tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3228337476995646192024-03-19T07:00:32.657+00:00Rachel's Random ReadsReviews, guest posts, interviews, book news and giveaways. Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.comBlogger3289125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-48578900638948326262024-03-19T07:00:00.024+00:002024-03-19T07:00:00.344+00:00Book Review - Murder at the Leaning Tower by T. A. Williams<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sYC15TRpRkZg_o6LE2H7gG2OqSHiIILL6JCon-NbVVJpyWBzN7Lph_RZjx0QwIzXbvYmhQQfzw887NMcJyqX0KfkdaktmjmE9Ar_pphGbuAk0xDZ_6v4i-d50H8zjTNLoPNGDCG7lZv4Uwk-uG2l1X4uHQxSTgXsiEu8XgylAqjEDFkmFvn4e0F7MPOn/s1500/Murder%20At%20The%20Leaning%20Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="988" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sYC15TRpRkZg_o6LE2H7gG2OqSHiIILL6JCon-NbVVJpyWBzN7Lph_RZjx0QwIzXbvYmhQQfzw887NMcJyqX0KfkdaktmjmE9Ar_pphGbuAk0xDZ_6v4i-d50H8zjTNLoPNGDCG7lZv4Uwk-uG2l1X4uHQxSTgXsiEu8XgylAqjEDFkmFvn4e0F7MPOn/s320/Murder%20At%20The%20Leaning%20Tower.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3SiDIto">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Murder at the Leaning Tower</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: T. A. Williams</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Boldwood Books</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 6th February 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>A secluded villa…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>When Dan Armstrong is asked to provide security at a private villa on the outskirts of Pisa, he’s pretty sure it will be an easy job. Villa Gregory is remote; the gathered guests are rich – what could possibly go wrong?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>A glittering gathering...</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Inside the high walls of the palatial villa, Dan discovers the gathered guests are some of the most powerful tycoons in the media world, with plans for world domination. With so much at stake, Dan redoubles his efforts to keep everyone safe.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>A detective under pressure?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>But when one of the group is found murdered, Dan’s heart sinks – especially considering Anna’s own daughter is in the frame! When the police arrive, Dan meets formidable Inspector Adolfo Vinci, a man whose main talent seems to be for getting things wrong. It all goes from bad to worse for Dan as the man from the Leaning Tower starts leaning on him.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>It's another case for Dan and Oscar to solve and this one won't be easy!</i></span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">What a star Oscar is, I mean Dan is pretty good too, but Oscar is clearly the brains of their operations at times. Or at least it feels like Dan's investigative career wouldn't bee half as strong without my favourite labrador sidekick! </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">So good to be back with this pair, and in this latest story we get yet another head scratching murder to solve. There are loads of possible suspects and I honestly had no idea who to believe. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">The local Pisan inspector though was completely incompetent, and at least one of his wrongful arrests really made me laugh and gasp. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">What I really liked was we got to see a bit of Anna's daughter, and see a slightly different side to Dan as a result. And I am still deadly curious as to exactly what the big meeting that has being held in Pisa was really all about, </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this and already can't wait for the next book in this excellent book. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-15816293707556454702024-03-18T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-18T07:00:00.373+00:00Book Review - What Happens on Vacation by Jo Watson - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZviS1fx5_MHnTRxqexe6fg7NEoce4Jq4o__TiozBFWPQSIkgLKiC7yIJxtkff8TlfHGg9amA9QjlD7uP_7CL9B9bRURFdTXkPJwYXWHFdf272C7cnn2bGePpq23bWkcd7Eezd_DObxWkpv1MWrsLfN4i_CUvUryr7qmzkq_LxfNx5CNFVPiXCICHzQeq/s1500/What%20Happens%20on%20Vacation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZviS1fx5_MHnTRxqexe6fg7NEoce4Jq4o__TiozBFWPQSIkgLKiC7yIJxtkff8TlfHGg9amA9QjlD7uP_7CL9B9bRURFdTXkPJwYXWHFdf272C7cnn2bGePpq23bWkcd7Eezd_DObxWkpv1MWrsLfN4i_CUvUryr7qmzkq_LxfNx5CNFVPiXCICHzQeq/s320/What%20Happens%20on%20Vacation.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3NGOHvi">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: What Happens on Vacation</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Jo Watson</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Headline Eternal</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 30th March 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Journalist Margaret needs a vacation.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>After a difficult couple of years, some R&R is on the cards, and she's taking her mom with her. Luckily, the office Quiz Night is coming up and the prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar. Good thing Margaret has never met a quiz question she didn't like.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>But Margaret has also never played against Jagger Villain. For the last six months, they have shared a desk and not a day has gone by when he hasn't driven her to distraction.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>The idea of sharing anything else with Jagger is unthinkable. But if she's going get what she needs from this trip, Margaret might have to compromise.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Away from the office and in a tropical paradise, Margaret beings to wonder if her archnemesis maybe has some qualities.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Could the holiday from hell turn into the vacation of her dreams?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Brilliant escapist rom-com from Jo Watson, just as I have come to expect from her. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Margaret finds everything Jagger does is rather annoying, and moans about him constantly. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But yet when they end up on a holiday to Zanzibar together along with a parent each, things start to take a different turn. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And it where the book goes from enjoyable to fabulous, as I loved seeing the dynamics between Margaret and Jagger change. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Over the course of a week, there is a whirlwind of romance, and a whole lot more.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Its' just a highly enjoyable book that i was thoroughly entertained by.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-88828565617772786742024-03-15T07:00:00.001+00:002024-03-15T07:00:00.148+00:00Book Review - Old Boys by Nick Spalding - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura <p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-0oRvAW1Pb4cqYwOGstOMmD9JKnlOy5F6PBAymM2qVUgcmgxWD46CTlYL0DYqmExPgfxQRbzHnw2bHx7K_ByfC9RE8dcph8N0bIDZZ_Doa9_kYzw2kuOcFJtQPilOlZYvGaoPB0nJcktGZClLLC16myosuQWM3PxHh_oTmkCfedyo2xA6f-cblvVtjOF/s1500/Old%20Boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-0oRvAW1Pb4cqYwOGstOMmD9JKnlOy5F6PBAymM2qVUgcmgxWD46CTlYL0DYqmExPgfxQRbzHnw2bHx7K_ByfC9RE8dcph8N0bIDZZ_Doa9_kYzw2kuOcFJtQPilOlZYvGaoPB0nJcktGZClLLC16myosuQWM3PxHh_oTmkCfedyo2xA6f-cblvVtjOF/s320/Old%20Boys.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3H0zK3v">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Old Boys</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Nick Spalding</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Lake Union Publishing</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 15th June 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>In this hilarious and heartfelt story from the bestselling author of Dry Hard, Will hasn’t seen his rock-star dad for thirty years. But now he’s back for an encore…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Will Fairweather is getting old. His back aches, his bowels misbehave if he eats spicy food and he’s completely lost his sense of rhythm. Life has taught him not to take risks, but even that hasn’t stopped his marriage hitting the rocks too. The last thing he needs is a surprise call from Red Fairweather, devil-may-care rock god—and the father Will hasn’t seen for thirty years.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>If Will’s old before his time, Red’s the boy who won’t grow up.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>When Will needs somewhere to live, with nowhere else to turn, he finds himself back with the hellraiser who deserted his family. As Will tries to come to terms with the downward spiral of his life, he starts to realise there’s more to Red than he thought—there’s a real human being under all that leather and attitude, a dad determined to make up for lost time and help his son get back on track.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Can Will make his peace with a father seeking forgiveness?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Every time I sit down to a Nick Spalding novel I know I'm going to have a good time and that I'm in for a treat. And Old Boys was no exception. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">We have Will who is acting and feeling old before his time, and seems to have forgotten that life is for living, not just existing in. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And back on the scene after 30 years is Will's father Red, who is an ageing rock star who would like to make amends with his son and to help him through this current rough patch.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And Will is pretty much forced to reconnect with his father and his memories. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">What is soon apparent is that Red is far more like the child in this relationship, he is impulsive, fun loving, good intentioned but doesn't think things through. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And I absolutely adored him, he livened up every scene he was in, and there were some more poignant moments with him too. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's another truly fabulous book from the author who certainly has me laughing out loud in places, as well as gasping in shock and on the verge of shedding a tear too. Just superb, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what he writes next. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-13013042297489178472024-03-14T07:00:00.038+00:002024-03-14T07:00:00.290+00:00Book Review - The Girl in Seat 2A by Diana Wilkinson<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRVsnmP5WPyFhz9SaIaWKHuWoQtCJibR17zcWb-l6xLygibPbNPskz0I4w3dctCwK_wQFqCw0bBCtg2sYbFFWmFyCKGm7-s-gXOIq3XJWXOPpE4__9DkoCRjkdamNIwokfugDM4HbTKk3MWfl1o0mvDJLojdGdcVRBXEyNaSzcltWhR8Yy817_OckU_20/s1500/The%20Girl%20in%20Seat%202A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRVsnmP5WPyFhz9SaIaWKHuWoQtCJibR17zcWb-l6xLygibPbNPskz0I4w3dctCwK_wQFqCw0bBCtg2sYbFFWmFyCKGm7-s-gXOIq3XJWXOPpE4__9DkoCRjkdamNIwokfugDM4HbTKk3MWfl1o0mvDJLojdGdcVRBXEyNaSzcltWhR8Yy817_OckU_20/s320/The%20Girl%20in%20Seat%202A.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3HGz045">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: The Girl in Seat 2A</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Diana Wilkinson</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Boldwood Books</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 19th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Funny how one lie can spiral…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>One thing about me: I HATE flying. It’s my worst nightmare.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>That’s why I book seat 2A every time I fly. Since my big win, I've been booking seats 2B and 2C as well. They’re my comfort seats, they cushion the claustrophobia, and at last I can afford them.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>I am now determined to live the life of luxury. I deserve it, after all.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>How to Live Like a Millionaire is the book I’m reading on this flight. When it lands on the floor, a handsome guy hands it back to me. I know he clocks the title, because he’s totally charming and talks to me as if I’m one of the Marbella Millionaire set.