Tizi’s Book Review

To have courage to resist, to have courage to escape…

Synopsis

‘A rich and engaging vision of life gone by and a lust for one woman’s future, rolled into one. And now I want to move to Italy!’ Mandy Robotham

A gripping and moving debut novel about two women, decades apart, whose fates converge in Florence, Italy. Perfect for fans of Patricia Wilson, Mandy Robotham and Lucinda Riley.

Only fourteen, Stella Infuriati is the youngest member of her town’s resistance network during World War II. Risking imprisonment and death, she relays messages, supplies, and weapons to partisan groups in the Tuscan Hills. Her parents have no idea, consumed instead by love and fear for their beloved son, Achille, a courier and unofficial mechanic for a communist brigade fighting the fascists.

Then, after 1945, Stella seemingly vanishes from the records, her name and story overshadowed by the tragic death of her brother – until a young writer arrives in Tuscany in the spring of 2019, uncovering long-buried secrets.

Fleeing an emotionally abusive marriage and a lonely life on an isolated estate, Tori McNair has come to Florence, the beautiful city her grandmother, Margaret, taught her to love, to build a new life. As she digs into her family history with the help of Marco, a handsome lawyer, Tori starts to uncover secrets of the past – truths that stretch back decades, to a young woman who risked everything to save her world….

‘A glorious read full of rich detail that made me ache to be back in Italy. I loved the characters and the story.’ Liz Fenwick

‘Conjures Tuscany so beautifully that I felt I was taking a holiday there whilst reading it. The spirit and atmosphere of Italy simply sizzle from its pages. A true escape!’ Fiona Walker

‘This moving page-turner is a love letter to Florence – past and present – and filled with all the juicy elements that hist-fic lovers will celebrate: love, passion, history, courage, secrets and second chances.’ Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author of Woman on Fire

‘A poignant, emotional novel about love, loss, and new beginnings.’ Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance

My review

Tori MacNair has had enough of her emotional abusive marriage and flees to the place she loved spending time with her grandmother. As having left her home, that means also that the plans for her latest book are thrown out of the window. But that also means a new opportunity, as the new plans are to write about her stay in Florence.
Digging into her family history, she discovers the story about a young woman, Stella Infuriati. Stella is a member of the resistance network during the Second World War. She works together with her brother Achille to pas on messages, supplies and even more to the partisans.
But once the war is over, Stella disappears, and nobody knows what happened to her.
And Tori is determined to discover what happened to that young girl, related to famous auto racer Achille Infuriati. 

Being an Italian, I know the stories about the resistance and Partigiani in Italy during the war. Obviously I wasn’t there during those hard times, but I always admired the people who fought against the monstrosities that were taking place. 

I liked how this book has dual timelines, as it didn’t carry all the heaviness of the war, but also shows how strong people can be. 

I truly felt sorry for Tori, as her marriage made her unhappy. Even if Duncan doesn’t take a lot of room in the book, we see how his behaviour towards Tori affected her. And how selfish and mean he is…
I completely understood why Tori had the need to escape, especially after Duncan’s latest mean trick. And I completely agreed with Tori that she had to go to a place that held so many happy memories for her.
But it broke my heart to see how even her own sister won’t side with her, and was pushing Tori to just back.
It’s not because we don’t see things ourselves, that they aren’t true. And I felt that siblings should always stick together…  

Obviously Tori totally opened up in Florence, how could she not in such a wonderful place. Not only can she do what she wants herself, but she finds joy again in her life, and is slowly becoming herself again, and not the person that Duncan wants her to be, a small and insignificant person. 

It was great to see how the Italian hospitality sparked from the pages too, as quickly Tori makes new friends and even the restaurant and bar owners are looking after the latest Scottish arrival. With all their big mouths and gestures, the author also manages to show the big heart Italians have… 

Just like Tori, I was intrigued by Stella’s story. first of all, I admired her courage, especially at her young age. It only shows that even the smallest person, with the smallest gesture can make a great difference. 

We see Stella growing up (too fast unfortunately) during war. She for sure sees atrocities that not only a teenager but no one should ever see…
But we also see her taking her responsibilities and see injustice.
And injustice is something she grew up with, as her parents always favoured her brother Achille. It saddened me to read those bits, as it is clear that both her parents see her more as a nuisance or even a maid instead of the loving and caring person Stella is. 

I was also very curious to see how these two apparently separate stories would be linked together. And while I got all my questions answered, I would have liked to see more of that link in the book. But that is just my opinion, and it doesn’t take away any pleasure I had while reading this book. 

