October 2026 – Page 3

Happy Publication Day – 22 October 2026

The Christmas Invitations By Carol Kirkwood

A night to rememberA secret to uncover …

Welcome to Clarendon Hall, where secrets hide behind glamour…

A star in hiding

When disgraced TV queen Fliss Courtney flees New York for a glittering Cotswolds Christmas, she’s escaping a shocking revelation.

The love of her life

Celebrated actor Kit Forrest has everything – except the woman he never stopped loving.

The best of enemies

Tara Oliver won’t give up her gilded life – or her husband – without a fight.

Fliss thought she’d left the past behind.

Will the most magical time of the year change her future forever?

A Lucky Little Christmas By Sophie Snow

The first in the brand-new cozy romance quartet, perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Elsie Silver! Welcome to Clover Pines…

Killian is furious. His dad is having an affair, and he’s determined to put a stop to it. He arrives in the quaint snow-covered town of Clover Pines to confront the couple, only to find Scarlett alone with her two children.

Scarlett is tired. As a single mom with a job that isn’t paying the bills, this Christmas is looking doomed from the very start. Killian’s news is a shock she doesn’t need, and she really doesn’t need the undeniable chemistry between them.

When Killian realises what his Dad has done to Scarlett, he’s determined to step in and help out. But living under one roof, it becomes harder and harder for the pair to deny their feelings for each other (or keep their hands off each other).

Scarlett’s done with fairy tales – so why does this Christmas with Killian feel like it could be one?

The Love Stunt By Lulu Morris

Nurse Hannah and her former crush, now stuntman, Caleb collide in this swoony, Australian-set friends with benefits romance…

The greatest stunt of all is pretending not to care…

Trading a nursing career in London for Sydney, Hannah is finally done with being an anxious side character in her own life. She’s living the dream – until reality hits. Her flatmates are terrible, and she desperately needs a job.

Fate intervenes when she runs into her former crush, Caleb, now a famous stuntman. When Caleb proposes a friends-with-benefits arrangement, Hannah sees the perfect chance to finally fulfill her fantasies and implement her new ‘live in the moment’ philosophy.

When feelings begin to complicate their situationship, they each have realities to confront – Caleb’s career is dangerous and he doesn’t want a family, and Hannah worries she is falling too fast, as always, and needs to guard her heart. But is a no-strings attached relationship even possible or are they playing with fire?

The Sugar And Spice Kitchen By Harper Graham

Emily whips up Christmas magic like a festive fairy: cinnamon rolls, gingerbread cookies, peppermint mochas with Mariah Carey on full blast. When a blizzard hits, her bakery’s kitchen is headquarters for holiday deliveries to save the town. The only problem? Cole, the hot, infuriating firefighter she loves to hate. Can she survive them working side by side?

Emily’s the hot-tempered blonde who pushes every one of Cole’s buttons. But with Maple Falls snowed in, he needs her help… and her orange-and-cinnamon scented kitchen. Soon it’s command central for Operation Sugar and Spice, with simmering pots, stacked pies, and elf-hatted volunteers loading snowmobiles. Emily’s attitude won’t let up… can they last until Christmas without strangling each other—or worse, falling for each other?

As sparks fly hotter than the kitchen’s wood-fired stove and the truth behind their family feud surfaces, will Emily and Cole give in to what’s always been burning between them…or stay on each other’s naughty list forever?

Beneath a Greek Sky By Patricia Wilson

On the eve of her wedding, Sylvia receives a mysterious gift: a handcrafted quilt from relatives she has never met. But this is no ordinary heirloom. Each square tells the hidden, tumultuous story of her mother and grandmother’s lives in Greece, a past Sylvia has never known.

Sylvia’s mother, Ria, fears the truths woven into the quilt. Yet as she begins to restore its delicate squares, fragments of long-buried memories surface.

Square by square, the quilt unveils a story of love and loss, courage and survival, taking the reader from Liverpool to Spinalonga, a small Cretan island whose beauty masks a tragic history.

A moving tale of family, memory, and the secrets that shape generations, this novel will stay with you long after the final stitch is revealed.

