‘Crashing The Net’ – written by Lasairiona McMaster #BookReview @QueenofFireLas

Is love worth the risk of losing a best friend?

Synopsis

She’s lost her mobility, her career, and her dreams… Can she risk losing her heart to her best friend as well?

Edith:
In the blink of an eye, everything I’ve worked my whole life to achieve is gone, maybe forever. I’m not prepared to accept that I’ll never dance again. It’s all I’ve ever known, and I’m scared to find out who I am without it.
The only person still in my corner is my hockey playing, son-of-a-billionaire best friend, but no amount of money can help me walk again. His intentions are admirable, but I can’t risk falling for him.

What if I lose him, too?

Apollo:
Waking up after a near fatal car crash, I realized I’ve been in love with Edith for as long as I’ve known her.
Nothing matters anymore. Nothing but my beautiful, smart, funny best friend who is convinced we’re doomed to fail.
Money can solve a lot of problems, but not this one.

How can I persuade her to take a chance on me, on us, when she’s lost so much already?

My review

Edith and Apollo have been best friends like forever. Their bickering and bantering is proof of their love.
But then an accident happens, where Apollo is left rather unscathed. However, Edith has her dreams falling apart, as she finds herself after her operation in casts.
Not knowing who she is without her dancing, Edith now has to rethink about her whole future. Luckily she can always count on Apollo, who won’t leave her side. Apollo, who has realized that there is only one woman in the world for him, and it’s his best friend.
His best friend, who has already lost everything in the accident, and fears that she may lose her best friend if love enters the equation… 

Sweet Baby Jesus! I have never fallen so quickly in love with a male character as I did with Apollo!
He is just everything a woman needs in her life! And yes, I know I have said that about all the other male protagonists Las writes about. But DAMN, Apollo needs his own shrine where we can adore him! 

I cursed Las when she ended her previous book (if you haven’t read any book of the series or any of her other books, SHAME ON YOU!) with a huge cliffhanger. And luckily (well, for us readers, not for the main characters) the book starts rather quickly where the previous one ended. So I didn’t have to sit and read for too long in agony. 

Obviously my heart broke for Apollo, as when realization about his feelings finally dawns, he has to stand aside and not rush to the love of his life. Of course, the de la Peña’s wouldn’t be the
de la Peña’s if somehow they wouldn’t find a way. 

Apollo may be a fierce hockey player, but he made me swoon all over the place with his gentle attentions. He wants to swoon Edith, showing her how perfect they are for each other. But he also wants to show her that no matter what, he is and will always be her best friend. 

Yes yes, Apollo is also a beast whenever there are some bed – related activities involved. What did you expect for a de la Peña? But it’s the combination of this beast and the teddy bear that Apollo is that makes him so perfect. 

Edith is the character going through a rough patch in this book. And can you blame her? All she ever wanted to do was do ballet. And with the accident, the chances of ever being able to get back to her old level are minimal. I could understand how it crushed her, and how low it made her feel. Because now Edith has no idea what to do with her life…
My heart truly went out to her, and I could relate with her, having broken my foot myself. I got so frustrated with needing help for just doing ANYTHING. And just like Edith, I took it out on those the closest to me. 

Yet Edith is also a determined woman, she won’t just give up on her dreams that easily. Even the smallest chance is for her enough to grab that chance. She wants to show the world somehow that you cannot rule her out just yet.  

With her thoughts already in turmoil, and having lost so much, the last thing she wants to do, is lose her best friend too, after he professes his love for/to her.
With her not being in the right mindset, I could see how she would think that even a romance with Apollo would go wrong and she would end up with nothing. 

Pollo and Edie together, just as best friends or in a heated moment was just delightful to see! Even when their relationship shifts, they never forget that they are best friends, and know each other inside out.
And that is the perfect base for going forward. Their bantering, teasing, but also laughing, crying, understanding never stops. No matter what happens, in the moments that matter, they are there for each other.
From Edith in her dark place, to Apollo finally knowing what his future should look kike and standing up against his father, they always have each other’s back.
They both support each other in each decision, and are ready to fight together in the pursuit of their dreams. 

Talking about support, the de la Peña siblings are the kind of siblings we all want to have. No matter who or what they are, they are such a loving, supporting close unit. No matter what decision any of them makes, each and every one of them knows that the siblings will always be there. And they perhaps even know more about any of them than the person himself/herself. 

My dearest Las, with this book you made me fall in love from the first page. You made me read it in one setting, and even when my eyes were fighting to stay open, Apollo and Edith’s story gave me the determination to continue. And of course, I had so many moments I just had to laugh! From the insults thrown at each other, from the thoughts both Pollo and Edie have, to the weird lines of seduction! 

This was in a way such a sweet story, about two friends realizing that their love is more than just friendly. But also a heart – breaking one, as there is so much to overcome.
It shows us that when we have to fight on our own, things can get very dark. But if we have the person that gets us the best by our side, and even when things don’t go as we expected, the outcome can be pretty f*cking amazing too!

