When to save a place you love so much, the help of a real Grinch is needed…

Synopsis

The perfect cosy and uplifting romance to curl up with this winter!

In Mistletoe Gardens a legend exists: anyone who kisses underneath the mistletoe will be guaranteed another year of love…

When local baker Essie Browne discovers that Mistletoe Gardens is to be demolished in January, she’s determined to save the place she loves so much. So Essie proposes building a life size gingerbread house to bring in the crowds…just how hard can it be?

Well, quite hard actually. Essie can bake gingerbread blindfolded, but she hasn’t got a clue how to build an actual house with it! She needs help – and fast!

Enter local builder, Joss Hallissey. Essie is convinced that with Joss’s help they can pull this off. There’s just one tiny problem: Joss hates Christmas, gingerbread, and… well, just about everything else too.

Joss the Grinch makes it clear that her idea is ludicrous and pointless, but he reluctantly agrees to help with her plan.

Will the gingerbread house be enough to save Mistletoe Gardens? Or will Essie’s chance for a magical kiss under the mistletoe be lost forever?

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

My review

After a disappointment, Essie Browne has returned to Folkhornton, to work at the baker together with her mother.
When at a council meeting, Essie hears that Mistletoe Gardens will be demolished in January, she is determined to come up a plan to save the place she loves.
Being a baker, the plan is to build a life size gingerbread house, to bring in more people.
Only problem is, Essie has no idea how to put her plan into work even if gingerbread is something she can bake with her eyes closed.
So she goes to local builder Joss Hallissey for help. Problem is, Joss hates not only Christmas, but also gingerbread. Yet even if he refuses initially to help blatantly, Joss finds himself helping Essie out, no matter how crazy he may think her idea is.
Will Essie succeed in building a life size gingerbread house and save the Mistletoe Gardens? And will spending time together, make Joss less Grinch – like?
Or is it a hopeless case and will Essie never receive a magical kiss under the mistletoe? 

Since I have discovered this author, I am always very eager to start a new book she has written. Somehow Jaimie manages to write a wonderful story with a sprinkle of magic, but without letting that magical moment take over the whole story.
And once again she managed to make me fall in love with the story, its characters and its warm and cosy feeling. 

Essie was the kind of person I both pitied and liked at the same time. I liked her because she is full of good intentions, and when she cares, she cares deeply.
But I pitied her because after a disappointment, she had to return with her tail between the legs, and felt that her mother didn’t support her.
She has one amazing idea after the other for the bakery, but each time her mother shuts her down. And it saddened me to see how a wonderful character like Essie couldn’t find her voice to stand up (always respectfully!) against her own mother. 

I also admired her, as we can see how determined she is to save the Mistletoe Gardens, even if somehow she should know better. And no matter what her mother tells her, or tries to “sabotage” Essie’s work, Essie just doesn’t give up. 

Essie’s mother is for the bigger part of the book not a character to easily like. She always manages to make Essie feel so small, and Essie always has to stand by for whatever her mother needs.
But I have to admit, towards the end of the book, I changed my opinion. So when you are at your breaking point, just hang in there! 

Before I started, I thought that Joss would be a hard nut to crack. But even with his Grinchy behaviour, it was easy to see that there was a deep hurt that caused him to behave the way he did. Quickly we see his true colours, with him helping Essie out. Yes, it starts with just giving advice, but we also see a man that in fact, no matter how difficult he plays to be, is just a sweetheart!
Even with him being suspicious with the presence of MMM, he never loses his cool. And the way he looks after Rob, made my heart truly melt! 

I found this a real heart – warming story, about two people working together on something impossible. Yet the impossible pulls them together, and together they find a way to heal each other but also themselves.
It’s also about a wonderful community, that when it truly matters, comes together to make even the most impossible of impossibles possible. 

This book is filled with so much warmth and love, in expected ways but also unexpected ones. And you will find yourself falling in love with not only the main characters, but even the strangest ones, characters in a dinosaur costume 24/7.
What more can I say that now I have the immense desire to visit Mistletoe Gardens and experience the magic myself???

When things get complicated with the person you loathe…

Synopsis

In the new, sexy and hilarious novel from bestselling author Sara L. Hudson, find out what happens when a grumpy billionaire, a perpetually friendly marketing exec and a hairless cat with a catnip addiction spend a night in Vegas… (A black-eye for starters.)

Thomas Moore, heir to the glamorous New York department store Moore’s, has everything. Everything but a sense of humor. Probably why he’s so often compared to his philandering crook of a father.

Alice Truman, recently promoted from the sales floor, is determined to prove her worth. Even if that means smiling in the face of the arrogant and too-sexy-for-his-own-good Thomas Moore, who seems to think her unfit for her new position.

Avoidance works wonders until Alice’s best friend plans an Elvis-themed destination wedding with Thomas’ brother—a concept the modern Mr. Darcy loathes.

