When ‘just’ a book club becomes more

Synopsis

Love books? The Bordeaux Book Club is seeking new members!

When Leah and her husband moved to France, it was with the dream of becoming self-sufficient. But in truth, it’s not the ‘good life’ she’d imagined, as three hours of digging barely yields a single straggly carrot. Worse, her teenage daughter is acting up, and her husband seems to find every strange excuse under the hot French sun to disappear.

So when her friend entreats her to join the new bookclub she’s forming, Leah decides it’s something she will do for herself. The chance to make new friends, to drink a few glasses of wine, and to escape into stories that take her miles away from the life she’d thought would be her own happy-ever-after.

But the book club is a strange group of misfits. There’s prickly Grace, who lives alone and seems to know everybody and like no-one. Buttoned-up Monica, who says her husband is away and appears to be parenting her baby all alone. Handsome builder George, who has barely read a book before. And Alfie – who is a full two decades younger than everyone else, and is hiding a devastating secret…

As the stories they read begin to bring the new friends closer together, Leah is about to discover that happy-ever-afters don’t always look how you expect them to…

A gorgeously escapist read from the bestselling author of A Year at the French Farmhouse, perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Jo Thomas and Fiona Valpy.

My review

Leah imagined that moving to France with her husband and teenage daughter would be completely different. The dream was becoming self – sufficient but the realization of that dream is way more difficult than expected. And for sure it doesn’t help that her daughter is acting out and her husband is finding any excuse to escape home.
Under slight pressure of her friend, Leah decides to join a new book club, something for herself. And while the other members of the book club couldn’t be more different from each other, with each their own issues, it’s reading and talking about books that brings them closer to each other, being there and helping each other through the toughest times, learning that life doesn’t always go as expected but also that even ‘just’ a book club can bring on your path just what you need..

At the start of this story, I admired Leah and her family, as they packed everything and made the move to France to start all over again, with the dream of becoming self – sufficient. And yes, it’s an admirable thought, but I have to be honest, I would just be terrible at it and it would become my personal hell.

But no matter how noble the initial dream was, it’s clear that reaching it is far from easy. And it made me pity Leah, because for sure she isn’t having an easy time. Not only does she has to face that the dream could be turning into a nightmare, but her husband is acting weirdly, her daughter is being a typical teenager, and Leah is certain that the chickens are after her!

And being a booklover myself, I found it a great idea for Leah to join the new book club, doing something for herself, but also getting outside more, forgetting the troubles at home.
Even if it was under slight pressure to join, it was exactly what Leah needed.

Yes, the group couldn’t be more diverse, but that also made this a wonderful group. There aren’t two members that are even remotely alike, with each their own issues, one more life – defying than another.
While each member of the group would initially seem a bit odd, slowly I started to appreciate each and every one of them, and accepting their views on books, even they don’t match my own opinions. That was also the beauty in this book, as for especially the classics, the general thoughts are all alike, yet in this book, the author dared to have a character have the complete opposite opinion, making you perhaps even rethink about your own opinion.

But the most beautiful thing in this book was, no matter how different the characters were, or in what stage of life they were, they found their own unique tribe. What started out as just another book club, turns into a real friendship, where you can rely on each other, and where you are able to offer and even receive help, without questions asked.
What started as complete strangers coming together about books, turns into a special kind of family. And that evolution truly warmed my heart, seeing how they all gathered together in the most difficult moment, involving young Alfie – the youngest member of them all – having to grow up way too fast…

The author managed to capture the despair that people can have in life, but mostly, she managed to capture how no matter how different people are, that diversity can perhaps just be what someone needs. And we see with each character realize that perhaps the life they thought would be their happy life may not be the life they are living now, but that they can be finding happiness in another, different way, with new yet amazing friends. And it’s okay to change your dreams during the journey that life is, because it’s your life to live and life can take you on a different path than what you envisaged before. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! 😊

To prove that titles aren’t what matters in life…

Synopsis

A Gilded Age Retelling of My Fair Lady

Arriving into English society from the drawing rooms of New York, Miss Florence Wakechild desires nothing less than the marriage her father is so desperately seeking for her. Clayton Wakechild desires nothing more than finding a suitable husband for his daughter – a husband of noble birth and title no less. No ‘new money’ here.

Frustrated with her father’s obsession with the British aristocracy, Florence comes up with a plan. If she can train an ordinary working man to behave like a viscount and fool her father, she can prove to him a title is meaningless.

It’s a straightforward plan, but the man Florence chooses is Ned Blake, a man who will open her eyes in a way she couldn’t have imagined. As Ned’s hands gently guide her across the ballroom floor, the last thing Florence expects to feel is something… real.

With his past catching up with him, Ned seizes the opportunity to lie low, if only briefly, but will the secrets he’s keeping destroy the chance of happiness he’d never imagined?

