Who is the right man for Jools?

Synopsis

Pull on your sunglasses, spring is here!

When Finn Gallichan, the new man in artist, Jools Jones’ life leaves the boardwalk to go travelling for several months, she’snot too worried. She has her paintings to work on as well as keeping busy helping her grandmother run the only second-hand bookshop in the village. She’s happy to wait for Finn’s return to pick up where they left off their relationship. That is, until she decides to secretly help a new customer trace a copy of a book he wrote years before and meets his grandson, Marius Arnesen, a glass artist who, fascinated by her paintings, asks her to take part in an art exhibition. 

When she begins to suspect that Finn isn’t quite the person she had hoped and Marius steps up to save someone close to her, she wonders if maybe she’s made the wrong decision…

My review

Jools Jones has just started dating Finn Gallichan. Even if Finn goes travelling for several months over, Jools is not worried. She has her paintings and helping out her grandmother with Boardwalk Books to keep her busy. And when Finn returns, they will pick up where they left off.
However, when glass artist Marius Arnesen enters the scene, Jools feels that attraction towards him. Not only does he show a genuine interest in her paintings, he also has more in store than Jools thought.
Who will be the one that will really steal Jools’ heart?

What a lovely story to read! First of all, it was amazing to return to Boardwalk! And what a lovely characters are being protagonists!

Jools is a woman so recognizable and wonderful. She enjoys painting, and even if she doesn’t see it herself, she is really talented. And how she looks after her grandmother, is just lovely. Of course caring about your family is something natural and obvious in most cases. But Jools truly has a kind heart even towards strangers. Just look at the lengths she goes to just find a specific book for a customer!

I have to admit, Finn was not a character I really warmed to, so I was kind of glad he took of rather quickly! 🤣
Marius on the other hand got me nearly swooned! Not only is he also a talented glass artist, but he isn’t afraid of risking his own life at sea to help those in need.

Seeing back some characters that were the leading characters in the previous parts, was an additional extra, because these people were the kind of people you want to have in your own life. Jools and her friends are so close and the love between them is very obvious. Even if sometimes a minor clash is taking place, they don’t hold a grudge and are always able to see the bigger picture. No matter if for happy moments or for terrifying moments, the girls are there for each other.
Just like her friends, Jools finds honesty an important value. And even if it would be easy to just go for Marius and disregard Finn, she wants to do the right thing.

Not only was is sweet to see how Jools and Marius grow closer, but I especially liked seeing how Jools got more confident about herself and her abilities. Not only her friends, but also Marius are nudging her in believing that she has a talent, and seeing how she starts to finally believe it herself, made me smile.

I found this a beautiful story to read about two people falling in love, yet not wanting to hurt another one in the process. It shows the beauty of friendship, but about showing kindness towards just everyone.
This book is the perfect way to escape the world around you and uplift your mood! It surely did uplift mine!

When an accident changes your perspective on just everything.

Synopsis

What if what you really need is right there in front of you, if you just take a moment to look up?

Milly has been waiting for this moment forever and finally it’sjust an hour away – an interview with Vogue magazine and the opportunity to get her Louboutin-clad foot in the door.  There’s just one problem – totally engrossed in her mobile phone, Milly doesn’t see the bus that is fast approaching – until it’s too late…

When Milly next opens her eyes, the consequences of her accident become clear. Everything she has worked for and dreamed of suddenly feels out of reach. But there is one bright spot on her horizon – the reappearance of her ex Jed, in all of his six-foot-four, broad-shouldered glory, with the most piercing ice blue eyes Milly ever saw.

Once used to working in a whirlwind, Milly now has the chance to reconsider how to live. Will she rush back to the treadmill, get her head down and back to business, or is there a whole other life waiting for her, if she’ll just look up to see it? 

‘Read yourself happy’ with Maxine Morrey’s latest uplifting, page-turning, heart-warming romance, guaranteed to brighten up your day.

My review

When Milly has finally managed to get an interview for a job at Vogue Magazine, she feels that all her dreams are coming true.
Unfortunately, being totally distracted by the feeds on her mobile phone, she doesn’t see the bus approaching and only feels it hitting her.
When she wakes up, one week later, in the hospital, not only has the opportunity vanished, but she finds herself also without a place to stay and everyone she thought she could rely on, are turning their backs on her.
The only people by her side are her brother Henry and his family, and her ex Jed.
With now plenty of time on her side, will Milly re-evaluate everything, or will she relapse in old habits that made her forget what truly matters?

