Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- One More Made Up Love Song By Jenny Proctor

Rule #1: Do not fall in love with your very famous boss. Rule #2: See Rule #1.

As the personal assistant of rockstar Freddie Ridgefield, Ivy Conway knows most women would love to have her job. It definitely has its perks. She gets to travel, the pay is great, and she’s among the first to hear Freddie’s new music.

The only problem? When she got the job, Ivy promised herself she would never fall in love with her boss. And it’s taking everything in her to stay true to her word.

Then Freddie kisses Ivy—an impulsive move to save himself from a little bit of bad press—and everything changes. Now, the whole world thinks they’re in love.

Even more significant: Ivy could swear Freddie felt the same fireworks she did when he pressed his lips to hers.

What starts as an accidental publicity stunt quickly turns into something more, but fame makes everything more complicated. As Freddie’s spotlight grows to include her—and her family—Ivy starts to wonder if the life Freddie can offer her is worth the life she’ll give up. And how she’ll ever survive without him if it isn’t.

About The Author

My Review

Ivy Conway has spent over four years as the ever-reliable personal assistant to rock star Freddie Ridgefield, keeping his world organized while quietly concealing her unrequited love for him. When an impulsive kiss changes everything, their relationship shifts in ways neither expected, bringing sparks, challenges, and vulnerability to the forefront.

Ivy’s grief over her sister Daphne and her devotion to her family give her depth and relatability, while Freddie’s struggles with belonging—especially in contrast to his academic family—make him both endearing and authentic. Their connection is tender and genuine, unfolding with just the right mix of tension and sweetness.

This is a charming, heartfelt closed-door romantic comedy that strikes the perfect balance between humor, tenderness, and slow-burn romance. As the second book in the Midnight Rush series, it follows Once Upon a Boyband but easily works as a standalone, offering a story that feels fresh and captivating on its own.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Life She Could Have Lived By Laura Pearson

What if the answer to one little question could change your whole life?

Soon after Anna goes on the best date of her life with a man called James – she and her best friend Nia visit a fortune teller. Who tells Nia that she will have one great love. But all she tells Anna is that her future is with a man whose name begins with a J.

It won’t be James though – he never calls. And then Anna meets Edward – gorgeous, kind, loving. He’s all she’s ever dreamed of. Until he asks her to make a choice about their future.

If Anna says ‘yes’ to him, her life will go one way. If she says ‘no’, it’ll go another. Both of the worlds could be happy. Both of the worlds could be heartbreaking… But as Nia meets her one great love in both worlds, which of Anna’s answers – yes or no – will bring her life together with the person who she’s fated to be with?

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender and thought-provoking exploration of fate, choice, and the many possible versions of a life. At its heart is Anna, a woman at a crossroads, where a single decision has the power to set her on one of two very different paths.

The story opens with a hopeful date and a fortune teller’s prediction: Anna’s future lies with a man whose name begins with J. When James suddenly disappears and Edward—kind, steady, and dependable—enters her life, Anna is left with a choice that reshapes everything. Pearson crafts a beautifully layered dual narrative, showing us two possible futures that are equally compelling, filled with moments of joy, heartbreak, and quiet revelation. What makes the novel shine is Pearson’s warm, lyrical prose and her ability to bring authenticity to her characters. Anna feels deeply relatable, and the themes of love, friendship, identity, and self-acceptance are interwoven with tenderness. Rather than simply posing a “what if?” scenario, the book asks a more profound question: what truly matters when we decide how to live?

Overall, this is an uplifting yet contemplative read—a gentle reminder that every path holds its own kind of magic.

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Review Card & Book Review – Pastures New By Clare Balding

Alex has perfected the art of dodging responsibility during her almost 40 years – until an unexpected letter turns her life upside down.

She’s inherited a crumbling sheep farm in wildest, wettest Wales. This was not her life plan. Not at all.

Now, her closest companion is a stubborn Welsh terrier, she’s speed-reading The Idiot’s Guide to Farming, and her arrival has set the village gossip mill spinning. With the farm near collapse, Alex sets out to uncover the truth behind her mysterious inheritance.

But as secrets surface, Alex finds her heart pulling her in a direction she never saw coming.

Will she pack her bags – or has she landed exactly where she’s meant to be?

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming, uplifting story about resilience, community, and new beginnings. It follows Alex, a journalist who loses her job to AI—an issue that feels all too relevant today. Unexpectedly, she inherits a rundown sheep farm in Wales, complete with debts, repairs, and plenty of challenges. Having no farming experience, Alex questions why she’s been left the farm and, more importantly, by whom.

As the story unfolds, the farm transforms not only Alex’s life but also the village, the pub, and her neighbor Dickon, a racehorse trainer. I particularly loved Alex’s instant bond with Jiffy the dog and the touching companionship between the horse, The Skirrid, and the sheep who calmed him. Alex’s kindness, resilience, and determination make her a truly special heroine.

