Book Review - The Last Place You Look by Nikki Smith

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Last Place You Look

Author: Nikki Smith

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 2nd July 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

Leo thought he knew his wife. Until she disappeared.

Leo Kennedy has it all: money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in the UK and South Africa. But when his wife Addison goes missing, his immaculate life detonates.

48 hours later, Leo arrives at their safari lodge to retrace her steps. Only there's no sign of Addison. Instead, Leo is met with a scene of blood and chaos, and on the wall a missing poster, with his face, his name and his details.

His wife may be missing, but someone wants Leo gone too . . .

From the author of The Beach Party comes a deliciously dark sunlounger thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Lucy Clarke's The Hike.

Once again Nikki Smith has transported us to a wonderfully exotic destination, and then made sure we all know just how dangerous it really is!  Half set in the UK and half set in South Africa at a wildlife lodge, this is a story that had me at times on the edge of my seat and had at least one WTF moment! 

In fact I'm still reeling from the finale section, where I literally didn't expect or predict anything that we were presented with.  It was totally fabulous and seeing how all the various thread actually intersected in more ways than I would have ever imagined. 

What starts to become really apparent quite early on is that you can never really truly know everything about your partner, and that secrets can exist even in the best of marriages.  It's just sometimes they are more dangerous than others. 

From the prologue, and in fact the blurb we know that when Leo gets to South Africa he is presented with a horrifying sight, from there we get lots of the lead up to his arrival in South Africa, which was really interesting. 

I can't say I particularly loved Leo, he definitely had some unlikeable traits, but once we get chapters from Addison's point of view too, I could say the same about her.  

What I completely loved were some of the descriptions of the African savannah, and of the animals, and later on just how dangerous the area is, before you add in humans potentially doing stupid or dangerous things. 

Another totally brilliant thriller from Nikki Smith, the queen of the destination thriller.  Wonder what country she will try to put us off travelling too next year! 

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

Book Review - Murder In Rome by T. A. Williams

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Murder in Rome

Author: T. A. Williams

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 2nd May 2026 

Rating: 5 Stars

A road leading to Rome

Former DCI Dan Armstrong has been living and working in Florence for nearly three years—yet somehow, Rome has always eluded him. That is, until glamorous TV celebrity Tamsin Goodfaith turns up with a request he can’t refuse: investigate her uncle’s suspicious death in the Eternal City.

Murder at the castle

Philip Hastings was a billionaire financier, found dead at his magnificent—if slightly spooky—medieval castle in the Roman hills. Dan and his faithful canine companion, Oscar, soon find themselves surrounded by luxury, secrets and more suspects than sightseeing opportunities.

This time it's personal

But when a second murder follows close behind, the case turns dangerously personal. With whispers of ghosts and crumbling alibis, Dan and Oscar must sniff out the truth before he becomes the next victim. Harder to crack than castle walls—and harder still than stopping Oscar from stealing snacks—this Roman holiday is anything but relaxing. 🐾🐾

Well we get to visit a new part of Italy in this book, and it's one that Dan hasn't been to before either, for it's Rome! Ok technically most of the action is at a giant castle in the hills above Rome, rather than the city centre itself, but it's still a bit different. 

For a start we get to learn of different local delicacies, but equally as seems to be par for the course by now, wherever Dan goes, the dead bodies aren't far behind! 

And what a castle he gets to stay and investigate in, plenty of space for Oscar and what appears to be a closed door mystery.  Tamsin is convinced her uncle Phil was murdered, despite the police ruling it as an accidental death, and within hours of him arriving at the castle, one of Phil's sons is dead. 

And it escalates from there.  I'm not really sure I particularly liked anyone in the castle, they all seemed rather self centred, and the child we didn't get to know enough to be able to like her! I had absolutely no idea who the murderer was, and was very eager to discover the truth. 

Again for me one of the stars and most important characters in this book is of course Oscar.  I'm convinced that I'd love to see a book from his point of view as he is such a wonderful protector of Dan, and detective in his own right.  Ok he woofs a bit, and is very food orientated but he's got amazing instincts, and once again does a stellar job.  Oscar definitely needs a statue built in his honour! 

This was another incredibly enjoyable addition to this series, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  And this is a series that continues to go from strength to strength.  I look forward to seeing where Murder will strike next! 

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

Book Review - The Name Game by Beth O'Leary - #HolidayReading Tunisia

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Name Game

Author: Beth O'Leary

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 7th April 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

The Isle of Ormer: population 500, soon to be 501.

