Book Review - If The Ring Fits by Camilla Isley

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Title: If The Ring Fits

Author: Camilla Isley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 25th January 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

When Life Gives You Lemons, Fake an Engagement

When investment banker Adrian and software engineer Rowena started the day, they didn't expect to end it engaged! But Adrian has invented a fake fiancée to impress his CEO, regretting the lie almost immediately, and now he is in hot water. Meanwhile, Rowena's career has just gone up in flames, leaving her unemployed, unexpectedly expecting with no father in the picture, and short of options. When fate throws these two hot messes into a meet-cute of epic proportions, it's a match made in rock-bottom heaven. They say love is blind, and with nothing to lose, Adrian gets down on one knee... and Rowena says yes!

The rules of engagement are simple:

Pretend to be madly in love

Keep their real lives separate

Absolutely, positively do NOT catch feelings

However, faking it is harder than they thought, especially when every overnight stay comes with only one bed and zero personal space—blurring that imaginary line between 'just business' and 'definitely personal.'

Soon, their carefully constructed charade starts to feel alarmingly... real. Can Adrian and Rowena stick to their engagement pact, or will their fake relationship graduate to something authentically messy, complicated, and wonderful?

Find out in this hilarious, heartwarming tale of two strangers who said "I do" before they even said "Hello." Because sometimes, the worst day of your life just might lead to the best mistake you'll ever make.

If the Ring Fits is an age gap, marriage of convenience rom-com with a multi-millionaire MMC and a STEM FMC perfect for fans of Lynn Painter, Sarah Adams and Fallon Ballard...

It's always a fun time when you are reading a new Camilla Isley novel and this was no exception. 

I love the various ways this author can come up with totally plausible fake dating scenarios, but given how gross the initial meet cute as such was, I would strongly suggest not eating while reading the first few chapters of this book. 

Once past that, Rowena and Adrian enter into an agreement for a fake marriage.  Rowena has just been made redundant and discovered she is pregnant on the same day and has no desire to be anywhere near the father.  Adrian discovers to be in line for his promotion despite his work being good that he needs to be more family oriented. 

They come to a mutually beneficial arrangement, but as these complete strangers get to know each other, while trying to persuade everyone they are a legit couple, real emotions may appear. 

Afterall the book opens with them heading in to get divorced with Rowena admitting something privately to us, that is rather interesting while the next chapters deal with how they got to that point. 

With cameos of other Camilla Isley characters, this is a treat for the authors superfans. 

And the story itself was amusing, and highly enjoyable.  I had a great time reading this and wondering just how it would turn out. 

I love fake dating stories and this one was definitely a winner for me. 

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

Book Review - Shadows of Deception by M. A. Comley

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Title: Shadows of Deception

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 17th April 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

The truth hides in the darkest places.

When two prominent members of the Hereford community are found murdered in chillingly distinct ways, DI Sara Ramsey and DS Carla Jameson are thrust into a case as twisted as it is deadly. As the body count rises, the killer’s cryptic messages point to a hidden truth buried in the past, a truth someone will do anything to avenge.

With time running out, Sara and her team must navigate a web of lies and betrayal, where every clue brings them closer to a dangerous enemy. But in a town where no one is who they seem, exposing the truth could cost them everything.

Another totally unputdownable book from this fabulous author. 

And another fresh feeling story in this long running series. It is always great to join DI Sara Ramsey on a new case, and this time we also see her getting to know a new DCI, and Carla's dad is having health issues too. 

Add in a case that may have a connection to one of the team, and that they are positive there is a serial killer at play, despite a variety of killing methods, which seemed fairly inventive. 

It's definitely a tricky case and my only prediction was thankfully totally off the mark. I had no idea who the murderer was, and I was willing Sara and her team on to work it out, despite the lack of evidence. 

This was totally gripping and was really quick to read and is another great instalment in this fabulous series. 

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

Book Review - One Night at the Château by Veronica Henry

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Title: One Night at the Château

Author: Veronica Henry

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion

Publication Date: 5th June 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

One night to fall in love.

One summer to change everything...

Over the last few months, Connie's whole world has fallen apart. Her husband's run off with an older woman, the magazine she works for has gone bust and she's having to sell the family home. So when her beloved godmother, Lismay, begs her to help run the beautiful Château Villette, it couldn't come at a better time...