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>When I land in sunny Spain, I’ll be acting like a millionairess, that’s for sure – even if it’s stretching the truth, just a bit. We all know that money talks, and I intend to talk my way into a better life.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Who knows… maybe this guy, the one who had the cheek to sit down in seat 2C, might be someone special. He has an air of danger, but who cares?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Woah! I literally couldn't put that down. I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting but this definitely beat those expectations and more. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I had to keep on reading to see how things turned out, especially after Part 1. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">All I'll say is that there is one seriously creepy character, and I wanted to scream at Jade to come to her senses right from the start. I was so sure I knew where this book was going to take me, but I was wrong. There is more to it than I first thought, and there are some brilliantly brave women in this story. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Jade although I felt bad for her, I also at times found it hard to like her, she just kept making iffy decisions. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I will say though that I would not recommend reading the first chapter if you are on a flight, especially if you are a nervous flier. It certainly scared me, and I'm fine with flying, but the descriptions and Jade's fear really got to me. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Other than that it is perfect holiday reading, it's addictive, it's moreish and it's set in sunny Spain, and it's one you need to set aside time to read, as you will want to read it in one sitting. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Totally brilliant. I loved this a lot and was very impressed with it. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-66535908772894053332024-03-13T07:00:00.002+00:002024-03-13T07:00:00.150+00:00Book Review - Sylvia's Second Act by Hillary Yablon - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OtOHchEUIPK3tAYANGCDWPdu2uY_2Qsbr9vbPk6f8lcc1BGxPPDDpxcV8ocpcb7ox2Apfh22ywLiTGmZ6e7hlsg4miyiZbJKlpbhls68j22ROrysFCGicDw3BoNQLyvPubSNqI91q-oCfSMUXAmi7JNYeoY8ge6WnUhaGiDvfPeOFq7mk74jIGArqPlC/s1500/Sylvias%20Second%20Act.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="987" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OtOHchEUIPK3tAYANGCDWPdu2uY_2Qsbr9vbPk6f8lcc1BGxPPDDpxcV8ocpcb7ox2Apfh22ywLiTGmZ6e7hlsg4miyiZbJKlpbhls68j22ROrysFCGicDw3BoNQLyvPubSNqI91q-oCfSMUXAmi7JNYeoY8ge6WnUhaGiDvfPeOFq7mk74jIGArqPlC/s320/Sylvias%20Second%20Act.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3S16jVr">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Sylvia's Second Act</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Hillary Yablon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Orion</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 12th March 2024 </div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Growing older doesn't just mean growing wiser.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>But it does mean a lot of fun...</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>When 63-year-old Sylvia finds her husband in bed with another woman, she's shocked and furious . . . at first. But by the time her head stops spinning, Sylvia realises she hates the retirement community she's living in - it's for old people. And she certainly doesn't feel old!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>So, she enlists the help of her best friend, glamorous 70-year-old widow Evie, and the pair flee to Manhattan to start a new life in the city that never sleeps. Sylvia's husband may have lost her life savings, but they're scrappy and determined - and they weren't born yesterday...</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Before long, Sylvia is reviving her wedding planning business and even finds herself back in the dating game! And no matter what her meddling daughter thinks, it's her time now - and she's determined that in this glorious second act, the best is yet to come!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Hilarious, heartwarming and utterly feel-good, Sylvia's Second Act is perfect for fans of Heartburn by Nora Ephron, Grace & Frankie, and Sex and the City.</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This is the first book I've read from this author (mainly cos its her debut) and given how much I loved this one and how quickly I devoured it, it definitely won't be my last. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's another book in this new sub genre of books, about kick ass women "of a certain age". </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Which is a genre that I am thoroughly enjoying more and more each time I encounter it. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">For who wouldn't want to grow up and by like Sylvia. Ok I don't want her cheating husband, or meddling daughter, but her determination to start living her life after she catches her husband iin the act, is inspiring. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">She and friend Evie, move to New York to follow their dreams, and Sylvia even takes up wedding planning, </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I was loving every second of his book, from its first to last page. It's joyous, its awe inspiring, it has plenty of sex and the city references and its generally just a refreshing read. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Utterly brilliant. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-36012406168056410182024-02-19T12:22:00.001+00:002024-02-19T12:22:08.358+00:00Epic Birthday Holiday - but where I am I going, and what's on my kindle?!<p><span style="color: #800180;">I'm so excited! In a few hours time I will be leaving for the airport, for what will be I believe the longest flight I've ever taken (almost 15 hours)... and once that is out of the way assuming I'll still be in one piece (although most likely knackered) - I'll be in Santiago, Chile. </span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;">And that is just for one night, where I'll be staying in a gorgeous luxury hotel, before transferring to San Antonio for a 16 Night Cruise on board the Norwegian Sun. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcoymBlpmy9F2ZV56uqjU2w5BBIcHZnN02VlSHkZookQZAYmdAKIZGC2_6ryA6M-GgWIpQjcYER1COKQzq2WGeugz4G5FI-5ja2N0tRLBxLazgg0C6TrGJfEVYbbf0_pv4F4lElQnpUvfy8SBvnwCiZSztyNlnELIvwZnfImBo98XvjHXwtI375EtbAAV/s2002/Norwegian%20Sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="2002" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcoymBlpmy9F2ZV56uqjU2w5BBIcHZnN02VlSHkZookQZAYmdAKIZGC2_6ryA6M-GgWIpQjcYER1COKQzq2WGeugz4G5FI-5ja2N0tRLBxLazgg0C6TrGJfEVYbbf0_pv4F4lElQnpUvfy8SBvnwCiZSztyNlnELIvwZnfImBo98XvjHXwtI375EtbAAV/w400-h266/Norwegian%20Sun.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ain't she a beauty! If you been following me for a while you will perhaps have worked out that I absolutely love holidays and cruising, probably even more than I love reading, although I can normally combine the two quite easily. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Over the 16 Nights onboard the ship I will be stopping in<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Coquimbo, Chile</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Arica, Chile</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Pisco, Peru</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Callao (Lima), Peru</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Trujillo (Salverry), Peru</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Manta, Ecaudor</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Panama City, Panama </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Cartagena, Colombia<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">and finally will end in Miami, with a night in a hotel before flying home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">And between Panama and Colombia, there is a full transit of the Panama Canal, which I'm lead to believe is spectacular cruising and will be fascinating, and I am so looking forward to it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">But didn't you just go away over Christmas, I hear you ask?! - Well yes, but 10 years ago for my 30th, I decided that every 5 years to mark my next "big / bigger" birthday, that I would take myself off on a holiday that is far more exotic, expensive and memorable than any of my regular holidays. And so on the 28th February, when I'm in Peru, I will be turning the big 4-0! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Kind of dreading the fact that I'm now in the last week or so of my 30s, given mentally I reckon I'm still in my 20s.. it's always slightly scary moving into a new decade! But I'll ignore that for the moment, and concentrate of the fact that I'm about to spend time in South America, a continent I have never even given much thought about travelling to - until this cruise itinerary came into my life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">I hope you will agree that this really should be a once in a life time trip, and even though my birthday itself is being spent in a port which I have no plans for which is a shame, as on my 30th I swam with Dolphins and my 35th I fed and bathed Elephants, both on the day itself, I suspect this as a whole will be just as special and memorable. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">So in between running around the ship like a headless chicken as I often do on cruises, and soaking up so much much needed winter sun, exploring the ports and going off on various excursions, I will of course have my kindle in my hands frequently. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Here are all the review books currently on my kindle waiting for me to read them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmDmp3EHKwv-F37REGDX67YQTeLrQQG4egkJv1IdjzEzWjZ68tFhFzLTl-aNxeGK9NaG1LE_dUpgmRkvr42ieTlMX_9o1cdIVz8RWCwBNVzG8ILKeTh8YqHDqfESG3jTN0JZheT8E5fVsp9sWmk0YaKJ-6giyvCuHXYf3zhi1xjEkXUS1vwIVs9bqDkZG/s1065/Never%20Read%20Authors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1065" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmDmp3EHKwv-F37REGDX67YQTeLrQQG4egkJv1IdjzEzWjZ68tFhFzLTl-aNxeGK9NaG1LE_dUpgmRkvr42ieTlMX_9o1cdIVz8RWCwBNVzG8ILKeTh8YqHDqfESG3jTN0JZheT8E5fVsp9sWmk0YaKJ-6giyvCuHXYf3zhi1xjEkXUS1vwIVs9bqDkZG/w400-h361/Never%20Read%20Authors.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuC_yRoErikafHrqk06gi3yo1mbggHgqjhSMYWZpH6K43dgv7VvFvzQewOCmw5JcWS3jEQHtrY0iR2bsjXgoA3rROCmhMcbQshJUlJQRfraKfFHcnPUga_WCpDztTVFMKv5QIIzEM2KQpRxZPAsp2zGEn4kUFNmcMmZicrFvb_GYFu1d887sPb5IdWC4q/s1065/Review%20TBR%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1065" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuC_yRoErikafHrqk06gi3yo1mbggHgqjhSMYWZpH6K43dgv7VvFvzQewOCmw5JcWS3jEQHtrY0iR2bsjXgoA3rROCmhMcbQshJUlJQRfraKfFHcnPUga_WCpDztTVFMKv5QIIzEM2KQpRxZPAsp2zGEn4kUFNmcMmZicrFvb_GYFu1d887sPb5IdWC4q/w400-h246/Review%20TBR%202.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOfvqDwZQmQFiiph24PVCAu9ha7SOxQJoVDctkwKzokQfXVbxiOVKhQKiqloAIZazyVWLceqb9nxASr_03RX6PaNSHHEKHXW5hncxbdY8lDrZPa-pNy7zv-Uzhhk3KscTAkedbvnXgI-HKPtZ2_zrtSsh8LFl2WRR-cKQ_6i-3u4UBdLv-1J1WUTiwuhD/s1065/Review%20TBR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1065" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOfvqDwZQmQFiiph24PVCAu9ha7SOxQJoVDctkwKzokQfXVbxiOVKhQKiqloAIZazyVWLceqb9nxASr_03RX6PaNSHHEKHXW5hncxbdY8lDrZPa-pNy7zv-Uzhhk3KscTAkedbvnXgI-HKPtZ2_zrtSsh8LFl2WRR-cKQ_6i-3u4UBdLv-1J1WUTiwuhD/w400-h361/Review%20TBR.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGloi8siOoqUHe5u7dfdD3rgOMkOW_GKnIaer8Nsi-g2dRJgSD8PRCBU9IumxbjsOrWTPCKegH7e6s63AQB9-egrfjj4CeYJRX6EEJozHPtENtP1FjoddQk52fHgXwxif0Pc-YMRImPls_6CWlcGqAczKnsNxpYcw6id2gR4B8eWuqggKQG5DEwdJwPIf/s1065/Thrillers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1065" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGloi8siOoqUHe5u7dfdD3rgOMkOW_GKnIaer8Nsi-g2dRJgSD8PRCBU9IumxbjsOrWTPCKegH7e6s63AQB9-egrfjj4CeYJRX6EEJozHPtENtP1FjoddQk52fHgXwxif0Pc-YMRImPls_6CWlcGqAczKnsNxpYcw6id2gR4B8eWuqggKQG5DEwdJwPIf/w400-h361/Thrillers.