The road trip of a lifetime!

Synopsis

It’s always a good time for a road trip… 

When 82-year-old Lil decides to book herself, her 65-year-old daughter, Cassie, and her friend Maggie on a bus trip across Europe, she hopes for a little adventure to counteract the monotony of life in sheltered accommodation. 

Along with three members of the Salterley Tennis Club and the Jolly Weaver five-a side football team, whose ideas of a good time are rather different to Lil’s and strikingly at odds with each other’s, the merry band of travelers set out on their great adventure. 

From moving moments on the beaches of Normandy, outrageous adventures in Amsterdam, to the beauty of Bruges and gastronomic delights of France, the holiday is just the tonic Lil, Maggie and Cassie needed.  

And as the time approaches for them to head home, Lil makes an unexpected discovery – even in her advancing years, men are like buses – there isn’t one for ages then two come along at once. Is Lil ready to share her golden years, and can the ladies embrace the fresh starts that the trip has given them. Or is it just too late to change…

My review

Lil is a happy, single 82 – year – old lady, enjoying her life. When opportunity arises, she books a holiday for herself, her 65 – year – old daughter Cassie and her friend Maggie Together with members of the Salterley Tennis Club and the Jolly Weaver Football Team, they will be on a bus trip through Europe.
While exploring Normandy, Amsterdam, Bruges, Ghent and more of France, Lil, Cassie and Maggie are having a great time, even if all the participants have another idea of what having a great time means.
And while all travelling together, different characters are a recipe for some clashing, sneaky behaviour but also new friendships. And even Lil will discover that you’re never too old for growing feelings!

Judy Leigh’s books are always a winning recipe if you’re looking for a feel – good read with great, strong characters, all easy to love!

Lil is 82 years old, but damn, if I will be as vibrant as her when I reach that age, that surely would be great!
She only once fell in love, with an American soldier. But before things could get any further, he went back home, leaving Lil alone and even if unaware at the moment, pregnant with Cassie.
However, even if her life didn’t go really as expected, she enjoyed wherever life would take and she is still having her joie de vivre!
She is also kind, not only generous towards her family and friends, but those little things she did for e.g Jenny, were really heart – warming.

We also got to know Cassie better, and I have to say, in some ways she looks so much like her mother. She is also kind of a wandering spirit, not looking for love and just being content with her current life.

I loved reading how mother and daughter go on this trip together, getting even closer than before.

And also the other participants of the trip all have their own moment in the book, making sure that there are many things going on and as a reader you’ll never know for 100% for sure what the next thing will be that will make you laugh!

I have been on a few bus trips myself, so I could relate to the characters easily when being tired of just sitting in a bus, seeing in passing beautiful sceneries etc.
Also making new friendships during holidays was something I recognized. And seeing how friendships (and some more) will still be standing after the trip, had me nodding in agreement.

I just frowned my brows reading one leg of the trip, because for me, it didn’t make sense at all… After Bruges they go further on their trip, for only later on returning to Ghent. Being a Belgian, and knowing these places, I didn’t understand why they won’t be doing it in one straight line. But that’s just me, being a total nitpicker as usual!

Overall I found this a beautiful story, about people of all age ranges and characters being on an adventure together. Mainly I found it submerged in sweet moments, showing us that age is really just a number. And that past loves can somehow still have a hold us, and that future loves are not only for young ones!
This was a funny, feel – good story, that made me laugh, sometimes even left me a bit flabbergasted, and even the ‘heavier’ moments were just wonderful to read!

When is it worth of uncovering your true identity?

Synopsis

Risking her life

To save a knight!

Disguising herself as her late twin brother keeps Avva Carpenter, and her family, safe. Until Sir William Devereux arrives in her town. As the castle’s stable master, Avva can’t avoid the knight—or the desire he instantly stirs in her. He’s everything she never knew a nobleman could be: honest, kind, brave. When danger surrounds them, the only way to help William is to reveal her true identity, but can she trust him enough?

