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

Synopsis

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

My review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retirement is the real test for a marriage

Synopsis

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

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

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

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

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

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

My review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Synopsis

A penniless governess

And the dour Laird of Ardmore

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

My review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hate and love are two sides of the same coin…

Synopsis

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

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

My review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When secrets of the past and the present collide…

Synopsis

Cottage Two, Bracken Ridge Farm sits at the end of a pitted track, with the glorious Yorkshire moors stretching behind it.  

Just a simple two up, two down, the cottage holds the promise of a new start for two very different women, but it is also full of secrets. 

Fifty years ago, newly-wed Stella is relishing making the little cottage a happy home. But for all the lovingly handmade curtains, and the hot dinners ready on the table for her husband, Stella’s dreams of married life jar painfully with the truth.

Fifty years later, the cottage is a new beginning for Tamzin. Determined to get away from her previous life, she makes the move to the wild and vast Yorkshire countryside. 

When Tamzin finds a sepia photo of a woman, Stella, standing in the cottage’s garden, there’s a sadness in her eyes that Tamzin recognises.  As the cottage reveals more of its secrets, Tamzin is desperate to find out whether Stella got her happy ending.  And as she gradually makes new friends, and starts to win over her mysterious neighbour Euan, Tamzin dares to dream about her own happy ending too… 

Escape the rat race with this heart-warming, page-turning new novel from Jane Lovering. Perfect for fans of Julie Houston, Beth O’Leary and Kate Forster

My review

Wanting to leave her life behind, Tamzin decides to move to the Yorkshire countryside.
In her new cottage she suddenly finds a picture of a woman. What Tamzin immediately recognizes is the same sadness in the woman’s eyes Tamzin herself had not so long ago.
Tamzin discovers that the woman is Stella, who lived in the cottage fifty years ago. Tamzin is determined to find out if the sadness ever disappeared from Stella’s eyes and if Stella got her happy ending.
Slowly Tamzin discovers more of Stella’s story, with the help of her new friends she is making, and even winning over her reclusive neighbour Euan.
But can Tamzin truly put her past behind her and start over at this cottage?

Wow, the emotions I had while reading this story, I wasn’t expecting that at all!
But on the other hand, I shouldn’t be surprised, as I know this author!

The tragedy, but on the same time also the beauty of this story, is the one thing that links all the characters. Both Stella, Tamzin and even Euan went through the same thing. Even if reading about the trust that has been broken by their loved ones, at one point they decided to stand up and walk away.

What made this story even more peculiar, was that Tamzin’s timeline goes from past to present, like we are used to.
But Stella’s goes from her present to her past. So when we meet her for the first time, she already made up her mind. And through flashbacks, we see what brought her in that particular situation.
Only her ending… I’m not going to give any further explanations…

Rather quickly after reading what made Tamzin move, I found myself in awe. Never have been in her same situation (and I hope I never will…), I could only try to understand what she has been going through. But the way she found the courage to leave it all behind, and found that strength, just WOW…

Now, before you think that this is a story with only bad things happening, you are wrong. I loved to read how Tamzin is changing the cottage into her new home, even if that would mean an overload of cushions.

And then there is Euan… while it would be easy to dislike him from the start (yes, I admit, I did too), once we see more of him, and when his past is revealed too, so much made sense. And from dislike I went to pity, to also admiration to fallen head over heels in love with him.
His story is also a tragic one, and I admired the author that she dared to switch roles. Because it’s easy to see the victim being a woman and the culprit a man. But the truth is, that roles aren’t always so stereotypic…

It warmed my heart to see these two broken persons (even literally) find each other, open up and together they find a way to move on from the past that was still haunting them.
Tamzin and Euan went from ‘Survivor knows Survivor’ to being a rock during more difficult moments.

There is one thing I haven’t addressed yet… and that is Brack… I would never imagine having him as a pet, and he just stole my heart!
But Tamzin knows he has to be the wild, free animal he was supposed to be. and even if it would break her heart, she has to do the right thing. And making that decision and taking that step with Euan by her side, made things more bearable.

