Tizi’s Book Review

Everyone dreams of living in a chateau, but is it really a dream?

Synopsis

Click: buy… a fifteen bedroom chateau

Condition: ‘may require improvement’

It seems like a good idea. Sell everything we own. Swap our modern little London flat for an entire chateau in the middle of France.

It’s always been our dream. And now it’s coming true. Because who wouldn’t want this?

As I use the rusty key to open the big, creaking wooden door of the fairytale chateau that’s officially our new home, I wonder: what could possibly go wrong?

Turns out my grasp of the language isn’t brilliant but I’d guess that the French for this is probably: L’EVERYTHING.

As the French sun blazes overhead, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a year to remember…

My review

Since things changed at work, Emma isn’t that happy anymore. It affects her private life too and old fears and issues seem to resurface. So when her husband Mark comes up with the idea of selling their London home and buy a chateau in France, is there truly something holding them back? Getting a change of scenery could perhaps also be the perfect distraction from starting a family, as their attempts has been unfruitful until now…
Their new home in France is a real fairytale chateau, but also one in dire need of some TLC. But life in France isn’t as easy as Emma imagined, as not only is she struggling with the language, but she also seems to feel hostility from the villagers. And then to make things even worse, an accident forces Emma to hold it all together by herself…
Was the plan of buying a French chateau truly a dream, or will it turn into a nightmare that will not only destroy dreams and hopes, but also a marriage? 

I am the kind of person who could be best compared to a little scaredy – cat. I like my routines, don’t like major changes and I stick to what I know.
So you can see that moving to another country to have a new start at life for sure wouldn’t be something that I would ever be doing, or it should be for a very good reason!
Yet that doesn’t take away that I like reading books about people that have the courage to do exactly that! 

From the start, I liked the couple made of Emma and Mark. Even if Mark is a bit older than Emma, it’s clear that they truly love each other.
Mark is also a perceptive man, seeing how unhappy Emma is and how it resurfaces old demons of her past once again.
He is also a positive person, he sees everything through rose – tinted glasses and won’t be affected by a setback.
But on the same time, that same positive attitude also makes him overconfident. In the way that he believes he can is able to do everything himself, as a super – hero somehow, but doesn’t realize he is just as human as you and I. 

However, the focus of the story is on Emma. It’s clear that Emma has been through a lot in her life, from an early start. And learning that background, made me understand her character, her persona so much better.
I understood her need to have someone to hold her hand, the need to have stability and how her fears affected her.
At the start of this book, Emma is yes indeed very capable at her job, but with things going downhill there, it would be easy to make a change. Yet her old fears are resurfacing, even not allowing her to do the obvious thing work – related. 

We see also that Emma’s fears are holding her back in other aspects, as once the move in France is made, she finds it hard to adapt to her new life. She is rather negative. Not that she regrets the choice of moving, but she sees negativity everywhere, even where there isn’t.
Her self – esteem is also very low, to such a length that she believes that her difficult past is the reason that the inability to have a complete family is her fault. 

It’s not a nice thing to say, but the accident is the best thing that probably could happen to Emma. Suddenly she finds herself on her own, and she has to take care of herself, and of the chateau. And I found it great to see her getting outside, getting to know people, even making attempts to speak the language and have slowly a change of mindset. I even had more delight at seeing Emma getting her hands dirty, literally!

At one point I was a bit afraid that the story would take a direction I didn’t like, with Mark being ‘out of the picture’ and Emma making new friends.
But that was not the purpose of this story. because it’s all about Emma and her making things work. We see her flourish, taking matters into her own hands.
Of course there are still some struggles for her, and it doesn’t help to be in a foreign country on your own.
But slowly she becomes more open, more confident and more positive. The Emma at the end of this story is the complete opposite of the Emma at the start of the story. And seeing that evolution was a real delight for the readers, as it shows that having someone by your side is great, but it’s by standing on your own  two feet that you learn the most. 

And the absolute culmination was the surprising end, not only surprising me, but also Emma and every other character. Without giving anything away, as I want you to be as positively flabbergasted as I was, it shows that sometimes things come at the most unexpected times and ways… 

This was a really delightful book to read, seeing how somehow learns to stand on her own two feet, taking the plunge and starts to stand positive in life after a difficult life before. With the right attitude in life, great things are awaiting for you and no mountain is insurmountable!

