To uncover the past of your new home…

Synopsis

The gripping new historical novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl from Bletchley Park and The Forgotten Secret.

A heartbreaking choice. A secret kept for centuries.

1784. When Esther Harris’s father hurts his back, she takes over his role helping smugglers hide contraband in the secret cellar in their pub. But when the free traders’ ships are trapped in the harbour, a battle between the smugglers and the revenue officers leads to murder and betrayal – and Esther is forced to choose between the love of her life and protecting her family…

Present day. Fresh from her divorce, Millie Galton moves into a former inn overlooking the harbour in Mudeford and plans to create her dream home. When a chance discovery behind an old fireplace reveals the house’s secret history as a haven for smugglers and the devastating story of its former residents, could the mystery of a disappearance from centuries ago finally be solved?

Sweeping historical fiction perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kathryn Hughes and Tracy Rees.

My review

Millie Galton has just divorced very amicably from her husband and just bought a place that is totally ‘her’. Being a former inn, it’s logical that the building needs a lot of renovations. As Millie loves the history of the place, she wants to keep the charm of it. When renovations are taking place, and the house reveals its secrets behind an old fireplace, Millie becomes more intrigued by its past.
A past that involves a young woman, Esther Harris, that in 1784 was helping out her father not only in their pub, but also in helping smugglers to hide the contraband in their cellar.
But when a battle between the smugglers and the revenue officers starts, involving murder, Esther must decide what to do: follow her heart and the love of her life? Or protect her family and friends?
While Millie tries to find out what happened with her new home, she also has to choose who to believe: her kind and welcoming neighbour, or trust her instinct and trust Nick, who is responsible for her renovations?

I always love reading this author’s books, and discovering how different timelines can be entwined in one story.
And even if smugglers and contraband in that era is not something I know all about, it surely intrigues me!

I immediately liked Millie, and not only because she is also a cat – person. It a nice change reading about a couple separating, but still deeply cares about each other and truly remain friends after a marriage that wasn’t meant to be.
It was lovely to see how Millie finds her dream house, with character and age, in desperate need  of some TLC.
Moving to a new place isn’t easy, and also recognizable. I understood Millie desire to become friends with her neighbours. But I admired her also how she disregards some ‘nice’ advice and just follows her guts.
Help is nice but not always something to be followed. So I cheered on her when she decides to follow her gusts and trust Nick.
Even if I am not into history and dark past, I was just like Millie intrigued by the past of the house. And loved going on a journey with her.

Which brings us to Esther and her tale…
Her story was definitely a sadder one, but also a stronger one. Not only has she lost her mother, but also her brother is away and her father is facing some health issues.
As their pub is being used by the smugglers, I admired how Esther, disguised as ‘Blue’ helps out in what is seen as a work for men.
And that is what I admired in Esther, because right from the start she shows her capability of working and doing what is required.

While doing her job and duty, Ester also finds herself recipient of the affection of two total different men. And while my heart was also set on one man, I saw together with her the good in each man, but also the not so nicer parts.

This story is about two strong women, connected through time by Fate. Their paths couldn’t be more different, yet they are also very similar. There isn’t a thing they wouldn’t do for those close to them, even if that would mean sacrifice themselves. They give everyone a fair chance without prejudice and let people show our ladies their true nature. And with the acceptance of our main characters, it’s just impossible not to be genuine and show them every bit, even the hurtful ones.

I loved reading about these two women, about the hardship of the past and present. But also about the fierceness of people, especially women, their determination and strength to do no matter what for love.

The pages flew through my hands as I was eager to figure out what else was going to happen to these two women. Proof that this author managed again to write a captivating story!

Everyone wants a good neighbour, but what if he is the total opposite?

Synopsis

From the stranger in the car, to the madman at her door…

The day my path crossed with Simon Fox I thought I’d already lost everything but then he ran me off the road with his flash car and belittling jibes.
The men in my life had undermined me for too long.
Enough was enough.
Fuelled by alcohol and the desire to get even, I decided a spot of petty vandalism would make me feel a whole lot better.
Wrong. Very wrong…
I hadn’t realised that Simon Fox was not a man to be messed with.
He showed me just how much I still had left to lose.
Soon I was battling for my home, family and life.

