How can it go from a one night to working together?

Synopsis

One night, one second chance, and a love story waiting to happen

Vivacious forestry worker Cha Gilchrist doesn’t usually have flings with buttoned-up guys who dress like her old geography teacher, no matter how secretly attractive she finds them. But she makes one exception; after all, she’ll never see the guy again…

Reserved Nick Harkness is used to people thinking he’s dull – better that than having them discover his secrets. But his carefully constructed life is cracked open when the blue-haired goddess he chanced an uncharacteristic fling with appears in his office and gives the perfect interview for a woodland management job. Nick has no option but to hire her.

Working together on the Glenbriar Forest Light Show, Nick and Cha uncover corruption at the heart of the organising committee, but under their professional façade, a burning attraction simmers. As they attempt to expose the truth, they can’t ignore the intensity of their feelings.

Pursuing her boss is a risky step, even for daring Cha, but if Nick’s secrets come to light, then his position in the company might be the least of their problems.

My review

Charlotte Gilchrist, called Cha by everyone, has been burnt by love once, and that has been more than enough. So when she meets Nick Harkness, with his tweeds that remind her of her old geography teacher, she does something she normally doesn’t do, and spends the night with him.
With no exchanging names or numbers, they both don’t expect to see each ever again.
But then Cha applies for a woodland management job, Nick has to admit she is the perfect candidate. And now Nick is Cha’s boss, while they are both working together on the Glenbriar Forest Light Show. While uncovering corruption, Nick and Cha cannot keep ignoring the attraction between them. But with strict rules about dating between colleagues, how long can they keep the sparks preventing to combust? 

Ooooh how delightful it is to return to Glenbriar! And how marvellous it was to get to know Cha and Nick! 

I have read each book of the series, and in the previous book, Cha’s character intrigued me from her first appearance. Now, it’s not mandatory having read the previous book, but I for sure can recommend them each and every one of them, as I truly enjoyed reading them. 

Cha makes a fierce impression with her bright blue hair. But even from the first chapter it’s clear that in fact, she is just a girl that wants what everyone else wants. And that is to be loved.
We see her vulnerability despite her efforts trying to hide them. And that makes me like her even more. 

Cha and Nick couldn’t be more different, but that is exactly why they work. Because despite their differences, they also have so much in common, like their care for nature.
They also know that they have to forget about their one night together, to make things work at, well their work.
At work, they show that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with. And then I’m only talking about the real work. 

Of course the sparks can be ignored for just a small period of time, and Cha and Nick have to admit that they cannot just stay away from each other. yet it’s not only the sexual attraction between them.  I loved how eccentric Cha pushes Nick’s buttons by giving some innuendos or her teasing about his wardrobe choices.
And I loved to see how Nick somehow has a calming effect on Cha.  

While Nick is such a lovable character, it frustrated me to read just how much of a nice guy he is. It even comes to a point that he is taken advantage of someone of his past, jeopardizing what has been building up with Cha. 

In this book we see two totally different characters together. And we see how being different can bring out the best in them. Cha is fierce, and her fierceness makes it possible for Nick to stand up tall and chase his demons away.
And Nick makes it possible for Cha to believe in love again. 

Margaret Amatt wrote once again an amazing story about two characters that would never fit together in any other kind of story. But in this marvellous book, they just are the Ying to each other Yang. With their joined forces, they can achieve anything, even discovering corruption and doing whatever they can to do the right thing. 

Obviously the appearances of some old friends of the previous books was the cherry on top of the best cake ever. It was lovely to see how these characters were doing. 

I truly enjoyed reading this story, about people finding love with someone totally unexpected. But that’s just how life is, sometimes the most unexpected things, like tweed jackets or blue hair, can bring us the most amazing turn – outs!

To have a housemate but not the kind you expected…

Synopsis

Cath Beckinsale is in a jam. She’s a single mum of three, with her 40th birthday in sight and a precarious hold on employment. And she can’t quite let go of her late husband Gaz, whose ashes are still in an urn on the kitchen table.

To make ends meet a student lodger seems like the perfect solution – after all, what’s one more child in the house? But when Dan flies in from the US, complete with guitar and chest hair on display, it’s immediately clear that he’s no teenager, but someone who quickly sends life in an unexpected direction.

My review

Cath Beckinsale is a single mum of three, trying to keep all the balls up in the air. With her fortieth birthday approaching, a job that isn’t giving her real satisfaction or stability, and finding it still difficult to let go of her late husband, Cath knows that things need to change. But how? And is she ready to make such changes?
With her oldest daughter leaving for college, the most sensible solution of having more money, is taking a student lodger in the house. But Dan from the States isn’t the teenager Cath expected him to be. And his arrival may be the start of a much needed change of direction… 

Purely based on the blurb, I had a totally different, lighter story in mind. I thought that sparks would fly around Cath and Dan, and then they would start something, having a hurdle somewhere to only end up together anyway. You know that kind of story… 

But this isn’t that kind of story, as while dan’s arrival may be the catalyst in many aspects, it isn’t actually a story about Cath finding someone to love after losing the love of her life. 