The author wrote a story about two strong women in their darkest moments. While their stories couldn’t be more different, the courage they have is equal. Because it takes a lot of courage to help the resistance during war.
But it also takes courage to escape an abusive marriage and start over again, trying to find happiness.
And in the end, that is what both our main characters are seeking, happiness…

Can love be found again, even when you have given up on it?

Synopsis

Becki is fifty and a single mum to eleven-year-old Jemima, after being widowed five years ago.
Dan is forty-eight and a single dad to eleven-year-old Freddie, after his wife left him five years ago.
They have both given up on love.
But when they all go to Silver Sands Bay on the Lincolnshire coast for the summer, will they be able to put the past behind them and find love again?

My review

Becky is a widowed fifty-years old single mother. Together with her daughter Jemima and lovely dog Trudi they go on a holiday in Silver Sands Bay, on the Lincolnshire coast for the summer.
There they meet Dan, a single dad of forty eight, with his son Freddie. While their situation may be different, as Becky’s husband died five years ago, and Dan’s wife left Dan and Freddie five years ago, their heartbreak made Becky and Dan give up on love.
Not only do Jemima and Freddie get along, also Becky and Dan do. But will they getting along be enough to dare open up to love again? 

I have to say, this was a very lovely story to read. This wasn’t a book filled with great drama (even if there were a few moments) but it was filled with heartwarming moments, showing how beautiful it can be to find that one person that will give you the courage to believe in love again, with the blessing of your loved ones. 

Reading about Becky and Jemima (and Trudi 😊) was just amazing. Jemima is the typical teenager many moments, but after losing her father, I felt that she was also more mature than others.
It’s clear that Becky is an amazing mother, understanding Jemima’s behaviour, but also knowing where to draw the line.
These women have been through a lot, and that brought them even closer as they formed a unit of their own. 

And then there is Dan and Freddie. And laugh that I did over these two! While it saddened me to read how Dan’s wife just packed and took off without another glance, I loved to see how also these two are close, and have their lives filled with fun and a lot of laughter. 

But the thing I liked the most in this story, was the complicity between each character. The children didn’t have any struggle with the blooming feelings of their parents, on the contrary, as they were conspiring together to make it work!
All the characters got along perfectly, and that was wonderful to read. There is no need for overload drama before admitting love back in their hearts. Sometimes it can just come on a holiday while spending time together and playing boardgames, without any phone or internet reception. 

Obviously there is a little bit of drama, but that didn’t redirect the spotlight, it only made things clearer for our lovely main characters. 

I devoured this book rather quickly, and I loved every bit of it. And I even liked it how the author managed to do some name-dropping of authors I absolutely adore while the characters are looking for something to read! That just put an extra smile on my face!

A mysterious gift that makes one’s world turn upside down

Synopsis

Rosa Larkin is down on her luck in London, so when she inherits a near-derelict corner shop in a quaint Devon village, her first thought is to sell it for cash and sort out her life. But nothing is straightforward about this legacy. While the identity of her benefactor remains a mystery, he – or she – has left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.

Rosa makes up her mind to give it a go: to put everything she has into getting the shop up and running again in the small seaside community of Cockleberry Bay. But can she do it all on her own? And if not, who will help her succeed – and who among the following will work secretly to see her fail?

There is a handsome rugby player, a sexy plumber, a charlatan reporter and a selection of meddling locals. Add in a hit and run incident and the disappearance of a valuable engraved necklace – and what you get is a journey of self-discovery and unpredictable events.

With surprising and heartfelt results, Rosa, accompanied at all times by her little sausage dog Hot, will slowly unravel the shadowy secrets of the inheritance, and also bring her own, long-hidden heritage into the light

My review

Rosa Larkin cannot believe that she has inherited a shop in a Devon village. But while the money of selling to place would make her life easier, it’s obviously the one stipulation she must follow, as the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to someone who deserves it.
With no other option, Rosa goes to Cockleberry Bay not only to look at the place, but also to find the person whom she inherited from.
What Rosa didn’t expect, was to see the potential of the store, and a desire to run the place herself. Together with her dog Hot, Rosa has now a purpose in her life. And she finds herself surrounded by people offering a helping hand, from her best friend in London, to a sexy plumber to even a local reporter and a whole bunch of meddling locals, offering (un)wanted advice of their owns. 

Normally you start a series from the first book and then read the other books in chronological order. Well, I didn’t… I have read other parts of this wonderful series, yet somehow missed the first book. So before I started, I was very curious to know how it all began… 

From the start, it’s clear that Rosa didn’t have an easy life, as her being abandoned at a young age, never finding a real home and not ever allowing anyone to get too close, to avoid heartbreak.
With no one really close, beside her roommate/ best friend Josh, it is understandable that the news of the inheritance came as a total surprise to her.
While on one hand I was happy for Rosa to have this new opportunity in life, even if it’s a strange one, I also admired her courage to just pack and head off to Cockleberry Bay.
I know that if I were in her shoes, I would be too much of a scaredy cat to do what she did. 