Throw in a hairless cat, a calamitous bachelorette party and some questionable cocktails, and things become… complicated. And when things get complicated, anyone but the boss would be better.

My review

Alice Truman is happy with her promotion from the sales floor in New York’s department store Moore’s. With a difficult past, she is finally getting the life she deserves.
Even if that means that she has to deal with Thomas Moore, the heir of the place she is working.
Thomas has everything, but with his kind of family, especially his kind of father, he takes everything way too serious and for sure emanates arrogance. And he doesn’t understand how someone like Alice could go from the sales department to the marketing department.
However, when Alice’s best friend is marrying Thomas’ brother, Alice and Thomas are forced to work together, especially as the wedding will be on location and will be Elvis – themed.
The last thing that Alice and Thomas would expect is that everything would get so complicated after a (un?)memorable bachelorette party… 

This is the second part of a series. And while I loved the first part, reading about Chase and Campbell was amazing, I think that maybe this second part is my favourite one… 

It was amazing to see Alice again, and it was lovely to see how just at ease she is with her new job. A job that is just perfect for her, as she has the most amazing ideas.
But it was also great to get to know Alice better. Because previously she did appear but we didn’t get the chance to know her that well. 

And I have to say, to read about her past, her struggles, well, it made me so sad. At a younger age she has been through rough times, and just when things would finally get better for her, tragedy struck again.
However, she didn’t let that bring her down, on the contrary. It was even somehow inspiring to see how she fought to get where she is now, and how far she is ready to go for those that matter to her.
She is the kind of person that will always be there for you, and will help anyway she can. You can call her any time for rescue, and she will show up.
While that is a wonderful character trait, it’s also a dangerous one… because we can see how her kind heart is being taken advantage of… 

And for sure I could understand her feeling towards Thomas, as they are definitely mixed feelings… He may have the looks, but his behaviour, especially towards her, isn’t that amazing at all… 

So yes, Thomas was a hard nut to crack. The contrast with Chase couldn’t be bigger. Thomas is a very closed character, he won’t allow anyone to get close. His own family is struggling with completely understanding him.
He is also a person who has been deeply affected by the behaviour of his father, and thus decided to close his heart for love at all, in any form. 

But no matter how much Thomas and Alice seem to dislike each other, there is also something else palpable between them. There is an attraction that is just building up chapter after chapter, only to explode at the bachelorette – party. 

First of all, what a party that was! I never laughed so hard over ‘decorations’ that were travelling along!!!
And I found it just perfect that things got out of hand in such a matter that was unexpected but also just expected! 

It was funny in a way to see how Alice and Thomas are trying to come to terms with what happened, and the arrival of sweet Mary is making things even more complicated (or not…).
But the best bits were seeing how even the tiniest of actions, like an exploded kitchen after preparing and sharing breakfast, or a daily drawing to be found in a briefcase, could make the apparently coldest person melt bit by bit.  

In this book, we see two people, from a complete different background, ‘forced’ to live together. They are as chalk and cheese, but slowly they turn more alike.
We see a character struggling not only with opening up, but also with himself, and a character wanting to protect who she loves.
We see the innocence and acceptance of a young child, the antics of a cat with a reputation and a name that still makes me snicker and a family wanting each member to find happiness and love. 

I loved reading this book, making me once again realize that what we see isn’t always the reality. And even behind the coldest attitude and arrogance in fact there is a person looking for someone to love.
And that sometimes it takes someone who is our complete opposite to make us understand that we all deserve to be loved.
To be loved despite our backgrounds, as that doesn’t define us as a person. Because even someone with a sad background, can be the strong person to walk on water to show you that love comes in shapes and forms you wouldn’t expect.

And today I will spoil you with a guest post!

Synopsis

In this epic and unforgettable love story, set in the wilds of Missouri and the glamour of high society Boston at the dawn of the Gilded Age, one woman’s life changes forever the day that a stranger turns up on her doorstep.

Missouri, February 1874: The last thing struggling homesteader Ginny needs is a scandal on her hands. But when a badly injured drifter arrives at Snow Farm in desperate need of medical attention, Ginny’s kind nature and good upbringing means she has no choice but to treat his wounds and care for him until he’s back on his feet, no matter the danger he might pose.

Ginny’s been running the farm and looking after her fourteen-year-old sister Mary-Lou since their papa died two years ago, each morning pulling on his old leather coat and pushing her feet into stout boots that come up to her knees, before heading out to tend to the cattle. She’s determined to hold onto the one thing that connects them to memories of their parents – whatever the cost. And when their uninvited guest – Lex – is well enough he offers his help, and she surprises herself by accepting it.

But not long after Lex moves on, Ginny realises that her heart has gone with him. And when the farm’s fortunes take a turn for the worse, she faces her hardest test yet. Can she save the only home she’s ever known, and everything she holds dear? And what if doing so means risking a chance at love and happiness she never expected to come her way?

