When life throws you lemons, alpacas are the answer!

Synopsis

Emma is having a fresh start.

After a successful teaching career, an exciting new chapter awaits Emma – helping her fiancé Grayson run one of Beatrix Potter’s farms. While imagining days spent supporting Grayson with his dream, working the land and helping with the animals, Emma harvests a dream of her own – to set up an alpaca-walking business around the farm.

But working together isn’t as easy as Emma expected. Soon her dreams are in tatters and, broken-hearted, she must start over yet again.

When Oliver, Rosie and the team at Willowdale Hall welcome Emma with open arms, she can’t believe her luck. But starting a new business in a new place is a daunting prospect, especially when it comes with unexpected obstacles. With a reserved, prickly groundskeeper as a partner, rapidly changing family dynamics to contend with, and time running out to get her new career off the ground, Emma may have bitten off more than she can chew.

But even though things are not going to plan just yet, the best is yet to come for Emma, if she can just take a leap of faith and follow her heart…

Escape to the Lake District with million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland, for an uplifting story of family, friendship and love.

My review

Emma always loved being a teacher. But together with her fiancé Grayson, she is ready to start a brand new chapter in her life. As they finally managed to get their hands on one of Beatrix Potter’s farms, Emma cannot wait to help Grayson running the farm. And perhaps she can also have her own dream coming true, set up an alpaca – walking business.
However, life with Grayson on the farm is not as she expected it to go, and quickly she finds herself heartbroken, dreamless and even homeless.
Luckily, a recent revelation brought Oliver and Rosie, and a whole team at Willowdale Hall in her life, and Emma can now start her own business.
But it isn’t easy on her own, especially so many changes all at once. And working together with a prickly groundskeeper doesn’t make it any easier at all.
Yet Emma always believes that the best it yet to come, so she truly hopes that it will also be in this case.

My dearest Jessica,

You made me fall in love with hedgehogs with your wonderful series. Please don’t let me fall in love with alpacas too, my bank account cannot handle a new passion! 😊

But just wow, what a wonderful, amazing story this was, once again. And why am I even surprised??? I know that Jessica and her tales touch my heart, make me weep like a baby, engulf me in a warm embrace, so why would this book be the exception?

If there is one emotion that I felt throughout the whole book for Emma, it for sure was ‘admiration’. Because she dares to step out of her comfort zone as a teacher and is ready to start fresh with her fiancé on a farm, she leaves what she knows behind. And it’s not only because of Grayson that she ‘gives up’ everything, she is actually looking forward herself to her new life.
But also when everything goes awry, and she has to have another fresh start, after some wallowing (which is only natural), she picks up the pieces again and is ready to have her dream coming true.

Admiration also of how she accepts the revelation of her father. What happened in the past cannot be changed, and she is looking forward to meet the new people in her life. Once again, this is with some logical trepidation, but if you are just like me and have read/devoured the previous books of this series, you know just how delightful Oliver and Rosie are.

But I have to say, I also felt sorry for Emma in several occasions. In the past she already got her heart broken once, and I have to say that I couldn’t understand why she was so in love with Grayson. Now, we don’t know how he was when they first met, but the present Grayson, I found him truly selfish, childish, immature and the kind of person that takes advantage of someone with a kind and generous heart (like Emma).

Emma for sure isn’t having an easy time, but she makes the best of everything, and doesn’t give up. No matter what she is struggling with, from making sure her Magnificent Seven alpacas will have a great home, to a strained relationship with her father. She even doesn’t give up on love, despite her history.

Now, I have to say, that the romantic bits in this book were lovely to read. But it didn’t feel like that was at all the focus of the book. Because it’s definitely about Emma’s journey to happiness. Happiness by running her own alpaca-walking business, happiness by being surrounded by her family, happiness by understanding what truly matters for her and happiness by realizing how she wants her future to look like.

To say that I devoured this book would be a real understatement. At some times, I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to read as much and as fast possible, absorbing every word of this wonderful story. But on the other hand, I also knew that the more I read, the quicker I would be reaching the end. And that would mean saying a goodbye to all the lovely characters and was I ready for that?

Jessica, I truly don’t understand how you manage each time to write such splendid stories, with captivating characters and amazing animals too! And having some old friends over again, for sure is the cherry on top of the most exquisite cake ever!
Luckily, Belgium has been spared from a shortage of tissues, as I was able to not cry, but on the other hand, I found myself singing all the time a famous Belgian song with the same title, telling us exactly the same message, that the best indeed is yet to come! (and if you want know which song, use our dear friend Google and search for the group Novastar with the same title 😊)

When Love and Death collide…

Synopsis

He’s almost perfect.

But he works for Death.

Nora Clanton sells caskets. It wasn’t her dream job, but it’s the family business. She lives in Rabbittown, a sleepy middle-of-nowhere small community, and her only friends are decades older than her. Her life is comfortable but sometimes she finds herself wanting more.

Then Garrett Bishop turns up and sweeps her off her feet. He’s handsome, charming and seems to have a good (if vague) job. There is one little thing though . . . death seems to follow him and rumours never stay buried in Rabbittown.

But when Nora finds out what Garrett has been hiding and all the ghosts left in his wake, she wonders whether it is time to lay their love to rest too . . .

