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‘A Second – Hand Husband’ – written by Claire Calman #BookReview @clairecalman @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

Marriage itself is not easy, so let’s make it even more complicated!

Synopsis

Natalie and Carl are newlyweds, but the honeymoon period is over already.

Carl has just announced he has bought their first home at auction without telling Natalie where it is, never mind showing her a picture of it.

Natalie is horrified to discover that the dream home is in Little Wyford, mere minutes away from Carl’s ex-wife Antonia. And to make matters worse, Antonia’s palatial country mansion has a fully-functioning roof (and a heated swimming pool!), unlike the ramshackle cottage Carl has bought for them…

Antonia is Little Wyford’s Queen Bee, mistress of the book club, organiser of the Christmas Fair and leader of the ladies-who-lunch. No matter how hard she tries, Natalie just doesn’t fit in, and when Antonia insists on referring to Carl as ‘Our Husband’, Natalie’s dreams of happily-ever-after take another nose dive.

Second-hand furniture has much to recommend it, especially when doing up a country cottage, second-hand clothes can be ever-so chic, but second-hand husbands are proving to be a very bad idea indeed… Can Natalie ever escape the label of Wife Number Two or is she destined to share her husband forever?

Hilariously funny, wickedly witty, but with a heart of gold and a warmth and wisdom that are all its own, A Second-Hand Husband is Claire Calman’s tour de force.

My review

Natalie married Carl and now they are looking for a place to live. As Natalie understands how important it is that Carl is near his children from his previous marriage, she encourages him in finding a house not too far from them.
But when Carl impulsively buys a house at an action, without showing Natalie a photo or telling her where it is, it’s no surprise Natalie is shocked… Not only is the house more a ramshackle than an actual house that just needs some TLC, but it is also just a few minutes away from Carl’s ex – wife Antonia, who seems to have it all.
And if there is one woman who ‘rules’ over Little Wyford, it surely is Antonia… Natalie is finding it hard to find herself accepted not only by Antonia but also by the children. And having Antonia undermining her all the time, even referring to Carl as ‘their Husband’, doesn’t make Natalie feel confident about her marriage.

Having just moved to my own place myself, I understood how important it was for Natalie to fall in love with her new home before actually buying it. You have to make a connection with the place, before you actually buy it.
So not only I understood her frustration when Carl just bought the place without actually consulting her, or just asking her opinion but I would have been actually pissed!
And when it appears that the house is not just in need of some TLC, well, I can tell I would just leave the place immediately! 
To make things even worse, Natalie now has to cope with living too close to Carl’s ex – wife.
I found it sweet to see how she encouraged Carl to find a place that would allow him to be nearer his children, but there is also something like ‘too close’…

Natalie may seem like a very indecisive woman, afraid also to speak out and let people just walk over her. But like she says herself in the book, she isn’t that indecisive at all when it truly matters. And being the new wife, in a new place, having the shadow of the ex – wife lurking around every corner, well, it would make anyone a bit nervous and small…
Slowly we see Natalie reaching her boiling point, resulting in finally speaking up and standing up for herself. And even when enough is enough, Natalie doesn’t explode like many of us would do, but she just says ‘no more’. This was not how she imagined her marriage. And if things don’t change, well, Natalie is just done with it.
It’s clear how much she loves Carl, but there is a limit a person can endure.

Talking about Carl… I found it very hard to really like him. I can’t understand how he can just buy a house without consulting his wife. And then he is keeping secrets, and making the same mistakes all over again. Even if it’s obvious he loves Natalie, he just doesn’t seem to grasp how she is feeling and he seems not able to make a change… But I have to say, in the end he redeemed himself, making me him liking a little bit more.

This story shows us that getting married to a man with already a family, isn’t always an easy undertaking. Having a husband who sometimes is oblivious to your feelings can make it extra hard, and add an ex – wife who just seems to have pleasure in undermining you and stepchildren not really warming towards you, well, I wouldn’t want to be in Natalie’s shoes!


