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 😊.

When you are accustomed on being alone, is it too late to have a change?

Synopsis

Rhana Black has always been content with her quiet life in the Pelican Crossing hinterland, where she spends her days breeding spaniels. Following a traumatic incident at her school formal and weighed down by her own insecurities about her appearance, Rhana has shied away from any romantic relationships. That is, until a chance encounter with a hot air balloonist changes everything.

Steve Morton has been struggling to move on after the tragic death of his pregnant fiancée. In search of solace, he finds himself in Pelican Crossing, where he rediscovers his love for flying and starts offering hot air balloon rides and scenic helicopter flights along the coast. When he meets Rhana, he is taken aback by the intense emotions he feels towards her.

As Rhana and Steve navigate their complicated pasts and undeniable chemistry, they must decide if they are willing to break their self-imposed barriers and take a chance on love. But with their old wounds and deep insecurities threatening to keep them apart, can they be able to overcome their fears and find happiness together?

My review

Rhana has always enjoyed her rather solitary life in Pelican Crossing. She doesn’t need more than spending her time breeding spaniels and finding the perfect homes for the pups. Romance is absolutely the last thing on her mind, especially after a traumatic incident while she was at school. Even too many people around her are tricky, her new neighbour Steve Morton included. Yet she ahs to admit, she likes seeing his hot air balloon flying over Pelican Crossing! Steve himself has been struggling since years ago he lost his pregnant fiancée. But with his fresh start at Pelican Crossing, he hopes he has finally found a place that he can call home. He for sure rediscovered his passion for flying, whether it is by offering hot air balloon rides or scenic helicopter flights. What he didn’t expect, is to find himself intrigued by his introvert neighbour, Rhana. However, with both of them having troubled pasts and high built walls, will they find the courage to give love a chance again? Or are they both too stuck in their loneliness to change?

Whenever I start a book of this series, there is a sort of calmness and peace that comes over me. And that is all because of the lovely characters that I have met here over all the different books. Yes, calmness and peace, even if the main characters all have to face their struggles in life and need to find the courage to give love another chance.

Having read the previous books, of course I already know a tiny bit who Rhana is. But it is not that I knew her all that well, so obviously I was eager to get to know this mysterious woman with a passion for spaniels better.

Being a bit of an introvert myself, I could quickly connect with Rhana. I could understand perfectly why she doesn’t need anyone around her, why she enjoys her own company and those of her spaniels. And that was even before I knew about her past, and that made me understand her solitude even better.

Obviously, reading those bits, truly broke my heart, especially reading how it still affects her, and how it only deepened her own securities even more. No one should ever go through what Rhana has been through, yet unfortunately we read how even in the present these things are still happening…

But no matter how reclusive Rhana is, we also see her gentle, kind and caring character. Not only with her spaniels, but also when she sees a young woman that may need help. Even when her friends try to warn her, as it may not seem smart to take a complete stranger in house, Rhana feels it in her heart it is the right thing to do, and is even more convinced when she in fact finds a young woman going through the same turmoil she herself once went through. And it warmed my heart to see how protective, motherly, Rhana becomes…

And slowly, very slowly, we see Rhana stepping more outside in the world, or rather Pelican Crossing. And yes, Steve also has something to do with it, even if Rhana is initially not all that happy with the helicopter flights Steve organises.

Steve arrived in Pelican Crossing after living somewhere else before, but now he feels the need to settle in one place, and when the opportunity arose to buy property in Pelican Crossing, he just had to grab this chance.

I could understand how he felt that need, because even after years, the pain over his losses is still something he is carrying around. Such losses are not easy to overcome, and it for sure somehow blocks you to move forward, to give someone a chance.

Yet the better we get to know Steve, the more I was in fact a bit in awe. Because he has already proofed in the past what a generous person he is, and still is. And he is also a modest person about it, he isn’t bragging about what he has done or wants to do. On the contrary, he feels very uncomfortable the more people know about his actions…

I also liked it how understanding Steve is. Not only with the compassion he shows when his usual helpers are unable to help for the moment, but also with Rhana. No matter what he is feeling for her, he understands that Rhana needs more time and he is willing to give her all the time she needs, and is willing to go at her pace.

