Tizi’s Book Review

When romance and love are dead…

Synopsis

Get ready to fall in love with the brand new romance in the Scottish Escapes series from bestselling author, Julie Shackman.

When romance author Rosie Winters’s own fairytale romance ends with a bang, she’s determined to get away from everything. Packing up her belongings she sets off for the furthest place she can think of: Scotland.

Rosie spent her summers at her late grandmother’s coastal cottage in the Highlands and knows it’ll be the perfect place to wallow for a while. Even better that there’s a gorgeous lighthouse and dolphins in the bay.

What Rosie didn’t expect was to bump into the new lighthouse keeper, Mitch. Despite her recent heartbreak, Rosie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Mitch. As they spend more time together, is it possible that he needs Rosie every bit as she needs him…

My review

Rosie Winters had it all: her books are a real success, and she is in a loving marriage with Joe. His flaw though is that he is always late for anything. Even at Rosie’s latest book launch, Joe cannot manage to get there on time, not surprising Rosie at all. But while talking to him on the phone, Rosie’s world falls apart when Joe has an accident. However, Joe’s death isn’t the only shock Rosie gets, as she quickly after the funeral learns that her marriage wasn’t that perfect as she thought it was. Rosie needs to get away from everyone and everything, thus she escapes as far as possible as she can. And that brings her to her late grandmother’s coastal cottage in the highlands. There she can hide and wallow on her own, while admiring the beauty of the place. However, her peace and quiet aren’t all that peaceful and quiet, as people know about her,  and her grandmother. And then there is Mitch, the new lighthouse keeper and her neighbour. Not only finds Rosie being fascinated  by his presence, but he also is there in time of need. But is it Rosie that needs Mitch, or does Mitch need Rosie too?

There are series that I am truly invested in. And from the moment a new book is out in that series, I don’t care about the blurb, I just have to read it. This book is exactly like that. I saw the author has written something new, and I didn’t care what it would be about, I knew I wanted to read it. Perhaps it is even an advantage not knowing what it is about, and just discover the plot reading bit by bit?

I have read several books where right from the start, it is clear that the relationship the main character was or is in, is doomed. Or that there are at least writings on the walls that the main character sees or at least should see, as those signs are obvious.

Unfortunately, Rosie is blissfully happy in her marriage with Joe, and while they both have busy and demanding careers, she is so sure of their love. It was even sweet to learn that Rosie has been using Joe as inspiration in her books.

And that knowledge just made me so angry. Because we know that everything Rosie believed in, is going to fall apart. And while I was mentally prepared for losing Joe, I wasn’t prepared for the level of deceit he has been using.

I could completely comprehend Rosie, her need to hide away, to wallow, to give up on everything, But on the other hand, I also wanted to tell her to not make any haste decision, as perhaps in the future she would end up regretting them… It is normal to lose your mojo as a writer after such a tragedy. But no matter how much it hurts at the moments, never burn down any bridges…

Obviously, I was all in for Rosie to go to Scotland, as I could understand that at home, there would be too many reminders of the life she had, or rather, thought she had.

A getaway is exactly what Rosie needs, to not just lick her wounds, but also to find herself again. And I found it lovely that Rosie returns to her late grandmother’s cottage, to the home to a woman she loved so dearly.

I could feel how Rosie is embraced by everything that connects her with her grandparents, and even if they aren’t around anymore, their love is still palpable, and is what Rosie needs.

My heart warmed in this book, reading how somehow, through artistic eyes, Rosie reconnects with her grandmother Tilda. Discovering not only Tilda’s paintings, but also her diaries, makes Rosie more determined to do her grandmother proud, and fulfil Tilda’s dream.

A mission that makes her work closer together with Mitch, the new lighthouse keeper.

The lighthouse keeper Rosie didn’t expect to meet and is a bit confused about it. The lighthouse keeper that has his own reasons to be hiding away too.

But what I loved about Mitch is the fact that despite his own need to be hiding, he doesn’t hesitate to offer Rosie his help. And he quickly sees behind the façade that Rosie shows him, he doesn’t give up.

Mitch is carrying around a lot of guilt, after an event that has cost him a lot. A guilt that isn’t justified, but we all know how guilt works, don’t we?

So it was just sweet and heartwarming to see how these two hurt and broken people, find out they are neighbours, and slowly, with a lot of patience, time and even some fear, start to get closer.

Of course this all could be possible with the help of their canine friends, that have a hand – or rather paw – in the process. So a big shout – out to them too! 🙂 

While it was lovely to see that romance bloom between Rosie and Mitch, I fell more for the journey they both are going through. Because Rosie has lost her trust, her belief in love. And with her escaping to Scotland, she not only slowly finds herself again, but she sees love all around. Love that is in the romantic sense of the word, but also in many other ways.

