When a red squirrel gets you even closer to your best friend

Synopsis

A long-held secret, and a beautiful heart hoping to be understood.

Cressida Tarbet loves her job at an animal rescue centre, even if it means she’s resigned herself to scrimping to make ends meet – a lifestyle far removed from her best friend Ivo’s, in his ancestral gatehouse stuffed with antiques and art.

But although their upbringings were different, Ivo has held Cress’s heart ever since she clapped eyes on him at university. The trouble is – she has never told him. So, when a mystery and a baffling crime throw Cress and Ivo together, she can’t help but wonder if fate is telling her something.

As the puzzle takes them from beautiful Yorkshire, to the stunning Isle of Wight, the pair get closer. Ivo begins to understand the cause of Cress’s risk-aversion and she puts her irritation at his brilliant mind to one side as she starts to appreciate Ivo’s uniqueness. But then the unthinkable happens and their worlds are turned upside down, and Cress has to wonder if fate was calling after all…

Uplifting and unforgettable, settle back to enjoy this one-of-a-kind novel about falling in love with a one-of-a-kind man. Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Beth Moran and Jo Barlett.

My review

Cressida Tarbet is used to calls at the most unusual hour because of her job at the animal rescue centre.
Even if it doesn’t give her the flashiest lifestyle, she loves what she is doing. The contrast couldn’t be bigger with her best friend Ivo, who live in his ancestral house filled with antiques and art.
Cress and Ivo couldn’t be more different, yet since they met on university, they have become friends. But what Ivo doesn’t know, is that Cress feels more than friendship for him, but hasn’t told him.
So when Ivo calls Cress, even when she is on a sick leave, with an animal in need, Cress cannot refuse.
However, what starts with an animal in need, Cress learns that there is more to the red squirrel, and it becomes clear that an actual crime has taken place.
With their curiosity piqued, their investigations take them from Yorkshire to the Isle of Wight. And there they get the perfect chance to understand each other even better, but with the investigations taking a dangerous turn, where will they end?

Being a big animal – lover myself (even if I don’t have any pets), I immediately liked Cressida. She isn’t making any big money from her work at the animal rescue centre, but she has a passion for her job. I truly believe you have to be a person with a big and generous heart, to care so much for animals, even if it puts you in not perse a bad situation, but in a situation that for sure could be a better one.

But beside that, Cress is just a nice and accepting person in every way. That is seen in her friendship with Ivo. Her world couldn’t be more different than his, yet they are each other’s best friends, and I believe that is also thanks to their differences.
And it was in a way sweet to see how Cress has been always in love with Ivo, including his ‘weird’ antics and how his brain can go from one extreme to the other.

Trying to understand the dynamics of this pair wasn’t always that easy, as Cress finds it hard to refuse Ivo anything, and Ivo is the kind of person that once he has set his mind on something, he doesn’t give up.
But I also saw the genuineness of their friendship. They know each other’s quirks, and even if they don’t understand it completely, they accept it as a part of being Cressida or Ivo.

It warmed my heart to see how Cressida sees Ivo’s behaviour not as something ‘bad’ but it only adds to Ivo’s uniqueness. I found it great how the author managed to turn something with perhaps a negative connotation in something positive, adding something to one’s character, making it a trait instead of an oddity.

Now, the whole red squirrel, also known as Fred, went a bit over my head. I was a bit flabbergasted to learn that Fred is a trained squirrel, and I didn’t even know that also squirrels could be chipped.
But just like Cress and Ivo, I learned a lot about the wonderful world of squirrels! 😊

This book was a great blend between romance and mystery. I didn’t know where the mystery would take me or what the bigger picture would be, or how all the pieces of the puzzle would fall. But the more the story evolved, the more I saw the pieces coming together, and I even wanted to warn Cress as I saw too many red flags that would end badly, while Cress didn’t see them.

And the romance was showing us love at its core. Because we see that love is acceptance of how someone is. It’s about not wanting to change someone but wanting that person with all his traits. It’s also about wanting to understand someone better, because it’s easy to just accept someone’s fears and demons, but only love makes you want to dig deeper and understand the base of them.

Jane Lovering wrote once again a story that kept me reading. Not only was it the mystery that I wanted to see revealed, but I mainly wanted to see how so opposite people would find not only the courage to understand the depth and admit their feelings, but also attempt to find a way to not let their differences tear them and keep them apart.

No matter how far away a dream may look like…

Synopsis

The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Cafe series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.

At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry’s confidence issues and Taylor’s concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.

Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?

My review

Taylor learned the hard way that dreams don’t always come true. That because her dream of becoming a fashion designer turned out to be more fixing zips and hemming skirts instead of creating her own clothes.
And being a single mother to Max is a challenge on its own, as Max has struggles with changes and is also having a difficult time at school.
So it’s obviously understandable that dating is the last thing on her mind.
But when her and Harry’s paths cross, something ignites between them, even if Harry is having issues of his own.
Yet both for Taylor and Harry, the village of Hebbleswick shows its kindness and care, making them both feel more at home, welcomed and confident than they once were. But will it also be enough for them to investigate that spark more deeply?

