Dreams are never truly over…

Synopsis

Don’t dream your life, live your dreams….

Phoebe Dashwood is a passionately committed vet who’s living the dream. She’s about to open her own small animal practice at her grandmother’s animal shelter, PuddleduckFarm in the New Forest.

Phoebe is helped by her two oldest friends. Her best friend Tori is a mix of hard-headed journalist and hopeless romantic, who thinks love will conquer all when she finds the right man!

Then there is Sam, Phoebe’s staunchest ally, whose integrity and selflessness mean he would do anything to make Phoebe happy, no matter what the cost to himself.

Very soon Phoebe discovers that fantasy and reality don’t quite match.

An unscrupulous bunny breeder, a poisoned stream, and a complicated attraction all conspire to throw her dreams in a spin.

Events come to a shocking climax at the New Forest Show where Phoebe’s world is turned upside down and she has to make some life changing decisions.

My review

Phoebe Dashwood has finally opened her own small animal practice at Puddleduck Farm. With her two best friends by her side, Tori and Sam, help is always just a call away.
While it may seem that all her dreams have come true, Phoebe knows that life is never dull. Because what to do with a best friend who has just come clean about his feelings, but they are not reciprocated? And what about her own feelings towards a grumpy neighbour? And with being a vet, her mind is always set on protecting animals, even against a breeder with not so admirable intentions…
It’s clear that no matter what dreams have come true for Phoebe, there are still many to be fulfilled! 

What a delight retuning to Puddleduck Farm and Phoebe her adventures! This for sure was a book I was eager to pick up, as I had too many unanswered question when finishing the start of this series.

Phoebe is still that wonderful person, with a big heart for animals. She always has the animals’ best interest at heart, and goes even beyond the ‘normal’ to protect them from people with lesser good intentions.
Seeing her walking on Puddleduck Farm, surrounded by all the animals that love her, shows what a great character she is.
But not only towards animals she is amazing, jut in general she is the kind of person we would be lucky to have as a friend. 

The fact that she does not want to hurt Sam, even if she doesn’t feel the same, says more than enough.
She wants her best friend to be happy, and that makes her think if perhaps her feelings may go deeper or not.
Adding to the equation that she is feeling an attraction towards Rufus, turns this story into a sort of love triangle, but where both contenders are amazing people, and neither one of them deserves the heart – break…
Because whether I have my own personal preference, I for sure don’t want to be in Phoebe’s shoes… 

This story is slow – paced, making it perfect to put a pause on our own hectic lives, and making us enjoy a wonderful read, which is also filled with realities we too often want to ignore.

The issue of the breeder with the focus on just making money and not taking care of the rabbits like they should, opened my eyes to look beyond the cuteness. No matter how cute an animal may seem, cuteness isn’t a indication of good health. And it saddened me to understand through this story how in pain such lovely animals can be, just for our own personal gain. 

But there is also the mental health issue. My heart went out to Rufus, as he obviously is still struggling with his panic attacks, but is slowly finding his own way to overcome them. The more I read about his issues, the more it was obvious to me that just everyone can have an attack, and there is nothing to be ashamed about, no matter who you are.
But I also understood why Rufus wasn’t ready to talk about to just anyone, as he didn’t want to burden anyone, especially his little boy, with his issues. 

The author made also my heart stop when there is a terrible accident taking place. Once it started beating again, it was torn towards two different directions, just like Phoebe’s…
I am not going to say more about it, as I want you to undergo the same shock and dilemma as I did! 

Reading this book was the perfect time – out, it put my senses at ease, but also made me think about the real world outside, how not everything is as clear – cut.    

Phoebe’s story has not come to and end with this book, and I felt like the story got to a point where significant choices have to be made.
So while it was delightful to read this second chapter of Phoebe’s new life, I cannot wait to read how her story will evolve even further.

Every castle has its secrets, but this one more than others…

Synopsis

‘Although I believe I will die here in this castle, my spirit will never be silent.’

