Willkommen, bienvenue and welcome! It’s time for the newly launched musical celebration that is the Eurowide Song Contest, debuting in the unglamorous city of Ermpit in Rottimoldovia at Europe’s most easterly tip. It’s like Eurovision, but it’s not…
Lifelong fanatic and walking Eurovision encyclopaedia, Jemma La Vie is the UK’s first ever buoyant Eurowide hope. Plucked from obscurity, her childhood dreams of taking part in a national song contest have come true as she finds herself standing centre stage, with the hopes of her nation on her proud shoulders.
But in the week leading up to the final, a sinister set of events sees contestants dropping down dead before a single vote has even been cast. There’s something shady going on and it seems it’s not just a few dodgy notes onstage being murdered. Will Jemma actually survive to fly the UK flag at Eurowide on final night or meet her Waterloo? And if she does survive, will there be a douze points in sight?
Nigel is an all-rounder in the world of entertainment working on both radio, TV and as a successful author and podcast host.
As a TV host he has presented thousands of hours of both live and pre-recorded TV as well as outside broadcasts and events. He has featured on ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and C5 and has also broadcast live from America. He has been a presenter on craft TV for two decades and is happiest surrounded by glitter. Which is highly useful for his radio life as he has presented two of the sparkliest and glitteriest shows on Gaydio, the largest LGBTQ+ radio station in the UK, over the last few years. He hosts a weekly Sunday evening show called Wrapping Up The Weekend which features brand new LGBTQ+ music and top celebrity names dropping in for a chat and spilling the T. He loves nothing better than a bit of banter with iconic stars like Dannii Minogue, George Takei, stars of Strictly and Dancing On Ice, Matt Goss, Kim Wilde, Bananarama, Armistead Maupin, Layton Williams and even Stormy Daniels or fan-favourites from the world of international drag like Jinkx Monsoon, Bianca Del Rio, Danny Beard, Jujubee, Bob The Drag Queen, Cheryl Hole, Alaska, Peppermint and Ben De La Creme. He adores featuring brand new up ‘n’ coming LGBTQ+ talent and giving them a chance to shine. He also hosts the Saturday Weekend Breakfast show on Gaydio Brighton.
He hosts a successful queer podcast called A Gay Old Time interviewing celebrities from the LGBTQ+ world. Currently on Season 6 guests have included Todrick Hall, Charlie Condou, Samantha Fox, Hazell Dean, John Barrowman, Miriam Margolyes, Frankie Grande, Darren Hayes and Dominic Skinner.
As an author he has published eight novels so far. Six action-packed glam fiction blockbusters, a ‘sexy six-pack’ for which he earned the title ‘the UK’s male Jackie Collins’ (a huge honour as she was Nigel’s literary heroine). He’s also published a gripping psychological thriller with a dark and dangerous twist and a crafty cosy-crime novel. His books have been given countless five-star reviews and been featured in many national publications.
He’s obsessed with all things ’80s, flea markets and the Eurovision Song Contest. He’s a gay grandad living in Brighton who’s all about the body positive and has been a finalist on both Pointless and The Weakest Link. But didn’t win either!
Lucky in life but unlucky in love, Lucy Greenfield owns a successful carriage business along with her best friend Max, and they have never been busier since their shire horses gained fame from their roles in the hit movie A Little in Love.
Too busy for romance, Lucy is surprisingly swept off her feet when Spencer arrives seeking help with his horse, and something more from Lucy. As quickly as Lucy falls, she wonders if all is not as it seems. Max can prove it, but that means he will have to express his true feelings for Lucy.
Relationships are strained as secrets unravel, and Lucy needs to solve the riddle of words to best describe how she feels… For her best friend.
Together, they must overcome what’s keeping them apart before it’s too late, if they are going to realise that the word they are searching for is love.
My review
Lucy Greenfield’s first priority has been and always will be horses. Together with her best friend Max she runs the successful carriage business. But that same business is also the reason that Lucy is unlucky in love. Because nobody likes it to come next to horses. That is, until Spencer arrives needing help with his horse. Lucy is swept off her feet as Spencer seems to be the perfect man for her. But quickly Lucy feels that something is off, despite her mother’s insistence to just go for it as she wants to see Lucy get married as soon as possible. Lucy starts to wonder if Spencer truly is who he claims to be, while Max has always has his doubts, and can prove it too. but that means he has to come clean about his feelings, and reveal a few of his own secrets… While Lucy starts to realize that her feelings for Max go deeper… but how t put that into words?
I always enjoy reading a story about friends who realize that there feelings run deeper. So from the very start I was Team Max. Even if he knows his feelings, he does not push Lucy, he is just being the best possible friend for her, even if that means keeping big secrets for her.
