Book Review – Page 55

Review Card & Book Review- Christmas Eve Love Story By Ginny Baird

Annie Jones works hard designing windows for iconic New York City department store Lawson’s Finest. So when her Christmas window display gets upended by some rambunctious kids on Christmas Eve, the all-too-realistic store Santa gives Annie a little decorating tip on how to start over. With help from friendly security guard Braden Tate, Annie repairs the damage and heads home. But when she wakes the next morning, she’s bewildered to find that it isn’t Christmas day at all, but Christmas Eve all over again.

Trapped in a time loop, Annie doesn’t know how she’ll ever make it back to the present. Luckily, she has an infinite number of chances to get things right. As little everyday choices bring her closer to Braden and to Christmas day, Annie starts to picture what her new life— one full of friendship, love, and community—could look like.

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming holiday romance with a magical time-loop twist. The story centers on Annie Jones, an assistant artistic director at Lawson’s Finest in NYC, who experiences a stressful Christmas Eve filled with chaotic events, from misbehaving twins ruining her display to a sweet encounter with security guard Braden Tate. However, when she wakes up the next morning expecting Christmas Day, she finds herself reliving Christmas Eve instead.

Caught in a time loop, Annie faces the challenge of either repeating the same exhausting day or using it as an opportunity to make things better. Over multiple replays of Christmas Eve, Annie’s warm and optimistic nature shines through as she connects with her neighbors and strives to improve each day. Her growing relationship with Braden, a fellow lonely soul, forms the heart of this sweet holiday story.

While the plot can drag at times, the romance between Annie and Braden, combined with the festive time-loop premise, offers a cozy, uplifting tale perfect for the holiday season. Annie’s efforts to spread joy and positivity make this a feel-good read.

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Review Card & Book Review- When We were Friends By Jane Green

By all accounts, Lucy’s handled her divorce well. She’s finally in the cozy, plant-filled house of her dreams. And although she doesn’t fit in with the other divorcées—all busy looking for their next ex—she’s excited to get down to earth and savor the small joys of life. When Lucy meets Elle, a hip younger woman who shares her same passions, their connection is instant. Taking a chance on kismet, Lucy forges a friendship that fills her days with meaning. She and Elle are inseparable, from sunup to sundown, enjoying the immediate ease and familiarity of each other’s company.

But as Lucy introduces Elle to her circle, a new side of her friend appears. And try as she might, Lucy can’t ignore her misgivings. Who is Elle really? And can their all-consuming friendship survive closer inspection?

About The Author

My Review

Lucy, recently divorced and raising a 12-year-old, is struggling to connect with a new group of single women who spend their time complaining about their exes and looking for new relationships—something Lucy isn’t interested in. By chance, she meets Elle, a stranger in the ladies’ room of a bar, and they quickly form a close, seemingly perfect friendship. However, things take a turn, and Lucy’s world unravels in unexpected ways.

The book captures the intense emotions Lucy goes through, from the high of newfound friendship to the devastation of betrayal, particularly during a pivotal scene at a Thai restaurant. Throughout the story, Lucy’s journey highlights the importance of mental health, showing how processing complex emotions and seeking help can lead to healthier relationships and personal growth.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – Somewhere Along The Line By Mallory Thomas

Piper Paulson’s life is finally on the upswing. She has a new job, a BFF roommate, and a commitment to avoid dating after an ex cost her her peace—and her former career. She may not have two nickels to spare, but that’s a problem for Future Piper.

James Newhouse doesn’t have time or energy to deal with… well, anything. A hotshot banker with a complicated family, he’s determined to keep people at arm’s length. His attraction to Piper isn’t part of the plan, and neither is adding her to a Family Fares commuter pass as his ‘wife’ to save her money on train fare. Too bad his judgment is speeding away faster than their shared train.

Thrown together by chance (and a handful of Elvis impersonators), James and Piper find themselves witnesses to an incident on their commute—‘married’ witnesses, who may be asked to testify if the crime goes to trial. Can they keep up the charade to avoid being outed for their lie? And perhaps more importantly, can they protect their hearts in the process?

About The Author

My Review

This story centers on Piper, a free-spirited woman who, after nearly two years of healing from a bad breakup with a banker, now works at a not-for-profit. She crosses paths with James, the very type of person she’s trying to avoid, and after a dramatic event, they enter into a “marriage” of convenience. As they navigate the line between their fake relationship and a real one, they also confront their personal fears, grief, and emotional baggage.

