A summer to decide what your future will hold

Synopsis

When Kate Harris accepts the job of redecorating her brother Aidan’s house in the picturesque town of Willowbury, she knows it’s just a stop gap before she has to decide what to do with the rest of her life. While her three sons spend the summer holiday with their father, Kate has an opportunity to prove to herself that there is a new life, after her divorce.

Harry Sinclair is the owner of Vale Volumes book shop on Willowbury High Street. Content, if a little bored with his lot, his shop, as well as his life, could do with freshening up. When Kate offers to spruce up Vale Volumes ready for the visit of a famous author, they find they have a lot more in common than colour schemes. 

But both have secrets and responsibilities, and when the trials of family life threaten their burgeoning friendship, can they overcome the experiences of their pasts? Will Somerset’s most magical town cast its spell on them? Or will Kate and Harry have to concede that their friendship really is just for the summer?

Let Fay Keenan transport you to the perfect British summertime, with beautiful countryside, an unforgettable romance, and just the right dose of escapism. Perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Fern Britton and Katie Fforde.

My review

Getting divorced means for Kate Harris that she has to decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Her decision will not only affect her future, but also those of her three sons. So it’s obvious she has a lot to ponder over.
As her brother Aidan has asked her to redecorate his house during his absence, Kate sees this as the perfect opportunity to think over everything.
And when it appears that there are more redecorating jobs in the town of Willowbury, like Vale Volumes Book Shop, Kate has to decide if she sees a future there. And will her blooming friendship with the bookshop owner Harry be just for the summer?

First of all, I just LOVED returning to Willowbury again, and seeing how the people I care about again!
However, I was also eager to open my heart for new characters again, and Kate and Harry surely managed to capture a piece of it!

I felt so sorry for Kate, as it was very obvious she was feeling lost. Okay, the divorce didn’t break her heart, but it is something that ended the life she was used to.
Now the only prospect she has is going to live in her mother’s annexe. Let’s be honest, as an adult going back to your mother’s, is not really something to look forward to!
So when she accepts the redecorating job from her brother Aidan, and is able to spend the summer at his place, it’s clear that this will be start of something new.

I loved reading about these three siblings being together again, and even if Aidan is not always actual present, he is still around!
Reading how Kate always looked after her brothers was heart-warming, and even now as adults, she wants to protect them from every possible harm.
And this also confirms her behaviour as a mother. Having three sons is not always easy peasy, but she knows her sons, and knows when something is bothering them and who needs her comfort.
Her warm and loving character is just sparking from the pages!

Her helping character also is shown when she is redecorating Vale Volumes book shop. She befriends the owner Harry. And when Harry is on the verge of cancelling a very important visit from a famous author due sickness, she again steps up and offers a helping hand.

Harry is the kind of character easy to like. Of course owning a book shop, is already a big giveaway! He is really kind, ready offering a holiday job to Kate’s runaway son Corey, and he shows what friendship is without expecting anything as compensation.
However when he tells Kate his secret, my heart broke a little bit. Because if there was one person who deserved to have what he now can’t, it surely is Harry!

Even with all the romance in it, I found this more a story about how people can find themselves at a crossroad. Being in the situation that you have to decide which direction to take is not easy, and having to take in account how it will affect the loves of your loved ones, doesn’t make it an easier task!

But sometimes you have to take a dive into the deep, believe in yourself and surround yourself with people that also believe in you.
This was a wonderful story about new beginnings, not being afraid and realize that one summer can be the catalyst of realizing what you want your future to look like!

And here a little sneak peek!

Synopsis

It’s ten years on from The Road to Cromer Pier, and Summertime Special Show Director Karen Wells has two potential headliners, but both have issues. Dare she take the risk? And Karen herself is at a crossroads. Will her mother Janet ever retire and allow her to run the pier theatre?

Meanwhile Janet’s nemesis, businessman Lionel Pemrose still has designs on the pier theatre, but he is facing growing financial problems. Bank manager Peter Hodson is haunted by a past indiscretion, and calls in recently widowed turnaround expert Tom Stanley. Can he keep the indiscretion a secret?