What I liked about Lucy, was that she is passionate about being the owner of the carriage business. She does not see it purely as a business, but she truly loves her horses and they are her absolute priority. Even if that means less money, she won’t do anything to hurt or overburden the horses. It’s clear that she has a kind heart, yet that makes her also a little bit gullible in my opinion.
First of all, her mother is truly annoying, even with the best interest at heart, as she keeps pushing Lucy in doing things she doesn’t want to do, and even push her to find someone to marry. Lucy is so kind – hearted that she does what her mother requests, even if she really really doesn’t want to.
Then when Spencer arrives, it frustrated me a bit seeing how Lucy is blinded by his looks and his apparent wealth. Of course, when a good-looking man passes, I also am a bit lovestruck, but I would never do the things Lucy does without even thinking twice about it. But that is also the process of maturing that Lucy will do while progressing in the book. Because she slowly starts to see the world how it really is, with the best people in the world, but also people who are out there to gain as much as possible for their own benefit.
Reading how Lucy realizes this, and becomes wary of Spencer and even starts to grow a backbone towards her mother, made me forget about my previous frustrations. And add how Lucy starts to see what she had all the time and now is risking to lose the bets thing, was great to read. I found it also very realistic to see how Lucy is struggling to understand her own feelings. Because how do you know that your feelings have become more than before?
There are several secrets and thus revelations in this book. Many of them were rather predictable for the readers, but that didn’t diminish the fun of seeing how Lucy would react! Some were more surprising, leaving even me a bit flabbergasted.
This was a lovely story to read, to see how love is something we all dream of finding. But love goes deeper than good looks and money, it is about friendship, doing whatever we can for that person, even things they don’t know about, and being there even if mistakes are being made. Because love is all that matters…
Andi is worried that her relationship with Drew has become dull and boring. They never do anything exciting these days, in or out of the bedroom. So when a swoon-worthy stranger appears she is instantly swept off her feet.
When they unexpectedly meet again, they realise they have more in common than they thought possible so draw up a pact to spice up their lives! The plan they conjure up while working together at The Pumpkin Patch, to make their partners jealous, brings them closer than ever.
Andi plucks up the courage to finish with Drew but there are no signs of Andrew doing the same and she thinks she’s lost him forever.
With meddling exes, misunderstandings and miscommunication getting in the way, can The Pumpkin Pact bring them back together?
Are there enough hours in the day for everyone to find their happy place?
Phoebe Dashwood and Sam Hendrie welcome their beautiful baby daughter into their already busy lives. With motherhood now top of Phoebe’s to-do list alongside being a vet, and running an animal sanctuary there’s no time for day dreaming.
As Phoebe battles sleepless nights, extra challenges arise in the shape of abandoned African Pygmy Hedgehogs, stolen cats, and a worrying trend to keep wildlife as pets.
Meanwhile, Sam is selflessly left holding a baby and when a familiar face from the past returns old feelings are tested. With so many plates spinning Sam worries something may get broken – he just hopes it won’t be their relationship.
Can parenthood, a relationship, and a professional life be successfully juggled and is it really everpossible to have it all?
My review
Phoebe Dashwood and Sam Hendrie have just fallen in love with their baby girl. Both their hearts expanded in a way they didn’t know it couldn’t. With Lily now around, Phoebe’s life is even fuller than before, because looking after a baby, being a vet, running an animal sanctuary for sure is filling her days! But when the sleepless nights kick in, and Phoebe feels that she cannot keep control of all the chaos, especially as Phoebe thinks that she is the only one feeling this way. However, what Phoebe doesn’t know, is that Sam is struggling too with all the changes in their lives. And with new challenges coming their way, and old faces from the past resurfacing, with the new dynamics in this new family, are Phoebe and Sam strong enough to fight all the battles as a united front?
Puddleduck Farm is the kind of place that throughout the series kept growing on me. Of course I loved it from the first book, but my love and admiration for the place and the people living and working there, only kept on growing. How could I not, when there is so much love present?
So obviously, with this latest book, I was eager to return to a place that I love, with people that I love! I just couldn’t wait to read what this wonderful author had in store for Phoebe and Sam.
Perhaps while you are reading this book yourself, you will feel that this isn’t the happiest book of the series, but for me, it felt like the most realistic, more emotional one.
Because we see a lovely new family, Phoebe, Sam and Lily, trying to find their feet with the new dynamics. And where often in books, the arrival of a baby is a blissful event, we see with Phoebe and Sam how things aren’t always rainbows and unicorns.
Phoebe and Sam are the kind of people that always want to do the right thing, they both always want to help out, and in this book, we see how there are several occasions where it comes at their own cost. Especially with Phoebe we see how she has a lot or even too many eggs in her basket, and she feels like she is losing it all.
