When the past resurfaces at your lowest…

Synopsis

When thirty-four-year-old Nellie Wagstaff loses her job and discovers her fiancé is a cheating scumbag in a single day, she feels like the world has come crashing down. And that’sbefore the solicitor’s letter, along with a request to visit a place she hasn’t thought about for a very long time.

Heartbroken, Nellie escapes to the beautiful seaside town of Muddleford in Dorset, where she discovers she’s inherited more than she ever bargained for. Nellie never knew why her mother stopped talking to her sister, but now childhood memories of Muddleford come flooding back: long hot summers, the sea glistening beyond the sandy cove… and a stolen kiss with a boy called Jack.

Jack, now a devilishly handsome vet, has the local pet owners swooning over him, and as Nellie and he become close once more, and she gets used to gossiping with the locals and sipping wine at her beach hut with sand between her toes, she’s sure she can feel sparks flying once more. But just as she thinks she might be able to open her heart again, her newest frenemy, the glamourous Natalia, tells her a secret about Jack that changes everything.

Nellie will never know why her mother and aunt parted ways. She’ll sell the house, forget about Jack, and get back to real life. Because there’s nothing for her in Muddleford… is there?

An utterly uplifting and completely hilarious summer read about learning to trust yourself and of finding love and friendship in the least expected places for fans of Jessica Redland, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin.

My review

At the age of thirty four, Nellie Wagstaff wouldn’t have expected that her life would all fall into pieces in just one day.
Not only does she loses her job, but she discovers that her fiancé is not only leaving her, but has also been cheating on her.
So when a solicitor contacts her because she has inherited from her Aunt Lilian, she sees this as the perfect escape from her heartbreak. Little did she expect that she would inherit so much because after all, it has been years since her last visit to Muddleford in Dorset. And spending time back there, her childhood memories come flooding back and also her best friend back then Jack is still around.

But what will Nellie do with all the inheritance? Sell it all and go back to her real life? And why are sparks flying around whenever handsome Jack is around, as he is totally unavailable? And will she ever discover why her mother and her Aunty Lil parted ways? And who is this mysterious Norman, who seems to be the love of her Aunt’s life?

This author was a discovery for me, never having read something from her before. But I have noticed how everyone is enjoying reading her books, so I gave it a shot.
And now I am sorry I ever started reading her books, because I feel a new addiction to an author in the making!

When I reached the end of this book and I was counting how long it took me to finish it, I didn’t know what feeling should take over. Should I be feeling ashamed? Or proud? Because it took me just one… single… day… to DEVOUR it.

From the first page, I found myself standing beside Nellie, feeling with her. My heart got broken, I felt her loneliness, her moments of happiness and her felling of just belonging in Muddleford.

Nellie is a woman I could honestly easily befriend in real life. She did not have an easy childhood, as her mother was facing her own demons. And now she finds herself again alone after being betrayed by her fiancé in the most selfish way ever.
When she is back in Muddleford, I saw her opening up, and I liked her even more! Even if her Aunty Lil passed away, Nellie still regards the house and the belongings with the required respect.
And when she hears an information about Jack, even if she is a bit devastated by it, she does the right thing. Because she is NOT that kind of woman!

I’ll be very quick about my feelings about Jack… he’s just perfect!!! But so I found the whole community just amazing. Even if there was a character I initially disliked, in the end I found myself loving just each and every one that appeared in the story.
And then there is Norman… he is the One that truly stole my heart!!!

This story was about finding a place to call home, of having the feeling of belonging somewhere. It was sweet, hopeful yet also a few times heart-breaking.
It shows us that sometimes a change of scenery can have a huge impact on our lives and it’s easier to realize what was going wrong before and what changes we need to make to find happiness again.

I think this book should start with a very important warning because you will find it just impossible to put away! You’ll need to find a hiding place to avoid interruptions because no matter what you will do in-between sessions, this story will keep your mind busy. And for me, this book was a treasure and I gladly gave up any sleep for it! I want to applaud the author and give her a big hug for making me forget everything in this chaotic world!

