Tizi’s Book Review

When a loveless marriage is awaiting, and a trickster crosses your path

Synopsis

A chance meeting…or so she thought. Is confidence trickster Will Samson the hero he claims to be or someone else entirely…

Emily Darson assumed her future of propriety and privilege amid a loveless marriage was set in stone. At least, she did until confidence trickster Will Samson came into her life…

Then everything changed.

With each revelation about her fiancé and herself that Will uncovers, he also reveals a little more of who is he, what he has suffered, and the volatile vengeance that burns in his heart.

Can Emily really risk security for scandal? Loyalty for love? Only time will tell…

My review

Emily Darson is willing to do anything to make sure that her father’s business stays in safe hands, even if that means to have a loveless marriage with Nicholas Milne.
But even if she is ready to get married, she doesn’t want to change into a meek wife, and she will for sure keep fighting her battles. Even if that causes friction with her fiancé.
Then she crosses path with Will Samson, a man on a mission, searching vengeance for what harm Nicholas Milne caused Will’s mother. And if that means to use Emily…
But the more time Emily and Will spend together, the more Will reveals about Nicholas’s character and what Will has been through, making Emily rethink about her options. And the more of Emily Will sees, the more Will starts to rethink about his plans and using Emily for his schemes.

I am always curious to read in historical fiction how strong and even independent women will manage to break free from the terms of society. Because while society expects them to behave in a certain way, I can for sure understand that there are plenty of women that have a mind of their own and won’t just give up themselves in order to find a husband.

It’s clear from the first moment that Emily is just one of those women, staying true to herself. But in order to keep the family legacy safe, she has no other option than marrying Nicholas Milne, even if she has no loving feelings of any kind towards him.
Yet for love of her father, she is ready to do exactly that, because the cause matters to her.

Nevertheless, I found it great to see how Emily, despite Nicholas’s attempt, won’t change a bit. She keeps on speaking her mind, has an opinion of her own and just does as she wants.
That fierceness obviously causes some troubles with her fiancé, but she won’t give in!

I had a bad feeling about Nicholas, even before I knew his real character. There was just something about him that gave me the chills.
And when everything was revealed, he made me just sick… that such men existed and still do, that’s just terrible.

So obviously I was totally team Will from the moment he appeared, even if he was scheming against Nicholas and wanted to use Emily to succeed.
Yet I wasn’t fooled by that, because it’s clear that his revenge is purely because of the injustice and the terrible things his own mother had to endure.
I could understand his thirst for vengeance but I liked seeing how his plan changed once he meets Emily.

Emily and Will couldn’t be more different from each other, yet they connect, what they both didn’t expect. And with revealing his real intentions, he finds an unlikely ally in Emily, who once again shows the strength of women.

And that strength is shown also by many other women, ready to stand up against men using and mistreating them!
It was also great to see that despite society’s expectations, there are parents that want what’s best for their children, even if that goes against what society wants.

This was a lovely story, about an unlikely connection, joining forces, and understanding. But it also shows how ugly the world can be. But it also shows us hope that good will always find a way to prevail and that even love, how unconventional or scandalous may seem, is always the right course to follow!

When you love your best friend, is a good idea to pretend to be dating your other best friend?

Synopsis

Lori has been in love with her best friend Aiden since college. Now Aiden (handsome, fair, All-American dream doctor) is getting married, and Lori desperately needs a date to the wedding.

So she asks the best man, Jace (tall, dark, and brooding), to pretend their platonic friendship is something more not to have to face the worst day of her life alone.

Fake dating one best friend to forget the other should be easy… Plot twist—it’s not. When Jace starts acting like the sweetest, most attentive boyfriend, Lori begins to wonder if she’s been seeing him wrong all this time?

They’ve been an inseparable trio since freshman year, but now everything is changing — and that’s not even bringing Jace’s feelings into the mix.

Basically? It’s complicated.