Brimming with characters you cannot help but fall for, Casket Case is a heartfelt small-town romance bursting with life, heart and light. It is The Dead Romantics meets The Good Place.

My review

Nora never expected to take over her family casket business in Rabbittown, Alabama, especially not so soon, after losing her parents.
And for sure it’s not how she expected her life to be, and she doesn’t know if her future means to stay in Rabbittown running the business, or just something else. Life in Rabbittown isn’t the most exciting one, and Nora spends most of her time with her beloved grandfather.
The moment a stranger enters Nora’s shop asking for directions, Nora sees things suddenly more brightly. Because quickly afterwards, that same stranger, Garrett Bishop asks her on a date.
Garrett for sure puts a light back in Nora’s eyes, as he talks, listens, and is just a thoughtful man. However, being a logistic coordinator also means that he works long hours, has to travel a lot and can get calls in the middle of the night…
What Nora doesn’t know though, is that Garrett works for Death, and he helps people ‘crossing over’. Once Nora understand the depth of Garrett’s job, can she live with the fact that the man she is falling in love with has such a cruel job? How can she love the man that take loved ones away?

I have to admit, I did not find this the easiest story to read. And it has nothing to do with the “macabre” tone of it. Because yes of course, there are more joyous businesses to run than a casket business. But on the other hand, someone needs to run such a business, and the “dirty” work needs to be done by someone…

So why was it a difficult story to read? I just couldn’t connect that easily with all the characters, with the story itself… Things went too quickly in one aspect, in others too slowly, it felt like I didn’t gather to catch the right rhythm…

However, I admired Nora and the choices she had to make in the past and the choices she has to make now. It saddened me to read how she lost her parents, and yet felt it like her duty to take over the family business, even if she had different plans herself. With “duty” I don’t mean that she felt obligated in any way, because she was free to do what she wanted, but out of love for her late parents, she feels like it’s the right thing to do.

I totally loved the bond Nora has with her grandfather, and just with the whole community of Rabbittown. She cares about her elderly friends, and everyone cares about Nora. And as expected, they are all invested in Nora’s love life (or lack of love life 😊).

That all changes for the better when Nora and Garrett meet. Their meeting and planning a first date is one example how fast the pace suddenly is. After meeting just by cheer accident, Garrett wants to date Nora. But while that perhaps made me frown a little bit, it’s clear that Garrett is a genuine guy, even if his job is a bit secretive.

As a reader of course we know what Garrett’s job is. But it was interesting to read how he got to do what he does (and it was a heartbreaking tale…). And I was intrigued by what exactly he had to do, as I initially thought he was more like a Grim Reaper, only to understand that he was more like Nicholas Cage’s character in City Of Angels.

I was happy to see how Nora finds someone that makes her believe in love again, yet it angered me a little bit how not understanding she was towards Garrett’s job. I would think that someone running a business like hers, she would be a little more apprehensive and understanding.

In this book we see how life, love and death can bring out different emotions. While life and love normally are happy emotions, death isn’t a happy thought. So it is understandable that having someone working in that ‘branch’ can be disturbing to learn about it. While in fact, in a way, it’s a beautiful thing, having someone like Garrett in that moment.

It’s not an easy subject to write about, but the author for sure made it possible to turn my perceptive of it a bit.
And of course it’s also about finding love, understanding love and accepting love. And that what someone does for a living doesn’t “make” that person. A job and a character aren’t always deeply connected as it can be pure circumstantial how you get to do a certain job. And every job, even one involved with Death can have its beauty about it. And it’s all about seeing that and not just focus on the hurt of that.

When The Grinch meets Secret Snowflake…

Synopsis

Burned by love, Sebastian has sworn to remain single, but he may have just met his match.

Sebastian: Being single is under-rated. No inexplicable mystery of love for me. I admit I’m attracted to my co-worker Iris—and not just because she was wearing glowing cat paw underwear. But even though she’s breached my first line of defense, I’m set in my Grinch ways.

Iris is the Secret Snowflake for her perfect man—who is definitely not Sebastian.

Iris: No more naughty heartthrobs for me. Catching my rock star ex cheating cured me. All I’m asking Santa for is my work bonus and a nice—dare I say boring?—guy. And that’s my Secret Snowflake recipient: Ernest. But now our company has been hacked, and secrets abound. I’m working around the clock to figure out who and why—with our aloof, but oh-so-attractive company counsel, Sebastian—before I get a stocking filled with coal for the holidays.

The last thing I should also be trying to decipher is him. I know I can trust Sebastian to help me. It’s trusting my heart that’s the problem.

When things are definitely not what they seem, sometimes it takes the light of the holidays to reveal the clues to love.

My review

Ever since Iris caught her rock star boyfriend cheating on her, all she is looking for is a nice guy. And she believes she has found him with her Secret Snowflake recipient. But as she doesn’t know what Ernest really likes, she asks her colleague Sebastian for his input, as he seems to be the closest to Ernest.
However, when the company is being hacked, Iris has to work to figure out what is going on, and that also means working with Sebastian.
Joining forces means attraction that grows between the pair. But Sebastian isn’t at all looking for love, even if the more time he spends with Iris, it’s harder to ignore the attraction.
And Iris for sure should only be focusing on the job of deciphering the hacks and not trying to understand Sebastian….

