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!

Love should come easy, but what if it isn’t?

Synopsis

I was a different man, once.

I was a man with only one woman on my mind – the only woman I wanted to hold in my arms.

I was her man.

But things change. Life changes you. Choices, mistakes, resentment: they all change you.

So do unkept promises.

We hurt each other. We loved each other, then hated each other, then missed each other, then grew apart.

And then…

One day, we found each other again.

At the wrong time, in the wrong place.

Because the two of us are wrong together – we’re too far apart, too incompatible.

We’re the main characters of a story that doesn’t belong to us.

But I still keep loving her, even though she hates me.

And she keeps hating herself, because she can’t help but love me.

And we keep searching for each other, even though we’re destined to lose each other.

I wish I could be a different man, just once.

I wish I could be the kind of man who’s ready to give everything for the woman he loves.

Someone who was ready to let her go.

Because I want her to be happy more than I want her to be mine.

My review

Brian is the kind of guy nobody expects much of. He avoids responsibility and doesn’t want to change.
Everyone also knows that he is not relationship – material. But what nobody knows, that there is one woman who holds his heart. But that is also the woman that he will never have. Because he once had Darcy and he ruined it all, and now Darcy hates him.
When Darcy returns back home, her hatred is obvious, because Brian took one thing from her and she wants it back.
But there is a thin line between love and hate…

When I read some of the previous books of this series, I was a little bit frustrated as there were some references I couldn’t follow (as what happened even earlier).  So even if in this book I was a bit more up to date, I was glad that the author gave ‘the past’ and the previous main characters a little bit more space in this book!

This book, the story of Brian and Darcy was a rollercoaster of emotions on so many different levels.
Darcy feels so much hatred towards Brian, and while initially we do not know why, we could feel what it was all about.
And while resenting Brian for so long may seem a bit over the top, when I read about Darcy’s true feelings, I could understand her.
Darcy and Brian go way back, and Darcy saw something in Brian that nobody did. She knew the real Brian, and believed in him, as he showed her also a side he showed no one.
So I felt her pain when she each time returned home, because the hurt was still so palpable, and why she was so reluctant to go back home.

And then Brian… I never wished for someone that people would see the real him. Brian is still carrying the burden of his father’s past with him. And that made people being wary of him (and his brother). Add that his actions didn’t really change that impression, and you have the typical bad boy in front of you.
But there is so much more than being an irresponsible, lazy, womanizing man!
Actions always speak louder but in Brian’s case, his reasoning is way much important than what he does.
He feels that in every case, situation, is never enough and he doesn’t want to burden his ‘being less’ with anyone. For those who matter to him, he only wants the best, even if that means heartbreak for him.

While the previous stories I enjoyed reading, I found this story had that little extra.
It shows us the vulnerability of people, the doubts and low self – esteem people can have. But also the mixed feelings…While Darcy is adamant to hate Brian, it’s obvious that she really doesn’t. But the hurt she felt so many years ago, is not easy to put that aside.
And Brian has to see that he is worthy of being loved, and love, because it won’t always result in losing that person.

This book shows us self – esteem can make or break a person. And that yes, in the process of accepting ourselves we can hurt people. But also that sometimes opening up, and showing the love we feel, can result in a beautiful love story.
I realized while reading this book that even if we get hurt by those who (are supposed to) love is, sometimes it doesn’t mean that we are not enough, but they don’t feel like being enough.
But loving someone means trusting that we are enough, and that even if initially maybe reluctantly, we are ready to change our whole world and be with that One True Love is everything we want and need to feel complete and worthy.

Everyone deserves the wedding of their dreams…

Synopsis

Even wedding planners struggle to get it right…

Jason is the best wedding planner around, known as the Fairy Godfather to the couples whose special days he plans. But coming up against workplace prejudice is taking a toll on his love for his job.

His mother-in-law, Mel, has just discovered her husband has been cheating on her with a younger woman. Nearing fifty, jobless and struggling, she needs to work out who she is aside from a mum and a wife, and get her life back on track.

Meanwhile, up-tight wedding planner Harriet is struggling to find her own true love – if such a thing exists. Between liars, married men, and disaster dates, she thinks she may never find the one. And her outdated attitude toward LGBT marriages make her even more bitter.

