Book Review - A Girl's Best Friend by Jules Wake

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Amazon UK

Title:  A Girl's Best Friend

Author: Jules Wake

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 16th April 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Welcome to your new cottage in the country - complete with grumpy vet, village gossip and a very muddy dog . . .

City girl Ella wants to take refuge in the country, lick her wounds and work out what she's going to do with the rest of her life. She certainly doesn't want to have a four-legged house guest or anything to do with village life. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of Wilsgrave have other ideas.

Settling in to her godmother's house for a few months of R&R, Ella finds herself the reluctant babysitter of a badly behaved Labrador - and her plans of staying mainly indoors scuppered. But as she's forced into wellies and into the village's way of doing things, Ella meets people who make her think again about what she really wants out of life and love, starting with her new furry best friend . . .

Definitely a book for anyone who has ever owned a dog, or wanted to have their own dog, and possibly for those curious about the benefits of having a dog. 

For Tess, really is A Girl's Best Friend, Elle may have been looking after her reluctantly at first, but then she wasn't really sure about the village in which she is house sitting in either. However over the course of the story, Elle's thoughts about what she wants for life do start to change. 

This is a lovely story about new beginnings, discovering yourself and dogs.  If I am sounding slightly dog obsessed then well they are at the centre of the story and the best characters too! 

I really enjoyed this book and found I was losing myself within its pages, to the extent I didn't even notice a cat siting on my windowsill, until I looked up (I don't own a cat so was rather shocked!).  

With laughs to be had, almost always with Tess at the heart of the funny bits, a dishy vet to get to know and assorted villages,t this really is a fun and entertaining story to read. 

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

Book Review - The Oddest Little Chocolate Shop by Beth Good

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Amazon UK

Title:  The Oddest Little Chocolate Shop

Author: Beth Good

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source:  Author supplied copy

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 1st August 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Treat yourself to something delicious . . .

'I love Beth Good's quirky style!' - bestselling author Katie Fforde

When Clementine discovers that Monsieur Ravel's beloved chocolaterie is about to close, she rushes to rescue it - without thinking through the consequences.

A lost Persian cat, a depressed but utterly gorgeous French chocolatier, an allergic shop assistant in search of true love, the oddest little chocolate shop Clementine has ever seen . . .

Can Clementine save them all, or has she bitten off more than she can chew?

A delicious, feel-good novella set in the world of chocolate-making from popular romantic comedy writer Beth Good.

Have I mentioned recently how much I love Beth Good's Oddest Little books - I have read a variety of them now and they never fail to bring a smile to my face, and give me an hour or two of pure escapism. 

And The Oddest Little Chocolate Shop is no exception - don't expect lots of delicious chocolate descriptions, as its really about the contents of the shop - in fact when we first meet the shop and the chocolatier, the sexy Dominic Ravel,  its empty! 

But that doesn't deter Clemmie from entering, meeting Monsieur Ravel and trying to work out what is going on, and who the white cat on the shops doorstep belongs too. 

With a cast of quirky characters, some sizzling chemistry, some chocolate, and a sibling relationship that would drive me a bit bonkers,  this is a lot of fun packed into a short space.  I just loved every second of it, could picture the shop and surroundings quite clearly and loved the dialogue too. 

Beth Good has mastered the art of telling a good amount of story into a small amount of pages, leaving you feeling as though it could have been a full story that you were reading, and not just a novella.   I am so eager to see her full length release later in the year. 

Thank you to Beth Good for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Secrets at Meadowbrook Manor by Faith Bleasdale

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Amazon UK

Title: Secrets at Meadowbrook Manor

Author: Faith Bleasdale

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon 

Publication Date: 20th August 2018 

Rating: 5 Stars

Visit Meadowbrook this summer for sunshine, secrets and plenty of romance…
When Gemma Matthews is hired to transform Meadowbrook Manor into a boutique hotel, she can’t believe her luck.

She packs her bags and moves to Meadowbrook to start her dream job, but her life is quickly turned upside down. From dealing with the petty squabbles of the dramatic Singer
siblings to cleaning up donkey poo, Gemma soon realises she has her work cut out for her. Neverthless, she’s
determined to make the hotel a success, especially when she starts falling for the dangerously attractive Freddie Singer.

But Gemma has a secret she’s desperate to protect, and she knows the truth could jeopardise everything…

Such a delightful story, that was incredibly enjoyable and really transported me away from the heatwave and back into the lives of the Singer family. 

