Secrets of a more distant past and a more recent past…

Synopsis

When Izzie Dean’s beloved nan, Molly Blackshaw, passes away, Izzie returns to the Blackpool bungalow where she grew up, to say goodbye once and for all. When Izzie’s homecoming reunites her with her first love, Justin Swift, every emotion that Izzie has repressed since the day he broke her heart comes rushing to the surface. But then an unexpected discovery changes everything.

Between the pages of the battered secret diary Molly kept during WWII, Izzie discovers a story of love, heartbreak, and the incomparable hardship of life in a world at war. Reading her grandmother’s words soon puts her own story into perspective, and suddenly Izzie realises that the only thing holding her back from happiness, might be herself. Now she just has to convince Justin that they deserve a second chance at forever…

My review

After losing her husband Rufus, now Izzie Dean has to say also goodbye to her beloved Nan, Molly Blackshaw. Having no intention of staying in the Blackpool bungalow, she starts cleaning up everything her Nan left her.
But when Izzie finds a hidden diary written by Molly during World War II, she surely doesn’t expect to find a story of love, heartbreak and secrets.
Reading what her Nan had to endure, makes Izzie put her own life in perspective and makes her think what would make her happy. And how does Justin Swift fit in her future, the man that broke her heart years ago?

If you would ask me which story touched me the most, it would be an impossible choice to make!
Because both Molly and Izzie have been through things, although different, yet those events changing the both of them, one way or another.

When we start reading Molly diary, she is a young woman, living with her stepmother, running a boarding house.
She is a bit afraid to talk back to her stepmother, and just does whatever her stepmother asks from her. Immediately the image of Cinderella came in my mind, because of so many things being alike.
But Molly’s life quickly changes when twin brother Joe and Jack Blackshaw enter the story.
She falls in love for the first time…

I have to admit, I had a feeling what would be  happening next to Molly, the betrayal, the hurt, it was written in the stars. But my heart was almost literally melted when a twist came around, attempting to fix all the wrongdoings…
However, as Molly was writing during World War II, it’s obvious that she had to endure even more than expected! And yes, that’s the way the War changes people’s life, but I just wanted Molly to have the happiness she deserved and at moments I was getting angry at the author for not giving it to Molly!

Izzie’s story is also one with betrayal in it. because Justin broke her heart once already, and now that their lives took a different direction, of course nothing more will happen with these characters. However I loved reading about how slowly those feelings of the past were still finding a way into the present, even if not the whole air has been cleared.
Reading how Izzie and Justin went from being best friends to lovers with great plans, was just too sweet to explain!
However the betrayal was not something I would expect from Justin, so I had a hunch that there was more to it!
But the truth was even devastating for me as a reading, imagine for our lovely characters!

There were many eye – openers for everyone, characters and readers, that shows us not only how “ugly” love can be when a heart is broken, but also the beauty when love comes when you least expect it and accept it.

Both stories were bittersweet, with many happy moments but also filled with heart – breaking moments.
But both women show that even if love doesn’t come as expected, it can be even better than expected.
I found this a wonderful book to read, full of inspiration, strength, love and hope. It was nearly impossible to put it away!

Is there a better place to start over than France?

Synopsis

Stranded at the altar, knee-deep in her fiancé’s gambling debts, Vicki Marchant seizes her freedom and moves to France, to paint.
It’s her time. No man will get in the way of her ambition again.
She learns two things: some men are hard to resist, and her judgement of them is still on the dodgy side.

My review

Instead of being a married woman, Vicki Marchant not only has been jilted at the altar, but her fiancé left her with his gambling bets too…
Tired of men, and wanting a fresh start and follow her passion of painting again, she moves to France. Staying at the home of a friend of her best friend, she hopes will be able to project whatever she sees as worthy to paint on canvas.
However, she also finds it hard to keep some men at distance, despite her determination. But can she trust her judgement? And who is having his cake and eating it too?

I always find it very courageous when a character in a book decides to just pack and move to another place.
So obviously I admired Vicki, because not only she moves to France, but also goes staying with a total strange.
Even if this would seem like the perfect start of a thriller, this is a beautiful, even inspirational romantic comedy!

