Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- What Not To Do On Vacation By Rachel Magee

Savannah is on a mission to reconnect the Prestly sisters the best way she knows how: reliving their carefree childhood summers at the beach. She’s booked the same beach house, convinced her sisters to take the month off, and even made a bucket list to fit in all their favorite coastal fun. It’s going to be perfect . . . or else. (And if planning this trip has anything to do with a certain secret she’s hiding . . . well, let’s not dwell on that.) Sun, sand, and some sisterly bonding–what could possibly go wrong?

Enter Bianca, the baby of the family, with a huge announcement: she’s getting married! And her sisters’ reactions are . . . not exactly what she hoped for. But Bianca is on a mission to prove that she’s not the mess they think she is. Her grand plan? To find love for Cora, her perpetually single sister, on the same dating app where she found her fiancé. The stakes? A bet that if Cora can’t find her ‘One’ on the app, Bianca will call off her engagement. A challenge Bianca is all too ready to tackle head-on, even if it means a little conniving. Cora’s about to get swept off her feet, whether she likes it or not!

Meanwhile, Cora is rolling her eyes so hard they might get stuck. Love is a fairy tale for other people, not her. As she’s filling out her dating profile, she thinks–nope, she knows–it’ll be easy to show her sisters just how absurd this whole love thing is. So what if this Jax guy Cora just matched with is Hemsworth-brother hot? And, if his messages could be believed, maybe even slightly charming? None of this is real, anyway–love just doesn’t come easily Cora. And she’s getting ready to prove it. She’s got this under control.

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, heartfelt exploration of sisterhood, healing, and second chances. At its heart are three sisters—Cora, Savannah, and Bianca—who reunite at their family’s Cape Cod vacation home in hopes of reconnecting after years of distance. Each woman arrives carrying her own burdens—grief, health challenges, and life transitions—and their attempts to rebuild trust and closeness feel both authentic and deeply relatable.

Magee does a wonderful job balancing humor and emotion, weaving in lighthearted moments that had me laughing while also delivering poignant reflections that tugged at the heart. The sisters’ distinct personalities shine through, creating a dynamic and layered family portrait that many readers will see echoes of in their own lives.

This is not just a story about family struggles, but also about resilience, forgiveness, and rediscovering joy in unexpected places. With its heartfelt tone, charming setting, and emotionally resonant storytelling, What Not to Do on Vacation is a touching, character-driven read perfect for anyone who loves stories that celebrate the messy, beautiful bonds of family.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Lessons In Heartbreak By Karen Sorensen

It’s an unwritten rule somewhere: small-town librarians shall not commit spontaneous acts, for fear of mortal embarrassment. I’d certainly just proved it true, though hiring an escort was perfectly logical. How else should I overcome my fear of intimacy without risking heartbreak?

Unfortunately, what came next wasn’t so logical.

Instead of a dating coach, Griffin King showed up. Yes, that Griffin King: my childhood neighbor and now, to my dismay, an obscenely handsome pro football player. He’s not actually an escort, but how was I supposed to know that?

Avoiding him after the mix-up is impossible. The man is everywhere—put in time-out by his agent after a PR snafu. Griffin might be an outrageous flirt determined to torment me until I snap, but he’s also the perfect man to help me.

The lessons aren’t what I thought they’d be. Neither is Griffin. Every time we touch, every time he shows me a different side to myself—and to him—I can’t help but wonder if we’re about to break another rule: the playboy and the good girl aren’t supposed to fall in love.

About The Author

My Review

This is is a tender, slow-burn romance with a deeply emotional core and just the right balance of humor and heart. Ruby Tate, the rule-following librarian with a yearning for connection, makes an endearing heroine whose vulnerability and quiet strength resonate throughout. Her awkward but sincere attempts to understand intimacy are handled with care, making her growth feel honest and earned. The standout, however, is Griffin King—charismatic on the surface but carrying the weight of a carefully crafted persona. His emotional depth, especially in scenes where he opens up about identity and expectation, elevates the story. His unexpected love for period romances (and those swoon-worthy hand-flex moments) adds layers of softness and sensitivity that contrast beautifully with his public image. Their chemistry grows naturally, and the “dating lessons” trope is executed with charm. The rules they establish—and inevitably break—set up moments of romantic tension, heartfelt revelation, and genuine change for both characters. Though the ending is satisfying, readers may wish for more post-arrangement scenes to savor their fully realized relationship. Overall, it is a heartfelt and introspective romance that explores vulnerability, identity, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own story. A quietly powerful love story that lingers.

My Rating

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Happy Publication Day – 1 October 2025

Before You Say I Love You By Sarah Gate

Grief taught her how to survive.

Love could teach her how to live again.

Maddie Whittle is done with heartbreak — or so she tells herself. Six years after losing her beloved brother, she’s transforming her family’s estate into a wellness retreat.

The work is hard, the stakes are high and Maddie has no time for distractions.

Until a runaway piglet from the local farm brings her face to face with James Byron — an infuriating blast from her past.

Maddie needs help. James needs a job. What neither of them want is the slow-burning tension that could turn their bickering partnership into something far more dangerous: hope.

As winter sets in and renovations bring them closer, Maddie must confront the one thing she’s avoided for years. The possibility of a future defined by love.

Review Card & Book Review- Long Story Short By Victoria Walters

Can Freya fix Jake’s reputation without losing her heart?

Assistant literary agent Freya Harrison never thought her chance at a big break would look like this: at a swanky romance conference in New York, managing the agency’s most insufferable client.

Sure, Jake Richards is a global best-selling author, adored by all his fans. But on meeting him, Freya finds him arrogant, condescending, and, worst of all, a complete phony.

