Book Review - Callie's Christmas Wish by Jessica Redland

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Amazon UK

Title: Callie's Christmas Wish

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Little Bear Books

Publication Date: 25th October 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Christmas is approaching and love is in the air at Bay View Care Home. Supervising carer, Callie Derbyshire, is blissfully happy with new boyfriend, Rhys. The tree’s up, the lights are twinkling, and, with the Christmas Eve wedding of one of the residents, Iris, to look forward to, everything is perfect.

Well, almost. 

Rhys’s ex has him at her beck and call, yet refuses to let Callie meet their baby daughter. Callie’s ex is intent on stirring up trouble. And Callie’s favourite resident, Rhys’s nanna, Ruby, hasn’t been her usual self since Iris announced her engagement.

Convinced that Ruby’s lonely, especially after discovering the truth about her lost love, Callie’s determined to give Ruby’s romantic story the happy ending it deserves. Ruby might be adamant that the past should be left in the past. But, when it comes to true love, surely a little well-meaning meddling and a Christmas wish or two can’t do any harm. After all, it’s never to late to let love in again. Or is it?

A heartwarming Christmas story of finding new love, and the courage to revisit a love that was lost long ago.

Beautifully written this is a book that will warm your heart on a cold winter's day.  It is charming, enchanting, with definitely some romance and just a smidgen of Christmas magic. 

This is a sequel to Raving About  Rhys but i do feel it can be read as a standalone, although the previous book is a fabulous short novella, so well worth a read in order, and it will give you a bit more of a connection to all the characters. 

I continually felt drawn to continue reading this story, I absolutely loved seeing how Callie and Rhys were getting on, and there are so many different threads of stories., It should in theory feel cluttered but instead, it was really simple to follow, and I loved the various complexities to it.  

It was also great to see the latest happenings with Ruby and when she finally divulges her past. It was a gripping tale and its from there you can really get a feel for what Callie's Christmas Wish will be.  

At around 50% there was a moment where I was thinking that would be a perfect ending and a lot of books would have potentially stopped there, but instead what I got was a brilliant second half with loads of threads tied up, plenty of emotion and a book that ultimately gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. 

I really am starting to think that Jessica Redland is getting better and better with each book and I can't wait to read her second Christmas book for 2018.   This book wasn't over the top in festive feeling but it is perfect to read at any time of year, so don't delay and consider reading this very soon. 

Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which i have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Christmas at Carly's Cupcakes by Jessica Redland

Amazon UK

Title: Christmas at Carly's Cupcakes

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied review copy

Publisher: Little Bear Books

Publication Date: 4th October 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Christmas at Carly’s Cupcakes is a cosy heartwarming tale of friendship, family, putting the past behind, and embracing the future.

It’s Christmas in Whitsborough Bay. With fairy lights connecting the shops and cafés on either side of the cobbles, Castle Street seems magical. And in such a magical place, surely Christmas wishes can come true.

Carly Travis, owner of Carly’s Cupcakes, has two Christmas wishes this year. Her first is for her younger sister, Bethany, to focus on the positives in her life, including her Christmas wedding, instead of writing herself off as a failure. Bethany's attempts at cake-decorating aren't going to win any awards, but she’s certainly great with customers. Carly’s second wish is for her best friend, Liam, to come home for Christmas.

When Liam calls to say he’s been granted leave from the army, Carly makes a third Christmas wish. It’s the one she’s made every year since she was a teenager and, if she’s really brave, could this be the year when it finally comes true?

With Liam coming home, the shop having its best year yet, and a wedding to look forward to, it’s shaping up to be the best Christmas ever for Carly. But for Bethany, things are starting to unravel …

I do love a good cupcake and Carly's cupcakes is filled to the brim with cakes, icing, funny moments and a story of two sisters. 

One sister is lucky in love, unlucky in career choices, is a bit clumsy and suffers from self esteem issues. The other has a fabulous cake shop, but is lusting after her best friend who is away with the army.  Two very different sisters in one run up to Christmas including bitchy bridesmaids, some slight icing disasters, self esteem issues and fingers crossed a happy ending for each of them. 

