Book Review – Page 105

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

Book Review – Something From Tiffany’s By Melissa Hill

New York City at Christmas and a visit to Tiffany’s is a recipe to sweep a girl off her feet unless fate has other plans . . .

When Ethan Greene lost his wife, he never thought he would be able to replace her, until one woman stepped in and showed him how to be happy again. Now, on a romantic Christmas trip to New York City, he has a plan to show Vanessa just how important she is to him and maybe even to give his daughter, Daisy, a complete family again. He’s going to propose with a perfect ring from Tiffany’s.

Gary Knowles and his girlfriend, Rachel, are on the trip of a lifetime in New York at the most magical time of year. The only thing missing is Gary’s gift for Rachel, since as usual, he’s left his shopping far too late. On a last-minute Christmas Eve visit to Tiffany’s, he quickly picks out a charm bracelet for her and heads back to their hotel. But, in a moment, one small mistake changes everything…

Published Date: 4 October 2022

My Review

It is a story of 2 man who are bought a gift for their respective partners and the gift got mixed up between them when they involved in an accident. Gary did his last minutes shopping, bought a Tiffany’s charm for his girlfriend while Ethan who planned to proposed over Christmas bought a perfect engagement ring for Vanessa. And when the Tiffany’s bag got mixed up, their lives has become intertwined when Ethan tried to recover to find back his pricey bag.

This story filled with twist and turns. At times, i feel frustrated with Ethan. He come across as Mr Nice guy in this story. He doesn’t want to hurt Rachel’s feeling hence he missed the chance to tell her the ring that she wore belong to him and not from her fiancé. Overall, this book is a quick read to me with fate and betrayal being the focus of the story.

My Rating

Book Review – Mail Order Cowboy By Victoria James

Hope Roberts has a strict No Cowboys Allowed policy. Between raising her daughter, running her business, and trying to settle into her new ranch, Hope has no room for romance—especially when it comes to cowboys. What she needs is someone to help fix her ranch. But the only person to respond to her ad is the one man Hope still blames for her husband’s death…

In Wishing River, Dr. Dean Stanton is pretty much a legend. Cowboy, doctor, heir to his family’s ranching empire—everyone knows and loves him…with the exception of Hope. But Dean doesn’t trust a complete stranger to keep Hope and her daughter safe. And despite their troubled past, he’s still the best cowboy for her job.

Bit by cautious bit, Hope’s little family of two is making room for the man she once thought of as her enemy. Until one day, Dean looks like the perfect exception to her “no cowboys” rule. But he’s been keeping a secret from her that could destroy their newfound family…

Published Date: 27 December 2022

My Review

Hope is a holistic doctor who juggle between a ranch, work and her kid. Hope has recently moved into the ranch with her daughter. She needed help but could not find someone to and she don’t know how to fix the ranch. The only response she gotten is from Dr Dean who was her husband doctor and she blame him for his death. Dean, is a wealthy doctor who comes from a family who make you cringe. Unlike his father, Dean is responsible and sweet. He has loved Hope from afar but keep it all to himself.

It is a story about healing and finding love again. It centered between Hope and Dean who being in love but unable to be together. Love reading when they are together and they do make a cute couple. Dean is the perfect hero who seem to have a perfect life; wealthy, a professional doctor, a rich rancher and heir to a fortune. But he is miserable. He has strained relationship with his father and no contact with his only brother. Hope on the other hand, is struggling and her attraction to Dean is not helping her. Both of them need to work through their secrets and overcome all the hurdles for them to find love with each other. Overall, it is a sweet read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – All That We Are By Mariah Stewart

In the decade since Emma Dean’s husband died, she’s maintained a peaceful and organized life in her hometown of Wyndham Beach—until she finds evidence of her husband’s longtime affair. How, Emma wonders, can a man who’s been gone for ten years still break her heart?

Still reeling from the betrayal, Emma must focus on the group of artists she’s invited to take up residence at the art center she founded, one of whom is secretly seeking refuge from her abusive ex. Toss in a charming businessman who’s returned to town with eyes for only Emma, and it’s becoming a most interesting summer.

And the biggest surprise of all is about to ring Emma’s doorbell and turn her life completely upside down yet again.

As Emma struggles between what was and what is, she discovers that the life she really wants—however unexpected—is just within reach, if she’s willing to fight for it.

