A marriage with an expiration date…

Synopsis

A man she can trust…

With her life…and her heart?

Ordered by her father to choose a husband by the end of the Highland Games—or he will select one for her—widow Moira Fraser hastily elopes with Rory McKenna, Laird of Blackmore. But they soon discover neither is free of the past. Rory has a price on his head, and needs an heir as soon as possible, and Moira’s horrible first marriage has left her afraid of letting her new husband close…

My review

After her terrible first marriage, the last thing widow Moira Fraser wants to do is getting married again. But when her father orders her to choose a husband by the end of the Highland Games, or he will choose for her, Moira finds herself in an impossible position. How can she choose the best husband when she doesn’t know any of the potential candidates, especially after her first husband appeared to be a total nightmare even when everyone thought the opposite…
After a brief encounter with Rory McKenna, Laird of Blackmore, she decides to elope with him. But for both parties, nothing is what it seemed, as both their pasts are still lurking around the corner. A hurtful marriage for Moira, a time limit for Rory’s life and vultures wanting more power, how can this hasted marriage work out?

Sometimes, we don’t realize how privileged we are in our western world. We are free to choose who to marry, and even if the marriage isn’t a good one, wives or husbands are not bound to stay together. But of course, we all hope to marry the perfect man/woman and spend many, lovely and wonderful years together.
Reading this story, made me realize again how lucky we are in these modern times.

And that realization made me sympathize with Moira. She is forced to marry again, even if that is not something she wants. To make things worse, her first marriage wasn’t a happy one. Even if it was an arranged marriage, we always hope in such events that there will be love involved while time passes by.
But for Moira that wasn’t the case, making her situation even worse than I initially thought.
As a daughter, she knows that her father’s will is law, but I liked her when it’s clear she bargained with her father about who her next husband will be.

Moira is the kind of character that you both pity and like at the same time. Her past has scarred her, and made her afraid in certain circumstances. I can only try to grasp the hardship Moira is going through. She is scared of her own new husband, terrified that from one nightmare she entered a new one.
But I also admired her. Because when she knows about Rory and what haunts him, she will not just sit back and wait, but she takes action to protect the man she is starting to like.

The feelings that I had for Moira, are the same I had for Rory. His marriage to Moira isn’t without ulterior motives, and he has literally a deadline. But what made me like him even more, is the way he treats Moira. Yes, he is in a hurry, but he understands that Moira needs time to adapt and gives her all the time she needs, even if that would turn against him.

Even when things take a bad turn, with enemies lurking around the corner, they know that standing side by side, they are forming a close, strong unit. And I loved how they never lose faith in each other, even when it would be so easy to believe other.

Now, this seems like not much happens beside two people and their marriage, but obviously there is so much more going on, like attacks, poisoning, grudges of the past, and betrayal from own families.
But the sympathy and love I had for these two lovely, broken people is what kept resonating after finished this story.

The author managed to find that perfect blend of broken people finding each other, but without sugar-coating too much their lives. As a reader, you feel the pain of both characters but also the love they start to find.
And is there something more beautiful than finding love when you least expect it?

When an unknown past starts to hunt you down

Synopsis

When art law attorney Abigail Clarke is mistaken for the murdered twin sister she never knew existed, will she be able to outwit a man determined to kill every member of her treacherous family.

Thirty years ago, during a thunderstorm, on an isolated street in South Boston, an unidentified two-year-old girl was discovered, abandoned, shot, barely clinging to life. After a thorough investigation, the case was eventually designated to the cold case files until Abigail Clarke, now an astraphobic art law attorney, is mistaken for the murdered twin sister she never knew existed.

What the FBI Art Crime Division cannot determine is if Abigail is an innocent bystander or a co-conspirator in her sister’s art fraud crimes. 

Compelled to uncover all her family’s secrets, nothing prepares Abigail for the disastrous meeting with her murderous brother and crime boss father. Her life isirreversibly changed the more she becomes mired in her family’s treachery. She soon finds herself drawn into a game of cat and mouse by the vengeful killer who methodically plans to execute every member of her family, holding each one of them ultimately responsible for the murder of his own family thirty years ago.

My review

Abigail Clarke is an art law attorney, who never knew who her family was. But one day, a woman is found dead, and is the spitting image of Abby. Suddenly she finds herself the family she never knew about and a twin sister closer to her home than imagined
But her sister has been murdered, and now Abby finds herself being a target for a killer, looking for revenge and determined to kill every member of the family.
While discovering more about her family, Abby is also trying to escape the murderer while with the help of new acquaintances, solving the mystery of disappeared famous paintings.