Like I said, this is a tragic yet wonderful story to read. It shows us how ugly people can be, and use us for their own schemes.
But this book is also filled with so much strength, because it is possible to escape a situation that brings sadness in our eyes.
And being strong can maybe bring us someone on our path that knows the real meaning of love and act like it.

A haunted marquess and a broken widow, will love stand a chance?

Synopsis

A brooding marquess

And a mysterious widow

On the outside Henry Spencer, Marquess of Clairborne, has it all: title, fortune and dashing good looks. Inside he’s haunted by nightmares. Seeking sanctuary at his Scottish estate, his peace is disturbed by a new tenant, widow Genevieve de l’Omont. Her beauty and spirit lead to a growing desire that distracts him from his troubles, but as he unravels a mystery from his past, he discovers Genevieve has secrets of her own…

My review

Henry Spencer, the marquess of Clairborne may seem to have it all, but the contrary is the truth. He is haunted by nightmare and needs to find some peace.
So without informing anyone, he goes to his Scottish estate, Yew park House, hoping that he will find answers to his tormenting questions.
But he didn’t expect to find a new tenant on his estate, widow Genevieve de l’Omont and her daughter Elizabeth.
Meeting them and their friend, stirs something inside him he never thought he would feel.
But Genevieve is keeping a secret, making getting closer impossible and also Spencer’s past seems to hold a few dark secrets..

Why do I always enjoy reading impossible love stories? Especially with a brooding marquess and dark secrets that will devastate the people involved?
So this story surely had my interest, and that was even before I realized that there was a link with a book I’ve read previously of this author!

I was immediately intrigued by Spencer, because I could comprehend the heavy burden that comes with his title, but I wanted to know what else was haunting him.
Despite his brooding behaviour, I found it also funny to read how he wants to learn just *everything*. That is obviously not expected from a marquess, but I liked his curious nature. And seeing how he tries, and also often fails, was hilarious.
But it was refreshing seeing someone like him stepping outside him comfort zone, and trying to understand how everything works.

However, there was one thing that totally made my heart melt… Even if he keeps his distance from everything and everyone, he cannot contain himself to have fun with Elizabeth…
That was proof for me, that despite his demons, he was absolutely, without any doubt, one of the good guys!

Elizabeth, poor little girl! The things she went through, and seeing her bloom again at Yew Park House, truly warmed my heart. Genevieve tries so hard to be a good mother and protect her daughter but when you’ve been hurt and humiliated in the past, I could completely understand why she was wary of Spencer.

But obviously, some feelings are difficult to ignore, and it was lovely to see how both Spencer and Genevieve are able to help each other with facing their demons.
Genevieve’s past didn’t come as a real surprise to me, But Spencer’s was a whole different matter. While even I at one point had a fear for the most terrible thing that could have happened in the past, I was glad the truth was completely different!

This was a lovely, entertaining story about the lengths people would go for love. It starts with trust, but if the love is real, it is about acceptance, ready to fight for your loved ones, and even facing a terrible Galahad (you’ll know what I mean!) to show that love can conquer everything, like prejudice, demons and fear…

Will living together after so many issues solve the problems of a family?

Synopsis

One forgotten discovery will change three women’s lives for ever…

Robin hasn’t been home for decades. After running away to London, she never expected to see her cantankerous mother, Faye, again. But when Faye has a fall, the two women are thrown together once more.

The years apart have not made their hearts grow fonder and the ground between them is unsteady. Then Robin finds an unopened scroll – the last of the treasure hunts her much-missed father used to take them on every Sunday. A hunt he believed might change everything. 

Yet, not even this gift from her beloved father can smooth the way until Robin’s daughter, Amber, arrives to meet her grandmother for the first time.  Amber is determined that the decades-old mystery be solved.