Tom is bereaved and has recently been made redundant from his own firm. He is too young to retire, and after years of long hours, suddenly finds himself unemployed. He pours his energies into the assignment, which could be his last hurrah.
Old enmities, loyalties and past mistakes surface as the future of the pier theatre is once again under threat, and those involved must deal with unresolved issues in their lives.

Extract

Lech Wojiek:

Lech is one of my favourite characters, featuring in both books. Here is his introduction in the second book, arriving in England from his native Poland. I guess it could be criticised by the ‘show don’t tell’ gurus, but I need to bring in the back story of the first book here. He is naturally funny, has the comic rubber face and uses his deficiency in English as a part of his act. Originally hapless and incompetent, ten years on he is slick and professional, a master of his craft. But above all he is a well loved team player.

Extract:

Lech Wojiek flew into Norwich that afternoon. The affable Polish comedian-come-hapless-magician had been hired as the compère for the season’s Summertime Special show. As his flight landed, he removed the headphones from his ears and got ready to extract his six-foot-five frame from the lamentably small space in economy class. He could have afforded a seat with more legroom, but was not about to pay any more than necessary to Mr Ryanair, as he called the budget carrier.

He’d been reading some material Les Westley, a fellow comic and formerly the director of the show, had emailed to him. They were firm friends, although as Les was now Lauren’s manager and partner, they didn’t meet often. 

Lauren had done three nights in Warsaw over the winter, and they had shared a lovely meal in Lech’s favourite restaurant. Lech recalled that it was now ten years since he had first visited Cromer as a young and inexperienced magician with an unintended habit of bungling his tricks. Les had recalled a comprehensive dressing-down he’d given him in that first week.

Lech laughed at the memory. At the time, he hadn’t understood more than half of what anyone said to him in English, but regular visits had made him pretty fluent in the language, although it was still very obviously not his native tongue. His wife Marina would be joining him in a couple of months with their daughter.

His career in England had been good. He now played the haplessly incompetent magician act for laughs, behaving as though he knew very little English. He’d come to enjoy British sitcoms too, and adopted Manuel of Fawlty Towers as a kind of role model. His ability to poke fun at the English had won him some comedy awards, and his one-man show at the Edinburgh Fringe had been particularly successful. He had no difficulty getting work in pantomime either, and enjoyed that particular piece of Britishness.

He had even thought about moving to Britain full-time. He loved the country which had given him a successful career doing what he loved. He was confused by this Brexit business, but knew it was off- limits in his act. Too many people had too many strong opinions to find jokes about it funny.

He walked through the main exit of the airport and out into the grey afternoon to collect the car he’d rented for the season, still a little confused by the right-hand drive. This time, he’d plumped for an automatic to avoid at least one of its complications.

He drove out of the gates of the airport and followed the signs for Cromer. He had rented Les Westley’s old place for the season at mate’s rates. It was rather more comfortable than that musty old mobile home he’d rented so cheaply when he had first visited all those years ago.

He had other offers now, of course. He had quite a following, and his agent had talked of television. His huge, shiny bald head and rubber comedian’s face was so distinctive that he stood out from the crowd and could turn his hand to most things. But Lech still felt a loyalty to Cromer Pier Theatre that had taken a chance on him when he was a complete nobody. So now, having done other things in previous years, he’d been offered the compère role in the show. 

He would shop for food the following morning. Karen would have helped by buying in a few basics for him. It was hard to think of Karen as his boss, because she had been in the show with him as dance captain when he first joined the cast. He was meeting her the following day to discuss plans for the show. 

He would have the English fish and chips he loved tonight, washed down with warm beer. He parked the car and went into the first-floor flat he would call home for the next few months. The wind had got up and the tide was in, with waves crashing onto the promenade near the pier. He never tired of the view, with the little theatre on the end of the pier seeming to smile benignly at him in the teeth of the gale. He felt like he’d come home.

He showered and called Marina to say goodnight to the family before walking into town. He said hello to a couple of guys he recognised at the amusement arcade where he had worked some years before, when he was still scrabbling for every penny to send home. It still bore the name PemroseAmusements. But Lech didn’t find Lionel Pemrose amusing at all; he was the racist bigot who had fired him, simply for being a migrant. 

