Today I am sharing an extract

Synopsis

Maggie and Sam take a break from the murder and mayhem of Bishops Well and embark on a relaxing mid-winter cruise across the northern seas. The brochure promises smooth sailing, good food and dazzling entertainment. Sam is hoping to sprinkle the mix with romance.

But nothing goes to plan. 

Maggie runs into an old lover, the mesmerising Benedict Rawbotham, who goes out of his way to sweep her off her feet. Sam is left seething with jealousy.

A mayday signal sent by a fishing boat forces the cruise liner off course. But there is something fishy about the rescued crew and Maggie insists that two young women have died on that boat. Alas, no one believes her. 

Soon one of the alleged fishermen is also dead and so is one of the cruise passengers. Cordelia Conti Lang, nicknamed the Bitcoin Queen, with links to London’s criminal underworld, is found in her cabin, stabbed to death. 

In pursuit of the killer, Maggie hurtles from one disaster to another and Sam begins to fear for her life. Has he taken her on a cruise to hell?  

Extract

The rescue operation at sea

Despite being told to remain calm and below deck, a huge proportion of the passengers disobeyed the order and braved the elements to witness the rescue operation. The remaining portion were those who could watch the goings-on from their cabins on the starboard side where all the action was taking place. Everyone else put on hats and gloves, fetched their cameras, and hurried on deck. The wind was slapping them about their faces, the freezing rain lashing and soaking them to the bone, but curiosity was stronger than the adverse weather conditions. 

​Powerful search-lights were pointed at the small vessel wobbling haplessly on furious tides. The rescue craft from the cruise liner had reached the boat and four people had boarded it. 

​‘Do you think they’ll find them alive?’ Maggie asked Sam. 

​‘My guess is as good as yours. Though, on second thoughts, yours is possibly better.’

​‘Oh, is it?’

​‘Well, if you can’t see any ghosts hovering over that boat, then maybe they’re still alive.’

​‘Of course I can’t see any ghosts, Samuel – it’s way too far!’ She pursed her lips, offended. ‘I never know with you – if you’re serious or taking the mickey.’

​Sam put his arm around her. ‘If I take the mickey, it is done with affection.’

​People gasped and camera-phones started rolling when the first person emerged from the vessel, wrapped in a silver thermal blanket. He – or she – was led to the rescue craft, stumbling and leaning heavily on the crew member who had his arm hooked under their elbow. There were more gasps, more selfies, and a few exclamations, when another person – hopefully alive, but potentially dead – was carried out on a stretcher. 

Once the person was safely transferred onto the craft, it shot through the waves towards the ship. Mr Hatton was overseeing the operation from the deck. As soon as the craft aligned with the pulleys, the person in the thermal blanket was lifted up onboard the ship. He – for it was a man – was instantly intercepted by a medic and led away. The harness was lowered to receive the person on the stretcher. Attaching the stretcher took no longer than two minutes, and it was up in the air, heading for the safety of the liner. Again, members of the medical team were on hand to swiftly carry the injured person away to the medical bay. 

Meantime, the rescue craft was heading back towards the fishing vessel. Pixeled with the incessant icy rain, the search lights were crossing in front of the boat to guide it along the way. 

‘They found two more people!’ Vincent Hatton shouted to the crowd by way of an explanation.​

Indeed, two more stretchers were taken inside the boat and within ten minutes, they were returned to the rescue craft, laden with human cargo. The craft carried them to the cruise liner, and just like the other two, they were winched up onboard. 

‘They’re dead,’ Maggie told Sam.

‘Both of them?’

‘I think so. I can see two young women – their spirits, I mean. They’re very unsettled, thrusting their arms in the air. They may be screaming – their mouths are wide open. No wonder – it’s all new to them. Sudden death tends to throw people off balance.’

The spectacle was over. The search lights were turned off and the sea glared back at the onlookers, violent and black, like the gaping mouth of a leviathan threatening to swallow them. The storm wasn’t relenting. The passengers were ordered inside.  

Can a broken friendship be mended again?

Synopsis

A warm-hearted and gripping story of community, secrets and the family we choose that will captivate fans of Lucy Diamond, Cathy Bramley and Jessica Redland.

As young women, Lise and Emma had the kind of friendship people dream about. While Lise’s own family was distant and disengaged, Emma’s was welcoming and warm, and for the first twenty-six years of their life, growing up together in a close-knit community, the duo were inseparable. But when they decide to spend one year living together in Paris, what starts as the adventure of a lifetime becomes a disaster that changes everything. And when Emma returns to Bath the following summer, Lise stays behind in France, their friendship in tatters.

Now, sixteen years later, Lise has come back to their hometown, determined to put things right. But to do so, she’ll have to face up to the truth about what happened in Paris. And with Emma refusing to talk to her, can she get close enough to share her secret?

My review

Lise and Emma grew up as best friends, and they were sure that nothing could ever come between them. Even if their lives were different, with Lise having a distant family, while Emma’s were welcoming and warm, they were absolutely inseparable. They even decided to spend a year together in Paris.
But right there in Paris, is where their close friendship ended brutally, with Emma returning to Bath on her own while Lise staying in France…
Sixteen years later, Lise finally returns home too, and is determined to make things right again with Emma, even if that means coming clean about what happened all those years ago. But when Emma is refusing to just talk to her, is there truly a way that a once so strong friendship, now scattered into a million pieces, can be mended again?

