When you need inspiration for a novel, Scotland is the answer

Synopsis

All Bea wants is to fly to Scotland and write her steamy new book. Find a smoking hot Scotsman to model the hero on. She can do no-strings, in the name of art, right?

But Bea hasn’t met Cal Butler. Yet…

Bea Gracie, an American romance writer, flees to Edinburgh to escape her broken heart and find inspiration for her fictional love interest. And there he is – the stunning-yet-aloof Cal Butler – in the same Edinburgh coffee shop where Bea is tapping at her laptop. All she has to do is orchestrate a meet-cute and her muse is hers.

Drawn inexorably to each other, Bea and Cal agree to a no-strings fling so they can revel in guiltless passion with a firm end date. But Bea’s feelings for Cal grow like the wildflowers along the coastline of his homeland. Is it possible he harbours feelings for her, too, or is the fire in his kiss something he can safely pack away? And what will happen when this privacy-guarding hero finds out he’s been immortalised in Bea’s spicy novel?

If you love being transported along cobblestone streets and Scottish shores to meet Celtic heroes, then this steamy, contemporary Scottish romance is for you. Discover this passionate new series and fall hard for the Butlers.

My review

Bea is trying to write a successful new book. As she needs some inspiration, and a way to mend her broken heart, she leaves her home to fly over to Edinburgh. There she hopes to find the perfect muse to base her fictional love interest on. While writing in a coffee shop, she suddenly sees Cal Butler, and there he is, the muse she has been looking for. Acting against her own nature, she forces a meet – cute encounter with Cal, only to learn that Cal is not eager to get into a conversation with Bea. But when Cal needs help in his own bar, Bea is there to the rescue, as she has bar – tending experience. And it’s there that sparks start to fly around the place, and Cal and Bea decide to have a no – strings attached fling with each other. Yet no matter how hard they both try to keep things lightly, feelings start to grow. With Bea returning back to the States, Cal not knowing he is Bea’s muse and his own unclear future plans, where will it all end for them?

I always love reading stories where the main character takes off to another country or continent, for once reason or another. I am always looking forward to see how he/she adapts to a new setting, trying to find their way. And of course, if there is a love interest involved, I am hooked. Oh, add a sexy, even grumpy Scotsman, and I am literally already swooning! 😊

From the start, it’s clear that Bea is not in a good place. Even if her heart got broken, and her relationship ended, it’s obvious that the relationship wasn’t the best kind. It felt somehow that Bea has been gaslit, as her partner for sure didn’t support her, and mocked her aspirations in a way. So obviously I was sad for Bea that she was treated that way, but I was also happy to see that now she out of the claws of an unhealthy relationship.

While I admire people taking off to another country for a certain period, like Bea does for several months, I don’t know if I would have that kind of courage. I am rather set in what I know, and why make a change, not knowing where it will take you? Yes, I am one of those people who rather stay safe than taking a risk! 😊

So even if I would never do what Bea did at the start, I admired her choices, and I had the chance to see the kind of ‘risks’ that could take place.

Initially I thought that Bea was a little bit of an introvert, especially reading how she acted out of character to just get that first conversation started with Cal. Which by the way was so absurd and funny 😊. But seeing her working at the bar, I quickly realized that in fact she is a people – person, and she enjoys chatting with customers and even flirting a little bit. Bea an introvert, I couldn’t be more wrong!

It’s at that same bar that sparks truly fly around with Cal! With sneaky glances, kisses that are happening, or rather not, but also feelings of jealousy, it was all great to read about these simmering feelings!

Cal of course is perhaps the cliché of a Scotsman, this massive, sulky man, who is also carrying the worries of the world on his big shoulders.

But beside his grumpiness, especially at the start, I was amazed by Cal’s character. He didn’t have an easy childhood, has been through a lot, yet he is surrounded by a loving family, a family he would do anything for. He would give up his own dreams for his family.

