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‘No Place Like Home’ – written by Maxine Morrey

Today it’s my turn in reviewing ‘No Place Like Home’. As you’ll see, I really enjoyed this book and I hope you share my opinion!

Synopsis

Two hearts. One home?

Eleanor Laing has a very good reason to want to stay single: her last relationship put her in danger. And she’s worried that while the physical scars will heal, the emotional ones never can. So, travelling to Kansas for her best friend Sandy’s wedding, Eleanor’s in need of some time alone. And Sandy’s brother Ben’s rural and idyllic ranch seems like the perfect place for it.
 
Ben comes with his own baggage – a failed marriage in his past, and a big question mark over his future – and he knows the feelings he had for Eleanor belong firmly in the history books. But, sitting on his porch with her, he’s never felt more at home.
 
Both of them swore they were better off alone… yet is it possible that two broken hearts could come together to heal?

My review

I don’t know about you, my dear readers, but when I think about a story that takes place in a ranch, with a country singer, I have in my mind already a story that is full of stereotypes. A hot singer and a woman that instantly fall in love and have a lot of love-making but have to face a few dramas to finally live happily ever after.

Is it because of all those Harlequin-kind of books that you find all over the place (not being judgemental here! I enjoy them too once in a while! 😀) with those kind of stories?

So I was ready for such a story when I started this book. But it took my totally by surprise when I found out it wasn’t anything like those stories!

And this in a good way, if it may not be clear.

The story starts really dramatic, as Ellie is in an abusive relationship. To distract ber, she goes to Kansas, visiting her best friend Sandy. And there she meets Ben again, Sandy’s brother.

What I really liked, is that there is no immediate chemistry. Yes, there is a bond, being friends since they were kids, but initially nothing more.

And then there are a few fast forwards, necessary as you learn more from Ellie and Ben, and see in what phase their life is.

I’m not a huge fan of such fast forwards, but in this case it didn’t disturb me, as it made it clear to the reader that the developping feelings aren’t just a catch in the moment, but the real thing.

That’s what made me keep reading it, the reality of the story. From the start I was hooked to it, I wanted to Ellie and Ben be finally together, and have the love they both deserve. And yes, a few time I cussed, when they were so close, but at the last moment decided to keep their feelings to themselves.

That’s also part of the reality… being friends with someone, and feeling more than just friendship, but being afraid to lose the friendship by admitting how you feel, not knowing if it’s mutual of not.

Who hasn’t been the same situation somehow?

So yes, I loved this book from the start until the end, and I even was a little sad when it was over, because I wanted more!

If you want to read a sweet story, about love and friendship and mutual respect, read this story and enjoy it!

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‘Gap Years’ written by Dave Holwill

Today is a very productive day as I am posting 2 reviews today!

Synopsis

19 year old Sean hasn’t seen his father since he was twelve. His mother has never really explained why. An argument with her leads to his moving to the other side of the country.

Martin, his father, has his life thrown into turmoil when the son he hasn’t seen in nearly eight years strolls back into his life immediately killing his dog and hospitalising his step-daughter.

The one thing they have in common is the friendship of a girl called Rhiannon.

Over the course of one summer Sean experiences sexual awakenings from all angles, discovers the fleeting nature of friendship and learns to cope with rejection.

Martin, meanwhile, struggles to reconnect with Sean while trying to delicately turn down the increasingly inappropriate advances of a girl he sees as a surrogate daughter and keep a struggling marriage alive.

Gap Years is an exploration of what it means to be a man in the 21st Century seen from two very different perspectives – neatly hidden inside a funny story about bicycles, guitars and unrequited love.

My Review

Never judge a book by its first page…

I started reading this book and after reading the literally first page, my thoughts were: ‘Wtf am I reading?’

Don’t know if my mind was in the wrong place, but that first page made no sense at all to me…

So wisely, I dropped the book for a few days and gave it another chance later that week.

And I am very happy that I didn’t just give up.

This story could be the story of every family.

A estranged son coming back home, trying to bond again with his father, after years of radio silence.

The same son struggling with his own identity, not knowing what really to do with his life.

And the father not being able to properly communicate with his own family and even hating his job.

I think everybody knows somehow to relate to this story.

Despite my first failed attempt, it all starts with a crash. And sadly, there is 1 victim… the poor dog.

From here on the story starts, and you immediately feel that there are several things not going so well in the family.

Martin, the dad, blames Sean, the son, for the accident, but feels bad about his own thoughts.