An utterly spellbinding story perfect for fans of Amy Harmon, Olivia Hawker and Kristin Hannah. Readers will love this breathtaking and vivid historical novel of passion, destiny and divided family loyalties.

“Captivating…will leave an indelible mark on your heart.” Rachel Wesson

Pre-order Links 

Under a Gilded Sky multi retailer choice link – all retailer options : https://geni.us/176-al-aut-ch

About the author

Imogen writes sweeping, historical fiction. Her first two novels are set in nineteenth century America.

As a teenager, she took the Greyhound bus from San Francisco to New York. Over those three days of staring out of the window at the majestic mountains and endless flat plains, stories wound themselves into her head: tales of brooding, charismatic men captivated by independent women.

Since then, she has worked in a coffee-shop in Piccadilly, a famous bookstore, and a children’s home. She has run festivals, and turned a derelict housing block on one of the poorest estates in the UK into an award-winning arts centre.

During 2020 Imogen was selected by Kate Nash Literary Agency as one of their BookCamp mentees, a mentorship programme designed to accelerate the careers of promising new writers.

Married with two children, Imogen divides her time between Wales and Sardinia.

She hopes her books will bring you the tingle of a new love affair whilst immersed in a different time and place.

Social Media Links

Website: https://imogenmartinauthor.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImogenMartin9

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImogenMartin.Author/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imogenmartinauthor/?hl=en-gb

Guest post

The love stories in films and books that have influenced my writing.

Our stories come from a life time soaking up books, films and TV shows and I’m an absolute sucker for a love story. 

My set book for A level was Pride and Prejudice. I remember being handed it before the summer holidays and being told to read it before September. I wasn’t keen. I mean, it’s not the greatest of titles, is it? Some deep exploration of abstract concepts. But, boy, I loved it! Spirited Elizabeth, the underdog who eventually gets her man (the teenage me was hoping this would be how my life would turn out). Brooding Mr. Darcy, the proud man who is concealing all sorts of hurts. Ultimately, these two are the models for my Gilded Age heroine Ginny and the mysterious Lex who suddenly appears at her homestead, more dead than alive. 

It’s not just books though that inspire my writing. One of my favourite films is The Big Country. It is an epic Western made in 1958 staring Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons. Gorgeous broad-shouldered Gregory Peck is former sea captain James McKay who travels to the American West to join his fiancée,Patricia. Her father owns an enormous ranch (yes, it’s a BIG country). Jean Simmons is the local school teacher, Julie. Gradually McKay and Patricia realise they aren’t right for each other and McKay’s feelings for Julie deepen, in a buttoned-up brooding sort of way. I love it. And the film score is one of the best ever written. 

If I haven’t had enough Gregory Peck, I can always re-watch Roman Holiday where he stars as a reporter on the tail of a runaway princess, played by Audrey Hepburn. One of the most delightful films ever.

Hollywood gives so much inspiration for romance writers. There are those films of the 80s: Melanie Griffith in Working Girl, whispering to Harrison Ford that she has “a brain for business and a bod for sin.” Or Diane Keeton in Baby Boom,going misty eyed when she turns down a big offer to come back to New York: “there’s this veterinarian…” 

One of my favourite films of the 90s is While You were Sleeping, when Sandra Bullock thinks she’s in love with Peterbut actually she should be with Jack, played by Bill Pullman, the much more down-to-earth younger brother. 

Coming into the 21st century, Emma Stone has made many great films but I still think you can’t beat Easy A. Smart, sassy, with a great underlying message about it being nobody’s business who is going out with who.

The books we read, the films we watch, the box-sets we work through, these all seep deep inside us. I’m hoping some haveemerged in the slow-burn love story set against a sweeping American backdrop in my debut novel Under A Gilded Sky.

The mystery of a cat’s thoughts unravelled

Synopsis

Enigmatic, quirky, moody, demanding, loving, amusing, domineering and determined all apply to Ebony. Follow her life story from a stray kitten to a mature feline, in her own words.

Ebony was just eight months old when she was left to fend for herself on the streets, abandoned and alone. The black cat had to learn how to hunt, find shelter, procure food and protect herself from predators. The experience shaped her personality forever. She became a wily, capable little cat before she was reported to a rescue charity and taken to live in a large wooden hut. She was safe and well fed, but she longed for the freedom to be roaming around in nature, practising the skills she had learnt. 

Would she find a home and owners who loved her, not abandon her once again? Could she settle down and be a good domestic cat? This was the quandary for the people who took her and within months she presented them with a bundle of surprises. A novella.

