Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- A Cozy Kind Of Christmas By Ellie Alexander

Journalist Meg Reed is about to find out that sometimes the best stories aren’t the ones you’re assigned to write— they’re the ones you’re brave enough to live.

Meg thought she’d closed the door on her past when she left Oregon—and her ex, Matt Parker—for her dream job at ESPN. But when her editor assigns her to cover a winter sports event during the holidays, Meg finds herself face-to-face with everything she left behind.

Matt’s throwing his thirtieth birthday bash, and Meg’s determined to keep things professional—attend the party for old time’s sake, cover the story and get back to her carefully constructed life in New York.

And then she sees Matt again.

When their eyes meet across the festive lodge with its crackling fire and glittering Christmas trees, seven years dissolve in an instant. The chemistry that once burned between them flickers back to life, bringing with it all the complicated feelings she thought she’d dealt with.

As Meg sips hot chocolate in her cozy log cabin and tries to focus on crafting her feature story, she can’t shake the pull of old dreams and new possibilities. Some feelings don’t fade—and some people are worth fighting for. But is it too late for second chances?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, feel-good holiday tale about friendship, second chances, and rediscovering what truly matters. Set against the charming backdrop of a snow-dusted Oregon town, the story follows Meg, a driven ESPN reporter returning home to cover a news story—only to cross paths with her ex, Matt, whose easy charm and steady presence reignite old feelings.

Told through the perspectives of Meg, her boss Johanna, and her best friend Jill, the novel beautifully intertwines three women’s emotional journeys. Each faces crossroads in love and life—Meg with her career-versus-heart dilemma, Johanna with her crumbling relationship, and Jill with her own hidden struggles. Alexander masterfully balances humor and heart, wrapping each storyline in the comforting glow of friendship and festive spirit.

Filled with cozy small-town charm, nostalgic holiday moments, and the reminder that home is as much about people as place, A Cozy Kind of Christmas is a delightful, uplifting read. Perfect for curling up with a blanket and a mug of cocoa, it captures the true magic of Christmas connection.

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Review Card & Book Card – The Monday Night Heartbreak Club By Jane Lovering

Is your love life a bit of a disaster? You’re not alone…

When Fee finds herself drunk, dumped and directionless on Valentine’s Day, she stumbles across a flyer for a new club, for people united by heartbreak. Intrigued, she joins a motley group of strangers at a quiet Yorkshire wine bar the following Monday night.

There’s Margot, in the middle of a bitter divorce;

Annie, whose husband of forty years she suspects is having an affair;

Wren, quietly nursing her own romantic regrets;

and Fraser, who may have mistaken the group for a dating opportunity.

But what begins as a weekly wallow soon becomes something more, especially when the club starts an undercover operation to discover the truth about Annie’s husband and his infidelity.

For Fee, who’s only just holding on to any self-worth she had left, the Monday Night Heartbreak Club offers something she never expected: purpose, friendship and maybe even a fresh start.

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, witty, and deeply human story about heartbreak, healing, and the unexpected families we build when life falls apart. Fee, fresh from a disastrous breakup and nursing a bruised heart (and hangover), stumbles into the quirky but welcoming circle of the Monday Night Heartbreak Club—a mismatched group of lonely souls united by disappointment in love.

Lovering’s signature humor and emotional insight shine as she introduces a cast of endearing characters: formidable Margot, sweet Annie, recently single Wren, cheeky Fraser, and Flynn, the sardonic bartender who brings charm and quiet depth. As the group rallies around Annie, their shared compassion and chaos transform them from strangers into a found family.

The novel perfectly balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional warmth. Beneath the banter lies a touching message about resilience, vulnerability, and learning to trust again. While there’s romance, the real love story is the one between friends who help each other rebuild.

Heartfelt, funny, and full of charm, The Monday Night Heartbreak Club is the literary equivalent of a comforting hug and a good laugh.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Happily Never After By Phoebe MacLeod

She’s looking for writing inspiration, but she may just find Mr Right…

Laura Spalding has life all worked out: a flourishing writing career, a lovely home, a cute dog, and a handsome boyfriend Angus.

Then, plot twist, Angus walks out, leaving Laura with sole charge of Meg the dog, and a serious case of writer’s block. With the deadline on her latest novel looming, Laura gives in to her agent’s suggestion that she go on a writer’s retreat. Perhaps two weeks in the South of France will help her find inspiration again?

But when Laura arrives in the idyllic village of St-Antonin-Noble-Val, she’s surprised to discover the other guests are less than thrilled to have a published author in their mix. Only non-writer Finn is willing to give her the time of day, and they immediately become close. And, incredibly, Laura finds she can write again.

Then a surprise arrival at the retreat throws everything off course, and Laura realises that there’s more to life than professional success. Should she risk everything to follow her heart?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, easy-to-enjoy rom com that blends humor, heart, and a dash of escapism. The story follows Laura Spalding, a romance novelist whose seemingly perfect life crumbles when her boyfriend leaves her and her creative spark vanishes. Hoping to find inspiration—and perhaps herself—Laura joins a writer’s retreat in the South of France, where sunlit days, eccentric fellow writers, and an unexpected romantic spark begin to mend her bruised heart.

