Tizi’s Book Review

A ghostwriting job with an unexpected and even terrifying twist…

Synopsis

Every screenwriter knows the best stories come from the truth…

But the truth can be terrifying

Marnie thought she’d left behind her days of writing ‘celebrity’ tell-all memoirs, but when her big break as a screenwriter turns to dust she’s forced to take another ghost writing job.

Except this time it’s for someone who is actually famous. Or rather, infamous. Blythe Hopper. A reclusive former Hollywood star who recently murdered her screenwriter husband.

And Marnie has her own reasons for wanting to meet Blythe, not least because of an email she received from Blythe’s husband, sent two days after he was shot dead.

But Marnie soon learns Blythe is not a woman to be messed with.

Dark secrets lurk at the Hoppers’ palatial London home – secrets long buried, which Marnie is determined to unearth. At any price.

Because this isn’t just about Blythe’s past.

It’s about Marnie’s too.

My review

Marnie is disappointed that her big break as a screenwriter went up in thin air. And the last thing she wants, is act once again as a ghostwriter.
But this latest job is one she could impossible refuse, as this time it concerns the memoirs of Hollywood star Blythe Hopper, infamous now after murdering her screenwriter husband.
A husband that appears to have sent Marnie an email, two days after his murder…
But Marnie learns quickly during her stay at the Hopper’s home in London that there are more dark secrets ready to be uncovered. Secrets that may even involve her…

I don’t often read thrillers, as way too often I am faced with the ugliness of people, and learn how far some would go. So I rather prefer a good romance, or a cosy mystery, where there is always a lightness present.
Yet once in a while, I cannot resist temptation and I grab a thriller, ready to be making my own connections and making an attempt to discover the truth myself before the big reveal.

In a book, there are always characters, most of the times the main character, that you immediately like. But in Marnie’s case, for me, she was a character that I had to learn to like.
I could understand her disappointment when her big break doesn’t happen at all. Of course it’s a bitter pill to swallow, and I could comprehend that she didn’t want to go back to ghostwriting.
But I found it difficult to agree with her work ethos. Especially at the very start, instead of arriving early, she prefers to have a pit stop and have a drink, which results in more drinks and appearing not only late but also inebriated at the scene.

Yet once settled in, Marnie’s misstep was the last thing on my mind, as Blythe Hopper and her loyal business manager Ludo Villander for sure aren’t acting all that welcoming or even normal…
Everything about the place and its inhabitants gave me the chills, and I knew that what we saw was just the tip of the iceberg.

The more the story evolved, the more there were awkward moments. From an overenthusiastic Blythe, to a Ludo acting more and more suspiciously, even on the verge of illegal.
Yet I couldn’t manage to connect all the dots and my imagination went from one extreme to another.

I have to admit, when everything was revealed, it’s not that I was disappointed, but I had a ‘that’s just it?’ – feeling. I had thought it would all have been more elaborated, complicated but Blythe’s revelations and what drove her to murder her husband, were in disproportion compared to her actions.

But that doesn’t take away that I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, trying to make any sense of the story. I wanted to understand everything that was going on, I needed to know what drove the characters to act in the way they did.
And in the end, I found myself thinking that yes, in fact sometimes the world can be an ugly place, driving you to do things you otherwise wouldn’t. But in a way it’s also a place where Karma will always do its thing…

Check out this marvellous cover, don’t you want to grab the book?

Synopsis

Lost memories. Lost loves. Can they find their way back to each other?

When Will wakes up after a car accident, he’s lost three years of memory. All he wants is his girlfriend and childhood sweetheart, Gem, beside him. Instead, nothing is as he remembers.

Gem has finally moved on from hers and Will’s break-up. With a new life and boyfriend, the last thing she expects is a call to say Will needs her – the man who nearly destroyed her.

As Will recovers, he is determined to prove to Gem that he is the man he once was. But by unlocking the secrets of his past, will he be able to piece together what caused him to change so dramatically? And, faced with the choice, will Gem continue with the safe new life she has built for herself, or will she go back to the man she used to love?

Heartbreaking and twisty, perfect for fans of Dani Atkins, Jojo Moyes and Colleen Hoover.