No one knows the château quite like Connie. She spent a blissful summer there in her twenties, learning to cook delicious French food for the guests, ironing the lavender-scented sheets - and trying to resist the very handsome neighbour, Remy.

As soon as she arrives, it's clear that the château is close to crumbling and Connie knows she's going to have her work cut out. Could it be the fresh start she didn't even know she needed - and will she find a way to save the château, before it's too late?

I totally fell in love with the chateau that is in the heart of Provence and heart of this story. 

It had been key in both Connie and Lismay's lives for a very long time, and and Lismay needs her goddaughters help, Connie drops everything to help out.

We get chapters from both women's perspectives including discovering just how they bought the chateau and in Connie's case just what happened in her summer there in her 20s.

In addition to getting to know all the staff and trying to come up with ways to keep the chateau experience running smoothly.

Both are women of a certain age or older and have truly lovely stories that i couldn't help but feel they were part of the family afterwards. 

I really enjoyed this book and could really imagine the setting and the incredibly hot guy too. And the ending really made me smile.  

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

Book Review - It's Always The Husband by C. L. Taylor - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: It's Always The Husband

Author: C. L. Taylor

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 5th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to Lowbridge. Where secrets hide behind every door…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to widower Will, the father of her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's past is shrouded in tragedy, with questions that no one knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

As whispers of murder surround Will, Jude becomes determined to uncover the truth – and with her own father's tragic fate haunting her, she refuses to let another innocent man suffer.

Yet in Lowbridge the darkness runs deep, and nothing is as it seems. Can Jude protect Will from a community out for blood? Or will she become the next victim in this web of deceit?

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…

C. L. Taylor has done it again and written a spectacular novel, where I had no idea what to believe and was astounded by the ending. 

What I know for sure is I don't want to live in Lowbridge, nor be one of the playground mums there, as their friendship group appears to be rather toxic. 

And what an apt title this book is, for there are definitely some iffy husbands in this, but then again are their wives any better!

There is a mystery at the heart of this book, about what really happened to Robyn.  Did Will murder her, did she run off, or is there another explanation for her disappearance.

And Jude who is new to town, but may have already slept with Will, who is determined to find out the truth to clear his name. 

This was incredibly readable, rather addictive and I couldn't' put it down. I had to know who it would turn out.  Utterly brilliant as I have come to expect from this author. 

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

Book Review - Escape to the Country Garden by Hannah Langdon

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Title: Escape to the Country Garden

Author: Hannah Langdon

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Publication Date: 13th March 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

A sweet and funny romance that will wrap you up in a big, warm hug!

Frankie Carlisle finds herself back at Feywood – her family's crumbling manor house – after yet another disastrous break-up. Her sisters Juliet and Martha try to comfort her, but Frankie can’t help but wonder why everything always seems to go wrong in her life…

Then a charming stranger arrives on the grounds, and Frankie's world is turned upside down once more. Could this unexpected encounter be the key to mending her broken heart and restoring the faded glory of Feywood, or will old wounds sabotage this last chance at happiness?

It was lovely to be back at Feywood and with the Carlisle sisters in this second book in what I'm guessing will be a trilogy! 

This time we have Frankie as the main character, and she is the one I probably knew the least after the previous book, but she is back at the house and nursing a heartbreak while also suffering low self confidence and feels like she needs to move her life in a new direction. 

And it just so happens Rousseau has come up with a plan for her, and gets Nathan to start working there, to help get the gardens under control and he volunteers Frankie to assist. 

Frankie like all the family seem to be excellent at whatever creative pursuit they turn their hands to, and it was great to see her start to have a real love of gardening and garden design. 

And she has a good heart, as when she sees there is a pair of peacocks looking for a new home, she is first in line to offer to take them in at Feywood, much to the amusement of, but with the support of everyone else! 

I found it hard to properly connect to Nathan, we had chapters from his point of view, and although things were alluded to in the past, I felt as though I would have perhaps like a bit more time spent on them, to really get a feel for how his childhood has shaped his career decisions. 

With some of the story taking place in Tuscany too, this is a lovely summery read, and I am absolutely adoring this series and the family at the heart of it.  And I'm very eager to see Martha's story in the next book and whether she will be given the romance that has been hinted at it the first two books! 

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

Book Review - Escape to the Country Kitchen by Hannah Langdon

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Title: Escape to the Country Kitchen

Author: Hannah Langdon

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Publication Date: 13th June 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

An uplifting new romance from a bestselling author… a warm-hearted tale of second chances and healing hearts.

Shy, world-weary Juliet Carlisle reluctantly returns to her family's crumbling English manor house, seeking solace after a painful heartbreak… only to discover that her family has launched a new cookery school, run by the handsome but irritatingly cheerful French chef Léo Brodeur.

Between her manipulative ex, two much-loved sisters who just won’t stay out of her business and a home falling down around her ears, Juliet has enough on her plate without dealing with an exasperating Frenchman. But as they work together in the kitchen – surrounded by the warm scents of baking croissants, fresh garden thyme, and Léo's peppery cologne – she begins to see a more serious side to him that she never noticed before.

Just as her heart begins to mend, Juliet discovers the shocking reason Léo suddenly left France, and she doesn’t know what to believe. Should she run away, or fight for the chance of a future at Feywood filled with healing… and maybe even love?

A poignant and heartfelt country kitchen romance that explores the power of second chances. Perfect for fans of Heidi Swain, Phillipa Ashley, and Sarah Morgan.

What a lovely start to the Feywood Sisters series this was, and I'm already totally invested and keen to read the next books which probably give you a good indicator of what I thought of this first one! 

For I loved it - ok at times I was a bit frustrated with both Juliet and Leo for not communicating clearly, but they had their reasons and with their backgrounds, I could understand them, it was just a bit like I wanted to knock their heads together! 

Juliet is a fabulous character, she had a fractious relationship with mother, she's escaped a controlling relationship and isn't completely happy at being asked to give up her London life in order to help out with trying to save the family home. 

There are a lot of walls built around Juliet and as she softened and adapted to her new circumstances, including her interactions with Leo, I began to really love her. 

And I'm certainly eager to get to know Frankie and Martha better in their books, as well as returning to Feywood, to catch up with Rosseau, Will and Aunt Sylvia.  There is a cookery school that has been set up at the house that is what lends the book a foodie feel to it, and at times it certainly made me hungry. 

I loved discovering the family dynamics, and all of the characters grew on me throughout, apart from Toby (but you are meant to hate him with good reason). 

This is another very enjoyable book from Hannah Langdon, which is what I've come to expect from my previous experiences.  Bring on book 2 of this series! 

Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Revenge Plot by Jackie Kabler - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: The Revenge Plot

Author: Jackie Kabler

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 30th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

When Ella Leonard arrives at work one Monday morning, she’s stunned.

The place isn’t just shut – it’s gone. Boarded up, closed down.

Days later, she gets home to find she’s been evicted from her flat, her belongings piled on the doorstep.

It’s as if, bit by bit, someone is taking her entire life away from her.

Who, and why? And how much worse can it get?

The answer? A lot worse.

Three women scorned

All out for revenge! 

Who will come out on top?

It all starts with Ella, and her initial situation is intriguing, as she goes to work on Monday morning and discovers that over the weekend the locks have been changed, everything from the coffee shop has been removed, and even a key order had apparently been cancelled the previous week. Ella has no idea what or why, and when things escalate from that, it gets even more interesting. 

There are so many levels of deviousness within the pages of this novel. It kept me totally gripped. I was never sure where the story would take us next, and kept being open mouthed at some of the revelations / twists. 

It's another utterly brilliant psychological thriller from Jackie Kabler, and I couldn't get enough of it.  I can't say any of the characters would be someone I'd want as a friend, but they are realistic, possibly marginally unhinged and I could understand some of the motivations.  

it's dastardly, compelling and I was totally there for it. Just fabulous. 

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

Book Review - They Had It Coming by Nikki Smith - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: They Had It Coming

Author: Nikki Smith

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 15th May 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . .

Nate and Layla, Jude and Sophie. They've been a four for as long as they can remember: fancy dinners, dancing 'til dawn . . . Even living and working together.

So when Nate and Layla suddenly quit their lives and move to Bali, with its white sands and exotic beach clubs, Jude and Sophie are their first visitors. Anything to escape their life in London.

But as the two couples reunite, cracks begin to show.

