Book Review - Always and Forever at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters

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Amazon UK

Title: Always and Forever at Glendale Hall

Author: Victoria Walters

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Hera Books

Publication Date: 2nd June

Rating: 5 Stars

What if we’re all just searching for something?

Anna Stewart is lost. After barely surviving a car accident as a teenager, Anna is scared of settling. Flitting between jobs, boyfriends and homes whenever she gets bored, she has no idea what the future holds. Then her brother Brodie, minister of Glendale, suggests she moves to the beautiful Scottish village, lining up a housekeeper job for her at Glendale Hall.

Out of options, Anna agrees to take the job just for the summer. Once at the hall, her culinary skills impress everyone, and she agrees to give Hilltop Farm’s new manager, Cameron, cooking lessons. Sparks fly between Anna and the handsome Scot, but Cameron keeps pushing Anna away, and Anna definitely isn't looking for love. But it's wedding season at Glendale Hall, and Anna is about to discover that her new home has a way of working its magic on even the coldest of hearts.

Will she really be able to just walk away at the end of summer, or could Anna have finally found a place to belong?

It’s summertime so pack your bags and escape to beautiful Highlands village of Glendale with this gorgeously uplifting, romantic read. Fans of Milly Johnson, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin will love this charming romance.

From the moment that Anna arrives in Glendale, I felt as though I had returned home. A piece of my heart is certainly in Glendale with the rather lovely characters, and has been since the first book in the series. 

So it was wonderful to catch up with the Glendale Hall gang, and as Anna is a newcomer to the Hall, she is introduced to everyone with a bit of background, which helps anyone who hasn't read the others in the series to get a good grounding too, in addition to a helpful reminder to people like me, 

It is also good to get to know Brodie a bit better, Glendale's minister, and Anna's brother, and to learn more about their family dynamics. 

Anna herself at times really got on my nerves, just with her indecision and lake of confidence, while at the same time was impressed to see how good she was cooking, and how her mindset was trying to change gradually throughout the story. 

She's always been rather flighty in the past, has a habit of moving jobs and locations rather often, and has never really put down roots at all, which is understandable based on the initial introduction to her in a rather dramatic opening to the book. 

I couldn't get enough of this latest book in the series and Victoria Walters really did come up trumps when she concocted Glendale and its various characters.  Such a warm hug of a book that takes you through the wringer a bit, has me almost in tears at one point towards the end, and left me smiling and satisfied. 

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

Book Review - Home by Penny Parkes - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: Home

Author: Penny Parkes

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 8th July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

A gripping and heartfelt story about overcoming the past and finding where you belong.

 

Anna Wilson travels the world as a professional housesitter – stepping into other people’s lives - caring for their homes, pets and sometimes even neighbours. Living vicariously.

 

But all Anna has ever really wanted is a home of her own – a proper one, filled with family and love and happy memories. If only she knew where to start.

 

Growing up in foster care, she always envied her friends their secure and carefree lives, their certainty and confidence. And, while those same friends may have become her family of choice, Anna is still stuck in that nomadic cycle, looking for answers, trying to find the courage to put down roots and find a place to call home.

 

Compelling, rich and evocative, Home is Anna’s journey to discovering that it isn’t where you settle down that matters, but the people you have around you when you do. 

What a journey Anna is on, and I absolutely loved being there every step of the way. 

From the first time we get a glimpse into her childhood, I was gripped by the book, both the present day and the past, as we get to see just why Anna is the way she is. 

Anna is a professional house sitter and has been for 10 years, she is clearly looking for something, but not quite sure what, so has in the meantime spent years travelling around the world looking after some fabulous properties and also a lot of pet sitting. She also in each place attempts to fit in like a local, and makes fleeting connections to people. 

She has one constant in her life, best friend Kate who is straight talking and absolutely wonderful.  

The past sections show us the various placements Anna had as a child, growing up in foster care with no hope of adoption as both her parents were still alive, they just weren't able to care for her at all.  I suspect there was great research gone into what children at all the various ages would feel like care , as it made for realistic and compelling reading. 

We are also treated to some of Anna's most recent house sitting jobs in the present, and it's fascinating to see how different people treat her, and just what she has to deal with.  At times I started thinking that it would be a wonderful job to do for myself, especially if I was able to get any of the plum positions abroad that Anna loves. 