When Jason starts Extra Weddings – helping people marry whoever they like, in whatever way they want – he, Mel and Harriet find themselves coming together to help couples make memories to last a lifetime. But can they bridge their gaps, and be a unit when others need them most?

Fans of Casey McQuiston, Lindsey Kelk and Justin Myers are invited to the most heart-warming and extravagant wedding event of 2022.

My review

There is nothing impossible when Jason is your wedding planner. Of course with a nickname The Fairy Godfather, Jason always goes that extra length to give his clients everything they wish for their special day.
Despite how much he loves working his magic, he still has to fight against workplace prejudice, even at his new working place. He understands that not everyone is as open minded towards the LGBTQ – community but cannot believe how far people will go to refuse to host a wedding.
His new colleague Harriet, fellow – wedding planner meanwhile is also struggling. Not only is she still looking for true love, trying to find The One between liars, married men and terrible dates, but she also has old fashioned visions of how a wedding would look like, a man marrying a woman.
So it’s no wonder that Harriet and Jason don’t really click at work…
And after another setback, Jason decides to open his own business, Extra Weddings, wanting to help out whoever to get married however they want. But getting business rolling is not easy, and add some more drama on personal level, like his mother – in – law Mel finding herself suddenly single again at the age of fifty, no job and struggling…
But maybe Extra Weddings is exactly what everyone needs to get their lives back on track and reassess their thoughts about what a wedding should look like.

To be truly honest, this book was not that kind that I liked from the very start.
Not because of the story itself, but more because of the behaviour of a few characters (main character and some side characters).
I am a believer that it doesn’t matter who you love, man, woman, trans,… as long as you and your partner are truly happy and love each other unconditionally.

So while I totally embraced Jason being who he was, and adoring reading about his relationship with Pete, I truly struggled with completely liking Harriet.
I understood that, while she could have everything she wanted and have a nice job with her father’s business, she wants to do what she wants, make her own money and stand on her two own feet.
And yes, I even understood her when she dreams of a romance like in the books she loves to read. Because don’t we all want to find that totally consuming Love?
But Love never comes easy, and Harriet learns that the hard way…
And while I sympathized with her, her view over relationships and marriage were not something I could agree with. Being so young and old at the same time… I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t see that love comes in different shapes and colours.

However, seeing her opening he eyes, and throw all her prejudices through the window, was good to read about and also the only right thing to do.

Jason… can a man be more perfect in being himself as Jason? He is passionate about his work, understands what his clients wants (or don’t) and he cannot stand injustice and fights for rights that should be equal from the very start.
And when he cannot stand the ‘hostile’ work environment, he takes that leap of faith and starts on his own, just so he can give everyone their dreams.
He is kind, generous and even forgiving, as his relation with Harriet shows. And the love he has for Pete just sparks of the pages! Even if not married (yet?) with Pete, he sees Mel and her family already as his own family.

So when Mel is in need of help, there is no doubt that Jason and Pete will help anyway that they can. While Mel is obviously struggling after separating from her husband, I admired the courage she has. She dares to make not obvious choices, like starting to study again, and helping out Jason. But she also stands her ground when an opportunity rises and getting back to her old life would be easy.

Like I said earlier, this story was not an instant love for me. However, reading how people can redeem themselves, and see the world just how it is, changed a lot of the frustrations I had for those single – minded characters.
And reading how different weddings can be, from the cliché to the over the top, was putting an extra smile on my face!

This book is the perfect example to show that Love is Love, no matter what your prejudices are. Everyone deserve to love whoever they want. And the perfect partner doesn’t have to thick of 37 boxes on your list, or not having an own past and background.
No matter who you are, there is always somewhere worthy of your love and worthy of giving his/her love to you.
Just throw all prejudices out of the window and allow love to enter!

Believe in yourself and dare to take a chance!

Synopsis

Molly Hopkins has happily watched all of her friends’ dreams come true on Riverside Lane.

Deciding to follow her passion for baking, Molly with the help of her friends takes the plunge and opens a Tea Garden in the village hoping to make it a summer to remember!

