Book Review - Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer by A H Cunningham

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Title: Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer

Author: A H Cunningham

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Mills & Boon Afterglow

Publication Date: 24th April 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

Can what happens at Carnival stay at Carnival?

For sixteen years, Trinidad Velasquez has been the perfect single mum, working hard to build a stable life for her twin sons. But when her boyfriend proposes, she can’t help but wonder whether love should be practical, not butterflies and heart-racing chemistry.

Then her teenage sons trick her into a Caribbean Carnival trip. And she finds herself staying with the one guy who’s always revved her engine…even if he’s a decade south of her dating range.

Orlando Wiggins has never been able to take his eyes off Ms V. He’s mentored her boys for two years, and she’s never suggested there could be more. But at Carnival, between the sensual dancing, heated looks and electric touches, whatever he’s been feeling for her is definitely reciprocated…

This is the first age-gap romance I have read in a very long while, to the extent none others overly spring to mind in my recent reading history.  And although it's not much of an age gap its one that Trinidad is aware of the whole time, even while she is just lusting over Orlando from afar. 

She makes it sounds as though its indecent, and that she is far too old for him, but age is only a number and Orlando is not only an adult, but he practically a father figure to his younger brothers and caregiver to his mother, and is always putting everyone else first. 

He also mentor's Trinidad's 15 year old twins, who are capable of engineering a way for Orlando and Trinidad to spend time together without them around as they just want their mum to be happy and aren't too impressed with the man she thinks she should be with. 

I loved the change of setting from New York to a town in Florida that is having a carnival and is full of people of Caribbean descent, just like our lead characters.  

I loved the chemistry between the two characters and boy can this author write a sex scene. This is sizzling once it gets going. 

A thoroughly enjoyable book that was a joy to read. 

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

Book Review - Below Deck Billionaire by Amy Andrews

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Amazon UK

Title: Below Deck Billionaire

Author: Amy Andrews

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 28th July 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

The world’s hottest playboy is off-limits… to everyone but her 🔥

Theo Callisthenes - renowned playboy and heir to a multi-billion-dollar Greek shipping company’s sex-capades - always make the front page. But when one misdemeanor goes too far, his brother offers up a challenge. Restore his reputation with a 4-month sex ban…

Vowing to see the ban through, Theo takes up residence on his superyacht sailing around the Greek islands. Until one day, the one woman he hasn’t been able to hit and quit - Tiffany Wainright - strides onboard as the newest member of his crew. Temptation has set sail with him and the forced proximity gives him absolutely nowhere to hide! Tiffany might live below deck but their attraction is still electric and she’s just too close for comfort.

Then an opportunity to salvage a business deal he put in jeopardy is back on the table. To ensure success Theo may need a very indecent proposal. Can he convince Tiffany to pose as his fake fiancé during the day to help seal the deal and trust that neither of them will succumb to their burning chemistry once the sun goes down? It’s only for two days but how long will the ban hold when the door closes on his suite and there’s only his sorely tested honour keeping them in check?

Well this was hot, Hot, HOT!!! Between the heat of the Greek Islands in summer and the chemistry between Theo and Tiffany, well it's hot and steamy in so many ways. 

And I was totally there for it, I absolutely devoured this incredibly raunchy book, and thoroughly enjoyed every pleasurable moment of it. 

Set on a super yacht, featuring rich playboy Theo who is currently thanks to his brother on a no sex dare for four months, as an attempt to repair his public image and stop being papped and having what should be rather more private images revealed to the worlds press.   

And Tiffany the girl he hasn't stopped thinking about since their one night together at his brother's wedding to her best friend, has now started to work as second stew on the yacht.   After some initial shock at the situation, the conversations between them, the tension, the flirting, the forbidden looks etc.. all served to raise the heat between the pair of them. 

The descriptions of the Greek Islands rang true to me, especially was I was reading this week after cruising the area and a few nights in Athens myself. Took me straight back on holiday, but without the sexy billionaire. 

I loved the way this developed into one of my favourite tropes and then once the inevitable occurs, wow those are some really spicy scenes (and I wish I had been alone while I was reading to really enjoy them properly). 

What a fabulous book, my first from this author. I devoured every page and would have happily read more. 