Each time I start reading a book from this author, I know I may never just assume things and that there will be a lot of events complicating things even further more.
And she delivered again!

The prologue already starts in full action, and like a good prologue should do, it made me eager to know what the consequences would be for the main characters in the present.

While reading, I certainly understood Abby and her wish to know her family and what happened to her as a baby.
But no matter her unknown past, she has made something of her life. She is a rather successful art law attorney, receives all the required love from her Grandma Stasha and her friend Maura.

The whole disturbing story starts when her twin sister has been found, and a new client needs Abby’s help in purchasing some paintings.
While the two events seem not related, as I know the twists and turns this author manages to write, I knew that we should never just assume things.

Together with Abby we start a new, dangerous adventure, looking for her family. But what when the family you looked for so long is not what you expected? I think that if I were in Abby’s shoes, the discovery of my family and their tale, would devastate me, because their world and hers are so different.
But I admired Abby and her resolution to uncover everything, not afraid to take charge and confront the scariest of criminals.

Like I already said, nothing is what is seems, and what at first sight seems to be a random murder, goes so much further, and so many different people are involved and all is related to that one prologue.
Even if in this story, I had a clear idea of who the culprit was, I had no clue of how twisted everything was, and how even a few of who should be on the right side, were not to be trusted. 
But luckily for Abby, she has a good companion by her side, helping her every step.

This was again a thriller that made me turn page after page. Reading about how someone can hold a grudge (maybe a bit over the top for me) and how there are connections all over the world, makes me shiver. The author manages again to show us how ugly people can be, but also how good people can be. When towards the end, Abby makes an important decision, she restored a little bit my faith in people, and her Grandma Stasha, well let me just say I don’t want to fight against her!

A switch of careers for a couple, will it be an eye-opener for both parties?

Synopsis

What would you do if the stars aligned to put everything right in your home?

If Roles Were Reversed …

Caroline and Noel Morton are two people who need a change. One wants to escape the rat race while the other hopes to join it!

When Noel is asked to begin working from home he’s quick to say yes. More time with his three children? How could he not? Meanwhile Caroline is considering starting a new job. How amazing would it be to hit goals and targets and have people actually thank you for a change? And when she receives an offer from the failing Eden Street box company, an organisation in chaos, she’s ready to change the world!

But is an organisation brimming with employees who are tired, disillusioned and waiting to be let go what she really needs? And can Noel work from a chaotic home with three children, an obsessed work colleague and a disillusioned mother ready to thwart his plans at every turn?

Join Caroline and Noel as we return to Riverside to see if everyday changes can guide a relationship back to solid ground or if they’ll further tear it apart!

For fans of Fiona Gibson, Christie Barlow and Tracy Bloom this is a laugh out loud comedy you won’t want to miss!

My review

Caroline and Noel Morton have the perfect family and everting seems in balance. But Caroline is feeling restless, as being a stay – at – home mother is not how she envisioned her future. And Noel loves his job, but the daily rat race he is in, is taking a toll.
So when he has the opportunity to work from home, it’s too good an offer to let it pass. And when Caroline has an offer from the failing Eden Street box company, she sees this as her chance to finally shine again.
But can Caroline work with tired employees with motivation just gone? And Noel didn’t expect that working from home could be so challenging… Three children needing his attention, a work colleague that is not what he thought his colleague was and a mother standing at his door way too often, and with a constant critique…
Will the position switch of this couple bring Caroline and Noel closer? Or will this change of paths also divide their paths even further?

Oooh how much I enjoy reading a story where the husband finally realizes that staying at home (whether working or being a stay – at – home – parent) isn’t as easy as he initially thought!
And when you have such a story, written by this author, well, that is just a perfect match!

As my own mother took care of us while father went working, and with me growing up, I saw how my father took everything for granted and didn’t’ (and maybe still doesn’t) realize that it isn’t all that easy being at home. Seeing things that need to be done isn’t something my father was gifted with, and I loved reading how the author managed to  grasp that “blindness”.

But how petty it would be of me, to laugh at Noel’s realization, I also liked reading the difficulties of Caroline being back in the game.
She knows things wouldn’t go smoothly when she starts her new job, but she didn’t expect it to be such a chaos.
And being a working mother makes her see how much she is missing out of her children’s’ lives.

