I love this author and cannot wait for the publication day!
Synopsis
Falling in love with a billionaire…
Cassie swore she’d never fall for another rich guy. Her heart has other ideas.
After a whirlwind holiday romance with hot billionaire Frenchman Nico, personal assistant Cassie receives an invitation to visit him in Paris.
Although she’d love a fairy-tale reunion, Cassie cannot fall for Nico. They live in different countries, come from different worlds, plus he’s more loaded than a bank vault. And after her rich ex and his snooty family left her feeling heartbroken and worthless, Cassie swore off dating wealthy guys. If she’d known Nico was France’s most eligible bachelor when they met, she’d never have got involved.
But their connection is undeniable and she’d be crazy not to see him again. If Cassie suppresses her feelings and just goes for the experience, she can avoid getting hurt, right?
Except when Nico sweeps her off her feet with a string of sexy, romantic dates around Paris, her plan not to fall in love unravels. She hopes he feels the same, but then a shocking revelation turns her world upside down…
Can they overcome their obstacles? And will Cassie get the happily-ever-after she’s been dreaming of?
Order this fun, steamy, fish-out-of-water, billionaire romantic comedy now and join Cassie in Paris to find out!
Read as a standalone novel or as book three in the My Ten-Year Crush series.
Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.
In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel When’s The Wedding?
Olivia’s seventh novel, My Ten-Year Crush, was published in September 2021. Book two in the series, My Lucky Nightfollowed in November 2021 and book three, My Paris Romance will be published in summer 2022.
When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!
Time for another amazing cover reveal. I surely want to read this book, what about you?
Synopsis
Mum-of-three Louisa thought she only had her never-ending to-do list to worry about, but the arrival of a ghost from the recent past puts her in an untenable position. Can she navigate the difficult situation she’s in without their friendship becoming common knowledge or will it cause long-term damage to her marriage?
When a family member begins to suspect there’s more to her relationship with the new sous-chef than meets the eye, Louisa needs to think on her feet or she’ll dig herself into a deeper hole. But the cost of keeping her secret, not only from her husband, comes at a high price, one which tugs at her conscience.
With everyday niggles already causing a further rift between Louisa and husband Ronnie, will she manage to keep her family on track whilst her life spirals out of control? And when tragedy strikes, will Ronnie step up when she needs him most?
For fans of Fiona Gibson, Holly Martin and Jill Mansell.
Susan Buchanan lives in Scotland with her husband, their two young children and a crazy Labrador called Benji. She has been reading since the age of four and had to get an adult library pass early as she had read the entire children’s section by the age of ten.
Susan writes contemporary fiction, often set in Scotland, usually featuring travel, food or Christmas. When not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, Susan loves reading (obviously), the theatre, quiz shows and eating out – not necessarily in that order!
Find out what happens when a billionaire returns to Felicity’s life in book one of Rachael Stewart’s new duet, Claiming the Ferrington Empire, from Harlequin Romance.
The man she never forgot…
The feelings she never lost…
Sixteen years ago, Felicity fell in love with the boy from Ferrington Manor. But their affair was short-lived when Sebastian vanished and she was left with the secret consequence of their love. Now he’s back and his return sends shock waves through Felicity! Will the revelations about Sebastian’s departure be enough for Felicity to succumb to the feelings that still draw her to him?
My review
Felicity Gardner runs a guest house with the help from her daughter Angel and her best friend Bree. The Gardner Guest House is a legacy rom her beloved Gran, who stood by her side each difficult moment. But Felicity has the shock of her life when one evening a new guest arrives. Because the guest the one man who broke her heart sixteen years ago by disappearing completely. But now Sebastian is back, and wants to share the reasons for his hasted departure to Flick, the only woman he has ever truly loved. But with so many secrets, both from Flick and Sebastian, is this a case of a first love, or is there a chance that their love was really the real thing?