For me, the more I was reading in this book, the more it felt that this book was a work – in – progress – book. Because while there is absolutely some sparks flying around between Rhana and Steve, it was more about both main characters slowly getting out of their shelves, stepping more outside and let people (back) in. We see with both Rhana and Steve, that it is never to change, to become more outgoing (but not losing the essence of you). And that speaking out about the haunting secrets of the past can truly be alleviating.

This for sure was another heart – warming, inspiring story. It was exactly what I was expecting from this author, in another brand new story of a series that captured my heart, despite the age difference between myself and the characters in it 😊. 

When a search for a mysterious lighthouse brings light back in life.

Synopsis

His love might be the light she’s looking for

After a string of disasters, music teacher Lottie Ashford is out of options. So when her well-meaning mother suggests she restore an old family property – a crumbling lighthouse on the remote island of Barra – Lottie reluctantly agrees.

Local fitness fanatic Ruaridh Griffin has been unlucky in love. When Lottie turns up at his sister’s B&B asking for help to find a mystery lighthouse, he can’t help wanting to assist – and he’s instantly drawn to her. But getting involved with a visitor is one thing he’s sworn never to do again.

As Barra weaves its quiet magic, Lottie begins to feel at home for the first time in years. Worse still, she’s falling for someone she’s not sure feels the same. And despite Ruaridh’s best intentions, Lottie is getting under his skin, making his promise to himself harder than ever to keep.

If this is love, Ruaridh must face his fear of being burned again – and Lottie must decide whether her future lies on the island or somewhere else entirely.

♥ This is the second book in the Love on the Edge – Barra series, but it can be read as a standalone.
♥ Set on the Hebridean island of Barra in Scotland with fun, romance, drama, and a guaranteed happy ending, The Lighthouse by the Sea has a bit of steam and lots of heart.

My review

When her mother suggest to not only find but also restore an old family property, it is the escape that Lottie Ashford needs. She has had a few disasters after another recently, and just wants to get away from everyone and everything, and it is also the perfect opportunity to think what she should do with her life. However, the property is rather special, as it is a lighthouse, set on the island of Barra. Of course Lottie needs the help of locals, and the brother of the owner of the B&B where Lottie is staying, is willing to help her out. Ruaridh Griffin is intrigued by this mysterious lighthouse  and wants to find it almost as bad as Lottie does. The more the pair is working together on their quest, the more attraction seems to spark. But Lottie is afraid to open up again for love, after what she has been through last time, and she isn’t sure that Ruaridh might be feeling the same as her. But Ruaridh is drawn to her, but he has sworn to never get involved with visitors ever again… So with Lottie feeling more and more at home on Barra, like she hasn’t been feeling for years, where will her future lay?

When I started reading this book, I had to make a small mental switch. As I have read many books of this author that take place in Glenbriar, I now had to adjust that now we would be on the island Barra 😊. Not that I have an issue with that, because I knew that I would love this story just as much as all the other books that I have read from this amazing author.

Right from the start, I could understand why Lottie needed a time – off. Even if we don’t know the details from the beginning, it is crystal-clear that it truly affected her. Not only emotionally, but also it cost her her job (even how unfair that is…). My hear truly went out to her, as the betrayal and the hurt took place on so many levels…

Now, I have to say, that while going to Barra is what Lottie needs, I found it a bit strange that a person can own an actual lighthouse. I would think it would be a common property or something like that. And in a way, it was also gullible of Lottie to believe that, just like I was a little bit gullible. But eventually, it all makes sense 😊.

What was truly sweet about this story, is how there is an immediate attraction between Lottie and Ruaridh, a physical one, but we see how it slowly progresses to something much deeper. And it isn’t all romantic that things are evolving, because there is a wonderful friendship building between the pair of them.

In a bit of an evil – Tizi way, I found it also a bit funny, reading how feelings are evolving, but both of them don’t want to repeat past mistakes, and how they are not sure what the other person is feeling, while it is crystal –  clear what those feelings are.

I could understand the not wanting to make a same mistake, both for Lottie and for Ruaridh. In Lottie’s case, I cannot understand how people can take pleasure from humiliating people, that is just cruel. And what Ruaridh concerns, he has been badly burnt by a woman who wasn’t truly honest to him.

