No everyone has the same Christmas…

Synopsis

As warming as a mince pie and a glass of sherry, these eighteen festive-themed shorts are just waiting to be unwrapped.

• A lonely dog shelter volunteer battles to find new homes for her long-time canine residents while realising her own future is just as uncertain. As the new year approaches, can a fellow animal lover give her the fresh start she so wants for her dogs.

• A widowed grandmother prepares to reunite with her forbidden first love, only to discover the grand country pile from where he’s sent her a Christmas card isn’t quite what it seems.

• A single woman finally meets a man to couple up with over the festive season, but will the eccentric mistress of her late father destroy her plans?

• An ambitious 20-something attends a lavish Christmas party with only one aim – to bag a rich husband. But her plans are derailed when a troubling connection with the aristocrat she’s set her sights on is revealed.

Geraldine Ryan is a prolific short-story writer whose work has appeared in Woman’s Weekly and Take a Break’s Fiction Feast magazines. This yuletide collection follows hot on the heels of her first published anthology Riding Pillion with George Clooney. While Christmas comes but once a year, these moving and humorous tales will stay with you for a lifetime.

My review

Eighteen short stories with one central theme, Christmas. However, despite this common ground, it shows how different people live towards and celebrate Christmas. Heart – warming stories about people with a care for others, bringing all the festive emotions with an unexpected yet warm surprise for each character. 

The beauty of short stories is that you can read each story in the blink of an eye. However, that is also the disadvantage. Because there are characters that you have an immediate liking and you want to read more of them and discover what the future will have in store for them. 

In this collection, there are a few stories that are my absolute favourite, and a few that are not. Those that are not, I am not saying that I disliked them totally but just saying that I missed that extra sparkle that I had with my favourites.
But that is just because of personal interest and likes, so perhaps your favourites will be those that aren’t mine! 

The common thread is Christmas, but in fact it is the gentle and kindness of each main character in their own short story. Each character is different from the previous character, making this each time a new discovery and a new character to completely like.
Some characters are young in age, ready to discover how the real world works, while others have already found their place in the world.
But whether you are a young single, or in an unhappy marriage, with that extra magic of Christmas, nothing is impossible. 

I loved each heart – warming story, and was eager to start each new tale even if it saddened me a little bit when I wanted just to read a little bit more about those characters that in their own way made a change for those around them, even with a small gesture that would turn out to have a great impact. 

And sometimes you need a collection of short stories to make you remember again what Christmas is about, and appreciate the people around us and appreciate what we have and count our blessings!

How a good intention changes a town

Synopsis

Because we all need something to smile about!

She may be down but don’t count this determined single mum out just yet…

Nine years ago, Zoe Taylor returned from London to the quiet hamlet of Westholme with her tail between her legs and a bun in the oven. Where once her job as a journalist saw her tearing off to Paris at a moment’s notice after a lead, now the single mum covers the local news desk. At least, she did…until she’s unceremoniously let go.

When Zoe invites her friends over to commiserate, wine and whining soon turns into something more… and before the night is out she’s plotted her next step: The Good News Gazette.

Now, as a developer threatens to force Westholme into the twenty-first century, Zoe’s good news movement finds her leading a covert campaign as a community crusader. She may have started The Good News Gazette as a way to save herself, but she might just be able to save Westholme in the process…

My review

Zoe Taylor is a single – mother working at the local news desk. That is, until she’s let go. While wining and whining with her best friends, a new idea is being made, writing a news paper and a blog only containing good news. And so The Good News Gazette is born.
When the news reaches that a developer wants to change the Westholme parade into a fancy shopping area and thus changing all the inhabitants’ lives, Zoe finds herself leading a campaign to save the town. However, while trying to save the town, Zoe starts to learn more about herself… 

This story took me a while before I was totally submerged into it. But once I was ‘in it’, I found it impossible to tear myself away. 

At the start of the story, I didn’t like Zoe 100%. Yes, she is a very committed mother, she would do anything for her little boy. But at the same time, she is also a bit overprotective. Also, the fact that she keeps on turning late at work was an eyesore. But that is more because I am the kind of person who turns up 10 minutes earlier everywhere, just to be sure I am on time. 

