Book Review - I Knew You Were Trouble by Sandy Barker - #HolidayReading Tenerife

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: I Knew You Were Trouble

Author: Sandy Barker

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 23rd March 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Don’t get mad. Get even.

Kate Whitaker has always believed in love, but when a stranger named Willem shows up on her doorstep, the news he has to share isn’t as exciting as his god-like looks might suggest. He’s come to tell her that Kate’s fiancé is also engaged to his sister.

Kate doesn't know how she didn’t see the red flags: Jon’s work as an airline pilot having him flying around the globe, the postponed dates, the huge rock of an engagement ring that isn’t her style at all.

Overcome with fury – and entranced by the Nordic god’s piercing blue eyes and quiet allure – Kate agrees to accompany Willem to his hometown of Amsterdam to help break the news to his sister. Yet what begins as a simple gesture of support soon twists into a deliciously devious plan to get back at Jon.

Kate is drawn into a world of retribution, revenge and – unexpectedly – romance. Because sometimes the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else…

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about broken trust, sweet revenge, and the surprising places we find love. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Emily Henry.

What a brilliant story to round off the excellent Ever After series with. 

Just when you wonder what other situations a matchmaker could find themselves in, Sandy Barker outdoes herself with this caper. 

For this time Poppy's case involves revenge, which is rather unusual for her. 

Kate is the client, and she has just been informed that her fiancée is also engaged to another woman, and that there may be others out there too. 

Her informant is the other fiancée's brother Willem, who is immensely good looking himself. 

This kicks off a madcap story that is such a joy to read that also takes in Amsterdam, Verona, and various levels of duplicity. 

I'm starting to really hope that the Ever After Agency's super sleuth is given her own book or spin off as I think she is fascinating character from the bits we have seen of her. 

I loved this book a whole lot, the series as a whole a great deal and am sad to see it end. It's just such a great concept the whole way through and executed superbly. 

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

Book Review - The Cruise Club by Caroline James

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Cruise Club

Author: Caroline James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 3rd July 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Escape to the sun with the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise in a feelgood rom com full of romance, fun and mischief, which will sweep you away to the azure waters of the Mediterranean with every turn of the page…

Set sail on the Diamond Star for sunshine, romance – and just a little bit of mischief…

Cosy crime writer Carmen Cunningham is in trouble. Her inspiration has vanished, her deadline is looming, and her meddling elderly mother Betty consumes her every waking moment.

Hoping to revive her creativity, Carmen books a dream cruise, featuring workshops with her literary idol, Ruskin Reeve. It’s the perfect plan – until Betty insists on tagging along…

However, as the Diamond Star sails through sun-soaked ports and magical Mediterranean islands, Carmen finds the escape she needs as she discovers new friendships, and unexpected sparks with the grumpy, but charming, Ruskin.

But mischief is afoot on board the ship, with talk of items going missing and a secret club that’s got everyone talking… Will the cruise reignite Carmen’s writing muse or plunge her into the biggest plot twist of her life? Because, as she's about to find out, anything can happen at sea…

Escape this summer on a holiday like no other, where fun and frolics are the order of the day! The perfect read for fans of Sarah Morgan and Judy Leigh.

I may have said it before, but I'll happily say it again - Caroline James and cruising is an irresistible combination. 

And what a book this is, I definitely recall wanting more books featuring cruising from this author after finishing the Cruise and boy has this delivered, but honestly I still want more - and there are far more places cruises go other than the Med and Caribbean, so I'd like to think there could be more! 

Speaking of the the author's previous cruise book ,this one is onboard the same ship, with a couple of returning staff members, but it is a totally brand new, and completely standalone story. But for anyone that has read it, the ship itself will feel like a familiar friend. 

I was back into the rhythm of the Diamond Star really quickly and I loved getting to know all of the new highlighted guest on board. 

What really struck me was the very tricky relationship between Carmen and her mother, and how if the pandemic hadn't got in the way, how the relationship between me and my mum may have turned out.  I completely sympathised with Carmen - Betty is very demanding and tricky to deal with.

Thankfully Carmen actually makes friends on this cruise, which Betty had tagged along on, and she even gets to meet one of her writing heroes, Ruskin who is one of the guest speakers on the ship. 

