Attempting to lose weight, finding so much more

Synopsis

Art dealer Ruby Lambert is on a mission to lose her baby weight ahead of her sister’s Olivia’s wedding in 6 months’ time. To add fuel the fire, Ruby has also been ‘honoured’ with the unenviable task of being Head Bridesmaid. So determined not to let Olivia down, she signs up to a swanky new diet & fitness club, The Bluebell Booty Busters.
Uncertain of what to expect Ruby meets Harry Small, a wealthy local businessman who ‘joins’ Booty Busters, after pressure from his wife, who’s worried about his health and growing waistline.
Ruby and Harry soon team up as diet buddies, supporting each other through their dieting crisis’s. But something seems amiss at Booty Busters when they both discover that if it looks too good to be true; it probably is….
Will Ruby and Harry ever reach their targets?
And will Ruby do her sister proud and be the Belle of the Ball?

My review

Being the Head Bridesmaid of her sister’s wedding, Ruby Lambert is determined to lose the baby weight before Olivia’s wedding.
To achieve her goal, she signs up to a new diet and fitness club, The Bluebell Booty Busters.
A combination of exercise and diet will promise her success.
At Booty Busters, Ruby meets Harry Small, pressured by his wife to join the club, and an ultimatum: lose weight , or the marriage is over.
Having the same goals, it’s obvious that Ruby and harry become Diet Buddies, helping each other during their difficult moments. But also a friendship is being formed, as they seem to understand each other so well, without any judgement.
But the Bluebell Cliff Hotel wouldn’t be the Bluebell Cliff without a hiccup, and there is certainly something amiss…

Oooooh how much I adored returning to the Bluebell Cliff Hotel! And seeing my old friends again, and making new ones!

Ruby wasn’t a complete stranger, as we go to know her in the previous books already a little bit, but I was happy that she got her own moment in the spotlight!
Before she had her adorable son Simon, Ruby’s focus was on being the best art dealer she could be, going lengths for her customers. But I found it wonderful to see how, without any issue, her priorities shifted and Simon was her Priority Number 1, just like it should be.
I loved Ruby from the very start, even the lengths she would go to make her sister happy, well I know that my brother would do a lot for me, but not always doing anything is an option…

However… yes, there is an however, I felt a bit sad because Ruby wanting to lose her baby weight felt to me a little bit more than just innocent losing a bit weight…
Wat happened in the past made her doubt herself, and even if she is a bit curvier than other women, what’s wrong with that? (Curvier than curvy woman talking here!).
I hate it that sometimes people can make us feel less, even if we are amazing and wonderful just the way we are, extra pounds included! 

Seeing Ruby and Harry getting along, was proof for me that people do see us as we are, and accept us as we are and love us as we are.

And Harry, oh Harry, could he be more perfect???
He truly loves his wife, and accepts her sometimes absurd requests, like going on a diet…
But seeing how she treats him and, without spoilers, is just not a great wife or person in general, made my blood boil!

This story was again marvellous, beautiful for our main characters, but also with hilarious bits! Adding Mr. B and Phil’s plotting again in the story, made this even a better story than it already was!

I know what great stories this author can write, and again she manages to deliver the perfect story, with apparently not so perfect people in it, but being perfect by just being themselves.
The romance bit, is a slow burning one, exactly what this story needs, as it shows us that great things can come our way, when we least expect it.
And that there is nothing wrong with slow burning romance (or weight), because the reward can be as big and even bigger than the fast igniting ones!

Can you start all over again?

Synopsis

Martha Munro is on top of her game. Not only did she win a contest with her story, but she also met gorgeous Logan. Eager to have all the pieces of the puzzle finally falling together, she never expected to be in an accident that will turn her world upside down. Not only has her confidence left the building, she also is still in a continuous pain and afraid of leaving the house. So romance is totally the last thing on her mind.
But with the help of her lovely dad and her best friend Madison, she starts to work again, as a housekeeping assistant in the Swan Hotel, the place where she met Logan the first time…
Will her new job be the start of Martha going outside again? An is Logan truly in the past?

My review

I am rather late in the admiration of The Little Duck Pond Café Series, but better late than never!
And listen to an expert of the matter: even if you haven’t read the previous parts, you will still be fall utterly in love this story (or any other one of the series obviously!)

When this story takes off, things couldn’t be going better for Martha. Her story is loved, she meets a wonderful man and has great friends.
So that made me wonder what could have gone so wrong while I was reading the blurb, changing Martha completely.

