Better off alone than mending a broken heart, right?

Synopsis

Renee Clarke is perfectly happy just the way she is… 

Renee may be thrilled to be planning her sister’s wedding, but after witnessing her mother’s two failed marriages, she has always vowed that she is better off on her own.
 
But when Renee discovers that Luc Hardy has moved next door, her world is knocked off kilter. Luc was her whirlwind summer romance as a teen and, more importantly, her first love. Now he’s back in West Cove, looking more handsome than ever.
 
There is no escaping the romance in the air this summer. With the wedding planning in full swing, Renee begins to believe that she might be able to put her childhood reservations about marriage aside.

Yet when her mother arrives, she stirs a torrent of emotions in Renee’s heart. She’s up to her old tricks again – boasting about her latest conquests – reaffirming Renee’s lack of faith in love.

As Renee’s happily-ever-after hangs in the balance, will Luc be able to convince her that true love can last forever?

A totally heart-warming summer romance you won’t want to put down! Perfect for fans of Jenny Hale, Susan Mallery and Lucy Coleman

My review

Renee Clarke is a happy single woman, living together with her father. She is not looking for love, being witness of her mother’s failed marriages.
Why should she be looking for a marriage when a broken heart will be the result?

But being the good sister she is, she is thrilled to be planning her sister’s wedding. Renee hopes that her sister will get her happily ever after, but is resolute to stand by her own beliefs.
On top of that, she finds out that her new neighbour is someone she already knows. It’s her first love Luc Hardy.
Planning the wedding and meeting Luc again, makes Renee submerged in romance. But will she be able to put her reservations aside and take a chance on love?

We all had that one summer crush that rocked our world. But most of the times, it remains that one crush, with no further developments in the future.
So was also the crush of Renee and Luc. Just one summer of true love, and nothing further.
But what would happen when that crush comes back, living next to you and is even hotter now than then???

Renee is a strong woman, chasing her own dreams. But her mother’s past made her sure that happily ever after is just an illusion and just not for her.
And reading everything she has been through with her mother, it’s understandable.
But despite her reservations concerning marriage, she is also a very loving sister. So she does whatever she can to make sure her little sister has the perfect wedding. Because she wouldn’t dream of ruining a wedding of a loved one, just because she is against the decision.
The way she puts her own work and planning aside for her sister, shows that she knows her priorities and making her sister happy is all that matters. Even if it will cause Renee some issues with her job.

Now, initially I didn’t like the behaviour of Cait, the sister. She seemed a little brat to me, wanting everyone to be ready at every wish and command. Even moving a finger was too much for her, so she starts commanding around.
And her victim is often Renee.
But at some point I had to revisit my opinion, because also Cait is having her own struggles…

And Luc… well, I will let you discover him by yourself!
But I would be just like Renee, trying to catch as many glimpses from the window!

This story is about second chances, daring to take a chance, but also about standing up for yourself. Renee is a real people – pleaser, often at her own expense.
But finding the courage of standing up for yourself and just saying ‘no’ is harder than you think. And Renee is slowly growing, and at one point enough is enough. At that moment, I found myself cheering for her, as I was glad she finally did it!
It’s difficult to take a leap of faith for a second chance, but that’s also part of growing up. And Renee is finding herself at a crossroads, as she doesn’t know if she is ready to take that step.

A beautiful setting, great and funny people to read about (most of them) and the evolution of let us say a fearful woman, but ready to step out of her comfort zone. And love in many forms… a teenage love, sister love, parent – child love, even love for animals! What’s not to like?

Believe, me, you will not see that one coming!

Synopsis

Wedding vows have never been this personal…

Willow has been living with marriage-shy Charlie for more years than she cares to remember and is old-fashioned enough to want a wedding band and a loads-of-sex honeymoon before stretchmarks and nipple shields.

So when the once-wary Charlie surprisingly goes down on one knee, Willow doesn’t question why her boyfriend is suddenly so keen to rush her into saying “I do”.

The first clue comes as Willow is zipped into her Cinderella dress, the second as she bobs into the wedding car, and the third as the Roller swings towards its fairy-tale destination… leaving a shell-shocked Willow desperately trying to figure out what to do next.

