The power of love can never be underestimated

Synopsis

On a windswept British coastline the tide deposits an unexpected gift…

It was the cry that she first noticed, the plaintive wail that called to her over the crash of winter waves. Wrapped only in a sealskin, the baby girl looks up at Effie and instantly captures her heart. She meant only to temporarily foster the young orphan but when news reaches Effie that her husband has been lost at sea, and months pass without anyone claiming the infant, she embraces her new family – her son Jack and her adopted daughter Morna.

Effie has always been an outcast in her village, the only granddaughter of a woman people whisper is a witch, so she’s used to a solitary existence. But when Midsummer arrives so too does a man claiming to be Morna’s father. There’s no denying Lachlan is the girl’s kin and so Effie is surprised when he asks her to continue looking after his daughter, mysteriously refusing to explain why. She agrees, but when he returns six months hence she pushes him for answers. And Lachlan tells a story she never anticipated … one of selkies, legend, and the power of the sea…

My review

Even before losing her husband, Effie never fitted in the village life. So she doesn’t really mind living on her own, with her son Jack.
But one day, the most unexpected thing happens. Because on the coastline near her place, she discovers that the wails she hears are those of a baby girl, wrapped in a sealskin.
Being a mother, Effie doesn’t hesitate to take the child in and look after her.
When Midsummer arrives, a stranger appears, claiming to be the child’s father. The man, Lochlan, wants Effie to look after his daughter and he will check on them every six months. Effie, loving the girl like she was her own, accepts but wants to answers to her questions.
But she never expected that Lachlan will start telling her stories about selkies, legends and mysteries of the sea…

Being an adult, you know that things like mermaids, witchcraft and other mystical creatures do not really exist. But even if in my mind I know they are not real, it is always something that intrigues me. ‘What if’ is never far away when I start to think about it.

This story is one of those tales that suck you immediately in.

It’s very easy to like Effie. She has lost her husband at sea, and even if there were things she could do to make her life easier, she wants to stay true to herself. And if people do not accept her for who she is, it’s their loss.
I also admired her courage and determination to take care of the baby girl she has found. It would be an easy option to let the girl go into foster care or an orphanage. But she doesn’t hesitate to take the girl and take care of her.
And as the months pass by, she sees Morna as her own daughter too. That shows again what a kind character she is.

Initially I found it very difficult to like Lachlan. He appears out of nowhere, disappears like it’s nothing, leaving his girl behind for another six months. Just like Effie, I had so many questions…
But the more of his life is being told, the more my heart melted.
Being what he is, isn’t an easy task and he wants to do the right thing, but it isn’t always his choice.

The more Effie and Lachlan get to know each other, the more obvious the chemistry between them is obvious. And seeing how they both are accepting the differences between them, somehow made me believe that there is still hope for mankind.
And not only the difference between Lochlan and Effie, but also Morna being more like her father than expected, and Jack not being exactly like other kids, doesn’t diminish the love these lovely and adorable kids receive.

This story is filled with love, but is also the quest of a woman, finding a place she belongs to.
And even if her search will cause heart – breaking decisions and moments that made me angry at her, it was clear to understand where she is coming from.
But mainly and most important, this story is filled with acceptance. Acceptance for who not only you are, but who your loved ones are.
And do differences really matter when there is love?

There is one family you don’t mess with…

Synopsis

What was meant to be a straightforward jewellery heist goes horribly wrong, and the thieves are forced to take a hostage to make their escape. But when they discover their prisoner is the infamous Nina Glass – one of the bosses of the most dangerous criminal dynasty in London – they soon realise they have made a terrible mistake.

Greed wins out over good sense and the gang decide to make the best of a bad situation. They send Luke Glass a ransom note. But messing with London’s top crime dynasty is a serious error. Now Luke must track down the gang who abducted his sister before they carry out their brutal threats.

The Glass family have other problems. The crooked cop they have on their payroll – DCI Oliver Stanford – makes an unwelcome discovery. The insider they had all presumed dead, may in fact have survived, and still be feeding information to the police. 

Under attack from all sides, and desperate to save his sister, Luke has the reputation and survival of the crime dynasty in his hands – is this the end of the Glass family?

