Page Links

Home      About      Reviews      Contact     

29 February 2016

March 2016 Releases! (Part 2)

Spring is coming our way early this year, especially if you checked out some of the March 2016 releases I posted about yesterday! Today it's time for part 2 of my monthly releases post, with even more exciting women's fiction and chick lit titles that are coming our way in the upcoming month!
Which releases are you excited about? I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like me to include your book release in this list, feel free to contact me via e-mail or Twitter! :)

Lindsey Emory - 'Mean Sisters' (17 March)

Margot Blythe is a twenty-something year old who can’t seem to let her college glory days go. After all, everyone deserves a family of ‘sisters’ like she had. When she’s invited to speak at her alma mater, her homecoming reception isn’t exactly what she expected. Tragedy strikes and Margot has to step up, especially when foul play is suspected.

She’s going to save her fifty frazzled ‘sisters’, keep the suspicious (but dangerously cute) police officer at bay and find out the truth – could a sister have committed such an unimaginable sin as murder?

Margot is going to learn the real bond of sisterhood and maybe, just maybe, discover where she truly belongs.
Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 


Daisy James - 'If the Dress Fits' (18 March)

She might be the most famous person in the country…but no one knows her name!

Celebrity actress Lilac Verbois is holding a competition to design her dress for the Wedding of the Year…and Callie’s exquisite, glittering silk gown has been shortlisted. But just as all her dreams are coming true, disaster strikes and she rushes home – forgetting to submit the forms!

Years ago, when Callie left sleepy Althorpe for the bright lights of London, she never expected to return. And there’s one man in particular she’d hoped never to see again, Theo, the childhood-sweetheart-turned-rock-God who turned her life upside down. But now she’s back, she realises it’s finally time to stop running…and face her past.

Yet, little does Callie know, Lilac Verbois has begun a Cinderella-like hunt for that perfect, pearl-embroidered wedding dress, mysteriously submitted without a name…


 


Jane Costello - 'Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel' (24 March)

Lauren Scott lives in 'The most romantic place in Britain', but her love life is about as successful as her mountain climbing skills. The man she's obsessed over for two years has proposed to someone else - and her only solution is to save up for six months to go travelling, so she never has to set eyes on him again. 

But when her friends sign her up for a dance class - in the same historic hotel where her beloved dad worked and her most precious childhood memories were formed - Lauren makes a horrifying discovery. It's been sold to a faceless budget chain, which has depressing plans in store. Worse, the entrepreneur behind it all turns out to be among a group of guys her friend Cate roped in to join the very same salsa class they've signed up for.... 


 


Katie Oliver - 'Who Needs Mr. Willoughby?' (24 March)

The third novel in the highly awaited new series - The Jane Austen Factor - from bestselling author Katie Oliver!

Look out for more in The Jane Austen Factor series:

1. What Would Lizzy Bennet Do?

2. The Trouble with Emma

3. Who Needs Mr Willougby?


 


Cathy Woodman - 'Springtime at Cherry Tree Cottage' (24 March)

After years of training, horse-mad Flick has finally achieved her dream of becoming one of the few female blacksmiths in the country.

Her first job is in Talyton St George. The little cottage on the green where she is staying is idyllic, but she soon finds that the locals are sceptical about her ability to do the job, and she has to work twice as hard to prove herself. 

Stunt rider Robbie Salterton is a bit of a local celebrity. He's gorgeous, a devoted single father and gives free riding lessons to disadvantaged children in his spare time. In addition, he's one of the few men in the village who doesn't doubt her skill. Can one man really be that perfect? Flick's not so sure. 

However, the more she gets to know him, the more she realises he's everything he seems to be. But with his legions of glamorous women vying for his attention, what on earth would he see in a tomboy like her?

 


Katy Colins - 'The Lonely Hearts Travel Club: Destination India' (24 March)

Let yourself go…

Georgia Green is about to board a plane to India, alone – again. Things were supposed to be different this time, but Georgia backpacked solo to Thailand and survived, what could possibly go wrong?