My review

Avva Carpenter is working as the castle’s stable master in her town. However, she is not being there as herself, but she is disguised as her twin brother Aven. The disguise is not only for her own protection, but also for keeping her family safe.
When Sir William Devereux arrives at the castle, everything changes. Avva feels attracted to him, because he is everything the men in her town are not.
But William is a knight, and not just any knight, he is one the King’s Knights and he has a mission. And when suddenly danger is lurking around every corner, Avva is ready to help the Knight, but that would mean revealing her true identity and put her trust in William… Easier said than done… 

Ella Matthews always manages to write a story different than her previous ones. Just when you think that there is no way this author can surprise you with her books, she does it again! 

The things Avva had to endure during her life, were truly heart – breaking. And on top of it all, she lost her twin brother Aven and now she has to pretend to be him, just for the safety of the rest of her family.
Living in terror, just like she is doing, is hard to imagine, yet I admired her strength and courage of just keep doing what she is doing.
When William appears in the picture, there is an instant attraction, but that doesn’t mean that Avva is ready to throw everything she has done until now through the windows.
She knows what is at stake, and the only reason she is helping William is for William, nothing more, nothing less. 

Even if I immediately liked William, his future plans weren’t… Because of his strong belief of helping out his family, he will do whatever he can to help his parents and his sisters.
But the plans were so wrong, because we all know who would be perfect by his side… 

Even if initially William isn’t aware of Avva being what she really is, I found it beautiful to read how he feels this attraction towards ‘Aven’.

The author managed to write something still so up to date in current times, showing that love comes in all forms and shapes. It doesn’t matter who you love, as long as the feelings are reciprocal and genuine. 

I admired the courage and determination of both characters. They are ready to literally fight, even when it would seem that the odds are against them.
And even if Avva is not as strong as William, I loved reading how she was of invaluable help to William. 

This story was very entertaining to read, made me gasp in fear a few times but also made me smile over the tender moments between Avva and William.
It shows us that trust is something that has be earned and that when it has been giving, is very rewarding.
And love, no matter what stands in the way, will always find a way to make sure that the right people will find each other.

A gin brewer and a pub owner, a perfect match!

Synopsis

Violet makes her own gin. 

Logan Cassidy sells it in his pub, The Ticklemore Tavern.

It should have been a match made in heaven, especially since the pair of them fancy the socks off each other, and they are both young, free and single.

Except…

Logan’s mum, Marie, doesn’t think Violet is good enough for her son. No woman is, or ever will be. And when she becomes ill, Logan is torn between looking after his mum or following his heart.

However, neither Logan, nor Marie, has taken the sheer force of nature that is Violet into account. What Violet wants, Violet gets.

Usually…

But maybe not this time, eh?

My review

Violet is on a mission: she wants to sell her own made gin as much as possible. But don’t get fooled, because Violet is able to make flavours of gin you never imagined!
So when she enters the Ticklemore Tavern, she is ready to take as many orders as she can. Little did she expect that meeting Logan Cassidy would turn out to be a match made in heaven!
Even if both their feelings are quickly evolving to something much more, they both are ready to go in all the way.
But that is without taking Logan’s mother Marie in account… because no woman will ever be good enough for her little boy, and Marie surely wouldn’t want Logan to waste his time on Violet!
And when Marie’s health suddenly takes a turn for the worst, Logan wants to take of her, but not if that would mean losing Violet.
But Violet is not a girl that easily gives up and she is ready to fight for the love of her life. But how can she can come between a mother and a son? 

Okay, retuning to Ticklemore made me a happy woman. This place just stole my heart and how much I wished I could be living there with all these peculiar yet lovely characters!

Maybe the feelings Violet and Logan are developing are a bit too fast, but on the other hand, these two are just so perfect for each other! So when you know, why waste more time! 

Violet is a force of nature, she is creative and when once she has set her mind on something, she won’t easily give up. That’s one of the secrets why her gin business is becoming quickly so successful. But she is also a kind person, not wanting to hurt her friends. That is made pretty clear when Sam is making an appearance.
Violet is so easy to like, her personality just sparks from each page! And I surely can understand why someone like Logan could fall for her so easily! 

