Book Review - The Little Bookshop at Herring Cover by Kellie Hailes

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Amazon UK

Title: The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove

Author: Kellie Hailes

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: 10th July 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

The start of something wonderful…
Sophie Jones loves her little bookshop at Herring Cove. She’ll never give it up to big property developer, Alexander Fletcher – no matter how handsome he might be…

Yet beneath Alex’s sharp suit and persuasive manner, there’s something about him that makes Sophie want to trust him.

So when he offers to help make her little shop a success again, she wonders whether this could be the start of something wonderful for both Sophie and Alex – together?

Perfect for fans of Caroline Roberts, Cathy Bramley and Heidi Swain.

How I enjoyed this book, it was full of a lovely small town vibe, a bookshop that is trying to turn its fortunes around, a romance between two complete opposites who should be sworn enemies, a man having a slight crisis of job and being, a fabulous location and some great friends. 

Sophie is determined that she won't be forced into selling her beloved bookshop, just so that a developer can turn Herring Cove into a big soulless tourist resort. Her whole life is in that shop and location and she has many reasons why she wants to stay put. 

Alex is the man tasked with persuading her to sign and take a large financial settlement, but yet it soon becomes obvious they have have misjudged each other and that Alex may have hidden depths to him. 

It was incredibly sweet to see but to me I loved Alex's character development, turning from corporate drone Alexander into the man he is meant to be.  i couldn't help falling for him myself. 

There is just such a sense of sweet loveliness within this book, I felt completely at home within its pages, I couldnt' read it fast enough, reading well into the early hours of the morning in bed.   

You sort of knew where the story would end up, and I did  think at one point a certain happening was inevitable, but it was also amusing too. And I enjoyed reading this and just seeing how they would reach the ending you were rooting for! 

Another really entertaining and joyful story from an author that I love. 

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

Book Review - The Lemon Tree Cafe by Cathy Bramley - - Blog Tour - #AroundTheUKIn144Books,#Derbyshire

Amazon UK

Title: The Lemon Tree Cafe

Author: Cathy Bramley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Corgi

Publication Date: 24th August 2017 

Rating: 5 Stars

When Rosie Featherstone finds herself unexpectedly jobless, the offer to help her beloved Italian grandmother out at the Lemon Tree Cafe – a little slice of Italy nestled in the rolling hills of Derbyshire – feels like the perfect way to keep busy.

Surrounded by the rich scent of espresso, delicious biscotti and juicy village gossip, Rosie soon finds herself falling for her new way of life. But she is haunted by a terrible secret, one that even the appearance of a handsome new face can't quite help her move on from. 

Then disaster looms and the cafe’s fortunes are threatened . . . and Rosie discovers that her nonna has been hiding a dark past of her own. With surprises, betrayal and more than one secret brewing, can she find a way to save the Lemon Tree Cafe and help both herself and Nonna achieve the happy endings they deserve?

The Lemon Tree is Cathy Bramley at her magnificent best. From the first page where I was gasping and giggling at what turned out to be a double entendre (and not the only one in the early chapters), to the drama of the entirety of part 3 - Tea and Sympathy, to the huge community minded village events, plus a popular returning character from the Plumberry School of Comfort Food book, and all manner of other goodies inside! 

When Rosie took a stand in her social media marketing job, she goes back home to her Nonna's cafe and offers to work for a month as a favour to her grandmother, and secretly to perhaps organise the place a bit better, while trying to get a new job. 

I loved The Lemon Tree Cafe with its two great waitresses and of course Rosie's Nonna, Maria. Maria is a remarkably private person and I never guessed exactly what she was hiding until it was revealed. Neither did I fully guess just why Rosie doesn't trust men, and it was surprises like these that made this book so gripping. 

From about the 50% mark onwards the book was impossible to put down, as I was already engrossed with the characters, and the story just seemed to ramp up as it progressed. I was loving the warmth and vitality that the author brings to her characters, and just stepping into this novel felt like a comforting hug. 

And of course you can't have a book review, about a book focusing on an Italian cafe, without mentioning food, it sounded delicious. As a word of warning if you are a huge fan of pizza you will love certain aspects of this book without a doubt, and may have your fingers itching to reach and call for your local delivery service! 