My review

The Glass family rule the crime world in London with a firm hand. Luke Glass and his sisters Nina and Charley have a hand in everything that happens in London’s underworld.
They are feared by enemies and friends, and nobody with a brain cell would think about doing something against a member of this powerful family.
And then the unthinkable happens… what started as a jewellery heist, turns into taking Nina Glass as a hostage. And the thieves find it a marvellous idea to send a ransom note to Luke…
But Luke Glass wouldn’t be Luke Glass if he would let some insignificant scumbags play him and his family.
And Nina’s abduction is not the only worry Luke has… because suddenly the whole family is being attacked from all sides.
Will Luke manage to save his beloved sister from the brutal threats? Or will this be the start of the fall of the Glass Empire?

Even if the Glass family is a criminal family, I have a soft spot for them…
No member of the family or in their close circle is afraid of using violence, but they always use it for a just cause. They don’t just kill or start a fight for the fun of it, but only use it when someone has been doing them wrong. Yes, I know that a criminal family is always in the wrong, but you get what I am saying, right? 😀

And what I truly like about Luke, his family always comes first. In the previous part of this series, the entrance of Charley was a shock, but now that it’s obvious she truly is hi sister, he didn’t hesitate to give her her own place in the Glass Dynasty.

The criminal world, especially when it’s like the Glass’ world, has always been a fascinating one. How does someone know who is trustworthy? How can you reign your empire and keeping everyone in line? And how to react when everything seems to go  for the worse?
All these aspects are taken care of in this book. And even if some reactions left me a bit flabbergasted, I knew somewhere that it would be a typical reaction from the Boss of the Underworld…

The thieves – turned – into – captors do for sure have several screws loose… and they are proof of how one worse seed can turn a whole operation totally over the top crazy. Out of the three criminals, there was only one I pitied, but how can one person fight off the other ones?

The conclusion of this book, of what happened to each character, didn’t come as a total surprise. But the actions Nina made, both made me like her (her sense of protectiveness towards one of the captors) but scared me also to shit (when one secret it revealed and what she does next…).
But her character also showed that in the end, even criminals are just people like you and me. They just want to be loved and taken care of, and take care of their loved ones. But once trust is broken, how can there be love?

There was one character that took some time to link to the rest of the story. I had a hunch, but seeing the unfortunate climax revealing the connection, and confirming my suspicion, showed me again how sometimes bad luck can cross your path.

This book is not for readers who are squeamish or are hoping that the brutality will be covered. It shows us just how the criminal world works, and to face the consequences when you mess with the wrong people.
But it also shows a close family, that would do anything for each other, no matter if you aren’t always on the same page…

Even if this genre isn’t my usual cup of tea (I’m a romance girl all the way), the Glass family managed to get me intrigued by their gripping, gruesome tale. And even if I never want to meet this family in real life, I cannot wait for the next instalment!

When love doesn’t come easy…

Synopsis

Once upon a time, there was a solitary, grumpy man who would spend his days watching the world around him without ever attracting any attention to himself.

Once upon a time, there was a man who stood aside, imagining he could live someone else’s life and dreaming of something which would never be his; yet he wasn’t ready to give it up.

Once upon a time, there was a man who loved a woman. His only wish was to watch her achieve her dreams – without knowing that the only dream she ever wanted to achieve was him.

Once upon a time, there was a woman afraid that no one would ever be able to love her – without knowing that there was a man who had loved nothing but her for his entire life.

That man is me: Reid Johnson. And that woman is her: my deepest secret. Fine, so I have a few secrets – but it would be best not to reveal them, as they could take everything I have away from me. And without those secrets, I’d have nothing to dream of.

There are two things you should know about me before deciding whether or not to read this story:

I’ve never been the person everyone thinks I am.

I’ve never been the man she believes me to be.

My review

Reid Johnson is not known for his sparkly character. On the contrary, if you would look up ‘grumpy’ in the dictionary, you would find his picture below the description.
But behind his grumpy character, and desire to be left in peace, there is one woman he loves unconditionally. And for Sloan, the only thing Reid wishes is that she achieves her dreams. Sloan is the only woman he has ever loved and ever will love.
But what Reid doesn’t know is that there is only one man that Sloan ever loved and will love. And that man is Reid Johnson. However, how can someone ever fall in love with Sloan as she isn’t ‘the perfect woman’?
And no matter what they feel for each other, Reid knows that the secrets he is keeping, will only push Sloan away and that is not a risk he is willing to take…

While reading this story, I quickly realized that there was something special about our main characters.

First of all, Reid isn’t the kind of guy that you immediately like. For strangers, his behaviour may be even be considered rude, but as a reader, we get to know also his thoughts and we know that his behaviour is more a way of protecting himself for getting hurt.
I found it sweet to see how Reid has always loved Sloan (don’t worry, this isn’t a spoiler!). Even if he made some mistakes in the past, he always looked out for her. And when he knew he couldn’t be the man by her side, he did the next best thing, being there as a friend.