I have to say, that from the start, I admired Cath’s resilience and strength. Not only did she lose the man she deeply lost, but even beforehand life hasn’t been easy on this family. Yet Cath, even at the most darkest moments in her life, didn’t give up, or would have made any kind of different decision. 

And we also see a Cath that is a teacher in the real sense of the word. While having to fight against several obnoxious colleagues and having to face injustice towards herself, we see how committed she is towards the students. Just like teacher should be, Cath sees more to them than the ire situation some of them are in.
And she truly cares about them, even going lengths to show them their own capabilities. 

But we also see a woman struggling, because it isn’t easy to run a household on your own. The struggles are real, and while she can rely on friends and family for help, it’s not easy to run everything smoothly. 

Like I said earlier, with Dan’s arrival, Cath life stars to change, and it’s not because of the romantic involvement, but more because of Dan being a helping hand somehow.
A helping hand that started as Cath wanting to interest her students, turning her into an internet celebrity. 

And I couldn’t stop making comparisons with high school behaviour somehow. Because what Cath is going through once she is gaining online popularity, is so easily to be alike with all the drama we all faced when we were teenagers.  Even Cath’s behaviour can be linked to that of a teenager, wanting to keep that popularity, and forgetting about the real purpose and goal of it all. 

But we also see that Cath starts to realize that perhaps the time has come to move on, to stop having Gaz literally on the kitchen table. Cath also realizes that while even if she hasn’t had the time to actually grieve over the family’s loss, she isn’t the only one. 

For me this story is more about a woman’s journey, trying to be successful. Like explained in the book, being successful can mean so many different things. And it’s up to you to figure out which kind of successful you want to be, which kind of being successful truly matters.  

Now, I know that what I wrote makes it look like this is a very deep and heavy story. And it is, as it makes you stop and just think about your own life. But it is also very funny, as there were several moments that Cath put a smile on my face, even if some of those moments weren’t meant to be funny according to Cath.
Yet that is also something very recognizable, as Cath’s clumsiness and “ignorance” are something we can all relate to somehow. 

As a little point of critique, if I can call it that way, is that I perhaps would have loved to have more of Leanne in this book. She for sure is a force of nature and rather spot – on too! 

This book is filled with all kind of emotions. We see not only Cath, but all the characters going through the highs and lows of life. We see them struggling but also we see so much love and altruism. We see characters making the wrong decisions but also making the right decisions. We see them doubting but also adamant on making a change.
We see a journey taking place, a journey where things go easy, but also where things go difficult. But that’s also just how life goes…

The magic of Paris, found in a little toyshop…

Synopsis

In the tangled streets of Paris, there is a toyshop…

A place where memories are lost and found, where pain and love, regret and joy are waiting to be discovered.

The old man sets the animals in the cars of the miniature train. A tiger with a jewelled collar, a monkey in a pillbox hat, a poodle, a dancing bear, an elephant, an ostrich with plumed tail feathers. The music plays; the animals trundle around the track. Their gentle faces have seen everything and reveal nothing. The joy, the sorrow, all the spaces in between. On the outside, they are smiling. Inside, they mourn the one that was lost.

When Sarah, a successful hotel designer, encounters a run-down toyshop in Paris, little does she know that her life is about to change. Against her better judgment, she agrees to help the elderly owner, Franz, save his shop and transform it into a magical destination for children and adults. She meets Tomas, a small-time crime novelist, who gives her a glimpse of a different life – one that can only exist on the other side of her own grief and guilt. But Tomas is hiding painful secrets of his own that threaten to destroy their blossoming relationship.

Can two lonely people move beyond the shame and heartbreak of the past to find their own happily ever after?

A spellbinding tale of love and memories lost and found. Perfect for fans of Joanne Harris’s Chocolat, Karen Swan, and Jojo Moyes, The Little Paris Toyshop will hit every emotion for readers who love literary romance.

My review

For her job as a hotel designer, Sarah finds herself in Paris, going what she does best. On an errand to please a client, accidently Sarah stumbles upon a toyshop. But it’s not just a normal toyshop… despite it not having the allures of the bigger toyshops, there is something about it and its owner Franz that Sarah finds herself drawn to it. And so Sarah finds herself helping the elderly Franz to save the toyshop and show its magic to everybody.
Luckily, she is not the only one determined to help Franz, as also Tomas, as crime novelist want to offer his help.
While working together, friendships are being built, but are these friendships strong enough to overcome the secrets and guilt they are all having? 

