Review: 'The Girls from See Saw Lane' by Sandy Taylor (2016)

Brighton 1963. Mary Pickles and I walked along the street with our arms linked, looking in shop windows. We were best friends and together we were invincible.
Dottie and Mary forged a friendship over a bag of penny sweets when they were eight years old. They’ve shared everything together since then – the highs and lows of school, family dramas, hopes and dreams and now, at seventeen, they’re both shop girls, working at Woolworths.
As they go out in the world in pursuit of love and happiness, the simplicity of their childhood dissolves as life becomes more complicated. The heady excitement of first love will consume them both, but the pain of unintentional betrayal will test their friendship in ways neither of them could ever imagine…
As some of you might know by now I love to pick up some historical/wartime romance fiction every now and again. I can really enjoy the nostalgic feel of these novels, especially when you stumble upon a really well-written and compelling one. 'The Girls from See Saw Lane' is my first experience with author Sandy Taylor's writing, but I'm a big fan of publisher Bookouture, so straight away knew I wanted to give this book a go. It's actually the first part of the Brighton Girls Trilogy, so I hoped I would end up enjoying the novel, especially with the thought of having two more parts to read and get lost in after finishing this one!
Set in Brighton in the 1960s, 'The Girls of See Saw Lane' tells the story of best friends Dottie Perks and Mary Pickles. Ever since they met at primary school when they were eight years old Dottie and Mary have been there for each other: playing together, walking home together, sharing secrets, developing their first crushes on boys, dreaming about their futures. When they are seventeen, both working at the local Woolworths and ready to leave school, life suddenly gets more complicated and Dottie and Mary's friendship is tested; will they be able to continue to be there for each other or are some things simply too difficult to forget...?
From the first chapter of this novel I grew fond of main characters and best friends Mary and Dottie, and I'm happy to say I continued to be interested and moved by their story until the last few pages of the book. We meet Dottie and Mary when they're eight years old and are given the chance to follow them until they are older. I could say more about the plot, but I really enjoyed reading the book without knowing too much about where the story was going to go, so I don't want to ruin that experience for others. I really enjoyed the author's well-paced writing style which included the right amount of both dialogue and background information and really suited this kind of story, and I definitely look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
One of the things I enjoyed most about reading this novel was the nostalgic feel of it. The author really managed to recreate that feeling of Brighton in the 1960s and it made me think of my nanna and the stories she told me of when she was in her twenties in the UK which added a lovely personal touch. I really enjoyed this a lot more than I initially expected and can't wait to read the second part in the series, 'Counting Chimneys', which was released in June. On the whole, 'The Girls from See Saw Lane' is a well-written, touching and simply lovely coming-of-age story I personally couldn't have enjoyed more; a great read!

Rating:9/10

  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: 'When Only Cupcakes Will Do' by Daisy James (2016)

