Review: 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' by Clare Dowling (2013)

Clara's been away for too long. So, after ten years in London and with boyfriend Matthew in tow, she arrives home in Castlemoy, a town with nineteen pubs and a shiny new motorway to civilisation. Her family welcome them with open arms but Jason, her long-ago-ex, seems to have old scores to settle and it's not before Clara finds herself being watched, followed and manipulated from afar.
As her dream of happily-ever-after begin to shatter, Clara decides it's time to wrestle her life back before it's too late...
At the end of 2013, I unexpectedly received a review copy of Clare Dowling’s latest release, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.’ The novel was released in November and I remember seeing it mentioned on Twitter and other book blogs (also because the title immediately reminded me of the song by Frankie Vallie, I’m not the only one, right?). I hadn’t read any of Clare Dowling’s works before, but I liked the look and sound of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ and was looking forward to checking it out!
Thirty-something Clara and her boyfriend Matthew decided to leave their happy life in London, including good friends, a lovely apartement, and steady jobs, behind to move to Clara’s hometown in Ireland, Castlemoy. They’ve found a wonderful home that is large enough for the both of them and possible children in the future, and it also means Clara is now closer to her mother Anita, who is dealing with diabetes and the life changes this requires, and her sister Roisin, who is dealing with her own personal troubles which involve her girlfriend Catherine and the arrival of a new old enemy in town. However, Clara has her own troubles to deal with when she keeps bumping into her ex, Jason, whom she didn’t split up with in good circumstances. At first, he seems to be supportive and interested in her life, but this quickly changes…   It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this book and the characters at its core. Clara is a great protagonist and I quickly found myself rooting for her. She and Matthew make an amazing couple and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them and their strong relationship. There are also some well worked-out secondary characters in the novel, such as Clara’s mother Anita (who made me laugh out loud with her specific ways and her love for food) and her sister Roisin, and a fascinating friendly group of neighbours who really added another fun layer to the story for me. This in contrast to the character of Jason, the boyfriend with whom Clara broke things off with 10 years earlier, who managed to really send the chills down my spine. Clare Dowling’s descriptions are spot on and she manages to set the scene perfectly, making the reader feel what Clara is feeling at a particular moment, whether it’s joy or fear.
After reading the blurb, I initially expected the main focus of the story to be the broken relationship between Jason and Clara, and his obsession with her now she has come back to Ireland. However, this didn’t take up most of the space in the novel. I wasn’t necessarily disappointed by this, though, because I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the subplots in it. ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ is a gripping and funny novel with a slightly darker and more serious side to it as well; certainly a read I’d recommend to people who are looking for chick lit but with a twist!
Rating:

8,5/10  

For more information about this book: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

Author Interview with Nancy Scrofano!

Today I'm excited to welcome Nancy Scrofano to the blog for a short interview about her new novel, 'American Honey'!  

Can you tell us something about your new novel, American Honey?

In American Honey, recent high school graduate Olivia “Ollie” McKenna leaves her small town roots in Summerville, Georgia, to pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer. With her best friend and older sister in tow, wholesome Ollie travels to the big city to compete in singing contest Atlanta Idol where she meets nineteen-year-old Jack Bradley, a fellow country singer who quickly becomes a close friend. The connection between them is magnetic and an opportunity to sing together could change their lives forever.

Where did you find the inspiration for American Honey?

I’m a fan of American Idol. I’ve been watching it since the first season, and I wanted to write a story involving a singing competition. I started working on American Honey after watching the season ten finale of American Idol in May 2011. I was inspired by winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina. I also found inspiration for this book from Disney Channel’s Austin & Ally and ABC’s Nashville.

Why did you decide to write a story set within the music business?

The music business has a lot of highs and lows. I wanted to explore all the emotions that come with such an unpredictable industry. Reality singing competition shows like American Idol propel a lot of average, small-town people to superstardom practically overnight, and they are usually very young. It’s a lot of pressure and a lot to deal with really quickly. These people have an incredible drive and an intense passion for singing and performing. It’s in their blood, and they have to entertain. I find that fascinating, and I wanted to portray characters who have that desire. Also, I can relate and have similar feelings as a writer.

