More than expected!

Synopsis

Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past
holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of
star-crossed lovers… or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

My review

Suzie gets the opportunity to go on a holiday to the city of her dreams, when she’s hired to accompany Lady Alexandra Tedburn.
Despite what she thinks, Alex is a grown – up woman, but her father wants someone to chaperone her.

Soon Suzie discovers that there is more to Alex than initially thought. They spend a lot of time together in Venice and nearby, and a close friendship is born.
Suzie tries to persuade Alex to follow her dream to study arts and come clean about her feelings.

While discovering the area, Suzie meets plenty of people. She meets Alex’ love interest, she makes new friends, and meets Michael, a local artist with a sad history.
They bond quickly, but is Michael ready to put the past behind him?

For me, this book was not a love story between 2 people but so much more. First of all, it’s about Suzie and her love for Verona and Shakespeare. She is trying to find her place in the world, and even if she feels at home in Verona, is this the place where her future lays?
But it’s also the story about Alex, how first impressions can be wrong. How you have to learn to chase your dreams, and be ready to let go of your world of wealth.

Mainly it’s a story about friendship. Suzie and Alex have more in common than thought. Because of their differences they realize they can depend on an honest opinion and persuasion of not just giving up.
The attraction between Suzie and Michael is in my opinion a minor storyline. But it’s so nice to read about! How someone cannot feel ready for a new relationship, and there is understanding and acceptance of being ‘just friends’.

What made me truly love it, was how Suzie adored all the places she went to. Of course everyone has read about the places, but reading how Suzie finally gets to see the places herself and how they exceed her expectations, made me dream of those places too!
Almost all the places in the book are places I visited myself at least once, so the attraction is understandable.

As I have seen, this author has written other books while ‘Dreaming of’, so now I MUST read those stories too!

Is the grass always greener?

Synopsis

When David meets old school-friend, Erin again he falls head over heels in love. He leaves his wife and their sixteen-year-old daughter to marry Erin. But, in a small village people have long memories and they move south for a fresh beginning. Erin’s behaviour starts to change in a very strange way and David wonders if she is punishing him for something he’s done?

My review

David left his wife and 16 years old daughter when he fell head over heels in love with Erin 2 years ago. He and Erin were old school friends but Erin moved to Australia.
And when by sheer coincidence they meet again so many years later, the attraction is just too big to ignore. And eventually they even got married.
Their marriage is a happy one, with the usual but not insurmountable issues. They take a next step in life, when David has the chance to go after a promotion nearby London.

After the move, Erin behaves suddenly very strange and out of character. David even becomes afraid of his own wife. But what caused this change in Erin? Did David do something wrong and he isn’t aware of it?

When we first get to know David and Erin, they are this happy couple, but also a bit struggling living a small town where everyone knows that David left his wife for Erin. Being in a small town, everyone blames Erin for wrecking a perfectly happy family.

Rather quickly in the book, despite my initial dislike for the situation, I realized that David and Erin truly love each other. Erin knows that David has more in his sleeve than he even realizes, and pushes him in taking decisions he initially is not sure in taking. Erin does this with the best intentions, because she loves him so much.

The whole situation goes for the worse after they move. Erin suddenly becomes more aggressive towards David. The reader knows what is the cause, but the situation quickly gets of out hand. But how far will everything deteriorate?

In a way, you understand Erin her feelings, but her actions are over the top. And when it evens goes as far as domestic abuse, all the sympathy you had for her, disappear.
And when she starts doing things behind David’s back, even the understanding is gone.

The further you go in the story, the more sympathy you feel for David. He has nobody he can rely on, being in a new place. But I had some relief when he quickly builds a friendship with Jessie and Jakub, and despite everything that happened in the past, he can still rely on his ex – wife.

This is a thriller which made me wonder how it all would end, and what consequences everybody would carry. And also a reminder that sometimes the life we had wasn’t so bad at all…

Hot hot hot!

Synopsis

Sometimes digging up the dirt

Means getting deliciously dirty…

I always work for the good guys. My job was simple: get the dirt on Coco Lauren, a princess of a socialite who talks—and plays—dirty. But I kissed her. I tasted her. Uncovered the tantalising woman beneath the polished façade. And she undid me in every way. Now I’m the bad guy. But how do I tell Coco the truth…when coming clean means losing her?

My review

Ash is a private investigator hired to find dirt on Coco Lauren, a member of the family of Duchess Lauren. And not hired by just anyone, but her own brother!
Ash thinks it will be an easy job, just find the dirt, pass it on and cash the money.