Ravenscraig Castle, Scotland. 1307

When the castle she works in is sacked by the army of Prince Edward of England, kitchen maid Agnes Fitzgerald manages to escape north of Inverness to throw herself at the mercy of the Lord and Lady at Ravenscraig Castle. Although safe for now, the people of Scotland are fighting hard for their independence, and the threat of the English hangs heavy over the land.  But when Agnes spies Cam Buchanan swimming in the loch, her mind turns away from war and towards love.  Agnes even dares to dream of a happy future, until she learns that Cam must go and fight alongside Robert de Brus.

Present day

Twins Leah and Zoe need a change, so caretaking at Ravenscraig Castle is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all. Surrounded by rugged Highland countryside, and bordered by a loch, the picturesque setting is everything they dreamed of. But the locals are reluctant to visit Ravenscraig, and there are whispers of ghosts and lost souls. The sisters quickly dismiss such superstition, but soon the overwhelming sadness they feel coming from the tower grows too hard to ignore.

Can the sisters finally right the wrongs of seven hundred years of heartbreak, seven hundred years of betrayal…

USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this heart-breaking and unforgettable timeslip novel, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas.

My review

Leah and Zoe are typical twin sisters, they are as close as can be. But Leah has been going through some rough time, and getting away from it all may be the perfect remedy. So when Leah gets a job as a caretaker at Ravenscraig Castle, placed in the Highland countryside and bordered by a loch, they set off together.
While Leah feels finally at home, it seems that the roles have been switched and now Zoe is finding a hard time to adapt in their new setting. And rumours of ghosts and lost souls for sure don’t help. Even if the sisters dismiss these kind of gossip, they cannot deny that there is *something*…
Something that can be linked to the events taken place in 1307, when a young kitchen maid, Agnes Fitzgerald, had to escape from her home to Ravenscraig Castle, while the people f Scotland are fighting for their freedom. In a place where history is being written, filled with fights and threat, Agnes might fall in love with Cam Buchanan. But will their love stand a chance when Cam must go and fight together with Robert de Brus? 

I always think that writing dual timelines can be dangerous for an author. Because I am afraid that one story will not have the chance to capture the reader’s heart.
And while indeed the main characters could have perfectly have a book on their own, the fact that there was a common thread, linking both stories turned this book into an even better one. 

There is a thing I have to admit… my knowledge of the Scottish past is rather minimal. And what I know, I know from reading some fictional books, making me do some superficial research on Google, or watching movies like Braveheart.
So while Agnes’ story may be fictional, I liked how it the author put some real events into it, making it all more plausible. 

What I liked the most, was the bond of sisterhood. Leah and Zoe are real sisters, and would do anything for each other, even moving out of their comfort zone if that would mean it would help their sibling.
And while Agnes is on her own, she is like a real big sister to Effe, who is much more fragile even if they are around the same age.
Both Zoe and Agnes are very protective of Leah and Effe respectively. And that makes it so easy to like them. But their protectiveness also makes sure that they put their selves on the side-line, eve risking to lose their own happiness. 

It was sweet to read how initially it was Leah who was struggling at home, and once in Ravenscraig Castle, she found herself at home, and we saw how she was opening up, being back the Leah everyone knew.
And it saddened me to read how Zoe was now in the struggling position, as she was doing everything to make her sister happy.
That only shows that even twins are only alike until a certain point, but in the end they are also individuals with their own characteristics. 

Yet both sisters slowly start to appreciate the beauty they are being surrounded by, and their curiosity to get to know more about Ravenscraig Castle, brings them to befriend some locals and the owner of the place, making them find more than just a wonderful yet also bit spooky place. 

A spooky place where Agnes finds herself living after she had endured a horrible event, making her escape her home with Effe.
What I liked about Agnes was her hands – on mentality. She doesn’t play just the victim, but she wants to show her worth and make sure that people see her value and allow her to stay at the castle.
By just being true to herself, she shows people they can rely on her and trust her.

Seeing her falling in love for the first time was very sweet in my eyes. And even if it may seem a bit superficial, as how quick these feelings develop, it also shows that sometimes just one look can be more than enough to find the love of your life.