I love it when a story tries to tell us an important message, yet doesn’t come over as too preachy.
And this story surely managed to pin-point the reality but did it with such an elegance, and so witty that the message arrived loud and clearly but it also gave me so much fun!

Milly is a young woman living practically a virtual life. She is constant checking social media and determined to get the job she truly desires, working for Vogue Magazine. But having her focus so much on the job, she is missing out what truly matters. Her relationship with Jed ended, and even her own family have to compete with social media for her attention.
And unfortunately, that is for so many people reality, the focus is all over whatever happens in cyber space and not seeing what literally is going on around you.

After her accident, Milly discovers the ugly truth, that whenever everything is going well, everyone is there, but when you are in time of need, everybody suddenly has the magic ability to disappear. On the other hand, she also learns who she can truly rely on, and that help can come from an unexpected angle.

I loved reading how Milly is now discovering things that were always there. She sees new places, meets new people who are honestly kind and not just wanting something from her. She realizes that the way she used to live was restricting her own possibilities. And she also realizes that with her old behaviour she pushed people away, like Jed.

Talking about Jed… isn’t he just the kindest man you ever read about? Not only is he still friends with Henry, but even if Milly broke his heart, he helps her out every way that he can. And okay, he is living very comfortably, but that didn’t change his character at all! The lengths he goes for Hector The Dog nearly made my ovaries explode!!! 🤣

I found this a beautiful, even inspirational story! Getting offline these days is nearly impossible, but the author shows us how big an impact our lives can have if we just put our damn phones away. Of course this is just fiction, so maybe not exactly everything will happen to us too (skipping the getting hit by a bus would be great!). But seeing how Milly changed her perspectives and sees how she has been missing out, has been also for me as a reader a wonderful experience!

Synopsis

Florist Daisy is loved-up and blossoming.  Boyfriend Dominic has proposed marriage!

However, Dominic isn’t in any rush to buy a ring, and meeting the parents is looong overdue.  What is the problem?  After all, Daisy’s mum has already bought her big hat and wants to know the wedding date!

Then careless words plant seeds of doubt and, like weed, Daisy’s concerns begin to multiply.  Is Dominic hiding something?

Meanwhile, sexy ex Harry is back on the scene and begging Daisy for a reconciliation.  He thought the grass was greener with HER but now says he made a mistake.  Is Harry – for once – being genuine, or simply leading Daisy up the garden path?

New neighbour Seth seems like a fun guy, but a single throwaway comment has Daisy mimicking a species of Calla Lily – Red Alert!  It’s time to do some digging.  But even she never anticipated a mad car chase across London or unearthing a shocking secret that changes everything.

Sparks are set to fly in this gorgeous romantic comedy about love, trust, and new beginnings.

My review

Could the grass be greener on the other side?

Daisy couldn’t be more over the moon, because she got engaged! Her boyfriend Dominic popped the question and of course she said yes!
However, Dominic still hasn’t bought a ring and keeps postponing the quest for the perfect one. Also meeting his mother is long overdue, while Daisy’s parents are all prepared for the big day to arrive.
And Dominic’s behaviour is also getting odder with the day… what is he hiding?
Meanwhile also Daisy’s ex – husband reappears, begging for a second chance. Because apparently the grass wasn’t greener in his case. But is he truly genuine about his feelings?
On top of it all, new neighbour Seth appears on the scene. He surely has the looks, and there is a spark between them, but Daisy is engaged and Seth is too laidback…
What truths will be  uncovered and how will they affect our lovely florist Daisy?

I know that when I start reading a story from this author, I will be in for a treat!
And even if I had an idea how the story would end, the way to it was a big question mark for me.

Daisy was the kind of character you cannot not like. Even after her failed marriage, she has found happiness again with Dominic. Of course she tries to avoid her ex – husband Harry and HER (the new woman), even if that can be difficult, living in the same place…
No matter how much she resents the both of them, as they crushed her heart, all she wants is to be happy together with Dominic.
Daisy is a cheerful woman, always ready to help out not only her friends like Becky, but also practical strangers like her new neighbour Seth.

I have to admit, Dominic was not a character I actually liked. His behaviour was odd and just not likeable. And in some occasions even rude!
I knew that there was something he was hiding, but I didn’t expect he would go *that* far…

On the other hand, Seth was just the kind of neighbour I wanted to have myself! Not only is he good to look at, he is kind, funny and also a real friend!