This could be read as a standalone as plenty of back story is included, but having read the first book, I will say this is a lovely sequel, and I was delighted to be back among familiar characters. 

We are introduced from the start to Gemma who has been hired to help the family convert Meadowbrook into a hotel - just one snag, all the siblings have greatly different visions for the place, and it takes a while for Gemma to get used to the infighting of the family, their fierce loyalty and general zaniness of all the local villagers too. 

I loved every moment of this story, it is written in such a warm loving way and I was really fond of all the characters - although I did have to wonder if the romance I was predicting would ever happen - as I could see it a mile off even if the characters couldn't 

This is s book that made me both laugh, smile and also in places feel rawer emotion, with Gemma's storyline with her nan.   As I got to know Gemma the more I tended to kiek he but I did wonder just what she was hiding from time to time. 

I am really hoping that this isn't the last we have seen of Meadowbrook and the Singers, I would love to be reunited with them again, especially with the developments in the epilogue! 

It is great to see Faith Bleasdale back to her best, and whatever she writes next I am looking forward to reading it.

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

Book Review - How To Keep A Secret by Sarah Morgan - #HolidayReading Book 8

Book 8 of 28 read on my holiday to Cyprus in June 2018.

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Amazon UK

Title: How To Keep A Secret

Author: Sarah Morgan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 14th June 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

This summer one family will discover that together, they can do anything.

Three generations of Stewart women, all with secrets to keep…

Matriarch Nancy knows she hasn't been the best mother but how can she ever tell her daughters the reason why? Lauren and Jenna are as close as two sisters can be and they made a pact years ago to keep a devastating secret from their mother – but is it time to come clean? Lauren's teenage daughter Mackenzie masks her own pain by keeping her mother at a distance. Her mother, aunt and grandmother keep trying to reach her but will it take a stranger to show her the true meaning of family?

When life changes in an instant, the Stewart women are thrown together for a summer and suddenly they must relearn how to be a family. And whilst unravelling their secrets might be their biggest challenge, it could also be their finest moment . . 

I had been slightly worried going into this book that Sarah Morgan's typical brilliance as the queen of romance trilogies wouldn't translate in her new direction. 

However those fears were unfounded from the first few pages as I found myself drawn into the story.

This is multi generational women's fiction at its best with all the characters incredibly believable, and I loved seeing the chapters from the different perspectives. 

The story focuses on a pair of sisters who are incredibly close but in addition to keeping secrets for each other over the years are also keeping things from each other. 

There are many secrets to be unraveled in this book which helps keep the reader on their toes in addition to a whole host of other storylines that add another dimension to this book. 

If this is just the first of a new direction for the author then I am even more excited than normal to see what her next book will bring. 

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

Book Review - Oh Crumbs by Kathryn Freeman - #HolidayReading Book 7

Book 7 of 28 read on my holiday to Cyprus in June 2018.

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Amazon UK

Title: Oh Crumbs

Author: Kathryn Freeman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Choc Lit

Publication Date: 12th June 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Sometimes life just takes the biscuit …

Abby Spencer knows she can come across as an airhead – she talks too much and is a bit of a klutz – but there’s more to her than that. Though she sacrificed her career to help raise her sisters, a job interview at biscuit company Crumbs could finally be her chance to shine. That’s until she hurries in late wearing a shirt covered in rusk crumbs, courtesy of her baby nephew, and trips over her handbag. 

Managing director Douglas Faulkner isn’t sure what to make of Abby Spencer with her Bambi eyes, tousled hair and ability to say more in the half-hour interview than he manages in a day. All he knows is she’s a breath of fresh air and could bring a new lease of life to the stale corporate world of Crumbs. To his life too, if he’d let her. 

But Doug’s harbouring a secret. He’s not the man she thinks he is. 

As I was reading the prologue I was unsure what to make of this book initially,, but what it did do was set the scene perfectly for a great insight into Abbie's past and what makes her the woman she is today. 

I was inspired reading Abbie's story at such a caring person whose heart is constantly torn and that had to grow up fast. 

I loved and as amused by her variety of sisters and family members,  And it was Abbie's new book Doug that I found myself warming to quite quickly. 

Especially after he hires Abbie after a disastrous interview but one which really showed off the quirks in her personality to they;re fullest. 

Doug has a great back story to him too, one with more facets than you may expect, and seeing all of his hidden talents and qualities was a lot of fun. 

