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 not so far back to May 2013 to look back at...

Charley Summers doesn’t have a care in the world as she hands her gold-plated credit card over at the hair salon, where her wild curls have been transformed into a gleaming satin curtain. She lives in the lap of luxury, supported by a rich, successful husband and surrounded by a loyal group of friends.
Alarm bells don’t even start to ring when her card is declined twice. Some silly mistake, she thinks – and pays in cash. But it is no mistake. Charley’s world is about to collapse, as the business goes bust, the bank forecloses and bailiffs move in to take every one of their disposable possessions. Even her marriage cannot survive.
Charley has nothing – no house, no money, no qualifications. Just shame and sorrow – and the knowledge that she must get a job. Any job. And she must find somewhere to live – no matter how squalid and depressing. Then she must start repaying some of the money which her husband has so recklessly squandered.
But how on earth is she to do that?    On the 9th of May last year, Arrow published Alison Sherlock's wonderful novel 'The Desperate Wife's Survival Plan.' I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of the book and it's a truly delightful read (click here to read my review). Charley Summers' world suddenly is turned completely upside down when her husband's business goes bankrupt and she is left without a home, any money, or a husband. She needs to start again from scratch, with all the trouble and frustration that comes with it! Alison Sherlock is a fabulous writer and I'm looking forward to her next release. If you're looking for an enjoyable chick lit read, then I'd definitely recommend this one!    Be sure to visit the blog next week for another blast from chick lit past with 'Once Upon a Story...'!

Review: 'Dear Thing' by Julie Cohen (2013)

Claire and Ben are the perfect couple. But behind the glossy façade, they've been desperately trying - and failing - to have a baby for years. Now, the stress and feelings of loss are taking their toll on their marriage. Claire's ready to give up hope and get on with her life, but Ben is not. And then Ben's best friend, Romily, offers to conceive via artificial insemination and carry the baby for them.

Romily acts in good faith, believing it will be easy to be a surrogate. She's already a single mother, and has no desire for any more children. Except that being pregnant with Ben's child stirs up all sorts of emotions in her, including one she's kept hidden for a very long time: Ben's the only man she's ever loved.

Two mothers-and one baby who belongs to both of them, and which only one of them can keep.

Julie Cohen’s latest novel, ‘Dear Thing’, which was released on the 11th of April 2013, quickly turned into a book all the bloggers seemed to be talking about. My Twitter timeline included lots of positive messages about ‘Dear Thing’ almost every single day, which only sparked my curiosity. So, when Transworld contacted me about a possible review copy (thanks so much September!), I immediately got excited. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on ‘Dear Thing’ and see whether it was really as good as everyone was telling me. 

To the outside world, Claire and Ben are the perfect couple: happily married, well-paid jobs, a beautiful big family home... The only thing that seems to be missing from this picture are the children, and that is exactly where Ben and Claire are struggling. After several years of trying and giving IVF numerous tries, Claire would do anything to have her own baby to take care of. However, when she suffers another miscarriage, she is once again heartbroken and tells Ben she doesn’t have the strength to keep doing this. So, when Ben and his best friend Romily are in the pub one night, and Romily (after a few glasses too many) offers to be Ben and Claire’s surrogate, Ben is over the moon. The day after, Romily immediately regrets what she said, but when she sees how happy Ben is, she can’t possibly back out... Especially not because she has been in love with Ben for a long time and she would do anything to see him happy. Romily, Ben and Claire soon find themselves in a tricky three-way relationship with many different emotions and a time-span of about nine months to fix it all...

