Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Book Review - Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle by Lilac Mills

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Amazon UK

Title: Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle
Author: Lilac Mills
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Canelo
Publication Date: 17th July 2025
Rating: 4 Stars

Will she give everything up for love?
Freya Sinclair has it all. An exciting life in London, a successful career as a ceramicist and a handsome boyfriend. But when she receives a call that her father is in hospital, she drops everything to support his recovery in Skye.

On the island, Freya finds new inspiration – Coorie Castle’s craft centre is firing her creativity and she’s glad to be back with her dad again. Being so close to her schoolgirl crush, Mackenzie Burns, is an added bonus. The two share an instant connection and Freya misses London less and less.

But Freya has a boyfriend at home and now a dazzling job offer in New York. She must figure out what she truly wants, before anyone gets hurt.

A heartwarming, feel-good cosy romance perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Julie Shackman and Sue Moorcroft.

I am loving this Coorie Castle Crafts series.  It's just such a great setting for a series of books, on the island of Skye. 

And although a familiar location with some recurring characters from the previous book, this felt entirely different, as Freya is only back on the island as her father has had a fall. 

She decides she will stay with him until he is back to full mobility which leads to some clashes. She also reconnects with Mack, although she does in theory have a boyfriend back in London.  She's not really looking for anything, but is happy with friendship. 

I enjoyed seeing Freya and reconnecting with some of the other crafters. And Mhairi is fabulous once again too! 

This is just so enjoyable, such a heartwarming and cosy sort of a read. I loved Mack, his boat trips, how he is with Freya's dad and just everything about him.  Whereas I had nothing but contempt for Hadrian. 

Learning more about ceramics was also fascinating, and I would have loved to have seen some of Freya's creations. 

An incredibly pleasurable book to read that left me with a smile on my face. 

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

Monday, 25 August 2025

Book Review - The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

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Title: The Retirement Plan
Author: Sue Hincenbergs
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Sphere
Publication Date: 1st May 2025
Rating: 5 Stars

Their husbands are driving them mad, and murder is on their minds . . . but the men have a plan of their own.

Pam, Nancy and Shalisa once imagined retirement would mean setting aside their worries, picking up their margaritas, and lying back in a hot tub. Right up until their husbands lost all their savings in a reckless investment.

Now, collecting their husbands' life insurance is starting to sound more appealing than growing old with them. But enlisting the help of the local barber/hitman isn't merely the most daring thing the friends have ever done - it's also where the trouble really begins.

Because they don't realise their husbands have some tricks up their sleeves. And there's no turning back now . . .

From the first laugh to the final twist, The Retirement Plan is full of characters who will steal your heart while plotting their dark deeds.

Oh this was just brilliant and so entertaining. 

And I'm utterly surprised that it was a debut novel, it was just that good and accomplished. 

We have husbands hiring hitmen to protect themselves after one of their group dies, after all they are all hiding something major. 
We have wives plotting to kill husbands. 
There is a double dipping hitman with a fair bit of humanity too. 
Add in a dog, a lot of assumptions, a boss that is having to deal with a matchmaker and a mother, while trying to prove herself, and all sorts of miscommunications - and you have the recipe for one incredibly amusing, dark and twisted and just all around addictive book. 

I read this in one sitting, totally hooked on all the various goings on.  For the second we think we know exactly what is happening, something else is revealed and the truths as you know them are developed further with more layers. 

I think what is fairly safe to say is that Pam, Nancy and Shalisa are not totally happy in their marriages, and that all of their husbands are total schmucks! 

And to make this even better, the main characters, all good friends, are in their sixties.  This is golden age crime plotting at its very best. It's amusing and addictive and just an all around great read. 

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

Friday, 22 August 2025

Book Review - The Wisteria Crescent Chronicles by Kate Forster

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Amazon UK

Title: The Wisteria Crescent Chronicles 
Author: Kate Forster
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Orion
Publication Date: 24th April 2025 
Rating: 4 Stars

It is a truth universally acknowledged... that a widowed woman in possession of a large Georgian home but no money for tea or toilet paper must find a creative solution.