A bride can do anything she wants on her wedding day, but nobody expected her to do this…

My review

Willow is living together with her boyfriend Charlie. She is ready for the next chapter, marriage, but Charlie is totally against marriage.
Not because he is against the whole institution of marriage, but just because he’s a scumbag, d*ckhead, *sshole, … (fill in other words to describe a nasty man).

So when Charlie finally gets on his knee to pop the question, Willow is over the moon! But is it really because of his love for Willow? Or is there more?

First of all, when you start reading this story, forget all the summaries you’re read on the internet. This because the wedding is just a tiny part of the whole story. Even the engagement is further away in the story. This is more about Willow’s and Charlie’s relationship.

If you take this in account, you’ll enjoy this story just like I did. Or just get angry at most characters!

Willow is a kind hearted woman, loving Charlie above everything. She confides in her best friend Emma and loves working in the library, even if it means working together with Jean.
She is one of the few I truly cared about in the story.

Charlie is just, as stated above, a scumbag, with a Peter Pan complex, never growing up. And part of my frustrations was that he gets away with it every time! He’s a slick, smooth talker and the more I got to know him, the more I hoped that karma would be a real b*tch, like he deserves!

Even other characters were so vile in my opinion, I just didn’t like them. And I hoped that Willow would find out the truth and give each one of them a piece of her mind!
Even her best friend Emma was on my ‘I don’t like you at all’ list.

And yes, I DID enjoy the book! I know it doesn’t look like it, but I truly did. The more I got to know everyone, I saw more mess being created. And I knew that the truth would be discovered.
Question was: how and when? And how would Wilow react and do???

Luckily there were also nice people in it, and sometimes even people you wouldn’t suspect of being on Willow’s side.
And these people make up for all the bad characters in it.  Because they are really genuine, and have the best interest for Willow.

The grand finale really was a “WHAAAAAAT????” moment, because I did not see that one coming! So be prepared to dislike a lot of people, but also keep an open mind that not everything is what it seems, and KARMA IS A B*TCH!!!!

The desire of being an independent woman in the 1900’s…

Synopsis

1908, Manchester. Mary Maitland is an attractive and intelligent young woman determined to strike out on her own and earn a living. Finding work at a women’s employment agency, her creative talent is soon noticed and Mary begins writing articles for newspapers and magazines.

But being of independent and progressive mind are troublesome traits when those you hold dear must constantly live up to the expectations of the well-to-do family to which they are linked. With increasing pressures from the powers that be, can Mary find the fine line between honouring her family and honouring herself?

My review

Mary is a young woman who does not want to be kept. She earns her own livings, and does everything she can to get promoted.
But in 1908 it’s not done for a woman to have a real career and she discovers that  herself.

As she is a talented writer, she writes articles for newspapers and magazines, finding this an outlet to point out social frustrations.
Meanwhile she has to find a way of honouring her family, linked with a high – class family, but not at cost of herself.

Sometimes a novel can remind you we cannot take our liberties for granted.
It’s hard to imagine that just 100 years ago, women wanting a career was just not done. There were so many restrictions that for us in the present, would be hard to follow them.

And that’s the amazing thing of this story…
Mary is a modern woman, wanting the same things like us. But just being born in the wrong period, is limiting her. It was custom for a woman to just get married and take care of the household.
But she has more dreams and is not planning on just giving them up.

In fact, this book contains the story of 3 main characters, all entwined  together somehow…
Mary is fighting for her right to do what she wants. But she is pulled by her family to just do as told. Because they are linked to the high class Kimber family. And everything they do, can affect the good reputation of the Kimber family.
Greg has inherited from his uncle, but not being able to get his hands on the heritance, he finds himself in big trouble. As having several debts, he needs the cash to pay back the loaners.
And Helen finds herself passed over to Greg after the death of her brother. She has more to offer than just being kept…

Each character is struggling with their current situation. As Mary is determined to make more of her life, Greg is in a downward spiral and is getting in more trouble and taking extreme actions. Helen finds herself lonely and being pushed in a corner.