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBDw5fh5a-GKBipMwyjRIsyQSWuELfWNrVPnEigst45VpyHBAIFadT0gZe1GHPqg36GsqRrCBdHiw_mZ0jbSAQUInwq5R2sHkgpw5UOxvAwlZ6T27R9xGG2_OQVa7MuiKDWS3klTjtpOOOqa5rGaMtayR6s2w0j2abRglu4haBTpgk3XpIEPih7naCVm-/s1065/Tour%20Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1065" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBDw5fh5a-GKBipMwyjRIsyQSWuELfWNrVPnEigst45VpyHBAIFadT0gZe1GHPqg36GsqRrCBdHiw_mZ0jbSAQUInwq5R2sHkgpw5UOxvAwlZ6T27R9xGG2_OQVa7MuiKDWS3klTjtpOOOqa5rGaMtayR6s2w0j2abRglu4haBTpgk3XpIEPih7naCVm-/w400-h361/Tour%20Books.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">What do you think of these books? Which should I make sure I definitely read (I will get to them all eventually)? And what on earth books am I go going to start the holiday with on the flight - I will be hoping to sleep too, but it will probably be a mix of dozing, opening kindle until eyes feel heavy again and then more dozing - I could only afford economy! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">And on what is in total an almost 3 week holiday, just how many books do you think I'll read? Funnily if I was to predict it, I'd say less than on a 2 week holiday but you never know! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Anyways the blog will be quiet until I'm back, but hope you will all join me on 13th March for my review of Sylvia's Second Act by Hilary Yablon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">Bring on the holiday! </span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-29418416925349849932024-02-17T07:00:00.023+00:002024-02-17T07:00:00.137+00:00Book Review - Misbehaving at Cactus Lanes by Patricia Santos Marcantonio - #BookChallenge #24In2024<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulH8swJX2zhvku4teMMNNMiunmAL4KKjCZMDQnJ7fd5BiDyAYuH5YYayUtZQQclB5btL-RFoGNojIvck8vcu06NMSuWSRELmAu5Uzt80N0sNasUEsYbm2zRAkV2eSKE8cSG0i9FZe6ZnxpJT43sbnRfFExPqXE4T6ukEw1Q7oNDGAjOqineOcLwgxISOE/s4500/Flag-map_of_the_world_(2017).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2234" data-original-width="4500" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulH8swJX2zhvku4teMMNNMiunmAL4KKjCZMDQnJ7fd5BiDyAYuH5YYayUtZQQclB5btL-RFoGNojIvck8vcu06NMSuWSRELmAu5Uzt80N0sNasUEsYbm2zRAkV2eSKE8cSG0i9FZe6ZnxpJT43sbnRfFExPqXE4T6ukEw1Q7oNDGAjOqineOcLwgxISOE/w400-h199/Flag-map_of_the_world_(2017).jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is book #2 for my <a href="https://rachelsrandomreads.blogspot.com/p/24-countries-in-2024-challenge.html">#24in2024 challenge.</a> And for this book I have visited USA. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin20saCcArlnVo6cm4WZgv2l9xftHZapPc4_Ow1VFrqQ7J4xbjv8Cb92fuPZTNkR5qpWxUdWPKOeVr4KEMnBBGQA2l8OipuoNOzNvHiwVfYMtx3bEoLtG-3P6Y-of5xG8PeAFEgRq189cztD0p0bFEh_Tx30yRcXjiCYrK5mJydhvJPeXfVQlxm0fZCTis/s800/USA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="800" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin20saCcArlnVo6cm4WZgv2l9xftHZapPc4_Ow1VFrqQ7J4xbjv8Cb92fuPZTNkR5qpWxUdWPKOeVr4KEMnBBGQA2l8OipuoNOzNvHiwVfYMtx3bEoLtG-3P6Y-of5xG8PeAFEgRq189cztD0p0bFEh_Tx30yRcXjiCYrK5mJydhvJPeXfVQlxm0fZCTis/w400-h208/USA.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B3G1IwyLD-gAM8AFG-3tJyWEMOZbSwnn8y7yOlFPvlkNSZl5CPzNFDIuXVSRArLxiUkBrttrsGFo9UiVItH1Ro33z6EEDTua2ZPjvPoyfKqoyCFCKA94h8yuqRaYKxOTN0YF2pNDiCsE6iUBMVaolurn0w1o-2wCvxh7EpgRjKhpoI13AQvE7oa7_yU8/s1500/Misbehaving%20at%20Cactus%20Lanes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="983" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B3G1IwyLD-gAM8AFG-3tJyWEMOZbSwnn8y7yOlFPvlkNSZl5CPzNFDIuXVSRArLxiUkBrttrsGFo9UiVItH1Ro33z6EEDTua2ZPjvPoyfKqoyCFCKA94h8yuqRaYKxOTN0YF2pNDiCsE6iUBMVaolurn0w1o-2wCvxh7EpgRjKhpoI13AQvE7oa7_yU8/w263-h400/Misbehaving%20at%20Cactus%20Lanes.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Misbehaving at Cactus Lanes</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Patricia Santos Marcantonio</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: One More Chapter</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 15th February 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>An hilarious and heartwarming read perfect for fans of Judy Leigh, Caroline James and Maddie Please!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>As Margaret Adams buries her late husband she comes to a shocking realisation – she was widowed long before Bob dropped dead on the ninth hole at his beloved golf club.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Now, with her children grown and her unhappy marriage over, Maggie goes in search of something to make her happy. Enter Las Vegas bowling alley, Cactus Lanes!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>With its neon sign, legendary chilli fries and community spirit, stepping through the doors does more than put a smile on Maggie’s face, it changes her life.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>As she discovers the friendships she’s always craved – and a chance at a true love with gorgeous owner Frank Martinez – Maggie comes to realise that it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about choosing your lane and striking with determination in the direction that allows you to be you.</i></span></span></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It was certainly the cover that attracted me to this novel, it's bright and looked like fun, and once I glanced at the blurb and saw the mention of Las Vegas, that was it, I knew i had to read it. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And it certainly lived up to those expectations and the cover is spot on, as this is a rather colourful novel, at least once Maggie starts to live her own life. After all she is attracted by the neon signs at the Cactus Lanes Bowling alley. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">For this is a story of how life really can begin in your 70s. It took for her husband to suddenly die, for Maggie to bee freed from what was a stifling, boring, loveless marriage, not abusive, just indifferent, and for her to start discovering what it is she really wants from life. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And that includes re-discovering a love of bowling that she did a term of in school and enjoyed, until her friends talked her out of it. For Maggie is easily influenced by others, at least initially and even know she's ashamed that her daughter has got a lot of the same qualities as Bob. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I loved this look at life in Las Vegas too, for although there are some trips to the strip, mainly when Maggie is volunteering with a senior, we get to see past the gambling and see all the other parts to Las Vegas. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And i just could visualise everything so clearly, and I was loving how Maggie's confidence grew as she gains new skills and friends, and even clearly has a potential love interest. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I was less keen to see there still seems to be a class system in America, and stereotypical prejudices from thankfully not main characters. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This was the first book I've read from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just wish I had Maggie's bowling skills, as she is awesome! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-8693124665140378192024-02-16T07:00:00.004+00:002024-02-16T07:00:00.136+00:00Book Review - By The Book by Jasmine Guillory - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYriWdemrl6l6qjmRivmstJ0OM_RWGXl7jbFX6h6DFayszs0dKAT9veilC5UxeMfGmOQY3VxV9lwOixcotR-k4xGa1eYIYgLr_jr8vDDYKtQ8cIOtFw6wAw3v-ystWXBrqfRdtTmok4HohbEzWdx4ctx2619nXDWZGkV-Xx_C46V2GhONGX8jfXgKll2o0/s1250/By%20The%20Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="814" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYriWdemrl6l6qjmRivmstJ0OM_RWGXl7jbFX6h6DFayszs0dKAT9veilC5UxeMfGmOQY3VxV9lwOixcotR-k4xGa1eYIYgLr_jr8vDDYKtQ8cIOtFw6wAw3v-ystWXBrqfRdtTmok4HohbEzWdx4ctx2619nXDWZGkV-Xx_C46V2GhONGX8jfXgKll2o0/s320/By%20The%20Book.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/48fUrUX">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: By The Book</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Jasmine Guillory</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Studio Press</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 21st July 2022 </div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Sometimes to truly know a person, you have to read between the lines.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing after college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, still living at home, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>All she has to do is go to the author's Santa Barbara mansion and give him a pep talk or three. How hard could it be?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau Towers is not some celebrity lightweight writing a tell-all memoir. He is jaded and withdrawn and - it turns out - just as lost as Izzy. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story begins to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn't there before.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Best-selling author Jasmine Guillory's reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is a romantic triumph of love and acceptance and learning that sometimes to truly know a person you have to read between the lines.</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Incredibly enjoyable book, set between New York and California, about an editorial assistant who is being overlooked at work, and a jaded celebrity who is very overdue on his memoir manuscript. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">At the point Izzy volunteers to see if she can meet Beau in person and see if she can coax a book out of him, the story really gets going. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I loved the descriptions of Beaus' place, and the rather fabulous dialogue between Beau and Izzy. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">As we get to know Beau more, we learn just why he has been struggling with telling his story, which just endeared him to me even more. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This was a quick and easy fun read, and I loved the surfing lessons. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Studio Press and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-19192822681165316712024-02-15T07:00:00.006+00:002024-02-15T07:00:00.152+00:00Book Review - Love Letters on Hazel Lane by Jennifer Page - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK5OZnrSRw_Tr9WFKXQiGuGOqweJn2SohiNHjzs3JAKUDDonUy9SQsdHEQlHuILgixOPSP1l3-PK7xio28N_yNZ7o5mhaem0vt5qkKOS8An99KUH65slUURtdLz_jVFmKbymtvwJSXSDL2eTjYrqXcsMW8yU1zGge5Nd4-ibenG3F9GoUnLb00_kizYJX/s1500/Love%20Letters%20On%20Hazel%20Lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK5OZnrSRw_Tr9WFKXQiGuGOqweJn2SohiNHjzs3JAKUDDonUy9SQsdHEQlHuILgixOPSP1l3-PK7xio28N_yNZ7o5mhaem0vt5qkKOS8An99KUH65slUURtdLz_jVFmKbymtvwJSXSDL2eTjYrqXcsMW8yU1zGge5Nd4-ibenG3F9GoUnLb00_kizYJX/s320/Love%20Letters%20On%20Hazel%20Lane.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3NNdAFD">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Love Letters on Hazel Lane</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Jennifer Page</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Aria</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 4th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Scrabble fan Jo always seems to pick the wrong guys. Now she's moved to the Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, and decided to give dating one last chance. This time, there's a catch: she will only date men whose names would score highly in her beloved word game.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>After Tarquin (16 points) proves just as disappointing as the rest, she meets low-scoring local doctor Ras (3 points). Her rules mean she can't date him – but when he asks her to organise a Scrabble festival with him, she can't say no.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>As the event draws nearer and Jo and Ras grow closer, will Jo ignore her rule and let true love blossom over the triple letter scores?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Fantastic - 14 points</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Brilliant - 11 points</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Enjoyable - 21 points</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Just 3 of the words I would use to describe this latest book from Jennifer Page, featuring scrabble mad Jo, and Ras. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">There is a lot of scrabble and scrabble scores in this book, and it does form the basis for a fair amount of the plot. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But there is so much more to it than just that, as Jo starts to make improvements in all areas of her life. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And I loved the idea of a Scrabble festival, and would dearly love to go to it, being a big fan of the game too. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Set in the next village over to the author's first book, we have loads of cameos and connections to The Board Game Café, which as a fan I loved seeing. but rest assured this can easily be read as a standalone book too. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I read this on holiday, on Christmas day, and it was the perfect read. After all who hasn't played scrabble or another board game with loved ones over Christmas, so this felt like a fitting read, while I was soaking up the sun. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-15323772946114760982024-02-14T07:00:00.024+00:002024-02-14T07:00:00.199+00:00Book Review - An Enchanted Moment on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRlZL1jQsmpnAkOZoKoZa-zufOqcFGbnj2WPDUk7qJzDoq0cTXpy8-v6ZNJK0P6yqwERXxs3tz4xDoyiGM3mt9eKduISTeoCV49XgY9H6HH7kO7s3-ctTtNlBH0zYxrSPKi2Ya2wCBBo31XvmQlH9-1XkesJ4k-1OKGOFdJ82ElmldTK602cFiXUOyHt9/s1500/An%20Enchanted%20Moment%20on%20Ever%20After%20Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="978" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRlZL1jQsmpnAkOZoKoZa-zufOqcFGbnj2WPDUk7qJzDoq0cTXpy8-v6ZNJK0P6yqwERXxs3tz4xDoyiGM3mt9eKduISTeoCV49XgY9H6HH7kO7s3-ctTtNlBH0zYxrSPKi2Ya2wCBBo31XvmQlH9-1XkesJ4k-1OKGOFdJ82ElmldTK602cFiXUOyHt9/s320/An%20Enchanted%20Moment%20on%20Ever%20After%20Street.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/48kEyNj">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: An Enchanted Moment on Ever After Street</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Jaimie Admans</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Boldwood Books</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 11th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>A tale as old as time…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Since her mum’s death, Marnie Platt has shut herself away from everyone who cares about her. Worse, her beloved bookshop on Ever After Street is suffering too. With sales down and the shop’s garden falling into disrepair, Marnie risks losing the very last thing she loves. Until a chance encounter with her surly and reclusive neighbour….</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Dark and brooding, Darcy O'Connell likes to keep himself to himself. But when he hears Marnie needs help, he can’t turn his back on her. Soon they are spending most evenings together in her enchanted garden and a friendship starts to bloom…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>With the help of old and new friends on Ever After Street, Marnie's bookshop begins to thrive again, and with Darcy's kindness, she starts to get her sparkle back too. She just can't understand why Darcy continues to shut himself away - especially from her. Can she convince him it isn't too late to embrace life, and maybe love, again?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Because every story, even theirs, deserves a happy ending….</i></span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Words can't express how much I love... </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Jaimie Admans</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Ever After After Street</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">A Tale as Old as Time Bookshop</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">The one initially known as the Beast</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Just about everything to do with book and series</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">... for it is all just perfect, and amazing, and fabulous and I want more the whole time. I couldn't get enough of this story loving literally every single second of it. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Ok some of the big reveals I had guessed incredibly early on but I think you are meant to guess them but I had to keep reading to discover if I was going to be right, and for some of the reasoning too, as that I had no idea on. I just had a rather strong inkling about a few things! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And what a sense of community there is on Ever After Street, and we get to see more of all the characters we grew to love in the first book too, as well as getting to know two more residents of the street. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This really is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and it just works so so well. I'm reluctant to spill any actual details, as frankly I think every single book lover, and romance lover should read this, as its so good, so enjoyable, so readable, and so enchanting, and all the better for not having any preconceptions about any of the characters. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Suffice to say they both see significant development, there is a character who is I'd say even more ridiculously annoying and self obsessed than Gaston is, who I really wanted to hit him for myself, and being set in a bookshop that has had a threat of being closed - there are some great ideas for improving business. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But I'm determined that you should whether you already know how amazing this author is or not, that you should definitely read this book. It's just that good and easily one of her best (but I may say that ever time and its always true). </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I just wish Ever After Street was a real place and I can't wait to see what fairy-tale we will get with the next book in the series (at least I hope there will be a next book). </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-58915797467283751572024-02-13T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-13T07:00:00.159+00:00Book Review - Coffee and Cake at Wildflower Lock by Hannah Lynn<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU8YgMEllHlQ8KK9fN6Ec62P7NGptveoOC7ri6zV7pR8ktgO0WkBukBrXoIuv1q3_qDEAHZMzsx-lqMX__qw3ra4SEgZb49Cv7ZgvzA24GWH_ugWcDQXx8cAIqa9-Lu5KA4-2lkKJB5G42nbkutHgTCv8dTQ1GlEZTwAjKEsgovDQS9x7GB1x5xWxh1JY/s1500/Coffe%20and%20Cake%20at%20Wildflower%20Lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="982" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU8YgMEllHlQ8KK9fN6Ec62P7NGptveoOC7ri6zV7pR8ktgO0WkBukBrXoIuv1q3_qDEAHZMzsx-lqMX__qw3ra4SEgZb49Cv7ZgvzA24GWH_ugWcDQXx8cAIqa9-Lu5KA4-2lkKJB5G42nbkutHgTCv8dTQ1GlEZTwAjKEsgovDQS9x7GB1x5xWxh1JY/s320/Coffe%20and%20Cake%20at%20Wildflower%20Lock.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41OccZa">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Coffee and Cake at Wildflower Lock</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Hannah Lynn</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Boldwood Books</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 22nd January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Home is where the coffee is...</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Daisy May is embarking on a new chapter of her life as a permanent resident at the idyllic Wildflower Lock. Determined to seize this second chance she's been granted, Daisy is putting her all into making her new business venture a success. As her friendship with Theo grows ever stronger, her happily ever after seems within reach.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>However, life isn't always smooth sailing. When a string of unfortunate mishaps and an unruly stag party leaves Daisy’s finances in dire straits, she starts to question her decision to launch a coffee shop. But just when she's nearly lost hope, the mysterious and generous Christian enters her life. Astute and eager to assist Daisy, he proposes a solution that could be the answer to all her problems... or will it be the beginning of even more challenges.</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I am loving this Wildflower Lock series, and especially enjoying Daisy May and the continuation of her story from the first book. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I do think it can be read as a standalone since the background is definitely included, which worked as a good reminder for me on the whole too as to what was in the previous book. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Daisy has now decided to open up a coffee shop on her house boat, for everyone that visits the lock and to hopefully earn her some much needed income. But right from day one it seems like she has cursed bad luck. It it isn't one thing, it's another. I know they say bad things come in threes, but I think it was more like a multiple of three! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">In amongst it all though she realises if she can keep the shop open, there is definitely a customer base, and at the same time her love of art is reborn too. Through that she meets Christian, who really turns her head. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Which is awkward given she seems to be running scared as to what could be happening with Theo, who is still fabulous. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I really was torn as to which man I thought Daisy would end the book with, I knew which one my heart desired but wasn't convinced at times that she was thinking the same way. I also really enjoyed getting to know Daisy's friends better too. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I do though think that this is perhaps the middle of a trilogy at a guess of books featuring Daisy, as I have this suspicion there is more to come from her, as she continues to adapt to life on the canal. What I do know is given how much I am enjoying this author's writing of this series, I am 1000% eager to keep reading more from it. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-19051882060367049252024-02-12T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-12T07:00:00.252+00:00Book Review - What The Focaccia by Ginger Jones - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez9XvRyOwFDBeBbYQTNgiTO1uwMxIoxmJHg6v8W3iXI8DvoSLz9amvbqORsgLneNyR5N7ppNXZwY6EJkdJ0nfbHvesN70Q6LM_X66Ve6XfUyE3-IruloiKpX31kwRT4ZKQwFdDIHRsvnn-J2amVai9LSpVzWlRayJuyXHDPuJZIOTY3bEyTnVxj2dczqS/s1500/What%20The%20Focaccia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="982" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez9XvRyOwFDBeBbYQTNgiTO1uwMxIoxmJHg6v8W3iXI8DvoSLz9amvbqORsgLneNyR5N7ppNXZwY6EJkdJ0nfbHvesN70Q6LM_X66Ve6XfUyE3-IruloiKpX31kwRT4ZKQwFdDIHRsvnn-J2amVai9LSpVzWlRayJuyXHDPuJZIOTY3bEyTnVxj2dczqS/s320/What%20The%20Focaccia.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3vdoduV">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: What The Focaccia</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Ginger Jones</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Zaffre</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 11th May 2023 </div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Escape to Italy with the brand-new romcom from the author of You Had Me at Halloumi</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>When Ramona's dream to launch a size-inclusive fashion line comes crashing down she decides it is time for a bold change. Realising there is little inclusivity in the exclusive world of haute couture, Ramona bids ciao for now to her old life and heads to Milan for fashion inspiration (and gelato).</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thrown off course, she rents a room in a Tuscan village where the locals are sceptical - particularly the infuriating Marco, who seems to be there whenever Ramona makes a fool of herself. Which is often.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Can a year in Tuscany get her life back on track? And will Ramona discover amore when she least expects it?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Ginger Jones is back with her next laugh-out-loud, mouth-watering tale from the rolling fields of sun-drenched Italy. Add a dash of romance to your life with this tale that's sure to satisfy your appetite . . .