Review: 'The Winter Wedding' by Abby Clements (2015)

Hazel never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Ollie's summer ceremony is a runaway success, with guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty venue, word about Hazel's expertise soon spreads. 

But Hazel's clients expect the very best - she's promised lawyers Gemma and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws and wilful brides conspire against her, can Hazel get two very different couples to walk up two very different aisles to say 'I do'? And will she find her own happy ending if she does?

I love Abby Clements; it's as simple as that, really. Whenever a new book with her name on it is released I can't wait to get my hands on a copy, because I just know it will be a novel I will enjoy. Her writing is amazing (quick-paced but detailed, a lot of dialogue), her storylines always captivate me and it's just exactly what chick lit should be, in my opinion. So, when I got the chance to review Abby's latest work 'The Winter Wedding', which was released in November by Simon & Schuster, I couldn't say yes quickly enough! After having read 'The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop' this summer (click here to read my review), I couldn't wait to dive into this festive Christmas read and be swept away by it!

Hazel works at a TV production company and she knows a promotion must be coming her way soon, especially after all her hard work. Now her twin sister Lila has moved out of their London apartment, Hazel can definitely use the money. But when the promotion is unexpectedly given to someone else, Hazel realises she needs to find another way to pay the rent, next to finding a new roommate. When her sister Lila and her fiancee Ollie ask Hazel to plan their wedding, Hazel ends up enjoying it so much, she decides to become a wedding planner. But dealing with couples about to get married is not as easy as it seems, especially not when your own love life suddenly starts to take its own surprising course as well...

Another simply amazing read by Abby Clements and one that brings together so many topics I love: from sisterly bonds to friendship to baking to Christmas to weddings to romance... 'The Winter Wedding' is a fantastic read which I enjoyed from start to finish and can't recommend enough to any chick lit fans out there. I'm a big of Abby Clements' writing; it almost felt like I was flying through the pages. I loved the relatively short chapters and didn't at one point feel like putting the novel down. It held my attention throughout and I just wanted to finish it, seeing what would happen to the different characters and how the various storylines would eventually be brought to a close.

I really liked Hazel, the main character in the book. She was easy to like, just like all the great secondary characters, such as Hazel's twin sister Lila, her colleague Josh, and her new roommate Amber, who each had something to bring to the story. If I have to think of one thing I would change about this novel, I would add a bit more Christmas and festive cheer, but that's the only thing. I am sad I finished the book so quickly and would love to have a new Abby Clements novel waiting for me, so hopefully her next release will be upon us soon. Overall, 'The Christmas Wedding' is an uplifting, heartwarming, well-written chick lit read; perfect to curl up with on a cold winter day (or any other day of the year, really)!
Rating:10/10

  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 Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop' by Abby Clements (2015)