When a heartbreak makes you adventurous

Synopsis

A SWEET and FUNNY romantic comedy for readers of Sandy Barker and Mandy Baggot.

When your life goes off-piste how do you climb back up the mountain?

Holly Roberts is well-known among family and friends for despising the cold, so no one is more surprised than her when she agrees to pack her bags and move to the Swiss Alps. But after getting her heart broken, spending the winter season working as a sous-chef for wealthy twins Genevieve and gorgeous Luca, is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Verbier is home to millionaires and Holly has never felt more out of place in the snow-capped wooden chalet. Thankfully new friends, chalet girl Liv and chef Xavier are there to be her guide in this new world of après-ski and fondue, and to teach her how to get off chair lifts! And then there is Luca… rich, handsome, kind but what is the catch?

She just wanted to escape her problems but could she get her HE after all?

My review

What was supposed to be a wonderful day, turned into a nightmare for Holly Roberts. Because at her wedding day, her husband – to – be realized that in fact, he didn’t want to marry Holly at all. And one of the excuses was that Holly wasn’t adventurous.
With a broken heart, Holly decides to accept a winter seasonal job in the Swiss Alps. Her decision, while understandable, shocks everyone, as Holly isn’t known for loving the cold. But working as a sous – chef for wealthy twins Genevieve and Luca is exactly what she needs.
And while feeling like a fish out of water, her new friends/ colleagues Liv and Xavier are ready to immerse Holly in the wonders of Verbier, filled with snow, après – ski and so much more.
This will turn out to be the adventure of a lifetime for Holly, where she learns that even in the coldest place, warmth can be found.

There is one reason I did not like this story. And that reason is one that Holly, our main character for sure can understand.
I absolutely hate the cold, only like the snow when I can sit warm and cosy on the inside, and for no reason on earth, it doesn’t matter how much money you would give, I will never ever go skiing, snowboarding or whatsoever!
But that was the only thing I didn’t like about the story!

I can only imagine how terrible Holly must have felt, finding out that your fiancé decides on the day itself that perhaps getting married isn’t what he truly wants.
And I think I would act in exactly the same way as Holly, I would hide away from everyone and everything!

Accepting the job as a sous – chef in Verbier is totally out of Holly’s comfort zone. Not the being a sous-chef bit, because we have seen clearly how good she is with that. But going to Switzerland, for sure was a leap in the dark for her.

It was sweet and great to see how she was being welcomed in the chalet by her colleagues – that – would – turn – into – great – friends. They truly take Holly under their wings, in more than just one aspect. Liv and Xavier couldn’t be more different from each other or from Holly, yet somehow  that mismatch works perfectly! Because it’s these new friendships that we see Holly stepping more and more out of her comfort zone, even doing things she would never imagine doing!

We see Holly doing adventurous things, or at least adventurous for her, but we also see her growing more confident in the story.
Obviously her confidence and trust doesn’t come without trails and fails. As a reader I already felt that her trust in one character perhaps was unfounded. But I could also understand why she thought in that direction, as Holly is a person that isn’t of the mistrusting kind.

This was a warm story, despite set in a cold! It shows us the resilience of people, and how one tragic even can be the catalyst of a great new adventure and the start of a new direction in life.
That one devastating moment in your life can make you perhaps take an unexpected decision, but perhaps that is exactly how your life was supposed to go, as it will give you an opportunity to grow, to mature, to meet new people who will truly of importance to you.
That one moment that went awry, can give you a second chance at a brand new start for a new, greater, more adventurous you! And even the cold won’t be able to hold you back! 😊

A holiday with a mystery…

Synopsis

Autumn is here and the Little Duck Pond Café crew are looking forward to spending a relaxing week in the country. That’s the theory, anyway. Because when they arrive, they quickly become immersed in village life after a power cut, only to find themselves spooked at every turn by mysterious goings-on, all of which seem to be connected to the creepy old house next-door. Is someone playing scary Hallowe’en tricks on them? Or is there something rather more sinister afoot…?