Pre-order Link – https://geni.us/SomebodyIUsedToLoveRRR

Publication Date: 27th June 2024

About the author

Eve Ainsworth is a public speaker, creative workshop coordinator and award-winning author who draws from her extensive work with teenagers managing emotional and behavioural issues to write authentic, honest and real novels for young people and adults. Eve’s adult debut, Duckling, was published by Penguin Random House in 2022. She has had short stories published in magazines such as Writers’ Forum and Prima and articles posted online for The Guardian, Metro and BookTrust. Eve is also a champion for working class voices, has set up the Working Class WritersNetwork and is an experienced mentor.

The cover!

When something is not like you expected it to be, but it turns out to be what you needed…

Synopsis

When Brid Harcus is sent to the Orkney Islands, in the far reaches of Scotland, she has high hopes for her trip being short, straightforward and lucrative.

Her mother has inherited a cottage from her Great Aunt Jennet which has been unlived in and unloved for decades, and the time has come to make it habitable and saleable. Easy, right?

But Midness Cottage has other ideas. For one thing it’s rather more ‘fixer upper’ than Country Living, with a resident goose and her goslings who have made themselves at home. And Brid definitely hadn’t planned for the strongly-held local belief that the cottage is meant to be the home of the Orkney Witch, and whomever lives in it must fulfil this role. Not the best message for the estate agent brochure and of course Brid doesn’t believe in magic, let alone have healing powers.

But Orkney does have healing powers. Its beauty and peace are enchanting, its people welcoming, and Brid’s handsome new friend Magnus is rather charming too. When her life back in York starts calling her home, will Brid sell up and ship out? Or did the last Orkney Witch cast a spell and leave a legacy of love if only Brid believed in magic…

My review

Brid Harcus sets off to the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Her goal there is to make her mother’s inherited cottage livable again and sell it as soon as possible. Brid has good hopes that it will be all very quickly, until she actually arrives.
Because Midness Cottage isn’t just in need of a little bit TLC, but in fact it needs everything, just like a standard bathroom, even if the goose and its goslings are a “nice” addition to the place.
And selling might be more challenging than Brid expected, as there is the local belief that the cottage was and will always be the home of the Orkney Witch and no one will get near the place, unless they are in need of the witch’s healing powers.
But Brid doesn’t give up that easily and transform the cottage in an actual nice place, with the help of her new friend Magnus.
Yet when York calls Brid back home, Brid realizes that Midness Cottage and Orkney Islands, but also Magnus have grown on her. So what is ‘home’ for Brid, the place she always lived in, or the place that somehow bewitched her?

There is something about stories about moving to the complete opposite of what you are used to that truly piques my interest.
Yet in this book, the opposite of what Brid is used to, is putting it rather mildly. Because just like Brid, I was in complete shock to see the state of the cottage. And I think I wouldn’t have the courage that Brid had and you would see me running away, screaming, straight back home!

Not only I found Brid courageous by staying in the cottage, but also living with a goose and its goslings, not having a decent bathroom and learning al about the myths about the place she is staying in, for sure it wouldn’t be my cup of tea.
But I also liked her determination to make things work, she knew that she could pimp up the place.

I am not a real fan of stories concerning witchcraft, so when the locals visited Brid, I had several rolls of my eyes, just like Brid did. It always makes me wonder why people would believe that a potion, a cream or a spell could possibly work. But, if that makes them happy, who am I to condemn them?
Now, don’t go worrying if you are just like me, because the witchcraft isn’t a real big part of the book. It appears here and there, and Brid may be seeming to create some potions and creams, but she does it with the same approach as I did: if it doesn’t harm you…

At the start of the book, Brid is adamant to make this a short trip, as she wants to return back to her life in York. And while the cottage and perhaps even the whole place isn’t that appealing on first sight, slowly Brid starts to understand the charm of it.

And it was lovely to see the effect the cottage and the Orkney Islands have on Brid. She makes new friends, and grows even closer with Magnus. But we also see a perhaps stressed Brid becoming more relaxing, calm person. It seems that Brid needed Midness Cottage more than Midness Cottage needed her. And not only that, Brid needed also the community, just as how the community needed a new witch.

