Tizi’s Book Review

Better a good neighbour than a distant friend…

Synopsis

When April moves into Hummingbird House, she is intrigued by her mysterious landlord, Dai. 

With a bruised heart and a distinct lack of furniture, she spends the summer getting to know the other occupants. As she smartens up her home and makes peace with her recent past, she befriends Paul, a solitary ex-chef, and Betty, an elderly lady who lives in the basement flat. 

But Hummingbird House holds many secrets, and the relationships of the tenants are not as straightforward as they seem. April learns some shocking truths one eventful night, and realises that victims and villains can look the same. 

The Landlord of Hummingbird House is a contemporary novel exploring unlikely friendships, unexpected love interests, and family relationships. Here, everyone is in need of a second chance – and appearances can be deceptive.

My review

April has recently moved into Hummingbird House. All she wants now is some peace and quiet after she got her heart broken.
While she is changing the place into her home, with the necessary redecorations, she quickly realizes that the other tenants are a close bunch and want her also in. Not only does she befriend ex – chef Paul, but also Betty, an elderly lady, is becoming quickly more than just a neighbour.
Even if the most tenants are a nice bunch, April is intrigued by Dai, as he is not that open and is behaving strangely.
Slowly April learns that not all the tenants are in a happy mental place. And when one night all the secrets are out, not everything is as easy as it seems, because there are always two sides on a story…

I don’t know what I initially expected from this story, but eventually it was not what I thought it would be.
And I don’t mean that I got disappointed, because I truly didn’t!

Having recently moved myself, I understood how hard it was for April for making her new place feel like actual home. but where I had all the necessary furniture at hand, she barely had anything.
And not knowing immediately what occurred to her, made it difficult to comprehend he and her actions completely.
However, slowly we get to know her better and when it’s clear where she came from, I could only admire her as she is trying to pick up the pieces again.

But this is not only April’s story. Because Dai surely intrigues her. He behaves very oddly, and isn’t that welcoming towards April.
And that is in complete contrast of what the other neighbours tell April. It’s obvious that they are all keeping something secret, and it’s obvious that it’s something devastating.

When reading a story where a young woman moves to another place, and meets new people, it would be an easy and natural assumption that the whole plot will involve some romantic business.
But the author took a whole different direction with this book.
In this tale we get to learn the hurt people had to endure and how difficult it can be to move on from a heart-breaking moment.
Every tenant have lived a moment of pain and each one has another way of coping with it. It’s easy as a reader to feel the pain and despair of the characters.

This isn’t a book that will make you laugh at loud, but its honesty and realism gave me a sense of contentment.

The author wrote a warm story, about random strangers, living in the same building, but connect. This connection is not overly romanticised, but very realistic, making it easier to believe and recognize.
This lovely story shows us how one action, like moving to a new place, can give us the support, friendship and love we need even if we don’t realize how much we need it.

People can be lovely, but also nasty

Synopsis

KIERA
Newly returned from backpacking around Europe, Kiera Merrick has landed a dream job – working for actress Stella Wynter, helping set up a memory room at Penmarra, her beautiful riverside home just outside Kingswater.

JAKE
Jake Paterson is currently staying with Stella after filming the final series of his popular TV drama. He is trying to work out how to get his co-star and long-term girlfriend Rachel Tyler back after she walked out on him. But Jake soon finds himself drawn to Kiera, developing feelings for her that have no place in his life. He realises painful choices will eventually have to be made. And someone is going to get hurt.

TOM
Stella’s godson, hapless Tom Armytage is also staying at Penmarra along with girlfriend Chantal. He dreams of becoming a successful property developer and hopes Chantal’s dynamic presence will boost his ambitions. To impress her he boasts that he is heir to all of Stella’s wealth.

CHANTAL
Chantal Porter is a woman used to getting her own way. Tom is her ideal partner; weak and easily manipulated. Listening to him talk about his inheritance, she likes the idea of being Penmarra’s next mistress. But Stella and Jake’s close relationship gives her cause for concern. Who is he? And could he be a threat to her future ambitions?

As Jake comes to a difficult decision and sets off for London to sort things out with Rachel, a heart broken Kiera is left to watch helplessly as Chantal puts in place a plan to secure Tom’s inheritance. One that will change Stella’s life for ever.

