Tizi’s Book Review

When a romantic grand gesture turns into something complete different…

Synopsis

It was supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime…

But when Jen’s boyfriend David suddenly cancels their romantic Paris trip, needing to urgently travel to Athens for work, it’s best friend Bonnie who suggests they surprise him.

Having already booked the time off from her events company – Christmas Every Day – Jen decides an impromptu and romantic gesture might be just what their relationship needs?

Arriving in Greece and finding David is not there, Jen has a lot of questions. And when she gets her answers she has a choice – should she go home or should she stay a while?

With the help of Astro, the handsome yet Christmas-hating waiter from the local bar, she sets about a little Greek Christmas research. But what starts as a ‘business trip’ soon turns into something more…

My review

Jen is truly looking forward to the planned holiday to Paris with her boyfriend David. So obviously Jen is devastated to hear that David has to cancel as he is needed in Athens for his work.
And when her best friend Bonnie has the idea to travel to Athens to surprise him, how can Jen refuse the idea?
But when arriving in Athens, there is no David to be found anywhere. And then the truth comes out…as apparently David hasn’t been that honest…
Having already taken the time off from her Christmas – business, Jen and Bonnie decide to stay in Athens. A place that she wants to discover its traditions. And with the help Astro, Jen get to know Athens in a way that tourists never could. Meanwhile Jen is determined to show anti – Christmas Astro the beauty of the holiday that is always filled with much love. And perhaps that these two find something more too? 

I always enjoy reading books that somehow have Christmas involved. And I always enjoy reading books where a main character goes to another country for one reason or another and find love.
So as this book seemed the perfect mash – up, how could I not read it? 

Grand gestures are a weak spot of mine also, so I liked it how Jen wanted to surprise her boyfriend David by showing up in Athens.
Of course, we as a reader, will already know it will end in heartbreak for Jen, but yet I couldn’t dislike her for her optimism and her love for David (even if undeserved…). 

My heart went out to her, discovering how deceitful David has been, on so many different levels. I could even understand that Jen has had enough of men for the moment. 

But I also understood how she couldn’t give up on the opportunity of discovering Athens. And is there a better way to discover it than with a best friend like Bonnie?
These two friends are in a way very different from each other, but also so very alike at the same time. Bonnie understands the hurt Jen is feeling, but she wants Jen to rediscover joy again. Even if that involves some not so innocent drinks! 

I liked it how Jen was completely into Christmas. But what made it extra special, was learning the reasons for it. The holiday means so much for her, because of her past, and she wants everyone to feel the joy. 

And that couldn’t be more different than Astro’s feelings about the holiday. If someone would hate Christmas, there had to be a very good reason for it. And unfortunately, Astro has…
Anything concerning Christmas is a reminder of what happened when he was a child, and so even if I didn’t agree with his thoughts, I could understand where he was coming from. 

But that isn’t the only worry Astro has. I felt that he still was at loss, he wants to do what’s right for his family, but he also wants to have the chance to do what he wants, to follow his own dreams, without being a disappointment. 

And that made Jen and Astro meeting perhaps the best thing that could happen to then. They both have somehow the same fear of disappointing, yet together they try to make each other see that following your own dreams isn’t wrong, and that asking for help isn’t something to be ashamed for. 

But they also experience that deep feelings don’t always need years and years to grow. Sometimes when the right person comes on your path, even a short holiday in Athens is more than enough to restore your faith in love again. 

And that when it happens, the physical distance is just a small hurdle to jump over, as solutions can be found. 

This was a lovely story about broken people, yet finding the courage to restore their hopes and dreams. And it was also amazing to discover another side of Athens, showing real people, with all their hurt and doubts included. But it also shows us that for love, whether the romantic kind, the family kind or friendship kind, we would do anything for our loved ones…

When buying a house turns out to be not a dream but a nightmare…

Synopsis

An unwelcome guest?

Still in shock after the tragic death of husband Richie, Cassie Macreddin hopes that her new home, historic Hindon House, is the place where she can heal her pain and hide her secrets.

But Hindon House has secrets of its own…

Cassie soon realises that not everyone is pleased at her arrival and that someone is actively trying to make her leave Hindon House….but who? And why?

As events escalate, Cassie must fight to save her home…and maybe even her life.

Don’t miss the brand new thriller by Valerie Keogh! Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, Shalini Boland and K.L. Slater.

My review

After losing her husband in a tragic accident, Cassie Macreddin is to start again. With buying the historic Hindon House she hopes to have found the place to overcome her pain.
But Cassie soon discovers that all the issues with the house are not based on negligence. And that there is someone trying to chase her away from Hindon House.
When things start to get out of control, Cassie is suspicious of everyone who has been setting foot in her house.
Can Cassie discover the culprit before it’s too late? Or will she be chased away with all her own secrets too? 

