Book Review - The Game by Scott Kershaw

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Title: The Game

Author: Scott Kershaw

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 12th May 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Across the globe, five strangers receive a horrifying message from an unknown number.

THE PERSON YOU LOVE MOST IS IN DANGER.

To save them, each must play The Game – a sinister unknown entity that has a single rule: there can only be one winner.

IF YOU LOSE, YOUR LOVED ONE WILL DIE.

But what is The Game – and why have they been chosen?

There’s only one thing each of them knows for sure: they’ll do anything to win…

WELCOME TO THE GAME. YOU’VE JUST STARTED PLAYING.

What a sick and twisted mind Scott Kershaw must have to come up with this completely soul destroying game.  But how glad I am he did, because it makes for a ridiculously impressive debut novel. 

This is fast paced, and 5 seemingly unconnected people are made to become players in this game and its a race against time to see if you can save your loved one. 

Five people abducted between three different countries, five inadvertent players in this sick and twisted game.  Well it certainly makes for compelling and addictive reading.  I was hooked from the start, and if I wasn't reading, the book wasn't far from my mind. 

I raced through this within a day, and couldn't get enough of it.  I felt for the first characters who we hear from in player order, and I would only put the book down at intervals if I had finished a set of updates on each of the five players in the game.  This is compulsive reading at its very best, and it blows my mind that this is a debut. 

Some of the descriptions are rather graphic, and at times it can be uncomfortable reading, especially things like the whole of Noah's route to England.  But it keeps you going, kept me drawn in, and I can't believe just how fabulous this book is. 

I am already insanely keen to discover what this talented author pens next. 

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

Book Review - Finding Happiness at Heritage View by Helen Rolfe

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Title: Finding Happiness at Heritage View

Author: Helen Rolfe

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 6th July 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome back to Heritage Cove, the little village by the sea brimming with character, community and friendship. The perfect place to fall in love…

Running Heritage View Stables is everything Hazel ever dreamed of. She loves working with the horses and managing the business with her brother. But after a terrible incident, she’s not sure whether she'll ever be able to put things back the way they were.

Gus is ready to start over. He’s moved him and his ten-year-old daughter Abigail to Heritage Cove, where he’s opening his own vet practice. Everything is falling into place, especially as he watches Abigail start to come out of her shell for the first time since the accident.

Neither Hazel nor Gus is looking for love, but could they each be what the other needs? And is happiness even a possibility when their pasts won’t let them go?

Join new friends and old, as summer comes to Heritage Cove.

It didn't take me long to feel right at home in this latest book in the Heritage Cove series.

From familiar characters that I actually remember, to the new ones of Hazel and Gus  this was a warm hug of a book.

Well any book that starts with a life drawing class is going to get my approval. Especially when its followed with a stables setting that I'd written in so much detail that all horse lovers would recognise and appreciate.

I adored getting to know new vet Gus and Abi his equine mad daughter! They have been through a lot in the past but are slowly moving on. 

The same could be said of Hazel, and her wavering confidence levels.

It was utterly heartwarming to see Hazel and Abi talking, and how they were around each other.

And I adored getting to know the various horses at the stable, with a huge soft spot for them all.

I think this could be my new favourite book of the series, it was a pleasure to read in the garden on the hottest day of the year so far!!!

I thoroughly enjoy this series and I look forward to hopefully many more trips to The Cove.

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

Book Review - A Leap of Faith For The Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett

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Title: A Leap of Faith For The Cornish Midwife

Author: Jo Bartlett

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 29th June 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

Midwife Izzy is devastated to learn that her beloved grandmother is dying. Abandoned as a baby by her own mother, her grandparents have been the only family Izzy has ever known and she wants to spend every last precious moment with them.

New locum vicar, Noah, is a wonderful support – kind, considerate and always there for Izzy whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. But secretly Noah is battling his own doubts about his faith – how can he offer Izzy comfort if he doesn’t truly believe his own words?

When Izzy and Noah are brought together to support grieving parents, Noah reaches breaking point. He can't stay in Port Agnes and live a lie. But Izzy is adamant it’s the only place she can be….

Will love find a way or will Izzy's hopes of a future be dashed?

