Tizi’s Book Review

And on this sunny Tuesday, I have a brand new cover reveal!

Synopsis

As an eventful school year draws to a close, Mark has to face his greatest challenge yet.

Witches, demons and spells have quickly become the norm for Mark, but he will find that magic can’t solve all of his problems.

With everyone relying on him, will Mark be able to save the day?

Or will the price of being a hero be too high?

Pre Order Link 

Available at special pre-order deal 99p (normal price £3.50/$3.99)

Purchase links:  https://books2read.com/u/b5kdXO

Publication Date: 1st May

About the author

Kelly S. Marsden grew up in Yorkshire, and there were two constants in her life – books and horses.
Graduating with an equine degree from Aberystwyth University, she has spent most of her life since trying to experience everything the horse world has to offer. She is currently settled into a Nutritionist role for a horse feed company in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
She writes Fantasy stories part-time. Her first book, The Shadow Rises (Witch-Hunter #1), was published in January 2013, and she now has several successful series under her belt.

The cover

When your peace is disturbed by uninvited guests…

Synopsis

Escape the rat race by heading to the Yorkshire Moors in Jane Lovering’s funny, warm and magical new novel.

Needing an escape, Dora swapped city living for life as a shepherdess on her grandad’s Yorkshire farm. More than a decade later Dora is still there, now farming the fifty acres and caring for the one hundred rare sheep by herself. She never hears the call of the city, but instead relishes the peace and simplicity of life on the Moors.

When Dora’s glamorous but quarrelsome sister Cass, her teenage nephew Thor and his handsome tutor Nat, turn up for an unexpected and unreasonably long stay, life on the farm is thrown into chaos. Cass brings with her unwelcome memories from the past, and of someone who once stole Dora’s heart. 

Dora takes refuge in the comforting routine of the farm, the sheep never allowing her too much time to dwell. But, as the seasons change, the snow starts to melt, and as lambs begin to fill the fields, Dora can’t keep hiding in the hills. Because even though she’s trying, Dora can’t run away from a love that never really let her go…

Let Jane Lovering whisk you away to the beauty and serenity of the Yorkshire Moors, far away from the noise of the city. Just right for fans of Emma Burstall, Holly Martin and Kate Forster.

My review

Dora inherited her grandad’s Yorkshire farm and swapped her city life for a life as a shepherdess. She enjoys the peace and quiet, even if running a farm with one hundred rare sheep is not an easy task.
However, when her sister Cass and nephew Thor suddenly appear on her doorstep, together with tutor Nat, demanding to stay for an undefined time at the farm, Dora’s peace and calm are swapped for Chaos and Disorder!
Not only has Dora lost her peace, but also unwanted memories resurface, and because of the interfering of Cass, Dora needs to find a solution to save the farm. And Nat seems to be part of her past also somehow…

I always enjoy reading a book from Jane Lovering, yet this one was a bit different. Not that I didn’t enjoy reading it, because I honestly did!
But there were some darker themes in it that I didn’t expect.

Dora seems like a strange woman, looking on her own after one hundred rare sheep. It surely wouldn’t be something for me! And it’s not just literally looking at the sheep, there are so many more tasks involved! And some of them just gave me shivers!
It’s very quickly obvious that Dora has some secrets from a dark past, what made her escape to Folly Farm. And even if initially her past was partly made clear, I did have some sympathy for her, but not the overwhelming feeling of feeling sorry for her.
Yet the more is made clear, the more the real overwhelming feeling of pity came to me.
However, now she has put her past behind her, and looking after sheep surely made some hilarious situations are taking place. I found myself laughing at the stubborn sheep (one sheep particularly!).

When Cass suddenly stands at her door, I didn’t like her presence. Cass came over like a know-it-all, it seemed like she thought she could just come and start making decisions over the farm, never taking Dora’s opinion in account. And that made Dora doubt if being at the farm was truly her own wish or just something thrown at her.
Yet again, there is always more than meets the eye, and slowly I had to readjust my opinion over Cass, because just like Dora, I didn’t understand what Cass had been through and is still going through.

But please keep in mind, there are also so many sweet and funny moments! I loved reading how Thor slowly starts to embrace farm life, even if his dream is to become insta-famous. And his livestreaming will prove to be a real lifesaver!

I am not writing anything on Nat on purpose, because I want you to discover him all by yourself. Let me just say that no matter what happened before, I would like to have a Nat all for me too!