Meanwhile, after a rather public end of his marriage, Logan Armstrong trusts no one but his beloved Grandad. He just wants his brief stay in Cranbridge to be as quiet as possible. But his Grandad has other ideas; he dreams of seeing the old watermill working again which might just mean Logan has to ask the village for help.

Can Molly finally overcome her lack of confidence and believe in her abilities to make the tea garden a success?

Will Logan discover that Molly might just be the one to mend his broken heart? And will both of them realise that life is for living and loving?

Over a long hot summer in Cranbridge, perhaps everyone’s dreams of a happy-ever-after can finally

My review

Molly Hopkins is happy that all her friends have found their happy ever afters. Only now she feels like the odd one out, still dreaming of her own happy after.
And one of her dreams is also opening a Tea Garden in the village of Cranbridge. With the help, and not able to say ‘no’ to anyone, she is able to realize her dream, even if it’s only for the summer.
While Molly is trying to make a success out of her dream, Logan Armstrong would nothing more than hide away after the public end of his marriage.
And is there any place better than Cranbridge? He doesn’t want to make new friends, ask for help (as it will end with always wanting something back in return) or just trust anyone in general.
But with his grandfather and his wish to see the old watermill working again, Logan has no other option to ask for help…
However, when Molly and Logan become business neighbours, it’s obvious that they can learn so much from each other, and maybe they are exactly what they need to believe that dreams can come true?

It’s not a secret how much I love the stories of Cranbridge and Riverside Lanes. So obviously I was very eager to reading this new chapter! And I knew beforehand that I would love this, just like the previous parts, but I didn’t expect that I could fall even more in love!

Was it because I could so easy relate with Molly? She has a kind heart, but also finds it very difficult to refuse to do something. And makes her being in situations she really doesn’t want to be (e.g. Easter Bunny…).
She has big dreams, but doesn’t believe in herself. She loves baking, but cannot believe that someone would want to pay for ‘just her cakes’.
And while I felt sorry for her, because we KNOW how amazing she is, I could understand her. Especially in her situation, with a mother having her own problems, brothers to look after and ex – boyfriend and ex – best friend who made her feel so small… Of course any person would not have a great self – esteem. Luckily, she has the best kind of friends now, believing in her and maybe pushing her to do things she rather wouldn’t do, but deep down wants to do.
But how little she thinks of herself, that won’t stop her to help out wherever or whenever she can, even if her help is not always initially wanted. And that shows us again how amazing Molly truly is!

And then Logan enters the scene… At first glimpse, you would think he is the total opposite of Molly. He keeps to himself, doesn’t engage with anyone in the village, and just refuses any kind of help, because he believes it will always come back to him!
So you would think it would easy to dislike him, right? But no, it’s obvious he is heartbroken, and who wouldn’t be? The end of a marriage is never something to be happy about, but the way his ended, was just so terrible!
Of course I understood why he wanted to escape for a while.
Quickly it’s clear how nice Logan really is, despite his initial beliefs of just being invisible. The way he wants his grandfather Stanley’s dream make come true, warmed my heart.
But also once he met Molly, and helps her out when she is being taken advantage of, and makes her believe in herself again… Heart – melting!!!

Obviously, seeing ‘my’ old friends again was wonderful, and reading how they had Molly’s back made me realize again how amazing life is when you have such friends in your life. The unconditional love and belief they have for Molly… can I be part of this group too? Pretty please????
The lovely thing of this book is not only how both characters show each other that it’s not wrong to chase your dreams, to believe in yourself and ask help. But also that when a community works together, any problem can be solved.
From fixing a watermill, making a Tea Garden, but also getting slowly out of a depression, finding something you love doing and in several cases, find love.

I had so many laughs, smiles of contentment, moments that my heart just melted but also a few gasps.
When I finished this book, I felt sad (as a bookaholic, it always breaks my heart when I finish a marvellous book…) but I also had to take a moment, looking straight ahead of me, and realize and digest that I have read an amazing book, showing us that chasing a dream can be scary, but that shouldn’t hold us back, because Yes We Can! And that believing in ourselves and in love is never the wrong thing to do!

When attending on your own is not an option, a year will be enough to find the perfect match, right?