Despite a terrible start, Vicki makes the best of the situation she finds herself in. It takes a lot of guts for not only thinking of moving to France, but also actually doing it!
I loved reading how Vicki is not only trying to find inspiration for her paintings again, but also living the actual struggles of moving to a foreign country, not completely mastering the language.

There is just something that made me immediately like Vicki. She is an artist, but she has her head on the shoulders and has the same issues with self-confidence every one of us has. And when someone believes in you and your capacities, it’s easier to see it yourself too.

Of course this wouldn’t be a romantic comedy if there wasn’t some romance in it. I have to admit, Christophe was the kind of character I held quickly a torch for. Even if sometimes he acted in a somehow negative way, I kept hoping that my gut feeling would be right in the end. And even at the worst imagine of him, I kept hoping.
So I was very happy that Vicki saw the same thing I was seeing!

But there is also Daniel, being in Vicki’s corner and persuading her to keep painting. He seems to understand whenever she needs that extra push of not giving up, and even uses his connections to help her out.

However, not everything is as it seems, and Vicki learn that also the hard way. We see Vicki doing her utterly best, but we see her also fall. But it’s not about falling, what everyone does in their lives, this story is also about finding the strength to get back up and learn from the fall.

I had laughs, yes, but I was mostly inspired by this book. Because picking up the pieces after a disaster is not easy, but doable. And realizing you made a mistake and admit it too, makes you a humble yet great person.

The only remark I have, is that I would have loved just a few more chapters. The book ends beautifully, but I just wanted to see *more*, because it’s obvious that when we reach the end, it’s only the start of something that is destined to be wonderful!

A much needed holiday with more than bargained for.

Synopsis

D.I. Fierce always gets his man, but can he get his woman?

Actor Leonard Lupine is sick of his life, both on and off-screen, so when his agent suggests a luxury villa holiday in Croatia he leaps at the opportunity to escape. What he doesn’t realise is that his greatest mystery of all is waiting to be solved on the tiny island of Brač.

Does he have what it takes to follow the clues to love? ♥

My review

Leonard Lupine is an actor best known for his part as D.I. Fierce. Unfortunately as a protection mechanism, he uses his character in real life situations, giving him a bad reputation.
But being ‘in character’ all the time is exhausting, so when his agent suggest to go on a holiday with his two sons in a luxury villa in Croatia, Leonard cannot wait to escape.
When Isabella enters the picture as his Local Concierge, Leonard’s holiday takes a turn he surely did not expect!

Oooh what a romantic story this was!

Of course I don’t have an idea what it means to be a (in)famous actor but I can imagine how Leonard is feeling. He truly wants to go another direction, but his agent isn’t really offering a helping hand in this matter.
So when she suggests to take a holiday, I completely understood why Leonard grabbed this opportunity with both hands.

And very quickly into the story, it’s obvious that the world has a total wrong image of Leonard. Somehow he is victim of his own success and kindness. Because he is not the distant, even rude person everyone thinks he is. it’s all on the contrary, he uses the character of D.I. Fierce as a protection, so he won’t get hurt or people getting too close.
He is also a wonderful father for his boys. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them, and he surely wants to see more of them!

Him playing a character, obviously is clashing with Isabella, who is responsible in helping Leonard in whatever he needs.
But as she is a single mum herself, she surely isn’t all too happy to help out a grumpy actor who thinks the world revolves around him and his whims…

The clashing between these two characters was just hilarious to read about, because both Leonard and Isabella are strong characters, not letting someone else dictate them.
Yet it was also sweet to see how the children were able to put the adults in a situation they concocted!

I found this a sweet story to read, even if there were some heart – breaking moments in it, with many misunderstandings. But beside Leonard and Isabella, there were so many lovely people, ready to help out these two tormented characters. From a best friend, to a taxi – driver, to a paparazzo, help can be found in the weirdest places!

If you’re looking for an escape from your own world, and ready to be captivated in a beautiful setting like Croatia, just grab this book because it will make you want to wish for your own romantic whirlwind!

When love gets in the way of leaving home…

Synopsis

Haileybrook, a beautiful village in the peaceful Cotswolds countryside, is most people’s idea of heaven on earth.  

