Book Review - The Day She Came Back by Amanda Prowse

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Title: The Day She Came Back

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 7th July 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes a story that asks: how do you forgive the family that lied to you, and love the mum you never had?

When her loving, free-spirited grandmother Primrose passes away, Victoria is bereft, yet resilient—she has survived tragedy before. But even her strength is tested when a mysterious woman attends Prim’s funeral and claims to be the mother Victoria thought was dead.

As the two women get to know each other and Victoria begins to learn more about her past, it becomes clear that her beloved grandmother had been keeping life-changing secrets from her. Desperate for answers, she still struggles to trust anyone to tell her the truth.

To live a full and happy life, Victoria knows she must not only uncover the truth, but find a way to forgive her family. But after so many years, is trusting them even possible?

What can be said about this wonderful book and author that hasn't already been said a million times before?

For once more Amanda Prowse has written a masterpiece, that gets under your skin and keeps you thinking and to some extent guessing. 

As I'm not a mother I have no idea whether I would have made the decisions Prim made but rather could see it from all sides and.

And in was absorbed by Victoria's story, took a while to really get going but once it did just wow, I was hooked.

This is an author with an exceptional talent for empathy and getting her readers to empathise with very real characters. She is able to bring great depth of feeling to any situation and that to me is a remarkable ability.

Or simply put, another fabulous story that you will want to read in one sitting, so clear some time and pick up this heart warming and emotional story. 

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Summer Holiday by Jo Clegg

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Amazon UK

Title: The Summer Holiday

Author: Jo Clegg

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion

Publication Date: 10th June 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

Two weeks. Two families. What could possibly go wrong...?

Claire Swift can't think of anything worse than another holiday with the Wellbeloved family. The last trip together was a complete disaster - yet somehow, despite Claire's best efforts, they're all off to the Cornish coast again this summer.

So, this time she's coming prepared.

But becoming a domestic goddess to keep up with perfect Honor Wellbeloved isn't easy - especially when Claire is known for being clumsy and burns every meal she makes. And it's not long before her carefully laid plans are going spectacularly wrong.

It's only two weeks, what's the worst that can happen?

A hilarious and relatable read perfect for fans of Catherine Alliott and Fiona Gibson.

What a funny and really lovely book this turned out to be. 

Claire is riddled with self doubt at all aspects of her life,  so thought of spending a fortnight away with Honor and her family sends her a bit crazy.

After all Honor is seeming perfect at everything while Claire is referred to as dingbat a lot of the time. 

So Claire tries to change in the run up to the holiday with amusing decision-making!

This was just a really enjoyable book,  where I loved seeing the interactions between the families and seeing what random thoughts Claire would have next. 

An entertaining debut,  and I'm definitely keen to see what Jo Clegg writes next. 

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

Book Review - Flawed Justice by M. A. Comley

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Title: Flawed Justice

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 24th June 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

When hope is lost... anger surfaces.

DI Lorne Simpkins and her partner, DS Pete Childs, encounter one of their most evil criminals to date when a priest is found murdered in a church.

Why was a man of God killed. Was the killer sending a message?

The truth, when it's finally revealed, is flabbergasting. Lorne sets out to right the wrongs she uncovers.

I’m, always excited to see any new book featuring Lorne and Pete, so was definitely eager to sit and read this. 

 And well I devoured this novella in not much time at all, perhaps an hour or so. 

What I found unusual but made an interesting change was that they were already trying to solve this case before we had even met the opening chapter murder. So it sort of felt like we as a reader were thrown in at the deep end… for all of a few mins before with a case recap we are caught up to date as they don’t really know much. 

What I found fascinating was the ,motivation for this particular killing spree, I can’t say it’s justified but definitely could understand it which is a weird position to be in. 

I loved seeing Lorne and Pete banter, it always amuses me, as does her interactions with the pathologist.  And was really good to see AJ, been a while since I last recall seeing him do some police work. 

It’s a fast and fabulous novella that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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

Book Review - A Summer Wedding For the Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett

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Title: A Summer Wedding For the Cornish Midwife

Author: Jo Bartlett

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 1st July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

The venue is booked, the dress is picked, and Senior Midwife Anna Jones only has to say ‘I Do!’ to the man she loves! Theirs might have been a whirlwind romance, but Brae Penrose is everything Anna dreamed her husband would be and she can’t wait to start a family with him.

But as the big day approaches, Anna still isn’t pregnant and when disaster strikes, their perfect day looks destined not to happen at all! Is it a sign to slow things down?