And Sean has his own struggles… after leaving the home he had with his mother, he tries to bond with the family of his father. Even if his stepmother and younger stepsister adore him, the relationship with his father is more difficult. And what about his sexual orientation? Is he more into men or more into girls? He just doesn’t know…

So when he meets Rhiannon, he finally thinks he knows. But of course nothing is easy when it comes to love. Because does Rhiannon loves him back or is he being ‘friend-zoned’?

In the second attempt of reading this story, I started to really like it. As already said, somehow I could relate the it.

You feel how everyone tries to reinforce their relationship, but just fail at it.

Being raised by being told it’s wrong to show real emotions, Martin just doesn’t know how to communicate and every attempt he makes, just makes things worse than before.

And Sean, being as shy as he is, finds it hard to make friends and tell what’s on his mind.

The story is so real, you can find examples of such persons in your environment. And the reality of the story is what made me continue reading it. I wanted to know more and as soon as possible. Sometimes I just wanted to enter the book and slap some of the characters because of the stupidity of their actions.

This isn’t a book full of action, or romance or scary parts. It’s a book about a family with real problems, and they try to overcome them.

So it’s somehow a simple story, but that’s the charm of it. And it’s that charm that made me continue reading it.

And it’s that same charm that made me sad when I got to the end, but also happy. Because in the end, there is a conclusion that makes you smile and gives hope for a better future for the whole family!

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‘An Impossible Thing Called Love’ – written by Belinda Missen

Today it’s time for a new review!

Synopsis

Don’t miss the new delightfully uplifting book from the author of A Recipe for Disaster!

A second chance at love…

When globe-trotting Emmy first fell for first-aider William on a freezing New Year’s Eve, she really believed that their love would go the distance.

But when she returns to Australia, her letters start to go unanswered and her emails bounce back unread, Emmy decides it’s time to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and start afresh in London.

So she’s shocked when William walks in on her very first day at her new job! Even worse, he’s hotter than ever. But why did he disappear for so long? What has he been hiding? And could this really be their second chance at falling in love…? 

Perfect for fans of Carole Mathews, Mhairi McFarlane and Carrie Hope Fletcher.

My review

What a lovely story to read!

But let’s start with the beginning, as I was facing a ‘reading block’, as I really couldn’t read a book for a whole week.

What’s a week in a lifetime? But for me, it’s like hell freezing over…

So slowly I started reading this book, being mentally prepared for only reading a few pages.

And then, before I knew, I reached the end.

So it’s pretty obvious I enjoyed reading this book.

It starts as a holiday fling between Emmy and William. They start writing letters (yes actual letters 😀 ) but all of the sudden, William stops replying…

And Emmy learns to cope with her heart break, and even falls in love again.

Taking the next step,in their life, Emmy and her boyfriend decide to move from Australia to London.

And then Emmy realises that William of all people is a doctor at her new job!

This was a really really really really nice book to read. It has all the drama you expect in a romantic story. So it’s not all puppies and sunshine.

But it’s the drama that kept me reading. Why is William being such an a**hole when they first meet again?

And what will happen with Emmy her relationship?

Will all secrets be discovered?

And will there be place for forgiveness?

All the above are sufficient reasons for liking the whole story. But it’s the easy writing and the fact that you can relate to everything that made me love it!

I can go on forever finding reasons to persuade you to read this book, but I think that if I tell you,that I finished it in only a few days (keeping in mind that I have to work 8 hours a day) you have a pretty good idea what my opinion is!

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‘Did I mention I was getting married’ written by Julie Butterfield

And here is my review for the second book in the series!

Synopsis

Two years ago Rebecca Miles won the lottery and ended her marriage to her overbearing and unpleasant husband Daniel. She had every intention of putting the past behind her and starting again, but it turned out to be so much more difficult than she had imagined. Then Daniel announces he is getting married again and as Rebecca broods over how he has found it so easy to move on her daughter phones with good news – she’s getting married too! Determined not to be left behind Rebecca throws caution to the wind and finally meets someone who can give her the new start she so desperately wants. Now her ex-husband is back in her life, the future Mrs Miles wants to be her best friend, she has her daughter’s wedding to plan and a ramshackle old wedding venue to renovate to its former perfection in just a few months, if only she can find a builder who will take on the job. There are challenges, surprises, love and heartbreak ahead but at the end of a long, hot summer, will there be any weddings?

My review

After reading the first book, I was looking forward in reading the sequel.

In this book, Rebecca is ‘freed’ from her husband and enjoying her new life after previously winning the lottery.