Playing It Safe By Lainey Davis

My whole life, I’ve been protecting what matters: my family, the puck, and my team’s reputation. Fake dating Briar Beckett should have been easy.

The plan was easy—play out my contract, move home to Boston, and take care of my family. The plan did not include Briar. But then, a fake date for the cameras to keep our coaches and the media happy sounded like a win-win.

No feelings, no complications.

Except the lines are blurring faster than a breakaway.

Now, I’m cooking her favorite meals and shopping for her sister. Even my cat, Puck—who hates everyone—has betrayed me to cuddle with her.

Briar built strong walls and would rather fight than let anyone help carry her load.

But I’m a defender. I’m wired to protect what’s precious. And I’m starting to realize the future I planned doesn’t hold a candle to the life I want right here in Pittsburgh.

Review Card & Book Review – Friends For Keeps By Celia Anderson

Violet Silverwood loves her life by the sea in East Sussex, but as a widow with grown-up children, she’s ready for a new sense of purpose – and more fun! So, along with her outspoken best friend Marigold and their surprising new neighbour Iggy, Violet launches ‘The Seaside Singles’ Club’, for people who refuse to believe that friendship (or romance) has an age limit.

Meanwhile, Violet’s daughter Beth arrives home hoping for some breathing space, but is swiftly pulled into village life and her mother’s plans, as well as coming face-to-face with an old flame.

As mother and daughter navigate old tensions and new beginnings, they discover that life truly is better… together.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Violet and her lifelong best friend Marigold, two spirited women in their seventies who refuse to let age define what life still has to offer. Set in the charming coastal villages of Lower and Upper Linnets, they launch The Seaside Singles Club, creating a welcoming space for friendship, companionship, and the possibility of romance.

Celia Anderson delivers a heartwarming and uplifting story that celebrates second chances, community, and the enduring power of friendship. Violet and Marigold are wonderfully drawn characters—warm, witty, and full of life. Their bond is the heart of the novel, providing both humour and emotional depth as they navigate new adventures together.

The supporting cast is equally delightful, from Violet’s daughter Beth, rebuilding her life after a failed marriage, to the intriguing Ignatius Kent and the colourful regulars at the local pub. Every character feels authentic and adds richness to the story.

A secondary storyline featuring three older couples planning a triple wedding brings even more laughter and joy. Anderson captures the warmth of village life beautifully, creating a setting readers will want to revisit.

Friends for Keeps is a feel-good, uplifting novel that proves it is never too late to find friendship, love, and fresh beginnings.

My Rating

Link to Purchase

Amazon

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Kobo

Review Card & Book Review – The Museum Of Second Chances By Jo Leevers

Every morning, Evelyn Silver walks the shoreline before the rest of Portheast wakes, gathering what the tide leaves behind. Broken cups. Lost trinkets. Objects others have discarded. In her small Museum of Maritime Curiosities, each one earns its place—because to Evelyn, every forgotten thing deserves to have its story told.

At the heart of the museum lies her most precious possession: a fragment of Cornish lace, found pinned to her blanket when she was abandoned as a newborn. For over sixty years, she has kept it close, hoping someone might one day recognise it and tell her who she really is.

So when the local council threatens to close the museum, Evelyn stands to lose far more than her livelihood. Forced out of her solitude, she rallies the community around the museum’s curious collection—and as the objects begin to give up their secrets, lives start to intertwine in ways nobody expected.

Because sometimes, the most precious things aren’t lost at all. They’re simply waiting to be claimed.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Evelyn Silver, curator of the charming Museum of Second Chances, whose quiet and solitary existence is disrupted when the museum and the neighbouring café face the threat of redevelopment. Joined by Della, Jacob, and Allison, Evelyn discovers that saving the beloved boat sheds may also offer each of them an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Jo Leevers delivers a gentle, layered story filled with hope, healing, and the power of community. Evelyn is a particularly compelling heroine, carrying the scars of past trauma yet displaying remarkable resilience and quiet strength. The supporting cast is equally engaging, with each character bringing their own struggles, secrets, and unique contributions to the group.

