When the heart brings so much together…

Synopsis

Is love an illusion? A heart-wrenching historical saga set against the background of two very different worlds in Edwardian London

When Charity Browne arrives at The Fitzroy Hotel on her way to a country house party, she knows there’s more to the invitation than a weekend of revelry. She’s old enough to be married and her family are hoping for a good match. 

Sparks fly when she collides with dashing Jack Carter, the hotel housekeeper’s disreputable brother. 

A visit to a home for waifs and strays makes Charity question her values. Her attempt to help a small, mute boy she sees there leads her to attractive and worthy Dr Adam Radcliffe. Together they uncover a web of deceit, betrayal and lies surrounding the boy’s family.

Fate unites Jack and Charity in a quest to save the boy from unimaginable evil. 

Will Charity fall for Jack’s mesmerising charm, or will Adam’s selfless compassion capture her heart? 

Packed with compelling twists and turns A Heart full of Hope is a perfect read for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.

My review

Charity Browne knows that her arrival with her aunt at The Fitzroy Hotel comes with high expectations from her parents.
Especially as she is also invited to a country house party, everyone expects her to find a good much.
But at the hotel, she meets Jack Carter, brother of Daisy who works at the hotel herself. While there is certainly an attraction between Charity and Jack, there is also a big difference in social class.
Nevertheless, their paths keep on crossing, especially when Charity is invested in the life of a small mute boy she meets in a home for waifs and strays.
That brings her on meeting handsome Doctor Adam Radcliffe, who also took an interest in little Simon/Billy’s health.
With more intrigues surfacing around the boy’s past, Charity also has to make a choice herself, because where will her own future be? With Jack and his charm, or with Adam and his unlimited compassion and kind heart?

It’s a bit weird to think that just a hundred years ago, life was so different from how we live now. How just one hundred years ago the only ‘purpose’ of women of a certain social class, was to find a good match. And how shocking it would be to marry ‘beneath you’…

So I was happy to see that Charity knows what is expected from her, yet wants to find a good match, and that doesn’t only mean a good match on paper.
Because Charity for sure deserves to marry out of love too, as she is a kind – hearted and caring person.

That does not only show in the concerns she has when her own aunt is acting out of character, but also how much Charity is invested in Simon/Billy. She cannot just forget that little mute, and she wants to do as much as possible to help him.

And that means, that Charity’s path crosses with Jack Carter. I wasn’t a real fan of Jack at his first appearance, as he screamed ‘player’ all over the place. He has the charms and he isn’t afraid to use them when he needs something.
But I had to readjust my opiniated opinion of him, because quickly we also see a gentler side of him, a side that is as much invested in Billy’s fate as Charity is.

I must admit that I also found me very much invested in Billy. I had so many questions, about his past, his present and what would happen to him. It broke my heart when revelation after revelation came out, and I read what poor Billy all had to endure, and how it affected him…
It even angered me to see how evil people can be, especially people who are supposed to do good.

But I was happy to read how that evil is compensated by the good of so many other characters, and I am not only talking about Charity or Jack. Because also Adam is quick in showing his kindness and also his determination to discover the truth.
He is also a patient person, as he demonstrates this towards Charity after revealing his feelings for her.

I could understand Charity, that it is not easy to understand the real meaning of your own feelings. Is it love? Or is it something else? And what when your heart seems to pull in two different directions, wanting to do the right thing, but also want to follow your own heart…

I also liked it to read about other characters working in the hotel, like Jack’s sister Daisy. And we see how Daisy has her own kind of struggles and yet she manages, despite how everything seems to work against her, to keep her kindness and humanity, even towards someone that perhaps doesn’t deserve it…

In this book we see how lives get entwined, no matter how different those lives are. And it was nice to see how people, even from different social classes, can fight together against injustice and even cruelty.
And we see the determination in a young woman, to understand what her heart truly wants, and adamant on following her what her heart tell her to do.

You’re never too old for a brand new adventure!

Synopsis

Sixty-nine-year-old Fliss has lived a life!

A career running her own successful business, a beautiful home, a wardrobe full of designer clothes – Fliss has everything she ever wanted. So why does she feel so lonely?

Sixty-six-year-old Shirl didn’t expect to be looking after a baby again, let alone a grown woman who should know better. But with her daughter Gemma struggling to adapt to motherhood, and her boss Fliss increasingly reliant on Shirl to run her life, Shirl never gets a moment to herself.

Fliss might not be great at life’s chores, but she is great at seizing opportunities, so when the chance for a jaunt to France’s beautiful Brittany comes her way, she decides it’s just what she and Shirl need. And as the sun-soaked town of Plouvannec-Sur-Mer begins to work its magic on the women, they realise there’s another way to live.

From cake-laden patisseries, to joyous local fetes, from food, views and beaches to die for, to a community quick to embrace them, not to mention some rather fine French men for company, perhaps it’s not too late for Fliss and Shirl to embrace a new adventure and look forwards to a totally different future.

My review

Fliss ran for years a very successful business, but now at the blessed age of sixty – nine, she feels suddenly lonely. The nights filled with cocktails and men aren’t giving her a good feeling anymore.
So when she has the opportunity to spend some time in the town of Plouvannec-Sur-Mer in the French Brittany and staying at an old friend’s place, she grabs it with both hands.
She also decides that Shirl needs to come with her.
Shirl, who works for Fliss, and is looking after her daughter Gemma’s baby, for sure also needs some Shirl – time.
Enjoying the good life, surrounded by new friends, both Fliss and Shirl start to think about their future and that perhaps it’s never too late to start to live again, and have a brand new adventure…

Even if the world of Judy Leigh’s books are far from my own, as I could be the daughter of her main characters, I always enjoy reading her books. In a way they always have an inspiring affect on me, making me believe that age truly is just a number and that nothing is impossible!