At the heart of it all Anna wants is a home to call her home but she is terrified of making any decisions, but will some of the people she meets at her latest placements start to get her thinking differently. 

It's a heartwarming story about finding your place in the world. I really loved it. 

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

Please do follow along with the rest of this blog tour

Book Review - Someone I Used To Know by Paige Toon - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: Someone I Used To Know

Author: Paige Toon

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 24th June 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

So much can change in half a lifetime… 

 

Then

 

At fifteen, George is the foster brother Leah never asked for. As the angry, troubled boy struggles to come to terms with his circumstances, Leah finds herself getting drawn closer to him.

 

Theo’s wealthy family have mysteriously pulled him out of boarding school and he’s now enrolled at the local state school with Leah and George. When their worlds collide that summer, the three teenagers form a bond they believe will be unbreakable. But life doesn’t always go to plan...

 

Now

 

Shocking news brings Leah back to Yorkshire, baby daughter in tow. But Emilie’s father Theo isn’t with them, and George has unexpectedly returned. After half a lifetime, have they healed the scars of their pasts? Will coming back home set their hearts in a different direction?

I really don't know where to start with this review, I mean I thought the book was fabulous, and I heartily recommend it to everyone but I can't quite get to grips with my thoughts past that. 

In fact if you are already a Paige Toon fan, then stop deliberating and just read the book as its easily one of her best books, full of depths and even had me on the the verge of tears a few time, such was the brilliance of the turn of phrase. 

With alternating chapters between the then and now we get to know Leah, Theo and George rather well.  The Then chapters are while they are teenagers, having all grown up together. 

Leah's parents are amazing people and were foster parents to many, many children, so the then sections, had me hooked on discovering more about the current children in their care, as well as life on their Alpaca farm, which even has a bunny barn!  

And then the Now chapters are present day Leah, dealing still with the aftermath of two shocking life events in a few years, and she has moved back home with her daughter.  And George is suddenly back on the seen. 

I loved seeing all the various bonds being formed in this book in both timelines - there is just so much love and compassion to go around it was really heartwarming. 

I really don't want to say much more as I went into this blindly just knowing who wrote it, and loved discovering all of its beauty for myself and don't want to risk spoiling anything as there were a couple of reveals that were very cleverly crafted! 

But this really is a fabulous book, one I very much enjoyed reading every second of it and I really wish life hadn't got in my way of reading this in one sitting which is what  I really really want to do with the book, as its so good and hooked me in so early on. 

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

Please do follow along with this blog tour

Book Review - The Perfect Lie by Jo Spain

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Amazon UK

Title: The Perfect Lie

Author: Jo Spain

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 13th May 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

He jumped to his death in front of witnesses. Now his wife is charged with murder.

Five years ago, Erin Kennedy moved to New York following a family tragedy. She now lives happily with her detective husband in the scenic seaside town of Newport, Long Island. When Erin answers the door to Danny's police colleagues one morning, it's the start of an ordinary day. But behind her, Danny walks to the window of their fourth-floor apartment and jumps to his death.

Eighteen months later, Erin is in court, charged with her husband's murder. Over that year and a half, Erin has learned things about Danny she could never have imagined. She thought he was perfect. She thought their life was perfect.

But it was all built on the perfect lie.

My mind is totally blown, I did not see that coming. 

However to get to the incredibly rewarding conclusion, was a tad slow. It takes about half the book to set the scene, set in motion the various key plot lines, and give enough background so that the second half of the book can be experienced in its brilliance. 

This was a bit of a weird read for me, as a fair bit of the first part of book I had incredibly strong feelings of deja vu as I was reading that I just couldn't quite get into the swing of the book.  Once I got out of my own head and those feelings dispersed I couldn't get enough of the book. 

I literally can't say anything about the plot, knowing how it resolves as I fear I would give away hints that would ruin the surprises for you. 

Hmm what I can say is I didn't guess most of it, and have no idea how Jo Spain comes up with these fantastic plots, let alone writes them in such a way that the readers are kept on their toes. 

There are three time lines, which are all connected, although it takes a while to see how the Harvard sections fitted in to Erin's story, but it all made perfect sense once various things are revealed. 

