Tizi’s Book Review

When looking plain is finally what is needed

Synopsis

Who applies for a job asking for an unattractive woman?

Probably someone having the worst day of her young life.

Heart-broken Millie just lost everything, including her confidence, and desperately needs a job, a new home and a new start.

With nothing but a little courage, she sails to La Canette, atiny rustic island in the English Channel. Her impossibly grumpy new boss doesn’t allow cars or street lights on his island and he keeps trying to fire her. 

Despite all this, she makes new friends who help her rediscover her laughter and the beautiful little island full of unique wild flowers awaken Millie’s long-lost dreams. Gradually she blossoms into the beautiful confident womanshe is meant to be.

The only danger is her boss’ son. 

George might look like a knight in shining armour, but he’s sick and tired of being seen as a catch. Is it too much to ask that a woman love him for himself not his position or money?How can he allow himself to fall for Millie when she is exactly the kind of woman who needs a knight in shining armour.

If you enjoy the novels of Heidi Swain, Carole Matthews and Sue Moorcroft, you’ll love this beautiful, funny and moving novel.

 

Praise for Plain Jane Wanted

★★★★★ “An incredible story, couldn’t put it down. The perfect romantic comedy and New Start romance. A story of courage, hope, and healing – guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings.” BestReads Book Club

★★★★★ “The cast of characters you’ll wish you knew in real life. It’s an absolute joy from beginning to end.”

★★★★★ “A gorgeous, funny, heart-warming love story about starting over.” 

“Milly is incredibly relatable, with a good sense of humour and sincerity.” Harper Colins

★★★★★“The location is just exquisite. Imagine a charming cove, fields of flowers, long evenings in a warm cosy kitchen with great friends … a touch of passion and the best proposal scene I’ve ever read…”

My review

Millie is not having an easy time at all. Not only has her marriage ended in betrayal, but her marriage also made her feel small, and even mousy. To make things worse, she also is now without a job, and even without a home. Oh, of course things are getting even worser, as she has an awful encounter with a handsome yet obnoxious man after an incident. So Millie is more than ready for a new and fresh start. And there is one advert that catches her eye, where a Plain Jane is needed. The fact that she is going to have to move to a little island of the English Channel, known as La Canette. With a lot of enthusiasm yet a little bit of trepidation, she starts her new job. But quickly she realizes that it won’t be an easy task, as her boss is not only an actual Lord, but also impossibly grumpy. Yet Millie quickly makes new friends and starts to feel that she has found a place where she belongs, surrounded by wild flowers and wild herbs. But not everyone is happy with Millie’s arrival at La Canette, because George, the Lord’s son, is wary of Millie and her intentions. And it doesn’t help that he is the obnoxious man Millie has met previously. And also the fact there is an obvious relationship between the Lord and George is obvious to anyone. So when Millie and George start to feel an attraction, will it also be an opportunity to heal several hurts of the past? And what about the fact that Millie promised herself to never let a man getting close enough to hurt her and make her lose her confidence again?

Before I start talking about the book, what I liked about it and what I loved about the main characters, and perhaps what I didn’t like, I need to get something off my chest… FINALLY there is appreciation for a Nissan Micra!!! I have a cute little Micra myself, and as I adore her (yes, it’s a ‘her’), I was over the moon that someone choose this car!

My heart broke at the start of the book, because what Millie has gone through and is still going through. I felt also so much anger towards her (ex) husband Henry. What started as a beautiful romance, turned over time into something truly ugly. While initially I could understand that the choice has been made to prioritize Henry’s career, seeing other chances, and Henry belittling Millie more and more, even making her feel invisible, that was just ugly, making me almost literally sick…

Thus when she first meets George, which isn’t a pleasant encounter, but she finally stands up to him (perhaps driven too much by her emotions), I was happy. Because it’s clear that she has had enough of people taking advantage of her, and starts to find her voice again.

That first encounter is the start of Millie’s journey, not only literally as she heads off to La Canette, but also the emotional journey.

And I loved reading how Millie stands up to Lord Du Montfort, right from the start was just hilarious but also admirable! It is clear that she is not going to take cr*p from anyone anymore, but she also seems to understand that there is more to the Lord than that he may show.

I don’t know why Millie sees herself as mousy. Yes, her past circumstances didn’t benefit her, but everyone can clearly see that she is just a wonderful person, even if those that were supposed to support her, were belittling her.

On La Canette, it feels that Millie can finally not only breathe her freedom, but also learn who she is, as she has lost that over the years. And with a beautiful setting, seeing Millie finding her dreams and passions again, just marvellous!

While this is absolutely Millie’s journey and her personal progress, obviously there is also room for romance. But of course, it cannot be just a straightforward romance!

The very first impression of George isn’t one of the best. But in that same situation, he starts to redeem himself rather quickly. But that doesn’t mean that he is an easy man to read or to understand.

