When you’re feeling alone in the world around Christmas…

Synopsis

Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Café Cosy up with a mug of hot chocolate for some festive sparkle from bestseller Jessica Redland.

Everyone is getting into the festive spirit on Castle Street – snow is falling, fairy lights are glistening and Christmas shopping is underway.

But for Tara Porter, owner of thriving cafe, The Chocolate Pot, this is the most difficult time of the year. From the outside, Tara is a successful businesswoman and pillar of the community. Behind closed doors, she is lonely.

With a lifetime of secrets weighing on her shoulders, she has retreated from all friends, family and romance, and shut her real self away from the world. Afterall, if you don’t let them in, they can’t hurt you. She’s learnt that the hard way.

But as the weight of her past becomes heavier and an unexpected new neighbour moves onto the street – threatening the future of her cafe – Tara begins to realise that maybe it’s time to finally let people back in and confront her history. It could just change her life forever…

Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Café was originally released as Christmas at The Chocolate Pot Café. Now re-released with a new title and new cover, this version has been freshly edited and features several new chapters.

My review

Tara Porter is the proud owner of The Chocolate Pot Café. Despite all the success she is having, and the image the community has about her, she feels very lonely.

She ran away from her past with many secrets and intends to never let anyone get close to her again, as it will only cause her more pain. She has learned this lesson the hard way.

But when a new neighbour seems to become a threat for the future of her beloved cafe, Tara needs the help of the community. The only way is to let people back in and learn to trust them and face her past.

From the very first moment I got to know Tara, it’s obvious that something happened to her in her past. Because of her past, she decided to start all over again.
Even if it wasn’t clear what happened to her, it scarred her deeply, causing her being an introvert, wary person.
Of course I understood her reasoning of not letting people in, but I felt so sorry for her. And when she slowly starts letting people in (VERY slowly!), we get to see how amazing Tara truly is. The more she opens up, the easier it comes to her to enjoy life again and she dares to go out there again.

And when the new neighbour seems to jeopardize her café, she becomes this fierce woman, not letting anyone mess with her and her future again. And I liked Tara even more!

Yes, this story has Christmas screaming all around the place and a happy read. But I found this more a story about facing your past. When I got to know the whole history of Tara, I found myself heartbroken. All the things she went through, the breach of trust from the people the closest to you, it was a real injustice.

Yet somehow Tara finds the courage to face it all over again and she even starts to reach out to people.

Tara’s story is a sad one, that is obvious, but now that she has a cause to fight for, we see that she is not that meek girl she once was. She fights for what she loves. She found her strength and will not give up easily.

I know this seems like it’s only a sad story, but there are so many moment that made me smile. And without giving too much away, trust me when I say that Hercules will steal your heart and make you laugh at loud! And yes, there is some space left for love!

This story was something that left me wandering about the true colours of people… some will betray you and then there are people who will surprise in the most amazing way. Tara is someone you will find yourself cherishing and respecting.

I found it utterly hard to put this book away as it got me all wrapped up and wouldn’t let me go until I reached the end!

When you want the girl back…

Synopsis

In the summer of love, or rather of madness, a whole set of stories are emerging. But there is one that has got everyone talking. When Kurt Vannes decides to win back his ex-girlfriend with the help of a literary classic, he sets off a string of events that will build to a dramatic finale.

My review

Kurt his girlfriend has left him. but he wants her back. And in the summer of love (or madness), with the help of a classic, it’s the start of several events with a finale you won’t see coming.

The pity of reading a short story is that the ending too quickly there. After the last page I wished there would be more, because there was so much left in the open. What will be happening next to all those people I started to like in such a short space of time?

I loved the determination that Kurt showed,  not giving up hope, no matter what happens around him.
I love grand gestures, and this one surely is one! Being also a lover of the literary classics, I loved the way Wuthering Heights took an important part in this story.

This story shows how the action of 1 man is the start of several events for several people. Due his grand gesture, people meet, get to learn the beauty of a book they wouldn’t think of reading. Also Kurt manages to create his own fan base that are hoping together with him for a second chance.

