Review: 'When We Danced at the End of the Pier' by Sandy Taylor (2017)

Brighton 1930: Maureen O’Connell is a carefree girl, but her family is on the brink of tragedy, war is looming and life will never be the same again. 
Jack and Nelson have always been dear friends to Maureen. Despite their different backgrounds, they’ve seen each other through thick and thin. 
As Maureen blossoms from a little girl into a young woman, the candle she’s always held for Jack burns bright. But just as she’s found love, war wrenches them apart. The man she cherishes with all her heart is leaving. 
When the bombs start to fall, Maureen and her family find themselves living in the most dangerous of times. With Jack no longer by her side and Nelson at war, Maureen has never felt more alone. Can she look to a brighter future? And will she find the true happiness she’s dreamt of?
Last year I was introduced to author Sandy Taylor when I received a review copy of her novel 'The Girls from See Saw Lane', the first part of her Brighton Girls Trilogy. I really thoroughly enjoyed the novel (click here to read my review) and was already looking forward to the other instalments. I haven't been able to read the second part, 'Counting Chimneys', but I did manage to get a review copy of the third and final part, 'When We Danced at the End of the Pier', which was released by publisher Bookouture in March 2017. As soon as I saw the book on NetGalley I had to request a review copy, not just because I was curious to read more by Sandy Taylor, but I immediately fell in love with the gorgeous title and cover. I really love the title, especially; it's gorgeous and I really hoped the story inside would manage to match it...!
Set mainly in the 1930s, Maureen O'Connoll grows up in the city of Brighton. Her father takes care of her and her younger sister Brenda, while their mother goes to work to take care of her family. Luckily Maureen also has her good friends Jack, Nelson and Monica with whom she experiences all kinds of things. As they grow up, the friends go through a lot, but at the core of it all Maureen continues to believe in the love for Jack she has felt since she first laid eyes on him; the two of them are meant to be together, no matter what. But when the Second World War looms, the future is no longer certain for any of them; will Maureen and her family and friends make it out alive, and what exactly does the war and life in general have in store for them?
After reading 'When We Danced at the End of the Pier' I can say with certainty that author Sandy Taylor is definitely a born storyteller. Just like with the first instalment of her Brighton Girls Trilogy, 'The Girls from See Saw Lane', I was immediately intrigued by the characters in the novel and captivated by their story until the very end. Sandy Taylor really manages to find the right balance between dialogue and scene setting, and mastered the art of writing a truly compelling war time story that will make you both smile and perhaps even shed a tear here and there. Maureen, Jack, Nelson, Brenda, Monica... The book is filled with characters that all have something to add to the story, and I loved learning more about them and their lives.
Even though this novel is the third part of a trilogy, I do not think it is necessary to read all books before picking up this one; it can definitely be read as a stand-alone, in my opinion. As with most war time stories, the novel deals with quite a few serious and sad issues, but at the same time the author managed to add a layer of fun to the story, and she really combines the different factors and emotions in a convincing way. I'm definitely adding Sandy Taylor to my list of authors to watch, and if you love war time fiction and haven't checked out one of her novels yet, I urge you to do so. Overall, 'When We Danced at the End of the Pier' is a captivating and emotional war time story about friendship, family, love and how to get through difficult times together; a great read!

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: 'Evie's Year of Taking Chances' by Christie Barlow (2017)

Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own. 
Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother. 
Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch but what Evie doesn’t realise is that he is hiding something – a key to Evie’s past. 
As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken?
Over the past year and a half or so I’ve had the pleasure of reading several of author Christie Barlow’s novels. I’m a big fan of publisher Bookouture, which is how I was introduced to Christie’s works, namely when I requested a review copy via NetGalley of her novel ‘Kitty’s Countryside Dream.’ I ended up really loving the book, and since then I’ve been looking out for other reads by this author. Since that first novel I’ve also read ‘Lizzie’s Christmas Escape’ and her ‘The Misadventures of a Playground Mother’ series. I have to admit I wasn’t too big a fan of the last one mentioned there, but I was definitely curious to check out Christie’s latest release, ‘Evie’s Year of Taking Chances’, which promised to be a great chick lit read…
Twenty-something Evie has a pretty good life; she loves her job as a librarian and she has some great people around her in the town of Becton, particularly her best friend and colleague Clara and her foster mother Irene. Yet, every single year on her birthday Evie can’t help but wonder whatever happened to her real mother; why was she unable to take care of her and where could she be now? One year, Evie decides it’s time to finally start searching for some answers to her questions so she tries to find her birth mother. At the same time, however, there is someone else who makes an unexpected reappearance in Evie’s life; eight months ago she developed a crush on author Noah, but never bumped into him again after that. Now he’s back in town and, most important of all, seems to be interested in her… Will Evie be able to make the best of this new year, full with chances, or will it all just be a bit too much in one go?
When I read my first Christie Barlow novel, ‘Kitty’s Countryside Dream’, I immediately developed a liking for the author’s writing style and loved the story she had come up with. However, the books I’ve read since then just didn’t quite manage to live up to that very first novel I picked up, in my opinion. However, I’m happy to say ‘Evie’s Year of Taking Chances’ did manage to capture that same feeling, and really was another captivating and warm-hearted chick lit read I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. The book has realistic characters at its core, and also ones that are easy to warm to and root for. I liked Evie from the start, and also thought there were some wonderful secondary characters that really added their own touch to the story as a whole (I especially liked Clara, Evie’s best friend and colleague).
I quite like it when the main storyline of a novel consists of several different aspects and different things are going on. This was also the case for this book and I was really curious to see how everything would work out, even ending up being a bit surprised by some of the events (don’t want to give anything away!). Christie Barlow’s writing style also fits the chick lit genre really well, so if you’re a chick lit fan and curious to check out one of her reads, don’t hesitate to start with this one. All in all, I’m really happy to say I was once again convinced by Christie Barlow’s writing with her latest release; ‘Evie’s Year of Taking Chance’ is a lovely and wonderful story filled with smiles, love and friendship; a thoroughly nice feel-good read!

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: '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: 'Don't Stop Me Now' by Colleen Coleman (2017)

Poppy Bloom has a Life Plan: PhD in psychology, research job at her university, and a life of domestic bliss with handsome boyfriend Gregory. 
But then she finishes her PhD with no job offer, no relationship, and nowhere to live. Being unemployed and living back at her mum’s house in her vampire-themed childhood bedroom was definitely not the plan. 
Poppy is back to square one and miserable, so when she runs into childhood friend Leanne she jumps at the opportunity to catch up. The chance to run into Leanne’s gorgeous brother Tom is just a bonus… 
Soon Poppy’s scored an internship at a radio station, a boyfriend, and a whole netball team of friends: things are on the up. 
But life has a way of tripping you up when you least expect it, and Poppy soon has to decide where her priorities lie… With new friends, a new career and a new romance, can Poppy keep everyone happy, or is everything about to tumble down around her?
If you’re looking for an entertaining chick lit read, you only need to check out publisher Bookouture’s list of novels and you’ll undoubtedly be able to find more than one title that will fit your needs. I love checking out new authors that have become part of the Bookouture family, which is why I was really excited when I managed to get an early review copy of Colleen Coleman’s debut novel ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’ Both the cover and the description of the novel were already enough for me to want to pick up this read, which was released on March 22nd, and I had my fingers crossed, hoping I would enjoy the story as much as I hoped I would when picking it up…!
 Poppy Bloom has been following her career plan for years now and she’s incredibly excited to finally get to the point she has been working so hard for: finishing her PhD and getting a researcher position at her university, with her boyfriend Gregory by her side. But then her world is suddenly turned upside-down when it turns out the university decided to not give Poppy the position she wanted, and within a few days she finds herself living back at her mum’s house, newly single and jobless. Luckily Poppy bumps into her former primary school friend Leanne, which leads to her finding a new exciting job at a local radio station and a position on a determined netball team. Add a touch of romance with a former crush and Poppy can’t believe how her life has turned around. But nothing is as straightforward as it seems; when her past comes back to haunt her, Poppy is forced to make some important choices and decide what will really make her happy…
I love the feeling when you’ve read just the first few chapters of a novel and you just know this is going to be a read you’re going to enjoy until the very last page; and I got exactly that feeling as soon as I’d picked up Colleen Coleman’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’ The novel is a great and promising debut and I’m already excited to hopefully read more of Colleen’s work in the future. We meet Poppy Bloom, the lovely leading lady of this story, whose future turns out to not go exactly as she originally planned. We join Poppy as she starts the next, yet unknown, stage in her life, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Poppy was incredibly easy to like, and I think many readers will be able to relate to her and what she’s going through in one way or another, which usually makes for a great heroine, in my eyes.
There are many different elements to the storyline that kept me as reader captivated at all times. There is the idea of finding yourself, looking for what it is you really want in life, following the path that has been set out for you but not giving up on your dreams at the same time; combine this with a lovely dose of romance and fun secondary characters and you’ve got ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’ This novel is a warm-hearted, feel-good and simply great read that I didn’t want to put down; another Bookouture success, without a doubt. Colleen Coleman has definitely managed to grab my attention with her debut novel and I will definitely recommend this to others and keep my eyes open for her next one! 

