Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Arctic Cruise By Caroline James

Will the Arctic wonderland work its magic this winter?

Joy never imagined stepping aboard a cruise ship without her husband, Tom. Now widowed, Joy wonders what her voyage on the Emerald Dream will hold – and as it glides through breathtaking Norwegian fjords, she longs to believe in happiness again. However, she carries a secret that could unravel her fragile hopes if it ever came to light…

Elsewhere on deck, as the sun dips below the horizon and the polar night sets in, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, is living his dream of seeing the Northern Lights. Having long since given up on love, he now dedicates himself to his passion for photography. But when he meets Joy, is it more than the aurora borealis that catches his eye?

As they embark on a snow-dusted adventure which takes them from bustling ports to reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, will Joy and Henry find the courage to embrace love again? Or will hidden truths sink the possibility of a new beginning?

About The Author

My Review

This is a wonderfully uplifting, feel-good novel that offers the perfect escape — especially for readers who enjoy armchair travel and festive settings. Set aboard The Emerald Dream as it sails through the spectacular Norwegian fjords over Christmas, the story follows a delightful group of passengers whose lives become gently intertwined over the course of the voyage.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its cast of characters. I developed an immediate soft spot for Henry, whose quiet kindness and old-fashioned courtesy shine, particularly through a deeply touching act of generosity near the novel’s conclusion. Joy is another standout — a warm, engaging presence whose hidden depths gradually emerge in a very satisfying way. I also appreciated the focus on older characters, a refreshing and realistic choice that suits the cruise setting beautifully.

James brings the journey vividly to life with engaging descriptions of both onboard activities and shore excursions. The talks, the chance of spotting the Northern Lights, and the breathtaking scenery make the trip feel wonderfully immersive.

Adding sparkle and laughter are the gloriously pretentious Kenneth and Barbara, whose antics provide constant amusement. With blossoming romances, heartfelt moments, gentle humour, and secrets slowly revealed, The Arctic Cruise is a charming, light-hearted read that leaves you smiling long after the final page.

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Review Card & Book Review – Life In The Old Girls Yet By Celia Anderson

Vee is nervous about returning to the village of Willowbrook. Not only is Dragonfly Cottage – the house her late mum left her – in need of a total refurb, but the neighbours still remember Vee as a troublesome teen, even though she’s now in her fifties.

Luckily, Vee’s quickly swept up by the Saga Louts, three irrepressible women whose friendship, humour and zest for life prove impossible to resist. With Rick, the handsome local handyman who’s helping to renovate the cottage also at her side, Vee begins to feel like it’s never too late to start again.

When the group set off on a road trip to France, laughter, friendship and plenty of vin rouge are on the cards. But some surprising revelations are about to come out, too…

Can Vee finally come to terms with the past and seize her future with both hands?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, uplifting novel about second chances, buried secrets, and the unexpected friendships that change everything. Venetia “Vee” Prescott returns reluctantly to her childhood home, carrying emotional baggage she’d rather leave untouched. What she finds instead is a new beginning—and the unforgettable trio of Althea, Beryl, and Winnie, affectionately known as the Saga Louts. These sharp, spirited women welcome Vee into their circle and quickly become the heart of the story.

The town itself hums with long-held secrets and complicated family history, creating a rich backdrop for Vee’s journey of rediscovery. As past and present intertwine, a trip to France adds both charm and emotional weight, revealing truths that reshape everything.

What truly makes this book shine is its cast of characters. Each one adds depth and warmth, and the cleverly placed hints about their lives and secrets keep the pages turning. Their individual stories are as delightful as Vee’s own. This is a beautiful, comforting read about healing, redemption, and the power of starting over—proof that new friendships can be just as life-changing as old ones.

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Review Book & Book Review- Summer Nights In Pine Harbor By Tammy Robinson

Under the stars, everything changes…

Twelve years after a mistake that changed everything, Taylor Calderwood returns to Pine Harbor to care for her prickly ninety-four-year-old uncle. But the quiet Maine coastal town stirs up more than memories – it brings back guilt she’s spent years trying to forget.

Jack Garrity isn’t in Pine Harbor by choice either. Bound by guilt and a promise he can’t break, he’s keeping his head down and helping a friend through the hardest chapter of her life.

Then one night, under a sky full of stars, Taylor meets Jack by the water. What begins as a chance encounter turns into late-night swims and soul-deep conversations – igniting a connection neither of them expected.

With the past pulling at their heels and the future uncertain, they must decide: can they let go of what was to embrace what could be?

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, emotionally satisfying story about grief, healing, and the courage to love again. When Taylor Calderwood returns to her hometown to care for her aging Uncle Ray, she’s forced to confront memories she’s spent years avoiding. Meanwhile, Jack Garrity arrives in Pine Harbor to support his late best friend’s wife, Hannah, while quietly carrying his own heartbreak. When Taylor and Jack meet by the water, their tentative friendship slowly grows into something deeper—but trusting their hearts again won’t come easily.

This novel is a true pleasure to read, filled with warmth, emotion, and quiet moments of reflection. Taylor and Jack’s relationship develops naturally: shy at first, then honest and refreshingly free of unnecessary drama. Their romance is sweet, gentle, and deeply comforting. Ray’s cranky banter adds humor and charm, balancing the heavier themes beautifully.

