Wanting to find love for your best of friends, but at what if it’s at your own cost?

Synopsis

An enchanting, standalone, modern rom-com inspired by Jane Austen’s EMMA, about a matchmaking young woman whose heart may be in the right place… some of the time.

Emmeline – Em to her friends – has very little to vex her, except that she hasn’t left her beloved home, Midwynter Hall, in over two years. 

But her isolation doesn’t stop her interfering in the lives of others, particularly when it comes to love. As a romance writer, Emmeline obviously knows what she’s doing, increasingly plotting real-life matches rather than fictional ones.

When best friend Polly gets mixed up with the wrong sort of man, Emmeline has no choice but to swoop to the rescue. And when old family friend Jordi seeks solace after women and work troubles, Emmeline has the perfect solution. You see, everything she’s written lately – pairing up lovelorn locals – has somehow (maybe magically) come true. So, if she pens a tale about Polly and Jordi despite their many protests, they’ll thank her eventually, once they’re blissfully happy together.

But no one is more surprised than Emmeline when she finds she wants to write herself into the story, especially if someone she cares about may get hurt in the process. 

Because as it turns out, believing you’ve never been in love, doesn’t mean you’ve never (unknowingly) given your heart away…

My review

Ever since experiencing panic attacks, Emmeline – Em for friends – hasn’t left her home in over two years.
With her past as a romance writer, she believes that she knows best, especially when it concerns the love life of others. And she is certain that her meddling has been the reason that those around her have found love.
So when her best friend Polly is seeing Zac, Em is certain that Zac is not the right man for Polly. And that means that Em has to use her writing powers to make Polly pair up with the perfect man. And that perfect man is Em’s friend Jordi.
Despite their reluctance, Em persuades them to give each other a chance. But the more Em is writing about the perfect couple Polly and Jordi, the more Em realizes that perhaps the main character of her story shouldn’t be Polly but Em herself… 

This author always manages to surprise me with her stories, as her main characters are having struggles in their lives that are recognizable for her readers. While we ourselves may not be in that specific situation, we all know someone who is.
With this book the link to our own reality was perhaps a little more distant, but it was still there. 

I have to admit, this was not my favourite story, as I found it a bit more difficult to truly like Em. But as this story took inspiration from ‘Emma’, and that one isn’t my favourite book/character, well I can say that I continued in that direction a little bit😊.
Everything Em does, she does it with the right intention, but she doesn’t realize that she appears very condescending. Just because you think you are right, that you should “force” your opinion on someone else. And that is what Em does with Polly and Jordi. So yes, I got frustrated seeing how Em didn’t listen to her friends and pushed them together anyway.

However, despite my dislike for her actions, I could understand where she was coming from. She wants her best friends to be happy, and she thinks she has found the perfect solution. So can you truly be angry with someone who wants your happiness, even if she isn’t truly listening? 

Also, seeing Em her struggles, and there are several, can you again stay angry with her? I liked it how the author described how Em’s phobia started and how it got worse in time. It only shows that everyone at any age can be struggling. But just like Em, when you have everything within reach, it becomes harder each day to take that step to overcome your fears.
But it’s easy to tell someone to ‘get over it’, but we cannot understand how much distress it causes and also how much it affects other aspects of our lives. 

As a reader, we do know how this story will end. But it’s not about the result, it’s about the journey. Because Em has to realize herself what she truly wants herself and what she always had in front of her.  But that is not the only thing Em has to learn. She also slowly sees that sticking to the status quo is just holding her back. Not only things at home do need to change, but she also has to make a change herself. And she also understands that fears or phobias can be overcome, obviously not in a day’s time, but by taking one step at a time. 

Steps that she will take with her friends and family by her side. It needs to be said, Em has wonderful parents, showing that even if things didn’t work out in a marriage, there can still be an honest and genuine friendship. And Em has friends that understand her better than she understands herself. With a character like Em, they also need a lot of patience but also persistence by not going along with all of Em’s plans. 

Em tries to show her strength in this book, yet her vulnerability is very obvious. Not only how she pretends to be “a big girl”, but especially when she has to show the real Em. She is afraid that she is not (good) enough and that is a feeling very easy to relate to…
However, for the right person, even the person she never thought of in that way, Em is absolutely (good) enough, all her “faults” included.

And that is why, despite my initial wariness of Em never truly emerged and I liked Em for who she truly is, a young girl just trying to find her place in the world again. 

Once again I truly enjoyed reading a book by this author, making a classic story her own. Even if the characters are not perfect, even their imperfections are adding to us liking them. A story that is not about the endgame, but the journey the characters have to go through to realize who they are, who they want to be, and what they want to find happiness.

Another murderer in town, but is it human or animal?

Synopsis

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

A lazy weekend in the country…

Dan Armstrong and the new love of his life, Anna, are heading to a hotel deep in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside for a long weekend, looking forward to some time away from the stresses of their day jobs. With the beautiful and historic city of Siena just around the corner, it promises to be relaxing and enjoyable. What could possibly go wrong?

A mutilated body…

But when a mutilated body is discovered in the hotel grounds Dan is called in to help with the investigation. But who or what could have been responsible for such a vicious attack? Was it the work of wild animals, or is there a brutal murderer at large?