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: 'A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother' by Christie Barlow (2015)

Fed up with the playground mafia at her children’s school, Rachel Young is desperate for a change. 
With her family and various pets in tow, a picture-perfect village in the countryside beckons. There, Rachel’s children will be able to keep chickens and skip through fields and she’ll bid farewell to the botoxed, fake-Gucci wearing Mumzillas forever.
But at the new school the mums are even worse, and before long, Rachel finds herself contending with a motley crew including Mrs High School Musical, The International Sex God and The Frisky Pensioner. 
While the children are practicing their sums and perfecting their reading, Rachel is learning some harsh lessons on the other side of the school gates, and ruffling plenty of feathers along the way…
Bookouture is one of my favourite publishers, and they are also the ones that introduced me to author Christie Barlow last year. I thoroughly enjoyed her novel 'Kitty's Countryside Dream' (click here to read my review) and also really liked her Christmas-themed release 'Lizzie's Christmas Escape', which I read at the end of last year. I got a review copy of 'Misadventures of a Playground Mother', one of her other books, but quickly realised this is actually the sequel to 'A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother' and whenever possible I definitely prefer to start at the beginning of a series. So, I got a copy of the first instalment and was curious to give it a go!
Rachel Young and her family are on the verge of a new adventure as Rachel and her husband decide to move the whole family to the idyllic English countryside. With the ideas of rolling green hills and lovely small villages in her head, Rachel can’t wait for the move to finally happen. One of the things she particularly can’t wait to leave behind is the playground mafia; the gossiping mums at the school gates who seem to judge her with every blink of an eye. No need to say Rachel is quite surprised when she discovers the playground politics in the countryside might be even worse than in the city. Without even wanting to, she gets mixed up in all of it and once you’re in, it’s quite difficult to manage to find your way out again, especially without obtaining any damage…
School gate politics has been quite a popular topic to write about for several years now. It’s a topic I don’t have any personal experience with since I don’t have any children (yet), but it’s been a topic that caught my interest and over the years I’ve read several books focusing on this subject. I was curious to see where this particular one would go and what author Christie Barlow would do with the story. The focus was mainly on protagonist Rachel; and where I was expecting her four children and husband Matt to also take on a particular role in the storyline, they hardly made an appearance, to my personal surprise. The spotlight was really on Rachel and some of the other mums in the school playground, such as Penelope, which of course shed some light on that particular side of school ground politics and not so much on the home/family aspect of it all. 
While I liked the setting and basic plotline of this novel, and it is definitely witty and amusing in places, I couldn’t help but miss something while reading it. I can’t really specify what it is exactly, but I just didn’t connect with any of the characters and was constantly waiting for the storyline to really grab me, but it just didn’t. I’m not saying I really didn’t enjoy this read, because I did, but I do think I was somehow expecting more, also based on the other Christie Barlow novels I’ve read and really liked. So, on the whole, ‘A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother’ was not exactly the read I was hoping it would be, but it is still a witty and enjoyable take on school ground politics, and I am curious to see whether the sequel to this book is perhaps more up my street!

