Tizi’s Book Review

Time for an amazing Cover Reveal! My interest is surely peeked!

Synopsis

Sometimes the best holidays are the ones you least expect…

After a long and turbulent year, Sarah is dreaming of the five-star getaway her sister has booked them on. White sands, cocktails, massages, the Caribbean is calling to them.

But the sisters turn up to tatty beaches, basic wooden shacks, a compost toilet and outdoor cold water showers. It turns out that at the last minute Amy decided a conservation project would be much more fun than a luxury resort.

So now Sarah’s battling mosquitos, trying to stomach fish soup and praying for a swift escape. Life on a desert island though isn’t all doom and gloom. They’re at one with nature, learning about each other and making new friends. And Sarah is distracted by the dishy, yet incredibly moody, island leader she’s sure is hiding a secret.

Pre-Order links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/38xIJFD

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2IuyI1q

Kobo: https://bit.ly/333XuPn

iBooks: https://apple.co/39x8VS9

About the author

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.

She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2018 Forgive Me Not, heralded a new direction into darker women’s fiction with publisher Canelo and in 2020 her novel Knowing You won the RNA’s Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award.

The cover!

When you’re at your lowest…

Synopsis

If she could speak to them, she would say they have exploded her heart, released firecrackers through her senses. She wishes she could call the police, the ambulance, the fire brigade, to arrest and anaesthetise and waterboard the bastards. 

So what happens when your husband runs off with your best friend? When you discover the dead body of an old man halfway through your delivery round? When your house is burgled and you get beaten up? Doris, Andy and Colleen are about to find out. They’re also about to discover that you can find friendship and support in the oddest of places…

Heart-rending, humorous and above all authentic, Distorted Days is an exquisitely written account of the ways in which life can knock you off our feet – and how you can pick yourself up again. If you’ve experienced the fickleness of fortune, this is a book that you’ll never forget.

My review

This story is about 3 people who are not having the happiest period of their lives.
Doris her husband left her for her best friend, Andy finds one of his customers dead during his delivery round and Colleen has been beaten up during a burglary.
All three of them are in the process of overcoming these but find it very hard.
Despite their differences they find each other, and they start all looking after each other.

Initially I had some difficulties getting a grip on the story. I didn’t understand what was going on. It starts with Doris, but I was all confused, because it wasn’t clear to me what was real and what was imagined by Doris.
But after the initial struggle (purely from my side) it all started making sense.

What really touched me, was how they all were there for each other. At the beginning of the story, they didn’t know each other, but the further you get into the story, their lives are getting intertwined and friendships are made.
And they are friendships in the real meaning of the word. You see it too often in real life that someone is your “friend” but then in times of need, they suddenly disappear. But here the friendship between Doris, Andy and Colleen is for real.
They stuck together, are there for each other and don’t let anyone left alone.

Together they try to overcome their misfortunes. And even if initially they are introvert, they start to trust each other and together they try to find a solution.

I liked reading this one, because of the high reality factor. The things Doris, Andy and Colleen go through, are things that could happen to any of us.
And then having someone to back you up, it’s not something you can take for granted.
it was a bitter sweet story showing that no matter how low you are, when you have the right persons by your side, you can find a way to process it all and become the person you once were again!

When losing your husband is not the worst thing that happened…

Synopsis

Minnie Price married late in life. Now she is widowed. And starving.
No one suspects this respectable church-goer can barely keep body and soul together. Why would they, while she resides in the magnificent home she shared with Peter?
Her friends and neighbours are oblivious to her plight and her adult step-children have their own reasons to make things worse rather than better. But she is thrown a lifeline when an associate of her late husband arrives with news of an investment about which her step-children know nothing.
Can she release the funds before she finds herself homeless and destitute?

Fans of ‘The Hoarder’s Widow’ will enjoy this sequel, but it reads equally well as a standalone.

My review

Minnie Price nearly gave up her dream of being a married woman. But then she met Peter and her dream finally came true.
But when Peter suddenly dies, she finds it hard to survive. Her stepchildren are not very helpful, on the contrary. Because of their own egoism, they dig an even deeper hole!