Fliss and Shirl couldn’t be more different from each other. Fliss has lived the good life, and she still enjoys her cocktails and her men. She doesn’t have any worry in the world.
But we also see in her case, that no matter how glamourous a life can look like, it can also be a very lonely one.
And Fliss slowly starts to understand this, when she realizes that in fact she doesn’t have any real friends.

On the other hand we have Shirl. She is working for Fliss, going along with all Fliss’s spurs of the moment. But we also she that she is truly a Mama – bear. Even if her daughters are adults, she cannot ever stop worrying about them.
Especially Gemma causes Shirl a lot of extra worries, as Gemma is struggling with being a young, single mother.
Shirl is also the kind of person that tries to calm and comfort people, what we see clearly when Gemma believes that she is a bad mother.
But even if Shirl is a delightful person, at moments I also thought that she could have been a little stricter, and not just go along with things.

I found it great to see how ‘employer and employee’ are just more than that, and in fact are friends, even if they haven’t labelled each other as that. But in everything that they do, that they see, even offering advice, it’s clear that it’s a real friendship between this so divers pair. It was even sweet to see how closer Fliss and Shirl are getting, and this holiday only reinforces their bond.

And I liked it to see how Fliss had absolutely no issues with sharing her wealth with not only Shirl, but also with the new friends she has made in Plouvannec-Sur-Mer.

Of course I had several laughs too, especially when Fliss is acting like Fliss is used to. Some moments she is being over the top, acting as a real diva. But as a reader you can quickly see behind the façade, and you see in fact a Fliss that has her own issues, problems, and doubts.

There is also the fact that often we get a wrong impression of people, and that we must take the time to get to learn someone. Because what we may think of someone, isn’t always how that person truly is.

As I said, this book also works inspiring. Because we see not only Fliss and Shirl, but also all the other characters in it, realizing that there is so much more to life and that they aren’t living their life at the fullest. And it may look a bit scary, to make big changes, and step away from the life you are accustomed to. But isn’t it a waste when you let fear just live your life, but not live it at the complete fullest?

It takes courage to start a new adventure, no matter what age you are. And I feel that Fliss and Shirl both are people to use as an inspiration. While it all may start as a holiday for some much needed
me – time, can turn into a real eye – opening experience and life – altering adventure!

A drunk decision is always a bad one, right?

Synopsis

One fateful evening. One ring. And a couple in for a big surprise 

When social-media influencer Genevieve Harrington wakes up with the hangover from hell and a ring on her finger, she’s in trouble.

Already reeling from a failed engagement, Finlay McBride is caught in a nightmare. Agreeing to accompany his ex’s best friend to a party was meant to be a one-day-only act of kindness. Drunkenly proposing was not an option… And yet it’s there on the internet for the entire world to see.

Genevieve needs to limit the damage. Being with her friend’s ex breaks so many rules and her social media followers are quick to remind her of the fact. But she’s always had a secret crush on Finlay and now she has a chance to make things real.

Finlay soon discovers Genevieve is not the serenely indifferent woman he took her for. More and more, she opens her heart to him, and he starts to fall for her. But he’s leaving Scotland for a job in Dubai at the end of the month and he doesn’t want yet another failed engagement this year.Together, they must decide if this is merely a moment of summer bliss or a love worth fighting for.

Together, they must decide if this is merely a moment of summer bliss or a love worth fighting for.

My review

Genevieve Harrington is shocked when she wakes up with the biggest hangover ever. Not the hangover itself is shocking, but the fact that she woke up with a rind on her finger and with Finlay McBride by her side. To make things even worse, the whole proposal has been posted live on Genevieve’s social media page. In order to limit as much damage as possible, both Genevieve and Finlay decide to keep up the pretence, as there is a lot at stake, and not only their reputation. Because it doesn’t look good that Genevieve is now ‘engaged’ to her best friend’s not so old ex but this would also be Finlay’s third engagement. While keeping up the pretence, Finlay learns that even if he has known Genevieve for years, he doesn’t know the real Genevieve, and that her indifference is just an act, to hide her secret crush. But even if it all started with pretence, and feelings start to grow, how could they possibly stand a chance when Finlay is leaving for Dubai at the end of the month?

How much can I possibly love returning to Glenbriar??? Even if this is the eight book of the series, I start with a big smile, and I end in the same way! There hasn’t been a book in this series that I didn’t love!

It’s always funny when you are reading a book where both main characters take over the narrative. As a reader, you get so much more insight in the character, and you love them even if the love interest doesn’t see all the sides that you can see.

And isn’t there something worse than having secret crush on someone, for years, and you have to hide it and see how that same crush falls in love with someone else and gets engaged, more than once?

Because that is the situation Genevieve is in, and to make it also more painful for her, Finlay is not only her best friend Hayley’s brother, but also her other best friend Elise’s ex-fiancé…

So many things have held her back, even making her act indifferent towards Finlay while in truth she just wanted his love…

But beside Genevieve’s love life, I was truly interested in the person that Genevieve was. She is rather successful being a social – media influencer, but it’s also clear that somehow she is still in search of herself and what she truly wants to do.

And it saddened me to see how she felt less than her siblings. Just because you do something totally different, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t something to be proud of!

So seeing Finlay understanding her better than anyone else, and trying to show her that her accomplishments are something to indeed be proud of (even if he doesn’t understand it himself completely 😊) was great to read.