The more entries there are in a series, the more fearful I become that the quality of the stories will diminish. Of course, with only three books in this series, the fear is less, but yet, it is still there a little bit.
But my fear was so unjustified, because perhaps this was my favourite book from the series up to now!

In some ways, I could truly relate with Taylor. Haven’t we all had a dream we wanted to come true? Only to realize later that perhaps it will only remain that: a dream.
While I have absolutely no eye for fashion at all, I admired Taylor’s sense of fashion. And I could clearly see her passion for fashion, and I understood what her big dream was.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t always follow your dreams, and we see a Taylor struggling on all aspects in her life: she is more fixing zips, reapplying buttons where missing. But also she is struggling with the place she is living in, and then there is also Max.

From my point of view, it is clear what Max is going through. Even if Max isn’t the easiest child, I immediately loved him. And just like Taylor does, I wanted to protect him from everything and everyone.
Being Max isn’t easy, but beside his struggles, we see that the love Taylor has for him is truly reciprocated. And seeing Max growing up, and finding trustworthy people and thus making him open up, was a real delight.

And one of those people is Harry. Harry and Max have many things in common, like their passion for trains. But Harry also understands, not on the exact same level though, the struggles Max is having. One of those issues is trusting people. It broke my heart to read how Harry’s own confidence was non – existing all because of some he loved broke his heart in a terrible way…

It’s so obvious that Harry is a good and caring person, ready to help whenever he can. But his past makes him wary, because do people like him for him being Harry, or rather for what they can gain from him? And unfortunately, in this world, it’s something too relatable…

So yes, both Taylor and Harry come with serious baggage. But aren’t exactly these kinds of people that truly deserve the world? And deserve to find happiness and love?
While the board game café isn’t in this book the main setting, it for sure has its very important value for these two people.
Because it’s at the café where the magic happens once again, in more than just one way. The people there, owners and customer, show once again what being surrounded by the right people can do to someone.
Taylor finds herself surrounded by people cheering for her and her passion, making her see that there is a new niche to be explored.
And Harry finds himself being accepted for who he is, making friends and changing in a person that isn’t so ‘beige’ anymore.

Now, this book is also filled with so much laughter. Not only because Taylor and Harry are different from each other in many ways, causing hilarious situations. But also little Max made me laugh several times, especially towards the end.
But there were mainly genuine smiles of contentment while reading. Because it was lovely to see Taylor and Harry together, how they make each other turn into a better, more confident versions of themselves.
And obviously, things don’t run smoothly all the time, but that also is part of life, making choices for the sake of someone else, even if it hurts you. And there are also misunderstandings.

Nevertheless, this was truly a heartwarming story, about two wonderful people, not having had an easy time. But learn that surrounding yourself with lovely people, in a wonderful village, nothing is insurmountable and that perhaps dreams can come true.
And that when you meet someone special in your life, it is understandable that you are cautious, as there is a lot at stake, especially when it doesn’t affect only your life. But for the right person, who understand you perhaps better than anyone else, and is your biggest cheerleader, it’s definitely worth it taking that leap of faith.

After playing safe for too long, a house swap is the answer

Synopsis

Would you swap houses with a stranger?

Nina has always played it safe. But when her divorce papers come through on her fortieth birthdayshe decides enough is enough.

She’s always chosen the sensible route, staying in her stable job and marrying her rather boring ex. In fact – she realises – she’s chosen security over excitement for years. Ever since she refused to elope with her first love: beautiful, poetic, thoughtful Pierre, the man she met aged 17, on her French exchange. The only man who ever made her heart race.

Maybe it’s time to take a few risks?

Impulsively she goes online and finds another kind of French exchange… a house-swap. She can’t imagine what French businessman Jean-Luc wants with her terraced home in rural England, but she can’t wait to stay in his beautiful, spacious, bougainvillea-strewn villa on the French riviera.

She’s not just there for the house though. She’s decided to find the love she missed all those years ago. But will Pierre still be the man of her dreams after all this time?

As two lives collide, will love bloom on the French riviera?

My review

Nina is used on playing it safe: a safe job, a safe husband and a general safe life. So even when her marriage didn’t go as planned, and she was waiting for the divorce papers to come through, she would have never thought they would come in at exactly her fortieth birthday.

During her life, Nina always chose the safe side, even when she was seventeen. Because even back then, she didn’t elope with the young man she met during her French exchange.

being a free woman once again, and having decided to take more risks, Nina find in Jean – Luc the perfect candidate to do a house swap. And secretly she hopes that she will meet Pierre once again, and see if all those past ‘what – ifs’ can turn into something more real….

At the start of this book, I thought that I would get a story very much alike the Christmas movie ‘The Holiday’. Of course with different settings and the obvious different season.

But I quickly learned that the house swap is in fact the only thing the book and the movie have in common. And that this book takes a whole different direction, as it definitely more about Nina’s growth and mainly her self – discovery.

I have to say, that I understand why people don’t take that many risks in life. It’s always safer to play safe, avoiding any risk, disappointment and even heartbreak. Well, I am of course also one of those kind of people!

