Book Review - The Story Shop by Christie Barlow

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Title: The Story Shop

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 30th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

When travel writer Jack Hartwell arrives on Puffin Island amidst a terrible storm, he stumbles into The Story Shop, the island's quaint bookshop.

Seeking refuge, he finds himself immersed in Amelia Brown's enchanting world of books, puffins, and an eccentric group of book club regulars. So when the enigmatic Amelia challenges Jack to read a mysterious novel The Temptation Bucket List – and to complete its challenges with her – he can’t resist.

But with Jack’s time on Puffin Island ticking away, the stakes rise. The final item on the list? To share a secret that no one else knows…

Puffin Island is certainly starting to feel like home, and as a result this was such a comfortable and warm book to read.  

Especially since it is predominately set in The Story Shop which Amelia owns, and its generally a book that book lovers will thoroughly enjoy. There are various bookish themes running through it, in addition to many secrets, revelations, minor mysteries and some of the best dates I've read about in a long while. 

For Amelia challenges Jack to replicate some of a bucket list that appears in a rather raunchy novel, and he accepts and put's his own take on it.   And manages to produce some truly spectacular dates and a real feeling that Amelia is being romanced and cherished. 

I really loved Jack too, his initial motives may not be above board but it doesn't take long for his true decency shine through, and I was rooting for him and Amelia. 

I also enjoyed catching up with familiar faces from the series so far.  I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book.  I did guess most of the reveals fairly early on, but it didn't detract from my pleasure of the book, as I had to find out if I was right or not, and I honestly thought I might have been clutching at straws at times with my theories! 

I am so enjoying this Puffin Island series and already looking forward to reading the next book. 

Book Review - Cake Off at the Cat Cafe by Rachel Rowlands

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Title: Cake Off at the Cat Café 

Author: Rachel Rowlands

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication Date: 27th March 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Whisks at the ready! This summer, two local cafes will go head-to-head in a baking competition where more is at stake than just the trophy... Will true love be the icing on the cake?

Clem is the baker in charge of creating delicious cat-themed treats for the loyal customers of the Catpurrcino cat café. From iced kitten doughnuts to macarons with ears and whiskers, Clem's creations always bring a smile to the face of anyone lucky enough to taste them.

But outside of the café's kitchen, Clem struggles with feelings of anxiety and where she fits in. Until Sylvie, the owner of the café, decides to push her out of her comfort zone. The Whisked Away baking competition is a chance for Clem to shine and find her inner confidence.

Also competing this year is Lucas, the owner of Muddy Paws café, accompanied by his faithful Golden Retriever Reina.

The stage is set for an epic cake-off between cats and dogs. But as Clem stumbles in the first challenge, Lucas always seems to be there with an encouraging word and a smile. The chemistry between them is soon undeniable.

Is this just the heat in the kitchen? Or something real? And can their feelings survive a showdown in the final round...

Are you a cat or a dog person?

Who would win in an epic battle between cats and dogs?

Depending on those answer you are either Team Clem or Team Lucas. 

One works for Catpurrcino, and the other for Muddy Paws and both are entered into a bake off style competition for local small busineses, And both have excellent reasons for wanting to win.

Told from both perspectives, I loved getting to know our main characters, and their businesses and related animals. 

I loved seeing how Clem grows slowly in confidence, given where she starts the book, and I was touched by sensitivity that Lucas's father's illness was described with. 

I loved picturing the various bakes and wish I could have been there live to taste test them.

I have loved this second book in the cat cafe series and can't wait to read the next book. 

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

Book Review - The Ex Effect by Jo Watson - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Ex Effect

Author: Jo Watson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Eternal

Publication Date: 13th February 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

They had a night to remember. For all the wrong reasons.

Thirteen years ago, Ash was planning the night of her life with her high-school boyfriend, Logan. They were madly in love, wild about each other, and had been waiting patiently for this moment. It was going to be perfect.

That is, until it went down in very unsexy flames. Logan disappeared and Ash was left, quite frankly - and very inconveniently - sexually cursed.

After years of disastrous dating and even more disastrous sex, cinematographer Ash has almost given up. But some seriously flirtatious emails with location agent Maximillian Adam, to set up a scouting trip, offer her hope. Because if rumor is to be believed, Maximillian Adam might just be God's sexual gift to women.