Finlay… already from the previous books I truly felt sorry for him… it’s bad to see one engagement end, but to see also the second one… and to learn that in fact Elise didn’t actually truly love him, but sort of used him, truly broke my heart.

Because Finlay is one of the good guys, and all he wants is to be loved, and have a family of his own. Is that so much to ask for (asking ‘for a friend’ too 😊)?

Let’s be honest here, not everyone would agree to keep up the pretence of the engagement, and go along with Genevieve’s plans, yet Finlay understands how much it matters to her, and he (even at moments reluctantly) agrees with her.

And how lovely was it to see Genevieve and Finlay together? Even if their story starts with a drunken night, I just adored getting them closer together, just getting each other.

Nevertheless, on the other hand it was also sad to see how they were afraid of admitting their real feelings, and even having a few people doubting their engagement, feelings and even acting selfish, thinking it was all about them (yes, I’m looking at you Elise!), while the genuineness of the feelings between Genevieve and Finlay.

Obviously, as I would expect from this author, there were many laughs (with a character like Flora!) around all the sweetness in this book. And it was just so great to see that when it concerns, love, when you know, you know. It doesn’t matter how long you are together with someone, when it feels right it just does. And in fact that is the red line in the complete series, sometimes all it takes is one look, one encounter, or even one drunk night to find the perfect person for you!

Again a great story in a marvellous series from a very talented author. A series that I hope will never end, and I am already looking forward to the next amazing chapter! 😊

There is nothing a cup of tea cannot fix

Synopsis

A brand new and utterly enchanting series by bestselling author Jaimie Admans.

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

There’s always time for tea… unless you’ve lost your teapot…

Cleo Jordan has only ever wished for one thing – to open her own teashop in memory of her lovely gran. So when she accidentally fools the interview board into thinking she’s a brilliant baker and is offered a prime spot on Ever After Street, she knows her dream is about to come true!

Stepping into The Wonderland Teapot is like falling down the rabbit hole – magical! But there’s a catch: Cleo has completely lost her love of baking! With her little white lie ticking in her ear, it seems her dream is over before it’s begun.

Until she meets her very own Mad Hatter. Loved by everyone on Ever After Street, magician Bram brings an energy to the teashop that lifts everyone, and slowly, with his encouragement, Cleo is getting back to doing what she loves best.

But with Bram hiding secrets of his own, Cleo isn’t sure she can put all her faith in him. And when things start going wrong at the teashop, Cleo wonders if the culprit sabotaging her dream is someone closer than she thinks?

If Cleo wants her wish to work, she has to learn to trust again before she loses her head and heart completely…although it might already be far too late for that…

Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Kat French and Caroline Roberts!

My review

Cleo Jordan has become a disaster in the kitchen with her baking since both losing her grandmother and mother recently. But it’s er greatest wish to honour her grandmother and the years they had together by opening her own teashop, on Ever After Street. And not just *a* teashop, no, she wants the theme to be ‘Alice In Wonderland’. Obviously Cleo is over the moon when she manages the interview board to give her a temporary lease on the premises of her dreams. The Wonderland Teapot is turning into a magical place, especially now magician Bram is her own personal Mad Hatter, helping around in the teashop. And while Bram for sure is lifting also her spirits, he doesn’t know that Cleo isn’t doing any of her own baking… But Bram himself also is having a few secrets of his own and trust is something that needs to be built slowly…

I have to admit that Alice In Wonderland isn’t my favourite story. so it was with a little trepidation that I started reading this story, as I loved the previous stories taking place on Ever After Street. But I truly shouldn’t have doubted this author, as I loved every bit of it!

As I enjoy baking myself, and it’s one of the few things that can actually relieve stress, I cannot imagine the terror of not being able to bake the simplest of things anymore. And it saddened me to learn where Cleo’s black – out came from. She is living with a few regrets, that are too late to make amends for, and she also has many fears and issues.

Of course at her interview, she should have come clean about not baking the cupcakes herself, but it wasn’t that she was bluntly lying. And if she did, we wouldn’t have this. wonderful story.

The passion for the theme and the passion for running the teashop just sparks from Cleo, she finally has her dream coming true and I was certain that there would come a moment that her baking skills would reemerge.

Alongside her, I was a bit frustrated to see how without her knowledge, Bram would be working for her. Obviously that isn’t Bram’s fault, but it angered me a little to see how Bram’s help was just forced to her.

But slowly we see that Bram, magician and Mad Hatter, is exactly what Cleo needs. Not only is he adding magic to the Wonderland Teapot (literally speaking and figuratively), but he is also the person that Cleo needs in her life.

Because we see that Bram truly believes in Cleo and her passion, and he knows that she will make a success out of the business. And that injection of trust and belief is exactly what Cleo needs, to trust and believe in herself. And slowly, even with trial and error, Cleo is able to think positive once again.

It truly warmed my heart to see this pair growing closer. And I absolutely adored reading how Cleo sees the real Bram, and not the Mad Hatter or the magician. She sees when his smiles are real, or just pretend. And it was so over the moon sweet to see how Cleo accepts Bram for who he is, with his blue hair, mixed up idioms (only making them even better! 😊).

Bram’s secrets weren’t that difficult to figure out, as I knew rather from the start who he would turn out to be. But it didn’t bother me at all, because as I knew his background, and how he possibly could jeopardize everything, we see genuineness in everything he does.

And naturally, as returning to Ever After Street, it was ah-mazing to see my old friends again, and I felt myself once again welcomed in their warm embrace of friendship and love!  