Anna and her husband Matteo are preparing to embark on a delicious Italian adventure. After a year and a half running their ice cream shop on Brighton beach and raising their baby Isabella, Matteo is starting to miss Italy. A shared passion for ices means it's easy to settle on a new business idea - they'll open a sorbet shop on the town's cobbled square, a short walk from the sparkling blue sea. For a while, life is sweet; but then Matteo's overbearing family get involved…
Anna's younger sister Imogen has settled in Brighton running Vivien's Ice Cream Shop with boyfriend Finn, and for the first time in her life, she's enjoying putting down some roots. But then, late in the summer, things start to change and her willpower is put to the test… ‎ After a few weeks of relaxing and a wonderful holiday in the USA, I’m really happy to let you all know ‘A Spoonful of Happy Endings’ is back from its hiatus! I can’t wait to update all of you on my latest reads and to see what has been happening within the lovely world of books. To celebrate being back online, I have a review of a great summer read to share with all of you today, namely Abby Clements’ ‘The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop’. This book was released on the 2nd of July by Simon & Schuster and I was so excited when I found a review copy of the book in my mailbox. I love Abby Clements’ writing style and this book promised to be the perfect summer read with its lovely cover and plot line focusing on an ice cream shop, yum! Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to pick up this read to get into the summer mood right at the start of my holiday!
Sisters Anna and Imogen both live in Brighton, England, and have a lot of fun running their late grandmother Vivien’s ice cream shop right at Brighton beach. However, Anna is getting more busy taking care of her new daughter Isabella and her husband Matteo is starting to miss his home country Italy more and more. Together they decide to relocate to Sorrento, Italy for a few months, starting their very own ice cream shop. The idea sounds like a brilliant one, but then Anna realises Matteo’s family might be getting a bit too close for comfort... At the same time, Imogen is dealing with her own issues in the form of her relationship with her boyfriend Finn (is she really ready to put down some roots with someone else?) and making her dream of becoming a professional photographer reality. This summer has a lot of changes in store for both Anna and Imogen, and how will the sisters get through it all when they’re both in different countries...? 
'The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop' is the sequel to Abby Clements' lovely novel 'Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop' which was released in 2013. I loved the first part of the series and couldn't wait to read more about the characters and their lives (and all the amazing ice cream flavours!). The novel includes several storylines, focusing on both Anna and Imogen. It's easy to like both sisters and their stories were really different but just as enjoyable. The chapters focus on each sister in turn, which made me want to keep on turning the pages in order to find out what would happen to them both. While both Imogen and Anna are interesting individual characters, I also loved the sisterly bond and friendship between them.
Abby Clements' writing is incredibly easy to get into and well-paced; really suitable for a summer chick lit read like this one. The setting is also great with part of the novel set in Brighton and the other part in Italy. I loved the idea of these great ice cream parlours with delicious ice cream tastes, and I definitely craved some of it while I was reading the book! While this novel is a sequel, the author provides the reader with plenty of background information so it's also possible to pick this up as a stand-alone. And though sometimes sequels can disappoint, that is definitely not the case with this one; I loved it just as much as the first part. Overall, 'The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop' is a heart-warming, delicious, escapist read about family, love and ice cream. A fabulous read and one of my personal favourite summer 2015 novels!

Rating:10/10

  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.

Upcoming Release: 'The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop' by Abby Clements!

Anna and her husband Matteo are ready to embark a delicious Italian adventure. After a year and a half running their ice cream shop on Brighton beach and raising their baby Isabella, Matteo is starting to miss Italy. A shared passion for ices means it's easy to settle on a new business idea - they'll open a shop in the town's cobbled square, a short walk from the sparkling blue sea. For a while, life is sweet; but then Matteo's overbearing family get involved …

Anna's younger sister Imogen feels like things are finally coming together - she's living with boyfriend Finn in a beach house in Brighton, and her photography is taking off. Then her career stalls, and the lure of Capri - and a man from her past - prove difficult to resist. 

Join Anna and Imogen and share a summer on the Amalfi Coast that you'll never forget.

In 2013 author Abby Clements treated us to her lovely novel 'Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop' and I'm incredibly excited a sequel will be released on the 2nd of July! 'The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop' sounds like a great read, perfect to take with you on holiday this summer. I can't wait to revisit the characters in this new novel, but have also heard from others it's definitely suitable to read as a stand-alone as well. So, if you're still looking for a sunny read to pick up, don't hesitate and add this one to your TBR-list!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

November 2014 releases! (1/2)

If you are a big Christmas and/or winter fan, just like me, many of the upcoming November 2014 book releases will certainly have you jumping up and down with joy! The upcoming month seems to include releases by some of the most amazing authors within the world of chick lit and I can't wait to get my hands on each of these exciting new stories. November is the month in which the days really start to get colder and shops are seriously getting into the Christmas atmosphere, and I am already looking forward to spending frosty evenings inside with a comfy blanket on the couch, some cinnamon-scented candles, a big cup of tea/hot chocolate and one of these promising novels!  