The pacing of this book was just right, and conveniently for the purpose of it having been released in four parts, there were little intrigue or mini cliffhangers as you came to the end of each part, which added to the grippiness of this book, as I could just continue turning the pages to see what would happen next. 

I absolutely adored every second of The Lemon Tree Cafe, from its moments to make you laugh, to the deep secrets that shocked me, and the overwhelming sense of family and community I felt from the book. This is an addictive book, that is quick to read and will leave you craving your next Cathy Bramley fix. 

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

Please take a look at the blog tour for more The Lemon Tree Cafe goodness! 

Book Review - Under the Cherry Tree by Lilac Mills - Chances Fortnight - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #Worcestershire

I feel as though I took a chance on Under the Cherry Tree as Lilac Mills is a debut author, and also a book blogger, and when you are reviewing a brand new author, without really hearing much about the book it could always be a gamble! 

Amazon UK

Title:  Under the Cherry Tree

Author: Lilac Mills

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Lilac Tree Books

Publication Date: 31st May 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

“My dog didn't like men. Actually that was a lie – she didn't like the men I chose. The only ones who rocked her world had been my father (who was no longer with us), Ross (who was gay), and the butcher on the high street (for obvious reasons).”

When Jenni Meadows has the opportunity to expand her dog-grooming business she takes it, and when a nice man appears on her horizon but fails to make any sparks fly, she decides she has enough on her plate with her business without adding a boyfriend into the mix.

Besides, Millie doesn’t like him and when her dog doesn’t like a man, Jenni knows all about it. So why does Millie take a very strange liking to the new vet, especially since he has a taciturn expression, wears a wedding ring, and wields a needle?

Under the Cherry Tree is a tale of love and hope, waggy tails, and cold noses.

What a rollercoaster of emotion I have just been on, and don't mean it in the typical this was a heavily emotional book. In fact for the most part its incredibly light hearted with plenty of laughs to be had. And its due to the quality of the writing and how well you get to know the characters which is why certain events hit me incredibly hard. 

There was a particular film that came to mind during parts of this book, which this felt slightly reminiscent of, but I will refrain from naming the film, as anyone knows it may then guess certain outcomes of this story and I wouldn't want that. 

As far as I'm concerned this book is all about Millie, she is the best character, and although she doesn't speak, she communicates surprisingly well and its amazing at how many men she seems to really dislike. I should possibly mention that Millie is in fact a Westie, and one of the best four legged characters I've read this year. 

She is full of character, and is inseparable from her human Jenni. Jenni is dog mad, and hopes to expand her dog grooming business to include dog behaviour training and agility classes, plus a whole lot more. Jenni is also single although there are three very distinct possible men on the horizon, so she hopes one of them may turn into something more. 

There is Mark with his parent's dog Randy who is a real handful, Neil the architect who feels a bit slimy, even from the start, and there is locum vet Scott. Of these men Millie attacks one, fawns over another and shows utter indifference to the third.  

Besides Millie and men, there is another storyline in progress, which is about Jenni's expansion plans, and whether she will touch the money she has in order to buy the perfect property for the business, and its not long after Jenni starts to look at a property that the title of the book begins to make some sense. 

Under The Cherry Tree is a very entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable debut novel, that had me smiling and crying. It is a reasonably quick read and Lilac has a great turn of phrase, which pulls the reader right into the book and won't let you go. This book is a must for dog lovers, dogs in fiction lovers, animal lovers and  generally anyone who enjoys a good fun romantic comedy. 

Thank you so much to Lilac for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Hope Family Calendar by Mike Gayle - Back Catalogue Books - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #Surrey

Back Catalogue Books is my new regular Saturday feature, focusing on books that are not the latest releases. There is going to be a mix of Q&As and also reviews, depending on what I have the space for. 

If you are an author wanting to take part in Back Catalogue Books then please do email on gilbster at gmail dot com and I'll whizz the questions over to you. 

I hope everyone enjoys this weekly look back at some of the slightly older books that are about but still great, going to aim to read books that have been out for at least 6 months, and that I eventually make a dent in my TBRs as a result of it!

Given I downloaded this in July of last year, I can't help but think its definitely valid for this feature, and about time I read it!  

