Tizi’s Book Review

Can a leopard truly change its spots when it’s about matters of the heart?

Synopsis

In her early fifties, Harri Caldwell has always prided herself on being a strong, independent woman. Content with her single life, she loves her role as headmistress at the prestigious Lilian Cooper College for Young Ladies in Brisbane.

High profile barrister Charles Kaye has lived a charmed city life. With an amicable divorce behind him and three grown daughters, he is often featured in gossip columns alongside beautiful young women, a revolving cast his daughters nickname Charlie’s Angels.

When Charles and Harri meet at an art gallery opening, the instant connection is undeniable and, much to the chagrin of Charles’ daughters, a relationship quickly ensues. Their romance attracts media attention, not only because of Charles’ public profile but because Harri is so different from the women he is usually linked to. Older, private and firmly outside the socialite mould, she becomes an unexpected fascination for the press.

As the media attention and his daughters’ disapproval weigh on Harri, she begins to question whether their love can withstand the pressure. Will this prove to be the breaking point for their relationship or will Harri be Charlie’s last angel?

My review

Harri Caldwell is in her early fifties, but is clearly a strong, independent woman. As a headmistress at the Lilian Cooper College for Young Ladies, she is strict but correct. She is also happy with her life as a single woman, and doesn’t feel that she is missing out on anything. Until at an art gallery, she meets barrister Charles Kaye and there is an undeniable connection between them. But Charles is not just a barrister, he is one with a high profile. Often he is mentioned in gossip columns with women by his side that could even be younger than his three adult daughters.  And those daughters have nicknames all these temporarily women as ‘Charlie’s Angels’. When the romance between Harri and Charles because public, not only Harri finds herself suddenly out of her depth, but Charles’s daughters aren’t all that happy with their father’s latest ‘conquest’. As Harri is the complete opposite of Charles’s former partners, she finds herself suddenly in the spotlight and under scrutiny of three women wanting to protect their father. Harri is not used to all this kind of attention and despite having finally found love, she starts to question if she is ready for all the changes that are coming her way. Is their love strong enough or will it break though all the pressure for outside?

Another story by an author who is able to grab my attention even if the main characters are in a different stage in their lives as myself.

Yet I felt this instant connection with Harri, as I am also a happy single woman, believing that I am strong and independent 😊. At the start of the story, we see how Harri has always been content with her life, how she has found what she wanted from her life. Even if she hasn’t found love, she doesn’t feel like it is a missing piece. And I could feel that if life continued this way for Harri, she wouldn’t mind it all.

And then she meets Charles at an art gallery…

Charles is anything that Harri is not. And I don’t mean this in a bad way, it’s just that Charles has a completely different life and lifestyle. Where he is accustomed to be photographed, Harri isn’t.

That contrast between these two characters was wonderful to read, it just shows how love can work in mysterious ways, unexpected ways. And that love doesn’t look at a lifestyle, but it looks at someone’s heart.

It was absolutely sweet to see how this unlikely pair has found each other and how deep their feelings just are, even if it may all seen to progressing so quickly. And it truly seems that Charles has changes his tune and is ready to settle down with a woman different than his previous dates.

Now, it may seem that Charles used to be a player, and perhaps he indeed was. But after meeting Harri and falling for her, we see a caring man, who just adores Harri and would do anything for her. Although it also needs to be said, that his love perhaps is being professed in a way that Harri isn’t accustomed too, as Charles doesn’t have to look at a dollar more.

It saddened me though reading how not everyone was happy for the happy couple. That the gossip pages are having a ball is predictable. But I was so disappointed in the behaviour of Charles’s daughters…

On one hand, it is understandable that they are not all that happy to see their father settling with a woman they don’t know. But especially in Nicole’s case, I was truly shocked by her behaviour and antics. Give Harri a chance for God’s sake!

Gabi is having her issues on her own, and somehow her lacklustre response made sense to me. The last thing she is thinking is about her father and his new love… She has enough issues on her own which she doesn’t know how to handle, so in a way, she gets a free pass from me.

And Becky… while she is happy for her father, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that she saw it only as how it could benefit her own life, with her ‘new stepmother’ being the headmistress of her own daughters’ school… So it didn’t feel all that altruistic…

Obviously Harri is doubting now her relationship with Charles. Not that she doesn’t love him, but it’s all the side activities that she isn’t prepared for, even if Charles is by her side.

In this book we see how beautiful love can be, at whatever age it arrives, but how doubts, self-doubt and interference of others, can jeopardize exactly that. But we also see that staying true to your real self, to not pretend to be someone else, or even not hold a tiny bit of a grudge (even when it would be justified), can let people see your true colours and that even if things are a little bit going fast, it can be just right.

Maggie Christensen wrote once again a beautiful story about love at a next stage in life, but one that can still be just as amazing, even if it can be a bit terrifying.

Can a casual summer fling turn into something more?

Synopsis

Can a no-strings attached holiday fling really just stay casual?

Olivia is a fiercely independent woman climbing the ladder of corporate finance. But when her family demands she take time off to go to her niece’s bachelorette and wedding in Nantucket, she reluctantly agrees.

