Review: 'Summer at Rose Island' by Holly Martin (2016)

Darcy Davenport is ready for a fresh start. Determined to leave a string of disastrous jobs and relationships behind her, she can’t wait to explore White Cliff Bay and meet the locals. 
When Darcy swims in the crystal clear waters of the bay, she discovers the charming Rose Island Lighthouse. But it’s not just the beautiful building that she finds so intriguing… 
Riley Eddison doesn’t want change. Desperate to escape the memories of his past, he lives a life of solitude in the lighthouse. Yet he can’t help but notice the gorgeous woman who swims out to his island one day. 
Darcy is drawn to the mysterious and sexy Riley, but when it seems the town is trying to demolish his home, she soon finds herself having to pick sides. 
She’s fallen in love with White Cliff Bay. But is that all Darcy’s fallen for?
Over the past few years author Holly Martin has really made a name for herself within the romantic comedy/chick lit world. I’ve had the pleasure of reading several of her novels up until now, mainly her Christmas titles such as ‘Christmas under a Cranberry Sky’, ‘Christmas under a Starlit Sky’, ‘Christmas at Lilac Cottage’ and ‘Snowflakes on Silver Cove.’ In 2016, ‘Summer at Rose Island’ was released, and while I straight away managed to get a review copy of the novel via NetGalley, it took me quite a bit of time to finally sit down with it. Nevertheless, I know by now that a book with Holly’s name on the front is definitely worth giving a try, so I was keen to finally get started and discover more about Darcy’s story.
Darcy Davenport has moved to beautiful White Cliff Bay with a mission. Even though she loved her work as a marine biologist, she is determined to have a fresh start and make something of herself, and hopefully finally make her parents proud of her. When she first spots Rose Island lighthouse, she immediately falls in love with the beautiful building, but when she discovers there are actually plans to demolish this piece of Rose Island history, Darcy wants to do whatever she can to stop this from happening. Lighthouse-owner Riley Eddison seems to have the same goal and Darcy can’t help but fall for his rugged good looks. However, Darcy can’t forget what she came to White Cliff Bay for, and this ultimately puts her in an incredibly difficult situation where she is forced to pick sides…
‘Summer at Rose Island’ really is one of those chick lit novels that makes you long for warm lovely days on the beach and walks outside in the sunshine… Setting the scene is something author Holly Martin is known for and she certainly manages to do just that in this particular book; I wish I could actually visit White Cliff Bay and its lovely locals! While this novel is actually the third part of a series, it can undoubtedly be read as a stand-alone and no prior knowledge of any characters is needed. That being said, I did really enjoy seeing some familiar faces again and discovering how they are doing, such as Libby and George.
Darcy is a great main character; I loved how feisty she was, but also struggling to deal with some issues in her life, and it was wonderful to join her during this new step in her life. White Cliff Bay is a lovely village with a great sense of community; all locals know each other and seem to know everything about each other as well, but in the end they all mean well, and it resulted in this lovely atmosphere and feeling to the whole book. There is definitely a pattern noticeable in Holly Martin’s books and storylines, but I have to admit I personally still enjoy it every single time and I’m already excited to see when I will be able to pick up her next read. All in all, ‘Summer at Rose Island’ is a sweet, heart-warming and romantic read, and definitely a good one to pick up if you’re longing for a bit of sunshine in your life!

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: 'Christmas Under a Starlit Sky' by Holly Martin (2016)