After being overheard calling romance ‘easy money’ and his readers ‘fools’, Jake’s reputation is tanking. And it’s Freya’s job to clean up the mess – and maybe, finally prove her worth to her boss.

But with Jake one slip away from another PR disaster, doubts are starting to set in. Can she survive this week without losing her mind – or her heart?

About The Author

My Review

This book presents an intriguing premise—a disgraced romance author forced to face the very genre he disparaged, alongside a romance-loving assistant with publishing ambitions. Jake Richards, a bestselling author, finds his career in jeopardy after a careless comment goes public, and Freya, his agent’s assistant, is thrust into the awkward role of escorting him to a romance conference. Sparks and friction naturally follow as opposites are thrown together in a setting designed for love.

There’s an appealing enemies-to-lovers thread, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the publishing world, and a heroine who believes in love but hasn’t quite found her own yet. However, the execution doesn’t quite live up to the potential. The age difference between Jake and Freya is repeatedly mentioned, but it’s not explored in any meaningful way, and other character contrasts also feel surface-level.

While the plot has charm, the writing often feels basic, with some key elements—like character development—underdeveloped. Surprisingly, a secondary character, Davis, ends up more dimensional and engaging than the leads. It’s a story that has heart and promise, but it could have used a bit more polish to truly shine.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Sunshine After The Rain By Jessica Redland

Melanie knows she’s been running away… But maybe there really is no place like home 🌈

For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most – her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she’s been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain? 🌧️☀️

About The Author

My Review

Mel and Flynn’s journey is moving and authentic, with no shortcuts taken when it comes to exploring grief, healing, and love. The author delves into the inner workings of Mel’s mind with incredible sensitivity, making her pain over the loss of her son profoundly relatable. Her coping mechanism—running—feels raw and genuine, and the story challenges the notion that time alone heals wounds.

Mel’s gradual awakening to the truth that she hasn’t truly moved on is both painful and inspiring. Her courage to confront the past, accept her mistakes, and open up is powerful. And Flynn is the heart of this story’s hope—steadfast, patient, and endlessly compassionate. His quiet devotion is a beautiful example of enduring love.

The secondary storyline, including the renovation project and Alice’s recovery from her own trauma, adds even more emotional depth. The friendship that grows between Mel and Alice is especially touching, showing how healing often comes through connection.

This installment in the series is a standout—emotional, honest, and ultimately uplifting. A must-read for fans of stories that tackle loss and love with grace and realism.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Royal Rebel By Holly Kerr

They were always meant to be—until they weren’t.

Spencer has spent his life by Princess Lyra’s side. As the best friend of her four brothers and the son of the king’s most trusted advisor, everyone assumes he’ll one day claim her heart. He’s always believed it, too.

But when a new romance unexpectedly shakes his world, Spencer starts to wonder if Lyra was ever his destiny.

Heartbroken and determined to move on, Lyra makes a dramatic choice—becoming the next Suitorette on a high-stakes reality dating show, ready to pick her future husband from twenty-five suitors.

Spencer has one last chance to prove they belong together. But is he willing to take the risk before Lyra gives her heart away for good?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, clean romance that blends the brother’s best friend and royalty tropes with a delightful twist of reality TV. In this installment, Holly Kerr lightens the emotional load compared to earlier books in the series, making for a more relaxed and feel-good read.

Spencer is adorably oblivious to his own feelings, which makes his slow realization all the more satisfying. Lyra, meanwhile, steps into the spotlight as the featured contestant on The Suitorette, meeting a parade of potential matches. Yet none can hold a candle to Spencer, even if neither of them can quite admit it. Their long-standing connection, forged through years of shared events and hidden emotions, keeps readers rooting for them.

The fictional country of Laandia and its royal family continue to shine as a rich and cozy backdrop for the series. This is a well-written and thoroughly enjoyable addition, perfect for fans of sweet, royal love stories.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – The Dolce Vita Divas By Maddie Please

Sunshine, Sisterhood, and Second Chances 💃🏻✨

At the ripe (and fabulous) age of 64, Joanna Dawson finds herself seeking a new adventure. Her husband, Greg, has run off with a TBT (thin, blonde, trollop, obviously), her kids have flown the nest, and her social calendar is emptier than her wine rack.

As Jo’s 65th birthday looms, she’s left wondering: Is this it?

Enter Susie, her best friend, with an offer Jo can’t quite refuse: an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to honour their late friend Ellen. Jo’s not sure she wants to go all the way to Italy, but with nothing else to do and if only to make Susie happy, she agrees. A holiday is a holiday after all.

Capri is even more gorgeous than Jo imagined and soon she and Susie are having the time of their life, especially as Jo is reunited with her dashing first love, Paulo. The one who, most definitely, got away…

Things might have fizzled with Paulo decades ago, but in the land of sun, pasta, and far too much wine, Jo begins to wonder: Could this be her second chance at life…and amore?

About The Author

My Review

This is a wonderfully uplifting and life-affirming story that celebrates friendship, fresh starts, and the enduring magic of romance—no matter your age. Maddie Please whisks readers away to the stunning shores of Capri with Jo and Susie, two women rediscovering joy and purpose in the most delightful way.

After years of routine, Jo and Susie take a leap into the unknown with a sun-drenched escape that quickly becomes more than just a getaway. What unfolds is a charming blend of laughter, healing, and unexpected romance, all wrapped in the beauty and warmth of Italy. Paulo and his eccentric family bring added charm and hilarity, keeping the story lively and full of heart.

The author’s writing shines with humor, compassion, and a deep understanding of women at midlife who are ready to embrace the next chapter. Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction with mature heroines, The Dolce Vita Divas is a joyful celebration of love, friendship, and second chances.

My Rating

Link To Purchase