Book Review - The Single Best Thing by Elaine Spires

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Amazon UK

Title: The Single Best Thing

Author: Elaine Spires

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 14th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Almost four years have passed since Melv followed Eve back to England refusing to throw away their long awaited chance of lasting love and happiness. Much has happened in that time. No longer a tour manager for Travel Together, Eve is enjoying unexpected success in her new career. Has she forgiven him for hurting her so deeply? Was her love for him simply enough? And what about her own dark secret?

Provoking smiles and tears this glimpse into Eve’s future brings the Singles’ Series to its final conclusion.

This is the ending that fans of the series has been crying out for since finishing Singles, Set and Match. 

Ah to have a book that has just brought the series to such a wonderful conclusion.  Having read the entire series I am in no position to say whether this can be read as a standalone, but I would say if you have read any of the previous books, which are brilliant, then you need to see just how it all turns out. 

This though is a tricky book to review as I don't want to give away any spoilers and its so short, there isn't much I can safely comment on.  

I will say though from the first few pages, I realised I was doing nothing else for today until I had devoured the book. I literally couldn't put it down, and had a massive smile on my face throughout. 

At points I really wasn't sure just how Eve and Melv's story would finally conclude, and with the way it was built up, I certainly didn't see that coming. 

The book is a mix between Eve's life now in 2023, and her having flashbacks to key moments from the past few years since Singles, Set and Match finished, to now, catching us up on what has been going on.  It's very cleverly told, and with chapter headings telling you month and year its easy to follow. 

I love, love, loved this novella, I'm sad that it really is the end of a series that I've been thoroughly enjoying while at the same time curious to see what Elaine Spires will write next. 

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

Book Review - Singles, Set and Match by Elaine Spires

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Singles, Set and Match

Author: Elaine Spires

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 1st July 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The fifth and final book in the Singles’ Series takes us to the Ibiza, the sparkling jewel of the Mediterranean then back to the vibrant, sultry Caribbean island of Antigua, where it all began. 
After making a hard decision two years earlier Eve Mitchell has moved on with the hand that life has dealt her and she finds herself on the White Island working a tennis holiday. While it isn’t a job she would have chosen, in her typical pragmatic way Eve gets on with it, working hard to ensure that her diverse group of singles, with their hopes, expectations character flaws and baggage, have the best time possible. And as she binds together tennis sessions, social gatherings, meals and trips Eve hears some tragic personal news that brings her to another crossroads in her life. Will she and her soulmate Melv finally make a life together and have their happily ever after?

I have been a massive fan of the Singles series from the moment I learnt of it existence and read the  first few books. I have waited impatiently  for each new book, and I'm utterly gutted that I have now read the last words of the last book.  

But wow what a last book in a series it was. If you haven't read the others then you are missing out, but equally I do think that on the whole this can be read as a standalone,  although there is possibly a level of emotion that you may be missing when you read how Eve's story finishes. 

But I can't really say anything else about the ending other than... did not see any of that coming, and had me gripped to the state of unputdownable and no idea what was happening around me, for the duration of the last section of the book. 

Before that though we have Eve guiding a tour group on for a change a short haul holiday, in Ibiza, and one that has a focus on tennis.  Now don't worry if you aren't a tennis fan or even a sports fan - although its a Tennis holiday and it does feature - it isn't described in great detail, and it just is used as a way of showcasing another sort of holiday that Travel Together offers to its singles and giving us a great new location to explore. 

I always love getting to know the people on these holidays and it always surprises me just what people get up to abroad where inhibitions and sensibilities are lost.  I also am always shocked at just what people expect a tour group rep to be able to do for them, as some expectations are so unrealistic... although why it does still surprise me given I worked 3 seasons myself in a related sort of role, and thus know exactly what the public can be like!! 

There were some absolutely wonderful guests on this trip that I really did enjoy getting to know, and then there was the group within the group, nicknamed "The Fourth Form" who all has childish nicknames for each other and at least one member with absolutely no redeeming qualities at all. 

For the most part each chapter is a day of the holiday and we switch between focusing on Eve, to assorted guests, getting us up close and personal with many of the characters.  It may take a day or so (of the holiday) to get used to the style, especially if you haven't read any of the series before, but it really does work, and I loved it. 

I really enjoyed the small tennis section as I am a fan of the game and the tennis coach Jesus seemed fabulous. But equally it was the time away from the courts that I loved, the couple of trips or night outs to other parts of the island.  It just shows that Ibiza isn't just all night clubbing and there is things there for all ages.... I really should get around to visiting eventually. 

The book though starts with a fabulous opening that really is great for fans of the series with a lot of familiar faces putting in an appearance, and with us catching up with Eve's life since we last met her.   

There is so so so much packed into this book, it had me thoroughly enjoying every single moment, from the different speech patterns of the guests, to their behaviours,  seeing who might get together with each other, plus a roller coaster of what is going on in Eve's personal life. 

A suitably wonderful ending to a superb series.  

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

Book Review - Single All The Way by Elaine Spires - Back Catalogue Books

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! 

So today I have a review of Single All The Way, the 3rd book in the wonderful Singles Trilogy.

Amazon UK

Title: Single All The Way

Author: Elaine Spires

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Author supplied review copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 9th October 2014

Rating: 5 Stars

Travel Together Tour Manager Eve Mitchell is planning a quiet Christmas at home to rest and relax before a special New Year. But she soon, very unexpectedly, finds herself in the depths of the Essex countryside looking after a singles' group which contains some old, familiar faces and some pleasant - and not so pleasant - new ones. With its country walks, quizzes, disco and black-tie ball, the Christmas and Twixmas Break passes quickly, but just as they think it's all over the plot takes a twist and we learn some dark secrets...