What sets this book apart from other marriage-of-convenience stories is the grounded and relatable reason for their arrangement, especially given the context of a cost-of-living crisis. The author’s strength lies in crafting flawed, authentic characters who feel like real people, complete with their own misconceptions about love and relationships. The story includes some intimate moments, but they serve to deepen the connection between the characters rather than feeling forced.

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Review Card & Book Review- A Winter Wedding At Primrose Hall By Jill Steeples

As the year draws to an end at Primrose Hall, Pia and her Lord of the Manor fiancé Jackson are putting the finishing touches to their annual Carols by Candlelight evening.

The past twelve months have not all been plain sailing – Jackson’s father Rex had a serious health scare, his long-lost brother Tom appeared unannounced, and Jackson himself had his own disaster. So the family are thrilled to finally be able to look forward to Christmas together and the event of the year – Jackson and Pia’s long-awaited wedding.

With the idyllic backdrop of Primrose Woods, the dream venue, and a community ready to celebrate with them, Pia and Jackson are counting the days until they are husband and wife. Now they just need to cross their fingers that the dramas of the previous year are all behind them…

About The Author

My Review

Primrose Hall, where Jackson and his fiancée Pia live, is a focal point of the book, bustling with wedding plans, animals, and preparations for Christmas. The author does a great job of developing characters that feel natural, with well-established personalities that resonate throughout the series.

The story centers on romance, with different types of relationships at various stages—new, established, and those facing big life decisions. There’s also tension between estranged brothers Jackson and Tom, stemming from their troubled family history, especially involving their father, Rex, who has a questionable past. Their mother’s lingering doubts about Rex add a layer of drama.

This is the sixth and final book in the Primrose Woods series, and while it ties together storylines from previous books, it still works well as a stand-alone. Primrose Woods offers a warm, family-centered setting, and though the reader gets a sense of the ongoing relationships, having read the earlier books would likely enhance the experience. Overall, this is an enjoyable, heartwarming read, perfect for those looking for contemporary fiction focused on family, friendships, and romance.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Cowgirl’s Thanksgiving Kiss By Amy Vastine

Turkey, pumpkin pie…

And unexpected love!

Working in a man’s world of Texas bull breeding, stressed-out single mom J.R. Blackwell can’t help being annoyed by her handsome coworker, Hunter Robbins. So when their boss pits them against each other for a big promotion, J.R. is ready to step up and grab the prize. But Hunter’s offer of a place to stay after a tree crushes her home, and his easy connection with her daughter, melts her reserve. Despite J.R. doing everything she can to ignore the feeling—and Hunter’s baby goat winning her daughter’s heart!—will the charming former bull rider be her true prize this Thanksgiving?

About The Author

My Review

J.R. Blackwell is a single mother working on a Texas ranch, where she breeds bulls alongside her coworker, former bull rider Hunter Robbins. When their bosses announce their retirement, J.R. and Hunter find themselves in a competition to take over the ranch. Despite the rivalry, Hunter can’t deny his growing attraction to J.R., especially after he helps her and her daughters when a tree falls on their house.

During a crowded Thanksgiving celebration, J.R.’s unexpected family guests and an uncomfortable encounter with Hunter’s friend Randy bring tensions to the surface. Hunter learns more about J.R.’s past and the woman he’s falling for, remaining supportive despite Randy’s hurtful comments. The story blends competition, romance, and personal discovery, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion in the next and final book.

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Review Card & Book Review – Lost And Found In Venice By Joanna Knowles

Rosie Redbrush, a travel agent working for Wanderlust Wishes travel agency, is someone who sells holidays but never takes them. At twenty-nine, she lives a quiet, comfortable life in the town she grew up in. But then, just a few days before Christmas, a problematic customer tricks Rosie into becoming a tour guide for a group of ten disgruntled old-age pensioners in Venice! And suddenly, Rosie’s quiet life is thrown into disarray.

Escorting an elderly group through the streets of Italy’s most romantic city is hard enough, but throw in a neurotic aquaphobe, an accidental Santa race, a regrettable selfie, and a missing backpack, suddenly Rosie finds herself extremely lost in Venice, without a penny or a passport to her name.

