Book Review - Messy, Wonderful Us by Catherine Isaac

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Title: Messy, Wonderful Us

Author: Catherine Isaac

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 5th March 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

From Richard & Judy Book club author Catherine Isaac comes the emotional and uplifting story of love, loss, friendship and a letter that changes everything.

In late 1983, a letter arrives from Italy, containing secrets so unthinkable that it is hidden away, apparently forever. More than three decades later, it is found . . . by the last person who was ever supposed to see it.

When Allie opens an envelope in her grandmother’s house, it changes everything she knows about her family - and herself.

With the truth liable to hurt those she loves most, she hires a private detective to find out what happened to her late mother in the summer before Allie was born. Taking leave from her job as a research scientist, she is led to the sun-drenched shores of Lake Garda, accompanied by her best friend Ed.

But the secrets that emerge go far beyond anything they were expecting. Now, 

Messy really is just the word to describe the family and friend dynamics in this book.  The further in you get into the story, the more you realise nothing is quite as it seems. 

There are secrets spanning three generation of Allie's family and you slowly get the real story filtering through in amongst the present day activities. 

In addition to Allie, we get chapters from Ed's point of view. He is Allie's best friend and again we get their story from childhood to present day story told interlinked with the current action. 

i was taken completely by surprise from most of this story, and it take in some tough issues too, which added another dimension to it. 

There is a big mystery that leads Allie and Ed, to Italy, and I loved the whole section in Italy. Including seeing Lake Garda and then Portofino. The scenery was described so well, I could have been there. 

The characters all seemed really realistic and there is no doubting that the book is well written.  I did find the timeline jumping back and forth was confusing at first with no real indicators, but I soon got into the swing of the book. 

This is a book that certainly kept me on my toes and I really did enjoy it. 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book Review - The Fall and Rise of Sadie McQueen by Juliet Ashton - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Fall and Rise of Sadie McQueen

Author: Juliet Ashton

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 26th December 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

It doesn't look like much from the outside, but Cherry Blossom Mews is a miraculous place. It's somewhere that finds you, rather than the other way around.

Sadie McQueen has leased a double fronted space in this small cul de sac in a culturally diverse corner of central London. The cobbles muffle the noise of double-deckers roaring past the arched gates. Turn right and you are in a futuristic maze of corporate glass monoliths. Turn left and you see a wide street with many different houses. Towering above the mews are the degenerating tower blocks of an infamous estate. The old folks home and the nearby school are both in need of TLC; the private members' club that set up shop in a listed Georgian building has been discreetly refurbished at huge expense.

Into this confusion comes Sadie. She fell in love with the street the moment she first twisted her ankle on its cobbles. Her double-fronted unit is now a spa. She has sunk all her money into the lease and refurbishment. She's sunk all her hope into the carefully designed treatment rooms, the calm white reception space, the bijou flat carved out of the floor above.

Sadie has a mission to connect. To heal herself from tragedy. Sadie has wrapped the mews around her like a warm blanket, after unimaginable loss and unimaginable guilt. Her hard-won peace is threatened, not only by the prospect of the mews going under but by a man aptly named Hero who wakes up her comatose heart. 
Sadie has a lot to give, and a lot to learn, not least that some ghosts aren't ghosts at all.

What a book this is as it takes you on a journey of ups and downs in the life of Sadie McQueen. 

And also the rest of the residents of The Cherry Blossom Mews,  The book is written so that each chapter features their next weekly residents meeting which they take turns to hold, and allows us to really get to know all the residents of the Mews in a great way.

Sadie is the main character and she has a tragic backstory and its trying to overcome certain things in her life. There are elements of what happens involving her in the book that had me gasping out loud. 

There are so many threads of story-line and I really enjoyed all of them.  All the characters have distinct personalities, and I loved getting to know them all. 

This is a sensitively written, at times emotional, and generally heartwarming story. Although I'd expect nothing less from this always enjoyable author.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The School of Starting Over by Lisa Swift

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Title: The School of Starting Over

Author: Lisa Swift

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hera Books

Publication Date: 11th March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Nell’s going back to school… but now she’s learning lessons of the heart

Reception class teacher Nell Shackleton has a plan. At least, she had until she arrived at her new home of Humblebee Farm, a dilapidated farmhouse on the Yorkshire moors. But so what if the roof’s full of holes, the back door’s hanging off and there’s a sheep in the front room? Because sometimes a new beginning means starting at the bottom… right?