Of course Brid has to have a love interest… and it couldn’t be more perfect than Magnus! While at first he may seem rather standoffish, his real, kind, caring and even altruistic nature emerges. And we don’t see that only in the way he helps Brid, but also how he is there for others.

This book shows us how life can sometimes go in a way we didn’t expect. Because Brid for sure never envisioned herself staying at a cottage, brewing potions and creating creams, and being accused of being a witch. Yet in Orkney Islands and in Midness Cottage, she finds herself more at home than she would ever think.

Once again this marvelous author took us to an amazing journey, filled with great characters, geese that steal the show and a warmth that sparks from each page. And a belief that perhaps witchcraft may be real, but not in the way we all expect it to be!

When bad press is the last thing you need…

Synopsis

A failing hotel…

With its reputation in tatters, Alexi Ellis is determined to save her beloved Hopgood Hall from any more bad press. A writing course for wannabe journalists shouldn’t cause too many issues and will hopefully take the heat off Hopgood Hall….

A shocking death…

But disaster strikes, when one of the group is found dead in a local pub. What’s worse Alexi was the last person to see the victim alive, which makes her suspect number one.

A case too close to home?

Alexi is sure she is being set up but who would go to such deadly lengths? With her reputation and liberty on the line, this is a case Alexi, Jack and Cosmo can’t afford to leave unsolved!

Perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Frances Evesham and Emma Davies.

My review

While Alexi Ellis hoped to help her friends with running Hopgood Hall, the past has proven the total opposite, as since Alexi arrived there have been several murders.
So Alexi truly hopes that a calm writing course for wannabe journalists will run smoothly and will give Hopgood Hall finally a positive connotation.
But then another murder happens, and it’s a member of the group Alexi is hosting. To make things even worse, Alexi is the last person to have seen the victim alive…
With her being suspect number one, Alexi is adamant to discover who the real culprit is, together with her partner Jack and loyal feral cat Cosmo. Because it’s clear that she is being set up, but who would do that? And of course there is her reputation and credibility to save!

A new story in a series that I have read from the start? Of course I have to read it! So obviously I grabbed this book, willingly entering once again in the lives of Alexi, Jack and Cosmo.

I have to admit though, I could understand some side characters in the book, as they see Alexi as a bad omen somehow. Because let’s be honest, for a quiet and calm place, there have been weirdly many murders, and it all started since Alexi arrived.
And I really wanted her to have at least one successful event, so that everyone wary would see that in fact she is an asset and not the complete opposite.

Another thing I have to admit, is that I didn’t really have an sympathy for the victim. Of course he didn’t deserve what happened to him, but his behavior beforehand made me really like him. I found him annoying, pushy and opinionated.
But again, no matter how much I disliked him, I never wanted him dead.

In this book I truly felt sorry for Alexi and those around her. Because this time, she is the prime suspect.
Yet I also admired our beloved friends, as they know that there is not only a murderer out there, but also someone trying to set Alexi up. Alexi finds herself surrounded with people (and once again an amazing Cosmo! J) who stand by her side and are ready to find proof of her innocence.

Obviously this remains a cozy mystery, so there still are plenty of moments of lightness, sweetness and even laughter.
And I liked it how once again 2 mysteries, the big one concerning the murder and a lighter one, regarding a disappearance, somehow were linked.

Yet there were also a few characters that by the end of the book only had my disapproval. I can try to understand their reasoning, but the way they handled things were so wrong in many ways… It shows us just how far people would go to get what they want, some further than others and with not an inch of regret or remorse…

I truly enjoyed returning to Hopgood Hall, even if I knew that there would be lurking a murder around the corners once again.
But that fact didn’t diminish any of my joy to read this book, with characters that I love more and more, who show us what friendship means, what resilience means, what determination means and what righteousness and the importance of the truth means.
And I absolutely liked it how no matter how many dark clouds seem to appear, all the right kinds of love keep on prevailing above everything!

To pretend to be deeply in love with your sworn enemy, for your job…

Synopsis

Lara and Sonny are sworn enemies.

As rival showbiz journalists, they are always out to get one-up on each other – whether being the first to scoop the latest celebrity gossip, or sabotaging a potential lead.

