Book Review - The Hub by Nicola May

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Amazon UK

Title: The Hub

Author: Nicola May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 31st July 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

ONE TURKEY FARM, FIVE WILD COLLEAGUES AND A BARN FULL OF MYSTERY

When jilted crime writer August Saunders returns from London to her roots in rural Wiltshire, she feels lost and lacking in inspiration. Determined to reignite her writing mojo, she responds to an advert for a shared workspace in a converted barn.

At the Hub, with its ill-equipped gym, inedible catering and motley array of fellow users, including a matchmaker more interested in her own conquests and a TikToker with a dodgy nocturnal sideline, August is confronted with a real-life mystery to solve.

Why is Max Ronson, the handsome but volatile owner of the Hub, so evasive about his past? And who or what is he hiding on the premises? She is determined to find out – but will her curiosity snuff out the spark of romance?

Nicola May mixes mischief with mystery in a fast-paced rural romp which will make Futtingbrook Farm as beloved a location as Ferry Lane Market or Cockleberry Bay.

Perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary, Sarah Morgan, Jill Mansell and Cathy Bramley.

Max Ronson is a complete and utter enigma of a man and is was trying to get to the bottom of why he is the way he is, that had me hooked on this story. 

For he is central to everything but we only get hints as to what may make him react the way he does to situations.  He runs the Hub, a shared workspace environment, on a turkey farm which his brother runs.  He as assembled a small group of people to work in the hub, some of which may, or may not be in on whatever is is Max could be up to! 

And yet it is August who is our main character, she's a crime author and seeing how she thinks is fabulous. She also has a heart of gold and starts volunteering in one of the situations that it really takes a certain kind of person who deal with. 

There are a plethora of tough topics dealt with in this book, it is gritty, it is real, but with Nicola Mays underlying warmth, empathy and at times humour. 

It took me a while to get properly into this story, but once I did I  was intrigued and appreciated the initial build up.  There is a lot going on within the book, with a whole variety of wonderful storylines.  And it was so nice to see such a varied selection of people at the Hub who may never have met otherwise but are clearly a close knit group. 

It's another winner from May, as she once again provides us a fabulous story,  that I loved so much. 

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

Book Review - Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne

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Amazon UK

Title:  Made in Manhattan

Author: Lauren Layne

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Eternal

Publication Date: 18th January 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Sometimes the best things come from unexpected places . . .

Raised in the privileged world of Upper East Side Manhattan, Violet Townsend always says the right things, wears the right clothes, and never rocks the boat. So when a friend of her beloved grandmother asks Violet to teach her newly discovered grandson how to fit in with the city's elite, Violet immediately agrees. Her task? To prepare Cain Stone to take his place as heir to his family company . . . but he's not exactly an eager student.

Born and raised in rural Louisiana, Cain is only playing along for the payout at the end. He's not interested in a relationship with the grandmother he just met and has no patience for the uppity Violet's attempts to turn him into a suit-wearing, museum-attending gentleman.

But somewhere between antagonistic dinner parties and tortured tux fittings, Cain and Violet begin to find a begrudging respect for each other - and perhaps even something more.

............................................................................................

Lauren Layne is fast becoming a much loved author for me. 

I devoured this latest book over a few hours and when I did take a short break from it Cain and Violet were on my mind. 

It's a modern day Pygmalion story,  but with a difference and with fat more of a message to it.

In fact the transformation of one of the characters is truly wonderful and completely unexpected from your first impressions of them.

I do love a great light hearted romance novel and this was exactly what it was, and what I needed to read as I read it. I loved it a lot. 

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

Book Review - The Island of Lost Girls by Alex Marwood

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Amazon UK

Title: The Island of Lost Girls

Author: Alex Marwood

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 14th July 2022

Rating: 3 Stars

Sun-drenched glamour and obscene wealth hide the darkest of secrets and lost girls in this ripped-from-the-headlines thriller.

1985

For twelve-year-old Mercedes, La Kastellana is the place she calls home. It is an island untouched by the modern world, with deep-rooted traditions - though that is all about to change with the arrival of multimillionaire Matthew Meade and his spoiled young daughter, Tatiana. The Meades bring with them unimaginable wealth, but the price they will all pay is far darker than Mercedes and the islanders could ever have imagined.