When life gives you lemons, make lemon drizzle cupcakes…
Lucie thought that proposing to her boyfriend in Tiffany’s would be the best day of her life. Until he said no. In just a few seconds, her whole world is turned upside-down! And when she accidentally switches cocoa powder for chilli powder at work, she finds herself out of a job, too…
Baking has always made life better in the past, but can Lucie really bake her way to happiness? Starting her own company, selling cupcakes out of an old ice cream van might just be the second chance that Lucie needs!
Of course, she never expected to find love along the way…
I'm not afraid to admit I'm a sucker for pretty book covers, so I definitely would have picked up 'When Only Cupcakes Will Do', no matter the author or the story description. However, this novel appears to have the whole package! Several months ago I read and reviewed Daisy James' novel 'If the Dress Fits' (click here to read my review), which I really liked and was curious to read more from this author. Next to that I also love novels about cupcakes/bakeries/cafes etc., so I was really excited and thankful when I was approved to read this novel via NetGalley and had my fingers crossed I'd at least enjoy it as much as my first Daisy James read, if not more!
When you're completely in love with someone, why not just take that next step and make sure you'll be together for years to come? That's exactly what Lucie is thinking when she decides to propose to her boyfriend Alex. Things don't go quite according to plan, though; shook up by Alex' refusal, Lucie ends up making a horrible mistake at work and loses her restaurant job. She moves in with her sister, trying to come up with a way to make money and use her passion for baking at the same time. The idea of a travelling cupcake company is born, and Lucie is set on making this work. But starting your own company from scratch is not the easiest thing in the world, especially not when all kinds of things, including a handsome food critic, could be getting in your way...
Sometimes you stumble upon a novel in which everything just seems to be right, and that's the feeling I got while reading Daisy James' 'When Only Cupcakes Will Do.' This heart-warming novel really has it all: a likeable main character which I'm sure readers can relate to, a great plotline, some romance, and a fun and comfortable writing style. I liked Lucie from the start and really loved joining her on this journey, building up her life again from scratch, but especially the idea of this travelling cupcake company is one I simply loved. Lucie's love for baking easily shines through in the story and I loved reading about the different delicious treats she came up with and discovering where her ideas would get her and how she dealt with any issues coming her way.
An enjoyable chick lit novel needs a good romance, in my opinion, and luckily this novel has two male characters at its core. On one side we have Alex, Lucie's boyfriend, and the other side we have Ed, a well-known food critic who used to go to school with Lucie and now unexpectedly makes a reappearance in her life. This novel has made me fall even more in love with author Daisy James and I already can't wait for her next release; she's slowly becoming one of my favourites! Overall, 'When Only Cupcakes Will Do' is a sweet, warm-hearted and fun read about baking, friendship and a good dose of romance; a lovely and uplifting read that will leave you with a smile on your face!

Rating:9,5/10

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

Review: 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' by Holly Martin (2016)

Snow is falling on the charming seaside town of White Cliff bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air...
Penny Meadows loves her cosy cottage with its stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay and her job as an ice-carver, creating breathtaking sculptures. Yet her personal life seems frozen.
When Henry and daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage to rent the annex, Penny is determined to make them feel welcome. But while Daisy is friendly, Henry seems guarded.
As Penny gets to know Henry, she realises there is more to him than meets the eye. And the connection between them is too strong to ignore . . .
While the preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas Eve ball are in full swing, will Penny be able to melt the ice and allow love into her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she's been dreaming of?
On October 20th Holly Martin's lovely Christmas novel 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' was released as a paperback by publisher Bonnier Zaffre. I already got the chance to read and review the book last year and really enjoyed it, so when I received a stunning paperback copy of the book I couldn't wait to share my review with all of you again! I read Holly Martin's 'Fairytale Beginnings' (click here to read my review) last year, which was a great read, and have really enjoyed all of her other books since. If you're a chick lit fan, definitely don't hesitate to pick up one of Holly's novels; trust me, you won't be disappointed!
Penny Meadows hasn't always had it easy. After some difficult years, she has managed to build a life for herself as an ice-carver, a job she loves, in the lovely village of White Cliff Bay. However, Penny hasn't been lucky in love, so she decides to rent out the annex of her cottage in order to surround herself with some more people. The rooms are rented by Henry and Daisy, whom Penny expects to be a married couple but are actually a single father and his 16-year-old daughter. The sparks start flying between Penny and Henry as soon as they first meet, but Henry is guarded, not wanting to disrupt his daughter's life too much after some bad experiences, and Penny isn't sure she is ready for romance, after everything that has happened. Will the two be able to find some happiness together or does this Christmas have other plans in store for them?
I've seen other readers comparing Holly Martin's novels to Disney films and I understand the comparison; cute and simple stories with a guaranteed happy ending. I am a big Disney fan and also thoroughly enjoy Holly's books, including the first part of her new White Cliff Bay series, 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage.' At the core of the novel there are some simply wonderful characters that I easily warmed to. Protagonist Penny is just lovely and I wanted nothing more than for her to find love; Henry and Daisy are both warm and interesting characters as well, and I couldn't help but fall in love with Penny's dog, Bernard, and the whole town of White Cliff Bay.
The storyline of this book is quite basic and not too complicated; great for a festive chick lit novel like this one. However, what makes this novel such a good read are Holly Martin's storytelling skills; she is wonderful at setting the scene, making it easy for readers to imagine everything, and I fell in love with the community spirit that she managed to convey with her writing. I did personally think everything went a bit fast (the story is set over the time span of a week), but this didn't really influence how much I enjoyed the book. Overall, 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' is a really cute, simple, festive romance that will undoubtedly warm your heart during the cold winter days before Christmas. A great start to this new series and I'm already excited about picking up the second book!