Of course, he screwed up big time, but even when the truth came out, I always kept in mind he always did everything keeping Sloan’s best interest at mind.
Even if some of his behaviour made me frown, making him look stalker-ish, I always had in the back of my head that Reid didn’t always act like a normal person would.

Reading about Sloan, left me with many questions. I couldn’t understand where her thoughts would come from, because there was no indication that could justify her thinking.
There were some small hints making her thinking that no one would ever look at her a little bit more reasonable.  But it’s only towards the end that the full extend of her past and current situation made sense.

And for me, that waiting for Sloan’s reality was taking too long. Yes we know something happened to her, but what and when and why? Those questions kept lingering through my mind a little bit too long.

And this, together with the secrets Reid’s kept, even if understandable at some length, but still not okay, made me not love this story to the full extend. I liked it, yes, and I felt the pain of the characters. But it didn’t sweep me of my feet completely.

This was a part of a series that could be read as a standalone but the other Johnson family members that already had their story make important appearances. And it was a an extra turn off that in Reid’s story there is the suggestion what happened previously, but a small explanation would have been maybe better than a just ‘you know what happened there’. Because if you haven’t read the previous parts, like me, no you don’t know what happened. And that frustrated me a little bit…

But globally, I enjoyed reading this story, about two people, both thinking they are not worthy of love, finally realize that those feelings are mutual. And I liked seeing how Reid, ever against any change, wasn’t bothered with the changes Sloan brought, because those changes gave him everything he ever wished for.
And I loved the gesture he made in the end, that went against every fibre in his body, just to show Sloan how far his feelings for her truly extend.

Most important after finishing this book was that I liked how even people that can be seen as ‘odd’ or ‘strange’ or ‘antisocial’ and ‘broken’, find the perfect matching, missing piece of their puzzle.

Not the Christmas she wished for, but is that really that bad?

Synopsis

A solo getaway at an English country cottage is a pleasant way to spend the holiday—but it takes two to really make things merry . . .

Antonia prefers a quiet Christmas. She’s happy to spend it on her own, watching Hallmark holiday movies in her pyjamas, eating what she wants, when she wants.

Antonia’s friend Jules, on the other hand, loves a big Christmas celebration and plans on travelling to the Yorkshire Dales for a festive break. But when Jules breaks her leg, she persuades Antonia to make the trip on her behalf. Arriving at the little cottage, Antonia meets the handsome property agent Oliver. But she can’t escape the weird locals—or avoid embarrassing situations like mistaking a cow for a burglar.

As Christmas approaches, the attraction between Oliver and Antonia grows. She could choose to return to the bustling city and spend it alone. Or she could choose love and have a not so quiet Christmas . . .

My review

Antonia is not a people – person. She had one best friend, and now with Christmas lurking around the corner, the only way she wats to spend it, is alone, watching Hallmark movies and just do what she wants to do.
That is in big contrast with how her best friend Jules wants to celebrate the holiday. Jules want a big celebration and has also planned on spending it in Little Leatherington, in the house her aunt left her.
But breaking a leg, means that Jules need to find a solution. And what better solution than making Antonia go to the place and sort it all out as a start before renting the cute little cottage out?
But Little Leatherington is not London, and Antonia quickly finds herself surrounded by weird locals, awkward situations and finds it hard to acclimatize.
However, property agent Oliver with his good looks and kind character, helps Antonia out the best he can. And while the attraction grows, Christmas is getting closer too and due circumstances maybe this Christmas will be the total opposite she had initially planned…

I didn’t truly know what to expect when I started to read this story. But after finishing this story, I realized that even if I had not so very high expectations, I honestly enjoyed reading very bit of it, having a constant smile on my face.

I found Antonia very recognizable. She doesn’t like to make a big thing of Christmas and just want to indulge in whatever she likes. She isn’t very sociable, and has one great friend instead of a bunch ‘shallow’ ones.
Even if she was very recognizable, I found her also a bit of a sad character. Beside Jules, she doesn’t have many people around her. And the picture she has of her funeral after a certain event, broke my heart a little bit. Because that was a depressing thought.

So I was very curious what she would make of Little Leatherington, a village where everyone knows everyone and having a distant approach isn’t really appreciated.
Once she arrived, I had the best of time. Like I said before, Little Leatherington is the total opposite of London, and quickly Antonia realizes that keeping her distance is an impossible mission.