</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Oh this was just brilliant, </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Right from the start I was rooting for Ramona and for her pitch for Curvalicious to go well, as it is such a great concept for a fashion label. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Unfortunately haute couture companies aren't into size inclusivity, and Ramona on the verge of giving up ends up in Tuscany. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Where she becomes key in various aspects of village life, and also learns all about an inspirational milliner too. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I also loved her best friend Fabrice, who doubles as Polly Darton, and I am a lover or a drag queen! And Polly in her act is formidable. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Admidst some fabulous Italian food and climate, we have a fabulous story about body positivity and the fight curvy larger than sick figure girls have to get clothes that not only fit but also that they feel good in. And given I'm in that size range too, I was intrigued and excited by Ramona's designs. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I absolutely loved every moment of this book and once again I'm keen to read more from Ginger Jones. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Zaffre and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-61782095653862724042024-02-09T07:00:00.004+00:002024-02-09T07:00:00.156+00:00Book Review - Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year by Joanna Nell - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPeZ1r31cloeUDIv-PwWo_c3_7S-mT9pY_vF6Ha4FhpvIOBP3xNBtagOAh_sTne5nheFOihod33gzSLW42RDoQLHDo-vGFBD6JVSYtfd-pR-D2NMWbqLl0HoZzTlzrBGgmBFxoAEQ6n-pkmGWJ-TcqgfmtbEvCYURMZbrIELOsTJFVEy9xH8Y7kF-gKJ5/s1500/Mrs%20Winterbottom%20Takes%20A%20Gap%20Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="975" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPeZ1r31cloeUDIv-PwWo_c3_7S-mT9pY_vF6Ha4FhpvIOBP3xNBtagOAh_sTne5nheFOihod33gzSLW42RDoQLHDo-vGFBD6JVSYtfd-pR-D2NMWbqLl0HoZzTlzrBGgmBFxoAEQ6n-pkmGWJ-TcqgfmtbEvCYURMZbrIELOsTJFVEy9xH8Y7kF-gKJ5/s320/Mrs%20Winterbottom%20Takes%20A%20Gap%20Year.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3TH46zr">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Mrs Winterbottom Takes A Gap Year</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Joanna Nell</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 2nd November 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>It's never too late for the adventure of a lifetime . . .</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Heather Winterbottom has worked side by side with her husband as GPs in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years. But as the time comes to hang up their stethoscopes, the Winterbottoms discover that they have rather different visions of retirement . . .</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Heather dreams of exploring the Greek Islands, of escaping the shackles of her routine life and embracing an exciting new adventure. Alan dreams of growing his own vegetables.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>When things come to a head at a family lunch, Heather announces that she has decided to take a year off. From her old life, from her marriage - from Alan. Alone in beautiful Greece, Heather embarks on her very own odyssey - complete with peak experiences, pitfalls and temptations. But what if coming home is the biggest adventure yet?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">With echoes of Shirley Valentine in places, this is one fabulous book, about getting to grips with retirement. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">For Alan and Heather Winterbottom thought it would be a great idea to retire together, given they had been working together the whole time. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But yet as they give up being GPs, and suddenly have nothing but time on the horizon it appears they may no longer have anything in common. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Alan is suddenly very keen on gardening, and growing his own produce, whereas Heather wants to travel. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's eye opening that you may think you know your partner, but suddenly you have nothing to say to them anymore. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">There are some amusing moments, as well as those that made me smile. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And as Heather finally starts to see Greece, she has an unusual travelling companion with her, which probably shouldn't have made me laugh as much as it did. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I thoroughly enjoyed reading about The Winterbottom's, and also really enjoyed the authors writing style. I must read more of her. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-53882827935544353632024-02-08T07:00:00.020+00:002024-02-08T07:00:00.134+00:00Book Review - Hitched by J. F. Murray<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfRY-zyYmRFx_M0YYz5TFj3G8fmjyieCQv-pCE_9dHlY8LUOtxpS0C0Za8HKWp4zf_fNU81YzlHrirQP6SOK4g9quq3jiVRd13v5DgYU7XmgB1-Mb6GJd5MYHLUJbijp4wGbMEfH5g23hO3txnYSlkHA1HKod3qVfS03lbcjLnY54N4DpViI8ksIW9nsk/s1500/Hitched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="975" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfRY-zyYmRFx_M0YYz5TFj3G8fmjyieCQv-pCE_9dHlY8LUOtxpS0C0Za8HKWp4zf_fNU81YzlHrirQP6SOK4g9quq3jiVRd13v5DgYU7XmgB1-Mb6GJd5MYHLUJbijp4wGbMEfH5g23hO3txnYSlkHA1HKod3qVfS03lbcjLnY54N4DpViI8ksIW9nsk/s320/Hitched.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3SStO3r">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Hitched</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: J. F. Murray</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: MacMillan</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 1st February 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>What happens in Vegas . . . doesn’t always stay there.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Kate is the ultimate planner. She has her happily-ever-after all plotted out, starting with her dream wedding to successful dental surgeon, Norman, and an iconic Las Vegas hen party with her three best girlfriends. Even running into her DJ ex, Trevor Rush, the man who broke her heart nine years ago, won’t ruin Kate’s vision for the perfect girls’ trip.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>But when an alcohol-fuelled night out leaves Kate and Trevor accidentally hitched, her plans are officially out the window. To make matters worse, Trevor has decided he wants Kate back, and won’t sign the annulment papers until she agrees to go on three last dates with him.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>With her fairy tale wedding just days away, Kate is determined to fight her growing feelings for Trevor. But in the scorching heat of Sin City, is it time for her to tear up the rule book, and finally take a gamble on love?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><b>Please please please please please Hollywood turn this into a hit rom-com film. It would be completely amazing on the big screen, and needs to be turned into a movie so that even more people can see how much fun this story is. </b></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">As you might be able to tell I totally and utterly loved this book, and think I read the last quarter or so in one sitting oblivious to the world around me. Easily one of my favourite books of 2024 so far. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It is just so so so much fun, from the first couple of chapters until the end I was invested in Kate's love life. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And the rest of her friends, the rest of the hen party, the bants between them is just classic. They love roasting each other, and there are so many funny lines. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Between the four of them after their first night in Vegas, one wakes up in handcuffs, one wakes up with a tattoo, one with no eyebrows and the other apparently got married to her ex -love of her life who broke her heart years ago, but Elvis in a Wedding Chapel, despite her wedding being later that week to her fiancée! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I mean if that alone isn't the makings of a classic rom-com then I don't know what else is. Add in how Trevor is determined not to give Kate the annulment she desperately believes she wants, for various reasons that will become apparent and make sense, a lot of time spent in Vegas and you have a book that hits all the right the boxes for me. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">With action including the Bellagio, Venice, New York, Paris (all on the strip). a famous strip show with an unexpected finale, and a memorable trip to the Grand Canyon, plus a bit of gambling this is totally my sort of book. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I loved every word of it, it's funny, it's refreshing, I knew what outcome I wanted, but was never completely sure how it would end, and some wonderful both romantic and also embarrassing moments, this book was perfect for me! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I am so eager to see what else this author writes, as I think they may have a new fan! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-83615006448057989802024-02-07T07:00:00.032+00:002024-02-07T07:00:00.162+00:00Book Review - Knowing Me Knowing You by Jeevani Charika<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OcyS4MvwCC7LjaBpl7eHo9JkWzCXaP3kaKGo11GxANMoRwCQxo9RQjEg4Z1-KcYfGpSC_pRnRPJLtyHDsSFPgZEiic0g_WHTPs68fNS9VXpCp9DBn7Zozkf5ZK5ZQQyw2q8K_5YWvhaDMWnICQEtuk1_-UL6xCmDWnUtvhiX-cdVKJ4ShHEP-rFa_yuX/s1500/Kmowing%20Me%20Knowing%20You.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OcyS4MvwCC7LjaBpl7eHo9JkWzCXaP3kaKGo11GxANMoRwCQxo9RQjEg4Z1-KcYfGpSC_pRnRPJLtyHDsSFPgZEiic0g_WHTPs68fNS9VXpCp9DBn7Zozkf5ZK5ZQQyw2q8K_5YWvhaDMWnICQEtuk1_-UL6xCmDWnUtvhiX-cdVKJ4ShHEP-rFa_yuX/s320/Kmowing%20Me%20Knowing%20You.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/491qTKJ">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Knowing Me Knowing You</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Jeevani Charika</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: HQ Digital</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 11th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Five years ago, Alex met the man of her dreams on New Year’s Eve – but he never called. Years later, and after a string of failed relationships, she’s given up on men and accepted that ‘New Year’s Eve Guy’ will always be the one who got away.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Until the day he turns up in her office – a management consultant tasked with ‘streamlining’ the company. New Year’s Eve Guy – Gihan – might shut down Alex's team!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Gihan is as just as gorgeous as Alex remembers, and she swears there’s still a connection between them. As she gets to know the real Gihan, will sparks continue to fly – or will Alex have to accept that the man she knew as New Year’s Eve Guy was never real to start with?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Another incredibly enjoyable story from Jeevani Charika, which I was delighted to realise had links to her previous two books, as we get some familiar recurring characters, in addition to the brand new story. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It can easily be read as a standalone as Alex is brand new, and Gihan we didn't really see much of before, and I absolutely loved their meet cute. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Fast forward five years and they meet again, in completely different circumstances, and I loved seeing how their story developed. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But above all I really was fascinated by Alex's research, the medical research and project that if it was real and developed correctly could be so vital to saving people's lives And learning about her personal reason for being so invested in her work was rather touching. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">As was Gihan's as we discover why the project would mean something to him too. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I enjoyed the dynamics between them both and could understand where they were both coming from, even if I really wanted to knock their heads together on multiple occasions. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This is a really enjoyable story, that kept me entertained </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </span></i></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-35571295765929961982024-02-06T07:00:00.003+00:002024-02-06T07:00:00.249+00:00Book Review - The 24 Hour Dating Agency by Mary Jane Baker<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVfhm2itZWVojIbujGNyqRok16XzN3nYCRWoQPf0_B0MmjcAno8-RGonwmtp8GkFH41S7i4_tyNcAKLQ3NY_lh9F_5LYTmfneVMuj6JRK9iib7gar8sHhIMHWW6iwdvMEyUq5FFnXZAZ-4IHsPlgq-XMIp1s1Q9ZPaDxEGYV9gqyG-J82qkJNVrePsuV0/s1500/The%2024%20Hour%20Dating%20Agency.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVfhm2itZWVojIbujGNyqRok16XzN3nYCRWoQPf0_B0MmjcAno8-RGonwmtp8GkFH41S7i4_tyNcAKLQ3NY_lh9F_5LYTmfneVMuj6JRK9iib7gar8sHhIMHWW6iwdvMEyUq5FFnXZAZ-4IHsPlgq-XMIp1s1Q9ZPaDxEGYV9gqyG-J82qkJNVrePsuV0/s320/The%2024%20Hour%20Dating%20Agency.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3RzrQ5S">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: The 24 Hour Dating Agency</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Mary Jane Baker</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Aria</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 30th June 2022</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Tinder, Hinge, Bumble – thirtysomething journalist Saffie has tried them all. Now she's wondering whether it's time to throw in the towel and give up on love for good – and she's not alone...</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Saffie's boss Tamara has been single since her divorce four years ago, but at forty-five, running her own magazine and with three kids at home, she doesn't feel she has the time, energy or confidence to go through the dating mill again. Meanwhile, Saffie's best friend Milo has just been dumped – again. A hopeless romantic with terrible taste in men, this is his fourth break-up in six months. There must be a secret to finding Mr Right, surely – but what?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Step forward The 24-hour Dating Agency, a matchmaking service with a difference. Instead of wasting months on casual dates, they promise to send you on an intense twenty-four-hour date with your perfect match – like speed-dating but in reverse. And even better, the agency offers a soulmate guarantee: meet The One or your money back.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Figuring they have nothing to lose, the three friends sign up. But when their matches turn out to be not what they were expecting, it seems like even the soulmate guarantee can't find them what they're looking for. Or can it?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Kristen Bailey and Beth O'Leary.</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This is so much fun, what a fabulous story, so much fun. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And a 24 hour dating agency is certainly a novel concept and I loved the various dates the three friends all went on. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Of the three matches it was the one for Tamara that I was most enamoured with initially, a man called Harry, who wasn't phased when she had to bring Willow on the date with her, and it lead to some truly wonderful moments. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Milo who recent had broken up with West, who sounded like a nightmare, was paired with someone that he might have upset in the past. I didn't warm to his date at all, nothing wrong with the guy, I just didn't quite get the same connection between them - but the actual concept of the 24 hour date for them was so brilliant. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And then there is Saffie, who really is only going along with this, to hopefully write a feature for the quirky periodical they all work for. But things didn't exactly go according to plan. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I also loved this newspaper they all work for, the features are totally barmy but equally I think it is something I would have enjoyed reading! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This is just a feel good book, with a wonderful cast of characters, some great storylines, and Tamara is ultimately my favourite character, she's just amazing for reasons you will discover when you read this. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">For what was my final book of 2023, I've got to say I've totally finished my reading for the year on a big high! Woohoo! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-65736810298415915552024-02-05T07:00:00.001+00:002024-02-05T07:00:00.135+00:00Book Review - Her Fixer Upper by Emily Kerr - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzhwr9OV1QN_KW-MCo5zJVhWaDFECw4P3x_xlEgK6flKziXHP0Q9OzWokIosoRdcS2jEts2vUSEW2oHzj9M4IIH2xeYyNzlUv15jl3bns6P8cmXmGYelrqXU_UIPcW6MZgMC2v9563jNVfLcQtqTzPfQY4Cqu17VvQ8u13f7yY_Mt_Rt8Htf1XuOJM81b/s1500/Her%20Fixer%20Upper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="980" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzhwr9OV1QN_KW-MCo5zJVhWaDFECw4P3x_xlEgK6flKziXHP0Q9OzWokIosoRdcS2jEts2vUSEW2oHzj9M4IIH2xeYyNzlUv15jl3bns6P8cmXmGYelrqXU_UIPcW6MZgMC2v9563jNVfLcQtqTzPfQY4Cqu17VvQ8u13f7yY_Mt_Rt8Htf1XuOJM81b/s320/Her%20Fixer%20Upper.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3tCJP3x">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Her Fixer Upper</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Emily Kerr</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley </div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: One More Chapter</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 19th May 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Unable to afford their own homes, two friends decide to buy a renovation house together as a project. What could possibly go wrong…?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Freya dreams of owning her own home.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Charlie is struggling to get a mortgage.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>When the two old friends bump into each other on a night out, Charlie jokes that buying together would solve all their problems. He doesn’t expect Freya to say yes, let alone yes to a less-than-perfect fixer upper.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Nobody said renovating their dream home would be easy, but will Charlie and Freya fall out of love with the house, or in love with each other…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>From the winner of the Romantic Comedy award at the Romantic Novelists’ Association awards 2023, this is the perfect feel-good read for fans of Beth O’Leary and Lia Louis.</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">What an enjoyable story this was. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's a friends to lovers rom com, where two old friends decide to buy a house together to fix up, and then sell in order then be able to afford their own houses. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Freya even draws up a list of "rules" that must be adhered to at all times. Including one stating that they can't get involved.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I enjoyed reading about their different approaches to doing up a house, but also their general friendly banter. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It was a pleasure to read, and to see how everything would turn out. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I especially loved the scene with a dog, a care home, and the breaking of some rules. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">This was very light hearted and entertaining to read. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-24009732163384822732024-02-02T07:00:00.006+00:002024-02-02T07:00:00.156+00:00Book Review - The Wedding Dress by Dani Atkins - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z9nvxK9sozLedv2dx8URn5H7I2tfuvkcbKbMXsJClwDZdoP_saeBeZWiMJWRRq4mgyAs75AyvZHWEvhbazEPxZicyLbhdMmFYZGYK6sLQZE-Da_qk9FwZHTn63rEdo_BOZjUy5DiNpy0jG_lzaMk3TuNdKEbhBowW8hyphenhyphenzNTlB-9PQtj_LoWIqW4Vtxdr/s1500/The%20Wedding%20Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="962" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z9nvxK9sozLedv2dx8URn5H7I2tfuvkcbKbMXsJClwDZdoP_saeBeZWiMJWRRq4mgyAs75AyvZHWEvhbazEPxZicyLbhdMmFYZGYK6sLQZE-Da_qk9FwZHTn63rEdo_BOZjUy5DiNpy0jG_lzaMk3TuNdKEbhBowW8hyphenhyphenzNTlB-9PQtj_LoWIqW4Vtxdr/s320/The%20Wedding%20Dress.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41IARyf">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: The Wedding Dress</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Dani Atkins</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Head of Zeus</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 5th August 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>From bestselling author Dani Atkins, a new collection of three irresistible love stories, all linked by one very special dress.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Suzanne is engaged to be married to the man of her dreams – except the lead up to her wedding is beginning to feel more like a nightmare. Can Suzanne uncover the truth about her fiancé ahead of her big day?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Bella's life was on track until the day of the hen party when everything changed. Now she must find the strength to rebuild her future – and decide who she wants to spend it with.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Mandy's grandmother has fallen in love but her family don't approve. For her grandmother's dreams to come true, Mandy has a secret wedding to plan, and a very special dress to find.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>These are the three strangers whose stories are about to be woven together by one perfect wedding dress.</i></span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Once I realised that this was essentially three novellas in one, with a common theme running through them, I settled into reading a lot quicker and whizzed through the book. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I enjoyed all three ladies stories, but I think Bella's was my favourite and will stick with me the longest. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">The descriptions of everything she is going through were so vivid I felt as though I was there with her. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I did also really enjoy Suzanne and Mandy's stories, but in different ways.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It was a clever way to present the book, and by having each lady in a separate part it was a lot easier to connect with each of them, than had they been alternating chapters. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">All resolutions put smiles on my face, and this was just a really wonderful book to read. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Another fantastic bit of storytelling from Dani Atkins. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-54172270051553520642024-02-01T07:00:00.030+00:002024-02-01T07:00:00.250+00:00Book Review - The Time of Her Life by Tracy Bloom - #BlogTour<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIXq0T7qZbUwcvF17UidvlVLjWEprzDcmDDKhAd-OwFZSBq6T9xrTvWDcbsTRJeMYTTuFxF2cqBOi-cbqF8l3gsk3wcxDkG6awj-_y3TASznXldM2WuwxMnAzPk0bJ3X6nIs9tKE7gsF7dB1-tV9fw5AgTgRrTXGottXqtvmZCe6ovT-J-zAkmnhjpWHb/s1500/The%20Time%20of%20Her%20Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="980" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIXq0T7qZbUwcvF17UidvlVLjWEprzDcmDDKhAd-OwFZSBq6T9xrTvWDcbsTRJeMYTTuFxF2cqBOi-cbqF8l3gsk3wcxDkG6awj-_y3TASznXldM2WuwxMnAzPk0bJ3X6nIs9tKE7gsF7dB1-tV9fw5AgTgRrTXGottXqtvmZCe6ovT-J-zAkmnhjpWHb/s320/The%20Time%20of%20Her%20Life.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3GYdyai">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: The Time of Her Life</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Tracy Bloom</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: HarperCollins</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 18th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Starting again never felt so good!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>The worst day of her life could be the best thing that’s ever happened.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Kim Jacobs believes that she is happily married, until her husband tells her he is leaving her. Forced to re-evaluate her life on the same day that her son leaves for university, Kim is shocked to find herself sleeping in the spare room of his college flatshare.