But when he sees her in an exclusive “whatever happens inside stays inside” sex club, he cannot resists her any longer.
After their first encounter, Ash cannot put her out of his mind, he wants more of her, wants to know all her secrets and protect her from the cruel world outside.
But how will Coco react when she finds out he’s the real bad wolf?

Rachael did it again, writing an amazing hot story that will keep you going!
But this book I liked even more than her other ones, because for once, it’s Coco who dictates everything!
It’s so refreshing seeing a man put on his knees by a woman and not the other way around!

Coco is seemingly a strong woman, knowing how she has appear in public, as is required from a woman with her allures. But behind the façade, there is a fragile woman, trying to cope with the imminent loss of her beloved grandmother. The only way she can forget about her pain, is passing time in the club.
But after meeting Ash, she finds herself tangled in lust, but also having the desire to trust Ash and allow herself to love him.

Ash is known for being the best private investigator in the area, but his instinct to protect Coco is too overwhelming!

Both Coco and Ash have issues to completely trust someone, as their trust and love have been betrayed in the past.
When they are together, they are able to put everything behind them, and share thoughts and memories they wouldn’t share with anyone.

This story was a steamy story, but also a story about opening up, learning to trust and rely on somebody. And that when you love someone, you would move heaven and Earth to make him or her happy!

When the attraction is just too big…

Synopsis

A reunion in Rome…Sparks an affair to remember!

Responsible widow Lilian Fairclough is persuaded to travel to Rome for a hard-earned break and to let down her hair! She’s surprised to be reunited with passionate, cynical Italian duke, Pietro Venturi. He reawakens her sensual side and intrigues her with glimpses of pain beneath his rakish surface. Enticed into a secret and temporary affair – what will happen once she returns home?

My review

Widowed Lilian Fairclough travels to Rome, as a gift from her now adult children. She feels as she is not needed anymore, as all her children are settled down. She also thinks that as the love of her life is gone, she is not entitled for another love.
But in Rome she meets Pietro Venturi again. A couple of months ago, something happened between them, but Lilian never thought to see him again…

In Rome their attraction is too hard to resist, but there is not only the attraction, but they have a mutual interest in art, making them bond even more.

It was nice to read about someone who already had her love of her life. In most books, it all ends when the 2 of them get together and they both live happily ever after.
But what happens when the other half dies and you are left alone?

Lilian feels she has no right to love again, because she had her love already. And I think this is a feeling many people have. Are you entitled to have another great love when you already had your share?

Pietro is a handsome duke, but is not at all inclined to settle down. Slowly he opens up to Lilian, and you get to understand why he is who he is now. But he’s also a kind friend, showing Lilian around in Rome, and share the same thoughts.

I really enjoyed this book, as both characters are real adults. They are not just some light headed persons just falling in love, and have the world at their feet.
Both Lilian and Pietro had their share of bad luck (if we can call it like that) which made them into the persons they are now.

And for me, being sometimes a pain in the a** when it comes to Italy, I truly enjoyed it when the grammar was correct. When somebody spoke in Italian, not only was it written correctly, but the construction of the sentence was correct.

And it was amazing imagining the places I know so well through Victorian glasses! I knew where I was in Rome and I saw myself walking with Lilian and Pietro!

Gold – digger or no gold – digger?

Synopsis

Lesley has always fancied herself as an amateur sleuth, a sort of modern day Miss Marple without the support stockings.

So when Al wants to hire her to investigate his elderly uncle’s young fiancée, she jumps at the chance. It doesn’t hurt that the job will involve posing as Al’s girlfriend and joining his glitzy, star-studded family on holiday in Nice.

Stella still can’t quite believe she’s engaged to legendary actor Sir Peter Bradshaw. She accepted what she thought was a deathbed proposal. Now she has a living, breathing fiancé and a wedding to plan.

First, though, she has to get through a holiday in the South of France with Peter’s extended family, who all seem convinced she’s a gold-digger with her sights set on the family fortune.

As Lesley bonds with Stella over shopping trips and bottles of rosé, she thinks she has it all figured out. After all, it’s no great mystery why a young woman would marry a fabulously wealthy seventy-two-year-old with a heart condition, is it? It’s an old story.

And Al may be the nicest boyfriend she’s ever had (even if he is fake), but Lesley believes in instant attraction and there’s just no spark … no matter how fit he looks in his swimming trunks. So there’s no chance he’s going to grow on her.