Published Date: 13 December 2022

My Review

Emma found out her death husband had a relationship with his secretary on the his 10th death anniversary. He was the local bank’s president and has left her well off and taken care off. She felt bitter and struggled to overcome the betrayal despite that it happened long ago and her husband is no longer around as it makes her questioned their relationship and the life that they shared together. While all this happening, she found a little girl at her doorstep claiming that her father is Emma’s only son, Chris. It comes as a shock to her and she can’t possibility asked the little girl to go back to where she come from before they find out the truth about her existence. While all this thing going on, Emma get support from her 2 close friends, Maggie and Liddy and her possibility of closer relationship with Owen consumed the rest of the story.

This story explores on complexity in relationship about betrayal, family and friendship. The main characters are relatable and story line realistic and flow easily. The mystery surrounding the little girl make the story make me hard to put down my kindle. The friendship between Emma, Maggie and Liddy is clearly strong in this book and the way they supported each other is something that make the reader envious. Overall, it is an enjoyable read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Family Secrets At The Inglenook Inn By Helen Rolfe

Rupert has been the chef at the Inglenook Inn for years. He loves working at the boutique hotel, crafting exquisite meals and fantastic desserts for each and every guest. When his boss, who is practically family, is called away on an emergency, Rupert has to step up and run the place. That would be challenge enough, but when his sister Natalie shows up, she brings a whole lot more baggage than her belongings.

Katy is out of a job and out of luck until she lands a temporary job at the Inglenook Inn. With her years of experience, helping to manage a hotel is a challenge she relishes. But there’s more drama under the one roof than she ever expected and on top of that she’s worried her dad might be making a major decision he’ll regret.

Rupert and Katy have their hands full, but there’s magic in the air at the Inglenook Inn, and as they work side by side they discover something new and unexpected.

Is it possible to fall in love in just a few short days?

Published Date: 15 December 2022

My Review

Katy is recently unemployed and find out that her father is planning to remarry. Being unemployed drive her to find job as soon as possible and when Sofia needs to be with her daughter who was involved in an accident, her friend employed Katy to run the Inglenook Inn with the resident chef, Rupert. Rupert is happy to take over the responsibility. Both Katy and Rupert work very well together and when Rupert’s sister turned up at their doorstep, she brings a whole set of problem to them to solve.

It is a story of family relationship, love and friendship support. I love the main characters who come across as very caring and their dialogues are very well written. There is instant spark between Rupert and Katy. Overall, it is a heartwarming story which carries some sensitive issues which both Rupert and Katy have to faced.

My Rating

Book Review – The Sweet Spot By Adriana Locke

She wants forever. He plays it day by day. They’re both wishing for the best in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s charming and sexy hopefully-ever-after romance.

Single mom Palmer Clark will not be sidelined by the new man in town. Sure, the honey-tongued baseball legend is gorgeous, loves puppies, and has charmed his way into the community’s heart, but Palmer craves stability. Nothing about Cole says forever. So why is he so hard to resist?

Cole is swinging through town to visit his parents when he meets the kind of down-to-earth distraction he’s been looking for since retiring from the majors. True, his long-term relationship score is zero. But even though raising his average with Palmer seems impossible, it’s worth a shot.

As promising as the summer nights are, fate turns small-town dreams upside down, and some lessons are learned the hard way. But having faith in love and choosing hope over fear might get Palmer and Cole to the sweet spot they’re looking for.

Published Date: 29 November 2022

My Review

Palmer is a single mother with a 12 year son, Ethan. She strive to provide stability to him despite her irresponsible ex husband’s lack of interest in their son. Cole is back to town after an injury. He is a professional baseball and with the injury, he know his retirement from the sport is up soon. Given time off from the sport, he is back home visiting his family. It was at a local bar he met Palmer and there was an instant attraction between them which Palmer trying hard to deny it.

This is a small town romance where 2 characters who has entirely different things in their life found love with each other. The characters were very likable and their chemistry is felt from the very beginning till the end. Overall it is a sweet read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – A Chance Inheritance By Carolyn Brown

Three cousins who’ve grown apart
The love of a grandmother that brings them back together
A fresh start they all deserve

Upon inheriting their grandmother’s home and family bait shop, three cousins—Lanie, Jodi, and Becky Cornell—return to Catfish, Texas, hoping to find the fresh start they all need. Turns out living as roommates in Granny Lizzie’s tiny two-bedroom house and running the Catfish Fisherman’s Hut isn’t at all like the idyllic summers they spent as children on the banks of the Red River. The days are long and hot, the tourists demanding and rude. And then there’s Chris Adams, a local river guide who seems to have eyes only for Becky.