But on the other hand, it angered me to see in the end how she gets betrayed by the person she would do anything to protect…
I felt so angered, so shocked even to see how quickly Agnes was being dismissed as soon as she longer was needed, and how quickly has been forgotten all the things that Agnes has been doing. 

Obviously I knew that at least one story wouldn’t have the ending I wanted it to have, yet the author managed so well to let me care about all the main characters that I kept wishing, hoping, that somehow, the ending would be what all characters deserved. 

Even if I am not fully convinced that places can be haunted, or that there are spirits lingering around, I was fully enthralled by this book. I just had to find out how each story would end. A wonderful book, filled with love, family, but also sadness and betrayal, just like in real life…

Isn’t it always the case that when something seems too good to be true…

Synopsis

Pia Temple has always had a soft spot for Jackson Moody following a passionate teenage love affair that burnt out over one long summer, more than ten years ago. First loves can be hard to forget, and the devastatingly gorgeous Jackson, is harder to forget than most.

After putting aside her ambitions while she cared for her parents, it is finally time for Pia to think about herself. So, when she’s offered the perfect job running the social calendar at Primrose Hall, with a dreamy flat included, how can she refuse? There’s only one problem… The new owner of the refurbished seventeenth-century manor house set in the idyllic Primrose Woods, is none other than Jackson, the man she’s thought about every day for years.  

In a whirl of weddings and craft fairs, literary festivals and tea parties, Pia blossoms in her new role. But with the delectable Jackson a daily distraction, maybe this isn’t the dream job after all – especially when Jackson’s unfeasibly beautiful ex-girlfriend Tara, comes back to visit the hall… 

Dreams Come True at Primrose Hall is the perfect feel-good love story to brighten even the darkest day. Just right for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston.

My review

As a teenager, Pia Temple thought she had her whole life figured out. Unfortunately, she had to give up her dreams to take care of her parents, and she even saw her teenage love affair with Jackson Moody end abruptly and unexpectedly.
Now it’s finally time for adult Pia to think about herself and her dreams again. Even if she has low expectations, she applies for the perfect job, running the social calendar at Primrose Hall. Being in a situation where she needs to find a new place to live, the fact that the job comes with a flat, it’s the perfect solution to all her problems.
But another issue arises, as it appears that the new owner, thus her new boss is no one else but Jackson Moody himself, the man she never forgot…
Surrounded by weddings, craft fairs and donkeys, Pia finally has the chance to blossom, even if Jackson seems to become a continuous distraction… 

What I love about this wonderful series, is that each story can be perfectly read as a standalone, and each time I fall in love with not only the wonderful characters, but also an amazing setting. 

Having read the previous parts, I already saw glimpses of Pia and Jackson, but in this story we are able to get their whole story, which made my heart break a little bit, but also made me feel all warm and cosy on the inside… 

Pia is a beautiful woman, inside and outside. She ‘gave up’ her own dreams to look after her parents, doing what not just everybody would do. And now that they are gone, it was absolutely understandable how lost Pia felt…
And I could perfectly comprehend how difficult it was for her to leave her childhood home behind, having to stand on her own two feet, and find herself not only a job but also a place to stay, while having no real references… 

However, despite her situation, it’s crystal-clear that her heart is at the right place, just read how she looks after not only her elder neighbour but also doesn’t hesitate to take care of Bertie, the Dalmatian.
And I am not talking the lengths she would go for her friends… 

Obviously, when Pia starts her PA job at Primrose Hall, she feels like a fish out of water, as she hasn’t done anything like this before. Yet I admired her determination to work everything out, and just own the job.
And I have to say, she has some great ideas, perfect for the place, understanding and feeling what it needs and what it doesn’t (or what Jackson needs and doesn’t need). 

Initially it was difficult to decipher Jackson’s character. His actions were some moments contradictory, and for sure he isn’t always a ray of sunshine.
But we also see this softer side of him, and the way he is around Bertie, speaks volumes. Slowly we get to understand Jackson better, seeing his struggles, his issues and his demons that keep chasing him. 

