Book Review - A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

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Title: A Holly Jolly Ever After

Author: Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 12th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Kallum Lieberman is an ex-boyband member now known exclusively for hooking up with bridesmaids at weddings. He’s even considered a lucky charm: he’s such a fail-safe one-before-you-find-the-one that people have started seeking him out.

Winnie Baker’s reputation is the exact opposite: she married her childhood sweetheart and became a star of many popular – although very reserved – Hope Channel movies, while still avoiding the downfalls of adolescent fame.

Except neither of them want these lives anymore. And what better way to change their reputations and bring them both back into the spotlight than to star in a steamier-than-steamy Christmas movie, filming in none other than Christmas Notch, the cute, cosy town where it’s Christmas everyday?

But Winnie can’t act a pleasure on screen she’s never experienced in real life. When she decides some pleasure ‘research’ – purely for science and artistic authenticity, of course – is the only course of action, she realises there’s no better research partner than every bridesmaid’s favourite, Kallum himself. But suddenly Kallum’s teenage crush on Winnie is bubbling to the surface, and he’s struggling to keep this ‘research’ purely professional…

They say opposites attract, but is this holly jolly ever after really ready for its close-up?

Wow, I knew I loved my first trip to Christmas Notch, but omg I think this one is even better. 

This is the sort of book to read when you are alone in bed able to have some adult time, if you catch my drift.  The sexual chemistry is off the charts, and the sex scenes - omg, I was sizzling.  This book is hot hot hot!! 

Which is not what I tend to say about a Christmas themed book.  Prudes should stay away, this is a book for open minded people!  It's wonderful, I couldn't get enough of Winnie and Kallum. They are complete and utter opposites, with wildly different upbringings. 

In fact I don't think I've ever encountered a character such as Winnie before, who was brought up to believe most things are sins, especially when it comes to desire, love and sex.  She was originally the Hope Channel's darling with her husband for their clean living - until things went wrong and she ends up divorced and her parents no longer speaking to her. 

So the fact that she agrees to be in the Hope Channel's new enterprise - Hope After Dark film is a bit of a surprise to everyone.  I mean this is a film about a young santa sowing his wild oats.  But he is a very sexy santa! 

And Kallum is the one of the members of boyband INK, of which Noah from the first book is also a member.  So I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting to know Isaac better in a future book, as given our brief snippets of him, I know I will love him too. 

Kallum is nowadays infamous for his sex tape, he has had a crush on Winnie since he was younger and has a habit of hooking up with bridesmaids, and is the pizza king of Kansas.  But he was offered the lead in this movie and thus he and Winnie are now acting opposite each other in this film. 

And wow it's fab to be back in Christmas Notch, I love seeing so many recurring characters from the previous book, and the whole main location is just perfect!  

There are many layers to this book, and I loved discovering all of them. 

This was an incredibly pleasurable story that is bound to get the heart (if not more of your body) racing, while you read.    Once again hidden behind that is a relatively innocent looking cover.  Just fabulous! 

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

Book Review - This Christmas in Paris by Sophie Claire

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Title: This Christmas In Paris

Author: Sophie Claire

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 17th August 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

What could be more magical than Christmas in Paris?

When Carys is offered the chance to run a little French café, she leaps at the chance to discover an exciting city where she can dream big.

Meanwhile, struggling journalist Mat is living in the City of Love - but he's never found romance himself.

Then, a chance encounter changes everything, and it feels like the start of something wonderful. But Carys and Mat are both keeping secrets . . .

Can they open their hearts to one another - and maybe even find love, just in time for Christmas?

Another fabulous book from Sophie Claire, I was hooked on this from the first few pages.

I loved the Parisian setting, and of Carys attempting to manage a cafe without any experience while in a foreign country. Especially when her new staff seem a bit tricky to handle.

And we also get chapters from Mats point of view, and he is unhappy in his job, but a chance meeting with Carys is enough to give each other a new friendship.

One of the main things I took from this story, is the importance of reviews, specifically if you are writing negative reviews to do so only if 1000% truly deserved, and not for any other reason,  as the impact can be horrific. 

There is a lot of food in this story, and getting to see Paris through Carys eyes was a joy. 

Set in the run up to Christmas it is certainly wintry and the seasonal warmth flows from the page, but I would say its not overly festive and could easily be read at any time of year, including during a heatwave like I did!!!

