No matter how hard you try to protect your heart…

Synopsis

Paige wants two things: to land a full time librarian job and find the man of her dreams. On the cusp of thirty, she finds herself suddenly single and working part-time in a Michigan library. A handsome patron with a delicious accent appears at the reference desk, inadvertently sparking an idea that might help her land the promotion she so desperately needs. But that’s not the only thing he sparks.

James is in town from Glasgow, Scotland, on a summer artist residency. Luckily, the trip got him away from the pressure he feels to take over his uncle’s river tour business. He only wanted to clear his head and make his art in peace, but he wasn’t counting on finding an attractive librarian to fill his days.

With only eight weeks before James goes home to Scotland, Paige knows she should protect her heart. After all, she already wasted years with her commitmentphobe ex. But the more she gets to know James, the less she can stick to her plan to just be friends. Is she just wasting her time again, or can they bridge the ocean between them to find a happily ever after of their own?

My review

Paige loves books, so her working in the Michigan library is just perfect for her. Even if it’s part – time only, she hopes to get the promotion ahead and change her position into a fulltime job.
However, her hopes that her boyfriend would put a ring on her finger are crushed as she finds herself single…
When Scotsman James on his visit in the library gives Paige a lovely idea to help her get the promotion, it’s not only her interest in Scotland that suddenly sparks.
But James is only on a summer artist residency, thus his days in Michigan are counted. With only eight weeks, James knows better than finding himself attracted to a lovely librarian, while at home so much is going on.
And Paige surely isn’t looking for a summer fling, after having just had her heart broken.
But is staying ‘just friends’ really that easy?

Tips for authors about how to get me hooked to a book:

·         Main character loves books as much I do

·         Male love interest has a lovely accent too hard to resist

·         For love, fears are getting overcome (a little bit)

·         No matter how hard main characters try, attraction is impossible to resist

·         Artistic protagonist

·         Sightseeing

So this book ticked all the above boxes, thus it got me hooked!

There isn’t any way that I could possibly dislike Paige. Every decision (with the exception of keeping James initially at distance 😊) she made, was just the right thing to do.
If it is breaking up with her boyfriend, putting the extra effort for getting the promotion,… I could all agree with each decision!
And even on some level, I could comprehend her when she wanted to keep things with James just friendly.

But how can someone resist James??? I have to say, I found it an lovely extra addition that the author wrote whatever James said phonetically, having a better idea of his lovely accent!
But there is so much more to James than just his accent.
He is just a nice guy in every sense! He helps Paige out with her ideas, respects her decision to keep things platonic, and gives her the much needed reassurance when she is doing something that terrifies her.

What I liked about this story is the kindness of the main characters. There isn’t a real reason why Paige would allow James to use her library card, but she is just that kind of kind person. And why should she take James on a trip discovering Michigan? Again, because she is that kind of person.
Why should James bother with helping Paige with her ideas? Because he was raised the right way! And when required, he didn’t hesitate to do the right thing. And showing Paige what he is working on, and eventually turning her into her muse? Can I already melt???

And the issue of the distance and both of them not really looking for love, those are only minor problems that can be overcome with the right incentives.

I can understand why some people may say they didn’t like this story, as they didn’t feel the attraction between Paige and James (but I totally did) or that this wasn’t the story they expected.
But I liked it, as this was just about two nice persons, finding each other and having no other desire to be together. There are a few minor hiccups, but sometimes we don’t need a story with a major tragedy taking place, but we need an easy story which we can enjoy by sitting comfortably and enjoying a blooming love.

The difference that one action can make…

Synopsis

One night in December, twenty-two year old Ted Green makes his way to Waterloo Bridge determined to end his life. Lonely, despairing and utterly hopeless, it seems the only choice to make.

That same night in December, Marianne Cooper is running away from a party. Having found her boyfriend in a passionate clinch with someone else, Marianne can’t get away fast enough. But as she makes her way along London’s South Bank, a figure catches her eye on top of the bridge.

Then she sees him, a man ready to jump.

When Marianne saves Ted’s life, this night in December becomes one they’ll never forget, but as Ted watches Marianne leave in a black taxi, all he can think is he should have asked her name.