What I liked about Rosa is that she is a real person, who makes mistakes, misjudges some characters, but also at the start of the book a rather standoffish character. She is even a bit literally and figuratively scarred from her past and is wary of all the locals of Cockleberry Bay. The only one she trusts and loves unconditionally is the loveliest, cutest dog ever in the world! And with a name like Hot, how can you not just adore him??? 

But back to Rosa…
So while initially she is keeping her distance and making a few bad decisions, she slowly somehow adapt to the Cockleberry Bay way of living. Not only is she making new friends with her neighbours, she finds a job while starting up her own shop, but she only shows her kindness while looking after and caring about the young local woman in need. 

I loved the whole story, with Rosa trying to settle down, a few mysteries around the corner and even room for romance. Romance that kept going different directions, surprising me at moments with behaviour that I didn’t see coming. But also with my own personal favourite, that I kept having my fingers crossed for.
And even with love, we see a change in Rosa, as how she initially has no qualms about having a night of fun with an unavailable man, to realize towards the end that even she is looking for love, and that even she deserves to find it in a trustworthy man. 

This story has so much in it, yet it never feels too overwhelming. A lot of things are happening in it, but you never lose the gist of it. And that is that no matter how life has been to you this far, somehow, somewhere there is a place waiting for you to call ‘home’, with locals that are welcoming you in with their kindness but even their weird bits. 

After reaching the end of this book, I felt happy that I finally caught up with the start of this wonderful series. It gave me not only the answers I was searching for, but so much more in the shape of love, acceptance and growth.
This author for sure knows how to captivate her audience with a wonderful story!

A camping trip like no other…

Synopsis

One camping trip, two hearts, and a love that knows no bounds

Logan Ramsay may be intelligent and energetic, but buying Heather Glen campsite could be the worst decision he’s ever made. Working a summer job there as a teenager was a dream, but owning it is a nightmare. He’s barely keeping his head above water and his big plans are on hold.

Sensible and reliable Eleanor Kendrick has had a heartbreaking year, losing her beloved mother, and being dumped by her boyfriend. Both Eleanor and her father are struggling to cope. Their camping trip to the Scottish Highlands was meant to rekindle some happiness at a place they both loved in the past, but it gets off to the worst possible start when her father falls on a hill walk. Eleanor falls too – for her father’s drop-dead gorgeous rescuer, Logan.

The attraction between Eleanor and Logan sparks more heat than a campfire, but will the love they’ve kindled in the glen peter out, or can they find a way back to each other once the holiday is over?

My review

Eleanor Kendrick has had a rough year. Not only did she lose her beloved mother, but her loss also meant the end of her relationship. With her siblings far away, she made it her duty to look after her father, who is struggling even more after losing his wife.
As an attempt to rekindle happy memories, father and daughter decide to go on a camping tip in the Scottish Highlands, as it was a place they both used to love.
But already on day 1 things go wrong, as Eleanor’s father has an injury after a fall. Luckly owner Logan Ramsey is there to their rescue.
Yet no matter how upbeat Logan may seem, he has problems of his own, as running the campsite turns out to be a real nightmare and not the dream he thought it would be.
Even if both Eleanor and Logan are having their own issues, they cannot deny their mutual attraction…  But what will happen once the holiday is over? 

The Glenbriar Series have brought me joy in the past, so I was very eager to read this next chapter. And it gave me everything I expected and more! 

It’s obvious that our main protagonists in this story have problems of their own.
There is Eleanor, with a great sense of duty, looking after her father after the death of their beloved mother and wife.
It’s a great sense of duty Eleanor has, has she put her father’s happiness before her own. And while I admired her for taking such good care of him, on the other hand it also saddened me as she did this at the cost of her own happiness and dreams. 

And then there is Logan, who always dreamt big. And owning Heather Glen campsite was one of his big dreams. But he quickly realizes that with big dreams come big responsibilities. And the campsite isn’t that up to date anymore.
Ow, let’s not forget the annoying campers with their ridiculous requests and demands!
While I admired his courage to run the place, with all his good intentions, it broke my heart to see how Logan starts to see how far the dream and the reality of running the place can be. And I felt for him as he saw himself again as a disappointment to his family. 