Initially I thought it would be a story about a woman having to choose between three different men, but quickly it was obvious it wasn’t that kind of story. And that made it already a better story than expected.

The author managed again to write a funny story, with both lovely characters as characters you just would want to strangle. And no matter how hard Daisy got hurt, she keeps her head high and make wise decisions that not everyone would make. She knows that she would hurt innocent people in the process and she just isn’t that kind of person.

I devoured this book, as it was all…so…captivating! I didn’t know what to do… read one more chapter (several more chapters in truth…) but having finished the book too quickly? Or put it away for a while to prolong the joy of reading it? Unfortunately, I opted the first option, having me reaching the end before I knew!
But it didn’t diminish my feeling of what an utterly gorgeous, funny book it was! The love sparked from the pages, and even if hearts got broken somewhere somehow, it was a just beautiful to read how trust, when justified and not taken advantage of, is a wonderful feeling. And that one new beginning can be the key to the perfect relationship with the perfect man!

How a life can have unexpected turns

Synopsis

A new stand-alone saga set in Yorkshire around out the outbreak of the second world war and the unlikely relationship between a master and servant.
As a small child, Nellie Peace was always dreaming but sensed her mother’s rejection.

Abandoned and sent into service at Beaumont House at an early age, Nellie is lost and alone until she meets the unpredictable and reclusive artist, Lucas Harrington and falls in love with him.

This unlikely association between master and servant is encouraged by Lucas’s gentle natured Aunt Alice as Lucas sees something unusual in Nellie and is compelled to paint her.


Broken promises lead to inevitable heartbreak and Nellie flees Beaumont House in disgrace for London.
Alone again, Nellie must learn to live and fend for herself and her new-born child.

Can Nellie win a second chance of happiness and can she solve the mystery of her mother’s tortured past?

My review

As a young girl, Nellie always sensed that her own mother rejected her. No matter how lovely her father was, she truly craved to be on the receiving side of some affection from her mother.
But instead of love, her mother sends her away into service at Beaumont House. Working there, not only does she make some friends and finds her love for cooking, but she also meets Lucas Harrington. Lucas is unpredictable and reclusive and as being the master’s son, out of her league.
However when Lucas is determined to paint her, the relationship from master – servant shifts to one of lovers.
Despite having Lucas’ Aunt Alice in her corner, promises are broken, as hearts are too and Nellie flees the House.
Now Nellie has to rebuild her own life and take care of her new – born child.
Will Nellie have her happily ever after or will she find her heart broken again?

This author did it again, writing about the life of a young girl, growing up facing hardships yet managing to find the strengths to just keep going.

Nellie starts as a young girl, loved by her family, except her own mother. For some reason she doesn’t comprehend, her own mother rejects her. As a reader, I found it very hard myself to comprehend why her mother acted that way, on the verge of just being cruel. But seeing how her father compensated that lack of love, was sweet.

I can describe important event by important event but that would mean I would write my own book describing how those events made me feel, so I will keep it short.
In Beaumont House, I found it courageous of Nellie how she tries to make the best of everything, makes several friends and even manages to get close to Lucas Harrington.
It was sweet to read how these two characters are growing closer, even if they are from different worlds.

But the way Lucas breaks Nellie heart, was just terrible. Such a sweet girl like Nellie surely didn’t deserve to be treated that way!
And even further along in the book, every appearance of Lucas, made me dislike him even more. I went from liking this mysterious young man to not liking the selfish, even spoiled man at all!

It would be so easy for anyone to get in a downward spiral, but I didn’t expect Nellie to be so resilient! No matter what curveball life throws her, she manages to always get back on her feet, also having the help of real friends, and even a young man whose feelings may be more than just friendship!

The title of this book is ‘Nellie’s Heartbreak’, but there are actual several heartbreaks in store for Nellie. And those heartbreaks were also a bit inflicted to me. Each time as I thought that Nellie finally had her happily ever after, again something happens, pushing everything she fought so hard for down the drain.

This story shows us how strong a person can be. Nellie is an inspiring woman, never giving up, fighting back and not let the past crush her. Even the devastating secret of her mother would not change her.
It’s a gripping story over several years, about a young woman growing up, finding and losing love, with a war being fought in between.
Nellie grew from a bit a naïve girl, into a strong woman just trying to find her happiness without never giving up that someday, she would find her happily ever after!