And Ruaridh is the kind of person who doesn’t deserve to be lied to, he deserves honestly and love. Yes, he may have a great physique, but he is also the kind of man who wants to just help out, who isn’t even afraid to get his hands dirty. He doesn’t look down at a dirty job, because someone has to do it, so why not him?

In this lovely, heartwarming story, we see how at loss people can feel, ‘thanks’ to the behaviour and actions of others. But we see how a place, even one where you have never been before, can truly feel like a home, where you truly belong. I saw this book as the literal search of a lighthouse, but the main characters find a figuratively lighthouse, someone, a place, to guide them through life. And to also find the courage to come clean about feelings and emotions, finding the courage to let love perhaps again back in your life…

My return on the island of Barra was a wonderful one, and Margaret Amatt shows us once again what a talented author she truly is!

When the ghosts of the past are realer than you thought

Synopsis

Spring has arrived in the Cotswold village of Rowan Vale and everyone is in an optimistic mood.

Everyone except Danny. He’s had a rotten eighteen years stuck in a village where all his hopes and dreams were shattered. His annoying ex-work colleague, who seems determined to look on the bright side of the afterlife, won’t leave him alone. And – as if that wasn’t bad enough – he’s facing eternity dressed as Adam Ant.

Meanwhile, in London, Rory plans to whisk his wife Kirsty away to the Cotswolds for their wedding anniversary. But when they arrive in Rowan Vale, Kirsty is horrified. How could her husband be so insensitive?

Rory insists that they stay at The Quicken Tree Inn and face up to the issues in their marriage. Kirsty has no choice but to go along with him, hoping she can finally put what happened all those years ago behind her. But when she spots her long-dead cousin in the village, things take a decidedly difficult turn…

Will confronting the ghosts from her past be a recipe for happiness or disaster?

My review

Kirsty for sure feels that while being married ten years with Rory, things have changed between them. Kirsty feels that they have come at a crossroad and that now they both want different things from life. And when Rory tells Kirsty that he has planned a week away for their 10th anniversary, she is truly in shock. It is a lovely gesture, weren’t it for a fact that he has planned to stay in Rowan Vale. It for sure is a lovely place, but for Kirsty it’s the place where she lost her first husband Danny eighteen years ago in a terrible accident, where also her cousin Brooke lost her life. While Rory hopes that staying at the Quicken Tree Inn will give them a chance to resolve the issues in their marriage, Kirsty hopes that she can finally put the past behind her. But what neither Rory or Kirsty know, is that Rowan Vale is a special place, where not only the living people are residing, but also ghosts. And two of those ghosts are Danny and Brooke. While still alive, they used to be colleagues and as they were at a work party where they had to dress up, Danny is facing eternity as Adam Ant, and Brooke as a member of Bananarama. And while Brooke tries to see the bright side of everything, Danny cannot let go of the memories of the life he had. So when Rory and Kirsty arrive in Rowan Vale, it is only a matter of time that things will take a turn. But for better or for worse?

I have read all the books of this series, and if you have read my reviews of it, you know that I am rather sceptical whether ghosts exist or not. And with the first book of this series, that scepticism was very present. But the more I read into that book, the more I fell in love with the whole concept and how rather ‘normal’ the presence of ghosts have become while reading.

So with a new book out, of course I just had to grab and read it too! How can I not???

I have to admit, Kirsty isn’t immediately the easiest person to like. She isn’t a bad person, but to me it felt a little bit that about certain things, it should be her way or no way. And while it seems that with Rory she has found a kindred spirit (😊), she has very stubborn moments even with him.

But the more the story evolved, the more I just started to ‘get’ Kirsty and I even started to feel sorry for her. Not only after reading how she lost Danny, her first husband, but also how it is clear that she is carrying a burden about the past.

Right from the start, it is also clear that her marriage with Rory isn’t going that well anymore. In a way, it is normal after ten years, but on the other hand, it is also the past that is somehow hanging over them. And it for sure is to Rory’s credit that he wants to try to get everything back on track. And I could understand why he decided to go together to Rowan Vale, but side-tracking Kirsty, I knew it wouldn’t be going that well.

