Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review – An Italian Dream By Kate Frost

Best friends since childhood, Fern Chambers and Stella Shaw have been through everything together and are at a crossroads in their lives.

Carefree Stella has a monumental secret and down trodden Fern’s happy life is not all it seems.

With their 40th birthdays approaching, a luxury holiday to the island of Capri is a chance for them to reconnect, let their hair down and celebrate in style. But untold truths and frustration bubble beneath the surface, turning what should be a holiday of a lifetime into an opportunity to make life-changing decisions.

Far from home, where anything feels possible, secrets are revealed, heartache is shared, love discovered and new friendships forged.
Will their Italian dream turn into a nightmare or lead to newfound happiness?

Published Date : 7 July 2022

My Review

Stella won a huge lottery and planed an expensive getaway together with her bestie Fern and daughters to celebrate their 40th birthday. A time for them to reconnect and celebrate in style. However, it is far from what Stella expected. It was in this trip, that Fern comes to know something that both Stella and her own daughter is hiding.

It is a story of relationships, expectation and dreams. 2 besties away from their usual day to day life are force to face their own issues and make changes in their life for the better. Both Stella and Fern are very different but share the same vulnerability. Both of them lacking in confident in facing their own relationship. There is a twist in the story at the end.Overall it is a beautifully written that captured my attention from the first page.

My Rating

Book Review – When It Falls Apart By Catherine Bybee

Brooke Turner has always had a complicated relationship with her father. But when his health takes a turn for the worse, she drops everything to care for him. He’s her dad, after all, and he needs her. What Brooke doesn’t anticipate is the unraveling of her long-term relationship and a cross-country move to San Diego’s Little Italy.

Luca D’Angelo is the oldest of three children and a single father to a young daughter. When his mother rents the top floor of their house to Brooke, he’s angry. Who is this beautiful stranger with no ties to the neighborhood? Can she be trusted in such close proximity to his family?

As Luca learns of Brooke’s difficult journey with her ailing father, his heart softens. And Brooke, who witnesses Luca’s struggle as a single parent, develops feelings for him, too. But when it all falls apart, will love heal their wounded hearts?

Published Date: 21 June 2022

My Review

Brooke found herself back to take care of her father once again. And this time, she leave her boyfriend for good afterall,   he is not as good to her as she might have wish for. Her dad is in bad shape and she need to get him into assisted living , and arranging all his things away.  Luca is a single father to Frankie and eldest son who running the family restaurant with the help from his mum and sibling. While talking to his mum, Brooke found out that his mum is looking for tenant for apartment above the restaurant. Luca is not happy that his Mum renting the place to Brooke but soon, he learn about Brooke’s life and obligation. Things started to change then. 


Didn’t really expect much when I start reading this book but this is a story that can pull your interest and you end up being sad at the ending because you don’t want it to end. Love both the characters very much, Luca being a family man, protective of his loved ones and caring while Brooke dealing with her father issues with sincerity despite the back story of what happened between them before. Overall it is a sweet and emotional read for me .

My Rating

Book Review – Falling For My Hot Neighbor by Rachael Brownell

There’s a professional line in the sand. One I refuse to cross. I can’t afford to if I want to keep my secrets safe. To keep my life from falling apart again.

Those boundaries are tested when he moves in across the hall.

My new neighbor might just be the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. He’s also my patient’s brother which is why he’s off limits. But with him this close, I find it hard to ignore my attraction to him. To deny the spark between us. To avoid the magnetic pull I feel.

Because Alex is everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.

Kind and sweet, with a dirty mind and a touch that lights a fire inside me.

And he loves my son.

Which scares me the most.

It’s not just my heart at risk. The closer Alex gets, the more I fall for him, the more I risk exposing everything I’ve worked so hard to keep hidden.

Published Date : 9 June 2022

My Review

The story begin with Alex getting help for his substance abuse sister, Daphne. As their parent still around, he have to lie on their background info to get her to be admitted to a rehab. It was there, he met Harley to who he is instantly attracted. The story continue with how he end up being her neighbour and meeting her son. Having feeling the same for Alex, Harley tried to avoid it from develop further as it is unethical as she is Daphe’s counselor. With the complication that she have with her son, Harley doesn’t need anymore complication in her life. 

It is an sweet read for me. Love the way Alex tried to get help for her sister and his willingness to risks everything for her. Loved watching on how the relationship between Alex, Harley and Phoenix developed.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 4 August 2022

In the imposing Glen Carrick House overlooking Scotland’s famous Loch Ness, lives eighty-eight-year-old Mimi McKinlay, cared for by her three adult sons. Hamish has inherited his mother’s musical talents, Fin is the responsible brother, and Angus has the complicated and brooding personality to match his dashing good looks. 

But what all the brothers share is a concern that their beloved mother is living in her memories of her days on stage, while letting her present days pass her by.

