One Island, One Week, One Fake Date… and a spark hot enough to burn through every rule they set.
Raffa is a billionaire workaholic who hides behind boardrooms and late-night calls. But when his stepbrother’s wedding implodes at the last minute, Raffa steps in with the ultimate fix: a private Maldives island, a chartered flight, and a carefully staged girlfriend to silence his family’s endless questions about his love life.
Enter Ida—his online gaming obsession. Sharp-tongued and dangerously addictive, she’s nothing like the polished women in his world. Their chemistry has always crackled through screens and late-night banter, so on impulse, he asks her to be his fake date. She says yes.
Now they’re trapped together in paradise, pretending to be in love at a luxury wedding where gossip flows faster than champagne. As Ida pulls Raffa away from his laptop and into teasing banter, reckless adventures, and undeniable chemistry their connection starts to feel dangerously real. Will they be able to tell where the act ends and the real desire begins before they fly home to reality?
Consultant Greer Thorn thought the adrenaline surge of the ER was the most alive she’d ever feel. Then she met Nate Hunter. Her red-hot reaction to her new registrar should not feel so exhilarating… And yet, her younger colleague is making divorcée Greer go weak at the knees! Surely some harmless flirting and discreet dating will be enough to satisfy temptation…? Far from it! It leaves Greer breathlessly realizing there’s only one way for this to end—with the boss in Nate’s bed!
This book is about a forbidden workplace romance that forces two doctors to confront their fears, responsibilities, and the possibility of happiness later in life. Greer is a senior consultant in a London hospital, recently divorced and facing an empty nest as her daughter prepares for university. When Nate, a younger and charismatic registrar, joins her ER team, an undeniable attraction sparks..one that feels entirely inappropriate given their professional hierarchy and age gap.
The story shines in the slow, tension-filled build as Greer and Nate circle one another, each weighed down by personal baggage and practical concerns. Greer’s hesitation feels believable and grounded, while Nate’s determination and warmth make him an easy hero to root for. Their chemistry is immediate, but the emotional stakes keep the romance from feeling too easy.
The novel balances medical drama, emotional vulnerability, and swoony romance, creating a satisfying journey toward a hopeful future. Warm, engaging, and quietly uplifting, it’s a story about learning to take risks and embrace love when life takes an unexpected turn.
Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women’s health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated.
Henry doesn’t know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world—and who sees him as the villain who’s come to ruin her life.
But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up—despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them.
About The Author
My Review
This book is about saving a beloved bookstore while two reluctant partners discover that rivalry can quietly turn into love. Ella has grown up in a cherished New York bookshop she always assumed would one day be hers until Henry, the owner’s grandson, arrives to claim his inheritance. Their clash is immediate and intense, especially when Henry reveals the store is struggling and they must work together to keep it alive.
The novel leans heavily into enemies-to-lovers tension, and the hostility between Ella and Henry feels convincingly sharp in the first half sometimes almost too sharp, making Ella difficult to warm to early on. As the story progresses, their dynamic softens into cooperation and romance, which becomes more enjoyable once the emotional walls begin to drop.
The bookish setting is a major highlight, packed with literary references and chapter-opening recommendations that add charm and humour. Henry emerges as the more intriguing character, and readers may wish for deeper exploration of his backstory. Overall, this is a cozy, book-lover’s romance with a slow build and a satisfying, heartfelt core.
When Lizzie Stevens was eighteen, life took a wrong turn. While her best friends Harriet and Anna went interrailing across Europe, Lizzie stayed behind—shunted into a dusty bank job and a sensible life that never quite got back on track.
Now sixty-four, freshly divorced from terminally dull Freddie and wondering how she ended up here, Lizzie is unexpectedly reunited with the friends who left her behind. This time, she’s not missing the train.
Their plan? A gloriously reckless rail adventure across Europe. The women are older, allegedly wiser, and considerably less flexible—but their bags are packed and they’re ready to depart.