Only she is about to find out that when in India the country calls the shots – not you.

 


Laura Tait & Jimmy Rice - 'The Night That Changed Everything' (24 March)

Rebecca is the only girl she knows who didn't cry at the end of Titanic. Ben is the only man he knows who did. Rebecca’s untidy but Ben doesn’t mind picking up her pieces. Ben is laid back by Rebecca keeps him on his toes. They're a perfect match.

Nothing can come between them. Or so they think.

When a throwaway comment reveals a secret from the past, their love story is rewritten.

Can they recover from the night that changed everything? And how do you forgive when you can’t forget?


 


Jennifer Joyce - 'The Wedding Date' (28 March)

Delilah James, singleton and smoothie-addict, has six months to find a date for her oldest friend’s wedding. Oh, and to prove to her ex, best man Ben, that she has totally moved on since he dumped her out-of-the-blue nine months, eight days and seventeen hours ago…

So, with her two BFFs playing Cupid, Delilah launches herself into the high-tech, fast-paced and frankly terrifying world of dating. Luckily there’s the hot new guy at work, Adam Sinclair, to practice her flirting on – even if, as a colleague, he’s strictly off-limits!

Yet time’s running out and date after disastrous date forces Delilah to tell a little white lie – and invent a fake boyfriend! But will her secret crush on Adam ruin everything? Does she even care about Ben anymore? And is it too late to untangle her web of lies and take a real date to the wedding…?

 


Cressida McLaughlin - 'The Canal Boat Cafe: Casting Off' (31 March)

Summer Freeman has embarked on a new life afloat. She’s taking the Canal Boat CafĂ© on a scenic journey and is meeting old friends and new. Among the new is Claire from the bohemian boating community who is keen to take Summer under her wing. Mason, the handsome photographer from Willowbeck, seems intent on tracking her down, but Summer has discovered that Mason isn’t all that he seems to be.

Summer starts to feel a real sense of freedom amongst wandering river folk, but she soon finds herself missing Willowbeck… And Mason, whose articles she has been reading online. Will Summer embrace the nomadic lifestyle or will she find herself drawn back to Willowbeck, the place she loves best and where Mason is waiting?


 

28 February 2016

March 2016 Releases! (Part 1)

Spring is in the air! Well... It isn't really, but I definitely can't WAIT for Spring to be in the air again, and I'm sure that's going to happen in March! I can't believe the first two months in 2016 have passed already; time has really flown by, or is it just me? So far, 2016 has been a great year for me bookwise, because I've had the chance to read some pretty amazing titles up until now. However, trying to get my TBR-pile to shrink a bit is becoming more difficult with each month that passes, since more new and exciting releases are being thrown our way. This is definitely also the case for March, so be sure to check out the new releases mentioned below and check back tomorrow for even more exciting book news! 

Which releases are you excited about? I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like me to include your book release in this list, feel free to contact me via e-mail or Twitter! :)
 
Deborah Blumenthal - 'Someone Else's Love Letter' (1 March)

Fixing your wardrobe is a dream job. Fixing your life is a work of art.


Sage Parker has the perfect occupation for a Manhattanite―she helps the rich and powerful keep their wardrobes current and suitable for every need. Her sense of fashion is impeccable, her connections are unsurpassed, and her eye misses not a single well-made stitch.


So when she discovers a love note left in the back of a cab, Sage admires the card stock and the ink, but also the heartfelt words. She sets out on a mission to find out who the love note was intended for―and who wrote it.


What Sage discovers will broaden her horizons and change her life, introducing her to an extraordinary woman who is revamping her entire world midway through life, a dashing Brit with a hive of secrets, and a free-spirited painter, whose brush captures the light in everything he paints, including Sage.


Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 



Juliet Ashton - 'These Days of Ours' (1 March)

Kate and Becca are cousins and best friends. They have grown up together and shared all the most important milestones in their lives: childhood birthday parties, eighteenth birthdays, and now a wedding day as they each marry their childhood sweethearts, Charlie and Julian. 

