Tizi’s Book Review

When what you see doesn’t match with you (think you) know…

Synopsis

Dare she risk her secrets?

In the world of upstairs/downstairs, Housemaid Penny Smith anticipates her employer’s needs and blends into the background making her the perfect spy for the prime minister against a suspected member of the Devil’s Sons. There’s only one problem. When she meets the guilty marquess, his actions don’t match the evidence against him. Lord William Renquist defies her every expectation and sets her traitorous heart racing.

Lord William Renquist, Marquess of Stoneway and secret spy to Queen Victoria, must infiltrate the Devil’s Sons, tearing the brotherhood apart from the inside. His mission – to bring evil men to justice while atoning for the sins of his family, proving honour is stronger than tainted blood. There’s only one problem. A canny maid who is always in the right place at the wrong time and who deliciously challenges his every order.

Liam and Penny are unknowingly playing a dangerous game from opposite sides of justice. And at a masked ball, forbidden attraction burns into something far more complex as their secrets spin into daring confessions. This battle against their enemy will only be won if Penny and Liam can work together. But can a maid from downstairs ever trust an upstairs marquess?

My review

Penny Smith may be a ‘simple’ housemaid, but almost nobody knows that in fact she is working for the Prime Minister, spying against a member of the Devil’s Sons. Her illiteracy doesn’t mean that she cannot be of invaluable importance for the Prime Minister and the Queen.
As a housemaid, she is now working for one of the main suspects, Lord William Renquist. It’s up to her to find the necessary evidence against him.
But what Penny doesn’t know, is that Liam is on a mission of his own. As a Marquess, it’s easier for him to make the necessary connections, especially has his late brother already was in.
However, despite their initial prejudices, Penny and Liam start to feel something for each other. But their focus should be on their mission, and whatever they may feel, with thinking what they know about each other, it could never work, right?

What I have liked of this series so far, was how the female leads are all so strong women, with a mission to accomplish. And while their main focus is on that mission, they cross paths with a strong male character, with a mission to accomplish too. And with crossing paths, something they all didn’t believe would happen to them, happens.

So of course I had to read the new installment!

And maybe, Penny is my favourite female protagonist for now. Because she is just like her predecessors, a strong woman, with a mission she is working on. But at the same time, she is also a very recognizable woman, a normal woman. Perhaps she is even more vulnerable, as she is worried about her mother’s situation and wants to do whatever she can to help her mother. It’s also the fact that being a housemaid isn’t the best position to fight against the enemy nor is her illiteracy helping her.

Yet that doesn’t stop her, on the contrary. I liked her fire, how even limited she feels she is, she does whatever she can. She is adamant of finding enough evidence against the possible members of the Devil’s Sons. Even if she isn’t study – smart, she for sure is street – smart, and that helps her a lot in this story.  And I liked it to see how she could strand her ground, against people with bad intentions. And for as far as she can she see, she believed that her boss, Lord William Renquist is one of those kind of people.

As a reader, of course we already know that Liam is a good person, despite what he tries to make the people around him believe. It couldn’t have been easy for Liam, trying to make everyone believe that he truly is a bad guy. But even if he is lying that is ugly, his real nature cannot be ignored. And there are many moments where we and also Penny can see that Liam is the kind of person that listens, cares and wants to help. He has the right sense of what good and bad is.

Both Penny and  Liam are fighting against the evils of the world, not knowing they are fighting for the same cause. We see how two great people, despite their difference in status, have the same purpose, how they are thinking for the same greater good. We also see how their shared moments make them understand not only each other better, but also each other’s worlds. And despite the many differences, there are also many similarities.

Of course there is romance in this book, and it even gives us several heated moments. And while they are initially both wary of each other, I liked reading how somehow, subconscious, they know they can trust each other, despite the many proofs that would make them think otherwise. 

These are two people, with a lot of distrust in mankind, yet in each other they seem to see something else too. Something they feel, something they didn’t expect to feel. And their feelings isn’t the only hurdle to cross their paths, as those sparks that are flying around aren’t something that could possibly have a future. Or can it?

I truly enjoyed this third part of the series, with strong, fierce characters on a mission. Characters that want to free their homes from evil. But it’s also about characters feeling something that they cannot explain, that goes against what is there in plain sight. For me, that means that the heart sees and understands much more than the eyes see. And the author managed to put into words what the heart feels, together with an intriguing plot about good and evil that makes you keep on reading.

Can your childhood home feel ever like home again, with everything that changed?

Synopsis

Escape to the coastal village of Brambleton with this heartwarming love story filled with intrigue and rural charm

‘Heartwarming, emotional and full of community spirit. I couldn’t put it down’ Amanda Prowse

Clare’s life has just been turned upside down. Yesterday she was a successful London lawyer, about to travel the world on a well-deserved sabbatical. Now she’s back in her childhood home in rural north Devon, after the sudden death of her mother.

Brambleton is a picture-perfect seaside village, where everyone knows your name and where secrets don’t stay behind closed doors for long. Clare left it behind for a reason along with an old flame she wants to leave firmly in the past. Yet, as she gradually learns to collect eggs from unruly chickens, make apple cider on frosty mornings, and look after her mother’s tearaway dog, she begins to fall under the spell of small-town rural life.

When a greedy landlord threatens the future of the village, Clare can’t resist taking a stand to fight for the underdog once again. She’s determined to leave as soon as she’s won, but she hasn’t counted on Brambleton weaving its way into her heart. And she definitely didn’t plan on falling in love…

Will she embrace the village community that has taken her in, or is the pull of her old life too strong to resist? As she makes her choice, Clare will discover that sometimes the most unexpected places are where we truly belong.

