What’s more to say about my blog about books I’ve read?
Well, this is my blog about books I’ve read 😀.
I always liked reading books, and it all started on a very silly way… It’s always good to blame my dad, so he is the cause of my reading addiction.
When I was still a little girl, a looooooong time ago, I saw him always going to the bathroom with the newspaper. One day I wondered why he did that, so I took a book and tried to see the fun of that.
And since that day, you can find everywhere in the house a book of mine.
A while ago, I had the opportunity to review some books, and now a new opportunity came to post them on an own blog.
So here we are, my own blog!
I read books, and I will post my thoughts about them.
Some books I’ll like, some I won’t like that much…. but you can be sure that I’ll give you my personal and honest opinion about them.
The need for a fresh start, to find the unexpected
Synopsis
Pack your bags and get ready to fall in love with The Hotel by the Sea—your next romantic getaway awaits!
Rebecca needs to escape. After making a complete fool of herself watching the man she’s secretly loved for years run off with someone else—she jumps at a temporary job at the family-run Quinta do Mar hotel. Sun, sea, and a fresh start sound perfect.
What she doesn’t expect is Felipe Rebelo.
Charming, infuriatingly confident, and always ready with a flirty quip, Felipe seems to have life sorted. But beneath his carefree exterior lies a man carrying the weight of his entire family. The last thing he needs is another responsibility. Especially one who challenges him at every turn, makes him laugh, and is dangerously easy to fall for…
Escape to Portugal’s stunning Algarve coast in this uplifting summer romance about finding yourself, choosing happiness, and discovering that love isn’t about being needed—it’s about being seen.
My review
Rebecca has been having feelings for her friend Will for a long time. But after seeing how he ran off with another woman, while Rebecca was his plus one, she has had enough. So when she finds a temporary job at a family – run hotel, Quinta do Mar, she grabs this chance with both hands. Because nothing mends a broken heart better than getting away and have sun and sea at your disposal. There is no better fresh start that Rebecca could imagine, weren’t it that almost immediately she meets Felipe Rebelo, who co – owns the hotel, although it doesn’t seem he is doing a lot for the family business. Felipe is charming, confident and always has a flirty response. However, what Rebecca doesn’t know is that in fact, Felipe is making sure that everything at the hotel runs smoothly. And he cannot take more responsibility, even if Rebecca is not only challenging him, intriguing him, but also making him laugh and is amazing to have fun with…
I was very eager to start with this book. Because I know how this wonderful author can captivate me with her amazing stories!
Right from the start, my heart went out to Rebecca. Not only is it terrible to have feelings for someone who doesn’t seem to reciprocate them, but just at the time when you decide to make a move, you see your love interest suddenly going away with someone else. And that while you were being each other’s plus one! So in fact, Will just abandons her without a second thought.
And to be honest, not only this but also events further along in this book, made me dislike Will. I could understand Rebecca’s loyalty towards Will, as they have been friends for so long, and she has been by his side during the most difficult moments. But I couldn’t understand the attraction.
Getting away from a situation is sometimes the best thing you can do, so I was totally in agreement when Rebecca accepts a temporarily job in Portugal. Not only is she away from Will, in order to move on from him, but also she is able to work as a Pilates instructor. And let’s be honest, the Algarve couldn’t be a more perfect place for both purposes!
Even if the setting is in Portugal, and I am an Italian, I cannot deny that the Mediterranean warmth flies of the pages. The way Rebecca is welcomed by the family, it is very recognizable for a Mediterranean woman like me. I don’t think I would act differently, or perhaps even more at the risk of being over the top welcoming 😊.
I found it sweet to see how Rebecca is feeling while working at the hotel, how she is slowly finding herself again. Having some distance is exactly what she needs, and the distance gives her the necessary perspective.
When she meets Felipe, we see also who Rebecca truly is. Yes, she is competitive (all the swim challenges she has with Felipe… 😊) but she is funny, even sarcastic when needed. She is also committed, not only to her job. And yes, perhaps she needs initially a moment to adjust to new situations, with new people around, but once she understands the situation and dynamics, she is so easy to be liked and she as easily likes people too.
Also when she meets Felipe, there is an instant connection. Yes, they ‘fight’ over their swimming challenges, and at first sight Rebecca may have some prejudices that aren’t correct, but the attraction between them cannot be denied.
So of course I was a fan when they decide to not ignore that attraction anymore! But I also have to say, that while things evolve very heatedly between them, I felt that their romance is not the main plot line, but the growth both characters go through is. And their romance is the catalyst, a helping hand to understand who truly Rebecca or Felipe is.
Because while at first instance it looks like Felipe is a bon vivant, as a reader we quickly discover that in fact, he is carrying a lot of responsibility. I found it bittersweet to see how much he cares about his family, and how he wants to make a success out of the hotel. But he is just doing too much… Nobody can do it all without the help.
In a way, Felipe is a typical man. He let everyone believe that nothing is a burden, nothing is too much for him, while in fact he has to work at night to get it all done. Yet he refuses to admit things are getting over his head and that helping hands would be so much appreciated. Is it male pride? Is it that Mediterranean thing again? I don’t know…
To say that both Rebecca and Felipe are both a bit at loss, would be stating the obvious. While their lives couldn’t be more different, yet they both have lost themselves. And with being with each other, they slowly learn again who they are, what they want from life and how to truly enjoy life again.
And at the same time, by spending more time with each other, they also learn what they want, or rather need, in a companionship. And that a relationship, a partner, is not adding more responsibility, but sharing it, dividing it. It is not a sacrifice, but an addition to life.
Once again Julie Capling swept me away with a wonderful story, about how when escaping from life can bring you all the answers. Answers that you were looking for, but more important, answers you didn’t know you were looking for. Answers that make you realize who you in fact truly are. And if you find someone by your side during the process, it is only the cherry on top!
This for sure was a story that was heartwarming, but also inspiring. It made me laugh, it made me frown and yes, here and there, there were also a few facepalms. A great story about searching yourself, growth, understanding and love. Love for yourself (and self-worth too), but also love for people who have just arrived in your life.