Synopsis

Never say never to falling in love…

Val didn’t expect to be starting again in her seventies, but when life gives her lemons, Val is determined to make lemonade.

Settled into her new home – a picture-perfect fisherman’s cottage in the small Cornish seaside town of Lowenstowe – Val is ready to start a new chapter. And with her son due to get married next Christmas, there’s also the little job of finding herself a plus-one to help her face her ex-husband and his new girlfriend.

With the support of her neighbour Connie, and after decades of married life, Val takes the plunge back into the world of dating with trepidation and excitement. But can she remember how the single life works, let alone what her type is? There seem to be plenty of Mr Maybes, but no sign of Mr Right.

As the year passes, and as friendships and community life flourish, Val begins to blossom. And as Christmas approach, she might just decide she doesn’t need that plus-one after all – although never say never… 

Judy Leigh is back with her trademark promise of laughter, love and friendship. The perfect feel-good novel for all fans of Dawn French, Dee Macdonald and Cathy Hopkins.

My review

The last thing Val expected, surely at her age, was getting a divorce and having to start all over again in a new town.
Even being in her seventies, Val is determined to make her new situation work, and feel truly home in her new cottage and making new friends.
And she is over the moon when her son tells her he is getting married next Christmas. Although… being on her own in the pictures is not how she envisioned the happiest moment of her son.
Together with her new friend and neighbour Connie, Val decides to start dating again. Each month she has to meet a new man, a Mr. Maybe, and see if he could be the man to accompany her and be her plus one.
Easier said than done, because Val quickly realizes that she is out of her depth in the dating scene and finding a Mr. Right is not that easy as she thought…

I have read several books of this author, and while the main protagonists are older than me, I find it surprizing how relatable their story is.

I admired Val her positivism, and her determination to make her new situation work, how difficult it may seem.
Getting a divorce and moving to a new place is never easy, but I can image how more difficult is can be when you are in your seventies. 
But Val makes the best of the situation, and quickly makes new friends.

I had several laughs, as we see each month how Val is meeting new men. And while you may think that Val is being the ‘seductress’, trying to find desperately a man, the opposite is true.
Her monthly man isn’t always a contender for going to the wedding, but she also meets people that open her eyes more.

While it’s Val’s mission to find the perfect date, we see more how Val is becoming an important and valuable member of Lowenstowe.
Not only is she discovering the town, but she also sees what fights are being fought to maintain the beauty of the place. And she joins the fight, determined to not being dismissed.

The more I read in this story, the more I realized that age truly us just a number. It’s not because you are in your seventies that you are obsolete.
And while the premise is Val finding a date, this is not the main purpose in this tale.
Because what stuck with me is that finding yourself, being yourself is more important than finding a man to stand by your side.

Also the way she acts, is an important thing. Because it would be easier to just sit on your own, but Val isn’t that kind of woman, and she rolls up her sleeves and takes action.
She is an example of not only how people of a certain age should be, but people in general, no matter what your age is.
You should enjoy life as it is, making the best of every situation, and never let anyone or anything hold you back.

And as is commonly known, the thing you are searching for the most, will come at the most unexpected moment!

Money money money, must be funny…

Synopsis

What do you do when your life becomes more dramatic than reality TV?
As the devoted carer for famous antique expert Harold Kershaw, Karrie Morgan was always happy to keep a professional distance from his four spoilt grown-up children, who rarely made time for their father. But then a surprise involving Harold’s Will means Karrie is flung headlong into a press scandal, and into the chaotic world of the surviving Kershaws.
With the support of her trusted childhood friend Andrew, mild-mannered Karrie must face down ruthless ice queen Portia, master manipulator Gabriel, Botox fanatic Arabella, and ladies’ man Rafe, star of reality TV show Raised in Richmond … although perhaps not as fake and flashy as he initially seems?
As vicious rumours circulate and Karrie’s past comes back to haunt her, she struggles to know who to trust. Can she keep up with the Kershaws’ schemes?