Amazon UK

Title: The Hope Family Calendar

Author: Mike Gayle

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 16th June 2016

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Tom Hope is broken. Ever since his wife Laura died he hasn't been the same man, and definitely not the same father. Luckily for Tom his mother-in-law Linda is around to pick up the pieces and look after his two struggling daughters, Evie and Lola.

But Tom getting arrested on the first anniversary of his wife's death is the last straw for Linda.

In a last bid attempt to make Tom reconnect with his daughters she takes drastic action and leaves for Australia. With two fast-maturing daughters Tom has to learn how to accept his responsibilities and navigate the newly discovered world of single fatherhood - starting immediately.

With only himself to rely on, will Tom fall back into grief or finally step up and be the father his girls need?

Far more serious in places than the average Mike Gayle novel, this is one family's journey to come to terms with the death of Laura, husband to Tom, and daughter to Linda, and mother to Evie and Lola. One year on from her death, and Linda is at her wits end, as Tom is still deep in grief but turning into a workaholic and barely spends any time with his daughters, while she has moved in and taken over Laura's role. 

Linda realises there is only one thing she can do to force Tom to take control of his own actions, and make him step up to the world of single parenthood, and she flies off to Australia for 6 months, despite it hurting her to be separated from her grandchildren. 

The book is told from both Tom and Linda's perspectives and on the whole it is an uplifting story, there are moments that will make you smile, and Mike Gayle's normal wit is definitely there to shine through in places, such as Clive, Tom's new friend. 

I loved reading about what Linda was getting up to Australia, and how she was coping. She has her ups and downs but its lovely to read about. Tom on the other hand struggles big time at first, and slowly learns and remembers how to be a parent. He is scared of doing the wrong thing, but his daughters are generally great girls and I especially loved Lola the youngest. 

Tom over the course of the book experiences a real rollercoaster of emotion, as he tries to get life back on track for him and the girls. Sometimes he is a typical non thinking man, others he is a compassionate father and goes to great lengths to make sure he can fulfill promises to his daughters. 

The Hope Family Calendar is a pleasureable story that I think would give griefing people some hope at the end of the tunnel. Tom and Linda both do a lot of growing in the novel, and after part 1 was finished, and the story was moving in the right direction, I found it very hard to put down, as I was enamoured in their story, while crossing my fingers that things would work out well. 

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

Book Review - The Darkest Lies by Barbara Copperthwaite #AroundTheUKIn144Books #Lincolnshire

Amazon UK

Title: The Darkest Lies

Author: Barbara Copperthwaite

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 12th May 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

A mother desperate for the truth. A daughter hiding a terrible secret.

Melanie Oak appeared to have the perfect life. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Jacob, the couple live with their beautiful, loving, teenage daughter, Beth, in a pretty village.

Nothing can shake her happiness - until the day that Beth goes missing and is discovered beaten almost to the point of death, her broken body lying in a freezing creek on the marshes near their home.

Consumed with grief, Melanie is determined to find her daughter’s attacker. Someone in the village must have seen something. Why won’t they talk? 

As Melanie tries to piece together what happened to Beth, she discovers that her innocent teenager has been harbouring some dark secrets of her own. The truth may lie closer to home and put Melanie’s life in terrible danger…

A completely gripping psychological thriller with a twist you won’t see coming. Fans of The Girl on the Train, The Sister and Before I Let You In will be captivated.

Gripping and shocking with its many layers of deceit. I loved how I was kept guessing and second guessing myself as I tried to unravel what was happening in front of me, ahead of the characters. 

There are a couple of perspectives in this story, Beth who is clearly up to something, but it isn't really clear initially what, there is a voice that appears every now and then who is clearly a person you wouldn't want to ever meet, as they are dastardly. And then there is Melanie's voice, who is the main character and yet the hardest one to describe. 

For Melanie is going through a living nightmare, which leads her to question everything and everyone she has ever known on the search for the truth. At times I wonder if she is on the verge of a breakdown, and others I found myself really sympathizing with her situation. 

I was hooked from the first few pages, where I had the feeling that something big was about to happen, but wasn't really sure which direction the story would go. From there my interest and addictive nature were drawn in further and further, until I lost track of time. I intended at one point that I was just going to read "one more chapter" but half an hour later, I realised I had read about another 20% of the story, and reluctantly had to leave the book until the following day, for fear of an incredibly late night. 

