Book Review - One Winter At The French Chalet by Mandy Baggot

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Title: One Winter at the French Chalet

Author: Mandy Baggot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 16th September 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Things aren’t going well for travel writer Orla Bradbee.

With Christmas fast approaching, her boss is insisting Orla must travel to a rural village in France to interview a man who doesn’t speak. But with trouble at home – her teenage sister Erin is in a ‘situationship’ with a man online – Orla’s only plan is to take Erin with her.

Get the interview done, find out more about this online Romeo and still be back in time for Christmas dinner. Easy, right?

Saint-Chambéry is a picturesque French village nestled in the snow-capped mountains, but Jacques Barbier – gorgeous and brooding, yet a man of few words – makes it clear that Orla is wasting her time here.

Orla can’t deny that Jacques intrigues and infuriates her, but what is the mysterious Frenchman hiding exactly? And can she get close enough to uncover his secrets without risking her own heart?

Escape to the beautiful French Alps with Mandy Baggot for a romantic, heartwarming story to get you through the cold winter months!

I was totally transported to Saint-Chambery and the remote location that is Jacques' chalet, the two main locations for this fabulous story, showing once again that Mandy Baggot's ability to make you travel by armchair and really feel for a location is utterly fabulous. 

It's a quirky little French Village, with some great Christmas traditions and travel writer Orla is sent to write an article about a pregnant reindeer and its' mute handler, literally at the last possible minute. And she ends up taking her 16 year old sister Erin with her. 

Only thing is well she has been misled by Delphine who had been trying to get Orla to visit, but not necessarily for the reasons she thought, and well I'd say a far more interesting story develops. 

I read this over a couple of days, and found myself dreaming of the remote location overnight, which was rather weird, but on the other hand shows how much this story had clearly got under my skin. 

Orla has assorted family issues to juggle and the she meets Jacques and he doesn't initially want to have anything to do with her.  But once you discover why he is rather reclusive, it does make sense, and I found he really did have a heart of gold under his gruff exterior. 

I totally fell for Jacques myself, and I really enjoyed all the various sub plots of this story.   It's Mandy Baggot at her finest, and this was a very entertaining and enjoyable book that I couldn't get enough of. 

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

Book Review - One Greek Summer Wedding by Mandy Baggot - #HolidayReading Cyprus

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Title: One Greek Summer Wedding

Author: Mandy Baggot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 10th May 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

A sun-drenched summer romance from bestseller Mandy Baggot.

Love is in the air…

When singer Cara is invited to a big, fat Greek wedding in Corfu, she sees it as a mixed blessing: some time to heal on the beautiful Greek island with her aunt will be a tonic, but it’s going to stir up memories – of before Seb ghosted her and disappeared off the face of the earth.  

Akis Diakos, brother of the groom, should be looking forward to planning the bachelor party, but burdened by the weight of family expectation, his mind is elsewhere: he has a decision to make – one that could, apparently, ruin his little brother’s life forever. 

When Cara learns that her aunt Margot brought her here under false pretences, she’s faced with a dilemma. She’s not sung in public since that fateful day at Eurovision when her life fell apart, and she’s not planning to now. But with Akis’s encouragement, it’s time for both of them to face up to their fears. 

And who knows – maybe this beautiful duet will also lead to a beautiful romance? 

From the queen of Greek romance comes a story that will heal those heartstrings and make you believe in love again…

The queen of the Greek summer romance strikes again with another truly irresistible story, this time set on Corfu. 

Although there is a cameo from another Greek Island later in the book too, but I'll leave the specifics of that one for you to find out, 

I fell in love with Akis almost instantly, he's an exotic dancer with many other qualities to him, and is also dealing with a dilemma, which risks putting aside his own happiness, to try to prevent a family curse. 

Margot and Cara are on Corfu for Sofia's younger son's wedding Cosmos. Cosmos is also Akis brother Sofia is determined to throw the most extravagant big fat Greek wedding the island has ever seen, but things don't quite go according to plan. 

I loved the dynamics between Akis and Cara. Also enjoyed the vibe between Margot and Horror (as Margot is calling him). 

And seeing Cara regain her confidence to sing, is truly wonderful. 

This has a wedding it has snakes, it has a donkey called pig, a wily Greek granny, strippers, mentions of Eurovision and a whole lot more. 

It's absolutely wonderful. 

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

Book Review - Isolation Island by Louise Minchin - #HolidayReading Cyprus

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Title: Isolation Island

Author: Louise Minchin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley 

Publisher: Headline

Publication Date: 12th September 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

IT'S A PRIZE ANYONE WOULD KILL TO WIN...

Ten celebrities have arrived to take part in a gruelling reality survival show: two weeks completely alone on a remote Scottish island, in the depths of winter. With some careers on the rise, and others whose star is fading, almost everyone has something to play for. But investigative journalist Lauren has one question - what does Hollywood megastar Nate Stirling have to gain by taking part?

