Talking about heart-breaking moments…

Synopsis

Every family has its secrets, and at Hedgehog Hollow there is no exception…

It was always Samantha’s dream to run her beautiful rescue centre, Hedgehog Hollow, full-time. But just as her wish comes true, she becomes a victim of her own kindness when she finds herself with a house full of guests – all with their own problems and secrets – looking to her for support.

When her self-absorbed cousin, Chloe, unexpectedly turns up at the farm – swiftly handing over her baby to Samantha to care for – trouble is definitely brewing. Especially as Chloe won’t tell anyone why she’s left her husband, James…

As Samantha juggles new hedgehog arrivals, family dramas and her own health challenges, it soon becomes clear that she needs to start putting herself first for once. Little does she know that life-changing secrets from the past are about to unravel and turn their lives upside down…

Return to glorious Hedgehog Hollow with top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland for a heartwarming, emotional but uplifting story of family, friendship and moving on from the past.

My review

It seems that Samantha has finally have her wish come true. Not only is she now running full – time Hedgehog Hollow, she is also happily engaged with the love of her life Josh.
However she does not have the peace and quiet she needs, because suddenly she finds herself with a house full of people with all their own problems and secrets, looking for Sam’s support.
Not only is Josh’s father and girlfriend staying at the farm, but also Sam’s self – absorbed cousin appears out of the blue, after leaving her husband without any explanation and just assumes that Sam will take care of baby Samuel.

But will Sam be able to keep fixing everything, while the only thing she should think about is her own health? And what will the effects be of the secrets that are bound to be discovered?

Starting to read a book by Jessica Redland is like when a child enters Disneyland for the first time. I was excited, almost jumping up and down from joy!
If there is a fictional couple I truly adore, it’s Sam and Josh. So I sat back, ready for a lot of lovely, sweet moments between these characters.

After everything Sam has been through I the previous books, I was hoping that all the misery would be gone by now and she could finally focus on her happily ever after. But it’s quickly clear that fate has more in store for Sam…
Instead of the much required rest, she finds her house full of people in need of help. Having Josh’s father Paul, Beth the girlfriend and two small children, was something Sam was barely coping with, but when her cousin appears on her doorstep, it’s a recipe for chaos.

Chloe was not my favourite person previously, so initially I was a bit disappointed the focus would also be on her. I couldn’t imagine myself liking Chloe for a reason, because let’s be honest, Chloe is the perfect example of a self – absorbed person, always having things her way.
And in those first chapters, my dislike was only confirmed. She appears out of the blue, without any explanation, just saying that she left her husband.

Through flashbacks and moments when Chloe finally starts to open up, it’s clear she has been traumatised by something that happened to her. And thanks to those flashbacks, I started to like Chloe a little more, bit by bit, until she became a person I pitied but also someone I just wanted to give a hug and tell her that no matter what happened, she is loved and deserves to be loved, even by me.
Not only the way she has been betrayed by people she trusted and broke her heart, but also the consequences she had to face afterwards, it literally made me cry! And let me tell you, I don’t cry very easily over books! Even now, thinking about it again, is giving me glassy eyes, full of tears…

Also Sam is still facing the demons of what she had to endure lately. Instead of taking things easy like she should, she finds herself again with a full plate, and the way she reacts to it, was also a reason for heart – breaking moments. But I was so happy to read that Josh was by her side, and I honestly believe that his love for her, could just fix everything.

I think I have to stop reading any book by Jessica Redland… I cannot cope with all the times my heart breaks over a sad event, finding myself crying over it, with people looking at me awkward because they don’t understand the emotions I am going through…

This author managed again to write a beautiful story, even making it possible to change my opinion of someone I truly disliked.
Beside the heart – breaking moments, there are so many joyful moments too. Just whenever Sam and Josh are together, my heart filled with contentment.
And okay, I’m going to be honest, I am a total hedgehog – lover now!

This next chapter shows us that no matter what, when you’re surrounded by people that truly love you, nothing is insurmountable. I was heart – broken while reading, but also smiling over the sweeter moments, and I fell even more in love with the beautiful couple that Sam and Josh make. And I even love more characters now!

But please my dearest Jessica, I cannot take any more drama for Sam… I just want her to be happy with Josh and the hedgehogs! The epilogue was not something I expected and it surprised me in a bad way, because I am a bit afraid of what else Sam is going to have to endure! Can’t she just have her happily after yet???

