Review & Giveaway: 'Tempting Fate' by Jane Green (2014)

When Gabby first met Elliott she knew he was the man for her. In twenty years of marriage she has never doubted her love for him - even when he refused to give her the one thing she still wants most of all. But now their two daughters are growing up Gabby feels that time and her youth are slipping away. For the first time in her life she is restless. And then she meets Matt...
Intoxicated by the way this young, handsome and successful man makes her feel, Gabby is momentarily blind to what she stands to lose on this dangerous path. And in one reckless moment she destroys all that she holds dear.
Consumed by regret, Gabby does everything she can to repair the home she has broken. But are some betrayals too great to forgive?
Jane Green is one of the most well-known and popular queens of chick lit and I am sure many of you will be familiar with some of her novels such as ‘Bookends’, ‘Jemima J.’, or ‘The Accidental Husband.’ Her latest novel, ‘Tempting Fate’, was released in the UK in September 2013, but the USA had to wait until the 25th of March 2014. At the start of this year I was contacted by the lovely people at Sarah Hall Productions about possibly reviewing ‘Tempting Fate’ for the US release and I couldn’t say ‘yes’ quick enough; any excuse to sit down with a Jane Green novel!
English born Gabby has been living in the USA for many years and she couldn’t be happier with the life she has built together with her husband of twenty years, Elliot. They have a wonderful home, two daughters, and while Gabby would have liked another child, she knows she has nothing to complain about. Yet, Gaby feels like she is leaving her youth behind and she no longer feels desired, which she is struggling with. So when hunky thirty-something business man Matt appears on the scene, flirting with her, making her feel wanted again, Gabby knows she has to be careful. But one night can change everything, and suddenly Gabby would give anything to just go back in time, back to her old life, but some decisions aren’t that easy to forgive and forget.
I’ve always loved Jane Green; I think she is an amazing author who has her own specific writing style that manages to captivate me every time, and ‘Tempting Fate’ definitely did not disappoint. The book managed to grab me from the first few pages, and especially the first part of the novel, where Gabby meets Matt and slowly becomes infatuated with him, made me not want to put the book down for even a second. The entire book is filled with so much emotion and the characters are incredibly lifelike; what happens to Gabby could happen to every single one of us. One of the absolute strengths of the novel is that you can’t help but feel for Gabby. Despite some of the decisions she makes in the story, I warmed to her and found myself wishing for a happy ending. Even though that is also one of the main messages in this novel; relationships aren’t always easy, and there isn’t always a guaranteed happy ending if you are not willing to work hard for it.
Like the other Jane Green novels I read, the plotline is completely captivating, the characters are fascinating and well-developed (I especially loved the relationship between Gabby and her mother, and the way the reader also gets to see how Gabby and Elliot’s teenage daughters deal with what is happening to their family), and I also particularly loved the setting and the descriptions in this novel. ‘Tempting Fate’ is an incredibly gripping and emotional read that will keep you captivated until the very last page. This novel once again proves why Jane Green is such an established and adored author, a position she undoubtedly deserves. 
Rating:

    9,5/10

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

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US/Canada Giveaway of 3 copies of 'Tempting Fate'!   This lovely book could be yours! I'm really excited to be able to give away 3 copies of Jane Green's fabulous novel 'Tempting Fate'!   This is an US/Canada giveaway only and all you have to do is comment on this post with your e-mail or Twitter account and the reason why you would love to win a copy of 'Tempting Fate' by the 8th of April 2014. There will be 3 copies of the book available and the winners will be contacted as soon as possible.   Good luck to all of you! :)  

Review: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' by Various Authors (2014)

