Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – The Seaside Ice-Cream Parlour By Sarah Hope

An opportunity of a lifetime…

When Jenny has the chance to leave her days of sofa surfing behind and move to the beach to run her best friend’s ice cream parlour, she jumps at the opportunity.

With no relevant experience, she’s certainly kept busy with learning new skills to manage the ice cream parlour at the same time as juggling motherhood and trying to settle into their new home.

But when Nick, her best friend’s ex, comes into her life, ill feelings quickly turn to friendship, leaving them both wanting more.

Can Jenny put her feelings aside or will truths be told that might change her mind about her and Nick’s future?

About The Author

My Review

Struggling single mom Jenny moves to a seaside town to help her friend Helen’s ice cream parlor while Helen is in Australia. Jenny’s opinions about Helen’s ex, Nick, shift when she learns he’s a silent partner in the business. Jenny juggles running the parlor and caring for her daughter Grace, while questioning Helen’s carefree attitude in Australia. The relationship between Jenny and Nick lacks romance, and Nick’s behavior seems odd. Overall, it’s a fun beach read with ups and downs, misunderstandings, and a touch of romance.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Déjà Glitch By Holly James

To break out of a 24-hour time loop, all Jack needs is for Gemma to fall in love with him in a single day. All Gemma needs is to remember him first . . .

Gemma Peters is doing fine. She’s making a name for herself in the L.A. music biz as a radio producer. She’s got a ride-or-die best friend in Lila, and she gets to come home to Rex, her loving Labrador, every night. But ever since her rock star ex-boyfriend used her to get a record deal from her rock legend dad, she’s made a “no musicians” rule when it comes to dating that’s becoming more like a “no dating” rule, period.

So, when Gemma crashes (literally) into Jack one Thursday morning, at first she feels like fate might finally be doing her a favor. After all this guy is cute and, wait, is she imagining it, or is he staring a little too deeply into her eyes? And how does he know her name? Even harder to explain is the funny feeling of déjà vu she gets every time she looks at him. It’s not at all like Gemma to kiss a man and forget him completely, so then how can she explain the dreamlike memory of his lips on hers?

The truth is this is no ordinary Thursday. Not for them. In fact, they’ve lived this day over and over for months. And while Gemma has been totally oblivious to the time loop, Jack has been agonizingly aware of every single iteration. Luckily, Jack has a theory to bring his own personal Groundhog Day to an end. And it’s simple. Before the day is over, he just has to get Gemma to fall in love with him.

About The Author

My Review

Gemma Peters, leading a quiet life distanced from her famous father and fame-seeking ex, encounters a mysterious stranger, Jack, at a coffee shop who surprisingly knows a lot about her. Despite initial unease, Gemma experiences a deja vu connection with Jack. As Jack tries to convince Gemma of the truth, he must test a theory to prevent history from repeating itself – can Gemma fall in love with a stranger in just one day? The book, reminiscent of Groundhog Day and modern romance, captivates with its original concept. Beyond the love story, it explores friendship, family, risk-taking, and personal growth, showcasing Gemma’s transformation from stubborn to open-hearted. Jack’s persistence makes him her perfect match, and the book caters to those who prefer ‘closed-door’ romances without explicit content.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Head That Wears The Crown By Mariah Stewart

Annaliese—Annie—Gilberti is a divorced South Philadelphia mother of two with a nine-to-five job when a shocking discovery turns another average day upside down: her late grandmother was the exiled ruler of a small European country, and Annie is next in line to wear the crown and restore the monarchy. The would-be grand duchess of the Grand Duchy of Saint Gilbert has vacation time coming, enough to take a quick trip to check it out.

It’s easy to fall in love with Saint Gilbert’s villagers; its mysteries (why does everyone look decades younger than they claim to be?); her family’s ancestral home, Castle Blanc (so many hidden rooms and passages!); and maybe—just a little—with the dashing Maximilien Belleme, the captain of the castle guard. Never one to walk away from a challenge, Annie steps up, determined to be worthy of the crown that’s been offered. As she, her sisters, and her children work to bring Saint Gilbert into the modern age, Annie discovers a legacy of courageous women and that no threat is too great to deny the grand duchess’s right to the throne.

