Is it the real thing?

Synopsis

Roxy found love . . . but is it enough?
In the second installment of the Polo Diaries series, polo player Roxy goes back to Argentina a year after the events in Single in Buenos Aires, filled with dreams of settling down with the man she loves. This time, once again, Argentina is full of surprises and things are not what they appear to be. Or maybe they’re exactly what they’re meant to be, as a fortune-teller informs her. 

Roxy takes a leap of faith and follows her dreams once again. She spends time at glamorous party venues of Buenos Aires and travels to the rough and wild pampas. Along the way, Roxy’s friends support and champion her quest for love, but when things get out of hand, Roxy realizes she needs to listen to her own inner voice and must make a hard choice. Two paths open in front of her, each one with far-reaching consequences. Which will she choose?

My review

A year after leaving Argentina and Rodrigo, Roxy decides to give love a chance and moves back to the place she left her heart.
But moving to Argentina is just the first of many difficult steps… Is the love between her and Rodrigo the real thing? And will it survive the many differences?

This is the second installment of the series, continuing where the first left us. Roxy finally found the guts to come clean about her feelings for Rodrigo and is ready to take a leap of faith.
Also in this part, I admired Roxy, as she does what her heart tells her, even if it’s completely the opposite what her friends tell her.
Despite her fear of being all too good to be true, she sets her mind of making everything work.

Even if her friends don’t agree with her decisions, they love her unconditionally and let her make her own mistakes, ready to be there for her whenever she needs them.
And when another injury takes place, again they are ready to take care of her, without asking something in return.

For me, this series is not a story about finding your true love, but about finding your inner peace. What makes you happy? What can you live without? But what if the thing that makes you happy is also the thing that destroys you?
It shows you that wanting something so badly, isn’t always enough. You have to find the strength to say goodbye to the thing you love but hurts you.

The art of making lists – or not?

Synopsis

Roxy plays polo… but dreams of love.
Forty-one-year-old polo player Roxy arrives in Argentina with 

a to-do list that includes healing from a polo injury and falling in love with a handsome Argentine. From polo boots to tango shoes, the adrenaline of riding horses to glamorous after-game parties, Roxy learns to navigate this unfamiliar landscape with the help of new friends who teach her to take life as it comes. But will she find true love? Over three months in Buenos Aires, nothing goes according to plan, and yet, all the items on her list mysteriously get ticked off in the end. Just not the way she had imagined. 

Fans of the Bridget Jones series will love the blend of humor, travel, and romantic comedy at the heart of Single in Buenos Aires, all topped off with the unforgettable flavor of life in one of the most sensual and passionate cities in the world.

My review

After a polo injury, Roxy goes to Argentina to heal. She also makes a list with things she want to accomplish. So she wants to heal completely from her injury, but also fall in love with a handsome Argentine.
With the help of her friends she wants to take her life back in her own hands.

The very little I know about polo is that you sit on a horse and have to kick a ball into a goal. And yes, I know there is so much more to it, but let’s be honest, in Belgium is polo not the most important sport in the world.
Thanks to this book, my knowledge has been a little expanded.

While I was reading this book, I had admiration for Roxy. It doesn’t seem easy to me, to move for several months to a complete different country, only having a few friends to rely on.
But somehow I also felt sorry for her. She truly loves polo, but because of her injuries she cannot do what she loves the most.

This book shows that it’s very easy to make friends at first sight, but also that you always have to be a bit wary. Roxy meets several people who apparently think that she is the catch of the year. But it’s made clear that for Argentines it’s just a pick up line. And it’s not always easy to distinguish the hitting on someone and the genuine feelings.

What I liked the most is that friends can become more than just that, and they can be like a real family, always there for you in time of need, with no quid pro quo. When you care and love someone, you do it unconditionally, not expecting something in return.

Cake is all you need!

Synopsis

1960’s Somerset is no fun for cousins Polly and Annabelle Williams. Mourning their non-existent love lives, and the mundanity of village life, their only pleasure is baking – until a chance encounter has them magically transported to the bright lights of London… in 2019!

Promised a chance of love, first they must teach the people of the future about the simpler pleasures of life by becoming Cake Fairies. Over the course of a year they set off on a delectable tour of the UK, dropping off cakes in the most unexpected of places and replacing the lure of technology with much sweeter temptations.

But will their philanthropical endeavours lead them to everlasting love? Or will they discover you can’t have your cake and eat it?

My review

Polly and Annabelle are living in the sixties, baking cakes all the way but having a non – existing love life.
After a strange encounter they suddenly find themselves in London 2019.
As this will be their last chance to find their true love, they have no other choice but follow the given instructions. Their task is to show people how to socially interact again, by becoming Cake Fairies. Over a year, they travel all the UK, dropping cakes as being told.
Will they manage to bring joy everywhere they go and will they find their true love?