24 short stories about romance.
From wedding days to special anniversaries, steamy one-night encounters to everlasting loves. Truly, Madly, Deeply takes you on an unforgettable romantic adventure where love is really all you need.
This collection brings together all new specifically selected stories from star authors from the Romantic Novelists' Association including international bestsellers Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews, Adele Parks and Miranda Dickinson, and many, many more and is edited by Sue Moorcroft.
I can’t really give a specific reason, but somehow I’ve never really been a big fan of short stories. I was always of the opinion that a tale consisting of just a few pages would never manage to grab me, would not provide me with the chance to get to know a character, and if it would actually be really good, I’d just be disappointed that it was a short story and not an entire novel. However, when I first heard of the release of ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’, a collection of short stories by some amazing authors, published by Mills & Boon, I immediately knew I wanted a copy (thanks so much to Cherish PR for providing me with a review copy!) and would grab the chance to give short stories another chance. And I’m really glad I did!
‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ is a collection of various short stories that all focus on the same key element: romance. From love at first sight to one-night-stands to wedding anniversaries, different kinds of love and romance are all placed in the spotlight in this second anthology of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. The book is packed with fabulous authors like Carole Matthews, Chrissie Manby, Miranda Dickinson, Fiona Harper, Kate Harrison and Adele Parks. 
This compilation of short stories is quite fittingly described as ‘the ultimate romantic treat’ and I couldn’t agree more. I honestly loved this so much more than I thought I would; I think I unexpectedly even developed a new and growing love for short stories! One of the main things I loved about this book is that it was so easy to just pick it up whenever and read a quick story. For example during the commercial break while watching television, while waiting for the train to come, during your lunch break at work... Each of the stories in the book is about love and romance, which is a topic I personally can’t get enough of, but every single author managed to do something different with it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all these different stories about different aspects of love, with captivating characters at their core and set in various places and time periods.  
I was amazed by the fact that some of the stories really managed to grab my attention and I couldn’t get them out of my head for a few hours afterwards, even though they were just a few pages long. I guess it’s true you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you also shouldn’t judge a story by the number of pages! I honestly think every single one of the stories in this anthology was enjoyable, but if I have to pick a few personal favourites I’d have to go for ‘Love on Wheels’ by Miranda Dickinson, ‘A Real Prince’ by Fiona Harper and Sophie Pembroke’s ‘The Fairytale Way.’ Overall, ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ is a thoroughly enjoyable, easy-to-pick-up, romance-filled collection of stories which especially chick lit lovers do not want to miss! (Oh, and a tip: if you get the e-book version, you get 11 bonus stories!)
Rating:

  9/10

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Reasons I Love Being a Blogger/Reader

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Lately I've seen some other book bloggers being quite enthusiastic about this weekly meme, so I decided to join in with the fun and try it out myself as well!  

  Top Ten Reasons I Love Being a Blogger/Reader   Today's Top Ten Tuesday consists of a list of reasons why I love being a blogger/reader. Well, I think most of us readers and/or bloggers won't have too much difficulty coming up with some of the many various reasons why both reading and blogging are wonderful pastimes!
1) Reading provides a way to escape from real life  I love that feeling of the world just falling away, and it's just me caught up in another world. The escapism is probably something almost all avid readers give as a main reason for loving books and I have to say it's also something I absolutely would not want to be without, a way to get away from everyday life every now and again, no matter what.  
2) Blogging has made me become a part of an amazing community From the very first few days of my journey into the book blogging world I was amazed by the warmth and friendliness of other book bloggers, readers and authors. It is a wonderful community and I feel so lucky to be a part of it and to continue to meet new people who share my love of books every single day.
3) Reading gives me the opportunity to travel all over the world Books give me the chance to do a lot of virtual travelling. Since I started reading, I think I've been to places all over the world from amazing cities like New York and Sydney, to beautiful places like Hawaii and the North Pole. I probably won't be able to visit all these wonderful places in real life, but books definitely provide a great alternative. 
4) Blogging is a means to be busy with the one thing I love, whenever and wherever I studied English Literature at university and I absolutely loved my years as a student because it provided me with the chance to be busy with my number one passion all day long: books. However, after having finished my studies I wasn't able to find a job within the field of literature. While I am lucky enough to have an interesting job within another field that pays the bills, blogging gives me the chance to focus on the topic I'd prefer to be busy with 24/7!
5) Reading gives me the opportunity to travel back in time and to the future Besides travelling to all kinds of places all over the world, books also provide readers with the chance to travel to completely different era's. I'm a particular fan of Jane Austen's books and I love travelling back to nineteenth century England. Books can be really fascinating history lessons, usually with an addictive storyline to keep you focused!

6) Blogging has opened my eyes to try a different genre every now and again As a book blogger I am incredibly lucky to receive review copies of all kinds of books. While I particularly love chick lit, I am always willing to give a new genre a chance. Since I am sent all kinds of different review books, this provides me with the perfect opportunities to try out new things and discover new great books I otherwise perhaps would have never picked up. 
7) Both reading and blogging provide me with the chance to learn new things and improve my knowledge I mostly read English books and my blog is also entirely English, while my native language is actually Dutch. So, both reading and blogging help me to continually work on and improve my English. Next to that, there is also all kinds of knowledge I have gained by reading over the years, from recipes for delicious cupcakes to how to practice magic (if that would only work in real life)!   8) Blogging has made it possible for me to get into touch with authors I have to admit I'm quite easily starstruck and I'm still amazed whenever one of my favourite authors sends me a Tweet or leaves a comment on my blog. Blogging has provided me with the chance to actually get into touch with numerous brilliant authors, and it's undoubtedly one of the things that makes book blogging even more fun.
9) Books can take me on an emotional rollercoaster Books can give me the chance to feel whatever I want to feel. If I thoroughly need a pick-me-up, I can sit down with a feel-good chick lit novel, and when I feel like getting caught up in a bit of suspense, I can pick up a mystery or detective novel. And shedding the occassional tear while reading an emotional story can work quite therapeutic as well!
10) Blogging has provided me with the chance to share my number one passion, books, with anyone who is willing to listen Most importantly, blogging and reading are connected to one another because blogging has given me the chance to share my love for books with anyone who is willing to listen and perhaps even talk back. I love being a part of the blogging community, having found other book fanatics to share my love for reading with, and I can't wait to find out what the future holds when it comes to my book blog and the opportunities it will give me! :)