When wanting to do good means choosing between the known safety or a mean to change things
Synopsis
Wakefield, 1901
Emmeline Ashworth has never known real want. As the grocer’s daughter, she has warm meals, a solid roof, and a father who dotes on her. She’s always understood she is luckier than most, but nothing prepares her for the day a half-starved young woman runs into the shop, desperate for help.
The girl – Lily – is bruised and ragged from the slums that sprawl at the edge of town and opens Emmie’s eyes to the harsh realities of life for some in Wakefield. Determined to offer her friendship and a lifeline, Emmie faces resistance from her beau, Rupert, who insists Emmie must keep her distance.
Then Emmie meets Sebastian Fraser, a passionate local councillor fighting to improve conditions in the slums. His compassion mirrors her own—and awakens feelings she can’t ignore. Feelings she’s never had for Rupert.
As Emmie risks everything to protect Lily from the dangers she’s fled, she must choose between the safe life she’s always known and the braver, kinder world she longs to build.
But can Lily find a place in Emmie’s life or will the shadows of the slums follow her to their door?
My review
At the start of the 20th century, Emmeline Ashworth is living a rather comfortable life. As the grocer’s daughter, she knows that she should count her blessings and she somehow has a little privileged life, with no real worries, a roof above her head, daily warm meals and a father that truly dotes on her. Yet Emmie also knows that not everyone is as lucky as she is. When one day a half – starved young woman runs into the shop, Emmie feels it as her duty to help her out. Lily makes Emmie open her eyes to the harsh, even brutal realities for the unlucky people living at the edge of Wakefield. Emmie is determined now to help out Lily, and offer her not only help, but also friendship and sisterhood, despite the resistance of her own father and Emmie’s beau, Rupert. Luckily, Emmie meets a kindred spirit in Sebastian Fraser, a local counsellor who wants to turn Wakefield into a better place for everyone. However, Lily’s past keeps on catching up on her, not only putting a risk on Lily, but also Emmie and her whole family. With so much at risk, what will be in store for Emmie’s future? And will Lily still be part of that future?
I am the kind of person that when I see a new book from an author that I like/love, I don’t even bother with reading the blurb. So when I started with this book, with this title and cover, I thought that (after I met Lily) the focus would be on this runaway young woman, trying to change her life for the better, with the help of kind-hearted people.
However, I discovered rather quickly that in fact this isn’t Lily’s story, but Emmie. Of course Lily has a huge impact on Emmie’s life, as not only is Lily the catalyst but also the cause and reason of all the changes in Emmie’s life.
Right from the start, I truly liked Emmie. Yes, it is a sad thing that she lost her mother, yet together with her father she has a rather happy life. She enjoys helping out in the grocery store, and shows kindness towards not only the customers, but everyone. She also has a soft spot for Rupert, the man that is courting her.
And in the love aspect I could understand somehow her doubts. Yes, she has warm feelings for Rupert, but as she is rather inexperienced in the matters of the heart, she doesn’t know what it is exactly she is feeling. Is it just fondness, or is it love?
Emmie shows her kind and caring heart in so many different aspects, towards so many different people. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that she wants to help Lily when they meet for the first time. I don’t know if I would go as far as Emmie is doing in this book, as I think I would be just as wary as Emmie’s father and even Rupert is. But I could understand Emmie, as she is just this kind, caring and gentle woman, only wanting to help out those in need.
And it is very admirable what Emmie is doing for and with Lily, yet I just couldn’t warm towards Lily…
The more of her thoughts we were having, the more I was becoming suspicious of what Lily was would contrive. And the more the story evolved, the more I unfortunately saw my suspicions getting confirmed in ways that Emmie for sure didn’t deserve.
On the other hand, with Emmie’s determination to help out Lily, it also means that Emmie crosses paths with Sebastian Fraser.
While Sebastian doesn’t appear that extremely often, when he does, he for sure makes an impression, and not only to Emmie! He is proof that even early 20th century, there were good men, wanting to make a change, one step at the time.
And I could for sure understand how well Emmie and Sebastian connected and understood each other. They show that having the same idealisms can be the start of a deeper connection.
This book took me in a not so far away past, showing us how far people are ready to go to make their lives a better one, even not afraid to betray those who opened up their home and hearts. But, and more important, we see the kindness and generosity of goodhearted people. And how even if they don’t know what direction they want to go with their lives, at one moment, they will know where their future is, and with whom that future will be spent.
This was a great story, even if there were moments that angered me, saddened me. But the feeling of hope, positivity, kindness and care never left me. And that made this book for sure worthy of reading!
Working for a wealthy family, what could go wrong?
Synopsis
An awkward girl’s account of inexperience, sexual mishaps, and too much tequila…
Needing a change, Rayne Meyers—a.k.a. Calamity Rayne—sets out to be a personal assistant for one of the wealthiest families in the world. What could possibly go wrong? Inexperienced with sophisticated settings, she does her best not to screw things up too severely, except there’s one complication she didn’t foresee—her boss’s devastatingly charming son, Hale Davenport.
Hale is everything Rayne is not–experienced, mature, and methodical. But when he meets his father’s new assistant, a woman nothing like the calculating females he’s used to, he is captivated and prepared to throw caution to the wind.
Let the awkwardness begin in this highly relatable, bestselling series from Lydia Michaels!
My review
Rayne Meyers is a young woman that needs a change. Her nickname Calamity Rayne hasn’t been stolen, so it is clear that whatever she does, whether on a personal level or a professional one, it always ends in disaster somehow. She never expected though to get the job as a personal assistant of Remington Davenport, patriarch of one the wealthiest families in the world. As she enters a world that she doesn’t know, Rayne is doing her best to not screw things up, and show that she is capable for the tasks she has been hired to do, even if she is not so sophisticated as the family that hired her. But what Rayne didn’t take in account at all, is the attraction that simmers between her and Remmington’s son, Hale. Rayne and Hale couldn’t be more different from each other, but Hale finds himself captivated by Rayne. And while sparks are flying around, and their differences are refreshing, could it also be that those differences will drift them apart, especially as it is known that wealthy families are masters at keeping secrets and that rules don’t always apply to them like to us mere mortals…
For us, ‘normal’ people, it is strange to see how wealthy people are living, full of luxury, rules that apply only to them, or not to them at all. So when a Rayne, who is just like us, gets a job as a personal assistant for one of the wealthiest families of the world, I was both eager to see how those differences of status would appear on paper, and also (and perhaps specifically), and curious how Calamity Rayne would honour her nickname 😊.
It was a bit strange how Rayne is able to secure an interview, with people she hasn’t have a connection with, but she is best friends with someone who has a connection. Yes, that happens in the real world, but let’s also be honest, what are the chances to not only go to the interview, but also actually get the job, especially without any experience at all.
Now, it is also typical Rayne the way she gets the job. She is (brutally) honest, she isn’t impressed (or at least doesn’t show it) by all the wealth the Davenports flaunt. After seeing her ‘competition’ for the job, she doesn’t believe she has a chance, so she has nothing to lose.
And that honesty, even that speaking out loud before actually thinking, is something that is typical Rayne. She is who she is, outspoken, direct and yes clumsy too. But she is also insecure, has a lot of self – doubt and she has a fear of commitment, on every level, romantically too.
In a way, it feels on all those levels of insecurities that they are being caused by her lack of experience on all those aspects. And that makes her sometimes also act or react in the wrong way, because in fact, she just doesn’t know what to do in whatever situation she finds herself in.
The contrast with Hale couldn’t be any bigger, as not only is Hale very reserved, he is mature and he knows how the world works, especially for the wealthy. And while initially he acts very indifferent towards Rayne, and there are moments that he acts strangely, we also see that in fact he is a generous person, a caring man, and he is a man that wants to do the right thing. Further along in the story we even see how much he is prepared to do…
So on paper Hale and Rayne should definitely not work, yet on these pages, somehow they do. Opposites attract indeed, and Hale and Rayne just find it impossible to not give in to the attraction that simmers between them.
I need to add, while perhaps the pace between Rayne and Hal is rather fast, I could also understand it, as they are on a luxury yacht, with not many other people around. So feelings and emotions grow more quickly than anywhere else.
What I loved reading of the relationship, or rather situationship, between Hale and Rayne, is how Hale shows patience and understanding the moments where Rayne shows her vulnerability and insecurities. They don’t think alike about everything, but there is from both sides the will and wish to understand and to help out. And that is the beauty of the story, how no matter that you come from different worlds, that the desire and hope to make things work prevails over just being, well, stubborn at moments.
We see how Rayne is truly growing in the story, the more she spend time with the Davenports, not only does she understand them, but she also knows how to address them, to make them see sense in a way. And she becomes also more confident about herself, and even learns to stand up towards the Davenports when needed.
Obviously there is some spice in this book too, I would be disappointed if the author would skip those bits 😊. And this is also an aspect where Rayne ‘lacks’ the experience, but here also we see her grow more confident. And I liked it, seeing how not every woman is already a goddess between the sheets, but also there needs to grow into a confident woman.
Now, when I started reading this book, I knew that it was the first book of a series, and that somehow, I would still have some unanswered questions at the end. And I thought I was okay with it. Until I reached that ending of course… Because, without giving any spoilers of course, *just* when things may start to fall in perfect place, something happens that mix up everything once again. And that last bit, the way the main characters left us readers, well, now I just have to get the next book of the series!
Because a book where I connected easily with the main character, where I enjoyed the growth everyone went through, and the author just got me reading page after page, how can I survive without knowing what happens next???
A writing retreat that changes everything, even for the locals
Synopsis
Can a grieving chef and a group of writers find their own happy endings?
Eight months after his wife Jacqueline died in a tragic car accident, Michelin stared chef and proprietor of Villa Celestia, Guy Lyon’s life has been in freefall. Consumed by grief and plagued by questions as to why she was in a taxi that fateful day, the doors to Villa Celestia have remained closed.
When a good friend, Sandy Thoreau, asks to rent the villa on the French Riviera for a fortnight to hold a women’s writers retreat after being let down, Guy reluctantly agrees.
All the women at the retreat are looking forward to being inspired. Helena and her friend Mandy are writing debut novels, Isobel is editing a cosy crime story, Liz is desperate to kickstart a new book, self-published author Lorraine is looking for advice and Becky, well Becky is a law unto herself.
Over the course of the next fortnight, two of these women will change the course of Guy’s life forever and new chapters – hopefully with happy endings – will begin for all of them.
The perfect tonic and escapist read to the South of France full of warmth and second chances.
My review
After losing his wife in a tragic accident eight months ago, Michelin starred Chef Guy Lyon has lost his fire. He hasn’t even opened the doors of Villa Celestia, as he is still grieving and has so many unanswered questions that perhaps never will be answered. So when a good friend, Sandy Thoreau, asks him if she could rent the villa for her women’s retreat, Guy’s initial response is to refuse. Yet Guy cannot get it over his heart to let his friend in trouble, so reluctantly he agrees to open Villa Celestia, and even provide his cooking skills, as long as he can stay out of the picture. HE wants the women of the retreat to have a great time, but he just wants to do what he is good at, and that’s it. All the women cannot wait to start their retreat, even if they are staying somewhere else than initially planned. But the French Riviera is always a magnificent place, no matter which villa they are staying in. It is a small group, yet a very diverse group, with Helena and Mandy writing debut novels, with Liz who is finding inspiration for a new book, Isobel is editing a cosy crime story and Lorraine is seeking advice. And then there is Becky, the youngest of the group, and a low unto herself. In just a fortnight, everyone’s life will be affected and for a few even change in an unexpected way!
Here we are again, at the French Riviera with Jennifer Bohnet! And what a delight it was to return to this popular yet lovely place, with a brand new story!
Yet at the start of this book, I felt pain and heartbreak. Because it is obvious that Guy is still grieving after he lost his beloved wife in a terrible accident. Even if eight months have passed, he hasn’t found his spark back, the will to life in a way. Where Villa Celestia used to be his pride and glory, now it is just… nothing. Everything in the villa reminds him of his late wife, and he just cannot cope it.
And that truly saddened me, I could almost feel his pain from the pages. Yet in a way it was also bittersweet, as it just shows how much and how deeply he has loved.
Yet I also felt sorry for him, because with his loss, he has only been left with so many questions, that will never get an answer now, as his wife is no longer around to tell him why she was in that car… And as a reader, I already had an inkling what transpired…
So of course I could understand why Guy initially refused to help out Sandy, as his mind still is completely somewhere else. But we also see what a good friend Guy is, because he decides to help, even if it is reluctantly.
I was very curious about the group that would be arriving at the Villa, eager to see how different the women all would be, all at different stages of writing, but also in their lives. And I wanted to read about the dynamics between them, because you can be very lucky and end up in a great group, or the complete opposite.
The most women of the group I really liked them really quickly, although there was one exception (no names but Becky… 😊). The women are also from different ages, and yet it shows very clearly how the young adults have a different mindset than us. (Unfortunately I am no longer a young adult myself 😊).
What else I was curious about, was how the retreat would have a lasting impact on not only the women, but how it would also affect Guy. I truly had my fingers crossed that somehow, with people around him, Guy would find his passion and his fire again.
What I didn’t expect was the level of how his life would change! Yes, there is romance in store for Guy, and it was just so sweet to see how he finds a connection with one of the guests and how he is able to see the bright side of life again. But Guy is also in for a very unexpected revelation and surprise in this book.
Perhaps I had connected the dots rather fast, yet I could not wait to see how the concerned characters would make that same connection and how the reactions would be.
Of course the focus isn’t merely on Guy, the other characters also will discover that the retreat is not only to improve their writing skills, but it will also have an impact on their lives.
I found this a ‘complete’ book, in the sense that all the characters get enough space in the spotlight, whichever issue they were having, it got resolved one way or another. Things aren’t rushed, as Jennifer Bohnet takes her time to write a perfect conclusion for everyone.
Once again Jennifer Bohnet took me on an amazing journey, showing how much life can change in just a fortnight, how impactful meeting new people can be. And how significant it can be to open your heart towards new people, and I am not only talking about a love interest. But we also see the strength of friendship, how perhaps you start doing something reluctantly, yet it can turn out to be the best thing happening to you.
It was reluctantly (as I seem to have used this word often in this review 😊) that I reached the end of this book, yet it left me also with a warm heart!
When starting on the wrong foot, can things change for the better?
Synopsis
Enemies in the Office. Lovers in the Making. A Lie Too Big to Ignore.
When fiery physiotherapist Elena Romero and buttoned-up solicitor Danny Jackson are forced to share a workspace, it’s instant mutual dislike. She sees a workaholic in a designer suit. He sees yet another opinionated woman complicating his already stressful life.
Yet behind the tension, both are secretly shouldering heavy burdens: Elena is stretched thin caring for her ill sister, while Danny’s world revolves around the younger brother he’s raised alone. When Elena helps Danny recover from an injury and he advises her sister on a legal matter, sparks fly—and not just from their feisty arguments.
But when family loyalties and legal battles collide, everything falls apart. With trust broken and secrets exposed, can enemies turned lovers find a way back to each other before it’s too late?
A witty romance full of heart, heat, and high stakes, perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers and messy, modern love stories.
My review
As a physiotherapist, Elena Romero know how much her patients may be struggling with reaching her office space. So when the ground floor office has a new owner, Elena hopes that she can swap offices. But when she makes this proposition to Danny Jackson, not only does she not get the response that she hoped for, but she is also being dismissed very rudely. It is so not a surprise that there isn’t any love lost between the two. Elena sees in Danny a workaholic in a suit, while Danny sees in Elena a know – it – all. However, what neither of them know, is that both Elena and Danny are carrying heavy burdens. Where Elena is looking together with her sister Sophia after their ill sister Luisa, while Danny is doing his best to look after his younger brother Connor. Even if they are not seeing eye – to eye, when Elena sees Danny struggling with an injury, she cannot let him keep suffering. And when Danny hears about Sophia’s legal issues, he cannot not offer his knowledge and assistance. So between exercises and time spent together, between all the arguments and prejudices, sparks start to fly between the feisty physiotherapist and the ‘suit’. But when the pair of them learn that loyalties and battles are colliding, everything starts to fall apart again. Is all that has been building between them, truly a lost cause, or is there still hope?
When I started reading this book, I though the focus would be on Elena and Danny. So I was happily pleased reading how also Sophia and Connor get to shine in the spotlight. Yes, mainly it is about Elena and Danny, but with having also Sophia and Connor in the equation, we get a better perspective of the storylines, the connections and the dynamics.
Right from the start, I saw two sides of Elena. And no, not a good one and a bad one 😊. But there is the feisty, determined Elena, that doesn’t allow to be walked over. And then there is the caring, worrying, loving Elena. An Elena that wants to protect her sister Luisa from everything and everyone (perhaps even too overprotective).
Yet when Elena wants to swap offices with Danny, while I found it a good idea, her reasoning was correct, I found it also a bit gullible of her. Because it couldn’t be that easy to get the other office, would it? Or am I seeing things too complicated?
I felt sorry for the three sisters. After losing their mother, their father left temporarily to get business done, leaving the (yes, I know they are all adults) sisters mending for themselves. And with having Luisa struggling with her health, it isn’t an easy task to keep all the balls in the air.
What I liked about the sisters, was that they couldn’t be more different from each other. They all have different interests and their careers too are in total different matters. Yet their family is what they all truly care about. There is nothing more important than family, even at the risk of losing your job when your sister needs you.
That same love, care, we see with Danny and Connor, and in an extent also with Danny’s best friend Hugh. Danny has had a difficult childhood, with no signs of affection at all. So when the care of Connor fell into his hands, especially at the age Danny was at the time, it would have been easy for Danny to not be the caring brother/ father he has become.
Yet we see how mature Danny has been, looking after Connor at the best of his abilities. Still now, especially now, Danny is so much more than just a big brother. To me it truly felt that Danny is a caring, loving father, worrying about Connor’s wellbeing, especially after what Connor has been through not so long ago. Danny would literally walk through fire, jump off buildings for Connor…
Perhaps when Elena asked to swap offices, Danny could have been more diplomatic, kinder in his response. But I could understand why he doesn’t want to switch, even before I knew about his injury. There is always a reason why you choose a certain building, office, home,… so I don’t think I wouldn’t switch either.
I loved reading how Elena and Danny are clashing, yet when kindness prevails, they are also able to put their differences aside and offer help. And I admired that in both characters, as it for sure would be easier to just keep on holding that grudge. Yet both Elena and Danny show us that they are the kind of people that can put their own feelings aside, to help someone out.
And them helping each other out, also makes them understand that there is more than just a man in a suit, or a feisty physiotherapist. They start to realize that in fact, they have so much in common, more than they could imagine, what brings them even closer.
Like I said, we also have the pleasure to see the focus shift to Sophia and Connor. And while initially it was a tiny bit confusing, as I was a bit confused about who was who, I found it enlightening to have also the spotlight on these two characters.
Not only because they are both important in Elena’s and Danny’s story, but because they show us how priorities are being set, how events can affect you, causing a lot of self – doubt, feelings of insignificance, and how inferiority complexes can arise and affect you.
It was just sweet to see how Sophie and Connor share similar thoughts, yet are afraid to act upon them. it shows how even the most confident person can have doubts, and how the most insecure person can grow and not be longer afraid of letting people getting close.
When I started with this book, somehow I had a completely different story in mind. I was expecting two main characters clashing, but slowly growing closer to each other. And while this story for sure has some clashing and getting closer, it is mainly about family, protectiveness, overprotectiveness even. And slowly learning to let go, learning to take a leap of fate, learning to be brave and even a bit dramatic 😊.
I absolute loved reading this story, where there are so many things are happening, yet even at the most difficult moments, the warmth never stops emanating from the pages.
She’s BookTok famous. She’s never read a single book in her life. And the internet is about to find out.
Luna is a viral literary influencer with thousands of followers hanging on her every dramatic hot take. There’s just one problem: she’s been faking it all along.
When a rant about Ulysses rockets her to superstardom, the algorithms reward her chaos—and Luna doubles down. Bigger opinions. Louder drama. Relentless engagement. Until an anonymous comment threatens to expose everything.
Panicking, she smashes her phone and deactivates her account. Offline, there are no likes, no applause—just the quiet truth: she feels unremarkable, invisible, unworthy.
Then a stray cat walks into her apartment and refuses to leave. Convinced he belongs to someone nearby, Luna knocks on her neighbor’s door.
He actually reads—grounded, attentive, and completely uninterested in her follower count. Through him—and because of the cat—Luna discovers connection and the joy of reading.
But the internet never forgets. When her past resurfaces, she must choose: return to her influencer life—or risk losing everything real she’s finally found.
BookTok Queen is a witty, uplifting novel about impostor syndrome, internet fame, and the courage it takes to be real in a world that rewards pretending—blending sharp satire with heartfelt self-discovery and a touch of romantic tension.
My review
Luna has finally found something she is good at. Even while growing up, through trial and error, she has been searching for something that she is truly passionate about. And of course something where her twin sister doesn’t outshine her. But now, she is BookTok famous, by making dramatic hot takes about books, whether positive or negative. But there is one problem, or rather one big secret: Luna has not ever read one book. She believes that her secret is safe, until there is one anonymous comment that can and perhaps will expose everything. In a sense of panic, Luna throws away her phone, making her go offline. And that makes her feel unseen, invisible and unworthy, and she does not know what to do with her life now. And then a stay cat follows her into her apartment and refuses to leave. Luna believes that the cat belongs so someone nearby, and that makes her encounter her neighbour, whom she has never met before, even if Rafael has been living there several months already… Even if Luna and Rafael have complete different lives and interests, a friendship is being built and Luna even gives reading another chance. Until someone from her internet – past resurfaces, jeopardizing everything once again…
As a bookaholic myself, I understand that not everyone loves reading as much as I do. But I find it difficult to grasp that someone cannot even finish reading a book. And I am not talking about a specific genre, but any book. There must be a subject that interests you, that you want to read more about it? However, I listen and I don’t judge (or at least, not at loud 😊).
I have to admit, because Luna is such a not – reader, I found it difficult at the start of the book to ‘get into’ it. How can Luna get internet – famous, by posting videos with her overreacting to books? Each to their opinion, but I could understand it more if she had actually read any of the books she is trashing or praising.
But as I couldn’t understand her of the videos, the insecurities, the sense of unworthiness, that is something that truly resonated with me. Now I have found what makes me happy, but there has been moments that I shared in a way the same emotions and feelings that Luna has in this book. And once I found that connection with Luna, it was rather easy to continue with her story.
I think it is safe to say that everyone has a few secrets in their lives. But I cannot imagine how terrible it feels for Luna to be at risk of being exposed as a fraud… And perhaps her reaction is a bit over the top (just like her videos may me), but her going offline is exactly what Luna in fact needs.
It makes perfect sense for Luna to feel truly at loss once she is not only connected to internet. Being online has been her world for a few years, and now that she has lost her world, it means the start of searching who Luna truly is.
And what a hilarious thing that her self – discovery starts with a stray cat that just claims Luna’s apartment as its new home! I am a cat – lover myself, so if a cat appears in a book, I am a happy woman 😊.
That same stubborn cat is also how Luna and Rafael meet. Rafael has been Luna’s neighbour for a while now, but as Luna has been so stuck in her viral world, she hadn’t even acknowledged that she had a new neighbour.
The best way to describe Rafael is that as being the complete opposite of Luna. Where Luna despises books, Rafael loves reading them. Where Luna is still searching who she is, Rafael knows exactly who he is, and what kind of life he wants to have.
And very important, Rafael is a kind, patient and non – judging. He may not always understand Luna and her reasoning, but he respects her, and he tries to understand her. At the same time, he is also helpful in so many different ways. Not only is he willing to help Luna out with decluttering her home, but he makes it also his mission to let Luna understand how books can sweep you of your feet. If only you find the right book to let that love start.
I absolutely loved to read how Luna and Rafael are not only becoming friendly neighbours, but actual friends. Why be pleased with having just a good neighbour, when that neighbour can turn into a great friend?
It was also amazing to see how Luna is finding herself, how in a way her eyes are being opened to the real world, the outside world, and how much better and more real it is from the world that is limited to that screen. A fake world, that somehow catches up with Luna, making Luna doubt again, despite all the growth she has been going through. And yes, I may have been afraid that Luna may be falling back in the trap that the online world is, while she has been truly enjoying the real world.
Luna goes through a lot of growth in the book, as she is on a journey of self – discovery and a journey of understanding that she is worthy, important and that she matters. It is okay to not know where you excel in, but with time and patience you will find *your* thing.
While this book is obviously fiction, perhaps it can also serve for the people that are too attached to their online lives. Yes, I know, even I have to check several times a day if something has happened online, but I also know that there are more people truly addicted to that world. And perhaps if they read this book, they can understand better about how fake that world is, how it is all about algorithms, and likes. And how online friends are nothing compared to the friends we have in real life…
Rosa Silva for sure wrote a funny story, about the ‘tragedies’ of being exposed online. But between the laughter, she also makes us see how less that online world matters, and that stepping outside, literally, can make you see things in the right perspective.
It was a funny story, but also an inspiring, eye – opening one! It was truly a delight to read!
Return to Northumberland where happy ever afters await…
Take a magical trip to stunning Northumberland via the pages of this feel-good romantic comedy by award winning writer Kimberley Adams. Full of warmth and joy, it will leave you with a wide smile and a yearning to visit this iconic location in person.
When the almost unbelievable truth about Kittiwake Penaluna’s heritage comes to light, the residents are shocked, but in true island fashion they rally together to protect their fledgling chick as she faces life-changing revelations.
Meanwhile, the island mourns the loss of its beloved village butcher, and the closure of the shop on Main Street leaves a hole at the heart of the community. Then, when other businesses unexpectedly close, rumours begin to circulate about who might be behind the unsettling changes.
As familiar faces depart, new ones arrive, but not everything is as it seems. And when a despised figure from the past returns, old tensions resurface and the island is thrown into further turmoil.
Amid the chaos, Ellie and Zen finally begin preparing for their long-awaited wedding, but as always on the island, nothing goes quite according to plan. With difficult decisions to make and obstacles to overcome, they soon discover that they can weather any storm, because love always endures on Lindisfarne…
Kim was born in Corbridge in Northumberland and still lives in this gorgeous corner of the world. Passionate about the area, Kim tends to set her work in the northeast, and why not considering the wealth of stunning scenery and the warm-hearted locals, both of which constantly give her ideas for future writing endeavours.
Kim’s debut Love Lindisfarne was released October 2023 and from its first cover release on social media gained momentum, taking Kim totally by surprise. Kim had never envisaged writing more than one book, but here we now are at number four, three Lindisfarne book and a Christmas novella called the Christmas Angel of the North which is about a nana and her granddaughter and set in Newcastle.
Kim finds most of her inspiration mooching around cafes across the Northeast where she ‘overhears’ some of the funniest and warmest things that are stored away for future use (anonymously of course!) If you see her, buy her some cake, then she promises never to write about you – unless you want her to of course!
Kim is very proud of her ratings on Amazon and if you want to read reviews for her previous books just pop on and you will be able to see just why Kim gets quite emotional over some of the lovely things that have been said about the books! If you do enjoy the books, please try and leave a rating or review, you don’t even have to have bought the book from Amazon, but each rating helps towards getting the system to recognise Kim and her books.
Forty-year-old Faye Lawson is falling back in love with life at last. Finally divorced from her cheating husband, she has turned her back on the UK and has been living the Greek dream in Corfu managing a beautiful traditional boutique hotel.
For Kostas Petsas, twenty-something ex-professional basketball player, life as he has always known it is over. Having to take early-retirement because of injury, he’s at a loss as to what to do next. But when a piece of land in Corfu comes on the market, it seems this might be the perfect fit. There’s just a couple of things in the way… an area of natural beauty and… a little hotel on the beach.
Kostas has never met any woman like Faye before – she doesn’t behave around him how women usually do, and, when conflict starts to surface, it seems they can’t see eye-to-eye on anything. Or perhaps, when things get body-to-body, both of them begin to wonder if it can turn into heart-to-heart.
Escape to the beautiful island of Corfu with Mandy Baggot – queen of Greek summer romance!
My review
After finally being divorced from her cheating husband, forty-year-old Faye Lawson has left the UK behind and is now enjoying her life in Corfu. And being the manager of a traditional boutique hotel may be at times very challenging, but Faye truly loves diving into numbers and solving problems that guests may have. And one of the guests turns out to be Kostas Petsas, who had to give up his dream as a professional basketball player, despite him being just in his twenties. Obviously he is now at loss at what to do with his life and his future. Yet with a piece of land being on the market to be purchased, Kostas has a plan… if he could get a few issues out of the way. And let a small boutique hotel be just what keeps his plan from fruition… While staying at that same boutique hotel, Kostas cannot help himself from staying away from Faye, a woman that intrigues him, even if more often than not they are not seeing eye – to -eye on anything. But don’t they say that hate and love are two sides of the same coin?
I always find it admirable when the main character decides to move to another country, after a rocky period. Just like I was in awe that Faye made the move to Greece, a happy place for her, after her divorce.
And Faye has built her own life here in Corfu, as she now is the manager of a lovely boutique hotel on the beach. Manager, a job that sounds rather boring, but for Faye it is something that brings her happiness. Happiness that she finds in so many different ways on the magnificent island that Corfu is.
However, we see that Faye is still struggling with a few things. For example, she is happy that she is divorced, but as her ex can offer their daughter more than Faye can, she is a bit worried about ‘losing’ her daughter and that the distance will not only be a physical one.
Faye is a real ‘fixer’ too, any problem that arises in the hotel, she always finds a way to fix it. She listens to the guests, is patient with them (even where I would have lost my patience within 5 minutes 😊) and always finds a solution that satisfies everyone.
So when there is a VIP guest arriving, she knows that she needs to up her game, even if she has no idea who Kostas is and why he is famous.
When Kostas appears in the book, and on the island, I didn’t immediately felt it. Whereas there are several books where I immediately like the male main character, I cannot say this was the case with Kostas.
Because upon his arrival, he made me believe that he felt too good to be on Corfu, that the people weren’t ‘worthy’ of his presence. And it also clear that he arrives on Corfu with an agenda, which we still have to uncover.
But I also knew somehow that how Kostas is acting up at the start, would be only a facade and that the real Kostas would emerge. The real Kostas with all his hurt, doubts and insecurities…
There is also another Kostas, a flirty, teasing Kostas. A Kostas that knows how to push Faye’s buttons and innerve at. And at the same time, funny for us readers, Faye also knows how to push back and have a kind of quid pro quo.
And there a dance between Faye and Kostas starts 😊. And what a dance it was, just so great to read for us!
Faye and Kostas clash over several things, but it was sweet to see how on the other hand, they just connect. They clash over so many things, but over things that matter, they find in each other not only a listening ear, but also someone that is just there for them, for support and compassion.
That is truly the warmth of the story, to read how two people, having lives that couldn’t be more different, find each other and even learn so much from each other.
Now, there is one thing that I need to get off my chest… Saffron, Faye’s daughter… I can understand that you want your parents to be together, or at least find each other again. But as Saffron is a young adult, I found her behaviour rather childish at moments. Not wanting to listen to Faye’s explanations, wanting things to go her way or no way,… So I wasn’t Saffron’s biggest fan, even if I could see where she was coming from (and her father isn’t totally innocent in my opinion…).
Not only did I enjoy reading this book for its setting in Corfu, but most important because of the growth both main characters go through. And especially Kostas, he comes with a certain mission on Corfu, yet he realizes that the truth isn’t always what is being told. And Freya learns somehow to let go, and to stand up for herself.
I found this truly a heartwarming story, about how even an age gap cannot hold feelings back, about how eyes can be opened and how with the right person by your side, opinions, ideas and plans can be changed into something better.
When the future looks bright, but the past isn’t letting go
Synopsis
Sometimes all your hopes and dreams really do come true… ✨🌈
Life at the Chocolate Pot Café has never been sweeter for Tara Porter. Nestled on Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay, her café is thriving, her friendships are close, her foster parents are back where they belong—and she’s finally let herself fall in love with artist Jed Ferguson.
For Jed, returning from Australia feels like coming home in every sense. His teenage daughters have settled, his gallery opening is a success, and with Tara by his side, the future looks full of promise.
But the past can’t stay at bay forever.
When Tara’s estranged foster sister reappears, old wounds resurface. And when Jed is reunited with twelve year old Aaron – a boy he once believed was his son – secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.
Now Tara and Jed must decide whether facing the past will shatter everything they’ve built—or hope it gives them the strength and courage to dream again.
Warm, heartfelt and hopeful, Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Café is a story of love, forgiveness and second chances.
My review
Things are apparently falling into perfect place for Tara Porter. Not only is her Chocolate Pot Café a great success, after a rocky time the relationship with her foster parents is restored, she is surrounded by the best kind of friends she could ever imagine, and she even has found love with artist Jed Ferguson. Jed for sure didn’t expect that his return from Australia with his teenage daughters would bring him so much joy and love. Tara’s and Jed’s future for sure looks bright in Whitsborough Bay! Weren’t it that Tara’s foster sister reappears, making Tara think about all the pain that Leanne caused her and their parents. And while Jed stands by her side no matter what, he has his own demons to slay. Because unexpectedly, not only has his ex reappeared, but with her, also Aaron came to Whitsborough Bay, the now twelve year old boy who Jed believed to be his son. With secrets and revelations causing more mayhem than anyone could foresee, can Tara and Jed find their truly happy ever after? Or are their hopes and dreams just that and nothing more?
It is no secret how much I just adore Jessice Redland and her books. Each new book I fear a little bit that this will be the book that I won’t love as much as the others. But do not fear, that book hasn’t been found yet, and I truly hope it will never be found 😊.
Isn’t it wonderful when people who truly deserve it, find love? Especially if they both have been through so much in the past. And in books, when it happens to lovely characters, it just gives me so many happy and warm feelings!
Tara for sure did not have an easy upbringing and not even a happy marriage. Not that her foster parents were not treating her right, but it was her sister Leanne that actually used Tara. And seeing how after years of hiding from her past, and keeping that same past hidden from her new friends and in fact her new home, seeing how liberated Tara is now, just shows how heavy a burden can be.
And seeing a happy Tara now, was just wonderful. She has fought her battles and won them, and has found a wonderful love with Jed. But we all know that finding love is sometimes the easiest bit, because when life starts to throw lemons, it is difficult to keep in mind what truly matters and who are your biggest supporters and how to make lemonade out of those lemons.
With the reappearance of Leanne, Tara shows how kind and generous she in fact is. Now, don’t get me wrong, she isn’t gullible at all, but she understands that her parents just cannot push Leanne completely away, as Leanne is still their daughter. Not only is Tara protecting her parents by not coming completely clean about what happened, but she also sets her boundaries. She understands her parents, but that doesn’t mean that Tara will do the same. And that also shows the growth Tara went through.
And of course it helps that she has her friends by her side every step of the way, just like Jed is there for her. Even if Jed is not being spared at all…
I cannot imagine how it feels to be betrayed by your partner the way Jed has been betrayed. Not only has he been tricked into moving to Australia, but also the boy that he loved deeply and thought was his son, turned out to be not his at all. How can anyone be so selfish and even cruel?
While Jed is truly happy with his new life with his daughters in Whitsborough Bay and having found love and happiness with Tara, he cannot deny that he is missing his little boy Aaron.
And that graces him, because it would be easy for any other man to just ‘forget’ about Aaron and pretend that they never cared about the boy. But that is not who Jed is. It truly amazed me the lengths he went in the past to still be part of Aaron’s life, even if he isn’t Aaron’s biological father.
That the relationship with Aaron upon his arrival in Whitsborough Bay is a strained one, is for sure a euphemism. But once again it is a testament to Jed’s character that he is not only patient with Aaron, gives him the space Aaron needs, but somehow he also knows how to make Aaron see what the truth is, without speaking ill of anyone.
There are several moments that both Tara and Jed are keeping their calm, but I don’t think that I would be able to act in the same way. Everything they have been through, and still people treating them like that, I would be infuriated! Once again, proof just how amazing these two characters are!
Now, it may seem that the whole story is filled with gloom and doom, but it is not. There is so much heart and love in this wonderful book. Not only because Tara and Jed are in love with each other, but there is also so much love between the different families and friends. And also something to not just disregard, the kindness that is shown to people in need, whether they are strangers or not.
And that kindness, care is something that perhaps isn’t appreciated enough in real life, because with the plans that Tara and Jed find themselves coming up for the future, is for sure inspirational.
There is even a discussion about that same future that Tara and Jed have, that perhaps isn’t a popular opinion or choice. But we see here also that choices should be about following your own heart, and not the need to please others.
I keep on rambling in this review, and there is still so much that I haven’t addressed here. But I am going to stop here, otherwise my review will be as long as the book itself was 😊. I just hope that somehow I have enticed you to read this amazing book by the wonderful author that Jessica Redland is.
This book is filled with just so many wonderful things, emotions and characters. Wonderful characters that show that doing the right thing, being kind, generous, loving and caring, will always be rewarded by Life, even if before it threw humongous lemons.
I think that by now devouring Jessica’s books has become a tradition, because I just had to keep on reading, as I just wanted more and more and more!
When a heart has been broken, what else can it take?
Synopsis
💔 How do you mend a broken heart? 💔
Michelle finally thought she’d found love with her hot Greek doctor. But when Demetri reveals he’s returning home to care for his sick mother, Michelle’s dream future crumbles. Choosing not to follow him feels like losing more than just love – it feels like losing who she’d started to become.
Determined not to fall apart, Michelle decides to throw herself into rebuilding her life in Sandpiper Shore, but then unexpectedly, Demetri’s brother, Makkis, arrives on her doorstep. Offering him a room seems like the kind thing to do… but the constant reminder of her lost love is difficult for her heartbroken soul.
And the more time she spends with Makkis, the clearer it becomes: there are parts of Demetri she never knew… Just as Michelle starts to heal with a little help from her friends, she’s faced with a decision: fight for the love she knows she deserves, or finally learn how to let go…
My review
The moment Michelle made the move to Sandpiper Shore, she felt that she had finally found a place that made her feel home. Not only has she found new best friends, who support her through thick and thin, but she also found love with the local Greek doctor, Demetri. She never believed to feel like this again, but with Demetri, it all just feels right. That is, until Demetri reveals that he needs to return to Greece, to help with the care of his sick mother. Even if he asked her to come along, Michelle cannot leave behind the life she has been building in Sandpiper Shore. So after being left behind heartbroken, Michelle tries her best to not completely fall apart. And then Demetri’s brother, Makkis, is standing on her doorstep. As there is no other place for him to stay, Michelle does the right thing and offers Makkis a room, even if it is a constant reminder of what she has lost. And through Makkis, Michelle learns things about Demetri’s life in Greece she never knew about, making her doubt she truly knew the man she still loves. Slowly picking up the pieces of her life, with the help of her friends, Michelle finds herself at a crossroad: choose for love or learn to completely let go…
Firstly, what a delight it was to return to Sandpiper Shore! With each book, I like, or rather – love, the place more and more! Not only because it looks like a great place to be living, but also and mainly for the community that is residing here! So of course with a new story ready to be read, I had to grab this next chapter with both hands!
Having read the previous parts of this series, I already kind of knew Michelle and her Demetri a little bit. And as curious I am, I just could not wait to get to know Michelle better, and I was eager to read how her love story would evolve, especially as she seemingly already has found love. And yes, I am the kind of person that doesn’t read the blurb of a new book, if it is from an author that I love 😊.
While it saddened me that Demetri is leaving Michelle behind rather quickly in the book, I could also understand both characters. As Demetri’s mother is unwell, it is more than normal that he wants to go to assist her back in Greece. But I could also understand why Michelle doesn’t want to leave her life behind in Sandpiper Shore.
Because Michelle has worked hard to get where she is now in her life, and leaving it all behind, in a different country, a different country, with people who she doesn’t know, I wouldn’t be that eager too. And it is absolutely not that Michelle doesn’t love Demetri, as she clearly does.
But to be honest, Demetri is acting a bit strange, not only is he keeping his plans hidden from Michelle for a while, and even when his plans are out in the open, there are some calls that made me wary. I wanted to trust Demetri completely, but just like Michelle, I found his behaviour just a bit odd.
That last goodbye between Michelle and Demetri was truly heartbreaking, as it also meant the end of their relationship. Better a clean cut, avoiding to prolong the inevitable that would come anyway…
With Michelle struggling after Demetri’s departure, shows again how deep her feelings were and still are for the Greek doctor. And it was sweet reading how her friends are there for her, to commiserate with her, but also to give her the figuratively kick in the ass.
I have to admit, when Makkis arrives and becomes a part of the story, I was a bit suspicious of him. Not because he behaves in a bad way, but it seems all a bit too coincidental. And yes, he takes things a bit too much for granted.
It was sweet of Michelle to let him stay in a room, showing her kind character, but I felt that perhaps clear agreements should have been made, especially as we see the further the story evolves, the more advantage is being taken of.
Perhaps you would think that Michelle is being too gullible in this book, too trustworthy of a stranger. But in her defence, while going through heartbreak, do we ever make smart choices then? I truly believe that in normal circumstances, Michelle wouldn’t fall for it at all.
With everything that Michelle is hearing about Demetri, she finds herself truly at a crossroad. Are her feelings strong enough to believe her heart, and follow her heart? Or is it truly time to move on and forget about the man she loved? It is not an easy choice to make, especially as her choice will determine her life…
Obviously in this book, we see how Michelle is coping after Demetri’s departure. But at the same time, it is also a story about regret, past mistakes, trust and determination. Because we see at one point how Michelle truly has the desire to reconnect with someone close to her.
And that is also an important aspect, I believe. Because no matter how much time has passed, it is never too late to reconnect, to find those important people of your life once again. And it shows that those people can truly become important once again, as they enrich your present life once again.
This story is about picking up the pieces of your life again, after being heartbroken. We see the vulnerability of people, but also the perhaps unexpected strength of them. We see how after every rainfall, the sun will shine again. And that the most difficult choices in your life can change the course of your life.
Kim Nash didn’t amaze me with this book, because I already knew that I would be totally swept away by this book. A book that saddened me, made me laugh, made me even angry, but most important, made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside 😊.
Tizi’s Book Review 