It’s not a secret that this author is able to let me devour her books. And each new book is making me almost squeal from excitement. So obviously I was a very eager Tizi when this book was the next one on my pile! And I was everything but disappointed!
I always love reading a story about second chances, but what happens when there is a space of sixteen years, a case of vanishing into thin air, secrets that both protagonists are keeping and a future at stake, not only emotionally but also financially…
Felicity/Flick didn’t have an easy when her first love Sebastian disappeared and didn’t keep in touch at all. But I loved her strength, because even if she didn’t have an easy time, especially with the consequences of loving Sebastian, she made it all work and. And when Sebastian is suddenly back, of course Flick is shocked, but after that initial shock, she makes it very clear that Sebastian cannot just barge in and she will give in that easily. Because she has to protect Angel, no matter what. And no matter what her feelings are, or her attraction towards Sebastian, Angel is her first and last thought. Obviously, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what Flick’s secret is. Flick is the kind of woman who definitely has her priorities right. And while it hurts for her to let Angel go, she knows it is the right thing to do.
Sebastian is the typical hot billionaire that any woman would swoon for. But how easy it would be for him to take advantage of his looks and seduce women, he couldn’t ever forget the girl he lost his heart to sixteen years ago. It made me sad to read about his past and how cruel some families can be. But reading about his past made me understand why he, his brother and mother had to leave. On some level I even understood his fears. But one incident doesn’t mean that you are the same like the other ones. But realizing that isn’t an easy task… However, Sebastian shows on so many levels how protective and caring and loving he is, even if he sometimes shows it in the wrong way.
The attraction between Flick and Sebastian is still so present, and it seems like sixteen years couldn’t make that spark disappear. But I understood how Flick wanted to keep her distance, to avoid a new heartbreak all over again, especially with Sebastian’s plans for the future. However, the physical attraction is not always something you can ignore… and I loved those bits! And seeing how Sebastian is trying his best warmed my heart.
I found this a beautiful story about forgiveness, second chances and family. The author shows us that no matter what happened in the past, how broken we think we are, the right people can show and make us see what we really are. And that one event doesn’t define us. But most important, that no matter how many years have passed, when it’s love with a capital L, the feelings never truly are gone. And while it can be scary to allow those feelings back, the rewards of it are invaluable…
I absolutely enjoyed reading this story, it ticked all the boxes I expected from Rachael Stewart. And now I am very eagerly waiting for the second part of this series, because what I have read until now, surely sounds as promising as this heart-warming story did!
The Giveaway
And why wouldn’t you try your luck?
Giveaway to Win 4 x Signed Rachael Stewart Paperbacks and more (Open Int)
Bologna, 1929. A newborn baby boy is abandoned by his desperate unmarried mother, who believes he is dead and that she is to blame. Heartbroken, she leaves her child, accepting that her actions will haunt her for the rest of her days. But unbeknown to her, the kindness of a stranger means the starving baby survives. And so begins the extraordinary life of Rinaldo Scamorza…
Following several years in an orphanage, where Rinaldo still holds onto the hope that his mother will come to claim him, he is entrusted to a heartless foster-mother who treats her charges as nothing more than financial opportunities. Yet amidst the cruelty and violence of this loveless environment Rinaldo meets fellow orphan, Evelina, and the two children create a bond which they believe will never be broken.
Rinaldo holds tight to the few people who show him love, and he becomes a loyal, intelligent and kind boy. But his life is shattered when aged barely 13, Evelina is sold into prostitution by their foster-mother.
As he grows up and becomes more resourceful, he finds work as an errand boy in a brothel, where he encounters Evelinaonce again. But in his efforts to help her escape her life of exploitation, another dark misfortune pulls them apart and she disappears.
When at last Italy begins to emerge from the shadows of World War II and Bologna’s economy recovers, Rinaldo uses his intimate knowledge of the city to change his life for the better. But through everything, the successes and the moments of loneliness and misery, the women he yearns to see again – Evelina and his mother – are always on his mind…
Fans of Angela Petch, Helen Fripp, Dinah Jeffries, Rhys Bowen and Louise Douglas will adore this captivating historical novel.
