Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Whole Time By Catherine Bybee

Salena Barone has broken free of her family and moved into an apartment above the D’Angelos’ restaurant, where she works as a manager—without a husband, thank you very much. But even on a restaurant salary, she soon finds herself strapped for cash. Salena’s never been afraid of living on the wild side, though, so she takes on a side hustle that’ll raise big bucks…and eyebrows, if anyone finds out.

Tattooed biker Ryan is the youngest of the wealthy Rutledge wine family and has never dreamed of rings, forever, or continuing the family business. He’s perfectly happy living his own life and helping out hardworking folks in his own way.

When these two independent singles spot each other at a Rutledge-D’Angelo wedding, the attraction is instant. But as their friendship with benefits evolves into something more, the secrets Salena’s keeping—from family, friends, and Ryan—threaten the happily ever after she never knew she wanted.

About The Author

My Review

In “THE WHOLE TIME,” Salena Barone, enamored with the D’Angelo family, works in their restaurant and moves to the top floor to escape her overprotective parents. At a D’Angelo wedding, she meets Ryan, instantly sparking chemistry. Despite claiming they’re not seeking commitment, their casual dating evolves into something deeper. Ryan, the black sheep of the Rutledge family, resists joining his family’s wine business, mirroring Salena’s desire to forge her own path. As their story unfolds, filled with beauty and heartbreak, readers are drawn into the captivating world of the D’Angelo family, eager for more.

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Review Card & Book Review -The Last Train Home By Elle Cook

On the last train home you expect to find…

– Standing space only
– Drunk people singing
– The overpowering smell of McDonalds

You never expect to find love.

When Abbie and Tom cross paths traveling home after a night out, their eyes meet across a crowded carriage and their connection is unmistakable.

What they don’t know is that moments later they’ll both be caught up in an event that will change them forever.

It is one that will bring them together. But it will also tear them apart.

A lot can happen in seven seconds. A lot can happen in seven years.

About The Author

My Review

It’s 2005, and Abbie and Tom meet on the Tube after separate nights out. They hit it off but are bonded through tragedy soon after. Their friendship develops into something more, but a shocking revelation during a passionate moment leaves Abbie humiliated. Despite their feelings, timing is never right over the next 5 years. They remain each other’s “ones that got away.” The book evokes nostalgia, breaking the reader’s heart and putting it back together with its genuine, loveable characters. It’s a story of missed chances and the hope of finding a way back to each other.

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Review Card & Book Review – Always the Bridesmaid By Laura Carter

A cheeky chappy comedian

Charlie is most comfortable playing the funny man in front of boisterous crowds in London’s comedy clubs. But he’s about to be swapping his routine for wedding speeches. And his new acquaintance Sarah thinks he is anything but amusing.

The woman who’s got it covered

Weddings are always a difficult time for widow Sarah, but you would never tell – she’s too focused on making the week of her best friends’ wedding as perfect as possible. She definitely has no time for the grumpy and surly Charlie, who it’s clear her friends are trying to set her up with.

And only one room left at the rental…

When a drunken invitation adds more people to the pre-wedding holiday house than Sarah organized for, she finds herself spending A LOT more time with Charlie than she intended. If only they could both let their guards down, they might find they have more in common than they think.

About The Author

My Review

Sarah is thrilled about her friend Jake’s wedding to Becky but faces delays flying to London due to work issues. Drew, Jake’s brother and Sarah’s boss, arranges for Charlie, a comedian, to pick her up. Despite a rocky start, they end up sharing a room at the wedding venue. Their journey to London leads to a blossoming romance. Charlie is portrayed as a realistic character, adding depth to the romantic comedy. The book is delightfully British-themed, with a slow-burn romance and plenty of humorous moments. The dual points of view provide insight into Charlie and Sarah’s conflicting emotions. The story strikes a perfect balance between reality and fiction, with tear-jerking emotions complementing the humor.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Wedding in Driftwood Cove By Olivia Miles

With youngest sister Hallie getting married, the three Walsh sisters reunite at their family’s beach house for the big event. It’s a celebratory affair, rife with cherished traditions.