So yes, these two characters for sure deserve some happiness, and I was over the moon to see how well they fitted together.
Eleanor and Logan find each other and somehow have this instant connection I became jealous of. Even if things perhaps would develop a bit too quickly, I liked it anyway, especially when there appears to be some memories that for sure made things easier to accept as a reader! 

Obviously things cannot go without a glitch, as there are fears to overcome that aren’t that easy to overcome.
But no matter how “young” their feelings are towards each other, the sincerity of it sparks from the pages. And they are feelings who won’t just disappear without a fight!

The author again delighted us with a marvellous story about finding love at perhaps the oddest places. A love that connects, makes you perhaps act out of character, but also makes you the happiest that you have been in times. And that a balance must be found between finding your own happiness and making others happy. Only if that balance can be found, and the right priorities have been made, you can find that perfectly happily ever after that you were looking for, without having an ounce of guilt.

How a lottery win can change your life…

Synopsis

Krystle has always yearned to live a different kind of life, so when she hits the jackpot, quite literally, she’s over the moon. At last she’ll get the chance to live in a gorgeous house, drive the car of her dreams and maybe even track down that elusive soulmate at last! It all sounds perfect – but can reality ever live up to your dreams?

My review

Krystle is the kind of woman who lives from pay check to pay check. And she is still carrying around the burden of one bad decision…
So when her sister wins the lottery, and as they always promised, shares half of the winnings with Krystle, Krystle is over the moon, as all her problems seems to be solved and she can finally live her dreamlife.
But will living in a gorgeous house, and having a fancy car, give Krystle the happiness she is looking for? 

Rosie Green is the kind of author that can write a wonderful story based on the most random subjects. Because while winning the lottery is obviously a great thing to happen to the lucky person, it doesn’t really affect anyone else when not related.
Yet Rosie managed to write again another marvellous, captivating story about a character that perhaps may not be the one you like from the first page. 

And I don’t want to sound mean about it, but let’s be honest, Krystle hasn’t made always the best decisions at the start of the book. And while she does it all with the best intentions, those intentions has brought her in trouble and she is struggling to get out of them.
And it’s those same best intentions that make her seem rather gullible… but of course it easy to talk like that when you’re not in that situation and you’d think you’d never fall for that trap! 

I have to say, I was surprised with Krystle receiving half of the winnings. Not that I wouldn’t share my winnings with my own brother, but I don’t think I would actually give half of the money away. A big chunk of it, absolutely, but half? I don’t know…
But this shows again how the author comes up with the most wonderful characters, main character or side character. 

Even after finally having the cards turned, Krystle is doing things I would think twice about. Okay, I also would have the initial spending free, but I wouldn’t be flaunting around. And I had also some questions about how Krystle was telling some people about her luck. 

Now, before you think that Krystle isn’t a likeable person at all, just don’t. Because even if she has made some mistakes, you can also see the kind of person she truly is. She is kind and generous (even when she truly shouldn’t be). She is caring and just a woman looking for happiness and love.  

We also see Krystle maturing throughout the story. While initially she is this gullible young woman, with her winnings she also starts to realize that it wouldn’t be so bad to be a bit wary of the people coming (back) in her life.  

I was very curious to see where the author would make Krystle find love. Would it be with her best friend Adam, making Krystle realize that perhaps her feelings run deeper than just friendship? As there are for sure signs that tell her that there may be more…
Or will that elusive stranger be The One, as he seems to appear at the right times over and over again? But is he truly honest about who he is or is he just another man seeing an opportunity now that Krystle has some money? 

This book for sure was an easy and short read, but that didn’t diminish my pleasure while turning the pages. From the first page I was totally dragged into the story, with yes several frown seeing Krystle’s initial behaviour. But even those frown couldn’t wipe that big silly smile of my face while enjoying another delightful story of an amazing author that keeps on showing us her talent on each page she writes!

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, right?

Synopsis

1968, Sicily.  Just months after a terrible earthquake has destroyed the mountain town of Gibellina, Enzo and his wife Irene Borgata are making their way back to the family home, Villa Alba del Ciliegio, on roads overlooked by the eerie backdrop of the flattened ghost town.  When their car breaks down, Enzo leaves his young wife to go and get help, but when he returns there is no trace of Irene.  No body, no sign of a struggle, nothing.

Present Day. TV showman and true crime aficionado Milo Conti is Italy’s darling, uncovering and solving historic crimes for his legion of fans. When he turns his attention to the story of the missing Irene Borgata, accusing her husband of her murder, Enzo’s daughter Maddi asks her childhood friend, retired detective Jane Cobain, for help to prove her father’s innocence. But the tale Jane discovers is murky: mafia meetings, infidelity, mistaken identity, grief and unshakable love.  As the world slowly closes in on the claustrophobic Villa Alba del Ciliegio, and the house begins to reveal its secrets, will the Borgata family wish they’d never asked Jane to investigate? And what did happen to Enzo’s missing wife Irene? 

