Tizi’s Book Review

Finally a silver lining!

Synopsis

What happens after all your dreams come true?

Ariana Byrne knows how to survive. After becoming guardian to her four little sisters after their parents died when she was only eighteen, she had to grow up quickly. Now she’s in her twenties, stuck in a loveless marriage to Greg, trying to make ends meet for her young twins, William and Leo.

So when Ari is told that she’s actually the Right Honourable Lady de Foix, Countess of Hiverton, owner of a sprawling estate in the village of Saxburgh in Norfolk, her first instinct is laughter. Surely the girl who has to choose between food and keeping the lights on isn’t really rich beyond her wildest dreams?

She knows how to take care of her sisters and her children, but how on earth can Ari take care of an entire village? Can she fight off the circling land developers from Saxburgh, and stop her in-laws from grabbing all the money for themselves?

And while she’s struggling to settle in and settle down, she’s making new friends and new mistakes. Trusting her gorgeous neighbour, Sebastian Flint-Hyssop, may be the biggest one of all…

She’s swapped sink estate for country estate…but can a girl from inner city London learn how to become a Lady?

Take a trip to Hiverton Manor for the most uplifting novel of 2020 – guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Fans of Jenny Colgan, Trisha Ashley and Carole Matthews will love this romantic, feelgood read.

My review

Ariana Byrne has always been fighting for her happiness. When her parents died when she was 18 years old, she did whatever she could to become guardian of her four sisters.
She married Greg, but realizing she is in an unhappy and unhealthy marriage, she decides to do what’s best for her and her twins boys. 
When out of the blue it seems she is now a Countess and finally doesn’t have to worry about money anymore, she sees this as an opportunity of a lifetime.

She moves to her new estate and tries to manage all the responsibility that comes with her title.
As soon as it’s known who the new inhabitant is, everybody seems to want something from her. There are land developers who want to buy the land for their project. The locals are struggling because of former decisions, and Ari finds it her responsibility to correct what was wronged.

Ari stays true to herself, but with everybody trying to tell her what to do, she is afraid of making mistakes. And is everybody with good intentions? And what about her new neighbor Sebastian? Is he also trying to push her the way he wants her to go? Or is there more?

I always enjoy reading stories where someone’s life suddenly changes. Where first Ari is struggling, she now finds herself in a world where money isn’t part of her worries anymore.
I liked how Ari finds herself in a world she doesn’t know, but finds a way to remain true to herself. It would be so easy to just sit back and not have a worry in the world.

Ari has a great sense of responsibility. Initially you see this when you learn her background. She does whatever she can to keep the family together, because in the end, that’s what matters.
And not a minute does she hesitate to share the wealth with her sisters.

Her sisters are also amazing. They are all so different, but their bond is the most important thing in the world. Whenever one of the bunch is in need, nobody hesitates to help anyway she can.
Despite the misfortune when they had younger, they all found a way to chase their dreams and they never gave up.

I can just keep on writing what I like about this story, but every nice characters, Ari, the sisters, the twin boys, Sebastian, the villagers, are so real, recognizable and even loveable!
This story seems a bit far stretched, because let’s face it, how big are the chance to become a Countess out of the blue, but it’s such a lovely story anyway!

Family, trust, friendship, responsibility, standing your ground, that is the main storyline. And those are things that really matter in life.

I cannot wait to read about the adventures of the other sisters! 

When life throws you lemons…

Synopsis

At mile marker 139 along the Ohio Turnpike, a mysterious woman named Shelley Parkinson arrives at 3:14 at the rest area every night. She sits outside at one of the picnic tables, her fragile hands clutching one cigarette after another. Troubled people swirl around her, battling their own sorrows.

Gruff old janitor Mike Popkins works third shift at the facility and has been lost since his wife died, cutting himself off from his only son and going through the motions of his job. Idealistic young Sarah Wilcox whips up drinks at the happening new coffee shop at the rest stop, but her mind whips of dreams of traveling the world and living the life her late grandpa did as he drank a coffee on all corners of the globe. Heartbroken middle-aged trucker Russ Jacobs would rather spend long hours on the road than fall in love again. They all befriend Shelley. Each one desires something different, but none of them know why she haunts the rest area.

