Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Christmas Love Letters By Sue Moorcroft

The love letters were only the start of the story…

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar – an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Austen has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey – until one snowy night an epic row sent him storming out, never to be seen again.

Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her daughter Lyla and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up at Ruthie’s door with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she thought it was…

About The Author

My Review

This is a captivating Christmas read filled with emotion, mystery, and family drama. Maddy, struggling financially and raising her unborn child alone after her husband’s disappearance, moves in with her Aunt Ruthie in Norfolk, England. Little does she know, her quiet existence is about to be disrupted when a man named Rafferty shows up with secrets involving her aunt. The story beautifully explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of family relationships. With well-developed characters and unexpected twists, including a touching exploration of lost letters, this novel is a heartwarming and engaging read that keeps readers hooked until the end.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Sweetheart Crush By Miranda Liasson

Photographer Viv Montgomery’s dreams were bigger than her small hometown of Blossom Glen. Following them meant leaving everything and everyone behind—including her sweet and funny best friend, Logan Matthews. Now, twelve years later, the town’s “sweetheart” is back, broke, and…well, working in the town’s famous Christmas store until she figures out her next move.

Enter her former best friend who she hasn’t seen or talked to in years. Only the cute, funny guy she remembers is gone—replaced by a famous, bestselling author who seems aloof, jaded, and is much, much hotter than any book nerd she’s ever seen. Seeing him in the news is one thing, but up close and person? Whewf, it’s warm in here.

Now he’s offered her a job she desperately needs (blissfully free of Santas), and suddenly it’s like no time has passed at all. Their friendship is just like it was…with one very unexpected difference. Because somewhere between the blossom festival and snuggling in front of a crackling fire, their friendship is definitely turning into some more. Only, Logan’s been hiding the secret of his enormous success…and the sweetheart of Blossom Glen is about to read all about it.

About The Author

My Review

This book is the third installment in Miranda Liasson’s Blossom Glen series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Best friends Viv Montgomery and Logan Matthew, who share a complicated history stemming from a childhood kiss, find themselves back in their hometown and caught in a viral video. As they spend more time together, they realize their friendship is essential, and their feelings run deeper than they ever imagined. Unlike typical romance novels, this book focuses on the characters’ growth as adults and their journey to reconcile their past while navigating their present. It’s an emotional and heartfelt story of second chances, friendship, and the realization that a relationship rooted in friendship is the most precious of all.

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Review Book & Book Review – The Bossy One By Leslie North

WANTED: Nanny who will put up with infuriatingly grumpy Irish billionaire.

My nanny posting with Irish billionaire Declan Byrne and his adorable niece, Catie, feels so right—at first.

But everything—and I mean everything—is wrong about Declan.

We first met on a flight where he basically told me that it’d be “grand” if I could stop talking.

I can’t help it. I’m a nervous flyer.

He’s a total grump.

He obviously doesn’t like me.

Too distractingly gorgeous to be around for any length of time.

And he’s made it clear that as soon as he can find another nanny, I’m gone.

This Minnesota girl is made of tough stuff though, so I know I can make it through one Irish summer with one sexy Irish curmudgeon.

At least I thought I could, until he became that much harder to resist.

Because the more I work with Declan, the more I realize there’s something growing between us…an attraction that’s impossible to resist.

Declan hides a kind heart behind his stormy, gruff demeanor.

And that accent.

That suave Irish brogue makes my insides melt.

The cardinal rule of being a nanny is to not get involved with the family.

To maintain a professional distance.

Sleeping with Declan would definitely cross that line.

Some rules are meant to be kept.

Others are meant to be shattered.

About The Author

My Review

This book follows Declan and Olivia, whose initial encounter is rocky but leads to a professional arrangement as Declan hires Olivia as a nanny for his niece. Despite their differences, spending time together ignites a mutual attraction, and they embark on a complex journey of personal growth and romantic involvement. Both characters have faced tragedy in their pasts, shaping their perspectives and motivations. The story delves into themes of revenge, family dynamics, and the importance of communication in relationships. Set in Ireland, the vivid setting and engaging supporting characters add depth to the narrative. Overall, it’s a captivating romance filled with unexpected twists and emotional depth, offering readers an enjoyable escape.

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Review Card & Book Review – Starting Over At Halesmere House By Suzanne Snow

Can two broken hearts mend each other?

Taking over the Flower Shed studio at Halesmere, Alice is looking to mend her heart through horticulture after the end of her ten-year marriage. She isn’t looking for romance, especially not with brash young tree surgeon, Zac.