Xander Scott is one of the youngest headteachers Leyholme Primary School has ever had. But managing over-zealous parents and their semi-feral kids proves a tricky task for shy Xander – as does keeping his mind on the job when his feelings for the new Reception teacher become more than strictly professional…

At 43, Nell’s new friend Stevie Madeleine has given up on love. After losing her wife, Stevie’s decided that her four-year-old daughter Milly and cocker spaniel Red are the only girls she needs in her life. That is, until larger-than-life dog-walker Deb arrives on the scene. But will the secrets of Stevie’s past stop her new romance dead in its tracks?

Meeting Xander and Stevie brings joy back into Nell’s life – but when old secrets start to surface, there may be some hard lessons to learn for them all…

A gorgeously uplifting and hilarious romantic comedy that will delight fans of Milly Johnson, Holly Martin and Heidi Swain..

After a slow start to the book, which was needed so that you really knew the characters and their back stories properly, suddenly the book became simply amazing!  Completely took me by surprise, I mean there were hints throughout that you didn't have all the information even as a reader seeing multiple characters lives, but I didn't see that coming until perhaps last last possibly minute. 

I'm not even sure I want to tell you what the book is about, or any details, as I know I went in blind and was richly rewarded for it. 

I literally picked to read this due to the fact it had school in the title (and I loved books set in schools even as a kid), and knowing that Lisa Swift also writes as Mary Jayne Baker, so knew I'd be able to trust the writing.  I hadn't really acknowledged the blurb  at least until after I'd started reading! 

There are some completely memorable characters:

Ryan - as the school governor that is a thorn in poor Xander's side. I was so frustrated whenever that bully appeared, and he seemed to hate Xander.  Xander being the male lead, rather unsure of himself and his new position as acting head, full of nerves, he really is very cute, unlikely but none the less lovely person. 

Colin the sheep who only makes a few cameos, but we meet early into the book and always made me smile. 

Red the border setter, along with his 4 year old Millie are an adorable pairing, Red is rather mischievous and Millie is just adorable. I loved her mum Stevie's friendships both with Nell, the new reception teacher and also a new friendship with her dog walker Deb. 

Stevie is so brave and inspirational,  I really took to her, and enjoyed any pages she was present on.  You definitely need to keep an eye out for her back story, its painful but the way it is written about, is just right,  

And then there is Nell, who has moved to this village, bought frankly a wreck of a farmhouse to live in and renovate and initially knows no one there.   Her vision for World Book Day was spot on, and I loved how the whole school embraced it. 

Oh there are so many deep issues in this book, and it means all these characters are well rounded, living and breathing humans who you could possibly find in your local pub.  

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and delighted to see a different angle to this author's writing arsenal which is becoming rather impressive. 

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

Book Review - The Summer House in Santorini by Samantha Parks - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Summer House in Santorini

Author: Samantha Parks

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter 

Publication Date: 7th August 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

One summer in Greece will change everything…

Anna’s running away. From a failed relationship, a dead-end career and a complicated family life.

On the island of Santorini, with its picturesque villas, blue-tiled roofs, and the turquoise waters of the Aegean lapping at the white sand beaches, Anna inherits a less-than-picturesque summer house from her estranged father.

As she rebuilds the house, she rebuilds her life, uncovering family secrets along the way that will change everything. She soon starts to fall for her little slice of paradise, as well as for gorgeous, charming Nikos.

Will Anna lose her heart in more ways than one?

Brimming with secrets and sunlight, this is the perfect holiday read for fans of Alex Brown, Jill Mansell and Sue Moorcroft.

I adored all the descriptions of Santorini, the Greek food, the landscapes and most of all the Summer House itself. 

Anna was not expecting to inherit this summer house from her estranged father, who she has been brought up to hate. Much less does she have any desire to go to Greece, meet her paternal grandparents and sort this inheritance out. 

But after she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her, and loses her job, off to Santorini is a far better plan. 

It's a story of a woman falling in love with not only a man, as there is of course a Greek Adonis figure to drool over, but of her falling in love with a country, although admittedly neither of those are quick. 

As Anna renovates the house ready for a sale, she makes some very good new friends, discovers the truth about her father, and starts to learn more about herself too. 

A very enjoyable debut novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author writes next. 