‘The Bookshop By The Loch’ – written by Julie Shackman #CoverReveal @G13Julie @rararesources @0neMoreChapter_

Oooh check out this cover, are you just as impatient as I am???

Synopsis

Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends.  So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help.

Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified; the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her.

Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after…

Pre-order Links 

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bookshop-Loch-brand-escapist-romance-ebook/dp/B0CCXFV6GK/

US – https://www.amazon.com/Bookshop-Loch-brand-escapist-romance-ebook/dp/B0CCXFV6GK/

Publication Date: 29th February 2024

About the author

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, Cooper. The Bookshop by the Loch is Julie’s tenth novel.

The cover!

‘Her Convenient Vow To The Billionaire’ – written by Jane Holland #BookReview @janeholland1 @rararesources

To save something that matters, how far would you go?

Synopsis

From reunion to wearing his ring!

When Rafael offers to hand over the orphanage if Sabrina becomes his convenient bride, she scoffs! She’s still healing from the heartbreak of their last passionate encounter, and marrying him will test her every limit. But as long-buried secrets are unveiled Sabrina has no choice but to trust him…

My review

Sabrina is having a privileged life. But it hasn’t always been like that, as her home for years has been a Greek orphanage. Being an orphan wasn’t always easy, but she had her best friend Rafael by her side. But for Rafael, his experience of the orphanage was completely different. And now that he is a billionaire CEO, he cannot wait tot demolish a place that holds so many demons.
Sabrina will do anything to prevent the demolition, but can she truly go that far by marrying her former best friend? The same best friend that broke her heart a few years ago after a passionate night? 

There are book in this world that won’t give you the biggest twists and turns while reading. You know what you’re getting into, and sometimes that is just exactly what you need. We all do need some lighter books to just let us relax and enjoy. 

Sabrina may seem to have it all, but it’s easy to see that in fact she isn’t all that happy with her life. Yes, she has everything now, but she still has the feeling she has to ‘prove’ herself constantly towards her adoptive father.
And even if her physical scars have been removed, she still feels them. 

Also we see that no matter what, Sabrina is still as unsecure as the little Sabrina was. Despite all the wealth, she isn’t that worldly, in so many aspects.  

Rafael is in so many ways Sabrina’s opposite. He has made his wealth on his own, he doesn’t need anyone and once he has a mission, he goes for it.
He wants to forget his past, as it’s a real dark one, and I am not only talking about his difficult time at the orphanage.
Yet despite his cockiness, we also see a vulnerable side of his, and a side that still cares deeply about his former best friend.  

For me, is was like the author was showing that no matter where you get in life, there are always bits of your younger self that you carry around, one way or another.

The contrast of how Sabrina and Rafael experienced their stay at the orphanage truly stood out. Of course, there is a twist in the story that makes a lot of things clear, like how it was possible that is was a rather ‘nice’ stay for Sabrina.
It’s that same twist that changes things for Sabrina and Rafael. 

Having a billionaire to stipulate that you have to marry him in order to save something, seems a little bit crazy. Well, it is just crazy…
But Sabrina and Rafael go so long way back, and it’s clear that there has always been something there. And that something didn’t even disappear after that night a few years ago. 

As a reader we know exactly why that stipulation was made, and how in the end it would all be wrapped up. But that didn’t take away I wanted to see how it would all develop. Because let’s be clear, we are talking about two people that are scarred by their joined past. And they have built something that even time and space and some scheming of others couldn’t break, even if Sabrina and Rafael tried to do so themselves. 

And they see that despite they inflicted on each other, when it truly matters, they are still there for each other. It’s in those moments that their status and wealth disappear and they are once again those small little best friends. We also see that with the right person by your side, obnoxious or not, you can find the strength to overcome your fears and even stand up for yourself.

I enjoyed reading this story that was what I expected it to be, but that didn’t diminish my fun while reading.

‘Fairytale Of New York’ – written by Zoë Folbigg #BookReview @zoefolbigg @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

To spend Christmas and New Year in New York, just not like how expected…

Synopsis

Thirty-two year old Charlie Brown has a plane to catch.

As Christmas approaches, she is New York bound, to be reunited with boyfriend Harry after work has kept them apart.

But once she lands, Harry is nowhere to be found…

There’s no hand-drawn sign with her name being brandished at the gate. No answer from Harry’s phone. And all at once, Charlie’s worst fears come true.

What has happened to Harry? And what should Charlie do now that she’s an ocean away from home?

As Charlie slowly comes to terms with her predicament, she makes a decision. She’s not leaving New York without finding out the truth, and with a little help from her handsome new friend Pete, there might still be a path to happily-ever-after…

Bestseller Zoë Folbigg returns with a page-turning story of love, friendship and learning to believe in your own worth. Perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, JoJo Moyes and David Nicholls.