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

Book Review - The Surf House by Lucy Clarke

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Title: The Surf House

Author: Lucy Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 27th February 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

Welcome to The Surf House

Where everyone’s escaping something…

High on the cliffs of Morocco, far from the city lights and the souks, stands The Surf House: a sanctuary for travellers chasing sunshine and waves.

But the idyll hides a dark mystery.

And when Bea washes in, seeking refuge after a dangerous encounter in Marrakesh, she soon gets caught in the current.

A woman her age – who stayed in the same area, walked the same beaches, met the same guests – disappeared one year earlier, vanishing without trace.

Somewhere inside The Surf House lies the truth – but there’ll be a price for uncovering it…

Slow burn thriller, that I was surprised with the ending of. 

Before we get to the ending of course is a fabulous story of surfing in Morocco, of corruption, the dangers of getting lost in a souk, and of self discovery. 

Add in the mystery of a guest who stayed at the Surf House the previous year and no one has ever seen since, and you have what starts as a fairly light book (give or take a stabbing), and it turns into something more sinister and dark. 

it's set on a remote coast of Morocco, in a setting that is incredibly well described.  And I loved seeing how Bea grows as a person during her time at the Surf House, especially now that she has stepped away from her modelling career. 

I liked seeing what she was really made of, and getting to know her new friends was very interesting.  

By the last quarter or so I was definitely hooked, and I needed to know the truth about everything. 

Another really good book from this author that I always enjoy reading. 

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

Book Review - How to Read A Killer's Mind by Tam Barnett - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: How to Read A Killer's Mind

Author: Tam Barnett

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 1st September 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

I’m psychologist Dr Emy Rose, but that’s not my real name.

I work with serial killers who've hidden their victims. My job is to find the bodies - and I'm kind of awesome at it.

The trick is to get inside these murderers' minds. And there's one in particular I'm hellbent on breaking.

Why? None of your business! Just know, I'll stop at nothing to read that killer's mind...

Tam Barnett's brilliant new novel will get into your head and under your skin...

OMG what did I just read? Just Wow! 

Completely and utterly unputdownable! 

And just what on earth goes through the mind of this author when they come up with these characters and stories as this was brilliant, but dark and twisted too in places. 

I loved the premise and the execution was superb.  I couldn't' get enough of this story,.  I was hoping for justice for Emy and her mother, as well as all the other families that she was hoping to help.

But trying to manipulate serial killers to give up their secrets is a lot easier said than done, especially when there is an interfering politician on the warpath too 

This is the second book I've now read from this author and I can't wait for me.  I am loving their work so much, - I just hope I can sleep tonight after those final scenes!

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

Book Review - And Then There Was You by Miranda Dickinson

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Title: And Then There Was You

Author: Miranda Dickinson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 28th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Two lonely people. One song to change their lives…

Merryn Rowe adores her life in St Ives. The café she owns and the community she serves are her much-needed second chance after a heart-breaking divorce. But as she gazes out at the Cornish Sea, she begins to long for more.

Zach Trevelyan is not where he expected to be. His surfing career in tatters following an injury, he finds himself in St Ives without a home, a job, or a path ahead.

When Merryn discovers an abandoned piano, it evokes long-lost memories of someone who left her life without a word – her much-loved stepfather. Impulsively, she gives the piano a home in the courtyard of her café. And late one night, when a familiar song comes through her window, Merryn discovers a striking man huddled at the piano.

Who exactly is the midnight musician? And why can’t she stop thinking about him…and his beautiful melody?

It's always a great pleasure to sit down with a brand new Miranda Dickinson novel and this was a particular joy. 

Set in St. Ives, I would say that Merlin is the central character to the whole story, and yet he is an inanimate object. But one that infuses memories and longing and hope wherever he ends up! 

Merryn is the one that saves Merlin from an uncertain future, and sets him up in the courtyard of her cafe, and it's this which leads to her both stepping up the search for someone that was in her past, and also to opening up in the evenings too, thus growing her business. 

She has a few other key men in her life, best friend Seth and newcomer Zach.  We get chapters from Zach's point of view and I fell for him really quickly, although at times I was wishing he thought more!  

I was totally enchanted by the story being told between these pages, and while I was reading on the tube on my way, I was shocked at how many stations I had no idea we had stopped at, as I was totally absorbed in the story. 

There is romance, there is friendship, there is a wonderful pregnant character, there's music, baked goods (ok loads of baked goods), surfing, and even at one point I had a lump in my throat at the emotion of a moment took over. 