The animosity between George and his father is palpable from each page whenever they are sharing the scene together. And I was very curious to learn where that it was all coming from, because it is also clear that the past truly scarred George, but also scared George.

And perhaps it’s him being scared to truly allow himself to feel, and his need to run away at moments, made me want to slap his head a few times. Just because there is so much potential that could emerge way sooner, if he would just dare to open up, to stay and even to listen.

So this in also George’s journey, which he starts together with Millie. Because without Millie, George couldn’t go through his emotional rollercoaster. But without George, Millie’s growth wouldn’t be that gripping, that significant.

What started perhaps for me what would be an easy story, was a wonderful story, with amazing characters that go through an emotional journey, a journey that put new people on their paths, but also makes them understand themselves much better, allowing them also to put the past behind them and learn about their dreams again.

When the man you have loved for years suddenly becomes your roommate…

Synopsis

Could there be room for attraction?

Hunter has secretly been in love with her best friend’s brother Dylan for years, despite barely registering as a blip on his radar. She’s not even in the friend zone—more like friend zone adjacent. But her luck is about to change: Dylan is taking over her spare room, and she’s being promoted to roommate. Could this be the moment Dylan finally notices her?

Not so fast. When Dylan moves in, he carries more than just boxes—he brings complications. Suddenly, the dream of living under the same roof turns into a daily struggle. Dylan is off-limits, for reasons Hunter couldn’t have anticipated, and the closer they get, the harder it becomes to ignore her feelings.

But Hunter’s determined to keep her heart in check—no matter how difficult the task. She just has toavoid ogling him in a towel. Definitely don’t imagine what’s under the towel. And try not to swoon when he bakes cookies.

But after he saves her from a terrible date and they’re forced to share a sofa bed at his parents’ house, her emotions reach a breaking point. She’ll have to either move on or move out. Will she tell him the truth—or lose him forever?

The Roommate Experiment is a roommates-to-lovers, forced proximity, STEMinist rom-com perfect for fans of Lynn Painter, Sarah Adams, and Abby Jimenez.

My review

Ever since Hunter laid her eyes on Dylan, her best friend’s brother, she has fallen in love with him, and that feeling never went away. But no matter how she felt or still feels about Dylan, she never showed it or tried to act upon her feelings. That is why, even years later, she is not even in the friend – zone but in the friend – zone adjacent. However, could there possibly finally be shift, now that Dylan is taking over the rooms that once were occupied by her best friends? Or are things getting more complicated for Hunter, as Dylan appears to be even more irresistible, when he appears in just a towel, or is baking delicious cookies? Because Hunter quickly realizes that Dylan is now even more off – limits than ever. So will she learn how to get over him, or will Dylan see what has been in front of him all along?

When I started reading this book, I already had a smile on my face, even before I have read one word of it. That is how much I love this author and her writing talents! I know that I will be totally swept away, even if I know absolutely nothing about the plotline at all! 😊

Now, I have to say, that the fact that Hunter has been in love with her best friend’s brother for years is something that I could relate to. Not that I am still secretly in love with one of my brother’s best friends, but when I was younger, let’s say that I easily blushed whenever one specific friend was around. Of course with growing up and realizing that that friend perhaps wasn’t as perfect as I imagined him to be, my “love” for him passed without any actual heartbreak.  😊

So I could easily imagine the agony Hunter is in, seeing the man of her dreams coming to live with her. And while perhaps it would be serendipity or Fate giving Hunter finally a shot, it is rather quickly clear that if there is going to be anything romantic going on between Hunter and Dylan, it is going to take a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time…

To go from friends to lovers is an easier step to take than the situation Hunter and Dylan are in at the start of the book. Yes, they have known each other for years, but it has been always rather platonic, just because Hunter is best friends with Nina, it doesn’t mean that Hunter and Dylan are friends. In the past, they have never had a discussion, talked about things that matter.

But Hunter bringing back old memories isn’t the only reason I truly liked her. She is an amazing person of course, and a wonderful, supportive friend too. But she is also a determined person. The job she is doing, is not an easy one, and it doesn’t help that her being a woman could possibly be something that is faced with prejudice, in these times still!

Yet she shows such a resilience, strength, she won’t allow to be backed down, or tricked into failure! Something truly admirable!

It angered me in a way, that there isn’t a place of peace for her. At home, she does her best to not be falling even deeper in love with Dylan, and tries to keep her distance. And at work it is not only a stressful moment, with a new task at hand, but like I said, she also has to fight against those who should have her back.

But on the other hand, it was funny to see her struggling to keep her calm, her cool around Dylan. And let me tell you, a man that can bake, is for sure scoring cookie point on my list! 😊

However… Dylan… Where do I start with him?

