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30 June 2016

July 2016 Releases! (Part 1)

Summer's here! *looks outside at all the rain* Well, not literally here where I am, to be honest, but 'officially' it's here and I hope the sun is shining in the places where you are! No matter the weather, though, there's always time for a good book, right? And luckily, July has some pretty great new releases in store for us. I made a selection of the releases I am personally most excited about and will be sharing them with you today and tomorrow!

Which releases are you excited about? I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like me to include your book release in this list, feel free to contact me via e-mail or Twitter! :)

'Friends Like Us' - Sian O'Gorman (1 July)

Is it ever too late to take charge and live your life on your terms?

Life for school friends, Melissa, Steph and Eilis, hasn't quite worked out the way they once imagined it might.

Melissa may be professionally successful but inside she's a mess of insecurities.
Steph is lonely and lost, balancing the fragile threads of family life and walking on eggshells around her philandering husband and angry teenage daughter.

Finally, Eilis, a hardworking A&E doctor, utterly exhausted by the daily pressures of work and going through the motions with her long-term partner Rob.

It's crunch time for all the friends...

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'The Reunion' - Roisin Meaney (1 July)

It's their twenty-year school reunion but the Plunkett sisters have their own reasons for not wanting to attend...

Caroline, now a successful knitwear designer, spends her time flying between her business in England and her lover in Italy. As far as she's concerned, her school days, and what happened to her the year she left, should stay in the past.

Eleanor, meanwhile, is unrecognisable from the fun-loving girl she was in school. With a son who is barely speaking to her, and a husband keeping a secret from her, revisiting the past is the last thing on her mind.
But when an unexpected letter arrives for Caroline in the weeks before the reunion, memories are stirred.

Will the sisters find the courage to return to the town where they grew up and face what they've been running from all these years?

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'The Story of Our Life' - Shari Low (1 July)

So what would you do if your husband slept with another woman?

Colm strolled into my life fifteen years ago. If there's ever such a thing as love at first sight, that was it for us both. 

A few weeks later we married, celebrating with those who cared, ignoring the raised eyebrows of the cynics. 

We knew better. This was going to be forever. The dream come true. The happy ever after. Until it wasn't.

Because a couple of months ago everything changed. We discovered a devastating truth, one that blew away our future and forced us to revisit our past, to test the bonds that were perhaps more fragile than they seemed. 

So now I ask you again, what would you do if your husband slept with another woman? Because this is what I did. 

I'm Shauna. And this is the Story of Our Life... 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner' - Helen Cox (4 July)

Esther Knight is sharp, sarcastic – and hiding something. She waitresses at The Starlight Diner: a retro eatery where Fifties tunes stream out of the jukebox long into the night, and the tastiest milkshakes in New York are served.

Nobody at the diner knows why Esther left London for America – or why she repeatedly resists the charms of their newest regular, actor Jack Faber.

Esther is desperate to start a new life in the land of the free, but despite the warm welcome from the close-knit diner crowd, something from her past is holding her back. Can she ever learn to love and live again?

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'Sunshine and Secrets (Willow Cottage, Book 1)' - Bella Osborne (7 July)

Beth is running away. With her young son Leo to protect, Willow Cottage is the lifeline she so desperately needs. Overlooking the village green in a beautiful Cotswolds idyll, Beth sees a warm, caring home for little Leo.

When she finally uncovers the cottage from underneath the boughs of a weeping willow tree, Beth realises this is far more of a project than she bargained for and the locals are more than a little eccentric! A chance encounter with gruff Jack, who appears to be the only male in the village under thirty, leaves the two of them at odds but it’s not long before Beth realises that Jack has hidden talents that could help her repair more than just Willow Cottage.

Over the course of four seasons, Beth realises that broken hearts can be mended, and sometimes love can be right under your nose…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'Letters from Lighthouse Cottage' - Ali McNamara (14 July)

Sandybridge is the perfect English seaside town: home to gift shops, tea rooms and a fabulous fish and chip shop. And it's home to Grace - although right now, she's not too happy about it.

Grace grew up in Sandybridge, helping her parents sort junk from vintage treasures, but she always longed to escape to a bigger world. And she made it, travelling the world for her job, falling in love and starting a family. So why is she back in the tiny seaside town she'd long left behind, hanging out with Charlie, the boy who became her best friend when they were teenagers?