My review

As a kitten, Ebony loved being around her humans. But when she is eight months old, her owners moved and Ebony has to learn to survive on the streets on her own.
Hunting down food, finding shelter, protect herself, are all skills a young Ebony has to learn herself. Not only that, but Ebony also becomes wary of humans, afraid of being abandoned once again.
But the journey from a small kitten to a mature cat is filled with adventure, the desire to have a warm home but also the wish to keep her freedom.

I am definitely a cat – person. If I weren’t living in an apartment with a couch that cost me too much and I wouldn’t be working fulltime, well you can be sure I would have at least one cat I would spoil and cuddle!
As a cat – person, I also know that these wonderful animals can be proud, stubborn and have a will of their own. And more than once I have wondered what thoughts the animal would have.

And this book gives exactly that… we get to see how Ebony grows as a small kitten, from being loved to an abandoned one. We get an insight in her fears, in her struggles, her need to survive. But we also see her wariness grow the older she gets.
She wants to be loved by humans again, but her first abandonment for sure scarred her.

I found it a bit funny too in a way, to see how Ebony for sure shares the same characteristics as a human being. Of course, the author does not know the real thoughts of Ebony, but based on the behaviour Ebony shows, it’s not hard to imagine what she might be thinking.
And I for sure could understand Ebony’s feelings of fear, happiness, and even jealousy.

The little ‘fun facts’ at the start of each new chapter were also something I was looking forward to, as I was curious to learn new facts about cats that I didn’t know yet.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as it made me appreciate even more the love you can get from animals. And even see how animals in general, not only cats, can be affected by choices of men. A pet is for life, and not only when it’s convenient for us. When we have a pet, it’s a commitment that should be kept. Animals are there for us, just like we are there for them.
While I already wondered before reading this book what a cat may or may not think, or feel or experience, this book for sure made me value the life of a cat even more.

A friend in need is a friend – or more – indeed

Synopsis

A Rake To The Rescue

Lucy Vaughan has never wanted a husband after witnessing her father’s mistreatment of her mother. Now she faces her worst nightmare, a forced marriage to a man she fears. Who better to help her to flee than Bertie Lovell, the boy who slayed dragons for her when they were children.

Bertie is the black sheep of his family but longs to leave his wild ways behind him and settle down. Lucy’s suitor proves difficult to shake off. Spending so much time together on the road leads to their friendship developing into something deeper. Bertie offers to marry Lucy himself. Can Lucy overcome her fear of marriage and accept Bertie’s offer?

Georgette Heyer meets Mary Balogh in this romantic adventure.

My review

Witnessing her parents’ marriage, has made Lucy Vaughan determined to never get married herself. But her father, who mistreats her mother, has other ideas, and wants to force Lucy into marriage. To make things even worse, he wants Lucy to marry a man she, and other women truly fear and despise.
Luckily for her, she can count on the help of her friend, Bertie Lovell, who recently returned. And when Lucy’s suitor won’t back down, Bertie suggests Lucy a marriage, as his feelings for sure has developed into something deeper. But can Lucy put her own ideology aside, and understand that Bertie’s proposal isn’t only made out of need?

I am the kind of woman who believes that women don’t always needs a man to the rescue. We aren’t all damsels in distress, waiting for our knight in shining armour.
But we all also know that this is a right we had to fight for in the past, and that women didn’t always had a choice in matter of family, marriage etc.
And it’s also a little guilty pleasure of mine to read books where well, a woman does need her own knight in shining armour. And having a new part of this series, how could I not read it???

From the very start I felt sorry for Lucy. Seeing how her father treats her mother, and seeing the violence, made Lucy determined to never get married, as she believes that every man will try to control her, and she is not one to give up her freedom to a man.
Beside feeling sad, I was also kind of proud of Lucy, as she made up her mind about marriage and was sticking to it.

I was also happy for her, as she had an ally in her own mother. It even warmed my heart seeing the length Lucy’s mother wanted to protect her daughter from a fate like hers.
But not only does Lucy has an ally in her mother, also servants of her home are ready to help her out, and then there is her old friend, Bertie…

I immediately liked Bertie. He may be seen as the black sheep of the family, yet he for sure has his heart at the right place. He does not hesitate to help Lucy out in her dire situation, and come up with several ideas to help also those close to Lucy out.

It was sweet to see, even if time has passed from the time Lucy and Bertie were playing together, their friendship is still as comfortable as it was before. That makes it possible to be open and honest about the whole situation and their feelings.

But it’s also that same situation that make it more difficult to understand or realize the real nature of their feelings. Because when things are going rather extreme, and Lucy’s suitor won’t admit defeat, is Bertie’s proposal made out of need or is he speaking the truth?
And are Lucy’s feelings a result of her need for help/ escape or has she truly realized that Bertie may be the man that she truly wants and will never will try to control her?

As this is a rather slow – burning story, and it’s also a rather clean one, as a reader sometimes I found it a TOO slow – burning one. That because of course we as a reader could see just how well – fitted these two friends would be together and we wanted them to realize that too, and as soon as possible!