My review

Florence Wakechild is looking for anything but marrying into English society, even if her own father is looking for the highest rank to marry his daughter to. With her father obsessed with the British aristocracy, as their family comes from ‘new money’, Florence want to prove that titles are meaningless and what truly matters is the person’s characters. So she comes up with a plan: she wants an ordinary man to pretend to be a viscount and fool everyone. And her eyes falls upon Ned Blake, who ready to play along with her schemes.
But while scheming together, at moments the cards on the table are turned as it is Ned that will open Florence’s eyes. And could it be that their pretend could turn into something real?

I have to admit that I never have never seen My Fair Lady, but I think that perhaps in the end, it was in my advantage, as I had nothing to compare this book with.
So if there would have been any changes, this isn’t an issue as I just don’t know about it.

The old English society has always intrigued me, as it makes me often wonder how women in that era would live. And it’s known that women didn’t have a voice back then, but what about women that are not that pliant and meek?
And then there is of course the matter of people looking down at people with ‘new money’…

Deception is never good, even if it’s to make a point that is just all too right. But I could understand Florence and her determination to make that point, because she knows that money and titles aren’t what matters in life.

She is also a fierce woman, not just wanting to prove her right. She believes strongly, cares strongly and even finds allegiances close by, in the form of her sister and brother – in – law.
She also clearly understands that deceiving her own father isn’t a “nice” thing to do, yet she stands strong, because it’s her own future that is on the line…

But on the other hand, the first encounter with Ned, I found her a tiny bit gullible. Even if she initially doesn’t accept his offer, her curiosity takes over and does what even I would never do. Maybe I am too suspicious to act like Florence did, because who knows what would happen?

Obviously Ned shows Florence that her trust in him is justified, and not only at the start of the book. It wouldn’t be for everyone to agree with Florence’s scheme, as there is a lot at sake here, both for Florence, her family, but also for Ned.

Yet Ned shows what a great character he is, even if he acts in a very mysterious way at moments. I loved reading how he has the patience to withstand Florence’s lessons, but I loved more the bits where Ned shows Florence the things that truly matter.

Now, there is a revelation towards the end, and even if it’s a revelation that didn’t come as a complete surprise, I was happy to read that my gut feeling was right! Of course there were some clues throughout the story, at least to me, but they could have been also easily missed.

It was lovely to see how this young woman from ‘new money’ and an ordinary man slowly grow more and more close to each other. seeing that trust being built was amazing, and even when the unrevealed secrets would threaten what has been built so patiently, I never lost hope for this pair. Because it’s just like the whole point that Florence wants to make: titles don’t mean a thing if you are a shallow, hollow, or even despicable person. it’s what in your heart, your kindness, your compassion, your care that makes even the most ordinary person the most valuable one!

How can you know you are doing a good job as a parent?

Synopsis

Mia is telling me a story. It’s about a princess, who lives in a castle, on a street that bears a remarkable resemblance to ours. About a kind old lady who’s the queen. I’m distracted for a moment by her little hand softly slipping into mine. My daughter. My angel.

But then she says something that pulls me from my reverie. She says that the queen doesn’t treat the princess well. She punishes her and doesn’t let her eat anything…

Helen, my neighbour, has been so good to me. And more importantly, she’s so good with the children. Surely this is just another story of Mia’s, just make believe.

Because if it’s not, maybe my dad was right all along: I was never good enough to be a mother, and I’ve let my precious children down in the worst way possible.

A heartbreaking and uplifting story about the choices a mother makes for the sake of her children, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Emma Robinson and Kate Hewitt.

My review

Jess is struggling as a single mother. It’s not easy looking after Mia on her own, and at the same time being afraid of her ex appearing out of nowhere.
So it’s obvious that Jess is happy when her neighbours Helen and Robert are more than happy to look after Mia while Jess is at work.
But then Mia starts to tell stories about how she as a princess is being punished. Is this a case of a little girl having too much imagination? Or is there more to Helena and Robert? But with Jess being on her own, and having no one else to rely on, can she believe Mia?

There are sometimes characters are truly sad characters, despite their best efforts.  And somehow, Jess was exactly that in my eyes. Of course she is doing her utterly best to raise Mia the best she can on her own. I can only try to imagine the hardship on not having anyone to rely on, as even her own father is practically out of the picture.

So yes, I was happy when her new neighbours Helen and Robert quickly bond with little Mia, and offer to help her when she is struggling to find the balance between being there for Mia and doing her job.
Mia is an adorable girl, with a wide range of imagination, making it easy to be rather doubtful if anything of her stories would be actually true.

But I liked it how Jess didn’t just dismiss Mia, but also taking it with a grain of salt, and doesn’t hesitate to double – check the facts with Helen and Robert. Helen and Robert that the more into the story, the more are behaving in a strange way.
Even in a way that I personally wouldn’t trust anymore and wouldn’t let my own child stay there. Especially as they both seem to ignore your own wishes and just do as they please.

In that matter, I found Jess a bit silly if I can say it like that. Why would you let your child with someone you are suspicious over? And their behaviour and their ‘truths’ become more and more suspicious…
Yes, I comprehend that things aren’t easy for Jess, but isn’t there really another way?