He bought his fish and chips and, since the wind had abated somewhat, headed for the pier to eat them there. Sitting out of the wind in one of the shelters, he ate hungrily. He watched the fishermen as they tended their rods. He had tried his hand at fishing one time, thinking that he might save some money by catching his tea, but the fish had proved elusive. 

As he binned his fish-and-chip paper, he saw a leaflet stuck to the wall advertising the previous night’s Amy Raven concert. He remembered when they had both been new to the show, back in 2009. He recalled that Amy was a local girl, with jet-black hair, hence she’d adopted the stage name Raven.

He walked to the theatre, and as he walked in through the door, he saw a friendly face. Debbie was the bar manager, and he’d often enjoyed an after-show drink with her in the past, at a time when he’d had no other friends.

‘Hi Lech, what are you doing here? Just before closing time as usual,’ she said.

Lech smiled. ‘I am looking for my favourite girl, and a pint of your Woodforde’s Wherry please, Debbie.’

Debbie obliged, and as she handed it over, she asked the obvious question.

‘You in the show, then?’ she said.

Lech drank a third of his pint in one swallow and then paused, setting the glass down with a look of appreciation.

Debbie smiled. ‘You don’t get that in Warsaw,’ she said.

Lech held the glass up in appreciation. ‘Even worth flying with Mr Ryanair for,’ he said.

He could see that she was vexed, hands on hips. ‘You didn’t answer my question,’ she said.

Lech paused. It wasn’t official yet. 

He adopted a James Bond voice as he spoke in furtive tones. ‘If I told you, I’d have to kill you, Miss Moneypenny.’

Debbie laughed. ‘Like I’m shaken but not stirred. I know these things. There are no secrets from me.’

He left it there. Debbie tidied up, bid goodnight to her last two customers and locked the door.

A stubborn new housekeeper and a haunted owner…

Synopsis

She arrived as a housekeeper
Will she leave as a countess?
To some, Thornhallow Hall might be tarnished by tales of vengeance and ghosts, but to new housekeeper Rebecca Merrickson it represents independence and peace from her tumultuous past. Until the estate’s owner, William Reid, the disappeared earl, unexpectedly returns… After clashing with him over the changes she’s made to the house, Rebecca slowly unearths the memories that haunt brooding Liam—and her defiance gives way to a shockingly improper attraction to her master!

My review

Rebecca Merrickson is ready to start to work as a housekeeper at Thornhallow Hall. She is determined to gain the respect of the other servants, while at the same time making changes to the house. Of course making changes is easy when the estate’s owner William Reid isn’t nearby, in fact he has just disappeared!
But when Liam returns, he is not happy at all with the made changes, and more than once he clashes with Rebecca.
However, Rebecca uncovers the secrets and ghosts haunting Thornhallow Hall and its master, while she is keeping her own secrets and fighting the attraction she begin to feel.

When I was reading the first chapters of this book, I was reminded of one of my favourite books ever, namely Jane Eyre. There were many similarities, like a young woman going to work in a place with a dark secret, the master being initially an absent character, but also with a past that still haunts him.

But luckily this story takes another turn. Not that changing direction was a bad choice, on the contrary, because if you have to read a rip – off of a beloved book, it’s certain that you will be disappointed in the end.
And I surely wasn’t when I reached the end!

Often in historical romances, there is one character with a secret, but in this romance, both main characters are having their own secrets.

Rebecca her secret has made her being on the run for a long time, and she is still looking over her shoulder being afraid that her whereabouts have been discovered.
But no matter what happened in her past, and her fear, she is determined to make the best of the time she is staying at Thornhallow Hall.
She is also a strong character, ready to take responsibility for her actions, and slowly she is also having the respect of the other servants.
When we get to know her secret, and how it changed her, I felt truly sorry for her. At a young age she realized that not everyone is acting with good intentions and that people work with ulterior motives.