World War 2 through the eyes of a young girl…

Synopsis

A coming of age war story and family saga full of romance, mystery and danger in London’s East End. From the Sunday Times and ebook bestselling author of the Lizzie Flowers series and A Wartime Christmas comes a gripping NEW coming-of-age saga about love, loyaltiesand secrets.

IN THE TURMOIL OF WAR, CAN SHE KEEP HER FAMILY TOGETHER?

‘Surely one of the best saga writers of her time’ – Rosie Clarke

1938, East London. Nine year old Daisy Purbright is a country girl at heart and together with beloved brother Bobby, they’ve enjoyed the endless freedoms of rural England.

But when her father gambles the family’s fortunes on a speculative investment in London’s docklands, Daisy and her family are swept up into the intrigue, danger and excitement.Desperately the Purbrights attempt to settle to a new life in the East End, but the whisperings of war grow louder.

Then, one late afternoon in September 1940, Adolf Hitler conducts a paralysing bombardment on London and war tightens its grip. Life changes dramatically and closely guarded secrets threaten the Purbrights’ happiness.

Can Daisy and her family survive one of the most fateful events of the 20th century?

Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Pam Howes, Rosie Clarkeand Dilly Court.

My review

Daisy Purbright is a nine – year girl that moved with her family frim rural England to East London. Even if she loved her life at the countryside, slowly she has to settle to a complete different life. But the fear of a new war lingers around the corner, and when Hitler starts to bombard London, life as everyone knew is over.
Daisy is finding it hard to comprehend what is going on and hopes that her life will quickly will be as it was, and at the same time she has to keep secrets that could threaten her family’s happiness.

Reading a story taking place during any World War, gives me goosebumps… I always keep hoping that real tragedy won’t strike the main characters, but often it’s wishful thinking.

This story is all about a young girl Daisy and her perception of the War. And the author managed very well to show that comprehending war for adults is difficult, but children are totally oblivious.

Daisy is a cheerful girl, enjoying first life on the countryside, and later adapting to a life in London, even if her heart still longs for her previous home.
She loves her family, but her brother Bobby she truly adores. The curious streak of children is obvious, as we find Daisy often eavesdropping and by thus hearing secrets from people around.
Against my better judgement, I hoped that Daisy would keep her cheerfulness and enjoy her life as it was.

But when the war is literally crushing homes around her, she has to escape London with her brother. At the time that is what parents did, just to protect their children. And here it is shown that even if was for the better, children do not always grasp what reality is happening around them.
However as the War is getting closer, Daisy and all the children have to grow up very fast.

And seeing how our main character had to endure the consequences but also having to face a nemesis of her young past, was just heart – breaking.

The author managed to write a gripping story of how children perceive the War and how they cope with all the sudden and for them incomprehensible changes.
The same time the author manages to capture the courage and persistence of children like Daisy, because no matter what, they keep hoping that their lives will return like before.

When a request for help becomes more.

Synopsis

Sometimes you have to write your own future…

The life of former journalist Juliette Seymour has been quiet and unassuming. Up until now, she’s been concentrating on running the local newspaper and raising her daughter. 

But all that is about to change when Juliette is informed that the Ticklemore Tattler is to fold and that she’ll be out of a job. She begins to wonder whether she can buy the newspaper and try to make a go of it herself.

Aware that she needs some advice she contacts Oliver Pascoe, little knowing that when her old colleague re-enters her life, his help isn’t the only thing she wants him for!

As she begins to fall in love, however, what she doesn’trealise is that Oliver has something he’s keeping from her.

A gorgeously uplifting story, perfect for fans of Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain, and Isabelle Broom.

My review

Juliette Seymour enjoys her quiet and calm life. Even if running the local newspaper The Ticklemore Tattler isn’t as exciting as her former journalistic career, it’s all she needs beside raising her daughter.
But when Juliette is informed that the newspaper is to fold, she starts wondering if she can somehow buy the paper herself. Of course she knows that she cannot do it on her own, so she reaches out to her former colleague Oliver Pascoe for advice.
Will they be able to find a way to save the paper? And what about the growing feelings between them and a few secrets bound to come out?