But beside these negative aspects, it shows us also the beauty. Because bonds can be created with the children, a house that would look like a hopeless case, can feel like home. And you surely can gather the courage to stand up for yourself and not let anyone drag you down. And that not always what we see is the real deal. Because even if you are intimidated by someone, you don’t know how that person is feeling in your presence and the truth may surprise you.

This was an entertaining story, showing us both the beautiful things in a marriage but also the struggles.
But when love is in the picture, it’s worth fighting for!

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‘Midsummer Magic At Miss Moonshine’s Emporium’ #BookReview #MissMoonshine @rararesources

Magic doesn’t exist, right?

Synopsis

Are you ready to meet Miss Moonshine? Life may never be the same again…

It’s summer in Haven Bridge and Miss Moonshine is getting ready for a busy season. From the window of her Wonderful Emporium, at the heart of the pretty Yorkshire town, she watches and waits, weaving plans to bring happiness to all who step through her door. For Miss Moonshine is no ordinary shopkeeper. She may not have what you want, but she will always have what you need…

Nine romantic novelists from Yorkshire and Lancashire, including best-selling and award-winning authors, have joined together to create this anthology of uplifting stories guaranteed to warm your heart. This magical collection of contemporary romances will make you laugh, cry and wish for a Miss Moonshine in your own life.

My review

In Haven Bridge there is one store that will know exactly what you need. Miss Moonshine’s Wonderful Emporium may seem like a chaotic store, but once you take a step inside, you are welcomed by Miss Moonshine herself and her Chihuahua Napoleon.
Each customer is a special customer in Miss Moonshine’s eyes and she has the ability to find the exact thing you need, even if it’s not what you actually want…

My first thoughts before reading this lovely book were “Will I like all the nine short stories? “ and also “Will the pace not be too fast?”
But I should have not worried! I know already a few of these authors and knew what they are capable of, and the new authors were just as surprising!

I didn’t know Miss Moonshine before, so I was a bit sceptical, and I surely do not believe in magic. But I quickly took a liking to her, and I wanted to visit her Emporium myself, and would be curious to see what Miss Moonshine would find for what I needed.

After finishing the first story, I had the bar set really high, because I truly loved it. I thought I already had found my favourite short story. But then I read the second and I just loved it as much as the first one. So the bar was set even higher for Story Number 3. But Story Number 3 was ALSO as lovely and beautiful so I added Number 3 also on the list of my favourite short story.
Can you already see a pattern here? Because yes, in the end all nine stories captured a little piece of my heart! And I honestly cannot say which one I prefer!

Each story is different, all the characters are facing problems of their own. But Miss Moonshine and love are the main protagonists in each story.
Even if Miss Moonshine is a bit odd, it’s impossible not to like her! She has her own ways of managing things, and it surely has a wonderful, lovely result each time!

I just devoured each short story, happy with how each of them ended, but also wanting to read just more and more!
And if you think you can put it away after finishing just one story, believe me when I say it’s a lost cause!

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‘The Love Island Bookshop’ – written by Kate Frost #BookReview @katefrostauthor @rararesources

Is there anything better than running a bookshop in paradise?

Synopsis

A dream job, two handsome men, one destructive act. Will Freya’s opportunity of a lifetime end in tears?

When Freya leaves her publishing job in London to be a barefoot bookseller in the Maldives, it’s the push she needs to move on from her sadness and reignite her passion for life.

While resort owner Zander is charming, it’s handsome dive instructor Aaron who befriends her when she needs it most. But all is not what it seems and there’s trouble brewing in paradise.

Taking a chance on happiness is harder than she imagined. Can Freya let go of her heartache and allow herself to fall in love again?

