When you start a new job that will lead to uncover family secrets…

Synopsis

London, 2004. Frankie didn’t always have it easy. Growing up motherless, she was raised by her grandmother, who loved her – and betrayed her. For years, the rift between them seemed irreparable. But when their paths suddenly cross again, Frankie is shocked to realise that her grandmother is slowly losing control of her memory. There is a darkness in her past that won’t stay buried – secrets going back to wartime that may have a devastating effect on Frankie’s own life.

Somerset, 1940. When seventeen-year-old Violet’s life is ripped apart by the London Blitz, she runs away to join the Women’s Land Army, wanting nothing more than to leave her grief behind. But as well as the terror of enemy air raids, the land girls at Winterbourne Orchards face a powerful enemy closer to home. One terrible night, their courage will be put to the test – and the truth of what happened must be kept hidden, forever . . .

My review

Frankie is eager to start her new job as a staff writer for The London Post, together with her friends Bea and Con.
But she didn’t expect that her boss would want to use her family ties to arrange an interview with Violet Etherington, her estranged grandmother.
Even if Violet raised Frankie and gave her all the love she needed, Violet also betrayed her and Frankie cannot just forgive her.
But Frankie is shocked when she discovers that Violet is struggling with her memory. And slowly Frankie learns that her own grandmother has a dark secret that all started in 1940 when Violet decides to join the Women’s Land Army to put her grief behind.
But what is Violet hiding? And how will they affect Frankie?

When I started reading this story, I didn’t expect to read two different stories, yet both very gripping and captivating.

While reading Frankie’s story, I had my emotions going from sadness, pity and also anger at some points. She is estranged from the person who raised her, and initially it wasn’t clear what happened in the past to have such a strong detachment.
Because Frankie wants to make it as a writer for The London Post, but instead of using her ‘connections’ to make things easier, she wants to make it on her own. And that is something I admired, because how often do we see how nepotism is used for someone’s career…

Even if she cut off all contact with Violet, Frankie is a very loving and just caring character. She still truly loves her father, despite his mistakes. And when she learns the news about her grandmother’s health, she put her priorities straight and knows that Violet’s health is all that matters now.

I have to say that I felt sad for Frankie too, because at some point she feels truly alone. At work the colleagues are not all that welcoming and even her friends seem to take their distances. And that I found something very difficult to comprehend, because friends are supposed to have your back, no matter what.
Some people around Frankie change for the better, redeeming themselves, but some are not what they appeared to be, in the negative sense.

Violet’s story was a heart breaking one. So obviously I haven’t lived the war myself, but I can imagine the hardship. But also the concept of ‘Women’s Land Army’ was something I didn’t know that existed. And how noble that idea was, Violet finds herself in the worst possible scenario.
And while reading her story, I felt angry, because there are always people taking advantage of other people, treating them in a terrible way. And reading how hard things were for Violet, and being at war wasn’t the hardest thing she had to face, was just giving me the shivers..

But there were also sweet moments, especially when Marigold appears, and also Guy managed to put a sweet smile on my face.

This story could have been perfectly split in two separate stories, as both main characters could have easily filled pages on their own. But being brought together, elevated their stories to an even higher level.
Each character is facing loss, loneliness and grief in their own way, but no matter what is happening to them, they also show their common strength.
They also show that no matter what happened in the past, redemption is not an unreachable concept, and that the truth may not always be what you thought it was.

Marriage itself is not easy, so let’s make it even more complicated!

Synopsis

Natalie and Carl are newlyweds, but the honeymoon period is over already.

Carl has just announced he has bought their first home at auction without telling Natalie where it is, never mind showing her a picture of it.

Natalie is horrified to discover that the dream home is in Little Wyford, mere minutes away from Carl’s ex-wife Antonia. And to make matters worse, Antonia’s palatial country mansion has a fully-functioning roof (and a heated swimming pool!), unlike the ramshackle cottage Carl has bought for them…

Antonia is Little Wyford’s Queen Bee, mistress of the book club, organiser of the Christmas Fair and leader of the ladies-who-lunch. No matter how hard she tries, Natalie just doesn’t fit in, and when Antonia insists on referring to Carl as ‘Our Husband’, Natalie’s dreams of happily-ever-after take another nose dive.

Second-hand furniture has much to recommend it, especially when doing up a country cottage, second-hand clothes can be ever-so chic, but second-hand husbands are proving to be a very bad idea indeed… Can Natalie ever escape the label of Wife Number Two or is she destined to share her husband forever?

Hilariously funny, wickedly witty, but with a heart of gold and a warmth and wisdom that are all its own, A Second-Hand Husband is Claire Calman’s tour de force.