Picking up a book written by Kathy Strobos for me always feels like picking up a book filled with happiness. Because she always manages to write great stories with great characters but also realistic and just real characters.

Although I have to say, that perhaps I thought that the focus would be more on the Secret Snowflake bit. But I was glad it wasn’t because it gave the characters the opportunity to show who they really are, without the Secret Snowflake being the common thread throughout the whole story.

Iris has been burnt by love in the worst way, in a way that no one deserves. So while her ex-boyfriend was a rockstar, with a bad boy reputation, it makes perfectly sense that now she is looking for the complete opposite and wants a nice guy instead.

I liked Iris from the start, because she is not only a smart cookie, she is also a kind and generous person. She knows her friends, what makes them happy. She even goes that far to make someone feel less awkward by pretending to be pregnant too (as a joke 😊).
Honesty forces me to say that I was a bit in awe of her knowledge, because IT is for sure not my cup of tea!

On the other hand we have Sebastian. He enjoys his job, but finds it difficult to let his father understand that he isn’t looking for something else and he is doing what he is truly passionate about. And the last thing he is looking for, is love. It’s not that he is a player or using women for his own benefit, but he just enjoys singledom.

I have to warn you as a reader, because this for sure is a slow burn. But that is also what the book needs. Of course there is that physical attraction and many will – they – will – they – not moments. Despite my frustrations, because I wanted them to get together asap, it’s exactly the pace that Iris and Sebastian need to understand not only their own feelings but also understand each other, and just get to know each other.

This book was so utterly sweet in so many different aspects, because we see how Iris and Sebastian are just rooting and supporting each other. They want each other to succeed in whatever they do, and don’t want to be the one holding each other back. And that is a beautiful thought, even if it as the cost of their own happiness.

I also never heard of ‘Secret Snowflake’ before, only of ‘Secret Santa’, and I liked how by using a snowflake is so much more inclusive and allowing everyone to participate.

I had high expectations of this book, as I absolutely devoured the previous books of this series and other books of this author. While it isn’t adamant having read the previous book, perhaps it will be easier to understand some bits of this book. And because they are also just delightful to read! 😊
And the cameos of my old friends for sure put an even bigger smile on my face. I absolutely loved this book, the author did a wonderful job with this story about love, respect and courage about letting fear miss you out on perhaps the best possible thing.

An art retreat with ulterior motives…

Synopsis

A remote lakeside house. Six strangers with something to hide.

Who’s out for revenge? Who will survive?

When Polly signs up to an art retreat in the Lake District, it’s an escape from the stress of recent months, when a stalker preyed on her and her friend.

It’s also an opportunity to find out more about her family history: Polly believes her biological mother once lived here, at Lakeside House.

But things quickly turn sinister. The previous owners supposedly took their own lives here, years before – and the glamorous new owners are now receiving disturbing threats. Someone is sabotaging Polly’s artwork. The five other guests on the retreat all seem to be hiding something.

Then one of them goes missing.

Is someone trying to scare Polly? Do the creepy goings-on have anything to do with the family she never knew? Or has the stalker followed her to Lakeside House, and is now hiding in plain sight?

Now You Are Mine is a pulse-pounding dark psychological thriller. If you like Lucy Foley or C.L. Taylor, you’ll love Amanda Brittany.

My review

When Polly heads up to an art retreat in the Lakes District, she does it for more than just one reason. Not only does she need an escape from the stress she endured lately, even involving a stalker, but she also discovered that her biological mother is linked with the place. Because apparently her mother used to live at Lakeside House.
However, what was supposed to be a week to discover the truth, takes a sinister turn, as the previous owners allegedly took their own lives, even if their bodies were never found. And the new owners are scared as they are receiving threats. To make Polly even more scared, someone is also ruining Polly’s art works. Has the stalker followed her to the retreat? Or are the other guests and their own secrets something to take in account? Or is it perhaps Polly’s ominous past somehow involved? So many questions and scares, will answers be found? Or is the one missing person just the start of something more terrifying and sinister?

There are books in this world that truly make me afraid of going somewhere on my own, even if my loved ones know where I am. And since reading this book, I know for sure I will never ever ever go on an art retreat on my own, even if I am not artistic in any possible way! 😊

Even at the start of the book, it felt for me like I started reading somewhere halfway of Polly’s story. Because at the start, she already dealt with a stalker, making her escape her home already…
So I could understand that Polly needed to get away from everything and everyone for a while.
But I also found it inventive in a way of Polly to combine two purposes. She needs some peace, but she also discovered that her biological mother is linked to the art retreat, so it would be a bit stupid of her of not taking advantage of the opportunity!

Reading the blurb, you don’t need to be a rocket-scientist to know that the retreat won’t be giving Polly the answers and peace she needs.
But I would have never thought that *that* much would be happening! At several times I was thinking that perhaps it was a bit over the top, but on the other hand, was is truly?

While reading, it became very clear that in the end, you never know who you can truly trust, or what someone’s real character is or how someone is behind closed doors, even if that person is someone dear to you.
And you also cannot know how someone acts when just too many buttons have been pushed for too long…

I was terrified alongside Polly, because there is just so much going on. And what is even more terrifying, Polly has no idea if whoever is the culprit behind everything, is after her or it is just a coincidence that everything happens all at once.
But there is no such thing as coincidence, is there?

