Book Review – My Sanctuary

Book Review – Because You Loved Me By Beth Moran

Marion Miller needs a fresh start.

Her childhood in Northern Ireland wasn’t easy, with a father who passed away when she was young and a mother who got lost in grief. Now grown-up and with family relations as tense as ever, Marion heads to England, to find out the truth about her father’s mysterious past – and hopefully an extended family who will love her as much as he did.

Scarlett Obermann runs a holiday park in Sherwood Forest with her daughter Grace, but what’s she’s best at is making people feel like they belong. With her merry band of waifs and strays, Scarlett welcomes Marion with open arms, and it isn’t long before Marion finally understands what it means to find a home.

As she tries to uncover her father’s story, Marion slowly blossoms, even daring to indulge in her crush on Reuben, the son of the Lord of the Manor, but she hasn’t quite out-run her past. And as Scarlett faces her own tragedy, it’s Marion’s turn to take care of everyone.

Because you can’t choose your family, but you can make your friends the family you choose.

Published Date: 11 January 2023

My Review

Marion is looking to find her true self after a troubled childhood in Ireland. She also intend to find her birth father and along the way, she found new friends and family. When she stop at Pigs and Peace, she end up with a job and a place to stay. It was at Pigs and Peace, the story begin to captured my attention. This is a story of pains dealing with childhood loss and family relationship. The story evoked many flashback and at times, it confused me. The story started rather flow but when it start to pick up, it caught my attention but as the flashback keep appearing, it becomes confusing to me. Love Marion’s transformation into a strong women who allow herself to love and to be loved. Overall, it is a good read to me despite the various confusing flashback.

My Rating

Book Review – Doc Showmance By Zoe Forward

I would say Dr. Ian Todd is my archenemy. But that would require us acknowledging each other, which we haven’t done since we graduated veterinary school.

He’s famous. As in, he’s the world’s “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” with his own wildlife TV show and a string of glamorous girlfriends.

I’m infamous as a reality TV emergency veterinarian with a snark mouth, take-no-crap attitude, and zero dating life.

When asked to fake a romance with him on TV to boost my ER show’s ratings, I want to say no-way, but the extra money will pay off my brother’s loan shark debt. Even though Ian broke my heart, playing his love interest shouldn’t be hard, especially if it means getting to watch him squirm.

Lines get blurred when the TV setups stop feeling fake. Can I chance this might be real love?

Published Date: 9 January 2023

My Review

Amber is a ER vet whose specialize in surgery and she is one of the character for a TV reality show. She is busy working her residency as an emergency vet. She is the main breadwinner for her siblings. The producer wants more drama in the show and have asked her to be in a fake romance to make the show more exciting. Entered Ian Todd who is a successful wildlife vet who’s his reality show is in jeopardy and he also need something to boast back his popularity. What the producer know was that both of them have a history before and their love/hate relationship with each other. Being together has definitely evoke all kinds emotion between both of them but they cannot deny that they still have the chemistry between them.

This book is a story about enemies to lover, 2nd romance between 2 veterinarians. I love Amber for her strong character and Ian for his support to Amber. Both of them are very likeable. The story plot is realistic with a well written storyline. Overall, it is an entertaining read to me

My Rating

Book Review – One French Summer By Gillian Harvey

It was just supposed to be a holiday, but could it become the second chance she didn’t know she needed…?

Life isn’t quite going as planned for Katy. With her only daughter living in Australia and a husband who has asked for a break, she is suddenly at a loss.

Her best friends, Sam, Vicky and Ivy have always been there for her through thick and thin and they’re not about to leave her all alone now. Whisking her away to glorious France for a last minute retreat is the perfect escape, and just what Katy needs to get her life back under control.

As Katy unwinds in the beautiful French countryside, surrounded by her friends, the pain of her past slowly begins to melt away under the warm summer sun. Will this reset give Katy a new lease on life and help her win back her husband? Or could there be a new love on the horizon where she least expects it?

Published Date: 14 February 2023

My Review

Katy is facing a trial separation with her husband and at the same time, her daughter decided to stay and work in Australia leaving Kate as an empty nester. For 20 years Katy’s life are steady and predictable until her husband asked for separation. After 6 months of separation, Katy is sure that Will come to his sense and to reconcile. However, Will told her that he has found someone. Reeling from the news and depressed, her group of friends rally for her and whisked her off for a holiday in French for a 2 weeks painting holiday and it was there she rediscovers her true self.

This is a beautiful story of self discovery and lovely friendship with real tough decision make up the story plot. I love that Katy finally brave enough to take the path towards her future instead of living her life through her husband and daughter. Overall it is an engaging and light hearted read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Warming My Winter Heart By Michelle Cornish

You can’t run from love forever . . .

When Lexi Blair comes home to Little City from LA for Christmas, she gets the surprise of her life—the ex-fiancé she thought was dead is very much alive and wants her back!