Yet it was an enjoyable read, seeing how that even in the past men wanted to use their power over women, there were also men appreciating women and just want to love them for who they are, and not want to bring them down.

And it was also once again lovely to see how friendship can evolve to more and how it can make you understand that loving the right person can make you change your idea or opinion about something as important as a marriage.

Look at this cover!

Synopsis

For Iris, each visit to her mother in St Mabon’s Cove, Cornwall has been the same – a serene escape from the city. But today, as she breathes in the salt air on the doorstep of her beloved childhood home, a heavy weight of anticipation settles over her. Iris knows she’s adopted, but any questions about where she came from have always been shut down by her parents, who can’t bear to revisit the past.

Now, Iris can’t stop thinking about what she’s read on the official paperwork: BABY GIRL, FRANCE, 1939 – the year war was declared with Nazi Germany.

When Iris confronts her mother, she hits the same wall of pain and resistance as whenever she mentions the war. That is, until her mother tearfully hands her an old tin of letters, tucked neatly beside a delicate piece of ivory wool.

Retreating to the loft, Iris steels herself to at last learn the truth, however painful it might be. But, as she peels back each layer of history before her, a sensation of dread grows inside her. The past is calling, and its secrets are more intricate and tangled than Iris could ever have imagined.

The year is 1939, and in Paris, France a young woman is about to commit a terrible betrayal…

A beautifully written and addictively compelling historical novel about the terrible choices ordinary people were forced to make in the horrors of World War Two. If you loved The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale, you will devour this book.

What readers are saying about Juliet Greenwood:

“This was fantastic! Perfect for a Kate Morton or Lucinda Riley hangover, this book will draw you in and won’t let go until you’ve read the last page. This book was unputdownable – fascinating characters, excellent writing, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. I loved every second of it.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I found myself reading chapter after chapter, unable to put it down. A first-time read by this author but certainly not the last.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“For readers of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley, this book will be one of your favorites… A historical novel that will keep you reading until the end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An absolutely brilliant read. I could not put it down…I loved how the war changed everyone and it was a gripping story… I really loved it. Cannot recommend it enough.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Did everything that I was looking for… it left me wanting to read more from Juliet Greenwood.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pre-order Link – https://geni.us/290-al-aut-am

Publication Date: 23rd October 2023

About the author

Juliet Greenwood is a historical novelist, now published by Storm Publishing. Her first novel was a finalist for The People’s Book Prize and two of her books reached the top 5 in the UK Kindle store. Juliet has always been a bookworm and a storyteller, writing her first novel (a sweeping historical epic) at the age of ten. She lives in a traditional cottage in Snowdonia, North Wales, set between the mountains and the sea, with an overgrown garden (good for insects!) and a surprisingly successful grapevine.

The cover!

Hate and love are sometimes about this far apart…

Synopsis

Bestselling Camilla Isley returns with this gorgeously funny enemies-to-lovers rom com, perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Lynn Painter and Jo Watson.

She’s a self-made fitness sensation. He’s a billionaire mogul. They’re sworn enemies and rivals… aren’t they?

Blake Avery knows all about hard work. She’s gone from making videos in her teenage bedroom to founding a booming fitness business and opening a state-of-the-art Manhattan gym. Now she’s on the cusp of realizing her wildest dreams, and she’s not going to let anyone stand in her way.

Certainly not man-of-the-hour Gabriel Mercer. He might be one of the biggest names in the fitness world and set women’s pulses soaring more than a grueling HIIT workout, but he grew up in a billionaire dynasty and had everything handed to him – or so Blake thinks.

But when Blake publicly criticizes Gabriel, she sparks a feud that neither entrepreneur is willing to back down from. And in an industry that seems determined to keep pushing them together, can Blake hold on to her grudge? Or will she finally warm up to Gabriel’s charm?

My review

Blake Avery has worked hard to get where she is now. It all started with making videos in her bedroom to now owning a Manhattan gym.
Yet the sky is the limit and Blake hopes to achieve even her wildest dreams and won’t let anyone stand in her way.
Especially not someone who has been handed everything in life, like Gabriel Mercer. At least, that is what Blake thinks of the man that has one of the biggest names in the fitness world and makes women swoon with just one look.
But Gabriel won’t let it pass that Blake publicly criticized Gabriel, when Blake couldn’t be further away from the truth.
Despite their feud, their business makes them push together and perhaps they realize that their first impressions of each other were wrong, and that their initial feelings have completely turned 180 degrees?

Do you know the feeling of fear when you start a new book of an author you just adore? You have fingers, toes and everything else crossed, hoping that this new book will be just as amazing as the previous ones, but you are a little bit afraid that your expectations are being way too high to be fulfilled?
That feeling, that hopeful yet fearful feeling was exactly what I had when I picked up this book.

