Category Archives: Review card

Review Card & Book Review- Snowed In With You By Heidi Stephens

WHEN THINGS SNOWBALL, CAN FROSTY FEELINGS THAW?

Lucy hasn’t left the country in years. In fact, she’s barely left Bristol’s city limits. So, when the opportunity presents itself to join a work trip to the Swiss Alps, she’s wary, especially when she learns that it will coincide with that weekend – the one that, eleven years ago, tore her world in two.

But how can she turn down an all-expense-paid trip to the snow-capped Alps? Lucy knows what Leo would say if he were still with her, and besides, she’ll have her work husband, Jonno, there for emotional support.

What – or who – she didn’t bank on, however, was moody (read: rude) Natestepping in at the last minute. And what’s worse, they’re the only two in the group who don’t ski, so they’re stuck with each other . . . up the side of a mountain in the middle of a snowstorm.

With the weather closing in, an avalanche leaves them snowbound in an alpine bar with an eclectic cast of fellow refugees. But with roaring log fires and steaming mugs of glühwein (and maybe a shot or two of Jägermeister), it’s a chance for Lucy and Nate to discover there might be more to one another than meets the eye.

Where will their mountainside adventure leave them when the snow finally melts?

About The Author

My Review

Lucy is a skilled copywriter who, despite her emotionally distant approach to relationships, has no shortage of romantic offers. When she finds herself stranded in a mountain café during a work trip with her aloof colleague, Nate, she’s forced to confront the emotional baggage that has made her close herself off. As Nate opens up about his own struggles, a viral moment on Instagram propels him into the spotlight, complicating the bond they’ve begun to form.

The story’s premise—being stuck during an avalanche with strangers—creates a compelling setting where Lucy and Nate, despite their opposing personalities, begin to connect. Heidi Stephens explores themes of grief and mental health, particularly how Nate’s anxiety and Lucy’s unresolved grief over her brother shape their interactions. At times, Nate’s anxiety is handled in a somewhat infantilizing way, and Lucy can come across as selfish, using her grief to avoid serious relationships.

Though the snowy setting is minimal, the book delves deeply into the emotional layers of the characters, making it more than just a winter romance. The relationship between Lucy and Jonno, a key supporting character, adds an extra dimension, with their friendship shining just as brightly as the romance.

My Rating

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Review Card & Book Review – Snow Going Back By Emma Tallon

Everyone is heading home for the holidays. Everyone except Kate. Having just run away from her boyfriend Lance’s unexpected proposal (in front of her entire family), Kate was the only person in her office happy to take an unexpected last-minute work trip posting to Boston.

Arriving in the snow-covered, fairy-light-filled city, Kate feels immediately at home. That is until she meets Sam, a cross between a lumberjack and an Abercrombie model standing in the kitchen of her new place. Which also happens to be his home thanks to a work mix-up. Given that it’s Christmas and there is nowhere else to stay, they agree to make it work.

But pretty soon it’s clear that Sam is not the ideal house mate. From drinking all the milk, turning the hot water off whilst she’s showering, and insisting she stay in her room for the entirety of ‘game night’ with the boys, Kate thinks Sam is the absolute worst. And he thinks the same of her.

When Sam surprisingly comes to her rescue, his frosty exterior finally thaws and when they open up to each other, they realise they have more in common than they thought. But when Lance unexpectedly arrives, Kate’s heart is torn. Go home with Lance or spend the holidays with a man she hardly knows, but who could turn out to be the one…

About The Author

My Review

The book follows Kate, a London lawyer, who unintentionally says “yes” to her boyfriend Lance’s proposal and is swept into planning a rushed wedding. However, she is soon called to America for work, tasked with resolving a legal issue involving a will. The story picks up pace in America when Kate encounters some villains, including Aubrey and her grandmother Janice, and gets entangled in a dramatic family conflict.

The plot takes on a new dimension with this gangland drama, which adds depth to the story and keeps the reader engaged. While the “enemies to lovers” theme with Sam plays a secondary role, it is still well-executed. Kate’s relationship with her fiancé Lance becomes strained as she connects more with Sam, who challenges her in unexpected ways. Her growing attraction to Sam and the realization that her relationship with Lance might not be right for her adds emotional weight to the story.

Kate’s mother, Eleanor, also stands out as a humorous and unpredictable character. Although the romance between Kate and Sam could have been developed further, the story strikes a balance between personal growth and drama, ultimately making Kate’s journey compelling. The book lacks a steamy romance element, but this fits the overall tone and setting, especially in the lead-up to Christmas.

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Review Card & Book Review- Christmas Eve Love Story By Ginny Baird

Annie Jones works hard designing windows for iconic New York City department store Lawson’s Finest. So when her Christmas window display gets upended by some rambunctious kids on Christmas Eve, the all-too-realistic store Santa gives Annie a little decorating tip on how to start over. With help from friendly security guard Braden Tate, Annie repairs the damage and heads home. But when she wakes the next morning, she’s bewildered to find that it isn’t Christmas day at all, but Christmas Eve all over again.

Trapped in a time loop, Annie doesn’t know how she’ll ever make it back to the present. Luckily, she has an infinite number of chances to get things right. As little everyday choices bring her closer to Braden and to Christmas day, Annie starts to picture what her new life— one full of friendship, love, and community—could look like.

About The Author

My Review

This is a charming holiday romance with a magical time-loop twist. The story centers on Annie Jones, an assistant artistic director at Lawson’s Finest in NYC, who experiences a stressful Christmas Eve filled with chaotic events, from misbehaving twins ruining her display to a sweet encounter with security guard Braden Tate. However, when she wakes up the next morning expecting Christmas Day, she finds herself reliving Christmas Eve instead.

