Category Archives: Book Review

Small-town romantic suspense

Happy Publication Day – 14 June 2026

Happiness Under A Summer Skye By Lisa Hobman

When your world is turned upside down, home is where the heart is…

Plucked from nowhere and thrust into the limelight, 21-year-old Angelia MacAuley never expected her passion for music to take her all over the world.

Fast forward 10 years, and after successfully touring the globe with the man she thinks she loves but can’t have, a shocking diagnosis forces her to rethink the glamorous life she loves and the future of those around her.

Needing to step back and rest, Angelia and her faithful companion Scrappy return to her childhood home on the Isle of Skye and the warm and welcome embrace of her parents.

With her latest property investment in the picturesque village of Glentorrin on Skye, Angelia throws herself into restoring a forgotten shop full of potential—but will she find time to heal and discover love too?

A vicar, a rock drummer, and a classical musician compete for her attention—perhaps it’s time for a fresh start in every part of her life.

More Than Just Friends By Olivia Spring

The friend zone was never meant to be this tempting…

After distance pulled them apart, best friends Alicia and Noah are finally getting to see each other again. And what better place to reconnect than the Love Hotel in Santorini? Sunshine, sunsets, cocktails… her childhood bestie… and her so-called perfect match. Eight days of pure bliss.

Except Alicia wasn’t ready for Noah’s glow-up. A year apart has turned him from geek to god, and her heart can’t keep up. Broad shoulders, slow, wicked smiles, and a subtle confidence that makes her pulse spike every time he’s near. While the hotel’s matchmaking experiment pairs them with other people who tick every box, Alicia can’t stop comparing or fantasizing about the one man she shouldn’t.

But it isn’t long before their supposedly perfect matches implode in spectacularly awkward ways. Instead of disappointment, Ali can’t stop noticing Noah. Late-night confessions, clumsy touches, and way-too-close moments begin to blur the lines.

Review Card & Book Review – Deadly Rodeo Threat By Sami A. Abrams

A trail of missing women
leads him right into a killer’s trap.

When his twin sister disappears, Navy SEAL Logan Russell’s search for her leads him deep into the woods, where he finds her best friend in the clutches of a masked assailant. Sheriff Isabelle Sinclair is determined to solve Lisa’s mysterious disappearance the night of her last rodeo—and someone will do anything to keep her from digging too deep. When crucial evidence links Lisa’s case to a string of barrel racers who’ve also vanished, Logan and Izzie fight against the clock to track down a suspected serial killer. But when he sets his sights on Izzie, can they outsmart their enemy before both women end up dead?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Navy SEAL Logan Russell returning home when his twin sister, Lisa, vanishes without a trace. Desperate for answers, Logan teams up with Sheriff Izzie—Lisa’s close friend and the girl he once knew in high school. Though unresolved tension lingers between them, they put aside their complicated past to investigate not only Lisa’s disappearance but a troubling pattern involving other missing barrel racers.

As the search intensifies, the danger escalates, and Izzie herself becomes a target. The suspense is steady and gripping, with twists that keep the stakes high and the pages turning. Amid the action, both Logan and Izzie wrestle with self-doubt, guilt, and the challenge of trusting each other—and their faith—under pressure.

The emotional core of the story shines through strong family bonds and heartfelt moments. Izzie’s supportive family adds warmth, while Logan’s loyal service dog brings both comfort and charm. Sami A. Abrams delivers a compelling blend of romance, faith, and edge-of-your-seat suspense in this thrilling small-town mystery.

Second chance romance

Forced proximity

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Review Card & Book Review- The Cottage At The Edge Of The Woods By Jane Lovering

💕 One house 🏡 Two broken hearts 💔 A lifetime of secrets ✨

When single mum Libby is offered a life-changing sum of money to clear out an old cottage in the woods, she expects dust and decay. She doesn’t expect a house full of secrets, a room full of birds, and a woman who refuses to leave.

