Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review – Turn Up The Heat By Kimberly Kincaid

Ingredients:

One big-city real estate analyst who gets dumped on national TV

One small-town mechanic with a past he wants to keep in his rearview mirror

One weekend getaway thwarted by a broken down car, a boss that makes Atilla the Hun look like a lapdog, and the snowstorm of the century

Mix well and add a whole lot of sparks under the hood.

Serve with a side of adversaries to lovers, opposites attract, sexy banter, and sizzling heat in both the kitchen and the bedroom.

Published Date: 7 February 2023

My Review

Bellamy found out her boyfriend moving out of town without her when he announced it live on tv. She has no idea about it all and worst thing, she get to know it from her two best friends, Holly and Jenna. She is focus with her career growth and so is her soon to be ex-. Upon knowing the news and after gotten the confirmation from her ex, she decided to get away from everything with her 2 friends to Pine Mountain for the weekend. Her string of bad luck doesn’t stop there. Her car broke down just outside the town and Shane comes to Bellamy’s rescue. Shane, from the start of the book, was depicted as though he is a local boy working at the shop. Bellamy is up for a surprise when Shane’s background was revealed. With her car in the shop, Bellamy tried her best to enjoy her getaway and at the fighting off her attraction to Shane.

It was a bit difficult for me to like Bellamy at the beginning as she can come across as snotty but as the story developed, reader will discover that she have big heart but unfortunately for her, she is stacked in a job that she dont like with a demanding superior. I love the banter between Bellamy and Shane and while i felt that Shane may not be at par with Bellamy in term of their reputation at the beginning of the story, i was pleasantly surprise with the ending of their story. Overall , it is a good read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Rainbows Over Puddleduck Farm By Della Galton

Don’t dream your life, live your dreams….

Phoebe Dashwood is a passionately committed vet who’s living the dream. She’s about to open her own small animal practice at her grandmother’s animal shelter, Puddleduck Farm in the New Forest.

Phoebe is helped by her two oldest friends. Her best friend Tori is a mix of hard-headed journalist and hopeless romantic, who thinks love will conquer all when she finds the right man!

Then there is Sam, Phoebe’s staunchest ally, whose integrity and selflessness mean he would do anything to make Phoebe happy, no matter what the cost to himself. Very soon Phoebe discovers that fantasy and reality don’t quite match. An unscrupulous bunny breeder, a poisoned stream, and a complicated attraction all conspire to throw her dreams in a spin.Events come to a shocking climax at the New Forest Show where Phoebe’s world is turned upside down and she has to make some life changing decisions.

Published Date: 16 February 2023

My Review

Phoebe’s vet clinic finally launched. She is passionately committed vet and opening a vet clinic is something she dreams for and this clinic is a way to keep her grandmother Maggie busy. All her friends come to her clinic launch including Rufus, her grandmother’s landlord. There was instant spark between them but both of them have emotional baggage that makes it difficult to make the first move. Sam, on the hand, still around and yearning for Phoebe from afar despite that he knows that Phoebe doesn’t return his feeling and only want to be friend. So, Sam is trying his best to move on. Both Phoebe and Rufus also have to deal with illegal bunny breeder and pollution stream in their home.

The story is focus on PTSD which experienced by Rufus who lost his wife and the way he struggles to overcome his problem and animal cruelty. There is also love triangle between Phoebe, Rufus and Sam which I did not really fancy much. Love Phoebe’s character and the way she was surrounded by family and friends.Overall, it Is a heartwarming read to me

My Rating

Book Review – Mr. Grump By Leslie North

I have a confession.

I hate bachelorette parties. A night of dick straws, awkward dancing and being told “it’ll be you soon, Kaitlyn!”Especially when it’s at a super swanky Miami club—exactly where I don’t belong.Couldn’t get any worse, right?

Enter Mr. Tall, Dark and I-didn’t-know-they-made-people-this-gorgeous. Grump supreme. His scowl has a scowl.Especially after I knock a drink onto a VIP and myself. He must be the manager of the club because he has keys to the penthouse above it.A penthouse he offers to let me change clothes in.