He is truly a nice guy, when you are in his circle you are *in* it. And it saddened me to see how in a way he is at loss when his best friend and his sister are moving in together. He sees the love between them, and genuinely wishes them all the best. But with relationships shifting, it is clear that he doesn’t know where he is standing in his own circle…

He may seem like the kind of guy that isn’t truly looking for a steady relationship. And the way he acts and feels around his new girlfriend, well, he wasn’t scoring points in that aspect. I am not only saying that because I was rooting for him and Hunter get together, but if you are not feeling it, it is fair on just keeping the pretence going.

Although, I must say that Olivia is for sure something… I am a very patient and understanding person, but even if she is just fictional, Olivia, especially towards the end, is able to push my very patient buttons… And that final revelation… I can understand it until a certain level, but that was just too much! Even if that made laugh out loud, just like it did make Dylan and Hunter laugh out loud too!😊

It was lovely reading how Hunter and Dylan are getting to know each other for real in this book. They are going from ‘acquaintances’ to roommates to close friends. Where they initially didn’t know a lot about each other, there is this easiness between them, a trust between them. A trust that makes them open up towards each other, telling things that only real close people know.

And that is the force of this book. Because Camilla takes her time for the main characters’ journey. Time that is needed, to show the importance of their growing bond, to show that this isn’t just a random insta – love but a slow – burning one.

There are books that I can easily devour. But what I did with this book, was the superlative of devouring. I just needed to read more about these wonderful people and their journey to a hopefully happily ever after.

Camilla Isley got to the essence of what love can is. She has done this previously, but even more so in this book!

Sometimes, you have to choose you…

Synopsis

Don’t play the game, change it…

I was born into privilege. I had it all; the house, the car, more money than I knew what to do with. But it came at a price. Duty. An arranged marriage for the sake of the family empire to a woman who couldn’t bear to look at me. As I stood at the altar, the weight of that burden became too much. So, I did the only thing I could. I ran.

To another country and unintentionally straight into the arms of another woman. Jade is strong, independent, and a single mom. And brick by broken brick she dismantles the wall I’ve built up around my heart. But where once I had everything, now I have nothing. No home, no job and no idea what the future holds. All I do know is, Jade makes me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before.

But there is always the risk my past could catch up with me. Because the weight of my family’s expectation is likely to cause me to crash land and send my world up in flames. Can I save myself and Jade before that happens?

My review

Owen has it all, wealth, privilege and status. However, he also feels that he has lost everything. Due his own mistakes, he has lost his girlfriend to his best friend, yet he also now knows that they were meant to be. But as his parents have organised an arranged marriage for him, it feels like he has lost his soul. Even with the support of his best friends, on the day itself, Owen cannot go through with the wedding, even if the union would preserve his family’s empire. So Owen runs, to another country, with the help of his cousin. Now Owen has the time to think about what he truly wants to do with his life. Yet when he meets Jade, everything changes. Because Jade is a strong, independent woman, who for sure doesn’t need a man by her side. Her only priority is her little girl, while being the first female military pilot. However, attraction is too hard to resist, and Owen starts to feel more alive around Jade than he ever has been before. But no matter how much he would love it, he cannot turn his back on his past, as it quickly comes back catching up on him, and not in a good way. So where does Owen’s future and happiness lay?

Being the third book of the series, Owen has made previous appearances. And I have to admit, he wasn’t my favourite person… So even if I wasn’t all that happy with him, as I read the previous books, it felt somehow my duty to give Owen a chance too…

And even if I disliked him previously, I wanted to know who Owen truly is. Is he truly such a selfish man that he appeared to be in the other books? Of course that couldn’t be true, so I was ready to keep an open mind to let Owen show his real colours to me.

Boy oh boy oh boy, how wrong I was about Owen! Yes, he has made mistakes in the past, but haven’t we all? Yet I cannot deny that he has tried to please everyone around him, especially his parents, even if they for sure don’t deserve it!

Owen rather quickly makes it clear what kind of man he is. He never had the approval of his parents, yet he is ready to sacrifice his own happiness in order to save his family’s empire. If his fiancée was just a nice, kind or at a stretch, a tolerable person, I would have loved to read if this arranged marriage had a chance to succeed. But it’s clear that Evangeline is just an utter b*tch…

Seeing Owen running away may seem like a cowardice act. But I saw it more like Owen finally having the b*lls to stand up for himself, and choose for his own happiness.

When he first meets Jade, I was a bit afraid that it would turn out to be that kind of story where there is a strong physical attraction, and then the main characters suddenly realize that they are in love, without many in depth moments or growth as a pair.

However, this wasn’t at all the case!

Firstly, Jade is just an amazing woman! She is doing the impossible, not only is she a beast as a military pilot, but she is also an amazing mother to Poppy. Combining a demanding job and being there as a single mother, with a truly absent father, to a little girl, it’s not something I can see just anyone do. But that is Jade, a force of nature, wanting to do her best at just everything.