This is a wonderful story about overcoming obstacles, embracing unexpected opportunities, and finding love and purpose.

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Review Card & Book Review- Gracie Jenkins Runs A Marathon By Penny Mirren

Gracie Jenkins thought her days of adventure were behind her. Settled into the familiar rhythms of small-town life, aged 72, she never imagined she’d lace up her trainers for anything more than a stroll down memory lane.

But when a long-forgotten postcard sparks a fire within her, Gracie embarks on an extraordinary journey and sets out to conquer the ultimate challenge: training for a marathon.

As Gracie’s steps turn into miles, she discovers strength she never knew she had and a community she never expected to find. But it’s not just about crossing the finish line—it’s about rediscovering herself along the way.

Can Gracie prove to herself, and her loved ones, that age truly is just a number?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, inspiring story about family, reconciliation, and discovering new passions later in life. Gracie, a pensioner drifting through retirement, finds her world shifting when her estranged sister Jill and her niece Emily move into town. While her relationship with Jill remains strained, Gracie has grown close to Emily, who encourages her to join the local running club. What begins as a tentative step soon blossoms into a love of running, sparking a personal journey that’s as heartwarming as it is motivating.

The story alternates between Gracie’s and Jill’s perspectives, giving depth to their complicated relationship. The sibling dynamic is written with honesty and relatability—I often saw shades of my own relationship with my sister reflected in their struggles and triumphs. Watching them slowly work toward understanding and reconciliation was both moving and rewarding. Uplifting, funny, and full of heart, this novel proves it’s never too late to chase dreams or repair broken bonds.

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Review Card & Book Review – Riding The Line By Emma Lucy

Crossing off her bucket list was easy — until she fell for him.

Cherry Hensley is determined to make her last summer in Willow Ridge count. With a bucket list full of wild ideas Cherry is ready for anything…

Except Duke Bennett.

The town’s hottest bartender — and her brother’s best friend — is way too tempting to resist when he offers to be her partner-in-crime.

Enlisting Duke’s help was supposed to be harmless; she’s known him all her life. But every moment together makes Cherry feel more alive than anything on her bucket list.

Will they hold the line between lovers and friends?

About The Author

My Review

Emma Lucy’s Riding the Line delivers a romance that is both playful and deeply meaningful. Cherry and Duke’s chemistry is undeniable, and their slow build toward love, while working through a bucket list, provides plenty of fun, tension, and swoony moments. Their ferris wheel scene at the fair was a standout for me—equal parts angsty and romantic, capturing everything I love about this trope.

What makes this story shine even brighter is its thoughtful representation of epilepsy and endometriosis. Emma portrays these conditions with honesty and care, exploring not just the challenges but also the strength it takes to live fully beyond them. Cherry’s determination to advocate for herself, to want more than being defined by her illnesses, was empowering. Duke’s compassion and quiet steadiness, even before romance blossomed, made him the perfect match—kind, respectful, and unwaveringly supportive.

If anything, I wished for a quicker resolution to the third act conflict and more time with Cherry and Duke together at the end. Still, I devoured this book in a single sitting. Riding the Line is a heartfelt, angsty, and empowering romance that fans of the brother’s best friend trope will adore.

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Review Card & Book Review – You Rock My World By Camilla Isley

She was supposed to fix his image, not fall for the man behind the fame. Can their love hit all the right notes? 🎵

When Josie gets trapped overnight in an elevator with Rian Phoenix—global rock legend—she figures it’ll be a funny story to tell, not a plot twist with heartache written all over it. Only, the real Rian isn’t the bad boy the headlines describe. He is witty, kind, and unexpectedly swoon-worthy. By morning, they’ve shared snacks, secrets, and sparked a dangerously real connection. Then the elevator doors open. Reality crashes in, and Josie becomes a stranger he’s not supposed to remember. She walks away with a bruised heart and a vow to steer clear of rockstars forever.

A year later, Josie’s steady again—until she’s reassigned as Rian’s PR manager. Back in his orbit, she must keep things professional to protect her job—and avoid falling for him all over again. But Rian hasn’t forgotten her. Too bad picking up where they left off could cost her everything. With the world watching, Josie has to decide whether to guard her heart and her career… or press play on a love story that finally hits all the right notes.

About The Author

My Review

Camilla Isley takes a classic trope—a rockstar and an ordinary woman stuck in an elevator—and transforms it into something heartfelt and unforgettable. What starts as a charming setup quickly deepens into ten hours of connection, longing, and tension that stays with you long after the doors open.

This isn’t a fling but a slow-burn romance that thrives on aching chemistry. Josie, a witty and capable heroine, works hard to keep her emotions in check, while Rian (Dorian Phoenix to the world) is thoughtful, wounded, and quietly yearning for more than fame. Their push-and-pull is both deliciously frustrating and incredibly moving.

The dual POV and dual timelines enrich the narrative, letting us see both the past spark and present complications unfold in tandem. Isley’s writing balances humor, banter, and emotional intensity beautifully, making the story equally fun and poignant.