Charlie Jones has landed on the island to embark on her brand new life. As the manager at Ormer's only farm shop, this job will be her perfect next chapter. Good riddance to the mainland, this is it - fresh air, and a clean slate.

Except there is one small issue . . .

Charlie Jones has also just arrived on the Isle of Ormer, to embark on his brand new life. His job at the farm shop feels like fate, and could not have come at a better moment. On Ormer, Charlie has promised himself he'll escape old friends, bad habits and heartbreak.

This second chance is the best thing that could have happened to Charlie . . . and Charlie.

That is, until they are introduced . . .

The Name Game is the brand new love story from the multi-million copy bestselling author of The Flatshare and Swept Away, about second chances, new beginnings and about love finding us in the most secluded of places.

I was totally swept away by this amazing novel.  There are twists that I never saw coming and I'm still trying to get my head around. 

We have two Charlie Jones both arriving on a small island on the same day, believing they have the same job, and then end up having to job and flat share. 

We have female Charlie, and male Charlie who goes by Jones which thankfully makes referring to them a lot simpler. 

Both have their reasons for wanting the job and fresh start on the island, and both need this to work out for them, in spite of this being an island of people very reluctant to any change at all. 

I loved seeing a bond develop between the Charlies, and there are some deeper issues tackled in this book too. 

I really enjoyed getting to know the committee members, as well as Rosie and Marly and seeing how the Charlies would adapt of life on the Isle of Orne. 

Once again I am astounded at Beth O'Leary's storytelling prowess, and am amazed by this book. 

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

Book Review - This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone by Catherine Mack - #HolidayReading Tunisia

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone

Author: Catherine Mack

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Macmillan

Publication Date: 14th May 2026

Rating: 4 Stars

A luxury hotel in the Bahamas. A world-renowned writers’ conference. A killer on the loose . . .

Eleanor Dash can never catch a break, but she finally has the ticket to a relaxing weekend: an all-inclusive resort where she’s speaking at a conference for murder mystery writers. Then she checks in and finds a body on the floor of her hotel room.

Any one of the familiar faces at the resort could have been the intended target – or the culprit behind it all. Or perhaps it’s one of the other writers in attendance, who know all too well the many ways to craft a perfect crime.

Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and must do whatever it takes to get out of this weekend alive . .

Despite this being the third book in the series, this is only the second one I have read, I read the first, somehow totally missed the second being published and have now really enjoyed this latest book. 

There is such a chatty, breaking the fourth wall sort of a writing style, that it's very hard not to be totally charmed by Eleanor Dash. 

She tells us how to write a crime novel, while using real life examples of her current situation at a writing conference to prove her points. 

It's just that this is a crime writers conference, large numbers of the attendees could want her dead, and it does seem that once again no matter where she travels, dead bodies appear to follow.

With in this the first one appearing as she reaches her hotel room for the first time on arrival from the Bahamas. 

There is a wacky cast of fairly familiar characters, and although I probably was missing out from not having read the middle book, I could still follow everything pretty clearly. 

i totally didn't guess the final outcomes at all, 

I loved being back in this characters world, and thoroughly enjoyed the zaniest plot I've read for a while.  It was amusing and highly enjoyable, and I'm very curious as to what Catherine Mack may write next. 

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

Book Review - No. 17 Curiosity Lane by Christie Barlow - #HolidayReading Tunisia

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: No. 17 Curiosity Lane

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 27th February 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

We regret to inform you of the passing of your great-aunt, Matilda Hartley. As the sole beneficiary of her estate, you have inherited her business, No. 17 Curiosity Lane, Puffin Island…

Music journalist Fern Talbot has just inherited a dusty antique shop from a woman she never knew. Her plan is simple: get in, sell it, and get out.

But when she discovers that her charming lodger, Daniel, is her train ride meet-cute, and a tantalising mystery wrapped up in a vintage wedding dress demands to be solved, Puffin Island quickly captures this devoted city girl’s heart…

Each gorgeous title in the Puffin Island series can be read as a standalone.

I am ridiculously hooked on this Puffin Lane series and read this latest book in a few short hours 

By which I mean I practically inhaled it was I definitely didn't want to put it down and I needed to know the truth about what was happening. 

On her way to Puffin Island she meets Daniel on the train and there is definitely a vibe between them. 

A while later, she gets to her newly inherited shop and learns that Daniel is in fact a sitting tenant, which doesn't help her initial plans. 

But Daniel is charming and I totally feel for him, and between them they start to work towards something, especially when a mystery is left on their doorstep. 

I was loving the various discoveries made as well as seeing how Puffin Island is able to work its magic on yet another new person. 

And the overall outcomes still have me smiling.  