My review

Ever since Lori met Aiden in college, she has been in love with him. Together with Jace, they have been inseparable for years. But her feelings were never reciprocated. And seeing Aiden getting married to someone else, it’s Lori’s worst nightmare coming true.
So she asks Jace, her other best friend and Aiden’s best man, to be her date, to help her through the worst day of her life. And that also means to be pretend – dating before the actual marriage.
But the last thing Lori expected, was that Jace would turn out to be the best boyfriend in the world. Could it be that she never saw Jace for who he truly was and what he was truly feeling?
And then Lori learns about a pact the boys made in college, which makes things even more complicated…

Dear Camilla,

May I kindly ask you to stop writing such great, funny, hilarious stories? With each book you publish, I find myself giving up real life, and let myself submerge in the book. Sleep? Who needs it… Food? Who needs it… Everything else has to make room so that I can keep reading page after page. And that is not healthy! 😀

Is there something I didn’t like about this book? Perhaps one thing… it was over too quickly! 😀 I was completely enthralled by it, curious to see how it would all evolve, and when the once made pact was revealed, how it would affect all the characters.

I truly liked Lori from the start. Even if she is a doctor (so really really smart!), she doesn’t act like one. Meaning that she still is a ‘girl next door’, not splashing money around and is just like you and me.
And I also felt sorry for her, as she has loved Aiden for years. I can only try to understand how her heart broke and keeps on breaking seeing him with someone else, and on the verge of marrying someone else…

So while perhaps it wasn’t the best idea ever to pretend to be dating common best friend Jace, I could understand her reasoning. Yes, it all started by just a misunderstanding, but as she didn’t do anything to correct Aiden, I had a few laughs over the whole awkward situation.

Now, I have to say, while Lori is totally in love with Aiden, it isn’t that her friendship with Jace isn’t a that good one. And it was sweet to see those little revelations, where we see that in fact Jace is an amazing friend, there for Lori whenever she needs a shoulder to cry or. And all that while keeping his own feelings well hidden…

Seeing Lori and Jace paired up was so so so sweet, even if it was just pretend. And seeing the real feelings emerge or just grow was amazing! I could see how this couple would work for real, as they are exactly what they need or are longing for.

And even both their friendship with Aiden was a real genuine one. These three friends would walk through fire for each other, and you can clearly see how all the lies that Lori and Jace are telling Aiden is not an easy task for them. They know that once the truth comes out, it can end everything they have been building on for years.

It was absolutely funny to see how the pair are trying to keep up with the pretense, even finding allies that are having the best of times with teasing and adding a bit of fuel on the fire!
But we also see how Lori realizes that the woman she sees as her worst enemy perhaps isn’t truly the enemy, and she starts to see Aiden’s fiancée for who she truly is and that being a likeable and warm woman.

Obviously, being a Camilla Isley book, I had so much fun, laughter, smiles, swoons while reading. And even if there are a few misunderstandings, miscommunications between the characters, all of the friends truly care about each other, and don’t want to hurt in any kind of way.

I just *devoured* this book, I couldn’t get enough of it, wanted and needed more of it. Camilla managed to write a story about friendship that lasts a lifetime, an unreciprocated love, faking it until you make it, but most important, realizing that love was perhaps closer by than you thought but didn’t manage to see. And all this wrapped up in a wonderful book that for sure will put one big smile on your face!

This is an author that never disappoints, and makes me look eagerly forward to her next book! Because you can be sure of it that I will read that one too and will love that one too! 😀

Sometimes, a change in your life is exactly what you need, no matter what that change exactly is…

Synopsis

When your old life ceases to exist, its time to build a new one…

It’s early summer on the French Riviera when Vivienne Wilson arrives for a one-woman writers’ retreat after learning that her philandering husband or 30 years, wants a divorce. There to collect the shell-shocked Vivienne is recently widowed Maxine Zonszain, who is struggling to come to terms with her empty life. To add insult to injury she receives another knockout punch with a letter from her very estranged first husband…. Florist extraordinaire, Olivia Murray, shares the Villa that Vivienne is renting. She’s content with life – but sad to add another failed relationship to her growing list and longs to meet ‘The One’. Life under the summer sun in Antibes becomes a challenging time for all three women as secrets are shared, problems halved as they forge unexpected friendships and embark on new adventures. Sometimes life’s surprises turn out to be unwanted but just sometimes the ‘new normal’ makes for a happier life than the one lost.

My review

Vivienne Wilson never thought that while taking off for her retreat on the French Riviera for her new book, her husband would tell her that their marriage was over, on the same tone if they would be discussing the weather.
To state that Vivienne is shell-shocked in for sure an understatement, and it for sure puts a damper on her mood arriving in Antibes.
Welcoming her in Antibes, is Maxine Zonszain, who is struggling with the loss of her husband. Maxine is ready to help Vivienne with all her questions, and the apartment Vivienne is renting.
An apartment that belongs to Olivia Murray, local florist and content with her life, yet there is still missing something. And even if she is still looking for that special person in her life, Olivia is tired of her mother’s constant interference.
No matter how different these women are from each other, under the Antibes’ sun, a friendship is formed and the three women learn that shared problems can be halved and that new adventures will await, no matter what phase of life you’re in.