When I started reading this story, I had mixed feelings. On one hand I was very happy to return to this beautiful, amazing community. But on the other hand I was also a bit afraid, because I loved reading the first part of this series and I feared that I wouldn’t fall in love with it too…
But all my fears were unnecessary, because even if it’s a bit different, it was just as beautiful!

Juliette is a journalist that I found a bit stuck in her life. She is doing the same work for years and does not like change. The only things that truly matters to her are first of all her daughter, and the newspaper.
I admired her passion but somehow I also felt sorry for her, because there was just nothing more…
So when she learns that the newspaper is going to fold, she has a new mission: to save the paper.

And for the story it means: Enter Oliver Pascoe…
He is now a writer and is currently writing a biography of a politician. When Juliette contacts him, it’s like a blast from the past. He always found her attractive woman, but she suddenly disappeared and rumours about an affair with a married politician were spread.
When he decides to help her with ideas of how buying the paper and give it also a much needed boost, I just knew and loved where the story would go (or at least where I thought it would go 😃).

I have to admit, at first I thought I had figured out what Juliette her secret was, but I was surprised when I discovered that I was wrong!
And even if Oliver’s secret isn’t a world – devastating secret, I understood why he was reluctant to admit it to Juliette. But it’s clear he has his heart at the right place! We also see how Juliette is becoming again the fierce woman she once was. She isn’t afraid of a challenge anymore and is ready to fight for “her” paper and is even allowing to find love again.

Quickly Juliette and Oliver realize they are not alone on their mission, because the whole amazing community will do whatever they can to save the paper.
And that is exactly what made me love the story even more. The sense of community, working together to save something that matters is admirable. Everybody wants to do their own bit.

I found this a beautiful story about second chances at love and fighting for your dreams. Before I knew it, I found myself totally absorbed in the story, having the actual need to read more. I already started to love this community and all the characters made me love them even more!

How would you cope when you lose the love of your life?

Synopsis

April 16th is always one of Charley’s worst days of the year.

It’s her husband’s birthday, a painful reminder of his death four years ago.

So naturally, her car breaks down.

She nearly gets run over trying to catch the bus.

And then she’s made redundant.

Her friends see the redundancy as a chance for her to start again and live the life she always wanted, but since being widowed Charley has clung to familiarity and avoided change like the plague. Then, out of the blue, her mother-in-law Pam pitches up in need of a place to stay after walking out on her 40-year marriage.

Together, Charley and Pam find themselves at a crossroad. It’snot easy to move on after The One, but they can’t stand still forever.

My review

After losing her husband, Charley is trying to hang on to every bit that reminds her of the love of her life. This also means that there are days she absolutely loathes, April 16th being one of them, as it’s Josh’s birthday. So it’s no surprise when on this specific day her car decides to breaks down, she nearly gets run over AND is made redundant.

While everyone around sees her redundancy as an opportunity to start again, Charley does not want to change a thing. But when suddenly her mother – in – law appears on her doorstep, with a marriage of 40 years in the drain, it’s like standing on a crossroad. Moving on seems an impossibility but no one can keep on living in the past. Question is how much Charley can let go without feeling like forgetting her wonderful years with Josh…

I found this a both a heart – breaking as hopeful story.

Charley is a young woman who has lost her husband in a terrible way, without being able to say goodbye.
Marrying Josh meant not only moving but also having contact with her own mother limited to the strict necessary.
So losing him meant to rely on her friends and Josh’s family alone. But no one could understand the pain of losing The One.
I understood why Charley wanted to keep everything like it was, like Josh could walk in the place any moment. But I knew it was also an unhealthy situation because it was keeping Charley from actual living again.