Is Max going to be the one to finally break the curse? And, even better, break it over and over again?

Or when Ash and Max finally come face to face, will they both get so much more than they bargained for?

How much fun must Jo Watson have had in coming up in all the incredibly bad sex scenarios that have littered Ash's life, leading to her believe she is under a sex curse. 

I swear every time you think you must have heard them all, Ash recalls others, that is one seriously unlucky woman. 

And it all started thanks to her first boyfriend, and the time they were meant to lose their virginity.  It went wrong and then went from worse to catastrophic. 

There is so much creativity, and giggle worthy moments in this story, that it was a joy to read. 

There are also some incredibly hot and steamy scenes, which were rather pleasurable! 

Not to mention getting an insight into a few different Safari camps in Africa, which spoke to my love of travel. 

This was just a brilliant holiday read, from an author that I always devour. Loved every second of this. 

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

Book Review - The Stranger In Room Six by Jane Corry

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Title: The Stranger In Room Six

Author: Jane Corry

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 12th June 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

You may not know the stranger in room six. But they know everything about you.

It's been fifteen years since Belinda was convicted of her husband's murder. Now, she's ready for her life to begin again, and she's set on that happening at Sunnyside Home for the Young at Heart.

The owner, Mabel, has spent her life here. First as an evacuee during the Blitz and now as the care home's oldest resident, Mabel has held the secrets of this house for as long as she can remember. Secrets that could kill if in the wrong hands.

But history won't stay hidden forever and someone is onto them both. Watching and listening from room number six, they'll stop at nothing to find out the truth.

With a past this dark, is anyone as innocent as they seem?

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! 

It's been a few days since I read this and I am still completely blown away by it. 

Every spare second I had, I was reaching for this and reading more and more.  

As a massive fan of this author I had picked up this book without even giving the blurb a glance, so was a bit surprised that is had so much history in it.  I tend to avoid books with history, but I know that when I'm  in the safe hands of an epic storyteller  such as Jane Corry, that I will be transported and taken along with whatever is written. 

Which was thankfully the case.  I was as addicted to Mabel's story as a child during the Blitz and the following years, as I was by Belinda who accidentally murdered her husband and her time spent in prison. 

I actually loved both storylines equally, and loved how the characters came together in the present day along with the mysterious stranger in room six, who we get occasional chapters from, adding a slightly more sinister tone to the book. 

This is just an epically impressive book, that I couldn't get enough of.  Another amazing story from an auto read author for me. 

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

Book Review - Sunshine After The Rain by Jessica Redland - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: Sunshine After The Rain

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 15th May 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Melanie knows she’s been running away... But maybe there really is no place like home 🌈

For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most - her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she's been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain? 🌧️☀️

Another totally brilliant book in the Escape to the Lakes series. 

It was a real treat getting to know Mel who has made the decision to return to Willowdale, and she manages to get her dream job working on Willowdale Hall. So with that we get to revisit and see more of all of the main characters from the previous books in the series too. 

Mel's story is sensitively told, and it's hard to read at times, as she has been through so much and is clearly still suffering. 

I was completely gripped by this book which I was reading on a flight home from Athens. It is an uplifting story of healing, in the most wonderful of settings. I really enjoyed all of the characters, and there are some really special moments within the pages. 

Once again Jessica Redland has written a totally brilliant book, and this is definitely a series going from strength to strength. 

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

Book Review - The Tapes by Kerry Wilkinson - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Tapes

Author: Kerry Wilkinson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 11th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

‘If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.’

Eve is clearing her father’s house when she finds an old cassette player and a box of tapes. Though grieving, she smiles at the spark of nostalgia.

One tape is labelled ‘Eve’ – in her mother, Angela’s, scrawled handwriting. She disappeared for good more than ten years ago.

The tape whirrs. A voice crackles. ‘My name is Angela’. Tears fill Eve’s eyes at the familiar voice, at the thought this message is just for her. But the next words make her heart pound.

‘If they say I’m missing, I’m not. If you’re listening to this, I’ve been murdered.’

Desperate for answers, Eve has no one left to ask – only a box of tapes that could lead to the truth. But the more she listens, the more she realises she can never go to the police…

Because Eve’s mother had her own secrets. But what if her killer is still out there? And what if Eve is next?