Set on the south coast of Cornwall, A Kingswater Summer is a story of love, deception, and family secrets…

My review

Kiera has returned to Kingswater for the wedding of her best friend Ava. Her backtracking around Europe has ended quicker than anticipated, but nobody would stop Kiera to be there on the happiest day of her best friend.
Her trip has shown her that she has to figure out what direction her life will take. Even if she doesn’t know what she wants, working for actress Stella Wynter, setting up a memory room, is a start of learning what her passions really are.
Stella has the company of Jake Paterson, who has to try to win back his girlfriend and co – star of a popular TV Drama, Rachel Tyler. Her walking out on him wasn’t what he expected, especially when he has an engagement ring ready.
However, the more time he spends on Kingswater, the more he finds himself drawn to Kiera even if they started off on the wrong foot.
But Rachel and his attraction towards Kiera isn’t his only problem… because even if not related, he wants to protect Stella from vultures, wanting to use Stella for their own schemes. And her godson Tom, with the influence of his girlfriend Chantal are surely not to be underestimated… 

Having read several books from this author, I knew that when I started with her latest story, it wouldn’t be a walk in the park…

It’s not only a romance, but there are so many twists, nasty characters (some predictable but also a few surprising ones) that our main characters are pulled into a real drama with thriller-esque bits. 

Kiera is the kind of character that you cannot not like. Her love for her family and friends and even the way she easily befriends Stella was something that made me smile.
The easiest way to describe Kiera is ‘pure’. She has a good sense of right and wrong, and she is a good judge of character, even if initially she clashes with Jake (and even several times 😊).
She enjoys working for Stella, but she enjoys spending time with Stella even more. And when Stella is not that well, she is honestly concerned. 

Jake is this typical oblivious man… and this is said with all the love I have for the man! His first meeting with Kiera, it’s obvious who is in fault, but he doesn’t see it and believes that Kiera is just being a snob. This bit made me laugh, because somehow, it was typically Jake.
But his love for Stella, and even for Rachel (even it’s obvious we are cheering for him getting together with Kiera!) was very sweet.
Even if Stella is not his mother, the feelings this pair have for each other are of such level. And I found it so sweet  how he looks after someone he cares so much about.

And Stella, even if she is a famous actress with even an Oscar, she is just so approachable and normal! And learning the how and why she took Jake in as a little boy, shows her kind and great heart!
And Erik… can I dognap him? Pretty please??? I need him in my life!!!  

But like I said, their story isn’t a walk in park…. How much I despised Tom, and just hoped that somehow he would grow a pair… I have never seen a character being so spineless and being just a waste of air… And Chantal, it’s obvious she is using Tom for her own hideous schemes and there isn’t a thing she wouldn’t do to get rich… even if that means using Tom’s connection with Stella. 

This story shows just how horrible people can be… but also how wonderful they can be. For every nasty bit Tom and Chantal are doing, there are the lovely moments with Kiera and Jake… And not only because of their shifting feelings, but it’s just the way they are that makes it so easy to like them.
Of course, some things they do were frustrating me, because in my mind they were the wrong thing to do, even if it was done with the best intentions (No Jake, I haven’t forgiven your behaviour in the restaurant yet!).

There were secrets and betrayals that left me totally flabbergasted, even if I shouldn’t have been surprised!
But the way our lovely characters handled them, was showing again how great they all are! 

This story was just impossible to put away, I wanted to see the love, but I also wanted to see justice prevail.
After each chapter I tried to put it aside, finding it being an impossible task!
I fell in love with the main characters, loved their story and even the nastier bits couldn’t diminish the heart – warming feelings I had!
Again a great accomplishment written by this author!

Of course having your best friend pretending to be your boyfriend is a perfect idea!

Synopsis

Faking it has never been so much fun…

In her ultra-competitive family, April Beckett is used to taking last place. For years, she’s put up with jabs about her modest job and her pathetic love life. Especially after she tried to impress her older sisters with a fake boyfriend in college and failed miserably. But now she has a smoking-hot date for her brother’s wedding, guaranteed to wow them.

Until he bails. Cue total desperation.

Without April’s friendship, Brody Blackwood wouldn’t have survived his last breakup. So, if she needs a plus-one for a family wedding, he’s all in. Even if it means pretending to be her boyfriend. And committing to six days of activities at a wooded resort in Wisconsin. But how hard could a relaxing getaway with your best friend be?

Too bad there’s a grueling 10K race and a cutthroat trivia night to endure. Not to mention a massive secret to protect. But will the biggest secret of all turn out to be that this fake relationship feels more real than April or Brody ever imagined?

My review

April Beckett is looking forward to her brother’s wedding. Especially as now she can proof that her boyfriend Chris really exists and is not another fake boyfriend like she pretended to have in college.
But when Chris bails, it’s the proverbial straw, and April breaks off the relationship. However, as she doesn’t want to show up alone at the wedding as the Beckett family is very competitive in just everything, she needs help from her best friend Brody.
Brody couldn’t be more grateful for April’s friendship, especially after his last breakup. So ‘sacrificing’ a week and posing as her boyfriend is the least he could do.
Brody gets to know the real meaning of a competitive family, and learns how April had to endure years of jabs and has been making fun of for too long.
So it’s obvious that he becomes just the perfect boyfriend for April! Because it’s all pretend, right? 

