Book Review - Christmas at Rachel's Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts - Blog Tour

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Title: Christmas at Rachel's Pudding Pantry

Author: Caroline Roberts

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 31st October 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

*Doors open at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry again for Christmas!*
Cosy up with the new novel in the Pudding Pantry series, full of love, laughter, kisses under the mistletoe, and plenty of delicious pudding!

The first snow is falling over Primrose Farm, the mince pies are warming, and Rachel can’t wait to share a kiss under the mistletoe with her gorgeous new flame, Tom.

If only it was all comfort and joy . . . The arrival of Tom’s ex brings an unwelcome chill to the farm. And despite Master Baker Mum Jill’s valiant efforts, the new pudding pantry business is feeling the pinch.

With a spoonful of festive spirit, a cupful of goodwill with friends, and her messy, wonderful family by her side, can Rachel make this a Christmas to remember?

Within a chapter or two I was fully back on board with life at Primrose Farm  and it was like I hadn't even been away.  I am absolutely loving these four generations of women who are fighting to keep the farm solvent and hoping that their newly set up Pudding Pantry will help do just that. 

We have Grandma Ruby, who's Christmas pudding is legendary and is generally a wonderful baker.  Mum Jill, who loves baking and is still feeling the loss of her husband this festive season.  Rachel who the book focuses around who is doing her best at keeping the farm and pudding pantry running, while looking after daughter Maisie (who is adorable), and seeing if she can keep her fledgling relationship with Tom on track. 

Please don't read this like I did when recovering from dental extraction surgery when I could barely eat anything myself... but yet was being made extra super duper hungry from the mentions of all the wonderful puddings in this book.   If you are a fan of puddings, tarts, crumbles etc.. there will be plenty in here for your mouth to water over.   

Plus there are also the 12 bakes of Christmas complete with recipes, for those that like to indulge in a bit of baking themselves. 

There are many ups and downs in this book and I found myself completely absorbed by life on the farm.  I felt for the animals, I loved Maisie's nativity play, I enjoyed the creation of the Pudding Pantry Club and getting to know all the different people attending that. 

I really just loved everything, all wrapped up in Caroline Roberts wonderfully heartwarming and comforting writing style, that made me hungry,  had me laughing, awwing, worried at times and generally just had me on the side of the Swinton family, hoping everything would work out. 

This was a joy to read,  and I can't wait to see what happens in the next Pudding Pantry book that was hinted at in the acknowledgements.    It is a fabulous series and one I am very keen to continue reading.   Just wish I didn't need to wait for the author to write it first!! 

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

Please do follow along with all these fabulous bookbloggers on this blog tour

Book Review - A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

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Title:  A Perfect Cornish Christmas 

Author: Philippa Ashley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 31st October 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Christmas in Cornwall is just around the corner…

But after last Christmas revealed a shocking family secret, Scarlett’s hardly feeling merry and bright. All she wants this Christmas is to know who her real father is.

So Scarlett heads to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow, where she believes the truth of her birth is hidden. She just didn’t bargain on being drawn into the Christmas festival preparations – or meeting Jude Penberth, whose charm threatens to complicate life further.

Everything will come to a head at Porthmellow’s Christmas Festival … But can Scarlett have the perfect Christmas this year, or are there more surprises on the way?

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour.

How lovely to be back in Porthmellow with this all new, standalone story.  I was hooked from the first chapter, and wanted to know what on earth had disrailed Scarlett's Christmas day so much that she fled from it and ended up in the pub, wearing fluffy bunny slippers. 

As the events of that first Christmas are revealed, well I could definitely understand her feelings and also had a strong hunch that this would be one tremendous book which is really was. 

Although I did spend a fair amount of the story wondering whether the title was ironic, as I just couldn't see how there would be a perfect Christmas in it, but I'm delighted to say that the author has some fabulous tricks up her sleeve! 

This is the story of Scarlett and Ellie's family, as they go from the bombshell of the previous year, into a more turbulent time.  Assorted family secrets are revealed and both ladies also have potential romances, although nothing runs smoothly. 

I enjoyed the Winter Solstice festival, I just wish that like the first book we had seen more of the planning and committee members. Although Sam, Gabe, Ben and Zennor were all present in this story, it felt more like cameo's and just seeing familiar faces around the community, rather than anything further really happening with them.  