My review

Saying that Kay is having an easy time would be a lie. Not only has her husband left her, their twins seem to prefer spending time with him instead of her.
All her hope is set on getting a promotion at work, but alas… the position went to a younger man, with absolutely not the experience Kay has.
So when a jerk practically ran her off the road, and after some wine, Kay decides to at least get back to one of the people who did her wrong.
Revenge tasted so good, and vandalising a little bit that car wouldn’t cause any real harm.
But not according the owner of the car, Simon Fox… because suddenly Kay finds out that there is so much more left to lose…

I found this a very disturbing story on so many different levels…

We have Kay and her husband Jonathan who decides to leave her. Okay, there are many married couples that decide to break up. But in this case, Kay was totally oblivious that there was something wrong. Even if they didn’t have the happiest of marriages, normal people would talk about it and not just leave out of the blue.
But what bothered me the most, was Jonathan’s pettiness… He has left Kay alone, is winning the children over and pushes Kay to sell the house. But does he really have to be such a d*ck and by almost literally laughing at her in her face?
Obviously, Jonathan was not my favourite character, and the more I read in this book, the more my dislike for him grew.

Also at work isn’t Kay having a blast… she is surrounded by men. Normally that wouldn’t be a bad thing, but the kind of men that she is working with…
I also have some banter with my male colleagues, but in my personal case, it honestly is all meant as a joke. But Kay’s colleagues are being sexist, giving inappropriate remarks and those are not all that innocent.
And even when her promotion goes to someone else, less capable, Kay keeps her head up high. But even then, after an avoidable error, Kay is suddenly the scapegoat…

So when the last straw is Simon Fox running her off the road, I could understand that Kay had enough of everything and everyone. Of course, what she did was wrong, but I saw where she came from. Lesson here: doing things after having several wines is never a good idea! And the amount that Kay ingested, maybe made me worry a little bit…
But Simon’s behaviour and actions gave me goose bumps all over the place! I hope I never meet a Simon myself or at least if I do, I will be on his good side!

My feelings thought the whole story were not kind towards the male population, as the majority of them showed us their worst side.
But on the other hand, there were people who showed us their best side too, even from the male side of the population!
And these acts of kindness and care restored my faith in humanity.
The twins, who preferred to be with their father, made some realizations, and stood up, not only for each other, but also for Kay.
Then there was also Kay’s best friend, who stood by Kay’s side no matter what.
And let’s not forget about the other victims of Simon’s pettiness and schemes…
These kind of people shows that the wrongdoings can be undone.

When I started reading this book, I knew that things would escalate. But I was a bit terrified how far things were going and how some things were entwined.
I kept turning page after page, because I wanted to know how things would evolve, unequivocally for the worse.
Even if I felt that there were some minor plot holes, and some behaviour was a bit over the top, I still felt terrified while reading.
And while the bad may seem to have the upper hand, not giving up is the most important thing, because no matter how dark things will get, somehow, somewhere and sometime, the good will prevail.

Getting your daughter back, finding an irresistible nanny

Synopsis

Escape to Istanbul, where a nanny may just tempt a bruised billionaire to give love a second chance in this heartwarming romance by Hana Sheik.

A single dad’s greatest temptation?

The nanny on his doorstep! 

Billionaire Faisal is anxiously awaiting custody of his little girl, who’s been living miles away with her mother. First he must win the approval of her nanny, Maryan, who has traveledwith her to Istanbul. While he shows Maryan the delights of his city, the instant attraction between them is hard to ignore. But Maryan leaves in two weeks, so Faisal must decide how much of his bruised heart he is prepared to risk…

My review

Maryan has been working as a nanny and looking after Zara for a while. Now that Zara’s father has custody, Maryan accompanies the little girl to Istanbul making sure Zara settles in easily and of course to see also how and if the girl’s father, billionaire Faisal, is giving Zara the attention and love she needs.
The plan is to stay for two weeks, and then return home. What she didn’t expect was to feel the undeniable attraction towards Faisal… But with only two weeks, things could never work, especially with Faisal’s own bruised heart that won’t allow him to take a risk on love…

With this kind of books, you know what to expect. So seeing a billionaire falling for his nanny and the other way around, was surely the epitome of clichés.
But with moving the story into a setting not so often used, it was a nice change and also adding some nice – to – knows about the place was a nice extra!