I have to admit, this story didn’t go exactly as I thought it would. In fact, it was somehow the complete opposite.
And while that wasn’t a bad thing per se, it made me wary of everything that was happening in the book, because I didn’t know where it was going… 

Losing your husband is a terrible thing, and I can only try to imagine how painful that may be. Yet from the start I felt that there was something we didn’t know about Cassie and Richie’s relationship and how it all ended so tragically. 

Yet I was glad to see how Cassie found the courage to pack everything and take a fresh start somewhere new.
Now, I am always in awe of majestic houses, but imaging Hindon House, its greatness but also seeing it many many flaws, I know that I wouldn’t feel safe in it, for many different reasons, imaginary and not. 

I could understand Cassie, how initially things may seem being done (or not) by herself. And in an old house, it’s normal that perhaps the electricity doesn’t always work as it should. And I absolutely would have acted the same way, if I were truly terrified as Cassie was. 

But despite her fear, I also admired her courage. She won’t let anyone chase her away and she is determined to discover who is after her, or rather after the house.
And I could absolutely comprehend that she grew suspicious of just everyone she met. From the real estate agent who wanted the house for himself, to the renovating team. Just every one could be behind terrorizing Cassie. 

This book was one of those rare books that I didn’t have a clear idea who was behind it all. I had my suspicions, but I couldn’t figure out the motives or even how that person could have done it all on their own… 

And just maybe the extend of it all, the involvements were asking too much of my imagination, but we also know that in real life too things can take a strange turn and that, unfortunately, we shouldn’t be shocked by anything anymore… 

The ending and seeing it al wrapped up with Cassie perhaps left a bitter taste in my mouth. Not because it was a bad ending. But because what we discovered at Hindon House left that ugly taste in my mind. And I couldn’t blame Cassie for the choice she made in the end. 

The author for sure wrote a story that keeps you guessing but also that keeps on freaking you out. Because just like Cassie I felt the fear creeping upon me. And even when all the truths came out, and I thought that all the secrets were out in the open, Valerie Keogh wrote a last bit, giving me even more goosebumps…
And that is in fact when a thriller truly succeeds in its purpose, when the reader is left in shock and fear…

To fulfil your dreams, to find a family…

Synopsis

Family is everything…

In the years since her death, Gemma has been running her late mother’s café with devotion, and when an opportunity comes to buy out her next-door neighbour and expand, she jumps at the chance.

She knows she will do her mother proud – keep her legacy going strong – but deep down she knows there’s still something missing. With her mum in her mind more than ever, and the knowledge that she may never start a family of her own, she can’t stop thinking about what life has in store for her.

But sometimes family are those you choose, or those who choose you! And with a growing community of supporters cheering Gemma on – including some new faces at her blossoming bistro – and maybe one in particular, will she really spend the rest of her life alone?

My review

With the chance of expanding her late mother’s café, Gemma is over the moon being able to buy out her neighbour.
But expansion also means hard work. Luckily Gemma can count on her sister and the whole community to help a hand.
However, no matter how cheery Gemma may seem, when on her own it’s when she starts to ponder if she will always be on her own, and if she will never have someone by her side.
Gemma also knows that she cannot manage the café on her own. Luckily she is able to hire teenager Occy as a help. A bond is quickly formed and Gemma is feeling very protective towards the girl. And with her father Jude Adams, Gemma is starting to feel that perhaps love is on the cards for her. That is, until both their pasts resurface? 

Kim Nash is an author that I haven’t know that long, but with the books she has written and I have read, I have realized that perhaps it’s the most ‘simple’ stories that can truly touch your heart. 

Gemma is the kind of character that feels so real, so recognizable. But she is also a hurt character, in so many different ways.
Unfortunately she is one of those women who had to give up her own dreams of having a family. But to make things even worse for her, it also meant losing the man she thought she loved. And that in a terrible way. 

While Gemma on the outside is a bubbly characters, always ready to help out, we also see the darker moments in her. While attempting to keep her late mother’s dreams alive, she is doubting herself. Is it all good enough? Would her mother be proud of her?
We see those doubts, and even the hurt she feels, further on the story very clearly.  

Yet it’s clear that Gemma is one of those persons that feel very deeply. She would do anything for her sister. And when Occy starts to work at the café, Gemma feels so protective towards this teenager.
Gemma is the kind of person you can always rely on, for having a shoulder to cry on, for some advice or just having a friend to have a laugh with. 

I found it funny to see how at odds this great woman was with local fire and safety officer Jude Adams.
Yes, Jude doesn’t make a great first impression, but I knew deep down that it was a misunderstanding and that Jude would turn out to an amazing man. 

Jude is an amazing father to Occy, yet maybe at moments a bit overprotective. But learning about what he and Occy have been going through, and how Jude is just doing his best for his daughter, I could understand where he was coming from. 