While it’s clear that this story will have romance in it, and who the love interests are, for me it felt more than just *that* kind of story.
I saw it more as a story where a young woman is still trying to figure out what she wants to do in her life, where her place in the world is and also has still a lot to learn, as her priorities were so different in her earlier life. 

And it is also absolutely a story about second chances, at love and at life. Reading how Pia and Jackson cannot ignore that spark that is still alight after so many years, was just proof that we can never underestimate feelings, no matter when they were developed. 

I found this a marvellous book to read, filled with many realistic, real issues. But also with realistic and real positive developments. Each solution made sense, and wasn’t something that could have been fixed by using a magic wand. They were real solutions for real problems. 

Devouring this book may be an understatement, as I enjoyed reading each page of it. And seeing my old friends again, making new friends and fall in love with this wonderful setting was the perfect recipe to lighten my day!

To rediscover yourself in France…

Synopsis

Only child out of the house – so far out that she’s gone all the way to Australia! A husband, who has requested a break. Life isn’t quite going as planned for Katy.

She’s suddenly at a loss, but she still has her friends Sam, Vicky and Ivy. The girls have been there for her through thick and they’re not about to stop now. However, they think Katy might need more than boot camp . . . so they kidnap her and head off to France on a last minute retreat.

Can a reset give her a new lease on life or help her win back her husband? Or could there be a new love in her life?

She went for a holiday, but it could become the start of a second chance . . .

My review

Katy was sure that her husband came back to his senses when he asked to talk to her after needing a break.
But she wasn’t prepared to hear that he wants the break to be definite, especially after hearing that their daughter wants to stay in Australia and make her life there.
Feeling at loss, Katy doesn’t know what to do with her life now. But her friends Sam, Vicky and Ivy, Katy’s rock at the most difficult moments, decide to surprise her with a last minute escape, in a retreat in France.
The French countryside is the perfect place for Katy to unwind, and let loose. And perhaps start a new chapter in her life? Or will she be able to win her husband back? 

You know what really annoys me? When people, especially women, think that *they* need to change in order to keep their spouses. What is wrong with just being yourself? And if your spouse is being a prick, like Katy’s husband is, isn’t it better to lose him instead of always doing as he pleases? 

So at the start of this book, I wasn’t Katy’s biggest fan, as it was clear that she lost herself while always following her husband.
I wasn’t her biggest fan, but I also pitied her… In a short time she has had several shocks, at first her husband needing a break, then her daughter wanting to stay in Australia and the straw that breaks the camel’s back, her husband having moved on and having no intention of returning to Katy at all… 

While as a reader it doesn’t come as a total shock, I could understand how deflated Katy felt, as everything that mattered to her, was now just gone. No husband, no daughter around…
Luckily she has some wonderful friends, who will do everything they can to make Katy feel alive again.
Sometimes we all need a (not so) gentle push making us rethink about our lives and which course we want to take next. And is there a lovelier place than the place where these best friends will be staying? 

I liked it to see how Katy opened up again, thinking about herself and not what someone else expects from her. She finds her own passions again, and is not being gaslighted by a selfish, outdated, old-fashioned and even a bit sexist husband.
And this new, old Katy was for sure much more loveable than the Katy we met at the start of this book. 

Katy also found a potential love interest, but the focus wasn’t about Katy finding romance, it was all about finding herself (again). Even if at one point in the story she makes a choice I didn’t agree, I could understand she had to give it one more chance. And it was the more rewarding seeing how Katy has changed throughout the story, and seeing how she doesn’t accept the BS she would have accepted in the past.

The author shows us that this search isn’t one without trial and error, even here and there clashing with people who have your best interest at heart.
It’s not an easy journey, it takes a lot of courage and understanding, not only what happened in the past or what direction you want to take, but also understanding yourself, allowing yourself to be yourself again. 

This was a wonderful story to read, about a woman who reluctantly has to accept the changes in her life, but realizes that being comfortable in a situation doesn’t mean that you have to just accept it. But that, at any stage in your life, you can change the course of your life, and can change back into the person you used to be, the person that used to be happy, and not just content.
Something we all just stop and think about!