My review

Karrie Morgan may not have all the requirements, but she is devoted in looking after famous antique expert Harold Kershaw. She enjoys spending time with the old man, especially as his own children don’t bother with visiting their father, even if they have been always spoiled and don’t expect anything less than more money…
So obviously, after Harold’s passing and the Will is being found, the Kershaws aren’t happy at all when they discover that Karrie is mentioned in it, and not for just a little bit of change money…
And against her own will, Karrie is dragged into a press scandal and schemes of the four siblings to regain what they think belongs to them.
Luckily Karrie still has her head on her shoulders and she can always count on her best friend Andrew.
And when the youngest sibling, Rafe, is offering an olive branch, Karrie starts to doubt if he truly is as fake as everyone thinks.
But with a childhood where she learned that nobody can be trusted, can she learn to trust Rafe and his honesty? And how far will the Kershaws go with their schemes?

Ooh Helen Buckley, what do you do to me? Each time I read one of your books, I think I know beforehand where you will go. But each time you keep surprising me. And yes, obviously in a good way!

Karrie is the kind of character I loved reading about. She didn’t have the easiest childhoods, but she made it all work somehow and now she finds herself working for Harold Kershaw. While the difference between them couldn’t be bigger, when there is a click, your background doesn’t matter. And Harold saw something in Karrie and that is the start of a story that I loved, but sometimes also disliked (because of the ugly, selfish characters represented by Harold’s children).

It was not a surprise that Karrie would inherit from Harold, but I was a bit surprised reading just how much was left to her.
So maybe (just a little bit although!) I could understand why the children were not happy with that Will.
But any sympathy I had, was quickly gone when Portia, Gabriel, Arabella and Rafe start plotting against our poor Karrie.

Slowly I had to change my mind about Rafe, because even if it was part of their schemes, Rafe starts to see how honest Karrie really is.
And while I initially thought the Kershaws were a tied family, reading more about the struggles Rafe had to face and is still facing, made my dislike disappear more and more.

I have to admit, I didn’t like Andrew. Yes, he is always there whenever Karrie needs him. But I didn’t like it how he kept her and their past a secret from his current life.
And the way he behaved towards Rafe, well he wasn’t scoring extra points!

While I understood why the author would show us the different point of views of Karrie and Rafe, I didn’t really comprehend Andrew’s input, because just like I said, I didn’t really really like him.
But these three different views made it possible for the reader to comprehend each action better, each struggle, each doubt, each happy moment, each laugh and each surprising discovery.

There is obviously romance in this book, but I felt that wasn’t the main storyline here. For me, it was more about doing the right thing, discovering yourself again, fighting against bullies, accepting the past, and putting your trust in the people who deserve it.
The main characters have all their own demons to face. Karrie has a past with a father who will never get a reward for his parental skills, causing Karrie huge trust issues. Rafe is a member of a wealthy family, but has always felt being left out of the tight unit, causing him to make some wrong decisions. And Andrew who is ashamed of his past in foster care, and finds it difficult to bring his two different worlds together.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, even if the author managed to surprise me, by taking an unexpected turn. Sometimes it takes a strange event to learn more about yourself and make a change for the better.
A wonderful reading session, I found myself quickly submerged in this story, forgetting everything around me. It was impossible to put this book down, and for those around me, complaining about my lack of interactivity… I have no regrets at all!

Zodiacs don’t define our characters, right?

Synopsis

Sagittarius – Travel writer Holly heads to Tuscany to research her next book, but when she meets Dario, she knows she’s in trouble. Can she resist temptation? And what do her mixed feelings mean for her future with her fiancé?
Gemini – Player Lucy likes to keep things interesting and has no qualms about being unfaithful to her long-term boyfriend. A cardiology conference to Switzerland changes Lucy, perhaps forever. Has she met her match, and is this feeling love?
Holly is the one who links the twelve signs. Are you ready to meet them all?
A tale of love, family, friendship and the lengths we go to in pursuit of our dreams.

My review

This is the story of twelve people, each having a different zodiac signs but all connected somehow. It all starts with Sagittarius Holly, a travel writer going to Italy, doing research for her next book, and it ends with Scorpio Czeslawa, having just moved to a new place and struggling to adapt in Kings River.
Each character/sign gets its own spotlight, letting the reader in their tale of family, romance, friendship, but also heart – breaking decisions and moments.

So, I totally don’t believe that things are written in the stars, and that our zodiac signs define our characters.
Of course, when being so abstract in descriptions, it’s normal that you turn them into what’s applicable for you.