However, no matter what a force of nature Jade is, she is also a vulnerable woman. She has doubts about her own abilities, which are so unfounded! But there are also struggles at her job. And that bit truly angered me, seeing how people are using their rank for their own personal gain…

And secondly, Jade and Owen are just so right for each other. Yes, there is an age difference, with Jade being a few years older than Owen. And while she is the more mature person, as she has been through different things than Owen, together they elevate each other to a higher level.

Jade is Owen’s first supporter of figuring out who he is, what he wants to do with his life. She doesn’t care about his money, his wealth, his family. She cares about Owen for who Owen is. All the rest, she doesn’t care about it. She sees how Owen is around her and Poppy, and she sees this great man, even if that man is still trying to figure out who he is.

And Owen is just the same with Jade. Yes, he finds her the most attractive woman, and he cannot resist her. But he also supports her and admires her for what she has already achieved. HE is an awe of how she is able to make everything work.

And let’s not forget that the way he is around Poppy. I can assure you, my ovaries just exploded seeing that interaction! 😊

Owen grows so much in this story, thanks to Jade and Poppy. He sees himself doing things he never imagined doing, he sees a role for him in a lifestyle he never thought of.

Unfortunately, Owen’s past catches up with him. And I was shocked to see not only he has to face his own family and their tricks, but also the ugliness of other people around his family. The way they are twisting Owen’s hands, truly truly angered me. And in this particular bit of the story, I didn’t fully agree with the direction of the story, because I think I would have handled it completely differently…

Yet with this storyline, we see that family isn’t always about sharing DNA, but that family can be found in the best friends that you have, and their loving families. And I was happy to see that whatever Owen missed from his own family, he could find it always with his friends, no matter what.

I didn’t expect to fall for Owen, but I did, head over heels! We not only see someone standing up for himself finally, but also redeeming himself. We see how finding a special connection with someone, can make a change for the better in your life. That person can give you all the answers you were searching for, give you everything that you have missed in your life, and can even give you what you never thought of or were expecting to have.

I loved reading this story, showing us how people can change, how people can mature, how people can support each other, how people can be there just for each other. But most important, how people can find the courage to not only go for their own happiness, and how people can slowly let love in their hearts, no matter how terrifying that may be. Because love can not only find you when you least expect it, as it will be worth of everything that was on your path to get there.

I found this the perfect end of a wonderful series!

When a writing retreat becomes something more than just a way to find inspiration…

Synopsis

Secrets make the best stories…

Three women, one writing retreat, endless possibilities…

Bestselling author Jessica Rose needs to escape from a terrible secret that’s robbed her of her creativity. Could leading a retreat on a gorgeous Greek island be just what she needs?

Coming home to Santorini was never in Zina’s plans, but now she’s determined to make her new business a success.

And then there’s Karmela, who just wants to write her book and make her mother proud.

In the heat of their Greek island paradise, these new friends find the courage to shape their own stories, and write endings they can all be proud of…

My review

Jo is known in the world of books under the name of Jessica Rose. After her great success, she is now struggling to write another story. Especially as she is carrying around a secret that appears to have taken all her creativity with her. She hopes that the planned writing retreat she has organized will bring back some inspiration, although she is afraid that she will fall though the basket.
Luckily, the retreat in Santorini is not only delivering as promised, but also going beyond, which is a relief for Zina, who hopes to make her new business a success. Even if moving from Athens to Santorini was never in her plans, but what love makes us do… Yet the move is becoming a strain on her marriage… So with the new people staying at her home, Zina realizes that in fact she is rather lonely, and she is glad that she is forming a bond with not only Jo, but also Karmela. Karmela, with a past that has left scars, yet she hopes that she can write her book, and make her mother finally proud…

When I started reading this book, I didn’t have a clear thought about where the story would take us. Yes, from the blurb it is clear that it is about three different women with struggles and issues. But what kind of issues? What is haunting them? And how will this writing retreat help all three of them? So many questions, so I had just one real option: start reading! 😊

Right from the start, I couldn’t help myself but feeling sorry for Jo. Even if not everything is being revealed at the start of the book, it’s obvious that Jo isn’t in a happy place at all.

I cannot imagine how it feels when you have inspiration to write a new book, especially when the expectations are so high as the first book was such a great success.
But Jo’s issues aren’t only second book – related, but she is carrying around a big secret, involving her success, and is also in a very unhappy marriage.

And as often as it in also in real life, stepping away from it all, can give you the right perspective, and give you all the answers you were seeking for. And I was hoping that Jo would find everything she was looking for.

Now, this isn’t only Jo’s story, but also Zina’s and Karmela’s. These three women couldn’t be more different from each other. Not only do they have a completely different background, but they are also in a different stage in their lives, and they have different kind of demons to chase away.