I was very impressed by just how well this book had been crafted, with  every time a new piece of evidence appears, or a new theory comes out, a whole bunch of other questions come to mind, and I found myself wondering just who if anyone was even telling the truth. 

This is the first book I've read by Barbara Copperthwaite, and it certainly won;t be the last. The Darkest Lies captured my imagination and had me completely enthralled in the action. I found it to be very well written and a story that got under my skin while I was trying to figure everything out. 

Thank you so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Summer Breeze and Afternoon Teas by Lindsey Paley - Back Catalogue Books - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #Cumbria

Back Catalogue Books is my new regular Saturday feature, focusing on books that are not the latest releases. There is going to be a mix of Q&As and also reviews, depending on what I have the space for. 

If you are an author wanting to take part in Back Catalogue Books then please do email on gilbster at gmail dot com and I'll whizz the questions over to you. 

I hope everyone enjoys this weekly look back at some of the slightly older books that are about but still great, and that I eventually make a dent in my TBRs as a result of it!

Having bought books 3-6 of this series recently I realised I should probably read another book of it, so here is my review of book 2 of the Camille Carter series.

Amazon UK

Title: Summer Breeze and Afternoon Teas

Author: Lindsey Paley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Purple Heather Publishing

Publication Date: 21st June 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

When Millie Carter is invited back to Craiglea Manor to run the Summer Breeze cookery course she is delighted, and jumps at the chance to renew her friendship with Hannah, Robbie and Archie. 

At the annual summer garden party, there are cucumber sandwiches, asparagus quiches, clotted cream scones with lashings of raspberry jam - what more could a girl wish for? Especially as the sun is shining and she can wear her high-heeled sequinned sandals and strappy chiffon tea dress.

The Earl Grey and pink Prosecco flow and laughter ripples around the fragrant gardens. And yet her students seem totally disinterested in whipping up her special-recipe summer berry puddings, or her crisp apricot pavlovas and gooey cherry-and-almond macaroons. 

When tragedy strikes, there’s only one place she can turn - Fergus McKenzie. Once again she must whisk-joust with the attractive master of mockery who is now the local police Inspector.

Summer Breeze and Afternoon Teas is a delicious story of love and friendship, and what happens when a sprinkle of envy is added to the mix.

This is Book Two in the Camille Carter series - 'Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes' is Book One.

I've really enjoyed this second book in the Camille Carter series. I loved catching up with characters from the first book back at Craiglea Manor. 

The story starts nice and gently with a summer garden party, with descriptions of some of the edible goodies available, especially Millie's French Patisserie contributions, which had me wanting to join the party. We are also introduced to the guests that will be on the cookery course Millie will be running that week. 

However things don't go exactly to plan, which is when this book turns into far more of a cozy mystery, and I really enjoyed seeing if I could guess the culprit. I was convinced for ages that I knew exactly who did it and why but as is often the case not only were my first instincts wrong, so were my second! 

Summer Breeze and Afternoon Teas can definitely be read as a standalone novel, as all the important bits from book 1 are mentioned. It also is a great sequel, due to continual character growth, being able to catch up with old friends, and generally being a quick and easy read that was highly enjoyable.  

I am already eager to read the rest of the series, and hope it stays at this standard as they are such entertaining stories, and snapshots into the lives of Millie and her friends. 

Book Review - My Husband the Stranger by Rebecca Done -#AroundTheUKIn144Books #Norfolk

Amazon UK

Title: My Husband the Stranger

Author: Rebecca Done

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Michael Joseph

Publication Date: 6th April 2017

Rating: 3.5 Stars

What you would do if your husband became another person overnight?

'It's a funny thing, when the future you dreamed of can never be anywhere but the past'

When Molly married Alex Frazer, she knew it was for ever. Theirs would be the perfect future.

In sickness and in health.

However, after a night out with his twin brother, Graeme, a terrible injury leaves Alex with permanent brain damage. In a single moment the man she married is transformed into someone new. Someone who has forgotten how to love her. And someone Molly isn't sure she can ever love again.

Till death do us part.

The Alex she married no longer exists. Even with Graeme willing to help, Molly isn't sure that she can go on. How can she stay married to a man she doesn't know? Should she let the future she dreamed of slip through her fingers? And what really happened on the night that turned her husband into a stranger?

