a good meet-cute, maybe you need to live one first…

Ainsley Green writes happily-ever-afters for a rabid fanbase of hopeless romantics. In real life? Her boyfriend just broke up with her, her editor wanted a new book yesterday and she’s starting to wonder if love actually exists beyond the pages of her favorite novels.

So when Lucas, Ainsley’s best friend and biggest cheerleader, insists the best cure for writer’s block is real-life inspiration, she’s ready to try anything. Enter: the meet-cute plan, a mission to take her head out of her heartbreak and force meet-cutes IRL to spark some new ideas. But as failed missions bumping into strangers at the airport and spilling coffee on men at the cafe result in nothing but embarrassment and stained clothing, Ainsley begins to wonder if maybe the romance she’s been chasing already has a leading man.

Because the truth about falling in love? It never goes according to plan.

Review Card & Book Review- The Next Big Thing By Erin Scoggins

She can’t cook. He won’t leave. And the hottest thing coming out of the kitchen might just be their chemistry.

When Cora Lockwood’s boyfriend betrays her by stealing her idea and tanking her career, her perfect life collapses, leaving her with a battered reputation and a one-way ticket home.

Returning to Sunrise, North Carolina, Cora plans to sell her grandmother’s café and move on. But The Salty Spoon isn’t empty—it has been taken over by Jack Harlow, the stubborn chef who’s staked his future on bringing her family’s recipes back to life. With a developer circling and long-hidden secrets bubbling up, they’ve got thirty days to fight over the café’s fate: sell it or save it. And neither plans to back down.

With the clock ticking, Cora and Jack become unlikely partners in chaos, tangled in late-night cooking lessons, small-town meddling, and one inconvenient attraction that has sparks flying both in and out of the kitchen.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about fresh starts, small-town charm, and the unexpected romance that blooms when life refuses to go according to plan. In this book, Cora Lockwood inherits her grandmother’s café just as she’s been fired from her job. Hoping for a clean slate, she plans to sell the café quickly—until she meets Jack Harlow, a brooding chef determined to convince her the café, and the town, are worth staying for.

The story shines through its warm, comforting atmosphere and the gentle slow-burn romance between Cora and Jack. Their growing connection feels natural and heartfelt, built through shared moments, playful tension, and the cozy routines of café life. Jack’s passion for food and his quiet determination balance nicely with Cora’s uncertainty and desire for change, creating a relationship that feels believable and easy to root for.

The supporting cast and small-town setting add depth and charm, making the town feel lived-in and welcoming. Light, sweet, and full of feel-good moments, this is a delightful rom-com perfect for fans of uplifting romances and comforting reads.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- The Great Italian Holiday Mix-Up By Sandy Barker

What do you do when your dream holiday for two turns into an unexpected romantic mix-up? 😅

Nick and Delaney each think they’ve planned the perfect romantic getaway – a mystery holiday designed by a travel matchmaking service.

And what’s more idyllic than the sun-soaked Isle of Capri with its stunning scenery, air of romance and endless Aperol Spritzes?

But when the itineraries go astray, Nick walks into a hotel suite that’s already occupied – just not by his fiancée.

Two frantic phone calls later, Nick and Delaney discover the truth: their partners are together in Reykjavík and they’re stuck sharing a room in one of the most romantic places on earth.

As they scramble to fix the mix-up, fate steps in and they start to wonder if the wrong holiday might just be the right one after all.

About The Author

My Review

What do you do when the romantic holiday you’ve carefully planned pairs you with the wrong person? The Great Italian Holiday Mix-Up is a delightful romantic comedy that proves life’s biggest mistakes sometimes lead to its happiest surprises. Filled with humour, heart, and the irresistible charm of the Italian coast, this is the perfect feel-good escape for romance lovers.

Nick and Delaney each believe they’re about to enjoy a dream mystery holiday with their respective partners, only to discover a booking mix-up has sent them to Capri together while their partners end up sharing a trip in Reykjavík. Forced to share accommodation in one of the world’s most romantic destinations, they initially focus on fixing the mistake. But as they spend more time together, unexpected friendship, undeniable chemistry, and difficult questions about their relationships begin to emerge.

What makes this novel especially enjoyable is how naturally the romance develops. Rather than relying on instant attraction, the relationship grows through shared experiences, honest conversations, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Nick and Delaney are both easy to root for, carrying their own insecurities and expectations into the holiday. Watching them slowly realise that perhaps they had been with the wrong people all along feels believable, heartfelt, and genuinely satisfying.

Capri is far more than a beautiful backdrop—it becomes a character in its own right. From sparkling blue waters and colourful cliffside villages to leisurely meals, refreshing Aperol Spritzes, and breathtaking sunsets, Sandy Barker paints such vivid scenes that I felt as though I were travelling alongside the characters. The holiday atmosphere perfectly complements the lighthearted romance while adding a touch of escapism that makes the story even more enjoyable.

