Book Review - Summer at the Highland Coral Beach by Kiley Dunbar

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Title: Summer at the Highland Coral Beach

Author: Kiley Dunbar

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Hera Books

Publication Date: 27th March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Escape to the Highland Coral Beach – where broken hearts can be healed

Beatrice Halliday needs a break from life. Booking a trip to the Highlands on a whim, Beatrice hopes learning Gaelic in a beautiful Scottish village might help her heal her grief after losing her baby, her husband and her much loved job in a space of months.

But Port Willow Bay isn’t exactly as the website promised. Instead of learning a new language, she’s booked in to learn the ancient skill of willow weaving, her hotel room is Princess and the Pea themed (with a stack of mattresses for her bed!) and worse still, her tutor is Atholl Fergusson, grumpy landlord of the hotel where Beatrice is staying – and she’s the only one doing the course.

But as Beatrice finds herself falling in love with Port Willow Bay and its people, and as she discovers the kind heart beneath Atholl’s stony exterior, can she really leave?

Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands with this utterly romantic, feelgood book; one visit to Port Willow Bay and you’ll want to come back! Fans of Sarah Morgan, Carole Matthews and Holly Martin will be captivated.

I really enjoyed my trip to Port Willow in this really lovely story.  It is such a lovely sounding place up in the Scottish Highlands, even has its own Coral Beach, a Princess and the Pea inn,  a pair of gruff Scottish brothers who have incredibly thick accents,  and then there is Beatrice. 

Beatrice is our heroine of this novel, and her opening is memorable, if heartbreaking.  And then her first days in Scotland which were booked on a whim don't exactly go according to plan. It is clear she is still hurting from recent events, and she appears to be taking it out on the already grumpy Atholl.   

Atholl is actually wonderful as you get to know him, he is rather straight talking but I couldn't help but warm to him. He wants to help his brother but at the same time he is hoping to make a success of his Willow Weaving workshops. 

Haven't heard of Willow Weaving? Neither had I until this book, its an old traditional craft, and I learned a fair bit about Willow too from Atholl.  Always good to learn something new while reading fiction, and this was interesting - but if you aren't sure about it, honestly the specifics are are very short section of a much bigger story. 

Due to the way Atholl and Eugene (his brother) speak, I really could hear the Scottish accent in the back of my mind with every sentence uttered, even if I wasn't sure exactly what some of the local terms meant, there is enough context to get to grips with what feels like a distance cousin to English - can you tell I've not ventured further into Scotland than Glasgow and Edinburgh!! 

Easily one of my favourite characters was Echo, he's adorable, and such a loyal companion, always sensing when someone needs his help the most.  And I really do think he helped Beatrice quite a lot while she was in Port Willow. 

There is a lot jam packed into this book, and I loved every second of this story.  I loved seeing how Beatrice, Atholl and Eugene were all able to change over a very short period of time.   Another incredibly enjoyable story from an author that I'm loving more and more each book. 

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

Book Review - Summer in Provence by Lucy Coleman

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Title: Summer in Provence

Author: Lucy Coleman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 7th April 2020

Rating:  5 Stars

Is a change as good as a rest?
When married couple Fern and Aiden have a windfall, their reactions could not be more different. While Fern is content to pay off their mortgage and build a nest egg before starting a family, her husband is set on traveling the world.

Fern’s not much of a back-packer so, before she knows it, the idea of a ‘marriage gap year’ takes shape. And, as Aiden heads off to the wilds of Australia, Fern chooses the more restful Provence for her year out.

Set amidst the glorious French scenery, Château de Vernon offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of normal life, and Fern agrees to help out in return for painting lessons from the owner – renowned, but rather troubled, painter Nico.

As their year unfolds in very different ways, will the time apart transform their marriage, or will it drive Fern and Aiden even further apart…

Let Lucy Coleman whisk you off on a heart-warming, sun-drenched and magical French adventure.

Please can I move to Provence and live at The Haven? I'm utterly enchanted with the setting of this book, a Chateau in Provence which offers various retreats and a chance to learn new creative skills, or start a new hobby. It offers volunteer positions too, and everyone that lives and works there has a real community and family dynamic.   It sounded like a marvellous way of life. 