Neve Whitaker loves managing the Stardust Lake hotel. She gets to work alongside her wonderful family and she’s spending Christmas on the most enchanting, snow-covered island in Scotland. So why is her heart so heavy this festive season? 
It might have something to do with the gorgeous actor Oakley Rey, the man she finished with before he left for California and the man she loves more than anything. With Oakley’s career in Hollywood soaring, Neve is convinced she’d only hold him back. She had to end it with him – at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. 
But now she has a secret she’s struggling to keep, and when Oakley arrives on Juniper Island determined to win her back, Neve is thrown off balance. Will Neve’s fear of having her heart broken again push Oakley away for good, or is it time for her to take a leap of faith?
Holly Martin is slowly on her way to become part of the royalty group of Christmas fiction, especially seeing as I have a review of her second 2016 festive read to share with all of you today! Last year I thoroughly enjoyed her December novels 'Snow Flakes on Silver Cove' and 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage', and this year I really loved 'Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky', the first part of her 'A Town Called Christmas' series (click here to read my review). I've been really excited about picking up this second part, revisit some of the familiar characters and read more about Neve in particular!
Neve Whitaker loves her job at the Stardust Lake Hotel which is owned by her brother Gabe. She’s close to her family and gets to live in a gorgeous location, but she can’t help but continue to feel that something important is missing. More particularly, someone important, namely famous actor Oakley Rey, whom she was in a relationship with until she decided it was better for them to call it quits. But then Oakley arrives on Juniper Island just before Christmas, ready to convince Neve they are meant to be together. At the same time Neve is struggling to keep a big secret from Oakley and her family, and she realises she will have to make some important decisions and she’ll have to make them soon.
It was great to revisit Juniper Island and the Stardust Lake Hotel, which were already introduced in the first part of Holly Martin’s ‘A Town Called Christmas’ series: ‘Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky.’ While that particular novel focused on Gabe and his childhood best friend Pip, we now get to learn more about Gabe’s sister, Neve, who also works at the hotel and is experiencing some romance problems. I really enjoyed the storyline between Neve and Oakley, her ex-boyfriend who also happens to be a famous actor (and a character I’m sure many readers will develop a crush on!). The setting of the novel is simply gorgeous, and I really enjoyed that the author decided to not simply focus on Neve and Oakley, but also include some background stories on other secondary characters, such as assistant manager Adam and Neve’s other brother Luke.
I’ve really fallen in love with Juniper Island and Holly Martin’s writing is incredibly comfortable to get into and enjoyable overall. She knows what chick lit should be all about and creates stories with a large dose of romance, humour, great characters and a guaranteed happy ending. I have to admit I did enjoy ‘Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky’ a bit more than this one, just because I thought Neve and Oakley’s story was a bit slow-paced and I got a bit annoyed by Neve’s behaviour. When you are thinking about picking up this novel, I definitely recommend starting with the first part of the series, just so you know the background details and a bit more about all the characters. Overall, though, Holly Martin has treated us to another lovely festive tale in the form of ‘Christmas Under a Starlit Sky’; a stunning Christmas read which I can see myself picking up again next year, even if it’s just to get a good dose of romance and Christmas cheer!

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: 'Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky' by Holly Martin (2016)

Piper Chesterfield lives a glamorous life travelling the world and reviewing the finest hotels. She calls nowhere home, she works alone and that’s how she likes it. For long ago Piper decided that to protect her heart she should lock it away. 
So when Piper’s next assignment brings her to the newly opened Stardust Lake Hotel for the festive season, the last person she expects to face is Gabe Whitaker, the man who broke her heart so completely she could never love again. 
But Piper isn’t the only one who has been frozen in time by heartbreak. Gabe hasn’t forgotten the golden-eyed girl who disappeared from his world without a trace. 
Now fate has reunited them on Juniper island, can the magic of Christmas heal old wounds? And can this enchanting town be the one place Piper can finally call home?
I'm really glad that this year author Holly Martin is back with two exciting Christmas reads! In 2015 she treated us to 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' (click here to read my review) and 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove', which were both wonderful holiday reads, and I'm incredibly excited to have two new Christmas-themed novels with her name on it waiting for me. 'Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky' is the first part of a new series and I straight away loved the book description. This promised to be just the read to get ready for the holidays and I really hoped I'd end up enjoying it as much as Holly's previous novels, if not more...!
Piper Chesterfield, known to her friends as Pip, has been working as a reviewer of hotels for years, and it's a job she loves. It does come with a bit of loneliness since she's always travelling, but that suits Piper just fine; she's experienced enough heartbreak and pain in her life and knows it's best to just not get too close to other people. When Piper gets the chance to visit Stardust Lake Hotel on Juniper Island, she can't wait, but she's in for a surprise when she unexpectedly bumps into Gabe Whitaker, her first serious boyfriend whom she hasn't seen for over 10 years. The sparks are definitely still there, but can the magic of Christmas help Piper and Gabe overcome the obstacles that are still in their way?
If you're looking for a read to get you in a Christmas mood, look no further because 'Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky' will definitely do the trick. With every single Holly Martin story I read I am even more blown away by her amazing scene setting skills, and with each novel her writing just seems to get better. This book focuses on reviewer Piper who has planned a visit to one of the Shetland Islands to stay at the Stardust Lake Hotel, where she bumps into Gabe, a familiar face from her past. It was easy to like Piper, and next to Gabe there are some lovely secondary characters in the book such as Gabe's cute Frozen-obsessed daughter Wren, his sister Neve, and a special mention to the animals in the novel such as the reindeer and the Shetland ponies, who really added something special.
The definite strength of this book is the setting; Holly Martin has managed to describe the perfect Christmas wonderland which made me smile and feel all warm and Christmassy inside. I have to admit I thought the story became a bit slow-paced towards the end, and Piper's actions frustrated me quite a bit, but I still really enjoyed reading the book. I'm really curious to pick up the second part of the series, 'Christmas Under a Starlit Sky', which tells Neve's (Gabe's sister) story and I can't wait for that next visit to Juniper Island! Overall, 'Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky' is a sparklingly festive and great read, especially for chick lit fans or people that love a happy ending; a big well done to Holly Martin!