I also have to say, the title of the book did resonate with some passages, but for a long time I couldn’t match it with the greater picture. Only at the climax all the pieces of the puzzle fell together, also making the title having sense.
And that climax for sur had me sitting on the end of my seat, as I just didn’t know where to look/read as it for sure was an avalanche of information and revelations! Some were predictable, but some also came as a real surprise.

This book isn’t to be read if you are looking for a light, entertaining story, as it will make you look over your shoulder, become wary of everyone you will meet, and scared of every little noise you will hear…
But if you are looking for a thriller that will mess with your mind and leave you flabbergasted, this book for sure will be exactly what you were looking for!

Sometimes, Christmas means the need to get away from family

Synopsis

This year, their families can deck the bloody halls themselves…

Old friends Shelley, Lena and Pearl have reached their limit with the festive preparation that has always fallen to them, and five days before Christmas, they’ve booked a mini break… without their families. Up until Christmas Eve, they’ll be sipping prosecco in the Highlands while their kids wrap bacon around 100 chipolatas and their partners brave the supermarkets.

It’s exactly what they need… until they’re snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each woman is forced to confront her real reasons for needing to escape: the fiance with the obnoxious family; the son’s new girlfriend who is taking over their home; the family who take their mother for granted all year round…

Will the friends make it home before Christmas day? And if they do, can they really go back to their old lives?

This Christmas, forget Elf on the Shelf, get ready for Mums on the Run in the hilarious and heartwarming new novel from Fiona Gibson.

My review

Shelley, Lena and Pearl are old friends with all their own families and own struggles. Nevertheless, they can always rely on each other for a listening ear, comfort and just spend time together. But Christmas is for each and every one of them a stressful period.
So when the opportunity comes to have a mini break in the Highlands, in a cosy B&B, it’s just an offer they cannot refuse.
The plan is to charge their batteries up until Christmas Eve and let their families do all the preparations.
But no matter what the ladies have plans, they didn’t expect to be snowed in, with no option to make a safe return home. And being stranded means that each friend needs to face what she tried to escape at home: from obnoxious soon – to – be in-laws, a son’s girlfriend just doing how she pleases in her home or a whole family taking her for granted.
This mini break will for sure make the friends wonder: will they get back home in time for Christmas, but also will they just get back to their lives as they have known before, or is it time for a change?

Christmas is always a stressful period, so many preparations, so much to think about. And it for sure would be easy to just get away from everything, letting someone else take care of it, while you relax with a nice glass of prosecco, or another bubbly drink 😊

In this book, we see how different stress can be. What Shelly is going through, cannot be compared with Pearl’s worries, and not with Lena’s. And that is absolutely normal, because everyone has a different life, different relationships and obviously different kind of stress.

With stress levels reaching its climax for each woman, I for sure couldn’t blame them having the desire to just get away from it all. Although I have to admit, finding place in the B&B was a bit too easy for my liking, as I would think that it would be a Mission Impossible. But on the other hand, if there wasn’t this opportunity, what story would we have? 😊

I found it nice to see how despite their own issues, each woman was a real friend. Not only for their own little bubble, but also how they were ready for a “complete stranger” to take over the B&B, allowing him to see if he could also have a shot at finding love.

Of course the friends find themselves in a whole different kind of drama, trying to run the B&B but without the real know – how, or just knowledge of where to find everything. A few mishaps for sure made me laugh out loud, and it was great to see how the ladies came up with possible solutions, the one better than the other.

And the friends should have expected to be snowed in, because of course that would happen just when they were out! 😊 
But that also gives them extra time to reflect on their own lives at home. And also to make some shocking revelations…

It saddened me reading how in real life, while these woman are one by one great woman, are allowing people to just walk over them.
Shelley perhaps was the worst one, as her children don’t truly listen to her, her husband for sure isn’t a great help in the house or just a help at anything, and then I am not talking about his other despicable behaviour…

In that aspect perhaps Lena had at least *someone* in her corner, although for sure it cannot be easy having in – laws comparing you to someone else and finding always a point of criticism…

And Pearl, she is a great mother, but raising a child on her own isn’t easy, even if she cannot complain about her son. That is not what she can say about his girlfriend. I could understand how she wants to keep the peace, but I don’t think I would be able to stay quiet with such behaviour in my house!

I was curious to see how each main character would take back their lives in own hands. Would each of them find the courage to stand up to their loved ones? And how would that possible reaction be welcomed?

In this book we see how no matter how close friends are, and even how alike they are, each person has a different kind of issue to face in life. And we see how perhaps getting away in the most chaotic time of the year can give you the right perspective. Being surrounded by the people that understand you the best, can be the best comfort you may need, and that also works the other way around.
This was a heart – warming book to read, even if some characters were not likeable at all, but we see how the magic of Christmas does its thing once again, perhaps not like we are used to, but great in any way!

When a Christmas challenge becomes a matter of the heart…

Synopsis

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open… But there’s one man standing in her way – expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.

Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to Franca’s annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn’t know how her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff’s magical snow globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!

Franca’s determined to prove Raff’s business is built on lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make anything, she needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person offering is her gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!