On the island, she catches the eye of Connor: a handsome, cocky, playboy type—also ten years her junior. Olivia’s sisters egg her on, encouraging a summer fling, but she’s more interested in catching up on her finance reading. Except…he’s funny and sexy, and doing her ego a world of good.

As their attraction steadily grows, Connor gets Olivia to relax her tightly held control and indulge in the fling she won’t admit she needs. But too soon, the holiday is over and they’re back home, living two very different lives.

And yet, neither can ignore the intense chemistry that didn’t go away after the summer. Are they just a Nantucket fling… or something much more?

Tropes:

• Opposites attract

• Age gap

• Summer fling

• No strings attached

• Single dad

My review

Olivia’s goal in life is to climb as high as possible in the world of corporate business. She doesn’t have time for romance, and believes that love and family is a choice that she will never make. Even taking time off for a holiday is something Olivia will never do, as she can use that time better for her work. So when her niece is getting married and also has a bachelorette party organized in Nantucket, Olivia has no choice than agreeing to join her family. Upon her arrival, she meets Connor, who is working during the summer on the island. Connor may a good looking, real handsome man, and also a cocky one. And Connor for sure knows how to boost Olivia’s ego with his attention. But despite his playboyerish behaviour, Connor is in fact a responsible single father, with no greater desire to give his daughter all that she dreams of, even if in reality it is a struggle. And the summer is the only opportunity he has to be and feel somewhat young again. While Olivia for sure is out of his league, he cannot resists the attraction he feels for Olivia. And while initially Olivia is reluctant to have a summer fling with a man so much younger than herself, with the persuasion of her own family, she gives into temptation. But what when the holiday is over and both Olivia and Connor have to return to their lives?

I always have a smile on my face when I start reading a book of this author. And the fact that there is an age gap, and that the characters couldn’t be more different, intrigued me even more!

But I have to admit, it took me a while to get completely into the story. I know that it takes a moment to get to know the characters, to understand them and to connect with them. And while I understood Olivia’s choices, those choices also made it a little bit difficult to connect with her.

Of course, everyone is free to chose how to life their lives how they want. And why shouldn’t a woman go for her career? When a man makes this kind of choice, nobody questions that choice. But when it is a woman, it feels like everyone is judging that choice. So in a way I admired Olivia for being so open about her own choices and dreams. On the other hand though, and while I understand that not everyone wants to have a family, I found that Olivia is also taking away her chances of finding love, even when not wanting to have children.

Now, of course her choice has to come from somewhere, especially as it is a perhaps unpopular opinion. And the more I got to know Olivia, I could understand her reasoning, even if I didn’t agree with her the full 100%.

That doesn’t mean that Olivia is not a lovable character. She has her own views and thoughts about things, but even if that differs from those of her own family, she loves them very deeply. She is also a focused woman, she knows what she wants and goes for it. She won’t allow anyone to put her in a corner. If she stands in a literal corner, it is because she wants it.

And at first instance, you would think that Connor is Olivia’s complete opposite. Of course they are different, and his initial player attitude, or rather his past player attitude, would make you think that they would never work.

Yet rather early we learn that Connor is a single dad, and that his player – days are definitely over. And that also made me change my mind about him quickly. Because not everyone would take up the responsibility of raising a child while almost being a child yourself. And that is something I admired about Connor.

Because we see that he hasn’t had it easy, and still isn’t having an easy time. Yet he is a loving father to his little girl, a devoted one. He would do anything for her.

On the other hand, we also see how he has lost his own freedom. Freedom isn’t exactly the right word, but where young people were and still are enjoying their lives without a real second thought, Connor took his responsibilities and all he tries to do is to make Ellie happy.

And I can understand that during the summers, he brings Ellie to the good care of her grandparents, while he tries to earn extra money and yet feel a little bit ‘more free’. Also it is a way to get closer to his own dream, opening his own restaurant.

So while slowly I got to know and learned to appreciate each character separately, I also absolutely enjoyed reading about their dynamics and how their combined story was evolving.

Because I absolutely loved reading how in Nantucket Connor is able to change Olivia’s mind and have a fling with him. Already on the island the electricity flies between them and it made me even more curious to discover what would happen when they would be both back home, as the book was far by its end!

And let’s be honest, we see people getting together all the time, whether it started as a fling or not. But what when there is a character so set on her own ideas (not pointing the finger towards anyone, OLIVIA!!! 😊) how can things towards a happy ending where both parties don’t give up or lose the essence that makes them?

Just that, reading how the characters would evolve, what made me truly love this story.

Because of course once back home Olivia wants to keep her distance, and not continue their fling.  But when they cross paths again, would this summer be that easily forgotten like nothing ever happened?