There are many moments she clashes with Liam, which of course is inevitable as Liam is not ready for all the changes Rebecca made, despite his clear instructions.
Liam is a brooding man, carrying his guilt around like a dark cloak. Thornhallow Hall holds too many sad memories for him, and he is looking for a way to escape his title as an Earl.
But he is also a caring man, the way he acts towards his servants, seeing them as real people and not just as ‘things’ he can bend at his will. And the way he starts to see Rebecca in a different light shows the readers that there is always more than meets the eye…

I found this a beautiful story about scarred and also scared characters, but also strong characters. The author wrote a story that somehow would look like thirteen in a dozen, but she managed to add her own things, making this a unique story.
Not only the characters but also the twists in the story made me keep reading it, making me feel like I was walking around Thornhallow Hall myself!

When getting out with your friend is easier than getting in on your own…

Synopsis

London, 1817: When Barclay Durbin, a young street preacher, encounters Honora Goodwin, injured on a London street, he doesn’t know she has just escaped from Titania’s Bower, a brothel. Taking her to his ancestral home to recover amongst his family, he falls in love with the vivacious girl and comes to believe that she is divinely appointed to become his wife.

Honora begins to feel similarly and knows that the good-hearted gentleman’s attentions would likely ensure her future happiness, but she is intent on liberating Celia Woodlow – the friend she was forced to leave behind at the Bower. Telling Barclay only parts of her own story, Honora enlists the besotted young man to help her.

When their plan goes awry, Honora realizes that only the truth can deliver them from the emotional and societal maelstrom in which they find themselves. But if she divulges all, what will become of Honora and Barclay’s budding attachment? And will Celia ever gain her freedom?

Out of the Bower tells the tale of a forbidden romance, an ardent friendship, and the ever-essential redemption of self.

My review

Barclay Durbin is a young street preacher, ready to help and rescue people in need. So when one day he meets an injured Honora Goodwin, he doesn’t hesitate one moment to offer his helping hand and takes her to his home, allowing Honora to recover from her injury.
Honora is welcomed not only by Barclay, but also by his family. As times passes, Barclay realizes that his feelings for this beautiful woman are deeper than imagined.
But he doesn’t know that the day he met Honora, she was running away from a brothel, Titania’s Bower.
Honora knows that Barclays is a righteous man, and she also develops feelings that go deeper than just sympathy. But how can Barclay ever be thinking of marrying a woman that escaped from a brothel? And Honora has a mission of her own: rescue her friend Celia Woodlow, who Honora was forced to leave behind.
If Honora wants to move on with her life, she first must find a way to save her friend and find the courage to come completely clean with Barclay…

When reading how Honora ended up working at Titania’s Bower, I found her a bit naive. Where did she expect to be working, especially after having witnessed the behaviour of the other girls?

But Honora is not only a naïve young woman, she is also a strong one. Because she is determined to leave that place as soon as she can. Besides being strong, she is also loyal. In that horrible place, she befriends Celia. And no matter how bright her future can be with Barclay, she will not just abandon the one friend she has!
Honora just being Honora, made it very easy to like her.

Barclay is an admirable man. Being a preacher, you would assume anyone in that position would show his kind and forgiving and accepting heart, but unfortunately, that is not always the case.
However Barclay is the good kind of man. Not only doesn’t he judge Honora, he doesn’t judge the other women in the same position.
He knows that not everyone is there on their free will, and wants to help, no matter what.

This is a dark story, because we also see the reasoning of the villains. And it’s despicable the lengths some people would go!
But there is also so much beauty in it, because there are good people around. Barclay and his family welcome Honora, despite her past.
We see a love blooming, we see the lengths a man would go for a woman, we see friends being made.
We see women not just being compliant, but fighting for their freedom, we see them stand with their heads high, not ever just giving up.

I found it an inspirational, hopeful book to read. the reality is not being sugar-coated, however the author managed to switch the darker moods with lighter moments. and it somehow restores the hope for mankind, because as long as there are people like Honora and Barclay, showing real kindness, there is always that ray of light that not everything is lost…

Ever thought about the lives of the people you see on a tram?