A killer who cried wolf?

Dan knows he is dealing with a clever killer – whether whether two- or four-legged! And as he sets out to solve the case he begins to worry about his own loyal canine companion. Could Oscar be in more danger than any of the other hotel guests or is a murderer trying to cover their tracks?

It’s another case for Dan and Oscar to solve!

My review

Dan and his new love Anna want to spend a relaxing weekend in Tuscany with their friends Virgilio and Lina. Of course Dan’s dog Oscar is also member of the party! With Siena nearby the two couples are looking forward to do sweet nothing and also enlighten themselves with the beauty of Siena.
But when a body is found in the hotel grounds, Dan and Virgilio cannot not help with the investigations. Especially when it appears that wolves are in the area, and the mutilation of the body suggests that a wolf indeed had been active.
However, the scientists residing in the same hotel for a gathering are adamant that wolves don’t just attack people…
So does that mean that there is a another murderer amidst them? And will he/she/it stop after the first murder? Or is anyone else at risk? 

So here we are again, a new book in the wonderful series of Dan Armstrong and his lovely four – legged friend Oscar! 

At the start of the book, I was glad to see how well Dan was doing, with his new life in Italy. Not only is he in a relationship with Anna, but also his book got published and he truly settled in the Italian way of life.
To see how a character we started to love getting everything he deserved, was very lovely indeed! 

Dan has also learnt from his mistakes, and he is adamant that his love for Anna won’t be jeopardized by his work as a private investigator, no matter how loud that call is.
He has his happiness and he knows he has to treasure it, even if it’s still a work in progress. 

This book starts somehow on a lighter level, as Dan, Anna and their friends Virgilio and Lina are planning a relaxing weekend, staying nearby Siena.
But as a reader, we obviously know that there will be nothing relaxing at all! 

When a body has been found, almost everyone is convinced it was the work of a wolf. And while that line of thought is quickly dismissed, it’s clear that the presence of wolves is a point of debate between the inhabitants and the scientists.
I liked it to see how T. A. Willams gave a voice to both views, but not pushing his own opinion to us. The wolves are nearby the hotel and they may or may not be involved with the murder(s). 

The more I got into the story, the more complicated the plot started to get. There were many (too?) obvious links pointing in one direction, but the fact that everyone, suspects and not, seemingly is keeping secrets for sure made me suspicious of everyone! Everyone who appeared was a potential culprit! 

But of course this author wouldn’t be this author if there weren’t many many lovely moments in it too! Obviously Oscar steals the scene every time, but also seeing the comradery between Dan and Virgilio was a great addition. And me liking Dan only increased in seeing how Dan wants to help Virgilio and Lina when it’s clear they’re going through a rough moment!  
And of course, seeing Dan in love with a great lady as Anna was wonderful! 

Once again T. A. Williams perfect ability of describing the scenery was spot on. And yes, I have been to Siena myself several times and it made it easier for me to visualise the place even better. But even if I would ever been there, thanks to all the details, I would have been able to imagine all those beautiful places! 

Perhaps this plot was the most complicated of the series, as there appears to be a domino – effect somehow. And for sure it was more difficult in this book to connect all the dots. Once Dan and Oscar, and their friends, figured it all out, I had my own ‘of course it was like!’ – moment.
Nevertheless, the complexity never made my enjoyment of reading this book diminish!  

T.A. Williams shows again what a talented writer he is, and his love for Italy for sure sparks from each page. No matter if he is writing a romance, or a cozy crime like this one, I will never hesitate to pick up his book and I know that for sure I will appreciate the story he has written!

When needs must, they can bring unlikely friendships

Synopsis

‘A lovely book about two feisty and at times funny women, who stole my heart and had me rooting for them from the very beginning. A heartwarming, uplifting read that would be perfect for book clubs or just curling up with in the garden on a sunny afternoon. Utterly, utterly fabulous!’ Faith Hogan

A gripping and uplifting new novel by the author of BA Book of the Month and LoveReading Debut of the Month Patience.

Connie Darke is trying to run away from the traumas in her past, and it’s led her home, to the small rural council estate she left almost 20 years earlier.

Matilda Reynolds has spent most of her long life in the Worcestershire village of Stonecastle, and she’s content there, with her animals and her solitude. Until a fall lands her in hospital, and Matilda has to turn to her strange young neighbour Connie for help looking after her home.

Out of their tentative arrangement, each woman gains a new sense of community. But before long, that community comes under threat when the council decides to sell the estate, to make way for expensive developments.

Connie and Matilda are determined to fight for their home, whatever it takes…

My review

After her troubled residence in London, Connie has returned back home in the village of Stonecastle, trying to overcome her trauma. But her experience has made her wary of everything and everyone, and she finds it difficult to trust.
She prefers staying away from people and takes very early walks.
When her neighbour Matilda Reynolds has a fall and is in the hospital, it’s up to Connie to look after the animals.
The animals are the reason Matilda and Connie form an unlikely friendship, which only strengthens when their homes are under threat.
Suddenly the whole community comes together to save the homes. Will they manage to stay out of greedy hands?
And will all these new friendships last when some secrets of the past are revealed?

