When the city of love initially starts as the city of healing heartbreak

Synopsis

Can the city of love mend a broken heart?

Romance author Tessa Elliot has writer’s block, and worse – she isn’t sure she still believes in love. To heal her broken heart, she decides to go on the romantic break in Paris she’d booked before her world fell apart.

But when she arrives at the Airbnb, Tessa is stunned to find someone is already there. Her ex’s best friend Ethan has made himself at home, being told that the place would be empty.

As it’s Paris Fashion Week, and with no other options, they agree to share the apartment. Neither will be in the place much after all, with Ethan taking a cookery course and Tessa on a hard deadline to finish her novel.

But sharing close nights in a one bed apartment, there’s an undeniable pull towards one another.

Will Tessa be able open her heart, and her laptop, ever again?

A gorgeous romance set in the city of love, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Christina Lauren

My review

After her break – up with her boyfriend, romance author Tessa Elliot has a severe case of writer’s block. And all because she doesn’t believe in love anymore. To find inspiration and also heal her broken heart, with some persuasion of her best friends, Tessa decides to go on the planned romantic break to Paris, on her own. As she paid for it all, it for sure seems a waste of money not going.
However, when she arrives at the Airbnb, she is shocked to find the place already inhabited. Because her ex didn’t see any issue in letting his best friend Ethan staying at the place, as it would be empty anyway.
As Paris is completely booked, for the Paris Fashion Week, Tessa and Ethan agree to share the Airbnb, as they won’t be spending much shared time together, with Elliot focusing on his cookery course and Tessa working on her deadline.
However, time is spent together, and the both of them realize that their first impressions of each other were way off, thanks to Tessa’s ex…
Will Paris be able to make Tessa believe in love again, and let her open her heart again? Or will Paris be something Tessa and Ethan will always have, but nothing more?

Paris is the city that many people have romantic ideas of. And while I absolutely love the city, having been there several times, I cannot say that I link personally Paris with love. Of course it doesn’t help that each time I went, I just went with friends or my brother 😊.

So in a way, I was happy to read that Paris would be “used” as a healing medicine, and not a place with too many expectations.

Because when Tessa head off to Paris, she goes with the lowest romantic expectations. She goes there to find inspiration for her book, not looking for romance herself at all.
And I cannot blame, reading how her ex treated her. Perhaps the stages of her relationship came too quickly, but it’s all circumstantial…

Right from the start, the more I read about that relationship, the more red flags  started to appear. So to see how it ended, wasn’t a complete surprise for me, but I could understand Tessa’s devastation. And I cannot blame her for giving up on love. Getting hurt by the person that supposed to love you, is just terrible. And the way Tessa learned the truth, just even more terrible!

I was happy to read that Tessa is surrounded by loyal friends, who are even able to persuade her to go to Paris, despite everything. It saddened me to read about her writer’s block and it made sense to me for Tessa to head of to the City of Love, looking for inspiration.

Now, I have to say, the moment Tessa finds Ethan in the Airbnb, I found it hilarious. Of course it scared the sh*t out of Tessa, as she wasn’t expecting anyone at the place. But then finding someone there, and how she finds Ethan, well, sorry for truly laughing out loud! 😊

It is rather quickly clear that the discomfort between Tessa and Ethan is not because they truly dislike each other, but it’s rather of the picture that infamous ex, Joe, painted to the other. And with what we know about him…

The moment Ethan enters the scene, there was something about him that says that he is the good kind of guy. He has dreams of his own, and him staying in Paris has a purpose. And even if he and Tessa didn’t get along, or got the chance to know each other well while Tessa was with Joe, he doesn’t hesitate to show Tessa around in Paris. What I liked even more, was that beside all the famous landmarks, he shows Tessa the more special, captivating places that not all tourists know about.

And of course it was lovely to see how the more time these two great characters spend together, the better they get to know each other (obviously), but also start to truly like each other. The attraction just keeps growing between them, and while at moments I just wanted them to take things further, I also liked the decency they both have. They don’t want to rush things, they both want to be sure about what they would be doing, but also they don’t want to take advantage of each other when there may or may not be some alcohol involved.

What I liked even better, is that I got surprised by the behaviour during the very heated moments. Talking about still waters! 😊

Of course I have to talk about Juliette, Ethan’s Parisian friend. What a force of nature she is! And how genuine! When she likes you, she *likes* you, and once a friend, there isn’t a thing she wouldn’t do for you! Everyone needs a Juliette in their life! 😊

Too bad that the book also has an act where things seem to fall completely apart… I was almost screaming loudly at Tessa…

Luckily in this book we see that Tessa has had a lot of growth in it. Not only does she find her self-confidence back, but she also speaks out her mind. She dares to dream again, she dares to love again.

All the above made me just read this book at a pace that perhaps was unhealthy. But I found it truly impossible to just put it down, and continue with my own life, while Tessa and Ethan (and Paris) were waiting for me…

Can a forever home be found with so many challenges in life?

Synopsis

New friends, new life, new love…

Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way…

Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Farm couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves?