I love this authors books, and this was another gem. I raced through the pages, thoroughly enjoying every moment spent between them. 

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Delivering Christmas by Liz Fenwick - Blog Tour

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Title: Delivering Christmas

Author: Liz Fenwick

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Random Things Tours

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 11th October 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

All she wants for Christmas is peace and quiet, and to be alone...

Theo Pascoe is relieved she finally has her cottage back to herself, after her beloved son, wife, and grandson move out to their new home. Christmas is fast approaching and she's fully booked doing the work she loves, preparing Christmas decorations for the local hotel, running wreath-making workshops, and dressing clients homes for the holidays.

However her family and friend think they know best - that she is suffering from empty-nest syndrome and what she really needs is some romance back in her life. But that's the last thing Theo wants right now!

As Christmas Day approaches Theo is looking forward to spending the day quietly at home, with just her cat for company. But she has just one last home to decorate when a sudden cold snap catches everyone by surprise and she finds herself stranded in a remote house with a client. Theo just wanted to spend Christmas alone, but it seems fate has other plans?

What a charming festive novella, 

I loved getting to know Theo, and her amazing ability to decorate houses for Christmas, knowing just the right things that are needed.  She also runs wreath making workshops each year, but despite all of that, and her normal love of Christmas, this year she intends to spend it alone. 

Even meeting a hot Swede, who she has absolutely no intention of getting up close and personal with, despite the best matchmaking efforts of her friends and family, won't make her change her mind. She is also not willing to open her heart to love. 

But yet as the story progresses and Christmas draws closer, well the season is often really good at working it's magic. 

I really enjoyed this short but really sweet story, and the fact that the characters were that little bit more mature in years.  There are some lovely secondary characters, and this story just generally had a really lovely feel to it. 

Always good to see an author i enjoy reading, dipping their toes into the world of the festive novella, and hope this won't be their only one. 

Thank you to Random Things Tours for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern by Helen Rolfe

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Title: Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern

Author: Helen Rolfe

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 19th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

A wonderful story of love, friendship and opening your mind and your heart to new possibilities that will enchant fans of Holly Martin and Heidi Swain.

The Copper Plough is at the heart of village life for the residents of Heritage Cove, and never more so than at Christmas, when the tree glows in the alcove and the smell of mulled wine carries out onto the street. So when new owners for the beloved pub arrive and decide to shake things up, not everyone welcomes the changes with open arms.

Local bakery owner Celeste is ready to keep an open mind. But she’s shocked to discover that one of the new landlords is Quinn, a former Navy sailor with whom she had a short but powerful romance years earlier.

Fate may have brought Quinn and Celeste back together, but life seems determined to keep them apart. Can the villagers learn to embrace the newcomers this Christmas? And will Quinn and Celeste find a way back to each other before snow falls over Heritage Cove?

Join new friends and old, as Christmas comes to Heritage Cove.

How lovely it is to be back in Heritage Cove. I have loved all the books that I have read so far in this series, and this was no exception, and I felt right at home within the pages of this book. 

Given the only book to date so far in this series that I haven't read is the one where the Twist and Turn Bakery opened, I've never properly had the chance to get to know Jade and Celeste until now 

And this is Celeste's story, and I loved every moment of it, helped by mentions of all the delicious treats in the bakery. 

I was very excited to see so many familiar faces from the previous books, and love the whole vibe of Heritage Cove especially when it comes to their pub. 

And getting to know the new owners of the pub formerly known as the Copper Plough, was very enjoyable and eye opening. 

Especially as Quinn realises he may need to come to terms with some of his past, before he can potentially move on. 

Full of fun, but also some more serious topics, this is a great festive read that will leave you smiling but also craving more Heritage Cove. 

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

Book Review - A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse by Christie Barlow - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 30th April 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

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

When Bea Fernsby discovers her fiancé’s eyes have been wandering, she calls off the wedding and hits the road. The village of Heartcross in the Scottish Highlands is about as far away from home as she can get, and when she stumbles into the ideal summer job at The Little Blue Boathouse and meets gorgeous vacationer Nolan Hemingway, things finally start looking up.

Now, as an old mystery surfaces and Bea and Nolan band together to find out what happened to his late grandfather’s one true love, fate throws Bea some unexpected curveballs…and promising opportunities.