But people have a way of surprising you, as she’s about to discover …

My review

Lesley and Al meet at a Dinner Date, but from her side there is no spark, even if Al wants to have an actual date with her.
As she believes that the attraction has to be instant, she quickly dismisses Al, making it clear that there is nothing between them.

When after a while Al reappears, it’s not because he’s a stalker, but because he wants to hire her as a private detective, as that’s what Lesley told what her profession was.
For her it’s a dream coming true, because not only she will finally be able to be real detective, but she also gets to investigate Al’s Uncle’s fiancée. This because his uncle is not only an elder, but also famous and rich actor Peter Bradshaw.
Together with Al, they decide to pose as a couple and go together to Nice where the whole Bradshaw family will enjoy a holiday.

Slowly Lesley and Stella (being the Fiancée) befriend each other, but also between Lesley and Al seems to be growing something.
Will Lesley find out the truth everyone is so certain of? And what about her feelings for Al?

I truly enjoyed reading this story!
Reading about Lesley made me really laugh, as she has so strict ideas about falling in love, which are in truth so absurd!
Al gave me initially the creeps, but when he returns in the story, he’s just this great guy just wanting the best for his family.

Lesly her doubts about Al are typical for someone who is looking for love, but also afraid to give her heart away. Will her heart be broken?
Things only get more complicated for Lesley when it seems that Al his ex is still around… is it really over between the 2 of them?

From the start you get the idea that Stella is truly a gold – digger, but when we get to know her better, there is this sense of not understanding.
Stella has a deep secret, she wants to prevent to come out. But Peter’s family will do what they can to expose her. And even his sons won’t be afraid of playing dirty to prevent their father from being played by a gold – digger.

It seems a story where you know what the result will be, the only question is when.
But don’t get fooled, as I was left flabbergasted as I didn’t see that one coming at all! (NO SPOILERS!!!).

This book is categorized as a romantic comedy, but in my opinion, it was more than just a comedy…
It isn’t afraid to talk about negative aspects in life and its consequences.
But it also talks about a heavy subject being more and more accepted by society, with the exception of several people with blinders on…
But the author managed to write about this so respectfully that my esteem just grew bigger than before!

Just check this amazing cover! And of course let this be a temptation for reading the book!

Synopsis

Mark thought being a witch would be easy, but it has ruined everything.

Now, he has to fight for his friends and the guy that he loves.

Which would be challenging enough, without school being a living nightmare; more demons than he can handle; and witches that have strayed from the light.

Just beautiful!

Synopsis

Can you love when all seems lost?

Ellie Perkins life was right on track until her boyfriend Sam suffers a near-fatal car accident, leaving him in a coma and all their future plans in limbo.

Desperately in need of something to fix, Ellie has to find a project and when her grandparents old house is put up for sale, she jumps at the chance. Because, like Ellie, the house is broken. And if she can fix the house, then surely, it’s just a matter of time before she and Sam are back on their path to happily-ever-after…

In life, when the worst happens how do you pick up the pieces?

A heart-breaking story of love, loss and the path to forgiveness, perfect for fans of Faith Hogan and Amanda Prowse. To be read with tissues

My review

Ellie and her boyfriend Sam seemed to have their future all figured out. But all their plans are thrown out of the window when Sam has an accident putting him in a coma. .

Despite this, Ellie keeps hoping that one day Sam will wake up and together they will continue to build their future together.
To keep herself from going crazy, she starts a project: buying her grandparents’ house and renovate it.
She wants to rebuild the house, making it ready for when Sam wakes up. Because when the house is ready, he WILL wake up. There is just no other option, is there?

Normally, when I read a story, it has to be a rather good story to let me wipe a few tears away. But OH MY GOD, I wasn’t ready to cry so much!!! Everything I was reading about Ellie and Sam, I was automatically reaching for my tissue, because I knew I would start crying.

This was just so heart – breaking… Ellie tries to be a strong woman, but how can she be strong all the time when the love of her life is lying in a hospital bed?
And Ellie says it also a few times: when somebody dies, you get to say goodbye. But Sam is not dead, so how can she go on with her life, when he is still there?

Luckily, she can rely on her Aunt, Uncle and niece, who are more parents and sister to her than her real mother.
And also Sam’s best friend is someone who she can turn to, in times of need.

After I finished this book, I had a feeling I went through an emotional rollercoaster. I felt a lot of sadness, but despite this, there was also a lot of hope, joy, funny moments.
And most of all, there was a lot of love that just sparked out of the book!

This book is a true recommendation for everyone!