Synopsis

There are thirteen Luas stops between Sandyford and St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin and vice versa. The passengers all hunker down, folded tightly into themselves, eyes fixed on their phones, interminably scrolling, terrified of connecting with each other. Except . . . Except, who’s that good-looking guy in the long dark coat who’s eyeing up selfie queen Laura? Could he end up as one of her terrible choices? Hang on, isn’t he the same guy who was ogling glamorous working-mum-with-a-secret Maroon before? And why is Jamie over there telling his life story to a complete stranger? What’s Fauve hiding in her handbag? It must be the crown jewels or an unexploded bomb at the very least, the way she’s hugging it so tightly to herself. And why does Becks from two seats down look out the window so anxiously? Is she worried that Barry could be straying? Alight here for the inside track . . .

My review

While sitting on a tram, it’s common knowledge to mind your own business. So are also the passengers on the tram between Sandyford and St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin minding their own business.
But when we take a closer look at some of them, we see that each and every one of them is having their own struggles and are thinking about their lives while waiting until their stop of the thirteen will bring them back home.

Obviously, this book contains 13 short stories. Each story was intriguing, gripping and some even took a darker turn.
I found this a fascinating book, because how often do we see people in the tram/ train/… and wonder what their story is.

While reading, I had a few favourite characters, and a few I disliked. Reading about each one, made me realize even more that there is more to a person than we see.
We never truly know someone, and we never know how someone would react when their limit has been reached.
And even those we love the most, can betray us in the most terrible way, or even keep heart-breaking secrets.

Each character is different from the previous one. But I found it great to see how the author managed to link one character to another, no matter how small that link was.
By having that link, it was also somehow possible to have some kind of closure, we see a glimpse of what happens afterwards.
But after finishing the book, I still have so many questions, and I really need an answer! 😄

This book is like peeping into people’s lives, seeing more than the surface. And that’s what made me enjoy reading each story, even if a few characters were harder to like.
Each story was unique, different and not knowing what the next story will be, made me continue reading! And I can even forgive the author with the many questions I have, all left unanswered!

When calling the shots is pushing love away…

Synopsis

Jennifer Colby-Kittler is the boss. They even call her The Jenneral. But married life is hard, even when you call the shots. When the sizzle in her and husband Russ’ romance goes AWOL, Jenn calls in the big guns. They’re going to forge ahead and have a second child whether Russ likes it or not. The only problem is that Russ is leaning toward not. 

When the Kittler’s new baby mission doesn’t go according to Jenn’s plan, the tension grows, and a mutiny in their marriage unfolds. Jenn’s sister (the lovable Kait from Project Kaitlyn, book one in the Sweet Water Circle series) and friends intervene, forcing her to explore her inner being by attending yoga classes hosted by a dreamy new instructor. Jenn reluctantly agrees, needing to learn to how to let go of control before a civil war leads to divorce. But when the guru falls for her (desperately wanting to also explore her inner being) and an old flame finds out that Jenn’s marriage is under attack and attempts to plant his flag, Jenn doesn’t know which path to choose.

Can Jenn learn to let go before her life spirals out of control?  Should she save her marriage before it’s too late, start over with someone new, or go it alone? 

With hysterical antics, witty and humorous dialogue, and a strong character arc, you’ll love the follow-up to Project Kaitlyn. Jenn Reinvented is the second book in the hilarious Sweet Water Circle series, exploring the relationships, life adventures, and personal growth of a small circle of friends, who you’re gonna want to hang out with, which is good, because their stories are ready to be told in the rest of the Sweet Water Circle series!

My review

Jennifer Colby – Kittler is used on commanding her husband Russ around. So when she starts to notice that the passion they once had, is diminishing, she makes a plan to fix everything. And that plan consists of having a second child.
No matter what Russ thinks, that baby is going to come. But tensions only grow when the pregnancy doesn’t come as quickly as Jenn wants.
Things escalate to a point of no return…
So Jenn’s sister Kait and the rest of Sweet Water Circle plan an intervention, showing Jenn that being in control of everything is not the solution, and make Jenn even start taking Yoga classes.
Slowly Jenn learns to let go, but she finds herself also on the receiving side of the attention of the Yoga Guru. But also Joe, an ex – boyfriend is ready to fight for her affections…
Which course will the new, reinvented Jenn take? Is her marriage still worth the fight? Or will she find love elsewhere?

