Book Review - Finding Love at the Christmas Market by Jo Thomas - Blog Tour - #HolidayReading Malta

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Title: Finding Love at the Christmas Market

Author: Jo Thomas

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 24th September 

Rating: 5 Stars

Cosy up with the new Christmas book from best-selling author Jo Thomas

Residential-home caterer Connie has had one online-dating disaster too many. Hurt in the past and with her son to consider, now she's feeling hesitant. Then one of Connie's residents sets her up on a date at a beautiful German Christmas market - with the promise she'll take a mini-bus full of pensioners with her...

Amongst the twinkling lights and smell of warm gingerbread in the old market square, Connie heads off on her date with a check-list of potential partner must-haves. Baker Henrich ticks all the boxes, but when Connie meets Henrich's rival William, she starts to wonder if ticking boxes is the answer.

Will Connie's wish for love this Christmas come true, and if so - with who?

Now that is what I call a Christmas book. I've just devoured this wonderful festive story, in 33 degree heat in Malta, and now want to go around wishing everyone a merry Christmas.

This is a book that just oozes festive feeling,  and I love how it's also allowed a group of pensioners to rediscover their love of Christmas too.

Between two German Christmas markets, two very different German men, a deaf dog, Christmas jumpers, a donkey, gingerbread, singing, dancing and a big bake off between the two towns you have all the ingredients and more for a fabulous festive book. 

I had such a great sense of place from this story,  and I adored all the characters. This has all the heart and love I've come to expect from a Jo Thomas novel, and so much more besides.

This will easily be one of my favourite Christmas books of the year. I could have kept reading it for so much longer had i not run out of pages.

Read in one sitting over about 3 hours this transported me to the German Christmas markets, made me remember my own visit to them, and generally had me grinning like a loon throughout.

If you read one book this Christmas then make it this one!

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

Please follow along with the other bloggers on this blog tour too. 

Book Review - The Perfect Couple by Jackie Kabler - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Perfect Couple

Author: Jackie Kabler

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 25th June 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

The perfect couple…or the perfect lie?
A year and a half ago, Gemma met the love of her life, Danny. Since then, their relationship has been like something out of a dream. But one Friday evening, Gemma returns home to find Danny is nowhere to be seen.

After two days with no word from her husband, Gemma turns to the police. She is horrified by what she discovers – a serial killer is on the loose in Bristol. When she sees the photos of the victims she is even more stunned…they all look just like Danny.

But, the police aren’t convinced by Gemma’s story. Why has no one apart from Gemma seen or heard from Danny in weeks? Why is there barely a trace of him in their flat? Is she telling them the truth, or are there more secrets and lies in this marriage than meets the eye?

Jackie Kabler is going from strength to strength with each book she writes. 

This is a story that kept throwing in mini OMG hooks to keep you turning the pages, and has me second guessing everything. 

In fact the book is written from two perspectives, Gemma who is reporting her husband missing, and the police, who are already looking into two murders of men that look quite similar, and have no idea what to think when it turns out Gemma's husband also looks like the two victims. 

As I was reading each point of view in alternating chapters, my thoughts as to what exactly was going on flip flopped continually.  Such was how convinced I was by both viewpoints that I couldn't really work out which may be accurate. 

Much less just how the murderer was or where the missing husband may be or why. 

The Perfect Couple screwed with my head, in a way that had me reading on, unable to put the book down, as I needed to know the truth!

Very addictive and compelling read. 

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

Book Review - The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The New Guy

Author: Kathryn Freeman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 11th June 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Sam Huxton doesn’t do one-night stands, especially not with men she’s just met! But the hot guy at the bar was hard to resist and their one night together is one she’ll never forget.

But one night is all they share – no names, no numbers, just some much needed fun…

Until the same guy walks into Sam’s life the next day as her new employee.  Sam never mixes business with pleasure and makes it clear an office fling with Ryan is off-limits.  But after-hours…one thing can lead to another. Can Sam trust her heart and her business with the new guy?