A story which involves cakes always scores with me! So reading this book made me hungry each time Polly and Annabelle were working on their cakes, or describing what they made.
But I enjoyed the whole story, not only the cake part! It was nice to read how the two lived during the sixties, and struggled with all the high tech of 2019!
Despite the jumping into a whole new decennia, Polly and Annabelle manage to find friendships. And during times they don’t know what to do, a sudden random appearance helps them in time of need.

During their quest, you also get to learn them better. Polly seems more frightened by everything that is happening, while Annabelle sees opportunities everywhere.
It’s also fascinating to see the relationship between them. As they are family, it makes sense they care about each other, but it goes so much deeper than that. They’re not just cousins, but also each other best friends.
And when for one of the two an opportunity for love shows, it’s intriguing to see how the reactions are, and even jealousy surfaces.

I enjoyed reading it all, because you get the whole story. You see family, friendship, love, but also the negative feelings like jealousy, indifference, greed at some point.

It’s a complete story, you get the characters, and the ending is just perfect.

But a sweet warning: before you start reading this book, make sure you are NOT hungry and have a full stomach, because otherwise you’ll be searching anywhere you can for cake! 😁

Awaiting the review in February, a tease showing this amazing cover!!!

Synopsis

A heart-warming tale of discovering all you never wanted is exactly what you needed.

Orphaned as a baby and raised by indifferent relatives, much of Anna Redding’s happiness as a child came from the long summer holidays spent with an elderly family friend, Aunt Meg, in the quaint village of Polkerran. 

With Aunt Meg’s passing, Anna is drawn back to the West Country, relocating to the Cornish cove where she was once so happy. Filled with memories, she hopes to perhaps open a B&B—and perhaps cross paths with Alex Tremayne again, a local boy she used to have a major crush on and who only had to walk past Anna to make her heart flutter. 

Settling into her new life, and enjoying her work for the older, reclusive and—to be honest—often exasperating Oliver Seymour, Anna is delighted when Alex reappears in Polkerran and sweeps her off her feet. 

The stars are finally aligned, but just as Anna thinks all she’s ever wished for is within reach, a shock discovery brings everything under threat, and she finds herself living a dream that isn’t hers.

Can Anna rescue the new life she has made for herself and, when the testing moment comes, who will be there to hold her hand?

The Cottage in a Cornish Cove is the first in an uplifting series of romances from Cass Grafton. Get to know the locals, wallow in the quaintness of Polkerran, and fall in love with romance all over again.

Pre-order Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083H2Q5V9/

US –  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083H2Q5V9

Heart wrenching from start till end!

Synopsis

Relationships are complicated. Long distance ones, even more so.

When Lisa Millar met AJ Williams online through mutual friends, she wasn’t prepared to fall in love with the man of her dreams. She was even less prepared to discover that he already had a wife. In a heart-wrenching story of love attempting to transcend miles, Lisa finds herself pregnant and on the wrong side of the Atlantic from the man she loves.

Will their love conquer all? Or will the intricacies of a relationship woven across the Atlantic be too much to take and tear them apart once and for all?

(Warning: This book ends on a cliff hanger)

My review

Lisa is completely in love with AJ, despite a whole ocean between them. They continue their relationship despite the distance, but it’s not easy for them.
To make it even more difficult, Lisa finds out she is pregnant AND AJ starts to act really weird all the sudden…
Is their love strong enough to survive all the misfortunes or are they doomed to fail?

I can write a very short review by just saying ‘read the books as they are amazing’, but of course you’d need a little more explanation as why it’s such a beautiful story.
It made me laugh, mostly thanks to Jer, but I was so often of the verge of crying, as it was all so unfair!
Lisa is struggling with the news of her pregnancy, but so many other things happen to her, that she doesn’t know how she will cope it all.

Lasairiona is not afraid to write about so many actual problems… Social problems, mental problems, physical problems, emotional problems, they are all in this story!
Despite the heavy themes, the story itself is so realistic and beautiful written. Somehow, even if you haven’t been faced with the topics, you can relate with each character.
I have respect of how Lisa handles everything, and I understand where she is coming from. Even when she does things that made me frown, after all she has been through, I understood her actions.

After the ending (which is a MAJOR cliffhanger!) I sat agape, not sure I read it correctly! So I can’t wait for the next part!

Drama + Mystery + Love + Christmas = The Perfect Novella

Synopsis

From the author of Kindle Unlimited All-Star winner Sweet Hollow Women comes a new novella featuring characters from Murder at Mistletoe Manor, Carnage at the Christmas Party, and The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club!

Klarinda Snow is the innkeeper of Mistletoe Manor in beautiful, remote, Windy Pines, Idaho, where she brings her unique brand of hospitality to the tiny mountain town.