When Bitterness meets Happiness…

Synopsis

Tom and Emma drift through life, both burdened with a heavy sense of grief. Both have suffered devastating loss and have closed themselves off to the possibility of happiness. Then, at a funeral, their eyes meet and they feel something neither expected. 

Supported by their quirky friends and a ‘right to the point’ pensioner, will they overcome their fears and find the solution to the pain within each other, or will they give up and go their separate ways? 

In turns funny and sad, A Reason to Grieve is a romantic tale about two people fighting their feelings, about love and loss. And about funerals.

My review

Tom and Emma are both struggling with their emotions. They are unable to grieve for a loss they had in the past. The only way they can cope, is attending funerals of totally strangers.
At one of those funerals, they meet and feel an instant click.

A friendship is created with feelings ready for more. But are Tom and Emma emotionally ready to take this leap of faith while their hearts are scattered?

In first instance, I found it a bit of a morbid story…  I didn’t understand the need of both characters for attending funerals of total strangers.
But slowly, as we get to know Tom and Emma better, the necessity they feel for going to funerals is clear.

Tom seems to have it all, but he didn’t manage to grieve over the loss he faced when he was a child. Thanks to his friends, and also the need he feels himself, he takes baby steps to overcome his grieve. And when he meets Emma, for him it’s clear he has to learn to get out of his shell.
during the whole story, it’s clear what an amazing friend he is. In time of need, no matter what the cause is, he does whatever he can to help.

Emma is grieving for a whole other reason, but her pain is immense anyway. Working in a hair salon with friends, she has a share of clientele that are more than just clients. And when one of her dearest clients has bad news, she wants to do everything she can to cheer Doris up.
She also shows what an amazing friend she is. And somehow she is even more introvert than Tom. But for those that are in her circle, she would move mountains!

This story was an unexpected surprise for me. I didn’t doubt that I would like it, but I loved it more than expected!
The premises sounded a bit weird, so I didn’t know how the story and the characters would evolve. So I had a little fear that it would be a story too confusing, making no actual sense.
But I liked every bit of it!

Tom and Emma are everyday people, they can be your friends, members of your family etc.
It’s no so hard to relate to them, understand their feelings and fears. And when the past is uncovered, their feelings make even more sense than before!

And for your share of laughter, be sure to count on Doris!!!

Is it really impossible?

Synopsis

Lady’s maid…

To wedded Lady?

Lady’s maid Jane Bailey’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of wealthy gentleman Robert Kendal. He’s come to take Jane to visit her long-lost, aristocratic grandfather. Travelling together, they succumb to a mutual attraction. Yet Jane knows a maid should not hope to love a gentleman, even if she’s suddenly wearing silk dresses and dining with the Family. Society decrees they cannot marry, but how long can Jane deny her heart?

My review

Jane is a young lady’s maid, rather satisfied with her current life. But it all changes when suddenly Robert Kendall appears.
He came to her lady’s house, to search for a Jane Bailey and bring her to her unknown grandfather.
During the trip, both of them get to know each other better and they feel attracted to each other.
But can it be love? Jane is still a maid and it is not custom to marry a gentleman, even if Jane now is part of the world of silk dresses and fancy dinners…

Yes, I knew what to expect from this ‘kind’ of book, but sometimes this kind of book is all you need!
Jane is a typical plain Jane, nothing extremely special, not even wealthy and working as a maid together with her mother.
When her world turns upside down, it’s obvious she is a bit lost, not knowing in which she now is part of.
Is it the world of a maid? Or is it the world of the wealthier?

During the whole book you sympathize with Jane, because it all so recognizable.
In the past she had her own demons she feared she’d never get over.
But she is also determined to face her demons and find a way anyway.
She’s also temperament full, not allowing anyone to treat her as a lesser woman, just because she’s a maid.

This story is “typical” being a Harlequin book, but also pointing out the difference in class, which is still up to date.
“Normal” people are most of the time content of their lives, but we all feel like a fish out of the water when we are faced with the people that are better off in wealth.
What also was nice to read, was that there are always people judging us without a right reason. Just because they are full of themselves, they assume we are not worth of their time and we are not worthy of breathing the same air, so to speak.

But there are always exceptions to this rule, as Robert Kendall shows. He’s a kind man, not caring about society and their thoughts, but makes up his own mind, after getting to know the person himself, and not having any prejudice.

So despite being ‘ooh you’ll know how it ends’, I truly enjoyed this book, as it shows that in the end, not so much has changed in society.
But it also shows that people can change if they want to, and that nothing is ever truly lost!