Book Review - Meet Me Under The Northern Lights by Mandy Baggot

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Title: Meet Me Under The Northern Lights

Author: Mandy Baggot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th September 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Can one kiss melt a cold, broken heart?

When career-focused Chloe Bellamy is sent to Iceland on a last-minute work trip, it’s her big chance to prove she deserves a seat at the top.

But there’s one problem, she may have embellished her CV a little… saying she speaks Icelandic when she doesn’t! And now, to add to her woes, she’s landed with no place to stay.

Gunnar Eriksson has a habit of saving people. First, when he rescued a young boy from a volcano and offered him a forever home. Then opening his door and welcoming in a spirited yet accident-prone Octogenarian. Now Gunnar has somehow tied himself to Chloe who needs all the help she can get but, for some reason, is reluctant to accept it.

Neither of them are looking for love, but under Iceland’s spell, and with a little extra help from those around them, something begins to shift. Could one kiss beneath the Northern Lights change everything?

This Christmas, escape to Iceland for festive feels, unexpected friendships and maybe even a chance at love.

What happens when the queen of the Greek romance, sets a book somewhere distinctly chillier? Well you find out in Meet Me Under The Northern Lights, as Mandy Baggot writes yet another truly enjoyable story. 

All of her trademark touches are there, including a man that you can't help but fall for, and a her ability to describe a destination. 

Wow I actually felt myself cooling off in the hot summer sun, while I was reading about Iceland and all the various trips that Chloe goes on, to work out how to plan an epic event. I loved the descriptions of the Northern Lights, the dog sledding and some of the places off the beaten track too. 

This would be a brilliant advert for the Icelandic tourist board, as is definitely got me wanting to visit, even in the run up to Christmas. It's not overly a festive novel, more a book set in December, with a wintery setting, but we do learn about about some Icelandic traditions. 

And Gunnar, omg, I love that man. His family might be a found family as such but it's 100$ his, and I loved their dynamics. Everything this man does I'm totally there for, he's easily my new book boyfriend. 

This is a wonderful story, that I enjoyed every moment of. The chemistry between our leads is good, there are funny moments (especially with Chloe trying to cover up her lie about speaking fluent Icelandic), and its an all around enjoyable book.   

Definitely one to be added to your wintery reads TBR this year. 

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

Book Review - A Merry Irish Christmas by Clodagh Murphy

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Title: A Merry Irish Christmas

Author: Clodagh Murphy

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books 

Publication Date: 6th September 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Mary is looking forward to a proper, Irish family Christmas… but she’s in for a big surprise…

Mary McBride hasn’t told her family that she’s coming home for Christmas. After breaking up with her boyfriend just before the holidays, she decides to surprise them and get a last-minute flight home. But when she arrives in Ireland after a long journey, she discovers her family have had the same idea, and gone to New York to surprise her.

To make matters infinitely worse, they’ve done a house swap with grumpy (but sexy) New Yorker Evan, who makes it clear he doesn’t want her, or her Christmas cheer, around.

Mary is determined to keep the festive spirit alive, so she proposes that she and Evan each get one day where the other has to do things their way. But can Evan put aside his grouchiness to embrace a proper, Irish Christmas? And how will Mary cope with a day of sulking and moody walks on the beach?

One thing’s certain: as the temperature drops outside, things start to heat up inside the McBride house. Maybe it’ll be a merry Christmas after all …

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy full of Irish charm and festive romance, perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Catherine Walsh.

Please please please tell me this is the first book in a series, as I really need to read more of these characters. Very specifically this book was giving me Marian Keyes, Walsh family vibes and feel like Sheena who is Mary's mum is going to be pivotal to everything. 

I adored Sheena whenever we saw her, and she certainly has the gift of the gab, and clearly loves her children. 

I also feel like this would make a fabulous festive movie, there is a brilliant meet cute, close proximity possible romance, elements of The Holiday (the house swap), characters who want to surprise loved ones, only for it to backfire slightly and a whole lot more. 

I found this to be a wonderfully fast book to read, it seemed like the pages were going past without any effort from me, while I was enjoying every last word of this. 

Set between New York and a small Irish town, this is pure enjoyment this festive season.  There are friends to be met, a really lovely Christmas Day, and a slow burn romance, which I was definitely rooting for. 

This was an incredibly enjoyable book to read and I'm definitely keen to read more from the author, and hopefully this family too. 

