Book Review - A Class Act by Julie Houston

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Amazon UK

Title: A Class Act

Author: Julie Houston

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 30th July 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Robyn Allen is finally getting closer to her dream of West End stardom. And along with her role dancing in the latest hot musical, she’s being wined and dined by an equally hot man – the wildly successful and well-connected Fabian Carrington. But one slip up and her dreams are shattered, and Robyn has to hobble back to the Yorkshire village of Beddingfield, and the life she hoped she’d escaped.

Moving back into her mum’s house with her recalcitrant teenage sister Sorrel, next door to her older sister Jess who’s fed up with picking up the slack, is not how Robyn pictured her year. But there’s more to come. Sorrel needs a new school, and the school needs a new drama teacher. Despite having vowed never to teach again, Robyn knows she has to support her sister.

So together Sorrel and Robyn vow to take on St Mede’s – home to jokers, tearaways and trouble-makers, but with a hidden heartbeat ready to be inspired. And who knows, the kids might have something to teach Robyn about life too…

Welcome to the village of Beddingfield and the first book in bestseller Julie Houston’s new series set in Yorkshire. Funny, fabulous, heart-warming and hilarious, you’ll never forget the Allen sisters and their one-of-a-kind community. Perfect for fans of Jo Bartlett, Cathy Bramley and Philippa Ashley.

My first thoughts on finishing this fabulous book, are next please, I definitely want to read the next book in this series. 

I am loving the Allen family and was drawn to this book by Robyn, as she dreams of being a West End star in musicals and the first part all about her journey and career to date really appealed to me, being a massive musicals fan. 

And then the story progresses and she ends up in Yorkshire helping out with her family, all of which need her help and also gets persuaded to be a teacher while up there (she has the qualifications but was determined never to go back into a classroom). 

And watching Robyn's growth during the story, as well as hearing about her past was great to see.  And the change in her younger sister Sorrel was rather impressive too. 

It's a bit of a dysfunctional family but in the best way, I loved every member of the family, especially the more we saw of them.   And I really hope to see more of 10 year old Lola in future books, she is fabulous. 

I've really enjoyed every page of this story, that had be totally unaware of where I was on a tube journey, as I was that absorbed in what was going on. 

Between Robyn's love life and interesting choice of men, to her mother's long term condition, her younger sister's attitude and her older sisters passion for food we have a truly heartwarming story and the starting point of what promises to be a fabulous series. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily 

Book Review - Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin

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Amazon UK

Title: Summer at the Santorini Bookshop

Author: Rebecca Raisin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 11th April 2024

Rating: 4 Stars

☀️A Greek island holiday. A fake-dating pact. A chance at true love?☀️

After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just taken on a small bookshop in Santorini, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her.

But life on the island is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake date her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on side, she reluctantly agrees.

As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop – and fake date her way to love?

What an immensely enjoyable book.  

Easily one of my favourite characters for ages is Evie's gran.  She has ha such a varied life, is a real live wire and now in her 80s, she has opened a bookshop in Santorini that sounds totally divine, and and has married her 9th husband! 

Evie is after being made redundant, encouraged to go to Santorini to keep an eye on her gran, by the "fun police" - her sister and mother!  They don't trust that Gran knows what she is doing, and want a spy on the ground! 

Evie is not a natural spy but she is a keen book lover, and also catches the eye of a gorgeous Greek guy that her gran encourages her to fake date in an elaborate scheme! 

I do love a scheme, and this book has them galore!  It also have places that sound like absolute paradise for booklovers, and also allows Evie to really come into her own, and grow in confidence. 

Set against a sun drenched back drop, with some lovely trips around the island, I really felt transported to Greece, and this bookshop, and loved every second of the book. 

It was a joy to read. 

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Truths, Tenerife and TBR!

 As you might recall last Friday I ran an edition of Funday Friday Truth or Lie with Sandy Barker as my guest author, and the idea was for you lovely people to guess which of her answers were lies. 

And I'm incredibly impressed to say that Ellen Stafford must really know Sandy Barker, as she got all three of her guesses spot on. 

Here are the relevant questions, the lies and the actual truth! 

4) What superpower would you love to have?

Invisibility. I’d love to be a fly on the wall and see what really goes on behind closed doors, especially where important decisions are being made.

LIE – I’d want to be able to teleport. I love travelling but hate transiting. 

10) Besides reading, which I am guessing is a given, what other hobbies do you have?

During the pandemic I got into cross stitch – the funnier the better, such as irreverent sayings or memes.

LIE – I hate doing that sort of thing. I am into fitness and travel. I love wine tasting and entertaining. And I am mad for board games with friends.

13) What is your guilty pleasure when it comes to music? 

I’m a tragic Swiftie. 