When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroads, a future together seems impossible. Can they find the strength to overcome their challenges to secure their forever home together?

My review

Poppy Wells is running from one place to another. Her job keeps her busy, yet her mind is filled with worries about her dad since he was diagnosed with dementia. She daily visits him, even if she sees him deteriorating each day more and more. So of course she is in dire need of a break, even if she struggles with leaving her father behind, even for a few days. But the opportunity of staying in Whisperwood Farmhouse is too good to let is pass. And it being set near Bumblebee Barn, it’s like it’s meant to be, with her love and passion for bees.
With finally being able to take a breather for once, Poppy starts to think about her own future, and where it may be, and what it may bring her.
And meeting Joel, with an instance click, makes Poppy think about the future even more.
But Joel is also in a difficult place at the moment. He loves his little girl Imogen more than anything else, but with worries about his job, and his ex making things even more complicated, Joel feels more lost than ever…
With the both of them not knowing where life will take them, is a future together even possible?

I don’t know how Jessica Redland is able to write each time wonderful stories, keeping me captivated from the first page until the very last one. And that without ever sounding repetitive even if some characters from other books and series make a (wonderful 😊) appearance.

This is the kind of book that you don’t know for which character to feel more sorry for at the start. Because on one hand there is Poppy, who has been through a lot already, and life for sure isn’t giving her any lemonade at al. On the other hand there is Joel, who would do anything for his little girl, but both his ex and his job are giving him more than just one headache…

The moment I realized all the balls Poppy is trying to keep in the air, the more I felt her pressure also on my shoulders. With her background, we see clearly how unfair life can be. She has to face struggle after struggle, without a chance to just relax for a moment…
If Poppy would be a more selfish person, there would be a lot of stress avoided. But then, would we love Poppy as much as we do now? I don’t think so…

I could understand her guilt of going on a break, but it’s also crystal clear that she needs the break so much. She needs to clear her head, but also think about her future, and herself a little bit.
And there couldn’t have been a more fitting place for her to stay! Not only on a Tizi – level, as we see several old friends again, but also on a Poppy – level! The people she meets there are just the kind of people Poppy needs to be surrounded with. All these lovely people welcome her with open arms, help her to process everything she is going through, and offer Poppy some wonderful, shared moments.

We can see Poppy’s stress level diminish, even if of course not all her problems suddenly disappear. That would be too easy of course 😊. But the presence of Joel also helps more than Poppy could ever imagine…

Joel… can I just swoon for a moment?

Thank you…

Joel, what can I say about him that isn’t a superlative? Yes, he is struggling, as he isn’t able to be the kind of father he wants to be for his girl Imogen. He couldn’t be more caring, devoted to Imogen, but the circumstances aren’t working in his favour…

Just when he thinks that job – wise things will move forward, of course there is a setback, ruining everything once again. He has an important decision to make, affecting more lives than just his.

I have to say, the end of a relationship or a marriage is never a happy occasion, even when things aren’t just working out. But I have to say, Imogen’s mother for sure is a person I immediately disliked…
Everything Joel does, or tries to do, is not good for his ex, it even ends  up in backlash for Joel. It angered me to read how instead of trying to work together, for Imogen and her best interest, I found it rather selfish how she acted…

Both Poppy and Joel are people that deserve to find happiness, and to quote the title, a forever home. And finding that special someone isn’t always the endgame. Because just you find someone, means that all your problems and issues are solved. Yet it helps to have found someone that you can ventilate to. A problem shared is a problem halved, or at least a way to look at things differently. And finding that someone special perhaps can also make you think how you want to see your own future.

Now, I have to address Jessica directly…
Something terrible happens to Poppy in this book, at the hand of someone else. And that got me worried a bit, because it seems that the same event happened already in a previous book/series. Is there something that you need to tell us, Jessica? Is there a dark side of you we yet have to discover? 😊

In this wonderful, amazing, heartfelt book by an amazing and super talented author, we see that life isn’t always easy. It doesn’t always go as we want or wish. And that sometimes you have to be a strong person to be able to carry around the weight of the world.
But we also see that sometimes taking a step aside, to get away, can give you perspective, hope and just what you needed the most.

Once again I gave up freely and happily the most necessary needs in my life in order to read this book, like eating and sleeping. But Jessica Redland is worth of every bag under my eyes, as she once again pulled at my heartstrings, making me fall in love with lovely characters and their heartbreaking yet most important heartwarming tale and search for their forever home.

Disclosure: no shortage of tissues in Belgium was found after finishing reading this book. Small victories…

One night, an unexpected consequence…

Synopsis

An uplifting, heart-warming story from the number one bestselling author.

How do you rebuild your life when it changes forever in an instant?

Thirty-five-year-old Victoria Sharpe has a decent job as an illustrator, a perfectly good if predictable relationship, and great friends. So why can’t she shake the feeling that something is missing?

Keen to let off steam, she sets off on a night out with her best friends. Next morning – one reckless decision later – she resolves to make some seriously overdue changes to achieve the fulfilment she craves.

