When you have feelings for the last person you should…

Synopsis

This very handsome earl…Is the one man she cannot fall for…
War widow Lily Walsh has left her aristocratic family behind, but she can’t deny her younger sister’s request to come to London to meet her fiancé. Though not a love match, Lord Sherborne is kind, amusing and ideal for her sister on paper. But as Lily gets to know him, she’s finding him alarmingly attractive! And the forbidden look in the earl’s eye shows the feeling is mutual…

My review

Lily Walsh chose love over her aristocratic family, and even now that she is a young widow, she isn’t in touch with her family.
However, when her younger sister has gotten engaged and requests Lily to come to London, Lily cannot refuse, even if she is not that eager to be around her mother again. And of course she is curious to meet her sister’s fiancé.
When she meets Lord Sherbourne, she sees why he is a good match for her sister, but the more she gets to know Marcus, the more attracted Lily becomes.
And the way Marcus looks at her, could it be mutual? But one thing is for sure… Lily could never betray her sister…

Forbidden loves, aren’t those the best kind of loves to read about? Add Regency, a woman with a broken heart, an awful mother, and the talent of this author and I knew I would fall instantly in love with this book!

Yes, you may think it’s very alike with a certain book/series on a streaming platform that is being binged all over the world. And yes, there are some similarities. But there are so many other differences, so it was something totally new!

I immediately liked Lily. With her marriage, she chose to follow her heart. And even if her marriage wasn’t what she thought it would be and she is now heart – broken because of several events, she never regrets the choices she made.
And I also admired her, because again she made an unpopular choice and wants to help out and make a difference.
When the love for her siblings makes her return to London, she knows it won’t be easy with her mother, but she misses her sister and brother.
And obviously she wants to know if her sister’s fiancé is a good match!

And Marcus… he does not want to get married but wants to fulfil the promise he made. And while he is engaged for the wrong reasons, he does it with the best input. He doesn’t want just A wife, he wants a wife that will be good. He want a good match, and even if there will be no love involved, he wants them both to be happy.
The more I got to see Marcus, the more I truly liked him. he didn’t do anything wrong in the beginning, but of course, seeing his gentler character, the way he includes Lily and even stands his grounds in a kind way, all added up and I saw the amazing man he truly is.

Now, I am glad how the story went, because it could also turn out that Lily would be a terrible sister and give in to her feelings. But no, that is not who Lily is. Her love for her sister will always win over the feelings she has for any other man.

I loved reading how these two lovely characters find each other, and click in an unexpected way. They understand each other, without even speaking, and are on the same level. They both are good people, and even when feelings are growing, the fact of doing the right thing will always prevail.

This book truly was a whole experience. There were tender moments, funny bits (oh Lord Wrexham!), heart – warming moments, but also bits that were heart – breaking.
And the past of both characters, all the beautiful bits but also the cruel ones, turned them into real people, loveable people that you understood where their vision came from.

Lara Temple again wrote a beautiful story showing us that life isn’t always a walk in the park, and everything that happens to us, changes us in one way or another.
And even the good things can come in a disguised way, that makes you wonder if it’s truly a good thing…
But sometimes all it takes is one event that will make the most impossible possible. And then it’s up to us to grab this chance with both hands, even if only the idea of it terrifies us…

When you escape to an island for a fresh start

Synopsis

Welcome to Bramble Island! Find breezy, sunshine-filled days, shaded woodlands, glittering sea and a summer of love…

Maggie Cassidy is the new park manager of Bramble Island in Dorset. A job on an island where she is the only year-round inhabitant is the perfect fresh start for her. But when she’s torn between the job she came to do and the island she has grown to love, can she hang on to her perfect new life without compromising her dreams?

Charlie Mackenzie is the forester on Bramble Island. He is a loner full of secrets, burnt out by the life he left behind in San Francisco. When his past catches up with him can he finally face what he has spent three years running from without jeopardising everything that healed him?

Bramble Island lulls them both into an idyllic existence but when the outside world bangs on their door, is history about to repeat itself for both of them?