In a story spanning twenty years, join Ted and Marianne as they navigate life’s twists and turns, joys and heartbreaks, while all the time wondering – will fate ever bring them together again…

My review

At the age of twenty – two, Ted Green feels like he has no purpose in life. The sense of being a burden to everyone, made him take the decision to end his life.
That same night in December, Marianne Cooper just discovered her boyfriend being too intimate with another woman. Walking back home, she sees a figure standing on top of the Waterloo Bridge.
Surprising herself, she manages to change the man’s mind. But before Ted can properly thank the woman who saved his life, she leaves in a taxi, without even knowing her name.
Ted and Marianne move on with their lives, never completely forgetting that one night, and the other person.
Live goes on, with highs and lows, but will they ever knowingly meet each other again? Or was that life – changing night all that Fate had in store for them?

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story, but I was glad I have read it.
This isn’t the kind of story where you know what direction the author is taking, or know beforehand what will happen to the main characters.

When we get to know Ted for the first time, he is in a dark place. And learning what he has been through, I could understand his reasoning. Even if I cannot see how dark things can get to want you to take that final step, I can see how you cannot see a way out.
The author managed to show the readers how truly ugly thoughts can go but also how one act of kindness can change it all.

This book shows us not only two people meeting, but the course of a whole lifetime (well, twenty years ☺️).
Both main characters moved on from that one night in December, but never completely forgetting it.
And through the eyes of Ted and Marianne, we see that each life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs.
Ted seems to get his life back on track after that one night, and it would seem that he will get everything he wished for.
While Marianne seems to get struggling more and more with finding her own happiness.
Life is never just black or white, life can be good one day, and another day everything can be falling apart again.

I loved reading how, despite not knowing each other, Ted and Marianne seem to keep catching glimpses of each other without realizing it.
Shows again how linked different lives and situations can be…

While the story of Bridge Man and Fairy Girl could have been a fairy-tale, or one for superheroes, this is the life story of two people connected by one evening by one simple action.
It was mind – opening to see how real everything happening to the both of them felt, the beautiful bits but also the raw bits.
And how in the end, everything felt, just like for the characters, home…

True love isn’t real, until it is…

Synopsis

Lucinda Green knows something is missing from her life. But what? Her catering business is enjoying modest success and she loves her cosy house, even if she does have to share it with her irritating ex-fiancé.

Whatever’s making her unsettled and edgy, Lucinda’s certain that a lack of romance isn’t the problem. How could it be when she doesn’t believe in true love?

But Lucinda’s beliefs are shaken by a series of electric encounters with Alex Fraser, a newly-notorious actor who gradually proves himself to be infuriatingly funny and smart, as well as handsome. 

Not that any of that matters. Because Lucinda doesn’t believe in all that ‘The One’ nonsense. That’s the rule.

But doesn’t every rule have an exception?

This uplifting grumpy-meets-sunshine romance is perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Phillipa Ashley and Milly Johnson.

My review

Lucinda Green’s catering business is turning into a small success, and she loves living in her house. But sharing it with your ex – fiancé isn’t that good, especially when her ex has a few treats she cannot stand…
And Lucinda feels that there is something missing in her life… what, she doesn’t know, but she knows it surely isn’t romance, because real love doesn’t exist.
She didn’t expect that meeting Alex Fraser in an elevator would make her doubt her own beliefs.
Because Alex is the kind of person that pushes all of her buttons, but inexplicably she finds him also very funny, smart and handsome…
Lucinda keeps to her rule that ‘The One’ is nonsense, but could it be that this actor could be the exception?

Having read other books from this author, I knew that it would be a slow start, but in the end I would feel happy to have read the whole story.
And I surely didn’t get disappointed.

Honestly, Lucinda seems the kind of woman wanting to have everything her way. And I don’t mean this in a negative way.
She pursued her dream of a catering business, but also having issue letting it go and trust her team.
She was engaged, but when her fiancé falls head over heels in love with someone else, she isn’t ready to leave the house she loves.
If that makes you frown your brows, don’t worry, mine acted the same way! I couldn’t understand how she could keep on living in the same place with a man you were supposed to get married.
But that also made it clear for me, that her feelings weren’t those you would have for The One.