A penthouse we screw all over.Then, he gets a call and kicks me out. Jerk.Told you it got worse.

Ready for worser?First day at my new job as a nanny and Mr. Scowl is my boss. James Morris.Billionaire club owner, deal maker, and first grade bosshole—if the tabloids are to be believed.Also a single dad to an adorable daughter who needs my help.

But there’s no way I can take this job—every time I look at him, I’m back in that penthouse. And from the way he smiles when he looks at me, he’s thinking the same.Then he tells me why this has to work. Why he needs me. Why I can’t say no.

New confession?I hate my boss

Published Date: 9 February 2023

My Review

Kaitlyn met James during her sister’s hen night at a swanky night club. She thought James work at the club and they end up spending the night together before James ushered her away and disappeared after receiving a call. James’ main priority was his precious daughter and he will do everything to protect her. Due to a kidnap episode, his daughter, Harper is paranoid to leave their home and to help his daughter to overcome her fear and getting her back to the once happy carefree child, James engaged a therapist and she turned out to be Kaitlyn. Both of them need to work together to help Harper.

Kaitlyn is the main character of the book with her family drama and James’ life revolved around his daughter and business and it come as a surprised to him when he felt the instant spark to her. Kaitlyn’s character is more open and able to articulate well her concerns and fear while James come across as a grumpy character (hence the title of the book) and can easily jump into conclusion and rush to judgment when come to his daughter’s wellbeing. Love the character’s chemistry and the storyline which are very engaging. Absolutely love the way James declared his love to Kaitlyn at the end of the story. Overall it is an enjoyable read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – The Shape Of Your Heart By Debbie Howells

Callie’s always been the least ambitious of her sisters but also the happiest, until fate snaps her fiancé away before they can say I do.

One year later, she is still putting her life back together, but she might be ready for more. With so much life left to live, she has to find a way to be happy.

Nathan knows not everyone gets a second chance at life and he’s not going to waste his. He’s left the city behind, moved to Cornwall and is starting over. When he meets a beautiful woman at the beach it feels like fate, but her heart belongs to someone else. 

Could Callie and Nathan be just what each other needs?

Published Date: 7 February 2023

My Review

Callie lost her fiancé on the day of their wedding and fast forward to the 1st anniversary of the fateful day, Callie is no way near to moving on with her life. She still stayed in the same house that are supposed to be their family home and the only solace she has is the beautiful garden that she created. Nathan who due to recent health scare decided to move to the village for a better lifestyle. He bought a small cottage and he need help to create and maintain the garden for him. He found Callie and engaged her to do the garden for him like the one she has created at her home.

It is a story about finding love again after a traumatic event in their life. Callie’s world was totally collapsed and reading her story make me tear up while Nathan was given a 2nd chance to live again after a life threatening event. There is a twist in the story at the end which I did not expect but it is a lovely ending to a sad story. Overall it is an emotional read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – An Island in the Sun By Kate Frost

Running away is easy, until saying goodbye becomes too hard…
When successful songwriter Tabitha Callahan swaps a summer of sadness for pet sitting around the world, she intends to use the time to heal her broken heart.
Tabitha can’t believe her luck when she picks up a housesit on the rugged and beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira.
The villa is luxurious, the views breath-taking and her charges, a gorgeous but aloof cat and two cute and friendly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are perfect companions while she works on some new material and attempts to reconcile her past.
However, her peace is shattered when an unexpected house guest puts paid to her much-needed time alone, forcing her to confront not only her feelings but what she actually wants from life.
New friends and old dominate her time on the island, along with deep-rooted regret and unspoken sorrow.
Will a year of running away be enough to put the past to rest and allow someone new to inch into her heart?

Published Date: 6 February 2023

My Review

Tabitha is a pet sitter. She travels the world to be a pet sitter for the owner who leave their pet to travel. Her latest pet sitter job takes her to Madeira and while the owner is away, their estranged son Raff arrives unexpectedly to stay. There is instant attraction between them but both of them need to faced their demon before they can move forward.