This is another truly great book from Jo Spain, not my favourite as I felt disconnected to start with but the payoff was totally worth it to keep reading.   Definitely worth a read if you love a slow burn building up to an unpredictable climax. 

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

Book Review - The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent

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Title: The Summer Job

Author: Lizzy Dent

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 15th April 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Have you ever imagined running away from your life?

Well Birdy Finch didn't just imagine it. She did it. Which might've been an error. And the life she's run into? Her best friend, Heather's.

The only problem is, she hasn't told Heather. Actually there are a few other problems...

Can Birdy carry off a summer at a luxury Scottish hotel pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)?

And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she's ever actually liked (but who thinks she's someone else)

The Summer Job is a fresh, fun, feel-good romcom for fans of The Flatshare, Bridget Jones and Bridesmaids.

If you are ever considering taking the new summer job of your best friend, while they decide jetting off to Italy with a new boyfriend is a better way to spend the time, then whatever you do, hope they have a nice simple job. 

For Birdy finds herself in that situation, but Heather is in fact a world class sommelier and Birdy well knows nothing about food or wine, or fine dining or anything else relating to that world. 

So trying to pass herself off as Heather is just a tad trickier than she imagined! 

There is so much to laugh about in this book, but there are also some more touching storylines throughout too. It's about discovering who you really are. It's a story set in a fabulous Scottish loch location, and I loved some of the mentions of England / Scotland rivalry! 

This is more than just a summer job for Birdy, but can she pull it off, and what about her heart when she realised she is falling for someone who doesn't even know her real name.  And the antics of her sort of current man are rather amusing too. 

Oh and there is a good amount of food talk to tantalise your tastebuds with, and if you are a wine lover, you will love this even more. As Birdy tries to learn the hotel's wine list, and the descriptions of each one, and just what to pair with what! 

It's a really entertaining story that will be perfect for a lazy afternoon by the pool or in the garden! I loved it and am really impressed to see it was a debut too. 

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

Book Review - Faking It by Rebecca Smith

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Title: Faking It

Author: Rebecca Smith

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 7th August 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Meet Hannah Thompson: wife, mother, teacher and… secret erotica author?

My Guilt List:

1. If we have a date night then I’m always asleep before it’s halfway through and honestly, if I had to choose, I’d rather have a hot bath and read my book than engage in any other nocturnal activity.

2. If we do actually have you-know-what then it’s not unheard of for my mind to wander… and I’m not talking about sexy things – I’m talking about what food there is in the fridge and when the car is due for its next service.

3. I am struggling to write about anything that could be classed as even a little bit sexually adventurous which is a problem when I’m supposed to be an erotica writer and I am speaking at Sex Con in exactly one month.

With a book to publicise, Hannah has no choice but trade her M&S cardis for S&M parties, and become her writing alter-ego. What could possibly go wrong…

This is a brilliant, laugh out loud, roll your eyes, at some points rather cringeworthy, but completely and utterly brilliant! 

What a wonderful way to spend your time, between the pages of this book.  It turns out this is a sequel, but I've not read the first and I wasn't lost at all. It easily can be read as a standalone and I was shocked to discover how quickly I came to care about this family of characters. 

There was even a chapter rather early on that I felt on the verge of tears along with the characters, because the emotion of the situation just caught me so unexpectedly, and that to me is the sign of excellent writing. 

And wow Hannah has a double life as a debut humour / erotica author, and  is now trying to discover her inner sex goddess in order to write the sequel.  She is also trying to keep the truth from her children and people she works with. 

Omg so so many completely hilarious moments in this books, as well as those that I'm sure everyone will be able to relate to. 

Its' about family life, about being more than just how you are perceived by your family, and doing something just for yourself. It's about finding your inner sex goddess, and some incredibly amusing writing about the real realities of sex. 

I'm so hoping there will be another book, as there is a germ of an idea between Hannah and the other guests at her "gathering" that I would love to see them develop as would brilliant. 

From the opening chapter which is written with just the right amount of double entendre to the eye opening finale this is pure comedy gold! I loved every last moment of this story, and my only regret is that I didn't discover this author with her first book!  Ah well, I eagerly await finding out what she writes next! 