I found it heart – warming seeing how Antonia finds herself changing to a warmer, involved woman. Of course, the situations she finds herself in, were hilarious (an imitating cow as a burglar, needing rescue after a tour of discovering the place…)
But the thing I loved the most about this story, is how Antonia makes a real impact to other people. Not only there is grumpy ted that is finally finding himself laughing, but also Jason finds someone who doesn’t judge him when he tells another useless bit of information.
And little Seb, struggling with his parents’ divorce and staying with his mother Lizzie, oh that little boy just won me totally over. Even when he has a sugar rush, my heart kept melting. And then I’m not saying anything about his meeting with Santa!

This was not a love story in the “woman falls in love with a man” kind, but this was more a story about discovering what truly works for you, so maybe it’s more a story about a story about falling in love with what you could be and falling in love with a whole community. What we know and what we are used to doesn’t mean that it’s the way it should stay. Antonia realizes that a real community that sticks together can make a huge impact on someone’s life.
And that having a Christmas out of your comfort zone could be the right push to see a whole different kind of opportunities.

If you want to read about the real Christmas Spirit and fall in love and have a huge smile on your face, I truly recommend this book! This author was a real discovery for me and I cannot wait to read more!

A winter/Christmas nobody will forget, for one reason or another

Synopsis

It’s almost Christmas in Heritage Cove – the village tree is all lit-up, the bakery is full of festive treats, the tea rooms and waffle shack are welcoming locals inside out of the cold, and for some of the residents of the Cove, snow might not be the only thing they’re wishing for this year…

Tilly is overjoyed when an estranged relative comes to Heritage Cove wanting to make amends. But as she lets him in to her life and Tilly’s Bits ‘n’ Pieces – the shop she owns and loves – her friends aren’t so sure whether everything is quite as it seems.

Benjamin’s parents run Mistletoe Gate Farm, selling Christmas trees, wreaths and mistletoe. Benjamin has always thought his family was as firmly rooted in the ground as the rows of Norway Spruce and Fraser Firs. But when he finds a letter that rocks his world he realises he may not be able to do anything to prevent the changes coming their way.

Benjamin and Tilly have been falling for one another since the summer but will family complications put an abrupt stop to what is looking like a burgeoning romance?

With festive cheer weaving its way through the Cove as two local favourites plan their wedding, there’s more than one relationship that could receive a little Christmas magic…

My review

Tilly is the proud owner of ‘Tilly’s Bits ‘n’ Pieces’, a shop that sells, like the name says, a little bit of everything.
Even if her father isn’t all that happy for the career she choose, she couldn’t be happier!
Although, beside her wish to expand her shop, there would be one thing that would make her even happier… and that would be Benjamin.
Since he has returned in the summer, both Tilly and Benjamin have been falling for each other but except the obvious flirting, nothing more has happened between them.
However this winter, Tilly and Benjamin have both to cope with changes that are happening in their normal lives.
Tilly is faced with an estranged relative and is happy that she can now expand her family. But even if Tilly gives everyone a chance, not everyone is so sure about the latest arrival to be full of good intentions.
And Benjamin finds a letter concerning his parents that could turn his whole world around, and what will that mean for Mistletoe Gate Farm, and their selling of Christmas trees, wreaths and mistletoes?

Returning to Heritage Cove truly feels for me as returning home. the previous books made me fall in love with the place and its habitants, so being back, made me truly happy.

And then I fell totally and utterly in love with Tilly and Benjamin!
Being an only child, made Tilly always long for a bigger family. And when someone appears out of the blue, she is ready to give him the chance to redeem himself and make up for his mistakes in the past.
And that is something I admired in Tilly… no matter what happened in the past, everyone deserves a second chance in her eyes.
She also is very protective… you touch someone of her family, you touch her! And even if it’s Benjamin trying to protect her, even he can get in her bad book!
But that doesn’t make her naïve, she just sees the best in everyone. She isn’t that gullible, and she even dares to stand her ground, how much it’s breaking her heart!

Talking about Benjamin… can I have him too? Please???? He would look great under the Christmas tree as a gift from Santa!
He is a great person, as a son, as a brother, as a friend. He is also a true romantic. And that shows not only the way he helps out with preparing the wedding for his friends, but also because he keeps his discovery a secret, not wanting to ruin Christmas.
I found him a gentle soul, keeping true to himself, even if that caused him a heart – break in the past.
He looks after his loved ones, even if that means he will get burned…

Tilly and Benjamin are perfect new examples of how the community of Heritage Cove works. Everyone looks after each other, helping hands are offered when needed and nothing is too much. And the wedding is a prefect example of how when everyone works together, you may not have the wedding you planned, but an even more magical one!