This is another fabulous return to Whitsborough Bay, and I always love seeing what previous main characters are getting up to now. It is a location that is really starting to feel very familiar to me, having read seven books there so far, and I just love it and the people.  Christmas at Carly's Cupcakes though is a completely standalone novella, you don't need any prior knowledge to enjoy it. 

Bethany as a character that frustrated me, Carly's younger sister who is convinced everything she touches will go wrong. I wanted to knock some sense into her, as she had plenty of good points, in amongst the ditzy, clumsiness of her nature. It is clear though how much her fiance loves her. 

Carly just has the magic touch when it comes to cakes, she is imaginative and very creative and I loved the thoughts of all of her Christmas cakes and celebration cakes. I could really picture them and taste, and just wish I had had some cupcakes to hand while reading this story. 

Another thoroughly enjoyable book by Jessica Redland that I loved every second of. 

Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Charlee and the Chocolate Shop by Jessica Redland

Amazon UK

Title: Charlee and the Chocolate Shop

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Little Bear Books

Publication Date: 1st October 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Charlee and the Chocolate Shop is a heart-warming tale of family and friendship.

Master chocolatier, Charlee Chambers, has plenty to be excited about as Christmas approaches. She’s moved in with her boyfriend, Darren, and she’s about to open a chocolate shop, following in her late granddad’s footsteps. If only Darren would show more interest in helping her refurbish Charlee’s Chocolates ready for a December opening.

When water starts pouring through the shop ceiling, and Darren can’t be contacted to help, emergency plumber Matt comes to the rescue. From that moment on, Matt does more to support Charlee in achieving her dreams than Darren ever has, and she finds herself drawn to him. But Matt’s engaged and Charlee loves Darren … doesn’t she? And Darren loves her … or at least, she thinks he does, but he's been behaving a little strangely recently.

Then Charlee discovers that Darren has a secret. But so does Matt. And so, it seems, does the woman who abandoned her at birth ...

Warning! Have chocolate by your side as you read this. I'm regretting finishing this so late at night as I am suddenly craving Christmas chocolates like the one Charlee has in her chocolate shop, and just wishing I could reach between the pages, grab some and eat them. 

For this book really is a tale of two Christmases, and of Charlee, her best friend Jodie, boyfriend Darren, hot plumber Matt, a heart warming story about family, and a lot more besides.  

As a fan of Jessica Redland it was fantastic to be back in Whitsborough Bay and to see quite a few familiar faces from her previous books. If you haven't read them despite missing out, it own't matter for the purposes of this story, they are an added extra bonus for her regular readers. 

Half the book is set a year before the other, and it highlights just how much difference a year can make to your fortunes, hence the two Christmases. It is beautifully written, the descriptions are fantastic and I really do want to visit the chocolate shop and hear even more about being a master chocolatier. 

There are ups and downs, sections filled with emotion and then others that will make you smile, It truly is a gem of a book, and I'm already looking forward to meeting Carly from tee Cupcake shop who has been mentioned a few times during this story. 

Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Bear With Me by Jessica Redland

Amazon UK

Title: Bear With Me

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Little Bear Books

Publication Date: 25th April 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Jemma has the job of her dreams as curator for the children’s section of a museum in London. She spends each day surrounded by the one thing she’s absolutely passionate about: teddy bears. When boyfriend, Scott, shows a genuine interest in her passion instead of laughing at her for “playing with teddies all day”, she knows he’s a keeper.

Returning home to the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay to celebrate her birthday, Jemma thinks she’s heading for her happy-ever-after when Scott unexpectedly proposes. So, a few days later, why isn’t he retuning her calls or responding to her texts?

Julie has always been a wonderful single mother to Jemma and her little brother, Sean. As owner of specialist teddy bear shop, Bear With Me, and the creative genius behind the successful range of Ju-Sea Bears, she inspires Jemma with her ability to balance a demanding career with home life. So why is the shop now in disarray and why is Sean so upset?

Sam thought he had his future all worked out. With a promising career, a home, and a devoted fiancée, life was looking good. But now he’s all alone in a strange city, far from everyone and everything he cares about, struggling to rebuild the tatters of his life. Did he do the right thing by running away? What does the future hold and is he strong enough to face it?