It turns out that travelling the world may not have been exactly what Grace needed to do. Perhaps everything she wanted has always been at home - after all, they do say that's where the heart is...

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane' - Ellen Berry (14 July)

In the beginning…

Kitty Cartwright has always solved her problems in the kitchen. Her cookbooks are her life, and there isn’t an issue that ‘Cooking with Aspic’ can’t fix. Her only wish is that she had a book entitled ‘Rustling Up Dinner When Your Husband Has Left You’.

Forty years later…

On Rosemary Lane, Della Cartwright plans to open a very special little bookshop. Not knowing what to do with the hundreds of cookbooks her mother left her, she now wants to share their recipes with the world – and no amount of aspic will stand in her way.

But with her family convinced it’s a hare-brained scheme, Della starts to wonder if she’s made a terrible decision. One thing’s for sure: she’s about to find out…

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'On the Other Side' - Carrie Hope Fletcher (14 July)

Your soul is too heavy to pass through this door, 
Leave the weight of the world in the world from before 

Evie Snow is eighty-two when she quietly passes away in her sleep, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. It's the way most people wish to leave the world but when Evie reaches the door of her own private heaven, she finds that she's become her twenty seven- year-old self and the door won't open. Evie's soul must be light enough to pass through so she needs to get rid of whatever is making her soul heavy. For Evie, this means unburdening herself of the three secrets that have weighed her down for over fifty years, so she must find a way to reveal them before it's too late. As Evie begins the journey of a lifetime, she learns more about life and love than she ever thought possible, and somehow , some way, she may also find her way back to her long lost love...

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


'The Paris Secret' - Karen Swan (14 July)

Somewhere along the cobbled streets of Paris, an apartment lies thick with dust and secrets: full of priceless artworks hidden away for decades.

High-flying fine art agent Flora from London, more comfortable with the tension of a million-pound auction than a cosy candlelit dinner for two, is called in to assess these suddenly discovered treasures. As an expert in her field, she must trace the history of each painting and discover who has concealed them for so long.

Thrown in amongst the glamorous Vermeil family as they move between Paris and Antibes, Flora begins to discover that things aren't all that they seem, while back at home her own family is recoiling from a seismic shock. The terse and brooding Xavier Vermeil seems intent on forcing Flora out of his family's affairs - but just what is he hiding?
Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads


Check back tomorrow for more July 2016 releases!
 

29 June 2016

Review: 'Summer at Oyster Bay' by Jenny Hale (2016)

They say falling in love is easy. But what if you know it’ll break your heart?

For Emily Tate, returning to her charming childhood home Oyster Bay is like coming up for air after the fast pace of her city life. At the farm her grandfather built, surrounded by sister Rachel’s chatter, Gram’s buttermilk biscuits, and the soft, white sand, Emily is reminded of exactly who she is and what she holds most dear.

When Emily starts work at elegant Water’s Edge Inn, Charles Peterson, the handsome new owner, asks for her help. He wants to expand and needs Emily to teach him the local ways, so he can convince the planning commission. Emily vows to make him fall in love with her hometown, just the way it is.

At work, Charles is reserved and serious, yet once Emily has him kicking off his shoes in the sand and sailing across the glistening Chesapeake Bay, she sees another side to him, and their easy rapport feels like the start of something big.

But when it becomes clear Charles’s plans for the inn involve bulldozing Oyster Bay, Emily is heartbroken. Will she lose her home and Charles all at once, or can she save Oyster Bay, and give true love a chance?

Summer wouldn't be summer without an uplifting summer beach read by Jenny Hale! Over the past few years, since her first release with publisher Bookouture, Jenny Hale has become one of the authors whose novels I look out for and just know I will enjoy. I've read all of her fantastic Christmas novels, such as 'Coming Home for Christmas' and 'A Christmas to Remember', and her books 'Love Me for Me' and 'Summer by the Sea' (click here to read my review). With Jenny's novels I always know what to expect, which is a light-hearted and warm romance novel, and so far she hasn't disappointed me. I really looked forward to checking out her newest release, 'Summer at Oyster Bay', and learning more about main characters Emily and Charles!

After turning down her boyfriend's proposal, Emily Tate decides it is time for her to leave behind her busy city life and go back to her small town roots, namely the family home Oyster Bay. It not only provides Emily with the chance to start over, but also makes it possible for her to spend more time with her sister Rachel and her grandmother. When she starts her new job at the local Water's Edge Inn, she meets handsome new owner Charles Peterson. Charles quickly discovers how much Emily loves the area and asks her to show him around. But it doesn't take long for Emily to discover Charles has plans for a big expansion, which includes the demolishing of her beloved Oyster Bay. Emily is willing to do whatever it takes to save her childhood home, the question is: what will she have to give up on along the way?