When a wish for more exciting jobs as a PA is granted…

Synopsis

A grieving widow. A sketchy admirer. An adoring boyfriend.

But one of them is up to no good.

Chloe’s new life in Costa Rica seems perfect: her relationship with Mateo is heating up, and her career as a private investigator is off to a good start. She only wishes that her cases were more interesting than the lost dogs or cheating husbands she’s been hired for so far…

She gets her wish when a dead body lands, almost literally, at her feet. Hired by the highly strung Elena Vargas to follow her husband, Victor, Chloe discovers that not only was he cheating on his wife – he’s been murdered.

As Chloe delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Victor’s death, she uncovers secret after secret. The danger becomes all too real when she narrows in on the killer’s identity. Someone is following her everywhere, and threatening notes arrive on her doorstep.

As if that’s not bad enough, her relationship with Mateo begins to unravel, and his coworker, Jaime, seems intent on convincing her that Mateo is a cheater.

Desperately trying to figure out what’s going on, Chloe becomes more and more enmeshed in a sordid world of lies, sex, and murder.

Who can Chloe really trust? And can she catch the killer before she becomes the next victim?

My review

Chloe is very happy with her new life in Costa Rica. Being together with Mateo is just perfection, and she has started a new job as a private investigator.
Only does she wish that her cases would be a little more interested than cheating husbands or lost animals.
When Elena Vargas hires Chloe to follow her husband, the investigation quickly changes from a cheating husband to a dead husband, dead as in murdered.
The more Chloe investigates, more secrets come out and more dangerous the situation gets.
And on top of it all, also on a personal level things are going the wrong direction.

Will Chloe find the truth about the murder of Victor Vargas? And who can Chloe truly trust? And where will the relationship with Mateo go?

Having read the first book, I was happy to read about Chloe again.
We find her now with a new job, the past put behind her and happy with Mateo. Of course I understand that finding lost animals or trying to catch cheating husbands is not the most exhilarating job as a private investigation.
So when one of her client’s husband is found dead and also murdered, I was kind of happy. Not because I am a terrible person, but because it would give Chloe the much needed change of work.

When she and her team, with all people we already know, are investigating the death of Victor, it’s quickly obvious that there is so much more going on than just a cheating husband.
As the situation quickly deteriorates, Chloe also have to face the fact that she does not know who to trust anymore. Mateo is showing behaviour similar to her ex fiancé and that makes her uneasy.

I have to say, again the author managed to write a story that put me totally without a clue. I had no idea who was the murderer or what else was going on. Because Victor Vargas was an even more disgusting man than thought!

If I have to be totally honest, there were some aspects I didn’t like that much. When a character from the previous book reappears and Chloe does not do the right thing, it made me raise my eyebrows. In one way I understood Chloe, as she needed someone in her corner, but on the other hand, the things she ends up doing aren’t that 100% legal.
And also how her relation with Mateo evolved made me a bit sad. But I hope that there will be a third part and that it outcome will be the one I want!

Overall, this book gave me everything I expected, with some sickening twists I did not see coming. It kept my attention, making me wonder who was involved in what way and how the culprits would be discovered and get what they deserve.

Again Costa Rica is shown in all its beauty, but again the dark story takes me on a trip I wouldn’t be actual part of myself. Yet I had the urgency to keep on reading!

When the past is coming back for revenge.

Synopsis

How much could one phone call change your life?

‘Only you can save her. If she dies, it is your fault.’

When radio presenter, Casey Fallon, answers a call she assumes it is a prank. But then a woman’s body is discovered, and she finds herself up against a cruel and calculating killer who wants her to find his victims before they take their last breath.

Fifteen years ago, Casey was a key witness in the trial of serial killer, Steve Noakes, and her evidence helped put him behind bars for the murders of five women.

Someone remembers what happened that summer. Someone who is desperate for revenge. Someone who won’t stop until Casey has been punished.

‘You saved a life once. Can you do it again?’

The game is just beginning…

Number one bestselling author Keri Beevis is back with a breathtaking new psychological thriller which is simply too good to miss. It’s the perfect read for fans of authors like Clare Mackintosh, Cara Hunter, Paula Hawkins.