Upcoming Releases - January 2014

Happy 2014 everyone! The past year has been a wonderful one, filled with tons of amazing books. Obviously, the start of a new year can only mean one thing: lots and lots of fantastic releases that are coming our way! I can promise you that 2014 has numerous brilliant reads in store for all of us, and here are several January 2014 releases that will give you a taste of what is to come this upcoming year!

Katie Oliver - 'Prada and Prejudice' (2nd of January)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Natalie Dashwood loves to shop. After all, as the heiress to the renowned London department store Dashwood & Jones she’s been wearing designer shoes since she could walk! But a socialite’s life isn’t as perfect as you might imagine… Natalie’s spending is spiraling slightly out of control, her rock star boyfriend is engaged to someone else, and it seems the family business is in financial crisis. 

New high-flying business exec Rhys Gordon has been brought in to save the company from ruin, but what are his motives? And infuriatingly even a shoe-shopping spree can’t take her mind off his distracting and oh-so-charming smile… 

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Lulu Taylor - 'The Winter Folly' (2nd of January)

In this house there are many secrets… It is 1960 and young Alexandra Crewe is obedient enough to marry the man her father has selected for her, but both she and her husband Laurence quickly realise that their marriage is a disaster. When real love comes to her, plucking her out of her old life and into a wonderful new existence, she is powerless to resist. Her home is now a beautiful Dorset castle, but there has been a price to pay and she fears that her punishment will one day be due. When tragedy strikes, it seems that it has come, and there is only one way she can atone for her sins… In the present day, Delilah Young is the second wife of John Stirling and the new chatelaine of Fort Stirling. The house is a sad one and Delilah hopes to fill it with life and happiness. But when she attempts to heal the wounds in John’s life, it seems that the forces of the past might be too strong for her. Why does John have such a hatred for the old folly on the hill, and what happened to his mother when she vanished from his life? As she searches for the truth, Delilah realises that perhaps some secrets are better left buried...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Clodagh Murphy - 'Some Girls Do' (6th of January)

Claire Kennedy is NiceGirl, the anonymous author of steamy online blog 'Scenes of a Sexual Nature'. An internet sensation, she attracts the attention of Mark Bell, a hot London publisher. But when it becomes clear that Mark is interested in more than just a book deal, Claire has to act fast. Because little does Mark know that NiceGirl is a lot more experienced in the bedroom than real-life Claire Kennedy.

Mark is offering Claire the life she's always dreamed of - a steady relationship, the literary world of London and a posh Highgate apartment.

But when Claire hires the services of struggling artist and commitment-phobe Luca to brush up on her sex skills, things get more complicated...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Carole Matthews - 'A Place to Call Home' (9th of January)

In the dead of night, Ayesha takes her daughter, Sabina, and slips quietly from her home, leaving behind a life of full of pain. Boarding a coach to London, all Ayesha wants is a fresh start. 

Hayden, a former popstar, has kept himself hidden away for years. He's only opened up his home to two people - Crystal, a professional dancer with a heart of gold, and Joy, an ill-tempered retiree with a soft spot for waifs and strays. 

When Crystal asks Hayden if Ayesha and Sabina can stay with them, he reluctantly agrees and, as different as they may be, they quickly form an unlikely bond. So when enemies threaten their peaceful home, they will do all they can to save it and each other.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads 

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Alexandra Potter - 'The Love Detective' (16th of January)

'In a way, I'm a bit of a love detective. Because what's a greater mystery than love?'

Meet Ruby Miller. A writer who makes happy-ever-afters happen. Until she discovers her fiance is a lying cheat and loses her faith in love. So when her sister invites her on a beach holiday to Goa to forget about him, Ruby jumps on a plane . . . and into an extraordinary adventure.

Stolen bags, a runaway sister and a handsome American stranger sweep Ruby into a magical mystery tour across India. Amid fortresses and fortune tellers, and a whirlwind of weddings, she uncovers fascinating stories of love, lost and found.

But as the mysteries deepen, secrets are revealed that turn Ruby's life upside down. And what started as a journey to find her sister, becomes a journey to find herself - and love - again.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Louise Mensch - 'Beauty' (16th of January)

Blend it. Sculpt it. Shape it. Use it...