LIE – while I admire TayTay for being so formidable and an astute business person, I really don’t like her music. 

Impressively many of you did guess that Sandy was lying about being a Swiftie.  I can't say I'm one myself either! 

Ok so that covers the truths from the post title, now onto Tenerife. 

Well I'm sure you may have guessed, I'm off to Tenerife tomorrow! I'm staying in this gorgeous looking hotel, which just happens to be the one my sister works in, She is in charge of entertainment, and it will be highly amusing for me to see her work. 

I think this will be the sort of holiday where I will be attempting to take part in perhaps more activities than normal, just to see what my sister really does all day, as well as watching shows in evenings.  She has been taunting me with all the cool stuff this hotel offers in the past year since she started working there, so time will tell! 

I have no idea just how much reading I will get done, but I am hoping to relax and read as much as I can, while soaking up some heat! 

And if you are interested these are the book on my Netgalley shelf and other review copies, that will form the base of my holiday reading TBR - and I will most likely pick each book randomly from this assortment but if there are any you think I should definitely read please let me know! 

So which of these do I definitely need to prioritise reading? Which of these would you be keen to read on your own holiday? Are any of these completely stand out must read now books? And what on earth will I read on the plane / day 1 when I'm not asleep?!!! I'd love to hear from you. 

And Happy Easter everyone, may the Easter bunny bring you loads of chocolate goodies!

Book Review - The Runaway Wives by Karen King

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Amazon UK

Title: The Runaway Wives

Author: Karen King

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 24th March 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

‘We’re leaving. And there’s nothing either of you can do about it!’

When the surprise holiday Dee thinks her husband has booked for her sixtieth birthday weekend turns out to be yet another solo golfing break – it’s the last straw.

Meanwhile her best friend Babs’s other half has decided to move to Spain and is acting like he doesn’t need to consult anyone. Not even Babs!

Well, if their husbands think they can do what they want, so can their wives. So, with that thought, the two best friends leap into Dee’s trusty car and head for the seaside, and an adventure they’ll never forget.

Back home their furious husbands want them to return immediately. But – as they begin to enjoy their newfound freedom – will either of the runaway wives ever want to come back home again?

An absolutely hilarious, uplifting, escapist story, perfect for fans of Maddie Please, Judy Leigh and Dawn French.

What a thoroughly enjoyable novel this was.  It's been absolutely ages since I last read something from Karen King, and she certainly hasn't lost her touch at writing a story that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Babs and Dee both have marriages in various states of broken-ness, and I didn't really take to either of their husbands in the small bits we see of them first hand. 

For most of this book includes our ladies taking a short break in Devon, and in the case of Dee, it really is the making of her as she starts to get involved in the local community. 

This was a really gentle read, that got under my skin and I was delighted to get to know all of the characters. I was intrigued to see what Babs would eventually decide to do, and I also really enjoyed seeing Dee make new friends.

This was just an all around enjoyable read that I was definitely entertained by. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Ice Ice Maybe by Rich Amooi

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Amazon UK

Title: Ice Ice Maybe

Author: Rich Amooi

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 24th September 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

“I want you to date my daughter.”

Those seven words hit Nolan Reid like a puck to the head.

Once destined for NHL stardom, a skiing accident left Nolan driving the Zamboni for the San Diego Sea Lions. But his humble life of maintaining the ice is about to get complicated.

The billionaire owner’s insane plan? Nolan fake-dates his daughter Zena to ignite her ex’s jealousy. The twist? Said ex is the team’s star player, and his green-eyed monster apparently fuels goals.

Suddenly, Nolan’s navigating a minefield of pretend kisses, all-too-real feelings, and death glares from a human sequoia oozing enough testosterone to give him secondhand chest hair.

With sparks flying, the playoffs looming, and her ex itching to use him as a toothpick, Nolan is playing a high-stakes game of Jealousy Jenga that could crumble any moment.

But for a shot at love with Zena? He might just risk it all.

Ice Ice Maybe is closed door, fake-dating, opposites attract, forced proximity, hockey romance with humor, heart, and loads of romantic comedy fun. No third-act breakup.

This is just the book I needed to read. It read it in one day, and it totally relieved my tension headache, while at the same time greatly amused and entertained me. 

It also reminded me how much I love an ice-hockey romcom and especially how much I love a Rich Amooi book. 

For this was fabulous, including fake dating, all sorts of highly amusing scenes, and some really memorable scenarios. 

Getting to know Zena and Nolan was a real joy. And their families are certainly entertaining too. 

This was just a real joy to read and I was really cheering on the San Diego Sea Lions like a fan by the end. There are lots of absolutely gorgeous romantic gestures, in addition some great food. And if you aren't an icehockey fan then don't worry the isn't much direction hockey action in the book,  but there is one key player, and some of the behind the scenes staff.