But at the same time I also felt sorry for her. Because not only did she have her dream crushed when she got pregnant, she also returned home to Westholme with her tail between her legs. She tries to make the best out of her situation, but it’s obvious that things aren’t easy. She does her best to raise Charlie on her own, but the absence of Charlie’s father, and the ability of keeping disappointing Charlie, broke my heart… 

As soon as the crusade starts, the story starts to fly and Zoe starts to open up more. We see how her listening to the community makes a change in her too. While at the start, she was rather on her own, with the Gazette and her quest to save the parade, she makes new friends, become a true, estimated member of the community. And we see her self – esteem also grow!
The effect of working to safe Westholme also made her loosen up, letting the reins go bit by bit.
We see her change into a strong woman who doesn’t give up easily, someone to admire and be proud of to have in your community. 

I liked how a community started to work together, even if there were a few idiots on the Facebook page…
And seeing how they start to rely on each other, making new, strong friendships warmed my heart. 

There is also of course a love interest. And perhaps having a love interest that isn’t that perfect at all, having made mistakes in the past, was even better for the story and for Zoe. Because nobody in real life is perfect, and we all make mistakes, but it‘s about what we learn from those mistakes.
And also seeing how slowly Zoe starts to realize that it’s okay to think about her own happiness, meeting someone new, shows us that you being happy brings also happiness to our beloved ones. 

A wonderful story about a whole community coming together, to fight for their values, finding yourself and daring to start afresh with your new found strength. What more can you want?

A Christmas filled with memories of the past and hope for the future

Synopsis

As a toddler Elodie Jacques was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her French grandmother, Gabriella in Dartmouth, Devon.

Now 24 years old, Elodie struggles to reconcile the deep anger for the mother she has never since seen.

When Gabriella unexpectedly announces she wants the two of them to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France Elodie is thrilled.

Gabriella meanwhile has her own ulterior motives for wanting to return after 40 years, a daunting homecoming potentially filled with memories, secrets and recriminations.

With Juan-les-Pins pulsing with lights, decorations and the festive spirit, Christmas promises to be filled with fun. But when Elodie learns there is the possibility that her long absent mother may join them she hides her feelings behind a show of indifference and animosity.

Will there be the reconciliation that Gabriella longs for – or will the spirit of Christmas fail to work its magic?

My review

Elodie Jacques grew up with her French grandmother Gabriella in Dartmouth after her own mother abandoned her.
She never understood how a mother could just leave her child for a man, and she is still resenting her mother for it, even if Gabby gave her all the love she needed.
When Gabby announces her wish to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town in the south of France, Elodie sees this as a chance to gather her thoughts and think about her future.
But Elodie doesn’t know that Gabby has her own reasons to return to Juan – les – Pins, as Gabby left her home 40 years ago and returning will open those wounds that actually never truly healed…
And when there is a small chance of Elodie’s mother returning on the scene, may this be a Christmas filled with forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts? 

Jennifer Bohnet has the talent of writing stories that are sweeping you off your feet. And with this story taking place around Christmas it just got better! 

I loved how this stories is focussed on two characters, a grandmother and a granddaughter who are looking after each other, but also how different they are from each other. 

First we have Gabby, who left her life in France behind to start over in Devon, but has never been able to have closure over her previous life.
I found it first of all courageous to see how she was able to start a new life without the people she loved and especially in her state.
But it was also very clear that she missed her home, knowing she wouldn’t be able to return to her home and family because of her situation. 

I also admired her for making up for her own daughter’s mistake, and raising Elodie on her own. And while I, just like Elodie can’t comprehend why a mother would leave her child behind, I also understood Gabby, because in the end, Elodie’s mother is her own daughter, who she loves deeply, despite the mistakes she made… 

And then there is Elodie, a young woman raised by her grandmother, feeling that she was not worth for her mother to stay…
Elodie needs a change in her life, but doesn’t know what direction to take. And that makes her very recognizable, because I think we all have been in that phase, wanting a change but not knowing where to turn… 

Going to Juan – les – Pins has a different meaning to both women. I was curious to know Gabby’s full story and I also wanted to know if Elodie would find answers to her own questions.
I passed Antibes once very quickly, but I can easily that Juan – les – Pins, by just reading its descriptions made me fall in love with the place.
Not only of its beauty, but also with how welcomed Gabby and Elodie were by its inhabitants. 