Rating:7,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Review: 'The Christmas Cake Cafe' by Sue Watson (2016)

As the Prosecco chills and Bing Crosby croons, Jen Barker just knows that her long-term boyfriend is about to propose.  But instead of a diamond ring nestled in her champagne flute, Jen finds cold flat rejection.  Her once perfect life and dreams of a husband and family seem even further from reach.
A working holiday to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister Jody might not be the Christmas Jen had it mind, but it offers her the chance to recharge her batteries and recover from heartbreak.
When Jen meets handsome ski instructor Jon Zutter her hopes for a happy-ever-after seem within her grasp again. Jon is kind and gorgeous and as they bond over Sachetorte at the picturesque Cake Café, Jen thinks he might just be her perfect man. But a relationship with him comes with a catch – and there are some things even cake can’t fix. 
As the snow falls and Christmas approaches, could this be the place that restores Jen Barker’s faith in love?
Even though Christmas 2016 has officially been and gone, I still have a few festive-themed reviews to share with all of you before the end of the year is really here, so we can at least pretend it's Christmas for a few more days...! Over the past few years we've been treated to a festive read by author Sue Watson each December, such as 'Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake' and 'Bella's Christmas Bake Off' (click here to read my review), and I'm glad to have received a review copy of this year's novel: 'The Christmas Cake Cafe.' I liked the cover and the blurb sounded promising, so I looked forward to sitting down with this new Sue Watson read, one that would hopefully transport me back to those lovely Christmas days...!
Almost a year ago Jen Barker was incredibly excited to go out with her boyfriend Tim, expecting a proposal after years of dating. However, there is no ring in a champagne glass waiting for her, but actually a break-up speech. Newly single, Jen finds it difficult to get her life back on track again, so when her sister Jody suggests for her to come to Switzerland with her and her friends for a working holiday, Jen decides it might be just what she needs. Yet, Jen didn't count in the age difference between her and Jody and the non-stop partying soon takes its toll. Luckily, Jen meets ski-instructor Jon whom she can't get out of her mind. Is this Switzerland trip really what Jen needs in order to move on with her life or isn't she ready for this new phase just quite yet...?
Sue Watson’s ‘The Christmas Cake Café’ tells the story of Jen Barker, who is still struggling with the single life after her long-term boyfriend dumped her almost a year ago. Dreading spending Christmas by herself, she says ‘yes’ to her younger sister Jody’s offer to join her on a working holiday in Switzerland. The snowy mountains and ski resort really served as a great back-drop for a festive story and I enjoyed reading about Jen and Jody and their time in Switzerland. The age difference between Jen, who is forty-one, and Jody, who is in her twenties, resulted in quite a few funny and embarrassing situations, which in the end only contributed to Jen’s journey towards becoming a stronger person who knows what she wants from life.
Sue Watson is a funny author and I definitely laughed out loud a few times while reading this novel. While I did really enjoy the story, I couldn’t help but feel as if something was missing. Perhaps another storyline starring some of the other secondary characters could have added something; something that would have made me not want to put the novel down while reading it. I also didn’t really feel the sparks flying between Jen and Jon, the ski instructor, which was too bad. However, overall, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a Sue Watson festive read to dig into, and I really enjoyed ‘The Christmas Cake Café’, which is great to pick up if you’re looking for a funny and light-hearted winter 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.