A Perfect Cornish Christmas is a story with the greater themes of Christmas at its heart, the importance of family,  and the feeling of coming together as a community.  It was another incredibly enjoyable book in this series.  And given how early in the year I read this, I'm also delighted to say it's not overly festive,  its more a story that takes in two Christmases' and an autumn in between, as we follow the sister's stories. 

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

Book Review - Coming Home To Winter Island by Jo Thomas - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: Coming Home To Winter Island

Author: Jo Thomas

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Headline Review

Publication Date: 31st October 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Wrap up warm and prepare to explore the breath-taking beauty of a remote Scottish island and an old house waiting to unlock enchanting family secrets.

Fans of Jill Mansell and Milly Johnson will love this irresistible new winter novel from Jo Thomas.

Do you need to find out where you've come from before you can know what the future holds?

Ruby's singing career is on the verge of hitting the big time, when her voice breaks. Fearing her career is over, she signs up for a retreat in Tenerife to recover.

But an unexpected call from a stranger on a remote Scottish island takes her on a short trip to sort out some family business. It's time to go and see the grandfather she's never met.

City girl Ruby knows she will be happy to leave the windswept beaches behind as quickly as she can, especially as a years-old family rift means she knows she won't be welcome at Teach Mhor.

But as she arrives at the big house overlooking the bay, she finds things are not as straightforward as she might have thought.

There's an unexpected guest in the house and he's not planning on going anywhere any time soon ...

I'm now convinced that Jo Thomas books should come with a warning - not to be read on public transport as there is a very real chance you will become oblivious to the world and possibly miss your stop.  They really are just that good.

It also seems like I should warn you that there are nowhere near enough pages in this book, I could have happily read for much longer.  I was hooked and couldn't devour this wonderful story fast enough. 

I'm pretty sure I had that slight problem with my last book from this author too, I just seem to be able to read them so fast and get so into the story,  that they really don't last long enough and I struggled to get off a train too! 

And what a great story it is, of connecting with the past,  working out how to make a rather special gin, and for Ruby to recuperate her singing voice. 

I loved Winter Island, and the sitting tenant of Hector's house Lachlan. It is very clear that Lachlan cares a lot for the older man and also about life on the island. 

Ruby was hoping to sign some papers and be on her way to Tenerife,  but nothing every goes according to plan. 

Despite being set in winter,  in a cold house, this is a story that is full of warmth.  I adored the descriptions of Winter Island and seeing just how everything would work out.

A fantastic story with a great setting, fabulous characters,  a man I really disliked and a very touching story line involving hector, this is a perfect book to curl up with by the fire,  and just loose yourself within.

A gem of a book from one of my favourite authors 

Thank you to Headline and Anne Cater for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Please do follow along with all the other fabulous bloggers on this tour

Book Review - One Summer in Santorini by Sandy Barker - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Title: One Summer in Santorini

Author: Sandy Barker

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 24th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

There was something in the air that night. . .
Sarah has had enough of men. It’s time to rekindle her first true love – travel – so she books a sailing trip around the Greek islands with a group of strangers.

The very last thing Sarah wants is to meet someone new, but then a gorgeous American man boards her yacht… And when she also encounters a handsome silver fox who promises her the world, she realises that trouble really does come in twos.

Will Sarah dive into a holiday fling or stick to her plan to steer clear of men, continue her love affair with feta and find her own way after all?

The perfect holiday read to escape with this summer, for fans of Annie Robertson’s My Mamma Mia Summer and Mandy Baggot’s One Last Greek Summer.

100% without a doubt perfect summer holiday reading. Fabulous escapist fun in the sun with a dollop of evocative travel writing to boot. 

I was there alongside the characters on this Greek Island yacht trip from Santorini to Mykonos, stopping at many smaller islands en-route. 

You could feel you were in Greece, eating Greek food, seeing the pretty architecture, odd Greek words thrown in for good measure too. 

It was like a love letter to the islands, and on top of the fabulous travel descriptions was the story of a holiday for a group of at the start of the trip strangers. 

Told from Sarah's perspective, we get to see how the dynamics of everyone on the trip change, as well as her own thoughts as to whether she may be ready for a new man!