I love these characters, and also loved the recurring friendly faces from Somewhere Beyond the Sea, which as a fan of the author I always like to see old characters pop up! 

Utterly fabulous and perhaps one of my favourite books from this always talented author. 

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

Book Review - The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop by Annabel French

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Title: The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop

Author: Annabel French

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 19th June 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

One fresh start. One unexpected encounter. Can love bridge the gap?

When Rosie leaves behind her ordinary life in England to open a flower shop on Amsterdam’s water, she expects nothing less than a fairytale.

Max, her handsome but brooding new neighbour, prefers to keep the world at arm’s length – and living on the houseboat next door, he’s not too thrilled about the new company.

As Rosie’s business blossoms, so do her feelings for Max. But Rosie isn't sure she's ready for a relationship, and Max is still nursing a broken heart.

Then a rival in the flower market threatens her dreams, Rosie discovers that the most beautiful things can bloom when you learn to go with the flow – and allow someone to stand by your side.

Will Rosie and Max allow themselves to be swept away by love, or is their relationship doomed to sink before it can swim?

A fun, feel-good romance that will whisk you away to Amsterdam's picturesque canals. Perfect for fans of Julie Caplin, Rebecca Raisin, and Cressida McLaughlin.

I can't believe it has taken me this long to finally read a book by Annabel French (or any of her other pen names).  There was absolutely no way I was going to be able resist reading this book with its gorgeous cover, and implication that it is set abroad. 

For I love a destination book, and this is certainly that, as we get to see sides of Amsterdam that a regular tourist may not see, and I was all for it. 

Rosie is an impulsive character, is brimming with positivity and moves to Amsterdam on a whim, with the aim of getting a pitch at the famous floating flower market. And she does this without a proper plan, rents a houseboat which isn't in the best of conditions and discovers things may not be as simple as she hoped. 

Before long she makes friends at the market and even manages to get more than one word answers out of Max her grumpy neighbour. 

I loved all of the characters, and Rosie's love of flowers and plants is catching. She is just such a positive ray of light, and is always there for her friends. She is who I'd love to be! 

I was enchanted by every moment of this story, it was highly enjoyable and I'm looking forward to more books in this series. 

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

Book Review - Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle by Lilac Mills

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Title: Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle

Author: Lilac Mills

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: 17th July 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

Will she give everything up for love?

Freya Sinclair has it all. An exciting life in London, a successful career as a ceramicist and a handsome boyfriend. But when she receives a call that her father is in hospital, she drops everything to support his recovery in Skye.

On the island, Freya finds new inspiration – Coorie Castle’s craft centre is firing her creativity and she’s glad to be back with her dad again. Being so close to her schoolgirl crush, Mackenzie Burns, is an added bonus. The two share an instant connection and Freya misses London less and less.

But Freya has a boyfriend at home and now a dazzling job offer in New York. She must figure out what she truly wants, before anyone gets hurt.

A heartwarming, feel-good cosy romance perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Julie Shackman and Sue Moorcroft.

I am loving this Coorie Castle Crafts series.  It's just such a great setting for a series of books, on the island of Skye. 

And although a familiar location with some recurring characters from the previous book, this felt entirely different, as Freya is only back on the island as her father has had a fall. 

She decides she will stay with him until he is back to full mobility which leads to some clashes. She also reconnects with Mack, although she does in theory have a boyfriend back in London.  She's not really looking for anything, but is happy with friendship. 

I enjoyed seeing Freya and reconnecting with some of the other crafters. And Mhairi is fabulous once again too! 

This is just so enjoyable, such a heartwarming and cosy sort of a read. I loved Mack, his boat trips, how he is with Freya's dad and just everything about him.  Whereas I had nothing but contempt for Hadrian. 

Learning more about ceramics was also fascinating, and I would have loved to have seen some of Freya's creations. 

An incredibly pleasurable book to read that left me with a smile on my face. 

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

Book Review - The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

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Title: The Retirement Plan

Author: Sue Hincenbergs

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 1st May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Their husbands are driving them mad, and murder is on their minds . . . but the men have a plan of their own.

Pam, Nancy and Shalisa once imagined retirement would mean setting aside their worries, picking up their margaritas, and lying back in a hot tub. Right up until their husbands lost all their savings in a reckless investment.

