Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review- The Dating Pact By Lulu Morris

He’s acting royalty. She’s a nurse at The Royal hospital. What happens when their scripted romance starts to feel too real…?

When Ellie bluffs her way into a high-end party with her best friend, the last thing she expects is to end up going home with infamous actor Alex King, because he’s too drunk to remember what hotel he’s staying in. But when the paparazzi catch them together the morning after, their new friendship suddenly becomes the tabloids’ front page.

Alex needs a plus-one. Not only is his brother marrying his ex, but he’s become the villain in the eyes of the press. With a loved-up date by his side, the public might finally see him as moving on and his new play might finally get the ticket sales it needs to not close down.

But a wedding in the Bahamas, surrounded by gorgeous celebrities, with the paparazzi lurking everywhere, is plus-sized Ellie’s worst nightmare. Even as Alex’s displays of affectionate become more real and less fake, will she lose a part of herself during their pact?

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming, feel-good romcom that delivers big 90s movie vibes with plenty of heart, humour, and emotional warmth. The story follows Ellie, a plus-sized, overworked nurse, who — along with her best friend Hannah — bluffs her way into an exclusive party and unexpectedly catches the attention of Alex King, the down-to-earth son of Hollywood royalty.

What begins as an easy friendship quickly deepens. Alex is captivated by Ellie’s honesty and warmth, while Ellie discovers that behind Alex’s famous surname is a genuinely kind, thoughtful man. When Alex is forced to attend the wedding of his cheating ex and estranged brother — and his agent suggests a fake relationship to deflect bad press — Ellie agrees to be his pretend girlfriend. With their chemistry already undeniable, the line between “fake” and real soon disappears.

Ellie is a wonderfully written heroine: confident yet realistically vulnerable, her journey toward self-acceptance feels authentic and empowering. Alex is equally lovable — charming, respectful, and refreshingly grounded despite his upbringing. The writing is sweet, immersive, and reminiscent of Mhairi McFarlane’s style.

While the ending leans heavily into romcom clichés and feels slightly rushed, it’s also irresistibly cheesy in the best way. Overall, this is a warm, uplifting romance that leaves you smiling.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Arctic Cruise By Caroline James

Will the Arctic wonderland work its magic this winter?

Joy never imagined stepping aboard a cruise ship without her husband, Tom. Now widowed, Joy wonders what her voyage on the Emerald Dream will hold – and as it glides through breathtaking Norwegian fjords, she longs to believe in happiness again. However, she carries a secret that could unravel her fragile hopes if it ever came to light…

Elsewhere on deck, as the sun dips below the horizon and the polar night sets in, Henry, a lifelong bachelor, is living his dream of seeing the Northern Lights. Having long since given up on love, he now dedicates himself to his passion for photography. But when he meets Joy, is it more than the aurora borealis that catches his eye?

As they embark on a snow-dusted adventure which takes them from bustling ports to reindeer-drawn sleigh rides, will Joy and Henry find the courage to embrace love again? Or will hidden truths sink the possibility of a new beginning?

About The Author

My Review

This is a wonderfully uplifting, feel-good novel that offers the perfect escape — especially for readers who enjoy armchair travel and festive settings. Set aboard The Emerald Dream as it sails through the spectacular Norwegian fjords over Christmas, the story follows a delightful group of passengers whose lives become gently intertwined over the course of the voyage.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its cast of characters. I developed an immediate soft spot for Henry, whose quiet kindness and old-fashioned courtesy shine, particularly through a deeply touching act of generosity near the novel’s conclusion. Joy is another standout — a warm, engaging presence whose hidden depths gradually emerge in a very satisfying way. I also appreciated the focus on older characters, a refreshing and realistic choice that suits the cruise setting beautifully.

James brings the journey vividly to life with engaging descriptions of both onboard activities and shore excursions. The talks, the chance of spotting the Northern Lights, and the breathtaking scenery make the trip feel wonderfully immersive.

Adding sparkle and laughter are the gloriously pretentious Kenneth and Barbara, whose antics provide constant amusement. With blossoming romances, heartfelt moments, gentle humour, and secrets slowly revealed, The Arctic Cruise is a charming, light-hearted read that leaves you smiling long after the final page.

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Review Card & Book Review – Life In The Old Girls Yet By Celia Anderson

Vee is nervous about returning to the village of Willowbrook. Not only is Dragonfly Cottage – the house her late mum left her – in need of a total refurb, but the neighbours still remember Vee as a troublesome teen, even though she’s now in her fifties.

Luckily, Vee’s quickly swept up by the Saga Louts, three irrepressible women whose friendship, humour and zest for life prove impossible to resist. With Rick, the handsome local handyman who’s helping to renovate the cottage also at her side, Vee begins to feel like it’s never too late to start again.

When the group set off on a road trip to France, laughter, friendship and plenty of vin rouge are on the cards. But some surprising revelations are about to come out, too…

Can Vee finally come to terms with the past and seize her future with both hands?

About The Author

My Review

This is a warm, uplifting novel about second chances, buried secrets, and the unexpected friendships that change everything. Venetia “Vee” Prescott returns reluctantly to her childhood home, carrying emotional baggage she’d rather leave untouched. What she finds instead is a new beginning—and the unforgettable trio of Althea, Beryl, and Winnie, affectionately known as the Saga Louts. These sharp, spirited women welcome Vee into their circle and quickly become the heart of the story.

The town itself hums with long-held secrets and complicated family history, creating a rich backdrop for Vee’s journey of rediscovery. As past and present intertwine, a trip to France adds both charm and emotional weight, revealing truths that reshape everything.

