I want ice cream!!!

Synopsis

Giovanna Tonioli is a successful stockbroker with a famous sports star boyfriend, but things aren’t as sweet as they seem. When life in the city of Bath goes from Vanilla to Rocky Road, she takes herself off to Italy for an ‘Eat Pray Love’ style tour of all things gelateria. What she doesn’t expect to find on her travels is one smooth, hot dollop of temptation that she just can’t shake. 

How will her spiteful twin sister react when Giovanna returns to open a rival ice cream parlour? Will Natalia get her just desserts? Or will things become even stickier? All’s fair in love, war and ice cream. Isn’t it?

*Marian Keyes meets Paulo Coelho meets Nigella*

The Ice Cream Parlour is a mouthwatering tale of fate, family, love and jealousy – with a delectable drizzle of alchemy besides.

My review

Well, I am going to start with my negative comment…

As being an Italian, I am a great fan of stories taking place in the country of my roots. Add it with one of my favorite foods, you’ll be sure that I am hooked.

But… if you are adding some Italian words in it, pretty please make sure it’s grammatically correct…

Yes I know they saying with the pot and the kettle, but always being blamed of being the grammar police, please forgive me this remark. It’s just stronger than myself. 🤣

And that’s all the negative I have to say…

Well, except for stating that Giovanna just has the most terrible family and boyfriend in the whole world!

From the start, you feel instant sorry for her. Being the youngest of the twin, and the less beautiful, she has a hard youth.

And as her parents make it no secret that yes, they do have a favourite daughter… well, enough is said…

There are a lot of sad things happening in this story… I just wanted to grab Giovanna, give her a huge hug and tell her not to worry, as everything will work for the best.

And when she goes to Italy, you are instantly cheering for her, happy for her that she is going after her own luck and happiness.

When she finally has her dream come true, you know that there is still something evil lingering around the corner. And you hope it won’t be so bad as you think. But this book has the capability of keeping to surprise you, in a good way (oh my God, all those flavours of ice cream!!!) and also in a bad way. Meaning that the bad news is even worse than suspected.

The first chapter was a bit of a rough start, but then it got me hooked, and I read it at high speed, just eager to know what will happen.

And again, a story with ice cream in a major role, what’s not to like!!!

Now I’ll stop writing and go fetch myself an ice cream, even though it won’t be as delicious as Giovanna’s magical flavours!

Yes Rachael, I reviewed your book again! 😃

Synopsis

Mixing business with pleasure…

…has never been more tempting!

Career-focussed Zara Anders, an estate agent for the elite, has sworn off men―until gorgeous Swedish billionaire Daniel Lazenby gets under her skin. Their racy affair heats up quickly, but ends in a hurry when Zara learns about Daniel’s womanizing past. Determined to win her back, Daniel offers her a business deal too good to be true…and some out-of-office fun too tempting to turn down!

My review

Those who follow my blogs, know that previously I also reviewed another book by Rachael Stewart. So given me the possibility to read another book of her, I just took it!

And again it did not disappoint me a bit!

Zara is an estate agent who needs to find a new home for Julia. So she meets Daniel, just an over the top hot looking Swedish man. He’s not looking for a relationship, and she dismissed men generally. But their chemistry is too hard to ignore.

What I liked about this book is that there is just more that the explicit scenes. When you start reading it, you know what to expect.

But sometimes books in this genre are focused on the physical aspects and the story itself is not that important. Rachael Stewart manages again to find the perfect balance between the two. Yes, there are some heated moments, but not at the cost of the story. You get to learn the characters, and during the story you understand them. This story goes deeper than other books in the sale genre, which makes it really enjoyable!

In my previous blog, I had the tiny remark about the use of the word ‘tummy’. To my delight, ‘tummy’ was again used several times. But this time, ‘tummy’ met ‘belly’. 😂 And this time I wasn’t a itsy bitsy annoyed by it, but it just made me laugh!

So again another lovely book that I read and Rachael Stewart definitely won me over! I’m a fan!!!

I just loved it!

Synopsis

Those who don’t jump will never fly…

Hurtling through the sky was supposed to be Edie Browne’s flight of independence. But when she falls head over champagne bucket while celebrating her successful landing, her life is changed in an instant. 
 
But starting over has its benefits, and as Edie relearns the basics under the watchful eye of her Aunty Josie and an entire Cornish village of new friends and neighbours, she finds love and joy she never could have imagined in the unlikeliest of places… 

Come home to St Aidan and Periwinkle Cottage for a romance full of love, laughter and friends for life!