Ever had a one night stand where no names were exchanged, only to come into work the next day, to discover the new guy, the one you didn't interview despite being the boss, due to a family emergency, is in fact the one you slept with the night before?

Honestly having seen how Sam and  Ryan react in that exact situation, I'm very glad it hasn't happened to me! 

Written with Kathryn Freeman's usual amounts of sexual chemistry, banter, amusing dialogue and just generally people that feel realistic, it is another gem of a book from this fabulous author. 

I loved the setting of a an app company, was different and I found quite interesting, and I loved all the others that work alongside Sam and Ryan. 

Ryan is a straight talking guy even if it gets him into trouble, while Sam has been hurt by work place relations before and is understandably cautious.  

I throughout enjoyed seeing how this story developed and was rooting for Sam and Ryan the whole time. 

Another wonderfully entertaining story from an author that I love. 

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

Book Review - Lost and Found in Paris by Sasha Wagstaff - #HolidayReading

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Title: Lost and Found in Paris

Author: Sasha Wagstaff

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo Escape

Publication Date: 4th April 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Sophie Marchant needs a lucky break. First her boyfriend announces that, far from wanting to get engaged, he’s off to Dubai for work. Then, in Paris, her mother goes missing.

Feeling totally lost and with nothing to lose, Sophie travels back to her childhood home for the first time in five years to help find her mother and look after the family macaron shop in Paris. It should be a dream gig, but when it comes to family - and love - nothing is ever that simple, especially when there’s a sexy, complicated ex involved...

Can Sophie find her mother? Can she find herself again? Who is she truly in love with? Maybe Paris, the gorgeous city of romance can help her figure all of this out…  

Lost and Found in Paris is a triumph, a brilliant and moving tale of love, family and heartbreak, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jenny Oliver and Tilly Tennant

Well I wasn't completely expecting that ending, what a great way to finish the book, and potentially set up a sequel!! 

But before that we have a really enjoyable story, of Sophie Marchant who has returned to Paris after 5 years, when she left in a rush determined not to return, in order to help her twin sister Eloise look for their mother who has gone AWOL. 

The shocks keep coming for Sophie, as she discovers her ex is now working for her mother in the macaron shop, and that she needs to spend large amounts of time with the sexy Raff to try to work out where her mum is. But in the meantime, well the old spark is still there. 

Seeing Sophie re-discover her love of Paris, gives us a great tour of the city of love, and there is plenty of delicious sounding French food mentioned too, not to mention all the many flavours of macarons. 

This is a treat of a book, that has you rooting for Sophie and Raff, and there are some memorable characters, and it really is a lovely story line too. 

Thoroughly enjoyed what was the last book of my holiday, and can't wait for the authors next book. It's full of romance, food, Paris, sexy men, and just made me smile. 

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

Book Review - What Happens Now? by Sophia Money-Coutts - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: What Happens Now?

Author: Sophia Money-Coutts

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 16th April 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

‘No question about it, there are two little purple lines. I’m pregnant.’

After eight years together, Lil Bailey thought she’d already found ‘the one’ – that is, until he dumped her for a blonde twenty-something colleague. So she does what any self-respecting singleton would do: swipes right, puts on her best bra and finds herself on a first date with a handsome mountaineer called Max. What’s the worst that can happen?

Well it’s pretty bad actually. First Max ghosts her and then, after weeing on a stick (but mostly her hands), a few weeks later Lil discovers she’s pregnant. She’s single, thirty-one and living in a thimble-sized flat in London, it’s hardly the happily-ever-after she was looking for.

Lil’s ready to do the baby-thing on her own – it can’t be that hard, right? But she should probably tell Max, if she can track him down. Surely he’s not that Max, the highly eligible, headline-grabbing son of Lord and Lady Rushbrooke, currently trekking up a mountain in South Asia? Oh, maybe he wasn’t ignoring Lil after all…  

Hilarious, from the opening few pages until the last, this is fabulous writing. Although I should say I was on the verge of tears of happiness towards the end too, but other than that I was laughing. 

This is an author that is not afraid to show what being a woman is really like, from the rather too graphic description of childbirth, to self pleasuring, which doesn't seem to appear that often in books.. and a whole lot in between..