Born and raised in this small slice of paradise, Elle Bea can’twait to leave. 

It should be easy, but every time she packs her bags for exotic adventures, old loves and loyalties pull her back. 

Will Elle be forced to forget her dreams of far-flung places and epic romance, or can she grab one last chance to have it all?

An uplifting, romantic story about friends, family and the relationships that make a place a home.

My review

Since she was a teenager, Elle Bea cannot wait to leave Haileybrook. It’s a lovely place to live, but Elle dreams of exploring the world.
However, over the years, each time a plan is being made, love and loyalties get in the way making her stay at home.
Will she ever be able to chase her own dreams, before it’s too late? And will she ever find that one everlasting, epic romance? Or will she end up never leaving Haileybrook and having sacrificed, as a figure of speech, her own life for other?

From the very start, it’s obvious that Elle is the kind of person that is just too good…
She is ready to put her own plans and dreams on the side if someone needs her help. And even if I somehow could relate to her, I knew that there would be many moments that someone would take advantage of her.

This story is not taking part in a short time, but several years pass. And we see Elle struggle to find her own feet, and also finding love.
We see her in different moments in her life, also with her heart in a different place each time.
Even if at moments I wished for her to dare to just make a choice for herself, instead of staying home for the sake of someone else, it was lovely to see Elle growing up to a woman that in the end did something for HER instead of for someone else.

However, this is not only a book about Elle finding someone, but it’s also about friendships that last a lifetime. And she is lucky that she is surrounded by friends and family that would stand by her side no matter what.
And even when Elle makes choices not everyone agrees with, she knows she can still count on her loved ones.

Even if there were characters I quickly disliked (I cannot imagine having such a mother myself!) and there were characters obviously taking advantage of Elle’s kindness, this was a lovely story to read.

It’s a tale about growing up, falling in and out of love, seeing people for who they really are, and realizing when a cause if worth the fight, and when not.
But also about for once, putting your dreams first and doing what will make you happy.

When a hacking turns your life upside down, and not always for the worse…

Synopsis

Global box office sensation, Ruby Locke, is a long way from her Yorkshire roots. Together with her fiancé, movie heartthrob Tyler Harrison, they are Hollywood’s new glitterati.

Overnight, however, Ruby’s life implodes when her social media accounts are hacked with a multitude of vile posts, turning her into an international pariah. Even Tyler breaks off their engagement.

Confused and heartbroken, Ruby escapes to the beautiful island of Sicily to avoid the media scrutiny and clear her name. With only a Yorkshire Terrier to comfort her, Ruby is befriended by a handsome neighbour and slowly begins to heal.

But who is this mysterious man and what are his intentions?

When her Sicilian hideaway is compromised, Ruby is once again forced to relocate, this time to the stunning Isle of Skye.

In the tranquil cove of Glentorrin, Ruby is left questioning not only who wants to destroy her career, and why but also if celebrity lifestyle is really for her…

My review

Ruby Locke is a famous actress, even if she rolled into Hollywood by sheer coincidence. Together with her fiancé and movie star Tyler Harrison, they are the most glamourous couple of the moment.
But when someone seems to have hacked her social media accounts, she is turned into a pariah, as it appears that nobody believes that she absolutely didn’t write those vile posts.
So now not only is she now persecuted by the media, also Tyler breaks of their engagement, as it puts him in a bad light…
Ruby sees no other option to escape, and with the help from an unexpected corner, she finds herself in Sicily.
But what when it appears that even there she is not safe and not everyone is what she thought? And another escape, this time to the Isle of Skye is necessary.
Is there a better place on earth to think about her future and to figure out who is after her?

With a title like this, as an Italian, I was surely eager to start reading this book. And even if I liked the time spent with the characters in Sicily, it is the Isle of Skye that stole my heart…

But aside of the beautiful location, this is just a marvellous story to read!
Of course, the premise is not a good one…
Ruby knows that being an actress means that she is subject to gossip and untruths. And even when she is being hacked and nobody appears to believe her, she believes that people know the real her, and that she is not that vile person. So when the opposite appears to be happening, and people also nearby her are leaving her on her own, the escape to Sicily is also the opportunity to rethink just everything.