I was delighted to see that one of the main headliners on board is in fact a drag queen, I love drag and in my 9 or so cruises, I don't believe I've seen drag act at all onboard, which is a shame. But Melody is fabulous and although not a main character, there is still a good amount of depth to her as we got to know her through conversations with Dicky! 

I absolutely loved the various ports of call on this ship, and ones that I have visited myself really felt very well described.  There is so so much that I loved about this story, but I don't want to give anything away.  But rest assured there are some very nice character arcs, there is some romance, some humour and some really touching moments too. 

I couldn't have enjoyed this more and I was totally hooked on reading it and it's a perfect summer holiday read.  

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

Book Review - The Calendar Mums by Lauren K. McKellar

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Calendar Mums

Author: Lauren K. McKellar

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 15th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Meet single mum Samantha, entrepreneur Rhea, and first-time mother Tahlie, all from different walks of life, brought together by their weekly mum and baby group in the town of Hickory Creek. Here they all find support - and a moment's peace - in the haze of raising their newborns.

But when the group is cancelled due to a lack of funds, it looks like the invaluable support they received will be no more.

Until they decide to band together to save the community centre, their group and a whole host of other services that keep Hickory Creek running.

Their plan? Create a fundraiser calendar featuring themselves... in the nude.

Baring all for charity requires bravery at the best of times, but as all of them have given birth in the last few months it feels unthinkable. Which is exactly why they decide to do it.

They will challenge not only what is celebrated about women's bodies but what each of them think they are capable of.

Circle the date on your calendars because for these women, and their town, nothing will ever be the same again...

A laugh-out-loud, hilarious, heartfelt and unflinchingly honest exploration of new motherhood, friendship and the hidden strength within us all. This contemporary take on the classic Calendar Girls is perfect for fans of Why Mummy Drinks, Alexandra Potter and Fiona Gibson.

I will freely admit that from the cover and the blurb I was expecting a certain sort of book. Light hearted, humorous with new mums plus the fundraising Calendar. 

And to a certain extent that is definitely what we had, but as was evidenced by the author's note to start the book, and then was you read into it, you realise that that is just on the surface. 

The true heart and bones of this is a much deeper, darker at times plot, that definitely needs the warning the author put at the start. For it is a very tough to read in places, but at the same time, it was incredibly compelling. 

If features the worst sort of man to be in a relationship with, and an incredibly isolated young mum who thankfully starts to make friends with others from the baby group she is able to attend. 

There is also a message of body positivity within the book, as these women learn to embrace their bodies despite the fact that babies came out of them, only a few months before.  These are normal women just wanting to raise awareness, plus the funds to keep their various groups and services open, in small town Australia. 

I was hooked on this book, it was eye opening, funny in places, and just all round fabulous.  The tough topics were written about sensitively, and our three leading ladies were all total opposites. 

I also really loved the occasional snippets of mother's conversations in between some of the chapters, which added to the light relief part of the book. 

This is the first book I've read by this author and if this is the direction she is now going in with her writing, I will be very curious to see what she writes next. 

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

Book Review - Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Going Overboard

Author: Portia MacIntosh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 26th July 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

That ship has sailed… right?

Jessa is happily cruising through life - until her boyfriend Todd dumps her, out of the blue, at a wedding, during the first dance. She doesn’t know it but just across the room, cricket superstar Brody is also being blindsided by his girlfriend, Nikki. It suddenly makes sense in the days that follow - Todd and Nikki are now together.

Jessa wants to crawl under a rock, but with her best friend’s destination wedding on a cruise to Sicily - and her ex and his new girlfriend onboard - there’s no escape. She’s hoping the ship is big enough to avoid them but, unlucky for her, a booking mix-up means she’s sharing a two-bed suite with Todd, Nikki, and the handsome but infuriating Brody too.

With no choice but to ride out the awkwardness, Jessa and Brody hatch a plan. If they can’t win their exes back, they’ll get them back - revenge - by faking a red-hot romance of their own. That’ll show them. But the better they get at faking it - and the more undeniable their chemistry - the blurrier the line becomes. Either way, there’s going to be trouble at sea because true love is never plain sailing!