It’s Christmas Eve and Lexi’s seen a ghost. Or . . . she thought he was a ghost until her mom admits to faking his death so Lexi would come home for Christmas.

After a humiliating run-in with her ex—which results in Lexi disowning her mother—she hides out at her best friend’s tree farm, babysitting a nameless puppy while her friend and hubby tend to a family emergency.

But farm life comes with a few perks Lexi isn’t expecting—mainly a hunky farmhand who’s helping Lexi run the place until her friends return.

While Lexi ran from Little City, John ran to it, and she quickly learns he’s healing from past hurts of his own.

Published Date: 22 Nov 2020

My Review

Lexi went back home when she heard that her ex-fiancé has passed away. She doesn’t have a good relationship with him but Lexi still upset about his passing. When she reached home, she discovered that he is not actually back and that he wanted to get back with her. Her family and best friend, Briar really want to come back for Christmas hence the lies. While she at home, she discover that Briar and her husband’s business has been slow and they’re struggling. When they received a call about Briar’s mother in law had a heart attack, Briar asked if Lexi could stay at their house while they away to take care of the house which Lexi agrees as she’s still furious with her family. It was there she met John who work at the barn and do improvement on the property. Lexi found herself attracted to him but John is also dealing with his past and he found solace at the house.

It is a story of Lexi and John. Both of them had the same issues and they are running from it rather than dealing with it. It is a delightful and sweet read to me although i find it is too short the story plot for both Lexi and John to fell in love with each other.

My Rating

Book Review – Wake My Heart By Lydia Michaels

Ryan Clooney moves to the outskirts of his small town and the last thing he expects to find is love, but once he meets Maggie, the beautiful, young widow next door, his plans change.

Maggie O’Malley is not looking for romance. Since losing her husband, she has withdrawn from small-town life and prefers to be left alone. But her new neighbor doesn’t seem to understand personal privacy, and the more he intrudes on her solitary world, the less control she has over her heart.

Determined to charm Maggie, Ryan pulls out all the stops. But once real emotion gets involved, things go too far and Maggie has a difficult decision to make.

Published Date: 23 February 2021

My Review

Ryan discover that his immediate neighbour, Maggie is recently widowed and lost in her grief and trying to live with her husband’s memory. He moves away from his extended family to put some distance between them. From the moment he met Maggie, he is attracted to her but he knows she is still holding on to her memories with her husband. He offered friendship to Maggie and soon he found out that the friendship starts to change between them.

A sad story about Maggie who buried herself in the past and at the same time pushed everyone away. When Ryan approached her and offered her friendship, the last thing she expect is to fall in love again least of all to live again. I love Ryan so much for being so patience with Maggie and the care, love and support he gave her was heartwarming. It is a beautiful story yet painful to read for me.

My Rating

Book Review – All Wrapped Up By Ally Bunbury

It’s the time of year … to run away from your life

Holly always seems to make the wrong decisions: her career in London is going nowhere, and she’s ended up engaged to a man she doesn’t love.

Which is why she decides that’s all going to change – starting with calling off her engagement, six weeks before their Christmas Eve wedding.

Then Holly sees an ad for what could be her dream job: helping to declutter a remote country house back home in Ireland. It’s her chance to avoid all talk of weddings and the trappings of her least favourite time of year.

But when Holly arrives at the beautiful but neglected Knockboden, she discovers that Serena Harpur, the glamorous owner, is planning on renting it out as a romantic honeymoon destination in a bid to avoid financial ruin.

With Serena’s handsome but moody son hanging around, dead set against his mother’s plan, Holly begins to wonder if she’s made yet another bad decision.

Then Serena gets a phone call that looks set to change the fate of Knockboden. Will Holly realise that maybe she has found herself in exactly the right place, at the right time of year, for the first time ever?

Published Date: 27 October 2022

My Review

Holly having doubt to marry her fiancé and generally her life. She did something drastic, i.e. leaving all behind and take up a position near Wicklow Mountains. She met with the owner, Serena Harpur who are struggling to stay afloat and she know her son, Tyrone is getting impatience with her trouble. Her home is in need of repair and Tyrone is urging her to sell the house. But she has her foot firmly on the ground and instead hire Holly to help her declutter. Holly is overwhelmed with the task and an unexpected phone call changed the situation for them. The story plot is rather slow at the beginning but then it became more exciting midway of the story. Overall it is a sweet and charming story.

My Rating

Book Review – The Keepsake Quilters By Felicity Hayes – McCoy

One family. Three generations. And the threads that bind them together …

Successful TV producer Penny has always been a planner. She knows exactly what her future looks like – until an unexpected pregnancy forces her to rethink everything, especially her relationship with the baby’s father.

Penny’s mum Val raised her alone and always taught her daughter to be independent. But she can’t understand why Penny seems intent on pushing her away now, when she needs her more than ever.

Marguerite, Val’s recently widowed mother, has an idea to help heal this rift: sewing together a keepsake quilt for the baby. But as the quilt takes shape, memories surface, and the three women begin to discover more about each other than they ever could have imagined. As Christmas approaches, will they finally realise that maybe they’ve been looking for happiness in all the wrong places?