The other midwives won’t hear of Anna and Brae postponing their big day, and soon the whole community of Port Agnes comes together to make sure the Penrose wedding goes off without a hitch!

And Anna realises, baby or not, she already has her dream family with Brae and her friends by her side.

Meet The Cornish Midwives of Port Agnes- where community, friendship and love are always delivered.

An uplifting and escapist read, perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Jessica Redland and Holly Martin!

This book was previously published as Christmas with the Cornish Midwives.

I honestly thought that the previous book would have provided all the drama these midwives could ever need, but within the first chapter of this book I was clearly proved wrong. 

Nothing like a dramatic opening to a book to draw you in and keep you hooked, and it perfectly set up some fabulous storylines for this latest edition of the Cornish Midwife soap opera.  Well it feels as though it could easily translate to a soap on the small scheme, as we get to know so many of the midwives at the Port Agnes unit. 

And it is becoming more and more clear how well regarded these midwifes are within their local community. For this new standalone story, the focus is on Anna, and her desire to have her own child, as well as hopefully marrying Brae the man of her dreams. 

And for the last section of the book I was sitting open mouthed at the community spirit shown in Port Agnes, with a lump in my throat at the emotion of it all, as well as impressed at how much more drama could be included before ending the book incredibly happy and with a smile on my face. 

While also knowing I can't wait for the next book in the series as this is a series, that has definitely got under my skin and into my heart and I need more.   

Oh and what of the midwifery, there are some great moments with those, and seeing how Anna handled one expectant mother in particular really gave me the feels and I just loved her all the more for it. 

Oh and I'm completely and utterly in love with Brae, he is absolutely wonderful, wish I could have him all to myself! Was also really happy to catch up with Ella and Dan, as well as seeing more from Jess and Toni, one of which I'm sure will be the heroine next!! 

A charming and heartwarming read set in the gorgeous Port Agnes - I loved it! 

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

Book Review - Below The Big Blue Sky by Anna McPartlin

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Amazon UK

Title: Below The Big Blue Sky

Author: Anna McPartlin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Zaffre

Publication Date: 23rd July 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

There's no family quite like the Hayes, and yet they're just like any other - they love each other, they look out for each other and they drive each other mad. When their youngest, Rabbit, dies tragically at just forty, the Hayes are almost torn apart by their grief.

Without her beloved mum, twelve-year-old Bunny is adrift; without Rabbit, there can be no Bunny. Her Granny is concerned when Bunny insists on being called by her real name, Juliet. Even surrounded by the noise and chaos of the Hayes, Juliet feels lost and alone.

Meanwhile, Rabbit's sister Grace has something else on her mind. She's got the gene that made her sister ill, and she hasn't told anyone yet. All she can think about are the things she's always wanted to do, like fly a plane or climb a mountain, or watch her four children grow up. She doesn't know how to share the news that may break her family, but she knows she needs their support, now more than ever.

Despite squabbling over what Rabbit will wear at the wake and their dad burying himself in the past with his diaries, the Hayes family know there's only one way they'll get through this: together.

This huge-hearted novel is about grief, family, the messiness of life and finding humour in the most unexpected of places. Below the Big Blue Sky will make you laugh, cry and fill you with joy.

Emotional… crying both at the start and end and bits in the middle too.  Takes a lot for real tears to fall when reading but Anna McPartlin managed that rather early in the book. 

It’s though uplifting, it feels like it comes full circle and if you haven’t read the first book, then it starts with a massive spoiler for the ending of that one! 

Split into various parts, and each part we alternate between the focus of various members of the Hayes family as they come to terms with life after Rabbit. It is really easy to follow with each chapter clearly headed and by the end I felt as though I was part of the bigger wider Hayes family. 

I have absolutely no words to describe this book, or how it made me feel. It was beautifully written, tugged my heart strings like nothing else and was a really special book to read. 

Realistically I can’t do justice to this book, it’s wonderful, it makes me feel glad to be alive and you will need to have tissues ready.  The author has written something so fantastic that all I can say Is read it for yourself, without much prior info and be gripped into this family’s highs and lows. You won’t be disappointed. 

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

Book Review - Primrose Park by Christie Barlow

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Amazon UK

Title: Primrose Park

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 30th April 

Rating: 5 Stars

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what

Vet Molly has always been career driven and focussed on caring for her animals, but when she meets a gorgeous Mystery Man at a conference and their connection is off the charts, well, one night off work won’t hurt anyone…except the next morning he’s vanished and all Molly knows about him is his first name.