He is also a great boss, and he is a righteous man, he wants to do the right thing. But he is not a fool, because he wants black on white proof of what has been stated. Clearly a man that keeps on thinking straight!

Like I said before, the sparks fly around between Bea and Cal. But it’s not only those sparks that made me keep on reading, it was also great to see how this attraction just keeps on building, and how they don’t just give in in those first few chapters. Sometimes I found myself frustrated as the moment finally seemed to appear, to only be ‘disappointed’ when it didn’t.

But when it finally did… does sparks for sure turned into huge fireworks!

Yet ‘whatever this is’ between Bea and Cal, goes deeper than just the physical attraction. And I loved reading how they get to know each other better, and how they understand each other, and are just there for each other.

Obviously there are obstacles to overcome, and I found it refreshing to read how they just didn’t disappear into thin air, but it takes time and effort to overcome them. Just like in real life, they aren’t overcome just overnight!

This was a great first encounter with an author that I cannot wait to get to know better! She took me away on a wonderful journey in Scotland, with great, deep characters, and I am looking forward to my next escape with her!

Not only couples can profit from therapy, but can coworkers?

Synopsis

Two writers. One pressing deadline. No time for romance…

Scarlett and Theo have one bestselling novel to their names: the psychological thriller they wrote together years ago. None of the books they’ve written separately have sold anywhere near as well…

Now at risk of being dropped by their respective publishers, their agent tells them that working together is the only way to save their careers and sends them off on a writers’ retreat in the south of France.

It wouldn’t be the worst way to spend a summer–except that they’ve accidentally been booked on a couples retreat instead, and spending so much time together stirs up some very inconvenient feelings!

With their careers on the line and a pressing deadline, romance is the last thing on their minds…

Beach Read meets The Proposal in this gorgeously escapist and wonderfully bookish romcom set in the south of France

My review

Years ago, Scarlett and Theo wrote together a bestselling novel. But since then, not only they aren’t in touch anymore, but also they didn’t manage to gain the same success separately.
With the looming risk that their publisher will drop them, their agent tells them that the only way to save their careers, is to go together on a writers’ retreat in the south of France.
Despite the lovely location, Scarlett isn’t looking forward to be working with Theo once again, after what happened when their book was released.
To make things even worse, Scarlett and Theo discover that there has been a mix – up and they are registered at a non – refundable couples’ retreat instead of a writers’ retreat.
Forced to spend time together, and participating on the therapy sessions, not only old pains are resurfacing, but also old feelings. And this while Scarlett and Theo are attempting to replicate their writing success once again.

As an avid reader, I can only try to imagine how difficult it can be for a writer to come up with a  captivating story, enthralling your readers.
And when your first book turns out to be a success, that success can hang as a dark cloud over you. Because now the expectations for sure are very high, and it’s easy to disappoint and never get that same success you had the first time.

And in Scarlett’s case, her success will always be connected with Theo. It isn’t clear from the start what exactly happened between the pair, but I had a gut – feeling. Yet I had to be very patient to see my suspicion confirmed 😊.

My heart went out to Scarlett, because she for sure has many burden weighing on her shoulders… Not only has her writing career not exactly been blooming and this could be her last chance, but she also has many personal problems. Everyone of her family relies on her, as they are accustomed that Scarlett will be there to save the day. And she also is there for her best friend, while it is for a lovely chat, but also in their time of need.
It’s so obvious Scarlett struggles to be on top of everything, and feeling as she herself cannot rely on anyone else, makes her also feel lonely…

That also means that while for other people it would be amazing to go on an all – paid – for retreat, for Scarlett it causes only more headaches. Because now it’s her that has to rely on other people…

Of course I had fun reading Scarlett and Theo clash over almost everything. It only shows that what happened in the past still bothers them both.
And while mandatory couples’ exercises for sure are something special, I could comprehend how it would help a couple getting closer again.
And yes, it’s a couples’ retreat, but I could see how many other couples, non – romantic related, could all benefit from such exercises.