Can a 30-year-old treasure hunt really ‘change everything’?

My review

The relation between Robin and her mother Faye has never been a good one. The relation was even so strained that after her father died and an unexpected news turned her world upside down, she ran away to London to never return.
Now that Faye has had a fall, Robin cannot do anything else than assist her mother.
However, even after all these years, their strained relation has become only more awkward. That is until Robin find a scroll of her father, what was typical for their famous treasure hunts.
When Robin’s daughter Amber also is staying at Faye’s place, the awkwardness is only getting bigger.
But will that found scroll and the treasure hunt be the thing that will bring the three women closer again and fix what was broken for so long?

I know that with this author, I’m always in for a treat! And this story was no exception, even if there were several heart – breaking moments.

From the first moment, I was feelings the emotions Robin was having. Without even knowing the details, I was reluctant of meeting Faye, I  was angry before I even read one word that came out of her mouth.
So it’s understandable I would have the same reactions as Robin when Faye was being stubborn and not likeable at all.

What I did like about Robin being back home, was that seeing her old (secret) room again, she found herself again. While the more mature Robin was wearing ‘adult’ clothes, seeing the younger version, made her realise how she was ignoring the real Robin, who loved flashy colours, weird hairstyles etc.

Of course I was curious to know what happened in the past, and what made Robin run away. Even if I had a feeling what that could be, the process as a reader to get to that revelation was a quest on itself.

Seeing Faye, Robin and Amber staying at the same house, it was both entertaining but also a bit educational to see how different people of the same family could be. Faye, being a distant, closed mother, made Robin become a overprotective, overbearing mother to Amber. Robin does everything Faye didn’t do, but all a bit over the top. Making Amber wanting to take her distance from her mother, wanting to do things according her own rules.

Being back home, Robin obviously meets people again from before her escape. And it was very realistic to read how some people were happy to see her back, but also to read how the old friends are still hurt because they lost a friend without any explanation.
Seeing how Robin want to fix those broken friendships, with trail and fail sometimes, was again both heart – breaking as heart – warming.

Even if there is the making amends with friends and even finding back a lost love interest, I didn’t feel that this was the main story of this book.
The author managed to show us how different people are, even in the same family. And while everyone tries their best, it isn’t always a recipe for success.

I was even a bit astonished when I even started to like Faye. Because there are always two sides to a story, and I am not afraid to admit I was prejudiced towards Faye.
And when the truth was out concerning those ‘Dear Debbie’ letters, I was for a moment totally flabbergasted, but I feel like somehow I knew it already.

I found this a bittersweet story to read, because all the characters endured so much pain in the past, and putting that behind them, wasn’t an easy task.
But it was also lovely to see how all the women find common ground, even how stupid how a treasure hunt may seem. Because that treasure hunt was exactly what they all three needed to understand each other better, and find the love they felt they missed…

When you love two women…

Synopsis

There are first loves and there are last loves. But what happens when they overlap?

Tom Blythe falls in love quickly. He fell for Olivia the first time they met. The same thing happens when he meets Grace. The problem is: Tom is still in love with Olivia.

Pulled in two different directions, Tom has a choice to make. He knows he’s unhappy, but is that enough for him to forget the vows he made? Both women have difficult pasts and Tom is desperate to help them, but at what cost?

Can he let Olivia go and commit his future to Grace? Or will the pull of the past prove too strong?

My review

When Tom meets Grace, it’s love at first sight. Only once has he fallen in love instantly, and that was when he met his wife Olivia.
Even if at the moment he is unhappy, he stills love Olivia and with Grace’s appearance he has to make an impossible yet important decision. Is it with Grace where his future is? Or is his love for Olivia too big to put behind him? What he does know, is that both women’s past wasn’t easy and it’s in his nature to want to help…

While reading the blurb of this book, I thought it would be about a man that starts cheating on his wife and that he would have to choose where his future would lay.
So while I was intrigued, I was also immediately disliking Tom, before I had even read one word of the book.