Seeing that evolution, made me once again believe in the power, the strength of love. Because as we all know, Olivia is a strong, independent woman, who isn’t looking for love, for a family. But when the right person comes into your life, a lot can change. And what you thought you would never want or need, suddenly becomes impossible to not have. Most important though, is how the right person (whether in this case it’s Olivia or Connor), will always support you, understand what you need, what you want, and is there for you, even at moments when you don’t think you need that support. And the right person will always accept you for who you are, will never try to change you. Even if that acceptance will hurt that same person…

What a wonderful story this was, even is it took me a while to get into it, it was sooooo worth it!

Giveaway time!

Giveaway to Win a paperback copy of A Nantucket Fling (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

https://gleam.io/PNcxM/win-a-paperback-copy-of-a-nantucket-fling-open-internationally

What to wish when a genie appears?

Synopsis

A heartwarming paranormal cosy romance set in a small Scottish village, featuring a flamboyant genie, three unexpected wishes, and a second chance at love after loss.

Love, second chances, and a dash of magic… what could possibly go wrong?

Beth Calder’s life so far:

Marriage falling apart? Check.
Heartbreak she can’t quite move past? Check.
Fresh start in a quiet Scottish village? Check.
Discovering a genie inside a pinball machine? That’s new.

Arriving in Cranley is meant to be Beth’s chance to begin again. A job as head chef at The Jekyll and Hyde pub, a cosy place to call home, and a village that doesn’t ask too many questions feel like exactly what she needs. Romance is firmly off the table.

That becomes harder to hold onto when she meets Kieran, a thoughtful and quietly charming tech developer who understands more than she expects. It becomes even harder when the pub’s dusty basement reveals a glitter-loving genie with a habit of interfering and a belief that Beth’s story isn’t over yet.

With three wishes she doesn’t quite trust and a heart still holding onto the past, Beth must decide whether to keep playing it safe or risk everything for a chance at something new.

In Cranley, even the most unexpected kind of magic can help you find your way forward.

A Wish for Beth is Book 4 in the Cranley Wishes series. Perfect for readers who love small-town charm, gentle paranormal romance, and uplifting second-chance love stories filled with warmth, hope, and a touch of magic.

My review

After a failed marriage and heartbreak over her biggest wish not coming true, Beth Calder was in desperate need of a fresh start. So the Scottish village of Cranley is exactly what Beth needs, and is happy with her new job as head chef at The Jekyll and Hyde pub, where she can try out new recipes with funny names. But the last thing Beth expected, is that the pinball machine in the basement is the home of an actual genie. A peculiar genie that will grant Beth three wishes. Even if Beth is initially wary and distrustful of this genie, she starts to wonder what she can wish for. She just knows that one thing she won’t be asking for, and that is for a new love in her life. And then she meets Kieran, a tech developer who also recently moved to Cranley. Kieran seems to understand more what Beth is going through. Kieran himself is struggling with his new idea and his new life in Cranley. And while love is out of the equation for him, there is something about Beth he cannot ignore. So while both Beth and Kieran are not looking for romance, Gigi the Genie has other ideas and the community  seems to share not only that idea, but also the belief in genies for some strange reason… But with a past that still haunts Beth, can she start looking beyond the pain that love can cause?

It has been a while since my last visit to Cranley. And it took me a moment to remember exactly what happened with the other inhabitants. But just reading a few names and it was all coming back to me 😊.

Right from the start, my heart broke for Beth. Of course the end of a marriage, where Beth loved her husband so much, is terrible. But all what transpired before in her marriage, the attempts to have their own baby… As I am not a mother myself, I can only try to imagine how devastating it can be to feel like a failure after each time…

And of course, after all that she has been through, she needs a fresh start, away from everyone and everything she knows. And I could even understand her reluctance of coming clean about the real reasons of her move. It is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, but it is normal that Beth doesn’t want any looks of pity at all.

Now, it needs to be said that Cranley is a special village, where the inhabitants aren’t surprised by sudden and inexplicable appearances. But as a stranger landing in Cranley, it can be a shocking discovery that in a pinball machine a genie is living. Especially as we have all learned that genies aren’t real.

It makes sense that Beth initially is wary and even believes that she is imagining things, and how she thinks that she cannot tell anyone what she is experiencing with Gigi. Any other village would claim her being crazy!

I found it funny to read about Gigi’s antics. As we know from this series, is that each genie is up to some mischief. And I loved it! 😊But it also needs to be said, that Gigi has also some great insights. It felt to me that Gigi expresses the inner voice of Beth somehow. Because beside the antics, Gigi truly gives some good advice to Beth. Perhaps not in the most subtle ways, but what is being said, is perhaps a message that Beth needs to hear, in able to move forward in her life.

Although, I need to say that also playing tricks with Kieran’s mind isn’t perhaps the best way of Gigi to make things work. Even if it’s done with the best intentions 😊.

Kieran, who made the move to Cranley for the same reason as Beth: to start again. Not for completely the same reasons, but he also went through a heartbreak, and thus can rely with Beth easier.

I truly sympathized with Kieran, because even after his move to Cranley, I could not shake of the feeling that after everything he has been through, he must be very lonely. It also felt to me that that aspect transpires in the ways that he is at moments reluctant to go outside, to go to the pub for example.