And what made me like this story even more was the fact that yes, Tilly and Benjamin have feelings for each other, but though the whole story, the focus is on their friendship and showing us as a reader, and making the characters open their eyes to see what a perfect match they could be.

This is not only the story of two persons that have been falling in love, but about a whole community that love each other!

When with a history, is there a future?

Synopsis

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

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.

Honeybee Cottage – The last time Joey Walker watched Josh Reynolds leave Pepper Bay was three years ago. She decided there and then that the next time he visited she would never in a million years, even if her life depended on it, sleep with him ever again. She was done with secretly being in love with him. She couldn’t keep falling into his arms every time he was around. Josh was never going to see her as anything more than a holiday fling, or a sure thing. She had made her decision and had happily stuck to it, but only because he wasn’t around. She soon realises just how hard keeping him at arm’s length actually is when he unexpectedly turns up just before Christmas.

Josh had always loved Joey, but he knew she never took him seriously. She had no reason to. Growing up, he only went to his grandmother’s family home in Pepper Bay for the summer. As an adult, he knew that the world viewed him as a playboy heir to his grandfather’s millions. This year, he was determined to prove just how reliable he could be. He was back, and on a secret mission to get Joey to fall in love with him, because she was all he had ever wanted.

My review

Joey Walker loves her life in Pepper Bay. And she loves Josh Reynolds. Problem is she hasn’t seen him for three years. Josh was Joey’s every first: first kiss, first time.
But as Josh only came to Pepper Bay during the summer holidays when he was a teenager, to spend time with his grandparents, Joey is sure that he sees her only as a holiday fling.
And even as adults, she couldn’t stop falling in his arms every time he was around. But enough is enough, Joey cannot keep waiting for Josh to realize her feelings for him. So even that Josh now is back, she keeps him at a distance, or at least tries to…
Because now Josh is back in Pepper Bay, and has turned his whole world around. Gone is his air of playboy and he wants to prove that he is now a reliable, responsible man. But most important, he wants Joey to fall in love with him, as much as he is in love with her…

Ooh I loved returned to Pepper Bay! This is a little community, but so lovely that I want to go there myself!
And of course it was wonderful to see the characters of the previous book also again (but no worries, this can be perfectly read as a standalone).
And obviously, I was very curious about Josh and Joey, and their tale.

I have to admit, sometimes I found it a bit strange, seeing how comfortable Joey and Josh were when together. No worries about seeing each other in the shower, staying in the same bed. Even if they have some history together, I for sure wouldn’t be feeling so comfortable around the man I love when just being friends, showing all my flaws (even if he knows them already).

But that is also the charm of this book. Despite the hidden feelings, Joey and Josh know each other through and through and beside that one secret of their feelings, they don’t have any other secret.

It’s very hard not to like Joey… she is not only kind and generous, but she is also very unselfish. She wants to keep her distance from Josh, but she is still there for him when he truly needs her. She puts her own feelings aside to help him during his most difficult moments.
But she is also a woman that has had enough… she realizes that she cannot wait for the impossible to happen, and no matter how difficult, she tries to forget the man she loves…

And Josh… I admired the changes he went through. From a playboy, with drinking too much, with some help he managed to change his whole life around. He now wants to make something of his life and show everyone he is not the same guy anymore.
He has matured, and even if he has real feelings for Joey, he doesn’t wat to jeopardize the great friendship they have.

There was a moment that nearly stopped my heart (you know what I mean when you get there) but the aftermath was even a little  bit magical, and made me feel all warm inside…

I am always a sucker for romances, especially the kind friends to lovers. And this story was exactly what I wanted to read! Even if the pace sometimes was a bit fast, especially the ending, that didn’t bother me. Because when you know, you just know!

While reading, I was smiling, actually laughing out loud, feel frustrated sometimes, I just had all the possible emotions! I found this a heart – warming story, about people with a past, afraid to admit their feelings, not realizing they are reciprocal. But even if the characters don’t have the love as a couple (yet?), there is always that love for a friend, that will always prevail over the feelings of staying away from each other.

This was a great next chapter of the series, filling perfectly the first book’s shoes! Be prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions, but mainly be prepared to be surrounded by a sense of warmth, surrounded by love!