I found this again a story that gripped my heart, finding myself longing to reach for it any free moment.
An entertaining story would be the wrong thing to say, but it surely was a fascinating story, with characters that that endured nearly everything that could happen to someone, yet managed to stay their true selves and made our main character so easy to love!

When one drama is only the beginning…

Synopsis

Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands for a heartwarming and feel good cosy romance that will whisk you away from lockdown!

When Scotland’s sleepiest hamlet becomes the centre of hot gossip, Layla Devlin finds herself caught in a mystery…

When Layla’s fiancée has an unexpected heart attack and dies – in another woman’s arms, no less – Layla is determined to pack up and leave Loch Harris, the village she’s always called home. But an unexpected inheritance and love for her quiet corner of Scotland send her down a new path.

Now Layla finds herself facing a whole new kind of drama. Rumours swirl that a celebrity has moved into Coorie Cottage and Layla is determined to have him headline her opening night at local music venue The Conch Club. But the reclusive star is equally determined to thwart Layla’s efforts. RafeBuchanan is in hiding for a reason, and soon his past comes to Loch Harris to haunt him…

My review

Just when Layla thinks she has it all, her world fall apart. Not only did her fiancée die unexpectedly, but he also died in his ex-wife’s arms…
As everything reminds her of him, she is determined to just pack everything up and leave Loch Harris. She needs a new start, making new happy memories. Even if leaving the place and the people she loves, she sees no other option.
But when an opportunity arises, she decides to stay and do what she loves the most, opening a brand new music venue, The Conch Club.
And when rumours arise that a celebrity has moved into Coorie Cottage, Layla wants to have him as a headliner at opening night.
But Mask wants to remain hidden in the shadows, and doesn’t want that his true identity as Rafe Buchanan is discovered. To add an extra layer of drama, someone from his past is determined to get payback…

The first part of the story I truly pitied Layla. Okay, between her and her fiancée is an age gap, but when the love is there, age is just a number.
Then having your fiancée dying, is just devastating. But in Layla’s case it is even all worse, because not only did he die while having a certain activity with his ex – wife, the ex – wife herself is just being a b*tch.
I understood Layla’s desire to get away from everything and on some level even refusing the inheritance. But is running away the solution? Especially when everyone you care about is at the place you call home?

When however Layla decides to stay, I thought it would be a fresh start, a new dream to chase, surrounded by the people she truly cared about. But was I wrong! Not only did she have her heart broken by her fiancée, also her own mother is responsible for an extra layer of drama. It’s obvious her mother is a presence you’d rather see disappearing, but the nonchalance she acts with, just made me truly dislike her.

Despite all the drama Layla is trying to digest, her kindness and desire to help out anyone, is standing out.
Okay, initially she contacts Mask/Rafe purely out of her own interest and when there is truly a mystery around him, it’s more the curiosity that pulls her to him.
But even if he is being evasive and wants to keep Layla as far as possible, Layla sees he is just a man struggling with his past.

I was curious to read how Rafe would react whenever Layla did the opposite of what he wanted. The chasing away was hilarious, the him accepting her was sweet and tender. It was a pushing and pulling story with knowing there was so much potential if only some characters wouldn’t be so damn stubborn!

I found this a lovely story about picking up the pieces after having your heart broken, but also about not letting other dramatic events pull you in a downward spiral. Layla is the perfect example of just never giving up, fighting for you own happiness, and about seeing people for who they truly are.
No matter how much Rafe tried to push Layla away, she saw someone in need and offered all the help she could provide. If only there would be more people like Layla, without believing the rumours and having prejudices!

The tragedies of a family over generations

Synopsis

Three sisters. Three ships. One heartbreaking story.