So for especially that reason, I was happy to see Jess and her father making amends, as that could be another option for Jess to rely on in time of need.
And of course it was lovely to see her father taking up the role of grandpa splendidly!

This story has a few surprises, not all that pleasant. And I have to say, I kind of felt it in my gut what would happen. Although not completely, as I was a bit flabbergasted by reading how manipulative people could be, to others who have the right intentions, in contrary to the manipulator.

Yet is also shows the strength and determination of a mother. Even if Jess is having moments of doubts over her motherhood, the fact that she is invested, is ready to fight for her girl, shows us that in fact that she *is* a good enough mother. And yes, she makes some mistakes, but doesn’t every parent? 
Parenthood is a journey filled with trail and error, there isn’t a guide book telling you what the right thing to do is with your child. Each child is different and needs different things, but what it needs the most is being loved and being protected.
And that is exactly what sparks from the pages, as Jess is willing to do anything to protect Mia, from everything and everyone.

This was a book that made me think about the dangers of being a child and also a parent. But is also made me appreciate once again the love and dedication my own parents gave and still give me. Because just like Jess, there are mistakes made, but in the bigger scheme, those mistakes don’t matter, as it is their love that will always stand by me.

When you have to work with your rival, what is the worst that can happen?

Synopsis

Ten days, two rivals, and a busload of tourists. How bad could it be?

For archaeologist Emilia Flores, landing a fellowship to work at the ancient ruins of Pompeii in Italy is a dream come true. The only catch? She’ll be digging alongside her infuriating nemesis, TJ Mayer, who’s been a constant thorn in her side.

TJ isn’t about to pass up the Pompeii project. Sure, he’ll be stuck working with Emilia, but he thrives on challenging her. And he hasn’t forgotten that secret kiss they shared at an archaeology conference last winter.

Though unearthing Pompeii’s treasures might be a dream, student debt is a nightmare that never takes a vacation. So, when TJ and Emilia are offered a lucrative side job to lead a ten-day tour through Southern Italy, they grudgingly agree to tackle it together.

Forced to set aside their animosity and work as a team, they forge an unexpected camaraderie. As the sparks between them ignite, their rivalry gives way to passion, making it easy to forget their years of fierce competition. But what happens when the tour ends and the real world steps in? 

Tour Wars is a rivals-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance featuring a nerdy cinnamon roll hero, a strong-willed Latina heroine, and plenty of hotel hijinks.

My review

Being an archaeologist isn’t an easy job, as the projects are limited. But for Emilia Flores, having to compete each time with TJ Mayer is an extra layer of stress, especially now that they are working on the same Pompeii project.
Working in Pompeii is for the both of them a dream coming true, but with their student debts, that also means that both Emilia and TJ have to accept side jobs on tours. And the both of them have a too good opportunity to pass on, on being on a ten –day tour through Southern Italy. So being forced to work together, they must forget about their rivalry. Could it be that the hot Italian sun may ignite other feelings? But what when the tour is over and the real world awaits, with issues that may jeopardize what has been built so slowly?

What a delight to return to this series, and what an absolute pleasure in getting to know Emilia and TJ so much better!
I am not into archaeology myself, but with the series I for sure got to appreciate the hard work that is being done, and I have to be honest, it takes place in Italy, so obviously I was going to love this book!

It was from the very start that I liked and admired Emilia. She worked hard to be where she is now, and despite it not being easy to find a job, she isn’t ready to just give up easily on something she dreamed so long of.
In a way, I could even understand her dislike of TJ, as I also wouldn’t appreciate someone flaunting around, apparently using his connections to make his career.

I loved her work ethic too, she is truly passionate about it, and wants to do things the right way. She is obviously a hard worker, and the burden of the student debts even make her to tours, even if it isn’t what she likes doing. But as she understands the importance, she doesn’t show it at all.

Of course I knew that my initial opinion of TJ would change throughout the story, and I am not afraid to admit my error!
Yes, he is very different from Emilia, but different isn’t bad. And getting to know him better, made me also understand and even agree with using his connections. Because when you love something as much as he (and also Emilia) does, why shouldn’t you use those connections to your advantages?

Having the two of them working together, was truly amazing. Even while touring they are each other’s opposite, yet somehow they also complement each other. And they learn to use each other’s strengths to make the tour a real success.

But them working together also makes them be a front against perhaps the antagonist of this story. It was just so swoon – worthy to see TJ being protective over Emilia, even if Emilia can for sure stand her ground.
Yet at the same time it angered me that such behaviour was still taking place, and going unpunished…
But I LOVED how despite everything, a way was still found, to make all that ugly wrong – doing right!

I absolutely devoured this book. It was great to see how people learn that their initial thoughts about someone could be wrong, and find that there is so much more they have in common than not. And seeing those sparks fly around…
But it helps even more to have a wonderful setting, that I know all too well, and getting acquainted with new characters, showing that even if you are competitors, there can still be formed a comradery, even a real friendship. A friendship that cannot stand injustice.