Haven’t we all had childhood friendships we were 100% certain that would never end? And yet when you think about it, many of those friendships haven’t stand the test of time. Of course there are friendships that did, but let’s be honest, many of them just didn’t.
And often there isn’t just a specific reason for it not lasting, just life taking us in different directions. But what when there was a specific reason that the friendship ended? How would it affect it the people involved? And if the heartbreak was so devastating, is there a way to make things right again? That is exactly what this lovely book is about…

I loved seeing young Lise and Emma together, they were ready to conquer the world, always having each other’s back no matter what. It was more like seeing sisters together and not “just” friends, because they just connected so well, and were always there for each other, understanding each other even without a spoken word, offering comfort, wisdoms (for their age at least 😊) and Emma always made sure to let Lise know that Emma’s family was also Lise’s as understanding that Lise’s own family weren’t the warmest kind…

Personally, I admired they courage for living in Paris for a year on their own, even if they did not speak the language. I for sure would never make that choice myself, because let’s be honest, I’m a big scaredy – cat ! 😊
But I liked it how hands – on they were, they took matter in own hands, determined to find jobs, to make things work. Because as long as they were together, it would all work out.

Seeing this strong friendship, I wondered what on earth could have happened to tear it all into pieces. Because I truly believed that their friendship would be indestructible. And it was obvious something truly terrible had to have happened to have this outcome. And to see how they weren’t there for each other in the most difficult moments after that year in Paris, broke my heart.

And even if I didn’t know yet what happened in Paris, reading what happened later on in Emma’s life, without Lise showing her support in any kind of way,  I could understand Emma not wanting to talk to her former best friend when Lise is back in town.
But I also saw the efforts Lise was making to get Emma to talk to her again. Because it was not only Lise’s life at stake here…

There is something about being angry at someone for so long, that it’s easier to hold to that grudge, than letting the past for what it is and start over once again… So much has happened in both women’s lives and I could see how they could be there once again for each other, if only they would let each other back in…

Normally I am rather easy in choosing a side. Who was in the right and who was in the wrong? But in this book, there isn’t a right or wrong side. Because what happened in Paris, wasn’t to blame on either Lise or Emma, but more to blame on the people around them. And those people put an end on a friendship…

And even later on, Emma back in Bath and Lise still in Paris, they both didn’t have it easy…
Emma had to face several and heart – breaking losses, while Lise was living together with a man that made me almost throw up each time he appeared.
Yet I liked to see the resilience in both women, coming out stronger than before.

I truly liked it also how both their daughters got along, even before the huge revelation towards the end. It seemed like history was repeating itself, from mother to daughter. And it was a bit funny to see how the girls were somehow the catalyst of Emma and Lise interacting again.

This book was amazing to read, although I have to say I didn’t expect anything else from this wonderful author.
the story shows us the easiness of friendship, but also the difficulties in it. But most important we see that no matter what happened in the past, or how people fell out, when it concerns real friendship, the love always find a way to bring those people back into our lives. And that with perhaps some persistence, patience, but most of all, forgiveness, that bond that was once so strong, can be found again, and make you forget about all the lost time, as it’s the time that we can now spend back together is what matters!

It’s never too late to reassess your life and choices and make a change…

Synopsis

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that will warm your heart! Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Marian Keyes, Kathleen Whyman and Caroline James.

Is it ever too late to start again…?

Erika Forde has always played second fiddle to her husband David, the famous novelist. But since their son, Matt, left home for university, cracks have started to show in their marriage.

Erika has long had a nagging suspicion that David may not always have been faithful, and now his latest books are starting to wane in popularity causing erratic moods that are affecting Erika.

But while David’s career starts to dip, Erika’s advertising agency is on the up.

Erika’s creative genius wins the agency a huge client in Stable Denim, but her life is thrown into turmoil when one of the models cast for the campaign turns out to be her ex-boyfriend, Enzo.

Has Enzo been sent back into Erika’s life for a reason? Is it time for her to reevaluate her marriage?

Or should some things be left in the past…?

WHEN WE WERE US is a second chance love story, that shows the ups and downs of family life with buckets of humour and wit.

My review

Being married to David hasn’t always been a walk in the park for Erika Forde. Not only does Erika believe that he hasn’t been always that faithful husband, but since their son Matt left their home, things are turning quickly in a downward spiral. And while Erika’s being successful in her advertising agency, David’s career as a novelist is hitting low.
When Erika’s agency wins a huge client in the form of Stable Denim, it brings her Enzo back in her life, Erika’s ex – boyfriend. And his return makes Erika think about her life, choices and most important, her marriage…

There is always something about second chance love stories that pull me in. Because it warms my heart that love somehow will always try to find a way, no matter how much time has passed, or what age the involved people have.
And it’s that new chance that make the people rethink about past choices and think if the life they are living now is the kind of life they envisioned of having, or are they living in contentment, and not living their lives at the fullest.

