Book Review - A Cornish Summer Holiday by Rosie Green

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Title: A Cornish Summer Holiday (Little Duck Pond Cafe, Book 10)

Author: Rosie Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied 

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 8th May 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Ellie’s plan to turn a neighbouring barn into a venue to teach bread-making skills is under way – but when the construction work interferes with the smooth running of the cafe, she comes up with a plan that lifts the hearts of all the Little Duck Pond Café crew. They’ll close for a month and take a well-earned break in the tiny Cornish village of Pengully Sands, where Sylvia’s sister, Agatha, owns a holiday home. With the glorious golden sands, sparkling azure sea and an ice cream parlour only yards away, it seems like the perfect location to relax and watch the surfers riding the waves (and maybe even having a go themselves).

But when they arrive, the girls find it isn’t quite the seaside idyll they were expecting. The house is less ‘holiday home’ and more ‘creepy, dilapidated haunted house’. And the ice cream parlour is sad and run down. Gracie, who runs it, is battling problems of her own, and the last thing she needs is a group of high-spirited girls arriving to disturb the peace and isolation she has so carefully cultivated for herself. And when a handsome stranger threatens her livelihood, it seems like the last straw. Can Gracie find her happy ever after - and even make friends with the Little Duck Pond Cafe girls next door?

This definitely won't be the relaxing break the girls had planned. But that doesn't mean it won't turn out to be the holiday of a lifetime!

I can't believe this is the 10th instalment of The Little Duck Pond Cafe series already, where does the time go?  

I will start by saying that it can easily be read as a standalone as for the the first time the duck Pond Cafe girls have gone on holiday together and this is the first book not set in Sunnybrook.

Rather we have a brand new location of Pengully, in Cornwall and the book is written from two focal points - The Little Duck Pond  Cafe girls and also local ice cream pop parlour owner Gracie.

Gracie is a fresh voice to the series and as fans may come to expect from new leading ladies of the series she has a whole lot of stuff to work through and some wonderful plot points that had me slightly emotional.

I loved seeing the girls make a new friend but also seeing how they turned their holiday around since their holiday cottage wasn't exactly in the condition they expected.

It was great to catch up with Ellie, Jaz, Fen, Katya and Maddison in a new situation,  but don't worry there is still plenty of great good and tasty bakes featured. 

Already looking forward to book 11 just hope I don't need to wait too long as I will never tire of this series, and its great array of characters.

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

Book Review - The Summer of Falling in Love by Liz Davies

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Title: The Summer of Falling In Love

Author: Liz Davies

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 7th May 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

A heartwarming romance for dog-lovers everywhere.

The thought of having a dog hasn’t crossed Theo Martin’s mind. It’s not that he doesn’t like dogs – he does – but the idea has simply never occurred to him.

It has occurred to his mother, though. When she decides to buy him a puppy because she thinks it will “liven him up a bit”, his life is turned completely upside down, and not for the better as far as he’s concerned. But when he discovers that having a cute dog on the end of a lead attracts a great deal of female attention, he soon changes his mind. All kinds of women stop to pet the pup and while they coo over Poppy, they talk to him. A lot. And for Theo, it looks like his love life is taking a very welcome turn for the better.

But what about Josie Wilde, his dog sitter?

Forced to employ someone to walk his dog when he’s in work, he finds himself increasingly attracted to her, but unfortunately Josie’s interest in him appears to be purely professional. As the summer unfolds and he falls head over heels in love with the sweet and vulnerable pup, he finds himself falling for Josie, too.

For Theo, it’s not so much ‘love me, love my dog’, but more like ‘love my dog, love me, too’. Please…

I think I'm in love...

...with Poppy..

...she is adorable, looks a bit like a teddy bear, and is just a bundle of fluff ...

...and I'm not the only one that feels like this, anyone that comes into contact with Poppy feels that way, apart from perhaps Theo initially. 