Logan… just the name only made me picture the perfect man before I even had read anything about his persona.
And seeing how my image of him was confirmed while getting to know him better, made me a very very happy woman!
Logan lives for his business, he doesn’t like to give over the reins of the Tavern, but once he falls in love with Violet, he knows his priorities. The Tavern is important to him, but not as important as Violet.
And the lengths he goes for his mother Marie, just heart – warming. 

I have to admit, from this start I have a hunch about Marie, and that made me dislike her. I can understand that when it has been for a long time only Marie and Logan, and now there is someone lurking around the corner, it cannot be easy for Marie. But I found it despicable the things Marie did…
And of course it’s not a surprise when the secret is out and it all goes ballistic. 

However, Violet shows also in the most difficult situations how caring she truly is, because what she does shows that Marie was wrong…

I was happy to see my old acquaintances again in this book, and seeing how they were still being that force of nature they were in their own story! Having them also here, made this story even more amazing than it already was. 

I loved this fourth instalment in the series, and maybe because it’s closer to my own age, it can be also my favourite one. Of course, the other parts already have the highest rating from me, so this one has that extra star beside the highest rating!
I can easily say that I was swept away, find it just impossible to put the book away. It warmed me during a atypical Belgian summer.
The author managed to write a wonderful story about falling head over heels in love with the right person, about hurdles they have to overcome but that it’s in the end all basic: love will always win!

Can a locked heart be opened again, even if there are many reasons not to?

Synopsis

Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Rian Kerry, and I’m in huge trouble.

This is how it happened: I had a crush. You know those teenage crushes, which I’m sure you’ve all experienced, too. It was that kind of crush that makes your knees tremble, that makes you blush violently and stammer when you’re with that person. One of those crushes that you assume you’ll just grow out of, the way the seasons change.

The problem is that my crush didn’t go anywhere. Actually, itonly got worse, transforming into something absurd and unbearable, which no one could seem to understand.

Especially not him.

Because he’s off-limits. He’s barricaded himself within his walls, from a sense of fear and guilt. He’s locked up his heart forever, and seems to have no intention of letting anyone in ever again.

My friends, Jordan, Anya, and Holly, say that he just needs a little push. They say that he needs to learn to believe again.

But I don’t think he’ll ever be ready, because he simply doesn’t want to be.

He doesn’t want to believe.

Not in something like us.

Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Parker Hayes, and I’m an idiot.

Yep, you heard me right. I’m a real idiot. And, I swear, that’s putting it lightly.

But I’m a lot of other things, too. I’m a fireman, and a single father to two cheeky, hyperactive six-year-old twins. I’m a brother to Tyler, another fireman – and another idiot – who always seems to stick his nose into my business. I’m a kind-of friend to Niall, yet another idiot with nothing to do but barge into my life, uninvited.

Let’s get back to the point, here: the reason I’m an idiot.

Well, it’s pretty simple. I’ve lost my mind. Literally. It happened again. I fell for it. With my head, with my body, and with the heart I was sure I’d never be able to piece back together after another inevitable disaster.

The problem is that she’s not like the others.

She bakes cakes with my daughters, laughs with them, and shows them her magic bag. They’re crazy about her.

And so am I.

And now she knows it, and I know it, and everyone around us knows it. But I can’t take that step. I can’t let everything go to start over.

I can’t live through this again – because this time, I won’t be left standing.

Not if she’s the one to break my heart.

My review

Rian Kerry has crushed over Parker Hayes for a long while now. It started when she was a teenager, but her feelings for Parker only intensified.
However, Parker comes with a big amount of not only emotional baggage….
Not only is he a single father of six year – old twins, he has built walls so high to safeguard from any more hurt.
And then there is also the age – thing…
But the heart wants what it wants, and Rian finds herself not only falling deeper for Parker, but also starts to love the two girls.
And Parker doesn’t only see the young woman for her beauty, but sees how much his girls love her and spend time baking cakes, playing and especially, laughing.
But no matter what he feels, he cannot let Rian in, because when it will all go downwards, he knows he won’t be able to pick up the pieces again… 

From the start, it was obvious that there is a certain age gap between the main characters. But it’s only after a while that the exact ‘gap’ is made known.
And before I realised how big the gap is, I enjoyed reading this story. 