Yet somehow, these three women find each other during the writing retreat. And that was truly lovely to read, how despite the differences, there is something that make them connect. It shows that in the end, differences do not matter, and that friendships can be formed anytime, anywhere.

Not only Jo discovers in this book the need for friends, also Zina and Karmela are in need of the support that comes with friendship. 

With Zina, we see how choices are being made out of love. But what when those choices aren’t bringing any joy in your life anymore? Could that act out of love truly turn into regret of the made choice? And what is the right thing to do in such a situation? Zina is truly at a crossroad in her life. And we see in her relationship, how important communication is, or how the lack of it can affect a relationship…

Zina is worrying that that act of love, could be the end of their love. Could it be that an act made out of love may cause a final break in something that seemed so strong? Can love truly be strong enough to face anything?

And with Karmela, it’s all about how we can think that we have put the past behind us, but is it truly? When you go through something as traumatizing as Karmela did, can you truly get over it? And what if you don’t have the needed support from the people around you? 

Karmela realizes all this, that the trauma isn’t digested at all, like a slap in the face, right at the time she believes that things are looking up. It feels like a real setback. But with Karmela we see that with age also comes wisdom and even more patience. With the help and support of her new friends, she can finally address the difficult events and speak out about her feelings, then and now.

*That* is the power of this book, finding and having the support, even from brand new friends, to not only talk about what haunts us, but to face them, and even fight them. With friends that don’t judge us, but stand by our side, we can stand up for ourselves, see what we are doing wrong, and even get a voice of our own. We can make right what has been done  wrong, we can find courage to do all that, we can get stronger, prouder of ourselves. That is what friendship can do, it can make a better version of ourselves, a version that will not only amaze ourselves and those around us, but even the whole world!

Giveaway!

Giveaway to Win a paperback copy of The Santorini Writing Retreat (Open INT)

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Even a driving cake shop can be life – altering

Synopsis

Ever the entrepreneur, Ellie is planning to bring cakes to the people with her Travelling Cake Van! But as she’s ‘expecting’ to make a rather more personal delivery of her own very soon, will Katja be the one to get behind the wheel of this fabulously mouth-watering journey into the countryside?

My review

Katja never expected that her visiting her boyfriend in New York would end up in her being single. Luckily, she can count on Ellie and her great ideas involving the Little Duck Pond Café. Why waste some good cake when it can still bring joy to people? With a route to follow, Katja is ready to put smiles on people’s faces. And this turns out to be the right distraction for Katja, as it brings not only new people in her life, but also perspective and new goals. But she also always keeps in mind that Ellie, not only her boss but also her friend, is about to have the biggest delivery ever, and should be looking more after herself…

Sometimes there are series, written ones or on the (big) screen, that just keep dragging on, that at one point they have been sucked out of every spark, fire, love and delight, they once had and that fans made fall in love with them initially.

So with a series on its 39th book out, you would think that the expiration date has long been reached and that the time has come to just let it go, and start something new, right? Well, let me reassure you, for this series, the expiration day is by far not reached yet!

From the previous books in the series, I knew that Katja was preparing to go and visit her boyfriend in New York. And you don’t need to have studied rocket science to know that even before she has arrived there, that things won’t go as she expected.

And it saddened me, reading how she would go across the world to support ‘her man’, to only be betrayed like that. But on the other hand, I also knew that she could count on the support of her friends at the Little Duck Pond Café. And once again, they did not disappoint, especially Ellie.

What I liked about this chapter, and just the series in its whole, is that it isn’t just about Katje getting over her broken heart or even believe in love again, but that there is a bigger picture.

And there are several  bigger pictures in this stories, not all equally life – altering but still… I liked it how Ellie makes it her mission somehow to go against waist, and uses her Travelling Cake Van to sell cakes at a discount, and even brings it closer to the people that cannot enjoy the wonders of the Little Duck Pond Café.

But there is also power of unity and encouragement. As Katja and Ellie are travelling around, they meet new people, with all their own stories to tell. And with characters like Katja, their lives will all change. And also Katja’s life will change, with all these new people in her own life.

Yes, there may be a love interest somewhere in this book, and yes, seeing those developments put a smile on my face, even with the ups and downs with it. But the focus of this book isn’t about Katja finding someone new in that area. But it is about Katja finding herself, her confidence, and new people in general.

We see her but also those around her evolve, put demons to rest, to take a leap of faith, but also being someone people turn to, whether for listening or for a word of advice. There is a lot of reciprocity between Katje and those around her, showing us the real meaning of friendship.

I absolutely devoured this new instalment, feeling sorry when the end was reached. But at the same time, while reading I was just so happy, to not only finally having Katja in the spotlight, but seeing all my friends once again and seeing how they are doing.