My review

When I am reading a book, I cannot contain my facial expressions. So when it’s a happy part, you see me smiling, when we are reaching a sad part, I’m making sad faces too.

One thing I do very rarely, is crying over a book. I think in the past I cried over maximum 5 books. And believe me, I’ve read a lot of books…

And now this book has been added on my ‘I cried while reading it’ list. For those who will read the book, you’ll know when I cried…

To make it perfectly clear, this isn’t a sad story. The beginning is rather shocking, as Edie is a 32 years young woman who suffered a stroke and has to learn everything again.

As I am about the same age, this story put me with my 2 feet back on the ground. Not that I am living high in the sky, but this book is quite a reality check. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are in life and that other people are not.

The struggle to regain possession of her own life is so real, that you cannot do otherwise than relate to Edie.

It sounds like a hard story to read, but believe me, it’s not. Despite the theme of the story, it’s a great book. It’s amazing to read how Edie fights back and starts to live again. And also how she learns that she is not alone, as she has a whole town she can rely on. She learns everything from scratch, learns new people and thanks to those people, she KNOWS she will be old self again.

And then there is Barney and Cam… Cam is just too cute for words… the innocence of a child is all Edie needs at the moment. And Barney is amazing in his belief in Edie.

Don’t think this is a love story, this is so much more, that it’s too difficult to explain.

To understand what I mean, just read the book!!!

Time for another review.

Synopsis

This was no cold marble—this was a man! Antonia goes to Tuscany to rebuild her life. The last thing she wants to do is fall in love, least of all with rich, arrogant, aristocratic Lorenzo.

Librarian Antonia Gray has fled England for northern Tuscany after an unhappy love affair to work on the archive of a 17th century Italian explorer, a member of a centuries-old aristocratic family. There she meets his descendent, Lorenzo Quattromani, rich, arrogant, handsome—and engaged to the beautiful and ruthless Giselle. The last thing Antonia wants is to fall in love, least of all with someone so dangerous. His engagement, though, is not what it seems, and Lorenzo breaks down Antonia’s resistance. But Giselle has other ideas.

My review

Reading books taking place in Italy always peeks my interest. Is the author of the book as in love with Italy as I am? Yes, yes I know, I’m not being neutral, as I am an Italian 😂.

So I was very happy that I wasn’t disappointed!

This was an enjoyable story to read on a lazy day. I hope nobody gets offended by my next words, but sometimes reading a story where you can just switch your brain off, it’s all a girl needs!

Reading this book, fulfills all your expectations.

A young woman, heartbroken, runs away to a new country and then the nephew of her new boss is extremely handsome!

And of course, let’s not forget the typical Italian macho behaviour!

But Antonia is not a girl to mess with! And Lorenzo definitely is to figure this out.

There is love, sweetness, drama and an unexpected twist. This made me continue reading the story as even if you know how the story will end, you just want to know how hard the characters have to fight for what they want.

The story has a good speed in it, the chapters don’t drag on and on and on.

One little thing that disturbed me a little bit, was how quickly the ‘love’ word was pronounced. I know it can be possible, but only after a few days meeting each other saying this words, made me frown a little bit.

But this is a necessity in the story. It’s a rather short story, compared to other books I’ve read. So I understand that sometimes the feelings have to emerge more quickly compared to the real life.

So after putting my initial frown aside, I enjoyed reading the rest of the book.

And let me tell you, it was worth it!

Just a small comment… O!M!G!

Synopsis

Jen Attison likes her life Just So. But being fished out of a canal in Copenhagen by her knickers is definitely NOT on her to do list. From cinnamon swirls to a spontaneous night of laughter and fireworks, Jen’s city break with the girls takes a turn for the unexpected because of her gorgeous, mystery rescuer.

Back home, Jen faces a choice. A surprise proposal from her boyfriend, ‘boring’ Robert has offered Jen the safety net she always thought she wanted. But with the memories of her Danish adventure proving hard to forget, maybe it’s time for Jen to stop listening to her head and start following her heart…

My review

No, this isn’t a romantic book….

This is so much more…

It all starts with Jen, who accepts to marry Robert. As she says herself, their relationship is not full of sparks, but it works for them.

For me, this was already a bummer, but if you continue reading the story, you’ll understand Jen and her vision. Not that I agree with it, but I understood somehow her point of view.

And then 1 event changes her whole world around… One perfect kiss is all it takes…

She finally comes to realisation that she isn’t living her life, but just trying to please everyone and being overprotective of her younger sister.

This is a story where the main character has to face her own dreams and passions, and has to find the guts to chase them. It’s also a story about letting go, and trusting the people in her inner circle that they know what they are doing or want to do.

