Book Review – Page 112

Book Review – Coming Home To Puddleduck Farm By Della Galton

When your heart’s broken, all roads lead home…
London City Vet, Phoebe Dashwood, finds her partner Hugh and their boss in a passionate clinch beneath the mistletoe at their works Christmas party.

Heartbroken, she bolts to the New Forest, her childhood home to regroup and soul search.

Being home gives Phoebe the chance to reconnect with friends and family and especially with her fiercely independent gran, widower Maggie Crowther, owner of Puddleduck Farm, and makeshift animal shelter New Forest Neddies.
Deciding not to return to London, Phoebe hunts for work locally, hoping she can also help Maggie, who’s clearly swamped and not coping. But will Maggie accept Phoebe’s help?

Her quest is hampered by stubborn grandmothers, meddling mums, an attractive childhood friend, a real-life Lord, a remorseful ex, and a best friend who’s determined to play matchmaker.

Can Phoebe find happiness professionally and personally in the place she calls home, surrounded by those she loves or does fate have other plans for Phoebe?

Published Date: 29 August 2022

My Review

Phoebe move back home in the New Forest after she breakup with her boyfriend leaving behind her job as a vet. Maggie is Phoebe’a grandmother, is a feisty and tough lady who loves her animal . With Phoebe back home, she trying to find ways to help her grandmother but Maggie is just too stubborn she need help to run her farm. Phoebe also reconnect with Sam, her childhood friend and who always been around, caring and supportive.

It is a sweet story with fierce and independent female character. As the story develops, the author dabble some potential love interest along the way. The story have a wonderful setting with a smooth and engaging storyline.

My Rating

Book Review – Second Chances At Brambleberry Creek By Elizabeth Bromke

Sometimes you need to fall to learn how to fly…

A totally addictive, heart-melting novel about the magic of friendship, family and making every day count, even when life takes an unexpected twist. Fans of RaeAnne Thayne, Elin Hilderbrand and Susan Mallery will love this page-turning story.

Amber Lee Taylor has lived in the close-knit town of Brambleberry Creek, Kentucky her whole life. And she thought she had everything figured out. But when Amber discovers her long-term fiancée, Grant, has been cheating, her perfect future shatters into tiny pieces…

Heartbroken, Amber retreats to her family’s crumbling farmhouse in the stunning countryside outside her little town. It’s her favourite place in the world. She loves the old oak beams and the smell of the fire crackling in the grate. But her family say the farm isn’t making enough money and they need to do something to save it…

Determined to forget Grant and save her family home, Amber throws herself into launching a new wine business with her cousins, and stumbles across one of her grandfather’s old notebooks.

Just as she realizes the size of her project, she discovers a family mystery weaving through her grandfather’s writing, and everything suddenly seems more complicated. But then, she hasn’t thought about Grant in days, and when she bumps into handsome, charming Callum on Main Street, Amber starts to wonder if breaking up with Grant could be the best thing that’s happened to her in years.

It feels good to spend time with a guy with such a kind and genuine heart, and as he helps her untangle the notebook’s secrets, she wonders if the key to the mystery might just be the key to saving her beloved farmhouse too.

Published Date : 25 August 2022

My Review

It is a story that focus on different characters in a family and their own relationship and issues. Morgan trying to figure out the recipe left behind by her grandpa and trying to take care of the grapes. She together with her boyfriend, Emmet and cousin Amber embark on a journey that tell the story of how they worked together to Morgan with the wine recipes.

This book carry the story of second chance, family ties, friendship and love where everyone deserves a fresh start after an event that threatened to tear a family apart. Overall it is heartwarming read to me with great characters and storyline

My Rating

Book Review – A Lot Like Forever By Jennifer Snow

Whitney Carlisle has everything under control—or at least that’s what she needs everyone in Blue Moon Bay to think. She has always faced the hard times in her life head-on and come out stronger for it. But this time, she isn’t so sure. Whitney knows she needs help, but how can she put that burden on Trent, her fiancé? How can she crush his dreams by telling him the plans they made for a future together have to change?

All Trent Connolly wants is to get married, have kids, and spend the rest of his life loving Whitney. Their relationship has had its share of ups and downs—like any other couple—and they’ve always managed to get through it unscathed. So when Whitney is clearly struggling with something, Trent is ready to help. His fiancée’s strong will is part of what draws him to her—but this time, it feels like it’s pushing him away.

Whatever Whitney is hiding from everyone has to be big. Possibly life-changing. She must believe that revealing her secret would do Trent more harm than good, even if it crushes her under the weight of it. The only thing he can do now is be there for her in whatever way she needs…until a secret of his own comes to light that threatens to steal their chance at forever.