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

Book Review - Daydreams and Doughnut Cake by Rosie Green - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: Daydreams & Doughnut Cake

Author: Rosie Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 6th June 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

With help from the Little Duck Pond Café girls, Rosie's Spice Kitchen is becoming a firm favourite at the Lockley Meadow farmers' market. But when shocking things start happening and a face from the past stirs up memories she would rather forget, widow Rosie's hopes for a better future for her and her little daughter, Amelie, are suddenly dashed. Has someone discovered her devastating secret? The secret that is preventing her from moving on and finding love again?

Meanwhile, new mum Ellie and step-daughter Maisie are both hiding emotional secrets of their own . . .

It's always great to be back in Sunnybrook, and what made this particular instalment really special, were Maisie's diary entries. 

You get to see so much more through the eyes of a teen, and I suspected what what going on with Ellie as a result of them, Plus who doesn't love reading about pre-teen's first real crush, and how they are dealing with problematic boys in their class! 

Of course the main character in this instalment is Rosie, who we met briefly in the previous book. And wow she can cook curries, but it also seems like someone knows her secret and is perhaps trying to scare or sabotage her. I loved her young daughter, and really enjoyed getting to know Rosie. 

And I really felt for Ellie, and her storyline deals with an important subject in an accessible and relatable way. 

This is another excellent instalment in this auto-read series for me.  Bring on the next book. 

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

Book Review - The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick

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Title: The Time Hop Coffee Shop

Author: Phaedra Patrick

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: 25th September 2025

Publication Date: Aria

Rating: 3 Stars

Welcome to the Time Hop Coffee Shop, where wishes can come true . . .

Greta Perks was once the shining star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials, the quintessential TV wife and mom. Now, fame has faded, her marriage is on the rocks, her teenage daughter has become distant, and Greta's once-glittering career feels like a distant memory.

So when Greta stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop, serving a magical brew, she wishes for the perfect life in those past Maple Gold commercials. Next thing she knows, Greta wakes in the idyllic, make-believe town of Mapleville, where the sun always shines and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and second chances fill the air. Given the opportunity to live the life she dreamed, Greta is determined to rewrite her own script. But can life ever be like a coffee commercial? And what will happen when Greta has to choose – between perfection and real life, with no turning back?

Well this was a little different, although I should have known from the title. 

Greta is a struggling actress, her marriage is falling apart and her teenage daughter doesn't seem to like her that much, and Greta seems disconnected from her reality.  She wishes for the glory days of when as a family they were the faces of Maple Gold coffee. 

But then she happens across a coffee shop that has a set list of rules as to how often and what to do while drinking their specially made individual blend, and things get a bit weird. 

For whenever she has a cup of coffee there, she ends up in Mapleville which is fictional but gives Greta a taste of what a perfect life would be like. 

With this hint of magical realism, it gives us essentially two time lines, Greta's real and "other real" lives, and leads to her making big decisions, 

This was enjoyable, but to my eyes just isn't as great as the authors previous books. I liked the book, but didn't find it grabbed me, and I just didn't feel overly connected to any of the characters. 

Definitely more of a me issue than with the book I think. 

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

Book Review - Murder at the Ponte Vecchio by T A Williams

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Title: Murder At The Ponte Vecchio

Author: T A Williams

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th May 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

An iconic bridge... 🌉

Private investigator, Dan Armstrong, lives and works in Florence and knows the world famous Ponte Vecchio well. Usually a magnet for tourists, on this occasion it is the scene of an unexplained death, and Dan finds himself involved in the intriguing case.

An uncompromising man... 😠

Dan quickly discovers that the victim, an elderly jeweller, was every bit as hard as the diamonds he sold in his shop on the bridge. Few people liked him, not even his adult children, and his business dealings look murkier than the waters of the River Arno. Dan suspects more secrets lie hidden…perhaps inside the massive safe in the old man's luxury villa…

A complex case. 💎🔍

As the evidence begins to mount up, so too do the suspects with their different motives. With a fortune in gold bullion and precious stones involved, Dan thinks the only way to catch the killer is to lay a trap, but might he be caught in the killer’s sights? Fortunately, he has Oscar, his canine wingman at his side, always eager to prove that he's as good as gold. 🐶

Can Dan and Oscar sniff out the killer’s tracks or will this case be a bridge too far?

Another great instalment in this long running series featuring Oscar and Dan. 

I always give Oscar top billing as he is one very smart Labrador and I absolutely love his emotional intelligence and his intuition. 

Although in fairness to Dan, Dan definitely put in a lot of work this time around, and the various threads of this story were brought together in a way that I probably should have seen coming, but totally didn't. 