I admired the determination to make things right again, to make a dream come true, even if that person isn’t around anymore. And I loved it how even in the most painful situations, people come in your life that affect you, that make you believe in all that is beautiful again.

And Julie Shackman managed to capture all of this, all of those important bits, in a wonderful story, with great characters that have been through hell, but are slowly finding their way back up, with the help of each other.

Can a childhood home make you feel like being at home again?

Synopsis

Will she give everything up for love?

Freya Sinclair has it all. An exciting life in London, a successful career as a ceramicist and a handsome boyfriend. But when she receives a call that her elderly father is in hospital, she drops everything to support his recovery in Skye.

Back on the island, Freya finds a new lease on life – Coorie Castle’s craft centre is firing her creativity and she’s glad to be back with her dad again. Being so close to her schoolgirl crush, Mackenzie Burns, is an added bonus. The two share an instant connection and Freya misses her old life less and less.

But Freya has a boyfriend at home and now a dazzling job offer in New York. She must figure out what she truly wants, before anyone gets hurt.

A heartwarming, feel-good cosy romance perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Julie Shackman and Sue Moorcroft.

My review

Freya Sinclair is slowly growing her career in London as a ceramicist. As her boyfriend is also in the artistic world, it for sure seems a match made in heaven. However, when Freya receives a call that her father has had a fall and needs to recover, she doesn’t hesitate to go back to the Isle of Skye, to help her father. Even if her father is testing everyone’s patience, Freya is just as stubborn, and doesn’t relent. The more time she spends on Skye, the more inspiration Freya seems to find, especially when she visits the Coorie Castle’s craft centre. And she even has an instant connection with her former crush, Mackenzie Burns. Mack feels that same connection, even if he has never been looking for love and has a certain reputation concerning relationships. But no matter what either of them are feeling, or starting to feel, Freya is still in a relationship with Hadrian, and as a job proposition in New York. And she is just in Skye to help her father, so what when he has recovered and Freya is no longer needed?

I am a home – person, meaning that even if I moved out, I still live nearby the place I grew up. So for me it is a bit difficult to understand how it is to live so far from not only the place you grew up, but also so far from your family and friends.

And perhaps it is because I don’t know how it feels, that I enjoy reading such stories, where the main characters left their homebase, built a life somewhere else and for some reason, return to the place they escaped from.

I am not an artistic person myself, but I do appreciate art, whether it is a painting, a building, of even some pottery. If I like something, I like it and appreciate the work and effort the artist put in it. And ceramic for sure intrigues me, how something beautiful can be created from just a piece of clay…

So in that aspect, I admired Freya and I was even proud of her, seeing as she is getting the recognition of what she creates. And I can imagine it is not easy to  be successful in such a niche branch, so I was extra proud of her of what she achieves!

Of course I was also intrigued in getting to why she has left her home in Skye, and while I understood her, as her grief was too big, it also saddened me.

Even if Skye reminds her of the loss of her mother, she doesn’t hesitate when she hears about the accident her father had. And she doesn’t return out of duty, because it is expected from her, as a daughter, but because she wants to.

And that shows us the kind of person Freya is. She drops everything in London, to assist the father that has given her so much while growing up. She wants to help her father while he is in need, and even if he for sure is testing her patience (and not only Freya’s to be honest), she doesn’t give up, but stands her ground when needed, but also lets things pass when they are irrelevant.

Seeing Freya back home, somehow was more Freya to me than when Freya was in London. London is an exciting city, a fancy city. And without any disrespect, I felt right from the start that that isn’t just Freya. Freya is just a comfy girl, give her her Doc Martens above fancy high heels, a comfy sweater above a tight dress. In fact, that made me relate to Freya much more and easier, because I am just alike!

It was lovely to see Freya rediscovering her home again, to see how she gets inspiration from bits she appears to have forgotten, those tiny details that make a whole difference. And being back home makes her realize that Skye has a lot to offer, even things that she could never find or see in London.

And it warmed my heart to see how everyone welcomes Freya back home. And that for sure can make a difference, because without that warm embrace, it would make a complete different story. Not only is Freya now reconnecting with old friends, but also with an old crush, being Mackenzie Burns.

Mack… we all know the kind of men that aren’t looking for a steady relationship, but are enjoying life and encounters for just the night. And I am not judging Mack, if that is what works for him, and he isn’t intentionally hurting anyone, why shouldn’t he?

But when he meets Freya again, there is something that changes in him. Not that he suddenly becomes the perfect partner – material. But for a reason he cannot fantom himself, he just cannot get Freya out of his mind.