Which character in the novel did you most enjoy writing about and why?

So far, I’ve always written in first person, so my heroines have a particularly special place in my heart. I loved writing for Ollie in American Honey. She’s innocent, but she’s growing up and maturing. She’s caught between the simple life she’s always known and her big dreams, and she struggles to figure out where she really belongs.

Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans as an author? Are you already working on a next novel?

I’m working on the sequel to American Honey. My plan is to release a series of American Honey books with at least two more.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Read a lot because that will help you become a better writer. Always keep writing, and don’t let anything or anyone get in the way of achieving your dream. If you want to be a writer, you have to write. It’s as simple as that. 

What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others?

I just finished reading Melissa Explains It All by Melissa Joan Hart. I’ve been a fan of hers since she starred in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, so it was really interesting to learn about her life. A very enjoyable read.

And last but not least, if you had to describe American Honey in just three words, which words would you pick?

Lighthearted. Southern. Musical.

 

Add American Honey to your Goodreads shelf! Follow along with the American Honey Tour via Fictionella! Connect with Nancy at nancyscrofano.com!

Thanks so much, Nancy!

Author Interview: Portia MacIntosh

Today I'd like to welcome author Portia MacIntosh to the blog! Her novelette 'Between a Rockstar and a Hard Place' is out now and I've had the chance to ask Portia a few questions about her new release and writing in general!

---

About the Novel

Behind the music…
Being best friends with a mega-star has its perks and Nicole Wilde, music journalist, laps them up. But when said friend, Dylan King, gorgeous lead singer of The Burnouts, has zero sense of self-preservation – once a drop of alcohol hits his blood stream ‒ and an inability to keep ‘little Dylan’ in his pants, it also comes with responsibilities. Now, Nicole has to track down Dylan in time to play a charity gig tomorrow. Half a dozen groupies, a haunted hotel, a tattoo parlour, a reality show runner-up and a crazy bed-hopping, sleepless night later – will she find him before the tour bus leaves town? And when she does, is it time to head home? Or to jump on the tour bus and go along for the ride!
Between a Rockstar and a Hard Place is the fun and fabulous prequel to Portia MacIntosh’s How Not to be Starstruck. Look out for it March 2014!

---

About the Author

When she was fifteen-years-old, Portia MacIntosh fell in with a bad crowd… rockstars. 
After disappearing on tour and living the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle for a few years, Portia landed a job in the music industry – but only so that she didn’t have to join the real world just yet.
Now in her twenties, Portia is ready to spill the beans on the things she has witnessed over the years. Well, kind of. If her famous friends knew that she was borrowing their lives to inspire her fiction, they would stop inviting her on tour and banish her from the inner circle. Then she really would have to rejoin the real world, and she’s still not ready.
Portia only started writing novels to share her secrets, but then she realised she actually quite liked writing – maybe even more than she likes living on a bus with a bunch of smelly boys – and has since tried her hand at writing about other things.
For more information, visit Portia's website by clicking here!

---

Author Interview

Can you tell us something about your upcoming release, ‘Between a Rockstar and a Hard Place’? Well it's a novelette being released ahead of my first full-length novel, How Not to be Starstruck. My stories tell the tale of music journalist Nicole Wilde, and her adventures working in the music industry and touring with bands.
Where did you find the inspiration for ‘Between a Rockstar and a Hard Place’? Is it in any way based on your own personal experiences? The only reason I started writing was so that I could tell my tour stories anonymously. I have been working in the music industry for over ten years - since I was a teenager - so I have a lot of tales to tell. My books are heavily influenced by my experiences, and I hopefully use them to give readers an interesting insight into a fascinating industry. 
Do you have a personal favourite rockstar? I think Jon Bon Jovi is one of the ultimate rockstars. From his 80s big hair and spandex days to now, even though his style has changed he still commands an audience with ease. Jared Leto is a great example of a modern-day rockstar. He's got the look, the talent and the charm.
When and how did you decide you wanted to be an author? It was never my dream to write books. I just wanted a way to tell my stories anonymously, and novels seemed like the best way to do that. As soon as I started doing it I fell in love with writing, that's when I decided I wanted to be an author. 
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans as an author? Are you already working on a next novel? I have four books coming out with Carina UK. Between a Rockstar and a Hard Place is the first, followed by How Not to be Starstruck which is out next month. Keep your eyes peeled for info on the others.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Write in a way that works best for you. Don't feel like you have to plan you book before you start writing, but if you want to then plan the heck out of it. There's no right or wrong way to do it.
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? I recently re-read The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Everyone needs to read that book.
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Between a Rockstar and a Hard Place’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Rock and roll.