Review: 'All I Want for Christmas' by Jenny Hale (2016)

Snowflakes are falling, there’s carol singing on every corner, and Leah Evans is preparing for a family Christmas at her grandmother’s majestic plantation house in Virginia. It won’t be the same now that her beloved Nan is gone, but when Leah discovers she has inherited the mansion, she knows she can give her daughter Sadie the childhood of her dreams. 
But there’s a catch. Leah must split the house with a man called David Forester. Leah hasn’t heard that name in a long time. Not since they were kids, when Davey was always there to catch her. 
Now David is all grown up. He’s gorgeous, successful, and certain of one thing: Leah should sell him her half of the house. 
They can’t agree, but as they share memories over wine by the log fire, Leah notices a fluttering in her stomach. And by the look in his eyes, he’s starting to feel it too. 
Will it be Leah or David who must give up their dreams? Or, with a little bit of Christmas magic, will they finally understand Nan’s advice to them both about living life without regrets … and take a chance on true love?
When I think about Christmas fiction I immediately think of author Jenny Hale. I can still clearly remember enjoying her first festive novel released by Bookouture, ‘Coming Home for Christmas’, and in the years after we’ve been treated to lovely festive reads such as ‘A Christmas to Remember’ and ‘Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses’ (click here to read my review). Luckily, 2016 also has a holiday winter read from Jenny for us to enjoy, namely ‘All I Want for Christmas’, which immediately makes me want to sing Mariah Carey’s classic out loud! The cover of the book is gorgeous and the description promises a trustworthy Jenny Hale tale, so there was definitely more than enough for me to get excited about and I looked forward to checking out this read this Christmas season!
December is here again and Leah Evans can’t help but miss her beloved grandmother Nina even more, especially around this time of year. The only good thing is that Leah will most likely inherit her grandmother’s wonderful plantation home, Evergreen Hills, so she will be able to give her daughter Sadie a fantastic Christmas. But Leah is surprised to hear her grandmother changed her will last-minute: Leah now owns half of the house, while the other half has been given to one of her childhood friends who has recently returned to town, David. Leah has no idea why her grandmother made changes to her original plan, but she’s determined to celebrate Christmas at the plantation this year, even if that means including David and his family. The sparks between her and David are slowly reappearing and Leah will need to make some life-changing decisions for both herself and her daughter Sadie this Christmas…
What I love most about Jenny Hale’s Christmas reads is that you know what you can expect and the novel will undoubtedly live up to those expectations: a warm-hearted and touching festive story with a strong focus on family, friends and love. This is also the case with ‘All I Want for Christmas’, Jenny’s 2016 winter release, which focuses on the story of main character Leah who has inherited her grandmother’s plantation home and business, but is faced with quite a big surprise in the form of her childhood friend David Forester. I enjoyed reading about Leah and her daughter Sadie, and seeing the relationship between David and Leah develop, while there was also a focus on other secondary characters such as Leah’s best friends Roz and Louise and their children.    Jenny Hale’s descriptions are great and she really knows how to set the scene and convey a certain feeling with her stories. I personally loved how important memories are in this particular novel, and how Leah holds these memories close to her heart throughout the story. The entire book has that warm and lovely feeling to it; an American small town that is getting ready to celebrate Christmas.. I don’t really know how to describe it, but in my eyes it’s a typical Jenny Hale feeling, and a feeling I’ve come to love. While ‘All I Want for Christmas’ is not my favourite festive novel by this author, it’s still a warm-hearted and thoroughly enjoyable read and one you won’t regret picking up to get in that Christmas mood!