... its a no holds barred look at the 9 months from accidentally conceiving a child with a one night stand, and everything that may happen in between. 

It feels very honest, and quite eye opening as someone who hasn't been pregnant. 

I also loved the school that Lil was working at, I can really picture it so well, and the class she has is fabulous!

All of Lil's friends and family are fabulous too, and it is really hard not to like Max despite of the initial ghosting. 

Even better than her first book, I absolutely adored this book and had a good few hours of pure enjoyment from it. 

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

Book Review - All Summer With You by Beth Good - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: All Summer With You

Author: Beth Good

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

There's no place like home...

Nursing a broken heart, Jennifer Bolitho retreats to Pixie Cottage. Her new landlord - a former soldier turned movie heartthrob - has grounds so large, she's sure the little house nestled in the woods will bring her solitude.

Alex Delgardo also has reasons to hide away. Seeking refuge after a tragic incident turned his world upside down, he knows that the most important thing now is to care for his ailing family.

But when Jennifer enters their lives, that changes. Because, as they both learn, you can't heal others until you learn to heal yourself..

Well I was under the spell of this book from the opening chapter,  where we meet Baby the Escapee goat.  And Jennifer whose cottage its got into. 

Jennifer is hiding from the world and trying to heal her broken heart.  She's very into Cornish folklore, and the stories she tells are fascinating. 

Not looking for love but when has that ever stopped your heart.  

Meeting Nelly and Alex is life changing and I was delighted to see how Jennifer developed over the course of the story. 

Such warm writing that had me gripped.  I was barely able to put the book down I was enjoying it that much.  

It was great to be back in Pethporro and I hope to be able to visit this charming Cornish village again in the future.

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

Book Review - Villa of Sun and Secrets by Jennifer Bohnet - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: Villa of Sun and Secrets

Author: Jennifer Bohnet

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 8th August 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

It's never too late to live the dream...

Carla Sullivan’s 50th birthday is fast approaching when her whole world is turned upside down. Discovering her feckless husband is having yet another affair and following her mother’s death, she is in need of an escape. Finding an envelope addressed to her mother’s estranged sister Josette in the South of France gives Carla the perfect plan.

Seizing the moment, she packs her bags and heads to Antibes to seek out the enigma known as Tante Josette. But as the two women begin to forge a tentative relationship, family secrets start to unravel, forcing Carla to question her life as she has always known it.

A heart-warming tale on the beautiful French Riviera, which will keep you guessing. Perfect for the fans of Jill Mansell and Fern Britton.

Well there is a title that completely sums up the book, there is a villa that is key to the story, its set in the South of France in summer, so loads of sun.... and secrets....

...wow, that family is hiding a lot of secrets for many many years.  Aunt Josette has been cut off from her family for many years, but when her twin sister Amelia dies, and niece Carla comes to visit, well she knows its only a matter of time before the truth will out. 

There is such a lovely feel to this story, its, warm, had me smiling and gasping. 

I loved that it featured older characters, and how Carla is finally fed up of her cheating husband and is determined to start a new life for herself. 

Although I don't think anyone would be able to predict how different Carla's life would be by the end of the book compared with the start. 

It's a story that kept me on my toes and I couldn't stop reading it, determined to find out more the whole time. 

Just a really lovely story, and just what I've come to expect from this fabulous author. 

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

Book Review - The Fall and Rise of Sadie McQueen by Juliet Ashton - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Fall and Rise of Sadie McQueen

Author: Juliet Ashton

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 26th December 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

It doesn't look like much from the outside, but Cherry Blossom Mews is a miraculous place. It's somewhere that finds you, rather than the other way around.

Sadie McQueen has leased a double fronted space in this small cul de sac in a culturally diverse corner of central London. The cobbles muffle the noise of double-deckers roaring past the arched gates. Turn right and you are in a futuristic maze of corporate glass monoliths. Turn left and you see a wide street with many different houses. Towering above the mews are the degenerating tower blocks of an infamous estate. The old folks home and the nearby school are both in need of TLC; the private members' club that set up shop in a listed Georgian building has been discreetly refurbished at huge expense.