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, and I just decided on a feeling that this book would be worthy of being read.
And was I glad I followed my gut feeling? Of course I did!  

Now, be warned beforehand, this isn’t exactly the feel – good kind of book, that will put a smile on your face from start until the end.
But believe me, by the end, that smile will be on your face! 

It’s clear from the very start that Sarah’s hear has been broken in the most terrible way, and that she is still carrying a tremendous grief and sense of guilt around her. I figured out rather quickly the broad outlines of what happened, but there were still things being kept from the readers. 

I can only try to understand how Sarah, or anyone in her situation would feel, but even if I can impossible understand it fully, I could see why she acted the way she did. And how it’s just impossible for her to move on with her life. 

The way she stumbled upon the unique toyshop is just too spot – on to be random, but somehow that fits perfectly with the magical atmosphere the shop embraces you with. Don’t worry, there isn’t actual magic involved, but it’s the feeling you get from the shop. 

The shop puts Franz and Tomas on Sarah’s path, characters that just like her, are carrying the same kind of guilt, yet for completely different reasons.
Yet, even if they are carrying around the same feeling, they are trying to make show each other that even what happened in the past is terrible, the guilt is also something from the past and they all should try to move on from it, and start to live again. But how can you see the splinter in the eye of another person and not the bean in your own? 

This is a slow story, where things are not solved overnight. And that slow pace is exactly spot – on. Because you don’t just get over things just because someone tells you to. You cannot just step outside your home purely on sheer determination. Just like Sarah tries to make poor Andre understand, you have to take it one step at the time, not wanting to take the next step too quickly, otherwise you will go back to square one… 

I see you think, who is Andre now? Well, I see him as the glue of the whole story. The poor kid/teenager is Tomas’ neighbour. and with Sarah and Franz meeting him, he is even the bigger catalyst to the next step for each character than the toyshop is. 

In this book, none of the characters are flawless. Sarah’s guilt is comprehendible, what Franz did in the past was wrong, but he did it to impress the girl he loved. Tomas’ secret was not what I expected it to be, taking me once again by surprise. But also in his case, I could see how it could have happened. 

The author manages perfectly to write a compelling story about broken people, who find it hard to come to terms with their past. Yet by finding each other, helping each other, they are slowly able to understand that living in the past isn’t living at all and that no matter how hard we wish for it, we cannot change the past. 

I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster, seeing all the characters slowly trying to start living again, but with trial and error, just like in real life we all do. And even when there is a small relapse, only those who understand you, still see the progress you are making, and applaud that, instead of focusing on the negatives. 

And I absolutely loved those little snippets of some toys, with how they too see the world and feel the emotions they are surrounded by!  These little bits added to the magical atmosphere of the story, and made me remember the times that we all had, believing that our own toys were real and understood us better than anyone else! 

This story was a wonderful discovery for me, about pain, secrets and guilt, and how all those feelings slowly can be turned into something beautiful.
And no matter how heavy some aspects of this book were, in the end I felt a lightness over me, and believing that even by having a tough journey, all’s well that ends well…

New beginnings that will bring new realizations…

Synopsis

New beginnings don’t always mean painful endings . . .

A fabulous, timeless story of friendship set in Devon from bestselling author Jennifer Bohnet.

As time ebbs and flows over the summer both Katie Teague and her godmother Mattie Cranford discover their lives are at a crossroads

Mattie shackled to the family wool shop for over 50 years, feels life has passed her by. She dreams of seeing the world and shaking off a lifetime of regrets.

When Katie is made redundant, Mattie seizes the moment and asks Katie to move back to her home town of Dartmouth and breathe new life into the rundown wool shop and to her surprise Katie agrees.

As Katie settles back into the rhythm of Devon life and renovating the shop, Mattie sets off on a luxury cruise.

But the arrival of Katie’s ex-boyfriend with an unexpected dream job offer threatens to unsettle the calm waters.

Will she sacrifice the shop and Mattie’s happiness – or her own career?

Previously published as Shadows of Conflict

My review

Katie Teague accepts the offer of her godmother Mattie Cranford to return to Dartmouth after being made redundant. Mattie wants Katie to take over the family wool shop, as Mattie knows that it’s time for a change and the shop for sure needs a breath of fresh air.
Katie herself never thought of running the wool shop, yet quickly she discovers the joy she feels while renovating the place.
Meanwhile Mattie decides to go on a luxury cruise, discovering the world she only dreamt about discovering.
But is the wool shop enough for Katie to stay in Dartmouth, and will Mattie be ever able to overcome the heartbreak she endured as a child after losing her beloved sister? 