As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring and funny. . But unless she can prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together, she’s going to lose everything…

But maybe it’s not too late for them to put aside their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?

My review

Franca Andrews knows what it feels to have your dreams falling apart. Luckily, she found a new passion, which brought her to Ever After Street and her nutcracker shop. But lately Franca has been feelings miserable and her shop isn’t having the success it used to have. And of course it doesn’t help that this year she is crossing swords with Raff Dardenne, the owner of the snow globe business, also situated on her street. Because after Christmas, there is only one shop that can remain open, and Franca is determined to win, and also expose the lies Raff is telling. Because of course it’s a pile of bollocks that his globes have a magical reputation of matching lovers. But what Franca didn’t count on, was the mistletoe accident making it nearly impossible to win the battle of the shops… And then the most unexpected thing happens, and Franca and Raff actually get to know each other better and understand each other. However, once Christmas is over, and only one shop will survive, where will it leave them?

Since I started reading this wonderful series, I have slowly started to believe in fairytales again. Of course a revised and updated version of fairytales 😊

But I have to admit that the story of the nutcracker is a blank spot as I have never read the original story. I only know the wooden nutcrackers, like the ones that Franca creates.

I also have to admit that I don’t truly understand how a business so much focused on one holiday can survive throughout the rest of the year. But that is just to blame on my lack of knowledge on how to run a business and not knowing how to make business profitable a whole year.

When first meeting Franca, I just had to admire her spirit. In the past, she was so close in turning her dream and passion into reality, to only have it broken literally into pieces. And not only did it end her career, but also learning the ugly truth about it, also meant that her heart hot broken in the process…

Yet I admired her how she was able to start a brand-new chapter in her own book and just started her own business.

And is there a more perfect place than having your business than in Ever After Street? Of course not!

Taking her background in account, and seeing how the marriage of her parents ended, I couldn’t blame her for completely mistrusting Raff. I won’t explain here why exactly she has these thoughts about Raff, his family and his business, but in her mindset, it makes sense.

Of course as a reader, it was a bit funny to see how much Franca despises Raff, but I also had a feeling that her acting that way was a bit over the top. I can understand you disliking someone, but taking it that far, that it may even cost your business?

And obviously, even if Raff is the cause of the situation France finds herself in, I was very eager to get to know the real Raff, and not just base my thoughts on the Raff that Franca has envisioned.

I loved Raff from the moment he shows up at Franca’s, to make things right. His background is perhaps not as dramatic as Franca, but he also is carrying around a burden. A burden he does not know how to carry without losing himself in that process. We see that he wants to do everything he can for his family and the legacy his family has, but we also see that it’s a his own cost. Because running the business like his grandfather did, means that Raff cannot be his real self, the Raff full of good ideas and more real.

It was just so heartwarming to see Franca and Raff growing closer, how their rivalry starts to change into something that more important, a real friendship and perhaps even something even deeper than that. Seeing trust being built, understanding and such a deep connection, that was exactly what I was expecting from a story in Ever After Street.

But I also have to admit that there were a few moments that made me fearful. Because in those moments, I could see how everything that the main characters have been building, could be falling apart.

Ever After Street is such a wonderful place, where people learn that their mistrust based on something of the past was uncalled for, that the perception they have of someone, isn’t always putting the other person in the right light, because what we think of someone isn’t always what that person truly is.

Ever After Street is a wonderful place, where the real character of a person shines through, where rivalries can take a complete 360° turn, and where we see the true heart of a community…

Once again Jaimie Admans swept me of my feet, making me believe in the power of fairytales, love, Christmas and mistletoes! And making me fall in love with nutcrackers and snow globes! 😊

Can the need for help erase the dark clouds of the past?

Synopsis

A disgraced football star, a high school in need of saving and a reunion too hot to handle

Headteacher Ella Lucas and football star Jake Prince have a very complicated history! Their mind-blowing encounter two years ago is proving impossible to forget now Jake is back, in her small town after being kicked out of the NFL.

She knew he was trouble then, but Ella has enough on her plate without having to worry about Jake Prince. Her school’s on the brink of closure, and she needs help. Then it dawns on her that maybe they can benefit each other – in more ways than one! Ella will help Jake to restore his disgraced reputation, if he can coach the football team to a winning streak. With nothing to lose, Jake reluctantly agrees….

As the school season heats up so does the inevitable chemistry between them. Far from being stuck in the past, the sparks between them are still there. And although he may look like her next mistake, Ella is determined that she will keep her hands off Mr Anti-hero even though she has an itch longing to be scratched. Because Ella’s has one golden rule: this is strictly business, they are never ever getting back together….

My review

Ella Lucas does not know what to do. She is head teacher but her school is on the brink of closure. There is one solution, bringing Jake Prince, former NFL – player, as a coach. But Jake has not only a reputation, but he and Ella also have a complicated history. And that not only involves a mind – blowing night two years ago…
As Jake himself hasn’t got that much to do himself, except running his own bar, he agrees to help Ella out. Especially as perhaps it can restore his own reputation because the end of his career wasn’t on a positive note…
With the spirits lifting up for the underdog football team, also things between Ella and Jake heat up again. However, the both of them are determined to keep their distance, and aren’t looking for getting together. And the fact that they have been living in the same town as children, and having their past resurfaces time after time, keeps on making things more complicated than ever…

I thought at the start of this book that it would be a very light story. Man and woman (re)meet, have lot of action, fall in love during the process, one big issue nearly the end, to end in a happily ever after.
And after that first chapter, I was even more convinced of my initial thoughts.