What book is more perfect to have its cover revealed on such a romantic day?

Synopsis

Life is full of highs and lows, but it’s who helps us through that counts.

Stumbling across her teenage diaries in her childhood home, Charlie is instantly transported to the 1990s.

Charlie relives all the emotions and feelings as memories come flooding back, from first kiss to first love and everything in between.

Back in the present and Charlie discovers that even in the darkest of times, light and laughter can ALWAYS be found.

A heartfelt journey through life, from teenage angst to the trials and tribulations of adulthood. Family love, friendship and romance weave throughout but who will love you, always, forever?

Pre-order Links

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Love-You-Always-Forever-ebook/dp/B0BSYSTC2Z/

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/I-Love-You-Always-Forever-ebook/dp/B0BSYSTC2Z/

Publication Date: 30th March

Follow Charlie Dean on Twitter – https://twitter.com/CharlieADean

About the author

I’m a 70s baby, 80s child and a 90s teenager. I love writing stories with real, likeable characters who are perfectly imperfect just like me.

I love exploring love in all its forms, be it romantic, friendship or family and all that these relationships entail.

My stories are romances with a sprinkling of spice.

The COVER!

What ever could happen when recreating famous movie scenes?

Synopsis

Not an expert, not even close, not in any of this. But nobody will try harder than me to make you happy.

Sally is a classic romantic and Harry is a classic cynic, but when a drunken bet leads the new flatmates to (badly) recreate ‘the lift’ from Dirty Dancing, and the video goes viral (#EpicRomcomReenactmentFailure), they both realise there’s potential financial benefit in blundering their way through the romcom lexicon for their suddenly vast social media following.

Now, as Harry and Sally bring major romcom moments to new life – including recreating that classic diner scene – their faking it turns to making…out and suddenly they’re living a real life romcom of their own! But like all the greatest love stories, the road to happily ever after is paved with unexpected challenges for this hero and heroine…

My review

Sally and Harry have recently become flatmates as Sally had a free room and Harry was looking for one. Their characters couldn’t be more different, as Sally is a ray of sunshine, a real romantic and believes in true love. While harry is cynic, down – to – earth and doesn’t believe at all in love.
However, when one drunken nights leads to recreate the famous lift of Dirty Dancing and their video goes viral, they decide to make more video of them failing at the re-enactment of famous romcom scenes. But when the faking sparks turns into real sparks, how can there be a chance at happily ever after love when someone truly believes that love isn’t real? 

Oh My God, how great was this book!!! I absolutely devoured it and even if I could, I wouldn’t have put it down! 

Sally is a delightful character, she for sure brings the sunshine in even the darkest moments. But while I liked her from the start, getting to know the sacrifices she made at a younger age, and yet even the worst didn’t put a damper on her bright character, made me even admire her more.
I love watching romcoms, but I don’t think I will ever be at the same level as Sally! Obviously when someone says ‘the lift’ or ‘the pottery scene’, we all know what movies we are talking about. But I didn’t realize there would be so many iconic movie scenes, but after reading this marvellous book I am starting to see movies with whole different eyes thanks to Sally! 

But Sally is more than just a young woman filled with sunshine, she is also a great and supportive friend, and even if not appreciated, an amazing sister to Amy (who I truly disliked throughout the largest part of the book but in the end, she redeemed herself and turned out to have a nicer character than I expected!). 

I have to admit though… Sally’s view of love was a bit credulous. We all want the fuzzies, the bells etc. But we also know that most of them are a figure of speech and that even the greatest loves don’t always get along. So it was a bit strange to see Sally not understanding that bit while she dreams of finding her Mr. Darcy.. 