What I truly liked about Maryan, was how she genuinely cared about Zara. She wants to be certain that Zara will be happy with her father in Istanbul. And when she sees things that she doesn’t like, e.g. Faisal not picking them up at the airport, she stand her ground and demands that Zara will always be Faisal’s first priority.
But I also liked how Maryan cares about her own family. Even if her parents made a decision she still cannot comprehend on some level, and she feels that she betrayed her aunt and uncle, Maryan actions and thoughts show us that she is a loyal and loving person.

I liked Faisal passion for his business, and also the underlying reasons for going after that deal. But I found it a bit difficult to understand the agreement that was made concerning Zara’s custody. Sometimes I pitied Zara, as I found in a few moments that she was being used as just an object.
But then seeing the love between father and daughter warmed my heart!

The nice thing about this book is that we see how relationships are being built (again). Not only between father and daughter, but also how Maryan and Faisal get closer and how they appear to be of vital importance when it matters.
And in these kind of books, it would be very easy to make it all about physical attraction and ‘action’. But in this book yes there is physical attraction, but it goes deeper than that.
Both Faisal and Maryan learn to appreciate each other more because through their actions.

I enjoyed reading this story in a place I have never visited myself, so it was nice to discover all the beautiful places with Maryan, Zara and Faisal. And reading how both main characters grow closer, with some fear but also courage to admit the deepness of their feelings.
And add a wonderful, energetic girl like Zara in the equation, and this story will take you on an entertaining story!

Today a new cover reveal!

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.

Pre-order Link – getbook.at/TheOnlyException

About the author

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for over a hundred sweet treats at clairehuston.co.uk. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.

THE COVER!

A new start in an old, familiar place

Synopsis

“A delightful, well written tale, full of wonderful characters in a charming setting. I loved it!” – Katie Fforde

Starting over never tasted so good

Holly Berry has it all; a good corporate career, a steady boyfriend, and enough savings that they will soon be able to buy a nice little house. But when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she decides to retreat to the Cotswolds and a place full of far sweeter memories.

Quite literally.

However when Holly discovers the quaint village sweet shop that she worked in as a teenager is starting to crumble she decides that maybe the sensible life isn’t what she wants after all. Putting all her chocolate eggs in one basket, she says goodbye to the city, and sets her sights on Just One More.

After all, how hard can running a sweet shop be?

With charismatic Giles, ready to rescue her at every turn and the local bureaucrats breathing down her neck, it certainly isn’t the quiet life she expected. Can Holly really save the place from the the wicked developers, or will she be the reason Just One More closes its doors for good?

Full of laughter, sweet clean romance and cozy village life, The Sweet Shop of Second Chances will make you believe that the best things in life really are worth fighting for.

My review

After finding out her boyfriend has been cheating on her, Holly Berry takes her car and just drives of back to the place she grew up, Bourton – on – the – Water.
Growing up rather poor, despite all the efforts her parents made, Holly has been determined to never feel poor again as an adult. That made her find a job that she doesn’t really love, but gives her security, putting all her money into saving to buy a dream house and not spending an extra unnecessary cent.
But when she arrives back in the village, and discovering that the sweet shop where she worked as a teenager is on its last breath, she decides on a whim to do the unthinkable, and wants to buy the place.
Holly has the experience, so how hard can it be to run Just One More? But quickly Holly realizes that working as a teenager is total different than being the owner and the responsible adult…
With new and old friends by her side, will Holly be able to turn the sweet shop into a success again? Or was her hasted decision doomed to fail? 

Those who now me, know that I am the chocolate and chips kind of girl. But that doesn’t mean I cannot enjoy some good sweets here and there.
So have an overload of sugar in your book, and I’m hooked! 

While reading, I could understand where Holly was coming from. With the help of a few flashbacks, we saw her struggling with her parents’ poverty. And yes, we all know that having loving parents is more important than a jeans of a certain brand, but as a child we don’t always see that.
However, even as a teenager, Holly felt the responsibility and duty to help out any way she cans.
And finding a job in the sweet shop, and loving it, shows us the kind of person Holly is, thoughtful, but also passionate as she truly enjoyed working there. 

But it saddened me also seeing how adult Holly had changed. Yes, she is still that kind and thoughtful person, but maybe her focus was a bit too much on saving the money, and not enjoy her life by going on a holiday, buy new clothes etc. Yes, she had a plan for the money, but woman, life is not all about work and saving money. 