My review
When in Bologna in 1929 a new born is being abandoned by his mother, believing he died, nobody would expect the hardships the infant is going to endure. Because Rinaldo Scamorza’s childhood is not an easy one, growing up in an orphanage, moving to a cruel foster mother using Rinaldo and other orphans only as a way to gain money. Despite all the hardship, there is one silver lining, and that is Evelina, also an orphan. An unbreakable bond is being created, that even cruelty and forced into prostitution cannot break. Even if Rinaldo doesn’t have the best cards in hand, he grows up to be a loyal, intelligent and most important, a resourceful young man, forcing fate to turn for the better. And never stop believing that the two most important women in his life, his mother and Evelina will find their way back to him.
From the start, I knew this wouldn’t be an easy book to read. Not because I wouldn’t like it, but because I knew that our main characters won’t be given any gifts and would be fighting hard to just survive. And from the first page it was obvious I wasn’t wrong…
Reading about children being orphans, always tugs at my heartstrings. Because no matter if the parents have no choice or deliberately give away their child, I always hope that the child will be in a happy place. Taking in account that the story starts in 1929, no so long after the first World War, and not so far from the second one, we know that Rinaldo and Evelina won’t have it easy, which made my poor heart break.
Rinaldo’s story doesn’t get better, even if there are some happier moments for him. Him meeting Evelina even under dire circumstances showed us that small bits of happiness and love can be found. But even if his story made me sad, I also admired his determination. He never backed down for any job and finds opportunity every time all over again.
And what I admired even more about him, that even if he did some minor offences like stealing, he has a good sense of right and wrong. Obviously he known that stealing is not right, but he also knows that there are lines he is not crossing, no matter how bad his situation is.
There were also moments that people restored my faith in mankind again, because they showed kindness and compassion towards Rinaldo, no matter how bad their own situation is. However again life shows us that sometimes life is unfair and their acts of kindness don’t always go repaid…
Maybe in this story there were a bit too many coincidences for my liking, to keep up the credibility of Rinaldo’s story. But maybe that is how things go in life too… Maybe that is Life and Fate’s way to make some wrongdoing right again, by throwing coincidences on your path, for not letting you lose hope and keep believing that a reunion with your lost loves ones is still a possibility, no matter how improbable it may seem.
A beautiful, heart – breaking but also heart – warming story about a lost boy finding his way in a world he doesn’t seem to belong to. But with hope, love and forgiveness in your heart, the right place can be found, surrounded by family by blood but also by choice.
You are never too old to learn, even to learn about yourself
Synopsis
Book Three in bestselling sensation Nicola May’s gorgeous new series – catch up with Book One, WELCOME TO FERRY LANE MARKET, and Book Two, STARRY SKIES IN FERRY LANE MARKET, now!
39-year-old Glanna Pascoe – also known as ‘the Rainbow Painter’ – runs the Hartmouth Gallery in Ferry Lane Market in Cornwall. She is just getting her head and broken heart around being single, childless, and sober when Cupid flies in, shooting arrows all over the place.
Meeting the mysterious and fascinating Isaac Benson, famous local artist, and recluse, allows Glanna’s disillusioned heart and attitude to soften, and she begins to learn more about herself than she ever thought possible. Confused by her growing feelings for Isaac, Glanna throws herself into organising a life-drawing class at her gallery, using both male and female nudes – and setting local tongues wagging.
A theft from her gallery and the return of ex-love Oliver Trueman cause Glanna to wonder if a pot of gold will be appearing at the end of her rainbow. And will it bring her the happiness, she has sought for so long?