About The Author

My Review

A South Philly single mom of two finds out she is heir to a small country called St. Gilbert. Annie travels to St. Gilbert, falls in love with the country, and moves there with her teenagers, followed by her sisters and best friend. She becomes the Grand Duchess and is tasked with modernizing the country, which lacks tourism infrastructure and has an ineffective council. Despite some eye-rolling moments and unrealistic aspects, such as the smooth transition for Annie’s family and the council’s acceptance of the new Duchess, the novel offers a cute and quick read reminiscent of a mix between Princess Diaries and Hallmark movies. The story includes a twist three-quarters of the way through and a romantic subplot with a hunky captain. Overall, it’s a fun and light read, perfect for a vacation or weekend escape.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Holiday Mix-Up By Ginny Baird

Lonely-hearted waitress Katie Smith has nowhere to go for Christmas, and a huge crush on her gorgeous diner patron Juan Martinez. So when Juan asks Katie to pose as his girlfriend for holiday festivities at his family’s winery, Katie leaps at the chance…that is, until an accident lands Juan in a coma right after giving his folks the “news.” Katie knows she should tell the Martinezes the truth, but when they immediately embrace her, Katie is reluctant to let her fantasy of a family holiday go. And then there’s Juan’s brother, Mateo, whose smile tugs at her heartstrings just right—and who tells her perfect Juan might not be everything he seems.

Second son Mateo Martinez loves his brother, but Juan’s plan to “rebrand and expand” Los Cielos Cellars has cost their family too much and put its entire tradition in jeopardy. Katie seems to understand, but she’s still committed to Juan…even when Mateo starts to wish her gentle heart and beautiful smile were committed to him instead. With the winery at stake, secrets on all sides, and Juan due to wake up any day, can Katie and Mateo follow their hearts to a Christmas miracle, or will this mix-up ruin their chances?

About The Author

My Review

This book is about. Katie Smith, who faces spending the holidays alone after losing her last family member. Regular diner patron Juan presents her with an unexpected opportunity to spend Christmas with his family by posing as his fake date. Despite initial hesitation, Katie agrees, hoping their charade could lead to something more. However, a dramatic turn of events occurs when Katie saves Juan from an oncoming van but ends up injured herself. With Juan in a coma and his family believing they were dating, Katie is torn between her feelings for Juan’s brother Matteo and her promise to Juan. As she navigates her deceptive act, Katie grapples with her growing feelings and moral dilemma. Set against the backdrop of a close-knit Latin family’s holiday celebration, this heartwarming tale explores love, loyalty, and the complexities of relationships.

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Review Card & Book Review – A Cowboy Country Christmas By Jennie Marts

There’s no better time than Christmas to open your heart

Holt Callahan used to the love the holidays, but getting dumped on Christmas Eve with a ring tucked in your pocket would turn anyone into a Grinch. Now he hates Christmas and all the holly jolly shenanigans that go with it. When he moves back to his cousin’s ranch in Creedence, Colorado, the last thing he expects is to come face to face with the one who got away and all of her holiday cheer.

Lainey McBride is all about Christmas, and despite running her family’s ranch festivities while her grandfather is in rehab, she hasn’t lost her holiday spirit. Not even when the horse that was supposed to offer snowy sleigh rides can’t be found. She couldn’t be happier to see a cowboy riding up with her missing horse, or more shocked to see that cowboy is Holt Callahan. But the holidays have their own way of healing, and a Christmas in Creedence just might be the merry magic that brings these two broken hearts back together again.

About The Author

My Review

“A Cowboy Country Christmas” follows Holt Callahan, who despises Christmas due to past heartbreaks, and Lainey McBride, who returns to Creedence to organize her grandfather’s Christmas festival. When Holt finds a beautiful black horse on his ranch, he discovers that it belongs to Lainey, his past love from twelve years ago. Despite their unresolved feelings, they reconnect and navigate their second chance at love amidst the holiday season. With plenty of Christmas spirit, quirky town residents, and a lovable stray dog, the novel delivers a heartwarming second chance romance. The story culminates in a wonderful happily ever after, complete with Christmas cheer and a heartwarming Christmas miracle.

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Review Card & Book Review – Paradise For Christmas By Carolyn Brown

Southern sass and spirit make every Christmas bright!

The oldest of seven sisters, Ursula Simmons has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a novelist. With a bad case of writer’s block, she brings her notebooks and computer home to the old brothel called Paradise where they all grew up, in the hope that being home for the holidays will inspire her—and since it’s Christmas, all her sisters will be there too.

The sisters take the holidays very seriously, and as soon as they’ve celebrated Thanksgiving, it’s on to decorating for Christmas. As all pitch in to make the spirits bright, younger sister Endora is dismayed to find some of the handsome men who’ve come to help doing more flirting than anything else. She’s determined to show her sisters that no relationship is worth the heartbreak. But it might be Ursula who reminds the family that Christmas is a magical time, and finding new love is always a gift.