My review

After making a terrible judgement and mistake, Maggie Cassidy is happy to be the new park manager of Bramble Island in Dorset. As she is going to be the only real inhabitant of the island, it’s the perfect place for her to make a fresh start.
Together with volunteers she wants to treasure the island she has fallen in love with, but also trying to find the perfect solution for the job she was hired to do.
Caring of the island means that she has to work with forester Charlie Mackenzie, who isn’t keen on being social and prefers to keep his solitude after he got burnt by the way he was living his life in San Francisco.
But the more time Maggie and Charlie spend together, the more feelings start to surface, at a high speeds. However, with Maggie’s secrets and Charlie’s past resurfacing, can they hold on to the wonderful, exclusive feeling they have on Bramble Island? Or have they not learned from their past? 

Living on an island always seems something magical and wonderful. However, the practical person in my immediately would start think about all the logistics and even about improbable issues that could (but obviously won’t) arise. 

But of course, Bramble Island isn’t such a remote island, where you have to search your own food, go on a hunting spree etc.
Of course Maggie will not be in the middle of nowhere and will have everything available, only it will take a trip with the ferry or boat to achieve them. 

I could completely comprehend how Maggie fell in love with the place, because I would have fallen in love too!
There is so much peace, you can feel one with the nature and you are just in awe of Mother Nature!

I also understood why Maggie needed this job, living on an island for a year. She made some mistakes that burnt some bridges and she feels even ashamed of her actions. She needs a place to start over, and Bramble Island is perfect for her. We also see her passion for nature, what she already had, but we see also her respect for nature grown, trying to find the perfect solution for the task she has been hired for.
it was good to see how Maggie opens up more, not only towards the volunteers but also opens her heart little by little for Charlie. 

Charlie, who literally ran away from a good life in San Francisco, but has also cost him a lot… When I first met Charlie, he was a grumpy, closed man, just wanting to do his job and a wish to be left alone. But meeting Maggie was the medicine for him to actually feel again. 

The pace the feelings grew between the characters was maybe for me a bit too hasted, but I can also put the blame on the Island, that does its thing. And furthermore, when you know, does it truly matter how quickly feelings grow? 

However, growing feelings and admitting them, isn’t the end of the story, so when I thought I had reached the end, I was surprised that still had many chapters to read!
And then so many things happened at the same time, it had me truly left a bit shocked! Both Maggie’s and Charlie’s past suddenly resurface, and not all with good intentions.
And I felt a little bit sad to see how the old habits would seem to gain again power over our main characters… 

Seeing how Maggie and Charlie are trying but also failing to find the perfect compromise made me feel sorry, because they both worked so hard to get where they were.
And those not so loveable chapters took too much place in the whole scheme for a sucker for a happy end like me. 

I found this a beautiful story about how people can try to escape their past, find a wonderful place to heal their wounds, find the unexpected. But it was also about redemption and facing your past. And facing your past can also mean rebuild bridges you thought were impossible to rebuild. Plus, realizing what you have lost, but most important, what you have gained and become.

We all have sometimes that feeling that someone is watching us…

Synopsis

Listen carefully.

Watch closely.

Trust nobody.

“Let me ask you. Are you worried that someone is watching you, or are you worried that you think someone is watching you?”

Sophie Portman has lost her husband, and she thinks she may be losing her mind.

She seeks the help of psychiatrist Andrew Thacker, but as she starts to open up, the truth begins to unravel and nothing is quite as it seems.

Other People’s Lives is a gripping psychological thriller from bestselling author JE Rowney.

“A heart-stopping twist. I never saw it coming.” – advance reader review.

My review

Sophie Portman is trying to cope with the disappearance of her husband Jack. It’s not easy, as her whole life is on hold. And now she has the feeling that someone is watching her, but nobody believes her.
Of course with no real evidence, Sophie believes she is losing her mind and she seeks the help of psychiatrist Andrew Thacker. It’s not easy to open up to a total stranger, but slowly the truth begins to unravel and Sophie starts to feel better.
However… is Sophie telling the complete truth? And who can be trusted? Is there truly nobody watching Sophie?

Wow, talking about a story with so many twists and turns! I didn’t know at all where the story would go and what the characters were not telling us!

Initially I truly pitied Sophie. Her husband Jack is missing, yet she keeps writing him, hoping that one day they will be together again.
Her situation made her not go to work anymore, and she doesn’t have any real friends. She isn’t really a social person, making her feeling more alone than ever.