The narrative unfolds at a relaxed, almost comforting pace, revealing its mysteries gradually and allowing relationships to develop naturally. While moments of tension arise, they never overshadow the book’s warm and mellow atmosphere. Ultimately, the novel celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. Heartfelt and deeply satisfying, this is a lovely reminder that second chances are always worth taking.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – His Fourth Of July Blessing By Lee Tobin McClain

Becoming a guardian
won’t be his only challenge this summer…

Organizing his hometown’s Fourth of July celebration was not part of combat veteran Emilio Mancini’s plan for the summer. But as he and his nieces settle into the family guesthouse of his childhood friend Kitty MacIntyre, he can’t turn down her request. As the single mom helps him figure out how to be a parent to the girls, Kitty’s unaware that the fireworks display she has her heart set on could trigger Emilio’s PTSD. But as their connection deepens and the event draws near, Kitty discovers the truth. Together, they must create a new kind of celebration for the town—one that just might spark something brighter than fireworks…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Emilio Mancini, a retired combat veteran unexpectedly raising his two nieces, and Kitty MacIntyre, his longtime friend determined to give their small Pennsylvania town a memorable Fourth of July celebration. Returning home for the summer, Emilio agrees to help Kitty in exchange for a place to stay, but when their fireworks plans collapse, the community must come together to create something even more meaningful.

Lee Tobin McClain crafts a heartfelt Christian romance that beautifully blends faith, healing, and friendship. The story thoughtfully addresses military issues, particularly PTSD, with compassion and authenticity. Emilio’s efforts to balance guardianship and personal struggles are portrayed with honesty, while Kitty’s desire to honor her country despite painful experiences adds emotional depth.

The family dynamics between Emilio and his nieces are especially touching, capturing the challenges and love involved in their new reality. The romance develops naturally from a strong friendship, making their journey believable and uplifting. Filled with community spirit, hope, and second chances, this is a warm and inspiring addition to the Holiday Haven series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 20 October 2026

Once Upon A Lie By Max Monroe

Valentina Cordone doesn’t need a prince—she’s got a thriving bagel-and-book shop in Nashville, game nights with her quirky crew, and a perfectly good life. But when her attractive new neighbor shows up with effortless charm and an award-winning smile, she starts to reconsider.

Detective Shane Maddox went undercover to surveil a mob boss’s daughter. What he didn’t expect? That she’d be a lovable ray of sunshine, nothing like the crime princess he imagined. He planned to get close but walk away untouched. Instead, he’s falling hard…and realizing she’s in more danger than she knows.

Torn between duty and desire, Shane keeps his identity secret while protecting Valentina from her family’s criminal empire. As the truth explodes, he must prove his love is real while keeping her alive—no small feat when she won’t take his calls.

Even though the prince is a liar, he can’t risk losing his princess.

Sometimes fairy tales don’t start with once upon a time. They start with once upon a lie.

Love, Lies, And Too Many Guys By Erica Lucke Dean

Twenty-year-old Kennedy Beaman is a virgin, and she’s fine with that…most of the time. But her mother, who is full of regrets after a bad marriage, won’t stop pushing her to “experience life” while she can. So Kennedy and her best friend, Nicole, make a list of guys who get her heart racing. It’s all fun and games until the list goes missing.

When Kennedy’s “get laid” list goes viral, she’d rather own the campus-wide spectacle than be a victim. Nicole convinces her to turn her humiliation into a reality show–style competition—the last man standing will be her first after the spring formal. An online feminist magazine ups the ante by offering Kennedy a scholarship in exchange for her story.

But as she weathers one bad date after another, Kennedy finds herself drawn to Jordan Keller, a sullen, faux-hawked Mr. Wrong who didn’t even make the list. Can she figure out what she really wants in life before the final round? Otherwise, she may lose something she’ll miss more than her virginity—her heart.

Bound By Desire By Bri Blackwood

Power is his game. Survival is hers. Desire is their weakness.

In my world, timing is everything. Strike too late, and companies bleed millions. Strike too soon, and you lose the deal. When it came to him, I hesitated. I should have killed him when I had the chance. Instead, I ran. I almost made it out—almost believed I could disappear for good. But men like him don’t lose. They hunt. They track. And they always collect what’s theirs.