My review

Clare’s been building on her career as a lawyer in London. Yet as she felt the need to have a break, she has prepared everything for her sabbatical year, discovering the world. But no matter what she has planned, after suddenly losing her mother, she heads off to her childhood home in rural Devon. Her life now and her life then couldn’t be more different, and also quickly the whole village of Brambleton knows of her return, just proving that many things never change. But there are also many changes, as many villagers are risking of losing their homes at the hand of their greedy landlord. As Clare quickly finds her stride back and adapts back to the rural way of life, she is ready to fight together with the underdogs. And she won’t let anything lose her focus, not even by an old flame…

It’s not a secret that I always enjoy reading books where the main character returns back home, after leaving the place for many years.

Yet it saddened me a bit to read how Clare wasn’t in touch with her mother, when a disagreement took place years ago. Of course parents and children clash, even when the children are already adults. But to let a disagreement last for so long… To make it even more sadder, was how Clare decided to make amends, when the news arrives that her mother is gone.

And that made me think that regret always comes too late, and that sometimes it’s just too late to make things right again… And that something that Clare learns the hard way, and has to live with the regret that she didn’t talk things out with her mother…

Of course, I was a bit curious, in perhaps a evil kind of way, as I wanted to see how Clare as a lawyer would cope in a place like Brambleton. The busy city life is for sure far away from rural Brambleton! And I was satisfied reading how Clare initially struggles with, well just everything. 😊

On the other hand, I was also happy for her, that after those initial struggles, she finds her feet back, and when needed, she can count on her old friends once again. That bit was also lovely to see, how those friends were welcoming her back home with open arms, with no bad feelings.

Quickly it truly feels like Clare has never been away, as she truly is part of the community. It was also a bit funny to read how everyone wants Clare’s advice on legal matters, even if that isn’t Clare’s expertise. And no matter how much Clare tries initially to stay out of it, she cannot just not do anything.

Especially when she learns about the injustice taking place, at the hand of Tricky Ricky… It even angered me, how his greed and his selfishness just could keep going, as he also is rather influential and has several decision – making positions.

I have to say though, while I admired Clare’s involvement to make things right for the community, she also makes some errors that I didn’t expect from a lawyer. Errors is perhaps not the correct word, but I would think in some occasions that as a lawyer, she would have thought better…

And perhaps that same error, or more prejudice Clare shows with her old flame… Because while it makes sense that Clare initially keeps her distance from Sam, he doesn’t show any sign that he is one of the ‘baddies’, despite his connection with Tricky Ricky…

Sam is the perfect example of being perhaps privileged, yet still having his heart at the right place. He is the kind of person that is patient, kind, helpful and also keeps giving chances. Even when Clare blows hot and cold, he doesn’t just yield, he is persistent on being the gentleman he is. And not only that, he even doesn’t want everyone to know what he is doing… what a man!

It was great to read how Clare changes from this busy lawyer – life to the rural Devon – life. We see her adapt to a life that she used to know, but we also see how Clare uses her knowledge to make things better for the whole community. We also see how Clare thinks about the choices she made in her life, and how some she regrets and how some made her the person she is now.

But most of all, I enjoyed reading how Clare realizes that how perhaps years ago she had the need to get away from her home, but how now her home is her safe place. A place that is not all that luxurious as she may be used to, but brings her more peace and calmness than whatever plans she may have had to feel free and destressed.

Sometimes, going back home is the perfect remedy and medicine to heal all the wounds we have in our hearts. And that is exactly what this author captured perfectly!  

When it starts with just one murder…

Synopsis

It’s murder in paradise!

A picturesque scene…

As grape harvest season rolls around, retired DCI Dan Armstrong and his beloved canine companion, Oscar, are looking forward to a nice quiet September. But when Dan is contacted about a mysterious death out in the Tuscan Hills, it seems that work must come before pleasure.

A suspicious find…

At first it appears that the body found lying outside a prestigious winery has been the result of a tragic hit and run. But then the police discover that this is a cover up for murder…but who would kill in such an idyllic spot and why?

A face from the past?

As Dan investigates, he meets famous ex rock star, Digger, owner of the winery and prestigious Podere Dei Santi hotel. Digger’s guests include wealthy businessmen, tourists, and, among them, suspected mafia hitmen. But more significant for Dan is a face he knows only too well from his own past and he soon finds that wine isn’t the only thing fermenting around him.

Could this murder be the start of a gangland war, or do the killer’s motives lie much closer to home? Will complications from Dan’s past return to trouble his future? Either way, Dan and Oscar must work around the clock to solve another mystery.

My review

Retired DCI Dan Armstrong truly feels at home in Tuscany, the place he moved after his retirement. Life for sure is looking good, an amazing girlfriend, a loyal furry companion, many Italian friend and even his investigation business is doing well. And with September approaching, Dan hopes for a quiet and peaceful time? But with the busy grape harvest season rolling on, Dan is asked once again to help the local police forces when a murder takes place in the Tuscan hills. What looks like an unfortunate incident at a local yet prestigious winery, quickly turns into something more sinister. As the winery itself is in the hand of a famous ex – rockstar known as Digger, and his customers are all from the wealthy side of the population, where to look for the culprit? And with the presence of someone from Dan’s past, is there more at jeopardy for Dan?

Book Ten in a series. And in most series, book ten means that even from before, the quality diminished. And even the most loyal readers are finding themselves not looking all that forward to pick the book up.

However, all the above is NOT applicable for this series and absolutely not applicable for the writing skills of this author!

But, I have to say, I am starting to worry about the murder – level taking place in Tuscany, as there are once again murders taking place in this lovely place.

Returning back to Tuscany and to my friends Dan and Oscar, was of course a delight. When people and animals steal bits of your hearts, you just want to read more from them, you have the *need* to see how they are doing, how life is treating them and those around them.