Then she gets devastating news that shatters everything she ever wanted for her future.

Or so she thinks. Because as friends and family rally around to support her, and an unexpected new romance makes her heart skip a beat, Victoria discovers that sometimes in the deepest darkness the brightest light can shine through. But, after all she’s been through, can she let it in?

This uplifting, heart-warming story from number one bestselling author Nicola May will have you reaching for the tissues. An unputdownable, unforgettable read, perfect for fans of Shari Low, Jill Mansell and Amanda Prowse.

“Nicola packs a punch in this joyous story about love and family, healing and hope. Singular, strong and sensitively written.” Milly Johnson, author of The Happiest Ever After

My review

At the age of thirty-five, Victoria Sharpe cannot really complain about her life. She has a steady job as an illustrator, her relationship with Nate is after six years not the most exciting anymore, but the love is still there. Her friends may be very different, but she wouldn’t change them for all the money of the world. Even if her mother and brother make Victoria worry, Victoria is living a rather content life. Yet she cannot shake off the feeling that something is missing in her life. At the hen do of one of her best friends, she decides to let off some steam, even if she regrets the made decisions the morning after. But what Victoria doesn’t know yet, is that this one night off will turn her complete world upside down. And all the plans she had for her future are ready to be flushed down the drain. Or will there be a silver lining despite everything?

When I started this book, I was ready to be succumb myself in happiness, I was ready for an uplifting story, where of course the main character would initially have to go through hardship, but I wasn’t ready for this story…

Because let me tell me you, this story for sure wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. It was a completely different story than I had in my mind. But different doesn’t mean bad, on the contrary!

I think that Victoria finds herself in a stage of her life that many people could relate to. Life isn’t perfect (when is it truly ever?). But just like so many, instead of finding the courage to make a change, she keeps on hanging around.

And while perhaps I didn’t agree with her night of recklessness, I could understand where she was coming from, especially as her relationship with Nate is not what it used to be. Haven’t we all done something out of character just that once, even if we regretted that later on? But I also believe that it was something that Victoria needed to do, in order to have that shake up that she in fact truly needed.

I have to admit, that for a long time while I was reading, I kept wondering where the uplifting moments would start, because Victoria is going through hell for almost half of the book. The news she receives, wasn’t the kind of news I was expecting, and it truly shook me, even if this is just fiction. And while I do not know someone in real life that is in Victoria’s same situation, and thus making it hard to truly understand what she is going through, my heart just broke for her.

Nicola May made a brave choice by letting her main character go through this journey, but unfortunately, Victoria’s fictional journey is a real journey for so many people… And I have to say, that just like Victoria and the people around her, I was a bit ignorant on the matter. I knew a little bit more than the characters, but there was also a lot I didn’t know, things that were explained in the book.

But beside seeing the difficulty of processing that kind of news, because it truly is devastating, life – altering even, we also see Victoria struggling with letting people know. Who to tell, how to tell? And how will her loved ones react? There is no right way to do something like that, and the reactions truly flabbergasted me, in a good way but also in a bad way.

Now, before you go thinking that this is a negative, dark story, please don’t. Because despite what is happening to Victoria, there is a lot of good in it too. We see not only how Victoria is able to make a change in her life, and finally having the courage to make a change. But we also see support, unconditional love (from every kind of loved ones), and that her news isn’t a dead sentence, that that kind of news doesn’t mean that you stop living your life.

It’s that message of positivism that made me absolutely love this book. But also how in the darkest of moments, you can find allies, in perhaps even unexpected corners.

This book for sure is one heck of a journey. We see how a life can easily be shaken up, take a completely different direction. We see how one choice can turn a life upside down, but at the same time, how that one devastating news can open your eyes, how it can make you find the courage to go for your dreams. And we see how after the initial shock, and perhaps the wrong actions after that shock, love and support can be found, that there will always be people in your corner. And that even more can be found, even that one thing that you thought wouldn’t be in your cards anymore…

I don’t give that easily five stars to a book. I read a lot, and I love a lot of books. Yet that doesn’t mean five stars perse. If and when I give five stars, that means that a book truly touched me, tugging some deep hidden heartstrings. And that is exactly what this book did to me…  

Everyone deserves happiness

Synopsis

A surprise arrival

Working with the Whistlestop River air ambulance is Nadia’s whole world. She adores her job and the team – they’re family. But when a baby is abandoned on the steps of the base, Nadia is forced to confront events from her past she’d rather forget.

A difficult change

Hudson is trying to get his life back on track after his divorce. It’s not easy juggling his work as a patient and family liaison officer and being the primary parent for his children. He wouldn’t change it for the world. But when his teenage son’s behaviour spirals out of control, Hudson begins to wonder if he can really be there for everyone who needs him…

A chance for something special?

Nadia and Hudson have always been friends, but the arrival of baby Lena pushes them closer than ever, and as their feelings start to grow, they’ll have to decide – do they have space for love when their families need them? And could they put themselves and each other first, just this once?