Unexpected death, disease, and accidents force Mike, Sarah, and Russ to make hard decisions to move forward, ripping them from their pasts. Can these three motley friends find healing in their own lives and help a woman who says she doesn’t need anyone, even as her brokenness spills onto them?

My review

The whole story centers around a rest area at mile marker 139, along the Ohio Turnpike. Every night Shelley Parkinson arrives at the same time, just sitting outside at a picnic table.
Janitor Mike Popkins works the third shift at the rest area, being lost since the death of his wife.
Sarah Wilcox had big dreams but since losing her beloved grandfather, she is struggling with getting her life right on track. Trying to at least have something in her life, she works in a coffe shop at the same area.
And trucker Russ Jacobs stops regularly there during his  journeys. He is adamant to never fall in love again, as he is still heart-broken.

All these persons have nothing in common, except seeing each other at the rest area. Slowly, out of concern or curiosity, they befriend separately Shelley. But Shelley herself is not ready to share her story with strangers…
But when she realizes that these strangers truly care about her, she starts opening up. The blooming friendship gives also the other ones an opportunity to process their grieve and go on with their lives…

Again an amazing story! I am not unfamiliar with Cynthia her writings, so I knew from the start it would be not ‘just’ a story.
While reading you get to know each character, learning what they have been trough in the past, and how they are surviving at the moment.

It also teaches you, that with the right people in your life, you can find a way to put the past behind you.
Of course, trusting totally strangers is not the obvious things to do, but you also have to give them the chance of proving their genuine concerns.
Shelley is the center of the story, but thanks to her, all the other characters become friends of each other. 

It’s hard to explain what this story made me feel, as it was giving hope, but also it made me sad when I realized what each one of them went through and still is going through…
But the main message in this story is: you can find friendship in the weirdest places, but it doesn’t matter where you meet them. As long as their friendship is genuine, they will have your back no matter what your past was. Because real friends stick together, no matter how long you know each other!

And with the right kind of support, it is always possible to put the past behind you and start living your life again!

Love in an unexpected place!

Synopsis

When former Olympic Swimmer, Michael Adams—now Canada’s hottest reality TV star— insults his fake showbiz wife on social media, he escapes the ensuing scandal and jumps on the first flight to Australia. Desperate to experience ordinary life again—if only for a few weeks—he becomes “Adam”, just another tourist traveling through the Outback. But with a reward out for his safe return and his fame’s nasty habit of catching up with him when he least expects, he needs a better disguise… and he’s just found it.

Sweet and scruffy British backpacker, Evie Blake, is taking a year out of her busy London life. Tired of lies and liars, she’s looking for adventure to heal her broken heart. So when the hot Canadian she meets at the campground offers to be her travel partner through Western Australia’s wild Kimberley region, she grabs the chance, unaware he’s got the world out looking for him.

He’s just a down-on-his-luck traveler, right?

My review

Evie is tired of her life, after being heartbroken by the love of her life… so she decide to leave her comfort zone in Great – Britain and goes backpacking in Australia.
There she meets Adam. He’s acting very secretive about his life and even if he claims he’s also backpacking, he seems totally unprepared!

Little does she knows that Adam is actually Olympic Swimmer Michael Adams. Being married to a showbiz wife, he is standing too much in the spotlights, what he really despises. He escapes to Australia, trying to escape all the fame. But he is afraid people will recognize him anyway. So when he meets Evie, and she doesn’t recognize him, he decides to tag along.

But how long can he keep up his charade, and how many lies can he telling? During their travel together, they realize that despite not knowing each other, the attraction between them is too hard to resist. But is it only a flirt what they are having? Or is it more? And how will Evie react when the truth comes out?

This story was the perfect getaway story in an amazing setting… I think everybody once in their life have thought about just packing your bags and leave for an adventure!
Just finding the guts to actually doing it is harder…. But Evie is determined to make this journey an experience of a lifetime and will not be stopped.