My review

As Hallowe’en is approaching, Ellie and the other Little Duck Pond Café crew go on a relaxing holiday in the village of Silverbells. For Ellie it’s also a kind of escape from her worries at home, especially those worries concerning her lovely neighbour Milo…
But also for her friend Maddy the holiday comes at the perfect moment, as she is sure that she is now a single lady once again…
But the holiday will take an unexpected turn, as mysterious things appear to be happening in the house next – door. Is it truly haunted, as the rumour goes? Or can the friends figure out what is truly going on?  

First of all, once again a delight to visit my dear friends once again! It was great to see how they were doing! 

This next chapter may be perhaps not what I expected from the series, as this is a real cosy mystery, but the essence of it still remains pure Little Duck Pond Café! 

But… no matter how lovely it was to see my friends again, this story gave me also literal goosebumps! Just like Ellie and the other women, every mysterious event, I was trying to rationalize it. I was trying to find an acceptable explanation, just so to find a reason to not give in to the fear that in fact, around Hallowe’en, the appearances in the haunted house manifest even more and even more forcefully and perhaps even more evil… 

Yet even if the spooky, inexplicable bits gave me goosebumps, I also got the goosebumps in a positive way. Because no matter how you turn around it, these ladies are truly best friends, looking after each other, worrying about each other, comforting each other.
They all have such a love for each other, wanting the best for each and every one of them. But they also know that sometimes someone just needs some space, and they give each other also that. 

I found it somehow even an inspiring spooky story, as Ellie, ‘thanks’ to everything happening in Silverbells, realizes that life is too short to be afraid. And that perhaps she just needs to put her big- girl – shoes on and take that next step, no matter how scared she is… 

There are a few twists I didn’t see coming, as the revelation of the culprit of the spooky events was truly an unexpected one. But I admired how the author added that something special to it, making even *that* a real Rosie Green – thing! There were also a few twists that I secretly was hoping for, and they for sure put a smile on my face! 😊 

This was once again an amazing reading session that ended once again way too soon! And once again I am truly looking forward to the next chapter, that I am certain of that will be another masterpiece, just like this one. And I will forgive Rosie Green for that final, but most powerful fearful goosebump she gave me!

Are you as intrigued as I am? Check out this cover!

Synopsis

‘We’re not famous anymore. We’re notorious.’

For over a decade, the Lancasters were celebrity royalty, with millions tuning in every week to watch their reality show, Living with the Lancasters.

But then an old video emerges of one of their legendary parties. Suddenly, they’re in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons: witnesses swore they’d seen missing teenager Bradley Wilcox leaving the Lancaster family home on the night of the party, but the video tells a different story

Now true crime investigator and YouTuber Tom Isaac is on the case. He’s determined to find out what really happened to Bradley – he just needs to read between the Lancasters’ lies . . .

Because when the cameras are always rolling, it won’t be long until someone cracks.
_

For fans of Murder in the Family and The Club, Clickbait is told through mixed media, from video transcripts to diary entries, capturing a unique and addictive commentary on ruthless ambition and the dark side of fame.

Pre-order Link – https://linktr.ee/clickbaitbook

Publication Date: 11th April 2024

About the author

L.C. North studied psychology at university before pursuing a career in Public Relations. Her first book club thriller – The Ugly Truth – combines her love of psychology and her fascination with the celebrities in the public eye. Her second novel, Clickbait, delves into the world of reality TV and the dichotomy between real and fake. When she’s not writing, she co-hosts the crime thriller podcast, In Suspense. L.C. North lives on the Suffolk borders with her family and also writes psychological suspense novels under the name of Lauren North. Readers can follow her on Twitter and Instagram as @Lauren_C_North, and Facebook as @LaurenNorthAuthor

The cover!

Check out this marvellous cover!

Synopsis

Two weddings, three hotel reservations gone awry…and one weekend in Cornwall they’ll never forget!

When the similarities between Ella Swift and Callum Smith’s last names lead to a hotel room mix-up, they find themselves sharing a cramped cottage in Porthkara rather than the private luxury hotel suites they expected.