My review
Glanna Pascoe may seem to have nothing to worry about, but her past shows her otherwise. While money surely never was an issue, she made some choices in the past that she now regrets. Running the Hartmouth Gallery in Ferry Lane Market in Cornwall, is the perfect opportunity to heal her broken heart, which she caused herself, adjusting on being single and not running to the bottle at every temptation. And when by sheer coincidence she meets the famous local artist Isaac Benson, slowly Glanna starts to make her own pieces again and even organises a life – drawing class at her gallery, with locals participating in being both painters and nude models. Just when Glanna seems to learn more about herself again, a theft of an important piece and the return of the man she truly loved makes her wonder if she can ever find happiness and love and peace again…
Whenever I start reading a story by Nicola May, I know I will reach the end of it with a smile on my face. And returning to Ferry Lane Market made it even a smile from start till end!
But what I loved about this story more compared with the other parts of the series, is the journey Glanna has bene through. it shows us that money cannot buy us happiness, but that we have to make our own happiness.
Glanna has made some big mistakes in her past, even resulting in an accident that made her open her eyes and seek for help. And while it would have been easy for the author making it seem that the hardest part is over now for Glanna, it’s obvious that Glanna is still having some hard moments. Addiction of any kind isn’t something you once overcome and you are never tempted again, but it will always remain a struggle. But with the right help you can resist temptation. And Nicola May shows us that wanting help, going to rehab and even going to see a therapist is nothing to be ashamed of. Any way of help is good, as long as it gives you the help you need.
I loved to see how passionate Glanna is in her gallery and how art makes her happy. And her own signature of using rainbows add that little magical touch that we know that is present in the Ferry Lane Market Series.
While Glanna is trying to make the gallery a success story, she meets the enigmatic Isaac Benson, a famous artist. Even if Isaac didn’t make my heart beat faster, he was what Glanna needs at that moment in her life. He puts his trust in her and sees so much in her, that Glanna even starts to believe in herself again, no matter what her history is. And his own story made me feel very sorry for him, and his choice of staying out of the picture as much as possible was the obvious thing for him to do to protect his loved ones.
Yet the return of Oliver, that was something that made my heart beat faster… I found it inspiring how he helped Glanna through her darkest moments. Afterbreaking his heart, it’s obvious he still holds a torch for Glanna, even when apparently he has moved on.
It was wonderful to see also the former main characters again, and reading how life is for them now they have found their happy end. And let me tell you, reading about how some participants acted during the classes, made me laugh but also, even if I would be a little bit into create art myself, I would never participate! And what I can say about Glanna’s parents… love will make us do the weirdest things!
This wonderful story warmed my heart because second chances in life aren’t always given, but when opportunity arises, you should grab it with both hands. Because even when we make mistakes, the right people will love us anyway and always, no matter how much time passes. The author wrote the perfect story about imperfect people, on the search of their perfect happy end. While it can be a long search or even a difficult one, you will find it, all it takes is finding the end of the rainbow…
Even when you’re good as something, if there isn’t any passion in it…
Synopsis
Arianna Banks never committed to anything, whether a relationship, a job, or her education. Carrying a damaged reputation because of an atrocious childhood incident, Arianna’s poor self-image has been her downfall. When her parents die unexpectedly, awash with grief, she wonders what her purpose is. She makes several changes, including quitting beauty school to work at a charity call center. Convinced she is doing important work, Arianna isn’t prepared when a coworker named Marc Arnold challenges her to achieve her dreams through her suppressed passion for writing. Coming off a nasty breakup, Arianna grows closer to Marc, but she tells herself she won’t be at another guy’s mercy. But Marc isn’t ready to give up on her. Now Arianna must choose to walk away or invite him in. But inviting him into her heart means sharing who she really is, ugly scars and all. In the midst ofnavigating her heart, Arianna excels at her telemarketing job, but does she choose what’s familiar or dare to pursue her heart’s song, as Marc encourages her?
Arianna is the great-granddaughter of Lorna and Tristan Blake from the Lorna & Tristan Series.