With each day passing by, we see that each relationship needs a strong foundation, as it’s on that foundation that you can keep on building on.
And that foundation starts with trust, honesty, comprehension and also forgiveness. Even when there are misunderstandings or when you are not on the same page for one reason or another, it’s important to voice your thoughts and feelings.

In that aspect, seeing how the couples, not only Scarlett and Theo, are reaping the benefits of the retreat, was both heart – warming and in a way eye – opening. It’s easy to cling on what happened in the past, but the trick is to learn from it and to learn to move on from it.

In Scarlett’s and Theo’s case it was a real work in progress. Because they were quickly pinpointing the flaws in each other, and how they were still holding on to the past. Yet slowly, they start to see each other in a different light, and they start to understand each other. And of course that simmering attraction also helps! 😊
Oh and may I add that the book they are writing, I would love to read that for real? 😊

This was a lovely story, where a lot of growth is taking place, from both main characters. We see that getting help, for any kind of a relationship, isn’t something to be ashamed of, as it can only help you forward in life. It can let you understand your partner better, and can help clear the air.
And while set in the beautiful south of France, perhaps a second chance, done rightly this time, can be the greatest reward of them all after all the opening up! 

When your new boss appears to be your ex and the job is already on the line…

Synopsis

One new boss, one ex-boyfriend, one big dilemma…

Stevie Phillips has just landed her dream job working for a publishing company and it seems like this is page one of her new, improved life.

But her first day throws more curveballs than she thinks she can handle: there’s been a takeover and the whole publicity team has been fired. And her new boss is the last face she expected to see.

Because Noah Anderson also happens to be her ex-boyfriend.

Thrown together on a campaign for a book the rest of the staff don’t want to touch with a barge-pole, Stevie resolves to make the best of a bad situation. This is her chance to prove herself, and she’s not going to let the man who broke her heart ruin it for her.

When Noah starts hinting that there was more to their break up then him just not loving her, Stevie’s resolution starts to wobble. Getting back with your ex is never a good idea, is it? Especially not when your ex is also your boss…

My review

Stevie Philips cannot wait to start her new job for a publishing company. Wit her best foot forward, she is determined to show her worth. Only already her first day at the office is turning into a real nightmare. Because the company has been taken over and the whole publicity has been let go. AS she has just been added on the payroll, her new boss is not letting her go yet, and wants her to show him her worth. Normally Stevie would be up for the challenge, weren’t it that her new boss is the man that broke her heart years go. And now Noah Anderson is back, but he is nothing like the man Stevie fell in love with.

Before Stevie knows it, she is teamed up with Noah to work together on a campaign for a romance book that nobody of the remaining staff wants to look at. Because not only is the author labelled as difficult, but also romance isn’t a genre that is worth the hard work.

Nevertheless, as Stevie is a big romance – lover, she is determined to make this book a great success. And meanwhile Noah is determined to make Stevie understand that him leaving her wasn’t just a case of not loving her. But on him if he fools Stevie once, but shame on Stevie if Noah fools her twice. Or not?

Do you remember when you have the first day of a new job, when you excited but also a bit scared? You are ready for the next chapter in your life, and you just hope that everything is just as you imagined how it would be. And I don’t know how many people can actually get the job of their dreams, but that only can add more stress, even if it’s the good kind of stress.

That is how this story starts, with Stevie looking forwards to her new job, only to get the shock of her life! I cannot imagine how Stevie feels when she discovers that the company just had a takeover, the team she would be working with, has been let go and that she doesn’t know where she stands. And perhaps I have an evil streak, but I found it funny when Stevie learns that her new boss is the man that crushed her heart years ago.

Although it was hard to connect the rather cold Noah with the romantic Noah we have met in the prologue. How Stevie and Noah met years ago, was the perfect meet – cute! If only I could meet the man of my dreams that way! 😊

So I couldn’t understand how that perfect man could change so much. And yes, I know that a lot can happen in years’ time, but it felt like someone else took possession of Noah’s body, so different was he.