What I loved about this story the most, is that the author didn’t pick any side. As a reader we understand the struggles both Caroline and Noel are facing with their new positions in the family unit. And we sympathize with both of them.
But all these eye – openers (even the one where Noel’s colleagues is not what Noel thought she was) and difficult bits, were surrounded by funny moments, making me laugh at the absurdity of some of them.

Finding that perfect balance between work and family isn’t as easy as you would think. And obviously when you prioritize one thing, it’s not a surprise when you are missing obvious signals.
But when both Noel and Caroline see that neither the before or the after as the perfect blend, they are both adamant to find that balance. Because no matter how important your work is (how would we otherwise pay for all those terrible bills!), nothing matters more than a happy family. And with their right mind-set, and maybe even finally appreciating each other, there isn’t a thing they cannot do!

This was a realistic, funny read, pinpointing all the aspects, both good and bad ones of a family that love each other dearly but don’t always see the joys or struggles each member is facing. And maybe does every family need to step in each other’s shoes to realize that there is more to what they do than what we see…

When in a downward spiral…

Synopsis

A one-bedroom apartment with creeping damp.

Depressed cat, complete with litter tray.

Neither was part of Claire’s five-year plan.

Nor, for that matter, was divorce.

Left with a comfort eating habit that’s costing her a small fortune in ice-cream, and panic attacks flooring her in front of the supermarket meals-for-one, Claire turns to her mum and Mindfulness in the hope that one of them can help her find real happiness.

She thinks she’s cracked it… but then her past comes creeping back.

Now she has to work out what really makes her happy or risk a life where Ben & Jerry are the only men who matter.

My review

Never did Claire imagine that her current situation would ever be hers… she is living in a one – bedroom apartment with a cat that honestly doesn’t like her, her husband not only left her, but is now together with a woman carrying his child. While Ben& Jerry were a good temporary consolation, Claire now has to figure out what will make her happy again because living in fear of another panic attack is not a good way of living. With the help of her mom, Claire discovers how Mindfulness can help her finding her peace again. And thanks to the classes, she meets new friends, all in search for the same thing. But when her past catches up with her, Claire has to face the most difficult decision ever.

When I started reading this book, I thought it would be a case of ‘woman sees marriage falling apart but after a struggle finds eventually the perfect man and they live happily ever after’.
But the more into the book I got, the more I realized this wasn’t that kind of book ( now, don’t misunderstand me, I adore reading such books! 😀 ) and that ‘the spark’ this author is talking about isn’t the spark you get when meeting a love interest.

Claire is the kind of woman every one of us could be. I mean, who hasn’t filled herself with junk food when having her heart broken?
But what made me pity Claire the most was the way her heart got broken… Marriages fall apart all the time, but reading how her husband not only cheated on her with their business partner, but also got the other woman pregnant, while they were trying themselves to have a child. That is just something I cannot comprehend and made me hate Ben from the very start.

I have never been a woman doing some mindfulness myself, but I can surely understand how it can help to get your things back in order. And seeing how it affected Claire, well made me even think to give it a try myself.

Of course, this is not a magic potion, as Claire also knows, but she gives it a chance, and she is working on all fronts to get her life back on track.
And seeing how she slowly is managing to get there, even on a slowly pace, made me admire her.

Seeing how she is able to find her inner peace again, making new friends like Sarah, warmed my heart. Because of one devastating event, Claire now is focusing on what would make her happy. And even if not everyone understands that, if that works for you, who are we to judge?

But… and yes, there is a ‘but’… when the past comes back and turns Claire’s world back upside down, I wanted to shake some sense in Claire’s head! I couldn’t understand why Claire acted the way she did after all the growth she had gone through.

Nevertheless, this was a wonderful and even inspiring story about finding yourself again, the old you but also discovering a new you. and no matter how dark the clouds were or are, the sun will reappear again and will shine even brighter than before!

Can the Wicked Witch change into a Good Witch?

Synopsis

This is a story about redemption and finding love in the unlikeliest of places. Sasha Sokolov is the woman every woman loves to hate. And if you’ve read any of the first three Sweet Water Circle books, chances are, you probably do, too. But doesn’t everyone deserve a chance to right their wrongs and be happy? 

