Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – Snowy Surprises In The Highlands By Lisa Hobman

Magic happens when you least expect it…

Bella Douglas is living her dream life on the Isle of Skye but misses her friends at Drumblair Castle. She has the love of her life by her side, Granny Isla just up the road and has landed a big job to renovate the interior of a gorgeous Victorian hotel for an American client. What could possibly go wrong?

When Bella’s new client sends their son to project manage the hotel renovation, things take an unexpected turn for the worse. Ex-model Carlton Somers has set his sights on Bella and doesn’t seem to understand the word ‘no’. But her relationship with Harris is rock solid; nothing can break that foundation … can it?

Meanwhile Granny Isla’s ‘friendship’ with her neighbour Tam Guthrie is going from strength to strength but when drama hits Pabay View Residential Home Bella’s life is quickly sent into a tailspin.
What will it take to get her life back on track?
And can she ever find time to focus on her own happiness and future?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming festive read that captures both the magic of the season and the enduring appeal of the Scottish Highlands. Hobman’s talent for creating warm, relatable characters shines once again in this story of love, resilience, and community spirit.

At the heart of the novel is Bella Douglas, whose idyllic life on the Isle of Skye is tested when a charismatic ex-model arrives, threatening to unsettle her happiness. Hobman handles the conflict with a deft touch, ensuring the tension never overshadows the uplifting, cosy tone that defines the book. The Isle of Skye setting is painted vividly, its snow-dusted beauty providing the perfect stage for a tale that blends romance with gentle drama.

A particular highlight is the subplot featuring Granny Isla and Tam Guthrie, which demonstrates that love and companionship can be rediscovered at any age. Their storyline at Pabay View Residential Home adds both humor and poignancy. Overall, it is a delightful seasonal escape, full of warmth, charm, and heartfelt moments.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- The Boy Next Door By Sian O’Gorman

You’ve only got one life, so make sure you LOVE it!

Journalist Claudia Kelly loves her work at one of Dublin’s best magazines but when she is tasked with editing Irish Man, she’s unsure she’s up to the big job.

But when her former childhood neighbour, the handsome artist Johnny Hogan returns home, he and Claudia immediately resume their old friendship and he encourages her to take the role.

With an impending hostile boardroom takeover, Claudia is forced to pick a side whilst navigating her mother’s new romance and her sister Fiona’s earth-shattering secret. With a dysfunctional team to manage and new skills to learn, she has to draw on an unknown inner strength.

But why is the mysterious Brian O’Brien, a former friend of her late father, back in their life? And why has the company’s chairman so much faith in her? Can Claudia finally open a new page on a happier life for them all?

About The Author

My Review

The Boy Next Door is a heartwarming story about taking chances, embracing change, and finding strength when life throws unexpected challenges your way.

Claudia Kelly loves her job at a Dublin magazine, but when she’s suddenly asked to edit Irish Man, she isn’t sure she’s ready for such a big role. Support arrives from an unexpected source—her childhood neighbour, Johnny Hogan, now a successful artist back home. Their renewed friendship, with the possibility of something more, gives Claudia the encouragement she needs.

As she navigates an impending boardroom takeover, a difficult team, and her own doubts, Claudia also faces upheaval in her personal life: her mother’s new romance, her sister Fiona’s shocking secret, and the return of Brian O’Brien, a man mysteriously linked to her late father. With so much at stake, Claudia must discover her inner resilience and decide what—and who—she really wants.

Though the story takes a little time to build, Sian O’Gorman weaves together family, friendship, work, and gentle romance into an uplifting, relatable read about stepping out of your comfort zone and seizing new opportunities.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon.

Review Card & Book Review- Time for You By Elizabeth Davis

Daphne Griffin is a first-year Minnesota resident in emergency medicine when she rides her bike into a man who appears out of thin air. Physically, he’s fine. Confused? Very. He claims he’s Henry MacDonald, from Edinburgh, Scotland, 1885.

The closer Daphne gets to Henry, the more probable the impossible notion of a time traveler looks. The how and why are vitally important to Henry, who needs to return home before his widowed mother and two sisters lose the family business. In the meantime, he’s adjusting to the marvels of twenty-first-century life and his feelings for the irresistible Daphne. As for her? She’s never met a man so charming, or one who makes her so deliriously happy.