It’s clear from the start that Erika isn’t in a happy marriage. Well, that for sure is an understatement. Because if I had to live with a man like David, I would have walked away way sooner and way faster. Erika I believe if the kind of person that is very recognizable for many people. She isn’t happy in her marriage, but isn’t really doing anything about it. Life isn’t perfect for her, but she keeps on carrying on.

Of course she loves her son Matt with all her heart, but with him away, only shows her how lacking her marriage is, and in fact how terrible David is. Because he absolutely is! At first there was a tiny bit of understanding from my side, yet the better I got to know him, the more I despised him, and in the end, my despise even turned in a kind of hatred…

So I was happy to see that while David’s career is hitting its lowest point, Erika’s is actually booming. She truly deserves all the acclaims and she is just good at what she does.
And I was curious to see where things would go once Enzo entered the scene.

It was great to see the changes in Erika once Enzo back in her life. But what I liked the most in this book, was that even when there is a second chance at love, things don’t go easy. Not only does Erika have to make a decision about her life, but there are more setbacks and sort of betrayals than Erika could possibly imagine.
Choosing for love is perhaps the easiest choice to make, but life isn’t always rainbows and unicorn, and Erika learns that there still will be difficulties in life, even when the man she loves and loves her is by her side.

And that is truly the best bit in this book, showing the reality in this romance. But it also shows the strength and power of love. Because when you truly love someone, you are ready to take every hurdle with them, no matter how hard things may get.  

A good neighbour is better than a far boyfriend…

Synopsis

Finding a man is like buying a house: sometimes you have to look beyond the exterior to see the potential underneath.

As an estate agent, Alex’s job is to create happy-ever-afters. It’s just a shame she can’t work the same magic on her own life. Her long-term boyfriend Thomas still lives with his mother, and her hopes of them taking the next step are dashed when he announces he’s spending all his savings (savings she’d quite hoped he’d want to put towards their future home) on an ‘artist retreat’ in San Francisco.

With Thomas thousands of miles away, getting a little too friendly with his fellow artistes, Alex strikes up a friendship with her new neighbour, Callum. Taciturn, grumpy and nerdy, Callum couldn’t be more different to Alex’s bubbly personality…. So why is he the one she wakes up wanting to talk to?

As they get to know each other, Alex starts to wonder if the answer to all her problems might be closer to home than she thinks…

My review

Being an estate agent, Alexa is used to show people the houses of their dreams. And she hopes that with her boyfriend Thomas, she will be able to find the perfect place too, as they have been together now for a long time. But Alexa is shocked to learn that Thomas has other plans, as he believes to have found his true calling, that of being an artist. And in order to achieve his new big dream, he wants to use all his spendings, which were planned to be used on their own home, to go on an artist retreat in San Francisco.
That doesn’t take away Alexa from sharing a bigger flat with her best friend Emma. But the two friends aren’t the only ones moving, as they learn that their new neighbours also just moved. Just like Alexa and Emma, Mark and Callum are best friends sharing a flat. And when things move quickly between Emma and Mark, Alexa learns that Callum has more in him that he shows. With understanding each other better, where does that leave Alexa with Thomas, as Alexa starts to feel more at ease with her neighbour than with her actual boyfriend?

When I read the blurb of this book, I knew I would like it, even if the short summary did spark that great curiosity immediately. But you know that there are authors that you just read, no matter what the blurb is saying. And as Phoebe MacLeod is one of those authors that don’t disappoint, I just started to read, ignoring the blurb. Because the story for sure would be an amazing one!

I think you have to be a special kind of person to be a good estate agent. Because you have to be able to see more in a building than you can actual see, but you also have to understand your clients in a way to find the house of their dreams, even if they haven’t have a clue what that may be.
And Alexa for sure has a talent for it, not driven by the advantages she may gain, but because she wants to find the right house for the right people. Even if finding the right match may take some patience.

And it’s clear that Alexa has a lot of patience, not only towards her clients, but also towards her boyfriend Thomas…. Because Thomas is for sure not the best example for a boyfriend. He isn’t satisfied with his life, and each time he discovers a new passion, only give that passion up rather easily. Yet Alexa stands by his side with every new great idea he has. Because even if he frustrates her at times, showing her support is what a good girlfriend does. And with being so long together, she has big dreams for a future to spend together.

But not only with Thomas Alexa shows her gentle character, also with her best friend Emma. Because all is well with your best friend when living on your own, but it’s when you live together that you get to know all those little irritating behaviour. Alexa for sure gets frustrated with Emma, and I for sure could understand her, but Alexa also understands that Emma discovering new territory and has still so much to learn.

Yet the most important treat Alexa has, is her non – judgemental attitude. She doesn’t judge Callum’s odd and introvert behaviour, she doesn’t judge perhaps the weirdest clients she may ever have. And that only shows us what an amazing person Alexa is.

She couldn’t be more opposite than Callum, yet also in his case, she sees more than he allows anyone else to see. Being an introvert can make it difficult for interaction, yet it was lovely to see how Alexa was able to break down his walls, and see her understanding him, as we also got a better understanding of him. And only to realize that Callum for sure is one amazing man, with his own insecurities, but also with his willingness to protect those he cares about, and even doing things outside his comfort zone.