Harry couldn’t be more the opposite of Sally and the furthest away from any romcom hero. Seeing his parents and his ex, I could completely understand why he doesn’t believe in love. Logically he knows that movies are just a fantasy, and that none of whatever happens there would or could happen in real life. And having no example of love in his life, can you blame the guy he believes that love is just a fairy-tale?
However, his actions speak louder than his words, because even if he doesn’t realize it himself, he does things out of love… 

Seeing Sally and Harry together, as they are like chalk and cheese, was delightful, sweet, hilarious, heart – warming, steamy yet also a bit frustrating! Seeing them making the videos with their own twists made me laugh out loud, as we all know the real thing. I found it clever of the characters (and thus the author) how they managed to just own the scene by not being just a copy but added their own uniqueness to it.
And if I could see the sparks fly on the pages, can you imagine how they would spark around in the actual videos??? 

I said that I found it also frustrating, but in the sense of why-can-they-not-see-how-perfect-they-are-together?
While hanging too tight on their own beliefs, they would be able to not see the best thing right in front of them! 

I have said it before, and I can only confirm it once again, I absolutely adore this amazing author, as she writes funny, sweet, hot, amazing stories. Every time a new book comes out, I actually squeal out of joy, and just like with this story, while reading I have this sense of contentment as I am being in a wonderful place with lovely characters.
I don’t believe Kathryn Freeman can even disappoint me in any of her books!

A new start that turns out more unexpected than expected…

Synopsis

Thirty-five years ago, tragedy forced Bev Cooper to cut short her university studies and seek refuge in her hometown of Bellbird Bay. Today, as the owner of the thriving Pandanus Garden Centre and Café, Bev has moved beyond the past and is happy in her solitary existence.

Following the tragic death of his son’s wife, Iain Grant takes early retirement and moves with his devastated son and granddaughter to the peaceful coastal town of Bellbird Bay hoping it will provide the change of scene they all desperately need.

When Iain’s son accepts a position at Bev’s garden centre, the pair find themselves drawn into each other’s lives. But as they begin to enjoy an unexpected attraction, issues from the past threaten to derail their growing relationship.

Will the healing atmosphere of Bellbird Bay work its magic and provide a second chance in life, or will Bev find it too difficult to put the past behind her and enjoy her own happy ever after?

A heartwarming tale of family, friends, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.

My review

As far as anyone knows, Bev Cooper has never been in a relationship with anyone. She lives for her business, the Pandanus Garden Centre and Café and is happy in her solitary life. But no one knows that thirty – five year ago, Bev got her heart broken and that made her move to Bellbird Bay.
Iain Grant has recently taken earl retirement, after his son Bryan has lost his wife and is now a single father. The three of them move to Bellbird Bay to be away from all the reminders of what they have lost.
And when Bryan starts to work at Bev’s garden centre, Iain and Bev start to feel an attraction they haven’t felt in years.
But how far in the past is the past? And will Bev believe that she deserves another chance at love? 

Returning to Bellbird Bay is always an amazing trip. With each new story I fell more and more in love with the place and its magic, making me want to pack up my bags and make the move myself! 

This story begins with loss and grief, when we learn that Iain has lost his daughter – in – law and is now looking after not only his depressed son, but is also looking after his lovely granddaughter Mia.
I understood the decision he made to make a (temporary) move to Bellbird Bay, as everything would remind the broken family what they have lost if they just stayed.
It was a needed decision but also a courageous one, because it’s not easy to leave just everything behind and start a different life. 

But while Iain’s story may be a sad one, it was Bev’s tale that just broke my heart… First of all because it was so unexpected, as Bev seems so put together, happy with her life. But also because it shows that loss can take a long time to heal.
And then I am not talking about some serious revelations towards the end! 

Both Bev and Iain haven’t been the luckiest people when love was being distributed in the past, while them being so wonderful, kind, gentle and warm, they deserve all the love in the world.
And even when Bev shows some jealousy towards the many happy couples in Bellbird Bay, we could all see where she was coming from, and I had my fingers crossed she would find the courage to take that second chance at love. 

Without giving any spoilers here, I was amazed how Bev somehow deep down inside knew the truth before it even was proven as a fact. It shows that the heart knows more than we can imagine.