MacLeod’s writing is warm and witty, with plenty of feel-good moments and a cozy, escapist atmosphere. The French setting adds a lovely touch of wanderlust, while Laura’s journey of rediscovering her confidence and creativity feels genuine and relatable. Although the plot occasionally lingers and lacks deeper emotional tension, the story’s charm lies in its lighthearted optimism and likable cast.

Ideal for readers craving a gentle, uplifting escape rather than a high-drama romance, Happily Never After is a sweet, comforting read that celebrates resilience, friendship, and the idea that love—and inspiration—can find you when you least expect it.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review- One December Morning By Emma Davies

One chance meeting. Two strangers. And a sprinkling of Christmas magic…

Fifty-five-year-old Peg has been lonely for as long as she can remember. As she battles through traffic while the snow softly falls around her, the best she can hope for is to get home for Christmas safely, and to spend it wrapped in a blanket by a roaring open fire in her tumbledown cottage in the Cotswolds. Little does she know that everything is about to change…

Because Henry is also stuck on the road, and when their cars come to a complete standstill, he and Peg strike up a conversation over a homemade mince pie and a flask of hot tea. Towering over Peg, his navy waffle-knit jumper charmingly threadbare at the elbows, he chats effortlessly. With his tortoiseshell glasses pushed back into his mass of curly dark hair, Henry makes Peg laugh, and the two click. As something shifts, Peg realises that it’s been a long time since she smiled like this.

Peg discovers that Henry is single too, but he’s off to grit his teeth through the forced jollity of another family Christmas with his insufferably perfect daughter-in-law in the next village. Before they get a chance to exchange numbers, the traffic starts to move and Peg and Henry are wrenched apart…

She doesn’t expect to see him again. But then, days later, there’s a knock on Peg’s door: Henry needs her help. In an instant, she knows this will be a Christmas she’ll never forget, in ways she could never have imagined. Can she let herself get involved and risk being vulnerable, or will she shy away?

Peg doesn’t open her heart to anyone. But can the magic of Christmas persuade her to give it to someone special…?

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, uplifting holiday story about love, hope, and rediscovery later in life. Peg, expecting to spend Christmas alone, finds her plans upended when a snowstorm brings chaos—and an unexpected connection with Henry, a kind stranger whose warmth slowly melts her loneliness. Their chance encounter evolves into a touching journey of companionship, laughter, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

Emma Davies writes with her signature warmth and grace, painting a vivid picture of snow-covered landscapes, twinkling lights, and the quiet magic of the season. Peg is a beautifully written heroine—resilient, generous, and ready to believe that joy and love aren’t bound by age. Henry, too, adds gentle humor and heart, making their growing bond feel authentic and deeply comforting.

What makes this story shine is its message: it’s never too late to find happiness or fall in love again. One December Morning is a cozy, heartfelt read that captures the true spirit of Christmas—hope, connection, and the simple beauty of finding someone who feels like home.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Christmas At The Sturcombe Bay By Susanne McCarthy

Two broken hearts. One magical Christmas by the sea.

When Jess calls off her wedding just weeks before the big day, she escapes to the coastal village of Sturcombe Bay for a fresh start.

Swapping wedding plans for Christmas preparation at the fading Carleton Hotel, she’s not looking for love — until she meets Paul Channing, a rugged local with secrets of his own.

Shelley doesn’t let people in — not even at Christmas. But when kind-hearted Canadian pilot Daniel Crocombe steps in to defend her at the Carleton Hotel, his quiet warmth begins to break through her walls. With Christmas approaching, can Shelley believe she’s worthy of the love she’s always longed for?

As fairy lights go up around the village and snow dusts the bay, Jess and Shelley must find the courage to let go of the past — and discover that love often arrives when you least expect it.

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming, multi-layered festive romance that weaves together the stories of love, loss, and second chances in a charming seaside town. The novel follows several intertwining lives—Jess, Shelley, Mike, Kathy, and their prospective partners—as each faces crossroads of the heart during the Christmas season.

After calling off her wedding, Jess seeks refuge with her sister and must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again. Shelley, a resilient young woman who’s overcome a difficult past, finds unexpected chemistry with Alex, a Canadian visitor hiding his own secrets. Meanwhile, hotel manager Mike wrestles with grief and loneliness, finding comfort and the possibility of new love through dance classes, while Kathy, the café owner, longs to rediscover her spark.

McCarthy expertly balances these emotional threads, crafting a story rich in warmth, community, and festive spirit. The setting of Sturcombe Bay feels alive—filled with friendship, hope, and the quiet magic of the holidays. Christmas at Sturcombe Bay is a cozy, feel-good read about healing, new beginnings, and the timeless power of love at Christmas.

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Review Card & Book Review- Falling For Polkerran Point By Cass Grafton

Will she get a new start with an old love?

Ellie Arbon thought she left Polkerran Point behind her, for good. But when her cousin Nicki needs her help, Ellie has no choice but to return.