And Nina for sure is very alike at the beginning of the books. Even her best friends ‘mock’ her as she never does something out of the blue and prefers making lists with pros and cons.

But she is also very recognizable in the sense that at a young age, she fell deeply in love with Pierre and has never stop thinking what could have happened if she dared to make that risky choice back then.

So of course it makes perfect sense for her, after receiving her divorce papers, she wants to do something out of character and see if she can find back that one love, that one person that made her heart skip a beat.

I don’t know if I would be that kind of person to do a house swap, as I for sure am too wary and mistrusting 😊 but on the other hand, it also sounds so intriguing, to live in the house of someone else and how someone else is living his/her life.

And once again, with Nina finding Jean – Luc, in the place she lost her heart, it’s just a too good of an opportunity to let it pass.

It was sweet to see how once Nina arrived in France, she can rely on Jean – Luc’s brother and sister, even if the latter turns out to be a force to be reckoned with, yet also a woman with the kindest heart.

And both characters are a fundamental presence and reason for Nina making her growth in this book. They are also the reason that Nina is thinking about her past, present and future, and make her think about being more daring in life.

But I also have to admit, that Nina was a bit gullible at moments. While I could clearly see what was going on, Nina clearly didn’t. I found myself almost yelling at the poor woman to open her eyes and make her see what I was seeing.

Nevertheless, even that gullibility is a process that Nina has to go through, and get passed it.

As much as I thought that this would be a romance in meaning that woman finds her lost love and gets her happily ever after after many lost years, this wasn’t that kind of book. But that doesn’t take away that I enjoyed reading this book.

Because we see a woman finding the courage to stop making the safest choices, a woman going through the process of reevaluating her life. And it was even inspiring to see the changes that Nina goes through, even making choices that flabbergast her best friends, yet still gets the much needed encouragements from those same friends.

And we learn that it’s never too late, not even after your forties, to do something exciting and out of the blue. Because you will never know what will cross your path on one of those unexpected yet exhilarating adventures!

What happens when you go on a solo vacation?

Gina Bennett is looking forward to her Greek holiday with her husband of twenty – seven years Colin.
She wants the relaxing so much, and she for sure deserves it, that even when Colin lets her down once again, Gina decides to still go on the holiday, on her own.
On the island of Kalosiros, which holds many memories from Gina’s past, Gina also quickly befriends Rosie and Deedee, sharing cocktails and art classes. And with learning more about Gina, they are now on a quest: to find Gina’s first and lost love.
This for sure will turn out to be an unforgettable holiday, as it is filled with new friendships, s
elf – discovery and empowerment.

When I started reading this book, I thought the main focus would be on Gina and her attempts to find her Nico again. But the more I was reading the story, the more I realized that finding Nico wasn’t what this story was about. And in a way, I was happy about it!

Initially, I pitied Gina. It’s clear that her marriage is falling apart, and how controlling Colin in fact truly is. If I were in Gina’s shoes, I would get so angry at Colin, with his incessant messages, and demands, while he just does as he pleases.

In that aspect, I was glad that Gina didn’t give in and decided to go to Greece, even on her own. I don’t know if I would have that same courage as she does, but it’s crystal-clear that she needs this holiday, more than anything.

This holiday for Gina is a real journey, as she feels the freedom to do what she wants (like drinking cocktails, singing songs on the beach, and follow art classes, all things that were admonished and condemned by Colin). And we see Gina truly open up, becoming the Gina that she once used to be. This all with the amazing support and love from her new yet so important friends!

Gina needs to figure out for herself what she wants to do with her life. Even if she is on a trail – separation with Colin, she is still married to him. And should she stay with him, or has the time come to stand on her own two feet? And if she wants to learn to stay on her own feet, how should she do that?

Gina slowly learns once again what her passions are, and that she should be proud of her accomplishments. And learn to accept compliments, without getting all flustered and clumsy ( a real case of the pot calling the kettle black 😊).

But it was also sweet to see her working on her quest to find her Nico back. Nico, her first love so many years ago. And we all know how important that first love has been in our lives, don’t we? Of course that search, together with Rosie and Deedee seems like a wild goose chase, like it would be that easy to just ask every Nico in Kalosiros if he is Gina’s Nico.
So why did I find this sweet? Because Gina finds a link to her past, a link to her mother she lost years ago.
And we see how important it is for Gina to find that connection with her mother again, as it’s clear that in fact, Gina never had the opportunity to grieve over her loss…

Of course there is room for romance in this book. But I won’t tell you anything about it, because first of all, it didn’t feel for me like the main theme. But I also want you to experience the hopes and disappointments that Gina has on her journey.
Like I said at the start of this revies, I thought that the romance would take a bigger part in this book, and it turned out it didn’t. But that doesn’t take away that I even felt happy with how it all wraps up for Gina.