I had the best of time seeing how a breakfast Alexa crashes becomes a tradition between the pair, how their “neighbour relationship” evolves to friendship and keeps on evolving.
It was in a way even funny to see things are getting awkward but also sweet in a way… And of course as I was supporting for Alexa and Callum getting more than friends, I just loved it see how Alexa realizes what Thomas’ real character was, and understands that perhaps her future lays elsewhere, and not by Thomas’ side…

This was a lovely, funny, even hilarious story, a slow – burn. The author delivered not only what I expected, but more. We see how differences between people can make each other stronger, how it can open you up. It shows us that getting to know someone and understand them takes time and patience, but that for the right person, it can end in a very rewarding way.
I devoured this book, only having one regret, as I reached the end far too quickly!

To save a place you love, to discover so much more

Synopsis

Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends.  So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help.

Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified; the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her.

Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after…

My review

After discovering that the promotion that was practically hers, went to someone else, Lexie Dunbar decides that she needs to start over. Being the booklover that she is, when she learns that her local bookstore is going to be sold, Lexie realizes that she needs to step in and help to keep the place that brought her so much joy and happiness.
But even if her plans are warmly welcomed, she didn’t expect to be fighting over the place with artist Tobias Black, who sees his Uncle’s place the perfect spot to open his own art gallery.
With now a premises to share Lexie and Tobias have to learn to work together, even if that costs them a lot of effort.
Nevertheless, when secrets are being revealed, personal and not, Lexie and Tobias learn that despite their initial dislike, they can count on each other, and perhaps find their own way to happiness.

This could be a very short review by just saying that Julie Shackman did it again, writing a wonderful story, one that kept my interest and attention from the start until the very end. Period.
But that wouldn’t do the story and the author complete justice, because there is so much to it, it would even take me a whole book to write myself to express how it made me feel.

At the start of the book, I could completely understand Lexi’s state of mind. Losing a promotion is something that obviously would bother you. But losing it without an acknowledgement of the work you have done in the past, and seeing it go to someone else, a stranger, well, that for sure has to sting.
Having been not so long ago in a likewise situation myself, I for sure agreed with Lexie that she needed some time away, to clear her head and rethink about her position and where her future would be.

And having Lexie being a booklover, just like me, how could I possibly dislike her? Because Lexie is the kind of character you want to be friends with, as she is genuine, loving, caring and altruistic. Add the fact that she, her mother and her dear grandfather have been the three musketeers most of the time, well, it only made her ever more loveable and even more real.

I liked it how Lexie made it her mission to save the bookstore, Book Ends, as not only is it a place that she loved spending her own time in, but she also truly believes that with a few upgrades, the store would thrive once again like in the past. She fights with her every might to make things work, even if that means that she has to share the space with Tobias Black.

Tobias Black… he didn’t make a great first impression, as I didn’t like his attitude, and his behaviour as he felt that he deserves to turn the bookstore into an own art gallery.
But as often happens, slowly I started to realize that in fact, Tobias isn’t the bad guy as I initially thought. Yes yes, I know that he would turn out to be a great character, but still, even knowing this, I couldn’t truly like him at his first few appearances.

I found it truly funny to see how Lexie and Tobias work together, antagonizing each other all the time. But it was also sweet to see the slow change in them. Especially when there are several secrets revealed, unexpected returns are made, and Lexie and Tobias find each other to rely on.

There happens a lot in this book, but never in a way that I lost track of everything. On the contrary, it was all written so well it was easy to keep up.
There happens a lot in this book, but it never crossed my mind that things could be left out, as all those bits made all their important contribution to the story itself.

Because we see not only many different layers of love, but also many different layers of strength, courage and especially forgiveness.
And it’s with all the above that happiness can be gained.

I will end this review the way I started it, by stating that Julie Shackman wrote once again a wonderful story!

When another murder comes on your path, but this time the stakes could be even higher..

Synopsis

An instalment in bestselling author T. A. Williams’ Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series!

A cozy crime series set in gorgeous Tuscany… It’s murder in paradise!

A secluded villa…

When Dan Armstrong is asked to provide security at a private villa on the outskirts of Pisa, he’s pretty sure it will be an easy job. Villa Gregory is remote; the gathered guests are rich – what could possibly go wrong?

A glittering gathering…

Inside the high walls of the palatial villa, Dan discovers the gathered guests are some of the most powerful tycoons in the media world, with plans for world domination. With so much at stake, Dan redoubles his efforts to keep everyone safe.

A detective under pressure?

But when one of the group is found murdered, Dan’s heart sinks – especially considering Anna’s own daughter is in the frame! When the police arrive, Dan meets formidable Inspector Adolfo Vinci, a man whose main talent seems to be for getting things wrong. It all goes from bad to worse for Dan as the man from the Leaning Tower starts leaning on him.

It’s another case for Dan and Oscar to solve and this one won’t be easy!