For 70-year-old Marion Gaynor, the answer lies in opening her doors-and her heart-to two unexpected housemates: Felicity Booth, a brilliant but frazzled PhD student, balancing research and the chaos of academia, and Lana Rolls, newly separated and searching for a fresh start.

Together, these three women discover that friendship blooms in the unlikeliest of places, and the bonds they form will change their lives forever.

Readers will love this cosy, uplifting tale of unexpected friendship, set in the picturesque city of Bath, filled with charm and whimsy. Perfect for fans of Helen Rolfe, Heidi Swain and Philippa Ashley.

What a charming story this was.

I loved seeing the friendship develop between Marion, Felicity and Lana, all women at different stages in the lives, but all in need of a friend, a place to live and as we get to know them, we discover there are similarities between their personal situations too. 

I loved seeing how all three of these women spread their wings and went on such wonderful journeys throughout the book. 

Marion is in her 70s and has decided to rent out the other rooms in her house, despite her daughter pressuring her to sell the property. Lana is escaping a marriage that has gone very sour, and Felicity is rather studious and not enjoying life in the halls of residence and wants to somewhere more peaceful to live. 

All three are on very different trajectories but yet an instant friendship between the new housemates strikes up.  There are romantic threads in the story but they are definitely secondary to the themes of friendship and moving on with your life and escaping bad situations themes. 

This was a lovely gentle read that left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. 

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

Thursday, 21 August 2025

Book Review - Garden of Bones by M. A. Comley

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Amazon UK

Title: Garden of Bones
Author: M. A. Comley
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied copy
Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited
Publication Date: 15th June 2025
Rating: 5 Stars

Some secrets refuse to stay buried…

When a skeleton is unearthed beneath an old rose bed on a once-grand estate, DI Sally Parker and DS Lorne Warner are pulled into a case unlike any they’ve faced before. But as forensic analysis reveals a chilling truth - the investigation takes a dark turn - the bones belong to multiple victims.

With whispers of long-forgotten disappearances and hidden betrayals, Sally and Lorne must untangle a web of lies stretching back ten years. As they dig deeper, the past refuses to stay buried, and someone will do anything to keep their secrets hidden.

Because in this garden, the dead still have a story to tell…

What an intriguing case this latest one for DI Sally Parker and DS Lorne Warner proves to be. 

Over the course of the investigation we meet some rather vulnerable people that my heart totally went out to, and I loved the empathy that Sally and Lorne showed towards them. 

There are also some incredibly gruesome discoveries, that are described so vividly that I'm worried I may have nightmares tonight! 

I loved seeing how the case came together, I am always in awe of this team, and their ability to solve cold cases. From the first discovery of some bones, I was intrigued and couldn't get enough of seeing what would happen next. 

This is another fabulous addition to this brilliant series, from an author that I always love reading. 

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

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Book Review - Bad Influence by Rosie Nixon

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Amazon UK

Title: Bad Influence
Author: Rosie Nixon
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: HQ
Publication Date: 14th August
Rating: 5 Stars

Crushing it online…crashing in real life

Following an eventful stint styling Manhattan’s elite, Amber Green is back in London and ready to style her biggest client yet.

Superstar influencer Mandy Sykes is all-American and all-wrong for her new Surrey surroundings. Desperate to endear herself to the British upper crust, and to win likes from a new fanbase, the brash celebrity tasks Amber with providing all the smoke and mirrors she might need.

With only twelve weeks to prove her worth – and to earn the bonus which will secure her dream flat with her steady boyfriend, Rob – Amber’s biggest challenge is to keep her flats firmly on the ground.

But when your new boss has a private life as colourful as her designer wardrobe, and a brother-in-law whose ridiculously good looks can’t help but catch your eye, it becomes hard to tell who’s a genuine influencer, and who is simply a bad influence…

It has been far too many years since I was last able to sit down with a book in the Amber Green series, so I was delighted to see this new release on the schedules. 

And the author hasn't lost any of her spark, this was so funny, and just an all around highly enjoyable read. 