My review

Natalie married Carl and now they are looking for a place to live. As Natalie understands how important it is that Carl is near his children from his previous marriage, she encourages him in finding a house not too far from them.
But when Carl impulsively buys a house at an action, without showing Natalie a photo or telling her where it is, it’s no surprise Natalie is shocked… Not only is the house more a ramshackle than an actual house that just needs some TLC, but it is also just a few minutes away from Carl’s ex – wife Antonia, who seems to have it all.
And if there is one woman who ‘rules’ over Little Wyford, it surely is Antonia… Natalie is finding it hard to find herself accepted not only by Antonia but also by the children. And having Antonia undermining her all the time, even referring to Carl as ‘their Husband’, doesn’t make Natalie feel confident about her marriage.

Having just moved to my own place myself, I understood how important it was for Natalie to fall in love with her new home before actually buying it. You have to make a connection with the place, before you actually buy it.
So not only I understood her frustration when Carl just bought the place without actually consulting her, or just asking her opinion but I would have been actually pissed!
And when it appears that the house is not just in need of some TLC, well, I can tell I would just leave the place immediately! 
To make things even worse, Natalie now has to cope with living too close to Carl’s ex – wife.
I found it sweet to see how she encouraged Carl to find a place that would allow him to be nearer his children, but there is also something like ‘too close’…

Natalie may seem like a very indecisive woman, afraid also to speak out and let people just walk over her. But like she says herself in the book, she isn’t that indecisive at all when it truly matters. And being the new wife, in a new place, having the shadow of the ex – wife lurking around every corner, well, it would make anyone a bit nervous and small…
Slowly we see Natalie reaching her boiling point, resulting in finally speaking up and standing up for herself. And even when enough is enough, Natalie doesn’t explode like many of us would do, but she just says ‘no more’. This was not how she imagined her marriage. And if things don’t change, well, Natalie is just done with it.
It’s clear how much she loves Carl, but there is a limit a person can endure.

Talking about Carl… I found it very hard to really like him. I can’t understand how he can just buy a house without consulting his wife. And then he is keeping secrets, and making the same mistakes all over again. Even if it’s obvious he loves Natalie, he just doesn’t seem to grasp how she is feeling and he seems not able to make a change… But I have to say, in the end he redeemed himself, making me him liking a little bit more.

This story shows us that getting married to a man with already a family, isn’t always an easy undertaking. Having a husband who sometimes is oblivious to your feelings can make it extra hard, and add an ex – wife who just seems to have pleasure in undermining you and stepchildren not really warming towards you, well, I wouldn’t want to be in Natalie’s shoes!

But beside these negative aspects, it shows us also the beauty. Because bonds can be created with the children, a house that would look like a hopeless case, can feel like home. And you surely can gather the courage to stand up for yourself and not let anyone drag you down. And that not always what we see is the real deal. Because even if you are intimidated by someone, you don’t know how that person is feeling in your presence and the truth may surprise you.

This was an entertaining story, showing us both the beautiful things in a marriage but also the struggles.
But when love is in the picture, it’s worth fighting for!

Magic doesn’t exist, right?

Synopsis

Are you ready to meet Miss Moonshine? Life may never be the same again…

It’s summer in Haven Bridge and Miss Moonshine is getting ready for a busy season. From the window of her Wonderful Emporium, at the heart of the pretty Yorkshire town, she watches and waits, weaving plans to bring happiness to all who step through her door. For Miss Moonshine is no ordinary shopkeeper. She may not have what you want, but she will always have what you need…

Nine romantic novelists from Yorkshire and Lancashire, including best-selling and award-winning authors, have joined together to create this anthology of uplifting stories guaranteed to warm your heart. This magical collection of contemporary romances will make you laugh, cry and wish for a Miss Moonshine in your own life.

My review

In Haven Bridge there is one store that will know exactly what you need. Miss Moonshine’s Wonderful Emporium may seem like a chaotic store, but once you take a step inside, you are welcomed by Miss Moonshine herself and her Chihuahua Napoleon.
Each customer is a special customer in Miss Moonshine’s eyes and she has the ability to find the exact thing you need, even if it’s not what you actually want…

My first thoughts before reading this lovely book were “Will I like all the nine short stories? “ and also “Will the pace not be too fast?”
But I should have not worried! I know already a few of these authors and knew what they are capable of, and the new authors were just as surprising!

I didn’t know Miss Moonshine before, so I was a bit sceptical, and I surely do not believe in magic. But I quickly took a liking to her, and I wanted to visit her Emporium myself, and would be curious to see what Miss Moonshine would find for what I needed.