Rating:9/10

  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: 'Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many' by Heather Wardell (2010)

Madeleine-Cora Spencer is the last person who should be on reality TV, but when she's shunned by a friend's new wife because "you can't trust desperate single women", her pain and humiliation drive her straight to the "Find Your Prince" dating show. But when she arrives to meet her potential loves, she gets dumped... on a remote island with seven ex-boyfriends. Seven exes! Could this be any worse?
Quite some time ago I managed to get a NetGalley review copy of Heather Wardell's novel 'Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many', a romantic-comedy-meets-reality-TV read that was first released back in 2010. The book is actually the first instalment of a three-part series, and it's also my first experience with Heather's writing, which is always quite exciting! I have to admit I am not the biggest reality TV fan, but I was straightaway intrigued by the plot of this novel and curious to see how the author would manage to make this concept, including a deserted island and a whole load of exes, work in the form of a book...!
So far, Madeleine-Cora Spencer, known to her friends as MC, has had no success in finding her very own Prince Charming. There have been different guys, but with none of them it really worked out in the end. Madeleine decides to hand over the reins of her love life to someone else by taking part in a reality show that will help her find the right guy. However, a surprise is waiting for her in the form of seven of her exes when she shows up on the first day. The show is going to be slightly different from what Madeleine expected: together with seven exes she will need to survive on a deserted island, while competing with another team consisting of that one ex-boyfriend she never quite forgot about and seven of his ex-girlfriends... Let the games begin!
I can honestly say I've never read a novel like Heather Wardell's 'Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many' before, which is basically a season of a reality TV show written down on paper. The novel focuses on main character Madeleine-Cora, also known as MC, who finds herself taking part in a show that is a combination of 'The Bachelorette' and 'Survivor'. Together with several ex-boyfriends she needs to form a team and survive while competing with a team of women led by that one ex she never quite managed to get over. Definitely an original plotline to start a story with and even though I am not a big reality TV fan, I was intrigued and curious to check it out and see what would happen to MC and the other characters.
While the book is a fun and fast-paced read, I couldn't help but be confused by the large group of characters. There's MC at the core of it all, but we have her 8 exes and another 7 women, the presenter of the show, a few family members and friends... Overall it was just a bit too much and I felt a bit lost until the end of the novel, also because the characters weren't described in a lot of detail and had no clear background story. I definitely think the potential is there, though; I enjoyed the author's writing and am curious to read the other parts in this series. On the whole, 'Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many' is a novel that quite confused me at times, but it's also a fast-paced, fun and original read and I look forward to checking out the sequel!

