Book Review - Welcome to Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May

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Amazon UK

Title: Welcome To Ferry Lane Market

Author: Nicola May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 22nd July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Although thirty-three-year-old Kara Moon loves her hometown of Hartmouth in Cornwall, she has always wondered if she should have followed her dream of going off to study floristry. But she couldn't bring herself to abandon her emotionally delicate single father, and has worked on Ferry Lane Market's flower stall ever since leaving school.

When her good-for-nothing boyfriend cheats on her and steals her life savings, she finally dumps him and rents out her spare room as an Airbnb. Gossip flies around the town as Kara welcomes a series of foreign guests to her flat overlooking the estuary.

Then an anonymous postcard arrives, along with a plane ticket to New York. And there begins the first of three trips of a lifetime, during which she will learn important lessons about herself, her life and what she wants from it - and perhaps find love along the way.

Nicola May is onto the start of another winning series here, as I loved Welcome to Ferry Lane Market and already feel the wait for the next book will be too long to cope with!

Admittedly I did find it took a while to feel fully at home with this book, I was missing Hot the dog from Cockleberry Bay (from the author's previous series), although a cat called James Bond and a terrapin called Sid Vicious are great animal companions, to go alongside Kara, and everyone at Ferry Lane market. 

I really took to Kara quite quickly and once I sorted out all the other characters I was fully engrossed in the story, The sheer amount of story, character developments, surprises that are jam packed into this book is so impressive, and it all works together so well. 

For me the book really took off to another gear of my love of it when the plane ticket to New York that is mentioned in the blurb, happens. I won't go into details as its far enough into the story that it would be spoilery - but the travel lover in me was loving Kara who has barely never left Cornwall, suddenly abroad and seeing how she sees the world, and gains confidence is just so wonderful to see. 

Kara is loyal to her family, who I really enjoyed getting to know, has a fab best friend, Star, and a nightmare of a boss who clearly doesn't appreciate Kara.  

Full of heart, mystery, laughter, travel, hear warming moment, humour, romance, mystery, set to a great back drop with incredibly real characters that you will take to your heart, this is a gem of a book! 

There is just so much to love about this book, and feel like it has set up the rest of the series perfectly, given how much I really want to read the next book instantly! 

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

Book Review - Meet Me In London by Georgia Toffolo

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Amazon UK

Title: Meet Me In London

Author: Georgia Toffolo

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Mills and Boon

Publication Date: 15th October 2020 

Rating: 4 Stars

What do you do when your fake engagement starts to feel too real…

Aspiring clothes designer Victoria Scott spends her days working in a bar in Chelsea, and her evenings designing vintage clothes, dreaming of one day opening her own boutique. But these aspirations are under threat from the new department store opening at the end of her road. She needs a Christmas miracle, but one is not forthcoming.

Oliver Russell’s Christmas is not looking very festive right now. His family’s new London department store opening is behind schedule, and on top of that his interfering, if well meaning, mother is pressing him to introduce his girlfriend to her. A girlfriend who does not exist. He needs a diversion. Something to keep his mother from interfering while he focuses on the business.

When Oliver meets Victoria, he offers a proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend at the opening of his store and he will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase her designs. But what starts as a business arrangement soon becomes something more tempting, as the fake relationship starts to feel very real. But when secrets in Victoria’s past are exposed will Oliver walk away, or will they both follow their hearts and find what neither knew they were looking for…

Oh I do love a book featuring a fake date, or fake engagement scenario.  There is something rather familiar about the basic plot device, while I'm able to greatly enjoy the always different reasons why someone may be willing to enter into such an agreement. 

Victoria wants to be a fashion designer and is in fact helping less fortunate teenagers to have a chance at learning fashion design. Oliver is heir to the Russel & Co Department store chain, and is facing pressure from his family to settle down and marry. And due to his father's health not being the best he just wants to give them help. 

The more I got to know both Victoria and Oliver, the more I enjoyed them, understood them and wanted to read more.  My full enjoyment over this book crept up on me until by then end I was considering reaching for the next Meet Me In book instantly. 