It was sweet to read how both Gabby and Elodie met new friends, how the place, even with Gabby’s sad memories, truly felt like home and how future plans were made. 

But also the author managed to show us that there always two sides of a story, especially when Elodie’s mother is back on the scene. While it was easy to initially condemn her, when reading how her life was, it made me feel sad and made me understand that in this case, there were more than just one person left heart – broken… 

I loved reading this marvellous story, filled with both holiday feelings and Christmas feelings. But after finishing the last chapter, the thing that I remembered the most of it, was that everyone deserves forgiveness. And that starting over, at a new place or an old place, can be the start of a wonderful next chapter in life and can bring you more happiness, love and joy than before!

Shame on you if you fool me once…

Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Jo Watson, Mhairi McFarlane and Portia MacIntosh.

City girl Sophie has married the prince (or landed gentry – close enough), moved to his pile (which is more accurate a description than she’d anticipated) and is set to live happily ever after – until she finds the other half of her perfect life in the stables with the stable girl, and they’re definitely not grooming the horses.

Shocked and appalled, Sophie’s no happier to learn that she’s supposed to ‘just get on with it’. After all, according to her mother-in-law, she got the title . . . they even overlooked her family’s ‘new money’ status.

What a lovely family she’s married into! But what’s a girl to do when she’s still in love? Make it work or leg it as fast as she can? Either way, the mother-in-law will not be coming to tea!

What readers are saying about Phoebe MacLeod:

‘A perfect love story’

‘Humorous, light and romantic!’

‘I absolutely loved it. Heart-warming, just perfect!’

‘I loved every minute reading this book, light hearted and fun, finished in a day!’

‘I smiled so much’

‘What a wonderful book’

‘Fantastic’

My review

Sophie changed her city – life out of love into the farm – kind of life. While life there has its struggles, like coping with an Aga with a mind of its own, Sophie still loves her husband James after four years of highs and lows.
So when she finds James in the stables with the groom Becky doing everything but working in the stables, her heart is broken.
And when her mother – in – law apparently makes no big deal out of it, Sophie is just flabbergasted. But despite her hurt, she still loves James. So should she give him a second chance, with clear rules? Or should she walk away and find her the life she truly deserves? 

There is so much to tell about this story, but let’s start with how amazing it just was reading it! 

I liked Sophie immediately, and I admired her courage to walk away from her city – life for love. For sure I would have many struggles changing my life completely. Obviously, things don’t always run as smoothly as it should, but I liked how Sophie still tries to make the best out of every situation.
I also admired her strength. Because it cannot be easy to find your husband wit another woman. Yet as she still loves James, she decides to give him a second chance. I am not sure I would be that forgiving!
But before you think Sophie is a doormat, she also makes it very clear that a few rules to stick to. And no, those rules aren’t crazy ones, they made complete sense to me. 

I have to admit, James The Husband and the mother – in – law weren’t very likeable… James is just a d*ckhead, and my opinion of him only got worse the further I was reading… It kept me wondering what a lovely lady like Sophie ever saw in him.
And her mother – in – law… I understand that parents see their child as a perfect one, nothing can be done wrong. But I could see where James got his behaviour from! I just kept comparing her to Cinderella’s stepmother! 

I admired Sophie in so many ways, how she was ready to give James a second chance, but also how she remained strong and did what she told would do if James would screw up.
Of course my heart broke with Sophie when she sees the evidence of James’ lack of character, yet I was happy to see her walking away. 

Of course Sophie is gong through a lot, yet her strength is something that truly stood out. Not only does she manage to leave James, she also manages to act perfectly in dire situations at work and manages to turn a ‘saboteur’ into a real ally.
I applauded the way she slowly gets her life back on track, the way she wants to, finding her own place, making new friends, and jokingly yet with surprising results getting back on the dating scene. 