This was so light hearted, so funny and such a tonic that it is impossible not to feel cheered up while reading this. 

Just fabulous. 

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love by Eve Devon

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Amazon UK

Title: The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

Author: Eve Devon

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 24th May 2024

Rating: 4 Stars

Ashleigh and George have never met. But they’re about to…

Ashleigh and George haven’t met yet, but Ashleigh knows a lot of things about George. She knows he loves soccer, that he likes his house to smell of the ocean breeze and that he’s a whizz at crosswords. All George knows about Ashleigh is that since she became his cleaner everything in his life is a little better.

Neither of them knows that their worlds are about to collide. Could they be just what the other one needs?

Such an enjoyable story, that really warmed my heart.

I loved getting to know both Ashleigh and George, in addition to the other people that Ash cleans for.

They may be different but they had various things in common including a love of crosswords. And even before they met they were exchanging puzzle clues.

And what a first meeting they had, definitely memorable and highly amusing. 

This was such a charming story that i thoroughly enjoyed, and that has a good level of depth to it too.

Was just so good to read a new Eve Devon book as it had been a while since my last one.  

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Vanished by M A Comley

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Amazon UK

Title: Vanished

Author: M A Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 23rd January 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

When Jessica Harding mysteriously disappears, DI Sara Ramsey and DS Carla Jameson are thrust into a case filled with deceit and danger. As they dig deeper, they uncover secrets Jessica kept hidden—an affair, powerful enemies, and a dangerous criminal network desperate to cover its tracks.

After a second abduction occurs, it becomes clear that the danger is closer than they thought, with a mole inside the police force undermining their every move. With Jessica's life on the line and time running out, Sara must face betrayal from within and take down a powerful empire before Jessica vanishes for good.

I think I might say this with almost every book, but surely this is MA Comley's best book, or at least the best book in the DI Sara Ramsey series. 

I'm open mouthed with shock at how everything was resolved.  This feels like is a book that is potentially going to affect the dynamics of the series going forward, and I'm already eager to see just what the next book will bring. 

And this has to be by far one of the most complicated and high profile cases that Sara and Carla have ever dealt with and I was totally there for it. 

There is so much going on, and I was totally addicted. I was hooked on every last revelation and there were definitely gasps of shock at points too. 

Just utterly fabulous, I can't get enough of this author and this series! Bring on the next book! 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - How To Slay On Holiday by Sarah Bonner

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Amazon UK

Title: How To Slay On Holiday

Author: Sarah Bonner

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 27th February 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

You’d kill for a holiday like this one…

Chloe has spent months planning the murder of her husband, Scott. Everything is ready, but first she must create the perfect alibi to avoid any suggestion of her involvement in his death. And what better way to avoid suspicion than playing the loved-up wife on an extravagant holiday with their extended families?

A luxury villa on the Greek island of Mykonos should provide the ultimate setting for her week of make-believe married bliss. But as the sun sets on their first evening in paradise, the cracks in Chloe’s plan begin to show. Family rivalries bubble to the surface. Scott’s sister, Tori, begins to ask awkward questions, suggesting she might know more about Chloe’s plans than she should. Then there’s the villa concierge, Grace, who is watching her guests’ every moves.

As tensions rise, can Chloe manage to keep her murderous intentions hidden? And can she stop herself from adding a few more people to the body count along the way?

Fans of Katy Brent, Bella Mackie and Julie Mae Cohen won't be able to resist this twisty, darkly funny crime thriller.

Sarah Bonner is fast becoming an auto read author for me, two books read by her so far and both total winners in my book. 

I was completely addicted reading this story, which starts off as a nice simple story - all Chloe has to do is play the loving wife for a week's holiday in Mykonos and then no one will suspect her of being behind her husband's murder when he dies the following week. 

And the more I learnt about Scott, the more I agreed, he deserves to die and Chloe seems totally lovely. 

But well best laid plans are only good if no one discovers them, and its turns out no one is quite what they seemed.  And the more we learn the more intrigued I was, and hooked on finding out what would happen next. 

There is a fabulous mix of characters on this extended family vacation, and with both families being involved in what sounded like not completely above board activities (to put it mildly), there are all sorts of interesting dynamics at play. 

And I would never have predicted how any of this would turn out. 

I couldn't get enough of this book, and I loved all the lies, deceit, good intentions and more,  even if I was left wondering who exactly I was meant to be able to trust. 

I just loved this book a lot and whizzed through the pages oblivious to the world around me. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot - Rachel Reads Randomly #99

 Well under a handful of you noticed last Monday that I ran for the first time in many years a version of my vote feature where you got to pick which book I reviewed today. 