Well, Jennifer Bohnet did it again! I found myself totally submerged into this story, finding it almost impossible to put it away. 

The story started rather slowly, but that only gave the perfect chance to let the readers comprehend the current state of the characters better. And before I knew, the slowness completely disappeared. 

When Katie is made redundant, she isn’t exactly jumping for joy to return to Dartmouth. But when there aren’t any jobs available, she decides to go visit her godmother Mattie.
I could understand her reluctance of taking over the wool shop, because let’s be honest, it doesn’t really sound like the most exciting job for Katie, especially as her former job absolutely was. 

The love between Katie and Mattie is palpable from the pages, even if they are only godmother and goddaughter. Katie is the daughter Mattie would dream of having, and the feeling for sure is mutual. And it made sense that Mattie would want Katie to be in charge of the store. 

We see how slowly Katie realizes that Dartmouth is exactly giving her what she needs. She finds herself more and more invested in not only the wool shop but in the whole community. She rekindles old friendships, and being back ‘home’ makes her rethink about her past life and career. Was it truly all that amazing and was her relationship truly that steadfast, especially she sees how her boyfriend Patrick is behaving?  

And then there is Mattie’s tale. Because yes, we get two stories for the price of one, what a bargain! She was just a child during the war, yet the loss of her sister in the aftermath made Mattie dislike anything linked to the war, and made her dislike Americans in general. 

She never left Dartmouth and now she starts to realize that it’s rather now or never. And what better way to do it ‘now’ than go n a luxury cruise!
I found it truly sweet to see how Mattie is stepping out of her comfort zone, enjoying the luxury, and making new friends. Well, especially one new friend, Henri… 

With Katie coming back home, and Mattie going away from home, we can see the same shift in their lives but from a different starting point.
Katie learns that perhaps what she was missing in her life may have been closer than expected. And that returning to your roots may be exactly what she needs.
And Mattie learns that sometimes distance (literally and figuratively speaking) may put everything in perspective and can heal a broken heart. 

I have to say, that the historical bit was an unknown part for me, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t grasp the hurt it caused Mattie but also the importance to others. And I liked it how the author managed to turn something horrible for Mattie into something that would offer her comfort and peace. 

I loved reading this book about new beginnings, not for one but for two lovely characters. A story where old acquaintances and new ones show the main characters and us too, that starting again isn’t that scary at all, as long as we follow what our hearts are telling us. And that stepping outside our comfort zone may offer so much more than we thought possible. But also returning to our comfort zone may give us exactly that!

How can work and private life be kept separate when the one you start to like is the one who can take your family away?

Synopsis

Tall, dark and handsome. That’s what I thought the first time I saw Rupert Evans in the library. 

But then I found out he was the developer who just sent my community garden a cease-and-desist letter because he plans to raze the garden and construct some towering monstrosity there.

The only one who is going to cease and desist is him. That community garden is my found family.

But then he asks me out at book club night.

Suspicious, right?

I’m attractive but I’m not the type hot bachelors are lining up around the block to ask out. Let’s be real. I’m still in the brunch date spot with my next-door neighbor after a year of my pursuing him.

Rupert is trying to butter me up and lead me down the garden path so I concede. Never. 

He has no idea what we’ve planned to stop him. Our little community group may look like a bunch of frail roses, but we’ve got thorns. As long as I weed out these pesky feelings for him, I know we can win.

My review

Lily is a librarian in New York city. She loves her job, she loves living with her best friend and absolutely loves spending time in the neighbourhood’s community garden. After losing her mother and her father going constantly on trips on his own, Lily has created he own little family with people she cares about.
So when a developer sends the community garden a cease – and – desist letter, Lily won’t go down without a fight!
But then she learns that the developer is Rupert Evans, the tall and handsome man she met in the library. And when he shows an interest in her, it for sure is suspicious, isn’t it? Or is Rupert honestly interested in Lily, no matter if the garden is standing between them? 

There are authors that you don’t even need a blurb of their books to know that you will read it anyway. And Kathy Strobos is for sure a great addition to that kind of list of mine! 

The story may seem a simple one, woman meets man of her dreams, oh no there is a conflict, they work it out and poof – happily ever after.
But trust me when I say that this story goes way deeper, and it makes it so easy for you to love reading it! 

From the very start, it’s crystal-clear that Lily is an amazing character. First of all, she’s a librarian, so how can we not like someone who loves books just like we do?
But that’s not all to like about Lily. The lengths she went for the community garden (even before the conflict) and how she truly cares about the visitors, shows her kind heart. 