You would think that slowly, things would be getting better for Rory and Kirsty, once arrived and settled in Rowan Vale. But the truth is that it is the complete opposite… Because first of all, for us readers there is a shocking revelation, as there appears to be an unexpected connection…

And yes, while we understand where Rory is coming from, his behaviour in Rowan Vale is very odd in the eyes of bystanders, like Kirsty. And I could understand why Kirsty starts to believe that things are going from bad to worse…

Of course also Danny and Brooke are shocked on seeing Rory and Kirsty in Rowan Vale. And their reactions are very different. Where for Danny it is a dream coming true in a way, having the chance to see Kirsty again, for Brooke it feels like her worst nightmare.

And that left me a bit flabbergasted, because Brooke has been always this bubbly, cheerful young woman, making the best out of the situation she finds herself in. So why is she so against Kirsty being in Rowan Vale?

The most reasonable and palpable explanation, her own feelings for Danny, that makes sense. Because I was also cheering for Brooke and I hoped that her feelings somehow would be reciprocated.

But Brooke knows something about Kirsty, something she discovered on that fateful night, and that secret made me understand why she wants Brooke and Rory away as fast as possible.

And yes, when *that* secret comes out too, I was again a bit in shock. But in a way, it is also a way to show how things can change in a marriage, how it can go wrong. And we also see how something over the years can be romanticized. How we remember things, isn’t always how things actually are.

Of course in this book we see some old friends again. And it was lovely to see how their stories are progressing, without stealing the spotlight. Each character keeps on growing here too, proving just how amazing they are, worthy of me loving them 😊.

I absolutely adored reading this book. It shows us not only how difficult it sometimes can be to move on from your past, how you can be (literally) stuck at one place. We also see how secrets can be a real burden, how it can jeopardize everything you have been trying to build over the years. And we see how sometimes we see things through rose-tinted glasses. But and more important, we see how – even by confrontation – the ghosts of the past can be laid to rest (although in this book not literally 😊).

Never mix pleasure with work, right?

Synopsis

Mixing business with pleasure… what could possibly go wrong?

Maya Darlington-Hume is the life of the party, used to turning heads—and getting her way. But behind the champagne and charm is a woman chasing something real, especially from the one man who’s never taken her seriously: her father. So when she discovers the gorgeous stranger who caught her mid-bath is actually her father’s business partner—and her new boss—Maya decides to have a little fun.

Benedict Chivers has worked hard to get where he is, and he’s not about to risk it all for a fling. Especially not with his investor’s irresistible daughter. But Maya is hard to ignore… and even harder to resist.

Their connection is electric, their chemistry off the charts—but with so much at stake falling into bed might be the easy part. Staying out of trouble? That’s another story.

My review

Maya Darlington-Hume has a reputation, she is a really party girl, and is used getting things done her way. And she knows how to have fun! But what nobody knows is that behind the façade, Maya wants to chase her own dream jewelry making. But nobody believes in Maya’s intentions, and her father least of all… So obviously Maya enjoys taunting her father! But when she is enjoying her bath one evening, and the stranger who enters the bathroom and sees her having a good time, Maya did not expect that gorgeous man to be her father’s business partner and her new boss. As she has no choice in accepting working for Benedict Chivers, she decides to have some fun with him. But Benedict has worked too hard to get where he is, and he won’t jeopardize it all for a fling, no matter how much Maya tries to seduce him, even at the office. Until he cannot resist her anymore… But while things are meant to be just fun, there is a lot at stake for the both of them. And is it worth the risk?

When I started reading this book, I knew things would be getting hot and steamy. And I knew that Maya would appear as a brat somehow, but I also knew that slowly we would get to know the real Maya, and we would learn that she is not who everyone thinks she is.

While several of her actions are provoking, I could also see right from the start that she is free – spirited in a way. She does as she pleases, she enjoys her no – strings – attached ‘relationships. And of course it is fun to read how she feels no embarrassment at all, and accepts her own sexuality, there were moments that I thought “Hell no, I would never do that!!!” 😊. But that is also the fun of reading books, isn’t it? Because you can see characters doing things you would never do yourself!