Which releases are you looking forward to the most? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment to this post! :)

Swati Sharma -Fashionably Yours' (1st November)

Maya Kapoor arrived in Mumbai with a glamorous dream, quite literally. Maya wants to be a serious fashion writer for the high-end fashion magazine, Glamorous but luck is not in her favour. Instead, she lands a job with a local fashion magazine, Style. Maya hates everything about it but for now this is all she has. Despite all the odds, Maya is excited about living an independent, fashionable life in the city of dreams.

At twenty-five, love has eluded Maya. But when she bumps into the dashing photographer, Aryan Malik, she falls head over heels for his gorgeous smile and charming manner.

But Maya seems to be stuck in a rut - her credit card bills are sky-high, her melodramatic mother can't stop ranting, the boss is unbearably cruel, her younger sister has decided to tie the knot, and she's not sure if Aryan could love a simple, confused girl like her.

Will Maya get the fairytale life she dreamed about or will she let everything slip through her fingers? Read her diary and find out.

Why so excited? --> Swati Sharma is one of the reviewers over at Chick Lit Club, just like me, and I'm really excited her debut novel will be released on the 1st of November! The book tells the story of Maya who is starting a new life in Mumbai. I really like the cover of the book and have a feeling it will be a really enjoyable read!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Jodi Picoult – 'Leaving Time' (4th November)

Jenna Metcalf was with her mother the night she disappeared in tragic and mysterious circumstances, but she remembers nothing.

Over ten years have passed, and still Jenna reads and rereads her mother's journals, hoping to find some clue hidden there, in the meticulous recording of her scientific research with elephants.

Desperate for answers, Jenna uses all her savings to recruit the aid of a private detective - and a psychic.

Jenna knows her mother loved her. She knows she would not leave her. And she will not rest until she finds out what happened that night.

Why so excited? --> Lots of people who enjoy women's fiction consider Jodi Picoult one of the best authors on the block. I have to admit I haven't read many of her works, but I've already read some positive reviews for 'Leaving Time', which will be released on the 4th of November in the UK, so I'm quite curious to check it out!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Abby Clements - 'Confetti at Christmas' (5th November)

Holly Madison never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Jack's summer ceremony is a runaway success, with high-profile guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty treehouse venue, word about Holly's expertise soon spread. 

A year on, Holly has a fast-growing business on her hands, and she is struggling to keep up. 

Boyfriend Marco worries that with so little experience she could be heading for a fall. After all, Holly's clients expect the very best - she's promised lawyers Mia and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws, and wilful brides conspire against her, will she be able to deliver?

Why so excited? --> Unfortunately, Abby Clements' upcoming release doesn't have a cover image yet, but the blurb has already convinced me that I need to read this as soon as it's available! I love Abby Clements' stories and 'Confetti at Christmas' sounds like such a lovely read. I love books about weddings and I honestly think this will be one of my favourite November releases!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Marian Keyes – 'The Woman Who Stole My Life' (6th November)

'Okay, I'll write my introduction. 'Name: Stella Sweeney. Height: average. Recent life events: dramatic.'

Stella Sweeney is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life with her husband Ryan and their two teenage kids in Dublin. She works with - or really for - her terrifyingly ambitious sister Karen in their beauty salon. Nothing to get excited about here. Nothing to make her particularly unhappy. Or happy...

No-one would be interested in stealing her life. But then things started to happen... One day, Stella, attempting a good deed, causes a little car accident and faces down a bad tempered, handsome stranger. She hardly gives it much of a thought. But karma is hovering, and is about to take over, swoop in and change Stella's life for ever. For better or worse.

Suddenly Stella has a life. A thrilling glamorous one. A life that other people might start to covet...