Yet I liked it how Stevie wasn’t afraid to stand up against him! Even if a person is your boss, I truly believe that being respectful doesn’t harm anyone. And that also includes when making difficult decisions, you can always communicate them in a humane way.

There is in fact a lot I liked about Stevie! I also recognized a lot of myself in her, like the passion for romance books. How often when I tell someone I like to read, there is this air of dismissal when I say I read romance. What is wrong with loving romance books??? They bring me so much joy in life, they are my escape from a hard day, a difficult time.

So if I could, I would be fighting alongside Stevie for romance to get the respect it deserves!

But I also liked it how Stevie was fighting for her beloved romance author to get the recognition she deserved. Because it’s terrible when you’re not heard and being labelled as difficult to work with, while all you want is to treated right. And now that I think about it, that is a returning theme in this book!

And again that mean strike of mine appeared, reading how Stevie and Noah are working together, to make a success out of a romance book, fighting against all odds.

It was sweet to see how Prologue – Noah in fact is still somewhere in Present – Noah. But it also broke my heart to learn why Noah has changed, or even made the decision to break up with Stevie so long ago.

Despite the sparks still flying around, I comprehended why Stevie is still wary. Noah already broke her heart once, and she just barely overcame that pain. But there is also the fact that now Noah is her boss. In a job that is still at risk…

For Stevie there is so much on the line here, and of course she is afraid, who wouldn’t be?

From the start until the end I enjoyed reading this book, with a female lead just as passionate about romance books as I am. And while this obviously is fiction, somehow it made me believe that meet – cutes and all the other ‘typical’ tropes of romance are not all that fictional at all. I had so many smiles and laughs (evil laughs included), encouraging all the characters in each endavour, to be courageous 

But most important is that we see that sometimes life doesn’t go as expected, in so many ways, even with heartbreak as a result. But sometimes taking that once extra chance on someone, with more wisdom in our lives, can be the perfect plot twist of them all!

How to know what your heart wants?

Synopsis

Right guy, wrong time…

Daisy’s perfectly content with her life. She’s got a job she likes, a nice enough flat, and in a relationship with childhood best friend Adam. She’s got used to the lack of fireworks – after all, you can’t put a price on friendship being the foundation of everything.

But they say you never forget your first, and Daisy has never forgotten how she felt that one summer with Zach – one electrifying, yet slightly embarrassing fumble in the dark.

The catch? Zach was also her and Adam’s best friend growing up. Now he’s back, after making his fame in Hollywood, and he has the same to-die for smile and cheeky glint in his eye… but Daisy has made her choice and it’s Adam – right?

Can Daisy follow her heart without anybody else’s hearts getting broken in the process?

My review

Daisy, Adam and Zach know each other as they grew up together. Now, Daisy is rather content with her life, as she likes her job, her nice flat she is sharing with her now boyfriend Adam. Fireworks aren’t really flying around, but friendship is the base of their relationship, so that’s good enough, right?
However, Adam hasn’t been Daisy’s first, and Daisy never really forgot that one summer, where she shared that special moment with Zach.
With Zach being back, with the fame of Hollywood behind his name, Daisy feels her world turning upside down. Because the attraction Daisy felt for Zach never left, and Zach for sure never lost his charm.
But Daisy made her choice, and it’s only right to stay with Adam, right?

I am always intrigued when a love triangle is involved. Who will get their happily ever after? And how will it affect the ‘loser’?
And this book had even an extra layer, as all the involved parties are old friends and Adam and Zach are even best friends!

Am I lying when I say we can all remember that first time? No matter how awkward, weird or even how unsatisfying it was, we all remember it, right? Even if things later ended in a bad way, we will remember that moment forever.
And that is also the case with Daisy. The relationship with Zach, as friends, was always a restrained one, as it’s clear that she cannot figure Zach out. Even at a younger age, Zach acts standoffish, cold and disinterested. But then there are moments, glimpses where she sees a different side of him, making her believe that what Zach shows isn’t who Zach truly is.