But I was happy that this book turned out to be something completely different, and I did not see that twist coming in the end…
Not only do we see Tom in the present, when he meets Grace but also we see Tom when he meets Grace.

While I don’t truly believe at first sight myself, I could see Tom falling easily in love with these two women.

And slowly, getting to know Tom better, I started to like him. Not only because how he is being a loyal boyfriend and husband to Olivia, but  also because he keeps his distance from Grace. He doesn’t cross any line, and he makes it clear that Olivia is still in the picture and he doesn’t want to hurt anyone.

It was lovely to see how, thanks to Grace, Tom finds something to enjoy again. He has been through a difficult period, so seeing him having fun again was a real nice thing.
But while things are strictly platonic, I was always expecting that moment where a line would be crossed. And while I understood that his marriage wasn’t easy at the moment, I couldn’t agree with taking things further with Grace.

Not that I am condemning Grace, because she also has been through difficult moments, and she deserves to finally find a man that will love her unconditionally. But I couldn’t see Tom being that man, as his love for Olivia was still palpable.

So I was constantly having mixed feelings… I wanted Tom and Grace to be together, but I also wanted Tom and Olivia being still together…
And then we had that twist that I didn’t see coming. It was a twist that broke my heart, because of all the things I would be expecting, that didn’t ever cross my mind…
But I have to admit, once that was out, so many things made so much more sense to me. And my hostility towards Tom, evaporated completely.

This was a read that confused me, because there wouldn’t be one right choice to make. And both women deserved that unconditionally love from a man.
But once the pieces of the puzzle fell together, I realized what a beautiful story this was. It shows us the beauty of falling in love, but also the feelings of guilt of meeting someone new when your heart already belongs to someone else…

Getting back in the game isn’t as easy as you would think

Synopsis

Work, work, work. That’s all recruitment consultant Gill does. Her friends fix her up with numerous blind dates, none suitable, until one day Gill decides enough is enough.
Seeing an ad on a bus billboard for Happy Ever After dating agency ‘for the busy professional’, on impulse she signs up. Soon she has problems juggling her social life as well as her work diary.

Before long she’s experiencing laughs, lust and … could it be love? But just when things are looking up for Gill, an unexpected reunion forces her to make an impossible choice.
Will she get her happy ever after, or is she destined to be married to her job forever?

My review

Gill is a recruitment consultant with her main focus on her job. Her friends have tried to set her up on several blind dates, but they all ended in a disaster somehow. However, when Gill finally realizes that she actually feels lonely, and sees an ad on a bus billboard for a dating agency, she impulsively signs up.
Compared with all these online dating apps, the Happily Ever After agency is a real agency, trying to match the right person with you.
And soon Gill finds herself dividing her time between work and dating several men. But will she meet the perfect man? And how will she know if it’s love, lust or just friendship? 

Being a Single For Life myself, and having tried online dating too, I know what a scary world it can be out there when you are looking for love.
So of course I was very curious how Gill would find love. 

What I truly liked about this story, is that Gill is doubting herself and her dates all the time. She doesn’t just stick to one guy, believing he could be The One. Now, I know this sounds terrible, but it actually isn’t.
Gill wants to be sure of the choice she makes, and wants to know if the man on the other side of the game is choosing her too. 

Obviously I had my own preference, and I was mentally pushing Gill to follow my choice, but I admired her for giving each man a fair shot. Even when a date went terribly wrong, she decides to go on a second date, not only to know if the disaster was just a coincidence, but also to see if there was a possibility for him being, against all odds, the right one anyway. 

In this book, all kind of men have their appearance, there is the genuinely good one, there is a despicable one, there is a weird one but with a kind heart and there is a weird one, period.
With each man, I found myself hoping with and for Gill he would be a good match, but let’s be honest, I had my favourite.
And what happened with my favourite, suddenly and without any further notice, left me flabbergasted. 