Susanna takes her time for each character, even the minor characters, so that we understand what is their motivation.
Mary is very independent and strong, and also very mature for her age. And when misfortune happens, she tries to get herself together.
Greg is just being a greedy man, looking at no one to get what he thinks he deserves.
Helen seems a woman constant in a bad mood, but slowly we get to know her better, and I realized she also was a victim of her time…

A historical fiction where you hope for a happy ending for everyone, but also realizing that it’s not always possible…
The story of Mary reminds us that we cannot just take things for granted and that sometimes fighting a battle is worth the end result.
and no matter what, honouring yourself is always worth the risk. And that even with misfortunes in the past, you can have your independence but also your happiness.

Yeaay! It isn’t over yet!!!

Synopsis

Cat has found true happiness in Merriment Bay. Will a discovery in Devon Villa change that?

Cat Devon is finally with the love of her life – and she couldn’t be happier about that. But discovering the identity of her real dad and the fact she has two half-brothers was a shock. Getting to know her new family is now a priority. 

Kyra Devon is only eighteen, but she’s more mature than her mum in many ways and is coping far better with everything that’s happened. Kyra knows what she wants and unlike Cat, she’s not going to let opportunities slip away. 

Mary Devon has regained her daughter and her granddaughter, but she’s grieving for her mother, and also for the loss of the love she thought she’d found. Putting on a brave face may not be the best way for Mary to get over it.

When a long-lost painting called Moonbeams Kiss is discovered in a hidden cellar beneath the floorboards in Devon Villa, a story of love, loss and treachery unfolds, bringing with it repercussions for each of the Devon women.

This is Book Two in Emily Harvale’s Merriment Bay series which is interconnected to her Wyntersleap series. Each series can be read alone, but several characters appear in both series.

My review

Cat and Amias are finally together and their love is the real thing. Even when she discovers who her real father is, and that she has 2 brothers, Amias stands by her side, being her support.

But when by pure coincidence a painting is found, it’s the start of a new adventure. One that is darker ad with more people involved that just the little happy family…

When I saw this new “chapter” was out, I just HAD to read it. The previous parts got me under my skin and I was not ready to say a final goodbye to the Devon women!

The beauty of this story is that it picks up right where the previous part ended. And how this entwined with the Wyntersleap series, just “chapeau”!

It was so sweet to see Cat and Amias together. They both deserved their happiness. And I smiled to read how Mary even started to like Amias! Who would have guessed that!

But when the painting is discovered, it’s for everyone a mystery how it got there. And when more skeletons come out of the closet, not only the Devon women and Amias wants to know what happened in the past.

As this was a bit a different story than what we are used to, I was a bit afraid of the consequences, but knowing the people of Merriment Bay by now, I should have known better.
Yes, it’s all very mysterious, and dark, but each one stayed true to his/her character and the story remained faithful to the charms that we knew previously.

As usual I fell a bit more in love with Merriment Bay and its inhabitants, and even the new people in this story stole a piece of my heart…
And because of the rather open ending (which I DID NOT APPRECIATE at the moment!!! I wanted to know what would happen next!!!) I am already jumping with joy in my seat, looking forward to the next chapter!!!

When tragedy never comes alone…

Synopsis

Maddy Saunders’ life is unravelling. After the heartbreaking, unexpected death of 5-year-old daughter Chloe, she’s trying desperately to keep her family together for other daughter, Emily. But when the police inform her that husband Max is missing, the rucksack found at the bottom of a local canal leading them to believe he has taken his own life, her grief takes a new and sharper turn.

Unable to believe that Max would abandon her and Emily, Maddy desperately searches for clues as to what has happened to her husband. But as she delves deeper into his secrets, Maddy finds a web of betrayal that forces her to re-examine everything about the life they have built together.

Maddened by grief, and forced into untangling Max’s lies, Maddy will stop at nothing to uncover the truth – even if it destroys her in the process.

A gripping, absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will have you hooked – perfect for fans of K.L. Slater, Shalini Boland and B.A. Paris.

My review

Maddy had it all… a lovely husbands, 2 adorable daughters and dogs.
But when her youngest daughter is found dead, her world starts crumbling apart. Not soon after the devastating moment, the police informs her that her husband is also missing, and they assume he has taken his own life.