I always thin k to know what to expect from a book written by Jennifer Bohnet, yet each time she manages to surprise me with another wonderful story. And this book for sure wasn’t an exception on this great rule!

The story starts with Vivienne ready to go on her retreat, to find inspiration for her next book. But instead of feeling ecstatic, her journey to the airport turns out to be a real nightmare. And all that ‘thanks’ to her ‘wonderful’ husband…
Is there anything worse than starting your retreat by discovering that not only your husband has decided to end your marriage but already has a ‘replacement’?
So it made perfect sense for Vivienne to arrive absolutely subdued in Antibes. And Vivienne herself knows that her behaviour isn’t what it should be. So it was nice to see her apologize to Maxine and Olivia.

I was also intrigued by her real quest. Because she didn’t come to Antibes only to find the inspiration for her book, but also a way more personal reason. And I wanted to know how her search would go and if she would find all the answers she was looking for.

It was lovely to see Vivienne getting to know Maxine and Olivia better. And it was great to get to know them also better!
My heart broke for several reasons while getting to know Maxine. Not only is she still hurting after losing the man she loves, but she is also carrying a secret from the past, a secret that suddenly stands at her door.

Maxine didn’t have it easy in the past, but I liked it how, despite everything, she managed to find happiness and love again. And how, once again – despite everything – she is a kind, caring and warm woman.

And then there is Olivia, living and enjoying her life, even if it comes with perhaps her own mother’s disapproval. I’m not saying that her mother is a bad person, but she for sure is the perfect example of ‘mother knows best’. 😊
Somehow, I felt connected with Olivia the most, maybe because she was also the closest to my own age. But I could understand how she wanted to make things on her own, following her own dreams and even making her own mistakes.

It was amazing to see how these three women, even if Vivienne just recently came into the other’s lives, managed to form such a close bond. Their friendship perhaps started a bit rocky, and their lives couldn’t be more different. Yet with having each other, and staying in magnificent Antibes, they manage to start a brand new adventure in their lives.

I loved reading this story, as first of all, it was a great setting. But most important, it shows us that no matter what kind of lemons the past or even the present throws us, with the right kind of friends and support, we may open our eyes and find the courage, determination and the will to start an unexpected yet amazing new adventure!

When you want to save a home that isn’t yours…

Synopsis

His house. Her rules. But who’s in charge?

Pippa Munro had everything planned for her perfect wedding. What she did not have planned, was for her boyfriend to break up with her. Or sell her beloved farm. So instead of being blissfully engaged, Pippa finds herself jobless, homeless and loveless. Things couldn’t be going better…

Wolfie Squires needs someone to look after his family’s ancient house. He’s too busy with his hot shot city job to deal with a country manor several hundred miles away.

The perfect solution? Find someone to house sit.
The less-than-perfect candidate? Pippa Munro.

Pippa is more comfortable working on a farm than dusting a chandelier, and definitely not the ideal choice for the job.

As tempers fray, ideas clash, and secrets are spilled, Pippa and Wolfie might realise they have the same ambitions for the house, if only they could stop arguing long enough to find out…

My review

While Pippa Munro was expecting a proposal, the last thing she thought was that in fact she would end up jobless, homeless and single. All thanks to her (ex) boyfriend Alex that sold her home and the farm, without even consulting her.
Her search for a new job bring her to the Squires family mansion, where Wolfie Squires needs someone to look after the place while he is working in the city.
But Pippa is shocked seeing the state of the once splendorous mansion, and learns about all the tasks that need to be done. Only to leave her flabbergasted when she hears that Wolfie is trying to sell the place, while it has been of importance to just everyone.
So while Pippa tries to save the place and return it to its original splendour, she finds herself clashing with Wolfie over everything. But slowly they both realize that perhaps they do share the same visions…

I am an absolute lover of the trope enemies – to – lovers. So obviously I just *had* to read this book.