When she is contacted concerning an investment her late husband, she believes she only needs to hold it together for a short period, and then all her problems will be solved.
Meanwhile she has to think how to spend any penny and even starts to starve herself, as she finds it harder and harder to survive and her investors just keep on asking extra money…

This is not a nice story to read… because the desperation is just heart – breaking… and the cruelty of some people is just beyond imagination!
Minnie is a poor thing, struggling with her problems, feeling she has nobody to confide…
Even her friends are not aware of what she is going through. She feels ashamed to admit she finds it hard to make ends meet.

But her real friends see that Minnie is not her cheery old self, and are trying to gently let her admit her problems. And with Maisie, Minnie finds an amazing friends. Even if their friendship is rather new, they are very alike in character.
Maisie is also facing family problems and is trying to make amends so that her family is close again, after revealing a secret that will affect every member.

This story is about how fake and mean people in your environment can be. It’s not because you’re someone with a good sense of right and wrong, that all people are like that.
But don’t despair, as there are people around with the same common sense! 

To do the right thing doesn’t always mean doing the right thing…

Synopsis

Three isn’t always a magic number … 
There are three reasons Tess Fenton should be happy. One, her job at the Blue Olive deli may be dull, but at least she gets to work with her best friend. Two, she lives in a cosy cottage in the pretty village of Halston. Three, she’s in love with her boyfriend, Blake. 

Isn’t she? 

Because, despite their history, Blake continues to be the puzzle piece in Tess’s life that doesn’t quite fit. And when she meets intriguing local artist Daniel Cavanagh, it soon becomes apparent that, for Tess, love isn’t as easy as one, two, three … 

 My review

Tess seems to have it all, working with her best friend, living in a nice cottage and is in a relationship with Blake.
But she feels that being together with Blake isn’t what she really wants. So should she stay with him, or should she decide to move on without him?

When she has made up her mind and wants to tell Blake about it, he himself has some news to tell. And this will jeopardize the future Tess was imagining.
Because the meeting with local artist Daniel Cavanagh stirs more than she thought!

I just loved it! This is a story about a woman who has made up her mind and wants to do what’s best for her.
But she has a strong sense of responsibility and also wants to do the right thing. And doing the right thing she will do, even if this in contrast with what she wants…
And doing the right thing also means to forget about the attraction she feels for Daniel. Because she is not one to cheat…

Daniel is also an amazing guy, as he realizes what Tess is holding back. He admires her for her selfish actions and believes that being friends with her is better than nothing at all.
A man who respects a woman’s wishes, isn’t that just perfect!

But honesty forces me to tell you that I was furious about Blake his actions… The lies he is telling are just atrocious… knowing the real struggles of someone in that situation and that Blake sees no harm in it, it’s just disgusting…

Tess and Daniel are becoming friends, and Tess shows what an amazing and supportive friend she truly is.

Both of them are so lovely people, respectful, taking care of those in need, being friends in the true meaning.

I had the urge to strangle Blake, but was full of admiration for Tess and also Daniel was a real friend…

I had several laughs and was exasperated when there were misunderstandings. But I finished the book with a smile on my face and with happy emotions!

Dating during Regency, as difficult as dating in current times…

Synopsis

A dashing tale of romance from a bestselling author of Regency Romance.

She is under pressure to find a husband she doesn’t want. 

He keeps to the fringes of society because of family constraints. 

Will the written word be enough to bring two lost souls together? 

Lady Edith Longdon is an heiress, in danger of being classed a spinster, and disillusioned with the fops, dandies, and fortune hunters surrounding her in society. Deciding it’s time to take her future into her own hands, she devises a foolproofway of finding someone she can love. She’s convinced nothing could go wrong… 

Lord Ralph Pensby, overwhelmed by a sense of obligation, and with no one he can turn to, is adrift from those around him…

Two people drawn together, both on a journey which will affect them in ways they could never have foreseen. Secret correspondence, mistrust and confusion, not to mention cads of the highest order, make this novel a fast-paced, heart-warming story, with appealing characters and a strong sense of time and place. 

Perfect for lovers of all things Regency. 