When she finds her inn unexpectedly fully booked on a snowy Tuesday night in November, it brings back memories of a tragedy years before. Before she knows what hit her, she and her trusty team of employees (Myrtle, Pierre, and her new night manager, Josephine), have found themselves back at the task of solving another mystery at Mistletoe Manor!

While this book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novella, if you plan to read the books in the Windy Pines Mystery series or The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club, it’s highly recommended you read those first, as this book contains spoilers that could affect your ability to enjoy them.

My review

Being an innkeeper can always be tricky… doesn’t Klarinda Snow know everything about it! When in November she finds her Mistletoe Manor fully booked, she tries to please everyone. But not all clients are being friendly or social.
And when a mystery takes place, suspicions are quickly made and Klarinda and her team are doing whatever they can to solve it as soon as possible.

Honest fact: initially I wasn’t enjoying the story a lot. Was it because I didn’t have any background? I don’t know.
But being stubborn as I am, I kept on reading, also because the prologue sounded very promising.
And before I knew, something clicked in my head, and I was totally in the story.

It was fascinating reading how the story went back in the past, slowly climaxing to the prologue again.

Also all the characters (with the excepting of a few…) are all so nice to read about. Even the sadder characters are so realistic with their emotions and actions, you feel for them.
You instantly feel who you can trust and who will cause trouble.

This story is a perfect mix of mystery, drama, real life emotions, love and friendship. And I think this blend made me like it after all, even if I had some initial struggles.
I haven’t had the chance yet to read the previous part, but after reading this novella, I certainly will!

Love is the cure for everything!

Synopsis

Hanukkah days, Christmas nights and strawberry ice cream …

Cohen Ford is a man who could do with a little bit of sweetening up. It’s no surprise that when he walks into The Great Greenwich Ice Creamery on a typically gloomy London day before Christmas, he insists on a black coffee rather than his childhood favourite – strawberry ice cream.  

But then he meets River de Luca, the woman behind the flavours. After their first encounter, Cohen begins visiting the ice creamery every Tuesday, gradually learning more about the intriguing River. Could her influence encourage cynical Cohen to become the man who embraces Christmas, Hanukkah and even strawberry ice cream?

My review

Cohen is a man bittered through life. Against his will, but just to pleasure his mother, he visits The Great Greenwich Ice Creamery. He expects to see his mother’s friend, but there he meets River de Luca.
Instantly he is intrigued by this beautiful woman, and does everything he can to get to know her better, despite warnings to stay away from her.
Every Tuesday he goes back to the Ice Creamery, the only day when there are no prying eyes.

Wow, just wow… I don’t know what I was expecting from this story, but it was just perfect!
Cohen has had a troubled life, not ever been loved or has loved someone. He’s this bitter man, just thinking about his work and nothing more. He knows what kind of man he has become, and sees his bitterness even reflected in the mirror…

After meeting River, we see a change in his behavior. And he slowly becomes this nice man, not being afraid of some complications.  He just goes for it, not being held back anymore by futilities.

I enjoyed every bit of it, as this is a story that shows what changes love can bring. And it shows also that you should never give up hope, as in the end, you’ll always find your perfect match, at the place you least expect it.

What also a nice touch was, is that thanks to meeting River, Cohen grows up, as he says himself. Things he never said or thought in the past are now out it in clear, and he is also ready to put the past behind him.
He does what’s required to ensure him finally his true happiness, even if apparently it would disadvantage him. And this is proof of growth.

This book was a joy to read, and I would truly recommend it! 

What a nice and funny story!

Synopsis

Cam’s career and romantic prospects take a nose dive once she becomes guardian to her young nephew. She leaves a bustling Dutch city to move to a small, dull country town in England, and where once she restored magnificent old paintings to their former glory, now she operates the paint-mixing machine at a soulless hardware store. As much as she adores little Rowan, life has lost some of its sparkle. 

However, a handsome and charming customer causes her heart to flutter once more. Fate, alas, seems determined to hamper any possibility of them getting together. So what chance does a tiny, naughty hamster have of bringing happiness this Christmas?

This is a festive, light-hearted and uplifting romcom novella.

My review

Cam is guardian of Rowan after her sister had a terrible accident. This meant she had to leave her job and life in the Netherlands to move back to a country town in England.
Instead of her dream job, she now works in a hardware store.
As she truly cares about her friends and animals, she agrees to look after a hamster of her friends. Little does she know the hamster is a master in escaping!

I had so much fun reading this story! Yes, the beginning is a bit sad, as we get to learn the background.
Cam is also a little bit struggling, as she not really doing a job she likes. A ray of light is when she meets a handsome stranger in the store.

Cam is very recognizable… she’s a young woman finding herself taking care of a little boy, which is very very admirable. But her kind heart is also reason of a not satisfying job.