Kate has always loved Charlie - they were meant to be. Then she discovers that life never turns out quite how you expect it to. And love doesn't always follow the journey it should. 

But best friends are forever, and true love will find a way, won't it…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 



Celia Imrie - 'Nice Work (If You Can Get It)' (1 March)

Somewhere on the French Riviera, tucked between glitzy Monte Carlo and Cannes' red carpets, lies the pretty town of Bellevue-Sur-Mer. Sheltered from the glittering melee, it is home to many an expat - including an enterprising team who plan to open a new restaurant.

Snapping up a local property and throwing themselves into preparations, Theresa, Carol, William and Benjamin's plans are proceeding unnervingly well. But when Theresa encounters a mysterious intruder, she begins to wonder what secrets the building is concealing.

Meanwhile Sally, an actress who gave up the stage to live in quiet anonymity, has decided not to be involved. The famous Cannes Film Festival is on and she is far too busy entertaining unexpected visitors from her past, and an intriguingly handsome Russian.

As the razzmatazz of the festival begins to spill over into Bellevue-Sur-Mer, its inhabitants become entangled in complex love triangles and conflicting business interests. With the race on to get the restaurant open in time, the gang find themselves knee-deep in skulduggery, and realise they can no longer tell who's nasty, and who's nice.

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 



Jessica Redland - 'Getting Over Gary' (3 March)

It was supposed to be the perfect fairy-tale. Elise married her childhood sweetheart, Gary, straight out of college, and they’ve been happy together for over twelve years. Elise is now desperate to start a family, but Gary doesn’t seem to share her enthusiasm anymore. Arriving home early from a party, she discovers why: Gary’s been keeping a secret from her. A very big secret.

While her own marriage appears to be falling apart, being a supportive bridesmaid for her best friend, Sarah, isn’t easy. Especially not when Clare, her nemesis from day one, is one of the other bridesmaids. If she’s going to get through it, she needs to put her own feelings aside, find herself again, and get over Gary. Fast.

Could recently-divorced Daniel be the tonic Elise needs, or is he full of secrets and lies too? Is his hostile, but strangely attractive brother, Michael, the genuine article instead? And why do the good guys like Stevie turn her down?

But then Elise discovers she has a secret of her own and getting over Gary suddenly becomes the least of her worries…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 



Anna Bell - 'The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart' (10 March)

Abi's barely left her bed since Joseph, the love of her life, dumped her, saying they were incompatible. When Joseph leaves a box of her possessions on her doorstep, she finds a bucket list of ten things she never knew he wanted to do. What better way to win him back than by completing the list, and proving they're a perfect match? But there's just one problem - or rather, ten. 

Abi's not exactly the outdoorsy type, and she's absolutely terrified of heights - not ideal for a list that includes climbing a mountain, cycling around the Isle of Wight and, last but not least, abseiling down the tallest building in town ... 

Completing the list is going to need all Abi's courage - and a lot of help from her friends. But as she heals her broken heart one task at a time, the newly confident Abi might just have a surprise in store...

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 



Fiona Walker - 'The Weekends of You and Me' (10 March)

When Jo Coulson finds herself single again in her late thirties, she finally resigns her membership to Last of the Hopeless Romantics, fully intending to tackle midlife and motherhood alone. First, she plans one legendary last fling...

In walks Harry Inchbold, and the connection is electric. Passionate, unpredictable and messily divorced, Harry is the perfect antidote to cosy coupledom. Known as The Sinner, drama follows him around with a clapper board.

Harry's favourite holiday hideaway in the wilds of South Shropshire puts the mud and fun into the perfect dirty weekend. But at the cottage Harry reveals a very different side, melting Jo's resolve. What better combination to face an uncertain future than two cynics who have learned from their mistakes?Together they make a pact; 'same time next year'; they can promise no more than that.