This story is a wonderful story about community and friendship. But it’s also a difficult story, in the sense that both main characters, Connie and Matilda have been through rough patches and are still carrying around their secrets.

Connie returned to live back to her mother after troubled years living in London.
It’s not easy to like Connie from the start, I have to admit. But that’s only because we don’t know her whole story.
Of course it’s clear that she is struggling with starting again. When we learn about her struggles, initially it made me frown a little bit, as I couldn’t understand what actually happened to her. It all seemed so strange, and I couldn’t figure out what actually happened.
But even if she escaped London, she isn’t having an easy time. And slowly we get to learn that there is more going on that initially thought.

So that made it beautiful to read how Connie finds comfort while taking care of Matilda’s animals. Initially wary of especially the goats, we see how Connie feels more at ease with them. And not only that, but the animals also are a way for Connie to get (re)acquainted with the community. And most important, a way to befriend Matilda.

While Connie was not that easy to immediately warm to, for Matilda I immediately felt sorry. She is of an older age, and has absolutely nobody…
And her being alone with her memories for sure showed in the way she is living. She is also wary of people, she just want to be left alone.

It absolutely saddened me to see how people are left on their own, having no one having an interest in their wellbeing…
So it’s not a surprise that Matilda ended up in the hospital, and has to rely on strangers to look after her beloved animals.

Once back home, is the point where Connie and Matilda become friends. But not without some clashing. I could understand why Matilda was acting like she did, and why Connie felt heartbroken when her services were ‘no longer required’.
Yet it was heart – warming to read that these two women actually need each other, not only for being looked after, but also for just having someone that cares about them, and perhaps understands them better than they may initially think.

Up till now I already liked the story, but it’s the addition of the common enemy for the community that elevates this story even higher.

I truly found it inspiring to see how what people can achieve when they join forces. What starts as a way to keep their homes, we see so much more. Because just like Connie, we see that everyone has their own fights to fight. And it’s easy to have an opinion over someone, even when we don’t know that person.

We see how all the residents become a community, in the real sense of the word. They learn they can rely on each other, and help each other. And help each other in overcoming the demons.
And how real friends, because that’s what everyone has become, are not judging you for your past, but try to help you to look forward into a bright future.

I also liked it how the author addresses some difficult topics, showing us that not being well, both mentally and physically, is not something to be ashamed of. There is no need to hide those bits of you, as they are part of you.

This was truly a heart – warming story, about two broken characters finding an unlikely friend in each other, making it possible to speak out about what is haunting them, making it possible to close those infected wounds.
And it’s about how strong people can be, when forces are joined. Every one of us has a strength that is needed, even when we don’t think we do.
It’s also about the beautiful power of a community, where you can be who you are, without any prejudice or pointed fingers!

When things don’t go as expected…

Synopsis

One week. Two couples. A holiday they’ll never forget…

Indi Drewe is turning thirty and is exactly where she wants to be: she’s on the cusp of a promotion, lives in her gorgeous London flat and is sure her perfect-on-paper boyfriend, Will, is about to propose…

Only, on the night she’d hoped Will would present her with a sparkling diamond ring, she finds out that her younger sister Jade is getting married to a man she’s known only for a few weeks!

Worried her sister is about to make a terrible mistake, she immediately flies out to visit her sister in Greece – and is shocked to discover she’s sharing her villa with a far-too-handsome (and perpetually shirtless) stranger, Mikhos.

Indi and Mikhos might be each other’s worst nightmare, but together, they only have days to stop the wedding before it’s too late! Yet with so much love in the air on this paradise island, will they be able to resist falling for each other, too?

My review

Indi Drewe is the kind of person that plans everything. She is prepared against anything and has taken every possible mishap in account.
Now that she is almost thirty, and one her plans were of getting married at that age, she is expecting that her boyfriend Will is going to propose.
But things don’t go as expected, and to make things even worse, her little sister Jade informs her she is getting married to a man she only knows for a few weeks.
Not only needing a holiday, but wanting to prevent Jade of making a terrible mistake, Indi flies over to Greece. And there she finds an ally in Mikhos, owner of the villa she is staying in, and cousin of the groom – to – be.
Will they succeed in making the young couple see that they are moving too fast? And what about Indi and Mikhos themselves? Can they keep ignoring the attraction?

When I started to read this book, I wasn’t expecting to read both Indi’s as Jade’s journey. Yet this was a pleasant surprise, as it gave me more perspective of each side of the story.

From the start it’s clear that Indi is not only a planner, but also a worrier. Not only does she has a back – up plan for almost everything, but she also manages to turn awkward situations in the best ones ( all I will say in advance is: SPICE GIRLS! J).
The worrier side shows especially whenever her sister Jade is concerned. And with reason of course, learning about how Indi was the one looking after Jade after losing their father.
So learning about their traumatic past, I could understand why Indi didn’t hesitate to fly over to Greece.

But with having also Jade’s side, it made it also clear that, despite Indi’s good intentions, it can be something condescending. Indi is prepared to do everything for Jade, but that also prevents Jade from growing up herself, even if that means that she is making mistakes.
Jade has already missed so much in the past, and now that she has the chance of flying free, she deserves it.