And when she starts to sense that someone is watching her, it gave me goose bumps. And Sophie sought help, without any real evidence, everyone would think they are losing their mind. I understood her hesitance of seeking help with a psychoanalyst, but Sophie also knows that she cannot live in constant fear and has to learn to move on.

It’s obvious that Sophie is keeping something from Dr. Thacker, but even if I had a thought about what it was exactly, it isn’t until the very last few chapters that we will figure out what the truth is…
While reading, I also felt a bit scared because as we are reading from different point of views, there is a serious breach of trust where it shouldn’t be…

But reaching closer towards the end, I knew that there would be several revelations. And yes, they were there, but totally NOT what I expected!
Nothing was what it seemed, and people’s actions surprised me and more intrigues were revealed and linked to each other in a way I did not see coming.

Somewhere in the middle I felt my attention linger a little bit, but that was because I wanted to finally get to the revelations and the truth, but once one revelation was out, it all went like an express train. I had to keep my focus to keep on understanding how everything was connected to each other.
And the final act was also something I didn’t see coming, another total unexpected twist, but maybe the best outcome for Sophie and those close to her.

This book totally put me on the wrong track, and made my mind almost explode and left me truly flabbergasted!
After reaching the end, I needed a moment to process just everything that happened and how the author tricked me! And that is a feeling I expect to have after reading a psychological thriller!

Fantasies and dreams can come true!

Synopsis

Can two strangers dreams lead to their destiny?

American Star Mendoza is living in her dream location, Edinburgh, a place she discovered in British novels while growing up.

Employed at a trendy city centre coffee shop, quirky, pink-haired Star spends her days fantasising about a handsome businessman she serves daily.

He’s totally out of her league but a girl can dream, right?

Fin Hunter is exhausted from striving for his father’s elusive love and approval, and of following a life path of his family’s making.

When things go drastically wrong Fin decides it’s time to stand on his own two feet and follow his own dream.

Star is bereft when her handsome stranger stops coming to her coffee shop, but a chance encounter in the most unlikely of places leaves her wondering if her fantasy could now become a reality?

Can opposites attract over their love of a city and music or is their story simply doomed to fail?

My review

Star Mendoza is an American girl, but she lost her heart to Edinburgh. She enjoys working in the centre coffee shop and shares a place with her boss and gay best friend Alec. Her highlight of her working day is surely whenever that handsome businessman enters the shop daily to get his shot of caffeine. Of course he is way of her league, but doesn’t everyone fantasies about the impossible?
What she doesn’t know however is that Fin Hunter is tired of trying to please his parents. No matter what he does, it’s never enough. And when he is being left at the altar by the woman chosen by his parents, it’s obviously his fault…
Fin has had enough after the disastrously non – wedding and decides to stand on his own two feet and wants to do what HE wants and not what his parents want him to do.
When Star and Fin meet again, it’s not at the coffee shop, as Fin has not been in for a while. But it’s at the most unlikely place they would think of meeting, and could this be the start of something unlikely yet wonderful?
Can opposite characters fall in love? Or will their differences overrule love?

I think I have found my favourite Lisa Hobman book until now!

There may be many differences between Star and Fin, but on so many things, they are also so alike!
And one of those things is, they don’t believe in themselves.
Yes, Star enjoys working in the coffee shop, but her real passion is photography. But she doesn’t believe that her passion can take her somewhere and she surely doesn’t want to stand on the spotlight.

Star may seem a bit odd, with her pink hair, tattoos, own fashion style and even maybe an inexplicable passion for Edinburgh. But she is a kind person, she always has a smile on her face and sees more than anyone else.
And she has secretly a crush on Fin, but doesn’t act on it, especially when she hears he’s getting married!
However, when they meet again at the most improbable place, sparks fly around. And while it’s obvious she is not that kind of girl, she follows her heart for once. Because she empathizes with Fin and his story and because at that moment it seems right.
And when Fin does just everything he shouldn’t be doing, Star makes it clear that forgiveness won’t be given easily! That’s my kind of girl! Shame on you if you fool me once!

