Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- The Love Intervention By Caroline Khoury

Science says love is the solution to her problems, but will she find the right formula?

Clinical scientist Laila has no time to date. Cooped up in a hospital lab all day, she’s busy working towards her five-year plan. But when her carefully structured world starts to crumble, her friends stage an intervention – a love intervention.

Their plan: remind Laila there’s more to life than work and reconnect her with the three men who stole her heart while she was studying in the States ten years ago – Austin, Edoardo, and Mateo. From California to Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, Laila reunites with her past and reignites passions she thought were long dormant.

But who will be the one to rewrite her five-year plan? And was it just her love life which needed an intervention?

A sparklingly fun love-square…

About The Author

My Review

Laila, a dedicated clinical scientist, has spent years prioritizing work and family over romance. Concerned for her, her best friends stage a “love intervention,” planning a three-week trip where she reconnects with three past loves—Austin, Edoardo, and Mateo.

From California to Costa Rica, Laila faces old emotions, rekindled passion, and long-buried guilt. As she navigates second chances and self-discovery, she realizes she’s been holding herself back. The novel balances romance, grief, and personal growth, with well-placed flashbacks linking past and present.

While Laila evolves, the male characters feel less developed, but this remains her journey. A fun, heartfelt read with engaging travel and emotional depth, it leaves readers eager for more.

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Review Card & Book Review- Remember I Love You By Claudia Carroll

Recently-widowed father of one Luke is desperate for a sign.

Since his beloved wife Helen passed, Luke and six-year-old Amy are just about keeping the show on the road, but he’d do anything to have Helen near him again.

Connie’s much-missed mum was everything to her daughter. A friend, a cheer-leader, a comfort, and the best housemate Connie ever had. What she wouldn’t give to speak to her one more time…

Teenage twins Alex and Lucy both miss their dad desperately but neither have the words to put it right.

In the heart of Dublin, a quiet community is forming, drawn together by the loved ones they have lost, but kept together by friendship and laughter. As Luke, Connie, Alex, Lucy and the other patrons of the Leesom Street Café learn to smile again, none of them are quite ready for meeting the person who may be able to make all their dreams come true.

Because if you love and listen hard enough, goodbye might not be the end.

About The Author

My Review

This novel follows Connie, Luke, and Lucasta, three individuals navigating the complexities of grief. Though the story centers on loss, it is written with warmth, humor, and a sense of hope, making it an uplifting rather than sorrowful read.

The characters find solace at a Bereavement Café, which becomes a supportive space where they share their struggles and participate in spiritual activities led by a local celebrity author. As they bond, they begin to heal—helping each other through life’s challenges, such as returning to work, single parenthood, and selling a family home, all while the world continues moving forward.

What sets this book apart is its lighthearted approach to mourning. It embraces the idea that lost loved ones remain with us in unexpected ways, whether through humorous signs or fond memories. Rather than simplifying grief, it portrays the experience authentically, much like reminiscing with family and friends, sharing both tears and laughter. This heartfelt and relatable story reassures readers that while loss is inevitable, love and connection endure, making it a comforting read for anyone coping with bereavement.

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Review Card & Book Review – Born For This By Caitlin Devlin

Harley Carmichael-Roth was born into money. She has everything a girl could dream of, except the one thing she really wants—a successful career as an actor. Harley’s aunt Rachael Carmichael went from silver screen legend to Hollywood recluse, and now Harley cannot get in the door. That is, until she is cast to play Rachael, a woman she looks so similar to but doesn’t know. Is this her chance?

Invited into Rachael’s world, Harley wants to uncover everything about her glamorous life during the nineties in London, her trips to Hollywood, her friendships and why Rachael retreated from the world after her divorce.

But the closer Harley gets to Rachael, the more she realises that her aunt’s story exposes horrifying secrets about their family. To embody her aunt on screen, Harley needs to understand Rachael’s life, in all of its beauty and tragedy. But is Harley ready to accept the truth about her past? And can Rachael forgive—or is it too late for them both?

About The Author

My Review

Rachel Carmichael, a former global movie star, disappears from the spotlight after her high-profile marriage ends. Her niece, Harley Roth, struggling to make it in Hollywood, sees an opportunity when a movie about Rachel’s life is announced. Hoping for her big break, Harley gets unexpectedly close to Rachel, who is finally ready to share her story. But in Hollywood, truth and illusion blur.

Told from both women’s perspectives, the novel explores fame, ambition, and identity, with twists that keep readers guessing. Rachel’s diary offers a raw and humorous look into her life, while Harley wrestles with her own motivations. A gripping and well-crafted story, this novel delivers both depth and drama.

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Review Card & Book Review- The Kiss Lottery By Ilsa Madden- Mills

Roses are red, violets are blue—someone in Rose has feelings for you…

Yeah, bad ones. Everly Davis didn’t leave her tight-knit hometown on the best terms. It’s been ten years, but you don’t forget heartbreak like that. Then again, the anonymous invite to the annual Kiss Lottery in Rose, Tennessee, gives Everly content for her podcast. And she has a bone to pick with that old heartbreak anyway.