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: 'One Christmas in Paris' by Mandy Baggot (2016)

Ava and her best friend Debs arrive in Paris just as the snow starts to fall. The Eiffel Tower glitters gold and the scent of spiced wine is all around, but all Ava can think about is Leo, her no-good, cheating ex. 
Debs is on a mission to make Ava smile again, and as they tour the Christmas markets, watch lamplight glittering on the river Seine, and eat their body weight in pain-au-chocolat, Ava remembers there’s more to life than men ... Until they cross paths with handsome, mysterious photographer Julien with his French accent and hazelnut eyes that seem to see right inside her. 
Ava can’t ignore the intense chemistry between them, but her fingers have been burned before and she can’t forget it, especially when her ex, Leo, starts texting again. Can Ava really trust Julien – and what exactly is his secret? 
Will Ava go home with a broken heart, or will she find true love amongst the cobbled streets of Paris?
One of my favourite Christmas novels of 2015 was definitely Mandy Baggot's 'One Wish in Manhattan' (click here to read my review). The novel had this lovely Christmas touch to it, a wonderful setting, great characters and a good storyline with a fabulous romance aspect; everything a reader could possibly look for in a festive read, if you ask me! So, it's no surprise I was really quite excited to check out this year's Christmas release by Mandy Baggot titled 'One Christmas in Paris' and released by publisher Bookouture in October 2016. The sparkling snowy book cover already grabbed my attention straight away and I have to say I had pretty high hopes for this book, but also a good feeling I wouldn't be disappointed...!
Twenty-something Ava is still trying to get over the shock of discovering her boyfriend cheating on her. Without an actual job and her mother pushing her to do modelling work, Ava can't shout 'yes' quickly enough when her best friend Debs asks her to join her on a last-minute pre-Christmas trip to Paris. Ava knows this will be the perfect way to get her mind of everyday life. Parisian Julien has been through a lot and it's been difficult picking up his life again after the loss of his sister, especially when it comes to his passion photography. When Julien meets Ava, she has a positive effect on him; making him smile and wanting to grab his camera again. But is Ava really ready to spend time with this handsome Parisian man, and what exactly does Paris have in store for her for the holiday season?
If I'm completely honest I've never really been the biggest fan of Paris; it's definitely not my favourite city in real life, but I do understand the magical touch it can occasionally have in novels, and that's also the case in Mandy Baggot's festive 'One Christmas in Paris.' Main character Ava ends up in the French capital with her best friend because she desperately needs a break from everything, especially her cheating ex-boyfriend. On her first day Ava meets photographer Julien and this is the start of a new friendship as the two continue to meet up. The story is told from both Ava and Julien's point of view, and I really enjoyed both of their storylines. Lots of things were going on, so there was always something to make me want to continue reading at the next chapter.
The book is definitely a Christmas read with many references to the festivities and decorations, so it's a good one to pick up in the lead-up to the holidays. I couldn't help but compare this one to Mandy Baggot's other Christmas read, 'One Wish in Manhattan', and have to admit I personally loved that one more than this one. I couldn't help but miss a bit of that magical romantic Christmas touch in this read, and Debs drove me kind of crazy with her over-use of the word 'totes'... However, Mandy Baggot still gave us an entertaining and warm-hearted Christmas read in the form of 'One Christmas in Paris', and even though it's not one of my favourite novels written by her, it's a read I definitely enjoyed and I'm sure many other readers will fall in love with!

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: '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: 'Miss Wrong and Mr Right' by Robert Bryndza (2016)