Abbie is just slightly clumsy and her favourite swear is Oh Crumbs! which makes working for a biscuit manufacturer called Crumbs that bit more amusing. 

Unfortunately this book didn't leave me craving biscuits but did leave me smiling and incredibly entertained. 

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

Book Review - One Day Like This by :Laura Briggs

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Amazon UK

Title: One Day Like This

Author: Laura Briggs

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 17th July 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Tessa has always dreamed of her own business. And when a beautiful tumbledown house comes up for sale in the Southern town of Bellegrove, she knows it has perfect potential to be an amazing one-stop wedding shop.

Teaming up with wedding planner to the stars Stefan, cake-baker extraordinaire Ama, and dress designer Natalie, they’re ready for big things. They’ve even found their first client – a sweet old lady called Bianca, who’s desperate to give her grandson a spectacular wedding. (Even though he’s equally determined to keep it simple and romantic.)

But as the big day approaches, things start to go wrong. Handsome handyman Blake Ellingham breaks the news that the building needs re-wiring and the bill for renovations is longer than a royal wedding train. And then Stefan suddenly quits…

Can Tessa pull off the dream wedding? Can Blake be convinced to help? And if the electrics are broken, why are so many sparks flying between him and Tessa?

What a charming story and what appears to the start of a new promising series for Laura Briggs. Of course I only twigged this could be the start of a series shortly before the end when I realised there was no where near enough book for anything to reach the sort of conclusion I would like. 

Having read one of Laura Briggs' novella series before, it was fabulous to be able to read a longer book by the author, and it proves to me that this is an author who can definitely write and appears to be in her element when it comes to writing about weddings and event organisation. 

I was intrigued from the prologue featuring a rather bossy young Tessa, and from what she says in that opening its not surprising that her dream is organise dream weddings for a living. The only problem is life didn't quite turn out as planned. 

Natalie and Ama both have their own talents, in fashion design and baking, but the trio haven't really got any profesional confidence.   Until Tessa decides to rope them into her new business plan, and starts a series of events that will culminate in their first customer, and a weeding to plan. 

Only this is grandmother of the groom wanting to pay for everything but she carries her life savings around in a tin, but wants the happy couple to have the best most grand things for the wedding. 

This is a chance to see just what the Wedding Belles are capable off, and if you want to see if they pull off something that keeps all parties happy then you need to read the book. 

I got a great feel for the Southern town that features in this book, from the diner food where they had a meeting that sounded delicious, to the various businesses owned by the ladies families in the area. There is plenty of food and cake mentioned, and the descriptions of Natalie's designs are fabulous too. 

This is an excellent start for a series and I am very keen to see where is goes from here, as I have many unanswered questions about the three main characters. 

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

Book Review - Come Away With Me by Maddie Please - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: Come Away With Me

Author: Maddie Please

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 13th August 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Somewhere beyond the sea…
When Alexa Fisher finds herself trapped on a twelve-day cruise to celebrate her younger sister’s hen-do – just the two of them – she wishes she’d jumped overboard.

Despite the age difference, India has always been the judgemental sibling, and there’s been even more friction than usual since ‘the big engagement’. With India constantly obsessing over wedding plans, Alexa has never felt more single, or more of a failure.

If only she could find a man who was funny, handsome and faithful. But when she meets the enigmatic (and *gorgeous*) Gabriel Frost on the cruise, he is as cold as his name suggests… Isn’t he?

Set sail for an adventure on the high seas, it’s time for Alexa to discover that sometimes romance can surprise you!

It was the simply gorgeous cover and the mention of cruise in the blurb that lead me to finally read a book by this author. She has been on my radar for a while, but just hadn't quite been seduced enough to want to read one. 

So I'm really glad I did try this book, as it is really enjoyable even if its not quite the book I was hoping for. You see I'm a massive fan of cruising, but of the less formal ships than the one than Alexa and India was sailing on, so although I was curious about the ship they were on, I could tell from the first descriptions of it that it wouldn't match my own experiences. 

Equally from the cover I was expecting a lovely bright summery cruise, so discovering it was a New York to Southampton transatlantic itinerary taking in a couple of New England ports  in September didn't have me quite as excited.  That being said I loved the description of the ports and could feel myself there alongside the girls. 

It may be that I initially stopped reading the blurb after the first line, as I hadn't twigged that the hen--do would just be Alexa and her sister, I was half expecting a group of giggling girls and cocktails all over the place. 