I was aware that Pippa at the start of the book would be in a relationship, yet it left me shocked the kind of relationship it actually was. Because for sure it felt more like Pippa was working for Alex, not only as a farmer, but as a maid, as a taxi driver, just everything except being a real girlfriend.
And then I am not talking about the decisions Alex made without even talking about it to Pippa, whose future also depends on it.

But I liked Pippa’s ethos. Because even if she isn’t the actual owner of the land she is working on, she loves the work. She has a vision for it. But not only for the farm, also when she starts working for Wolfie, she sees the potential of the mansion. She sees the work but she also knows how all the efforts would pay off.
Her passion for whatever she does, sparks of the pages. Even if that means that clashing with the lord of the manor (figure of speech).

Because let it be clear, Wolfie is not an easy character…
When we meet him, he is rathe standoffish, even cold in a way. And while he knows the place needs to be looked after, he couldn’t care less. The quicker the mansion is sold, the better.
And the way he just appears and disappears, well no brownie – points for him!

But slowly, very slowly, we see a complete other side of Wolfie, a side that perhaps is even haunted by his upbringing. Because while it seems heaven to grow up in a mansion, for Wolfie it was anything but.
And there is also this soft side in Wolfie, a side that cares, that is worried, that doesn’t hesitate to go on a search in the rain and carry someone back home.

Pippa also starts to see this side of Wolfie, and starts to understand him better, and sees that despite the many differences between them, there are so many similarities.
Yet their relationship, from platonic to friends to … is a work in progress, as there are several occasions of miscommunications, misunderstandings and even not coming clean about some matters.

I have to admit, the name of ‘Wolfie’, irked me a tiny bit. Because in my mind, Wolfie was more a ‘Wolf’, giving more importance to his character than his actual name. And there were moments that he for sure showed us that he can carry around his weight (or Pippa’s 😊).

I liked reading how these two characters seemed to be fighting against each other, only to realize that when their forces are joined, they are practically invincible. And that what haunted them in the past, dark memories, can be replaced by creating new and happy memories. But most important of all, communication is key to everything.

When to choose between love and friendship…

Synopsis

It’s been over twenty years since Cass Marshall’s relationship fell apart, and she returned home to Bellbird Bay. Now, although happy with the success of her beachwear business, Cass often longs for someone special to share her life.

Nursing the wounds of a failed marriage, Mick Roberts has finally accepted his ex has moved on with her life. Determined to avoid his daughter’s attempts at matchmaking, he immerses himself in his whale-watching business.

When family sickness brings the two together, Cass wonders if her life is about to take a turn for the better. But with Mick’s ex-wife also being Cass’s best friend, a seed of doubt emerges.

This doubt intensifies when Cass’s recently widowed ex arrives in town, determined to use any means to drive a wedge between Cass and Mick as he fights for a second chance.

Can Bellbird Bay work its magic again and provide a happy ever after for Cass and Mick, or are they destined to spend the rest of their lives alone?

My review

Cass Marshall has always been very secretive about her relationship twenty years ago. The end of it drove her back home to Bellbird Bay, where now she is running successfully her own beachwear business.
Maybe saying that Cass is jealous of seeing everyone around her, including her best friend, seeing finding love again, but it stings a little bit.
Mick Roberts is still facing the fact of his failed marriage, even if he wishes his ex – wife all the best. But he for sure could go without his daughter’s matchmaking.
Cass and Mick have always known each other and were friends, but things start to shift between them. Yet with Mick’s ex – wife being Cass’s best friends, it’s not only a matter of following their feelings, but also keep loyalties.
But is it right to prioritize friendship over a chance at love? And what when there is a sudden reappearance in Cass’s life?

As usual it was a delight to return to Bellbird Bay. It is always so heartwarming to see ow people, no matter what age or background, are always able to find a(nother) chance at love. And the lovely setting for sure helps!

Perhaps this book was in a way more complicated than the previous books in this series. Because it’s already not that easy being in a new relationship, with growing feelings. But if you add in the equation that the love interest is the ex of your best friend, well, let’s make things even more complicated, why not!

From the start, Cass is facing different issues all at the same time. Not only is she looking after and taking care of her mother, but suddenly she finds herself with an unexpected lodger in the form of her sister’s son Justin. And then seeing everyone around her having romance in their lives, makes her wish for her own romance, but not the romance she lived twenty years ago.

It would be easy to judge Cass from the past. But I could also see how she was being played and even used by her ‘partner’, who was never even thinking about choosing Cass.
Yet I liked it how Cass has been able to put that past behind her, and create her own successful business.