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.

Upcoming Release: 'Summer at Rose Island' by Holly Martin!

Darcy Davenport is ready for a fresh start. Determined to leave a string of disastrous jobs and relationships behind her, she can’t wait to explore White Cliff Bay and meet the locals. 

When Darcy swims in the crystal clear waters of the bay, she discovers the charming Rose Island Lighthouse. But it’s not just the beautiful building that she finds so intriguing… 

Riley Eddison doesn’t want change. Desperate to escape the memories of his past, he lives a life of solitude in the lighthouse. Yet he can’t help but notice the gorgeous woman who swims out to his island one day. 

Darcy is drawn to the mysterious and sexy Riley, but when it seems the town is trying to demolish his home, she soon finds herself having to pick sides. 

She’s fallen in love with White Cliff Bay. But is that all Darcy’s fallen for? 

On May 13th Holly Martin's latest novel will be released and I personally can't wait to read 'Summer at Rose Island'! This is the third part of Holly's White Cliff Bay series and I thoroughly enjoyed the other two parts of the series, 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' and 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove.' While the other two parts were set during the Christmas season, this latest instalment will focus on summer, and I can't wait to check it out as soon as it's been released!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Review: 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove' by Holly Martin (2015)

Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself... 
Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance. 
As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and...discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George. 
But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas? 
Earlier this month I posted my review of Holly Martin's festive novel 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' (click here to read my review); a book which I really enjoyed. Holly definitely spent the past few months writing like a crazy person, because she actually released another Christmas-themed novel a few weeks ago, namely 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove', which I am reviewing today! This book is the sequel to 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' and the second part of the White Cliff Bay series. I was really excited to check out my third Holly Martin novel, hoping I would enjoy it as much as the other two, but I had a good feeling I would end up loving it (based on its lovely book cover alone the novel already deserves a big 10!)! 
Libby Joseph loves her job as an author. People enjoy the romance stories she writes and it takes her to all kinds of places all over the world. Right now, she has found herself quite a special spot in White Cliff Bay, where she has become close friends with her neighbour George Donaldson. George is a lovely guy but has had some trouble dating women after his wife cheated on him and divorced him. Libby, who knows all about romance, decides to help George capture the heart of their new neighbour, Giselle, so they go on several practice dates together. With each date, Libby starts to feel more and more for George and suddenly she realises she doesn't want him to go out with someone else. Question is, is she still on time or is it already too late for Libby to find love this Christmas?
'Snowflakes on Silver Cove' is my third Holly Martin novel and definitely my favourite book of hers so far; what a lovely read! The book is set in the wonderful village of White Cliff Bay and while it is the second part in the White Cliff Bay series it can be read as a stand-alone as well. I fell in love with this town in 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' and it was great to be back there again and read about all the familiar characters. Holly Martin really managed to create a great town with so many interesting and loveable characters and I loved getting to know both main characters Libby and George better, but also Amy and Seb, the two characters on which the other storyline in the book focuses.  
Libby and George are probably one of my favourite fictional couples of all time; they have a brilliant friendship and they really made me laugh out loud with their jokes and actions. As I already mentioned, the book also has a great cast of secondary characters, including Amy and Seb, whose storyline I also really enjoyed. I loved the fact that the novel takes place at the same time as 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' and some of the events in both books matched. I already can't wait to hopefully go back to White Cliff Bay in 2016 and am keeping my fingers crossed for a third part of the series. Overall, 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove' is an incredibly heart-warming, sweet and festive romantic comedy that I couldn't get enough of. A brilliant read by Holly Martin and one I can recommend to any chick lit fan out there!