My review
Arianna Banks finds it difficult to stick to a decision she makes. Whether it’s about a job, her studies, even being in a relationship makes her doubt if that is what she truly wants. She also has a dark past that made her act in a way that now caused her a damaged reputation. And her parents dying unexpectedly, surely doesn’t help her self – esteem and makes her take even more rushed decisions, like quitting beauty school and start working for a charity call centre. After initial struggles, Arianna finds herself finally doing something she is good at, and feelings like she is truly doing important work. And when her co-worker Marc Arnold not only challenges her to follow her dreams, but also doesn’t give up on her, Arianna must decide to keep her distance or allow Marc in, sharing all her scars and fears. And maybe actually listen to Marc and dare to chase her dreams after all?
Arianna is the kind of girl I immediately wanted to comfort and give a huge hug and tell everything would be okay in the end. And that is when we are only aware of one of the horrible things that happened to her… So you can imagine how I felt after reading her whole story…
I understood how little she thought of herself, and being in that downward spiral doesn’t make it easy to let Arianna realize that in fact whatever happened to her wasn’t ever her own fault and that in truth she is an amazing, lovely young woman.
Reading about her struggles, broke my heart, because in fact nobody should have gone through what she went through, and nobody should feel useless as she does… And so, even if my warning bells went of when she starts working at the call centre, I was happy for her she found something she was good at. We all know how call centres try to take your money without knowing where it will truly end. But for Arianna is was exactly what she needed for a boost of confidence.
And of course, that job makes her meet Marc… Marc who wants to befriend Arianna, even if she isn’t really kind to him all the time. Marc, who understand her boundaries and accepts to be just friends and accepts her wish to take things very slowly. Marc is exactly what Arianna needs, to make her realize what her dreams are and that chasing them isn’t just wishful thinking…
The author doesn’t run away of addressing heart-breaking events, showing also that not everything gets the justice it deserves. But she also shows us that, yes, to get over the traumatic event may take some serious time and we are allowed to make mistakes. But she also shows us that there are people who love us unconditionally, family but also new friends. And with them by our side, we are allowed to dare to dream and pursue our dreams, even how impossible they may seem to get realized.
The Spa Break – The laugh-out-loud romantic comedy of the year for fans of The Book Club
with Jane Fonda & Judy Leigh!
A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for…
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience, and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…
My review
To celebrate her seventieth birthday, Bridgette takes her best friends Emily, Serena and Marjory to a spa that promises tranquillity and rejuvenation. A weekend, to recharge their batteries. However, with each woman being different and having different ideas, this weekend will be filled with not only relaxing massages, but also with unexpected glamping experiences, drinks with that little bit of extra, masseurs to take you to higher levels, unexpected partners in crime. And this weekend is all the four women need to see that their lives need a change…
I am the kind of woman that enjoys a few hours at a spa, but after a while, I would get bored even if every facility made me feel more relaxed than before. So spending a whole weekend at a spa is not something I would think about of spending any of my birthdays. But of course, it’s not because I don’t enjoy something, that I don’t want nobody to enjoy it if they love it.
I liked how these four women are best of friends, even if they are so different from each other and have different backgrounds. And each woman is facing her own difficulties in life. From being taken for granted by her own children, to losing popularity to a younger woman on television and internet, to losing passion in a marriage and feeling superfluous…
From the very start it’s clear that things won’t go as expected, as Bridgette’s booked suite suddenly isn’t available and she has no other option to stay at the glamping area. A nightmare for Bridgette, who longed for some luxury and now finds herself having a neighbour who is being a naturalist. While this is the funniest disaster, each woman finds herself in odd situations, making re-evaluate everything they thought they knew.
Each woman is finding herself in a situation they didn’t expect them to be. But spending this weekend at the spa, also opens their eyes and show them insights they wouldn’t have if they would have been staying at home. But the whole story, even if addressing some serious issues like relationship problems, is filled with so much humour and funny bits, you cannot not be laughing at loud.
The lovely bit of this story is that each woman also finds her own strength and voice again. And even if in one situation I could see how it would end in disaster, I should have known that the main characters aren’t silly women being fooled by someone with lesser good intentions.