2016

Robin is desperately searching for her seventeen-year-old daughter Gemma, who has been missing for over a year. Finding herself on La Kastellana, the island playground of the international jet set, Robin is out of her depth. Nobody wants to help and Robin fears she is running out of time to find her child.

But someone has been watching, silently waiting for their moment to expose the dark truth and reveal to the world what really happens on the island of lost girls.

I was certainly intrigued by the concept of the book,  and many elements I enjoyed.

Such as trying to work out just where in Europe the island was, while pretty much understanding the language which has French and Spanish roots.

I was intrigued to find out just what going on, on the island and really enjoyed Mercedes take on everything.

However I was also frequently confused by the timelines,  some chapters being clearer than others as to whether they were past, present or somewhere in between.

I was interested in Gemma and in discovering just what she was involved in, even if i found Robins chapters rather frustrating.

Although clearly a good book it just didn't quite mesh with me the way I would want it to. 

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

Book Review - Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

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Amazon UK

Title: Battle Royal

Author: Lucy Parker

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Secret Santa Gift

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 17th August 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Beloved author Lucy Parker pens a delicious new romantic comedy that is a battle of whisks and wits.

Ready…

Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere. When Sylvie's unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has used her fame to fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess.

Set…

Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple.

Match…

When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they fight to come out on top.

The bride adores Sylvie’s quirky style. The palace wants Dominic’s classic perfection.

In this royal battle, can there be room for two?

Perfect garden reading in a heatwave, and left me feeling rather hungry too. 

For there is a lot of cake, and there is two rival bakers who have a bit of history both vying to win the Royal Wedding commission.

In addition they are now colleagues on the baking programme that Sylvie was a contestant on a few previous, where there may have been an incident with a glittery unicorn hoof.

I loved seeing all the antics from this years series of the show where they are both now judges.  

There are numerous situations where they are thrown together,  and this is a great cake filled example of a really good enemy's to lovers romance.

I loved everything that Sylvie was achieving.  But I was also hooked on Dominic's story and especially the dynamic with his family. 

Make sure to have snacks on hand while you read this very entertaining story. It may be my first book from this author but it won't be the last. 

Book Reviews - The Highland Hens by Judy Leigh

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Amazon UK

Title: The Highland Hens

Author: Judy Leigh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th August 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

In the imposing Glen Carrick House overlooking Scotland’s famous Loch Ness, lives eighty-eight-year-old Mimi McKinlay, cared for by her three adult sons. Hamish has inherited his mother’s musical talents, Fin is the responsible brother, and Angus has the complicated and brooding personality to match his dashing good looks. 

But what all the brothers share is a concern that their beloved mother is living in her memories of her days on stage, while letting her present days pass her by.

Jess Oliver is at a turning point. Amicably divorced after years of being married, this trip to the Highlands is a first taste of independence. It isn’t long before the beauty and hospitality of Scotland captures her heart.

When Mimi and Jess’s paths cross, a friendship is formed that will change both women’s lives.  And as together they find ways to look forward instead of to the past, long forgotten dreams are within reach, and every new day is fresh with possibilities. 

Take a trip to the Highlands with Judy Leigh for an unforgettable story of glorious pasts and fabulous futures, of love, friendship, family and fun. The perfect feel-good novel for all fans of Dawn French, Dee Macdonald and Cathy Hopkins.

Ah Judy Leigh, you have had me smiling and laughing throughout but also made me feel many other emotions too. 

But above all Mimi is a larger than life character, she is so full of life at 88, and as an inspiration to us all.  If I was able to sing and dance well into my eighties, and had a stage career as varied as Mimi's then I would be one happy girl. Although I don't have her talent so it would be impossible! 

Mimi is a massive fan of the theatre and musicals too, but is living a rather lonely existence at home with her sons, who are in and out of the family home.  She loves it when her best friend Isabella visits but the rest of the time seems sad.  

Until Finn advertises for a live in companion for his mother and Jess enters the McKinlay's lives. 

Jess is wonderful with Mimi and the three brothers, and I thoroughly loved getting to know all of the characters.  

Mimi though brightens up every page she is on, and is a real breath of fresh air and I loved my time spent between the pages with her. 