After Sasha is fired from her high-powered advertising job for lying about her college education, it sets her life off on a downward spiral, leaving her single, broke, and with no place to live. As if things couldn’t get any worse, Sasha’s unraveling life attracts the interest of the most unlikeliest of groups, The Sweet Water Circle, Sasha’s former work nemeses. Can this tight-knit group help Sasha turn her life around? And if they can, does Sasha even want their help? She might move to Skid Row just to spite them.

But sometimes, you don’t get what you want. You get what you need. And if anybody needs the snarky wisdom of the Sweet Water Circle, it’s Sasha. That being said, one thing she really doesn’t need is to move in downstairs from a single dad with two young girls who excel at invading personal space. Or does she need them to learn what it’s like to truly care for another person?

This is a story of one woman’s battle between good and evil. Can Sasha redeem herself, find love, and for the first time in her life, be happy? Or will the strength of the villain inside her prevail?

My review

Sasha Sokolov is used to be successful and use her looks to achieve everything she wants. But now that her lies about her college education is out, and she is fired from her advertising job, Sasha has to start all over again as she now is suddenly single, broke and living in a hotel is no longer an option.
However, when she is hitting rock bottom, unexpectedly help is offered from the Sweet Water Circle, also known as her nemeses…
After initial clashes, Sasha realizes that the Sweet Water Circle is exactly what she needs to get her life back on track.
But that track isn’t what Sasha had in mind, because now she finds herself sucked into the lives of single dad Kevin and his two young daughters that don’t understand the concept of personal space and privacy.

Having read the previous part of this fabulous series, I wasn’t really looking forward to this next chapter. Not because I had enough of the Sweet Water Circle, but because the focus would be on Sasha in this story.
And I DID NOT LIKE SASHA AT ALL! so I kept wondering how the author would manage to change the antagonist into a protagonist that we as a reader would ending up loving anyway.

In the start of this book, Sasha is being the character we got to know, she would stop at nothing to get where she wants, not taking in account if someone gets hurt.
Also in the love – area, she got burned in the past, so now she only looks for men that can give her what she needs. No compromises!

So when she loses her important job, I have to be honest, I thought that she got what she deserved. Especially when I saw that she hasn’t learned that much from her mistakes, and that she was still living a life full of luxury and wealth.

But Sasha doesn’t have millions stacked so quickly she finds herself hitting rock bottom… And that is the amazing thing about the Sweet Water Circle, they help you out when you are in need, no matter what happened in the past.
And thanks to their help, Sasha has a new place to stay. And of course, it had to be the total opposite of what Sasha is used to! Making it all the funnier for the reader!

I had so many laughs reading how Sasha is adapting to her new life, failing very often, but no matter what happened to her, Sasha is determined to make the best out of it.

And slowly I started to appreciate Sasha and her struggles and attempts.
As a reader, we see her evolve from a selfish b*tch to a woman finding herself and wanting to do the right thing, even if that would cause her a heartbreak…

Talking about matters of the heart, of course there is some romance involved. And maybe thins romance is my favourite of the whole series. Because Sasha and Kevin couldn’t be more different, yet they are exactly what they both needed!
Sasha is absolutely not the motherly kind of woman, but who can resist the forces of nature that Emily and Wendy are? And seeing how Sasha, even if still being sometimes typically Sasha, starts to truly love those kids, well I understand how Kevin cannot resist anymore…

Kevin is not only a great guy, but I love to see how his first and only priority his girls are. Every decision he takes, is for the girls. So if that means to let someone from their past back in their lives, he does that. But also If that means that his own heart will get broken, his girls’ happiness is all that matters.

I truly enjoyed reading this story about a woman finally growing up and learn what truly matters in life. And a lesson that we all should learn: nobody should be able to drag us down in such a matter that we start to despise ourselves. Because everyone has their flaws, but those flaws are nothing compared with the beautiful person we are, inside and outside. And no woman should ever have the need to have watermelons to feel appreciated!

All that’s left to say is that this author and the Sweet Water Circle did it again!

Nothing is what you thought it was…

Synopsis

It’s time for the wedding we’ve all been waiting for…

Life at Hedgehog Hollow is never dull, although Samantha hopes that the new year ahead will be a little less chaotic as she prepares to marry the love of her life, Josh. But disaster strikes when she checks the rescue centre’s bank account after the festive season and discovers it has been emptied. Who would do such a thing, and why? With the future of Hedgehog Hollow now in jeopardy, planning a wedding has lost its shine.