When Indi arrives at the island, I expected there to be more about how Indi and Mikhos would try to break up the loved – up couple. But I was glad it didn’t, as it shows that even if they don’t agree, they don’t want to sabotage them.

The more the story evolves, and even if Indi and Mikhos are feeling more and more attracted to each other, the more I felt that this is a love story yes, but a more a story about self-love.
Because both Jade and Indi have demons that are haunting them and have also shaped them. Yet it’s on the beautiful island that with the help of the Greek cousins they accept the way they are and are able to put their past behind them.

Of course that doesn’t take away that I enjoyed reading about Indi and Mikhos! Because beside the physical attraction, they level also emotionally.
They understand each other better than they expected and realize that despite their many differences they also have so much common!

There was one little thing that bothered me, and that was Indi’s and Jade’s mother. Yes, I understand her artistic way of living. Yet it bothered me that when the tragedy struck, all the responsibility fell onto Indi’s shoulders. I missed those motherly feelings from her, while Indi had them all towards Jade.

Overall, this was a delightful, light and warm story, about siblings (by blood or cousins who are more sibling-like) that love each other deeply. But that sometimes that love can be overbearing. Yet it’s also about finding love, making you step outside your comfort zone, and accept that you are perfect, with all your internal and external scars!

We all want to save what we care about…

Synopsis

Zoe has a special talent for saving lost causes…but she’ll need a miracle to save herself from this mess!

When her biggest advertising account cancels their contract, single mum Zoe Taylor’s Good News Gazette – Westholme’s pre-eminent feel-good news source – faces an uncertain future.

Determined to save her paper, Zoe strikes a bargain with millionaire developer Daniel Lewis – he’ll help her find advertisers and in exchange she’ll spearhead his campaign to save the Art Deco cinema from destruction.

But with her boyfriend Sam no fan of her new business partner, an unexpected job offer from her old boss, and an unshakeable feeling that there’s something more between her and Daniel than there should be, Zoe’s future soon feels as uncertain as her paper’s…and she’ll be forced to make a decision that changes everything for her and her son Charlie.

My review

Zoe Taylor has achieved the impossible not so long ago. So when the biggest advertiser cancels its contract, Zoe needs to do once again whatever she can to save the Good News Gazette.
But also the inhabitants of Westholme need her once again, to save the Art Deco cinema from destruction. And even if her boyfriend Sam isn’t happy about it, Zoe again needs the help of millionaire Daniel Lewis. If Zoe accepts the job offer of being in charge of the restoration of the cinema, Daniel will help her to find new advertisers.
However, no matter how well the ideas are and how the works proceed, there is a local gang jeopardizing everything. And with Sam’s reluctance, her own insecure future and whatever is going on between her and Daniel, Zoe knows that decisions need to be made, for her and her son Charlie. 

Starting this second book the series felt like I never left the place. Even if it was a while ago since I read ‘The Good News Gazette’, it was easy to catch up again! 

We are now a year later, and we see how Zoe and Sam are still happily together, even if there are no signs of them taking any next step in their relationship.
But that didn’t bother me, because every relationship is obviously different, and when things are working, why rushing into that next step? 

I loved seeing how Zoe still had her spark, trying to be a good mother to Charlie, trying to keep the Good Gazette a success and having several other balls in the air.
But just like in reality, Zoe doesn’t have a perfect life… she is struggling to keep all those balls in the air, doubting herself, doubting the choices she is making.
That makes her a more realistic and recognizable character. 

Zoe is also the kind of person who wants to do the right thing, no matter what… the cinema was never really on her radar, but once she hears how many people care about the place, she wants to put her weight in.
And also as a friend she wants to help out her struggling best friend, even if there is no straight solution for that. 

At first I was happy to see how Zoe and Sam were still happily together, but I have to admit that the Sam in this story is not the Sam I liked in the first book. He says the right things at right times (mostly…) but there is just something lacking in him in this book.
And it saddens me to say it, but whenever he made an appearance in the story, I was already annoyed by him before he even did something. 

This only shows that getting together isn’t necessarily the recipe for a happily ever after. Being in a relationship still needs effort, a lot of work and understanding. It needs communication and openness. And the next step should be taken for the right reasons and not (because of…’. 

Somehow, it made my initial feeling, or rather preference, resurface. Because that preference once again delivered what I expected from him. But also just like a real person, he also dropped the ball a few times, making him not a flawless person, but a person like you and me. 

Once again, it was amazing and heartwarming to see how a community can work together to achieve the impossible. What starts as a small group, ends up with every inhabitant putting an effort to resuscitate the cinema. Of course it doesn’t go without a glitch, but most glitches, especially whenever Norman and Starr were involved put a smile on my face! 

And I found it inspirational to see how the ‘gang’ was being handled. Even if Sam showed his reluctance to help out when the shenanigans were getting out of hand, the way Zoe and everyone of Westholme found a way to turn the tide.
With the right incentive changes can be made for the better, and even the biggest rascals can turn into committed members of the community. 

