So much more and better!

Synopsis

Meg Mathers, the headstrong youngest sibling of a reiving family on the English-Scottish border, is determined to remain at her childhood home, caring for the land and village she’s grown up with. When an accident brings her a broken ankle and six weeks in the resentful company of ambitious and angry young reiver Will Hetherington, attraction starts to build. Both begin to realise they might have met their match, and the love of their lives, but 15th century border living is not that simple, as Meg soon finds herself betrothed to the weakling son of a tyrannical neighbour, Alexander Gray. When tragedy strikes, can Meg and Will find their way back to each other, and can Will finally take his own personal revenge on Gray?

My review

Glad it was not just a ‘one look in each other’s eyes and instant true love’!

Meg is part of a family of border reivers, and a lot of people depend on her.  But when she has an accident and brakes her ankle, her brothers decide that Will, a young man part of their clan, must take care of her, as he ‘caused’ the accident.
Despite their initial dislike for each, spending so much time together, they start bonding and more feelings submerge.
But then her brother decide that she must marry the son of a tyrannical neighbor.

First of all, I understand Meg’s frustrations of being taking care of. About a year ago I broke my ankle and each day I had to ask help for the easiest tasks, got me more and more frustrated.
Meg is a real caring woman, and despite being a woman, everybody takes her advice in account. She has a smart head.
Will is a young man having suffered a lot in the past. He just want to make sure his sister is happy after being separated and just found each other back.

What I truly liked about this story, that both characters slowly start trusting each other. Sometimes when you read a story, it’s POOF instant love. But here both Meg and Will go from dislike to trust to friendship to more.
Even when their love is tested, they both know they cannot just run away, but must face their fate and make best of it.
They both know what they feel for each other, but they also realize that their love will never be accepted and try to resist each other.

That’s what makes this story so nice, instead of just thinking about their selves, they are altruistic and think what’s for the best of their clan.
It’s a slow story, making you go back in time, enjoying the described surroundings and the atmosphere of that period!
I also have a small negative comment although… Alexander has always been a name I truly liked. And thanks to this story, now it’s been removed from that list!!! 😃

Not what I thought it would be, but disturbingly good!

Synopsis

When Emily was offered a new job in London, she was sure that her life was about to change – new friends, a career in the big city and the boyfriend she always wanted.

Her new life turns out to be more complicated than she expected. Her flat mates don’t understand her. Her colleagues mock everything about her. Even her father doesn’t support her. The only person who offers her any encouragement is David.

He’s married. He’s her manager. To Emily it’s clear that they have something special. As their relationship develops, everyone seems to want to sabotage their chances.

But some things are meant to be…

My review

How a synopsis can be deceptive! This story was not what I thought!

Emily starts a new job in London, ready to change her life.
But it all just isn’t as easy how she thought. She’s having troubles with bonding with her new flat mates, her colleagues don’t seem to like her at all, and her father still thinks she’s going to fail.
Only her manager David seems to really care about her and soon Emily finds herself attracted to him.

Through the most part of the story, I felt real pity for Emily. She’s just trying to do her very best and apparently nobody seems to appreciate her efforts.
Being the new girl in town, is not the best situation for her. She’s a bit shy, trying to proof she’s capable of doing her job.

I see a lot of my former self in Emily: shy, insecure, even a little bit suspicious.
But you also see that Emily is not easily put down or doesn’t know what to do in awkward situations.
She stands up for herself and would let anyone bully her away!

About halfway the story, the atmosphere changes…
when Emily starts to develop feelings for David, she is sure he is feeling the same about her, but as he is married, he must act very cautious.

As her emotions take the upper hand, her work is suffering as she starts to miss signs that her cases are slipping back into their addictions.

This book was a bit a hard start for me, maybe because I saw me too much in it (but no worries, I’ve grown up a lot and am not a shy, insecure girl anymore ☺️).
But you see  how the situation is deteriorating for the worse, and you have the need to know how bad it all gets.
Even if you think there is no positive ending for Emily, you secretly hope that it will all get better somehow…

So after a rather rough start, I quickly couldn’t put the book away and I think that this is the actual purpose of a book!

Not just lust…

Synopsis

The Wicked Lord’s Mistress is set in the late Victorian period (1886) for fans of upstairs/downstairs dramas such as Downton Abbey and steamy romances. It explores the continuing love story between Lily, a lady’s maid at Torrington Hall, and a handsome, mysterious aristocratic hero called Lord Edgar Wilson.