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>She never imagined her prime would be spent with a bunch of man-babies, but amongst the empty pizza boxes and unwashed laundry, Kim can feel something starting to happen.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Can her unlikely new housemates help her realise that maybe the best is yet to come?</i></span></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I just wish there were more pages, I could have happily kept on reading this, but I appear to have reached the end. In fact I half wonder if there is the potential for a sequel. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I loved this book so much, it is classic Tracy Bloom, full of real normal sounding people, going through situations that are easy to relate to. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Although that being said not sure how many mums would end up living in their sons student share house, during the first semester of uni, having just found out her husband has been cheating on her with the next door neighbour. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But that is exactly the situation Kim finds herself in, and she is suddenly living with 3 barely adult boys, who are starting on their next phase of life, including her son Harry who is barely speaking to her. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And while Kim is retreating from the life she has known, she gets a job in a chippy to pay rent, and meets some truly lovely people. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">My favourite character was Sonny, he just has a way a about him and he really grew over the course of the book. When we meet him he is a coddled mothers boy who has now idea about just about anything, and has a tendency to over explain things in a really endearing manner and he just develops so well in his first term at uni. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">The other person in the flat share is Angus, who comes across initially as a jack the lad, but soon Kim gets to see another side to him. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And Kim it's like a coming of age story for her too, and it was so lovely to get to know her and as the story progresses sand she stops having a meltdown about the destruction of her marriage and starts to come into her own, it is really heartwarming. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of this which I read incredibly quickly. I was so absorbed in the story that I was lucky not to miss my stop on the tube, and when I did look up was surprised that I had no recollection of stopping many times before that point, I was that interested in what I was reading. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Just fabulous and I do hope there might be a sequel, I feel like there could be more to come from these characters. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-45945234417827367112024-01-31T07:00:00.016+00:002024-01-31T07:00:00.330+00:00Book Review - Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ffl7RMHhj6dP3fstjNiuXzjBBiJhvZNX4F2fjtPjkrwOW3lAsiQawZ6PjfvVWiV0-9gY8EdWsVkU3v5d1non_4Q127qzqCYOI2Op94EI7ZfeiR3AiKmVbB_WDB36I2qxATeWC_xeIi1QeFOl9FIWPCAB3VHYpry3xofQ5KqWuyRET5pNGHmvt-lFOq8R/s1500/Love%20Your%20Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="962" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ffl7RMHhj6dP3fstjNiuXzjBBiJhvZNX4F2fjtPjkrwOW3lAsiQawZ6PjfvVWiV0-9gY8EdWsVkU3v5d1non_4Q127qzqCYOI2Op94EI7ZfeiR3AiKmVbB_WDB36I2qxATeWC_xeIi1QeFOl9FIWPCAB3VHYpry3xofQ5KqWuyRET5pNGHmvt-lFOq8R/s320/Love%20Your%20Life.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/48Lbtua">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Love Your Life</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Sophie Kinsella</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Paperback</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Purchased</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Black Swan</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 24th June 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>I love you . . . but what if I can't love your life?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Ava is sick of online dating. She's always trusted her own instincts over an algorithm, anyway, and she wants a break from it all. So when she signs up to a semi-silent, anonymous writing retreat in glorious Italy, love is the last thing on her mind.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Until she meets a handsome stranger. . . All she knows is that he's funny, he's kind and - she soon learns - he's great in bed. He's equally smitten, and after a whirlwind, intoxicating affair, they pledge their love without even knowing each other's real names.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>But when they return home, reality hits. They're both driven mad by each other's weird quirks and annoying habits, from his eccentric, naked-sauna-loving family to her terribly behaved, shirt-shredding dog. As disaster follows disaster, it seems that while they love each other, they just can't love each other's lives. Can they overcome their differences to find one life, together?</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Another brilliant book from the rom-com queen Sophie Kinsella. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I raced through this story, often in disbelief at Ava and Matt, but generally loving every page of it. It's just the Ava is slightly delusional especially when talking to her friends or herself, about the true nature of her relationship with Matt. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Don't get me wrong love both characters, it's just they are complete and utter opposites, who believed they had a love at first sight connection on a writers retreat, where until the flight home they didn't know each others names or anything that would potentially be covered in regular small talk. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But they are totally into each other, and I loved their connection, and they definitely had one.. but the nitty gritty of life and they are in totally different orbits. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Which is what makes this book so amusing, as they try to come to terms with their relationship in the real world, and we also get to know their friends really well. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">There is a great mix of characters in this, and I have to say I've not encountered Matt's family business before, and half of me would have liked to know more. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's such an enjoyable story and it's classic Kinsella. </span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-85305124928248927412024-01-30T07:00:00.020+00:002024-01-30T07:00:00.247+00:00Book Review - Picture Perfect by Laurie Ellingham<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Jnk9VNFE0le7-fZWMlui3RJ1UGmrPrxd53S6opRbOHl_mhBz3g4KaVHkYv3KPrwzSeBpEWttCGxR0q_tThyphenhyphentON4LITYZdcr1ycgKq4LwTM0xdPt8paKIEtKhIb9Qbf4qooqp3iNHjaF3Npqd3XRcHQtn6GECi064rQGYDcH15Z_zSDWKv7cdDoxNqJI/s1500/Picture%20Perfect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Jnk9VNFE0le7-fZWMlui3RJ1UGmrPrxd53S6opRbOHl_mhBz3g4KaVHkYv3KPrwzSeBpEWttCGxR0q_tThyphenhyphentON4LITYZdcr1ycgKq4LwTM0xdPt8paKIEtKhIb9Qbf4qooqp3iNHjaF3Npqd3XRcHQtn6GECi064rQGYDcH15Z_zSDWKv7cdDoxNqJI/s320/Picture%20Perfect.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3SgtLy6">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Picture Perfect</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Laurie Ellingham</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Orion Dash</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 19th January 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>To her ten thousand Instagram followers, Becca has the perfect life: three beautiful children, a gorgeous house, a successful husband and a thriving interior design business... But in unfiltered reality, Becca's life is just one giant mess. Her children are completely out of control and her marriage is crumbling.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>With the summer holidays looming, Becca is horrified to discover that she must spend nine weeks alone with her unruly children. Nine weeks of complete mayhem!</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>In despair, Becca reaches out to social media influencer - the Toddler Tamer. Could she be the one to save the summer... and the whole family?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Hilarious, true to life and totally relatable, Picture Perfect is the perfect summer read.</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I would never like to call children, little monsters, unruly or out of control, but well that is certainly the first impression you get of Olly (8) and 4 year old twins Matilda and Ben. They seem to have absolutely no respect for their mother, Becca, and on one level it's surprising to read about children that aren't perfect, that are just real - and on the other level, it really does make for a hilarious and entertaining book. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I couldn't help but smile at lots of their antics, but Becca is at the of her rope, especially when her support systems all abandon her for the school summer holidays. So she reaches out to The Toddler Tamer, to see if she can help. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And what a journey The Toddler Tamer (or Sasha as she is actually called), takes Becca and her children on. The best way to describe Sasha and her techniques is to think of Jo Frost and her Super Nanny programmes. I definitely felt that she came from that school of child behaviour management, and as a result there is a massive journey of self development for Becca, as she needs to grow in confidence as a mother. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Laurie Ellingham writes children very well, I really did grow to love all three of these children, and their family dynamics. I have a feeling that parents of young children will really be able to identify with parts of this book, and I could picture everything so clearly. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's just an easy feel good entertaining read. I loved it. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Orion Dash and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-49256798063244967422024-01-29T07:00:00.005+00:002024-01-29T07:00:00.289+00:00Book Review - The Cherrywood Murders by Penny Blackwell - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZXlXe8HqqxumCACWxzBnilFVcgc7LbXzGubid_ZsCVoQlb7vSc7pGPGqPR9NDDoQlbz8LL2OA1AWpjgKHKukti2reTRmISz-JfJIZj7fdxElnh2lAeK1CqXMv23H-s4DgwMKHFdUBTLug7nk7GvFgtZIzcv1Rsm9vIKCDUve-Lmk8TDr-oHDibpOGSkZ/s1500/The%20Cherrywood%20Murders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZXlXe8HqqxumCACWxzBnilFVcgc7LbXzGubid_ZsCVoQlb7vSc7pGPGqPR9NDDoQlbz8LL2OA1AWpjgKHKukti2reTRmISz-JfJIZj7fdxElnh2lAeK1CqXMv23H-s4DgwMKHFdUBTLug7nk7GvFgtZIzcv1Rsm9vIKCDUve-Lmk8TDr-oHDibpOGSkZ/s320/The%20Cherrywood%20Murders.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3H09juQ">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: The Cherrywood Murders</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Penny Blackwell</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Headline Accent</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 25th May 2023</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>It has been a year since Tess had to trade the hustle and bustle of London life for pulling pints and moonlighting as a Cher impersonator in a backwater country pub.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>The sleepy Yorkshire village of Cherrywood would always be home, but a return to rural life wasn't quite the path she'd paved for herself. Still, being back with her oldest friends, Raven and Oliver, was a definite upside and she was beginning to settle into the slower pace.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>That is until Clemmie Ackroyd, a stalwart member of the community, is brutally murdered. Ruled a robbery gone wrong, it's an open-and-shut case for the police, but something isn't quite adding up for Tess.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Then an unexpected face from the past shows up in the village, pointing fingers, and Tess finds herself resolving to get to the bottom of Clemmie's death - even if that means getting up to her neck in jam, Jerusalem and deadly secrets at the Women's Guild . . .