Tizi’s Book Review

Imagine a quest in a world without Internet or social media!

Synopsis

The book that started it all! A classic retro romcom from #1 bestselling author Shari Low.

1999.
Carly Cooper is 30, single, and after coming close to saying ‘I Do’ to six different men, she’s wondering if she accidentally said ‘goodbye’ to Mr Right.
But there is a problem.
Her ex-boyfriends are scattered all over the world and Carly lives in 1999; an era before Facebook, Google, smartphones, 4G and Broadband, when it was impossible to track people down with a few clicks of a mouse.
On a mission to discover if she walked away from her ‘happy ever after’, Carly quits her job, her flat, her whole life and sets off on a quest to track down all the men she has ever loved.
Her Mr Right is out there, but can she find him?
And what if he’s moved on from the ex-girlfriend who said goodbye? A wonderful classic 20th-anniversary re-release.

My review

Carly Cooper is 30 and single. Despite being engaged several times, she never made it to the final step.
Overthinking every relationship she has been in, makes her wonder if perhaps she already met her Mr. Right but tossed him away. So now she has a new mission: track all het previous boyfriends and see if he was The One.

Only problem…. It’s 1999 so there is no such thing as Facebook or internet. And the ex-boyfriends are scattered all over the world.

Will she succeed in her mission and find the love of her life? And will he be forgiving her for breaking his heart in the past?

I had so much fun reading this story! Even if sometimes I had to remind myself that it’s taking in place in 1999!
Everybody is so used to Internet, Facebook and other social media, it’s hard to imagine that only 20 years they didn’t exist!
So reading about Carly and her mission was truly entertaining!

I did initially have my doubts about liking Carly, because how can someone be engaged so many times, and not be sure about her feelings?
But slowly I started to understand Carly. It’s not that she didn’t love them, but she was just not ready to take that huge step, and she was just doubting every decision she was making. During her relationships, she also found it hard to be really open, speak her mind. She found herself always wanting to please the boyfriend/ fiancé and she wanted to prevent for them getting hurt, getting obviously the opposite result.

I loved being on the quest with Carly, curious to know what have happened to the men she left behind. 
I was curious to see how Carly would handle the awkward situations.
The beauty of this story was, despite Carly’s absurd mission, we got to see how she has grown. She understands that what she did in the past was just wrong, even if it was done with the best intentions. And that even if the man doesn’t appear to be the One for her, she at least has the opportunity to apologize.

This story is a throwback in the not so far away past, about a woman wanting to put things right. And it is a hilarious read, thinking back about the Millennium Bug, a world where people have to actually talk to each other and ghosting avant la lettre!

And if you are wondering if Carly found her Mr. Right… well, you’ll have to read this funny book to find out if the ex became a no longer ex!

When your future is doing the same you did in your past.

Synopsis

From grieving widow…

1851. After her merchant husband saved her from a life of prostitution, Louisa Hill was briefly happy as a housewife in Bristol. But then a constable arrives at her door. Her husband has been found hanged in a Bath hotel room, a note and a key to a property in Bath the only things she has left of him. And now the debt collectors will come calling.

To a new life as a madam.

Forced to leave everything she knows behind, Louisa finds more painful betrayals waiting for her in the house in Bath. Left with no means of income, Louisa knows she has nothing to turn to but her old way of life. But this time, she’ll do it on her own terms – by turning her home into a brothel for upper class gentleman. And she’s determined to spare the girls she saves from the street the horrors she endured in the past.

Enlisting the help of Jacob Jackson, a quiet but feared boxer, to watch over the house, Louisa is about to embark on a life she never envisaged. Can she find the courage to forge this new path? 

A Widow’s Vow is the first in a gripping and gritty new Victorian saga series from Rachel Brimble. You won’t be able to put it down.

