Category Archives: Review card

Happy Publication Day – 13 October 2025

Dreams Come True At The Fairytale Museum By Jaimie Admans

place where dreams come true…

Lissa’s heart belongs to the Colours of the Wind museum, a charming haven where fairytale artifacts whisper tales of old. But her quiet magic is shattered when a sleek real estate firm buys the building, threatening to demolish her beloved museum. Lissa is devastated and ready to fight.

Enter Warren Berrington, the infuriatingly handsome developer whose modern vision clashes with her quirky world. He talks budgets; she dreams of wishing wells. Yet, Warren offers a lifeline: three months to save the museum, and despite their fiery arguments, a curious spark ignites between them.

Then, true enchantment begins. Spinning wheels whir, glass slippers vanish, and enchanted objects embark on whimsical adventures, making the museum an overnight sensation. Lissa dares to hope her dreams are finally within reach.

But she can’t shake the feeling Warren is playing games. Could he be orchestrating events for a clever ploy, or is Ever After Street weaving a new fairytale, one that might just involve her heart?

Christmas At Sturcombe Bay By Susanne McCarthy

Two broken hearts. One magical Christmas by the sea.

When Jess calls off her wedding just weeks before the big day, she escapes to the coastal village of Sturcombe Bay for a fresh start.

Swapping wedding plans for Christmas preparation at the fading Carleton Hotel, she’s not looking for love — until she meets Paul Channing, a rugged local with secrets of his own.

Shelley doesn’t let people in — not even at Christmas. But when kind-hearted Canadian pilot Daniel Crocombe steps in to defend her at the Carleton Hotel, his quiet warmth begins to break through her walls. With Christmas approaching, can Shelley believe she’s worthy of the love she’s always longed for?

As fairy lights go up around the village and snow dusts the bay, Jess and Shelley must find the courage to let go of the past — and discover that love often arrives when you least expect it.

A Cozy Kind Of Christmas By Ellie Alexander

Journalist Meg Reed is about to find out that sometimes the best stories aren’t the ones you’re assigned to write— they’re the ones you’re brave enough to live.

Meg thought she’d closed the door on her past when she left Oregon—and her ex, Matt Parker—for her dream job at ESPN. But when her editor assigns her to cover a winter sports event during the holidays, Meg finds herself face-to-face with everything she left behind.

Matt’s throwing his thirtieth birthday bash, and Meg’s determined to keep things professional—attend the party for old time’s sake, cover the story and get back to her carefully constructed life in New York.

And then she sees Matt again.

When their eyes meet across the festive lodge with its crackling fire and glittering Christmas trees, seven years dissolve in an instant. The chemistry that once burned between them flickers back to life, bringing with it all the complicated feelings she thought she’d dealt with.

As Meg sips hot chocolate in her cozy log cabin and tries to focus on crafting her feature story, she can’t shake the pull of old dreams and new possibilities. Some feelings don’t fade—and some people are worth fighting for. But is it too late for second chances?

Review Card & Book Review- Scotch On The Rocks By Elliot Fletcher

When you live on a tiny island, it’s easy to stir up a scandal…

For Callum Macabe, there’s no one better than Juniper Ross. She’s razor-tongued, sarcastic, elusive. And not to mention drop-dead gorgeous.

There’s just one problem: his brother got there first.

And even though Juniper and Alistair split up five years ago, Callum knows he could never break the actual bro code. Or could he?

About The Author

My Review

Scotch on the Rocks is a charming return to the Isle of Skye and everything I adored about Whiskey Business. This time, we follow Juniper—an independent, emotionally avoidant, black-cat-energy heroine (relatable!)—who’s quietly managing a refurbishment at the local inn she helps run. Her next-door neighbor? None other than a Macabe brother: Callum, a golden retriever of a man, vet by profession, endlessly capable, and hopelessly devoted to her.

This book delivers all the best elements of small-town romance: sizzling slow burn, delicious tension, heartfelt moments, and some serious spice. The opening scene hooked me immediately, and the rest of the story absolutely delivers on that promise. The village is vivid and brimming with personality—I found myself just as invested in the side characters and their gossip as I was in Juniper and Callum’s relationship. Shakespeare the cat? An unexpected star.

The chemistry between Juniper and Callum is magnetic. Their banter, nicknames, and long-standing emotional tension kept me grinning and blushing. And it was such a treat to see April and Mal again—Mal continues to be comedy gold.

Beyond the romance, the book sensitively explores deeper themes like family illness, hyper-independence, creative burnout, and unresolved family tension. It strikes a perfect balance between cozy, swoony escapism and real emotional depth.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Keeping The Score By Kelly Jamieson

An unexpected game changer…

Ford

My brain is hard-wired to hockey. To train hard, to win, to be the best. I don’t date, I basically live and breathe hockey and I plan everything. Until I find a newborn baby outside my apartment. It’s like something out of a movie, except she’s mine and this is my life. I panic, the only person I know who can help is my neighbor Andi. But in doing so, I risk inviting her into my life. So far she’s just been a friend, but I’m out of my depth and losing control. Now with each late night together, we feel like a family and I can see the lines blurring.

