Book Review – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review- A Wedding At The Little Bookshop By The Sea By Eliza J Scott

Booksellers Florrie Appleton and her fiancé, Ed, are just three weeks away from their dream wedding. Between hand-selling beloved classics, unveiling Ed’s enchanting window displays and hosting lively book readings with local authors, they’ve managed to plan an intimate ceremony that promises to be everything they’ve ever hoped for – filled with literary delights, lots of laughter and the love of those closest to them.

But when Ed’s mother, Dawn, arrives unannounced on their doorstep, Florrie’s world is thrown into chaos like confetti. Dawn claims she’s come to help with the wedding preparations, yet she’s never shown the slightest interest in her son before. As she starts dismissing their carefully curated shelves and snooping around their cosy cottage, Florrie can’t shake the feeling that Dawn’s plans stretch far beyond simply choosing flowers and cake.

With her close-knit group of friends rallying around her and the bookshop’s loyal customers offering support, can Florrie protect her relationship and the bookshop that means everything to her and Ed? Or will their happily ever after slip through their fingers like pages torn from one of her treasured books?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Florrie Appleton and her fiancé Ed as they prepare for their long-awaited literary-themed wedding in their beloved seaside bookshop. In this book, the cozy shop by the coast isn’t just a business—it’s the heart of their relationship and community.

Just weeks before the big day, Ed’s estranged mother, Dawn, arrives unexpectedly, bringing tension and suspicion with her. Her sudden enthusiasm for the wedding feels intrusive rather than supportive, and as she criticizes the shop and inserts herself into every decision, Florrie’s joy begins to falter. The emotional conflict is intimate and believable, centering on trust, boundaries, and the lingering ache of complicated family ties.

What makes this novel shine is its warmth. The loyal customers, supportive friends, and gentle humor create a comforting sense of found family. The stakes may be personal rather than dramatic, but they feel deeply real. This is a tender, uplifting seaside romance about protecting what you love and believing in your happily-ever-after.

Small-Town Seaside Romance

Found Family

Family Conflict

Cozy Bookshop Setting

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- Maksim By Katie Ashley

Because of the way I speak, everyone judges me the moment I open my mouth. Even though I’m 6’5 and two eighty, they see me as weak. They always have.

Even my father who passed me over as his heir.

Behind the mask with the automated voice, I’m not weak. Women desire me, and men fear me.

As fortunes change within my family, I need to correct my impediment. That’s why I seek out one of the best speech pathologists on the East Coast. On paper, Dr. Sarah Whitfield looks boring and rigid.

But the good doctor is hiding a secret: she has a kink for Masked Men. She sheds her professional facade on weekends when she attends Masked Events.

And I’m here to fulfill her fantasies of being kidnapped by a masked man.

But this time, it’s for real.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a man raised in a world where power is everything and weakness is unforgivable. Maksim grows up under the shadow of a cruel, domineering father who sees his stutter as a flaw to be beaten out rather than understood. The emotional scars of that upbringing shape him, yet they never extinguish his deep capacity for loyalty and love. When those he considers family are threatened, Maksim is forced to confront both his past and his vulnerabilities—especially when Sarah enters his life.

Sarah, a compassionate speech pathologist, is devoted to helping others find their voices, even as she quietly suppresses parts of herself. Their connection is immediate and intense, blending emotional healing with undeniable chemistry. The banter sparkles, the intimacy feels earned, and the spice enhances rather than overshadows their bond.

What truly elevates this story is its strong sense of found family. The side characters add warmth, humor, and heart, creating a supportive world around Maksim and Sarah. It’s a passionate yet tender romance about acceptance, strength, and finally being seen.

Found Family

Opposites Attract

Emotional Healing

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – The Barefoot Bookshop On The Beach By Rebecca Raisin

We need a bookseller for the Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach… apply here!

When Harper sees an ad for what must surely be the most idyllic job in the world, she’s almost tempted. But she can’t possibly leave her bookshop job in London, or her burgeoning career as a successful Bookstagram influencer… That is, until a casual remark about a debut author lands her in deep trouble.

So she applies. After all, now she’s got nothing to lose. Except maybe her heart, she realises, as she lands on the beautiful island of Ésperé in the Seychelles and finds herself seemingly surrounded by beautiful men. Including the hotel owner, moody but heartbreakingly-handsome Xavier.

But inter-staff relations are strictly forbidden. And Harper has enough on her plate, with a member of staff missing and a wily band of expats to contend with. Plus, she’s determined to make the bookshop and new start the success they deserves to be… Even if – under the blazing sunshine – the romance novel superfan in her can’t help but hope the boss of the hotel might not be quite the grump he seems…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about second chances, self-forgiveness, and finding love in the most unexpected paradise. In this book, Harper escapes scandal and online backlash in London for a fresh start at the Last Chance Resort in the breathtaking Seychelles. Trading grey skies for turquoise waters, she takes over a charming beachside bookshop and begins rebuilding both her confidence and her dreams.