For me it was a quick, but entertaining read, turning page after page, hoping for that happy end everyone in the book is cheering for.
Yet is also a reminder that you only know what you have until it’s gone. So cherish it all before it’s too late!

Today I will be amazing you with this fabolous cover! If we would judge a book by its cover, I know that this will be winner!

Synopsis

Meet old and new characters in the Bay for Christmas fun and frolics.

With both the Corner Shop and Cockleberry Café in safe hands, Rosa turns her attention to Ned’s Gift, the charity set up in memory of the great-grandfather whose legacy turned her life around.

Over at the Ship Hotel, Lucas has his work cut out with his devious new girlfriend and the mystery poisoning of an anonymous hotel inspector. Will the hotel still get its 3-star Seaside Rosette?

Will Mary find true love at last? Can Titch cope with the demands of the shop and being heavily pregnant. And can Rosa, with a baby of her own, pull off the Cockleberry Bay Charity Christmas Concert in time?

Christmas in Cockleberry Bay is a festive delight for fans of Rosa and her cheeky mini dachshund Hot, delivering a feast of unpredictable events and surprises.

About the author

Nicola May is a rom-com superstar. She is the author of eleven romantic comedies, all of which have appeared in the Kindle bestseller charts. Two of them won awards at the Festival of Romance, and another was named ebook of the week in The Sun. The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay became the best-selling Kindle book in the UK, across all genres, in January 2019, and was Amazon’s third-bestselling novel in that year.

She lives near Ascot racecourse with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan.

The Cover!!!

Who can forget their first love?

Synopsis

Some loves last for just a short time, but ours lasted a lifetime.

From the moment that Emma met Ryan, she knew he was the one for her, but he leaves her heartbroken when he betrays her and disappears from her life, only to return and shatter her heart for a second time.

We were never meant to be, we just happened against the odds.

It feels like fate when life throws them back together as adults, but Emma has moved on now and she can’t throw everything away for the man who left her heartbroken twice.

Emma is living a charmed life with a beautiful family and her art career beginning to take off, but she can’t help feeling like her heart is pulling her back to her first love.

I keep on coming back to you.

One chance encounter with Ryan, so unexpected that it feels like it was written in the stars, throws them back together and she can’t deny the connection between them is stronger than ever. Emma learns that Ryan has been keeping a secret from her, and she has to decide whether to turn away from him forever or keep fighting for their love against all odds.

My review

Emma and Ryan meet for the first time when they are just teenagers. But quickly they spend each free time together and enjoy the emotions linked with first love.
Despite their love, it all ends when Ryan breaks her heart by betraying her in the worst possible way and then just disappears.

History repeats itself a second time when Ryan returns…

When Emma and Ryan meet again as adults, Emma has a beautiful family and has finally her dream coming true with her art career. And even if she seems to have the perfect life, her heart keeps longing for Ryan. But Ryan appears to have secrets he does not want to share, and Emma has to make a final decision…

This story did not break my heart once or twice, but the whole time!

When Emma and Ryan get together the first time,  it was all so sweet! That first love, that need of spending each moment together… And getting to know each other better, with that innocence, believing it will last forever…
But the betrayal was huge… I understand why Emma was so heartbroken… losing your first love always has a big impact. But for Emma is was not only losing Ryan, there was more to it. Also that Ran just disappeared made it harder for her to process everything.
That moment was where I pitied Emma the most…

When Emma and Ryan meet again, there is time for a new kind of love. It’s not that innocent love anymore, but a more grown-up love. Of course, years have passed so it makes perfectly sense that the love also is different.

And history repeats itself somehow… and that was not only Emma’s heart that got broken, but also mine…
Of course I understood this time why Emma and Ryan couldn’t be together, but it seemed so wrong for them not being together!

Later in their lives, they meet again and this time, I didn’t like what Emma did… I understand the attraction to Ryan, I REALLY do, but her actions were just wrong in my opinion. But Emma wouldn’t be Emma if she didn’t realize it too!