It warmed my heart to see how Gemma and Jude slowly are growing closer together. It was sweet to see how Gemma and Jude are being friends, relying on each other as just that, trusting each other and confiding each other.
And it’s only later on that things are evolving even further. But this slow burning romance is exactly what they both need, they need a strong base to build upon.
Both main characters are going through so much growth, also with thanks of them having each other. And seeing that growth, even if it isn’t without trial and error, was wonderful (even if at one point heart – breaking) to read. 

We also see that Gemma is trying to understand what *her* dreams are. Because it’s admirable to see how she wants to continue her mother’s legacy. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t place for her own dreams too.
And we see her realizing that perhaps having a family doesn’t mean it has to come in the traditional ways, but that even if it comes as a ‘package – deal’, it can give you the love you were searching in a different yet perhaps even magnificent way.   

This story has characters that aren’t flawless. Gemma, Jude, even Occy and other characters have made and are still making mistakes. But that is also how it goes in real life. Because with every decision or choice, there the chance of making the wrong one. And that doesn’t make us perfect, but just human. 

I found this a marvellous book to read, as it’s filled with so much warmth, love and understanding.

One place, different times

Synopsis

AD 61

Brittania is in the hands of the Romans but when the conquering army betray the dead King Prasutagus by defiling his daughters, his Queen, Boudicca, is determined to regain her land.

Iceni slave Brea remembers little of the time before the Romans, and has grown used to their louche and indulgent customs. She diligently goes about her duties looking after the artless Aurelia, wife-to-be of the handsome war hero Marcellus, but her longing for freedom and her desire to find her lost father, are never far from her mind.

Present Day

When Hanna returns to Norfolk from years working abroad, the strange dreams of her adolescence return: indistinct figures in tunics, mighty soldiers in armour, gladiators, temples, an Iceni warrior woman leading her people. Gradually Hanna’s dreams begin to slip into the present as visions in the famous mists rolling across the fens, and as shocks of recognition when a new face moves to her childhood home.

As Hanna realises that she has a connection with a tragedy that occurred many years before, so Brea has to understand that her fate is bound up with her Roman master. And as the drumbeat of rebellion gets ever closer Brea must make the fatal choice between love and

loyalty while Hanna has to find a way to make peace with the past.

My review

After spending years abroad, Hanna returns to Norfolk. With her return, also the strange dreams she used to have during her adolescence reappears. Strange dreams that show her an Iceni warrior woman, soldiers in armours, gladiators and temples.
But then her dreams take a different turn, as Hanna suddenly starts to have visions of that same woman, in the mysterious mists of the fens.
Hanna is determined to figure out what her dreams and visions may mean. And she discovers that that Iceni warrior woman is in fact Brea, a young woman captured by the Romans, and turned into a slave. A slave whose duties were to look after war hero Marcellus’ wife – to – be Aurelia. But Brea never loses hope to be free once again, and to be reunited with her lost father. And she finds an ally in the most unexpected way, as Marcellus himself promises to help her to find and free her father.
But Brea comes to a point to make a choice between love and loyalty to her people.
And Hanna meanwhile has to face the connection she has with Brea, and has to decide where her life will be, and make peace with her past. 

I am the kind of person who doesn’t believe in visions, ghosts or other things that are inexplicable. But I am also the kind of person that, even if I don’t believe it, I keep an open mind, just in case… 

And what I liked about this book is that it’s all rather believable. In the sense that Hanna is a woman with both feet on the ground, she isn’t a spiritual kind of woman, into witchcraft or other things like that. 

Ever since her accident as an adolescence she has been having the strangest dreams. And as I am known for having the weirdest dreams myself (I could write about them!) , I could sympathize with her as I know how it feels to wake up from them and being disorientated. 

Somehow those dreams also gave Hanna a kind of wanderlust, as she has been traveling around the world. It felt to me that she was perhaps scared to return home, afraid to reignite the force of those dreams? 

I have to say, returning back to Norfolk and seeing Hanna reunited with her mother, warmed my heart. Because my first impressions of her mother were those of a mother pushing her child to be the best at everything. Yet Stephanie is in fact a lovely woman and an amazing mother. 

Once back home, Hanna has to think about what to do next with her life. And that was somehow also recognizable. Because haven’t we all been at that point once in our lives, taking a stop, thinking about our past, present and future? And sometimes going back home is exactly what we need to do, as home will give us the answers, unexpected possibilities and puts the right people on our paths. 

But home, in Hanna’s case also brings her back in a faraway past, in Brea’s life. 

And Brea for sure is a tragic character in a way… I can only try to imagine what it feels like to see how your home is being taken away, how it feels to be turned into a slave.
Perhaps ‘lucky’ isn’t the right word, but that is what I felt about Brea’s circumstances. Because even if being a slave, she is having a rather safe life. 

Her ‘master’ isn’t the abusive one, using his power to his own benefits, and as long as Brea and the other slaves follow the rules, they have nothing to fear. But still, even if she has it rather easy as a slave, isn’t freedom always better? 