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

Book Review - Summer at the French Olive Grove by Sophie Claire

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Amazon UK

Title: Summer at the French Olive Grove

Author: Sophie Claire

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 27th May 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

Could love be the biggest adventure of all?

Filmmaker Lily's life is all about work and adventure. So when she suffers an accident on her travels and finds herself recuperating in the quiet French seaside village where she spent her childhood, she can't wait to escape. Not least because Olivier - Lily's childhood friend and former crush, who she has spent the last thirteen years avoiding - is staying next door . . .

Strong-minded masterbaker Olivier is happily settled in St Pierre, preparing to marry and put down roots. But Lily's return to the village risks turning his carefully-laid plans upsidedown, and as the pair rediscover their familiar rivalry and fun, sparks fly.

Is Lily really as fearless and independent as she seems on the surface - or is she just running from the past? And what if Olivier is the only one who can teach her what it really means to be brave?

Gotta love a book that gets off to a dramatic start, and this really did have that.  Had me interested in the story right from the first few pages, and I was curious as to what would happen next. 

I loved the dynamics between Lily and Olivier especially when they are reminiscing about their childhood antics. But yet they are very different people, want remarkably different things from life, however there is clear chemistry between them, even if neither seem to want to notice it! 

The further we get, the more understanding I had of Lily and her motivations for her various choices. It was good to see her try to settle into life back in France while her arm recovers, and it is clear she cares for Mamie a lot. 

At a time where it felt like I had completely lost my concentration to read, the further I crept into this story the more I wanted to read and the more I was happily reading for longer, as I really cared about the characters and wanted to know how the plot would unfurl. 

At times I had tears in my eyes, such is the brilliance of the writing that I was getting rather emotional, and by the end I was smiling!  It's another incredibly enjoyable story from Sophie Claire. 

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

Book Review - Sunrise at Strawberry Farm by Kellie Hailes

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Title: Sunrise at Strawberry Farm

Author: Kellie Hailes

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion Dash

Publication Date: 25th May 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

First love can be as sweet as strawberries...

Hannah Beety never thought she'd be back working at her family's strawberry farm, but when her mother falls ill, she knows it's time to go home. Returning to help in time for the summer harvest, Hannah's forced to face up to the broken hearts she left behind...

After a decade, Grey Walker cannot believe that the woman he had planned to marry, start a family and live a cosy life with is back. Working side by side with Hannah as they prepare for the annual Strawberry Festival brings back all the memories of his first love he'd tried to bury. But as the summer days lengthen, could letting her in mean losing his heart, again?

Well it's the sign of a good author when you spend most of the book wanting to bash the two main characters heads together repeatedly until they see sense. As after all I cared that much about their happiness, it was driving me just slightly demented that they couldn't quite work it out for themselves! 

And I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Strawberry farm and how it worked, and the way it celebrates at the end of picking season.  I was interested in the family dynamics of Hannah's family and how they acted towards her.  Hannah and Grey though as much as I did enjoy reading about them, I didn't completely mesh with either of them. 

In fact my favourite characters were Mr "flirts with everything" Matt, who is one of the strawberry pickers being used this season, who is a breath of fresh air whenever he cropped up.  And I also loved Amethyst, Hannah's best friend, and movie star, who is rather down to earth. and just such a warm character and she added a great dimension to the stilted family dynamics once she came to start on the farm. 

It's a truly lovely story that evoked the feelings of summer, of strawberry picking while having main characters whose minds are set, you have to wonder whether they they will ever get together, not to mention whether Hannah will ever feel as though she is a valued member of the family or not. 

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

Book Review - Things Are Looking Up by Maxine Morrey

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Title: Things Are Looking Up

Author: Maxine Morrey

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 25th May 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

What if what you really need is right there in front of you, if you just take a moment to look up?

Milly has been waiting for this moment forever and finally it’s just an hour away – an interview with Vogue magazine and the opportunity to get her Louboutin-clad foot in the door.  There’s just one problem – totally engrossed in her mobile phone, Milly doesn’t see the bus that is fast approaching – until it’s too late…

When Milly next opens her eyes, the consequences of her accident become clear. Everything she has worked for and dreamed of suddenly feels out of reach. But there is one bright spot on her horizon – the reappearance of her ex Jed, in all of his six-foot-four, broad-shouldered glory, with the most piercing ice blue eyes Milly ever saw.