When Pam moves in, it’s the start of a change for Charley. Not only does she now have to take someone in account, but she is also having someone extra nudging in her back. Now that she has the opportunity to do something she truly wants, it’s a pity that she allows the fear take over.
This fear also prevents her to see her true potential. She sees her friends and their achievements, and she is certain she is the “lesser” friend.
But her friends wouldn’t be her friends if they wouldn’t push her to see herself how she truly is. And whenever Charley needed extra help, all her friends were there to do whatever they could.

And I loved how the love between Charley and Pam is obvious. Pam was not “just” a mother – in – law for Charley, but she acts like a real mother towards Charley. Perfect proof that mother – in – laws aren’t all that terrible at all!

This story has some funny moments in it, but it isn’t a comedy. It shows us how hard it can be to move on. Charley is taking baby steps to take back the reins of her life, but without forgetting the blissful moments with Josh.
While reading, I got this sense of hope, that no matter how things get, with the right people around you, you will find the strength again.
And that moving on and opening your heart again doesn’t mean it takes away the love you had for the person you lost, but just that there is extra room for someone new.

I just love all the sisters!!!

Synopsis

Clementine’s swapped a London flat for a Scottish castle – but will she get her fairytale ending?

After discovering they were heirs to an enormous fortune, the lives of the five Hiverton sisters have never been the same. 

While oldest sister Ariana settles in Norfolk, Clementineheads up to the remote Scottish Highlands to move into the castle that forms part of their estate. Not bad for a girl brought up scrabbling for money in a tiny house in East London…

However, Clem quickly finds out that Ruacoddy Castle is falling apart, the neighbours – especially grumpy young farmer, Rory – are suspicious of her and the eccentric housekeeper, Ottoline, is still in residence.

But as Clem finds herself growing closer to the village community, even growing closer to Rory and forming an alliance with Ottoline, she realises that life in the Highlands might just be the change she needed. 

She just needs to find out if Manolo Blahnik make wellies…

Take a trip to the gorgeous Scottish countryside with this utterly feelgood, romantic and hilarious read – fans of Jenny Colgan, Holly Martin and Cressida McLaughlin will love this!

My review

Now that the Hiverton sisters have inherited a fortune, their lives have changed for the better, as money problems is something of the past.

Clementine heads to Ruacoddy Castle in Scotland, to see the actual state of the building. It’s also the perfect occasion for her to take a break from her career as a fashion designer, as her last job turned to be a poisoned gift, leaving not only her passion but also her heart in pieces.
But it’s quickly clear that Ruacoddy Castle is falling into pieces, the neighbours aren’t that very welcoming and that housekeeper Ottoline is a force of nature and is not eager to help Clem.
However the Scottish Highlands work their magic on Clem and she starts to finally feel at home. And surely growing closer to Rory, the young farmer, is a plus!

Each time I start reading about one of the sisters, I think I have found my favourite sister. But then another book appears and I love her just as much as the other sisters! And same thing applies for Clem!

When Clem goes to the Scottish Highlands, what she truly wants is just escape from the mess she found. She is very secretive of what had made her run away, but knowing the sisters, I knew it wasn’t just a minor issue. From the previous stories, I knew that the sisters were not drama queens, so whatever Clem was running from, was serious.

But instead of running into a peaceful place, she finds that Ruacoddy Castle is a big mess. And working together with Otto is a mission impossible. On top of it all, she also has to fight the prejudices that she is just a rich, spoilt girl that doesn’t know what work is.

What I truly loved about Clem is that she is a very impulsive girl. She speaks and acts before she thinks, thus causing hilarious situations! Yet it’s obvious she has a kind heart and is ready to fight for whatever or whoever she cares about. That may be a Castle in ruins, but also a stubborn housekeeper known as Otto. Or why not, creating a wedding dress for a woman she just nearly met!

This story was a bit different compared with the previous ones, because the main characters are not two love interests, but Clem and Otto and their struggling appreciation of each other. Both women have secrets and a strong mind, which of course results in serious clashing. Yet slowly they come to an understanding and realize that their first impressions were wrong. And together they are finding solutions for their problems.