Thanks so much, Portia, and good luck with the release!

Review: 'The Dead Wife's Handbook' by Hannah Beckerman (2014)

'Today is my death anniversary. A year ago today I was still alive.'
Rachel, Max and their daughter Ellie had the perfect life - until the night Rachel's heart stopped beating.
Now Max and Ellie are doing their best to adapt to life without Rachel, and just as her family can't forget her, Rachel can't quite let go of them either. Caught in a place between worlds, Rachel watches helplessly as she begins to fade from their lives. And when Max is persuaded by family and friends to start dating again, Rachel starts to understand that dying was just the beginning of her problems.
As Rachel grieves for the life she's lost and the life she'll never lead, she learns that sometimes the thing that breaks your heart might be the very thing you hope for.
‘The Dead Wife’s Handbook’ was one of those books everyone seemed to be talking about prior to its release on the 13th of February. I have to admit, I was straight away intrigued by the title and the blurb of the novel and was really excited when I was lucky enough to receive a review copy before the official release date (thanks so much, Hannah!). As an avid chick lit reader with a clear preference for happy endings, I was curious to discover what I would eventually think of this particular read because the topic of death and loss is something I try to avoid, if I’m completely honest. However, it is of course a part of life you cannot ignore, no matter how hard you might try, and I was interested to see what Hannah Beckerman had made of it and whether this book would live up to the hype that had been created around it during the past few months. 
Rachel had it all, until her heart unexpectedly stopped beating and she had no other choice but to leave behind her loving husband Max and beautiful daughter Ellie to fend for themselves. It has now been a year since Rachel passed away, and she is somehow still stuck somewhere between life and a possible afterlife. She is still able to watch occasional fragments of what is going on in the lives of Max and Ellie, but she has no control whatsoever over the things she is allowed to see and there is absolutely no way for her to get involved or show any sign of her presence. Rachel is forced to find a way to deal with the fact that Max might fall in love with someone else and Elsie growing up and overcoming hurdles in her life without her mum by her side. One thing quickly becomes clear: life moves on, it has to, and Rachel will have to find her own way to accept this, whether she wants to or not.
First of all, I’d just like to say: yes, this book definitely lives up to the hype that has surrounded it the past few weeks. From the first chapter I was completely taken in by Rachel’s story; I really felt for her, being able to see everything but all of it being absolutely out of her control, and I couldn’t help but go along on the rollercoaster of emotions of the various stages of grief. Imagine looking down upon your loved ones, being torn up between wanting them to remember you and wanting them to be happy and to go on with their lives. I couldn’t help but shed a few tears while reading this novel, not only because my heart ached for and with Rachel, but also because of Hannah Beckerman’s beautiful and gripping descriptions which made this quite an intense read.
The book has some wonderful characters at its center. Next to Rachel, there’s the handsome and dedicated Max, who is obviously struggling with trying to overcome his grief and deciding when it is time to move on with his life; their daughter Ellie is the cutest thing and I absolutely loved reading about her conversations with Max and how she is dealing with her grief in her own way; and I specifically loved Harriet, Rachel’s best friend, who is struggling with the loss of her closest friend. Overall, ‘The Dead Wife’s Handbook’ is an incredibly moving, thought-provoking and heartbreaking story that will not only stay with you but will also make you think twice about your own life, your loved ones, and possible what if’s. Definitely highly recommended!
Rating:

9,5/10
For more information about this book: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

Cover Reveal: 'You're The One That I Want' by Giovanna Fletcher

I have been waiting for this for quite some time and I'm SO excited to be sharing the title and cover for Giovanna Fletcher's second novel with you today! Giovanna's first novel 'Billy and Me' was a big chick lit success and a book I personally really loved! But now, it's time to get excited about the upcoming release of book #2, 'You're The One That I Want'!