And Fin… that is surely a character that broke my heart… every one of us wants to be loved by our parents and make them proud of us. But poor Fin may have the most horrible parents ever. Because no matter what he does, it’s never good enough…  I cannot understand how parents can be so terrible and selfish! And ever later on the story, they keep on being horrendous, doing even unthinkable things!
However, I felt so proud when Fin FINALLY had enough and just steps away from his toxic parents! Of course, if he wouldn’t be struggling, it would be not normal. So we see how Fin goes from a strict businessman to a more rougher, yet realer version of Fin. And when he finds a passion at the most unexpected place and unexpected activity, we see more and more Fin and his true form.

What I loved about this story is that the main characters may seems so different, having different backgrounds, but are so alike in many things, and most important in the things that matter. And I even loved more how Fin doesn’t want Star to change anything about her, so that she could at least fit in a little bit.
And how Star makes Fin see that following your passions is never the wrong thing to do, how odd it may seem.
Star and Fin elevate each other to their best versions, believing in each other. And even when things are seemingly over and out, their love doesn’t disappear just over time.
They have always each other’s best interest in mind, pushing a little bit when necessary but also backing away when needed.

This was an amazing story to read, about how strong yet vulnerable love can be. Differences aren’t something that weaken a relationship, but the right and perfect relationship will strengthen with the differences!
And it may take several hurdles to overcome, but love will always prevail, even when it all starts with a simple yet meaningful kiss!

A new job with an item with a mysterious background

Synopsis

Discover the secrets and surprises that the scenic Scottish town of Briar Glen has to offer…

When wedding planner Sophie Harkness refuses to move a friend’s wedding to accommodate a spoilt bridezilla, she finds herself out of a job. That is until she discovers her late grandma has purchased a local shop for her in the pretty Scottish town of Briar Glen.

Surprised and delighted, Sophie opens her own porcelain shop in honour of her grandmother. But when an unusual tea set is left with Sophie, along with a mysterious letter, she can’t help but be intrigued by the story behind the antique.

And when the handsome but aloof art critic Xander North comes knocking on her door, Sophie is about to find out the true colourful past of her latest treasure.

The perfect feel-good romance for fans of Jo Thomas, Katie Fforde and Trisha Ashley.

My review

Wedding planner Sophie Harkness would move the Earth if she could to give her customers the wedding they dream of.
However, when a real spoilt Bridezilla wants the impossible, moving a friend’s wedding, Sophie decides she has had enough and now is without a job.
That is, until she finds a letter of her beloved grandma, where Sophie discover that Grandma left her a local shop in Briar Glen, to make their dream come true, of running a crockery shop.
And when a tea set is left with Sophie, with a mysterious letter in it, Sophie is intrigued by the provenance of it. She knows that she needs help with finding out the story of it, so art critic Xander North uses his expertise and contacts to find out what treasure Sophie has received. Just a pity that Xander may have the looks but is also a very closed character and Sophie seems to be annoying Xander instead of having a good working relationship…

I am totally not into crockery. I love watching and admiring from a distance, and especially with special tea sets, I would be terrified of breaking something!
But looking and admiring it from a distance, not a problem!

I immediately liked Sophie. Not only because she would do almost everything from the customers, but mainly because she does the right thing. She knows how important her friend’s wedding is, and no matter how much money is thrown at her, she won’t back down!
And even if her own boss is trying to push her to do the thing she won’t do, she decides she had enough and even dares to threaten exposure! Way to go girl!

But her strong character is also a bit in contrast with her more gentle side. This is made obvious when she is in her grandma’s house, empting it. Here we see a Sophie that truly adored her Grandma, shared a passion for crockery and tea – sets. And losing her Grandma was very painful for her…
The bond between Sophie and her Grandma Helena is something that truly warmed my heart. And seeing Sophie is left flabbergasted by Helena’s last gifts but also determined to make her dream come true…

While we know that there will be some romantic adventures for Sophie, this was for me more than just finding love for Sophie.
I was genuinely interested in where the tea – set came from, and why it was given to Sophie in such a hasted pace.
I found it great to read how a small and at first sight insignificant thing on the set would be the start of finding out the truth.

And reading about it, but also reading about young Helena and the choices she made in the past, was an delightful extra given by the author.
Because it would have been so easy for Julie Shackman to just keep the focus on Sophie and her shop, Xander being Xander and the arrival of an unexpected extra contender…

I knew this author from her other books and I knew I was love reading this next one, but I didn’t expect to be so enthralled by it! I felt Sophie’s passion grow through the story, but I also felt Sophie herself grow in the story. this surely isn’t a woman to mess with or use for you schemes!