If you're looking for a lovely and light-hearted summer read that's perfect for a day at the beach, in the park or just a comfy chair at home, don't hesitate to pick up 'Summer at Oyster Bay.' Jenny Hale has once again delivered a wonderful romance story which I'm sure many readers will enjoy just as much as I did. The book has that small American town feeling, which I personally really love, and focuses on the importance of family and childhood memories. Emily has a lot of fond memories starring Oyster Bay, their family home, and when the house is in danger of being demolished, she's willing to give it everything she's got to save it. I could easily relate to Emily, because I found myself in a similar situation with my own grandparents' home in the south of Wales (UK), where I spent many happy summers as a young girl.

While Jenny Hale is great at setting the scene and creating the feeling of family, which is always present in her novels, I did slightly miss the sparks between Emily and Charles. I really enjoyed the story and the separate elements of the plotline, including Emily's worries about Oyster Bay, Rachel's own issues within her family, and the romantic link between Emily and Charles, but I didn't feel it as much as I would have liked to. However, this didn't make the read any less enjoyable and I am happy to add another great novel by Jenny Hale to my Bookouture Love list! Overall, 'Summer at Oyster Bay' is a warm and light-hearted summer romance about family and letting go; a read I'm sure many women's fiction/romance fans will definitely enjoy!
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.

28 June 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I Loved But Never Wrote a Review For

'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 Books I Loved But Never Wrote a Review For

It's Freebie Week! *blows whistle* I spent a bit of time thinking about what kind of Top 10 I wanted to go for this week and in the end decided to go with a Top 10 topic I missed out on, namely 10 books I loved but never wrote a review for. There are several books on my favourites list I never actually wrote a review for and I picked my top 10, which you can find below!

Be sure to share your own TTT's in the comments section below; I'd love to hear from you! 



1. 'Harry Potter' series - J.K. Rowling


I read the Harry Potter books when I was a lot younger, so I never actually reviewed them. To be honest, though, I think it would also be an incredibly difficult review, because reviews for amazing books are usually the most difficult to write!



2. Jane Austen classics

I love Jane Austen's books, but also never got to actually writing a review on them. I do think I want to write reviews on all of her books someday, but I'll need to re-read all of them first!



3. 'The Notebook' - Nicholas Sparks


My favourite and very first Nicholas Sparks novel. I've reviewed several Nicholas Sparks novels over the years, but I wasn't into reviewing when I first read 'The Notebook', even though I have written a review for the film version; that counts for a bit, right?



4. 'The Babysittersclub' series - Ann M. Martin


I didn't start writing reviews until I was in my early 20s, so when I was addicted to The Babysittersclub I didn't even think about writing down my thoughts on the books. It would be fun to re-read some of these books now and see how I feel about them... (probably quite nostalgic)!



5. 'Vince and Joy' - Lisa Jewell


I loved this book when I was a teenager and it's still one of my favourite classic chick lit novels. Never wrote a review for it, though!



6. 'Little Women' - Louisa May Alcott



Another novel that's one of my favourites but which I read for the first time when I was in my teens and never wrote a review about.



7. 'The Hunger Games' series - Suzanne Collins


Same story as with the other books, really, except that this series isn't really a favourite of mine.



8. 'Pictures of Lily' - Paige Toon


The very first Paige Toon book I read and also the only one I never actually reviewed!



9. 'The Great Gatsby' - F. Scott Fitzgerald


I had to read this book while I was at university and remember having to write quite a long essay about it, but never an actual review...!



10. 'The Princess Diaries' series - Meg Cabot


Oh, I've only got love for 'The Princess Diaries', and that is exactly what you would find in a review of the books, if I ever decide to write one!

27 June 2016

Review: 'The Milliner's Secret' by Natalie Meg Evans (2015)

London,1937. A talented young woman travels to Paris with a stranger. The promise of an exciting career as a milliner beckons, but she is about to fall in love with the enemy... 

Londoner Cora Masson has reinvented herself as Coralie de Lirac, fabricating an aristocratic background to launch herself as a fashionable milliner. When the Nazis invade, the influence of a high-ranking lover, Dietrich, saves her business. But while Coralie retains her position as designer to a style-hungry elite, Paris is approaching its darkest hour. 