I absolutely adored reading this book, and my review will never do justice as there is so much more I can say. Sophie is the kind of woman many people should use as an example, being forgiving, but not stupid, being kind and helping instead of being aggressive. And always walking with head high and being the bigger person instead of allowing someone else to join their petty games.

A holiday which doesn’t go as expected.

Synopsis

Single-mother Beth desperately needs a break.

Grieving the loss of her mother, she sets off to the Isles of Scilly with her five-year-old daughter, Ellie.

Their holiday cottage is utterly charming, but it’s meeting Trystan – the owner of the cottage – that makes Beth’s stay so perfect.

When their holiday fling starts to feel like something more, she knows she’s in trouble. Her life is in Plymouth, while he lives in London. Besides, Trystan has already admitted he’s not ready for a family.

Is he prepared to take a leap of faith for Beth and Ellie? And with the odds stacked against them, can they find a way to make their relationship last beyond the lazy days of summer?

My review

Spending the holiday at the Isle of Scilly didn’t turn out to go as expected for single – mother Beth. The original plan was to go with her own mother and her five – year – old daughter Ellie. But now Beth and Ellie are staying in their holiday cottage, with Beth still grieving over the loss of her mother.
When their week there turns out to be the most rainy one, she finds herself being persuaded by the Treneary family to prolong their stay, even if cottage owner Trystan Treneary isn’t aware of these changes as he planned to stay in the cottage after Beth and Ellie left.
Sparks start to fly around between Beth and Trystan, but with Beth living in Plymouth and Trystan in London, this could never be more than a holiday fling… especially as Trystan is not ready for a family… 

I will start by just saying how much I just ADORE the Treneary family! This is my third return to them and the Isle of Scilly, and each time I fall deeper in love with the place and the family! 

In the start of this book, Beth’s family situation isn’t 100% clear. We know she is on her own looking after Ellie and we know Beth recently just lost her mother. So I can imagine how difficult things are at the moment for her.
Yet the more was revealed of Beth’s life, the more I admired her choices and courage. Having a child is already not an easy task, so I was in awe when Beth talks about the choice she made. 

Ellie is just adorable! She is curious, eager, a bit stubborn, so lovable and I just wanted jump into the book to go on the train with her, build sandcastles and play with her! 

I absolutely had a blast reading how Trystan finds himself overwhelmed not only by Beth but also by Ellie. For those who have read the previous parts of the series, we know from before the start that Trystan isn’t ready for a family, so it came also as a complete surprise seeing how easily Ellie manages to steal his heart. Ellie is for sure a force of nature to reckon with!
It saddened me terrible discovering the reason why Trystan and his brother Lowen aren’t getting along. So I have all my fingers and toes and all other body parts that are crossable, crossed, that in the next book, these once close brothers will find each other again!  

And while between Beth and Trystan it starts with a physical attraction, it warmed my heart to see how at ease they are with each other, able to completely open up. Both main characters have their problems, and even if nobody can offer a real solution, with Beth and Trystan just listening to each other, and having some hurt in common, shows that just being there can be the perfect medicine. 

Obviously, as their lives are taking place in different cities, and Scilly is just a holiday place, the getting together was the easiest bit…
And I liked how the author was able to capture the doubts Beth was having. Because Beth doesn’t has to look only at herself, but she wants to protect Ellie too. Even if I didn’t like it at all when she was back in Plymouth and acted the way she did. 

But on the other hand, I liked it how Trystan gave her the space she needed, yet also did some real nice things for Ellie (talking about swoon – worthy material!). 

This was a wonderful next chapter in of a marvellous series. You don’t have to have read the previous parts, but I truly recommend it as I am sure you will fall in love with the place and its inhabitants!
And while it would be easy for an author to fall in the trap of writing the same thing all over again but with slight differences, Hannah Ellis wrote a story totally different from the previous ones, showing that love doesn’t always come easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. And that with the right perfect, you can long for something you never wanted before.