The three main characters (Ben, Claire and Romily) in this novel really made the story come alive for me. Julie Cohen’s well-written, in-depth descriptions of these three individuals, and everything they think and feel, in combination with the sensitive topic of surrogacy, turned this into quite an intense read. I often start rooting for a particular character in a novel, but this time I felt myself torn between Romily and Claire. On the one hand, there’s lovely Romily, who’s disorganised, obsessed with insects, harbours a secret love for her best friend Ben, and does everything in her power to make sure her daughter Posie is brought up the right way. On the other hand, there’s Claire: as organised as can be, the perfect mother figure who is heartbroken because the one thing she has always wanted seems to be out of reach. Throughout the novel, I sympathised with both characters, but I think in the end Claire has to be my favourite. It was heartbreaking to read about how she considers herself a failure, and I really admire her strength to go on, and how she deals with everything that is thrown at her. I especially loved the relationship Claire has with one of her students, Max, which shows what a great teacher she is and what an amazing mum she could be, if only given the chance.

I thought the letters Romily writes to ‘Thing’, the baby, really added something special. Especially since they included all the feelings Romily is afraid to acknowledge out loud in the real world. I felt myself flying through the pages of this novel: it’s easy to read, which isn’t always the case when it comes to sensitive topics like this. Overall, ‘Dear Thing’ is a realistic, moving read not just about the difficult topic of surrogacy, but also about falling down and getting up again, not giving up on life and what you want from it, no matter what might be thrown at you.

Rating:8/10

Review: 'The Lying Game' by Tess Stimson (2013)

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.

I was really excited when I found a review copy from the lovely people at Pan MacMillan of Tess Stimson’s ‘The Lying Game’ in my mailbox. Not only had the attractive cover already caught my eye a few times (I love the intense blue of the woman’s skirt, the red high heels, and the touch of drama added by the falling wine glass), but I had never read anything by Tess Stimson before, while I’ve heard good things. This review copy of ‘The Lying Game’ therefore provided me with the ideal opportunity to sit down with a hopefully great novel and to be introduced to a new author at the same time! 

Harriet Lockwood seems to have the perfect life: she is married to the love of her life, Oliver, with whom she has four children (one daughter, three sons); she has a PR job which she loves; and she lives in a beautiful house in rural Vermont. However, somehow Harriet has never really bonded with her teenage daughter Florence. Somewhere deep down it is therefore not a complete surprise when Harriet discovers her biological daughter and Florence were switched at birth. At the other side of the world, Zoey Sands lives together with her daughter Nell in a small, messy London flat. Zoey’s already slightly chaotic life is completely turned upside down when she receives a letter from the hospital stating her daughter Nell is not her biological child. Harriet, Zoey and their families are taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride as they try to deal with the switch and what this means for each and every one of them and their futures.

Within the first 40 pages of this novel, the reader is invited to have a look at the lives of the Lockwood’s and the Sands’, from the perspectives of mothers Harriet and Zoey, and daughters Florence and Nell. It doesn’t take long before the switched-at-birth incident comes to the light and together with the characters in the novel I was taken on a heavily emotional and unpredictable journey. The subject of babies being accidentally switched at birth in the hospital is a controversial topic that has been discussed in various ways over the years (perhaps some of you are familiar with the American TV show ‘Switched at Birth’). Tess Stimson deals with the issue in a realistic and interesting way, especially by not simply writing from one point of view but using the perspectives of numerous characters: both mothers (Harriet & Zoey), both daughters (Florence & Nell), and also a male standpoint from Harriet’s husband, Oliver. I personally thought this really added another layer to the story, because the experience is different for each individual character with a world of emotions behind it. Because the novel is not that long (approximately 300 pages), this did result in some seemingly hurried scenes every now and again. While some people might like the fast pace of this novel, I found myself wishing there were perhaps another 100 pages extra to get to know the characters just that little bit better. 

While reading I found myself not wanting to put this novel down for even a single second. The term ‘emotional rollercoaster’ is one that definitely applies when it comes to this book. This is of course linked to the controversial topic, but also has to do with the way Tess Stimson manages to introduce new enthralling elements every few pages. If you are looking for a simple light summer read, I would not recommend this book. But if you are looking for an absorbing, thought-provoking, fast-paced chick lit novel, then definitely pick this up... You will not be disappointed! 

Rating:8/10      

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!