And it was great to see how Cass just understood her nephew Justin, even if in fact they didn’t know each other that well before.
She also understands that perhaps it isn’t Justin who is the problem, but rather the parents, a.k.a. his father.

And obviously there is the blooming romance with Mick. we already knew that Mick made a mess of his marriage, and it seemed that he wouldn’t change.
But after a scare, I liked it to see how Mick understands his errors and that a change is needed.

It was lovely to see his interactions with his daughter, and how he would do anything to put a smile on her face, even if that means to allow her matchmaking schemes. All while he isn’t looking for love. But we all know that love doesn’t work that way, don’t we! 😊

So I truly liked to see the shifts in Cass’s and Mick’s relationship. While it starts with understanding each other with the care of parents, they rely more and more on each other, becoming friends and realizing that feelings run deeper than that.

I have to admit, while it was lovely to see the progress between Cass and Mick, I was a bit disappointed and even a bit angered towards Greta…
I couldn’t comprehend why she was so against Cass and Mick getting closer, especially as Greta herself had found her happy ever after with Leo…
It struck to me like she was jealous, instead of being happy to see her best friend falling in love.
So more towards the end I was glad that Greta changed her opinion, as I wouldn’t want to dislike her! 😊

Greta and her opinions didn’t make it easy for Cass to just go with the flow with Mick. it was truly a case of choosing is losing… Because if she listens to Greta, she would lose Mick and her chance at love. But if she chooses Mick, it would jeopardize the friendship with Greta.

Nevertheless, Bellbird Bay wouldn’t be Bellbird Bay if it wouldn’t work its magic also on this pair! And while I loved this journey throughout the whole series, it’s also with a sad heart that I finished the last chapter, as the whole series came to an end.
Maggie Christensen took us once again on a real trip, showing us that love perhaps doesn’t always go straightforward. And there may be a few or several bumps underway, but following your heart and persevere can bring you your own happy ever after.

When it’s time to start over again…

Synopsis

She’s writing her story one recipe at a time…

‘A delicious story that wraps itself around your heart’ Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop

It’s been three years, two weeks and one day since Kate Shaw’s life changed forever. Three years, two weeks and one day that Kate has been angry – with herself and life.

But today is different. Different because Kate has finally taken the step she’s been avoiding…back into the kitchen. Now, what begins as a (disastrous) attempt to make pancakes becomes a culinary journey that is not only a love letter to someone so important to her, but also an unexpected means of connection to a community she never knew she had…

My review

It has been three years since Kate Shaw’s life changed. From a happy wife, content with her life, she turned into the kind of person that counts the days from the moment everything changed. And the worst of it, since those three years, two weeks and one day, Kate has been angry with everything and everyone, herself.
But Kate has had enough of wallowing in sorrow and anger, and she is ready to turn over a new leaf, and it will all start with baking pancakes. Little does Kate know that her terrible and disastrous attempt at making pancakes will make her see that no matter how alone she felt, she has a whole community ready to help her, and even to be helped by her.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book once I started reading it. But sometimes it’s those kind of book that bring you the unexpected yet something so beautiful at the same time. And that is exactly what this book did…

While it’s not really outspoken, it’s clear what happened to Kate, and how she cannot cope with the sense of grief, loss and even guilt.
Even if years have passed, she cannot shake those feelings off, even if she knows how it affects her current life and her current behaviour.
Some people may think that three years is a long time to grieve, and that Kate should have been able to move on earlier. But who are we to judge or decide how long someone needs to be able to start over? Every person is different, and needs a different timeline. For some it may take a short time, while for others perhaps it’s never the right time. And everyone is making the right decision for themselves, and there is nothing wrong with that!

I have to admit, while I laughed at the disaster cookery with Kate, I think I also would go crazy with the visual proof of it all. Even with the easiest recipes Kate managed to turn her kitchen into a crime scene! 😊

Another thing I have to admit, initially I was a bit weary of how people almost invited themselves at Kate’s place. But quickly I saw how genuine they all were. It warmed my heart to see how they fund each other, and how they all helped each other, and how they needed each other to help.

Each person arriving in Kate’s kitchen or living room turn out to be an asset and manage to het Kate out of her shell. But Kate, with her kind and generous heart, is also able to help each and every one of them with their own problems.