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had.
And that's the problem.
Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?
Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...
Who can possibly resist this gorgeous cover?! I know I can't and I can't wait to pick up a copy of the book myself as soon as it is released!
The book will be available from the 22nd of May, mark it on your calendars!

Author Interview: Karoline Barrett

I'm delighted to welcome Karoline Barrett to the blog today! Check out the author interview below with questions about her novel 'The Art of Being Rebekkah'!

When Rebekkah Gelles suspects her husband, Avram of not only lying to her, but also contriving not to have the children she so desperately wants and embezzling money from his business, she wants out of their marriage. 
Her life gets complicated when she falls in love with detective Nick Rossi. Convinced Nick’s wrong for her—he’s not Jewish for one thing—she walks away after they share a night of passion. Nick warns her even though he loves her, he won’t beg. Their budding relationship seems to have ended. 
When Rebekkah finds herself staring at a positive pregnancy test, she wavers between joy and sadness. Motherhood wasn’t supposed to happen this way.

---

About the Author

Karoline Barrett loves writing and reading women’s fiction and romance.  Her short stories have been published in various outlets, most recently in Every Day Fiction.  She is also a poet.  Karoline was born in upstate New York and has lived in South America, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  At the moment, she lives in a small Connecticut town with her husband.  When not writing, Karoline reads, spends time by the water, watches the New York Yankees, indulges her Coca-Cola addiction and does anything that has nothing to do with math. www.karolinebarrett.com

---

Author Interview
Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘The Art of Being Rebekkah’?  Jody, thank you for having me here! My novel is women’s fiction about a Jewish woman who navigates love, family, and faith, as she goes on a journey of self-discovery when her husband turns out to be  manipulative liar, and their relationship crumbles. 
Where did you find the inspiration for ‘The Art of Being Rebekkah’?  It started out as a short story that was never published, but I loved the characters and wanted to keep writing about them. Is it in any way based on your own personal experiences? I’m adopted, like Rebekkah, but everything else in the book is totally from my (fertile) imagination! 
Which character in the novel did you most enjoy writing about and why? Rebekkah. I enjoyed seeing her grow from an unhappy wife to a woman who learns to nurture herself, and isn’t afraid to find happiness again through her art and a new relationship. 
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans as an author? I would like to do a series of cozy novels. 
Are you already working on a next novel?  I just finished AN APPLE A DAY CAN BE MURDER and now I’m outlining book two with the same characters.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?  Write what you love, don’t give up, and find a great writing community. 
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? Murder As A Second Language by Joan Hess. It’s a very funny mystery! 
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘The Art of Being Rebekkah’ in just three words, which words would you pick?  I love this question; no one has ever asked me that. I’d say, romantic, suspenseful, and surprising. 

Thanks so much, Karoline! :)

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Reasons I Love Being a Blogger/Reader

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Lately I've seen some other book bloggers being quite enthusiastic about this weekly meme, so I decided to join in with the fun and try it out myself as well!  