Lily is surrounded by challenges from all sides. She is being blackmailed by the evil Mallkins, she has a secret past that she is trying to hide, and her forbidden love affair with Lord Wilson grows more risky every day. Can their lusty affair transform into the tender and lasting love that Lily craves? And given the differences in their class, is a happy ending possible for them? 

Then a new enemy comes into Lily’s life, someone who is determined to destroy her. Lily finds herself facing the greatest challenge of her life, and hopes that Lord Wilson will be her hero.

My review

This is the second part of a series, and I really suggest to read the first part before heading into the second part. Otherwise the story would be confusing and as this is a good story in his genre, it would be a pity if you wouldn’t like it because some things wouldn’t make sense.

The story of Lily and Lord Wilson is by long not a simple one, as she is a simple maid and he is after all a Lord.
Despite the difference in class and secrets, both of them cannot resist their attraction.
But how will their affair end? Lily has many secrets she wants to tell Lord Wilson, but just cannot. And Lord Wilson is being pushed to marry someone of equal class…

I really enjoyed the story even if sometimes I had a nice roll of the eyes…
Lily is a woman who had her share of bad luck and is blackmailed into doing things she really doesn’t want to do. And Lord Wilson is the chosen victim.
It’s nice to see how the feelings evolve from just lust into more. Lily shows during the story that when she loves or cares for someone, she does it with all her heart. And is very conflicted when looking after for one person means jeopardize another one.
And Lord Wilson just seems a man following his you-know-what, but goes deep lengths to protect his loved one, and will not stop until the whole truth is uncovered.

For me this story was a pleasant surprise, as I thought it would be just a story where a Lord and a maid would give in their lust for each other, and out of the blue it all ends well.
But this was something different, as yes, there are some heated moments, but both of them have to fight not only for their love, but also for their freedom…

Even better than expected!

Synopsis

Two men. Three decades. One decision.

Pregnant at nineteen from an affair with a married man, Leila goes against her parents’ wishes. Alone in an unfamiliar city, a fresh start is terrifying. 

Leila struggles to navigate between being a single working mum, new friendships, and her bad choices in men. The heartache of past mistakes haunts her. Disillusioned, lonely, and with a fractured mother-daughter relationship, she swaps the vices of city life for the peace of the country. Yet new-found happiness is short-lived and old habits return. 

Can Leila let go of her past and find true love?

My review

Wow, just wow…
This story was so not what I expected, it was even better!

Switching through flashbacks, we get to know Leila. At nineteen, she has an affair with a married man and ends up pregnant.
Not wanting to give up her baby like instructed by her parents, she moves out and wants to build a life for herself and her child together.
But life isn’t easy for a young , single mother. She struggles getting her life back on track, but manages to build a few strong friendships. But her heartbreak so many years ago is still the cause for many bad decisions.
Last decision she makes is moving from the city to the country hoping she will finally find her peace and make amends with her daughter.

I can keep telling you what else is happening in the story, but I won’t do that.
Like I said earlier, this is not the story I expected.

Leila is a strong woman, always saying what’s on her mind. And yes, this is a positive thing, but there are sometimes occasions where it’s better to think before you speak. And unfortunately Leila doesn’t always think, causing a few feuds.
she is also a woman holding onto the past, and as her daughter teaches her, sometimes it’s time to put the past behind and allow yourself to live again.

There are several serious topics, affairs with married men, trying to survive with the little you have, secrets coming out, the past resurfacing when you’ve finally put it behind you.
But Kate manages to write everything with such realism but also so nicely, that you get the meaning of it, feeling the emotions, but it won’t drag you in a downward spiral.

Despite everything you keep hoping that in the end, Leila will find the peace she searches, needs and also deserves!

I cannot wait to read more!

Synopsis

Part One: A Reunion

Merriment Bay series

After eighteen years apart, reclusive Cat Devon still recognises her mum’s handwriting. Plucking up the courage to open the letter, its contents send Cat racing to Merriment Bay, the seaside village where she grew up.

On arrival, Cat and her teenage daughter, Kyra are shocked to find the situation is worse than expected. But despite everything, Cat considers herself to be an optimist at heart and Kyra takes after her. Looking on the bright side may not improve the situation, but it definitely can’t make it worse.