But once I got into the story, it was clear that not only the characters but also the story itself is filled with depth. Depths in unexpected ways, but also in some expected ways.

Let’s start with understanding Ella better…
She is fighting in so many different ways, in so many fights, that I felt sorry for her.
First of all, she is fighting to keep her school open. And that is truly admirable because the school is not only in bad papers, but also doesn’t have the best of reputations and the teenagers there don’t have the most privileged lives.
So seeing Ella fighting for them, wanting them to have a bright future, was something not only right but great to see too!

And that while her own personal life isn’t going that smoothly at all… Not only is she carrying around the shame of what her mother did for a living but she also has the most difficult relationship with her brother. Difficult, because for years she didn’t know she had in fact a brother…

She is struggling so much, that I think someone else would have already thrown the towel in the ring! But that is not Ella, because she fights for everything and everyone, and doesn’t just give up because that would be the easiest option.

And then there is the simmering sparks with Jake. While Ella does her best to pretend she despises him, it’s clear that in fact it’s the total opposite. They have been gone through the same struggles while growing up, so there is already that one connection between them.
Obviously there is also a physical connection between them, but once again, there so much more depth in their relationship that what I expected.

Jake is the kind of man that hasn’t had it easy growing up, had to fight hard to gain his success, but also lost it too. And now is seemingly muddling along, with a bar that isn’t his real passion. Also in his case, it’s his own past, and the burden he is carrying around of his father’s “burden”.

I found it in a way sweet to see how two characters, both scarred by life, find not only the guts to fight for something important, but also find each other.
You would think that with someone knowing your ugly background, it would be more difficult, as the past would always hang over you. But the opposite is true, because they know who you have been and can see the growth you have made.

And I found it truly inspiring even to see how they join forces, reluctantly perhaps at first, and want to make a change. Plus seeing that actual change, seeing how a whole school get excited, involved, just wonderful!

It’s mandatory that there has to happen something that risks to jeopardize everything Ella and Jake have been building. This happens on a few levels, as just one level would be too easy, right?
But also here, after the initial shock, the main characters show how much they have grown, matured not only before but also during the story.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as of course there were some heated moments, in more ways than just the one 😊. But it also shows us how much people can change during the years, how much they can mature. And perhaps most important, how engaged people are for the right cause. All this is also added with learning to accept the past for what it was, and have your closure so that you are able to look forward to your own future, that will be brighter with all the acceptance and changes that you made!

An escape in the hope to heal, to find peace

Synopsis

Heartbroken after the loss of a friend and the collapse of her marriage, Stella hopes that this trip to the idyllic Greek island of Crete will give her and her family a chance to heal. And when she first steps into the breath-taking Villa Ariadne, with its views over the azure waters and intoxicating scent of lemons, Stella’s troubles seem to melt away.

Until the arrival of an old acquaintance, and an unwelcome revelation, threaten to undermine the peace at the villa, and Stella is forced to make a difficult decision.

But with the help of Crete’s beautiful scenery and the kindness of its locals, Stella is about to discover that Villa Ariadne can still offer an escape… and so much more. Can she open herself up to the possibility of love and find the strength to start again?

My review

After losing her best friend and simultaneous seeing her marriage ending, Stella decides that she needs to get away. With family and friends, she takes off to Crete, hoping to get over her heartbreak and hoping to find some inner peace again.
Villa Ariadne for sure seems the perfect place to do some healing, with an astonishing view and amazing smell of the lemon trees.
And slowly Stella realizes, what truly matters in her life, with the help of the island itself, its inhabitants, and even unexpected arrivals.
Will this Greek escape be enough for Stella to find fresh hope in life again?

I cannot imagine how terrible it is to lose a best friend… I am happy to have all my friends still around me. So all I can try is try to understand what Stella has been going through and what she still is going through.
Stella is obviously an amazing friend, how she has been there until the very last moment. And seeing how devastated she is after losing her friend, shows what a great heart she has.

But I could also comprehend how her being a great friend, was affecting her family. It’s difficult to find the right balance, and afterwards how to deal with your grief while people are depending on you. And it saddened to see how her grief, or inability to grieve, was eventually the demise of her own marriage, also affecting the relationship with her children.

Stella is also the kind of person that has to learn how to block people. She is a real people – pleaser, and finds it difficult to put boundaries. And again, affecting her own relationships…

Taking in account all the above, I found it a good idea for Stella to take a trip to Crete. It’s so obvious she needs to get away and find a place to clear her mind, to just digest everything that she has been through.
But it was also clear that things wouldn’t go so smoothly all the way and that there would be some clashing and drama, even with those the closest to her.

The focus in this book is obviously on Stella and her journey to heal, find peace but also her journey to understand where things have gone wrong and why.
Of course we also see the other characters that accompanied her on this holiday, and also how the community on Crete welcome the new arrivals.