It was a brave decision that after having a decent lottery win that Aiden and Fern decide to take a year out of their regular lives.  Aiden has always wanted to travel and explore the world, where Fern is more of a homebody, happy worrying about her family and being there for them continually. 

But once she reluctantly agrees to let Aiden spread his wings, she decides to indulge in a forgotten love of drawing and thus goes to volunteer at this retreat.  What neither of them could have predicted is in what ways a year apart would change them both. 

From the moment Fern sets foot in the Chateau and we meet who she will be spending time with, I felt incredibly relaxed, very comfortable and was just happy to sit back and absorb myself within the pages. 

It is a fabulous cast of characters and the story lines were so engaging. I loved Nico and his backstory, I enjoyed seeing Kellie come out of her shell, I enjoyed seeing how Fern's relationship with her family changed the more time she spent in Provence. 

And the grounds, and sights even just around the Chateau were vividly described, as were some of Nico and Fern's paintings. I could picture the studio and some of the various canvases.   It felt as though there is something for everyone within this feel good story. 

I felt incredibly peaceful as I was reading,  was gutted when it ended as I was so enraptured, but the way Lucy Coleman finished it all off, was rather special and felt like we had almost bonus material from the DVD.. which will make more sense once you read it yourself! 

Another truly wonderful book from this author that always manages to make me smile. 

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

Book Review - Lost and Found in Paris by Sasha Wagstaff - #HolidayReading

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Title: Lost and Found in Paris

Author: Sasha Wagstaff

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo Escape

Publication Date: 4th April 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Sophie Marchant needs a lucky break. First her boyfriend announces that, far from wanting to get engaged, he’s off to Dubai for work. Then, in Paris, her mother goes missing.

Feeling totally lost and with nothing to lose, Sophie travels back to her childhood home for the first time in five years to help find her mother and look after the family macaron shop in Paris. It should be a dream gig, but when it comes to family - and love - nothing is ever that simple, especially when there’s a sexy, complicated ex involved...

Can Sophie find her mother? Can she find herself again? Who is she truly in love with? Maybe Paris, the gorgeous city of romance can help her figure all of this out…  

Lost and Found in Paris is a triumph, a brilliant and moving tale of love, family and heartbreak, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jenny Oliver and Tilly Tennant

Well I wasn't completely expecting that ending, what a great way to finish the book, and potentially set up a sequel!! 

But before that we have a really enjoyable story, of Sophie Marchant who has returned to Paris after 5 years, when she left in a rush determined not to return, in order to help her twin sister Eloise look for their mother who has gone AWOL. 

The shocks keep coming for Sophie, as she discovers her ex is now working for her mother in the macaron shop, and that she needs to spend large amounts of time with the sexy Raff to try to work out where her mum is. But in the meantime, well the old spark is still there. 

Seeing Sophie re-discover her love of Paris, gives us a great tour of the city of love, and there is plenty of delicious sounding French food mentioned too, not to mention all the many flavours of macarons. 

This is a treat of a book, that has you rooting for Sophie and Raff, and there are some memorable characters, and it really is a lovely story line too. 

Thoroughly enjoyed what was the last book of my holiday, and can't wait for the authors next book. It's full of romance, food, Paris, sexy men, and just made me smile. 

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

Book Review - My Greek Island Summer by Mandy Baggot

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Title: My Greek Island Summer

Author: Mandy Baggot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 2nd April 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Two weeks. One unforgettable trip to Corfu. A chance to change her life.
Becky Rose has just landed her dream job house-sitting at a top-end villa on the island of Corfu. What could be better than two weeks laying by an infinity pool overlooking the gorgeous Ionian waters while mending her broken heart.

Elias Mardas is travelling back to Corfu on business whilst dealing with his own personal demons. Late arriving in Athens, Becky and Elias have to spend a night in the Greek capital. When they have to emergency land in Kefalonia, Becky's got to decide whether to suck up the adventure and this gorgeous companion she seems to have been thrown together with or panic about when she's going to arrive at Corfu...

Finally reaching the beautiful island, Becky is happy to put Elias behind her and get on with her adventure. Until he turns up at the villa...

Greek sexy man.... check!
Delicious sounding Greek food.... check!
A longing to jump on a plane while reading.... check!
Wonderful heroine, prickly sister and new friend who is hilarious.... check!