Even if this wasn’t a real love story in my opinion, I have to say something about Rory too… Just imagine how your perfect strong and sexy farmer would look like, add kindness and a strong attraction to it, and you have Rory. He is also a strong character, ready to fight for his home. Yet he has also this sweet side that just made me fall totally in love with him!
He fights with Clem all the time because of their different visions, but he understands when he has to push and when to stop. And the lengths he goes when he sees how much something matters to Clem…

When I started reading this book, I started with a smile, because I was happy to discover another sister. While reading my smile only grew bigger and bigger, because I enjoyed every bit of this story. There were hilarious moments, frustrating moments, sweet moments and lovely moments. Even being a bit different, this story was just perfect!

Liz Hurley managed to write again a captivating story about strong characters, seeing someone how they really are and that a home is where you can find your peace. I cannot wait to read about the remaining sisters!!!

And on this sunny Tuesday, I have a brand new cover reveal!

Synopsis

As an eventful school year draws to a close, Mark has to face his greatest challenge yet.

Witches, demons and spells have quickly become the norm for Mark, but he will find that magic can’t solve all of his problems.

With everyone relying on him, will Mark be able to save the day?

Or will the price of being a hero be too high?

Pre Order Link 

Available at special pre-order deal 99p (normal price £3.50/$3.99)

Purchase links:  https://books2read.com/u/b5kdXO

Publication Date: 1st May

About the author

Kelly S. Marsden grew up in Yorkshire, and there were two constants in her life – books and horses.
Graduating with an equine degree from Aberystwyth University, she has spent most of her life since trying to experience everything the horse world has to offer. She is currently settled into a Nutritionist role for a horse feed company in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
She writes Fantasy stories part-time. Her first book, The Shadow Rises (Witch-Hunter #1), was published in January 2013, and she now has several successful series under her belt.

The cover

When your peace is disturbed by uninvited guests…

Synopsis

Escape the rat race by heading to the Yorkshire Moors in Jane Lovering’s funny, warm and magical new novel.

Needing an escape, Dora swapped city living for life as a shepherdess on her grandad’s Yorkshire farm. More than a decade later Dora is still there, now farming the fifty acres and caring for the one hundred rare sheep by herself. She never hears the call of the city, but instead relishes the peace and simplicity of life on the Moors.

When Dora’s glamorous but quarrelsome sister Cass, her teenage nephew Thor and his handsome tutor Nat, turn up for an unexpected and unreasonably long stay, life on the farm is thrown into chaos. Cass brings with her unwelcome memories from the past, and of someone who once stole Dora’s heart. 

Dora takes refuge in the comforting routine of the farm, the sheep never allowing her too much time to dwell. But, as the seasons change, the snow starts to melt, and as lambs begin to fill the fields, Dora can’t keep hiding in the hills. Because even though she’s trying, Dora can’t run away from a love that never really let her go…

Let Jane Lovering whisk you away to the beauty and serenity of the Yorkshire Moors, far away from the noise of the city. Just right for fans of Emma Burstall, Holly Martin and Kate Forster.

My review

Dora inherited her grandad’s Yorkshire farm and swapped her city life for a life as a shepherdess. She enjoys the peace and quiet, even if running a farm with one hundred rare sheep is not an easy task.
However, when her sister Cass and nephew Thor suddenly appear on her doorstep, together with tutor Nat, demanding to stay for an undefined time at the farm, Dora’s peace and calm are swapped for Chaos and Disorder!
Not only has Dora lost her peace, but also unwanted memories resurface, and because of the interfering of Cass, Dora needs to find a solution to save the farm. And Nat seems to be part of her past also somehow…

I always enjoy reading a book from Jane Lovering, yet this one was a bit different. Not that I didn’t enjoy reading it, because I honestly did!
But there were some darker themes in it that I didn’t expect.

