Book Review - The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens by Jaimie Admans

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Title: The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens

Author: Jaimie Admans

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 12th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

In Mistletoe Gardens a legend exists: anyone who kisses underneath the mistletoe will be guaranteed another year of love…

When local baker Essie Browne discovers that Mistletoe Gardens is to be demolished in January, she’s determined to save the place she loves so much. So Essie proposes building a life size gingerbread house to bring in the crowds…just how hard can it be?

Well, quite hard actually. Essie can bake gingerbread blindfolded, but she hasn’t got a clue how to build an actual house with it! She needs help - and fast!

Enter local builder, Joss Hallissey. Essie is convinced that with Joss’s help they can pull this off. There’s just one tiny problem: Joss hates Christmas, gingerbread, and… well, just about everything else too.

Joss the Grinch makes it clear that her idea is ludicrous and pointless, but he reluctantly agrees to help with her plan.

Will the gingerbread house be enough to save Mistletoe Gardens? Or will Essie's chance for a magical kiss under the mistletoe be lost forever?

Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Kat French and Caroline Roberts!

Do you have any idea how you would build a life sized gingerbread house? No, me neither, and nor does Essie, despite her promising at the town meeting that something like a life sized gingerbread house could be just what is needed to turn around the fortunes of Mistletoe Gardens and potentially save her family legacy. 

The problem is local builder Joss, is initially refusing to help, reckons that its impossible and is adamant that he hates the town, Christmas, and whole lot more besides. 

Thankfully he can't resist a challenge, and so he and Essie start spending a lot of time together. 

As the story went on I couldn't help but fall further and further in love with Joss, as we learn more about the man.  He develops and changes before our very eyes.  I do like a festive transformation. 

I'm sure I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again but Jaimie Admans writes the most perfect Christmas books.

This is a story that had me both craving gingerbread but also really wanting to visit the giant gingerbread house.

I loved how each chapter opened with a fact about gingerbread. And I really loved how this slightly barmy at times local community started to come together.

I felt wrapped up in the festive gorgeousness of this novel and didn't want the feeling to end.  I loved this book.

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

Book Review - Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: Love Me Do

Author: Lindsey Kelk

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 20th July 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

She’s written the perfect romance . . . for someone else

Greetings card copywriter Phoebe Chapman knows a good romantic line or two – and it makes her a fantastic Cupid.

So when she lands in the Hollywood Hills – a place that proves film stars, golden beaches and secret waterfalls don’t just exist in the movies – she can’t resist playing matchmaker for her handsome neighbour, carpenter Ren.

But you can’t hide from love in La La Land.

And isn’t there something a little bit hot about Ren, her own leading man next door?

Please Lindsey can you magic me up a real life version of Ren, just for me, I absolutely adore him and want him to be mine. 

Failing that can you let me meet a fabulous aging Hollywood Actress and have her regale me with tales of the golden era?

Or just turn me into Phoebe so I can experience all of that and even more, as I think I'd like to be Phoebe. 

She's fabulous, she's loyal to the new people she meets in LA while visiting her sister. 

Bel is LA crazy, and gets Phoebe doing all sorts of things she has never done before including being a mermaid! 

There are so many laugh out loud moments, references to songs / films and I'm sure I missed many moe, and this was just a pure fun escapist summer read. 

I loved every second of this book from one of my favourite authors. 

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

Book Review - Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen

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Title: Bad Men

Author: Julie Mae Cohen

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Zaffre

Publication Date: 20th July 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Saffy has a secret. A secret that she is deeply ashamed of. It's not the fact that she's a serial killer in her free time. In fact, she's quite proud of that. After all she's only killing the bad men. She is making the world a better place.

No, her secret is far worse than that. Saffy has a messy, inexplicable, uncontrollable crush. So while she's busy plotting her next murder, she also has the much harder task of figuring out how to get a boyfriend.

But if there's one thing Saffy knows, it's how to get her man . . .

At the point I picked this up to start reading, I just knew with my current frame of mind a book called Bad Men would suit me perfectly. 

And I was right, I just wish I had my own Saffy, to track down and dispose of the men that had led to me being drawn to this title - although thankfully not for the same reasons as Saffy normally indulges her hobby. 

For Saffy has a secret hobby of killing men who deserve it, and somehow she seems to get away with it every time.  My heart broke for her a bit, as we learned just what motivated and happened with her first kill.  These are men who utterly deserve to die! 

And then there is a true crime podcaster who discovers a dead body on his doorstep and ends up doing more than just investigating and trying to get justice for people and discussing murder the whole time.  He's a suspect! Oh and Saffy may just have a crush on the podcaster! 

It is very rare for you to want to side with a serial killer, but Saffy is amazing, and so charismatic, and only kills for the best of reasons, it is really hard not to look up to her! I wouldn't quite say there need to be more Saffy's in this world as that could be rather dangerous. 

I knew I loved Juile Cohen's books in the past, but wow her dark side is really something special.  This is utterly amazing, I couldn't get enough of it, and it totally took my mind off real life too! 

I can't wait to see if this is the start of something new with this dark side unleashed and look forward to seeing what will be written next. 