I mean what more do you want from a Mandy Baggot book?  Especially as this was her 20th story, and shes is an absolute master of her craft. 

It is amazing how much was packed into the book even before they land in Corfu. We have unexpected extra sightseeing and some of the Athens descriptions matched my memories of the place and I could see everything so clearly. 

Then there is what is awaiting them in the villa which made me laugh. Easily the most unexpected contents of a bath tub ever!!

Petra, Becky's new friend, let's call her is a breath of fresh air. I loved all of her travelling anecdotes and her lack of pretension when it comes to men.   

Then there is Becky and Megan's sandwich business,  and fractured sibling relationship to discover. 

Oh and Elias and Eleni are fabulous, I loved their interactions, and also just everything about Elias. 

I just loved every single second of this book. 

What I love about stories like this is the way you can travel just from the safety of your armchair.  If you are looking to loose yourself in a story that will let you escape the world at this troubling time, then this,  and well any of this authors Greek set books are just what the doctor ordered.

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

Book Review - What Happens Now? by Sophia Money-Coutts - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: What Happens Now?

Author: Sophia Money-Coutts

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 16th April 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

‘No question about it, there are two little purple lines. I’m pregnant.’

After eight years together, Lil Bailey thought she’d already found ‘the one’ – that is, until he dumped her for a blonde twenty-something colleague. So she does what any self-respecting singleton would do: swipes right, puts on her best bra and finds herself on a first date with a handsome mountaineer called Max. What’s the worst that can happen?

Well it’s pretty bad actually. First Max ghosts her and then, after weeing on a stick (but mostly her hands), a few weeks later Lil discovers she’s pregnant. She’s single, thirty-one and living in a thimble-sized flat in London, it’s hardly the happily-ever-after she was looking for.

Lil’s ready to do the baby-thing on her own – it can’t be that hard, right? But she should probably tell Max, if she can track him down. Surely he’s not that Max, the highly eligible, headline-grabbing son of Lord and Lady Rushbrooke, currently trekking up a mountain in South Asia? Oh, maybe he wasn’t ignoring Lil after all…  

Hilarious, from the opening few pages until the last, this is fabulous writing. Although I should say I was on the verge of tears of happiness towards the end too, but other than that I was laughing. 

This is an author that is not afraid to show what being a woman is really like, from the rather too graphic description of childbirth, to self pleasuring, which doesn't seem to appear that often in books.. and a whole lot in between..

... its a no holds barred look at the 9 months from accidentally conceiving a child with a one night stand, and everything that may happen in between. 

It feels very honest, and quite eye opening as someone who hasn't been pregnant. 

I also loved the school that Lil was working at, I can really picture it so well, and the class she has is fabulous!

All of Lil's friends and family are fabulous too, and it is really hard not to like Max despite of the initial ghosting. 

Even better than her first book, I absolutely adored this book and had a good few hours of pure enjoyment from it. 

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

Book Review - I Am Dust by Louise Beech - Blog Tour

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Title: I Am Dust

Author: Louise Beech

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Random Things Blog Tours

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: 16th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

A haunted theatre
A murdered actress
Three cursed teenagers
A secret that devastates them all…

The Dean Wilson Theatre is believed to be haunted by a long-dead actress, singing her last song, waiting for her final cue, looking for her killer…

Now Dust, the iconic musical, is returning after twenty years. But who will be brave enough to take on the role of ghostly goddess Esme Black, last played by Morgan Miller, who was murdered in her dressing room?

Theatre usher Chloe Dee is caught up in the spectacle. As the new actors arrive, including an unexpected face from her past, everything changes. Are the eerie sounds and sightings backstage real or just her imagination? Is someone playing games?

Is the role of Esme Black cursed? Could witchcraft be at the heart of the tragedy? And are dark deeds from Chloe’s past about to catch up with her?
Not all the drama takes place onstage. Sometimes murder, magic, obsession and the biggest of betrayals are real life. When you’re in the theatre shadows, you see everything.

And Chloe has been watching…

Incredibly creepy, bewitching, and oddly compulsive to read. 

Typically I'm very sceptical when it comes to supernatural beings, and the occult, and also being a scaredy cat, I will do my best to avoid it. But yet the way Louise Beech described everything I could have almost turned into a believer. 