I enjoyed seeing how all the thread came together in this rather intriguing story.  I was never quite sure which way it would go. 

It's also good to see more of Dan and Anna's relationship, and seeing how Anna has useful contacts for Dan this time around.  And then there is the rather intriguing Zebra, and a side plot that was rather entertaining. 

I can't believe that this is book 11 already in the series, feels like only yesterday that I was reading the first one  And it is still as entertaining as when it started.  I can't wait to see what Dan gets up to next. 

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

Book Review - A Billionaire For Christmas by Jo Lyons

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Title: A Billionaire For Christmas

Author: Jo Lyons

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 27th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

When talented chef Molly's best friend and business partner, Ava, passes away, she leaves Molly their beloved restaurant – and a wild, impossible bucket list to complete. But thanks to a legal mix-up, Molly's inheritance is at risk unless she ticks off every outrageous item before the Christmas Eve deadline: just twelve days away.

Determined to honour Ava's wishes and desperate to save her dream, Molly searches for a billionaire willing to share Champagne with her in a hot tub – one of the more extravagant challenges on the bucket list. She's in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps, so it might just be doable. But then she meets Levi. A devastatingly handsome billionaire, yes, but infuriatingly resistant to getting involved!

As the snow falls and sparks fly, Molly is entangled in a series of increasingly embarrassing escapades. With time running out, can she pull off the impossible – and maybe even find love along the way?

Hot enough to melt the Alpine snow, this romantic comedy will sweep you off your feet 🔥❄️

This is no ordinary Billionaire romance...

... This is a Jo Lyons Billionaire romance! 

Which makes its infinitely more entertaining, utterly hilarious, and far more addictive than the average book in this sub genre. 

This may only be the second book I've read from this author, but it's cemented in my mind the thoughts I had after reading her previous book, that she is definitely one to watch, and auto read, must devour all future books of sort of an author for me. 

There is a bucket list that has been set by Molly's now deceased business partner and best friend, and by the time Molly is ready to acknowledge the solicitor letters, she has 12 days to complete the list, filled with wacky and inventive tasks, in order to save the business. 

And weirdly there is a fair amount of nudity involved in this list, in addition to being able to get a photo with a billionaire in a hot tub which you would think could be easy given she is working in the French Alps in a resort filled with the rich and famous. 

But Levi is not entirely what she suspected, and neither is the Burlesque night at the Cigar Club which leads to so many laugh out loud moments and that is before the book even properly gets going. 

We also get to meet Levi's family, and wow they grew on me quite quickly and what a wonderful quirky insane set of people they are. 

There is just so much to love about this book, it's stunning setting, hilarious sense of humour and some sizzling chemistry.  All set to a backdrop to the run up to Christmas.  Oh and did I mention there is a lot of delicious sounding food too! 

It's simply wonderful, a jingle bell bop of a book to read, and I totally think that a star is born with Jo Lyon's writing from what I've seen so far.

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

Book Review - Christmas for the Village Midwife by Tilly Tennant

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Title: Christmas for the Village Midwife

Author: Tilly Tant

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 19th September 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Snow crunches underfoot, lights twinkle on the lakes, and in the little village of Thimblebury, midwife Zoe is hoping for more than one Christmas miracle…

Christmas has crept up on village midwife, Zoe Padbury. The little village of Thimblebury is having a baby boom and suddenly there’s only a week to go. She had visions of magic moments beneath the mistletoe with her new boyfriend, Alex, but with all the babies being born and her grumpy new boss at the surgery, their first Christmas together isn’t quite going to plan.

Still, Zoe feels happier and more in love than ever before, and when her old friend, Georgia, moves to the village, it feels like the icing on her Christmas cake. Georgia’s own baby is due at any minute, and Zoe is determined to give her the love and attention she gives all her expectant mums. But when she pays Georgia a home visit, she can’t shake the feeling that she is hiding something…

Zoe is determined to find out what’s wrong, even though Alex thinks she shouldn’t interfere. Zoe needs to put her old friend first, but Alex’s behaviour is reminding her that there is still so much she doesn’t know about him… As long-held secrets unravel, will Zoe and Alex be able to keep their own festive magic alive?

Warm your heart with this romantic Christmas read which will remind you that hope and healing are possible at the busiest time of year. Fans of Jessica Redland and Shari Low will find the perfect escape in Christmas for the Village Midwife.

I absolutely devoured this totally wonderful book. 