Yet she has also a vulnerability in her. Losing her mother, and having a rather distant father (literally and figuratively speaking), made her feel alone and lonely. That made her create her own family, with all her friends and the people taking care of the garden. And that makes her very protective of each and every one of them. 

When she meets Rupert, she obviously has no idea who he truly is. But her offering her copy of the book Rupert is looking for, shows again just how altruistic Lily is. 

Rupert… obviously he is a great guy. Despite his plans for the garden, he is just amazing. He has always wanted to work in the family business, and now with his goal so close within reach, he has to decide which path to follow…
He is at a crossroad, to pursue the career he always dreamt of, or to follow his heart and risking to lose everything he worked so hard for? 

But Rupert isn’t only focused on the job, because we see Rupert ‘outside the working hours’, and we see a kind man, a caring man, a man who sees more than we would think. But he is also a man that doesn’t fall in love easily and a man that isn’t sure if the women who like him, like Rupert The Man, or Rupert The Man With Wealth…
He is also the kind of man that doesn’t make any promise he cannot keep. When he promises something, he want to be sure he can keep them. 

What I absolutely loved about this book, is that Lily and Rupert are falling for each other, yet they don’t expect to stop their battle concerning the garden.
Both Lily and Rupert want that they both give all they’ve got and not let their feelings interfere with their plans.
Yet it never turns nasty. They respect each other’s fights and even when they are standing on opposite sides, they will always look after each other. just like how Rupert makes sure the protesters are being looked after and provides them everything they may need on a cold day. 

It was wonderful to see how both characters, despite the conflict they have, find each other and understand each other better than anyone else. But also it was refreshing to read how somehow there is still an inch of a doubt or scepticism, because after all, they don’t know each other that long. 

Of course this wouldn’t be a Kathy Strobos book if there wasn’t time for laughter and humour in it too, voluntarily or not. I could just imagine Lily in a dress on a bike, or her in disguise! And even the children protesting in costumes put a big smile on my face! 😊  

Lily surrounded by her ‘family’, ready to fight for a little bit of heaven in the city, Rupert almost fighting against his own family, there is a lot of fight and strong character in this book. But the harder the fights are getting, the more I felt the warmth and love in it. Because it’s all done out of love. Love to protect what has been built, love for the community that comes together, love for family, that is what the characters are fighting for.  

And in the end, that is all that matters, love and what it makes us find in perhaps the least expected ways!

When will the starts finally align? And is it then just in the pocket or not?

Synopsis

Has someone ever come into your life and you thought, what if you’d had the chance to get to know one another better? Would we be together?

When Liv finds herself locked in a shed with handsome stranger Ben (after both trying to rescue the same cat), the instant connection they make feels like fate had a hand in it. Has Liv finally found her perfect match?

But everything about the timing means there’s no way they can be together. Not least because Ben has a girlfriend and Liv is moving to Paris the next day.

Over the coming years their paths weave in and out of each other’s lives – together, but always fleetingly.

If only they could stop missing each other, who knows what fate may have in store for them…

My review

When Liv hears a cat in distress, stuck in a shed, she doesn’t hesitate to help the poor animal. But what she didn’t expect, was getting locked in the same shed, with Ben, who helped her rescuing that same cat.
There is an instant connection between them, but with Ben having a girlfriend, and Liv moving to Paris the next day, they part ways.
But Fate isn’t ready with them yet, as over the years, their paths keeps on crossing, fleetingly and not. Will there ever be a right time and place for Liv and Ben? Because no matter what is happening in their lives, they cannot forgot those shared moments in a shed…

It always fascinating me having stories where people who are obviously perfect for each other, meet at the most wrong time in their lives. So obviously I had to read this book, as I wanted to know how it would all end, and what would happen meanwhile. 

Initially I found Liv a bit over the top. She was practically already imaging her whole life with Ben while she just met the guy five minutes ago, and has just been locked in a shed with him. Come on girl, get a grip! 

But I also felt sorry for her, as while it may seem a dream to move to Paris, the circumstances about her move are anything but…
It angered me to see how, while she is a victim, she is the one having to pay the price for it. And it felt so wrong that Liv just agreed with it, instead of fighting against any of the taken decisions. 

Obviously, with Liv moving and Ben having a girlfriend, things don’t evolve from there on, it would make no sense at all.
So parting ways, thinking they would never meet again, was somehow the right thing to do for the both of them. 

I expected in this book that over the years, Liv and Ben would see each other again, and that somehow a friendship would grow over the years and then well, you know.
So not being that kind of story surprised me a little bit. But on the other hand, it also allows the readers to understand the characters better, and see them mature separately. 