About The Author

My Review

“Paradise for Christmas” follows the oldest Simmons sister, Ursula, who returns home for the holidays and unexpectedly finds a chance at love with her old high school crush, Remy. Meanwhile, the youngest Simmons sisters, Endora and Luna, navigate their own romantic dilemmas and family loyalty. Ursula, a writer like her mother, hopes to overcome writer’s block while reconnecting with Remy, who has harbored feelings for her for years. Endora struggles with heartbreak from a cheating fiancé, while Luna faces a new romance with a local man named Shane. The novel is filled with family holiday traditions and explores the relationships among the seven Simmons sisters. With gentle pacing and heartwarming moments, “Paradise for Christmas” sets the stage for a series following each sister’s journey to love and happiness.

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Review Card & Book Review – It Happened One Christmas By Chantel Guertin

Will her Christmas wish come true?

Zoey Andrews lives and breathes Christmas. She loves everything about the season, and after years of directing countless holiday movies, she certainly knows her way around a festive tale. So, when she finally gets the chance to bring herown script to life, she isn’t about to let anything, or anyone, stand in her way–not even the stupidly sexy, utterly frustrating plaid-clad tree farmer Benoît Deschamps. Moonlighting as mayor of Chelsea–the cozy Quebec hamlet at the center of Zoey’s screenplay–Ben maddeningly refuses to grant her a film permit in his enchanting town.

With just four days left before Christmas, Zoey must change Ben’s mind, but not before an unscripted ice storm leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing except . . . each other.

Will Ben’s chilly resolve shatter Zoey’s Christmas movie wish? Or will Zoey be able to melt his stubbornness–and maybe even his heart?

About The Author

My Review

This book follows Zoey Andrews, newly single and determined to direct her own Christmas movie in Chelsea, Quebec. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including a geographical mix-up and a reluctant partner named Ben, Zoey remains resilient and focused on her goal. As she navigates through challenges, readers are swept up in her determination and root for her success. The story features references to the author’s hometown, engaging character development, and a subtle Christmas setting. While the romance is not over-the-top, the book offers substance and is recommended for those seeking a heartwarming holiday read with depth.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Mother Of All Problems By Nancy Peach

When did having it all become doing it all?

Penny Baker is coping. Just about.

Three kids, one dog, one lovely but sometimes oblivious husband. Tick, tick tick.

She is even managing to hold her own among the competitive school mums – if you don’t look too closely. But when she finds herself also caring for her elderly mother, diagnosed with dementia, the household is thrown into disarray and Penny finds herself stretched to breaking point trying to meet everyone’s needs.

Can she make the new family situation work? And is there any chance of finding some space in it all for herself?

About The Author

My Review

Penny, the protagonist, is a relatable figure for many middle-aged women who juggle multiple responsibilities, including caring for aging parents. The book deftly blends comedy and pathos, capturing the struggles and joys of being part of the “sandwich generation.” As Penny cares for her mother, who has dementia, and juggles her other responsibilities, readers experience moments of laughter and tears. The story offers a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by caregivers while also delivering messages of hope, humor, and the importance of self-care. It sheds light on the realities of dementia caregiving while emphasizing the need for support and acknowledgment of one’s own limitations. Despite the heavy subject matter, the book is uplifting and leaves readers feeling seen and understood.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Faking Game By Portia MacIntosh

Faking Dating 💔

Only One Bed 🛏️

Love Triangle 🔺

Lovers to Enemies 🌶️

The BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud fake relationship romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh! Cara and Millsy have broken up… sort of.

After years of being everyone’s favourite couple, always up for a party and having fun wherever they go, things have fizzled out.

But when they realise they have a whole calendar of events and celebrations with friends and family coming up, Cara and Millsy can’t face letting them down.

So they decide to make a pact: just convince everyone they’re as madly in love as ever and get through the festivities without causing suspicion, and then deal with the break up in the new year. How hard can it be…?

Swept up in the festive spirit, will Cara and Millsy fake it til they make it? Or will they realise they are meant to be after all…?

About The Author

My Review

Cara and Millsy decide to pretend to be together during a holiday trip to Scotland to avoid upsetting their families after breaking up due to long-distance challenges. As they fake their relationship, Cara realizes she still loves Millsy, but he seems to have moved on. Classic miscommunication ensues, causing tension and jealousy. Portia MacIntosh’s “The Faking Game” is a captivating fake-dating romcom that explores the dynamics of relationships during the festive season. Despite some love triangle elements, the book’s fast pace, intense mood, and sizzling romance make it an engaging read.

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