If you are a crier, then make sure you have tissues handy while you read this, as at times it was overwhelmingly emotional and I had a big lump in my throat.  

Although there is still midwifery and some babies involved, this book is Izzy's story, and all she wants to do is make the end of her grandma's life as pleasurable as possible.  She has a painful relationship with her mother and doesn't let people in easily. 

Eileen, Izzy's gran, is drawn towards the church in Port Agnes, and as a result brings temporary vicar Noah into their lives. 

Noah is having a crisis of faith of his own, and is struggling whether he even wants to be a vicar any more.  And to say Izzy isn't the only one with objectionable parents would be an understatement. 

As much as I did like Noah, and I loved his growing chemistry with Izzy, just the fact he was having trouble with his own belief in God, had me more on edge than normal when a vicar is present in a book.  There isn't particularly much explicit religious based content, but I was constantly on edge for it, as it's never something I enjoy in a book, as a result I just couldn't quite get into the flow of this story as much as I wanted to. 

At least with regards Noah.  

The storyline involving Nicole though completely gripped me, and i absolutely loved getting to know Frankie at lot more, and hope she is getting her own book soon! 

It's another enjoyable instalment in the series, and I hope to read more from my favourite midwives soon. 

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

Book Review - Home For Christmas by Camilla Isley

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Title: Home For Christmas

Author: Camilla Isley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 22nd February 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Would you share a bed with your enemy to save Christmas?

Down with a bad case of writer's block, Riven has escaped to a mountain cabin for a prolonged writing retreat. The last thing he needs this Christmas is for his family to invade his sanctuary away from LA. What he needs even less is for a family of strangers as large and boisterous as his own to also be stuck in the same house after a double-booking disaster.

Especially when he ends up having to share a bunk bed with Wendy—a gorgeous, feisty New Yorker who quickly learns how to get under his skin.

Sharing a room with her is sweet torture and Riven isn’t even sure what he dreads more: that every passing day brings them closer to saying goodbye or that they have yet another night to spend together...

Home for Christmas is a full standalone novel perfect for fans of One Night on the Island by Josie Silver.

I am loving Camilla Isley's Christmas novels and this was another wonderful one.  However it is not the most Christmassy of books, although the fast half the season does feature heavily as there is far more to the book than the festive season. 

So it can easily be read at any time of the year which is always a bonus when it comes to a good book. 

I was hooked and thoroughly engaged in this story from the first chapters and especially once Wendy and Riven meet, and realise the cabin has been double booked. 

This is two massive families converging on one 4 bedroom cabin for a week over Christmas, with interesting rooming arrangements and circumstances. Thankfully they do seem to get along, although whether Wendy or Riven are that happy with the situation is another matter. 

I think enemies to lovers isn't necessarily the best description of this as I've never have called them enemies, but I did love the various banter and practical jokes between the pair of them. 

And their competitiveness when it comes to skiing is great to watch too, although it may also land one of them in a great deal of trouble! 

Told in alternating viewpoints of Riven and Wendy, we really get to know each of them quite well and I loved them both equally. 

I just thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book, and it 's another winner from Camilla Isley. 

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

Book Review - Chasing Dreams at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland

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Title: Chasing Dreams at Hedgehog Hollow

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 28th June 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

Samantha has a secret. Returning home from her dream honeymoon to the normality of running her beloved Hedgehog Hollow rescue centre, she's ready for the next chapter of her life with Josh. Or is she? Samantha is hiding something which could forever change the dreams they shared and bring their happy ever after crashing to the ground.

Lauren has given up on love. Twenty-six years ago the love of her life, Shaun, left her a note and was never seen again. Two painful divorces later she still can't face opening up to anyone. But little does Lauren know that the closure she's dreamt of for all these years may be closer than she thinks, and perhaps the only way to let new love in is to forgive and forget.

Samantha and Lauren will need the love and support from the Hedgehog Hollow family more than ever. After all, some dreams are worth chasing...

Top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland welcomes you back to glorious Hedgehog Hollow where love, family and friendship conquer all.

It's really good to be back at Hedgehog Hollow and this is another great book in the series, and as the penultimate book, it has set up enough storyline threads, that makes me incredibly eager to read book 6, as I think it has been set up to phenomenal. 