This was a lovely, sweet, emotional book to read. Because we see how easy it is for people to belittle you, and how small they can make you feel.
But once you find the courage to spread our wings, you can discover a whole new world, you can find amazing and supporting friends. And on this journey, you will have the chance to rediscover yourself, find your passion again and find the courage to follow your heart, wherever it may take you… 

When the heart brings so much together…

Synopsis

Is love an illusion? A heart-wrenching historical saga set against the background of two very different worlds in Edwardian London

When Charity Browne arrives at The Fitzroy Hotel on her way to a country house party, she knows there’s more to the invitation than a weekend of revelry. She’s old enough to be married and her family are hoping for a good match. 

Sparks fly when she collides with dashing Jack Carter, the hotel housekeeper’s disreputable brother. 

A visit to a home for waifs and strays makes Charity question her values. Her attempt to help a small, mute boy she sees there leads her to attractive and worthy Dr Adam Radcliffe. Together they uncover a web of deceit, betrayal and lies surrounding the boy’s family.

Fate unites Jack and Charity in a quest to save the boy from unimaginable evil. 

Will Charity fall for Jack’s mesmerising charm, or will Adam’s selfless compassion capture her heart? 

Packed with compelling twists and turns A Heart full of Hope is a perfect read for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs.

My review

Charity Browne knows that her arrival with her aunt at The Fitzroy Hotel comes with high expectations from her parents.
Especially as she is also invited to a country house party, everyone expects her to find a good much.
But at the hotel, she meets Jack Carter, brother of Daisy who works at the hotel herself. While there is certainly an attraction between Charity and Jack, there is also a big difference in social class.
Nevertheless, their paths keep on crossing, especially when Charity is invested in the life of a small mute boy she meets in a home for waifs and strays.
That brings her on meeting handsome Doctor Adam Radcliffe, who also took an interest in little Simon/Billy’s health.
With more intrigues surfacing around the boy’s past, Charity also has to make a choice herself, because where will her own future be? With Jack and his charm, or with Adam and his unlimited compassion and kind heart?

It’s a bit weird to think that just a hundred years ago, life was so different from how we live now. How just one hundred years ago the only ‘purpose’ of women of a certain social class, was to find a good match. And how shocking it would be to marry ‘beneath you’…

So I was happy to see that Charity knows what is expected from her, yet wants to find a good match, and that doesn’t only mean a good match on paper.
Because Charity for sure deserves to marry out of love too, as she is a kind – hearted and caring person.

That does not only show in the concerns she has when her own aunt is acting out of character, but also how much Charity is invested in Simon/Billy. She cannot just forget that little mute, and she wants to do as much as possible to help him.

And that means, that Charity’s path crosses with Jack Carter. I wasn’t a real fan of Jack at his first appearance, as he screamed ‘player’ all over the place. He has the charms and he isn’t afraid to use them when he needs something.
But I had to readjust my opiniated opinion of him, because quickly we also see a gentler side of him, a side that is as much invested in Billy’s fate as Charity is.

I must admit that I also found me very much invested in Billy. I had so many questions, about his past, his present and what would happen to him. It broke my heart when revelation after revelation came out, and I read what poor Billy all had to endure, and how it affected him…
It even angered me to see how evil people can be, especially people who are supposed to do good.

But I was happy to read how that evil is compensated by the good of so many other characters, and I am not only talking about Charity or Jack. Because also Adam is quick in showing his kindness and also his determination to discover the truth.
He is also a patient person, as he demonstrates this towards Charity after revealing his feelings for her.

I could understand Charity, that it is not easy to understand the real meaning of your own feelings. Is it love? Or is it something else? And what when your heart seems to pull in two different directions, wanting to do the right thing, but also want to follow your own heart…

I also liked it to read about other characters working in the hotel, like Jack’s sister Daisy. And we see how Daisy has her own kind of struggles and yet she manages, despite how everything seems to work against her, to keep her kindness and humanity, even towards someone that perhaps doesn’t deserve it…

In this book we see how lives get entwined, no matter how different those lives are. And it was nice to see how people, even from different social classes, can fight together against injustice and even cruelty.
And we see the determination in a young woman, to understand what her heart truly wants, and adamant on following her what her heart tell her to do.

You’re never too old for a brand new adventure!

Synopsis

Sixty-nine-year-old Fliss has lived a life!

A career running her own successful business, a beautiful home, a wardrobe full of designer clothes – Fliss has everything she ever wanted. So why does she feel so lonely?

Sixty-six-year-old Shirl didn’t expect to be looking after a baby again, let alone a grown woman who should know better. But with her daughter Gemma struggling to adapt to motherhood, and her boss Fliss increasingly reliant on Shirl to run her life, Shirl never gets a moment to herself.

Fliss might not be great at life’s chores, but she is great at seizing opportunities, so when the chance for a jaunt to France’s beautiful Brittany comes her way, she decides it’s just what she and Shirl need. And as the sun-soaked town of Plouvannec-Sur-Mer begins to work its magic on the women, they realise there’s another way to live.

From cake-laden patisseries, to joyous local fetes, from food, views and beaches to die for, to a community quick to embrace them, not to mention some rather fine French men for company, perhaps it’s not too late for Fliss and Shirl to embrace a new adventure and look forwards to a totally different future.