It was the fascinating concept that drew me to My Husband the Stranger, and it was due to my interest in the idea of the book, that kept me reading to the end. However having finished the book, I just can't help but feeling flat. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting from the story, but I feel as though it could have been more. 

There were certain storyline elements that I could see coming a mile off, and although I was interested in the story, and it definitely was written in an engaging way, and I enjoyed the writing style, there was just something missing for me. 

Graeme saw Molly first. Later that same evening Alex, his twin brother, leaves the bar with Molly, and its the start of their relationship.  Fastforward to now, and three years after a dreadful accident, Molly is still hoping that Alex will turn back into the man she fell in love with. 

For three years ago there was a dreadful accident that caused Alex brain damage, and it has drastically changed his personality. He is now like a child in an adults body, with some of a childish mindset, but at other times incredibly angry, and other times can just about show the old Alex is still deep inside him. 

And it is for that reason that Molly is determined to stand by her man, no matter what cost to herself and her own dreams potentially. 

We get the story from two different perspective, Molly in the hear and now, stuck in a job she hates, caring for her husband, and trying to make the best of the situation, and then, we have chapters from Alex's point of view, which are the memories of how he and Molly got together and key moments in their relationship history. 

The story at all times kept me wondering what would happen next, and ultimately what Molly would decide. Graeme wants to offer them as much support as he can, and it must be so weird for Molly to spend time with the twins, when one of them has changed to dramatically. 

My Husband the Stranger certainly makes you think, how would you cope in Molly's situation. I'm not sure I'd be compassionate enough (to my non existent) husband to cope with a major change in personality although I'd like to think that love would overpower everything. 

Thought provoking and throws up intriguing questions, in a book that I enjoyed reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph for this copy of the book which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly. 

Book Review - The Little Teashop of Lost and Found by Trisha Ashley - Blog Tour - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #WestYorkshire

Amazon UK

Title: The Little Teashop of Lost and Found

Author: Trisha Ashley

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Transworld Books

Publication Date: 9th March 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Alice Rose is a foundling, discovered on the Yorkshire moors above Haworth as a baby. Adopted but then later rejected again by a horrid step-mother, Alice struggles to find a place where she belongs. Only baking – the scent of cinnamon and citrus and the feel of butter and flour between her fingers – brings a comforting sense of home. 

So it seems natural that when she finally decides to return to Haworth, Alice turns to baking again, taking over a run-down little teashop and working to set up an afternoon tea emporium. 

Luckily she soon makes friends – including a Grecian god-like neighbour – who help her both set up home and try to solve the mystery of who she is. There are one or two last twists in the dark fairytale of Alice’s life to come . . . but can she find her happily ever after?

There are two (well three really) rather distinct stories within The Little Teashop of Lost and Found. The main focus of the whole book is Alice Rose, who is moving to Haworth, the area of west Yorkshire where she was found abandoned as a newborn. She went on to have a loving adoptive father, who spun her fairytales, and a wicked adoptive mother. After trying to find somewhere in the country where she feels she belongs, she has bought a cafe and home sight unseen in Haworth to try and put down roots. 

Alice is a fabulous baker and plans to open up an afternoon tea emporium, in her new cafe, although things aren't as they seem with the property. She has a unique Yorkshire twist with her waitresses which perhaps not being a northern lass I couldn't fully appreciate, but was amusing to see. Alice is also an author, and she writes dark retellings of classic fairytales with a twist, which brings me onto the second story in the book. We get at regular intervals scenes from the book that Alice is writing.  I will hold my hands up to say that I'm never much of a fan of the book within a book concept and barely even skimmed those sections, so if you want to know how much they add, please check out other people's reviews. 

The third main storyline is from the person who left Alice up on the Yorkshire Moors when she was a baby. In short segments between chapters, we learn a lot and I found it to be a fascinating thread to the book, even if I felt that the person was clearly cold hearted and felt barely human. 

Alice through a stroke of luck ends up being absorbed by a rather large family the Giddings, and when she isn't renovating the tea emporium, or writing her next book, she is spending a lot of her time with the various members of that family, including her neighbour, the gorgeous Niles. 

I really enjoyed the whole of The Little Teashop of Lost and Found and found it to be entertaining, although the story of Alice's search for her birth mother and sense of feeling that she wants to belong somewhere. I loved reading about Alice's early life, which gave a good grounding to her background. 