Bea’s stay is only supposed to last a couple of weeks, but as the old saying goes: ‘Once you arrive in Heartcross, you never want to leave…’

It is always a treat to be back in Heartcross, and I felt right at home from the moment that Bea had her first sight of the village. 

As a massive fan of the series let me just say how nice it is to catch up with many old friends and in once instance, discover the truth about something that we have perhaps been wondering about for a good few books. 

However this can easily be read as a standalone, and  I fell in love with our new characters of Bea and Nolan really quickly. 

I was also enjoying seeing more of Martha, in the lead up to her special birthday and once again she does seem to be a gifted psychic too. 

There are moments of peril, but for Bea who is originally only in Heartcross to mend a broken heart, it soon becomes apparent that she is also under the village's spell. 

I also really loved Nolan and his backstory too, and so would like to date him for myself. 

It's a joyous read and as always it has left me thinking that the next book in the series can't come soon enough!

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

Book Review - The Babysitter by Emma Curtis - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: The Babysitter

Author: Emma Curtis

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Corvus

Publication Date: 5th October 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Three women. Three secrets.

Claudia's life imploded ten years ago when she was convicted of the murder of her child. Now she has done the unthinkable and confessed to manslaughter in order to be granted parole - her only hope of finding out what really happened to Tilly.

Sara is married to Joe, Claudia's ex-husband, and they have a young child together. She finally has everything she ever wanted, but Claudia's release threatens the perfect life she has created.

Anna was the babysitter who let Claudia and Joe down on day their daughter disappeared. Married with a child of her own, Claudia's reappearance in her quiet cul-de-sac is an unwelcome surprise.

These three women are tied together in more ways than they realize. But only one of them is capable of killing.

I have no idea where I can start with reviewing this book which had me guessing from start to finish.

I wsa never sure which of the three female leads could be believed, and as things start to ramp up, I was enthralled by what I was finding out. 

What I think it could be safe to say is that the police weren't as thorough as they should have been during the initial investigation.

I can't even comment on the characters as my feelings towards them might sway your own opinions as you are reading. 

But suffice to say this is definitely up to Emma Curtis's normal high standards and it is a truly excellent tale of deception, intrigue and infatuation. 

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

Book Review - This Christmas by Emma Heatherington

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Title: This Christmas

Author: Emma Heatherington

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 31st August 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Rose used to love Christmas - until the year everything changed. She hasn't been home to visit her family for the holidays since.

Charlie is facing his first Christmas alone. It may be the most wonderful time of the year for some, but not for him. Not this year.

In search of comfort and seclusion, Rose escapes to a cottage in rural Donegal to hunker down for the festive season by herself.

But when Charlie opens the door to Seaview Cottage, the two strangers realise that their holiday rental has been double-booked.

Both of them expected to spend this Christmas alone. But their lives could be changed forever if they agree to spend it together. . .

This would make a wonderful festive film it has all the right qualities to work on a big or little screen. And it is just so good. 

It's about two people determined the only way they can get through Christmas this year by being alone - up until the point they end up having both booked the same holiday cottage. 

I enjoyed getting to know Rose and Charlie, and learning just why it is they are trying to avoid Christmas. And in being at Seaview Cottage, I loved seeing how they gradually changed. 

Charlie is convinced they need rules to live by including only texting each other and not having actual conversations if it can be helped. But I'm sure you can guess how that went! 

They are both characters at times I wished I could reach out and give hugs to. I felt for them but was also rooting for them to start healing.  At times it almost broke my heart, and others I was definitely smiling. 

Ultimately this definitely had a feel good factor and the ending is utter perfection. 

Another truly fabulous Christmas book from this author. 

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

Book Review - The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens by Jaimie Admans

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Title: The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens

Author: Jaimie Admans

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 12th September 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

In Mistletoe Gardens a legend exists: anyone who kisses underneath the mistletoe will be guaranteed another year of love…

When local baker Essie Browne discovers that Mistletoe Gardens is to be demolished in January, she’s determined to save the place she loves so much. So Essie proposes building a life size gingerbread house to bring in the crowds…just how hard can it be?

Well, quite hard actually. Essie can bake gingerbread blindfolded, but she hasn’t got a clue how to build an actual house with it! She needs help - and fast!

Enter local builder, Joss Hallissey. Essie is convinced that with Joss’s help they can pull this off. There’s just one tiny problem: Joss hates Christmas, gingerbread, and… well, just about everything else too.