Yes, while reading, I felt truly sorry for Ruby, because it’s just obvious from everything she does and says that she is this kind and honest person. All that she is going through, is just not something she deserves.
However, as often is the case, in time of need you see who your real friends are. And Ruby finds herself surrounded by unexpected friends.
It’s obvious that Ruby is a determined and strong character. Because even if the main rule for her was ‘stay low’, she takes matter in own hands, determined to not let people with bad intentions win.

Don’t worry as a reader, because this is not a depressing story. I found myself often smiling and actually laughing at loud. It was just lovely to see how Ruby starts to pick up the pieces of her life again and is figuring out how she wants her future to look like. And even if in Sicily something happens that would crush her faith in people again, the Isle of Skye and its habitants rights again every wrongdoing!

Of course there is some romance taking place, as some heart – breaking bits, but the Isle of Skye is working its magic again, as Ruby finds a place where she can find her peace. And it was just wonderful to see how everyone around her protects her however they can. And seeing some old friends again that we knew from a previous book, was just the cherry on top of the cake.

Again this was a story I just devoured! Beside the villains in this story, I loved every bit of it. It shows us not only how strong and resilient someone can be, but also that happiness can be found when you least expect it. And that sometimes you need one bad event to rediscover yourself and find that thing that is your real passion. Oh okay, and why not, you can also find love even when you think all is lost!

When even home isn’t a safe place…

Synopsis

He knows where you are…

Sisters Molly and Beth Winters thought the remote clifftop house would be the perfect place to hide away after their mother’s brutal murder. They were wrong….

He wants revenge…

Because someone from the girls’ past has already found their safe house and he is watching and waiting in the shadows ready to make them pay.

He won’t stop until you’re dead…

Their new home should have been the place the sisters were safe.

But no place is safe forever.

A gripping new thriller from Lynda Stacey guaranteed to keep you up all night!

Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, S E Lynes, Jackie Kablerand Kendra Elliot.

My review

Molly and Beth are two sisters just moved to the remote clifftop house they inherited after her mother has been brutally murdered.
Their move was not one by choice, but it’s the perfect place to hide away.
But rather quickly Molly realizes that danger is still lurking around the around, more literally than imagined. Because who is after the sisters, will not rest until he has had his vengeance…

For the very start, it was obvious this story would be full of twists and turns, with revelations and deceit on a high level…

Obviously, after learning what happened to Molly and Beth, I felt pity and sadness. Moving to a remote house is surely not an easy choice to make, but Molly sees it as their only option.
But of course, as Beth is still a teenager, Molly now not only has to make the best of the made choice, but she also had to find the power to make Beth see her reasoning.
I kind of understood Beth her feelings, as she absolutely did not want to leave their previous home, but some moments she was being that typical frustrating teenager, even pushing my buttons.

I have no idea how it feels to be living in constant fear, and when someone is messing with your mind, it must be just so utterly terrifying.
Even new acquaintances are being regarded very sceptical, because are they honest, or are they hired by the one who is after you?

The whole reading session, and yes, it was almost one long never ending session, I was sitting on the edge of my seat, turning page after page, being afraid myself, being flabbergasted when another twist took place.
Some things were very obvious from the start, most other ones were so unexpected I had to take a moment to allow my brains to process it all!

Stories like this always make me hope that the author has a very vivid imagination, because thinking that people can be truly that evil, make me shiver.
And even thinking about the uncovered secrets, made me wonder how good we actually know the people near us, even those we love the most.

However, before you think it’s only a story full of evil and fear, there are also a few sweet moments in it, restoring somehow the faith in mankind!
Because yes, it’s an ugly world out there, but there are also people worthy of your trust.

I found this a real page – turner, finding it just impossible to put the book away and carry on with just my life.
The urgency of finding out the truth was just so overwhelming that everything else just had to wait!

Will the search for precious metals result in finding something more important and lasting?

Synopsis

Her work has got in the way of relationships before – but never like this

Anna’s job as a geologist takes her all over the world, including to the beautiful island of Elba, where she’s sent to look for precious metals. And the island isn’t the only thing that’s gorgeous – she can’t believe her luck when she meets windsurfer Marco and sparks fly.