Firstly, I have to say I absolutely loved the first book of the Sweet Water Circle Series, so I was very eager to read this next adventure!

Where Kait was the kind of character you quickly took a liking to, Jenn is a harder nut to crack… She likes to be in control of just *everything*  and her nickname “Jenneral” is not stolen…
So I can honestly say that she got even me on my nerves. And I was just a reader, not the receiver of her commands.
I can understand her passion in a way, but there is a limit to everything. And I somehow was glad when even Russ decided he had enough of it all.

Russ is honestly a good guy, but he just couldn’t go on living like this anymore. Like he said it himself, he doesn’t want to be a junior partner in a relation, but wants to be on the same level. And isn’t that something everyone wants in a relation with the person they love?

Russ leaving her, yet not literally leaving the house, is cause for so many hilarious moments for us readers. Of course, for both Jenn and Russ those moments were just utterly frustrating! Because they are just both so stubborn, not willing to give each other an inch!

However, Jenn, thanks with the help of her sister and best friends, learns slowly to let go of control, giving her new opportunities. But also in awkward situations, making me nearly cry of laughter!
But Jenn also comes to the realization of how badly she was treating Russ and that it was her fault he decided he needed an out…

A special mention is for Cooper, Jenn and Russ’ son. His desire for a pet, and the kind of animals he would come up with, just HILARIOUS!!! Let’s admit, doesn’t everyone want a dolphin as a pet??? But Cooper was also just adorable, even when he finds himself in the middle of a fight between his parents.

Yes, I had many laughs in this book, but it also shows us the consequences of our behaviour on our loved ones. The author managed perfectly to capture the desperation, if we can call it like that, when someone is reaching his limits, seeing no other option than just walking away.
However the author shows us also that even as adults, we can change for the better. Not wanting to control everything in our lives, can bring us that what we desire the most, in the most unexpected way.

Secrets of a more distant past and a more recent past…

Synopsis

When Izzie Dean’s beloved nan, Molly Blackshaw, passes away, Izzie returns to the Blackpool bungalow where she grew up, to say goodbye once and for all. When Izzie’s homecoming reunites her with her first love, Justin Swift, every emotion that Izzie has repressed since the day he broke her heart comes rushing to the surface. But then an unexpected discovery changes everything.

Between the pages of the battered secret diary Molly kept during WWII, Izzie discovers a story of love, heartbreak, and the incomparable hardship of life in a world at war. Reading her grandmother’s words soon puts her own story into perspective, and suddenly Izzie realises that the only thing holding her back from happiness, might be herself. Now she just has to convince Justin that they deserve a second chance at forever…

My review

After losing her husband Rufus, now Izzie Dean has to say also goodbye to her beloved Nan, Molly Blackshaw. Having no intention of staying in the Blackpool bungalow, she starts cleaning up everything her Nan left her.
But when Izzie finds a hidden diary written by Molly during World War II, she surely doesn’t expect to find a story of love, heartbreak and secrets.
Reading what her Nan had to endure, makes Izzie put her own life in perspective and makes her think what would make her happy. And how does Justin Swift fit in her future, the man that broke her heart years ago?

If you would ask me which story touched me the most, it would be an impossible choice to make!
Because both Molly and Izzie have been through things, although different, yet those events changing the both of them, one way or another.

When we start reading Molly diary, she is a young woman, living with her stepmother, running a boarding house.
She is a bit afraid to talk back to her stepmother, and just does whatever her stepmother asks from her. Immediately the image of Cinderella came in my mind, because of so many things being alike.
But Molly’s life quickly changes when twin brother Joe and Jack Blackshaw enter the story.
She falls in love for the first time…

I have to admit, I had a feeling what would be  happening next to Molly, the betrayal, the hurt, it was written in the stars. But my heart was almost literally melted when a twist came around, attempting to fix all the wrongdoings…
However, as Molly was writing during World War II, it’s obvious that she had to endure even more than expected! And yes, that’s the way the War changes people’s life, but I just wanted Molly to have the happiness she deserved and at moments I was getting angry at the author for not giving it to Molly!