I couldn't read it fast enough and now totally feel at home with Thimblebury and it's varied cast of characters.  And catching up with Zoe again was a pure delight, along with Alex, Billie, Connie, Victor, Lavender and Ottilie amongst others. 

At the centre of this story is the new doctor at the practice, who happens to be the older sister to Zoe's childhood best friend who she hadn't seen for many years. Georgia is heavily pregnant, is staying with Emilia and there are things about their situation that raise well church bells for Zoe.  But she can't put her finger on why. 

It's lovely to catch up with some of the other expectant mums that we met in the previous book, and that I feel we will see more of in what I am hoping and assuming is a next book. For I can't help but think that there has to be at least one more book to this series and I already can't believe I will have to wait for it! 

Set in the run up to Christmas, was have the fun of a Gingerbread House competition which everyone in the village gets involved in, and we discover a few people may have hidden talents. 

And the last quarter or so of the book was totally and utterly unputdownable and I had to read it in one, there is drama, there is emotion, I was choked up at times, and its utterly heartwarming and totally sums up the spirit of Christmas.  Just perfect. 

I'm completely loving this series and this was a fabulous second book in it.  More please! 

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

Book Review - All Wrapped Up by Heidi Swain - Blog Tour

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Title: All Wrapped Up

Author: Heidi Swain

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 11th September 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

In Wynbridge, the scent of autumn is on the breeze and love is in the air…

 

Clemmie Bennett has been renovating beautiful Rowan Cottage on the outskirts of the small town of Wynbridge, for eighteen months following a very public heartbreak back in her childhood hometown. The popular Instagram influencer, lost her husband, sold their home, and has been cosied up the Fens and living a very private life, but now she feels it’s time for a change.

 

A chance encounter with co-owner of The Cherry Tree Café, the bubbly Lizzie Dixon, pulls her into organizing Wynbridge’s first-ever Autumn Festival, and her once quiet life is soon a distant memory. With the whole town rallying behind the event, she discovers a new sense of purpose.

 

 And when local vet Ash falls hard for Clemmie, she begins to wonder if she’s ready to move even further on from her past and fall in love again…

 

This autumn, cosy up with Heidi and this perfect seasonal romance.

It's always a great time of the year when we get a seasonal book from Heidi Swain, although surprisingly not set at Christmas this time, but Autumn. 

So curl up for an incredibly cosy story set in Wyndbridge as it tried to become the home of Fall, in addition to Christmas. 

Lizzie and Jemma from The Cherry Tree Cafe (the author's first book) feature a lot, as do so many other characters that Swain fans will have seen in her previous books, including Amber at Skylark farm.  As a result just from the setting alone this book felt like coming home. 

But don't worry even if this is your first book, it easily reads as a standalone, as the main characters Clemmie and Ash are brand new, in fact Clemmie has spent well over a year renovating Rowan Cottage, coming to terms with her grief and not really meeting anyone in Wynbridge. 

That changes when Lizzie visits her, discovers one of Clemmie's secrets and then tries to persuade her that she is the best person to set up the new Autumn festival that the town have been hoping to have.  

Clemmie slowly starts to assimilate herself in life in the town, getting to know everyone, and with Ash the local vet as her deputy, we are absorbed into every sort of autumnal activity your heart could ever desire.  

And there may just be a four legged friend that may just play a big part in Clemmie's healing too. 

This is such a gentle romance, and the story surrounding it is warm, sensitive, and just truly heartwarming. 

An utter delight from a wonderful author, but please please please can we go back to Christmas next year, as that's my favourite season for seasonal books! 

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

Book Review - The Village Midwife by Tilly Tennant

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Amazon UK

Title: The Village Midwife

Author: Tilly Tennant

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 20th June 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

Welcome to Thimblebury, the charming stone village nestled in the rolling hills of the Lake District, where midwife Zoe is hoping for a bright new beginning…

When midwife Zoe Padbury moves into Kestrel Cottage, high on a misty hill above the village of Thimblebury, everyone rallies round to make sure she doesn’t feel lonely. And as she begins her job at the doctor’s surgery, dealing with expectant mums and helping to bring newborns into the world, warmth begins to flood back into her battered and broken heart.

But the evenings are long and as Zoe sits on her cornflower-blue sofa, looking at the golden peaks crowned by clouds, she can’t help but wish she had someone to share her new life with. Her ex-husband treated her badly, but it’s still hard to resist his warm and loving messages begging for a second chance.