My review

Freya has a publishing job in London. But she isn’t truly enjoying life and she knows she needs to move on from her constant state of sadness.
So persuaded by her best friend, she applies for a job as a bookseller in the Maldives, even if she thinks she won’t get it.
However she is hired by resort owner Zander and the prospect of spending time on an idyllic island is too alluring to pass on.
Zander is very charming, but his troubling past as member of a boy band isn’t world’s best kept secret. And then there is also Aaron, a handsome drive instructor who befriends her.
But Freya quickly realizes that Love Island is actually not so different from other places as also here there are secrets, odd behaviours and not everything is what it seems. However does that also mean that Freya will find love again?

This story surely swept me away! It made me want to pack everything and go to Love Island ASAP!

It’s clear from the beginning that Freya is a bit lost. Her heart got broken and she still hasn’t processed everything that happened. But the beauty (if I can call it like that) is that her pain isn’t only caused by breaking up with a boyfriend. Her loss goes so much deeper and the fact that she didn’t and still doesn’t understand it, makes it even more heart – breaking.

While reading, we see how Freya is opening more up, also thanks because of the sense of belonging there.

I have to admit, during the whole story and reading how Freya and Aaron got closer, I didn’t truly warm towards him. Without giving too much away, I was happy that my gut feeling was right, but I didn’t except Aaron to be that way…
And Zander truly was an enigma I would like to solve myself! 😊

This was a lovely story. Obviously the setting is wonderful, who won’t want to be there! But the greater part of the characters were kind, warm and accepting. And the growth we see in Freya and her daring to open up her heart again is admirable. Even if sometimes she may take some steps too fast, she also realizes when she has to take a step back.
And even when sometimes she wants to believe the good in everyone, she isn’t afraid of questioning some actions.

The author managed to write a story that made me dream away, but also reflect about loss and grieve. And also about being courageous and take that one decision no matter how terrifying it may seem. And that falling in love with the right person, makes you see that person how he is now and that the past is the past.
Falling in love can be a match made in heaven, or in this case, made in paradise!

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‘Happy Dreams At Mermaid Cove’ – written by Marie Laval #BookReview @MarieLaval1 @rararesources

Starting over, downsizing yet gaining so much more!

Synopsis

From the big city to a little yellow mobile library on the Isle of Skye …

When Jenna Palmer agrees to the new position of mobile librarian on the tiny Arrandale peninsular of the Isle of Skye, she knows she’s signing up for difficult working conditions and mediocre wages. But Jenna needs to get away, and a little yellow mobile library called Buttercup could be her escape to happier dreams …

However, whilst Jenna can get to grips with foggy island roads, local mermaid legends and even big purple monsters, she never expected to have to contend with a boss as grumpy as Daniel McGregor, or a young book lover as enthusiastic as his niece, Katrina.

Arrandale might represent Jenna’s safe port in a storm, but could she and Buttercup also become a beacon of hope to Daniel, Katrina and the entire island community?

My review

Jenna Palmer needs to start all over, she just needs to get away. So she accept the position of mobile librarian in Arrandale. Driving the yellow mobile library isn’t going to be the easiest task, and the wages won’t be making her rich, but she hopes that this move could be the escape to happier dreams.
Slowly Jenna is learning to appraise her little library Buttercup and she is being welcomed by the community. And even if her boss Daniel McGregor is not the most welcoming person, his niece Katrina makes up for everything by just being her enthusiastic self.
However, no matter Jenna is starting to love her life at Arrandale, with local myths of mermaids, her past is not letting her go and is even threatening to come back with a vengeance.

Reading a story of this author always makes me happy.
I know the characters aren’t just superficial people falling randomly in love and live happily ever happy.
And this story was just what I expected!

Jenna is running away from her former life, and starting over in a small place like Arrandale, is just perfect for her.
It’s obvious that what happened to her, has changed her in this frightened woman, even afraid of the dark.
But I admired her courage to just pack everything and start all over again. She is determined to put the past behind her and make her own happiness, and from now on, only having happy dreams.

It was beautiful to see how she slowly finds her feet in Arrandale, and also how the community welcomes her and helps out whenever and however they can.
Jenna’s presence is  even “mellowing” grumpy Daniel. When his backstory is known, I couldn’t not feel sorry for him. This shows that everyone is the way he is for a reason. And the burden he is carrying…

My heart also mellowed seeing how these two somehow broken characters are slowly are finding the courage of opening their heart again, even if there are some side characters ready to jeopardize everything Jenna and Daniel are slowly building.