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.

Review: 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' by Holly Martin (2015)

Welcome to the charming seaside town of White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air…
Penny Meadows loves her home – a cosy cottage decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights and stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay. She also loves 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 spirit of the season sprinkles its magic over the seaside town and preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas eve ball are in full swing, can Penny melt the ice and allow love in her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of?
This year I finally got the opportunity to check out an author I had been hearing so much about (all positive!) and whose work I was sure I was going to enjoy: Holly Martin. Her novel 'Fairytale Beginnings' (click here to read my review) was released by Bookouture earlier this year and was a great chick lit read. When I discovered Holly would not be releasing one but two Christmas novels this Winter, I immediately got excited, and even more so after seeing the lovely colourful book covers! 'Christmas at Lilac Cottage' and 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove' are both part of the new White Cliff Bay series; a series I couldn't wait to dive straight into!
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.

Upcoming Release: 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove' by Holly Martin!

Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself… 

Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance. 

As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and…discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George. 

But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas? 

Oh, I just love love love everything about this novel already! Holly Martin is a great author and I'm really looking forward to reading 'Snowflakes on Silver Cove', which will be released on October 30th. The title of the book is just wonderful and festive, the cover is so cute, the description promises a great story... Definitely one that's at the top of my holiday reading for 2015!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Review: 'Fairytale Beginnings' by Holly Martin (2015)

Love is an open door…except when it keeps slamming in your face.
Hopeless romantic Milly Rose has had her fair share of heartbreak. Obsessed with all things Disney, she refuses to give up on finding her Prince Charming – he’s out there somewhere, isn’t he?
When Milly is given a job to investigate the origins of an historical building in the village of Clovers Rest, she’s not sure what to expect. What she discovers takes her breath away - a beautiful real life Cinderella castle, complete with turrets, a magnificent drawbridge AND a very handsome owner…Cameron Heartstone.
As Milly and Cameron begin to unearth the secrets of Clover Castle, they can’t ignore the intense chemistry building between them. But they’ve both been hurt badly before. Can they take a big leap of faith and find their own happily-ever-after?
When I first found out about Holly Martin's latest release 'Fairytale Beginnings' (the book was released on the 10th of July) I immediately added the book to my 'to-read-as-soon-as-I-manage-to-get-a-copy-one-way-or-another'-list. Not just because of the absolutely amazingly gorgeous cover (I honestly LOVE it, there's nothing about it I don't like, nothing!), but mainly because of the book and publisher combination. Bookouture has been one of my favourite publishers for about a year now, mainly because I've really enjoyed all of their releases so far. Holly Martin is an author whom a lot of people on social media and book bloggers love, and I've been really looking forward to finally picking up one of her novels. Luckily, I managed to get a review copy of 'Fairytale Beginnings' really quickly (thanks so much, Bookouture!) and I really hoped the book would manage to match my pretty high expectations!
Milly Rose has always been a big Disney fan and a believer in true love and happy ever afters. Even though she has had her own fair share of heartbreaks, she's determined she will find her very own Prince Charming someday. For her job for Castle Heritage, an organisation that restores all kinds of historical buildings around the country, Milly is sent to Clover Castle in the little village of Clovers Rest to see whether Castle Heritage would be interested in restoring it. The castle's owner, Cameron Heartstone, is a best-selling author who inherited the building from a family member. The sparks between Milly and Cameron are almost impossible to ignore, but Milly knows she has to stay professional and can't get cosy with one of her clients. But when the crazy inhabitants of the village and old curses all start to point in the same direction, Milly starts to doubt... Could Cameron really be the one for her?
After having finally read one of Holly Martin's novels (an author I've heard so many positive things about from others), I understand why all chick lit fans have fallen in love with her works. With a title, cover, and description like this, the book could hardly disappoint me (a hopeless romantic from head to toe), and luckily it didn't. It wasn't difficult to warm to main character Milly; her positive and sparkly attitude immediately won me over (together with her love for anything Disney!). The book is almost like a modern-day fairytale with a handsome Prince Charming in the form of author Cameron Heartstone and the setting of the beautiful Clover Castle in the village of Clovers Rest with its slightly eccentric but fun inhabitants. I'd honestly like to move to the place straight away!
The story had something magical about it and I have to admit I always love a bit of magic. The book was quite fast-paced and I couldn't predict what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed Holly's writing style which is funny and captivating and perfectly suitable for the romantic comedy genre. I think Holly is a great new addition to the world of fiction and I really can't wait to read more of her works. 'Fairytale Beginnings' is a simply adorable read filled with a good doses of romance, laughter, and a sparkly touch of magic. Any hopeless romantics or readers looking for a thoroughly enjoyable chick lit read, definitely pick this one up!