Rosie can’t go home. And as she travels Italy looking for a solution, what she doesn’t expect to find are a loving family, a group of eclectic new friends, and the possibility of true love in the most unlikely of places…

About The Author

My Review

This novel successfully blends three key themes: an engaging travelogue of Venice and Milan, an insightful look into the lives of ten elderly tourists, and the protagonist Rosie’s personal growth. Rosie, who works for Wanderlust Wishes arranging trips but never traveling herself, is unexpectedly tasked with escorting a group of seniors to Venice. Throughout the trip, she faces a series of chaotic, stressful, yet beautiful experiences that challenge her resilience. The well-drawn characters, including the pensioners, add depth, and the romance with Fox, an embassy representative, unfolds naturally. While the ending leaves some unresolved questions, the story is satisfying, with a heartwarming Christmas backdrop.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Very Irish Christmas By Debbie Johnson

When New York-born Cassie O’Hara decides to use the money her sassy Irish nana Nora left in her will to book a month-long stay in a quaint country village, she’s expecting a cozy cottage, steak-and-ale pie and plenty of Christmas cheer. Instead, she gets a draughty disaster covered in dust, a temperamental stray dog and two devastatingly handsome men vying for her attention…

There’s Charles, the dashing English aristocrat with an enormous manor house and a heart of gold. And Ryan, a curly-haired Irish handyman with a past he won’t talk about and an accent that makes her weak at the knees.

When Charles enlists Cassie’s event-planning expertise to save his family estate, she finds herself working shoulder to shoulder with Ryan, breathing new life into Bancroft Manor. As village life weaves its spell, Cassie uncovers some intriguing secrets about Nana Nora’s past. With her return ticket looming and her heart pulling her in unexpected directions, can Cassie find the love and belonging Nana Nora always wanted for her?

About The Author

My Review

Cassie O’Hara, a New York events planner, is going through a rough patch. After being left at the altar, losing her beloved Nana Nora, and coping with the fallout of COVID, she’s demoted to organizing children’s parties and is dreading the Christmas season, especially since her wedding was supposed to happen on Christmas Eve. To avoid her critical family, her best friend June suggests she escape to Ireland, Nana’s homeland.

Instead, Cassie ends up in the Cotswolds just weeks before Christmas. Her rented cottage is in poor shape, but at a local pub, she meets a charming Irishman named Ryan, a kind elderly woman named Eileen, and unexpectedly, her landlord, Charles, Lord Bancroft. Charles, apologizing for the cottage’s condition, offers her a stay at his manor, which is in financial distress.

Throughout the story, Cassie bonds with both Charles and Ryan, using her event-planning skills to help Charles revive the manor while finding healing from her heartbreak. Though her journey is full of challenges, Cassie blossoms into the person she was always meant to be.

This heartwarming Christmas story is about self-discovery and finding where you truly belong. With plenty of humor and touching moments, it’s a book you’ll want to revisit time and again.

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Review Card & Book Review – Holiday Hideaway By Mary Kay Andrews

Tilly Farriday isn’t feeling very jolly this season. Recently divorced and broke, she’s squatting in one of her rental agency’s properties until her new home is ready. The sprinkles on top of the burnt Christmas cookie that is her life? The new owner shows up early, forcing Tilly to hide in the attic to save her job…and what remains of her dignity.

George Holloway is here to sell his granduncle’s house—and to reconsider whether he and his fiancée are right for each other. Amid home repairs, George notices strange noises and missing food, but as much as he gets his rental agent on the phone, Tilly dodges every invitation to meet. He’s sure that someone’s here with him, and it’s certainly not the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, or Future.

As Tilly and George circle each other, they both wonder where their lives are headed and if, maybe, meeting each other is just the Christmas miracle they need.

About The Author

My Review

Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews is a delightful holiday romance, brimming with charm and humor. Tilly Farriday, fresh from a divorce, retreats to a rental property, only to have her peace interrupted by the arrival of George Holloway. What ensues is a playful game of hide and seek as Tilly tries to stay unnoticed while George becomes suspicious of the unusual happenings. Although the story is brief, the ending felt a bit rushed, and I wished there had been more time (and pages) dedicated to the characters reconnecting and deepening their relationship. It would have been nice to see their bond develop further. It would have been nice to see their bond develop further. This cozy novella combines comedy and romance, making it the perfect holiday escape!

