Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – Greek Secret By Francesca Catlow

When Ruby arrives in Corfu, she’s greeted by a sparkling sea, hot sand and a new future. She’s ready to learn the trade at her Aunt Hazel’s taverna and she’s certainly not going to be distracted by Yianni, her handsome colleague, no matter how much they are drawn to each other.

Because getting close to someone again means facing up to her past—and the reason she was so desperate to get away from home in the first place.

But can she let go of the secrets holding her back, take a risk and put her trust in Yianni? And could making a new life for herself in Corfu finally bring her the happiness she deserves?

About The Author

My Review

The story centers on Ruby, a woman who’s just escaped a manipulative, emotionally damaging relationship in England. Desperate for a fresh start, she retreats to the Greek island of Corfu to help her Aunt Hazel run a quaint seaside taverna. Surrounded by turquoise waters, olive groves, and the warmth of village life, Ruby hopes to find peace and begin rebuilding her sense of self.

Ruby arrives with the intention of keeping to herself—romance is the last thing on her mind. But she soon meets Yianni, a handsome and kind-hearted local who works alongside her at the taverna. Their connection is undeniable, yet Ruby is cautious. She’s still carrying emotional wounds and isn’t sure she’s ready to open up again.

As Ruby finds her footing in her new environment, she slowly starts confronting the trauma she left behind. The story doesn’t shy away from exploring the long-lasting effects of emotional abuse, and Catlow handles these themes with care and authenticity. Ruby’s inner journey—learning to trust herself, recognize her worth, and make peace with her past—is central to the novel and deeply moving. , Yianni meanwhile, proves to be more than just a love interest—he’s supportive without being pushy, patient, and respectful of Ruby’s boundaries, making their slow-burn romance feel organic and earned.

This is ultimately a story about reclaiming your voice, embracing second chances, and letting the healing power of new surroundings and meaningful connections guide you forward. It’s an uplifting and tender novel, perfect for readers who enjoy stories of personal renewal wrapped in sunlit Mediterranean charm.

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Review Card & Book Review- His Small-Town Catch By Kaylie Newell

A will. A recovery. And a reunion with the love of his life. 

Professional fisherman Beau Evers’s biggest passion is his sport—or so he thinks. Until an injury and his grandfather’s death bring him back to Christmas Bay, the hometown he’d worked so hard to escape…and face-to-face with Summer Smith, the college fiancée he’d left behind. The will decrees he stay in town for a year and run the family business with his cousins. His heart dictates reuniting with Summer, no matter what the cost. But Summer isn’t easily swayed—even as Beau’s passionate kisses bring back intimate memories. Can she open herself up to trusting him…and risk her heart in the process? 

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender and emotionally rich story about second chances, personal growth, and rediscovering love where you least expect it. Set in the cozy and endearing coastal town of Christmas Bay, the novel follows Beau Evers, a professional fisherman whose fast-paced life is interrupted when an injury and the death of his grandfather force him to return home.

Back in Christmas Bay, Beau learns that his grandfather’s will has a surprising condition—he must stay in town for a year and help run the family’s antique store with his cousins. It’s the last place Beau imagined himself, but things get even more complicated when he crosses paths with Summer Smith, his former fiancée, the woman he left behind years ago.

Summer has made a quiet life for herself in Christmas Bay, pursuing her passion for refinishing furniture after leaving the hustle of her big-city career. She’s wary of Beau at first, still carrying the emotional scars from when he walked away. But as they’re thrown together through their work at the store, old sparks start to reignite. Despite their past, their chemistry is undeniable—and so is the emotional pull between them.

As Beau settles into the rhythm of small-town life, he begins to see the value in community, family, and the kind of love that endures. Summer, too, must confront her lingering feelings and decide if she’s willing to take a risk on Beau again. Their journey is full of warmth, vulnerability, and heartfelt moments. This is a sweet, satisfying romance that explores how sometimes, going back is the only way forward. Fans of emotional, second-chance love stories with a strong sense of place and family will find plenty to love in this heartfelt read.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Payback Plan By Amy Andrews

Karma’s here to stay!

When fate strands Paige Parker at O’Hare airport during a snow storm little does she know her misfortune is the beginning of a wild and life-changing adventure. Because when she meets three complete strangers, they quickly bond over shared tales of betrayal and heartbreak. And just for fun, they concoct a scheme to exact sweet revenge on their exes!