I truly like how Maggie Christensen writes lovely stories, making age just look like a number. Because it doesn’t matter how old or young you are, we all deserve a chance at love!
And seeing Bev and Iain getting closer, relying to each other for help, was just an injection of happiness. 

It wouldn’t be fair towards the other amazing stories if I would claim that this story was my favourite one, but it for sure had that little extra. Was it because both main characters are showing an amazing understanding? Or because they are amazing characters despite what they had to endure? I cannot say it was just one specific thing, as it was the complete story that captured my heart, showing the good in people and the good of (falling in) love…

How long can you keep running away?

Synopsis

Running away is what Tabitha Callahan does best until saying goodbye becomes too hard…

When successful songwriter Tabitha Callahan swaps a summer of sadness for pet sitting around the world, she intends to use the time to heal her broken heart.

Tabitha can’t believe her luck when she picks up a housesit on the rugged and beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira.

The villa is luxurious, the views breath-taking and her charges, a gorgeous but aloof cat and two cute and friendly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are perfect companions while she works on some new material and attempts to reconcile her past.

However, her peace is shattered when an unexpected house guest puts paid to her much-needed time alone, forcing her to confront not only her feelings but what she actually wants from life.

New friends and old dominate her time on the island, along with deep-rooted regret and unspoken sorrow.

Will a year of running away be enough to put the past to rest and allow someone new to inch into her heart?

My review

Tabitha Callahan, an amazing songwriter,  has used her pet sitting around the world as an excuse as she isn’t ready to face her broken heart.
Her latest job brings her to the wonderful island of Madeira, where she will look after a gorgeous cat and two delightful Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. With a breath-taking view in a great villa, Tabitha hopes to have the opportunity to work on some new material.
But what she doesn’t take in account is the unexpected guest at the door, the son of the owners of the villa, who hopes he can crash there for a short time.
Because with now an extra presence in the villa, Tabitha may realize that running away from everything and everyone may not be the answer, but that maybe now is the time to face her past, feelings and what she truly wants from life.
And facing those feelings also include facing the feelings that start to develop for Raff and the feelings she has for an old friend also residing on the island… 

So, my brother went on holiday to Madeira last year, and I was honestly a bit envious of it! But now I can gladly say I have been there too, while reading this amazing book! Isn’t that just wonderful, how a book can just take you to amazing place? 

Being a great animal – lover myself, I was intrigued by Tabitha, as she has found the perfect combination of going on holidays and ‘working’ at the same time, by looking after lovely pets. Of course, she is doing her main work as a songwriter at the same time, but just how amazing is it to travel all around the world, getting to see wonderful places and being surrounded by animals that will love you unconditionally? 

However, no matter how lovely Tabitha’s life seems to appear, it’s clear that it’s just not… She had her heart broken, but not only in the way I expected it to be…
While she truly loved her boyfriend, it takes strength and courage to walk away when it’s not the right kind of love.
But what truly wrenched my heart was the aftermath… While she was hesitant at first, only after losing she realized how much she truly wanted what she no longer had (taking very cryptic here I know…). 

While in Madeira, she also wants to grab the opportunity to reconnect somehow with her former, now famous, best friend. Maybe this subplot was a bit superficial, as I felt that it could be a little more present in the story, I also understood that it was important to make us understand Tabitha’s state of mind better, but it would take much more for Tabitha to heal completely. 

Tabitha’s story for sure saddened me, even if the more her story evolved, we saw her seeing the light somehow. And while running away may be the best solution for a specific moment, it cannot be the permanent answer…  

However, I was not prepared for Raff’s story. At the start, I have to admit, his laid – back attitude, his lack in understanding, made me didn’t actually fall for him immediately. But the more I got to know this man, the more I saw that he had so many demons defeated and still was trying to defeat…
It felt so wrong everything he had endured, and all because of a clash of expectations…
For the little I have seen from his parents, and the more I got to know what happened, the more I understood why there was no love lost between Raff and his parents…
And even towards the end, I could see why he wasn’t ready yet, as he wasn’t at the same place where Tabitha was. Yet I kept hoping… 

This story shows us that stepping away from everything, the right moment will come to see things more clearly. But walking away won’t solve all our problems, as we still need to confront them and talk openly about what’s haunting. Only then we can be able to see what direction we want our lives to take and move forwards to a life filled with happiness, joy and love…

What better way for a crime – writer to find her mojo back with a real – life mystery?