Which is hardly surprising; they've been lying to each other for years.

And now, it's time for revenge.

What an enjoyable book of deceptions.  It seems as though Layla, Nate, Jude and Sophie are all not being entirely truthful with each other. 

And many of the revelations I certainly didn't see coming. It was unpredictable to say the least. 

Set in Bali, amongst the digital nomad community, we see a slightly different side to Bali. But above all we saw many sides to our main characters and many of them not overly pleasant. 

I'm not sure I totally connected with any of them, I was still keen to discover what was going to happen, especially with a different storyline happening in a separate time line that is interspersed which definitely intrigued me. 

It may not be my new favourite from this author but its another solid thriller from her, and a perfect holiday read! 

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

Book Review - The (Anti) Wedding Party by Lucy Knott

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Title: The (Anti) Wedding Party

Author: Lucy Knott

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 14th March 2024

Rating: 4 Stars

It's the biggest day of their best friends' lives... and they might just ruin it.

Andi hates weddings. So when her best friend Alex tells her she's getting married in Italy, and asks her to be her maid of honour, she knows she's the wrong woman for the job. But Alex won't take no for an answer, and so begins a week-long trip to a beautiful villa in Italy, full of potential disasters that it's Andi's job to avoid. But what if she's the one causing them?

Enter Owen, fellow wedding-hater, Best Man and also the worst person for the job. Tall, sexy and warm, Andi can't help but feel the ice around her heart begin to melt when he's around. But as Andi and Owen grow closer, the disasters begin to multiply, try as they might to keep them at bay. Together, can they put their feelings aside and pull off a successful wedding for those they love most?

Well this was rather amusing and I absolutely loved the Amalfi coast setting in Italy which was described so well. 

And with two main characters that are clearly big food lovers, there are loads of descriptions of food that will make your mouth water, and I could almost smell some of it from here! 

That isn't the only thing Andi and Owen have in common, as neither of them are keen on weddings, yet they are about to be Maid of Honour and Best Man for their best friends wedding, and all they have to do is try to not destroy it, or anyone in it!   And well that has some interesting effects. 

I absolutely adored Owen, he was everything I could want in a man and more. However I struggled at times to connect with Andi, don't get me wrong she is lovely, and I think it was a me issue! 

This was just a really enjoyable story, that was great escapism. 

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

Book Review - The Saturday Place by Alice Peterson

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Title: The Saturday Place

Author: Alice Peterson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bedford Square Publishers

Publication Date: 14th March 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Three perfect strangers who help each other to believe in love again

Holly's husband died, and she's lonely. She needs to do something to save herself, quickly. Next thing she knows she's interviewing for a voluntary cooking job, surprised to be ambushed by a scruffy man who looks like he has a past.

Angus has messed up. He's lost the respect of his family and has none for himself. If it weren't for his brother and friend who run the cafe, he'd be sleeping on the streets. Angus is about ready to give up - until he meets Holly, who sparks something in him.

Then Lauren arrives from the homeless shelter. She came to London with nothing but an old train ticket, a teddy bear, and the clothes on her back. With no family, no home, no friends, she doesn't know what love is. People scare her. She's terrified of Angus and Holly. At first.

Each of them finds themselves in the Saturday cafe at a time when they need something to grab hold of. It might have to be each other...

Well it has been many years since I last read an Alice Peterson novel, but this was definitely worth the wait. 

This was fabulous, and it's a book that has three very different characters that all have a few things in common, and about their growing friendship, and about how you can make changes in your life. 

It is also pro volunteering and its many benefits and not just the obvious of helping others. For Holly, Angus and Lauren are all volunteers at Soul Food which is only open on Saturdays and is a cafe designed to help the community, tackling food waste and offers meals to those in need too. 

We get to see characters who are living on the streets and Lauren's backstory is particularly harrowing.  Angus I just fell for, and Holly once she gets a bit of her groove back, is a really lovely character too. 

They are all volunteering for different reasons but as these three in particular bond, it is heartwarming to follow their story and a real joy to read. 

I was thinking about these characters well after I had finished the last page, and felt as though I was having to say goodbye to new friends when I ended the book. I wonder what they are all up now - that is how real these characters were to me! 

Utterly fabulous as always from this author, just don't make us wait so long for your next book please! 

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