Except when the plan becomes a reality, Paige finds herself in Cornwall with Olly Prendergast. Son of a movie star, grumpy recluse and responsible for jilting his fiancé on their wedding day with a text message. The payback plan has begun! Step one: move into his spare room and disrupt his peace and quiet. Step two: bring a pet hamster, adopt a dog and let chaos run loose. Step Three: unapologetically make a mess in his pristine house at every opportunity. Step 4: Show Mr Grumpy what fun looks like!

But Paige is unprepared when the plan begins to backfire and she starts to see the man behind the reputation. And when she can’t ignore their undeniable chemistry anymore Paige has to battle with the secret she’s been keeping from Olly and loyalty to her friend and The Karma Club…

About The Author

My Review

The story begins when Paige Parker finds herself stuck at O’Hare Airport during a snowstorm. What starts as a frustrating delay turns into a life-changing moment when she meets three other women, each nursing fresh wounds from failed relationships. As they swap stories over drinks, they realize their exes deserve a little karma—and they form The Karma Club, a pact to help each other deliver some well-earned payback. Paige’s mission leads her to Cornwall, where she’s tasked with shaking up the life of Olly Prendergast, a broody recluse who humiliated his ex-fiancée by dumping her via text on their wedding day. Determined to make him squirm, Paige infiltrates his quiet life, bringing with her an entourage of animals, chaos, and her own emotional baggage. But as she gets to know Olly, she discovers that not everything is as it seems—and the lines between revenge and real feelings start to blur.

What sets this book apart is the balance between laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt emotional arcs. Paige is a standout heroine—fierce, flawed, and deeply relatable. Her journey of reclaiming her confidence and learning to trust again is both inspiring and touching. The female friendships are also a highlight, showing how strangers can become chosen family. With its charming setting, sparkling banter, and themes of healing, forgiveness, and friendship, The Payback Plan is a warm, satisfying read that’s perfect for fans of romantic comedies with emotional depth. It’s an uplifting start to a promising new series.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Chance Worth Taking By Clare Swatman

One fate, five clues, and a love story waiting to be told.

With Miranda’s children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.

So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, she is convinced it’s a sign.

Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, uplifting novel about fresh starts and self-discovery at 49. After a bike accident and a series of mysterious dreams prompt Miranda to track down a recurring figure from her subconscious, she embarks on a journey of reinvention. The first half of the book is vibrant, bolstered by the warmth and humor of her friendships with Sophie and Kirstie, while also exploring the courage it takes to step outside one’s comfort zone. However, the latter half shifts focus to predictable romantic detours—with a relationship with Jay and communication issues with Matt—that leave the reviewer wishing for more emphasis on Miranda’s personal growth beyond simply finding “the one.” Despite this, ’the engaging writing and the book’s themes of love, fate, and second chances make it a warm, enjoyable read, recommended for fans of uplifting, romantic fiction.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – A Fresh Start At Polkerran Point By Cass Grafton

They’ve both been burned by love before, but will they take a second chance?

A year on from the demise of an unhappy marriage, Kate Stretton grabs the opportunity to move to the other end of the country and start afresh in Cornwall with her teenage daughter, Mollie. Unused to the slower pace of life, Kate leaps at the chance to take on Polkerran Point’s ailing annual arts and music festival.

Soon, though, she locks horns with local Rick Devonshire, the main sponsor for the festival. Rick’s marriage has fallen apart in spectacular fashion, and the last thing he needs is Kate pushing to go against the festival’s traditions.

Between unhelpful locals, taunting messages from her ex and trying to be present for her daughter, Kate’s life is rapidly spiralling out of her control. It will take the whole village to make the festival a success, but with her determination and growing friendship with Rick, she might just do it… 

About The Author

My Review

Cass Grafton’s latest visit to Polkerran is a warm, uplifting tale of new beginnings, family, and the power of community.

Kate, reeling from the end of her marriage, takes on an events role at The Point Hotel. Though the job is less demanding than her past career, it offers her a chance to heal, spend time with her old friend Anna, and settle into village life with her teenage daughter, Mollie. When Kate impulsively agrees to organise the village festival, she finds herself at the centre of both chaos and camaraderie.

Her path soon crosses with Rick “Dev” Devonshire, a single father with a troubled young son and his own raw wounds from the past. Their slow-burn romance, filled with obstacles and heartache, is tenderly drawn and deeply engaging. Supporting characters—whether the wise Mollie, vulnerable Theo, or Dev’s memorable grandfather Ryther—add richness and depth.

Brimming with Cornish charm, quirky villagers, and emotional honesty, A Fresh Start at Polkerran Point is a delightful, heartfelt story that celebrates resilience, second chances, and the joy of finding love and belonging.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Still The Greek’s Wife By Emmy Grayson

What his wife wants:
A night with her husband!