This was totally and utterly hilarious. 

Fake Dating and Portia MacIntosh at their very best. 

It's wedding season and when Todd dumps Jessa at one wedding and then turns up to the next wedding with Nikki, well it hurts Jessa.  Jess is already having an embarrassing sort of a day, with some hilarious realisations involving a person called Ryan. 

So discovering that Brody has been recently dumped by Nikki at around the same time she was dumped and then realising that all four of them are due to attend some at least one more wedding leads to all sorts of shenanigans. 

Especially while on a cruise ship when the rooming arrangements are rather interesting and Jess and Brody decide the best revenge they can get is to make their exes jealous and start playing all sorts of mind games with them.  

I was totally there for all of it, and this is the author's funny bone at its very best. 

Multiple weddings, a cruise, interlocked friendship groups, fake relationships and a whole lot more,  this is a perfect summer read. Total escapist fun and games! 

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

Book Review - You Can't Hurry Love by Susan Buchanan - #HolidayReading Tenerife

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: You  Can't Hurry Love

Author: Susan Buchanan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 6th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

A 30th birthday celebration. A sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica. A split-second decision.

When Kat MacDonald takes the trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica, she doesn’t count on ditching her dead-end job, sending her uber-controlling boyfriend packing and volunteering at a sloth sanctuary.

But when she finally meets the swoon-worthy assistant manager Dexter, the chemistry between them is unmistakeable and sparks fly. Despite a rival for his affections, and her ex’s inability to know when to give up, she and Dexter are drawn to each other like magnets.

Just as she’s settling into life at the sanctuary and making friends, a letter arrives from back home in Scotland. A letter which could both upset her new plans and give her everything she has ever wanted. Everything except Dexter.

Kat is torn: should she stay in the tropical rainforest paradise with her beloved sloths, new friends and the delectable Dexter or pursue her lifelong dream? Or can she find a way to have it all?

A fun, escapist read full of romance, beautiful scenery and humour, perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Beth O’Leary, Leonie Mack and Julie Caplin.

From the second I discovered this book's existence, I knew I had to read it After all it features an exotic location, and rehabilitation of an adorable looking animal. 

So I was delighted to be able to travel to Costa Rica, and have the majority of the book set in a Sloth sanctuary.  This is not an animal I've given a great deal of thought to in the past, but they have always looked rather cuddly. 

And now thanks to the author's clear love of the animal and her research I know a whole lot more about these magnificent creatures. 

And Kat who is the main character is a massive sloth lover, as was her father, and this trip to Costa Rica is for her 30th Birthday and a life long dream.  But her boyfriend seems oblivious to it all. 

So when Kat meets some locals an they take her to the sanctuary and she discovers there is a volunteer role going free, she jumps at the chance to make some of her dreams come true. 

I was enthralled by this book, and totally felt transported to the setting. I'm even happier to discover this is the first of a series of books from the author which all promise to have fabulous destinations.  I have a feeling this is the series that will get me hooked on the author generally too, as I loved every moment of this book. 

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

Book Review - Booked For Summer by Kathryn Freeman - #HolidayReading

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Booked For Summer

Author: Kathryn Freeman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 30th April 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

A love story she didn't see coming…

When book lover Jade Taylor applies to manage the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island over the summer, the last thing she needs is the distraction of billionaire resort owner, Liam Haven.

But things take an unexpected turn when Liam becomes Jade’s boss – a man who reads nothing but contracts for pleasure…

In a bid to save the bookshop from being absorbed into the Haven resort, Jade is determined to teach Liam that there’s more to life than acquiring real estate. And if she can make him realise happily ever afters do exist, might she be able to save the island’s bookshop in the process?

The chemistry between Jade and Liam is off the charts. It is so sizzling and this is one incredibly spicy (to use the current word for it) book! 

The sex scenes are incredibly hot, as is a fair amount of the dialogue, which are both things that this author always excels at. 

And the Nantucket bookshop setting is sublime. I love the sound of the area, and could really picture it.

I loved seeing the character development over the course of this novel and especially seeing Jade grow in confidence. 

And for Liam to start realising a lot about himself too.  I loved Liam's grandma too, as well as a lot of the locals in the area. 

I devoured this book and I needed a cold shower after I had finished it. It's everything I hoped it would be and more. Another winner for me from Kathryn Freeman. 

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

Book Review - A Neighbour's Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: A Neighbour's Guide to Murder

Author: Louise Candlish

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 17th July 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Her secrets will be the death of you.

It’s rare for a room in beautiful, iconic Columbia Mansions to be up for grabs and Gwen is thrilled when its new occupant Pixie turns out to be the most delightful neighbour she could have wished for. Before long the two women have formed an unlikely age-gap friendship and Gwen is making herself useful to Pixie in all kinds of ways.

But when a crime comes to light Gwen’s protective instincts go into overdrive, igniting an appetite for revenge that none of the residents are prepared for.

The last thing they need in Columbia Mansions is a scandal.

The last thing they want is a murder.

Wow I'm reeling from this, I did not see a large amount of it coming, nor was I sure how to predict it for the most part. I was completely and utterly hooked and by the last quarter was totally unable to put the book down. 

I needed to see how everything would turn out, and in fact just what the truth was. 

The book is told in the form of a diary / journal from Gwen's point of view. She is the only head we get to go inside, and she has a wonderful turn of phrase and way of explaining things. 

It starts a bit confused, as we get mentions of many characters, but as the people start to develop and we get a gist of the first key pieces of information, it becomes more and more intriguing. 

We get to meet her next door neighbour Alec and his new lodger Pixie.  And Pixie and Gwen strike up a fast friendship and it's that friendship that is central to everything that occurs. 

I've noticed that Louise Candlish has found a niche in writing stories that seem to have properties and possibly crimes involving properties at their heart, and this is no exception.  It shed's light on an unsavoury renting practice, that I feel almost certainly catches young women especially out.   It's well researched and it's clear the topic has been given a big audience and will get you thinking. 

All in all a wonderful drama that I wasn't sure who to believe, and it certainly keeps you guessing.  Just fabulous. 

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

Book Review - The Private Jet by Sarah Goodwin - #HolidayReading Tenerife

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Private Jet

Author: Sarah Goodwin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 13th February 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

THE HIGHER YOU FLY…

In the dazzling lights of Thailand, socialite Lila Wilde is set for the night of her life. When her fame-hungry DJ boyfriend proposes at an exclusive nightclub, Lila makes a spur-of-the-moment decision: she invites a mix of celebrities, influencers, and near-strangers to keep the party going back at her luxurious villa — just a short flight over the lush Thai jungle. Champagne flows, music pulses, and the vibe on her private jet is nothing short of euphoric.

THE HARDER YOU FALL.

But when disaster strikes mid-flight, the dream turns into a nightmare and the group are stranded in an unforgiving jungle, far from the world of luxury they know. What begins as a desperate fight for survival quickly descends into something darker. Secrets are exposed and power dynamics shift, as the stranded passengers begin to realize the greatest threat might not be the jungle — but each other.

Some parties are unforgettable…this one might be deadly.

Totally unputdownable. 

Devoured this in a few short hours

Fast paced and impossible not to be totally addicted to. 

Sarah Goodwin has once again written a totally wonderful book, that got under my skin instantly. 

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this, and the more I read, the more I needed to continue reading. It was like a drug, I just needed more. 

It's about when a hedonistic night out on the Bangla Road in Phuket (somewhere I have actually visited), goes very wrong when they want to take the party elsewhere. 

What follows is a tale of survival, and of making tough decisions in impossible situations.  The ways the characters change over the course of this is scary, but I would imagine realistic. 

I have no idea what I would do if I crashed in the Thai jungle, with a bunch of strangers, other than panic, so the fact that Lila seemed  more determined than that was good for me to read. 

I couldn't' get enough of this story, and and just in awe at this author's writing. 

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

Book Review - Girls Just Want To Have Sun by Jo Lyons

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Girls Just Want To Have Sun

Author: Jo Lyons

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 14th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

She never expected to find herself in Benidorm. But when life gives you lemons, add a shot of tequila...

Connie’s singing career isn’t exactly going to plan. On a final warning from her agent and failing every big audition, she’s desperate for a fresh start. So when she lands a last-minute gig in Benidorm (of all places) she jumps at the chance – despite knowing she’s completely out of her depth.