The handsome but stressed architect who hired Libby is also a puzzle. Why can’t Ross empty Elm Cottage himself? What can he possibly see in Libby, who has been burned by love and is wary of attachment? How can they persuade the mysterious but kindly Isobel to move on?

As Libby is pulled into the cottage’s story, she must face up to her own deepest fears. Can she help Isobel, fight the past that haunts her, and learn to open her own heart to love once more?

Some houses won’t let go of the past. Some people won’t, either…

About The Author

My Review

This book is about Libby, a single mother fleeing a stalking ex as she tries to rebuild a safe, stable life for her young daughter. When she takes a job from architect Ross to clear out a crumbling woodland cottage before demolition, she expects hard work—not emotional upheaval. Battling a persistent bird phobia and her lingering trauma, Libby instead forms an unexpected bond with Isobel, the enigmatic woman still living in the cottage.

The Cottage at the Edge of the Woods unfolds in surprising ways, skillfully subverting expectations about love, justice, and healing. Just when the outcome seems clear, fresh family secrets shift the emotional ground beneath the characters’ feet. The uncertainty keeps the tension alive, making you genuinely wonder who will find happiness and at what cost.

Despite tackling heavy themes—stalking, fear, and mental health—the prose remains accessible and heartfelt. The struggles Libby and Ross face feel authentic and human, never overdramatized. Ultimately, this is a comforting yet thought-provoking story about resilience, friendship, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again.

Single Mom Starting Over

Woodland Healing Journey

Found Family

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Until The Truth Comes Out By Melanie Summers

A rockstar at the height of his fame.
A wife on the edge.
A secret that can’t stay hidden.
And a single night that will change everything.

In the spring of 1997, Zane McCreight and his wife, Sienna, appear to have it all—sold-out stadiums, magazine covers, and the perfect family. But behind the image, their marriage is fracturing, and a scandal is quietly spiraling out of control.

As Zane’s band prepares for a massive tribute concert in the desert—under the eerie glow of the Hale-Bopp comet—tensions rise. Lies are told. Loyalties are tested. And two women find themselves trapped between ambition, betrayal, and the impossible weight of motherhood.

Then, on the night of the show—while the world is watching the stage—the youngest two McCreight children vanish.

Emotionally complex and deeply character-driven, Until the Truth Comes Out is a gripping tale of fame, marriage, the devastating cost of keeping secrets—and the strength of the women left to carry it all.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about fame, secrets, and the explosive consequences of one night that refuses to stay buried. In Until the Truth Comes Out: A Novel, Melanie Summers transports readers back to the late ’90s and into the chaotic orbit of chart-topping band The Vows—where sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll collide with loyalty, betrayal, and ambition.

At the center are Zane and his wife Sienna, whose marriage strains under the relentless pressures of celebrity life. Alongside them are bandmates Mike, Steven, and Rusty, formidable manager Dean, and the unforgettable Claudia Crawford—a talented singer-songwriter whose arrival shifts the group’s dynamic in shocking ways. The novel opens with a tantalizing glimpse of a pivotal night before rewinding to unravel the tangled web of lies, half-truths, and simmering resentments that lead there.

Summers vividly captures the era’s music scene, from the culture to the excess, grounding the drama in authentic detail. Twists land with jaw-dropping impact, and no character escapes scrutiny—especially those whose motives slither beneath the surface.

Gripping, dramatic, and emotionally charged, this novel is a page-turning deep dive into the cost of fame and the truth that eventually demands to be heard.

Rock Star Romance

Fame & Scandal

Secrets and Betrayal

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Second Chances By Roisin Meaney

It’s never too late for second chances…

For the first time in her life, Lydia is taking a great big leap of faith. She’s moving to a small town on the west coast of Ireland to overhaul a large, long-abandoned residence named Chance House with her new husband.