Well the results have been counted, and I can say that since there were only two votes in total - one for Something in The Air by Helen Rolfe, and one for A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot -  that I have reviews of both of these today. 

So I hope they both pique your interest, and I have come to the conclusion that interactive blog posts in 2025 may no longer work! Ah well! 

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: A Greek Island Gift

Author: Mandy Baggot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 28th April 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Escape to the sunshine with the queen of Greek romance, Mandy Baggot!

An unexpected gift… A home in paradise?

When Molly Adams finds out she’s inherited an apartment in Kassiopi, Corfu, she’s left thinking there must be some mistake. She doesn’t know anyone in Greece at all.

But when she arrives there’s a shock. Molly hasn’t inherited a whole apartment, it’s only 50%. But there’s more - she’s also inherited 50% of a boat, 50% of an olive tree and… 25% of a cat.

Christos Baros is coming home to Corfu for the summer. A self-made entrepreneur, owning three gyms in Athens, he has no need for half an apartment, half a boat, half an olive tree or a quarter of a cat, but he knows these things are important to his mother.

Molly and Christos’s worlds collide in a whirlwind and the irresistible charm of the Greek island draws them even closer together. But as they uncover the secrets of their shared inheritance, will they discover that sometimes, sharing what you never wanted can lead to exactly what you need?

This summer, join Molly and Christos in Corfu as they try to work out if one shared Greek gift will turn into a shared future. Perfect for fans of Sue Moorcroft and Jenny Colgan.

I'm always a big sucker for and big fan of Mandy Baggot's books especially any set in her beloved Corfu. And this was no exception. 

There is an unexpected inheritance, family secrets, a fabulous Greek guy and there more we get to hear about the guy who left this inheritance, the more i loved him too. 

It's unusual to learn that you have been left amongst other things a quarter of a cat (and seeing the beneficiaries try to decide who owns which leg is amusing), half an olive tree, half a truck that may not work, half a boat that may or may not work and half an apartment that needs a lot of work - but that is exactly the situation for Christos and Molly. 

Molly has her own suspicions as to why she may have been left this, and her mother's responses are interesting.  Christos and his family reminded me of the vibe and family from A Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I loved their dynamics. 

There is a lot more to this than first meets the eye, and when you add in a recent family feud, what feels like a dare devil nature from Molly and you have an immensely enjoyable book. 

I read this in a rare dose of sunshine in the garden and totally felt transported to Corfu. I loved the spattering for Greek words for flavour within the pages and generally just loved every word of this.  Another winner from Mandy Baggot. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Something In The Air by Helen Rolfe - Rachel Reads Randomly #99

Well under a handful of you noticed last Monday that I ran for the first time in many years a version of my vote feature where you got to pick which book I reviewed today. 

Well the results have been counted, and I can say that since there were only two votes in total - one for Something in The Air by Helen Rolfe, and one for A Greek Island Gift by Mandy Baggot -  that I have reviews of both of these today. 

So I hope they both pique your interest, and I have come to the conclusion that interactive blog posts in 2025 may no longer work! Ah well! 

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Something In The Air

Author: Helen Rolfe

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 17th January 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

A surprise arrival

Working with the Whistlestop River air ambulance is Nadia's whole world. She adores her job and the team – they’re family. But when a baby is abandoned on the steps of the base, Nadia is forced to confront events from her past she’d rather forget.

A difficult change

Hudson is trying to get his life back on track after his divorce. It’s not easy juggling his work as a patient and family liaison officer and being the primary parent for his children. He wouldn’t change it for the world. But when his teenage son’s behaviour spirals out of control, Hudson begins to wonder if he can really be there for everyone who needs him…

A chance for something special?

Nadia and Hudson have always been friends, but the arrival of baby Lena pushes them closer than ever, and as their feelings start to grow, they’ll have to decide – do they have space for love when their families need them? And could they put themselves and each other first, just this once?

The Skylarks return in this gorgeous new story, perfect for fans of Jo Bartlett and Heidi Swain.

Helen Rolfe has knocked it out of the park with yet another unputdownable instalment of her fabulous Skylarks series. 

I am just loving everything to do with this Whistlestop River air ambulance team and all those who support it. This time we are focusing on Nadia and Hudson. 

Nadia has been lying to everyone and no one really knows anything about her past, whereas Hudson has been keeping his recent divorce to himself, while trying to single parent a teen and a 3 year old. 

I loved the scenes with Hudson and his family, he comes across as a wonderful father and one that I could certainly see why Nadia might be attracted too. 

The book starts with a rather surprising opening and one that really engrossed me and had a bit of a mystery to it, while also having me saying aww a fair bit! 

I loved getting to know our leads even more, as well as catching up with the latest from other team members. 

I couldn't get enough of this book and devoured it in under a day. I can't wait for the next book in this glorious series.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.