Each in town for a different wedding – and carrying more baggage than just the suitcases in their hands – the reluctant roommates are forced to share a shelter from the storm surge that sweeps in off the Atlantic. But as the rain crashes down there’s a shift in more than just the atmosphere, and by the time the sun rises on a new day, Ella and Callum’s futures have already been forever changed…

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Room-Mix-Up-enemies-lovers-ebook/dp/B0C5BYMX97/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hotel-Room-Mix-Up-enemies-lovers-ebook/dp/B0C5BYMX97/

Publication Date – 15th December

About the author

I live in Cambridgeshire with my family which includes a large dog and a cute cat. I love the changing seasons. I like pyjama days and cosy log fires in winter. In summer, my top things are strawberries and walking on beautiful beaches in North Wales. I started writing my first romance on a vintage typewriter. Writing got put on hold while I studied for a degree in Drama and French. I’ve been an office temp and a bilingual PA in London. Now I’m a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and thrilled to write fun, flirty romance for One More Chapter. My website is www.kathyjay.com

The cover!

To mend broken hearts, in the past and in the present

Synopsis

Marina and Hugh were once madly in love. But after the loss of their beautiful little daughter, grief has created a distance between them that feels impossible to bridge. Marina knows leaving Italy is the only way they will be able to move on, but Thorncliffe Hall, Hugh’s family home in England, is so grey and unwelcoming.

Just when life feels like it may never regain colour, Marina and Hugh come across a striking china coffee pot in a London shop window, adorned with a fox flying through the night sky. The coffee pot comes attached with a mystery, one that is connected with Hugh’s own family many years ago.

By digging into the past, Marina is about to discover a story far beyond her wildest dreams. But will the past help her heal the present?

A heart-wrenching, utterly unforgettable story for fans of Lucinda Riley, Dinah Jeffries and Amanda Prowse.

My review

After losing their daughter, Marina and Hugh are struggling with their grief. It even went that far that it has caused a distance between them, while they used to be so much and deeply in love…
As an attempt to move on, they decide to make the move from Italy to Hugh’s family home in England, Thorncliffe Hall.
Yet Marina struggles with adapting in England, as she misses the warmth and sun from Italy. But little does she know that stumbling upon a china coffee pot in a London shop will ignite something inside her. Because that coffee pot, adorned with a fox flying through the night, comes with a mystery attached to Hugh’s house. And Marina is determined to discover the story behind it. And it will be a story Marina never imagined. And maybe the story it will make it possible for Marina to overcome her own grief? 

At the start of this book, my heart went out to Marina. I am not a mother myself, and I cannot even try to imagine the heartbreak when a child dies. But I can comprehend how it broke something inside Marina and Hugh…
It was even painful in a way to see how it took away the light in Marina’s eyes, how it took away her joy of life. And it saddened me to see, even if understandable, it affected a wonderful relationship… 

I perhaps agreed with Hugh that a change of scenery would do the both of them good, but I also knew that any kind of change wouldn’t happen overnight.
And I knew beforehand that the move from warm and sunny Italy to grey England would be rather difficult for someone like Marina. 

While my heart went out to Marina, and her pain was palpable from each page, it also warmed my heart seeing that accidentally stumbling upon a coffee pot would be the incentive for Marina to feel just something once again.
Maybe I didn’t agree with her with keeping her progress concerning the history of the pot a secret, but I couldn’t be possible hold it against her, as it’s clear that it’s exactly that pot that is bringing her back to life again. 

For sure Marina’s story was a sad, heart – breaking one. But for some reason, it was Elody’s story that made me totally invested in this book.
Through Marina’s discoveries and her determination to find more about the coffee pot and its history, we get to know Elody, and her story that took place a century ago. 

Just like Marina, yet differently on the same time, Elody has suffered a great loss. A loss that has forced her to adapt to a new life, with people who weren’t all that welcoming her in the family.
But despite the pain and grief, we also see the strength and determination that Elody has.  

A determination and strength that made Elody fight for women to have equal rights as men, especially after the Great War.
But also, a strength to chase her own dreams, how impossible they may or may not seem. And a strength to follow her heart, even if she has been told to stay away.
What truly touched me, was how much she truly cared and deeply loved a child who hasn’t had the easiest of lives. 