Distraction arrives when she meets Alex out walking his shaggy grey dog, and discovers that he will be moving in next door. As she chats to Alex, Zoe finds it hard to ignore his thick dark hair and eyes the colour of chocolate, and her heart clenches at the worried frown that creases his brow.

She soon learns why Alex is anxious when she pays his pregnant daughter a home visit and learns of the tragedy that has brought them to Thimblebury. Zoe is no stranger to sadness, and as she and Alex lean on each other, a tentative spark begins to flicker.

But when Alex gets the wrong idea and thinks Zoe has betrayed his trust, followed by Zoe’s ex appearing on her doorstep, swearing he’s a changed man, will that spark be snuffed out? Coming to the Lake District was meant to be a fresh start for Zoe. But what if the pull of her old life is too overwhelming to resist?

A completely beautiful and life-affirming read that will sweep you up, steal your heart and remind you that new love and hope could be just around the corner. Fans of Jessica Redland and Shari Low will fall head over heels for The Village Midwife.

It's been a while since I last sat down with a Tilly Tennant novel and having just finished The Village Midwife I'm struggling to figure out why it is I've not read her for a while. 

As I thoroughly enjoyed every second of The Village Midwife, with perhaps the exception of Ritchie! But then you really aren't meant to like Ritchie who is Zoe's soon to be divorced ex-husband. 

Although this is a first book in a series, and thus in theory it should standalone, in reality its a companion series to The Village Nurse which is a trilogy focusing on Zoe's best from Ottilie and presumably gives us a better idea of the dynamics of the others at the doctor's surgery, and perhaps more about some of the people in the village. 

I hadn't read the other series and thus although I didn't feel at all lost in this one, I did at times just wish I knew a bit more about these characters and I regret not having read the other books (I'm not one that can ever go backwards though). 

Like me, Zoe and Alex are new to Thimblebury, and as new neighbours it is only natural they seem to see a fair a bit of each other. Especially since Alex's daughter Billie is pregnant and Zoe is her midwife! 

It was a pleasure getting to know Thimblebury and its residents, the mothers that Zoe is looking after, and her other neighbours Connie and Victor who are fabulous.  

There is a very gentle romance plot, which I hope to see more of in the next book, which I will be starting reading shortly after finishing this review! This is a lovely opening to a series, that was a joy to read. 

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

Book Review - So This Is Christmas by Helen Rolfe

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Amazon UK

Title: So This Is Christmas

Author: Helen Rolfe

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 24th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Two old friends 🫂 One last letter 💌 A life-changing trip! ✨

Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.

But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.

Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…

What a beautiful book. 

Filled with big hearted characters (plus Amber who I enjoyed hating). this a truly wonderful story. 

And most of the book is set in Vienna, at Christmas and we are treated to the most impressive descriptions of the city, of the architecture, Christmas markets, food and more. I felt transported to Austria's capital, from the comfort of my warm sofa! 

This is just a truly gorgeous story, and I absolutely adored Bea, Greta and Sophie and Walter. 

Another wonderful story from an always talented author. 

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

Book Review - No Dream Impossible by Nigel May

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Title: No Dream Impossible

Author: Nigel May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied Copy

Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing

Publication Date: 4th September 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Willkommen, bienvenue and welcome! It's time for the newly launched musical celebration that is the Eurowide Song Contest, debuting in the unglamorous city of Ermpit in Rottimoldovia at Europe's most easterly tip. It's like Eurovision, but it's not...

Lifelong fanatic and walking Eurovision encyclopaedia, Jemma La Vie is the UK's first ever buoyant Eurowide hope. Plucked from obscurity, her childhood dreams of taking part in a national song contest have come true as she finds herself standing centre stage, with the hopes of her nation on her proud shoulders.

But in the week leading up to the final, a sinister set of events sees contestants dropping down dead before a single vote has even been cast. There's something shady going on and it seems it's not just a few dodgy notes onstage being murdered. Will Jemma actually survive to fly the UK flag at Eurowide on final night or meet her Waterloo? And if she does survive, will there be a douze points in sight?

No Dream Impossible by Nigel May is a fun, camp and murderously saucy whodunnit story based loosely on the greatest telly show on earth. But this isn't Eurovision - this is Eurowide. A must for hardcore Eurofans - dive on in - there's enough celebrities and classic Eurovision mentions to keep even the most obsessive of songfest aficionados squealing. It's a glittery tongue-in-cheek world of dazzling divas, dodgy dance routines and deathly dealings. With added Russian grannies and hamster wheel too, of course...some things will never change, whatever the contest.