My review

Fliss ran for years a very successful business, but now at the blessed age of sixty – nine, she feels suddenly lonely. The nights filled with cocktails and men aren’t giving her a good feeling anymore.
So when she has the opportunity to spend some time in the town of Plouvannec-Sur-Mer in the French Brittany and staying at an old friend’s place, she grabs it with both hands.
She also decides that Shirl needs to come with her.
Shirl, who works for Fliss, and is looking after her daughter Gemma’s baby, for sure also needs some Shirl – time.
Enjoying the good life, surrounded by new friends, both Fliss and Shirl start to think about their future and that perhaps it’s never too late to start to live again, and have a brand new adventure…

Even if the world of Judy Leigh’s books are far from my own, as I could be the daughter of her main characters, I always enjoy reading her books. In a way they always have an inspiring affect on me, making me believe that age truly is just a number and that nothing is impossible!

Fliss and Shirl couldn’t be more different from each other. Fliss has lived the good life, and she still enjoys her cocktails and her men. She doesn’t have any worry in the world.
But we also see in her case, that no matter how glamourous a life can look like, it can also be a very lonely one.
And Fliss slowly starts to understand this, when she realizes that in fact she doesn’t have any real friends.

On the other hand we have Shirl. She is working for Fliss, going along with all Fliss’s spurs of the moment. But we also she that she is truly a Mama – bear. Even if her daughters are adults, she cannot ever stop worrying about them.
Especially Gemma causes Shirl a lot of extra worries, as Gemma is struggling with being a young, single mother.
Shirl is also the kind of person that tries to calm and comfort people, what we see clearly when Gemma believes that she is a bad mother.
But even if Shirl is a delightful person, at moments I also thought that she could have been a little stricter, and not just go along with things.

I found it great to see how ‘employer and employee’ are just more than that, and in fact are friends, even if they haven’t labelled each other as that. But in everything that they do, that they see, even offering advice, it’s clear that it’s a real friendship between this so divers pair. It was even sweet to see how closer Fliss and Shirl are getting, and this holiday only reinforces their bond.

And I liked it to see how Fliss had absolutely no issues with sharing her wealth with not only Shirl, but also with the new friends she has made in Plouvannec-Sur-Mer.

Of course I had several laughs too, especially when Fliss is acting like Fliss is used to. Some moments she is being over the top, acting as a real diva. But as a reader you can quickly see behind the façade, and you see in fact a Fliss that has her own issues, problems, and doubts.

There is also the fact that often we get a wrong impression of people, and that we must take the time to get to learn someone. Because what we may think of someone, isn’t always how that person truly is.

As I said, this book also works inspiring. Because we see not only Fliss and Shirl, but also all the other characters in it, realizing that there is so much more to life and that they aren’t living their life at the fullest. And it may look a bit scary, to make big changes, and step away from the life you are accustomed to. But isn’t it a waste when you let fear just live your life, but not live it at the complete fullest?

It takes courage to start a new adventure, no matter what age you are. And I feel that Fliss and Shirl both are people to use as an inspiration. While it all may start as a holiday for some much needed
me – time, can turn into a real eye – opening experience and life – altering adventure!

A drunk decision is always a bad one, right?

Synopsis

One fateful evening. One ring. And a couple in for a big surprise 

When social-media influencer Genevieve Harrington wakes up with the hangover from hell and a ring on her finger, she’s in trouble.

Already reeling from a failed engagement, Finlay McBride is caught in a nightmare. Agreeing to accompany his ex’s best friend to a party was meant to be a one-day-only act of kindness. Drunkenly proposing was not an option… And yet it’s there on the internet for the entire world to see.

Genevieve needs to limit the damage. Being with her friend’s ex breaks so many rules and her social media followers are quick to remind her of the fact. But she’s always had a secret crush on Finlay and now she has a chance to make things real.

Finlay soon discovers Genevieve is not the serenely indifferent woman he took her for. More and more, she opens her heart to him, and he starts to fall for her. But he’s leaving Scotland for a job in Dubai at the end of the month and he doesn’t want yet another failed engagement this year.Together, they must decide if this is merely a moment of summer bliss or a love worth fighting for.

Together, they must decide if this is merely a moment of summer bliss or a love worth fighting for.

My review

Genevieve Harrington is shocked when she wakes up with the biggest hangover ever. Not the hangover itself is shocking, but the fact that she woke up with a rind on her finger and with Finlay McBride by her side. To make things even worse, the whole proposal has been posted live on Genevieve’s social media page. In order to limit as much damage as possible, both Genevieve and Finlay decide to keep up the pretence, as there is a lot at stake, and not only their reputation. Because it doesn’t look good that Genevieve is now ‘engaged’ to her best friend’s not so old ex but this would also be Finlay’s third engagement. While keeping up the pretence, Finlay learns that even if he has known Genevieve for years, he doesn’t know the real Genevieve, and that her indifference is just an act, to hide her secret crush. But even if it all started with pretence, and feelings start to grow, how could they possibly stand a chance when Finlay is leaving for Dubai at the end of the month?

How much can I possibly love returning to Glenbriar??? Even if this is the eight book of the series, I start with a big smile, and I end in the same way! There hasn’t been a book in this series that I didn’t love!