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

Book Review - A Midnight Kiss on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: A Midnight Kiss on Ever After Street

Author: Jaimie Admans

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 4th July 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

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

Will a kiss at midnight change her life forever?

Sadie Winters has spent her whole life doing as she’s told. But when her overbearing aunt forbids her from going to the farewell ball at the beloved local castle, Sadie has had enough!

One magical makeover, one midnight curfew, and wearing a dress of her own creation, Sadie is unrecognizable as Ever After Street's shy seamstress.

Sadie might dream of meeting a handsome prince but the only person to cross her path is Witt – the slightly awkward estate agent intending to sell the castle and dash Sadie’s dreams forever.

As the clock strikes midnight, Sadie and Witt share a magical kiss and Sadie knows her heart is in serious danger. Surely Witt must feel the same way…? Sadie can't hang around to find out.

But as reality dawns the next day, and fate brings Witt to Sadie’s door again, Sadie realises that her mystery estate agent prince has absolutely no idea who she is!

Sadie can’t forget their midnight kiss, but is she brave enough to change her life and find love along the way…?

A modern day cinderella story, everything about this book was just enchanting and magical.

From the first few pages Jaimie Admans had me under her spell, with the most picture perfect of settings and the whole feel of the book was simply superb.

We have a Cinderella dress shop, a search from Prince Charming for his Cinderella, an aunt who is in a constant battle with her niece over the direction and ownership of the shop, a "prince" who doesn't fit the conventional feel for a storybook prince and whole lot more besides.

And Ever After Srett, I just want to hop on a train and come and visit,  the amount of imagination that went into creating all the shops on the street, it was just all so perfect. 

I devoured this book, it was an absolute delight to read.  I couldn't get enough of it and read it in a few short hours, while on holiday.  

Once again this author has had me under her spell and completely enthralled and entertained. Utterly brilliant. 

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

Book Review - The Hike by Lucy Clarke - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: The Hike

Author: Lucy Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 28th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

THE PERFECT DAY FOR A HIKE

Leaving behind their everyday lives, four friends hike out into the beautiful Norwegian wild – nothing between them and the mountain peak but forest, sea and sharp blue sky.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO DISAPPEAR

But there’s a darker side to the wilderness. A woman went missing here one year ago, scarring the mountain with suspicion and unanswered questions.

Now, the friends are hiking into the heart of the mystery. And waiting on the trail is someone who’d do anything to keep their secrets buried – and to stop the group walking away alive . . .

Who knew wilderness hiking in the gorgeous Norwegian mountains could be so utterly treacherous. 

And not just for the conditions, but also for a hidden dark side to them. 

Liz and her friends go on holiday once a year together, taking it in turns to pick the destination. And this time Liz has opted away from a beach holiday to the slight horror of the others.

I loved getting to know all of the friends, and their circumstances, 

But above all what hoked me were the descriptions of the terrain they were walking on, of how it mad e them feel and just the whole hike in general 

I didn't predict any of it, and it kept me enthralled from the first to last page, and I was so engaged with the story that I lost track of the time and a barman actually had to make sure I left the bar as it was closing time, but I hadn't noticed anyone else emptying out around me! 

I read this in a few short hours in one sitting and you couldn't have parted me from the story if you tried. 

It's another incredibly gripping story from Lucy Clarke. 

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

Book Review - All My Love by Miranda Dickinson - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: All My Love

Author: Miranda Dickinson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 2nd February 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Sometimes love can be staring you in the face . . . and you don’t even know it

By day, Archie works tirelessly as assistant to the editor of a local newspaper.

By night, Esther works after hours cleaning the rows of office desks with the help of her trusty sidekick, Fred the trolley.

Their paths have never crossed, until one discarded Post-it note unexpectedly brings them together.

Because they share one thing in common . . . they’re both secretly in love with someone else.

And they might just be the two people who can help each other find the courage to confess their feelings and write the perfect love letter.

But what if they’re falling for the wrong person?

Once again Miranda Dickinson has written an enchanting love story that really got under my skin. 

I loved the first communication between Esther and Archie, and once they meet in person,  they are so adorable. 

I loved how they became fast and firm friends, as Esther tries to help Archie get the girl he believes he is in love with and has been for many years.

While Esther is trying to get over some unrequited love herself. 

There are multiple unexpected turns this story takes, and I was eager to keep with them, as we start to understand that what  you think you may at first desire, may not be the same in reality. 

I loved the Old Boys music group yjay Archie belongs too, you could tell right away they are a very special group of people 

Off to perhaps a bit of a slow start, once the story gets into its stride, it becomes more and more more-ish. 

Another sure fire hit from this author. 

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

Book Review - Not In A Billion Years by Camilla Isley

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Title: Not In A Billion Years

Author: Camilla Isley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 6th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

She's a self-made fitness sensation. He's a billionaire mogul. They're sworn enemies and rivals... aren't they?

Blake Avery knows all about hard work. She’s gone from making videos in her teenage bedroom to founding a booming fitness business and opening a state-of-the-art Manhattan gym. Now she’s on the cusp of realizing her wildest dreams, and she’s not going to let anyone stand in her way.

