Tizi’s Book Review

Yeaay! It isn’t over yet!!!

Synopsis

Cat has found true happiness in Merriment Bay. Will a discovery in Devon Villa change that?

Cat Devon is finally with the love of her life – and she couldn’t be happier about that. But discovering the identity of her real dad and the fact she has two half-brothers was a shock. Getting to know her new family is now a priority. 

Kyra Devon is only eighteen, but she’s more mature than her mum in many ways and is coping far better with everything that’s happened. Kyra knows what she wants and unlike Cat, she’s not going to let opportunities slip away. 

Mary Devon has regained her daughter and her granddaughter, but she’s grieving for her mother, and also for the loss of the love she thought she’d found. Putting on a brave face may not be the best way for Mary to get over it.

When a long-lost painting called Moonbeams Kiss is discovered in a hidden cellar beneath the floorboards in Devon Villa, a story of love, loss and treachery unfolds, bringing with it repercussions for each of the Devon women.

This is Book Two in Emily Harvale’s Merriment Bay series which is interconnected to her Wyntersleap series. Each series can be read alone, but several characters appear in both series.

My review

Cat and Amias are finally together and their love is the real thing. Even when she discovers who her real father is, and that she has 2 brothers, Amias stands by her side, being her support.

But when by pure coincidence a painting is found, it’s the start of a new adventure. One that is darker ad with more people involved that just the little happy family…

When I saw this new “chapter” was out, I just HAD to read it. The previous parts got me under my skin and I was not ready to say a final goodbye to the Devon women!

The beauty of this story is that it picks up right where the previous part ended. And how this entwined with the Wyntersleap series, just “chapeau”!

It was so sweet to see Cat and Amias together. They both deserved their happiness. And I smiled to read how Mary even started to like Amias! Who would have guessed that!

But when the painting is discovered, it’s for everyone a mystery how it got there. And when more skeletons come out of the closet, not only the Devon women and Amias wants to know what happened in the past.

As this was a bit a different story than what we are used to, I was a bit afraid of the consequences, but knowing the people of Merriment Bay by now, I should have known better.
Yes, it’s all very mysterious, and dark, but each one stayed true to his/her character and the story remained faithful to the charms that we knew previously.

As usual I fell a bit more in love with Merriment Bay and its inhabitants, and even the new people in this story stole a piece of my heart…
And because of the rather open ending (which I DID NOT APPRECIATE at the moment!!! I wanted to know what would happen next!!!) I am already jumping with joy in my seat, looking forward to the next chapter!!!

When tragedy never comes alone…

Synopsis

Maddy Saunders’ life is unravelling. After the heartbreaking, unexpected death of 5-year-old daughter Chloe, she’s trying desperately to keep her family together for other daughter, Emily. But when the police inform her that husband Max is missing, the rucksack found at the bottom of a local canal leading them to believe he has taken his own life, her grief takes a new and sharper turn.

Unable to believe that Max would abandon her and Emily, Maddy desperately searches for clues as to what has happened to her husband. But as she delves deeper into his secrets, Maddy finds a web of betrayal that forces her to re-examine everything about the life they have built together.

Maddened by grief, and forced into untangling Max’s lies, Maddy will stop at nothing to uncover the truth – even if it destroys her in the process.

A gripping, absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will have you hooked – perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, Shalini Boland and B.A. Paris.

My review

Maddy had it all… a lovely husbands, 2 adorable daughters and dogs.
But when her youngest daughter is found dead, her world starts crumbling apart. Not soon after the devastating moment, the police informs her that her husband is also missing, and they assume he has taken his own life.

Goes through his stuff, Maddy finds clues to secrets that now she is determined to find out. But those secrets will devastate her even more.   Is she prepared to uncover all the lies and secrets? And at what cost?

What a rollercoaster! There is so much happening in the story, you cannot blame Maddy!
She believes everything her husband tells her, but when one lie comes out, it’s a catalyst for her. She won’t rest until the whole truth is out.