Nothing is what it seems, except real love

Synopsis

Lucky in life but unlucky in love, Lucy Greenfield owns a successful carriage business along with her best friend Max, and they have never been busier since their shire horses gained fame from their roles in the hit movie A Little in Love.

Too busy for romance, Lucy is surprisingly swept off her feet when Spencer arrives seeking help with his horse, and something more from Lucy. As quickly as Lucy falls, she wonders if all is not as it seems. Max can prove it, but that means he will have to express his true feelings for Lucy.

Relationships are strained as secrets unravel, and Lucy needs to solve the riddle of words to best describe how she feels… For her best friend.

Together, they must overcome what’s keeping them apart before it’s too late, if they are going to realise that the word is love.

My review

Lucy Greenfield’s first priority has been and always will be horses. Together with her best friend Max she runs the successful carriage business.
But that same business is also the reason that Lucy is unlucky in love. Because nobody likes it to come next to horses.
That is, until Spencer arrives needing help with his horse. Lucy is swept off her feet as Spencer seems to be the perfect man for her. But quickly Lucy feels that something is off, despite her mother’s insistence to just go for it as she wants to see Lucy get married as soon as possible.
Lucy starts to wonder if Spencer truly is who he claims to be, while Max has always has his doubts, and can prove it too. but that means he has to come clean about his feelings, and reveal a few of his own secrets… While Lucy starts to realize that her feelings for Max go deeper… but how t put that into words? 

I always enjoy reading a story about friends who realize that there feelings run deeper. So from the very start I was Team Max. Even if he knows his feelings, he does not push Lucy, he is just being the best possible friend for her, even if that means keeping big secrets for her. 

What I liked about Lucy, was that she is passionate about being the owner of the carriage business. She does not see it purely as a business, but she truly loves her horses and they are her absolute priority. Even if that means less money, she won’t do anything to hurt or overburden the horses. It’s clear that she has a kind heart, yet that makes her also a little bit gullible in my opinion. 

First of all, her mother is truly annoying, even with the best interest at heart, as she keeps pushing Lucy in doing things she doesn’t want to do, and even push her to find someone to marry.
Lucy is so kind – hearted that she does what her mother requests, even if she really really doesn’t want to. 

Then when Spencer arrives, it frustrated me a bit seeing how Lucy is blinded by his looks and his apparent wealth. Of course, when a good-looking man passes, I also am a bit lovestruck, but I would never do the things Lucy does without even thinking twice about it.
But that is also the process of maturing that Lucy will do while progressing in the book. Because she slowly starts to see the world how it really is, with the best people in the world, but also people who are out there to gain as much as possible for their own benefit. 

Reading how Lucy realizes this, and becomes wary of Spencer and even starts to grow a backbone towards her mother, made me forget about my previous frustrations.
And add how Lucy starts to see what she had all the time and now is risking to lose the bets thing, was great to read.
I found it also very realistic to see how Lucy is struggling to understand her own feelings. Because how do you know that your feelings have become more than before?  

There are several secrets and thus revelations in this book. Many of them were rather predictable for the readers, but that didn’t diminish the fun of seeing how Lucy would react!  Some were more surprising, leaving even me a bit flabbergasted. 

This was a lovely story to read, to see how love is something we all dream of finding. But love goes deeper than good looks and money, it is about friendship, doing whatever we can for that person, even things they don’t know about, and being there even if mistakes are being made. Because love is all that matters…

The clash of cooking titans!

Synopsis

It’s the festive showdown to end all festive showdowns …
“Queen of Chocolate” Beatrice Wodehouse, known for her decadent desserts, is ready to go head to head with her social media nemesis, clean lean baking machine Charlie Simmonds, in the Great Christmas Cook Off TV show.
Beatrice is fed up of Charlie’s sanctimonious attitude and is ready to show him that food is there to be enjoyed. Surely she’ll blow his keto, low sugar, low-carb mince pies out of the water with her chocolatey creations?
Except filming for the Cook Off turns out to be anything but sugar, spice and all things nice when the contestants realise there’s a festive saboteur in their midst – leading to melted ice cream, trifle mishaps and private stories leaked to the press.
As the countdown to the final commences, suspicions run high and sparks are bound to fly – and not just from the flaming Christmas puddings!
Part of the Spotlight series but it can be read as a standalone story.