My review

Things are looking well for Dan Armstrong in Tuscany. His relationship with Anna is great, as he has learned from his past mistakes, and his business is also doing well.
So when he is asked to provide security at a private villa near Pisa, he thinks it would be a rather easy job, because what could possibly go wrong?
Dan and his loyal friend Oscar are ready to do their thing at Villa Gregory, and as Anna’s daughter is one of the guests, Dan hopes that he has the chance to get to know the daughter of the woman he loves.
But with a Villa filled with prominent guests, Dan is shocked to discover the murder of one of the most powerful tycoons. And with all the fingers pointing towards Anna’s daughter Virginia, and a rather lazy Inspector Adolfo Vinci, Dan is determined to discover what happened and to clear Virginia’s name…

There are a few cosy mystery – series that I am always eager to pick up, book after book after book. Yet this series is one of those lucky few! Is it because its setting in Italy? Is it because of the main characters, furry ones and not? Or is it the talent of this author that can keep on writing stories about, let’s be honest, brutal crimes, yet can keep a lightness in it after all?

It was a delight to visit Dan again, and seeing how well he was doing on several aspects in his life. Not only is his new career thriving, even his writing career is taking off. And he is surrounded by new friends, and has a beautiful woman next to him. Oh, and let’s not forget about Oscar, his furry but also most loyal friend!

His latest job brings him nearby Pisa, known for, well you know what. And as a reader, we all know that what should be an easy job for Dan and Oscar, will turn out to be the complete opposite…
Once again Dan has to investigate a murder, and not ‘just’ a murder, but a murder of a powerful man, and to make things worse, everything points in the direction of Anna’s daughter Virginia.

Obviously, as a loyal reader, I knew that Virginia would be only a diversion, as the real culprit would only be revealed at the very end of it. But in this book, the murderer could be just anyone, from the security guard to the cook, just anyone could be it.
And we all know, when there is money involved, the motives are only increasing…

I have to admit, that in this book, no matter how delightful it was to see my friends again, there were some aspects I didn’t really like. Hopefully the author will forgive me for that! 😊
For instance, I didn’t immediately liked Virginia… I could understand that it can be difficult to see your mother in love again, with another man that is not your father. But grow up, you’re an adult woman, you know how the world and how love works! How can she dislike Dan, even if she hasn’t ever met him before or talked to him?
And while I knew that she was innocent, the mean bit in me wanted her perhaps to pay for her dislike of Dan? 😊
Luckily Virginia starts to see that, despite her behaviour, Dan is in fact in her corner, and is in fact a nice man, worthy of her mother. And who could possibly resist Oscar???

Then there are the other guests present in the villa… I just couldn’t truly like them… There is a difference in being wealthy and just being a snob. And with each and every one of them having a plausible motive, the chances of me liking them only diminished. Of course they are not all alike and there are a few I disliked a little less compared to others 😊

Lastly, there is the terrible inspector, Adolfo Vinci… he is just everything that an inspector, or rather just anyone in the forces should not be. He is not only obnoxious, he is rude, thinks he knows it all, and has a severe case of tunnel vision. Just the moment he entered the scene, I felt my anger rise.  But also here we total opposite characters, showing us that while there are Adolfo Vinci’s in the world, there are plenty of others who are doing a great job!

Yet my issues with some characters didn’t take away the joy I had to put on my own detective hat on, ready to investigate along with Dan and Oscar, trying to get any clues or seeing things that may seem innocent yet hold a ticket to the truth.

Once a cosy mystery by this amazing author not only brought me back to a wonderful setting, but once again made me devour a book, where a former policeman and his loyal dog are up in resolving a murder. And next to the heavy matter of a murder, the author once again put enough of lightness, and even love in this book, making it a treat to read the book, even if blood spilling was involved.

When in need, real feelings surface…

Synopsis

Welcome to Pepper Bay, where you’ll find love, drama, and a happily ever after.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Alison Sherlock, Rachael Lucas, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories that intertwine with recurring characters. Best enjoyed when read in order.

The Gatehouse Café: Vivien leads a double life. A happy one the world sees, and a miserable one that’s hidden away. Nobody knows what goes on in her home once she has closed up the café for the day. She doesn’t think anyone will believe that her partner is a horrible person, especially as he is a policeman.

Finn has been secretly in love with Vivien since he was a teenager, but she’s only ever viewed him as a friend. When he discovers she’s in trouble at home, he does everything in his power to help set her free, because even if she never falls in love with him, she’s still his best friend, and she needs help.

My review

Vivien loves running her Gatehouse Café in Pepper Bay. But while outside everyone thinks that Vivien is a happy woman, it’s once the café has closed for the day that her nightmare begins. Because nobody knows that Vivien is living together with an abusive partner. And if she would ever put it in the open, who would possibly believe her, as her partner is a member of the forces as a policeman.
But when things have gone too far, and Vivien has had and taken enough, she can count on her best friend Finn to be there for her. But what Vivien doesn’t know, is that Finn has been in love with his best friend for years…
And Finn would do anything for her, even if his feelings would never be reciprocated, because that’s the kind of man Finn is, the helping friend always in your corner, even when the world seems a dark place and Vivien may never overcome the fear her partner induced…

What an absolute delight it was to return to Pepper Bay. With each new story I fall more and more in love with the place, and my love for it was already a big one!
Yet this was perhaps also the most heartbreaking one of the series?