So when their bosses ask them to join forces and go undercover at an exclusive celebrity retreat, they can’t think of anything worse – except that they are going to need to pretend to be in couples therapy to blend in…

Being on a tropical island for work would be most people’s idea of heaven, but for Lara and Sonny it’s hell. Can a week of sun, sea and uncovering showbiz secrets together chip away at Lara and Sonny’s rivalry? And once they get home and the fake relationship is over, could a real one be left in its place?

Join top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh for a laugh-out-loud, enemies to lovers, fake relationship romantic comedy.

My review

Lara and Sonny are both showbiz journalists, looking for the latest scoops, trying to outshine each other as much as possible. Even a little/innocent sabotage is allowed in their rivalry.
But when their bosses ask them to join forces, and pretend to be a couple in need of therapy at an exclusive celebrity retreat, they have no other choice than to act all loved – up.
While attempting to gain a few scoops on a tropical island, Lara and Sonny may or may not find out that between love and hate there is a thin line…

I was very eager to start reading this book, as Portia MacInstosh is one of those authors that is always able to put a smile on my face.
And while it for sure achieved that goal, for a few reasons, my smile wasn’t a big as usual.
Not that the story was bad, on the contrary. But after finishing it, I still had a few questions that remained unanswered and in a  few occasions, the given answers weren’t completely satisfying.

It’s clear from the start that Lara despises Sonny. Enemies is perhaps a too strong word to describe their relationship, it’s more rivalry that perhaps at moments even get out of hand.
The depth of that rivalry went deeper than I expected, even with learning that there is a past between them, a past that was the catalyst of all.

Of course as a reader it’s funny to discover how Lara and Sonny clash and keep on clashing. On the other hand it was also funny to read how they manage (or at least attempt) to pretend to be deeply in love.
Their feelings towards each other (being negative obviously) made it easier to pretend to be a couple that need help.
And the ‘therapy’ for sure aided them in coming clean about their real feelings, and to come to a better understanding.

I have to admit, the island and all the secrecy around it, sounded very mysterious and made me very wary. It even reminded me in a way of a TV show I saw not so very long ago, where strange things are happening. And this couples’ retreat for sure gave me the same vibes! J

I loved reading how Lara and Sonny were slowly realizing that they had the same ethos, and that made them understand each other better.
Especially Lara learns that what happened in the past is exactly that, in the past. And that her initial thoughts of Sonny aren’t in fact represent who Sonny truly is.

Another thing that I liked about this story, is how seeing that even the more wealthier and famous persons amongst us are facing the same issues we all have. Money and status doesn’t buy everything, and just like everyone else, even the rich people are looking for love, and have the same fears and doubts like us ‘plebs’.

I enjoyed reading this story, even if perhaps I would have liked it more seeing more playing around the mystery of the island, more depths to some characters and a more final and conclusive end.
But that didn’t take away the fun I had diving into the story. And for sure I liked it to see how holding a grudge can perhaps hold you back from something else, and make you not see who someone truly is and what those feelings you have truly mean, as you let yourself submerge into the negativity instead of the positivity.

To let Scrabble find the perfect man for you

Synopsis

Scrabble fan Jo always seems to pick the wrong guys. Now she’s moved to the Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, anddecided to give dating one last chance. This time, there’s a catch: she will only date men whose names would score highly in her beloved word game.

After Tarquin (16 points) proves just as disappointing as the rest, she meets low-scoring local doctor Ras (3 points). Her rules mean she can’t date him – but when he asks her to organise a Scrabble festival with him, she can’t say no.

As the event draws nearer and Jo and Ras grow closer, will Jo ignore her rule and let true love blossom over the triple letter scores?

My review

If there is one thing that Jo absolutely loves, it’s playing Scrabble. And after dating another wrong man, she decides to handle things differently this time.
After her move to Hebbleswick, she is determined to only date men whose names would score highly on the board.
Easier said than done of course, as Tarquin with his 16 points turns out in disappointment once again. And local doctor Ras, with his only 3 points, is out of the question according her own new rules. But when he needs her help organizing a Scrabble festival, how can she refuse?
With spending so much time together, could Jo realize that putting her trust in a board game to find the perfect man is perhaps bonkers? Or will the board game deliver, just not in a way Jo expected? 