Dora seems like a strange woman, looking on her own after one hundred rare sheep. It surely wouldn’t be something for me! And it’s not just literally looking at the sheep, there are so many more tasks involved! And some of them just gave me shivers!
It’s very quickly obvious that Dora has some secrets from a dark past, what made her escape to Folly Farm. And even if initially her past was partly made clear, I did have some sympathy for her, but not the overwhelming feeling of feeling sorry for her.
Yet the more is made clear, the more the real overwhelming feeling of pity came to me.
However, now she has put her past behind her, and looking after sheep surely made some hilarious situations are taking place. I found myself laughing at the stubborn sheep (one sheep particularly!).

When Cass suddenly stands at her door, I didn’t like her presence. Cass came over like a know-it-all, it seemed like she thought she could just come and start making decisions over the farm, never taking Dora’s opinion in account. And that made Dora doubt if being at the farm was truly her own wish or just something thrown at her.
Yet again, there is always more than meets the eye, and slowly I had to readjust my opinion over Cass, because just like Dora, I didn’t understand what Cass had been through and is still going through.

But please keep in mind, there are also so many sweet and funny moments! I loved reading how Thor slowly starts to embrace farm life, even if his dream is to become insta-famous. And his livestreaming will prove to be a real lifesaver!

I am not writing anything on Nat on purpose, because I want you to discover him all by yourself. Let me just say that no matter what happened before, I would like to have a Nat all for me too!

This story is about running away from your past, but also that sometimes confronting them can be liberating. And that it can be hard to see the difficulties someone else is in when your own plate is already full. Yet when you take the time to be honest and open, you will be able to find the perfect solution for all people involved and appreciate your loved ones and vice versa.

I found it sometimes a funny story, sometimes a story with a darker twist to it. But I enjoyed reading about two sisters so different yet so alike.
Again Jane Lovering didn’t disappoint in this book, writing about a place to call home, seeing people for the first like how they really are and many many many funny sheep! 

A huge tumble with huge consequences.

Synopsis

Meet Kaitlyn Colby, a clumsy, inappropriate blurter with self-esteem issues, but also quite handy with an axe. She’s certainly no superhero, but she fights the battles of a single mom with sweet snarkasm. Between work and pining for and co-parenting with her man-child ex (is there any other kind?), Kaitlyn has no time to find that special someone. And if she did, would he really want her anyway? Kaitlyn’s sister and friends (The Sweet Water Circle) say yes, so following a typical Kaitlyn slip up, The Circle intervenes to force her out of the funk that she fell into following her unwanted divorce.

When Kaitlyn makes a decision to pursue her advertising career over love, she tumbles (like no tumble you’ve ever seen…or heard) into the life of hunky, bay breeze-drinking Hunter Dixon, an ad exec who is intrigued enough by Kaitlyn that he hires her firm to revive a struggling project, much like herself.

Can Kaitlyn become the woman she needs to be to land the man of her dreams? Maybe. Maybe not. But you’ll laugh out loud as she tries. There’s no doubt you’ll be rooting for the lovable, hilarious, and relatable Kaitlyn. And you’ll probably love her friends, too, which is good, because their stories are ready to be told in the Sweet Water Circle series!

Project Kaitlyn could be the funniest book you ever read. It’s a hilarious romantic comedy that speaks the truth (well, most of the time) about life and love, and…hiking thongs? What the heck is that? Well, you’ll just have to read it to find out!

My review

Kaitlyn Colby is a single – mom with no time for finding that special someone. After all, whenever in need of some loving, she can always count on her ex – husband, as their lust is still very much present.
And also, who would ever want her? No matter what her best friends of The Sweet Water Circle say, she keeps on having very low self – esteem…
But when on an event she literally takes a big tumble and bumps into Hunter Dixon, little does she know that not only her career but also her love life will take a new direction!

Did I ever expect to have so much fun reading this book? Absolutely not! Did I have several loud laughs, scaring the people around me? Absolutely yes!

Kaitlyn is a woman that could have been my friend in real life. She is so recognizable, fun to be around, a great sense of humour and even her clumsiness is something I can relate to! And if she were for real, I would be just like her friends of The Sweet Water Circle, trying to make it clear to her just amazing she is, because her low self – esteem is totally unjustified!
Yet she is also hot – tempered, the way she lashes out at that cardboard!

