Category Archives: Review card

Review Card & Book Review – Shout Out To My Ex By Sandy Barker

Fashion designer Elle Bliss is unlucky in love.

She’s still hung up on her first love, Leo, who ended things abruptly, then mysteriously disappeared – and a decade on, no one else can measure up.

But Elle’s all-time dream of showing in Paris Fashion Week is about to become a reality, and she has no time to dwell on her dismal love life. That is until Leo – now going by Lorenzo – comes back into her life.

An up-and-coming shoe designer, ‘Lorenzo’ is nothing like the man she fell in love with. Rude, brash and with an ego the size of Paris, he’s too caught up in his own celebrity.

But as they constantly cross paths in the city of love, Elle begins to question how much of ‘Lorenzo’ is an act – a persona for the cameras. Because deep down, she can see glimpses of the man he was, and feelings from all those years ago become impossible to ignore…

About The Author

My Review

The Ever After Agency is an exclusive dating agency operating at the top end of the market, known for its secrecy and professionalism. In this installment, the focus is on Cassie, who enlists the agency’s help to reunite her sister Elle with her first love, Leo. Set against the backdrop of Paris Fashion Week, the story delves into themes of love, betrayal, and sisterhood, with well-developed characters and intricate relationships. The author skillfully captures the glamour and chaos of the fashion world while weaving a compelling narrative of romance and friendship. With engaging characters and a satisfying conclusion, it’s a recommended read for fans of heartwarming stories.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Love Interest By Victoria Walters

No man can be as good as the one in your imagination…

Librarian Liv Jones has always dreamed of writing a romance novel. But she’s stuck when it comes to creating a romantic hero – sadly – lacking anyone in real life to base him on.

When her brother suggests his best friend stay in their shared flat for a few weeks, she can’t believe her bad luck. Aiden Rivers is irritating and pushes all her buttons. Worst of all, he’s gorgeous, has a sexy accent and reminds her of her all-time favourite character Mr Darcy.

Liv finds herself unexpectedly inspired and the leading man in her novel begins to bear an uncanny resemblance to Aiden. He can never find out though: she’d never live it down. Because Aiden can only ever be her love interest in the pages of her book – and definitely not in real life… right?!

About The Author

My Review

Liv, an aspiring romance writer, finds herself living with her brother in London, where she works part-time at a university library. When her nemesis, Aiden, her brother’s best friend, also joins the university and moves in with them, their love-hate relationship takes center stage. As Liv writes her own romance novel, she realizes she might be living her own love story. Despite a slow start and initial disbelief in their animosity, the novel becomes captivating with its mix of romantic tropes like kissing in the rain and steamy library scenes. What sets it apart is its metafictional aspect of a novel within a novel, which adds depth to the story. Liv and Aiden’s miscommunication drives the plot as they navigate their feelings while working and living together. The characters are relatable, portraying the complexity of hiding true feelings behind anger and indifference. The book also emphasizes the importance of seeing different perspectives and understanding there’s more to every story.

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Review Card & Book Review – The Year That Changed Us By Helen Rolfe

As young women, Lise and Emma had the kind of friendship people dream about. While Lise’s own family was distant and disengaged, Emma’s was welcoming and warm, and for the first twenty-six years of their life, growing up together in a close-knit community, the duo were inseparable. But when they decide to spend one year living together in Paris, what starts as the adventure of a lifetime becomes a disaster that changes everything. And when Emma returns to Bath the following summer, Lise stays behind in France, their friendship in tatters.

Now, sixteen years later, Lise has come back to their hometown, determined to put things right. But to do so, she’ll have to face up to the truth about what happened in Paris. And with Emma refusing to talk to her, can she get close enough to share her secret?

About The Author

My Review

This captivating book delves into the complexities of female friendship, exploring the strong bonds that tie Emma and Liese together and the challenges they face. Growing up in contrasting households, their vow to prioritize their friendship over everything is tested when they spend a transformative year in Paris. The dual timeline and alternating perspectives add depth to the narrative, keeping readers engaged as secrets unravel and tensions rise. With compelling storytelling and believable characters, the book skillfully navigates themes of loyalty, betrayal, and reconciliation. Overall, it’s a heartfelt and moving exploration of female relationships that readers won’t soon forget.

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Review Card & Book Review – It’s Complicated By Camilla Isley

Lori has been in love with her best friend Aiden since college. Now Aiden (handsome, fair, All-American dream doctor) is getting married, and Lori desperately needs a date to the wedding.

So she asks the best man, Jace (tall, dark, and brooding), to pretend their platonic friendship is something more not to have to face the worst day of her life alone.

Fake dating one best friend to forget the other should be easy… Plot twist—it’s not. When Jace starts acting like the sweetest, most attentive boyfriend, Lori begins to wonder if she’s been seeing him wrong all this time?

They’ve been an inseparable trio since freshman year, but now everything is changing — and that’s not even bringing Jace’s feelings into the mix.

Basically? It’s complicated.

About The Author

My Review

This book follows three best friends, Lori, Jace, and Aiden, entangled in a web of secret crushes and fake dating schemes. As Jace pretends to be Lori’s date for Aiden’s wedding, their faux romance sparks real feelings, complicating their dynamic. The book revolves around three friends navigating through the complexities of love and friendship, with two secret crushes in the mix. The characters are well-developed, mature, and communicate effectively, which adds depth to their relationships. Despite some minor issues with repetitive language, the book offers a refreshing take on the friends-to-lovers trope, delivering a heartwarming and entertaining read. Nonetheless, fans of friends-to-lovers and fake dating tropes will enjoy this delightful read.

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Review Card & Book Review – Photographs from the Cove By Jennifer Bardsley

The old cinema sits proud—but neglected—on the cove’s sun-bleached main street. Mary is determined to bring it back to its former glory, but when she discovers a crumbling photo album inside, one picture will change everything…

Mary Turner’s hopes of a happy life in beautiful Sand Dollar Cove come crashing down when her boyfriend leaves her. After her mother walked out when she was just a child, Aiden’s betrayal destroys the last shred of belief in love that Mary’s been clinging on to.

When the cove’s newest resident Steven Clarke hires her to renovate the town’s historic movie theater, Mary is scared of failing. But she dreams of bringing the fading theater back to its 1960s glamor. Plus, the more she works with the elusive Steven, the more she comes to like him and his striking good looks—against her better judgement…

As Mary’s confidence grows, her heart starts to reopen to the possibility of love. But then, hidden in the cinema’s storage room, Mary discovers a mysterious photo album containing pictures of a little girl who looks just like her. She can’t believe her eyes. How is Mary connected to this album and the cinema? And will the answers help to heal her broken heart?

Mary is willing to risk everything to learn the truth. But when she uncovers a secret that casts a shadow on her family, on Steven, and on Sand Dollar Cove, will the past haunt her forever? Or will she choose to believe in love and finally claim her happy ending?

About The Author

My Review

Mary Turner’s dreams of a perfect life in Sand Dollar Cove are shattered when her boyfriend returns married. Determined to stay and find true love, she embarks on renovating the town’s historic movie theater. A discovery of an old photo album leads her on a journey to uncover family secrets and her true identity. The well-developed characters and captivating storyline make it an irresistible read, filled with heartwarming moments and coastal charm. It’s a tale of self-discovery, love, and overcoming past hurts, with Mary’s journey at its center. A beautifully written, lighthearted read that comes highly recommended.

My Rating

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