For I didn't just love Victoria, I was enjoying starting to get to know her friends, and their deep friendship is really lovely. And I really am looking forward to reading more of these characters. 

I'm rather relieved given I read this very much out of season for me unusually, that this wasn't an overly festive book, in fact Christmas is at a minimal, and although I read it on one of the hottest days of the year it didn't cool me off at all, which I had kind of hoped!  But does mean it is a very pleasurable read all year around! 

I very much enjoyed this first book from Georgia Toffolo, and with locations such as Hawaii and Tahiti in her next books, I can't wait as I do love an exotic setting! 

Book Review - Escape to the Hummingbird Hotel by Daisy James

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Amazon UK

Title: Escape to the Hummingbird Hotel

Author: Daisy James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 27th May 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Escape to the sun-drenched island of Corfu this summer with this gorgeously uplifting romantic comedy, the first in a brand-new series from the author of The Cornish Confetti Agency and Villa Limoncello.

Welcome to the Hummingbird Hotel!

When florist-to-the-stars Abbie Coleman catches a glimpse of her boyfriend through the window of Tiffany’s, she couldn’t be more excited. Keen to share her happiness, she organises a huge surprise party for all their family and friends… except things don’t quite work out as she expected, and instead of planning a flower-filled wedding, she finds herself single, and fired from a job she loves.

Desperate to escape her heartbreak, she jets off to her aunt’s quirky Hummingbird Hotel on the gorgeous island of Corfu. Little did she know that instead of spending her time lounging by the pool, drinking cocktails, and soaking up the sun, she’d be stepping into the role of the island’s newest hotelier.

The arrival of unexpected guests sends Abbie into a tailspin of panic, and she’s forced to turn to snippy, but charismatic, vineyard owner-turned-chef, Nikos Angelopoulos, for help. Why does the kitchen fill with smoke whenever she makes coffee? Why is there a naked man swimming in the pool? And why do the hotel’s toiletries turn their guests’ hair pink?

Despite all the chaos, the Hummingbird Hotel works its magic on Abbie, and she finds herself with a decision to make. Will she return home to the drizzly grey skies of London? Or will she take a leap of faith and embrace the new opportunities that little corner of paradise has to offer, and maybe, just maybe, discover a sprinkle of romance along the way?

Let Daisy James whisk you away to gorgeous Corfu with a feel-good summer read filled with sun, sea and a sprinkle of romance. Perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Sue Roberts & Sandy Barker.

Fantastic start to a new series featuring a fabulous location,  great food, wine, a small mystery, and a journey to learn more about yourself.

I just loved everything about this book, it had me hooked and eager to absorb every last word. 

What I also loved are the small references to Daisy James previous series,  something that as a fan of the author makes me smile while at the same time this is 100% a new series, new characters and definitely a standalone. 

The setting of corfu is stunning and I loved the descriptions of the Hummingbird hotel, and felt as though I was there alongside Abbie. 

This is a wonderful holiday read and will brighten up your day instantly just by reading it.

So incredibly enjoyable and I cant wait to read the next book in the series.  

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

Book Review - Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life by Carmen Reid

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Amazon UK

Title: Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life

Author: Carmen Reid

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 27th July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Tess Simpson needs a break!

No one appreciates her at home. No one appreciates her at work. And now her dog has died. She’s had enough!

Maybe what she really needs is a break from hopeless husband, Dave, the ungrateful ‘kidults’ and the lacklustre job.

River Romero needs a break!

She’s had success in the past, but screenwriting is a tough career in a tough town and her next script has got to fly or River’s dream career is over.

The swap!

Everything about River’s L.A. life sounds exciting to Tess, from the condo with a pool, to the Hollywood glitz.

Everything about Tess’s English country life sounds so calming to River, from the wisteria over the front door to the peaceful bedroom.

Both women want their lives to change, but real life isn’t like the movies.

And what if getting away from it all isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?

A laugh out loud emotional read, perfect for fans of Fiona Gibson, Tracy Bloom and Sophie Ranald!

First let me say how overjoyed I am to see a brand new Carmen Reid book, I've been a massive fan of the author in the past, and it is such a pleasure to be able to read a new story from her.  And I'm delighted to say it doesn't disappoint. 