With a production team that seems incapable of keeping them safe, a gathering storm and the unrelenting gaze of hidden cameras, the contestants are stretched to the limit as they try to outshine their fellow competitors and hide their darkest secrets.

But when a body is found, it's clear that the game has become a matter of life and death...

Wow, was totally hooked on this book, and literally couldn't move from my sunbed once I was into it. 

I had to know what would be happening next, and somehow didn't see the final reveals coming. 

I am absolutely loving this new trend of thrillers et in remote locations combined with reality tv programmes. 

The setting is this instance is a run down monastery on a remote Scottish Island and although the basic premise of the game is rather familiar feeling, it's a fabulously claustrophobic and tense book as things start to go wrong almost immediately. 

You are never completely sure what will happen next, and I incredibly gripped by the action. 

With a cast of characters that on the whole I warmed to, I really couldn't get my head around just what might be happening. 

Thoroughly enjoyed every page of this and will definitely be looking out for more books from this author in the future. 

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

Book Review - Snowed in at the Cat Cafe by Rachel Rowlands - #HolidayReading Cyprus

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Title: Snowed in at the Cat Cafe

Author: Rachel Rowlands

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 12th September 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to the Cat Café! Falling in love with cats is mandatory. Falling in love with a human is optional...

When Emmie's aunt offers her a job at Catpurrcino, it is the fresh start she needs after a rough year. Now, in the lead-up to Christmas, Emmie can't imagine anything more purr-fect than pouring hot chocolate for customers and taking care of the café's many feline residents.

Needing an extra pair of hands for the holidays, Emmie's aunt hires Jared as a driver. Emmie is immediately struck by how tall and handsome he is, but there is something guarded about Jared, not to mention his allergy to cats. Emmie could never fall for someone who can't be around her furry friends ­- and she doesn't have much time to spare, anyway.

❄️❄️❄️Until an unexpected blizzard arrives on Christmas Eve. ❄️❄️❄️

Trapped in the café with Jared and the cats, Emmie discovers Jared has been holding on to more than one secret - and is in desperate need of someone to help him lay his past to rest.

What seems like the most disastrous Christmas might not be such a cat-astrophe after all. Will being snowed in finally open Jared up and let Emmie into his heart?

Pour yourself a mulled wine and settle down with a mince pie to enjoy this warm, witty and wonderful festive romance. Perfect for fans of The Pumpkin Spice Café, Sarah Morgan and Catherine Walsh.

This is the first book I've read from this author and it certianly won't be the last. 

I loved this purrfectly cozy and adorable festive read so so much. 

After all if you re going to get snowed in somewhere, you could do a lot worse than a cat cafe. 

Although the specifics of the people that get snowed in, make some of the dynamics so much trickier than you may expect. 

And the cats and the cafe itself sounded amazing, and certainly somewhere that is well worth a visit, if it actually existed. 

With a gorgeous setting for before the snow, this really is a lovely story of Emmie and Jared who find out out they a lot more in common than first thought. 

I devoured this book, and couldn't get enough of it and read it in a few short hours.  It was a fabulous start to my 2024 Festive reading!

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

Book Review - The Sticky Toffee Pudding Club by Rosie Green - #HolidayReading Cyprus

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Title: The Sticky Toffee Pudding Club

Author: Rosie Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 3rd August 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Little Duck Pond Café fans (and pudding lovers), get ready for a funny, sometimes emotional but ultimately uplifting wallow in total deliciousness. After bonding with the lovely Jensen as they save a dog in trouble, Annalise is gutted when they part without swapping numbers. She'd had the weirdest feeling he could be The One but now she might never see Jensen again. When she loses her new job in a wedding boutique, her week goes from bad to worse – until Maddy and the café girls come to her rescue with an exciting solution. The Pudding Club. Can Annalise rise to the challenge and start teaching others how to make her glorious puds? And could The Pudding Club be the key to finding Jensen again?

If you are a fan of old fashioned, school puddings then you will definitely find yourself getting very hungry while reading this book. 

As there are puddings everywhere including in a rather special recipe book that has assorted notes in it too. 

Annalise's relationship with grandma Lilo was rather heartwarming.  And her  meet cute with Jensen and Barley and subsequent hunt to see if she can find Jensen again as they didn't exchange numbers is a lot of fun. 

And through some chance meetings with Ellie and Maddie a new venture for the Little Duck Pond Cafe is born, and as a long time fan of the whole of this series, it was lovely to see a fair few of the regulars in this instalment and be able to catch up with them. 

After the previous three books in the series being a sub trilogy, it was nice to be able to reconnect with the series' roots, in a fabulous foodie story. 