We see Elody having to make impossible choices, making her lose anyway. If she would follow her heart, she would lose a right cause. If she would choose to pursue the right cause, it would mean to lose her heart… 

Marina’s life and Elody’s life are very different from each other’s, yet also the same in a way. They have both lived a great loss, but they have a kind and loving heart, especially towards the littlest creatures around them.
They both have to find the strength to overcome their pain, and to find a way to open their hearts for love (again). 

This story started with a devasting heart – break, but slowly it grew into something inspiring. Because we see that no matter what era we are living in, everyone has to suffer pain. But it’s with finding strength and perhaps a kindred spirit through time, and seeing that hope is always the last thing to die, that we can actually see that there will always be sunshine after the rain. Even if that rain has turned into a monsoon that never seems to stop, yet some day it will…

Sometimes, anything is possible

Synopsis

A sweet, Christmas ghost story with a dash of romance

Ellie Peach travels to Manhattan for a fan-making apprenticeship. While staying at a historic boarding house, she meets the charming James Denny. He claims to be a Broadway actor waiting for his lost love. When Ellie offers to help search for her, it leads to old secrets and adventure…

“This was such a fun, light-hearted Christmas read. Loveable characters with a fun storyline.” – Books With Sally

“New York Miracle is a beautifully written and engaging novella that will leave readers feeling warm and uplifted. Margo Laurie’s storytelling expertise shines through in this heartwarming tale, reminding us that Christmas miracles can happen, especially when love and hope are involved.” – NetGalley reviewer

“New York Miracle is a surprising story; the mystery of James and his lost love took me on a great adventure… James is the main driving force of the story. He kept saying the craziest things that had me glued to the book.” – Readers’ Favorite

My review

Ellie Peach has decided to go to Manhattan for a fan – making apprenticeship with her aunt. While staying at a historic boarding house, she is intrigued by the presence of James Denny. At first she doesn’t believe him, but slowly she realizes that he truly is who he claims to be… a ghost. A ghost who is still waiting for his lost love. Will Ellie be able to help James finding the woman who captured his heart so long ago?

This was a sweet, lovely novella to read. Of course as ghosts are involved, you have to keep up an open mind, otherwise you will not appreciate this story at all.
So even if I am not truly a believer of ghosts, I was ready to give this a shot, as I especially was intrigued how it would all end.

I have never been to New York myself, so together with Ellie I found myself discovering this city. Now, I am not aware of the rules and laws concerning apprenticeships and I am aware that money absolutely is a factor, but I personally think I would have chosen a different place to stay.
Yet I am also a different person than Ellie, and staying at the boarding house, with the strict rules made by the nuns, was what Ellie needed and what the story also needed. Otherwise we would have never met James!

James is… what can I say about him. A lovely but also a strange man J. He is not how I imagined a ghost would be like. Beside some side effects of being a ghost, it looked like he was rather normal and human. And that was what made it so easy to like him and feel for him learning about his past…

His past as a Broadway actor trying to make his break, for sure added a lot of glitter and glamour in the novella, but it was his finding his great love and losing it that made the story.

It was sweet to see how Ellie was determined to help out James, as it shows Ellie’s true character. She is the kind of person that wants to help, no matter how strange or impossible it may be. And Ellie and James on the quest together was magical in more than one way!

I am not going to give a lot away, as this is a novella you have to discover yourself. But I truly liked reading it, and even as a non – believer I was truly touched by how all the discoveries and how the ending was written.
It was a short story, and perhaps I still have a few questions left. But after reaching the ending, I found myself with a smile on my face, as perhaps there are still things that are inexplicable and perhaps impossible. But can we be truly sure of it being impossible? And that perhaps the magic of love can turn the impossible into something possible?

The heart always knows, even when the mind doesn’t

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 that intertwine with recurring characters. Best enjoyed when read in order.