Because right from the start we learn that lovely Vivien, despite her façade, is living a real nightmare with her partner…
It makes me wonder and just not understand how someone can voluntary hurt the person they claim to love…
And it made me understand how well the victims are hiding the terror they are living in, and how much they can endure. It may seem a strange thing to say, but in Vivien’s pain there was also a lot of strength in it.
It truly broke my heart to see Vivien, a woman who deserves to be worshipped is treated by her partner. And it make a terrible situation even worse, the author added an extra terrible layer by making the abuser a policeman, the exact kind of person that should protect people.

The abuse itself was luckily not that graphic, giving my poor heart at least one less thing to worry about. Yet that didn’t take away that I could feel Viv’s pain anyway.

Despite everything, I was happy that Viv could always rely on her best friend Finn, no matter how much she even tried to push him away, for his and her own sake…
Finn is perhaps the kind of person that seems too good to be true… he is just everything I could possibly dream about for my own Prince Charming.

It’s clear, even without reading about his thoughts, that he is truly in love with Viv. But as she is in a relationship, he ‘settles’ with just being friends. It’s enough for him to have Viv in his life, even just as a friend, than not having Viv in his life at all.
And when he learns about the hell Viv has been living in, I just literally swooned! He steps up as the perfect man, he gives Viv everything she needs, a home to stay in, all the possible help she may need, a shoulder to cry on but also he shows her that not everyone is like that scumbag and that there are good people that love her.

So while Viv’s background is a terrifying one, something I don’t wish to anyone, this story is not about escaping an abusive relationship. But it’s about finding the right person for you, finding the person that restores your trust in mankind again. And while this marvellous author did let Finn go through something terrible too, as obviously things don’t go as straightforward as we readers want to, what people are looking for, can be found easily closer than they thought. But some people are just a bit slower on catching up with this fact!

I absolutely devoured this book, is it really already the 11th part of the series??? I cannot just believe how much joy this series brings me! K.T. Dady once again showed what love truly means, what love makes you do, and especially what love isn’t.
But we also see that love is strength, courage and most important of all, the most beautiful thing in the world!

When to help you have to return to a place that holds a lot of pain…

Synopsis

Brand new from best-selling author Jo Bartlett, an emotional and uplifting read, guaranteed to break your heart and put it back together again.

A family in turmoil…

Phoebe Spencer left home a long time ago, desperate to get away from her mother’s emotional manipulation. She knows her life is better away from her family, but she can’t help feeling she’s simply running away from her problems…

Then Phoebe hears that her younger sister Lucy has disappeared, leaving behind her four-year old daughter, Darcy. Phoebe’s certain Lucy will be back soon – she’d never leave Darcy alone – and then Phoebe can get on with her life again.

But as the days pass there’s still no sign of Lucy, and everyone begins to fear the worst. Phoebe has toconsider the terrible truth that Lucy might never come home. And as their mother makes it clear she wants to take control of Darcy’s life, Phoebe must do all she can to protect the girl her sister left behind – no matter the cost to her.

A brand new emotional read from bestselling author Jo Bartlett.

My review

After growing up with an emotional manipulative mother, Phoebe Spencer couldn’t wait to leave home, as the situation became truly unbearable.
But when Phoebe hears now that her younger sister Lucy has disappeared and left her four – year old daughter Darcy, Phoebe has no option to return home to look after Darcy.
Yet Phoebe is certain that Lucy will quickly return, making it possible for Phoebe to run away once again from her mother.
But when days pass and Lucy is still missing, it seems that the worst fears are becoming reality… And with Phoebe’s mother wanting to take Darcy in custody, it’s up to Phoebe to protect Darcy not only of a devastating truth about Lucy, but also to protect Darcy from the same poison Phoebe and Lucy grew up with. But at what cost?

Jo Bartlett has written magnificent series that I absolutely devoured. So was it a difficult decision to pick up another book written by her? Absolutely not! Did I love it? Absolutely yes! Did the story break my heart in one million little pieces for several reasons? Absolutely yes!

After I finished this book, I found myself in a way grateful for the family I have. Because no matter how much at times they annoy me, I have a rather normal family and that is not something everyone can say.

Because it’s obvious that Phoebe’s family is a dysfunctional one. At first I didn’t completely understood how it really was for Phoebe and for Lucy. But the more I saw with my own eyes, the more I could comprehend why Phoebe had the urge to escape from her mother.
It even angered me how her mother just got away with it all, just to keep the peace but not seeing how it would affect the lives of Phoebe and Lucy.

Phoebe’s reluctance to return was obvious and it made sense. Yet I also liked her sense of responsibility in it. Because she understood that she had to return home, not for herself, or her parents, but for little Darcy. Leaving Darcy in the clutches of Phoebe’s mother is unthinkable and it would only end in another terrorized child.