It’s always funny when you are reading a book where both main characters take over the narrative. As a reader, you get so much more insight in the character, and you love them even if the love interest doesn’t see all the sides that you can see.

And isn’t there something worse than having secret crush on someone, for years, and you have to hide it and see how that same crush falls in love with someone else and gets engaged, more than once?

Because that is the situation Genevieve is in, and to make it also more painful for her, Finlay is not only her best friend Hayley’s brother, but also her other best friend Elise’s ex-fiancé…

So many things have held her back, even making her act indifferent towards Finlay while in truth she just wanted his love…

But beside Genevieve’s love life, I was truly interested in the person that Genevieve was. She is rather successful being a social – media influencer, but it’s also clear that somehow she is still in search of herself and what she truly wants to do.

And it saddened me to see how she felt less than her siblings. Just because you do something totally different, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t something to be proud of!

So seeing Finlay understanding her better than anyone else, and trying to show her that her accomplishments are something to indeed be proud of (even if he doesn’t understand it himself completely 😊) was great to read.

Finlay… already from the previous books I truly felt sorry for him… it’s bad to see one engagement end, but to see also the second one… and to learn that in fact Elise didn’t actually truly love him, but sort of used him, truly broke my heart.

Because Finlay is one of the good guys, and all he wants is to be loved, and have a family of his own. Is that so much to ask for (asking ‘for a friend’ too 😊)?

Let’s be honest here, not everyone would agree to keep up the pretence of the engagement, and go along with Genevieve’s plans, yet Finlay understands how much it matters to her, and he (even at moments reluctantly) agrees with her.

And how lovely was it to see Genevieve and Finlay together? Even if their story starts with a drunken night, I just adored getting them closer together, just getting each other.

Nevertheless, on the other hand it was also sad to see how they were afraid of admitting their real feelings, and even having a few people doubting their engagement, feelings and even acting selfish, thinking it was all about them (yes, I’m looking at you Elise!), while the genuineness of the feelings between Genevieve and Finlay.

Obviously, as I would expect from this author, there were many laughs (with a character like Flora!) around all the sweetness in this book. And it was just so great to see that when it concerns, love, when you know, you know. It doesn’t matter how long you are together with someone, when it feels right it just does. And in fact that is the red line in the complete series, sometimes all it takes is one look, one encounter, or even one drunk night to find the perfect person for you!

Again a great story in a marvellous series from a very talented author. A series that I hope will never end, and I am already looking forward to the next amazing chapter! 😊

There is nothing a cup of tea cannot fix

Synopsis

A brand new and utterly enchanting series by bestselling author Jaimie Admans.

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street…

There’s always time for tea… unless you’ve lost your teapot…

Cleo Jordan has only ever wished for one thing – to open her own teashop in memory of her lovely gran. So when she accidentally fools the interview board into thinking she’s a brilliant baker and is offered a prime spot on Ever After Street, she knows her dream is about to come true!

Stepping into The Wonderland Teapot is like falling down the rabbit hole – magical! But there’s a catch: Cleo has completely lost her love of baking! With her little white lie ticking in her ear, it seems her dream is over before it’s begun.

Until she meets her very own Mad Hatter. Loved by everyone on Ever After Street, magician Bram brings an energy to the teashop that lifts everyone, and slowly, with his encouragement, Cleo is getting back to doing what she loves best.

But with Bram hiding secrets of his own, Cleo isn’t sure she can put all her faith in him. And when things start going wrong at the teashop, Cleo wonders if the culprit sabotaging her dream is someone closer than she thinks?

If Cleo wants her wish to work, she has to learn to trust again before she loses her head and heart completely…although it might already be far too late for that…

Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Kat French and Caroline Roberts!

My review

Cleo Jordan has become a disaster in the kitchen with her baking since both losing her grandmother and mother recently. But it’s er greatest wish to honour her grandmother and the years they had together by opening her own teashop, on Ever After Street. And not just *a* teashop, no, she wants the theme to be ‘Alice In Wonderland’. Obviously Cleo is over the moon when she manages the interview board to give her a temporary lease on the premises of her dreams. The Wonderland Teapot is turning into a magical place, especially now magician Bram is her own personal Mad Hatter, helping around in the teashop. And while Bram for sure is lifting also her spirits, he doesn’t know that Cleo isn’t doing any of her own baking… But Bram himself also is having a few secrets of his own and trust is something that needs to be built slowly…

I have to admit that Alice In Wonderland isn’t my favourite story. so it was with a little trepidation that I started reading this story, as I loved the previous stories taking place on Ever After Street. But I truly shouldn’t have doubted this author, as I loved every bit of it!

As I enjoy baking myself, and it’s one of the few things that can actually relieve stress, I cannot imagine the terror of not being able to bake the simplest of things anymore. And it saddened me to learn where Cleo’s black – out came from. She is living with a few regrets, that are too late to make amends for, and she also has many fears and issues.

Of course at her interview, she should have come clean about not baking the cupcakes herself, but it wasn’t that she was bluntly lying. And if she did, we wouldn’t have this. wonderful story.