Mack is obviously a good guy, he is a great brother, a great son, an amazing uncle and even if he finds it difficult to let go the reins, a great and understanding boss. He is also a person that understands boundaries, because from the moment he learns that Freya isn’t available, he tries to stay away from her, making sure that no lines are being crossed.

And that is something thar I truly appreciated in this book, that even if the attraction keeps on growing, sparks keep on flying, there is always the respect that Freya is together with Hadrian. Even if Hadrian is someone I truly didn’t like. Him as a boyfriend leaves much to be desired. He doesn’t appear a lot in the book, but when he does, I wished him away as soon as possible…

There are many moments where Freya and Mack are spending time together. But while things evolve between them, this book is definitely about Freya’s journey. A journey where Freya has to make decisions and choices. Not only about what home is, but also what to do with her career. And in fact, what is the right thing to do, to follow your passions and dreams, or put everything on hold for the people you love the most? And is the relationship you are in at

the moment, the right kind of relationship?

I absolutely devoured this emotional rollercoaster that Lilac Mills wrote. She took us not only on a real journey to Skye, but also on this emotional journey, about rediscovering your home again, about self – discovery and about finding those emotions that were missing…. What a delight!

Can the most painful events of your life turn into something great?

Synopsis

Could a blast from the past be the secret ingredient to their future?

Asher Wright has spent his career creating and concocting the perfect dishes and is about to open his very own restaurant. Life is good. His love life, however, is far from cooking! He hasn’t thought about Lucy Gray in years – not since they both graduated, reeling from the shocking loss of her then boyfriend and his best friend Kris, who tragically died at 18. So when he witnesses the breakdown of her wedding in all its humiliating glory – old wounds and long-buried emotions resurface.

As Lucy lands a right hook on her soon-to-be ex-fiancée in front of their entire wedding party, she has a moment of realization… Love is not on the menu for her! Fate, however, has other plans… A chance twist of events lands Asher as the private chef for Lucy’s spirited grandmother, Mitzi, and what begins as awkward encounters in Mitzi’s Portland mansion soon evolves into a simmering connection she never expected.

As Asher and Lucy work through their past they discover a bond that feels both familiar and excitingly new.

My review

Lucy Gray didn’t expect that her wedding day would end with her breaking her fiancé’s nose just minutes before saying ‘I Do’. But of course she didn’t expect to see a video of him at his bachelor party getting a bit too close and intimate with another woman. And apparently he hasn’t been that monogamous at all… Now Lucy has decided that love isn’t on the menu. Not only love, but men in general. But then a man enters her  life… Or rather re-enters her life. Because the private chef her grandmother Mitzi has hired is no other than Asher. Asher, who not only revealed Brandon’s real character, but was also best friends with Lucy’s high school sweetheart, Kris, who died tragically in an accident. Now Asher is ready to open a restaurant with his brother. Things are going well for him, except when it comes to love. Because he hasn’t been all that lucky in love in the past… While initially things are a bit awkward between Asher and Lucy, bit by bit, a friendship starts to form, a complicity that they both didn’t expect to find with each other. But will their shared past allow them to move on together? Or will it be something that will keep them apart?

When we were teenagers, haven’t we all have had a sweetheart? In most cases, that relationship, if we can call it like it, may seem like the real deal, that it will last a lifetime. But in most cases, it is just puppy love. The relationship ends, and eventually, hopefully, we will find that real deal, that amazing love.

So when I learned in this book, that Lucy’s relationship with Kris ended way more tragically, of course I felt for Lucy. Because even if their future together perhaps wasn’t written in the stars, Kris’s premature dying ends things too abruptly and without any way of appropriate closure. And that made me fear that Lucy would be holding to this perfect version of her relationship with Kris. As no matter who she would be meeting, he would never be able to live up to the image of Kris…

Of course we know what is going to happen in Vegas and her wedding day, that in a way only confirmed my suspicions, that she isn’t able to find someone right for her, that she is blind to the red flags.

Yet I admired her feistiness when she is shown his betrayal and does stand op herself and even shows her strength, literally and figuratively speaking!

In the real world, it would never happen, or the stars would align very strangely, to let Lucy and Asher meet again after so many years, in Vegas, just moments before Lucy is getting married. But as his is a book, anything can happen in it, doesn’t it? 😊

It was sweet, to see how Lucy meets Asher again, after all those years. Having lost the same person they loved, connects them in a way that no one else could understand, or could be. And while they were both happy to see each other, it reminds them again of what, or rather who, they have lost. It is a bittersweet encounter, that they have, yet it is also a genuine one.

It is clear from the first time that Asher enters the scene, that he is truly one of the good guys. He  is genuinely happy for Lucy, and wishes her all the best. And even when he is faced with the truth about Lucy’s fiancé, he knows what the right thing to do is, no matter how much it will hurt Lucy initially.