1911. As Emma packs her trunk to join the ocean liner Olympic as a stewardess, she dreams of earning enough to provide a better life for both her sisters. With their photograph tucked away in her luggage, she promises to be back soon – hoping that sickly Lily will keep healthy, and wild Ruby will behave. But neither life at sea nor on land is predictable, and soon the three sisters’ lives are all changed irrevocably…

Now. When Harriet finds her late grandmother’s travelling trunk in the attic, she’s shocked to discover a photo of three sisters inside – her grandmother only ever mentioned one sister, who died tragically young. Who is the other sister, and what happened to her? Harriet’s questions lead her to the story of three sister ships, Olympic, Titanic and Britannic, and a shattering revelation about three sisters torn apart…

My review

Now that her daughters have their own lives, and she is living on her own, Harriet has decided to sell her home and to live on a smaller scale. While cleaning out the attic, she finds her late grandmother’s travelling trunk. And she is truly surprised when she finds a picture in it of three sisters. Who is the third sister? Because her grandmother only mentioned one sister, who died tragically and on a young age.
Harriet is determined to find out what happened to the three sisters, whose lives seems to be linked with three sisters ships, Olympic, Britannic and Titanic. And knowing the history of the latter, is that a sign of the fate of one of the sisters?

When I start reading a story from this author, I know that I will think I know where the story will go to, but will also be surprised by some twists I didn’t see coming.

Dual timelines is not something new for this author, thus also for me while reading her book. But this story was even more heart – gripping.

What immediately stood out, was the similarity between Emma and Harriet.
Both women have a ‘rebel’ in their family, causing many problems and heartache.
For Emma, it’s her sister Ruby that is just simply doing what she wants, and not listening to just anyone.
Harriet is heartbroken because her daughter just avoids any contact except a call once in a while, but refuses to give any details where she is staying.
Harriet even never saw her own granddaughters!

However, despite the fact that both women are struggling with a family member, their stories couldn’t be more different.
I loved reading how Emma is trying to build a life of her own. It all starts when she starts as a stewardess on the ocean liner Olympic.
Even if that wouldn’t be a career I would choose myself,  I was curious to read how Emma would cope.
Reading how Emma is finding her feet on the cruise, making friends and even a lingering love interest, made me forget about everything around me.
But seeing how Emma, even if her own dreams take her more and more away from her family, her love for her mother and sisters is obvious from every page. Whatever she is doing, her sisters and mother are always on her mind. And her sense of protecting every member of her family results in changing her own plans. And that is something I admired in her, no matter what her own desires are, her family comes first, no matter what.

Harriet is already of a certain age and has lived her life, with lots of happy moments, but also with many sad ones. Not only is she still grieving over the loss of her husband and her absent daughter, also her grandson Jerome is literally fighting for his life. Oh Jerome’s story is just heart – breaking!!!
Harriet is a character that just wants to help everyone, and even if her desire of one big happy family is a right cause, she sees how her dream is falling apart, as she realizes that she actually hasn’t have contact with many family members…

Both stories were a rollercoaster of emotions, there were many tender moments, but also devastating moments. This book shows us that life can be truly hard, and no matter what our good intentions are, you only have a certain level that you can determine how life goes.
Yet no matter what curveballs life throws us, there is always a shimmer of hope. And it’s obvious that both characters take their strength from that belief, and after every setback they manage to keep their hopes up.

I found this a beautiful, emotional story about strong women whose lives are somehow entwined. A story about hope, determination and most of all, forgiveness. Because holding on to the bad things in the past will never do any good.

When a dream becomes a reality very different than imagined.

Synopsis

Every end has a new beginning…
All NEW from bestselling author Jennifer Bohnet.

When Pixie Sampson’s husband tragically dies, she inherits the beautiful Château Quiltu in Brittany, Northern France.

But unbeknown to her, she also inherits a mysterious lodger, Justine Martin and her 4-year-old son Ferdie.

Heartbroken and with her adventurous Mum, Gwen in tow, they travel to France to put the Château on the market but are soon drawn into a quest to seek the Château’s secrets.

Who is Justine? Why is she living at the Château? How did she know her husband?

Over the Summer months, the Château fills with family and laughter and secrets are discovered and old wounds begin to heal.

My review

A couple of years ago, Pixie Sampson and her husband have bought the beautiful Château Quiltu in Brittany. Their plan was to move to Brittany and use the Château as a retreat.
But now that Frank suddenly and also tragically died, Pixie is left with inheriting the Château.
Pixie is heartbroken and having no longer the dream of spending her time at the Château, she goes together with her mother to France to sell the Château.
However things are getting more complicated when it appears that there is a lodger, Justine Martin and her 4 – year – old son Ferdie.
Who is she? And why is she staying at the Château? And what is her connection with Frank? Secrets that Pixie is determined to uncover. But will she like the outcome and how will they affect her decision to sell the place?