  Top Ten Reasons I Love Being a Blogger/Reader   Today's Top Ten Tuesday consists of a list of reasons why I love being a blogger/reader. Well, I think most of us readers and/or bloggers won't have too much difficulty coming up with some of the many various reasons why both reading and blogging are wonderful pastimes!
1) Reading provides a way to escape from real life  I love that feeling of the world just falling away, and it's just me caught up in another world. The escapism is probably something almost all avid readers give as a main reason for loving books and I have to say it's also something I absolutely would not want to be without, a way to get away from everyday life every now and again, no matter what.  
2) Blogging has made me become a part of an amazing community From the very first few days of my journey into the book blogging world I was amazed by the warmth and friendliness of other book bloggers, readers and authors. It is a wonderful community and I feel so lucky to be a part of it and to continue to meet new people who share my love of books every single day.
3) Reading gives me the opportunity to travel all over the world Books give me the chance to do a lot of virtual travelling. Since I started reading, I think I've been to places all over the world from amazing cities like New York and Sydney, to beautiful places like Hawaii and the North Pole. I probably won't be able to visit all these wonderful places in real life, but books definitely provide a great alternative. 
4) Blogging is a means to be busy with the one thing I love, whenever and wherever I studied English Literature at university and I absolutely loved my years as a student because it provided me with the chance to be busy with my number one passion all day long: books. However, after having finished my studies I wasn't able to find a job within the field of literature. While I am lucky enough to have an interesting job within another field that pays the bills, blogging gives me the chance to focus on the topic I'd prefer to be busy with 24/7!
5) Reading gives me the opportunity to travel back in time and to the future Besides travelling to all kinds of places all over the world, books also provide readers with the chance to travel to completely different era's. I'm a particular fan of Jane Austen's books and I love travelling back to nineteenth century England. Books can be really fascinating history lessons, usually with an addictive storyline to keep you focused!

6) Blogging has opened my eyes to try a different genre every now and again As a book blogger I am incredibly lucky to receive review copies of all kinds of books. While I particularly love chick lit, I am always willing to give a new genre a chance. Since I am sent all kinds of different review books, this provides me with the perfect opportunities to try out new things and discover new great books I otherwise perhaps would have never picked up. 
7) Both reading and blogging provide me with the chance to learn new things and improve my knowledge I mostly read English books and my blog is also entirely English, while my native language is actually Dutch. So, both reading and blogging help me to continually work on and improve my English. Next to that, there is also all kinds of knowledge I have gained by reading over the years, from recipes for delicious cupcakes to how to practice magic (if that would only work in real life)!   8) Blogging has made it possible for me to get into touch with authors I have to admit I'm quite easily starstruck and I'm still amazed whenever one of my favourite authors sends me a Tweet or leaves a comment on my blog. Blogging has provided me with the chance to actually get into touch with numerous brilliant authors, and it's undoubtedly one of the things that makes book blogging even more fun.
9) Books can take me on an emotional rollercoaster Books can give me the chance to feel whatever I want to feel. If I thoroughly need a pick-me-up, I can sit down with a feel-good chick lit novel, and when I feel like getting caught up in a bit of suspense, I can pick up a mystery or detective novel. And shedding the occassional tear while reading an emotional story can work quite therapeutic as well!
10) Blogging has provided me with the chance to share my number one passion, books, with anyone who is willing to listen Most importantly, blogging and reading are connected to one another because blogging has given me the chance to share my love for books with anyone who is willing to listen and perhaps even talk back. I love being a part of the blogging community, having found other book fanatics to share my love for reading with, and I can't wait to find out what the future holds when it comes to my book blog and the opportunities it will give me! :)

Promo Blitz: 'Waiting for Prince Harry' by Aven Ellis (includes giveaway!)

I'm thoroughly excited to be a part of today's promo blitz for Aven' Ellis upcoming release, 'Waiting for Prince Harry'! Not only is Aven Ellis simply a lovely person and great author, but the title includes a reference to Prince Harry and the cover features the UK flag; enough to get excited about, if you ask me!

  Twenty-four-year-old Kylie Reed has always been a rule follower. Organized and cautious to a fault, her dreams for life are often filed away for future use—when she has a house, when she meets her future husband, when she has been at her visual display job at a chic Dallas boutique longer...Kylie always has a reason for living her life in the future, not in the present, and not living her life to the fullest and reaching her dream of becoming a fashion designer.   The only exception to rules, of course, would be running away with Prince Harry—Kylie’s ideal man. A hot, fun ginger boy would be worth breaking all the rules for, of course.  And Kylie is sure Harry just needs the right, centering woman to settle him down.  But living in Dallas and not knowing Prince Harry make this a non-option. Or does it?
Because when Kylie accidentally falls into the lap of a gorgeous ginger boy—yes, even more gorgeous than the real Prince Harry—all bets are off. Could this stranger be the one to show Kylie how to take a chance, to face her fears, and live in the present?  And could this stranger be the Prince Harry she has been waiting for? Kylie’s life takes some unexpected twists and turns thanks to this chance encounter, and she knows her life will never be the same because of it...