Yet once the train pulls out of Worcester, it’s clear this journey won’t be smooth. Old secrets derail fond memories, Harriet and Anna barely tolerate each other, and Lizzie discovers the trip she idolised for decades wasn’t quite first-class.
As they rattle from city to city – Paris to Venice before embarking on a cruise along the Croatian coast – the old girls are fuelled by laughter and questionable decisions. And Lizzie begins to realise it’s never too late to change direction—and that the best adventures are the ones without a timetable.
This book is about second chances, long-buried friendships, and the courage to start living boldly at any age. Newly divorced Lizzie Stevens decides she’s done being sensible and overlooked. When she reconnects with old friends Harriet and Anna, the trio impulsively set off on a rail adventure across Europe, determined to make up for lost time.
What follows is a joyful, chaotic journey packed with laughter, mishaps, and emotional reckonings. Beneath the humour, the novel thoughtfully explores the complexity of long-term friendships: old hurts resurface, nostalgia gets challenged, and the women must confront who they were versus who they’ve become. Lizzie is an especially endearing heroine, and watching her reclaim independence and confidence feels genuinely uplifting.
The European settings add breezy escapism, but the real heart of the story lies in the women themselves—their banter, vulnerability, and stubborn determination to embrace life fully. Warm, funny, and quietly empowering, this novel celebrates reinvention, friendship, and the thrill of saying yes to adventure when you least expect it.
Welcome to Hollythorpe, a quaint village in the Cotswolds, where the locals are stringing lights around their village tree. And meet Clara as she pulls her suitcase through the snow, hoping for a new start…
This isn’t the Christmas that Clara was hoping for. Twenty-four hours ago, she was engaged, a shiny diamond on her wedding finger and a gorgeous husband-to-be by her side. Only now, the ring is gone and so is he. She’s almost given up on Christmas magic completely – until she arrives in Hollythorpe.
Clara waits outside of her kindly Aunt Eleanor’s red front door, knowing that a warm welcome will help heal her aching heart. Snowflakes are falling gently on her long dark hair when a car sprays her with slush and then, unexpectedly, stops to help. Clara lays eyes on Liam stepping out of his car, six feet of gorgeousness. She realises maybe there could be upsides to a cosy Cotswolds Christmas…
Except Liam is closed off to everyone and Clara knows she should be protecting her heart too, so she tries to put him out of her mind. When the village’s usual Mrs Christmas calls in sick before Hollythorpe’s winter fair, Clara steps into the role to help Aunt Eleanor. Only, she hasn’t realised who Mr Christmas is… none other than Liam himself.
As the two are thrown together to bring Christmas to Hollythorpe, Liam’s icy exterior starts to thaw. And Clara can’t deny she’s falling for him. But then the past comes back to haunt them, changing everything…
The Way We Are Now By Julie Houston
First love, long-hidden secrets and second chances.
Anna Piasecki thought she had left her university heartbreak behind. After spending decades building a successful life, she arrives at sixty with everything as she wants it – a glittering career, a devoted partner and brightest star of all, her brilliant son Noah, the apple of her eye.
Theo Mandeville is trapped. Bound by aristocratic duty to his sprawling Yorkshire estate, he has spent decades living the life that was expected of him while regretting the star-crossed romance he walked away from.
When their children meet at college, Anna and Theo suddenly find their carefully constructed lives colliding. With a devastating forty-year-old secret hanging over them, can their families survive the truth and do they dare to trust that fate has other plans for them?
Can a stay at a magical villa help her find her way to start again?
When Cleo arrives at Villa Ariadne on the sun-drenched island of Crete, she’s hoping for space to breathe – and perhaps some clarity about the life she no longer recognises. Newly divorced and estranged from one of her children, she’s not sure what comes next.
Sharing the villa with a small group of women, each carrying their own private heartaches, Cleo is drawn into the gentle rhythm of island life. Beneath the lemon trees and endless blue skies, friendships begin to form and long-buried hopes stir.