Harper is impulsive, creative, and wonderfully human, and her clash with the rule-following yet swoon-worthy Xavier adds a delicious slow-burn tension to the story. Their chemistry sparkles against the idyllic island backdrop. The supporting cast—especially the unforgettable tortoise, Turt Vonnegut—brings warmth, humor, and heart to the narrative.

Raisin captures the magic of island life so vividly that you can almost feel the sand between your toes. Uplifting, romantic, and full of bookish charm, this story is pure escapism—a sunshine-filled reminder that sometimes a change of scenery can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Second Chance at Life

Opposites Attract

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review- The Summer Everything Changed By Sian O’Gorman

Is it ever too late to reclaim the life you never lived?

Rosie O’Malley has not drawn breath after tragically losing her mother and then being abandoned by the one man she knew she loved.
Burying her grief and heartbreak, Rosie threw herself into running Sandycove’s Cliff Top hotel determined to make a success of her mother’s legacy and keep a roof over her family’s heads. It’s now ten years later and this weekend, the hotel throws open its doors to host its very first wedding.

Boston-based Patrick Power touches down at Dublin Airport for his brother’s Seán’s wedding, having dedicated the last decade to building his thriving Irish restaurant business. A decade earlier, he left behind the love of his life and try as he might, he’s never been able to forget her.

Imagine Patrick’s shock when he discovers the wedding is being held in Cliff Top, Rosie’s hotel – the girl he let slip away.

As Sandycove shimmers in a heatwave, can Patrick navigate a family wedding as well as his own feelings? And will Rosie realise she’s been living her late mother’s life and not her own? Can she forgive Patrick for leaving her or will ambition and responsibility once again stand in the way of love?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Rosie O’Malley, who channels her heartbreak and grief into preserving her late mother’s beloved Cliff Top hotel in Sandycove. A decade after losing both her mother and the man she loved, Rosie is finally ready to host the hotel’s first wedding—only to discover the groom’s brother is Patrick Power, her first love.

Now a successful restaurateur in Boston, Patrick has never truly forgotten Rosie. Their unexpected reunion over an emotional wedding weekend rekindles long-buried feelings and offers them a powerful second chance at love.

While the story unfolds gently at first, this slower beginning allows readers to fully appreciate the depth of emotion and the rich backstory that shapes Rosie and Patrick’s journey. The blend of heartfelt moments, warmth, and touches of humor makes their rekindled romance feel authentic and deeply satisfying. Sian O’Gorman beautifully captures themes of resilience, family legacy, and enduring love, delivering a moving and uplifting second-chance romance that lingers long after the final page.

Second Chance Romance

Small-Town Romance

Family Legacy & Innkeeping

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review- The Old Girls’ Island Getaway By Kate Galley

Pack your bags and get ready to head to the Greek island of Corfu!

Dorothy and Gina may be separated by twenty years, but their friendship is timeless. At seventy-one and nearly ninety, life’s too short not to have a little fun – especially in Corfu.

When Dorothy is invited to visit an old friend at his villa, she insists Gina comes along. They’re looking forward to sunshine, sea breezes, and perhaps a dash of ouzo. But their plans are upended by an unexpected guest: glamorous actress Florence Quinn, who’s taken up residence in the pool house.

Florence may sparkle on the surface, but she’s hiding something – and someone – from her past. Determined to help, Dorothy and Gina embark on a quest across the island, only to find that Corfu holds more secrets, scandals, and surprises than they ever imagined.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about an unforgettable island escape where friendship, secrets, and second chances collide under the Greek sun. In this book, nearly ninety-year-old Dorothy and her seventy-one-year-old carer Gina share a bond that blossoms into a touching, life-affirming friendship. When they’re invited to stay at a luxurious villa in Corfu by Dorothy’s old friend Rupert, adventure beckons.

The getaway grows far more complicated when Dorothy’s temperamental teenage granddaughter arrives, followed by a scandal-hit film star seeking refuge from the media storm surrounding her failed marriage to an MP. What begins as a sunny retreat quickly turns into a deliciously tangled mix of secrets, intrigue, a hint of danger, and even romance.

Galley beautifully balances humour and heart with a light thread of mystery. The multi-generational cast is quirky, warm, and wonderfully human, proving that adventure doesn’t have an age limit. Uplifting, mischievous, and full of charm, this is a feel-good escape that sparkles with wit and warmth.