But will I never learn my lesson? How dare I even have a small inch of doubt that Camilla Isley would disappoint me???
Because was there one thing I didn’t like from the book? Well, just one… that I reached the end way too quickly!

While the trope may seem a very cliché one, it isn’t. Yes, Gabriel is a billionaire, but so is Blake. Blake doesn’t need anyone’s help to expand her business, and Gabriel was adamant to also make it on his own.
And having two independent, strong people both chasing their dreams was refreshing, as there was no damsel or knight needed.

Blake has worked very hard to get where she is now, and she keeps on continuing to expand her empire. But even if she has made money, she isn’t the kind of person who forgets where she came from. And I loved it reading how in the past or even now when needed, she wasn’t afraid to get flour all over her.
She is also the kind of person who doesn’t stand injustice or prejudices. So when she meets Gabriel in real life, and he make the typical male assumption, well I had a huge laugh with seeing how Blake showed him right!

Now, don’t go thinking that Gabriel is the typical rich boy, assuming that men rule the world. And yes, he may come from wealth, but he does want to build everything on his own. He wants to show people that what he has achieved, all came from hard work.
He is also the kind of person that wants to help out if he has the ability to help out.

So in fact, there are two lovely people in this book, that you like immediately for who they are.
But I have to be honest… their clashing was just too funny! And while you are eager to see how their feelings would shift, somehow I also wanted to keep the clashing to continue! 🤣

Yet is was also amazing seeing how the clashing slowly shifted into teasing, bickering and bantering. I will never think about a rubber duck the same way! Thanks for that Camilla! 🤣

But we also see how sometimes things are done with the right intention, but being the complete wrong thing to do! And while I appreciated the made efforts, I could also comprehend why is was seen as an unnecessary interference or going over the top.

I absolutely loved reading each page of this wonderful book. It was filled with so many hilarious bits, sexy bits, swoon – worthy bits. But also heart – warming bits, bits showing us that there is always more to someone than we initially may think.
This book for sure deserve the highest rating I can give, as I have so much enjoyed reading this book. But it also made me sad realizing the more I was reading, the closer I got towards the end.
So now, I cannot wait to discover the next book this amazing author will write. And can I perhaps hope on a story about a certain brother who for sure deserves a story of his own? 😊

When a feud is the start, what will the endgame be like?

Synopsis

A high-intensity personal trainer

The secret to Brooks’s success as a Manhattan gym owner? Being motivated to disprove everyone who ever doubted him. So he’s not about to let a perky newcomer like Izzy tarnish his reputation. Even if watching her lead a salsa class on his premises gets his own heartbeat raised…

His beautiful British rival

Every time influencer Izzy slams Brooks in her fitness blog, her book sales soar. But when their escalating media feud forces them to be up-close-and-personal for two weeks, she realizes there’s much more to Brooks than that lean and muscled body.

And a competition that’s got their hearts racing…

Soon Izzy and Brooks are finding all kinds of creative ways to work up a sweat. A passionate workout is easy, but can their rivalry give way to a lasting partnership?

My review

British influencer Izzy has a lot of blog followers. That brought her to the States to promote her book. But when in an interview she expresses her doubts about Manhattan gym owner Brooks, she isn’t aware of what she has started.
Because Brooks won’t allow anyone to tarnish his reputation and slander what he has built. Yet they both cannot deny the effect of each new blog has on Izzy’s sales and Brooks’ customers.
And so they have a real competition going on, where they both adapt to each other’s way of life, swapping regimes, to prove who is right and who is wrong.
But with Brooks seeing Izzy leading a salsa class, and Izzy seeing that Brooks is more than just a bunch of muscles, their rivalry changes into something more passionate.
However, with Brooks not being completely honest about his past, and Izzy’s imminent return to London, where will they stand after their two weeks together? 

I love reading books where the main characters start off badly, only to realize afterwards that perhaps their first impressions of each other were wrong.
And this book was exactly that, but with the addition of lovely yet also frustrating characters, not only finding each other but also themselves. 

Both Brooks and Izzy were lovely characters, but also with their own baggage. 

Izzy has to live up to her family’s high standards, but does not have the support from them to chase her own dreams. It saddened me to see how especially her mother easily crushed Izzy’s dreams, and wanted Izzy to act lady-like and just do what needed to become ‘a good wife’. As if that would ever be enough for a young woman, especially a woman like Izzy. 

It’s clear to see that Izzy is still in search of who the real Izzy is, as while she is passionate about what she is doing, but it doesn’t bring her complete joy.
Even while promoting her book, it isn’t something she sees herself doing fulltime. 

But while we see Izzy starting the feud, we also learn that in fact, that isn’t really in Izzy’s character to act that way. It’s clear that Izzy is a kind character, not someone who talks behind someone’s back. However, she is ‘forced’ in acting in a way that just isn’t her. 