The cove stirs up memories Ellie would rather forget. Will Farmer left her years ago to pursue an acting career, and now he’s back.

Handsome and famous, Ellie is sure he’s all but forgotten her. Every encounter they have suggests otherwise – there’s an undeniable spark between them and old feelings return once more.

Ellie must decide whether she wants to fight for a future together, or whether Will is – and will always be – the one who got away.

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, second-chance romance set against the breathtaking Cornish coast. The story opens with a nostalgic flashback to Ellie’s first visit to Polkerran Point twelve years earlier, when she met and fell for Will. Now, returning to help her cousin, Ellie finds herself face-to-face with the man she’s never truly forgotten.

Grafton writes with warmth and emotional honesty, capturing the ache of unresolved love and the frustration of misunderstandings left to fester. Ellie and Will’s interactions are tense yet charged with longing, and their inability to communicate feels both real and heart-wrenching. Through a blend of memories and present-day moments, the author reveals how pride, pain, and assumptions can keep two people apart even when love remains.

The familiar setting, sprinkled with returning characters like Nicki, Hamish, Anna, and Oliver, adds a comforting sense of community and continuity. Heartfelt and gently uplifting, Falling for Polkerran Point is the literary equivalent of a warm embrace—a beautifully written story about forgiveness, rediscovery, and finding your way home again.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – The Grump I Loathe By Leslie North

Connor Lockhart is gorgeous, grumpy, and about as charming as a brick wall. He’s also—plot twist—my new boss. Our first meeting? A total disaster. I’m late for a major panel at a gaming convention, standing in line for a burrito, and the guy in front of me is treating the menu like it’s a gourmet tasting. I ask if I can cut. He says no—like I asked for his social security number. I may or may not have dumped super spicy salsa all over his precious order.

Fast forward: that burrito snob? Now signs my paychecks. At the company of my dreams. Dream job. Nightmare boss.

He’s impossible—cold, cranky, allergic to small talk. Smiling seems physically painful for him.Sure, he’s got that jaw-dropping face. And when the smile does show up? Swoon.But there’s something else—something under all that grump that’s way too easy to like.

When his nine-year-old daughter starts feuding with my nine-year-old half-sister, we’re forced into a truce. Then a kiss. Then… way too many feelings.I don’t want to fall for my grumpy boss. I just want to get him out of my system.Too bad my heart has other plans.

About The Author

My Review

This is a sweet, low-angst romance that wraps up the Lockhart Brothers series with charm and heart. The story follows Connor, the youngest Lockhart brother—a single dad still healing from divorce—as he unexpectedly finds love again with Eddie, a vibrant and optimistic woman who turns his orderly world upside down. Their first meeting at a video game convention is delightfully awkward and funny, setting the tone for a romance that’s both relatable and endearing.

Though marketed as an enemies-to-lovers story, the dynamic feels more grumpy/sunshine than combative, allowing their relationship to develop naturally rather than through constant friction. North strikes a nice balance between humor, family warmth, and emotional depth. Connor’s devotion to his daughter adds tenderness, while Eddie’s presence brings light and laughter back into his life.

While the third-act breakup feels predictable, it resolves quickly and satisfyingly. Overall, The Grump I Loathe is a cozy, feel-good romance about second chances, parenthood, and learning to love again—an enjoyable conclusion to a heartwarming series.

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Review Card & Book Review- Fighting For Hope By Katie Reus

He never expected someone like her…

Redemption Harbor security expert Bradford never thought he would fall in love, until Hope blew up his world. But after their wedding in Vegas, she disappeared—and he was shipped out to places unknown. He still doesn’t know why she ran, and he’s learned to live with that. The one thing he can’t accept is living without her. So when he discovers she’s in danger, he won’t be walking away this time.

Now he’s ready to burn down the world to keep her safe.

Investigative journalist Hope has never gotten over Bradford. But no matter how much she loves him, it never would have worked. She doesn’t know how to love herself, let alone someone else—and he deserves someone who can give him everything. Only now that a dangerous enemy is gunning for her, she can’t trust anyone except Bradford. As they race to stay alive and uncover the truth, she finds herself struggling to protect her heart against the biggest threat of all: her estranged husband.

About The Author

My Review

This is a passionate, suspenseful friends-to-lovers romance that perfectly balances emotional vulnerability with high-stakes danger. After a whirlwind Vegas marriage, Hope panics and runs from Bradford, afraid she can’t give him the love he deserves. When Bradford returns from his military assignment and learns that Hope’s father has passed away, he vows to be there for her—whether she wants him to or not.

Back in her hometown, Hope faces more than grief. Someone is targeting her and her late father’s home, and the danger quickly escalates. With Bradford and his Redemption Harbor Security team by her side, the two must navigate both external threats and the emotional tension that still burns between them.

Reus delivers a fast-paced, emotionally charged story filled with protective heroes, heartfelt second chances, and sizzling chemistry. Hope’s journey from fear to courage, and Bradford’s unwavering devotion, make this story deeply satisfying. With its perfect blend of romance and intrigue, Fighting for Hope is another compelling addition to the Redemption Harbor series.

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