Izzie’s story is also one with betrayal in it. because Justin broke her heart once already, and now that their lives took a different direction, of course nothing more will happen with these characters. However I loved reading about how slowly those feelings of the past were still finding a way into the present, even if not the whole air has been cleared.
Reading how Izzie and Justin went from being best friends to lovers with great plans, was just too sweet to explain!
However the betrayal was not something I would expect from Justin, so I had a hunch that there was more to it!
But the truth was even devastating for me as a reading, imagine for our lovely characters!

There were many eye – openers for everyone, characters and readers, that shows us not only how “ugly” love can be when a heart is broken, but also the beauty when love comes when you least expect it and accept it.

Both stories were bittersweet, with many happy moments but also filled with heart – breaking moments.
But both women show that even if love doesn’t come as expected, it can be even better than expected.
I found this a wonderful book to read, full of inspiration, strength, love and hope. It was nearly impossible to put it away!

A much needed holiday with more than bargained for.

Synopsis

D.I. Fierce always gets his man, but can he get his woman?

Actor Leonard Lupine is sick of his life, both on and off-screen, so when his agent suggests a luxury villa holiday in Croatia he leaps at the opportunity to escape. What he doesn’t realise is that his greatest mystery of all is waiting to be solved on the tiny island of Brač.

Does he have what it takes to follow the clues to love? ♥

My review

Leonard Lupine is an actor best known for his part as D.I. Fierce. Unfortunately as a protection mechanism, he uses his character in real life situations, giving him a bad reputation.
But being ‘in character’ all the time is exhausting, so when his agent suggest to go on a holiday with his two sons in a luxury villa in Croatia, Leonard cannot wait to escape.
When Isabella enters the picture as his Local Concierge, Leonard’s holiday takes a turn he surely did not expect!

Oooh what a romantic story this was!

Of course I don’t have an idea what it means to be a (in)famous actor but I can imagine how Leonard is feeling. He truly wants to go another direction, but his agent isn’t really offering a helping hand in this matter.
So when she suggests to take a holiday, I completely understood why Leonard grabbed this opportunity with both hands.

And very quickly into the story, it’s obvious that the world has a total wrong image of Leonard. Somehow he is victim of his own success and kindness. Because he is not the distant, even rude person everyone thinks he is. it’s all on the contrary, he uses the character of D.I. Fierce as a protection, so he won’t get hurt or people getting too close.
He is also a wonderful father for his boys. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them, and he surely wants to see more of them!

Him playing a character, obviously is clashing with Isabella, who is responsible in helping Leonard in whatever he needs.
But as she is a single mum herself, she surely isn’t all too happy to help out a grumpy actor who thinks the world revolves around him and his whims…

The clashing between these two characters was just hilarious to read about, because both Leonard and Isabella are strong characters, not letting someone else dictate them.
Yet it was also sweet to see how the children were able to put the adults in a situation they concocted!

I found this a sweet story to read, even if there were some heart – breaking moments in it, with many misunderstandings. But beside Leonard and Isabella, there were so many lovely people, ready to help out these two tormented characters. From a best friend, to a taxi – driver, to a paparazzo, help can be found in the weirdest places!

If you’re looking for an escape from your own world, and ready to be captivated in a beautiful setting like Croatia, just grab this book because it will make you want to wish for your own romantic whirlwind!

Is there a better place to start over than France?

Synopsis

Stranded at the altar, knee-deep in her fiancé’s gambling debts, Vicki Marchant seizes her freedom and moves to France, to paint.
It’s her time. No man will get in the way of her ambition again.
She learns two things: some men are hard to resist, and her judgement of them is still on the dodgy side.

My review

Instead of being a married woman, Vicki Marchant not only has been jilted at the altar, but her fiancé left her with his gambling bets too…
Tired of men, and wanting a fresh start and follow her passion of painting again, she moves to France. Staying at the home of a friend of her best friend, she hopes will be able to project whatever she sees as worthy to paint on canvas.
However, she also finds it hard to keep some men at distance, despite her determination. But can she trust her judgement? And who is having his cake and eating it too?