Concerning Brooks, I had a very clear imagine of him in my mind. Take the cliché of a gym – owner, add a heart of gold, but also a broken heart, and that is exactly what Brooks is. 

Getting to know his background gave me mixed feelings.
On one hand, I was proud of him, seeing what he has built on his own. He built an empire by sheer force, wanting to show “some” people that he isn’t a ‘good for nothing’.
But on the other hand, it saddened me to see how he still holds on to the past. He still holds a torch for the woman that one loved him. And seeing how this bulky man has been treated so wrong, it broke my heart.
Yet that doesn’t hold him back to be the best kind of father he can be in his circumstances. 

Reading how Izzy and Brooks initially clash, was just too funny to read about. Their bickering about meat versus shake or vegetables, the difference of the definition of ‘working out’, just a delight to read about!

But the best bits were when Brooks and Izzy realize that despite their differences, they match…
And giving into those positive feelings make them realize that even if they don’t have all the answers yet, and even if they don’t know who they exactly are yet, they can perhaps figure it all out together.

The moments where things heat up between them, and not because of the exercises they are doing, for sure were *something*. But for me, this wasn’t only a romance with steamy moments, but a story where the main characters have to let go of the past, allow new sparkles in their lives, and figure out who they truly are and what they want from life.
And even when love enters the equation, it’s okay to not having all the answers yet. Because with the right person beside you, how ‘wrong’ they may seem, will turn your solitary journey to self – discovery into a wonderful and exciting one…

When love is the last thing on your mind

Synopsis

For Penny Archer, dating after forty has proved to be less ‘silver foxes and romantic dinners’, and more ‘last chance bargain bin’. She’s met every liar and cheater in the dating pool, and after one heartbreak too many, she is officially sworn off men.

A strong, single mum, she doesn’t need a partner, and besides, the family planner is crammed with work commitments, school meetings, puppy classes, chores for her ageing parents and, of course, her beloved book club. Although a cuddle now and then wouldn’t go amiss…

Penny jumps at the chance to let her hair down at a friend’s wedding, blissfully unaware that she’s about to crash into a stranger’s life in the most mortifying manner.

Can something that begins in disaster ever end in happiness, or is it all too good to be true? Will Penny ever turn the pages of her own book towards that happy ever after?

My review

After discovering that her boyfriend made her ‘the other woman’, Penny Archer has had enough of men. As a single mum, in her forties, her main focus will be now solemnly on her daughter, their puppy, her book club and work commitments.
At the wedding of one of her friends, she decides to let her hair down, only to end up awkwardly on her own at the ‘tossing the bouquet’ bit. Little does Penny know that this will make her path cross wit Ryan. Ryan, who has loved and lost and is absolutely not looking for love anymore.
But Penny and Ryan have an undeniable connection… however will this connection be enough to hold on to as what started disaster seemingly only causes a domino – effect with more disasters lurking around the corner?  

Reading a book from an author you don’t know, is always a risky business. Will you like the book? Or is the blurb the only thing that you enjoyed reading?
Will it be a success or will you finish (if you finish the book that is…) with an unsatisfied feeling? So many questions, and the only way to get an answer, is to start reading. And that is what I did… 

Even if there is not one thing I have in common with Penny, somehow I connected with her. I could understand her feelings, her doubts and her resolutions.
Being a single mother cannot be easy, and discovering that your boyfriend is in fact still married, turning you into ‘the other woman’, well, I can only try to imagine the shock!
So yes, I completely understood why she would now focus on anything else but finding love again. 

Of course, as a single friend attending a wedding, the bouquet – tossing bit is an awkward situation, and one I found myself in. Penny’s reluctance made sense, especially seeing afterwards how it all ended. 

Yet that one disaster gave also the starting shot  of something new… because that is where Penny meets Ryan… 

I have to say, the whole story was a rather sweet one, as Penny and Ryan after that one night start to see each other more and more. We know Penny’s situation, but getting to know Ryan and his backstory, well, I liked Ryan, but my heart also broke for him! 

Penny is not looking for love, and Ryan is not ready for love, yet the connection they have is too strong to ignore. Seeing these two people still looking for each other, finding each other, opening up to each other, was truly wonderful. 

But I “liked” it also seeing reality in it. Because wanting something and being ready for something are two completely different things. And we see Ryan struggling with the desire to move on, yet also not wanting to let go of his past.
And we see Penny struggling with giving her heart after it has been broken once too often…
There is an obvious but also frustrating pulling and pushing away, where both Penny and Ryan have to face their fears and decide if they will allow those fears to stop living. 

There was a point in the book where I thought that perhaps the story was taking a bit too long to reach its end. But those last difficult bits were also kind of needed. because what happened to Penny there, and her feeling of failure and shame, is something many of us are unfortunately facing in their lives too.
And in that optic, the author needed Penny and Ryan to go through perhaps the roughest patch, to show us as a reader or whoever finds himself/herself in that same situation, that the fault is not in our hands. What happened before, was done out of love, and it takes a despicable character to use that to his own advantage. 