Her story truly saddened me in so many different ways, but I also admired her as she somehow, despite her current life, she never lost hope. She truly believed that someday she would be free and reunited with her family again, and why not, even find love. 

I was happy for her when she even found it, even if it were in an impossible way. but just like Brea, I kept hoping that a way would be found for her to have all her dreams coming true somehow, someway… 

Seeing the connection between Hanna and Brea is one to see with an open mind. If you start pinpointing everything that you find unbelievable, this book isn’t for you.
As I kept my mind open about it, I truly enjoyed reading both characters’ story, about how even if centuries separated them, there is something that brought them together. 

And I liked it to see how even with such a huge timespan, in the end, we all want the same thing, to be free, to be surrounded by family and friends, and to find love. And while one might have to fight literally to gain it, one other has to dig deep (literally) to find it. But even if the how and the what may be different, the purpose is always the same…

On the discovery of how the business works, to discover each other

Synopsis

What happens in Glenbriar stays in Glenbriar

When sunny and efficient Felicity Swan lands her dream job as PA to the new CEO of the Glenbriar Whisky Co., the dream soon turns into a nightmare. Gavin Sinclair isn’t what she expects.
Gavin’s only qualification for the job is that he’s the owner’s son. He knows he’s out of his depth but he doesn’t need his PA criticising the changes he wants to make.
Questioning his business decisions isn’t the only way Felicity makes Gavin hot under the collar. He can’t get her out of his mind. But dating an employee is strictly off-limits, especially one ten years younger than him.
While touring the Glenbriar distilleries together, Gavin and Felicity discover each other’s company is more intoxicating than the whisky. But when the trip’s over, they have a tough decision to make if they’re to ensure their highland fling isn’t simply a brief tryst at the illicit still.

My review

Felicity Swan loves her job as PA to the CEO of the Glenbriar Whisky Co. even if the new CEO is Gavin Sinclair, the owner’s son.
Gavin isn’t popular at all, especially as it’s clear that in fact he doesn’t know much about being a CEO or the business in general.
And the last thing Gavin needs, is a PA who has her own opinions over his plans for the business. Yet somehow Gavin cannot put Felicity out of his mind…
So when they go together touring around Glenbriar distilleries together, Gavin must keep in mind that having a fling with an employee is off – limits, especially one that ins ten years younger than him.
But on that same tour, both Felicity and Gavin discover that their initial opinions were incorrect. And them spending time together make them see a whole different side, a side that is hard to ignore….

So, where to start? By stating how much I loved this complete series perhaps?
I loved exploring the first book, and with each new book into the series, the more my eagerness and love started to expand. Even at a point that perhaps this book is my favourite of the whole series perhaps? Or will the next one even be more awesome than this wonderful story?

From the very start I liked Felicity. She is just so bubbly and happy, you can practically see the unicorns and rainbows surrounding her!
I liked it how she is proving herself, even if she doesn’t have the right qualifications, she shows everyone that with the right mind-set and determination you can get anywhere in life.

Yet even if we don’t know the details of her life immediately, it’s clear that she also has a certain vulnerability over her. There are just a few glimpses of that initially, yet those moments made me want to get into the book for real, and give Felicity a hug!

But I also felt that Felicity isn’t the kind of person that needs someone’s pity! She has gone through a very rough patch, and sometimes there may be moments she is having difficulties, but she also makes it clear that she has overcome them and is in fact a strong woman.

And then there is Gavin. For several reasons my heart went out to him.
First of all, he has become CEO, but his world couldn’t be further away than that from the distilling world of whisky.
To make it even worse, his employees aren’t exactly welcoming, and see him more as a stiff plank than an approachable CEO as his own father was.

While at work things aren’t easy, his own parents aren’t also making his personal life an easy one. While his father is rather laid – back, his mother for sure is very opinionated, and want everything her way or no way.

Yet we see also so many soft sides of him, even if hidden, that made my heart melt…

Gavin is struggling with his position, and the last thing he needs is a bubbly, even inferring presence of his newest PA.
But it’s clear to us that what Gavin needs, is exactly that.

I found it amazing to see how apparently two complete opposites suddenly find each other, and understand each other on a level that nobody else does.
Yes, there is attraction between them, and yes, things get heated between them. But I loved it more to see how these two somehow broken characters truly care about each other. And they support each other and believe in each other, even when nobody else does.

With having someone believing in you, and caring about you in the right way, not diminishing your feelings or thoughts in any way, gives you more strength, self-confidence and courage to do some things you would never think about doing before.

And seeing that happening with such wonderful characters, was just marvellous!
Margaret Amatt for sure fulfilled my high expectations and now I am once again eagerly waiting for the next book!

Is it a prank too far, or what is there truly happening?

Synopsis

Single mum Ellie is shown a missing person post on Facebook.
It’s of her three-year-old son, Tyler…
But he’s right there, holding her hand.

