Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Old Girls’ Chateau Escape By Kate Galley

Two old friends. One unexpected adventure!

When, at the age of 71, Gina Knight’s husband of four decades left her unexpectedly, she thought her life over. Until she met Dorothy Reed – a woman so full of the joie de vivre you’d think she was 21, not nearly 90. Gina would do anything for Dorothy. So when Dorothy suggests she take on the role of companion for one of Dorothy’s old friends, Gina sees no reason to say no.

Meredith Harper is a successful writer, living in Provence, and needs help looking after her husband, whose health is deteriorating. But when Gina arrives at the grand chateau, it becomes clear that Dorothy has not given Gina the full story. Because Meredith is also writing her memoirs, and Dorothy wants to know the contents before anyone else. So much so, she’s sent Gina to spy.

But what secrets is Meredith keeping? And will Gina be able to find out the truth before her cover’s blown?

About The Author

My Review

This heartwarming and humorous story by Kate Galley centers around Gina, a vibrant woman in her seventies, who takes on a short-term role as a companion for Meredith, a novelist recovering from an injury, and her husband in the South of France. The arrangement arises through Dorothy, Gina’s mischievous older friend, who has a personal interest in uncovering secrets tied to Meredith’s mysterious memoir.

As Gina helps type up Meredith’s memoir, she navigates the couple’s challenges, uncovers small mysteries, and proves herself indispensable with her warmth and problem-solving skills. Alongside Gina’s story, Dorothy brings her own brand of chaos and comedic meddling to the mix. The book alternates between perspectives, adding depth and humor while immersing readers in the idyllic French setting.

With its focus on strong, older women, light romance, and witty storytelling, this novel offers charm, heart, and a touch of mystery. It works well as a standalone but is even more enjoyable if read alongside its predecessor.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Valentine Box by Toni Blake

It started with a box for collecting heart wishes…

Among the constants in Taylor Mulvaney’s life are the heart-shaped box made by her father, the mysterious hearts she sometimes sees, and her longtime crush on Luke Montgomery. The valentine box has a way of connecting her and Luke time and again – and even after Luke breaks her heart before leaving their hometown of Sweetwater, Kentucky for good, she never gets completely over him.

The box brings them back together when they least expect it.

Fifteen years later, Taylor still sees hearts. And now she even makes them, baking heart-shaped treats at the Sweetheart Bake Shop. After a rough start in life, she’s found her way. Until, that is, Luke comes home for his father’s funeral, bringing a deluge of old feelings flooding back. Before she knows it, a note dropped in her still-beloved valentine box has Taylor swept up in helping him save his family’s horse farm – and trying not to fall back in love with the guy who once left her shattered.

How will it end?

Could Luke really want Taylor the way she’s always wanted him? Can she trust in the future to turn out better than the past? The valentine box is still working its magic to draw them together all these years later, but can Taylor set her fears aside long enough to believe in a second chance at love?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt second-chance romance rooted in nostalgia, small-town charm, and the enduring power of love. At its center is Taylor Mulvaney—a baker, a believer in signs, and a woman who’s never quite stopped loving her childhood crush, Luke Montgomery.

For Taylor, life has always revolved around love in its many forms: the heart-shaped box her father made, the mysterious hearts she sees everywhere, and the one boy she could never forget. When Luke returns to Sweetwater, Kentucky, after fifteen years away—brought home by the death of his father—Taylor is thrust back into old emotions, unresolved heartache, and the possibility of something new blooming from the past.

The story shines in its emotional depth and gentle pacing. Taylor is a relatable, warm heroine who has weathered pain but held onto hope. Luke, meanwhile, is a man burdened by regret and loss, slowly realizing the value of what he left behind. Their reconnection is tender and layered, filled with vulnerability, healing, and a touch of destiny—thanks to the symbolic and sentimental valentine box that quietly guides their journey. The “magic” of the valentine box offers just enough whimsy to keep the romance feeling timeless and slightly enchanted without stepping into fantasy.

The Valentine Box is a touching, slow-burn romance with small-town sweetness and an emotional core.

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Review Card & Book Review- Book People By Jackie Ashenden

When Kate, a fledgling bookseller, decides to open a bookshop that celebrates the kinds of genre fiction she loves to read (popular and fun!), she’s surprised to find that not everyone in the town is as excited as she is.

Least excited of all? Sebastian, owner of the highbrow bookshop across the road, who has rules for everything: the kind of books he sells, the clothes he wears, and the people he dates (no-one local).

When the pair find themselves working together on the town’s literary festival, their growing attraction becomes harder and harder to ignore. Professional rivalry aside, just one steamy kiss can’t mean anything, can it?

About The Author

My Review

This charming romance follows Kate and Sebastian, rival bookstore owners in a small town, whose opposite personalities and literary preferences spark an unlikely love story. With themes of community, bookish passion, and personal baggage, the novel blends humor and heartfelt moments. The subplot of historical letters adds a sweet touch, though unresolved family drama and loose story threads leave the ending feeling incomplete. Despite occasional repetition, witty banter, engaging side characters, and the cozy small-town setting make this a delightful read for fans of bookshop-themed romances.