Synopsis

Jilted by her soap opera fiancé, crime writer August Saunders decides to return to her roots in rural Wiltshire. Determined to reignite her writing mojo, she rents a desk in a shared workspace in local Futtingbrook Farm.

The converted barn comes with a motley array of fellow users, including a matchmaker, a TikTokerwith a dodgy nocturnal side-line and an ethical clothes designer – causing August to realise she doesn’t have far to look for real-life plot fuel!

There’s also a real-life mystery for her to solve. Why is Max Ronson, the handsome but volatile owner, so evasive about his past? And who or what is he hiding on the premises? 

As August begins to unravel the shadowy secrets of Futtingbrook Farm, will her curiosity snuff out the spark of romance – or ignite it?

Nicola May uses her inimitable style to convey love, grief, and happiness, making Futtingbrook Farm as beloved a location as Ferry Lane Market or Cockleberry Bay.

Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Sarah Morgan, Jill Mansell,and Cathy Bramley.

My review

August Saunders didn’t expect to return from London back to Wiltshire with a broken heart. And how can she mend her broken heart when her ex seems to be enjoying his life, and it’s all splattered in the gossip sections?
Feeling lost, alone and without inspiration for her next book, she decides to respond to an advert for a shared workspace in a barn.
The Futtingbrook Farm offers a gym not that well equipped, a catering service best to be avoided and a bunch of fellow users, with their own reasons for renting a space.
Slowly August is finding her mojo back, thanks with the mysteries surrounding the place. What is the TikToker doing during the night?
And what about the owner of the Futtingbrook Farm, Max Ronson? Why doesn’t he want to talk about his past? And what else is he obviously hiding?
And why does August, despite her suspicions, finds herself attracted to him?

Okay, this is an easy review for me, because Nicola May did it again. Just when I think that she has reached her peak, and her best books have been out, she comes again with a great story and gets me hooked from the first page! 

From the start I sympathized with August (although, I was a bit confused initially as I kept thinking that August was a male name 😊).
She truly loved her ex and it’s obviously very difficult for her to just start thinking about moving on.
With a gentle push from her sister, she decides to rent out a space at The Futtingbrook Farm and then it all takes off.

I was amazed by how easy it all felt at The Futtingbrook Farm. While It could have been a case where everyone just works and doesn’t interact with each other, it felt like a warm, welcoming place, even if the catering services were… well I’ll let you discover that yourself!

Being a crime – writer, I perfectly understood August’s investigating wish, wanting to know exactly what is going on at the Farm. And while maybe I didn’t completely agree with her snooping around, I saw where she was coming from.

Slowly we see the real August again, a caring woman, not afraid of her own sexuality, but also with a tender heart. She doesn’t hesitate to help out for a good cause and when she starts volunteering, well, it melted my heart and I loved August even more!
And then her attraction towards Max…

Max is not always the easiest character to like. One moment he is super nice, and the next he is being an utter sh*t. And what about all that mysterious behaviour? It’s clear that it’s something dodge that is going on!
When he is being nice, he is truly easy to like. I loved the banter he had with August. And I could for sure understand the attraction.
But when he is being at his worst, it was really hard to like him. But the better I got to know him, the more I understood that he has his own problems to face, and doesn’t always choses the right way…

This book is filled with hilarious bits, beautiful moments, heart – breaking pieces and with heart – warming actions. A character like August shows us that behind everything, a whole story is hidden. And that events of the past can make us take wrong decisions but always with the best intentions. It’s easy to condemn those who are in the wrong, but it’s better to help them out and not push them deeper.

Nicola May wrote a story that is a slow build – up, but in the end you cannot not be happy about what you have been reading! This was for sure again a marvellous book and I cannot wait what else she has in store for us!