October 12, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Happy Publication Day – 12 October 2026

The Woman Who Said Yes By Fiona Gibson

Andie has spent her whole life saying yes. Yes to keeping the peace. Yes to putting everyone else first. The only time she ever said no was forty years ago, when her friend Sam asked her out – a decision she’s regretted ever since. But at least Andie is still as close as ever to her best friends Eva and Sam.

So when long-single Eva announces she’s getting married, Andie does what she always does: she says yes. Yes to being a witness. Yes to helping plan the wedding. But Andie can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. The whirlwind romance. The murky business history. And the wedding only weeks away. With Sam’s help, she’s determined to stop her friend making a terrible mistake.

But as the big day approaches, Andie starts to wonder if she’s been focusing on the wrong future. What if, for once, it’s time to stop saying yes to everyone else and admit what she really wants?

Christmas At The First Sip Coffee Shop By Emma Bennet

Lucy Wilson built the First Sip coffee shop from nothing. She loves every mismatched chair, every cosy corner, every friendly face that comes through the door.

The one thing she doesn’t love is Dylan Benjamin. Charming, cocky and far too sure he can fix everything. He’s the last person Lucy would ask for help.

Then her landlord decides to sell the building. Her business and her home will be gone by spring. And Dylan is standing right there when she reads the letter.

He offers to help her buy it. And he refuses to be a silent partner.

Forced to work together, Lucy sees a different side to the man who drives her mad. Especially when the secret behind the night they never talk about comes out.

It’s Christmas in Castle Cove. The tree’s going up on the High Street, the choir’s singing and First Sip is filled with gingerbread lattes, mince pies and unexpected second chances.

Dylan has proposed twice. Lucy has said no twice.

But with Christmas Eve approaching, she’s running out of reasons to say no again.

Review Card & Book Review- 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?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Hattie, a forty-seven-year-old mother struggling to adjust when her daughter leaves for university, forcing her to confront an unexpected question: who is she when motherhood is no longer her full-time identity? As if navigating an empty nest wasn’t enough, she must also contend with her mother Meredith’s enthusiastic adventures in online dating.

Nancy Peach delivers a warm, witty, and deeply relatable story about life’s transitions and the challenge of rediscovering yourself when familiar roles begin to change. Hattie’s journey is messy, emotional, and often laugh-out-loud funny, making her an easy character to empathize with. The contrast between her uncertainty and daughter Layla’s confident independence adds both humour and poignancy.

What makes the novel particularly appealing is the way it balances lighthearted moments with genuine emotional insight. Beneath the comedy lies a thoughtful exploration of identity, family, and the courage required to embrace new beginnings.

Filled with charming characters and heartfelt observations, it is a cozy and reassuring read that celebrates second chances and reminds us that life’s messiest chapters can also become its most rewarding.

My Rating