An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will have you racing through the pages late into the night! Anyone who loves Shari Lapena, John Marrs or Lisa Jewell will be totally addicted.

It's been a while since I last read a Kerry Wilkinson novel and at the moment I have no idea why, as once again I have been totally gripped by one of their books. 

From the second I read the blurb I was intrigued and this continued into the book itself. 

After all it isn't every day when you suddenly come across cassette tapes recorded by your mother, that disappeared many years ago. Even less rare is when you listen to one and it claims that if Angela ever goes missing that she believes she will have been murdered as she has info about a serial killer. 

Which is just the situation Eve finds herself in, and naturally she has to dig to try to find out what really did happen to her mum all those years ago. 

And it's so cleverly written and plotted that I  was coming up with so many theories so far off the mark, that I'm really impressed wih the ultimate reveal. 

Every twist and turn took me with it on a fabulous roller coaster ride and I was totally there for the journey. 

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

Book Review - The Killing Route by M A Comley - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: The Killing Route

Author: M A Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied Copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 28th July 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Not all who wander are lost.

Some are hunting.

When a young man posts an innocent advert looking for a travel companion, it sparks a journey neither he—nor his new passenger—could have ever imagined.

But their adventure takes a dark turn.

As a string of murders begins to ripple across the Herefordshire countryside, detectives Sara Ramsey and Carla Jameson are pulled into a chilling investigation unlike any they’ve faced before. With no fixed address, the suspects drift from town to town, leaving little evidence but a trail of devastation in their wake.

The deeper the detectives dig, the more disturbing the truth becomes… and the closer they get to a killer who thrives on staying one step ahead.

I'm gutted that this is I believe the last book in this series as it once again is completely addictive and amazing. 

Set in the vanlife community, we get to know our killers really well as there is a fair amount of chapters from their perspective, and I was totally intrigued by their story. 

It's once again a tough task for DI Sara Ramsay, Carla and the rest of the team to try to unravel. Especially with the trail of bodies having no pattern to them. 

From the start the reader knows who has done it and sees their motivations for it, and one of the character is really rather devious and evil.  But the joy of this book is watching a favourite police team attempt to solve the case. 

Written to the author's normal high standards, I can't recommend this fabulous series anywhere near enough, I have loved each and every book in it. 

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

Book Review - A Merry Little Christmas by Rosie Green

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Title: A Merry Little Christmas

Author: Rosie Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 29th November 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Festive excitement is in the air at the Little Duck Pond Café and Katja is looking forward to her first Christmas snuggled by the fire with boyfriend Caleb. But now she's started having terrifying nightmares and worse, Caleb is acting out of character, making her doubt everything she thought she knew. Is it really destined to be a merry little Christmas? Or will the festive cheer Katja has been longing for turn out to be nothing but a damp squib?

Well I was not expecting that, which is one of the best things about this long running series. Rosie Green's constant ability to surprise her readers, with something that feels familiar but at the same time completely different to the rest of the series. 

And especially the second half of this book, once we start to discover the truth behind why Caleb is acting so strange, well that turned into an epic climax for this story, complete with some adrenalin. 

Even before that we have a storyline about some festive Chutney, which leads some of the Duck Pond Cafe girls to get up to all sorts of shenanigans. 

This is predominately Katja's story, and her still fairly new relationship with Caleb, who we were introduced to earlier this year.  But what I really loved was her interactions with Caleb's nephew Will.  Will is having a tough time at school, and Katja becomes aware of it and determined to help him if at all possible. 

There are all sorts of scary moments in this story, and it was lovely to catch up with various characters from earlier in the series. 

I found this whole to book to be a rather fast and addictive story that I couldn't put down and read it in one sitting, when I was meant to be doing other things! I loved almost every aspect of it, apart from the title.  This book just wasn't overly Christmassy to me, so feel it could easily be read at any time of year, as the festivities are not completely key to the story. 

But other than that this is another totally brilliant book in this impressive long running series and I'm already very keen to discover what this always fabulous author has in store for us and her characters next.  I'm positive I will love it. 