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Review Card & Book Review- Not Your Biggest Fan By Sara Ney

Harlow James is destined to rock the dating world. The creator of Kissmet, the app helping singles find love, she’s in New York to secure advertisers. But the sassy, small-town girl can’t help meddling in other people’s business.

When she runs into a muscular stranger at her go-to food truck, Harlow doesn’t realize he’s Landon “Andy” Burke, the NFL’s most-wanted free agent, in town to talk contracts. She just sees a hottie about to get burned by undercooked street food. Though she tries to warn him, he shrugs her off, making a little wager instead.

In a messy twist of fate, Andy finds himself in the same hotel as Harlow. When she collects on their bet, they make a mind-blowing—and bed-rocking—connection. But after the weekend, she goes home to Green Bay to her goofy dad and corgi, ready to focus everything on work again. Kissmet, however, has other ideas, when Andy knocks on her door…

About The Author

My Review

Not Your Biggest Fan delivers lovable characters, witty banter, and great pacing, but lacks the edge of the author’s indie titles. The meet-cute and Andy’s reluctant feelings for Harlow were charming, as were their magnetic connection and humorous text exchanges. The sports angle and Andy’s relationship with his parents added depth and fun moments. However, the depiction of Green Bay as a small town felt off, making some details harder to connect with. While an enjoyable read with plenty of laughs, it fell short of being a standout favorite.

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Review Card & Book Review- A Mother’s Last Wish By Jo Bartlett

Two sisters, one heartbreaking promise…

To everyone who knows them, Louisa and Tom are the perfect couple. They have two beautiful kids, Stan and Flo, and are about to celebrate ten years of happy marriage. Life is perfect. But when Lou is dealt devastating news, that perfect life is turned upside down and Lou and Tom must reevaluate the very foundations on which their marriage is built.

Lou’s greatest concern is who will look after her children if she’s not there to care for them? Will anyone be able to love them like she does?

Holly can’t face the news that Lou is so sick, and as twins they’ve always been together. Older by twenty minutes, Holly has always tried to protect her little sister. So she’ll do anything, promise anything, to make Lou feel happy and safe. Holly loves Stan and Flo fiercely, but with no children of her own can she ever be the mother her sister wants for her children?

Determined to make the most of every precious moment, Lou’s final wish for her family is to show them what it really means to live and love. And as Tom and Holly try to navigate their own pain, all they want is to shower Flo and Stan with love and help them make the most of the time they have left with the mother who adores them.

About The Author

My Review

Louisa’s life takes a devastating turn when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The story follows her journey from diagnosis to her passing, told through the perspectives of Louisa, her husband Tom, and her twin sister Holly. Louisa’s greatest fear is leaving her children behind, and she selflessly focuses on ensuring their future happiness.

The book explores themes of love, family, and resilience, with touching moments, including Louisa’s participation in a support group for individuals with terminal diagnoses. It’s an emotional, beautifully written story about facing life’s hardest challenges with courage and grace.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- If The Ring Fits By Camilla Isley

When Life Gives You Lemons, Fake an Engagement

When investment banker Adrian and software engineer Rowena started the day, they didn’t expect to end it engaged! But Adrian has invented a fake fiancée to impress his CEO, regretting the lie almost immediately, and now he is in hot water. Meanwhile, Rowena’s career has just gone up in flames, leaving her unemployed, unexpectedly expecting with no father in the picture, and short of options. When fate throws these two hot messes into a meet-cute of epic proportions, it’s a match made in rock-bottom heaven. They say love is blind, and with nothing to lose, Adrian gets down on one knee… and Rowena says yes!

The rules of engagement are simple:

Pretend to be madly in love

Keep their real lives separate

Absolutely, positively do NOT catch feelings

However, faking it is harder than they thought, especially when every overnight stay comes with only one bed and zero personal space—blurring that imaginary line between ‘just business’ and ‘definitely personal.’

Soon, their carefully constructed charade starts to feel alarmingly… real. Can Adrian and Rowena stick to their engagement pact, or will their fake relationship graduate to something authentically messy, complicated, and wonderful?

Find out in this hilarious, heartwarming tale of two strangers who said “I do” before they even said “Hello.” Because sometimes, the worst day of your life just might lead to the best mistake you’ll ever make.

About The Author

My Review

This is a witty and heartfelt romcom about Rowena and Adrian, who enter a marriage of convenience to solve their respective dilemmas. Rowena, a pregnant, unemployed software engineer, needs stability, while Adrian, an ambitious investment banker, needs the appearance of a family man to secure a CEO role. Their arrangement evolves unexpectedly, blending humor, emotion, and romance. This second book in the Funny Feelings trilogy outshines its predecessor with engaging characters, palpable chemistry, and clever dialogue.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Have I Told You Lately By Beth Moran

One photo and a handful of letters can change everything.