We also see Gill getting heart – broken but slowly also picking up the pieces, the best she can. But as I got to know her better through each chapter, I knew what her heart’s desire was…

The author managed perfectly to write a funny, entertaining story about the difficulties about finding your perfect partner. For some it is easy, for other, like me, it’s a path filled with doubt, the search for courage and trusting your instincts and understanding your feelings.
This was a realistic view on daring to get back in the game, showing us the beautiful things we can encounter, but also the nastier ones. But the nastier ones shouldn’t be holding us back because if we give love a chance, we can find happiness together with that perfect match!

When you can finally get the guy…

Synopsis

A new beginning leads to a second-chance at romance.

Done with the frigid northern winters, Reagan Westbourne has an easy solution—move to Miami. It makes total sense. She can even live with her sister. But after a few months of enduring her quirky sibling’s newlywed bliss, Reagan is ready to spread her wings and move out. Life with two fun roommates and a promising job completes the picture for Reagan. Almost.

When Reagan’s old college friend, Dante, opens a new restaurant in Miami, the past mixes with the present. Afterall, he’s the only man Reagan’s ever had feelings for. And it seems the attraction might just be mutual. Yet when their paths finally seem to align, old and new friends enter the picture, leaving Reagan unsure of her feelings.Could this second-chance be the answer, or is it time to leave the memories in the past?

My review

Reagan Westbourne has decided to switch the cold for the warm and moves to Miami. After living a while with her sister, she finds a new living arrangement with Lila and Gabby as her roommates.
And when her old friend, and her never-ending crush, Dante opens a restaurant in Miami, it seems that all the pieces of the puzzle finally fall together. Especially when the attraction seems to be mutual. All Dante asks is to be patient, as his restaurant is his highest priority at the moment.
But when an old friend makes an appearance, the change in her former best friend makes Reagan reconsider everything she thought to know.
How much can you bear from your best friend? And how long does patience last? And what when there is someone else in the picture? 

Well, first of all, I was very happy when I started this book when I noticed that this would be a much longer book compared with the first book of the Thankful Series!
I loved Book One and Gabby’s story, but it was too short for my liking.
So I was over the moon when Reagan would have more pages for her own story! 

What I knew from Reagan before I began this tale, was that she had a crush on Dante, like forever. So obviously I was Team Dante, because I just wanted Reagan to find her happiness.
And while I did understood Dante’s focus on his restaurant, I didn’t totally agree with him on putting lovely Reagan on hold.

But Reagan wouldn’t be so lovely if she didn’t sit patiently waiting for her shot at love. Because let’s be clear, Reagan is just a wonderful person, kind, caring and also forgiving. Even if she and her best friend were on best terms when Reagan moves, she is happy that Bethany is coming over.
And even if Bethany not only looks totally different, but acts also very different, Reagan just is happy to have her friend back. 

The only thing I can say about Bethany, because she is not worth of spending a lot of thoughts over her is ‘yuk’… 

On the other hand I loved how Reagan new friends, Lila and Gabby are there for her. The three women couldn’t be more different, yet they complement each other. They give all advice, are there for each other and have each other’s back no matter what. 

Even if I was Team Dante initially, I quickly saw his many flaws, and I even got irritated by his behaviour. And I was glad that Reagan slowly starts to see them too. And then seeing how Reagan starts to realize that maybe Dante isn’t this Mister Perfect at all, and looking more around her, was a big thumbs up from my side. 

Without giving any spoilers, Reagan’s happy ending was just everything I wished for this sweet persona. Because not only does she deserve it, but she also learns to stand up for herself and had enough of people keep stringing her. 

It’s also great that our previous main couple still make appearances, but without taking the spotlight out of Reagan. And even if Gabby has now a partner, she doesn’t forget about her friends who haven been there for her. She eagerly wants to return the help! 

This was a great, funny, lovely second part of the series, and I cannot wait to read the last part! To stay in line with the title of the series, I am thankful for the fun I had while reading it!