Well there was certainly cocktails and every other alcohol you can name involved, as the girls run up a massive bar bill and probably caused their livers severe damage in the process.  I loved how every chapter started with the name of cocktail and its ingredients which did put you in a holiday frame of mind. 

I also loved the descriptions of the food and activities on board the ship which all seemed incredibly realistic.  There really is such huge selections of food and drink available all day and night on most ships.  I also enjoyed getting to know the other couples at the ladies table of 6 for dinner each night in the formal dining room. 

The nightlife all struck true to me and there were plenty of  elements of the cruise that I did recognise from my own holidays, so the book was clearly well researched. 

This is a very enjoyable read and for those curious about cruising it would be a great introduction to what life on board could be like. 

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

Please do follow along with the rest of this fabulous blog tour

Book Review - A Holiday To Remember by Susanne O'Leary

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Amazon UK

Title: A Holiday to Remember

Author: Susanne O'Leary

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 15th August 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

A side-splittingly funny summer read about two best friends who decide to take a chance and travel the world, finding themselves – and finding love – along the way! 

Until a few weeks ago, Leanne was a thirty-something who lived with her mother. And yes, she still slept under her Barbie bedspread.

Until recently, Maddy was married to a man whose golf club got more action than she did.

But not anymore.

Leanne and Maddy (and their miniature poodle Bridget) have packed their suitcases and bid goodbye to their dreary lives for the summer. After winding along Italy’s sun-dappled Adriatic Coast in a shiny red convertible, sailing around Croatia’s gorgeous Dalmatian Islands awaits them.

Days splashing around in sparkling turquoise waters and wine-fuelled nights under the stars are every girl’s dream. But with a devilishly handsome Italian on board, old flames to get over and holiday flings to contend with, there’s plenty of drama ahoy. One thing’s for certain, Leanne and Maddy’s trip promises to be a holiday to remember…

I really wish I was still reading this book, I was thoroughly enjoying the continuation of Maddie and Leanne's holiday, and that I was still accompanying them on their trip.  Instead I am left with a book that was a joy to read and I suppose I had to run out of pages at some point, at the rate I was devouring them. 

This is the direct sequel to The Road Trip, and I really would recommend you read that first partly so that  you don't miss out on a fabulous book, and so that you have the full picture as to these characters pasts, and their current circumstances. 

This time Leanne is seen more as the main character, as most of the focus is on her, and it was lovely to get to know her better. She is misguided when it comes to men, but spending a trip around the Dalmatian Islands with an interesting set of people could be the making of her. 

Along with the girls on this boat trip, are two me, one tricky ex, an older relative that seems to be hiding something, and of course Bridget the dog too.   There  is plenty of drama and equal amounts of laughs in this fabulously summery book. 

All the locations in Italy and Croatia were exquisitely described and gave a real sense of  the locations, the food, the atmosphere, the friendliness of the locals. was all really vivid and brought back memorie of the odd day I have spent in the area myself. 

A Holiday to Remember is exactly that, its perfect for these hot summer days or when you want to relive a holiday of your own.  A pure joy to read, I would recommend it to everyone that enjoyed romantic comedies set in fabulous locations. 

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

Please take a look at the rest of this blog tour to see even more about A Holiday to Remember

Book Review - The Road Trip by Susanne O'Leary

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Title: The Road Trip

Author: Susanne O'Leary

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 12th June 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Maddy and Leanne are in need of a miracle. 

Maddy can’t bear to wash another pair of her husband’s Y-fronts and if he continues to drone on about golf she might just scream.

Leanne can’t stand living with her overbearing mother for a second longer and she’s one disapproving eye roll away from a nervous breakdown.

But their luck changes when they win the lottery.

Setting off from Dublin, Maddy and Leanne lease a red convertible, winding through Europe and heading for the sun-drenched French Riviera.

But the pair have their own reasons for their adventure. Maddy has never forgotten her summer romance of twenty years ago with a gorgeous Frenchman and Leanne plans to track down the father who abandoned her as a child.

Amongst glorious sunsets and buckets of bubbly, Leanne and Maddy are searching for answers after years of wondering ‘what if?’  But there might just be some surprises in store along the way…

Having enjoyed this author in the past I was very excited to see she was now a Bookouture author, and despite having had the book on my kindle for a while, and being taunted by the gorgeous cover whenever I've been scrolling twitter, it took a while to get around to picking it up to read. 