There isn't a woman on earth who doesn't have her beauty secrets. But for Dina Kane, beauty is more than just business. It's power. And it is the secret. She's dragged herself up from poverty to Park Avenue. She's rolled with the punches. And she's learned how to win.

Now someone is out to destroy her, and all she's built. But they've underestimated Dina Kane. She's staying at the top - and she's happy to wait for the perfect moment to exact her revenge...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Laura Kemp - 'Mums on Strike' (16th of January)

It was just a squashed grape on the kitchen floor. Hardly a reason to get upset, right? But six years of motherhood has left Lisa Stratton feeling like a skivvy. Every morning before she's opened her eyes, she starts her mental inventory of jobs to do. And just like yesterday, the day before and every day since she became a mum, she's woken up knackered.

So when her husband deliberately steps over the grape because it's 'her responsibility' to run the house, it tips her over the edge. He wasn't always like this - they used to share everything. Then the kids came along and he saw it as an excuse to sit back. But this time things are going to change. Lisa has made a decision. 

She's going on strike.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Lucinda Riley - 'The Midnight Rose' (16th of January)

In the heyday of the British Raj, eleven-year-old Anahita, from a noble but impoverished family, forms a lifelong friendship with the headstrong Princess Indira, the privileged daughter of rich Indian royalty. Becoming the princess' official companion, Anahita accompanies her friend to England just before the outbreak of the Great War. There, she meets the young Donald Astbury, reluctant heir to the magnificent, remote Astbury Estate, and his scheming mother.

Eighty years later, Rebecca Bradley - a young American film star - has the world at her feet. But when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, she's relieved that her latest role, playing a 1920s debutante, will take her away from the glare of publicity to the wilds of Dartmoor in England. Shortly after filming begins at the now-crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anahita's great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly, on a quest for his family's past. What he and Rebecca discover begins to unravel the dark secrets that haunt the Astbury dynasty...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Lucie Whitehouse - 'Before We Met' (16th of January)

A whirlwind romance. A perfect marriage.

Hannah Reilly has seized her chance at happiness. Until the day her husband fails to come home... The more questions Hannah asks, the fewer answers she finds. But are the secrets that Mark has been keeping designed to protect him or protect her?

And can you ever really know what happened before you met?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Linda Yellin - 'What Nora Knew' (21st of January)

Molly Hallberg is a thirty-nine-year-old divorced writer living in New York City who wants her own column, a Wikipedia entry, and to never end up in her family’s Long Island upholstery business. For the past four years Molly’s been on staff for an online magazine, covering all the wacky assignments. She’s snuck vibrators through security scanners, speed-dated undercover, danced with the Rockettes, and posed nude for a Soho art studio.

Fearless in everything except love, Molly is now dating a forty-four-yearold chiropractor. He’s comfortable, but safe. When Molly is assigned to write a piece about New York City romance “in the style of Nora Ephron,” she flunks out big-time. She can’t recognize romance. And she can’t recognize the one man who can go one-on-one with her, the one man who gets her. But with wit, charm, whip-smart humor, and Nora Ephron’s romantic comedies, Molly learns to open her heart and suppress her cynicism in this bright, achingly funny novel.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Colette Freedman - 'The Consequences' (28th of January)

Over the course of one tumultuous Christmas Eve, Kathy Walker confirmed her suspicions about her husband's affair, confronted his mistress, Stephanie, and saved her marriage. She and Robert have eighteen years, two teenagers, and a film production business between them--plus a bond that Kathy has no intention of giving up on. Yet though Robert is contrite, Kathy can't quite silence her doubts.

While Robert reels from his wife's ultimatum and his mistress's rejection, Stephanie makes a discovery: she's pregnant. Her resolve to stay away from Robert wavers now that they could make a real family together. And in the days that follow, Stephanie, Robert, and Kathy must each reckon with the intricate realities of desire, the repercussions of betrayal, and the secrets that, once revealed, ripple through lives and relationships in thoroughly unexpected ways.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Rosie Blake - 'How to Get a (Love) Life' (29th of January)

Some people book last-minute holidays, walk barefoot in the grass or party on a week night. Not Nicola Brown. Nicola is the kind of girl who double-locks the front door, leaves the plastic covering on new furniture, sticks to a super-strict diet and definitely, absolutely Does Not Date.

Her colleague Caroline – loopy, warm and exasperated by her, knows that Nicola's reluctance to lose control means she's living only half a life. And so she lays down the gauntlet: Nicola must cast aside her hang ups and go on as many dates as it takes to find true love in time for Valentine's Day.