 When clearing out the house that, even now, Cat fondly thinks of as home, she stumbles upon more than just memories in the battered leather trunk in Granny Viola’s bedroom. She discovers a faded photo of an RAF pilot, a pile of unopened letters, and a mystery waiting to be solved. Who is the man in the – clearly treasured – photo? Cat didn’t know her grandad. Could this be him? A man even her mum never met. 

Cat and Kyra are intent on finding out. But that’s not all Cat’s determined to do. It’s time she came to terms with the issues in her past, and made peace with her mum and her gran. All the while avoiding bumping into the one man she never quite got over … and keeping a few secrets of her own.

My review

OH MY GOD!!! Talking about a book letting you long for more!
I started it on a rainy afternoon, ready to discover an amazing story. And then POOF, part 1 finished!

Cat Devon left Merriment Bay with her then baby Kyra. 18 years later she receives a letter from her mother with not so good news about the condition of her grandmother.
Wanting to put the past behind, they decide to go back to Merriment Bay.
Slowly trying to find her place again in town, it’s also the start of discovering secrets bound to be kept.

Cat is a strong woman, but still carrying the burdens of her past with her, clearly not having put it all behind her.
And Kyra is just like her mother, strong independent and not being told what to do. Despite being just the 2 of them, they are not in need of extra help, they have made their lives how they wanted, without interference of negative thoughts.

Being the first part of the series, it’s obvious that when you reach the end of this book, it isn’t the end of the story.
For me personally, it was hell finding out that all the secrets and mysteries are still there. I need to know what happened in the past and what will happen next!

Just lovely!

Synopsis

Christmas is coming to Port Hewer and the hotel Penmarrow, where Maisie is suffering a case of the holiday blues far from home this year — until Gavin, a young American businessman staying at the hotel through Christmas, talks her into joining him as his partner in the hotel’s ice sculpting competition in a mutual pact to enjoy the holidays to the fullest. 

Meanwhile, Maisie experiences the village Christmas seasonvicariously through Sidney, and continues writing her Poe-inspired story with only Sidney aware of her secret novel. She soon learns, however, that criticism and praise go hand in hand when he takes issue with her latest chapters, which puts pressure on their friendship, too.

But is that what’s really the issue between them? Because handsome Gavin has more than ice sculpting in mind when it comes to Maisie’s time, which comes as a surprise to no one who’s seen them together. As Maisie faces this sudden romantic dilemma, she realizes what she wants most in her life … and faces a question of what her heart wants most, too.

My review

What a happy reunion this was, reading again about Maisie and her adventures in Cornwall!
And this time, it’s even Christmas time!

Maisie continues working in the hotel and working at the same time for her novel. When an American guest arrives, Gavin, they quickly bond as being both from the States.
And when they start following an ice sculpting course, she sees it as a simple passing the time, but is that all for Gavin too?
And let’s not forget about Sidney, as the relationship between Maisie and Sidney starts to develop into something more…

It was real fun for me to see how Maisie manages to be oblivious sometimes, but even if it causes misunderstandings, she does everything with a kind heart and with the best intentions.
Also her writing skills are also developing for the best.
And Sidney, intriguing Sidney with his air of mystery…

During the whole series, we know what Maisie her feelings for Sidney are, but does she dare to take the lead and finally just go for it?

As this book isn’t the conclusion of Maisie and her adventures yet, I cannot wait to read more!

Just what you need!

Synopsis

Two people. One chance meeting. Seven days to Christmas.

Isobel Bennett is waiting for the number 11 bus when a man quite literally falls into her lap. Snow is falling, Christmas lights are twinkling, and a gorgeous man with dark brown hair has just slipped on ice and is now pressed against Isobel.

Isobel knows she’s not imagining the chemistry between them. But then his ride arrives and, embarrassed, he beats a hasty retreat, murmuring apologies – and Isobel realises only too late that she didn’t manage to catch his name…

When she runs into him again the next morning, she decides it’s fate.

It’s a second chance for Isobel and Tom – but there’s only one week until she’s leaving London for good. Seven days of enjoying all the festive delights the city has to offer: ice-skating at Somerset House, mulled wine on the Southbank, Christmas shopping at Liberty.