I liked Asher immediately, for so many different reasons. He is genuine, honest, loyal and reliable. And yes, food is the only way to my heart, so him being a great cook, and on the verge of opening his own restaurant made my admiration for him only grow.

I have to also admit, I found him also very adorable. And while perhaps that doesn’t sound very attractive, it fits for Asher!

On the other hand, I also felt so sorry for Asher too. Reading about his past relationships, and how they all ended, just saddened me. Asher didn’t deserve to be treated that way by those women… And that made me understand his reticence, his insecurities and even his doubts all the better.

It was funny to read how Asher and Lucy suddenly are seeing each other each day, due him being Lucy’s and Mitzi’s personal chef. And even more reading how Lucy is falling for not only Asher’s cooking skills, but slowly, very slowly, also for Asher.

The more time they spend together, the more their complicity grows, the more their friendship grows, the more their understanding of each other grows. Yet as a reader it was also a bit frustrating to read how they find it so difficult to admit what they are truly feeling, not only to each other but also to themselves.

This book is filled with so much laughter and sweet smiles. But it is also obvious and mainly about characters finding their trust in love again. Both Asher and Lucy have been through a lot, a lot of pain too. And they have to see and learn that love is in fact a beautiful thing, if you can find the courage to let it in. It is also about letting go of the past, and move on from it. Moving on, which doesn’t mean forget, but to allow yourself to live your life and love at the fullest. And seeing Lucy and Asher going through this discovery together, is not only heart – warming but also inspiring!

The pace of this book is perhaps on the slower side, but it the perfect pace for the story. Because feelings, emotions, thoughts, don’t just change overnight, it is all whole process to go through. If the pace would have been even a tiny bit faster, it wouldn’t fit with the main characters’ personas. With this gentle pace it was not only easier to relate with them, but it was also more realistic.

I had high expectations for this book, as I have read several books from this wonderful author, which I all adored. And I can gladly say that this book will be added to that list!

When a real doctor and a fake one meet…

Synopsis

Diagnosis: career chaos…

Doctor Chloe Henry is a no-nonsense surgeon gunning for a promotion. All that stands in her way is her smug colleague, Doctor Johnathan Carson, who’s beloved by the board for his charm and for simply being a man. When a one-week medical conference promises her a chance to shine, Chloe packs her power suits and determination, ready to crush it—or at least avoid strangling Carson.

Take once a day…

Enter Logan Broderick, aka Doctor Dante Love, TV’s hottest (and most medically inaccurate) neurosurgeon-slash-plastic-surgeon. After yet another scandal involving booze, starlets, and bad decisions, Logan’s sent to the same hotel to lay low. But things go awry when Logan and Chloe literally crash into each other—half-naked—in her bathroom. Cue viral chaos.

Prescription: Romance!

To save face, Logan proposes they fake-date. She’s the real doctor to his fake one; he’s the PR boost she didn’t want. But as bickering turns to banter and sparks fly, Chloe wonders: can Dante Love save her?

My review

Chloe Henry loves her job as a surgeon at Manchester General, even if her whole well – known family looks down at her working for the NHS, while she could make money by working privately. But money is not what drives her, as she just wants to make people better, no matter how deep their pockets are. And she wants to make a difference, and that is why she is having her fingers crossed that she will get the promotion, and not het sleezy colleague Jonathan Carson. With a conference coming up, it is her opportunity to shine and show her vision. However, what Chloe doesn’t expect is to find Logan Broderick entering her hotel room. The world knows him as the actor who plays Doctor Dante Love on the famous TV show, but not only. More often than not, he fills the media with scandals made of booze and bad choices. Bad choices that may jeopardize his future. So now he needs to lay low and show everyone that he is not what everyone thinks he is. So when he crashes into Chloe who is half – naked, and there are pictures of it going viral, it is time for damage control. Damage control in the form of Chloe and Logan being a couple. But where does the fake end, and are those sparks flying between Chloe and Logan real? And for how long can they keep pretending before the truth comes out?

The world of movie stars, or actors in general, is always something that sparks the imagination, doesn’t it? A world and life filled with glitter and glamour, being loved by people all over the world. But we also all know that is all a façade, that fabulous world, and that we have to remind ourselves that the famous people, are just like us, people of flesh and blood. And that they have their struggles of their own, and that they, just like us can make mistakes.

And Logan for sure shows that. It is easy to see him as someone who enjoys a drink or even a few too much, a man who enjoys the female company. It may seem that he is a real player, enjoying the perks of being famous a little bit too much.

Yet while as a reader we already may suspect it, slowly we get to know the real Logan. And we read how his actions are not made out of vanity, but rather out of loneliness and the need to fill his life with something, just anything that won’t let him feel the way he does.