It has the makings of a perfect romance, if not for the century and a half separating his time from hers. Time is running out to get Henry back home—and for him to decide once and for all where his heart belongs.

About The Author

My Review

Time for You is a delightful blend of romance, medical drama, and time-travel intrigue. This installment focuses on Daphne, a hardworking ER resident, whose life changes the night Henry mysteriously arrives in her emergency room. Though he has no injuries, Henry claims he is from late nineteenth-century Scotland—a revelation that sets Daphne and her friends on a quest to help him return home, possibly during the next solstice.

What makes this story shine is the relationship between Daphne and Henry. As Daphne struggles with the pressures of hospital life and figuring out her future in medicine, Henry offers steady, thoughtful support. Their romance develops slowly and tenderly, making their connection feel genuine and earned. At the same time, Henry’s “fish out of water” experiences in the modern world bring moments of levity, from his awe at twenty-first century innovations to his attempts at fitting into Daphne’s world.

Elizabeth Davis has crafted a charming, heartfelt story that balances humor, emotion, and hope. Perfect for fans of time-travel romance, supportive heroes, and love that transcends centuries.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Mending Hearts At The Cornish Country Hospital By Jo Bartlett

fresh start…

For A&E nurse Eden Grainger, Port Kara offers more than just a safe haven. It’s a chance to break free from her ex Jesse and start a new life. Her focus now is solely on her four-year-old son, Teddie, whose autism means he sees the world in his own unique way.

A guarded heart…

Pathologist Drew Redford prefers to keep himself to himself in the busy hospital. Shaped by family loss and navigating life with high-functioning autism, he finds comfort in certainty. But when Eden and Teddie enter his world, an unexpected connection forms, especially through his gentle interactions with little Teddie.

A kindred connection…

Despite a growing fondness, both Eden and Drew are cautious. Eden is wary of repeating old mistakes, and Drew struggles with letting people in. But Teddie continues to bring them together and Eden thinks this could be the start of something really special. But when Jesse returns, Eden is thrown into turmoil and makes a mistake that could cost her everything.

About The Author

My Review

Eden Grainger returns to Port Kara with her young son, Teddie, determined to build a safer, happier life after leaving a damaging relationship. As she begins her new role as an A&E nurse, she also faces the challenge of mending her fractured relationship with her mother. Teddie, who is on the autism spectrum, is the heart of Eden’s world, and his presence makes this story especially moving.

At St Piran’s Hospital, Eden meets Drew Redford, a pathologist who thrives on routine and order. Drew, who has high-functioning autism, forms a quick and natural bond with Teddie, creating the foundation for a slow-burn romance with Eden. Their journey is filled with vulnerability, healing, and quiet hope.

With a vivid Cornish setting, familiar supporting characters, and Bartlett’s trademark warmth, this book balances heartbreak and uplift beautifully. Sensitive, romantic, and full of heart, it’s a perfect read for fans of medical romance and second chances.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Christmas For The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant

Snow crunches underfoot, lights twinkle on the lakes, and in the little village of Thimblebury, midwife Zoe is hoping for more than one Christmas miracle…

Christmas has crept up on village midwife, Zoe Padbury. The little village of Thimblebury is having a baby boom and suddenly there’s only a week to go. She had visions of magic moments beneath the mistletoe with her new boyfriend, Alex, but with all the babies being born and her grumpy new boss at the surgery, their first Christmas together isn’t quite going to plan.

Still, Zoe feels happier and more in love than ever before, and when her old friend, Georgia, moves to the village, it feels like the icing on her Christmas cake. Georgia’s own baby is due at any minute, and Zoe is determined to give her the love and attention she gives all her expectant mums. But when she pays Georgia a home visit, she can’t shake the feeling that she is hiding something…

Zoe is determined to find out what’s wrong, even though Alex thinks she shouldn’t interfere. Zoe needs to put her old friend first, but Alex’s behaviour is reminding her that there is still so much she doesn’t know about him… As long-held secrets unravel, will Zoe and Alex be able to keep their own festive magic alive?