Now, I don’t know if I would have chosen that place or that situation to have that moment with Zach. But I could also understand Daisy, as when things are getting heated up, you don’t always think clearly about the circumstances. And it also saddened me to see how things got awkward afterwards, how it was being dismissed and how the real feelings weren’t spoken out. Because let there be one thing clear: there is something more to it than just lust.

I liked seeing the dynamics shift during this book, how everything seemed to be going rather okay between Daisy and Adam, but once Zach enters the scene how everything just seems to change. And this not only once, but several times over the years too.

But we also see insecurities rise over the years. Not only Daisy’s, as she doesn’t know what her heart is trying to tell her, but also Adam’s insecurities, as he feels that he is losing Daisy. But also the most cocky man, Zach shows his vulnerability in this book, opening up to Daisy for real once. And there is also the other side of being famous, as people can be with you for their own gain, or people trying to outdo you and pull you one.

I have to admit, the more the story evolved, the more my dislike for Adam and my like for Zach grew. I can understand how Adam feels with Zach back on the scene, but his behaviour is just not okay… I don’t know how Daisy put up with him, as I for sure would have slapped him more than once!
I also felt that Daisy perhaps could have been more honest about her feelings. Okay, once again, I understand her and how she doesn’t understand her herself what her feelings truly are. But admit that, there is nothing wrong with that. For me now it felt like Daisy was in a relationship with Adam because that is what was expected from her. At moments I thought that in fact Daisy never loved Adam like a partner, but merely as a good friend.

In this book, we read how complicated relationships and also feelings can be. It isn’t easy to truly understand what we feel, and what our heart wants. But it’s also about making choices, perhaps wrong ones, perhaps right ones.
And we also see that perhaps the side we see from a person, isn’t the real side of that person, but a façade created for self-preservation.
Once we allow ourselves to let our own prejudices pass, we can see someone’s true colours and understand them better. And with that understanding, we can also comprehend what our own heart has been telling us and that can perhaps make us follow our heart. 

Doesn’t everyone in the same family deserve a happy ending?

Synopsis

A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Seven years after Elizabeth Bennett married Fitzwilliam Darcy, they are still deeply in love, with two small children. But paradise is showing cracks now that Darcy’s aged housekeeper has died and Elizabeth must take up her duties. It’s more than one woman, even one as capable as Elizabeth, can manage.

Her sister Kitty, with Elizabeth and Jane’s help and a heroic effort on Kitty’s part, has outgrown her silly youth and matured into a sensible young woman—who, being sensible, spends as much time away from her parents and visiting her sisters as possible. Darcy’s sister Georgiana, with perhaps more influence from Elizabeth than is good for her, has become a confident, independent woman who is nevertheless ripe for romance. Charlotte Collins, newly widowed, is searching for a way out of the household of her husband’s crabbed patron, Lady Catherine, that doesn’t involve returning to her parents’ house.

Elizabeth sees a way to restore order to Pemberley and give herself a chance to to breathe: she offers Kitty a job as housekeeper of the estate, and Charlotte a job as governess of her adored children.

With these four women under one roof, chaos and the unexpected are inevitable. Both Kitty and Georgiana meet and begin falling in love with honorable, interesting men, neither of whom are gentlemen and therefore not considered eligible matches for them. Charlotte has the opposite problem: a childhood acquaintance who is now a Lord has become fixated on her and begins diligently wooing her, when all she wants is a quiet life and a chance to recover from eight years of marriage to a man she never loved.

When Elizabeth and Darcy learn of their sisters’ budding romances, each has the same reaction: delight at their sister-in-law’s choice and outrage at that of their sister. Now throw a ball into the mix, with Elizabeth’s mother bringing up forbidden topics from the past and her father hiding from the noise, Jane and Bingley attempting to calm the waters, Elizabeth trying to set up all three of the younger women, and Charlotte’s Lord pursuing her all over the dance floor—and an explosion is sure to happen.