Into this confusion comes Sadie. She fell in love with the street the moment she first twisted her ankle on its cobbles. Her double-fronted unit is now a spa. She has sunk all her money into the lease and refurbishment. She's sunk all her hope into the carefully designed treatment rooms, the calm white reception space, the bijou flat carved out of the floor above.

Sadie has a mission to connect. To heal herself from tragedy. Sadie has wrapped the mews around her like a warm blanket, after unimaginable loss and unimaginable guilt. Her hard-won peace is threatened, not only by the prospect of the mews going under but by a man aptly named Hero who wakes up her comatose heart. 
Sadie has a lot to give, and a lot to learn, not least that some ghosts aren't ghosts at all.

What a book this is as it takes you on a journey of ups and downs in the life of Sadie McQueen. 

And also the rest of the residents of The Cherry Blossom Mews,  The book is written so that each chapter features their next weekly residents meeting which they take turns to hold, and allows us to really get to know all the residents of the Mews in a great way.

Sadie is the main character and she has a tragic backstory and its trying to overcome certain things in her life. There are elements of what happens involving her in the book that had me gasping out loud. 

There are so many threads of story-line and I really enjoyed all of them.  All the characters have distinct personalities, and I loved getting to know them all. 

This is a sensitively written, at times emotional, and generally heartwarming story. Although I'd expect nothing less from this always enjoyable author.

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

Book Review - The Summer House in Santorini by Samantha Parks - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Summer House in Santorini

Author: Samantha Parks

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter 

Publication Date: 7th August 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

One summer in Greece will change everything…

Anna’s running away. From a failed relationship, a dead-end career and a complicated family life.

On the island of Santorini, with its picturesque villas, blue-tiled roofs, and the turquoise waters of the Aegean lapping at the white sand beaches, Anna inherits a less-than-picturesque summer house from her estranged father.

As she rebuilds the house, she rebuilds her life, uncovering family secrets along the way that will change everything. She soon starts to fall for her little slice of paradise, as well as for gorgeous, charming Nikos.

Will Anna lose her heart in more ways than one?

Brimming with secrets and sunlight, this is the perfect holiday read for fans of Alex Brown, Jill Mansell and Sue Moorcroft.

I adored all the descriptions of Santorini, the Greek food, the landscapes and most of all the Summer House itself. 

Anna was not expecting to inherit this summer house from her estranged father, who she has been brought up to hate. Much less does she have any desire to go to Greece, meet her paternal grandparents and sort this inheritance out. 

But after she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her, and loses her job, off to Santorini is a far better plan. 

It's a story of a woman falling in love with not only a man, as there is of course a Greek Adonis figure to drool over, but of her falling in love with a country, although admittedly neither of those are quick. 

As Anna renovates the house ready for a sale, she makes some very good new friends, discovers the truth about her father, and starts to learn more about herself too. 

A very enjoyable debut novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author writes next. 

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

Book Review - From Here To Nashville by Julie Stock - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: From Here To Nashville

Author: Julie Stock

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Clued Up Publishing

Publication Date: 16th February 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Two worlds, 4,000 miles apart. Is their love strong enough to keep them together?

Rachel Hardy dreams of being a successful country music singer in Nashville's Music City, four thousand miles away from her lonely life in Dorset. When Jackson Phillips, an independent record label owner, encourages her band to audition for a nationwide 'Open Mic' competition, she decides they have nothing to lose.

But when she starts to fall in love with Jackson, the stakes suddenly get higher and she finds herself with a great big dilemma on her hands. Should she abandon her dream and take the easy way out or should she leave the life she has always known behind and take a gamble on a man who has personal demons of his own?

Follow Rachel and Jackson as they learn to trust in love again to see whether their music really can unite them.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whirlwind romance.

If you love instant chemistry and a story that builds on a first meeting at rather quick speed, both in terms of romance but also in terms of dreams possibly coming true then this is definitely the book for you. 