And reading that bit, made my heart ache, because she was doing the right thing, helping out someone that was being irresponsible (beside the fact that Lila isn’t really a nice person…) and that Martha now is paying the price…

Having too migraines once in a while myself, obviously not on the same level as Martha is, I know how that can ruin a whole day, even several days. Luckily, I have more days that are migraine- free than the other way around.
But seeing how Martha is struggling with almost a constant pain, and how that pain is holding her back, was already hard to read, so I can only imagine how someone would live like that…
And reading how Martha lost her inspiration and is now following a strict regime just to avoid another attack, I just wanted to give her a great hug!

I liked reading how Martha, with some persuasion from her dad and friends, starts to go out again, and even finds a new job. And making new friends, that help her getting over her blockage when trying to write something.
And while working, meeting a certain man again was inevitable!

But that is not the only thing I liked about this story. Because of Martha’s history and her being in pain, she sees the struggles people are having around her. And Martha only grew in my appreciation and admiration as she wants to help but without interfering too much.
And the lengths she goes on trying to explain Logan what happened to her, shows us not only what a kind and caring person she is, but also what a good person she is.
Even if she things her moment with Logan is over, she wants him to know the truth and that she didn’t just ghost him.

This is a romance, so you know what the endgame will be, but I found this more a story about courage. Finding courage to get out there again isn’t as easy as it seems, especially when you are still being held back by pains. But if you take it one step at the time, taking your time, it is possible to get back on track.
And taking one step at the time, with courage and care, maybe you will find love again, even when all seemed lost.

The downside of this story is that it was all too quickly over! I loved reading this next chapter, with lovely yet realistic people. Life isn’t always and only sunshine and rainbows, and this story shows us exactly that.
Each time I read something from this author I don’t think it’s possible for to amaze me again, yet she manages it each time all over again!

How much difference a year can make…

Synopsis

Two strangers.

One missed flight.

It only takes a moment to change a life.

One year ago Casey Cassidy was happy. She had great friends, a wonderful teaching job and a busy life – until with one missed flight, everything changes.

One year later Casey knows what it means to find that once-in-a-lifetime love people dream of. But when Ben leaves, her heart is shattered.

Left facing a year of firsts without him, piecing her life back together seems impossible. But then a friend offers her a home in rural France.

In the solitude and emptiness, Casey needs to comes to terms with what’s happened and find a way to move forward. She has no idea where that will take her one year later…

My review

Last year, Casey Cassidy was ready to have a holiday with her best friend Ellie. However, when one forgotten passport meant the start of a whole new adventure.
Because her missing her passport made her meet Ben, the love of her life.
While Casey is afraid of real commitment, everything with Be falls right into place and she cannot wait to spend the rest of her life together with him.
But one year later, Casey could have never imagined that the rest of her life would be without Ben… Broken – hearted, Casey decides to accept the offer of a friend, to stay in a house in rural France, to come to terms what happened and figure out how to overcome such a great loss, and what her future will hold…

If you are looking for a story filled with romance, the perfect happy end and no big issues addressed, this is not the book for you.

While seeing the blooming romance is wonderful and sweet to read, we know that something terrible will happen, making Casey end up alone.

The story is divided in two parts, the ‘before’ and the ‘after’.
The ‘before’ was right my cup of tea! Two people meet by pure coincidence (or Fate…), fall in love and start planning their lives together.
The odds of meeting your perfect match in such a way are practically non – existing, so I truly enjoyed reading how that was how Casey met Ben.

It was sweet to read how the both of them had the same visions and felt the same about things. And while Ben was a bit more fanatic in some aspects, I understood where he was coming from and his wish to make a change.
Even if his solastalgia was not something I have heard before, or could fully comprehend, I could understand him on some level.

And seeing two people so in sync, made me wish to find my own perfect match too!

But… the ‘after’ part broke my heart…
The pain Casey is feelings, it was so palpable. And I can somehow grasp how she wasn’t able to put her loss behind her. How would you feel loving someone and then he’s gone?
It is not clear what happened to Ben, and somehow I was hoping that Ben would resurface somehow and all would end well.

When the whole story is out, I can say I honestly had to take a break from reading and had to have a good cry…
The more I was reading, the more I could see what would happen, but actually reading that bit was breaking my heart.