My review

Louisa thought she finally escaped a life of prostitution, by getting married. She enjoyed her life as a housewife, but when a constable knocks on her door, her dream falls apart. Her husband has been found dead in a hotel room and left her a property in Bath and many debts.

Now that Louisa has no more income, she sees no other option than returning to her old job. But this time it will be on her conditions. She won’t run just a random brothel, but one for upper class gentlemen. And to make sure that every woman in the house is safe, she needs someone to watch the house. And her eye falls on boxer Jacob Jackson.

Will Louisa succeed in run the brothel how she envisions it? And can she truly protect the girls?

Initially I couldn’t’ imagine that I would like Louisa. Maybe in my own naivety, I found it hard to understand why someone would go back into prostitution, after just escaped from it. I thought that there would be other solutions.

But okay, putting my own thoughts aside, I had to admire Louisa’s determination to be different. She truly wants the best for the girls and goes lengths to provide protection.
Once she made her decision, she is sticking by it, and will not allow anyway to bully her away.

When she meets Jacob, she immediately sees he is exactly what she needs. Jacob is a boxer, so I understood he wasn’t jumping at this opportunity.
Jacob was a hard nut to crack. He strongly beliefs that because he was raised with violence, that he is also a violent man. He thinks that violence runs in his blood and nothing can change his mind.

All the people in this story make an evolution. Louisa has to learn to love again, daring to allow someone in her life and heart again. Jacob has to learn that violence isn’t the solution and that he isn’t born to be a violent man.

This is not a story where it’s all rainbow and sunshine. It shows how hard life can be if you are not so lucky.
But it also shows that determination can change your life and that you don’t have to be only a victim.
And being in a difficult position, but having people that care about you, is all that matters. The people that are about you and you care about can come in different sizes and shapes. It can be a friend that you know for years, the latest addition of your brothel and even that boxer that needs to provide the protection.

It’s a dark story, but with silver linings that made this story an enjoyable read. I found myself feeling compassionate about the characters, hoping that they would see the light and not just give up.

Love is not like in a romance book!

Synopsis

Grab your cosiest jumper and escape to the beautiful Swallowtail Bay!

Christmas and romance are in the air and Nell is obsessed! She can’t stop watching her favourite Christmas romcoms and dreaming of the day when she meets her own romantic hero, especially as she is hosting the first ever wedding at her small hotel, Holly Lodge.

Nell’s best friend, Tom, has been in love with her ever since they met. But Nell has never seen him that way, and he’s always kept his feelings a secret in case it ruins their friendship.

After the opening of the glamorous Langdon Mansion Hotel in the bay, Nell’s hotel is struggling for survival and she must fight, with Tom’s help, to keep Holly Lodge open. Can the magic of Christmas help two old friends save Holly Lodge and open Nell’s eyes to a love that was always there the whole time?

Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay is the hilarious new romantic comedy from Katie Ginger, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Veronica Henry and Holly Martin!

My review

Nell is known for her love of Christmas and romcoms. She often just dreams away, thinking how she will meet her own hero and have her own happily ever after, just like in the movies she loves.
She also loves her Holly Lodge hotel and she is ready to host her very first wedding there! And not just any wedding, no it will be the wedding of her best friend Cat!

But since the glamourous Langdon Mansion Hotel opened in the bay, Nell’s hotel is not as flourishing as it was before!
So now, not only Nell has to organize a perfect wedding, she must fight to keep her hotel in business. But luckily for her, in time of need, she can always count on her best friend Tom, who would do anything to see Nell happy. Everything, except telling his true feelings…

Will Nell manage to keep her hotel, organize the wedding and see what’s right in front of her, instead of dreaming of impossible loves?

You know that feeling that you know you will love a book even before you’ve read one single word of it? Well, I had this feeling with this book!

This is not only about Nell trying to find love around Christmas. But it was also about her being there for her friends, sticking up for them. And about her friends being there for her.