Yet we also see clearly that he is smart, and has great ideas, as it shows with his idea for an app. And even if it takes him a moment to feel at ease, we see that he is empathic, cares about his (new) friends and is ready to help out. Even if perhaps that isn’t always the brightest of ideas with a reappearance of someone from his past… But also here it just proves what a kind heart he has.

It is no rocket science figuring out who will be involved with the romantic storyline. And while I was cheering for them, for me it didn’t feel like the major storyline. Because it is about letting go of the past, or at least giving it a place in order to move on. And it is not an easy task, and perhaps we could all benefit from a genie like Gigi, voicing out loud (too loud? 😊) what maybe is already brooding in our minds and hearts?

This was at moments a very bittersweet story, but mainly and more important a heartwarming and even inspiring story, about how life perhaps doesn’t always go as you want or plan, and causes you heartbreak in the process. But life always finds a way to make things right again, somehow. And that is, no matter how difficult it may seem initially, to keep in mind. And that the biggest heartbreak can give you the opportunity to grow, to digest and to give a second chance at the most beautiful emotions that exist.

Audrey Davis captured all this heartbreak but also beauty in this wonderful, funny story!

Can one trip across Europe bring love?

Synopsis

A romantic comedy of missed chances, awkward encounters, and one unforgettable trip across Europe. In the summer of 1985, Will Evans sets off interrailing with one goal: win the heart of Ruby, the girl he’s been hopelessly in love with since university. But with bad timing, bad jokes and a rival named Tom Bellows, Will’s chances are slim. As they journey through cities, cultures and chaos, Will must navigate more than train timetables – like growing up, letting go and learning what love really means.  Funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, No Chance is a nostalgic coming-of -age story for anyone who has ever loved too hard, too soon.

My review

It’s 1985 and Will Evans has decided to join his friends interrailing throughout the summer. Not because he is interested in all the countries and cities, but he mainly hopes to conquer Ruby’s heart. He has been desperately in love with Ruby since university and hopes that this journey will be where Ruby will fall for him too. But his timing is off, and his jokes don’t always land as he hoped, and then there is a rival, Tom Bellows. This journey turns out to be not only a literal journey through Europe, but a journey through growth and being just yourself.

At the start of this book, I didn’t know what to really expect. Of course the story is about Will attempting to win over Ruby’s heart. But as often in book where a journey is taking place, the journey is not only a literal one.

But as the setting of the book is about a year before I was even born, there were things that I know about, but haven’t actually lived through. Obviously, making a road trip through Europe isn’t something that I never heard before, but the practicalities of how Tom and his friends are doing it, was something I never heard of. And to be honest, while I love travelling and discovering cities and countries, I don’t know if I would be able to be travelling like Will is doing. I need my comfort, my food and a good bed 😊.

I sympathized with Will, as his love for Ruby is unrequited. Something that we have all experienced at least once in our lives, haven’t we? Even if I had some initial doubts about his feelings for Ruby, as it happened at a party and Ruby wasn’t the most sober of ladies there. But who am I to judge someone’s feelings and who I am to judge about the ways that love works?

And I was rooting for Will, even if I never truly warmed towards Ruby. Obviously they both young and are still discovering who they are and how their future should look like. And as Ruby just got out of a relationship, I could understand that the last thing she wants, is starting something new with someone else. But still, especially her behaviour towards the end of the book wasn’t something that I could completely comprehend.

But Will’s story is for sure a journey filled with wanting to do the right thing, but ending up doing the wrong thing, saying the wrong, surrounded with bad jokes that make everyone around him feel awkward. And perhaps not on his same level, but that was something recognizable too, as we have all felt awkward and insecure.

The kind of journey Will is doing, isn’t the kind where you have the option to recharge your batteries, but is one with lack of sleep, lack of comfort, even lack of good food. And yes, some incidents while eating and drinking the wrong things… For me personally, it would feel like torture!

But this journey is a journey to adulthood, with a lot of trail and error, ups and downs, self-discovery and figuring out how you want the future to look like. Not an easy task at all when you are young, and a head filled with dreams which you don’t know if they can be realized.

And just like the story doesn’t have a clear and closed ending, so doesn’t our own lives, because you will never know what will happen next…  This was a story that makes you think back about your own choices as a young person, and makes you reflect on how your own life changed over time.

To learn new things, but what exactly?

Synopsis

Seven days of temptation…

Good girl Juno Darlington-Hume has always pursued excellence in every field—now she’s determined to master the art of sexual pleasure. Gorgeous, notorious, and utterly irresistible, Italian playboy Alessandro Ricci has the experience, the charm, and the expertise to give her exactly what she’s craving.

From the magical streets of Florence to the golden hills of the Tuscan countryside, Alessandro leads Juno on a journey of desire, teaching her every delicious lesson with a wicked smile.

But there’s one thing Alessandro refuses to take: her heart. And as Juno surrenders to temptation, she discovers that passion isn’t the only lesson in store—because some pleasures run deeper than the body, and falling for Alessandro might be the most intoxicating—and dangerous—experience of all.

My review

Juno Darlington – Hume may have a famous last name, but she is building her career on her own merits and her own brains. While she excels in many different fields, when it come to matters of the heart, she is inexperienced. And as she is in love with Adam, a lecturer where Juno is getting her PhD, but he doesn’t see her, Juno believes that it is of her inexperience also in the sexual matters. Determined to change her inexperience into something that she masters, she asks the one person she knows that will be able to give her what she needs to learn, the gorgeous, even infamous, Italian playboy Alessandro Ricci. Initially, Sandro refuses Juno’s offer, but as his own father needs him to show everyone that Sandro is reliable and not the playboy, he is ready to ‘teach’ Juno in what he is an expert in. Not only in Florence, but also the Tuscan countryside, not only does Juno get to experience the beauty of Tuscany, but she is ready to learn everything there is to need to know about desire, pleasure and sexual temptation and passion. However, Sandro makes it clear that there will be one line that he will not cross with her. And there will be no way that feelings will be involved. But the more time Juno and Sandro are spending together, is it possible to keep things platonic and just keep on enjoying the pleasures that sex can bring?

When I started reading this book, it was a bit with mixed feelings. Having read the first book of this series, I was curious to read how Juno’s and Sandro’s story would evolve. On the other hand, knowing about Sandro’s reputation, I was a bit afraid it would be a little bit too much just ‘action’ and less story itself.

So let me start with when I reached the ending, because I was very happy with the story, how the characters evolved and grew.

Right from the start, I truly sympathized with Juno. Not that I could relate with her background, not at all. But the fact that she has an unrequited love, has a lot of self-doubt and insecurities, isn’t that something we can all relate? And then there also the matter of her being the youngest sibling and feeling lesser than her older sisters…

And it saddened me read that, because it is obvious that Juno is just a wonderful person. And that her insecurities are unjustified. Of course I have to use my imagination to ‘see’ Juno, but I could see Juno as the kind of person that is the perfect mix of having both beauty and brains. 

I liked it how, even if I didn’t agree with the vision she has of herself, she is determined to take matter in own hands. And no matter how embarrassed she feels, she just ‘proposes’ to Sandro. It for sure takes some b*lls to do that! I don’t know if I would have that courage!

While I admired Juno for her courage, I could also understand Sandro’s reaction of some kind repulsion. He knows that he has a reputation, and he for sure isn’t ashamed of him a player. But I could comprehend how it would feel for him like he would be selling himself for sexual pleasures. And while I initially didn’t like – like Sandro, I liked it how he stood up for himself, but without losing his calmness or insulting Juno.

Now, it isn’t that Sandro is that altruistic person at the start of the book, that he is ready to help out Juno just out of the kindness of his heart. He does benefit from being seen with Juno in Italy.

But the more the story evolves, we see that there is so much more to Sandro than just the infamous Italian player. Not only does he show his character and moral compass when he makes clear agreements with Juno what they will do and what they won’t do. We also see it how he makes Juno feel outside the bedroom. He makes her understand that she is a great and amazing woman.

And he also has a lot of depth, and passions that he doesn’t show just anyone. Plus he also shows a vulnerability and even insecurity that you wouldn’t expect from such an exuberant character like him.

Of course there are a lot of steamy moments between Juno and Sandro. But I loved the most how there is a real connection between them, not just a sexual one. Juno learns from Sandro, that she is more than good enough, that she just has it and that she shouldn’t be doubting herself so much. And Sandro also learns from and with Juno. Because he finds himself opening up more and more, telling her his real passions and even his fears. And seeing the both of them maturing, evolving, truly warmed my heart.

Now, there has to be a moment where everything seems to be falling apart, jeopardizing everything they have both been slowly building. And yes, it was not a  nice thing to do, as it was even a small level of gaslighting. But the reaction that comes from the alteration shows the growth both characters have been through. The realization of the wrong – doings and the wish to make it all right, is not something that would be possible at the start…

Like I said at the start of this review, this book for sure surprised me in a good way! Perhaps I was a bit prejudiced by the blurb of the book, as I didn’t expect so much depth, and so much growth from the characters. And that I would truly connect with the characters and like them so easily! Only shows that you never should never judge a book by its cover, or its characters, as I can attest to! 

When the outside doesn’t always show what turmoil there is on the inside…

Synopsis

Some rules were made to be broken… especially when it comes to love.

After a tragedy left her heart shattered, deputy headteacher Adele Robson has rebuilt her life in Glenbriar, keeping her grief hidden behind a polished, no-nonsense exterior.

Rugged farmer Owen Lyndell is having a hard time with his wayward teenage son Max, and the summer holidays at Hillview Farm aren’t going well.

Term-time clashes over Max have made Adele and Owen loathe each other, so discovering her new dream cottage is next door to Owen’s farm is unwelcome news, especially when she’s finally built up the courage to carry out the summer bucket list she and her late fiancé dreamed of. And when Owen shows up accidentally during one of her bucket-list activities, they start to see a different side to each other.

Between horse riding, wild swimming, and sunsets over Loch Briar, both Owen and Adele have a chance to rediscover love. But only if Adele can overcome her past heartbreak… plus the immovable fact that she’s Max’s teacher, and when summer ends, she and Owen must return to a professional relationship.

But perhaps the last item on the bucket list is one already written in the stars.

My review

Adele Robson moved not so long ago to Glenbriar and is now deputy headteacher. While on the outside it seems that she takes no nonsense from anyone, nobody – not even her colleagues – knows about the tragedy she endured and why in fact she made the move to Glenbriar. While being a (head)teacher can be rewarding, it can also be a challenge. And for Adele, the real challenge is Max Lyndell, who is more than often pushing all teachers’  buttons and Adele has more than once called his father, Owen. And while Owen is struggling with Max, it also means that every time Adele calls Owen in the office, it is a clash between headteacher and parent. So when during summer, Adele discovers that her new neighbour is Owen himself, she isn’t all that thrilled. But as Adele has planned to use the summer to complete the bucket list she made with her late fiancé, she realizes that after Owen shows up accidentally during one of the activities, that he may be the person that can help her out to tick off some item. And the more time they are spending together, the more they start to understand each other and have even a chance to let love back in. Weren’t it that Adele is still finding it difficult to let go of her lost love, and the fact that being Max’s teacher is something unsurmountable.

I was very delighted to return to Glenbriar, as the author always is able to make me and the main characters believe that not only love can be found by everyone, but also that it can be found in the most unexpected ways, with the most unexpected people, while surrounded by wonderful people. People we also got to know in the previous books of this series.

Having read already how challenging Max is as a student, I couldn’t wait to see how the story between Adele and Owen would unfold, as for sure it wouldn’t be an easy story.

And just somehow (or rather, Margaret’s amazing writing skills) this story just got me…

It is clear from the very start that Adele has faced a terrible loss, and while I had an inkling of what happened, it isn’t clear of what actually happened. But I also felt that it didn’t matter what transpired, as Adele is obviously still grieving and having difficulties moving on.

And of course it is heartbreaking what she has been though, but what saddened me even more, was reading how she is keeping up this façade. After her move to Glenbriar, she shows herself as a strong woman, who doesn’t accept nonsense, nor from parents, nor from students. While she has made friends in Glenbriar, she hasn’t confided in them completely, told them about the reason she moved and what happened to her.

Reading how closed off she is, is what pained me also. Because yes, I can understand how Adele does not want to be pitied, but it is not only about pity, but your (new) friends can give you comfort when you need it. And in Adele’s case, be her biggest supporters.

I found it bittersweet reading how Adele also wants to fulfil the bucket list she made with her fiancé, even if now it will be a one – woman – task, and not a shared experience. And from the start I was hoping that not only it would give her some closer, but that she would meet someone on her path, making her believe in love again.

Obviously, us readers already know who her love interest would be in this story. Making it very hilarious reading Adele’s shock upon learning who her neighbours are 😊.

It would be easy to ‘condemn’ Owen as a parent who isn’t involved, who doesn’t care about the education of his son Max. And yes, I have to admit that before this book, that is exactly what I thought about Owen. Growing up isn’t easy and yes, playing up is part of being a teenager. But there are limits to what behaviour is acceptable and what not.

But, as I also already know, what we think of someone, at first glances, isn’t always what is true.

Though not at the same level, I felt sorry for Owen. He is trying his best to be the best possible father to Max. But he is truly struggling, as he wants to help Max, but is just out of his depth. He doesn’t want to push Max into a direction, but he also wants that Max learns how the world works. Things don’t always go your way, and we all have had to compromise somewhere in our own journey.

And we see the kind of person that Owen is. He is ready to help people out, and that for sure is a positive. But on the other hand, we also see that in the past there have been people taking advantage of his help, without ever getting any kind of help back. And perhaps Owen should also learn to ask for help when he needs it…

So it is clear that Adele and Owen are both troubled characters, for their own personal reasons. Add the fact that they have clashed in the past, you would think that on paper it just wouldn’t work as being now neighbours.

And yet…

What starts as Owen helping Adele out, slowly, very slowly, grows into a friendship, into an understanding and comprehension.

It was just so sweet to see how the both of them have walls up so high, and how they find with each other not only someone to confide in, but someone to trust, to connect with. Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight, but with each passing day, each day they are spending together, something starts to shift.

Seeing those developments, that growth, even if it is with some trepidation and fear from each side, truly warmth my heart. And even when at a certain moment, choices needed to be made, while heartbreaking, the maturity, responsibility of both characters was still so present. And it also shows how the both of them realize that while it would have been easier to be ‘selfish’, it isn’t the right choice to be selfish.

I don’t give that easily five stars to a book. In order for me to do so, it really needs to touch me, to move me. And somehow Margaret Amatt made it impossible for me to give the anything else but the maximum rating. While it wasn’t about recognizing myself in either main character, their story just moved me. It showed me how you *can* move on, how you *can* find that person that makes you open up again, and make you feel again.

Not only I just *had* to give it five sparking stars, but I also devoured it. I just couldn’t get enough of Adele and Owen, I needed to read more about their connection, their growth and just *them*.

Can love be stronger than anything else?

Synopsis

Return to Northumberland where happy ever afters await…

Take a magical trip to stunning Northumberland via the pages of this feel-good romantic comedy by award winning writer Kimberley Adams. Full of warmth and joy, it will leave you with a wide smile and a yearning to visit this iconic location in person.

When the almost unbelievable truth about Kittiwake Penaluna’s heritage comes to light, the residents are shocked, but in true island fashion they rally together to protect their fledgling chick as she faces life-changing revelations.

Meanwhile, the island mourns the loss of its beloved village butcher, and the closure of the shop on Main Street leaves a hole at the heart of the community. Then, when other businesses unexpectedly close, rumours begin to circulate about who might be behind the unsettling changes.

As familiar faces depart, new ones arrive, but not everything is as it seems. And when a despised figure from the past returns, old tensions resurface and the island is thrown into further turmoil.

Amid the chaos, Ellie and Zen finally begin preparing for their long-awaited wedding, but as always on the island, nothing goes quite according to plan. With difficult decisions to make and obstacles to overcome, they soon discover that they can weather any storm, because love always endures on Lindisfarne…

My review

Ellie and Zen are truly looking forward to their wedding. While they are rather laidback about how they want things to take place, even in a lovely place like Lindisfarne nothing ever go as planned. But while this may be the wedding of the year, there are other troubles that worry the community of the wonderful island. Not only is there the truth about Kittiwake’s heritage and how it will affect more than just Kitti’s life. But the sudden death of the village butcher means that not only the shop has closed, it also means the arrival of two newcomers that may not seem to fit with the warm community that Lindisfarne is. However, the worst is the return of an old face, that nobody is waiting for. And that person is more than willing to shake things back up, and not in a good way…

I need to say, before I start reviewing the story itself, that it is said that you can read is as a standalone, I suggest you read the whole series. Yes, it is said that a richer reader experience is it recommended to read Book Nr1, but if I wouldn’t have read the previous parts, I know that I would have struggled with keeping up with everything. So I truly recommend to read the whole series, as it is not only easier but also a wonderful bigger story!

Right from the start, I felt like coming home again, I felt embraced by the warmth that the people of Lindisfarne share. No matter who they are, what age, gender, or occupation they have, Lindisfarne is the place where everyone is welcome, where you will find yourself accepted for who you are. Of course if you are just as kind and loving and as everyone else!

It truly warmed my heart to see how huge the love still is between Ellie and Zen. They cannot wait to get married, and neither could i! I wanted to see the culmination of their love, and I was curious to see what their wedding would look like.

But not only the love they share for each other was great, I loved reading how parental they still are of Kitti, even if they know about her parentage. Their behaviour and protectiveness does not only show what great parents they will be in some future, but also that they are the kind of people that will love you unconditionally.

However, and unfortunately, life on Lindisfarne isn’t only filled with rainbows and unicorns…

When the beloved village butcher passes away, obviously his wife Dora is not only shocked but devastated by losing the love of her life. And I could understand how she needed some time off, but I was also a bit scared upon her return with her nieces. Not that the nieces are evil, but you will understand what I mean with stating they are a bit weird and unworldly.

Even if I didn’t warm to the siblings immediately, I was hoping that soon they would see how wonderful it is to be living in Lindisfarne and that they would open up more and become truly a part of the community.

And then the return nobody wanted… If you know the series you know who I am talking about. And if this is your first encounter with the series, well, let me just tell you that that character is someone that is able to drive everyone crazy!

I was afraid of that return, and for sure, there are moments that if I could I would let my Italian fury unleash upon that person! And furthermore, her return also made me fear that people that redeemed themselves previously would fall back in past behaviour. Something I just didn’t want to happen.

Because (and I am truly trying to keep it all spoiler – free here 😊) I truly liked how not just this character, but mainly this character, has matured since the last book. And falling back into old habits would be affecting also other people now. People that have already been through enough…

However, despite all the drama that is taking place in Lindisfarne, even things that I haven’t addressed here, and twists that made me even fear for the wedding, we see in this beautiful story that no matter how life can take a turn – and not always for the better – finding yourself surrounded by great, caring, loving people can turn something bad (or not so great) into something amazing.

And that is the strength of the island, and thus of the book. Because there is so much love, warmth, kindness and acceptance in it. It sparks from all the pages, you just love all the characters (with the exception of a few…) and you find yourself wishing to go to Lindisfarne yourself.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this next instalment. And even if it has been a while for me that I have read the previous part, it felt like I never left and I for sure never wanted to leave! 😊

When the task is to find a match, but then you start falling yourself for your customer

Synopsis

A Regency fairytale retelling with a grumpy sunshine romance

To make her mark…
She must find his match!

It’s a tale as old as time: Lucas Worthing, a wealthy Viscount, is reluctantly obliged to find a high-society wife. Especially with a deathbed promise to his mother to fulfill! But the odds are stacked against battle-scarred Lucas when the gossip sheets persist in calling him the Beast of Barnett House. Enter the Cupid’s Arrow Agency…

Matchmaking for reclusive Lucas won’t be easy, but plucky Ophelia Granger isn’t deterred by his imposing castle or gruff demeanor. If she can pull this off, her business stands a chance of success. Yet there’s nothing harder than finding a bride for the man you’re falling for yourself!

My review

Growing up as orphan hasn’t been easy for Ophelia Granger. But with her self found sisters, things are changing for the better. Ophelia is even ready now to open her own agency, after seeing how her matchmaking skills have brought happiness to the people around her. Now she just needs to find the first customer for her Cupid’s Arrow Agency, which is easier said than done. Until after a theft, Viscount Lucas Worthing comes to her rescue. Lucas is reluctant to get married, as his battle scars and his reclusiveness have gossipers let him name the Beast of Barnett. But a promise to his mother made on her deathbed, is making Lucas searching for a wife, not out of love, but out of convenience. And why not help out a new acquaintance with her new business and hire her with his search for a wife. Ophelia could not be more thrilled with her new task and is adamant to show society that Lucas is anything but a Beast… But the more time Ophelia and Lucas spend together, the more Ophelia realizes that she is falling for Lucas. So how can she find the perfect match for Lucas, while she wants to be that person herself, even if Lucas does not want to marry out of love at all…

No matter what era we are living in, aren’t we all searching our perfect match in love? And haven’t we all struggled or are still struggling with actually finding that person? So why would finding love in the Regency era be any different?

Oooh riiiiight, there is something like society, expectations, and let’s be honest, often marriages aren’t made out of love, but rather out of convenience… And when a Viscount is literally and figuratively scarred by his past, things only get more complicated…

Right from the start, I felt truly proud of Ophelia. Having read the other book of the series, I knew where Ophelia and her sisters (yes, they are truly sisters, even if it’s not by blood) came from and how hard they have worked to be where they are now in their lives.

And I was extra proud of Ophelia, as she is ready to open her own business, something that isn’t so usual for women in Regency. To be even more in awe of her, Ophelia opens a matchmaking business, wanting to find love and happiness for everyone. Ophelia made some great matches already and wanting to use her ‘talent’ to make other people fall in love, why not?

It shows what a kind character Ophelia is, wanting others to find love and happiness, even if she hasn’t found it herself yet. And while she is patient for her own prince to appear, she is also eager to see who it will be.

But Ophelia is also a strong woman, because the more the story evolves, and the more she interacts with a sometimes very stubborn Lucas, she stands her ground and even knows how to ‘play’ him, to get him more outside and increase the possibilities of finding the match he is looking for. I could see how her business would become a real success, as Ophelia has found the perfect blend of kindness and determination 😊.

However, her very first client, Viscount Lucas Worthing, for sure is a challenge!

On one hand, I could understand how he isn’t looking for love, broken by it before, but also how he is afraid that his looks won’t ever make someone love him for the person he is. Also he didn’t have a great example in his life. And to make things worse, his guilt also makes him believe that he doesn’t deserve love, or happiness.

A guilt that shows also what a great character he in fact is, and how wrong his nickname of Beast of Barnett is. Because while he wasn’t at fault at all at what happened in the past, he does everything what he can to at least alleviate the pain and grief that he believes he caused. I am sure that not everyone would act the same!

Yet this kind side of his character is something that not many people see. Not only because he is rather reclusive, but all the gossip about his persona isn’t helping either. Yet it is something that I wanted, needed, everyone to see, to understand that scars don’t define a person.

On the other hand, I wanted to slap Lucas, because no matter what, everyone deserves to find the perfect match, to marry out of love and not just because you find someone to be content with the rest of your life.

And yes, I wanted, needed Ophelia to see the real Lucas as soon as possible, because it is obvious how the feelings, emotions will change throughout the story. And the quicker things start to get interesting, the better 😊.

It was very interesting to read how Ophelia and Lucas are working together to find Lucas’s perfect match in a very limited time. And yes, I laughed reading how Ophelia just sees trough Lucas’s attempts to just stay inside. And I found it sweet too reading how Ophelia just gets his trepidation of doing that, but still is able to let him do what she tell him to do.

Slowly, (even too slow for me 😊), we see how Lucas is able to let his guard down, and how Ophelia sees the real Lucas. And those moments were just the best! Of course there is still the issue that Lucas is not looking for love, and it would be strange if Ophelia would end up with her client, wouldn’t it?

I absolutely loved reading this story, about love, strength, self-acceptance and courage to love again. Of course there are hurdles, but that is also in real life, isn’t it? Jeanine shows us with this story that love is universal, accepting and wonderful. And that once you open your heart to it, and to that special person, it can change everything in the best of ways.

Giveaway time!

Enter for the chance to win a signed print copy of Beauty and the Brooding Viscount (book 2 in the Regency Fairytales series) and a beautiful custom necklace that matches the cover made by @gioiellibijitcreations! 

*Terms and Conditions –INT entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

https://gleam.io/xFIM7/giveaway-escape-into-a-fairytale-summer-open-int