This story is about running away from your past, but also that sometimes confronting them can be liberating. And that it can be hard to see the difficulties someone else is in when your own plate is already full. Yet when you take the time to be honest and open, you will be able to find the perfect solution for all people involved and appreciate your loved ones and vice versa.

I found it sometimes a funny story, sometimes a story with a darker twist to it. But I enjoyed reading about two sisters so different yet so alike.
Again Jane Lovering didn’t disappoint in this book, writing about a place to call home, seeing people for the first like how they really are and many many many funny sheep! 

A huge tumble with huge consequences.

Synopsis

Meet Kaitlyn Colby, a clumsy, inappropriate blurter with self-esteem issues, but also quite handy with an axe. She’s certainly no superhero, but she fights the battles of a single mom with sweet snarkasm. Between work and pining for and co-parenting with her man-child ex (is there any other kind?), Kaitlyn has no time to find that special someone. And if she did, would he really want her anyway? Kaitlyn’s sister and friends (The Sweet Water Circle) say yes, so following a typical Kaitlyn slip up, The Circle intervenes to force her out of the funk that she fell into following her unwanted divorce.

When Kaitlyn makes a decision to pursue her advertising career over love, she tumbles (like no tumble you’ve ever seen…or heard) into the life of hunky, bay breeze-drinking Hunter Dixon, an ad exec who is intrigued enough by Kaitlyn that he hires her firm to revive a struggling project, much like herself.

Can Kaitlyn become the woman she needs to be to land the man of her dreams? Maybe. Maybe not. But you’ll laugh out loud as she tries. There’s no doubt you’ll be rooting for the lovable, hilarious, and relatable Kaitlyn. And you’ll probably love her friends, too, which is good, because their stories are ready to be told in the Sweet Water Circle series!

Project Kaitlyn could be the funniest book you ever read. It’s a hilarious romantic comedy that speaks the truth (well, most of the time) about life and love, and…hiking thongs? What the heck is that? Well, you’ll just have to read it to find out!

My review

Kaitlyn Colby is a single – mom with no time for finding that special someone. After all, whenever in need of some loving, she can always count on her ex – husband, as their lust is still very much present.
And also, who would ever want her? No matter what her best friends of The Sweet Water Circle say, she keeps on having very low self – esteem…
But when on an event she literally takes a big tumble and bumps into Hunter Dixon, little does she know that not only her career but also her love life will take a new direction!

Did I ever expect to have so much fun reading this book? Absolutely not! Did I have several loud laughs, scaring the people around me? Absolutely yes!

Kaitlyn is a woman that could have been my friend in real life. She is so recognizable, fun to be around, a great sense of humour and even her clumsiness is something I can relate to! And if she were for real, I would be just like her friends of The Sweet Water Circle, trying to make it clear to her just amazing she is, because her low self – esteem is totally unjustified!
Yet she is also hot – tempered, the way she lashes out at that cardboard!

The most fun starts when she meets Hunter Dixon. Talking about original first meetings! I had my first loud laugh while Kaitlyn was tumbling, but if I were in her shoes, I would have the same feeling of total embarrassment!

Kaitlyn and Hunter are total opposites.. Kait – formerly known as Kaitlyn, does not like to take unnecessary risks and doesn’t do ‘spontaneous’. While Hunter just easily goes with the flow and he will see what the future holds for him. and he surely doesn’t do ‘serious’!
Yet the attraction is palpable and just sparks from each page!
The banter between this couple is hilarious, they take it to a whole new level!

Yet the insecurity Kait still has, put a bit of a dark shadow over this couple’s potential. Kait is not sure what Hunter sees in her, and adding a flirting colleague like Sascha in the equation, is not surely helping out!

However slowly Kait starts to see what everybody else sees, that she totally is worth of love, and why not Hunter’s love? She grows in the story to a stronger woman, not only thinking about others but also thinking about what makes her happy. And if that is Hunter, so be it.

I loved reading how she started to do things outside her comfort zone, with the encouragement of Hunter. I will never think of hiking in the same way! 😄

The friends that Kait has, are just too much fun! So I have to put them in my review!!! They truly want what’s best for Kait, showing how close they really are, no matter their differences. They help each other, support each other and give even some unwanted or strange advice. Be prepared whenever the Circle is present, because you’ll never know what will be said!