But Anna must keep her role on Elba a secret to avoid upsetting the locals, which means lying to Marco even as they grow closer. When her old friend Toby visits, Anna suddenly finds herself torn between the attentions of the two men. However, Anna’s not the only one keeping secrets.

Is Marco being entirely honest with her? And why did Toby really come to visit?

A fun and escapist romance, perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman and Alex Brown.

My review

Anna has travelled all over the world for her job as a geologist. The company she works for, is now sending her to the island of Elba, trying to find also there a hidden treasure.
But the people from Elba aren’t eager to for company that want to spoil their precious land, and windsurfer Marco is one of them.
So while Anna is keeping the purpose of being on the island a secret, the attraction she feels for Marco is only growing.
But Marco has a certain reputation, even if she hasn’t seen any proof of it herself.
And what about Toby, an old friend that reappeared in her life? Is his visit to Elba purely so that e can see her again? Or is there another reason?

Steps I took before starting to read this story:

1.       Find a comfy seat on the coach

2.       Make sure that there are drinks and (junk) food nearby so I don’t have to get up when I get thirsty or hungry

3.       Put my phone on ‘mute’ to avoid getting disturbed

4.       Put my legs up

5.       Forget all the rest

And again this author managed to write a story about the beauties in Italy, but also a story that left me wondering where it all would go.

Anna has a real passion for being a geologist, but she also realistically acknowledges that her job is also the reason that she hasn’t found someone she wants to spend the rest of her life with.
That fact and realization that she cannot keep doing what she is doing now, makes her wonder where her future lays, without losing herself.

She quickly falls in love with Elba, and also its inhabitants are all being very kind to her, even they don’t know the real reason why she is here.
I loved reading how she befriended Jack and his dog George. Becoming friends with the elder man shows us already what a kind person Anna really is. She truly cares about Jack and she enjoys the long walks with George, and playing with him.

It was funny to read how our main character went from being alone, suddenly having the attention of two men! 

Toby and Marco are very different people, and just like Anna, I wouldn’t know what to do!
I’m not going to give anything away, but there were moments where some actions made my preferences go to one man, and then later on shift to the other man.

The story swept me away, like the author always manages to do with his books. I could nearly feel the sand between my toes, the fresh air in my lungs and fall in love with the island. There were moments I longed to be with Anna, or even being Anna!
Each time I read a new book, I have a small fear that this will be the story that won’t meet the high expectations. However after reaching the end, I had to admit that now my expectations are even higher than before!

With the War nearly ending, will it mean our Harper Girls will have their happy ending too?

Synopsis

LONDON 1917

As the Americans enter the War, there is renewed energy in the war effort.

With husbands and sons fighting for freedom, the women of Harpers are left to tackle the day-to-day affairs at home and work.

With Ben Harper away, Sally fears she is being followed by a mysterious woman. Who is she and what does she want?

Maggie Gibbs collapses seriously ill in the frontline hospitals and is brought back to England close to death. Can she be saved and what does the future hold for her and her broken heart?

Marion Jackson’s father is on the run from the Police already wanted for murder. She fears he will return to threaten his family once more.
And Beth Burrows is pregnant with her second child, worried and anxious for her husband Jack, who has been many months at sea.

As Christmas 1917 approaches what will the future hold for Harpers, its girls and their men at War?

My review

The Harper girls are, like so many, longing for the War to be over. And now that the Americans are participating too, hopes are even higher than before.
Each of the girls are facing new struggles, while their loved ones are fighting at the front.
Who is the mysterious woman who seems to be following Sally? And will Maggie survive while she collapsed at the frontline? And as being brought back to England, what will her future hold? And will her broken heart start to heal?
Has Marion truly seen the last of her father, now wanted by the police? And is Beth ever going to see her husband Jack again, as he has been at sea for way too many months?

Having read the previous part of this series, I was having my fingers crossed that my Harper Girls would all find the happily ever after they so deserve!
And compared to the previous part, this is somehow a more hopeful story, even if our main characters still are having curveballs thrown at them.