My review

Lady Edith, despite being of an age of 22, is on the verge of being seen a spinster. It’s not acceptable of being of that age and not be married.
She wants to marry out of love, and instead of waiting for the man, she decides to place an ad in the newspaper, trying to find her perfect match.

Meanwhile she gets to know her brother’s friend Lord Ralph Pensby. He is determined to never get married, as he has a secret he doesn’t want anyone to burden with.

This story takes place in the past, but it could be taken place today. Edith is struggling with society’s standards. She wants to find her perfect man, and takes desperate measures. She writes an ad in a newspaper, which can be compared to the modern dating apps.
Obviously the replies that she receives are not all that well – intentioned!
But putting her despair of finding a man apart, she is woman knowing what she wants and does not settle for less.
She stands her ground and is not afraid to speak her mind. Which is very progressive for that time!

Lord Ralph Pensby seems a detached man, but the more you read, the more you get to really know him. Behind his mask, he is actually this caring man, who would give up his own happiness if it would mean he could have his loved ones longer with him.
Feeling that he cannot rely anyone with his problems, he starts writing Edith without letting her know who he is.
By writing the letters, he finds a way to vent about his struggles. And Edith, having no clue who she is replying, is giving her support, which means the world to Ralph.

I liked this story because the struggles Edith is having are still up to date. Trying to find the love of her life, in a world where not everyone is having the best intentions.
But I loved how she was staying true to herself. If you have to change yourself to please someone, he/she is just not worth it.
It shows that something you have to be patient and that there is a lid to every jar…

I’m surely curious and loved the cover, what about you?

Synopsis

Three friends … 

Growing up together around Winston Churchill’s estate in Westerham, Kent, Frank, Florence and Hilda are inseparable. But as WW2 casts its menacing shadow, friendships between the three grow complex, and Frank – now employed as Churchill’s bricklayer – makes choices that will haunt him beyond the grave, impacting his grandson’s life too.

Two Secrets …

Shortly after Frank’s death in 2002 Florence writes to Richard, Frank’s grandson, hinting at the darkness hidden within his family. On investigation, disturbing secrets come to light, including a pivotal encounter between Frank and Churchill during the war and the existence of a mysterious relative in a psychiatric hospital.

One Hidden Life … 

How much more does Florence dare reveal about Frank – and herself – and is Richard ready to hear?

Set against the stunning backdrop of Chartwell, Churchill’s country home, comes a tragic story of misguided honour, thwarted love and redemption, reverberating through three generations and nine decades.

For readers of Kate Morton, Rachel Hore, Katherine Webb, Lucinda Riley and Juliet West.

“Passion, intrigue and family secrets drive this complex wartime relationship drama. A page turner. I loved it.”  #1 bestselling author, Nicola May

Publication Date: 23rd March

Pre – order links:

About the author

Jules Hayes lives in Berkshire with her husband, daughter and a dog. She has a degree in modern history and holds a particular interest in events and characters from the early 20th century. As a former physiotherapist and trainer – old habits die hard – when not writing Jules likes to run. She also loves to watch films, read good novels and is a voracious consumer of non-fiction too, particularly biographies.

Jules is currently working on her second historical novel, another dual timeline story.

Jules also writes contemporary thriller and speculative fiction as JA Corrigan.

Jules Hayes  can be found at:

Website: jules-hayes.com  

Twitter @JulesHayes6 – http://www.twitter.com/JulesHayes6

Facebook Author Page: JulesHayesAuthor – http://www.facebook.com/JulesHayesAuthor

Instagram: JulesHayes6 – http://www.instagram.com/juleshayes6

Writing as JA Corrigan, Jules can be found at: Website: http://www.jacorrigan.com

Twitter: @juliannwriter – http://www.twitter.com/juliannwriter

Facebook Author Page: JA Corrigan – http://www.facebook.com/jacorrigan
Instagram: corriganjulieann  http://www.instagram.com/corriganjulieann

Synopsis

Polly and Olly were never supposed to meet…

Polly might spend her days searching for eligible matches for her elite list of clients at her New York dating agency, but her own love life is starting to go up in smoke.

Even worse, she can’t stop thinking about the very person she’s meant to be setting her latest client up with… surely it can’t get any worse!