And yes, the best kisser has also a returning part in the story, which I really enjoyed! As he is good looking (yes, I know that looks aren’t everything, but it surely helps 😃), funny ( absolutely required for me), sweet, and pushy when he needs to be (as he persuades Jen to follow her passion).

But in my opinion, it’s a nice extra, but the main story here is growth and coming clean.

So yes, I enjoyed reading this book, as the characters are not simply falling in love with each other, but actually evolve to their best.

And what’s not to like in such stories!

So yes, a short review this time, not because I didn’t like it, but I liked it too much and I want everyone to discover it for themselves

It’s time to go back in the past!

Synopsis

The final instalment of the Highbury trilogy, Dear Jane recounts events hinted at but never actually described in Jane Austen’s Emma; the formative childhood years of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill, their meeting in Weymouth and the agony of their secret engagement.
Orphaned Jane seems likely to be brought up in parochial Highbury until adoption by her papa’s old friend Colonel Campbell opens to her all the excitement and opportunities of London. Frank Weston is also transplanted from Highbury, adopted as heir to the wealthy Churchills and taken to their drear and inhospitable Yorkshire estate. Readers of Emma will be familiar with the conclusion of Jane and Frank’s story, but Dear Jane pulls back the veil which Jane Austen drew over its remainder.

My review

I think you can find everywhere in the world people who just adore the British Classics. How many women have not swooned over Mr. Darcy, Heathcliff, Mr. Rochester etc.

Sometimes I think to myself it’s a pity that in current literature such characters are missing. Of course there are a lot of fictional perfect men in current literature, but will they last over the centuries?

So given the opportunity to read about a story taking place at the same time as one of those classics, ‘Emma’, with the same characters, peeked my interest.

The author reassures us from the beginning, even if there are the same characters, she did not change the whole plot, she just shows us the other point of view.

And she managed this perfectly.

I think it’s rather difficult to stand up to the original. But this book managed it easily. At least, so does it look like. I am sure there were several struggles as there is always the fear to dissappoint people when you are working with character that were not created completely by yourself.

But Allie Cresswell managed to stay in the same atmosphere that Jane Austen created, but adding her own in it. This could have been easily been written in the same era, as the difference in style was minor.

The ‘original’ story focused on Emma, but it was really nice and enjoyable to read the full story of Jane. Learning what life brought her and how she faced the struggles but also the happy times.

So this was a book that kind of making me feel home, submerging myself in that typical atmosphere, but also refreshing, as I got to know new people, and the old ones on a better level.

So well done!

Keeping up with the reviewing groove!

Synopsis

Surely fairy tales don’t happen in real life?

After being jilted at the altar, high-flying journalist Sam doesn’t believe in love any more – and she certainly doesn’t believe in fairy tales! So, when she’s asked to cover the Royal Wedding, it’s the last thing she wants to do.

And when she crashes into a ridiculously handsome stranger, Anders, things go from bad to worse. But as the big day draws closer, Sam finds herself being swept up in the excitement – as well as swept off her feet by Anders!

But there’s something that Anders is hiding from her – and when he finally reveals his secret, might Sam just have the happy-ever-after she never thought she wanted…?

My review

This is really an enjoyable book to read on a sunny, happy day.

The story is about an average woman, ‘forced’ to write about the royal wedding of the Norwegian Prince and a woman who is not royalty, but a famous TV personality.

I have to admit, this sounds very familiar, if you take a look at the British royals 😀

But the book is not about the wedding, but about Sam, who’s speciality is writing about politics instead of royalty…

Sam meets Anders, this just hot looking man, in an elevator. She assumes he’s also a reporter and is also writing about the wedding, as they keep meeting each other.

And from the start, there is a spark…

But no worries, this is not a full girl meets boy, they fall in love, the story is full of romantic moments between the two, then a struggle and then a happily ever after without anything more.

No, there is so much more to it.

Sam has been dumped a couple of years ago and she is a proclamed happy single.

But the attraction with Anders is too strong, even though you have to wait a very very long time for that first kiss, and even that is not a normal kiss…

And when it FINALLY happens, I was so happy it finally happened!

And then the secret is out… and it’s full drama-alert.

As stated before, it’s a nice story to read on a sunny day, as it’s a recipe for instant happiness. Yes, the love part takes a while to happen, but all the other things going on, just made me feel content.

What also made me laugh were the great gestures in the end and the Cinderella references. I think everybody needs some great gestures in life!

It was such a lovely story to read, and ok, I knew from the start how it would end, but honestly, I couldn’t care less.

