October 2016 Releases! (Part 1)

October is almost here, which means Autumn has arrived...! I have to be honest and admit I'm quite happy that Summer is over. I'm not a fan of warm weather and already look forward to snuggling up inside with a good book and a cup of tea. October also slowly means the start of the holiday season and based on the number of Christmas-themed books that will be released, we are going into things full force! I had quite a difficult time picking my October releases selection because there are so many great books coming out the next couple of weeks... Definitely enough reading to keep all of us occupied!  
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! :)

'A New York Love Story' - Cassie Rocca (1 October)
Giving a present is not always easy. Clover O’Brian knows that only too well: her job consists of helping people in the arduous task of choosing unusual gifts. Christmas is coming, New York is buzzing, and Clover, who has always loved the festive period, savours the atmosphere.
Cade Harrison already has everything in life. A Hollywood actor, he is handsome, rich, famous and popular. Success, however, has its downsides; having just emerged from a disastrous relationship with an actress, he feels a need to hide away in an area unfrequented by stars, in an apartment lent him by a friend, far from prying eyes – especially those of tabloid reporters. But as chance will have it, the apartment in question is right opposite the one occupied by Clover, who until now has seen Hollywood actors only on the big screen. Two quite different lives meet by chance, at the most exhilarating time of year... Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads  

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'Marry Me Tomorrow' - Carla Burgess (3 October) 

Emily needs a husband…fast. It’s just a few days until Christmas and to finally put a stop to her nagging mother’s matchmaking plans, Emily has convinced her that she’s already married!

And when her excited mum announces that she’s coming to stay, Emily can think of only one man to play the part: gorgeous ex-soldier, Sam. It’s the best part of her day, handing him a coffee every morning – but then, Emily never expected to offer him her hand in marriage, too…

All that’s left is for Sam to say ‘I do’ – it’s the perfect plan! So why then, do her ‘pretend’ feelings for Sam seem far too real?

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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'The Christmas Promise' - Sue Moorcroft (6 October)

For Ava Bliss, it’s going to be a Christmas to remember …

On a snowy December evening, Sam Jermyn steps into the life of bespoke hat maker Ava. Sparks fly, and not necessarily the good ones.

Times are tough for Ava – she’s struggling to make ends meet, her ex-boyfriend is a bully, and worst of all, it’s nearly Christmas.

So when Sam commissions Ava to make a hat for someone special, she makes a promise that will change her life. She just doesn’t know it yet…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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'All She Ever Wished For' - Claudia Carroll (6 October) 

Marriage. It’s a dream come true. Isn’t it?

One wet winter night, two women meet on a bridge. One is Tess Taylor, a personal trainer on the way to meet her boyfriend for date night. The other is Kate King, a celebrity married to a handsome billionaire who just happens to make her cry. In the cold dark evening, there is nothing to link them together but the bridge they shiver on. Little do they know they’ll both hold the key to each other’s future marriage…

All She Ever Wished For tells the story of what happens when your dream is about to come true. And what happens when that dream turns into a bit of a nightmare…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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'We Were On a Break' - Lindsey Kelk (6 October)

Is it a break? Or is it a blip?

‘You’ve just had a holiday,’ I pointed out, trying not to yawn. ‘Wasn’t that enough of a break?’

‘I don’t mean that kind of break.’
There’s nothing worse than the last day of holiday. Oh wait, there is. When what should have been a proposal turns into a break, Liv and Adam find themselves on opposite sides of the life they had mapped out.
Friends and family all think they’re crazy; Liv throws herself into work – animals are so much simpler than humans – and Adam tries to get himself out of the hole he’s dug.
But as the short break becomes a chasm, can they find a way back to each other? Most importantly, do they want to? Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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'The Singalong Society of Singletons' - Katey Lovell (7 October)

Monique and Issy are teachers, housemates and lovers of musicals! Their Friday night routine consists of snacks, wine and the Frozen DVD. So when Monique’s boyfriend moves to America for a year and her sister Hope moves in because of her own relationship woes, Friday nights get a new name… ‘The Singalong Society for Singletons’!

It’s a chance to get together, sing along to their favourite tracks from the best-loved West End shows, and forget the worries of work, relationships and love (or lack of it). But when Issy shares the details of their little group further afield, they get some unexpected new members who might just change their opinions on singledom for good….