My review

Beatrice Wodehouse has been named the Queen of Chocolate as she is known for her decadent desserts. Now she is ready to participate in The Great Christmas Cook Off TV – show, where several bakers are trying to win the title.
Too bad that one of the contestants is Charlie Simmonds, her nemesis. They both adapt different attitudes, as where Beatrice believes that chocolate can bring heaven on earth (in moderation though!) and Charlie hangs on to his keto, low sugar and low carbs recipes.
But their own personal battle is nothing compared when there appears to be a saboteur in their midst, as the episodes are filled with melted ice – cream, salted dough and also very personal stories leaked to the press, causing the tender friendship built between the two enemies to break before it had the chance to grow into something even more? 

Ooooh how much I enjoy reading Helen Buckley’s books! Each story is amazing and then she writes a book filled with chocolate to be even more amazing! 

I completely understood Bea and how she feels that chocolate can truly bring you in a state of bliss. Whenever she was cooking/ baking in the book, I somehow was able to smell those delicious, decadent scents, making my mouth watering. 

But this story goes way further than just two rivals in a shows, adapting different credos…  

Beatrice has her reasons of why she finds comfort in the sweeter the better. And slowly seeing those reasons made me even like her even more than before. Because despite the family she grew up in, she find her own tribe, friends that are there for her no matter what, that understand her in ways her own parents never did. 

But even if it doesn’t show, Charlie has his own demons to fight. And him using low carbs, no sugar etc come from a deep grief that he is still carrying around. And okay, I am still not a converted person, as I need my daily shot of chocolate, I could understand what Charlie’s purpose was. 

I have to admit, I as very curious and even a bit evil to discover which dish would end up in disaster and how. Of course I felt sad for the contestant, yet it was a tiny bit funny too. And the saboteur didn’t come as a real surprise for me. 

It was lovely to see how despite their initial dislike for each other Bea and Charlie start to spend more time together and start to realize that they aren’t the enemies they thought they were. It warmed my heart to see how they were able to reveal their secrets to each other. But it also broke my heart to see how those secrets are spilled to the press, only causing a breach of that tender bond which I was very eager to develop even further.  

I felt that this story also managed to address serious topics but without a level of becoming too ‘teachy’. The characters are not only facing during the show some kind of bullying, but even during their childhood. But the author makes it also possible for the readers to understand the importance of growing up in a loving family (or the results of when you don’t). And with Charlie’s backstory it made me think about the consequences of overindulgence.
But also in this book we see that having a different belief, doesn’t mean that the counterparty is wrong. And that we all have to try to understand and accept the their different opinion. 

And all this you can get, with an amazing slow burning romance (the only thing that slowly burns in this book!) in one marvellous story, that will make you drool for all the deliciousness and heating your heart for the growing bond between the two main characters.
This author delivered again a perfect story about yes celebrities, but also so recognizable and likeable and real.

No matter what happens, a sisters’ bond is unbreakable

Synopsis

Sisters Laura and Penny were once close, bonded together after the early death of their mother. Laura always had her younger sister’s back until one day everything changed and Penny disappeared.

Twenty years later Laura finds herself alone and at a crossroad in her life; questioning her marriage and her future.

Meanwhile Penny has spent her whole life running away from her problems until one day she is forced to stop and face the shocking truth.

When Penny turns up on Laura’s doorstep late one stormy night, holding the hand of a shivering little girl, Laura is immediately suspicious of her sister’s motives. Just what does Penny want and who is this little girl?

Penny carries a devastating secret that will test their bond as sisters and is forced to make an impossible choice.

Can the sisters find it within their hearts to forgive and unite before it’s too late?