Phoebe is desperate to escape the shadow of her family, infamously known for their attacks on Samantha’s beloved rescue centre. Could the kindness of the Hedgehog Hollow team be the chance she needs for a fresh start, or will her family’s secrets continue to drag her back?

My review

After several incidents, Samantha is ready to marry the love of her life Josh at Hedgehog Hollow. But tragedy strikes again and Sam discovers that the rescue centre’s bank account has been plundered. And that means that the future of the centre is  at risk, and planning a wedding is the last thing on Sam’s mind.
While everyone thought the horrible attacks from the Grimes family were finally over, everyone is stunned when realization dawns that volunteer Phoebe is a member of this horrible family. Is phoebe involved with the shenanigans or is she also a victim of this family, trying to escape the horrors she is enduring for years?

I always used to think I would never cry over a book. But then several years ago (around 10 years ago I think), reading a book (title isn’t important), I surprised myself that a tear left my eye. But then I thought that one tear didn’t count as actually crying.
And not so long ago I discovered this amazing author (yes Jessica, I am talking about you!) and I turned into a sobbing woman, unable to stop crying and even after finishing the book, my thoughts about it making me cry all over again!
I have NEVER spilled so many tissues as while reading one of her books (colds included!)

We already knew what an amazing character Sam is, after everything she has been through, she still can forgive the people that hurt her. And even if she is struggling to be on top of everything, she won’t turn away from someone in need, being a hedgehog or a person.
My heart ached seeing how Sam is still trying to cope with the fights she had to fight, not only against the Grimes with a serious grudge, but also her own family, when they turn to her for every little bit.

But it was also sweet to see how everyone around Sam start to realize that Sam isn’t a member of an emergency service and just like everyone needs her hand for help, now it’s time again to offer Sam a helping help, as things are going all over again terribly wrong.
And seeing all these helping hands, warmed my heart.

However… I found this not only Sam and Josh’ story, but more Phoebe’s story. In the previous book we already discovered the link, and of course I had already made my mind.
And then we got to know her story, and all the waterworks started…
While discovering her past, I found it so but so hard to understand how horrible, ugly, nasty, selfish people can be… (see, I’m only thinking about it and I am already crying again…)
When little Phoebe learns that her dad met a new woman, she hopes that she will finally have the loving family she dreamed of.

Reading not only how Tina and the Grimes treat Phoebe, and seeing how her once loving dad is changing completely, broke my heart in tiny tiny little pieces…
I cannot grasp how good people can change because of a woman and her evil plans.
And how ruthless people can be, even when it has effects on their own flesh and blood (poor Hailey…) I have never despised a whole family so much as I despise the Grimes family…

But no worries, there were so many marvellous parts too! Seeing how Phoebe takes care of those who really deserve it (like little Darcie and her former neighbour Rosemary) and seeing her get out of her shell and see that there are good people too, making her believe in that things can go the right way for her too.. it warmed my heart.

And seeing how even the most unexpected person shows her heart and behaves like she should, was a nice extra addition. (But, I have to be honest, I will never truly love her like I love all the other characters of this series!)

Seeing Sam and Josh together makes it impossible for me now to settle for a relationship that will never stand up to this lovely couple. So yes Jessica, I will blame you for me becoming a crazy cat lady in the future (or cat and hedgehog lady)!
Both have their issues, but they are just so perfect!

Despite all the horrible things that we are reading about, they all disappear because of all the love our characters are surrounded by. Love for your partner, love for your family members, love for friends, love for animals and especially love for those who haven’t received enough love in their lives…
And maybe there is even love that is not out there yet? I really hope so for Phoebe!!!

Beside the ugly people of that horrible family, was there something I didn’t like about this book? Well yes… because of this book, I didn’t do anything else of the things I should have done at home. And I had to throw away CONSTANTLY my tissues!

Honestly, each time I think this author cannot get any better, but each time she exceeds my impossible high expectations and delivers a book that tears me apart but also makes me believe in the magic of love.

When your ex is getting married but divorce never got through…

Synopsis

It’s not over until someone says ‘I do’…

While her friends join the “Wife Club” one by one, Poppy feels like that part of her life is done and dusted. Already married and divorced she’s not desperate to go through all that again.

But what if her divorce never actually went through…?

After a shock revelation Poppy not only discovers she is still married, but that Zac is about to have his second wedding!