I understood where Logan is coming from, and why at the start of the book he acts in the way he does. But it just all saddened me so much. Logan is not a bad person, not at all, and he deserves to find happiness (again) in his life. But instead he is making mistakes that are jeopardizing his whole career.

So when he goes viral once again, dragging this time innocent Chloe Henry with him, the time has come to make amends and to turn over a new leaf.

Obviously, the last thing Chloe needs is a man in her life. Her only focus is on her job, and trying to get the promotion.

I truly liked Chloe from the very start of the book. Of course she has an admirable job. But while she could make more money and work in the private sector, like her family does, she wants to be there for the people, to make them better. It is clear that she has her heart at the right place and wants to do what is best for everyone, and not for just those who have the most money.

While I admired her dedication to the job, and her determination to get that promotion to make a greater impact, it angered me to read how dismissive her own parents were of her, how they keep on belittling her, together with Chloe’s own sister…

When Chloe and Logan meet, in an awkward way, they both have a purpose. Where Chloe wants to show her worth and get that promotion, Logan wants to lay low and focus on getting the part of an important upcoming movie. So while the last thing they want, is to be around each other, with them going viral, they have almost no other choice than pretending to be dating.

Of course, that is where the real fun for us starts! 😊

It was funny to read how Chloe and Logan are faking their devotion towards each other, to make their relationship believable. But it was also heartwarming reading how Logan turns out to be Chloe’s biggest supporting during the teambuilding.

And slowly, Chloe starts to see the man that Logan truly is, and not the actor. She sees his vulnerabilities but also his strengths.

With getting to know each other better, sparks of course have to start to fly around. And while I wanted for them to give in to those sparks, I could also understand their reluctance, if we can call it like that.

Not only is it because of their so different lives and dreams that need to be achieved, but it is also about self – doubt and not seeing the reality right in front of them.

So while this was an amazing, heart – warming and sweet story to read about fake – dating and people who are so different, it is also a story about believing in yourself, standing up for yourself. And how that self – believe can grow by having the biggest supporter by your side. And without wanting to spoil anything, it is also about making the right choice of each other…

When you need hiding, a community comes to the rescue

Synopsis

Life doesn’t always go to plan . . .

After a messy breakup and a nightmare boss, Kate swaps the chaos of London for the calm of Starry Cove—the charming seaside village she loved as a child. She arrives hoping for peace and a fresh start. But life has other plans: Kate soon discovers she’s going to be a mother.

As she navigates small-town life (and morning sickness), Kate finds friendship in the ‘coastal girls’—a warm, welcoming group who help her land a job with Piers, the reclusive owner of the local manor. He’s guarded, grumpy and impossible to read… but there’s more to him than meets the eye.

As feelings grow and secrets slowly come to light, Kate must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again—and whether Starry Cove could be the home she’s been searching for all along.

My review

Just on the day that she wants to end the relationship with her mentally abusive and just nasty boyfriend, Kate discovers that he did the biggest dirt on her. Feeling that she has no other options, Kate decides to hide away in the place that she loved as a child, Starry Cove. She is ready to make a fresh start, even after she discovers that she is pregnant. While all she wants the most is to stay under the radar, she finds herself quickly befriending ‘the coastal girls’, who are ready to help  her out in any way they can, even if she isn’t coming clean about her real identity. She even manages to get a job, even if it is working for grumpy and reclusive Piers, but she slowly realizes that there is more than meets the eye. But no matter how much the relationships evolves, Kate is always keeping an eye open, out of fear that the past will catch up on her. And will the lovely people, Piers included, believe her and be able to forgive her lies? Or will everything and everyone she has started to love, be taken away from her?

There is one thing when a relationship has reached its end, as it may be part of its course. But it is a complete different thing when your partner is a complete doucheb*g, cheating on you, and even tries to put the blame of his illegal actions in your hands. That is just despicable behaviour…

So when we meet Kate, I was feeling all kind of different emotions. I was furious for what she has been through, I was proud when I realized that she is taking back her life in her own hands, to be even totally flabbergasted to learn what her *sshole boyfriend is trying to do to her…

On one hand, I could understand why Kate wants to flee the scene, but on the other hand, I also knew that it wouldn’t be the escape and fresh start Kate is looking for. Not only because it is just a matter of time before the past will catch up with you, but also that is it truly a good idea to run away when there may be charges against you?

However, if Kate didn’t flee, would we have this heart – warming story? I don’t think so…

It was a bit funny reading how all that Kate wants, is to hide away, even in a place that isn’t completely fit for someone staying in, yet what she gets is a whole community wanting to help her in every possible way.