Whenever I start reading a book of this author, I know I’ll be in for a treat!
Of course this isn’t a simple story about a holiday in France, but there are many secrets and mysteries.

In first instance, I felt so sorry for Pixie. Not only has she lost her husband, but apparently he was keeping secrets from her too! Being the love of her life, Pixie finds it hard to grasp that the man she trusted blindly would be not the man she thought.
So somehow I understood her determination to just sell the place she saw herself and Frank living in. But I was also a bit sorry, because let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to live in a Château???

Yet the surprises for Pixie are not over, because there seems to be living a mother and her son at the Château. And of course, not having her own children, Pixie start to think the worse of Justine.
Even if Pixie had her own suspicions, I had my own, and they didn’t match Pixie’s. And when the truth came out, I was glad I was right, even if there was some wrong – doing in the past.

But this story grabbed my attention not only because of the secret, but mainly because I found myself surrounded by love.
The love between Pixie and Frank was a great one, that is obvious whenever Pixie thinks back.
But also the way Pixie cares about her own mother. Pixie herself is not one of the youngest anymore, meaning that her mother is even older. But Pixie genuinely cares about her mother, having Gwen’s best interest at heart and does not want to abandon her mother.

And the way Pixie starts to care about Justine and Ferdie… no matter what the secret is, she starts to truly care about these two people appearing out of the blue in her live.

I found this a lovely, emotional story about grieve, lost loves, new loves and family. I was truly happy to see the return of some characters in this new book and see how they also found their place in this story.
But I had a feeling of contentment because Pixie managed to change a terrible event into a brand new adventure, and changed the bad things into good ones, by just purely opening her heart and forgive made mistakes.

The sudden surprise after six years.

Synopsis

I’m greeted by the strangest sight. A small dark-haired boy is standing there. It’s like he’s a human parcel, delivered to my front door.

‘My name is Luke,’ he says.

When Johnny meets Lauren in a bar in Santa Cruz, there’s an instant connection. On an American road trip with best friend Will, Johnny promises to return to the girl who has stolen his heart.

Until tragedy strikes, forcing Johnny to fly back home without ever seeing Lauren again.

Six years later, Johnny is living his life in London, even if he’s never forgotten the girl with the grey eyes and dark hair.

Until one September morning, he opens his door to find a little boy standing there – a child, Johnny quickly comes to learn, who was created that one magical night. Lauren is dying, and her last wish is to reunite five-year-old Luke with the father he doesn’t yet know.

Thrown into unexpected parenthood, Johnny finds himself navigating school-gate politics, Disney movies and tantrums, guided by the notes Lauren has written for him.

Life as an instant dad isn’t always easy, but as Johnny and Luke open their hearts to each other, Johnny is about to discover that life’s joy isn’t always where you expected it.

An emotional, feel-good read that will have you laughing while you wipe away a tear – readers of Dani Atkins, Mike Gayle and Jojo Moyes will be captivated.

My review

Six years ago Johnny met Lauren in a bar in Santa Cruz. They immediately connected and after one magical night together, Johnny promises to come back for her.
But the next day, a tragedy happens, forcing Johnny to fly back home.
Six years later, Johnny lives in London although he never forgot that connection he had with Lauren, regretting never exchanging their full names, phone numbers or even a mail address.
So when one day he opens his door and he sees a little boy standing there, he is having the shock of his life. Not only is Luke his son, but he also learns that Lauren is dying and she wants Luke to be with his father.
But how can a single man turn into an instant father to a child he doesn’t know? Only help he has are the notes Lauren left him.
Parenthood isn’t easy for those who are prepared, but will Johnny manage to be the kind of father Luke deserves?

Oh this story is heart – breaking and heart – warming at the same time!

I loved reading about how two people suddenly find each other and just click, even if the odds are against them. Even if Johnny has plans to leave, the heart wants what it wants, so he is determined to go back to Lauren.
When the tragedy happened, I actually found myself grasping for air, because the consequences were just unfair.

When six years later it’s obvious that Johnny never truly forgot Lauren, it made me so sad, because the good intentions were there, but life, destiny, fate, however you call it, got in the way.
And when little Luke is standing at Johnny’s door, I could only imagine the shock!

Not only Johnny finds himself being a father, but he receives the news that Lauren is dying. Talking about several shock revelations!

It was so sweet to read how both Johnny and Luke are adapting on a different life and are getting to know each other better. And whenever Johnny needed, I found it bittersweet to read how he was talking to Lauren using his imagination and her notes to receive some advice.