It was great to catch up with Amber, and although I didn't remember everything from the previous books clearly, there are enough reminders to have made me feel at home fairly quickly back within this world.  I love Amber's outlook on life, and her attitude is very can do most of the time.  

There is also an overlying message within these pages, one that women especially everywhere should take heed - about body positivity, and learning to love yourself. 

As this is what Amber is trying to get her new personal stylist client, Mandy to do. She has been hired as part of her live in team for three months, and it's an interesting group of people that are trying to raise influencer Mandy's profile in the UK. 

The story feels a bit bonkers at times, its definitely light hearted and entertaining, and I was loving every second of it. 

I'm sorry to hear this is the end of the trilogy, I am hoping there may yet be more books, but get the feeling this may be the end based on the notes in the back matter. Either way, this was a wonderful book to read on a hot summer's day while skiving in the garden! 

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

Tuesday, 19 August 2025

Book Review - Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock

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Amazon UK

Title: Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge
Author: Alison Sherlock
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 20th June 2025
Rating: 5 Stars

A family and hotel in desperate need of help…

Maple Tree Lodge Hotel has been home to the Jackson family for over a century. Following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin and if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads, tough decisions need to be made.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister enlists the talents of cash strapped, best friend and interior designer Lily Watson. Lily jumps at the chance to showcase her talents and to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve herself a successful career doing what she loves.

However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!

Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?
Can Lily help Ben and his family find a future together?
And can Ben show Lily that there's more to life than work?

As autumn begins to weave its magic spell, perhaps Lily will discover somewhere to finally call home and find a reason to stay ...

It's always a joy to read a new Alison Sherlock book, especially once that is the start of a new series.  And it was with even greater joy to discover it is set not too far from Cranbridge and her other series settings. 

To say I punched the air in joy when the first mention of the author's perennial favourite and totally disastrous character came into view.  Easily the author's most memorable character and delighted to see he is still about and potentially even still alive given his very chaotic nature!

Of course as I said this is the first book of a series and I promise it is a standalone, and a great start to a series, even if long term fans will see some familiar faces about. 

Maple Tree Lodge sounded amazing, and I would love to stay there myself.  With wonderful lakeside views, and surrounded by trees, it is just so tranquil and cosy. 

I really enjoyed getting to know Lily and Ben, and also their friends, who I feel may be present a fair bit in the rest of the series!   And the rest of Ben's family are brilliant too, and I especially loved Walter! 

This was such a relaxing book to sink into, it's gentle, it's warm, it made me smile a lot and was generally an all around enjoyable book.  

Bring on the next one! 

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

Monday, 18 August 2025

Book Review - Falling Overboard by Sariah Wilson

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Amazon UK

Title: Falling Overboard

Author: Sariah Wilson
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Montlake
Publication Date: 18th March 2025
Rating: 4 Stars

Forbidden love on the sun-kissed Mediterranean. Regardless of the risks, it’s easy to get swept away in a breathtaking romance by Sariah Wilson, the USA Today bestselling author of Hypnotized by Love.

Lucky Salerno’s dream is to own a bakery. To earn enough money to achieve it, she has secured a lucrative job as chief stewardess on a superyacht cruising the Mediterranean. Aboard the ship, there’s one unbreakable rule: no hookups among the crew. No problem. The last thing Lucky has time for is a man. Then she meets Hunter Smith, the gorgeous new deckhand sharing her cabin. Is the universe trying to test her willpower?

Who needs the drama that comes with a relationship? Not Hunter. Who can ignore a witty, beautiful bunkmate like Lucky? Also not Hunter. There’s something just as enticing for Lucky: a tantalizing mystery behind Hunter’s piercing blue eyes she can’t wait to solve. But at what risk?

As they get to know each other, a secret romance buds at sea, and Lucky has to choose. Abide by the rules to make her career dreams come true, or pursue her love for Hunter—another dream that’s just as near to her heart.

What a puntastic story this was. 

I adore books set on Superyachts, and this was incredibly enjoyable. 