It was a tiny bit funny to see out of depth Phoebe was, as she was responsible for Darcy’s care now. But it was also heartwarming to see how she leant on who she could count for help. And her neighbor (or rather, Lucy’s neighbor…) Jamie for sure has been her rock, in so many different ways.

Darcy for sure stole my heart. A child of this age still as that innocence, not understanding the world and not understanding the finality of things. But she also shows a resilience, as we see her adapting rather quickly to a changed situation, a situation without her mother in it.
We also see how easy it is for children to love someone. Her aunt Phoebe was practically a stranger to her, but Darcy accepts Phoebe easily in her life.

This wasn’t always an easy book to digest, as it handles serious matters. It’s not easy to understand what people are going through and what makes them take certain decisions, decisions that are irreversible.
But it wasn’t only a difficult story to digest, it was also a story somehow filled with so much love in it.
We see Phoebe returning to her even personal hell, for her sister and her niece. And even if she doesn’t have a clue about raising a child, she is slowly learning the trick, out of love for that little girl who doesn’t have anyone left in her corner. And we see Phoebe fighting to protect Darcy. And she lets Darcy understand that even if her mommy isn’t there, she will always have Phoebe.

Jo Bartlett wrote once again a story that makes you realizes that perhaps no matter how often we complain, in most cases we should be counting our blessings, because not everyone is that fortunate. But even if we are in fact unfortunate and have a difficult family situation, and tragedy has struck, there will always be someone for us to rely on.
And we can also be the person to rely on when someone else has to face a difficult situation, and even if we are out of our own depth, love will make the difficult journey a feasible journey where even we can learn a lot from…

How one day can be the start of a year filled with every kind of emotion

Synopsis

They didn’t know – when Winter gave way to Spring that year – that their lives were all about to change…

Marnie didn’t realise – when she stormed into a bookshop one day, demanding a self-help book – that she was about to make a new best friend.

Bookshop-owner Rae didn’t know she had been living like a shadow since her parents died. But then Marnie exploded into her life. And suddenly she realised things had to change… more so when she meets handsome nurse, Jack.

And when Forrest’s life is turned upside down by a fatal car crash, he knew he was being given a second chance, but didn’t know why. He thinks Marnie might just be the woman he’s destined to be with. But – as she discovers that she has an illness she may never recover from – what if it’s too late for them?

Can it ever be too late though? To make friendships that change everything. To grow, to change, to start again. Even – for two unlikely new best friends to find love at last…?

The Last Days of You and Me is a heartbreaking, uplifting, magical story about friendship, love and above all what it means to truly live. Perfect for fans of Me Before You, Love Actually and One Day.

My review

Marnie and Rae meet in Rae’s bookstore when Marnie is looking for a self – help book. Marnie did not leave the store only with unexpected books, but also with the start of a brand new and strong friendship.
If only Marnie didn’t have to cope with an obnoxious lawyer, trying to get his client out of wrongdoings. But when that same lawyer has a car crash, Forrest realizes that he has had a second chance in life and is ready to things right again. And meeting Marnie may even show him that even love can be in store for him. But with Marnie’s discovery of an illness, is it perhaps too late for them?
An illness that makes everyone ponder about their own lives and its fragility. And where Rae realizes that keep on mourning the death of her parents, especially after meeting nurse Jack…
With the days passing by, and Marnie’s days are slinking, feelings arise and grow, but with the inevitable approaching, what will happen? 

When I began reading this book, I knew beforehand it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. This author knows how to touch her readers, even when heartbreaking events are taking place in her stories.
And from the blurb already I knew that my heart would have to face a lot of pain, yet I wasn’t prepared of how deep that pain would go…
But like I said, the pain was accompanied by a feeling of warmth and love, because it’s in the most hurtful moments in life, amazing people will be there by our side, taking one step at the time during the most difficult bits… 

This whole enlightening journey starts on a day where four characters meet by perhaps sheer coincidence, or perhaps Fate put them on each other’s path… 

Marnie and Rae’s start of a wonderful friendship begin with Marnie entering Rae’s bookstore. Isn’t it somehow ironic that Marnie is looking for a self – help book yet ends with a best friend? And isn’t it wonderful to read how this amazing friendship just takes off? 

Both Marnie and Rae aren’t in a great place when they meet, for totally different reasons. Yet they connect in a way that is just meant to be. These two friends are both scared, once again for totally different reasons, yet they manage to help each other in a way, to step out of their comfort zone and eve face the most brutal outcomes they could imagine. 

Their friendship, no matter how ‘young’ is it, is a genuine one, and one of the strongest possible, because they are there for each other, supporting each other even when not asked…
And Marnie’s diagnose broke my heart, because I could easily envision how their future would look like if only they had years to spend together as best friends… 

But Marnie in the same moment she meets Rae, she also meets Forrest, and this encounter wasn’t a successful one… Let’s just say they clash on that occasion!
Forrest for sure doesn’t make a great first impression, not only to Marnie but to me too! He’s acting like he’s all that and he is rather ruthless.
But like often happens, it takes an eye – opening accident to discover how wrong one’s behaviour has been, and change it for the better. 