At least it all made sense, and I was determined to know just who killed Morgan Miller all those years ago.  Everything to do with young Chloe, Jess and Ryan and the dangerous "game" they were playing when they were 16.   And then there is the present day story line with Chloe at the heart of it, and she is key to just about everything that happens. 

I was drawn to this book due to the mention of musical theatre which is a passion of mine, but perhaps reading this on the day when the West End went dark due to the dreaded real world virus, may not have been my smartest mood, as I was continually aware while reading that this may be the last time I see any sort of musical for a long while. Which is rather scary in itself but I am grateful for the various song lyrics that were included, and the mentions to other shows. 

In fact some of the other shows that were in the theatre that Chloe is an usher in, sounded downright bizarre, but in the current climate if they were real I'd be first in line to get my theatre fix. 

This is only the second book I've read from the author, and it is another incredibly accomplished story. and while I was reading, I was completely transported to the settings being described. It is very easy to follow the various time lines, and I did in time start to feel the creepier elements were rather normal.

This is a story that kept me guessing throughout,  I had absolutely no idea how it would all resolve itself and I feel the ending was rather fitting.  

I have no idea why I have left it so long since I last read a book from this author, and it is something I need to fix eventually.   I Am Dust has bewitched me, affected my ability to sleep, and really got under my skin.  Always to my mind signs of a very impressive book. 

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

Book Review - My Pear-Shaped Life by Carmel Harrington - Blog Tour

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Title: My Pear-Shaped Life

Author: Carmel Harrington

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: 1st March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Meet Greta.

She’s funny.

She’s flawed.

She’s hiding so much behind her big smile she’s forgotten who she is.

But Greta is about to discover that the key to being happy is…being you.

Greta Gale has played the part of the funny fat one her entire life, hiding her insecurities behind a big smile. But size doesn’t matter when you can laugh at yourself, right?
Until Greta realises she’s the only one not laughing. And deep down, she’s not sure if she’ll ever laugh again.

But with her world feeling like it’s falling down around her, Greta is about to discover she’s stronger than she feels. And that sometimes the best moments in life come when it’s all gone a bit pear-shaped…

Wow, I don't know how Carmel Harrington does it, but wow! This book has just had me spellbound for the past 3 and a bit hours, where I couldn't put it down, didn't care about anything else I possibly should have been doing, and just had to keep reading. 

And its such an uplifting story, all about body positivity  , and how you should love yourself no matter your size which is a wonderful message.  I'm on the larger side myself and could completely emphasise with some of the descriptions of Greta.  Especially that moment when you realise you need to ask for a seat belt extension on a plane, for less than an inch of extra length needed, utterly mortifying. 

It's not just body image that is covered, in this there is also to start with an addiction storyline, that is present throughout.  The part in rehab felt very real and i can only imaging a large amount of research went into it. 

All of the tough subjects dealt with in this story, are done so with utmost sensitivity, and give you a great insight into them. 

And as much as I was gripped by the first parts of this book, it is the second half that really lifted me,and that I thoroughly enjoyed, at least as much as the first half if not more.  For it features one of those things i love in a book - travel, and an American road trip.  I'm not going to say why, or where, but I felt it was so well written that I was alongside Greta as she makes this trip, and the descriptions of the different towns and states match the little I knew of them. 

This is eye opening, thought provoking, had me literally unable to tear myself away from the pages while I was reading it.  This is Carmel Harrington at her very best, and I'm so glad that I've been able to read it.

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

Please follow along with the rest of the tour

Book Review - All Summer With You by Beth Good - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: All Summer With You

Author: Beth Good

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

There's no place like home...

Nursing a broken heart, Jennifer Bolitho retreats to Pixie Cottage. Her new landlord - a former soldier turned movie heartthrob - has grounds so large, she's sure the little house nestled in the woods will bring her solitude.

Alex Delgardo also has reasons to hide away. Seeking refuge after a tragic incident turned his world upside down, he knows that the most important thing now is to care for his ailing family.

But when Jennifer enters their lives, that changes. Because, as they both learn, you can't heal others until you learn to heal yourself..

Well I was under the spell of this book from the opening chapter,  where we meet Baby the Escapee goat.  And Jennifer whose cottage its got into. 

Jennifer is hiding from the world and trying to heal her broken heart.  She's very into Cornish folklore, and the stories she tells are fascinating. 