Although this is a Hedgehog Hollow novel, Samantha isn't really the main character at all this time around,  Lauren who I don't really recall much about from previous books is. 

We still get some chapters from Sammie's point of view, but the balance is weighted in favour of Lauren.  Which is a shame, as although we get to see some of the Safari honeymoon, I was craving more of their time in Africa, given my love of any exotic setting. 

Meanwhile we learn all about Lauren's first two marriages which couldn't be more different, and the first half of the book which felt rather sedate, but was all about laying the ground work, well the second half was utterly fabulous, and hooked me in properly. 

I was definitely interested in Lauren's backstory, as well as her fledgling friendship with Riley.  I was also happy to see yet another side of Chloe, and to see that more progress was being made with Sammie and her mum's relationship too. 

Various tough topics are touched on, with Jessica Redlands's trademark sensitivity. 

Whether you are new to the series, or returning and need a reminder there is a massive cast list at the start of the book to help re-immerse yourself into the various characters and their, often complicated links to each other! 

This is a solid instalment in the series, not my new favourite, but has certainly whetted my whistle to see how the series will end in the Christmas book -which I can't wait to get my paws on. 

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

Book Review - The Wednesday Morning Wild Swim by Jules Wake

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Title: The Wednesday Morning Wild Swim

Author: Jules Wake

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 30th April 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

For fans of The Saturday Morning Park Run! Take the plunge and discover a gorgeous new read full of friendship, love and the healing power of community!

Ettie is trying to figure out her future.

Dominic’s just trying to forget his past.

But with the help of some unlikely friends, young and old, a secret lake hidden in the grounds of a beautiful estate and a scruffy dog, a new community is formed – right when they all need each other the most.

I absolutely loved Ettie, her heart really is in the right place, even if she does have a habit of not being entirely truthful.  She is breath of fresh air as a main character, and I loved how she keeps Dominic on his toes. 

Domini has forbidden wild swimming in the lake on his property, but that doesn't stop a group of people from meeting each week to swim.  In fact the group grows with some unlikely at first suspects and it is clear just how much benefit everyone that goes swimming is getting form it (and not purely from a fitness point of view). 

In fact I loved all the characters, what a motley bunch this is.  From Hilda, who fans of Jules Wake will find rather familiar, and was lovely to see her back, to the teenager Josh who really comes out of his shell, to Gracie who I could the same about, and seeing her grow in confidence is lovely. 

And then there are Ettie's family who are salt of the earth, regular people, just trying to do their best with what they have.  

And it's not all wild swimming, Ettie is helping Dominic and Gracie turn an estate into a hotel and is full of fabulous ideas. 

There is plenty of humour to be had, and this is just an all around feel good read, that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It has a lovely sense of coming together in it, and I would have happily joined this group of new friends (so long as I don't have to get into a lake!). 

Another just simply fabulous book from Jules Wake. 

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

Book Review - The Guilty Couple by C. L. Taylor - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Guilty Couple

Author: C. L. Taylor

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 23rd June 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

What would you do if your husband framed you for murder?

Five years ago, Olivia Sutherland was convicted of plotting to murder her husband.

Now she’s finally free, Olivia has three goals. Repair her relationship with her daughter. Clear her name. And bring down her husband – the man who framed her.

Just how far is she willing to go to get what she wants? And how far will her husband go to stop her?

Because his lies run deeper than Olivia could ever have imagined – and this time it’s not her freedom that’s in jeopardy, but her life…

I have no idea how she does it by C. L. Taylor has ever let me down and each book just gets better and better. 

I was hooked from the first page and it didn't let me go until the last, and I read this over the course of an evening while on holiday. 

It's spectacular and keeps you guessing throughout.  I didn't even get a chance to come up with any theories, as I was drawn to just reading the next page, the next chapter,  mainly oblivious to the music being played in the bar at the same time! 

It's twisted, it's clever, and it's completely outstanding.  The characters all felt very realistic, and I certainly was rooting for Olivia the entire time. 

It's fast paced, and there are quite a number of characters to get your head around, but they are all distinct and it's very hard to know who to trust, especially once some revelations are revealed. 