During the ‘after’ reading sessions, I found it bittersweet how Casey was still hearing Ben and giving her his advice and encouraging to just keep going.
And slowly, we see Casey find that spark again, with a desire to continue Ben’s passion on her own way.

I also loved how Casey meets new people in France, and those people have an influence on her and vice versa. And how a found diary makes Casey realize that many people have faced the pain she is still living and the revelation in the end makes her open her eyes a bit more.

This is a story about finding and losing love, but also about the struggles a person is facing. And that not everything is always what we think we see.
I learned more about the pain a person is enduring. In one case it’s an obvious pain, in Casey’s case, but for Ben, it was hidden and darker…

The author brings our attention to so many issues that are in the world, and shows us that not everything is so black or white… And sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we cannot help the person we love the most.
And that is not something we should ever feel guilty about, because even no matter how much we love and try to help, it’s not in our hands, and it’s not about us.

After a devastation, we have to learn to find our purpose again, but we also have to keep in mind there isn’t a set timetable to move on with your life. Each person is different and that means that also the way to handle grief is different for each person.

This story may not be what I expected it to be (I kept hoping that there would be a reunion somehow) but opened my eyes on so many levels and made me appreciate everything I have even more…

Falling in love with serious danger lurking around the corner

Synopsis

Nathan Bartholomew comes from old money. One of the city’s most respected families. He is at the top of his game, both in London and New York. Good-looking, very intelligent and worth a mint. His father John asks him to give a girl named Elisa Brodie the position as his temporary PA.

Elisa arrives from York to be PA to Nathan in Westminster. Three months of working with him and still Elisa hasn’t found the files in her stepsister’s house to prove her innocence and now Melanie is abusing her. Elisa leaves, but she has nowhere to go, until Nathan announces he needs a dog-sitter while he visits his brother in Paris. Elisa stays at Nathan’s fantastic Chelsea address unbeknown to him. 

Nathan’s trip finishes a day early; on his return, he finds Elisa soaking in his bath. Astonished, he realises she has been staying without permission. And then he discovers why, she is covered in cuts and bruises. However, Elisa is still trying to find out where the documents are to prove her innocence but comes away from Melanie’s licking her wounds. In the meantime Nathan believes this is his chance handed on a plate for him to pursue her and they start a relationship. There’s just one problem, Nathan has forbidden her to go back to Melanie’s house to prove her innocence and yet Elisa knows she has to try.

Melanie is out to ruin Elisa’s life and possibly even kill her, but when Melanie finds out Elisa is pregnant with Nathan’s child all hell is let loose, and Melanie is the one who puts the spanner in the works.

Will Elisa and Nathan make it after all the uncertainty. Read to discover, you won’t be disappointed.

Another fantastic yet touching romance from this award-winning author with a whisper of jeopardy thrown it to keep the characters on their toes.

My review

Elisa Brodie is working as a PA for Nathan Bartholomew, a successful barrister in London and New York. Besides being very good at her job, she is also secretly in love with her boss. But of course a good-looking, wealthy and successful attorney will never look at his PA and seeing more than just a PA…
However, that is not what Nathan is thinking at all… if only he could give in to his feelings and do with Elisa what he is dreaming about.
But the last thing Nathan ever expected, was to find Elisa in his bathtub, after returning from a work trip. And absolutely not seeing Elisa covered in bruises…
Even if Elisa initially tries to keep her horrible truth a secret, Nathan learns that her stepsister is the cause of all of Elisa’s pain, and so much more.
And now all Nathan wants to do is protect Elisa from any more harm and finally love her… But is it that easy to protect Elisa from someone who is determined to destroy her?

When I started reading this story, I had a whole different plot in my mind. So the more I read, the more I was surprised.
I thought the main focus would be on the romance between Elisa and Nathan, thus I was surprised that the romance and thriller/drama were equally divided.

It may be a cliché, a PA falling for her boss and vice versa, so seeing how Nathan and Elisa went from not mixing business with pleasure was not something we didn’t see coming. The banter was there from the start and we knew it would be only a matter of time before things would reach its culmination.

And I can say, when it’s FINALLY there, sparks surely do fly around! There was so much pent up sexual frustration, it had to be hotter than hot!
When once that fire started, it was very hard for our protagonists to extinguish it. and maybe for me, the sexual bits could be a little less, and more romantic bits included.
But I also think that it was done on purpose by the author, making us feel the same as Elisa, as I would be having the same doubts with Nathan’s behaviour. What can I say? I am a romantic soul!