The fact that through flashbacks you get to know the whole truth, just makes it worse for Maddy. You know what truth she will discover and she doesn’t deserve it!

The whole time I kept thinking: “No, it can’t be, there must be a logical explanation.” Because the level of deceit is so big, I just couldn’t imagine someone would be capable of doing such things.
But somehow I understood Max, it all was too much at one point and he just wasn’t strong enough to stop it. One lie led to another and by the end, he didn’t see another option than doing what he did.

This book got me hooked because I did not see how this all could be solved without anyone could get hurt in some way or another.
It made me question if you can ever trust somebody completely.
The further I was reading, the more twists came. And even some people I thought were also victims, behaved in the end in such a way I didn’t like them anymore (or even less).

A story about grieve, deceit, lies and their consequences… a real nightmare for the people living them but captivating for the readers!

Discovering yourself during an unexpected journey.

Synopsis

At a crossroads in her life, Roxana decides to take a ten-day safari trip to Africa. In Namibia, she meets a local guide who talks about “the courage to become who you are” and tells her that “the world belongs to those who dream”. Her holiday over, Roxana still carries the spell of his words within her soul. Six months later she quits her job and searches for a way to fulfil an old dream: crossing Africa from north to south. Teaming up with Richard and Peter, two total strangers she meets over the Internet, Roxana starts a journey that will take her and her companions from Morocco to Namibia, crossing deserts and war-torn countries and surviving threats from corrupt officials and tensions within their own group.

Through Dust and Dreams is the story of their journey: a story of courage and friendship, of daring to ask questions and search for answers, and of self-discovery on a long, dusty road south.

My review

Roxana spent a ten – day trip safari trip in Africa. After her holiday, she feels unhappy with her current life and decides to quit her new job. Online she meets Richard and Peter, and together they start a journey crossing Africa from north to south, from Morocco to Namibia.

This is not the first book I read of this author, so I am familiar with her writing.
But this book got me on a deeper level…

Each and every one of us have had that feeling of being unhappy. But most of us don’t dare to think about doing what Roxana did.
Giving up your stability of a job, going on a journey with total strangers, and to add the difficulty, discovering a continent with not the best reputation…

Roxana takes us with her during her journey, and is not afraid to show each part of it. She is not making things more beautiful than they are. It’s generally known that Africa has its beauties, but is also dangerous in the wrong regions. I felt part of the journey, wondering about the beauty of some places, but I was worried about the more fearful moments.

Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone, is a great opportunity to rediscover yourself and finding out what makes you truly happy.
Of course finding yourself does not come overnight, so this long journey is just what Roxana needed to actually pinpoint what things bring her joy.

Thanks to her writing down her adventures, we get an insight of the courage Roxana had to just daring to stand up for herself and saying that the way she was spending her life, was not how she wanted her life to be.
She shows that finding yourself is possible, but you also have to dare a dive into the deep.
A story about courage, friendship and rediscovery. A true inspiration for all people who have the feeling that something is missing in their lives!

A beautiful ending for the Nightingale Saga!

Synopsis

Love can sometimes be really complicated…

Josh Nightingale has always been married to his books. Happy to run his bookshop in the small town of Castle Clare, he’s never really had time for romance and truly believes that he’s never going to fall in love. But, when April Channing opens a new shop opposite his, everything changes.

Sweet and attentive one moment, abrupt and aloof the next, Josh really can’t understand April at all. What exactly is going on? Josh is pretty sure that the answer can’t be found in a book.

Join the Nightingale family once again for this deliciously heartwarming novel, the forth in The Book Lovers series, by the bestselling author of The Rose Girls and A Weekend with Mr Darcy.

My review

Josh Nightingale is running his bookshop, and books are truly his one and only love. He never had time to find a woman to love, and is sure that he will remain single.
That is until April Channing opens her shop right opposite his…

He instantly likes her, as they have a lot in common and she is just sweet! But sometimes April behaves differently, she is distant, even rude. Josh is confused, but as he likes the good side of April, he is determined to find out what is going on.