</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">There was one moment in this book that had me completely and utterly laughing out loud. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Besides that it was a rather surprising cosy mystery, where everyone in Cherrywood seems like they could be a suspect and they definitely all have things they are hiding. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Some rather more sinister than others. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It was a tricky initial murder to solve that Tess was sure the police had arrested the wrong person, but equally really wasn't sure who had murdered Clemmie. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But teaming up with the person she had never wanted to see again, starts to get them well some answers and more questions. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's a well written book and a great start to a brand new series. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Headline Accent and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-71176062224526011492024-01-26T07:00:00.001+00:002024-01-26T07:00:00.331+00:00Book Review - The Housewife's Secret by Anna-Lou Weatherley - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhyphenhyphenjqZKE5JZ-QsRYjKouGS6-rd_agr9jr9dSgOdC1vhsNGredk2wiqSBfbOdS8Lzy1jb5c7OpZyd95Gz7nk8mS_OER_RAssg14DRI5tx0VdgWmDcyTludhF-LNt7_RsUJq2XuuHqwO7OmPvDOugPlFrJLn2aRxK9Tk3PHKw70hbxebdoViy7kU1av5waH/s1500/The%20Housewifes%20Secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhyphenhyphenjqZKE5JZ-QsRYjKouGS6-rd_agr9jr9dSgOdC1vhsNGredk2wiqSBfbOdS8Lzy1jb5c7OpZyd95Gz7nk8mS_OER_RAssg14DRI5tx0VdgWmDcyTludhF-LNt7_RsUJq2XuuHqwO7OmPvDOugPlFrJLn2aRxK9Tk3PHKw70hbxebdoViy7kU1av5waH/s320/The%20Housewifes%20Secret.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/48fiMu9">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: The Housewife's Secret</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Anna-Lou Weatherley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: Bookouture</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 12th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 5 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>I cast my eyes over the impressive meal I’ve cooked and the half-empty crystal wine glasses. As our guests smile graciously, I squeeze my husband’s shoulder. It’s vital I get his friends to like me. To believe this version of me. Because I’ll do anything to stop them learning the truth…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Ever since I met my handsome husband Dr Gabe Bonneville, I started playing the role of the perfect housewife. He works hard as a surgeon, so I look after our home, and throw elaborate dinner parties with champagne cocktails for his best friends Hugh and Anita. He’s my safe place and my chance to have the family I’ve always wanted.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>I’ve managed to hide the mornings when I wake up and see a face in the shadows. I haven’t told Gabe the truth about the woman who raised me, or told him about the therapy I’ve been getting so my secrets stay hidden in the dark. I haven’t questioned his past so he doesn’t ask about mine. I see the way Anita looks at him sometimes, but I’ll never say a word.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Until the letter arrives at the front door. The beautiful, expensive card shakes in my hand as I read the neat black handwriting.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Someone knows I’m not just a housewife. And the lies I’ve told will be all that’s left when I disappear…</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and The Housemaid will be gripped by this unputdownable thriller and its non-stop twists and turns! A breathtaking ride from the very first chapter to the explosive ending.</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">What a book! Was totally gripped and it allowed me to take my mind off the excessive turbulence of the flight I was on, in order to devour the second half of this book. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">We get to really know missing person Darcie, with her story being told in multiple time lines. I really felt sorry for her and her past, and was also terrified for her. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And I can't believe that Dan Riley just from hearing the bare bones of this missing persons case, was happy to give up some of his annual leave, when he was due to go on holiday with his family, in order to get stuck into the case. Although I think everyone is glad that he did. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">From the police perspective there is initially very little to go on at all, and it was interesting seeing how they investigated. And good to catch up with Dan's team too. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And that conclusion, just wow! I was totally hooked on this book and think it may be the best book so far in the series. Utterly gripping, I couldn't get enough of it. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-21461282501136833352024-01-25T07:00:00.024+00:002024-01-25T07:00:00.133+00:00Book Review - The Secret Book Club by Shauna Robinson<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRGSHy_xdEsK7Rzn36eODiNxFulV4O4VAxJpnK8iPrwbYpBx8Tdme7AYvirKX9dY1nL27IMpsShGaoxIh5nGjxmmaXBzNAzCnnyJIubCTJ5A8KU8She9xuvkTkgpapWKlp4aNgcfxbtnon7Vpdhx2z-eq-wDBrbp6GwjiLpGZWmmapUgOTUvqG3Gkfp3/s1500/The%20Secret%20Book%20Club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRGSHy_xdEsK7Rzn36eODiNxFulV4O4VAxJpnK8iPrwbYpBx8Tdme7AYvirKX9dY1nL27IMpsShGaoxIh5nGjxmmaXBzNAzCnnyJIubCTJ5A8KU8She9xuvkTkgpapWKlp4aNgcfxbtnon7Vpdhx2z-eq-wDBrbp6GwjiLpGZWmmapUgOTUvqG3Gkfp3/s320/The%20Secret%20Book%20Club.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4aJd4Cm">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: The Secret Book Club</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Shauna Robinson</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: One More Chapter</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 18th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Maggie Banks loves books. And running a bookstore sounds like the best job in the world. Except in Bell River, a place that refuses to let her sell anything written this century.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>But in Maggie's world, book rules are made to be broken.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>And what better way to break tradition than by starting an underground book club. But keeping her new club quiet, selling forbidden books and dodging the strict literary society is proving harder than it seems. Especially when Maggie unearths a secret that could upend everything…</i></span></span></div></div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Bell River is both a totally fabulous location for a book, but equally between the town, the Bell society, and all of the various rules in place by Ralph, I do sometimes wonder if I was almost reading about a cult. </span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">Or at least the setting of a rather disturbing film, as there is something just so creepy about the hero worship of author Edward Bell. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">He wrote his most famous book in the town, and as a result it thrives on tourism of people that are fans of the man, and thanks to the Bell Society, the bookshop in town that Maggie is looking after, it's only allowed to sell books that were around before Edward's death. So nothing recent, and predominately classics. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">However Maggie who is doing a favour for a friend and looking after the shop for a few months, is a bit of a rule breaker, and well things start to get interesting. She's also just discovering an absolute love of books, and that is fabulous to see. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I absolutely loved the secret events Maggie set up, and if I was in town I would have happily gone to them, they sounded amazing. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">However I never really gelled with the love interest in this story, I just couldn't really feel anything for him, and although I could see they were building a connection, it felt more platonic to me! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I loved hating the obvious bad guy, and seeing Maggie develop as a character and find out what she may truly want from life is inspiring. .</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And above all it is clear to me that with the two books I've now read, that Shauna Robinson really really loves books! </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322833747699564619.post-83626964434585645192024-01-24T07:00:00.001+00:002024-01-24T07:00:00.136+00:00Book Review - Once Upon An Algorithm by Clara O'Connor - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span>The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: small;">Affiliate</span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span> link.</span></span></p><h4><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO9J2Hh7jWTWF6hBC28b7OtQbgGFr8MUnGALZT5vDROSvFuI2G5SsJRy3ny5Dl7zaMCoBRxTvMrY4jWl2O6m-BrEw-7A6csYRMpYG4v76Fc1bitJPe7Ghz5VKmjUP5gI9JGzngGfbAKZ1p8G5toKbOke4NW2oyBW-2eJOOn7wMih_ce5UMhycbfONygr1/s1500/Once%20Upon%20An%20Algorithm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO9J2Hh7jWTWF6hBC28b7OtQbgGFr8MUnGALZT5vDROSvFuI2G5SsJRy3ny5Dl7zaMCoBRxTvMrY4jWl2O6m-BrEw-7A6csYRMpYG4v76Fc1bitJPe7Ghz5VKmjUP5gI9JGzngGfbAKZ1p8G5toKbOke4NW2oyBW-2eJOOn7wMih_ce5UMhycbfONygr1/s320/Once%20Upon%20An%20Algorithm.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4aAflzV">Amazon UK</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: purple;"><br />Title: Once Upon An Algorithm</span></div><span style="color: purple;"><div style="text-align: center;">Author: Clara O'Connor</div><div style="text-align: center;">Format reviewed: Ebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">Source: Netgalley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publisher: One More Chapter</div><div style="text-align: center;">Publication Date: 19th January 2024</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rating: 4 Stars</div></span></h4><div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>What do you do when your mortifying Friday night blind date is sitting opposite you at your desk on Monday morning?</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>A hot blind date in Paris with no strings? Practical Leonie would never do such a thing! But when a new dating app that uses science and logic leads her to gorgeous, so-not-her-type Jack the chemistry is off the charts.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Only, when the morning after proves that opposites definitely don’t attract, Leonie is relieved they never need to see each other again.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Until she starts her new job and there he is, sitting in the boss’s office, the man behind the best and worst night of her life.</i></span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">A really enjoyable first book that I have read of Clara O'Connor's.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I'm rather partial to a STEM romance and this is set in the world of tech, social media app start ups and bother main characters are involved in the project. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">It's just that Leonie is only helping as a favour to her step brother Ed to help him get out of a mess, and well a few weeks earlier she had a hot encounter with Jack, in Paris and now they appear to be working together. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">And Ed is making her lie to Jack too, which is never a good sign. There is plenty of sexual chemistry within these pages, and Leonie is convinced that there is no way that Jack could be right for her. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;">I found this really entertaining, and although I was slightly confused by some of the ending, I still really enjoyed the book. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.8px;"><i>Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. </i></span></span></div></div></div>Gilbsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034543593791112122noreply@blogger.com0