This author was a real revelation for me, as I enjoyed every bit of this book! It’s fun, sweet but also with a message that everybody is worthy of love, and that no matter how little you think of yourself, people will see your true colours and love you just the way you are!
I cannot wait to read more!!!

A little bit of love, a little bit of drama, a little bit of secrets.

Synopsis

It’s 1988. The era of young love, with Scott and Charlene melting hearts in Neighbours, and a new princess for the Royal Family. With Bros, Madonna and Wet Wet Wet in the charts, and children hoping for Ghostbusters’ toys in their stockings.

But it’s not all fun for Belinda. If her life was a board game, she’s losing at snakes and ladders. Once she’d been working her way up one of those ladders but, thanks to her snake-like polytechnic lecturer, she’s toppled from the rungs. Now she works in an old people’s home, where her chief duties involve cleaning toilets and emptying commodes.

At least her lovely colleague, Joe, offers excitement in her otherwise dreary life. But Belinda can’t believe he’d be interested in someone like her. Not when her pretty friend, Tracey, only has to glance at a man to have him fall for her.

But just when it seems things are looking up for Belinda, the residents’ precious possessions start to go missing. Then she witnesses a disturbing incident and doesn’t know what to do. Luckily, Belinda has Joe to guide her – until she discovers that he’s hiding a secret, one that forces her to make an agonising decision.

Will she continue to hide in the shadows, never speaking out – or will she put her future on the line to stand up for what is right? After all, she’s caring for a generation that’s lived through two wars. Now it’s time to fight for them.

My review

In the Eighties, Belinda is ready to start a new job. After her own share of unfortunate events, she works in a care home/ residential home, mainly cleaning toilets and emptying commodes.
It’s not the job of dreams, but without a degree, she is not in the position to be picky on jobs.
Luckily she befriends colleague Joe, a very lovely and good-looking man. The closer they become, the more insecure Belinda becomes, because why would someone like him be interested in someone like her, while he could get someone gorgeous as her best friend Tracey.

But slowly things are looking better for Belinda, because the residents’ are really fond of her. However when possessions start to disappear and not all colleagues are treating the residents with the respect they earn, Belinda is not sure what to do. Should she dare to speak out, with risking her own job? Or should she just keep quiet?
With the guidance of Joe, Belinda is trying to do the right thing. But when it appears that Joe also has a secret of his own, Belinda has to make an even more important decision that will also affect the residents…

First of all, I was only two when this story is taking place 😃 So a few references were not that clear to me. But overall I truly enjoyed reading this blast from the past!

Despite her past, I admired Belinda and her courage of not just giving up. Working in the home is not something she saw herself doing, but she is committed to the job and she starts to really care about the residents. She sees how some people are feeling lonely and she does her best, even when her workhours are over, to make these people a little bit happier.
And I think that even in the present, we need more people like Bee, caring and looking after those who have fought literally so that we are where we are now. The older people are often seen as a burden, while they can still be a source of knowledge.

In the beginning, Bee is a very insecure woman, lacking self – confidence. But slowly she evolves in a young woman, standing up for the rights of the residents, and starts to see also her self-worth. And thanks to Joe, she starts to see how other people see her, a lovely, caring young woman with her heart at the right place.
Even when she discovers the truth about the missing possessions, she keeps in mind what the right thing to do is, even if it hurts someone nearby her.

I loved reading how this girl went from cleaning toilets to fighting for the care of the residents. And to read how she and Joe are getting closer, was just too sweet!
Being a story taking place in the Eighties, there were a lot of funny references that I could perfectly imagine. And also there were bits that were hilarious to read about!

I found this a very entertaining story with lovely moments, but also with secrets to be uncovered.
Sometimes I was left shocked with how the residents were treated, realizing that unfortunately this is still a fact in present times. But with people like Bee and Joe, the injustice can be undone with the caring people that truly have our beloved ones best interest at heart!

The story of a teenager

Synopsis

Emme starts dating a popular high school student who happens to be from a famous political family. It seems like everyone at school either wants to be Brendon Agretti or date him. Emme feels out of her comfort zone in Brendon’s worldand it doesn’t help that his picture-perfect ex seems determined to get back into his life, along with every other girl who wants to be the future Mrs. Agretti. Emme is already conflicted due to the fact her last boyfriend dumped her and her whole world is off kilter with her grandparents’ health issues. Life suddenly seems easier pushing Brendon away and relying on her crystals and horoscopes to guide her. Emme soon starts to realize she needs to focus less on the stars and more on her senses. Can Emme get over her insecurities and make her relationship work? Life sure is complicated when you’re dating the it guy.