On a much lighter note, I absolutely fell in love with Rocket! We see here for sure that an animal’s love is the purest and kindest, and the most unconditional one! 

I was glad that I gave this author a chance, as she rewarded me with a lovely, sweet story about two people not looking for love, but find each other. But the author shows us that love doesn’t always come easy. It’s up to us to believe that even unexpected love is worth sticking together during difficult moments. And to never give up on it and finding the strength to fight the fear of opening up again, as the right person perhaps will not completely understand what you have been/ are going through, but they will show their support and love no matter what…

Giveaway

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When what should be the prelude to a dreamy wedding, turns into a nightmare

Synopsis

The high society wedding…

Social media influencer Crystabel Hughes is determined her wedding to Giles Preston Smythe will be the talk of the town. No matter the cost or the upset, nothing will stop this wedding!

A cheating groom…

But for Alexi Ellis and the rest of the staff at Hopgood Hall, Crystabel’s demands are becoming increasingly extreme. And when Alexi spots the groom getting up close and personal with one of the bridesmaids, she fears trouble is only a bouquet toss away.

A killer bride caught red-handed?

And Alexi’s fears are confirmed when the groom is found dead on the night before the wedding, stabbed through the heart – the person holding the dagger. his beloved bride-to be Crystabel.

Hopgood Hall doesn’t need any more bad press, but the race is on to find the killer and close the case before Crystable live streams her dilemma.

Can Alexi, Jack and Cosmo find out why Giles was killed? And, more importantly, can they stop the killer before they strike again?

Perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Frances Evesham and Emma Davies.

My review

At Hopgood Hall are all preparations made for the “celebrity” wedding of the year, as social media influencer Crystabel Huges has chosen the boutique hotel to wed Giles Preston Smythe.
But Crystabel’s demands are becoming more and more extreme and Alexi Ellis and the rest of the team for sure have their hands full with the bride.
Things don’t get easier when Alexi then spots the groom into an entangles situation with one of the bridesmaids.
With all the bad press from previous events, Alexi hopes that this event will remain chaos-free. But her hopes are in vain, when the groom ends up murdered, and the bride – to – be is holding the dagger!
Is Crystabel truly the murderer of her fiancé? And why was Giles murdered? And if Crystabel were to be innocent, who is the real culprit?
Alexi, Jack with loyal feral cat Cosmo are once again doing their own investigations, which are not that easy as prime suspect Crystabel is using her social media to claim her innocence and there is still a murderer on the loose and perhaps looking for a next victim?

I have to admit, perhaps this book was the most difficult for me to like of the complete series. Not that is was badly written, because that was absolutely not the case.
But it was more a case of not liking the characters/suspects at all in the story!

Of course it was a delight to return to Alexi and her new life at Hopgood Hall. I truly liked seeing how well adjusted Alexi was, and how at home she felt, even if her ex cannot understand that he should leave Alexi alone.

And seeing the relationship of Alexi and Jack growing stronger by the day warmed my heart.
Sometimes you see in series that relationships shift, and that feelings start to change. Luckily this was not the case, as we only see the usual and expected issues.

Like I said, I had really a hard time sympathizing with Crystabel. And that was even before she became the prime suspect of the murder of Giles!
Can you think about an influencer you truly do not like? Add ‘gold-digger’ to the equation, and ‘attention – seeker’ and you can have an idea what kind of person Crystabel is.
Even if I had my own gut – feeling telling me that she was innocent, I just couldn’t find an inch of liking towards her. And as I got to know her better, well to be brutally honest, I wouldn’t have minded if she would be charged while being innocent! If that isn’t showing you how much I just despise Crystabel…

Of course murder is something terrible, and perhaps Giles didn’t deserve to get his end in this way. But even Giles’ persona wasn’t that likeable at all. Not to the same extend as his fiancée, but still… The more Alexi and Jack are digging into Giles’ life, the more we see a man that doesn’t know what he wants, doesn’t stick to just anything and just doesn’t have a backbone…
Nevertheless, getting murdered was not something he deserved…

Again there are several twists that made me suspicious of each new character appearing. The author doesn’t give you any clue about who the real culprit could be, but gives you plenty of possibilities with each an own motive.
And when the truth came out, it left me a little flabbergasted. Not because it came as a total surprise, but how the character was behaving throughout the whole story and how there were no qualms until the very end about letting Crystabel take the blame. Shows that some people are just despicable…

I enjoyed reading this cosy murder mystery, that even with despicable victims and culprits, made me want to keep reading. I truly enjoyed being investigating together with Alexi, Jack and the incomparable Cosmo, who for sure with his usual antics kept putting a smile on my face! 😊