Nell is not just a woman with her head in the clouds, but she is also concerned about her community. When on several occasions people of her community are facing some problems, Nell shows how  altruistic she is. She opens her hotel just out of the kindness of her heart, without ulterior motives.

She also shows what a good friend she is, when Cat is getting ready for her wedding.  Cat has not the easiest mother, and Brenda is more a bridezilla than the bride herself!
Nell knows when she has to push a little bit, in Cat’s best interest, but she also knows when she has to stop.

And is there anywhere in the world a more caring best friend than Tom???

When a serious matter occurs, my heart nearly skipped a beat… at first I thought it didn’t fit in the story, but I had to adjust my opinion, because in the end, it showed the true heart of everyone, and especially Nell.

I can go on about what’s to like about this story, but I hope you can trust me on my word that you will find this a heart-warming story, being spot-on  with every feeling, good ones and bad ones. Just sit back, keep calm and start reading this lovely book!

Is ‘The One That Got Away’ The One?

Synopsis

The only thing preventing Beth’s perfect family Christmas? Her family!

Television presenter Agatha Holly has built her career on telling viewers how to have the perfect Christmas. A Holly Jolly Christmas has been screened every December for twenty years and her entire family are involved, including her daughter Beth—the unwilling star of a thousand memes and gifs. But Beth has finally had enough of public ridicule. All she’s ever wanted is a traditional family Christmas away from the television cameras. If she can’t persuade her family to change, should she consider celebrating Christmas without them?

My review

Nick is living in his parents’ house, trying to let the house not crumble down. But when his brother Aidan is determined to sell the house, Nick is ready fight to keep his home!
Nick thinks that he has found the solution so that Aidan will sell him his share of the house: let Aidan fall in love again with the Girl That Got away, so many years ago. Nick believes that an in love Aidan will be solution to all his problems.

At the same time, Beth Holly wants to have a traditional family Christmas. And not one in the spotlight of ‘A Holly Jolly Christmas’, a show her mother is determined to make every year, telling viewers how to have the perfect Christmas, involving the whole family.
When she can’t persuade her family to have her perfect Christmas, is she ready to celebrate Christmas without them?

If you are looking for a rollercoaster of emotions and need to be submerged Christmas feelings, this is the perfect book for it!

For both Beth and Nick I felt sympathy. From the very start is clear they find themselves in a position they don’t want to be.
Yet they are determined to have it for once their way. For Beth it means just disappearing and for Nick playing a little bit dirty.

By a trick played by fate (or Chloe? 😁) Beth is staying at Nick’s place, in the hope to have her perfect Christmas.
And here the real story begins…

But it’s not only Beth’s and Nick’s story, because otherwise it would be a story like so many. When Beth’s family suddenly appears at Nick’s house, it is just perfect for us readers.

Every character has things I loved but also a few things I didn’t like at all. But even the not so nice things are a necessity to understand why they are acting the way they do. And even if Beth’s sister Lucy seems just a workaholic, not taking in account her sister’s feelings, there is so much more to her. And even Aidan, who just seems in search of gaining more money, is far more protective towards his brother than I thought!

There are lovely moments, perfect for a Christmas scene, I could imagine it clearly in my mind. These moments made me wish I was right there.

This story showed me that the things we wish for, can be right in front of you and you just don’t realize it.
No family is perfect, as both showed by Beth’s and Nick’s family. But it’s hard to understand someone else’s reasoning and feelings, and it takes courage to open up completely.

It’s hard to tell at which point I fell in love with this story. It was Christmas, it was Myra Abbey and its history, it was Beth and Nick spending time together. But also Chloe and her schemes, Lucy, Aidan, and okay, even Agatha Holly made this perfect mix to dream away.

Stop looking for a book that would be perfect for the upcoming holidays! This book will thick all your required boxes!

A Christmas miracle or two in the making

Synopsis

When charming, mysterious Nik sits next to Jess on a plane home from a Christmas toy trade fair, she never could have imagined the impact he’d have on her life. As they touch down in London, Jess is hesitant to let Nik walk away, and before she knows it, she’s invited him to visit.