My review

Laura’s life is at a crossroad. She always took care of her children, but as they have left the house now for their studies, she is questioning her future. And her marriage is also at risk after discovering the unfaithfulness of her husband.
But the greatest shock is when one night she finds standing at her door her sister Penny, with a little girl.
When growing up, Laura and Penny were thick as thieves, Laura always had Penny’s back especially after losing their mother at a young age. But one day things went so wrong and Penny just disappeared for twenty years.
So obviously Laura is wary of Penny’s sudden return, but she didn’t expect the bombshell behind Penny’s return. And Penny, more than ever needs the support and help of her sister, but was their once strong but now broken bond mendable?  

I was kind of reluctant to read another book of this author. Not because she is a terrible writer, but because I just know beforehand that my heart will get broken and I will need plenty of tissues while reading.
But my desire to read was bigger than my reluctance, so I started to read but was fully prepared! 

This story broke my heart on so many different levels, as Laura and her family for sure aren’t facing an easy period.
I felt sorry for Laura from the start, as she clearly felt the empty – nest – syndrome and is wondering what to do with her life now that her children don’t need her anymore.
Being a daughter of a mother with that same syndrome, I could understand Laura’s anxiety, but I could also understand how suffocating it felt for especially her own daughter. 

To make things even worse, her own husband did the unthinkable and I totally agreed with her decision to kick him out! But it only added more sadness as now she was truly on her own… 

When Penny appears on her doorstep, as a reader we already know the reason of Penny’s sudden return home. And while we know why Penny is there, I could also understand why Laura isn’t really welcoming her and the little girl with open arms in her home.
And knowing both sisters and their stories, but me as a reader in a kind of difficult position too… Because I WANTED Laura to be welcoming Penny and Willow like nothing happened, but it also made perfect sense why Laura just didn’t. I think if I were in Laura’s same position, I would act and think the same thing. 

The focus in this book is on clearly on Laura and Penny and their relationship. But while they are having their own struggles, we also see how they are trying to protect their loved ones. Penny is protecting Willow as she is still too young to understand everything, and Laura is having a greater shock with revelation of her own daughter. 

But I found it sweet to read how all the side characters became also important pillars of this story, on their own unique way. Because of what is happening to Laura and Penny, everyone realizes that some things are just too important in life. And it was wonderful to see how this broken family stuck together when it matters. 

This story hit home on some levels, and that made me reach for tissues as it all seemed too familiar from my personal experience (different yet the same…).
But beside this major subject, I was also on a continuous emotional rollercoaster, as things wouldn’t just stop coming for Laura, Penny and their loved ones.  

And while it would easily crush people, it also shows how resilient and strong people can be. Because no matter what is happening, after an initial setback, strength to keep fighting can be found.
Even with the most hopeless situations, heart – breaking moments, the fact that the members of a broken family find each other again and can rely on each other, mended my broken heart. 

With each book I read from this author, I am crying all over the place, as the subjects are so heart – breaking and terrible for someone to endure. Yet the strength, hope and love that is written all over the pages, made me feel not only sad after finishing the last chapter, but also hopeful.
Because no matter what happened in the past, in the moments that matter the most, we can always find comfort and solace in the arms of a long lost sister, an estranged partner, our children, our parents, our whole family. 

This was a heart – breaking, crying – all – over – the – place, feeling – a – complete – sense – of – injustice story, yet a wonderful, heart – warming, courageous, hopeful, injecting – strength story that will touch your heart and it made me think how lucky I can count myself having all my loved ones around me… Something we sometimes need to be reminded of…

This wonderful author has a new book and I am here to do a little cover reveal!

Synopsis

Dating her brother’s best friend is against the rules. 

But some rules are meant to be broken…

After discovering her cheating ex’s plans to move into her building, accountant Lily jets off on a sabbatical to Marbella. 

When she unexpectedly bumps into her brother’s best friend, hot Spanish DJ Carlos—the guy she’s had a crush on since forever—sparks fly. 

But Carlos promised Lily’s brother he’d never mess with his little sister. Breaking the bro code would end their friendship. 

Lily knows that Casanova Carlos doesn’t do relationships, so all he could offer is a steamy holiday fling. And after wanting him for so long, if they spent the night together, Lily’s heart and body might never recover.