Through life's most stressful decade, Harry and Jo return to the Shropshire hills for one weekend each year to rediscover passion and make peace. As career, family and home crises all threaten to bring them unstuck, the cottage is their glue. Here, different rules apply: the day to day world is not allowed to intrude.With Harry and Jo, however, it's only a matter of time before rules get broken. As real life gets increasingly complicated, can they keep renewing their promise?

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 



Catherine Miller - 'Waiting for You' (10 March)

All Fliss wants is to see two blue lines telling her she is pregnant with her much longed for second baby. But as the negative tests stack up, dreams of completing her perfect family feel more hopeless every day.

After years of disappointment, Fliss’s husband Ben is spending more time at the office than in their marital bed, and Fliss finds herself wondering who could be responsible for their inability to conceive another child. Yet, where do you lay the blame when it comes to having a child – and can anyone really be at fault...

As Ben becomes increasingly distant, Fliss begins to question whether her desire for a baby is just a sticking plaster to save her marriage. Because in the end, how well can you ever know another person…even the man you’re married to?

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 



Erica James - 'Song of the Skylark' (10 March)

Lizzie has always had an unfortunate knack of attracting bad luck, but this time she's hit the jackpot. Losing her heart to her boss leads to her losing her job, and with no money in the bank, Lizzie finds herself forced to move back home with her parents. When she reluctantly takes another job, she meets Mrs Dallimore, a seemingly ordinary elderly woman with an astonishing past...

Now in her nineties, Mrs Dallimore is also coming to terms with her situation. Old age is finally catching up with her. As she and Lizzie form the bond of unexpected friendship, Mrs Dallimore tells the story of a young girl who left America before the outbreak of World War Two and, in crossing an ocean, found herself embarking on a new life she couldn't have imagined.

As Lizzie listens to Mrs Dallimore, she begins to realise that she's not the only person to attract bad luck, and that sometimes life has a way of surprising you....

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads





 


Christina Hopkinson - 'The Weekend Wives' (10 March)

Weekend wife n. 1 a wife whose husband works away and only comes home at the weekends. 2 a wife who misses her husband when he's gone, but wants him gone when he's at home.

Emily's vision of country life was building dens with the children, walking a glossy hound and cosy nights in by the fire. But her kids are more interested in their smartphones, the family dog has 'issues' and she's permanently freezing. And when husband Matt is home, he still seems worryingly distant.

Sasha and her husband Ned used to have a great connection, but nowadays the only connection between them is via Skype. And when a woman from Ned's past comes with news that threatens the perfect life she's built for her children, Sasha feels further from her husband than ever before.

Tamsin's husband might be away during the week, but he's never truly gone. He seems to know her every move, which is fine, sort of - until her first love reappears in the most mysterious of ways...

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Sarah Morgan - 'Sleepless in Manhattan' (10 March)

What if the person who broke your heart, is the only one who can help you find your future?

Great friends. Amazing Apartment. An incredible job. Paige has ticked off every box on perfect New York life checklist. Until disaster strikes and instead of shimming further up the career ladder, Paige is packing up her desk.

Her brother’s best friend Jake might be the only person who can help her put her life back together. He also happens to be the boy she spent her teen years pining after, and Paige is determined not repeat her past mistakes. But the more time she spends with Jake, the more Paige realises the one thing that was missing from her world all along. The perfect New York love story…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more upcoming March 2016 releases!

26 February 2016

Review: 'How to Get Hitched in Ten Days' by Samantha Tonge (2016)

Meet Mikey, every girl’s best friend – he bakes the creamiest cheesecake, loves movie nights and is a great dance partner.

For Jasmine, Mikey is the perfect flatmate – he owns a 50s diner that turns out the best food around, gives the best bear hugs and amazing romance advice – after all they’re scoping out the same hot guys! So when her boyfriend proposes in the worst possible way, Jazz knows her best friend will be there to pick up the pieces with gourmet popcorn, Pinot sleepovers and a shoulder to lean on.

But Mikey isn’t about to let Jasmine give up on love, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to mend her broken heart – even if it means helping the one person who sees him as the enemy…

Because at the end of the day, all’s fair in the pursuit of true love… right?