And her desire to help, to be there for everyone, is absolutely admirable, but with changed circumstances, Phoebe needs to learn that things cannot be same as they were before. It also broke my heart, that while she is an amazing mother to baby Lily, there are still some unfinished business causing her even more distress.
And then there is Sam… he obviously is still the amazing man we got to know throughout the book, and there isn’t any doubt at all that he is truly devoted to Phoebe and Lily. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for the most important women in his life.
But somehow, Sam lost himself. And seeing that, truly broke my heart… With wanting to do good for everyone else, he has lost doing what *he* loves doing the most. And don’t see this as Sam being a selfish man, because he is anything but! But don’t we all need an escape, an outlet, to digest everything that is happening, a way to clear your mind? And exactly that seems that Sam has lost. And while it may be something silly, in fact it is something that we all need, to get a clear head, to have some *you – time* -, that will make able for you to fight the world again.
And it broke my heart reading how Phoebe and Sam, this power couple, aren’t able to talk about their struggles to each other. On the other hand, it was sweet in a way; because they don’t want to burden each other with their inner turmoil.
This shows that communication is everything in a relationship, no matter how difficult the subjects may be. Because you never know how someone else is feeling, and that perhaps some feelings are exactly the same.
Phoebe and Sam also learn that a problem shared is a problem halved. And not only sharing it between them, but also with all the people around them, that love them deeply. Asking for help is nothing to be embarrassed about, especially in a new situation.
Now, it may seem that this is a very sark story, filled with heartbreak, doubts, troubles and turmoil. And yes, there may be several struggles. But all those negatives are erased by the love that is palpable from each page. There is no doubt at all that all the characters love each other, in all the relationships. And even when mistakes are made, in moments of ‘weakness’, there may be some anger, but whatever has been done, for whatever reasons, there is an understanding of the ‘why’ it was done, and nothing the cloak of love cannot cover.
Phoebe and Sam are as always surrounded by characters that also have all the best of intentions. People that want to help in any way, perhaps even in absurd ways (looking right at you, Maggie 😊). That made me laugh in this book, made me smile, made my heart feel just warmer than it was feeling before.
We see how a whole community comes together, how no issue is too much handle. A community that works as one, no matter how different each individual is. Throughout the series, all the characters have grown a lot, but in this book, we see exactly how much each has grown, and how far they have come. Not only has their own knowledge expanded, but people have come out of their shell, have become more confident, and have become an important link in the amazing chain that Puddleduck Farm is.
Della Galton wrote an amazing, heartwarming story, showing us how lives change, how priorities change, but love is always prevailing. This is a realistic book, showing us the struggles of parenthood, but also the importance of communication, and unselfish meaning of love. Phoebe and Sam may have their own little family now with sweet Lily, but in fact, they have already been part of an amazing family that reside or live around Puddleduck Farm!
A bucket list to follow, with a lot at stake, at Christmas
Synopsis
When talented chef Molly’s best friend and business partner, Ava, passes away, she leaves Molly their beloved restaurant – and a wild, impossible bucket list to complete. But thanks to a legal mix-up, Molly’s inheritance is at risk unless she ticks off every outrageous item before the Christmas Eve deadline: just twelve days away.
Determined to honour Ava’s wishes and desperate to save her dream, Molly searches for a billionaire willing to share Champagne with her in a hot tub – one of the more extravagant challenges on the bucket list. She’s in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps so it might just be doable. But then she meets Levi. A devastatingly handsome billionaire, yes, but infuriatingly resistant to getting involved!
As the snow falls and sparks fly, Molly is entangled in a series of increasingly embarrassing escapades. With time running out, can she pull off the impossible – and maybe even find love along the way?
Hot enough to melt the Alpine snow, this romantic comedy is perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Olivia Spring and Sophie Kinsella.
My review
Molly had great plans with her best friend Ava. They even had a restaurant together and they were planning to go from strength to strength. That is, until Ava passes away and leaves Molly heartbroken over the loss of her best friend. Ava has left Molly her shares of the restaurant, but due a legal mix – up, Molly must complete Ava’s crazy bucket list in order to have those shares. To make things even worse, she only has twelve days, as the deadline is set on Christmas Eve. As Molly is in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps, a few of those items on the list may me more doable than expected, like sharing Champagne in a hot tub with a billionaire. And when she meets Levi, indeed a handsome billionaire, she may have find the perfect person. But Levi isn’t willing to play any kind of games, in fact, Levi is sending Molly complete mixed signals, going from hot to cold in just mere seconds. So while Molly keeps finding herself in embarrassing situations, often involving Levi, can she manage to achieve her big goal and tick off all the items of the bucket list? And where will things end up with elusive, annoying, yet irresistible Levi?