Rating:8/10

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

Blog Tour: 'The Christmas Promise' by Sue Moorcroft

For Ava Bliss, it’s going to be a Christmas to remember …
On a snowy December evening, Sam Jermyn steps into the life of bespoke hat maker Ava. Sparks fly, and not necessarily the good ones.
Times are tough for Ava – she’s struggling to make ends meet, her ex-boyfriend is a bully, and worst of all, it’s nearly Christmas.
So when Sam commissions Ava to make a hat for someone special, she makes a promise that will change her life. She just doesn’t know it yet…
Today I'm incredibly excited to share a bit of early Christmas cheer with all of you by being part of the blog tour for Sue Moorcroft's newest book 'The Christmas Promise', which was released by Avon UK on October 6th! I have no idea why, but this is actually my first Sue Moorcroft novel, and I was really looking forward to finally checking out her writing after many years of hearing about her lovely books. Next to that, the book already sounded like a great read I definitely would have picked up myself, and not just because of it's Christmas theme! If you want to read more about this title, be sure to check out some of the other blogs taking part in the blog tour, you can find all the links on the blog tour poster!
Ava Blissham is trying her best to get by on what she earns as a hat maker. She loves the fact that she set up her very own business, but would be lying if she said it made her life easier. Next to that, it's almost Christmas, a time she isn't the biggest fan of because of her parents who never really felt the need to celebrate, and her ex-boyfriend Harvey keeps on popping up in her life unwanted. When Ava joins her best friend and room mate Izz as a plus-one to a work party, she meets Sam Jermyn, and she can't ignore the sparks between them. However, Ava doesn't want to date anyone right now. But when Sam asks her to make a hat for a special someone in his life, Ava can't possibly say no...
Oh, what a lovely December read! I really enjoyed everything about 'The Christmas Promise' and am so glad I finally got to check out Sue Moorcroft's writing. Even though I know absolutely nothing about the art of making hats, I straight away loved the fact that Ava, the main character, is a milliner and it was really interesting to read more about it and see how happy Ava can make people with a new hat that suits them. It was easy to warm to Ava, and I also instantly liked Izz, Ava's best friend, and Sam, who really is the knight-in-shining-armour type which I'm sure many readers will fall for, just like me. I love it when a book has a good and convincing romance at its core and that was definitely the case here.
While the novel is a lovely read with a good dose of Christmas cheer, it is not as festive as some other holiday reads out there and deals with a few quite serious topics in the various plotlines (another thing which I loved about this novel; more than enough to keep my interest!). However, the author really manages to do this in a suitable manner and doesn't make the read an incredibly heavy/dark one. I really enjoyed Sue Moorcroft's writing and hope I'll be able to read more of her work. Overall, 'The Christmas Promise' is a heartwarming, festive, and well-written read; perfect for this time of year and well worth picking up!

Rating:9/10

  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 Sunshine and Biscotti Club' by Jenny Oliver (2016)

Moving to Italy to set up a baking club is a dream come true…
…until Libby catches her husband cheating just weeks before The Sunshine and Biscotti Club opens its doors.
With the first wave of guests set to arrive any day, Libby has no choice but to tie on her apron and get set to bake. But with a dash of sunshine and a sprinkling of old friends, Libby’s kitchen nightmare might just become the best thing that’s ever happened to her.
After all, you can’t bake biscotti without breaking a few eggs…
Last year I got the chance to read and review 'The Grand Reopening of the Dandelion Cafe' (click here to read my review), which was my first experience with author Jenny Oliver's writing. I always see a lot of positive messages about her writing on Twitter and other blogs and have to admit I love the titles and covers of her works. However, up until now I just haven't really had the chance to actually read more of her writing, until 'The Sunshine and Biscotti Club', that is! Thanks to the lovely people over at publisher Carina I got a review copy and as it was pouring down with rain last week, I decided I needed a bit of sunshine in my life and the gorgeous book cover and promising book blurb had me feeling that was exactly what this read would bring me...!
Libby is living the dream; she's a popular food blogger about to open her very own hotel/baking club in beautiful Tuscany. The only problem is that she expected to do this together with her husband Jake; the same husband she discovered was actually cheating on her and has now left the country. Luckily, Libby quickly realises she is not completely alone; she has her group of old university friends to fall back on as they all make their way to Italy to help out with the renovations and start-up of the Sunshine and Biscotti Club. Will Libby be able to pull this off by herself in just a few weeks' time, especially when not just her friends but their individual problems are also thrown into the mix...?
Jenny Oliver's 'The Sunshine and Biscotti Club' is the kind of read that's great for a lovely warm day in the garden or the beach, or a rather chilly or rainy day when you're craving that bit of sunshine and holiday feeling. The book focuses on main character Libby who is busy starting up her own hotel and baking club in Italy but needs to call in the help of her friends when her husband turns out to have been cheating on her. Next to Libby, we meet all of her friends with a specific focus on Evie (who is stuck in an unhappy marriage with two children and needs a break from it all) and Jessica (who is a complete workaholic that devotes all her time to her own design agency, but decides she could use a quick break away from it all). The reader gets to follow these three female characters with chapters told from each of their point of view, with the Sunshine and Biscotti club at the centre of it all.
I don't know whether I maybe had too high expectations of this novel going into it, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I initially hoped I would. I liked Libby, but didn't really warm to her, and neither did I with any of the other characters. Especially the male characters confused me a bit; I couldn't remember who was who and missed some background information and character details. I was also a bit disappointed there was hardly any attention paid to the actual Sunshine and Biscotti club and the hotel. I definitely think the potential for an amazing story is there, it just didn't really work for me personally, but other readers might disagree, and rightfully so. I have no doubt I will pick up another of Jenny Oliver's novels in the future, but while 'The Sunshine and Biscotti Club' is an enjoyable and fun read, it just didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Rating:7,5/10