This is an author that can do no wrong in my eyes and this book is testament to the fact that her storytelling and imagination are growing from strength to strength. 

Utterly brilliant. 

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

Book Review - What Happens in Greece by Sue Roberts - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: What Happens in Greece

Author: Sue Roberts

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 13th May 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Buying a rundown cottage in Greece. A crazy, wine-fuelled idea, or the best decision she’s ever made?

Charlotte takes in the scene. To the left, her (ex?) fiancé’s retreating back as he runs back to civilisation; in front, the crumbling Greek island farmhouse she thought was their shared dream; and just below, a goat munching merrily on her sunhat…

At first, Jamie had leapt at Charlotte’s idea to permanently swap drizzly Chester for sun-drenched Crete. Now it looks like she’ll be living this dream alone. Devastated but determined, she rolls up her sleeves and gets to work turning the ramshackle house into her forever home. At least the local community welcomes her with open arms, including sexy restaurant-owner-slash-handyman, Darius.

Taking a sledgehammer to her old life, and snacking on homemade honey cake on her breaks, Charlotte begins to see the promise of a future without Jamie. But on a trip back home, he suddenly appears, wanting her back. Faced with a choice between the first love who broke her heart and the gorgeous Greek man who has been putting it back together, how will Charlotte choose where she truly belongs?

A totally laugh-out-loud and feel-good summer read about taking a chance on life and love! Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Jenny Colgan and My Mamma Mia Summer.

Made me very hungry as I was reading it. Between mentions of Greek food and also baked goods, it is certainly a satisfying read, so long as you have nearby snacks.

And the setting of Crete is magnificently described. I could feel the heat of the summer, I could imagine Billy's random appearances, and generally the whole area where Charlotte has moved to, I could see so clearly. 

It's a big life decision to buy a house in Crete, but it's one that really seems to be made for Charlotte.  It's clear she takes to living somewhere different like a duck to water. 

And I loved all the new people she meets, and friends she makes in the village. 

This gave me a great hit of Greek escapism while I was in Spain on a cruise, and I loved that it made me forget where I was currently, and transported me to even further away!

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

Book Review - The Wishing Tree Beside The Shore by Jaimie Admans - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Wishing Tree Beside The Shore

Author: Jaimie Admans

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: 26th May 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

What do you do when ‘the one that got away’ now won’t go away? In fact, he’s so determined not to go away that he’s literally chained himself to a tree.

Fifteen years ago, Felicity Kerr threw caution to the wind and kissed her colleague Ryan Sullivan under the ancient wishing tree along the coast.

When Ryan failed to respond to her kiss, Felicity was mortified that she’d read his signals so horrendously wrong and left Lemmon Cove for good.

But now Felicity’s job brings her back to her hometown, and face to face with Ryan, who is leading a band of octogenarians rallying to save their beloved 300-year-old sycamore from being bulldozed by property developers.

The spark with Ryan is still there, but Felicity is guarding a secret and as much as she wants to join the protest by his side, she can’t help but hold back.

Will Felicity be able to mend her broken heart and find happiness with Ryan beside the sea?

An utterly hilarious and heart-warming romantic comedy about hope, second chances, and following your heart. Fans of Tilly Tennant, Milly Johnson and Heidi Swain will love this summer holiday of a book!

Utterly hilarious, I kept audibly laughing while in public areas of the cruise ship while I was reading, and surprised I didn't get any strange looks.  

Some completely fabulous comedic moments, some of which come from Baaabara Streisand, one of the best animals I've read about in a long while.

This was a joy to read, I loved everything from "guess the gadget" to "gnome sex positions" plus the stories behind the carvings on this tree they are trying save are rather special too. 

Once again this author has written a fabulous story, full of heart, humour, loveable characters, and two leads who i enjoyed the dynamics of. 

Another triumph from Jaimie Admans.

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

Book Review - An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan - #HolidayReaading Cruise

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Title: An Island Wedding

Author: Jenny Colgan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 23rd June 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Olivia and Anthony are planning A Very Extravagant Wedding at the newest hotel on the tiny Scottish island of Mure. They're flying in chefs, musicians and something called a living flower wall... and no one is even allowed to think the word bridezilla.