This story takes place of several years, and I loved reading how Emma grew up from a young girl to a real woman.
You see her struggles, her desire to do what she truly wants and what is expected from her.
And you see also her determination, especially towards to end. She does not just give up, and is ready for the awaiting challenge.

I found this a bittersweet story, about the challenges someone can encounter when being in love. And that saying of ‘Shame on you if you fool me once, shame on me if you fool me twice’ is not always applicable. Love is something you have to work and even fight for.  But when it’s true love, it is all worth it.

And just when you think the happy end is there…

Synopsis

Starry autumn nights are bringing a rare celestial event and exciting new guests to the shores of the sleepy hotel Penmarrow.

Maisie is happy to be back among its staff, even with the question of its future ownership still in the air and the fate of her unpublished manuscript soon to be in the hands of London acquisitions editors. More than anything else, she’s happy to finally be in a relationship with Sidney Daniels, the sparks between them no longer denied. She’s excited for the future and things couldn’t be better with regards to romance … except for those lingering little questions about Sidney’s uncertain past, that is.

Meanwhile, the staff at the Penmarrow is tasked with hosting a special celestial conference where stargazers are gathering for a glimpse of the much-anticipated comet. The ever-timid maid Molly is flustered by the return of charming astronomer George and seems to need a little advice on how to rekindle the spark they shared last autumn. Hotel porters Gomez and Riley vie for the attentions of a mysterious female guest, the eccentric ‘Megs’ Buntly pays another visit, and a dramatic revelation about someone on staff will leave Maisie and everyone else reeling from the unexpected news. Is this the moment for the revelation Maisie has been waiting for since her Cornish journey began?

Brimming with humor, romance, and the kind of surprises its fans have come to expect, the seventh book in the series brings a twist at the end that’s sure to leave readers excited — and anxious — for the conclusion of Maisie’s original gorgeous Cornish adventure.

My review

Maisie is finally truly happy. She is working at hotel Penmarrow and she is finally in a relationship with Sidney. And even if she is very curious about Sidney’s past, she can patiently wait until he is ready to share it.
What would make her life really perfect is to find someone to publish her manuscript.

And at the hotel the staff is ready for hosting a special celestial conference, where stargazers are gathering to see the passing comet.

With everything going on, Maisie finds herself having more questions and she is again determined to find out the truths!

First of all, I was so happy to read about Maisie and Sidney being FINALLY together! From the first book I was cheering for these two to be together, so I was over the moon when now they were!
This couple is just too sweet! They are not just swooning all over each other, but they support each other in every step.
And the way the can sometimes make fun of things, it’s just so typically them!

But not only was it lovely to read about Maisie and Sidney again, I enjoyed reading about all the other characters too! Will George and Molly reconnect?
Also the future of the hotel is not sure… will a new owner be found? And will the staff still have a job?

There is again so much happening in this story and even if it’s all different, it all blends perfectly in the greater picture!

Every character has been growing each book and in this book they all showed a great maturity. And I was most amazed by Maisie. Being an aspiring author, she has this natural curiosity. Yet she respects people’s boundaries and gives Sidney his time to open up.

Only the ending left me longing for more… it was again an ending  I did not see coming and it’s so obvious the story hasn’t reached its final ending.

Looking forward to the next chapter in this captivating series!

With a little bit of help from Shakespeare…

Synopsis

A gorgeously uplifting, romantic read that will warm your heart – take a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, where magic happens…

It’s autumn in beautiful Stratford-Upon-Avon and Kelsey Anderson is enjoying her new life in her adopted town. Her Shakespearean tour guide days behind her, she’s now opened her own photography studio and loved up with boyfriend Jonathan – even if a long-distance relationship is sometimes lonely.