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

New Release: 'Lizzie's Christmas Escape' by Christie Barlow

Every Christmas Lizzie promises herself that things will change and she will leap into the new year a new woman. And yet here she is again, at the beginning of December and nothing is different. Her girls have grown up and left home, her husband Henry is slumped in front of the TV and she is alone in the kitchen, seeking refuge in the cooking sherry and talking to her Gary Barlow calendar. She’s also been very diverted by handsome new neighbour Marcus and she knows she shouldn’t be …

So when best friend Ann suggests a weekend away in the country, Lizzie jumps at the chance. Will this Christmas escape give Lizzie some much needed perspective and allow her to mend her marriage? Or will Marcus prove to be too much of a distraction?

Yesterday, on 21 October, Christie Barlow's latest novel 'Lizzie's Christmas Escape' was released and it's an October release I can't wait to pick up myself. I really enjoyed Christie Barlow's novel 'Kitty's Countryside Dream' and have been looking forward to picking up another one of her books. Next to that, this book has just a lovely festive cover and I can't wait to dive into this year's Christmas novels... Definitely at the top of my October wishlist!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Review: 'Saving Phoebe Murrow' by Herta Feely (2016)

Phoebe's mother, Isabel, is precariously balancing her career and her family. Hard-working and caring, worried but supportive, all Isabel wants, in a world of bullies and temptations, is to keep her daughter Phoebe safe. With her busy schedule, though, she fails to recognize another mother's mounting fury and the danger Phoebe faces by flirting with a mysterious boy on Facebook. A cyber-bullying episode aimed at Phoebe pushes her to the edge with horrific consequences. In her search for justice, Isabel, a DC lawyer, sets out to find the culprit behind this cruel incident.

Today I've got quite an interesting review to share with all of you, if I may say so myself. One of the positive things about being a book blogger is that you get approached by publishers and authors to read and review specific books, which also provides you with the opportunity to pick up some novels you might not have read otherwise. I think this is the case with Herta Feely's 'Saving Phoebe Murrow'; knowing me, I don't think I would have as quickly read this novel as I ended up doing now, because it was offered to me for review. Another great thing about book blogging, especially if you end up enjoying the book more than you thought you would...!

As a working mother and wife, Isabel's main goal in life seems to be making sure all the balls are kept in the air. She loves her job as a Washington DC lawyer, but at the same time she wants to be a good mum to her kids, especially her fourteen-year-old daughter Phoebe who has had some problems in the past. Phoebe has a history of self-harm, mainly caused by bullies at school, and Isabel hopes a new school will fix these issues. However, Phoebe's age means she's now slowly getting into touch with boys and alcohol, and Isabel can't seem to switch off her panic-mode. But it's not until Phoebe meets a new online friend that things slowly start to go in a downwards spiral.