Now, collecting their husbands' life insurance is starting to sound more appealing than growing old with them. But enlisting the help of the local barber/hitman isn't merely the most daring thing the friends have ever done - it's also where the trouble really begins.

Because they don't realise their husbands have some tricks up their sleeves. And there's no turning back now . . .

From the first laugh to the final twist, The Retirement Plan is full of characters who will steal your heart while plotting their dark deeds.

Oh this was just brilliant and so entertaining. 

And I'm utterly surprised that it was a debut novel, it was just that good and accomplished. 

We have husbands hiring hitmen to protect themselves after one of their group dies, after all they are all hiding something major. 

We have wives plotting to kill husbands. 

There is a double dipping hitman with a fair bit of humanity too. 

Add in a dog, a lot of assumptions, a boss that is having to deal with a matchmaker and a mother, while trying to prove herself, and all sorts of miscommunications - and you have the recipe for one incredibly amusing, dark and twisted and just all around addictive book. 

I read this in one sitting, totally hooked on all the various goings on.  For the second we think we know exactly what is happening, something else is revealed and the truths as you know them are developed further with more layers. 

I think what is fairly safe to say is that Pam, Nancy and Shalisa are not totally happy in their marriages, and that all of their husbands are total schmucks! 

And to make this even better, the main characters, all good friends, are in their sixties.  This is golden age crime plotting at its very best. It's amusing and addictive and just an all around great read. 

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

Book Review - The Wisteria Crescent Chronicles by Kate Forster

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Title: The Wisteria Crescent Chronicles 

Author: Kate Forster

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion

Publication Date: 24th April 2025 

Rating: 4 Stars

It is a truth universally acknowledged... that a widowed woman in possession of a large Georgian home but no money for tea or toilet paper must find a creative solution.

For 70-year-old Marion Gaynor, the answer lies in opening her doors-and her heart-to two unexpected housemates: Felicity Booth, a brilliant but frazzled PhD student, balancing research and the chaos of academia, and Lana Rolls, newly separated and searching for a fresh start.

Together, these three women discover that friendship blooms in the unlikeliest of places, and the bonds they form will change their lives forever.

Readers will love this cosy, uplifting tale of unexpected friendship, set in the picturesque city of Bath, filled with charm and whimsy. Perfect for fans of Helen Rolfe, Heidi Swain and Philippa Ashley.

What a charming story this was.

I loved seeing the friendship develop between Marion, Felicity and Lana, all women at different stages in the lives, but all in need of a friend, a place to live and as we get to know them, we discover there are similarities between their personal situations too. 

I loved seeing how all three of these women spread their wings and went on such wonderful journeys throughout the book. 

Marion is in her 70s and has decided to rent out the other rooms in her house, despite her daughter pressuring her to sell the property. Lana is escaping a marriage that has gone very sour, and Felicity is rather studious and not enjoying life in the halls of residence and wants to somewhere more peaceful to live. 

All three are on very different trajectories but yet an instant friendship between the new housemates strikes up.  There are romantic threads in the story but they are definitely secondary to the themes of friendship and moving on with your life and escaping bad situations themes. 

This was a lovely gentle read that left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. 

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

Book Review - Garden of Bones by M. A. Comley

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Title: Garden of Bones

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 15th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Some secrets refuse to stay buried…

When a skeleton is unearthed beneath an old rose bed on a once-grand estate, DI Sally Parker and DS Lorne Warner are pulled into a case unlike any they’ve faced before. But as forensic analysis reveals a chilling truth - the investigation takes a dark turn - the bones belong to multiple victims.

With whispers of long-forgotten disappearances and hidden betrayals, Sally and Lorne must untangle a web of lies stretching back ten years. As they dig deeper, the past refuses to stay buried, and someone will do anything to keep their secrets hidden.

Because in this garden, the dead still have a story to tell…

What an intriguing case this latest one for DI Sally Parker and DS Lorne Warner proves to be. 

Over the course of the investigation we meet some rather vulnerable people that my heart totally went out to, and I loved the empathy that Sally and Lorne showed towards them. 

There are also some incredibly gruesome discoveries, that are described so vividly that I'm worried I may have nightmares tonight! 

I loved seeing how the case came together, I am always in awe of this team, and their ability to solve cold cases. From the first discovery of some bones, I was intrigued and couldn't get enough of seeing what would happen next. 

This is another fabulous addition to this brilliant series, from an author that I always love reading. 

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