I am going to admit something that may anger many people, but needs must… I never was a big fan of board games, and I have never actually played Scrabble.
But to my defence, I think I would come up with the shortest and even lamest words, giving me very few points. 

Yet that didn’t take away the fun this board game gave me in this book. Of course it’s never a good idea to do what Jo did, allowing a game to set the bar to date a man or not.
On one hand I could see how funny it would be, to find a man whose name would give many points, but to use that as a standard, I couldn’t truly comprehend.
And of course I knew, just like all the readers will know, it would not give Jo the outcome she expected. 

But the more I read about Jo, the more I not only understood her, but also her reasoning. In a way, Jo is a wallflower. She isn’t someone that enjoys the spotlight, and even at her work, she prefers to stay quiet even if there is some obvious bullying and other wrongdoings in her direction. 

Yet even if I was encouraging Jo to take a stand in several occasions, she was also someone I could relate with. I saw several of her characteristics in myself. And I knew how difficult it could be to get out of that shell you’re in. 

I liked it how slowly Jo was getting out of that shell. But it was also funny to see how in one specific occasion it was more an act of bravado than her actual want to do that specific thing (you’ll understand what episode I am talking about when you get there 😊). And I was somewhat even proud of Jo, as seeing her defeat her fear would give her an unexpected yet immense reward. 

Ras for sure was a wonderful character to get to know. While him being a doctor was scoring extra points for me, he also shows realness. He isn’t that kin of fearless character, but he is rather shy and unsure. And that made me like him even more, as he isn’t the perfect guy at all. Yet we also see him passionate about things he truly cares about, and he doesn’t just give up. When he goes in, he goes in all the way!
And while at first instance things seems to go in the wrong direction with Jo, a great friendship and understanding is growing between the both of them, brought together by their shared loved of Scrabble.  

But what I liked the most in this book, was the way how something that Jo loves, is actual able to bring people together! Not only does the game make her cross paths with Ras on several occasions, but with Ras needing her help to organize the festival, we see how a ‘simple’ board game can form perhaps even unlikely friendships, and can get people out of their (even lonely) houses.
New friends are being made over the board, new passions grow, even new romances bloom. 

In this book we see characters grow, take huge steps forward and becoming more confident. We see how a community can be build, letter tile by letter tile. It even made me wish to have a board game event nearby home where I could attend, even with my own short and low points words! 😊
I truly enjoyed reading this book, as it took something as random as a Scrabble game and turned it into a wonderful and even inspiring story, with the wonderful addition of seeing some other characters again that we have met previously!

When desperate, you take every opportunity to change the cards…

Synopsis

She drives a tractor. He arrives in a red Ferrari. What could possibly go wrong?

Flora Barton is desperate to save her family home Strawberry Hill Farm. She only needs one thing – a great business idea to keep the farm afloat!

So, when Nico Rossi arrives from Italy with a crazy plan to save the farm, Flora should be overjoyed. The trouble is the Rossi men are infamous playboys and sensible Flora doesn’t trust impetuous Nico at all.

Nico has been trying to escape the famous Rossi surname his whole life. Arriving in sleepy Cranfield after recently losing his beloved grandfather and family vineyard, he has no intention of staying on any longer than necessary. But he soon realises how desperate the situation is and throws caution to the wind to help turn the farm into a Glamping site.

Can Flora realise her dreams to keep the farm safe for the future and can Nico ever stop running from his past?

As they try to save Strawberry Hill Farm, secrets are revealed and just maybe they’ll discover why opposites attract…

My review

Flora Barton has done everything she could think of to save her family home, Strawberry Hill Farm. But that one spectacular idea hasn’t come up yet…
So when Nico Rossi arrives from Italy in her Ferrari with an idea to save the farm, Flora should be over the moon, as Nico could have the answer to all of her prayers. Weren’t it that Flora doesn’t trust Nico at all, and he has apparently inherited his father’s reputation.
But what Flora doesn’t know, is that Nico is in fact nothing like his own father, and that losing his beloved grandfather caused him to lose his home too.
And when Nico realizes how dire Flora’s situation is, instead of keeping his visit a short one, he is adamant on helping Flora with turning the farm into a Glamping site.
Will them working together on the project bring these two opposites together? And will Flora’s dream to save the farm really come true? 