For his parents decide Theo is in a rut, and thus without warning buy him a dog, bring her over, along with food, toys, treats, and all the other doggy paraphernalia, put Poppy into Theo's arms and leave. 

Theo who is a teacher about to break up for the summer holidays, but still with one week of school, has never considered having a pet, and is determined to rehome Poppy but in the mean time,  he does want the little pup to be settled with him for the short term, and realises he needs a solution for when he's at work. 

Enter Josie, the dog carer, dog sitter, dog walker - all around big time canine lover, and suddenly Theo finds himself attracted to someone! 

What I adored seeing was Theo's feelings develop into love - whether for woman or dog I'll leave you to find out, but it was a joy to see. 

This for me was a really quick read, I read it one sitting in about around 4 and a half hours, a few email distractions in between, but I was continually eager to get my head back onto the kindle. I was hooked and just wanted to reach into my kindle, pick up Poppy and give her a great big cuddle.

Yet again Liz Davies has written a purely enjoyable book that I loved reading from cover to cover.  

...Now where can I find a Poppy for myself?

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

Book Review - Just Another Silly Love Song by Rich Amooi

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Title: Just Another Silly Love Song

Author: Rich Amooi

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 19th April 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Two rival radio personalities. Lori Martin is a positive and upbeat DJ, known for playing love songs and dedications. Ben Baxter dishes out no-nonsense, in-your-face relationship advice. Total opposites. Never in a million years would they want to work together.

Fired for losing her cool after her boyfriend breaks up with her on the air, Lori surprisingly receives a job offer for the coveted morning show at the radio station across town where Ben works. She thinks she’s replacing him, but finds out they want to team up Lori with her archenemy to set the air waves on fire and boost ratings. Financially strapped, she can’t turn down the job.

While their on-air fireworks and explosive chemistry make for great listening, what in the world will happen after work hours?

The new feel-good romantic comedy everyone is talking about!

I couldn't stop smiling, smirking and giggling the whole way through this book.

If you are already a Rich Amooi fan, what are you doing here, this is him at his best, just buy and read it already. 

On the other hand if you have never read the author before, well here are some more thoughts....

The chemistry and banter between Ben and Lori is off the charts for two people who are doing their best to hate and antagonise each other.

The dialogue is fabulous and what catapults this book into the ideal way to forget your troubles for a bit and just lose yourself in Lori and Ben's story.

Written from both Male and Female perspectives it is scary how believable both characters come across. It is making me think Rich Amooi may now be my top male rom-com author amidst some stiff competition.

If you want to spend an incredibly amusing few hours with a couple who are bound to make you smile, some utterly ridiculous relationship problems for their call in show, some feisty octogenarians and a whole lot more besides, then this is definitely worth a read. 

Thank you to Rich Amooi for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Willow's Wedding Vows by Debbie Viggiano

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Title: Willow's Wedding Vows

Author: Debbie Viggiano

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 28th April 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

Wedding vows have never been this personal…

Willow has been living with marriage-shy Charlie for more years than she cares to remember and is old-fashioned enough to want a wedding band and a loads-of-sex honeymoon before stretchmarks and nipple shields.

So when the once-wary Charlie surprisingly goes down on one knee, Willow doesn’t question why her boyfriend is suddenly so keen to rush her into saying “I do”.

The first clue comes as Willow is zipped into her Cinderella dress, the second as she bobs into the wedding car, and the third as the Roller swings towards its fairy-tale destination… leaving a shell-shocked Willow desperately trying to figure out what to do next.

A bride can do anything she wants on her wedding day, but nobody expected her to do this…

I had two main thoughts the whole way through this book. 

1 - how on earth does the title fit what I'm reading? Well let me assure you it will in time make some sense and when it does I was practically cheering!

2 - I could barely believe what an utter tosser (OK insert much ruder stronger words to really get the drift) that Charlie is.