Zac has his own past he’s trying to move on from, and he’s only staying at Halesmere until the new year. But when their circumstances change in a way that shocks them both, they have to decide if they can share a future that already binds them.

Will the magic of Halesmere work once more to bring love to two lost souls?

About The Author

My Review

Alice sells her late father’s haulage company to pursue a new horticultural business in Haselmere. Despite her friend’s encouragement to start dating, Alice is wary after being hurt in a past relationship. Her new life at Pear Tree Barn introduces her to unexpected challenges like escaped sheep and a gruff neighbor, leading to flirtation and intrigue. The book, set mostly at Christmas, balances festive elements with a focus on personal growth and community. While part of a series, it stands alone as a heartwarming story with relatable characters and themes of family, love, and overcoming adversity. The author sensitively addresses difficult topics like pregnancy loss and grief, adding depth to the narrative. Readers will be drawn to the charming setting and engaging characters, hoping for more stories in the series.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Bramble Patch Craft Shop By Sarah Hope

When Molly Wilson and her two children are forced to leave their old lives behind, will a small rundown shop in the middle of Payton-On-The-Water, a quiet village in the English countryside, offer the fresh start they need?

Desperate to immerse herself and her family into village life, Molly begins to host regular Knit and Natter meetups, but she fears she is taking on too much and the reality that she is totally alone is ever present.

Between difficult dealings with the local law enforcement, Officer Duffey, and trying to settle her two homesick children into a new way of life, Molly has enough on her hands. So when a late night incident with a flat tyre brings Officer Duffey on the scene, she doesn’t know if he will help or hinder her rescue. Is there more to Officer Duffey than his spikey exterior?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Molly Wilson and her children as they start a new life in a quiet English village. Molly tries to immerse herself in village life by hosting Knit and Natter meetups but struggles with feeling alone. She deals with challenges from the local law enforcement and tries to settle her homesick children. A late-night incident with Officer Duffey brings uncertainty about his intentions. The book explores themes of family, love, and starting over, with realistic character development and relatable emotions. It’s a sweet romance intertwined with Molly’s journey of self-discovery as a single mother. Starting over isn’t easy, especially with kids.

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Review Card & Book Review – Saving Rachel By Leslie North

Love is the greatest treasure of all…

Marine Raider Harris McCallister has known Rachel Winchester for years. She’s a quirky tattooed beauty, whose hair is a different color every time he sees her. But after a rough night of drowning his sorrows, he never expected her to show up offering comfort…

Rachel’s doing alright for herself, running a successful bed and breakfast. And according to an old local legend, there’s hidden treasure buried somewhere on her property. But when Rachel’s mother shows up with a treasure hunter, offering to buy her out so they can search the grounds, Rachel gives her an emphatic no.

She’s convinced the so-called pirate’s treasure is fake. What’s not fake, though, is the positive pregnancy test she sees moments after they leave. Or the way she’s beginning to feel for Harris—even though she knows he’s going to leave her. While Harris is on leave, he’s vowed to stay close. And it’s a good thing too…

Because it’s becoming clear that someone wants her dead.

About The Author

My Review

In the second installment featuring the McCallister brothers, the focus shifts to Harris and his relationship with Rachel, whom he affectionately calls his fierce fairy. Tangled emotions and external threats challenge their budding romance, which began after a passionate encounter sparked by Harris’s personal losses. Rachel faces threats from her mother and her boyfriend, who seek a legendary pirate’s treasure rumored to be on her B&B property. Additionally, Rachel discovers she is pregnant with Harris’s child. Harris steps up to protect Rachel and their unborn baby, leading to a deeper bond as they navigate dangers and uncertainties together. As they confront their fears and insecurities, they must learn to communicate and trust each other to build a future. The characters are compelling, drawing readers into their captivating and entertaining story filled with intrigue and romance.

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Review Card & Book Review – Loving You By Samantha Chase

He never planned to stay in Sweetbriar Ridge.

Then the perfect woman fell into his arms.

A small town, single mom, friends to lovers romance from New York Times Best Selling Author Samantha Chase

Not everyone in Sweetbriar Ridge is as sweet as the town name would suggest. But single mom Jade Mackenzie is up to the challenge of winning over the town if that’s what it takes to make her new shop a success. After all, this is just the latest in a long string of battles she’s had to face. Since she’s given up on men–all of them except for her son–she can throw all her energy into the new business. Or so she thought until the most charming and too-good-looking-for-his-own-good man walked into her shop. And she literally falls into his arms.