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.

Upcoming Release: 'One Hundred Proposals' by Holly Martin

'Is there really such a thing as a perfect proposal?

Over the next hundred days I intend to find out. I will find one hundred ways to propose to our Chief Proposer Suzie McKenzie and post the results here for your enjoyment. One thing’s for sure, not one of my proposals will be on top of the Eiffel Tower with a dozen red roses.’

Best friends Suzie and Harry are partners in romance. That is, they run thePerfectProposal.com, coming to the aid of would-be grooms to create the ultimate marriage proposal.

But when Harry decides to catapult the business into the big leagues with a PR stunt all Suzie can see is a hundred days of heartbreak stretching ahead of her. But however exotic the location, or breath-takingly romantic the setting, Suzie has to keep remembering that ‘Marry Me?’ is the one question she can’t say yes to.

This business proposal should come with one hundred broken heart warnings...

One hundred proposals, one hundred chances to say yes.

I'm really excited about the upcoming release of Holly Martin's novel 'One Hundred Proposals'! The book will be available from the 25th of June and promises an original and captivating story; I love the sound of Suzie and Harry and their business, and I can't wait to read what will happen with these one hundred proposals. Several other bloggers have been extremely positive and enthusiastic about this book and Holly Martin's other work, so I personally can't wait to pick this one up!

Click here to pre-order your own copy on Amazon now!

Cover Reveal: 'The Guestbook' by Holly Martin

I'm excited to be part of the big cover reveal for Holly Martin's upcoming release 'The Guestbook' today!  

  Welcome to Willow Cottage – throw open the shutters, let in the sea breeze and make yourself completely at home. Oh, and please do leave a comment in the Guestbook!
As landlady of Willow Cottage, the young widow Annie Butterworth is always on hand with tea, sympathy or strong Norfolk cider - whatever her colourful array of guests require.  A flick through the messages in the leather-bound cottage guestbook gives a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of everyone who passes through her doors.
This includes Annie herself - especially now celebrity crime writer Oliver Black, is back in town. He might grace the covers of gossip magazines with a different glamorous supermodel draped on his arm every week, but to Annie, he’s always just been Olly, the man who Annie shared her first kiss with.
Through the pages of the Guestbook Annie and Olly, along with all the guests that arrive at the seaside retreat, struggle with love, loss, mystery, joy, happiness, guilt…and the odd spot of naked rambling! 
Forget sending postcards saying 'wish you were here' - one visit to Willow Cottage and you’ll wish you could stay forever.   'The Guestbook' will be released on Valentine's Day (the 14th of February), so be sure to pre-order your own copy now by clicking here!