I really enjoyed my time spent with Lucky and Hunter. I was fairly confident about what Hunter's big secret was early on, and I totally and utterly fell for him. He's gorgeous, and is a surprisingly decent deck hand. 

Watching Lucky deal with her promotion to chief stew, with her staff not overly either pulling their weight or trying to ignore a brand new rule for the season, is painful, as she tries to avoid conflict even more than I do! 

This is a close encounter, forbidden sort of romance, where they have clear chemistry from their first meeting, and are both determined not to act on it. 

I had a great time reading this book, and will certainly keep my eyes out for more from this author. 

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

Friday, 15 August 2025

Book Review - Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Amazon UK

Title: Best Summer Ever
Author: Heidi Swain
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 24th April 2025
Rating: 5 Stars

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.  

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

What a totally lovely character Daisy is. She has such a big heart and is always happy to help out her friends.

She is perhaps initially lacking some direction on her life, but returning to Wynbridge Manor and the family home, after a break up, may just be the best thing for her. 

Especially when she keeps bumping into Josh. 

There are loads of wonderful characters in this book, that has a multitude of sub plots within its pages. 

So much is going on, but yet its easy o follow. It's another joyous book from one of my favourite authors. 

I read this really quickly and already am looking forward to Heidi Swain's next book too as this was so enjoyable, I clearly need more of her words! 

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

Thursday, 14 August 2025

Book Review - Body Count by Julie Mae Cohen

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Amazon UK

Title: Body Count
Author: Julie Mae Cohen
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Zaffre
Publication Date: 14th August 2025 
Rating: 5 Stars

Serial killer Saffy Huntley-Oliver's life is going great.

She's got a fabulous new boyfriend, Jonathan. She has literally got away with murder. And now that she's no longer single, she can get back to her favourite hobby: killing bad men.

Particularly Sir Thomas West, a children's TV star who truly deserves to die.

But there are a few little snags. For one, her beloved sister Susie is still dating that insufferable Finlay. For another, Sir Thomas has a very large bodyguard. And Jonathan himself has given up his job investigating true crime, despite all the tempting corpses that Saffy keeps putting in his way.

All of this would be easy to ignore in the flush of new love. Except Saffy's never been in love before, and it's weird. She's having difficulty separating romance from homicide. Especially when someone discovers Saffy's secret hobby and starts sending Jonathan coded messages about her crimes.

Is someone trying to break them up? Or trying to hunt her down?

My favourite serial killer from last year Saffy is back, and as the title may imply, her body count is definitely on the rise. 

This is a wonderfully twisty story, where we get to know more about what makes Saffy really tick, her fledgling relationship with Jonathan, and I am absolutely loving hearing and discovering just how she seems to be multiple steps ahead of everyone. I also enjoyed getting to know Susie better.  

If you were to judge her by appearances you would never believe what was is actually capable of, which is probably her secret weapon. 

I was totally hooked on this book, from first page to last, I couldn't get enough of it.  I think Julie Mae Cohen is really getting into her stride with these really dark but humorous stories, and I'm totally there for it.  

Especially as Saffy is so good at highlighting all the ways that men can suck, and she only really kills the ones that totally deserve it. Always good to see a killer with a conscious, and she also has some great self awareness about what she does.

Just another totally brilliant book, and I really hope this isn't the last we have seen of these characters, given how it ended! 

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

Book Review - The Island of Hopes and Dreams by Kate Frost

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Amazon UK

Title: The Island of Hopes and Dreams
Author: Kate Frost
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 16th June 2025
Rating: 5 Stars

Escape to a beautiful Italian island this summer...
When the beginning of the end is just the start…

Newly single Lola Wild has had her fill of well-intentioned matchmaking friends. Her best friend Mirabel’s hen weekend highlights all that’s wrong with Lola’s life and she knows something has to change.

With Mirabel’s luxurious wedding in Sardinia fast approaching, Lola is looking forward to switching off, spending time with her friends and keeping her non-existent love life off everyone’s agenda.