Beneath the humour, the novel quietly explores themes of fate, timing, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace unexpected opportunities. It reminds us that even carefully made plans don’t always lead us where we’re meant to be, and sometimes the best experiences arrive completely by accident.

Overall, this is a warm, uplifting romance that left me smiling from beginning to end. If you enjoy forced proximity, accidental roommates, strangers-to-lovers, and destination romances filled with witty banter and gorgeous travel vibes, this is a wonderfully entertaining escape that’s sure to leave you dreaming of Capri long after you’ve turned the final page.

Accidental Roommates

Wrong Person, Right Love

Forced Proximity

Strangers to Lovers

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Later-in-Life Fresh Start

Happy Publication Day – 3 August 2026

Everything We Found By Kerry Lonsdale

On the outside, Nadia Jacobs is a cool, confident architect at the top of her game. But for the past decade, she’s been quietly building walls to keep the people she loves most at arm’s length. All because of him.

Thomas Donato sacrificed everything when he forced Nadia to keep a dangerous secret from everyone they knew. He did it to protect his family. But it cost him the woman he’s secretly loved since they were kids.

Now he wants back into Nadia’s life. Nadia’s heart does a familiar skip-and-stumble when met with his hesitant smile, but she sees through his bravado: Thomas is achingly alone. And letting him in risks losing everyone and everything she holds dear.

When his past abruptly crashes into their present, they are both suddenly on the run. Not only are they forced to confront the price of a secret they’ve kept for a decade, but a truth even more treacherous: their feelings for each other.

Perfect Moments At Duck Pond Cottage By Della Galton

When two best friends decide to share their wedding day, what could possibly go wrong?

Jade is over the moon to be tying the knot alongside her best friend, Sarah, at the stunning Bluebell Cliff Hotel in Dorset—a venue where no detail is too small and no expense is spared in the pursuit of perfection.

But as the big day draws closer, so do the complications.

A long-lost relative, a troublesome brother, and some wildly unexpected animal antics all threaten to derail the brides’ dream celebration. With emotions running high and chaos around every corner, their perfect day begins to unravel.

Can love—and friendship—hold everything together when it matters most?

Review Card & Book Review- Growing Old Disgracefully By Karen King

This book is a joyful, uplifting story about reinvention, friendship, and discovering that life can become wonderfully unpredictable just when you think it’s settling down.

Nancy is preparing for a peaceful retirement when her world suddenly collapses, leaving her broke and unsure of the future. Her practical decision to take in lodgers quickly spirals into chaos when Jackie, Phyllis, and Marvin arrive, transforming her quiet home into a lively, unpredictable haven. Each new housemate brings quirks, complications, and unexpected joy, pushing Nancy far beyond her comfort zone.

The novel shines in its celebration of later life as a time of possibility rather than limitation. The humour is warm and cheeky, driven by the characters’ antics and growing camaraderie, yet it never loses its emotional core. Beneath the laughs lies a heartfelt exploration of loss, confidence, and the courage to embrace change.

Ultimately, this is a charming reminder that friendship and adventure don’t have an age limit. By the end, Nancy’s journey feels empowering, proving that sometimes the best chapters begin when everything else seems to end.

About The Author

My Review

This Book is a joyful, uplifting story about reinvention, friendship, and discovering that life can become wonderfully unpredictable just when you think it’s settling down.

Found Family

Eccentric Housemates

Healing Through Friendship

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Emotional Healing & Personal Growth

Review Card & Book Review – The Life Rules Of Hilda Pride By Claudia Carroll

One Irish village, one fixer-upper & one chance to open her heart…

Sometimes friends and romance let you down but Hilda Pride knows she can face anything on her own, so why is she still feeling a little lonely…

Then life throws Hilda a curveball – an unexpected inheritance, a trip to Ireland and a huge but crumbling stately home that might just one day be hers to keep. Still stuck in her ways, Hilda is determined to tackle Mayfield Manor alone, but renovating a mansion single-handed might be beyond even her.

What Hilda needs is friends, so for the first time in years, Hilda Pride dares to lower her defences and everything in her world shifts in an instant. Hilda could never imagine what happens next, but it will change her and a community forever.

About The Author

My Review

This book is a warm and uplifting story that follows a fiercely independent woman who has built her life around the belief that relying on others only leads to disappointment. Written by Claudia Carroll, the novel introduces Hilda Pride as prickly, stubborn, and emotionally guarded, yet deeply relatable in her determination to protect her heart.

An unexpected inheritance sends Hilda to Ireland and places the crumbling Mayfield Manor in her path. What begins as a practical obligation slowly becomes a journey of transformation. Watching Hilda attempt to manage everything alone is both funny and touching, especially as the welcoming community begins to chip away at her carefully built walls.

The story shines in its gentle pacing and emotional realism. Hilda’s growth unfolds through small, meaningful moments rather than dramatic twists, making her journey feel authentic and satisfying. The Irish setting adds charm and warmth, perfectly complementing the themes of belonging and second chances.

Unexpected Inheritance

Close-Knit Community

Small-Town Charm

My Rating

Link To Purchase