What is not to like about Evie? She is a kind, social woman, trying to see the good in everyone. She is only having trouble in letting go of the past, as she has been left by her husband, who was also her best friend for years. Somehow, she blames herself and sees herself a bit as a failure. This causes her to be very self-conscious and having a low self-esteem.

Michael/Adam wants to escape his world, as he is finding himself being pushed in a life he truly doesn’t want. For me, he is an insecure man, not knowing what he truly wants. He also is always trying to please other people.
During the story, the whole point of leaving everything behind, shows it’s meaning. He discovers, thanks to Evie, what it is what will make him happy.
He also evolves from a grumpy man, mistrusting everyone and everything, to a man who starts to open up. Michael also is feeling very guilty because of the lies he has been telling Evie and want to really come clean.

The story between Evie and Michael is really beautiful, also taking place in an amazing Australian setting. You get to know also other characters, showing you how open and kind and caring people can be.
The combination of Evie, Michael, Australia, kind people and the evolution of characters is a perfect mix!

For me, this book was a great discovery and it left me with a smile when I reached the end!

Not the usual story!

Synopsis

Undertaker Nina Sherwood is full of good advice. For example, never wear lip gloss when you’re scattering ashes.

Nina is your average 30-year-old with a steady job, a nice home – and dead bodies in her basement. As an undertaker, she often prefers the company of the dead to the living – they’re obliging, good listeners and take secrets to the grave.
 
Nina is on a one-woman mission to persuade her peers that passing on is just another part of life. But the residents of Primrose Hill are adamant that a funeral parlour is the last thing they need… and they will stop at nothing to close down her dearly beloved shop.
 
When Nina’s ‘big break’ funeral turns out to be a prank, it seems like it’s the final nail in the coffin for her new business. That is, until a (tall, dark and) mysterious investor shows up out of the blue, and she decides to take a leap of faith.
 
Because, after all, it’s her funeral…

The perfect antidote to all those books about weddings, this book will make you laugh until you cry, perfect for fans of Zara Stoneley’s Bridesmaids, Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Good Place.

My review

After being fired, Nina has the opportunity to open her own funeral parlour. Yes, how odd it may seem, Nina is an undertaker. She loves her job, even if people give her a strange look when she explains what she does for a living.

But opening an own business is not as simple as it seems… The people in Primrose Hill do not want to have anything to do with death and they will do anything they can to let Nina fail in her business.
When the funeral of a lifetime turns out to be a prank of bad taste, she is ready to give it all up.
And then she bonds with the presumed dead woman, and also meets mysterious Barclay. And she finds inspirations for new ideas, having the support of her friends.

What a funny book! I enjoyed reading it, having several laughs but also had a few gasps.
Nina is a strong, independent woman, not ready to just give up her dreams. She realizes that not everybody shares her dreams, but does her utterly best to make clear that, even if Primrose Hill hasn’t had many deaths yet, sooner or later somebody has to die.

When her first ‘customer’ is just a prank, she bonds with the famous presumed dead woman. A real friendship is born, and let me tell you this… this woman is just what Nina needs. It also makes this book even lighter than it already was.

Nina’s friends Gloria and Edo are what you expect from true friends, being there for each other, not judging each other, but always supportive. But they also speak out their mind when they don’t agree with something.
Even if they don’t know each other for ages, their friendship is the real thing!

And Barclay… he made me happy because he just is who he is, apparently not caring about other people. But once you get to know him better during the story, you see there is so much more to him than only being the playboy, having another girl each week.

This was a real comedy, despite what you may think. And yes, there are 5 wakes, but some of you will make you laugh, some put me on the verge of crying, or even a combination of the two. And the wedding… well I did not see that one coming!

A great story to read and can’t wait to read more from this author!

A beautiful story!

Synopsis

Set in the rolling countryside of Devon, ‘In Too Deep’ is the emotional story of a woman’s determination to win the trust of the man she’s adored since they were thrown together as children, by forcing him to confront the darkness of his long-lost past.

One little lie. A guilty secret. And the man she mustn’t love…

It’s been six years since Isy Forrester left home. In that time, she’s strived to forge a new life for herself in London, away from Jack Mancini, her father’s adopted son, and his devastating betrayal of everything she thought they had.

Only now her father’s in hospital, and the house that’s been in her family for generations is at risk. Forced to return to Devon, she finds Jack as infuriating and stubborn as ever, and just as irresistible. Soon she realises the bright lights of London can’t hold a candle to him.

But Jack has a past, one which he refuses to share with her. And until he can trust her with these deepest secrets, how can she risk her heart? How can she even begin to help him, when he won’t tell her what happened all those years ago – before her father brought him home to Hambledon Hall?

My review

Isy left her home 6 years ago, being heartbroken by Jack. She limited contact to the bare minimum. But when her father is in the hospital, she rushes back home.
When she finds out that her home is at risk of being lost, she won’t go without a fight. She wants to do whatever it takes to keep the house part of the family. Even if this means working together with Jack.

Jack is still this stubborn and infuriating as six years ago. But he also carries a big secret he is not ready to share with Isy. But even after all these years, both of them seem unable to put the feelings they had away.

Will they both find it in their hearts to completely trust each other, even if a secret may be push Isy even further away?

This story was not what I thought… I had this romantic story practically already written in my head. But the more I read, lesser the story in my mind and the actual book matched.
In my modest opinion, this story is all about trust…
Jack is so sure that his darkest secret will push Isy away and that she will leave him. By thinking so, Jack keeps his secret to him, creating a distance between him and Isy.

What I really enjoyed while reading was, how Isy and Jack were coping with the distance between them, and slowly you see that the feelings they had did not just disappear into thin air.
And because of their distance, there are so many misunderstandings, but as they are both stubborn, they don’t immediately clear the air. And this caused a lot of rolling of my eyes, nearly yelling at Isy and Jack, because it was so obvious that they want to grow close again, but they just don’t! So frustrating as a reader!

For me, it was not what I expected, but even better! Not a simple “one look at each other and they fall back in love and live happily ever after” but a story about forgiveness, trust, putting the past behind you and allow yourself to love another person! And also, never underestimate the feelings someone has for you. Because if it’s true love, all can be forgiven!

I loved every tiny bit of it!

Synopsis

Two weddings and a baby…but who will get their happy ever after?

Emily Prescott’s life isn’t going to plan. Her dreams of starting a family with fireman boyfriend Greg and opening upher own bakery in London feel like they will never come true. So when a wedding
invite arrives from her oldest friend, Beth Williams, Emily is thrilled. Not only will she get to return to her childhood home in Scotland, but best of all – Beth wants her to bake the wedding cake!

However, her excitement is cut short when she discovers that Greg has cheated on her. Devastated by his betrayal, Emily flees to Glendale Hall, Beth’s grand estate in the Highlands, and tries to distracts herself with helping with the wedding plans, but that’s not easy when Greg keeps hounding her to forgive him. Then she’s introduced to Glendale’s new young and handsome vicar Brodie, and things become even more complicated.

When Emily discovers that Greg’s betrayal runs deeper than she imagined, she finds herself with a whole host of decisions to make, especially when she discovers her long awaited dream is finally being fulfilled – at exactly at the wrong time…

Escape to Scotland and fall in love with this gorgeous and inspiring romance from the bestselling author of Coming Home to Glendale Hall! The perfect feel-good read for fans of Holly Martin, Heidi Swain, and Jill Mansell.

My review

Emily has a few dreams… she wants to open her own bakery, she wants to marry her boyfriend Greg and she wants a baby.
But instead of following her dreams, she works for a lovely lady in a bakery, her boyfriend is absolutely against marriage and having a baby seems to be harder than expected.

When she finds out that Greg has cheated on her, her world is turned upside down. Not being able to stay in London, she escapes to Glendale Hall. There she finds her friend Beth, whose wedding cake she was planned to bake anyway. So instead of going last minute there, she is going there sooner, to clear her mind and create the perfect wedding cake.

Being at Glendale Hall, she soon discovers the true meaning of being at home in a place, rediscovering friendships, finding new friends. But also finding out that her dream is finally coming true, but at the worst possible timing…

From the first chapter, I was hooked!
Emily is a woman who knows what she truly wants, but instead of chasing her dreams, she doesn’t want to disappoint people and is settling for less.
But when she flees to Glendale Hall, we see the better version of Emily. Being at Glendale Hall, being surrounded by people who love her unconditionally and have her back on matter what, gives Emily the chance of doing some deep digging about what she truly desires.

Emily is a in my opinion a strong woman, but when things don’t go as she planned, she gets stuck. It’s not only Greg cheating on her, but also her wish coming out at the worst possible time. And when she finds out that Greg is having more than just 1 secret, she is just devastated and indecisive what she should do next.

Luckily for her, she has a whole bunch of friends and family standing behind her, supporting every decision she is making. And when she decides to finally chase her ultimate dream, her amazing friends show again what unconditional love means!

I ADORED every chapter, every paragraph, every sentence, every word of it!
This whole book is submerged with love, kindness and friendship, all unconditionally given. And let’s be honest, what else do you need in the world?

Victoria manages to write a book that sweeps you away. Despite the problems Emily is having, making hard decisions for not only her best interest, she manages to find happiness in the kindness of a town.
If sometimes you find yourself stuck in a place, you have to find it in your heart to make a hard decision. And no matter how hard it may seem, if the decision will bring you closer to your heart’s true desire, it will be all worth it!

Only revenge is the solution!

Synopsis

A stolen life. A Faustian bargain. Prey becomes predator.

Azar Abed is out for revenge for the life Dr. Adrian Armond stole from her. No matter what the cost. Adrien Armond will stop at nothing to recover the massive fortune Azar Abed embezzled from him. Neither will walk away until the other is dead. Someone’s going to die, that is for certain.

Personal revenge gets caught up in a bio-terror plot to crash the world’s economy as darkness spirals into darkness and terror is the order of the day. Azar Abed and Adrien Armond are on a collision course that could have catastrophic consequences on a global scale.

Who will kill who first? Will it be enough? Can anyone stop the bio-terror plot to destroy the world’s economy that is already in motion? Does anyone have enough humanity left even to try?

Set against a backdrop of Washington, DC, ONE is a heart pounding-psychological thriller pitting greed against greed in a cat-and-mouse game where vengeance is the only prize. It can be read as a standalone, or as the conclusion to events begun in its predecessor, TWO. It concludes the Path of Deception and Betrayal series.

My review

After his trail, Adrien Armond is a free man. He is planning to build a new life with all the money he assembled with art forgery and trafficking in black – market organs.

But his plan falls into water when he finds out that Azar Abed is looking for revenge…
Azar  does not want to see Adrien dead, but want to cause total world chaos, which will only benefit herself….
Adrien and Azar are face to face, not giving an inch to each other. But who will be surviving this deadly game?
Will there be anyone able to stop all the madness? Or are Jackson and Mary trying to avoid the inevitable?

What a conclusion of this series! After reading Three and Two (which I recommend!) you know the apotheosis  will be on a global scale!
In first instance, you understand Azar her reasons for seeking revenge. But the actions she takes are over the top…

Somehow you would expect with everything she has witnessed with her father, she would have more sense, but unfortunately the apple does not fall far from the tree… Eventually money is the main reason for everyone.

Even Adrien, having dodged the bullet… During the story you might think he may have come to his senses, but the truth is, he still is and remains that a**hole we met in ‘Two’….

This thriller got me all wrapped up in the world of intrigues, conspiracies and backstabbing.
All the questions from the previous books got answered, but not without some twists and turns.
Luckily we have Jackson and Mary who are able to stand their ground in this world of crime. Their knowledge and gut feelings make sure that they are chasing Azar only being a small step behind. Mary as usual is always mistrusting everything and everyone, and her brain twisters that seem so bizarre, giving you the chance to take a breath of needed fresh air.

It got me all worked up, fearing for a terrible ending. Would it be possible to stop everything or are Jackson and Mary fighting a losing battle?

The end was not what I thought would be… it was something I never expected to be, teaching me again to not just trust anybody!

When I saw this cover, I fell immediately in love with it!!!

Synopsis

A gorgeous sun-filled new story from author of the Villa Limoncello series.

Welcome to The Cornish Confetti Agency!

When the grand finale of Lexie Harrington’s catwalk showends with a disastrous twist on the ‘ice bucket challenge’, she was expecting her highly-strung boss to fire her on the spot. What she wasn’t expecting was to bump into her fiancé cosied up with an attractive blonde in the restaurant opposite their apartment!

Desperate to escape her heartbreak, Lexie flees to her childhood home of St Ives to hold the fort at The Cornish Confetti Agency for her best friend Freya, leader of the yummy mummy network and firm believer in ‘happily ever afters’. Little did she know that delivering a Caribbean-themed wedding in sunny Cornwall would rival the fashion industry for drama, tantrums and mysterious goings on. 

Who is responsible for dousing the bridesmaid’s dress with tomato ketchup? Or hiding the bride’s beloved Jimmy Choos? Or attaching googly eyes to everything in sight?

The perfect Cornish wedding? Is there such a thing for The Cornish Confetti Agency?

About the author

Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the north east of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks or on Instagram @booksdaisyjames.

THE COVER

I don’t know about you, but this cover is just amazing!

Synopsis

Babushka hadn’t been in her homeland since she was a child. She went to the church with a suitcase, and the whole way, Babushka thought about how she would feel in Ukraine after so many years. She sang, and then she prayed. Amen. But Babushka was thinking of her trip instead of the Lord’s grace. After a long time pondering what to expect—if she would feel a sense of belonging—Babushka arrived in her homeland. Babushka had a lot of fun, but she felt like something was missing. She was homesick. “Babushka is Homesick” is a story about memories, family, and the true meaning of the word “home.”

“Babushka is Homesick” is the second children’s book in the Babushka Series. Everyone has their own stories, history, and the desire to belong. The first book, “Tell me a story, Babushka,” is a best-selling new release in Children’s Multicultural Literature on Amazon USA (Aug 2019), in which kids and adults will enjoy fun adventures and identify their own stories.

This folktale is ideal for ages 4-11 and perfect for teachers.

About the author

About Carola Schmidt

Pediatric Oncology Pharmacist & award-winning author. Author of children’s multicultural literature, such as Babushka Series, and children’s books about cancer, such as Chubby’s Tale: The true story of a teddy bear who beat cancer, and Bald is Beautiful: A letter for a fabulous girl. Springer Nature author with several scientific books published on pediatric oncology.

And now… THE COVER!!!

More than expected!

Synopsis

Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past
holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of
star-crossed lovers… or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

My review

Suzie gets the opportunity to go on a holiday to the city of her dreams, when she’s hired to accompany Lady Alexandra Tedburn.
Despite what she thinks, Alex is a grown – up woman, but her father wants someone to chaperone her.

Soon Suzie discovers that there is more to Alex than initially thought. They spend a lot of time together in Venice and nearby, and a close friendship is born.
Suzie tries to persuade Alex to follow her dream to study arts and come clean about her feelings.

While discovering the area, Suzie meets plenty of people. She meets Alex’ love interest, she makes new friends, and meets Michael, a local artist with a sad history.
They bond quickly, but is Michael ready to put the past behind him?

For me, this book was not a love story between 2 people but so much more. First of all, it’s about Suzie and her love for Verona and Shakespeare. She is trying to find her place in the world, and even if she feels at home in Verona, is this the place where her future lays?
But it’s also the story about Alex, how first impressions can be wrong. How you have to learn to chase your dreams, and be ready to let go of your world of wealth.

Mainly it’s a story about friendship. Suzie and Alex have more in common than thought. Because of their differences they realize they can depend on an honest opinion and persuasion of not just giving up.
The attraction between Suzie and Michael is in my opinion a minor storyline. But it’s so nice to read about! How someone cannot feel ready for a new relationship, and there is understanding and acceptance of being ‘just friends’.

What made me truly love it, was how Suzie adored all the places she went to. Of course everyone has read about the places, but reading how Suzie finally gets to see the places herself and how they exceed her expectations, made me dream of those places too!
Almost all the places in the book are places I visited myself at least once, so the attraction is understandable.

As I have seen, this author has written other books while ‘Dreaming of’, so now I MUST read those stories too!