Of course Starry Cove doesn’t has stupid inhabitants, and they quickly realize that Kate, or rather Sophie – as they know her – has some secrets to keep. Yet that doesn’t stop them from befriending her, giving her jobs and making her feel welcome and even a real member of their community.

What else I found funny, was reading how her first few meetings are with the grumpiest of men. And it is not a secret that it will turn out to be Piers, her new employer! Yes, I laughed at the uncomfortable situation Kate finds herself in, but I was also proud of her professionalism, and readiness to put the past behind her (at least what Piers concerned, not her past that she escaped from).

It was lovely also to read how Kate is embracing her pregnancy, how she is ready to be the best possible mother she can be. She wants to protect her unborn baby against the evils of the world, including its own father…

Obviously there is also a love interest in this book, and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know who it will be. But while I liked reading how that was evolving, and ready to discover whatever the big secret is, it didn’t feel like that is what the author tries to tell us.

Because this truly felt like a very important journey Kate has to go through. At the start of the book, she is at her lowest. And slowly, by fleeing the toxic scene, Kate starts to rebuild a new life. A new life where she feels that there are people she can rely on. That there are people that are ready and willing to help her out, to forgive her for the white lies she has been telling. And who are ready to help her build her life back together, bit by bit.

And that is the force, the strength of this book, by showing us that strength in character can be rebuild, trust can be rebuild, and that better things, wonderful things, can come your way.

There is a thin line between hate and…

Synopsis

One summer to make her his…

After four failed seasons, Emily Hawkins is tired of following the rules. Aside from crossing swords with her lifelong enemy, Freddie Dashworth, she is an exemplary member of Society. But after all this time, she’s yet to find a husband and life with her over-bearing mother is becoming intolerable. 

Freddie returns to his childhood home to help look after his orphaned niece. His neighbour, Emily, has been his nemesis for years. The infuriating miss is the only woman immune to his charms and there’s nothing he enjoys more than her disapproving glares. It’s a shame he can’t stop thinking about her, because she clearly despises him.

One minor indiscretion later and everything in Emily’s ordered world changes. The one person on her side appears to be Freddie but can she trust her former antagonist? And what will happen to her when she does?

My review

Emily Hawkins would prefer to sit in a library, engulfed by books, rather than going to balls and find a husband. Not only does she has attended four seasons without success, it doesn’t help that her mother is over – bearing and pointing out each of Emily’s fault, yet keeps on looking for the best possible suitor for her daughter. Yet she doesn’t realize that Emily isn’t interested at all in interacting with eligible titles. Although, whenever Emily crosses paths with Freddi Dashworth, her proper behaviour disappears and he is somehow able to trigger her. And now Freddie has returned to the family home to look after his orphaned niece, together with his brothers. So now that their paths are crossing again, the former animosity quickly resurfaces, as Emily still appears to be immune for Freddie’s charms and Freddie keeps on pushing her buttons somehow. Yet both of them cannot stop thinking about each other, and one indiscretion changes everything…

There are many tropes that I like reading. And one of them for sure is the enemies – to – lovers. Add to that storyline the world of the Ton, and seasons, and balls, and I am in for it!

Right for the very start, I like Emily. She is a lovely person, a caring person, but also a restrained one. It’s clear that her mother dictates what to do and what not, not understanding Emily’s character at all. Or rather, not caring about Emily. The only thing that matters, is finding the right husband, one with a title and with wealth.

It saddened me to read how Emily thinks so low of herself, ‘thanks’ to her own mother. It shows us how hurtful words can be, and how small they can make us feel. Because Emily perhaps isn’t the most beautiful woman in the world (but she also could be…), it is her character, her persona that makes her a beautiful young woman, ready to stand on her own two feet.

Also, the fact that she loves reading, doesn’t that tell you enough already? 😊

Her animosity with Freddie for sure put a smile on my face while reading. Because yes, Emily and Freddie are very different people, and they have been through and are still going through some hardships in life.

Freddie, what can I say about him? Yes, he may seem like a real tease at the start of the book. And he for sure seems to use his charms to be a popular fellow at balls and other social events.

But the more I read about him, the more sorry I started to feel for him too.

I cannot imagine what it must be for four brothers, who aren’t the closest, forced to look after their niece, they didn’t even know that existed.

Yet it was sweet to see how not only Freddie, but all of the brothers, fell in love with lovely (Char)Lotte. And yes, she also stole my heart!

But back to Freddie! Because he also shows that in fact, he isn’t only the charmer that he seems to be. Rather the opposite, as he has several demons of his own that keep chasing him. And that made him more human to me, as not only Freddie has been through a lot, with a wicked and even evil upbringing in a way, but he is also a person made out of flesh and blood. He isn’t this perfect man without any flaws. But rather a man that perhaps has issues that you wouldn’t expect from someone with his status. I have to admit though, when I learned about his ‘big secret’, I thought that perhaps in modern times, in the present, with the knowledge we have now, there would have been a solution?