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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'One Christmas in Paris' - Mandy Baggot (7 October)

Ava and her best friend Debs arrive in Paris just as the snow starts to fall. The Eiffel Tower glitters gold and the scent of spiced wine is all around, but all Ava can think about is Leo, her no-good, cheating ex. 

Debs is on a mission to make Ava smile again, and as they tour the Christmas markets, watch lamplight glittering on the river Seine, and eat their body weight in pain-au-chocolat, Ava remembers there’s more to life than men ... Until they cross paths with handsome, mysterious photographer Julien with his French accent and hazelnut eyes that seem to see right inside her. 

Ava can’t ignore the intense chemistry between them, but her fingers have been burned before and she can’t forget it, especially when her ex, Leo, starts texting again. Can Ava really trust Julien – and what exactly is his secret? 

Will Ava go home with a broken heart, or will she find true love amongst the cobbled streets of Paris? 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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'A Winter's Wish' - Alice Ross (10 October)

Amelia is at breaking point. She’s just lost her job and Doug, the love of her life, still hasn’t broken up with his girlfriend. Surely a trip to the quiet countryside is just what she needs?

Phil is about to leave beautiful Buttersley for the other side of the world! The sunny shores of Australia will mean a new life with his girlfriend, but something is holding him back…

Ella has never felt this way before – Jake O’Donnell is the most gorgeous man she’s ever seen. And the more time she spends babysitting his kids, the more her feelings grow!

Stan should be happy. He loves his wife and their adorable baby girl more than anything! So why, when everything’s finally going right, are they arguing more than ever?

One thing’s for sure, even when Buttersley’s first snowflakes begin to fall, it’s never too cold for love to blossom…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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'Love is a Four-Legged Word' - Michele Gorman (13 October)

Best friends Scarlett and Shannon spend their days tangled up in dog leads and covered in fur, running their dog business together. Scarlett’s intensive training course, Ruff Love, fixes owners as much as their pets, while Shannon spends her days walking spoiled pooches. 

They share more than their business though: they also share Scarlett's husband, Rufus, who's been Shannon's best friend since childhood. It's a cosy setup. Unless one of them has a secret... 

When Scarlett and Rufus's baby plans are decimated by a surprise turn of events, their marriage hits the rocks and they both turn to Shannon. All three relationships are pushed to breaking point, but when loyalties become divided, how do you decide who's most important? 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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'The Cosy Christmas Teashop' - Caroline Roberts (14 October)

After a rocky start, Ellie Hall baked her way into everyone’s hearts at Claverham Castle – even the miserly Lord Henry was won over – and the run-down teashop regained its old sparkle.

Now Ellie has upgraded cupcakes for fairytale masterpieces as the proud caterer for an ever-growing list of weddings at the castle. The teashop team love baking to the tune of happy ever afters, but can they pull together when a certain bridezilla pushes them all to boiling point?

Christmas is just around the corner, and a last minute booking threatens to snow the team under. Ellie and her hunky hubby Joe have their own Christmas dreams to chase, but they’re determined to pull through and give this special couple the winter wonderland wedding they deserve.

Will Christmas at the Cosy Teashop be a showstopper to remember?

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

Check back tomorrow for more exciting October 2016 releases!

BookShots: my first experience and review!