It was sweet to see how all of the women enjoyed the weekend together but not being 24/7 in each other’s presence, and by even trying new things find themselves again, accept the changes in their lives but do not just sit back but take matters back in hand and find new energy to spend with their loved ones, but also the new spark added to their loved.
A great book to show us that even when things don’t go as expected, it can be the best thing that could happen, and that at any age!
Welcome back to the Starfish Café – where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.
A new season…
As winter turns to spring, Hollie – owner of The Starfish Café – is feeling content as she settles into her new life with her loving boyfriend, Jake, and their adorable dog Pickle.
But when an unwelcome visitor threatens the future of her café, Hollie must stay strong to protect her family’s legacy…
A leap of faith…
Emerging from an unhappy relationship, Tori finds herself with nowhere to stay and nobody to talk to. The long-hidden secrets of her past weigh heavily on her until a chance encounter with Finley, struggling to come to terms with his own secrets, provides an opportunity to open up.
Can she find the strength to stop hiding from her past and face up to her family? Especially when that would mean letting her guard down and learning to trust again…
A fresh start…?
Little do Hollie and Tori know that their lives are about to collide at The Starfish Café and they may be able to help each other with a fresh start. After all, with good friends in your life, nothing is impossible…
My review
Hollie couldn’t be more happier at the moment as she is deeply in love with her boyfriend Jake and enjoys their lives together with their dog Pickles. And with spring looming around the corner, she is looking forward to see what the future has in store for them. If only there wasn’t someone wanting to buy The Starfish Café at any cost, even using threats to get his hands on Hollie’s family legacy… And then there is the bit of Hollie working for the rescue services with Jake to overcome of fear of water and fear of losing Jake… And it’s while working for the rescue services, that Hollie meets Tori. Tori, who just got out of an unhappy relationship, and has nowhere to stay or nobody to talk to. What at first seems like an unimportant meeting, these two women become quickly friends, and their lives will get more entwined, especially as Tori also befriends Finley, Hollie’s and Jake’s colleague. But both Tori and Finley, even if they also feel a bond and become very close friends, are having secrets and they have to come to terms with them. Hollie, Jake, Tori and Finley surely aren’t expecting the many changes in their lives, but with great friends by your side, nothing is insurmountable.
I have learned my lesson each time I start reading a story by the amazing Jessica Redland. So having the first page in front of me, I checked if everything was close by for a reading marathon.
• Plenty of tissues: check
• Mountains of comfort food (read as: chocolate): check
• Comfy blanket: check
• Removing every kind of distraction: check
• Cut me off from the outside world: check
And for once, I didn’t need the mountain of tissues while reading this book! Because for anyone who has read my previous reviews, know that at some point I always start crying like a little baby with Jessica Redland.
Now, don’t go thinking that no teats means no good book, because Jessica (yes I go all familiar with her, because I spilled so many tears over her books that she is in my inner circle now!) did write again an amazing, wonderful, lovely, marvellous, stupendous story!
First of all, Hollie and Jake are just amazing as a couple. The way they have each other’s back, but also understand each other perfectly, even without saying a word… my melted heart melted even more! And seeing them being together for real, and making plans for their future together, was nothing else but perfection.
Of course, reading about a lovely couple that are having no issues, would be good. But obviously, there had to be something, or rather someone, throwing spanner in the works… I was left flabbergasted at the lengths people would go to get what they want, having no regards for anyone… Naturally Hollie would protect what and who matters to her, and I admired her determination to keep her legacy, no matter how big the amount of money was thrown at her.
And even when things seems impossible to get over, Hollie has Jake by her side, and obviously the whole community to step up and help out everywhere they can.
While I enjoyed reading more about Hollie and Jake, this book is also about Tori and her struggles.
Obviously, I liked her immediately, despite her dire situation. While it isn’t clear from the start why she keeps her distance from her family, you know with this author that it isn’t a small issue…
And Tori doesn’t suspect that being rescued by Hollie, is the start of a new adventure, but also the start of coming to terms with her past, that slowly is being revealed.