Faced with the cruel reality of war and love, Coralie must make a difficult choice – protect herself or find the courage to fight for her friends, her freedom and everything she believes in.

Today I've got a review of a book that is a bit of a step away from the chick lit and romance genre that is usually featured on my blog, namely a historical fiction read! If you visit my blog more often you'll know I love to pick up a different genre every now and again and I really enjoy the kind of historical reads that can make you feel as if you're stuck in a different time, the kind of reads that just blow you away. I heard that Natalie Meg Evans' debut novel 'The Dress Thief' was exactly that kind of read, so when publisher Bookouture was lovely enough to provide me with a review copy of the author's second book, 'The Milliner's Secret' (which was released in 2015), I was really curious and excited to check it out!

Cora Masson grew up in the city of London, but without her mother, and a father who doesn't care about what she does or where she goes, Cora is looking for an escape. When a complete stranger offers to take her to Paris, Cora can't say 'yes' quick enough. She transforms herself into Coralie de Lirac, a milliner with a Belgian aristocratic background. As it's the end of the 1930s, Paris is about to be invaded by the Germans and Coralie's life is about to be turned upside down. Her German lover, Dietrich von Elbing, can help Coralie every now and again, but Coralie soon realises this is really war and she will have to join in with the fight in order to protect her friends and stay true to herself, no matter what.

'The Milliner's Secret' starts off in an intriguing way with three women in a Paris nightclub in the late 1930s, trying to execute a secret plan. This seems like a fitting start to the entire novel which is filled with drama, suspense, romance, and intrigue. Set in both London and Paris during the German occupation, the book tells the story of milliner Cora/Coralie. I really enjoyed how the idea of French couture got linked to war times, even though I did expect more attention to be paid to Coralie's job as a milliner, especially when looking at the title of the book. However, the storyline, which consists of several plots being linked together, managed to keep me interested at most times and even surprised me every now and again.

I've read that there are a few characters in the novel that already appeared in the author's debut, 'The Dress Thief'. Yet, the book can certainly be read as a stand-alone because I didn't feel I was missing information. I have to admit, though, that I couldn't help but struggle a bit with the length of the novel and the quite slow pace of the story. If everything had been a bit faster and more compact I personally would have enjoyed it more, I think. Overall, 'The Milliner's Secret' is a fascinating, intense and well-written story set in the years before World War II broke out; not the book to pick up if you're looking for a light-hearted and easy read, but one that will make an impression, especially for fans of historical fiction.
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.

26 June 2016

Upcoming Release: 'The Plumberry School of Comfort Food' by Cathy Bramley


Verity Bloom hasn't been interested in cooking anything more complicated than the perfect fish finger sandwich, ever since she lost her best friend and baking companion two years ago.

But an opportunity to help a friend lands her right back in the heart of the kitchen. The Plumberry School of Comfort Food is due to open in a few weeks' time and needs the kind of great ideas that only Verity could cook up. And with new friendships bubbling and a sprinkling of romance in the mix, Verity finally begins to feel like she's home.

But when tragedy strikes at the very heart of the cookery school, can Verity find the magic ingredient for Plumberry while still writing her own recipe for happiness?

I've got only love for Cathy Bramley and her simply amazing novels! <3 I've had the pleasure of reading 'Ivy Lane', 'Appleby Farm' and 'Wickham Hall', and on the 30th of June Cathy's next full-length novel 'The Plumberry School of Comfort Food' will hit the shelves, which is definitely something worth getting excited about! I've had the pleasure of reading the first part of Cathy's new novel, which was already published in 4 separate e-books, and I really enjoyed it (click here to read my review). I can't wait to read the full-length novel this summer and look forward to finally holding a paperback copy of the book in my hands!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

24 June 2016

Blog Tour: 'You Had Me at Merlot' by Lisa Dickenson!

Elle and Laurie are the last ones standing: they're single, they're not having babies any time soon and their weekends aren't filled with joyful meetings about mortgages. For Elle, this is fine - she likes her independent life, she loves her job, and she has no desire to walk down the aisle anytime soon. But Laurie wants love and she wants it now.