On the other hand, it is also clear that Maya is ‘acting up’ for a reason. And reading how she is being dismissed that easily by her father and even her sister, it angered me. Okay, Maya have done some stupid things in the past, but shouldn’t be family always supporting you, helping you even in the darkest moments?

And because her own family doesn’t have a high opinion of it, that also reflects on others. Because Benedict has also seen and heard of Maya’s behaviour, and he doesn’t believe that Maya will be an asset.

I could understand Benedict’s reluctance, because someone who appears not to be fitting in your business, is always a liability. But I also found that Maya deserved an honest chance… And there are several moments that she for sure shows her worth and what an asset she can truly be!

It may sound a bit weird, but I liked to read how Benedict is trying to keep his composure yet cannot resist Maya. As the boss, he had to be respected by his employees, but Maya is just impossible to resist.

There are several spicy and even cheeky moments in this book. And yes, I enjoyed reading them 😊. But there is also depth in this book, even if it is a rather short story, compared to other books. Because we see that no matter how different Benedict and Maya are, they not only connect on a physical way, but also on an emotional level. Benedict starts to see Maya for the young woman she truly is, a confident woman, a determined woman, but also a wounded woman, an insecure woman.

And Maya starts to see Benedict no longer as the strict, stoic man he shows at the office. But she sees a gentler side, a fierce side, an Alpha side. But she also sees a man that wants to be successful, and more important, a man that learns to stand up for himself, what he wants, and will not be used for other people’s gain.

This was a steamy story, but also a sweet one at the same time. We see two people with their own dreams and hopes, but also own issues and troubles. And where they wouldn’t be a match at all, we see here that there can be deeper connection based on the real emotions and feelings. And that connection can make you find the courage to find the unexpected and can change everything…

Check out this wonderful cover!

Synopsis

Prepare to escape to Scotland with a gorgeous feel-good romance this summer…

Returning to the Scottish Highlands was never part of Poppy Summers’ plan. But life had other ideas.

With her parents’ cherished holiday cottages losing money, Poppy is determined to carry on their legacy and save the business before they’re forced to sell.

Revamping the cottages is Poppy’s priority until she meets Mason Cooper, a charming historian drawn to the highlands for research. As their newfound friendship grows, is it possible that something more might be enough of a reason to make Poppy stay for good?

Pre-order Link

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Castle-Highlands-feel-good-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0FT1S9NHY/

Publication Dates

30th August 2026 for Ebook and 10th September 2026 for paperback

About the author

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 has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, Cooper.

The Secret Castle in the Highlands is Julie’s fifteenth novel.

The cover!

Take a look at this book!

Synopsis

When exhausted single-mum Jess returns to Manchester for her twenty-year school reunion, she’s hoping for nothing more than a well-deserved break from reality. What she’s not expecting is to bump into her secret teenage crush, hot single-dad Sam, or to remember quite how much they have in common. 

But they live so far apart, their kids aren’t always easy, and there are events in their shared past it’s best not to revisit. Surely the idea of a future together is just a crazy dream in their messy, adult lives? 

Though when Sam invites Jess to accompany him to a mutual friend’s high-profile wedding, the years they spent apart once again melt away. What will it take for them to be together? Can they use their second chance to finally get it right?

Purchase Link

https://amzn.to/3XRgWwC

About the author

Katharine Light was born in Glasgow and lived there until her family moved to Manchester when she was ten. While in her teens, she began writing stories for her younger sister Emma. These mostly centred around a naïve heroine and a 1980s pop star (some would say the hero was modelled on John Taylor of Duran Duran).

She did a degree in psychology at University College London, and after a year travelling, worked in corporate film production for several years, before taking a break to raise her children. 

For many years she wrote mainly during the holidays, around her busy work for a local church.

Her first novel Like Me, published in 2023, was shortlisted for The Selfies Book Awards 2024. Her short story My arms are empty which is based on an episode from her second novel Me Too recently won the City University competition City Writes. 

She is a director of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, with responsibility for organising their conferences, gatherings and awards ceremonies. 

Katharine lives in London with her husband and quite often at least one of their adult children. She loves singing, walking, painting, looking at art, and going to the theatre.