I loved the mix of personalities and just about everything about this book. 

I love a foreign setting and one so expertly described was a joy to read.  

A fabulous debut novel, and I just hope the author continues to write about fabulous locations as back drops to stories!

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

Book Review - A Perfect Cornish Summer by Phillipa Ashley - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Title: A Perfect Cornish Summer

Author: Philippa Ashley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 25th April 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Summer is on the horizon, and the people of Porthmellow are eagerly awaiting the annual food festival. At least, most of them are…

For Sam Lovell, organising the summer festival in her hometown is one of the highlights of her year. It’s not always smooth sailing, but she loves to see Porthmellow’s harbour packed with happy visitors, and being on the committee has provided a much-needed distraction from the drama in her family life (and the distinct lack of it in her love life).

When their star guest pulls out with only a few weeks to go, everyone’s delighted when a London chef who grew up locally steps in at the last minute. But Gabe Matthias is the last person Sam was expecting to see, and his return to Porthmellow will change her quiet coastal life for ever.

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour.

I really enjoyed my first visit to Porthmellow, and already wondering if it is, in mid August too soon to read the Christmas book to return there!

I loved both Chloe and Sam's stories in this, both with complicated pasts there were enjoyable to discover. 

Between them they head the committee for the Porthmellow Food festival and to say this 10th annual festival is not only the biggest but the one with the most potential problems would be an understatement. 

I loved getting to know the committee and all the main residents in this Cornish town. I loved the various quirks and seeing just how Sam was going to cope with things. 

Especially the reappearance of her ex boyfriend, which she split up with years ago, after he reported her brother to the police, - well its very hard to come back from that. 

But despite that I fell for Gabe, he clearly knows his right from wrong, and is an extremely talented chef too. 

There are a large number of pies in this book, as well as plenty of other food, to make you hungry as you read. 

I found it took some time for me to get into the stride of this book, but I think that is because every time I think of this author, one particular set of characters comes back to me from a previous series, and then I have to remember that I'm reading something fresh. 

A really enjoyable book and I am very much looking forward to the next one in the series. 

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

Book Review - The Gift of Happiness by Holly Martin - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: The Gift of Happiness

Author: Holly Martin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 25th October 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The beautiful new story from the bestselling author of Christmas at Lilac Cottage. The magic of Christmas has arrived in the little village of Happiness, where snow falls and love is in the air.

This December Ruby Marlowe is relocating her little Christmas shop and everything she owns to the pretty seaside village of Happiness. With her best friend Willow already living there, and a heartbreaking past she’d rather forget, Ruby jumped at the offer of a cosy cottage and a fresh start on the Cornish coast. But she wasn’t the only one…

The last person Ruby expects to find in Happiness is her summer fling, the very gorgeous Jacob Harrington. He’s the only man who has come close to unlocking her heart, and therefore the one man she knew she could never see again. But now he’s here in the same village, and the chemistry between them is more electric than ever.

Falling in love again is something Ruby has vowed never to do. But Jacob is determined to change her mind.

As the village sparkles with Christmas lights and the snow begins to fall, can Jacob convince Ruby that love is worth the risk? And will Ruby accept the gift of happiness that Jacob is offering her before it’s too late?

Give yourself The Gift of Happiness this festive season, like a creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows, you won’t want to put this deliciously heartwarming novel down. A gorgeous, feel-good love story to snuggle up with this winter. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Carole Matthews and Debbie Johnson.

What a wonderful life it is when you can curl up with the latest Holly Martin Christmas book.  It's pure happiness!

And it was wonderful to be back in Happiness that fabulous village from the previous book. 

And what a difference a few months make,  it really does feel like a community there,  especially with all the gossip about Ruby and Jacob.

Their chemistry is still sizzling even if there is a large amount of denial from both of them.  

I loved all the festive events that Ruby in a few short days managed to organise, especially the Polar Bear Plunge. 

And Ruby's shop, what better then a place selling Christmas all year around.  It is just the sort of place I would love to visit. 

All the familiar faces from the previous book are present and its great to catch up with them.  But equally this book could easily be read as a standalone. 

I love every tinsel filled moment of this slice of Christmas happiness.

