Weekly Feature: Once Upon a Story...

 'Once Upon a Story' is a weekly feature in which we go back in time and focus  on a specific novel that was released in the same month we're in right now (in this case May), but a few years back! It can be a women's fiction classic from the 1990's or perhaps a great chick lit read from 2011. I thought it would be nice to not just focus on recent releases, but also take the chance to jump back in time once a week and look back at wonderful reads that have been released over the years!

This week, we're travelling all the way back to November 2006 to look back at...

Everyone says the first year of marriage is the hardest... but what would you do if you found out that you were never really married in the first place? They've had the white dresses and the fancy receptions. But now that the honeymoon's over, Stella, Casey, and Erin have each had to face some hard truths about the men they've married and the lives they've chosen. So when the news breaks that the pastor who presided over their weddings failed to file a few critical pieces of paper, none of these newlyweds are rushing down to the courthouse to legalize their vows. Instead, the brides share their hopes, disappointments, and secrets while grappling with that pivotal question: Should they stay or should they go?
American author Beth Kendrick has been writing great women's fiction titles since 2004 and I am almost ashamed to say I still haven't read one of her books, while I have several of her titles on my TBR-list! Therefore, I decided to dedicate this week's 'Once Upon a Story' to one of her earlier releases, namely 'Nearlyweds' which was released in November 2006. The blurb of the book promises a great story about three women who think they married their husbands, but find out their marriages were never declared official. But is this something to fix as soon as possible or perhaps something to be happy about...? I love the idea of this novel and am sure it is a great read. One of my resolutions for next year is to finally pick up a Beth Kendrick novel, I have a good feeling I'm missing out on a fantastic author!

Be sure to visit the blog next week for another blast from chick lit past with 'Once Upon a Story...'!

May 2013 releases to look forward to! (Part 1)

May is almost upon us and this month has quite a lot of special new releases in store for all the chick lit lovers out there! Be sure to get your hands on these lovely novels as soon as they are released!


Christina Jones - An Enormously English Monsoon Wedding

Life simply couldn't be better for Erin Boswell. At twenty-seven, she is engaged to the simply divine Jay Keskar - and every minute of her day currently revolves around planning the wedding of her dreams. Until, that is, Jay's parents announce that they want to 'discuss' things - and this is when Erin's wedding heaven turns into her wedding hell . . .

Tavish and Deena are Indian and have very firm beliefs about the form of wedding their only son should have. Of course, they say, Erin will be wearing a sari. And of course all the Indian pre-wedding ritual ceremonies - including tilak, mehendi, sangeet - will be observed.

As Bollywood comes to Berkshire, can East eventually meet West in perfect harmony? And if not, will Erin and Jay's dream wedding even take place?

Why so excited? --> I love the idea of spinning the typical English wedding around and adding a touch of India. The bright yellow cover is already getting me all excited about this particular story!

Beth Kendrick - The Week Before the Wedding

After enduring a chaotic childhood, Emily McKellips yearns for a drama-free life, complete with a white picket fence. Her dreams are about to come true: She has a stellar career, a gorgeous house, and a fiancé any woman would die for. But as friends and family arrive in picturesque Valentine, Vermont, for her wedding, an uninvited guest shows up.

Ryan is Emily’s first husband from a disastrous starter marriage. They wed on a whim, only to discover that combustible chemistry couldn’t ensure a happily ever after. But Ryan is no longer the headstrong boy she left behind. He’s now a successful film producer who just happens to be scouting a resort in Valentine with his adorable retriever in tow.

As the bridesmaids revolt and the mothers of the bride and groom do battle, Emily is surprised to discover new sides of both her ex and her fiancé. She thought she had life and love all figured out, but the next seven days might change her mind—and her heart.

Why so excited? --> Oh my, so much going on, and that's just in the blurb! A wedding, a lovely setting (how gorgeous does 'Valentine, Vermont' sound?), a fiancé, a handsome ex... I'm sold!

Fern Britton - The Holiday Home

Two sisters. One House. The holiday of a lifetime…

Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlantic House has been the jewel in the Carew family crown for centuries. Each year, the Carew sisters embark on the yearly summer holiday, but they are as different as vinegar and honey.

Prudence, hard-nosed businesswoman married to the meek and mild Francis, is about to get a shock reminder that you should never take anything for granted.

Constance, loving wife to philandering husband Greg, has always been outwitted by her manipulative sibling. Suspecting that Pru wants to get her hands on Atlantic House, Connie won’t take things lying down.

When an old face reappears on the scene, years of simmering resentments reach boiling point. Little do the women know that a long-buried secret is about to bite them all on the bottom.
Is this one holiday that will push them all over the edge, or can Constance and Pru leave the past where it belongs?

Why so excited? --> We are getting closer and closer to summer, so what's better than already getting that holiday feeling by reading a good holiday novel? Constance and Prudence already sound like an interesting pair... Can't wait to find out what happens to them and Atlantic House!

Victoria Connelly - Wish You Were Here

Sun, sea and secrets…

A week on the sunny Greek island of Kethos is just what Alice Archer needs, even if she has to put up with her difficult sister. Stella’s tantrums and diva-like demands are a fair price to pay for crystal-clear waters, blue skies and white clifftop villas.

When Alice meets Milo, a handsome gardener at the Villa Argenti, for the first time she suddenly feels beautiful, alluring and confident. But is it just holiday magic or will the irresistible pull between Alice and Milo survive against all odds?

Why so excited? --> I absolutely adored Victoria Connelly's novel 'A Weekend with Mr. Darcy' and even though this one does not include an Austen hero, it promises to be a good summery read!

Pippa Wright - The Foster Husband

In love and marriage, practice makes perfect...

Kate left her seaside home town of Lyme Regis for the bright lights of London when she was eighteen, and never looked back. She had it all: the glamorous career, the lovely house, the gorgeous husband.

But now she’s back: unemployed, separated, and holed up in her dead granny’s bungalow. Worse still, she’s forced to share the bungalow with Ben, the clueless and domestically challenged fiancé of her bossy sister Prue.

Ben is a man in need of simple instruction. And Kate is a woman in need of a project. So she decides to secretly train Ben, her foster husband, as a selfless pre-wedding gift to her sister.

But Kate may still have a few lessons of her own to learn…

Why so excited? --> I immediately fell in love with the purple and pink cover of this book! The setting sounds amazing as well (London and Lyme Regis!), and the idea of training a man...? Perhaps I can even pick up a lesson or two from this story!

If you're curious to hear about some more fabulous May releases, be sure to keep your eye on this blog and check back soon! :)