My review

Make – up artist Charlie Brown cannot wait to fly over to New York to spend the holidays with her boyfriend Harry, who is living there for work.
But when Charlie arrives at the airport, there is no Harry to be found. Not only that, but Harry doesn’t answer his phone and with Charlie not knowing Harry’s address, Charlie is utterly lost in a city she doesn’t know.
What can Charlie do in a city on the other side of the world, and worried about what could have happened to the man she loves?
With the help of her new friend Pete, a real New Yorker, Charlie is determined to find out the truth. But is it a truth Charlie wants to hear?  

If there is one thing I absolutely hate, it’s ghosting… so reading how Charlie is being ghosted by her actual boyfriend of all people, made my blood boil!
How can someone who claims to love you, leave you just stranded in a city you never been before? I understand that people can fall in love with someone else, but is it so hard to grow a pair and actual just break up with them? 

And Charlie for sure doesn’t deserve to be treated like that!
Charlie is such a likeable character. Likeable but also a bit naïve… from the moment there is radio silence from Harry’s side, I knew what happened. Yet Charlie has the hope somehow it’s all a misunderstanding, or that something has happened.
However, even in her naivety, Charlie shows an admirable determination. She goes lengths to find out what happened with Harry. 

And also further in the story, she shows a growth, by not just accepting cr*p from anyone. Slowly she learns to even go for the confrontation, to make her point clear, to show others that they are wrong. 

Charlie is also a very caring person. She doesn’t look at “what” you are, but who you are. She likes or dislikes you for the right reasons. And with Harry being the exception, she also quickly senses someone’s true colours. 

That is why it’s so easy for her to befriend Pete. Because Pete is genuinely a nice guy. I have never been to New York, but I can imagine it’s the kind of city where a lot of people only care about themselves and won’t help out a stranger.
But that is not who Pete is. He befriends Charlie not only out of pity, but because they just click. Even if Pete himself has been heartbroken, and apparently the person in question likes to rub it in, Pete didn’t let it affect his kind nature.  

It warmed my heart to see how Pete, his friends and even his family embraced Charlie. While Charlie sees the bad of some people, she, and we as a reader, see also all the good that people have. 

This was a wonderful, heart – warming but also slow – burning story, about how the worst that could happen can turn in the best.
We see the characters grow more mature, learning to stand tall and stand up for themselves. But we also see so much kindness and love in this book.
And it’s a nice extra touch having a character discovering a new city, taking us together with her on all her explorations!

‘Emily Oak’s Little Black Book’ – written by Liz Davies #BookReview #ARC @LizDaviesAuthor

To do what must to protect what and whom we love

Synopsis

You can’t always judge a book by its cover…

When Emily Oak discovers that her boyfriend, Cole, is cheating on her, she hightails it back to the family farm in Glynafon on the beautiful Welsh Coast.

Wondering what to do with her life, she is shocked and delighted to learn that a little black book bequeathed to her by her godmother could be worth a fortune. However, there is one small problem – she has left the book in her cheating ex’s attic!

Scared to ask him for it in case he realises just how much the book is worth, Emily hatches a plan to retrieve it. And when Macsen, a guy she once had an enormous crush on, offers to help, she eagerly accepts.

However, Macsen is far too handsome for his own good, and she is dismayed when her old feelings for him begin to resurface, especially since he has a reputation for playing the field.

Will Emily’s fragile newly-mended heart be able to resist his charms, or will she become yet another number in Macsen’s own little black book of romantic conquests?

Fans of Phoebe MacLeod, Jo Watson and Mhairi McFarlane will be swept off their feet by this cozy, friends to lovers romance.

My review

Emily Oak discovering that her boyfriend is cheating on her, made her escape back to her parents on the family farm in Glynafon.
Back home, Emily now has the time and space to think what to do with her life. And while she absolutely isn’t made for farm life, hearing the struggles her parents are having, she cannot leave her parents with all their worries.
So when Emily hears that a little black book she inherited from her godmother may be worth a lot, it could be the perfection answer to her prayers. If only Emily hadn’t left the book in her ex’s attic!
Luckily she can count on her old friend Macsen for help, as he is wiling to join her on her quest.
Macsen, a guy that Emily once had a crush on, but also has a certain reputation. Yet he proves to be a much better friend than expected. And old feelings starts to resurface. But can Emily trust someone that quickly after her previous relationship? And what about the rumours about Macsen’s conquests? 

Ooh how much I enjoyed reading this book! I have to say though, when I stumble upon a book from a writer that I already know, I don’t bother reading the blurb. I just dive in straightaway! So of course, with a title like that, I had a completely different kind of story in mind!
But even if the story was not what I thought it would be, I absolutely loved it! 