But families are complicated, and these sisters are no exception. Claire, the eldest, no longer believes in love after years working as a divorce attorney, and she resorts to taking her “work husband” as her date to convince her family otherwise. Middle sister, Amy, fears a confrontation with the man who broke her heart by announcing he was marrying someone else. And although Hallie has always lived a charmed life, she’s getting cold feet about marrying her childhood sweetheart.

As the Walsh sisters grapple with the secrets they’ve kept from one another, they must decide if Hallie’s wedding is a chance to mend mistakes of the past…even if it means confronting their feelings about love, life, and one another.

About The Author

My Review

This book follows the three Walsh sisters reunited for the youngest sister Hallie’s hurried wedding to her childhood sweetheart. Claire, the eldest, a divorce lawyer, reconsiders her views on love when her colleague becomes her date. Amy, the middle sister, has given up on love but is thrown back into the wedding scene when her expertise is needed. Hallie, the youngest, questions her life choices as she prepares for marriage. Emotional and endearing, the book delves into family bonds and sisterly relationships, with well-portrayed characters and realistic feelings. While the romance is predictable, the focus remains on the sisters’ journey.

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Review Card & Book Review – Four Weddings and a Christmas By Phillipa Ashley

Can the spirit of Christmas reignite an old flame?

With her thriving business Cottage Angels, Freya Bolton prepares the Lake District’s holiday homes for Christmas visitors. It’s her job to think of everything, from cinnamon-scented candles to tasteful decorations and hampers of seasonal treats.

If only her love life were such a success… After being burned by past relationships, she’s now determined to steer clear of love for good.

So when she bumps into gorgeous – and single – ex-boyfriend Travis, a no-strings festive fling seems perfect.

But when her feelings for him begin to develop, is she on track for another romantic calamity? Or could this Christmas give her the gift of true love?

About The Author

My Review

Freya’s thriving holiday business in Bannerdale encounters a surprise when she finds Travis, with whom she shares a complicated past, staying in one of her cottages. Despite their history, sparks fly between them again, but Freya is hesitant to pursue anything serious. However, as they grow closer during the Christmas season, they find themselves reevaluating their relationship and working through their differences. Filled with warmth and strong chemistry between the characters, this second chance romance is both real and convincing. The supportive friendships, family issues, and picturesque Lake District setting add depth to the story, making it a delightful Christmas read and a personal favorite of the reviewer. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a heartwarming holiday tale.

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Review Card & Book Review – The French Chateau Escape By Gillian Harvey

Click buy: a French chateau. Condition: ‘may require improvement’…

It seemed like a good idea. Selling everything we owned. Just Mark and me, swapping our tiny, little, terraced London home – and the heartbreak of not being able to start a family – for an entire chateau in the middle of France… It’s everyone’s dream. And now it’s coming true for us.

As I use the rusty key to open the big, creaking wooden door of the tumbledown fairytale chateau that’s officially our new home, I wonder: what could possibly go wrong?

Little do I know that the answer is going to be… ‘everything’. I don’t speak nearly as much French as I should yet, but I feel like there’s no mistaking the villagers’ hostility. Nor the look of shock on the builder’s face when he sees the roof.

Can our marriage survive this adventure? With all the tumbling masonry, will we?

As the French sun blazes overhead, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a year to remember…

About The Author

My Review

This book is a touching tale of love, loss, and seizing control of one’s life. Emma faces challenges at work, struggles with infertility, and watches her father’s decline. When her partner Mark suggests buying a chateau in France, Emma is skeptical but agrees. However, renovations prove daunting, money becomes tight, and their relationship faces strain. Despite the hurdles, Emma discovers her inner strength and resilience. The story skillfully blends adventure with poignant themes like grief and infertility, making it a compelling read with relatable characters and beautiful imagery.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Old Ducks’ Hen Do By Maddie Please

Recently retired, Denny Lambert is finding life just a little bit…well, dull. So when her stepsister Juliette announces she’s getting married – again! – and invites Denny on a hen do with the Old Ducks, Denny really can’t say no.

Denny knows something about the Old Ducks and their wild exploits, but she’s just glad to be somewhere hot and sunny and away from her grey life back in the UK. She’s definitely not going to be pulled into any Old Duck mayhem….