Meanwhile, fellow wedding guest Rhys Strickland has his own problems. So when a chance encounter brings Rhys and Lola together they decide to help each other out.

With the idyllic backdrop of white sand beaches and azure bays, they bond over shared heartache, and friendship blossoms as they attempt to navigate the hurt and hard truths of past relationships.

Opening up their hearts and embracing change might be the last thing they expected, but what if a holiday of make-believe can turn into something real?

A heart-warming and uplifting story of vulnerability, self-renewal and finding love when you least expect to.

I believe this may be the first book I've read set on the island of Sardinia, and that automatically made me extra keen to read it, as I do love discovering new locations. 

And Kate Frost has made Sardinia sound totally stunning and a wonderful sounding holiday destination. I think I will need to add it to my list of places to look at for holidays in the future. 

As a big lover of fake dating, I was delighted to see some of that in this novel too where Lola and Rhys are both trying to avoid the glare of their friends meddling, in the lead up to the wedding they are all in Sardinia to celebrate. 

Rhys is an absolute doll of a man, he's down to earth and all around lovely. Not the most obvious man to go for out of the group that includes some Italian hunks but there is something about him that I couldn't help but fall for.  He's also dealing with the fact that his ex-love of his life is now dating another of his friends, and they are all at this wedding. 

Lola though has an even more problematic recent dating record. The specific incident that is keeping her friends entertained was rather embarrassing, and before that her previous ex was a total and utter nightmare. And one she is trying her hardest not to reveal to everyone. 

Lola's storyline in particular adds a lot of depth to this novel, which balances out the lightness of the wedding and its lead up. 

I loved seeing the two groups of friends start to get to know each other, as well as seeing Mirabel and Fabs get ready for their pending nuptials. 

There is a fabulous cast of characters, gorgeous setting and all around highly enjoyable and entertaining story. 

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

Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Book Review - Only In New York by Melissa Hill

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Amazon UK

Title: Only In New York
Author: Melissa Hill
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: HQ
Publication Date: 22nd May 2025
Rating: 4 Stars

LA Publicist Hannah is ready to put her broken heart behind her and start afresh. So when a celebrity client offers to lend her a luxury penthouse apartment in New York City, Hannah jumps at the chance.

But it turns out that balancing a new job and new neighbours is harder than Hannah imagined. With a troublesome – yet undeniably attractive – client making headlines for all the wrong reasons, and the secretive curmudgeon next door seemingly on a mission to get her out, Hannah has her hands full.

It’s going to take all her best PR tricks to win over each of these cynics. But it isn’t only their walls that begin breaking down. And as Hannah starts to open her own heart to all the possibilities the city has to offer, a chance at love might be closer than she thinks.

This is New York, after all.

How lovely it was to be reading a new Melissa Hill book, I haven't spotted a new release of hers in a long while and I've always been a fan. 

This was a highly enjoyable rom-com set in New York.  Hannah has just moved back to New York, after her stint in LA went a bit wrong, and she is now building up a new client list in the big Apple.  And one of the people she now needs to do PR work for is Wildcat Ward. 

Ward is an ice-hockey player who needs a bit of a new image, or he may get dropped from the team, once he is recovered from his recent injury. 

From the first meeting between Hannah and Ward I was intrigued. There was just something about them that was really funny, clumsy and amusing to read about. 

I loved getting to know Ward and all the characters in this book.

I really enjoyed reading this story. 

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

Tuesday, 12 August 2025

Book Review - Little Children by Angela Marsons - #BlogTour

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Amazon UK

Title: Little Children
Author: Angela Marsons
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 12th August 2025
Rating: 5 Stars

The boy keeps walking, his curl-covered head down and his arms folded protectively across his body. The arcade is full of happy families but he is all alone. It’s the last time he is ever seen… Can Kim bring him home again?

Twelve-year-old Lewis Stevens disappeared from a seafront arcade. Eleven-year-old Noah Reid vanished from the pier stretching out over the beach.