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

Please do follow along with the rest of this blog tour 

Book Review - Christmas Kisses on Hollywell Hill by Jackie Ladbury

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Amazon UK

Title: Christmas Kisses on Hollywell Hill

Author: Jackie Ladbury

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Fabrian Books

Publication Date: 16th November 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Christmas is coming and actress Kirsty Castille seems doomed to play the front part of Nag, the Christmas pantomime horse, when a surprise audition lands her the lead role as Maria in the Sound of Music.
Even better she bonds with a handsome chef over a piece of squid at her local supermarket, although sadly romance is the last thing on Jake Levy's mind.
He has a Christmas deadline, an ex-wife to mourn and lots of emotional baggage to drag around. He certainly doesn’t have time for romance and even if he did he wouldn’t fall for someone like Kirsty who craves the limelight: been there, done that.
A misunderstanding leads Jake to offer Kirsty a job in his new restaurant and she takes it purely to convince him that she’s the girl of his dreams.
Her charm offensive begins to work but while he’s cooking up a storm she’s secretly sparkling under the spotlight – until her cover is busted.
The fallout is catastrophic, but as they say in Luvvie Land, the show must go on, even if Kirsty is terrified that she's taken her last curtain call and ruined her chance for love.
Read on and immerse yourself in this delightful winter romance as the snow starts to fall and Christmas day becomes a magical reality.

I really enjoyed reading Christmas Kisses on Hollywell Hill.  

From Kirsty's innate quirkiness and ability to cause me to giggle in many scenes, to Jake's obvious love and knowledge of food, this was just an enjoyable story. 

Although set at Christmas time,  which certainly explains why Kirsty had roles as a dancing turkey, the front end of a horse,  and a wicked witch, and why there were mentions of dancing Christmas puddings, I didn't really feel as though it was what i wanted from a festive story.   

That's not to say that it's not a good book, it truly is just more that I didn't feel remotely Christmassy as a result of reading it and that the time of year felt as though it was there to add a bit of character but could have possibly worked no matter when in the year it was.  It does though mean you could probably easily read this at any time of the year, and not feel the Christmas spirit too early! 

I adored all the food descriptions, really did make me hungry read it. I also enjoyed seeing Kirsty's attempts to be a real actress instead of just a person with a funny costume doing promotional work!  There was loads of make you smile in this story and I loved all the interactions between Kirsty and Jake even if at times I thought banging their heads together and making them realise the obvious would be a lot more satisfying!! 

It really is a delightful book, and one that kept my on my toes, especially with Kirsty's more whimsical nature.  I loved her hair colours, her seemingly random trivia, her best friend,  the way she dealt with her ex boyfriend, although the continual mentions of how broke she was, did drive me slightly demented and felt a bit repetitive.   I got it she is a poor struggling actress! 

The initial meeting between Jake and Kirsty is pure gold!! It's fabulous and it really does set the tone for what is a really entertaining book. 

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

Book Review - Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Title: Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay 

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The sun is shining on the golden castle on Rainbow Bay - and change is in the air!

Amelia is a single mother, doing her very best to look after her young son, Charlie - but money is tight and times are tough. When she first hears that she is the last descendent of the Chesterford family and that she has inherited a Real-Life Castle by the sea, Amelia can't quite believe her ears. But it's true!

She soon finds that owning a castle isn't quite the ticket to sorting out her money problems that she'd first hoped: she can't sell, because the terms of the ancient bequest state that any Chesterford who inherits the castle, must live there and work towards the upkeep and maintenance of the family home. So ever-practical Amelia decides to uproot her little family and move to this magnificent castle by the sea.

Living in a castle on the beautiful Northumberland coast is fun at first, but organising the day-to-day running is a lot more complicated than Amelia first imagined. Luckily she has help from the small band of eccentric and unconventional staff that are already employed there - and a mysterious unseen hand that often gives her a push in the right direction just when she needs it most. It's only when she meets Tom, a furniture restorer who comes to the castle to help repair some antique furniture, that Amelia realises she might get the fairy-tale ending that she and Charlie truly deserve...

Oh I do love an Ali McNamara book and this is no exception.  I went into this blind, possibly never having read the blurb and was curious to see what sort of unexplainable happenings may occur this time.