My review

When Emme starts dating the popular guy from high school, she is not ready for all the extra luggage that comes with it.
Not only does she have to face her own insecurities, but she also has to face the flirting of Brendon’s ex – girlfriend. As at home she is also having difficulties because of her grandparents’ health issues, she starts to rely more and more on the guidance of crystals and horoscopes.
Because it seems to be all too much for her, it seems to her it will be easier to just push Brendon away. But is it the right choice to make? And should she learn to trust her intuition over the crystals and horoscopes?

When being in high school, who didn’t dream of being in a relationship with the most popular guy? Of course, if you’re not one of the popular girls too, chance of that dream coming true, are rather small.
So I was very happy with the opportunity of reading this story.

It’s clear that Emme is a young girl with a lot on her plate. Her previous relationship did not end very well, making her own insecurities grow bigger. Also at home she has to face big issues, because her beloved grandparents’ health situations are deteriorating.
When she starts dating Brendon, I was hoping that everything would go smoothly for her, but of course that would be a very short story if that would be the case.
And the issues she is having, are so recognizable for everyone. We all had insecurities about ourselves. As a teenager we all doubted if we were good enough. And an ex – girlfriend lurking behind every corner surely isn’t making things easy for Emme.

I have to admit, I found it a bit difficult to understand why Emme went all the way with relying on crystals and other beliefs in astrology. But maybe it’s because I have a total lack of interest in such matters.
But I understood that Emme had to find her comfort somewhere, so why not in astrology?

In general I found it a bittersweet story, about a young girl finding love, but having many struggles and sometimes making the wrong decisions. But it was also a story about growing up, because we see Emme slowly relying more on her intuition and even discard the advices given by a supposed good friend.

I think this would be a good story for teenagers to read, to see that there is always light on the end of the tunnel. And for adults it’s a good reminder of what we went through ourselves.

Can a heart be healed after being broken?

Synopsis

When you’ve loved and lost, how do you find the strength to let love in again?

Jemma thinks she’s found the love of her life. Scott is everything she ever dreamed of and she can’t wait to begin the next stage of their life together. But just as she is heading for her happy ever after, a shock revelation shatters Jemma’s life as she knows it. Left to pick up the pieces, Jemma’s friends and family rally round to help her find the courage to move on.

Sam think he has his future all worked out. A thriving career, lovely home and an amazing fiancée. But when tragedy strikes, he finds himself alone, far from everyone he cares about. Did he do the right thing by running away and trying to rebuild the tatters of his life alone?

This is the story of Jemma and Sam. Two lost souls, desperately trying to find closure and happiness. When a chance meeting brings them together a friendship is formed, but the guards are up. 

Will it finally be their turn for a happy ever after? Or will the secrets from their pasts prevent them from moving on?

Escape to Whitsborough Bay for an emotional, uplifting story of love and friendship from top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland. 

This book was previously published as Bear With Me.

My review

When Jemma meets Scott, she thinks she has found her perfect man. and now that she is ready to take the next step, she is over the moon when Scott seems to be on the same page.
But when a revelation just turns her world upside down, it’s hard to pick up the pieces again. Luckily, she can count on her family and friends to help her through one of the darkest moments of her life. But Jemma is not only facing a broken, heart, because her mother is worrying her every day a little bit more…

Sam is still coping with the tragedy that struck his fiancée. His whole future went up in air and now he finds himself alone after running away to a place where nobody knows him.
Because despite the good intentions of his friends and family, how can he start thinking of rebuilding a life when he had it all, and lost it?

When Jemma and Sam meet, they realize that they have found someone that understand the turmoil they are in.

I honestly think I have to stop reading books from this author!  No matter what I read of her, each time it breaks my heart, and I have tears in my eyes…

Both Jemma and Sam have been going through devastating events. And even if in one aspect they are very different, yet they are very similar.
Jemma’s love for Scott has been betrayed in the worst way. And somehow I understood her feelings and actions. Yes, her heart got broken, but it’s not easy to just erase the feelings of love you have for a man who you imagined spending the rest of your life with.
So when a second chance appeared, I understood her dilemma. Yet I couldn’t forget the way Jemma found out the truth…

Sam story was a more tragic, final story. Losing his fiancée Nikki like that, out of the blue, with later on an even bigger tragedy, ugh, no words can explain what it did to me!
Also here, I understood why Sam had the need to get away from everything and everyone.