This was an amazing book, about two characters with several issues of their own. But what more, it’s a book about two people accepting each other just the way they are. Cleo wouldn’t want to have Bram in any other way, as Bram is uniquely wonderful the way he is. And Bam encourages Cleo to trust her talents and her feelings.

We see how wonderful and inspiring it can be to have someone fighting in your corner, by your side. And we can see how having that one person by your side can help you to regain trust, to learn to open up your heart and understand that what you are feeling is honest and real love.

When you need to hide and the man you cannot stand is the one with help…

Synopsis

The Sunshine Sisters: Skye. This is BOOK TWO of a TRILOGY in the popular Little Duck Pond Café series:
Skye Sunshine has a theory that workmen, when in your house, should be seen and not heard. But Saul, the annoyingly sexy handyman clearly hasn’t received the memo! He’s far too cheeky and irritating for her liking.
But when Skye’s peace of mind and reputation as an actress is threatened by hacks desperate for a story, can she really afford to turn down Saul’s offer – to whisk her away from the limelight to the privacy of his rustic cabin in the woods?

My review

Actress Skye Sunshine has left London and returned back home to Sunnybrook. Unfortunately it’s not because she missed home, her mother and her sisters, but because she is being chased by paparazzi and Skye is afraid that her reputation is being threatened and that a dark secret will be exposed.
When even her mother’s home, or her sister’s home, isn’t safe anymore, Saul the handyman offers to help out and take her to his rustic cabin in the woods. While normally it would be the perfect solution, Skye isn’t all that eager to accept his offer, as she finds Saul too irritating and appears at the most awkward moments… and his sexiness for sure doesn’t help!
But Skye cannot afford to turn down his offer, as the stakes are too high…

Having met Skye already in the first book of this trilogy, I was very eager to read her story. Yes, I knew before that she was an actress, and that there is a big secret she was keeping and that she was being chased by the paparazzi. So of course I just wanted to know more about her. And I also needed to know how things would go between her and especially her mother, as that is definitely a strained relationship!

I knew that Rosie Green wouldn’t write a story with a main character that is high on her horse, but of course Skye is accustomed to a certain way of life, being an actress. And I was curious to see how she would cope in Sunnybrook, that is so different from her own life.
While the life of an actress for sure seems very appealing, with Skye we also see the other side of it.
Skye is too wary of and even afraid of everything and everyone. She doesn’t want to be recognized, making her act a bit over the top while walking around.

But with learning what she has been through in the past, and how it somehow still haunts her, I could understand why she acts the way she does.
It frustrated me to read how she isn’t able to find her peace even in a lovely place like Sunnybrook.
And it saddened me to see how strained the relationship with her mother is. But on the other hand, I was happy to see how close she is with her siblings, Aurora and Blossom.

Because let there be one thing very clear: no matter how different they are from each other, they genuinely love each other, and would do anything for each other. Skye is also very protective, wanting to protect Blossom from heartache, even if that means to be putting a damper on Blossom’s mood.

It broke my heart a little bit seeing how difficult the relationship between Skye and her mother was. Ada for sure isn’t the easiest person around, yet I couldn’t believe that she doesn’t truly love her children, even if there are a few lies that have been told…

This may sound like a very heavy story to read, but be assured, there is also plenty of lightness in it. And that is also thanks to Saul! Now, even with his wonderful character, I am still not a fan of the name… but that is the only negative (if you can call it even that) that I can say about him 😊.

With Saul, it’s clear that Skye dislikes him just to hide how much she in fact truly likes him. I could understand the (hidden) attraction, as Saul is not only very down – to – earth, but also a very understanding and funny man.
His ability to show up at Skye’s most embarrassing moments for sure was an extra talent that as a reader I could appreciate 😊.
He also shows that he is generous and helpful, as he is ready to share his cabin with Skye.

But he also seems to understand and just ‘get’ Skye without words. He is also the one that manages to get her out of her comfort zone, and even manages to  let Skye get over some of her fears (or at least find a way to make those fears more manageable.

I absolutely loved reading this second book in the trilogy. It was lovely and sweet to see how Skye and Saul are getting closer, even if it’s under peculiar circumstances.
This book has just everything I wanted and needed: there was time for love, time for laughs, but also time for drama, and time for  unexpected revelations (although I had a hunch about them!).
Rosie Green once again wrote an amazing story, making me even more eager to get my hands on the third book and read Blossom’s story!

An unexpected holiday, an unexpected journey

Synopsis

Pack your bags and uncork the laughter in this delightful romantic escapade!

After getting her heart broken in her early twenties, Abi Mason vowed to live by a simple (but non-negotiable) rule: no second dates. Who needs a boyfriend, or anything else for that matter, when you have a career to think about?

But life has other plans: with some unexpected time on her hands, Abi finds herself on holiday in Tuscany. Among sun-dappled vineyards and olive groves, Abi meets dashing American Tony, and it seems the universe is conspiring to force her out of her comfort zone…

If Abi can break her own rules, could this unexpected Italian fling lead her to a happiness she never dared to dream of?

My review

As a make – up artist, Abi Mason’s dream is to be able to get a job in the film industry. Just as it seems that she finally made it, her dream vanishes in thin air. With the sudden free time, she decides that perhaps it’s time to visit her best friend in Tuscany. While staying at the wonderful B&B / vineyard, she meets American Tony. And believing that she will never see him again, Abi spends the night with him. Because that is what Abi does, she wants things to be kept simple, she doesn’t do relationships as she for sure doesn’t need a boyfriend, after already having endured a terrible heartbreak once. But when Tony appears to be more than just a tourist passing by, Abi finds herself doubting her choices, as it seems that Tony could be the one taking her out of her comfort zone. But is Abi courageous enough?