Why is it that I like romances of the type ‘best friends to more’? I just love reading such stories, not only to see the developing feelings, but also seeing the fear in the main characters’ because risking their friendship if things wouldn’t work out, would be terrible!
And this story even added more dilemma’s and heart-warming moments, giving me the total package! 

April is one of the easiest characters to love. It’s obvious she has a lot of love to give, but she also has a low self – esteem. Being in a competitive family, and not excelling in sports like your sisters, doesn’t help at all!
And having just every one questioning when you’ll get a real job, a real boyfriend, well, I understood why she asked Brody to cover for her.
Because even Chris is not the boyfriend she dreamed of, but she has ben settling for less, for just having someone to love and have someone that gives you some affection.
But let make things VERY VERY clear: April is just perfect the way she is. Her love for movies, her care for her friends, and even those insecurities, what’s not to like? If possible, I wanted to have her as a friend! 

Brody is not an unknown character, as I have enjoyed reading the first book of this series. (Yes, you can read this one as a standalone, but why would you when you have another lovely book to read!)
The way he got his heart broken, was just terrible, because he just deserves better! He also deserves someone who loves him for just who he is, weirdness included! 

I loved reading how protective these best friends were towards each other. And seeing how Brody started to see April in a whole different light, and protects her even from some nasty remarks from her sisters, made my heart melt. 

Now, of course, not everything will run smoothly in this story, and it’s not really a spoiler when I say that the deceit will be discovered.
Of course there will be appearances that will make things turn for the worse, and I was nearly screaming for both April and Brody to just do the right thing and follow their hearts! 

I loved reading every bit of this story, it was just lovely, heart – warming, swoon – worthy and sometimes even hilarious! I fell completely in love with these characters, as they are so normal and recognizable and absolutely loveable and adorable!
another sweet success from the imagination of this author that is slowly stealing bigger chunks of my bookheart!

Why should anyone ever want to grow up when life is all about partying and having fun!

Synopsis

Twenty-seven year old Taylor Quinn rocks the three I’s. She’s immature, impulsive, and totally inappropriate. Now  thatshe’s been admitted to the Sweet Water Circle, a group of long-time friends now in their 30s and 40s who love to push each other to be their best selves, Taylor is tasked with growing up. God knows they have no hope of curing her inappropriate behavior. After calling for a Sweet Water Circle intervention, fellow Circle member and Taylor’s boss, Shelly, puts Taylor on the clock: figure out what she wants to do with her life or join the unemployment line. Who knew getting paid to do nothing wasn’t a long-term career option? Taylor certainly didn’t, so of course, she rebels. Why think about the future when she’s having so much fun in the present? 

The pressure on Taylor intensifies when the a love match set for Shelly falls for Taylor instead. This love match is none other than Benjamin Bach (Billionaire Ben), a contemporary of the Sweet Water Circle who has since made it big in Silicon Valley. Should Taylor take Ben on as her sugar daddy or pursue her own career? Or will the Sweet Water Circle’s top-heavy nemesis, Sasha, beat her to it?

Follow Taylor on a journey of self discovery and misadventure (and total inappropriateness) in love and life. If you’ve read Project Kaitlyn or Jenn Reinvented you know that full maturity for Taylor is out of the question, but perhaps partial maturation is possible? Or maybe not. How can Taylor grow up and find her passion and still be Taylor? You’ll laugh out loud as she tries.

With hysterical antics, witty and humorous dialogue, and a strong character arc, you’ll love the follow-up to Project Kaitlyn and Jenn Reinvented. Taylor Partially Matured is the third book in the hilarious Sweet Water Circle series, exploring the relationships, life adventures, and personal growth of a small circle of friends, who you’re gonna want to hang out with, which is good, because their stories are ready to be told in the rest of the Sweet Water Circle series!

My review

Taylor Quinn is twenty seven years old, but while people of her age are settling down, Taylor surely doesn’t want to settle down. She enjoys partying all the time, hooking up with Cash once in a while and working is totally unnecessary.
However, now being part of the Sweet water Circle, means that her friends have called for an intervention, forcing Taylor to figure out what she wants to do or end up without a job. But when she meets Benjamin Bach, she has a whole new idea: could she turn Billionaire Ben into her sugar daddy?
Or will her nemesis Sasha finally be able to get her claws into him?