My review

Casey Fallon was fifteen years ago a key witness in the trial of a serial killer. As the killer was also the father of her boyfriend, that also meant the end of her relationship.
Currently she is working as a radio presenter and is avoiding steady relationships. When one day she receives a weird call on the radio, she thinks it’s just a prank. But when a woman’s body is found, it’s clear that someone remembers what happened fifteen years ago and is looking for revenge and will not stop until Casey has been punished for her involvement.

When I finished reading the prologue and the ‘Then’ bit, I thought I already had an idea who the new serial killer would be.
But that didn’t diminish my eagerness of reading the complete story!
And was I happy that I did!

In the ‘Then’ part I really felt sorry for Casey. While she is thinking about how her relationship with Gareth is going, she finds herself witnessing how his father is trying to kill a woman.
Obviously she does the right thing, but this event has a huge impact. Not only does she understand how a seemingly normal man has a wicked secret, but also she becomes more frightful. And the way Gareth reacts, only reinforces her feelings.

Even if the ‘then’ was something terrible to read about, the present was even more terrifying. We get a glimpse of how the killer thinks, and his thoughts are just horrible.

There are so many cringe – worthy moments, where I was doubting what I wanted to do. Put the book away, because of the horror? Or keep on reading, hoping for the victim that rescue was nearby?

Even is Casey is faced again with a serial killer, that is not the only blast from the past she gets. When she contacts the police, little does she know that Finn will be coming in her life again, the same police officer that was there fifteen years ago.
And this re – meeting with Finn is what takes the pressure off the whole story.

I can say so much about this book, but then I would give too much away, and the less you know before you read it, the better.
What I can say that there are many twists, and I found myself suspecting everyone that made an appearance.
But when the truth came out, I can honestly say that I didn’t see *that one* coming!

To say this was an entertaining story, would be wrong in so many senses. But I can assure you it will be nearly impossible to put the book away. Whenever I did it, for the necessary sleep a human needs, I found myself keeping pondering over this story, trying to figure it out.
This is a real page – turning story, with many moments that gave me goosebumps, but also lighter moments, giving the opportunity to digest everything.

Could that spark really just be all imagined?

Synopsis

Vet Molly has always been career driven and focussed on caring for her animals, but when she meets a gorgeous Mystery Man at a conference and their connection is off the charts, well, one night off work won’t hurt anyone…except the next morning he’s vanished and all Molly knows about him is his first name.

Three months later, back in Love Heart Lane, everyone loves the story of Molly’s amazing one-night stand. It’s so unlike her! But when Mystery Man turns up walking his dog through Primrose Park and their night together seems to mean nothing to him, Molly needs her friends and neighbours more than ever. And especially when she’s left with the most unexpected of surprises…

My review

Vet Molly is ready for the next step in life. Her career is going all well, and her love and care for animals is well known around Love Heart Lane. And now she thinking about having a child of her own. Only problem, she is not in a relationship, as her friends point out. but there are other options right?
When on a conference she meets this hot new man, sparks immediately fly around and they spend the night together.
But the morning after the man just disappeared and all Molly knows he’s name is Cam and he’s a dentist. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack!
Three months later Molly is still thinking about the vanished Mystery Man, but is flabbergasted when she sees him walking around in Primrose Park with his dog. However the meeting is not what she expected as his behaviour is the total opposite compared with their first meeting.
Being a bit heartbroken, Molly needs the support of all her friends, especially when it’s clear that there is more in store for her!

I already loved all the characters of Love Heart Lane, so I knew I would be in for a treat! But no matter how much I knew I would enjoy reading this next chapter, it surprised me all over again!

Molly is a character I immediately liked. She truly cares for animals and is not afraid of a new adventure, like learning how make dogs behave. She has also her head on her shoulders. She didn’t have the easiest start in life, but after being adopted by the kindest people, she knows how lucky she has been.
After her night with Cam, I sometimes felt that she was acting a bit naïve. Because it was just a one night stand, and she has been glorifying the whole event a bit too much. However I loved her optimism!
On top of it all, I found it really sweet how she makes sure that Darling (don’t let the name fool you!) has a place to stay, and how she starts to care about Dixie, an elderly lady finding herself against her own will in a care home.
The way she befriends Dixie, without an ulterior motive than just the kindness of her heart, it’s just too sweet! And the lengths she goes to give Dixie the birthday she wishes!