But when an unexpected event shakes their peaceful escape, the women are forced to come together in ways none of them anticipated. And as Villa Ariadne works its quiet magic once more, Cleo may discover that even in uncertainty, second chances are still possible.
This book is about starting over in a place where sunshine, friendship, and quiet self-discovery gently reshape a life that feels broken. This book delivers a warm, escapist story centered on Cleo, a woman arriving in Crete after divorce has unraveled everything she thought defined her. She feels adrift and uncertain, and those early chapters capture the disorientation of rebuilding from emotional rubble with touching honesty.
The villa itself becomes the novel’s emotional heart. As Cleo meets a group of women carrying their own private struggles, Burstall slowly and tenderly builds a found-family dynamic. Their bond develops through everyday intimacy—shared meals, conversations under the sun, and the comforting rhythm of life far from home. The friendships feel authentic and grounding rather than dramatic, giving the story a soothing, immersive pace.
When an unexpected disruption shakes their peaceful refuge, the narrative deepens, allowing each woman to confront buried truths and long-avoided fears. The emotional stakes rise without losing the novel’s warmth, striking a satisfying balance between escapism and heartfelt growth.
Ultimately, this is a comforting, sun-lit story about healing, second chances, and rediscovering hope in unexpected places. Perfect for readers who enjoy gentle women’s fiction filled with friendship, renewal, and a strong sense of place.
Thirty-four-year-old Gabriella Felix has written this season’s go-to self-help book and now she’s heading to New York to capture the hearts – and dollars – of the US market. With her niece Phoebe coming along too, Gabriella hopes this trip can also be the festive holiday they both badly need after suffering an unbearable loss – Phoebe’s mum, Lulu.
Luca Manning is a stylist at the top of his game, completely focussed on his career, and hiding a big secret about his family. But when his next job is to curate a wardrobe for this British author, will the guard around his heart slowly start to drop?
As Gabriella and Luca bond in between book signings, celebrity talk shows and the snow-kissed streets of Manhattan, it’s clear that this is more than just attraction. But as they navigate past heartbreak and old wounds, will they be able to find a new beginning? And will it be together?
Winter With You By Mandy Baggot
Thirty-four-year-old Gabriella Felix has written this season’s go-to self-help book and now she’s heading to New York to capture the hearts – and dollars – of the US market. With her niece Phoebe coming along too, Gabriella hopes this trip can also be the festive holiday they both badly need after suffering an unbearable loss – Phoebe’s mum, Lulu.
Luca Manning is a stylist at the top of his game, completely focussed on his career, and hiding a big secret about his family. But when his next job is to curate a wardrobe for this British author, will the guard around his heart slowly start to drop?
As Gabriella and Luca bond in between book signings, celebrity talk shows and the snow-kissed streets of Manhattan, it’s clear that this is more than just attraction. But as they navigate past heartbreak and old wounds, will they be able to find a new beginning? And will it be together?
He’s a tattooed shirtless bad boy. My best friend’s brother. And the jerk on the other side of my bed.
I didn’t know bridesmaid was code for babysitter for the bride’s brother, but if that’s what my best friend needs of me for her dream wedding to go off without a hitch, that’s what I’ll do. Even if Theo Monroe has been a pain in my rear since third grade. Even if he should be responsible enough to not wreak havoc at his sister’s destination wedding.
Even if it means we have to share a hotel room in Hawaii, which might be the final duty that breaks me.
Not only does Theo know exactly how to push my buttons, but he never wears clothes, he’s hiding a litter of kittens in his room, and he keeps showing up with fresh-baked cookies that seemingly come from nowhere.
Also? I have no idea what’s up with the tension between him and the groom. Or why he’s so proud of the world’s strangest wedding gift.
