Love is a beautiful thing, but love also hurts, in more than one way

Synopsis

A secret romance was just the start of the story…

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar – an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey – until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.

Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she’d thought it was…

The festive new novel about love, family and the power of words from Sunday Times bestseller Sue Moorcroft, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Phillipa Ashley.

My review

Maddy is carer of her Great Aunt Ruthie. Together with Ruthie and Maddy’s daughter they are living in the village of Nelson’s Bar, on the Norfolk coast.
Life hasn’t been easy for Maddy, as six years ago, after a huge row, her husband Adey went out to only never return again. Yet now Maddy finally feels that things are coming together.
That is until Raff appears, with in his hand love letters written by Ruthie and Raff’s father. Secrets are being unravelled and Maddy learns about Ruthie’s greatest love. Meanwhile Raff and Maddy are getting to know each other better and something starts to bloom. Until Maddy starts to receive text from an unknown number, and Maddy fears it may be someone she thought she would never hear from again… 

I have to admit, I had a different totally story in my mind when I started with this book from the amazing author Sue Moorcroft. Yet different doesn’t mean bad, right? And I knew that anyway this author would once again write a captivating story. 

I loved reading the dynamics between this little family of women. Even if Ruthie is not Maddy’s mother, we could see very obviously that these two women for sure loved each other like a mother and daughter would.
For me, it showed us once again that a mother isn’t per se the once that gave birth to someone. 

And seeing how three generations of women are in symbiosis was wonderful and sweet. Each of the women, Maddy’s daughter included, are very different from each other, but the care, love and even worry for each other are very obvious. 

I thought that the past love letters would have a bigger spotlight, and that perhaps we would see through flashbacks how Ruthie experienced that great yet impossible love and its consequences. Yet while those letters and that love for sure was the catalyst of everything, it didn’t take up that much in the book itself. 

Nevertheless, we see how that great love is what brought all the characters together. Because of that love, Ruthie get the chance to meet someone she never thought she would ever meet. And even if she didn’t regret the choices she made in the past, as that for sure was the right choice, there is always that niggling thought in your mind. 

In this book, we see that while in theory everything would be resolved very easily, whenever emotions and matters of the heart are involved, things never are. And taking in account that for a few characters there is also a health issue, it only makes it more complicated. Because while things may seem straightforward, they never truly are. 

Maddy takes up big part of the book, and you cannot not like her. She has been through hell with the disappearance of her husband Adey six years ago. Yet she managed to get her life back on track, even if things aren’t that easy. Because with Adey disappearing, she is left in the dark and she has so many questions that will perhaps never have an answer.  

With her past taking in account, I found it sweet and perfect for Maddy getting closer to Raff, as she deserves to be happy again.
But here also we see that Maddy needs to take steps on her own time, as this doesn’t affect only her. 

I have to say, those mysterious texts and the aftermath left me disappointed in a way. Not that the author did a bad thing with this storyline! I would never think such things of this amazing author. But I was more disappointed with all the revelations and the characters involved. It left me flabbergasted to read how people can be… 

But that didn’t take away the fact that I truly enjoyed reading this book, reading about characters that have been through a lot and are still going through, but still find love anyway. Perhaps not in all the same forms of love, but love is love, a mother – daughter love, friends – love, even Auntie – niece love.
And that with love comes care, kindness, worry but also forgiveness, warmth and even more love!

When your first love broke your heart, but reappears 10 years later in your life…

Synopsis

The course of true love never did run smooth, but with Phoebe MacLeod it always gets a chance. Perfect for fans of Jo Watson and Mhairi McFarlane.

Everyone remembers their first love. Jess Thomas definitely does. So, it’s more than a little awkward when Jess’s first love, Jamie Ferguson, turns out to be the best man at the wedding she’s catering for. And more than a little insulting when he doesn’t appear to remember her at all.

Since Jamie broke her heart (via text!), 10 years earlier, Jess has sworn off romance. And with a booming catering business to focus on, she’s doing OK. She has no interest in revisiting the past.

But when Jess’s car breaks down on a country lane, she has no choice but to accept Jamie’s help. Now, Jamie is determined to show Jess he’s a new man. But can guys like Jamie ever really change? And if she gives him another chance, is she setting herself up for a fall?

My review

A younger Jess Thomas had a huge crush on Jamie Ferguson. And just when Jess’ dreams seemed to be coming true, Jamie broke her heart by text.
Now ten years later, Jess is catering a wedding and the best man is no one else but Jamie. To add even more insults, he doesn’t appear to be recognizing her. In fact, no one of her former fellow students appear to recognize her… And that’s fine by her, because Jess doesn’t need a blast from the past, as her focus is on her catering business.
But when after the wedding, Jess’ car breaks down, she has no other option to accept Jamie’s help. And after revealing (or rather blurting out) the truth, Jamie is adamant to show Jess he is not the same young man anymore.
But can Jess give the man that broke her heart a second chance?