After finishing the first story, I had the bar set really high, because I truly loved it. I thought I already had found my favourite short story. But then I read the second and I just loved it as much as the first one. So the bar was set even higher for Story Number 3. But Story Number 3 was ALSO as lovely and beautiful so I added Number 3 also on the list of my favourite short story.
Can you already see a pattern here? Because yes, in the end all nine stories captured a little piece of my heart! And I honestly cannot say which one I prefer!

Each story is different, all the characters are facing problems of their own. But Miss Moonshine and love are the main protagonists in each story.
Even if Miss Moonshine is a bit odd, it’s impossible not to like her! She has her own ways of managing things, and it surely has a wonderful, lovely result each time!

I just devoured each short story, happy with how each of them ended, but also wanting to read just more and more!
And if you think you can put it away after finishing just one story, believe me when I say it’s a lost cause!

Is there anything better than running a bookshop in paradise?

Synopsis

A dream job, two handsome men, one destructive act. Will Freya’s opportunity of a lifetime end in tears?

When Freya leaves her publishing job in London to be a barefoot bookseller in the Maldives, it’s the push she needs to move on from her sadness and reignite her passion for life.

While resort owner Zander is charming, it’s handsome dive instructor Aaron who befriends her when she needs it most. But all is not what it seems and there’s trouble brewing in paradise.

Taking a chance on happiness is harder than she imagined. Can Freya let go of her heartache and allow herself to fall in love again?

My review

Freya has a publishing job in London. But she isn’t truly enjoying life and she knows she needs to move on from her constant state of sadness.
So persuaded by her best friend, she applies for a job as a bookseller in the Maldives, even if she thinks she won’t get it.
However she is hired by resort owner Zander and the prospect of spending time on an idyllic island is too alluring to pass on.
Zander is very charming, but his troubling past as member of a boy band isn’t world’s best kept secret. And then there is also Aaron, a handsome drive instructor who befriends her.
But Freya quickly realizes that Love Island is actually not so different from other places as also here there are secrets, odd behaviours and not everything is what it seems. However does that also mean that Freya will find love again?

This story surely swept me away! It made me want to pack everything and go to Love Island ASAP!

It’s clear from the beginning that Freya is a bit lost. Her heart got broken and she still hasn’t processed everything that happened. But the beauty (if I can call it like that) is that her pain isn’t only caused by breaking up with a boyfriend. Her loss goes so much deeper and the fact that she didn’t and still doesn’t understand it, makes it even more heart – breaking.

While reading, we see how Freya is opening more up, also thanks because of the sense of belonging there.

I have to admit, during the whole story and reading how Freya and Aaron got closer, I didn’t truly warm towards him. Without giving too much away, I was happy that my gut feeling was right, but I didn’t except Aaron to be that way…
And Zander truly was an enigma I would like to solve myself! 😊

This was a lovely story. Obviously the setting is wonderful, who won’t want to be there! But the greater part of the characters were kind, warm and accepting. And the growth we see in Freya and her daring to open up her heart again is admirable. Even if sometimes she may take some steps too fast, she also realizes when she has to take a step back.
And even when sometimes she wants to believe the good in everyone, she isn’t afraid of questioning some actions.

The author managed to write a story that made me dream away, but also reflect about loss and grieve. And also about being courageous and take that one decision no matter how terrifying it may seem. And that falling in love with the right person, makes you see that person how he is now and that the past is the past.
Falling in love can be a match made in heaven, or in this case, made in paradise!

Starting over, downsizing yet gaining so much more!

Synopsis

From the big city to a little yellow mobile library on the Isle of Skye …

When Jenna Palmer agrees to the new position of mobile librarian on the tiny Arrandale peninsular of the Isle of Skye, she knows she’s signing up for difficult working conditions and mediocre wages. But Jenna needs to get away, and a little yellow mobile library called Buttercup could be her escape to happier dreams …

However, whilst Jenna can get to grips with foggy island roads, local mermaid legends and even big purple monsters, she never expected to have to contend with a boss as grumpy as Daniel McGregor, or a young book lover as enthusiastic as his niece, Katrina.

Arrandale might represent Jenna’s safe port in a storm, but could she and Buttercup also become a beacon of hope to Daniel, Katrina and the entire island community?

My review

Jenna Palmer needs to start all over, she just needs to get away. So she accept the position of mobile librarian in Arrandale. Driving the yellow mobile library isn’t going to be the easiest task, and the wages won’t be making her rich, but she hopes that this move could be the escape to happier dreams.
Slowly Jenna is learning to appraise her little library Buttercup and she is being welcomed by the community. And even if her boss Daniel McGregor is not the most welcoming person, his niece Katrina makes up for everything by just being her enthusiastic self.
However, no matter Jenna is starting to love her life at Arrandale, with local myths of mermaids, her past is not letting her go and is even threatening to come back with a vengeance.