This charming romance will delight all lovers of Jane Austen’s masterpiece who have ever wondered, “What happened next?”

My review

Seven years ago Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy got married. But they still love each other as much as the day they married and their marriage has been also blessed with two children.
With their aged housekeeper passing, Elizabeth must take up her duties, which is not an easy task. Yet Elizabeth has come up with a plan, that will make more than 1 person happy. As her sister Kitty as made a tremendous change for the better, and has become a sensible young woman, Elizabeth believes that there is no one better to take up the job as housekeeper of Pemberley. And as Elizabeth’s best friend Charlotte Collins has recently become a widow and can no longer count on the patronage and protection of Lady Catherine, who is better as a governess to Elizabeth’s children?
And of course it’s great for Darcy and Elizabeth to see Darcy’s sister Georgina turning into a confident and strong woman.
Elizabeth wants nothing more for these women to also find a perfect match like she did with her Darcy. But is that written in the stars for them? And what if that comes, but not in the expected way?

So… Pride & Prejudice is my favourite book of all times. And I have read a few books that claim that are sequels of this classic, some being more alike the original than others.
Yet I am always curious to see a new “sequel” appear, so obviously I just *had* to read this book!

Now, I have to admit, that I perhaps I held on for too long on the image that the original book had, as there were moments that I doubted that Jane Austen would let the characters act in the way they did in this novel.
But once I didn’t try to hang on to my own image, I felt I could truly enjoy the book.

It was great to see how this power couple is still going strong after being married for several years now and that they even have two lovely children.
I found it also sweet in a way to see how both Elizabeth and Darcy have learnt from each other and are also still learning from each other but without ever losing the essence that made them the Elizabeth and Darcy we all love.

And it’s in that respect that Elizabeth wants both her sister Kitty and her friend Charlotte to come and work at Pemberley. While it may seem that she wants her family and friend to be her servant, it is more that Elizabeth wants both Kitty and Charlotte may have their independence and not be needing the help of the people with ‘wrong’ influences (a.k.a. Mrs Bennet or Lady Catherine).

In this book we have in fact 3 female leads, all under the supervision of Elizabeth. But while Elizabeth has certain hopes for each woman, their stories take all a different direction. We see Kitty and Georgina falling in love, but not with the men Elizabeth envisioned. And I have to say, I found it a bit funny to see how the cards were turned, as both young women fell for men of ‘lower state’. To put it simply: the complete opposite of what happened with Elizabeth!
This only shows that love doesn’t look at status, but just looks at the person itself. And if you are an honourable, honest and decent person, status shouldn’t be in the way of finding love.

Charlotte was a bit more difficult to like. Obviously, being married to Mr. Collins, cannot have been easy. And I could understand that she doesn’t know what to do now, now that she is ‘free’. She has endured enough in the past, so is it the right thing to tie herself to another man? And is the man that has set his eyes on her the right man this time?

But what was it that I didn’t truly like about her? It was her behaviour at moments that made my eyebrows frown. I know that Charlotte has certain views on things, but I also truly believe that some things can be said in a more respectful way than how Charlotte expressed them.

But even if I had some reservations towards Charlotte, I enjoyed reading this book, showing us that love can stand the test of time, and even after years can be as passionate as at the start. And I absolutely liked it how the situations were turned compared to the classis of Jane Austen. I truly liked seeing once again the battle of and for love, with characters that definitely also deserved their place in the spotlight and a chance at happiness! And all this by being surrounded by a great couple that shows us how wonderful love can be!

You should never underestimate a lady…

Synopsis

Never Underestimate a wallflower!