Isn’t it amazing when a character in a book has a best friend, or family living in another country, and they can just decide to fly over when they need some time off, or need to escape? I need such kind of friends and family too! Especially if that would take me to wonderful places like Tuscany!

I can only imagine the devastation Abi has when she is soooo close to finally realizing her dream, to only have it slipping through her fingers, because of other reasons than her not doing her job well.

Because let there be no mistake, Abi knows what she is doing make – up related! She is a professional at heart, and even the awkward situation she finds herself in, she keeps her professionalism. Unfortunately that cannot be said about everyone!

A situation she finds herself in because when she meets a man that she fancies, she prefers keeping it simple. And no, don’t you dare judge her for her choices! Because if that is what works for Abi, that is perfectly fine! And with further on in the book learning about why she wants it that way, I could completely comprehend her!

It was a bit sad to learn that Abi hasn’t seen that much of the world yet. But on the other hand, she couldn’t pick a better place to start with by staying in Tuscany!

Once she set foot in Tuscany, at the B&B, I could feel almost feel the fresh air, the sun and the peace myself! As I have visited Tuscany and its wonderful places several times, I had a very easy time seeing the places Abi is seeing in my mind.

But of course, this isn’t a story about Abi seeing magnificent places but it’s about Abi and her journey to not only find herself, or love, but to find courage to move on.

It all takes off in a rather funny way, as Abi meets Tony and she has her usual way of dealing with men.

But then she meets him again in not exactly the most best position (it will make sense, believe me 😊).

With the pair staying so close to each other, and Tony being actually related to the owners of the B&B, it’s just written in the stars that Abi and Tony will keep seeing each other. And the more they see each other, the more they just cannot deny the attraction they have for each other. But it’s not only attraction that they have, there is also an understanding between them, and even if not everything is spoken out loud, they just get each other.

It was also sweet to see how the both of them are trying to please each other, like Tony taking Abi to the Uffizi, or Abi taking him to a special seeing of a movie, or using her artistic skills in making a present for him.

I also felt that Tony was not being completely honest, or at least ridiculing a bit, about what he does for a living. So it was a real pleasant surprise to discover who Tony truly is! And of course typical of Abi of not knowing she is standing in front of her! 😊

Abi for sure makes an evolution in this book. Because while initially rejecting any kind of love or romance in her life, she slowly has to accept that love isn’t a bad thing to have in your life. and yes, it can be terrifying, especially as she already had a terrible heartbreak she hasn’t completely overcome. But is it fair to cut out love completely from your life, as it can bring you so much joy and happiness?

And that is what Abi has to understand, and it’s only at the most terrifying moments that she realizes what her own feelings truly are. But she also has to find the courage to act upon those feelings, and not let that moment slip away!

This for sure was a great and inspiring story to read, about being courageous, about finding love once again, all set in a wonderful, breathtaking place! And Karma being a b***h too! 🤣

When home is to be found, or a hiding place…

Synopsis

Could one chance meeting change your life forever?

Zara is at a crossroads in life. While she adores her job as a producer’s assistant working on hit TV shows, travelling around the country means she doesn’t truly feel that she has a home. With a fractured relationship with her family and unrequited love weighing heavily on her heart, she is torn about what her next step in life should be…

Snowy is hiding from the world. He’s devoted his life to home schooling his young son and caring for sick owls at his home, Owl’s Lodge, deep in the Yorkshire Wolds countryside. While he’s passionate about both, it’s a lonely existence and he’s starting to question his decisions. But how do you step back into a world you’ve pushed away for years…?

When Zara brings an injured owl to Owl’s Lodge, its frosty, reclusive owner is far from welcoming. Despite hostilities, there’s a connection that neither could ever have prepared themselves for. As they discover a shared passion, a new friendship blossoms, but both Zara and Snowy are used to shutting people out.

Can they both find the courage to open up and the strength to move on from their pasts? And what could this mean for their future happiness?

Escape to the world of Bumblebee Barn and Hedgehog Hollow with MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Jessica Redland for this brand new feel-good romance of family, friendship and hope.

My review

Zara’s relationship with her family isn’t an easy one, and that is an understatement. Each time she sees them, it will end in a battle she will lose, as her mother will always prefer her brother Rowan above Zara. And while Zara absolutely has the best kind of friends, like Amber, who will support her no matter what, Zara’s job as a producer’s assistant for TV shows also makes her feel that she has no place to call home. When for her job she is visiting Hedgehog Hollow, and an injured own is in need of help, Zara is ready to bring the poor creature to Owl’s Lodge, where the necessary help can be offered. But the owner is far from welcoming, and cannot wait to see Zara leave again. Because Snowy wants to hide from everything and everyone, because his past mistakes has caused a lot of hurt. Yet while he is doing his best for his son Harrison, he also feels that perhaps his decisions may not have been those of the best kind. And despite the initial hostility towards Zara, Snowy start to feel a connection with her. A connection that makes them discover shared passions and makes them find someone to rely on. But with so much that has happened in the past, on both sides, can they be courageous enough for move on?

*Start of review*

Just amazing, as expected and beyond, a real must – read!!

*End of review*

Of course a one – sentence review will never be enough for this amazing author that Jessica Redland is! She deserves to read how much I loved this new book of hers, and she truly has to understand that there aren’t many authors worthy of my lack of sleep, and she definitely is!