Three months later, back in Love Heart Lane, everyone loves the story of Molly's amazing one-night stand.  It's so unlike her! But when Mystery Man turns up walking his dog through Primrose Park and their night together seems to mean nothing to him, Molly needs her friends and neighbours more than ever. And especially when she’s left with the most unexpected of surprises…

I don't know how Christie Barlow does it but once again she was written a simply stunning book that I couldn't put down, and completely hooked on. 

From the initial meeting between Molly and Cam, which is rather memorable in its own right, and my only complaint is that it was a fade to black sort of a scene instead of heavy on the action once it looked like things were getting heated.  To the way three months later she is wondering why it was a one night stand, as she was convinced there was a connection - this book has it all. 

Then there is Darling, who is rather contrary to her name, but its through Darling that Molly is brought into the orbits of Dixie and Birdie. And now that is a storyline to watch out for.  Actually Darling I loved instantly, well she does have 4 legs, and just needs to learn to settle down a bit and listen to instructions. 

It is so good to be back in Heartcross and to catch up with all our favourite characters from the other books, especially Isla who is Molly's best friend.  I felt like I was back home almost as soon as the story moved into Heartcross and Glenshiel. 

And although this may be book 6 (how is it book 6 already!), in the Love Heart Lane series, it can easily be read as a standalone story, as we've not had these main focal characters take centre stage before. 

And what about the tile of the book, Primrose Park, well let's just say it plays a rather large part in the book itself, in a few of the storylines and sounds like a beautiful park that the whole community loves. 

Just another heartwarming and joyous read that left me smiling. I can't wait for my next visit to Love Heart Lane as soon as Christie Barlow writes it! 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which i have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Meet Me In Hawaii by Georgia Toffolo

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Amazon UK

Title: Meet Me In Hawaii

Author: Georgia Toffolo

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Mills and Boon

Publication Date: 18th March 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Where an ocean of love awaits

Malie Pukui doesn’t believe in happy ever after. After a tragedy caused her to flee her family and friends in Devon she found a fresh start in Hawaii. Here, working at a surf school, she can give back to those in need and try to overcome the greatest loss in her life.

Moved around foster homes throughout his childhood, Todd Masters has worked hard to be able to offer a brighter future to young disadvantaged children. Now he has his own charitable foundation working with a surf school in Hawaii, a job he loves, but he still can’t put his past behind him.

When Malie rescues Todd from the sea a spark ignites between them, and the two wounded souls find a common ground. But amidst the surf, sunsets and sizzling kisses, can Malie let go of her past and risk something she’d locked away forever… her heart?

How I wish I could get on a plane and transport myself to Hawaii, it is so wonderfully described that I felt as though I was there alongside Malie. 

And Malie's initial meet cute with Todd is really dramatic, and set it up to show what a powerful heroine we have.  She is one amazing surfer, and her patience teaching the disadvantaged children that are staying for a few weeks, is impressive.  Especially the way she bonds with Tara. 

In fact it was at the point Malie is drawing Tara out of herself for the first time, with the help of Nalu, that had me completely and utterly hooked into this book and realising it was far more impressive than the first book in this series. 

Starting  a week after Meet Me In London ends, the focus is on Malie this time although we still get to see a fair bit of the other friends, and I felt instantly at home in this book.  

And Todd.. let's just say swoon, and once Malie has finished deciding if she can risk her heart on him, can I have a go! Would love me a Todd!  As leading men go, he is definitely one of my favourite for a long while and there is so much more to him than maybe meets the eye initially. 

I have to say I'm now hooked on this series, these characters and really can't wait for September and the next release.  Definitely fabulous escapist fiction and perfect for some exotic armchair travel this summer. 

Book Review - What Are We Doing About Zoya? by Anisha Bhatia

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Title: What Are We Doing About Zoya?

Author: Anisha Bhatia

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Accent

Publication Date: 13th July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

In this hilarious comedy of manners set in Mumbai, where modernity jostles with tradition, Balli Kaur Jaswal's EROTIC STORIES FOR PUNJABI WIDOWS meets Kevin Kwan's CRAZY RICH ASIANS.

Zoya is not a perfect Indian daughter. She's overweight, independent and unmarried in a society that values slim, obedient women.

And at twenty-six, she is hurtling towards her expiration date in Mumbai's arranged marriage super-mart. But when her family's matchmaking finally works, everything seems to be on the up - all until she is offered a dream job in New York City.