We see how a young Tori has struggles with her parents and how her trust that got broken once, gave her further trust issues. That made her make some decisions that not everyone understands and even makes her go into relationships that maybe aren’t built to last. My heart went out to her, because even I would never make that kind of decision, I could comprehend where she was coming from…
When her turbulent past is revealed, I was a bit shocked, but also realization that not everything was done with bad intentions and that broken things can be fixed with time and love, was the perfect Jessicaism (yes, I just made up a whole new word!)
And meeting Finley, not only makes her find a brand new friend, but also someone that understands her 100% and while things are purely platonic, they are kindred spirits. And even if they are new friends, they feel like they have known each other like forever and support each other in every decision.
This story gave me everything I expected (tears excluded). I was glad to see a great couple again, making acquaintances with new friends, and even having a few surprising guest appearances.
While I thought that Jessica couldn’t write an even better sequel, she did it again. While reading, I couldn’t wipe that happy smile of my face, even the less nice bits couldn’t change my happy feelings. The only bit that made me truly sad, was realizing that I finished the book and I had to wait longer for a next book!
Food, not only good for your body, but also for your mind and heart
Synopsis
When it comes to love, its feta late than never
Freya Butterly has always dreamed of being a Head Chef but despite running every service at the Mediterranean restaurant, she still doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. Craving adventure and a real taste of the Mediterranean, Freya takes matters into her own hands, ditching both her job and unsympathetic boyfriend and packing her bags for sunny Cyprus in pursuit of the prestigious Golden Spoon culinary award.
As one of the seven competitors, Freya is determined to rediscover her passion for food and clinch the prize, but what she doesn’t expect to discover is Xanthos. As gorgeous as he is charming – he’s quite the dish – and Freya is instantly attracted to him, but this trip was about Cypriot cuisine, not romance and she knows she must not let Xanthos distract her from the competition.
But if she walks away, will Freya spend the rest of her life wondering What If? Surely, it’s feta late than never . . .
My review
Freya Butterly’s passion is food, and her dream is being a Head Chef one day. But when again she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves at the Mediterranean restaurant and the support from her boyfriend, she decides to finally dares to try and winning the Golden Spoon culinary award in Cyprus. But in order to win the award, she has to beat her other competitors, with apparently much more experience and knowledge. And while trying to keep up with each new cooking task, Freya is suddenly intrigued by a certain Cypriot who ignites in Freya a passion that is not only about food…
There is something about stories (either books or movies) about food that always make my appetite grow! And it’s not only the food – bit I am talking about! Yes, of course I love reading about how people can be passionate about food, and the love they put while preparing their dishes. But it also shows us that food can not only be an aphrodisiac, but also the way to get to know ourselves better and believe more in ourselves too.
And while it’s Freya’s passion for food that brings her to Cyprus, it’s the food that shows her that it doesn’t matter where you come from (literally and figuratively), love and passion and confidence (for food or for anything or anyone or just even yourself) doesn’t make any distinction.
I admired Freya, after the umpteenth delusion and disappointment, she finally deicides to do something for her and her alone. She just packs on her own, and even if a bit terrified, she starts a new adventure in Cyprus. And while I admired her, I also wanted her to quickly see what everyone sees in her. It’s not because you don’t run a fancy restaurant, that you don’t know how to cook. Because slowly we learn that her passion for food begins with a special teacher that during her more difficult times, showed Freya how to cook with love and that it doesn’t matter what dish you prepare, the love can actually be tasted in your creation.
Of course, if everything would run smoothly for Freya during the competition, this book would be half as good as it is now. Because just like everywhere else, Freya meets different kind of people, with each their own character and not all that lovely as you would think. Now, don’t go thinking bad about her opposition, but you can compare it with being back to high school. There is the popular girl, the geek, the smart ass etc. And obviously there are people which Freya gets along just perfectly and others… not. And things don’t improve where sabotage is involved!