When Santa grants you your wish…

Synopsis

Romance Can Happen When You Least Expect It…

She hates Christmas. He’s about to change her mind…

Cassie isn’t a fan of Christmas. After a string of unlucky incidents during the festive season—including getting dumped—this year she decides to spend the day at home. Alone. No men. No complications. 

But then her nightmare boss demands she track down this year’s most coveted Christmas gift—and the only person who can help is an annoyingly sexy Frenchman she’s just met.

Nicolas might look hot, but Cassie can tell he’s also arrogant, irritating and in love with himself. Exactly the kind of guy she hates. Plus, he’ll only help her find the gift if she helps him with something in return… 

Could Cassie’s festive fortunes finally be about to change? Can she learn to love Christmas again? And will Cassie get lucky in more ways than one?

Set against a gorgeous London backdrop with sparkling lights, Christmas markets and mistletoe, My Lucky Night is a fun, sexy enemies-to-lovers romcom novella that will give you all the feels! Ideal for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Mhairi McFarlane.

Read as a standalone novella or as book two in the My Ten-Year Crush series.

My review

Cassie has had enough of Christmas. Each Christmas was a disaster the last years, so this year, she wants to spend it home alone, with a bunch of movies.
When with her godson Paul she visits Santa in his grotto, she is surprised when the good old man asks her what she wishes for Christmas. Of course she doesn’t expect him to give her for real ‘a boyfriend to play with’.
And then her most annoying boss demands her to find the most wanted and most impossible Christmas gift, otherwise…
And apparently the only person that can help her, is the most sexy Frenchman she has ever met. Ever met and also literally just met… Because Cassie and Nicolas has clashed a few times in just one day, and Cassie is sure that Nicolas is arrogant, irritating and no matter how good he looks, his behaviour is a real turn off (a little bit).
He is ready to help her on this impossible quest for the gift, but has something he wants in return…
The more Cassie and Nicolas are together on their missions, the more Cassie realizes that Nicolas is not what she thought. And with Nicolas, maybe she will feel differently about Christmas and maybe Santa did grant her her wish?

Ooooh I ADORED reading this story!!!
it was funny, sweet, heart – warming and at some occasions even steamy!!!

I understood why Cassie wanted to celebrate Christmas alone and on her conditions. If you had one bad Christmas, okay that’s bad luck.
But having year after year ‘incidents’ during the seasons, well, nobody deserves that!
And to make things even worse, her boss is asking to achieve the impossible. Reading about what he wants, when he wants it and for who the gift was, made my blood boil…
Surely my boss shouldn’t be calling me during my holidays, demanding for things he should arrange himself. Being a PA doesn’t mean to be a housekeeper!

But despite her doing what her terrible boss demands, I loved how she stood her ground against ‘injustice’.
It was hilarious to see her argue with Nicolas when he skipped the queue, when he didn’t look where he was going. And then to do the same, more focused on her phone and bumping into, yes you guess it, Nicolas!

However, I also loved the kindness both characters showed. Nicolas is ready to help Cassie to find that gift, and he only asks her to help him to thick all the boxes on his to do list.
And before you start to think weird things, that was exactly the kind of list I would like to complete myself!

This was a hilarious story to read, but also a wonderful story to read. I loved reading how Cassie and Nicolas spend the day together, seeing how the attraction starts to grow, even making me frustrated at each time when there is a kiss in the air, something comes in between.
And reading how Nicolas manages to make Cassie do things she has bad memories of… my heart just melted each time!

Seeing how they both learned from each other (no phones, stepping outside your comfort zone) was marvellous, and let me tell you, an elevator will never be the same again!!

This (rather too short for my liking, because I wanted MORE MORE MORE – even after reading the bonus chapters) was just perfect, just as I expected from this author.
It is exactly what everyone needs to read during the festive holidays. It will restore your faith in Santa and that even the most impossible wish can come true!

A good neighbour is better than a far friend

Synopsis

It has been a long and lonely year for neighbours Vivienne, Mary and Gwen. All ladies of a ‘certain age’, their lockdown experience has left them feeling isolated and alone. They are in desperate need of a change.

Things start to look up however, when Gwen comes up with a plan to get them out of London by borrowing a motor home. In no time at all the ladies are on the road – away from the city, away from their own four walls, and away from their worries.

The British countryside has never looked more beautiful. As they travel from Stonehenge to Dartmoor, from the Devon and Cornish coasts to the Yorkshire moors, gradually the years fall back, and the three friends start to imagine new futures with no limitations.