She tries to suppress her feelings, but when Carlos takes Lily to his favourite places in Spain, the attraction becomes harder to resist. With her brother hundreds of miles away, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt, right?

Should Lily throw caution to the wind and risk heartbreak by enjoying a sizzling Spanish romance? And if she does, will it lead to long-term love? 

Order this fun, steamy, brother’s-best-friend, forbidden love romcom now and join Lily in Spain to find out!

Read as a standalone novel or as part of the My Ten-Year Crush series.  

Pre-order Links

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3OmXHUB

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3zIFw6O

Publication Date: 19th January 2023

About the author

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel When’s The Wedding?

My Ten-Year Crush, Olivia’s seventh novel, marked the start of a new series in 2021. My Lucky Night and My Paris Romance followed soon afterwards and book four, My Spanish Romance will be published in January 2023.

When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

The cover!

Sunshine Island, where just anything is possible…

Synopsis

Welcome to the sunshine island – where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle is perfect and anything is possible.

Popstar Matteo Stanford is eager to escape to the sunshine island to catch up with his old friend Alex and secretly film his latest music video. But within moments of landing, the location for the shoot is leaked to the press, and his island escape and video might be over before they start.

Not to be defeated, Alex’s girlfriend Piper recruits her two best friends Casey and Tara, who run the Smoke and Mirrors stall at the The Cabbage Patch market. It doesn’t take Casey more than a moment to realise the perfect setting for Matteo’s video is Gorey castle, but securing the venue means Casey is soon planning a secret wedding, finding an actress and becoming a set designer!

It’s chaos and crazed fans, peppered with the sweetest moments she’s ever experienced. But could a popstar really fall for island girl Casey Norman?

My review

Popstar Matteo Stanford has found the perfect place to film his latest music video. Because is there a better place than Sunshine Island? Especially as it’s the perfect opportunity for Matteo to catch up with his friend Alex Cooper.
But no matter how much Matteo wishes for things to remain secret, not only his but also the filming location is leaked. And his plans seem to fall apart.
That is, until Alex’ girlfriend Piper recruits her two best friends Casey and Tara to help out. And Casey appears to be invaluable… Because not only does she find the perfect new location, she also finds the perfect actress for Matteo’s music video and she can plan a secret wedding.
Between all the chaos, Casey and Matteo feel an attraction too hard to ignore. But do a popstar and an island girl have a chance at love? 

This is the second book of the series, but it can be perfectly read as a standalone. Yet I can for suer recommend it, not only because you already know the side characters, but just because it’s a lovely story too!
So the author had the task to fulfil my high expectations. And how did she fulfil them! 

I immediately liked Casey as she is quickly showing her great and kind heart. She doesn’t hesitate after contacted by Piper to help out Matteo.
But not only is she wonderful in helping, she just also has the perfect solution for every new issue that arises. 

Together with her cousin Tara, Casey manages to do the impossible, even if it stresses her out. But her not wanting to disappoint anyone, and her wish to give her friends what they deserve, truly graces her.
And her not being starstruck by Matteo, only makes her more likeable than she already was! 

Matteo.. he may be a star, yet I liked him for being Matteo the person, not Matteo the popstar. Yes, being famous opens door that would remain closed for others, but he also uses this ‘power’ to help out. Just how readily he is to step in with the wedding, which he has no business with, so to speak, shows his real character. 

Matteo needs Casey in so many different situations, and I could perfectly understand why he is in awe of her. And the attraction is so palpable from the pages, it nearly made me envious!
Of course, the life of a popstar isn’t an easy one, and I could comprehend the doubts Casey had, but I could also see how perfect these wonderful characters would be for each other. 

Returning to Sunshine Island was a wonderful return, I could feel the warmth from each character (except one, but that was no big surprise as I knew from book one to be aware of that return on the scene…) .
This place shows that when you are part of a close community, anything is possible, even organising a secret wedding in just three days.
But also that in a wonderful place like this one, it’s the perfect setting for falling in love and dare to take a chance on love.

I loved reading this next storyline, and I hope this author will amaze us further with other wonderful love stories in this marvellous place that stole a piece of my heart!