Lucinda is also a woman who takes matters in her own hands. When the elevator blocks and an elder woman seems to have an attack, she knows what do to and doesn’t hesitate. She even manages to knock some sense back in Alex’ frozen state.

Alex is in a relationship when he meets Lucinda, but let’s be honest, it’s clear from the start that his relationship isn’t made to last. But even if he gets frustrated or angry, he is a good guy, trying to find a way to gently get out of it.

Oh, the fun I had whenever Lucinda and Alex are together! Their constant bickering, interpreting things the wrong way, was hilarious to read!
But also seeing how they keep bumping into each other, and slowly a friendship is being formed, was lovely to read.

There are several differences in the characters of Lucinda and Alex, yet so many similarities. How I could relate to the toothpaste issue!
And while they are both not looking for something more, it’s obvious for us readers how well they would fit together.

Like I said, this is a rather slow burning book, making you want that the characters would juts hurry up. But that is also the beauty of this story, as we see the struggles both Lucinda and Alex are having. Will they find the courage to put their beliefs aside and belief in love? it’s all easier said than done, especially if you never believed anything differently?

A beautiful story, as expected, about strong characters, finding each other unexpectedly and dreaming of the impossible that isn’t so impossible at all!
I enjoyed reading this book, as it shows that not everything goes easily, but sometimes the longer the wait, the bigger the reward.

Spring, always the start of something new. But just how exactly?

Synopsis

Mum-of-three Louisa thought she only had her never-ending to-do list to worry about, but the arrival of a ghost from the recent past puts her in an untenable position. Can she navigate the difficult situation she’s in without their friendship becoming common knowledge or will it cause long-term damage to her marriage?

When a family member begins to suspect there’s more to her relationship with the new sous-chef than meets the eye, Louisa needs to think on her feet or she’ll dig herself into a deeper hole. But the cost of keeping her secret, not only from her husband, comes at a high price, one which tugs at her conscience.

With everyday niggles already causing a further rift between Louisa and husband Ronnie, will she manage to keep her family on track whilst her life spirals out of control? And when tragedy strikes, will Ronnie step up when she needs him most?

For fans of Fiona Gibson, Holly Martin and Jill Mansell.

My review

Louisa has a daily to – do list, which she truly needs, as being a mum of three. And with a husband that works offshore, she is struggling to keep all the balls in the air.
Even when her husband is at home, she doesn’t feel appreciated and more taken for granted.
When someone from a not that far past suddenly reappears,  it only adds more to her frustrated feelings.
And while the secret she has with the new sous – chef was just in one occasion, the attention she receives makes her feel more appreciated than ever.
The relationship between Louisa and her husband Ronnie seems to be more and more at risk, and with people suspecting there is more going on with Caden, can Louisa manage it all?
And what will her future have in store for her, as it seems that she is far away from her happily ever after? 

When I started this book, I didn’t realize it was the second part of a series. And when I did, I was a bit gutted, because I feared I couldn’t keep up with what happened in the previous book.
However, luckily it was rather easy to catch up, as when necessary a short remembrance was given. That made me able to truly enjoy this book! 

Although, enjoying… Yes of course it was a great book to read, but I felt so sorry for Lou and everything she is going through.
I can only imagine it cannot be easy being a mother of three, and having a husband that is half of the time away for work.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing if Ronnie would be a present, helpful father and husband when he was actually home, but, as often with men, they are clueless… 

I am not saying Ronnie is a bad husband or father, because he really does try, but ends up doing the wrong thing with the right intentions. Like getting a new puppy, while Lou is already struggling.
Lou tries to explain Ronnie that she needs more help, but he just doesn’t see it. 

So yes, when Caden reappears, I could completely understand Lou’s thoughts. Caden gives her attention, and there certainly is a spark.
And while I cannot agree with some thing Lou did (no actual cheating, no worries!), as she has a wonderful family, I could see how much she needed someone who seems to truly care about her. 

But even if some moments I didn’t agree with Lou and her actions, I couldn’t not not like her…
She is great mum, doing her utterly best, an amazing friend, and just a loving and caring person in general.
And despite the tragedies she is facing (and tragedies they are, oh wow, just terrible!), her kindness gets repaid in amazing ways! 

