Just everything and more!

Synopsis

A December to remember…

Christmas in a Cornish castle? Sign Ivy Starforth up! Hired to kit out the holiday rental as the world’s most Instagramable festive dreamland, there’s only one thing standing in the way of her hefty paycheque – the lord of the manor.

Bill Markham could give Scrooge a run for his money but Ivy is firmly #TeamChristmas…even if her handsome host seems to be doing everything he can to sabotage her staging. Maybe she shouldn’t have stumbled in on him starkers in the hot tub?

As the temperature outside cools, things inside the castle heat up. It’s been a long time since Ivy allowed herself to give in to temptation…surely one little kiss under the mistletoe won’t hurt?

My review

What is it about Christmas books that make me like them all? I really don’t know…

I think in our lives we all have that person ‘that got away’. We meet and there is mutual attraction, but for different reasons we don’t go any further than that.
And how often do we think what could have happened?

The same is for Ivy. When she meets Bill, there is this attraction, but as she’s nearly engaged and she’s just not that kind of person, she blames it on the holiday vibes and plans to live happily with her boyfriend- nearly fiancée.

Years later, she finds herself single and with many regrets… after being dumped she made some bad decisions having far – reaching consequences she is still has to process.

When helping out her best friend and sister, she goes to Cornwall, suddenly she meets Bill again.
He still looks as amazing as before, but he also isn’t in this amazing place at the moment…

Staying at the same castle (YES CASTLE!) they slowly get to learn each other better, and get to learn what happened in each other’s past.

I didn’t see this as a pure romantic story taking place around Christmas, but more as a story about putting the past behind you, and no matter how hard it is, being grateful for the life we have been given.
Both Ivy and Bill are still coping with their pasts, and not succeeding in it very well.
Slowly you see both of them opening up and seeing the perks of Life and Christmas again. Being finally able to process what happened, makes it also possible for them to have more self-esteem and facing their feelings.

So for me, it’s a lovely story  about realizing that bad decisions in your past don’t have to compromise your future. And all this in a beautiful setting in Cornwall, together with their friends and family, during Christmas period!

Just a lovely story!

Synopsis

Escape to Villa Limoncello… where dreams come true in the most unexpected ways.

With Christmas around the corner, Izzie Jenkins is ready to kickstart the new ‘Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes’ course at Villa Limoncello with chef and business partner, Luca Castelotti.

However, secrets are stirring with their latest guests and when nasty accidents keep befalling the group it looks like Izzie will have to turn detective once more to protect the Villa’s fledgling reputation. On top of all this, Izzie’s been offered the job of a lifetime – back home in Cornwall. Will she be coming home for Christmas, or will Tuscany work its magic to keep her at Villa Limoncello with Luca?

My review

When I get the opportunity to read a story taking place in Italy, I always grab it with both hands.
And if it is in places I actually know, even better! It’s for me an inside quest to find errors in it 😃

But for this story I was doubting if I would read it or not… as this book was  a part of a series, how much background was required to be able to follow the whole story?

Luckily for me, you needed just a little bit background! And what you actually missed, you could assume from the actions and reactions from all the characters.

It’s a lighthearted story, with a bit of drama and intrigues.
Isabella returns to Villa Limocello to start the new ‘Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes’ course, with the man who stole her heart, Luca Castelotti.
But she doesn’t receive the welcome she was expecting, as Luca is sending out mixed signals.
And then some strange things are happening with the ‘students’ following the course. Is it all an accident? Or is there someone responsible for all the misfortunes?
And what secret is everybody keeping?

Despite not having all the background information from the previous parts, I got glued to the book, as I had the urgency of knowing it outcome.
What are the kept secrets? Why is Luca so distant all of the sudden? And what decision will Lizzie make?

For me also a big thumbs up for adding the recipes at the very end of the book! For a bake-a-holic like me, you can be sure I’ll be making those great desserts!
And a second thumbs up for making me want to go back to Tuscany and re-discover all the places mentioned in the book (and describing them perfectly! 😁)

Just amazing what the power of music is!