What truly makes this book shine is its cast of characters. Each one adds depth and warmth, and the cleverly placed hints about their lives and secrets keep the pages turning. Their individual stories are as delightful as Vee’s own. This is a beautiful, comforting read about healing, redemption, and the power of starting over—proof that new friendships can be just as life-changing as old ones.

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Review Book & Book Review- Summer Nights In Pine Harbor By Tammy Robinson

Under the stars, everything changes…

Twelve years after a mistake that changed everything, Taylor Calderwood returns to Pine Harbor to care for her prickly ninety-four-year-old uncle. But the quiet Maine coastal town stirs up more than memories – it brings back guilt she’s spent years trying to forget.

Jack Garrity isn’t in Pine Harbor by choice either. Bound by guilt and a promise he can’t break, he’s keeping his head down and helping a friend through the hardest chapter of her life.

Then one night, under a sky full of stars, Taylor meets Jack by the water. What begins as a chance encounter turns into late-night swims and soul-deep conversations – igniting a connection neither of them expected.

With the past pulling at their heels and the future uncertain, they must decide: can they let go of what was to embrace what could be?

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, emotionally satisfying story about grief, healing, and the courage to love again. When Taylor Calderwood returns to her hometown to care for her aging Uncle Ray, she’s forced to confront memories she’s spent years avoiding. Meanwhile, Jack Garrity arrives in Pine Harbor to support his late best friend’s wife, Hannah, while quietly carrying his own heartbreak. When Taylor and Jack meet by the water, their tentative friendship slowly grows into something deeper—but trusting their hearts again won’t come easily.

This novel is a true pleasure to read, filled with warmth, emotion, and quiet moments of reflection. Taylor and Jack’s relationship develops naturally: shy at first, then honest and refreshingly free of unnecessary drama. Their romance is sweet, gentle, and deeply comforting. Ray’s cranky banter adds humor and charm, balancing the heavier themes beautifully.

Robinson handles grief, forgiveness, and renewal with compassion, creating a story that feels both real and hopeful. A wonderful, heartfelt read.

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Review Card & Book Review – Wreck My Plans By Cindi Madsen

Age isn’t a number.
It’s a state of chaos.

When publicist Mia Andrews becomes the face of a viral disaster dubbed #PantyGate, her career implodes along with her reputation.

Now jobless and single, Mia lands in the last place she expected—her grandmother’s anything-but-quiet retirement community in Florida. It’s chaos. It’s hilarious. It’s exactly what she didn’t know she needed.

Even worse? The meddling retirees are determined to fix Mia’s love life. Somehow, they find time to play matchmaker—with not one but two bachelors under thirty-five.

But amid the mayhem, Mia’s learning that the best second chances come when—and where—you least expect them.

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartfelt, sharply funny novel about life unraveling—and the unexpected beauty of rebuilding from the mess. When publicist Mia Andrews becomes the unwilling star of a viral humiliation, her career and confidence collapse overnight. Seeking refuge, she escapes to her grandmother’s Florida retirement community, expecting calm. What she finds instead is a whirlwind of meddling retirees, nonstop gossip, and the kind of chaos that forces real change.

The humor here is refreshingly authentic—less about punchlines and more about those painfully familiar moments that make you laugh because they’re true. The retirement community adds a delightful found-family energy, offering warmth, mischief, and surprising emotional depth.

Rather than rushing romance, the story focuses on Mia’s internal journey. The slow-burn love story grows naturally as she confronts anxiety, perfectionism, and the fear of losing control. Madsen’s portrayal of anxiety and OCD feels honest and deeply human.

By the final page, Wreck My Plans becomes a gentle, hopeful reminder: sometimes losing your plan is exactly how you find yourself again.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Fresh Start At The Cornish Country Hospital By Jo Bartlett

When life changes in an instant, how do you find the courage to begin again? ❤️‍🩹

A&E doctor, Eve Bellingham’s life changed forever the night her fiancé Max was the victim of a brutal attack. Now, two years later, she has moved her life to Cornwall and is working at St Piran’s Hospital, helping his family cope as Max struggles with his devastating injuries.

But though Eve’s loyalty has never wavered, the man she loved is gone. Annie – Max’s mother – still clings to the hope that one day everything will return to how it was, but Eve isn’t so sure it ever will. Torn between duty and despair, Eve feels trapped in a life that no longer fits.

Then she meets Felix Grainger, the dedicated occupational therapist helping Max towards independence. With kindness and quiet strength, he awakens feelings Eve thought she’d lost forever.

To seize her second chance, Eve must risk breaking the only family she’s ever known. Because sometimes, letting go is the bravest way to begin again.

About The Author

My Review

In this emotionally resonant sixth instalment of the Cornish Country Hospital series, Jo Bartlett crafts a tender, thoughtful story of resilience, loyalty, and new beginnings. The novel follows Eve, an A&E doctor whose life was irrevocably altered when her fiancé Max sustained a traumatic brain injury. Two years on, she relocates to Cornwall, balancing the demands of her career with her enduring commitment to Max and his family, while quietly confronting the uncertain future their circumstances impose.

Bartlett’s portrayal of loving someone with a life-altering injury is deeply compassionate and strikingly authentic. The novel explores the pain of navigating a life that no longer fits, alongside the hope found in reinvention and emotional courage. Eve’s evolving relationships with her colleagues and the warmth of the hospital community create a powerful sense of found family, one of the series’ most endearing qualities.

Though part of a continuing series, this book stands confidently alone, while longtime readers will appreciate the return of familiar characters. Like reconnecting with cherished friends, each visit to this series grows more rewarding — and Eve’s story proves one of its most moving yet.

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