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Stuck Together By Lily Joseph

The hate is real. So is the chemistry.

Annie is heading into the holidays alone. And as a confirmed singleton, she decides to open a shop selling the kind of treats every single woman would want to find under the tree. After all, who doesn’t like to get a ‘Premium Sensual Lifestyle Product’ for Christmas, right?

Penn is in a bind. He needs to come home for Christmas with a girl, or his parents will set him up with someone ‘suitable’. Nothing is too good for the Honourable Peregrine Burton-Edwards after all. But that’s not what Penn wants. He just wants to sell vintage records in his shop and meet a nice, normal girl.

The first time Annie and Penn meet, Annie feels a flutter in her chest – he’s tall, dark and handsome, with cheekbones you could sharpen a blade on. So when he offers to share the shop with her to save on rent, she gladly accepts.

Huge mistake… Annie and Penn are poles apart and butt heads at every turn. But with the holidays looming, Penn will soon need to ask for a big favour, and Annie, with no plans to speak of, is the only girl who can help. As the arguments get more heated, so do the sparks flying between them. Will they put their differences aside and come together? And could it be for more than just Christmas?

About The Author

My Review

This is a delightful holiday rom-com, blending popular romantic tropes into a heartwarming story. It follows Annie, selling her mother’s failed MLM products, and Penn, a musician selling vintage records, as they share a pop-up shop space. The story explores fake dating, enemies to lovers, and grumpy x sunshine dynamics, with forced proximity playing a key role in their budding romance.

Though the novel starts with a memorable meet-cute, it loses momentum early on, only picking up after the fake dating plot kicks in around 40%. The festive holiday backdrop adds charm, complementing the cozy romantic atmosphere. A standout feature is the mystery of who’s sabotaging the pop-up shop, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

While the pacing struggles initially, the chemistry between Annie and Penn, their witty banter, and gradual softening toward each other make up for it. In the end, “Stuck Together” delivers humor, mystery, and romance, making it a satisfying and enjoyable read.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – The Bookshop At The Cornish Cove By Kim Nash

Dare to dream big…

When Nancy opened her dream bookshop overlooking the golden sands and shimmering waters of Driftwood Bay, she may have taken on a little too much. She might know all about books, but doesn’t know the first thing about business! She did however, want to do something meaningful with the inheritance money she got from her beloved Aunty Theresa.

When Dennis, visiting grandson of one of her dearest friends, offers to help, Nancy knows she can’t say no. Dennis is a high-flying businessman, with a fancy London job and a successful banking portfolio to prove it.

Trouble is, he makes the worst first impression. Nothing short of an insufferable know-it-all, Dennis takes every opportunity to remind her how out of her depth she is.

But Nancy knows her strengths, and just as much as she needs Dennis, he needs her too. There’s plenty she can teach him, and the more she shows off her world of Driftwood Bay, where the pace of life is slower and the morning sunrises are the most beautiful thing you can witness, perhaps they could become more than just business partners?

About The Author

My Review

Nancy finally achieves her dream of opening a bookshop after receiving an inheritance from her Aunt. However, she soon realizes that running a business isn’t easy—more money is going out than coming in. Enter Dennis, a business analyst temporarily staying with his outspoken grandmother, Vi. Despite an initial attraction between Nancy and Dennis, they are polar opposites: Nancy is a dreamer who believes in fate, while Dennis is practical and focused on maximizing profits. Their first meeting doesn’t go well, but Dennis has a personal reason for wanting to help Nancy turn her struggling bookshop around.

As their relationship develops, deeper issues from their pasts emerge, causing tension between them. Nancy’s brother adds to the stress, having been kicked out of his house again, reinforcing Nancy’s doubts about relationships and their ability to work. Despite this, the residents of Driftwood Bay, a close-knit community, step in to help where they can, adding warmth and support to the story.

With humor, heartfelt moments, and a few chuckle-worthy scenes, the book delves into themes of personal growth, overcoming past hurts, and finding new ways to navigate life. Nancy’s journey is beautifully intertwined with creative ideas for her bookshop, and the community’s efforts to help her match her free-spirited approach to life. This novel offers a charming mix of romance, reflection, and community spirit, making it a delightful read for fans of contemporary fiction.

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