Although it has been a few months since I read the previous books in the Singles Trilogy, within the first two  chapters it felt as though I had never left. That being said it can easily be read as a standalone, its just some of the characters recur, as well as Eve who is the main character for the whole trilogy. 

This time instead of an exotic location, its a short Christmas break with Travel Together, which Eve is called to on Christmas Day after some both with the previous guide. The break is the other side of Essex to her, so not exactly a glamorous location, but that is good, as it gave the whole book quite a different feel to it. 

In fact Single All The Way is quite cosy, in its small hotel setting, and on paper it looks like Eve is supposed to have a reasonably easy few days, make sure people turn up for a couple of organised walks, host a pre-prepared quiz or two, and then the black-tie ball to round off the trip. But when do things ever run smoothly, in fact when Eve says "How much trouble can three days be?" I just had to laugh out loud, as when anything ever gone to plan in fiction, after a statement like that! 

There was a good variety of guests, some which Eve already knew from previous trips, and those are ones that readers of the whole trilogy will recognise and be pleased to see again. There is also a group of friends called The Three Sues, a group of four rugby club friends, a rather obnoxious woman, an older gentleman who is struggling with Christmas and that is just some of the group. When you also take into account a certain young waiter with an eye for the ladies, and you know there will be sorts of antics to occur. 

However the book although the bulk of it is this holiday in Essex, it really is building continually to a big occasion in Eve's life, which I won't mention as it could spoil enjoyment of previous books in the series. As a fan though of the series, it was wonderful to see, and I loved the overall conclusion to the trilogy. 

I'm not quite sure how but I managed to read the whole book pretty much in one sitting over the course of an evening, admittedly finishing it in the early hours of the next day! I found myself so caught up in the stories of all the guests. There are so many different things simmering just under the surface, and as they are uncovered, there was a mix of all sorts of emotions and even some gasp worthy moments, in addition to lots of laughs. 

Single All The Way is a wonderful way to end what has been a superb trilogy, I have heard there may be another book in progress, which if that is true, then I will be looking forward to reading that too, as I  am a huge fan of Eve, and of the Travel Together holidays. 

Thank you so much to Elaine Spires for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Book Review - Singles & Spice by Elaine Spires

Amazon UK

Title: Singles & Spice

Author: Elaine Spires

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Review copy supplied by author

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: April 2014

Rating: 5 Stars

A singles' holiday to India's Golden Triangle - Taj Mahal, the pink city of Jaipur, tiger-spotting in Ranthambore, the noisy, crowded streets of Delhi - all go to make up a trip that is hot, humid and spicy. Eve Mitchell, Travel Together's tour manager extraordinaire has a couple of familiar faces in her little group of travellers and others that she hasn't met before; sexy man-eating pensioners, a compulsive over-eater, a constant whiner and a man with a personal problem. 

And there's a big surprise awaiting someone -and Eve - early one morning. By the end of the tour, which sees our group travelling by coach, rickshaw, train and elephant, she will know rather more about some of their innermost secrets than she'd like. But Eve deals with all the twists and turns the trip throws at her as we come to understand what makes people travel the world with a bunch of complete strangers and appreciate the success that is a singles' holiday. 

I have just spent a wonderful 10 days touring around India, seeing all the sights, spending time with an amusing tour group of single travellers, all from the comfort of my armchair, and in the space of one evening's very enjoyable reading. 

Eve Mitchell is back, and is this time guiding a tour group to India. For those of you who have read the first book in this singles trilogy, you will be glad to see a few recurring characters. If you are new to the series, then Singles and Spice can definitely be read as a standalone novel. If you did read Singles Holiday, and are worried this will be identical but in a different location, you could't be further from the truth. This is a guided tour, featuring various stops in Northern India, and not just a hotel stay with optional excursions. 

As a result the Travel Together tour group this time, spend a lot of time together, and as to be expected some members of the group do become quite close to each other. There are mentions not only of the Antigua trip in the previous book, but as others are repeat travellers with the company, we get small glimpses into the other tours and countries on offer by this company. If I was nervous of travelling abroad by myself, I would definitely be using Travel Together, after seeing how well they treat their guests. 

It felt as though you really were on holiday with this group, and there are some sights from this trip that will stay with me forever (I am aware on some level that this was a book, but never mind!). We see all sorts of wildlife from tigers to elephants and barely a snake in sight (which Eileen was very thankful about). 

With Ajit the local guide's expert knowledge, we are also treated to the facts about some of the temples and places of interest so get to learn a bit about India while we are reading this descriptive and enjoyable work of fiction. 

I could feel the heat on me, while reading this on a cold winters night, and felt as though I could hear all the sounds and smell the spices, that is the general atmosphere of India. Watch out for a wonderful scene at the Taj Mahal, which is incredibly romantic. 

As you can probably imagine, the tour group is made up of a complete mix of people, some a lot more pleasurable than others to be around, some that take some time to get to know, others with hidden secrets and then there are those determined to flout the rules at every step of the journey (while thinking they know more than the guides). You have probably seen these characters on your own holidays, and they will be people that you will learn to enjoy spending a ten day guided tour with. 

Set in an exotic location, Singles and Spice is a fantastic book that I loved reading every second of.  I pretty much read it, in one sitting, in a few short hours and love the quality of the writing, and the overall story. There were some sections that even had me giggling out loud. 

Thank you so much to Elaine Spires for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.