Can a little black dress change everything in her life?
Magazine editor Jane Avery spends her nights alone with Netflix and Oreos – until the Dress turns her loose. Suddenly she's surrendering to dark desires, and New York City has become her erotic playground. But what began as a fantasy will go too far... and her next conquest could be her last.
I've got something quite great to share with all of you today, if I may say so myself! Recently I was contacted by a publisher and introduced to 'BookShots', a new way of reading developed by world-famous author James Patterson. I hadn't heard of BookShots before, but they're basically small and light books you can finish in one sitting that will keep you on the edge of your seat; short, fast-paced, high-impact entertainment (click here to read some more about it). I received 'Little Black Dress', which was first released in July, as an example to try out and I have to say I straight away warmed to the idea of BookShots!
'Little Black Dress' is a quick read by authors James Patterson and Emily Raymond that focuses on magazine editor Jane Avery. Jane is the type who enjoys staying at home, watching Netflix with a good choice of snacks, instead of going out to look for some excitement. However, after she buys a beautiful black dress, something inside of her wants to try something different for a change. One thing leads to another and before Jane knows it she's living out her darkest desires. The question is, will she be able to continue like this or will things simply get too dark...?
This was my first James Patterson read, so I don't really feel as if I am in a position where I can really say something specific about his writing, especially considering this is a quick read and one written together with another author, namely Emily Raymond. I can say I was immediately grabbed by the story and really understood what the idea is behind these BookShots; I finished the book in one sitting and was amazed by how much happened in only a limited number of pages and how I was really absorbed by the story, even though this is not usually the type of read I would pick up.
As an avid reader who travels a lot I really love the concept of BookShots; it's so easy to take one with you and to finish it in one or two sittings. I'm really curious to read some more of these, and also to try different genres and see whether that will also work in this format. 'Little Black Dress' is a dark and thrilling read without a boring moment that I surprisingly quite enjoyed, but I am most excited about this new book format and can definitely recommend it to other readers!

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.

Review: 'The Little Village Bakery' by Tilly Tennant (2016)

Meet Millie. Heartbreak has forced her to make a new start and when she arrives at the old bakery in the little village of Honeybourne she is determined that this will be her home sweet home. Her imagination has been captured by the tumbledown bakery but with no running water and dust everywhere, her cosy idea of making cakes in a rural idyll quickly crumbles.
Luckily the locals are a friendly bunch and step in to help Millie. One in particular, Dylan, a laid-back lothario, soon captures her attention.
But just as Millie is beginning to settle in, an unexpected visitor from her past suddenly turns up determined to ruin everything for her. It’s time for Millie to face the skeletons in her closet if she’s going to live the dream of running her little village bakery, and her blossoming romance with Dylan.
Promise me a story about a small cosy village, a bakery, and give me a pretty colourful book cover to look at, and I'm your girl. I know we've seen a lot of chick lit novels the past couple of years that focus on characters starting or working at their own bakery/cake shop, but it's a trend I can't get enough of just yet. So when Tilly Tennant's 'The Little Village Bakery' popped up on my NetGalley page, I immediately got excited and looked forward to giving it a try. I was actually already familiar with Tilly Tennant's writing since I've read 'Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn" and, most recently, 'The Accidental Guest', which I both really enjoyed, so when I needed a pick-me-up read a few weeks ago I knew this one would most likely do the trick!
Millie wants nothing more than to leave her current life behind and start over somewhere new, and Honeybourne seems to be the perfect place. After purchasing an old bakery that's in desperate need of renovation Millie is focused on this new project of hers and leave her old life behind. The locals are friendly and welcoming and ready to give Millie a hand. Especially local playboy Dylan and his sister Jasmine immediately warm to the new girl in town, but Millie seems a bit reserved and not yet ready to share her story. Until a familiar face from her past shows up in town, ready to disrupt Millie's new life, no matter what it takes...
I love it when the story inside a book matches its lovely front cover on the outside, and that certainly the case with Tilly Tennant's 'The Little Village Bakery.' I already expected this to be an enjoyable chick lit read, but I have to admit I enjoyed it even more than I anticipated. Tilly Tennant's writing fits this genre incredibly well, if you ask me. A good division between description and dialogue, chapters that are well-paced and of a good length, and just the kind of writing that made me feel as if I was flying through it while I was reading. The plotline (female protagonist wants to leave past behind, moves to small village where she starts her own bakery) isn't the most original one, but the author gave it her own twist and I have to say I'm one of those readers who will probably never tire of this particular plotline, haha!
The book has a great character at its core in the form of Millie; I liked her but was also intrigued by her and wanted to know what had happened to her in the past, so that definitely kept me reading. As can be expected in a lovely town like Honeybourne there are a number of fascinating and entertaining locals; I personally warmed most to Jasmine and Ruth, but I think there's something for everyone in there. I have to agree with some other reviewers that I was surprised that the bakery didn't really play such an important role in the novel; I missed all the cake and overall yummy-ness, but it doesn't change the fact that this is a great read. 'The Little Village Bakery' ticks all the required boxes for a warm-hearted and simply great chick lit read and since it is only the first part of a new book series by author Tilly Tennant, I am already incredibly excited about what is still to come...!