Was shocked to discover for my second in the past 3 books I've read, that there was a hint of the otherworldly, of potentially ghosts.  Not a huge believer in them but having read both this and Rowan Coleman's latest, I may be mega scared next time someone tries to get me into a haunted house!

Amelia was down on her luck, struggling financially to bring up her son Charlie, when a piece of post start a chain or events that led to her getting an inheritance from a distant relative she had never heard of. 

And wow Chesterford Castle is some inheritance, given its huge, was already open to the public, and came with four members of staff who just wanted to call her M'aam or Lady Amelia. 

Amelia's knack of drawing people together leads to a growing sense of community and family at the castle as they try to modernise it.

I loved getting to know the other residents of Chesterford Castle, including the ones that it appear that only Charlie may be able to see. 

There are all manner of secrets to be uncovered, and all written in such a heartwarming and lovely style that you can't help be hooked on the book. 

The pages were flying by, as I took in every last details and by the end I was convinced I had visited the castle myself, such were the descriptions. 

A truly enjoyable and another fabulous story from an author that I can't get enough of. 

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

Book Review - A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

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Title: A Wedding in December

Author: Sarah Morgan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 31st October 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie's whirlwind Christmas wedding.

First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister Katie is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself. If only the irritatingly good-looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiance but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived – how can she tell them she's not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget.

It is always a joy to read a new book from the queen of Christmas romances, and this was no exception. 

From the moment the family stepped foot in Aspen I was hooked, on the exquisitely described winter wonderland, It felt picture perfect for a white wedding and white Christmas. 

We see the story from three different perspectives. 

Rosie the bride to be, who is rather impulsive and the baby of the family, who is getting married to Dan after knowing him a few short months.  At times you do wonder if she is having doubts, but I generally thought she was perfect for Dan. 

Katie, the prickly older sister who is over protective, and is flying out to try to stop the wedding. She is also hiding something from the rest of her family. 

And there is Maggie, Rosie's mother, who now can't work out when the best time to tell the girls that she is getting a divorce from their father Nick. She is terrified of flying and doesn't want to upset Rosie before the big day.   

So a family with assorted secrets, a meeting of two families, and all manner of fabulous conversations and amusing situations. 

I enjoyed seeing how all three ladies' stories developed, and just what they were hiding from each other.   There was a sizzling romance on the cards for one of them, and old connections being strengthened for another. 

There is a lot going on in this book, and i really did enjoy it all. Unfortunately real life circumstances got in the way of me being able to just sit and read this which possibly lead to my slight feelings of disconnect with the characters.  

It' a great book, just not for me as fabulous as everything else I've read by Sarah Morgan.  It definitely had a lovely wintry feel to it, and was a great story of families and relationships.  Or staying true to yourself, following your dreams and that it is never too late in life to change careers.   

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

Book Review - The Christmas Holiday by Sophie Clare

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Amazon UK

Title: The Christmas Holiday

Author: Sophie Clare

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 

Publication Date: 19th September 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Can a trip away lead you home?

After a bad break-up, eternal optimist Evie Miller has moved to the small village of Willowbrook to finally pursue her dream of opening a craft shop. Unfortunately, with money worries and an ex-boyfriend determined to track her down, her fresh start isn't going entirely to plan.

Jake Hartwood is also looking to escape his past. Haunted by the loss of his wife, he's determined not to get close to anyone again - and the last thing he wants is to be celebrating this December.

Hoping to avoid the festivities, Evie and Jake arrange to escape Christmas together as friends in Provence. But will the magic of the season change things between them?

And what happens if one of them starts to feel something more?

From the first moments where we meet Evie and Jake, I was hooked. There was just something about their interactions that kept me reading and going back from more.   Their early banter is amusing but it is also clear they are both not in the market for a relationship, or in Jake's case friendship either. 

Slowly though Evie's bright bubbly personality manages to affect Jake, and you start to understand why he is the he is currently acting.   I loved all of Evie's passion for sewing,and her ideas for her shop. 

What I found a shame was how Evie's family and ex-boyfriend treat her, and just how its affected her self confidence.  I could completely empathise with Evie, especially in relation to having parents that don't have any faith in a persons job, and only wanting them to marry someone who meets their expectations in terms of what they do and how much they earn.   It's a situation I find myself in continually, so really felt for Evie whenever she had to deal with her family. 