Bestselling author Louise Douglas returns with an irresistibly compelling, intriguing and captivating tale of betrayal, love, jealousy and the secrets buried in every family history..

My review

In 1968, Irene Borgata disappeared after a car break and her husband Enzo went to get help. With absolutely no evidence at all, the case turned into a classical cold case.
That is until in 2003 an Italian TV showman, Milo Conti, make it his next case – to – be – solved. Hin finger points into the direction of Enzo. With the people getting more and more agitated, Enzo’s daughter Maddi asks her friend and retired detective April Cobain for help and proving Enzo’s innocence.
Initially rather reluctant, April decides to help out her childhood friend, only discovering that Villa Alba holds more secrets she thought…
With the clock ticking for the big revealing TV show, will April find the evidence of Enzo’s innocence? And what did truly happen to Irene? 

With this kind of blurb, it’s rather easy to catch my attention. Especially when there is so much mystery… How could someone just disappear into thin air? Why is there nothing to be found, not a body, not a drop of blood, or even a ransom note?
And then I am only talking about the disappearance itself, because it’s clear that Villa Alba holds many more secrets, ready to be all revealed! 

It was fascinating to read the dual timeline, seeing how Irene was adapting into her new life, just married to Enzo, and seeing how April is trying to discover what really happened with Irene, with a deadline to keep in mind too. 

I liked how the author made a change in the traditional dual time line, by showing us Irene’s thoughts and not just telling us how Irene’s life was.
That made me understand Irene better, seeing her struggles. And not only of those adapting to a life in Sicily, but also her emotional struggles.
We see how Irene got her heart broken even before she met Enzo, but how she slowly is picking up the pieces of her life again. She does her best to be happy with Enzo and his family, but it’s not easy to enter a typical Sicilian family as a foreigner. And it’s not easy when your heart still belongs to someone else…  

We see her many struggles, but also her little moments of happiness. How she find it with the horses, but also falling in love with little Maddalena, how they form a unique bond between the two of them. 

A Maddalena that even in 2003 is struggling with the disappearance of the only mother – figure she has known. So I understood why she reached out to April when a TV show would dedicate an episode to Irene’s disappearance. 

I liked to see April’s determination to get to the bottom of the story. Even if she is connected with the family, and cares not only about Maddi but also Enzo, she won’t allow that connection to stop the truth from coming out. Whether it’s that Enzo truly killed his wife or if there was completely something else going on. 

As someone who has read and watched several mystery – stories, I have to admit that the big revelation didn’t come as a complete surprise. Throughout the story we get a few clues that can give it already away, if you are paying attention.  

Yet even if my hunch turned out to be right, this story kept me pushing to read more. The need to be proven right was just too high.
And while it was certainly about finding out the truth about a cold case, it was for sure also about the strength of love, even lost loves.

Is there a more perfect place to mend a broken heart than a French Chateau?

Synopsis

When wedding planner Hattie signs up for her dream job, organising her cousin’s wedding in France, it offers the perfect escape from a relationship that’s been going south for a while. 

Unfortunately when she arrives at the idyllic Chateau St Martin, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the forthcoming wedding, including Luc Bremont, son of the owner of the chateau.  

Luc has finally been given the chance to make his own champagne at the family vineyard and everything rests on making it a success, the last thing he wants is the distraction of a big wedding at the chateau. 

Will Hattie be able to build bridges between the inhabitants of the chateau in order to allow the wedding to go ahead?

My review

With her boyfriend Chris giving her a dilemma, him or a French experience, Hattie decides to break up and go the French Champagne region to plan the wedding of her cousin.
But she didn’t expect the Chateau to be in such a state, as it appears that Hattie decision to turn up months early turned out to be the right one. Not only Hattie needs to be on top of everything, but the whole place needs a good cleaning. And with people suddenly backing out of made commitments, Hattie does not know where to start first…
Luckily she can count on Luc, whose parents own the chateau. While Luc himself is trying to chase his own dreams, he is also the person taking Hattie under his wings and shows her the French beauty.
But no matter how undeniable their attraction is, this could only be a holiday fling, or not? 

Julie Caplin is the Queen of Romance Escapism! Having read several lovely books, I keep being surprised by the talent of this author. Each story takes me on an adventure, a wonderful journey and I never get the sense of repetition. 