So… when I read a book, I am that kind of person that immediately likes the main characters. Because after all, it’s their story and their search for a happily ever after.
And in the previous books of this series, that was certainly the case!
However, in this book, Taylor was not the kind of person I liked…

She is the real party girl, isn’t afraid of shocking people and surely doesn’t think before she speaks. She has a job, but she thinks that working hours are VERY flexible and surely nobody expects her to do some actual work!
It’s like she stayed in her rebellious teenage years, even if she is at the age you are supposed to know better.
So I perfectly understood the intervention of the Sweet Water Circle, and thought they were even being too nice, because her attitude would have gotten her fired even sooner if she were working somewhere else.
But instead of getting her head straight, her solution is making Ben her sugar daddy… and honestly, I even disliked her even more after that thought of her!

Of course, if Taylor was truly such a horrible person, I wouldn’t enjoyed reading this story. But while she is seducing Ben, we also get to see how Taylor, subconsciously, is changing. Because Ben is being her total opposite, she wants to show him how to have some fun. And while Ben is learning to enjoy the fun parts of life, Taylor is learning that growing up doesn’t mean that “fun” is out of the picture.

Taylor and Ben couldn’t be more different, but as so often, opposites attract. Ben is a real workaholic, and even if he is not having a great time with his business, it has his whole focus.
I found it sweet to read how Ben is being persuaded by Taylor to have more fun. And just to learn that Ben is actual a great guy! Yes, having money surely helps him to woo Taylor, but he also has a funny side. The trip to Paris surely wasn’t what Taylor thought would be!

Even is Taylor growing up, she remains herself, and that causes so many hilarious moments! I will never think of a pinkie in the same way!
But seeing Taylor trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life, and learning the hard way nothing comes easy, gave me a kind of proud feeling.

I found this a hilarious story to read, fitting completely with the other stories of the series. Taylor IS partially maturing, thanks to the Sweet Water Circle cheering for her. Learning how to grow up can be scary, but seeing your own potential can be so rewarding.
And seeing how Taylor is changing for the better, even realizing that someone is keeping secrets, and doing the right thing with it, changed my whole opinion over her, making me even like her a lot in the end!

And now I am looking forward to the next story of this series!

When your new job brings you to the magic of Florence…

Synopsis

Sofia Marino is focused on one thing, finding the ideal job… 

When she lands the opportunity to work for Peter Williams at Sublime Retreats, it’s a dream come true and the last thing on her mind is romance.

Then an unfortunate accident means she has to go to Florence with the cold and standoffish Adam Flynn, and she knows she will have to put up with him for two whole weeks. Determined to prove her worth to the company, she throws herself into making the trip successful and dragging Adam out of his shell.

As the sparks begin to fly and Florence seduces them both, will Adam let his guard drop despite his father’s concerns about Sofia’s family ties and can she finally find a man that her brothers will approve of?

My review

Sofia Marino is over the moon that she has convinced Peter Williams at Sublime Retreats that she would be perfect for the position of P.A.
And when Peter’s better half is in an accident, he requests that Sofia takes his place in the trip to Florence, searching for the perfect place to stay as the latest addition to Sublime Retreats’ portfolio.
However, her enthusiasm is diminished when it’s clear that she has to work with Adam Flynn, who acts cold and standoffish. But Sofia is ready to show Adam she can be a real asset and is determined to make this trip a success.
Florence brings Sofia and Adam closer, but even if sparks fly around, both their families are not that easy to persuade of the good intentions of the new love interest…

A story taking place in Florence + romance + an Italian family + funny moments + great characters + Sublime Retreats = the perfect combination to let me enjoy this latest story from Joy Skye!

I had the best time reading this story!

Sofia is a member of a typical Italian family, everyone knows better than you, everyone interferes and has their own opinion.
And trust me, I know what I’m talking about, being Italian myself!
But beside being from an Italian family, Sofia is so easy to like! Her gaffe right at the start was hilarious, yet also something recognizable. Because wouldn’t that be the worst thing happening at a job interview?
And her enthusiasm is truly infectious! Having been to Florence myself a few time, I can still remember being just in awe discovering the place for the first time.

Adam was initially a sad character. The relationship with his father is a strained one. Not because something happened between them, but his father is still focused on a cold case even if he is retired. The both of them are rather introvert, not talking about their feelings.
However, in Florence we see how Adam is more open and starts to see things through Sofia’s eyes.

This was a wonderful story to read, I loved the attraction between Sofia and Adam, and seeing how these cute people were getting closer and also just giving in!
But I found it also hilarious how Adam’s father, Jack, thought how Sofia and her family were involved in something dodgy!