But then her ex-husband calls her with the news he’s getting married and he wants her to meet his future-wife-to-be.

And a little bit later her daughter has also great news: She’s getting married!

And here the story really begins…

As so many things are happening around her, Rebecca starts to feel lonely, as although she has the money, she doesn’t feel happy as she thought she would.

Being matched with Charles, will she finally feel satisfied? Or will builder Drew be more than just a handsome man?

I was very curious for this second part and it didn’t disappoint me.

It has the same style as the first book and reads very easily.

Just a nice book to read if you are in need to relax, the mood I obviously had.

Rebecca starts finally standing up for herself but finds it hard to continue doing so with the fiancee of her ex.

Of course, who wouldn’t struggle in the same situation? You want to be the nice person but hate it when you are taking advantage off…

Also in the second part, we get to know Sarah, Rebecca’s daughter. While you are getting to know her better, you see the resemblance between her and her mother. And it’s nice to see how their relationship evolves during the story.

So what made this a nice story and not a great story?

Well, I can’t put my finger on it, but I have the feeling there is something missing…

Did the end came all too fast and easy?

Was it an actual end for all the characters? I feel there was so much more to tell…

And how the story of Daniel and his fiancee ends, , gives me the idea of sending the total wrong message, just to settle in believing you can’t get any better.

That’s not what to expect from a romantic story, right?

And yes, I know the story is about Rebecca and not Daniel, but wouldn’t it be nice if everybody got his/her truly happy ending?

I think that’s the reason that I liked the story, but not loved it.

As stated earlier, it’s nice to read on a lazy day, just as the first part. But being a real romantic soul, I just wished everybody got what they desire the most. And just like in real life, that’s just not always an option…

So I guess here is also a lesson to be learned: you don’t always get want you want.

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‘Did I mention I won the lottery’ written by Julie Butterfield

Another review for Rachel’s Random Resources!

Synopsis

Did I Mention I Won the Lottery?

Rebecca Miles has won the lottery and is now living a millionaire lifestyle. The only problem is – she hasn’t told her husband. So at weekends she’s a dutiful wife in Darlington, working at the local deli and making shepherd’s pie for dinner, but during the week she’s living in her new mansion in Leeds spending her days shopping whilst her husband thinks she’s looking after her sick mother. Will she get the courage to tell him before he finds out for himself? And can several million pounds in your bank account save a failing marriage?

My review

What would you do if you won the lottery? For me, it would be impossible as I never participate 😀

But Rebecca is shocked when she realises that her numbers are the winning numbers and she won millions!

And so the story starts…

This is a nice story to read during a relaxing January day, when you have absolutely nothing else to do.

I felt instant sympathy for Rebecca and instant dislike for her husband Daniel.

Rebecca moved 5 years ago from Leeds to Darlington because Daniel’s job but never liked it there and missed her old home. The relationship between the two is not what a relationship should be and Rebecca is not enjoying her life, just surviving it, as figure of speech.

So when she wins the lottery, I was happy for her, as she finally has some joy in her life and has the chance to change her life.

And when she decides to keep this as a secret for a while, I can understand it, because knowing what Daniel’s like, he’ll just decide by himself what to do with the money.

At the beginning of living with her secret I was thinking that Rebecca was doing the right thing, spending a small part of the money how she wanted, not having to justify it to anybody. Just do what you want!

But the more she spent, the less I liked her…

Okay, you have every right to spend the money how you desire, but keeping this a secret as long as Rebecca did, just didn’t seem right…

So the more (sometimes even futilities) she bought, the more I disliked her.

And then the secret is out and more secrets come out from Daniel’s side. And Daniel is even more a a**hole than initially thought while poor Rebecca slumbs back in being the ‘yes-woman’ as before and not the independent woman she was becoming.

My feeling towards Rebecca started as feeling sorry for her, then I was happy for her. After a while there was dislike followed by feeling sorry for her again.

At the end she stands up for herself and I was honestly proud of her, as she wanted to do the right thing, even if it meant to go against her own husband.

In general this was a relaxing story, where you see the character grow. There aren’t any unneccessary chapters just to keep the story going. It’s well written and you want to know how the story will end.

Now I’m eager to read the second part, and can’t wait to see what will happen next!

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‘An Unconventional Affair – Book 2’ written by Mollie Blake

Here in another review I gladly wrote for Rachel’s Random Resources!