What I learned from this book is, that being a kind person isn’t a sacrifice, and that you will get rewarded even in ways you never saw coming.
But I also saw that making the easiest decision isn’t always the best decision. And how often that we have to face the hardest bits in life before every piece of the puzzle (sort of) fall into place and gives you the energy, hope and determination to be ready for a next season in your life! 

I loved reading this book, as it wasn’t all glitter and glam, but that is just how life goes in real life. But expect the unexpected and real happiness is just around the corner!

When a terrible moment means a change in your life

Synopsis

Welcome to the Happy Hartes Bookshop in MicklewickBay on the beautiful North Yorkshire Coast!

The Happy Hartes Bookshop has been a part of bookworm Florrie Appleton’s life as far back as she can remember. From the evocative smell of the books, to working alongside her beloved Mr H and his black Labrador, Gerty, there’s no wonder she calls it her happy place.

Living in a town she loves, with her family and group of close-knit friends nearby, life is sweet. Until one dreadful Monday morning, when everything is turned upside down and things are changed forever.

Devastated, Florrie finds herself thrown into an unexpected situation with handsome stranger, Ed Harte, owner of a pair of twinkly navy-blue eyes and a smile that has the knack of making mischief with her insides.

Despite being fresh out of a relationship, Florrie quickly finds herself falling for him, but she’s torn, reluctant to give her heart to someone who seems intent on not sticking around.

While her heart’s doing battle with her head, Florrie soon finds herself privy to a secret with Ed involving a heart-wrenching twist they could never have imagined.

Will love find a way to bring them together, or are they destined to go their separate ways?

My review

Florrie Appleton has never thought about leaving the town she lives in. She has her family, her amazing friends, a boyfriend that doesn’t make sparks fly around but he’ll do, and a job at Happy Hartes Bookshop.
Being a bookworm, Florrie has started working with love and passion at the bookshop as a weekend job when younger, and now she is still working there with the same energy fulltime.
Little does she know that one Monday morning, her whole world will turn around with a devastating discovery…
Because now she owns half of the bookshop, together with her boss’ estranged grandson Ed Harte.
And while she has many ideas to keep the bookshop a success, she doesn’t dare to give in the growing feelings she is cultivating for Ed. Because she cannot give her heart to someone who doesn’t know if he will be sticking around or not. 

Is there something better for a bookworm like me than reading a book about a bookworm, working in a bookshop, and perhaps even finding romance, and add a little mystery to it too?
That’s what I thought… 

So obviously I immediately liked Florrie. But not only because we have a shared passion for books, but because she just is such a nice person!
The way she looks after the customers of the bookshops, how she laughs and cries with her friends, and the way she takes Gerty in after their loss, these are just some of the examples to proof who Florrie really is.
Even the way she is reluctant of getting out of a passionless relationship shows her she thinks more about other people than herself. 

My heart broke when it was her who made the discovery that Monday morning, and her reaction shows us that Bernard was so much more than just her boss.
Bernard, the kind of grandfather everyone would love to have, making Florrie his ‘honorary’ granddaughter…
It made me wonder with such a great character, how it would be possible that he has such an ungrateful family… A family that broke all contact when they didn’t get things their way… 

But luckily Bernard’s kind character can be found in Ed’s character too. Because Ed decides he wants to know his grandfather, and that is of course the right decision, not only for the matter of the heart, but also that is great news for our own Florrie! 

This isn’t just a story about two people finding each other. But it’s also about people trying to figure out where they want to go with their lives. Because not everyone always knows what they want from life and what the right direction is.

And there I understood why Florrie didn’t want to invest too much of her heart in getting closer to Ed. Because what if he would just leave and leave her and her heart broken?

While it was lovely to see how feelings grew stronger, I also was very invested in the story of some side characters. Without giving too much away, their story warmed my heart and I was glad I was put on the wrong track for once, as the reality was even better than I imagined! 

I loved reading this book, with two lovely characters who both deserve the world, amazing friends that will make you laugh and a bookshop I wish I could spend all my time and money!
This story shows us that family doesn’t mean that there has to be a connection by blood. And that fighting in the same corner, even with a small diversion there, can be the start of a wonderful romance.

