Book Review - No Judgments by Meg Cabot - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Amazon UK

Title: No Judgments

Author: Meg Cabot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Piatkus

Publication Date: 24th September 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The storm of the century is about to hit Little Bridge Island, Florida - and it's sending waves crashing through Sabrina 'Bree' Beckham's love life...

When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island - as well as its connection to the mainland - twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn't worried . . . at first. She's already escaped one storm - her emotionally abusive ex - so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake.

But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realises how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it's up to her to save as many of Little Bridge's cats and dogs as she can . . . but to do so, she's going to need help - help she has no choice but to accept from her boss's sexy nephew, Drew Hartwell, the Mermaid Café's most notorious heartbreaker.

But when Bree starts falling for Drew, she has to ask herself if her island fling was only a result of the stormy weather, or if it could last during clear skies too?

Now whether or not reading a book featuring a hurricane in Florida, while on holiday in Mexico, on the day my holiday which had a lot of wind and rain, was a smart idea I'm not entirely sure. 

I did start panicking that maybe what I experiencing could be calm before the storm and then I remembered it wasn't hurricane season and that the book was clearly getting under my skin!

I knew I was going to love this book from the first few pages onwards, it was easy to read, and although I'm not completely sure how much of a good idea ignoring evacuation warnings are when there is a hurricane heading towards your small island, I'm kind of glad Bree did, as it made for one fabulous story. 

At the start of each chapter there was useful advice in what to do in case of a hurricane, assorted preparedness checklists, and news broadcasts from the local weather stations, to give a sense of what was going on. And to really highlight the situation to anyone that doesn't come from a place that is has a hurricane season. 

I loved the community of Little Bridge Island and how they came together.  I found Bree and Drew passion for animals really heartening and I adored how the story develops for them. 

For a book with a storm at the centre of it, as you may expect there are storms in the characters pasts that also need to be resolved, and I loved the scene where Bree is finally able to do something about one of the factors that led to her being on the island in the first place. 

An incredibly enjoyable and fast paced story, and I'm eager to read more books set on Little Bridge Island. 

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

Book Revievw - Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot

Amazon UK

Title: Royal Wedding

Author: Meg Cabot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Publication Date: 2nd July 2015

Rating: 4 Stars

From Meg Cabot, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries series, comes the very first New Adult instalment, featuring the now grown-up Princess Mia!

Royal Wedding follows Princess Mia and her Prince Charming as they plan their fairy tale wedding - but a few poisoned apples could turn this happily-ever-after into a royal nightmare.

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community centre, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements, Mia's gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn't need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother's leaked "fake" wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia's father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone - especially herself - that she's not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well?

I feel I should start by saying this is the first of the Princess Diaries books that I have read. I have watched many times both the first and second films, but never had a chance to read the books of the series before. As a result, I found the first 15-20% very confusing as I was picking up a story from a different angle to most people, and there were many characters that I didn't recognise at all, but there wasn't a handy recap to them either.

 I suspect as someone new to the series/franchise this is definitely readable as a standalone, it definitely works as a sequel, but if like me you have only seen the films, it will take some time to get into the rhythm of the book. 

However once I got into the swing of the book, I was able to put aside the confusion and enjoy Royal Wedding for what it is, a very entertaining addition to this much loved series. And once I relaxed into the story, and stopped over thinking everything, I found I didn't want to put it down, and was very keen to read all of it to find out what happens. This is especially true once some of the most hidden secrets of the Renaldi family come out. 

I love a story that has many revelations throughout the book, some were considerably more shocking than others, but Mia deals with each and every one as a young princess should. Or at least how a young person who feels passionately about something may react.. action first, think it through fully later. 

There is a new young character who becomes featured in the book who is wise beyond her years, and an absolute delight, although the cynical side of me does wonder if she has been introduced purely so that Meg Cabot can create a new spin off series (not that I could blame her if that is the master plan!)

One of my favourite bits was the setting where Michael proposes to Mia, such a romantic location, one that if my future fiancee happens to be reading this, I would love replicated! Michael is such a sweetheart and I think he really is the perfect future Prince of Genovia. 

I was marginally disappointed that almost all of the book was set in New York, and not Genovia itself, as I had been really looking forward to reading descriptions of the country I only know from the films. 

Royal Wedding is a glorious read, and if you are a fan of the series, I don;t think you will be disappointed. If you are new, then take it as a standalone, very enjoyable and funny story about young love and the challenges facing a young 21st Century princess. 

Thank you so much Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. This was my honest review. 

Book Review - The Bride Wore Size 12 (Heather Wells Mysteries Book 5) by Meg Cabot

Amazon UK

Title: The Bride Wore Size 12 (Heather Wells Mysteries Book 5)

Author: Meg Cabot

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Publication Date: 24th September 2013

Rating: 5 Stars

With her upcoming nuptials to PI Cooper Cartwright only weeks away, Heather's already stressed. And when a pretty junior turns up dead, Heather's sure things can't get worse until every student in the dorm where she works is a possible suspect, and Heather's long-lost mother shows up.

Heather has no time for a tearful mother and bride reunion. She has a wedding to pull off and a murder to solve. Instead of wedding bells, she might be hearing wedding bullets, but she's determined to bring the bad guys to justice if it's the last thing she does . . . and this time, it just might be.

It had been years since I last bought let alone read a book by Meg Cabot, so when this one caught my eye at Miami airport last year, I couldn't resist it. Based on the front cover it looks like a romance, based on the blurb it is clearly more of a mystery some a romance element. I like both genres, so this worked incredibly well for me. 

I only discovered just before starting this book that it was part of a series, the 5th book in a series to be precise, but having not read the rest, I can assure you, this book definitely works as a stand alone story. 

Heather Wells is an ex pop star, that is now working in the administration office of dorm, Fisher Hall. Fisher Hall has previously had a reputation for being the "death dorm" but this year its had a re-vamp, due to there being a VIR (very important resident), attending the college. As you may imagine this VIR features quite heavily in the overall plot.

Heather is also due to get married, in a few weeks time to PI Cooper Cartwright. I found there wasn't much featured about Cooper Cartwright, but yet what you did hear, he clearly cares about his job and Heather. 

Before the end of freshers week at Fischer Hall, there is already drama, when a dead body shows up. Heather becomes determined to work out the cause of death and solve the mystery, before walking down the aisle. 

Heathers colleagues, and friends where she works are wonderful characters, with completely different personalities. There is a whole host of ancillary characters that really add to the feel of the book. Keep an eye out for David, who although had a small part, I felt was an very well written character .

The Bride Wore Size 12, I found to be a delightful, easy to read mystery, with some wonderfully light hearted sections, and was a very enjoyable book.