Published Date: 22 October 2022

My Review

This is a story of 3 generations of women focusing on the story surrounding the pregnancy of Penny. It started with a lunch with her grandma Marguerite and mother, Val where Penny break the news to both of them. From the beginning, the 3 generation of women are disconnected as a family with only random meetup between them. But Penny’s pregnancy has brought Marguerite and Val to come together to help Penny which Penny is trying to avoid. So, they decide to make a keepsake quilt for the baby.

It is a heart-warming read that tell the story of 3 persons from different generation. The story is very engaging and well written story plot. Love reading each of the main characters’ approaches in life which can be as different as it is.

My Rating

Book Review – There’s No Place Like Home By Jane Lovering

Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life.

A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options.

Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to.

As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when Izzy finally tells them the truth that has brought her out on the Moors, will that be the end of their adventure, or the beginning of her future? Because what Izzy really needs is a place to call home, and someone to share it with could be even better…

Published Date: 10 January 2023

My Review

Six people decide to join a reality show where they have to stay in each other company for a month when it is freezing cold and raining camping with basic amenities. Each of them has their reasons to take part in this reality show. Izzy want to find money for rental downpayment, Kanga is certain that her participation in this show will lead her to greater things, Ruth with her innocent outlook what to start to explore life, Junior is chasing bigfoot, Sebastian is convinced he saw something on the moor and want to find out the truth while guarding his secret closely and Mac, a grumpy guy who don’t wish to be there at all.

This book focuses on life, family, friendship and relationship between one to another. The characters are with different personality and each of them have their own story to tell. Overall, the story plot is good albeit abit draggy, full of twists and turns and overall it is a good read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Finding Home In Dolphin’s Cove By Kellie Hailes

All Kenna Sanders has ever wanted is to find a place she can call home. So when her grandmother leaves her failing bait shop business to her, Kenna sees a chance at building a stable life in the Cornish village she was born in but never knew. But her grandmother’s will has one stipulation: she has to share the cottage with a total stranger!

Kyran has lost everyone he holds dear and now his business is on the verge of collapse. The last thing he wants is for a woman to waltz in, promise to make it all better, and stir up feelings he’s long supressed. Especially a woman in such close proximity…

Kenna has an idea to save the business: set up a fishing festival to reinspire interest in the bait shop. As they work closely together, attraction quickly sparks between them. But while Kenna is looking for forever, Kyran is too afraid to get hurt again. Can they find a way to make the festival a success and escape with their hearts intact?

Published Date: 22 August 20232

My Review

Kenna went back to take over the bait shop that her grandmother leave her. She saw the chance to set up a stable for herself in the Cornish village she born into but never stay around before. However, her inheritance came with a clause, she have to stay with Kyran who basically a stranger to her. The bait business is on the verge of collapse and Kenna have to come up with something to save the business.

This story is about family and finding love again. Both Kenna and Kyran comes from a dysfunctional family. While Kenna have her mum, Kyran was alone since he was small and it was Kenna’s grandma who take care of him. He also experienced painful loss and it was rather difficult for him to be closed to someone again. It is rather emotional read for me reading the story as the main characters individually dealing with some emotional conflicts.

My Rating

Book Review – Once Upon A Royal Christmas By Teri Wilson

“I’m Prince Nikolas of San Glacera. Oh, you’ve never heard of us? Well, you’re not the only one. Our country relies on winter tourism, but we’re attracting fewer and fewer visitors. I admit it’s a problem. I just don’t think the solution is an American who likes to play dress-up.

You see, while I was away on a trip, my younger sister convinced the palace to hold a contest. The winner gets to star in our annual Ice Village festivities and accompany our royal family to holiday events.

And who did they choose? Gracie Clark, who runs a children’s party business and performs as—I kid you not—‘Princess Snowflake.’

Of course, I do respect the fact that she volunteers at children’s hospitals. I suppose to some, she might have a certain charm… But the whole cheap spectacle is beneath our dignity.

I’m not going to shirk my duty to my kingdom. I’ll go to every event with her. At least, once Christmas is over, she’ll be gone…”

Published Date: 1 November 2022

My Review

Gracie is a Princess Snowflakes who dress up as princesses and other characters for party and openings. All her application for loan to expand her business was rejected as Bank doesn’t see her business prospects. Her business partner entered her for a contest and the winner will win $30k, the exact amount that she needs for her business. And she indeed won the contest and now, she have to travel to the Royal Palace in San Glacera to help with their winter festival. When she arrives, she met Prince Nikolas, the heir to the throne, who come across as a grumpy.

It is a light, entertaining and predictable story with a twist on the Cinderella theme. I love Gracie and Nikolas’ characters. They are so different in their background but yet similar at the same time. I enjoyed reading their relationshipThere were many heart warming moments that make me smile. Overall it is a sweet love story to me.

My Rating