Not looking for love but when has that ever stopped your heart.  

Meeting Nelly and Alex is life changing and I was delighted to see how Jennifer developed over the course of the story. 

Such warm writing that had me gripped.  I was barely able to put the book down I was enjoying it that much.  

It was great to be back in Pethporro and I hope to be able to visit this charming Cornish village again in the future.

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

Book Review - A Riviera Retreat by Jennifer Bohnet

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Title:  A Riviera Retreat

Author: Jennifer Bohnet

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 23rd January 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Take time out to find what makes you happy...

When Retreat owner Amy offers three lucky competition winners a holiday on the Cote d’Azur, she has no idea that this simple act of kindness will have life-changing repercussions on her own life as well as those who join her…

Young entrepreneur Chelsea has just been subjected to a very public relationship break up and needs to get away to lick her wounds.


MP’s wife Victoria is at a crossroads in her life now that the children have left home. She realises she has ambitions of her own and needs some ‘me time’ to figure things out.


Recently widowed Matilda is assessing life without her beloved husband. Can she find the courage to follow their dream on her own?

The four women, despite their differences, bond and support each other, making memories and forming friendships that will last for years.

A heart-warming, uplifting novel, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell and Erica James.

The second I saw the combinations of gorgeous cover, always entertaining author, and the mentions of South of France and competition winners, in the blurb, I knew this would be perfect book for me. 

And my initial impressions were completely and utterly spot on.  I thoroughly adored this book, I loved all all three of the women that won the competition and also Amy the villa owner. 

What I don't think any of them would have guessed is how a 10 night holiday would change their lives for the better, in so many more ways than just having a wonderful holiday. 

We have Vicky the MP's wife, who is trying now her children have left home, to work out to become herself again, and not just an MP's wife.   Chelsea who has a very embarrassing incident that could affect her business and she needs to escape her life for a bit just until things die down.  And then there is Matilda, who has been widowed for 2 years, but she and her husband had always dreamed of moving to France. 

Three very different women who meet for the first time on arriving in the South of France, and quickly become friends. The book is split into each day of the holiday and then within the chapter, we get sections dedicated to each character. 

Between them, we are treated to life on the Cote D'Azur, trips to Cannes, Monaco and Antibes, French Food, sun, and it just screamed wonderful holiday reading book.  I would have loved to have read this poolside somewhere hot, with a cocktail in hand, it really did feel like a wonderful summery beach / pool read. 

For a book set over only 10 days there is an impressive amount of plot, character development, side storylines, and life changing moments packed in, and yet it all felt real, logical and felt completely right. 

i loved every moment of this book and already looking forward to the author's next story. 

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

Book Review - Villa of Sun and Secrets by Jennifer Bohnet - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: Villa of Sun and Secrets

Author: Jennifer Bohnet

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 8th August 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

It's never too late to live the dream...

Carla Sullivan’s 50th birthday is fast approaching when her whole world is turned upside down. Discovering her feckless husband is having yet another affair and following her mother’s death, she is in need of an escape. Finding an envelope addressed to her mother’s estranged sister Josette in the South of France gives Carla the perfect plan.

Seizing the moment, she packs her bags and heads to Antibes to seek out the enigma known as Tante Josette. But as the two women begin to forge a tentative relationship, family secrets start to unravel, forcing Carla to question her life as she has always known it.

A heart-warming tale on the beautiful French Riviera, which will keep you guessing. Perfect for the fans of Jill Mansell and Fern Britton.

Well there is a title that completely sums up the book, there is a villa that is key to the story, its set in the South of France in summer, so loads of sun.... and secrets....

...wow, that family is hiding a lot of secrets for many many years.  Aunt Josette has been cut off from her family for many years, but when her twin sister Amelia dies, and niece Carla comes to visit, well she knows its only a matter of time before the truth will out. 

There is such a lovely feel to this story, its, warm, had me smiling and gasping. 

I loved that it featured older characters, and how Carla is finally fed up of her cheating husband and is determined to start a new life for herself. 

Although I don't think anyone would be able to predict how different Carla's life would be by the end of the book compared with the start. 

It's a story that kept me on my toes and I couldn't stop reading it, determined to find out more the whole time. 

Just a really lovely story, and just what I've come to expect from this fabulous author. 

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