But before you discard this book because, just like me, don’t believe in astrology, you will realize that this book just uses the zodiac signs as a way to give each character their own moment.
And the description of each sign made me chuckle a little bit and made me want to see if any of it would apply to the main character of the moment.

I found it refreshing how the author managed to use the zodiac sign as inspiration for telling different stories. Even if it was not always clear how each character was linked with ‘glue’ Holly, in the end it all became clear and each character had closure somehow.
Because that was something that angered me a little bit, as at the cliff-hanger, the author decided to turn the spotlight on someone else.
But that gave me also the determination to keep on reading, until I knew absolutely everything!

I also have to admit, not always I liked the behaviour of some of the characters. There are things I cannot forgive, and seeing how some would easily do them, without any regret, made me dislike them…
On the other hand, there were other characters doing the same thing, but realizing that they were in the wrong, and carry their guilt.

But there were also beautiful moments, like falling in love, finding your new place and being able to call it ‘home’, and having new opportunities.
And those moments undid all the angry/frustrating feelings I had, because no matter how ugly things can get, we always have to hang on to the beautiful moments.

While sometimes confusing, this was a good book to read. It shows us how feelings can shift, in a positive way but also a negative one.
I felt afterwards that we will never know what the future will have in store for us, and that one decision can change our whole journey. And that sometimes the time has come to make important decisions, how hard they may seem to be. Because just staying in the same situation without a real reason, is never the right thing to do…

To serve and protect the King, nothing goes too far, except…

Synopsis

A knight’s enemy

Becomes his closest ally…

Knight Theo Glenville will do whatever it takes to discover who’s plotting against his King. Sobefriending—and even romancing—his target’s middle daughter, Medea, is merely part of his sworn duty. But what isn’t? Falling under the spell of a woman who’s anything but plain in his eyes! Yet every day they become closer, the more torn he is between his allegiance to king or his heart…

My review

Medea Suval is the middle daughter of her family, and with no happy prospects for the future. She doesn’t have the same looks as her sisters, and has a mind of her own, which isn’t always appreciated. As a marriage is not something likely, even her parents have agreed that Medea entering a nunnery may be the best solution.
Being with her family at the King’s stronghold will be the last thing Medea will do before going to the nunnery.
With the King being nearly at war with France, it’s up to the King’s Knights to protect him and uncover plans of treason. And it’s Knight Theo Grenville’s duty to try figure out if the Suval family is plotting against the King.
Little did he know that Medea would be intrigued by the world of spying and uncovering truths and would become an ally, or at least think she is. While Medea is  helping out wherever she can, she is totally unaware she is part of a plan.
And Theo is finding it more and more difficult to keep his duty and his feelings separated, because plain Medea appears to be everything but plain…

I have a soft spot for Ella Matthews’ book and this story was again showing me why that is…

From the very start, I felt sorry for Medea… it’s obvious that nobody sees the real her, and she is so often quickly dismissed, even by her own family, that she feels rather alone. And beside feeling alone, she often also feels embarrassed by them, especially when hearing how loud and unapologetic her mother can be.
And even if her looks aren’t that great (but who has the right to say who is beautiful and who is just plain??? Aren’t we all beautiful in our own ways???), she is a bright woman, with a mind of her own. Even if in the past she got burned (emotionally), she still has that fire in her, not allowing any man to make her feel little.
And that made me also admire her, as she won’t back down that easily. Even when her parents, despite their promise that she could go to a nunnery, change their minds and want her to get married, she won’t just accept her fate.

This isn’t just a story about a woman who meets a man (not just A man, but a Knight!) and fall in love/lust/…
But this story gives us also a glimpse how our behaviour can reveal so much about ourselves. The way we stand, talk,… there is so much that can be told by even just standing still. Not that now I am a real spy, but it surely pinpointed me where to pay attention!
Together with Theo and Medea, and Theo’s fellow knights, I was trying to find out the truth, about who was in the plans of treason, and who even was a real murderer.