Carla Luna wrote an amazing story, making me like archaeology a little bit more, even if it will never be completely my cup of tea! 🤣

What are the right choices to make when the past still has a hold on you…

Synopsis

From No. 1 bestselling author Beth Moran comes a story about family, friendship and community.

As Faith tries on her future mother-in-law’s wedding dress in preparation for her own wedding, her tears are not of joy. The hideous frock is nicknamed ‘The Ghost Web’ by Faith’s best friend Marilyn, who can’t understand why Faith would even consider wearing it. But there’s a lot Marilyn doesn’t know about Faith – not the least of which is that Faith is just the latest of the names she has called herself.

Faith and her brother Sam survived a traumatic childhood which included having to change their names to hide from the past, but surviving has left scars. Faith’s generous fiancé Perry doesn’t just promise to be a partner, he offers freedom and security, and enough kindness to keep Faith squashing down any doubts on what ‘being in love’ really means.

It’s not until she meets an extraordinary group of women at the Grace Chapel choir, that things start to become crystal clear. As choir-leader extraordinaire, the indomitable Hester, holds a mirror up to her ragtag group of singers, all with their own burdens and insecurities, and teaches them to see how magnificent they are, so Faith can dare to dream of a future where she and Sam can stop running and she might even be ready to accept the love that she deserves.

Number 1 bestselling author Beth Moran is back with her trademark ingredients of wisdom and warmth, heartbreak and hearts soaring. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Philippa Ashley and Jenny Colgan.

My review

Preparing to get married should make Faith the happiest woman on the world. Only, she isn’t… because not only is her wedding dress the most hideous one ever, Faith cannot exactly turn down the dress as she got it from her future mother – in – law, but also because there is a lot people don’t know about her, not just her fiancé Perry, but everyone in her new life.
A new life, as Faith and her brother Sam has a terrible childhood, making them even change names to be safe. And Perry is the one offering her freedom, safety and security, exactly what Faith needs. So does is truly matter that Faith isn’t crazy in love with him? Isn’t what he offers more than enough?
Faith joining the Grace Chapel choir, in the church she is adamant on getting married, is the start of Faith understanding the real meaning of love in all its ways, as under the direction of choir – leader Hester, not only Faith but each member, with all their own issues, learn how magnificent they all are. And what started as a choir, grows into a unit of close friends, making Faith believe that even she maybe may deserve love…

Having read several books from this author, I know that each new book will break my heart, but will also give me a lot of hope and even love.
And this book for sure wasn’t the exception, although perhaps it gave me more heartbreak than I expected to!

It’s clear from the very start that Faith has been through very rough times. And, unfortunately, it’s also clear that she isn’t madly in love with Perry. While it would be easy to judge her, as she is ready to marry him for her own reasons, I could understand her, even if I didn’t know the details of her past yet.

Because the choice Faith made, was a choice made out of love, not out of love for Perry, but out of love for her brother Sam, who is still haunted by that same past. And how could I possibly judge someone for making perhaps the wrong decisions, when she is doing it to bring peace to someone else?

The pain, fear and burden the siblings are both carrying, is so heavy, that I admired Faith strength as she just keeps on going, but it also broke my heart to see how that burden was just too heavy for Sam. Just like Faith, and April later on in the book, I wanted to help Sam or at least let Sam get the much needed help. And I could understand how Faith would never turn her back on her brother, despite all the pain he is causing her with his choices…

But beside the obvious pain and struggles in this book, that I even underestimated at first, there is also so much hope and love in this book.
What started as perhaps something accidental, it was great to see Faith join the choir. And even if it may seem something so silly, Faith finding her own little thing, was exactly what she needed to open her eyes.

Obviously Hester is a force to reckon with, as she is not someone to mess with. But with her power, Hester makes each member of the choir understand that all in their own, they are amazing people. And this choir is becomes so much more than just people singing together, as they become friends, and each member know they can lean on each other, no matter what, no matter how different their personal situation is.

It warmed my heart to see not only Faith opening up, becoming the Faith that has been hidden deep down inside for way too long. And it absolutely warmed my heart to see that Faith slowly starts to realize what real love looks like, and that even she deserve to have a chance at that kind of love.

While there is absolutely someone that makes Faith’s heart perhaps beat faster, and I couldn’t blame her as he for sure is just perfection, for me, it wasn’t the main plot of the story. It is a nice addition to the book, but for me, it was more about Faith finding her troupe, friends to rely and confide in, and finding herself being the person her friends can confide to.

This was a heart – breaking story to read, because I truly believe that what happened to Faith and Sam, and the aftermath, is unfortunately something children and people truly are living. But it was also a heart – warming story, a story so lovely that I gave me goosebumps. Because no matter what your background is, you just need to find *your* people and with their help, support, patience and love, you will start to believe that you are worthy, you are loveable, and most important, you are magnificent!

Even best friends have secrets…

Synopsis

One New Year’s Eve, Georgie James and her friends come up with a genius plan to help them stick to their resolutions… They all write down secrets, seal them in envelopes and then post them to each other. The secrets will be revealed at the end of the year if they haven’t kept their resolutions.