---

About the Author

Aven Ellis has been writing fiction since she was sixteen. She studied communications at a large Midwestern university, and after graduation, Aven worked as a reporter for a community newspaper, followed by a stint at a public relations agency. 
But writing about city council meetings and restaurant franchises was not as much fun as writing for young women trying to figure out their careers and potential boyfriends. So Aven got herself a job in television that allowed her to write at night.  Connectivity is Aven’s debut novel; Waiting For Prince Harry and Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista (New Adult romantic comedy) will be published this year.
Aven lives in Dallas with her family. When she is not writing, Aven enjoys shopping, cooking, connecting with friends on social media, and watching any show that features Gordon Ramsay.

For more information: Facebook / Twitter / Website / Pinterest

---

 

Be sure to also check out 'Connectivity', Aven Ellis’ debut novel:

 

Overachiever Mary-Kate Grant (who is indeed named after an Olsen Twin) has followed every rule to the letter to pursue her dream of working in TV programming. Ripping a page from the “hard work pays off” playbook, she takes an assistant level job at a Chicago sports network to break into the industry.

MK has no time or desire for a relationship right now—she is totally focused on her career and being independent, unlike the other women in her family.

But MK’s plans are run through the shredder when she finds herself working for William Cumberland, a British media mogul who made his fortune with Connectivity, a social media site. William blows into Chicago just like the winds off Lake Michigan and purchases the group of networks MK works for—and makes her his personal assistant in the process.

Suddenly MK finds her career plans in jeopardy. William makes her question everything she has ever thought and has the uncanny ability to see right through her. And for the first time in her life, MK finds herself not only questioning what she wants for her career but for her personal life as well…

---

 

Don't miss out on this special giveaway with which you are in the chance of winning 1 x ecopy of Waiting for Prince Harry (when it is published) and 1 x ecopy of Connectivity. Open internationally; good luck to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Shaz at Fiction Addiction Book Tours for organising this promo blitz! :)

Review: 'Diary of an Unsmug Married' by Polly James (2014)

What happens to love when life gets in the way?
A funny and perceptive read about real relationships. Perfect for fans of Dawn French, Sue Townsend and Bridget Jones’ Diary.

Meet Molly Bennett. Married to Max and mother to two warring teenagers, she’s just ‘celebrated’ a significant birthday. According to Bridget Jones Molly is a “smug married”. So why doesn’t she feel smug?

Is it because everyone seems to be having a better time of it than her? Or is it that Max has started taking more of an interest in ‘business trips’ and less of an interest in their sex life? Molly is beginning to despair until an old school friend starts flirting with her through Facebook …

When I was contacted about reviewing Polly James' novel, 'Diary of an Unsmug Married', I was straight away interested after having read the description of the book: funny, about relationships, and perfect for fans of 'Bridget Jones' Diary.' I have to say I'm not the biggest Bridget Jones fan, but I've always loved books written in the form of letters, e-mails, diaries, and so on. After discovering Polly James actually started her own blog as Molly Bennett, the main character of this novel, and it was an instant hit, I was even more curious to find out more and looked forward to picking up the book myself!

On the outside, Molly Bennett seems to fit the famous Bridget Jones' image of a smug married woman. She has been with her husband Max for years, they both have good jobs, they have a nice house, and they've got twee teenage children. Unfortunately, Molly would describe herself more as an unsmug married, because her life is quite frankly one big mess. She hates her job working for a demanding and slightly crazy MP, her husband appears to be having an affair with the neighbour, and having two teenagers around the house who can't stand each other doesn't help. A small beam of sunshine seems to appear in Molly's life when she is contacted by an old school friend who starts flirting with her and seems keen on meeting up with her. Molly's life appears to be falling apart, the question is whether she wants to throw the towel in the ring or whether she is willing to give married life another shot.