Rosie Green once again wrote a wonderful story, never disappointing in any way. I just wanted to keep reading, prepared for the pain of reaching the end way too quickly!

For love (of the game)…

Synopsis

WICKET MAIDEN is a groundbreaking romantic comedy set in the world of women’s cricket.

It’s the start of a new season for professional women’s cricket team The Scorpions.

Acclaimed batter Ellie, 32, is returning to the game after a long injury, determined to regain her form and her place in the England squad. This is her last chance, and she won’t let anything stand in her way.

Cricket fan Adam, 34, an artist and photographer, has followed Ellie and the team through highs and lows. He’s drawn to her talent, athleticism and public persona – but is content to be a face in the crowd, cheering her on. He’d never date a famous person, anyway.

When events on and off the pitch bring Ellie and Adam together, friendship blossoms, and their careers initially soar. Yet, with romance in the air, Ellie loses focus, jeopardising her dream.

What’s more important to them both – love, or cricket?

A share of the book’s royalties will be donated to pertinent clubs and organisations who champion the development of grassroots, girls’ and women’s cricket.

The story echoes the film “Notting Hill” – the challenge of love between a ‘star’ and a ‘normal person’.

The book touches on the good and bad sides of fame, and shines a light on women’s cricket – the mental and physical challenges, pressure of relentless media attention, community outreach, fan engagement, and the finite nature of the career of professional athletes. Above this, it is, of course, a love story.

The book is a non-spicy romance, and also includes neurodiversity and epilepsy representation.

My review

Ellie is happy to return on the field after an injury, as a batter for The Scorpions, a cricket team. At the age of 32, it’s now or never to gain a spot in the England squad, but Ellie is determined to claim her spot.
Not only Ellie, but the whole team, can count on the support of many fans, one of them being Adam, an artist and a photographer. Whenever he can, he is in the stadium to cheer for The Scorpions, and especially Ellie.
Adam never expected that the day would come that he would be more than just a face in the crowd. Even when friendship blooms between him and Ellie, he knows that as Ellie is a public person, and a wonderful person, she is out of his league. But is he truly punching above his weight? Because for sure sparks fly between Ellie and Adam, while their own careers also are flying higher than ever!

I am always ready to read stories where there is one famous character, in whatever area, and one character that is just an average Joe. Well, average Joe… Adam is an upcoming artist and a known photographer. But compared to Ellie, he is just a small fish.

Now, I have to admit, I do not know *anything* about cricket… so whenever Ellie was playing, and there was something happening in the game, I just couldn’t follow… But that is on me, as cricket is not something I truly follow as a sport. Also, in Belgium that isn’t a famous sport at all…

Luckily, there was a lot of room for relation development, that made up for the moments that I was frowning as I just couldn’t understand what was going on 😊.

From the start, I admired Ellie. Not only is she great as a batter, but she is also determined to not let her just healed injury hold her back. She shows love for the game in everything she does. But not only that, she is just a great person. She treats her fans and supporters kindly, and even the smallest of the fans can always rely on her for a kind word or action.

But it is also clear that there is something haunting her. She is carrying a guilt around, a guilt that is not justified. But it is also that same guilt that wants her to make right choices, to make up for when she couldn’t. I know this sounds all very ominous, but in fact it is just heartbreaking and when the time is right, it will all make sense to you.

And there is also the fact that Ellie hasn’t been the luckiest in the love area… she has faced one severe heartbreak, one that is still difficult to not hold any grudges, and her latest relationship was not truly what to expect from a relationship. So it is wise for Ellie for now to focus on the job, on the game, and pursue her Big Dream.

But we all know that is not how love or life works, right? 🙂

Adam is the perfect boyfriend material, even if he isn’t flawless. Yet who needs perfection, if you can have Adam? Yes, of course he could be more self-confident and believe in his artist talents. But that made him only more real and more likeable in my eyes.

Also the way he truly admires and supports Ellie is testament to his character. He is also the kind of person to make sure that nobody, in this case Ellie, feels awkward. He is a fan of Ellie, and he follows her, which could be easily seen as something ‘stalkerish’, so it is nice of him, wanting to show that his interest is innocent and genuine.

It was lovely to see how the relationship between Ellie and Adam slowly is changing. They start as idol – fan, then they become acquaintances, to friends and then… During these shifts, how sweet was it to see that there is a genuine care between the pair, and that they have each other’s back. Their banter was also hilarious, as it’s clear they can have a great laugh not only with but also at each other. Ellie and Adam can just be themselves and that is truly something priceless. There is absolutely no judgement from neither side, just acceptance and understanding.

Even if the world of cricket is something I don’t understand completely, I understand friendship, and love. And this book is filled with the latter. Not only between Ellie and Adam alone, but all over the book. That made this book something i truly enjoyed reading. Because we see how being surrounded by the right kind of people, can bring out the best version of yourself, and make you grow not only in confidence, but also character wise.  And we see in this book, that anything can happen, even what you only dared to dream about!