I had several delights when I started reading this book. First of all, I was delighted to have in my hands a book. As a bookworm, I’m easily pleased! 😊
Second, I was delighted to have in my hands a book from this author! Having read several of her books, I knew I would be in for a treat!
Third, I was delighted to have in my hands a book from this author from the Railway Lane Series! Having read the previous books, and absolutely loved them, I was very happy and eager to read Flora’s story! 

I knew from the previous books that Flora wasn’t having it easy, as she had too many worries about the farm and that all her previous ideas and attempts to save her home were in vain.
My heart truly went out to her in this book, as we can see clearly how much she cares about the place. And it saddened me to see Flora think that she is the one who wasn’t able to keep the business running. 

Even if I am not a farmer myself, I can understand the pressure a farm brings. There is so much to take care of, yet you are also so dependable of nature. One summer too hot, one winter too cold, one autumn too rainy can have immense consequences to the land. And no matter what precautions you take, it’s just not in your hands completely… 

Yet despite her situation, it warmed my heart to see how Flora could count on her friends. Even if the help is rather limited, she knows that they are always there for her, no matter what her situation is.
And they are all ready to give a helping hand, like being a guinea pig to test the glamping site. 

Nico for sure made a spectacular entrance in the book. The cliché couldn’t be bigger, an Italian arriving in a Ferrari. And just like Flora, I had a prejudiced opinion of him. Yet the cliché couldn’t be any more wrong.
In fact, I quickly realised that Nico in fact is a gentle soul, but also a heartbroken one. And while the gentle side made me swoon, the heartbroken one truly angered me. Because wat he has been through, by the hands of his own father, is just terrible. So I could understand his little act of vengeance, and fully agreed with it! 

The way Nico’s father acted, made sure that Nico has become very wary of everything and everyone around him. In that matter, it was sweet to see Nico understanding that the people of Railway Lane are genuine and honest people. And the kind of people to accept every new ‘entry’, and as Nico learn himself, welcome him between their midst. Again a wonderful example what a great community Railway Lane is! 

On a sidenote, now that I have addressed Nico’s father… in this book he is a rather obnoxious, selfish, terrible person. Yet any Italian know that there is a real soccer with exactly the same name, and a big legend as Nico’s father would appear. Yet the real person couldn’t be more different than the fictitious one, and for me personally, it was a bit of a mindf*ck. 😊 

Of course Flora and Nico are meant to clash. And while the both of them are frustrated by each other, it was wonderful for the readers to read it!
And the slow realization that the first impressions were wrong, and seeing that together they for sure are a force to be reckoned with, was amazing.
United they are so much stronger, and united they can bring a great plan into fruition.  

I loved reading this story, of how people can grow out of their mistakes of the past and become more responsible, as Nico is a perfect example of it. He knows that in the past he has made mistakes, but he also has his head screwed on the right way. He has been hurt by those that should have his best interest at heart, but has made the wise decision to step away from that toxic relationship. 

We also see that no matter how catastrophic a situation may seem, there is always a way to solve things. Perhaps not in the way you envisaged, but different doesn’t mean wrong.
And with (old and new) friends, it is possible to truly believe in your dreams again, as nothing is ever truly lost. And perhaps your attempt to escape can turn out to be you finding the place that truly feels like home and feels that you belong. 

This was once again a wonderful story that fulfilled my expectations, as it is filled with so much warmth, love and hope, despite the desperate situation this book starts with!

To pick up life again after everything went wrong…

Synopsis

For forty years the fabulous Odette Devine has been a beloved matriarchal actress on Scotland’s longest-running TV show.
Today she is broken, betrayed, and desperate to find out if this is her payback for a lie she told forty years ago.

A year ago today, Tress Walker’s husband was killed in a car accident, on the same day she gave birth to their baby. Reeling from the discovery that he was with his mistress, Tress has to choose whether to protect her fragile heart or open it to love again.

