Book Review – Page 88

Review Card & Book Review – Snowflakes and Surprises in Tuppenny Bridge By Sharon Booth

In Tuppenny Bridge, fresh snowfall carpets every cottage roof, turning the village into a shimmering wonderland of white. Snatches of carols swirl in the frosty air and, beside a roaring fire in The White Hart Inn, rosy-cheeked families gather over mugs of hot chocolate. But despite the holiday cheer all around her, Clementine Grant can barely manage a smile…

Clemmie has always been a romantic at heart, even going so far as to write her own regency romance novels… not that she’d EVER let anyone read them. This year, she’s dreaming of a white Christmas, but any chance of a merry holiday is dashed when she spots her ex-boyfriend, Ross Lavender, across the village green at a carol concert.

Even worse, Clemmie is mortified when, in the village Christmas raffle, she picks the winning ticket. The prize? A portrait painted by Ross himself, who is a talented local artist. Burning with shame, Clemmie tries unsuccessfully to give it back. She’d rather forget the portrait and the man behind it – no way does she want to spend hours alone together this holiday season.

But then an unexpected snowstorm traps Clemmie and Ross in close quarters, and old emotions and secrets emerge from beneath the ice. With Clemmie’s sweet Aunt Dolly clearly keeping something from her, and a potential new suitor – the charming Reuben Walker – stirring the pot, Clemmie’s future is at a terrifying crossroads. Will the spirit of Christmas, with its promise of new beginnings, help bridge the distance between two people who thought it was over for good? Or will the weight of the secret Clemmie’s been carrying ever since they split up prove too heavy for her to bear?

About The Author

My Review

This book is a heartwarming tale of love and forgiveness set in a close-knit community. Clemmie, a romantic with a penchant for Jane Austen novels, carries a secret that affects her self-esteem and relationships. When she wins a portrait prize, tensions arise as she reconnects with her estranged artist ex-boyfriend, Ross, during a snowstorm. The story explores the complexities of relationships, including those between friends, parents, and grown children. Surprises unfold, including the arrival of newcomer Reuben, whose secrets challenge perceptions. Through Austen-inspired references and Ross’s romantic gestures, the novel celebrates the enduring power of love and the importance of remaining a dreamer in a sometimes cynical world.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – A Christmas Changes Everything By Isabelle Grace

This Christmas, Holly and Chace are getting the best present of all – a second chance.

Holly McCade is godmother to two little girls – a role she takes very seriously. So she immediately offers to care for the twins when, three weeks before Christmas, their father is injured and their mother has to rush off to tend to him.

Only Holly won’t be handling the situation alone. The twins’ Uncle Chace, the man Holly almost married, is also coming to help.

Formerly an elite soldier, now a private security specialist, Chace Dutton is trained to deal with the toughest, scariest situations. Yet nothing has prepared him for the daunting task of sharing childcare duties with the only woman he’s ever loved.

The woman who tore his heart to shreds when she said she could never be with a man who might be killed every time he went to work.

Now, eight years later and living under the same roof, Chace and Holly are given a glimpse into how their life together might have been.

Will they have the courage to rekindle their love and grab hold of this second chance? Or is all the mistletoe for nothing?

About The Author

My Review

Holly and Chace, former engaged couple, find themselves reunited when they agree to care for Chace’s twin nieces in his sister’s absence. Despite their unresolved feelings for each other, Holly’s fear of loss led to their breakup years ago. Now, as they navigate co-parenting the girls, their love reignites. Can they overcome past obstacles and embrace a second chance at love? Fans of the series will appreciate this heartwarming story of rekindled romance amidst holiday chaos in Hickory Ridge.

My Rating

Review Card & Book Review – Baby Daddy Protector By Katie Knight

All I need is a baby. And a husband. It’s not that I really want either, to be honest. But to save my country from my jerk of a cousin, I’m willing to make that sacrifice.

I love my country, but it has a silly law that the only way a woman can rule is if she’s the mother of a male heir to the throne. Otherwise, my horrible cousin is next in line, and I just can’t let him take over when my ailing father dies. No way.

Now, I just need to find someone who’s just as desperate as I am. And my eyes fall on him. Zachary Raybourn. Hot. Sexy. Silent. The bane of my existence. He’s a Navy SEAL who has the task of protecting me while we’re in the U.S.

I’m a grown woman. I don’t need a babysitter. I need a husband. And Zachary needs to get back to his unit. So, I offer him a deal. It’s an early Christmas present to each other. Marry me, get me pregnant, and he’s free.

I just hope that when the time comes, I’ll be glad to see him go.

About The Author

My Review

Zachary “Z” Raybourn, a former SEAL relegated to protecting a foreign princess, Esme Hollycombe, finds himself in an unexpected situation when Esme proposes a contract: he marries her to secure her country’s throne and fathers her child. Initially hesitant, Z eventually agrees, leading to a complex journey of action, intrigue, and unexpected romance. As their fake relationship evolves into something real, Z must choose between his military family and the nuclear family he’s creating with Esme. Despite the unconventional circumstances, their bond deepens, culminating in a satisfying ending. The story offers a fresh twist on the princess and bodyguard trope, with engaging characters and a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked until the end.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – A Merry Montgomery Christmas By Samantha Chase

When the entire Montgomery family comes together, it makes for a holiday to remember.

But it’s more than just the tree, decorations, and gifts that have everyone talking. With so many people crammed under one roof, there’s bound to be some drama. Between last-minute business crises, talks of retirement, a new relationship, a sprinkle of marital problems, lots of snow, and a surprise baby, this has all the makings of a blue Christmas. They’ll need more than one Christmas miracle to get everything back on track, and hopefully Santa–or William Montgomery–will come to the rescue.

One thing’s for sure, it’s a Christmas they’ll be talking about for years to come.

About The Author

My Review

The Montgomery family gathers for Christmas in a sprawling Blue Ridge mountain home, bringing together over fifty family members from across the country. Despite the challenges each couple faces, they come together to provide support and encouragement for one another. William Montgomery’s matchmaking antics add a delightful touch to the narrative, while Kevin T. Collins delivers a captivating narration, bringing each character to life with skill and engagement. Despite the large cast of characters, the reunion is depicted seamlessly, allowing readers to reconnect with beloved figures and anticipate future storylines. With themes of family, gratitude, and matchmaking, this heartwarming holiday tale is sure to uplift and entertain readers, making it a perfect festive read. Overall, this story is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and holiday spirit, making it an enjoyable and quick read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review -Christmas with the Denton Billionaires By Leslie North

Will a fake Christmas engagement lead to true love in the Billionaire’s Christmas Fiancée? Amelia MacTaggart wants a promotion. To get it, all she has to do is pretend to be her hot billionaire boss’s fiancée for Christmas. But when their fake romance starts feeling all too real, Amelia realizes she may not be pretending after all…

Jules Cardwell has her hands full planning the legendary Denton Hotel Christmas gala. Then she and her billionaire boss, Mitch Denton, discover a real baby in the hotel’s manger. Forced together with a storm bearing down, Mitch and Jules are about to discover that all they want for Christmas…may just be each other, in The Billionaire’s Sudden Christmas Baby.

Things are heating up in the kitchen in The Billionaire’s Second Chance Christmas!Mara Lancaster’s future depends on her winning a local gingerbread house competition. The only problem? Her main competition is her former lover, Chris Denton. It’s a recipe for disaster…one that just might leave them both burned.

About The Author

My Review

The Billionaire’s Christmas Fiancée” follows Josh and Amelia, where Josh needs a fiancée to bid on a property.Josh Denton and his assistant, Amelia, enter into a fake engagement to help Josh take over a hotel in Amelia’s hometown. Unbeknownst to each other, they already have feelings for one another. Along the way, misunderstandings, guilt, and mischief arise, adding to the mayhem. Amelia’s family provides comic relief, while Josh grapples with the loss of his mother and his family dynamics.

The Billionaire’s Sudden Christmas Baby” features Mitch and Jules, who find a baby abandoned in a nativity scene while planning a holiday event. They bond over caring for the baby and develop feelings for each other amidst the chaos, leading to emotional revelations and confrontations within the family.

The Billionaire’s Second Chance Christmas” revolves around Chef Christopher Denton and Maria competing against each other while dealing with past heartbreak. As they vie for a prize, their old spark reignites, but external obstacles threaten their budding relationship amidst competition, secrets, and drama, eventually finding their happily-ever-after.

The steamy boxset by Leslie North features three irresistible billionaire romances set during the holiday season. Each book is a standalone novel with themes like holiday romance, Christmas stories, boss-employee relationships, and more.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – Welcome To The Cornish Country Hospital By Jo Bartlett

A new start…

When Danni Carter moves to Cornwall from London, she hopes it will be the fresh start she so desperately needs. She’s nervous, but hopefully the change of scene will help her to finally forget her feelings for Lucas Newman, a man she can never be with, because he’s already engaged to Danni’s best friend, Esther.

An Impossible Dilemma…

But when Lucas and Esther decide to follow Danni to Cornwall, and both announce they will be working with her at the new St Piran’s hospital, Danni is thrown into turmoil again. She can’t lose Esther, but being near Lucas is getting harder to deal with. Will she have to give up her new life before it’s even started?

A chance to start again?

Throwing herself into work, Danni finds herself drawn to new patient, Connie Berrycloth, a woman Danni knows has dark secrets of her own. Secrets that are about to be revealed….

As the two women form a friendship, Danni begins to realise that letting go of her dreams might be the only way of holding on to the people she loves.

About The Author

My Review

Danni faces a difficult decision when she leaves London to work as an A&E doctor in St. Piran’s, a place her late father loved. Her friendship with Esther is tested by her feelings for surgeon Lucas, who is now engaged to Esther. When they both follow her to Cornwall and work at the same hospital, Danni must decide between her relationship with Esther and her attraction to Lucas. Against the backdrop of hospital life, Danni becomes involved in Connie’s story, a patient with a poignant secret. The book explores themes of friendship, family, and romance, with uplifting moments despite the heartbreak. The well-researched hospital and Cornish settings, along with excellent character development, make it a highly recommended read.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Christmas With The Lords By Hannah Langdon

URGENTLY WANTED: a nanny for Christmas. Seeking an adventurous nanny to work for the aristocratic Lord family at their country estate. Must love naughty dogs, mischievous children and have a high tolerance for Christmas chaos. Room and board provided.

Penny Windlesham is stunned when her long-term boyfriend suddenly dumps her, leaving her with a broken heart just in time for Christmas. At a loose end, she accepts a job as a short-term nanny to a family she’s never met. Climbing aboard a train bound for the Dorset countryside, a tear rolls down her cheek. Alone, working and amongst strangers… could her Christmas be any less magical?

As she crunches up the family’s frost-covered drive, Penny’s spirits lift when she glimpses her home for the next month: an enormous manor house, its windows glowing with firelight and festooned with twinkling holly. And, as she settles into her role caring for the adorable Lord children, she finds herself surrounded by a quirky cast of characters, including loveably frazzled Spanish chef Pilar and the children’s grouchy uncle, Lando Lord.

Despite Penny’s attempts to avoid him, the darkly handsome Lando seems to be everywhere – hanging around like Scrooge amidst the happy present-wrapping and gingerbread baking. Apparently he wasn’t always this way… is there some secret reason he’s so cranky at Christmas?

When Lando is commissioned to carve a beautiful new Nativity scene for the local church, Penny blushingly agrees to be his model, and a sudden spark flickers between them. But it’s not long before the past comes knocking, and Penny discovers exactly why Lando left his old life behind…

About The Author

My Review

This book follows Penny, recently single after a 10-year relationship, as she decides to spend the holiday season taking care of four-year-old twins for their slightly eccentric mother, Bunny, in a small town. The family includes recluse Uncle Lando, who spends his days woodworking after a breakdown. Both Penny and Lando are planning to leave the country for a fresh start, but could something new keep them there? The story is gentle and comforting, with larger-than-life characters and a Hallmark movie-like charm. Penny finds herself immersed in the quirky world of the Lords, including the endearing Spanish chef Pilar and the grumpy Uncle Lando, as she navigates her new role and the magic of the holiday season.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – Secrets of Starshine Cove By Debbie Johnson

Cally, a devoted single mum, is stretched thin between caring for her clingy mother and her day job as a hairdresser with an always sympathetic ear. When her life in Liverpool is suddenly upended, she grabs her son Sam and jumps in the car to drive south for the holidays. Searching for a tiny speck of a village she once visited as a child, they nearly give up when a snowstorm hits, only to unexpectedly stumble across it: Welcome to Starshine Cove.