About The Author

My Review

Zoe Padbury, the ever-dedicated village midwife, is thriving both in her work and in her relationship with Alex. Their romance is tender and believable, though Alex’s daughter, Billie, adds a poignant thread as she struggles with grief and a complicated pregnancy. Zoe’s old school friend Georgia arriving in the village, along with Georgia’s sister—the new GP—adds freshness and new dynamics to the community, while Lavender’s attempt to adjust to Fliss’s absence after her retirement is moving and relatable.

Tennant excels at writing communities that feel like family. From supportive neighbors to even the grouchiest villagers, every character plays their part in weaving a story full of heart. The Christmas setting is a delight: snowy walks, church services, and festive preparations all brimming with warmth and nostalgia.

Both heartwarming and tear-tugging, Christmas for the Village Midwife is a charming read that will leave readers smiling and feeling wrapped up in holiday cheer.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Behind Enemy Bylines By Kathleen Fuller

Little Rock, Arkansas, 1995: Jade Smith’s life has never been entirely stable. Bouncing back and forth between her mother and foster care, she learned that the only person she can really trust is herself. So when she starts to fall for newsroom reporter Sebastian Hudson, her defenses go up. When she gets a job offer from a company in Atlanta, Georgia, she immediately takes it, leaving Sebastian behind. He might have claimed to love her, but she knows no one sticks around for long.

Clementine, Arkansas, 2005: Ten years after his heartbreak, Sebastian is back in his tiny hometown running the local paper and writing his slice-of-life column. The numbers in the accounting book are telling a story he’s not ready to read, but he’s refused to entertain any buy-out offers from big conglomerates, even as other small presses are being grabbed up, and in some cases, put out of business. He’s determined not to let anything happen to the Clementine Times.

In Atlanta, Jade is eager for the promotion that will finally provide the security she’s always craved. There’s only one hitch–her boss wants her to convince a small-town newspaper owner to sell his paper to their company. No big deal, right? Then she learns the owner is none other than Sebastian Hudson. Now it’s a very big deal.

Reunited for the first time since their awful break-up, Sebastian and Jade dig in their heels, refusing to see each other’s side. But the small town of Clementine won’t let them stay at odds with each other for long. Between a springtime hoedown, a dangerous apartment fire, Sebastian’s slightly meddling younger sister, and the surprise appearance of Jade’s younger brother, Sebastian and Jade end up discussing everything but business. They also rekindle past feelings.

But when one of them makes an unforgivable decision, can they find their way back to each other? Or is this second chance the very last one?

About The Author

My Review

The book kicks off in 1995 when Jade Smith leaves her job at a Little Rock newspaper—and her boyfriend, Sebastian Hudson—for a better-paying position in Atlanta. Her dream is to adopt her younger foster brother, but fast forward ten years and things haven’t gone quite as planned. When her boss sends her back to Arkansas to convince the owner of a small-town paper to sell, she’s shocked to find it’s Sebastian. Their reunion is tense, emotional, and full of sparks.

Adding even more charm is Kalista, a spoiled L.A. teen stuck in Clementine for the summer. Watching her adjust to farm life and newspaper delivery had me smiling.

This story has all the things I love in a small-town romance—second chances, meddling neighbors, and just the right mix of humor and heart. Overall, this is a sweet, uplifting story about love, forgiveness, and finding where you belong. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- A French Inheritance By Jennifer Bohnet

Every moment is a new beginning on the French Riviera 🇫🇷🌼

Five years ago, Adam and Lucy Belgrave took the plunge and bought a sprawling rundown farm in the South of France to bring back to life, much against the advice of Adam’s brother, Elliot.

Today, that dream is becoming a reality and the farm is beginning to thrive and Elliot finds himself grateful for the refuge it provides after his career falters and his marriage fails.

After the death of her beloved granny, a bitter divorce and surprise redundancy – the saying ’sad things come in threes’ resonates with Briony Dymond’s life. With her mother by her side, Briony travels to France to learn some news that will change her life completely. Will she have the courage to embrace granny Giselle’s special wishes?

As spring returns to the French Riviera both Elliot and Briony seek to put their pasts behind them and look to find happiness in the future. But can the past give up its hold on the present?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm and uplifting novel that blends themes of family, second chances, and the healing power of change against the enchanting backdrop of the French countryside.