Why so excited? --> If you ask me, this cover is already enough to get excited about; it's stunning! Marian Keyes is one of the household names within the world of chick lit and her novels are always great reads. I'm really excited about 'The Woman Who Stole My Life' and can't wait to pick it up!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Scarlett Bailey – 'Secret Santa' (6th November)

A self-confessed Christmas queen, Sue Montaigne prides herself on organising the annual nativity pageant in her small Cornish village of Poldore.

But this year, what with having to deal with the repairs on Castle House after it was wrecked by a terrible storm, training a new – and frankly flighty – Virgin Mary and managing a Joseph who is allergic to sheep, she is distinctly lacking a little bit of ‘me time’.

And then there are the auditions for the new Santa. But nothing prepares her for the beautiful man who turns up, a twinkle in his eye and a promise to make her Christmas dreams come true…

Why so excited? --> Christmas time would not be complete without a Scarlett Bailey Christmas story to get into a festive mood! This author's Christmas novels never disappoint, so I have high hopes for 'Secret Santa'! 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Cathy Bramley – 'Ivy Lane: Winter' (6th November)

As winter descends on Ivy Lane, the frost sparkles and icy winds flurry - but Tilly is still reeling from the events of the Hallowe'en party. Only the die-hard plot holders brave the cold weather, and Tilly fears the loneliness that gripped her a year ago will return.

Resolute to stay cheerful, she throws herself into organizing both the inaugural Ivy Lane Great Cake Competition and the Christmas Party, and even squeezes in a little match-making along the way.

Surrounded by her friends at the Christmas Party, Tilly has come a long way in a year. She can feel her own heart slowly melting, but who will be waiting under the mistletoe?

Why so excited? --> Cathy Bramley's 'Ivy Lane' is a serialized novel in which the reader gets to join Tilly Parker on a year in her life, and Winter is the fourth and last part of the series. So far, I've only read 'Spring', but I really enjoyed it and I have no doubt the other parts are just as amazing as the first.

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Judy Astley – 'It Must Have Been The Mistletoe' (6th November)

Thea's parents decide to host a big family Christmas in a house by the sea. Even though they are, in fact, about to split up. Thea herself is newly single - her sister and brother are both settled, with children, homes and a future. But Thea's boyfriend has ditched her in favour of his pedigree dogs, and Thea can't decide whether or not she minds.

There will be copious food and drink, holly and mistletoe, lots of bracing walks and a wintry barbecue on the beach. If it seems an odd way to celebrate the final break-up of a marriage and the Moving On to new partners, no- one is saying so. But then no-one had anticipated that the new partners might actually turn up to complicate the sleeping arrangements.

As Cornwall experiences the biggest snowstorm in living memory, the festive atmosphere comes under some strain. Will Thea manage to find some happiness for herself? Will the mistletoe work its magic on them all?

Why so excited? --> Another wonderful Christmas novel to look forward to this November! I love Judy Astley's work; her stories usually include great characters with a specific focus on family, and they are set in beautiful Cornwall, which also sounds like a great setting for a Christmas novel! 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Lucy Diamond – 'Christmas Gifts at The Beach Cafe' (6th November)

After a hectic summer running her beach café in Cornwall, Evie Flynn is looking forward to her first Christmas with new boyfriend Ed – she’s determined that it’s going to be the most perfectly romantic one ever. Cosy nights in front of the fire, spicy mulled wine, mince pies... what’s not to love? 

But the peace is shattered when Ed’s ex suddenly gets in touch again, and then some unexpected guests arrive: Ed’s surly brother Jake and Evie’s heartbroken best friend Amber. Add in the stress of trying to finish her very own recipe book, snow blizzards and family dramas and Evie’s Christmas starts to look as if it’ll be a total turkey. Will any of her festive wishes come true... or is this Christmas just a recipe for disaster?