Synopsis

Coming home to catch her husband with his face between the long, silky legs of another woman is the last thing Sofia expects—and on today of all days. So, after scratching an expletive into his Porsche and setting the cheating bastard’s clothes on fire, she cranks up her beloved Bruce and flees, vowing never to look back.

Seeking solace in the peaceful beachside town of Bradley Beach, NJ, Sof is determined to start over. And, with the help of best friends, new acquaintances, a sexy neighbor, and the powerful songs of Springsteen, this may be the place where her wounds can heal. But, as if she hasn’t faced her share of life’s challenges, a final flurry of obstacles awaits.

In order to head courageously toward the future, Sofia must first let go of her past, find freedom, and mend her broken soul.

My review

For the record: I know Bruce Springsteen is a great artist and has some amazing songs. And I know the most famous ones. But to say I’m a big fan and know all his songs by heart, I would be lying.

So initially I was a bit hesitating to give this book a chance, as my fear was that his songs would be a bigger part of the story. But afterwards I am happy I gave it a shot!

Sofia decides to leave her husband after on the worst day of the year she finds him in bed with another woman. She moves out of the house and find a charming house to rent. And slowly she gets over the thought of failing at her marriage and pick up the pieces of her life and give her greatest grief a place in her heart and mind.

For me, this story shows the underestimated power of music. For most of the time music is just a passing of time, enjoying a good beat, great lyrics.
But the right song played at the right moment, can help you put your mind at ease and it helps to put your pain away.

Sofia is a strong woman, but despite her independence, she holds on to the past until enough is enough.
After leaving her husband, she stands up for herself and thanks to Springsteen’s songs at the right moment, she has the opportunity to process everything she faced.
She can rely on old friends, but thanks to her choices and her love for Springsteen, she makes new friends.
And let’s not forget Sammy, who really intrigues her, but is Sofia already ready to really move on with her life? And what about the age difference?

I really enjoyed this book as it has a slowly pace, giving all the characters time to face their demons. But also everybody has time to grow and find their place in the world.
And never ever underestimate  the power that music can give!

An intriguing thriller!

Synopsis

Sometimes the lie is safer than the truth.

Fran made the biggest mistake of her life when she had an affair with Ben. Both families live in the village of Oakheart; their children are friends. Fran’s guilt shadows her days. But it’s no more than she deserves, or is it? At least she’s managed to protect her husband, Hector, from the harsh truth.

But for how long?

Tessa has left her troubles in the past and now has the perfect life. Ben might have his faults, but his life has not been easy. They need each other, and Tessa will do whatever it takes to eliminate any

threats to her marriage. Threats from women like Fran.

A cliff overlooks a disused chalk-pit. The locals call it High Heaven. It’s a place of secrets. And it’s where Oakheart newcomer Maria died. When Fran discovers a link between Maria and Ben, disturbing questions arise to which she has no way of knowing the answers.

Faced with an ultimatum from Tessa, time is running out for Fran. She’s scared, every minute of every day.

But where does the real danger lie?

My review

Sometimes when you are reading a thriller, you get mystery after mystery, finding it hard to remember what all has happened already.
But a good thriller can keep you in suspense even if not a lot is happening.

And this book was such an example…
Fran had an affair a while ago and she thinks she dodged the bullet, as the affair is long over and nobody got hurt as nobody found out about it.
Little does she know that when Tessa, the wife of the man she cheated with, found out the truth…
And Tessa is not someone to mess with!

This story is more about threats and small “gifts” to remind Fran she messed with the wrong persons.
It even had me doubted if it was only Tessa who was messing with Fran’s mind.
Despite no action is really happening, there is this imminent forecast of ‘bad things are going to happen’ that made me hooked to the story.
And then there is the issue of the past. As Ben (Tessa’s husband) appears to be cheating on a regular base, is the death of his former mistress a real suicide or is there more to it?

It shows you how a person can mess with somebody’s mind,  and how loving somebody too much can be wrong.
To keep it short: this story got me intrigued and I just had to find the truth!

Great story that wasn’t at all what I expected!

Synopsis

Leah Jensen, Yorkshire lass born and bred, needs money and she’ll do anything – yes, anything – to get it. Her Grandad Thomas is in pain and the cost of an operation on his bad knee is way beyond the family’s means. Leah tries everything to earn the fee – but in the end, and like so many before her, she turns to the world’s oldest profession.

