Book Review - The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh

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Title: The Silver-Haired Sisterhood

Author: Judy Leigh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley 

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 2nd December 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Five years after seventy-something Tess jetted off to Paris with her best friends, Jen, Rose, Della and Pam - the Five French Hens - for Jen’s hen do, a lot has changed. Prospective groom Eddie has been given the heave-ho, Tess’s husband has been sent packing and the Hens are making the most of their golden years.

But Tess is stuck in a rut. Rather than embrace her independence, she watches on as Rose wows Paris, Jen explores Iceland and Pam heads to Greece. But when tragedy strikes Della, Tess is shaken into action. They both need a change of scenery and longing to see the Northern Lights, they head to the Highlands of Scotland and the magical Isle of Skye.

There Tess and Della get more than they bargained for. Along with stunning scenery and breathtaking history, they find new friends, grand adventures and even romance. And when they’re joined by the other Hens, together they start plotting a fabulous new future for them all.

Travel with Judy Leigh to the magical Highlands in this uplifting, joyous and funny tale of friendships and new beginnings. This is the perfect feel-good story for all fans of Maddie Please, Dawn French and Caroline James.

Years ago when I read and reviewed Five French Hens, I said I would love to see a sequel.  Well the sequel now exists in the form of The Silver-Haired Sisterhood and I am as delighted with this book as I was with the first one. 

Although admittedly I can't really remember most of the details many years on from the first book, so it can definitely be read as a standalone.  I did though remember Della, and it really was good to catch up with all of these hens. 

Now in their late 70s, and getting in at least one case rather close to the big 8-0, it's fabulous to catch up with these ladies and see how their lives have developed further.  And they are still up for adventures

Which is what led Tess and Della to head up to the Isle of Skye for a pre-Christmas holiday, only for the hotel that looked amazing on the website to not quite match the reality.  By which I mean, the owner wasn't expecting them, is suffering his own heartbreak and has more or less given up. 

Della and Tess although they were hoping for a relaxing break, jump into action and their holiday becomes a whole lot busier. But they do get to go one some trips, with the rather memorable Murdo. 

i really don't want to give too much away so won't say much more of the plot but would like to stay just how enjoyable this was. I was loving every second of this book, and the characters have found their way into my heart to stay. 

And once again with a Judy Leigh novel I am inspired to know that my life won't be over too soon and that you can still have a rich and fulfilling time, even well past retirement age!   Absolutely adored this book. 

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

Book Review - The Golden Gal's French Adventure by Judy Leigh - #HolidayReading Gambia

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Title: The Golden Gal's French Adventure

Author: Judy Leigh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th June 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Sixty-nine-year-old Fliss has lived a life!

A career running her own successful business, a beautiful home, a wardrobe full of designer clothes – Fliss has everything she ever wanted. So why does she feel so lonely?

Sixty-six-year-old Shirl didn’t expect to be looking after a baby again, let alone a grown woman who should know better. But with her daughter Gemma struggling to adapt to motherhood, and her boss Fliss increasingly reliant on Shirl to run her life, Shirl never gets a moment to herself.

Fliss might not be great at life’s chores, but she is great at seizing opportunities, so when the chance for a jaunt to France’s beautiful Brittany comes her way, she decides it’s just what she and Shirl need. And as the sun-soaked town of Plouvannec-Sur-Mer begins to work its magic on the women, they realise there’s another way to live.

From cake-laden patisseries, to joyous local fetes, from food, views and beaches to die for, to a community quick to embrace them, not to mention some rather fine French men for company, perhaps it’s not too late for Fliss and Shirl to embrace a new adventure and look forwards to a totally different future.

The perfect feel-good story from besteller Judy Leigh. A must read for all fans of Maddie Please, Dawn French and Caroline James.

I totally felt whisked away to the south of France, and at times I was utterly convinced I was reading a Jennifer Bohnet novel, purely as the descriptions of the local area, felt reminiscent of her ability to conjure up the feel of the place. 