How lovely it was to see how Nathan and Elisa are finally giving in, Elisa’s background is also a big part of the story. While we don’t know the whole history from the start, the more I was reading, the more repulsive I was feeling…
I can somehow comprehend (but again, not really…) how far people would go for money, but what her stepfather and stepsister do, is there something more despicable???

All the events took me on a rollercoaster. Just when you think the worst has passed, or that everything is uncovered, there is more waiting to claim their bit in the story.
But despite all the terrible things Elisa has to endure, it was sweet to see how Nathan The Protector arose. Sometimes a bit over the top, but I couldn’t not agree with his reasoning.
Obviously Nathan did a few times also the wrong thing, like immediately assuming the worst, but the lengths he took to correct his mistakes were of that kind you would forgive him everything.

This story took me all over the place, it made me swoon, it made me smile, it made me scare, it made me even petrify and made me feel disgusted of the behaviour of some characters.
It took me on a journey of love, hate and also a sense of that not everything is always what it seems to be. And no matter what horrible things you endured, your time for all the good in the world will come.

Spain, is there a better place to heal a broken heart?

Synopsis

Abigail’s world has disintegrated, leaving her jobless, homeless, and loveless in a remarkably brief space of time.

Where else can she lick her wounds but in Spain with her dippy Aunt May. She pulls on her big girl pants, swears off men and leaps on the opportunity she’s offered in San Sebastian. Determined to get her life back on track and find her place in the world, it finally all seems to be coming together.

Until she meets Gabe. Gorgeous, grumpy, incredibly annoying, and obviously hiding a secret, but she has to battle against the insane attraction she has for him. He’s only there for a week, after all.

When his secret spills out on National TV, can she overcome her past hurts and learn to trust again, risking her new found job and family in the process?

My review

From having everything, Abigail went to have literally nothing. Not only did she lose her job, her ex now is happy to become a father while he kept postponing to have a bay with her, and she is also homeless.
Luckily she can count on her Aunt May, living in San Sebastian, offering her a place to get her life back on track.
Slowly she is finding her joy back, even if now she is the concierge to the most obnoxious man she has ever met. Gabe Xavier ha the looks, but where he is blessed with gorgeousness, he lacks in good manners.
So Abi is counting the days that Gabe will finally leave San Sebastian again. That is until the attraction is becoming too big to just ignore. But can Abi risk it all, and is Gabe to be trusted? 

When I started reading this book,  I knew I wouldn’t be reading the next Nobel Prize Winner for Literature.
Does this mean I didn’t fully enjoy reading this tale? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Even if you know where it all will end, sometimes you need a story that makes you dream away and show us that sometimes love can be found where you least expect it, with someone you least expect it. 

Obviously Abi is a wonderful character. Even when heart – broken, she finds her passion again, and even in a place she doesn’t know she manages to make friends, finds things to do she truly enjoys and even fights for the right cause.
And even when she meets Gave for the first time, and the dislike is obvious, she shows us that she can still be professional and keep her eyes on the bigger picture.

I loved reading how she started to feel at home, and while doing several things at the same time, that would only end in chaos for me, ended perfectly for Abi.

But if there is one character I loved to get to know better, it surely is Gabe. He may seem like an obnoxious d*ckhead, but slowly the secrets of his past are revealed, and his true character comes out.
The way he steps in and makes a bunch of kids happy, it was truly a swoon – worthy moment!
And yes, when there seems to be a revelation of the worst kind, I knew deep down in my heart that there had to be more!

I knew what to expect from this author, and she surely delivered! This was such an easy and fun read, taking my mind off what was out in the real world, and taking me on a trip to San Sebastian, showing me the beauty of not only that wonderful place, but also the beauty that Love (yes with a capital L) comes when you least expect it. And that no matter how fearful you may be, Love is always worth of the risk of opening your heart!
Can I get the next book already????

One Villa, so many people with their own love story

Synopsis

Everyone deserves a second chance…right?

Escape to the Villa in the South of France with Top 10 international bestseller Jennifer Bohnet, for an uplifting story of family, love and second chances.