Coming face to face with her (almost) ex-husband after six years apart is never going to be easy. And when Zac panics and tells his new wife-to-be that Poppy is family, things can’t get much worse as she is welcomed with open arms as part of the wedding party!

As the memories flood back, can Poppy really leave the past where it is? And can she watch the first love of her life walk down the aisle to say ‘I do’ once again?

My review

Poppy feels that her best friends are getting more and more away from her. Slowly they are all getting married, and are doing ‘couple things’ all together, making feel Poppy excluded from just… everything and make her feel humiliated in awkward situations, like Rachael’s wedding.
unfortunately, Poppy’s situation is that of being married and already divorced, and while she is not that desperate to do it all over again, she surely misses that feeling of being a part of a couple. 

But then the unthinkable happens… apparently Zac and she are still married, while Zac is about to get married again!
Having no other option than chasing her (almost) ex – husband, she finds herself being a member of the wedding party, as Zac, after the initial shock, tells everyone Poppy is a cousin.
But being again close to Zac, make old memories resurface, the good ones, but also the bad ones. And with Zac being her first love of her life, can she see him getting married to someone else? 

Reading a Portia MacIntosh is a recipe of success, no matter what! So reading this book was really not a difficult choice to make! Of course I would read it!
And it surely did not disappoint at all! But I have to admit, there were some moments that broke my poor heart… 

When we meet Poppy, we do not know her full story, so slowly we are seeing glimpses of her past, seeing how she got where she is now.
And even if initially it was a bit confusing, because how could she be to married AND divorced such a great guy that Zac appears to be?
But those flashbacks made me understand everything Poppy had to endure, and see her at her lowest. 

However, Poppy somehow picked up the pieces again, and tries to find her happiness again, even without the man she loved by her side. Not only what happened in the past with her broke my heart, but the way her best friends behave, well, if those were my friends, I wouldn’t want to have them in my life!
Nevertheless, Poppy wouldn’t be the amazing character she is, if she would do that. Instead she keeps her mouth shut, to keep the peace. 

Her partner in crime is Kat, a brand new friend that Poppy met at her friend’s wedding and I found it wonderful to read how they immediately clicked! Everyone should need a Kat in their life! 

I found it bittersweet to see Poppy and Zac together. Because there is so much left unsaid, yet there is still so much what concerns feelings. Initially I could not see why this lovely couple, so perfect for each other, gave up on each other, but the more into the story, the more I understood it. 

But I found it also a hilarious story, because not only it was funny to see how everyone believed the unlikely story of Poppy being in MI6, but also Kat’s input was just great!

Having the wedding set in a castle, is something every little girl (or adult woman) dreams of, so having this wedding (that we, honestly, do not want to take place) have such an amazing setting, elevated this story even more!
And then when mysterious things are taking place, well, that is just the cherry on top of the cake.

When I finished this wonderful book, I had a sentiment of contentment, because the author showed us not only the beautiful moments of a relationship/marriage/… but also what happens when it all goes wrong.
But no matter what happened in the past and in the present, if something is meant to be, despite several detours, it will always find a way!
And is there something more hopeful than that message?

Getting back in the game is never easy…

Synopsis

Glentorrin bakery owner, and lone parent, Caitlin Fraser, is single and finally ready to mingle.
With her daughter, Grace, about to become a teenager, and her friends all settling down, Caitlin decides she deserves a shot at happiness too.
Resisting the pull of dating apps, Caitlin embarks upon a series of disastrous singles events where she bumps into fellow villager, and astronomy buff, Archie Sutherland, who is nursing his own past secrets.
When Grace’s best friend’s father, handsome Lyle Budge, asks Caitlin to dinner, things progress quickly and she has a taste of what their future as a family could be, much to both their daughters delight! But when Archie makes a shocking discovery, and he turns to Caitlin for help, she soon discovers Lyle isn’t the sharing type, meaning prickly ultimatums loom for everyone.
Will wishing upon the stars over Glentorrin help Caitlin to figure out her way forward? Or is her hunt for romance like a once in a lifetime comet, easily missed in the blink of an eye?