Madam Butterfly’s exclusive escort agency in London is a different world to where Leah comes from. In Whitby, the sea air is sweet, and legends of Dracula jostle with jet-mining and whaling history; it’s a place where dog lovers meet and tourists come to marvel at the views.

Leah may be out of her comfort zone, but one daring, brief encounter will bring many surprises in this memorable romantic comedy full of pithy Yorkshire humour.

My review

This story made me laugh, made me frown my eyebrows, but most of all, I truly enjoyed it.

Leah loves her family most of all. And her family just being her, her grandfather Thomas and her cousin Joey.
When her grandfather needs an expensive surgery, but they don’t have the necessary money to pay for it, Leah sees only 1 solution: doing the one thing she wouldn’t never ever do… being a lady of pleasure…

So she meets Dan and they spend the night together.

This seems like a cliché story, rich man and not so wealthy woman meet, fall in love and live their happily ever after.
But don’t get fooled, as this story will surprise you!

Despite the moment of pure necessity, Leah manages thanks to Dan, to pay the surgery and go after her dream. There is only one problem… after that amazing night, as Dan just disappeared and she cannot contact him. While she has something very important to tell him.

Like I said, I truly enjoyed reading this story.
It just have everything you need for an enjoyable time reading. It’s written so easily, despite the initial fast forwards.
Leah is so down to earth, funny and will do anything for her family. But she is also a proud woman, who won’t get fooled or played by persons who want to get her down.
Dan is for me an amazing man, but also a bit naive, as he doesn’t always sees everyone’s true colours…

For the most funny parts, you can always count on Joey and his search of the perfect man for himself. But there are also other persons in it that will make you smile (never underestimate Scotty! ☺️) and make this story even better!

So for me, it was a true comedy in an amazing setting! It made me want to be in Whitby too!

Be ready to fall in love with story!

Synopsis

It’s mayhem in Bethlehem…unless they can work together!

Viola Smith plays the viola in an orchestra (yes really!), but this year she’s been asked to stretch her musical talents to organising Notting Hill’s local nativity.

Nate Williams isn’t looking forward to Christmas but as his small daughter, Grace, has the starring role in the show, he’s forced to stop being a Grinch and volunteer with Viola.

With the sparks between them hotter than the chestnuts roasting in Portobello market, Nate and Viola can’t deny their feelings. And as the snow starts to fall over London, they find themselves trapped together in more ways than one…

My review

I loved every bit of this story, from the first word until the last one.

In first instance it seems like a rather easy story, like you’ve read so many. But suddenly I found myself submerged into the book and it was impossible to put it away!

Viola is a musician playing the viola and suddenly she finds herself helping out with the community nativity play. Here she meets little Grace and her father Nate.

I’m not going to tell more about the story, as I want you to discover it all by yourself.

But how amazing can a story be? And how much can I relate with Viola…

She’s a wonderful woman, but doesn’t realise it. She is always ready to help other people out, even when it’s not convenient for her. If somebody needs her help, she pushes everything aside. Of course there are always people taking advantage of her kindness… But slowly she grows in the story and at one point she really makes her point and isn’t taking any.

She is kind, gently, shows a lot of empathy and has a lot of love to give.

Nate is struggling with his new status and is trying to be the most perfect dad in the world. Grace is the most important thing in the whole wide world and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her feelings.

This also means putting his own feelings aside…

In my opinion, he’s just amazing!

And little Grace… oh my God, that little girl just broke my heart! She is so afraid to get attached to Viola and afraid that everybody she loves eventually will leave her!

No girl should be afraid of being left alone!

The whole book is written in a way that you cannot stay immune for any of the main characters. You’ll find yourself falling in love with each one of them!

I was laughing, cheering, feeling all warm and cosy, but also sad, heartbroken and compassionate.

This book was way too soon over! It’s cost me lack of sleep and lack of socialising with other people but it’s was surely worth it!

A great surprise!