It’s perfect. Except…

Georgie’s secret is BIG… and revealing it could destroy their friendships. She has no idea why she chose that one to write down. There are plenty of innocent things she could have said – even admitting she finds newcomer Raf incredibly annoying would have been better.

What she does know is that there’s no way she can let her secret be revealed. Which means she needs to keep her (nightmare) resolutions and, most importantly, get her envelope back before anyone can open it. Which, given she sent her secret to Raf, means spending a lot more time with him than she’d choose to…

A heartwarming romantic comedy for fans of Beth O’Leary and Mhairi McFarlane

My review

New Year’s resolutions are always started with the best intentions, but also fall apart as quickly as they were made.
But Georgie James and her best friends come up with a genius plan to stick to them: they will all write down their secrets and post them to each other. And if they failed their resolutions, those secrets will be revealed.
Plans made infused by alcohol is never a good idea, especially as Georgie writes down a secret that big that could destroy everything…
So when she learns that Raf is in possession of her secret, she is determined to have that envelope back in her hands, even if that means spending more and more time with him.

I am always a bit envious when friends, eve the fictional ones, are have been best friends like forever. That is a kind of friendship I don’t have (now, don’t pity me, I have best friends, but the friendships I had in my childhood didn’t stand the test of time 😊) and it amazes me how that love is still there, no matter how many years have passed.

In this book, we have four best friends, and their partners, coming together regularly, spending time together and find comfort in each other’s presence. So obviously they also spend New year’s Eve together, with the mandatory glass of champagne (or even more glasses).
These friends know everything about each other (or at least they think they do), and support each other through everything.
So it made perfectly sense that they would come up with a plan to succeed in their resolutions. Because haven’t we all had resolutions and failed at them, some quicker than others?

I found it a bit a dangerous plan, to use secrets as a ‘blackmail’ to keep up with their resolutions, but of course the stakes had to be high in order to make the friends succeed.
And while I think I would write a silly secret, I could understand while a bit inebriated, Georgie would write down her biggest secret.

A secret that admittedly, didn’t come as a great shock to me, as I found there were enough breadcrumbs spread around the book.
And even if I at moments found that Georgie could have had several opportunities to come clean about it over the years, I could also understand why she didn’t.
Because no matter how strong a friendship is, it can take one crack to break it all apart…

The focus in this book is mainly on Georgie and her quest to get the envelope back from Raf. And seeing them spending time together was lovely, and we could easily see the developments there. But I also couldn’t forget what Georgie’s plan was and I was a bit afraid of the reaction when that plan would come out, because it for sure would!

And the other focus was on Poppy, as she also has a secret she is afraid to vocalize. Yet her secret is more of a fear than a real secret..
Perhaps her ‘secret’ was one that most people can relate to, as it’s something that is more likely to be happening to any of us (or at least the doubts and fears are, not the actual fact of it 😊).

I found it a bit a pity that while there are four of best friends, the focus was only on two of them. Because it would for sure would have been great to also have a better insight in all of the friends, and not just Georgie and Poppy.
But on the other hand, I also understand that choices need to be made while writing a story!

There were some moments that made me roll my eyes over the behaviour of the protagonists, as I was thinking ‘just get a grip’. But when there is so much at stake, it isn’t easy to stay rational about it, and you may act out of character.

While reading, I also had to have a few snickering moments, as some resolutions were so typical but also so crazy (because resolutions are about making things better, not to make things ‘worse’ in a way). Yet it was also funny how all the friends were adamant of not backing out, and documenting every time they resist to just give up.

But I liked the most to see the works of real friendship, even at the most difficult test. And I liked the impartiality of it too. because it’s easy to point fingers and chose sides, but real friends don’t do that.
We see how friendships are being tested, and how trust can be broken. But with a friendship so strong, is a mistake of the past, a kept secret, worthy of throwing away everything friends have been through together?

And that is the real beauty of the story, because things in this book don’t always go that easy, just like real life. But some connections are worth of the fight, even if at first instance they broke our hearts….

Love is always a work in progress…

Synopsis

Life would be idyllic if everyone else was on the same page…

Puddleduck Vets Practice is busier than ever.
Phoebe Dashwood is juggling the usual crazy animal antics of her quirky clients, whilst organising the wedding of her bridezilla grandmother and thankfully dating her perfect man.

Phoebe loves every minute of being a New Forest vet, even if she hardly has time to catch her breath. If only she could find some quality time for her and the man of her dreams, life would be perfect.

When an ex’s heartbreak stirs up some emotions from the past, Phoebe realises she must deal with some unfinished business. It would seem a miracle is needed to pull off a happy ending for everyone – but is it within Phoebe’s power to work miracles?