Whenever I wasn't reading this, my mind was on the story and wondering when I could next pick the book up to continue reading.  This is the first book I've read by Sophie Clare and I'm so glad that I picked it.  The writing is so friendly, easy to follow and I found the pages were just flying past. 

I really enjoyed every aspect of this book.  I would say if you are looking for a book that gives you a strong Christmas feeling, then you may be disappointed, but if you would enjoy heartwarming stories, filled with character growth,set to a December backdrop, a season of looking book and also looking forwards, then this would be a wonderful read for you.   I really do feel this could easily be read at all times of the year. 

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

Murder at the Wedding by M. A. Comley

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Amazon UK

Title: Murder at the Wedding

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Ltd

Publication Date: 18th October 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Private investigator, Ruth Morgan, detests weddings, but when her best friend is about to get hitched, she finds it impossible to turn down the invitation.

A beautiful wedding, until the final kiss when the festivities turn sinister. The venue is now a murder scene.

Ruth quickly becomes frustrated by the fact the local inspector in charge of the case proves to be hopeless at her job. Therefore, it's down to Ruth to use her intrepid skills to find the murderer.

The more she digs, the more she learns about the victim and the web of lies he has spun over the years.

Ruth uncovers an extensive list of suspects, all of whom have a legitimate motive for wanting the victim dead.

But who is the murderer, and will Ruth solve the case before the inept local police?

This is the first novel in the Carmel Cove Cozy Mystery series.

Well Murder at the Wedding has proven one thing, it doesn't matter what M. A. Comley turns her hand to, she will come up trumps. 

This is a fabulous Cozy Mystery and had left me wanting more from Carmel Cove, and an incredibly competent private investigator. 

It's great to see the author come at a crime from a different angle to for solving, and the body count was rather reasonable. 

Turns out the groom who was murdered really is an unpleasant man, and we got a great introduction to Ruth.  She has strong values, a great partner, who she is resisting marrying, her best friend, Geraldine is married and widowed on the same day, and then Ruth's sister's husband has an accident. 

It's impressive to see how Ruth does her best to help everyone that she cares about, investigates a murder and also spends plenty of time with her dog Ben. 

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. I had an inkling as to who did it slightly ahead of Ruth, but I wouldn't have guessed the motivation.    This made such a great change of pace from reading thrillers, and Christmas books and I do love a good cozy mystery - and this is definitely a great cozy. 

Fabulous start to a series and I'm excited to see where it goes from here. 

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

Book Review - A Question of Us by Mary Jayne Baker - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Title: A Question of Us

Author: Mary Jayne Baker

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 5th September 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Two best friends. Eight pub quizzes. One shot at love...
There are some people who seem like they have all the answers in life. Clarrie Midwinter isn't one of them.

At the age of 26, tomboy Clarrie is still struggling to become a 'proper' grown-up. She's eternally strapped for cash, she hasn't had a date in nearly a year and her attempts to quit smoking tend to take a nosedive after the second pint. Most annoyingly of all, her ladykiller best friend Simon just won't stop asking her out. The only thing keeping her sane is her pub quiz team, the Mighty Morphin Flower Arrangers.

But when Simon bets her a date their team will win the quiz league, Clarrie is forced to confront what she really wants out of life – and love. Is it finally time for her to grow up?

Gloriously irreverent, badly behaved romantic comedy from the author of Meet Me at the Lighthouse.

I adore quizzes and I love this authors works, so combined this was a fabulous book for me. 

Featuring a local quiz league Clarrie and her friends are determined to win this year, as there is the outcome of a big bet riding on it. 

The connection between Si and Clarrie is obvious to everyone apart from Clarrie and at times I wanted to knock some sense into her, to see the obvious. 

I loved the whole group of friends, and seeing their dynamic at play. 

And their competitiveness was amusing to see too. I loved the various quiz questions and can't help but wonder how much research was done in the compilation of the quiz snippets seen. 

Filled with great humour, really relatable to character and loads more besides,  A Question of Us is another fantastically enjoyable story from Mary Jayne Baker. 

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