But when they arrive at their beautiful Mallorcan villa, Denny is in for a shock. Because right next door is the man who once broke her heart – Bruno Browning. Now with the Old Ducks and an old flame to contend with, Denny’s life suddenly feels anything but dull!

But if she’s learnt one thing from her time with the Old Ducks it’s that life is for living…and that’s exactly what Denny is finally going to do!

About The Author

My Review

“The Old Ducks’ Hen Do” is the second book in the Old Ducks Club series but can be enjoyed as a standalone. Recently retired Denny joins her stepsister Juliette and the lively Old Ducks on a trip to a Mallorcan villa for Juliette’s pre-wedding celebration. Denny is surprised to find her former flame Bruno Browning living in the neighboring villa, sparking hopes of closure or even rekindled romance. Through Denny’s perspective, readers relate to her post-retirement uncertainties and root for her happiness. The Old Ducks add humor and support, encouraging Denny to seize the moment and enjoy life. With entertaining antics and hilarious moments, this story celebrates living life to the fullest and is recommended for those who enjoy humorous tales featuring mature characters.

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Review Card & Book Review – Snowed In By Catherine Walsh

Megan is dreading going home for the holidays. She’s the village pariah, the she-devil who left local golden boy Isaac at the altar four years ago and ran away to the big city. She could really do without the drama. Particularly as he’s engaged again, and she’s just been dumped for the fourth time this year.

Christian’s fed up of being on his own every Christmas. He doesn’t mind being alone, but he hates his family’s sad eyes and soft tones as they sit around coupled up. Because he’s actually, totally, fine.

So when Megan literally bumps into Christian in a Dublin pub, they come up with a pact to see them through the holiday season. They’re going to be the very best fake dates for each other, ever.

Rules are drawn up, a contract is signed on a wine-stained napkin. They will sit through each other’s family gatherings and be outrageously in love until freed from their annual obligations. After all, it’s only for a few weeks.

But with everyone home for the holidays, two big families to deal with alongside old friends, old flames and old feelings, things are bound to get messy. And when a snowed-in cabin and a little Christmas magic are added to the mix, anything could happen…

About The Author

My Review

Megan fled her own wedding five years ago, leaving her small village for Dublin. Christian, an old schoolmate who witnessed her departure, encounters her again by chance in a Dublin pub. Both facing awkward homecoming visits, they agree to fake date during their two-week stay, leading to a rollercoaster of emotions and entertaining events. Set in the world of “Holiday Romance,” readers catch up with familiar characters while Christian and Megan take center stage. Their flirty banter and chemistry shine, with Christian portrayed as a thoughtful and supportive partner. The story is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, touching family interactions, and a refreshing absence of a third act breakup. Fans of the series will eagerly anticipate future installments featuring other beloved characters.

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Review Card & Book Review – Above ‘N’ Beyond By Tee O’Fallon

Getting locked up had been easy. But for K-9 Sergeant Jamie Pataglio, going undercover at a maximum-security prison—and infiltrating the Mancusco crime family—was the hard part. Now, six months later, Jamie’s been accepted as one of the mob’s own, and he’s walking out of the gates as a free man…and stepping into the criminal underworld. There’s only one small, gorgeous problem: Bella Bianco.

The Italian bistro used to be Bella’s pride and joy. Now it’s become a nightmare, where her violent family uses her restaurant as its criminal home base. Guilty by association. She needs to find a way out, and fast. The last thing Bella needs is an attraction to their newest “associate”—even if every moment alone with him leaves her breathless. It’s almost enough to make her reconsider her “no mobsters” policy…

They can’t trust each other. But if either of them ever wants to break free of their circumstances, they don’t have a choice. They’ll have to take down her family. And if anyone finds out they’re working together…they’re both dead.

About The Author

My Review

Family love is at the story’s core, with Jamie willing to help his strained relationship with his father and Bella navigating her complex dynamic with her aunt and cousin. While the romance’s initial setup may seem rushed, Jamie and Bella’s relationship evolves authentically as they support and connect with each other. Jamie’s undercover mission with the mob adds tension and intrigue, leading to gripping moments despite the limited action. Overall, the story is engaging and suspenseful, with nuanced character dynamics and a satisfying resolution. Overall, it is a compelling romantic suspense with well-developed characters and a thoughtfully crafted plot.

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