Monthly Archives: October 2026

Review Card & Book Review- The Life I Didn’t Plan By Charlotte Butterfield

Beth didn’t expect to get pregnant at seventeen.

Nor did she think she’d lose the name and address of the father of her child. Swept up in romance on her French exchange, all she remembers is that his hair smelt like mangoes.

Now, in 2026, at her school reunion, she opens the time capsule she wrote to herself at that time. Inside she finds a letter that alters everything Beth thought she knew about her past, and provides an all important clue for finding the father of her 19-year-old daughter, Maisie.

Hit hard by the difference between the life she hoped for and the one she’s living, Beth is faced with a choice: chase the adventures she once dreamed of, or embrace the new opportunities life presents?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Beth, a woman approaching forty who finds herself reflecting on the dreams she had at seventeen and questioning whether the life she has built is the one she truly wanted. When a school reunion presents her with a letter written to her future self, she begins a journey of rediscovery, courage, and second chances.

Charlotte Butterfield delivers a witty and heartfelt story that beautifully balances humour with deeper reflections on choices, regrets, and personal growth. Alternating between Beth’s teenage years and the present, the novel highlights the contrast between youthful expectations and the realities of adulthood.

Beth is an engaging and relatable protagonist whose resilience and determination make her easy to root for. Her work as an end-of-life caregiver adds an extra layer of emotional depth, encouraging thoughtful questions about what truly matters and how we choose to live.

Filled with warmth, hope, and memorable characters, this is a gentle yet powerful reminder that it’s never too late to embrace change and discover that the life we need may not be the one we originally imagined.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Big Apple Farm By Megan Clawson

Beatrice Norton is a country girl. Working on a farm by day and pulling pints at the Big Apple pub by night, her simple life suits her just fine.

Arthur Redgrave is city boy. Raised in luxury by acting royalty, he dreams of conquering the Big Apple – New York – and isn’t afraid to trade off his parents’ name to get there.

But fed up with his entitled attitude, his parents ship him off to his dad’s childhood farm for a reality check. Tasked with showing Arthur the ropes, Beatrice finds herself stuck with man who can’t tell a pitchfork from a salad fork.

Despite their efforts to remain at odds, Arthur finds himself respecting the straight-talking farm girl and Beatrice wonders whether there’s more beneath his polished (and handsome) exterior. Can love bridge the gap between rural roots and big-city dreams, or will their hearts remain worlds apart?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Arthur, a man overwhelmed by fame and the weight of family expectations, finding refuge in the English countryside, where an unexpected connection with Beatrice and the rhythms of farm life begin to heal the parts of himself he thought were lost.

Megan Clawson delivers a charming opposites-attract romance that balances humor, tenderness, and emotional depth. Arthur and Beatrice are both carrying disappointments and dreams that have not unfolded as they once imagined, making their journey toward happiness feel authentic and deeply relatable. Their growing relationship unfolds at a gentle pace, allowing readers to savour every meaningful moment.

Beatrice is an especially easy heroine to connect with, and Arthur’s vulnerability adds warmth and heart to the story. Together, they form a couple whose chemistry feels natural and heartfelt.

The idyllic countryside setting, quirky supporting cast, and strong themes of found family create an atmosphere that is both comforting and immersive. This book is a beautifully paced, character-driven romance that celebrates patience, self-discovery, and the idea that sometimes the life we need is much closer than we ever imagined.

Opposites attract

City boy, country girl

Forced proximity

Slow-burn romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Storm Clouds Ahead For The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant

As the sun crests the indigo Lake District hills and blossom froths in the trees, midwife Zoe Padbury reaches for her boyfriend’s hand. Her life, at this moment, feels perfect. She has no idea of the storm clouds that lie ahead…

The villagers of Thimblebury know that midwife Zoe Padbury loves babies and now that she’s settled at Hilltop Farm with her boyfriend Alex, they can’t resist wondering when she’s going to start a family of her own. Yet it doesn’t feel like quite the right time. Alex is so busy and Zoe has her hands full with all her new mums to look after. Still, she has hopes for the future…

But what she doesn’t expect is to walk into her cosy kitchen and find Alex’s glamorous ex-girlfriend sitting at the scrubbed pine kitchen table. Virginia claims to be helping Alex with work but as she looks Zoe up and down and offers her a perfectly manicured hand to shake, Zoe can’t ignore a shiver of foreboding. What will this mean for her and Alex?

Zoe tries to quash the pangs of jealousy that wash over her, but with Virginia around what feels like all hours of the day, she and Alex end up in a devastating argument. And when she receives some news that changes everything, she doesn’t know if she can share her troubles… Can they find their way back to each other? Or will these storm clouds break their bond forever?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about returning to the close-knit village of Thimblebury, where midwife Zoe faces deeply personal challenges while continuing to care for the people around her. In the fourth installment of the series, Tilly Tennant explores relatable struggles with warmth, compassion, and emotional honesty.

Readers familiar with the earlier books will appreciate seeing beloved characters again, particularly the ever-kind Connie and Victor, whose generosity and devotion to others continue to make them stand out. Their presence adds comfort and familiarity, reinforcing the strong bonds that make this community so special.

One of the novel’s strengths is its willingness to address difficult real-life issues rather than presenting an idealized picture of village life. A thoughtfully handled health-related storyline brings awareness to an important topic without overshadowing the heart of the story. The author balances everyday challenges with moments of kindness, friendship, and hope.

Set against a beautiful countryside backdrop, this book captures the joys and hardships of ordinary life, making it another heartfelt and engaging addition to the series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Arrivals And Departures By Amanda Eyre Ward

The Perkins family has problems. They’re scattered across the globe. Lee, a glamorous reality-TV star, is struggling with her mental health in the spotlight. Regan, her younger sister, has fallen for a romance scammer. Cord, their charming brother, is one drink away from losing it all. And their mother, Charlotte, still longs for the love she let slip away a decade ago, a lover who sailed off with her heart to a remote island in Greece.

When Regan disappears, Lee flies first-class to Athens to save her family—again. There, against the glittering Mediterranean and the shadow of the Acropolis, Lee contends with emotional nieces, relentless paparazzi, and her own fragile heart. Lee is desperately searching—for her sister, and for the hope and joy she thought was gone forever.

Across continents and crises, each member of the Perkins family must face the same question: is it ever too late to choose love?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a family unraveling under the weight of secrets, trauma, and mental health struggles while desperately searching for hope, healing, and one another. In this book, Amanda Eyre Ward crafts an emotionally layered story that spans three generations of the Perkins family, moving between the sun-drenched beauty of Greece and the charm of Savannah, Georgia.

The novel immediately draws readers in with Reagan’s mysterious disappearance following what appears to be a carefree art retreat in Santorini. As her daughters, Flora and Isabelle, search for answers, they turn to Aunt Lee and grandmother Charlotte, creating a powerful portrait of a family bound together despite years of pain and misunderstanding.

Ward skillfully uses multiple perspectives to reveal how past wounds ripple through generations, shaping relationships, choices, and struggles with depression. Each character feels deeply human—flawed, vulnerable, and at times frustrating—yet impossible not to care about. Their journeys toward understanding and resilience are both heartbreaking and hopeful.

Despite tackling serious themes, the novel balances emotional depth with moments of warmth and connection. Rich cultural details, compelling family drama, and authentic character development make this a moving exploration of love, loss, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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

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

Link To Purchase