Even if the love story between Johnny and Lauren wouldn’t have the happy ending they both deserved, they had a different happy ending. Because their love culminated in Luke, and the love they both have for this sweet innocent child who will have to face a terrible grieve, was a beautiful thing to keep in mind.

This is a story that made me smile, but also made me cry. It showed me how love can shift but never forgotten, how new kind of loves can emerge and how people realise how whole you can feel with the love for a child.
The ending was both beautiful as heart – breaking at the same time. Because even if everything came together, the volatility of it was too obvious to make it a happy ending the characters all deserved…

What is your talent?

Synopsis

Escape to the sun and head off to Italy, with the wonderfully warm and ever-so-page-turning Leonie Mack!

TV journalist Lou feels battered and bruised after her divorce from Phil, the father of her daughter Edie. Her confidence and sense of fun have steadily been drained away, and she isn’tsure who she is any more.

When the opportunity arises to accompany Edie on a music camp in Italy for a month in the summer, Lou jumps at the chance for new adventures, new horizons and new friends. The hazy warmth of the summer sun, shining brightly over the stunning Lake Garda, slowly brings Lou back to life. 

Nick Romano, Edie’s music teacher, loves being home in Italy, but coaching his students for their concert in Milan, is bringing back difficult memories. His blossoming friendship with Lou is the perfect distraction, although a summer fling would be easier to conduct without the scrutiny of his mother Greta, not to mention the interference of his extended Italian family.

As the summer passes, full of sunshine and breath-taking scenery, gelato and delicious feasts, Lou and Nick get ever closer. But as the time for farewell creeps up on them, will they be able to say goodbye and leave their memories behind in the Italian sun, or can a summer romance last a lifetime?

Leonie Mack is back with a sizzling, sun-baked love story, perfect for all fans of Mandy Baggot, Jo Thomas and Carole Matthews.

My review

After her divorce from Phil, Lou has been feeling a bit low. Her confidence took a beating, her sense of fun is gone and she just doesn’t know who she is anymore. Being a TV journalist, she sees how everyone has a passion while she sees herself as just being plain.
When the opportunity arises to accompany her daughter Edie on a music camp in Italy, Lou sees this as a chance to try out new things, and find a passion, something she is talented in.
What she didn’t expect is having a blossoming friendship with Edie’s music teacher Nick Romano. But with him remembering difficult memories and an interfering typical Italian family, is a summer fling the perfect distraction? And what will happen once the music camp is over?

Lou is someone I quickly took a liking. You would easily think that being a TV journalist made her an obnoxious character, feeling better than the rest, and spending a lot of time on the way she looks like. But the opposite it true!
Okay, her divorce didn’t do her confidence any good, as she doubts her own abilities and strengths. Yet I did not pity her, but I found myself cheering for her to find herself again.
Even if she is a bit jealous of other people and their talents, and she is on a quest for finding her own talent, there isn’t a thing she wouldn’t do for her daughter Edie. That means also compensating for an absent father, giving Edie the necessary boost of confidence in her abilities. And yes, the irony isn’t lost on me, because she gives her daughter exactly the things she is missing herself.
And joining Edie on a music camp in Italy is just one of those things Lou would do for Edie’s happiness.

I loved reading about how close mother and daughter are, because let’s be honest, it’s not something to take for granted. No matter how low Lou is feeling, Edie’s best interest are her main priority. So if that means staying away from music teacher Nick Romano to avoid complications, she does just that!

Oh, but Nick is not someone you can easily stay away from! Not only the passion he has for music is a real turn on, but also the way he encourages his students, giving them courage before their performances. He knows what to say to the frightened students and the students are doing their best to make Nick proud.
How I wished I had such a music teacher (if I were playing an instrument…)!

Spending time in Italy for me is already special, but seeing how both Lou and Nick are getting closer in such a beautiful setting, it made me totally dream away.
But the beauty was also in seeing how these troubled people dare to talk about their fears, knowing that they won’t receive a snarky remark or that the other person would laugh it away.
Together they dare to overcome their fears, and dare to climb that mountain.

I found this a beautiful story about not only love for other people, but also about loving yourself and seeing yourself just like other people see you. And even if you cannot play an instrument perfectly, or make perfect cheese (this will be clear when you read the book!) everyone is gifted in a way that fits you perfectly!