And seeing how Dan is more and more at home in Tuscany, how he has become truly a part of the community there, truly made me happy. Yet I also liked it how he didn’t become the typical retired man, not doing anything special, just passing time without being of real importance. No, that is not who Dan is. He cannot waste time, he wants to matter, he wants to help people, friends.

He is also the kind of person that has learnt from his past and the mistakes he made in his failed marriage. But that doesn’t make him the perfect man, because there are moments where he still makes mistakes, or is being the typical man, not knowing what his girlfriend truly wants to hear or needs to hear. But that only adds to liking Dan, because who is truly perfect? 😊

Another murder… you can take the man from the forces, but you cannot take the forces out of the man. And this time, the setting is even more Tuscany – worthy, as this time, we are going to investigate alongside our friends at a winery and a prestigious hotel. Is there anything more Tuscan than a good wine?

Whenever the help of Dan and Oscar is required, you know that nothing is ever what it seems. And thus the apparent accident is anything but that…

With the murder taking place at the winery/hotel, and a busy one, the list of possible suspects is not a short one.

Once again the investigation isn’t an easy one, as there are many possibilities, each even feasible. And T. A. Williams for sure knows how to make you think in one direction, to change then again… And he for sure also knows how to let his readers into the dark world of winemaking, something not everyone knows…

And yes, I have to talk about Oscar, as he once again is a force to be reckoned with! I don’t know if this series would be as fun, alluring or just as cute at it is now! 😊

T. A. Williams wrote an amazing tenth part of a wonderful series. Even this tenth part never bored, never repetitive. This book was a great cozy mystery, once again delivering on point! Even if once again it’s about murder, I enjoyed reading this book, with great main characters in a wonderful setting!

When helping out becomes a nightmare…

Synopsis

All I wanted was to help women become mothers. When I met Alice Monroe, we instantly connected. She was as passionate about motherhood as I was, and I couldn’t wait to support her through this life-changing experience.

But the day that should have been Alice’s happiest, turned into a nightmare. And after Alice’s dreams were shattered, she blamed me. Even though there was nothing I could have done, she wanted to ruin me. I lost my business, my reputation. My world fell apart.

Then, I discovered I was pregnant. That’s why we moved hundreds of miles away to the remote Derry countryside. Now, with this beautiful baby, we can have a fresh start.

But then Alice sends me a message. She knows where we are. And I realise, it doesn’t matter how far we’ve moved, I am not safe from her. My baby is not safe.

She would have been the perfect mother. But if she can’t have her happy family, she’s not going to let me have mine.

Don’t miss the brand-new nail-biting thriller from Claire! Perfect for fans of Valerie Keogh, Andrea Mara and Claire Douglas.

My review

Mel built her career as a doula, with a desire to help out mother while giving birth. Until recently, everything went without a hitch. But with Alice, a year ago, it all went terribly wrong. Even if they quickly became close friends during Alice’s pregnancy, when it was time to deliver the baby, it turned out to be a big nightmare. After losing the baby, Alice started to blame Mel, and while Mel could understand that Alice needed someone to blame, Mel didn’t expect that Alice would ruin her career. And not only that, as Mel is now expecting too, she and her family have no other option to move away as far as possible from Alice and the nightmare they have been living through. Derry for sure seems far away enough and even if living in a camper while renovating their new home isn’t ideal, the young family is hoping for a fresh start. But rather quickly, Mel realizes that she can run but she cannot hide, as the nightmare seems to be starting all over again… And realization dawns that not only Mel isn’t safe, but neither is her unborn baby…

I am not a mother myself, or have I ever been pregnant. But I can imagine the thrill of feeling a baby inside you growing, and how you start imagining his/her life. And the joy of buying all those cute baby things! And obviously, as a caring mother, even when the baby isn’t there yet, you only want the best, as a before – care, as a during – care and as an aftercare.

I am not all that known into all that comes with pregnancy, and giving birth (beside what I know from school, tv and books obviously 😊). So I didn’t have a clear idea of what a doula truly does, and what the responsibilities are of such a person while giving birth.

Not having any kind of prejudice, perhaps allowed me to be more open-minded about it all, I don’t know. But for me it felt like any kind of help, the legal kind of help of course, as long as it helps, why not?

But I have to say that it felt a dangerous path learning how Mel and Alice were close friends. I don’t believe it’s a bad things to make new friends, but it’s a line crossed with being professional, as when things go badly, like it did with Alice, there is so much more at stake.

That doesn’t take away that Mel’s heart is at the right place, as she too is truly devastated hat happened during Alice’s delivery. Of course not to compare the pain Alice and Thomas are gong through, yet also Mel is devastated by the events…

After tragedy happened, I could also understand Alice and Thomas. Their loss is terrible and the need to blame someone is human. And in a twisted way, it made sense that they blamed Mel, even if it’s a case where nobody could do anything. And again, in a twisted way, I could understand, no that is not right, I could see why Alice went to make Mel the bad person. When hurt, angry and grieving, you do things without thinking clearly.

Despite everything Alice has put Mel through, I admired Mel. Because it would have been easy to respond, to start throwing dirt too. But Mel kept her decorum, stayed silent and let Alice just be. Even if that means that Mel has to move to Derry…

It angered me in a way to read how Mel is forced out of her hometown, to escape all the negativity but also to escape all the hate. Alice for sure hasn’t made things easy for her, as Mel saw no other option. Yet I liked it in a strange way to see how united her little family is, even how resilient they are all are.

But of course we know that things aren’t that easy, to just move. And it scared me also to see how Mel even at her new home isn’t feeling safe at all. How her past is haunting her once again, while all she wants is to live in peace and as happy as possible with a new baby boy on its way.