Goes through his stuff, Maddy finds clues to secrets that now she is determined to find out. But those secrets will devastate her even more.   Is she prepared to uncover all the lies and secrets? And at what cost?

What a rollercoaster! There is so much happening in the story, you cannot blame Maddy!
She believes everything her husband tells her, but when one lie comes out, it’s a catalyst for her. She won’t rest until the whole truth is out.

The fact that through flashbacks you get to know the whole truth, just makes it worse for Maddy. You know what truth she will discover and she doesn’t deserve it!

The whole time I kept thinking: “No, it can’t be, there must be a logical explanation.” Because the level of deceit is so big, I just couldn’t imagine someone would be capable of doing such things.
But somehow I understood Max, it all was too much at one point and he just wasn’t strong enough to stop it. One lie led to another and by the end, he didn’t see another option than doing what he did.

This book got me hooked because I did not see how this all could be solved without anyone could get hurt in some way or another.
It made me question if you can ever trust somebody completely.
The further I was reading, the more twists came. And even some people I thought were also victims, behaved in the end in such a way I didn’t like them anymore (or even less).

A story about grieve, deceit, lies and their consequences… a real nightmare for the people living them but captivating for the readers!

Discovering yourself during an unexpected journey.

Synopsis

At a crossroads in her life, Roxana decides to take a ten-day safari trip to Africa. In Namibia, she meets a local guide who talks about “the courage to become who you are” and tells her that “the world belongs to those who dream”. Her holiday over, Roxana still carries the spell of his words within her soul. Six months later she quits her job and searches for a way to fulfil an old dream: crossing Africa from north to south. Teaming up with Richard and Peter, two total strangers she meets over the Internet, Roxana starts a journey that will take her and her companions from Morocco to Namibia, crossing deserts and war-torn countries and surviving threats from corrupt officials and tensions within their own group.

Through Dust and Dreams is the story of their journey: a story of courage and friendship, of daring to ask questions and search for answers, and of self-discovery on a long, dusty road south.

My review

Roxana spent a ten – day trip safari trip in Africa. After her holiday, she feels unhappy with her current life and decides to quit her new job. Online she meets Richard and Peter, and together they start a journey crossing Africa from north to south, from Morocco to Namibia.

This is not the first book I read of this author, so I am familiar with her writing.
But this book got me on a deeper level…

Each and every one of us have had that feeling of being unhappy. But most of us don’t dare to think about doing what Roxana did.
Giving up your stability of a job, going on a journey with total strangers, and to add the difficulty, discovering a continent with not the best reputation…

Roxana takes us with her during her journey, and is not afraid to show each part of it. She is not making things more beautiful than they are. It’s generally known that Africa has its beauties, but is also dangerous in the wrong regions. I felt part of the journey, wondering about the beauty of some places, but I was worried about the more fearful moments.

Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone, is a great opportunity to rediscover yourself and finding out what makes you truly happy.
Of course finding yourself does not come overnight, so this long journey is just what Roxana needed to actually pinpoint what things bring her joy.

Thanks to her writing down her adventures, we get an insight of the courage Roxana had to just daring to stand up for herself and saying that the way she was spending her life, was not how she wanted her life to be.
She shows that finding yourself is possible, but you also have to dare a dive into the deep.
A story about courage, friendship and rediscovery. A true inspiration for all people who have the feeling that something is missing in their lives!

A beautiful ending for the Nightingale Saga!

Synopsis

Love can sometimes be really complicated…

Josh Nightingale has always been married to his books. Happy to run his bookshop in the small town of Castle Clare, he’s never really had time for romance and truly believes that he’s never going to fall in love. But, when April Channing opens a new shop opposite his, everything changes.

Sweet and attentive one moment, abrupt and aloof the next, Josh really can’t understand April at all. What exactly is going on? Josh is pretty sure that the answer can’t be found in a book.

Join the Nightingale family once again for this deliciously heartwarming novel, the forth in The Book Lovers series, by the bestselling author of The Rose Girls and A Weekend with Mr Darcy.

My review

Josh Nightingale is running his bookshop, and books are truly his one and only love. He never had time to find a woman to love, and is sure that he will remain single.
That is until April Channing opens her shop right opposite his…

He instantly likes her, as they have a lot in common and she is just sweet! But sometimes April behaves differently, she is distant, even rude. Josh is confused, but as he likes the good side of April, he is determined to find out what is going on.