He is an utter nightmare of a man, not someone you would really want yourself or your friends to spend any time with.

Yet he somehow successfully keeps this part of himself hidden from Willow.

Ah Willow she has been with Charlie many years, and just wants to marry him. She at times seemed completely oblivious and far too trusting even when it was clear she should at least second guess herself.

OK so I wasn't keen on most of the characters in the book, but at the same time I enjoyed seeing just what a mess they could get themselves into.

I was curious about just how everything turned out and although I may not have liked Charlie at one point I did very almost feel sorry for him... well fleetingly!

Definitely an entertaining story that I did very much enjoy reading.

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

Book Review - The Gift of Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May

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Title: The Gift of Cockleberry Bay

Author: Nicola May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 2nd April 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

All of our favourite characters from Cockleberry Bay are back in this final, heart warming story in the series. Including Hot, Rosa Smith's adorable dachshund and his new-born puppies.

Now successfully running the Cockleberry Café and wishing to start a family herself, Rosa feels the time is right to let her inherited Corner Shop go. However, her benefactor left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.

Rosa is torn. How can she make such a huge decision? And will it be the right one? Once the news gets out and goes public, untrustworthy newcomers appear in the Bay . . . their motives uncertain. With the revelation of more secrets from Rosa's family heritage, a new journey of unpredictable and life-changing events begins to unfold.

The Gift of Cockleberry Bay concludes this phenomenally successful series in typically brisk and bolshy style and will delight the many thousands of Rosa's fans.

How wonderful it was to be back in Cockleberry Bay with all my favourite characters. Although I'm sad that this is the last instalment in this trilogy, equally this is a perfect last book for the series. 

All loose ends are wrapped up, in a book that starts with high drama that I couldn't tear my eyes away from, assorted secrets and at times I wasn't even completely sure who would be gifted the shop in the end, although I'm ecstatic with the decision Rosa made. 

I recall when I started the second book, I just couldn't quite connect with it instantly, so i was nervous going into this one, worried that I'd not remember the characters or just feel not quite right with it. Thankfully I had no such qualms this time, I jumped straight into the action and read the whole book far too fast. 

I just couldn't get enough of it, and there are so many story lines, deeper issues, funny moments, and heart warming moments, that had me on the edge of my seat and kept me reading continually. 

If you haven't read anything from this series yet, well I'm sure this could be read as a standalone but honestly go back and read from the first one, all three books are incredibly strong, and just really impressive. 

I loved the way Rosa decides to work out who to gift the shop to, it's inspired! And then there are the new puppies who are adorable and i loved their names, not to mention Hot the Dog is back, I love that little sausage dog! 

This really is everything I could have hoped for in a book, written in an engaging way that had me hooked, and well I don't want to spoil anything about the details for you, rest assured if the blurb and this review has even slightly piqued your interest, then you really should read it.  It's that great. 

I loved every single word of this book, it took me on a bit of a roller coaster of ups and downs, not just for Rosa but other recurring characters,  and I am gutted that I have to now say goodbye to the residents of Cockleberry Bay. 

I'm now waiting impatiently already to see what Nicola May will write next as I know I will be wanting to read it! 

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

Book Review - Lemon Drizzle Mondays at the Little Duck Pond Café by Rosie Green

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Title: Lemon Drizzle Mondays at the Little Duck Pond Café

Author: Rosie Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 29th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Molly Hooper has a secret. It haunts her dreams and casts a dark shadow over life with her gorgeous three-year-old daughter, Eva. Arriving in Sunnybrook has given her a glimpse of sunshine. The Little Duck Pond Cafe crew seem so welcoming and there's even the chance of a new job. Baking delicious cakes has always taken Molly to a happy place, so the job - at the glorious Brambleberry Manor Cafe - might just be perfect for her. It would mean she and little Eva could finally put down some roots at last. But is Sunnybrook the sanctuary Molly is searching for? Or will the past come back to haunt her, wherever she hides?