Surely this is some kind of prank – she knows her friend Louise can go too far with her jokes sometimes. And Ellie is used to the other mums gossiping at the school gates…

But now the other parents are questioning whether Tyler is really her child.

Ellie does everything she can to prove the post is fake, but the longer it goes on she knows it is malicious. Who would do this to her? And why?

It could be her ex, Darren, but deep down she knows it must be linked to what happened all those years ago – the night she’s been doing her best to forget…

All she knows is that she has to keep her son safe – no matter what.

My review

Ellie is a single mum, trying to build up her life together with her three – year – old son Tyler. Things aren’t always that easy, but she is doing her best and tries to be involved as much as possible.
Of course she knows that the school gate is the perfect place for the other mums to gossip. She tries to stay out of it as much as possible, but then she is the subject of the gossips, as there is a suddenly a missing person post on Facebook. And the missing person is her son Tyler…
Now Ellie not only has to figure out what is happening, as the post is only the start, but she also has to convince everyone that everything they are hearing about her is false. Is this a prank from her friend Louise that has gone too far? Or is there someone after her? And why? And is it linked with what happened to her three years ago?

Sometimes you have stories where you think you know what will happen. And when the book follows your thoughts, it can still be a good book.
But then there are books like this one, where you think to know what to expect. Yet then it turns out to go totally differently, even if a few initial hunches are still proven to be right.

From the start I somehow pitied Ellie. Yes, she is doing her best, but I can only imagine the hardships on being a single mum. Also reading how her ex – boyfriend keeps on refusing to acknowledge Tyler as his son was heart – breaking and made me frown my brows.
How could Darren be so sure of that fact, while Ellie was adamant on him being the lovely boy’s father…

It’s clear that Ellie has made mistakes in the past. Yet after a mysterious yet terrifying event three years ago, she has wiped the slate clean and has turned out to be a loving mother to Tyler. She is still wary of everything and everyone, which in her case, even if we are not aware of the details, is perfectly understandable.

I was astonished a bit reading about the missing person report. It made me even doubt for a moment about Ellie’s sincerity, showing how easily doubts can arise.
And while it’s always innocent until proven actually guilty, how do you prove that you innocent?

Yet I also admired in a way Ellie. She is an amazing mother, despite her situation. She loves Tyler deeply and would do anything for him.
She is also a very determined person. She won’t allow her ex to keep on ignoring that he is Tyler’s father. But she is also determined to find out who is after her.
And slowly we see her also growing more courageous by trying to figure out what actually happened that night three years ago.

The more I was into the story, the more creeped out I was getting. Not only upon discovering the facts of that specific night, but also reading about people’s characters. While we always should go out from the good of people, here we see the total opposite, in so many different, hideous ways…

There are for sure moments in this story that I got goose bumps. But even with those moments, I found it encouraging that Ellie, despite her doubts, found people ready to fight in her corner, with an unconditional love for her.

This book was a terrifying one, showing all the fears that not only a mother, but a woman in general too, can go through.
But beside the fear, we also see a lot of resilience and strength in this book, showing us that facing our demons, real ones included, can be a scary thing but isn’t knowing the truth always the best? And that we can only grow stronger afterwards!

Faking to be still madly in love for just the festivities, can that truly work?

Synopsis

After years of being everyone’s favourite couple, always up for a party and having fun wherever they go, things have fizzled out.

But when they realise they have a whole calendar of events and celebrations with friends and family coming up, Cara and Millsy can’t face letting them down.

So they decide to make a pact: just convince everyone they’re as madly in love as ever and get through the festivities without causing suspicion, and then deal with the break up in the new year. How hard can it be…?

Swept up in the festive spirit, will Cara and Millsy fake it tilthey make it? Or will they realise they are meant to be after all…?

My review

Ever since Cara and Millsy got together, they were everyone’s favourite couple. But what nobody knows, is that after years of being together, Cara and Millsy have decided to end their relationship. With many shared festivities for the holidays on the calendar, they both have decided to pretend to be still together and only inform every one of their break – up later on.
However, how long can they pretend to be still madly in love? And how easy will it be, when Millsy’s accent coach is tagging along everywhere they go?

So first I have to talk about the thing I didn’t like, so that I can focus completely on everything that I *did* like.
I didn’t know that this was an actual sequel, so it felt a bit that I missed out on a great story. I would have loved to know how Cara and Millsy got together, as it’s clear that it took them a while to get where they were before their break – up.

But on the other hand, perhaps it was better that I didn’t read the first book? Because I think I would be heart – broken to see how a lovely couple would be breaking up?

Yet that didn’t take away my positive feelings I had while reading this book.

Of course a relationship isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, and even the best of relationships can reach its end.
It’s sad, but that’s life…

While I didn’t agree with Cara and Millsy’s decision to pretend to be still together for the holidays, to spare everyone’s feelings, I could understand it somehow.
Being the perfect couple comes with extreme high expectations and admitting defeat isn’t easy. And it’s only more difficult when so many plans have been made beforehand, especially during the holidays.