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

Book Review - A Dream of Italy by Nicky Pellegrino

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Title: A Dream of Italy

Author: Nicky Pellegrino

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion

Publication Date: 26th March 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Live your dream of Italy...

Here is your chance to buy your own home in southern Italy for less than the price of a cup of coffee. The picturesque mountain town of Montenello is selling off some of its historic buildings for just ONE EURO each. The only conditions are that purchasers must renovate their new home within the next three years and that they plan to contribute in a meaningful way to this small community.
To be considered as a future resident of Montenello contact the town's mayor, Augusto Rossi. Live your dream of Italy for just one euro.

When the Mayor of a picturesque Italian town launches a new scheme to rejuvenate the community, his advertisement is read with interest and excitement by many. Zara is in her thirties and desperate to get on the property ladder. Tim and Lynda are retiring and need a project. Some are looking for a peaceful bolthole. Others hope to make a profit, start a business, escape a dull life or an unhappy relationship. And there is someone who just might be hiding their true motivation...

Their lives are about to change forever - but can they make their dream of Italy into a reality? A deliciously escapist summer read.

Have you ever wanted to get on the property ladder? Ever wanted to buy a house in Italy? How about if it was only €1?

In theory I'd love to have seen the advert from the mayor of Montenello, in his efforts to revitalise the local community.   For just one euro, you could purchase a house that needed large amounts of renovations, and need to be able to contribute to the local community. 

It's a wonderful idea, and until last year I'd never seen a book featuring this sort of plot, but this is now the third I've read, so at the back of my mind were unfair comparisons, as they are all incredibly different. 

I loved the location for this book, a small hill top town, near to Puglia. And applicants that were chosen to move into the town, all had completely different reasons for taking the plunge. 

Each chapter is split into sections between the three hopeful new residents of the town, and also the town's mayor, all nicely labelled and allowing you to get to know all the key people really quickly and easily. 

I loved all of the delicious descriptions of Italian food, there are a couple of small restaurants that made tasty sounding food that had my tummy rumbling.  Added to the picturesque and vivid descriptions of the town itself, I felt as though I was there, soaking in the sun, looking at the crumbling buildings and eating the meals alongside our intrepid characters. 

From the moment I started the book I was hooked, I just love Nicky Pellegrino's writing and this was no exception.  It is full of love for a small town in Southern Italy and I enjoyed everything, from the initial discussions about the advert for these houses at only a Euro, to the first views of their assigned properties and then just trying to work out if this was a completely mad idea or not! 

I also really enjoyed the story-lines involving the mayor's assistant, who is rather wily and clearly knows more about everything than he tries to let onto immediately, the re-discovering of Italian roots, the regeneration of this town. But most of all i adored Donna Carmela, the mayor's mother, who is a master matchmaker, wonderful cook and just all around friendly person full of great advice.  Donna brought a great warmth to any scene she was in. 

Another incredibly enjoyable book from an author who I always love to read.  If you have ever dreamt of owning your own corner of Italy, then this is certainly the book for you too!! 

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

Book Review - The Daughter by Michelle Frances

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Title: The Daughter

Author: Michelle Frances

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Pan

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

A dangerous secret. A suspicious death. A mother determined to find answers.
A gripping story of a mother's courage and devotion by the number one bestselling author of The Girlfriend.

Getting pregnant as a teenager was never part of Kate's plan, but when it happens she's determined to do right by her daughter, showing her the love she never had as a child.

Life as a single mother is hard, sometimes impossible, but it only brings Kate and Becky closer together. By the time Becky is making her own way in the world as a tenacious trainee journalist, Kate couldn't be prouder. But when the unthinkable happens, Kate's life is changed forever. Desperately trying to understand, Kate stumbles across a story Becky was researching.

Is it possible that this cruel twist of fate wasn't an accident?

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this book, and I'm in thrall of what I've just read. 

It's the story of Kate, trying to do initially just get answers for Becky, and then she stumbles into something massive, and well, if I said large parts of this book reminded me of Erin Brockovich then you may have an idea as to some of the content.   

In fact I could easily see Kate as Erin Brockovich and had Julia Roberts in my mind a lot as I was reading this, it's not a replica, and the motivations and everything are completely different and its only part of a bigger story, but once I started thinking it, I could stop. 

To that end I think this would make s wonderful film, its a fascinating book and I could easily see it up there on the big screen. 