While they see each other through the years, sometimes just getting a glimpse of each other,  or actually have a small talk, and we know what kind of endgame we want, it’s the fact that they are having their own lives, their own struggles, their own dreams to chase and their own demons to defeat.
And this shows that meeting someone at the wrong time and place doesn’t only mean that it isn’t because of a move to Paris or about being in a relationship, but it means about meeting them when you are ready yourself to meet that person. 

That of course doesn’t take away that even if meeting at the wrong time and place, that person can have an impact on your life, and how you can’t get him/her out of your head. And no matter how strongly you believe that it’s impossible to have that happily ever after, the right person at the right time and at the right place will make you see and believe otherwise. 

We see mainly Liv’s side over the years, but also Ben shows us insights from his point of view. He isn’t the flawless male hero in this story. He is making decisions based on the wrong kind of reasons, while he thinks they are legit. We see that Ben is the good kind of person, but even if sometimes frustrating, his mistakes make him more human and vulnerable. 

There may be a few secrets Ben may be keeping from Liv. Some were rather unexpected while, for me, the biggest one wasn’t the kind that would make or break any kind of relationship, as there are other ways (trying to be spoiler – free here!).And Liv there truly showed me the growth she has been through, as she knows what/who she wants, and will not go down without a fight. 

This was a lovely story to read, about love being worth of the wait, about love being worth of the growth you have to make yourself. But it is also about how with the right person, finally at the right time and place, things can finally fall into place.

City girl meets Cowboy…

Synopsis

Goodbye New York! Hello… Cowboy?

If Samantha’s Baker’s life were as simple as one of the movies she produces, when she – a latte-loving city girl – gets banished to the country and fights with the local hunk cowboy soon afterwards they’d fall in love. But everyone knows the movies aren’t real life! (And just FYI, Mr Cowboy, it’s not gonna happen!)

Travis Hunt knows what it’s like to miss the city. He’s given up everything to take over the family ranch and become mayor of Emerald Creek. He has responsibilities. But how does he convince a gorgeous, hot-shot executive like Samantha to swap her stilettos for cowboy boots and her Friday night cocktails for country dance competitions? Small town life just can’t compete with all the hustle and bustle of New York City.  

But what if it’s not where you are that you call home… What if it’s who you find while you’re there? 

Please note that this title was originally published as Sweet Love and Country Roads.

My review

If you would search for the word ‘city girl’ in a dictionary, you would find a picture of Samantha Baker. Samantha is a successful movie producer, living the life in New York City. When her latest romantic comedy blockbuster is having issues while shooting, and with Samantha’s job suddenly on the line, she has no other option than going on the premises and direct things back in the good direction.

But shooting is taking place in the middle of nowhere, and couldn’t be more out of Samantha’s comfort zone…

Samantha is eager to get everything working and head back home, but things aren’t that easy as it seems, as things don’t work the same way as in New York City.

And add a cowboy who makes Samantha’s blood boil, but at the same time heat other parts, and we have a love story out of script…

First thing first, I am going to state the obvious. Yes, I adore this author. Yes, I adored each book she has written I have read so far. Yes, I read this book in one session. No, I have no regrets at all.

But most important, yes, this new book was just perfection in every possible way!

At the start, I didn’t like Samantha 100%… not because she is a bad person, but because she is so focused on her life in New York that every other place is a lesser place than her home.

But on the other hand, I could also comprehend her, because home is always home, and from living in a place like New York City, where you have everything, going to a place with only one bar, where coffee is just black and cowboys, goats and gigantic cats.

The differences couldn’t be any bigger thus even more fun for us readers!

I also admired Samantha, and her hands – on attitude. She is not someone to mess with and is a force to reckon with!

So seeing her handling every setback with her fierceness and attitude, made me feel all the ‘girl power’ but made me also a bit scared of her! 🤣

Of course, moving to Emerald Creek isn’t a piece of cake for Samantha and adapting to countrylife isn’t a sinecure.

Life in Emerald Creek is the total opposite of what Samantha is used to, and she would have never thought that she could fall in love with such a place, and definitely not with Hildi, the most adorable goat I have ever met!

Talking about meetings… I admit, like so many women, cowboys are my thing! But you have the typical cowboy, and then there is Travis…

He is just the perfect blend of a loving son, a kind man with a great heart and also a focused man.

Yes, the man sometimes infuriated me just as much as he infuriated Samantha, but also in his case, I saw where he was coming from.

Like I said before, this story was just perfect. I loved how Samantha and Travis were constantly fighting against each other, the non – stopping banter, but also the way they joined forces, how they found common ground.

And the sweet and tender moments, the hotter moments and yes, even the heart – breaking moments… Because decisions have to be made, and the outcome is never an easy one…

I honestly think this is Camilla Isley’s best work (till now) and there was never a doubt in my mind that this story was worthy of my rare and precious five star – rating.