The passion for the theme and the passion for running the teashop just sparks from Cleo, she finally has her dream coming true and I was certain that there would come a moment that her baking skills would reemerge.

Alongside her, I was a bit frustrated to see how without her knowledge, Bram would be working for her. Obviously that isn’t Bram’s fault, but it angered me a little to see how Bram’s help was just forced to her.

But slowly we see that Bram, magician and Mad Hatter, is exactly what Cleo needs. Not only is he adding magic to the Wonderland Teapot (literally speaking and figuratively), but he is also the person that Cleo needs in her life.

Because we see that Bram truly believes in Cleo and her passion, and he knows that she will make a success out of the business. And that injection of trust and belief is exactly what Cleo needs, to trust and believe in herself. And slowly, even with trial and error, Cleo is able to think positive once again.

It truly warmed my heart to see this pair growing closer. And I absolutely adored reading how Cleo sees the real Bram, and not the Mad Hatter or the magician. She sees when his smiles are real, or just pretend. And it was so over the moon sweet to see how Cleo accepts Bram for who he is, with his blue hair, mixed up idioms (only making them even better! 😊).

Bram’s secrets weren’t that difficult to figure out, as I knew rather from the start who he would turn out to be. But it didn’t bother me at all, because as I knew his background, and how he possibly could jeopardize everything, we see genuineness in everything he does.

And naturally, as returning to Ever After Street, it was ah-mazing to see my old friends again, and I felt myself once again welcomed in their warm embrace of friendship and love!  

This was an amazing book, about two characters with several issues of their own. But what more, it’s a book about two people accepting each other just the way they are. Cleo wouldn’t want to have Bram in any other way, as Bram is uniquely wonderful the way he is. And Bam encourages Cleo to trust her talents and her feelings.

We see how wonderful and inspiring it can be to have someone fighting in your corner, by your side. And we can see how having that one person by your side can help you to regain trust, to learn to open up your heart and understand that what you are feeling is honest and real love.

When you need to hide and the man you cannot stand is the one with help…

Synopsis

The Sunshine Sisters: Skye. This is BOOK TWO of a TRILOGY in the popular Little Duck Pond Café series:
Skye Sunshine has a theory that workmen, when in your house, should be seen and not heard. But Saul, the annoyingly sexy handyman clearly hasn’t received the memo! He’s far too cheeky and irritating for her liking.
But when Skye’s peace of mind and reputation as an actress is threatened by hacks desperate for a story, can she really afford to turn down Saul’s offer – to whisk her away from the limelight to the privacy of his rustic cabin in the woods?

My review

Actress Skye Sunshine has left London and returned back home to Sunnybrook. Unfortunately it’s not because she missed home, her mother and her sisters, but because she is being chased by paparazzi and Skye is afraid that her reputation is being threatened and that a dark secret will be exposed.
When even her mother’s home, or her sister’s home, isn’t safe anymore, Saul the handyman offers to help out and take her to his rustic cabin in the woods. While normally it would be the perfect solution, Skye isn’t all that eager to accept his offer, as she finds Saul too irritating and appears at the most awkward moments… and his sexiness for sure doesn’t help!
But Skye cannot afford to turn down his offer, as the stakes are too high…

Having met Skye already in the first book of this trilogy, I was very eager to read her story. Yes, I knew before that she was an actress, and that there is a big secret she was keeping and that she was being chased by the paparazzi. So of course I just wanted to know more about her. And I also needed to know how things would go between her and especially her mother, as that is definitely a strained relationship!

I knew that Rosie Green wouldn’t write a story with a main character that is high on her horse, but of course Skye is accustomed to a certain way of life, being an actress. And I was curious to see how she would cope in Sunnybrook, that is so different from her own life.
While the life of an actress for sure seems very appealing, with Skye we also see the other side of it.
Skye is too wary of and even afraid of everything and everyone. She doesn’t want to be recognized, making her act a bit over the top while walking around.

But with learning what she has been through in the past, and how it somehow still haunts her, I could understand why she acts the way she does.
It frustrated me to read how she isn’t able to find her peace even in a lovely place like Sunnybrook.
And it saddened me to see how strained the relationship with her mother is. But on the other hand, I was happy to see how close she is with her siblings, Aurora and Blossom.

Because let there be one thing very clear: no matter how different they are from each other, they genuinely love each other, and would do anything for each other. Skye is also very protective, wanting to protect Blossom from heartache, even if that means to be putting a damper on Blossom’s mood.

It broke my heart a little bit seeing how difficult the relationship between Skye and her mother was. Ada for sure isn’t the easiest person around, yet I couldn’t believe that she doesn’t truly love her children, even if there are a few lies that have been told…

This may sound like a very heavy story to read, but be assured, there is also plenty of lightness in it. And that is also thanks to Saul! Now, even with his wonderful character, I am still not a fan of the name… but that is the only negative (if you can call it even that) that I can say about him 😊.