Detective Kim Stone doesn’t play well with others… but as the investigation into the missing children stalls, she is sent halfway across the country to join the hunt. When she knocks on the door of Lewis’s house, she’s expecting to meet a desperate, hopeful mother, and to promise she’ll do everything in her power to bring Lewis home.

Instead she finds a woman who won’t meet her eyes, who insists her son ran away. What is she hiding, and why is she so frightened? Faced with a hostile local team, few clues, and a refusal to believe the kidnappings are linked, Kim must draw on all her determination and skill to solve the case.

And when another boy turns up dead back home, his body bruised and broken, Kim learns that the killers she’s hunting are worse than she could have ever imagined. She and the team must track them down before more children are taken. But the closer they get, the greater the danger – and they cannot trust a single soul…

A completely gripping page-turning crime thriller from no.1 multi-million-copy bestseller Angela Marsons. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Karin Slaughter and Robert Dugoni.


Wow! What on earth did I just read?
Or should I say devour?
As that was totally and utterly unputdownable. 
100% Angela Marsons is at the top of her game, and I think has come up with one of her most sickening stories. 

And it amazes me how 22 books into a series, how it keeps feeling fresh. 

In this instance Kim Stone and her team are asked to help out with an investigation in Blackpool in the disappearance of two children. And they have a side mission too which was eye opening and rather disturbing. 

Actually all the crimes in this are very disturbing and I dread to think how I'll sleep tonight having read this. It was very interesting seeing Kim's team in an unfamiliar location, and seeing how some of the dynamics play out, especially with her dealing with another team. 

From the moment I started this book with its rather intriguing prologue, I had a feeling this was something I would need to read in one sitting, and thankfully it was too hot to work so took it into the garden and indulged for the afternoon.  And what an afternoon it was and a what a book it is! 

And there are some real gasp out lout moments, I certainly didn't expect some of the final revelations, and the depths of the crime and injustice in this book are not to be underestimated. 

This is dark, gritty, but texts from a certain reporter do add some light relief! It's always a thrill to be back in Kim Stone's world, and this was no exception. 

An utterly addictive and totally amazing book, I'm just gutted that I read it so quickly as I know it means that I will have an even longer wait for the next one.  So once again I'm begging Angela Marsons to please write faster, as we need more of this excellence in the world! 

Easily one of the best and most addictive books of this always amazing series. 

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

Monday, 11 August 2025

Book Review - Too Hot To Handle by Portia MacIntosh - #HolidayReading Tenerife

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Amazon UK

Title: Too Hot To Handle
Author: Portia MacIntosh
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 8th April 2025
Rating: 5 Stars

One bachelorette party. One stag do. One double-booked villa and only one way to decide who gets it: a competition.

Workaholic Molly is buzzing when her best friend tells her she’s getting married. As maid of honour Molly can’t wait for the perfect bachelorette party in Spain. What could be better than a week in a stunning villa? Sun, sea, cocktails and gossiping – and best of all, no boys allowed. But when the hens arrive they discover that they are not alone. The villa has been accidentally double booked by a group of stags who make it very clear they’re not leaving!

It’s a disaster, and no one wants to give up their place in paradise. Attempts at compromising fail instantly, so their only option is to have a winner takes all competition. Battle lines are drawn and it is girls v boys - but will the competition be too hot to handle?

As their rivalry heats up, and Molly finds herself gravitating towards stag Travis, it’s clear that he’s enjoying the attention - but Molly can’t let herself get distracted, and under no circumstances can she fall for the enemy.

The queen of the rom-com has hit gold once again, with another hilarious and feel good story. 

One villa in Spain, two bookings for it, one group of guys, one group of girls, and neither really wants to share, both need it as its nearby one member of their party's wedding venue, and everywhere else is booked. 

This results in full blown gender wars while each group attempts to drive the other away. 

All sorts of shenanigans are at play, and the more I read, the more I wanted to read on. 

This is a pure joy to devour, and leads to all sorts of surprising revelations.

I loved Molly our main character, and the male in the group she is clearly attracted to is the one I would have fallen for too. 

I can't get enough of this author and am already looking forward to her next book. 

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