Lady Hannah Simmons is a quintessential wallflower, unassuming, dowdy yet ignored by most. But underneath her plain exterior, Hannah is hiding a thrilling secret! Unbeknownst to the rest of the ton, she is Queen Victoria’s leading femme fatale, slipping unnoticed through the streets of London and listening to scandalous whispers from lords and ladies. But with daggers in her stockings and pistols in her pockets, Hannah’s mission is to apprehend a deadly killer.

Private Investigator to the Prime Minister, damaged, yet devastatingly handsome ex-war hero Duke Robert Killian always puts duty first. However, when he finds himself competing with the intriguing Lady Hannah on the same daring task, his blood boils with frustration – and desire! Is it possible to seduce this vexing woman whose not afraid to put herself in danger and achieve the upper hand?

Hannah enjoys Killian’s attempts to distract and tempt her, but she has never faced an adversary she couldn’t overthrow. And Killian has never met a challenge he couldn’t conquer…until now. The gauntlet has been thrown, can they finish their jobs and resist the temptation?

Keep your friends close…and your enemies even closer!

My review

Lady Hannah Simmons is the perfect example of being a wallflower. But she doesn’t mind, because wallflowers are able to pick up the best gossips. And that is exactly what Hannah needs, as unbeknownst to anyone, Hannah works for Queen Victoria. Her latest task is to find the deadly killer that is walking around. With her set of skills, Hannah is determined to find out the truth. But Hannah isn’t the only one looking for the murderer. Because ex – war hero Duke Robert Killian has been instructed by the Prime Minister, as a Private Investigator, is on the same mission. When they learn from each other that they are competing on the same task, things may get even more complicated, as it’s not only information they share, but also frustration and sudden desires. But with Hannah no wish of ever get attached to anyone, and Killian being damaged from the war, can they discover the truth but most important, how will their joined efforts affect them?

Well, this was a surprising story! And I mean that in a good way! 😊

When I started reading it, I was aware that Hannah wouldn’t be the kind of character to mess with. But I didn’t expect her to be so fierce, even strong enough to face more people at once in combat. She reminded me in a way of Xena, or in the same era, the Bennett sisters in the parody novel ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’, even if no zombies were involved. But if you have read that book, that same fierceness, bold character and strength can you find back in Hannah.

With Hannah being so strong, I was also very curious to learn how she become the woman she is now.
And to learn her story, truly saddened me in one way, but on the other hand, I was also glad she found the much needed support in an unexpected way.
Because of her past, I could understand her opinion of never wanting to get close to anyone.

Obviously, the one person she starts to feel something for, is her rival. In the magnificent form of Duke Robert Killian.
He is a man with status, yet he has so many similarities with Hannah, as he is haunted by his past too. A past not that far away, yet as he went to war, I can only try to imagine the terrors he has witnessed, and how useless he must have felt at moments when his men were suffering…

And just like Hannah, he is not looking for commitment. But isn’t it just when you are the most averse to something, you find yourself unable to resist exactly that?
it was in a way so funny to see how this pair try to resist the attraction between them, then suddenly going a complete other direction, yet adamant on not wanting more. While for the readers it’s so obvious! 😊

I have to admit, I was a bit shocked how easy it was to get away with things in this book. Hannah for sure isn’t afraid in using force and weapons, yet not one moment there is someone after her, for the used violence. But at the same time, that also added to Hannah’s charms 😊.
Also the revelation of the murderer left me in a shock. While I initially had my suspicions about the culprit, I didn’t expect it to end in that way…

But I truly enjoyed reading this book, as it was filled with just so much of everything. There was mystery, attraction, steaminess, passion, strength (literally and figuratively speaking).  And most important, there was the message to never just assume that a wallflower is just that, because people for sure can be dark horses! 😊

Of course the past catches up with you during chaos…

Synopsis

Growing up, sisters Libby and Nicky never knew who they’d find at breakfast.

Their parents fostered children of all ages, and although the girls loved playing their part in providing a safe haven, it meant that life was rarely peaceful.