My review

Ever since Nadia started working with the Wistlestop River air ambulance, she has found her own special family. The team is not just made by co – workers, but by people that have become so much more and have become very important to Nadia. But no matter how important they are, they do not know everything about Nadia or about her past. However, when a baby girl is left at the base, it reopens old wounds with Nadia, and perhaps the time has come to finally face her past. Luckily, she has her colleague and Hudson by her side. As a family liaison officer, he is invested in the fate of baby Lena, just like Nadia is. But despite Hudson’s commitment, he has several personal issues of his own. Not only is he still trying to get his life back on track after his recent divorce, but his teenage son is also causing Hudson extra headaches. So romance should be the last thing on both minds, yet baby Lena is what brings them closer than ever…

The Skylarks is a series about admirable people. Not only because they have a very important and literally life – saving jobs. But they are also each and every one of them, with no exception, delightful personas! So of course I jumped at the occasion to grab this next chapter!

Right from the start, it’s obvious that Nadia is a wonderful character, but also a character that has been through a lot in the past. So much, that she started a brand-new life, without letting anyone in the secrets she has kept for years. As curiosity kills the cat, I knew I had to be patient and keep reading for the revelations. Not only that, but I also had to keep that same patience to see how it would all be resolved.

My heart broke several times whenever it was Nadia’s turn to tell her story. Not only of her own several heartbreaks over the years, but also how baby Lena and her presence opened all those wounds once again. And then when the past catches up with her, I couldn’t blame Nadia for acting the way she does. She went away for a reason, and the reason was absolutely legit. But I also felt it that Nadia needs closure, she needs to face her demons in order to truly live and enjoy her life.

If there is a person that deserves to enjoy her life, and to find a really special someone, it for sure is Nadia. And could there be anyone more perfect than Hudson? Especially as there is already a connection between them.

But Hudson’s storyline isn’t a clean one either, as he is facing his own struggles.

While Hudson’s story didn’t break my heart as it did with Nadia’s, it doesn’t mean his story didn’t touch me. The end of a marriage is never a happy occasion, and I can only imagine the difficulties to not only come to terms with it, but also how to get your life back on track after the divorce. Put a teenage son in the equation, and things get even more difficult.

He is a real family man, his son is the most important person in Hudson’s life. And no matter how difficult things get throughout the book, he will always be the righteous father. He will not allow his son to get away with what has been done, but he is also there in need of time, listening and also forgiving.

We also see that same passion, compassion, while he is working as a family liaison worker. He does not take his job home with him, but he genuinely cares and is there for the families in the most terrifying moments.

The more their stories evolved, the more I realized that the focus of this book isn’t on the romance between Nadia and Hudson. Of course that is an important bit, but not the most important one. Because it is more about Nadia and Hudson’s personal growth. They both have to deal with the lemons have thrown at them. And dealing with those lemons, means opening up, letting the demons in, but also putting trust in the people around them. People they love and love them right back.

I absolutely devoured this book, loving both Nadia and Hudson. Their journey hasn’t always an easy one, it has been a lonely one at times. But if there is one thing that stands out, is that joined forces, the strength of love, is the strongest power in the world. Nadia and Hudson show us that not only it’s never too late to make amends, but also that it’s never too late for love.

Will the whole truth finally come out, and what will the outcome be?

Synopsis

Discover the truth of The Triplet Orphans in the final instalment of this compelling Cinderella trilogy! 

The key to unlocking Cinderella’s past… 

The enigmatic earl? 

For Miss Anna Lennox, a house party hosted by the Earl of Garvald is a timely distraction from uncovering the truth about her past. And a chance to indulge her secret tendre for him! She can’t escape her quest for long after discovering the earl’s castle was once her home and he was her playmate as an infant! With so many unanswered questions about her past, is there room for Anna to explore her attraction to the earl and discover if her feelings for him are anything more than rekindled friendship?

My review

Miss Anna Lennox couldn’t be happier that her sisters have found love. But as they have always been together, and known as the Triplets, Anna now wonders even more who she even is and how her life will look like. More than ever, she is determined to uncover the truth about her and her sisters’ past. Because even if now the triplets don’t have any worries anymore, the mystery about their parentage still haunts Anna.
When Anna and her sisters are invited by the Earl of Garvald, Anna hopes that the house party will distract her a little bit. Especially as Anna for sure has a sweet yet secret tendre for the Earl himself… But the estate where Anna is residing, look very familiar to her and the Earl himself isn’t a complete stranger at all, as the castle once was her home too, and the Earl was her beloved friend when they were both children. With bits that now connect, both Anna and Will are determined to not only discover the truth about her parentage, but also what happened years ago.

There are series where you can easily read parts without having read the previous books. Such books always have an appearance or such of the characters we already met, but you don’t need the complete background, or that a short explanation is given when necessary.

And then there are series where it’s better to read all the books in order, not only because you will understand all the characters much better, but because you are so invested in the bigger picture and love the characters, period.