But when things don’t go as planned, Lydia is reminded why she doesn’t take chances. Suddenly she’s facing a very different prospect: a half-finished ramshackle estate, an overgrown garden, dwindling funds, and some difficult choices to make.

Starting over feels impossible. Staying put feels harder still. But when the local community rallies around her and Lydia is unexpectedly reminded of the power of new beginnings, she realises she might just owe it to herself and them to take a second chance on Chance House . . .

About The Author

My Review

This book is about love, loss, and the fragile bravery it takes to begin again when life veers wildly off course. In Second Chances, Roisin Meaney crafts a heartfelt and hopeful story rooted in resilience and community on Ireland’s west coast.

Lydia, a Dublin yoga instructor, falls swiftly for Damien, a charismatic chef from a small seaside village. Swept up in romance and possibility, she leaves city life behind to build a future with him in Chance House, a derelict property brimming with promise. But when tragedy strikes, Lydia’s world shatters, leaving her to navigate overwhelming grief and uncertain dreams alone.

What follows is an emotional journey of reckoning and renewal. Meaney beautifully captures Lydia’s inner turmoil—her fear, exhaustion, and doubt—while also illuminating the quiet strength she draws from the warm, steadfast local community. The villagers’ compassion becomes a lifeline, reminding Lydia that even in devastation, hope can flicker.

Tender, authentic, and deeply human, this novel balances heartbreak with healing. It’s a moving tribute to ordinary lives transformed by extraordinary circumstances—and a gentle reminder that sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to new beginnings.

Small-Town Community

Second Chances at Life

Healing After Loss

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Fish-out-of-water romance

Review Card & Book Review- Roped Into Paradise By Shanna Hatfield

A cowboy, a cruise, and a meddling grandma—what could go wrong?
JJ McKade expected to spend two weeks with his grandmother at her condo in sunny Florida, celebrating her birthday. Instead, he got shanghaied by his mischievous grandma on a Caribbean cruise—complete with hot pink luggage, a gaggle of giggling octogenarians, and a humiliating childhood nickname haunting his every move.

Between meddling matchmakers, unexpected friendships, and the endless chaos of cruise life, JJ can’t help being drawn to Kinsley Kline, the ship’s enchanting horticulturist. There’s just one catch: crew fraternizing with passengers is strictly forbidden.

With only a few months left in her contract aboard The Affinity, Kinsley can’t let anything rock her boat or derail her plans. Then the arrival of a hunky cowboy on the ship makes her question if some rules are meant to be broken, and a little boat rocking is a good thing.

From sun-drenched beaches to moonlit strolls, JJ and Kinsley must decide if an onboard romance can last on land, and if love is worth risking their hearts.

About The Author

My Review

This book start is about a hardworking cowboy whose quiet birthday visit to his grandmother turns into a wildly unexpected adventure at sea. In Roped Into Paradise, Shanna Hatfield delivers a charming, feel-good romance filled with humor, heart, and plenty of surprises.

JJ McKade flies to Florida each year to celebrate his beloved grandmother’s birthday, expecting nothing more than cake and family time. Instead, for her 80th birthday, Grams shocks him with a spontaneous cruise—complete with a 4 a.m. shopping spree for clothes far removed from his usual jeans and boots. Exhausted but devoted, JJ gamely agrees, proving there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his sweet Grams.

Things truly take off when he collides—almost literally—with a cruise line horticulturist, saving her lilies and possibly losing his heart in the process. Their instant chemistry is swoony and sweet, unfolding against the lively backdrop of a cruise filled with spirited octogenarians.

Fast-paced, witty, and delightfully wholesome, this story blends fish-out-of-water comedy with tender romance, creating a refreshing escape brimming with warmth and joy.