I really liked the fact that the story in the book is told through diary entries written by the main character, Molly Bennett. Molly is a mother of two and an MP caseworker, and I personally enjoyed reading about Molly's family life (which included some funny moments, mainly including Molly's crazy son) and her job (which I thought was quite fascinating, including various eccentric but definitely entertaining characters). It provides the reader with a look into the world of British politics while also dealing with relatable issues having to do with family, relationships, and marriage.

I have to admit I expected the book to be funnier than it was. There were definitely some laugh-out-loud moments, but somehow it didn't quite match my expectations after reading the blurb. However, I am sure numerous women will be able to relate to Molly, mainly because she has her flaws, just like the secondary characters in the book, but this makes it a realistic and recognisable read. 'Diary of an Unsmug Married' is a funny and realistic portrayal of a middle-aged woman trying to find her way in life and provides a glance into the life of a slightly dysfunctional but easily loveable family. I'm sure lots of readers will enjoy this, even though it wasn't necessarily a big hit for me personally.

Rating: 6,5/10

For more information about this book: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads
   

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books That Will Make You Swoon

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Lately I've seen some other book bloggers being quite enthusiastic about this weekly meme, so I decided to join in with the fun and try it out myself as well!  

  Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon   Today's Top Ten Tuesday focuses on swoonworthy reads; those books that manage to get a complete hold on you, with a particular storyline or hero that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I'm a hopeless romantic myself, so I can't ever get enough of a good old-fashioned love story. Here are ten books I'd definitely recommend if you are looking for something that will not fail to make you swoon!
 

---

Stephenie Meyer - The 'Twilight' series
I know not everyone is a fan of this particular series, but I can't help it, I straight away fell in love with Bella and Edward's love story. It's amazing to see how in love they are with one another and can't seem to stay away from each other. Especially the first two books of the series are brilliant reads, and deserve a place in this top ten.

---

Jane Austen - 'Pride and Prejudice' Undoubtedly one of the best classic love stories of all time has to be Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice.' The leading man in this particular book, Mr. Darcy, always manages to make my heart beat a bit faster, and I can never get enough of this tale!  

---

Nicholas Sparks - 'The Notebook'

When talking about some of the best love stories of all time, I can't possibly leave this one out. Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite authors and his love stories never disappoint. 'The Notebook' has to be one of my favourities, because I think all romance lovers out there can't help but shed a tear while getting immersed in Allie and Noah's tale.

---

Emily Giffin - 'Something Borrowed' I actually first saw the film version of 'Something Borrowed', starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson, and I absolutely loved it. Of course this resulted in me reading the book and I loved it just as much. I'm all against cheating and am quite principled when it comes to things like that, but Emily Giffin managed to make me start rooting for Rachel and Dex, no matter what. 

---

Nicholas Sparks - 'The Lucky One'

I know, another Nicholas Sparks novel... I can't help it! When I think of books that make me swoon, 'The Lucky One' has to make the list. U.S. Marine Logan, who is stationed in Iraq, finds a picture of a smiling young woman he doesn't know and that picture becomes his lucky charm. When he is back home, he decides to go on a search to find her. Even though this is once again a truly captivating Sparks romance, there is another reason that makes this novel swoonworthy: the fact that Zac Efron plays Logan in the film version!  

---

Suzanne Collins - 'The Hunger Games'

In the first book of the popular Hunger Games series, the reader is introduced to Katniss and Peeta, and we quickly learn that Peeta has been in love with Katniss for a long time. It's such a sweet story and I love how their friendship is explored and develops because of the particular cirumstances they find themselves in. In this particular instance, I think that the book is definitely a lot better than the film and really managed to take me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

---

Carole Matthews - 'A Cottage by the Sea'

One of the last books I remember reading in which I instantly developed a crush on one of the male characters is Carole Matthews' novel 'A Cottage by the Sea.' It's a lovely summery chick lit read which stars a hunky hero named Noah. I loved him and the book and immediately thought of this when thinking about books that made me swoon.