My review

Puddleduck Farm is always a place full of surprises. Phoebe Dashwood loves running her Vets Practice, and as she now finally has admitted her feelings towards Sam, life couldn’t be any better. Even her grandmother becoming a real bridezilla isn’t an issue for Phoebe!
But being a vet also means always being busy… and taking time from her and Sam. And while Sam may seemingly not be making an issue of it, Phoebe starts to wonder if the reality cannot live up to Sam’s dream of being together with Phoebe. Even if they are together for a short time, are they on the same page concerning the future?
And Phoebe cannot stop worrying about Rufus, because even if they aren’t together, when tragedy strikes his family, she wants to be there for him. But is Rufus now ready to let someone in? Because even if things didn’t work out with Phoebe, it doesn’t mean it won’t work out with someone else? IS there a happy end in line for everyone?

What a wonderful delight returning to Puddleduck Farm! I am not into large animals, never let me get close to a horse, or even a cow for that matter, but I for sure can love them from afar or in amazing books like this one!

I am always eager to know what happens after a couple gets together. Because getting together is the easiest part (although, for Phoebe and Sam it for sure took a long time! 😊) but a relationship is always a work in progress, and both parties have to find their find in a changed position. And being a vet does mean getting unexpected calls away, cancelling dates, or just being tired after a long and hard day of work.
So I just had to see how this lovely couple would find the perfect balance and be happy together!

It may sound weird, but I found it somehow sweet how especially Phoebe was not sure of where she was heading as a couple with Sam.
Not that I liked her self – doubting, but it was more that Phoebe is having and even expressing doubts that everyone has. Especially as Phoebe went from being best friends with Sam to that deeper connection. The fear she has is real, because what if things wouldn’t work out? No matter how determined or how much in love you can be, you will never know what the future brings. And if things should go terribly wrong, it’s not only the end of a relationship, but also that of an amazing friendship.
Phoebe’s thoughts makes her a more reliable and real character, because it isn’t always sunshine and rainbows in life.

Phoebe is in this third instalment, despite her doubts, still that amazing person I got to know from the previous books. She is kind, gentle, with a great heart, compassionate and doesn’t hold grudges. And we see that how she still cares about Rufus. Even if things weren’t meant to be between them, she still worries about him, and wants to be there for him as a friend. And that was truly lovely to see, because you don’t stop caring about someone when things doesn’t work out romantically.

I have to admit, I didn’t really like – like Rufus in this book. Yes, he is still learning to cope with his fears, but he also allows the past to still hold a tight grip over him, making him even more closed off than before. And while when something unexpected happens (although I had a gut feeling about this),  I was a bit shocked by this. But I was more shocked to see Rufus making once again the same mistake and hurt the people he cares about the most.

Obviously there are a lot of other things happening in this book, some lovely events but also some events that makes you stop a moment and think about it. Because while there is a lot of lightness in this book, there is also room for serious matters. Matters that perhaps have been kept hidden, but when once exposed, is met with such understanding and love, that it can give enough courage to take matter back in own hands.

And obviously, we read once again that communication is key. Because opening up, talking about your fears, doubts and thoughts, is what can make or break a relationship. In a relationship, you have to be able to express what’s bothering you, because perhaps whatever it is that haunts your thoughts, isn’t what is truly going on.
Because reality can be that even when you don’t know, you can be on the same page. And that when love is the real thing, even those short moments (or too short moments) shared together can be the most amazing moments.

This author wrote exactly what I was expecting from this third instalment, even more layers to a already amazing series. I loved reading every bit of it!

To need to find calmness in the daily hectic, to find something much more important

Synopsis

There are worse fates than growing up knowing that you will one day inherit a vast and magnificent Cotswolds country estate, but for Rhys Travers it has always felt like a huge responsibility.

Juniper Meadows is home to much of his extended family, not to mention the many local businesses that operate on the estate, so there’s no time to sit back and enjoy the view. Juniper Meadows is a full-time job, and that doesn’t leave much time for romance…

Tasha Blake’s career leaves no time for romance either – much to her mother’s chagrin. Tasha’s sister Danni has kindly provided two grandchildren, but Victoria Blake is keen for more! When her job takes her to Juniper Meadows for an extended project, the slower pace of life, the beauty of the countryside and the warmth of the Travers family, soon has Tasha in its thrall, and the future Lord of the Manor Rhys Travers is rather easy on the eye too.

As the busyness of life on the estate sweeps Tasha and Rhys along, they are both able to ignore the secrets and silences that are growing between them. But when the future of Juniper Meadows hangs in the balance, loyalties and love are tested to breaking point. When the chips are down, can Rhys and Tasha see a future together, come rain or shine…

Sarah Bennett is back with her signature blend of warmth and joy, plot and pace. A Sarah Bennett book is a ray of sunshine and a huge hug, guaranteed to brighten any day, perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Phillipa Ashley.

My review

Rhys Travers knows that one day, he will inherit Juniper Meadows. And while on paper it seems a great gift, Rhys also knows that it all comes with a great responsibility. A responsibility he is already carrying, as running the place is more than a fulltime job, leaving no room for anything else, not even romance.
Something that Tasha Blake can relate with. Because her job is a demanding one, even if her own mother wishes to see her settled, preferable with some extra grandchildren too!
When a project brings Tasha to Juniper Meadows, she is quickly enthralled by the beauty of the place and the warmth she received from the Travers family.
And while working together, both Rhys and Tasha have to try to ignore their mutual attraction… But when secrets are revealed, is there a chance that their blooming relationship will stand the test?