Andi

I have no idea how to look after a baby. But Ford has always come through for me. So now it’s my turn to help. It’s only temporary. I know Ford is a pin-up, but I’ve never been attracted to him…until now. Seeing him holding his tiny daughter is melting my heart. I thought I had no interest in love and settling down, but I’m catching feelings. I just know this set-up won’t last forever, but I’m scared of what will happen when things go back to normal…

About The Author

My Review

This book is a tender, emotionally grounded romcom that blends heartfelt moments with humor, romance, and a meaningful look at life’s curveballs. Ford, a focused and disciplined hockey player, has always prioritized his career—often at the expense of personal relationships. Andi, his kind and recently divorced neighbor, shares a warm and supportive friendship with him. But when Ford is thrown off course by an unexpected life event, it’s Andi who becomes his anchor. As the two navigate this new reality together, their bond strengthens and slowly evolves into something deeper and more passionate.The chemistry between Ford and Andi is both believable and slow-burning in the most satisfying way. Their journey—from supportive friendship to something more—is rich with vulnerability, trust, and the realization that life’s detours often lead to the best destinations.What makes this book stand out is how thoughtfully it tackles the idea of letting go—of rigid plans, control, and fear—in favor of embracing the unpredictable. It’s a story that nudges readers to reflect on their own priorities and the kind of love that can grow when we least expect it.

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Review Card & Book Review – Love, Accidentally By Phoebe MacLeod

Sometimes, what happens on the nightshift, should stay on the nightshift…

As an accident and emergency room nurse, there’s not much that can catch Tilly off guard (not even those kinds of accidents). But when her bachelor flatmate gets a girlfriend and her sister announces she wants another baby, Tilly is surprised to find herself questioning her happily single existence.

Thankfully, the arrival of a new face on the ward offers a welcome distraction. With his lustrous hair, and charming personality, Dr Luke sets hearts racing all across the hospital. But as Tilly and Luke get to know each other better, she starts to wonder if he’s really her McDreamy after all…

Is Tilly being blinded by her determination to find someone? And while she’s looking in Luke’s direction, will Tilly miss what’s right in front of her?

About The Author

My Review

Set against the lively backdrop of an A&E department, this book offers a breezy romance with shades of a medical drama. Tilly, an emergency nurse, quickly finds herself entangled with a new doctor—but not everything is as it seems. The twist, while a bit predictable, adds a touch of drama to an otherwise light, fast-paced read.

MacLeod’s writing style is smooth and engaging, making the novel easy to digest. However, character development feels uneven. Tilly can be frustrating—she swings from heartbroken and emotionally needy to impatient and demanding with startling speed, especially when her romantic interest doesn’t match her pace. The relationship lacks the chemistry and slow-burn tension that typically makes a romance spark. Instead, it moves from awkward to official with little buildup, making the love story feel a bit unearned.

While it may not be a standout for die-hard romance fans, it holds appeal for readers looking for something quick, contemporary, and set in a familiar, fast-paced environment.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Cross My Heart By Esha Patel

May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she’s finally achieved her dream: joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she’s got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.

But then CJ “Colt” Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He’s a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.

So when they’re photographed having what looks like – but definitely isn’t – an intimate moment at a bar, May’s outraged. But the college is thrilled that women’s lacrosse is getting press.

May and Colt will have to pretend they’re dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn’t take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all…

About The Author

My Review

This is blends fake dating, college sports, and childhood rivals into a lively sports romance that spotlights women’s lacrosse and the media’s uneven treatment of female athletes. The story follows May, a driven college player, who reluctantly teams up with her childhood rival, pro star Colt Bradley, for a PR stunt.

The premise is compelling and socially relevant, especially in its attention to POC representation and the disparities in athletic recognition. However, the emotional development falls a bit short. May’s defensiveness and Colt’s charm don’t fully evolve beyond surface-level traits, and while their banter is fun, the romantic tension never quite hits the mark.

Still, fans of fake dating tropes and sports-centric stories will find Cross My Heart enjoyable, even if it doesn’t break new ground.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Lessons In Life By Julie Houston

The Yorkshire village of Beddingfield is home to the wonderful women of the Allen family: teacher Robyn, wannabe chef Jess, teenage tearaway Sorrel and matriarch Lisa, who holds the whole family together. But underneath her warmth and brilliance, Lisa has a secret – she longs to know who she really is.

In Hudson House, the grand manor on the edge of Beddingfield which is now a care home, lives seventy-something Eloise Howard. With film star beauty but memories fading fast, Eloise is slowly taking one foot at a time back into her past. Born into a prestigious family, her father the owner of the local Hudson’s Mill, Eloise’s life was destined to be one of finishing schools and balls. But when her path crossed Junayd Sattar’s, the most striking and kindest man she had ever met, nothing would ever be the same again.