Oooh, what a delightful book to read! I truly devoured this from the first page until the very last one!
Was it because it was so relatable? Because haven’t we all been heart – broken by our crush when we were younger? And haven’t we all thought about what would happen if that same crush would reappear back in our lives suddenly?
Or is it the talent of this author, that makes it so easy to give dive into the story and keep on reading?
But it doesn’t matter what the real reason was, because I absolutely enjoyed reading it!

Jess is the kind of character everyone could recognize. She has built her own successful business with the help of her friend. Yet while successful in the business, in matters concerning the heart she has been keeping away from it all.
And while I am a longtime single woman, I could relate to her in many ways, from not having the time or need to awful fates, there were are some moments that didn’t make total sense to me.

Through flashbacks we get to see how young Jess had a huge crush on Jamie, and how that made her act even out of character. Yet even there we see some things we even did, like doodling names together, listening to the band our crush loves etc.
And I was happy for young Jess to see how at a party Jamie finally it all seemed to come together. But I also knew it wouldn’t end well, even if I somehow kept hoping it would?
It’s at that same party that Jess acts typically Jess, even in a sweet way. But she also acts very untypically Jess. I know that for a crush you would go far, but for me it went a tiny bit too far?

So when ten years later, Jess and Jamie meet again, I could understand why Jess didn’t want to reveal who she was and wanted to get away as far as possible.
Making it all more hilarious when she ends up stranded and Jamie appears to be her knight in shining armour.
I actually laughed out loud when Jess tried to get rid of him with fake calls, and when she babbled the whole truth out, even if she didn’t want to! 😊

Yet when the truth came out, I also understood Jamie, how he wanted to show Jess that in fact he has changed. Because haven’t we all grown up, and changed compared to the younger us? We all made mistakes when younger, and as adults we know that what we did was wrong and the ‘now us’ would act completely differently compared to the younger us.

It was sweet in so many ways to see how Jamie keeps on being persistent for a second chance. Not immediately a second chance in a romantic way, but also showing that he has in fact matured and that now he is someone you can count on.

Through several occasions we see Jess and Jamie together, and while things sometimes are getting complicated, it was sweet to see how Jess’ trust slowly is building back.
But trust isn’t built overnight, and we see that moments that Jess perhaps is overreacting or that Jamie seems to be still hiding a few things.
Yet we also see the both of them admitting that perhaps it was a matter of overreaction, and they know that they are not there yet, but the both of them are willing to see where whatever this is between them a chance.

This was once again a wonderful and lovely story from an amazing author, showing us that sometimes when things happen it isn’t the rught time or place, but that with a second chance, it can be the perfect time and place. We just have to open ourselves for the given opportunity!

When you go back to a happy place to find it back again…

Synopsis

After a difficult break-up, Poppy is keen to put the past behind her and what’s better than some relaxing time with her aunt in the picturesque Cornish village of West Par.

But life at her aunt Flora’s Dogs’ Home is anything but relaxing. When a poor little pup is stranded at the gates, Poppy takes them for a check up at the local vet, hoping against hope they’ll be fine.

And there she meets Mack: the vet who is so charming and experienced with the dogs, but selfish and – dare she say it – money-grabbing with his clients.

But underneath that cold exterior, she’s sure there’s more to the story. If only she could convince him to open up. Because without him, the future of Wagging Tails isn’t so assured…

My review

After a hurtful break – up, Poppy needs to clear her head. And the only place she can think of, is the place that brought her a lot of joy years ago. So she packs her stuff and she is going to stay with her Aunt Flora. Poppy is more than ready to help Aunt Flora with running the Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. Poppy quickly loses her heart to all of the dogs staying there, and even one in particular. Dougal is the puppy she found stranded at the gates, and she hopes with all her heart that the little pup will turn out to be okay.
There she meets Mack, the new vet who is strictly following the rules, as everyone should pay for his consult and treatments. But with Wagging Tails being a charity, money may be an issue. And thus Mack is seen as a selfish and money – grabbing person.
But as contact with the vet is mandatory, Poppy earns that there is more to his story, and she hopes she will be able to make him open up more, as it may affect more than just the Wagging Tails future…

There are some series that truly touch your heart for several reasons. I mean, I love many books, series and authors. But while sometimes it can just be a character, or the subject, or the place, sometimes it’s so many things all together in the one book that makes you melt.

And this book was exactly that… from the first page I truly liked Poppy, adored returning to Wagging Tails, and fell utterly in love with little pup Dougal!  Even when first meeting Mack, and his decisive ‘no’ for any kind of discount couldn’t make me shake of the feeling that things weren’t just that straightforward with him, and that he would show his real, kind, loving and generous character!

