October 8, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- The Scottish Island Inn By Kennedy Kerr

The Balhennie Inn is surrounded by heather-strewn mountains, with breathtaking views across the wild blue loch. But the cosy B&B is in trouble, and the only woman who can save it left without looking back years ago. Sorrel Balhennie will need to confront her past if the inn has any hope of a future…

The Balhennie family raised their six daughters on the Isle of Skye amongst early breakfast services and fully booked summers. Their inn is never short of gossip – and when eldest daughter Sorrel turns up for the first time in ten years, the island rumour mill begins.

Always the one left to corral her younger siblings, resourceful Sorrel now runs her own successful property business on the mainland. She throws herself into the repairs, praying her curious sisters will stop asking about the real reason she left home…

But Sorrell didn’t count on brooding, blue-eyed Tam Blackwood – the man she thought was her forever – supervising the works. Now they’re thrown together again, Sorrel realises just how much she’s missed him.

And with her secret in danger of tearing her family apart for good, only Tam has a plan to fix the inn and heal the rift between the Balhennie sisters. With his help, can Sorrel finally open up? Or will the inn close its doors forever?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about returning home, confronting long-buried family secrets, and discovering that healing often begins where the pain first started. Set on the breathtaking Isle of Skye, This book blends family drama, second-chance romance, and small-town charm into an emotionally satisfying story.

Sorrel Balhennie is an engaging heroine whose strength and determination make her easy to root for. After ten years away, she returns to help save her family’s beloved inn, only to find herself facing unresolved wounds and difficult truths. Her personal journey is both heartfelt and relatable, as she learns that moving forward requires confronting the past.

The romance between Sorrel and Tam Blackwood is beautifully handled. Their shared history creates emotional depth, while the lingering chemistry, regrets, and unspoken feelings keep the relationship compelling throughout. Tam’s patience and support make him a particularly appealing romantic lead.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its vivid setting. The Isle of Skye comes alive through rich descriptions of rugged landscapes and sparkling lochs, creating an immersive backdrop for the story. Combined with authentic sisterly relationships, humour, mystery, and emotional growth, this first installment lays a strong foundation for a promising series and leaves readers eager to return.

Second-chance romance

Forced proximity

Returning home

Family secrets

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 8 October 2026

The Sugar And Spice Bookshop Bakery By Jennifer Page

Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing perfectly neat love stories, where heartbreak leads to fresh starts, charming small businesses bloom, and happily-ever-afters are guaranteed.

But now in her forties, she’s quit her job – and no, she doesn’t want to talk about why – and returned home to Applethwaite, the small Yorkshire village where she grew up. Starting over doesn’t feel nearly so much fun in real life as it does in fiction.

It also doesn’t help that her mother is convinced she’s here to run the family bakery, especially as the locals can’t get enough of Louise’s legendary ginger cake and scrumptious scones. Between renovations, a quirky ex-stepdaughter (who’s unexpectedly come to stay) and a gorgeous Italian who seems too good to be true, Louise’s second chance begins to take shape.

After a lifetime spent polishing other people’s happy endings, will Louise finally have one of her own?

Counting Down To You By Emily Stone

Ali has always loved Christmas. She and her best friend Robyn had a tradition to exchange advent calendars filled, not with chocolate, but with fun challenges to complete.

Only this year, there is no Robyn. Ali would rather skip December altogether, and the reminders it will bring.

But before she died, Robyn left Ali one last calendar.

The first challenge? Book a flight to Chatel, in the French Alps.

The second challenge? Post a selfie with an attractive man to make your ex jealous.

Determined to give Robyn’s calendar her all, Ali takes a position in a hotel in Chatel, nestled in the snowcapped mountains, and snaps a selfie with a gorgeous stranger on the way.

But when she arrives, Ali is shocked to realise the surly hotel manager is the man from her photo. And now everyone already thinks she’s dating the boss…

Suddenly the season looks a lot more complicated than she’d planned. But as the snow falls, will this be the Christmas to thaw Ali’s heart?

The Secret Holiday Kiss By Cressy McLaughlin

In a seaside village, where the winter sunset meets the sea, Daisy is coming home …

When her perfect life falls apart, Daisy returns to Mistingham, determined it’s a temporary stop until she can find her feet again.

She hasn’t counted on the community’s irresistible (aka infuriating) festive spirit. Or on Avery, building a grand house near the village green – his optimism and easy smile are proving equally hard to resist.

As Mistingham works its magic, Daisy wonders if her heart has known where home is all along.

Review Card & Book Review- More Than Just Friends By Olivia Spring

The friend zone was never meant to be this tempting…

After distance pulled them apart, best friends Alicia and Noah are finally getting to see each other again. And what better place to reconnect than the Love Hotel in Santorini? Sunshine, sunsets, cocktails… her childhood bestie… and her so-called perfect match. Eight days of pure bliss.

Except Alicia wasn’t ready for Noah’s glow-up. A year apart has turned him from geek to god, and her heart can’t keep up. Broad shoulders, slow, wicked smiles, and a subtle confidence that makes her pulse spike every time he’s near. While the hotel’s matchmaking experiment pairs them with other people who tick every box, Alicia can’t stop comparing or fantasizing about the one man she shouldn’t.

But it isn’t long before their supposedly perfect matches implode in spectacularly awkward ways. Instead of disappointment, Ali can’t stop noticing Noah. Late-night confessions, clumsy touches, and way-too-close moments begin to blur the lines.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about two lifelong best friends discovering that the love they’ve been searching for might have been right in front of them all along. This is a charming friends-to-lovers romance set against the dreamy backdrop of Santorini, blending humor, heart, and plenty of romantic tension.

Noah has secretly loved Alicia for years, making him an easy character to root for from the very beginning. His patience, loyalty, and unwavering support for Alicia create a strong emotional foundation, while his newfound confidence adds an appealing layer to his character. Alicia’s journey feels relatable as she wrestles with the fear of risking a treasured friendship for the possibility of something more.

The Santorini setting adds warmth and escapism, while the forced proximity of shared excursions and a matchmaking-inspired hotel creates the perfect environment for buried feelings to surface. The chemistry between Noah and Alicia feels genuine, with sweet, swoony moments balanced by believable emotional conflict.

Although Alicia’s repeated concerns about “just being friends” can become somewhat repetitive, Noah’s growth and willingness to prioritize his own happiness keeps the story engaging. Romantic, heartfelt, and full of summer vibes, this is a delightful read that leaves readers smiling long after the final page.

My Rating