Rian is a young woman, but very mature for her age (even if it’s not immediately clear what that age is).
She has a straight head and has a clear idea of what or who she wants.
But she is also a kind of sad character, because she doesn’t has the best relationship with her brother and the sense of abandonment never left her.
No matter how hard Niall tries, Rian finds it difficult to let him completely in.
However, she is also a warm character, because the way she entertains the twins, and starts to truly care about them, is really heart – warming. 

Parker was a harder nut to crack. Not everything from his past was clear, but reading how he is a single father, and the mother not in the picture, well, it gave me an idea why parker behaved the way he does.
His fear of letting someone in, made me feel sorry for him, because he is the kind of character you would wish all the best.

I had fun reading about these two characters trying to ignore their attraction, and having the meddling of people who care, was very entertaining.

Having returning characters from the previous parts, was that extra, seeing how they are doing now. And knowing that their characters remained true to their persona, was a relief. Because even if they have already their happily ever after, they still remain that funny, even idiotic person we got to know before (yes Tyler and Niall, I’m talking about you!)

However I have to admit, the age gap did disturb me a bit. Because Rian and Parker are in so different stages of their lives, and I believed there would be a lot to overcome…
But like I said before, Rian shows how mature she is for her age, and Parker shows a vulnerability that makes a perfect match.

This story shows us that age is in the end just a number, and that daring to open your heart again isn’t a recipe to get it broken again. Sometimes we have to dare to take that jump, no matter what people around you may think. Because the people that truly love you, understand you and will even cheer for you when you reach your happiness again.

When the shooting of a movie is the perfect set for a romance for the scriptwriters.

Synopsis

Can movie magic lead to a real-life romance?

When Laurel Martin is hired to rewrite the script for a new timeslip blockbuster, she expects the historical advisor hired by the studio to be an elderly academic who won’t interfere too much with her writing. But when she meets Professor Jason Harding, a young and unexpectedly handsome archaeologist who has some ideas of his own about the script, she realises the job isn’t going to be as simple as she first thought.

As their work takes them from arguing over historical details in a cramped London office to discovering the hidden beauties of a Greek island, Laurel and Jason’s relationship starts to echo the romance of their script.

But with Laurel’s actor ex-boyfriend making trouble at home, and constant issues with the volatile director, will Laurel and Jason ever be able to write the happy ending for their own story?

My review

Laurel Martin dreams of being a successful screenwriter. So when she is hired to rewrite the script for the hopeful next blockbuster, she grabs the opportunity with both hands.
As the film will be a historical romance, she ahs to work together with Professor Jason Harding, to make sure that everything in the film is accurate.
However, Jason is not the stereotypical Professor, as in being elder and even nerdy, but he is young, very handsome but also very stubborn as he has his own ideas about the script.
Even if Laurel and Jason are clashing with different opinions, they have to work together to make this script a success, even going with the whole cast and crew to the Greek island where the shooting is taking place.
Will this beautiful island work its magic also on Laurel and Jason? Or will Laurel return to her actor boyfriend? 

Oh wow, just wow… how much did I enjoy reading this story???
I obviously love reading a good romance, so I was mentally prepared to let myself surround by love. But I surely didn’t expect to find myself turning page after page after page!
You know that feeling when you’re having a dilemma and you don’t know what to do? Well, I found myself in that position after reading too many chapters at once!
Continue reading, and fall more in love with the book, but also finishing it way too quickly? Or stop reading for a while, so that I can enjoy reading it for a longer period? But then also only thinking about the story while doing other things…
Eventually I choose for the first option… 

Laurel is this kind character, with an imagination to be jealous of. She even imagines her life in script – form, which was funny to read.
But she is also a great friend to Amber, who has secretly a crush on her best friend who is getting married. Laurel tries to stand by Amber’s side, but also gives the right kind of advice. Because she knows it can all end badly.
And when Amber has a small part in the film Laurel is screenwriting, Laurel is genuinely thrilled for her. 

Of course reading how Laurel and Jason are initially clashing is just hilarious to read, but I found it heart – warming seeing how these two slowly are getting closer.
Jason is the kind of man that can be very stubborn at moments, but other moments he is the kindest, most gentle man I wish I could meet myself!