'Saving Phoebe Murrow' is a contemporary and convincing novel about the effects of bullying, the pressure of belonging and fitting the picture, and the relationship between mother and daughter. It's also a strong debut novel by author Herta Feely, and a read that made quite an impression on me. The book itself is character-driven with a strong focus on the different characters, particularly teenager Phoebe and her mother Isabel. I thought both characters were interesting and even though there's not too much going on in the story plotwise, I was fascinated from the beginning of the novel until the end and wanted to keep on reading, curious to discover where things would lead.

I actually wasn't too sure what to think about the cover of the book, but another reviewer actually pointed me at the significant use of the butterfly; a beautiful insect that only gets hurt when stopped from flying and kept in a glass case, which is undoubtedly linked to the story inside this novel. I really enjoyed the author's well-paced and detailed writing style and already  look forward to Herta Feely's next novel. On the whole, 'Saving Phoebe Murrow' is a compelling contemporary read, perfect for women's fiction fans; an intriguing and well-written story and a read that actually managed to surprised me!
Rating:8,5/10

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

Review: 'Out of Practice' by Phoebe Fox (2016)

When your relationship is on life support, the Breakup Doctor is on call. 
There’s no shortage of broken hearts in Breakup Doctor Brook Ogden’s successful breakup counseling practice—if love is a battlefield, then Brook is the cavalry. Luckily her own love life is in full recovery: after a long, tortuous road, she and Ben Garrett are finally headed down the aisle. 
But when a local TV personality—and former frenemy—invites Brook onto her show, she’s blindsided live on the air when the interview turns into an act of long-delayed revenge meant to publicly humiliate her. Brook’s an expert at getting back on your feet when life knocks you down, but as the blows keep piling on—with a betrayal she never saw coming and a family crisis that threatens to pull the foundation out from under her—her confidence starts slinking away. With her clients dropping her faster than a one-night stand, suddenly the Breakup Doctor’s career is in critical care.
I love a good book series and that’s exactly what I found when I picked up Phoebe Fox’s ‘The Breakup Doctor’ in 2014. This novel was the start of a thoroughly enjoyable four-part book series (click here to read my review of the third part ‘Heart Conditions’) and I have to admit I had some mixed feelings about the October release of the fourth part ‘Out of Practice’! On the one hand I was really excited to jump back into the story and see what was going on with all the characters, especially main character Brook, but at the same time I was really sad to reach the ending of the series. But, I guess it’s unavoidable; everything comes to an end, so I just had my fingers crossed it would be a pretty good one…!
Breakup doctor Brook Ogden is doing pretty well; her business which focuses on helping others deal with a broken heart is still going strong and she is now engaged to her lovely boyfriend Ben. However, things slowly start to fall apart when Brook is invited to appear on a morning TV show where she is publicly humiliated. It doesn’t take long before other things start to go wrong and catch up with her, such as the relatively recent death of her father and the fact that she’s been working non-stop for the past few years. It’s definitely time for Brook to take a break, but will she be able to take some time for herself while also dealing with the effect the bad publicity has on her business, some serious family issues that need attention, and, oh yes, the planning of an entire wedding…? 
I can't believe 'Out of Practice' is already the fourth and final part of Phoebe Fox's 'Breakup Doctor' series; what a ride it has been! We are once again looking over the shoulder of main character Brook who owns her own relationship counselling practice while at the same time also doing a weekly radio show, a newspaper column, planning her very own wedding and dealing with family issues (which there always seem to be at least one or two)... no wonder Brook is getting a bit stressed out! Once again Phoebe Fox has filled a novel with a thoroughly entertaining story, focusing on different parts of Brook's life with appearances from some loved familiar faces such as her best friend Sasha, fiancee Ben, a few patients and the most adorable dog ever, Jake.
I really enjoy Phoebe Fox's writing and think this novel, just like the other parts of the series, has everything an entertaining chick lit read needs. It's a great ending to a great series and I have to admit I'm quite sad to see this series coming to an end, but it's been a great journey and I've loved following Brook during this quite tumultuous period in her life. I wouldn't necessarily give this book 10/10 or 5 stars, but I feel that this series and Phoebe Fox both deserve it. 'Out of Practice' is a simply great and thoroughly enjoyable read, especially when read as the last part of the 'Breakup Doctor' series which I can recommend to any chick lit fan. Sad to see this come to an end, but incredibly excited about Phoebe Fox's next read!