Cam had my feelings switching from loving to hating and backwards! At the conference, I found him funny and irresistible. But then he left and when he sees Molly again, he acts like a cold prick! I just wanted to strangle him! And even after that, he goes all hot and cold with Molly! Talking about frustrating men! But I have to admit, at one point (I’m not going to say when, because when you’re reading the book yourself, you’ll know what I’m talking about!) I had my heart broken when he had his own heart broken…
But anyway, there are plenty of moments that also his kind character emerges, making me forget the way he acted before.

Again Love Heart Lane shows what an amazing community it is, as when everybody helps out when Primrose Park is destroyed. And Molly’s friends are the kind of friends you want to surround yourself with. Everybody in this beautiful place is there for each other, and nothing is too much to ask for.
Of course there are also some moments I wish I could just strangle certain characters, but the prevailing sense while reading was one of belonging, or at least wanting to belong in this beautiful setting with amazing people!

When a not so conventional book club becomes so much more.

Synopsis

Three friends, three single mums, one quest to find love…

It’s 8:30am and I’m already utterly exhausted. My son has lost his football boots, my daughter is ready for school dressed only in her vest and knickers, and of course, my 1-year-old has filled his nappy for what feels like the tenth time this morning.

As for my husband? He’s decided marriage doesn’t suit him, and well… buggered off.

All hope of ‘me time’ has but dwindled to sipping half a glass of wine whilst shouting after the kids. But everything is about to change.

I’m taking control of my life! I’ve joined… a book club.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Wow… live a little.’ But my fellow book clubbers, Amanda and Janey, are my lifelines. They understand the daily struggle because they’remothers too.

And in between the prosecco, Doritos and googling everything about Mr Darcy on SparkNotes, they’ve convinced me to go on a date with my boss.

A single mum of three looking for romance… what could possibly go wrong?

A gloriously funny and relatable read for anyone who just needs a little more ‘me time’. Fans of Why Mummy Drinks and Has Anyone Seen my Sex Life? will snort with laughter at this utterly hilarious and heart-warming read.

My review

Stephanie is a divorced mother of three, struggling with practically everything. Taking care of her kids, having an ex – husband who can be a real prick sometimes, and trying to make the end of the month, it can be a real hardship.
So when she starts a book club together with Amanda and Janey, women living nearby, it may not seem the most exciting hobby she could start. But quickly the Book Club becomes more than just that, because being mothers too, they understand each other’s situation better than anyone else.

So when Stephanie starts a part time job, it’s the women that persuade her to date her boss. Because being a single mum, struggling to keep everything afloat, dating your boss, nothing can go wrong, right?

When you are someone who loves to read, is there a book that would suit you better than a book about a book club? So I was really curious and enthusiast when I started this book by Victoria Cooke. And I was surely not disappointed when I finished it!

Stephanie is a woman who truly adores her kids and dog, but sometimes it can all be too much. And normally you have your friends around you to help out, but the people who she thought were her friends, turned out to be the kind that dump you rather than help you out…
So when she finds an ally in Janey, I was happy that she has found someone that understood her and wouldn’t hesitate to give a helping hand.
And when Amanda joins the club too, I felt it was a perfect match.

When Stephanie starts her new job at a vet, it’s just even a more perfect story! Not only because Edward is truly the most amazing, perfect character, but because this is a real 5 – for – the – price – of 1 bargain!
We have friendship, family, romance, animals and growth in one and the same story!

Beside all the above problems, there is also a dramatic event that Stephanie has endured as a child, that she is still struggling with. Even if this was truly dramatic, it added an extra layer to all the funny, quirky, entertaining moments.

Not only was this book fun to read, but it shows us also the power of friendship, how the right people by your side can elevate you, give that extra boost to just chase your dreams. And that love is always worthy of taking a chance, even if it is your boss!

Yes, the actual book club is not the most important aspect of this book, but does it matter? Because I enjoyed reading this story, seeing how Stephanie became more relaxed thanks to her friends. And I had so many funny moments, finding myself laughing and smiling all the time.
The author managed to write a story that was funny, sweet, a bit dramatic but overall a real joy to read!

Can a rootless wanderer find a place to call home?