The pick of local men is, quite frankly, a bit rubbish. And there are only three months until February 14th. Surely it's an impossible task? But, as Nicola is about to find out on her dodgy dates, letting go isn't quite as scary as she imagined. In fact, it's rather a lot of fun...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Sarra Manning - 'It Felt Like a Kiss' (30th of January)

Ellie Cohen is living her dream. A great job at an exclusive Mayfair art gallery, loyal mates, loving family, and really, really good hair. Well, there's the famous rock-star father who refuses to acknowledge her and a succession of 'challenging' boyfriends, but nobody's perfect.

But when a vengeful ex sells Ellie out to the press, she suddenly finds herself fighting to keep her job, her reputation and her sanity. Then David Gold - handsome, charming but ruthlessly ambitious - is sent in to manage the media crisis . . . and Ellie.

David thinks she's a gold-digger and Ellie thinks he's a shark in a Savile Row suit, so it's just as well that falling in love is the last thing on their minds...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Jill Mansell - 'The Unpredictable Consequences of Love' (30th of January)

When Josh Strachan, newly returned to his home in north Cornwall from sunny California, first meets Sophie Wells, he's immediately smitten. Sophie's pretty, she's funny, she has lots of friends and she clearly loves her job as a photographer, despite the sometimes tricky clients. There's just one problem: Sophie has very firmly turned her back on love. It's nothing personal, she tells Josh, but she just doesn't do dates. And no one - even Sophie's scatty best friend Tula - will tell him why. Josh is sure Sophie likes him, though, and he's just got to find out what's put her off romance. And then put things right...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Lucy-Anne Holmes - 'Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy' (30th of January)

'My love story may not be the sort you read about in books or see in films . . . Love stories have glorious highs and ghastly lows. But when it comes to my own life, I'd have to say, you can keep your fabulous highs and I'll happily steer clear of the terrible lows.' 

After a rocky start in life, Jenny Taylor, 27, star receptionist at the local doctors surgery, has things all worked out thanks to 'The Smiling Fanny Manifesto' - a list of 10 daily things she must do to keep the blues at bay. But her life is turned upside down when she meets aspiring musician Joe King. And reliable boyfriend Matt proposes. And then her mum leaves her dad and moves into Jenny's flat determined to 'bond'. 

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Rowan Coleman - 'The Memory Book' (30th of January)

The name of your first-born. The face of your lover. Your age. Your address...

What would happen if your memory of these began to fade?

Is it possible to rebuild your life? Raise a family? Fall in love again?

When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of mementoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold on to the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Helen Warner - 'With or Without You' (30th of January)

Martha Mills has it all: a high-profile, highly-paid job as a showbiz interviewer for a major national newspaper; a happy marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Jamie, who is a house-husband, looking after their two adorable, well-adjusted children; and a beautiful home. But when Martha makes the shocking discovery that Jamie has been having an affair, her whole life implodes. Despite Jamie's obvious regret and promises that it will never happen again, she feels too betrayed to stay with him; however, she is torn between telling him to leave and trying to salvage their marriage for their children. Then, during an interview with British acting star, Charlie Simmons, she breaks down and finds herself pouring her heart out to him. To her surprise, she finds him a sympathetic and supportive shoulder to cry on. And when Charlie invites her to escape her problems for a week and travel with him to LA, Martha accepts. They soon begin a friendship which quickly turns into an intense relationship... Jamie isn't going to give up on Martha that easily though and he embarks on a desperate campaign to win her back. Now Martha has to make a decision: where does her heart really lie?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Paige Toon - 'The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson (30th of January)

Meet Jessie, the daughter of Johnny Jefferson, as featured in 'Johnny Be Good' and 'Baby Be Mine'… 

My fifteenth birthday was the worst day of my life, and it's inconceivable to think that any single day in my future will ever be as bad. My mum was killed in a freak accident on her way to pick up my cake. Even when there was still no sign of her after two hours later, and my friends started to arrive at our house, it never occurred to me that she wouldn't be coming back. That was six months ago. My mum died without telling me who my real dad was. And for a while I hated her for it. I thought she's taken the secret of my father's identity with her forever. But she didn't. Holy hell, she didn't. Because three weeks ago I found out the truth. And I'm still reeling from the shock of it. My dad is none other than Johnny Jefferson, mega famous rock star and one-time serial womaniser. And now I'm on my way to LA to meet him and his family. My tiny little world has just got a whole lot bigger…

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Review: 'Mr. Perfect' by Joanna Davies (2013)

Mari Wyn Roberts is 35, works for a TV company in Cardiff and just can't keep a relationship going for more than two years. She wants her Mr Perfect but after nearly 20 years of dating she's starting to worry that her ideal man doesn't exist. Worst of all, what if one of the 'duds' she was so happy to bin over the years was her 'perfect man' all along? On the other side of the city, Owen, also 35, is looking for love on his terms. There must be a girl out there that's single, intelligent and doesn't want to mother or stifle him?

As a part of the Chick Lit Club review team, I received a review copy of Joanna Davies’ novel ‘Mr. Perfect.’ I instantly knew I wanted to give this book a chance. Not just because I really liked the sound of the blurb and the cute cover, but also because of the origin of the publisher and author, namely Wales. I’m part Welsh myself, so when I found out this novel is actually set in Wales I immediately wanted to learn more about it. I hadn’t read anything by Joanna Davies before, but I had read positive things online and was quite curious to start ‘Mr. Perfect.’

Mari Wyn Roberts is a 35-year old single woman who is still looking for her perfect man after approximately 20 years of dating various different but all slightly unsuitable men. Ideally, she’d get together with a man who is a combination of actors Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and George Clooney, but she hasn’t found him yet. Owen, also a 35-year old living in Cardiff, has been looking for his perfect woman at the same time. For him, Mrs. Perfect has Dawn French’s humour, Carol Vorderman’s brains, and Kelly Brook’s body. Both Mari and Owen continue their dating adventures, not knowing that that one person might be closer by than they think...   

The basic plotline of this novel was great. The reader is taken through time, starting in the 1990’s, and we meet all the different people both Mari and Owen end up dating from their teenage years until the present time. Together they meet and date all kinds of people, often ending up in some laugh-out-loud situations. I just loved that Joanna Davies picked this slightly basic but classic storyline and turned it into something I personally really enjoyed. I loved reading about Mari and Owen’s dates, the specific types they ended up with, and hoping they would eventually find that Mr. and Mrs. Perfect they are both looking for. I think this is something many readers will be able to relate to; don’t we all have that specific actor or character we want to accidentally bump into on the street, knowing it will be love at first sight?!  

I really liked Mari. I thought she was an interesting character, and I also instantly liked Owen. As I already mentioned, I also loved the fact that this novel is set in Wales. It somehow really gave the novel that little bit extra for me. Overall, I thought ‘Mr. Perfect’ is a light-hearted and funny read that is perfect for anyone who loves a romantic comedy. I honestly have nothing bad to say about this novel and applaud Joanna Davies for writing such a lovely book!

Rating: 8,5/10  

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I'm delighted to have had the chance to interview Joanna Davies about her book 'Mr. Perfect'; you can find her answers underneath! 

1) Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘Mr. Perfect’?

I'm a big fan of romantic movies like 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'Dirty Dancing' and 'The Princess Bride' and when I was younger and dating, these films did influence me, as I tried unsuccessfully to experience my own 'epic' love story. This inspired me to write a story about two characters, Mari and Owen, who are also too influenced by popular culture and finding the 'perfect' romance. The obsession with finding a dream partner can stop you from finding a more real and satisfying relationship which is the main theme of the novel.

 I also love Director and Writer, John Hughes's 1980s American high school films like 'Pretty in Pink' and 'Sixteen Candles'. So I was keen to start the story in a high school in the early 1990s to show the characters' first 'romantic' experiences as teenagers before moving on to their equally angst-ridden 20s and 30s. It's good fun to write about this period when I was a teenager and poke fun at the pop culture and fashion of the time.

Each chapter deals with the characters' unfortunate dating experiences and in 'Mr Men' style, each date is given an illustrative name -from Mr Bad Voice to Ms Red Light. Both Owen and Mari, the main characters, keep meeting up over a period of 20 years, sometimes when on a bad date. They unwittingly play out a 'movie' like comedy romance, from their first 'meet cute' meeting to the dramatic declaration of love at the end. The main message is like in the film, 'Some Like it Hot', that nobody's perfect and you don't need perfection to have a loving and long lasting relationship. And your story can be just as good as the one in a film!

2) Where did you find the inspiration for ‘Mr. Perfect’? Is it in any way based on your own life experiences?

'Mr Perfect' is loosely based on my real life dating experiences and those of some of my friends but they've been hugely embellished. It's surprising how varied bad dates can be and I did enjoy conjuring up even more extreme imaginary ones for the book!

3) There’s a great mix of characters in the novel. Which character did you most enjoy writing about and why?

I think my favourite character is Owen as he's very loveable and a bit of an everyman. His banter with his best friend, Huw was also good fun to write.  I also enjoy writing 'baddies' so had a great time writing scenes for Lucy, the stalker too.

4) Who would be your own Mr. Perfect?

When I was younger I had a definite idea of a Mr Perfect -a cross between Mr Darcy and Johnny Depp with Alan Rickman's voice!  However, like Mari and Owen finally realise, I also realised that this mythical 'perfect' partner doesn't exist. So I'm happy with my lovely imperfect husband -we've been together for 12 years.

5) Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans as an author? Are you already working on a next novel?

I also write in the Welsh language. (Mr Perfect was originally Mr Perffaith published by Gomer Press in 2011.) I have another Welsh language book out next summer, Cario Mlaen (Carrying On) which is a sequel to my first novel, 'Freshers' (also available in English!) My next project is to translate my novel, 'Ieuan Bythwyrdd', or 'Erotomania' into English which is quite a surreal dark comedy about a fantasist stalker and an egotistical young famous actor.  I really enjoyed writing this as it satirises celebrity culture and social media and has some quite ridiculous over the top scenes, which are also film homages, such as a chase scene where the main character drives off the Severn Bridge!

6) Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

I think the most obvious tip is to write about what you know. It's much easier to do and the authenticity shines through for the reader. Don't be too influenced by the highbrow or 'what's popular' lists and do your own thing. It's a labour of love for most of us though as there's not much money in it but the satisfaction is immense when you see the finished work. You also need a very thick skin when looking at reviews -remember even the greats get criticised sometimes!  Self publishing is also a route to explore if you find it hard (like many) to get a publisher or agent. 

7) And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Mr. Perfect’ in just three words, which words would you pick?

Quirky, funny, wry.

Thanks so much to Joanna Davies for taking the time to do this interview! Be sure to get your own copy of 'Mr. Perfect' via Amazon by clicking here!

Blog Tour: 'The Twelve Dates of Christmas' by Lisa Dickenson

Claudia is a girl in a rut. At 30, her life is stale and the romance with long-term boyfriend, Seth, has disappeared. Determined to inject some festive spark back into their love life, Claudia and Seth go on their first date in a very long time to the Royal Opera House. But when the night ends in disaster, Claudia suddenly finds herself facing life - and Christmas - alone.

Life alone is exciting, scary and full of soon-forgotten exercise regimes and ill-advised attempts at crafting sexy underwear. It's also filling up with dates, surprisingly. With best friends Penny and Nick at her side, a surplus of festive markets, mulled wine and Christmas tunes, Claudia attempts to face all this change with gusto. One thing's for certain: this year, Christmas is going to be very different . . .

A couple of months ago, I met a lovely person through Twitter named Lisa Dickenson. She was busy with her upcoming Christmas novel while tweeting about the fierceness of Beyonce, the amazingness of Pacey Witter and everything else ‘Dawson’s Creek’, and the fabulousness of book series like ‘The Babysittersclub’ and ‘Sweet Valley High’ (yes, I desperately wanted to start my own babysittersclub and have an amazing twin sister, didn’t we all back in the 90’s?). How could I not like this person?! So, ever since I heard about Lisa’s upcoming book ‘The Twelve Dates of Christmas’, I’ve been excited about it and couldn’t wait to read it. Luckily, I managed to get a spot on Lisa’s blog tour and I’m so excited to not only review her novel today, but also have a special feature for all of you in which Lisa talks about her own favourite Christmas books!

Claudia loves her boyfriend Seth, but after several years of being together the spark has somehow left their relationship. So, when they have an exclusive date planned at the Royal Opera House, Claudia wants to give it her best shot to find back that missing spark. However, her first December date doesn’t exactly go according to plan, and at the end of the night she finds herself alone, not knowing what to do with herself or her life. However, with the help of her amazing best friends, Penny and Nick, Claudia is ready to face the upcoming Christmas holidays. The most wonderful time of the year, which will present Claudia with twelve dates that will surprise and inspire her to find that spark in her life she has been missing. 

‘The Twelve Dates of Christmas’ is released in quite an original and exciting way, namely in six different parts. The first part, Dates 1 & 2, was released on the 11th of November and the last part, Dates 11 & 12, will be available from the 16th of December. I was lucky enough to receive all parts bundled together in one paper copy to review, so I read the story as a whole, without wanting to put it down! Wow, what an amazing read! I expected I would really enjoy this novel, but I have to say it managed to exceed my already high expectations. Lisa Dickenson’s writing style is fantastic: the story flows easily, the scene setting makes it so easy to picture it all in your mind (there’s nothing like the city of London at Christmas time, I absolutely loved all the places Claudia visited and the way Lisa described it all in perfect and festive detail), and I found myself laughing out loud so many times (which resulted in quite a few strange looks from other train passengers). The humour in this book is definitely one of its main strengths, and also one of the reasons why I enjoyed the story so much.

Claudia is a funny, sweet, loyal and relatable heroine; I think every single female reader will be able to recognise herself in Claudia one way or another. Next to her, there are some brilliant other characters as well like Penny, Claudia’s best friend, and Nick, who made my heart beat just that tiny bit faster every single time his name appeared on the page (I want one just like him underneath my Christmas tree this year, please!). There’s honestly nothing negative I can say about this book, because I really loved it and it’s without a doubt one of my favourite releases of 2013, and my absolute favourite Christmas-related release of this year. ‘The Twelve Dates of Christmas’ is an incredibly funny, magical, and simply brilliant read which will undoubtedly get you into the Christmas spirit. I’m already excited about 2014, because I honestly can’t wait to read more of Lisa Dickenson’s work! 

Rating:10/10 (with a special dose of glitter and sparkly Christmas lights!)  

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As I already mentioned above, I'm so excited to welcome the absolutely lovely Lisa Dickenson to 'A Spoonful of Happy Endings' today to entertain us with her favourite Christmas books! :)

 

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My Favourite Christmas Books
Let me set the scene for you. Close your eyes. No WAIT! Open them, because otherwise you can’t read this. Oh, what a crap start. Can we begin again?

Let me set the scene for you. It’s six in the evening and you’ve just got in from work. In the dead of winter, the world outside has been inky black for nearly two hours already. It’s also bloody cold. You’ve thrown on the heating, showing festive spirit and blatant disregard for the electricity bill. The [insert favourite meal here] is in the oven. The Christmas lights are on and your cosy home is twinkling. Pour yourself a Baileys. A bit more. Come on, there’s plenty more in Tesco, pour yourself a proper one. Now you can submerge yourself into that fabulous festive read you’ve been saving. It’s all yours, and by the end you know you’re going to feel ten times, a hundred times, more Christmassy than you do now.

 

Picking the perfect Christmas read is hard. You know that absolute horror of spending Christmas with a different family for the first time, perhaps because you’re staying with your partner this year, or you’re with friends, or all your relations have merged into one uber-Christmas which seemed like a fab idea until someone got the party games out? And suddenly you’re aware that not everyone does Christmas Day Exactly Like You. In other words, they do it wrong. And that’s why picking a perfect festive read is hard because you need to read what makes you feel the most festively festive.

 

I guess what I’m rambling on about is just to say that my choices of favourite Christmas books aren’t a definitive list of what are The Best Christmas Books Of All Time. You might think they’re rubbish. You might love every one of them (in which case, I think we should spend Christmas together!). But the important thing is that from now on your favourite Christmas book is The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Lisa Dickenson.

 

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens 

Charles Dickens totally started the Christmas fiction trend, as far as I’m concerned. And as much as I love the Muppet adaptation, the book is *nearly* as good. The evocative language completely enfolds you into a Dickensian London at Christmas, and the story of grump-bag Scrooge and his Bah Humbug-ways as he’s visited by three ghosts (four, including Jacob Marley) make perfect dead-of-winter reading.

Winter Wonderland, by Belinda Jones
This is a lovely, heart-warming and original Christmas book which is as much about the magical, wintery setting of Quebec as it is about the budding romances between the characters. It follows Krista (sidenote: love that name) who embarks on an unexpectedly life-changing trip to Canada for her travel writing website. While she’s there we read all the twinkling Christmas loveliness we’d expect from a rom-com, but with added dog-sledding, ice hotels, Cirque du Soleil and hunky French-Canadian gents. It’s no secret that I’m a bit of a Belinda Jones fangirl (I just LOVE books set abroad) but this has to be one of my faves.

 

Big for Christmas (Sweet Valley Twins), created by Francine Pascal

Don’t judge me. It’s just… I “used to” read this a lot when I was younger. I mean, it’s basically a rip-off of the movie Big, but with those Californian blondies with the ‘blue-green eyes the colour of the pacific ocean’. If that alone doesn’t make you want to spend the 1p it costs to buy it from Amazon right now, here’s the storyline: Jessica and Elizabeth, are like soooo prepping to go to the Christmas party of the year when their parents say they’re too young! Then some magic stuff happens and they wake up to find themselves as twenty-somethings with BOOBS and HIGH HEELS and stuff. It’s amazing.

 

 

The Night Before Christmas, by Scarlett BaileyFirstly, I love the cover. Secondly, I think this is a fab idea for a Christmas story – one girl, going to the idyllic Christmassy cottage with her friends over yuletide, who ends up torn between three men – her current boyfriend, her ex-boyfriend who’s lumbered over to join them, and a hunky new chap. It’s funny and festive and as warm and mulled wine!

 

The Jolly Christmas Postman, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
This is such a good Christmas book, and I thoroughly recommend anyone with kids, or nieces, nephews, godchildren, nearby schools that need books, etc. to buy this. It’s basically a children’s story book about a cheerful postman who delivers Christmas parcels and letters to the local fairytale folk (i.e. Red Riding Hood et al) but the VERY BEST THING is that you get to open real envelopes and inside are real letters and real presents! It’s just… I can’t… it’s awesome.

 

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. MooreTechnically this is more a poem than a book, but it’s been turned into books so many thousands of times that it counts. The last thing that’s read in millions of homes around the globe before going to sleep on Christmas Eve means there’s no way I could leave this off the list.

  Happy Christmas everyone!