With the Lennox Triplets, I was absolutely invested. While I loved reading how each sister, with the exception of Anna, found love, I just wanted to discover and know the mystery of their parentage. The mystery was just too big to just let it go…

But being the romantic person that I am (even if I don’t have romance in my own life at the moment…), I also wanted to read who would capture Anna’s heart, and how!

While reading, I was amazed at the realization how much, even when just being a young child, we can remember. Even if they are memories that we cannot link…
And when Anna arrives at the castle, it’s obvious for us readers that it’s just more than just a resemblance…

Obviously, it was not only sweet to see how Anna and Will find each other again. And let me say, when Anna realizes who Will truly is, I had a mega – smile on my face 😊. But it was also sweet to see how the pair of them are growing even closer. The easiness they had as children between them, is easily restored and grows even further. Of course, there are some clashing moments, with misunderstandings and doing the wrong thing with the right mindset.

And then there is the (FINALLY! 😊) revelation of the parentage. While I was happy that all those answers the characters, but also myself, had, got answered, I was also a bit shocked and flabbergasted to read what truly happened. Even if it’s just fiction, I cannot comprehend how people can think and act in such ways…

I found this a heart – warming, perfect ending for the Lennox Triplets, as it all comes to an end. And not just to any kind of end, but an end that left me with a satisfied feeling. I had not only answers to all my questions living since the start of the series, but I also saw growth in the characters. Characters that didn’t have an easy time but made the best out of their situation. And then we see that a positive attitude may bring many wonderful things on your path!

GiveAway!

Giveaway to Win a Signed copy of Miss Anna and the Earl (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494605/?

Can you future be affected by your past?

Synopsis

Can the future be rewritten?

On the verge of her second marriage, Carla Carter knows she’s finally found the one. She and her fiancé, Tom, met through Logical Love, a dating agency she founded for the pragmatically minded, and she’s confident that, together, they will dispel an old family curse claiming Carter women are unlucky in love.

But Carla’s highly superstitious family insists she visit a fortune teller before her big day, and the tarot cards reveal that a different man holds the key to Carla’s happiness – someone she met while travelling during a gap year, twenty-one years ago. This startling information spurs Carla to trace and revisit the ex-boyfriends she met during that time before she walks down the aisle.

From Barcelona to Amsterdam, Turkey to Paris, will Carla find her perfect match? And can a face from her past help Carla rewrite her entire family history, forever?

My review

Carla Carter truly believes that with her second marriage, she has found the love of her life. Especially as she met Tom when they matched on Logical Love, the dating agency she created herself, focused on the pragmatic side of things.
That is in big contrast with her own family, that believes that the family is cursed, and that all the Carter women are unlucky in love. And that is something that Carla doesn’t believe at all.
To please her family, Carla agrees to visit a fortune teller before her marriage. Only to be shocked with the revelation that the love of her life is someone she met during her gap year twenty – one years ago. While Tom himself is on a convention, Carla decides to track down all the men she met during that year, as an attempt to prove the fortune teller wrong.
So she embarks on a journey, going from Spain, through Portugal, Italy and France, to discover what the fortune teller truly meant. But what will be the outcome?

I started this book not knowing what to expect. Of course I’ve read the blurb, and while on one hand I was intrigued by the fact that the main character would be looking for her exes throughout Europe before her own wedding, I was wary of the fortune teller bits. Because that is absolutely not my cup of tea at all. Everyone is free to believe whatever they want, but for such things, I am always very skeptical.

But I was happy reading that in fact that the fortune telling isn’t a that big part of the story, it’s more the ‘excuse’ of Carla starting her journey. I was also happy to read how the curse – bit was intriguing but not claiming a full place in the spotlight.

While most of the time I like Carla, there were also moments that I found her a bit too “strict”. Yes, she created her dating agency, making matches based on facts. And after the fortune – teller and a shocking discovery, she suddenly doubts everything. I can understand how it would shock her, but to start doubting her match? Yes, the match was made perhaps with an error, but it doesn’t take away the fact that she is in love with Tom… so why would she want to jeopardize everything because of someone told her and a percentage? Isn’t it that love cannot be stopped, no matter the differences or the inference of others?

But isn’t it also the truth that we often wonder ‘what if…’? And I enjoyed reading how Carla makes it her mission to find all the men she met during her gap year. Not only does she take us to wonderful places, but revisiting those places of the past, we also get a better understanding of Carla, who she is, who she was in the past, what she has been going through and what may have scarred her.

No relationship was or is perfect, and we see that perfectly here, how we some things see through rose – colored glasses. But isn’t it a fact that past events are being romanticized in our minds? And that when something bad happens, even in the present, sometimes we see it as a world – ending tragedy?

I liked in this book how it came to a conclusion, how the author didn’t take a direction I wouldn’t like. Instead she made Carla go on a real journey, a journey that answers many of her questions and brings unexpected people on her path…

And I also liked how the whole curse – thing was handled, how something apparently bad isn’t always exactly what the characters of the book think it is.

I enjoyed reading this book, as there is a lot of growth for the main character, a lot of (self) – discovery but mainly a lot of love, and the realization that with love can come some hurt and doubt with it. But in the end, love, somehow, will always find a way…

And why not, a cover reveal to make you dream away!