The most fun starts when she meets Hunter Dixon. Talking about original first meetings! I had my first loud laugh while Kaitlyn was tumbling, but if I were in her shoes, I would have the same feeling of total embarrassment!

Kaitlyn and Hunter are total opposites.. Kait – formerly known as Kaitlyn, does not like to take unnecessary risks and doesn’t do ‘spontaneous’. While Hunter just easily goes with the flow and he will see what the future holds for him. and he surely doesn’t do ‘serious’!
Yet the attraction is palpable and just sparks from each page!
The banter between this couple is hilarious, they take it to a whole new level!

Yet the insecurity Kait still has, put a bit of a dark shadow over this couple’s potential. Kait is not sure what Hunter sees in her, and adding a flirting colleague like Sascha in the equation, is not surely helping out!

However slowly Kait starts to see what everybody else sees, that she totally is worth of love, and why not Hunter’s love? She grows in the story to a stronger woman, not only thinking about others but also thinking about what makes her happy. And if that is Hunter, so be it.

I loved reading how she started to do things outside her comfort zone, with the encouragement of Hunter. I will never think of hiking in the same way! 😄

The friends that Kait has, are just too much fun! So I have to put them in my review!!! They truly want what’s best for Kait, showing how close they really are, no matter their differences. They help each other, support each other and give even some unwanted or strange advice. Be prepared whenever the Circle is present, because you’ll never know what will be said!

This author was a real revelation for me, as I enjoyed every bit of this book! It’s fun, sweet but also with a message that everybody is worthy of love, and that no matter how little you think of yourself, people will see your true colours and love you just the way you are!
I cannot wait to read more!!!

A little bit of love, a little bit of drama, a little bit of secrets.

Synopsis

It’s 1988. The era of young love, with Scott and Charlene melting hearts in Neighbours, and a new princess for the Royal Family. With Bros, Madonna and Wet Wet Wet in the charts, and children hoping for Ghostbusters’ toys in their stockings.

But it’s not all fun for Belinda. If her life was a board game, she’s losing at snakes and ladders. Once she’d been working her way up one of those ladders but, thanks to her snake-like polytechnic lecturer, she’s toppled from the rungs. Now she works in an old people’s home, where her chief duties involve cleaning toilets and emptying commodes.

At least her lovely colleague, Joe, offers excitement in her otherwise dreary life. But Belinda can’t believe he’d be interested in someone like her. Not when her pretty friend, Tracey, only has to glance at a man to have him fall for her.

But just when it seems things are looking up for Belinda, the residents’ precious possessions start to go missing. Then she witnesses a disturbing incident and doesn’t know what to do. Luckily, Belinda has Joe to guide her – until she discovers that he’s hiding a secret, one that forces her to make an agonising decision.

Will she continue to hide in the shadows, never speaking out – or will she put her future on the line to stand up for what is right? After all, she’s caring for a generation that’s lived through two wars. Now it’s time to fight for them.

My review

In the Eighties, Belinda is ready to start a new job. After her own share of unfortunate events, she works in a care home/ residential home, mainly cleaning toilets and emptying commodes.
It’s not the job of dreams, but without a degree, she is not in the position to be picky on jobs.
Luckily she befriends colleague Joe, a very lovely and good-looking man. The closer they become, the more insecure Belinda becomes, because why would someone like him be interested in someone like her, while he could get someone gorgeous as her best friend Tracey.

But slowly things are looking better for Belinda, because the residents’ are really fond of her. However when possessions start to disappear and not all colleagues are treating the residents with the respect they earn, Belinda is not sure what to do. Should she dare to speak out, with risking her own job? Or should she just keep quiet?
With the guidance of Joe, Belinda is trying to do the right thing. But when it appears that Joe also has a secret of his own, Belinda has to make an even more important decision that will also affect the residents…

First of all, I was only two when this story is taking place 😃 So a few references were not that clear to me. But overall I truly enjoyed reading this blast from the past!