Jess Oliver is at a turning point. Amicably divorced after years of being married, this trip to the Highlands is a first taste of independence. It isn’t long before the beauty and hospitality of Scotland captures her heart.

When Mimi and Jess’s paths cross, a friendship is formed that will change both women’s lives. And as together they find ways to look forward instead of to the past, long forgotten dreams are within reach, and every new day is fresh with possibilities.

Book Review – Under Pressure by Kelly Moran

You have the right to remain…sexy.

As sheriff of Redwood Ridge, Parker Maloney has learned to bite his tongue at the ridiculous antics of the town’s matchmakers. He’s just grateful they’ve never messed with him before. Except it kind of seems like he’s their next target. They keep sending him on one wild goose chase after another with a single common denominator–Madeline Freemont. Whatever. Maddie spent their youth terrorizing him and he has zero interest in reopening the claw marks. No matter how beautiful or intuitive or funny he finds her. Nope. He’s laying down the law on this one. Yet there’s something to her hot-as-hell spine of steel act he can’t figure out and she’s beginning to unlock the cell on his restraint.

Maddie Freemont’s no newcomer to the cold shoulder. Most of the town never warmed up to her. Or tried. So when her ex leaves her high, dry, and so in debt she’s forced onto the street, it’s no shock there aren’t any offered helping hands. She’s making due by taking any odd job she can to scrape by. Even though she would’ve done anything for Parker’s attention once upon a time, the last thing she needs is to be on his radar now. Why they suddenly keep crossing paths is a mystery. But it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore his handsome, subtle charms–and how he’s working his way under her resolve to expose desires she long ago shoved aside.

Published Date : 31 March 2020

My Review

The story started with Parker met Madeline after she leave Redwood Ridge after a fraud scandal committed by her father and fiancé. Most of the town people did not believe she was innocent and clueless of the crime. She has been back to town for sometime but no one is aware her presence. Parker always believe she is innocent and  Unbeknownst to them, the town’s Battleaxes have Maddie and Parker under their radar. They keep getting thrown together. 

This is a powerful story and I couldn’t help but shed few tears reading it. I loved the story plot that brought both Maddie and Parker together. This is the first book that I rated 5 ⭐️ for year 2022.

My Rating

Book Review – Residual Burn By Kelly Moran

Some flames can’t be extinguished…

Jason Burkwell is all about the next adventure. Whether it’s an emergency call as lieutenant on Redwood Ridge’s fire department or a pretty woman between the sheets, he gets in and gets out. He has no interest in being trapped by anything or anyone. But when he’s manipulated into a charity auction for his station, something tells him he’s about to get hosed. Especially when the town matchmakers shove quiet, shy Ella Sinclair in his path. Constantly. Every encounter with the brown-eyed beauty makes him realize the simmering attraction and strange tug of emotion is beyond basic heat. Together, they’re combustible. If only he can figure out what she’s hiding…

Ella Sinclair’s been burned before, and she’s got the scars to prove it. Ever since her return to Redwood Ridge, she’s had more than a little crush on a certain gorgeous firefighter. Except Jason doesn’t know she exists. To trigger his memory would mean reliving the worst day of her life, and she’s worked hard to move past the pain. Venturing out of her safety zone is tough enough, never mind that hero worship leaves her with a horrible case of babbling-itis. Her heart’s becoming more engaged the longer they spend together, but his sudden interest can’t possibly last when he discovers she’s not the ideal image of perfection.

My Published Date: 24 September 2019

My Review

Both Jason and Ella found themselves being the target of the Town’s Battleaxes, consist of busybodies who ruled the town and have a love to matchmake. Ella was tasked to deliver a tuxedo to Jason as she is a member of committee that organise The Bachelor Auction. Jason found himself being forced to take care of a cat that he rescued and which he nothing about cat. Jason seek Ella’s help as she also owned a cat herself.

Ella is physically and emotionally scarred from a fire that has killed both her parent. She was a quiet lady and often people doesn’t know she was in the same room with them. Jason on the other hand, is good looking but abit of a loner. He lost his dad when he was 8 year old and doesn’t allow himself to get serious about anyone.

The characters are easy to relate to. Love how they balance each other and make me glued to the story. Overall, this story is an emotional read to me .

My Rating

Book Review – First Bride To Fall By Ginny Baird

A shy woman. Her outdoorsy crush. And the bet that could bring them together…or implode spectacularly.

Nell Delaney will do almost anything for her parents and her two sisters. But enter a marriage of convenience to save the family’s coffee shop? Too far. So Nell and her sisters strike a deal: whoever hasn’t found love in thirty days has to step up to take one for the team. The good news? Nell knows the perfect guy to fall in love with. The bad news? She’s going to have to pretend she likes the outdoors…a lot.