Will April allow him to get closer? And is she ready to share her secret(s)?

Oh oh oh… I was soooo curious to know how Josh would fall in love! Previously we got to know him, and he was a workaholic, as he loves running his bookshop and spending time reading book. So you know when he would fall in love, it had to be an amazing woman!

And when he falls for April, I sensed immediately there were some things she was keeping from him. April is not ready to share all her secrets, but when she explain her odd behaviour I was nearly screaming ‘I KNEW IT!!!!’

The love story of Josh and April is different, because April grew up in a different way than the ‘standard’ way.
And here we learn that different is not always wrong. It’s not because something that is different from our vision, isn’t normal for the people living that way.
Initially I was a bit confused, just like Josh. But through April’s eyes Victoria explains how with a change of vision, it’s just another random family.
And that it’s normal to have questions about it, but it’s not something abominable. It opens your perspective.

Victoria isn’t afraid to talk about subjects that aren’t often present in love stories. But thanks to her evolution of characters I understood that love can be enough to conquer it all.
And the evolution of Josh is amazing… he says it himself in the book. He never cared much about colours, but since he met April, he wants more colours in his life. He transforms from a dull beige (once you’ve read the book, you’ll understand my beige reference ☺️) to a spectacle of colours.

We also get to know Winston better, who we got to know earlier. In the previous parts he seemed like a vagabond. But when he and Josh start talking, we get to learn him better and let’s say that there is more than meets the eye. And when his brother invites himself in staying at Winston’s house, we get to know him so much better. My vision of him changed rapidly as he is just a kind man, but left with a broken heart.
His story was a real surprise and I was glad how his story changed during the book. 

This love story shows you that meeting the right person opens your horizon. I was sad when I read the last page , because I loved the whole Nightingale family! I felt like I was part of their great family and I am still not ready to let go of them! So deep down, I hope there will be another story laying around for Lara!
And for now, well, I’m glad I can catch up some sleep! 😂

Learning how to fix a first date… nothing can go wrong, right?

Synopsis

Right place.

Right time.

Wrong guy …

‘The novel equivalent of binge watching a tv series…”just one more chapter, who cares if it’s 2am!” It’s exactly the sort of novel you need with so much chaos in the world’ Sarah, Reader review

After breaking up with her childhood sweetheart, clueless dater Rosie has found herself in a boyfriend-drought. So when she finally swipes right on a guy who seems interested, she can’t wait to meet up in person.

Until she’s left standing alone. In a bar. Stood up.

Enter Noah. Confident, funny … and a serial first dater. Offering to give Rosie a crash course in seduction, this could be just what she needs. Until her matchmaker turns out to be the best date she’s ever had – and Rosie wonders if she wants the fake dates to be the real ones after all …

A hilarious, heartwarming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Mhairi McFarlane.

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date!

My review

Rosie loves to be in love. But after she and her boyfriend break up, she finds it hard to take that o so difficult step and start dating again…

When she finally has the courage of meeting with a man she met only, she is devastated when she is being ghosted… her date stood her up and doesn’t even respond her messages…
She finds herself in the bar all alone and is commiserating herself. And right there, she meets Noah…

Being an ‘only first – daters’ himself, he makes it his mission to learn how Rosie can take that first, confident step. They agree on having a course of seduction, as Noah will explain what she has to do, when and how, to be sure to get to that first date.

Easy task, no?

This story may seem simple, and yet it’s not…
When we first meet Rosie, I felt sorry for her. Being ghosted seems a terrible thing when it happens to you, so I cannot imagine what is going through is Rosie’s mind…
As I am single, I know how much courage it takes to finally take that step and try to meet that one guy that seems perfect on the internet.
And yes, my dates went from ‘ok’ to ‘OMG, what a total waste of time’ (but that’s for another time to explain it all 🤣), so I know all about the anxiety that comes with all the preparations and finding the courage.

Luckily for Rosie, she meets Noah in the bar. After a few drinks, Rosie explains what she now really wants… and Noah thinks he’s the man that can help her. As Rosie never had many first dates, she wants the whole experience, and who better than Noah can help her?