Later-in-Life Adventure

Found Family

Second Chances

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Happy Publication Day – 24 June 2026

Trouble Brewing By Walker Rose

Welcome to Scandal, North Dakota, where loyalty runs deep and rivalries never die—especially between a country girl and a city boy who’s forgotten his roots…

Calder

I swore I’d never return to my family ranch and brewery. Those memories are best left buried in the dust. But when my father passes, it’s on me to sell up. The problem? Meredith Winslow—the girl running my father’s business. Except she’s no longer a girl… In those tight jeans, with a hotter-than-hell smirk and a fiery temper to match, she’s all woman. And she’s refusing to leave.

Meredith agrees to show me the ropes so I can help out until we sell. It’s exhausting work, so why can’t I sleep at night? Is it the paper-thin wall between us, the question of what she’s wearing to bed, or the thought of taking away the only home she’s ever known?

Meredith

I’ve worn my boots to the bone at Crossroads Ranch, feeding the horses by day and serving beer to the locals by night. Then brooding, bossy, sex-in-a-suit Calder turns up to kick the door closed on my life with one perfectly polished shoe.

This is the place I grew up wild and free. Calder says we have to leave it all behind. And I can’t let that happen…

Because somewhere between the eye rolls and heated arguments, early morning starts turn into late night flirting. Calling last orders turns into roaming hands and finally knowing what his stubble feels like against my neck. Riding side-by-side with our legs brushing turns into a hard, fast, stolen moment against a fence post…

Our chemistry burns hotter than any North Dakota summer. But this man might take everything from me—and if he keeps looking at me with those sparkling brown eyes, I’m worried I might just hand it right to him…

Review Card & Book Review- Almost Real By Nicole Snow

Lena Joly has a fierce soul for healing every pet who limps into her struggling clinic. Taming human jerkwads is nothing new—until the day Brady Pruitt storms in with an adorable lost puppy.

There’s nothing cute about him. His wicked reputation overshadows devastating good looks and a jaw-dropping fortune. She’s relieved to send Seattle’s infamous bad boy billionaire packing and get back to fighting for her clinic. But Brady already decided the spitfire who ranks him lower than a banana peel can convince his family he’s finally respectable.

Lena could scream. A temporary “engagement” to fool his optics-obsessed parents? An obscene payday to keep tails wagging forever? And practice kissing?

Holy hell. The girl with barbed wire guarding her scarred love life can’t hide when the butterflies hit. And after their love for animals sweeps them away, after pillow talk becomes bad habit, after it feels too real, two stone hearts will be glorious confetti…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Lena, a struggling vet nurse trying to rebuild her life after a disastrous breakup, and Brady, a wealthy, commanding businessman who proposes a contract engagement that blurs the line between business and desire. What begins as a mutually beneficial arrangement quickly deepens into something far more complicated—and far more real.

The fake engagement trope is executed beautifully, layered with emotional tension and undeniable chemistry. Brady initially appears controlled and distant, but his transformation into a fiercely protective, all-in hero adds depth and swoon-worthy intensity. His devotion to Lena, especially as her past resurfaces, raises the emotional stakes in all the right ways.

Lena shines as a relatable and compassionate heroine. Her career as a vet nurse grounds the story, highlighting her nurturing strength even when she feels vulnerable. Watching her slowly trust Brady—and seeing him fall harder than he ever anticipated—makes their journey incredibly satisfying.

With steamy moments balanced by heartfelt growth and genuine emotional conflict, Almost Real delivers a romance that feels passionate, dramatic, and ultimately tender.

Fake engagement

Billionaire romance

Protective hero

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- It Seemed Like A Good Idea By Lauren Blakely

I really don’t need a bodyguard—I run a small-town lavender farm, for bee’s sake! But I’m getting one anyway since my identical twin sister just booked the movie role of a lifetime and it’s being shot in my hometown. And guess who my new broody, tattooed protector is? None other than the guy I had a one-night stand with last month.

Correction: he’s the guy with the wicked mouth and heated eyes who ran out on me before the bang without so much as goodbye. And of course he arrives in my tiny hometown where the film is shooting right in the nick of time to save me from the paparazzi at the market. The coffee shop. The dress shop too. I’m trying hard to stay mad after the third time the sexy jerk rescues me.

Maybe just one night would relieve all this tension? But one night turns into another, and then into sharing hearts and secrets that are best locked up. Especially since he’s leaving and I’m staying, and there’s no way we can be more than a summer romance that ends far too soon.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Ripley, a devoted sister determined to support her family’s lavender farm when her twin, Haven, lands a starring role in a movie filming in their hometown. While helping prepare for production, Ripley meets Banks in San Francisco, and their instant chemistry sparks a promising connection—until a case of mistaken identity and professional conflict causes him to abruptly ghost her.