If you are in need for a good feelings book, just read this book, and dream about your own royal wedding!

Today I’m taking part in the Publication Day Push of this lovely book!

Synopsis

Home is where the heart is…

Holly doesn’t have time for a holiday this year. But when her job threatens to send her over the brink, her boss insists she take a sabbatical. So she packs her bags and escapes to her beloved grandmother Gigi’s house on Wishington Bay, which has sat empty since Gigi passed away.
 
But Holly’s dreams of a coastal escape take an unexpected turn. Holly didn’t expect to spend time with any man this summer – let alone an Aussie Adonis…but when she meets her next door neighbour Gabe and his little dog Bryan, it’s clear her quiet summer of strolling along the sand and wandering through the seaside village’s tiny streets on her own will come with a hefty dose of distraction.
 
With a summer to fill and Gigi’s wonderful and surprising house to sort through, Holly knew it would be a summer packed with old memories. She just didn’t expect to make so many new ones…

My review

What a wonderful book this was!

It just has everything you expect from a romantic comedy.

It all starts when Holly is forced to take the summer off from her boss after several panic attacks and decides to go the home her grandmother Gigi left her after her death.

I’m not going to add more information, as I just want you to discover yourself what will happen next. But keep in mind that a hot doctor will appear as a neighbour!

This has it all, what more can I say.

It has sad parts, which are the catalyst for the whole story. There are funny parts, that made me laugh at loud (giving me strange looks from my family, but to that I’m used 😂), there are sweet parts which made me all ‘oooow’ and ‘aaaaaaw’. There are also misunderstandings that made me ’facepalm’ and there is the cutest dog in the whole world!!!

And to be honest, while I was reading it, I could imagine the book being turned into a movie. It just has everything that a romantic movie needs. And if some director needs some ideas for the doctor, I’d be pleased to help finding the perfect actor for it! 😆

Holly is the kind of woman that everybody knows in their lives. We all know someone who is a workaholic, but also afraid to love again as being hurt too much…

And Gabe is one of the most perfect men ever! Sweet, helpful, funny, caring,… and the fact that he’s good looking AND a doctor AND has the cutest dog ever, helps 😀

This story is just so nice and beautiful, and made me feel all the emotions that the characters felt. I can go on and on and on trying to explain why I loved reading it, but you’ll just have to find out yourself.

Here is my review of ‘Bridesmaids’! I think it’s rather clear how much I loved it!

Synopsis

Meet Rachel, the beautiful bride with BIG plans for the perfect day! The venue is a castle and the dress is designer.  It’s just a shame her husband is a rat.

Maddie and Sally have only one thing in common – they both love the same man!
 
Beth is a newly single mum with a mystery baby daddy.  Surely the father isn’t someone the girls all know?
 
And then there’s Jane, the glue holding them all together, but being dumped doesn’t make her the happiest bridesmaid…especially with gorgeous flatmate Freddie complicating things.

Will the bride say, ‘I Do!’?  Or will her bridesmaids save the day…and find love along the way?    

The most hilarious, feel-good rom com of the year!

My review

When I finished this book, I kind of felt ashamed… I started reading it on a Thursday morning, and finished it the next morning.

Just to be clear, I didn’t skip work, but I was on a holiday and had a very long trip from Milan back to Belgium in a bus. So I had plenty of time for reading.

But this was such a nice, funny, sometimes even sad story, that I just kept reading and reading and reading.

It’s so easily written, and some parts are so recognizable!

Jane is like every woman in this world, having had a major heartbreak after her fiancee broke up with her and is still trying to get over it.

Luckily for her she has her best friends, Rachel and Freddie.

But then Rachel annonces she’s getting married with Michael. And Jane knows that Michael has been cheating on Rachel…And Jane knows about it but kept it a secret.

As the wedding is being planned, more bridemaids come into the story and Jane is the poor girls who has to keep everybody’s secret.

And trying to keep them for yourself isn’t that easy!

While I was reading, I had a lot of ‘ooooow’ and ‘aaaaaah’ and smiles and sad faces. People must have been thinking that I am a very strange girl 😀

But this to indicate how much I enjoyed reading it!

Even the not so happy parts were nice to read.

And Freddie… oooh I want a Freddie myself!

He’s just everything a woman desires, AND he’s great at taking care of kittens!!!

Where can I buy a Freddie??? I need one, rightaway!!!

If by now it’s not clear, I LOVED this book!

Minor point of critism, if I’m allowed…. the ending was a bit too hasty for me… I just wanted more Jane and Freddie time! 😂