Caught in a time loop, Annie faces the challenge of either repeating the same exhausting day or using it as an opportunity to make things better. Over multiple replays of Christmas Eve, Annie’s warm and optimistic nature shines through as she connects with her neighbors and strives to improve each day. Her growing relationship with Braden, a fellow lonely soul, forms the heart of this sweet holiday story.

While the plot can drag at times, the romance between Annie and Braden, combined with the festive time-loop premise, offers a cozy, uplifting tale perfect for the holiday season. Annie’s efforts to spread joy and positivity make this a feel-good read.

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Review Card & Book Review- When We were Friends By Jane Green

By all accounts, Lucy’s handled her divorce well. She’s finally in the cozy, plant-filled house of her dreams. And although she doesn’t fit in with the other divorcées—all busy looking for their next ex—she’s excited to get down to earth and savor the small joys of life. When Lucy meets Elle, a hip younger woman who shares her same passions, their connection is instant. Taking a chance on kismet, Lucy forges a friendship that fills her days with meaning. She and Elle are inseparable, from sunup to sundown, enjoying the immediate ease and familiarity of each other’s company.

But as Lucy introduces Elle to her circle, a new side of her friend appears. And try as she might, Lucy can’t ignore her misgivings. Who is Elle really? And can their all-consuming friendship survive closer inspection?

About The Author

My Review

Lucy, recently divorced and raising a 12-year-old, is struggling to connect with a new group of single women who spend their time complaining about their exes and looking for new relationships—something Lucy isn’t interested in. By chance, she meets Elle, a stranger in the ladies’ room of a bar, and they quickly form a close, seemingly perfect friendship. However, things take a turn, and Lucy’s world unravels in unexpected ways.

The book captures the intense emotions Lucy goes through, from the high of newfound friendship to the devastation of betrayal, particularly during a pivotal scene at a Thai restaurant. Throughout the story, Lucy’s journey highlights the importance of mental health, showing how processing complex emotions and seeking help can lead to healthier relationships and personal growth.

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Review Card & Book Review – Somewhere Along The Line By Mallory Thomas

Piper Paulson’s life is finally on the upswing. She has a new job, a BFF roommate, and a commitment to avoid dating after an ex cost her her peace—and her former career. She may not have two nickels to spare, but that’s a problem for Future Piper.

James Newhouse doesn’t have time or energy to deal with… well, anything. A hotshot banker with a complicated family, he’s determined to keep people at arm’s length. His attraction to Piper isn’t part of the plan, and neither is adding her to a Family Fares commuter pass as his ‘wife’ to save her money on train fare. Too bad his judgment is speeding away faster than their shared train.

Thrown together by chance (and a handful of Elvis impersonators), James and Piper find themselves witnesses to an incident on their commute—‘married’ witnesses, who may be asked to testify if the crime goes to trial. Can they keep up the charade to avoid being outed for their lie? And perhaps more importantly, can they protect their hearts in the process?

About The Author

My Review

This story centers on Piper, a free-spirited woman who, after nearly two years of healing from a bad breakup with a banker, now works at a not-for-profit. She crosses paths with James, the very type of person she’s trying to avoid, and after a dramatic event, they enter into a “marriage” of convenience. As they navigate the line between their fake relationship and a real one, they also confront their personal fears, grief, and emotional baggage.

What sets this book apart from other marriage-of-convenience stories is the grounded and relatable reason for their arrangement, especially given the context of a cost-of-living crisis. The author’s strength lies in crafting flawed, authentic characters who feel like real people, complete with their own misconceptions about love and relationships. The story includes some intimate moments, but they serve to deepen the connection between the characters rather than feeling forced.

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Review Card & Book Review- A Winter Wedding At Primrose Hall By Jill Steeples

As the year draws to an end at Primrose Hall, Pia and her Lord of the Manor fiancé Jackson are putting the finishing touches to their annual Carols by Candlelight evening.

The past twelve months have not all been plain sailing – Jackson’s father Rex had a serious health scare, his long-lost brother Tom appeared unannounced, and Jackson himself had his own disaster. So the family are thrilled to finally be able to look forward to Christmas together and the event of the year – Jackson and Pia’s long-awaited wedding.

With the idyllic backdrop of Primrose Woods, the dream venue, and a community ready to celebrate with them, Pia and Jackson are counting the days until they are husband and wife. Now they just need to cross their fingers that the dramas of the previous year are all behind them…

About The Author

My Review

Primrose Hall, where Jackson and his fiancée Pia live, is a focal point of the book, bustling with wedding plans, animals, and preparations for Christmas. The author does a great job of developing characters that feel natural, with well-established personalities that resonate throughout the series.

The story centers on romance, with different types of relationships at various stages—new, established, and those facing big life decisions. There’s also tension between estranged brothers Jackson and Tom, stemming from their troubled family history, especially involving their father, Rex, who has a questionable past. Their mother’s lingering doubts about Rex add a layer of drama.

This is the sixth and final book in the Primrose Woods series, and while it ties together storylines from previous books, it still works well as a stand-alone. Primrose Woods offers a warm, family-centered setting, and though the reader gets a sense of the ongoing relationships, having read the earlier books would likely enhance the experience. Overall, this is an enjoyable, heartwarming read, perfect for those looking for contemporary fiction focused on family, friendships, and romance.

My Rating

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