Published Date: 23 August 2022

My Review

Whitney gotten to know about her latest health issue and unable to decide what to do but decided to keep it from Trent. She focus on her work instead. Trent, her fiancé noted the changes in her but unable to find out what has been bothering her. It’s seem like the more he tried to approach her, the further Whitney is pushing him away.

It is a quick read for me despite the main characters doesn’t seem to be communicating to each other. Reading this story make me realized just how important communication is. Both of them keep presume that what they are doing is for the goods of the other without realizing that it has the opposite effect.

My Rating

Book Review – Together Under A Snowy Skye By Lisa Hobman

After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.
Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiancé with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.
Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.

Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindhearted Dexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.

But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.

Do second chances work? Or is Dexter, right? That she deserves much more?

Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart?

Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?

Published Date : 24 August 2022

My Review

Millie never expect to be pregnant neither is she expect to be a single mum. All because her partner doesn’t want a child. Either she terminate the pregnancy or she resign to be a single mum. And she choose the latter. Despite her heartbreak; she return to Lifeboat Cottage to attend Jules’ wedding and met up with Jules’ brother Dexter.

There are some scene which are so heartfelt and full of emotion which make it more enjoyable as I watched the main character developed. The story is complex yet heart warming and kept me engaged from cover to cover. It is a story about family relationship and friendship and overall, a delightful read for me

My Rating

Book Review – Maybe This Christmas? By Jill Steeples

When Beth Brown loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours, she thinks life can’t get any worse. That’s until she finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri. Not only does she have to deal with his legendary moods, but she’s also expected to get his chaotic schedule and workload in check, all while she’s nursing a broken heart.

It’s not long before Rocco’s idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too. And as the festive season approaches, Beth dares to look forward to everything the perfect country Christmas has to offer – and perhaps some romance of her own. Until news of an unexpected proposal threatens to put pay to all Beth’s plans. Will Beth get her happily-ever-after? Maybe, this Christmas…

Published Date: 23 August 2022

My Review

After being dump, Beth decided to start afresh and found a job working as a PA for celebrity Rocco, a man with good looks but having bad emotional swing. Beth tried to do her job but dealing with a mood swing Rocco is really challenging for Beth. It is a good predictable romance story with some romcom element in the storyline. Love the English countryside setting and the interaction between Beth and Rocco flows easily and fun to read to me.

My Rating

Book Review- Single All The Way By Portia MacIntosh

Will Dani find love this Christmas? Or will she be Single All The Way…?
When Dani’s boyfriend (and boss!) dumps her for a younger model, the only silver lining she can see is to be able to spend Christmas at home with her family after years away.

Determined to surprise them, Dani turns up unannounced in her hometown, excited to see that the festive season in Marram Bay is in full swing with Christmas lights twinkling on every corner. But disaster strikes when she finds her parents’ house is empty and they appear to have gone away on holiday!

Christmas alone and single is not ideal, and when Dani starts bumping into old friends, neighbours and potential love interests, she can’t face telling them the truth. So in a panic she claims to be home to throw a Christmas party for the whole town – easier said than done with 12 days to go before Christmas…

As the fake party approaches, little does Dani know that there may be someone there under the mistletoe for her, if she can just let her guard down and see them…

Published Date : 18 August 2022

My Review

Dani decided to celebrate Christmas with her family, something that she have not been doing all this while. She was dumped by her secret relationship with her boss and being demoted. Faced with the prospect alone, she decided to go back home only to find out that her parent went for a holiday in France. As she tries to cover up the fact she is all alone, there are stories about neighbour rivalry, long lost friends reconnect and flirtation with her teen crush.

It is a light and easy read for me. The story line is engaging and hilarious interactions with plenty of twist in this fun festive romance.

My Rating

Book Review – The Hardest Fight By Amy Vastine

There’s no backing down this time

Lucy Everhart expected her opposing counsel to be a slick, soulless corporate lawyer. Who else would represent developers intent on turning Chicago’s Safe Haven women’s shelter into condos? But she never imagined it would be Dylan Hunt. Clearly, he’s no longer the idealistic young man she fell for in law school. This is Dylan 2.0. The man who let her go without a fight five years ago—along with his passion for social justice, apparently. He may have compromised what he believed in, but Lucy hasn’t. Dylan has no idea what kind of fight he’s in for. But then again, neither does she.

Published Date : 1 July 2015

My Review

Lucy didn’t expect her opponent is her ex-boyfriend Dylan whom she last saw him five years ago and she is still not happy to see him now. Dylan did his homework and know that Lucy will be there but he didn’t realise that his feeling for her remain after all this year and he still doesn’t know why she broke up with him then and he knows that he need to know the reason why she leave.