So I thought that finding that her boyfriend cheated on her, the best thing that could happen to Holly. Because that makes her return home and finally do something out of the blue!
Running a sweet shop – not only just A sweet shop but a sweet shop that was very important to Holly – is understandably not easy. Especially with stores selling sweets everywhere.
But Just One More just seems like paradise for me, finding those special kind of sweets that you cannot find just anywhere.
And seeing how passionate Holly is becoming again, while trying to make a successful business, truly warmed my heart.

Obviously, it’s all a matter of trial and error, which Holly will all experience, and the author shows us that not everything is always running smoothly. There will always be teenagers doing the usual mischief, but also we find Holly fighting for the future of the shop, even if it may seem like a fight of David against Goliath. 

But despite all the negative, there is also so much good… Holly quickly finds people that will stand by her side, offering a helping hand. And even if her trust in some people wasn’t something I shared with her, her goodwill was something I could relate too. And the more the story evolved, the more we saw that help comes from expected places, but also from unexpected places…

There may be some romance in this story, but that was not the main plot. For me, it was all about starting all over again, and find that courage to take that step in the dark. It may be a scary thought, not knowing if you can make a success out of it, but it’s better to have tried and failed, than not have tried at all!

It takes a bad thing happening to us, to find our roots and passion again. While Holly in the past did do all the savings for a good reason, it took her breaking up with her boyfriend and returning back home that she missed the passion and love in her life.
And retuning back to Bourton – on – the – Water made her life sweeten up again, giving her exactly what she needed. 

This was a wonderful read about a main character I admired, that despite every setback, just didn’t give up, as she believed in her cause.
It shows us that starting over isn’t always about putting the past behind us, but sometimes we need to return to the past to have a wonderful future.
The ending was exactly how I wanted the story to go, and I cannot wait to see what there is more in store for Holly and her sweet shop!

When life throws you a Lemon Drop Cottage…

Synopsis

Welcome to Pepper Bay. A small close-knit community where you’ll find chocolate box cottages, quaint shops, love, drama, and a happily ever after.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Phillipa Ashley, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories that intertwine with recurring characters. Best read in order for maximum enjoyment.

Lemon Drop Cottage: At first glance, Scott Harper is a shy artist who keeps himself to himself, but he isn’t the man everyone thinks he is. Scott has a secret. One that has kept him firmly away from any chance of having an intimate relationship. The only woman in his life is the one he talks to online but has never met. It’s easier that way, for them both.

Dolly Lynch has just taken over her aunt’s shop in Pepper Bay. Between looking after her teenage son, running around for her old aunt, moving home, and opening a new shop, she barely has time to herself, so she really appreciates the moments she spends talking online with a man she’s never met. Little does she know he’s the same man who lives just up the road in the cutest cottage she has ever seen.

My review

Dolly Lynch is a busy woman, she has just taken over her aunt’s shop in Pepper Bay, has also just moved, keeps an eye on her aunt, and takes care of her teenage son Dexter.
She barely has time for anything else, but the only thing she does, is talking through the internet with a certain C.K…
When she meets Scott Harper, it is anything but a nice meeting. She literally threw the remains of her apple at him, so it’s not a great first encounter.
Despite her intentions of making amends, things just keep going not how she expected…
And Scott finds himself more tangled around Dolly than he thought or wished… His desire to keep to himself is out of the window since his move to Lemon Drop Cottage. While everyone in Pepper Bay appreciates him for his kindness and also his artistic ways, he has a secret that no one can ever know about. And it’s that secret that kept him away from any kind of an intimate relationship… With the exception of his online contact, with a certain L.L who may be living closer than he thinks and maybe even got to know, after a certain apple – incident? 

Pepper Bay is a place that I happily return to, with great joy!
This little community just ticks all the boxes of places I would love to live myself. So obviously I was very eager to read this next chapter.
Each book can be perfectly read as a standalone, the pop – ups of previous main characters won’t make it difficult to catch up. 

I truly liked to get Dolly better, because we didn’t know that much about her. I found her courageous, strong independent, and kind. But also hilariously clumsy, lovingly overprotective and rightfully a bit suspicious when needed.
She didn’t have it easy in her past, and looking after Dexter, making her shop work, shows us also that she knows where her priorities lay.
Everything she does, is always with Dexter’s best interest in mind, she doesn’t make hasted decisions without asking for Dexter’s input. 

And while things may start awkward with Scott, she finally realizes that sometimes, she has to follow her heart.