This was a wonderful reading session (yes, singular!), showing me how beautiful an important tea –set can be, but also about making right choices, love, passion and even a legendary flower! And you’ll never know what the new adventure will bring on your path!

You meet finally your perfect match, and then he moves…

Synopsis

A weekend away changes everything… 

The chemistry between Keira and Noah is instant. After their first date, it’s clear there’s something special between them. 

A weekend in Noah’s hometown further cements their feelings, and Keira falls head over heels. Not only for Noah, but his close-knit family and the stunning Isles of Scilly.

There’s just one problem: Noah’s about to move back home and his plans can’t be altered.

It’s too early in their relationship to make life-changing plans, but if they stand a chance of being together, one of them is going to have to take a leap of faith.

Can love triumph over location? And when following your heart, how far should you go?

My review

Keira and Noah have been flirting for weeks whenever Noah is working at the bar where Keira enjoys to have a drink with her best friend Mel.
And when that same Mel is scheming for the both of them to go finally on a date, it seems to be the start of something special. The chemistry is instant and Keira realizes that their bond is something very special and unique.
Rather quickly, but feeling just perfect for the both of them, Keira accompanies Noah to a family party and the feelings deepen even more!
Everything seems like a perfect fairy-tale. That is until Noah tells Keira that he is planning to move back home in Scilly, and that is a fact.
With only being together for such a short time, will the distance make or break their tender relationship? Will the long distance thing work, or does someone have to leave their home behind to be with the person they love? 

This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and I can say I was very pleasantly surprised!
I don’t truly believe in instant chemistry, falling in love quicky etc., maybe because I haven’t experienced that kind of love myself. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like reading stories where it does happen. 

Keira is such a lovely character even if I feel she should believe more in herself. Even if at work she doesn’t have the same degrees as others, I truly believe she is even better and doesn’t have to proof her capabilities all the time.
She is a great friend, and even when Mel puts her in awkward situations, like the karaoke, she takes it in stride.
Also as a daughter, maybe she should be stricter in lending money to her parents and show them their problems and thus becoming also a problem for her. But don’t we all somehow still listen to our parents?  

And Noah… while Keira couldn’t see herself getting together with a bartender, I wouldn’t bother with a man’s job, as long as he makes me happy. Luckily,; Keira is slowly also learning that lesson.
Even if sometimes I was getting a bit angry at his determination of moving back, I could see where he was coming from.
And his positivism and believing that their relationship would survive the distance, made me like him even more. 

This story made ma laugh several times, from the mix – up of Scilly – Sicily, the interfering of Mel at the most romantic moments and a family being a typical family!
But there were also some bits that made me feel a little bit sad. When the moving became a real thing, the struggle of missing someone so much. And family with issues for both our main characters that are difficult to address. 

The most beautiful thing in this book was the sense of hope I felt through each page. Two people who finally find each other, give their impossible relationship a chance, friends that stand by your side at even the worst or awkward moments (some even schemed by them). And the hope that even broken families can be glued back together, just as long as the will is still there. 

And that sometimes you have to dare to take a dive into the unknown, hoping that whatever you sacrificed, will be worth it, because love is always worth it!  

I found this a wonderful book to read, a great first acknowledgment of a new author. I found myself totally submerged in Keira’s and Noah’s story. I found myself standing next to Keira, trying to make her see what everyone sees in her, standing next to Noah, almost imploring him not to move. But most of the time I felt my heart warming over the beauty of this whole story…

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.

Pre-order Links – 

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3F6D1Me

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/35uTUn7

Publication Date: 30th August 2022

About the author

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!

THE COVER!

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.

Pre-order Link – books2read.com/u/4XDkre

Publication Date: 17th May 2022

About the author

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!

THE COVER!!!

A return that will turn everyone’s lives around

Synopsis

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)

Prize Contains:

4 x Signed paperbacks:

• Tempted by the Tycoon’s Proposal

• Surprise Reunion with His Cinderella

• Beauty And The Reclusive Millionaire

• Secrets Behind the Billionaire’s Return

And:

• “Hug” Bracelet

• Diamond Metallic Pen

• Heart Post-Its

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494490/?

The mysterious ways of life and fate

Synopsis

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.