Natalie Love has worked hard to have it all: she runs a successful theatre in Soho that’s about to host one of Hollywood’s leading stars. Her biggest supporter is her eccentric Hungarian Gran, and she even has the ‘perfect’ yoga teacher boyfriend – Namaste!
Life in the bright lights of London has always been Natalie’s escape from her chaotic country family in rural Devon and Jamie, the childhood sweetheart she left at the altar 15 years ago. And then he turns up at her theatre door…
With rivalry clouding old feelings, events in Soho bring Jamie and Natalie together in hilarious ways. Gran is loose in the city once more, it seems to be raining sandwiches and records are broken for Burlesque flash mobs. If she can keep her world together, will Natalie discover who is really Mr Right, and that perhaps she isn’t Miss Wrong?
I'm just stepping away from the festive holiday reads for a bit because I want to share my review of a novel that has just been re-released! I read Robert Bryndza's 'Miss Wrong and Mr Right' quite some time ago, but it was a read I absolutely loved. The book is now being published again and I'm really happy to share my review with all of you once more, because this is definitely a read you don't want to miss! 
At the age of nineteen, Natalie Love wasn't ready to marry her boyfriend Jamie, which led to her leaving him at the altar and running away to London to start afresh. Now, fifteen years later, Natalie loves her London life and particularly her job as a manager of the Raven Street Theatre in Soho. They are about to stage a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth with popular American actor Ryan Harrison as the lead and Natalie knows it is going to be amazing. However, Natalie's even more amazed when she discovers her ex-fiancee Jamie has decided to turn the building opposite her theatre into a pop-up venue. Not only does this mean Jamie is back in her life, but she also has to face some competition and it looks like only one of them will be able to win...
Before picking up this book I had never heard of author Robert Bryndza, but I am so immensely glad I was contacted to review this novel because it is undoubtedly one of my favourite books I've read this year so far! I loved the characters and the storyline, which focuses on main character Natalie, who was easy to warm to and just a great and likeable character overall. The book includes some wonderful secondary characters as well, such as Natalie's colleagues, ex-boyfriend Jamie, American heartthrob Ryan, and a very special mention for Anouska, Natalie's hilarious Hungarian grandmother, whom I am sure every reader will fall in love with, just like I did. Some of the things she said really made me laugh out loud and I got a few funny looks while travelling on the train to work!
The whole story is linked together so well and everything that happens, happens for a reason, and all characters are there to mean something to the storyline. I really enjoyed Robert Bryndza's writing style, it was so easy to fall into the story and forget about reality for a bit. The chapters were a great length, the story is well-paced and I just honestly didn't want to put the book down but keep on reading. I don't know what else to say than to once again shout out how much I loved this novel and how glad I am to have discovered author Robert Bryndza. I am sure I will try and pick up another one of his works soon, because I can't wait to read more! 'Miss Wrong and Mr. Right' is a thoroughly entertaining, wonderfully well-written and simply great romantic comedy that I can recommend to any chick lit fan looking for their next read; you won't be disappointed!

Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

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

Review: 'Lizzie's Christmas Escape' by Christie Barlow (2016)

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?
Earlier this year I got the chance to check out author Christie Barlow's writing when I found myself with a review copy of her novel 'Kitty's Countryside Dream'. I really enjoyed the book (click here to read my review) and was quite keen to check out another one of Christie Barlow's works, in this case her Christmas novel 'Lizzie's Christmas Escape.' The cover of the book is so cute and colourful and the description definitely piqued my interest, so I looked forward to checking it out and hoped I'd enjoy it just as much as 'Kitty's Countryside Dream', and that it would be able to already get me in the Christmas spirit...!
Lizzie Stevens has been married to her husband Henry for years. They started off their marriage being head over heels in love with each other, but now that their two daughters have left the family home, it seems the emptiness has taken over all parts of Lizzie's life. The only thing Henry seems to care about is whether dinner is on the table when he gets back from work and watching darts on TV every evening, while Lizzie wants and needs more from their marriage. When handsome new neighbour Marcus appears on the scene, Lizzie can't help but be taken in by his charm and attention. This Christmas Lizzie will need to make some important decisions; decisions that can change everything for not just her, but also her family... and what better way to get a clear head than taking a short break from it all?
When I picked up 'Lizzie's Christmas Escape' I was already slightly familiar with author Christie Barlow after having read, and really enjoyed, her previous novel 'Kitty's Countryside Dream'. I hoped I would also enjoy this festive read and I'm happy to say I did. The book focuses on main character Lizzie Stevens who is stuck in an unhappy marriage. When she meets her new neighbour Marcus some sparkle is brought back into her life and Lizzie is forced to suddenly rethink a few things. I have to admit I expected a slightly more Christmassy read and one that focused more on the 'escape' that is referred to in the title, but even though the book didn't really meet those particular expectations, I still really enjoyed it. 
One of the best elements in the novel is Lizzie's relationship with her best friend Ann. The two have been friends for a really long time and are there for each other, no matter what. While the other secondary characters are interesting as well, I found myself especially looking forward to those scenes with both Lizzie and Ann, discussing the issues in their lives and experiencing new things together. I think Christie Barlow's writing is great; it flows really well and didn't bore me at any time. On the whole, 'Lizzie's Christmas Escape' is a thoroughly enjoyable and good chick lit read; not as festive as I initially thought, but a great read nonetheless.