Robinson handles grief, forgiveness, and renewal with compassion, creating a story that feels both real and hopeful. A wonderful, heartfelt read.

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Review Card & Book Review – Wreck My Plans By Cindi Madsen

Age isn’t a number.
It’s a state of chaos.

When publicist Mia Andrews becomes the face of a viral disaster dubbed #PantyGate, her career implodes along with her reputation.

Now jobless and single, Mia lands in the last place she expected—her grandmother’s anything-but-quiet retirement community in Florida. It’s chaos. It’s hilarious. It’s exactly what she didn’t know she needed.

Even worse? The meddling retirees are determined to fix Mia’s love life. Somehow, they find time to play matchmaker—with not one but two bachelors under thirty-five.

But amid the mayhem, Mia’s learning that the best second chances come when—and where—you least expect them.

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, sharply funny novel about life unraveling—and the unexpected beauty of rebuilding from the mess. When publicist Mia Andrews becomes the unwilling star of a viral humiliation, her career and confidence collapse overnight. Seeking refuge, she escapes to her grandmother’s Florida retirement community, expecting calm. What she finds instead is a whirlwind of meddling retirees, nonstop gossip, and the kind of chaos that forces real change.

The humor here is refreshingly authentic—less about punchlines and more about those painfully familiar moments that make you laugh because they’re true. The retirement community adds a delightful found-family energy, offering warmth, mischief, and surprising emotional depth.

Rather than rushing romance, the story focuses on Mia’s internal journey. The slow-burn love story grows naturally as she confronts anxiety, perfectionism, and the fear of losing control. Madsen’s portrayal of anxiety and OCD feels honest and deeply human.

By the final page, Wreck My Plans becomes a gentle, hopeful reminder: sometimes losing your plan is exactly how you find yourself again.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Fresh Start At The Cornish Country Hospital By Jo Bartlett

When life changes in an instant, how do you find the courage to begin again? ❤️‍🩹

A&E doctor, Eve Bellingham’s life changed forever the night her fiancé Max was the victim of a brutal attack. Now, two years later, she has moved her life to Cornwall and is working at St Piran’s Hospital, helping his family cope as Max struggles with his devastating injuries.

But though Eve’s loyalty has never wavered, the man she loved is gone. Annie – Max’s mother – still clings to the hope that one day everything will return to how it was, but Eve isn’t so sure it ever will. Torn between duty and despair, Eve feels trapped in a life that no longer fits.

Then she meets Felix Grainger, the dedicated occupational therapist helping Max towards independence. With kindness and quiet strength, he awakens feelings Eve thought she’d lost forever.

To seize her second chance, Eve must risk breaking the only family she’s ever known. Because sometimes, letting go is the bravest way to begin again.

About The Author

My Review

In this emotionally resonant sixth instalment of the Cornish Country Hospital series, Jo Bartlett crafts a tender, thoughtful story of resilience, loyalty, and new beginnings. The novel follows Eve, an A&E doctor whose life was irrevocably altered when her fiancé Max sustained a traumatic brain injury. Two years on, she relocates to Cornwall, balancing the demands of her career with her enduring commitment to Max and his family, while quietly confronting the uncertain future their circumstances impose.

Bartlett’s portrayal of loving someone with a life-altering injury is deeply compassionate and strikingly authentic. The novel explores the pain of navigating a life that no longer fits, alongside the hope found in reinvention and emotional courage. Eve’s evolving relationships with her colleagues and the warmth of the hospital community create a powerful sense of found family, one of the series’ most endearing qualities.

Though part of a continuing series, this book stands confidently alone, while longtime readers will appreciate the return of familiar characters. Like reconnecting with cherished friends, each visit to this series grows more rewarding — and Eve’s story proves one of its most moving yet.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Lie She Told By Emma Robinson

‘Natalie, it’s mum. You need to come home. It’s your father…’ Clutching the phone, my hands shaking, my entire world tilts. For years I’ve run from a family secret which threatened to devastate us all. But with my darling father’s life on the line, I have to face the truth, whatever the cost.

Bursting through the hospital doors, I see my mother and sister waiting in the corridor, worry etched on their faces. Over the years I’ve grown apart from my sister Victoria. She married young and started a family. I chose a different path. I had no choice but to leave so that the rest of my family could be happy.

Gathering at my father’s bedside, I clutch Victoria’s hand like we’re little again. As we start to share our memories of the fun and loving home he created, he leans towards us, uttering words which will turn our world upside down: ‘You mustn’t blame your mother. It was never her fault.’

Victoria reassures me that it must be the medication, that he doesn’t know what he is saying. But I do. Years ago, I thought our mother had betrayed us in the worst possible way. But looking at the stranger standing next to her, I know they are part of the lie my parents were so desperate to hide. The lie I ran from. But if I tell the truth of what I know, will it destroy our lives forever?

About The Author

My Review

This is a book about family, the love that binds it together, the secrets that threaten to tear it apart, and the fragile ties that must be rebuilt when the truth finally surfaces. In The Lie She Told, Emma Robinson delivers an emotionally rich and compelling family drama centered on the complicated relationship between sisters Victoria and Natalie.