I was gripped from the first few pages, and devoured the book over the course of the day.  I learnt a whole deal of info about an industry I know nothing about.  I suspected some of the wrong people as I just wasn't quite sure who to trust.  There are twists and turns and overall its just wonderful. 

Everyone has always written Kate off, she had her daughter incredibly young, and had always vowed to have Becky's back no matter what.  It was wonderful seeing Kate grow in confidence, and in her beliefs after the worst happened, all to try to make her daughter proud and seek justice. 

An eye opening story, with plenty of mystery and intrigue, and I'm glad to say the gorgeous cover even made sense to me eventually!   Given this is the second book I've now read by the author and definitely not the last, I probably should read her debut at some point! 

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

Book Review - From Thailand With Love by Camilla Isley

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Title: From Thailand With Love

Author: Camilla Isley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Pink Bloom Press

Publication Date: 25th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

All Logan has to do is to get the gold and get the girl. Easy, right?

Travel photographer Winter Knowles and archeology professor Logan Spencer dislike each other at first sight. Stuck together into the wild, these two unwilling teammates will bicker and banter their way through a laugh-packed treasure hunt.

After years of searching, a new mapping technology has given Logan a clue to the location of the legendary Lost City of Gold. A discovery that could make his career. So the last thing he needs on this life-changing expedition is for his team to get distracted by a pair of long legs.

When Winter accepted the assignment on a tropical island she didn’t sign up for a brooding team leader who’d clearly prefer to run a boys-only club. Never one to back down from a challenge, Winter is ready to show him she’s no damsel in distress.

But when a treasure like no other is uncovered and ruthless enemies will want to keep it for themselves, it’ll be up to the two of them to save the day. Left alone to fight in the jungle, they will soon discover their lives might not be the only thing at stake—their hearts could be too.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

A hilarious enemies to lovers romance packed with danger, action, and comedy.

Action and adventure wrapped up in a fabulous rom-com.  Complete with an initial "meeting" that involves a naked bum, and a monkey!  What on earth more could you ask for from a book. 

This latest book was everything I could have wanted from a Camilla Isley story based on the title and a whole lot more besides. 

It's a fabulous setting,  twists I didn't see coming and it actually had my adrenaline pumping at points as I wondered how they would escape the situation they found themselves in. 

I loved how Winter and Logan hated each other initially,  while at the same time feeling the undercurrents of something more. 

The writing pulled me right into the middle of the action,  and I was so hooked I didn't dare read the last bit on a tube as I feared where I would end up myself!!

And I'm delighted to hear that my favourite secondary character from this book,  will be given his own story next.  I can't wait. 

I love all these interconnected stand alone books, from an author who never stays unread on my kindle for long!!

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

Book Review - After The Accident by Kerry Wilkinson - Blog Tour

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Title: After the Accident

Author: Kerry Wilkinson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 31st March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Under a cloudless Mediterranean sky, two families wheel their suitcases past swaying palm trees towards their hotel to grab a spot by the pool. But behind the smiles, someone is hiding a terrible secret…

I never wanted to come on this trip. I thought the accident had torn us apart forever, but then my mother called out of the blue, wanting to make amends. So here we are, two families on a beautiful island, sipping sangria like nothing ever happened.

My parents’ oldest friend, Daniel, was invited too – I’ve never trusted him, and now he brings up my past mistake every chance he gets. And why does his son, Victor, keep disappearing off on his own?

Even my brother’s here, with his twins. It’s amazing to see my nieces playing happily in the pool. After what happened at home, it still hurts me to be around the girls, but more so that my brother doesn’t trust me alone with them.

Despite everything, it’s going surprisingly well – everyone forcing a smile at the dinner table, laughing at the twins’ antics – until the night my father is attacked on the beach, left for dead on the sand.

As always, all fingers point to me, but this time I know for certain that I’m innocent. And if I’m not guilty, someone else on this holiday is…

A unique and totally gripping psychological thriller that will have fans of T.M. Logan and The Girl on the Train racing through the pages late into the night.

I honestly can't tell you if I have just read a true crime novel,  a set of transcripts from a documentary, or if everything is completely fictional from the mind of a mastermind author.

However you wish to describe this book it is a wonderful experience, had me second guessing every word, had me googling to find out if the Greek island featured was even real.

Everything was incredibly convincing, so I'm still not sure whose accounts were the truth.