How long can you try to forget the past?

Synopsis

Mackenzie Morris, newest recruit at the Little Duck Pond Café, is the perfect addition to the team. But beneath her smiles, Kenzie is hiding a dark secret. It’s the reason she fled to Sunnybrook, desperate for a fresh start that would help to lay the ghosts that haunt her.
The challenge of turning her hobby into a business is a welcome distraction, and to her relief, she finds that her range of quirky pottery mugs and vases appear to be in demand. Alone and scared when she arrived, she’s slowly making friends and starting to feel as if she belongs. Meeting a lovely guy called Aidan seems to confirm this and it looks as if love might be on the horizon.
But then Kenzie makes a devastating discovery that threatens to crush her new-found happiness. Aidan is the one person she yearns to confide in. He’s also the one person who can never know the truth . . .

My review

Mackenzie Morris has recently started to work at the Little Duck Pond Café, while trying to turn her hobby into a real business.
But her recent move to Sunnybrook is due a dark past she tries to hide from everyone. Even from the new friends she is slowly making.
When she meets Aidan, things seem to go very well for her, until her past catches up with her and Aidan somehow seems to be connected…

I became rather late passionate about this series, but better late than never right? So I was ready to start this new story with a big big smile on my face. 

Unfortunately, that smile wasn’t plastered on my face the whole time. Not because it wasn’t a great story, but because my heart just broke in million tiny little pieces… 

From the start, it isn’t very clear what happened with Kenzie and why she made the move from a place she obviously loved and why she hides away when someone from her past appears out of nowhere.
Having my imagination, I was thinking the most absurd theories. But I didn’t expect that her past was so heart – breaking… 

I am not going to spoil things for you by saying what her past is about, but it had my emotions going from pity, to sadness, to rage, to sobbing my heart out all on my own. 

I could see how Kenzie wanted to help, but felt so powerless and that feeling is a terrible one when it concerns the people you love the most.
And being left in the dark after everything is just adding more icing on the most horrible cake ever… 

But seeing how Kenzie slowly finds her feet in Sunnybrook, made me smile too. Sunnybrook, and everyone working at Little Duck Pond Café has that effect on people. They make you feel home when you think you have no longer a true home.
And her finding Aidan…Aidan is just such a nice and caring man, respecting boundaries, but also making clear what he wishes.
He knows that Kenzie is keeping secrets from him, but he gives her time and space to talk to him whenever Kenzie is ready for it.

I wished Kenzie all the happiness in the world but Life and Fate had one more trick up in their sleeves… 

This story wasn’t always easy to read. As a reader we know it’s fiction and not real, but I still wanted to offer my help somehow, just like Kenzie did. Because what was going on, fiction in this specific case, but unfortunately reality for so many people, is just so so so wrong. 

The author managed again to make me give up sleep for this story, but it was all worth it. And even if I felt the end was a TINY bit rushed, it gave me everything I needed after all the tears I shed while reading.
It made me realize how important great friends can be, and how lucky we are in our not so perfect lives. Sometimes it takes a heart-breaking story to make us see that after all, our lives aren’t that bad at all, compared with other’s…

A great, yet again different chapter in a wonderful series, full of emotions of all kind, making me love this author again a little bit more.
And making me eager for the next one!

How long can you try to forget the past?

Synopsis

Mackenzie Morris, newest recruit at the Little Duck Pond Café, is the perfect addition to the team. But beneath her smiles, Kenzie is hiding a dark secret. It’s the reason she fled to Sunnybrook, desperate for a fresh start that would help to lay the ghosts that haunt her.
The challenge of turning her hobby into a business is a welcome distraction, and to her relief, she finds that her range of quirky pottery mugs and vases appear to be in demand. Alone and scared when she arrived, she’s slowly making friends and starting to feel as if she belongs. Meeting a lovely guy called Aidan seems to confirm this and it looks as if love might be on the horizon.
But then Kenzie makes a devastating discovery that threatens to crush her new-found happiness. Aidan is the one person she yearns to confide in. He’s also the one person who can never know the truth . . .