Once again Judy Leigh has shone a big light on the more experienced of life's years, and portrayed them so well.  Loved this book so so much. 

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

Book Review - The Accidental Newlywed Game by Jaci Burton

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Amazon UK

Title: The Accidental Newlywed Game

Author: Jaci Burton

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Eternal

Publication Date: 28th June 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

A wedding mistake? Or a marriage for keeps?

Wedding planner Honor Bellini is glad to see a familiar face when she runs into her sister's ex-fiancé, Owen Stone, in Las Vegas during business trip. That is until a night of drinking leads to them waking up in bed together - and a marriage certificate from a wedding that neither of them can recall.

Owen suggests an immediate annulment and Honor agrees, but when they spend the day together, their chemistry is overwhelming. Plus, Honor has a flash of memory of their steamy wedding night, and she definitely likes what she remembers. They decide to wait and head back to Oklahoma determined not to tell anyone at home what happened in Vegas.

The problem is, Honor and Owen can't seem to stay away from each other. This huge secret has the potential to hurt someone they both care about. But could this accidental marriage be turning into love?

Is there any better way to spend the hottest day of the year, than reading a rather hot romance?  I can't think of any, and this certainly didn't help my heat levels, as this had clear sexual chemistry from the off. 

Of course the fact that Honor and Owen don't initially realise what they have done is the stuff that films are made of!  It's great, and then watching them work out what on earth to do with this info and to start to try to unravel it is fun. 

I didn't realise until after I had finished the book that this was the third book in a series about the Bellini series, so I can safely say it can easily be read as a standalone. However given how much I enjoyed it, I am sorry that I hadn't read and had the full background on the other two sisters. 

I loved the Bellni's but I also thoroughly enjoyed Owen, and his new furry friend too.  

I really enjoyed the various layers to this story, and given it's my first book from the author thoroughly enjoyed her writing too.  This certainly won't be my last Jaci Burton book. 

I fabulously hot and entertaining romance guaranteed to distract you from the reality of life for a few hours while you lose yourself between the pages. 

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

Book Review - The Mix-Up by Holly McCulloch

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Amazon UK

Title: The Mix-Up

Author: Holly McCulloch

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 24th June 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

Paige might bake wedding cakes for a living but that doesn't mean shes dreaming about her own perfect day. Far from it.

Trusting people is hard after she was badly let down by her family and boyfriend just when she needed them most. And to make things worse, her ex has just walked into her bakery with his new fiancée...

Needing a little no-strings-attached fun, Paige goes to a party where her friend knows just the guy - the guy in the black top.

There's just one problem. There are two men wearing black tops.

Noah was meant to be her perfect distraction...instead, he wants more than just a bit of fun. But could the wrong guy turn out to be the right choice?

I'm suck for a book featuring cake, especially gorgeous sounding wedding cakes, so this we certainly a story that caught my attention. 

And I loved how Paige is trying her hardest with her business, but isn't that bothered about love, until she ends up asking new contact Mika for a distraction and she ends up with the wrong guy in a black top. 

Key meeting Noah who it turns out is everything Paige is convinced she doesn't need, until well things may change. 

There is a lot to love with this book, including a storyline on a tough subject, and some interesting family dynamics too. 

It's a lovely story that I enjoyed reading. 

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

Book Review - The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella

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Amazon UK

Title: The Party Crasher

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 23rd June 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

What might your family say about you if you weren't in the room....?

________

Escape with the new Sophie Kinsella romcom about family love, family tensions and family secrets.

Effie's still not over her parents splitting up a year ago and her dad and his awful new girlfriend are posting photos everywhere (with the hashtags #viagraworks and #sexinyoursixties). Now they're selling the beloved family home and holding a 'house-cooling' party, but Effie hasn't been invited.

Then she remembers her precious Russian dolls, safely tucked away up a chimney, and has no choice but to go back for them. She'll just creep in, grab the dolls and leave. No one will know she was ever there.

But Effie can't find the dolls. And as she secretly clambers around dusty attics, hides under tables and tries (and fails) to avoid bumping into her ex-boyfriend, she discovers unexpected truths about her family - and even about herself.