Hattie is the kind of character you like from the first moment. Even if she just came out of a (rather toxic) relationship, and her heart is broken, she keeps her head high and is ready to face the French adventure with great enthusiasm.
And that enthusiasm sparks from every page, even when things more often than not start to take another, negative direction. 

She also starts to discover the pleasures of life, how wonderful a simple picnic can be, or wandering around in local markets, tasting wonderful food.
Hattie starts to see that her life with Chris was not actual living her life at her fullest, but more just hanging in there. And seeing how Hattie enjoys the little things in life, was truly sweet. 

I liked it too how Hattie tries to adapt herself in France. Because often tourists or ‘temporarily’ people don’t make the effort to learn the language or to understand the customs and traditions of a country. Yet Hattie tries her best, even if failing at moments, and even tries to make a connection to the people around the chateau. 

And for sure she connects with Luc! While Luc for sure is a lovely character, I couldn’t stop feeling sorry for him…
It saddened me to read how he grew up without feeling loved by any of his parents, and how he feels more at home and loved by people who are not related to him, rather than the people he shares the same DNA with. 

Yet I also admired his courage to stand up against his own family, as once again they fail to understand him and his dreams. He isn’t afraid to go lengths for the right cause.
And he is absolutely the kindest man ever! Even if the wedding Hattie is arranging, clashes with the wedding of Yvette, a close friend, he tries to do the right thing. Just like Yvette does, it would have been easy to sabotage Hattie’s plans, but that is just not the person that Luc is.
Can I just also add that I could ‘hear’ his pronunciation of Hattie’s name and that made me weak in the legs? 😊 

And seeing how two lovely people, with their own problems, find not only comfort but so much more in each other, truly warmed my heart.
Hattie and Luc connect in a wonderful way, not only they enjoy spending time together, but they find a sort of complicity, trying to help each other out. And if that isn’t a great base to start something marvellous, I don’t know. 

Just like I am used to, this book is also filled with so many hilarious moments. I liked the animosity between Fliss and Alphonse, and seeing how quickly that turned 180°. But I also laughed at the attempts of sabotage. For sure I will never look at a certain kind of poo in the same way! 

There is also a bit of a mystery in this story, adding a great new layer, making the reader even more curious and more adamant on continue reading! 

Again this author delivered wonderfully, taking me on a journey in France, even if I am not a true connoisseur of Champagne.
But whether the story is set in France or in any other country, the author shows us that the best things can be found at the most unexpected times and places.
If only we dare to find the courage to change our lives completely and do as our heart asks us to do, no matter how scary it may seem.

Can you put a price on love and freedom?

Synopsis

A mistress cannot marry for love…

As one of the famous Preece sisters, Kitty is the most sought-after courtesan in London. But with the vicious Duke of Gillingham scaring away any man who looks her way, securing a new arrangement with a wealthy gentleman will be no easy feat. Kitty’s only hope to find someone suitable is through her loyal and cherished friend, the Reverend Sidney Wakefield.

Sidney has devoted his life to the church, but it was never by choice. He is a writer and Kitty his muse. As he is roped into Kitty’s plotting, he begins to realise that protecting her from the malevolent Duke comes at a price – and it might mean losing Kitty to someone else entirely.

As Kitty and Sidney try to find a way out, it becomes clear that years of friendship have developed into something deeper. Except that they are from different worlds and Kitty’s heart has never been hers to give away…

My review

Kitty Preece is together with her sisters one of the most desirable courtesans in London. But being in demand also means catching the wrong kind of attention. And Kitty has caught the attention of the Duke of Gillingham.
Even if Kitty truly dislikes the man, his wealth cannot be just ignored… And thus Kitty must find someone even more wealthier, to escape the Duke’s clutches.
Her best friend, writing Reverend Sidney Wakefield wants to help Kitty the best he can. Not only because Kitty is his muse, but she is also the woman who has stolen his heart.
While trying to find a way out of Kitty’s situation, realization dawns that there is mote than just friendship. But with their worlds miles apart, is their love alone enough? As it’s not only a matter of money, but also a matter what people would think and a matter of status… 

I always enjoy reading stories about impossible loves. It intrigues me to see how the story will develop from something impossible to something possible and wonderful. Add the fascination of a Regency story and my interest only increases! 

Kitty is the kind of person that may seem to use her assets merely for gaining wealth. But while that in a way may be true, there is more to her than we first see.
She hasn’t become a courtesan by choice, but more by force. And while I don’t like that, I understand that all three sisters had to make this career, to survive. 