To say this is a series that keeps you on your toes is an understatement.  We go from the previous book written in three voices for the original Little Duck Pond Cafe Ladies - to this one which finally gives us Molly's story. 

And what  tough time of it Molly is having.  If I ever have to hear about her landlord again, I may have to incite some revenge on her behalf as he truly is despicable.  Her daughter Eva is utterly adorable and being three is rather accepting of the circumstances they are in. She takes glee in looking at the bargain aisles in supermarkets as much as her mum. 

Molly is determined to turn her life around, and a job in the Brambleberry Manor Cafe she hopes will be the start of a bright new future, if only things were just that simple.  

This though is a story about kindness, and about pledging acts of kindness, and about how putting out positive vibes for others can richly reward your life.   It's also a story about a mother's determination for a better life for her and her child. 

I would say that this book could definitely be read as a standalone, although all my favourite characters from the rest of the series are present to some extent, this is definitely Molly's book, and given we didn't know that much about her before, I'd say it would be safe book to kick start your love for the series. 

Rosie Green has written yet another book that I didn't want to be parted from,  I was thoroughly engrossed from start to finish and already can't wait to see at the Duck Pond Cafe gang get up to in their next book.  This is a series that is going from strength to strength, and I'm really impressed with the various ideas and way each book feels really different to each other but still having that sense of familiarity too. 

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

Book Review - Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay by Holly Martin - Blog Tour

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Title: Sunrise Over Sapphire Bay

Author: Holly Martin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 24th April 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Fall in love with the beautiful Jewel Island this summer, where the sapphire sea sparkles, the golden sun warms your skin and the islanders melt your heart. From the bestselling author of The Little Village of Happiness comes Holly Martin’s most romantic novel yet.

Aria Philips has lived on Jewel Island all of her life. Even when her sisters Clover and Skye left its stunning shores for bigger and better things, Aria stayed to help her father run their family hotel.

A year after her father’s death Aria’s done everything she can to keep things afloat but the hotel has long been struggling to make a profit. With so few guests Aria risks losing the only home she’s ever had.

Noah Campbell earned his fortune from making hotels a success, and he also just happens to be staying on Jewel Island this summer. Could he be the answer to Aria’s problems? If only he hadn’t kissed her under the willow tree the year before and never called her again. It had been the most incredible kiss of her life, but clearly business and pleasure should never be mixed.

As gorgeous and charming as Noah may be, Aria vows to keep things professional while she seeks his help. But for the past year Noah has been keeping a secret and his return to Jewel Island is about to change Aria’s life forever…

Soak up the sun in Sapphire Bay with this feel-good novel you won’t be able to put down. An unforgettable summer romance perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson, Sarah Morgan and Jill Mansell.

Everything about this book is just what I needed to read at the moment.  It has a gorgeous setting in Sapphire Bay, some truly wonderful characters, a will they finally get it together sort of a romance, and some delicious sounding ice-cream and dessert concoctions. 

Ok the ice-cream and desserts are more thanks to Aria's sister Skye and may not be key to main story but wow they sounded very yummy and inventive. 

Aria though has a novel approach to running her hotel, which makes her such a lovable character. She tries to do the best she can by everyone, not necessarily with the best of business brains, but never mind.  Watching her try to explain to Noah her new business part her rationale for some of her decisions was amusing. 

As were so many of the scenes - look out for a rather unusual haka being danced, oh and the donkey!! The donkey scene is hilarious.   Oh and there is a guest at the hotel who just cracked me up completely, and she was a real breath of fresh air. 

I loved getting to know all the characters in the book, with the exception of new receptionist Zoe who really is just a nasty piece of work.   But everyone else is fabulous. 

There are even cameos from other characters from previous Holly Martin books, and I suspect there were possibly more than I am positive about! I always love it when an author does that. 