I have one tiny point that irritated me a little bit. Of course I loved it how the chapters had Italian titles. But some words, addressed to Sofia were used in the male form, while there is a female form of that word (Piccolo – Piccola or Bambino – Bambina)
However, I know that this is something typically, annoyingly me, and it didn’t cause a lesser liking of the story!

This story takes you to Florence as a reader, makes you not only fall in love with the place, but also with all the characters in it, even those who may seem being part of a not so legal adventure!
This was again another great work of the author, making me dream of places I want to visit again and why not, make the place make me find that special love too!

Could you help the person that once broke your heart?

Synopsis

A forgotten past…

Could pave the way to forever!

When millionaire Mansur Ali is called urgently home to Somaliland, he’s shocked to find that the woman who broke his heart needs his help. After an accident, Amal has lost many memories…including Manny’s marriage proposal and her rejection! Manny will help her seek treatment in Addis Ababa, but he’s resolved to keep his heart firmly off-limits. A promise that is tested when their journey brings them closer than ever before…

My review

When Mansur Ali received a call from his mother, asking for his help, he doesn’t hesitate to fly back to Somaliland even if it’s not something that makes him happy.
But no matter how he feels about returning home, there isn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for his mother.
However, he couldn’t be surprised more when it appears that the help is not for his mother, but for Amal. Amal, who refused Manny’s marriage proposal and broke his heart. After an accident Amal has lost her memory and now Manny has to help seeking treatment in Addid Ababa.
Not being able to refuse his mother’s pleas, Manny offers his help, but is determined to keep his heart closed. Because there is no way Manny and Amal will be getting closer, right?

When I read a book, 99.99% of the times it’s taking place somewhere I can easily relate to. If the story is settles in the U.S. or U.K. or Europe, it’s easier for me to get totally submerged into it
So having this story mainly taking part in Somaliland, made me struggle a little bit more with it, because I honestly have no idea what is typical for this place, or how it looks like. If you say London, it’s easy to picture Westminster, Big Ben and even Buckingham Palace.
But If you ask me something famous in Somaliland, I cannot answer you…

However, don’t think I didn’t enjoy this romance!

Not only is Manny forced to return to his family, even if he is being successful in Pittsburgh, it’s clear that there are still ghosts from the past haunting him.
And when he is faced with the woman who broke his heart, it’s obvious and understandable he wants to leave as soon as possible.
However, his behaviour also shows how caring he is. His love for his mother is not that surprising, but also when he realizes what is going on with Amal, he wants to help her, no matter what happened in the past.

I cannot imagine what Amal has to endure, not only she has lost her most recent memories, but she also had to face the reality about her family. The love for her brothers are unquestionable, but her father’s behaviour… well, I won’t give him the satisfaction of wasting more words!

I loved reading how for Manny this was a love story with a second chance, but for Amal it was a love story with its first chance.
And it was sweet to see even when Amal didn’t have any recognition of Manny, she still was feeling this attraction towards him. For me, this is proof that even when the mind doesn’t recognize someone, the heart always does and always will.

This was an entertaining story, and maybe even a bit too short for me! I would have liked to see more the dynamic between these two characters.
It took me to an unknown place, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like it.
The author wrote a story with perhaps a not surprising ending, but the start and the rush to the climax surely was!

The reality of a reality TV show

Synopsis

‘Hilarious and highly original’

Julie Houston, bestselling author of A Village Affair

Once upon a time, twelve women joined the hottest reality TV show looking for love. Except one had a secret identity . . .

Abby Jones is a serious writer. Or at least she will be, one day. Right now, she spends her time writing recaps of reality television under a secret identity.

When a recap for The Stag – the must-watch dating show – goes viral, her editor thinks she should be on set, writing the drama as it happens. The good news: the next season will be filmed in Sydney. Sun, sea and a glamorous trip abroad, this could be Abby’s big break.

The bad news: the producers don’t just want Abby to write the recaps, they want her to be on the show. Abby can’t think of anything worse than being undercover and followed around by cameras. But her career depends on it, and when she meets gorgeous producer Jack, Abby begins to wonder if this job might not be so bad after all . . .

My review

Abby Jones didn’t expect that her article of the latest reality television would go viral. Her thoughts, written under a pseudonym, over The Stag, are a success in such a way that her editor thinks that Abby should be on set and live the all the drama from the front seat.
not only does this mean that Abby has to fly over to Sydney, but suddenly she is also a contestant on the show.
Will Abby be able to keep her cover from the other contestants? And are friendships made during the show real? And most important, will Abby be able to resist gorgeous producer Jack, who knows about her part on the show?