Why so excited? --> Lucy Diamond is treating us to a special Christmas novella this November in which we get to revisit the characters from her novel 'The Beach Cafe'. I'm a big fan of Lucy Diamond's work and I'm really excited she's releasing a Christmas novella this year!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Rachael Lucas - 'Sealed with a Christmas Kiss' (6th November)

Kate has taken to life on the remote Scottish island of Auchenmor like a seal to water: she's given a new lease of life to the Laird's estate in her day job; she's befriended the once-nosy locals; and even young Laird Roddy is not quite so grumpy these days.

Better still, Kate has just had her best idea yet: they'll turn the castle into the most gorgeous wedding venue in Scotland. The pressure's on as the first wedding is booked in for Christmas Eve - just weeks away. But with a mismatched bride and groom, a hysterical PR on her case, her own relationship woes and a huge storm blowing in, can Kate pull it off in time?

Why so excited? --> Another Christmas novella based on an existing chick lit novel! In this case Rachael Lucas is treating us to a Christmas story based on her book 'Sealed With a Kiss'. A Scottish castle and a Christmas wedding... That's already more than enough to count me in! 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Alexandra Brown – 'The Great Christmas Knit Off' (6th November)

Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats, and jumpers. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the cock-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas jumpers are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

Why so excited? --> Alexandra Brown is well-known for her lovely Carringtons' book series and I'm so excited she will be releasing a completely new novel this November! 'The Great Christmas Knit Off' sounds like a stunning story and I honestly can't wait to have a finished copy in my hands!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Trisha Ashley - 'Footsteps in the Snow and other Teatime Treats' (6th November)

From her novels to her magazine articles Trisha Ashley has been writing all her life and this is a collection of her work brought together in a single edition for the first time.

A fabulous collection of short stories from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Perfect to curl up with on a winter’s evening.

Why so excited? --> Trisha Ashley is a fabulous author and on the 6th of November a collection of short stories, perfect for a cold winter's evening, will be released. I've really enjoyed some of Trisha's novels in the past and I'm sure this collection will include some wonderfully enjoyable winter-themed stories. 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 

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Karen Swan – 'Christmas In The Snow' (6th November)

No secret stays buried forever...

In London, the snow is falling and Christmas is just around the corner - but Allegra Fisher barely has time to notice. She's pitching for the biggest deal of her career and can't afford to fail. And when she meets attractive stranger, Sam Kemp, on the plane to the meeting, she can't afford to lose her focus either. She learned to shut off her emotions long ago and only her sister and best friend Isobel knows why. But when Allegra finds herself up against Sam for the bid, their passion quickly turns sour.

In Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, a long-lost mountain hut is discovered in the snow after sixty years and the last person expecting to become involved is Allegra - she hasn't even heard of the woman they found inside. But it soon becomes clear the two women are linked and, as she and Iz travel out to make sense of the mystery, hearts thaw and dark secrets are uncovered, long buried by the snow.

Why so excited? --> Karen Swan is another author who releases a great Christmas-themed novel every year. 'Christmas in the Snow' sounds intriguing and I really hope I will be able to check out my first Karen Swan novel this year!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

 
Be sure to check back tomorrow for more November 2014 releases!

September 2013 releases to look forward to! (Part 2)

As I already let all of you know in my previous post, September 2013 has many great releases in store for us. So, don't feel too bad about the upcoming end of the summer, because no matter the weather... A good book can make any day just that bit brighter! :)

Amanda Brooke - 'Another Way to Fall' (12th of September 2013)

What would you do if you could write the story of your life?

After battling a brain tumour twenty-nine year old Emma thinks she is in the clear, but her world comes crashing down around her when she is told her fight was in vain, and there is nothing more the doctors can do.

Realising that she won’t now have time to achieve the things she dreamed of, Emma decides to write her perfect life in a story. She imagines all the things she would have done, the places she would have seen, the husband she would have shared her life with and the family they would have raised. And, mysteriously, as she writes her story, she starts to notice that some of her dreams seem to be coming true.

Now with a real love in her life, and her fading hope burning brighter, reality and fiction start to become blurred. As she writes their life-long love story Emma dares to believe that anything is possible, but can she really change her fate?