Synopsis of each book

Adorable April Afternoons

Jessica is escaping to the Greek Retreat to discover if running away from a broken engagement really can lead to a happy ever after. She doesn’t believe life works that way, but her future could depend on it.

The Greek island of Kynos is an idyllic hideaway, offering its visitors the space and time needed to truly appreciate the traditional hospitality. The locals are always friendly and ready to entertain their guests, while the daily activities offer many different ways to explore the island and its heritage.

Jessica is hoping The Retreat will provide everything she needs in order to plan for a successful future, but has she left it too late?

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL8X95M

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL8X95M

Publication Date: 20th March 2025

Joyful June Journeys

Chrissie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to avoid some of the issues her parents have left her to deal with at home. She hopes that visiting a new location will give her a different perspective and help her to find a way forward.

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL9T6VH

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL9T6VH

Publication Date: 22nd May 2025

Sweet September Surprises

Katie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to give herself some space to recover from an unexpected predicament. She blames herself for the situation she finds herself in and knows that something has tochange, although she has no idea what she is looking for.

The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPL3R8BP

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPL3R8BP

Publication Date: 21st August 2025

About the author

Stephanie writes contemporary fiction in the form of novels, novellas and short stories and her books explore a wide range of life’s challenges, dreams and responsibilities. The stories are all character based, so she has fun expressing each unique personality and the reasons behind their actions in a setting which always has a strong sense of community.

She published the AEGEAN SUN series of books as a fly-on-the-wall vision of life in a Greek resort during the summer season, the CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE series is set in a British suburban cul-de-sac over the festive period and the GREEK RETREAT trilogy is planned for publication in 2025.

Stephanie lives in Lancashire where, apart from reading and writing, she loves gardening and cycling and is a huge fan of the soaps Emmerdale and Neighbours

The wonderful covers!

The things we do for our family…

Synopsis

Some mistakes are worth making

Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her – she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closureand she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up.

Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he’s watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him focussed on the job and not her. But by trying to put up boundaries and keep things professional, Bea finds herself seeing the real man beneath the grumpy façade . Yet with so much at stake, she knows she shouldn’t fall for her sisters boss…but then again, it may just be the best unintentional mistake she’s ever made!

My review

Beatrice and Delilah Donovan are twins. But while twins are often very alike, as for several reasons and a different upbringing, Bea and Dee couldn’t be more different. Where Bea is on top of things, and order rules, with Dee it’s more go with the flow, and she’ll see where she gets. But now it seems that Dee finally secured an important job as hotel management. However, when an injury occurs, Dee needs Bea to take over and to pretend to be Dee. Because not all is going well and Dee understated what the job entailed and not only her job but also the hotel is at risk. And now it’s up to Bea to try to save her sister’s job, to save the hotel but also not be found out about their switch up. Yet that is easier said than done, because Bea/Dee’s boss Jonah is not easily fooled.
Being an ex – rockstar made Jonah wary of everything and everyone. And when Dee suddenly seemed to have changed drastically overnight, he doesn’t know what to think. But suddenly he finds himself attracted to this woman and he cannot understand why.
And Bea for sure also starts to feel an attraction towards her sister’s boss, but everything must stay professional, right? But for how long can the both of them resist?

While reading the blurb, it seemed to me that Dee’s scheme would come out way too quickly, as the differences between the twins were so easy to detect. So with a great sense of curiosity, I started reading this book, as I just wanted to know how Bea would (or at least try) to fool Jonah.

My first thought that it was perhaps a bit childish, Dee’s request to switch places. Because it’s things that we rather see such things happening while characters are still in school (or at least, that is my perception).

On the other hand, it also shows the love that there is between the siblings, as Bea, even reluctant, agrees to help her twin out.
And of course, I was very curious to see how things would work out, as Bea and Dee are absolutely different characters.

That made me wonder, how could it be that the sisters could be so different from each other. And I am not only talking about character, but also in the way of handling things. While Bea is focused, determined, with great ideas, it seems that Dee just does as she pleases, doesn’t really think about what her actions may cause. I am not saying that Dee is a bad person, but just the contrast is very big. And that was something I couldn’t comprehend initially, until was explained that while they are twins indeed, they grew up with separated parents and thus had a complete different upbringing.

What I liked about Bea, is how hands – on she is. Even if she is thrown in the deep, she is full of ideas of how the hotel can turn into a success. And more important, she is full of the *right* ideas.
She takes initiative, and she even keeps her professionalism, despite the attraction she feels towards Jonah, no matter his odd behaviour.

Although I must say, I don’t know if I could have Bea’s patience, as for sure some “demands” that Jonah asks from her are for sure ridiculous. But on the other hand, is also allows Bea to step outside her comfort zone.

I also have to say, despite Jonah not always being the happiest character of the book, he also shows a patience I didn’t expect. Because it’s clear that Dee hasn’t been behaving as the professional she proclaimed to be. If I were in his shoes, with all the mistakes Dee already made, I don’t think she would be getting another chance.