But then Polly bumps into oh-so-handsome Olly, who heads up a rival agency, and realizes that perhaps all really is fair in love and dating war…

Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Debbie Viggiano.

My review

As in the past I’ve already read a book written by Zoe, I couldn’t resist to read and review another one!

Knewing her style, I knew what to expect and it didn’t let me down!

Polly is a British girl, but living in New York. As she has a hard time finding a job as a photographer, she decided to apply for a job in a dating agency.

She likes playing match maker even if it isn’t the dream she chased in life.

But her agency isn’t the only one, and soons she finds out that there is just 1 big rival…

And right there works Olly…

The interaction between Polly and Olly isn’t constant present, which makes it possible that we just get to know Polly better. We learn that she has dreams but finds it hard to realise. Also is she not a dress up doll, making sure wearing nice clothes, putting tons of make-up etc. She’s just a normal girl, trying to find her way in the world.

This makes this story not just a love story, but a story about how a young woman is growing, getting stronger and trying to fit in.

Slowly Polly goes from a wallflower to this strong, independant woman.

And in the meantime, she develops more feelings for the man she never expected to have feelings for.

As usual for Zoe May her books, just when you think everything is going for the best, a little drama happens. And the characters have to find a way of getting back together and just dare to take the leap of faith.

Again an amazing story!

More than just a love story!

Synopsis

All Logan has to do is to get the gold and get the girl. Easy, right?

Travel photographer Winter Knowles and archeologyprofessor Logan Spencer dislike each other at first sight. Stuck together on a wild island, these two unwilling teammates will bicker and banter their way through a laugh-packed treasure hunt.

After years of searching, a new mapping technology has given Logan a clue to the location of the legendary Lost City of Gold. A discovery that could make his career. So the last thing he needs on this life-changing expedition is for his team to get distracted by a pair of long legs.

When Winter accepted the assignment on a tropical island she didn’t sign up for a brooding team leader who’d clearly prefer to run a boys-only club. Never one to back down from a challenge, Winter is ready to show him she’s no damsel in distress.

But when a treasure like no other is uncovered and ruthless enemies will want to keep it for themselves, it’ll be up to the two of them to save the day. Left alone to fight in the jungle, they will soon discover their lives might not be the only thing at stake—their hearts could be too.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. 

A fun read packed with danger, action, romance, and comedy.

From Thailand with Love is part of a series of interconnected romantic comedies but can be read as a standalone novel as all the other books in the First Comes Love series.

My review

Winter Knowles accepts a new job and goes on an expedition with archeologist Logan Spencer. She is a travel photographer and is hired to document everything during the journey.
But the moment they meet, there is this instant dislike towards each other. They have disagreements over just everything!

Despite what Spencer thinks, Winter can stand her ground and she’s not one to mess around with. She knows her way in the world.
And Spencer is not this macho – man what Winter initially thought.

You may think this story is a typical “opposites attract” story. But don’t be fooled!
There are moments the story is more an Indiana Jones movie, combined with MacGyver and Rambo! You feel that there is something going to happen during the expedition, but I never thought there would be so much action.
The things Spencer and Winter have to endure got me frightened and also their companions were not much better off…

Spending a lot of time together in the wild, means that you have no other choice but putting your differences aside. Winter and Spencer get to know each other better, and soon realize their first impressions were wrong.
The both of them are also having personal issues, things they need to process that happened before the expedition took place. And the expedition is a perfect place to think about what bothers them and realize that some things are not worth carrying around.

I loved the initial dislike of Winter and Spencer and also how their feelings are changing. And Winter is a kick – ass woman! It’s so nice to read about her and how she’s not afraid to take charge of things and not just being a damsel in distress.

Spencer is a closed character, not one that easily opens up with strangers. But when the attraction is too big to ignore, he doesn’t just give in on a physical level, but trust Winter with his thoughts.

I was surprised by this book, because it had so much more than expected. I laughed several times at loud, nearly swooned over the sweeter moments, was catching my breath when the situation seemed to get out of control.

I loved it from start till end!

A beautiful, sweet story!

Synopsis

Esther’s life isn’t perfect (whose is?) – but she’s happy enough living in her little flat with her boyfriend, Josh.

But that’s about to change.

Bored out of her mind in work, she wishes that something, anything, would happen to liven her life up.

Unfortunately, her wish comes true when Josh calls her from the airport to tell her he’s going to work in a bar in Spain, and she’s not invited, Esther is devastated, and her unhappiness is compounded when she discovers she can actually view the bar via a webcam link and watch him chatting up other girls.

But when she inadvertently clicks on a link to another webcam which shows a pretty cottage and the rather hunky man who lives in it, her interest is piqued and she wishes she could get to know him.

Wishes don’t really come true, though – do they…?

My review

Esther is going from temp job to temp job. But the latest job is the most boring one she ever had! Being bored one day, she receives a phone call from her boyfriend Josh. He’s at the airport leaving for Malaga and work in a bar there. And she is not part of his new plans!

Finding herself suddenly single and heartbroken, she googles the bar and finds out that the bar has a webcam. She cannot stop herself and checks the webcam every moment she can.
she discovers that the site has webcams all over the world and suddenly she’s watching through the webcam a lovely cottage and a not so bad looking man.

She also gets the opportunity to have a steady job, working as a PA for Drew and his often absent brother Kit.

Is Esther finally getting her life back on track?

Is there one thing I did not like about this book? NOPE! Oh wait, there was one thing… it was JOSH!
He’s this egocentric, mean petite man, thinking he can do whatever he wants.
despite Josh, I L – O – V – E – D this book!

Esther is the girl next door, having troubles with finding a job who keeps her busy and also entertained. The way she acts is also so recognizable. If you had the chance to spy on the man who broke your heart, wouldn’t you do it too?

She also has this amazing friends, standing by her, laughing with her for her gaffes, comforting her when she needs it.

And when she meets Kit… oh Kit Kit Kit… he does everything with the best intentions, but sometimes he has no idea what mess he is making of things.
But he is a kind, considerate, romantic man (I need a Kit myself!)

Putting the awkward acquaintance behind them, Esther and Kit find themselves falling for each other harder than they would think and also faster even if they thought they would never fall for someone else again.

I’m not going to waste any more words, just read this book and fall in love with it!

Check out this amazing cover! Very promising I think!!!

Synopsis

A moving and heartwarming love story perfect for fans of Me Before You and One Day in December…

Leila’s charm bracelet tells a story of love, a story of loss, a story of hope.

This is the story of her … and the story of Jake.

When Leila Jones loses her precious charm bracelet and a stranger finds it, she has to tell the story of how she got the charms to prove she’s the owner. Each and every one is a precious memory of her life with Jake.

So Leila starts at the beginning, recounting the charms and experiences that have led her to the present. A present she never could have expected when she met Jake nearly twenty years ago…

Published by One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins UK

Ebook: 21 August 2020

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charm-Bracelet-Ella-Allbright-ebook/dp/B0843NJXJQ

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Ella_Allbright_The_Charm_Bracelet?id=N3zLDwAAQBAJ

Paperback: 12 November 2020

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charm-Bracelet-Ella-Allbright/dp/0008386579

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-charm-bracelet/ella-allbright/9780008386573

About the author

A self-confessed reading addict, Ella Allbright writes commercial women’s fiction set in her beautiful home county of Dorset. Her first novel in this genre, The Charm Bracelet will be published in August 2020 by One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins, and she’s currently hard at work on her next book. Ella is represented by agent Hattie Grünewaldat The Blair Partnership, who represent J.K. Rowling.

Ella also writes as Nikki Moore, the author of the popular #LoveLondon romance series. A number of the novellas featured in the Top 100 short story charts on Kobo and the Top 20 in the Amazon UK bestsellers Holiday chart, and in 2018 the collection was released in Italy. Her first published work was the short story A Night to Remember in the best selling Mills & Boon / RNA anthology Truly, Madly, Deeply. Her debut romance Crazy, Undercover, Love was shortlisted for the RNA Joan Hessayon Award 2015.

When not writing or reading, she can be found working in her HR day job, walking the family’s cute beagle puppy or watching a Netflix series!