When best friend Mirren Imrie moves down from Scotland, Kelsey is delighted to have her friend at her side – and as the nights turn colder, Mirren throws herself into dating, until she finds herself growing closer to sexy journalist, Adrian Armadale. But when Mirren uncovers a long-buried scandal while working at the local newspaper, her big scoop might throw Kelsey’s – and Jonathan’s – life upside down. Will she choose her career over her friends’ happiness?

And when Jonathan returns from America and discovers the secrets Mirren has uncovered about his family, it throws his relationship with Kelsey onto shaky ground. Can they find their way back to love, before it becomes the winter of their discontent?

A romantic, funny and feelgood read that will make you smile from ear to ear. Fans of Milly Johnson, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin will fall in love with this cosy winter read!

My review

Kelsey Anderson found the love of her life with Jonathan. Yet no matter how great their love is, having a relationship on long distance, is not so easy!

They are counting the days until they can be together again.

Meanwhile is Kelsey’s best friend having her own problems… The longer Mirren is working as a journalist, the more she becomes unhappy. And let’s not forget that she has broken her boyfriend’s heart in the worst ways.

Seeing no other option, she escapes from Scotland and seeks retreat at Kelsey’s place, taking a break from dating and men.

But when Mirren finds out a secret involving Jonathan, will she go for own glory? Or is her friendship with Kelsey more important? And can she truly trust journalist Adrian? Or is he just looking for some juicy gossip and using Mirren?

This book is the second part of a series, yet can be perfectly read as a standalone. But for those curious to know what happened previously, a small recap is given!

While I was reading this story, it struck me how recognizable all the emotions were… There was the love between Kelsey and Jonathan. That new love, the desire to spend each minute together. But also the despair as they are so far away from each other! Yet they don’t just give up and Kelsey and Jonathan make it more than obvious how much they love each other.

And then the emotions Mirren is going through… her story was a sadder one. Having a job but being undermined all the time. Beine harassed all the time, just because you have that flair about you. And the feeling of guilt because Mirren made mistakes.

There is so much happening in this story, and yet I didn’t find it hard at all to follow! Each time the spotlight shifted, I groaned because I wanted to read more, but was also eager to read what was going on with the other characters!

I found myself going from happy, to sad, to flabbergasted and wanting to fight together with our lovely main characters.

And a special remark also for Blythe, who surprised me in a good way!

This was a lovely, sweet book to read about family, friendship, love, making mistakes but also about forgiveness and giving second chances!

When a sudden return makes you doubt everything.

Synopsis

Meaningful and moving, a beautiful story with life-affirming qualities.

Milly Bryne’s world came crashing down when she lost her beloved Dad and boyfriend in a matter of weeks.

Losing her Dad has broken her family. Losing her soul mate made has made her give up on life and love.
After swerving from stability to chaos to despair, Milly finally believes she has her life back on track when the unexpected return of a familiar face to Ireland throws her life once more into a spin. Milly is forced to decide if her new life is the one for her, or if there is another path that will bring even greater riches of joy, excitement and fun into her world. Life just isn’t worth living if your heart isn’t in it?

Perfect for the fans of Cecilia Ahern and Cathy Kelly

My review

Milly Bryne seems to have it all, a wealthy boyfriend and a prestigious job. Yet there is more to Milly than we think…
Instead of enjoying her life to the full, she is still heartbroken from the moment she lost her father. Losing her father alone hard, but when her boyfriend decides to leave the country without Milly, she truly feels alone.

When suddenly the ex – boyfriend reappears after years, it’s the start for Milly to rethink about every choice she made and wants to make in the future.

This author was a real revelation for me!

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions. I was on the verge of crying over the sad parts, was laughing all over the place with the funny bits and was swooning over the sweet bits.

When I got to know Milly and her past, my heart broke for her… from the beginning I felt that her father was an amazing person and his passing was a terrible moment.
And instead of finding comfort and help in her boyfriend, he just goes away!
Without having read one word from him, I already despised Darragh! Who does that to his so acclaimed true love???

Throughout most parts of the story, Milly is doing things just to please people. She is in a relationship but is doing more things to please her boyfriend than being just her.
And that made me feel sad… everyone should be able to be who they are, not having to pretend to be any different.