Christmas Memories at Waterside Cottage: Charlie and Grace have been together for four years, but when Grace wakes up in hospital after an accident, she doesn’t remember her husband at all. With Christmas just around the corner, and it being their favourite time of year, Charlie pulls out all the festive stops, hoping his wife will remember their relationship or at least fall in love with him all over again, because there is no way he can lose her.

My review

Grace finds herself waking up in the hospital after an accident. At first she is shocked to see her sister snuggling with her boyfriend. But that isn’t the biggest shock for Grace, because she quickly learns that she has lost four years of memories, and those years include falling in love and marrying Charlie, the Hot Doc.
With Christmas approaching, and being the favourite time of the year for the both of them, Charlie is determined to make his wife to remember him or at least to make her fall in love with him all over again. Because losing the love of his life is just too impossible to imagine…

Wow, what a wonderful story this was! It warmed my heart in an inexplicable way, showing us the real powers of the heart and the strength of real love…

I can only try to imagine what Grace goes through when she wakes up. First of all, it’s a shock to wake up in a hospital. Second, she sees her younger sister acting all loved up with Grace’s boyfriend (or at least that’s what grace thinks Freddy still is). And I cannot think about the fact of losing everything that happened the last four years.

But even if it is a terrible thing that happened to Grace, and what was behind the accident, seeing Grace’s family all coming together, caring and worrying about her, it warmed my heart to see such a warm and close family.

I also found Grace a courageous woman. Because she gives Charlie a chance, even if she doesn’t know him. She puts her trust in her, without an indication or memory of herself that Charlie has deserved that trust.
It cannot be easy to put your trust on someone purely based on the words of someone else, or some pictures. But it was sweet to see that Grace somehow still remembers Charlie, even if it is only a gut feeling.

Charlie is also not having an easy time… yes, compared to Grace, he has it rather easy. But how would you feel when the person you love suddenly doesn’t remember you? It was so heart – breaking to read how Charlie is afraid of losing Grace forever…

Yet I liked it how determined Charlie also is, as if Grace remembering him is not an option, then he must make her fall in love with him once again. I think that I could fall in love with Charlie myself, seeing how much he loves Grace, and how aligned they even are!
Even if their romance was a whirlwind one, it’s crystal – clear that what they had was the real thing, and even a great loss couldn’t break them.
Grace and Charlie had the kind of love story to get envious over!

The author managed perfectly to grasp the strength of love. Because here are two people, living together, ready to fight for what they once had, even if one party cannot remember any of it. But love works in mysterious ways, and the heart feels what the brains cannot recall. And we see that Grace, despite her lack of memories, feels that Charlie is trustworthy, that he is a good guy.
No matter what someone else tries to tell her, no matter those moments of doubts, Grace’s heart knows who Charlie is.

Pepper Bay always brings me so much joy and happiness. Yet perhaps this latest stay at Waterside Cottage, with marvelous characters, love that sparks from the pages, and the magic of Christmas is my favourite book so far. Because this book has just everything I expected, even if it all started with a tragedy. And I am definitely repeating myself, but seeing how strong love can be, and how the heart remembers what we have forgotten, was just magnificent and truly heart – warming!

To fake a marriage in order to save a vineyard’s business

Synopsis

Cleo Arendse: You know how almost every movie set in Italy seems to be about a woman who travels to Tuscany and is swept off her feet by a charming, gorgeous but arrogant aristocrat? Well, that’s not this story.

Luca Fioravanti:
Challenge accepted.

British Banker Cleo Arendse is nothing like the women lawyer Luca Fioravanti is used to – both because she’s only in Tuscany to oversee his family vineyard’s business and because she’s impervious to the charm that has never failed him before now.

But Luca has never shied from a challenge, and when circumstances arise that allow him to step in as Cleo’s knight in shining armour, he leaps…right into a fake marriage! The romance may be a ruse but the passion burning between Luca and Cleo is very, very real, and as the ‘honeymoon’ glow envelops the pair, all bets are off…

My review

Cleo Arendse is a British banker that heads over to Tuscany as a favour, to oversee a vineyard’s business.
Through the grapevines she has heard that the owner’s son, Luca Fioravanti, is known for sweeping women of their feet. That makes Cleo even more adamant to not fall for his charms.
But the more the two spend together, the  more Cleo realizes there is more to Luca than just his looks. And after Luca coming to Cleo’s help, suddenly they have to pretend to be married. For the sake of Luca’s family and the business, they agree to continue with the fake marriage. But what happens when the passion is impossible to ignore?