Even with his secret, I absolutely loved Scott! I wish I could be ‘victim’ of how he changes from Clark Kent to  Superman!
And despite him initially more clashing with Dolly than anything else, he doesn’t hesitate to help her out with her new shop.
And the way he behaves towards Dexter, made my heart totally melt! And his gnomes? I never thought that something so odd could turn into something hot!
It’s always the silent types that are the best! 

I have mentioned Dexter already a few times, but that boy cannot not have his own mention! Yes, he may not be perfect physically, but the way he keeps his happy mood, and does not let his ‘imperfection’ hold him back, was truly inspiring! 

To be totally honest, this wasn’t my favourite book in the series. Perhaps that Dolly sometimes drew to conclusions too quickly? Scott’s secret wasn’t the ‘make or break’ kind of secret?
But even if it wasn’t my favourite one, I still loved reading it! It was just by an inch that I prefer one of the previous parts, but Lemon Drop cottage surely fits in perfectly with the feelings I had for Pepper Bay.

The author manages again to grasp the importance of living in a great community, where everyone knows everyone and where they can all count on each other.
The quiet types are easily accepted, even the odd ones (so is there place for me?) 

But also reading how sometimes things find a way, putting two people together who couldn’t be even looking for someone…it just showed me again how things can change quickly, but Love works according its own plans! 

A wonderful book I truly enjoyed reading, with a lovely pair of main characters, even side characters that made me laugh with their antics, subplots showing us the importance in life – but not taking the spotlight from the main plot.
I laughed over stuff I never thought I would, like gnomes, swooned over the love – bits and felt my heart just get warmer by all the different kind of love present in this book!

Can you find love just like in the movies?

Synopsis

Do movie romances ever happen in real life…?

Frankie doesn’t believe in true love. As relationships expert at popular magazine Stylife, she has learnt that dating disasters are far more common than happy ever afters.

So when she is tasked to find out if meet cutes can work in real life she is up for the challenge – but whether it’s being a damsel in distress with a flat tyre, or spilling coffee over a stranger, she isn’t convinced this can really lead to love.

But little does Frankie know that the ultimate meet cute opportunity is just around the corner. As she is whisked off her feet (all in the name of her work project of course…) perhaps true love isn’t just for the movies after all…?

My review

Writing in the popular magazine Stylife as a relation expert, you would think that Frankie would have found her happy ever after.
But the opposite is true, her list of disaster dates is longer than her successes.
And when her job is at risk, she needs a new view on how finding love. And that is how her new task is to find out if meet cutes is only a fantasy in movies, or if they can work in real life.
However, the more she plays damsel in distress, the more disastrous everything ends…
That is until an unexpected opportunity arises, and takes her to Hawaii, with Max, who works in the same building as Frankie.
But Max has his own reasons to take Frankie on a holiday with him…
Will Frankie succeed in finding her Meet Cute in Hawaii? Or is true love closer than she thinks?

I knew even before I started reading just one word in this book, that I would love it. And all because of this amazing author!
Reading the blurb, I had a kind of story in mind, where main character would have disastrous dates, one after the other and then unexpectedly finds love closer than she thought.
Well, it wasn’t that kind of story, but made that a lesser story? Absolutely not, on the contrary, it made it even a better story than thought!

There were many things I liked in this book, like how the story takes a whole different direction, the obvious but still great to read how they get there ending and the mandatory misunderstandings.
But also the main characters, Frankie and Max stole a piece of my heart.

Frankie is best described as a real girl. She is so recognizable and relatable. She has a job that she perhaps doesn’t love doing, but it gives her stability. As at many work places, she doesn’t get along with everyone, but her colleagues she truly likes, are more than just colleagues!
She shares a place with other people, but doesn’t get along with everyone and she is saving for her own place.
And more recognizable for me, she gets herself in awkward situations! That is also how she meets Max the first time.

Max… isn’t he full of surprises! I liked him from the first moment I read about him. He is just such a nice, kind and funny man!
The first interactions with Frankie were so hilarious! He could easily get a grumpy attitude, but he takes things so lightly and with a laugh, because he knows how miniscule the disasters are in a bigger scale.
The banter was so great to read!
His suggestion to take Frankie on a holiday to Hawaii made me frown my eyebrows, because who right in their mind would invite a complete stranger? And who right in their mind would accept?