Now I’m trapped in his multi-million dollar penthouse, high above the city, with a man who watches me like I’m already owned. Every glance is a promise. Every touch, a test of control. He thinks he’s breaking me. I let him think it. Because playing along is the only way to stay alive… even as the tension between us turns sharp, addictive, impossible to ignore.

He doesn’t know I’m still fighting. He doesn’t know I’m waiting. And when the moment comes, I won’t run again. This time, I’ll bring him to his knees.

Review Card & Book Review- One Bed Between Rivals By Joss Wood

Two rivals, one bed, no turning back!

Taught strict self-reliance from a young age, travel writer Thea revels in the luxurious solitude of reviewing private resorts. Until an assignment in the idyllic Seychelles is clouded by the appearance of Farrell, the college nemesis who still heats her blood… The billionaire hotelier may always get what he wants, but he won’t have Thea! Only factor in a tropical storm, Farrell’s gale-force charisma and one bed between them, and her resolution is in danger of being swept away…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Thea, an idealistic travel blogger, and Farrell, the charismatic heir to a hotel empire, whose unexpected reunion in the Seychelles rekindles a spark neither anticipated. Once worlds apart at university, they are brought together again as Farrell works to undo the environmental damage and corruption left behind by his father’s business practices.

When a tropical storm strands them together and forces them to share a bungalow—and one bed—the chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore. Yet their growing relationship is tested when long-buried scandals surrounding Farrell’s family threaten to explode into the public eye.

Joss Wood delivers a fast-paced romance filled with tropical settings, simmering attraction, and emotional tension. The dual point of view adds depth, allowing readers to understand both Thea’s cautious optimism and Farrell’s determination to redeem his family legacy. While the novel’s shorter length means some backstory and character development could have been explored further, the story remains engaging and entertaining, blending romance, redemption, and second chances into a satisfying escape.

Rivals to Lovers

Forced Proximity

Billionaire Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 19 October 2026

Always A Silver Lining By Jessica Redland

‘It’s all about reframing things. No regrets. Just silver linings.’

Juliet believes in love stories. As a wedding planner, she’s helped create more than five hundred perfect days for other people, though her own path to happy-ever-after has been far from easy. Her first love always taught Juliet to look for the silver linings in life, and when she unexpectedly meets Christian Wynterson, it feels as though one might finally be shining through.

But not everyone is ready to accept Juliet and Christian’s new beginning. Family tensions, buried secrets and old wounds threaten to overshadow what should be a joyful new chapter.

Juliet has spent years believing in happy endings for everyone else. But can the people she and Christian love see that their relationship isn’t just a silver lining – it could be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

Review Card & Book Review- Wed For The Headlines By Emmy Grayson

The world is watching…

their game of vows!

Aislinn. Billionaire from my past Liam reappears at my lowest ebb, my reputation ruined by my late husband’s criminality. His solution? A wedding fit for the front page! Although our rings are just a ruse to Liam, they rekindle my need for the man who can never truly be mine…

Liam. I’d do anything to protect Aislinn—even bind myself to her! Marriage will restore Aislinn’s image and confirm my position as a world-leading financier. Developing an infuriating hunger for my wife was not part of our arrangement…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Aislinn, a woman trapped in a nightmare of blackmail, forced into a marriage with a cruel older man to protect the people she loves, only to find her life unravel completely when his criminal secrets are exposed and he dies suddenly. Emmy Grayson delivers a gripping romantic drama filled with emotional intensity, found family bonds, and high-stakes consequences that leave Aislinn isolated, broke, and unsure of her future. With everything frozen and her reputation in question, she turns to the one person she trusts—Liam, her childhood friend and now a self-made billionaire. Liam offers her a strategic marriage of convenience: she gets safety and stability while he gains the image of a grounded family man needed to launch his financial firm. What begins as a practical arrangement slowly becomes emotionally complicated as buried feelings resurface. Aislinn has loved Liam for years, but he still sees her as the vulnerable girl he once protected, not the woman she has become. Their forced proximity sparks tension, longing, and uncertainty as they navigate trust, attraction, and public scrutiny. The story explores whether love can grow from friendship, and whether timing and perception can finally shift into something real and lasting between them.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review- Breaking His Code By VH Nicolson

COLE

I don’t believe in fate. I believe in contracts, control, and never trusting a woman twice. Then turbulence hits, and the terrified beauty gripping my hand rewrites every rule I live by.