This was a lovely read, a slow one. But being it a slow story at moments, show exactly that while life sometimes seems to go too fast, there are things that need to work out at their own pace.
And that even if guilt seems to drown us, it can be at the most unexpected moments that we can lose that feeling of guilt, understanding that guilt wasn’t something we should be feeling, because our loved ones, those still with us and those that aren’t, do understand us better than perhaps we may think, and accept us how we are.
And there are some recipes I for sure will test myself, but perhaps without turning it into a disaster like Kate did! 🤣

When an agony aunt from the past inspires you

Synopsis

Starting over can be hard to do…

So when mum of two Beth moves out of her beloved marital home and into an unloved and unkempt cottage, she can’t help but feel demoralised. Faced with months of DIY and dust, her children Jacob and Olivia aren’t impressed either. But when Beth finds a box of letters while she’s clearing out the children’s room, things start to look up.

The correspondence is decades old, between agony aunt Evelyn and those in need of solace. Intrigued as to why the letters have been kept safe all these years, Beth can’t resist reading them, and as the wisdom and kindness of Evelyn falls off the pages, so Beth starts to feel she has a friend and champion in this woman she has never met.

Good advice doesn’t age, and as life starts to look brighter, Beth begins to wonder if she could track down Evelyn and thank her for her help. But as Beth uncovers more about Evelyn’s story, it becomes clear that everything is not as it seems. And now Beth is determined to bring peace to Evelyn as she has to her.

A spell-binding, heart-warming story of friendship, love and being brave enough to be yourself.

My review

Now that her marriage ended, Beth has moved to a cottage that is in much need of some TLC. But starting over after being cheated on, and it’s a struggle to keep her two children happy, is not easy. And then we are not talking about all the DIY Beth has to do.
When Beth suddenly finds a box with letters from the previous owner, her interest is piqued. Of all the things, the last thing Beth expected was to find, was that the letters belonged to agony aunt Evelyn, providing words of wisdom to her readers.
Wisdom that Beth needs in her own life, but also works as an inspiration, as Evelyn gives Beth the idea to start as an agony aunt herself. While providing advice herself, Beth realizes that Evelyn’s advice is having an effect on her own life too. And while before everything looked dark, life starts to look better for Beth. But Beth also learns that Evelyn kept a secret, and Beth is ready to uncover it, hoping it that somehow she can help Evelyn just like the way Evelyn helped her.

There are often stories where marriages end, perhaps even badly, where the main character starts over and with maybe just a small bump, manages to find the perfect happy ending. So when I was reading this book, I was happy that Beth wasn’t that kind of person.

She is really struggling with her changed situation and is even bitter how things are going. And I couldn’t blame her, as for sure she is the one with the worst cards on the table.
*SHE* was the one that had to move out, *she* is the one adapting to a new, even lonely life, *she* is the one living in a house that needs a lot of work. And all while her ex – husband is apparently living the life with his new partner.
So yes, I absolutely comprehended her anger and bitterness, because it just wasn’t fair. And yes, I even understood her resentment towards her ex – husband!

Perhaps I am a bit too young (“only” 37 years old ☺️) or the aspect of an agony aunt isn’t that well known in Belgium, but I was intrigued by it.
In a way, I could understand why people would write to a complete stranger, asking for advice. And having the chance to do it anonymously, without someone knowing who wrote the question, is easier.

Just like Beth, I wanted to know the kind of advice Evelyn would give, to the wide arrange of questions. But what was a bit surprising yet at the same time it wasn’t, was how people in the past were struggling with the same kind of issues people are struggling now.
It was even a bit funny to read Evelyn’s advice, sometimes so wrong, but most of the time she was spot – on.
And with those snippets of advice, Beth finds also her answers and even inspiration. Reading Evelyn’s letters inspires Beth to become also an agony aunt, yet in the digitally world. But Evelyn somehow is able to persuade Beth to make some changes herself, being able for Beth to make new friends, and even move on from all the pain and anger she is still feeling.

It was sweet to see how Beth is finding her independence again, making new friends and perhaps even a love interest. And yes, some may find that love interest and what happens perhaps a bit hypocritical. But I saw it more as people finding each other at perhaps not the right time. Because that is also something that happens often in real life, due circumstances not being able to be together.