Now, there is one elephant in the room that I need to address… the story ends on a cliffhanger. Or rather a few cliffhangers… And I am not a fan of cliffhangers. Does Jessie Wells knows what she is putting me through??? How can I just be sitting down patiently and wait for the next part to come out? Tell me, HOW???? 😊 

But leaving the ending aside, I truly enjoyed reading this book, as once again we see characters that don’t have the perfect life, don’t have everything run smoothly. Characters that are having doubts about which direction their lives should take.
And that makes this book so recognizable for everyone who reads it. Because even if we aren’t in exactly the same position Zoe is in, there is something we have in common with her that we have been through. We know and understand the struggles and seeing how even a fictional character may not have all the answers, makes us love her even more.
But no matter what happens, to Zoe or even to us, the author shows us that when people put their differences aside and put their good will together, a lot can be achieved to get a little bit closer to that well – deserved happy ending.

How one evening of fun ends in tragedy…

Synopsis

One chance meeting. A night that changes everything.

The Kennedy sisters, Molly, Alex and Sam, have a Christmas tradition – a night out, just the three of them, sisters together.

Lewis Stone can’t face the work Christmas party, but as he’s one of the bosses, he has to put in an appearance. He leaves as soon as he can politely get away, ready for the holidays to begin.

When Lewis Stone meets the Kennedy sisters, a train of events begins that engulfs them all.

One sister is left fighting for her life.

One sister is left fighting for her marriage.

And one sister is hellbent on revenge…

My review

Molly, Alex and Sam are sisters with a Christmas tradition, they have one night out together, having fun.
But their night of fun ends in tragedy when one of the sisters get hit by a car.
With one Kennedy sister fighting for her life, one sister is determined to get revenge on Lewis Stone, the driver who caused the accident. And the other sibling is fighting for her marriage.
But what none of the sisters realize, is that no matter how close they think they are, there are secrets that may make them think differently about each other… 

The blurb of this book intrigued me and knowing this author made it an easy decision for me to read it.  

Even I only have 1 sibling, and it’s a brother, it doesn’t take away I could relate with the bond of the Kennedy – sisters.
Because even my brother and I are having our own lives, our bond is very close. So I could understand the closeness the sisters had. 

Now, the story starts rather quickly with the accident, and it’s more about the aftermath of it, and how it affects not only each sister, but also other persons, like the driver Lewis.
The author gives us a clear idea of what happens before, during and after the accident, making us also realize that an accident happens quickly, even in the blink of an eye. 

Of course the devastation is great, and each sister is reacting differently. While one sister is set on getting revenge, even if it were an accident, the other sister wants to just move on with her life. (I am deliberately avoiding mentioning any names, or the outcome, to avoid any spoilers!).
This again shows how the same tragedy affects people differently and how reactions can be totally different. 

The many different point of views took some time for me to adapt, but once I was in the flow, I could easily understand which character had the spotlight. And it gave me a better understanding of its persona. 

The more I was into the story, the more I felt that the author would want us to like and dislike certain characters more or lesser. And with the addition of several side characters he only added more fuel to the confusion, wanting to make us wonder which direction the story would take.
But I saw through his façade, and no matter what picture the author was showing us of each character, I remained wary of each and every one of them. Because I just knew that there would be for sure a few twists towards the end that would shock. 

That made it possible for me to even see the great twists before they actually happened, and I had it all figured out beforehand, leaving me with a somehow satisfied feeling when I saw proof that my feelings were right. 

Yet that satisfied feeling didn’t last for a long time, as the author shows us that people, and even those close to us, aren’t always people we think they are. When cornered, you never know what the reaction will be. It can be a good, logical reaction, but also a bad reaction, affecting others and not in a good way…

When so much time has passed, is a second chance still possible?

Synopsis

A captivating story to tug on your heartstrings

Following her divorce, Greta Roberts has found solace running Birds of a Feather, an upmarket boutique in the seaside town of Bellbird Bay. But when a ghost from her past reappears, Greta’s peaceful, single life is sent into a spin.

Leo Carlson has built an empire of hotels and resorts but has never forgotten the perfect summer he spent in Bellbird Bay in his teens. When the opportunity to purchase a hotel there arises, he finds it difficult to pass it up.

Meeting again, Greta and Leo are quick to discover they are different people from the young couple who kissed on the beach and vowed to love each other for ever. Beset with challenges which threaten to keep them apart, can Bellbird Bay work its magic and provide these two with a second chance at love?

My review

Greta Roberts enjoys running her boutique Birds Of A Feather in Bellbird Bay after her divorce. She always dreamed of travelling, but after having a daughter at a young age, she stored her dreams, and is now seeing Jo living the life Greta dreamed of.
Greta loves her single life, but when Leo Carlson appears in Bellbird Bay, she is in shock. Because Leo is her first love, the one she thought, despite their young age, would spend the rest of her life with. But that one summer together is all they had.
Leo meanwhile has built an empire of hotels over the whole world. And the opportunity to but a hotel in Bellbird Bay is too good to pass on. And he too is shocked when he meets Greta again, as she is the one he could never forget.
Yet 30 years is a lot of time, and the both of them have changed. But can they have a second chance no matter what, or will old fears be resurfacing too? 

Bellbird Bay is always a wonderful place to return to, and with each book I fall more and more in love with the place and its inhabitants. So of course I was eager to start reading this latest chapter! 

Greta is not a complete stranger for those who have read the whole series, but she only made brief appearances before, so we don’t actually know her.
Yet getting to know her was just amazing! 