We see how Stella has to make several amends, but also how she has to realize herself what she truly wants and how to set her boundaries but without being too hurtful towards the people that in fact deserve to put in their place.

I have to admit, Stella wasn’t always the easiest character to like, as she seems stubborn, not understanding towards others and in a way also blaming others for her own errors. But that is also the beauty of this book, because we see Stella truly having an emotional journey, understanding it all and making amends.

And also, perhaps that one specific scene towards the end was not that necessary, and a closed door scene would have been better? Because honestly, I was a bit shocked reading those bits, as it was so different from the whole book! 😊

I enjoyed reading this book, as it shows how sometimes the right thing, out of your heart, can cause a disruption somewhere else. But we also see that sometimes to take a step back, away from home, can be the perfect opportunity to get everything back into perspective, and allow you to properly grieve. And only when you allow that grief, you can also understand the errors you made and find a way to set them back right.
And what better setting than sunny Crete, in a wonderful Villa! 😊 

To spend Christmas with the man you despise, the worst possible Christmas ever, right?

Synopsis

Two sworn enemies, snowed in over Christmas with chemistry that will melt the ice!

Nina Thompson has one Christmas wish: to avoid her brother’s obnoxiously handsome best friend, Tristan, like the plague. From the moment he humiliated her as a teenager to their escalating revenge schemes, Nina and Tristan’s relationship can only be defined as an all-out prank war! And there is yet to be a winner.

But it just so happens the ghost of Christmas present has other ideas. When Tristan unexpectedly crashes her family’s Christmas, Nina’s dreams of a peaceful holiday vanish faster than Santa up a chimney. Determined to end their rivalry for good, she braces herself for one last prank-filled showdown.

But when they find themselves snowed in, with no way of avoiding each other amongst the holiday festivities, they discover their heated exchanges have been masking a different kind of sizzle. Caught in a snow globe of holiday romance, they decide to let their fiery chemistry burn bright—but this is absolutely and unequivocally nothing more than a secret fling destined to melt with the snow, this is not a forever romance…

This Is Not a Holiday Romance is an enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, forced proximity rom-com perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Abby Jimenez, and Lynn Painter.

My review

Nina Thompson is happy to return back to her home to celebrate Christmas. But when she hears that her brother Dylan is bringing his best friend along, her mood quickly shifts. Because Tristan is the one person that pushes her buttons all the time since being teenagers. Nina never forgot how he humiliated her years ago, and things evolved to a continuous series of pranks, one more devious than the other. Even during the festivities their pranks keep on going, testing the patience of everyone around them. But when the Christmas Spirit pulls the perfect prank, by snowing everyone in. And it’s then that Nina and Tristan discover that what sparks between them is not only rivalry, but something more passionate. But no matter how much passion there is between them now, once the snow has melted, things will melt down for them too, or won’t it?

There are a few authors that put a smile on my face by just picking up their next book. I am excited before I even know what the book will be about. And Camilla Isley is one of those lucky authors, because I had the biggest grin on my face at the start, while reading and at the end of the book!

Nina is of course a wonderful character. I liked her from the very start as she is truly a warm and kind person. And the relationship with her family, is just amazing.

She is the kind of person that values the right principles and stand by her friends in time of need.

Yet it’s also clear that her pranking Tristan has a deeper even darker source. Even if the pranks are rather innocent, her disliking Tristan comes from what happened years ago.

What perhaps for Tristan was an innocent remark, even a joke, it affected Nina deeply. And that saddened me, because Nina is just is like I said a wonderful person. We see how words, spoken without a second thought, can have a lasting impact on people.

The pranks of course are hilarious, and I am happy that I still have the trust of eating an Oreo without being afraid of putting it in my mouth! 😊

And with a person like Tristan being the victim/ culprit added more to the fun!

Tristan is the typical kind of man that seemingly hit the jackpot, he has the looks, he has the brains and doesn’t have any financial worries.

But while for Nina he for sure is a cocky person, we also see a funny man, a kind man, a generous man, but most important, also a vulnerable man.

Because behind his flamboyant persona, there is a man that has been hurt by the people that should love him the most…

I could understand that the continuous bickering between Nina and Tristan is tiring for everyone around them, but they have now this “tradition” between them and they just cannot stop. Until the moment that one prank goes a bit too far and shifts everything between them…

I loved seeing dynamics change, how suddenly Nina and Tristan comprehend each other, how much for their rivalry was in fact just a misunderstanding, or just being teenagers. There is of course a physical aspect in their spark, but it goes much deeper than just “the flesh”. While snowed in, they spend more time together, they get to know the real Nina and the real Tristan. And that was truly beautiful to read, how these strong people find someone to open up to, to show their vulnerability with.

Of course with their fling being secretive, it’s written in the stars that their secret will come out. And of course that happens in the most terrible act.

But it must also be said, while I was angry at Tristan in that aftermath, I could also understand him why he made that choice… with his background, it made perfect sense, even if it was a terrible one…

Camilla Isley wrote once again a great story, showing us a great enemies – to – lovers tale. But also a tale about how we sometimes think in the wrong way about people. And how hurtful words can be. But it’s also about finding romance and love in the most unexpected way, in the most unexpected person. And that perhaps the most unperfect person is the most perfect person for you.