My review

Now that her daughter Grace is a teenager, bakery owner Caitlin Fraser and single but finally ready to mingle.
As dating apps aren’t really her thing, she decides to go to single events instead. But each event turns out to be disaster… AND she keeps on meeting the same fellow villager, Archie Sutherland.
But will it be Lyle Budge, Grace’s best friend’s father, be the one that Caitlin will end up with? Being a single dad himself, he surely understands the struggles, and the teenagers are over the moon with the prospect of being sisters for real.
However, when Archie turns to Caitlin for help after a shocking discovery, Caitlin realizes that no matter how good someone looks on paper, jealousy is never a good character trait.
And that makes Caitlin wonder if she lost her opportunity for finding love…

From the very start, I was amazed by Caitlin. Through a flashback, we see how much Caitlin wants to be a mother. And instead of waiting for the Perfect Man, that will or will not arrive, she decides to become a single mother.
Even if her own mother doesn’t agree with her choice, Caitlin perseveres, and has Grace.
And what an amazing mother she is! It’s not easy being a single mother and running a bakery, but she manages it all.

I understood both her wishes, in the past of wanting to be a mother, and in the present, wanting to find someone to share her life with. Doesn’t everyone want to have someone by their side?
But even while she is on the dating scene again, her main concern remains Grace. Whatever man she will date, he will need the approval of Grace. And he should accept and respect the choice Caitlin made.

So when Lyle enters the scene, I could see the appeal. Yes, he is a good looking man, and both daughters are best of friends. There is some chemistry, but I have to admit that I was Team Archie from the beginning…
Even if is there is nothing more going on, and Caitlin is now ‘officially’ dating Lyle, I kept my fingers crossed for another match.
And even if I was rooting for Archie, I was happy for Caitlin of daring to date again. But rather quickly it’s also clear that there is something ‘off’…

When Archie received shocking news, he turns to Caitlin for help. And while the shock left me also flabbergasted, his tale also showed just how amazing he was. There isn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for his friends and family. And even when he is in too deep, he wants to do the right thing.

I have read several books by this author, and this story takes us back to Glentorrin, seeing old friends again. But this story can be perfectly read as a standalone!
And maybe, just maybe, this is my favourite one in this wonderful place!
In this book, we see the strength of a young woman, the love of an amazing mum, the wish for not feeling lonely and courage of taking that terrifying step.
But we also learn that sometimes what we need is right in front of us, but we just cannot see it.

While reading, I wished I could jump into the book and be there on this adventure, together with all the amazing characters. 
I laughed (those terrible dating events!), I cringed (a few awkward moments), I felt the love just jumping out of each page.
And the main characters, and new entries made my heart expand and made me fall in love with them!

It is lovely to see how the high expectations I had for this book were not only fulfilled but the author managed to even exceed them all!
There are only a few authors that make me read a book in just one session, and yes, this author is now part of that privileged list!

A castle of her dreams, Prince Charming included or not?

Synopsis

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what

A second chance…

When her grandfather Marley passes away Grace Power discovers she’s been left the beautiful but crumbling estate of Heartcross Castle. As a single mum of three, Grace has no idea what she’s going to do with it – but who can say no to a roof over their kids’ heads and a chance to get away from past hurts?

And a forever home

Heartcross Castle is full of secrets – especially a lost security deposit box that holds the truth to everything… But when celebrity chef Andrew Glossop sets his eyes on the castle and, to make matters worse, mistakes Grace as the new housekeeper, Grace tells him there is absolutely NO CHANCE he is getting his hands on her home.

Devastated to have got it so wrong, Andrew will do anything to make it up to her – but is she willing to listen?

My review

As a teenager, Grace Power ran away after a row with her grandfather and never looked back. Now she is in an abusive marriage and mother of three lovely boys. When then she receives the information that she inherited Heartcross Castle from her grandfather Marley, she sees this as the perfect opportunity to give her sons the life they all deserve.
But Heartcross Castle isn’t the majestic building it once was, and keeps secrets that no one knows about…
And then there is celebrity chef Andrew Glossop, who has his eyes set on buying the castle and initially thinks that Grace is the new housekeeper. After that misunderstanding, Andrew wants to make up with Grace, but while Grace is fighting over every penny, Andrew doesn’t seem to grasp how people without the wealth he has, live their lives…

If fictional communities with all their characters would be real, and I would be able to move to such a place, I know that Love Heart Lane would be on top of my list!

And if you, dear reader, would read my previous reviews you know how much I fell in love with the previous main characters. So of course it would be difficult to fall even more in love with new people! But let’s be honest, falling in love with the characters Christie Barlow manages to write, is as easy as breathing…

Grace is a woman that gave me mixed emotions… When we get first to know her, I  truly pitied her. The man who was supposed to love and cherish her, appears to be the total opposite. And his violent streak finds too often Grace. But having no escape, she endures it, also for her children’s sake.