I loved everything about Rachel and Jackson's story,  the way Rachel could suddenly have her dream of going to Nashville fulfilled and a whole lot more besides. 

Of course it isn't plain sailing at all, and there were times where I was frustrated by both of our leads. 

I love Julie Stock's writing style and the way she tells a story. to the chemistry between her characters.  

Its just a lovely upbeat escapist read that I was hooked on, and found myself turning the pages far too fast!

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

Book Review - The Royal Bodyguard by Lindsay Emory - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Royal Bodyguard

Author: Lindsay Emory

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Eternal

Publication Date: 12th November 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Let Lindsay Emory whisk you away on another romantic, glamorous and royal adventure in The Royal Bodyguard!

Filled with all the intrigue, romance and mystery that made readers fall in love with The Royal Runaway, this is perfect for fans of The Princess Diaries and The Royal We with a splash of James Bond and The Bourne Identity. Now optioned for film!

When Princess Caroline of Drieden of the Royal House Laurent eloped with a race car driver, she forfeited her royal title and her family.

Now a widow and exiled from Drieden, Caroline is working as a journalist, writing exposes under a pen name. When, one day, she catches sight of her sister Thea's ex-fiancé, she's stunned - Christian is supposed to be dead. Here could be the scoop of the century.

But Caroline's plans to uncover Christian's deception are foiled by the arrival of Hugh Konnor - her former bodyguard and Caroline's first - unrequited - love. When Hugh stubbornly refuses to leave her side, Caroline can't deny they make a good team.

As they unravel a web of deception that could bring down the House of Laurent, Caroline must decide how far she's willing to go to protect a family she feels deserted her - and whether the man who swore to guard her body can safely hold her heart.

As a massive fan of The Royal Runaway, I was incredibly excited to read this new Royal book, and it did not disappoint one bit. 

I just wish I'd read them closer together as some of it may have been easier to catch up with, but other than that this could easily be read as a standalone.

This time its Caroline in the spotlight, and we see just what a disgraced Princess of Drieden really gets up to. 

I loved the continuation of a story-line from the first book, while also giving this book a slightly different feel and perspective, given this is not your typical dutiful princess. 

And since she has been living in exile, a whole bunch of familiar faces suddenly arriving in town is not what she wanted, much less when the plot thickens and all manner of lives may be at risk. 

I enjoyed her interactions with the troublesome bodyguard that she propositioned many years ago, and it was fun to see how that bit of the story played out. 

I really did love every last second of this book, that is fast paced, and keeps you on your toes, while you try to work out just who may or may not be double crossing each other. 

It was also interesting to see more of the family from the non royal side of the family, and I loved the references to American women wanting to marry their own Prince, a clear nod to Harry and Meghan. 

Thoroughly enjoyable and I'm sure this isn't the last we have seen of Drieden or this particular royal family.  Just please don't make us wait as long for the next book. 

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

Book Review - Summer Under The Stars by Catherine Ferguson - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: Summer Under The Stars

Author: Catherine Ferguson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 13th May 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Daisy’s had a tough year. After losing her mother and struggling with a job she hates, she really needs a break.

So, when her boyfriend suggests a summer getaway, Daisy jumps at the chance, organising a romantic trip to her friend Clemmy’s new glamping site. What better to help her heal than long walks in the fresh air and sipping prosecco under the stars?

But Daisy didn’t realise Toby hates all things outdoorsy – he’s far more bothered about working on the WiFi than walking in the wilderness. And when Toby isn’t there for Daisy when she needs him most, she starts to question whether he really is The One… especially with writer Jake distracting her from across the lake.

Will this be the relaxing getaway Daisy was hoping for? Or is this summer destined to end in disaster…?

Daisy's boyfriend is a nightmare, He clearly doesn't care about her, is ungrateful for the surprise trip and amusingly doesn't like the countryside. 

I say amusingly as the scene with the bee is hilarious, as are his attempts to rid the glamping yurt from all creepy crawlies!

While Daisy absolutely loves being in and amongst the great outdoors, and is generally having a really tough time of it, after her mother died. 

