Book Review – Page 63

Review Card & Book Review – Murder In Portofino By T A Williams

A much-needed holiday…

Dan Armstrong hasn’t done much retiring since moving to Tuscany, and with his new career as a successful private investigator taking off, it seems murder seems to follow him. He’s hoping a much-needed trip to beautiful Portofino will give him the break he needs and quality time with girlfriend Anna.

A gathering of celebrities…

Portofino is a celebrity paradise, and holidaying on a nearby superyacht is a group of British media stars, all famous for being infamous. Dan isn’t impressed by their status or wealth, but when he overhears an argument between two of the group, he suspects something fishy could be going on…

A cold-blooded killer?

And then a body is washed up on shore and Dan’s hopes for a holiday go overboard. Could this simply be a tragic accident or is there a killer amidst the assembled celebrity cast? Dan and Oscar have their work cut out before the tide turns…

About The Author

My Review

In this murder mystery story, private investigator Dan and his black lab, Oscar, outsmart local authorities amidst a backdrop of extortion, theft, gun running, and the misdeeds of British TV executives and stars on a luxury yacht. The narrative keeps readers guessing with numerous suspects and complex connections between them and the victims, some of whom aren’t even on the yacht.

Dan’s investigation is complicated by his desire to work during a vacation with his love interest, Anna, adding personal tension to the story. While the Italian authorities’ cooperation with Dan may seem unrealistic, the plot remains engaging, especially with Oscar playing a crucial role.

The series, which travels through Italy, highlights the Tuscan walled city of Lucca and small towns along the Ligurian coast, leaving readers eager for Dan and Oscar’s next adventure.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – The Honeystone Village Diaries By Kate Forster

A mile outside the Cotswolds, everyone knows everyone in Honeystone, and for many years the villagers have lived quiet, steady lives. But a wind of change is here…

Anthea is the new owner of Spindle Hall. A renowned perfumer who lost her sense of smell, she’s not interested in making new friends. Yet somehow that seems impossible in this idyllic village.

Years ago, Peony left Honeystone with a broken heart, and now she has returned with it freshly bruised. Her single father, Robert, is struggling with slow business at the Hare and Thistle pub. Perhaps this time they can help each other?

Izzy has never known what she wants to do in life other than be at Raspberry Hill Farm and care for her little niece, Clover. But when a new doctor shows up in town, she starts to wonder…

About The Author

My Review

Honeystone is a quaint English village overshadowed by the nearby Cotswolds, causing tourists to overlook it. However, the true charm of Honeystone lies in its villagers, particularly the women. The book follows Peony, Izzy, Anthea, and Dora, with perspectives from Robert, Connor, and Joe.

Robert, the pub owner, is Peony’s father. Peony, back from London, is Connor’s ex-girlfriend, which complicates her relationship with Izzy, Connor’s sister. Connor has a daughter with cerebral palsy, adding depth to his story. Joe, the new village doctor, often interacts with Clover, Connor’s daughter, with Izzy accompanying them. Dora works at the pub and is trying to escape her abusive husband. Anthea, a former perfume industry success, is starting over after COVID-related anosmia and a divorce.

Kate Forster’s writing is light and charming, reminiscent of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, capturing the essence of British village life with a magical touch. Despite its perfect ending, it’s a delightful read for dreamers and hopefuls.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – Home Again For Christmas By Emily Stone

Lexie is always on the move, but there is one constant in her life – her ‘wish jar’; the childhood tradition from home that she couldn’t leave behind.

When Lexie’s estranged dad dies, she is shocked to learn that she has inherited half of his travel company in Bath. Her dad’s will stipulates that she must work with Theo, her handsome but bad tempered business partner, for a year.

Once the year is over, Lexie intends to leave. But a work trip to sizzling Spain reveals a chemistry between Lexie and Theo that is impossible to deny.

Will Lexie find a reason to stay in one place? Will she discover the secret her father kept from her, and finally learn the meaning of home?

About The Author

My Review

The story explores Lexie’s passion for travel, inherited from her father, who divorced her mother when she was young, leading to their estrangement. After his death, Lexie must manage his business with Theo, starting with a rocky relationship that develops into a compelling love story. The book features rich side characters like the strong and influential Angela, who plays a crucial role. The narrative also delves into Lexie’s family dynamics and her father’s impact on her and her sister, evoking strong emotions. The wish jar tradition Lexie shared with her father adds a touching element. The detailed trips and the intertwining personal stories make this more than a typical romance novel. It’s a heartwarming Christmas read, prompting readers to cherish family bonds and traditions.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – Party Favors By Sariah Wilson

For as long as she can remember, Everly Aprile has been obsessed with the Monterran royals, especially Queen Kat: elegant, self-possessed, and living a fairy-tale romance. As for Everly, her career as an event planner has stalled—and so has her love life. Then a wealthy new client wants a sweet-sixteen party that’s fit for an American princess. Practicing her “What Would Kat Do” mantra, Everly offers to bring it to life by immersing herself in everything Monterra.