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

Book Review - Autumn Wishes & Fireside Kisses by Rosie Green

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Title: Autumn Wishes & Fireside Kisses

Author: Rosie Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author Supplied Copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 3rd October 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

A Hallowe'en wedding is taking place in Sunnybrook! One well-loved Little Duck Pond Café regular will be walking down the aisle at a reputedly haunted manor house miles from anywhere – and it's set to be the spookiest and most fun Big Day ever. But when the local river floods and the wedding party is stranded there overnight, weird things start to happen. Are ghostly antics at play here? Or is there something far more sinister going on? Will the wedding even go ahead?

Well this was suitably spooky and creepy for a book that's featuring a Halloween Wedding, in a gothic house that may just be haunted. 

It is so lovely to see that this is about the long awaited wedding of Sylvia, who has been ever present in this series since the first few books.  Although never a main character, she is involved and interlocked in so many of the regular characters lives, that it's rare to not have her present somewhere in each book. 

But believe it or not she wasn't either of the two main view points in this book, we are instead treated to Fen, who regular readers of the series definitely have met before, and Celia who is brand new to us, and a good friend of Sylvia's. 

And it was Celia's story that enchanted me the most, as it just so happens the love of her life, is the wedding photographer, and she had no idea, given they had barely spoken in very many years.  Celia is also a celebrity florist and sounds like she has amazing skills with flowers. 

And it's always good to catch up with Fen.  There are a few mini mysteries to be solved in this, one which would have had life threatening consequences. and there is even a rather remarkable discovery too.

Add in, some deliciously gruesome sounding food, a fabulous setting, and this is a wedding that no one will forget for a long while.  

This is yet another fabulous addition to this series, which I devoured so fast I was amazed that I had reached the end already. Which is always a sign that I was invested in the story and really enjoying it.   As always I'm in awe at how far we are into this series, while being able to see many more available for pre-order already, all of which I'm looking forward to greatly. 

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

Book Review - Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin

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Title: Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express

Author: Rebecca Raisin

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 13th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

A honeymoon for one on the most romantic train journey in the world… what could possibly go wrong?

When Aubrey’s fiancé dumps her – literally at the altar – just days before Christmas, her first thought is for the honeymoon. A luxury snow train, winding through Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets, stopping in places like Paris and Stockholm, before ending in Lapland, to stay in igloos under the Northern Lights.

It was meant to be the most romantic ten days of her life. And now she has to go it alone. But arriving on the train – where, not wanting to be known as someone who was jilted, she might have accidentally implied her new husband died in a horrible accident – she finds she’s not the only singleton on board.

The group of single passengers quickly nickname themselves ‘The Unlucky in Love Travel Club’… But – as the train gathers pace – so do Aubrey’s feelings for absurdly handsome travel journalist, Jasper.

And she starts to wonder – as fireworks explode over the snow – whether her magical Christmas honeymoon-for-one might be just what she needs. And if she might not be as unlucky in love as she’d thought…

From the bestselling author of Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel and Summer in Santorini.

I think this must have ticked just about every box that I would ever want in a book! This was 100% my sort of book, from a favourite author and I just devoured it. 

I adore travel and there is a massive travel component to this story, given it's set on a luxury Christmas train, that sounded simply divine.  Well I love a cruise and this gave me a similar sorts of vibes.  A different location every time you wake up, that really is the life. 

And it's a fabulous itinerary starting in France, and going through iconic cities in Northern Europe, to finish in Lapland for a few nights in luxury igloos. 

For Aubrey this trip is a bit bittersweet, as it was meant to be her honeymoon with Miles, but he jilted her at the altar and then basically ghosts her.  But as this was a trip of a lifetime for Aubrey she thought she would go, despite it being full of coupled up people. 

Well a little lie about where her newlywed husband was kind of spiralled, but she did discover the other singles on board and so a wonderful friendship group is formed. 

And I loved all of Aubrey's fellow travellers, the ones she really gets to know, the incredibly handsome Jasper included, and even those we saw just in passing, as I could recognise them as the sorts of people I have come across on holidays myself. 

I loved Sabrina and all the costumes she was made to wear as part of working on the train. and Princess who is the lifeblood and energy of this little group of people is a force to be reckoned with.  I think we could all do with having Princess in our lives.  Actually I'd quite like to have Aubrey's sister in my life too, that is one girl who knows how to get vengeance. if she is allowed! 

I just adored every second of this book, from all of the festive cocktails, to the dance battle, to the sight seeing and travel elements, plus some new possibilities of romance. This was just an absolutely gorgeous and wonderful book to read and I didn't want it to end. 

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