Stories taking place in Italy always have my interest a little bit more than others. I am always curious to see how and if the author manages to captivate the real Italian way of living instead of trusting the clichés.

And after finishing this book, I can say that this has the perfect mix of clichés and authenticity. Because when Cleo arrives in Tuscany, she sees the typical Italian macho man, using as expected his good looks to get the woman he has set his eyes on.
And I found it great to see how Cleo indeed can appreciate Luca’s looks, but isn’t affected by it, as everyone else is.

I have to admit that initially I didn’t understand how Cleo and her job were linked to the vinery. I also found it strange how she was persuaded to make the trip. But does the latter truly matter in the bigger picture?

Cleo may seem at first a strict woman. She doesn’t mess around and is focused on the job. But the more the story evolves, the more we see that there is a reason she is so strict and perhaps even cold. She has been burnt by love in the past, more than once, and won’t allow anyone else to make a fool out of her, or break her heart.
And we see that in fact, Cleo is a very warm, kind and open person, a person that cares about her friends’ wellbeing. She is also the kind of person who can put the right priority and sees what truly matters to someone.

Seeing Cleo in Tuscany was both sweet and funny. Funny because I can clearly imagine the kind of welcome she received. Italians may be very warm and welcoming, but they are also very proud and protective. And when someone may be likely to take away something that we care about, that person will see a not so nice, warm and welcoming side of us! 🤣
It was sweet to see Cleo in Tuscany because she understand what the vinery means to Luca and his family, and that makes her determined to make things work, even if that means to prolong her stay there.

There is also a family feud in this story, and this shows once again the pride of the Italian family. The head of the family’s word is somehow law, and when not followed it can have far – reaching consequences lasting years…

Yet we have a main character that in a short time understand the dynamics of the Fioravanti family, and not only takes the business at heart, but also each member of the family. And I found it
heart – warming to see Cleo wanting to make all the wrong – doing right again, threading things with care, but also determination.

And we also see Cleo getting Luca. Because behind all the bravado that Luca shows us, there is in fact a man who is carrying a heavy burden filled with amongst others, many doubts…
But also that in fact Luca is a real gentleman, he doesn’t take advantage of a situation and he helps out when someone (Cleo included) needs it.

It’s his nature of helping out that brings this couple in the awkward situation of faking to be married. And their pretending for sure was hilarious! Italians are not ashamed of showing affection, and having to pretend and trying to fool Italians isn’t an easy task!
However, it’s also this faking that brings Cleo and Luca even closer, to a point where resisting is in vain.

I found this a funny and romantic book to read, because we see main characters going from enemies to lovers. Both characters don’t know how to handle all these emotions that they raise in each other. As there are several obstacles to overcome, not only the distance, but also the fear of getting hurt, or feeling something so pure, genuine and new.
But I also found it funny to read how Cleo was welcomed into the family when the word got out of the ‘marriage’. And there we see the real Italians emerge, warm, kind and sharing recipes and knowledge of how to make your own pasta! 😊

Love can be scary thing, especially when you have been hurt before, or have always been adamant for not falling for that ‘trick’. But when the right person comes on your path, you can try as much as you want to ignore that, love won’t be stopped.
And no matter how scary it may be, true love is worth the risk! And the author managed perfectly to put this into words on the pages!

A new job, a new chance, a rivalry lasting for ages

Synopsis

Two families at war and Alice finds herself caught in the middle. Can she re-write a story as old as time?

When cutbacks force Alice out of her assistant manager role at a Devonshire stately home, she turns her sights elsewhere: the picturesque hills above the historic city of Parma. An aristocratic Italian family are looking to open their medieval castle to the public, and Alice is just the woman for the job.

Four years ago, a life-changing accident pushed Alice into depression, but the beauty and charm of the Italian countryside works its magic in brightening her days. Especially when she keeps bumping into handsome Luca… But rivalries run deep in the town, and Alice’s work – not to mention her potential love life – are caught in the middle of a long-standing feud between two families.