Flora is trying - and failing - not to let Olivia and Anthony's wedding distract her from planning her own big day with Joel. But the couple have wildly different ideas about how to celebrate and somehow, just when their relationship should be plain sailing, everything is suddenly very hard indeed.

And then there's Lorna and Saif. The local headmistress and the GP desperately keeping their relationship a secret to protect his sons. But while they're looking out for the boys, who's looking out for them?

Three couples. One midsummer's night. Can everyone get their happy ever after?

What an exceptional finale to the Island of Mure series. I'm gutted that the series is allegedly at an end, but  what a great way to go out. 

But I am convinced that can't really be where some of these characters stories end, one in particular I would love to see more of, even in a spin off, as it's the characters that have taken a spot in my heart since their first introduction. 

And then there is Flora and Joel, and their wedding and they aren't the only ones possibly getting married during this novel. 

Agot is at her bossy best and I loved seeing a bit of development from her, and we get to see a bit more of Jan which was interesting. 

And one of my favourite Colgan features is present, the intro letter at the start of the book to bring new and existing readers right up to date with key parts of the series to date, which for those of us that have been reading it, but also read a lot of other books between releases, gives just enough catch up, to be able to dive straight in easily. 

This is everything I could have wanted from a Jenny Colgan book, it's warm, it has emotion, its funny, its romantic and its downright brilliant.

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

Book Review - A Taste of Home by Heidi Swain - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: A Taste of Home

Author: Heidi Swain

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 29th April 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Fliss Brown has grown up living with her mother on the Rossi family’s Italian fruit farm. But when her mother dies, Fliss finds out she has a family of her own, and heads back to England with Nonna Rossi’s recipe for cherry and almond tart and a piece of advice: connect with your family before it is too late…

Fliss discovers that her estranged grandfather owns a fruit farm himself, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she arrives to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. Using her knowledge gleaned from working on the Rossi farm and her desire to find out more about her past, Fliss rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in. But what will she discover, and can she resurrect the farm’s glory days and find a taste of home…?

I'm a massive fan of Heidi Swain, so I hang my head in shame that it took me over a year to finally sit down and read this book. 

But I'm very glad I waited until I had time to just devour it, as that is exactly what happened, as I couldn't put it down. I was hooked on Fliss's story. 

And her meeting a long lost relative for the first time, and seeing if her real home is at the fruit farm she never knew existed. 

I was happy to see cameos from many of the Wynbridge regulars, as I do love to keep up to date with characters lives, and it helped give the book a sense of love and cosiness too. 

Read over the course of an afternoon, I was engrossed in how this story unfolded.  I loved every moment of it.

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

Book Review - Rome For The Summer by Lynne Shelby

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Title: Rome For The Summer 

Author: Lynne Shelby

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Accent

Publication Date: 23rd June 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

Kate Harper has always loved the painting that has hung in her parents' dining room for years, never suspecting that it is worth a fortune. When her art dealer boyfriend cheats her family out of the proceeds of the painting's sale, she is left devastated and alone.

Kate discovers that two hundred years ago, the girl in the painting, Charlotte Browne, ran off to Rome with the artist who painted her portrait, but her eventual fate is unknown.

Hoping to uncover the mystery of what happened to Charlotte, Kate seizes the chance of a summer job in Rome, where she strikes up a friendship with Jamie Taylor, an English artist. As they explore the city and start to piece together the surprising secrets of Charlotte's life, Kate finds herself wondering if a summer in Rome can mend a broken heart...

I have to admire the sheer amount of research that Lynne Shelby must have put into the writing of this novel, at least I am assuming that not too much artistic licence has been used, with the amount of art and history in this book. 

For this really is a book that lovers of Art and to an extent history will absolutely love.  Unfortunately neither of those are areas that I have any great interest in, so while I can admire the authors clear love of them and the skill of writing fabulous descriptions of paintings and frescos, as well as an account of a story that happened 200 years previous - it wasn't for me as engaging as it could have been. 

That being said all the present day story, the search for the truth about Charlotte, the friendship between Kate and Jamie and the whole summer in Rome, I truly adored. 