Review: 'Because You Are Mine' by Beth Kery (2013)

When they met, the instant attraction was unmistakable…a purely, exquisitely physical charge. 

Succumbing to their desires is the easy part. But when passion opens the door to an intimacy neither has known, can a man known for being unbendable learn to love?

When the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ trilogy by E.L. James topped the book charts all over the world in 2012, I got curious and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I had never read any erotic romance fiction before, so it was something completely new (and I have to admit, slightly scary) to me. The tale of Christian Grey and Ana Steele definitely held my interest; otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to read all three books. But to say I absolutely loved the novels and couldn’t wait to sneak in a few pages of reading after a long working day... No, not really. So, when I received a review copy from Headline of Beth Kery’s ‘Because You Are Mine’ and I read the blurb, I wasn’t too sure whether this book would be for me. However, I wanted to give the genre another chance, so with a large cup of tea and a blanket ready on the couch, I dove in. 

‘Because You Are Mine’ tells the story of thirty-something wealthy businessman Ian Noble and twenty-three year-old artist Francesca Noble. Francesca is an Arts student who has won a competition to create the centrepiece painting for the lobby of Noble’s new office building in Chicago. During a party held in her honour, she meets Ian Noble for the first time and from the start there is something between them. Francesca is immediately fascinated by Ian and the attraction appears to be mutual. Ian helps Francesca to discover her sexuality, but it doesn’t take long before Francesca longs for more. She wants to break through Ian’s walls, but is he ready for this and does he want the kind of intimacy Francesca is looking for?

The storyline of this novel seemed very familiar: a dominant, rich, handsome alpha male falls for a younger, slightly shy, virgin whom he teaches about sexuality. This is apparently seen as a ‘winning formula’ within the world of erotic romance fiction (so I’ve read), which is probably why it reminded me so much of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’ A bit too much, to my personal opinion. I really missed the chemistry between the two main characters, Ian and Francesca. I liked Francesca at the beginning of the novel; she seemed to be a strong young woman, opinionated, and not someone to simply play around with. However, as the story progressed, Francesca became more and more submissive. I know this is part of the novel and the relation Ian and Francesca have with one another, but I thought it was a waste Francesca seemed to transform into someone completely different. I really missed the development of the characters throughout the novel, and felt like not much was going on or actually changing.

While ‘Because You Are Mine’ was published as one novel in 2013, it had already been released as 8 separate parts at the end of 2012. I didn’t notice that the author originally wrote this story as several parts; it definitely fit the form of a longer novel. I also really liked Beth Kery’s writing; it was easy to read and seemed to be of a certain kind of quality which I sometimes miss in these kind of novels. Yet, while I was working my way through the book, I wasn’t once really grabbed by the story. It didn’t bother me to read it, but I also wasn’t sad when it all came to an end. I am sure there are people out there, particularly fans of erotic romance fiction, who will be able to really appreciate and love this novel, but it wasn’t one I think I will pick up again.

Rating:

6,5/10
   

May 2013 release: 'It's Up to You New York' by Tess Daly

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?

I only know Tess Daly as a TV presenter and I honestly had no idea she is also an author of chick lit novels. Her book 'The Camera Never Lies' looks like a lovely read, but on the 23rd of May her new novel 'It's Up to You New York' will be released! This book tells the story of Holly Collins who goes to New York to escape her troubles and hopes to find her own real-life fairy-tale in the Big Apple. I am already in love with the cover and the setting of this particular novel, and I can't wait to find out what Tess Daly's writing skills are like!

Pre-order your own copy here!

May 2013 release: 'Billy and Me' by Giovanna Fletcher

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?

Giovanna Fletcher's upcoming novel has been getting a lot of attention the past few weeks, and I am one of those people who really can't wait to get their hands on a copy! I've only heard good things and read great reviews of 'Billy and Me', and apparently there's especially lots of love for the character of Billy... Nothing like a gorgeous leading man to dream about! Giovanna Fletcher is such a lovely person and I am 100% sure her novel will not disappoint... Can't wait for its release on the 23rd of May! 