This was such an entertaining story from one of my favourite authors, it really took my mind off real life and I'm gutted that I now have to say goodbye to Noah and I really did love him.  

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

Book Review - The Cornish Confetti Agency by Daisy James

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Title: The Cornish Confetti Agency

Author: Daisy James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 12th March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

The first in a new sun-filled series from the author of the Villa Limoncello trilogy.

Welcome to The Cornish Confetti Agency!

When the grand finale of Lexie Harrington’s catwalk show ends with a disastrous twist on the ‘ice bucket challenge’, she knew her highly-strung boss would fire her on the spot. What she wasn’t expecting was to bump into her fiancé cosied up with an attractive blonde in the restaurant opposite their apartment!

Desperate to escape her heartbreak, Lexie flees to her childhood home of St Ives to hold the fort at The Cornish Confetti Agency for her best friend Freya, leader of the yummy mummy network and firm believer in ‘happily ever afters’. Little did she know that delivering a Caribbean-themed wedding in sunny Cornwall would rival the fashion industry for drama, tantrums and mysterious goings on.

Who is responsible for dousing the bridesmaid’s dress with tomato ketchup? Or hiding the bride’s beloved Jimmy Choos? Or attaching googly eyes to everything in sight?

The perfect Cornish wedding? Is there such a thing for The Cornish Confetti Agency?

What a treat of a book this is. Enjoyable and made me smile from the first page to the last. 

I was catapulted into Lexie Harrington's rather calamitous life, and it sure did make for an entertaining story. 

Nothing seems to go smoothly for Lexie, nor those around her, as she tries to escape her recent heartbreak by fleeing to Cornwall and helping out the Cornish Confetti Agency on a rather fabulous sounding Caribbean themed wedding. 

It soon becomes apparent that someone is trying low levels of sabotage but I'll leave you to find out for yourself who is doing it and who the targets are.  It's a fun taking on amateur sleuthing as Lexie and Theo (the local journalist), team up to try to investigate, while making sure the wedding stays on track and goes ahead as planned. 

I loved the descriptions of the wedding, how the venues were to be decorated, I enjoyed seeing just ideas Nadia, the groom's mother would make next, as nothing seemed to be up to her standards  I loved the interactions between the guests, and also the clear initial connection between Lexie and Theo and found myself willing them to act on it. 

If you are a fan of books featuring weddings, light mystery elements, plenty of fun to keep you smiling and generally a good upbeat feel to a story, then this is certainly the book for you. And most excitingly of all, it's the first book of a new series, so I can't wait to see how the series progresses from here. 

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

Book Review - The Single Best Thing by Elaine Spires

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Title: The Single Best Thing

Author: Elaine Spires

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 14th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Almost four years have passed since Melv followed Eve back to England refusing to throw away their long awaited chance of lasting love and happiness. Much has happened in that time. No longer a tour manager for Travel Together, Eve is enjoying unexpected success in her new career. Has she forgiven him for hurting her so deeply? Was her love for him simply enough? And what about her own dark secret?

Provoking smiles and tears this glimpse into Eve’s future brings the Singles’ Series to its final conclusion.

This is the ending that fans of the series has been crying out for since finishing Singles, Set and Match. 

Ah to have a book that has just brought the series to such a wonderful conclusion.  Having read the entire series I am in no position to say whether this can be read as a standalone, but I would say if you have read any of the previous books, which are brilliant, then you need to see just how it all turns out. 

This though is a tricky book to review as I don't want to give away any spoilers and its so short, there isn't much I can safely comment on.  

I will say though from the first few pages, I realised I was doing nothing else for today until I had devoured the book. I literally couldn't put it down, and had a massive smile on my face throughout. 

At points I really wasn't sure just how Eve and Melv's story would finally conclude, and with the way it was built up, I certainly didn't see that coming. 

The book is a mix between Eve's life now in 2023, and her having flashbacks to key moments from the past few years since Singles, Set and Match finished, to now, catching us up on what has been going on.  It's very cleverly told, and with chapter headings telling you month and year its easy to follow. 