I found this once again a great book from an amazing author. She tells life how it really is, not sugarcoating everything. The main focus was indeed on Beth, but I was as enthralled with Evelyn’s story as I was with Beth’s. We see that nobody’s life is perfect, and that everyone has their own timeline to get over things. But that sometimes with the help of an agony aunt from the past, you can put your own past behind you, find your happy place again and even show forgiveness and acceptance towards the ones that angered you in first place.

When a change of scene is needed, and turns into something much more important

Synopsis

Martha is the youngest of three sisters and, in her mid-thirties, has the dubious honour of being the only one to call off a wedding at the last moment.

Now, feeling as if she’ll be single forever, and trying to keep her low opinion of her sister Iris’s fiancé to herself for risk of looking bitter, Martha needs a change of scene.

When she is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake.

But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home. How can Martha leave behind the warmth of the people, the freedomand the fun, not to mention Harry and Milo when it’s time for her to go home…

Let Helen McGinn magic you away to a world of sunshine and serenity, romance and relaxation. Perfect for fans of Erica James, Carol Kirkwood and Karen Swan.

My review

Martha isn’t really looking forward returning home for several reasons. First of all there is the fact that she doesn’t like her sister Iris’s fiancé. And mostly important, she feels as a failure compared to the rest of the family. Not only because she is the youngest, but mainly because she called off her own wedding at the last moment.
And when things go very awry, she decides she needs a change of scenery. That brings her to the Greek island of Paxos, where things don’t start smoothly, but Martha quickly understands that the island itself and its inhabitants are perhaps exactly what she needs and she sees a different kind of life compared to her life back home.
And Harry and his son Milo have also something to do with her feeling the freedom, the fun and the ease on this wonderful island. But what when the time has arrived to return home?

I haven’t ever been to Paxos, or anywhere in Greece, but it has always been on my bucket list. And the next best thing is perhaps reading a book taking place in Greece. But maybe not in the same circumstances that Martha finds herself on this wonderful island.

There are several moments, especially those first chapters, that I felt sorry for Martha, and I even pitied her.
It was clear that she feels like the black sheep of the family, the one that didn’t get married, the one that isn’t that successful and the one that is still single at her age. (why that is so bad, no idea, as I am even older and happily single 😊).
But while she was somehow wallowing herself in self-pity, I admired the courage she showed when making difficult decisions. Not getting married while everyone was encouraging her, was not easy, yet she decided to follow her heart. And that was the only right thing to do.

And when Toby, her sister’s fiancé, does something despicable, and tries to put the blame on her, it angered me how it would appear to be that everyone indeed blamed her. And I completely understood her need to escape that (temporarily) toxic environment.

Yet it also warmed me to see how her family, especially her sisters seem to understand her better that Martha thinks. And before Martha realizes it herself, the siblings know that Martha just needs to get away from everything and everyone, to put her own mind at ease. And so Martha finds herself on the island of Paxos.

Of course Paxos feels like paradise, even while just reading, even if Martha’s arrival is a bit a bit messed up. But we see that Martha is a kind and gentle person. And in a way, we can see that she is a teacher, the way she cares about the little boy that will turn out to be Milo.

Once settles in Paxos, we see a clear change in Martha. She starts to relax, learns to take things easy and is losing a lot of the stress she was carrying around. It also was sweet to see how the people on Paxos (or at least the bigger part of them) were ready to help Martha around, show her the island and just show her the way of life on Paxos.

The pair of Harry and Milo stole my heart, especially Milo. Things haven’t been easy for father and son, and still aren’t 100%. But you can see how much they love each other, and how much Harry would do for his son (as he should…).

Obviously Harry is Martha’s love interest. And while perhaps for me things went a little too bit physical between them, it was more than just that. Because even if Harry is still having his own issues, it just clicks with Martha. And he understands her better than anyone else.

There was one thing that annoyed me. It didn’t have to do anything with the story itself, but it concerns more the behaviour of people. And unfortunately, that is something very recognizable even now. Because whenever Martha is having some kind of doubts about Harry, it doesn’t have to do anything with Harry’s behaviour itself, but rather with the gossiping of a few characters on the island.
But like I said, that is something still very true in real life…

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as we can see that sometimes getting away is perhaps what we need. It can show us new perspectives, new ways of life and put the right people on our paths. It was great to discover Paxos together with Martha, seeing her becoming the person that perhaps she has been hiding or escaping from. And also see her face her fears, overcoming them, because again, with the right person by your side, even the biggest fears can be overcome, and with the right person, a way can be found to be together, no matter what!