Beckett Whitfield has never left Rose—and he’s never forgotten Everly. He even named the villain in his latest bestseller after her. Turns out she’s not happy about that. Nothing about their reunion is particularly happy, and after the way they left things, what did he expect?

When the Kiss Lottery pairs them together, Everly and Beckett will have to confront old feelings that never went away and the secrets they never shared. But finally telling each other everything might be exactly what they’ve needed all along.

About The Author

My Review

It is a charming and heartfelt novella that delivers a delightful mix of small-town nostalgia, second chances, and sizzling chemistry. Everly Davis’s return to Rose, Tennessee, after a decade away, sets the stage for a story filled with unresolved feelings, sharp banter, and emotional depth.

Everly and Beckett’s reunion is both tense and tender. Their shared past—full of pain, misunderstandings, and buried affection—makes their journey from former friends and exes to reluctant partners in the lottery especially compelling. Ilsa Madden-Mills does a great job balancing angst and humor, and the layered dynamic between the characters keeps the story engaging despite its shorter length.

With its sweet themes of forgiveness, rediscovery, and belonging, it hits all the right emotional notes. It’s a lovely, quick read that will leave you smiling, especially if you enjoy second-chance romances with heart, heat, and small-town charm.

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Review Card & Book Review- If We Could Turn Back Time By Sian O’Gorman

Three generations. Two families. One secret.

After another relationship disaster Alice Littleton returns home to spend summer in Dublin’s Sandycove with her Mum, Ciara and beloved grandmother, Eva at their family deli and grocers.

As Alice settles back into her old life with best friend Becca and her new boyfriend Conal Blake, she begins to fall back in love with the everyday rhythms of their family shop and Irish life. Is this the tonic she needs to mend a broken heart?

Single and with mid-life looming her mother Ciara is consumed with running the family deli and feels life is passing her by until best friend Mary-Marg suggests they restart the disco they used to run as teenagers. Could this be what Sandycove’s millennials need or will there be murder on the dancefloor?

But it seems all small-towns have their fair share of secrets and ultimately the past will always catch up with you.

Why does Conal’s grandmother insist on meeting Alice and what happened between her and Eva?
And why hasn’t Ciara spoken to Conal’s father, Paddy, for thirty years?

Is it time for the truth to be told so they can change their future?

About The Author

My Review

If We Could Turn Back Time is a heartwarming story about family, friendships, and finding joy in the present. After spending ten years in Australia, Alice returns home to Sandycove, where she reconnects with her mother, Ciara, and grandmother. While life abroad had its appeal, being back home brings its own comforts. Alice helps run the family shop, giving Ciara the freedom to enjoy life more, especially with her best friend, Mary-Marg. Their friendship is a highlight, as they embark on plans to bring fun and excitement to the over-forty-five community in their town.

However, an old family mystery involving Alice’s and Conal’s families lingers in the background. As Alice settles in, questions arise about their past connection. When the truth is finally revealed, it brings a mix of emotions and challenges both families to confront their history.

Filled with warmth, humor, and heartfelt moments, If We Could Turn Back Time is an uplifting novel about second chances, love, and the importance of embracing the present. The charming setting of Sandycove and the engaging storytelling make it a perfect, feel-good read.

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Review Card & Book Review- Finding Home In Hartfell By Suzanne Snow

The eldest of five siblings and mother of teenage Harriet, Pippa is the glue that holds the family together. When her father, rock legend Jonny Jones, asks her to ‘sort out’ an old family home in Hartfell, the last thing she wants is to spend hers and Harriet’s summer holiday in the Yorkshire Dales.

Surprises lie in wait – the house has a tenant, local vet Gil, who does not want to leave. Even as sparks fly with the handsome vet, tensions rise when Pippa’s plans put his practice and the village fete under threat.

Can she turn the fete into a success and win back the villagers’ approval? And will Pippa unstick herself from her demanding family enough to go after what she needs?

About The Author

My Review

Pippa and her daughter Harriet arrive in Hartfell to sell an inherited farmhouse but soon find themselves drawn to the charming village. Pippa clashes with Gil, the local vet who lives in the farmhouse, while Harriet bonds with a local boy and helps at the animal sanctuary. Village tensions rise due to Pippa’s rockstar father’s past, but a special performance by her famous brother may help mend relationships. As Pippa uncovers family secrets and warms to Gil, she must decide where her future lies. A heartwarming tale of love, second chances, and community, with humor and vivid rural charm.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Many Futures Of Maddy Hart By Laura Pearson

Suddenly Maddy is right there… in her own future. And it’s all wrong, yet again.

It happens to her every time. When the kisses lead to the bedroom, just when she thinks she might have found the one… Just for a split second, Maddy disappears, and she finds that she’s living her own life. But ten years from now.