I already can't wait to read the next book in this series and it's a series that I will hope will run for many more years. 

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

Book Review - Walking On Sunshine by Heidi Swain - #HolidayReading Tunisia

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Walking On Sunshine

Author: Heidi Swain

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 23rd April 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

A Summer in Suffolk could be just what she needs…

When Tilly heads to the river in Willowell, Suffolk, to scatter her dad’s ashes, she’s in need of some rest and relaxation. Life has been tough lately, and she wants a new start.

Constance has lived in Fernside forever. She owns the beautiful Willowell Woods – but she can’t manage them alone, and they’re now up for sale.

Her nephew, James, has always loved Willowell Woods – and he doesn’t want anyone taking them over. So when Tilly asks to buy them, with an exciting idea for the land, sparks begin to fly… the problem is, they’re already falling in love.

Can Tilly and James find a way to turn sparks into fireworks? And will Constance finally realise that letting in the new doesn’t have to mean getting rid of the old…?

Spend Summer with Heidi Swain in her most glorious book yet – perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan.

What a relaxing read this was, it felt very warm and cosy, and was the sort of book that makes you smile as you read it. 

I loved the new Heidi Swain setting of Willowell. Especially Willowell Woods which is at the centre of this story. 

I've near come across a character wanting to buy a wood before, nor had it ever occurred to me that you could be woodland, I just thought it was there! 

And Tilly's plans for Willowell Woods sound idyllic, and something that really should be set up in more places generally. 

I loved how at home she feels in Willowell, and how she makes friends with many people so quickly. 

And her dynamics with Constance the woman who currently owns the woods are really delightful too, as it's clear Tilly does care about her. 

Tilly also has a fledgling love interest, and that is where sparks really start to fly later in the book, as it's not all plain sailing for Tilly. 

This really was a burst of sunshine, a really warm read that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

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

Book Review - Chase The Clouds Away by Debbie Macomber

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Chase the Clouds Away

Author: Debbie Macomber

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 28th April 2026

Rating: 4 Stars

One unexpected act of kindness can change everything...

Maisy Gallagher always dreamed of becoming a nurse, but when her father died, she gave it all up to support her family. Now, years later, she's built a quiet, steady life - safe, predictable, and entirely focused on others.

Chase Furst is everything Maisy isn't. A high-flying bank executive with a complicated past, he's learnt not to rely on anyone. But when a twist of fate brings them together, Maisy offers him kindness with no strings attached - and it throws him completely off balance.

Determined to prove he can return the favour, Chase sets out to do one selfless thing. What he doesn't expect is how much it will change him - or how hard it will be to forget the woman who made him believe in second chances.

Can Maisy open her heart to a man who's only just learning how to use his? Or will the risk be one step too far?

The brand-new heartwarming romance from the New York Times bestseller Debbie Macomber. Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley and Phillipa Ashley.

What a lovely book this was.  

Maisy has a heart of gold and gets excited by the little things in life. She also realises that in their first meeting Chase may have another reason for being rude, and when she gets the opportunity to try to find out, she then offers to help him get to an appointment meeting. 

She is a great believer in acts of kindness, and won't take any financial reward for helping Chase out. Instead she challenges him to pay it forward. 

Chase who is worlds apart from Maisy in terms of who he is, his financial status and is not used to being challenged by anyone. But yet he can't get Maisy off his mind, and when she then shows herself again to be a selfless kind-hearted person, he has to get in touch with her. 

And it's a life changing friendship that follows, and I absolutely loved Chase's character development. 

I also loved how proud and stubborn Maisy could be, while at the same time, seeing Chase's developing friendship with Maisy's little brother was ridiculously sweet. 

This was a truly lovely story, that made me smile a lot as I was reading it, and another gem of a read from Debbie Macomber. 

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

Book Review - Too Old For This by Samantha Downing

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Too Old For This

Author: Samantha Downing

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 28th August 2025

Rating: 4 Stars

You’d never guess Lottie Jones had skeletons in her closet.

She’s lived in town for decades now. She’s getting older. She lives for the simple pleasures of weekly bingo games at church, and gossiping with her friends about their children’s love lives.

But when investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past, and specifically about her connection to numerous unsolved murders, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realises this crime might just be the death of her…

Warning: There are certain scenes in this book that you definitely shouldn't read while eating.  Something I really wish I had known before I started this in a restaurant to be greeted incredibly early on with a body being frozen, cut up into small bits parcelled in the freezer and labelled as assorted meats... only to then be burnt a few at a time on a fire, all described in a lot more detail than this - and in the first chapter or two so not a spoiler! 