Now, I have to start with one admission, something perhaps Jessica won’t like.. but I have do not like owls at all. Well, to be totally honest, I don’t like any kind of bird! Even chickens terrify me! 😊

So while the Hedgehog Hollow made me fall in love with hedgehogs, I honestly couldn’t see this happening with owls. And while I absolutely loved this book, I can only say that my hate for birds hasn’t disappeared, but just change my view a little about owls. But that only applies for owls, all other kind of birds: STAY AWAY FROM ME! 😊

But I’m digressing, back to the book!

I know that whenever I start reading one of Jessica’s books, it won’t be a walk in the park, as her characters for sure have a lot of baggage when their journey starts.

And with Zara, for sure my heart broke. Obviously, it was great to see how much she enjoys her job, and how she has found her crowd with the people she works with or the people she has encountered thanks to her job. That kind of friendship for sure is unique and something to treasure. Because best friends don’t always offer a place to stay for indefinite times, especially when that same friend has just found love herself.

But my heartbreak was because of the situation with her family, has she always has to fight for attention and love from her own mother, trying to keep the peace with an obnoxious brother. The only person that genuinely cares for her and understands her, is her stepfather (and with this: a big shout out and applause for all the stepparents that love their stepchildren as their own! It only shows that blood is not all that matters!).

It truly made my blood boil to see how differently she was treated by her mother, how Zara couldn’t so anything right, she was always to blame and even as a child, she never had the support to chase her own dreams. It even goes that far that the place that has been her home for so long, doesn’t feel like her home at all…

In fact, Zara doesn’t feel at home nowhere… because even staying with her best friend Amber is an awkward situation, as there are some unrequited feelings for a person she cannot ever avoid while staying at Bumblebee Barn…

It only broke my heart even more to see how much Zara is suffering on so many different levels.

But I also admired her, as she for sure tries to keep positive, and is trying to find her way in the big scary world…

And I have to say, even if she knows she will regret it, she tries to the right thing with her family, even if they absolutely don’t deserve it!

And her kindness isn’t only for the humans, as she also has a fascination and love for animals, owls in particular.

A love and care that brings her to Owl’s Lodge, and brings Snowy in her life.

Snowy… Jessica, did you really had to write so much tragedy for this character? Wasn’t one bad things, or even two just enough? Nooooo, he had to have just everything going bad!

If Zara’s story was a heartbreaking one, Snowy’s story had my heart going through a blender, a wrecking ball going over it, birds picking pieces at the mess etc. (not being melodramatic here 😊).

Initially I couldn’t understand why Snowy was being so reclusive, but along the way so much started to make sense and I could completely comprehend why Snowy (a nickname by the way😊) wanted to keep as far away as possible from people.

Snowy for sure has his share of demons to chase away, not an easy task at all! But despite the demons and his problems, fears and doubts, we can see the kindness and love he has in his heart. His son Harrison is *everything* to Snowy and Snowy would even walk on water for Harrison.

Snowy as a father, but as a person in general too, made me swoon, as he is just perfectly unperfect. He makes mistakes, just like any parent/person, but he is also very supporting, understanding and encouraging.

As a reader, of course I was cheering for these two main characters getting together. But I also knew that it wouldn’t be easy, as there is so much to take in account. It would be a long building up in hopefully the end I wanted them to have.

Things obviously don’t start that greatly, but rather quickly there is just a connection between Zara and Snowy. A connection that goes quickly very deep, making it clear that sometimes it can go very quickly.

Seeing Zara and Snowy bond over so many things they have in common was amazing. But not only that, also seeing how there is trust, understanding, patience and care between them, just wow.

Love isn’t about the physical aspect, although that first kiss took a rather long time to be happening, but it’s about building all the previous mentioned emotions. And then it can evolve into the more physical aspect.

Now, beside Zara and Snowy, this book is filled with (mostly) wonderful characters. There are some old friends I just *LOVED* to see back, there are new lovely additions, and a Harrison that stole my heart! There are also characters that I initially disliked but somehow are making amends, and some characters that acted terribly, but with no final resolution in the end, make me have my fingers crossed for their own redemption.

Jessica Redland has done it once again, and I cannot emphasise how touching this book is. Even if I didn’t shed a tear while reading (although I was almost there!), I felt this story in my bones. There is so much heartbreak in it, but also so much love in it. Love in all different forms and shapes, and love that encourages to face those dark demons and step out and dare to take a chance. Your past and your past mistake don’t define the person you are now. That past and those mistakes made you grow, and turned you in the person you are now. And if you have learned from the past, you shouldn’t keep a hold on that (even ugly and nasty) past, stopping you to move on. Because the person you are now, is worthy of love…

Life can sometimes be just like a soap opera…

Synopsis

These stars seem to have it all…

Valeria Joseph seems to have it all: career as actress on the soap opera, Charmed Lives, and everyone wants to be her. Her so-star, Cecily Taylor, fixes her up with a rising pop star named Dex Doyle and suddenly Valeria has a bigger spotlight on her.

Then, on the busy streets of New York City, she runs into her first love, Davis, who she never got over. Davis is a college basketball player who is dealing with high pressure stressors of his own and they find themselves supporting one another and falling back in love.

But, just like being on a daytime soap is full of drama—so is the publicity that surrounds Valeria. Throw in a pop star who’s crazy about her, an award show event that trends on social media for all the wrong reasons, and tons of swoony moments. Can Valeria find true love in the big city?