Why is it always such a delight to pick up a book from this amazing author? And why does it warm each time my heart to return to Juniper Meadows?
Because once again I was wowed by another wonderful story about love, warmth, kindness and the wonder of peaceful nature!

There is something about both characters that, even if they find themselves in a peculiar situation, made me immediately like them.
They are both very responsible people, with a heart for what they do. But they also have a sense of what’s right and what’s wrong. We see this especially with Tasha, as she is doing what she has been instructed to do. Yet she feels that something isn’t right, and just follows her gut feeling, doing as she is told, but not more than that.

Yet it’s clear even before we truly know the main characters, that they are kind and loving people, ready to protect who and what they love.
But they also have their own struggles… Rhys is struggling with taking care of Juniper Meadows, as he wants to once again protect the place he loves, but to do it all is just a too big of a task.
And Tasha is struggling with not only the high expectations from her mother, which collide with her own expectations. But also is she struggling with doing as her boss wants to do and what is in fact the right thing to do.

It was sweet to see the pair together, firstly just working together, but slowly also realizing that there are some serious sparks between them. And yes, it was also a bit funny seeing them trying to resist, only to fail miserably!
But I was also curious to see how things would develop once all the secrets were revealed. Because it’s unpredictable how people can react to such revelations, and I was having my fingers and even my toes crossed that the light would be seen rather quickly, as this lovely couple deserve to have and be in each other’s lives.

Obviously I was so happy to see the whole Travers family again. I don’t think there is a more welcoming, open, and even forgiving family as them. They accept Tasha as one of their own, involve her even with just family matters and understand the position Tasha found herself in.

This story once again revolves about love in a wonderful and warm setting, surrounded by amazing people. Sometimes it can be the strangest situations that can bring us the most unexpected yet most wonderful things on our path. And love can be the most powerful emotion, making even forgive and forget what can appear to be a terrible betrayal.

Sarah Bennett wrote again a captivating story that swept me away, wanting me to go over to Juniper Meadows myself and let myself embrace with the warmth, kindness and love of an amazing family and their loved ones!

When trying to find your roots brings you so much more

Synopsis

Escape to the Amalfi Coast and feel the warmth of the Italian sun on your face, hear the sound of the turquoise waves crashing on the beach and fall in love with a new enemies to lovers romance!

Lia Bathurst had always dreamed of escaping to the white sandy beaches and turquoise blue seas of the Amalfi coast – but that dream hadn’t included meeting her real father. A father she had never even known about until a few weeks ago! Yet here she was, standing outside the gates of a gorgeous pink villa being refused entry by the insufferable – and insufferably handsome – Raphael Knight, her father’s business manager.

When an old black and white photo proves Lia’s claim to be true, Raph is determined to make sure this stranger, with her long caramel waves and infectious smile, doesn’t have an ulterior motive. Even if that means not letting her out of his sight.

As temperatures rise, and not just from the heat of the Mediterranean sun, could Lia and Raph’s forced proximity lead to something more like… amore?

My review

Lia Bathrust got the shock of her life a few weeks ago, after discovering that her father isn’t her biological father at all. And after receiving a rejection over her designs for a restaurant in London, she thinks that perhaps it’s time to find her real father, as she knows that he, famous actor Ernesto Salvatore, is residing at the moment in his villa on the Amalfi coast.
But Raphael Knight, Ernesto’s business manager and stepson, is not allowing a complete stranger getting close to Ernesto, as in the past similar claims, yet unfounded, have been made.  And he won’t let get Lia out of his sight, as he wants to know what Lia’s game is.
And then, before any of them realize, the game has been changed and the heat sparking between them cannot be blamed on the Mediterranean sun…

I believe that I am a very easy reader to please. I don’t need that much to be touched, and if it takes place in a wonderful setting, I’m hooked. And when I pick up a book from this author, I know I will be spoiled. And then it’s set in Italy, what more could I possibly need more??? 😀

At the start I truly felt sorry for Lia. Everything she believed in turns out to be lie, and even if she didn’t miss anything while growing up, learning that her father isn’t in fact her father, truly shook her. I could understand on one hand how at loss she felt, but on the other hand, isn’t a father the person that loves you unconditionally and raises you to the person you are now? Yet I could comprehend Lia. And it’s not only this discovery that made her doubt everything. Also her designs were rejected, so it was a case of the mountain only getting bigger and bigger.

Honestly, I have to say that it wasn’t 100% clear of what her job truly was, or how it actually works and what her design in fact truly were. But I blame it purely on my ignorance, as I am sure that her creations would be looking marvelous! 😀

I admired Lia’s courage to go take off to the Amalfi coast, and find her father herself, even if that means to stand against a stoic Raphael Knight. What’s in a name, right? 😀
Because he for sure acts like a knight, in the sense that he is ready to protect and fight for his family and loved ones.
But just like a knight, he is also immovable, just going for his goal.