She did though pick this glamping spot for their week away with an ulterior motive, which really does drive the story and add a great deal of depth to it. 

I also loved that Poppy and Roxy from previous Catherine Ferguson books were featured, I always love catching up with old characters even in passing, when a fan of an author. 

I found this to be a very quick and incredibly enjoyable book, and I loved every second of it. 

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

Book Review - Hattie's Home For Broken Hearts by Tilly Tennant - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: Hattie's Home For Broken Hearts

Author: Tilly Tennant

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 10th July 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Escape to the daisy-strewn windswept Dorset cliffs, to the donkey sanctuary at Sweet Briar Farm, where Hattie Rose is about to find, that in this world, the most unlikely opposites can sometimes attract …

Hattie was once thrilled to call the beautiful city of Paris her home. But when her heart is broken by her boyfriend and she loses her dream job, she bids farewell to the city of love and hurries home to Gillypuddle, a sleepy village on the Dorset coast. But as she returns home she finds her parents struggling to cope with a terrible family tragedy.

In a desperate search for a new start, Hattie takes a job at the donkey sanctuary nearby on Sweet Briar Farm where Jo, the taciturn owner, certainly loves her animals far more than humans. Hattie can’t help but fall in love with the donkeys (and the opportunity to get close to dreamy Canadian vet Seth) but Jo is harder to get to know and when she finds her boss sobbing in her sleep one stormy night, she knows that her new friend is hiding a dark secret.

And when handsome newspaper reporter Owen does some digging into Jo’s past he finds something that connects her to Hattie on a whole new level. Can Hattie trust what Owen says, especially when he seems intent on standing in the way of her blossoming romance with Seth? And can Hattie help Jo to start healing and the donkeys of Sweet Briar Farm?

A beautiful story that will melt the hardest of hearts. If you love Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Josie Silver you will be enchanted by this life-affirming read that reminds you that home is wherever the people you love are.

I really enjoyed getting to know Hattie, and seeing just why she decides to work at a donkey sanctuary, with a woman who the locals have nicknamed Medusa. 

It is clear that Hattie has a very big heart and loves animals, and that she would love to make the sanctuary a success, if only Jo wasn't so set against all of her ideas and suggestions. 

There are a couple of love interests too, a journalist who has some interesting ideas for dates, and the incredibly sexy vet. 

This was a charming story, filled with some laughs, some interestingly named children, great characters, adorable animals and just a great feel to it. 

I had a lovely time reading this book, and I can't wait to see what Tilly Tennant writes next. 

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

Book Review - Half A World Away by Mike Gayle - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Title: Half A World Away

Author: Mike Gayle

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 19th March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Strangers living worlds apart.
Strangers with nothing in common.

But it wasn't always that way...

Kerry Hayes is a single mum, living on a tough south London estate. She provides for her son by cleaning houses she could never hope to afford. Taken into care as a child, Kerry cannot ever forget her past.

Noah Martineau is a successful barrister with a beautiful wife, daughter and home in fashionable Primrose Hill. Adopted as a child, Noah always looks forward, never back.

When Kerry reaches out to the sibling she lost on the day they were torn apart as children, she sets in motion a chain of events that will have life-changing consequences for them both. 

By turns funny and moving, Half a World Away is a story that will stay with you long after you read its powerfully emotional, heartbreaking final page.

Words can't describe adequately what I feel about this book. 

Without a doubt Mike Gayle's best book, and I've read them all, and its such a powerful but heartbreaking story, 

I was almost in floods of tears for most of the last fifth of the book, and kept having to swallow the lump in my throat, purely as I didn't want people wondering why on earth I was crying poolside on holiday. 

Kerry and Noah couldn't have had any more different upbringings if they tried, but yet there are a few similarities in their lives. 

This is a story of siblings reconnecting after many years apart, but its also about family, and deals with tough subjects too, but in a sensitive manner. 

i really don't want to say much about the plot, purely as I feel its best discovered for yourself.  I went in completely blindly, having downloaded this purely because I love the author, and was rewarded with a fabulous experience. 

Such a fantastic story that I feel has enriched my life for having read it 

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