My review

While Valeria Joseph seems to have it all, the life of a young soap opera actress isn’t easy… with the constant spotlight on her, and the pressure of performing, Valeria is trying to not lose herself while the competition and rivalry is strong. When her co – star Cecily Taylor tries to fix Valeria up with pop star Dex Doyle, the pressure is even more on! And then on the streets of New York City, Valeria runs into her ex – boyfriend and current college basketball player Davis. Davis, who was Valeria’s first love… As they have each other back in their lives, they find support and understanding but also learn that those feelings of love never truly disappeared. But with the both of them having the pressure and the spotlight on them, will their second chance at love stand a chance?

Don’t we all have that first love, making us wondering what would happen if we could get a second chance? And with this book, we can see the possibilities of that!

While the world of actors can look like it’s all glimmer and glamour, we see that for young actress Valeria it isn’t all that easy.

Obviously she enjoys being part of the soap opera Charmed Lives, but we also see how being in the spotlight can affect someone. Because Valeria learns also the hard way that being an actress also means that she is subject to the opinion of others. And not everyone is showing kindness.

It saddened me to see how the confidence of a teen can be crushed and how doubt can rise and self-esteem can decrease. And while Valeria shouldn’t be worrying about not being good enough, because for sure she is a lovely person!

For me, it was also sad to read how some characters would dare to ‘use’ Valeria for their own benefits, to make the headlines, to be trending online. And it was just terrible to see how Valeria’s success was being ridiculed!

But it was also sweet to see that even in that ‘fake’ world, there are genuine people that truly care about her. Genuine people that have Valeria’s best interest at heart, and want the best for her. They support her and there is no room for rivalry, just honest friendship.

Of course it was lovely to see Valeria and Davis meet again, and see how their connection quickly rebuilds. But it was also great to see how both characters have matured since being apart, and now are able to talk freely about the past and why some choices were made.

And then there is the mutual support, and understanding, showing once again the adultness of both characters despite their young age.

Yet this young love also has to face the way the world unfortunately works. Because it’s easy to believe what we see online, especially with picture and videos spread around the world. How can we believe what someone says when there is ‘evidence’ telling us something else?

And that is something both the main characters have to learn, to not believe the online gossip, but trust each other. But they also have to learn to understand that they are enough, they are GOOD enough, and that they just perfect the way they are!

This may be a young adult book, but it has such a strong message that even more adult adults can learn from it!

A surprising but also life altering inheritance

Synopsis

The secrets of the past will unlock her future…

Working in the fast-paced foreign exchange market in Canary Wharf, Amy never expected her job to drive her to collapse. With her doctor advising she take a month off work, when Amy receives a solicitor’s letter informing her of a surprise inheritance in Italy, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

But who on earth has left her a house in the sleepy Tuscan hills?

As she gets to know the town and its inhabitants, Amy discovers more about the mysterious man who named her in his will. Shocking family secrets come to light, leaving Amy questioning the life she knew.

The town of Sant’Antonio holds more than just secrets. Here, Amy meets Adam, a renowned TV journalist whose documentaries take him to dangerous places. But as their attraction grows, so do Amy’s worries. Her life is in England, while Adam’s is untethered and under constant threat…

An emotional, heartwarming love story full of family drama and quirky locals.

My review

Amy is used on living a hectic life, as her job is a demanding one. But she never expected that it’s exactly her job causing her to collapse… She is forced to take a month off work, even if she wants nothing more than return back as soon as possible. And then she receives a solicitor’s letter, informing her that an inheritance is waiting for her, in Italy. As she has never heard of the man who left her everything he owned, Amy sets off to the Tuscan village of Sant’Antonio. Once there she gets to learn the town and its inhabitants and also more about the man that she doesn’t know but left her everything. With secrets to unravel, Amy also has to make choices about her life and future. And the presence of TV journalist Adam for sure is something to take in account, or not?

My review

How can an author put time over time over time a smile on your face? Because that’s exactly what T.A. Williams does to me, no matter what he is writing, whether it’s a romance or a cozy crime, I go to a special happy place whenever I pick up one of his books.

Of course it helps that also this story takes place in the country where my roots lay. But I honestly believe that even if he would write a story taking place in Antarctica, I would love it. I would almost dare to challenge him! 😊

I can understand how someone can love their job so much, ready to give it their all. But perhaps because the world Amy is working in, is so far from mine, I couldn’t comprehend how she and her colleagues are giving it just everything. And in Amy’s case even making her collapse. I enjoy my work, but (and don’t tell my boss this 😉) I am also happy when it’s time to go home and I can decompress.

Obviously, our bodies gives us signals when too much is too much, and for Amy her collapse also means the start of her adventure!

Receiving an inheritance from someone you never heard of for sure is something that messes with your mind. And I comprehended how Amy was so confused about it. Why would a complete stranger leave you everything? Curiosity kills the cat, but that same curiosity also makes Amy take off to Tuscany, trying to figure out what has been going on.

From the moment Amy sets foot in Italy, I also felt peace and contentment coming over me. I loved returning to Italy, to Tuscany with this author, showing me once again why Italy is my home, for so many different reasons.

I loved reading how Amy is quickly embraced by the community of Sant’Antonio, how she is being welcomed and how everyone is wanting to help her. from pointing her in the direction of who is the best to help her renovate the place, to inviting her over for dinners, the people in Sant’Antonio for sure are a close and warm community. And I loved reading how Martin was an important presence in Sant’Antonio, and he left everything to Amy, that must mean something.

Of course Amy being fluent in speaking Italian does help to bond with people too!