I love, love, loved this novella, I'm sad that it really is the end of a series that I've been thoroughly enjoying while at the same time curious to see what Elaine Spires will write next. 

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

Book Review - The Cottage on Wildflower Lane by Liz Davies

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Title: The Cottage on Wildflower Lane

Author: Liz Davies

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 14th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Esther's life isn’t perfect (whose is?) – but she’s happy enough living in her little flat with her boyfriend, Josh.

But that’s about to change.

Bored out of her mind in work, she wishes that something, anything, would happen to liven her life up.
Unfortunately, her wish comes true when Josh calls her from the airport to tell her he’s going to work in a bar in Spain, and she’s not invited, Esther is devastated, and her unhappiness is compounded when she discovers she can actually view the bar via a webcam link and watch him chatting up other girls.

But when she inadvertently clicks on a link to another webcam which shows a pretty cottage and the rather hunky man who lives in it, her interest is piqued and she wishes she could get to know him.

Wishes don’t really come true, though – do they...?

Incredibly lovely story, that really does highlight how easy it could be to become hooked on watching strangers via webcam! 

Ok it's not exactly as creepy as it sounds, well apart from the webcam that Esther finds that is focusing on a home, and being streamed online, she is guessing without the owner knowing.   And its this handsome stranger on webcam that is far healthier for her to obsess over, than the other one she is watching of her ex-boyfriend who called from the airport to let her know he was moving to Malaga, to work in a bar!   

For of course the bar has a webcam, so she is able torture herself watching Josh with other women. 

The set up to the romance in this book was fabulous,  as everything was being put into place, as a reader I was waiting and imaging that first meeting.  There is a great set of coincidences involved and it really is amusing and just slightly different. 

Before that there are a few attempts at internet dating for Esther, and let's just say I'd definitely not want to go near the second man she meets through the site. But it did make for an amusing chapter!! 

I found this to be fabulously quick and easy book to read, it pretty much took me two tube journeys and dinner in a restaurant to read, give or take 10 mins to finish it once I got home.  I was very into the story and just enjoying the writing.  

Another really entertaining story from Liz Davies. 

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

Book Review - Hattie Goes To Hollywood by Caroline James

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Title: Hattie Goes To Hollywood

Author: Caroline James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 14th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

A Cumbrian Village...
Three suicides...
A red-hot summer...

When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?

How good it was to be able to sink beneath the pages of a new Caroline James novel.  And as a huge fan of the author, it was even better when I finally realised that Hattie is a returning character - and although this 110% can be read as a standalone novel, there are odd references to previous books that her long term fans will adore seeing. 

What his is though is the first book in a new cosy mystery series, and I honestly wasn't entirely sure what the outcome of Hattie's investigation into her new neighbour's husband's suicide would bring. 

Hattie is settling into her new life in Cumbria, she is renovating her aunt's cottage and seems to be one of the most popular people in the village. The private detecting is  a logical endeavour for her, and her natural nosiness really does come in handy. 

However for me the star of this book is Drake. From the moment we are introduced to him, I could tell he was someone special .Drake seems to have great intuition, really cares about Hattie, and incredibly cute! Although I'm not sure Hattie was as keen at start, once he starts living with her, its another matter! 

(Oh and Drake isn't human)!

I loved this village and getting to know the various inhabitants, and the more you seem to get to know them, the more you realise you know nothing. They all seem to have hidden depths to them.  

This was a highly enjoyable first book in a brand new series and I know I for one am already very keen to read the next book in the series.  I am loving this motley cast of characters and look forward to getting to know many of them even better, I hope. 

Thank you to Caroline James for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Cake Fairies by Isabella May - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Cake Fairies

Author: Isabella May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 10th January 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

1960's Somerset is no fun for cousins Polly and Annabelle Williams. Mourning their non-existent love lives, and the mundanity of village life, their only pleasure is baking - until a chance encounter has them magically transported to the bright lights of London... in 2019!