I found this truly a beautiful story to read, very captivating. The main characters are easy to like and even side characters like Katrina, Ruby and even the mobile library Buttercup stole little pieces of my heart.
The courage, determination, but also the love and kindness sparked from each page. And for the characters with less good intentions, we can always trust the Arrandale gulls for payback!

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‘The Girl With Flaming Hair’ – written by Natalie Kleinman #BookReview @NatKleinman @rararesources

Realizing what a real family and having real friends means…

Synopsis

Sophie is plagued by the shadows of the past…

While driving his curricle, Rufus Solgrave, Earl of Luxton comes across Sophie Clifford lying unconscious in the road, having fallen from her horse.

Not too far from home, he takes her back to Ashby, his country seat, leaving her in the care of his mother, Elizabeth, Countess of Luxton, and his sister, Lydia. Under their kindly supervision, Sophie soon begins to recover.

Upon discovering that Sophie has never mixed with London society, Elizabeth invites her to accompany the family to town for Lydia’s come-out. Unhappy with her homelife and eager to sample the delights of the season, Sophie accepts.

However, her enjoyment is marred when talk of an old scandal surrounding her birth resurfaces. What’s more, her devious stepbrother, Francis Follet, has followed her to London, intent on making her his bride.

Sensing Sophie’s distress, Rufus steps in to protect her from Francis’s unwelcome advances.

And although neither Rufus nor Sophie are yet thinking of marriage, both soon begin to wonder whether their comfortable friendship could blossom into something warmer…

My review

When Sophie Clifford falls from her horse into unconsciousness, she has no idea how her life will change.
Not only is she being rescued by Rufus Solgrave, the Earl of Luxton, but he also leaves her in the care of his mother Elizabeth and his sister Lydia.
Slowly Sophie recovers from her injuries and when her new friends realize she never mixed with London society, Sophie is eager to accompany them to experience the delights of the season herself. Especially as Sophie’s home life was never truly a happy one, and she has always been very secluded.
However, no matter how much she enjoys her newly found freedom, her stepbrother Francis Follet continues on following her, determined to make her his bride, and not because of his affections for Sophie.
But marriage is the last thing on Sophie’s mind, especially one with Francis! But when Rufus steps in to help Sophie however and whenever he can, is there a chance that their friendship will evolve in something more, even if they both are not looking for it?

I love reading how a woman becomes this strong, independent woman, ready to live her life like SHE wants, and not how she is expected to live it, especially in Regency England.

The first impression of Sophie is rather non – existing, as her appearance is an unconscious one…
But when she wakes up and is slowly recovering, it’s clear that her life until then wasn’t a very happy one. Her mother died, her father, stepmother and stepson aren’t really going to win an award for most caring family members.

When she is being taken care of, and also a bit pampered by Rufus Solgrave and his family, she realizes how caring and loving a family can be. So even if I found it a bit strange how quickly Sophie agreed going to London and spending more time with the Solgraves, I was happy for her as having a chance to actually enjoy life.

We see Sophie evolve from this shy, secluded woman into a woman standing up for herself, deciding what makes her happy and has lack of what society may think of her choices. She wants to do what makes her happy and not what is expected from her. And I felt this pride in seeing this young woman standing up for herself. Somehow she is an example for so many.

But be warned, this isn’t simply a story about man meets woman, fall in love and live happily ever after.
Not only is despicable Francis luring around the corner too often, there are also many twists, turns and revelations that left me flabbergasted!

Of course Rufus’ presence is one that made me smile. And seeing how Rufus and Sophie are so much alike, and of course seeing them being perfect for each other before they even have an inkling themselves, was fun to read!