And as their journey continues and their friendships deepen, and while the seaside views turn into glorious mountains and moors, Mary, Vivienne and Gwen learn to smile again, to laugh again, and maybe even to love again. Now they can believe that the best is still to come…

My review

Vivienne, Mary and Gwen are all living in the same building. They know each other, and visit each other once in a while. But lockdown has made them feel more and more isolated. So when Gwen has a plan that involves borrowing a motor home and to make a road trip, after the initial hesitation, the three women ‘of a certain age’ decide to take off.
During their road trip through the British countryside, from Stonehenge to Dartmoor, Vivienne, Mary and Gwen realize what real friendship means and their trip makes them dream about what the future still holds for them.
And no matter what your age is, they see that it’s never too late to have fun, to have new dreams, new adventures and maybe even to have love again.

What I truly love about this author, is that she has written books about people that are older than me (no offence, but I am the ‘young’ age of 35, and most of her characters are over 35 and more). But their age doesn’t stop them to go out there and have a whole new adventure, not letting their age stop them.
And this book was even better, because it’s secretly my own dream to take off and discover the same places these lovely women visited!

The story takes off just after that horrible lockdown, and life is slowly (VERY slowly) starting back to get normal.
We get to know Vivienne, Mary and Gwen, and even if they are good neighbours, they couldn’t be more different.

I cannot say who of the three women was my favourite, because they all had that little something that makes you fall in love with them.
They also all have a sad tale, broken hearts and lost opportunities. But even if that past is still making them wonder ‘what if’, they won’t let it dictate their lives.

The adventures these lovely women have are a mix of hilarity, blasts from the past, and a few moments that made me gasp.
But no matter what happened to these women, I loved reading how their relationship shifted from being kind neighbours to real friends.
And the kind of friends that do everything with the best of intentions, even if it doesn’t always result in what they expected.
Sometimes they win, but sometimes they also lose…

I found this a wonderful story to read, about the adventure of a lifetime, friendship and new dreams. I admired the ladies’ sense of adventure, and loved seeing them grasp every new opportunity and seeing how this trip is changing their lives, was heart – warming.

This could be a story about three ladies of any age, but the author choose to make them of a certain age, and while not everything goes smoothly (the usual pains and difficulties), it wasn’t holding them back.
I saw their age more an icing on top of the cake, making me believe that age truly is only a number and that that number shouldn’t be holding you back! And I can only hope that I will have that same sense of adventure when I reach their age!

An unforgettable Christmas for our friends at Mermaids Point

Synopsis

Christmas is a time for love, laughter, families and friends, and in Mermaids Point, everyone is getting ready for the festive season.

For Nerissa and Tom, this will be their first Christmas as a couple, but making sure they have time for each other, whilst blending their families, will take some careful planning. What festive traditions will they make their own?

Laurie and Jake are flat out running Laurie’s seafront café, packaging up orders of mince pies, sausage rolls and other delectable Christmas goodies, as well as finding time for Jake’s journalism.  But when Jake’s mum offers them an unexpected gift, their plans are turned upside down.

Alex can’t help but be charmed by beautiful and talented Ivy, but he’s still recovering from his ex-wife’s betrayal and has a secret life he’s not ready to share with anyone yet. But as the Christmas spirit starts weaving its magic, Alex may find himself ready for love sooner than he imagines.

For Andrew, nothing is more important than family. As friends and family gather beneath his roof it’s a time for reflection about what the future might hold.

As far as Nick is concerned, pop sensation Aurora Storm is the ‘one that got away’. After they shared a brief holiday fling, he has been thinking about her ever since. Is Christmas the perfect time to finally reach out to her, or is love at first sight just in fairy-tales?

My review

Our beloved friends are ready for the Christmas season. New couple Nerissa and Tom are celebrating their first Christmas together, trying to find the perfect blend of different traditions and struggling to find some ‘couple – time’.
Laurie and Jake are both drowing in work, between Jake’s new article and Laurie’s mince pies,… and then an offer comes from Jake’s mother making them rethink about all their plans.
Meanwhile is Alex struggling after being betrayed by his now ex – wife, and has his own secret carrying around. But still cannot forget Ivy…
For Andrew, friends and family is the most important thing on earth. So he is more than happy to have all his loved ones under this roof during the holidays. But Christmas is also the perfect time to think about the future.
And Nick finds it impossible to forget Aurora Storm, the popstar who he had a holiday fling with…

You know what made me very angry after finishing this book? It left me with so many unanswered questions! This means that now I am FORCED to read every next part of the series!!! And not just because I want answers to my questions, but I also want to see my beloved friends again and want to fall in love with the characters that absolutely deserve their own book!
So congratulations Sarah Bennett, I am totally hooked!