If there’s a chick lit/rom com author who I continue to come across on Twitter, other book blogs, Goodreads and Amazon but whose books I somehow haven’t read yet, it’s Samantha Tonge. I’ve seen the lovely covers and read the descriptions for some of her novels like ‘Doubting Abbey’, ‘From Paris with Love’ and ‘Game of Scones’, and I have a good feeling I would really enjoy her work. So, when Carina UK approved my Netgalley request to review her latest release, ‘How to Get Hitched in Ten Days’, which was released on February 11th, I was really excited. Finally the chance to be introduced to Samantha’s work and discover her stories myself!

Mikey and Jasmine are flatmates and the best of friends. Mikey serves the most delicious comfort food at his own 50s-style American diner and is always there to help Jasmine when she needs a shoulder to cry on or advice on her love life. So, when her long-term boyfriend Dave drunkenly asks Jasmine to marry him after a few drinks too many, Jasmine definitely needs Mikey’s listening ear. While Jasmine is confused and needs to think about her future with Dave, Mikey decides to help Dave win Jasmine’s heart back, even though Dave doesn’t appear to be his biggest fan…

I was a bit surprised when I discovered ‘How to Get Hitched in Ten Days’ is actually a novella instead of a full-length novel, but this definitely didn’t ruin the reading experience. I’m really glad I finally managed to check out one of Samantha Tonge’s works, because she has an entertaining writing style that suits the chick lit/romantic comedy genre really well. The story is told from the perspectives of leading characters Mikey and Jasmine, who are the best of friends. It was incredibly easy to warm to Mikey, I honestly thought he was a great character and would love to read more about him. His friendship with Jasmine is a great one, even though I have to admit I didn’t particularly like Jasmine. Perhaps it also has to do with the fact that this is a novella and there’s not a lot of space to really get to know characters in-depth, but I just didn’t really connect with Jasmine on any level, unfortunately.

I don’t want to give too much away about the story, but I really enjoyed the plotline of the book and think it would have definitely made a great full-length novel as well, especially with the room to expand more on the characters and their backgrounds. However, this has definitely provided me with the chance to be introduced to Samantha Tonge’s work and I already can’t wait to read one of her other books. So, overall, ‘How to Get Hitched in Ten Days’ is a light-hearted, cute, quick read with a good dose of romance; a great novella to pick up when you’re looking for a fast-paced and quick read!        
Rating:8/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

25 February 2016

The Friends Book Tag!

One of my favourite TV shows ever has to be 'Friends.' I've seen all episodes multiple times and it's one of those shows I don't think I will ever get bored with. So, when I stumbled upon this Friends Book Tag over at The Girl Who Read Too Much, I immediately knew I wanted to take part in this as well!
The One where Eddie Won’t Go – a character I wish would just go away
Oh, this already starts off with a difficult one *thinks* I remember being incredibly annoyed by Daisy Buchanan when I had to read 'The Great Gatsby' back in secondary school. Oh, and I can't forget Professor Umbridge from 'Harry Potter'... Wow, I really wanted to punch her in the face.
The One where Ross and Rachel Take a Break – favourite break up scene
I'm not really sure if I have a favourite break up scene. However, I remember the break up between Bella and Edward from the 'Twilight' series; Edward leaves Bella behind in 'New Moon' and the emotions were really gripping and real. Definitely a break up that made an impression, even though I don't know whether it's really my favourite.

The One with all the Kissing – a book with lots of kissing
Nicholas Sparks' books have the best kisses, if you ask me, and I can never get enough of them <3

The Last One – favourite series finale
Has to be Harry Potter, even though it's also a horrible and heart-breaking and almost too emotional finale at the same time.

The One with a Blackout – a scene I’d like to forget
There are quite a few books I've read which I'd just like to forget about as a whole, but specific scenes... Definitely some scenes from the '50 Shades of Grey' trilogy; not necessarily because of the subject matter, but also because of the horrible writing.
The One where Chandler can’t Cry – a book that did not make you as emotional as others
A book I read recently, 'Time to Say Goodbye' by S.D. Robertson. It was promoted as a book that would undoubtedly make everyone cry, so I was prepared, but didn't shed a tear while reading.