Emily and Freddie are complete opposites, causing them to not getting along for years. So when Freddie is back, it makes sense that that animosity also returns. But because of Lotte, there is something that shifts between them. To be honest, it is not only because of Charlotte that something changes, but Lotte for sure helps to let Emily and Freddie spend more time together.

And we all know what that means, right? That they get to know each other better and start to understand each other’s character of course, what were you thinking? 😊

Because of Freddie and Emily spending more time together, they slowly start to realize that their banter, their animosity, is in fact hiding their deeper, more honest and genuine feelings. And reading that realization coming to fruition, was just great!

Of course, with this title, we already know what is going to happen at one point in this book. But I felt like it was a bit of a spoiler, because it for sure takes a long time to get to that point. And I enjoyed much more reading how things start to shift between them, rather than getting to that one indiscretion.

But is also bittersweet how, despite their forced unio, which isn’t that unwelcome for neither party, how the both of them are still insecure about expressing their true feelings. However, that also made them more realistic, because on paper it may be easy to be honest about your feelings, but in real life, that is terrifying, isn’t it?

Ella Matthews shows us once with her great writing skills, that perhaps it is the person that we ‘dislike’ the most, is the person that gets us the best. And that that one person can get the best of ourselves out of us. And that that one person believes in us, and sees our talents, but most important sees in our hearts.

When you are finally settling in, the past resurfaces…

Synopsis

With help from the Little Duck Pond Café girls, Rosie’s Spice Kitchen is becoming a firm favourite at the Lockley Meadow farmers’ market. But when shocking things start happening and a face from the past stirs up memories she would rather forget, widow Rosie’s hopes for a better future for her and her little daughter, Amelie, are suddenly dashed. Has someone discovered her devastating secret? The secret that is preventing her from moving on and finding love again?
Meanwhile, new mum Ellie and step-daughter Maisie are both hiding emotional secrets of their own . . .

My review

After a year, Rosie is slowly getting over the loss of the love of her life. And with her little girl Amelie settling in, and Rosie’s Spice Kitchen is becoming a favourite stop at the market, Rosie feels that her life is falling back into place. It helps of course she has the support of the Little Duck Pond Café girls, who are always there for not only a cup of tea, but also a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. But when Rosie sees a face from her past, and strange things start to happen, she is afraid that her one dark secret, isn’t so secret at all. However, that doesn’t stop her from helping out Ellie and Maisie, who are adapting to their changed lives and relationships now that baby Isla has arrived.

There are books or series that make you happy. And then there is this series, that just make me ecstatic to return for a new adventure!

Obviously, my heart went out to Rosie and Amelie. Rosie had found the love of her life with Mark, only to lose him way too early, and Amelie will never have the chance to truly get to know her father?

I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to move on after such a great loss, yet I had to admire Rosie and her determination to start again. Yet it is also clear that while she tries to move on, the past is always in the back of her head, never letting her forget what she has lost.

It was bittersweet to see Rosie finding her feet again, because it all is because of what she has lost. And it is not only her lovely mark that she lost, with her moving, the contact with her friends, the Famous Five – or what is left of them – is not what is used to be.

I could understand the shock Rosie has when she sees her past catching up on her. Not only is it because her old friends suddenly reappear, but there are also some strange things happening. And while it may appear as a big secret that Rosie is carrying around, I already had an idea what that was. Not that it take any joy away while reading though!

And even the discovery of who is behind all those acts and messages, I wasn’t truly surprised. But once again, it didn’t bother me that I had it all figured out before the revelation.

In this book, it isn’t only about Rosie and her taking back charge of her life. But it is also about Maisie and Ellie.

While I was delighted for Ellie to finally having Isla previously, I was also eager to see how she would be managing at being a mum. Because we all know that Ellie has a lot on her plates, and being a mum is never turning out as expected.

So I was a bit surprised to see how Ellie apparently has it all together. Not that I didn’t believe in her capabilities, but I can imagine that having a baby would cause some chaos somehow?

And my heart just went out to Maisie, as we get to see life behind the scenes through her eyes. We all know how delightful Maisie is, yet seeing all those doubts and insecurities are seeping in this beautiful character.

It just broke my heart to read how not only is she struggling with her first crush, but most important, how small she feels with the arrival of Isla. It is very mature of her, how she behaves. Yet it was so sad to read what she thinks Ellie feels now… While in fact, we know better and that Ellie is hiding her struggles…

Of course there are several ray of lights for both Rosie and Maisie. But it is clear what the message of this book is: that it takes time to let go of the past. That it isn’t easy to forgive yourself for any kind of mistake you may have made. That you are allowed to find happiness again, even love.