The story starts with Poppy’s heartbreak. And I could understand that even if it was something that was inevitable, it can still hurt a lot. And adding that her ex doesn’t seem to waste any time, well, I was hurt in her place!

Yet even if she is heartbroken, we see the good the right environment can do to someone. Not only is she welcomed with open arms by her Aunt Flora, but also by everyone working at the Wagging Tails, old friends and new ones.
And of course, the presence of all the dogs also helped Poppy overcoming her grief. It only shows that sometimes dogs can help us even more than humans can!

It’s crystal-clear how kind – hearted Poppy is. The way she cares about the dogs, how easily she loves Dougal, how much she is worrying about her Aunt, all signs that Poppy for sure is a lovely character. And the kind of character that deserves to love and be loved.

For a person that cares so much, and takes the fate of Wagging Tails at heart, I couldn’t disagree with her reaction when learning that the new vet didn’t give any kind of discount, especially after seeing how much it all costed!

But it’s easy to judge someone like Mack, if you don’t have all the inside information… Because yes, it may seem that Mack is counting any penny he is making. But, even if we don’t know anything about him yet, we can see his gentle character already from the moment that Poppy arrives with Dougal. Mack truly cares about each animal that enters his office. He doesn’t act lightly, and wants to make sure that the animals will get the right treatment. And even after the poor animals have left his office, he wants to follow them up.

This is all before we even get to know his background… and when learning what he has been through, and what kind of big brother he is, well, it truly warmed my heart. And it made so much sense, as I could understand why he acted the way he did.
Even if some moments his actions still made me frown, for example the way he was looking for a Christmas gift for his secretary. He for sure went from one extreme to the other! 🤣

With Poppy and Mack seeing each other more and more, the attraction between them start to grow, and the initial antipathy (especially Poppy’s) start to disappear.
Poppy senses that there is more to Mack’s story, and she wants to know what’s truly behind the façade that Mack shows…

And I found it sweet to see how all the volunteers at the charity do whatever they can to raise money, but also how  the community and everyone in the village show their generosity.

This was a lovely, heartwarming story, showing us that we should never judge a book by its cover, and that a certain behavior always has a reason. But with patience, understanding and love, we can make a person open up, and even make them take a chance at love again!

An accident with consequences…

Synopsis

When the ceiling of preloved clothing shop Roseford Relovedfalls in at the height of Christmas season, owner Polly Parrott is in despair. She can see her fortunes draining away as quickly as the water is pouring through her roof. What makes it worse is that standing right underneath the deluge is Will Sutherland, sporting hero and new owner of Parson’s Grange, the new modern mansion in Roseford.

Polly and Will’s first meeting is about as far from a success as it can be, but over a festive season of Christmas markets, a Yuletide Ball and inconvenient snowfalls, can they forge a friendship or even more, despite their unpromising beginning? Or will the complications in both of their lives end their romance before it even begins?

My review

Polly Parrott is the proud owner of Roseford Reloved, a clothing shop selling preloved items. But running a business isn’t always easy, and when the ceiling of the shop collapses, it’s just the cherry on top of the cake, as it collapsed on a customer.
Luckily the customer himself just has been drowned and there is no further damage, but for Will Sutherland it’s just another thing going wrong that day…
Former football legend and current owner of Parson’s Grange Will has just recently moved to Roseford with his two daughters after a failed marriage and a career that both have made him mistrust everything and everyone.
Yet while the first encounter with Polly was a disastrous one, the more they meet each other, the more difficult it becomes to ignore their attraction.
But as Will’s life is filled with multiple complications, will their romance has a chance to survive?

Having read all the previous books in this series, I was a bit afraid… as I absolutely loved those books, I feared that this one would not be able to live up to my expectations.
But when will Tizi learn to have faith in the authors that she loves?

First of all, how delightful to return to Roseford and seeing all my old friends once again! It truly warmed my heart to see how things have evolved in the meantime and that they were still all very much in love and happy!

From the first appearance, I truly liked Polly. Not only is she very kind and gentle, but the way she runs her shop is even something I would call admirable. Yes, she is selling second – handed clothes, but she doesn’t call them like that. I loved it how she named the clothes ‘preloved’ and that even if it’s not firsthand user, it seems like they actually are.

Polly is the kind of person you want to have in your life as a friend. There is not a thing I didn’t like about her. She is so understanding, patient and if even giving Will when needed options.
Perhaps she is being even too altruistic, as she is ready to give up on her own happiness for the sake of others.
And at some moments, I would have loved to see her biting back, as she always keeps a smile on her face, even when customers don’t deserve it.