My review

Mackenzie Morris has recently started to work at the Little Duck Pond Café, while trying to turn her hobby into a real business.
But her recent move to Sunnybrook is due a dark past she tries to hide from everyone. Even from the new friends she is slowly making.
When she meets Aidan, things seem to go very well for her, until her past catches up with her and Aidan somehow seems to be connected…

I became rather late passionate about this series, but better late than never right? So I was ready to start this new story with a big big smile on my face. 

Unfortunately, that smile wasn’t plastered on my face the whole time. Not because it wasn’t a great story, but because my heart just broke in million tiny little pieces… 

From the start, it isn’t very clear what happened with Kenzie and why she made the move from a place she obviously loved and why she hides away when someone from her past appears out of nowhere.
Having my imagination, I was thinking the most absurd theories. But I didn’t expect that her past was so heart – breaking… 

I am not going to spoil things for you by saying what her past is about, but it had my emotions going from pity, to sadness, to rage, to sobbing my heart out all on my own. 

I could see how Kenzie wanted to help, but felt so powerless and that feeling is a terrible one when it concerns the people you love the most.
And being left in the dark after everything is just adding more icing on the most horrible cake ever… 

But seeing how Kenzie slowly finds her feet in Sunnybrook, made me smile too. Sunnybrook, and everyone working at Little Duck Pond Café has that effect on people. They make you feel home when you think you have no longer a true home.
And her finding Aidan…Aidan is just such a nice and caring man, respecting boundaries, but also making clear what he wishes.
He knows that Kenzie is keeping secrets from him, but he gives her time and space to talk to him whenever Kenzie is ready for it.

I wished Kenzie all the happiness in the world but Life and Fate had one more trick up in their sleeves… 

This story wasn’t always easy to read. As a reader we know it’s fiction and not real, but I still wanted to offer my help somehow, just like Kenzie did. Because what was going on, fiction in this specific case, but unfortunately reality for so many people, is just so so so wrong. 

The author managed again to make me give up sleep for this story, but it was all worth it. And even if I felt the end was a TINY bit rushed, it gave me everything I needed after all the tears I shed while reading.
It made me realize how important great friends can be, and how lucky we are in our not so perfect lives. Sometimes it takes a heart-breaking story to make us see that after all, our lives aren’t that bad at all, compared with other’s…

A great, yet again different chapter in a wonderful series, full of emotions of all kind, making me love this author again a little bit more.
And making me eager for the next one!

When you had it all and lost it, will you dare to try to do it all over again?

Synopsis

He’s on the fast-track to serious, and she’s hitting the brakes.

When cosmetics entrepreneur Sabrina Kelly waited until she was thirty-eight to marry, she never thought she’d be widowed by forty. Now, two years later, she’s ready for a dip in the dating pool. And Michael, the merciless flirt who lives down the hall, seems like a fun way to get wet. He has “player” written all over him, but Sabrina’s not looking for a love connection. Her heart can’t take more than a fling.

Wall Street mogul Michael Wright has ignored his mom’s pressure to marry for years. But it’s not until he has a health scare that he finally takes stock of his life. If he’s going to settle down, only one woman comes to mind… his gorgeous, whip-smart neighbor, Sabrina. Their chemistry is off the charts. The banter? So. Hot. But while he’s working overtime to woo her, she’s holding back. Can two people running at different speeds get to happily-ever-after together?

My review

Sabrina Kelly waited a rather long time when she finally got married. But her husband was worth the wait. Last thing she expected that two years later she would be a widow.
Now that her cosmetic business is booming, she is ready to start dating again. But she is not looking for a love connection, as her heart couldn’t cope with another loss.
Her neighbour Michael is just perfect, as they are daily flirting in the elevator and he has ‘player’ written all over him.
But Michael Wright, after having a health scare, is ready to finally settle down. And the only woman he can think of is his neighbour Sabrina.
Two people, ready to take a next step in their lives, on a different level but with chemistry flying around, can they find common ground and love? 

Having read other books from this author, I knew that this next chapter would be my cup of tea! 