It’s always nice to see how an ex – couple still care about each other, and have end things amicable, instead of pushing each other’s limits at each possible occasion.
And it’s obvious that Cara still cares deeply about Millsy. Just because things didn’t work out, for one reason or another, it doesn’t mean that the love has gone.

And I found it truly sweet to see how, even if they are pretending, Cara and Millsy are still so in sync with each other. From sharing plates, to understanding each other with just one look.
Even if I haven’t read about how they got together, I could clearly envision how they worked as a couple.

It saddened me though, to see how Millsy was trying to push Cara to move on, as if he wanted to do the same as soon as possible.
And the presence Tally for sure wasn’t helping! There wasn’t one moment that I liked her character at all.
I understood how Millsy needed her to get his accent right, but was it truly necessary to be present at every activity, to wriggle her into just everything, appropriate or not.

Even if you could see the theme as a sad one, because it’s about a couple that have broken up, it was still a funny story to read!
Not only are the dates that Cara is going to, hilariously terrible, but also the weird situations Cara and Millsy find themselves into for sure put a smile on my face!

But it was also a heart – warming story, because no matter how hard they try to hide it, the love is still so obvious. And then of course a certain ‘incident’ involving Santa, well actions speak louder for words, that’s for sure!

I found this a wonderful story to read, about a couple wanting to protect in a way their loved ones. But we also see how they pretend to be okay with the decision they took, but in fact they are not. Sometimes breaking up is the right thing to do, but let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just not. And while it may have been a difficult decision to break up, perhaps sometimes we need to find the courage to admit that the initial decision was a wrong one.

Portia MacIntosh found the perfect balance with her latest book, as she wrote a lovely, heart – warming, heart – breaking story about the consequences of an (unwanted) break – up. But even if the premise is a sad one, it is also filled with joy, fun and laughter, as hope is always the last thing to die!

When a fresh start is what you need, but you get catapulted back into your past

Synopsis

How do you get over the loss of your husband? And not only your husband but your home too and all the trappings of your old existence?

Gennie moves back to Cornwall in search of a fresh start. Working for Marion’s children’s charity seems perfect. Tucked away in the countryside, close to an artists’ community, it’s a place for Gennie and her daughter, Alice, to rebuild their lives in peace and quiet – until ex-soldier Jack comes along with the same idea in mind, a face from the past, forcing Gennie to confront things she would rather forget and igniting fears of another turbulent relationship.

Involving herself with Jack and his problems is the last thing she needs, not now she’s made new friends and opportunities are opening up again, but can either find happiness and a new direction without the other?

My review

After losing her husband, Gennie decides that it’s time for a fresh start. Together with her daughter Alice the move back to Cornwall is made. As the two of them are living in the countryside, Gennie working for Marion’s children’s charity and living close to an artists’ community, it for sure is the perfect place to live in peace and quiet.
But Gennie’s peace and quiet is disturbed by the return of ex – soldier Jack, who is looking after exactly the same thing.
As Gennie and Jack have a history, it’s forcing Gennie to confront her past and her fears. But will her fears and Jack’s issues be too strong to find happiness once again and perhaps together?

Before I start talking about the book itself, I somehow feel that I should warn you in a way. Because while the title may be ‘Finding Jack’, I feel it doesn’t do the book any justice. And that is because this isn’t the search for Jack, but more the search for yourself, facing your demons, your fears. And only after finding your peace and quiet, in the place you live but also in your heart, you can open up for someone else in your heart.

I always find it inspiring if someone decides to start afresh. And in Gennie’s case it’s even more admirable. Because after losing her husband in a terrible way, both the before, the during and the after were gut – wrenching. Yet Gennie finds the courage to take her daughter to Cornwall and start all over again. And not just anywhere, but she will also start working for a children’s charity.

Gennie shows an hesitant resilience. Yes, she wants to start all over again, but she is still searching for the exact details of how she wants to achieve that happiness with her daughter. And slowly, sometimes even against her own wishes, she starts to find those (little) things in life that bring her joy.

Yet in order to find joy, Gennie also has to face those things that took her joy away somehow. And with the return of Jack, it for sure brings Gennie back down into the rabbit hole. In the sense that Jack is anywhere but in his happy place yet. While Gennie is taking steps forward, Jack isn’t there yet by far.

And because of the history Gennie and jack have, due one holiday meeting together, and Jack being Marion’s son, their paths keep on crossing.
The differences between the both characters, them having a  different state of mind, are so (even painfully) obvious.