Despite her past, I admired Belinda and her courage of not just giving up. Working in the home is not something she saw herself doing, but she is committed to the job and she starts to really care about the residents. She sees how some people are feeling lonely and she does her best, even when her workhours are over, to make these people a little bit happier.
And I think that even in the present, we need more people like Bee, caring and looking after those who have fought literally so that we are where we are now. The older people are often seen as a burden, while they can still be a source of knowledge.

In the beginning, Bee is a very insecure woman, lacking self – confidence. But slowly she evolves in a young woman, standing up for the rights of the residents, and starts to see also her self-worth. And thanks to Joe, she starts to see how other people see her, a lovely, caring young woman with her heart at the right place.
Even when she discovers the truth about the missing possessions, she keeps in mind what the right thing to do is, even if it hurts someone nearby her.

I loved reading how this girl went from cleaning toilets to fighting for the care of the residents. And to read how she and Joe are getting closer, was just too sweet!
Being a story taking place in the Eighties, there were a lot of funny references that I could perfectly imagine. And also there were bits that were hilarious to read about!

I found this a very entertaining story with lovely moments, but also with secrets to be uncovered.
Sometimes I was left shocked with how the residents were treated, realizing that unfortunately this is still a fact in present times. But with people like Bee and Joe, the injustice can be undone with the caring people that truly have our beloved ones best interest at heart!

The story of a teenager

Synopsis

Emme starts dating a popular high school student who happens to be from a famous political family. It seems like everyone at school either wants to be Brendon Agretti or date him. Emme feels out of her comfort zone in Brendon’s worldand it doesn’t help that his picture-perfect ex seems determined to get back into his life, along with every other girl who wants to be the future Mrs. Agretti. Emme is already conflicted due to the fact her last boyfriend dumped her and her whole world is off kilter with her grandparents’ health issues. Life suddenly seems easier pushing Brendon away and relying on her crystals and horoscopes to guide her. Emme soon starts to realize she needs to focus less on the stars and more on her senses. Can Emme get over her insecurities and make her relationship work? Life sure is complicated when you’re dating the it guy.

My review

When Emme starts dating the popular guy from high school, she is not ready for all the extra luggage that comes with it.
Not only does she have to face her own insecurities, but she also has to face the flirting of Brendon’s ex – girlfriend. As at home she is also having difficulties because of her grandparents’ health issues, she starts to rely more and more on the guidance of crystals and horoscopes.
Because it seems to be all too much for her, it seems to her it will be easier to just push Brendon away. But is it the right choice to make? And should she learn to trust her intuition over the crystals and horoscopes?

When being in high school, who didn’t dream of being in a relationship with the most popular guy? Of course, if you’re not one of the popular girls too, chance of that dream coming true, are rather small.
So I was very happy with the opportunity of reading this story.

It’s clear that Emme is a young girl with a lot on her plate. Her previous relationship did not end very well, making her own insecurities grow bigger. Also at home she has to face big issues, because her beloved grandparents’ health situations are deteriorating.
When she starts dating Brendon, I was hoping that everything would go smoothly for her, but of course that would be a very short story if that would be the case.
And the issues she is having, are so recognizable for everyone. We all had insecurities about ourselves. As a teenager we all doubted if we were good enough. And an ex – girlfriend lurking behind every corner surely isn’t making things easy for Emme.

I have to admit, I found it a bit difficult to understand why Emme went all the way with relying on crystals and other beliefs in astrology. But maybe it’s because I have a total lack of interest in such matters.
But I understood that Emme had to find her comfort somewhere, so why not in astrology?

In general I found it a bittersweet story, about a young girl finding love, but having many struggles and sometimes making the wrong decisions. But it was also a story about growing up, because we see Emme slowly relying more on her intuition and even discard the advices given by a supposed good friend.

I think this would be a good story for teenagers to read, to see that there is always light on the end of the tunnel. And for adults it’s a good reminder of what we went through ourselves.