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

Book Review - Meet Me At Midnight by Holly Martin - #HolidayReading Cyprus

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Title: Meet Me At Midnight

Author: Holly Martin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 9th August 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Get ready to be whisked away to the magical village of Midnight as romance casts its spell on you with this summer’s hottest love story…

Iris McKenzie is on a mission – her scheming ex-boyfriend stole her grandmother’s locket and she’ll do anything to get it back, even using the magic she’s always kept hidden. But what she isn’t prepared for is competition…

Lynx Oakwood has been tasked with recovering the same locket and along with his fellow witches from the magical village of Midnight, Lynx believes the locket holds great powers that could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

Both are determined to take the locket, but neither is prepared for meeting their match. For not only is the connection between them electric, but with Iris’s ability to see into the future she can foresee a blissful destiny with Lynx she isn’t prepared for. So when Iris’s pursuit of the locket leads her to the charming village of Midnight, she does everything she can to avoid the future that’s mapped out for her. But the more time Iris spends living amongst magical people freely enjoying their powers, the more she feels she belongs, and the harder it gets to stop her heart falling for Lynx.

And when the locket brings a cauldron full of trouble to both Iris and Midnight, Lynx’s commitment to protect her reveals a love that’s true beyond fate. Will she deny herself happiness simply because it’s written in the stars? Or is there only so long Iris can run from her destiny?

Let multi-million bestselling author Holly Martin’s spellbinding love story set your heart on fire this summer. A bewitching tale of sizzling romance, fighting fate, mischievous witches and talking cats and foxes, perfect for fans of Cecilia Ahearn, Erin Sterling and Jill Mansell.

Ever since I finished the first book set in Midnight ad Holly Martin's world of witches, I have been impatiently waiting for the next book. 

Well it was worth the wait, another completely addictive, easy to read, totally compelling story in this series. 

With Iris and Lynx being the main characters. For those new to this world we get a fabulous refresher of not only how Midnight works, with some familiar villagers popping up again, but also due to Iris' circumstance a whole lot more world building about not just witches but another magic using being too. 

I would have loved to buy Iris' jewellery it sounded so pretty and I could visualise it clearly. 

And the descriptions of witch sex still sound magical and something I wish I could experience for myself 

I adore this magical world and this particular story was brilliant, as I have come to expect from the author. And I think it may have sowed the seeds for another book, so I have my everything crossed that there will be a book 3 at some point. 

This is a series I would be happy to see running for a long time, it has totally enchanted me. 

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

Book Review - Sunrise Over Strawberry Hill Farm by Alison Sherlock

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Title: Sunrise Over Strawberry Hill Farm

Author: Alison Sherlock

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 3rd January 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

The penultimate book in Alison Sherlocks, heart-warming Railway Lane series - one not to be missed...

She drives a tractor. He arrives in a red Ferrari. What could possibly go wrong?

Flora Barton is desperate to save her family home Strawberry Hill Farm. She only needs one thing - a great business idea to keep the farm afloat!

So, when Nico Rossi arrives from Italy with a crazy plan to save the farm, Flora should be overjoyed. The trouble is the Rossi men are infamous playboys and sensible Flora doesn’t trust impetuous Nico at all.

Nico has been trying to escape the famous Rossi surname his whole life. Arriving in sleepy Cranfield after recently losing his beloved grandfather and family vineyard, he has no intention of staying on any longer than necessary. But he soon realises how desperate the situation is and throws caution to the wind to help turn the farm into a Glamping site.

Can Flora realise her dreams to keep the farm safe for the future and can Nico ever stop running from his past?

As they try to save Strawberry Hill Farm, secrets are revealed and just maybe they’ll discover why opposites attract...

A cosy, feel-good read, perfect for the fans of Della Galton, Holly Martin and Cathy Bramley

I absolutely love this series, and this is another totally wonderful addition to it. 

I found I couldn't read this fast enough, as I felt so at home back in Cranfield, and I love seeing how this little town keeps regenerating itself. 

This time it is Flora who is taking centre stage but we see plenty of the other leading ladies of the series, and I also know I'm looking forward to reading Libby's story in the final book of the series. 

Flora is trying her hardest to save Strawberry Hill Farm but is practically out of ideas. She is not a huge fan of change, nor is she that bothered about romance, so the arrival of Nico Rossi is a huge adjustment for her. 

I loved Nico, he is trying his hardest to prove he isn't like his famous father, and some of his interactions with a young teen in the village are really sweet and it's clear he is a very caring person. He is also determined to help Flora save the farm. 

I loved seeing the dynamics between Flora and Nico, even if I did want to knock their heads together many times. 

This is heartwarming, its friendly, the sense of community is strong and its an all around pleasurable book to escape into.   A total joy to read, and I can't wait until I open the next book in this series. 

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