This is a wonderful book, it's uplifting, emotional in places, funny in others and I really wasn't sure how how it was going to end, although it does have the most perfect ending! 

I loved the chapters from both River and Tess's points of view, it was great getting to know these two rather different women as they swap homes for a few months.  River so she can spend time in Shakespeare country to help with her new script project - and Tess going to LA as she's taking a 3 month work sabbatical after being overlooked for a promotion and just needs to shake things up in her life. 

From their tentative first steps in their new locations it was wonderful to see how both of these women started to thrive. 

What added a more sombre tone to the the book were the chapter's from Alex's point of view, Tess's grown up, young adult son, who I couldn't help but feel for and also be rather scared for.  It's an important storyline, sensitively written that raises awareness of male mental health in the young. 

I thoroughly enjoyed every last second of this book and was desperately trying to find moments to pick it back up and read some more.  I just really hope the wait for this author's next book is considerably shorter than the amount of years I've been waiting for this one! 

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

Book Review - Stolen by Tess Stimson

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Amazon UK

Title: Stolen

Author: Tess Stimson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 5th August 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

You thought she was safe. You were wrong…

Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three-year-old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worst.

The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it’s not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn’t she watching Lottie? 

Alex knows she’s not perfect, but she loves her child. And with all eyes on her, Alex fears they’ll never uncover the truth unless she takes matters into her own hands.

Who took Lottie Martini? And will she ever come home?

A totally addictive thriller, with a twist you just won’t see coming. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Louise Candlish and T.M. Logan will be totally gripped from the very first page.

Wowser!  I didn't see all of that coming.  It's been a while since I last read a book by Tess Stimson and thus had forgotten just how impressive her storytelling is. 

I was completely hooked in with the prologue and spent a bit of the book wondering just how it fitted in, as we learn of Lottie's disappearance. 

I liked how it was likened to the Madeleine McCann real life disappearance, and there are all sorts of matters touched on, that had me thinking. 

It really is every parent's worst nightmare, taking your eyes off your child for a few moments and them not being there afterwards. It is shocking to see that a child can disappear from a wedding when there are so many people around. 

At first it was hard to really like Alex, her initial very honest thoughts of of motherhood, but it soon becomes apparent how much she really does care about Lottie, and how the not knowing where Lottie is, or if she is still alive or not being the hardest thing to cope with. Her tireless efforts to keep the story in the press and the search afoot were incredibly heartening to see. 

At points during the book I pretty much suspected everyone at being involved and what is clear is Alex's anguish is real. As is the pain of anyone else in a similar situation. 

I really quite enjoyed the chapters from Quinn's point of view, she is troubled with her demons, but also quite determined.

I was reading the last quarter on the tube and it was a miracle I got off at the right stop as I was so engrossed in the story.

Truly wonderful and gripping  that I was utterly hooked on.

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

Book Review - The Wedding Party by Tammy Cohen - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: The Wedding Party

Author: Tammy Cohen

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 24th June 2021

Rating: 4 Stars

Till death do us part . . .

Lucy has dreamt of her wedding day for as long as she can remember.

And now the day is almost here. Her nearest and dearest are gathered on an idyllic Greek island and she just knows it's going to be perfect. It has to be.

But even the best-laid plans can go horribly wrong. Why are her parents behaving so strangely? Why won't the rather odd lady from the airport stop hanging around? Who is the silent stranger her sister brought as a plus-1?

And then they find the body.

It's going to be a day to remember.

Starting with a dead body at a wedding without knowing whose it is, we then get in real time the run up to their death from various focal points of the wedding party, as well as police interviews, and one characters diary.

It took a while to discover whose diary it was, and from the moment you have that knowledge the book kicks up a gear and suddenly becomes rather interesting.

I mean I was enjoying the first half but it was that first reveal that really made things start to click in my mind. And I was able to stay coming up with totally wrong theories. 

I was shocked by the outcome, and couldn't put the last quarter of the book down at all. 

The writing was excellent as I've come to expect from this author  and I absolutely loved the setting of this book.

The characters were perhaps a tad harder to gel with, but I was invested in discovering just what went wrong with this wedding party. 