So when Laurie begs Elle to come with her on a singles holiday to a beautiful vineyard in Tuscany, Elle is reluctant. You Had Me at Merlot Holidays promises crisp sunshine, fun and a chance to stir up some sizzling romance. Elle has no intention of swapping her perfectly lovely life for someone else's idea of her Mr Perfect, but ten days under the Italian sun with her best friend and lashings of wine? How bad could that be?
I am SO incredibly excited to be part of the blog tour for Lisa Dickenson’s ‘You Had Me at Merlot’ today! As some of you might know I have been a big fan of Lisa's novels ever since her first book 'The Twelve Dates of Christmas' was released in 2013. Lisa has a brilliant and incredibly funny writing style and I seriously can't get enough of her books. So when I heard the paperback release of 'You Had Me at Merlot' was coming up and there would be a blog tour, I was willing to go pretty far to be a part of it...! I managed to get a spot and can't wait to share the excitement of a new Lisa novel with all of you today! 

Elle and Laurie are two best friends who have one important thing in common: they are the only ones of their group of friends who are still single and not worrying about planning a wedding or having babies. Elle is absolutely fine with this; she loves being on her own and making her own decisions without having to worry about someone else, but Laurie needs love and she has found the perfect way to get it. With the promise of lots of sunshine and delicious wine, Laurie convinces Elle to join her on a singles holiday to Tuscany, organised by You Had Me at Merlot holidays. Elle and Laurie both know what they want and expect from their ten-day trip, but Italy has quite a lot of unexpected things in store for them...

Honestly, where do I start? I just want to say: Lisa Dickenson has done it again, what an absolutely fantastic read! I loved everything about this book. Yes... Everything. I just tried to think of something, even something small, I didn’t like, but I can’t think of anything. Elle and Laurie are fabulous characters; they make a great duo, both with their own individual personality and their own issues. There’s also a great supporting cast of characters; I particularly loved Sophia and Sebastian, the elderly couple who run You Had Me at Merlot holidays, their hunky son Jamie, and Elle’s boss Donna. 

The plotline had me entertained from the first until the last page, and it even managed to surprise me every now and again. Lisa’s writing style flows so easily; I could honestly just keep on reading and reading, and she is incredibly funny. I have to admit, there aren’t many authors who manage to make me literally laugh out loud while reading a book, but I had several moments while reading this book when other people in the train or bus looked at me because I was laughing so hard. The book is divided into four separate parts, which also makes it an easy read, for example when you don’t have that much reading time, but also works perfectly as one novel which you finish in a day. ‘You Had Me at Merlot’ is an incredibly funny, feel-good, sunny romantic comedy which is the perfect summer read. I hope publishers are standing in line to give Lisa Dickenson a never-ending book deal, because she is undoubtedly one of the most exciting new voices within the world of chick lit and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the years to come!  
Rating:10/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.



23 June 2016

Blog Tour: 'Four Weddings and a Fiasco' by Catherine Ferguson!

Meet Katy Peacock. She has a fun-filled life as colourful as her name, and you can always rely on her to be the life and soul of any party. And it’s a good job too, given she spends her weekends photographing other people’s weddings.

Yet underneath it all, things aren’t so good. Her wedding photography business has fallen on tough times, and she’s had her heart broken more times than she cares to remember.

But she’ll get through it, she knows she will. She just needs to avoid best men, bad men, and ushers of any variety. Oh dear…

Today I'm incredibly excited to be part of the blog tour for Catherine Ferguson's newest novel 'Four Weddings and a Fiasco'! I was introduced to Catherine Ferguson's work when I got the chance to read and review her Christmas novel 'Humbugs and Heartstrings' (click here to read my review) and was really curious to check out this latest novel of hers which already sounded like a really promising romantic comedy. As part of the blog tour I also have an extract from an exclusive short story written by Catherine Ferguson herself as a sort of prequel to 'Four Weddings and a Fiasco', so be sure to scroll down and check it out and don't forget to visit the other book blogs taking part in the tour to check out all the other exclusive content!

Katy Peacock loves her job as a wedding photographer, but behind the scenes of her photography business she has quite a lot on her plate and finding it more and more difficult to deal with it all. When her sister and business partner unexpectedly fled the country, Katy was left to deal with the pieces, including trying to keep the business afloat all by her herself, which she is still struggling with. To make matters worse, her ex-boyfriend won't leave her alone until she has paid back the money he borrowed her several years ago, and no matter how hard Katy tries to avoid all men (she simply doesn't have time for any kind of romance), she can't get handsome Gabe out of her head. Will Katy be able to keep all balls in the air this wedding season or are things simply getting too much...?