Call it intervento divino when she meets dizzyingly handsome and charismatic Max Colby, who’s relocated stateside from the Monterran kingdom of her dreams. If Everly promises to be his New York City guide, he’ll teach her the customs and culture of Monterra so her party gets a boost of authenticity. Deal. As their friendship grows, Everly starts falling—but for what? Another unattainable obsession? Max is such a dreamboat that surely he sees her as just a friend.

Her royal to-do list is in order. She’s revamping her life and learning to believe in herself. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance for fate to bring Everly her happily ever after after all.

About The Author

My Review

This is a sweet romance with a touch of royal fairytale. Everly, kind-hearted and vulnerable from her past, never imagined someone like Max, charismatic and sexy, would fall for her. Working as an assistant to a cold boss at an event management company, Everly deserves a promotion. Her chance comes with a big presentation she nails, but she needs information on Monterran culture for the theme. She meets Max, a handsome Monterran man, at a bar, and he’s kind and caring despite being out of her league. Everly is talented but plagued by insecurities. Her supportive roommate Vella helps her see her worth. Max, a perfect boyfriend, also has secrets that almost ruin everything. In the end, Everly faces life boldly, and Max shows his love in meaningful ways. The fictional Monterran element and Everly’s crush on her boss felt unnecessary and slowed the story’s pace.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – A Class Act By Julie Houston

Robyn Allen is finally getting closer to her dream of West End stardom. And along with her role dancing in the latest hot musical, she’s being wined and dined by an equally hot man – the wildly successful and well-connected Fabian Carrington. But one slip up and her dreams are shattered, and Robyn has to hobble back to the Yorkshire village of Beddingfield, and the life she hoped she’d escaped.

Moving back into her mum’s house with her recalcitrant teenage sister Sorrel, next door to her older sister Jess who’s fed up with picking up the slack, is not how Robyn pictured her year. But there’s more to come. Sorrel needs a new school, and the school needs a new drama teacher. Despite having vowed never to teach again, Robyn knows she has to support her sister.

So together Sorrel and Robyn vow to take on St Mede’s – home to jokers, tearaways and trouble-makers, but with a hidden heartbeat ready to be inspired. And who knows, the kids might have something to teach Robyn about life too…

About The Author

My Review

The book is divided into two halves, with Robyn’s life in London and then in Yorkshire. Initially, Robyn lives above a Soho kebab shop, working as a waitress while dreaming of a West End role. Her relationship with barrister Fabian introduces her to a new lifestyle but also exposes her to prejudice. Robyn’s strong sense of right and wrong and pride in her heritage contrast with Fabian’s moral ambiguities. The story then shifts to Yorkshire, where Robyn returns to help her struggling family, especially her troubled teenage sister Sorrel. She secures Sorrel a school place on the condition she teaches drama and dance. The narrative is filled with surprises, new relationships, and challenges, all set within a warmly depicted family dynamic. The author handles serious issues sensitively, blends humor, and develops romantic elements with unexpected twists. This heartwarming, well-told story makes a promising start to a new series.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review- Textbook Romance By Kristen Bailey

When maths teacher Zoe Swift meets the irresistibly funny and charming Jack Damon at her friends’ wedding, sparks fly faster than you can say “the square root of sixty-nine.”

And when Jack turns up at her school, newly recruited as a supply teacher, she can’t ignore the intense effect he has on her when their paths cross in the corridors. But Zoe is still reeling from her husband’s recent jaw-dropping betrayal and adjusting to life as a single mum to two teenage kids. She’s not sure if she’s ready to open her heart to a fling with a younger man.

As Zoe and Jack’s connection grows deeper, their undeniable chemistry and Jack’s steadfast support help Zoe rediscover the good things in life: her love of a good dance, the soothing power of takeout, the secret thrill of receiving a well-timed chicken emoji and the wonder of multiple orgasms…

But with complicated family dynamics and co-parenting with her ex to manage, a sizeable age gap, and Jack’s uncertainties about his future to factor in, she’s about to find out that love isn’t always a simple equation.

Can Zoe accept this gift from the universe and take a chance on a far-from-textbook romance?

About The Author

My Review

“Textbook Romance” is a heartfelt story featuring two kind main characters whose chemistry is evident from start to finish. The romance unfolds beautifully, with enjoyable and sexy scenes. Jack Damon meets Zoe, a married mom, at a friend’s wedding, where she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Jack, being a perfect gentleman, gets her home safely. The story is told from both perspectives, which adds depth. Their paths cross again months later when Jack becomes a substitute teacher at Zoe’s school. The slow burn of their relationship is captivating, with Jack remaining respectful of Zoe’s circumstances.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Hot Mother By Nancy Peach

Penny Baker is winning at life. Sort of.

Her work is demanding, her kids are demanding and her husband seems to be undergoing some weird midlife crisis but she is juggling it all – with the added delights of the menopause.