Pre-order your own copy here!

Review: 'Perfect Strangers' by Tasmina Perry (2012)

Just an innocent invitation...

When Sophie Ellis is asked to house-sit at a luxurious Knightsbridge townhouse, it appears to be the offer of a lifetime. Drawn into the glittering circle of the home's owner, she meets wealthy American businessman Nick Cooper and is swept up into a thrilling and passionate affair. 

But when Nick is found dead in his hotel suite, Sophie is suddenly the prime suspect for his murder, and soon realises Nick was not the man he seemed. Racing to find the truth and clear her name, Sophie must elude not only the authorities but also a group of dangerous players who believe Sophie has something that they want. And who won't stop until she's caught...

I am a true sucker for romance and happy endings; have been for as long as I can remember. This becomes instantly apparent from my favourite books and films: all of them have to do with love and, most importantly, have that happily ever after some people find too unrealistic or predictable. I know precisely why these are the kind of tales I love to lose myself in: I want to find that kind of happiness in my life, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about other people’s (even if they are just fictional characters) roads to their own happy endings. Why would I want to read about murder, financial troubles, war...? There’s already enough trouble in this world, so in that little corner of my mind there’s simply not allowed to be any. So, when I received this review copy of Tasmina Perry’s novel ‘Perfect Strangers’ from the lovely people at Headline, I at first wasn’t completely sure whether this novel would be something I’d enjoy. How wrong was I!

Sophie Ellis is a rich Chelsea socialite who seems to have it all. However, when her family loses all their money and her father suddenly dies of a heart-attack, Sophie’s life changes significantly. She decides to pick up the pieces and go on as quick as possible, so when she is asked to house-sit for a new friend in Knightsbridge, she gladly accepts. At a glamorous party she meets handsome stranger Nick Cooper with whom she starts a passionate love affair. Yet, when Sophie finds Nick’s lifeless body in the shower one morning and she is automatically considered one of the main murder suspects, her life is once again turned upside down. This time, however, it turns out to be slightly more difficult to find her way out...

I hadn’t read a novel by Tasmina Perry before, and I was pleasantly surprised. From the first couple of pages I was captivated by the story and its exciting and intriguing plot. Who killed Nick, and why? What was going to happen to Sophie? I didn’t want to put the novel down, and all the twists and turns which I seriously did not see coming only strengthened this longing to keep on reading. I really liked Sophie; she isn’t your average Chelsea girl, which becomes clear from the start. She is thrown into a situation no one wants to find themselves in and I think it is very impressive how she deals with everything that is going on in her life. I adore fictional heroines who are strong, know how to take care of themselves and want to do the right thing; Sophie fits this picture perfectly. I found myself rooting for her straight away and hoping she would be able to find the real killer and go on with her life. 

Tasmina Perry turns out to be one of those authors I have definitely been missing out on. Even though I initially thought this novel might not be the kind of thing I would like, I found out that chick lits with a touch of crime might after all be books I can really enjoy and get lost in. ‘Perfect Strangers’ encompasses a great mix of mystery, excitement, drama and a touch of romance and keeps on throwing new twists and turns your way. If you’re looking for a novel that includes both glamour and intrigue, then be sure to pick up this book. I certainly can’t wait to get my hands on the next Tasmina Perry novel!

Rating:

8/10

May 2013 release: 'The Lying Game' by Tess Stimson

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.

Ever since I saw the cover of Tess Stimson's new novel, I've been excited about it. The gorgeous blue dress and red high heels really grabbed my attention, but so did the blurb! The story reminds me of the TV show 'Switched at Birth', which I really like, and I'm quite curious to read what Tess Stimson did with this particular storyline. What will happen to Harriet and Zoey and their daughters? If you're already just as intrigued by this novel as I am, be sure to pick up your own copy from the 23rd of May!

Click here to pre-order your copy now! 