As a younger woman, Emily couldn’t wait to get away from Glynafon. Not that the place was a bad place to live your life, but because of the opportunities she could have elsewhere. And while I am a woman that sticks to her roots herself, I could understand Emily’s need to just leave.
And yes, she absolutely has lived the life, has a career, has wonderful friends and has a dedicated (or at least she thinks so) boyfriend. 

But no matter what, in the end, in time of needs, home will always be home. And her going back was the most logical thing to do. 

I am not going to waste many words on Cole, the cheating b*st*rd, but damn, he for sure is a piece of work. Not only does he even dare to cheat on lovely Emily, he even dares to make his friends lie for him! 

In many books we see the main character going back home, finds rather easily what to do next with her life, stumbles upon a new love interest and lives happily ever after. Oh yes, let’s not forget about the typical second act.
And while many of the above doe actually happen in this beautiful book, for Emily things don’t go as straightforward. 

Because while Emily does know that she doesn’t want to stay in Glynafon and have the farm life, she doesn’t know what she does. And it takes a rather long while for her to discover that.
But what we do see is a young woman seeing where she is needed, and does what must be done, even if it isn’t what she truly wants.
Her parents have made many sacrifices in their lives, always worked hard, and so Emily sees it as her duty to reverse the roles now.
But she doesn’t only do it out of duty, but also out of love for her parents.  

Of course the love interest is who we expect to be, no big surprise there. But there are a few nice tricks of the author, showing us not only to not just trust rumours, but to listen to the person. And also that sometimes friends aren’t always the real kind of friends and can be playing you for their own interest. 

I must say, Macsen for sure was a great character to get to know! He has a certain reputation, but the more I got to know him, the more I saw the real Macsen and not what people tell about him.
He is an amazing friend, always helping Emily out whenever he can, however he can. He is also the kind of friend who brings new ideas, making the right suggestions at the right time. 

But what I loved the most, was the friendly bickering and bantering between Emily and Macsen. Even if they just rekindled their friendship, they are already at a level where they can tease each other endlessly! I had so many laughs over their little ‘fights’, I could just picture those scenes in my mind.
And the fact that they treasure their friendship, and that the romance is a slow burning one, only adds to the me loving this story! The love they have for each other truly warmed my heart. And I am talking about any kind of love there is between them. Because the friend – kind of love is just as important as the love – love kind of love (if you get what I mean…)  

This was once again a great story from an author that I just adore. We see characters thinking more about their loved ones and not about themselves. We see how real friends can support each other. We see how wrong visions about someone else ca be. And we see how broken hearts can heal, even in a short time span, by meeting the right person, who understands you better than anyone else.  

Liz Davies once again showed us that she has a talent by writing a story that may seem like thirteen in a dozen, but absolutely isn’t!

‘One Christmas Eve’ – written by Shari Low #BookReview @sharilow @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

One festive night, three decades, one family

Synopsis

Three women, three decades, three Christmas Eve moments that change their lives forever.

On Christmas Eve, 1968, Cathy McLean receives a surprise visit from the lost love of her life and is forced to chosebetween the one that got away and the one that stayed.

On Christmas Eve, 1993, Cathy’s daughter Helena is overjoyed to hear that her boyfriend is about to propose, until a devastating encounter threatens to bring her heartbreak instead of diamonds.

On Christmas Eve 2023, an shocking discovery rocks Eve Quinn’s world. The only gift Eve wants this year is the truth. But will it take a Christmas miracle to unravel generations of secrets?

Unwrap this festive tale of complicated families, impossible choices, and an unforgettable love that lasts three lifetimes.

My review

Christmas Eve is a wonderful holiday for everyone.
Yet in 1968, Cathy McLean is left flabbergasted from a surprise visit from the love of her life. Because no matter how they felt, he left and Cathy hasn’t heard from him in more than a year. And she has moved on…
But now she has to choose… to go back to the man she once loved, or stay with the man she loves now?
Same day, different year, as in 1993, Cathy’s daughter Helena is over the moon hearing that her boyfriend is going to propose. But on the prelude of an amazing night, Helena discovers that her boyfriend may still not have changed his spots. And that his intentions aren’t all that well…
So what should Helena do, especially as Christmas Eve may change her future forever?
Same day, different year, as in 2023, Helena’s daughter Eve discovers that what she thought was the truth, in fact wasn’t… But how can Eve find out what truly happened in the past and find that missing piece of the puzzle?  

Oh my God, Shari Low just did it again! I know with each book she writes, that I will dive straight into it, will find it impossible to put it away and I just keep on reading even when I should be sleeping! 

Having read several books from this amazing author, I know that there is *A LOT* happening in a short timespan and that you should keep your focus otherwise you will miss a lot! Yet I juts loved how she did her usual thing, but yet managed to do it differently! It was just great to see the same common thread, Christmas Eve, and how each character lived this festive moment so differently with decades between them. 