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: 'Christmas at the Little Village Bakery' by Tilly Tennant (2016)

Snow is falling in Honeybourne and Spencer is bringing home his American fiancée Tori for a traditional English Christmas with all the trimmings. But when his hippie mum and dad meet her high-maintenance parents, sparks of the wrong sort start to fly. Then Spencer bumps into his first love Jasmine and unexpected feelings come flooding back. 
Millie is run off her feet with Christmas orders at the Little Village Bakery and new baby Oscar. Thank goodness her cousin Darcie is here to help her. Although she does seem to be rather flirty with Millie’s boyfriend Dylan. 
Will Darcie ever find true love of her own? And is marrying Tori a terrible mistake for Spencer if his heart is with someone else?
It's December which means it's time to grab some hot chocolate or a nice warm cup of tea, turn on those festive sparkly lights, crawl underneath a comfy blanket and read some fabulous holiday-themed novels! I can't help but feel as if with each year more and more Christmas books are being released and I have to say it's a trend I don't hate. I love Christmas; it's my favourite time of the year and I'm really glad I finally got to dive into my big pile of holiday reads. This year I started with 'Christmas at the Little Village Bakery', the second part of Tilly Tennant's lovely new series set in the village of Honeybourne. I loved the first book (click here to read my review) and couldn't wait to go back again!
The small town of Honeybourne is getting ready for the festive season, and so are its inhabitants. Spencer has come back from the other side of the world, taking with him his fiancee Tori, to spend Christmas in Honeybourne. The only obstacle in their way: both their parents want to spend Christmas with them, but this turns out to not exactly be a match made in heaven. At the same time Millie and Dylan are incredibly busy in the village bakery, especially while also taking care of their new baby, Oscar. Luckily they have Millie's cousin Darcie to help them out, but Darcie is dealing with some of her own issues and being around the bakery all day long definitely isn't helping... Will Spencer and Darcie be able to solve their issues in order to have a good Christmas or is this year's holiday season about to become a real disaster?
Oh, how I loved being able to revisit Honeybourne and seeing what all the different characters were up to, especially with this lovely dose of Christmas cheer that author Tilly Tennant has included in this second part of her latest book series. 'Christmas at the Little Village Bakery' can be read as a stand-alone, but I personally definitely recommend starting with the first book, just so you know the different characters and their history together. It was great to once again join Millie and Dylan, now with new baby Oscar, at the bakery, but I also really enjoyed the larger focus on other characters such as Spencer, a good friend of both Millie and Dylan, and his fiancee Tori, and Darcie, Millie's younger cousin, who has moved to Honeybourne and helps out in the bakery.
This is definitely a great read to get into the festive Christmas spirit; Honeybourne in the snow is described as one of the prettiest towns on earth and I would have loved jumping into the pages of the novel to visit the small town myself. I've really come to love these characters and even in this sequel Tilly Tennant managed to come up with two equally fascinating and enjoyable storylines; combined with her well-paced and easy-to-read writing style it resulted in a fantastic read I loved from beginning to end. Overall, 'Christmas at the Little Village Bakery' is warm-hearted and lovely festive read that has made me even more excited about the holiday season that's coming up, and I already can't wait for my next visit to Honeybourne...!

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.