I felt sad for Jonah too. Because he had a dream, only to see it all fall apart, and also have his heart broken in the process. Getting to know him better, I could understand his wariness, how he doesn’t trust just anyone around him. But I could also understand his desire to show the people his real worth, that he isn’t a failure.

But what I liked the most in this book, was seeing how attraction grows despite the deceit. Because Jonah finds himself suddenly attracted to Bea, not knowing that she is Bea… It shows that even subconscious, a connection can be made. And that was truly lovely to see.

Both characters in the story are not without fault, and sometimes strange actions are taking place. But when angry, hurt, we don’t always act in the right way.

I enjoyed reading this book, as it shows that sometimes the heart knows better and more than we may think. And that sometimes a position switch, trading places, can make us rethink about choices and perhaps let life take us a different direction and let us meet people that will match with us perfectly. And also that sometimes, letting go isn’t so bad at all.

When you’ll always have Paris…

Synopsis

Ten years. Two people. One last visit…

Sophie and Tom first visited Paris together as students. During their weekend away in the world’s most romantic city, falling in love – with the place, and each other – was simply inevitable.

They resolved to return every summer and kept their word, until something happened that changed their world forever.

Five years on, Sophie’s travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight.

Because life has torn them apart. And now Sophie has something to tell Tom. Something that will change everything…

The most heartbreaking, uplifting and powerful novel you’ll read all year. Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Kristin Hannah and The Notebook.

My review

Years ago, Sophie and Tom went as students to Paris. Even with their many differences, they fell in love, and with a shared love for Paris, they decided to return each summer to the place that stole their hearts.
And for years they have managed to stick to their resolution, hell or high water. No matter what was happening in their lives together, summer meant a weekend in Paris.
But then life happened, and pulled Sophie and Tom apart….
This year, Sophie goes to Paris on her own, meeting Tom at their special place. Because Sophie has something to tell Tom, and that will change everything once again, and for once and for all this time…

There are stories where you start reading, where you think you know beforehand what will take place. Only while reading, you realize that your initial thoughts were wrong and then at the end you find yourself into tears… And this book was exactly that…

I know this author for a while now, and yet she managed to completely surprise me with this book. Not only because we see what happened to Sophie through the years since meeting Tom, but also what her current situation is.

It’s often in a book that when a couple gets together, we have reached the end of the book and their story. But I found it great to read what happens in the following years between Sophie and Tom, as we get a better insight of who the characters really are. And it gave us also the opportunity to not only see the highs but also the lows of a couple.

As Sophie and Tom had different upbringings, it makes sense that once in a while they also clash. The more I was reading about their lives together, and their trips to Paris, the more I started to believe that perhaps it was those differences that would have been the cause of them not being together anymore.

So I also have to admit, I wanted to like Sophie from the start, but the way she goes to Paris on her own, for the last time to meet with Tom, gave me mixed feelings. I was rooting for this couple from the start, but as their lives took different directions, Sophie going to Paris to meet Tom also felt some kind of betrayal to the life she is building on her own…

The more I progressed in the story, the more I saw much reality in it. Life isn’t always a walk in the park, and for sure there are several hurdles we all have to overcome. And those hurdles can come in quick succession, and one hurdle can be easier to overcome than another…

And then suddenly, for me the penny dropped… even before it was written clearly black on white… and everything fell into place, everything made even more sense than it already did. Of course I am not going to say what exactly, but you’ll get it…

Of course, I loved walking alongside Sophie and Tom in Paris, as I have been there several times too. It was easy to recall whatever they were seeing. But I also loved having those sweet and important moments with them, even on that bridge that means so much to the both of them…

To let me cry in a book, you need to write one heck of a book. And throughout the whole book, there were no tears. And then those last few chapters… They just broke me completely… It was so beautiful, so perfect to have those snippets in it. Of course I felt a bit stupid, letting chapters affect me like that, but it was just stronger than myself. 

I absolutely loved reading this book, seeing how relationships evolve trough the years, how there are many happy moments but also difficult moments. We see how difficult it can be to let go, but that sometimes we must in order to move on…

For me personally, it felt like the best book this wonderful author has written at the moment. And yes, that also means that there are now extreme high expectation, Gillian! 😊

How one day can change your forever…

Synopsis

As dawn breaks, four people are planning journeys that could change their lives forever…

Kara McIntyre is supposed to be jetting off to her destination wedding in Hawaii. However, a last-minute hitch appears to have left her without a job, home and, more importantly, a fiancé.

TV sensation Ollie Chiles and Kara always have each other’s backs. But when his wife goes viral in a compromising clinch with another man, Ollie must choose between supporting his best friend in her hour of need or going home to save his marriage.

Alice Brookes is flying away to a new life after surviving a horrendous marriage and a very public scandal… until a stranger brings a letter from the past that could change everything.

After saying goodbye to someone he loves, Zac Conlan should be heading back to Dublin. Now a shocking discovery is threatening to change his plans and his future.