When Darragh comes back in the picture, I was cheering for Milly, for not allowing him to fool her again. But of course, avoiding someone is easier said than done.
Yet Darragh being more in the picture, I had to change my vision of him. He has had also a difficult time, but as so often, coming clean about is hard…
He knows he did wrong and he respects the boundaries Milly is making. He knows that he has to make her trust him again by just taking baby steps.

There is a lot of heavy things going on, but there are also funny moments. And Mrs. Murphy surely stole my heart with her story!
And when Milly start being herself again, opening up, making up her own mind and realizes what she truly wants from life, I was cheering for her with joy!
She goes from a little wallflower to this strong woman, daring to speak up and chasing the right causes. Wat’s not to love about this woman!

This is a story about (heart-breaking) losses, stepping up, being brave, finding your place and forgiveness. I found myself dragged into the story, with no option of putting it away.

Christmas + Music = perfect match

Synopsis

There’s nothing quite like a Christmas love story, to get you in the mood for celebrating…

Cara doesn’t do sexy and she only does ‘Happy Christmas’ under duress. She is, after all, a serious musician, and her stubborn streak is born from her struggle to recover from a serious injury.

Javi lives for escapist fun – in his music, and in his life – especially since he’s always failed at life’s more serious challenges, including marriage and fatherhood.

Javi and Cara are forced to record a Christmas single together, but neither of them have plans to spend any more time with each other than they absolutely have to. With Christmas traditions that couldn’t be more different, and outlooks on life that are worlds apart, the chemistry just shouldn’t work. But the magic of Christmas can bring even opposites together…

From the snowy beauty of London at Christmas, to the candle-lit magic of Javi’s traditional family celebrations, let Leonie Mack whisk you away on a memorable festive adventure. Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Mandy Baggot and Holly Martin.

My review

Cara does not do Christmas. This all because what happened several years ago. And there is the constant reminder of her loss thanks to her injury.
But being a musician means you cannot always do what you want. So when she is forced to record a Christmas song together with Javi, she wants to spend as less time possible with that man who only wants to have fun.

When the song appears to be more successful than anticipated, it means that Cara and Javi have to spend more time together.
Their worlds couldn’t be more apart, but Christmas is known for its magic…

When I first read the short description, I thought it would be a typical Christmas story. 2 people meet, sing a beautiful song, fall in love, the end.
But was I wrong!!!

From the very start, I felt so sorry for Cara. What she went through, and is still carrying the consequences, just broke my heart!
Without giving away what happened to her, all the troubles she is still facing, it made me feel sad. But on the same time I was admiring her, because she tries to overcome her fears and restrictions.

When Javi comes in the story, imagine the typical player and you have Javi. Yet the more the story evolves, we see a kinder, more caring side of Javi I didn’t expect to see in him. yes, of course, there had to be more than sees the eyes, but I didn’t expect to see how deep his emotions would go. He also has some luggage from the past and slowly I changed my opinion over Javi. He truly amazed me with the changes he went through.

Also Cara made positive changes. From this fearful young woman, she tries to become more confident, assertive. Slowly she is making sure that her past is not holding her back.

The time they spend together, they manage to change each other for the better, without wanting to change each other.
The attraction is so obvious, but despite all those feelings, the hesitation and doubts they are having are so real and understandable.

I loved discovering how Christmas and the period just before it is celebrated in another culture. Yet even if the celebrations are different, the sense of family and being close to those you care are all the same.

And let’s not forget the music… it all starts with a Christmas song. I could even imagine how the song would sound like. And that made me a bit sad. Because it looks like a real amazing song, so I would love to hear it for real!

A beautiful story about putting the past behind you, daring to take a chance and let music guide you!

When it’s your job to find things, you may find things you didn’t expect.