I cannot imagine how it feels to lose your best friend. So even if Molly’s pain is something I can only attempt to imagine, my heart went out to her. The love between Molly and Ava is so palpable from the memories we read, even if Molly and Ava were complete opposites. Where Molly is the more introvert, calm one, Ava is the more extravert, adventurous one.
So while Molly is obviously heartbroken, it was also in a way fitting that Ava would come up with an outrageous bucket list for Molly to complete.
Now, I have to admit, I don’t know if I would be able to complete that same bucket list, because while it would be perfect for Ava to do such things, I am too introvert and too alike with Molly have the courage to do them! Of course, there is a lot at stake for Molly, giving her no other option than doing whatever Ava has put on the bucket list.
The level of embarrassments Molly goes through the first part of the story, would make me hide away, run away, never wanting to show my face anywhere in France anymore! For the readers though, it was hilarious to read. But it also shows us how much courage it takes from Molly trying to fulfil that bucket list. Her discomfort and her awareness of how things may seems is so obvious to the readers, and it made me truly feel sorry for her too, because we know that it is out of character and it isn’t Molly’s way to behave at all.
So when her paths cross on an embarrassing way too, with Levi, I knew that those levels would only go up. Because while Levi may be a way to complete that bucket list, but I also knew that it wouldn’t go as straightforward as Molly would think.
On the contrary, because Levi isn’t waiting for another woman to throw herself at his feet.
I have to admit though, while I knew that Levi would redeem himself, I wasn’t a big fan of him after his first appearance. He is blowing hot and cold all the time, he is attracted to Molly, but then he quickly pushes her away, he is even being rude at her for no apparent reason.
But it also felt for me that Levi needed to be this way, allowing Molly to stand up for herself. Because the more the story progresses, the more Molly makes it clear that no matter how much there is an attraction between her and Levi, she doesn’t deserve to be treated the rude way.
It was frustrating to read how Levi at moments wouldn’t listen to Molly, to hear her side of the embarrassing story. Because we know that not everything is what it seems, as we get not only extra proof of this in this book, but we also know this from real life, don’t we?
Seeing things shift, evolve, change between Molly and Levi was great to read. We see how the more the story evolves, the more the pair of them realize what the feelings they are having. And the more they understand and act upon them, doing the right things.
While this book is filled with many moments of laughter (whether or not caused by embarrassing moments for Molly), this book is also a learning curve for both Molly and Levi. Because Molly clearly steps outside her comfort zone, but she also finds her voice and finds the courage to stand up for herself. While Levi learns that not everybody has a second agenda. But for him, most important, that he has to be patient and actually listen to those around him.
I enjoyed reading this book that shows in a funny way what can happen by stepping outside our comfort zone. And who knows which we may encounter. And just because things don’t start off with the right foot, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a chance of something more!
The magic of Christmas, even through the years and the people…
Synopsis
Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.
But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.
Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…
My review
Bea and Greta may be getting older, but whatever happened in their lives, no matter how far they are living from each other, they never stopped writing each other Christmas letters. Still now, while Bea is living in a residential home in London, and Greta is living in Vienna. Sophie may be a care assistant, but she has a special connection with Bea, and enjoys the moments they spend together. It is even so that Sophie has helped Bea writing her letters to Greta, and has even been subject in those same letters. When Bea then passes away, Sophie does not know how to tell Greta the news, especially as the last letters hasn’t been posted yet. As it was Bea’s greatest wish for Sophie to visit Vienna, and to get over the devastation of losing Bea, that is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna during Christmas time. But her visit in Vienna will turn out to be one full of surprises, for not only Sophie, but also for Greta’s family. And with Christmas just looming around the corner, this will turn out to be a holiday that for sure is life – changing.
When I started reading this book, I was so ready for the Christmas magic. And yes, it may sound crazy to be ready for Christmas in summer, but what are you gonna do, sue me? 😊
And I was extra eager to read this story, as the setting is in Vienna, the city that was subject of my own summer holidays! So it was easy for me envision the places that Sophie is visiting, as I have walked in the same streets just a few weeks ago!
At the start of the book, I was quickly enchanted by the connection that Sophie and Bea have. It is a fact that we often don’t give our elder enough of our times, or even get annoyed by all their stories that they repeat time over time over time. Yet seeing how Sophie goes even beyond her job as a care assistant, and happily visits Bea, that truly warmed my heart. Sophie shows right from the start, and not only with Bea, that there are so many people not only doing a job with passion, but also just have a genuine heart.