The story follows Briony, whose life crumbles when her divorce is finalized on the very same day she loses her job. Feeling untethered, she agrees to her mother’s suggestion of a short trip to France. There, grief and hope intertwine as she mourns the loss of her beloved aunt—only to discover she has inherited property in a charming French village. Suddenly, Briony must decide not only what to do with the inheritance, but also how to shape her future. The cozy, sun-soaked atmosphere, complete with canine companions and picturesque settings, makes this a delightful escapist read. While some plot developments arrive a little too conveniently, they serve to underscore the novel’s heartwarming message.

This is an enjoyable, feel-good summer read—perfect for anyone who loves stories of renewal, family connections, and the irresistible charm of life in France.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- No Knight By Donna Alam

Desperate times call for desperate measures. And there’s nothing more desperate than turning up to my ex’s wedding alone.

My cheating ex.

My current boss.

The reason I hired a professional to be my plus-one.

When I spot Mr. Temptation-in-a-Tux at the hotel, I assume I’ve found my man. Charming, attentive, and protective, he’s the perfect boyfriend experience. The way he looks at me has even me fooled.

After the most passionate night of my life, I slip away before he wakes. But there’s a price to pay for all that pleasure…

Months later, our eyes lock across a boardroom table. The shock is real. Because Matt is no escort—he’s a powerful billionaire investor. And he’s determined not to let me get away this time.

But there are things about me he doesn’t know. Secrets I can’t share.

I’m no damsel in distress, and Matt’s no white knight.

Could he be my kind of hero?

About The Author

My Review

This is a sparkling romance that combines humor, heart, and irresistible chemistry. From the very first page, readers are pulled into a scenario that feels both outrageous and utterly charming.

Matt arrives in New York for his ex’s wedding, only to be mistaken by Ryan as the escort she’s hired to attend her own ex’s nuptials. Rather than correct her, Matt goes along with the charade, leading to a night of banter, heat, and a connection neither of them expected. Their witty exchanges and instant chemistry make their first encounter an absolute delight.

When their paths cross again months later, the tension shifts. Ryan has to grapple with Matt’s initial deception, while Matt must prove he’s more than the man she thought she knew. His determination to win her back—alongside tender moments with his niece, lively interactions with his siblings, and cameos from newly married friends—adds warmth and depth to the story.

With snappy dialogue, spicy romance, and genuine heart, it is a captivating blend of humor and emotion, making it a standout read for fans of mistaken-identity and second-chance love stories.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Game Changer By Deanna Faison

Ethan is tired of being known as the guy with no future. So, a new college and a part-time gig of coaching a youth football team gives him just the motivation he needs…until Maya Garcia, the girl who broke his heart, moves in next door!

Maya is looking for a fresh start. She’s finally away from the expectations of her parents and is already the life of the party. Yet all she can think about is fixing things with Ethan and trying to ignore the feelings that she’s been hiding for so long.

But as Maya and Ethan try to be friends again, lines begin to blur once more. Soon the two have to decide if they are going to continue to play by the rules set by those around them – or change the game completely and finally choose each other…

About The Author

My Review

Game Changer is the second book in Deanna Faison’s series, and this time we get Ethan—Maddie’s brother and Cameron’s best friend—and Maya, Maddie’s close friend. I loved finally seeing these two step into the spotlight after years of unspoken feelings and “almost” moments. Their flirty night together and eventual reunion had all the sparks of a second-chance romance, and the chemistry between them was undeniable.

Ethan’s vulnerability really stood out to me. His anxiety about his size and his tendency to overthink added depth to his character, making him feel real and relatable. Maya, on the other hand, had her own struggles balancing family expectations with her desires, and while her decisions sometimes created conflict, it also made her journey more authentic. What I especially enjoyed was how deeply Ethan cared for Maya—his devotion was touching, even if at times I wished he gave himself more space to grow.

The alternating perspectives added richness, and I loved revisiting familiar faces from Playmaker. While this wasn’t my absolute favorite in the series, it was heartfelt, engaging, and a sweet addition that fans will enjoy.

My Rating

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