Run by sisters Rebecca and Delphine, Villa Sesame is a popular venue for small intimate weddings on the sparkling French Riviera. Beautiful terraces and a horizon pool all over look the Mediterranean setting the scene to make memorable days and dreams come true.
When recently widowed Delphine unexpectedly announces her desire to retire and live a different life, Rebecca feels her own life could be slipping into free fall.
How can she possibly carry on with the business without her sister at her side? Could this be the beginning of the end for Villa Sésame and Rebecca’s life as she knows it?
As the guests gather for the June wedding of Freya and Marcus, Freya’s two childhood friends bring their own problems to the villa and cousin Verity has her own agenda.
But it’s the arrival of a certain guest who throws Rebecca’s whole world into turmoil and she finds herself asking the question, where do I go from here?

My review

Rebecca and Delphine run together Villa Sesame on the French Riviera. But when Delphine announces that she wants to retire, Rebecca couldn’t be more crushed…
Not only was running the Villa her biggest dream, but with Delphine wanting to travel, what will happen to Rebecca? And can she run the Villa without Delphine?
All these doubts will have to wait for crawling in Rebecca’s mind, because guests are arriving for the wedding of Freya and Marcus, a couple getting married for the second time.
But the more guests arrive, the more drama is arriving too. Because Freya’s best friends have their own issues, and the appearance of cousin Verity doesn’t simplify anything.
And let’s not forget the arrival of one person that will turn Rebecca’s life upside down, again… 

To be truly honest, after reading the first few chapters, I was a bit scared that all the characters appearing and claiming their own time in this story, would confuse me…
But I should have learned by now to never doubt Jennifer Bohnet! 

The main focus is Rebecca and her struggles after receiving the news that Delphine wants to retire. Having had her streak of bad luck, Rebecca now is not sure what will happen to her, as it’s been her and her sister for so long, even if she has a wonderful son and Delphine only recently has become a widow.
Their family was a close unit, and now Rebecca feels left alone…
I understood Rebecca’s feelings, but I could also comprehend Delphine’s desire to get to know the world. 

And when the guests arrive, it’s clearly that each character has to face something that happened and changed their lives.
It can be losing a husband in a terrible way, but also carrying a grudge for too long, or being obnoxious and wanting to climb the social ladder. 

But Villa Sesame seems to have some magical power, as it brings all these people together, making them see and enjoy the beauties of life. And realizing how wrong they were in some aspects.

The Villa and being together, shows us that forgiveness in any kind can be a relief and can set us free. And The Villa even brings someone from a far away past, forcing Rebecca to face her past, but mostly giving her a second opportunity.

And a second opportunity is in store for each character, one way or another, expected like a marriage in process or unexpected.

I loved the positivism that sparked from the pages, as it shows us that it is never to late to find our happiness again. It would be easy to live in the past and hold on to it forever, but we can never get the past again. We should treasure what happened then, but we should not let it dictate our future. Because we will never know what Fate has in store for us!
Again a wonderful story from a wonderful author!

Sharing the same place with a person you cannot stand, is there something worse than that?

Synopsis

Would you share a bed with your enemy to save Christmas?

Down with a bad case of writer’s block, Riven has escaped to a mountain cabin for a prolonged writing retreat. The last thing he needs this Christmas is for his family to invade his sanctuary away from LA. What he needs even less is for a family of strangers as large and boisterous as his own to also be stuck in the same house after a double-booking disaster.

Especially when he ends up having to share a bunk bed with Wendy—a gorgeous, feisty New Yorker who quickly learns how to get under his skin.

Sharing a room with her is sweet torture and Riven isn’t even sure what he dreads more: that every passing day brings them closer to saying goodbye or that they have yet another night to spend together…

My review

When Wendy Nichols learns that her widowed mother doesn’t want to celebrate the Christmas holidays like they used to, Wendy and her sister Amy plan to still celebrate it all in the family, yet a little bit differently.
They couldn’t be more lucky when suddenly there is a cabin available in Park City, Utah.
But upon their arrival, it’s clear that something is not right… because the cabin is already inhabited, by Riven Clark and his family.
The last thing Riven needs is his rented cabin filled with people he doesn’t know, especially when he is facing the worst writer’s block… something he cannot afford being a famous author.
And Wendy’s presence surely doesn’t help, being an acclaimed playwriter, pushing his every button, and having her to stay longer at the place than predicted due an accident…

I don’t know if there is an non – existing rule that you may not read Christmas stories after a certain date, but there are a few authors I am willing to break that rule, and Camilla Isley is surely one of them!
Although I have to say, this isn’t strictly a Christmas story in my humble opinion, just a story that is taking place during that time of the year. This story could be perfectly taking place during summer, obviously the skiing should be replaced by something else.