When Bea passes away, my heart truly broke for Sophie too. At the same time it angered me that even at such moments, there are people looking only at their own interest, trying to find a way that improves their own benefits…
I found it truly admirable of Sophie, who wants to respect Bea’s wish for her to visit Vienna. And I found it even more admirable that she wants to tell Greta herself the news of Bea’s passing… While it may not be an easy thing to do, Sophie knows that it is the right thing to do. Once again proof of her amazing, warm and kind character!
Once in Vienna, Sophie is getting a few surprises of her own. It starts rather quickly, when she goes to the Wynter Hotel, only to learn that Greta and het lovely husband Walter don’t actually own the hotel that carries their same last names. And that is just the first surprise!
Unfortunately this isn’t the only surprise that is waiting for Sophie… while the next surprise didn’t come as a real surprise, the fact that we read this book from different points of view, get to read the thoughts of different characters in this book, shows us that there are so many more layers in this book than I initially expected.
With Jennie also in the story, I was curious to see how she would fit in with not only Walter and his son Nick, but also with Sophie.
Jennie hasn’t had an easy time growing up, she is truly still scarred by some events and actions. Yet seeing how the Wynter family have opened their home and especially their hearts for her, was just ah – ma – zing. And seeing how protective is about the family that is truly family for her.
While I knew that Sophie is a total honest person, I could understand Jennie’s hesitation when Sophie is in Vienna, especially as Walter nor Nick have any doubts, while delicate information is being passed on. With people with bad intentions in the world, you cannot be cautious enough, can you?
However, you cannot see beyond all the love and warmth in this book. And how one trip to Vienna can truly change one’s life. It truly amazed me how there is so much kindness in this book, so much openness is it. And it was great to read how so many pieces of a puzzle that I didn’t expect to exists, just fell together.
But most important, the love that sparks from each page, just warmed my heart, even a heatwave in Belgium was nothing against it! Love between friends, love between couples, love between siblings (connected or not through blood). Love that can bring other people together, love that can put the past behind everyone, love that can make you feel love again.
Helen Rolfe wrote such an amazing, heart – warming, kind and even generous story. She shows us that even if this is a fictional book, there are good people in this world. Wonderful people, that can come suddenly in our lives, people that can change everything. And those kind of people are worth of every even scary step we are going to take…
Clara’s dance school is finally open, much to the excitement of the residents of Sunnybrook. The stress-busting, lights-off ‘Dancing in the Dark’ sessions are a big hit with the Little Duck Pond Café girls. But when the school is threatened with closure, will Clara’s dream be over before it’s even begun? Love is in the air for new recruit Anika, but could her dreams of romance be about to turn sour, too?
My review
Clara is excited to finally see her dream come to fruition, to open her own dance studio. She cannot wait to show her loved ones and the locals what she created, a place where dance is centre stage, and everyone can come, with or without dancing feet. Of course it took time for her to get at this point, and there have been several stress moments. But has the studio, Magic of Dance, taken too much time? Because suddenly it feels that Clara and her boyfriend Rory are drifting apart, and with her sister (and Rory’s ex) Lois acting oddly and spends way too much time with Rory, Clara starts to fear that she may have lost the person that matters the most to her. Meanwhile Anika is curious about the new dance studio that is opening. Especially as she has just found a job which brings her close to the dance studio. A job that she needs, as Anika and her dad are having financial struggles that only keep on getting worse when her dad is involved in an accident. So with her new job, and new friends, Anika hopes that her life can turn for the better, especially now that Xander has entered her life again. So can both Clara and Anika forget their troubles and dance?
So here we again, and this time, I put my dancing shoes on! Not that I am a good dancer, and my special moves are definitely for the moments when I am on my own. 😊
And how over the moon I was for not only seeing my friends again, but especially I was so so happy for Clara, as she is finally seeing her big dream coming true! If there is one person who deserves all her dreams coming true, it is for sure Clara! And seeing her (initially) still so happy with Rory, it truly warmed my heart!
However… and Rosie for sure played it dirty with this book and this lovely couple!
Because no matter how amazing and wonderful and even jealous – worthy the relationship that Clara and Rory have, there are throughout the story several red flags that yes, made me fear the fate of this couple.
Add to the normal struggles that a couple have, a sister like Lois, and any relationship is truly tested. And my my my, how much I disliked Lois and her behaviour! While I initially had all my trust in Rory, I truly believed that he was one of the absolute good guys, with Lois’s behaviour and their shared past, you never know, do you?
Yet I had to keep my faith in Rosie Green, and believe that in the end, somehow, things would not be what they may seem and that things would turn out for the best… otherwise Rosie would for sure end on my black list!
As often with a return to Little Duck Pond Café series, we are spoiled with two stories for the price of one!
This time the new entry is in the form of Anika.