I also loved the setting of this book including the Yorkshire Moors, and although I couldn't put my finger on them, I'm fairly positive there were some recurring characters popping up from Trisha Ashley's previous books, at least there was a least one thing hinted at that felt very familiar to me.  

This is easily one of my favourite Trisha Ashley novels, and found it to be an engaging read. 

Thank you so much to Rosie Margesson at Transworld for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Please take a look at the rest of the blog tour for more Trisha Ashley goodness!

Book Review - The Secrets of Ivy Garden by Catherine Ferguson - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #Gloucestershire

Amazon UK

Title: The Secrets of Ivy Garden

Author: Catherine Ferguson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 3rd April 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

When Holly breaks up with her boyfriend Dean, she’s at a loss as to what to do next. But things go from bad to worse when her beloved grandmother Ivy dies – and Holly is left in charge of sorting out Ivy’s house and garden. As she sorts through her grandmother’s belongings and makes her way through the wilderness outside, Holly soon finds that there is more to Ivy than meets the eye, and uncovers a surprising family secret that changes everything…

This is a heart-warming and hilarious story from Catherine Ferguson about starting over, learning to garden and most of all learning to love.

What a lovely heart warming and sweet story The Secrets of Ivy Garden is, Set in a charming location of Appleton, in the Cotswolds, it tells the story of Holly who is determined to put her beloved grandmother's cottage up for sale, and then discovers Ivy's diary. 

Within the diary it gives a secret and mystery that Holly is determined to solve, added to her new day to day existence of trying to renovate part of the cottage, and put Ivy's "secret" garden back into order. 

While doing all of this, you need to bare in mind that Holly has a fear of the countryside, which does get explained, and I think she surprises herself by how many friends she makes in the village. From the Rushbrooke family - Prue, the mother who never goes into the village and wants to hire Holly as a gardener, Jack the older son, who is trying to be a rock for his family and Layla the teenager who seems misunderstood by her family but makes a firm friend in Holly. 

Then there is Connie in the deli shop and the man who tries to teach Holly not only about meditation but also about a whole different way of life, all of which help enrich Holly's time in Appleton. 

While Holly is in Appleton she learns a lot about herself and also proves what a lovely friendly person she really is. There are a couple of potential love interests, and I was kept guessing until the final pages as to whether the pairing I wanted, would ever be made! 

I found The Secrets of Ivy Garden to be a very pleasant read, nice and easy to get into and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters . It was a story I finished with a smile and a whole host of good feelings. 

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

Book Review - The Little Clock House on the Green by Eve Devon - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #WestSussex - Fab Firsts

Fab Firsts is my new regular Sunday feature, that is going to be highlighting books that are firsts. When interviewing authors, it will be about their first book, as well as other firsts in their lives. When reviewing books for this feature, there will be a mix of debuts, first books in a series, the first time I read an author, and possibly other firsts depending on what I can think of!

If you are an author wanting to take part in Fab Firsts then please do email on gilbster at gmail dot com and I'll whizz the questions over to you.

I hope you enjoy this look at a variety of hopefully fabulous firsts, while making some sort of dent in my review and paperback TBRs which are my current main focus!

This is the first book of Eve Devon's new Whispers Woods series, and I'm already looking forward to the Christmas sequel! 

Amazon UK

Title: The Little Clock House on the Green

Author: Eve Devon

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 23rd March 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Welcome to Whispers Wood, a cosy little village in the heart of the English countryside, where everybody knows everybody and rumours are spread thicker than jam on a scone…

When a rival village is awarded Best in Bloom, the residents of Whispers Wood are determined to regain their former glory – and with Old Man Isaac finally selling the clock house on the village green, with two potential buyers, operation ‘Summer Fete’ is on!

For Kate Somersby, the very bricks that make up the clock house hold precious memories of her childhood. Now she’s finally returned home after years of running away, she’s here to make Isaac an offer and ensure her and her beloved sister’s dreams come true. Only entrepreneur Daniel Westlake is standing in her way.

To prove they have the village’s interests at heart and in turn become the proud new owner of the clock house, Kate and Daniel must compete to raise funds for the Whispers Wood Summer Fete.

Over one glorious English summer, friendships are forged, secrets are revealed and romance delightfully bursts into bloom.