I could also understand Gennie, as she doesn’t want to open that dangerous can once again, as it cost her already so much effort to overcome it once.
It was easy to comprehend why Gennie wanted to keep her distance from Jack. But on the other hand, in order for Jack to beat his own demons, he needs someone in his corner too…

But in this book we don’t only see the troubles the main characters are having, or how they are overcoming the troubles and finding happiness again. There is also a great sense of community, especially in Marion’s children’s charity.
The way the children are being helped, accepted, handles with care, but also giving them a home, a sense of belonging.
And with Gennie and Jack both looking after those poor children, brings them even closer together.

The author shows us that people have a great resilience. But also that not everyone has that in the same amount. Some may struggle for a longer time with their demons.
For one reason or the other, the fight we all have to fight is one we have to do it on our own, but it helps to have someone that understands us, even if they have an initial sense of self – preservation. And that is not because of selfishness, but because the hurt they have already faced is too hard to face once again.

Yet when it’s the right person, and with taking baby – steps, one at the time, even the ugliest demons can be faced and defeated. And that will only bring more happiness and joy in our lives, if only we dare to open up ourselves once again, and not let fear hold us back.

Being a mum is never easy, no matter the age of the child(ren)

Synopsis

Whatever the question, the answer is wine!

They’ve swapped the dark and lonely baby days for school gate chaos, but Aisha, Sophy and Mel are discovering that there are new parenting pitfalls just waiting for them…

Influencer Sophy, is trying to keep on top of home and work life but is finding it all a bit tough! Everyone thinks she’s living her best life, but the pressure to maintain perfection at the school gates when all she wants to do is cry, is taking its toll on Sophy.

Aisha doesn’t know what to do with all her spare time now her twins are at school. Maybe it’s time to focus on herself and the dreams she’s put on hold? But when her mum suddenly begins to feel unwell, Aisha has to rethink everything.

And when Mel is offered a chance to live her dream, she grabs it with both hands. But there’s a catch – notably, her ex-boyfriend who makes it clear that he wants another chance to prove he the one she should be with.

Can the three mums navigate this new stage of motherhood together and keep their friendship and their sanity? Or could life be about to change for them all over again?

My review

Even now that their children are going to school, friend Sophy, Aisha and Mel learn that the dark nights have been swapped into school gate chaos.
Sophy’s career as an influencer may be thriving, but behind the scenes she is struggling with finding the perfect balance between work and family. And even if she has found the most caring man to stand by her side, nobody sees her struggles, or does Sophy dare to open up about it.
With the twins now at school Aisha doesn’t know what to do with all her sudden free time now. Has the time finally come to chase her dreams? But will her girlfriend, who suddenly is becoming more and more distant and even keeping secrets from Aisha, support her? And what about Aisha’s mother, who is feeling unwell suddenly?
And then there is Mel, who never regretted the choices she made in her life. Suddenly she is offered a chance of a lifetime, on a cruise of all places! But when she learns that the offer came because of an ex – boyfriend, it makes her rethink of the past. And when the ex – boyfriend himself makes it clear that he hasn’t forgotten her…
Going from the 3AM shattered mum’s club to the 6PM frazzled mums’ club, these three women learn that motherhood, friendship and partnership is always a work in progress, but where will they next decisions and choices take them now? 

Well, I always enjoy catching up with characters whom we have met previously and have spent hours together, reading their stories!
Because after the ‘The 3AM Shattered Mums’ Club’, I for sure wanted to know how life would go for these three friends who have met accidently but were exactly what they needed! 

I have to be honest, this wasn’t always an easy book to read. Not that there were bits in it that I didn’t like, but this book is so real, even painfully real at moments.
And while I can imagine how wonderful it can be to be a parent, I can also imagine how difficult it can be. 

Sophy for sure is the perfect example of it. At first sight, she may seem to have it all, but we also see rather quickly as a reader that there is something wrong. And it saddened me that somehow Sophy couldn’t confide about her struggles and her fears to those close to her.
It even angered me somehow, because society has so many high standards for people, making us feel inadequate at moments.
But who hasn’t ever had a moment of doubt, fear, or angst? And why shouldn’t we be talking about it? There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of having those feelings, and you can be certain of it that once you open up, you will discover that you are not the only one feeling that way! 

We also see in this book the desire to chase our dreams, but doubting about them anyway. And that is for sure Aisha. Now that the twins are older, and Aisha now has more time, why shouldn’t she pursue her dream?
But whether it’s typical for women or not, Aisha is having doubts about it. Yes, she has the talent, but is *now* the good time? And what if it turns out to be a failure?
Yet sometimes we have to dare to take that step, and just do it. It’s better to have failed than not having tied at all. 

Aisha is not only looking at the prospect of fulfilling her dreams unfortunately. Because there has shifted something in her relationship, making her even more afraid.
Again perhaps typical, or even more accurate, recognizable in my case, Aisha is afraid to talk about the elephant in the room.
While we all know it’s best to know the truth, but the hurt and pain it would cost, is it worth it? 