Anika, who I immediately liked, even if it was clear from the start that she and her father aren’t having an easy time…
But no matter what has happened previously to this lovely pair, the love between father and daughter was just so lovely. Not every parent – child relationship is easy, but no matter all the lemons that life has thrown at them, they never let it come between them, or give up.
Even on the love aspect, Anika has been burned before, and her current dates aren’t all that great (if they appear on the date at least). Yet Anika doesn’t let it bring her down, she keeps on being the wonderful character she just is.
And when she crosses paths with Xander again, a former colleague, I for sure had all my hopes up! Especially because just the name alone, Xander, is one of my favourite names, so he had to be perfect, didn’t he?
With Xander in the picture now, I had everything crossed that things would change for the better for Anika now, as she truly deserves her happiness.
However, Anika isn’t in the clear yet, as not only her lovely father has an accident and his life is even at risk…
And here we see once again not only what a dedicated daughter Anika is, but also her caring nature again. Because she doesn’t leave her father until it’s necessary. And she keeps on worrying about him as it becomes clear that he is struggling afterwards.
But we also see how understanding Anika is, when some truths are revealed, truths that I saw perhaps coming a little bit. Not only is Anika understanding, but she is also the kind of person that does the right thing, no matter how much it will hurt her, or even break her heart…
To say that I loved reading this next amazing episode, would be an understatement. Because I DEVOURED this book, just couldn’t get enough of it. For my own mental health, for my own tender heart, I might believe that Rosie Green must stop writing. Because it cannot be healthy getting so invested, absorbed in each new story she writes and absolutely loving every bit of it! 😊
You’d know if something was wrong… wouldn’t you? But danger doesn’t always wear a mask – it can hide in plain sight.
After a difficult break-up, my six-year-old Daisy is finally settling into life in two homes. She’s spending more time with her dad, his wealthy and glamorous partner Kirsty, and her new stepsisters, Amelia and Freya. She seems happier. More relaxed. Like she’s finally found her place.
It should be everything I ever wanted for her. So why does it feel like I’m losing her?
Then Daisy confesses something that stops me cold. Something I can’t ignore. That Amelia isn’t kind. Behind closed doors, she’s cruel. Violent even.
Everyone says it’s just normal sibling tension. A bit of jealousy. But the more I try to dismiss it, the harder it becomes to shake the feeling that something is deeply, dangerously wrong.
What would you do if your child told you they were being hurt by someone you trusted? Would you risk everything to protect them – even if no one believes you?
My review
After Tasha’s partner Craig ends their relationship and starts a new life with another woman, Tasha is struggling with all the changes in her life. For the sake of their six- year-old daughter Daisy, Tasha has moved to live closer to Craig and his partner. So it is easier for Daisy to spend time with her father and his new family. After some time to adjust, Daisy seems happy with her other home. That is until Daisy admits that she is afraid of her oldest stepsister, Amelia. Because not only is there a big age difference, but Amelia is not kind at all towards her, on the contrary. It can even turn into violence at moments. While no everyone seems to see those evil streaks of Amelia, Tasha finds herself wanting to protect her little girl from getting hurt. But with no one in her corner, and a few secrets of her own, can Tasha give her little girl the protection she needs?
I am not a mother myself, and I have been happily single for a while now. So all I can do, is try to imagine how difficult it is when in this book, Tasha’s partner Craig decides to end things and have a new life with his new partner. The heartbreak itself is already a struggle, but the hardship to make a little girl like Daisy understand what is happening…
It must be said, that right from the start, Tasha does everything to make things as easy as possible for Daisy. I admired how Tasha realizes that downsizing is necessary, that moving closer to Craig, for Daisy’s sake, is a way to make things easier. And the way that despite how betrayed Tasha feels, she never talks bad about Craig whenever Daisy is near. It shows that Tasha for sure has only Daisy’s best interest at heart, and wants to do anything to make her little girl happy.
But while I admired her actions, I also felt that Tasha is perhaps too protective over Daisy? Of course, Daisy is only six years old, and any good mother wants to protect their children for every possible hurt. But I also felt that Daisy has to learn how to fall, because only then she can learn to stand up again. But obviously, I was only a bystander in this book, and I am not a parent myself, so what do I truly know about parenthood?
My heart truly went out to little Daisy, as her whole life is changing and being so young, it is difficult to truly understand what is all happening. And as Daisy is obviously a shy girl, not knowing what to say in a new environment, I could understand why she closes off even more.
On the other hand, it was lovely to see how slowly Daisy opens up while staying with Craig and his new family. How she finds a new best friend in her stepsister Freya truly warmed my heart, showing us the innocence and the genuineness of children.
