Book Review - One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom

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Title: One Thousand Stars and You

Author: Isabelle Broom

Format reviewed:Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher:  Penguin

Publication Date: 23rd August 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

One spark will light up both their lives

Alice is settling down. It might not be the adventurous life she once imagined, but more than anything she wants to make everyone happy - her steady boyfriend, her over-protective mother - even if it means a little part of her will always feel stifled.

Max is shaking things up. After a devastating injury, he is determined to prove himself. To find the man beyond the disability, to escape his smothering family and go on an adventure.

A trip to Sri Lanka is Alice's last hurrah - her chance to throw herself into the heat, chaos and colour of a place thousands of miles from home.

It's also the moment she meets Max.

Alice doesn't know it yet, but her whole life is about to change.

Max doesn't know it yet, but he's the one who's going to change it.

Words are failing me, this was amazing, it was beautifully written, and it is without a doubt Isabelle Broom's best book. 

From the first pages I found myself enchanted by the story being told and just wanted to read it in one sitting but alas real life intervened.   

Alice and Max are both on holiday in Sri Lanka when their paths cross. There is an instant connection between them but Alice is in a long term relationship, and Max isn't looking for women.  In fact they are both trying to discover more about themselves after events in the past have re-defined their characters. 

It is a story of self discovery in one respect but also if like me you are a fan of travel, it is a glorious trip through Sri Lanka taking in many different aspects of the country. It is clear the author must have enjoyed her research for the country and everything is described so vividly. 

There is wildlife to be admired, sites to be explored, friendly owners of homestays to meet, there are the tuktuk journeys and other trips on public transport. There is the incredible descriptions of a sunrise from a stunning location and a whole lot more besides.   For a country I've never really thought about there is more than enough detail to really feel as though you were there - especially when as I did reading this during a heatwave - I could even feel the heat and humidity. 

I loved all the different characters in this, with the focus shifting occasionally from Alice to Max and getting to know him more intimately was great.   I don't want to say too much about either of them but will say they are well rounded, full of depth and both are incredibly easy to love.  

This is an absolutely stunning book that I can't do justice to, so will stop here and leave you with this. If you want a fabulous story to read, and possibly one of the best books of the year, then give this a try, and if you have read the author before stop thinking, and just purchase it and start reading. You will love this! 

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

Book Review - Annie's Summer By The Sea by Liz Eeles

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Title: Annie's Summer by the Sea

Author: Liz Eeles

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 27th March 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

When Annie Trebarwith unexpectedly inherits Tregavara House, her much-loved family home atop the cliffs of Salt Bay, she begins to wonder: with all the good friends and warm memories she’s made in the village, could it be her forever home? 

Luckily her gorgeous Poldark-lookalike boyfriend, Josh Pasco, has exactly the same idea. High on the Cornish cliffs he gets down on one knee, and Annie has everything she’s ever dreamed of.

But when a summer storm causes catastrophic damage to the beautiful but aging house, Annie and Josh are faced with tumbling tiles and a massive repair bill – and a roof that’s leaked straight onto her wedding gown…

Can the Salt Bay community save Annie’s house and her wedding – and give Annie the happy-ever-after she’s always wanted?

Well I spent the last 20% or so of this book on the verge of tears, then again I was almost in tears near the beginning too for other reasons.  This is a story that took me on a trip through the emotions, and was a joy to read. 

I suspect that this may be the last book of this series, and I would definitely recommend reading them all in order for everything to make the most sense.  It took me a short amount of time to get back into the swing of the overall series having been a while since I read book 2, but once I remembered I found myself really enjoying this book. 

I can't really comment on the plot as I don't want to give any spoilers to something key near the start of the book that triggers most of the rest of the story, but suffice to say this is jam packed with story lines, sub plots, all the characters you know and love from the series are there. 

There is a new run in with Toby, Annie's father Barry is starting to grow on me, I love Annie and Josh's relationship and everything to do with Tregavara House and Salt Bay. 

Its a fabulous location with great writing that drew me in, and I just was another great book from the author, that I can't really explain why I enjoyed it other than as a fan of the series, I enjoyed seeing the next steps for all of the characters. 

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

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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