This book is about love and fractured relationship between friends and family. Tabitha is a likeable character who loves her family but the travelling that she did is to deal with the ending of her relationship. Raff on the other hand, is the opposite of Tabitha in terms of his relationship with family where he come from a broken relationship with his parent. The only similarity that both of them have is they used travelling to deal with their complicated issues. Overall it is a good read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Thirty Days In Paris By Veronica Henry

Because Paris is always a good idea…

Years ago, Juliet left a little piece of her heart in Paris – and now, separated from her husband and with her children flying the nest, it’s time to get it back!

So she puts on her best red lipstick, books a cosy attic apartment near Notre-Dame and takes the next train out of London.

Arriving at the Gare du Nord, the memories come flooding back: bustling street cafés, cheap wine in candlelit bars and a handsome boy with glittering eyes.

But Juliet has also been keeping a secret for over two decades – and she begins to realise it’s impossible to move forwards without first looking back.

Something tells her that the next thirty days might just change everything…

Published Date: 13 April 2023

My Review

Newly divorced after an amicable end to her marriage, Juliet is in early fifties decided to visit Paris, the place she fell in love thirty years ago and left behind her love of the life. Being a freelance writer she planned a thirty-day visit to rediscover Paris, reminiscing and reconnecting to put things rights and to finally write her own story.

It is a story of first love, heartbreak and friendship with Juliet as a strong character. The story alternate between the present and past where Juliet is concern and it gave us the insight what happened in the past. The author did a superb job in describing the city. Overall it is lovely love story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My Rating

Book Review – Love Begins On The Boardwalk By Georgina Troy

Bella is happiest running her tiny antique business from the front room of her cottage on the Boardwalk. To ensure she has enough income coming in, she also rents out two of her bedrooms to paying lodgers.But she didn’t count on having a secret crush on Jack Collins, one of her lodgers and her best friend’s brother…As if life wasn’t complicated enough,her world-travelling mother appears on her doorstep on the same evening that Jack’s ex-fiancée arrives on the Boardwalk determined to win him back. Bella has a lot of thinking to do and soon discovers that not all gems sparkle.

Published Date: 2 March 2023

My Review

Bella have long time crush to Jack, the brother of her best friend but she would not risk her friendship to date Jack. She doesn’t think Jack feels the same way about her. He on the other, trying hard not to let himself to notice her. When they begin to spend time together this summer, Bella thought she is making progressed but Jack’s girlfriend turned up to cause havoc to their relationship.

This book tells the story of friendship, love and family ties. I like how the author build the main characters which are so lovable and I totally in love with the ending of the story where both Jack and Bella finally acknowledged their feelings for each other at the end. Overall, it is a heart-warming and cosy read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Wedding Days At Halesmere House By Suzanne Snow

The last thing on Lizzie’s mind is catching the bouquet… 

Events planner and maid-of-honour Lizzie Martin knows her best friend Gemma is making the right decision for her wedding. After the original venue catches fire, and a space opens up at Halesmere House, it makes complete sense to move the wedding to the Lake District artists’ residence. But Lizzie has painful memories of Halesmere…

When she bumps into Cal, her first love, she is forced to confront the past. Now a sought-after blacksmith, Cal has his own studio at Halesmere (based on Halecat House in Cumbria) and the two must find a way to get along if this wedding isn’t going to be a complete disaster.

It soon becomes apparent that their attraction hasn’t waned, but can Lizzie put their shared past behind her and learn to trust the man who left her once before?

Published Date: 2 February 2023

My Review

Lizzie found herself to be back to the Halesmere House to organised her best friend’s wedding. Given a choice she would not step into the house where she has many memoriesof Cal, her first real love who leave her. She has been avoiding going back there since the fateful day. Yet, she know deep down that Gemma is making the right decision for her wedding. Upon arrival, she found herself come to face to face with Cal, now a sought after blacksmith. Lizzie is forced to confront the past. Cal has his own studio at Halesmere and both of them need to find a way to get along to make the wedding a success.