Amelia of course is completely something else, and before things truly get out of hand, I could understand her. She lost her father, her mother moved on, all this on top of being a teenager… But while I was a bit sympathetic with her initially, what happens afterwards is just not okay.
But the more the story progresses, the more I was starting to have my own doubts about what is taking place. And yes, I have to admit, while I felt for Tasha and Daisy, I found it a bit difficult to actually truly like any of the characters.
Because there is something about each and every one of them that just didn’t sit right with me. What is Tasha keeping from everyone? Why is Daisy afraid to truly tell what is going on? And Amelia, why is she truly so horrible to Daisy? How come Craig is so blind and doesn’t see what Daisy is going through? And how come that Kirsty can be so dismissive of her own daughter, no matter how difficult Amelia is?
In this book, we see how lives can easily be turned upside down, how not everything is what it seems, and how easily also things can take a very dark and unexpected turn. But we see the determination of a mother, to protect her child, the love that a mother has. A mother that isn’t without faults, but has her heart at the right place. A mother that even despite all the evidence, shows a compassion and understanding and also a determination to figure out the whole truth.
A truth that in this book went absolutely dark and went a way I didn’t expect it to go. Even if I had some suspicions, I was shocked of the level that some people would go…
But the story, even with its dark themes, shows us what it means to be a real mother. A mother for a little girl that needs protection, even if it’s not clear who the enemy is and what the endgame of that enemy is. A mother that will go lengths to protect the most precious thing in live…
While waiting for the publication date, fall in love with this cover!
Synopsis
When a wary rock star and a cynical reporter fake date to bury a scandalous rumor, will true love be exposed as the real story?
Nick: I do my best songwriting while playing my guitar on the fire escape. Unfortunately, my in-bed-at-ten next-door neighbor, Maddie, is not a fan of my music. She clambers out on the fire escape to yell at me about making “noise.” In bunny slippers, no less. But then she trips and falls into my arms.
That photo of Maddie plastered all over me hits the papers, just as my dream recording company wants to sign my band. Which is a problem, because an obsessed fan is claiming that I’m her boyfriend and now the media is blowing up that I’m two-timing them both. Good-bye recording contract, unless….
Maddie: I’m supposed to cover the story. Not be the story! But when Nick begs me to fake date, I can’t resist the chance to be Nick’s girlfriend—even if fake—the opposite of my life as a city desk reporter. But my ex said I’m a terrible kisser, and there’s no way I want Mr. Hot Rock Star saying the same thing. Hence, clause 11 in our contract: There will be absolutely no physical contact.
Nick: When Maddie receives a threatening photo of the two of us with an X over her face, my desire to protect her suddenly feels all too real. It’s either a troll or her undercover investigation has been compromised. With both our careers at stake, is breaking up the only way to keep Maddie safe?
Kathy Strobos is an award-winning author living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys, and dollhouses. She took a break from working as a lawyer to write romantic comedies full-time and get in shape. She is still working on getting in shape.
Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves writing about New York City and her smart heroines who live and fall in love there, amidst its vibrant energy and the aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is the award-winning author of: A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts, Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real?, Caper Crush, My Book Boyfriend, Love Is an Art and My Secret Snowflake.
Hockey was my ticket out—my one-way pass to a better life. I’ve been laser-focused: graduate, get drafted, and build a career that proves I’m more than just another farm kid with big dreams. Athena de la Peña was always the one mesmerizing distraction I couldn’t afford. She’s my best friends’ older sister, and way out of my league.
But when she’s hurt and vulnerable, my carefully planned future becomes secondary. Everything I’ve worked for means nothing compared to protecting her. She deserves someone who’ll fight for her, stay for her, even if she doesn’t think she needs it.
Athena
Scott Raine was always there—my brothers’ best friend, the guy who saw me when no one else did. After my assault, I’m broken, raw, and searching for something solid. Suddenly, he’s my rock. The boy who watched me from afar is now the man holding me together, fighting my battles, and showing me what real love looks like.
And I have no idea what to do with that.
My review
From the moment Scott met Athena de la Pen֮a, he knew that he wanted to marry the girl. But with her being his best friends’ and hockey team mates’ older sister, he has loved her from afar. Not only because he doesn’t want to cause a break between the people that feel more family than his actual, disrupted and dysfunctional family, but also and mainly because he feels that a goddess like her could never fall for a guy like him. But what Scott doesn’t know, is that Athena feels that Scott is the only one that truly sees and understands her. And if only Scott wouldn’t see her as a member of his best friends… or at least that is what Athena thinks. Sparks have flown around them like forever, but they have never betrayed the de la Pen֮a – brothers. Until there is that one drunk night where Scott unintentional tells Athena what he truly feels about her. And that is the moment that their love story starts, until one event leaves Athena literally battered and broken. It is up to Scott now to make Athena understand that he will hold her, be her rock and love her forever unconditionally.