This story is about grief, coping with your loss and finding strength to trust and love people again. Every feeling the characters go through, was so gripping, honest and real. I found myself often wishing to have the ability to get into the book and just give our protagonists a hug for comfort. Or when they took a step in the right direction, a high five.
There are several painful moments, but also so many emotional, beautiful moments, that made me forget the hardest bits and I found myself smiling with tears rolling down my face… And the bears added an extra layer of adorability!

It’s not only a book about what you have lost, but also finding the courage and strength to cope with whatever will happen next.
I found it an inspirational book about how to dare to look at the future again.

The author managed again to write a story about normal people, going through heart-breaking events, but instead of just giving up, they are able to see a little ray of light.
I just loved it, what more can I say???

How to choose between love and family?

Synopsis

An impossible choice:

His family or love

As steward to the Earl of Borwyn, Erik Ward had only admired sheltered noblewoman Linota Leofricfrom afar – until he has to escort her on a dangerous journey. When she’s kidnapped, he rescues the courageous beauty, revelling in finally having her in his arms. But Erik has a secret plan to reunite his family – now he’s forced to choose between that and his growing feelings for Linota…

My review

Linota Leofric has always been sheltered from everything by her mother. That all changed thanks to her brother. She starts to enjoy the funs of the world and learns all the things she has been missing out.
Little does she know that she has a secret admirer, Erik Ward. However, being born into different worlds, Erik knows he can only admire Linota from afar.
When Linota is being kidnapped for monetary reasons, Erik is ready to do whatever he can to save her. But an impossible choice is thrown at him: save Linota or betray her brother in the worst way but finally be able to find his missing sister.

This was a story I was absolutely looking forward to read, as we got a small glimpse of Erik and Linota in the previous book of this series.
I sensed immediately that there was so much more to their story! And did this story fulfil my expectations? You’ll find out reading below! 😃

Even if Linota is relatively young, she had a difficult childhood. Not only was her father accused of being a traitor, but she also saw him being hanged. And when her mother went a bit crazy and locked up Linota and her sister, well, I truly pitied the sisters even more.
So when Linota is at her brother’s wedding, I enjoyed reading how much fun she was having over sometimes the simplest things!
Her being young and a bit otherworldly, doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel any attraction towards the mysterious Erik Ward.

Erik Ward is this typical silent, mysterious man. but whenever he is nearby Linota, all he wants is to make her smile. And it’s just that aspect that made my heart melt too!
And the fact that he is constantly trying to find his beloved sister, shows how caring he truly is. He made his sister a promise, and he will do whatever he can to keep it.
So when keeping his promise means he has to make an impossible choice, it was just heart-breaking…

Whenever Linota and Erik are together, sparks just fly around. Their attraction is just so obvious, even if they know their love would be an impossible one. Both care very much about their families and will do whatever they can to make them happy, even if that means put their own happiness aside. Yet hiding their feelings makes it impossible for the other person to know how deep the feelings are and often Linota finds herself wondering if the love is only a one – way direction or not… 

I loved reading this story because it gave me the answers of questions I had after reading the previous book. And it confirmed my feeling that Erik wasn’t such a malicious man as we thought. There is always more to a person than we think and whenever someone acts out of character, we have to wonder what the real motivations are.

I found this a beautiful story, about a young woman and a man with a mission, trying to do the right thing by not giving in to their attraction. But sometimes just admitting the feelings you have can be the right thing. I loved reading about all the Leofric siblings and this story was the perfect ending for all of them!

When you are forced to face your past…

Synopsis

Escape to the countryside with a heart-warming new novel from Katie Ginger, author of Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage.

Amelia loves her life in Paris. But with the surprise inheritance of her childhood home, Meadow Farmhouse, she has no choice but to return to the small village of Meadowbank to restore her great-aunt’s old farmhouse. However returning to Meadowbank means she has to confront her past, including old flame Adam.

When Amelia discovers a locket hidden in the farmhouse, containing the picture of a mysterious World War Two soldier, she starts to uncover the secrets of her great-aunt’s past and is drawn further into village life. Shocked by the warm welcome from the villagers and her own surprising feelings for first love Adam, Amelia is suddenly confused as to where she truly belongs.

Can Amelia finally confront her own past and find where her heart truly calls home?