The One where Joey doesn’t Share Food – a book you won’t ever lend
Some of the Jane Austen collection books I've bought and received over the years.


The One with the Thumb – a recent read that you would give two thumbs up to
I actually just finished 'Blogger Girl' by Meredith Schorr and I loved it from start to finish; a brilliant read.

The One with the Ick Factor – a book with a pet peeve
The reference to Ana's inner goddess in '50 Shades of Grey' made me want to pull my hair out at a certain point.
The One with the Lesbian Wedding – favorite LGBTQ book couple
I can't seem to think of my favourite LGBTQ book couple right now, simply because I haven't read that many books with a specific focus on a LGBTQ couple. So, if anyone has any recommendations, definitely let me know!

If you feel like taking part in this book tag as well, be sure to leave a link to your blog post in the comments section below! :)

24 February 2016

Review: 'Love at First Flight' by Tess Woods (2015)

Looking back on it now, I can see it was instant. The second we locked eyes. Boom. Just like that. The me I had spent a lifetime perfecting began its disintegration from that moment. And despite the carnage it brought to all our lives, I still don't regret it. 

What would you risk to be with the love of your life? And what if your soul mate is the one who will destroy you? 

Mel is living the dream. She's a successful GP, married to a charming anaesthetist and raising a beautiful family in their plush home in Perth. But when she boards a flight to Melbourne, she meets Matt and her picture perfect Stepford life unravels as she falls in love for the first time ever.

What begins as a flirty conversation between strangers quickly develops into a hot and obsessive affair with disastrous consequences neither Mel nor Matt could have ever seen coming. Mel's dream life turns into her worst nightmare.

I’ve got another review of a book that has been a part of my TBR-list for way too long to share with all of you today. It’s a book I was really curious to check out soon after its release in April 2015, especially after several thoroughly enjoyable releases by publisher HarperCollins Australia, but somehow I just didn’t get to it last year. It was, however, definitely a read that stayed on my radar and at the start of this year I promised myself I would have read and reviewed the book before the end of February. And here we are, it’s almost the end of February and finally I have my review of ‘Love at First Flight’ ready, while regretting it took me so long to finally be introduced to Tess Woods’ writing!
 
Mel has the perfect life; at least, that’s what it looks like to the outside world. She loves her job as a GP, she’s been married to handsome anaesthetist Adam for several years, and together they have two great children and a lovely home in the city of Perth. However, Mel can’t help but miss something; something she unexpectedly finds in the form of twenty-something Matt, whom she meets on a flight to Melbourne for a weekend away. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable and Mel can’t stop thinking about Matt. Before she knows it, she finds herself in the middle of a steamy affair, keeping secrets from her family and friends. But is this new romance she has found really worth giving up her whole life for?

I always have a bit of difficulty with novels about adultery, simply because it is something I personally feel quite strong about. However, sometimes authors just really manage to deal with the topic in an engrossing way, capturing the involved emotions perfectly, and that is definitely the case with Tess Wood’s ‘Love at First Flight.’ I have no idea why it took me so long to finally pick up one of Tess Woods’ novels because she really is a wonderful author whose writing style I really enjoyed. The emotions in this book really grabbed me; the lust, the pain, the desperation, the happiness. It’s a really well-written story with convincing characters and an intriguing storyline.

The story is told from the perspectives of the two main characters, Mel and Matt, providing the reader with an inside look into both of their worlds. I was even quite surprised by some of the things that happened, not being able from the start to predict what was going to happen to the characters. If you’re a women’s fiction fan, definitely pick up this novel; it’s worth the read. I personally already can’t wait to read more of Tess Woods’ work, because this novel has definitely made quite the impression. Overall, ‘Love at First Flight’ is a powerful, well-written and provoking novel filled with all kinds of emotions; a story well-told and worth picking up.
Rating:9/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.