With the three decades between all the characters, it’s easy to see the evolution of the characters. we can see Cathy thirty years later, Helena twenty years later and see how Eve is picking up all the pieces of a complicated puzzle. 

Cathy is perhaps the most gullible person. And I am not meaning this in a bad way. she got her heart broken and moved on, is a very responsible young woman. But did she truly expect things would just be that easy when her past reappears?
She is responsible not only towards looking after her sister, but also responsible in the choices she made and is still making. She doesn’t regret those choices, and knows that she did the right thing.  

And seeing how after thirty years she still stands by those choices, made my respect grow for her. But it was also sweet somehow to see how she still is wondering what would have happened if things went differently. 

For me, Helena was the most difficult character to like. As we see her in 1993 and in 2023, and we know what happened to her in 1993 with her boyfriend, I found it hard to understand how in 2023 she ends up by being divorced. And her being rather cold and distant didn’t make her score any cookie points. 

But slowly I got to understand Helena better. We see her struggling with the choice she has to make. And even on what was supposed to be a wonderful evening, I could comprehend what she did and why she did it. 

Eve was the character I liked the most. She was the most down – to – earth. She is shocked by a revelation and wants to discover the truth. But she also knows that she needs time to digest the information herself and needs to pick the right moment to confront her family. 

Beside the shocking news, she also has to make a personal choice herself. And while it would have been easy to take the easy way out, once again she decides to take her time to think things over. Whatever Eve does, she doesn’t do it on a whim. She wants to make the right choice not only for her, but also for those around her. 

I absolutely loved reading this book, as it shows that we all have a turning point in our lives. and how one choice, one decision will affect not only the course of your life but also the lives of those around you and even the next generations. 

But what I loved the most in this book was, no matter how all the main characters were from each other, even if they were family, the fact that they are and always will be family unites them.
Perhaps in the end, the loose nods were tied too easily, but that somehow was also in sync with the rest of the story, because in the end, you’ll never know how things will turn out for real. Sometimes all it needs is one moment in your life to make all the pieces of the puzzle fall perfectly into place. 

This was another amazing, marvellous, astonishing book from a very talented author. Each book makes me fall more and more in love with her and her amazing talent!

‘A Kiss Under The Stars’ – written by Rosie Green #BookReview @Rosie_Green88 @rararesources

To return to a haunted past, to find a future that is… 

Synopsis

Lottie Fanshawe has become an expert over the years at banishing dark memories of the past – but now, the time has come to sell Sycamore House, her old family home, which she walked away from a decade ago. With beloved brother Dylan now a missing person – a victim of their past – there’s only Lottie left to organise the sale. Being back in Sunnybrook is the last thing she needs, and her plan is to get in and out as speedily as possible. But finding a welcome at the Little Duck Pond Cafe helps Lottie in more ways than she could have imagined. And then there are her growing feelings for dark-eyed Liam Westerbrook to grapple with . . .

My review

Sycamore House in Sunnybrook is a house with a dark past, and the inhabitants have heard different kind of stories about what happened.
But for Lottie Fanshawe, it’s a place with many haunted memories. For her, the time has come to sell the place, and the sooner the better. Unfortunately, the house needs some TLC for increasing the interest. And since her brother Dylan went missing, it’s all up to Lottie now…
She cannot wait to leave Sycamore House for good, but despite her dislike of the place, she finds herself welcomed in Sunnybrook, with the help of the people in the Little Duck Pond Café. And then there is Liam Westerbrook…
But is there a chance for Lottie to find happiness in a place that brought her also the greatest heartbreak? 

Here we are again, after reading another part of the Little Duck Pond Cafe…
And in fact, I could just copy – paste my previous review, change some things as this is another story with other characters. But the fact that I absolutely love each part of the series for sure still stands! 

Reading about Lottie’s past for sure broke my heart. Seeing how she had to fight tragedy after tragedy wasn’t the lightest story to read, and I absolutely understood her reasons for getting rid of Sycamore House!
My heart went out to Lottie, as it’s clear she is a lovely person, but her past hangs over her as a dark cloud. And her not knowing where her brother is, her brother who has been her rock despite his own demons… I just cannot even try to imagine not knowing where my own brother would be. 

But Lottie is not the kind of person you will only pity. Because she has also this fierceness in her, she takes matter in her own hands, and she understands people on a level that isn’t for anyone…
So obviously seeing her being welcomed by the wonderful people of the Little Duck Pond Café warmed my heart.
Not that I had one doubt in my mind how my old friends would act towards the latest stranger in Sunnybrook!  

Yes, in this book there is a love interest for Lottie, in the wonderful form of Liam. And while Liam is everything we could imagine for Lottie, the romantic relationship wasn’t the focus.
Of course I had my fingered crossed and I was rooting for them, never losing hope even when Rosie Green would dare to add a twist. 