I am not a great fan of reality shows where women are trying to make a man fall in love with them. Not because I don’t believe in love (happy single over here!!!) but I find it demeaning that women should fight over a man, while the man just has to pick out a woman out of a bunch who would do anything for his attention and affection…
But when this lovely author wrote a book about a dating show, I just *HAD* to read it!

I liked it that Abby was just so normal! She writes what everyone is thinking while watching such shows. Even if she is not using her own name, her thoughts match perfectly mine!
Abby is just so easy to like and love, even if her self – esteem surely could be on a higher level, because she is just so amazing!

Sydney is the place where the Games truly start. Like Abby said herself, in each show you can divide the contestants into different groups, like the Villians, the Dark Horses, the Bride etc. and how hilarious it was to easily divide the participants into these groups and see how nice/lovely/despicable/awful the women could be.

I had to admit, I had rolled my eyes several times reading how the women were seeking the attention of The Stag Daniel, because he was just so easy not to like, being so superficial and just having no own thoughts…
And knowing some of the ladies better, I just wished they could see they all deserved better! Especially knowing that so many moments are being staged behind the scenes!

Talking about behind the scenes, can I have a Jack myself? Not only is he gorgeous (yeah yeah, I know looks aren’t everything, but it surely helps, even for a happy single like me!) but he is kind, caring and just perfect in every way!

This was hilarious, funny, but also heart – warming story to read! I liked this from the start until the very end!
The author managed to write a captivating story, showing us what happens behind the scenes of a reality show, but also showing us that love can come when you least expect it and that it can be an opportunity to let your life take a different direction.
But also that friendships can be made at the strangest locations, and even if not all the friendships can be kept alive, the most important can stand the test of time, place and the tests that life gives us!

I had high expectations for the author, and she managed to even exceed them! And the ending was just perfect for my own feelings, because no man is worth of women to fight over! The right man has only eyes for you and surely sees the real you, in all your beauty, inside and outside!

A forced position switch with a lot at stake.

Synopsis

Married couple Molly and Dan are forced to swap lives. But will it bring them closer together or drive them even further apart?

It was only a blip. Just a little mistake. But in the world of television, Dan Whitehead’s little slip could cost him his career.

His only chance is to swap roles with his wife, Molly, who also works part-time, behind the scenes at the show. It’s just for a couple of months. Easy. What’s so hard about looking after their twins and taking a step away from the limelight for a bit? Only, it’s not quite as simple as Dan may think.  With more time, his past begins to haunt him. Then, when a friendly school-mum offers him the comfort he needs, is she everything she seems?

Meanwhile, Molly is more than happy in her sweatshirt and leggings. Why would she want to go back on-screen when she doesn’t even like leaving the house? But she needs to save her husband’s job. After all, it is her fault.  Then, when she’s offered an exclusive interview on the other side of the world, her life in Cherry Blossom Park is under threat. Why is she the only person to ever be offered this interview?  Dan must never know the truth.  

The Juggle is more than just a story about parents keeping everything in the air. It’s about secrets from the past and hopes for the future.

It asks the question – is a marriage every big enough for two dreams to come true?

My review

After messing up big time on live television, Dan Whitehead’s career is at risk. To make things even worse, now he has to swap jobs with his wife!
Molly isn’t jumping at this new opportunity. She enjoys just working one day at the week, and then taking care of her twins. But how can she refuse if the other option is that Dan loses his job?
Dan now finds himself struggling with looking after the kids, and having his wife in his spotlight. And when Molly appears to have exclusive interviews, Dan becomes even more jealous of her success.
The genie is totally out of the bottle when Molly is requested to have an interview with a millionaire who has never given an interview before. And he only wants her, and it’s on the other side of the world.
While everyone in Cherry Blossom Park is proud of Molly, Dan finds himself on the receiving side of the attention from a friendly school – mum, who has an offer that is impossible to refuse.
Will this swap turn out to be the start of the ending of a marriage that started as love at first sight? Or will the swap turn out to be what this couple needed to see the real Molly and Dan again?

I always enjoy reading a story where a husband and wife swap jobs and then the wife appears to be better at the husband’s job than the other way around. I find it hilarious to see how the man is struggling with tasks that seen so mundane to us women.

Even if there are many moments that made me laugh, this is also showing how far things can go, and not always for the better…

And that’s the beauty of this story. It shows us the perks of doing something completely different, but also the downsides.
Molly is comfortable in just yoga pants and hoodie, so forced to be standing in front of the camera is not something she is looking forward to.
But with the help of some great friends, she manages to get strike after strike. Of course it helps that she knows so many people in Cherry Blossom Park, making people wanting to talk to her.