This was a lovely story, but also a strong one. It is about a young woman getting out for the first time, and becoming this strong woman who won’t let anyone dictate her anymore. And even if opportunity arises, she won’t settle for less than for love!
The story revolves about family, love, growth and courage. Surely a treat to read this story!

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‘The Last Days Of Us’ – written by Caroline Finnerty #BookReview @cfinnertywriter @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

There isn’t a bigger tragedy for parents…

Synopsis

They say if you love someone, you have to let them go. But what they are your child?

All Sarah McIntyre has ever wanted was a loving, happy family. So when her husband JP announces on Christmas Day that he is leaving her and their two children, 9 year old Harry and 4 year old Robyn, Sarah is left reeling.

But things are set to get worse when Robyn is diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

Can JP and Sarah unite to fight their biggest battle yet? or will they be on opposing sides once again?

With the couple at loggerheads and with Robyn’s condition deteriorating day-by-day, precious time is running out and JP is getting desperate…

The Last Days of Us is a tender story of hope and forgiveness that asks the question how far would you go to save your child?

My review

Sarah McIntyre had to face many issues to have the family she always dreamed of. But now she is happily married to JP, has a lovely 9 year old son Harry and a sweet 4 year old daughter Robyn.
However when JP announces on Christmas Day that he is leaving her, Sarah couldn’t imagine that a divorce wouldn’t be the worst thing that would happen to their little family…
Because their world truly fall apart when Robyn gets diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable brain tumour…
Will Sarah and JP be able to put all their differences aside and form a close unit for the biggest battle life presents them? Or will this tragedy pull them even further apart?
All the while Robyn’s condition is deteriorating, time is running out and Sarah is treasuring every moment she has left with her sweet little girl…

OH MY GOD, this was such a heart – breaking book to read!!! The more I was reading it, the more I was surrounded by tissues because I just couldn’t stop crying!

Sarah is the kind of character you cannot dislike… she would do anything for her children, and even when JP throws the bombshell of wanting to leave them, she does the right thing. Because no matter what, JP is still the father of her children, and their children have the right and necessity of spending time with him.
And even when JP appears to have a new, younger girlfriend, Sarah does not start talking bad about him.

When the diagnose of Robyn is known, I cannot imagine what Sarah is going through. Not only she has to digest the fact that her little, sweet, innocent girl has brain cancer, but hearing that there is no cure and that Robyn will die… for me as a reader it was already terrible, so being the actual parent must just be devastating!

As a parent of course you would do anything to save your child, but sometimes you have to realize when something is a lost cause, no matter how bitter that pill is to digest.

So for most of the time, I found it hard to like JP… not only did he walk away from his family for someone else, but he cannot accept that there is nothing to do. Of course, if I were in his shoes I would also search all over the internet to find a glimpse of hope, but reading how far he would go and he still had blinders on, not seeing the truth.

There are moments where we get to read how Harry is coping with all these changes. We see how this young boy sees how his little sister is changing, not understanding the disease she has, and doing whatever he can in his little power to try to make Robyn better. Those were such bittersweet moments that made me lunge for even more tissues!

This was a terrible story to read, because there are people who are in real life facing these unjust tragedies. Yet the author managed to write a story that I found impossible to put away. Even if it broke my heart, the more I read, the more I was feeling like Harry and even JP, grasping every little bit of hope, wishing that in the end something miraculous would happen.
And even if the end was not what I was hoping for, it was inspiring how these terrible events made it possible to give somehow a positive turn to it.

And yes, I cried like I never did before on this story, but I found it a courageous, strong story about people going through things nobody should be going through. So my heart goes out to all those people facing this unjust and horrible disease that are taking away those we cherish the most and want and need to protect with everything that we have…

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‘A Racing Murder’ – written by Frances Evesham #BookReview @FrancesEvesham @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

A murder where nothing is how it seems.

Synopsis

The next thrilling Ham-Hill Murder Mystery from bestselling cosy crime author Frances Evesham.

A winning horse. A fierce rivalry. A sudden death. 