In a charming West Sussex village setting, of Whispers Wood there is a clock house. For Kate is a long held dream of hers to open up day spa in that very building. For Daniel he has chanced upon the clock house and come up with a business idea himself. 

They both want to own the Clock House on the Green which has come up for sale. Kate hasn't lived in Whispers Wood for four years, she left with good reasons but now it seems like it could be a good time for her to return and mend some bridges, if only everyone could believe she won't run again. Daniel on the other hand only discovered the village when his car broke down, and then it was clear he only discovered the clock house when he spotted Kate going into it, and clearly let his heart rule the rest of his decisions! 

However the current owner of the Clock House wants them to prove themselves to the village and the one that raises the most funds for the Summer Fete will be the new owner. Which is where the book starts to get really fun! 

I loved a lot of the various fund raising ideas, that were come up with by both Kate and Daniel, as well as the fact they seemed to be unsteady on their feet around each other, leading to some amusing situations. 

It was Kate's story that intrigued me the most, especially the reasons she has for being nervous at returning home, and how her family react around her. It is poignant, but also shows enormous personal growth as she settles back into life in the village. 

I also loved the storyline between Oscar and Juliet, and was really rooting for the right outcome there. 

The Little Clock House on the Green is an entertaining story, in a charming setting, full of great characters, easy to read writing, amusing incidents and the promises of a couple of big romances. It is an enjoyable book and one that I am already looking forward to the Christmas sequel of, as I would love to see more of the residents of Whispers Wood. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy of the book that I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

Book Review - Star Fish by Nicola May - Back Catalogue Books - #AroundTheUKIn144Books #Berkshire

Back Catalogue Books is my new regular Saturday feature, focusing on books that are not the latest releases. There is going to be a mix of Q&As and also reviews, depending on what I have the space for. 

If you are an author wanting to take part in Back Catalogue Books then please do email on gilbster at gmail dot com and I'll whizz the questions over to you. 

I hope everyone enjoys this weekly look back at some of the slightly older books that are about but still great, and that I eventually make a dent in my TBRs as a result of it!

Given I have an interview with Nicola May today, I thought it would be fitting to read one of her back catalogue too. I had five unread books by her sitting on my kindle, and as we all know I am rubbish at making decisions, to my bestie Alison picked for me, and I have to say she picked well!

Amazon UK

Title: Star Fish

Author: Nicola May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Accent Press

Publication Date: 5th May 2015

Rating: 4 Stars

Amy Anderson has a plan: to find her ‘soul mate’ by dating her way through the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Tired of looking for love, the dreamy Piscean decides than an astrological dating agency is the only way to meet the man of her dreams.
Who will finally win Amy’s love? Will it be Ted the Arian photographer with a passion for ice skating, or Laurence, the Libran IT whizz kid who likes to get behind the wheel of a fast car? 

Or how about Capricorn Chris, the owner of Starr & Son, the dating agency?

I love romantic comedies that have a heavy dating element, and the idea of trying to date your way through the twelve signs of the zodiac really amused me, even though I am not sure that I believe in astrological compatibility. 

The first thing that struck me about Star Fish, was Amy and her base similarities with myself. We are both pisces, we are both single and had I read this book a month ago we would have been the same age, so I automatically felt an affinity with her. 

As a result I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her friends, and seeing her hilarious dating antics. She even finds a dating agency that matches people based on star sign, so all she has to do is pick the men, and see where the fates take her. 

We are introduced to all manner of men, in a variety of creative dating scenarios. Some of them I liked a lot more than others, and then there were the absolute nightmares but of course they had the most sexual chemistry with Amy. 

I also loved meeting Amy's huge group of friends, there is a good variety of personality types within them, and generally they are all great. They are all supportive in different way's of Amy's dating mission, and during the course of the book we learn about their romantic journeys too. 

Each chapter starts with a horoscope, either for Amy, or a potential date, which sets the tone for the chapter. I really enjoyed Amy and all of her quirks, although I noticed a distinct lack of frogs in her smelly pond, even though she seemed to like her frogs and her pet cat!

In a book that features ice skating, weddings, go karting, incredibly ugly rich men with speech impediments, horse racing, embarrassing incidents and all manner of other antics, I was very amused the entire time, and really enjoyed the experience of reading Star Fish.