The focus of this book was picking up the pieces again after great tragedies. Lottie has been through a lot in her young life, has lost a lot people she loved. But slowly Lottie sees that beside the many sad memories, there are also a lot of happy ones.
When your past keeps haunting you, it’s difficult to see the little rays of sunshine, but they are still there. We just need to find them again. 

The deeper I got into the story, the more emotional I got. Lottie is having a lot of closures in this book. Some may go easy while others don’t. But we also see the effect Lottie has on the people in Sunnybrook. Sunnybrook for sure is a place that gives and takes in all the best ways. Lottie is exactly what Sunnybrook needs. But Sunnybrook is for sure what Lottie needs too…  

Rosie Green managed once again to write a magnificent story, isn’t there a limit on her talent? How can this woman keep on adding new chapters to a series without ever getting repetitive? Each story stands perfectly on its own, and as a reader you feel your heart expanding when you return to Sunnybrook. Seeing our old friends again for sure is a delight and making new ones is so easy!
I just cannot wait to return to this lovely place with its amazing characters! Bring it on!!! 😊

‘One Winter’s Night’ – written by Kate Frost #BookReview @katefrostauthor @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

How to find yourself again when you’re at your lowest…

Synopsis

To look to the future, you first have to face your past…

With Christmas just around the corner, Molly Bliss has almost hit rock bottom.

After the heart-breaking loss of her parents, an escape to Iceland to spend the holidays with her sister Claudia is a chance for her to find solace and focus on her neglected relationship with her boyfriend Howard. But when Howard ‘misses his flight’, Molly is forced to rethink her whole outlook on life.

Surrounded by her family, Molly has never felt more alone. With ongoing family tensions rumbling and a surprising connection with old flame Leifur and his friend James, Molly realises she has an opportunity to rediscover who she really is.

While exploring the wild beauty of Iceland, a fragile hope seeds itself in Molly and alongside the life-affirming experiences and new friendships that are forged, she’s forced to question why she ever put her own dreams on hold.

Will Molly allow grief and disappointment to destroy her chance at happiness, or can new love sparkle as the land of fire and ice begins to work its magic?

My review

Molly Bliss isn’t herself ever since losing her parents. With Christmas just around the corner, visiting her sister Claudia in Iceland may perhaps give Molly peace and perhaps it will even reignite the fire between her and her boyfriend Howard.
But when Howard decides to not fly off with her and ‘catch a later flight’, and even manages to ‘miss’ that one, Molly has to think about what she wants from her life.
Once in Iceland, Molly has the chance to not only reinforce her bond with Claudia and Claudia’s family, but she also makes new friendships and even meets an old crush of hers.
The beauty of Iceland is also the perfect opportunity for Molly to rethink about her own future, and think of why her dreams aren’t worthy of pursuing. And perhaps the cold and snow of Iceland can warm her heart towards a man too?

I am not a person that loves the cold! So while I for sure want to visit Iceland and see all the beautiful things there, the cold is holding me back to put my dream into actual plans. And yes, I know you can layer up for visiting the place, but have you ever seen Bambi struggling on ice? Well, that’s me in snowy circumstances, even when there is no ice involved!
So I will just enjoy reading books that take place in a magical country! 

Reading about Molly and all her struggles absolutely broke my heart. I could feel her pain and sense of loneliness emerge from the pages.
I could only try to understand the devastation she was feeling after the loss of her beloved parents. And I could comprehend how it also affected her relationship with Howard. 

Now, the less is said about that idiot the better… I know that it has to be hard living with a person who is still grieving, but Howard didn’t make an effort at all through, and he even did the most terrible thing someone could do!
So I was glad that his presence was rather short-lived! 

It was so sweet to see the two sisters reconnecting again. Molly and Claudia couldn’t be at a more different phase in their lives, yet the love between the siblings is so palpable.
Claudia, as the bigger sister, wants to protect Molly, she wants Molly to be happy and she wants Molly to succeed in realizing her dreams.
But the literal distance also put somehow an emotional distance between the two… 

For sure discovering the wonders of Iceland together with Molly, Claudia, and new/old friends Molly made was wonderful. I could just envision myself what they were all seeing.
But for Molly the journey to Iceland was more a journey to self – discovery and overcoming her grief. Slowly Molly sees that in fact she isn’t that alone in the world, and that even if her sister lives in another country, they can still be there for each other. 

Molly also starts to see that her dreams are worthy to be pursued. Why shouldn’t she follow her passion and take that chance? It’s better to have tried and failed than just take the easy way out… 

Of course Molly has also a love interest in this book. And I am not going to spoil anything, but I was glad to see that the author followed my line of thinking! 😊 

This was a cold story, literally, but with so much warmth in it. Molly goes through a great journey, from feeling lonely and lone to finding love from her family (even if it has been always there), to finding love in new friendships, finding herself, finding courage again and even finding love in other matters of the heart. 