And now a treat: an extract!

Synopsis

Edinburgh, 1936. People are disappearing. The police are clueless. Can Finlay MacBeth track down the perpetrator before someone else goes missing?

Haunted by his recent past, Professor Finlay MacBeth returns to his home town to take up a new post at the university. Within hours, his reputation for solving the occasional murder prompts the police to ask for his help. Four men—seemingly unconnected—have vanished into thin air. MacBeth must find whatever it is that links the men before the kidnapper strikes again. 

But the police aren’t the only ones interested in MacBeth’s activities, and the amateur sleuth soon discovers that finding the missing men is the least of his problems…

In this thriller series set in Edinburgh, Metropolis is book #1 in the Finlay MacBeth Thriller series.

Extract

Now settled in his new accommodation, Finlay MacBeth wakes up during the night. We are given a hint of whatever it is from his past that haunts him, as well as his concerns about the mysterious man in the trench coat…

The need to relieve himself is what wakes Finlay MacBeth. At least, he thinks that’s what it is. Opening his eyes, he stares at the ceiling, its ornate plasterwork conjuring weird shapes in the gloom. It takes him a moment to recall where he is. But before he becomes fully aware, he senses movement. Twisting his head, he stares into the corner of the room. A dark figure crouches there, watching. 

Finlay tenses, balls his fingers into fists, ready to fight. The figure in the corner seems to be waiting for something. Waiting for his intended victim to move, perhaps? For him to fall asleep again? For a moment, nothing happens, then the shape shudders, sliding sideways. 

MacBeth grabs the object on his bedside table and leaps out of bed. ‘Don’t fucking move.’

The curtains waft in the breeze, allowing a shaft of moonlight to illuminate the corner of the room. The mysterious figure is nothing more than MacBeth’s own suitcases, the spare blankets piled on top creating a humped shape. MacBeth laughs at himself and sits back on the bed, replacing the Webley revolver on the cabinet. The remnants of a dream—the usual one—no doubt contributed to the idea of someone lurking in the shadows. And it’s ridiculous, he reminds himself. It’s not as if that person is even alive. 

Switching on the bedside lamp, he pulls out a drawer and slides the revolver inside, concealing it under a book. Best if his landlady doesn’t stumble across the weapon. Not if he wants a quiet life. Pulling on a dressing gown to cover his nakedness, he steps out into the passage and walks down to the bathroom on the lower floor. 

Back in bed, MacBeth wonders about the man in the trench coat. He curses himself for not taking more care. Probably the appearance of the boy distracted from his usual practice of observing everyone and everything. If Trench Coat is tailing him—has possibly followed him all the way from London—then MacBeth will have to deal with it. What really bothers him is not knowing the man’s identity. It’s possible the events in Muswell Hill did not go unnoticed, that someone—maybe Trench Coat—witnessed part of what occurred. MacBeth had been careful, but you can never be one hundred percent certain. 

A door opens on the floor below, causing him to sit up straight. Footsteps along the landing, then another door. He relaxes. Just Mrs Blackie going for a wee. He smiles at the thought of her sitting on the pot, nightie hitched up, shivering in the cold. A minute later, he hears the gurgling of the flush, then more footsteps and a door closing. Then silence. 

Switching off the bedside lamp, he rolls over onto his side, the image of Mrs Blackie still in his head. It’s odd she didn’t mention a husband, while at the same time making it clear she is to be known as Mrs Blackie. Perhaps her old man took a bullet in the last war. She can’t be much past forty, he thinks, but might’ve been a young bride. The image of her on the toilet is still there. He forces himself to push it away, but all that happens is that the picture changes to one where Mrs Blackie is still sitting on the toilet but is now stark naked. The idea of such a thing prompts a stirring in MacBeth’s loins.

He lets out a groan. ‘Oh, Christ…’

Check out this marvellous cover!

Synopsis

Life doesn’t always go to plan . . .

After a messy breakup and a nightmare boss, Kate swaps the chaos of London for the calm of Starry Cove—the charming seaside village she loved as a child. She arrives hoping for peace and a fresh start. But life has other plans: Kate soon discovers she’s going to be a mother.

As she navigates small-town life (and morning sickness), Kate finds friendship in the ‘coastal girls’—a warm, welcoming group who help her land a job with Piers, the reclusive owner of the local manor. He’s guarded, grumpy and impossible to read… but there’s more to him than meets the eye.

As feelings grow and secrets slowly come to light, Kate must decide if s he’s ready to open her heart again—and whether Starry Cove could be the home she’s been searching for all along.