I loved Kate who transported herself to Rome to work as a guide at The English House (a former residence for English artists),  and wants to start drawing again, recover from the deceitful man she had been dating, and just discovering and exploring Rome. 

It is a real slow burn romance, in fact there is a secondary romantic storyline that felt at times more prominent and that I enjoyed reading about too. 

I feel as though I have definitely been transported to Rome, and was able to from my armchair visit many of the iconic tourist attractions, in addition to those off the beaten track.  It was clear that the author really loves and knows Rome well, from the writing. 

A really lovely story, and one that any history of art lover especially will enjoy! 

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

Book Review - The Spanish Wedding Disaster by Karen King

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Title: The Spanish Wedding Disaster

Author: Karen King

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Accent

Publication Date: 16th June 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

Some people are romantics. Some aren't. When Sophie and Maddie are summoned to a mysterious, top-secret meeting by their best friend Kate's partner, and told that he's planning to whisk Kate away for a surprise wedding in Gibraltar, it's immediately clear that bubbly florist Sophie is a total romantic. And that freewheeling, purple-haired Maddie is not.

Soon, Maddie finds herself reluctantly organising venues, planners and ceremonies; trying not to think of her own memories of Andalucia, and those she's lost touch with there. Meanwhile Sophie's hoping this dreamy gesture might spur on her own boyfriend to similar plans . . . and absolutely not thinking at all about Kate's gorgeous brother-in-law-to-be.

But Kate's got no idea what's going on. And as the stresses pile up and the group jet off to the sunny south, it seems it's not just Kate who might get a surprise in Spain - one that could change everything . . .

So the question is - "Is a surprise wedding, organised by your boyfriend and best friends before you have even been proposed to, romantic or not?" - or perhaps the better question is, will it all end in disaster?

Add in the fact that Steve is wanting this wedding and proposal to happen to Kate while they are on holiday in June, only a few months away, in Spain, and they are all based in the UK, makes it even trickier. 

Add in the subterfuge of trying to get to know all of Kate's dream wedding details without her realising, And you have the recipe for what is a very entertaining book. 

Then there is Sophie pretending to Kate that she is engaged to her boyfriend Glenn, in order to try to gain some of these key details, but Glenn being rather spooked by it, and Maddie who is anti marriage and doesn't think this is anything other than a recipe for disaster.  A view shared by Josh the best man. 

It's an absolutely fabulously summery read, perfect beach reading, as you see just whether or not they can pull off the whole wedding, whether anyone will let anything slip, and whether or not Kate even wants to get married!  It is so amusing and enjoyable, that I loved every second of it! 

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

Book Review - The Visa by Lizzie O'Hagan - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Visa

Author: Lizzie O'Hagan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Review

Publication Date: 7th January 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

THE AGREEMENT WAS TO GET MARRIED . . . NOT TO FALL IN LOVE.

For a commitment-phobe who's never taken a girl on a third date, Jack finds getting married to his old friend Maya pretty easy. He's a New Zealander in need of a visa to stay in the country, and she doesn't believe in marriage anyway. Simple.

Maya and Jack live in wedded, sex-less bliss, until one day Jack starts to get serious with someone else...

Suddenly Maya finds herself falling into a role she never thought she'd be: a wife - and a scorned one at that - who is falling uncontrollably, undeniably, and entirely inconveniently....

... in love with her own husband.

This sparkling, topsy-turvy romcom is perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Beth O'Leary and Mhairi McFarlane.

A fabulous novel, and the first I have read from this author, that had me incredibly entertained. 

i love how Jack and Maya agree to get married out of convenience for them both, despite barely really knowing each other, in part so that Jack can stay in the UK, and so that May doesn't have to face up to ghosts in her own life. 

They are both running from things, both have a lot to discover about themselves and each others, and I really enjoyed seeing them get to know each other after getting married. 

Just as amusing is seeing them break the news to their best friends (who just happen to be dating), and seeing their reactions to this out of character development for Maya. 

I reckon this would make a great rom-com film for the big screen, it certainly has all the elements, and is a story I feel many would enjoy. 

I know I certainly did. 

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