I easily devoured this book, perhaps even too quickly! But I cannot wait to see what story a certain brother and a certain best friend can make! 😊

When to chase a dream, you need the help of the man that broke your heart…

Synopsis

Join the residents of Railway Lane for one last magical adventure…

Globetrotting Libby Jacobs has lost her job but is looking forward to spending more time in her home village of Cranfield.

She dreams of turning her chocolate making hobby into something more permanent. There’s only one problem – Ethan Connolly.

Despite being soul mates growing up, Libby hasn’t been close to Ethan since their disastrous date at the school prom. But now he’s back and he has just what Libby needs… a large kitchen! But can they even bear to be in the same room together?

Ethan never stays in Cranfield too long as it reminds him of his parents’ terrible marriage. But when disaster strikes, he’s forced to stay and help realise his grandad’s dream of a Christmas train. Can the whole village help Ethan create a seasonal spectacular in time?

Can Libby confront her secrets and realise her dreams?

And can Ethan ever stop running from his past and trust his heart?

Perhaps the magic of winter on Railway Lane might just give Libby and Ethan a second chance after all…

My review

Libby Jacobs has flown over the whole world being a stewardess. But while initially the job sounded so alluring, Libby has been struggling with keeping a smile on her face with the more and more demanding customers. So when she loses her job, the only thing that worries her is the financial side of it. Because how can she now take care of her father, living on Railway Lane in Cranfield? Libby has no other choice to return back home too. But perhaps now Libby has the opportunity to follow her real dream and turn her chocolate making hobby into something real. However, in order to create her delicious treats, she needs a lot of room. Room that she doesn’t have at home. The only person who has a big enough kitchen, is Ethan Connolly. Libby and Ethan know each other since they were children, and have even been best friends. Until he broke her heart at school prom… Ethan also recently returned to Cranfield, even if he has no plans to stay for all too long. But when tragedy strikes, he needs to reassess his plans. Because now he has made it his goal to make his Grampa’s dream of a Christmas Train coming true. And even with him not believing in love any more, after seeing his parents’ marriage ending in disaster, having Libby daily in his kitchen makes him rethink about his ideology. But with secrets between them, and so much unspoken between them, is there a chance of finding happiness in a place that holds so much hurt for the both of them?

First of all, what a wonderful return it was for me to Railway Lane! Having read every book of this series, Cranfield for sure stole a piece of my heart, each character stole a piece of my heart and I was ready for Libby and Ethan doing the same to my poor heart!

Libby for sure from the very start has an air around her filled with confidence, swag and her job as a stewardess for sure is one that sweeps you off your feet. Or at least that is what Libby makes everyone believe. Because being a stewardess for isn’t all that glamourous at all. Beside the fact that even if she is flying everywhere, yet not seeing any of the places at all, I can for sure understand that her job isn’t all that easy.

People are being more and more demanding, even ruder if I dare say so, and for someone as outspoken as Libby, it’s difficult to always keep a smile on your face and not just say what you are actually thinking.

But even if losing her job is perhaps something that Libby doesn’t really regret, it’s the consequences of not having an income that worries her the most. And getting to learn her background, more about her situation with her father, the struggles she will have to face, that is what truly saddened me.

Because Libby has been through a lot, and even if she has had rebellious streaks at a younger age, it’s clear that she is a responsible woman. Even if the relationship with her father isn’t an easy one, she wants the best for him.

What also broke my heart a little bit, is that Libby truly passionate about making chocolate delights, as that connects her with her mother who has passed away years ago. Yet that passion is something that she has to keep hidden from her father, because as while for her it’s a lovely link to her mother, she doesn’t want to tell her father about it, as she believes it will only cause him more heartbreak…

Luckily, she can always count on her best friends, to help her out even when she is reluctant of asking for help. It was truly sweet to see how they not only seem to understand her even when she doesn’t open up about everything, but also how they join forces to make her dream come true.

And that is a common thread in this book, because the community of Cranfield is there to help anyone who needs a helping hand.

That is what Ethan experiences too. After seeing how the marriage of his own parents went down terribly, he has always been reluctant to return to Cranfield, making his visits as short as possible. And I couldn’t blame him, as the place holds so many not – so – nice memories…

But also in his case, despite his background and what he has faced in the past, the love he has for his brother, father and Grandpa is palpable from each page.

And to see the dedication he has to see his Grandpa’s dream coming true, truly shows what an amazing man Ethan actually is.

We also see how kind – hearted he is, allowing Libby to use his kitchen, even if the relationship with her is a strained one.

It takes a while for us readers to understand what truly happened between them. And I have to say, there was also a bit of a surprising discovery! 😊

I found it truly great to see how Libby and Ethan not only are spending more time together and around each other, but also understanding and accepting more about what it means being part of a community. But them spending time together is a great occasion to smooth things between them out. Because for sure there is a lot for them to talk about!

They both mature a lot in this book, admit their fears and understand that in fact in a way they have been hiding for a long time.

Once again Alison Sherlock wrote a wonderful story, about the importance of community, how it can help you, and let you grow. We also see how the mistakes of the past still affect you, and hold you back. But when you find surrounded with the people that truly care about you, you can let go of the hurtful past and look ahead to a bright future, with perhaps not with the person you expected to, but bright and wonderful for sure!