Pre-order link

https://amzn.eu/d/3Mm4HLx

About the author

Nancy Barone grew up in Canada, but at the age of 12 her family moved to Italy. Catapulted into a world where her only contact with the English language was her old Judy Blume books, Nancy became an avid reader and a die-hard romantic. Nancy stayed in Italy and, despite being surrounded by handsome Italian men, she married an even more handsome Brit. They now live in Sicily where she teaches English.

Nancy is a member of the RWA and a keen supporter of the Women’s Fiction Festival at Matera where she meets up once a year with writing friends from all over the globe.

The cover

When running away is no longer an option…

Synopsis

Melanie knows she’s been running away…

For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most – her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.

But maybe there really is no place like home?

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she’s been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain?

My review

Seven years ago, Mel’s perfect life fell totally apart. As she couldn’t cope with living at the Lake district, she made the move to not only run away from her pain, but also to hide from everyone and everything. She has never returned to Willowdale, as it was just too painful. But the latest family event is just too impossible to let pass by. So Mel returns to the place that once used to be her home, but with the resolution to make it back to Newcastle – upon – Tyne  as soon as possible. However, Mel realizes how much she has been missing out in the seven years away. With scoring the job of her dreams at Willowdale Hall, could this be Mel’s chance to heal her broken heart and see colour back in her life? Or are some wounds too deep to be healed?

My dearest Jessica,

Yes, I am writing this review letter – wise, because I think you need to understand what this book did to me.

Before you start panicking, yes, tears were shed, but I was able to contain myself a little bit. For the darkest moments, I took a breath, counted to ten, and found the courage to read on without falling short on tissues.

How can you each time such lovely characters to life, even if they have been or are still going through heel? Because you made my heart break for Mel, even if you kept it long time a secret what happened to her. But it obvious that something terrible happened to her, and while running away isn’t the answer or the solution, it is something Mel needed to do all those years ago.

You know, Jessica, it truly saddened me to read how Mel for seven years has tried to move on, but in fact failed at it. She tried to have a new start, but in fact she ahs been standing still for seven years. She never made her flat a home, even her relationship wasn’t a real relationship. And her reluctance to return to Willowdale may have been understandable, but for us readers, it is also clear that returning home is what she needs to do, to face her demons, to come to terms what happened.

Obviously returning to Willowdale, which isn’t ‘home’ yet for Mel, isn’t an easy task for Mel, as there is a lot unfinished business and lots of heartbreak for her. It broke my heart a little bit more to read how difficult Mel is finding it to adapt to be back in Willowdale. Not only there is a bit of a strained relationship with her lovely parents, but it is still difficult for her to completely open up, and to face those awful demons. And coming face to face with the person that knows what she has felt and is still feeling, is just too heartful for her.

I loved what you did there Jessica, with Mel. Because at the start of the story, Mel’s life is rather dark. And Mel shows her darkness by her clothes. Initially her clothes are dark, black, brown, and just not alive. And as we see Mel coming back alive, there is also a slow return of colours. And not only in her clothes, but in her life in general.

Of course, retuning to Willowdale and everything going smoothly from the first moment, that is just impossible. Nobody gets over a heartbreak that easily, even if already seven years have passed since that moment. And a pain that has been held for so long, it cannot be released in an instant. And Jessica, you showed us perfectly how it’s a process filled with many ups and downs. Sometimes it’s one step forward, two steps back.

While it was great to see those steps forward, those steps back made me almost feel a physical pain. And there is one event that made me fear that Mel would fall back into a downward spiral. But the contrary happened, as she is the best person to understand what is needed, how to comfort and how to help in the best way. And I believe that the Mel at the start of the book wouldn’t be able to be that rock she is when this takes place.

Those steps forward that Mel is having, are obviously partly made possible by all the people Mel meets in Willowdale. Jessica, you have written wonderful stories before, and I was delighted how you manage each time to make some characters return, adding extra to the story, but without ever taking the spotlight. The returning characters complement the story, showing once again how wonderful people can be!

I have to admit one thing though, my dearest Jessica… I thought that there would be more romance in the book. But the more the book progressed, the more I realized that this wasn’t that kind of love story. This book is purely Mel’s story, and her attempt to find colour back in her life. She needs to find love again, but not in a romantic way. She needs to find love for herself again, she needs to find and accept love around her again.

And how can you love someone else if you cannot love yourself? How can you move on if there is so much guilt you are carrying around? How can you think about the present and the future, if the past still has so many questions for you?

You just keep on amazing me, Jessica. Once again you wrote a marvellous story, a captivating story. A story about a broken main character, on her journey to healing. A journey that isn’t easy, not in fiction and not in reality. Life isn’t a walk in the park, and terrible, heartbreaking things can happen to anyone, unexpectedly. And there is no guidebook to get you over grief, pain and guilt. But with one step at the time, there is the right place and time to get colour back in your life…