Tizi’s Book Review

It’s all too much!!!

Synopsis

Five thousand miles from her ex, Lisa is living with her decision to call it quits and leave both AJ and Alabama behind. She believes she’s finally ready to put her broken heart back together and move forward with her life as a single woman. But when she meets a seemingly too-good-to-be-true doctor, she feels both unsure of herself and guilty for moving on so quickly from her engagement to AJ. Lisa finds herself at a cross roads, does she give up all hope of ever reconciling with AJ and take a chance on love again with someone new? Or is her heart destined to be forever entwined with the married man she met on the internet?

My review

Lisa made a difficult decision in the previous part, and now she is living with the consequences.
A.J. is no longer part of her life, but it doesn’t mean that her American friends aren’t there for her anymore.
She ended the relationship, not because she doesn’t love A.J. anymore, but at a point, she has to do what’s HER best interest, and having a relationship with a married man is not in her best interest.
But her feelings of course do not just disappear overnight, and she is doubting if she made the right decision..

And when she meets Matt, doubts are even bigger as she starts feeling guilty of moving on so quickly…
Is Matt the man who she is meant to be with? Or will A.J. prove himself?

For me personally, this story is the most heart-wrecking one of the whole series! Initially I was so proud of Lisa, of finally thinking of herself and her own well-being.
But of course, A.J. wasn’t just a fling, she truly loves him, and the struggle Lisa has to stick with her choice is something the reader can really feel in her bones…

You read the thoughts Lisa is having, and those thoughts are so on point, that I felt sorry for Lisa. I was sure I would never want to be in her place!
luckily for her, Lisa as a bunch of friends who she can rely on. Those friends are not only also friends with A.J. but even his sister is there for her.
And here it shows what true friendship means: even if Jeremy was hoping for a happily ever after for Lisa and A.J., he understands the decision she made, and he does not try to persuade her to change her mind.

When Lisa meets Matt, it seems she finally can have someone who loves her without any baggage… But here again the struggle starts… is she moving too quickly? Did she make the right choice?

Lasairiona isn’t afraid to describe difficult topics. She writes about real feelings in such a way that are recognizable for everyone. I really sympathized with Lisa, and understood her struggle.
And when Lisa is facing again a hard moment, my heart was bleeding together with hers…
It was all very unfair all the things she had to endure. And even if sometimes it seems a bit over the top, it all was very really. The emotions weren’t just words on a paper, but they hit you in your gut…

This emotional rollercoaster was going faster and harder than expected, but it exceeded my already high expectations!

When love becomes the light that chases the darkness away…

Synopsis

“This man was shadow and night. He was Darkness.”

Homeless Aliette is saved from punishment for stealing by a mysterious knight. To stay alive, she’s informed by this stranger that she must claim his child as her own. She should fear the dark knight’s power, yet it’s clear there’s more good to this man than he’s prepared to show. Can she break down the barriers of the tortured knight she calls Darkness?

My review

Aliette is a homeless young woman, living in the streets of Paris. When she takes the blame for a theft, in order to protect someone she is in charge of taking care, she finds herself suddenly kidnapped.
The stranger demands to take care of a child, claiming it’s not his child, and that Aliette will become her mother.

The stranger, Reynold, is a very suspicious man with many secrets and as a lot of secrets to hide, while Aliette will not get herself bullied and fights for her freedom and for the truth.
How will these 2 persons, each other’s opposite manage to survive?

I am not unfamiliar with Nicole’s writing. So I knew it wouldn’t be an easy story where man meets woman, claims her, falls in love and they both live happily ever after.

Both characters in this story are having issues. Aliette is obvious struggling as being homeless at first, and then suddenly finds herself captive and taking care of a baby. She’s also having a fear of abandonment, as her parents just left her behind without any explanation.
Reynold has a lot of wealth, but has trust issues and is always looking his back. He also grew up in a violent family, making himself believe incapable of having some kind of loving feelings.

But Aliette is also a strong woman… she does not give up without a fight, and even if she thinks Reynold is Darkness, she sees there is more to him than initially thought.
She also manages by just being herself, to soften the mercenaries hired by Reynold. Initially nobody talks to her, but slowly, one by one they are opening up to her. And also Reynold isn’t able to stay immune to Aliette.