Fans of Rachael Lucas, Cathy Bramley and Jenny Colgan will fall in love with Katie Ginger!

My review

Amelia is living her life in Paris, but when her great – aunt dies, and Amelia inherits Meadow Farmhouse, she has to go back to the village of Meadowbank. Being back in her childhood home, she is determined to restore the farmhouse to sell it as soon as possible.
But returning back home means facing everything she ran away from many years ago, including her first love Adam.

When one day Amelia discovers a locket with a picture of a World War Two soldier, she wants to figure out who the soldier was and what links him to her great – aunt. That means she has to spend more time in Meadowbank, and the welcoming feeling she received from the inhabitants confuses her even more than ever. Because where does she truly belong? In Paris or in the place that holds more happy memories than remembered?

I have the feeling that each time I read a story of this author, I am saying the same things, because I absolutely loved this story!
However it gave me a lot of sad feelings, it was also a beautiful story.

Getting to know Amelia was not always a pleasure, because of her past. As a young child she has lost her parents and had to stay with her great – aunt Vera. It broke my heart reading how Amelia felt through all her childhood, like a burden to Vera. Vera was not a happy woman, and she was very cold and distant towards her own niece.
But reading how Amelia and Adam went from friendship to that first love was just adorable.

So when she is forced to go back to Meadowbank, I understood her hesitation… not only because of the bad memories, but Amelia is also afraid to face Adam again, as she just left him without any real closure.

The “reunion” is obviously an awkward one and avoiding each other is still the preferred solution. However in time of need, both Adam and his mother show their true caring characters. And no matter what hard feelings there were, they look after Amelia.

I found this not only a sweet story about returning home, but also a story about how one event can break a person. When Amelia finds out what happened to Vera in the past, it was such a sad, unjust event. It opened both Amelia’s and my eyes on the true nature of Vera. And it threw a whole new perspective over Amelia’s growing up. And her feelings of being a burden, belonging nowhere and be easily forgotten are all put in a different light.

I found it bittersweet to see how Amelia had to readjust her opinion over het great – aunt. Because it’s always the sad things we easily remember. But the more Amelia is staying at Meadow Farmhouse, the more forgotten memories resurface. And that makes her question where her true home is. Is it in Paris, with a great career and with friends that I honestly didn’t really like? Or is it in Meadowbank with so many memories, both happy and sad?

Just everything in this story was beautiful, even the sadder parts, but sometimes you need the sadness to appreciate more how an amazing story this truly is. And Katie Ginger showed what a great writer she is, finding the perfect balance between all the events.
I have just one question… can I get somewhere the sculptures Adam made? Because they surely would find a lovely home with me! 😃

When running away means the start of something new.

Synopsis

Brand NEW from the bestselling author of The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts.

Scandal hit party girl Lucy Conway needs to leave London fast, so she packs her bags and escapes to the sleepy village of Cranbridge to take care of her beloved Uncle Frank.

But the country village isn’t quite as idyllic as she remembers. To make matters worse, her Uncle’s pride and joy, The Cranbridge Times, is close to going out of business.

Editor-at-Large Tom Addison is having a crisis of confidence and needs help if the newspaper is going to survive. 

With time on her hands, can Lucy work some magic and together save the family newspaper?
Over a long, hot summer, friendships are made and hearts begin to heal. And, with the help of a stray dog, perhaps Lucy and Tom can find their very own new beginning…

My review

When Lucy Conway finds herself in the middle of a scandal written all over the tabloids, she sees no other option than escaping to the village of Cranbridge, to help her beloved Uncle Frank. She hopes to find a little bit of peace so that she can decide what she wants to do with her life.

But the Cranbridge she is staying in, is not the Cranbridge of her youth anymore. A lot has changed and not always for the better. So is her Uncle’s newspaper, The Cranbridge Times, on the verge of going out of business. And the editor of the paper, Tom Addison, is having a crisis of his own. Having a new employee is the last thing he needs, but how can he refuse the niece of the owner?

Lucy makes it her personal mission to save the paper and while figuring out what to do, she starts feeling et home at the little village, making friends, a stray dog lurking behind the corner and growing feelings towards an inhabitant of the village…

I absolutely loved retuning to Cranbridge! This small village is something I would love to live, with the whole community looking out of each other.

When Lucy arrives there, I saw her as a lost puppy, feeling alone in the world, her parents not being the most supportive ones. My heart ached when she felt that her Uncle Frank was more caring and loving than her own parents. Yet I was glad she had a place to go to, knowing that she would be welcomed with open hands.

Lucy is someone trying to find her place in the world. She lacks self-confidence, doubting what she is capable of. And what better place to realize your own worth than Cranbridge?
When she befriends Molly first, and then the other lovely women we already got to know in the first book, slowly she opens up and we see the real Lucy.
She also realizes what the meaning of true friendship is and acts on it, after realizing that her past friendships were nothing compared to the relationships made in Cranbridge.

Also Tom’s story is a sad one… not only is he a divorced man, but after losing his mother, it seems he cannot move on. and also at work he is without inspiration. Realizing that he is going to lose the paper is only making him feel more depressed.

The more time Lucy and Tom spend together, trying to save the paper, the more their friendship shifts into something more beautiful. and because of their time spending together, both Lucy and Tom start to have a more positive look on their current situation.

Cranbridge worked its magic again in this story, and I found it truly beautiful to see how two people that are feeling down, thanks to an amazing community and friends, see their own potential again. And if you don’t fall immediately in love with Keith, the stray dog, I suggest to get yourself checked by your GP, because then there is something wrong!

This story is about finding yourself again, finding a place to call home and a place where you belong, with people that accept you just as your perfect self is.
I found it beautiful, emotional, and each character stole a piece of my heart!

When a planned summer holiday in Nepal is forcefully changed in a search in Scotland.

Synopsis

After a gruelling academic year head teacher Harper MacDonald is looking forward to a summer holiday trekking in Nepal. Her plans are scuppered when her wayward niece, Ariel, leaves a note announcing she’s running away with a boy called Pen. The only clue to their whereabouts is a scribbled footnote: I’ll Be in Scotland. 

Cue a case of mistaken identity when Harper confronts the boy‘s father – Rocco Penhaligon – accusing him of cradle snatching her niece and ruining her bright future. At loggerheads, Harper and Rocco set off in hot pursuit of the teenagers, but the canny youngsters are always one step ahead.  And, in a neat twist, it is the adults who end up in trouble, not the savvy teenagers. 

Can Cupid convince Harper and Rocco that they have found their soul mates? 

Fasten your seatbelt for the road trip of your lifetime – It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

My review

Head teacher Harper MacDonald looking forward to her summer holiday. She has planned to spend it trekking in Nepal while her niece Ariel, that is staying with her, will spend the holidays with her mother. But when Ariel decides to run away with a boy Pen, and leaves a short note stating she’ll be in Scotland, Harper throws all her plans out of the window.
After a search and a case of mistaken identity, Harper finds Pen’s father Rocco Penhaligon. Together they set off in a pursuit of finding the teenagers, always finding themselves one step behind. But being them so different from each other, will they be able to find a truce on their quest, having the kids’ best interest in mind?

If there is one kind of story I truly enjoy reading, it’s about two very different people ‘forced’ to spend time together and realizing that they have more in common than thought and grow closer.
And this story surely ticked the above mentioned boxes!

Harper is a strict woman, which of course she has to be as she is the head teacher. But she applies her strictness also a bit at home. I also have to say that I somehow admired her. It’s not for just anyone to take a teenaged niece in house, and taking the role of mother on her. But Harper does the best she can to look after Ariel.

So when Ariel goes AWOL, with just a small note that doesn’t really say much, Harper is determined to find the man that is responsible for Ariel’s behaviour. And when she meets Rocco, that’s when the fireworks start!

Rocco is a character that got my personal attention immediately! The way he emerges from under a car… *swoon*!
Of course his character is the total opposite from Harper’s and that makes this a very entertaining story!

Whatever is said or done, is followed by a reprimand or a dislike no matter how right or wrong it is.

But while chasing the teenagers, Harper and Rocco get to know each other better, and start to see each other in a different light. It shows that first impressions can be wrong, and there is always more than meets the eye.
Both from Harper and Rocco we see a different side.
When Rocco takes care of Harper after her food poisoning, my heart just skipped a beat. But also Harper shows her true colours and it is clear that she has her own demons to face…

This story is a beautiful road trip, taking me to new places I also want to discover myself. It kept me hooked from the start and I wanted to know how the relation between a strict Harper and a laidback Rocco would evolve.
I found this a funny and sweet story about two strangers forced to work together, with many clashes but eventually standing side by side and a deeper feeling blossoming.