Certainly not man-of-the-hour Gabriel Mercer. He might be one of the biggest names in the fitness world and set women’s pulses soaring more than a grueling HIIT workout, but he grew up in a billionaire dynasty and had everything handed to him – or so Blake thinks.

But when Blake publicly criticizes Gabriel, she sparks a feud that neither entrepreneur is willing to back down from. And in an industry that seems determined to keep pushing them together, can Blake hold on to her grudge? Or will she finally warm up to Gabriel's charm?

I'm a massive Camilla Isley fan, and it has been far too long since she last released a new book, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on Not In A Billion Years. 

And was totally worth the wait, completely up to her normal standards, and utterly entertaining. 

The dynamics and banter between Blake And Gabriel are wonderful.  They are both alphas, top of their fields, and yet their meet cute was hilarious.  

And from then on, it seemed as those Blake was constantly determined to on up Gabriel at every opportunity, with all manner of fabulous results - Gabriel's first gym class as Blake's gym comes to mind instantly. 

I loved their dynamic from the first few pages and just had to wonder when the inevitable would happen. It was such a joy when it did and I loved the journey to get there, as well as from that point. 

It's full of humour, some wonderful family members and personal assistants, and so much more besides.  It's a joy to read and I just hope I won't have to wait as long before the next new book from this author. 

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

Book Review - The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: The Love Of My Life

Author: Rosie Walsh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Mantle

Publication Date: 1st June 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

I have held you every night for ten years and I didn’t even know your name. We have a child together. A dog, a house.

Who are you?

Emma loves her husband Leo and their young daughter Ruby: she’d do anything for them. But almost everything she's told them about herself is a lie.

And she might just have got away with it, if it weren’t for her husband’s job. Leo is an obituary writer and Emma is a well-known marine biologist, so, when she suffers a serious illness, Leo copes by doing what he knows best – reading and writing about her life. But as he starts to unravel her past, he discovers the woman he loves doesn’t really exist. Even her name is fictitious.

When the very darkest moments of Emma’s past life finally emerge, she must somehow prove to Leo that she really is the woman he always thought she was . . . But first, she must tell him about the love of her other life.

Rosie Walsh is the mistress of the unexpected twist, and once again she managed to completely and utterly outfox me with this book.

It was wonderful, I loved seeing how the layers unravelled until you are finally left with the truth. 

I loved Leo and Emma's love story, but even more so, I loved seeing the layers of deception, and discovering alongside Leo, the truth about Emma's past. 

After all how well do you really know your wife. Can you really be sure there aren't some massive secrets to be uncovered. 

Once this book got going it ramped up until I just had to keep reading and reading to find out what would happen next.

It was fabulous.

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

Book Review - A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: A Game of Lies

Author: Clare Mackintosh

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 20th July 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

They say the camera never lies.

But on this show, you can't trust anything you see.

Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants have no idea what they've signed up for.

Each of these strangers has a secret. If another player can guess the truth, they won't just be eliminated - they'll be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they'd ever imagined, and they're trapped.

The disappearance of a contestant wasn't supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Ffion Morgan has to put aside what she's watched on screen, and find out who these people really are - knowing she can't trust any of them.

And when a murderer strikes, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.

Ffion us back in this second book of a fabulous series,  and has an incredibly memorable canine companion with her this time around. 

Set about 18 months or so after the first book, and a new big crime hits this quiet Welsh Town.  

With a backdrop of a new reality TV programme,  a YouTuber who is desperate for the limelight, a cross border investigation initially into a missing contestant, this story has a bit of everything. 

And with 7 contestants who didn't know in advance that the show they signed up for would be revealing their biggest secrets, it is high stakes car crash TV, that is very compelling to read about. 

This is fast paced and I loved seeing the how the investigations gather pace. 

I also enjoyed occasional chapters from other character viewpoints which really helps to show just how fake these sorts of programmes are. 

Utterly addictive I last every word of this book.

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

Book Review - The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: The Only Suspect

Author: Louise Candlish

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 2nd February 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong man.

 

Alex lives a comfortable life with his wife Beth in the leafy suburb of Silver Vale. Fine, so he’s not the most sociable guy on the street, he prefers to keep himself to himself, but he’s a good husband and an easy-going neighbour.

 

That’s until Beth announces the creation of a nature trail on a local site that’s been disused for decades and suddenly Alex is a changed man. Now he’s always watching. Questioning. Struggling to hide his dread . . .

 

As the landscapers get to work, a secret threatens to surface from years ago, back in Alex’s twenties when he got entangled with a seductive young woman called Marina, who threw both their lives into turmoil.

 

And who sparked a police hunt for a murder suspect that was never quite what it seemed. It still isn’t.

 

No one else could have done it. Could they?

Well I definitely didn't see that coming.  Louise Candlish had me completely fooled and what I thought was going on we wrong.

This is a very clever story with two main storyline, as we discover the details of an old crime and also of what appears to be a man on the verge of a breakdown. 

There are plenty of twists to keep you guessing and I really felt sorry for Marina.

Split between the past and present, I was invested in all the characters and was keen to discover what was going on.

Another great book from this always talented author.  

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