But Lizzie’s death has set in motion a chain of events that will cause a new generation of Cornell women to come together. And thanks to this chance inheritance, some local fishermen, and the love of their grandmother, the Cornell cousins discover that sometimes an ending is really the beginning of a brand-new happily ever after.

Published Date: 10 January 2023

My Review

Lainie, Jodi and Becky are Lizzie Cornell’s granddaughters. All 3 of them inherited their grandmother’s home and bait shop and they return to Catfish to grieve her passing. While they were there, they realise how much the Fishing Hut meant to the locals and they want to continue the legacy their grandmother have created.

This book is a short story about 3 cousins who returned home to find their new footing in their life. It is a story of family relationship, love and memories of them with their grandmother. Overall it is a sweet read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Christmas On Mistletoe Lake By Robin Seamus Dunne

Every Christmas, Reilly Shore picks a random spot on the map and takes a trip. This year, that destination is the cottage country town of Mistletoe Lake When she arrives, she discovers the town’s lone b&b is chock-full due to Mistletoe Lake’s annual Christmas Harbor Festival- when all the boats docked along the water are decorated with festive lights.

When twelve year-old Emma invites Reilly to stay on her dad’s boat, she learns that Emma’s dad, Ray Mitchell, is the only boat owner on Mistletoe Lake who isn’t participating in the harbor festival. In fact, he’s in the process of trying to sell the boat. As the possibility of the sale saddens Emma, she enlists Reilly’s help to convince Ray to enter into the festival so they can have one last perfect Christmas on the picturesque lake.

Reilly doesn’t know she’s about to meet someone who is as romantically adrift as she is. And she certainly doesn’t expect to fall in love…or to unintentionally betray him. Christmas is a time for forgiveness, but Ray doesn’t seem to be in a forgiving mood.

Published Date: 21 October 2022

My Review

Reilly took turn with her sister to pick out where and how they will celebrate their Christmas.this yer she chooses Mistletoe Lake. Upon arrival, she found herself without accommodation. She met Emma who invited her to stay on her father, Ray’s boat. There is an annual harbor festival which was started by Ray’s father and he is the only boat owner on Mistletoe Lake not participating in the festival. In fact he is in the process of trying to sell the boat. Emma is sad with the sale and knowing Reilly’s expertise in staging houses, she enlist her help to convince Ray to enter the festival for the last time.

This story set in a beautiful small town with close knit community. Both Ray and Reilly met co-incidentally and are relatable to each other. Really like the interesting characters and story was well written. Overall, it is a cozy and sweet read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Finding Family At Seabreeze Farm By Jo Bartlett

Freya Halliwell is looking forward to marrying the man of her dreams and starting their new life together. After the death of both of her parents, Ollie, along with Freya’s aunt, are the only family she has, but they are all the family she needs.

Until Freya discovers a shocking secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her once happy family and especially the man she used to call Dad. Devastated, and feeling more alone than ever before, Freya needs time and space to come to terms with the news. But until then the wedding is off!

Seabreeze Farm is the perfect place for Freya to recover. But could this beautiful farm perched high on the cliffs, also hold the answer to Freya’s past and reunite her with the family she never even knew she’d been wishing for?

Published Date: 2 December 2022

My Review

Freya is happy with what she has with Ollie and is excited to get married and move to London to start their new life. Ollie and her aunt is the only person she has after both parent passed away. While in the midst clearing stuff, she stumbled upon her mom’s journal and discovered that her lovely dad is not her biological father. This has devastated her and she thought to find Ollie, she stumbled upon him with her best friend. With the discovery about her father, she established that Ollie has betrayed her with her best friend and decided to cancel the planned marriage. Freya needed time to come terms with all the betrayals, she escapes to Seabreeze Farm.

It is a story that focus on family with its up and down emotion, love and loss. This book focus around Freya in her discovery journey to find her biological father. This is a lovely and festive read to me as it is not as Christmassy as I expect it to be.

My Rating