When I started reading this wonderful book, I knew it would be a few reading sessions, but rather long onenes. But again, this author is worth the lack of sleep, eating and social meetings!

I both immediately liked both man characters, even if they clashed upon their first meeting.
I felt sorry for Rive, being stuck with a writer’s block, and seeing the end of his marriage. So I understood why he acted like a hermit.
On the other hand, despite all this bad things that are surrounding him, the love for his family still stands.
Even if he is not up to the family gathering, he wants to make everyone happy and ‘sacrifices’ his peace for the higher purpose.

And then there is Wendy, the total opposite… she couldn’t be flying higher at the moment, her play is being the most anticipated one at the moment.
And she also is a kind, caring person. Having lost her father not so long ago, she wants to make this Christmas as normal as possible, having the whole family together.

It may seem mean from my side, but I had the best time reading how Wendy and Riven were clashing. The pranks they pulled on each other were hilarious! But it was also wonderful to read how, when in time of need, they were there for each other. Reading how they got closer and seeing the attraction grow just made my day!

Obviously, once they give in, not everything will go smoothly, but that is also the charm of it. And I’m a fan of great gestures, and this one truly made my heart melt!

There was not one thing I did not like about this book, except maybe that I reached the end too quickly! Even a pink haircut, an eyepatch or salt in coffee didn’t make me like the story less.
The author had started with high expectations from my side, and luckily she managed to not only fulfil all my requests, but made me fall in love even more with her and her writing capabilities!
Not only this story, but all her stories are truly recommendable!

Now, look at this amazing Cover, doesn’t it just makes you want to grab the book?

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.

Pre-order links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Highland-Surprise-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B09MMZ75KL

US – https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Highland-Surprise-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B09MMZ75KL

About

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, who she named Cooper. A Scottish Highland Surprise is Julie’s sixth novel.

THE COVER

Learning who you are, by standing on your own two feet

Synopsis

A novel about friendship, romance and learning to love yourself – just the way you are.

When Olivia Tennyson – or Ollie to her friends – was sixteen, she wrote a Dream List of all the things she wanted for her life, including a happy marriage and a family. But at twenty-nine, Ollie is single, living at home with her over-protective and manipulative mother, and is feeling like her dreams are getting further out of reach.

It’s time for a change. 

It’s time to take matters into her own hands. 

Without telling her mum, or more importantly, asking her permission, Ollie finds the perfect place to start her new life. End Cottage has a duck-egg blue front door, a garden that leads to acres of forest, and definitely counts as her dream home.

Now all Ollie has to do is complete the rest of her list and find out who she really is, before she can imagine any romance coming into her life. After all, how is she going to find her dream man in the middle of a forest…

My review

Olivia Tennyson, also known as Ollie, is still living with her mother. Even at the age of twenty – nine that isn’t a big deal, wasn’t it that her mother is over – protective and also very manipulative.
So when another of her dates is being cancelled for one of her mother’s so – called illnesses, Ollie had enough and takes matters into her own hands.
And that’s how Ollie ends up buying a cottage on her ow, finally having the freedom she so much needed. And having the chance to complete her Dream List, on her own.
However, Ollie realizes that she doesn’t really know who she truly is, and without interference of her mother what she truly wants.
So how can Ollie love someone else if she doesn’t love herself?

Yes, I had to quote RuPaul for this book, because this quote couldn’t be more fitting for Ollie’s story!

From the start, it’s clear that Ollie is truly a wonderful young woman. Even if her own mother is pushing her buttons, Ollie looks after her and is putting her own life on hold. And I don’t think anyone would blame her, if Ollie would have left a long time ago, especially if it was her mother that caused her last relationship ending…

So obviously I was in awe when Ollie not only decides to move out, but buys a lovely cottage, all behind her mother’s back. Atta girl!
Living with your parent(s) for a long time (speaking from my own experience here), also somehow holds you back. Because as long as you live under their roof, it’s their rules you have to follow. And when Ollie is on her own, she has to find her own pace. And that was very very recognizable for me.
For years Ollie was used doing things one way, but realizing that now she can do whatever she wants, whenever she wants, opens a whole new list of possibilities for Ollie, like it was for me.