Talking about Theo… just like Medea, he is the kind of person people don’t have kind thoughts about. And his background and rumours surely didn’t help.
He is a dutiful man, he knows what is expected from him and protecting the King is his main focus.
He is also a great warrior, many opponents fear him.
But he also has a gentle character. The way he talks to Medea, the way he sees her, shows us that behind even an imposing persona, there is a kind, gentle and maybe even an afraid man.

It was so sweet to read how Medea and Theo find each other, even if I was a bit afraid of seeing how Medea would react when the truth of Theo’s plans would be revealed.
Medea and Theo challenge each other all the time. This isn’t an Alpha male finding a compliant woman, but a woman who is like him. And that makes only the attraction grow between them.

This is a lovely story to read, about people who have been both been hurt, but find each other in the most unlikely circumstances, joining forces to uncover people with evil plans.
And meanwhile find that even no matter how hard you try to resist, when love is involved, there is nothing you can do to stop these feelings and the right person will accept both your strengths and weaknesses (if we can call them like that…)

One last chance to save a broken marriage

Synopsis

Escape to beautiful Venice for this Victorian marriage reunited story…

An invitation to Venice…

To save their marriage!

Suggesting divorce to her estranged husband, Jamie, Duke of Byson, takes all of Rose Wilkins’s courage. Years of distance and heartbreak have taken a toll—she needs a new start. But Jamie won’t hear of divorce, because of the scandal alone. His counteroffer is a trip to Venice… Might discovering Venice’s delights together rekindle the still-simmering desire that drew Rose to Jamie as a starry-eyed young American heiress?

My review

Rose Wilkins may be the youngest of the Wilkens’ sisters, but she is also the most determine, passionate and maybe strong headed one.
It was her passion that made her marry Jamie, Duke of Byson. But years of distance and heartbreak made it impossible for Rose to keep standing by his side.
So now she is determined to gain her freedom again, and perhaps find love again and divorcing Jamie is the only solution.
But Jamie, after hearing what Rose wants, is also determined. But he is determined to win his wife back, and show Rose he is again the man she fell in love with.
Will Jamie succeed or is all hope and love lost, and even a trip to Venice will not be enough?

Being the youngest member of a family surely has its advantages, but isn’t always easy either. Being the youngest myself, I know what I am talking about…
As the youngest, maybe it’s easier to get things done, but when your siblings have everything they desire, and you don’t, it’s easy to feel like a bit of a failure.

And that is exactly how Rose is feeling. Her sisters Lily and Violet are happily married, with children, while Rose her marriage is as good as non – existing.
Even if Rose and Jamie married out of love, during the years they both have changed and one terrible event devastated them both beyond repair.

So yes, I understood why Rose wanted to divorce Jamie, and enjoying all the attention she received, as she has been described as a real beauty.
And while it may seem like Rose is loving the attention of one specific man, the pain she is feeling on the inside is obvious for us, observant readers.
Because of course she truly loved/loves Jamie, but his behaviour and their past are too hurtful… A past not revealed immediately, but my suspicions appeared to be correct.

It was very nice to see how Rose wanted to make her own future, being an independent woman. How evident that may seem now, even getting divorced is no longer a taboo, in Victorian times these things aren’t always well accepted.

But how much I admired Rose her courage, I also pitied what happened to her and Jamie. What once was a wonderful, passionate relationship turned out to be a disaster. And while that one tragic event was nobody’s fault, the consequences are still being carried around.

And Jamie… he surely isn’t without fault, as yes, he made several mistakes. But Rose’s request for a divorce showed us that passionate man again. But not only that, Jamie is also a man regretting his mistakes and determined to get one last chance to redeem himself.

While their trip to Venice isn’t really the start of winning Rose back, it shows us that Jamie knows and understands Rose. And there isn’t a thing in the world he wouldn’t do for her, eve going to balls and soirées he used to truly dislike.
But he also is carrying that pain around, and him opening up, shows us even more how caring and loving he truly is. And protective too when someone from Rose’s past appears again…

I have read the whole series, and I have come to like all the sisters. But maybe Rose is my favourite one, because what she had endured in the past, but she kept her head high and wanted to find her happiness on her own, not wanting to be dependant of any man.