What I liked the most about this book, was the unconditional love that sparked from each page. From how Lia was welcomed into the family without an issue, after revelations that she is in fact Ernesto’s daughter, to how both Raph and his brother Leo are just as much Ernesto’s sons even if there is no shared DNA…
The whole family are what you could describe a real Italian family, from learning how to make pasta, to support each other but also to tease each other incessantly. It just warmed my heart to read all those bits!

And of course there is the changing relationship between Lia and Raph… I could understand both visions. Lia wants to find her family and figure out where she belongs. And I understood Raph wanting to protect his family against vultures lurking around each corner.

I found it hilarious to see how these two people are trying to outsmart each other, but as spending more time together (voluntary or not…) slowly are getting closer, understanding each other and seeing the person in front of them. That evolution, in a beautiful setting, was just marvelous.

But it was also lovely to see how being surrounded by family (just found or the kind that has always been there for you), inspiration can be found, and how doubts (even self-doubt) can be  erased.

I truly devoured this story, as it had everything I wanted, needed and even more. Julie Caplin made me fall in love with a fictional family, fictional characters and made me fall deeper in love with a place that already had a special place in my heart!

Dreams can always come true, no matter what

Synopsis

Can you live your dreams and also find your destiny?

Since having to drop out of her design degree, Bella Douglas has been unlucky in just about everything life has thrown at her.She’s lost more jobs than she cares to remember and to top it off she’s still single, despite her Granny Isla’s best attempts to set her up with every eligible bachelor in the Scottish Highlands. Currently PA to her best friend, aka, Lady Olivia MacBain, at DrumblairCastle, Bella is yet to find a role that sets her soul on fire. But when disaster strikes for Olivia, Bella steps into the breach to rescue her bestfriend from a fate worse than a bad interior designer.

When Bella and her Granny find themselves homeless, they relocate to the castle where a handsome new neighbour brings mystery, intrigue and a spark of romance.

Is Bella finally on the track to find true happiness? Or do more catastrophes lie ahead? And does true love hide where you least expect it?

My review

Bella Douglas isn’t really known for being lucky. First she had to drop out of her design degree, and it’s easier for her to remember the current job she has, instead of remembering all the other jobs she has lost.
Even in matters of the heart she is unlucky, despite her Granny Isla’s attempts of matching her to any available man.
And while she is currently working as a PA for her best friend Olivia at the Drumblair Castle, Bella is still searching for something that she is actually good at and she loves doing.
When opportunity rises to help out Olivia, Bella is eager to use her vision and her skills as an interior designer.
And when Bella and Granny Isla are forced to stay at the castle after disaster strikes again, they find themselves facing a neighbour that is very much intriguing.
Will this opportunity finally turn the cards for Bella and make her find something she loves doing, and bringing her love at the same time? Or is this just once again a case of calm before the storm?

Obviously it was a delight to return to Drumblair Castle. And I was very eager to read Bella’s story while at the same time seeing how Olivia was doing as Lady of the Castle.

I absolutely liked Bella’s character. She shows in so many ways how altruistic she is, how caring she is, and how she always sees the good in everyone.
She is so kind in many different ways, even putting others before herself.
But she is also the kind of person that will never boast herself, on the contrary! Despite her actual great skills, she often fails to see how amazing she is. Bella obviously doesn’t believe in herself like we as a reader do, and that is a pity, because she is just amazing!

I loved seeing her together with her Granny Isla, who for sure is a force of nature! It was absolutely hilarious how Isla has her own way with words!
The love between the two was so obvious. Yet I could also perfectly understand Bella’s frustrations when Isla was playing matchmaker once again!

I was happy for Bella seeing how Liv gives her the chance to be the interior designer for the castle but also giving Bella more responsibilities. I can understand how in worst case scenarios (and that also happens…) this may test the friendship, but yet when a friendship is so strong, even the worst of the worsts cannot break that bond!

It angered me to see how a trust in a character was given, truly believing it was the right thing to do, to only see how that trust was actually better not given. And it only confirmed my gut feeling in the first book!

Of course there is also romance for Bella in this book. Yu could even see it like a little love triangle if you want. Obviously I could understand Bella being star struck for a moment. Yet I liked it more how Bella nevertheless doesn’t lose herself and just follows her gut feeling. A gut feeling that mirrored mine and once again was the right feeling!

On the other side of the triangle was something that was born out of friendship, showing compassion, care and preparedness to help when needed. It shows patience that isn’t present with the ‘rival’. But here we see people that want only the best for each other, even at the cost of thei own wishes and happiness.

I found this a wonderful, sweet but also hilarious story, about altruistic people that believe and trust each other, are willing to forgive past mistakes. But also trust their (gut) feelings, and always keep an eye open.
We also see that no matter what happened in the past, how unlucky you may have been, your time will come to shine brightly, and that good things will come on your path.
And obviously it’s filled with so many love, in all its forms… and love that can change over the course of time, or just how strong it can stay no matter what…