Will April allow him to get closer? And is she ready to share her secret(s)?

Oh oh oh… I was soooo curious to know how Josh would fall in love! Previously we got to know him, and he was a workaholic, as he loves running his bookshop and spending time reading book. So you know when he would fall in love, it had to be an amazing woman!

And when he falls for April, I sensed immediately there were some things she was keeping from him. April is not ready to share all her secrets, but when she explain her odd behaviour I was nearly screaming ‘I KNEW IT!!!!’

The love story of Josh and April is different, because April grew up in a different way than the ‘standard’ way.
And here we learn that different is not always wrong. It’s not because something that is different from our vision, isn’t normal for the people living that way.
Initially I was a bit confused, just like Josh. But through April’s eyes Victoria explains how with a change of vision, it’s just another random family.
And that it’s normal to have questions about it, but it’s not something abominable. It opens your perspective.

Victoria isn’t afraid to talk about subjects that aren’t often present in love stories. But thanks to her evolution of characters I understood that love can be enough to conquer it all.
And the evolution of Josh is amazing… he says it himself in the book. He never cared much about colours, but since he met April, he wants more colours in his life. He transforms from a dull beige (once you’ve read the book, you’ll understand my beige reference ☺️) to a spectacle of colours.

We also get to know Winston better, who we got to know earlier. In the previous parts he seemed like a vagabond. But when he and Josh start talking, we get to learn him better and let’s say that there is more than meets the eye. And when his brother invites himself in staying at Winston’s house, we get to know him so much better. My vision of him changed rapidly as he is just a kind man, but left with a broken heart.
His story was a real surprise and I was glad how his story changed during the book. 

This love story shows you that meeting the right person opens your horizon. I was sad when I read the last page , because I loved the whole Nightingale family! I felt like I was part of their great family and I am still not ready to let go of them! So deep down, I hope there will be another story laying around for Lara!
And for now, well, I’m glad I can catch up some sleep! 😂

Learning how to fix a first date… nothing can go wrong, right?

Synopsis

Right place.

Right time.

Wrong guy …

‘The novel equivalent of binge watching a tv series…”just one more chapter, who cares if it’s 2am!” It’s exactly the sort of novel you need with so much chaos in the world’ Sarah, Reader review

After breaking up with her childhood sweetheart, clueless dater Rosie has found herself in a boyfriend-drought. So when she finally swipes right on a guy who seems interested, she can’t wait to meet up in person.

Until she’s left standing alone. In a bar. Stood up.

Enter Noah. Confident, funny … and a serial first dater. Offering to give Rosie a crash course in seduction, this could be just what she needs. Until her matchmaker turns out to be the best date she’s ever had – and Rosie wonders if she wants the fake dates to be the real ones after all …

A hilarious, heartwarming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Mhairi McFarlane.

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date!

My review

Rosie loves to be in love. But after she and her boyfriend break up, she finds it hard to take that o so difficult step and start dating again…

When she finally has the courage of meeting with a man she met only, she is devastated when she is being ghosted… her date stood her up and doesn’t even respond her messages…
She finds herself in the bar all alone and is commiserating herself. And right there, she meets Noah…

Being an ‘only first – daters’ himself, he makes it his mission to learn how Rosie can take that first, confident step. They agree on having a course of seduction, as Noah will explain what she has to do, when and how, to be sure to get to that first date.

Easy task, no?

This story may seem simple, and yet it’s not…
When we first meet Rosie, I felt sorry for her. Being ghosted seems a terrible thing when it happens to you, so I cannot imagine what is going through is Rosie’s mind…
As I am single, I know how much courage it takes to finally take that step and try to meet that one guy that seems perfect on the internet.
And yes, my dates went from ‘ok’ to ‘OMG, what a total waste of time’ (but that’s for another time to explain it all 🤣), so I know all about the anxiety that comes with all the preparations and finding the courage.