And when the hamster comes into the story, I found myself laughing at what mischiefs he was capable of!
He is responsible for a lot of things Cam is finding herself into.
Animals are an important addition in this book, as we get to learn the thoughts of a cat and how she feels about her mysterious owner!

I truly enjoyed reading this story, having everything I love! A little bit of romance, drama, kind persons in general, and lots of animals adding a lot of extra charm in an amazing book!

Everybody needs a housekeeping fairy like Cassie!

Synopsis

A gorgeous new Christmas story from the author of best selling novel Little Pink Taxi
A flick of a feather duster and a sprinkle of Christmas magic …
Cassie Bell is used to mess. Her cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning, is well known in the Cumbrian village of Red Moss. However, now it’s almost Christmas and Cassie has a slightly messier situation to deal with than she’s used to.

She’s been hired to help Stefan Lambert, an injured army helicopter pilot who’s staying at the local Belthorn Manor whilst he recovers. Stefan resents Cassie’s interference and is definitely not looking for Christmas cheer. But Cassie prides herself on sparkling surfaces – so, can she bring some festive sparkle to Stefan’s life too?

My review

Cassie Bell has her own cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning. In Red Moss she cleans with great pleasure houses and adds a little joke to cheer everyone up. Because a smile can lighten up your day.
When she’s hired for the Belthorn Manor, she doesn’t have another option than accepting. She doesn’t like that place at all of what happened a few years ago.

Resident at the moment at the Manor is Stefan Lambert, an injured army helicopter pilot. He’s staying there to recover from his accident, mentally and physically, even if some injuries will never heal.
He just want to stay at the Manor in quiet and peace, and doesn’t need Cassie or her cheerful moods!
But what will happen to the both of them as they are spending more time together?

I didn’t know what to expect from this story, but it was just amazing to read! For me, it was a bit a combination of Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, mixed with some mystery.
Cassie is a ray of light in the darkness of Stefan’s mood, will that be enough to make him also cheerful?
She’s this caring woman, looking after her granddad, but also after her customers. For her, they are so much more than customers.
But when her situation gets messier than ever, is she strong enough to get over them?

And Stefan… you understand where he is coming from… he is still coping with guilt after what happened. And he just knows everybody is suspicious of him because of his scars…
Soon in the story you see that despite his reluctance, he is a man who wants to protect his dear ones. He always want to do the right thing.
During the story he opens up and you realize he’s just amazing!

I loved every bit of it, both reading about Cassie and her family, getting to know Stefan better. I gasped when Cassie her situation was going for the worse, and I hoped the mysteries soon would be uncovered.

Marie wrote an easy story to read, managing perfectly to switch from romance to mystery and even drama!
I quickly found me submerged in the story and wanted to know how it all would end. But on the other side, I didn’t want it to end, because it was such a great story! 

The perfect ending for a wonderful story!

Synopsis

Part Four of this heartwarming four-part serial about finding the strength to put the past behind you and to reach out for a future filled with happiness and love.

Cat is reeling from the unexpected events of Christmas and as Merriment Bay prepares to toast in the New Year, she’s facing choices she never thought she’d have to make. Her head and her heart are pulling her in very different directions.

Bailey is sitting by Viola’s bedside, regaling everyone with tales from the past but is there any chance he’ll get to see a smile on the lips of the woman he still loves?

Having realised she has made mistakes, will Mary finally tell Cat what she really wants to know?

And what will the New Year bring for Kyra? Will she fulfil the plans she made before she came to Merriment Bay?

When distressing events end more than one person’s dream, can Cat find the strength to fight for the Love she deserves? Sometimes it takes a crisis to make someone realise what they truly want. And Cat has decided what – and who – that really is. But is she too late?

 My review

The Saga of the Devon – women goes on. As Granny Viola is still in the hospital, Cat and Ben are getting closer. But how will their future look like, as Ben is living in Canada?
And what about Amias?
Will Mary finally come clean about the past? And what will Kyra decide for her future?
What ending will there be for each one of them?

As I have read the previous parts, I was really anxious to know how it all would end. Will Cat choose for Ben, or will she finally admit her feelings for Amias?
And will the secret about her father be revealed?
Will Granny Viola wake up?

So many questions to be answered, and the risk of getting a disappointment was not that small…

But Emily managed to write a perfect ending, but the characters did not have an easy time…
I loved every bit of it, and I even had to hold back a tear with the Granny Viola – Bailey bit. Without giving anything away, when you are at that part, trust me, you’ll feel the same!

Now that I’ve read all the part, I really feel a connection with all the characters, like they are part of my clique of friends. Each and every one of them have something so recognizable, but at the same time unique, that you wished they were real!

Emily wrote generally a real nice saga, each part left you longing for more. The characters are slowly evolving, learning to let go of the past, facing their demons and come clean to their feelings.
it couldn’t have been a better ending!