As the two take in the delights of the toy store where she works, Jess gets an upsetting phone call. Willow Court, her grandmother’s care home, is to close before Christmas. Jess is determined to find the perfect new home for her Gran – and throw the best Christmas party Willow Court has ever seen!

But time is running out with the closure looming and Jess becomes increasingly drawn to enigmatic Nik who joins forces with her and best friend Oliver to realise those plans.

Will a chance encounter on an aeroplane bring love to Jess’s life or is this Christmas miracle too good to be true?

My review

Jess is returning from a Christmas toy trade fair when she meets Nic on the plane. They click immediately, and the whole flight they are talking and having fun.
So when they have landed safely back in London, Jess is not ready to just let Nik walk away. And what best excuse than to show him the toy story she works in?

But when she receives a call that Willow Court, the care home her beloved Gran Alice is staying in, has to close and even before Christmas, Jess has a new mission: finding the perfect new home and have the best Christmas party EVER for all the inhabitants of Willow Court!

She can count on her best friend Oliver for help and even Nik is there to help out any way he can.

Will this Christmas be the perfect Christmas for Jess, with an amazing party, and even maybe to find love?

When I started to read I thought I knew how it was going to end. Young woman meets handsome man on the plane, and after some struggles, happily ever after.
But I think the love bit is just a minor player in this story. Of course, I was cheering for Jess to find love.

I found this a too realistic story, and in a saddening way… it broke my heart reading about how Gran Alice and the people she was living with had to move out of the place they loved. I can only imagine how it must feel if you have to leave your home, while it’s just a matter of money.

Yet I admired Jess her determination to create the last amazing Christmas party. even when everybody is down, she won’t allow anyone to rain on her parade.
And it was just lovely to see how even the most contrary person starts to melt, and yes even if it’s all thanks to Nik!

Nik is truly an extraordinary man, he is kind, generous and wants to help any way he can. The way he and Jess click, it seems like a match made in heaven!

But for me, the real star of the book is Alf… he lives in Willow Court and has the weirdest conspiracy theories. Every time another theory submerged, I had the best time! But when the  last theory came out, I started to have cramps of laughing so much. Yet somehow I kind of hoped that he was right, as it would just fit in perfectly in this Christmas story!

I found this a beautiful story, showing the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is not only about presents, but making those you love happy, show them how much you love them.
It had everything I wanted from such a book, and after I finished it, I found myself feeling all warm on the inside, because even if it was not what I expected, it was just perfect the way it was!

When trust is something you have to earn.

Synopsis

The woman who haunts his dreams

Secret agent Phil Cullen is upset when he discovers that the young woman he rescued from Mrs Newbody’s establishment has absconded from his housekeeper’s care without a word. Thinking he has been deceived, he resolves to forget about her… something easier said than done.

The man she wants to forget

Sophia Turner is horrified when she is duped into entering a notorious house of ill-repute. Then a handsome stranger comes to her aid. Desperate that no one learns of this scandalous episode, Sophia flees to the one friend she knows she can trust. With luck, she will never see her mysterious rescuer again.

But fate has other plans…

Months later, Phil is on the trail of an elusive French agent and Sophia is a respectable lady’s companion when fate again intervenes, taking their lives on a collision course.

Traitors, spies, and shameful family secrets – will these bring Sophia and Phil together… or drive them apart?

My review

Sophia Turner is trying to find a way out of her future. She finds herself in a house with a certain reputation, but is not willing to do what’s expected from her.
Luckily for her, a handsome stranger comes to her aid and helps her escape. But Sophia feels that she can trust no one, so she quietly runs away from the man who helped her and runs to the only person she can trust.

Months later, Sophia is a respectable lady’s companion. But danger is still around the corner, and fate bring her back meeting her rescuer, Phil.