There’s magic in the air and mistletoe in the trees – but what will happen when the week is over?

For fans of Josie Silver, Lucy Diamond and Marian Keyes, this is one Christmas romance you don’t want to miss!

My review

I am not new to the stories that Belinda writes, so I knew that I would totally love this story.
But little did I know that I wouldn’t love it, but just ADORE every bit of this book!

When Isobel is waiting for her bus, a gorgeous man falls into her lap. And this fall is the beginning of a wonderful story.
Isobel thinks she will never see the man again, so big is her surprise when she suddenly stands in front of him, ready to interview the most wanted actor of the moment.

It seems like a story  you’ve read so many times: girl meets famous actor and blah blah blah.
But for me, it was so much more.

Both Isobel and Tom have this instant like for each other, but they also realize that they only have 1 week to spend together.
And no, they don’t spend it like you think they do. They take their time to get to get to know each other just as friends, and just go with the flow.
Each free moment they spend together, discovering London and share little bits of their lives.

It was refreshing to see that even though there is attraction, they don’t give in to that attraction, but truly want to know each other better. They don’t want to force anything between them and make no commitments they won’t be able to keep.
Both Isobel and Tom are down-to-earth, ready to see what the future will bring, but realistic enough to not just give up their whole world for something they are not sure about.

To say I’ve read the whole book in 1 day would be an exaggeration… it took me twice the time!
it seems a surreal story, as juts bumping into a gorgeous actor, but Belinda writes it so easily, that the next time you are outside, you just hope the same thing will happen to you!
A sexy actor, genuine feelings, a magical Christmas setting in London, it’s a perfect match for these darks days to sit nice and cozy and be submerged in the story!

A short novella but with all you need!

Synopsis

A time for spilling secrets…

Having refurbished her inherited house and upcycled her whole life in the process, Freya – now happily married to Patrick, and with a small child –  has to transform her tiny stone barn into a romantic hideaway for a mystery guest who is also looking for change. With Christmas only a week away, things don’t go according to plan…

In the past old uncertainties are resolved when an elderly woman seeks the truth of a legend on Christmas Eve and confesses to a deception; a Tudor wife listens to a story that must never be repeated and is given a precious relic that must never be displayed; and in the early nineteenth century an old woman tells a younger one the story of the hares at Ladywell.

Past and present are only a whisper apart when Freya learns of an astonishing discovery that will make Ladywell famous, but meanwhile her house is full of unexpected visitors, she has a turkey to cook – and a very special secret of her own that must be told.

My review

Sometimes a novella can be too short, as you don’t get a finished story, or you are left with many questions.
But no worries, this novella doesn’t leave you wondering.

Freya inherited a house and is busy with renovating everything while taking care of her daughter, while her husband, reluctantly, is abroad for his work. And this all in the period around Christmas.
Through flashbacks, we get to learn the past of the house and its earlier inhabitants.

At first it was a bit confusing because for me, I didn’t see where the story would go. But slowly the cloud of confusion cleared out and I had an ‘AHAAA’ – moment.
It was a nice story to read, as the love Freya feels is so genuine and real. And also in the flashbacks, you hope everything will settle for the best.

And also the secondary characters have their own input in making this even a more magical Christmas story!

A perfect story for the perfect Christmas Period!

Synopsis

A sparkling festive romance that will warm your heart this Christmas.

The week before Christmas, GP Zander Gillespie finds his festive plans in tatters. He’s supposed to be flying out to his parents’ chateau in Carcassonne with his high-maintenance girlfriend, Melissa. But she has other ideas. She wants to spend Christmas in London with her party friends – and he’s not invited. The prospect of facing his family, with their questions and their sympathy – not to mention the ‘I told you so-s’ – just isn’t an option. Instead, Zander decides to head to his holiday cottage in the quaint moorland village of Lytell Stangdale, where he intends to hide away with his faithful rescue Labrador Alf.

Eighty miles away, Livvie’s world has come crashing down. With plans to cook a romantic meal for her boyfriend, she heads home early and walks in on him in a compromising position with their neighbour. Fed-up of his lies and philandering ways, this is the final straw. With her Christmas plans up in smoke, the thought of spending it with her parents and her smug, married sister with her pompous husband in tow, is enough to bring Livvie out in hives. So, when she fires up her laptop and finds the perfect little holiday cottage in Lytell Stangdale available to rent over the festive period, it seems the perfect solution. Or is it…?