When his own reasons were revealed, I felt a bit angry in Frankie’s place, because that is just not done. But again, I could forgive Max a lot!
And when his background is revealed, I was even a bit flabbergasted! I didn’t see that one coming, because I saw him so ‘normal’!
But slowly we see also his baggage, because no matter how easy he could have had it all, his past wasn’t a walk in the park. Ex – girlfriend still in the picture, an uncle having the same age but still behaves like a child, the never ending competition with his own brother… Max had it all!

I loved every bit of this story, like I said before, this was the perfect feel – good, romantic, escapism book!
I melted seeing how Frankie and Max bonded in Hawaii, also put their forces together, and seeing how sparks are slowly starting but then fly around!
But Max’ family, especially his parents, put a big smile on my face. While sometimes they may seem obnoxious, in the end they have their heart at the right place and protect their loved ones!

Yes, of course, with both characters having their own reasons for taking this trip, and Frankie not being totally honest about it, has to come out. But the way Frankie then goes to make amends, shows us that, even if not always clear for everyone, she has her priorities right.

This was the perfect story to lift my mood, which was a little bit down. Again Portia MacIntosh delivered a great, lovely story. And because something is not what you expected, does that not mean that I didn’t fall in love with it.
A story with lovely and recognizable characters, a dream worthy setting, and the hope that finding love, with or without the Meet Cute Method, is always there.

This author stole with her books and her characters my heart, and can she please write any quicker her new books? Because I surely will be reading them!

Not everyone in Venice is looking for romance

Synopsis

Who can resist the romance of Venice… 

When Norah arrives in Venice for a ten-week internship she is surprised to discover that her guide for her work trips around the lagoon is the undeniably gorgeous and kind Gianluca. She can’t help thinking he might be too good to be true, with his endless fascinating local stories, and his infectious laugh.

Norah is still bitter after an accident left her with a serious injury and also meant the end of her long-term relationship. And besides, she’s serious about her career and that means leaving Venice at the end of the summer. 

Gianluca has had a summer fling before that led to heartache for him and he won’t do it again. He enjoys the long hours out on the lagoon with Norah, but after a storm strands them on a picture-perfect island for a night, they agree they should just be good friends for the summer. 

But life doesn’t always go to plan, and when it’s time for Norah to go, they have to decide whether what they have between them is really just a friendship, and not something more…

My review

Norah York arrived in Venice for a ten – week internship, studying the ecosystem of the lagoon. After her accident left her with a serious injury and a broken heart too, her only focus now is making a success of her career.
Looking for love is the absolute last thing on her mind, even when her guide for her works trips on the lagoon is gorgeous Gianluca.
After a hesitant start and being stranded on an island between the friars, Norah and Gianluca realize that their blooming friendship is exactly what they both needed.
But is that truly the only thing that there is between them? And if it were more, with Norah leaving, and Gianluca’s heartache after a previous summer fling, would they stand a chance?

From the first book in this series, and my review of it, it’s clear that Venice isn’t the Italian city I love the most.
So returning to it, would make me hesitant if it were a book from another author. But I know that Leonie Mack has the amazing ability to show her readers parts of places not everybody knows about. So returning to Venice wasn’t a chore for me, but I was curious to discover more hidden gems of this city!

While I loved Didi and Piero, I absolutely adore Norah and Gianluca (reading A Match Made In Venice is not mandatory, but it will help better to understand some relations).

I felt that Norah has been keep struggling her whole life. Having Saffron as a mother wasn’t really easy, and even her long – term relationship wasn’t having that many sparks flying around.
She didn’t have a bad life, but it just wasn’t an exhilarating one. And then her accident happened, making everything even worse!
For everything she had to go through, I felt so sorry for her. But I also admired her determination to excel in her career.
Having an injury and staying in Venice could be not easy for her, but her resolution of not needing any help showed me rather quickly that Norah is not only a proud woman (in the sense that she won’t let that injury stop her),  but also a focused woman.

And while her focus is on her career, meeting Gianluca is exactly the thing she needed but didn’t know she needed it.
Gianluca has his own demons to face, but Fate brings these two broken people on each other’s path and a great friendship is being formed.
Yes yes, I know that you know there will be some romance in it, but this sotry felt just so much more…
It was wonderful to see how Norah starts to open up in Venice, and let herself enjoy Life in general. Thanks to Gianluca she sees that there is more than just making a career.

I was happy to see some old friends again, obviously Didi and Piero, but also made some new lovely friends.