What is not to like about this book - an unexpected windfall, two colleagues on a road trip to France from Ireland, a glorious car, madcap adventures, and both Maddie and Leanne  have their own reasons for travelling to France. 

They are both looking for men - well to be specific, specific men that they have lost from their lives.  Leanne believe her father lives somewhere in France, and she hasn't seen him she was was 12.  Maddie on the other hand wants to look up the man she had a love affair with 20 odd years ago when she was a student in Paris.  

But before they even get to the continent they get up to all sorts, and even start a blog which proves quite popular.  Along the trip they pick up some extra passengers for various reasons which added extra dynamics to that stage of the trip. 

We get a great sense of their entire road trip, and I am delighted to say that this book has a lovely open ending to make way for the next book A Holiday to Remember which I am already eager to read. 

This is pure escapist summer fun, and is great for sitting in the garden with, or poolside, and following the ladies exploits in this funny and well written romantic comedy.  I loved the descriptions of the various stops on the road trip, and I really felt as though I was alongside the ladies, while they have a summer that will change everything for them. 

Although its been a while since I last read a book from the author, I was reminded within moments of starting it why I love her writing, the tone is perfect, its full of warmth and just draws you in. All in all this is an addictive read and I can't wait to see what Maddie and Leanne get up to next. 

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

Extract - The Wedding Shop on Wexley St by Rachel Dove- Blog Tour

Series: Westfield village series #3

Genre: romantic fiction

Release Date: 10th August 2018

Publisher: HQ Digital

Maria is ready to say 'yes' to the dress!

As owner of Happy Ever After, Maria Mallory is Westfield's resident wedding planner, spending her days making dreams come true for future brides.

Maria even has her own perfect day planned out too, she just needs to find the right man. So when she falls in love with local celeb Darcy Burgess she can't believe her luck – it was finally her turn for her Happy Ever After. Or so she thought.

Jilted at the altar, Maria can't believe that her fairytale ending hasn't come true. She's ready to give up on love once and for all. But little does she know that once you stop looking for it, love has a way of surprising you…

A laugh-out-loud romance, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Tilly Tennant.

EXTRACT

Two hours later, Maria found herself in Harrogate, squeezed into the red dress, heels pinching her feet, wondering why the hell she wasn't sat on Cass's couch eating ice cream and crying. She said the same to Cass as they walked on tottering heels to the nearest trendy bar, Ice, in the wine bar and posh eatery part of Harrogate's city centre, which, coincidentally, butted up against the legal quarter of Harrogate, and no doubt the two sides kept each other in business quite well too. Walking into Ice with Cassie, it was hard to ignore the stares that her friend attracted. Cassie Welburn was, let's face it, sex on a twenty nine year old stick. She was always tanned thanks to her meticulous salon treatments, plucked and shaped to perfection, and tonight, as usual, was dressed to kill. Even Maria's daring red dress looked tame in light of Cassie's black and silver dress, slashed to the thigh, combined with sparkly silver heels that make Cassie even taller than her just under six foot frame. Maria blushed and nudged Cass's elbow with her own.

"People are staring Cass." Cassie shrugged.

"Let them stare, girl. Don't worry, I've got your back." Maria belatedly realised that tonight, thanks to that ridiculous article, the stares may indeed be for her and not her glamorous friend. She cringed inwardly, and planted a smile on her face.  She took her friend by the arm, and pushing her boobs out and her chin up, she headed to the bar. "Let's get smashed," she declared.

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A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

I am a writer and teacher, living in West Yorkshire with my husband, our two sons, and our furry pets.

In July 2015, I won the Prima magazine and Mills & Boon Flirty Fiction Competition, with my entry, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street, out now in ebook and paperback. The Flower Shop on Foxley Street followed this in 2017 and both books hit the Amazon top 200. Chic Boutique got to #2 in the rural life humour chart and is regularly in the top 100 of that chart.

I am the winner of the Writers Bureau Writer of the Year Award in 2016 and I have had work published in the UK and overseas in various magazines.

My next book, The Long Walk Back, is out in January 2018 and I am currently writing the last book in the Westfield series. My first book with Manatee Books, Nice Guys Finish Lonely, is out in April 2018 in ebook and paperback. I love to write romantic fiction, both rom-com and harder hitting women's fiction.

I am also a post 16 teacher and am undertaking an MA in Creative Writing at Teesside University.

I love to chat on twitter so come say hi! @writerdove
 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelDoveauthor/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriterDove

Goodreads Author Page:

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writerdove/

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RachelDovewriter

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