Plenty of drama and for me an unexpected conclusion which made sense, make this a book definitely worth reading. 

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

Book Review - The Happy Family by Jackie Kabler

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Amazon UK

Title: The Happy Family

Author: Jackie Kabler

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 4th June 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

My family has just been reunited. So who is trying to tear it apart?

A mother who disappeared… 

When Beth was 10 years old, her beautiful, wild mother Alice walked out and never came back. Beth’s life since hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but now she is happy and settled, with a successful career, a loving family and a beautiful home. 

 

An unexpected visitor…

Then one day there’s a knock at the door. Alice has returned. Overjoyed to have the chance to rebuild their relationship, Beth invites her mother to move in.

 

A life that comes crashing down…

At first, everything seems wonderful. But then Beth’s friends begin to drift away, strange things start to happen at home, and rumours begin to circle about her past. As the mysterious events around Beth become darker and more dangerous, she is forced to question everything. Is somebody in her life trying to destroy her happiness? And how far will they go?

Well you know a book is pretty amazing when you actually exclaim WTAF in full out loud at a key moment. Thankfully no one was around and I didn't have to explain, but once again Jackie Kabler has managed to keep me on my toes throughout. 

I think at times I had thought about various of the outcomes and my mind flitted on most of the truths, but I couldn't quite figure out the specifics and I was still very shocked as everything is revealed. 

But the journey to get there was utterly addicting, kept me on my toes and had me feeling rather creepy at times, with some of what Beth was experiencing. 

This is a book that starts of relatively gently all things considered, but before long it all ramps up, and events become a lot darker, a bit sinister and although you may like me have some theories, as to what is going on, I would suggest you won't be able to predict the exact nature of how everything occurs and all the consequences. 

And then there are other twists that through me completely and well I just love a book that keeps me on my toes. 

The blurb tells you everything you need to know about the plot, anything I would add would definitely be counted as spoilers which I avoid, and it really does cover the key points and had me intrigued to read at any rate. 

What is though fast becoming rather apparent is just amazingly talented Jackie Kabler is. I really enjoyed her cozy mysteries, but since she has started writing psychological thrillers well her skill, storytelling and well the dark twisted part of her mind are just superb and seem to be getting more and more impressive by the book, and they started at a high level! 

I couldn't get enough of The Happy Family, loved the characterisation, writing, and just everything about it.  

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

It's that time again... I'm finally off on holiday!

 As followers of my blog probably will know by now, that I love a holiday and try to go away as much as I can in a year.  Obviously since the pandemic has begun I've barely had a break, I managed by some miracle to get to Malta last year for a fortnight, but other than taking a few weeks off to sit at home in tier 4 (essentially lockdown) over Christmas - I've barely stopped for any proper rest and relaxation. 

Of course with the ever changing green, amber and red list and barely being able to work out what the foreign travel rules are, I decided to play safe, and stay in the UK, and I'm already aware this is working out to by my most expensive holiday ever - and there is no guarantee of sun... so please cross your fingers for me that heatwave returns!!  I need it.

So where am I off to? Well I'm spending 3 nights in Southampton, before boarding Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas for a 8 night UK Isles cruise, and then disembarking and heading to Bournemouth for 5 nights - meaning a nice 16 nights away, full of rest, relaxation and possibly running around like a headless chicken for the duration of the cruise to make the most of everything on offer. 

Just take a look at this little video about the ship I'm staying on, although not everything will be open due to Covid protocols. 

I'm hoping for many days of either sunbathing, or trivia quizzes, great entertainment, good food and just a lot of fun.  And the beauty of the ship portion of the holiday is if the Great British weather is as nightmarish as it has been - well there is always something going on indoors! 

The ship is stopping in Inverness, Glasgow, Orkney Isles and Liverpool but the excursions on offer don't appeal, and you are only being allowed off on a ship excursion to keep the ship as a big bubble. 

And of course my other aim of the holiday is as always to catch up on some reading! Last year in Malta I read 34 books, and previous holidays 33 and 36. Now this is a longer holiday but I most likely for large parts of it be more active - so have no idea how many books I'll read, but given my kindle goes everywhere with me I'm sure I will make a dent on my review TBR. 