But when on moments we see Kitty parading around, we also see the soft and kind side of Kitty, how she looking after Ada – Marie and her nieces too.
Also her friendship with Sidney shows us that she isn’t a shallow character at all. She treasures her friend and even deeper into the story we see how she wants to protect Sidney, despite her own feelings. 

Sidney is in a way not the kind of Reverend I always imagined, yet in other ways he absolutely is. He is indeed a Reverend, but we also see another passion in him, and a talent. And him being a write somehow clashed with my vision of a Reverend.
His friendship with Kitty shows how non – judgemental he is. He doesn’t judge Kitty for her ‘profession’ but he sees her true character. And in that way he is a real Reverend, as he sees the heart of people. 

The Duke is for sure a despicable character, in several ways. And his behaviour made it for sure understandable that Kitty wants to escape from him the sooner the better.
And of course she seeks the help of her best friend. The best friend that would do anything for Kitty, even if that would mean to have his own heart broken… 

While we know from the start Sidney’s feelings, it was sweet to see how Kitty realizes what her own feelings are. But on the other hand it was also sad, because her situation isn’t one where she can just follow her feelings as there is too much at stake, not only for her but also for her loved ones. 

And that frustrated me a little bit in Kitty… because I could see the dilemma. How can she be with the man she loves if that would mean that Sidney would lose a lot? And how can she ever abandon her sisters? But how could she ever lay with another man when her hearts belongs to Sidney? And as a reader or bystander it’s easy to say to make a decision and just stick with it. But how can you decide when it’s your life and your beloved ones’… 

This wasn’t the light – hearted story I expected it to be. There are darker bits in it, showing us the ugliness of real life and even betrayals of the people around Kitty and Sidney. But life, no matter what era, isn’t a journey filled with sparkles and rainbows. There are always people that will hurt you.
But also, no matter era you are living in, there will also be love. Sometimes it may be hard battle, but love will be worth of the battle and all the other struggles it will meet on its path. And this book shows us all those aspects.

When a much needed solitary holiday turns into a not so solitary one…

Synopsis

Young and quiet, Lucy Granger leads an introverted life in Reading, living in a flat and working in design at a graphics company—until it is upended when she both sells her idea for a mobile game and suffers an unexpected medical diagnosis shortly afterwards.

Facing a mandated medical rest period, she decides to use her windfall earnings to take a year’s holiday, renting a farm on New Moon Lane in a country village in Yorkshire. As Lucy settles into her holiday home for some tranquility, she soon learns that she is not the only tenant, when a llama named Llarry strolls out of the farm’s supposedly-derelict barn. He is shortly followed by others in a menagerie of abandoned animals left behind—from a sickly donkey who likes eating crisps to a flirtatious cockerel sleeping in the back garden.

To Lucy’s consternation, no one is willing or able to take them on, leaving her with a strange mix of furry and feathered friends to find homes for. Reluctantly adapting to her circumstances in order to deal with this problem, Lucy will discover other surprises about the animals in her care, and the place she is temporarily calling home. About herself, as well.

Will her ordinary life ever be the same after her experience on New Moon Lane? More importantly, should she really want it to be?

My review

Lucy Granger is living a quiet life in Reading. Her job doesn’t require that much interaction, ideal for an introvert like her.
And then two things happen at the same time: she sells her idea for a mobile game, which is great news. But the other thing, is not a good one, as she has suddenly a medical condition that requires her to have a rest period.
For Lucy is this the perfect opportunity to take a year’s holiday, finding a peaceful place to stay, while she can keep on developing her mobile game.
Her heart is set on a farm on New Moon Lane in Yorkshire, but no matter what she expected from her holiday, she didn’t expect it to be filled with llama’s, a donkey and a cockerel.
With no one else willing to take the animals in their care, it’s up to Lucy to look after Larry the Llama, Dimitri the Donkey and Kenny the Cockerel…
And slowly Lucy discovers the importance of these sweet, stubborn and cocky animals and even some new arrivals…

A brand new series always feels like opening a Christmas present for me. Will I like it? Or will I hate it?
And with an author you already know and like, it’s always even more terrifying, as you hope that you will like it, but then realize that the latest book just wasn’t your cup of tea.
Now, before I am giving Laura Briggs a complete heart attack, this book wasn’t the latter!

Lucy is a character that people will relate very easily to. Just like I did, because no matter how much people think I am an extrovert, deep down I am an introvert. I can enjoy more the quiet, the being on my own, than large crowds.

Yet even if I had could relate with her very easily, I also felt sorry for her. Because where I at moments can talk to people without feeling too much of of my comfort zone, we can clearly see that Lucy does have those struggles.
I think we will never ever see her having a chat and have just a small talk about the weather. So I am very eager and curious to see how her character will develop further, and I truly hope she will be able to open up, becoming a bit more extravert, without losing her own essence.