And the Douze Points go to... Nigel May for No Dream Impossible.

This is totally a love letter to Eurovision, and its funny, its camp, its entertaining, it's bonkers, there is a higher than expected body count for a European song contest, and I was almost surprised by who the murderer was (but the mystery aspect is more of a side plot to be honest - give or take the fact that more people than you would anticipate bite the dust). 

Jemma La Vie is flying the flag as the UK entrant, and she is definitely no puppet on a string, as she makes her mind up to do her best at the new Eurowide contest. There are references to Eurovision everywhere, from the name of the new stadium that is hosting in a totally made up Eastern European country, to familiar surnames or first names. 

I mean the Swedish entry is Bjorn Bjork, the Irish are clearly modelled on Jedward,, there is the a massive Diva of an entrant.  There are all the gimmicks you could ever hope for, as well as Jemma who has the most insane amount of Euro knowledge and can give you facts about just about every entrant ever or their song! 

It's all just ooh ah just a little bit bonkers, but so realistic, with all the rehearsals, media commitments, postcards being filmed, hidden secrets and fan events.   Unfortunately Jemma isn't totally walking on sunshine, as it didn't feel like a particularly sunny country, but neither is she a toy, as she does what Daniel her PR guy asks. 

Daniel who might be slightly distracted by Igor the bodyguard, while hoping the Char Grills, Jemma's BFF and backing singer, doesn't do anything too stupid. Unlike Jemma how manages to make an enemy with the journalist from Rottimoldovia, who I took an instant dislike to, too - he's rude and is the opposite of everything that Euro singing contests are about. 

This is not a book that is taking itself seriously, nor should it. It's just good old fashioned fun, with a good amount of sex, some smelly German rockers, a bickering Turkish folk duo, new friends, old tunes, a hero worship of Sandra Kim and a whole lot more besides. 

If like me you are a Eurovision fan, then this is 100% a book for you.  And you may even pick up on even more of the references than I did, as I'm positive there are more than I spotted!  

This is just a pure joy to have read, and reminds me of how much I always loved Nigel May's bonkbusters when he was writing those! You could tell the author was having a total disco ball of a time writing his very own Waterloo, while dancing Lasha Tumbai, while dreaming up his own Euro Fairytale. 

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

Book Review - A Cornish Winter's Kiss by Jo Bartlett

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Amazon UK

Title: A Cornish Winter's Kiss

Author: Jo Bartlett

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 2nd July 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

It's the most wonderful time of the year...isn't it?

Emily Anderson adores romance—both in books and in real life (though her own love life is more ‘tragic subplot’ than ‘happily-ever-after’). As an audiobook narrator, she spends her days bringing love stories to life, convinced that one day, her own perfect romance will come true.

Jude Cavendish thinks romance is a fairy tale for fools. A crime author with a serious case of writer’s block, he’s horrified when his publisher asks him to add a love story to his latest novel. He knows murders, mysteries, and mayhem—not grand gestures and stolen kisses.

Desperate for help, Jude reluctantly turns to Emily, whose sunshine personality is the complete opposite of his grumpy cynicism. She’s determined to show him that love is more than just fiction, and he’s determined to prove her wrong. But as Christmas magic sparkles over the Cornish coast, Jude starts to wonder… what if Emily’s right?

Could the festive season bring them both the plot twist they never saw coming?

Another brilliantly emotional and uplifting read guaranteed to have you laughing and reaching for the tissues. Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Holly Martin and Heidi Swain.

This is a wonderful book that would make even a hardened cynic believe in love. 

For that is exactly what Emily is trying to do, she needs to make Jude believe in just about any sort of love, so that he can make his detective are more rounded character that readers will buy into.  But due to his upbringing and the way life has treated him, he is closed off to the the idea that love is anything other than a transaction. 

Emily is also a massive Christmas fan and is a bit surprised the Jude doesn't seem overly keen at first on the season either.  

This isn't just about romantic love but family love, and even friendship. And not just in human form either as Gary Barlow and Jude's dog are clearly besotted with other.

I was delighted to see a familiar setting of Jo Bartlett's Cornwall and I was even happier to see a cameo from my all time favourite of her characters.  But don't panic, this is definitely a standalone novel, its not part of a series, just the author putting in easter eggs for her dedicated fans, of which I am one. 

Between romance,  Christmas, the insight into a crime authors mind, and Emily's wonderful family, especially her mother, this is a really enjoyable festive story, where we are just hoping for a Christmas miracle for Jude! 

Truly enjoyable, what a great book this is. 

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