But when her success is being noticed and even a ghost from the past is requesting specifically after her, the story took a turn I didn’t want it to take.
Because the shared past was a bigger one than initially thought.
Also Dan is taking a direction I didn’t like, even if he had total different motives. And Jessica, the school – mum is surely not easy accepting “no” for an answer.

I loved those flashbacks, seeing how Molly and Dan got together and how it was almost love at first sight and how their relationship evolved to that deeper connection.
And those bits of Help with Helen were really useful, not only for married people, but just for each one of us, because the advice she is giving is really helpful!
The community of Cherry Blossom Park was also wonderful to read, the close friends of Molly and Dan were the kind of friends I want to have myself, and just all the inhabitants, even the grumpier ones, are great to read about. And even when it’s clear that there is something dodgy going on, my heart went out for the duped ones.

This book was very entertaining to read. I cannot say lovely, because until the very end I did not have a clue the direction the characters would take. and even if I had my own preference, there was this big chance of changing just everything, leaving me biting my nails because I was so anxious and hoping that the ending would be what I wanted it to be.
The author managed to put perfectly into words what a couple can be going through, when out of their comfort zone.
The characters know when they are in the wrong – doing, but so much like in real life, it’s easier to be sulking and ignoring the hurt we are causing to our loved ones.

But even if the couple is facing a crisis like they never faced before, the love is still there, and the lengths they would go to protect each other, is heart –warming.

This is a very realistic story about real feelings and inner demons each and every one is facing. But it’s also about seizing opportunities and making the best of a situation. And eventually, you’ll never know what a change in your life will turn out to be for your future!

Even terrible news can be the start of a brand new bright chapter!

Synopsis

Life is better lived in the moment

Meet Alex. She has a wonderful fiancé, a job she thrives in, and a best friend she’s known since childhood. Life’s not perfect, but it’s pretty fantastic. Until a shock diagnosis suddenly throws everything off course.

But Alex has never been one to back down from a fight. Now single and unemployed, she packs up and moves from her Glasgow hometown to vibrant Birmingham for a fresh start. In a new job, in a new city, she’s learning all over again what’s important in life.

Friendship, fun and even romance lie just around the corner – but can Alex get out of her own way and learn to just take a moment, and live?

A stunning, uplifting romance for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Jo Watson.

My review

Life couldn’t be better for Alex. She cannot wait to marry Dom, the man of her dreams, she is great in her job and she has a best friend since childhood.
But everything changes when an apparently innocent incident turns out to be a life changing shock diagnosis.
So even being suddenly unemployed and single, won’t stop her. And refusing of being seen as “lesser” person, she decides to leave Glasgow for Birmingham for a fresh start.
A new place where almost nobody knows about her health issues, is what Alex needs to feel alive again and learn what truly matters in life.

Ooh how did I devour this book???? I found it just impossible to put it away!

I immediately liked Alex, she is this cheerful, energized happy woman, ready to jump over every hurdle.
Being a little bit clumsy and easily distracted myself, I didn’t see her being like me like signs that there would be something wrong with her.
And even when she has this tiredness over her, I saw it just as a sign that she was working too hard, having stressful moments at her work etc.
However, when it all takes a turn for the worse, and she is diagnosed with her disease, I was left flabbergasted!
Of course, reading the blurb you know that there is something wrong with her health, but having *that* disease at her age, was heart – breaking!

However, I admired Alex and her positivism, as she won’t allow her disease to take control over her life. And yes, obviously there will be moments that she won’t be able to do just how she plans, but she is adamant of not letting her life revolve around her condition.
She doesn’t want to be treated differently, and that clashes with just everyone around her.

I understand both perspectives…
Alex just want to have a normal life, while her parents, her sister, her fiancé and best friend are afraid of Alex relapsing.
I understand Alex still wanting to do things she normally used to do, and not being treated like she has a dead sentence and could drop dead any instance.
But on the other hand, I understand her loved ones too… having this disease isn’t surely a walk in the park, and over exhausting yourself is a recipe for paying later the consequences. So when Alex moves to Birmingham, it was just right for her, even if it caused a breach with her family.

I loved how she was welcomed at her new job, it seems a place I want to work myself! With the exception of Danielle of course, that was the only negative of the whole place!
And when she meets Matt again, it was just everything I wished for Alex! Matt is the kind of man I could fall in love too. He does things that made me not only swoon but sometimes even drool! 😄

I followed her need to hide her disease to her new friends and colleagues, because she knows that people will start to treat her differently, but when things with Matt evolve to something more, I just wished she could see how different Matt is.

This story had my heart broken, but it also had my heart skip a few beats of excitement! Alex’ courage and determination are inspiring, those nearby her show us how difficult it is to act ‘correctly’ in such circumstances.
I found this a wonderful, meaningful story to read, showing a woman ready to start all over again (which can be difficult as a standalone fact), but also facing the reality that she has to live her life differently (which doesn’t mean a lesser good life!)

The author managed to grasp the limitations Alex is and will be facing. Life will never be the same, but you can choose to make the best of it, and even start adventures you never dared to do before, or you can just sit back and let life pass you by.
Having an illness doesn’t per se mean giving up on everything. You maybe cannot do everything like before, but there are so many things you can still be doing, as long as you listen to the signs your body is sending.
And even having an illness doesn’t mean love won’t come your way anymore, because the right person won’t be afraid to face the darker moments together with you, because the lighter moments will make it all worth of it!
And if that is not worth fighting for…

A fresh start in France, with family you don’t know very well, couldn’t be easier, right?

Synopsis

Escape to hills high above the French Riviera with international bestseller Jennifer Bohnet.

After tragically losing her husband, Nicola Jacques and her teenage son Oliver relocate to his father’s family’s Olive Farm in the hills above the French Riviera.

Due a family feud, Oliver has never known his fathers’ side of the family and Grandpapa Henri is intent that Oliver will take over the reins of the ancestral farm and his rightful inheritance.

Determined to keep her independence from a rather controlling Grandpapa, Nicola buys a run-down cottage on the edge of the family’s Olive Farm and sets to work renovating their new home and providing an income by cultivating the small holding that came with the Cottage.

As the summer months roll by, Nicola and Oliver begin to settle happily into their new way of life with the help of Aunts Josephine and Odette, Henri’s twin sisters and local property developer Gilles Bongars.

But the arrival of some unexpected news and guests at the farm, force Nicole and Aunt Josephine to assess what and where their futures lie.

This book was previously published as The French Legacy.

My review

Nicola Jacques is still coping with the loss of her husband Marc. Also her son Oliver is still struggling knowing that his rather absent father will never return back home after his trips.
So when Oliver’s grandfather Henri wants them to relocate to the family’s olive farm, Nicola and Oliver pack their belongings.
Not because Nicola really wants to go, but Henri is adamant that Oliver will take over the farm in time and his inheritance. And moving to France is the only way for Oliver to receive what in the future will be his, as dictated by Henri.
Is moving to France the right solution, removing Oliver from a life he knows? And even if Nicola bought a cottage to keep their independence, will Henri not interfere with their lives?

I cannot imagine to pack just everything and make the move to a whole different country. There is not only the logistics, but also just leaving a life behind you…
To start all over again, for me it would be pure horror!

But of course, I understood Nicola’s reasoning, she surely wouldn’t want Oliver to miss his inheritance or the choice of what he will want to do in the future.
However… me being a bit mistrusting, if I were in Nicola’s shoes I would have done a little bit of more research, to see what legally was right and what not.
Because things she discovers later, could have been avoided.
But of course, if she did, we wouldn’t have this wonderful story!

Nicola is a strong woman, even if she is heart – broken, and that was even before she lost her husband in a terrible accident. She wants her independence, not wanting anyone to tell her what to do or not. However, the only thing that matters, is Oliver. She truly has a mother’s heart, wanting to do everything to have a happy son (obviously she isn’t saying to just everything, because she can also be strict when necessary).

I found it heart – warming to see how Nicola and Oliver are adapting to a whole different life, and how easy it all went. Yes, there are hurdles to jump over, but they quickly embrace the French way of living.
Also I found it sweet how Oliver loved working on the farm and even made Henri change for the better.

There is one character whose story broke my heart, and that’s Andrew’s… he is a good friend of Nicola and Oliver. And even if his feelings are reciprocated, he shows what real friendship is about. And what happens to him, is just terrible. It left me just shocked!

Reading how Nicola is trying to keep Henri from interfering too much, with the help of Aunts Josephine and Odette, was funny, even if it can be frustrating having to cope with such a stubborn man. but the Aunts surely manage to make him see when he’s wrong!

Yes, there is some romance involved in this story, and it’s not only Nicola meeting local property developer Giles Bongars. There is also a past love story making a reappearance, uncovering a hurtful past.
But for me, this was a story about family.
Because whatever Nicola decides, it’s for her family she is doing it. She knows how important family is, even if there are members in it that you don’t know.

This story was a perfect read, if you’re looking to escape to France yourself, but it was also heart – warming. Because all characters have faced tragedies, but slowly find a way to get past their grieve and reconnect with those who matter, and even change for the better.

I loved reading this story, as it was exactly what I expected from this author and this genre. This book shows us how difficult moving to another country can be, but on the other hand also how rewarding it can be. And that even after tragedies, happiness can be found again.