What follows is a deliciously tension-filled bodyguard romance when Banks is assigned to protect Ripley during filming, as paparazzi constantly confuse her with Haven. The forced proximity trope shines here, delivering sizzling chemistry, emotional vulnerability, and heartfelt growth. Banks’ realization that he walked away from the wrong twin adds depth and redemption to his character.

Beyond the romance, the story beautifully highlights sisterhood, community, and unwavering family support. The bond between Ripley and Haven feels authentic and uplifting. Though the pacing slows slightly at times, the emotional payoff is worth it. Tender, romantic, and engaging, this novel blends warmth, humor, and swoon-worthy moments into a satisfying love story that lingers long after the final page.

Forced proximity

Bodyguard romance

Second chance romance

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- The Sailor By Susan Stoker

Like his brothers, Zach Young has recently moved home to Maine after the untimely death of his father. In addition to helping his mom maintain Lobster Cove, the family’s beloved property, the Navy cook has big dreams of opening his own restaurant…but, for now, has reluctantly settled for a lobster shack. Not exactly what he had in mind, though a new lobsterwoman in town has made his daily trips to the docks worthwhile.

Having been literally bullied out of her last port city a little farther down the coast, Marit Phillips isn’t in Rockville long before the familiar grumblings begin…hardened lobstermen thinking a petite woman can’t possibly do the job, no matter how experienced. Fortunately, her new boss judges her based on work ethic…and the handsome cook who visits their boat every day? He seems to see things in Marit that even she doesn’t.

But as much as Zach builds her up, there’s another man in town, his polar opposite, trying to tear her down. And he proves more determined than the couple thought possible…

About The Author

My Review

This book delivers another heartfelt, protective-alpha romance in the Alpha Cove series by Susan Stoker. Returning to Rockville, Maine, readers reunite with the lively Young family while diving into Zach and Marit’s swoon-worthy love story.

Marit, a fiercely independent lobsterwoman seeking a fresh start, is instantly captivating. Her strength is quiet but unshakable, forged by past disappointments and long days at sea. Zach, recently home from the Navy after his father’s passing, is the classic Stoker hero—protective, devoted, and completely smitten. Their chemistry is immediate and effortless, creating a relationship that feels both tender and intense.

The story thoughtfully explores themes of belonging and gender bias within the lobstering community, adding emotional depth and tension. Marit’s struggle to fit into both the industry and the boisterous Young family feels authentic and relatable. Mama Young, as always, is a standout—warm, welcoming, and fiercely loving.

While the final act grows a bit dramatic, the resolution is satisfying and heartfelt. With strong characters, meaningful growth, and just the right touch of spice, The Sailor is a compelling addition to the series.

Protective hero

Small-town romance

Opposites attract

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review- Regret This Later By Olivia Spring

He’s forbidden. She knows better. But The Love Hotel Paris has other plans…🤭

Single mum Laila is officially an empty nester. But her social life’s flatter than a crêpe, and her love life? Non-existent. So when her best friend signs her up to The Love Hotel, Paris’s hottest matchmaking retreat, Laila knows it’s rude to say no!

Laila cannot wait to see the city of her dreams – and the added promise of a holiday romance. Until she discovers her “perfect match” is Gabriel—her best friend’s twenty-seven-year-old son. She hasn’t seen him in years, and now he’s all man… Broader. Infuriatingly good-looking. And absolutely, one hundred per cent off-limits.

Laila knows better. But her connection with secret tech millionaire, Gabriel is undeniable. And as the days melt into nights filled with electric glances, near-miss kisses, and one unforgettable moment under the Paris lights, resistance becomes impossible. Will Laila walk away before her heart and friendship are destroyed? Or will she fall for the one man she can never have and worry about the consequences later?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a freshly empty-nest heroine who signs up for a matchmaking retreat at the Love Hotel in Paris only to find herself tangled in a forbidden, age-gap romance she never expected. In this book, Olivia Spring delivers a premise that’s instantly appealing: a glamorous Parisian escape filled with romantic possibility and emotional risk.

The matchmaking concept gives the story a playful, slightly chaotic energy, while the Paris setting provides dreamy backdrops and an atmosphere of reinvention. The age-gap dynamic between Laila and Gabriel is handled with care, avoiding discomfort and instead focusing on mutual respect and quiet longing. The forbidden element adds tension, though it simmers more than it sizzles.

Where the novel feels lighter is in emotional depth. While the characters are likable enough, their connection never quite reaches a level that fully captivates. Still, the writing is smooth, the pacing easy, and the overall tone gentle and escapist.

A pleasant, low-angst romance perfect for readers craving Parisian charm and a breezy love story.

Fresh Start / Reinvention

Forbidden Love

Age-Gap Romance

My Rating