She’s only there for a little while. But each time, it’s long enough to know that she doesn’t want to be any of those versions of Maddy. Because every man she falls for seems to lead her to a life that is just… wrong.

Until she meets Oliver. And the vision of what lies ahead for them is happy. A little girl runs around, her braids flying behind her, giggling about how she wants sausages for dinner. She has eyes just like Oliver’s.

There’s just one catch. If Maddy wants the life she’s seeing with Oliver, she realises she has to break his heart now…

About The Author

My Review

This novel presents a unique and thought-provoking premise, following Maddy as she experiences time jumps and glimpses into possible futures. Her journey, particularly in navigating her chaotic love life and evolving career, offers an intriguing exploration of life’s unpredictability.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its realistic portrayal of dreams and ambitions, such as Maddy’s transition from struggling actress to screenwriter and Henry’s unfulfilled football aspirations due to injury. However, the romance between Maddy and Oliver falls short, as the moral dilemma surrounding their relationship feels unsatisfying and underdeveloped.

Despite its creative concept, the novel’s brevity limits its ability to fully explore key themes and plot points. Unresolved elements, such as the significance of Isla’s name and Maddy’s visions involving her mother, leave gaps in the story.

Overall, this book is an ambitious and imaginative read that could have benefited from more depth.

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Review Card & Book Review- Sweet Escape By Meredith Wild & Jillian Liota

After a heartbreaking betrayal, singer-songwriter Vivian Walsh needs a getaway. Her best friend Murphy’s family vineyard is the perfect refuge to focus on her new album, free from unnecessary distractions—like men. Few are more tempting than Murphy’s workaholic brother, Memphis. He’s infuriatingly handsome, and Vivian can’t resist teasing him whenever she gets the chance.

Memphis has a lot on his plate with his struggling family business. The last thing he needs in his life is a spitfire like Vivian. They have nothing in common but the heat between them. The good news is that neither of them are looking for a relationship. Just release from the pressure. One no-strings night with Vivian couldn’t hurt. Or two. Or three. Maybe a distraction is exactly what they need.

When Vivian’s life back in LA comes calling, both realize their feelings might have grown far more than they planned. They will have to decide: Is it time to say goodbye? Or can their sweet escape turn into their forever?

About The Author

My Review

In Sweet Escape by Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota, singer-songwriter Vivian Walsh visits her best friend, Murphy, after discovering her boyfriend’s infidelity. A night out leads her to a charming bartender—who turns out to be Murphy’s brother, Memphis Hawthorne. Their instant attraction was never meant to last beyond one night, but fate has other plans.

Memphis is focused on saving his family’s struggling vineyard, taking on any task necessary, including shifts at the restaurant’s bar. Meeting Vivian is an unexpected but welcome distraction. As their chemistry deepens, they must decide if they’re willing to take a chance on something real.

With sizzling romance, heartfelt emotion, and well-developed characters, Sweet Escape is a captivating love story filled with passion, witty banter, and just the right amount of drama.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Little Island Flower Stall By Tilly Tennant

When Bella’s heart is broken by her cheating husband, she runs towards those who love her and won’t let her down. Packing a bag, she escapes to Jersey, to help her beloved great-aunt Celestine run her seaside flower stall.

Soon Bella begins to find peace as she arranges wildflowers in vases and learns lessons about life from Celestine, who has loved and lost many times during her years on the island. But when charismatic, brooding Rory arrives at the flower stall, seeking answers about his own family’s past, could all that be about to change?

Bella can’t help but be drawn to Rory, with his aquamarine eyes, and as they walk together under vast blue skies, discussing his tragic family history, Bella wonders if her great-aunt might be able to help.

But when Bella shows Celestine a letter about Rory’s lost grandfather, hidden on the island during the war, her beloved aunt shuts her out. What does Celestine know and why won’t she open her heart? And when Bella discovers that Rory has been keeping something important from her, she fears she has trusted the wrong person once again…

Bella is determined to get to the bottom of the long-buried secret at the heart of this beautiful island. Can it bring her the new beginning that she desperately needs?

About The Author

My Review

Set on the idyllic island of Jersey, the novel follows Bella, a woman reeling from her husband’s betrayal, who seeks refuge with her fiercely independent 94-year-old great-aunt, Celestine. The charming flower stall becomes more than just a backdrop—it’s a symbol of resilience, renewal, and community.

As Bella helps Celestine and tries to rebuild her own life, she crosses paths with Rory, a man on a poignant quest to uncover the truth about his grandfather’s wartime origins. Their shared journey through local archives and long-held secrets gradually brings them closer, while also unearthing moving stories of courage and love from the past. Bella’s emotional growth is handled with sensitivity, and the budding romance with Rory feels genuine and grounded. Celestine, with her feisty personality and quiet wisdom, is a standout.

Overall, this is a lovely escape with emotional resonance and an uplifting message about starting over and embracing the unexpected.

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