Forced proximity

Sweet romance

My Rating

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Self-Discovery & Reinvention

Review Card & Book Review- The Woman Who Turned Her Life Around By Fiona Gibson

🎸 Is it ever too late for an encore? 🎸

When they were young, Josie and Shane thought both they and their band were headed for greatness. But fast forward three decades, and Josie’s life looks more like this:

A dead-end job in a niche London bookshop. A boyfriend who thinks the answer to their financial problems is Josie sharing photos of her feet on OnlyFans. A grown daughter who’d rather Josie stayed out of her new family’s business

Then Ravi – their band’s fearless frontwoman and Josie’s oldest friend – dies, leaving one last request: for Josie and Shane to finish the ‘tour’ they abandoned all those years ago. Which is how Josie ends up rattling up the motorway in a retired ambulance with one mattress, one map, and the man who once broke her heart.

Will this be yet another mistake for Josie? Or could it be her chance to make her life what she’d always dreamed it would be?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a woman rediscovering her spark and daring to reclaim the dreams she once set aside. In The Woman Who Turned Her Life Around, Fiona Gibson delivers a warm, witty, and deeply uplifting story about second chances and the courage to begin again.

Josie feels stuck—trapped in a draining relationship, unfulfilled at work, and uncertain of her place in her grown daughter’s life. The vibrant future she once imagined as part of a band seems long gone. But when her fearless former bandmate Ravi dies, leaving behind one final wish, Josie is propelled into an unexpected road trip that becomes both a physical and emotional journey.

Climbing into a retired ambulance with Shane—the man who once broke her heart—Josie embarks on a chaotic, heartfelt adventure filled with unresolved history, humour, and healing. Their shared past adds depth and tenderness as grief gradually gives way to clarity and renewed possibility.

Balancing nostalgia with growth, this novel celebrates friendship, music, and self-belief. It’s an empowering reminder that it’s never too late to step back into the spotlight and give yourself the encore you deserve.

Second Chance Romance

Road Trip Adventure

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – The Cottage In The Clouds By Caroline Young

When Elin Pugh’s life in London crumbles, she returns to the Welsh mountains of her childhood to care for Anwen Jones, the enigmatic artist who once filled her young heart with dreams of creativity and freedom.

Anwen lives alone in a ramshackle cottage high in the hills, surrounded by cats and decades of dust-covered paintings. Fiercely independent and famously difficult, she’s spent years driving away visitors with her sharp tongue and signs warning trespassers to ‘Go Away’. But as Elin settles into life in the shadow of the mountains, she discovers that beneath Anwen’s prickly exterior lies a woman with an extraordinary story to tell.

Helping the ailing artist catalogue a lifetime of work, Elin begins to uncover long-buried secrets about her own past that her mother has kept hidden for over thirty years. Soon she discovers that her journey home was about more than escaping – it was about finding out who she really is, rediscovering the life-changing joy of creativity and learning where she truly belongs.

A sweeping story of love, loss and the wonder of the natural world, The Cottage in the Clouds explores how creativity and unexpected bonds can help us to heal and find our way back to ourselves.

About The Author

My Review

This book is about a woman returning to her Welsh mountain roots in search of healing, identity, and the courage to reshape her future. In The Cottage in the Clouds, Caroline Young crafts a lyrical, atmospheric novel where landscape and emotion are deeply intertwined.

Elin, feeling adrift and burdened by family wounds and romantic disappointments, journeys back to the place that once nurtured her creativity. Reuniting with her enigmatic childhood friend Anwen, and reconnecting with memories of her troubled parents, she begins to confront the “unmapped country” within herself—a theme beautifully underscored by quotations from George Eliot. These literary touches add richness and psychological depth, echoing Elin’s quiet yearning for more than the life she has settled for.

The Welsh mountains are rendered with breathtaking beauty, becoming a character in their own right—wild, grounding, and transformative. Dylan, a gentle musician also rediscovering his roots, brings a tender, slow-burning romance that unfolds with authenticity and emotional restraint.

Poetic, introspective, and deeply moving, this novel is a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, love, and belonging.

Return to hometown

Slow-burn romance

Friends to lovers

My Rating

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