Synopsis

‘Community spirit’ is not a phrase in travel junkie TaranRossi’s vocabulary. As a former ‘third culture kid’ and now spicy street food connoisseur and social media influencer, he’snever really stayed in one place long enough to feel part of a community. And that’s just the way he likes it.
But a springtime stint house sitting for his grandmother on Rendezvous Lane in East Nashville could lead to a long overdue wake-up call. With the help of single mum Sandy Warner and her young son Chip, can Taran come to understand that sometimes it’s not about the place – it’s about the people?

My review

Sandy Warner is a single mum and being there for her son Chip is the only thing that matters. One of the perks of living on Rendezvous Lane in East Nashville, is that the whole community is there to offer a helping hand whenever needed.
When Taran Rossi is housesitting his grandmother Beth’s house, who is also coincidentally Sandy’s neighbour, the attraction is hard to resist. Sandy and Taran have a lot in common, being both ‘third culture kids’, but are also very different. Sandy enjoys the sense of feeling at home in a place, while Taran is more a travel junkie, not ready at all to settle down.
However, will Taran discover that settling down in one place doesn’t mean giving up his freedom?

I have read several books of this author, and I knew beforehand how much I would enjoy reading this one.
But I can honestly say, that this one, is my favourite!

Sandy and Taran both have had a kind of same upbringing. They never had a place to put their roots and also their parents wouldn’t ever get the award for Best Parenting. They are ‘third culture kids’, meaning that they were raised in a culture other than their parents’.
Yet they are in a different mind-set. Sandy is a single mother, so she wants only the best for her son Chip, and that means putting her dreams away and also provide Chip a place to call home. And she also enjoys staying at Rendezvous Lane, surrounded by curious yet always helpful neighbours.
Taran on the other hand enjoys travelling all around the world, discovering new places and is even a social media influencer, with his food blog. Settling down is the last thing on his mind.

I loved reading how Sandy and Taran are getting closer, despite how hard they try not to. But the heart cannot be dictated, so closer they’ll get!
But not only the relationship between Sandy and Taran was nice to read, the relationship that truly melted my poor heart was that between Taran and Chip…
Chip is just too cute for words and how Taran interacts with him, is just worthy of several swoons!

This book wasn’t only a love story, but also a story about seeing things from a different point of view. Taran is adamant on never settling down, and even a relationship comes with an expiration date. But only when he meets Sandy and Chip, he sees how different his life could be. It could be different, but without giving up his passions so somehow his life can stay the same too!

Both our main characters have matured so much during this story, but not in a way that seems impossible. There are small changes, without changing their own self. Sandy and Taran both have a past that has scarred them, but having found kindred spirits, is allowing them to move forward.

I found this a sweet, tender, heart – warming, hopeful story. The sense of community, family and belonging was beautiful to read. The characters were very easy to like and love.
The story was perfect and an escape to a wonderful place, making me want to be living near Sandy, Chip, Taran and all the other inhabitants!

This Monday I am giving you this cove reveal. It surely has intruiged me!

Synopsis

Is her new husband really who she thinks he is?

When young doctor Lauren Matheson meets Joe, an older divorced businessman, at a glittering poolside in California, it’s a chance encounter that seems life-changing for them both. Back home in London, their feelings only strengthen. But Lauren soon discovers that building a happy future with Joe is going to be an uphill struggle…

She’s determined to be a good stepmother to his children, four-year-old Toby and complicated teen Grace. But under the watchful eye of Meredith, Joe’s intimidating ex-wife, Lauren can’t seem to do a thing right. Why won’t Joe ever take her side against Grace? And what really happened between him and Meredith?

As her husband retreats into a cold, secretive version of the dashing man she met in California, Lauren starts to wonder if she’s made a costly mistake. Was Joe ever the man she thought she married?

About the author

Carol Mason is the Amazon Charts and Kindle #1 bestselling author After You Left (more than 300,000 copies sold), The Secrets of Married Women, The Last Time We Met, The Shadow Between Us, Send Me A Lover and Little White Secrets which hit the Bookstat digital bestsellers list top 3 in the week of its launch. She was born in the North East of England where most of her novels are set. She now lives in Canada with her Canadian husband, a rescue dog from Kuwait and a three-legged cat. When not writing, Carol loves to read, cook and binge watch Netflix.

The cover

The effects of changes on your whole life.