Belinda Sandford thrills to the cheers of the crowd as her beautiful grey racehorse, ‘Butterfly Charm’, thunders past the finishing post first at Wincanton Racecourse. She feels like the luckiest girl in the world.

But joy soon turns to despair as a stewards’ enquiry overturns the result and awards the race to her long-time rival, Alexandra Deacon.

When Alex is found dead in suspicious circumstances, a host of accusing eyes turn to Belinda and her distraught mother begs Adam Hennessy, her neighbour, retired police officer and publican, to help clear her daughter’s name.

As Adam, and local hotelier Imogen Bishop, dig deep into the murky and powerful undercurrents of the horse racing world, they lay bare the lives and loves of local jockeys, grooms, trainers and owners.

They soon uncover a web of secrets hidden within the spectacular Somerset countryside as they strive to find the killer in time to prevent more murders.

A brand new cosy mystery series from the bestselling author of A Village Murder, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Betty Rowlands and M.C. Beaton.

My review

Adam Hennessey, still being the retired police officer is contacted by the desperate mother of Belinda Sandford.
Belinda is a promising jockey who enjoys riding her racehorse Butterfly Charm. But when at the Wincanton Racecourse her victory is taken away from her because of a stewards’ enquiry and her rival Alexandra Deacon is proclaimed winner, her mood quickly shifts.
So when Alex is found dead, there is only one suspect, namely Belinda. And her mother wants Adam to proof the innocence of her beloved daughter.
Adam and local hotelier Imogen Bishop join forces to find out the truth but quickly realize that the world of horse racing is a different world where secrets loom around every corner and nothing is what it seems…

A good whodunit is only good if you as a reader have no clue who done it…
And it’s even better if the motivation for the crime is also revealed just at the very end, after being put on the wrong track a few times.
This book surely ticks off the above mentioned conditions!

From the start it’s obvious that the murder isn’t just a case of rivalry, but there is so much more going on. And the author manages to write in such way that every time that something new appears, you have it all figured out, only to discover later on it was JUST WRONG!!!

Of course I loved reading how Adam and Imogen are again working together, with the addition of Steph and Dan. Even if only one person has actually ever done real investigation, the bundling forces make them able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
And when the culprit is known, after seeing the clues that were left behind I was nearly shouting: “OF COURSE!!!”.

Adam and Imogen are characters that I already knew, but seeing more of Steph and Dan was lovely. Especially reading how the relationships slowly shifts between the four of them was a very nice addition to the story!

I was again sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering what more was going on that led eventually to the murdering of Alex. There were so many twists that I saw everyone as a potential murderer and I just had to know the truth!
And on a more nicer level, it was nice to see how our main characters are becoming more than just investigators on a mission.

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‘Search For The House Of Dreams’ – written by Alison Burke #BookReview @rararesources

The struggle of keeping a family together

Synopsis

It is the year 1847 in the elegant city of Bath where 18yr old Genevre Stratton is treated more as a servant than a daughter in the elegant house where bills are not paid, and the rent is in arrears. Appalled by the dishonesty and overriding social ambition beneath her parents’ veneer of respectability, only her love for her younger brother and sisters keeps her there. Left to cope alone when their false world falls apart, she fights to keep her siblings together, until poverty forces her to yield them to the care of their half-brother, George Coleman. Handsome, wealthy and charismatic, he is the enemy who becomes her lover. To surrender all to her passionate desire for him, or to keep the independence of a new-found musical career on the London stage? This is her is her choice to make, until an unexpected call of duty takes her to Paris. Must the old, dark secrets she discovers there alter the course of her life forever?

My review

At first sight, it seems that 18 – years old Genevre Stratton’s family has it all. They have an elegant house, invite many guests, hoping to climb the social ladder. But the truth is that bills remain unpaid and that rent is also not paid when due…
Adding that her mother is not really warm towards Genevre, it’s obvious that Genevre is not truly happy. But she has her father and her little siblings keeping her hanging in.
However, when tragedy strikes, Genevre has to fight to keep her family together, which is not an easy task.
And the sudden presence of George Coleman does not make things easier…

This story is categorized as a ‘historical romance’, but in my opinion, it would be more correct to be described as a ‘historical drama’.
The romance in this book isn’t the main protagonist, but Genevre’s attempt of keeping her siblings all together and make a future.