And then there is the looking back at the past. Haven’t we all wondered what would have happened if we made a different decision at one point in our lives? Perhaps not that we regret the lives we have now, but that ominous ‘what if’… 

That is exactly what is happening to Mel. She has the opportunity of a lifetime, only to discover her
ex – boyfriend is behind it.
Maybe her behaviour on the cruise was the one that disappointed me the most, because it somehow seemed the most selfish one?
But on the other hand, meeting up with your ex, whom you always had a soft spot for, wouldn’t it turn everyone into a giggling teenager/ young woman again? 

However, this gives also the opportunity to Mel to rethink about her choices and her past, making her wonder if the choices she once made, would be the same choices she would make now?
A blast from the past is perhaps the perfect opportunity to count your blessings and let you be grateful for all the growth you have made in the previous years. 

The author in this book shows us that life is always a rollercoaster. When you have passed one obstacle, it doesn’t mean you have reached the finish line. A new phase in your life will bring new obstacles, new challenges.
But a new phase in your life doesn’t mean that you have to do it all on your own. Because the friendships built on the most difficult moments of your life, are also the strongest ones. And those friends are always there for you, no matter how dark things may get, or no matter how many doubts you are having. 

This is for sure a book that makes you stop and think about your own life. And no matter how difficult things are going at one point, there is always a bright light at the end of the tunnel, making you appreciate once again everything you have, everything you have fought for and everyone you have in your life.

The length to go in order to receive an inheritance, but with a twist

Synopsis

Welcome to the Ever After Agency – a clandestine organisation offering bespoke solutions to romantic problems.

Whether you’re looking for the love of your life, a fresh romantic start, or just want to keep up appearances, the agency can tailor a solution to meet your needs.

When Tristan Fellows walks into the agency, Poppy Dean knows she’s in for a challenge. A typical bachelor, Tristan has no intention of falling in love, but in order to receive his 30-million-pound inheritance, he must find himself a wife before his 35th birthday.

This may be Poppy’s hardest case yet, but even the most arrogant of men can sometimes warm a woman’s heart…

My review

Poppy Dean works in a matchmaking agency in London. She loves finding the perfect match for her customers!
But when Tristan Fellows enters the agency, it’s clear that he is an unusual kind of customer. Because even if he is looking for a wife, he has absolutely no intention of falling in love or whatsoever. His desire to find a wife is all linked with the stipulation in order to receive his 30 – million – pound inheritance, as he must have found a wife before his 35th birthday…
With a race against time, it’s up to Poppy to find a perfect match for Tristan. But what when Poppy realizes that behind his arrogant composure is a man she may start falling for herself? 

Whenever I start reading a new book from this author, even before I have read one single word of it, I already have a big smile on my face.
Because I know that I will love the story, I will laugh, I will swoon and yes, I will even get a bit frustrated at moments. But as it’s all part of the bigger picture, even the frustrations are absolutely welcome! 

Poppy’s character for sure is a delight! She believes in what she is doing, and is absolutely dedicated in finding perfect matches for her customers.
She is just lovely, and it’s clear how much the distance from her family affects her. It hurts her to be so far away from her parents, even if she is doing something she loves. 

Obviously she wants to find matches for love, and even if she doesn’t agree with Tristan’s reasons, she knows that he also is a customer and he deserves to find a match according his stipulations. And seeing how determined Poppy remains, shows us once again how invested she is in the job she is doing, even if Tristan isn’t the easiest customer to have. 

Now, it’s easy to condemn Tristan for his choices, as he all does it to get his inheritance. But let’s be truly honest for a moment… what would you do in his situation? And he makes it clear that whoever is being matched, is aware that this will be anything but a marriage out of love. He isn’t tricking some ‘poor woman’, he wants the truth out there. 

And the more we get to know Tristan, the more we get to see behind his strict, distant and even arrogant behaviour.
There are several occasions in it that we see who Tristan truly is, a man with a kind heart and who is compassionate. He is also honest about what he wants and why. 

As Poppy accompanies Tristan on his search for a potential wife, is with him on the first meetings and spends actual time with him, she also starts to see the real Tristan. And she understands, just like we did, that behind that façade is in fact a great man. 

And perhaps as a reader it was sometimes frustrating, as both Poppy and Tristan know that no matter how their feelings are evolving, but it somehow also shows both their professionalism. Poppy knows that giving in to her feelings is not the right thing to do, and Tristan is adamant on not letting love get into the equation of finding his wife. 

Now, being a Sandy Barker – book, there just have to be some hilarious moments in it. And while for Tristan perhaps some of them were a complete nightmare, I just had so many laughs!
But there were also so many sweet moments in it too! Like seeing how Poppy and Tristan are getting closer and closer, and understanding each other like no one else possibly could. 

I truly enjoyed reading this book, just like I knew that I would. And as this is *only* the first book of a brand new series, I may have to warn Sandy Barker…
Because now the bar is set so high, and I will expect nothing else but amazing, marvellous next chapters of a series, as the start of it already swept me of my feet!