Kate Frost wrote once again a great story about characters that you will like from the start, even if they have a sad story of their own to tell. A great story about a physical journey but mostly an emotional journey, making you understand that there isn’t a strict timeline for grief, but there is always time to chase your dreams. And that even if you don’t feel it, you are loved and surrounded by people that care and have your best interest at heart!

‘Dating Little Miss Perfect’ – written by Cassandra O’Leary #BookReview @cass_oleary @rararesources

When you are searching for love but do not or cannot see what’s in front of you

Synopsis

On an anonymous online dating app, LittleMissPerfect meets HotAussie007 and it’s love at first click. In real life, a smart but spiky woman in STEM, research scientist, Dr Eden, meets a laid-back Aussie marketing manager, Finn, at the big pharma company where they both work in California. They’re forced to compete for special projects funding, and both their jobs are on the line.

Eden just wants to win at science and in life. It’s not happening! She can’t stand Finn’s too-cool-for-school, nice guy act, or his delectable forearms that keep invading her space. While Finn is stupidly attracted to Eden, when she’s not telling him off, he isn’t free to pursue her. He’s stuck in the worst position in his professional life, and doesn’t see a clear way out. He can’t tell her the whole truth about what’s going on at work or in his personal life. . . or it could all blow up in his face.

When they realise the truth about their online alter egos, dating is off the table. Can they ignore their inconvenient attraction, and work together to take down their unethical boss? Or will intense rivalry cause their IRL work lives and online love lives to collide and explode like a science experiment gone wrong?

Note: Dating Little Miss Perfect is an updated take on You’ve Got Mail for lovers of online dating romcoms, with added science, cupcakes and old movie references! This new release from award-winning author Cassandra O’Leary is a stand-alone contemporary romance novel of approximately 97,000 words.

My review

Eden is a research scientist known for being a Little Miss Perfect. Well, of course everything should be perfect when you’re doing groundbreaking research. However, her perfectionism also makes it impossible to find love. Yet she managed to find her perfect match online. HotAussie007 is everything she is looking for a man and she cannot wait to see if HotAussie007 is also in real life a perfect match for LittleMissPerfect.
In real life there is another man in Eden’s life. But in a negative way. Because Finn is the Australian marketing manager the company Eden is working for. And whenever these two are together, it’s a clash of the titans.
Yet there is that saying that there is a thin line between love and hate. However, Finn has other reasons for not pursuing Eden… and what about Eden’s online match? 

There are stories where you know from the start what is going happen and how it’s all going to end. And yes, beside a few twists, this story was one of those kinds. But did it bother me? No, because those twists make it worth reading, and there is for sure enough originality to make you want to keep reading. 

I am not the kind of person that understands anything of doing research or elaborated science, so whatever Eden was saying about her own wok, well, I just went with it. But no worries, it isn’t that the author is slaying you with scientific words! In Eden’s line of work it’s normal talking about results going not the way they expected and I let it go over my head. 

Eden is indeed a Little Miss Perfect, but while at work that may seem sometimes that Eden is a know-it-all (but she truly does know it all), we see that she has reasons to be so determined and resolute to make everything work. 

She is also the kind of person that would do anything to protect who and what she loves. she isn’t happy where she working now, but she needs the money in order to keep the house and protect her sister, especially with their background… 

Yet it was lovely to see a complete other side of her, while she is talking to her online match. They for sure do say that still waters run deep! To say I was shocked is overstating it, but I didn’t expect her to be talking like that!!!  😊 

Finn is the complete opposite of Eden. He is the perfect example of how I would imagine Australians to be like. And I mean it as a compliment!
He is laid – back, doesn’t even take that great offence whenever Eden is being her usual self. In everything he does, his caring and loving character emerges. The way not only he is looking after Eden after their literal clashing, but also the lengths he goes afterwards.
And seeing how even in time of need, he doesn’t hesitate to return back to his parents, shows his true heart.  

His background for sure is a sad one too, and it truly left a mark on him. It’s clear how that event made his life take a complete different direction.  

Yet he also is the kind of person who makes it clear when a line has been crossed, and expresses clearly his hurt feelings.
He is also the kind of person that wants to do the right thing, especially when he sees that there is something dodgy going on at the company. 

Eden and Finn together are just explosive! Their banter is hilarious for us readers, while we can sense the simmering attraction, waiting to erupt!
It was sweet to see how slowly they realize that in fact they have more in common than they would think.  

Of course the revelation of the online matches wasn’t that big of a revelation. But in a way it also shows us that what we see in front of us isn’t the complete person. How we are at work, where we have to show our professionalism, isn’t the same person at home, where we can be 100% ourselves. 

In this book we also see that sometimes our own doubts can hold us back. Because we Eden having doubts about Finn, and how she is afraid to go all – in. And that results in her doing things the logical Eden wouldn’t do. But I could understand her, because haven’t we all done stupid things for/because of love? 