Emmie Brown has always known she was adopted. Nellie Brown sacrificed everything to make their life together comfortable and, while not the most demonstrative or warm woman, Emmie never doubted her devotion. But, when Emmie finds a stash of letters and a hidden photo after her mother’s death, everything she has believed changes in an instant. And she won’t be able to rest until she finds the mysterious ‘G’ who sent the letters.

Emmie’s quest takes her to the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Siskin and into the home of the gregarious, fiercely loyal Hawkins family. After an isolated and introverted life, the burst of colour and noise is overwhelming. But soon Emmie feels her heart begin to open, her mind begin to dream. And as her friendship with kind and gorgeous islander Pip Hawkins gets closer, endless possible futures draw into focus.

But the discovery of ‘G’s true identity will mean Emmie has to choose. One of her choices would mean revealing secrets hidden for decades, one could lead to happiness, but both will need Emmie to be braver than she’s ever been…

About The Author

My Review

Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, love, and friendship set on the fictional Isle of Siskin in England. Emmie, raised by her devoted aunt after her mother’s death, embarks on a journey to uncover her identity after finding mysterious letters tied to her past. On the island, she discovers warmth and friendship with the Hawkins family and her love interest, Pip, while facing unexpected challenges and unraveling secrets about her mother’s sacrifices.

This story beautifully captures themes of women supporting women, personal growth, and the importance of community. Moran’s relatable, imperfect characters, vibrant island setting, and mouthwatering descriptions of food (including pasties) enrich the narrative. With elements of mystery, romance, and personal transformation, it’s a heartwarming and multi-layered story about embracing change and finding oneself.

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Review Card & Book Review – A New Chapter At The Borrow A Bookshop By Kiley Dunbar

Will her new love story be the one she’s read before?

A decade after they said goodbye after graduation, old friends Harri and Annie reunite in the beautiful village of Clove Lore in Devon – what more could these bookworms want than a holiday running the tumbledown bookshop?

Unbeknownst to Annie, Harri is arriving with a bruised heart after the end of his long-term relationship, while Annie is running away from painful memories in Texas.

Elsewhere in Clove Lore, the mysterious owner of Castle Lore has died, causing much gossip in the village. When Harri and Annie are sent to investigate the huge Gothic library, they find themselves locked in overnight and soon, are discovering their connection might be more than just good friends…

About The Author

My Review

In At the Borrow a Bookshop, Kiley Dunbar once again weaves warmth, charm, and literary magic into a delightful tale of second chances and rekindled connections. Set in the picturesque village of Clove Lore, this new chapter in the beloved series follows Harri and Annie—a pair of once-close university friends—who reunite after a decade apart to run a bookshop and café together.

Harri and Annie’s relationship forms the heart of the story. Their emotional journey—from nostalgia and unspoken regrets to the slow blooming of something more—is crafted with tenderness and believability. The friends-to-lovers arc is especially satisfying, layered with shared memories, hesitant affection, and the quiet tension of what could have been. Dunbar explores their romantic chemistry gently, giving space for each character to grow individually while allowing their bond to flourish.

Surrounding them is a delightful supporting cast and the cozy Clove Lore community, which adds depth and warmth to the narrative. As always, themes of belonging, healing, and the transformative power of books are central. The café/bookshop setting offers the perfect metaphor: a place where stories are shared, lives are nourished, and love finds its way back.

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Review Card & Book Review – Surprises On The Scottish Isle By Lilac Mills

Will they get a second chance at first love?

When newly divorced Tara McTaigh spots an advert for a studio to let in Castle Coorie’s craft centre, she packs up her Edinburgh life and moves to the Isle of Skye, eager for a fresh start.

Little does she know that the castle’s estate manager, single dad Calan Fraser, is the man who broke her heart back at university.

Thoroughly done with romance, Tara decides to ignore Cal and focus on building her business – creating dollhouses to commission. But Duncoorie is a small community, and the two keep bumping into each other…

Just as she is starting to open her heart once more to Cal, a change in his life puts everything on the line. When a surprise storm threatens Tara’s safety, will Cal realise in time that love is worth the risk?

About The Author

My Review

Surprises on the Scottish Isle by Lilac Mills is a delightful tale of new beginnings and second chances. Tara McTaigh, longing for her happily ever after, finds herself starting over after a divorce and in need of a fresh start. Moving from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye, she unexpectedly reconnects with her former university boyfriend, Calan Fraser, now a single father.

The story is easy to follow, with a manageable cast of characters, a stunning setting, and well-developed personalities. While emotions and past mistakes need to be addressed, the narrative offers charming escapism.

Following Tara’s journey of personal growth, romance, and connection, this heartwarming story set in a picturesque Scottish community is an ideal festive and feel-good read.

My Ratings

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