First of all, there is so much to like about Greta. While she is independent, and runs the boutique on her own, she also cares deeply for her daughter, and as a real mother, she never stops worrying about Jo. She also sees the free – spirit in Jo she herself once had, and while she encourages Jo’s wanderlust, Greta also hopes that Jo will soon settle down. Doesn’t every mother? 

And also her relationship with Mick…. They married young and ‘out of duty’, and perhaps they weren’t never truly the best match, especially with Mick’s wandering eye… Yet I found it a good thing to see how things ended amicably between them, and how they are still looking after each other. 

Even if I am younger than Greta, I could understand the regrets she has regarding her past. Perhaps ‘regrets’ is not the correct word, but her life went differently than she imagines. Instead of exploring the world, she never left Bellbird Bay, married Mick and had a daughter.
While she absolutely loves her daughter Jo, and still cares about Mick, even after their divorce, I could see why she kept thinking of all the ‘what if’s in her life. 

And one ‘what if’ concerns her first love, Leo Carlson. He spent one summer in Bellbird Bay, where he and Greta fell deeply in love.
A summer where promises were made, but also broken… 

I wasn’t that surprised to read that the relationship of this young couple never became something more. But while in real life such ‘loves’ would appear to be just a summer fling, this wasn’t the case with this young couple.
It just happens that Life happened and pulled the two lovebirds apart. 

I found it also interesting to see how different the lives of Greta and Leo are. Because while Greta never left her home, Leo explored the world, and created his own empire.  

But no matter how much money Leo has, or how he can just buy things without a second thought, I liked it how down – to – earth he still is. And how he could never forgot that one girl in Bellbird Bay that stole his heart. 

Of course, if the both of them just picked up after 30 years, that would be rather unbelievable. So I liked it how the author put into words what Greta was feeling.
Greta knows that they both have changed, and that a lot of time has passed. And while she wants to start over again with Leo, she also needs her own time, to get to know him again, to change her life from a single one to that of a couple.
And there is also her family to take in account. Both Greta and to a lesser extent Leo too, have to think about those around them.
But also (old) fears need to be handled, dears that come with every new/ old relationship.  

The author wrote a marvellous next chapter about lovely and recognizable (okay, I never met a real hotel tycoon myself but you get me 😊) characters. And while the main characters may be of a wiser age then mine, I never felt their age being an issue.
Because the main focus of this book is showing that no matter how much time has passed, second chances can come anytime and anywhere. And it takes courage to take that leap of faith, and that can be a scary thing to do, no matter how old or young you are! 

I truly enjoyed reading this book, and it for sure lived up to my expectations!

Who doesn’t dream to live in a castle with the person they love?

Synopsis

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

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

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

Castle on the Mead: Harrison Connell leads a quiet life, but Ashley Hadley is determined to get him to come out of his shell. When she gets the chance to move into his castle, she sets about putting the old building back on the map. Harrison doesn’t want his home to become a tourist attraction, but that’s the least of his worries, as someone seems determined to destroy him, or maybe it’s Ashley they want to hurt.

My review

Ever since Harrison Connell arrived, Ashley Hadley has been in love with him. Even if Harrison is rather closed up and on his own, Ashley tries to break his high walls and hopes that one day she will win his heart.
The fact that they have shops nearby for sure helps Ashely to get slowly closer to Harrison. That is until the landlord, Viktor Blake, decides to sell all the shops, as a reaction to Ashley’s rejection of his advances. And when Ashley’s place is once again flooded, Harrison surprises not only Ashley but also himself by offering her to stay in his castle.
A castle for which Ashley starts to have wonderful ideas for, but Harrison is reluctant of having people around. A castle that perhaps could work its magic and will be the place where Ashley and Harrison may find love in each other’s arms, showing that love trumps any kind of fear? 

Oooh what a delight to return to Pepper Bay!  

At first I thought that I missed the initial chapters in the book, as it immediately takes off. There isn’t the first meeting of Harrison and Ashley, Ashley slowly falling for the mysterious Harrison, nope, that’s all taken place already! But that didn’t diminish the joy getting into the book! 

I saw a lot of myself in Ashley, the better I got to know her. She knows everyone and everything, yet despite her constant chattering, she is also a bit of an introvert. She doesn’t like standing in the spotlight, and she even has fears that may seem absurd to others, but are real for her. Well, that’s me in a nutshell too! 

But what I liked the most about Ashley is that she sees more in Harrison than others do, and more than he sees himself.
She knows that something happened to him, making him even more on his own than before, and she wants to show him that she and everyone in Pepper Bay don’t care about the way he looks. Because Pepper Bay is a welcoming and warm and kind place to live in, where everyone looks after each other, without prejudice. 

Ashley also has very found and wonderful memories about her grandfather, and that made it so understandable to see why she wishes to make all these changes in the castle. But she doesn’t do it only for herself and her memories, but she wants that everyone can make such wonderful memories for themselves. 

While it may seem pushy of her, trying to persuade Harrison to do something he doesn’t really feel like doing, she does it for Pepper Bay, but also for Harrison himself, making him slowly get out of his shell and see the beauty of living in Pepper Bay. 