Each girl, well woman would be accurate by now, have their own struggles, doubts and fears to face.
Whatever crosses their path, I keep being amazed by the strength and resilience they all show.
Their loved ones are fighting the actual War, but the Harper Girls are left fighting their own wars.

Personal lives are taking them in a different direction, yet it was lovely to see how their friendship stand the tests of time and life. Because no matter what happens, true friends find a way to offer the help and support. And even if not always everyone agrees with the decisions made, the sense of love prevails and the Girls will stand by each other’s side.

This was again a beautiful yet also gripping story. The author managed again to write about the beauty of friendship, family and live, but also the brutally of the war.  However that brutality never takes the upper hand and a perfect balance between feelings of happiness, love but also fear and sadness has been found.

As not all my questions has been answered yet, I surely hope to read quickly more about these young women and their fights but also hopes!

The strength of not only a woman, but of a people…

Synopsis

Annaleise Winston can never seem to fit in with the Society Girls, the strict rules that govern them, or their selfish indulgence during the Great Depression. Behind closed doors, her publicly perfect new fiance, Frank Alexander, is violent and dismissive, but without his financial security, Annaleiseand her mother will be on the streets with not a penny to their name. 

When Annaleise finally has enough, she runs away and accidentally becomes stranded in a Hooverville, a lawless homeless encampment in Central Park, where she must keep her identity a secret if she wants to stay alive. But a kind shoe shiner named Thomas Kelley may get in the way of everything she thought she ever wanted. As their love for each other grows, the Great Depression worsens, and Frank will pay any price to bring back his bride.

My review

Everyone thinks that Annaleise Winston is a lucky young woman, as she recently got engaged to Frank Alexander. Even if life during The Great Depression is not easy for so many, Annaleise has to follow the strict rules commanded for her status and pretend to be happy to the prospect of marrying Frank. Nobody, beside her mother, knows how aggressive and dismissive Frank truly is. But as Frank gives financial security, Annaleise is afraid for his retributions…
However, when enough is enough, Annaleise runs away and after a streak of bad luck, she ends up in a Hooverville is Central Park.
Even if hiding her true identity, she learns to survive and she sees how a people in the same situation can bond and always keep a positive tone. And she meets the kind shoe shiner Thomas Kelley, who makes her rethink of all made and future ideas.
But Frank is not ready to give Annalise so easily up and is adamant to bring her back to her place, by side as a compliant wife…

Being a Belgian “young” woman of 34, of course I have heard of The Great Depression. But Hoovervilles were not something I ever heard before…
And I have to admit, the story how a whole nation suffered, was just terrible to read and it made me even research more about these hard times.

But back to the story…

Annaleise is the kind of character that I find easy to like but also easy to pity. When we first see her, she is not in a good place. Frank Alexander is responsible for their financial security, and that makes him think that he can just claim Annalise and turn her into a meek woman, listening to him. And when she doesn’t listen, he is not afraid to use violence to put the reins back on.
But she also made me like her, because she is ready to fight for her own happiness. Quietly she makes plans to run away and live her life how she wants it.

Of course, if everything would go like planned, this would be a whole different story…

So when she ends up in a Hooverville, I was curious to see how she would adapt in a world so different than what she was used to.
In the Hooverville, Annie, as she now calls herself, shows her resilience and her strength. She is not only now surviving, but even if the circumstances aren’t that good, she has found a place where she can be happy and even has found her passion for writing.

Okay, Thomas the shoe shiner has made my heart go soft too, because he is just great in everything he does, and how he looks after everyone in Hooverville but also has this vulnerability in him. Even in the end, when it would be so easy for him, he does what others would make happy, pushing his own happiness aside. Oh, were there only more people like him!

I found this a powerful story, about people finding themselves in a situation they did not choose for. But they show their strength and their will to fight (even literally) for what they honestly deserve.
The tale of Annie, and Thomas, opened my eyes of a past I wasn’t aware of, full of injustice and even ignorance. But it also showed again how people can unite for a common purpose and how a united front can make a change.
Just believe in your own and other strengths and your fight will be worth it, because having your happiness as a reward will never give you a more satisfying feeling.