If you love romantic novels by authors such as Cathy Bramley, Jenny Hale and Ali McNamara and romantic films like ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and ‘Notting Hill’, you will undoubtedly enjoy Catherine Ferguson’s ‘Four Weddings and a Fiasco’. I was introduced to the author’s writing when I read her novel ‘Humbugs and Heartstrings’, but it is definitely this book that has convinced me of Catherine’s great writing style and ideas. Katy Peacock is a lovely heroine; she’s determined, caring and a bit stubborn, and I was rooting for her to find a way to solve the issues she’s running into. The plotline in the novel involves different aspects and together with the quite fast-paced writing style I was constantly entertained and curious to keep on reading to see what was going to happen next.

As the title already suggests the book takes place during the time of four weddings and one fiasco, of which I’m not giving to give any more details because I don’t want to give too much away about the story. I love books about weddings and Katy’s job as a wedding photographer results in her getting caught up in quite a few funny situations. Next to Katy there is a good mix of supporting characters such as her lovely mother, unique best friend, and dishy men in the form of Gabe and Harry. Overall, the novel just really had everything I look for in an entertaining romcom read and I am incredibly excited to see what Catherine Ferguson has in store for us next. Overall, ‘Four Weddings and a Fiasco’ is a simply great and thoroughly enjoyable feel-good romantic comedy read; perfect to pick up this summer or any day of the year, really, especially if you’re a chick lit fan!
Rating:10/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.



Exclusive Extract!

As part of the blog tour for 'Four Weddings and a Fiasco' I have an exclusive extract to share with all of you. Catherine Ferguson has written a brilliant short story featuring the main character Katy Peacock, set before the novel starts. Each blog tour stop includes part of the story, and I've got part 8 ready to go below!


ONE BRIDE AND A BOMBSHELL
 
8
Next morning, I was up with the lark. The sun was shining. A perfect June day for a wedding.
I sensed Camilla would be hot on punctuality, so Dad dropped me at the wedding venue – the Greshingham Hall Hotel – a full twenty minutes before I was due to meet her there.
Camilla, in a lilac dress and jacket, looked surprised to find me waiting. She’d already been up to the bride’s room to take the ‘getting dressed’ shots, which she’d said she didn’t need me for as it tended to be quite an intimate occasion.
She looked me up and down and seemed to approve of my summery flower-sprigged shift dress and low-heeled sandals.
I breathed a sigh of relief. It had taken me ages to decide what to wear. But so far, so good...
‘Right, I need to make a phone call,’ she said. ‘Go and check out the room where the ceremony will be and I’ll join you there.’
I nodded, eager to get started.
‘Oh, by the way, I think you might know the bride.’ Camilla looked down her long nose at me. ‘She went to the local school and I noticed from your CV that so did you.’
‘Oh. Gosh. Right,’ I said politely, thinking it was unlikely. It was a big school...
Camilla was flicking back through her photos. ‘I took her engagement shots. Here we are.’
I leaned in to look at the photo she showed me.
It was the profile of a woman with sleek blonde hair, elegantly curled into a chignon, smiling into the camera.
I stared.
I had a feeling I knew her. She definitely looked familiar, although I couldn’t quite place her.
According to the notes Camilla had given me, she was called Keesha. But the name didn’t mean anything.
Then my heart gave a huge thump. My God, it couldn’t be. Could it?
I peered closer.
Bloody hell, it was!
Keesha Dixon. Known to all at school (even a few of the teachers) as ‘Crusher’ because she had a penchant for wrestling weaklings like me to the ground and sitting on them.
I swallowed hard, feeling slightly sick. ‘Yes, I do know her,’ I said, surprised by the strength of my reaction, all these years later, to a simple photo.
She nodded. ‘Stunning girl. And she’s done so well for herself. Jonathan, her husband-to-be, is a real catch. He’s a commercial airline pilot.’
I nodded and forced a smile.
I almost hadn’t recognised Keesha. I couldn’t believe the transformation from horrible bully to sleek blonde bombshell. Smiling out of that photo, she looked like butter wouldn’t melt.
Ha, I knew the truth!
But that was ridiculous, I thought a second later. Crusher was probably totally different now she was all grown-up...
Be sure to visit the other blogs that are part of the blog tour to read the rest of this short story by Catherine Ferguson!