Promised a chance of love, first they must teach the people of the future about the simpler pleasures of life by becoming Cake Fairies. Over the course of a year they set off on a delectable tour of the UK, dropping off cakes in the most unexpected of places and replacing the lure of technology with much sweeter temptations.

But will their philanthropical endeavours lead them to everlasting love? Or will they discover you can't have your cake and eat it?

The Cake Fairies is the fifth novel by fantastical foodie author, Isabella May.

Hmm a book starting in 1969, and one that features a form of time travel, normally two things that would have me running in the opposite direction.

However I somehow knew that in Isabella May's capable hands I may just be in for a treat, and to at least go with the flow and suspend my scepticism for a bit. 

And I'm so so glad that I did, as this was a wonderful story, and at the same time a commentary on how much nicer people can be if they take their heads out of a screen for at least some of each day and interact with real people!

Cousins Polly and Anna are on a year long mission to be like the book fairies that are about but instead of doing book drops, dropping unseen large cakes to brighten up people's days. 

They are only given each days drop location and instructions that day from their big red folder, and what is clear is how much a person's day is improved by some cake. 

It is also clear that Isabella May clearly loves her cake, and this book did make me quite hungry. 

I'm also sure I spotted a cameo from one of her previous books / characters which made me smile!

Fantastically unrealistic, but at the same time totally believable, I loved watching these cousins grow, grow used to being in 2019, to seeing if they can perhaps find true love at last, and just generally enjoying seeing how they progressed on their mission. 

Very entertaining story and one that I'm glad I took a chance on. 

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

Book Review - When Adam Met Evie by Giulia Skye

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Title: When Adam Met Evie

Author: Giulia Skye

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 7th February 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

When former Olympic Swimmer, Michael Adams—now reluctantly Canada’s hottest reality TV star— insults his fake showbiz wife on social media, he escapes the ensuing scandal and jumps on the first flight to Australia. Desperate to experience ordinary life again—if only for a few weeks—he becomes “Adam”, just another tourist traveling through the Outback. But with a reward out for his safe return and his fame’s nasty habit of catching up with him when he least expects, he needs a disguise… and he’s just found it.

Sweet and scruffy British backpacker, Evie Blake, is taking a year out of her busy London life. Tired of lies and liars, she’s looking for adventure to heal her broken heart. So when the hot Canadian she meets at the campground offers to be her travel partner through Western Australia’s wild Kimberley region, she grabs the chance, unaware he’s got the world out looking for him.

He’s just a down-on-his-luck traveler, right?

From the moment I first read the blurb for this book I had a small voice in my head telling me that I would love it.  Well that random voice was correct, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

It has everything I want from a book,  a gorgeous guy (OK he spends most of the book lieing, but with good reason),  a girl who has been hurt by liars in the past, but can't help but feel for the gorgeous guy,  travelling around the outback of Australia, a location I rarely see in books, a road trip, and  whole lot more besides. 

Any book with travelling in is an instant draw to me, and I loved getting to know a part of Australia that I know deep down I probably would never visit in real life, at least not to the extent that Evie and Adam do, due to its sheer vastness and remoteness.   I loved reading about life on the road in the Outback, while the pair get to know each other incredibly closely. 

Even their first meet was very memorable,  featuring a shower block, a chiselled body and Evie who couldn't stop staring! 

This is a book filled with adventure, great scenery and a romance where I wasn't completely convinced I'd get the ending I wanted.  Easily my favourite parts were the time spent in Australia, I even enjoyed Adam struggling to work out what he could say at all times that wouldn't make Evie realise the truth. 

This is a debut book and I really enjoyed the author's writing, the pacing and just the whole story.  Felt a bit different to other books in the genre which I found rather refreshing, and very entertaining. 

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