Luckily for Rosie, she meets Noah in the bar. After a few drinks, Rosie explains what she now really wants… and Noah thinks he’s the man that can help her. As Rosie never had many first dates, she wants the whole experience, and who better than Noah can help her?

It may seem that Rosie is desperate, but she’s just an insecure woman, not realizing that she is just perfect the way she is. And yes, so many people are insecure, but when I read about the messages she received from her own father, it just made my blood boil!
You would feel insecure about yourself if you were on the receiving end of them!

And Noah… he will not go on a second date. It may seem he’s a player avant la lettre, but the more time Rosie and Noah spend together, the more we get to know the real Noah. And also the reasons he does not want to actually date a woman…

During the “lessons” Rosie learns to be more confident and Noah stands by her side every step (maybe even too many steps…!)
The most important lesson is though that nobody should change, for no one. Each and every one is just perfect how they are, and accepting this is a step forward in growing more confident.

I had so much fun reading this book. The lessons are hilarious, the deeper moment between Rosie and Noah are so sweet. And let’s add a Hugo for a good ROFL!
This is yes about Rosie and Noah, but it’s also about acceptance and being more than enough.

Zara wrote again a story that I couldn’t wait to read and did not leave me disappointed for a bit! It was everything I expected and even more!

Really, sleep is overestimated!

Synopsis

Can the past always be forgiven?

Ben Stratton and Bryony Nightingale. Everybody thought they’d be together forever. But, when Ben leaves the small market town of Castle Clare to travel the world, Bryony is heartbroken, seeing his departure as the ultimate betrayal.

Throwing herself into her work running the much-loved children’s bookshop, Bryony determines to forget Ben and to start dating again. But Ben doesn’t make it easy for her, sending her postcards filled with his love and posting her foreign editions of all the great romantic novels from the countries he’s travelling through.

Then, after six long years, the unexpected happens and Ben returns, determined to win Bryony back. But will she forgive him and does he have the courage to tell her the truth about why he left her?

Natural Born Readers is the third book in the warm-hearted Book Lovers series by the bestselling author of The Rose Girls and A Weekend with Mr Darcy.

My review

Bryony Nightingale was heart – broken six years ago when the love of her life, Ben Stratton, left her for travelling around the world. She wanted to forget him, but for 2 long years, he kept on sending postcards and gifts to her. And not just random gifts, no, foreign editions of the greatest romantic novels…

But this was six years ago… Bryony is now focused on running the children’s bookshop and is ready to date again. She is even willing to date Colin The Baker, even if there is something missing…
And suddenly the impossible happens… Ben is back in Castle Clare. And all he wants is to win Bryony back.
Is Bryony really over Ben? And will she forgive him for abandoning her?

Another amazing part in this series! I don’t know how Victoria does is, writing so captivating stories, but keep on the work (although maybe not… because now I’m a zombie! 😆).

In the previous parts, we get to know Bryony a little bit. We know that something happened with her and the mysterious Ben, but that’s a topic nobody can talk about.
So I was very curious to know what happened so many years ago and what impact it had in Bryony.

And my o my… I loved this one also from start till end!
I so understood Bryony her motives of acting so cold towards Ben. How would you act, when the man you loved with all your heart, just goes away, without a real explanation?
AND he just expects you to forgive him? I would be angry too!

Bryony feels also betrayed by her own family, as they welcome Ben back with open arms. This because he always has been part of the family, when he was a kid…

Trying to find a way to escape Ben, she befriends her neighbour, Flo. And this was the real surprise of the story! Flo is a ray of joy through the whole story. She also has to cope with difficulties, but she and her animals, made me laugh each time they appeared!