Now, I have to be totally honest, when the secrets came out, it didn’t come as a complete surprise to me. I had an inkling about what was going on rather quickly. But that didn’t take away that I still had many questions, and that there were a few odd behaviours that I wanted to have explained! 😊

Obviously, Amy in this book as a romantic interest. But while Adam for sure is a lovely and intriguing character, I didn’t feel that the story revolved about Amy and Adam. But in my eyes, it was more about the journey Amy was having.

Yes, Adam was that little extra in the story, and I for sure wanted to see how things would develop between them, and discover if they could stand a chance. But I was more fixated on other aspects of this book.

Because we see that Amy loves spending her time in Tuscany, and her growing love for the place, and its inhabitants, makes her question her life and also her future. How can someone choose between two things she loves? Because Amy loves being in Tuscany, and no, Adam is not the main reason. But Amy also loves her life and her work in Canary Warf…

In a strange way, it was great to see Amy pulled in different directions, as it only shows us that sometimes, we don’t know other than the life we know. And having an amazing and great experience somewhere else, can be eye – opening.

This was also a bitter – sweet story, as when all the secrets are out, Amy feels the loss of something she never had, but she also feels closer to what she never had. And she also discovers that in Sant’Antonio there are things that make her feel not alone on the world anymore…

T.A. Williams swept me once again away with this great story. I truly don’t believe that this author could write a story I wouldn’t like! 😊

Once again he took us all on a wonderful journey, in a marvellous setting, with great characters that will warm your heart!

When your peace on the Isle of Skye is disturbed, for more than one reason, good and bad.

Synopsis

A Scottish island. A stranger from the mainland. A summer of possibilities…

Escape to the Isle of Skye this summer with the Sunday Times bestselling author, and lose yourself in the first book of the Skye Sisters Trilogy.

A chance encounter is about to change everything for Thea Wynter.

The moment she arrived on the Isle of Skye, life changed for Thea. Running from a succession of wrong turns, she comes to the island in search of blue sea, endless skies, and mountains that make the heart soar. Here, she feels at peace.

As head gardener at Rothach Hall, life is exactly how she wants it, with her days spent working in the glorious clifftop garden and her evenings in the cosy village pub.

But an encounter with a stranger from the mainland brings with it an unexpected turn – and she is left wondering whether he is friend or foe.

It seems that even on Skye, life can catch up with you, and Thea is soon faced with the past she left behind – and with it, the family she’s never met…

From old lives to new beginnings, lose yourself on the beautiful Isle of Skye with Thea as she discovers how many possibilities life can truly hold if you look hard enough.

My review

Thea Wynter left her past behind her and is now enjoying her peace and quiet on the Isle of Skye, working as a head gardener at Rothach Hall.
When Dev arrives at the Hall, initially it’s a case of misunderstandings, as Thea believes him to be someone else who is applying for a summer job.
As Dev gets the job, and spends more time with Thea, it’s only time that will tell how their bonding will end. Because Dev is keeping a secret, a secret that may ruin everything. Nevertheless, also Thea is keeping a secret from her past, a past that keeps on resurfacing, no matter how hard she tries to hide away.
And with more revelations of her past, Thea for sure will never forget this summer. But in what way?

There are authors that with their books can put you in your happy place, filled with calmness and a sense of peace.
And Sue Moorcroft, even with stories filled with secrets that can devastate the characters, has that talent!

From the very start, I liked Thea, even if I don’t have such green fingers or just the same passion for gardening as she has. I absolutely liked the bond she still has with her sisters. And what I loved even more was, that even if adopted, the sisters all feel like they haven’t been missing anything, as their parents gave them all the love they needed. And also between the siblings there was absolutely no bad blood between them. This only shows that a connection by blood isn’t what makes a family.

We also see that Thea is a compassionate person. In the accident that happened years ago, even if she wasn’t blamed for it, she doesn’t hesitate to help out. But her patience and helpfulness also have a limit, and when she has enough, she has enough of it.
That compassionate streak also clearly emerges when Daisy enters the scene. And I have to be honest, who wouldn’t fall in love with Daisy???

I felt it in my bones though that there was something Thea wasn’t telling us. She made a too big change in her life that there had to be more to it. And in that aspect, I wasn’t truly that surprised when it all was revealed.

Thea for sure has to endure a lot in this book… not only is that accident still haunting her in several aspects, but also a revelation about her biological parents makes her world spin around. Luckily she can count on the support of her sister Ezzie but also Dev proves to be someone to rely on.

Dev, who for sure is a lovely person, and what he has been through is terrible, being betrayed like that by the people closest to him…
But I also have to add that I wanted to smack him on the head, as he keeps hiding the real reason for his arrival at Rothach Hall.
That doesn’t take away though that he redeems himself, and truly enjoys his new job. And it was so sweet to see how he cares about Thea and is very protective of her! 😊

That blossoming relationship was so heart – warming, as both characters deserve someone that loves them without conditions, for who they are.
Yes, this relationship also has to face some drama and heartbreaking moments, but that only makes the story so much *more*.

There are absolutely many things happening in this story, but I never felt it at any time being is as “too much”.
It only shows us that in life a lot can happen at once. And obviously not all of them are good. But it’s up to us to find a way to even turn the bad things into something good, and trust that Fate will treat us rightly.
Yet it also shows us that for our inner peace we need to search for answers, no matter how terrifying that thought may be. So we need to find courage, but also forgiveness and kindness. And also we have to allow love to enter our hearts and lives!

Sue Moorcroft wrote once again a marvellous story, set in a wonderful setting, with many great characters that grow so much during this story.
Once again this author shows us the talent she has, by writing such a captivating tale!