Zander didn’t believe in love at first sight until he set eyes on Livvie. Livvie had sworn off men until she met Zander. The pair may be reluctant to give in to temptation, but fate seems to have other ideas…

Join Livvie and Zander – and all the usual characters – for a magical Christmas in Lytell Stangdale.

My review

What a lovely story this was to read, just perfect for feeling the Christmas spirit!

Zander and Livvie are both in a not so amazing relation. So when Livvie finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her, she needs an escape.
Inspired by the RomCom ‘The Holiday’, she books a little cottage to escape from everything and everyone.
Zander planned to go spend the holidays with his girlfriend and his family in Carcassonne. But when she suddenly decides to go to London with friends instead, Zander decides to go to his cottage to reflect on what’s happening.
And yes, of course, it’s the same cottage Livvie booked!

While I was reading this book, my initial reservations about the whole falling head over heels in love were scattered.
Zander and Livvie are both so amazing people, I just wish I knew them for real!
But they are also very correct. Despite their attraction, they don’t give in as Zander is officially still in a relation.
How often in real life people just don’t care about that and do whatever they please?

I got totally swept away and was dreaming about me being there, in a lovely cottage with an amazing man like Zander.
And let’s also give credit to Alf, the most lovely, attention seeking Labrador! He made me laugh with his sparkling character. He’s just amazing, and you can feel how much he truly loves Zander and he is real good at sensing people’s characters. So he instantly likes Livvie!

So yes, I absolutely loved this book and now I am totally in the right Christmas Spirit!!!

I just loved every bit of it!

Synopsis

After a frosty welcome, things soon heat up at Wynter House.

Neva Grey is looking forward to spending a quiet Christmas with her family in the cosy cottage they’ve rented in the picture-postcard village of Wyntersleap. Nestled between rolling hills and a gently burbling river, it’s going to be idyllic.

Except it’s not. Torrential rain causes the river to burst its banks and the quaint little village isn’t quite so cosy with water lapping at the doors. Add to that a power cut and a sudden blizzard and Christmas is looking bleak … until gorgeous Adam Wynter invites them all to Wynter House.

Although not everyone is happy to share the ancestral home. Adam’s elder brother, Rafe is less than pleased. Their grandmother, Olivia extends a grudging welcome. And for Carruthers, the oddly arrogant butler, unexpected guests are a Christmas surprise he could do without. Especially one as troublesome as Neva’s eight-year-old niece.

But something’s not quite right at Wynter House. What is Rafe intent on hiding behind the locked doors of the old barn? And what really happened to his first wife? It’s a good thing Neva has a sense of humour. She’s going to need it this Christmas at Wynter House.

My review

If you as an author make a reference to Pride and Prejudice AND take Colin Firth as THE Mr. Darcy as the only one there is, you have to write a terrible story to make me dislike you.

And if you write a story where the main character is so alike Mr. Darcy, well, then I just adore you!!!

This story has a lot of things in common with Pride & Prejudice, that any Austen lover would love this book also!

But for those who don’t are such a huge fan of Jane Austen, don’t worry, there are also plenty of differences!

Neva and her family are going to spend Christmas at Wyntersleap and she is ready for changing her life. She’s ready to open her own salon in a new town, just the where is still a big unknown. On the love front it’s rather quiet, but when she meets Adam, she sees a potential fling.

Due the very very bad weather she and her family are going to stay at Wynter House, where also Adam lives. But his brother Rafe is not so happy to have a whole bunch of strangers in his house…

This story is so easy to read, that it’s over before you know. I fell in love with Wyntersleap and most of the inhabitants. And yes, I had a soft spot for Rafe… Why do such characters always intrigue me? Is it the mystery about his past? Or the way he acts when you expect a cold response but you see his true feelings?

As often happens, first impressions can be so wrong and you may never judge a book by his cover!

Although I have to say… the cover of this book is just lovely! So yes, if you take it literally, judge this book by the cover!

I promise you, you will love every bit of it! From Neva who is after one brother but intrigued by the other one, Rafe who you just want to get to know on a deeper level. But also Adam, who makes you drown in his lovely eyes…

And for the funny parts, you can always count on Sasha and puppy Tempest!