Adventure guide Grant Williams knows immediately that Nell is not exactly Little Miss Outdoorsy. She’s a walking natural disaster—an amazingly adorable disaster. And whoa, their chemistry is unbelievable. Everything between them is so perfect, he’s not even a little bit shocked when he starts thinking of forever…

Right up until he catches the town gossiping about the Delaney sisters’ bargain and realizes she’s just using him to win a bet. His family’s unreliable reputation means he can’t just dump one of the town’s sweethearts. No, she needs to dump him. If she’s going to pretend to be the perfect doting bride, well, he’ll just pretend to be the worst bachelor on the market.

Let the games begin…

My Review

3 sisters make a pact that the last person among them who couldn’t find love and be engaged within 30 days is to agree on a prearrange marriage to save their family’s coffee shop. 

This is the 1st book of the series focusing on Nell who have secret crush on Grant for many years now. This pact is forcing her to step out and take matters into her own hand and hearts. She decided to join on a hiking excursion organised by Grant’s company and due to bad weather and Nell’s inexperience, Nell injured herself and found herself end up at Grant’s cabin together w him. The story then continue with a lot of miscommunication between the two of them. 

The story is a fun and quick read for me and narration of the story flow very well. I love the shy banter between Nell and Grant and chemistry between the two of them. Love how they fall for each other. Can’t wait to see what happen to the 2 other sisters. Am curious and wonder who will be the one who is going to marry the rich Billionaire, Aiden.

My Rating

Book Review – How to Seduce a Cavanaugh by Marie Ferrarella

A lone wolf who’d prefer to work solo, Detective Kane Durant has been through six partners. His latest? A chatty, go-getter blonde he can’t seem to intimidate with his killer stare-downs and deadly silence. But when they’re assigned a case of home invasions in the ritzy section of town, he’s impressed by Detective Kelly Cavanaugh’s quick mind, her determination to catch the perp…and how badly he wants her. 

With one month to prove herself to her tall, tough and sexy new partner, Kelly works overtime to crack the case—and the hardened detective by her side. But when late nights on the job lead to passion, Kelly’s heart is suddenly on the line, too.

Published Date: 7 July 2015

My Review

Kane and Kelly were tasked to work together. Kane is not happy about the arrangement as he prefer to work alone. Due to his past, he kept to himself and have been driving away all his partner. Kelly, on the other hand, is trying to make him to talk as her objective. Kane come across as a strong but a loner while Kelly, a bubbly and nosy colleague. Whilst Kane prefer to keep to himself, Kelly will strive to find the information.

Overall it is a sweet read for me. Love the main characters: Kane and Kelly and their interaction. I enjoyed the detail of the investigation and reading how both Kane and Kelly solved the mystery.

My Rating

Book Review – A Leap of Faith For The Cornish Midwife By Jo Bartlett

Midwife Izzy is devastated to learn that her beloved grandmother is dying. Abandoned as a baby by her own mother, her grandparents have been the only family Izzy has ever known and she wants to spend every last precious moment with them.

New locum vicar, Noah, is a wonderful support – kind, considerate and always there for Izzy whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. But secretly Noah is battling his own doubts about his faith – how can he offer Izzy comfort if he doesn’t truly believe his own words?

When Izzy and Noah are brought together to support grieving parents, Noah reaches breaking point. He can’t stay in Port Agnes and live a lie. But Izzy is adamant it’s the only place she can be….

Will love find a way or will Izzy’s hopes of a future be dashed?

Published Date : 29 June 2022

My Review

Izzy’s grandma is terminally ill but it didn’t deter Eileen from renting a houseboat in Port Agnes  for the summer to be closer to her. Eileen enjoyed tending to her flowers and found herself at St Jude doing what she love to do. Noah, a temporary pastor in the absence of Reverend Sampson found formed a friendship with Eileen which at first suspicious of the friendship between them. But Eileen’s health began to deteriorate, it was Noah that Izzy sought support from. Noah is fighting his own demon and he is struggling in trusting God. 

This is an emotional read for me with good balance of warmth yet uplifting and well balance emotion between negative and positive feeling when the loved one’s is facing life and death situation. Love to see both Izzy and Noah’s relationship blossom at the end of the book.

My Rating

The Review Card – A Leap of Faith For The Cornish Midwife By Jo Bartlett

Midwife Izzy is devastated to learn that her beloved grandmother is dying. Abandoned as a baby by her own mother, her grandparents have been the only family Izzy has ever known and she wants to spend every last precious moment with them.

New locum vicar, Noah, is a wonderful support – kind, considerate and always there for Izzy whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. But secretly Noah is battling his own doubts about his faith – how can he offer Izzy comfort if he doesn’t truly believe his own words?

When Izzy and Noah are brought together to support grieving parents, Noah reaches breaking point. He can’t stay in Port Agnes and live a lie. But Izzy is adamant it’s the only place she can be….

Will love find a way or will Izzy’s hopes of a future be dashed?

About The Author

Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast. Her first title for Boldwood is The Cornish Midwife – part of a twelve-book deal.

Link to Purchase