Will Sophia and Phil trust each other, and help each other in their own quest? And will this mean they will be growing closer? Or will the truth be reason of driving them apart?

This story is one where a lot of things happen. You have the story of Sophia, who is understandably terrified of what her future will be. Because she has been betrayed by someone she thought had her best interest, she is suspicious about everyone she meets.
She just wants to be free and do what makes her happy, and living in a house with that kind of reputation is certainly not what she had in mind.

And then we have Phil. From the very start you know he is a man with a sense of right and wrong. He sees Sophia and he does whatever he can to help this woman who he never met before.
He has his heart at the right place, that is obvious. But he is also a man with a mission, and will not allow any distractions.

Both Sophia and Phil are so stubborn people, that when they meet each other over several occasions, I just had to laugh.
Sophia is in my opinion, more ahead in time compared with other women of her time. She will not let anyone dictate her what to do and speaks her own mind.
And when that clashes with Phil, I was having so much fun!
Like I said, Phil has his heart at the right place, but he surely can learn to communicate better! He is so focused and determined, when in need he just takes charge.

Yet it’s not just about these two strong people meeting each other, otherwise it would be a story like so many. But here we have intrigues, mysteries, secrets. I was eager to know what really was going on, why some people did what they were doing.

I liked it how there were twists, and I found myself totally misjudging some people. I never knew if all the truths were out there, and if it was really all there was.

Yet the author managed to bring it all together, giving in the end all the answers we were seeking. An entertaining read, not giving everything away too soon, with strong main characters who will have to learn to trust each other and being rewarded for their trust. 

Christmas at Tudor’s Court!

Synopsis

Make Merry at Court

…with three Tudor Christmas stories!

In Christmas at Court Sir John Talbot and Lady Alice’s secret betrothal must wait until Henry Tudor claims the throne. Next in Secrets of the Queen’s Lady the lady-in-waiting to Anne of Cleves is unexpectedly reunited with a handsome—younger—diplomat at the palace’s festivities! And in His Mistletoe Lady Catherine seeks help from a mysterious Spaniard to free her father in time for Christmas!

My review

Three lovely novella’s all in 1 book.
In ‘Christmas At Court’ we find Sir John Talbot and Lady Alice in a secret betrothal with an extra motive.
While in ‘Secrets Of The Queen’s Lady’, the lady – in – waiting to Anne of Cleves sees an old acquaintance again, and he is a handsome yet younger diplomat.
And last but not least, ‘In His Mistletoe Lady’ Catherine finds herself helped by a mysterious Spaniard to free her father.

Without giving too much away, I loved reading every story of this book!
They are all three so different, different styles, yet I cannot say which one I liked the most!
I loved how the fictional characters are involved with people who really existed. That made everything more realistic for me.

Even if the downside of a novella is that the pace is a very quick one, it didn’t disturb me at all. I could envision everything that was going on, I understood each character and found myself sharing each emotion, from anticipation, joy to even fear and even mistrusting.

Three beautiful stories, taking you back in time and all taking place around Christmas! Perfect to dream away!

Of course Monday is the worst day of the week!

Synopsis

How can Mia find happiness?

Lawyer Mia’s picture-perfect dream life in New York is imploding. Her job has become too stressful, she’s exhausted from carrying her friends and what’s up with her striking, wealthy fiancé?

But when life-changing decisions force her to move to Maine, where she’ll face her often critical father and hard truths about what truly matters in life, she re-discovers a passion of her youth.

What begins as a low moment in her life quickly pushes her to consider what she genuinely wants and leads her down a new path where she must embrace the future and let go of the past.

Will this move help Mia to fix her life, once and for all, and will she finally find true love?

My review

Mia is a lawyer in New York. Yet her life is not what she expected to be… her job is driving her crazy, her fiancé isn’t the most compassionate or caring person in the world, and her friends rely a little bit too much on her.

Will Mia be able to make life – changing decisions? And will they be able to make Mia find her true passions again?

What I liked about this story is the reality Mia is in. it’s so recognizable, finding yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in, and you lack in finding the courage to turn your world upside down.
And that is how we meet Mia. She truly wants to help people who need a lawyer, yet her own business is not going how she wants it to go.
She is struggling finding many clients, her assistant is having several other business going on (one more legal than another).

And let’s just be honest, I despise her boyfriend/ fiancé. From the first instant I read about it, it’s clear what kind of man he is.
Everything he does, will only benefit him.
So when Mia finds herself engaged to him (yes, she finds herself engaged…) it’s the start of changing her life’s course.

When she goes to her parents in Maine to tell them the news, she is ready to take the bullet, as her father has strong opinions about everything.
Yet being away from everything, gives Mia the opportunity to overthink everything. And she realizes that she lost her spark.

What made me like and enjoy this story is the courage Mia is showing. She wants to do things that make HER happy, but not being totally selfish. She knows that her decisions will affect other people and she is looking for the best solution.

Mia finds what makes her happy and has had enough of just being a people – pleaser. And this is something more people should learn. Dare to change and make different decisions. Do not let your life be dictated by other people who will only use you as they please.

This story showed me that having courage will open new, other doors you didn’t dare to dream about and that you will find happiness as long as you follow your heart. It may result in the job of your dreams, true friends an even love.

A beautiful story about amazing people.

Synopsis

Let bestselling author Lindsey Hutchinson transport you back in time to Marshall’s Children’s Home, for this heart-warming and unforgettable tale from the Black Country.

The Fitch children are finally safe, after they and their friends were rescued from the grim orphanage Reed House by Minnie and Billy Marshall. Their children’s home Marshall’s is full of love and laughter, and a world away from their terrible ordeal of being sold to Una Reed for five shillings.

There are many more children who still need a home, especially in a world where the workhouse is the last option for desperate families, and so Minnie makes it her mission to build Marshall’s into a refuge for all the waifs and strays. 

But kind hearts can be taken advantage of, and before long, Marshall’s in under attack. Can Minnie and Billy keep their family together and keep all the children safe, or will they be torn apart again? 

The Queen of the Black Country sagas is back with a heart-warming, unputdownable and unforgettable tale of triumph against the odds. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

My review

Minnie and Billy Marshall have opened their home for orphaned children. The Fitch children and their friends are now all living happily together, in a house of laughter and love. This in sheer contrast when they were living with Una Reed, at the Reed House.

There are more children in need of a warm home, so Minnie is determined to expand her home and offer a safe place to stay for those in need.
But not everybody is happy with Minnie and her mission. Will Minnie and her family be able to realize their dream? Or will their odd yet perfect family be torn apart?

This story shows how altruistic people can be. But also selfish and mean…
I loved how open and caring Minnie and her family is. Anyone in need can find a helping hand at their home. and even mistakes are forgiven, as long as you show regret and are ready to change for the better.

Minnie is a woman I admired from the very start. She has had her own share of misfortune, yet as she is now happily married with Billy, she wants to help other people. She does not only let children stay at her home, but also helps out adults who need help.
Despite the hard times, she truly is a ray of light.
And not only Minnie, but the whole family is open, kind and caring. Once they allowed you in their hearts, you are part of the family.

But it’s not only happiness, there are also tragic things happening. And those bits made truly break my heart. Without giving away what is happening, those involved are people I started to care about, and it was unfair what was in store for them.

Yet even in despair, the love in Minnie’s house is palpable. They offer a shoulder to cry on, in their own way. Each person has something that is typical for his/her behaviour. Yet it’s that particular thing that makes a difference in time of need.

I found this a beautiful story, about amazing people, ready to make a difference in someone’s life. They are a lovely family, expanding in admirable ways. They open their hearts without judgements. People in real life can still learn a few things from this beautiful saga!