I liked this story as it shows you that no matter how dark you think you are, the love of a woman, or even a baby in this case, can change your whole view of the world. And even a violent man can change his ways.

It is also about learning to trust, share your deepest secrets with those you care about. And that actions speak louder than words. No matter how many harsh words Reynold uses, Aliette sees what he truly means.

As usual Nicole did not disappoint me!

When a job brings you more than expected…

Synopsis

Let Lucy Coleman transport you to glorious, sun-drenched France, for the perfect feel-good read. Paris and the Palace of Versailles have always meant a lot to TV producer Lexie. Her grandma Viv spent a year there, but her adventures and memories were never discussed, and Lexie has long wondered why they were a family secret.

When work presents the perfect excuse to spend Springtime in Versailles, Lexie delves into Viv’s old diaries and scrapbooks, and with the help of handsome interpreter Ronan, she is soon learning more about the characters that tend to the magnificent gardens, now and in the past.

In amongst the beauty and splendour of the French countryside, a story of lost love, rivalry and tragedy unfolds. Can Lexie and Ronan right the wrongs of the past, and will France play its tricks on them both before Lexie has to go home? Will this truly be a Springtime to Remember…?

My review

Lexie is finally chasing her dream: making a documentary of the Palace of Versailles. She moves to Paris to focus on the job.
But she also has an ulterior motive: her beloved grandmother spent a year at Versailles but her adventures and memories are a mystery Lexie is ready to unveil.

During her stay, she meets Ronan, an interpreter who she hires for the job. Discovering together Versailles and it’s magic and past, something seems to bloom between them.
But is their attraction strong enough when the deadline is just around the corner and tragedies of the past are putting a strain on their relationship?

The Palace of Versailles itself is a special setting, but add a whole story around this setting, and it’s even more special!
When Lexie sees it for the first time for real, her amazement is palpable. How the Palace is described, it made me feel I was actually standing there.
There is an eye for detail which is often forgotten in other books.

Lexie is a woman taking a leap of faith trying to realize her dream. But her family is also very important for her, as she has a very strong bond with her sister. She’s very protective about those she cares about and when her estranged brother suddenly reappears and seems to start dictating around, Lexie is not just standing at the sideline.

The relation with Ronan is taking off in the story, and they both initially have some troubles opening up, but when they realize there is more than just physical attraction, they open up and start sharing their past and some secrets.

This is not just a romance story, but also a mystery. What happened with Viv during her stay? Bit by bit we get to know more about the past, but when it’s all in the open, there are consequences that will affect more people.

A beautiful setting, where you can imagine being there, where we see a love story being born with on the background a mystery.  What’s not to like?

Feels like coming back home…

Synopsis

The New Year brings unexpected revelations at Wynter House.

Neva Grey’s Christmas brought several surprises. Now a shocking secret has life-changing consequences for the Wynters, as the New Year brings revelations … and relatives to Wynter House.

It also brings Hazel Smart and Amelia Goodbody. And it’s not just Adam and Rafe Wynter who are pleased Hazel and Amelia have come to stay. Olivia Wynter will enjoy bossing nurse Hazel around and she also makes it clear Amelia – who is handling the marketing for Rafe’s new business venture – is far more suited to be her grandson’s girlfriend than Neva will ever be.

Whilst Amelia is ensconced at Wynter House, Neva is busy with her new hair and beauty salon in Merriment Bay. Perhaps she should enlist her niece, Sasha’s help because just when she thought she had found the love of her life, old secrets, ghosts from the past, and new arrivals might shatter all her dreams.

At least she has her best friend, Jo Duncan to lean on. But newly single, Jo is determined to have some fun, both at Wynter House and in Merriment Bay. And so is Adam Wynter.

This is book two in the Wyntersleap series but it can be read as a standalone. The Wyntersleapseries is interlinked with the Merriment Bay series and several characters appear in both series.

My review

After Neva spent Christmas at Wynter House, she finds herself in a loving relationship with Rafe. The story picks up where the previous one ended.

Rafe needs the help of Amelia to start his new business adventure. And Amelia surely is interested in become more than just partners or friends. And Rafe’s grandmother Olivia thinks Amelia is more suited as a girlfriend compared with Neva.
But when Olivia needs a nurse to look after her, Hazel also is suddenly staying at Wynter House… On top of that, also Neva’s best friend Jo is staying there after breaking up with her fiancée.