With her job and future happiness in peril, can Alice save the future of the castle, and bring two warring families together?

My review

When cutbacks strikes at a Devonshire stately home, it’s Alice’s job as an assistant manager that is on the line.
With some help of her friends, she finds herself a new job, and this one will take her to the picturesque hills just above Parma. As Alice has already spent time in Italy previously, and knows the language, she is the right person to help with opening a medieval castle to the public.
Even if Italy may seem a dream location, Alice has learned the hard way that it’s a place that indeed gives a lot, but can also take a lot, as four years ago Alice was involved in a life – changing accident.
But Italy wouldn’t be Italy if it wouldn’t work its magic again, and show Alice its charm, and all the beauty it has. Even if an old feud between the aristocratic family who own the castle and the mayor may seem to complicate things. And to complicate things even further, Alice cannot stop bumping into Luca, which may add only even more fuel to that feud… 

T.A. Williams writes amazing book, no matter if he writes a cozy mystery or a romance. Whatever genre I am reading, I know I will be captivated whenever I have one of this author’s books in my hand. And this one wasn’t that unlucky one to be the exception! 

Those who have read my reviews, know that I am Italian (and Belgian too 😊) and that I am absolutely not biased at all (yeah suuuure… 😊).
But from the moment I read a book taking place in Italy and it’s a place I have been myself once or even more often, it always feel like reading about home. And with T.A. Williams managing the words, well, it makes me feel all warm on the inside. 

I have read several books, and I don’t know exactly why, but this book felt the most genuine one.
Because from the first instance, I absolutely liked Alice, even before I knew about her accident and how it changed her.
She has worked hard to get the role of assistant manager in the Devonshire estate, and she has proven her worth more than once.
Even getting the job in Parma was thanks to her work ethics and her visions, and not because she knew someone that knew someone. Even if she perhaps got the interview that way, the job was handled to her based on actual facts and her honesty. 

But not only her focus on the job was admirable, but also how she has been able to pick herself up after that accident. Although she has been through a lot, she isn’t there yet completely, and she has still so many insecurities, which are unfounded.
I liked to see how Alice wasn’t presented as a Miss Perfect, but with human flaws we all have. And while that accident has caused her permanent ‘damage’, and it limits Alice at moments, I didn’t feel that the author used it as a way to gain pity. On the contrary, we can see how determination can overcome those limitations. 

I loved reading Alice settling in Parma, and found it funny to read how she keeps on meeting the same stranger in several occasions. I found it sweet to see how, eve without sharing one word with him, it ignited something back to life in Alice, and how she started to see and believe that life truly does go on, and that even a terrible accident cannot stop some feelings. 

Yet we also see Alice’s loyalty towards her new friends, when she thinks she knows who that stranger is. And while initially I was a bit afraid that the story would take a turn I wouldn’t like, I was absolutely pleased to learn that Alice was wrong in her perception, even if her conclusions were understandable! 

The fact that there is a longstanding feud, that may cause problems in opening the castle to public may be an overreaction for non – Italians. But believe me, Italians can hold grudges for a very long time.
Yet it saddened me to see how it affected people I started to care about, and how unpredictable outbursts could be and turn out… 

A feud that also involves Luca, Alice’s love interest… and my heart broke reading how that feud, and Luca’s father erratic behaviour split a family and caused and still was causing a lot of pain…
Even if it was difficult to understand any of it, I was somehow glad to get an actual reason and that there was more to it than just a character being a terrible person… 

But I absolutely loved reading how Alice in Parma, with Luca and all her new friends, starts to believe in herself and in love again. We see her going from a perhaps fearful little animal, to a strong and confident person, ready to tackle any challenge on her path. And seeing that strength and confidence growing is the real power of this book. Because no matter how much life knocks us down, it also can raise you to the highest (Italian) hills. 

This author took me once again to a wonderful journey to a place that I truly love, with characters that are just as human as we are, but are also able to grow stronger on each page. T.A. Williams has the marvellous talent of telling beautiful stories with putting the right picture of the setting in your mind and with characters that you cannot not love…