Tessa. My marriage to Greek billionaire Rafael Drakos wasn’t the whirlwind union I desperately wanted it to be. Discovering that opened my eyes to how sheltered my existence really is. I’ll no longer deny myself the love and passion I deserve—so I want a divorce…

Rafe. My convenient bride can’t have what she wants…yet. Not until we’ve been wed a year and I can inherit my birthright. Still, I don’t expect what innocent Tessa requests in return: a wedding night. Or the wildfire of raw need it unleashes in me!

About The Author

My Review

This is a witty romance featuring Tessa and Rafe, whose arranged marriage forces them to confront past traumas and unexpected feelings. Tessa, a resilient woman who overcame partial paralysis and now designs accessible home solutions, agrees to extend her marriage with Rafe—a billionaire burdened by his abusive dead father’s strange stipulations—when he appears in Paris to convince her. With the condition that he becomes her first lover, Rafe reluctantly calculates the pros and cons before their passionate escape to Greece. As they share tender, awkward, and transformative moments, Rafe is forced to confront his inability to love, while Tessa learns that deep affection can blossom even from a marriage of convenience. The book blends humor, cultural charm, and heartfelt emotion to show that sometimes the most unconventional unions lead to true, lasting happiness.

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Review Card & Book Review- Happy Ever After At The Second Chances Sweet Shop By Hannah Lynn

Love is in the air…

After difficult times, Holly is finally adjusting to her new normal. Her daughter Hope is happy, she’s created a beautiful home, and an unexpected offer may mean fantastic opportunities for her sweet shop, Just One More.

But her sense of calm is shattered when best friend Giles drops a bombshell – a proposal to Sienna, a woman Holly barely knows and who isn’t right for Giles at all.

For Giles’s sake, she tries to make peace with Sienna, throwing herself into wedding planning. But as everyone else cheers on the ‘happy’ couple, Holly’s left questioning whether her doubts are about them – or about something in her own heart…

About The Author

My Review

Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop by Hannah Lynn is a charming, cozy romance that delights with its blend of heartfelt second chances and sugary whimsy. Set against the backdrop of a quaint small-town sweet shop, the novel finds its magic not only in confections but also in the possibility of new beginnings and unexpected love.

The story follows Holly, who, after Evan’s death, has settled into a new norm—one marked by resilient acceptance and the occasional eye roll at her good friend Giles as he dates a string of women who never quite measure up. That is, until Giles suddenly proposes to his latest girlfriend, a woman who is, for all intents and purposes, clearly the wrong match for him. Holly’s reaction—a mix of genuine concern, lingering jealousy, and disbelief—adds a delicious twist to the story, which make me to question why she feels so conflicted when it seems that Giles should be the one learning the true meaning of love.

This book is crisp, engaging prose breathes life into the sweet shop and its colorful cast of characters. Familiar faces and quirky interactions—like Holly’s exasperated amusement at Giles’s dating escapades—create an atmosphere that is both light-hearted and emotionally resonant. The book is a fun, quick read that revels in the charm of everyday life, reminding us that sometimes the sweetest moments come wrapped in the complexities of friendship, loss, and love rediscovered.

Overall, it is an uplifting celebration of love, resilience, and fresh starts—a delightful treat for anyone in need of a little extra sweetness in life.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Teacher’s Match By Kristi Hong

A new career. A new school.
And a very inconvenient new crush.

Joanna Lin is determined to avoid her mother’s matchmaking. With a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school, Joanna refuses to let anything or anyone distract her. Especially her charming new colleague Jack Sun. His kindness and passion for teaching—not to mention those dimples!—are practically irresistible. But anything beyond friendship is impossible, especially when Jack’s moving to Taiwan at the end of the school year. But as spring—and the school’s Dragon Boat Festival—draws closer, love might send all of their careful plans tumbling overboard.

About The Author

My Review

This is a sweet, clean romance that delivers a refreshing take on workplace love and cultural nuance. The story follows Joanna Lin, who’s just embarked on a new career as an art teacher at a Mandarin immersion school. Determined to steer clear of her mother’s well-meaning matchmaking efforts, Joanna is focused on her professional goals—until she meets Jack Sun, the charming new fifth-grade teacher whose warmth, kindness, and irresistible dimples quickly unsettle her carefully drawn boundaries. What makes this novel stand out is its gentle, slow-burn romance, perfectly balanced with the pressures of a new job and the looming reality that Jack is destined to return to Taiwan at the end of the school year.