Rating:10/10

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

Review: 'Sacking the Quarterback' by Samantha Towle (2016)

The golden boy of football just went bad.
Quarterback Grayson Knight has a squeaky-clean reputation in the football world. So when he's arrested for drug possession, lawyer Melissa St. James knows that something doesn't add up. It's clear he's hiding something, though he denies it. But there's one thing he can't deny--he wants Melissa.
Several weeks ago I was contacted by a publisher and introduced to 'BookShots', a new way of reading developed by world-famous author James Patterson. I hadn't heard of BookShots before, but they're basically small and light books you can finish in one sitting that will keep you on the edge of your seat; short, fast-paced, high-impact entertainment (click here to read some more about it). I read my first BookShots read, 'Little Black Dress', a few weeks ago (click here to read my review) and more recently had the pleasure of reading 'The Mating Season'. Today I'm excited to share my review of another BookShots example with all of you, a steamy romance read this time around, namely 'Sacking the Quarterback'!
Thirty-one-year-old Melissa St. James is completely devoted to her job as assistant state attorney in Miami. She has no time for anything else such as friends, fun, or relationships; her career is her number one priority, so when she is phoned by her boss in the middle of the night to take on a case starring an NFL quarterback, Melissa is already on her way to the police station. Grayson Knight was arrested for the possession of drugs and Melissa knows her boss wants her to make an example out of a celebrity like Grayson. However, the chemistry between Melissa and Grayson is undeniable and Melissa soon realises this case is going to be even more interesting than she could have possibly imagined...
Well, if you're looking for a quick and steamy read, then this Samantha Towle novella is definitely what you want to pick up next! Just as the BookShots reads promise on the cover: fast-paced, easy to read, and entertaining, and that also counts for 'Sacking the Quarterback.' The book focuses on career-driven Melissa who finds herself assigned to a case concerning Grayson Knight, a player for the Miami Dolphins. I really enjoyed the story at the core of this read and was curious to discover what was going to happen, both between Melissa and Grayson (tension that's difficult to ignore!) and in general.
I have to admit this wasn't my favourite BookShots read, especially since it took me a bit of time to warm to the characters and the story didn't seem as gripping as some of the other reads I've been able to check out so far, but I still really enjoyed reading it. The format of these BookShots is just perfect, especially for people that travel a lot, and I also think it provides readers with the chance to quite easily check out new authors they might not yet be familiar with. Overall, 'Sacking the Quarterback' is another enjoyable BookShots experience; a spicy and steamy read, great for any romance fans out there looking for a quick read!

Rating:8/10

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

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Characters I'd Name A Child After

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

  10 Characters I'd Name A Child After
Oh, this week's Top Ten Tuesday is a nice one, but also one that got me thinking! I'm not really the type that already had the names of her future kids picked out when she was just a kid herself. Of course I've thought of it, but it's not something I've spent a lot of time thinking about. The discussion I had with myself for today's list was: do I pick names based on literary characters I would be proud to name my children after, or pick names that I like, no matter what character they were linked to? In the end, it became a bit of a mix, I couldn't help it...!
Be sure to share your own TTT's in the comments section below; I'd love to hear from you! 

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1. Elizabeth/Darcy - 'Pride and Prejudice

I love 'Pride and Prejudice' and would love to name one of my children after a Jane Austen character. However, I also really love the names 'Elizabeth' and 'Darcy', so it's a win win...!

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2. Harry - 'Harry Potter'

It would be an honour for a kid to be named after 'Harry Potter', I think; one of the greatest literary characters of all time, if you ask me! I've always really liked the name Harry as well, especially for a little boy. The Dutch pronunciation of the name is quite horrible, though, so hmmm....

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3. Waverley - 'The Joy Luck Club'

If I'm completely honest I don't even really remember Waverley's role exactly in this novel, but I've always remembered the pretty name...!

