Tizi’s Book Review

Can the truth be discovered?

Synopsis

A tragic accident?

When Italy’s greatest opera singer, Rodolfo Argento, is killed in a terrible car accident, the police initially rule his death a tragic accident or suicide. But his elderly mother, Violetta, believes this to be poppycock! Her son was a brilliant driver and had too much to live for. She suspects foul play and turns to Private Investigator, Dan Armstrong to discover the truth.

A cheating spouse?

So Dan and Oscar travel to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, to find out what really happened. There Dan discovers Rodolfo’s private life could have come straight out of a Shakespeare play. Although now happily married, Rodolfo was a man with a reputation to rival Casanova, his past strewn with heartbroken women. Could his death have been a star-crossed lover determined to get revenge?

A family feud?

Or does the truth lie much closer to home? With his large inheritance still to be settled, the motive for Rodolfo’s murder could simply be greed. As Dan searches for suspects while staying at the Argento Opera Academy (where people randomly launch into operatic arias.) life for Dan is complicated by the fact that Oscar has a habit of joining in with the singing…

Can Dan solve the case before he and his tone-deaf dog get thrown out?

My review

Dan Amstrong is a bit surprised when after living for a while now in Tuscany to finally meet his actual neighbour. To say that the elder Violetta Argento is excentric is an understatement. However, now she seeks out Dan’s help. Because even if her son’s death was ruled as an accident or even a suicide, Violetta doesn’t believe it. And she wants Dan (and Oscar) to discover the truth about Rodolfo’s death. This new investigation brings Dan, Oscar and Anna to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. Slowly Dan learns Rodolfo’s real character and life, one that could fit easily in all the opera plays Rodolfo was famous for singing in, or Shakespeare’s plays. Because even if Rodolfo was happily married, his life before marriage for sure was one that could fill many gossip pages. Can Dan figure out what truly happened to Rodolfo? Or was is just like the police said, just an accident or an act of suicide?

Of course reading a book from this talented author, sweeps me back to Italy, the country of my roots and places I have visited before and have fallen in love with. And this time, we are in lovely Verona!

And I have to admit, just like Dan I was more intrigued by the city’s actual, real story during my visit than the hype set around Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. While visiting cities, I believe that the actual history of a place prevails over the fiction. So in that aspect, I was happy that the author shared my same vision, and didn’t ‘waste time’ over Romeo and Juliet yet took us once again to a marvellous (re)discovery of a wonderful place.

But enough about Verona itself, let’s talk about the story 😊.

With each story in this cozy series, we see how more settled Dan and Oscar are in their new Italian life. So I was a bit surprised that Dan never heard or had never seen Violetta Argento before. With a larger than life attitude, I would expect that Dan would at least have heard her name before, or at least know about her son, being a famous opera singer.

I could understand Violetta’s desire to find out the truth, I can only try to imagine how it feels to lose a child, no matter if he/she is still young or already an adult. And if the police is perhaps too quickly to exclude foul play in Rodolfo’s passing, why wouldn’t Violetta want to hire Dan to figure out what really happened?

However, to say that Violetta is excentric, would be an understatement. And the relationship she had with Rodolfo was an ‘interesting’ one… There are possessive parents, and then there is Violetta. I don’t think that I would be able to live with such a character, so I was a bit shocked to see how Rodolfo just let his mother dictate his life. And the more I got to know Violetta, the more I didn’t like her, to be honest. She has one vision, her vision. And if you don’t agree with her, or contradict her, you’re out. Or if you take away her son from her, by falling in love with him and marry him, you’re the main suspect, even without any kind of proof…

Now, it’s easy to put all the blame on Violetta, and even suspect her for a moment (because, yes that is also something I did). But it’s not that Rodolfo’s life was so unspoken about. He had a certain reputation, thus making the list of possible culprits (if there was an actual crime) even longer.

Like I am used to with this series, there are several possibilities and reasons for the not yet confirmed crime. Fingers can be easily pointed in so many different ways, that each time Dan and Oscar found a lead, I believed we had it. But of course I should have known that all would only be revealed in the end…

And like I am used to with this author, this was a cozy mystery, pulling me in all different directions, but also with a lovely lightness in it. Not only was it sweet to see how Dan’s relationship with Anna is still going strong, but for me, the lightness of this book came absolutely from Oscar’s side! Seeing how he falls in love with Elektra, seeing his tail wagging like crazy whenever she is around. Dogs do fall in love too! 😊

T.A. Williams once again took us on a wonderful investigation journey. His on point descriptive ways made me feel like I was walking alongside Dan in Verona, seeing the places easily. Even the music in a way found a touching place in this book.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this great next chapter in a wonderful series. Although I am getting a bit concerned about the number of murders taking place as if T.A. Williams continues with this series, I believe there will be no one left in Tuscany. 😊 But on the other hand, more Dan and Oscar, is that really such a bad thing? 😉

With a little bit of help, but for whom?

Synopsis

Escape to the beautiful coast in this heartwarming romance

Dare to dream big…

When Nancy opened her dream bookshop overlooking the golden sands and shimmering waters of Driftwood Bay, she may have taken on a little too much. She might know all about books, but doesn’t know the first thing about business! She did however, want to do something meaningful with the inheritance money she got from her beloved Aunty Theresa.

When Dennis, visiting grandson of one of her dearest friends, offers to help, Nancy knows she can’t say no. Dennis is a high-flying businessman, with a fancy London job and a successful banking portfolio to prove it.

Trouble is, he makes the worst first impression. Nothing short of an insufferable know-it-all, Dennis takes every opportunity to remind her how out of her depth she is.

But Nancy knows her strengths, and just as much as she needs Dennis, he needs her too. There’s plenty she can teach him, and the more she shows off her world of Driftwood Bay, where the pace of life is slower and the morning sunrises are the most beautiful thing you can witness, perhaps they could become more than just business partners?

An utterly gorgeous romantic read set by the beautiful Cornish coast, perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley and Heidi Swain

My review

Nancy loves running her bookshop in Driftwood Bay. But while she loves selling stories to people, it isn’t all that easy, as the downside of having a bookshop, also means running a business. And the financial bits of having a business just goes over Nancy’s head. Nancy worked so hard for her bookshop, and she won’t give up that easily. Even if that means accepting the help of obnoxious and insufferable Dennis. He has all the knowhow, as he is a great businessman working in London, and currently visiting his beloved grandmother. Even if things start of rocky, and Dennis doesn’t hesitate to point out how badly the bookshop is doing, Nancy starts to learn how to run a business. Ideas fly back and forth. And Dennis himself learns that the hectic London – life isn’t all that, and that perhaps the slower pace in Driftwood Bay is what he actually needs. And will sparks fly around between Nancy and Dennis? Or will Dennis return to the life he has known where being successful is what matters?

When I opened this book on my Kindle, I had a big smile on my face. Knowing Kim Nash’s talented writing skills, I knew that I would be loving every bit of this book, and that it would be a marvellous next chapter in the Cornish Cove series.

And from the start, I liked Nancy. Of course it helps that she is a booklover, just like me. And I admired her for realizing her dream of opening a bookshop. In a world that is more and more digital, and where everything can be bought online, it for sure is a risk to open a shop. And not just any kind of shop, but a real, old – fashioned bookshop.

I could understand her love for books (well, duh! 😊) and I could clearly see how passionate she is while helping her customers. If I were in Nancy’s shoes, I would also be working each day with a big smile on my face. And perhaps, just like Nancy, I wouldn’t be any good at looking at the financial side of having an own business. Because seeing a dream finally coming to realization doesn’t mean per se that it will be a walk in the park.

And that is exactly what Nancy is slowly learning, as she has her dream coming true, but she isn’t living the dream at all. Even if she tries to bury her head in the sand, she knows that something has to change, in order to keep her dream alive. Even if that means accepting the help from the most insufferable man she may have met.

Yes, Dennis didn’t make the best of first impressions. He for sure doesn’t sugarcoat his words. But for me, it was more a sign that with him, you know where you stand. And he does know what he is talking about, being a successful businessman in London.

But it was also clear that beside being a successful businessman, he doesn’t truly know a lot about the things that matter in life, things like family, love and care. I am absolutely not saying that Dennis is a superficial man. But his life for sure scarred him, and if it weren’t for the love and support from his grandmother and other important people in his life, I don’t know what kind of man Dennis would be turned out to be.

Nancy and Dennis for sure stand very differently in life, as Nancy has always been surrounded by love and is a loving and caring person herself. While Dennis has always been more focused on becoming successful. But when their paths cross, it’s clear that they both have a lot to learn from each other.

For Nancy it starts with picking Dennis’s mind with ideas to improve the business of the bookshop. But she also understands that wanting to sell to her customers isn’t the intrusive business handling she thought it was.

However, more important is that Nancy learns that closing off your heart for love isn’t a recipe for happiness. Even if I understood that she ahs high standards, in the sense that she sees what a happy relationship looks like with her parents as the perfect example, she also sees how a bad relationship looks like, with her brother’s as an example.

And for Dennis, it’s just learning about love. Because he has missed this essential, vital concept in his life. Even he has loving and supporting people in his life, or had in his life, from the people he wanted to have it the most, were the people that gave him the least…

With spending time with Nancy, Dennis learns that there is so much more in life, and that what he thought what matters in life, isn’t that important at all. In this lovely little village of Driftwood Bay he learns more about the world and about what truly matters.

In this book we see there is a lot of giving and taking. It isn’t that Nancy is subject to Dennis, or Dennis to Nancy. Both characters have an evolution, even with trail and error, and yes even some heartbreak in the process.

But there is also the fact that people are accustomed to the world they know. And when taking a step aside, realization may dawn that while their life isn’t a wrong one, there can be more to it than what may be thought.

This was absolutely a heartwarming, lovely story from an author that knows how to pull your heartstrings with a what may initially seem a light story, yet slowly shows serious depth in it. Kim Nash wrote exactly what I expected, wanted and needed!

When an inheritance brings you to Pepper Bay

Synopsis

Welcome to Pepper Bay, where you’ll find love, drama, and a happily ever after.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Alison Sherlock, Rachael Lucas, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories, best read in order, that intertwine with recurring characters.

Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe: Erin Mason didn’t know she had any family left, so when she inherits a sweet shop, she’s not entirely sure what to do. There isn’t much else going on in her life, so she goes to check it out in Pepper Bay. After all, a short trip to the Isle of Wight is hardly going to change her life.

My review

Erin has always missed having a real family. It has always been her and her mother, and now that her mother is gone, Erin feels more alone than ever. That is until she learns that her grandfather left her a sweet shop in Pepper Bay. A grandfather she didn’t know she had, and it breaks her heart to have lost another member of her family. After losing her job too, why shouldn’t she head over to the Isle of Wright to see this shop of her mysterious grandfather? What Erin didn’t expect though, was to get seasick on the ferry on her way to Pepper Bay. Luckily a stranger takes pity on her and takes care of her. A stranger that isn’t having the best time of his own life either, as Tyler just discovered the affair his girlfriend was having with his own best friend, on the wedding day of the latter. However, even some vomit cannot stop Erin and Tyler to feel a connection between them. But with both having their hearts broken, can Pepper Bay work its magic once again?

Aaaah Pepper Bay, a place that I just want to visit myself. No, that is not the truth, because Pepper Bay is a place where I want to live myself, with its quaint homes, amazing families and how love is found so easily even if the road to love isn’t that easy.

Even without knowing all the details of Erin’s life, my heart broke for her as it’s clear that she is very lonely and feels like she has no one in the world. The only family she had was her mother, and now she is just on her own… And with losing her job, she just doesn’t know what to do with her life.

I could understand the shock and the pain Erin felt when she learned about her grandfather and how he left her his shop in Pepper Bay. Because this means that Erin wasn’t without a family, and that she could have had a relationship with her grandfather, weren’t it for a feud he and her mother had.

It seemed in a way, that Erin’s illness on the ferry was the expression of how Erin feels. And perhaps it even was like a forecast that Tyler comes at her rescue?

If the story weren’t be taking place in Pepper Bay, I would be very wary of Tyler’s kindness. Well, not only Tyler’s, but just everyone’s. Not only because Erin is spending her first night with Tyler in one room (not like that! 😊) but I wouldn’t be thinking of spending the night with a complete stranger, no matter how sick I would be feeling. But if I would be doing that, there is only one place where I would be feeling safe anyway, and that is Pepper Bay.

Obviously Erin meets Tyler when he is in turmoil himself. And I have to admit, I was furious in his place, as he has been betrayed by two people that he trusted the most. And the fact that there were no repercussions for them, on the contrary, made my blood just boil!

Yet I jut loved Tyler. Of course he needs to digest the betrayal, yet he never loses his kindness, his gentle character, or to make it easy, the uniqueness that makes Tyler such a lovely character! Perhaps he was a bit too pushy towards Erin, wanting her to keep the sweet shop, but he does it with the right intentions, and not for a personal benefit.

I knew that Erin would be finding what she is looking for in Pepper Bay, not in the way she thought she would. Her wanting to have a family, to belong to a family makes so much sense, because in the end, that is what we all want, no matter what that family looks like.

Maybe, just maybe, Tyler’s family looks too perfect, but as a fan of the series, I know what his family went through before. And they worked very hard to get their own happinesses, and they aren’t afraid to share their happiness with others, or welcome others into their family. And that is truly heart – warming to read, how Erin is easily accepted into their family, into the Pepper Bay community.

Seeing Erin and Tyler growing closer was so sweet, two broken people finding each other, having fun together, but also understanding each other, feeling a strong connection despite just having met.

In this marvellous new chapter in a series, we see that sometimes in the most unexpected ways we can find what we were looking for. But we also see that, just look at Erin, it’s not always to understand what our heart is telling us. Or what direction our heart is pulling us.

K.T. Dady wrote again a great story, about lost souls, the unexpectedness of love, the warmth of a community (always great to catch up with old friends!) and best of it all, the importance of finding family, a place of belonging. This all is captured greatly in this heart – warming story, added with a sparkle of Christmas!  

Can you start over when you once were on the top of the world?

Synopsis

Lottie should be on top of the world – her boutique has just opened in the quaint little village of Lily Vale and her designs are already delighting the locals. But just nine months ago, she was fired from her dream job and forced to move in with her dad, all because of one big mistake and a betrayal from someone she thought was her friend.

During a fitting appointment, Lottie meets groom-to-be Kit Brooks. Her first impression? Arrogant, rude, and a downright snob. However, as they work together to create the perfect bridesmaid’s dress for his little sister, Lottie begins to view Kit in a whole new light.

Suddenly, she’s battling to keep her heart under control – after all, Kit is getting married. But nothing could prepare her for the identity of his bride…

Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes in Lily Vale Village is the eighth story in the Lily Vale Village book series, a charming set of novellas revolving around the lives of the ordinary people who reside in the beautiful countryside community. It can be read as a standalone story, or as part of the series.

My review

Nine months ago, Lottie believed she had it made in Paris. Until one disastrous night and one big mistake left her not only fired but also blacklisted. She had no other option to return to her father. Now finally she has opened her own boutique shop in the quaint village of Lily Vale. She hopes that her designs will charm the villagers.
Slowly the customers are finding her, and Lottie is quickly charmed by teenager Tanya, who is looking for a bridesmaid’s dress. But Lottie cannot say to be charmed by Tanya’s brother and groom – to – be Kit Brooks. He is rude, arrogant and just a snob. But slowly she realizes that there is more to Kit than she initially thought. Until she learns who the bride – to – be is, the same person that ruined her career in Paris…

There is something about stories with characters moving away from where they have built a life, to return back to their roots somehow. For the main character it may feel like a failure, but I always enjoy reading how in fact it is a second chance, to rebuild something and just have a fresh start, after what they have already been through.

I am not into fashion myself, I don’t follow the hypes but I can get a bit jealous thinking how fashion designer can come up with great ideas and design the most amazing outfits. So already from the start I was a bit in awe of Lottie, as she for sure has this talent, or rather this gift. But of course I also felt sorry for her, as at the epitome of her dreams, she gets betrayed by someone she believed she could trust and believed to be a friend.
Obviously Lottie’s world fell apart, and as Paris is a hard city to be living and working in, I could understand why she escaped that city and decided to return closer to the comfort and support of her father.
So in one way I felt sorry for her, as it’s clear that Lottie is devastated by everything that happened. But I also admired her, as she is ready to start over in the little village of Lily Vale.

I have to admit, this is the first book I have read in this series, but I can say that even if I am perhaps late with the love, I fell in love with quaint little village. Because it warmed my heart to see how welcoming the inhabitants were, and how each and everyone of them wants to help Lottie out, in their own unique way.
And it’s with their help that Lottie meets teenager Tanya on the look for the perfect bridesmaid dress.

Lottie and Tanya immediately hit off, even if their lives couldn’t be more different, and Lottie is in a whole different stage of life compared to Tanya. Even if they just meet, there is this sweet connection between them. It truly felt like a big sister – little sister situation! The way Lottie just gets Tanya, understands her and is there for her, truly heart – warming!

And with Tanya obviously, Kit enters the scene. I have to say, he doesn’t make the best of entries, as his complete attitude is just off and bad. He acts all this superior, and I couldn’t see how he would be able to shake off that bad first impression.
But the more I got to know him, the more I realized that my (and Lottie’s) first impression, was a wrong one. Because slowly we learn that he has a huge responsibility towards Tanya, and he is just in fact an amazing, caring, loving big brother. He wants nothing but the best for Tanya, and for her happiness, he is even ready to make a complete fool out of himself. 

And that version of Kit was just so loveable, that it made it even herder to comprehend who his fiancée was… Because his fiancée is someone from Lottie’s Paris – past, and someone Lottie truly believed to be never be seeing again.

While Lottie is struggling on several levels, it truly was just sweet to read how she and Kit are growing closer, are understanding each other and are just there for each other. But while of course I wanted things to progress, I especially liked it how no boundaries were broken, as there is a respect for the situation they are in. And that is admirable, because it would be easy to cross that line…

With now having to create a wedding dress for her personal nemesis, I would be surprised if Lottie wouldn’t be struggling. But at the same time, this is also the perfect opportunity for Lottie to not only process what has happened but also to grow. At the start of the book, Lottie is a rather insecure person, not only because her misadventure in Paris, but she also feels as a failure whenever she talks to her own mother. Lottie lacks self-confidence, while she should be as confident as hell, because believe me when I say that Lottie just got it. She only needs to see it herself and learn to stand up for herself.

For me, that is the main message of this book. Be proud of who you are, stand up against bullies, be a kind and understanding person. Do not let anyone bring you down, no one should have that power over you. The right people in your life will appreciate you for who you are, will stand by your side and understand you even when you don’t actually speak out.

For a first encounter with a series, this was a great experience. I loved reading it, loved getting to know the characters and loved reading about the growth and journey the characters are going through. It made me eager to discover the other books in this series! 

In the midst of chaos

Synopsis

Two very different worlds are about to collide.

Feisty country girl Annabeth Hope has sworn off men since her ex abandoned her. Juggling three resentful step-teens, a hyperactive toddler, a smallholding, and a herd of rescued llamas, she has her hands full.

With the roof about to collapse on her crumbling New Forest home, she is desperate to find a way to hold her patchwork family together. The last thing she needs is an attractive distraction moving in next door.

Burnt-out inner-city doctor Rick Mahon has left London and his medical career behind in a moment of professional crisis. A malpractice lawsuit is on the horizon, and the cancel culture mob are snapping at his heels. His plan to stay under the radar is thrown off course when he meets his new neighbour and sparks start to fly.

Annabeth and Rick couldn’t be more different, but maybe they hold the key to each other’s happiness…

“What more could we want from life? Family, friends, llamas, and hope…

An excellent read.” Jenny Kane, author of the bestselling Mill Grange Series.

My review

Annabeth Hope, Beth for her friends, had never expected to be looking for her three step – children and her own little girl on her own. But as her husband just abandoned her, she has no other option. She has her hands full with keeping the place running, with a leaking roof, rescued llamas, an energetic toddler and step – teens that just don’t like her.
Things are anything but easy for Beth, with absolutely no support from her (ex) husband and no friends. The last thing she needs is facing her new neighbour, Rick Mahon.
Rick himself is into hiding, after being sued for malpractice. He finds himself being the target of a real witch hunt and hopes that nobody will find him.
But when he meets his warrior queen neighbour, sparks start to fly around. However, both their lives are in such turmoil, and their differences couldn’t be any bigger. So is there time for love and romance in their lives?

I have to be honest, I had some struggles with this book. Not because it was badly written, or that the story itself didn’t drew me in. But my struggles were because we see bits of humankind that I find honestly despicable.

Not only there is Beth’s husband disappearing and let Beth and his own flesh and blood in the dark and with many problems, and even later on even more despicable behaviour. But there are also the vultures at the lookout for Rick.
We see perhaps one of the most ugly bits of people, and as I am anything like those characters, I found it difficult to understand how someone can just be like that…

But on the other hand, on the positive hand, we also see the resilience of people. Beth for sure isn’t having an easy time. But we see how she tries to make the best of each situation.
And I admired her in very different ways. Because not only is she struggling financially, also her farm is falling into pieces, and she has no respect from her stepchildren.

I felt that the last bit was the most struggling bit for Beth. She does her utterly best, she encourages the three siblings, and yet she is facing wall upon wall upon wall. Yet she never talks ill about their father, no matter how easy that would be. Despite the animosity, it’s clear that she cares and loves the stepchildren as they were her own, her own flesh and blood.

It was also sad to read how lonely Beth has been. She has no friends, and has nobody to rely on. She truly has the weight of the world on her shoulders, and nobody to help her carry that burden.

I could perfectly understand her wariness towards Rick. They for sure don’t start in the best of ways (even if their first encounter was exactly that 😊) as their encounters aren’t always the happy kind. Beth is protective of her (step)children and is adamant that she can do things on her own, that she doesn’t need help.
And Rick is wary of everything and everyone, afraid of his hiding place become general knowledge and being haunted again.

Rick’s situation really angered me. As a doctor, he does his best to help the people in need, but one event is risking to ruin everything he has been building for so long. And seeing how he literally has to escape and run away felt so unfair.

Despite the turmoil he is in, we see that Rick is genuinely concerned, not for himself, but also for those involved. He is the kind of person that wants to do the right thing, even if everyone advises him not to.

Even if things start off the wrong foot for Beth and Rick, slowly they find each other. They find someone that will help, someone that will listen, that will advise. Even if sometimes judgements are made too quickly even in their cases, it’s all understandable and the assumptions are made with the right set of mind.

Slowly we see that the main characters, not only between themselves, open up more, learn to understand that asking for help isn’t a sign of defeat and learn that opening up can help the troubled relationships.
I liked reading how perhaps difficult choices were made out of protection, as a sign of their love and care.

And so this book even became an inspiring one, as even how uncomfortable things may feel, the outcome of it can be bring the so much needed relief, and can make you a stronger person.

When the best night turns out to be a bad choice…

Synopsis

Keeping it strictly professional…

Radio DJ Lula Lazenby isn’t often lost for words, but this time she’s speechless! The man she just shared an exquisite one night with turns out to be her new boss…and his first job is to fire her!

Executive Tristan Bamfield wasn’t planning to stay in London long. Turn up, handle his father’s business and leave. But his inconvenient and instantaneous attraction to Lula has really gone and complicated things!

Tristan is a professional and everyone deserves a second chance – especially when you can’t escape the red-hot memories so he quickly reinstates Lula. Until that leads to weeks of tantalizing torture working with Lula in the studio. Tristan’s not here for a happy ever after, but his challenge now is going to be figuring out how to keep their off-the-charts attraction under wraps until it’s time to leave.

Previously published as Fired By Her Fling.

My review

Radio DJ Lula Lazenby decides, after some persuasion of her colleagues and friends, to act a bit out of character. That results in having the best night of her life, together with a complete stranger. But the day after, it turns out that her steamy encounter has become a real nightmare, as the stranger turns out to be her new boss, and he is firing her.
Tristan Bamfield has temporarily come to stay in London, as a favour for his father, to handle his father’s business. It was never his plan to stay for a longer period. But when he discovers that the radio station is in bad papers, he has no other option to stay longer and asking Lula for help to save what is salvageable.
However, working together with Lula is a real torture, as despite both trying to remain professional, they both cannot forget that one night. But is there a future in store for them, as Tristan isn’t looking for love at all, won’t be staying in London and Lula is afraid of showing her real self…

Even if I am a forever single person, and I am still searching for my Prince Charming, I have two rules I stick to: I don’t do one night stands and I don’t start anything with someone from my work. Now, don’t shoot me, but those are my personal thoughts, so if you don’t agree with me, and you want to do any of the above, it’s fine by me. Whatever makes you happy 😊.

And of course that doesn’t take away the fun I have reading books about exactly that!

In so many different ways I could relate with Lula. While she truly enjoys her job, in her free time she rather enjoys the quiet and calmness. As a DJ she can be this exuberant persona, being loud, cheerful and full of confidence. But take the mic away, put her in a room full of strangers, and she closes herself off, doesn’t want to be the centre of the attention at all.
And that truly resonated with me, because often I am being this bubbly, wonderful (😊 ) person, but I have my peace the most just sitting in the quiet. And don’t let me start on entering a room on my own!

But I could also understand how Lula has the need that one evening to be someone else, to be this confident, sexy, seductive woman. Sometimes stepping outside yourself is what you need, even if it’s just for one night only.

And I was happy for Lula that the night was such a memorable one, because I could understand she needed that release. But I could also comprehend why she leaves that quickly, as ‘reasonable’ Lula reasons that getting away asap is the less awkward thing to do.

And yes, I am that kind of person that enjoys reading about that awkward encounter when Lula is faced with her new boss Tristan, to only realize it is that same guy that she spend that memorable night with! Yes, I am that evil 😊.

But even if Lula is not that exuberant in real life confrontations, I liked it how she stood her ground with Tristan. Obviously when she gets fired, there isn’t a lot she can do about it, how wrong and unjust that may be. But when Tristan realizes his mistake, Lula just doesn’t give in that easily, and stands her ground, demands proper apologies and even more.

With Lula standing tall for once, we see that there isn’t just one kind of Lula, but she is a blend of the DJ and the quiet version. And that slowly she starts to realize with Tristan, while opening up to up, even at moments confiding in him. Because we also see that the Lula of that one night emerges when the attraction with Tristan is too much handle!

I have to admit, Tristan for sure physically had my interest. But the way he acted when first arriving at the radio station, made me cringe a little bit. It seemed like he just follows what his fathers asks him to do, and he for sure adds his weights in the man’s world…

But I also quickly learned that Tristan is the kind of person not ashamed or scared to apologize when he makes a mistake. He even is very inventive in his apologies! 😊

The sparks for sure fly between Lula and Tristan, despite their resistance. And I admired that in a way, as they want to keep their professionalism and they for sure aren’t looking for love. But of course it’s too difficult to resist each other, resulting in several heated moments!

Beside that attraction, it’s crystal – clear that both characters are afraid. They are scared to let love in, for past experiences, for fear of not being (good) enough. And those fears are so relatable, so real, as I truly believe that everyone has felt that way before or still does.
But if you don’t take that leap of faith, if you don’t dare to open up, to expose yourself, to let the love in, what is that outcome? That you are alone… and while you can have the perfect match if you just dare…

Perhaps the pace in this story was a bit too fast, but as love works in mysterious ways, perhaps that was also a good thing. Because you never know who you will meet and how that will affect you. Perhaps one meeting with a complete stranger will turn out to be meeting that one person that makes you not only open up to him/her but also understand yourself much better.

I enjoyed reading this story, as it tells you so much even in a rather limited time!

When Christmas season is just a reminder of terrible memories…

Synopsis

As the nights draw in, gingerbread lattes and festive hot chocolates are on the menu, and the Little Duck Pond Café girls are gearing up for the cosiest time of the year. But new recruit Laurel just wishes she could sleep through the whole jolly affair! It might be October, but she’s still haunted by the events of last Christmas. Could a new start in Sunnybrook help to heal her heart?

My review

After last Christmas, Laurel has had enough of the season. Her broken heart even took her away from her home and took her to Sunnybrook. In Sunnybrook she is hoping to rebuild her life, without the constant reminder of her past life. And working at The Little Duck Pond Café is the perfect way to distract herself, and she is even ready to make new friends, with the girls that have bonded in time and are welcoming Laurel with open arms. What Laurel doesn’t know is that The Little Duck Pond Café Girls are all into Christmas. So despite her own aversity to the holiday, she hopes that Sunnybrook will still be able to give her the fresh start and new life she truly needs…

There are places and characters that you cannot wait to see again. And Sunnybrook and the girls of The Little Duck Pond Café for sure falls in that category!

And what a delight it was reading this next story in a most marvellous series.

But it needs to be said too, Rosie Green has the ‘great’ ability to let her next chosen main character go through so many things, they for sure have a baggage when the story takes off.

And Laurel… it’s not just one thing that happened to her, or not even two, no she had the whole shebang already happening in her young life.

Even if not knowing all the details, my heart went out to her. She has been treated badly by the people that should be by her side no matter what. And I could understand her need to get away from the place she has been calling home for a very long time. But it saddened me also reading how it was her leaving everything behind…

And with the snippets of revelations we get, I have to admit that Rosie Green for sure perfectly mastered the talent of twisting and turning. Because I was on completely the wrong track with the final revelation. Yet that also made me understand Laurel even better.

Sunnybrook is always the perfect place for someone that needs a fresh start. And thus, Sunnybrook is exactly what Laurel needs. Because she needs to find the good in people again, but she also needs to find calmness in her life again. She needs a place that is not contaminated by hurtful memories. But most of all, she needs to learn to live again. Because of her past, she has not only been running away, but she also went into hiding.

And slowly, very slowly, with the help of the girls at the Café, she gets out of her shell. Even if she is reluctant to opening to the new people in her life, she finds it impossible to keep her distance. And that is not only with the girls, but also with the person she keeps on bumping into, literally too.

While there is obviously a love interest for Laurel in this story, and an amazing one (even if I still have doubts of how on earth his final gesture is possible, or that if I were in Laurel’s shoes, it wouldn’t be possible at all 😊), I felt that this isn’t that kind of love story.

But I felt like it was more a story about a big journey, a journey of letting go of the past, forgiveness in a way, but also about allowing yourself to live again, to love again, to let people in (despite the disappointments faced in the past).

Rosie Green once again swept me of my feet, not letting me take a break in this story, as I devoured it so quickly! And you would think that the more chapters are added in a series, the quality would diminish in a way, yet Rosie Green has set the bar so high, and easily manages to keep it sky-high!  

Christmas is always the happiest time of the year…

Synopsis

A festive treat brimming with the magic of bookshops and Christmas… 

In the seaside town of Micklewick Bay, Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte are gearing up for a magical Christmas at the Happy Hartes Bookshop. Florrie’s book-themed decorations are the talk of the town, while Ed’s dazzling window displays could have been plucked straight from a fairytale. With romance in the air, this promises to be their best holiday season yet. 

But after a surprise phone call from his father, Florrie worries that Ed is keeping a secret. Why is he spending so much time in the attic? And what’s making him act so distantly?

Determined to make this Christmas unforgettable, Florrie packs their days with festive treats from gingerbread hot chocolates to sleigh rides under the stars. But when Ed disappears just a few days before Christmas, Florrie fears the worst. Will her holiday dreams shatter like a dropped bauble? Or is Florrie in for a Christmas surprise of her own? 

The perfect festive read to get you in the holiday spirit, Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea will delight fans of Jessica Redland, Jenny Colgan and Phillipa Ashley.

My review

Florrie Appleton and Ed Harte couldn’t be happier, as not only they are very much in love with each other, but they are also running rather successfully the Happy Hartes Bookshop in Micklewick Bay. And this Christmas Florrie believes that it’s going to be a real magical one. When she hears that Ed has missed many Christmas traditions, she is determined to create as many memories together with him. However, when Ed gets a surprise call from his father, Florrie feels that Ed is keeping things from her, making her fearful for a repeat of the past… Especially as Ed starts to act even more distantly…So what kind of Christmas will it be for Florrie? One filled with lovely memories, gingerbread and love? Or will it be one that will shatter her heart in littles pieces?

I have to say, it was a while ago that I last visited Micklewick Bay, so it took me a little bit to remember the lovely place and the great couple that Florrie and Ed are…

But once my memory came back, I truly enjoyed reading how one of the loveliest couple were faring.

It was so sweet to see how Florrie and Ed were thriving. Not only seeing how well they are running the bookshop, what amazing ideas they are even having for the future. And then there are the displays that Ed has created…just wow, I could see it all in my head too!

But what was just so lovely, was seeing the love between these two amazing people. We know how a struggle it was for them to get to this point, thus seeing how well things are going was so heartwarming.

Florrie and Ed are in sync with each other on so many levels, even if their upbringings were so different from each other. They would do anything to see each other happy. In Florrie’s case that even means to make Ed experience the thrills linked with Christmas, even if those things are normally done during childhood, like building a snowman, the excitement of opening Christmas gifts and so on. And seeing how Ed’s excitement is infectious, put a real smile on my head.

However… and unfortunately there is a however… there are some darker clouds over this Christmas. Clouds that may put in danger everything Florrie and Ed have been building. And clouds coming from different directions. Because it’s not only that ominous call that Ed receives from his dad, but also a dodgy character returns on the scene.

And perhaps the thing that scared me the most, was Ed’s odd behaviour. Even if I had my own idea of what Ed was probably doing, there was a bit of fear that history would be repeating itself once again.

If I was already being a bit fearful, I couldn’t imagine what Florrie must be going through. And so we see that no matter how good things may seem to be going, fear is always lurking around the corner, fear that all the happiness is all that easily taken away once again…

Of course this wouldn’t be Micklewick Bay if Florrie and Ed would be surrounded by just like them amazing people. People that we also know and have been rotting for their own happy end. And seeing how a united bunch they are all, truly warmed my heart all over again.

Obviously Christmas is doing its magical thing in this book, because for sure the story, beside the dark clouds, is filled with so much love. Love that make you look brightly towards the future, love that makes you want to create new memories that will last a lifetime, love that will make you cry happy tears (but also sad ones).

I truly enjoyed reading this story, bringing me back to a wonderful place, with wonderful people who deserve all the happiness in the world. But we also see that even in romance books, things don’t always go easy or are that straightforward. Yet we also have to keep the faith, trust the people that we love and that love us.

An unexpected return that will just change everything…

Synopsis

It’s been years since Ruaidhri abandoned Sorcha, and she’s no longer the woman she once was. Now leader of the Suibhne clan, she must unite her people against invading forces. When rumours of Ruaidhri’s return to Ireland prove true, she’s unsettled at seeing him again. He offers to help her, but his past betrayal still burns—even if desire is as strong as ever. Should Sorcha trust her head…or her heart?

My review

When the Suibhne Clan is under threat, it’s up to their leader Sorcha to protect her people. But where she isn’t prepared for, is to face the ruthless mercenary Ruaidhri. Not because she is afraid of his strength, but because he grew up in her clan, and when they were younger, they fell in love with each other. Only to leave Sorcha broken hearted one day, without any explanation or inkling of him leaving. And now the man she once loved, is hired to invade parts of Ireland, and thus also the land of Sorcha’s clan. But Ruaidhri is struggling with his return, as he has many memories of living with the Suibhne clan. However, those memories are not all good, but also bad…While Sorcha is not being fooled by Ruaidhri’s return, her heart is thrilled by the return of her love. But as they are standing on opposite sides, will their heads rule, or will their hearts be victorious?

I have said it before, and I will say it again. There are several prejudices against this kind of books and stories. But if you enjoy a story, if you are enjoying reading, does it truly matter what genre you are into? Isn’t a book’s purpose to take you away to another world, letting your own imagination go wild while reading the words on the paper (or tablet 😊)?

So when I picked up this book, that was my resolution: enjoying Sorcha’s and Ruaidhri’s story and not think about what people will think of my choice!

I for sure didn’t regret reading this book, as I found this book a perfect mix of romance, adventure, drama and action.

And I liked getting to know especially Sorcha better, as she is a feminist before the word was even invented!

Because Sorcha for sure is a better leader of the Suibhne clan than her father was, and for sure a better one than her late husband. Who says that women cannot be great leaders? But it’s not only that Sorcha is a good leader, she is also a smart lady and a woman with a kind heart. A heart that has loved deeply, but has also been broken.

And that brokenness is still palpable in her tale. She is fierce, but also vulnerable. But she won’t allow that vulnerability show or take the overhand, even with Ruaidhri’s return and her ‘silly’ heart remembering that boy she fell in love with… Because Sorcha knows one thing: she won’t go down without a fight and won’t let her clan be ruled over by anyone.

With Ruaidhri we see how at loss even the fiercest man can be feeling. It was easy and presumptuous to judge his choices in the past and present, without knowing what drove him to make those choices.

And the more I got to know Ruaidhri, the more I liked this strong man. And the more the story progresses, the more layers Ruaidhri shows.

Because yes, he is a mercenary, but he is not a ruthless one. He is a man of honour, when he gives his word, he keeps it. He doesn’t play games but wants to get to the truth.

Nevertheless, his life is truly in turmoil. He already knows a few bits of his past, but the depth of it is still a mystery haunting him.

As readers, we know his real background, but the why and who is still a big question mark, and I was eager to know what happened to him. And the more was revealed, the more I could understand Ruaidhri’s impossible position.

However, seeing Ruaidhri and Sorcha standing against each other, but also by each other, was just great. They have been both hurt, and have been through a lot even during the years apart. Yet seeing how the heart never forgets was just wow.

And then there was the presence of the most wonderful, sweetest, most courageous for his age, character. That is all I am going to say, but I think that your heart will explode just like mine when you will meet him! 😊

In this book we see clearly how heads and hearts can be pulling the characters in different directions. And we also see how by the hand of others, heartbreak can be caused. But we also see how the heart never forgets and that choices may be difficult to make and trust may be difficult to give. Yet we also see that strength and power isn’t only a physical trait, but that those traits are even more powerful when it’s something that is just inside you.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as this author gave me everything I was expecting from it! It was perhaps a guilty pleasure reading it, but one that I have read without any sense of guilt at all! 😊

Well, I for sure cannot to read this book, and with that cover…

Synopsis

Welcome to Cosy Cove, where love burns brighter than any candle!

Beth Williams thought her dreams had melted away after a devastating breakup, but she finds a flicker of hope at Harbour Lights, her artisan candle shop nestled in the heart of Cosy Cove. But just when Beth thinks she’s content with her quiet life, a ruggedly handsome stranger threatens to reignite her carefully guarded heart.

Enter Jacob Lawson, a charming journalist whose assignment in the quaint seaside town quickly becomes more than just another story. As Beth introduces him to the town’s hidden gems—from the bustling summer fair to sunset walks on the beach—Jacob finds himself captivated by more than the scenery.

But as their attraction simmers, both Beth and Jacob must confront their deepest fears. Can Beth trust her heart to love again? And will Jacob choose the comfort of Cosy Cove over the call of his career?

Join Beth and Jacob on a journey of second chances, sweet moments, and the kind of love that makes every day feel like a summer holiday. Will they find the courage to embrace a future together, or will their fears extinguish the flame before it truly ignites?

Get ready to fall head over heels for Cosy Cove, where every page promises a warm hug for your heart. Perfect for fans of seaside romances, charming small towns, and love stories that sparkle brighter than the sea at sunset!

Pre-order Links 

Abbey Hicks Payhip shop: www.payhip.com/AbbeyHicksAuthor

Candlelight Dreams direct link on Payhip: 

 Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove ebook pre-order: Cosy Cove Series, book 1 – Payhip

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DHWRXRGZ

Universal link: https://books2read.com/CandlelightCosyCove

Publication Date – 28th February 2025

About the author

Abbey Hicks writes sweet, feel-good romance filled with dashing heroes, quirky heroines, and those heart-melting happily ever afters. Whether it’s contemporary romance or paranormal love stories, she brings her signature charm and a sprinkle of magic to every page. 

Writing as Abbey MacMunn, her debut paranormal romance was shortlisted for the prestigious Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Since then, Abbey has written eleven more books, including the bestselling steamy paranormal romcom series, Love Bites: A Dating Agency for Paranormals.

When she’s not dreaming up her next romantic hero, you’ll find her on walks with her mischievous but lovable labradoodle, Brody, or binge-watching anything from romcoms to fantasy/sci-fi. If it has romance, adventure, and a dash of humour, she’s there!

The cover!