So many single women, it seems like a perfect place for Adam to put his charms in the game again!

I don’t know how Emily does it, but each time I read a story, I am so in love with it!
I loved how this next chapter just continues where the previous one ended. There are no fast forwards, you do not have wonder what happened in the meantime.

Neva and Rafe are in a new relationship, and of course there are some doubts. Are they moving too fast? Do they want the same on long term? What will other people think? Will everyone accept their relationship? So many questions that are so recognizable.

Adam is being true to himself, the man who never falls really in love and is not looking for a relationship. But even if he has the air of a player, he is there when his family needs him.

Those who are a fan of Emily like me, and have also read the Merriment Bay series, will recognize several other characters, and will be happy to see how these 2 stories intertwine. For me it was a lovely reunion with each one of them.

Some of the Wynter House people are exactly the same as in the first book. So is Olivia as stoic as before, Neva’s niece is a whirlwind as usual.
But there is also a change in some other, for the better. But I’m not going to spoil anything!

Again, I loved every bit of it and I will be looking forward to read more!

I cannot wait to read this story, what about you?

Synopsis

From the moment she met him, Ella Peterson had questions. As always, though, she’s too shy to ask. 

Older and sexy as hell, mysterious Adam Brook soon sweeps sheltered Ella off her feet; but is he as perfect as he appears to be, or is there more to him than he’s telling her? 

Ella’s world has already turned upside down after moving from England to rural Kansas. She and her sisters were hoping for a more secure future, but instead find that life can be tough when jobs are scarce and the stakes often higher than anticipated. 

When events spiral out of Ella’s control, she learns the person she needs to rely on most is herself and her instincts on who to trust in the future. 

It’s just that her instincts are screaming at her to trust Adam; it’s what he tells her that makes that a problem.

Pre-order Links 

UK  – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trust-You-romance-intrigue-Falling/dp/1916167012

US  – https://www.amazon.com/Trust-You-romance-intrigue-Falling/dp/1916167012

Publication Date: 6th April

Join Julia Firlotte’s mailing list and receive the first three chapters of Trust in You – https://www.juliafirlotteauthor.com/

About the author

Julia is an avid reader of all things romance, and she has read hundreds of books across a variety of sub-genres and began writing her own novels in 2018. Four books are currently in various stages of editing and completion, the first of which is finished and will be on sale in spring 2020.

Julia has always been passionate about languages and fiction and has a degree in Languages And Trade and an A-Level in English Literature. When Julia is not writing or editing her own novels, she usually has her nose in books by other authors and is otherwise kept busy caring for her family, going to the gym and carrying out her day job. Julia lives on the South Coast of England with her two children, husband and cats.

Even when all seems lost…

Synopsis

Even in the darkest of times, she never gave up hope

Staffordshire, 1911. Ginnie Jones’s childhood is spent in the shadow of the famous Potteries, living with her mother, father and older sister Mabel. But with Father’s eyesight failing, money is in short supply, and too often the family find their bellies aching with hunger. With no hope in sight, Ginnie is sent to Haddon Workhouse.

Separated from everything she has known, Ginnie has to grow up fast, earning her keep by looking after the other children with no families of their own. When she meets Clara and Sam, she hopes that she has made friends for life… until tragedy strikes, snatching away her newfound happiness.

Leaving Haddon three years later, Ginnie finds work as a mouldrunner at the Potteries, but never stops thinking about her friends in the workhouse – especially Sam, now a caring, handsome young man. When Sam and Ginnie are reunited, their bond is as strong as ever – until Sam is sent to fight in WW1. Faced with uncertainty, can Ginnie find the joy that she’s never had? Or will her heart be broken once again?

An emotional, uplifting and nostalgic family saga that will make you smile, while tugging on your heart-strings. Fans of Sheila Newbury, Kitty Neale and Sheila Riley will love this beautiful read.

My review

Ginnie has initially a happy childhood. At home they don’t have much, but there is love and happiness.
But when her father starts losing his eyesight, Ginnie finds herself in Haddon Workhouse.
A bond is made with Clara and Sam, and soon they are best of friends.
But her newfound happiness is short-lived, as tragedy strikes again.

When her estranged sister asks for her help after 3 years, she moves from Haddon and works at the Potteries. Even with her new life, she often thinks about her old friends and especially Sam, who has a special place in her heart.
juts when Ginnie and Sam are thinking about being together, Sam is sent away, fighting for World War I.

Will they find there happily after?

A beautiful saga!
It starts with a young Ginnie, not having a clue how the worlds works. The fact of being poor is such an abstract thing for her, she doesn’t realize what impact it will have on her life
When she arrives at Haddon Workhouse, she still hopes that her parents will come get her, and will visit her often. She doesn’t understand why she is left alone…

But when she is becoming friends with Clara and Sam, I was happy for her, as she finally has someone to rely on.
As simple as the friendship seems, the bond is a deep one.

Sometimes I was despairing together with Ginnie, because everything she had to endure, seems so unjust… You just want her to be happy and see her settled.
In the same time, you see Ginnie growing up. From this insecure girl, she is growing up to a young woman who has seen plenty of the world.
And despite everything she went through in the past, she never gives up, stands her ground and never give up dreaming.

This story shows that all hope is never truly lost, and that friendship, love and family is worth keeping the faith!

A chase against the clock…

Synopsis

Can two wrongs ever make a right?

A man is found by the side of a canal, comatose and brutally attacked.

It quickly becomes clear that someone is abducting men and subjecting them to horrific acts of torture. After three days they’re released, fighting for their lives and refusing to speak.

A councillor is accused of fraud.

Montague Mason is an upstanding member of the community. That is until he’s publicly accused of stealing the youth centre’s funds – an accusation that threatens to rip through the very heart of the community and expose his best-kept secret. But how far would he go to protect himself?

Two cases. One deadly answer.

As the two cases collide, D.I. Paolo Sterling finds he has more questions than answers. And, when torture escalates to murder, he suddenly finds himself in a race against time to find the killer and put an end to the depravity – once and for all.

My review

D.I. Paolo Sterling is having several tasks at the same time: at the opening of the youth center, the plaque has been vandalized. At the same time, someone is abducting men and tortures them. Finding the culprit is hard to find, as there is apparently no link between them, and the victims refuse to collaborate…
And Paolo has to find the balance between his team members, as one of them is at the verge of bullying his own colleague.

This thriller had me wondering all the time what was going on… There isn’t just one thing happening, but several at the same time!
And it’s not only work that is stressing Paolo out! Also personally there are changes going through and it’s all becoming too much to cope!

During the whole story, I had my suspicions of who done it, but each time my mind was up, suddenly something surfaced and my suspicions were wrong!
At some point I just decided to stop guessing and just read it all to know the truth!
The main crime is obviously the abduction and torturing the men, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The more Paolo and his team dig to discover the truth, more horrifying details surface.

And the moment I thought it was all over and now it would just be wrapping up the story, I find out that I was not ready for the last blow!
In my opinion, without giving away any spoilers, what happens there is even the worst of the whole story!

So if you’re looking for a story that makes you wonder the whole time who done what, read this book!

When you have the opportunity of a lifetime, what would you do?

Synopsis

Two worlds, 4,000 miles apart. Is their love strong enough to keep them together?

Rachel Hardy dreams of being a successful country music singer in Nashville’s Music City, four thousand miles away from her lonely life in Dorset. When Jackson Phillips, an independent record label owner, encourages her band to audition for a nationwide ‘Open Mic’ competition, she decides they have nothing to lose.

But when she starts to fall in love with Jackson, the stakes suddenly get higher and she finds herself with a great big dilemma on her hands. Should she abandon her dream and take the easy way out or should she leave the life she has always known behind and take a gamble on a man who has personal demons of his own?

Follow Rachel and Jackson as they learn to trust in love again to see whether their music really can unite them.

My review

Rachel lives in Dorset, but her big dream is becoming a famous country music singer. So together with Matt and Sam she form the band ‘Three’s Company’ and go to one gig after the other.
Encouraged after a meeting with Jackson Phillips, she decides to participate to a nationwide ‘Open Mic’ competition.
Rachel and Jackson see each other more often, and they soon realize there are feelings surfacing that are hard to resist.
When then Rachel finds out that Jackson is not just a simple American man in Dorset for a wedding, but a record label owner living in Nashville, she’s not sure of what to do: follow Jackson to Nashville, trying to realize her dream of becoming famous, and give their love a chance? Or just be happy with her current life and just singing at gigs with Matt and Sam?

I didn’t know what really to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised!

What would you do if you have the opportunity of a lifetime? But going for it, would mean to leave everything you know behind…
Rachel is having this chance, but it’s logical that she is doubting every decision… is it the right thing to do? What if she’s not that good and her career never lifts off? And is being in a relationship with Jackson also the correct thing to do? Because Jackson is not the only one in love with her, so is Sam, who has always been there for her…

Once Rachel takes this leap of faith and goes to Nashville, she finds everything is harder than expected.
Jackson has his own demons and Rachel feels he is not being totally honest. How can their relationship succeed?

The emotions and doubts are so real and recognizable. Putting your complete trust in someone you do not know that long, can be terrifying. Having a relationship is already not the easiest thing, but when you are not at the place you once called your home, it’s even more difficult.

Both Rachel and Jackson are struggling with trust issues, and together they have to find a way to find the so much required unconditional trust…

This is the story of Rachel and Jackson, but while I was reading this beautiful story, somehow I kept feeling sorry for Sam… the love of his life is moving to another continent with another man… But I hope that he also will find his better half!

It’s a beautiful story about taking a leap of faith, chasing dreams, daring to trust and love!

Going back to a happy place of your youth…

Synopsis

A heart-warming tale of discovering all you never wanted is exactly what you needed.

Orphaned as a baby and raised by indifferent relatives, much of Anna Redding’s happiness as a child came from the long summer holidays spent with an elderly family friend, Aunt Meg, in the quaint village of Polkerran. 

With Aunt Meg’s passing, Anna is drawn back to the West Country, relocating to the Cornish cove where she was once so happy. Filled with memories, she hopes to perhaps open a B&B—and perhapscross paths with Alex Tremayne again, a local boy she used to have a major crush on and who only had to walk past Anna to make her heart flutter. 

Settling into her new life, and enjoying her work for the older, reclusive and—to be honest—often exasperating Oliver Seymour, Anna is delighted when Alex reappears in Polkerran and sweeps her off her feet. 

The stars are finally aligned, but just as Anna thinks all she’s ever wished for is within reach, a shock discovery brings everything under threat, and she finds herself living a dream that isn’t hers.

Can Anna rescue the new life she has made for herself and, when the testing moment comes, who will be there to hold her hand?

The Cottage in a Cornish Cove is the first in an uplifting series of romances from Cass Grafton. Get to know the locals, wallow in the quaintness of Polkerran, and fall in love with romance all over again.

 My review

Anna did not have a very joyful youth. She lost both her parents when she was just a baby, and was raised by not really caring relatives. The only moments of joy she had was when she spent her holidays with a family friend, who she called Aunt Meg.

When Aunt Meg passes away, Anna returns to Polkerran as she inherited the lovely cottage. Finding herself in the happy place again, she starts dreaming of opening a B&B. in the meanwhile, she works part time for Oliver Seymour, a writer who seems to despise other people’s company.
And when she meets Alex again, her crush so many years ago, she is just delighted when he finally notices her and sweeps her of her feet!
But a discovery may jeopardize all her dreams and not everybody is being as honest as she thought!

What

A

Lovely

Story

To

Read!!!

Initially it took me some time to get submerged in the story, but after a few chapters, I was just in Polkerran myself and I couldn’t put the book away!

Anna deserves to have the life she always dreamed of, having a cottage with only happy memories.
Living at the cottage, she realizes what she really wants, and ideas of having a beautiful B&B are coming to life.
And when she meets Alex, you just hope that he will notice her and be the perfect man for her. Initially he just seems to be what every woman dreams about.
The relation with Oliver is a bit harder (euphemism of the year 😀)… he is a very closed person, not one ready to chitchat a whole day long. But still waters run deep.

The discovery was something I saw a bit coming, but the whole extend came to a real surprise to me! I did not see that one coming!!! It left me agape! But it’s also something this story needed, it made it complete!

It was a funny story, with finding your place in the world, where you can be truly happy. It’s not only about a place you love, but finding a job to do which you dream. Building friendships in new places, opening your heart and not giving up. And also about doing the right thing, even if this may break our heart!

I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read more from this author!