Zoya must now make the choice of a lifetime, but not without a few cultural casualties and, of course, an accidental love story along the way . . ..

Even when I wasn't reading i found I was wondering what Zoya and her family were up to now,  as I was completely hooked on their story. 

I always find it refreshing when reading about a different culture so loved this Bombay set book,  with not your typical stereotypical heroine.

For Zoya isn't interested in an arrangement marriage and although she will bow to the aunties and family's will and see men, its not a good process for her.

She's the wrong shade of brown, overweight and already too close to 30. And she is doing very well in her career. This is all about her pull between wanting to be a modern Indian woman and the cultural traditions expected of her.  

And as we go further into the story we start seeing all sorts of hidden depths and secrets emerge, which I loved discovering. But will Zoya marry the man that asks her, or will the lure of a job a lifetime be too much? We'll I'm not telling you. 

I also loved the way some of the dialogue is written, mimicking the sort of speech patterns you may expect from people in India. I found if I read some out loud that it felt as though I was speaking with the correct accent which is rather clever! 

This is the first book I've read by the author and thought it was fantastic.  I loved every second of the big noisy family, and would be very happy if there was a sequel.  

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

Book Review - The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones

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Title: The Guilt Trip

Author: Sandie Jones

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Pan

Publication Date: 31st May 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

A weekend get-away takes a terrible turn, ending with one dead body, five friends with guilty consciences, and one of them a killer . . .

The Guilt Trip is the twisty thriller from Sandie Jones, the author of The Other Woman, and perfect for fans of T. M. Logan's The Holiday.

A pool-side weekend in Portugal is the perfect way for five lifelong friends to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of their group, Will, and a chance for the rest of them to get to know Will's fiancée, Ali, a little better. A newcomer to their group, Ali seems perfectly nice, and they are pleased to see Will finally happy after years of bad choices.

But Ali is hiding secrets and by the end of the holiday one of the group will be dead, with the rest returning home as suspects, wondering if they really know each other at all . . .

What an incredibly aptly named book this was. for all the characters could be considered guilty of something and well they are all on a trip. 

Set in sun drenched Portugal, three couples, 5 of which was known each other forever, have their lives turned upside down, as it turns out almost all of them are hiding things from each other. 

But the question is can you guess any of the truth before it's revealed for I couldn't. And this is a very twisty book that has you thinking in one direction and then another, all the while building to a dramatic conclusion. 

This may have been the first book I have read by this author but given how I was gaping open mouthed as the book reached its crescendo, it certainly won't be the last. 

This book has everything,  sun, lies, secrets, characters you can't help but be invested in although not overly likeable, a dead body, and over the course of a few days,  life changing actions and consequences for all. 

Simply put this was my sort of book and I really enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily, 

Book Review - Surprise Reunion With His Cinderella by Rachael Stewart

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Title: Surprise Reunion With His Cinderella

Author: Rachael Stewart

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Mills and Boon

Publication Date: 8th July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

One week in paradise…

In this Billion-Dollar Matches story, when Freddie Highgrove arrives in the Seychelles for a week-long ‘date’, via the elite ‘M’ dating agency, he’s stunned to find his match is Jasmine Walker—his first love and ex-fiancée! His high society family’s expectations once sent housekeeper’s daughter Jasmine running. Can one week in paradise bring them back together?

Well when I happen to notice the mention of The Seychelles in the blurb of a book by an author that has been on my radar for a while but still hadn't read, I just knew this would be my first dip into a Rachael Stewart book. 

After all I'm a sucker for an exotic setting, and also for a romance set in Paradise, and this really did deliver.  I loved the chemistry between Freddie and Jasmine, as well as the clear connection they had since they were once engaged when they were 18. 

But there was fear over how Freddie's family would take it as he is part of the Highgrove family, part of high society and Jasmine was their housekeeper's daughter - hence the Cinderella reference in the title! 

I loved the various activities the pair were being made to do in the Seychelles which gave a feel for the islands as well as giving them a variety of potentially romantic moments.   

Although neither were expecting to be on the island with each other, they had been matched at the "M" dating agency which specialises in matches between high fliers. They had never forgotten each each other over the previous 10 years but neither were they expecting to come face to face on a tropical paradise. 

This was a sheer pleasure to slip between the pages of, and i just wonder why I haven't read any of Rachael Stewarts books before now!  A wonderful way to spend an afternoon sitting in the garden! 

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