Category Archives: Book Review

Review Card & Book Review – Christmas At The Chateau By Annabel French

Life has gone a little bit downhill for Naomi Winters…

Ever since her ex-husband Ollie filed for a divorce last Christmas, Naomi is a self-confessed scrooge. She hates her job, has exactly zero hobbies, and on top of that she’s all alone this holiday season.

Spurred on by her best-friend Mia – who has invited her to spend Christmas at her snow-kissed Chateau in the Swiss Alps – she decides it’s time for change.

But, when she arrives, she’s shocked to see Mia’s big brother Gabriel. It’s been fifteen years since they last saw eachother, forcing her to face memories she’d rather forget.

As Naomi grapples with getting her life back on track, she throws herself into various festive activities, and she can’t seem to escape Gabriel this time…

Will he manage to thaw her icy heart, or is she on a downward slope to disappointment?

About The Author

My Review

Naomi Winters is going through a bitter divorce and spends the holidays with her best friend Mia at her chateau in Switzerland. There, she reunites with Mia’s brother Gabriel, with whom she shares a mysterious past. Amidst hilarious skiing adventures and visits to the Christmas Market, Naomi confronts her insecurities stemming from her adoption and materialistic upbringing. Through helping Mia with the community Christmas gala, Naomi discovers what truly matters in life and finds the courage to pursue her own happiness. This heartwarming story explores themes of love, friendship, self-discovery, and the magic of the holiday season against the backdrop of a picturesque Swiss town.

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Review Card & Book Review – Finding Family At The Cornish Cove By Kim Nash

Family is everything…

For years, Gemma has been running her late mother’s café with devotion, and when an opportunity comes to buy out her next-door neighbour and expand, she jumps at the chance.

She knows she will do her mother proud – keep her legacy going strong – but deep down she knows there’s still something missing.

But sometimes family are those you choose, or those who choose you! With a growing community of supporters cheering Gemma on, will she really spend the rest of her life alone?

And with some new faces at her blossoming bistro, perhaps romance may also be on the cards?

About The Author

My Review

In this delightful sequel to the first book in the series, Gemma, who runs a seafront café, takes center stage. With support from her sister Lucy and friends Meredith and Clem, Gemma embarks on expanding her café, all while grappling with memories of happier times with her mother. The story is rich with well-developed characters and heartwarming relationships, including a lovely romance and the endearing bond between Gemma and a troubled teenager named Occy. Gemma’s relatable struggles and the perfect balance of heartbreak and warmth make for an emotionally engaging read. With twists, surprises, and plenty of laughter, this book is beautifully written and leaves readers eagerly anticipating more adventures in Driftwood Bay.

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Review Card & Book Review – Snow Days With You By Leonie Mack

When Luna Rowntree gets an unexpected and life-changing legacy from a man she’s never met, she’s determined to find out why – even if it is Christmas Day and her family are expecting her.

So, with only her mother’s ashes for company – it’s a long story, but Luna knows her mother would have wanted to come on the adventure too – Luna sets off in her trusty Astra to the skiing resort in Chamonix, where her mysterious benefactor had lived.

But her little car isn’t designed for driving through snow-covered mountains, and when she runs out of fuel heart-breakingly close to Chamonix, Luna is relieved to be saved by her very own knight-in-shining armour. Well, knight in mountain rescue uniform anyway.

Yannick is charmed if baffled by Luna’s mission, and before he knows it, he has agreed to help. But Yannick has his own secrets calling him from the mountains, and his own reasons to run away. As he helps Luna understand her past he realises he has to face his as well if he’s ever going to risk opening his heart to love.

About The Author

My Review

This book is not your typical Christmas read despite its snowy cover and mention of the holiday. Instead, it’s a captivating tale of Luna’s quest to uncover the source of an unexpected insurance payment. Abandoning her family’s Christmas plans, Luna embarks on a journey to Chamonix with her mother’s ashes in tow and a dodgy fuel gauge in her car. Along the way, she finds friendship, romance, and surprising revelations about her mother’s past. Leonie Mack’s storytelling shines in this novel, with realistic characters, vivid descriptions of the mountain setting, and an emotional depth that keeps readers engaged. From the challenges faced by the mountain rescue team to Luna’s own personal journey of bravery and determination, “Luna’s Windfall” is an exceptional read that will leave you thoroughly captivated.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Starfish Sisters By Barbara O’Neal

Phoebe and Suze used to be closer than sisters. Growing up in a quiet and wildly beautiful coastal town in Oregon, they shared everything. Until the secrets they couldn’t share threatened their bond and complicated their lives.

