Book Review - And a Sixpence For Luck by Lilac Mills

Amazon UK

Title: And a Sixpence For Luck

Author: Lilac Mills

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Lilac Tree Books

Publication Date: 29th September 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Curl up with a fun, festive read...


Daisy Jones has hit rock bottom. Or so she believes.

A cheating boyfriend, trouble at work, having to move back in with her mother, and being forced to compare her brother's loved-up, newly-wed status and brand-new shiny house with her own dire lack of prospects, isn't what she imagined her life was going to be like at thirty. To top it all off, Christmas is just around the corner!
Daisy, bless her, thinks things can't possibly get any worse, but when her ancient great-grandmother persuades her to plant a silver sixpence in the Christmas pud for luck, Daisy is about to discover that they most definitely can.

This is the third book I have read by Lilac Mills and although it isn't my favourite, that title still goes to Elephant and Pinky Moon, it is yet another incredibly enjoyable story, which I am very glad that I read. 

There was though slightly too much toilet humour in the first part of the book, which although completely justified and fitting, just left a slightly bad taste in my mouth.  That being said the rest of the humour was top notch, and I daren't say too much or I will spoil the fun for everyone. 

Daisy's great gran suggests putting a silver sixpence at the bottom of the Christmas pudding, so that Daisy's rather poor run of luck will come to and end. The results of the sixpence are more outrageous than you would predict and well there is a change in her luck just not in the way you expect. 

During the book there are multiple trips to hospital for various reasons and in that she meets an incredibly dish doctor, but again keep an eye open for all their initial dialogue especially if you love people talking at crossed purposes and getting confused! 

This is a light hearted, incredibly fun book and although the humour didn't quite tickle me, I was impressed with the pacing of it, and all the various threads of story that were weaved into this book.  In addition to the romance and comedy parts of this rom com, there are more serious topics that are touched upon, and also you get a great feel for all the generations of women in Daisy's rather madcap family. 

Despite the mentions of Christmas pudding and the majority of the book taking place around Christmas and New Year, it really isn't the sort of book that will have you longing put the decorations up, it just happens to have that as the time of year setting, while the story makes you laugh and is fun for any time of the year. 

Thank to Lilac Mills for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Elephant and Pinky Moon by Lilac Mills

Amazon UK

Title: Elephant and Pink Moon

Author: Lilac Mills

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lilac Tree Books

Publication Date: 31st July 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Twenty-eight-year-old Nina lives a quiet, unassuming life, happy (ish) with her job, maybe not quite as happy with her non-existent love-life (but no one can have everything, right?) and content to trundle along with her nice, predictable daily routine.

That is, until Nina is persuaded to accompany her octogenarian grandmother on a beach holiday to Turkey.

Nina envisages sedate walks along the promenade, afternoon naps by the pool, and bingo in the evening. What she actually gets is too much vodka, adult games of "pin the tail on the donkey" and dancing on a bar whilst flaunting her knickers - and that's just her gran!

Perfect summer holiday reading, this book is so so funny and incredibly easy to read. I was transported on Flossie and Nina's holiday as a fly on the wall, laughing at their various antics. 

Flossie is in her 80s, recently bereaved but is determined to live life the to fullest. She persuades grand daughter Flossie to accompany her on a package holiday to Turkey which is where the fun starts. Nina couldn't be more different to her gran, she lives a fairly predictable life, and just hopes Flossie will be able to keep up with her on holiday. 

Nina has very set ideas about what is or isn't suitable for an older woman, and its from that point of view, we  see just what Flossie is capable of! If I told you the things that happened in the book, you probably wouldn't believe me, so I would urge you to read for yourself. 

What I will say is is Flossie is cunning, wily, up for most things, and doesn't see herself as old. She is outrageous, unintentionally funny, embarrassing for Nina perhaps, but I would be proud to have a grandma like Flossie. 

I don;t know about you, but the cover definitely drew me into this book, and the title is interesting. I won't explain the relevance of it but it does become quite apparent as you read on, a private joke between the two ladies. 

I loved the hotel the Flossie and Nina went to, and some of the excursions they take are fabulous, I would have quite happily taken part in.  Then there is the authors writing, some of the descriptions are brilliant, especially the scene involving an octopus, and also the scene involving Nina being terrified  while wanting to scream at Flossie for the situation she found herself in!  

My only regret with Elephant and Pinky Moon is that the book isn't longer, I finished it far too quickly, for it only took me a morning of sitting in the sun to read. I was devouring it with a massive grin on my face and think its a brilliant romantic comedy. 

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

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.