She kisses me at valet parking. We spend one reckless, unforgettable night together then I wake up alone. No number. No last name. Just a nickname and a ghost I can’t find—no matter how hard I search.

Weeks later, I see her again. She runs like I’m the one who disappeared. Then I match with CodeBreaker on a faceless dating app. The connection is instant. Addictive. I don’t realize I’m falling for the same woman twice.

YASMINE

One panic attack. One stranger who makes me feel safe. One night I never meant to repeat.

Until I’m assigned to develop an app for Hart Law and come face-to-face with Cole Hart—the man from the plane… and the man behind my app match who I have built a connection with.

I tell him we can’t date. Conflict of interest. But fate isn’t done with us. Especially not when I have more than one secret I am keeping from him.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Cole and Mina, whose lives collide through fate, missed timing, and an unforgettable one-night connection that neither can fully forget or move beyond. V.H. Nicolson delivers a heartfelt romance built on instant attraction, emotional tension, and the beloved missed connection trope woven seamlessly with strangers-to-lovers chemistry. Cole and Mina’s story explores longing, timing, and destiny, where every encounter feels charged and every separation deepens their emotional pull toward each other. The Hart Brothers world continues to shine, expanding its strong found family themes, protective alpha heroes, and fiercely loyal heroines who challenge them. Nicolson balances passion and tenderness with a twist that feels both satisfying and emotionally rewarding, especially in the final revelations. Fans of emotionally charged romance will be drawn to the heat, the heart, and the promise that love finds a way despite every obstacle placed in its path. Overall, this is a beautifully written story that leaves readers believing in second chances, destined love, and the enduring strength of connection across distance and time and unforgettable romantic satisfaction at the end here always.

Strangers to Lovers

One Night Stand

Secret Online Connection

Workplace Romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review – Happiness Under A Summer Skye By Lisa Hobman

When your world is turned upside down, home is where the heart is…

Plucked from nowhere and thrust into the limelight, 21-year-old Angelia MacAuley never expected her passion for music to take her all over the world.

Fast forward 10 years, and after successfully touring the globe with the man she thinks she loves but can’t have, a shocking diagnosis forces her to rethink the glamorous life she loves and the future of those around her.

Needing to step back and rest, Angelia and her faithful companion Scrappy return to her childhood home on the Isle of Skye and the warm and welcome embrace of her parents.

With her latest property investment in the picturesque village of Glentorrin on Skye, Angelia throws herself into restoring a forgotten shop full of potential—but will she find time to heal and discover love too?

A vicar, a rock drummer, and a classical musician compete for her attention—perhaps it’s time for a fresh start in every part of her life.

About The Author

My Review

This is about Angelia MacAuley, a global performer whose glittering career and complicated love life are brought to a sudden halt by a life-changing diagnosis, sending her back to the peaceful Isle of Skye to rediscover herself. In this book, the island becomes more than a setting, it is a sanctuary where healing, reflection, and gentle new beginnings unfold. Angelia returns to her childhood home with her loyal dog Scrappy, seeking rest but slowly finding purpose in unexpected places. Restoring a forgotten shop in Glentorrin becomes her anchor, allowing her to rebuild her identity beyond fame and pressure. The novel beautifully blends emotional depth with light, uplifting moments as she reconnects with family, community, and herself. Along the way, she encounters a trio of potential love interests—a vicar, a rock drummer, and a classical musician—each representing different paths her future could take, though the heart of the story remains her personal growth. The romance is subtle, unfolding alongside themes of self-acceptance and rediscovery rather than dominating the narrative. MacAuley’s journey feels tender and authentic, capturing the quiet courage it takes to slow down and choose a life rooted in peace, connection, and emotional honesty and hope.

My Rating