I for sure don’t want to be in Mel’s shoes in this story. Her nightmare just never stops, and it even brings everyone around her in danger too…

It must be terrifying, realizing that even your new home isn’t safe. Not only Mel doesn’t know who to trust, even I didn’t know which direction to look at. Because let me tell you this, the author for sure knows how to make you distrust just everyone. Even the most genuine of the people are suddenly acting suspicious. But there were also a few people that made me wary from the first moment.

The author adds several twists and turns in this book, and while just maybe I could already see where the story would go to, it never stopped me from being scared and terrified.

With this book we see how perhaps the most beautiful thing in the world has turned into the most terrifying one. And we see how you cannot trust anyone, not even the people that once were close to you…

That is indeed a terrifying thought, yet it’s exactly that thought that made me keep reading this book, as I just had to have all the answers to the questions not only I had, but also the questions that Mel and her family had…

One moment that truly is life – changing, but how?

Synopsis

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Holly does, in spite of everything that’s happened in her life. Sometimes the thought that her soulmate is out there is the only thing that keeps her going.

Then she hears her favourite song being played in a train station. She’s drawn to where the sound is coming from, as if by a magnetic force. There is a handsome young man sitting at the piano, who smiles at her, and she feels that spark she’s always dreamt of. She asks if she can join him, and sings along, seeing his face light up.

He’s called Mark, she later discovers. And he feels the same. They both feel like they’ve been hit with a thunderbolt. But even though it seems like they’ve known each other for lifetime, the truth is that they’re strangers.

Because Holly has secrets. And so does Mark.

And one of them might just kill to keep them…

The Soulmate is the most breathtaking, cat-and-mouse psychological thriller you’ll read all year! A thriller about obsession, love, deceit and murder, perfect for fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid, and You.

My review

When Holly hears her favourite song being played at a piano at the train station, she cannot help herself, she has to see who is playing it. And when she meets the eyes of the handsome player, a spark ignites. And then she starts to sing along with Mark, and Mark even feels the same spark! But Holly cannot just see what this is between her and Mark, because Holly has many secrets about her life and about her past. But Mark has secrets of this own… And after all, they are complete strangers, right?

Love at first sight, isn’t that something most of us dream about? Just locking eyes with someone and then ZING! Of course, the odds of happening that in real life are rather slim, so at least we will always have books where such things happen.

But what when the meeting eyes with someone is not that easy, and there is so much sanding between the pair of you? And what if the both of you are keeping secrets that are not just silly little secrets, but real dark ones…

Right from the start it’s clear that Holly is a sad character, as she is not living her life at the fullest, and that her current relationship isn’t one built on trust and love. It’s the complete opposite, as she is in an abusive relationship, emotionally and even physically. But getting away from it isn’t that just easy for her, as her past can come back to haunt her at any moment.

And I wanted her to find someone truly special, I wanted Holly to find love, the kind that is genuine and real. I wanted her to have an escape and to have a happily ever after. As a reader we don’t know immediately what happened in her past, yet it’s clear that isn’t not a kitten up a tree, but something really big. But I wanted Holly to have the chance to let go of her past and just be free.

But this is a psychological thriller, so I had to pack away all the romantic thoughts I had, and I had to switch them into darker ones, as the story of Holly and Mark won’t be one with rainbows and unicorns…

Initially, I was hoping that Mark would be everything that Holly needs, a Knight in shining armour, someone that would save her from the dark clutches she is being held.

Yet nothing is what it seems, and while initially Mark for sure seems the right person, there are some red flags appearing. And it even angered me to see those red flag being real, as slowly Mark allows the readers to see how own dark secrets…

I also have to say, I wasn’t sure for a rather long time if both characters could be trusted completely. It’s safe to say that they both appear to act in odd ways, and while I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, I knew that without knowing the whole truth, I couldn’t give my compete trust.

But let it be clear, between all the twists and turns the author lets us going through, and revelation after revelation, there is truly only one person to feel compassion for and one person to despise…

I liked it how the author took a popular trope from romance books and turned it into something sinister. Because no matter how good things may look like at first sight, we cannot always trust our gut feeling. And that sometimes escaping from hell, doesn’t mean you go to heaven…  

Why wait for the proposal?

Synopsis

Three women. One crazy hen weekend. A life-changing decision.

When three women meet on a mutual friend’s hen weekend on the Scottish island of Arran, they get more than they bargained for when one of them has the genius idea of proposing on 29 February, like the age-old Irish tradition.

High-flying businesswoman Anouska and boyfriend Zach are deliriously happy and madly in love. If only they had more time together. But now she’s pregnant and doesn’t know how to tell him since having kids hadn’t featured in their plans.

Dog walker Jess lives with her childhood sweetheart, but they’re already like an old married couple, without the romance, or the wedding, or the ring. When Mark doesn’t propose on New Year’s Eve, Jess is gutted and decides to take matters into her own hands.

Ellie and Scott still live apart after six years, and his lack of commitment is a sore point. She’s up for a huge promotion which involves moving country. It’s make-or-break time. She needs to know he’s worth turning down the job for.

The women meet weekly, helping each other with decisions big and small, becoming each other’s support system in the run-up to ‘the big ask’.

Will love conquer all or will their hopes and dreams come crashing down around them?

My review

Anoushka, Jess and Ellie meet at the hen weekend of a mutual friend. And even if they didn’t know each other before, there is an instant connection and the three women become friends. They are all in a relationship, and when the idea of a leap year proposal suddenly rises, all three start to think about proposing to their partners. But can it all be that straightforward? Because Anoushka is a successful businesswoman, flying all over the world. And her boyfriend Zach is building his own empire in the hospitality sector Being busy is an understatement, and they don’t always manage to spend a lot of time together. But now Anoushka is pregnant, and she doesn’t know how to tell Zach, as children were never part of their plans… Jess and Mark are childhood sweethearts and are living together for a while now. But it seems that the passion has gone over the years, and Jess feels that they have become an old married couple. Especially when on New Year’s Eve, Mark doesn’t propose as Jess expected, makes Jess wonder if perhaps she needs to take matter in own hands. Ellie meanwhile has been together with Scott for six years, but feels a lack of commitment from his side. Not only is there absolutely no talks about going to live together but also the prospect of Ellie’s promotion and a required move makes her wonder where her future may be. The run – up towards that last day of February, the three friends find the much needed support, encouragement and help with each other. But will they all have the finale they were hoping for?

I like it when women take matter in own hands, no matter what the occasion may be. And while it is tradition for the pan to propose to the woman, why cannot it be the other way around?

The story evolves around three women, Anoushka, Jess and Ellie. I loved it how these women are very different from each other, yet they connect very easily during a hen weekend.

It shows that sometimes you don’t need to know each other for many years to build a genuine friendship with someone.

As the three main characters are very different, it also gives them the perfect change of perspective. This new friendship gives each character the chance to see what is lacking in their relationship, or (and perhaps that is even better 😊) what the strength is.

I cannot say which character I liked the most in this book. I admired Anoushka’s strength and her ability to adapt to the big change in her life. But on the other hand I was a tiny bit angry with her, as she isn’t able to tell her partner Zach about her pregnancy. And we all know that procrastination, especially on something this important, is a bad idea.

Maybe with Jess I was the least sure about the idea of the leap proposal idea. Jess says it herself, she loves Mark, and they have been together for years. But is a proposal the best way to get the excitement back in your relationship? And perhaps with a new arrival I was worrying that things would take a turn for the worse, as it seems that there is an instant connection?

And then there is Ellie… For me, it felt like she was in the saddest relationship of them all. Because she wants to move forward with Scott, but it’s clear that he doesn’t feel the same. To make it even worse, at least in my eyes, was that Scott only agrees with going forward when he can gain something from it. Nope, not a fan of Scott at all here, and while I was in one way happy to see my suspicions getting right, it saddened me to see how it all evolves for Ellie…

While the story’s premise is about three women proposing their partners as it’s leap year, this story is so much more than just a way to pop the question. Because we see three different women, in three different relationships, at three different stages in not only their relationships but also in their lives. And they are all at a crossroad, doubting which direction they should go with their lives.

Yet beside the doubts and many questions crossing the main characters’ minds, the bond they have found with each other is what truly stands out. Because they find each other, they find real friends. Despite the short period they have known each other, they have found support, comfort and strength with each other.

And that is the force of this book, and the talent of Susan Buchanan, because she always finds something special with each character, with each storyline. This is a story about three normal people, with a special plan in their minds, but most important, they find special people to share everything with. And that is an invaluable something!

I absolutely loved reading this book, as it made me laugh, it made me sad and it even made me angry. But most important, it made me just feel happy with the outcome for each character!

When you’re about to marry the love of your and suddenly you’re back in the past with another Love

Synopsis

Liv is given the chance to live one life-changing week over, but can she change her future…? And does she want to? A gorgeous, uplifting novel, perfect for fans of Shari Low, Paige Toon and Beth Moran.

When Liv’s boyfriend Kit disappeared on a hike, seven years earlier, she thought her life was over. But with the help of their family and friends, she’s pushed her way through the grief, and now, miraculously, she’s found a way to love again.

Until the morning of her wedding, when Liv steps through a doorway, and finds herself, somehow, back at the flat she shared with Kit: seven years earlier, six days before he left. Now, Liv has a chance to live those six days over, and change everything. If she gets this right, she can find out why Kit leaves and stop him.

But can she save him? And if she does, how will she choose, between the man she loved then, and the one she loves now?

My review

Liv is ready to marry the love of her life. The past seven years have been really difficult, as her then – boyfriend Kit disappeared and no one has even seen of heard of him again. It took Liv a lot of time overcome the pain, the grief and the uncertainty, but despite everything she believed, she found love again. And no matter what everyone may say or think, she truly believes that James is her One. Until the morning of her wedding, during all the final preparations, when Liv walks through a doorway, she gets the shock of a lifetime. Because suddenly she finds herself back in the flat she used to share with Kit, with Kit himself at home. Somehow, Liv went back in the past, seven years ago. And just six days before Kit left, there was not a writing on the wall of how things would evolve. So now Liv has the chance to get all the answers she has been looking for the past seven years. And perhaps she can change the course of the future. But on the other hand, when messing with the past, how will that affect the present and the future? And where will that leave Liv? With the man she used to love, or the man that helped her through the darkest period of her life and made her believe in love again?

At the start of the book, before I read just one word of it, I thought this would be a rather predictable book. Well, the outset itself is not predictable, but I thought that with Liv finding herself back seven years ago, she logically would like to make changes and then have to make a choice between her former love and her current one.

While the story starts exactly that way, I was pleasantly surprised that in fact, nothing of this book was predictable in the way I expected it to be. The only way that it was predictable, was about how things are way more complicated and secretive than Liv could ever think.

We all had relationships that ended. But I don’t think that there are many relationships that ended because one party just disappeared without just any trace…

As that is exactly what happened to Liv, I truly felt sorry for her. Because nobody should ever go through not only that heartbreak, but nobody should be living with that fear, all those doubts and that uncertainty. And with so many questions, I could understand that Liv truly believed that she would never find love again.

Seeing her seven years later and having found love again, just made me happy. Liv deserves to be loved completely and unconditionally, just like James does. I have to admit, reading how they actually got together, it was a bit strange. But that was just initially, because the more I saw Liv and James as a couple, the more sense it all started to make. And it has been seven years since Kit disappeared, so why can’t Liv and James be happy together?

The fact that Liv finds herself back in time, just a week before Kit’s disappearing act, made me wonder how the story would evolve. Of course Liv wants to try to not only figure out why Kit did what he did, but she also tries to change, to change the past.

And I liked it how the author gives her own twist to things. Because it would be just too simple if Liv could change things that easily. And to be honest, I kind of didn’t want to see Liv’s present changing, as Liv worked hard to get to the point she is now.

Talking about twists, I for sure was a bit flabbergasted when one thing was revealed. Because the book is written in such a way that you think you know what you reading, only to learn later on that it’s just not. I know I am not making a lot of sense, but the people who have read this book, will understand me perfectly 😊.

With this story we see how one event can haunt you for years, but that it’s not impossible to move forward from it. People grow from their experiences, mature from them, and can find something unexpected (or maybe not…) after all the hardship they had to endure previously. But we also see that no matter how well we think we know someone, do we ever truly?

I loved reading this book, as we see something impossible happening, but how that impossible thing gives a lovely and strong character all the answers she was looking for. And we also see how suddenly, with all the questions answered, there is a clarity in what Liv truly wants. Not only wants, but also what Liv needs in her life and in her heart.

This was truly a wonderful story. Not the story I was expecting, but it gave me so much more instead!

When a summer of research turns into another direction…

Synopsis

When ambitious city girl, Darcie Freeman is sent to the Isle of Skye to conduct research for a travel guide, she’s horrified. The prospect of having to travel to a remote island in the Scottish Highlands leaves her wondering what she’ll do.

Step in Logan Burns. Gorgeous and adventurous, he lives and breathes the island, and along with his sister Iona, who owns a rather haphazard PR company, they’re going to show Darcie everything she needs to know about Skye.

As Darcie swaps her designer shoes for her walking boots and her faux fur jacket for her raincoat, will she learn there’s more to life than the picture-perfect presence she shares on social media, or will it be the case that Skye is the limit…

My review

Before Darcie Freeman even realized, she became an influencer. Now she has a name for herself online, but there is a lot of competition to gain the best deal from sponsors. She finally has the prospect of landing a deal on writing a travel guide, yet once arrived on the Isle of Skye, Darcie is shocked. Not only did she expect a more exotic location, but also the job she has to do, is not what she was thinking it was. With a lot of miscommunications beforehand, and lots of cold weather, Darcie isn’t exactly thrilled by the thought of spending her summer on Skye. And the presence of Logan Burns doesn’t help either, as he is everything Darcie is not. Because Logan lives for the island, and couldn’t be more into nature and more adventurous, while Darcie cannot imagine of being offline for even just a moment. However, the more Darcie spends on Skye, the more she sees a different lifestyle. And then she learns about a legend, a myth, one that Logan always intrigued, and when there is an actual chance of getting to the bottom of it, the two most opposites people join their forces. But where will that leave them at the end of the summer?

A story set on the Isle of Skye AND written by Julie Shackman? That is just the perfect combo, isn’t it?

Darcie is the kind of person that is perhaps most recognizable for the youngest generation. She is an influencer, trying to gain as much as possible viewers and trying to have the best deal with sponsors. She is the kind of person that many young people, teenagers and young adults could look up to, as she is truly living the life, or at least so it seems.

But there are several aspects that make Darcie different than other influencers. Well, not that I actually know that many influencers, or that I am such up to date with everything, as yes, I am getting older too… 😊

Perhaps it’s that same age of mine, that I am wary and not that sure that being an influencer is a real and satisfying career. Yes, it can get you famous and immediate satisfaction, but as quickly as your popularity came, it can disappear just as quickly.

And Darcie’s path to become Insta – famous, is not what she wanted from the start, yet it is something that somehow happened to her. And I felt sorry for her, as she for sure feels the constant pressure to deliver and in a sad way, also not having anyone in her corner, fighting her battles, or at least those that matter, together with her.

But beside Darcie being an influencer, she is also the perfect example of a real city – girl. And I don’t mean to say that in a bad way, but she is accustomed to be living in a place that always feels alive, with a loud of noise and constant rush of people. And thus, her arriving on the Isle of Skye, the shock is obviously understandable! While for many Skye would be like a breath of fresh air, Darcie is in for a real culture shock!

The contrast couldn’t be any bigger than with Logan. I found it hilarious how Darcie isn’t ready for the Skye – life and yes, it was funny to see how she is struggling with just everything on the Isle. From the clothes she (didn’t) bring, to the way things are just done. It felt to me that Darcie truly had to switch a button, to make her appreciate Skye, and also to appreciate Logan.

Logan… what a man, what a man, what a man… Initially he may not seem an easy man, as he for sure has his thoughts about Darcie and isn’t afraid to speak them out. But we also quickly see that he is a great and caring brother, and even if he sometimes can be pig – headed especially when it concerns running his business, he has a passion about it that he can make even a layman like me interested in everything he is telling about fossils, nature and the past.

And the myth living on the Isle for sure is something that speaks to one’s imagination, and also mine. For me it felt like this side – story was a nice addition to the bigger picture, and it allows the entrance of characters to the story, but it also adds an extra way of letting Darcie and Logan getting closer.

But what I liked the most, beside the funny bits, the mysterious bits, was seeing the change taking place within Darcie. There is a palpable evolution, as we see Darcie actual change from this actual city – girl to a woman that sees and appreciates even the smaller things in the world and in life. She sees the Skye – way of life, the genuineness of such a life, the easier pace of life. And she sees things through her own eyes again, and no longer through a lens.

And perhaps that is something we all need to learn to do again. Not everything needs to be seen by everyone, not everything we do needs the seal of approval by others, even strangers. We need to appreciate life, nature and those around us without filter, to just enjoy what’s around us.

Julie Shackman wrote once again a wonderful story, with great characters and character development. This is a great story about two completely different people, meeting in the most peculiar and funny way. This is a great story about a character learning again what matters in life. And all of this, in a setting that will sweep you of your feet!  

A fresh start with your first love?

Synopsis

Will they get a second chance at first love?

When newly divorced Tara McTaigh spots an advert for a studio to let in Coorie Castle’s craft centre, she packs up her Edinburgh life and moves to the Isle of Skye, eager for a fresh start.

Little does she know that the castle’s estate manager, single dad Calan Fraser, is the man who broke her heart back at university. Thoroughly done with romance, Tara decides to ignore Cal and focus on building her business – creating dollhouses to commission. But Duncoorie is a small community, and the two keep bumping into each other… 

Just as she is starting to open her heart once more to Cal, a change in his life puts everything on the line. When a surprise storm threatens Tara’s safety, will Cal realise in time that love is worth the risk?

An uplifting and feel-good crafty romance for fans of Holly Martin, Sue Moorcroft and Julie Shackman.

My review

After her divorce, Tara McTaigh is looking for a place to start over. When she sees an advert for a studio in Coorie’s Castle, it seems like serendipity, as it also has a craft centre, ideal for Tara’s job in creating dollhouses. As the call of the Isle of Skye is impossible to resist, Tara sets off to Duncoorie. But what Tara doesn’t know, is that the castle’s estate manager is someone from her past. Because Calan Fraser was her first love, and also the person that broke her heart many years ago. Yet Tara is determined to not get distracted by Cal and focusses purely on her business. But no matter how hard she tries, Duncoorie is a small community and there is no chance of avoiding Cal forever. And the more time they spend together, especially when Cal’s daughter is interested in Tara and her dollhouses, the more they realize that beside the hard feelings of the past, also some other feelings are still present. But is it possible to have a second chance with your first love?

The Isle of Skye seems to be the perfect setting for great stories. I have never been there, but reading how much can happen there, I think I definitely need to visit it, and figure out if there is something in store for me there too! 😊

The end of a marriage is never a good thing, especially when the main character has been the hurt party. Yet it has to be said, that I admired Tara. Yes, initially she doesn’t give her ex an easy time, and why should she? But the moment she makes the switch in her head, she decides to walk away, head up high and move on.

I liked Tara not only because her courage to start over again, but I was also amazed by how talented she is, how she is able to create dollhouses, even on commission! I never had a dollhouse myself, yet it somehow has always been a dream of mine to have one!

In a way, this was a very recognizable story. Because we all remember our first love. And let’s be honest, most of those loves didn’t end with a happily ever after, yet that first love is always unforgettable. What makes Tara’s and Cal’s first love story even more tragic is that while it ended in heartbreak, there was more to it than just their love passed its time, that the love has gone.

And as it ended badly, and truly hurt Tara a lot, it does not come as a surprise that Tara is shocked to find Cal as the estate manager of Tara’s new home. And I cannot blame her, as she is unaware of what truly took place years ago, she isn’t all that happy to be spending time with Cal.

But while Tara is disturbed by Cal’s presence, it’s also clear that Coorie’s Castle is the right place for Tara. Not only is it the place that Tara was looking for but it was also Tara that the place needed. Tara fits perfectly not only at the craft’s centre, but also she fits in the mindset of the community. And the fact that she is easily welcomed and embraced by everyone, just pinpoints that even further.

I was eager to read how Tara and Cal would be grower closer again. Because I was wondering if it would be a case of two former lovers finding each other and getting to know each other once again, and feelings grow once again. Or would it be a case of feelings never having truly disappeared and being truly a case of ‘The One That Got Away’ and the main characters never truly got over the heartbreak?

I am always intrigued by romances with second chances, but especially in this book, we also see that even thinking about a successful ending this second time, the air needs to be cleared, the misunderstandings and the fears and doubts need to communicated. The issues and questions in a relationship, or potential relationship, need to be out in the air, there needs to be clear communication and not let things divert in a bad direction.

It needs to be said that there is one force of nature in this book, being Cal’s daughter. Bonnie is not only a delight, but truly a force to be reckoned with. She has this genuine curiosity, genuine acceptance but also the genuine stubbornness that fits perfectly with her age. She for sure adds an extra little something special to this book!

I absolutely loved reading this book, as it shows us that sometimes a fresh start, somewhere new, can bring something old yet something new back into your life. And with age comes wisdom and clarity, and a hope that a second time around, things can be done differently. Yet communication and openness still is a requirement to make it all work.

This was a wonderful, hopeful story about the power of love, how the right love, a strong love, will always finds its way back to the right people.

To find out the truth, you must be brave and spontaneous

Synopsis

One photo and a handful of letters can change everything.

Emmie Brown has always known she was adopted. Nellie Brown sacrificed everything to make their life together comfortable and, while not the most demonstrative or warm woman, Emmie never doubted her devotion. But, when Emmie finds a stash of letters and a hidden photo after her mother’s death, everything she has believed changes in an instant. And she won’t be able to rest until she finds the mysterious ‘G’ who sent the letters.

Emmie’s quest takes her to the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Siskin and into the home of the gregarious, fiercely loyal Hawkins family. After an isolated and introverted life, the burst of colour and noise is overwhelming. But soon Emmie feels her heart begin to open, her mind begin to dream. And as her friendship with kind and gorgeous islander Pip Hawkins gets closer, endless possible futures draw into focus.

But the discovery of ‘G’s true identity will mean Emmie has to choose. One of her choices would mean revealing secrets hidden for decades, one could lead to happiness, but both will need Emmie to be braver than she’s ever been…

A truly uplifting, unputdownable, heart-warming and unforgettable read guaranteed to make you smile, read longer than you planned and punch the air with happiness at its beautiful ending. Perfect for all fans of Shari Low, Jill Mansell and Lucy Diamond.

My review

Emmie Brown always knew that her aunt Nellie adopted her. Growing up with Nellie hasn’t always been easy, but Emmie knew that Nellie truly loved her and sacrificed a lot in order to raise Emmie. After Nellie’s death, Emmie finds it difficult to continue what Nellie started and Emmie does not know with her future. And then she finds some hidden letters written to Nellie, and old photos of Nellie. As all the letters are signed by ‘G’, Emmie want to discover who ‘G’ is. Her search brings her to the Isle of Siskin, where she hopes she can find all the answers. For some cheer chance, the Isle of Siskin is the same place where her secret crush Pip lives. And because of a twist of fate, it is his family, the Hawkins family, that may give her all the answers she is looking for. However, the closer Emmie gets to the truth, the more imminent the time to make a choice comes. Because some secrets can jeopardize everything as only being brave  can bring Emmie happiness.

Whenever I pick up a book written by Beth Moran, I know that the characters haven’t had an easy time, or aren’t having an easy time. I also know that the main character in each book is going through a journey, not only a journey to self – discovery but also a journey that hopefully leads to happiness.

When the story takes off, I didn’t know what to actually think and feel about Emmie. Not because she is a person to dislike, but because her life has been and still is very complicated.

Her life has always been strict. She had to follow her mother’s rules, always be focusing on the job and never let anything distract her. And since Nellie has gone, Emmie is clearly lost. Each day she is preparing the pasties to be sold at the airport. But being on her own, makes her wonder what life has in store for her, and if she truly is alone.

Because it is a sad situation, as Emmie knows she has been adopted by her aunt (which is admirable of Nellie, let there be no doubt about that, and she for sure did her best…). But Emmie now feels truly alone and lonely, as she has no contact with any other family member, she doesn’t even know who her biological father is… And it’s not that there are constantly ringing friends at her door. The people also working at the airport feel more like the family and friends she has been missing…

I could understand Emmie’s shock at finding those secret letters and photos of her aunt. As they raised many questions from my side, I could understand the confusion it has with Emmie. Because not only does she question now everything she thought she knew, but she also starts to feel like her mother Nellie gave up a lot for Emmie’s sake.

It was a bit funny to see how Emmie acts out of character, how one act of kindness makes her just take off to the Isle of Siskin, without any kind of preparation at all. For sure that is not something that I could or would ever do, as I need some kind of mental preparation too. Luckily, just before freaking out, Emmie learns that she may have more friends and allies that she may think.

As Emmie has a tender spot for Pip, it may seem like she is following him to his wonderful home. Emmie even knows how strange it may look, but her reasons are genuine, and even if she truly likes Pip, this has nothing to do with him. But of course it’s a nice extra that she now has the chance to get to know Pip better.

And it needs to be said, that Pip and his family are just amazing people. They welcome Emmie with open arms. Even if some are a bit wary of her, they approve of her, as she clearly matters to Pip too. And being surrounded by such amazing people, helps Emmie too. She opens up more, and it feels that Emmie has found a place where she can not only understand who she truly is herself, but also that those strangers around her, people she never knew before, accept her for who she is, and are happy with having her around.

We also see more and more the kind and helpful side of Emmie emerge. Even if she is just a guest of the Hawkins family, she doesn’t hesitate to help out when needed, and offer her cooking skills when needed. Even when some members ask her to do some perhaps odd jobs, she doesn’t hesitate and she isn’t scared to get her hands dirty.

Obviously there is the mystery to be solved around Nellie, and her past. And how exactly that is linked with Pip and his family. It saddened me to read how Nellie sacrificed a lot for her family, and it made me understand her so much better. Yet at the same time it angered me also a bit, as when it’s all out in the open, it’s clear that the outcome could have been totally different, if there wouldn’t have been some selfish interferences… Interferences that even now haven’t completely disappeared…

What I liked the most in this book, is the natural growth that Emmie has. Stepping out of her comfort zone, getting out of her safe bubble, Emmie starts to see the person she is, and what her own dreams and passions are. As Emmie is a rather closed person initially and an introvert, seeing doing her so many ‘first times’ (like flying, going to a family dinner etc.) and those being real eye – openers for her, was truly amazing. We see Emmie evolve to this woman ready to chase her dreams, to do even things she would never think of doing. She finds the courage to be brave the more the story evolves.

And the braver Emmie gets, the more she learns and realizes that there are many people in her corner. People that she has known, but also brand new and unexpected arrivals. Arrivals that are linked with some characters that we as loyal readers already know, so that for sure was a nice extra!

Now, I need to get something off my chest, and I hope that Beth Moran won’t take it all too badly… As Emmie can make amazing pasties in this book, and is even able to come up with great adaptations, I found myself being hungry and longing to taste her creations. And as that is clearly impossible, I am left with a craving that cannot be fulfilled. And that is just not done, do you hear me Beth Moran? 😊

But let it be clear, this was a wonderful story to read, a story with several heartbreaks, but most important, it is an inspiration story, about being brave, about finding yourself, and about love. Lost love, new love, family love, self-love and even love for a place that starts to feel like home. Beth Moran managed to capture so much in this book that she just keep leaving me in awe!