Synopsis

Janey’s life becomes more disaster movie than romcom when the ruthless Becca steams in to manage Cheney House. Her job as head gardener in peril and her self-confidence in tatters, Janey must fight back. Finding an ally in Will, who’s more Clark Kent than Superman, it’s up to them to save the day while owner Clare is away having her Shirley Valentine moment. It doesn’t help that everyone is in love with the wrong people!

Why can’t people love the one who loves them back?

Will Cheney House survive – and will Janey ever get her When Harry Met Sally happy ending?

Find out in this warm-hearted romance from the author of the best-selling Millie Vanilla’s Cupcake Café, full of Gregory Peck look-a-likes, snowdrops, cake, and a cocker spaniel called Camilla.

My review

Janey loves her job as head gardener at Cheney House. At school she always had a hard time, but thanks to owner Clare she has found her passion for gardening and is even allowed to work on a project concerning snowdrops.
When Clare hires Becca to take over the management of Cheney House, Janey’s tranquil life turns upside down. Suddenly she has to fight for her job, for Cheney House itself and her own self – confidence is getting at its lowest point.
Luckily she has one unexpected person in her corner, Clare’s grandson Will. Together they are trying to save Cheney House from Becca’s claws and bad ideas while the same time Clare is enjoying her time away from everything and everyone.

You know what I find the hardest thing about writing a review? When you like a book but there isn’t a specific thing that made you like it extra.
And this book is such a case.

I immediately took a liking, and cannot pinpoint that one specific thing. It’s just generally such a loveable book.Janey is not the typical girly girl, but she enjoys dancing under the trees, walking around in clothes that make her feel comfortable and not looking at the latest fashion.
And that made her so recognizable for me, because I have some Janey aspects in me too. Also her tiny bit of self – confidence is recognizable and her fears are something I can easily comprehend.
Yet she manages to capture the attention of people who accept her as she is and she quickly befriends people that she never could imagine to like her.

Will is often described as more a Clark Kent than Superman. And luck would have it I truly like Clark Kent (maybe even more than Superman! 🤣).
I had a laugh when he first spotted Janey, dancing under the trees. And despite they being totally opposites, he finds himself always looking for her and feeling this attraction. And it’s obvious he has a kind heart because he helps out Janey however he can. It can be by standing up for her, but also helping her with her own problems.

I thought this would be an all romantic stories with just some minor dramas, but the dramas were even bigger and that was a nice extra. It’s not all fun and games for Janey, and the evolution she undergoes is admirable. She learns to stand up for herself, even dares to overcome her fears and would do the impossible for loveThis is a lovely story, with each kind character stealing a piece of my heart. And the characters with not so good intentions getting a real sense of hatred from me.

The author managed to write a captivating story about love, friendship, passion and overcoming fears that got me hooked from the start!

An unforgettable road trip back home.

Synopsis

From bestselling romantic comedy author Melissa Baldwin comes the road trip of a lifetime!

Successful Manhattan accountant Stacy Brown is shocked when her almost perfect life unexpectedly crumbles around her. Blindsided by her husband when he serves her with divorce papers and tossed aside by the women she considered her best friends, devastation and depression hit her hard. But when her mother sends her an old photograph of her and two childhood friends, Candace and Olivia, it fuels a desire in Stacy to find that person she once was. What starts as a chance to reconnect turns into an unforgettable road trip back to her childhood home and an encounter with a man from her past.

Gavin Kingsley, son of Stacy’s old piano teacher and former annoying boy next door, sparks something in Stacy that she hasn’t felt in a long time…maybe never? Despite her hesitation to jump into a relationship, Stacy can’t help being drawn to him as she and her girlfriends take a journey of self-discovery, laughs, tears, and hysterical moments. 

Can returning to her past give Stacy everything she’s been searching for in her future?

My review

Stacy Brown is a successful accountant in Manhattan, married to Greg, also an accountant and she is surrounded by her best friends.
Suddenly her world falls apart when Greg gives her divorce papers, and instead of finding comfort in her best friends, they put her aside.
Searching for a way to cheer Stacy up, her mother sends her a photograph of Stacy and her childhood friends Candace and Olivia. And that one photograph makes Stacy want to be that one person she used to be. What started as a way to reconnect, quickly evolves into a road trip with both women.
But the road trip doesn’t appear to be as laidback as thought, and Stacy is also wondering what is waiting there for her. Because again thanks to her mom, she is back in touch with Gavin Kingsley, son of Stacy’s old piano teacher and boy next door.