Now, decades later, Suze, a famous actress desperate for safe haven following a brutal attack, is back in town. Phoebe, a successful illustrator and fabric designer, has discovered keeping a secret means she can’t let anyone get close, aside from her beloved granddaughter, Jasmine. As Jasmine’s move to London looms, Phoebe doesn’t know how to face the return of her old friend and all that’s still unsaid between them. Can the two women who’ve never confronted their past do it now when the choice is between healing and survival?

About The Author

My Review

The story revolves around the deep bond between Phoebe and Suze, who met as children and formed a strong friendship that endured through the years despite challenges. Told from two perspectives and timelines, the narrative explores the complexities of female friendships, including bliss, betrayal, and heartbreak. As adults, Phoebe and Suze must confront past hurts and learn to trust each other again if they want to salvage their relationship. The story delves into themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships.

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Review Card & Book Review – Protecting Mandy By Leslie North

Even an ace mechanic can’t repair a broken heart…

When Mandy’s father died he left her alone, heartbroken, and buried in crippling debt to an unscrupulous bookie. Now, Mandy’s the proud owner of an auto repair business whose only other mechanic just quit. Things couldn’t get any worse. Until former Navy SEAL Chance McCallister, the man who broke her heart when they were teens, walks through her door. He’s looking to help, and even hotter than she remembers. She’d be crazy to hire him as her new mechanic.

And she’d be even crazier to fall in love with him again…

Chance knows Mandy’s in trouble. And even though he doesn’t want to get involved, he just can’t stop those feelings flooding his heart, the same way they did when he was a kid. Nothing has changed… Except Mandy is even more beautiful, more fierce, more everything. But he’s not going down that road again. One messy breakup is enough. He’ll protect her. He’ll put his life on the line. And he’ll do what he can to keep her safe.

But this time, he’ll protect his own heart as well…

About The Author

My Review

Chance and Mandy were once high school sweethearts, but their relationship ended when Chance joined the Navy without telling Mandy. Now, 12 years later, Chance returns to town for his father’s funeral and discovers Mandy struggling with her father’s gambling debts. Determined to help her, Chance starts working as a mechanic in Mandy’s garage. As they reconnect, they must confront their past and navigate the dangers posed by loan sharks. Chance’s military training comes in handy as they devise a plan to save Mandy’s garage and their budding romance. Despite challenges, they hope for a second chance at love. The story tackles realistic issues while delivering a heartwarming romance.

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Review Card & Book Review – Some Kind Of Blunderful By Livy Hart

If you ask Mia Madden, the road to dating hell is paved with suspiciously hot online profiles. Take tonight’s date, for example. Alex Conroy’s whole “boardroom in the streets, lumberjack in the sheets” thing totally works for her, but his profile did not convey that he represents everything she loathes about corporate hustle culture. He’s not even worth her bottle of purse wine.

Imagine her horror when it turns out that Alex is also the hot-shot new boss her dad can’t stop complaining about—the Forbes 30-under-30 company fixer of his nightmares. Worse, their respective best friends are dating. Mia and Alex are constantly thrown together, whether it’s for corporate volunteer hours at the animal rescue, squaring off at the company picnic, or literally trapped in an escape room. It’s one nightmare after another…no matter how sexy the company is.

Mia’s life is now a romantic-comedy of errors, complete with her kinda, sorta, accidentally sleeping with the enemy. And she’s not sure which is worse: that Alex could ruin her dad’s career, or that she might actually like him.