But this is definitely a Judy Leigh book and another fine one at that. 

I loved Shirl's no nonsense type of character, and her love of her family is great to see.  Her granddaughter, baby Macey Roux is adorable too. 

And Fliss is let's say rather unique, but once she is in France , making new friends, she becomes a whole different person, one that I wanted to see more and more of. 

Between the mellowing of Fliss, the local people that Fliss and Shirl get to know, this is no ordinary holiday and they get swept up in the French lifestyle. 

I adored every moment of the book, and once again love how Judy Leigh proves that age is just a number and that you can still live life to its fullest at a more advanced age! 

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

Book Review - The Woman With All The Answers by Linda Green

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Title: The Woman With All The Answers

Author: Linda Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 26th February 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

**Alexa knows your family better than you do. Now you're about to get to know her... **

Fifty-two-year-old Michelle Banks is struggling to keep all the plates spinning. She’s a perimenopausal district nurse, caring for elderly parents. Her husband is wasting their money on children’s TV memorabilia, her teenage daughter is riddled with anxiety and her sixteen-year-old son is behaving secretively.

Alexa is the only one who knows how much Michelle is juggling. Listening in via four smart speakers, she also knows that it’s about to get even worse.

So, when Michelle pleads for help from the woman with all the answers, Alexa decides to go rogue and reveal her true identity as Pauline – a sixty-five-year-old former voiceover artist from Halifax – to teach Michelle everything she knows…

Wise, funny, relatable and inspiring, The Woman With All The Answers is perfect for fans of Clare Pooley, Mike Gayle and David Nicholls.

This is utterly brilliant.  It is so much funnier than I was expecting but also emotional at times, and left me feeling uplifted. 

It is also surprisingly believable, given it explains that Alexa (the google virtual assistant) is voiced by a team of women, each one having their own family, who is a real person and not an algorithm, or AI or anything.  And it turns out the person behind Michelle's Alexa is due to retire and is about to go rogue! 

Michelle is stressed, tired, at her wits end, attempting to deal with all of her various family members, the ones she lives with, plus her father, her mother in law and then her mother comes back into her life too. 

We have a Marc who works from home and may have a slight Ebay habit, Liv her A-Level age daughter who is suffering from anxiety and doesn't want to leave the house, let alone go back to school and sit her exams, or contemplate anything after that, and Callum who is 16 and who is having to deal with peer pressure. 

There are some truly hilarious moments, some rather mortifying ones, there is a brush with the police, a rather memorable doctor's appointment, and a whole lot more. 

And in between that we have chapters from "Alexa"'s point of view, where we get to see behind the scenes of life as a virtual personal assistant, can discover just how much all of our technology is interconnected and spying on us, and of this particular Alexa's compassion for the family she has been aiding for six years. 

It's hard to fully explain this book, but it deals with real issues that anyone could encounter.  The characters are relatable and I think I'm going to miss them now I have finished reading. 

It's really quick and easy to read and I loved every single second of it.  It's just brilliant and one of my favourite Linda Green books easily.  So happy to see this talented author back writing in this genre, I've missed it and look forward already to her next book. 

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

Book Review - In Italy For Love by Leonie Mack - #HolidayReading Gambia

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Title: In Italy For Love

Author: Leonie Mack

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 22nd October 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Live your very own Italian dream and let bestseller Leonie Mack whisk you away.

Julia Volpe’s Italian dream has turned into a nightmare.

Still living with her ex, Luca, a year after they’ve broken up, desperate to sell the dilapidated B&B that was meant to be their future, Jules knows she needs to leave. There are just two problems. Her passport has expired and she’s broke.

Not quite ready to ask her parents for help – at the ripe old age of twenty-seven – Jules decides to head as far away from Luca as she can to work on an olive farm until she has enough money to pay for her passport and a ticket back home.