But we also see that love makes us protective. Because Finn, when on the look for answers, sees things that would point its dodgy finger towards Eden. Yet even if he is doing the right thing, he wants to protect Eden, even at risk of losing her… 

This was a wonderful, hilarious book. The author takes her time to make us get to know both main characters. There is depth in the both of them, making them even more human.
And we see that finding love isn’t always easy, as even when we have found it, there is still room for making mistakes, having misunderstandings. And that love can also be a scary thing, as we want to protect ourselves from a potential hurt. But love is also amazing, as it makes us see what we have in front of us, making us protective, making us open up about our fears.
And then, to end on a lighter note, there is love that makes your love for cupcakes only expand! 😊

‘Snow Angels At Golden Sands Bay’ – written by Georgina Troy #BookReview @GeorginaTroy @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

Home is where the heart is, even when renovations are required.

Synopsis

Dig out your hard hat and gaze up at the snowflake-speckled sky over the Boardwalk.

Portia Fortescue has traded in the hustle and bustle of London to help renovate a magnificent French manor house on the beautiful island of Jersey with her boyfriend Charlie Hargreaves.

But what they hoped would be a blissful escape to the chateau, turns out to be more of a DIY SOS.

As the winter snow sets in, the stress of restoring the derelict chateau back to life begins to take its toll on their relationship.

Portia has known heartbreak before, but thought she’d found her happy-ever-after with Charlie…

Just when their dreams appear to crumble beneath them Portia and Charlie discover the warmth of the Boardwalk community – the best friends anyone could ever ask for.

This new life could be everything they want it to be, if only they can finish the chateau in time for its grand reopening!

My review

Portia Fortescue believes in love again, after meeting Charlie. Once she thought she could never love again, after her heartbreak, but Charlie showed her that love can be found again.
While living together in London has been wonderful, Portia feels that Charlie misses his life on the island of Jersey.
So when Charlie inherits a French manor house, it’s the opportunity the couple was looking for to return to Jersey.
But the manor needs a lot of TLC and both Charlie and Portia have underestimated how difficult it is to do it all by themselves.
Despite winter throwing snowy curve balls in their schedule, the couple can luckily rely on the community for help. Will Portia and Charlie manage to reopen the chateau in all its splendour in time  but at what cost? 

First of all, what a delight to return to this wonderful island! Secondly, it was great to read a story where love has already been found and we get to see what happens afterwards. Because most of the times, that’s where the story ends, but a life together starts. 

We see Portia and Charlie together, Charlie having made the “sacrifice” of making the move to London for love.
Yet it’s clear that there is something missing in the relationship. Yes, the love is absolutely there, and Portia couldn’t be happier to have found a second chance at love. But here we see that loving someone isn’t enough to be completely happy.  

It’s not that Charlie is ungrateful, but we see a clear difference in the Jersey – Charlie and the
London – Charlie. London – Charlie isn’t the real Charlie, and he obviously misses his home.
Luckily Portia sees behind his façade and decides that a return, even a short one, is needed to find themselves again. 

I found it wonderful how just literally everyone in Jersey is asking if the return is a final one, as Portia and Charlie are clearly being missed. And it was sweet to see how both main characters realize that Jersey is indeed home, even if Portia was a real city – girl before. 

With the French manor now belonging to them, Portia and Charlie have the incentive to make that move back home.
Now, I am not a Handy Harry (Harriet?) myself, so for me personally doing all those restorations would be a real nightmare. Not only would I truly be terrible at it, but in the end it would have to be redone all over again. So yes, I would just throw some money at it, and let the professionals do it! 😊 

I admired the positivism Charlie and Portia had at the start of all the work, but I was also a bit wary. Because things couldn’t be that easy, right?
And indeed, rather quickly, the couple’s dream turns into a minor nightmare. Problem after problem arise, making their plans just go terribly wrong. 

It saddened me to read how all the to do’s and setbacks truly took a strain on this wonderful couple. Yet that made them also more human in my eyes. Because in life it isn’t always lovey – dovey. Things get difficult, but it’s up to you to make it still work. 

While it saddened me to see how difficult Charlie and Portia are having it, I also found it just wonderful and heart – warming how just the whole community decide to help out, any way they can. It can go from the little things, to bring food over, to help with the plastering. 

I have to be honest, at a moment I was a bit afraid that the book would be too much of a ‘Restorations For Dummies’ book. I almost feel the ache in my own body, the frustration building up with every setback. 

But my fears were totally unfounded, as I quickly realized that this is a marvellous book about taking charge of your life, making sometimes choices that aren’t easy to make, finding a home with happiness and love, and a wonderful community that feels more family – like than just friends. And understanding that even when things don’t go easy, some things and some people are worth fighting for and they deserve every blister, every ache in your body, as the reward of happiness and love is priceless…