This book present both domestic abuse and breast cancer as it’s issue which explore the fear of the unknown future. Lucy come across as a strong willed individual who fights from her heart. Love how forgiving Dylan when all the secrets come out. It is a well written story which flowed very nicely .

My Rating

Book Review – A Christmas House Wedding By Victoria James

Ruby Harris, longtime owner of the historic B&B, The Christmas House, is tying the knot—on Christmas Eve! Olivia Harris is thrilled for her grandmother and can’t wait to help plan the event.

Newly divorced, with an adorable baby girl, Olivia has spent the last year starting a new life in Silver Springs. First on her list is to renovate the old warehouse she’s purchased and launch her dance studio. Second is to find a date for the wedding. And third is to not fall for that date, because she’s sworn off relationships forever.

When Olivia’s meets Scott, a talented contractor, she hires him for the renovation. She also tries to ignore the sparks that fly between them. Then, an unexpected Christmas guest arrives: Olivia’s ex, Will, who’s come to rekindle their relationship. Now, Olivia must decide if she has it in her heart to forgive Will, or if she should pursue an exciting new relationship with Scott.

Publish Date: 11 October 2022

My Review

Olivia and Charlotte stayed with Grandma Ruby during their younger days. Now both of them are back with her again. Olivia, new divorced from her abusive husband and determined to raise her baby daughter herself returned to be with her Grandma, in time to plan her wedding to the love of her life. Looking at Charlotte who is so happy with her new husband, she is not ready to commit to a new relationship. However, her sister think otherwise. Scott, a widower with a teenage daughter is attracted to Olivia but he doesn’t have any idea about Olivia’s feeling is.

This is a story about forgiveness and rediscover yourself after being abused all these years. Love Scott for his understanding and patience for Olivia. It was an emotional and dramatic for me

My Rating

Book Review – My Big Fake Wedding By Jessica Hatch

The date is set. The guy is not.

When Bea Corbin enters a lottery to win her perfect wedding, she never imagines that her name will be picked right after she’s been cheated on, and unceremoniously dumped, by her ex-boyfriend. But when the event planner calls with the good news, Bea doesn’t say any of that. She panics and says yes.

Going against the advice of her oldest friend Oliver, Bea announces her marriage to her friends and family, and begins her hunt for a husband. Just because Oliver is an old-fashioned romantic doesn’t mean that Bea’s colour-coded binder filled with ways to find a fiancé won’t work.

As luck would have it, Bea soon has the most awkward, tequila-fuelled first kiss of all time with her gorgeous office crush, Andrew. But as Bea and Andrew’s relationship gets more serious at the exact moment her ex-boyfriend reappears declaring his undying love, things become more complicated than she could have imagined. Bea feels more lost than ever, especially because Oliver is no longer taking her calls, or answering her texts…

As the ceremony draws nearer, Bea discovers that the only thing more complicated than finding a husband on a deadline is finding the right one.

Published Date: 18 August 2022

My Review

Bea was still in relationship when she enters a competition with a dream wedding as prize. She never thought that her status in relationship changed and got a shocks when she got her dream wedding offer. So she strive to find a boyfriend and get married by the scheduled time even against the advice of her best friend Oliver. She set her sights on Andrew to pursue.

It is about the romance journey where Bea learn and evolved at the end of the journey the meaning of love. I never feel that Bea is connected to Andrew. The relationship just too fake and lacked the chemistry. Instead as I read along, I was hoping it was Oliver. Love the writing style and overall it is a fun light read for me with comes with a surprise ending.

My Rating

Book Review – Someone’s Else Honeymoon By Phoebe Macleod

When Charley finds herself suddenly single on Christmas Day it feels like her world has fallen apart.

Forced to move back in with her parents, she embarks on a journey of re-invention. When she meets Ed, who is on honeymoon alone after being jilted at the altar by a bride he’s never met, it looks like her life may be taking a turn for the better.

Fate, however, has other ideas, and she and Ed are forced apart.

Will she find her way back to him, or are they just not meant to be?

Published Date: 9 August 2022

My Review

Charlie found herself homeless on Christmas Day, it was like her world have fallen apart. She move back home with her parent and trying to move on with the help of her BFF. To help their daughter, her parent invited Charlie to join them on their annual vacation and it was there she met Ed who is on honeymoon alone after being jilted at the alter by a bride he never met before.

Overall I enjoy the simplicity of the storyline which easy to follow. However, I found that some imbalance in the plot especially the time where Charlie met Ed was too short as compared to the focus on the Charlie’s breakup.

My Rating