Yes, there is romance involved in this book, and let me tell you, I wish I knew the same kind of Cypriot myself! Because Xanthos may seem a bit harsh initially, but believe me, there is so much more to him (and okay, even to his brother) on such a deeper level that you cannot fall in love with him too!
But the story felt to me more like a journey to find yourself and believe in yourself. Because no matter how good you are at what you do, if you don’t believe in yourself, you will never be able to make your dream come true. And having walked away from everything, Freya now has the opportunity to ask her those important questions like ‘What Now?’ and ‘What makes me the happiest and where can I be that all the time’? But this book also shows us that mistakes we made in the past, don’t mean that they truly are mistakes, but sometimes that’s just how life goes…
This was a wonderful read, showing us the importance of daring to follow your passions, as you never know where they will take you and what you will find. And always, always, believe in yourself!
A bucket list to complete with secrets to be unravelled
Synopsis
Two weeks, four friends and one big bucket list of secrets to unravel…
Val Murray and her best friend, Josie had been planning a ‘Thelma and Louise’ bucket list style holiday. Now Josie is gone, and Val needs to make the trip before it’s too late. But Val doesn’t want to do it alone, so she enlists the help of her nieces, Carly and Carole, and their best pal, Jess, who jump at the chance to join Val on a trip of a lifetime. What Val doesn’t realise is that Carly, Carole and Jess are all at turning points in their own lives, nursing crushing secrets, lies and betrayals. Somewhere between Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York they all hit a crossroads and have to decide if they want to return to the lives they left behind or let Josie’s last wishes take them on a brand new adventure.
My review
Now that Val’s best friend Josie has gone, Val wants to complete the bucket list they made, in totally ‘Thelma and Louise’ style. So with her nieces Carly and Carole, and their best friend Jes, Val starts the trip of a lifetime. While on the trip, Val realizes that not only herself is at turning points, but each member of the gang is facing difficult moments of their own. And each one of them have to decide that when the secret is out, what they want to do. Start a whole new adventure or return to their lives back home?
This series started with ‘What If’, having a wonderful ending. Then ‘What Now’ came out, with a lot of changes in the protagonists lives, and some I was sad to read about, but again, a perfect ending for everyone. So when I started this newt book, I didn’t want to start reading it on one hand, because I didn’t want to see how perfect things would end. But on the other hand, I was very curious to see where in their lives our lovely women would be.
All our main characters have matured when this book starts, with Carly facing a great change she isn’t really embracing, Carole is obviously struggling with her complete life, feelings no emotions and is faking every smile. And Jess’ happy relationship isn’t all fun and games. And that made me sad, because these are women I really cared about (yes, I know they are not real people…) and I wanted for them to have that happy ever after for each one of them.
While their friendship is as solid as can be, each and every one of them are afraid to tell the truth and the secrets they are keeping. Again, that saddened me terribly, because I knew that these friends would help each other and support each other no matter what. But as often in life, sometimes we are afraid of speaking out our true feelings, as we don’t want to be judged.
However, while all the above saddened me, I also had several (even hysterical) laughs! Each item on the bucket list was hilarious, funny, and even if it ended in disaster for the characters, for the readers it was the funniest thing!
It broke my heart to see how each couple had to face their struggles, but on the other hand, the author showed us again how important communication in any kind of relationship is. Sometimes the secrets for which we have the most terrifying thought about, can be solved with an easy explanation or solution. And have the best of friends, family and partners by your side can make you overcome every fear.
I adored reading this next chapter of this series, and even if I had some initial fear, I truly enjoyed reading about the (even absurd) adventures our women had planned. And while there were even some heart – breaking moment with some even heart – breaking revelations, my feelings of contentment and satisfaction after finishing this book were the overpowering feelings! Again another great accomplishment from this amazing author that shows us her magnificent writing talents!
Tizi’s Book Review 