Sabrina felt like a real person to be, having struggles, doubts and fears each and every one of us has in life.
But she is also committed, passionate and driven, with a desire to make her own business a success, but without giving away the personal touch it has.
Being around the same age as Sabrina, I could relate easily to her. And I can only imagine the pain and grief she has after losing her husband after finally having found the perfect man. 

At the same time that I felt sorry for her, I also admired her, as she finally found the courage to get out on the dating scene again.
I also comprehended why she wasn’t looking for love, but just some casual flirting, without getting too attached. 

From the start I loved the flirting and banter at the elevator between Sabrina and Michael. It was the start for the both of them!
And when they start to see each other at other places beside the elevator, I found it some kind of sweet to see how perfect they would be for each other. They are different, but they would be completing each other! 

I was very happy to see how Michael started to think it was time to settle down, although the reason why he did was a scary one…
But sometimes we need a scare to realize what truly matters in life…
And while Michael has his reputation, we see the real Michael, a loving man that once he is in, he is totally in. 

The beauty of this story is, like I said before, the fact it is all so recognizable and real. Life isn’t always a walk in the park, we lose people we love, we have health problems. But that shouldn’t be a reason to keep us to love all again.
It is a scary thing to start all over again, but the reward, with the right person makes it all so worth it!

A betrayal can never be overcome, right?

Synopsis

In close quarters… With the Viking she’d loved and lost

A Shieldmaiden Sisters story—with her family fallen on hard times, Valda’s forced to join the crew on Halfdan Ulfsson’smerchant ship as he sets sail on the treacherous silk route. But this handsome jarl’s son is the man she’d planned to wed, until his bitter betrayal. Knowing she can never trust him, she must focus on saving her sisters…and not the intense connection that still burns between them!

Passion erupts when these bold, spirited Vikings are reunited!

My review

Valda has always been proud of being a shieldmaiden. But after having her heart broken, again, she is finding it difficult now that her position has changed, and also her and her family’s situation. There isn’t a thing she wouldn’t do to save her sisters and mother, even if that means joining the crew on Halfdan Ulfsson’s merchant ship. No big deal, if it weren’t that Halfdan was who broke Valda’s heart for the first time by betraying her on the worst way.
But as her choices are limited, they set of on the journey, not realizing that the intense connection they once had is still present. Valda is determined to keep her distance, also because Halfdan has his own motives to undertake this journey.
And he is still as unreachable and unavailable as before, so why is the attraction between them only growing? 

I have a weak spot for Vikings, as they are always fierce, strong yet with a kind heart (at least in the stories I read and the Viking is the main character).
So obviously I had to read this story, and add the fact that I have read previous books of this author and now the main character Valda is a familiar face, well, how could I resist? 

But Halfdan is not the only fierce one. Because Valda is a force to reckon with! And that made me like her immediately.
Valda knows her worth as a shieldmaiden, and doesn’t let her being a woman hold her back. She is a feminist before there was even a talk about feminism.
However not only is Valda a fierce and literally strong woman, she is also a loving woman. She hasn’t had it always easy, but for love of her mother and sisters, she would do anything. 

And her loving character also burnt her in the past. She has truly loved twice, and twice did she get her heart broken… That shows how vulnerable she also is, and added an extra feeling of sorry from my side.
The more we know about her first heartbreak, the more we understand Valda and the more we sympathize with her.
So yes, I wasn’t a fan of Halfdan because of that past, but I was seeing why Valda went along on being part of his crew, because there weren’t many other options. 

While I might me prejudiced what concerns Halfdan, his case was again a clear case of don’t judge before you know all the aspects.
Also here I admired the things he would do for those he cares about. Even if that means getting married to someone just to give his brother his freedom back.
But don’t get me wrong, Halfdan is not a softie, not at all! He knows how to take matters in his own hands, and foresee what might be the backlash and act beforehand. 

Obviously, when Valda and Halfdan meet again, they have oppsite feelings. Valda doesn’t want to do with him in any way, while Halfdan sees this as a new opportunity to get closer.
Being on the waters, you cannot avoid each other for a long time, so it’s not a big surprise that Valda and Halfdan grow closer again.
But it’s not a case of just getting back together and then ‘the end’.  Valda remains true to herself, and doesn’t want to be just a ‘conquest’ of Halfdan.
Even when she gives in the physical attraction, she knows that nothing more can come from it, as Halfdan is going to marry someone else. 