And Harrison may sound like unworldly, but my heart broke for him. His preference of being alone and on his own for sure is understandable, but also unhealthy…
He also doesn’t seem to understand why Ashley is so drawn to him. But I for sure could! Because there are people who don’t care how someone looks like, but they care more about someone’s character.
And Harrison for sure is a wonderful character! He doesn’t show it always, but he is so caring, kind, loving and understanding. And even if he is more the reserved type of man, he also has his own fears he is still facing daily. But understanding his fears and knowing how to deal with them, he is able to help Ashley too. 

I found it great to see how Ashley and Harrison are living together in the castle, how they are able to break down each other’s walls and how their feelings are slowly growing and growing. There are so many moments in it that are so film – worthy! 

It’s also heart – warming to see how the whole family, the whole community comes together in aid when someone is jeopardizing everything Harrison and Ashley are working so hard for. Again proof that Pepper Bay is an amazing place!  

There is just one tiny thing that annoyed me, and perhaps it’s because I just don’t understand it… I know that ‘Harrison’ is a mouthful to say, but the abbreviation ‘H.’… well, I don’t get it and it gave me a little chill every time Ashley called Harrison like that. But this is just on me! 

Because putting this little issue of mine aside, I adored reading this story about two characters that elevate each other to a higher level. They both manage to pick each other up when they are feeling down.
And that is the beautiful thing about love, no matter how fast those feelings appear to grow, it doesn’t look at appearances, but at someone’s heart. And when two lovely hearts find each other, there is nothing or even no one that can break them.

When spreadsheets help you with everything, why couldn’t it help with finding your perfect man?

Synopsis

If you’re not a ten on Sophie’s spreadsheet, you’re never getting her between the bedsheets…

No aspect of Sophie’s life goes unrecorded in her Excel spreadsheets, so when she accidentally sends it to her entire contact list instead of just her best friend, Sophie has a lot of uncomfortable explaining to do.

First on the list? Dr Michael Adams. After a disastrous first date, Michael scored a ‘3’ on Sophie’s ‘love life’ tab, but when she shows up to apologise for sharing his result with the world, he issues an unexpected challenge: ten dates to prove that love can’t be calculated by an equation or contained by boxes on a spreadsheet.

Sophie isn’t someone who’s used to thinking outside the digital box, but there’s something about Michael that makes her want to take a chance…

My review

Sophie has a spreadsheet for everything. Literally for everything, from a weekly sheet deciding what to eat, which person received which gift on what occasion, and even a spreadsheet with a scoreboard for her dates.
When a date gets a low score on her ‘Love Life’ tab, there will be no next date.
But when by accident she sends her complete spreadsheet to all of her contacts, the person with the lowest score, Dr. Michael Adams, with a poor ‘3’, challenges Sophie.
He wants to show her that love cannot be found by using a spreadsheet or ticking of boxes. And even if Sophie is certain of her spreadsheet’s success, she agrees on going on ten dates with Michael.
Ten dates to show Michael that her spreadsheet was right about him, or ten dates to show Sophie that taking a chance on someone, no matter how high or low the score is, is worth of the invested time. 

I absolutely love this author, and each book I have read, made me laugh and gave me a great time. So even without reading the blurb, I started reading this latest book with excitement. 

I could understand Sophie’s need in using spreadsheets for many things in her life. It for sure helps in remembering things anyone would otherwise just forget.
But even I, who forgives a lot in literature, frowned my eyebrows at reading her ‘Love Life’ spreadsheet. Okay, I could see how Sophie would value the aspects mentioned on the sheet, but I also found it rather clinical.
How can you ‘judge’ someone after a first date? Haven’t we all felt a bit awkward that first date? Have we ever been truly ourselves that date? Of course not, so a lot of people would score low on Sophie’s sheet. 

But isn’t that also the fun of dating? Getting to know the real person in front of you? Discovering things you have in common, but also things you don’t have? So if someone is a dog – person and you’re a cat – person, is that enough of reason of stop dating? Or if someone has an off – day the day of the date, doesn’t that person deserve a second chance? 

So obviously, while it was a disaster for Sophie, I found it hilarious when by accident she shared her complete file with all her contacts! Because not only her dating – spreadsheet has been shared, but every spreadsheet she has made.
And everyone could open the file and read it!
Having been in Sophie’s situation once, sending a mail that was not supposed to go to everyone, and not being quick enough to recall the message, I could share her embarrassment as I felt all those feelings! 

But I have to say, I truly admired Michael. Because even he has seen his low (and unjustified) score, he took it like a real man, and took no great offence at it.
On the contrary: he even wants to prove Sophie that her spreadsheet is not fail proof. 

And the more I read about Michael, the more I just fell in love with this man! Yes, he has been hurt in the past, on a terrible way. But he is the sweetest, funniest uncle in the world, the most caring grandchild someone could wish for, he’s a great listener, he is non – judgemental, understanding. He’s just so loveable! 