Now as a single mother of two, Libby’s life is still anything but peaceful. In her work as an antenatal coach, as well as for the charity she and Nicky run for teenage mothers, Libby uses all the skills she learnt growing up surrounded by children. Her days are full, caring for her family, the mothers-to-be and the latest strays she has welcomed into her home. But in the dark of the lonely nights, Libby worries she’s falling apart at the seams.

One troubled boy and a reckless decision she made thirteen years ago still haunts her.

Two hearts that were broken, still not mended.

The time has come for Libby to look out for herself. As her family, friends and her community have known forever, Libby is one of a kind, and if she can just learn to love herself, she may be able to welcome back the love she let slip through her fingers.

Uplifting, heart-warming and irresistibly good for the soul, it’s impossible not to fall in love with a Beth Moran story. Perfect for all fans of Jill Mansell, Julie Houston, and Jenny Colgan.

My review

Libby and her sister Nicky have grown up learning and understanding the importance of helping people. As their parents fostered children of any age, the siblings were accustomed with having different faces at their breakfast table. But they also knew how important it was what their parents did, offering a safe place for those in need. And even if Libby is now a single mother of two, she is paying her upbringing forwards, as she is an antenatal coach and also has a charity running for teenage mothers, together with Nicky. But no matter how good her intentions are, her own personal life seems to be falling apart, as she is truly struggling with keeping all the balls in the air. On top of that, she is still haunted by what happened thirteen years ago. And then that boy of thirteen years ago, now an adult, appears back in her life. A life that is for sure chaotic, and where Libby has to learn to not only look after other, but also herself. And not only has to learn to love herself, but allow love and help in her life…

How? That’s the only question I have for Beth Moran… How do you manage to write such amazing stories, that grab me by the throat, and make me eve believe in the good in people again?

Because believe when I say that this isn’t an all – that – easy story to read, but at the same time it’s filled with so much care, heart and love that despite all the difficulties taking place, I want to be part of that world too.

Right from the start, I admired Lizzy and her sister Nicky for running their charity. They know how important it is to have someone to support you, and they want to offer that support to those who need it the most. It is truly amazing how they offer help to teenage mothers, and it’s not only the help they give during pregnancy, but also once the baby has been born, the sisters keep a watchful eye on the newly parents.

And all that, while especially Lizzy is having so many struggles in her own personal life herself… I am not a mother myself, never mind a single mother. So all I can do is try to imagine the difficulties Lizzy is going through. On top of her struggles, she also feels abandoned by her mother, who needed ‘some time off’.

Lizzy also being Lizzy, she also prioritizes everyone and everything above herself, so yes, it’s easy to point a finger towards all the things that go wrong, but I saw it more as something that made perfectly sense.

I felt sorry for Lizzy, as she is doing the best she can, yet she feels she is failing her own children. And it doesn’t help that her ex isn’t the kind of father her children need.

Lizzy is, like I said, the kind of person that wants to help, even if she hasn’t the right tools to help. Yet that doesn’t stop her for being there to those in need.

And in a way, it’s her helping out, that turns out to be that she gets the help herself that she needs. That is the beauty of being an altruistic person, it makes people want to help you back, even without you asking for help.

The world for sure needs more people like Lizzy and Nicky. From when they were young, they learned to help. And yet, it’s clear that something happened in Lizzy’s past, something that she hasn’t been truly able to move on from.

We don’t get to know what exactly from the start, but we know it involved Jonah, who stayed with her parents and then *that thing* happened and he left.

With him returning, with once again problems of his own, it for sure is a blast from the past.

While of course I was very curious to know about their shared past, and to see how things would evolve between them, for me it didn’t feel like the story centred around this pair and their chance to make things from the past right.

But this book felt more about the fact that’s okay putting yourself first once in a while. Especially when you are used on putting yourself at the back of your own to – do list for so long. Because only when you help yourself, when you learn to love yourself, that you can even be of a greater help to anyone else.

And only when you have learnt to love yourself, you are able to forgive yourself for your mistakes of the past, and even allow love back in your life.

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!