I know which character I want to believe,  and its the one I really got inside the head of.  But whether she is delusional or not I'm not completely sure.

It is though that got under my skin from the start and I found myself thinking about when I wasn't reading. 

It was largely in style and content unlike anything I've read before, and I do love originality in a story. 

I would dearly love to know the truth of what happened during those seven days in July but somehow I'm not even sure the author knows. 

It's the first book I've read by Kerry Wilkinson for a long while and now I'm wondering why that is.  Definitely need to read more in future and not just when the cover piques my interest.

100% worth reading this,  its fabulous. 

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

Book Review - From Here To Nashville by Julie Stock - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: From Here To Nashville

Author: Julie Stock

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Clued Up Publishing

Publication Date: 16th February 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Two worlds, 4,000 miles apart. Is their love strong enough to keep them together?

Rachel Hardy dreams of being a successful country music singer in Nashville's Music City, four thousand miles away from her lonely life in Dorset. When Jackson Phillips, an independent record label owner, encourages her band to audition for a nationwide 'Open Mic' competition, she decides they have nothing to lose.

But when she starts to fall in love with Jackson, the stakes suddenly get higher and she finds herself with a great big dilemma on her hands. Should she abandon her dream and take the easy way out or should she leave the life she has always known behind and take a gamble on a man who has personal demons of his own?

Follow Rachel and Jackson as they learn to trust in love again to see whether their music really can unite them.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this whirlwind romance.

If you love instant chemistry and a story that builds on a first meeting at rather quick speed, both in terms of romance but also in terms of dreams possibly coming true then this is definitely the book for you. 

I loved everything about Rachel and Jackson's story,  the way Rachel could suddenly have her dream of going to Nashville fulfilled and a whole lot more besides. 

Of course it isn't plain sailing at all, and there were times where I was frustrated by both of our leads. 

I love Julie Stock's writing style and the way she tells a story. to the chemistry between her characters.  

Its just a lovely upbeat escapist read that I was hooked on, and found myself turning the pages far too fast!

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

Book Review - The Cornish Confetti Agency by Daisy James

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Title: The Cornish Confetti Agency

Author: Daisy James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 12th March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

The first in a new sun-filled series from the author of the Villa Limoncello trilogy.

Welcome to The Cornish Confetti Agency!

When the grand finale of Lexie Harrington’s catwalk show ends with a disastrous twist on the ‘ice bucket challenge’, she knew her highly-strung boss would fire her on the spot. What she wasn’t expecting was to bump into her fiancé cosied up with an attractive blonde in the restaurant opposite their apartment!

Desperate to escape her heartbreak, Lexie flees to her childhood home of St Ives to hold the fort at The Cornish Confetti Agency for her best friend Freya, leader of the yummy mummy network and firm believer in ‘happily ever afters’. Little did she know that delivering a Caribbean-themed wedding in sunny Cornwall would rival the fashion industry for drama, tantrums and mysterious goings on.

Who is responsible for dousing the bridesmaid’s dress with tomato ketchup? Or hiding the bride’s beloved Jimmy Choos? Or attaching googly eyes to everything in sight?

The perfect Cornish wedding? Is there such a thing for The Cornish Confetti Agency?

What a treat of a book this is. Enjoyable and made me smile from the first page to the last. 

I was catapulted into Lexie Harrington's rather calamitous life, and it sure did make for an entertaining story. 

Nothing seems to go smoothly for Lexie, nor those around her, as she tries to escape her recent heartbreak by fleeing to Cornwall and helping out the Cornish Confetti Agency on a rather fabulous sounding Caribbean themed wedding. 

It soon becomes apparent that someone is trying low levels of sabotage but I'll leave you to find out for yourself who is doing it and who the targets are.  It's a fun taking on amateur sleuthing as Lexie and Theo (the local journalist), team up to try to investigate, while making sure the wedding stays on track and goes ahead as planned. 

I loved the descriptions of the wedding, how the venues were to be decorated, I enjoyed seeing just ideas Nadia, the groom's mother would make next, as nothing seemed to be up to her standards  I loved the interactions between the guests, and also the clear initial connection between Lexie and Theo and found myself willing them to act on it. 

If you are a fan of books featuring weddings, light mystery elements, plenty of fun to keep you smiling and generally a good upbeat feel to a story, then this is certainly the book for you. And most excitingly of all, it's the first book of a new series, so I can't wait to see how the series progresses from here. 

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