Once used to working in a whirlwind, Milly now has the chance to reconsider how to live. Will she rush back to the treadmill, get her head down and back to business, or is there a whole other life waiting for her, if she’ll just look up to see it?

‘Read yourself happy’ with Maxine Morrey’s latest uplifting, page-turning, heart-warming romance, guaranteed to brighten up your day.

Well I can't say I recall the last time I read a book where the main character is hit by a bus in the opening chapter - possibly because I think this could be the first one.  Milly is so addicted to working and her phone, she literally doesn't see a bus hit her, and parts of her phone ended up really stuck to her in the aftermath. 

I promise she lives, as this is a rom com, and she is our main character, and its a story of Milly learning to look up, take in the world around her, recovering from her hospital stay, and trying to rebuild her life.  For while she is in hospital she is evicted and also loses all her work, contacts she used to be able to rely on, no longer want anything to do with her.  

So the last thing she wants or needs really is for Jed to walk back into her life, or hospital room to be precise, much less being the bigger better man, and offering to take Milly in until she gets herself together, despite the fact that their relationship didn't exactly end well.

I loved seeing the growth in Milly's character as she re-discovers a love of books, of just enjoying the small pleasures in life, and seeing what is around her when she isn't completely hooked on her phone.  

However it was Jed that I kept reading for.  I loved him from the off as as the book progressed I fell further and further in love with him.  Apart from his potentially iffy taste in women that is.  Thankfully his taste in animals is a lot better and I loved the whole storyline involving a wonderful four legged friend. 

This is a really enjoyable story, full of will they, won't they feelings, and characters you could be believe in.  I especially loved Ravi and Sunni from the bookshop who seemed so down to earth and lovely people, just the story you would want running your local bookshop! 

Definitely brightened up my week while I was reading this. 

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

Book Review - The Country Village Summer Fete by Cathy Lake

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Amazon UK

Title: The Country Village Summer Fete

Author: Cathy Lake

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Zaffer

Publication Date: 10th June 2021 

Rating: 5 Stars

A feel-good, uplifting summer read for fans of Heidi Swain and Cathy Bramley.

Emma Patrick's life is spiralling out of control. On the cusp of her 50th birthday, she suddenly realises that she doesn't have many meaningful relationships in her life. She's single, successful, living alone and thinks she's loving it, but being so focussed on work and always online means she's lost any real connection to people.

When Emma gets a call to say her ageing father is becoming increasingly confused, she decides that she should go back home to the countryside to spend some time with him. But returning to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in, after all these years, is filled with complications of its own and people she'd rather avoid.

As Emma starts to settle in to her childhood home, she finds herself loving village life - much to her surprise. When the opportunity to get involved in the running of the summer fete comes her way, before she knows it she's embracing jam making, cake baking and bunting. And with romance brewing, Emma begins to doubt the glamorous life in London that she worked so hard to build . . .

It was lovely to be back in Little Bramble again and to catch up with Clare and her family from the previous book. But equally this can definitely be read as a standalone, as the main characters are brand new, especially Emma. 

Emma left Little Bramble when she was young and now verging on 50, she is back at least for a short while to look after her dad who hasn't been well. And she is dreading running into her old flame who was so so angry when she left all those years ago. 

I loved meeting Greg, Emma's dad who at first seems so despondent and not quite himself and seeing how he improves and comes back to life as such over the course of the book is truly heartwarming.  As is seeing Emma who had been a workaholic in London, learning to adjust to a slower pace of life, and deciding to take up jam making like her mum used to. 

And then there is Connor, who we also get chapters, or half chapters focusing on, and he is dealing with a nightmarish ex, and also that is daughter is moving to Paris. Daughter Grace is wonderful and has so much insight for one so young it's impressive. 

From a slow start, it just took me a while to really get into the swing of this book, it turned into a story I was really enjoying. I found I really cared about the characters and was enjoying the will they - won't they ever get their acts together between Emma and Connor. 

I enjoyed the small community vibe, the greyhounds, the fete itself as well as the writing.  It's a really enjoyable way to spend your time, and I'm very curious to see if there will be any more books set in Little Bramble. 

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