Noah Clark was devastated to discover his wife and his best friend were having an affair. Now the love of his life is asking for another chance to make their marriage work. But can there ever be a way back, once the trust is broken?

Noah’s sister Keli Clark has recently been ghosted by the man she loves. When a shocking message from a complete strangerreveals the reason why, Keli will have to decide whether to forgive, forget, or to make sure he pays.

Twenty-four hours. Four shocking secrets. One tumultuous tale of love, loss and second chances.

My review

One year ago, Tress Walker went through hell. Not only was her husband killed in a car accident while she was in labour, but she also discovered that he had a mistress.
Luckily now, she can still count on Noah Clark, her husband’s best friend. He is the only one who can understand her, as his wife was the actual mistress.
Then there is Odette Devine, an actress known from a Scottish TV show. But her personal life isn’t all that glitter and glam with several failed marriages, betrayals and feeling more lost and alone than ever. Is her current life payback for the lies she told four decades ago?
And then we have Keri Clark, Noah’s sister. She thought to have found love, only to be ghosted by the man. But even if things seemingly ended with the man, Keri cannot just turn to the next page as there are more than just one issue… 

I was very eager to pick up this book from this amazing author. There are authors that you don’t even bother reading the blurbs, as you are just happy a new book is out.
When I realized that this book was an actual sequel of a book I absolutely loved reading, my happiness was even bigger than before! And I was hoping very much that in the end, I would get the ending I was hoping for. 

There are several main characters in this book, and they for sure deserve their own place in the spotlight. But if I would describe how each character affected me and how they made me feel, my review would end up being a book on its own, and let’s be honest, who would want that? 😊 

Of course I had a week spot for Tress and Noah, as I already knew them.
Even if things aren’t going exactly perfectly for Tress and Noah, I was happy for them, seeing how life was going for the both of them.
Obviously there were the initial struggles after discovering the devastating truth. But it warmed my heart to see that their friendship was perhaps even stronger than before.
They both show us that real friendship can stand any test. 

This pair, even we can call it like them, show us the resilience of people, but they also show us that finding the courage for moving on isn’t an easy thing to do. And even when we think we have, a ghost from the past can for sure bring us back to square one… 

And these kind of ghosts can even go back in decades, as we can see in Odette’s story. I felt sorry for her, even actual pitied her. For me, it was like she was making the one mistake after the other, of course unintentional. Or perhaps it truly was Karma coming back with a vengeance… 

And perhaps vengeance is what Keri is looking for. I have to be honest, at first instance I had a gut feeling about the man that Keri had fallen in love with. But then there were many indications that were making me believe I was wrong. But I should learn to always trust my gut, as I was proven right! 😊 

These seem very different stories with not a lot in common, or a common thread. But I liked it how in an obvious way (Noah and Keri for example) or in a not so obvious way, all these characters were linked somehow. 

But what I loved the most in this book, was the unconditional love in it. Noah and Tress didn’t allow their heartbreak to end their friendship. Noah also became a fixture little Buddy’s life, even if Buddy would always remind him of the betrayal that took place.
But we also see the unconditional love between friends, as Keri can trust her colleague/friend to always be on her side, no matter what happens. And then there is the love for our new friends, which can be a new love, but can also run very deep in an instant.
And even love for old friends, those we have lost track of. In this kind of love we see that time can be a good healer, and that one mistake may have changed several lives, but when is holding a grudge for decades ever the right option? Isn’t rekindling that friendship, and forgive more important than that? 

We also have love for family in this book, whether it’s for our family by blood, or our chosen family. Because Buddy, that little sweetheart (although I still have problems with that nickname…) can for sure always rely on his “aunties” to have his and his mother Tress’s back no matter what. Yet that also means that those two women will always interfere one way or another, with the help of Shania Twain or not! These women for sur put a smile on my face! 😊 

I absolutely devoured this book, page after page! Shari Low even exceeded my extreme high expectations, writing a compelling, heartwarming, lovely story about people picking up the pieces of their lives. finding courage to move on, start once again. It’s difficult to not to give away too much, as there are things I want to thank Shari and her talent for, like for example, in the end, I got the ending I was hoping for!