There is so much love in this story, so much laughter and so much more, it is just the perfect cure for when you are feeling a bit down.

And while the expectations now are superhigh, almost impossible to achieve, I know I am eagerly waiting for the next amazing story!

When engaged and you find your perfect man and it’s not your fiancé…

Synopsis

Jade Monroe has finally found the man of her dreams. 

Or has she? Despite them being newly engaged, her fiancé Conner has suddenly gone radio silent. And even though her family are all giving her the same advice, (he’s just not that into you) she’s not convinced. Cue her friends who can see something she can’t.

River Matthews has always been his authentic self, without apologies. Honest to a fault, light-hearted & a little lonely. Currently he’s the last single standing in his group of friends & he’s starting to feel his ‘biological’ clock ticking. He’s got close to happily-ever-after before, but now it’s once-bitten-twice-shy, and the only way he’s going to find ‘the one’ is if he takes a chance.

The wisdom goes that if you just stop looking, your perfect partner will appear, but who will be there when Jade and River stop searching for ‘the one’?

Sexy, sassy and downright irresistible, the brand-new friends-to-lovers romance perfect for fans of Sariah Wilson, Lindsey Kelk and Abby Jiminez.

My review

At the celebration of her birthday, the last thing Jade Monroe expected was her boyfriend Conner to pop the question. Especially after being only together for two months, and there is no ring…
So even after an initial hesitation, she says ‘yes’ and is starting to look forward to go ring – shopping together, setting the date and everything else, even if it’s clear that Conner is set on a long engagement, as he is focused on his studies at the medical school.
But Jade is surprised by the complete radio silence from his side, and the only communication is by emojis…
Luckily she can count on the friendship of River Matthews, a regular of the bar where Jade is working. His complete honesty and him making feel Jade at ease in any situation, makes the both of them connect in unexpected ways.
Yet Jade, despite Conner’s disappearance, is still an engaged woman. So what can Jade do, when she has finally found her perfect match, but it’s not the man she is actually engaged to? 

Sweet Jesus, how can I possibly describe how much I loved this book???
There isn’t one thing I didn’t love about it. Oh wait… there is actually one thing… or rather one character. Obviously I am talking about Conner/Corndog. But he isn’t worthy of any more space in this review so that’s all he is getting. 

Because I ABOLSOLUTELY loved Jade and River!!! And their story deserves all the space and love I can put right here and now! 

There is Jade, lovely, amazing Jade…
How can you not like Jade? How can someone treat Jade like he – who – shall – not – be – named – anymore while Jade deserves the world and even more?
While working at the bar ‘forces’ her to be kind to her customers, she is also just a kind person in general. We see her amazingness with her best friends, with her sister, with her father and even how much she cares about her neighbour Thomas. 

She also isn’t the kind of person who rushes into things, as it’s clear how flabbergasted she is when Conner proposes. She feels overwhelmed but how can she say ‘no’?
But she also has a stubborn streak, as she sees that her engagement isn’t what she expected, nor is Conner. Yet she doesn’t do what she should be doing, despite everyone’s almost begging her to. 

And then there is River… come on girls, who hasn’t swooned over him??? If there is a real River out there… Hi, I am Tiziana, I live in Belgium and would love to marry you!!! 😊
He is just the total package deal! Having a famous mother isn’t making things easy on him, and yes, he had his heart broken.
But that man is just God’s gift to women! He is gorgeous (I have a weak for man – buns, forgive me), he is a great listener and he remembers the thing you tell him. As a friend, brother, son,… you couldn’t be happier with River in your life! 

Jade and River together is a delight to read! They are just so perfect for each other (well, River hasn’t met me yet so…) and they connect in a way that would make anyone jealous!
But what I liked the most about these two, is that they can tell each other everything, the most embarrassing stories, the most heart – breaking ones, and they are there for each other, without any judgement.
Even without words, they understand what the other person needs, and they will do everything to see a smile on each other’s face. 

Of course this book is filled with humour too. Even if unintentional, both main characters are so funny. And let’s not forget about the side characters, adding their weight to the story too! 

While the sparks keep flying around, I liked it how both Jade and River never crossed any line. Even if Jade is engaged to a d*ckhead, there are boundaries that should never be crossed, and it was amazing to see how the author managed to keep those boundaries, no matter how difficult it was for Jade and River. 

In this lovely book, we see how sometimes we can meet someone at the wrong time and place, but how Life, Love and Fate are persistent in making us see who is truly perfect for us. And even if it’s again the wrong time and place, it’s up to us to find the understanding but also the courage to turn the wrong time and place in the right time and place.  