I felt a sense of proudness seeing how Ollie is not only enjoying her independence, but also making new acquaintances, making a difference to other people, and learns who she really is.
The way she looks after not only her ‘pupils’ at the library, but also tries to befriend Irene, the librarian that seems to hate everything, shows again her kind character.
And even if she has learned from her past mistakes, letting people taking advantage of her goodness, not once does she think abandoning Joan!

I have to admit, all the characters in this book stole a piece of my heart… Obviously Ollie, but Joan, Nesbit, Leanne, Sam,…
Even the grumpiest people, like Ebenezer, was easy to like, and also Ollie’s mother made me change her opinion for the better.

OF COURSE there is some romance in this story, but that is not what this is about. Not only does Ollie learn to be independent, she also learns what makes her the wonderful Ollie.
Not every step goes smoothly, but that is normal, because nothing in life goes smoothly anyway.

We see how a woman, being restricted in her life somehow, grows a pair, at the point of blocking her own mother, and learns what she loves, and learns to love herself. And no, to love yourself you don’t need a partner, but while loving yourself, the partner will find you and all you awesomeness.
Love starts with loving one person, yourself, and slowly more people will be added into the equation, and those people may be obvious choices, like family, but also surprising ones. And those surprising ones can surely make life more interesting. But we should never forget, that it all starts with one person, the most important one, namely YOU!

Almost everything can be bought, but not the perfect man

Synopsis

Meet Annie Valentine: stylish, savvy, multi-tasker extraordinaire. As a personal shopper in a swanky London store, Annie can be relied on to solve everyone’s problems . . . except her own.

Because as a busy single mum to two kids, Annie’s realised there’s a gap in her life as well as her wardrobe. But with her heart still hurting from losing the love of her life, Annie’s discovered that finding the perfect partner is turning out to be so much trickier than finding the perfect pair of shoes!

Can she source a genuine classic? A lifelong investment? Or will Annie realise that her perfect man is already sitting on the front row of her life…

My review

Annie Valentine is a single mom, working as a personal shopper in a fancy store in London. It doesn’t matter who her clients are, she always manages to find the right things.
But being a single mom isn’t an easy task, and while she is still heartbroken after losing the love of her life, she realizes that it’s time to find someone new to fill that gap in her heart again.
However, where do you find that perfect man, that not only can make her happy again, but also her children and why not, also be financially very stable…
Or is her perfect man not the one that ticks her boxes, but closer than she thinks?

As I am expected to be very honest in my reviews, I had to admit that I wasn’t always truly really liking Annie.
While she is very good at her job, and doing her utterly best as a single mother to Lauren and Owen, I sometimes felt that her focus was only on making more money.
But obviously, getting to know and her situation better, I could understand where she was coming from.

Being a single mother isn’t easy, especially when you wat to give your children the world and aren’t able to…
So my opinion of her of being money – focused shifted into the opinion of a mother doing whatever she can to make her children happy. But I also saw that while trying to keep ahead of everything, she was losing the control she tried to keep.
And let’s not forget that she still isn’t over losing the father of her children…

Talking about the children… they both have the typical difficulties that are paired with their ages. Lauren is maybe being pulled on the wrong side by her friends, and is being the stubborn teenager everyone expects her to be.
And Owen, oooh my heart went out to him! Initially he was  a very closed character, not talking much, and not having many friends.
But thanks to his teacher who shows him the magic of music, we see Owen opening up more. how lovely to read those bits!

It wasn’t very clear what happened with the children’s father, and I initially thought he just left. I didn’t see that kind of revelation coming, and it broke my heart, because of the injustice. So much more made sense after as a reader we know about the past.

I’m not going to talk a lot about Annie and her pursuit of finding the perfect man. Of course that is the main theme of this story, but I want you to discover it yourself. Even if I didn’t agree with the initial man of her choice, there are many funny moments that made me laugh out loud, and also bits that proved me right about my gut feelings.
And let me just add, never underestimate the attraction of teachers!

What I liked about this story is that it shows us that no matter how posh someone seems to be, we never know what happens behind the façade.
While Annie seems to know everything what someone needs, she is obviously struggling with her own home situation. She is learning the hard way that not everything goes according to plan and love is not something you find by making a list with all your requirements.

This was a lovely read about the struggles of a family, a mother trying to do the right thing, but as it appears, she is doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.
By seeing the mistakes, and being almost forced to do the unthinkable, it is possible to overcome grief and look for the thing you truly need, what isn’t always what you think you want.