Synopsis

Essy Havers is good at finding things. Her company specialises in helping clients track down anything, from missing china pieces to rare vintage clothing. But now Essy has something more important to find: herself.
Essy has always been curious about her mother’s secret past and her Cornish roots. So, when the opportunity arises, she hops on a plane in Tennessee and ends up in Herring Bay in Cornwall; the village where her mother grew up.
But once there, she’s mystified by the reactions of the villagers when they realise who she is. Was Essy’s decision to visit Cornwall a mistake, or will it lead to a summer she’ll never forget?

My review

Essy Havers owns a company who helps clients finding things. Literally things and no task is to hard. So when a client has a very specific request, involving going to Herring Bay in Cornwall, Essy sees this as an opportunity to find out the truth about her mother past and her own roots.

But not everybody in Herring Bay Is welcoming her with open arms. Yet she is determined to find out the truth. And maybe she will even find more than that?

This story just has all the ingredients for a perfect read!

Essy is this stubborn, determined young woman, not afraid to cross a whole ocean just to find out the truth.
Her American behaviour made some tricky situations just hilarious and instead me being a bit afraid of any escalation, I found myself laughing!

When she meets Ruan it’s clear from the beginning that sparks will fly all over the place! And boy, did they fly!!!
yet there are also other secrets involving Ruan and his family. For a moment I had the worst of fears, that those secrets would be something insurmountable, yet my fears were unfounded.

When all the secrets came out, I thought the secrets and what happened so many years ago, weren’t a real tragedy. But thinking about the mind-set in that period, I understood why the consequences were on such a big scale.
It was just a pity that so many years were lost because of the fear of gossip and not being accepted. It shows how narrow minded a community can be. Yet it also shows that time is a good teacher. People learn from their mistakes and dare to face the past and apologize for it.
That is something more people should do!

For me, it was a lovely, funny story to read. I found myself turning page after page (or rather swiping page after page).
I enjoyed every little bit of it!

Starting all over again, easier said than done!

Synopsis

Don’t miss the new laugh-out-loud rom com from the author of One Week ’Til Christmas!

Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Rosie Walsh and Josie Silver.

In the space of a week, Katharine Patterson has quit her job, decided to move back home, and broken up with the guy she thought was the one.

No big deal.

Because Katharine has a plan. She’s going to open her own art gallery, just like she’s always wanted. What she’s not going to do is worry about boyfriends.

Then she meets Kit, a handsome and talented local artist. He might be the most stubborn person Katharine has ever met. He might also make her feel like no one ever has before.

And Katharine might be about to fall accidentally in love…

My review

When Katharine Patterson does not get the deserved promotion at her work, she is tired of all the favouritism and just like that, she quits her job!
As that is not bad enough, the man she is seeing makes a fool of her so out with the kind of boyfriend too!

After she moved back home, she decides to follow her dream, opening her own art gallery. Finding a perfect location was the easiest hurdle to cross. Because finding the right artist for the first exposition is the most difficult one, especially when Katherine wants Kit and his art, but Kit is the most stubborn person ever and does not even think about exposing his art!

How will Katherine manage to make her dream come to reality with such a stubborn man?

I loved reading about Katherine and what she went through. But I must admit, for me, it was more than just a romantic story.

Yes, of course there is something going on concerning love, but it was just more than that. When we get to know Katherine for the first time, she seems to have it all. A job she loves, with a promotion on its way, dating a man even if they haven’t labelled their relationship as such.
But it’s not all love and roses.

It was inspiring to read how Katherine dares to take this huge leap of faith, giving up everything she knows and just jumps into the big unknown. Of course, she stays in the world of art and has managed several expositions, but putting every little bit of your own money in it, it is a risk.

It was wonderful to read how she also finds her passions again, and manages to even add it to her art gallery.
And at the moments she is doubting her choices, she has he family and friends around her to assure her she is doing the right thing.

And het interactions with Kit/Christopher were just hilarious! All his grumpiness are frustrating Kate and not only her! Yet the more time they spend together, the more they come to an understanding.

A lovely story about finding yourself again, chasing your dreams, not giving up and finding your own happiness again!