Even if each person/ couple has a limited spotlight, the author manages perfectly to show each time what makes each one of them so unique and loveable.
And having all of them together for Christmas, was a magical treat! The love each character has for the other one, family, lover, it doesn’t matter, is something that sparks from each page.

Not each character is having an easy time, and while I would have loved to read more about it, I also understand that it wasn’t possible to put it all in this book.
Some stories almost broke my heart, especially as it apparently it would seem impossible that there would be a happy end.
But I have all the faith in this lovely author, that she will manage to make all the wrongs right again!

Of course I wasn’t really angry after finished reading this book, but as I love the characters so much, I just wanted MORE!
If you are, just like me, totally besotted with Mermaids Point and its inhabitants, you will find it impossible to skip this teaser, giving us a wonderful Christmas feeling, but also glimpses of what we may expect in the future for these great characters!

Can love stand the test of time?

Synopsis

Born centuries apart. Bound by a love that defied time.

She couldn’t believe her eyes. The runes were normally so reliable and she had never doubted them before.

Madison Berger is visiting Dublin with her family for a Viking re-enactment festival, when she chances upon a small knife embedded in the banks of the Liffey. Maddie recognises what the runes on the knife’s handle signify: the chance to have her own adventures in the past. 

Maddie only intends to travel back in time briefly, but a skirmish in 9th century Dublin results in her waking up on a ship bound for Iceland, with the man who saved her from attack. 

Geir Eskilsson has left his family in Sweden to boldly carve out a life of his own. He is immediately drawn to Maddie, but when he learns of her connection to his sisters-in-law, he begins to believe that Fate has played a part in bringing them together. Amidst the perils that await on their journey to a new land, the truest battle will be to win Maddie’s heart and convince her that the runes never lie…

My review

Maddie is in Dublin for a Viking re – enactment festival. When one evening, she finds a small knife embedded in the banks of Liffey, she immediately knows it’s not a normal, ancient knife. Maddie knows how to read the runes on the knife, and she knows that the knife can take her back in the past.
After saying the words, she is suddenly in the 9th century and after a struggle, Maddie finds herself on a boat with the direction of Iceland, together with the man that saved her from her attackers.
When Geir Eskilsson discovers that the strange woman on his boat, has a connection with his sisters – in – law, he believes that his attraction towards her is also a trick by Fate, to bring them together.
But can Geir convince Maddie to stay with him and start a new life together in Iceland? Or will Maddie return to the Dublin she knows, to her family and friends?

I have to be honest, I initially struggled with this story. No matter how hard I tried, I found I very difficult to get attached to the characters. Maybe because time travelling is a concept I found very hard to grasp? But I knew what I started, and I was adamant to give it a few more chapters a shot before I would give up.
So I kept reading, and suddenly the chapters flew by and I found myself totally enthralled by the tale of Maddie and Geir.
And okay, Nordic names will never be easy for me, but to make to read easier for me, I changed the names a little into Tiziana – understandable 🤣.

I was very intrigued how Maddie would cope in a world where so many things are not known yet, and a lot of things that are basic to us, are not invented yet.
But also how the 9th century was a whole different lifestyle. And I am not only talking about material things. But the actual way of life, and mind-set is the total opposite of what we know.
Maddie sees many things that in 2021 would be totally not done, and even if she knows she cannot divulge too much on changes in the future, she does her bit to make a few changes for the better.

Despite their huge differences, I truly enjoyed reading about Maddie and Geir. I admired Maddie’s determination to make some important changes, and I loved Geir’s wish to make Maddie happy. Even if he doesn’t understand what is wrong with some aspects of his way of life, he gives Maddie’s suggestions a shot and sees for himself what a change that can bring.

And I found it a bit funny how Geir just accepts that Fate brought him Maddie, while Maddie fights all her might to find a way to get back. And slowly realizes that maybe her future is with Geir after all?

After the initial struggle, I enjoyed reading this maybe impossible story (but who knows for real…). It shows us how little changes can have an important influence on the future. But also that sometimes, to find true love, it’s not about going forward, but about going back. And perhaps, after reading this book, we will all see that somehow all the luxury and comfort we have now, are all expendable and that with love, it doesn’t matter where (actual place but also in time) you are, because love is all that matters, even when you think that you are not good enough…