Synopsis

An Unconventional Affair Book 2, A Risk Worth Sharing

This second part of An Unconventional Affair finds Barrington Stone working in Australia for a year. Tranquility“Tee” Hammond, fifteen years his senior, has ended their affair, but for Barrington it was never over. He can’t wait for the year to pass to go back to her. However, after a drunken encounter, with a woman he later discovers is a sex worker, his life is changed forever. How can he possibly leave Australia, now that he has a daughter?

After accepting that Barrington won’t be coming back to the UK, Tee rekindles her relationship with the charming-yet-unconventional Sebastian Chandler, owner of a motorsportsracetrack. Although living with Sebastian is “complicated” and life for the couple isn’t perfect, they are settled and Tee is happy.

But everything changes when Barrington returns. Tee’s heart is in turmoil, and Sebastian is afraid he will lose the woman he loves. As the plot thickens and twists unravel, Barrington must decide if there is one risk worth sharing.

My review

Most common fear of readers is that if there is a sequel, the sequel is never as good as the original. Not only readers have this fear, but also film lovers.

How many books/ movies have there been in history that just couldn’t compete with the first part?

Too many to tell…

So it’s obvious that when I started reading ‘Book 2’ I kind of mentally prepared myself to be disappointed.

And then I started…

And for once, I actually liked the sequel better than the first part.

As in the first part, I couldn’t find the real joy of reading it, I hoped this one wouldn’t be one of those sequels that were just a glimpse of what has already been known.

That I could relate to the characters, would be a strange assumption, as I for starters, am single, not left abroad, don’t have a child with someone I didn’t really want to be with.

So a lot of reasons that I couldn’t relate…

But for some other reasons, I could understand what Barrington was going through in Australia.

I understood his choices and I even think I would have done the same if I were to be in his shoes.

And also what happened with Tee, meeting again with Sebastian and give their relationship a second chance. And even if Sebastian is feeling like something is missing, again, I understood them.

Only little point of critisism… what annoyed me a bit, were the huge time jumps… suddenly there is a jump over 10 years, and to me, it was a too big jump.

But beside that, I really liked reading this book.

During the reading, when Barrington and Tee meet again, I felt immediately where their story would go.

Even though their unconventional affair isn’t really my thing, I wanted to know how everybody in the story would react and handle their own feelings.

And I must say, it was all well written. Ok, there are some explicit scenes, but you know you are getting them, if you chose to read this story.

And they are not disturbing at all, they even give you that little extra to understand the whole situation.

So if you’re not afraid to read some explicit sex scenes, and want to know what happens after the first book, you’ll really like this one!

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‘Spiral into Darkness’ written by Joseph Lewis

How exciting! My very first review for https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com!

Hope you all enjoy this one!

Synopsis:

He blends in. He is successful, intelligent and methodical. There are no clues. There are no leads. The only thing the FBI and local police have to go on is the method of death: two bullets to the face- gruesome and meant to send a message. But it’s difficult to understand any message coming from a dark and damaged mind. Two adopted boys, struggling in their own world, have no idea they are the next targets. Neither does their family. And neither does local law enforcement.

My review:

To be truly honest, this book was a difficult one for me…

It was the first I’ve read from this author and I was intrigued by the synopsis.

So I gave it a shot.

The first half of the book was a real struggle for me. In my modest opinion, there were just too many details and characters…

Why was it important to know that person X was wearing that kind of clothes, while person Y was wearing something different? And all this when person Z wore his favorite outfit. Just too many details that weren’t that interesting to me…

And there were also too many characters what got me all confused. Was he the guy that was married to that woman? Or was he the one who in charge of the whole operation?

It was just too much for me to keep a clear mind and not getting confused…

There were also a few references to the past, and if you haven’t read the author’s previous book (like I haven’t) it’s a bit hard to follow…

All the above was thus the reason that the first half I didn’t enjoy the reading. I had a hard time to focus and not to find an excuse to stop reading. And for me finding an excuse for not reading, is something out of the ordinary.

But it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t tell you that the second half of the book finally had my complete attention.

After I kind of had a clear idea of who who was and did, the story got me.

I wanted to figure out who the murderer was and what his/her (no spoilers here 😄) motives were.

As in the first part there was no clue in why the family was involved, the pieces of the puzzle slowly fell into place, even leaving me with the thought ‘ Is it done already? But I have still questions for which I didn’t get an answer!’

So it was hard to begin with, but then I got dragged into it and wanted to know more.

Is it enough for me to read the previous parts and read other books from this author? Well, let’s say that time will tell. I’m not discarting it totally, but hopefully if I read something else, the initial struggle won’t be there.

But for those who are already familiar with this author, I’m sure they will enjoy the story!