When Lisa begins to spend time at Hudson House and befriends Eloise, the two women form an unbreakable bond. But unbeknownst to them both, they share secrets that, once uncovered, will change everything they believed about their own lives.

About The Author

My Review

This is another warm, witty, and emotionally rich installment in the Beddingfield series. The novel continues to shine through its vibrant cast. Jess and Robyn remain relatable and strong, despite the chaos around them. Robyn’s jealousy over Fabian feels a bit overblown given her own history with Mason, and Sorrel’s wild behavior continues unchecked—though her storyline takes a serious turn that adds emotional depth. Lisa’s transformation, thanks to her medication, is one of the more satisfying arcs, especially as she finally sees Jayden for who he is. Her backstory and the truth about her birth mother are compelling, even if not entirely surprising.

Karen and Adrian Foley are convincingly awful, and their treatment of Lisa adds a darker layer to the book. Karen’s late-in-life cat adoption is a small, ironic detail that adds a touch of dry humor. Meanwhile, snippets of Eloise’s past and lovable Roger Rabbit bring charm and heart to the narrative.

Though not all loose ends are tied up and some characters’ development may frustrate readers, the storytelling, humor, and strong sense of place more than make up for it. Beddingfield sounds like a place readers will want to return to again and again. A highly enjoyable read with plenty of heart—I’m already looking forward to the next book!

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Review Card & Book Review – All Our Missing Pieces By Sophie Ranald

One house. Four strangers. A secret that changes everything.

When Orla Clifford inherits her grandmother’s crumbling Georgian house on Damask Square, she sees a chance to rebuild her life while restoring its faded grandeur. But beneath its peeling wallpaper and weathered floors, the house holds more than just memories.

To make ends meet, she takes in lodgers: Luke, a handyman with artistic dreams; compassionate Livvie; and Beatrice – young, privileged, and haunted by the question of her own past.

As Orla pours her heart into her morning journal, Beatrice searches through the house’s hidden corners, coming dangerously close to uncovering what Orla has spent decades concealing.

What will happen when the secret Orla has carried for twenty years finally comes to light? Will it destroy the fragile bonds forming beneath this roof – or become the missing piece they’ve all been searching for?

About The Author

My Review

This is a poignant and layered novel that delves into the intricacies of love, loss, and personal growth. Set against the backdrop of a crumbling house in Damask Square, the story introduces us to four distinct characters—Orla, Luke, Livvie, and Beatrice—each carrying emotional baggage and seeking a sense of belonging.

Told through alternating perspectives and timelines, the novel skillfully explores how the past shapes the present. It brings warmth and emotional resonance to the narrative, particularly through Orla’s journey of healing and Beatrice’s quest for identity. The character dynamics are compelling, with tensions and tenderness emerging naturally. The themes of forgiveness, secrets, and second chances are thoughtfully portrayed.

While the ending might feel slightly open-ended, it reflects the messiness of real life, where not all wounds heal cleanly and closure isn’t always complete. A touching, emotionally honest read that lingers after the final page.

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Review Card & Book Review- Stuck In The Midlife With You By Freya Kennedy

Your forties just got fabulous… ✨

Becca Burnside is going to make this the year she turns her forties around, and creates a life her 16-year-old self would be proud of… A smidgen of romance wouldn’t go amiss either.

And with a new job, and a blossoming friendship with handsome Conal, she’s off to a great start. Or at least, she was, until her youngest son dropped the mother of all bombshells: his girlfriend, who just happens to be the daughter of Becca’s best friend Niamh, is pregnant. Now Becca and Niamh find themselves not only facing the usual problems that come with being women of a certain age, they’re going to be grannies.

So when Becca’s new job invites them on a weekend retreat, it seems the perfect way to distract themselves from ‘the Situation’. But will wild water swimming and yoga be enough to help the women face the biggest challenge of their adult lives? And can their friendship survive the chaos of a new baby?

About The Author

My Review

This book follows the lives of long-time friends Laura, Becca, and Niamh. Now in their forties, the trio faces a fresh wave of midlife turbulence—ranging from menopause and empty nest syndrome to aging parents and the emotional shock of an unexpected pregnancy.

Told with candid detail and compassion, the book doesn’t shy away from the raw, sometimes chaotic realities of growing older, but instead celebrates the resilience and strength that can come with it—especially when bolstered by enduring female friendships.

Becca takes centre stage this time, beginning a new chapter in her life with a job that leads her and her friends on a quirky retreat. What begins as a rocky getaway evolves into a transformative experience, pushing each woman to confront her own struggles, rediscover her identity, and make bold life decisions. It’s a touching reminder that growth doesn’t stop at forty—and neither does fun.

At its core, this novel is a tribute to the power of shared experiences and unshakeable bonds. With sparkling dialogue, authentic characters, and emotional depth, Stuck in the Midlife With You will resonate with readers navigating the challenges (and unexpected joys) of midlife. Here’s hoping there’s more to come—especially to follow Becca and Niamh into their next role: grandparenthood.

My Rating

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