Review: 'Husband, Missing' by Polly Williams (2013)

The number you are calling is unavailable. Please try again later.'

Gina has only been married six months when her husband Rex goes on holiday to Spain and vanishes without a trace, tipping her dream new marriage into nightmare. As a frantic search gets nowhere, Gina is adamant that he's alive and vows never to give up hope. Speculation is rife: he's drowned at sea, lost his memory...or just walked away. Troubling stories start to emerge about Rex's past that are hard to square with the man she married. How well does she really know her handsome, charismatic husband? They'd fallen in love so quickly, so passionately, that the past had seemed barely relevant to either of them. Now an explosive secret threatens to rewrite the story of their love affair. As the mystery of Rex's whereabouts deepens, Gina begins to wonder whether you only ever truly know the person you love once they've gone.

Thanks to the lovely people at Headine, I received a copy of ‘Husband, Missing’ in the mail last week. After reading some great reviews of this novel on other blogs the past couple of weeks, I had already added the book to my ‘to-read’ list. As soon as I pulled the sunset-coloured cover from the envelope, I knew I couldn’t wait to get started and see whether I would agree with all the positive reviews out there.

‘Husband, Missing’ tells the story of Gina and Rex, a couple who are blissfully in love and got married after only knowing each other for six months. Everything seems perfect, until one day Gina receives a phone call that Rex has gone missing. He had gone on holiday to Spain with his brother Jake and some friends, went out surfing one morning and didn’t return. Gina’s world comes crumbling down, but in between all the chaos she knows Rex is still alive; she can feel it. Even when her friends and family lose hope and tell her to move on, Gina cannot let go of her husband. However, as time goes by, Gina gets to know more and more about Rex’s life before she appeared in the picture, and she starts to have doubts about the man and the marriage she so blindly believes in...

After the first couple of pages, I was already hooked by this story. From the moment Gina hears Rex has gone missing, I only wanted to read on in order to find out what was going to happen. Where was Rex? What had happened to him? The story is told from Gina’s perspective, which results in the reader being taken along on this emotional rollercoaster of feelings. The mystery surrounding Gina’s husband, Rex, kept me intrigued and I wasn’t satisfied until I had finished the novel. However, it wasn’t just Gina, but also the other characters that made this story so compelling. Rex is the link which connects various people to Gina: his half-brother Jake, his mother Clarice, his ex-girlfriend Mandy. These characters were all well-developed and had their own story to tell, which I loved. 

I hadn’t read any of Polly Williams’ work before this novel, but I heard good things about ‘The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy’ and ‘The Angel at No. 33’. After reading this novel, I will certainly check out Polly's other books as well. ‘Husband, Missing’ is beautifully written; a warm, honest and bittersweet tale. This novel has a somewhat deeper and more mature feel and isn’t your typical chick lit romance. So, if you are looking for something slightly different, be sure to pick up this intriguing and well-written novel which will keep you in its grip until the very end!  

Rating:

8/10

May 2013 release: 'The Foster Husband' by Pippa Wright

 

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…

 

I am really excited about this new novel by Pippa Wright which will be released on the 9th of May! Next to the pretty purple and pink cover, the blurb promises a fabulous story! I love the idea of a project, and a foster husband to train sounds like a recipe for disaster and laughter. Perhaps us readers can even pick up a thing or two to deal with the men in our lives! Can't wait to find out what happens to Kate!

 

Click here to pre-order your copy now!

May 2013 release: 'Wish You Were Here' by Victoria Connelly

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?

 

The sun has finally arrived and this upcoming release (the 9th of May, to be exact!) by Victoria Connelly will only make sure we hang onto that summery feeling! 'Wish You Were Here' tells the story of Alice Archer's holiday to a Greek island where she meets a hunky gardener... Do I need to say more? I loved Victoria Connelly's novel 'A Weekend with Mr. Darcy' and I can't wait to get my hands on this holiday read!

 

Click here to pre-order your copy now!