If there is one thing that stood out through the whole story, is how caring Genevre is. Despite the fact that many of her own family are acting rather selfish the whole time, Genevre loves them and just wants what’s best for her siblings. And that even if that means that she will be alone without her beloved brother and sisters around her.
She goes lengths to make sure that her siblings will never lack in anything and that made me proud of her.

Like I said, there were a lot of selfish family members, and that made me sad… Instead of thinking as an union, all pulling in the same direction, most of them just think about themselves and what would benefit only them instead of thinking about the others…

Of course also Genevre is not without fault, she makes her own wrong decisions, but she makes them thinking about others and how her choices can benefit her loved ones.
It’s obvious she has her head straight, because she realizes that one specific decision will never give her any freedom or security.

With the exception of Genevre and her real true friends, I found it hard to connect with the other characters. And I think it’s because they are the total opposite of what I’m like, and even the opposite of Genevre. They are mostly all so selfish that I found it very hard to have any sympathy for them. But of course that is also how it’s like in real life. Not everyone is as caring and loving and selfless as Genevre.

This story was both beautiful as a bit brutal. Brutal because the unfairness of everything that Genevre had to endure and seeing how her attempts of keeping the family together were in vain. But also beautiful because she never gives up hope and makes the best of every situation she is in.
And the end gave the reader not a total closure but it offers us a silver lining as Genevre is ready to embark a new adventure that will hopefully bring her the so much deserved happiness.

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‘The Awful Truth About The Herbert Quarry Affair’ – written by Marco Ocram #BookReview @denishaughnessy @rararesources

A book like you never read before

Synopsis

With a jangle of keys, a door opened. Herbert clanked in, his arms locked to his sides, his ankles shackled, his face a Hannibal Lecter mask. He was overjoyed to see me.

“Marco, I’m jailed day and night with murderous thugs who can’t tell Schiller from Shakespeare. I’m desperate for intellectual stimulus—but you’ll do for now.” 

TV personality Marco Ocram is the world’s only self-penned character, writing his life in real time as you read it. Marco’s celebrity mentor, Herbert Quarry, grooms him to be the Jackson Pollock of literature, teaching him to splatter words on a page without thought or revision.

Quarry’s plan backfires when imbecilic Marco begins to type his first thought-free book: it’s a murder mystery—and Herbert’s caught red-handed near the butchered body of his lover.

Now Marco must write himself into a crusade to clear his friend’s name. Typing the first words that come into his head, Marco unleashes a phantasmagorical catalogue of twists in his pursuit of justice, writing the world’s fastest-selling book to reveal the awful truth about the Herbert Quarry affair.

My review

Marco Ocram is a writer, with his mentor Herbert Quarry encouraging him to write whatever thought he has in his mind. And by so becoming the Jackson Pollock of literature.
But when Macro is writing his first thought – novel that is becoming a murder mystery, Herbert Quarry finds himself begin the main suspect.
Now it’s up to Marco to clear his friend’s name by writing the book that will reveal the truth full of twists and turns.

This book was one of a kind… I have seen the series this book was based on on television, so I kind of new already who the culprit was, but I was curious to see how this author would manage to be unique in his writing while all the same staying somehow true to the original story.

I have to admit, reading a story where the writer is literally in process of writing the book, is something to get used to…
We see the input his mentor Herbert Quarry is giving and in the following chapter we see how the author is applying this feedback in his story.

Having a story based on the author’s first thoughts was sometimes confusing, especially when it was the purpose of him to confuse us.
And sometimes having first thoughts would be so over the top or unimaginable yet it made it into the story, making me frown because of some absurdities.

In a way, this was a funny story, reading how the imagination of the author could take off. There were hilarious situations our main characters found themselves in, but also gruesome ones, which made me glad I was just reading a book and wasn’t seeing those things myself.