Synopsis

Zara Das is Bollywood’s hottest property, her every move watched by the eyes of the press. Riding high from the success of a string of blockbusters, she has the world at her feet, but the scandal from her latest film threatens to dethrone her as Bollywood’s reigning queen.

So when superstar director Raj Dillon stages a lavish retelling of Pride and Prejudice, moving the shoot from Mumbai’s soundstages to London, Zara knows this is the role that could put her back on top. Coming with them are the Bollywood Wives – Jackie, Sasha, and Rani – bringing their own off-screen drama.

But behind the diamonds, designer clothes and seven-star hotels lies the truth of how Zara reached the top. And when a dead body is found in her hotel room, it seems that someone is determined to take Zara down – and will stop at nothing to expose her darkest secrets.

Zara has spent years running from her past. But now it’s caught up with her…

A sexy, gripping, scandalous novel set in the world of Bollywood – fans of Jackie Collins, Crazy Rich Asians and Lauren Weisberger won’t be able to put this one down.

My review

What a pleasant surprise this book was!

After reading the synopsis I had this idea of the story in my mind, but the more I read, the less the story in my mind and the actual story matched!

In first instance, the story is about Zara Das, the biggest Bollywood actress at the moment. She’s the victim of a scandal…So she accepts to shoot a remake of Pride & Prejudice à la Bollywood in London.

And here we get to meet several other women, being also part in the whole Bollywood world.

It was great to read how each power couple has its own demons and hides it all for the world. It proves again that the world cinema is not all glitter and glamour.

In the end, those famous persons are just as regular as us.

For me, it was like reading a soap opera. I’m not saying this in a bad way, but all I want to say is that so many things happens. When one issue is resolved, the next thing is lurking behind the corner and it’s even bigger and insurmountable…

Every character has a secret and works with a hidden agenda in some way. And this aspect made me binge read this book, as I just couldn’t put it away and needed to know what would happen next!

The author wrote an amazing story, keeping you hooked once you’re in it.

It’s such an easy reading, that despite the urgence of knowing, it was a pleasure being submerged in the Bollywood world.

A real page turner, and when the next part of the serie comes out, I’ll be there to read it too!

The perfect story!

Synopsis

On a grey, London day, Esme’s world crumbles around her when she loses her glitzy job on a top TV programme, her gorgeous, city-slicker boyfriend and her stunning apartment, all in one fell swoop just before Christmas.

Esme is forced suddenly to move back to her sleepy hometown of Sandchester, and despite the snow blanketing the roof and the fairy lights that twinkle in her rustic little cottage, everything is looking bleak. That is until she reconnects with an old crush and finds herself unexpectedly getting swept away.

But Joe, handsome and charming as he is, is not all he seems. Esme soon realises that he has a tragic past which he just might not be able to overcome…

Surrounded by her loving, if harebrained, family and with the support of her hilarious friends, Esme is determined to have a go at forging her own path, even if it all comes to nothing. But one question still lingers in her mind: will she find someone to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas?

My review

When in a book one of my favourite things is a big part of the story, I’m surely already hooked from the beginning in the story!

Let that favourite thing be food (sorry body, for all that I put in you!) and you add it with a great story and Christmas, well, then you turned me into a fan!

Esme is having the worst of times… she got fired from her job after the host of the show she works on stole her recipe. Then after coming home, expecting a proposal, she gets dumped AND almost kicked out of the house…

So she sees no other option of leaving London and living closer to her family. But she’s having a hard time…

Having no income and doubting herself, she thinks herself of a failure.

And then she meets Joe, her real estate agent. They knew each other from school, so they find it easy to get along together, having small chats and thinking of the past.

But Joe is still recovering from his divorce. And he has a peculiar way, going from one night stand to one night stand.

What really attracted me in the story, beside the food 😃, was the realisme of it. Everybody has to face a hard time once their life. And it isn’t always easy peasy…

Sometimes it’s a struggle and you have to lean on your family and friends.

This story isn’t afraid of showing every aspect of it. Even when Esme is considering going back to her ex, you can see where she is coming from.

And how Joe is coping with his sorrow, it’s his way of grieving, so also there you can somehow understand is.