With time running out, Effie starts to wonder if the only way to find out what's really going on with her family is to simply crash the party...

Expect shocking secrets, hilarious mix-ups and an unforgettable romance!

Sophie Kinsella never fails to make me laugh and smile and there were plenty of both to be had while reading The Party Crasher. 

I absolutely loved the concept of Effie crashing a family party, a farewell to the beloved family house, and being able to get in and out to rescue her precious Russian dolls, all in theory without being seen or any other incident. 

She's only not going as she's at odds with her father at the momenta, and especially his new girlfriend Krista.  In fact Krista appears to be a bit of a nightmare, although Effie is the only one of her family that seems to be able to see it. 

To say her plan isn't as simple as it sounds is an understatement, and had it gone according to plan it would have been a far less entertaining story! For this is wonderful from her various hiding places, to the eavesdropping and the amount of secrets she discovers, and things she wishes she could unsee too. 

It's fabulously light hearted fun, pure escapism and totally what I love about the author.  I just couldn't devour this fast enough, while in my garden during the heatwave. 

It's another absolutely joyous story from one of my favourite authors. 

Book Review - The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle

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Amazon UK

Title: The Museum of Ordinary People

Author: Mike Gayle

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder &Stoughton

Publication Date: 7th July 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, Jess is about to do the hardest thing she's ever done: empty her childhood home so that it can be sold.

But when in the process Jess stumbles across the mysterious Alex, together they become custodians of a strange archive of letters, photographs, curios and collections known as The Museum of Ordinary People.

As they begin to delve into the history of the objects in their care, Alex and Jess not only unravel heartbreaking stories that span generations and continents, but also unearth long buried secrets that lie much closer to home.

Inspired by a box of mementos found abandoned in a skip following a house clearance, The Museum of Ordinary People is a thought-provoking and poignant story of memory, grief, loss and the things we leave behind.

Mike Gayle has hit another home run in terms of book brilliance. 

From such a simple concept, grows a fabulous cast of characters, and an incredibly heartwarming story, that takes a few unexpected turns along the way. 

As much as I loved the characters, it was what they were trying to do, the idea behind The Museum of Ordinary People that really touched my heart.  It is such a fabulous idea, I have no clue if it's based on anywhere real but if this doesn't exist already somewhere in the world, then it really should do. 

In fact I think Mike Gayle should set up his own museum, as it is such a wonderful idea and would bring a bit of love into the world.  So long as it doesn't detract from writing more brilliant books. 

I really enjoyed meeting Alex and found his story as compelling as Jess's. And I was just hooked on everything to do with the book. 

I am once again loving the direction this author has been taking with his most recent books, this is definitely an author going from strength to strength with every book he writes, and as a reader and big fan, I'm very happy to go along for the ride. 

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

Book Review - Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Amazon UK

Title: Beach House Summer

Author: Sarah Morgan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 26th May 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

A marriage in the spotlight

Joanna Whitman’s high-profile marriage held more secrets than she cares to remember, so when her ex-husband dies, she doesn't know what to feel. But when she discovers that he’s left behind a pregnant young woman, Joanna is forced to act. She knows exactly how brutal the spotlight on them both will be…unless she can find a way for them to disappear.

A beach house hideaway

Ashley Blake is amazed when Joanna suggests they lie low at her beach house in her sleepy Californian hometown. Joanna should be hating her, not helping her. But alone and pregnant, Ashley needs all the support she can find.

A summer of new beginnings

Joanna's only goal for the summer is privacy. All Ashley wants is space to plan for her and her baby's future. But when an old flame reappears, and secrets spill out under the hot summer sun, this unlikely friendship is put to the test…

Sarah Morgan once again goes from strength to strength with this amazing book. 

Possibly her best yet, definitely one of my favourites this is fabulous. 

I really was shocked at some of the links and revelations that are revealed while thoroughly enjoying discovering everything. 

I wasn't really sure what to make of Ashley or Joanna initially but I knew I was intrigued and needed to read on, and they both grew on me fairly quickly, especially once they arrive in Joanna's home town. 

I loved the small town community but also seeing how press invading a life can affect you. 

I loved the characters, the location and the relationships between them all, and the way family is described. 

I was completely absorbed by this story and loved every second of it. 

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