Thrown into the wild world of the Dollz, a cocktail-fuelled girl group who love glitter as much as they love drama, Connie struggles to fit in. Then there’s Matteo – the brooding, annoyingly attractive local who seems to be everywhere she turns, throwing her further off course.

As she stumbles through a week of sun, surprises and absolute chaos, Connie has to decide: is this rock bottom, or can she find her own way to shine?

A hilarious, feel-good novel about finding your confidence, chasing your dreams, and embracing the unexpected. The perfect beach read for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Olivia Spring.

Well I think I have found a new favourite author! This was completely and utterly hilarious and is the sort of book that should be read on everyone's summer holidays. 

It's just a whole lot of fun, and I was laughing out loud within the first 10% which doesn't happen that often.  There is something about this author's way with words and how she describes the utterly bonkers situations that Connie and Matteo continually find themselves in that is just so so funny. 

And we get a great feel for the main strip in Benidorm, I can't say I will definitely add it to my holiday plans in the next couple of years, as I don't think I drink enough to get the full benefit, but the amount of tribute acts about, makes me thing I'd enjoy some of the entertainment on the strip! 

Connie and the Dollz are like chalk and cheese, and seeing how their relationships change over the course of the week is really heartening to see.  They start with the Dollz treating Connie as their skivvy, and then forgetting she exists and leaving places without her.  But as dramas ensue on the strip that never sleeps, and with a high energy week ahead of them, partying hard and allegedly working, things do improve. 

Although the amount of farcical drama in this is brilliant. 

In fact this would make a fabulous rom-com film for the big screen, I would love to see the Dollz actually do their amazing routings, and seeing them strut around in some outrageous costumes. 

I couldn't get enough of this book and I was over the moon to discover this is just the first book of a trilogy.  I literally can't wait to read the others. 

This is 100% my sort of book, it is so entertaining and is brilliant light hearted escapism.  Simply superb! 

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

Book Review - The House on Waterfall Hill by Holly Martin

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The House on Waterfall Hill

Author: Holly Martin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 6th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Escape to the golden sands and sparkling waves of Lovegrove Bay. This delicious romance from the multi-million bestselling author will have you falling head-over heels this summer. Love is in the air and maybe a new beginning...

For Flick Hunter the beautiful seaside town of Lovegrove Bay has always had a special place in her heart. Her grandparents’ quirky house on Waterfall Hill with its giant, wonky sycamore tree and rustic art studios has been the setting for every magical summer since Flick can remember. So when her grandmother tasks her with turning around the fortunes of Waterfall House Flick jumps at the chance. But with six months to make a profit before her grandmother is forced to sell, the clock is ticking…

Luckily resident artist and Flick’s new and incredibly handsome flatmate, Luke Donnelly, is keen to help. From the moment they meet Flick feels a connection she’s never felt before. And Luke’s desire to keep the art studios alive ignites a passion between them that Flick’s heart didn’t see coming. There’s just one problem: Luke is about to move to the other end of the country for reasons he’s keeping close to his chest.

Determined to avoid heartbreak and with her family’s legacy to save, Flick tries to keep things professional. But love has a funny way of conquering all, even when the odds are stacked against it…

Treat yourself to this gorgeous, feel-good, scorcher of a love story, perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Sue Moorcroft and Jill Mansell.

I loved every single thing about this book. 

Do I really need to say more? I mean it's a Holly Martin book, it has a wonderful grand romantic gesture that she is so fabulous at writing, there is great humour, great sex, and two wonderful main characters. 

And it has a brilliant new setting, and I absolutely loved reasoning behind why the art studios that Flick has been asked to try to save, were set up in the first place. 

Luke is a bit nerdy, but there is something always rather attractive about a nerd, especially if they have similar interested to you, and the tongue tied nature he has around Flick, along with their memorable first meeting, and various awkward early conversations are just so sweet and adorable and made me love both characters all the more for it. 

I really enjoyed the various crafts that were being displayed in the studio and watching Luke run a workshop made me fall for him even more. 

This is an all around lovely easy read, that is Holly Martin at her finest. 

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