I'm honestly surprised I managed to eat my dinner having just read that. 

Thankfully for the majority of the book, there wasn't anything else that made me fill a bit ill, and in fact I was at all times rather impressed with Lottie's cunning. 

She is attempting to stay one step ahead of many different people, while the past is trying to come back to haunt her.  

Make no mistake this is not some innocent doddery old woman, this is one incredibly smart woman, who just has a rather deadly hobby,  I loved Lottie a lot. 

And I really enjoyed the writing in this book, it's as I may have mentioned very descriptive and I was keen to see how an increasingly complex situation would potentially resolve itself. 

Discovering the reasoning behind Lottie's past decisions was interesting, and she never lied to us the readers as to what she may have done.  Just kept things hidden from literally everyone else.  There is even a good old fashioned nemesis in this book! 

I think this is certainly the sort of book that will make you have a second or third look at your own grandparents, or those older than them, and wonder just what they may really be capable of.  You definitely learn not to underestimate an older woman this this.  Lottie is formidable! 

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

Book Review - Making Sparks Fly at the Highland Repair Shop by Kiley Dunbar - #HolidayReading Tunisia

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Making Sparks Fly at the Highland Repair Shop

Author: Kiley Dunbar

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 1st May 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

Every book in the Highland Repair Shop series can be read as a standalone.

The Highland Repair Shop is a place where anything can be fixed… from vintage radios and rusting bikes to hearts and lives. 🫶

Euan Sparks is back in town, newly self-employed and newly mortified after a disastrous first job threatens his fledgling electrician business. Can he prove that he belongs in Cairn Dhu?

Peaches McDowell is a gifted fashion student on the brink of her Master’s showcase. She’s focused, ambitious and bound tightly within the expectations of her formidable mother. Romance is a distraction she can’t afford. But when a crisis throws Peaches and Euan together at the repair shop, a spark is ignited…

Meanwhile, repair shop founder’s wife Roz McIntyre is also facing a turning point: a marriage in need of attention, an empty nest and the worrying question of what comes next.

As Beltane approaches and the town prepares for its wild and wonderful spring celebrations, can Peaches, Euan, Roz – and her husband – find the courage to let sparks fly?

A life-affirming and romantic story, set against a spirited small community, crackling bonfires and the magic of a Highland May Day.

Was so good to be back at the Highland Repair shop and this fabulous cast of characters. 

Roz is in the spotlight this time, and she is feeling unseen by her husband while trying to work out her next step in life now her kids are definitely flown the coop. 

And our other leading character is Peaches, who is getting ready for her fashion showcase. She's very interesting especially in her dynamics with her mother, who is a force to be reckoned with. 

We also have Euan who is trying to set up a new electrician business, but makes a silly mistake on his first ever job and in a place this small, that really affects his reputation. 

But when Euan and Peaches meet, there is something so sweet and innocent, but also heart-warmingly satisfying as it starts to make Peaches wonder about parts of her mother's iron rule! 

I was also happy to see more of Jolyon who really did capture my heart in the previous book and I'm waiting and hoping his family will be main characters in a future book of this series. In fact I'm hoping there will be more books generally in this series as I'm enjoying it so much. 

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

Book Review - Long Hot Summer by Esha Patel - #HolidayReading Tunisia

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Long Hot Summer

Author: Esha Patel

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 7th May 2026

Rating: 4 Stars

Jordan loves lacrosse. She loves the idea of being a counsellor at a lacrosse camp even more.

Rod is exhausted from being a single dad. But he loves teaching kids, and his summer camp is his pride and joy, so he finally decides to take on new staff.

He wasn’t expecting Jordan. And neither were expecting the explosion of chemistry between them.

Jordan’s only staying until July. Rod hasn’t got the time for anything serious. So they can’t develop feelings for each other. They won’t. Right?

Having enjoyed this author's previous Lacrosse romance, and recognising that this was set in the same Lacrosse mad world, I couldn't resist reading this. 

It totally works as a standalone novel, and if you don't know much about Lacrosse, well there isn't anywhere near as much of the nitty gritty this time. 

It's focusing more on Jordan and Rod two pro players who are coaching at a kids summer Lacrosse camp in the off season. 

And between the sizzling chemistry between them, and also a group of adorable children, plus a couple of dogs, and Rod's family, including daughter Tali and you have a perfect combination for a wonderfully enjoyable book. 

Seeing how Rod and Jordan interacted with the kids, while you have a plot that would look good on a big screen with the smaller camp's rivalry and fight for funding against the bigger nearby camp, was just really lovely to see. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and am already curious to see what the author may write next. 

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