Why so excited? --> For the past couple of weeks, I've been hearing lots of things about Amanda Brooke's upcoming release, 'Another Way to Fall', and it has got me quite excited! I adore the cover of the novel, the blue is gorgeous and I love the overall design of it. However, the blurb has also definitely caught my attention. I think all of us recognise the feeling of dreaming about a perfect life, and the idea of writing a story down and it then becoming reality... I'm quite curious to find out what is going to happen to Emma and her story!

Sarah Webb - The Memory Box (12th of September 2013)

Pandora Schuster is about to turn thirty but that’s the least of her worries. In Dublin she has just been tested for a hereditary family illness and, expecting the worst, is desperate for her ex-boyfriend and father of nine-year-old Iris to be a part of her daughter’s life. There are two major problems: Olivier Huppert lives in Paris and he has no idea that Iris even exists. So when Pandora secretly tries to find Olivier during her Parisian birthday weekend, it all ends in disaster.

As the agonising weeks until her test results crawl by, Pandora manages to find some distraction with her kind and sensible boyfriend, Declan, and with her fellow Shoestring Club members as they time-share a fabulous new designer dress. Yet matters of the heart are not easily forgotten and Pandora is determined for Iris to know the truth about her handsome, charismatic father. So she creates a memory box filled with photos, letters and mementoes of the magical time she spent with Olivier in Paris.

But when the past and the present start to collide Pandora finds herself having to choose between her head and her heart...

Why so excited? --> I love the sound of 'The Memory Box'! As soon as I read the blurb I already found myself wondering what Pandora's test results will tell her and whether she will be able to contact her daughter's father, Oliver. It already seems like this novel has all the necessary ingredients to make it a thoroughly enjoyable read, even including a touch of the fabulous city of Paris, so I can't wait to read this!

Emylia Hall - 'A Heart Bent Out of Shape' (12th of September 2013)

For Hadley Dunn, life so far has been uneventful - no great loves, no searing losses. But that's before she decides to spend a year studying in the glittering Swiss city of Lausanne, a place that feels alive with promise. Here Hadley meets Kristina, a beautiful but elusive Danish girl, and the two quickly form the strongest of bonds. Yet one November night, as the first snows of winter arrive, tragedy strikes.

Hadley, left reeling and guilt-stricken, beings to lean on the only other person to whom she feels close, her American Literature professor Joel Wilson. But as the pair try to uncover the truth of what happened that night, their tentative friendship heads into forbidden territory. And before long a line is irrevocably crossed, everything changes, and two already complicated lives take an even more dangerous course...

Why so excited? --> I'm one of the lucky people who received a review copy of 'A Heart Bent Out of Shape' and I'm really looking forward to reading it! The story sounds quite mysterious, and I'm already intrigued by the tragedy that has gripped Hadley. I really enjoy switching between genres every now and again, and I can't wait to get stuck into a bit of suspense like this novel promises!

Nicholas Sparks - 'The Longest Ride' (24th of September 2013)

Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.  

Why so excited? --> I am a really big fan of Nicholas Sparks' novels. His love stories are amazing and I think all of you will be familiar with at least one of them, also thanks to the great film adaptations that have been made (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, The Lucky One, The Last Song). I'm so excited we are treated to a new novel next month, I can't wait! Ira, Ruth, Sophia and Luke sound like a collection of fascinating characters and I'm looking forward to reading more about them and the way they are connected to one another!

Ernessa T. Carter - 'The Awesome Girl's Guide to Dating Extraordinary Men' (24th of September 2013)

Four women. Two years. A friendship to last a lifetime.
The only things that Sharita, Thursday, Risa, and Tammy have in common are their disastrous love lives. But the year three of them turn 30 will be different, they swear!