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4. Lou - 'Me Before You'

Lou is one of those female characters that will stay with me for time to come. I just loved her quirkyness and how she fell for Will 100%... I'd love to name my daughter after her.

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5. Dorothy - 'The Wizard of Oz'

Can't help it, but love the name Dorothy and 'The Wizard of Oz'! <3

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6. Josephine - 'Little Women'

I would 100% call my daughter Josephine if it wasn't so similar to my own name. I have a colleague who's named Josephine, so I now see everyday how often it can be kind of confusing having both of our names in the same office... Let alone having a kid having a similar name. But still, gorgeous name and a lovely character to be named after.

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7. Arthur - 'The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper'

I really liked Arthur in this novel and Arthur is a nice British name for a guy, I think; classic and great.

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8. Frederick - 'Persuasion'

The romantic in me just loves the name Frederick (Freddie for short) and would love a son that would end up to be just as romantic as Austen's Frederick Wentworth <3

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9. Alice - 'Alice in Wonderland'

Cute name and I'd love a kid with such a big imagination!

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10. Dawn - 'The Babysitters Club'

I've always loved the name Dawn. She wasn't my favourite Babysittersclub character, but always had a soft spot for the name and that never went away...!

Review: 'Comfort and Joy' by Cathy Bramley (2016)

It’s been a busy year for Verity Bloom at the Plumberry School of Comfort Food, but Christmas Eve is finally here. With delicious treats all wrapped up and the ingredients packed away, Verity is looking forward to a relaxing few days with her new boyfriend.
Good food, family and friends – it’s a simple recipe for true comfort and joy, and all Verity’s friends in the village are full of excitement about the holidays too.
But the weather has other plans in store… Relentless rain leads to a power cut that spells disaster for many of Plumberry’s residents. It’s starting to look like this year’s celebrations could be a total washout.
With dreams of a perfect Christmas dashed, will the last of the festive cheer be swept away in the downpour? Or can the cookery school create a Christmas miracle for everyone Verity holds dear?
Slowly but surely we are getting closer and closer to Christmas and I couldn't be more excited! I love December and all the preparations for the holidays and one of the most important things that comes with that: Christmas novels! For the past few years I've saved all my festive-themed reading for November and December, which makes sure I'm in the ultimate Christmas mood by the time the end of the year arrives! However, I do like to make a sneaky exception every now and again and that's what I did with Cathy Bramley's 'Comfort and Joy'. This festive novella was released on October 13th and I was lucky enough to receive an early review copy of this beauty...!
'Comfort and Joy' invites readers to revisit the Plumberry School of Comfort Food (the setting of author Cathy Bramley's previous novel) and familiar faces such as Verity, Tom, Pixie and Mags. All of them have had a busy year and can't wait for Christmas to finally spend some time with their family and friends. However, the weather gods have other plans as rain keeps pouring down, causing floods and all kinds of other problems in the area. Will Verity and her friends be able to save Christmas or is everything destined to be ruined this time around?
Cathy Bramley's 'Comfort and Joy' (which has a truly gorgeous cover in my opinion!) is a short sequel to 'The Plumberry School of Comfort Food.' While you can definitely read this novella as a stand-alone, just like me, I do think it will be even more enjoyable if you actually know these characters and what they've already been through together. As usual, Cathy has created a wonderful group of characters and a lovely setting, and I loved reading every page of this quick read, also thanks to Ms. Bramley's simply fantastic and comfortable writing style.
This novella is filled to the brim with Christmas joy and it almost felt like wrapping a warm festive-themed blanket around myself. The holiday decorations, bringing friends and family together during horrible weather, a lot of smiles and friendship and love... It immediately brought a smile to my face and I'm sure no one will be able to finish this read and NOT smile. Once again, a thoroughly good read by author Cathy Bramley; 'Comfort and Joy' is a lovely, short, feel-good story filled with Christmas cheer... I can't wait for it to be December!

Rating:10/10

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