---

Ali McNamara - 'From Notting Hill With Love... Actually'

A definite chick lit classic and a must-read for anyone who loves romantic comedies like 'Notting Hill' and 'Love Actually.' The heroine of this novel, Scarlett, is easy to relate to and just a lovely character, but it is the male lead, Sean, who completely captured my heart. His romantic gestures are simply brilliant and 100% swoonworthy!

---

Lindsey Kelk - 'I Heart...' series

Lindsey Kelk's 'I Heart...' series is another must-read for any chick lit fan which stars a lovely male hero in the form of Alex Reid, a singer in a popular band. His relationship with Angela, the leading lady in this series, is just amazing and I think many of us secretly long for a guy like Alex in our lives to sweep us off our feet! 

---

Jane Austen - 'Persuasion'

And another classic romance tale to finish this top ten with: Jane Austen's 'Persuasion.' Not one of Austen's most popular novels, but definitely one with a fantastic love story at its centre. The romance between Anne and Frederick is one that will make you sigh and perhaps even shed a tear of happiness.

 

Blog Tour: 'Finding Mother' by Anne Allen (2013)

Three women. Three generations. Sacrifices for love... 

Who is she really? Nicole is about to find out as she searches for her real mother; the woman who gave her away at birth. With her marriage in tatters, she sets out from England: travelling to Spain, Jersey and Guernsey before the extraordinary story of her real family is finally revealed. Nicole becomes an unwitting catalyst for change in the family. Two women are forced to reveal long-buried secrets. One going back as far as the Second World War. Lives are transformed as choices have to be made and the past laid to rest...

I’m excited to be a host on the blog tour for Anne Allen’s novel ‘Finding Mother’ today, organised by the lovely Shaz from Fiction Addiction Blog Tours! I wasn’t familiar with Anne Allen’s work before receiving a review copy of ‘Finding Mother’, but I was straight away mesmerized by the gorgeous cover (the vivid blue reminds me of the ocean and the bright colours make me long for a summer holiday!) and intrigued by the blurb. Needless to say, I was quite curious to find out more as soon as I had the actual review copy in my hands and looked forward to reading it!

Nicole Oxford was adopted as a baby and brought up by her two loving parents on the island of Jersey. She is now happily married, has a great job, and a lovely home on the mainland of England. However, when Nicole unexpectedly discovers that her husband Tom has been unfaithful to her, her world comes crashing down. Feeling the need to get out of England, Nicole travels to her parents in Spain for a much-needed holiday and she finds herself starting to wonder about her roots, her biological family. After a trip to the adoption agency, Nicole discovers her biological mother is still alive and well, living on the island of Guernsey. With a good dose of curiosity and nerves, Nicole embarks on a journey to find her biological mother, having no idea what she will eventually find and uncover.

At the core of this novel we have a female protagonist, Nicole, who is searching for her biological mother, as the title already suggests. Nicole is a compelling main character and I really enjoyed reading about her journey from Bristol to Spain to the Channel Islands (a gorgeous destination which serves as a great scene setting for this book) in order to find her family roots. Eventually, we are treated to a story of three female generations, with a great set of realistic and well-rounded characters including Nicole’s grandmother Eve (whom I straight away adored) and her adoptive parents (I thought it was fascinating to see how they dealt with their daughter’s search for her biological family).

Even though I sometimes missed a bit of depth and would not have minded if a bit more complication had been added to the storyline, the story moves along in a good flowing pace and deals with fascinating themes such as family and finding your own identity, combined with a touch of romance. ‘Finding Mother’ is a kind-hearted, enjoyable and relaxing novel which is perfect for a lazy afternoon on the couch or in the garden and I personally look forward to reading more of Anne Allen’s books in the future!

Rating:7,5/10

For more information about this book: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

Be sure to enter the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway