Sharing the same place with a person you cannot stand, is there something worse than that?

Synopsis

Would you share a bed with your enemy to save Christmas?

Down with a bad case of writer’s block, Riven has escaped to a mountain cabin for a prolonged writing retreat. The last thing he needs this Christmas is for his family to invade his sanctuary away from LA. What he needs even less is for a family of strangers as large and boisterous as his own to also be stuck in the same house after a double-booking disaster.

Especially when he ends up having to share a bunk bed with Wendy—a gorgeous, feisty New Yorker who quickly learns how to get under his skin.

Sharing a room with her is sweet torture and Riven isn’t even sure what he dreads more: that every passing day brings them closer to saying goodbye or that they have yet another night to spend together…

My review

When Wendy Nichols learns that her widowed mother doesn’t want to celebrate the Christmas holidays like they used to, Wendy and her sister Amy plan to still celebrate it all in the family, yet a little bit differently.
They couldn’t be more lucky when suddenly there is a cabin available in Park City, Utah.
But upon their arrival, it’s clear that something is not right… because the cabin is already inhabited, by Riven Clark and his family.
The last thing Riven needs is his rented cabin filled with people he doesn’t know, especially when he is facing the worst writer’s block… something he cannot afford being a famous author.
And Wendy’s presence surely doesn’t help, being an acclaimed playwriter, pushing his every button, and having her to stay longer at the place than predicted due an accident…

I don’t know if there is an non – existing rule that you may not read Christmas stories after a certain date, but there are a few authors I am willing to break that rule, and Camilla Isley is surely one of them!
Although I have to say, this isn’t strictly a Christmas story in my humble opinion, just a story that is taking place during that time of the year. This story could be perfectly taking place during summer, obviously the skiing should be replaced by something else.

When I started reading this wonderful book, I knew it would be a few reading sessions, but rather long onenes. But again, this author is worth the lack of sleep, eating and social meetings!

I both immediately liked both man characters, even if they clashed upon their first meeting.
I felt sorry for Rive, being stuck with a writer’s block, and seeing the end of his marriage. So I understood why he acted like a hermit.
On the other hand, despite all this bad things that are surrounding him, the love for his family still stands.
Even if he is not up to the family gathering, he wants to make everyone happy and ‘sacrifices’ his peace for the higher purpose.

And then there is Wendy, the total opposite… she couldn’t be flying higher at the moment, her play is being the most anticipated one at the moment.
And she also is a kind, caring person. Having lost her father not so long ago, she wants to make this Christmas as normal as possible, having the whole family together.

It may seem mean from my side, but I had the best time reading how Wendy and Riven were clashing. The pranks they pulled on each other were hilarious! But it was also wonderful to read how, when in time of need, they were there for each other. Reading how they got closer and seeing the attraction grow just made my day!

Obviously, once they give in, not everything will go smoothly, but that is also the charm of it. And I’m a fan of great gestures, and this one truly made my heart melt!

There was not one thing I did not like about this book, except maybe that I reached the end too quickly! Even a pink haircut, an eyepatch or salt in coffee didn’t make me like the story less.
The author had started with high expectations from my side, and luckily she managed to not only fulfil all my requests, but made me fall in love even more with her and her writing capabilities!
Not only this story, but all her stories are truly recommendable!

Now, look at this amazing Cover, doesn’t it just makes you want to grab the book?

Synopsis

Discover the secrets and surprises that the scenic Scottish town of Briar Glen has to offer…

When wedding planner Sophie Harkness refuses to move a friend’s wedding to accommodate a spoilt bridezilla, she finds herself out of a job. That is until she discovers her late grandma has purchased a local shop for her in the pretty Scottish town of Briar Glen.

Surprised and delighted, Sophie opens her own porcelain shop in honour of her grandmother. But when an unusual tea set is left with Sophie, along with a mysterious letter, she can’t help but be intrigued by the story behind the antique.

And when the handsome but aloof art critic Xander North comes knocking on her door, Sophie is about to find out the true colourful past of her latest treasure.

The perfect feel-good romance for fans of Jo Thomas, Katie Fforde and Trisha Ashley.

Pre-order links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Highland-Surprise-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B09MMZ75KL

US – https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Highland-Surprise-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B09MMZ75KL

About

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, who she named Cooper. A Scottish Highland Surprise is Julie’s sixth novel.

THE COVER

Learning who you are, by standing on your own two feet

Synopsis

A novel about friendship, romance and learning to love yourself – just the way you are.

When Olivia Tennyson – or Ollie to her friends – was sixteen, she wrote a Dream List of all the things she wanted for her life, including a happy marriage and a family. But at twenty-nine, Ollie is single, living at home with her over-protective and manipulative mother, and is feeling like her dreams are getting further out of reach.

It’s time for a change. 

It’s time to take matters into her own hands. 

Without telling her mum, or more importantly, asking her permission, Ollie finds the perfect place to start her new life. End Cottage has a duck-egg blue front door, a garden that leads to acres of forest, and definitely counts as her dream home.

Now all Ollie has to do is complete the rest of her list and find out who she really is, before she can imagine any romance coming into her life. After all, how is she going to find her dream man in the middle of a forest…

My review

Olivia Tennyson, also known as Ollie, is still living with her mother. Even at the age of twenty – nine that isn’t a big deal, wasn’t it that her mother is over – protective and also very manipulative.
So when another of her dates is being cancelled for one of her mother’s so – called illnesses, Ollie had enough and takes matters into her own hands.
And that’s how Ollie ends up buying a cottage on her ow, finally having the freedom she so much needed. And having the chance to complete her Dream List, on her own.
However, Ollie realizes that she doesn’t really know who she truly is, and without interference of her mother what she truly wants.
So how can Ollie love someone else if she doesn’t love herself?

Yes, I had to quote RuPaul for this book, because this quote couldn’t be more fitting for Ollie’s story!

From the start, it’s clear that Ollie is truly a wonderful young woman. Even if her own mother is pushing her buttons, Ollie looks after her and is putting her own life on hold. And I don’t think anyone would blame her, if Ollie would have left a long time ago, especially if it was her mother that caused her last relationship ending…

So obviously I was in awe when Ollie not only decides to move out, but buys a lovely cottage, all behind her mother’s back. Atta girl!
Living with your parent(s) for a long time (speaking from my own experience here), also somehow holds you back. Because as long as you live under their roof, it’s their rules you have to follow. And when Ollie is on her own, she has to find her own pace. And that was very very recognizable for me.
For years Ollie was used doing things one way, but realizing that now she can do whatever she wants, whenever she wants, opens a whole new list of possibilities for Ollie, like it was for me.

I felt a sense of proudness seeing how Ollie is not only enjoying her independence, but also making new acquaintances, making a difference to other people, and learns who she really is.
The way she looks after not only her ‘pupils’ at the library, but also tries to befriend Irene, the librarian that seems to hate everything, shows again her kind character.
And even if she has learned from her past mistakes, letting people taking advantage of her goodness, not once does she think abandoning Joan!

I have to admit, all the characters in this book stole a piece of my heart… Obviously Ollie, but Joan, Nesbit, Leanne, Sam,…
Even the grumpiest people, like Ebenezer, was easy to like, and also Ollie’s mother made me change her opinion for the better.

OF COURSE there is some romance in this story, but that is not what this is about. Not only does Ollie learn to be independent, she also learns what makes her the wonderful Ollie.
Not every step goes smoothly, but that is normal, because nothing in life goes smoothly anyway.

We see how a woman, being restricted in her life somehow, grows a pair, at the point of blocking her own mother, and learns what she loves, and learns to love herself. And no, to love yourself you don’t need a partner, but while loving yourself, the partner will find you and all you awesomeness.
Love starts with loving one person, yourself, and slowly more people will be added into the equation, and those people may be obvious choices, like family, but also surprising ones. And those surprising ones can surely make life more interesting. But we should never forget, that it all starts with one person, the most important one, namely YOU!

Almost everything can be bought, but not the perfect man

Synopsis

Meet Annie Valentine: stylish, savvy, multi-tasker extraordinaire. As a personal shopper in a swanky London store, Annie can be relied on to solve everyone’s problems . . . except her own.

Because as a busy single mum to two kids, Annie’s realised there’s a gap in her life as well as her wardrobe. But with her heart still hurting from losing the love of her life, Annie’s discovered that finding the perfect partner is turning out to be so much trickier than finding the perfect pair of shoes!

Can she source a genuine classic? A lifelong investment? Or will Annie realise that her perfect man is already sitting on the front row of her life…

My review

Annie Valentine is a single mom, working as a personal shopper in a fancy store in London. It doesn’t matter who her clients are, she always manages to find the right things.
But being a single mom isn’t an easy task, and while she is still heartbroken after losing the love of her life, she realizes that it’s time to find someone new to fill that gap in her heart again.
However, where do you find that perfect man, that not only can make her happy again, but also her children and why not, also be financially very stable…
Or is her perfect man not the one that ticks her boxes, but closer than she thinks?

As I am expected to be very honest in my reviews, I had to admit that I wasn’t always truly really liking Annie.
While she is very good at her job, and doing her utterly best as a single mother to Lauren and Owen, I sometimes felt that her focus was only on making more money.
But obviously, getting to know and her situation better, I could understand where she was coming from.

Being a single mother isn’t easy, especially when you wat to give your children the world and aren’t able to…
So my opinion of her of being money – focused shifted into the opinion of a mother doing whatever she can to make her children happy. But I also saw that while trying to keep ahead of everything, she was losing the control she tried to keep.
And let’s not forget that she still isn’t over losing the father of her children…

Talking about the children… they both have the typical difficulties that are paired with their ages. Lauren is maybe being pulled on the wrong side by her friends, and is being the stubborn teenager everyone expects her to be.
And Owen, oooh my heart went out to him! Initially he was  a very closed character, not talking much, and not having many friends.
But thanks to his teacher who shows him the magic of music, we see Owen opening up more. how lovely to read those bits!

It wasn’t very clear what happened with the children’s father, and I initially thought he just left. I didn’t see that kind of revelation coming, and it broke my heart, because of the injustice. So much more made sense after as a reader we know about the past.

I’m not going to talk a lot about Annie and her pursuit of finding the perfect man. Of course that is the main theme of this story, but I want you to discover it yourself. Even if I didn’t agree with the initial man of her choice, there are many funny moments that made me laugh out loud, and also bits that proved me right about my gut feelings.
And let me just add, never underestimate the attraction of teachers!

What I liked about this story is that it shows us that no matter how posh someone seems to be, we never know what happens behind the façade.
While Annie seems to know everything what someone needs, she is obviously struggling with her own home situation. She is learning the hard way that not everything goes according to plan and love is not something you find by making a list with all your requirements.

This was a lovely read about the struggles of a family, a mother trying to do the right thing, but as it appears, she is doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.
By seeing the mistakes, and being almost forced to do the unthinkable, it is possible to overcome grief and look for the thing you truly need, what isn’t always what you think you want.

A summer like no other…

Synopsis

Can Bellbird Bay provide solace to these two broken souls?

When Ailsa McNeil’s marriage falls apart, an invitation to spend the summer with an old friend in Bellbird Bay offers her the opportunity to escape and regroup. What she doesn’t expect is to meet her friend’s twin brother, the first man to stir her emotions when she was an impressionable nineteen-year-old.

As a young man, Martin Cooper couldn’t wait to leave Bellbird Bay. He has spent the past thirty years travelling the world and has accomplished his dream of becoming a celebrated travel photographer. But it has come at a price and, when his career and personal life take a downward turn, he returns to his hometown to consider his future.

When an accident thrusts the two together, their earlier attraction resurfaces. Torn between the desire to protect herself from further hurt and her renewed feelings for the man she’s never forgotten, can Ailsa find happiness again or is it too late?

A heartwarming tale of family, friends, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.

My review

Ailsa McNeil did not expect that her own marriage would end after strange behaviour of her husband. Especially when he comes clean…
Devastated by the news, she decides to spend the summer with her friend Bev in Bellbird Bay. She surely needs that time away to get her head straight and decide what the future will hold.
The last things she expects, is seeing Bev’s twin brother Martin… as a young woman, one night was enough to be impressed by him.
But Martin too needs time off to consider his own future, as his career and personal life have taken a turn. Is his thirty years career as a travel photographer over? And will he ever find a place to call home?

When I started this book, I didn’t know what to truly expect. I didn’t know this author, and while I had a clear idea where the story would go, the ‘hows’,, ‘whens’, and ‘whats’ weren’t that clear to me.

Just like Ailsa I was wondering why her husband was being so distant. Was there someone else in the picture? Was he ill? There were so many possibilities, but the truth wasn’t one that I saw coming.
I understood that it was a shock for Ailsa, but at the same time I felt so sorry for Bob, carrying that burden…

Seeing her world crushed, I completely comprehended that Aisla needed to get away to regroup.

And I surely fell in love with Bellbird Bay and its inhabitants!
They are all very welcoming, and have this positive attitude. And seeing how some characters had their own setbacks, yet managed to make the best of everything, felt like something we all should take an example of.

It would have been for Aisla to talk bad about her husband and what happened to her marriage, but I was glad that she didn’t. She took her time to digest the information and did not take any decision without overthinking it.
It would be so easy to throw her whole marriage away, but she spent so many happy moments also, and those prevail over the heartbreak she is currently having.

Obviously we know what will happen once Martin enters the scene. But learning what he has been through lately, and how all his confidence left him, made me feel truly sorry for him.
He just wants some peace, understandable, but I found it also a bit hilarious how suddenly he finds himself involved in several tasks without even really wanted to. Again the positivism of Bellbird Bay worked its magic, and seeing Martin found his passion again, with some changes, was wonderful!

I loved to read how our main characters found that attraction of years ago back, but never take it too far. It would be easy to just give in, but both characters aren’t that kind of people…
Aisla is after all still married, and both people trying to get their life back on track, it’s obvious that giving in to the passion wouldn’t be a good idea.

Of course there are a lot of things happening, also when Aisla’s son appears on the scene. And they all added insights to each character. We see Aisla as a loving mother, a wife on a crossroad, a woman having new feelings, Martin as a maybe closed person, a brother who made mistakes, a passionate photographer, a hurt man and a great friend.

Reading this book was something I truly enjoyed. There are real emotions, both good and bad. There isn’t a villain in this story, making this a pure story about real people. Because not always bad things happen because someone treats us wrongfully. But secrets that are unbearable to carry around anymore, can change our whole lives. And while initially it can seem a bad thing, you will never know where your future will take you.

Old feelings never truly disappear

Synopsis

Sassy and successful, Lila Barlow has done everything to live her best life. Yet even as her real estate career booms and men fall at her feet, something’s missing. Her roommates have found bliss with their new loves, but Lila can’t seem to find her Prince Charming. Perhaps a break from men and relationships is the answer. Unfortunately, unexpected changes are around the corner when her parents give her some life-changing news and when her boss makes a surprising announcement.

In a shocking turn of events Lila’s path crosses with someone she thought was out of her life forever. The spark is still there, the only problem is he’s spoken for—by Lila’s new friend. Now Lila has tofigure out how to navigate change, love, and friendship. What lessons will she learn on her quest for happily ever after?

My review

Lila Barlow has the whole world at her feet. Her career as a real estate agent is booming, and men are falling at her feet all the time.
But no matter how much she enjoys being with each man, there is always one man still on her mind.
So could her surprise be bigger that when her new friend makes Lila meet her boyfriend, it’s actually Cal Sims, The One That Got Away? That spark is suddenly back again, but no way she can or will break up a steady relationship and betray her friend…
And then Lila also has to face changes at her work, and also the house she called ‘home’ for so long is suddenly not a certain place anymore….

Oooh how much I was looking forward to read Lila’s story! Not only because she is a feisty one, but I also wanted to see what Love had in store for her!!!
And Love, and obviously Melissa Baldwin delivered!

While it would be easy to think that Lila is a woman who has an easy life, without any worries, it’s also very obvious that she is a very caring and protective woman.
Her roommates (best friends would be a better description) know that Lila will always have their back, even if she isn’t good friends with Gabby’s boyfriend Theo.
But here also, because of her love for Gabby, Lila is doing her best to put her own feelings concerning Theo aside.
And she also cares about her clients, even if sometimes they are too clingy… She makes sure that all her clients find the perfect house.

It’s thanks to one of her clients, that Cal comes back in her life. Cal, the man that she could never forget…
And while her old feelings resurface, I was proud of how she did the right thing. Because Cal is in a relationship with Sara, for a while now. Add also the doubts Lila has over Sara’s honesty, she still keeps her thoughts to herself, avoiding to make a fool out of herself.

And Cal… from what I’ve read in the previous parts of the series (which I truly recommend reading!), I didn’t know what to think of him. I wanted to really like him, but also I felt very protective over Lila, because he broke her heart… But actions always speak louder than words and he proved that he was one very loveable doctor!

I found it very sweet to see Lila and Cal becoming friends again. Of course we know how it will end between the two of them, but I appreciated very much that while Cal was still with Sara, they didn’t do anything out of line.

Lila is having several issues in her tale, and how difficult they may be for her, her friends Gabby and Reagan are always by her side, even putting their own boyfriends on hold for a moment. And that kind of friendship was wonderful to read and even become a little bit envious about it!
But also the boyfriends show what kind of nice guys they really are!

This book, and the whole series, shows us readers how life can sometimes knock us down. But surrounded by the right people, we are ready to fight for our own happiness and love.
All the ladies and their respectively better halves, show us that even when we are not all alike, a strong bond can be formed, and that real friendship is stronger than any curveball someone throws at us. And that love, second chances at love, can come unexpected and make us feel insecure, but no matter what, love will always find a way!

A family doesn’t only consist of the people in out, but the pets too!

Synopsis

An unexpected call means the end of the marriage of Meriel and Phil. Hearing Phil having ‘fun’ with another woman, makes sure that Meriel’s world is falling apart.
Not only is there the loss of her marriage, but also having two teenage children in a mood doesn’t help things, add a friend’s own trouble and it’s obvious that Meriel doesn’t know what to do… And then a great loss makes her put things back in perspective… or not?
Luckily she can always count on the family Labrador Benji, that understands each family member’s feelings better than they think. And Benji is also struggling with the changing dynamics, while his own greatest wish is to have his family back together like before…

My review

I have to say, reading a book through a dog’s perspective was something very new for me. And it was also very refreshing! 

It shows us that pets, not only dogs, can understand human feelings, perhaps even better than ourselves!
And it was very cute to see how Benji is trying to there for each member and trying to hold his family together. 

On the other hand we are also reading Meriel’s perspective, and that shows us a truly heart – broking woman, hurt, dubious over each decision she has to make and also facing other difficult moments in her life.
Even if somehow I could understand her hut and doubts, I found it also frustrating, purely as a reader, how she couldn’t stick to her decision…  One moment she wants to give her husband a chance, then she doesn’t anymore. She starts to see another man, but gets angry when Phil officially dates the ‘other woman’.
I just kept thinking that she can’t have the cake and eat it too! 

But also on the other direction I found it frustrating, Phil wants to save his marriage but at the first setback, he kind of just gives up…

Despite being described as a novella, there is a lot going on. The marriage falling apart is the start of everything, but the list only gets bigger and bigger.
And seeing not only people trying to get a hold on things, but also that lovely Labrador, was not only very realistic, but also gave us insights in how everybody copes with unexpected twists in their lives.

Maybe there were a bit too many twists, but that also is life, sometimes you don’t know what else is lurking around the corner.

A family life doesn’t always goes straightforward, and you have to work with what you have, and always be honest to yourself too. When is something worth the fight and when is something truly insurmountable?
And this book shows perfectly how difficult the right decision can be, and how one decision affects all the lives of your loved ones, furred or not…

Retirement is the real test for a marriage

Synopsis

When retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be…

Meena Fisher is a middle-aged medical secretary with a husband, two grandchildren, a house to run, and more hobbies than you can shake a stick at. She is perfectly happy with her life just the way it is.

Her husband, Oscar, is a middle-aged workaholic who spends his days either in the office or on the golf course. With his wife looking after both him and the house, he gets on with the business of making money. He is also perfectly happy with his life just the way it is.

They share a house, and they sometimes eat dinner together if they can both manage to be in the same place at the same time. Aside from that, their paths rarely cross. The arrangement suits them both.

But when Oscar is forced to take early retirement and decides it’s only fair that he takes over the running of the house, both their previously happy lives are turned upside down.

The question is, can they find a way to live together with the new status quo? And, more importantly, do they want to?

My review

Meena Fisher could have an easy life. Now that she could take it easy, and look forward to her retirement, she is doing the total opposite. Not only is she a medical secretary, she makes also sure that you could eat from the floor in the house, and each evening has been booked for one of her many hobbies.
On the other hand, we have her husband Oscar, workaholic and golf – lover. With a wife like Meena, looking after everything, life couldn’t be easier for him. That is, until Oscar is forced to take early retirement. It’s only fair that Oscar now steps in the domestic chores.
But with Meena’s high standards and realizing that their lives were not that in sync with each other, will a compromise be found, and more importantly, are they both ready to lower their swords? 

Liz Davies always manages to write compelling stories that are a some far – off thing in my own future.
But she writes about characters that I can sympathize with, and understand the way they are acting. 

I have to admit, Meena was not always as easy to like. Of course, we know from the start where she is coming from, and how her past has made her into the woman she is now.
So I understood why she acted the way she did, but sometimes it was also utterly frustrating…
Nobody can keep her high standards, but even when things aren’t done the way she likes, I found that sometimes she should appreciate the efforts Oscar was making.

Okay, it’s true that Oscar very often was blind and did not see that he was causing more damage than doing good, but it’s also true that a helping hand, and patience could work miracles.

And I found it very confusing how Meena would expect Oscar to do everything now, while she would just continue her life just like before, not taking in account that in a marriage there are two people, and marriage is still a teamwork, with equal shares in it. 

But that is also the beauty of this book. Because whenever there is a marriage not working, it’s not just one party doing wrongly…
Meena is too focused on the cleanness, but Oscar too is not taking his wife’s feelings in account, and sees his tasks more as a side – activity than his main focus. Instead of making things easier for Meena, he often is making things terribly worse… 

I have to be honest, this may not be my favourite book of this author, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy reading it.
Often in a book, marriage and relationships are overly romanticized, that once at a certain age, everything is just working perfectly.
But Liz Davies manages to show us that no matter your age or how long you are together with your partner, you have to keep working on the partnership, keep communicating and not take things just for granted.

And this book grasps perfectly all the booby-traps in a marriage, but also shows that with patience and communication great things can be accomplished.

And even the most unexpected guest at a house, like sweet, heart – warming Lulu, can be the cherry on top of a cake!

A new job on a faraway island, what will happen more?

Synopsis

A penniless governess

And the dour Laird of Ardmore

Lydia Farnham must travel to a remote Scottish island to work for widower Alasdair MacDonald, who doesn’t trust her or her unconventional teaching methods! Yet as his daughter flourishes, so, too, does the intense connection between Lydia and Alasdair. Only she should know better than to fall for the handsome laird when it could leave her without a job, or a home…

My review

Lydia Farnham is a governess that has been forced several times to change the family she is working for. Not because she is not good at her job, but because of her looks, she is often recipient of unwanted admiration and advances.
After again being ‘thanked’ for her services, she accepted a position on a remote island in Scotland. The Laid of Ardmore needs someone to teach his beloved, but also sickly, daughter a much required education. But when Alasdair MacDonald meets Lydia, he is sure she cannot be trusted, not only because of her looks, but also because she has unconventional teaching methods.
However, when Alasdair sees the progress Mairead is making, he has to reassess his prejudice. And even admit there is an intense connection with the governess he wants to keep at distance? 

So, I have a weakness for women that have been treated wrongly, I have a weakness for Scottish men and I have a weakness for children, especially those in need.
That makes it impossible for me to dislike this book! 

How often is there a female character with great looks that ‘uses’ her assets in her own advantage? Well, in my opinion, too much.
That made me like Lydia immediately, because she does whatever she can to look like a plain Jane. Of course the reason behind it, is wrong in every way, because a woman should never be hiding her looks, afraid of being assaulted by men and that lower organ… 

But that was not the only thing I liked about Lydia… Obviously I admired her courage to start a new job in Scotland, so far away from everything she knows. Not only does she has to adapt to a place with its own traditions and lifestyle. But there is also the language that she doesn’t comprehend, and she is facing again prejudice.
Lydia wouldn’t be so loveable if she wouldn’t get back on the horse and try to adapt to the Scottish way of life, by not only trying to learn the language but also showing her determination to be part of the community. 

And the way she takes care of Mairead, easily understanding how to persuade the little girl and find a way to teach her things, truly warmed my heart. She is the kind of teacher each child should have.
But not only does Lydia looks after Mairead’s education, she is also trying to understand what happened to the poor girl and if there truly isn’t a way to make her better. 

However, Lydia wasn’t prepared for the force that Alasdair is! Initially I found it rude how he dismissed Lydia and how he held a grudge towards her, while she didn’t do anything wrong. But learning about his past and what happened to him, made me understand, yet not always agree with, his actions.
Nevertheless, the love he has for Mairead, the lengths he would go for her, was so beautiful to read about!
And then the way he looks after the inhabitants, even risking his own life, well, I was in awe! 

There was one event that broke my heart, but I understand that the author had to add some level of drama to the story. But I found it very unfair what happened to a wonderful couple, that I haven’t forgiven Catherine Tinley yet! 

Beside Lydia and Alasdair and their romantic tale, there is one, little character that stole completely my heart. As you can guess, it’s Mairead. This little girls hasn’t had the easiest of lives, even if she is just a young girl. But her being so strong – willed, witty, stubborn, clever and adorable, who wouldn’t love her? 

I found this an entertaining, beautiful story about starting a new life again. Not because of moving to an unknown place, but because our main characters, so stubbornly determined to not seeing what’s right in front of them, dare to open their eyes, trust the people around them and dare to also open their hearts and love the person(s) who is worthy of their love. 

The author managed to make me dream of a Scottish adventure, making me read page after page, but also wanting to pause my reading so that I could enjoy my stay there longer!

Hate and love are two sides of the same coin…

Synopsis

The earl she loved to hate…until she stayed in his mansion!

Sophie Gilbert has thwarted the standoffish new earl’s plans to sell his country estate and the quaint village which forms part of it. But when disaster strikes and he offers her refuge, she must reconsider everything about this vexing, determined man. After the heartbreak in her past, it’s a revelation to feel her pulse racing and her body yearning for his touch…

My review

After a tragedy that broke her heart, Sophie Gilbert is content with living at her aunt’s house in the little village of Whittleston – on – the – Water.
But when news flies around that the new Earl Rafe Hockley plans on selling his estate and the village, Sophie is ready to fight to save the home of not only her aunt, but the homes of the whole community.
However, when disaster strikes again, and Rafe offers her a place to stay, Sophie realizes that nothing is what is seems. And her reaction to Rafe is not what she expected at all… 

Whenever I start reading a story that came out of the mind of this author, I know I will enjoy it!
Not because the love is immediately, but because of the enemies – to – lovers theme, the struggles the main characters have to face and add the layer of the past in it, and we have a perfect blend! 

It’s very obvious that Sophie is a strong, independent woman, who isn’t afraid to fight dirty for the right cause. And poor person who dares to insult her aunt, who she loves unconditionally.
Initially, it isn’t clear why Sophie is living with her aunt, and not with her father, but when her past is revealed, it shows us also a vulnerable side of Sophie. When she loves, she loves with all her heart. And because she did it once, she won’t allow anyone to get that close anymore, because she couldn’t endure that pain once more when she will lose him.
She shows that she won’t let any injustice pass without a fight to protect those she loves.
I liked her fierceness but I also loved her vulnerability.  

While Rafe may look like a cold character, when I was reading his side of the story, I saw a different side. He is a loving brother to Archie, and also very protective.
There isn’t one thing he wouldn’t do for Archie, even if that would mean to call a dog Mary…
But he is also a stubborn man, he made a decision and it’s very hard, not to say impossible, to make him change his mind. 

Obviously it’s written in the stars that Sophie and Rafe will clash, big time. But that doesn’t mean that they will allow the other one to suffer.
And Rafe offering shelter to Sophie and her aunt, and Sophie looking after Rafe after an injury, showed perfectly how they could put their issues beside them, and show their nurturing and caring character. 

And the attraction between the main characters is palpable and seeing how they are pushing and pulling all the time, was very entertaining to read, because we just know better!

However, if everything would be so easy, this story would lose a big part of its charm. Because Rafe has to decide to believe in love and trust the village to accept the wonderful Archie how he is. And Sophie has to decide what her feelings for Rafe is, and if she is strong enough to open her heart. 

I truly enjoyed reading this story, Virginia Heath delivered again a great book, that may be eve my favourite one of all I have read from her at the moment.
But that doesn’t mean that now she can rest on her laurels, because the bar is set rather high now!