Sharita, a plump and conservative accountant wants to make partner at her firm and find the man of her dreams. Thursday, the daughter of a formerly chart-topping political rapper, wants to stop being a serial one-month stander, and settle down into a stable life with a stable boyfriend. Risa, a skinny and audacious electronica punk rocker, wants to finally land an album deal, which she feels is the only way to win back the heart of her on-again of off-again closeted girlfriend. And after getting fired as the spokesmodel for her family’s hair company, sweet and gorgeous Tammy wants to prove that she has what it takes to make it on her own.

None of these women get what they want, but over the course of two years, they get exactly what they need. And that proves to be the best thing after all.

Why so excited? --> 'The Awesome Girl's Guide to Dating Extraordinary Men' has an awesome title, a great cover, and a blurb that has already got me excited! I really enjoy stories about groups of friends, and Sharita, Thursday, Risa and Tammy already sound like a great collection of characters. A book that seems perfect for all the chick lit fans out there!

Abby Clements - 'Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream' (26th of September 2013)

Amelia has a dream: toasting chestnuts by the fire with her husband Jack in their own cosy cottage. Their real life is another world - a cramped one-bedroom flat in Hackney. But when life takes a surprising turn, removal vans are soon heading to the Kent countryside.

They soon realise the cottage makeover is a far bigger project than they'd anticipated. On top of that, there's Amelia's newly loved-up mum and her tearaway half-sister, Mirabel, to contend with - pushing Amelia and Jack's marriage to breaking point.

Amelia begins to strip back the wallpaper and fittings in the cottage and discovers the story of the cottage's previous owner - and a hidden secret. As Amelia's ideas about love and family change, will her fireside dream finally come true?

Why so excited? --> I think most of you will have read or heard about Abby Clements' May 2013 release, 'Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop', and if you have, you will most likely be excited about this upcoming release! Abby Clements is treating us to another fabulous book this year, and 'Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream' sounds like the ideal Autumn read, if you ask me! 

Which September novels will you be picking up in the upcoming weeks? Happy reading!

May 2013 release: 'Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop' by Abby Clements

 

When Imogen and Anna unexpectedly inherit their grandmother Vivien's ice cream parlour, it turns both their lives upside-down. The Brighton shop is a seafront institution, but while it's big on charm it's critically low on customers. If the sisters don't turn things around quickly, their grandmother's legacy will disappear forever.

With summer looming, Imogen and Anna devise a plan to return Vivien's to its former glory. Rather than sell up, they will train up, and make the parlour the newest destination on the South Coast foodie map.

 

While Imogen watches the shop, her sister flies to Italy to attend a gourmet ice cream-making course. But as she works shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best chefs in the industry, Anna finds that romance can bloom in the most unexpected of places...

 

I absolutely adore the summery pastel cover of Abby Clements' novel! I don't know why, but I simply love any kind of story that one way or another has to do with ice cream parlours or cupcake cafes... Perhaps it's the yummy treats? This novel has been on my to-read wishlist for quite some time already, and I'm glad the 23rd of May is almost here... Can't wait to find out what will happen to Imogen and Anna and that lovely ice cream parlour!

 

Pre-order your own copy here!

May 2013 releases to look forward to! (Part 2)

Several days ago I already focused on some exciting upcoming May releases in a blog post, but next month has so many lovely novels in store for us... Too many for one blog post, so here are some of the other exciting new releases coming your way at the end of May!

Tess Daly - 'It's Up to You New York'

Will Holly find love in the city where dreams are made?

Fielding calls from disgruntled customers on a crispbread telesales careline isn't exactly where Holly Collins saw herself in life. Living in a shoebox flat and working in a windowless building on an outer London industrial estate were never quite what she'd had in mind. So when Holly is picked from obscurity to take part in Street Scout, a television series on the hunt for fashion's next big model, life finally seems to be taking a turn for the better for the happy-go-lucky twenty-something. Surely this is her big moment?

But Holly knows only too well that dreams are just that and when it feels like everything - and everybody - is conspiring against her, Holly heads for New York with her best friend Meg. The magic of Manhattan has Holly in its grasp: strutting down 5th Avenue and drinking two too many cosmopolitans, taking romantic carriage rides in Central Park and standing at the top of the Empire State building she can scarcely believe how far away the real world seems. But when Holly is faced with the biggest decision of her life can she make the fairy tale become a reality?

Why so excited? --> I love everything about this novel already: the cover is gorgeous, Holly's adventure sounds exciting, and who doesn't love a chick lit novel set in New York City? I honestly can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! 

Hilary Reyl - 'Lessons in French'

First love: first heartbreak. First job: first nightmare boss. A seductive coming-of-age tale set in the most romantic city on earth.

Fresh out of university and determined to dream big, Kate can hardly believe her luck when she lands a job as a ‘little-bit-of-everything’ to the world famous photo-journalist Lydia Schell. Better still, the job is in Paris, and her guide to the most romantic city on earth is the handsome Olivier. The Berlin Wall is about to come tumbling down, and the world feels full of possibility.

But the oh-so-charming Lydia turns out to be the boss from hell. The ‘little-bit-of-everything’ includes collecting under-the-counter diet pills and walking a flatulent dog round the rainy streets of the sixth arrondissement. And the gorgeous Olivier? He happens to be dating Lydia’s daughter…

As the two worlds of her disastrous job and exciting flirtation look set to collide, Kate is about to get a fast education in the French approach to having it all.

Why so excited? --> Hilary Reyl's debut novel sounds like a treat! Kate's tale which features a horrible boss and a gorgeous love interest slightly reminds me of 'The Devil Wears Prada', which I loved. The story is set in Paris, which is also already a thumbs-up... Enough to be excited about!

Giovanna Fletcher - 'Billy and Me'

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she's successfully kept for years. It's meant that she's had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then she meets the gorgeous Billy - an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy's glamorous - but ruthless - world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

Why so excited? --> I've been looking forward to the release of this novel for what seems like ages! I've been following Giovanna Fletcher on Twitter for quite some time already, and ever since she announced her first novel I knew I wanted to read it. The plot sounds fantastic, and I've only heard good things so far... Definitely looking forward to this book!

Tess Stimson - 'The Lying Game'

There are some things we are never meant to know . . . 

Harriet Lockwood has never really bonded with her daughter, Florence, the way she has with her three sons. Then one day, she discovers why. The girl she’s raised for the last fifteen years is not her biological child. Zoey Sands is a single mother with a chaotic lifestyle. The one constant in her life is her daughter, Nell. Nothing can ever come between them – can it? When Harriet turns up on Zoey’s doorstep demanding to see her biological daughter, the two families are plunged into a storm of bitter rivalries… and unexpected alliances.

Why so excited? --> I'm not familiar with Tess Stimson's other novels, but the plot of this novel sounds intriguing. It seems to be slightly different from the 'average' chick lit novel, but definitely worth a try.

Abby Clements - 'Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop'

When Imogen and Anna unexpectedly inherit their grandmother Vivien's ice cream parlour, it turns both their lives upside-down. The Brighton shop is a seafront institution, but while it's big on charm it's critically low on customers. If the sisters don't turn things around quickly, their grandmother's legacy will disappear forever.

With summer looming, Imogen and Anna devise a plan to return Vivien's to its former glory. Rather than sell up, they will train up, and make the parlour the newest destination on the South Coast foodie map.

While Imogen watches the shop, her sister flies to Italy to attend a gourmet ice cream-making course. But as she works shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best chefs in the industry, Anna finds that romance can bloom in the most unexpected of places...

Why so excited? --> I don't know why exactly, but I absolutely adore novels that have to do with ice cream shops or cupcake cafes... Must be the yummy treats! As soon as I came across this novel on the Internet, I knew I had to add it to my to-read list straight away. Lovely cover, lovely plot, lovely setting... Can't wait!