Reading a story of this author always makes me happy.
I know the characters aren’t just superficial people falling randomly in love and live happily ever happy.
And this story was just what I expected!

Jenna is running away from her former life, and starting over in a small place like Arrandale, is just perfect for her.
It’s obvious that what happened to her, has changed her in this frightened woman, even afraid of the dark.
But I admired her courage to just pack everything and start all over again. She is determined to put the past behind her and make her own happiness, and from now on, only having happy dreams.

It was beautiful to see how she slowly finds her feet in Arrandale, and also how the community welcomes her and helps out whenever and however they can.
Jenna’s presence is  even “mellowing” grumpy Daniel. When his backstory is known, I couldn’t not feel sorry for him. This shows that everyone is the way he is for a reason. And the burden he is carrying…

My heart also mellowed seeing how these two somehow broken characters are slowly are finding the courage of opening their heart again, even if there are some side characters ready to jeopardize everything Jenna and Daniel are slowly building.

I found this truly a beautiful story to read, very captivating. The main characters are easy to like and even side characters like Katrina, Ruby and even the mobile library Buttercup stole little pieces of my heart.
The courage, determination, but also the love and kindness sparked from each page. And for the characters with less good intentions, we can always trust the Arrandale gulls for payback!

Realizing what a real family and having real friends means…

Synopsis

Sophie is plagued by the shadows of the past…

While driving his curricle, Rufus Solgrave, Earl of Luxton comes across Sophie Clifford lying unconscious in the road, having fallen from her horse.

Not too far from home, he takes her back to Ashby, his country seat, leaving her in the care of his mother, Elizabeth, Countess of Luxton, and his sister, Lydia. Under their kindly supervision, Sophie soon begins to recover.

Upon discovering that Sophie has never mixed with London society, Elizabeth invites her to accompany the family to town for Lydia’s come-out. Unhappy with her homelife and eager to sample the delights of the season, Sophie accepts.

However, her enjoyment is marred when talk of an old scandal surrounding her birth resurfaces. What’s more, her devious stepbrother, Francis Follet, has followed her to London, intent on making her his bride.

Sensing Sophie’s distress, Rufus steps in to protect her from Francis’s unwelcome advances.

And although neither Rufus nor Sophie are yet thinking of marriage, both soon begin to wonder whether their comfortable friendship could blossom into something warmer…

My review

When Sophie Clifford falls from her horse into unconsciousness, she has no idea how her life will change.
Not only is she being rescued by Rufus Solgrave, the Earl of Luxton, but he also leaves her in the care of his mother Elizabeth and his sister Lydia.
Slowly Sophie recovers from her injuries and when her new friends realize she never mixed with London society, Sophie is eager to accompany them to experience the delights of the season herself. Especially as Sophie’s home life was never truly a happy one, and she has always been very secluded.
However, no matter how much she enjoys her newly found freedom, her stepbrother Francis Follet continues on following her, determined to make her his bride, and not because of his affections for Sophie.
But marriage is the last thing on Sophie’s mind, especially one with Francis! But when Rufus steps in to help Sophie however and whenever he can, is there a chance that their friendship will evolve in something more, even if they both are not looking for it?

I love reading how a woman becomes this strong, independent woman, ready to live her life like SHE wants, and not how she is expected to live it, especially in Regency England.

The first impression of Sophie is rather non – existing, as her appearance is an unconscious one…
But when she wakes up and is slowly recovering, it’s clear that her life until then wasn’t a very happy one. Her mother died, her father, stepmother and stepson aren’t really going to win an award for most caring family members.

When she is being taken care of, and also a bit pampered by Rufus Solgrave and his family, she realizes how caring and loving a family can be. So even if I found it a bit strange how quickly Sophie agreed going to London and spending more time with the Solgraves, I was happy for her as having a chance to actually enjoy life.

We see Sophie evolve from this shy, secluded woman into a woman standing up for herself, deciding what makes her happy and has lack of what society may think of her choices. She wants to do what makes her happy and not what is expected from her. And I felt this pride in seeing this young woman standing up for herself. Somehow she is an example for so many.

But be warned, this isn’t simply a story about man meets woman, fall in love and live happily ever after.
Not only is despicable Francis luring around the corner too often, there are also many twists, turns and revelations that left me flabbergasted!

Of course Rufus’ presence is one that made me smile. And seeing how Rufus and Sophie are so much alike, and of course seeing them being perfect for each other before they even have an inkling themselves, was fun to read!

This was a lovely story, but also a strong one. It is about a young woman getting out for the first time, and becoming this strong woman who won’t let anyone dictate her anymore. And even if opportunity arises, she won’t settle for less than for love!
The story revolves about family, love, growth and courage. Surely a treat to read this story!