When their father, Marcus, is rushed to hospital, the family is forced back under one roof. Victoria arrives immediately, while Natalie must make the long journey home from Munich, a physical distance that mirrors the emotional divide between them. As the family reunites, long-buried secrets begin to emerge, each revelation layered with tension and emotional weight.

The introduction of a mysterious stranger heightens the suspense, raising the stakes and deepening the sense that nothing is quite as it seems. Robinson excels at portraying the delicate balance between loyalty, resentment, and forgiveness within families, creating characters that feel authentic and deeply human.

Gripping, heartfelt, and expertly paced, The Lie She Told is a powerful exploration of family, truth, and the bonds that ultimately define us.

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Review Card & Book Review – Tomorrow Starts Today By Jessica Redland

It’s never too late to find yourself… 💫

After unexpectedly losing her husband, Yvonne Kellerman’s world turns quiet and grey. Five years on, her days are filled with the gentle chatter of her loyal parrot, Trevor, and the comfort of her crafting table—but she can’t shake the feeling that life is slipping her by and Yvonne feels lost and lonelier than ever.

Joining the local crafting club at Willowdale Village Hall, Yvonne expects nothing more than a few afternoons of sewing. Instead, amongst the other local crafters, she discovers friendship, laughter and a renewed appreciation for her gorgeous Lake District home. It’s a reminder that she isn’t alone and, with each new stitch, her confidence returns, and so does her belief that it’s never too late for fresh starts and new beginnings.

When a familiar face from her past reappears, Yvonne finds herself standing at a crossroads: will she protect her heart, or embrace the chance to love—and truly live—again?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, comforting story about new beginnings, friendship, and finding hope when life feels painfully quiet. Yvonne’s loneliness is immediately relatable, especially as her world has shrunk to supermarket chats and conversations with her parrot. Her decision to attend the Cake and Craft Club feels like a brave step, and watching her slowly build confidence and connection is genuinely uplifting.

Willowdale Village Hall quickly becomes a haven of kindness, tea, cake, and creative energy. The group’s warmth, alongside Saffy’s fresh ideas and Yvonne’s growing desire for change, creates a gentle yet engaging storyline filled with possibility. I loved how the friendships developed naturally, and the romance thread is handled with sensitivity and charm.

The character list at the front is a thoughtful touch, making it easy to settle into the series. Like all Jessica Redland’s books, this one offers a beautiful setting, emotionally rich characters, and that wonderful feeling of community. It’s a story that reminds you it’s never too late to start again—and that tomorrow truly can begin today.

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Review Card & Book Review- Chasing Dreams By Carolyn Brown

Chasing Dreams

Nita, Sharlene, and Billy Joe, all about to turn 80, enlist Billy Joe’s great-grandson, Ford, who has just gotten out of the Air Force, and Sharlene’s great niece, Joelle, a schoolteacher who has the summer free. Their mission—to drive the three bickering old people on a road trip to remember. Each of the octogenarians is determined to tick off at least a few bucket list items before they go. Somewhere along the journey, Ford and Joelle discover that their elderly companions aren’t the only ones who need to take some risks in life…and in love.

The Matchmakers

Dotty, Minnie and Sookie have been best friends for decades, so when they all retired they decided that living on a cruise ship was cheaper and a lot more fun than living in an assisted living facility. But after a cruise or two, they got bored and decided to become matchmakers. Not knowing that they were choosing a couple that was already bound for divorce, they had their work cut out for them. Could they get this poor couple who evidently were still very much in love back together?

A Summer to Remember (Sisters in Paradise series prequel novella)

Before she moves to the Paradise in Spanish Fort, Texas, Great Aunt Bernie runs a bar where she listens to all kinds of people’s problems. One day, Nash, Hershel, and Clara walk into her bar and change the trajectory of Bernie’s life forever. After seeing the sparks between Clara and Nash, Bernie decides to try her hand at matchmaking. If she’s good at it—and it turns out that she is—she intends to retire and get to work marrying off her seven great-nieces.

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, heartwarming collection of three novellas that celebrate friendship, romance, and the courage to embrace new beginnings at any age. Carolyn Brown delivers warmth, humor, and emotional depth in each story, creating a delightful reading experience.

The opening novella, Chasing Dreams, follows three lifelong friends nearing eighty who embark on a cross-country bucket-list adventure. Their lively personalities, humorous mishaps, and matchmaking schemes for their young companions, Ford and Joelle, make this story especially joyful and uplifting. The Matchmakers shifts to the high seas, where three retired women living aboard cruise ships attempt to save a struggling marriage. Their wit, wisdom, and persistence bring both laughter and heartfelt moments. The final novella, A Summer to Remember, offers a tender and hopeful conclusion as Bernie, a small-town bar owner, faces life-changing decisions and plays cupid for her great-niece before starting a new chapter of her own.

Together, these novellas form a warm celebration of family, love, and second chances. Chasing Dreams is a comforting, feel-good read that reminds us it’s never too late to follow your heart.

My Rating

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