Sometimes love finds us when we least expect it. But sometimes love leaves us, just as unexpectedly. When you’ve loved and lost, can you bear to let love in again?

Bear With Me, as all will be revealed …

I'm not really sure what I was expecting from Bear With Me, other than a lot of teddy bears. Now there is a bear bias, with beary honey jokes, but there is also a whole lot more to this book than may first meet the eye. 

The book focuses on two main characters and for a fair amount of the story, I couldn't work out how their stories would connect, until I suddenly started to make the basic connections. Both Jemma and Sam have things in common, have both encountered recent heart ache, and in Jemma's case has a whole of of other things going on in her life. 

The story covers grief, horrible disease diagnosis, mental health worries, secrets and lies, new friendships, family and the promise of a brighter future.  Every now and then a revelation would appear in the story that left me reeling. 

Neither Sam nor Jemma have an easy time of it in this book, both have been very unlucky in love for various reasons. Yet there are some light hearted moments too for balance, its just a really good book. 

If you have read any of Jessica Redlands Whitsborough Bay series, then you will recognise a couple of faces that put in an appearance in this book., but its not necessary to have read them, as this works as a standalone. Was lovely to be able to return to the North Yorkshire seaside. 

The story is a bit of a rollercoaster, in a good way. I found myself wishing that Sam and Jemma's lives were slightly less fraught with problems, but there is an ease and tenderness in the dialogue between the pair that I loved to read. 

Overall a really well written story that touches on some difficult subjects in a sensitive way. 

Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Dreaming About Daran by Jessica Redland

Amazon UK

Title: Dreaming About Daran

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Little Bear Books

Publication Date: 9th January 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Where do you go when it's your own past you're running from?

Sometimes, you can run from the past, but you can't hide. Since the age of sixteen, Clare O'Connell has lived her life by four strict rules:
1. Don't talk about Ireland
2. Don't think about Ireland
3. Don't go to Ireland
4. Don't let anyone in

And so far, it's worked well. She's got a great career, some amazing friends, and she's really happy. The future's all that counts, isn't it?

When her boss insists she travels to Ireland to repair a damaged relationship with a key client. Clare finds herself drawn back to the village of Ballykielty where she comes face to face with the one person she'd hoped never, ever to see again.

With the door to her past now wide open, the first three rules have gone out of the window. Can Clare stick to rule number four?

In the last year or so since I had visited Whitsborough Bay, I had clearly put aside in my mind just how much I loved this series, and thus I was even more impressed while I was reading Dreaming About Daran to see just how much story, and backstory and all around depth had been jammed into this book. 


Early on  in the book, I did wonder if I was watching an episode of Neighbours, as I had seen very similar storylines in the soap over the past couple of years, but as I was drawn into what was happening between the pages, I was just absorbed into the story. 

For Dreaming About Daran focuses on Claire, the third of the friendship group introduced in Searching for Steven, and I think Claire has definitely got the best of the three books. She has also had the toughest of childhoods and pasts, which shocked me as the truth of her past slowly came out. 

Claire doesn't let anyone get close to her, not since she was 16 , where she was forced to leave Ireland and has never been back since, until she is forced to for work, which starts triggering all sorts of memories, flashbacks and a reminder that she perhaps really needs to deal with the past.

Forgive me for being cryptic, but so much of the plot is wrapped is started from that work trip to Ireland, and is written so well in the book, I would make a hash of it by trying to explain. 

Not only we learn about Claire's past, but we also catch up with Elise and Sarah, and see just how their stories are progressing. This is the third book in a trilogy and it can easily be read as a standalone. However for fans of the series, this ties up a lot of loose ends, brings the trilogy to a natural close, while still packing in so much in its 330 pages. 

Dreaming About Daran was a pleasure to read, and I'm sure some will need a box of tissues to deal with some parts of the book. Of course this does have a romance in it, although I was fairly sure I knew who Claire would end up with, my thoughts on that changed half a a dozen times as more about the characters are revealed. 

With a story that takes in Leeds, Whitsborough Bay and also Ireland this is a fabulous story, and is a fitting end to what has been a really enjoyable trilogy. I am really eager to see what Jessica Redland will write next, as if its even half as good as Dreaming About Daran then I'm sure it will be fantastic. 

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