While the initial premise might seem familiar, its engaging dialogue and the relatable internal conflicts of both Joanna and Jack elevate the story. Their evolving connection is portrayed with sensitivity, capturing the bittersweet tension of pursuing a relationship when time is short and circumstances are uncertain. Ultimately, this is an uplifting, heartwarming romance that reminds us that sometimes the most inconvenient crushes can lead to the most transformative experiences.

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Review Card & Book Review- Together Again At The Cornish Country Hospital By Jo Bartlett

A lost love…

A&E Nurse Amy Spencer lives a very ordinary life in Port Kara. She loves her job at the hospital and has a great group of friends, but there is something or someone missing from her life. Amy’s tried dating but no one ever compares with the one boy that got away – Lijah Byrne.

A surprise arrival…

Lijah’s life since he left Port Kara has been what dreams are made of. But lately Lijah has started to feel hollow – the fame and celebrity he once craved now makes him feel trapped. The only place he’s ever felt safe is Port Kara… so maybe it’s time to go back home?

A reunion written in the stars.

When Amy bumps into Lijah again, she only sees the boy she once loved with all her heart. But their lives are so different now. Amy knows a rekindling of their past love will end in heartbreak, but she can’t give up her second chance to be with the man she loves.

About The Author

My Review

In this fifth installment, A&E nurse Amy Spencer, a compassionate and likable heroine, finds her life upended when Lijah Byrne—the one who got away—returns to Port Kara. Once a promising musician whose star once shone brightly, Lijah now grapples with the hollowness of fame and a longing to reconnect with his roots. Their rekindled connection is layered with bittersweet nostalgia, as both characters struggle to reconcile past love with their very different present lives.

Set against the evocative backdrop of a charming Cornish town and its bustling hospital, the narrative seamlessly blends the drama of everyday medical emergencies with the personal challenges of love, loss, and self-discovery. I appreciate the warmth and authenticity of the characters, whose relationships—whether among friends or within family—feel genuine and deeply human. While some may find the romance storyline familiar, I love its uplifting humor, emotional depth, and a sense of community that makes Port Kara feel like home.

This book delivers both comfort and catharsis, making it a delightful read whether you’re returning to the series or joining it for the first time.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – My Daughter’s Silence By Caroline Finnerty

When Charlotte Daly wins a scholarship to the prestigious St Thomas’s school, her mother Ali – who has struggled to bring Charlotte up as a single mum – is so proud. She hopes this opportunity will mean a better life for her clever, brilliant daughter.

Ali worries, however, that Charlotte is having a hard time fitting in with her new, wealthy peers. So when Charlotte is invited to a sixteenth birthday party by popular boy Ollie, Ali pushes her to go, hopeful that she’ll finally make some friends.

Just before midnight, Charlotte calls Ali to come pick her up from the party. She’s shaking and silent: it’s obvious something has happened but she won’t say what.

It’s only the next day, when Ali is at work, that she learns a teenage boy has been seriously injured. Then the police turn up at their house, wanting to question Charlotte about the events of that night. People are pointing the blame at Charlotte, saying the injured boy was last seen talking to her, before he was found unconscious in the pool.

As the investigation deepens, Ali finds that everyone has their own agenda and people will stop at nothing to protect their children – especially wealthy people. Only Charlotte knows the truth about what happened that night. Can Ali get her to tell the truth before it’s too late?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Ali, a devoted single mother who has worked hard to provide for her daughter, Charlotte. When Charlotte earns a scholarship to the prestigious St Thomas’s school—a place filled with wealthy and privileged students—Ali is proud, hopeful, but also wary. She wants Charlotte to have every opportunity in life, but she’s keenly aware of the social divide and the pressures her daughter may face in this new environment.

Tensions rise when Charlotte attends a party with her new classmates, and shortly afterward, a teenage boy is found seriously injured. As the police begin to investigate, Charlotte becomes entangled in the incident, but she remains silent about what happened that night. Her silence is agonizing for Ali, who is desperate to know the truth but torn between pushing her daughter to speak and respecting her emotional boundaries.

What follows is a deeply affecting story that dives into questions of trust, loyalty, and how far a parent is willing to go to shield their child. Ali finds herself confronting not only the frightening possibility that her daughter may be hiding something serious but also the intimidating power wielded by the families of Charlotte’s wealthy peers—people who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their own. The novel touches on class divisions, the influence of privilege, and the challenges of single motherhood. It’s as much a character-driven family drama as it is a tense, morally complex psychological suspense. This is a compelling, emotionally charged novel that explores the fierce love of a mother and the moral complexities that arise when protecting a child comes at a high cost.

With heartfelt prose, realistic dialogue, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages, this is perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally layered stories with high stakes, moral dilemmas, and powerful themes of love, protection, and truth.

My Rating

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