It may seem that Rosie is desperate, but she’s just an insecure woman, not realizing that she is just perfect the way she is. And yes, so many people are insecure, but when I read about the messages she received from her own father, it just made my blood boil!
You would feel insecure about yourself if you were on the receiving end of them!

And Noah… he will not go on a second date. It may seem he’s a player avant la lettre, but the more time Rosie and Noah spend together, the more we get to know the real Noah. And also the reasons he does not want to actually date a woman…

During the “lessons” Rosie learns to be more confident and Noah stands by her side every step (maybe even too many steps…!)
The most important lesson is though that nobody should change, for no one. Each and every one is just perfect how they are, and accepting this is a step forward in growing more confident.

I had so much fun reading this book. The lessons are hilarious, the deeper moment between Rosie and Noah are so sweet. And let’s add a Hugo for a good ROFL!
This is yes about Rosie and Noah, but it’s also about acceptance and being more than enough.

Zara wrote again a story that I couldn’t wait to read and did not leave me disappointed for a bit! It was everything I expected and even more!

Really, sleep is overestimated!

Synopsis

Can the past always be forgiven?

Ben Stratton and Bryony Nightingale. Everybody thought they’d be together forever. But, when Ben leaves the small market town of Castle Clare to travel the world, Bryony is heartbroken, seeing his departure as the ultimate betrayal.

Throwing herself into her work running the much-loved children’s bookshop, Bryony determines to forget Ben and to start dating again. But Ben doesn’t make it easy for her, sending her postcards filled with his love and posting her foreign editions of all the great romantic novels from the countries he’s travelling through.

Then, after six long years, the unexpected happens and Ben returns, determined to win Bryony back. But will she forgive him and does he have the courage to tell her the truth about why he left her?

Natural Born Readers is the third book in the warm-hearted Book Lovers series by the bestselling author of The Rose Girls and A Weekend with Mr Darcy.

My review

Bryony Nightingale was heart – broken six years ago when the love of her life, Ben Stratton, left her for travelling around the world. She wanted to forget him, but for 2 long years, he kept on sending postcards and gifts to her. And not just random gifts, no, foreign editions of the greatest romantic novels…

But this was six years ago… Bryony is now focused on running the children’s bookshop and is ready to date again. She is even willing to date Colin The Baker, even if there is something missing…
And suddenly the impossible happens… Ben is back in Castle Clare. And all he wants is to win Bryony back.
Is Bryony really over Ben? And will she forgive him for abandoning her?

Another amazing part in this series! I don’t know how Victoria does is, writing so captivating stories, but keep on the work (although maybe not… because now I’m a zombie! 😆).

In the previous parts, we get to know Bryony a little bit. We know that something happened with her and the mysterious Ben, but that’s a topic nobody can talk about.
So I was very curious to know what happened so many years ago and what impact it had in Bryony.

And my o my… I loved this one also from start till end!
I so understood Bryony her motives of acting so cold towards Ben. How would you act, when the man you loved with all your heart, just goes away, without a real explanation?
AND he just expects you to forgive him? I would be angry too!

Bryony feels also betrayed by her own family, as they welcome Ben back with open arms. This because he always has been part of the family, when he was a kid…

Trying to find a way to escape Ben, she befriends her neighbour, Flo. And this was the real surprise of the story! Flo is a ray of joy through the whole story. She also has to cope with difficulties, but she and her animals, made me laugh each time they appeared!

This story manages to capture you from the first minute. And left me again awake during the night! All the emotions in this book got straight to my heart, aching for Bryony her pain, longing for forgiveness for Ben, a bit being vindictive together with Bryony again.
Even when Bryony does not the right thing, I understood her motives and I hoped it would not be the end of it all. Because deep down, you known that she is still that heart – broken girl of six years ago…

But let’s not forget about Ben… when we first meet him for real, and not by memories of the Nightingales, we sense that there was more to his leaving that everybody thought.

If you are hooked to the previous parts like I was, you will LOVE this one too! A sweet story about mending broken hearts, forgiveness and a bond that is too hard to break!

I just LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT!!!!