Though I longed for a slightly longer resolution, the romance’s payoff is deeply satisfying. You Rock My World is an addictive mix of angst, tenderness, and passion—a rockstar romance that truly hits all the right notes.

My Rating

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Happy Publication Day – 20 January 2026

Grumpily Ever After By Teagan Hunter

Wedding planner Odette Chambers has a knack for ruining every ceremony she touches. But her latest gig could be a curse breaker. The bride is her best friend, Izzy, and the venue is a local cidery with the Pacific Northwest mountains as a beautiful backdrop. The cidery’s only rotten apple is its owner, former NHL player Noah Stevens—Izzy’s older brother and a recently divorced, fully committed grump who doesn’t believe in happy endings.

But Noah can’t say no to his hopeful little sister. His decision sends Odette barreling into his life, and she insists on making picture-perfect renovations to his cidery. She’s demanding, irritatingly optimistic, and quite possibly the prettiest woman he’s ever seen. Noah is turning Odette’s head, too, but if she wants a wedding to finally go off without a hitch, he’s a handsome distraction she can’t afford. Right?

As Noah risks a second chance at love, Odette’s luck might change as well. For better or for worse.

Review Card & Book Review- The Breakup Before Christmas By Charlotte Barnes

This holiday season, love is going off-script.

Celebrated advice columnist ‘Dear Dotty’ Ellison has made a name for herself by solving everyone else’s problems.

But her life is upended when she unknowingly advises her girlfriend of ten years to break up with her. Through her own advice column.

Newly single, Dotty realises her life behind the picture-perfect brand wasn’t as flawless as she thought. Determined to rediscover who she really is, she decides it’s time to learn how to take her own advice. She begins writing letters to herself through her column.

But everything she thought she’d learned through her journey of self-discovery is thrown into question when she meets the gorgeous Alia at a cooking class.

Now, with Christmas approaching, will she discover that love and life aren’t something you can write, edit or schedule?

About The Author

My Review

This Is a clever, heartfelt romcom that blends humor with emotional depth. The story follows Dotty “Dear Dotty” Ellison, a popular advice columnist whose life seems enviable—until her world is turned upside down in the most ironic way possible. After advising an anonymous reader to end their relationship, Dotty is blindsided when the advice is followed… and she discovers she was the girlfriend being dumped.

What unfolds is a witty, charming, and often laugh-out-loud funny tale of Dotty’s journey through heartbreak, self-reflection, and ultimately, self-discovery. Barnes infuses the novel with Dotty’s signature sarcasm and sharp wit, but beneath the humor lies a thoughtful exploration of change, vulnerability, and the resilience required to move forward.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is the warmth of Dotty’s support system. Her close-knit group of quirky friends and her loving mother provide both comic relief and genuine emotional grounding, making her journey even more relatable and uplifting. While the romance element is understated and appears later than expected, the overall resolution feels satisfying.

This is an uplifting, funny, and heartwarming read perfect for anyone seeking both humor and heart in their holiday romance.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- Winter Nights At The Bay Bookshop By Jessica Redland

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Bay Books, and a new love story is being written in the stars… ✨

Nestled amongst the comforting shelves of her beloved Bay Books, Lily Appleton finds the peace and quiet she needs. But with Christmas just around the corner, Lily has to find an extra pair of hands to help her share the bookish magic.

After selling his business, Lars Jóhannsson is feeling lost. A job at Bay Books would give him the space he needs to contemplate his next move, but returning would mean confronting a painful past he’s been avoiding. He’s also fairly sure he’s the one person Lily would never want to see again.

Lily is torn. Lars could be the perfect fit for Bay Books, but he once rejected her friendship and the hurt still lingers. But working together, Lily discovers a vulnerability that Lars has kept hidden away, along with a few surprising secrets. And as the Christmas season sprinkles its magic, Lily discovers the warmth of renewed friendship and the joy of heartwarming traditions from Lars’s Icelandic roots.

About The Author

My Review

This is festive perfection, offering a tender second-chance romance wrapped in twinkling lights, Icelandic traditions, and the irresistible charm of a bookshop at Christmas. It’s the kind of story that feels like a warm hug on a cold night.

Lily is a relatable and quietly strong heroine. Still healing from heartbreak, she pours her energy into running her beloved bookshop through the festive season, finding comfort in the joy it brings to others. Yet her world is turned upside down when Lars, a man from her past, returns with his own regrets and unfinished business. Their slow, heartfelt reconnection is handled with sensitivity, building layer by layer into a romance that feels genuine, tender, and full of emotional resonance.

The cozy bookshop setting and the small-town holiday bustle are infused with warmth, while the inclusion of Icelandic traditions through Lars adds depth and a unique cultural richness. This is a story about forgiveness, healing, and fresh beginnings, underscored by the power of community and found family. Heartfelt, charming, and uplifting, it’s a perfect winter read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase