Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- Falling Apart And Other Gifts From The Universe By Catherine Ryan Hyde

An army veteran with a career as a beat cop behind her, security guard Addie Finch is tough—on the outside. Internally, she’s in crisis mode. She’s lonely, introverted, struggling through AA, estranged from her son, and, at sixty-two years old, questioning her role as a protector. She also has a soft spot for the underdog that’s about to change her life.

Addie finds Jonathan, a homeless teenager abandoned by his mother, holed up in a warehouse and vulnerable to the elements and to predators. Touched by the boy’s gentle nature and a wisdom beyond his years, Addie offers him temporary shelter in her garden shed in exchange for maintaining the sprawling property. It’s an act of kindness and purpose that means the world to Jonathan. But when Addie faces a situation that sends her internal world tumbling, the emotional connection with Jonathan, once the unlikeliest of strangers, becomes her lifeline as well.

As both process past traumas, Addie and Jonathan forge a surrogate grandmother-grandson bond—a chosen family that could restore trust and heal hearts they thought were broken forever.

About The Author

My Review

This is a quietly powerful, deeply human story about redemption, resilience, and unexpected family. At sixty-two, Addie Finch—a recovering alcoholic and retired cop—works nights as a security guard, haunted by her past but determined to stay sober and steady. When she encounters Jonathan, a homeless teen escaping violence, an unlikely bond forms between two lost souls seeking safety and purpose. Their connection, first born of compassion, grows into mutual healing as they face trauma, guilt, and the ghosts of their histories together.

Hyde’s storytelling is compassionate yet unflinching, weaving tough realities—addiction, homelessness, assault—into a narrative that ultimately uplifts rather than crushes. Addie’s introspective “life inventory” offers emotional depth and insight into the long shadows of regret and recovery. Jonathan’s quiet strength and kindness balance her struggles beautifully.

Handled with tenderness and moral clarity, this novel explores found family, forgiveness, and the fragile grace that emerges when broken people help each other heal. It’s moving, reflective, and quintessentially Catherine Ryan Hyde—heartache transformed into hope.

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Review Card & Book Review- Letting Go Of Yesterday By Jo Bartlett

Sometimes the only way forward… is to go back.

When Rowan Bellamy’s marriage collapses in spectacular style, she retreats with her two children, Bella and Theo, to the last place she ever wanted to return—her windswept Cornish hometown of Port Agnes. Taking the headteacher role at the local primary school is the easy part. Facing village gossip, curious neighbours, and old flames? Not so much.

Especially when one of those flames turns out to be Nathan Lark — the boy who broke her heart and the man who now has a reputation as bruised as her own. With his young nephew Leo a pupil in Rowan’s school, she and Nathan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. And whether she likes it or not, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore.

As salty sea air begins to soothe old wounds and Port Agnes slowly feels like home again, Rowan must decide if she’s brave enough to let go of the past and open her heart one more time.

About The Author

My Review

Set against the windswept beauty of Port Agnes, this book delivers a heartfelt story about resilience, small-town gossip, and second chances. Jo Bartlett captures the claustrophobic charm of a close-knit community where everyone knows your business — and your secrets.

Rowan’s move to Port Agnes after discovering her husband’s affair is both painful and brave. Her ex, a minister with a judgmental father, hides behind respectability, forcing Rowan to shoulder the shame of their marriage breakdown. It’s frustrating but realistic, and Bartlett handles it with compassion and insight.

Nathan’s return to town after a prison sentence adds another layer of redemption to the story. His bond with his nephew Leo, who has Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, brings warmth and depth, shining a light on how illness affects families and relationships.

Rowan and Nathan’s second-chance romance feels tender and earned, and the wider Port Agnes community sets the stage perfectly for future books. A moving, uplifting read about healing, honesty, and finding peace after heartbreak.

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Review Card & Book Review- Off Limits By Emma Rae

She’s the cheerleader. He’s the star player. One problem: their contracts.

For Serenity Harper, paying off her father’s massive gambling debt means working a job as a late-night dancer in a sleazy dive bar. But achieving her dream of becoming a cheerleader for the Canyon football team, she must hide her double life from her new employers.

But when Serenity catches the attention of the newest Canyon star player, golden-boy Jake Walsh, while out shopping – sparks instantly fly.

But their contracts have a very specific clause: no fraternizing with the players or cheerleaders. As the pair struggle to stay away from each other, will Serenity’s other secrets come to light, and will Jake lose his perfect player image…?

About The Author

My Review

This is a contemporary sports romance that explores a forbidden relationship between Jake, a young NFL rookie, and Serenity, a dedicated cheerleader for his team. Their connection begins with an unexpected grocery store encounter and grows stronger despite a professional rule prohibiting relationships between players and cheerleaders. The secrecy surrounding their romance adds tension and tenderness, and Jake’s caring nature—especially in his interactions with his younger sister, River—adds depth to his character.

The story includes heartfelt moments and emotional exchanges, though some aspects may feel less authentic, such as the limited football detail and the use of British spellings in an American setting. Discussions about relationships and intimacy recur throughout the book, which may not appeal to all readers. Additionally, certain plot elements—coercion, intimidation, and scenes set in a strip club—may require content warnings.

Overall, Off Limits offers a sweet, secretive love story with elements of risk and devotion. It’s a light, emotional read for those who enjoy romance centered on breaking rules for love.

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Review Card & Book Review- Never Look Back By Susan Lewis

A dead husband. A missing wife. Will they find her in time?

Romy Kaplan has vanished from her home.

Or has she?

When Romy begins posting on her social media accounts asking everyone to stop looking for her, the police are certain she is safe. But Romy’s nearest and dearest are far from convinced.

Her husband died in the bath under inconclusive circumstances six weeks ago. And Romy would never disappear without telling someone where she is going.

As true crime podcast host, Cristy Ward, picks up Romy’s case… she has the whole world asking…

Where is Romy now?

About The Author

My Review

This is a gripping, timely mystery that blends emotional depth with modern-day intrigue. When Romy Kaplan suddenly vanishes—her phone unanswered and her social media active—her terminally ill friend Beth grows desperate. Beth’s daughter, Layla, turns to the Hindsight podcast team—Cristy, Connor, and Clove—for help. Through Cristy’s perspective, the investigation unravels secrets, lies, and a chilling conspiracy tied to cybercrime and AI manipulation.

Lewis’s storytelling is sharp and immersive, balancing tension with heartfelt character moments. Cristy, in particular, stands out as a determined and empathetic lead whose own story adds texture and realism. The podcast format offers a fresh narrative device, revealing clues and emotional insights naturally. With smooth prose, brisk pacing, and clever twists, the book keeps readers engaged throughout.

While Romy’s character occasionally feels too idealized, the mystery’s momentum and the timely themes make up for it. Never Look Back is an absorbing, contemporary thriller about friendship, truth, and the dark side of technology.

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Review Card & Book Review – Settle For More By Campbell Linden

Tess Hughes thought she’d traded in small-town gossip for the bright lights of Los Angeles. But when her estranged uncle leaves her a gift shop in Danville Falls, she’s forced back to the town she couldn’t wait to escape, and into the heart of everything she left behind.

Moving home at forty-five isn’t exactly a dream come true. Sharing her old bedroom with memories of her teenage years is hard enough, and running into Will Sampson makes it harder still. The boy who once overlooked her is now a divorced contractor with a steady business, a quick smile, and an undeniable pull she never expected.

When Tess hires Will to renovate her shop, their working relationship sparks into something neither of them can ignore. Late-night talks turn into stolen kisses, and soon Tess begins to wonder if home might be more than a place she left behind. But Will has no plans to leave Danville Falls, and Tess still believes her life is waiting in California.

As family tensions rise, an old rivalry stirs up trouble, and her new business comes under threat, Tess must choose between the future she always imagined and the love that could change everything.

About The Author

My Review

This book marks a charming start to Campbell Linden’s new series and introduces readers to Tess and Will’s heartfelt journey. Tess, now 45, thought she’d left her small hometown—and its endless gossip—behind for good when she moved to Los Angeles. But life takes an unexpected turn when her estranged uncle leaves her a local gift shop, drawing her back to the very place she once fled. Determined to give the shop new life, she hires Will and his friends, who run a contracting business in town. What begins as a professional arrangement soon blossoms into a slow-burning connection filled with warmth, tension, and humor.

Linden beautifully captures the push and pull of returning home, the vulnerability of starting over, and the tender hope of finding love again later in life. With witty banter, relatable characters, and a perfect blend of emotion and charm, this small-town romance celebrates resilience, second chances, and rediscovering where you truly belong. A delightful and uplifting read that leaves you eager for the next in the series.

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Review Card & Book Review – Old Girls Go Greek By Maddie Please

At 64, Meg Foster is ready to paint outside the lines

Newly divorced from overbearing husband Malcom and with only reruns of Bergerac and an irascible black cat called Ivan for company, Meg decides it’s time to add a little colour back into her life. So when she spots a flyer for a local art class at the Lower Begley community centre, she grabs a brush — despite her only painting experience being a half-hearted coat of magnolia in the downstairs loo.

Surrounded by a motley crew of charming amateur artists, Meg slowly begins to rediscover her spark with the help of the other old girls…and the only male in the group Dennis. And when someone suggests a painting holiday to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg doesn’t hesitate to sign up. Whitewashed walls, turquoise seas and possibly even a Grecian god or two? Yes please!

As the sun sets over the Aegean, Meg starts to realise that life — like art — is all about perspective. Could this trip be more than just a wash of watercolour fun? Could friendship, freedom and a second-chance romance be just a sketch away?

About The Author

My Review

This book promises sun, laughter, and second chances under the Santorini sky—but while the premise is charming, the execution feels surprisingly shallow. The story follows 64-year-old Meg, a lonely divorcée who impulsively accepts a week-long trip to Greece from a near-stranger she meets at an art class. It’s a fun idea, but the leap from awkward introduction to idyllic getaway happens so abruptly that it strains believability.

Once in Greece, Meg’s personal journey of rediscovery feels glossed over, replaced by polite chatter and a steady stream of “marvellous” moments. The supporting cast remains paper-thin, their conversations light but forgettable. Only in brief flashes—like Meg’s witty reflections on ageing and independence—does the story gain warmth and authenticity.

Still, Old Girls Go Greek has its place: it’s an easy, escapist summer read, perfect for readers wanting sunshine and simple smiles rather than emotional depth. If you’re after breezy comfort rather than realism or nuance, this lighthearted holiday tale will do nicely.

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Review Card & Book Review- Heirs And Graces At Highland Hall By Hannah Lynn

✨ Some things can’t be easily left behind, especially the heart… ✨

Rebecca Barker thought she’d left Highland Hall – and a certain brooding Scotsman – firmly in the past. Back in London, her life is orderly, focused and heartbreak-free. Long-distance love didn’t work, and she’s convinced it was the right call.

But when beloved laird Fergus passes away, his will contains one final surprise: a personal request for Bex to return to the Highlands and help settle his affairs. Reluctantly, Bex finds herself back at the estate that once felt like home. But returning means facing Duncan – her ex – and the sparks that never quite went out.

As they navigate old wounds, village gossip and Fergus’s final wishes, it becomes clear that the unfinished business Bex must deal with in the Highlands isn’t just her work. Can she keep things strictly professional this time? Or, with a big Burns Night party approaching, will the romantic Scottish air weave its magic once more?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, wintry romance laced with mystery, family drama, and just the right touch of Scottish charm. When Bex Barker is unexpectedly summoned back to Highland Hall, she has no idea that her life is about to be upended. Facing her ex, Duncan, and learning that beloved Fergus—the Laird of the castle—has died is only the beginning. Soon, Bex is pulled into a web of secrets surrounding Fergus’s will, tasked with uncovering an anomaly before it’s made public. Between navigating the estate’s tensions, a raging snowstorm, and the attentions of two handsome rivals, she must balance heart and head in true romantic fashion.

Hannah Lynn delivers an engaging story filled with humor, heart, and Highland atmosphere. The castle setting feels delightfully festive, especially with Burns Night celebrations and plenty of cozy, snow-dusted scenes. Bex is an instantly likable heroine—determined, slightly flustered, and impossible not to root for. Fans of romantic comedies with a dash of intrigue and a strong Scottish flavor will find this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

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