While her medical condition is a bit mysterious, I could feel that her holiday on New Moon Lane is exactly what she needs, even with the (un)pleasant discovery of the animals.

Ooh, those animals! They for sure stole my heart! And not only mine… Even if cockerels aren’t my favourite animals (thanks to my neighbours who have one and keep me awake night and day…) Kenny for sure is the exception as even he managed to steal my heart!

The disadvantage of reading the first book of a series, that I was eager to read more, I was ready to see what adventures would be waiting for Lucy. Yet this book felt more like a first meeting, you know you like the characters, but you don’t have the complete picture yet.

However, with the many glimpses, meeting several side characters, it’s clear that this series has a great potential!

When married by obligation to the King, can an alliance be found against a traitor?

Synopsis

Stirling Castle, 1498

Visiting court for the first time since her father’s death, Lady Avelina Gordon finds herself drawn to the handsome warrior, Sir Lachlan MacNair. But as a woman who has seen too many of her friends lose everything for ‘love’, she keeps her heart guarded.

Castle Berradane, 1502

Lady Avelina is unceremoniously told to expect her new husband within the month. The man in question: Sir Lachlan.

Lachlan arrives in Berradane carrying his own secret, and a determination to control his heart. As attraction builds between the couple, they find themselves under attack and fearful of a traitor in their midst.

Can the teamwork they’ve shown in adversity so far pull them through one final test, and will they find the strength to risk their hearts, as well as their lives?

My review

Ever since the death of her father is Lady Avelina responsible for Berradane and its inhabitants. But when the King lets her be told to expect her new husband, Avelina is not ready to just hand over her power. Even if her husband – to – be is Sir Lachlan MacNair, a warrior she has been drawn to a few years ago. But with her heart well locked away, determined to never lose everything she has for ‘love’, she will allow Lachlan in her home, but not more.
However, Lachlan is carrying his own secrets, and while he never forgot the beautiful Lady he got literally entangled with years ago, he will control his own heart.
Despite their attraction, the newlyweds find it often hard to find common ground. That is until there is the threat of a traitor amongst them.
Now Avelina and Lachlan must join forces for the sake of not only Berradane, but also for their own sakes, as their hearts are more at risk than ever… 

I always enjoy reading stories where the main characters have an instant attraction towards each other, but are finding more things to disagree over than just admitting their feelings. Because I love to see how heart always wins over mind. You can fight all you want, in the end it’s the heart that wins. 

So in this book, it was great to see the initial attraction, but how both Avelina and Lachlan do not act upon them.
It takes years and sporadic visits where nothing truly happens, until the inevitable happens. And who are they to disagree with the King himself? 

I found Avelina a very strong woman, despite the era she is living in. It is not evident for a Lady to have a say over how to rule their homes, yet there she is, showing that women are just as equally capable of doing so.
She shows that she doesn’t need a man in her life.
And obviously when she is ‘forced’ to marry Lachlan, she won’t give up what she has fought so hard to gain. 

Yet it also saddened me to see how lonely she was. Yes, she has her servants, of which a few are even more friends than merely servants. But she doesn’t have someone to truly confide in, to share her worries with.
And I felt even more sorry for her beliefs that love would make you lose everything. 

In that aspect, it was funny to see how she keeps her distance with Lachlan, how she keeps challenging his propositions and suggestions. 

While it has to be said, Lachlan does it all with the best intentions. But how can you gain your wife’s trust when the marriage is an arranged one and you barely know each other? 

Lachlan is the kind of warrior I think every woman would dream of. He is strong, fierce, fearless. But he is also kind, gentle, understanding and patient.
He knows what he feels for Avelina, and while he also sees her attraction towards him, he won’t cross any boundary, he takes his time with her, he wants her to get to know him and the other way around. 

The clashing between this couple was rather funny, in a bit of a mean way. Their stubbornness at moments was just too funny for not laughing at it.
But we also see slowly how trust is being gained, even if their true feelings are still well hidden. 

The attack of Berradane is of course not a complete surprise, and even the traitor wasn’t a that shocking revelation at all.
And for readers the outcome wasn’t one we didn’t see coming, yet it was great to see how forces were joined by Avelina and her people and Lachlan and his fellow – warriors. It shows that both characters truly care about the people of Berradane and are ready to put their own differences aside for the greater good. 

This was a lovely story to read, about two characters that are afraid of allowing love in their hearts. But with time they realize that fighting against love is in vain, and that fighting together against a real enemy can make them understand that love is worth the fight (literally and figuratively speaking).