About The Author

My Review

Mia, recovering from a relationship setback, reluctantly agrees to start dating again, encouraged by her friend Josie. She meets Alex, whose profile she found online, but their first meeting reveals their incompatibility. Despite their differences, they keep crossing paths, leading to unexpected encounters. Mia is surprised to learn that Alex is her dad’s boss, adding another layer of complication to their budding relationship. The story evolves into a classic enemies-to-lovers romance, with witty dialogue and awkward situations. Despite some typical elements, the book delivers humor, romance, and engaging dynamics among characters. Overall, it’s a delightful and addictive read, leaving readers eager for more from the author.

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Review Card & Book Review – Christmas at Corner Cottage By Sarah Hope

When Chrissy Marsden moves her children and menagerie of pets into Corner Cottage, she hopes to put her divorce behind her and have the fresh start she’s been longing for.

Just as she feels she is finally getting her life back on track, with a chance encounter at the school gates re-igniting her passion for sewing, a surprise pregnancy throws everything into turmoil.

When she is asked to alter a wedding dress, she realises her hobby could become something she could turn into a real career, and an invite to a client’s wedding could be all she needs to bring romance back into her life.

But will she be able to find someone who can accept her as she is?

About The Author

My Review

Chrissy Marsden moves to Corner Cottage with her children after her divorce, hoping for a fresh start. A chance encounter reignites her passion for sewing, leading her to consider turning it into a career. However, a surprise pregnancy throws her plans into turmoil. As Chrissy navigates the challenges of starting over, she discovers the possibility of romance and a new career path. This heartwarming story explores themes of betrayal, upheaval, and learning to trust and love again.

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Review Card & Book Review – Anyone But The Boss By Sara L Hudson

Thomas Moore, heir to the glamorous New York department store Moore’s, has everything. Everything but a sense of humor. Probably why he’s so often compared to his philandering crook of a father.

Alice Truman, recently promoted from the sales floor, is determined to prove her worth. Even if that means smiling in the face of the arrogant and too-sexy-for-his-own-good Thomas Moore, who seems to think her unfit for her new position.

Avoidance works wonders until Alice’s best friend plans an Elvis-themed destination wedding with Thomas’ brother—a concept the modern Mr. Darcy loathes.

Throw in a hairless cat, a calamitous bachelorette party and some questionable cocktails, and things become… complicated. And when things get complicated, anyone but the boss would be better.

About The Author

My Review

After a drunken night in Vegas, Alice and her boss Thomas wake up married and agree to keep it quiet while they try to annul the marriage. However, a family emergency delays their plans, giving them time to bond. Thomas, initially closed off, starts to open up, especially to Alice’s niece Mary. Meanwhile, Alice reveals her strong, protective side and begins to see Thomas differently. As they navigate their differences and past traumas, their opposites-attract dynamic sparks a deep connection. With memorable supporting characters and heartfelt moments, this rom-com delivers both humor and emotional depth, making it a delightful read.

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Review Card & Book Review – Christmas Nights At The Star And Lantern By Helen Rolfe

The Copper Plough is at the heart of village life for the residents of Heritage Cove, and never more so than at Christmas, when the tree glows in the alcove and the smell of mulled wine carries out onto the street. So when new owners for the beloved pub arrive and decide to shake things up, not everyone welcomes the changes with open arms.

Local bakery owner Celeste is ready to keep an open mind. But she’s shocked to discover that one of the new landlords is Quinn, a former Navy sailor with whom she had a short but powerful romance years earlier.

Fate may have brought Quinn and Celeste back together, but life seems determined to keep them apart. Can the villagers learn to embrace the newcomers this Christmas? And will Quinn and Celeste find a way back to each other before snow falls over Heritage Cove?

About The Author

My Review

Celeste, an independent businesswoman, enjoys her life surrounded by family and friends in her close-knit community. A chance encounter with Quinn leads to a short-lived fling, leaving both content with their brief time together. However, when the local pub undergoes changes and a beloved community member falls ill, tensions rise. Quinn returns, hoping to reconnect with Celeste, but she keeps him at arm’s length due to his troubled past and her own uncertainties. Despite facing bleak moments and emotional rollercoasters, the heartwarming bond between Celeste and Quinn, supported by their friends and community, shines through, offering hope and healing. The story beautifully portrays Quinn’s struggles with PTSD and the power of love and support in overcoming obstacles.

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