As per all my other holiday blog posts, this is the point where I show you just what is currently on my review TBR, and ask for your recommendations as to which I should definitely read this trip, what you would like to see reviews of sooner than later (although some of these probably won't hit my blog until next year, just depends how I schedule everything. 

So what do you think of this massive selection of books that are all on my kindle waiting patiently for me to get to them?!

So which book should I kick off my holiday reading with, I had a few ideas but given I have to take multiple tubes and trains, I'm thinking something that I know will mean I may miss stops may not be my smartest idea! 

Have you read any of these, or what are you looking forward to from these?

I'd love to know - and I'll be back on 30th August to regular posting but watch out on 19th August I apparently I have a review still scheduled for The Happy Family by Jackie Kabler for her paperback publication day! (Spoiler alert - it was fabulous!). 

And if you are off anywhere over the next few weeks have a fabulous time and above all stay safe! Oh and show me pics!!

Book Review - The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne

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Amazon UK

Title: The Promise of Summer

Author: Bella Osborne

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: 22nd July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…

After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?

When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.   

 

As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?

Well I was hooked into the story within the first chapter and my absorption and love of it didn't wane throughout. 

There are so many threads running through this book, some I kind of guessed correctly the outcomes of, some I desperately wanted my ideas to be the truth, and others were just so lovely and at all times I was enjoying what I was reading so much. 

Although Ruby is the main character, I also loved the chapters focusing on Kim, her boss and best friend, who has some great storylines of her own, including one with a new four legged friend that is so heartwarming. 

But for me the standout character is Curtis, I absolutely adored him.  He's not the easiest to describe, but has such a way about him that once you are used to his speech patterns and have an idea of how he thinks, he is quite adorable and really just lovely! 

And what of the stranger on the train, that Ruby starts chatting to as mentioned in the blurb, well his initial actions are essentially the catalyst for Ruby and Curtis' budding friendship and I was just as invested as Ruby was in finding him again! 

I'm a massive fan already of Bella Osborne, and this is just another example of a fabulous book from a talented author.  I wasn't really sure what to expect in terms of plot as don't think I'd even looked at the blurb, and was incredibly happy with what was delivered. 

Thoroughly enjoyable, what a fantastic book! 

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

Book Review - The Secret Path by Karen Swan

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Amazon UK

Title: The Secret Path

Author: Karen Swan

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Pan

Publication Date: 8th July 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

An old flame. A new spark.

Love can find you in the most unlikely places.

Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Swan returns with The Secret Path, taking us deep into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle – complete with her trademark romance, glamour, and jaw-dropping twists.

'A glamorous adventure' - Hello!

At only twenty, Tara Tremain has everything: she’s a trainee doctor, engaged to the man of her dreams – Alex, a passionate American biology student. But just when life seems perfect, Alex betrays her in the worst way possible.

Ten years later, she’s moved on – with a successful career, good friends and a man who loves her. But when she’s pulled back into her wealthy family’s orbit for a party in the heart of Costa Rica, she’s flung into a crisis: a child is desperately ill and the only treatment is several days’ trek away, deep in the jungle.

There's only one person who can help - but can she trust the man who broke her heart?

Your Costa Rican adventure awaits.

Omg that was amazing. Actually amazing doesn't quite do justice to Karen Swans latest and my new favourite book from her.

With romance, adventure, hair raising moments, revisiting your past, drama and the most impressive setting, I couldn't help but devour this book.

I went to this with only knowing its part set in Costa Rica, and was hooked on all elements of the story.

The amount of research that must have gone into this book, of the indigenous tribes of the jungle, their customs and believes, which all felt rather authentic.

I literally could barely put it down and even very almost missed a tube stop, because of the action.

And after a few summer releases from this author that were dual timelines and featuring more history than I prefer (but that I still really enjoyed), I'm so happy to see this is back to her normal writing style and for me so much the better for it.

I just couldn't get enough of this story and would have happily read another few hundred pages, had they existed. I was enjoying it that much.

A wonderful story to lose yourself in, and to learn the perils of the Costa Rican jungle. Just wow. 

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