There is just one thing I truly disliked in the book, and that was the character of Conor… From the start I couldn’t find anything appealing and I wished he would rather quickly be out of the picture. 

But I fell completely in love with the story, the characters, and not only Laurel and Jason, but also Amber and Harry, the setting in Greece…
It made me wish I was the main character and that I was living Laurel’s life, of course skipping the sadder parts! 

An easy story to read, even too easy, because before I knew, I reached the end, which made me sad. I could have read so many more chapters about these beautiful, lovely characters and never get bored of them!

Even during hard times, determination can get you where you want…

Synopsis

Dolly Perkins and Jack Larkin have grown up in the notorious gin palaces of Birmingham.

It’s a world of happiness and friendship, but also violence and poverty. Now that Dolly runs the Daydream Gin Palace on Gin Barrel Lane she can finally control her own destiny, but sometimes fate still plays its hand. 

Keen to expand her empire, Dolly and Jack take on a new pub, but they are in for a shock when a foul smell in one of the bedrooms turns out to come from a body hidden in the wall. 

As the police hunt for their suspect, rumours abound, spread by the local urchins – happy to be used as runners for a little bit of food and a coin or two. 

But rumours can be dangerous, and as one of the worst winters on record covers everything in snow, Dolly and Jack have to fight for the lives they have made for themselves, and for the urchins that they have come to think of as family.  Will the arrival of a new baby on Gin Barrel Lane bring the promise of new hope, or will the long-awaited thaw uncover new secrets and new tragedies…

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back on Gin Barrel Lane with a rip-roaring, heart-warming, page-turning story of family, friendship and beating the odds. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

My review

Dolly Perkins was a lucky child when Jack Larkin, a child himself, found her, and made sure that his mother Nellie Larking, took Dolly in.
Now Dolly has opened her own Daydream Gin palace and is keen on expanding her empire, with Jack and Nellie by her side.
No matter how big her dreams are, in the new pub a body has been hidden and now discovered, and rumours of what happened spread around town, with the help of the runners, ready to gain a coin here and there.
But the body isn’t the only danger lurking around the corner as jealousy is fuelling their nemeses and he surely is eager to take Dolly and her loved ones down.
However, Dolly shows her strength and learns during the cold winter what love is and what she is risking to lose because of not daring to face her own emotions.
Dolly is ready to fight to make a success out of her business, but is also keen to take care of all the people she cares about. 

I know that whenever I read something from this author, it won’t be a walk in the park.

Again this is a book that pinpoints perfectly the hardness of life, the challenges someone has to endure and the fight they have to keep on having to gain their happiness.
This is the second part of the series, but can be perfectly be read as a standalone, because the missing pieces of the puzzle will be filled in when necessary.

We find Dolly now as a young woman, ready to make a success of her businesses. With the help of Jack and Nellie, she is always determined to find the next place she can turn into gold.
I admired how she managed to turn her cards into her own advantage, but what I loved the most about Dolly is how she never forgets those in need.
Even is sometimes she is too hastened in her decisions for my liking, eventually it is clear that her decision are for the benefits of those who need a helping hand.
She never forgets where she came from and is generous in spreading her wealth.

By never forgetting where she came from, she has her best friend in Jack. Growing up together has formed an unbreakable bond, until Dolly starts to flirt a little bit too much for Jack’s liking.
And this caused a breach between the two of them, having me crossing my fingers that eventually the air would be cleared and that the obvious match would be made. 

Of course, a story has to have a bad guy, and in a terrible way, I found it funny how Ezra Moreton was fuelled and fooled by his own urge for success, making his selfishness and hunger for more money his own downfall. And I surely wasn’t feeling sorry with the way his life turned out to be. 

This story shows us as a reader that no matter what happened in the past, with a certain amount of determination and with the right people by your side, you can change the course of your own life. Sometimes you have to charge of your own life and not just sit back and see wait fate has in store for you.
And this story is the perfect example of how someone in the different era did just that.
This surely was again a gripping, enthralling, heart – warming story with lovely characters and lots of proof of courage and love.