The Forrest after the accident is a complete different persona, a man that ‘has seen the light’ and now only wants to do what’s right, and not what gains him more fame and fortune. And this Forrest for sure shows his worth, as he isn’t scared away when learning about Marnie and how her life has an expiration date… 

And then there is Jack, who also is a customer of Rae. Jack, who for sure immediately earned my respect and admiration for his choice of career.  But it’s also his compassion for his patients, and him going lengths for those under his care…
He is exactly what Rae needs, even if she doesn’t know it yet…. And he for sure shows his worth when even Marnie needs him. His heart doesn’t look if a patient needs him, or a friend. He wants to help out those in need, no matter who they are or what they need. 

This book is needed to be read with an open mind, as there is an aspect that perhaps may seem far – fetched. While initially I was a bit sceptical, by the end of the book it left me wondering if perhaps it truly was all that impossible as I thought it would be. Because wouldn’t it be wonderful if in fact it could truly be possible? 

The end of the book left me a bit flabbergasted, as the final revelation wasn’t something I saw coming. And normally I am rather quick on getting the small hints hidden in the story. But I just figured it out at the very last, shocking me. Yet when I thought about it later, it was clear that Debbie Howells did indeed leave some obvious hints, but being so enthralled by the story, I just didn’t pick them up… 

I found this a beautiful yet also heart – breaking one, as we see characters finding their person in life, whether it’s a best friend, or even the love of their lives. It shows us the strength of love, and how far we would go for our loved ones, standing by their sides in the most difficult moments, even when the inevitable is imminent… It shows us in a heart – breaking, eve tear – jerking way how far love can and will go, even defying the impossible…

When Venice is not the place for Love, but for Heartbreak instead…

Synopsis

Venice was where it all began…

Libby and Will spent a glorious honeymoon in this magical city. They didn’t have much money, but they had a whole lot of love and a bright future ahead of them.

And Venice was where it all went wrong…

Two kids and twenty-five years later, they are struggling with money problems but somehow Will manages to fulfil his promise to Libby to take her back to Venice for their anniversary. This time, they are doing it in style and a masked ball awaits. But among the beautiful buildings and romantic canals, Libby learns that her husband has a secret that breaks her heart.

The trust is broken and the marriage is over. But there are decades of love and two grown sons between them.

Can they ever find their way back to each other or have they missed their chance forever?

A funny and heartwarming second-chance romance, perfect for fans of Milly Johnson and Julie Caplin.

My review

When Libby and Will got married twenty – five years ago, Libby fell in love with Venice, as that was where they had their honeymoon. So Will promised her that on their twenty – fifth anniversary, they would return to this magical city.
With two grown sons, and even with financial struggles, Libby is over the moon when Will is true to his word and of they go on their second honeymoon!
But this time, thanks to finally some luck, they go in style. However, when Libby discovers an ugly secret Will has kept from her, she doesn’t know if she can possible love the man that just broke her heart…
And just like that, after twenty five years togethers, their marriage is over… Or will Venice prove its magic once again? 

The people who know me, know that I don’t particularly love Venice. It is a beautiful city, I don’t deny that, and there are beautiful places to see. But for me (and this is purely my own opinion!), it’s all too busy and too touristy. But I know that people love the place, and I can understand the allure. Yet if I had to pick a place to go as a honeymoon, I wouldn’t chose Venice, especially not when knowing that it is a rather expensive place.
But of course, it was lovely to see how young Libby and Will enjoyed their honeymoon there and who am I to spoil their time there? 

I always admire people who stick together no matter what happens in their lives. Libby and Will are  now married for twenty five years, and that truly is something admirable, especially reading that things haven’t been always that easy and honestly still aren’t.
Yet it was sweet to see how there was that one promise made at their wedding, and how adamant Will was to keep that promise. 

In a way, Libby at the start of the book felt like a sad character. She had her demons to face, her issues with numbers but also seeing that the career – world was a men’s world, in a way that precented her own growth.
And Will may be the love of her life, he for sure shows a very stubborn streak, perhaps even acting like a know – it – all  and not listening to the great advice Libby may have. 

Yet Will adores his wife, even if he doesn’t appreciate everything she does for him, or could possible be doing for him.
He also keeps her in the dark about how dire the financial situation is, even doing something terrible, and thus truly breaking the trust Libby had in Will. 

After that discovery, I could understand why Libby had enough, and I liked it how she wouldn’t just give in, going back to what she has known for so long.
I admired her standing up for herself, holding firm but I also liked those moments of jealousy, showing us that no matter the hurt, the love was just maybe still there. 

We see Libby on an emotional journey, going from heartbreak, to liberation in a way, to have the epitome in the place that was part of the start of her life with Will.
This is a journey where Libby has to figure out what her heart truly wants, and if what Will did was truly unforgivable.
People are too quickly to throw the towel, but twenty five years is a long time to flush down the drain.
And when those who have hurt us are truly trying to fix their wrongdoing, is it right to hold a grudge that eventually would even prevent us happiness again? 

This was a beautiful story about mistakes, heartbreak, but also about family, love and forgiveness. And it shows us that sometimes made decisions can be overturn once again, if that is what our heart tells us to do…