I can keep on raving about this much like for ever, but I’ll stop just here, to give you the chance to buy this book yourself and see why I love it, and love it yourself!

To research your family, to find a link through love

Synopsis

Cornwall, 2020

At the beginning of lockdown, teacher Carla Burgess needs to make some changes to her life. She no longer loves her job, and it’s certainly time to kick her on-off boyfriend into touch. But then, while walking on the cliffs she meets, Mani Dolcoath, a gorgeous American with a dark aura.

Mani is researching his family history, and slowly their lives and their heritage begin to entwine. The discovery of a locked Georgian tea caddy in the barn on her parents’ farm intrigues Carla, but then she starts to see orbs, something that hasn’t happened since her grandmother died. They terrify her and she’ll do anything to outrun them, but will she lose Mani’s friendship in the process?

Cornwall, 1810

Harriet Lemon’s position as companion to Lady Frances Basset (Franny) perfectly conceals the fact they are lovers. But when Franny is raped and falls pregnant their lives are destined to change forever.

The one person who may be able to help them is Franny’s childhood friend, William Burgess, a notorious smuggler. But he has secrets of his own he needs to protect. Will his loyalties be divided, or will he come through?

My review

When Covid hits the world, Carla Burgess has time to reassess her life. Is teaching still making her happy? Or should she finally pursue her dream? But not only careerwise Carla is cleaning up her life, it also means that she puts a decisive end to her relationship (if it can be called like that) with Kitto.
Covid means lockdowns, which means that Carla is spending most of her days at her parents’ farm. And she joins her father in researching their family history. Covid also means social distancing. But that doesn’t mean that Carla cannot befriend Mani, an American who came to Cornwall for a job and has decided too to research his family history.
Little do they know that both their researches will be connected with Harriet Lemon, a companion of Lady Frances Basset in 1810. But Harriet is so much more than just a companion, as they are also romantically involved.
However, when Frances is raped and pregnant, she and Harriet have to hide the pregnancy by hiding themselves. And they must put their trust in Frances’ friend, well – known smuggler William Burgess… 

I am always intrigued by dual time lines, especially as often each story could be standing on its own. But the difficulty is linked two separated stories without being too obvious about it.
And with this book, there is the extra intrigue, as there is the illegitimate love story of Harriet and Frances, and Carla finding her way in a Covid – world. 

I liked reading both stories, but Carla’s was perhaps my favourite of the two. Perhaps it was because Carla’s tale is set just a few years ago, which makes it more recognizable and relatable? Because haven’t we all had difficulties in a changing world. Haven’t we all had the time to reassess our lives and even made choices that changed our lives? 

For sure I saw a lot of myself in Carla, as I was also very strict about the imposed rules, and got angry seeing when people just didn’t. Of course Carla finds it difficult too, but she does it out of love, as she wants to protect her family. 

So even when she meets Mani, and the urge to get physically closer (in the literally way! 😊), she follows the rules as the she doesn’t want to face the worst case scenarios of the consequences.
Yet that doesn’t hinder the both of them of getting closer. Even if they are strangers, somehow they make the connection. And seeing their friendship blossoming even in the hardest times, was great to read. 

There is a supernatural touch in this story, which affect Carla. As I am absolutely not a fan of the supernatural twists stories can take, I somehow accepted this touch, as it wasn’t that extreme. It still doesn’t turn me into a believer of such things, yet I could get over it 😊. 

Harriet’s story was not what I expected it to be… I thought it would be more about the growing romantic feelings between Harriet and Frances. And I have to be honest, I was a tiny bit disappointed to read that they were already past that point.
But that doesn’t take away that I enjoyed reading about them, as their love for sure was genuine and the love of the truest kind. 

Not only did it sadden me to see how their love needed to be hidden. Yes, I understand that it were different times back then, but in my opinion, no matter what time you are living in, there is nothing love with loving whoever you want.  
But it also saddened me to see how Frances was the one who was being raped, yet she is the one who needs to go into hiding and keep her pregnancy hidden. It’s always the ones who have been hurt that have to pay the price… 

Each story stands perfectly on its own, and there is an obvious connection between the two women. But the more you read in the story, the more you see that the link between them isn’t only the obvious one, but it’s also about the way they feel.
Both characters are very protective of those they love, and would do anything for them. But they also share the sense of loneliness and isolation. They are limited in what they can do, in different ways for each of them, yet in common anyway. 

And that is the beauty of this book. Because Carla and Harriet couldn’t be more different from each other, yet they also have a lot in common, despite the years that separate them.
It made me appreciate once again all the liberties we have in our own lives, compared to the 19th century, but also compared to not so long ago when we couldn’t do what we wanted and live freely…