Amidst the welcoming – if slightly mad – locals, Cally finds some unexpected new friendships. But as the year draws to a close, she faces a tough decision: she and Sam can’t stay here forever, and the future looks a lot less jolly back home…

About The Author

My Review

This book follows Cally, a single mother to eighteen-year-old Sam, as she embarks on a journey to rediscover herself during the Christmas season. After her mother’s sudden departure with a new partner, Cally decides to take a trip to Starshine Cove, a place filled with childhood memories and magical experiences. In the picturesque coastal town, Cally immerses herself in the community, offering her hairdressing skills and getting involved in the lives of the locals. Amidst the beauty of winter and the enchanting caves, Cally unravels family secrets, finds unexpected friendship with widower Archie, and undergoes personal growth. The novel explores themes of healing, love, community, and the power of truth, offering readers a heartwarming and thought-provoking story filled with festive charm.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You By Aimee Brown

Berkley Kaine was lucky enough to meet her perfect man at a young age.

Blissfully in love, she’s about to graduate college, take on her dream job, and has never been more optimistic for the future.

Will Adler has been in love with Berkley Kaine since the moment he laid eyes on her.

But ever since they became a couple, Will and Berkley have had to contend with his influential, richer-than-rich socialite family who have never thought Berkley is good enough. Determined to drive the young lovers apart, Will’s family reveal the secret he’s yet to find a way to tell her – he’s signed on with his brother to be a part of a reality TV show called PDX Royals, as apparently, money is all it takes to be ‘royalty’ in America.

Can Berkley forgive Will for lying?

Can the couple survive the pressure of Will’s crazy family, his constant bad decisions, and a TV show they never expected to blow up the way it did?

Can first love ever become forever love?

About The Author

My Review

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Aimee Brown follows the story of Berkley and Will, high school sweethearts whose relationship is tested when Will joins a reality TV show without telling Berkley. As the show airs, Will’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, straining their relationship further. Berkley, a strong and independent woman, must decide if she’s willing to forgive Will and move forward with him, while Will struggles to prove his genuine love for her amidst family pressures and his own mistakes. The story is filled with engaging characters, including the despicable Adler family and Berkley’s supportive friends and family. Despite the challenges they face, Berkley and Will’s love and determination shine through, making for a captivating and heartfelt read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Review Card & Book Review – Love Interest #9 By Mia Summers

I promised myself I wouldn’t fall for someone rich and famous. Not after what happened last time. But when leading man Lucas Stone comes to town, I might have trouble keeping my promises…

After getting my heart broken and being kicked out of my apartment, I return to my hometown.

I settle for a job – and a place to sleep – at the local bed and breakfast. The job? Playing tour guide for tourists with more money than sense. It’s irritating, but it’s only temporary.

Thank God.

Until Hollywood hotshot Lucas Stone arrives. He’s scouting locations for his next flick, and after one look at me, he demands that I be his personal tour guide.

Which wouldn’t be a problem if he wasn’t such an entitled jerk.

And there’s no way I’ll be getting involved with someone like him. Not again.

But when we get trapped in a way-too-small tent during a thunderstorm, we have no choice but to cuddle together, and Lucas reveals a secret that might just change my mind.

About absolutely everything.

About The Author

My Review

Rachel, recently back in her small hometown and disillusioned with wealthy men after breaking up with her ex-boyfriend, finds herself reluctantly working with famous actor Lucas Stone as a location scout for his upcoming movie. Despite her initial reservations, Rachel discovers that Lucas is nothing like the entitled celebrity she expected. While the characters are likable and the writing enjoyable, the story’s pacing feels rushed, leading to an abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying ending. Despite this, the book offers an appealing narrative of a regular person meeting a glamorous movie star, with just enough glamour to be believable. However, the social commentary on wealth and nepotism feels forced and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the story.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon