Book Review - Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: Book Boyfriend

Author: Lucy Vine

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 19th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Jemma has lived a thousand lives through books. The only life she isn’t living is her own.

That is, until the day she finds a note from a stranger in her favourite library book. When she replies, the pair begin a longhand conversation about their love of novels that sees Jemma finally coming out of her shell. Is she ready to fall in love for the first time – with someone she’s never met?

 

Clara has always run away from her problems, but this might finally be one she can’t escape.

Everyone wants to know what happened to Clara in America – but Clara isn’t talking. Instead she’s focusing all her energy obsessing over a hot new actor, starring in the TV adaptation of her twin Jemma's favourite book. Soon, Clara is reading every interview, trawling his social media, and following him to showbiz parties in the hopes he’ll notice she’s The One.

 

As the sisters fall hard for two men they’ve never met, it’s time to ask the question: Can either relationship survive the real world?

What an entertaining story this was, featuring fraternal twins Jemma and Clara. 

These are not overly close twins, and in fact seem to really dislike each other at times, or at any rate they are like chalk and cheese. 

Both though have more in common than perhaps they realise, thus causing their clashes. 

I loved Jemma and her flatmates, she is bookish, quiet and intriguingly seems to have a book boyfriend that she is exchanges notes with in a copy of a library book. 

Clara is rather flighty and after 5 years in the states has returned to the UK rather suddenly. She seems to have very few clues about adulting, and is also fixated on Milo an actor in a new TV adaption of Jemma's favourite book. 

And it's Clara's pursuit of Milo that leads to large parts of the humour in this book which was really amusing. 

This is light hearted, really entertaining and just a whole lot of fun to read. I had a great time reading this book and seemed to whiz through it fairly fast too. 

I'm starting to really love Lucy Vine's books and already curious what her next one will be. 

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

Book Review - A Recipe For Love by Amelia Berry - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: A Recipe For Love

Author: Amelia Berry 

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hera

Publication Date: 13th March 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Cinderella meets Bake-Off in this contemporary rags-to-riches romcom

From the moment they meet, Bella and Adam know this is no ordinary holiday romance.

This is the real deal.

But when they find out Adam’s father has died and he has inherited the penniless Lowbridge Loch estate, their lives are changed in an instant.

Bella suddenly finds herself dealing with crumbling castles, battling baronesses and a tiny community of eccentric characters. Rising to the challenge, Bella has an idea to save Lowbridge Loch. She will create The Highland Cookery School.

But will her plans sink like a souffle when her skills are put to the test?

And can Bella and Adam’s love survive the pressure of saving the estate?

An irresistible, feel-good romance perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Holly Martin and Heidi Swain

What a promising start to a new series this is. I loved Bella and Adam from the start and was rooting for their whirllwind romance to last.

However when Adam becomes the new Baron of Lowbridge after his father suddenly dies, their plans are up in the air and they have to adjust to their new normal. 

A not so warm welcome for Bella from the two ladies of Lowbridge house, but yet somehow she seems to be a breath of fresh air for the property and the local community too. 

While Adam is struggling with his new role, Bella is setting up her Highland Cookery School amongst other ideas.  

Their first test session of it is very funny, as are various other moments in the book. 

This was a joy to read and I loved every second of it and am already looking forward to the next book. 

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

Book Review - An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack

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Title: An Italian Wedding Adventure

Author: Leonie Mack

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 9th May 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

Can old flames reignite under the hot Italian sun? 🌞

When the destination wedding agency Sophie works for merges with an adventure travel company to create unique ceremonies for outdoor enthusiasts, Sophie is horrified to discover her gruff ex-boyfriend Andreas works there. Even worse: he's been assigned as her guide for a scouting trip to Italy, in search of the perfect location for a summit-top wedding.

Thrown together to make another couple’s romantic dreams come true, all Sophie can think about are the dreams she once had for them. But when the truth of what actually happened eight long years ago finally emerges, will Sophie risk imagining a happily-ever-after and opening her heart to Andreas again…?

Brand new from the bestselling author of A Wedding in the Sun!

What an excellent concept and start to what is promising to be an entertaining new series. 

I absolutely love the idea of adventure weddings and this book combines my love of drama,  romance,  thrills, travel and a gorgeous guy into one irresistible story. 

I really enjoyed getting to know Sophie and Andreas and seeing how they interact now they have come across each other again after many years. 

We get to see how they have changed and why they are the people they have become , and it is clear there is still a spark. 

I also loved the scouting of locations for this climbing wedding as well as the day itself. 

I am already looking forward to the next book in this series, and really enjoyed this first book a great deal. 

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

Book Review - Right Place, Right Time by Ali McNamara - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: Right Place, Right Time

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication Date: 19th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Could this be the moment they've both been waiting for?

Eve has always loved antiques.

She loves the way an item from the past can offer a glimpse of another world, of another time. It's why she painstakingly researches the stories behind every item in Rainy Day Antiques, her little Cambridge shop, to share with their new owners. It's her way of honouring the past and cherishing the present.

Adam is firmly focussed on the future.

He's only in town to sort his late grandfather's affairs. When he discovers that his grandfather hired Eve to manage his house clearance, he can only hope her methods don't delay his return to London.

What neither of them know is that Adam's grandfather chose Eve for a reason. It's finally the right place and the right time for the two of them to meet. But what did he have planned for them?

Another rollicking read from Ali McNamara.  This was amazing. 

I mean as per normal with this author you do need to suspend all disbelief at things that may not be quite as they seem, as once again there is a hint of I'll say magical realism within the pages, unsure if that is the correct term, but definitely extra ordinary. 

And it's all to do with Adam, Eva and Eve's shop in Cambridge, set in the fabulous Clockmaker's Court. 

From the moment they meet for the first time, it seems as though they have been drawn to each other, but the reasonings for it are to be discovered. 

They have far more in common that first meets they eye, and I loved discovering their stories and those of their family members. 

I'm reluctant to say anything else, for fear of spoiling this wonderful book for you, but rest assured it will get you thinking, smiling, possibly crying, and will totally hook you in,. 

Just another fabulous book from this author. 

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

Book Review - Beach Bodies by Sienna Sharpe

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Title: Beach Bodies

Author: Sienna Sharpe

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 19th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Bella Mackie meets Emily Henry in this sharp, spicy 'thromance' about a woman who is determined to make toxic people pay for the damage they do, and the handsome stranger who is on her tail.

⭐ Falling in love can be murder… ⭐

No one in Lily Lennox’s life can understand why each of the past five summers, she has shut her successful business and chosen instead to be paid minimum wage life-guarding at the exclusive Riovan Wellness Resort in a sun-soaked Caribbean island.

Fortunately for her, they also aren’t aware of the mysterious deaths that have occurred on the island every time she’s there.

Lily always tries to avoid bringing attention to herself. After all, if your mission is murder, it’s best not to draw suspicious eyes. But this year (ridiculously gorgeous) guest Daniel Black is asking a few too many inconvenient questions.

Can she manage her growing attraction towards him at the same time as getting away with murder?

What a totally addictive story this was, which stayed on my mind for a while afterwards too. 

I absolutely loved Lily's motivations, and just how devious she is.  And I also agree with her feelings on the beauty / wellness industry, especially with regards how women are made to feel about their bodies. 

I was never totally sure how it would all play out, it definitely was unpredictable to me and I absolutely loved the clear headed ness, rules and decision making abilities involved in Lily's style of vigilante justice. 

I definitely did not expect the ending at all.  While most of the action is taking part in an elite resort in the Caribbean, that had me wishing I had saved this for a beach read, as it's definitely a perfect holiday read. 

Also loved Lily's clear attraction to the one guest, that is potentially going to cause her no end of trouble, as if someone is determined to get away with causing another suspicious death, she should perhaps stay away from journalists. 

A totally fabulous debut novel and I'm eager to see what this author writes next. 

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

Book Review - A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas

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Title: A Place in the Sun

Author: Jo Thomas

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 19th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

It's never too late to find where you belong...

Thea knew the holiday house her late husband Marco bought in Tuscany wasn't pristine. But when she relocates to Italy for the summer with her children, she's shocked by how much work Casa Luna needs. And she only has six weeks to fix it up ready to sell! Her only option is to ask the tight-knit Italian community for help.

In return, Thea and her children become involved in the community kitchen, working alongside handsome chef Giovanni and three very competitive nonnas. Gradually, Thea begins to open up to the people around her for the first time in a long while. But just as she's beginning to wonder whether this small Tuscan town could become a new place to call home, a surprise visitor turns everything on its head . . .

If you are a cat named Garfield, then you will be salivating at this novel, and in fact pawing your way through the pages, hoping the descriptions will be coming to life and giving you your favourite food! 

For at the heart of this book is Lasagne, proper Tuscan lasagne, with three nonnas all thinking their recipe is the best and all determined to welcome Thea to Tuscany and to Casa Luna with Lasagnes.

In fact there are a few scenes in this clearly written with the humour of the The Vicar of Dibley's 3 Christmases episode in mind.  At least that's what I was reminded of, while Thea knows she needs to be polite, while really not being able to eat any more! 

It's not just lasagne though, there is a whole of of Italian food in this that will have your mouth watering, and leave you feeling very hungry the entire time you are reading. 

This is Jo Thomas at her destination and foodie romance best. This book is filled with humour, evocative descriptions of food and also the small village that Thea has a house to do up in, and their community.  

The three Nonnas are a comedy triple act that had me laughing the entire time. Starting the book as rivals, it's interesting to see the effect Thea (and her kids) have on them. 

Thea is a widow, and this house in Italy as her husband Marco's purchase, and they were going to restore it together. But life changes and now she is trying to do her best by him, while keeping her children happy and wondering whether it may be time to move on too. 

This is a delicious book to devour, its easy to read and made my train journey melt into oblivion of background movement, while I was totally between the pages and living life alongside Thea. 

I absolutely loved every second of this book, it's another winner for me from Jo Thomas, an author that never lets me down.  Just exquisite. 

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

Book Review - The Protest by Rob Rinder - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: The Protest

Author: Rob Rinder

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 19th June 2025 

Rating: 4 Stars

A world-famous artist. A fatal brush with death.

At a star-studded opening night for the Royal Academy’s celebration of renowned artist Max Bruce, someone is hiding a dark secret.

As the night reaches its climax and Max addresses his admirers, the occasion takes a shocking turn when a protester runs from the crowd and sprays the artist with blue paint.

Max collapses and it soon turns out that the paint was laced with cyanide. Someone has been plotting to kill him.

All evidence points to the protestor – and newly qualified barrister Adam Green is assigned the impossible task of their defence.

But could there be others who wanted Max dead?

I am really enjoying this series from Rob Rinder, and it was great to catch up with Adam again. 

This time he is working on two very different cases, one far more glamorous than the other. 

I love seeing this side of crime, as we see how Adam helps prepare the cases for court, plus also tries to be supportive to others at his chambers. 

I am also still a massive fan of the phone calls Adam gets from his mother, which are typically light relief and entertaining, while also feeling fairly familiar to me personally. 

It's another really interesting book, and I'll be keen to read more in the series in the future. 

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

Book Review - Things We Do For Love by Miranda Dickinson - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: Things We Do For Love

Author: Miranda Dickinson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 1st August 2024

Rating: 5 Stars 

Could romance be waiting in the wings…?

Lucie Hart is a fledgling actress, her confidence having been shattered by her manipulative ex. Making ends meet by performing Shakespearean monologues full of romance she doesn’t believe in, she can see her dreams getting further out of reach.

Theo Larkin has already taken Hollywood by storm and his next conquests are Shakespeare’s greatest works – and his incensed leading lady.

Always short of money, Lucie can’t afford to waste the opportunity to bring crowds to her shows. And when a well-publicised bust-up leaves Theo’s reputation hanging by a thread, he is desperate to prove his worth by taking on the most challenging performance of his life.

As they put aside their differences to save their careers, can our star-crossed lovers take their relationship to the next stage, and find themselves along the way?

I think could be best described a love letter to the bard of Stratford Upon Avon - the one and only William Shakespeare. 

There are so many Shakespearean references, lines of dialogue and of course performances from his collective works, that I was totally lost at times, as I'm not a fan! 

However between all of that there was a fabulous story of the Players, Lucie, Ced and for this summer season only Theo. 

They are all at different stages of their acting lives, but when Lucie and Theo are on stage together there is magic chemistry.  Of course when they are off stage, they have no idea how behave around each other, or if they can even trust each other. 

As we get to know Lucie and her wonderful group of friends, I started to fall in love with the town of Stratford Upon Avon.  

With Theo trying to do everything to revive his career, he has tricky decisions to make, especially given the last time he did the right thing, it made his reputation plummet. 

With so many talented actors, this is a book for theatre lovers amongst others.  It was truly enjoyable and a pleasure to read. 

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

Book Review - Lessons in Life by Julie Houston - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Title: Lessons in Life

Author: Julie Houston

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 12th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

The Yorkshire village of Beddingfield is home to the wonderful women of the Allen family: teacher Robyn, wannabe chef Jess, teenage tearaway Sorrel and matriarch Lisa, who holds the whole family together. But underneath her warmth and brilliance, Lisa has a secret – she longs to know who she really is.

In Hudson House, the grand manor on the edge of Beddingfield which is now a care home, lives seventy-something Eloise Howard. With film star beauty but memories fading fast, Eloise is slowly taking one foot at a time back into her past. Born into a prestigious family, her father the owner of the local Hudson’s Mill, Eloise’s life was destined to be one of finishing schools and balls. But when her path crossed Junayd Sattar’s, the most striking and kindest man she had ever met, nothing would ever be the same again.

When Lisa begins to spend time at Hudson House and befriends Eloise, the two women form an unbreakable bond. But unbeknownst to them both, they share secrets that, once uncovered, will change everything they believed about their own lives.

In her unmatched warm and uplifting voice, Julie Houston’s funny and profoundly moving tale of forbidden love, friendship and family ties will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page… Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Fiona Gibson and Cathy Kelly.

Readers LOVE Julie Houston:

I am adoring this Beddingfield set series by Julie Houston. We may only be two books into it, but it's shaping up to be a total cracker of a series. 

Having read the first book, it really didn't take too long to totally feel at home again with the Allen family. 

We also get to know Lisa a lot better this time, and discovering more about her past. 

There is also a new resident at Hudson House, and we get chapters from her young adult years. 

I put two and two together about something and came up with the right solution for a change, even if some of the logic was wrong. 

Also enjoyed seeing Robyn's latest attempts at teaching, and all things to do with Jess and Sorrel. 

So many wonderful characters, and I am loving these looks at their lives.  I can't help but think this series could potentially make a fabulous soap opera. 

Just brilliant. 

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

Book Review- How to Write a Rom-Com by Cristina Wolf

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Title: How To Write a Rom-Com

Author: Cristina Wolf

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 15th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Lucy Bowen has sworn off love.

After too many failed relationships, she's over the fairytale – but working at NYC's biggest romance publisher, Heartwarming, means she can't escape it. When the company's bestselling author, Ruby Jones, threatens to leave due to dwindling sales (and a complete lack of inspiration), Lucy's boss takes drastic action.

Her new assignment? Go to a small lakeside town and find the spark for Ruby's next big love story.

Lucy expects picture-perfect charm, but the town – and its grumpy yet extremely attractive restaurant owner, Liam – have other ideas. He's skeptical of city folk, and she has zero interest in falling for a small-town cliché. But rom-com rule number one? Love finds you when you least expect it...

If you are a hard core rom-com fantatic then just make sure you read this.  It's like an ode to a rom-com! 

It's a rom-com within a romance, within a Hallmark movie. 

It's small town perfection! 

And there are loads of references to Friends too which I was totally there for, as I have watched all the episodes far too many times. 

Lucy is now a fan of small towns, but she is trying to get a promotion to editor at the romance imprint she works for, and is asked to infiltrate a small town to come up with a plot and location for the imprint's best selling author to keep her onside. 

But on arriving well she meets a picture perfect hunk of a neighbour, who doesn't seem keen on big city people, but looks like he should be in the pages of a book. 

And everywhere she goes in Hudson Falls, Ruby is able to see parallels with small town romance novels. This works on so so many levels and just made me smile the whole time. 

And there is so much to both of our main characters and the varied cast of locals that she meets. I loved just about everyone and was just a pure joy to read. 

I'm a massive fan of the genre, and couldn't get enough of this book and author, which seems to be a very accomplished debut novel.  I am already eager to see what she will write next as this was fabulous. 

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