The dates Sophie and Michael are having, show for sure the difference between them. But on the other hand, that is also their force. They learn from each other and lean on each other, and they never would if they just had that one date… 

While reading not only did I have many smiles on my face, but also a few frowns. Smiles because it was lovely to see two wonderful people getting closer to each other. but frowns because of their, and especially Sophie’s fear of admitting those same feelings.
But even if Sophie’s behaviour at moments was frustrating, I could understand her point, even if it was the wrong point.
So having two characters maturing, seeing the huge steps forward they both were making, was again worthy of my smiles. 

This author shows us with a great sense of humour how sometimes being stuck in a way of thinking is holding us back. And that if we only find the courage to think outside the box(es) and dare to accept a challenge, we may find what we are looking for, even if at first instance we would have dismissed it.
Another great success of a marvellous author, who is able to make my love for her and her writing increase with each new book!

No matter how perfect a family seems, you don’t know what happens behind closed doors…

Synopsis

No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors.

On the quiet street of St Brigid’s Terrace in Dublin, Eileen Murphy lives alone at number 26 with her dog Dora. Virtually a recluse, she keeps herself to herself as she tries to come to terms with her tragic past.
Next door in number 28 lives beautiful Lucy Walsh, her husband Neil and their 5-year-old daughter Anabel. To Eileen, who watches from her window, the Walshes are the perfect family.
But one fateful night, Eileen is pulled into their world and she realises that Lucy Walsh’s life isn’t as perfect as she thought.
With the unexpected help from little Anabel, the women become a lifeline for each other to overcome the demons in their lives.
Through Eileen’s help, Lucy finds the courage to overcome her fears and in aiding Lucy, Eileen is forced to emerge from her solitary world and take baby steps to confront her own past.
As the bonds of friendship change these women forevermore will Lucy find the courage to forge a new life for herself and her daughter and will Eileen find it within herself to forgive for her old mistakes?

My review

Eileen Murphy is living a rather reclused life with her dog Dora, as she is still trying to come to terms with her past.
Yet she cannot stop watch her neighbours next door through her window, as they depict the picture of a perfect family, a married couple with a lovely 5 – year – old daughter.
But then Eileen realizes that the perfect family isn’t real, and that Lucy Walsh is living in fear…
With Anabel having touched Eileen’s heart, Eileen and Lucy become more than just neighbours, as they realize that they can be each other’s help in the darkest moments.
With Eileen’s help, Lucy understands that she has to face her fears, and with Lucy’s help, Eileen is stepping outside the real world and is ready to face her past… 

I have to admit, while this story is absolutely a dark one, I somehow expected it to be even darker. But despite what the main characters have been through, and are still, there is also a big light of hope and compassion in it. 

We don’t know what happened to Eileen in the past, yet it’s clear that something terrible did and that she is still guilty about *that*, making it impossible for her to have a happy life.
So even I was in the dark about it (and yes, my mind went a bit in overdrive here, so many possibilities, that I even went to the extreme of it), I couldn’t feel anything else than pity for her. 

It’s sad to see how her past has turned her into a real recluse, afraid of nearly every sound and seeing how she doesn’t interact with anyone and how even going for groceries is a huge task for her… 

But once Anabel with her childish innocence has broken a barrier, we see the nurturing nature of Eileen more and more emerging.
Not only is she touched by Anabel, but Eileen, as there is more interaction with Lucy, truly starts to care about Lucy’s and Anabel’s wellbeing. 

A wellbeing that needs to be looked after, because it’s clear that Lucy isn’t having the perfect little family she dreamed of…
While at the start there are several red flags, it’s until it’s too late that the horror starts for her…
And it is gruesome to read how even the smallest comment can be a trigger where Lucy has to undergo hideous attacks. 

What Lucy is going through, is truly horrifying. And as a bystander it’s easy to say what to do. But the author shows us that things aren’t just that easy. Because no matter what, you (once) love(d) that person. And there is so much more to it than just walking out that door.
But with Eileen’s help, Lucy also understands that there are lines in a relationship that cannot be crossed. And those lines have been crossed in Lucy’s. and there is also to take in account how those actions will traumatize Anabel, as she has seen things that no one, especially not a child should ever see… 

So like I said, it’s a dark story. but if it were all doom and gloom, not only would I not have finished this story, but somehow I would also be disappointed in this author, as I know what wonderful, inspiring and hopeful stories she can write. 

And the silver linings are that two haunted women find each other in their darkest moments. And it was heart – warming to see how they both are there for each other. It’s obvious how Eileen helps Lucy, but Lucy also makes Eileen step outside her reclusive and lonely comfort zone. 

Lucy also makes Eileen understand that what happened in the past wasn’t completely Eileen’s fault, and that there is still a chance and hope for forgiveness and making amends. 

An unlikely friendship begins, where the healing process also starts. Eileen and Lucy are very different from each other, yet that is also the strength of their growing friendship, as they can show each other that there is another point of view, and that together they can find the courage to do what scares them the most. 

Of course this book made me think about the struggles people can face, the mental but also the physical pains someone has. And how these pains can affect people, not only short-term but also long-term.
It’s something that makes you stand still and appreciate what you have, and count your blessings, as not everyone is in that same lucky and happy situation.
But the feeling that stood by me after finishing the book was one of hope and courage. As we see how no matter how dark things can get, it sometimes takes one little girl to make things turn for the better. And that with friends by your side, every fear and every demon can be faced, even if it only takes one baby step at the time.