Joss the Grinch makes it clear that her idea is ludicrous and pointless, but he reluctantly agrees to help with her plan.

Will the gingerbread house be enough to save Mistletoe Gardens? Or will Essie's chance for a magical kiss under the mistletoe be lost forever?

Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Kat French and Caroline Roberts!

Do you have any idea how you would build a life sized gingerbread house? No, me neither, and nor does Essie, despite her promising at the town meeting that something like a life sized gingerbread house could be just what is needed to turn around the fortunes of Mistletoe Gardens and potentially save her family legacy. 

The problem is local builder Joss, is initially refusing to help, reckons that its impossible and is adamant that he hates the town, Christmas, and whole lot more besides. 

Thankfully he can't resist a challenge, and so he and Essie start spending a lot of time together. 

As the story went on I couldn't help but fall further and further in love with Joss, as we learn more about the man.  He develops and changes before our very eyes.  I do like a festive transformation. 

I'm sure I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again but Jaimie Admans writes the most perfect Christmas books.

This is a story that had me both craving gingerbread but also really wanting to visit the giant gingerbread house.

I loved how each chapter opened with a fact about gingerbread. And I really loved how this slightly barmy at times local community started to come together.

I felt wrapped up in the festive gorgeousness of this novel and didn't want the feeling to end.  I loved this book.

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

Book Review - Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk - #HolidayReading Mallorca

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Title: Love Me Do

Author: Lindsey Kelk

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 20th July 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

She’s written the perfect romance . . . for someone else

Greetings card copywriter Phoebe Chapman knows a good romantic line or two – and it makes her a fantastic Cupid.

So when she lands in the Hollywood Hills – a place that proves film stars, golden beaches and secret waterfalls don’t just exist in the movies – she can’t resist playing matchmaker for her handsome neighbour, carpenter Ren.

But you can’t hide from love in La La Land.

And isn’t there something a little bit hot about Ren, her own leading man next door?

Please Lindsey can you magic me up a real life version of Ren, just for me, I absolutely adore him and want him to be mine. 

Failing that can you let me meet a fabulous aging Hollywood Actress and have her regale me with tales of the golden era?

Or just turn me into Phoebe so I can experience all of that and even more, as I think I'd like to be Phoebe. 

She's fabulous, she's loyal to the new people she meets in LA while visiting her sister. 

Bel is LA crazy, and gets Phoebe doing all sorts of things she has never done before including being a mermaid! 

There are so many laugh out loud moments, references to songs / films and I'm sure I missed many moe, and this was just a pure fun escapist summer read. 

I loved every second of this book from one of my favourite authors. 

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

Book Review - Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen

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Title: Bad Men

Author: Julie Mae Cohen

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Zaffre

Publication Date: 20th July 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Saffy has a secret. A secret that she is deeply ashamed of. It's not the fact that she's a serial killer in her free time. In fact, she's quite proud of that. After all she's only killing the bad men. She is making the world a better place.

No, her secret is far worse than that. Saffy has a messy, inexplicable, uncontrollable crush. So while she's busy plotting her next murder, she also has the much harder task of figuring out how to get a boyfriend.

But if there's one thing Saffy knows, it's how to get her man . . .

At the point I picked this up to start reading, I just knew with my current frame of mind a book called Bad Men would suit me perfectly. 

And I was right, I just wish I had my own Saffy, to track down and dispose of the men that had led to me being drawn to this title - although thankfully not for the same reasons as Saffy normally indulges her hobby. 

For Saffy has a secret hobby of killing men who deserve it, and somehow she seems to get away with it every time.  My heart broke for her a bit, as we learned just what motivated and happened with her first kill.  These are men who utterly deserve to die! 

And then there is a true crime podcaster who discovers a dead body on his doorstep and ends up doing more than just investigating and trying to get justice for people and discussing murder the whole time.  He's a suspect! Oh and Saffy may just have a crush on the podcaster! 

It is very rare for you to want to side with a serial killer, but Saffy is amazing, and so charismatic, and only kills for the best of reasons, it is really hard not to look up to her! I wouldn't quite say there need to be more Saffy's in this world as that could be rather dangerous. 

I knew I loved Juile Cohen's books in the past, but wow her dark side is really something special.  This is utterly amazing, I couldn't get enough of it, and it totally took my mind off real life too! 

I can't wait to see if this is the start of something new with this dark side unleashed and look forward to seeing what will be written next. 

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