Lasairiona has made me feel a lot of different emotions while ready any of her books. Yet with this one, she not only managed to make swoon (as usual), made me fall in love (as usual), but she also broke my heart and yes, she made me cry…
I knew from the other books in this amazing series, that Athena is a force of nature. I don’t know if I would meet her in real life, if I would adore her, or fear her…
Athena is the kind of person that takes no crap from anyone. She knows what she is fighting for, and fighting she does. She is also the kind of person that if you mess with any of her family members, you will regret the day you were born. Of course that not only applies to Athena, but also to the de la Pen֮a brothers. She will protect her family from anyone, even from her own father, whose betrayal truly breaks her heart.
Athena is also the most non – judgemental person in the whole wide world, and she is also the most open – minded person, the most loving and caring one beside the most fierce one!
When her path crosses with Scott, right from the start sparks start to fly around. Or rather, fireworks do. I am not a believer of love or lust at first sight, but with Athena and Scott, well, they are exception to confirm that rule!
Can I say just how sweet Scott is throughout the whole book? Yes yes, he is also hot and fierce as hell. But there is this protectiveness in him, such a great care and love. All that bundled in one man, who didn’t have great examples while growing up, with a family that never follow the right path and keep making mistakes after mistakes.
And to see how despite his background, Scott turned out to be this magnificent specimen, just wow!
But back to his sweetness… because he shows time after time that even if his love for Athen is not requitted, and that he could never act upon his feelings, being her friend and in Athena’s life is better than nothing at all. Come on, how can you not swoon over that???
And the fact that he doesn’t want to betray his hockey – brothers, shows how much he respects the de la Pen֮a’s. And how much not only the brothers but also Athena matter to him. He doesn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize the friendship.
On the other hand, it saddened me to read how his background makes him believe that he could never be good enough for Athena. Because he for sure is more than good enough! His love for her goes that far that he is even willing to let her have someone extra in their bed, if she would be feel like missing out on something. Not every man would be willing to share the woman they love.
So I was a bit shocked to read how well everything was evolving for Scott and Athena, and I wasn’t even halfway the book!
And then came the moment that broke my heart. Because Athena has to endure the most despicable act that a woman can endure. No woman, no person should ever have to go through what Athena goes through. It got me so angry, so furious!
Yet I couldn’t stop to admire Athena, because no matter what she is going through, she manages to think about how to make sure that she can gather evidence. I admired her, because I don’t think I would able to just think about anything if it were me instead of her.
Reading those bits for sure wasn’t easy… And the aftermath wasn’t… Because the fierce Athena that I started to love, has been broken, torn apart. I didn’t want to read those bits, not only the act itself, but to see how Athena is coping with it all, because it is all so raw. But it is also necessary, because we can see how Athena is surrounded by people that would literally kill for her, and how she is getting back up.
What I liked about these painful bits is that Lasairiona shows us that it isn’t like a romantic book or movie, where after just a few days or weeks, things are solved easily. We see that Athena is struggling to cope with what has happened to her. And with the fact that she is seeking help, it also shows us that asking for help isn’t something to be ashamed of.
Even better, we see how not only Athena is seeking help, but also Scott and Athena’s brothers. Because yes, Athena went through her ordeal, but all her loved ones are feeling her pain, have their hearts broken.
The way Scott stands by Athena’s side through every difficult moment, being strong when he is by her side, because she needs his strong presence, just once again shows what an amazing man Scott is. But the way he falls into pieces with his brothers around (yes, because the de la Pen֮a brothers ARE his brothers), shows us that he is a real man, with real, strong and raw emotions.
Yes, there are difficult bits in this book, but there are also so many funny moments, sweet moments and of course also hot moments. We see a love story in its essence, the struggles to admit feelings, the fear of losing more than just a loved one, but a whole family, a whole community. We see love that is understanding, open, accepting and forgiving. We see a love that tries to conquer it all, with trial and error, like love in real life is too.
Lasairiona wrote about a passionate, strong woman, that doesn’t give up, stand up for not only her rights, and fights back. Lasairiona wrote a story about a committed, sweet, strong man, who would to anything for the woman he loves, without judgement.
Lasairiona wrote a story about love, how it can be found with just one encounter, but how it can grow. A love that makes you see your partner( – to – be) for who he/she/they/… truly are. A love that can fight back against the injustices of the world. A love that will not back down, a love that is so strong that a goddess like Athena and a ‘normal’ (not so normal in my eyes!) like Scott isn’t a story like a fairytale thus impossible, but so strong that even the evilest characters of fairytales cannot break…
Tizi’s Book Review 