Rosie Green wrote another marvellous chapter in an amazing series. She still has to find the “ability” to become repetitive in this series, something I hope she never does! 😊 Once again I was swept off my feet, finding it impossible to put this book away, as not only it was great to return to such a wonderful place, but to get to know new lovely people who stole another piece of my heart!

When a forced time – out can change your path

Synopsis

High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge.

But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder.

What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past.

Becky’s path to success is all planned out. But the Loire has a magic she might not be able to resist…

My review

Becky Thorne is used to work as hard as possible, especially as her own mother pushes her to be a successful woman. But Becky cannot believe that after an incident with a laptop that has been thrown, she is signed off, before she has a burnout. The last thing Becky thinks she needs, is time to relax. Although, perhaps with her time off, she could take care of the café in the Loire, which she inherited from her great – aunt. With Becky staying in France, she can perhaps also deal with the sitting tenant who won’t leave the café, as Becky’s purpose is to sell the place as soon as possible. In order to sell the place, Becky believes that the café needs several changes. Changes that the tenant, Pascal, doesn’t agree on, as that it is not what the village nor the café truly need. While Becky and Pascal clash over how to run the business, Becky cannot ignore that Pascal is a handsome man, and that he sees more and understands her even better than her own mother. But while Becky starts to like the peaceful life (even when it’s not always that peaceful…) in Vaudrelle, her life is in London, climbing that career ladder, isn’t it?

I was eager to start this book, because I know how Gillian Harvey can sweep me of my feet, and take me on a journey of not just the start of a different life, but most important, one of self – discovery!

Now, I have nothing against people that want to be successful, and climb that ladder. But I have to admit that at the start of the book, I didn’t truly warm towards Becky. Ot because she is a bad person, not at all, but because she is so focused on her job, and doesn’t see what is actually happening to her, or to those around her.

Even when the doctor tells her to take some time off, she is sure of the fact that she is not on the verge of a burnout, and that the doctor is wrong.

But, I need to also say that I couldn’t blame Becky for being always on top of the game, because it is obvious that it is something that her own mother keeps on repeating. And no, it isn’t that her mother is so money – focused, but it is a matter of being independent, self – sufficient, and not needing help from anyone. And relaxing is something superfluous, isn’t it?

Even when Becky arrives in Vaudrelle, she initially keeps up that ‘higher class’ attitude. Meaning that she comes from London, so of course she knows better. And she for sure knows how to improve a café in a little village!

The mean part in me wanted to see Becky fail, or at least a tiny bit. Just because I wanted Becky to understand that a career, being successful, isn’t all there is in life. Happiness doesn’t come with the amount of money on your bank account. I have to say though, it does help 😊. But happiness comes from doing something you love, with caring people around you. And not with a call or a mail that makes the twitch in your eye return.

Vaudrelle is the kind of place that gives your soul the peace it needs. It isn’t it most exiting place in the world, but that is also not something Becky needs at the moment. Becky needs that calmness and peace for more than just one reason.

Returning to a place she used to visit as a child, staying with her great – aunt, makes her think about her life and about her choices, those that she already made and those that she still ahs to make.

She sees another way of living, one less busy, expecting one, but one that brings you so much more happiness and satisfaction. And of course, it helps that she has Pascal by her side! 😊

Pascal, who initially clashes with Becky, because of different views on just everything. But Pascal, who is there to help her, that shows her that he gets her better than she would think. Pascal, who has great aspirations of himself, but has also been struggling.

Seeing Becky and Pascal seeing from ‘enemies’ to reliable and trustworthy friends, was just so sweet to read. And also reading that relationship evolve further, was something that make me squeal! 😊

Becky and Pascal are very different, but they complement each other. Pascal is exactly what Becky needs.

There are several funny moments in this book, especially reading how there is this huge misunderstanding and how it all is being revealed. Not only was that funny, but in a way also very fulfilling, as it gives Becky even more opportunities.

This book is obviously about the journey Becky is going through. It isn’t an easy journey, because Becky does not know what *she* truly wants from life. Just because her life has been going in one way, it doesn’t mean it should be keep going that way. But it can be scary, take a new direction, one that you have no certainties in life.

And it is also a journey about Becky herself. As her life is taking a ‘time off’, she has time to think about what brings her joy, about what truly matters to her, and what kind of person/friend she has been in the past and what kind of person/friend she truly wants to be.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, as we are on a journey together with Becky, with a laugh, with a tear. Gillian Harvey grasped perfectly how life can feel like a trap at moments, but also how that same life can give us unexpected chances to make a change. It is up to us to decide whether that chance, how unknown that may be, is worth to take…