Rating:9,5/10

  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.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Fall TBR List

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. I love making lists, so this feature fits me perfectly! If you also take part in this feature or have any additions to my lists, please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you!  

  Books On My Fall TBR List
I can't believe it's already almost the end of September! I have to admit I'm really ready for Summer to leave and for us to have some colder days, earlier evenings, and some time to sit on the couch with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate... Of course that picture is only perfect with a good book in it as well, and luckily the upcoming few months have some great releases in store for us which I can't wait to check out!
Be sure to share your own TTT's in the comments section below; I'd love to hear from you! 

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1. 'We Were on a Break' - Lindsey Kelk

I love Lindsey Kelk and I can't wait to read her newest release, even if it's just for the title...!

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2. 'The Boy Is Back' - Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot used to be one of my favourite authors and it has been ages since I've read one of her novels. This promises to be a great read and I am determined to pick it up as soon as I can!

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3. 'Searching for a Silver Lining' - Miranda Dickinson

Another one of my favourite authors... I love the sound of this book and just know I'll end up enjoying it.

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4. 'Mistletoe on 34th Street' - Lisa Dickenson

If there's someone who knows how to tell a fantastic Christmas story, it's Lisa Dickenson. I get incredibly excited about any of her releases and it's no different with this one!

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5. 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' - Joanna Bolouri

I've read two of Joanna Bolouri's novels and they both made me crack up. I have a feeling this is going to be a brilliant read and I can't wait to check it out.

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6. 'The Singalong Society for Singletons' - Katey Lovell

I'm lucky enough to already have a review copy of this book waiting for me. I love the cover and the title, hopefully the inside will be just as great!

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7. 'A Night in With Grace Kelly' - Lucy Holliday

I haven't even read any of her novels yet, but I already love Lucy Holliday's books and covers. It's about time I finally actually sit down and read one...!

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8. 'The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop' - Caroline Roberts

With some books a pretty cover alone is already more than enough reason for me to want to pick it up and that's definitely the case with 'The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop.'

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9. 'Not Just for Christmas' - Alex Brown

I love Alex Brown, I love Christmas, I love the book cover... Ticks all the boxes for me!

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10. 'All She Ever Wished For' - Claudia Carroll

The last Claudia Carroll novel I read was one of my absolute favourites of 2015 and I already can't wait to read this new release of hers.

Review:'Natalie's Getting Married' by Rosa Temple (2016)

Career minded, Natalie Spencer, had never been in love. She could never understand what all the fuss was about. But when she met Jackson Humphries during Fresher’s Week at university, that all changed. 
Utterly infatuated, Natalie quickly discovers the meaning of love and, before she knows it, she's heading up the aisle – for the first time, that is. 
This is a tale about four wedding dresses, a runaway groom and a girl who got so carried away, she couldn’t see true love staring her right in the face.
Book by book I am slowly but surely catching up on my to-review list and I have to admit it's a pretty good feeling to finally have the time to read and review all the books I initially promised to review. I absolutely hate having to go back on an agreement/promise, so I'm glad I made the time in my schedule to catch up on everything! Today I've got a review of a novel from an author I was introduced to not too long ago when I reviewed her novella 'Sleeping With Your Best Friend' (click here to read my review). Earlier this year Rosa Temple released her first full-length novel, 'Natalie's Getting Married' and she was so lovely to provide me with a review copy of that as well. I was curious to give it a go and hoped I would end up enjoying it!
Natalie Spencer never knew what love was until she met Jackson Humphries during her very first week at university. Even though she and Jackson haven't actually said a word to each other, she knows he is the one she wants to be with. Her best friend Gabriel tries to convince her to enjoy student life, but Natalie knows Jackson will be worth the wait. After two years they finally talk and can't deny the spark between them. Natalie couldn't be happier and when Jackson proposes, she's over the moon and ready to start their new life together. However, fate has other things in store for her, because Natalie's romantic journey has only just begin and we're not yet anywhere near the ending...
After having read Rosa Temple's novella 'Sleeping With Your Best Friend', I was quite curious to check out her first full-length novel 'Natalie's Getting Married.' I'm a big fan of fun romantic comedies and that's exactly what this novel is. The book focuses on student Natalie who is a bit of a romantic and really wants to find her very own Mr. Right. When she's at university she meets Jackson, the guy of her dreams, but as we join Natalie over the years (the book is divided into three parts, each one focusing on a different period of Natalie's life) it seems her own love story is just getting started at university and there is a lot more to come. Natalie was easy to like and even though the plotline of the novel isn't the most original one, it's entertaining and kept my attention throughout. 
While I have to say I definitely think Rosa Temple's writing has improved with this novel, I did feel the story was a bit rushed. The first few chapters were quite short with a lot of stuff happening, and we were hardly given any background information or description of the different characters, especially Natalie. I think this would have given the story more body and a less rushed feeling to it. However, some readers might enjoy the quick pace and not miss the scene descriptions, of course. Overall I think this is a fun rom com with an enjoyable plotline and a good group of characters, and a novel that has made me look forward to reading Rosa Temple's next work. 'Natalie's Getting Married' is a light-hearted, fast-paced and pleasant chick lit read, and a promising first novel by this author.

Rating:8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Bookish Book Lover Tag

It's Sunday; time for a bit of bookish fun in the form of a book tag! I found the following tag on A Writer's Heart and immediately loved the sound of it because I'm obviously a book lover as well. Check out my answers below and don't hesitate to join in with the fun; if you do, leave your link in the comments section so I can have a look at your answers as well!

1) What Book Are You Currently Reading? I'm currently reading 'Always a Cowboy' by Linda Lael Miller. A trustworthy and nice romance read, exactly what I needed. 2) What's The Last Book You Finished? Yesterday I finished the second instalment of Erin Lawless' latest chick lit series, 'The One with the Wedding Dress' and I loved it. Can't wait to read the third part!

3) Favorite Book You Read This Year? Oh, wow, that's a difficult one. I've been lucky enough to have read quite a few pretty amazing books. However, if I have to pick a few I'd go for:
'Eligible' - Curtis Sittenfeld 'The Lonely Hearts Travel Club' series - Katy Colins 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' - J.K. Rowling and others 'Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe' - Debbie Johnson

4) What Genre Have You Read Most This Year? Chick lit/romantic comedies. 5) What Genre Have You Read Least This Year? I enjoy a good thriller or mystery/detective novel every now and again but have hardly read any this year so far. 6) What Genre Do You Want To Read More Of? Well, I can never get enough of chick lit, to be honest. But I've read some pretty great historical novels lately and just really enjoy the genre, so definitely hope I can read more of those. 7) How Many Books Have You Read This Year, And What's Your Goal? I've currently read 131 of 165 novels for 2016.
8) What's The Last Book You Bought? I actually bought a bunch at the same time, but I know for sure that Giovanna Fletcher's 'Always with Love' was one of them.

9) What Book Are You Saving Up To Buy Next? Oh wow, my wish list is WAY too long, but I definitely plan on buying Meg Cabot's 'The Boy is Back' and 'Searching for a Silver Lining' by Miranda Dickinson as soon as they will be released in October. 10) How Many Books Did You Check Out Last Library Visit? I don't actually ever go to the library anymore... Already way too many books at home to get through! 11) What's A Book You Can't Wait To Read? I'm incredibly excited about reading Lindsey Kelk's 'We Were On a Break', which I'm sure will be another fantastic read by Lindsey.

12) What's A Series You'd Recommend to Everyone? There's only one series I recommend to absolutely everyone and that's the Harry Potter series. There are a lot of chick lit series I like to recommend, but only to people who actually enjoy chick lit/romance/women's fiction.
13) Who's An Author You're Hoping Writes More? Jane Austen. But I don't see that happening any time soon, haha. Sorry about that. Uhm, J.K. Rowling, of course, and I also wouldn't mind if Cathy Bramley and Debbie Johnson treated us to a new lovely novel every three months or so! 14) A Few Books Your Heart Adores?  Oh, my heart adores a lot of books <3

15) What Series's Coming Conclusion Makes You Sad? Hmmmm. The end of the Twilight series made me a bit sad, but mainly because I thought the last book was a bit disappointing. 16) What Books Are On Your Wish-List?

A lot of books! Check out my Goodreads page for an overview :)