Is Stacy ready to meet a new/old man in her life? And is it possible to find again that old friendship with Candace and Olivia, or was there a reason that their friendship got lost?

Before I even started reading this book, I knew I would truly enjoy reading every bit of it!

In the first chapters, I felt very sorry for Stacy. Not only does her husband show her divorce papers out of the blue, but also her friends abandon her at the moment she needs them the most. So it’s obvious that Stacy is feeling alone and depressed.
And is there a better place to get over broken heart than home, surrounded by your parents?

It’s obvious that the road trip will be a total disaster. Not only does Olivia auto – invite herself, she doesn’t know that Candace will also be taking part. There is some bad blood between the two of them because of something that happened in the past, so Stacy kind of tricks the both of them.

While the three women are on their way, I had so many laughs. Not because I’m an evil woman, but just because they were acting like small children. And seeing how childish these adult could act, was just hilarious.

And then Gavin… I found him just adorable! Okay, it’s weird to call a grown up man ‘adorable’, but I cannot express in another way how I feel about him. After a bit of matchmaking of both mothers, the interaction between Gavin and Stacy was nice to read about. And the easy way they just are together was something that made me even a little bit jealous.

This was not only a story about a road trip, old friends finding each other or finding a new love interest. But I found it a story about picking up the pieces, forgiveness and just doing what feels right in your heart. Friendships can be made easily but can be also easily be broken, and the author managed to show us in a hilarious way that some friendships are worth to be found again.

I found this a funny, hilarious yet sweet book to read, impossible to put away!

When you hate a whole family, could there be one exception?

Synopsis

She hates all Warstones.

Can this one win her love?

Balthus of Warstone secretly loved Séverine, even though she was unhappily married to his brute of a brother, then she fled six years ago. Now her husband is dead, Balthus must find Séverine and reclaim her sons as his father’s heirs. Balthus’ desire is to claim her too, and despite his battle-maimed arm and her distrust of his family, he’ll prove he’s a suitor worthy of such a courageous woman…

My review

Séverine is on the run from her husband and his family. The Warstones are known for their cruelty and thirst for power.
Her marriage with Ian was not one of love, and it wasn’t a happy one. To protect her two young boys, she decided six years ago to run away.
But now her husband’s brother Balthus is tracking her down because her children are the heirs now that Ian is dead.
However, Séverine has no intention to be found so easily, and she is determined to fight for her freedom.
Little does she know that Balthus has always been secretly in love with her, and his desire to find her may have an ulterior motive…

Every time I start reading a book of this author, I think I know what  can expect. Yet every time she manages to write a story that is different from the previous one.

From the precious books, I already knew how the Warstones were. And it was a very disturbing picture I had in mind.
So I completely understood the necessity Séverine had of running away, to protect her boys the same fate.
Even if her life isn’t what she pictured to be like, she tries to make the best of it. And it’s obvious how much she loves her children, even if there is a small fear of how much they inherited from the violent side of the family.
No matter how much she hates and despises the Warstones, she always helps when someone is in need, even if the one in need is her brother – in – law Balthus, chasing her.And this aspect shows the reader what a good and kind character Séverine is.
Despite her fear for Balthus, she sees how much he is suffering from his disfigured arm and she uses her knowledge to relieve him from his constant pain.

Balthus was a bit of an enigma for me. Of course if he were a brute like his brother, this wouldn’t be very romantic story, but I was surprised to read how he was so different from his own family. He has this kindness over him and it made me wonder how he had this, since all the other members of his family lacked that.
He may seem like a mean warrior, but rather quickly get to know what his real feelings are. And even when he makes the wrong decisions, like keeping the truth from Séverine, he does it with the right intentions.

I loved reading about how Séverine would go lengths to protect her children, finding people ready to fight in her corner. Also how she has to learn to trust someone she would never expect to trust or have other kind of feelings for.
Seeing how the dynamics between Séverine and Balthus shifted, was something expected but also made me wonder how all the pieces would fit together.

Even if this book is part of a series, it can be perfectly read as a standalone. And it will easily grab your attention and you’ll find yourself happily submerged in a world of warriors, maidens but also a world of love and attraction.