The book has a very engaging story plot that really grab my attention. I fell in love with both Lizzie and Cal. Both of them had their own distinct personality. As a reader, you feel their love from the moment they met up and still am after so many years. Overall, it is an enjoyable read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Summer Sundaes On The Boardwalk By Georgina Troy

When Sacha Collins, cafe owner and sundae-maker extraordinaire, meets Italian archaeologist, Alessandro Salvatore in Rome, she’s grateful to him for being her tour guide. Now he’s turned up in the seaside village where she lives and is setting up a gelateria in direct competition to her retro Summer Sundaes Café.

She’s only been running her café for two years since taking over from her father. Until now the only other shops on the boardwalk have been a wool shop, an antique shop and a second-hand book shop. These have helped rather than hindered her custom. How will her creative sundaes made from fresh Jersey ice cream compete with his delicious Italian gelato?

Sacha is worried. Is there enough custom for both businesses to thrive? Who is behind the strange changes being made on the boardwalk? And when the oldest resident on the boardwalk is threatened with eviction can Sacha and Alessandro come together and find a way of helping her?

For a peaceful little boardwalk overlooking one of the quieter beaches on the island, there’s an awful lot going on and some of it is going to lead to big changes.

Published Date: 30 January 2023

My Review

Sacha met Alessandro in Italy on her recent trip with her aunt to Rome. Her aunt fell unwell and has arranged for someone to take Sacha around Rome and that person is Alessandro. There is obvious attraction between both of them. When the holiday is over, Sacha return to her home in Jersey to run her café and ice cream sundae shop. Soon, she discovers that Alessandro is planning to open a gelato shop near her shop and he will be her direct competitor.

The book has a story plot that flow very well and it made it an easy to read. Love all the characters in this small community such as Bella, Jack and Rosie created by the author. Despite their small role in the story, these characters draw the readers into the story. Overall it is an enjoyable read to me.

My Rating

Book Review – Sandy Wishes By Judith Keim

Sometimes, wishes do come true…

Brooke Weatherby is tired of being the dependable one, the boring one of everyone at Sanderling Cove. She agreed to come to the cove for the summer unaware her two cousins, Charlotte “Charlie” Bradford and Olivia “Livy” Winters, would also be there to help manage The Sanderling Cove Inn while her grandparents take a long road trip in Europe. More than anything, she wishes for independence from her role as a sometime caretaker of her mother, so she’s free to find true love.

Unknown to her and her cousins, the five grandmothers at Sanderling Cove have invited their beloved grandchildren to spend as much time as possible this summer at the cove, hoping that romance might flourish among them.

One grandson, Dylan Hendrix, is a well-known artist who decides to take a break from Santa Fe and experiment with different kinds of paintings inspired by the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida. As he and Brooke get to know each other, he encourages her to discover her own artistic talent. Brooke’s world opens to colors and possibilities she never dreamed of as her life begins to change.

Grandmothers can be very determined when it comes to seeing their grandchildren happy. A family saga full of love. Be sure to read all the books in the series – Waves of Hope, Sandy Wishes, Salty Kisses.

Published Date: 31 January 2023

My Review

Brooke and her two cousins is back in Sanderling Cove to run her grandmother ’s inn while she and her new husband went for their honeymoon. They were tasked to improve the inn while at the same time, taking some time off their normal schedule to figure out their life direction. They have no idea five grandmothers are plotting to bring their grandchildren back to Sanderling Cove in the hope to get them settle down in the town. It is a great change for Brooke given that she have been taking care of her mother and it is taken toll on her. Brooke rediscover her passion for art and it was art that she found herself attracted to Dylan.

This book focus on friendship, self discovery and family relationship and focus on Brooke. Love how Dylan added some stability in Brooke life and the way she find contentment in her life at the end of the story. Overall it is a good read to me.

My Rating