I loved reading this last chapter of the Wlikins’ sisters, because it shows us that marrying the person we love isn’t the happy ending, but the start of whole different story. Marriage is something you have to fight for together, even after a heart-breaking moment.
But this story, and the author, demonstrates us that even when the love seems to be lost, it never really is.
And that we have to proof our loved – ones that yes, we can change back to the person we once were. And we are worth fighting for and having a second chance.

Not only a hotel in Turin in need of some love…

Synopsis

She needed a getaway. What she found was a home.

When Louise surprises her boyfriend by returning early from a work trip, safe to say she wasn’t expecting to see him in flagrante delicto with another woman. Heart-torn and vowing to stay away from men, when Louise’s next project involves restoring an ageing hotel in Italy, she leaps at the chance to get away.

Managed by a crew of sextagenarians, the Grand Hotel del Monferrato needs all the love and care Louise can give it. But it’s hard to stay focused on the job when her thoughts keep straying to Vito, the reclusive and mysterious neighbour.

With his tragic past and her no-romance policy, Louise knows they can’t have a future. Yet something keeps pulling the two together…

A beautiful romance set in the hills of Turin

My review

After returning early from a work trip, instead of surprising Louise’s boyfriend, it’s him who surprises her by being in bed with another woman.
Needing to be away, Louise grabs the opportunity to start a new project that involves restoring a hotel in Turin.
Despite its magnificent location on the hills, it’s obvious that Grand Hotel del Monferrato is everything except Grand, like the name would suggest.
With a crew being close to retirement age, it’s a real challenge to return the hotel to its previous prestige.
Another challenge appears to be not thinking about Vito, neighbour and former owner of the hotel. Even if he is being reclusive and mysterious, keeping everyone at distance, and Louise’s determination to stay away from men, the two of them seem being pulled together…

Returning to Italy with a book from this author, is always a pleasure for me. Am I biased because I am Italian? Yup… Do I care? Nope…

Louise gave me a bit of mixed feelings, to be honest. She is in a relationship, but her focus was more on her job, instead of her boyfriend. And while I absolutely condemn what Thomas did, cheating is NEVER okay, maybe it was something inevitable…
A relationship means both parties have to give and take, and having good communication. And that was something lacking.
And like the story will proof, their happy ever just wasn’t meant to be.

And is there a better place than Italy to get your thoughts and feelings back together? Of course not!
It broke a little bit my heart seeing how a hotel that once was grand, is now feeling the aches of time and lack of love and care of a real manager.
However, my heart warmed all over again, seeing how the crew did their best to keep the place running, even if it was not an easy task.

I liked Louise’s hands-on mentality, and desire to make the hotel shine again like before. Ad that is not only because it’s her job, but because she is falling in love with the place. If just everyone would show such dedication…

And the hotel gives her the best opportunity to do some thinking. She realizes that, even if she loves her job, she also wants to be part of a relationship. But how can she combine the two without giving up on either one of the things she wants?

While trying to answer those questions, I loved reading how Louise started to feel at home in Turin. And not only the people in the hotel welcome her, but also she feels at peace there.
Of course I also had a few laughs and frowns, because of Louise misinterpreting a certain situation, and the return of an old flame confusing her more. And then there is Vito…

Initially I didn’t like Vito that very much… when he wasn’t being invisible, he was being curt, even impolite maybe. Lucky for him, he had Leo, who made up for Vito’s lack of enthusiasm. At least Leo was always very ecstatic to see Louise! And to be clear, Leo is Vito’s dog.
But the more Vito appeared in the story, and when finally the reason behind his reclusiveness is revealed, so much made sense! And his tale broke my heart, as his love was so obvious, but I also wanted him to see the truth, rather sooner than later, for Louise’s interest!

Beside the story of Louise, the author managed again to take us on a wonderful journey in Italy. While there are many famous cities to see, Turin is maybe not that highly ranked amongst tourists. But while reading, I felt like I was feeling the fresh air Louise was breathing, almost feeling the ground under my feet myself.

This story is filled with wonderful sights, great new friends, heart-warming realizations, lots of mouth-watering food and an amazing journey of knowing yourself and daring to take a brand new challenge!

I thought it would be difficult for the author to fulfil my high expectations, as it is always difficult to write something as amazing as your previous books, which I adored. But shouldn’t I have learned by now and know this author better?