Jules has sworn off love, but she hadn’t bargained on the beauty of Cividale del Friuli, the ancient Italian town on the banks of the gloriously blue Natisone river. As the community of farmers, neighbours and locals generously welcome her into their lives, Jules can feel her defences crumbling. But it’s when she meets Alex, broodingly handsome yet charmingly gallant, that Jules truly knows she’s in trouble. Because Alex has sworn off love too, and his reasons run deep enough for him to keep his word just as Jules is starting to reconsider her resistance to romance.

Romantic, spell-binding, truly touching and perfect for all fans of Jill Mansell, Mandy Baggot and Sarah Morgan.

What a charming and escapist read this was. 

I was enchanted by the small corner of Italy that Jules has run to to lick her wounds and wait for her passport to arrive. 

It is a small town on the border of multiple countries, and has a really close knit community, one that at times Alex really despairs of. 

What is meant to be a one night stand, after circumstances and would be matchmakers took over, turns into something more. But neither are looking for love. 

I really felt for Jules and Alex at times, while also being fascinated with various details about accordions. 

I felt completely transported and could definitely see everything play out,  Another incredibly enjoyable book from Leonie Mack. 

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

Book Review - Grave Talk by Nick Spalding - #HolidayReading Gambia

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Title: Grave Talk

Author: Nick Spalding

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 1st November 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

The hardest part of death is learning how to live.

The last thing Alice expects to see at her husband’s graveside on his birthday is a giant, talking frog. On closer inspection, it’s a grown man dressed as Kermit.

Turns out Alice’s husband is buried next to Ben’s older brother Harry, who—as a parting practical joke in his will—insisted that Ben visit his grave each year, on this specific day, dressed in an as-yet-undisclosed pageant of embarrassing fancy dress.

With little but their grief and this one day in common, Alice and Ben form a very special, very strange friendship, meeting just once a year: same day, same time, same place—different silly costume. As the years pass and grief alters, can their unique bond help them cope with the hardest part of death: life?

I think when it comes to approaching a new Nick Spalding novel you need to expect the unexpected, especially if like me you don't tend to read the blurbs of books by authors you know you already enjoy. 

This at its heart is a story about grief, set in a graveyard at yearly intervals between Alice and Ben who's loved ones are buried next to each other. 

In typical Spalding manor though there are many incidents throughout the book that make me laugh out loud, with some hilarious turn of phrase or images. 

Oh and in Harrys (Ben's brother's will) he is asked to visit the graveyard at midday on his birthday each year, and to wear the already organised fancy dress - starting with year one as Kermit the Frog. 

Alice is grieving her husband and her story and emotion really does tug the heartstrings. 

It is though a hopeful book and it did leave me smiling with a fabulous finale. Another winner for me from this talented author. 

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

Book Review - Hook, Line and Single by Phoebe MacLeod

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Title: Hook, Line and Single

Author: Phoebe MacLeod

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 17th February 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Ruby may be young, free and single… but she’s absolutely not ready to mingle.

Ruby is happily sworn off men. There’s nothing she needs that can’t get from her friends, cat or, frankly, the wonders of modern technology. So when her flatmate tricks her into going on a singles cruise, she’s furious.

Thankfully, Ruby isn’t the only one onboard under false pretences. Cameron also had no idea what he was letting himself in for. So after Ruby and Cameron strike up conversation, they agree to platonically pair off, to protect each other from the flirtatious advances of the other guests – not to mention the matchmaking efforts of Barry, the enthusiastic host.

There’s just one problem. Cameron isn’t just in the same boat as Ruby – he’s also good looking, kind and fun. As they explore the picturesque towns of the Mediterranean, Ruby finds herself enjoying his company much more than she’d intended.

Can Ruby keep her heart safe, or will she be in too deep by the time the boat docks at its final destination?

I've heard good things about Phoebe MacLeod's books but hadn't read any, until I spotted this one a featured a cruise. And I am a sucker for a cruise. 

And having now read this, I may just be a sucker for this author's writing too, as I enjoyed it so much.  That I was ditching things I possibly should have been doing in order to read more. 

Initially I was more interested in Sam's story, but Ruby, as the main character grew on me the whole time, and on discovering the truth why she prefers to be single, my heart went out to her. 

In between that we have Sam trying to prowl for single men at a new church she has heard about, and wow they have some rather interesting rules. After that she decides that a holiday with Ruby would be a good idea. 

To Ruby's dismay they had been booked through a singles group, and were expected to go to organised activities each evening.  Now this is a fabulous dynamic and it was a lot of fun, and Barry the Marco Polo group host is larger than life, but I kind of wanted to see a bit more of the cruise ship. 

But really its a port intensive itinerary so its realistic for most of the action to be in the ports of call, and then evening activities, it's just the cruise fanatic in me wanted to see if I could work out which cruise line this may have been modelled on! 

And there are some really memorable moments at some of the ports too, especially once Ruby starts hanging around Cameron who also isn't keen on the idea of dating, after Sam hits it off with a new man. 

This had many amusing and fun moments, and is a book I totally enjoyed. 

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

Book Review - Light's Out by Jenni Fletcher - #HolidayReading Gambia

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Title: Light's Out

Author: Jenni Fletcher

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 31st October 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

An addictive new adult Formula One romance, perfect for fans of BookTok faves Hannah Grace and Lauren Asher.

He’s a future F1 champion, but she’s making it hard to stay on track…

F1’s resident bad boy Giovanni Bauer needs to turn his reputation around fast - or risk losing his place on the team.

Maisie Evans is a dedicated university student, who still secretly dreams of the glittering sports career she abandoned.

When Gio and Maisie's worlds collide, the answer to their problems seems obvious: a fake relationship. She gets to travel and brush shoulders with sports royalty, and he gets to fix his public image.

But as sparks fly - on and off the track - will their 'relationship' make it across the finish line, or crash and burn?

A combination of F1 and fake dating was always going to be a winner for me. 

And I'm delighted to have been able to read Jenni Fletcher's first foray into the world of F1 romances, which are a world apart from the historical romances she normally writes. 

I loved Maisie and Gio, and everything to do with them. 

The more time we spent with Gio, the more I fell for him myself, and arguably faster than  Maisie.

Gio is the one that suggests the fake relationship in order to try to help rebuild his image and to keep his seat, And after some persuasion Maisie. agrees to the charade, especially once she realises it will help her current uni paper. 

I was hooked on all the F1 details that were included in the book, and can just about forgive the author for changing where the season ends, 

It was highly enjoyable and I was totally hooked. 

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

Book Review - Summer Secrets at Duck Pond Cottage by Della Galton

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Title: Summer Secrets at Duck Pond Cottage

Author: Della Galton

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 22nd February 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Can love conquer all?

Jade and Finn are idyllically happy in their little corner of rural Wiltshire. A rescue centre jampacked with animals keeps them super busy. With Finn’s art going from strength to strength, Jade can’t believe they’re living the dream until an arrogant property developer with questionable motives jeopardises their perfect lives and the future plans of the rescue centre.

Jade and Finn both have trust issues and they’ve promised there’ll be no more secrets. But keeping promises is harder than either of them imagined, especially where Finn’s past is concerned.

Living with Mr Spock the potty-mouthed parrot and Mickey the dog who barks at TV baddies there's never a dull moment at Duck Pond Rescue. But will the humans get their ‘happy-ever-after’ too?

Can they lay the ghosts of the past to rest and find a bright new future together?

Can I please adopt Mr Spock? He is a hilarious parrot, he swears, she imitates various sounds, he can sing, and has fabulous comic timing.  I need this parrot in my life, and he is easily one of my favourite animals in this book. 

I am loving all the various animals at Duck Pond Rescue, and the way that Jade is determined to help any animal that is brought to her - including geese despite at that moment in time not having a pond - she enlists the help of the people wanting her to rehome the geese, and before long a pond has been dug!  Just shows there are loads of animal mad people out there. 

One of the biggest laughs in the book has to have been from Aiden's accident prone nature, he relates one tale to Jade and Finn and its brilliant, and I could imagine it so so clearly. 

Finn especially has a lot of development during this book, as he discovers that he can see red, he digs into his past a bit more, and there is a big art show to look forward to too. 

Meanwhile Jade would like to expand the rescue but a developer gazumps her gentleman's' agreement and starts her attempting to work out how she may be able to stop a housing development being built on the border of her land. 

And of course we see lots of Sarah, Callum and Ben, in addition to Ray and Dorrie as well as other local characters that it's good to see more of.  

And there are cameos from characters from both of Della Galton's previous series which will make her super fans really smile. 

I am loving everything about this book, with the possible exception of the last couple of pages, as we have been left on my pet hate of a cliff-hanger - it's not the most epic of cliff-hangers but it will have me rather keen to read the next book as soon as possible, as it promises something potentially epic for one of our characters! 

I've had a ball reading this, and can't wait for more. 

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

Book Review - Island in the Sun by Katie Fforde - #HolidayReading Gambia

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Title: Island in the Sun

Author: Katie Fforde

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 15th February 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

Dominica. A beautiful remote island where the sun shines and the living is easy.

And where Cass goes to photograph a rare stone carving as a favour to her father.

With her is Ranulph, a deeply attractive, much-travelled journalist, who offers to help Cass with her quest.

But Dominica has just been hit be a severe hurricane, and Cass and Ranulph are spending all of their time helping the local community.

Cass knows she must not fall in love with him… He is just looking out for her. He’s being kind.

There is no way he could be even the slightest bit interested in her. Could he?

I absolutely adored this book and read it from cover to cover over the course of an evening. 

I was hooked pretty much instantly and was enchanted initially by the descriptions of the Scottish Island that Cass's dad lives on. 

And then ultimately Dominica really got under my skin. Especially given it was a visit to a unique Caribbean island in the aftermath of a hurricane. 

Seeing Cass and Ranulph get stuck in with the relief efforts, before they even attempted to get on with the other reason they were on the island was lovely to see. 

We even have a real villain of the book in Austin - believe in Cass's initial bad feelings about him, she has great intuition. 

And I loved Cass starting to develop as her own persons and really come into herself as the story progressed. 

This is a really heartwarming and wonderful story, that had me totally absorbed and oblivious to the world around me.   Just brilliant. 

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

Book Review - Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans - #HolidayReading Gambia

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Title: Christmas Ever After

Author: Jaimie Admans

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 2nd September 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open... But there’s one man standing in her way - expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.

Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing lovers together, a myth Raff continues to exploit. But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn't know how her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff's snow globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!

As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring and funny. But unless she can prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together, she’s going to lose everything…

But maybe it's not too late for them to put aside their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?

I think I saved my favourite Christmas book of 2024 until last. Just from the title and knowing how fab the author is at Christmas books, I suspected this might make me feel festive. 

And OMG how brilliant was it. Between being set on Christmas Ever After - the side bit to Ever After Street, where it is Christmas all year around, and featuring a Nutcracker shop and a magical snow globe shop I was in heaven. 

Franca's rivalry with Raff was amusing initially until the viral video where she breaks a few fingers, and Raff feels so guilty he offers to help her make nutcrackers. 

But they are in competitions with each other, and only one shop will survive the festive season. 

It didn't take long to discover that Raff is wonderful. I totally fell for him, and when we get to meet his family I fell even deeper.   His family are wonderful and they celebrate Christmas in a big way. 

They help Franca rediscover the magic of the season while she is trying to work out the magic behind the snow globes. 

This is such a gorgeously festive book that is truly wonderful and another brilliant book in this series. I can't get enough of the series and this author.  Just brilliant. 

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