What also was nice to read, was the several point of views. Once you are learning more about Esme. The next chapter you’re trying to figure out how you can help Joe. Then you’re reading about the ‘bad guys’ who you’re hoping that karma can be a real b*tch. It was fun to experience everbody’s emotions, good or bad.

For me, this wasn’t a true Christmas story, but more a story about picking up the pieces of your shattered life, dare to dream and always believe in yourself.

It’s ok to fail once in a while, as long as you learn from it and become stronger afterwards.

When dreams come true!

Synopsis

What if you got a second chance with your first love?

What happens when you meet your teenage heart-throb – when you’re both all grown up? When Cassie was fifteen, all she wanted was to marry Jesse Franklin, the bassist from her favourite band, Franko. Now she’s single, in her late twenties and wondering what happened to that teenage dream.

A chance encounter on Facebook soon leads to a transatlantic hook up, and soon, Jesse and Cassie are having a long-distance love affair spanning five thousand miles.

Cassie is on cloud nine – until she hears something that makes her think that Jessie might not be all that he seems. They say never meet your heroes – but what happens when you fall in love with them…?

Are Cassie and Jessie star crossed lovers, destined to be together? Or should Cassie have left her crush in the box marked teenage memories? 

My review

Everybody has had in their teens a major crush on a famous musician. But most of the times it’s just a crush that passes over time and the famous musician isn’t even aware of your existence.

Cassie also had a crush on Jesse, when he was part of the music band Franko. So when many years later she finds him on Facebook, she can’t resist the temptation and adds him. And gets the surprise of her life when he accepts her request!

And the story takes off! When they start chatting you just feel this joy as you can finally image how it would be to actually talk to your crush!

Cassie is this young independant woman, who just can’t believe her luck.

And when they get to know each other on a better level, she also realises it’s not all glam and glitter what Jesse experienced during his fame.

Despite her curiousity for the world of fame, she genuinly cares about Jesse and just wants what’s best for him.

But she also knows the odds of having a lasting relationship is rather unexisting… or isn’t it?

And Jesse is just this amazing man, despite having some secrets, doing his utterly best for put a smile on Cassie’s face.

This story is for every woman who ever thought about meeting her crush.

It’s a sweet story about meeting someone you’d never imagine. And also that even famous persons are just as normal as all of us.

It’s also about it’s not always wrong to fall too quickly in love with someone, if he’s your person…

This story has just everything to make you fantasise about your own old crush. It’s a really relaxing book that make you sit back and enjoy every bit of it!

There is also 1 warning: during the whole story you’ll be singing ‘Hey I just met you, and this is crazy… But here’s my number, so call me, maybe!’ And good luck with getting that out of your head now!!!

A modern fairytale…

Synopsis

Is there such a thing as too perfect?

Lisa Millar wasn’t supposed to fall in love with a guy on the Internet. But she did. 

Other than living over five thousand miles away in America, AJ Williams is seemingly her perfect match. Strikingly handsome, musically talented, plays hockey and has a typical college-guy life. 

In a moment of carpe diem, Lisa flies from Ireland to Alabama to surprise her internet-beau and finds herself face to face with an inconceivable reality that she couldn’t possibly have prepared for. 

How well can you truly know someone you meet online? 

Will true love win out, or will AJ’s secret life be too much for Lisa to bear?  

My review

Reading a book about someone who falls in love with a guy only seen online, made me frown… In my modest opinion, I think you should be very careful about the whole internet dating, as you never know if the guy on the other side of the screen is really what he said he is.

How often do you read actual true stories about internet dates going wrong?

So in first instance, I was very sceptical and found Lisa a bit naive… Flying across the other side of a world meeting this seemingly perfect man.

But the further the story evolved, it had my hopes raised that there still is some good in the world and there are actual real nice men on the internet.

But this story is more than just a love story, as after a while something happens to A.J. And then the story goes from a love story to drama.

Here we get to know Lisa as a very protective, caring woman, not letting anyone get in her way and standing up for the right to know.

And her love for A.J. just splashes of the screen. Their love seems so impossible, bit at the same time so real, you cannot just love the two of them.

I just can’t wait to read what’s going to happen next to this amazing couple!