I had several laughs, seeing Norah and Gianluca staying with friars, posing as a couple while searching for the perfect wedding setting for her mother, but also just seeing how everyone allows Norah in their close circle of friends.

Heart – warming and tender moments were also present, like each moment with Nòna. Never underestimate the love of an Italian Grandma, but also never underestimate their fierceness!

The author managed perfectly to grasp the Venetian way of living, with their own dialect, but also the sense of Venice being their only home.
She also shows us the important culture of remèrs and it’s a culture that should be truly treasured.

But most important, she shows us the importance of friendship and acceptance. Friendship in the real meaning of the word, listening, being there. Acceptance by not trying to persuade to change made plans but accept them even if they will break your heart , but also the will to make a change. And for the right cause, change is a good thing.

A wonderful story about finding your own path in life again, by finding the person you didn’t know you needed in your life, surrounding you with care, kindness, laughter and love. And a change of scene that makes you realize what truly matters to you and opens up your heart and closes the hurt in it.

Doing things you aren’t allowed always feel so good, even when it’s wrong.

Synopsis

She’s trying to figure out her future.

He’s trying to forget his past.

But with the help of some unlikely friends, young and old, and a scruffy dog who just can’t help getting into trouble, a new community is formed – just when they all need each other the most.

My review

When her last working place in London went literally up in flames, Ettie is trying to find out where her future lays. So while thinking about where to go, she returns back home to Churchstone and finds a job at Hepplethwaite Hall, as a temporary assistant while the place in turned into a hotel.
Her first encounter with Dominic Villiers, the owner, isn’t the best one, and let’s not talk about the second one…
With a lake hidden in the grounds, her passion for swimming arises again, despite the prohibition from Dominic to swim there.
And at that same lake, unlikely friendships are being made, with people who couldn’t be more different from each other but find each other through their love for swimming.
But a secret swimming club, that is bound to be discovered… and maybe break the tender bond between Ettie and Dominic, who carries the burden of a past he just cannot forget.. 

I know what Jules Wake is capable of writing about, yet each time I am again surprised how much I enjoy reading her books! And this was surely no exception! 

Ettie is the kind of character I immediately love. She is hopping from one job to another, not because she cannot persist in doing what she is doing, but because she just hasn’t figured out what her niche is.
And of course, not doing the job she loves, has put Ettie in multiple awkward situations…
Even if after her latest disaster job, but for once not her fault, she manages to keep her head up.
That fact made me love her, but also made her a real person in my mind.
Because don’t we all know that kind of person, who doesn’t know what her place in the world is, but just keeps swimming? (literally and figuratively 😊) 

And even when her encounter with Dominic should put her down, she uses the negative and turns it into a positive feeling, because nobody should make her feel less! 

However, even if Ettie easily warmed my heart, it was the group of swimmers that truly stole my heart. Imagine the most unlikely kind of persons gathering together for a swim. And multiply it several times, and then you have an idea what kind of people Ettie befriend while her swimming sessions.
The people couldn’t be more different, both in age, appearance, behaviour and life situations. However, I found it wonderful to see how these ‘unclickable”  people somehow clicked and even became real friends!
That shows us that the best of friends can be found in the weirdest places! 

And obviously, swimming in a place where you cannot, it surely exhilarating, but also a guarantee to be discovered by Dominic.
Dominic… he finds himself in a situation he didn’t imagine he would be, inheriting a place like Hepplethwaite Hall. Together with his friend Gracie he want to turn it into a hotel, but that was easily said than done!
Obviously he hires Ettie, and obviously he is the total opposite of her! But I just loved and laughed reading how these two characters start to get along! And Ettie with her banter and teasing, I had tears in my eyes of laughing!
But there is also a vulnerability  in Dominic… while initially it may seem over the top his demand to stay away from the lake, the more I was reading, the more it all made sense.
And not only the swimming bit made me sad, but also what he has to face in the past broke my heart.
Again proof that we never know a person and his demons! 

There is romance in this story, absolutely, but there was so much more to this book! I loved the friendship, the banter, even the mischief. And I adored to read the lengths all the characters would go to help out whoever is in need.
The author manages to show us perfectly the importance of having the right people by your side. And I’m not only talking about the romantic aspect, because that surely is also present, but also by having the right friends by your side.
Because those who love you, accept you for who you are, no matter what struggles you are facing and offer whatever you need, a push in the back, a listening ear, or even using some reverse psychology to show you that there is more in you than you think!