I always find it very courageous when a character in a book decides to just pack and move to another place.
So obviously I admired Vicki, because not only she moves to France, but also goes staying with a total strange.
Even if this would seem like the perfect start of a thriller, this is a beautiful, even inspirational romantic comedy!

Despite a terrible start, Vicki makes the best of the situation she finds herself in. It takes a lot of guts for not only thinking of moving to France, but also actually doing it!
I loved reading how Vicki is not only trying to find inspiration for her paintings again, but also living the actual struggles of moving to a foreign country, not completely mastering the language.

There is just something that made me immediately like Vicki. She is an artist, but she has her head on the shoulders and has the same issues with self-confidence every one of us has. And when someone believes in you and your capacities, it’s easier to see it yourself too.

Of course this wouldn’t be a romantic comedy if there wasn’t some romance in it. I have to admit, Christophe was the kind of character I held quickly a torch for. Even if sometimes he acted in a somehow negative way, I kept hoping that my gut feeling would be right in the end. And even at the worst imagine of him, I kept hoping.
So I was very happy that Vicki saw the same thing I was seeing!

But there is also Daniel, being in Vicki’s corner and persuading her to keep painting. He seems to understand whenever she needs that extra push of not giving up, and even uses his connections to help her out.

However, not everything is as it seems, and Vicki learn that also the hard way. We see Vicki doing her utterly best, but we see her also fall. But it’s not about falling, what everyone does in their lives, this story is also about finding the strength to get back up and learn from the fall.

I had laughs, yes, but I was mostly inspired by this book. Because picking up the pieces after a disaster is not easy, but doable. And realizing you made a mistake and admit it too, makes you a humble yet great person.

The only remark I have, is that I would have loved just a few more chapters. The book ends beautifully, but I just wanted to see *more*, because it’s obvious that when we reach the end, it’s only the start of something that is destined to be wonderful!

When love gets in the way of leaving home…

Synopsis

Haileybrook, a beautiful village in the peaceful Cotswolds countryside, is most people’s idea of heaven on earth.  

Born and raised in this small slice of paradise, Elle Bea can’twait to leave. 

It should be easy, but every time she packs her bags for exotic adventures, old loves and loyalties pull her back. 

Will Elle be forced to forget her dreams of far-flung places and epic romance, or can she grab one last chance to have it all?

An uplifting, romantic story about friends, family and the relationships that make a place a home.

My review

Since she was a teenager, Elle Bea cannot wait to leave Haileybrook. It’s a lovely place to live, but Elle dreams of exploring the world.
However, over the years, each time a plan is being made, love and loyalties get in the way making her stay at home.
Will she ever be able to chase her own dreams, before it’s too late? And will she ever find that one everlasting, epic romance? Or will she end up never leaving Haileybrook and having sacrificed, as a figure of speech, her own life for other?

From the very start, it’s obvious that Elle is the kind of person that is just too good…
She is ready to put her own plans and dreams on the side if someone needs her help. And even if I somehow could relate to her, I knew that there would be many moments that someone would take advantage of her.

This story is not taking part in a short time, but several years pass. And we see Elle struggle to find her own feet, and also finding love.
We see her in different moments in her life, also with her heart in a different place each time.
Even if at moments I wished for her to dare to just make a choice for herself, instead of staying home for the sake of someone else, it was lovely to see Elle growing up to a woman that in the end did something for HER instead of for someone else.

However, this is not only a book about Elle finding someone, but it’s also about friendships that last a lifetime. And she is lucky that she is surrounded by friends and family that would stand by her side no matter what.
And even when Elle makes choices not everyone agrees with, she knows she can still count on her loved ones.

Even if there were characters I quickly disliked (I cannot imagine having such a mother myself!) and there were characters obviously taking advantage of Elle’s kindness, this was a lovely story to read.

It’s a tale about growing up, falling in and out of love, seeing people for who they really are, and realizing when a cause if worth the fight, and when not.
But also about for once, putting your dreams first and doing what will make you happy.