This story was full of twists and revelations that kept asking my attention. After the initial struggles in understanding the concept of the story, I got used to this style.
It’s a unique style I think not everyone will or can appreciate, but those who are looking for something different, will certainly be entertained!

Geplaatst op door Tizi

‘Blue Hawaiian’ – written by Carla Luna #BookReview @casacullen @rararesources

Impossible rules for an expected perfect maid of honour…

Synopsis

The first rule of serving as the maid of honor at your perfect sister’s destination wedding? 

No mistakes. The second rule? No drama.

For Jess Chavez, a week in Maui is hardly a dream vacation—not when her sister expects her to be the perfect maid of honor. Not only does Jess have to fake perfection, but she can’t let anyone know she’s unemployed and barely scraping by. Above all, she needs to steer clear of Connor Blackwood, the sexy groomsman who broke her heart five years ago.

A family wedding offers Connor the ideal opportunity to convince everyone he’s no longer an irresponsible playboy. If they see he’s changed, they might support his decision to leave the family winery and strike out on his own. With so much at stake, the last thing he needs is an alluring distraction like Jess.

When Jess and Connor end up together, exploring the island’s lush, tropical beauty, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, they decide to make their own rules.

Five days of passion. No strings. No tears. No promises.

What could possibly go wrong?

My review

Jess Chavez is maid of honour for her sister. Not only is the wedding taking place in Maui, but her sister expects Jess to be the perfect maid of honour, causing no drama and making no mistakes.
Easier said than done, because Jess is now unemployed and is forced to move back to her mother until her life is back on rails.
And she has most importantly stay away from sexy groomsman Connor Blackwood, a well-known player that broke Jess’ heart five years ago.
But Connor is ready to show even his family he has changed, and sparks still fly around whenever Jess is around. So having 5 days of passion with no strings attached, nobody knowing what they are doing, nothing can go wrong, right?

I always love a story about characters meeting again, still having that spark and sometimes even against better judgement give in to those resurfaced feelings.
But what made me love this specific story even more, is that Jess is so recognizable, relatable.

When we meet Jess for the first time, it’s obvious she is a magnet for travellers’ bad luck. Not only is her luggage lost, she also meets Connor at the airport, the man who broke her heart.
But beside her bad luck whenever she travels, she also feels like she failed everything. Not only has she lost her job, also her boyfriend broke up with her and kicked her out of their place.
And having a sister where nothing goes wrong and is just perfect and organized in every aspect, surely doesn’t help her self-esteem.

So I felt very connected with Jess and felt sorry for her as how her life was going and being compared to perfect sister Gabi…
Even if Jess feels like a failure, she knows this holiday and week is all about Gabi and she is determined to be the best sister and make sure nothing goes wrong, or at least does her best to avoid anything going wrong. And spoiler alert: of course there are several things going wrong!!!

Connor is in a total different situation. He is known for being a player, but he now wants to show he has changed and he even wants to have his own winery and wants to run it according his vision. And that is in total contrast with how his family run their business. They only care about money and prestige and Connor isn’t appreciated at all. even his own sister is being used somehow as a pawn in the bigger scheme.

There were some side characters I immediately disliked, like Connor’s father, but also Lance, with his smooth talks, and Darren is just someone I want to slap!
But there were also so many likeable characters, like Brody and after my wrong first impressions, also Victoria and Gabi herself were on my good side.

Reading a story where characters decide to just have a fling, is never a surprise when in the end feelings do surface. But that is also the beauty, because in this case it’s also about second chances and seeing how people have matured and changed. Changed but also somehow managed to stay their real self…

I had many laughs, several times at Jess’ expense, because how much bad luck can a girl have? But there were also many sweet moments that made my heart melt.
This was a very entertaining story, but also with the message that people can change for the better and that sometimes you have to give people the chance to proof themselves.
And most important: nobody is perfect, but everyone is perfect in their own particular way!