And in that aspect I would have liked that Halfdan did just something *more*. Yes, we know he doesn’t want to marry the unknown woman, and he still has deep feelings for Valda. But for the biggest part of the story, he doesn’t give Valda any actual prospect. While that is exactly what Valda needs to be able to give her heart away… 

Naturally, there is a big issue to overcome, but even while the happy end seems far away and just impossible to reach, again the loving characters of both Valda and Halfdan are shown as the happiness of their loved ones comes before their own.  

I truly enjoyed reading this story, getting to know Valda, Halfdan and their search for happiness and love.
I loved the strength of Valda’s family, and how different each sister is, and found myself getting eager for having the other sisters their own tale asap!
This was an easy book to read, in the sense that I found myself quickly submerged in the tale of second chances at love, strength and remaining true to yourself!

Love comes in all shapes and forms

Synopsis

Fly to France for the perfect summer getaway –without leaving your house! This a heartwarming, feel good read perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman and Jo Thomas.

Escape to heaven…

Daisy has never been lucky in love, and when her love life implodes—again—she flees to France. A summer in the sun helping out at her friend Poppy’s guesthouse is the perfect way to put unsuitable men behind her!

When Daisy finds herself dog sitting for two loveable rescues they quickly wind their way into Daisy’s heart. The trouble is so does their owner – enigmatic widower and bookseller Anton! But she didn’t come to France fall for another unattainable man…

Can they honour the past and take a chance on the future?

My review

After another fiasco in her love life, Daisy decides to escape to France and help her friend Poppy with the guesthouse.
Spending the summer in the south of France is the perfect opportunity for Daisy to rethink about her life and her future.
However, Daisy is not the kind of person to just sit back and do nothing, so she quickly finds herself a job as a dog sitter for the two loveliest dogs. The dogs quickly steal her heart, but so does their owner, widower Anton.
No matter how hard sparks fly, Daisy is not going to fall for another unattainable man and Anton himself is also not ready to let go of the past.
However, how long can they keep their distance? And are they both willing to accept each other just the way they are, even with unexplainable gifts? 

I always enjoy a story where the author takes us to a wonderful setting. And having read the previous parts of this series already, I knew I just had to read this book!
I truly enjoyed returning to the guesthouse, meet my old friends (without and with fur) again and discover how they are doing.
And I was willing to accept a new entry with whole my heart! 

It’s obvious that Daisy is a great character even if she is not that lucky what concerns love. Having another disappointment, she decides bravely to get away from everything, and take some time to reset her focus.
I admired her for that, as it cannot be easy to take that step and just step away from everything. 

We see her struggling, trying to find her feet again and decide what her future will look like. But the more I was reading, the more I truly liked Daisy.
I honestly believe that animals are a good judge of character, and seeing how Daisy takes care of Pickle and Squeaker warmed my heart. 

While Daisy and her patience and love for the dogs warmed my heart, their story, and that of their owner Anton broke my heart…
We often forget that animals also have feelings and that they can also grieve when losing someone they love. So seeing how grieve changed the dogs, broke my heart.
On the other hand, seeing the sibling love between the two dogs was again heart – warming. 

I could understand why Anton kept to himself, and tried to stay as far as possible from Daisy, but at some point, you have to let go of the past for your own happiness.
And seeing Daisy and Anton growing closer, yet having the respect of the past, was in my eyes the perfect balance of letting go and yet treasuring the past. 

What I loved even more about these two main characters, is how they accept each other for who they are.
I admit, I found Daisy and her ‘special gift’ difficult to comprehend, but that’s me just being me, not truly believing in these things. But I also saw how it was an ‘extra’ in this story, adding an additional layer.
And seeing how eager Daisy was to listen to Anton and his own passion, showed me that there is always someone who matches perfectly to you, even with all your ‘nerdy’ passions. 

This was a lovely next chapter in the series, showing the importance of acceptance and unconditional love. Sometimes getting away from a familiar place is the best thing to do to find a place to call home.
And taking a fearful step in the unknown will sometimes make you find happiness and love even when you’re not looking for it.