With Saul, it’s clear that Skye dislikes him just to hide how much she in fact truly likes him. I could understand the (hidden) attraction, as Saul is not only very down – to – earth, but also a very understanding and funny man.
His ability to show up at Skye’s most embarrassing moments for sure was an extra talent that as a reader I could appreciate 😊.
He also shows that he is generous and helpful, as he is ready to share his cabin with Skye.

But he also seems to understand and just ‘get’ Skye without words. He is also the one that manages to get her out of her comfort zone, and even manages to  let Skye get over some of her fears (or at least find a way to make those fears more manageable.

I absolutely loved reading this second book in the trilogy. It was lovely and sweet to see how Skye and Saul are getting closer, even if it’s under peculiar circumstances.
This book has just everything I wanted and needed: there was time for love, time for laughs, but also time for drama, and time for  unexpected revelations (although I had a hunch about them!).
Rosie Green once again wrote an amazing story, making me even more eager to get my hands on the third book and read Blossom’s story!

An unexpected holiday, an unexpected journey

Synopsis

Pack your bags and uncork the laughter in this delightful romantic escapade!

After getting her heart broken in her early twenties, Abi Mason vowed to live by a simple (but non-negotiable) rule: no second dates. Who needs a boyfriend, or anything else for that matter, when you have a career to think about?

But life has other plans: with some unexpected time on her hands, Abi finds herself on holiday in Tuscany. Among sun-dappled vineyards and olive groves, Abi meets dashing American Tony, and it seems the universe is conspiring to force her out of her comfort zone…

If Abi can break her own rules, could this unexpected Italian fling lead her to a happiness she never dared to dream of?

My review

As a make – up artist, Abi Mason’s dream is to be able to get a job in the film industry. Just as it seems that she finally made it, her dream vanishes in thin air. With the sudden free time, she decides that perhaps it’s time to visit her best friend in Tuscany. While staying at the wonderful B&B / vineyard, she meets American Tony. And believing that she will never see him again, Abi spends the night with him. Because that is what Abi does, she wants things to be kept simple, she doesn’t do relationships as she for sure doesn’t need a boyfriend, after already having endured a terrible heartbreak once. But when Tony appears to be more than just a tourist passing by, Abi finds herself doubting her choices, as it seems that Tony could be the one taking her out of her comfort zone. But is Abi courageous enough?

Isn’t it amazing when a character in a book has a best friend, or family living in another country, and they can just decide to fly over when they need some time off, or need to escape? I need such kind of friends and family too! Especially if that would take me to wonderful places like Tuscany!

I can only imagine the devastation Abi has when she is soooo close to finally realizing her dream, to only have it slipping through her fingers, because of other reasons than her not doing her job well.

Because let there be no mistake, Abi knows what she is doing make – up related! She is a professional at heart, and even the awkward situation she finds herself in, she keeps her professionalism. Unfortunately that cannot be said about everyone!

A situation she finds herself in because when she meets a man that she fancies, she prefers keeping it simple. And no, don’t you dare judge her for her choices! Because if that is what works for Abi, that is perfectly fine! And with further on in the book learning about why she wants it that way, I could completely comprehend her!

It was a bit sad to learn that Abi hasn’t seen that much of the world yet. But on the other hand, she couldn’t pick a better place to start with by staying in Tuscany!

Once she set foot in Tuscany, at the B&B, I could feel almost feel the fresh air, the sun and the peace myself! As I have visited Tuscany and its wonderful places several times, I had a very easy time seeing the places Abi is seeing in my mind.

But of course, this isn’t a story about Abi seeing magnificent places but it’s about Abi and her journey to not only find herself, or love, but to find courage to move on.

It all takes off in a rather funny way, as Abi meets Tony and she has her usual way of dealing with men.

But then she meets him again in not exactly the most best position (it will make sense, believe me 😊).

With the pair staying so close to each other, and Tony being actually related to the owners of the B&B, it’s just written in the stars that Abi and Tony will keep seeing each other. And the more they see each other, the more they just cannot deny the attraction they have for each other. But it’s not only attraction that they have, there is also an understanding between them, and even if not everything is spoken out loud, they just get each other.

It was also sweet to see how the both of them are trying to please each other, like Tony taking Abi to the Uffizi, or Abi taking him to a special seeing of a movie, or using her artistic skills in making a present for him.

I also felt that Tony was not being completely honest, or at least ridiculing a bit, about what he does for a living. So it was a real pleasant surprise to discover who Tony truly is! And of course typical of Abi of not knowing she is standing in front of her! 😊

Abi for sure makes an evolution in this book. Because while initially rejecting any kind of love or romance in her life, she slowly has to accept that love isn’t a bad thing to have in your life. and yes, it can be terrifying, especially as she already had a terrible heartbreak she hasn’t completely overcome. But is it fair to cut out love completely from your life, as it can bring you so much joy and happiness?

And that is what Abi has to understand, and it’s only at the most terrifying moments that she realizes what her own feelings truly are. But she also has to find the courage to act upon those feelings, and not let that moment slip away!

This for sure was a great and inspiring story to read, about being courageous, about finding love once again, all set in a wonderful, breathtaking place! And Karma being a b***h too! 🤣