But when the charity she works for is thrown into crisis and her mother’s dementia advances, the strain starts to show.

Can she navigate it all and still somehow keep a smile on her – flushed – face?

About The Author

My Review

Pen is constantly balancing multiple responsibilities, much like spinning plates or juggling balls. There’s a bit of chaos, with some balls being dropped, but overall, she is just like any other mother, doing her best during a very demanding period in her life. She has three children, a husband, a dog, great friends, and wonderful parents. However, her parents are elderly, her mom has dementia, her eldest child has moved out, her middle child recently broke up with his girlfriend, and her youngest is about to leave primary school. Additionally, she manages a special care home for people with dementia and their families. To top it all off, she is going through menopause.

“Hot Mother” is both hilarious and poignant, offering a relatable story about the ups and downs of family life. It’s a novel filled with love and hope, capturing the disappointments, anxiety, and emotions of love in its many forms, as well as the varied ways we grieve. This book deeply touched my heart. Even though the family is fictional, I wish them, and all families like them, the very best.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 22 January 2025

A Forever Home At Honey Bee Croft By Jessica Redland

New friends, new life, new love…
Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way…
Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Barn couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves?
When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroads, a future together seems impossible. Can they find the strength to overcome their challenges to secure their forever home together?

Review Card & Book Review – Rescuing Carolyn By Leslie North

No amount of SEAL training could prepare me for the sight of Carolyn Evert, the only woman I’ve ever loved, being held hostage in her jewelry store. My heart stopped.

Thankfully, she’s alright.

Not that I should give a damn. After all, she dumped me ages ago because she couldn’t handle the heat of being engaged to a Navy SEAL.

Carolyn is the reason I vanished into the shadowy world of Black Ops. Dodging bullets left no time for heartbreak.

And she’s done just fine without me. She’s running a successful store and raising a son…my son. A child I never even knew existed!

I’ve never felt so torn.

I want to be there for my little boy. Which means being part of Carolyn’s life, too. But I can’t risk falling for her again. My heart’s taken enough hits.

Then, when it becomes clear the hostage situation wasn’t a one-off, my protective instincts kick into overdrive. No one threatens my family and gets away with it.

With everything going sideways fast, I realize I never stopped loving Carolyn. I just hope it’s not too late for a second chance…

About The Author

My Review

Carolyn and Zach, former fiancés separated by Zach’s Navy Seal duties, reunite when her jewelry store is robbed. Zach, now a SWAT team member, discovers Carolyn and their son, whom he didn’t know about, during the heist. As they confront their past and present, they work to rebuild trust and explore the unresolved feelings between them. The book starts with the heist, revealing Zach as a sniper who recognizes Carolyn and their child. After the robbery, Zach delves into the troubles plaguing Carolyn and her store, leading to intense discussions about their past and future.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – So Not My Romantic Getaway By Evie Sterling

I am stuck at a Hawaiian resort with my rival coworker…He’s terrible to work with but way too good at playing fake-boyfriend.

When I won a week-long trip to Hawaii for being a star employee, I did one of those happy dances at my desk. I immediately ordered a cute bikini, a floppy beach hat, and new sandals. Then I arrived and discovered my good luck wasn’t all good.

Yes, I won the trip… but so did my nemesis.

Jack Morgan is impossible to work with: Stubborn, cocky, and too charming for his own good. We have a long history of contentious emails behind us, and the fact that we’re up for the same promotion doesn’t help matters.

I blame the fruity cocktail from the poolside bar for that scheming session we had in the hot tub.

Our plan to take happy-couple photos to cheer up my mom and earn him some respect points with his ex seemed like a great idea…

Then again, that could have been the rum talking.

Because, really, posing cheek-to-cheek with Jack is more trouble than I’m prepared to deal with.

His perfectly crooked smile, sea-tossed hair, and deliciously manly smell make me swoon. Worse? He’s a lot sweeter in person than over email. He’s outgoing and can draw me out of my shell. We’re different, but we get each other in a way I never expected. Now, we’re bonding over stolen kisses, surf sessions, and our love of sea turtles.

This vacation is starting to feel romantic, like one of those fairytales where the princess meets her prince. Or, I could be building castles in the sand…

About The Author

My Review

Hazel and Jack, rivals vying for the same promotion, both win a week-long trip to Hawaii from their workplace. Hazel is an introvert who values efficiency and perfection, while Jack is outgoing and focuses on relationship-building and creative solutions. Despite never meeting in person and detesting each other through their email exchanges, they find themselves in an unexpected situation when Hazel’s ad for a fake boyfriend to ease pressure from her mother is answered by Jack. Their initial chemistry leads to a complicated but sweet romance set against the beautiful backdrop of Hawaii. Their connection over animals and mutual growth, along with numerous swoony moments, makes for a compelling summer read. The story is filled with holiday vibes, humor, and a heartwarming happily ever after, featuring the delightful inclusion of Chester the sea turtle.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon