Tizi’s Book Review

Family will always be family, but can all be forgiven?

Synopsis

Can people ever really change or are family ties always set to unravel?

After inheriting Drumblair Castle over her older brother Kerr, Lady Olivia MacBain has had to forge a new life for herself far away from New York and her dream career in fashion. She fears her brother’s bitterness has fractured their relationship to the point of no return and is still clearing away the devastation he left when he disappeared.

Kerr’s unexpected return and supposed change of heart raises eyebrows. He is now seeking forgiveness and to rebuild the bridges he previously wrecked, but can he be trusted, or is it all just smoke and mirrors?

While her friends are settling down, Olivia patiently waits for childhood sweetheart Brodie to propose and wonders if she will ever get her happy ever after.

Can Olivia find a happy future or are promises always made to be broken?

My review

Everything seems to be falling in the correct place for Lady Olivia MacBain. Inheriting Drumblair Castle instead of her brother Kerr may have caused a disruption with him, but it also brought Liv love back in her life, in the wonderful shape of Brodie. Life hasn’t gone how Liv perhaps thought it would go, but she couldn’t be happier. If only Brodie would propose… And when Kerr suddenly reappears back at the castle, Liv doesn’t know what to do or to feel. She is happy that her brother is back, and he seems to have changed. But has he really or is it just another scheme? Can Liv finally have the happy ever after she wants, with being surrounded by her family and loved ones?

I am becoming repetitive in a way, but there are books, series, that even before I start reading them, put a smile on my face right away!

And this book, part of a wonderful series, did exactly that!

Lady Olivia, or rather Liv, has been through a lot in the previous books, so I truly wanted her to find her happily ever after as soon as possible!

And what a delight it was to see how great Liv, Brodie and their loved ones are doing!

Like I said, Liv has been through a lot, yet I loved seeing how still now Liv is positive about everything, and how even the biggest disappointment didn’t crush her.

Of course, with now finally having (re)found love, I could understand why she couldn’t wait for Brodie to propose to her.

And I for sure was eager to read when, where and how Brodie would do it! 😊

The biggest shock for Liv, and also for me, was the return of Kerr. Obviously, I knew he would be back, yet it still left me a bit flabbergasted. Especially to read in which state he made his return…

And I for sure wasn’t ready to  just forgive him for what he has done in the past to Liv! But I could also understand Liv’s wish to forgive him, because after all, he is and will always be her brother.

So even if Liv wants nothing more to forgive him and welcome him back home, I was glad to read that she still has some reservations.

Reservations she shares with not only Brodie, but everyone at the castle and her friends. Because it is at all ‘Shame on you if you fool me once, shame on me if you fool me twice”…

Everyone wants to believe that Kerr has changed, but actions speak louder than words, and it’s up to Kerr to show everyone he has indeed changed.

I felt that in this book, Liv shows a lot of courage and love. Not only does she keep on thinking about ways to improve the castle, but she is also accepting old and new people back in her life. She is understanding, although not gullible anymore. Throughout the whole series, she has learnt and grown a lot, and we for sure see that growth in this book.

Now, I have to say that Lisa Hobman for sure made me gasp for air several times. Not only there are some twists that I didn’t see coming, shocking not only the characters but also me. And there was one stormy night that I still have to get over!

So it’s not that this book is just one happy episode after the other, even if love is all around in this book.

Love for that special person in your life, that supports you no matter what, understands you better than anyone, that even pushes you to chase your dreams. Love for your friends, that keep on surprising you and that you keep on surprising. Love for family, by blood or not, family that has made mistakes and are looking for redemption. And love for life in general, and love for all the good things in life…

Lisa Hobman for sure had me captivated with this sweet, warm story that show us the power of that love. And of course I had the many laughs I was expecting, especially as one character didn’t disappoint at all! 😊

When a strange reindeer – story in France is the catalyst

Synopsis

Things aren’t going well for travel writer Orla Bradbee.

With Christmas fast approaching, her boss is insisting Orla must travel to a rural village in France to interview a man who doesn’t speak. But with trouble at home – her teenage sister Erin is in a ‘situationship’ with a man online – Orla’s only plan is to take Erin with her.

Get the interview done, find out more about this online Romeo and still be back in time for Christmas dinner. Easy, right?

Saint-Chambéry is a picturesque French village nestled in the snow-capped mountains, but Jacques Barbier – gorgeous and brooding, yet a man of few words – makes it clear that Orla is wasting her time here.

Orla can’t deny that Jacques intrigues and infuriates her, but what is the mysterious Frenchman hiding exactly? And can she get close enough to uncover his secrets without risking her own heart?

Escape to the beautiful French Alps with Mandy Baggot for a romantic, heartwarming story to get you through the cold winter months!

My review

Orla Bradbee enjoys travelling the world for her stories. Of course her dream is to write for Time Magazine. But as  Christmas is approaching, she isn’t really happy to take of the France, for a weird story about a pregnant reindeer. And it’s not that she is taking off to a fancy place, rather she is going to the rural village of Saint-Chambéry, set in the mountains. Once there, Orla must try to write a captivating story about the reindeer, and for that she needs may need the help of Jacques Barbier. But Jacques isn’t that eager to talk to Orla, and isn’t absolutely willing to help Orla, in any way. But even if Orla and Jacques irk each other annoyingly, there is something simmering between them. Yet the more Orla and her sister are in Saint-Chambéry, the more Orla wants to discover what secrets Jacques is hiding. But Jacques doesn’t give up his secrets that easily, and he for sure wants to get to know the real Orla, and not just the Orla that everyone sees. Is Orla ready though to open her heart?

I am not the adventurous type of person. Don’t ask me, even for the sake of a wonderful story, to go to a remote place, as I will refuse even for all the money of the world!

But even if I like the comfort of my own home, I can truly enjoy stories about people going on adventures, chasing reindeer – stories in a rural yet quaint place like Saint-Chambéry.

Orla is the adventurous type, she isn’t afraid of going to the world’s end to write a great story and capture a touching picture. With every story, not only she hopes that it will be the story to truly launch her career, but she also hopes to give her readers something special.

But while she loves discovering stories and the world, she is also a family person. She worries about the members of her family, and tries to be a great daughter and big sister. Even if there is a big age difference between her and her little sister Erin, and also some kind of generation issue, she does her utterly best to be there for Erin. And that is how Orla finds herself with Erin going to Saint-Chambéry.

I have to say, I was very quickly enthralled by Saint-Chambéry and its inhabitants! It for sure has that something special about it, and it warmed my heart to see how a whole community join forces over everything, from the beanbag contest to a real search party…

Obviously in such a wonderful place like Saint-Chambéry, there must be a grumpy inhabitant too. And this time, it comes in the form of Jacques.

Jacques is living not only on his own, and he wants to keep his peace, but in a way he is also haunted by what he has been through, what he has done and has seen. His past job for sure scarred him and made him seek refuge in a quiet and peaceful place, where no one knows about him or his past.

But we also quickly see a gentle side of him. Even if he tries to keep Orla away, he just cannot just walk away from her. And we also see his care and his gentle nature and kindness in his actions towards animals. Isn’t it that we see one’s real character in the way he acts towards animals?

Seeing Orla and Jacques growing closer, was just great. Their worlds couldn’t be further apart yet there is just something. And that something is that they are more alike than they might think. It’s what they are hiding from everyone that they share with each other.

And it takes great courage and trust to open to someone. It’s not easy, to let someone see the most hidden secrets and fears you have. But we also see how opening up can lift a burden, how it can put some light back in your eyes.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, that despite the obvious cold it is set in, emanates so much warmth. Because not only this is a great story about two people finding each other in the most peculiar and particular of stories, but it’s also a story about family, community, friendship and just love in general and in all its aspects.

Mandy Baggot managed to write so many emotions in just one story, keeping me captivated, hung on to every word of this book! And I finished it while a warm feeling inside, like I was truly enveloped in warmth!

When the pressure is on, on several levels, unforgettable things will happen

Synopsis

Turn a tumbledown Paris hotel into a perfect boutique, bookish retreat, and have it open for Christmas? What could possibly go wrong?

When Anais receives a near-derelict Paris hotel in her divorce settlement, her first thought is to tidy it up and sell it immediately. All she wants is to move on and forget her disaster of a marriage ever happened.

But selling it proves impossible, so she has only one option: to make it gorgeous and open by Christmas… when her funds will almost certainly run out.

She’s not counting on the grumpy American bar-owner next door, Noah, coming and interfering at every moment though. Nor is she expecting to find a mysterious room – which holds the key to a one-hundred-year-old secret – about a woman who chose love against the odds.

One thing’s for sure… as the fairy lights twinkle all over the city of lights and the first snowflakes start to fall… this will be a Christmas in Paris to remember.

A totally gorgeous, escapist romantic comedy, with an unforgettable mystery! A perfect festive read for fans of Emily Henry and Sarah Morgan to curl up with this winter.

My review

Anais never expected that divorcing her husband would be ending with her being the owner of a Paris hotel that has seen its best time. Her first thought is to sell the place as soon as possible, in order to forget her disastrous marriage and hoping that she can find quickly inspiration for her next book.
But selling a hotel that needs too much TLC isn’t easy, so together with her niece Manon, Anais comes up with he perfect plan: renovate the place, open it right before Christmas and sell it in the new year.
However, renovations are expensive and also loud, and her new neighbour bar – owner Noah for sure proves to be the annoying and grumpy kind of neighbour!
So it makes sense with her history of men, that every writing attempt ends up in murder (on paper!). Yet when a mysterious room is found in the hotel, with secrets being kept for over hundred years, suddenly Anais finds her joie de vivre again, and she also discovers that she has more in common with Noah than expected…

There are people in the world that believe in the good of people, and in the honesty of love. And there are people that take advantage of those people…
Unfortunately, Anais is a woman who is the first, and fell for the tricks of the latter.

And even without having started with the book, that fact already angered me so much! I don’t understand how someone can be so evil to use someone just for financial gain and then even later on, wanting to exploit once again only for their own benefit.

So of course it broke my heart to see how Anais is left with picking up the pieces of not only her broken heart, but also a life in scatters… And a hotel that she doesn’t really want.
While reading Anais’s story, the more angered I became.
Because we have a lovely woman, believing in love, writing romance books for heaven’s sake, to finally fall in love, believing it’s the Real Thing. And then it all falls apart in a terrible way…

In a way it looked like the hotel was reflecting Anais’s life: falling apart, and in need of love. But let me tell you this, I don’t know if I would be staying in the hotel in that state! I honestly think my mysophobia wouldn’t allow that, and also, an empty hotel, isn’t that horror story – material? 😊

Yet I was happy for Anais that she had Manon in her corner. Although… Manon for sure is a force of nature, and not someone you want to have as an enemy! 😊

As a reader, it was obviously hilarious to see how Anais and Noah are clashing over everything: from dirty windows, to too much noise made by the renovation team. And of course what direction their relationship will go, so I was eager to see that development.

And that development all starts with the mysterious, hidden room. Once again, and this is purely on me, the idea of discovering hidden rooms, gave me a little bit the creeps. But in fact, this discovery was a bittersweet one. Because the reason of why that room was used in the past, was a sad one, but also one that makes you believe in the goodness of love again.

We see also how the past is an inspiration for the present and future, as not only the intrigue brings Anais and Noah closer together, but also how it gives Anais the best ideas for her hotel.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as it shows that sometimes the worst thing that could happen, can turn out to be the best.
And the setting of Paris for sure makes this story even a more romantic one, and the surprise of some cameos in this book was a nice extra addition! 😊

When dreams don’t come true…

Synopsis

Paige thought she had it all: a job on a soap opera and a boyfriend who was trying to get discovered as a singer/songwriter. Then her part on the show is reduced to reoccurring status and her family pushes her to leave her acting dreams behind to major in journalism—what they call a “real job.” Her relationship with her wannabe pop star boyfriend ends only for her to find out he signed a recording contract right after their breakup. Then she reads online that his new album is about their relationship.

She gets an internship in the sports department at a TV station where she meets a college hockey player named Viktor who has trust issues from a past relationship. Now with Walker’s pop star dreams taking off, it leaves her questioning her acting career and self-worth.

Paige and Viktor begin to fall for each other, but Paige worries their worlds are too different for them to work as a couple. Plus, there’s the issue of her ex coming back into her life.

Now she must figure out what she really needs to be happy and fulfilled in life. Can Paige find both her purpose & true love?

My review

Paige is on the verge of having her big break, and see her dream finally come true. But when her part on the soap opera is being reduced, and her parents and family purse her to go for a  ‘real’ job and go for her major in journalism, that isn’t the only change in Paige’s life.
Because also her relationship with her boyfriend ends, and that just before he finally breaks through as a popstar and releases an album based on their relationship.
While working as an intern in the sports department at a TV station, she starts crossing paths with college hockey player Viktor.
But while Paige and Viktor start growing closer, their worlds couldn’t be more different from each other, and is Paige truly over her ex yet? And there is also Viktor’s ex that is somehow still a presence. But most important: Paige now has to figure out what truly makes her happy and make choices in her life…

Haven’t we all have been at a point in our lives where the realization of our dream (small or big one) was within reach, only to then see it slipping through your fingers?
And when you are several years already in adulthood, you aren’t that shaken up anymore by the missed opportunity.
But a young adult, like Paige, it can truly be devastating to see it all fall apart. And it for sure can be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back, making her doubt everything and everyone.

That is exactly what we see happening, as Paige suddenly finds herself at loss. She was so close to her big break, and losing it makes her see a lot of things in a negative way.
And while perhaps her decision to break up with her boyfriend was a rash one, I have to admit that the more I saw of him, even later on in the book, the more I just didn’t like him… And he didn’t start on a positive note either.

What I liked about Paige, was her positive attitude. Even if her big dream fell apart, she doesn’t show that during her internship. She is enterprising, ready for a challenge and eager. But she is also respectful and has standards. We see this especially when she is interviewing players. She doesn’t push them even deeper in the gutter but stays always very respectful and knows exactly what to ask and what not.

When she first meets Viktor, it doesn’t exactly start the fireworks, but it made this story only even sweeter. Because we see how both Paige and Viktor start to appreciate each other, but also listen to each other and understand each other. It was even sweeter to see how Viktor is there for Paige, from buying lovely gifts, or to be there when Paige needs actual help.

But Viktor too is having his own struggles. Not only isn’t he playing as much hockey as he would like, but he also is facing the end of his own relationship. Yet that doesn’t take away how considerate and just how sweet in fact he is.

I have to say, in several moments, we see the youth in the characters, as they act rather impulsive, and make wrong assumptions and wrong conclusions. But can you blame them, as they miss the life experience? 

In this book we see how young adults are trying to find their place in the world. They also try to understand what brings them happiness and they are also on a quest for love. Due their young age, it for sure is a path filled with trial and error. But that makes it more realistic and relatable, as we all have been through what Paige and also Viktor are going through, somehow. And that is exactly what made me enjoy reading this book!

Can new love be found with unfinished business?

Synopsis

Divorce lawyer Gill Dickson thinks she has seen it all, until she finds herself in the midst of her own acrimonious divorce and estranged from her daughter. Her one certainty is that the last thing she wants in her life is another man.

Pelican Crossing mayor Joe Harris has buried himself in his work after his wife’s death, finding solace with the companionship of his faithful dog, Coco. But when Joe needs Gill’s legal expertise for a family matter, he is unexpectedly drawn to her.

Can Joe break through Gill’s emotional barriers and earn her trust? And can these two lonely souls find the happiness they deserve in each other?

Set in the small Queensland coastal town of Pelican Crossing, this heartwarming romance will keep you captivated until the very end.

My review

As a divorce lawyer, Gill Dickson has seen a lot. But she never expected that her own divorce would be such a mess, as her hopefully – soon – to – be – ex – husband keeps on demanding more and more. Her pending divorce also caused an estrangement with her daughter.
So makes perfect sense that she isn’t looking for love at all.
And when bumping constantly into mayor Joe Harris, she initially doesn’t think much about it. Because just like Gill, Joe isn’t looking for love, and his main focus is his work after losing his wife.
Yet there is an inexplicable attraction that Joe starts to feel for Gill. And with Joe suddenly needing Gill’s legal expertise, more time is being spend together.
However, is Gill ready to let her guard down, especially as she still has so many worries and unfinished business in her own life? And will Joe and Gill find each other and find happiness again?

I always enjoy reading stories about another chance at love. And I find it so sweet to see that happening at an older age!
Just because the years have passed, and you have already been through a lot (the good and the bad), it doesn’t mean that love isn’t on the table for you anymore!

I don’t know who made my heart hurt the most. Was it Gill, who despite her successes as a lawyer, is fighting against her husband. It saddens me to read how people who once used to love each other, suddenly turn and want to hurt each other, take every possible dime available. Is it truly that hard to remain at least respectful towards each other?

Now, my heart didn’t really ache for Joe. And not because I didn’t sympathize with him, but his sister Erica’s story was the one that was a more devastating one…
Joe for sure is a bit lost ever losing his beloved wife, making him more focused on his job as mayor. Luckily he has a faithful and delightful companion in his labrador Coco.

Joe for sure has one of the kindest hearts, and perhaps also the most patient one…. Because being the mayor, even of a wonderful place like Pelican Crossing, can be a challenging task! Patience too, because he seems to sense what Gill needs. He knows when he can gently nudge her, or keep his distance.
Seeing how much he still loves his diseased wife is just so bittersweet. But also seeing him being ready to start again, was just sweet!

But Erica… while the focus and main story is absolutely Joe and Gill, Erica is perhaps the saddest character of the book. Getting away from an abusive husband isn’t easy, but it must be even more terrible if that also means that you cannot stay in touch with your son and daughter – in – law…
And being bullied for a long time also leaves its marks, and even when Erica got finally away, I knew that things wouldn’t be that straightforward.. And we see that clearly further along in the book, when Erica starts making decisions and choices that would bring her back to Square One.

Luckily she has Joe and Gill in her corner, both of them trying to make her understand that getting away is the only right decision. 

Gill for sure shows on several occasions that she is not only a good lawyer, but also a caring one. She isn’t the kind of lawyer that brushes of her clients, she makes time for them, gives them time and advice. And all that while her own life isn’t on the rails…
So of course I wanted her to get closer to Joe, give love a chance. But I could also understand her in a way. Because how can she think about moving on when there is so much still unfinished business? 

It may sound strange, but I admired Gill for not wanting to take that next step (you know which one I mean 🙂) as long as there is still so much to be taken care off. Shows once again the real character of Gill.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as it shows how at any age people can find love again. Of course it never goes straightforward, but isn’t love worth the challenge? Especially with two so lovely characters as Joe and Gill! And of course seeing the characters of the previous books of the series was delighful!
Maggie Christensen for sure wrote once again an amazing, strong, lovely and even inspiring story! 

When Christmas back home is a challenging one…

Synopsis

Falling in love can sometimes go off-piste…

There’s never a good time to bump into your ex – so Maya Bashir is shocked when she comes face to face with her old flame Sam Holland, who is wearing nothing but a tiny apron, working as a naked butler at her friend’s Christmas party.

Having driven home for the holidays after losing her boyfriend, flat and job – and dreading her father’s inevitable disappointment that she still doesn’t have a fifty-year plan – perhaps Sam is exactly the distraction Maya needs.

But as sparks begin to fly, Maya doesn’t know if she can let Sam back into her heart so easily… With Christmas day fast approaching, will Maya find love or disaster under the tree?

My review

Maya Bashir isn’t really looking forward to return home for the holidays. Not only is she back single, but she also is without a job. Being under constant scrutiny of her father, being compared to her sister and failing, Maya just want some peace in her life. When her best friend holds a festive party on Maya’s way home, it’s the perfect opportunity to recharge her batteries before Maya arrives home. But what Maya doesn’t expect is that the naked waiter is Sam Holland, who broke her heart years ago. Sam is doing an extra job for the money, and for sure is shocked to see Maya again. He hopes that what she has seen will stay between them… Especially as now she will be working with him as a ski instructor on the Scottish Highlands. While they in the past parted on bad terms, spending time together again, they have a chance to clear the air and learn that what happened in the past wasn’t what they thought that happened. But is now their time? Or is there still too much going own in their lives to have a second chance to what never has been?

The blurb of this book already had me already laughing, thinking about a naked waiter walking around serving you drinks 😊. With something like that, the whole story must be good, right?

I have to admit, that as the focus is being on Sam being Maya’s ex, I would have thought that the age of the main characters would be more like mine. So I was a bit surprised in learning that not only they both are younger, but that also their past relationship was more innocent than I expected. Now, I am not saying that it is a bad thing, but just that I needed to readjust my vision about the story. 😊

I also wasn’t prepared for the fact that this isn’t a happy – happy – joy – joy story. Because there are serious matters that the author talks about in this book, and that unfortunately it is something that happens in real life too, and too often.

First of all, we have Maya. I felt sorry for her, because she truly is at loss somehow. Okay, everyone has faced the end of a relationship losing a job. And that is for sure not a pleasant moment in your life. But for Maya, the fact that she has to return to her parents and reassess her life, isn’t a thought that fills her with joy.

It’s not that her parents don’t love her, because it’s crystal-clear that they do. But Maya is constantly being compared to her more successful sister, and has even been slightly forced to give up her own dreams and passion to do what her father wanted her to do.

A parent always wants the best for their child(ren), but I also believe that sometimes for a parent it’s possible to project their own dream to their child, not understanding that their dreams may not be same as their children’s. And that is something we clearly see in this book, because Maya’s father wants the best, but his best isn’t perse Maya’s best…

Maya is trying to find what brings her joy again, and I liked it to see how skiing and being a ski instructor is bringing that light back in her eyes, even if it goes against everything her father wants her to be… And even if that means working with Sam again.

Don’t we all remember that first heartbreak? And Maya’s first heartbreak involves Sam… Eight years ago Maya was over the moon to learn that Sam was feeling the same way about her as she did about him. Only to have her heart crushed when one of her best friends is being the messenger telling her that Sam has had a change of heart…

As a reader, I already had an idea what may have happened those years ago, especially when from Sam we hear a complete different story…

While I felt sad for Maya, my heart just broke getting to know Sam better. He is a genuine good guy, but the relationship he finds himself in, isn’t the good kind of relationship. With Sam we see how a good, smart guy can not understand what a relationship should be like, but also starts doubting himself…

In this book, we see how two people who had a shot at love in the past, are having a second chance. But in order to have that second chance, there are several severe hurdles to take. Not only to they have to find the courage to pursue their happiness, but they also have to find the courage to stand up and fight for themselves, before they can even think about a possibility of “them”.

And while that fact is heartbreaking, having to fight so hard for yourself and your happiness, even standing against people you love, this was also an utterly heartwarming story. About two somehow broken people, with kind and gentle hearts, finding that courage and finding each other. Finding that one person that listens, helps and understands you as no one did before. And that one person that makes you believe that happiness can be found. Sometimes, all we need is to find that one person, that can heal your heart, even if that person is someone that broke it in the past.  

To protect your identity and life, but also your heart

Synopsis

What happens when a moviestar and an heiress, both traveling incognito, have a one-night stand?

Johnny, aka Felix Jones, is Hollywood’s go-to action star. About to film his first romantic comedy, he’s looking to change his image and show he’s more than just a six pack with pithy one-liners. But off screen, he’s got a reputation for other things too, and not all of them are good.

Anne, aka Elizabeth Moore was, until a year ago, heiress to one of New York’s biggest business dynasties. Blindsided at the discovery that she is not, in fact, the daughter of the man who raised her, Liz has spent the past year on a journey of self-discovery. Her most recent discovery? Southern Texas is hot. The weather, the food and the men.

And temperatures do nothing but rise when ‘Anne’ sits next to ‘Johnny’ at the bar. Add in a trip to the ER, a hairless cat, and a NASA movie set, and things get even spicier.

Never mind that Felix has plenty of complications in his life, and the last thing Liz needs is more drama. In fact, when it comes to one-night stands, anyone but the superstar would be better…

My review

After a devastating revelation, Elizabeth Moore (Liz for family and friends), needs some time away from everything and everyone. Now she is on a journey of self – discovery, as she has learned that in fact she is not the heiress of New York’s business dynasties, and the mans he thought was her father isn’t in fact her father at all.
In Houston, Texas, Liz, pretending to be Anne, finds herself sitting next to ‘Johnny’ a man too hot to just ignore. But ‘Johnny’ isn’t who Liz thinks he is, because in fact, he is Felix Jones, a famous Hollywood actor, ready to film his first romantic comedy after being successful as an action hero.
Felix wants to show the world that he is more than just an action movie star, but his reputation is more known for what happens outside the studios. So it makes sense that he is wary of people crossing his path.
Yet the pull he has towards ‘Anne’ is undeniable, and with them both working on a NASA movie set and staying at the same place, where will it lead as both Liz and Felix are protecting their hearts at any cost…

Having read the previous books of this series, and being shocked by the revelations that the Moore’s siblings learn, well, I can tell you that this for sure was a book I was eager to read! I wanted, needed to know how Liz would handle the news.

Liz was the kind of character that gave me mixed feelings. On one hand, I felt truly sorry for her, as she has lost her own personal identity by learning the truth about her parentage. She is truly at loss, not knowing what to do, who she is and where she belongs.
But on the other hand, she is still a determined person. For the things she knows she wants, she goes for it.

It was also so very comprehendible that she wants to keep her identity hidden in Texas, because she doesn’t want to be confronted with the past and current reputation linked to her family. Of course it came in handy that her second name was Anne, as she can use that while working in Houston 😊.

Despite all her problems and doubts, I truly liked Liz. She never loses her fire and her innuendos are just too hilarious! In that aspect, I recognized some bits of myself in her.
And reading how she stands her ground against Felix and teases him, just wonderful!

Felix… in my mind he is just delicious! 😊 But he is not only a man with the amazing looks (beside his beard 😊).
Initially he acts very wary and with getting to know him better, and what is haunting him, I cannot blame him not only thinking once or even twice about who he lets in.

He worked hard to get where he is now, but as he wants to show the world that he has more in him than what people see, only proves that he doesn’t always want to take the easy road. And that for sure is something admirable!

Both Liz and Felix are people that deserve love in their lives. Unfortunately, they had some people in their lives giving them the complete opposite… And it saddened me to see how some rotten apples can ruin everything, even if both Liz and Felix have people, family in their lives tat love them unconditionally…

Now, obviously there are some circumstances that are forcing Felix and Liz to live together. And while there are obviously some misunderstandings, clashing, and fears concerning Sphinx Mike (no way I am writing his full name here 😊), seeing this pair growing closer, seeing them getting along together, seeing them struggling with the attraction, was amazing.

Their worlds are in a way very different, but also in a way very alike. They have been through different struggles, yet have the same fear and doubts.
And getting over them, putting their trust in each other isn’t a walk in the park exactly. Especially as it’s clear that the whole truth isn’t out there… Felix is still keeping things from Liz and the other way around too…

I truly loved reading this book, as I had many many laughs. There were also steamy moments (not all ending that greatly though 😊). But what I loved the most was reading how these two hurt people find someone. Yet they both have to learn and understand that putting your trust in someone, the right person, is worth the risk.
Both Felix and Liz go through a whole journey, with trial and error, with laughter and tears. And while their worlds couldn’t be more further away from my own, that message truly resonated with me, making me cheer for this pair that deserve to find genuine and unconditional love, from their family and friends included!

An not just a regular promo, but an amazing one, if you are on her mailing list!

Synopsis

Nora’s city life isn’t exactly working out how she planned. She’s stuck in her best friend’s tiny boxroom and hasn’t yet found that dream bookish job. But when she’s forced to return to her hometown of Little Harbour, Nora’s life takes an unexpected plot twist. Her estranged sister needs her help and the beloved family bookshop of her first love, Alex, is about to go out of business. 

Alex knows a trip home to his dad and The Book Nook is long overdue. If only his own life wasn’t such a complete and utter mess he’d have visited by now. But then he hears Nora Bell is back in town and it’s the push he needs to change everything.

When the two meet again it’s clear the spark of attraction still burns bright, but their unresolved past overshadows any possible future. Can they work together to save the bookshop and find their fairytale ever after, or will hidden secrets and surprising truths keep them apart?

Perfect for fans of second chance romances, dreamy bookshops and escapist seaside settings!

About the author

Katie Ginger writes romantic comedies as Annabel French for Avon, HarperCollins and historical fiction as Emma Royal for Century, Penguin Random House. When she’s not writing she spends her time reading, looking after her family and volunteering as Vice Chair or the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

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Is nine years enough to heal an impossible pain?

Synopsis

Emily is back in Ireland after nine long years away from home, when she sees him. Her ex-husband, Rob, holding hands with a five-year-old girl. A girl that should be hers.

Over a decade before, Emily and Rob were exhausted but ecstatic new parents, delighting in the arrival of their longed-for baby daughter, Alannah. But tragedy was just a few weeks away, and in their unfathomable grief, Emily and Rob’s marriage fell apart.

Emily moved to New Zealand to get away – but returning to Dublin nearly a decade later for her mother’s funeral, she finds herself face-to-face with her past. The man she loved has a new daughter, beautiful little Molly, and Emily’s heart breaks yet again for everything that could have – should have – been.

But Rob and Molly’s lives aren’t without their own misfortunes.

Could a second chance at family heal all their broken hearts?

Caroline Finnerty’s tender and poignant new novel is perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse, Emma Robinson and Alison Ragsdale.

My review

Nine years ago, Emily’s world fell completely apart. Just the moment that things were just perfect, tragedy struck, making Emily run away to New – Zealand, away from her husband Rob, her family and friends.Now Emily has returned to Dublin, for her mother’s funeral. And not only does she has to face her past, but also Rob. Rob, who now has a little daughter, Molly. A daughter that makes Emily’s pain only come back with a vengeance, as Rob now apparently has the future they thought would be having  together. However, being back home, Emily learns that Rob and Molly haven’t had an easy time at all. And the more their lives get entwined again, the more Emily’s heart gets attached to Molly, and even Rob? But with so many broken hearts on the line, what will the future look like?

There are stories that just get you, even if you haven’t experienced the same as the main characters. And this story for sure just had me!

Of course even if the book starts in the present, with Emily returning home to Dublin, as a reader you already sort of know what kind of tragedy struck to make her leave. But that didn’t take away I wanted to get to know Emily and her story.

It cannot be easy to come back home after nine years, with so many unfinished business and still a heart that is in pain.

It’s clear that while it may seem that it did Emily good to get away from the place that held so much heartbreak, in fact she still hasn’t completely gotten over it.

Through flashbacks, we get to learn more about Emily, not only as a person, but also what has brought her to run away.

And even if I knew about the tragedy that would be waiting for her, I truly liked Emily. She is a person with a vision, determination and imagination.

And her relationship with Rob is the kind of getting envious over. Because while they may have their differences, they are just perfect. They are each other’s yin to their yang…

I thought that I was mentally ready for tragedy to strike, but oh boy, I was so wrong… what Emily and Rob went through is something no one should ever go through. And there is no right way to grieve over such a pain… Whatever direction that grief takes you, it will never be the direction that other people will follow, as grief is something so personal. Everyone has to find their own way to grieve. Some will find solace in numbers, some will need the solitude. Some will need to be close, others need distance…

In Emily we see that while she initially thought that she needed the distance, we in fact see that only once back home, she is seeing that she has only been running away, and not facing what happened nine years ago.

I could understand her shock in seeing Rob and Molly, as it would appear that Rob has moved on and has forgotten their past.

But Molly is a force of nature, that even manages to shake Emily’s world. Despite what his little girl already has been through at her young age, it’s her innocence but mainly her strength and her outspokenness that makes her so lovable. So lovable that even Emily cannot resist her. The way she sees the world, at her young age, so innocent, yet so spot – on… everyone needs a Molly in their world!

Knowing what Emily has been through, and Rob and Molly, it was just so sweet to see how Emily and Rob are finding that comfort and solace they once had, again. Finally they are able to grieve together over what once was.

But also finding each other again, was so (bitter)sweet…

I didn’t expect to devour this book, because it’s a heartbreaking story to read. But I found myself turning page after page. It was almost physically painful to read this story, as it talks about a difficult subject. But it was so heartwarming at the same time to see how pain and loss will never leave you, but will have the right place in your heart and mind.

In this book we see that while getting away from everything may be the perfect solution, at the moment. But that perhaps the comfort of home is what is needed to be able to look ahead of a bright future again, yet never forgetting what it took to get there…