Or why I suddenly want to know what makes him tick. The story behind his tattoos. How he can afford to rent a convertible in Hawaii. And if maybe all of that utter frustration and irritation I’ve felt for him for years is suppressed attraction that a good girl like me isn’t supposed to feel for the biggest bad boy of Snaggletooth Creek.
But I do know one thing. When I find out his biggest secret and the answer to all of my questions, it will change everything.
This book is about Delaney Kingston agreeing to babysit her best friend’s troublemaking brother during a Hawaiian wedding week—only to end up sharing a room with him and discovering that the boy who once drove her crazy might be exactly what her heart needs. Chaos, chemistry, and comedic mishaps collide in a sunshine-soaked rom-com that fully embraces its playful spirit.
Pippa Grant’s signature humor shines through every scene, from outrageous wedding week antics to Theo’s over-the-top attempts to charm Delaney with kittens, cookies, and constant trouble. Their history gives the romance a fun enemies-to-lovers edge, but the real charm lies in how their relationship deepens into something heartfelt and sincere. Theo’s bad-boy reputation softens as his vulnerability emerges, while Delaney’s journey toward balance and self-awareness gives the story emotional grounding beneath the comedy.
The tropical setting adds sparkle and escapism, perfectly matching the book’s lighthearted tone. Packed with banter, swoony moments, and laugh-out-loud situations, this romance delivers both sweetness and sparkle. Readers looking for a fun, feel-good love story with plenty of humor and heart will find this one utterly delightful.
After the loss of her father, the last thing Flavia expects – or wants to do – is go on the trip of a lifetime her parents had planned together.
Not least because – it turns out – the other ticket is being taken by Dominic Rock, their devastatingly handsome next-door neighbour, with whom, nine years ago, Flavia shared a hot night of passion.
It had felt like love. Real, dizzy, once-in-a-lifetime love. But in the intervening years, Flavia has learnt more about this man, things that make him impossible to trust.
But against the breathtaking landscapes of Cape Town, old sparks may once again reignite. And Flavia must decide whether Dominic is the man who broke her heart – or the one she never truly let go.
This book is a warm and funny forced-proximity romance that blends grief, healing, and second-chance chemistry. Childhood neighbours Flavia and Dominic once shared a teenage one-night stand, and years later fate pushes them together again when they unexpectedly win the same holiday prize and end up sharing a one-bed hotel room in South Africa.
Flavia is newly divorced and still grieving her father, so the trip carries emotional weight beyond a simple getaway. Dominic, kind and quietly steady, offers to sleep on the sofa, but the close quarters make old attraction impossible to ignore. Their decision to pretend they’re not a couple—especially during awkward encounters with fellow guests—adds a delightful layer of humour that keeps the story light even as deeper feelings simmer underneath.
The novel thrives on its witty dialogue, slow-burn tension, and the comforting familiarity of the forced-proximity trope. While not a traditional second-chance romance, the shared past gives their connection extra depth. Overall, it’s a charming, easy read filled with laughs, longing, and the satisfying possibility that love can return when you least expect it.
A Scottish castle, a fake marriage… and one very real Christmas romance?
After a window display goes disastrously viral – thanks to a malfunctioning animatronic Santa and an unfortunate encounter with Paddington Bear – Lula Haines finds herself without a job just weeks before Christmas. So she jumps at the chance to decorate Hollybrae Castle in Scotland for the holidays.
There’s just one complication: her handsome new boss, Oliver Bracewell, needs a fake wife for the festive season. To secure a promotion that could save his family’s castle, Ollie has been pretending to be a married father-of-two to impress the family-focused firm where he works. Now his bosses are coming to stay at Hollybrae over Christmas… expecting to meet his non-existent wife and children.
At first, playing along is easy as Lula is swept up in the magic of turning Hollybrae into the perfect festive escape with Ollie. But as Christmas draws nearer and she and Ollie grow closer, Lula begins to wonder if Hollybrae could become more than a temporary escape… and if the man she’s only pretending to love might actually be the one she’s been waiting for all along.
My Sanctuary 