Levi Donovan knows how to charm his way through life; winning people over is just what he does. But no amount of charm can save him when he’s at the center of a scandal that costs him his position at a prestigious ad agency. With no other choice, he’s forced to return home to Sweetbriar Ridge, the small town he left behind the first chance he got. When he meets the owner of the new coffeehouse, he starts to think that small towns aren’t so bad. And when he finds out Jade needs a little help promoting her new business, Levi makes it his mission to help her make the shop a success. That’s just what a good friend does.

No matter how hard she tries to resist, Jade can’t help but be swept away by Levi’s good looks and the sweet way he interacts with her son. But Levi isn’t staying, and getting attached would be a mistake. Levi always swore he would never settle in Sweetbriar Ridge, but could loving Jade be reason enough to stay?

About The Author

My Review

Jade is embarking on a new venture, opening her bookstore and coffee shop, Books & Beans, in Sweetbriar Ridge. Despite challenges from her son’s father’s family, Jade remains determined to succeed. With the help of Levi, who brings fresh ideas, her business begins to thrive. Meanwhile, Levi, returning to his hometown after losing his advertising job, assists Jade at her store. As their relationship evolves from friends with benefits to something more, they navigate family dramas and personal issues. While the romance is low-angst, the story is driven by the complexities of family dynamics. Although not deeply invested in the characters, the audiobook narration keeps the reader engaged. Overall, this debut from the author shows promise, and I would consider reading more of their work in the future.

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Review Card & Book Review – Mr. Hook Up By Marni Mann

Hooked. An app designed for the ideal one-night stand is the brainchild of Harvard graduate students Easton Jones and his two best friends. When Easton creates his Hooked profile, he gets a 100 percent perfect match.

Who is this sure thing? Her username is Love.

Their chemistry is off-the-charts explosive, and just when Easton begins falling for her, she disconnects from the app and disappears.

Five years later, Hooked is now the number one dating app in the country.

But that’s not the only thing on fire.

Easton’s brilliant, gorgeous new recruit, Drake Madden, has ignited a desire he hasn’t experienced in years. Professionally and personally, they’re sizzling.

Just as things really start getting serious, Love resurfaces. She wants a chance to explain, and she’s sending Easton’s heart into rewind.

He has a loving woman in the flesh and a fantasy from his past—Easton’s world is about to be rocked.

And rocked hard.

About The Author

My Review

Easton and Drake, alias Mr. Boston and Love, initially connect on the dating app Hooked, where Easton, one of the founders, is surprised to find a 100% match with her. Despite their chemistry, life gets in the way, and they lose touch for over five years. However, they reconnect when Drake interviews for a position at Hooked, leading to a revelation of their true identities. Despite some initial frustration, Easton’s caring nature shines through, and their relationship flourishes without the typical third-act breakup trope. The Hooked app adds an intriguing twist to the romance plot, while the palpable chemistry between the characters keeps readers engaged. Although the steamy scenes are enjoyable, they sometimes overshadow the emotional connection. Overall, “Mr. Hook-up” is a recommended read for fans of steamy romance novels, offering a fun and captivating story with a unique premise.

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Review Card & Book Review – Mr Right Next Door By Rachel Dove

On her deathbed, Rory Gallant’s mother begs him to be a good man, and to not behave like his caddish father, Doug.

Now all grown up, Rory is a good man, but loves seems to elude him. Maybe he does need to be a bit more of a cad after all?

Deciding to follow the cad dating rules, and with a bit of help from lothario Doug, Rory decides to become the complete opposite of the man he really is….

Rory’s best friend and neighbour Sarah doesn’t understand why Rory thinks he needs to change to find love – he’s perfect just the way he is. She’s determined to show him that he doesn’t need to change in order to find love.

That maybe it’s standing right under his nose…maybe even right next door?

About The Author

My Review

Rory and Sarah, lifelong best friends, support each other through thick and thin, with Rory serving as a steadfast presence for Sarah and her daughter, Annabel. Feeling lonely, Rory decides to shed his “nice guy” persona and adopt a more confident approach to win over Sasha at the club. Sarah reluctantly supports his transformation but wishes he would recognize his worth without changing. While the premise is charming, the story unfolds at a slow pace, with the central romance developing only in the final pages. Despite the endearing characters, lack of chemistry between the main couple and numerous editorial oversights detract from the reading experience. Additionally, the abundance of British colloquialisms may alienate non-British readers. Overall, while the story has its moments, it lacks the captivating allure to hold the reader’s interest, often resulting in a lackluster reading experience.

My Rating

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