When weather delays their flights, Kara, Ollie, Alice and Zac discover that storms are brewing… and the turbulence is about to shake their worlds.

My review

Kara McIntyre never thought that just before heading off to Hawaii to getting married to Josh,  she would have to pay for her actions, leaving her without a job, a home and even without a fiancé. But as it was meant to be a double – wedding, together with her sister, Kara still heads off to the airport. At least she knows her best friend and TV sensation Ollie Chiles will be by her side.
But Ollie is also having his own struggles, as his whirlwind marriage of a few years ago seemingly is going downhill. Because with his wife going viral in a compromising position, he now has to choose between being a supportive best friend to Kara or to make an attempt to save him marriage.
However, the friends aren’t the only ones with worries at the airport. Because take a look at Alice Brookes. After escaping a terrible marriage, she finally has her life back on track, until a blast from the past may jeopardize everything once again. Or Zac Conlan, who just lost once again someone he cared deeply about. But a shocking discovery may change his whole life…

Picking up a book of this author always makes me happy, even if at the start I am wondering how all the different storylines will be linked. While in the past I was a bit scared that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the storylines, I am now calm about it and have the knowledge that Shari makes sure I can still follow 😊.

There is a lot happening in this story, but it’s easy to keep up. And with a lot of happening, I don’t know which character had the most of my sympathy… Because each character is going through something, something that shakes up their world…

But maybe I liked Kara the best of them all. Because even if we don’t know it from the very start, she is the kind of person to stand up against injustice, against the bad of the world, no matter what the consequences may be, even if it may cost it her own wedding.

At the same time, her story angered also, because she is the one losing everything, while those who should pay for it, are getting away with everything. And it angered me even more that her own fiancé didn’t stand by her side, and is fighting more against her instead of with her…
So of course that makes her think about her own personal relationship, because a relationship, a marriage is about forming a unit, standing a front together. And that is something missing, so I cannot blame her for calling things of.

I don’t know if I would be up for a double wedding, but as it’s a wedding on location, and it’s with her sister, it makes sense for Kara to share her wedding with her own sister. At the same time, it means that in this particular situation, that Kara still heads off to Hawaii, for her sister’s sake.

Luckily, she can always count on the loyalty of her best friend, Ollie. Even if their lives took completely different directions, and it’s not always easy to catch each other on the phone, they are always there for each other. I found it great to see how Kara and Ollie were able to maintain this friendship, and genuinely care for each other.

Kara can count on Ollie for support, but it also works the other way around. And Ollie for sure can need his best friend now…

Ollie seems to have really made it. He is now a famous actor, something he has been dreaming of for a long time. But behind the scenes, he is struggling… And it saddened me to read how his marriage is falling apart. With both parties being actors, it’s normal that they spend much time apart. But it’s not only the physical distance that is difficult to overcome, because it’s clear that there is also jealousy and suspicion taking place. And that not only saddened me, but also angered me. A marriage, no matter what your job is, is always a work in progress, based on trust and faith in each other. And that is not something Ollie is having from his wife. It’s a constant struggle and fight to keep his patience, and trying to convince her that he still loves her (does he though?) and that Kara is truly only a friend, and that there is nothing more going on.

Perhaps Zac’s story was the one I liked the less. Not because I didn’t connect with him, because I for sure did and I could feel his pain. But if I had to pick favourites, I don’t think he would win 😊.

My heart went out to him, as he has lost a few people he truly loved is just a rather short time span. And one discovery makes him doubts his life, what he saw as a certainty and what he thought he always knew.

I cannot even imagine how devastating such a discovery can be, and what Zac is going through. It’s an extra layer of shock after losing a beloved one. Yet I could also understand that he wanted to know the truth as soon as possible, as living in doubt would be scarier and more terrible than knowing the truth…

And then there is Alice. Alice was great to meet again, as she is not a complete stranger. But don’t worry, if you don’t know her before the start of this book, you can easily catch up!

Her storyline shows us that how it can affect someone when living with regrets. Because she lost contact with her best friend many moons ago, and there has never been an occasion to rekindle that friendship and when opportunity may rise…
And that touched me, perhaps even unexpectantly. Because don’t we always think that there will be a time and place to do something, only then to realize that it can be too late…

But we also see that even between people that are very close, there can be dark clouds looming over their heads, and that there may be secrets being kept that can turn your world upside down.

While reading, some connections are very clear, yet I was wondering how it would all connect in the end, as I couldn’t see how it would. And for some connections, the more was revealed, the more I got a bit scared that it would change my opinion of the characters. So I was happy to read that it didn’t 😊.

Because no matter what Shari Low writes, she always writes about great, lovely characters, despite the turmoil they are going through.
And no matter that Shari writes a story that takes place in just one day, she shows us that life altering events can happen in just a short time.

Once again, I was completely captivated, this story gave me everything I expected to have, and even gave me more. After reaching the end of it, I closed the book with a satisfied feeling, yet also a bit of a sad feeling, as I had to say goodbye to wonderful characters…