This story manages to capture you from the first minute. And left me again awake during the night! All the emotions in this book got straight to my heart, aching for Bryony her pain, longing for forgiveness for Ben, a bit being vindictive together with Bryony again.
Even when Bryony does not the right thing, I understood her motives and I hoped it would not be the end of it all. Because deep down, you known that she is still that heart – broken girl of six years ago…

But let’s not forget about Ben… when we first meet him for real, and not by memories of the Nightingales, we sense that there was more to his leaving that everybody thought.

If you are hooked to the previous parts like I was, you will LOVE this one too! A sweet story about mending broken hearts, forgiveness and a bond that is too hard to break!

I just LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT!!!!

A life – fixer is sometimes all you need.

Synopsis

A heart-warming, uplifting romance served with a generous slice of cake. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Katie Fforde and Cathy Kelly.

There’s no problem Becky Watson can’t fix. Except her own love life…

Struggling single mother Becky Watson longs to revive her career as a life-fixer, working miracles to solve her clients’ problems, no matter how big or small. Since the birth of her two-year-old son she has been stuck preventing wedding fiascos for the richest and rudest residents of the Comptons, a charming, leafy area of southern England known for its artistic heritage. 

So when semi-reclusive local artist Charlie Handren reluctantly hires Becky to fix his six-year creative slump, she’s delighted to set him up with a come-back exhibition and Rachel Stone, the woman of his dreams. 

Though they get off to a rocky start, Becky and Charlie soon become close. But as the beautiful Rachel becomes Charlie’s muse, Becky is forced to wonder: will giving Charlie everything he wants mean giving up her own happily ever after?

My review

Becky Watson is a single mother, trying to resuscitate her job as a life – fixer. So whatever problem you have in your life, you can hire Becky and she works her magic.

When Charlie Handren, local artist,  hits rock-bottom, under pressure he hires Becky to get his inspiration and why not, love life, back on track. Only problem: this means he has to trust whatever she does, even if he doesn’t like it all!
Opinions crash, arguments are never far away. But when Charlie sees the result, and even has a new muse, he must admit that hiring Becky was not so stupid at all!

After a slow start, all I can say it: what a great story!
Initially I didn’t truly comprehend what Becky was actually doing. A life – fixer? Never heard of it!
But the more I saw Becky at work, the more I comprehend what a miracle – worker she really is!

Somehow Becky manages to foresee upcoming problems, and succeeds in solving them in a subtle way. She sees things that are invisible for others, and jumps in with one of her magic tricks (not real magic of course, but the solutions she thinks of, I couldn’t have thought of them myself!).

This is made clear in the weddings she is in charge of, which shows that she knows what she is doing.

On the other hand, we get to know Charlie. He is a local artist, having for a long time now no inspiration at all. So when forced by his daughter and sister to hire Becky, he is not eager to give his life in hands of a total stranger!
His reaction is understandable. I wouldn’t be so happy if someone just starts dictating me what to do. Even when you know she has the best interest, it’s not easy!

The way Charlie and Becky collide is funny to read, especially when there is some overreacting! But when Charlie realizes that there is some actual result, he has to admit that Becky knows what she is doing.
The more time they spend together, the more they create a friendship that is not work – involved. So are Charlie and Becky spending evening together, just watching movies. And Becky can rely on Charlie for babysitting – duties!
These sweet moments are just adorable to read about!

And when Becky sees that Charlie finds his inspiration back after meeting with Rachel, she puts her own growing feelings aside, because Charlie’s happiness is more important than jeopardizing everything they worked so hard on.

I loved this story, even if it took me some time get into it. As cakes are also an important part of the story, reading this story is like baking a cake. Initially you are eager to see the end result, and mixing all the ingredients are a bit of a hard job. But when the cake is in the oven and you see it rise, you get the instant boost of happiness! That is also with this book, you want to skip immediately to the end, but trust me, it will be all worth it reading about the developments!

A sweet, funny story about giving your life in hands of someone else, trust someone to make the right choices. But also about making new friendships and even put your own feelings aside, daring to take a chance in life and never give up!

Who needs sleep anyway???

Synopsis

Polly Nightingale never meant to fall in love again especially not with a biker thirteen years her junior. But then Jago Solomon enters her life with a guitar strapped to his back, and Polly and her six-year-old son, Archie, know that they’ve never been happier.

But what happened three years ago when Polly’s husband, Sean, went missing? And what will it mean for Polly and Jago if her past ever catches up with them?

Join the Nightingale family once again for the second in The Book Lovers series by the bestselling author of The Rose Girls.

My review

Polly Nightingale hasn’t had it easy… Three years ago, her husband disappeared into thin air, leaving her alone with a young child.
But now she has find her way in living with a six – year old Archie, and doesn’t need help or pity from anyone. And she surely doesn’t need to fall in love again!

It all changes when they meet Jago… he teaches Archie how to play the guitar and quickly it feels like Jago has always been part of their small family.
Is Polly ready to open her heart for Jago, even if he is several years younger? And will she be able to close the chapter which involved her husband?

When you are reading a next part of a series, and you loved the previous one, you are always a bit afraid this one will not be as good as the previous one.
And because I LOOOOOOOVED the first part, I never thought part two would be as good!

In this story, we get to know Polly. We know from book 1, that her husband disappeared and she has been living alone with her son Archie.
Here we get to know what effect that had on her life, and how she initially struggled.
When someone disappears, you don’t have the chance for closure. You always have the hope that he will come back.
It also means that Polly gave up seeing other men, because in fact, she still is a married woman…

Somehow I understand her reasoning, but everybody knows that the moment arrives that you have to let go of the past and start living your life again.
And for Polly, it all starts when she meets Jago.
Of course initially she has her reservations, as there are so many differences… She is a married woman, with a child, and a self-proclaimed of middle age (she’s in her thirties…). Jago is a biker, in his twenties and playing in a band.

I loved to read how Polly tries to ignore her feelings and even tries to play matchmaker for Jago and her sister!
It causes several awkward moments between the 3 of them, that made me laugh!

But it’s not all sweet and funny… as we get to know the truth about Polly’s marriage, my heart nearly broke for her. And just the moment she is embracing her happiness, something happens that makes Polly return into her past behaviour. And my heart broke just all over again!!!

While reading this book, I had to prioritize my life… put the book away and sleep? Or forget sleeping and read on? Choices choices…
And just like for book 1, I gave up sleep!

This book dragged me in its world and I couldn’t, didn’t want to escape from it!
I needed to know how the story would end, even if now I walk around like a zombie! But trust me, IT WAS ALL WORTH IT!!!

A reunion with extra motive…

Synopsis

Madelaine had everything she wanted.
Friends, a successful film career, and a loving boyfriend.
Then she was dead… 

Lexie’s friend Helen was part of a close-knit group at university. Now, ten years later, Helen is fearful when another of the group reappears and suggests a reunion.

Lexie contrives an invitation to the weekend get-together at one of England’s ancient stone circles where one of the group admits they believe their long-dead friend was murdered. 

Lexie discovers each of the group has secrets and each has lied, but could they also have committed murder? 

There is another death at the stone circles, and Lexie uncovers information that may connect the two crimes… and implicate her good friend. 

Is someone targeting the former students, or is the killer one of the group? 

The Worst Lie is the second standalone novel in the exciting Lexie Wyatt murder mystery series. 

If you like British crime novels featuring ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, then you’ll love this gripping tale of secrets, lies and obsession that leads to murder.

My review

Lexie and Helen are friends for a few years now. Helen was part of a group friends during her university period. But when a reunion weekend is suggested, Helen is not so eager to participate…
This because 10 years ago, after a similar weekend Madelaine, a friend, died… And someone suspects it wasn’t suicide like presumed…

Lexie manages to receive an invitation to the weekend, and quickly discovers that each member of the initial group has secrets. Keeping secrets is not a crime, but did someone murder Madelaine? And is it the same person committing the same crime again?

I love it when I am reading a thriller and I have totally no clue of who the culprit it!
It all starts with Lexie wanting to help her friend Helen and wanting to find out about the death of Madelaine 10 years ago.

What starts rather innocent, soon evolves to something darker…
Lexie manages to let other people spill their beans and get closer to the truth.
But the more secrets are out, the more suspects there are. And I am not only talking about what happened 10 years ago…

The reunion is just an excuse for the truth, but the truth is not only about Madelaine, but also about what the group did that evening, and the following days.
Each time Lexie discovers something, the suspicions only grow bigger and I found myself distrusting everyone.
The obvious suspects made me think they were great at hiding their tracks, but even people I never thought of, became suspects after their secrets were out.

A gripping thriller, which made me not rest until all secrets were out, and the truth was out.
Although having the truth, isn’t the end of the story.
Solving one mystery doesn’t mean that it’s the same solution for the other mysteries. And the strange events just keep taking place, so you know that there still is more than meets the eye…

And when the end was finally there, I found myself finally taking a breath of air, as I was holding it (figuratively speaking of course) during the whole story!

Everybody needs a year of saying no!

Synopsis

Lottie Wentworth has never been more pleased to hear Big Ben ring in the new year and wave goodbye to The Year of Saying Yes!

When a long-term relationship ended, her best friend’s scheme to get Lottie back in the swing of things seemed like a good idea. She’s kept her promise to Jess to see it through but, as a lover of the quiet life, Lottie couldn’t be happier to say hello to a brand new year – The Year of Saying No! 

Unfortunately, the one thing she still seems unable to say no to is the crush she has on her best client and now friend, Army veteran, Seb Marshall. But she’s working on it, and with rescue dog Humphrey at her side, she knows that she’ll manage just fine.

Lottie’s decision to stop trying to please everyone has brought a sense of relief beyond what she had expected. Her actions and determination have also begun to send ripples throughout her life and those closest to her, bringing about changes none of them could have expected. 

But will all those changes be for the good?

My review

After a year of saying yes to everything, forced by her best friend, Lottie decides that this year, she is going to say no instead!
The idea of saying yes was an idea to get her life back on track and discover new things. But Lottie now only wants to do what she wants, so she is determined of saying no if she is not convinced.

Army veteran Seb is Lottie’s client and friend, but also her secret crush. When he hears about her resolution, at first he is skeptical. But when Lottie explains that she not saying no to everything, but only to things she really doesn’t want to do, he is supporting her as a true friend is supposed to do.

Is saying no the solution to get your life back on track? Or is it only a way of missing opportunities?

Immediately, from the first sentence, I liked Lottie! She had a rough period, when her relationship ended. And ‘forced’ of participating in a year of saying yes, now she does what SHE want. So she starts saying no and she even takes a dog!

But there was a HUGE frustrating part, whenever it concerns Seb…

Seb is this great man, having literally suffered a lot during his time in the Army. But he and Lottie go from a client  -relationship to becoming real friends. And there is even potential to more, IF THEY WERE JUST NOT SO DAMN STUBBORN!!!
On one hand, I get the doubts Lottie has, because if it all went wrong, she would lose not only her best client, but also a great friend. And is it all worth it?
But on the other hand, they would be so perfect together!!!

Lottie realizes though the story what she really wants, and slowly stands more up for herself. Initially she fears a little the reaction but her confidence grows and she puts herself first, even if it will pain her…

I always find it admirable when someone gets out of her comfort zone and does what she really wants. I am myself a people pleaser, always doing things I even don’t like, just to help people. So reading about Lottie, standing up for herself,  will hopefully work inspiring for me, and be more like Lottie!

This story worked for me inspirational, as it shows that being ‘selfish’ isn’t always a bad thing. It’s worse doing things you really don’t want to do just to please someone.
But even if I got frustrated here and there, I found myself smiling and cheering for Lottie (and Seb).
A beautiful, funny story with a strong message!