But mess with her children, and a real lioness appears out of nowhere. And that made me proud of her and like her even more.
She doesn’t care what is done or said to her, but her children shall not be on the receiving side of violent shouts or worse!

When back at Love Heart Lane, old emotions resurface easily, but Grace is also afraid how people react when they see who has returned. And seeing Grace having these emotions, makes her a more realistic character. Because haven’t we all made once a wrong decision in our lives, and being afraid that people would be telling you “I told you so” or don’t want to have anything to do with you?
But we’re at Love Heart Lane, do I need to tell more?

And then there is Andrew… a famous chef, having a privileged life and not accustomed to have kids around, is now on the receiving side of little pranks Grace’s twin, Freddy and Joey invent.
I know that I shouldn’t, but I found it hilarious to see how Andrew was struggling with it!
But on the other hand, it was also nice to see how Andrew starts to realize how privileged he has been living, and learns that not the whole world revolves around him.

And the most heart – warming bits… I just loved seeing how two lovely people, with different lives, find each other. Grace learns Andrew what real life is like, and Andrew shows Grace what potential she has. And the more they are together, the more the attraction grows and made me a very happy reader!

A special mention has to made for Grace’s sons… the twins Freddie and Joey are hilarious, but also very grown – up for their age. They have seen ugly things in their young lives, but now living in the castle, and being boys of their age, was wonderful to see.
And then there is sweet little Billy… This little boy completely stole my heart! At one point in the story, his actions brought me literally to tears!

This was again a masterpiece of the author, a wonderful read about second chances, facing the past and finding old loved ones, meeting new loved ones. But also showing strength and making decisions not always made with your head, but with your heart, which eventually is always the right thing to do!

Two broken people, one important quest

Synopsis

Her rugged prisoner

…becomes her fiercest protector

Capturing legendary Highlander Malcolm of Clan Colquhoun was Andreona’s last chance to win her tyrannical father’s respect. Instead he orders them both to be killed! Resigned to her devastating role as the family outcast, she and her prisoner escape and continue on his quest to return a treasured heirloom. They find solace in their unexpected passion, but haunted by a lifetime of betrayals, will either dare to hope it could last beyond their journey?

My review

Andreona’s only wish is to win the respect of her father and being able to return home. So when she is able to capture Highlander Malcolm of Clan Colquhoun, she sees her opportunity to get her wish. But her tyrannical father doesn’t respond as Andreona expected, on the contrary, he orders to have his own daughter killed.
A strange alliance is made as Andreona joins Malcolm on his quest to return a treasured heirloom. Both Andreona and Malcolm have been hurt and betrayed, in the past and present, but will they be able to trust each other on their mission? And will the unexpected passion between them turn into something more important? Or will the scars of the past make them too afraid to wish for happiness?

And so we have arrived at the last chapter of this quest… and of course it wouldn’t as I expected if there wouldn’t be a lovely romance in it too!

In many stories, there is one of the main characters with a sad tale, but in this one, both main characters have a past that have scarred them.

Andreona is an illegitimate daughter, wanting nothing more than her father’s approval and love. But what she doesn’t know, is that her father is a cruel man, and he doesn’t care at all about his daughter.
And when Andreona realizes this, it’s obvious that her world falls apart.
But I admired her when she stands up again, keeps her head high, and decides to now make her own future.

Also Malcolm’s story is a very sad one. Not only what happened to his friend when they were younger, but also his feeling of being a failure, broke my heart.
Not only is he still feeling guilty about what happened then, but his feelings also caused a rift between him and all his brothers.
And it saddened me reading how Malcolm was even refusing his brothers’ help when needed.

However… putting these two broken persons together, was the best thing that could happen to both of them. Even if language was sometimes as issue, being together was what they both needed. Not only for the quest to succeed, but mainly to let the old wounds heal and being able to forgive and look forward to a happier future.

I loved reading about Andreona’s strength, determination and also acceptance, and loved reading how Malcolm, even if being a strong man, literally, also has this vulnerability.

Maybe this story isn’t my favourite in the whole series, but it was still a joy read! And seeing how it all comes to an end, and seeing old friends again, was exactly what I needed!