As Polly is who she is, she also has a lot of good friends ready to help her out in time of need, or just giving her some kind words of encouragement.
It only shows that Roseford truly is a community that looks after each other! Even if newcomers are welcomed with a wary eye J

Newcomers just like Will and his daughters Hattie and Maeve.
Thanks to Fay’s dedication, I knew somehow how to imagine Will J.
Will in Roseford felt like a fish out of water, as Will is accustomed to a more not only glamorous place, but also a more lively place to live.

My heart truly went out to Will for several reasons…
First of all, he saw his marriage ending in a hideous way. And now he has moved in a house that mostly his ex has put together.
To make this more difficult, he also is struggling with his eldest daughter Hattie, as she is the most fed up with all the recent changes.
And to add even more fuel, he is struggling career wise as an incident in the past for sure left its mark on him and his reputation…

While for sure the two first are definitely difficult as they may be, perhaps I got more frustrated at the last point. I am not going in details here over what exactly happened, but it only showed once again how single – minded people can be, and how evil they can be… Just because someone is a famous person (a celebrity or a sportsman), it doesn’t mean that we have any say in their personal lives.
And even if this is just a fictional story, I know it unfortunately happens in real life, and seeing how it can ruin someone’s life, it truly hurt me…

That made me understand Will’s wariness, as he has seen how ugly people can be. In that way, it was sweet to see how slowly he warms up to Polly, even if with a little bit of help from Maeve.
It only make you see that the right people will make it possible to trust and to love. But also that the wrong people will always be able to push the wrong buttons…

Because no matter how lovely seeing the relationship develop, Will’s issues aren’t solved overnight…  It takes time to overcome all the hurt that has been caused, and it for sure is by trial and error.

Yet that doesn’t take away that he is a great father, that has learnt from his own mistakes and he truly cares about his daughters. He is absolutely concerned about his girls, and he wants their happiness more than anything, even if it’s difficult for him to handle things the right way.

Even expressing his feelings to someone is difficult for him, even to his own daughters. But once again, seeing him making progress was an amazing thing to see.

I absolutely devoured this book, as it was just amazing, lovely, wonderful and marvelous to read. It shows us how life can throw you curveballs and you are left to pick up the pieces (even those of a collapsed ceiling 🤣). But once again we see how the power of love can be that extra nudge in your back to not give up, to trust again, to believe in love again, even if there are a few mishaps on the way to gain your happiness.

And on a sidenote, even if Hattie was a rather hard nut to crack, and Maeve was a delightful character, I would have loved it to see more of them! 😀

To find the perfect job, to have a colleague to put a damper on your festive mood

Synopsis

Fall in love with the Christmas romance of the year, full of love and second chances!

Lottie Grant loves the festive season so much that she works at the incredibly successful Christmas shop, Christmas Crackers, in her pretty Scottish home town of Craig Brae. But when the shop is sold, her world is turned upside down, leaving her wondering what she will do next.

Just as she’s about to give up hope on finding a new dream job, an offer comes that she can’t refuse, managing a set of luxury wooden cabins… and opening just in time for Christmas!

As she gets to work decorating the cabins, and hanging lights on the fir trees, Lottie can’t believe her luck. That is until the arrival of Blake Dempster, a moody but handsome hiking expert, who threatens to bring down her festive joy. But never one to shy away from a challenge, Lottie is determined to change Blake’s mind about all things festive.

And as the snow falls and the fairy lights sparkle, will work-obsessed Lottie and frozen-hearted Blake make their Christmas wishes come true?

My review

Lottie Grant loves working at the Christmas shop, Christmas Crackers. The plan is that eventually she will buy over the lease in order that she is the owner of the shop.
But all her hopes and dreams are shattered when the shop is sold to become a restaurant.
Finding a job in her Scottish home town of Craig Brae is easier said than done, yet just when Lottie is giving up hope, an offer arrives that she cannot refuse: managing a set of luxury wooden cabins, and the owner are even delighted with Lottie’s imaginative Christmas Spirit.
That is until she meets Blake Dempster, the hiking expert hired by the owners to add some extra experience for the staying guests. Because anything just slightly related to Christmas makes Blake’s skin crawl.
But Lottie wouldn’t be Lottie if she would Blake dampen her mood, and she has made it her own mission to make Blake change his mind.
Could this be the case where dislike turns into the complete opposite, both Christmas – related and persona – related? 

In this book, we have two total opposite characters. Lottie just adores everything that is related to Christmas, while Blake absolutely hates it. I think I am in the middle of both extremes. I can enjoy the festivities, and I for sure will sing along all the Christmas songs on the radio, but I also have my moments when too soon is too soon and too late is too late. 

So having a story with both extremes, was funny to read, as in some points I could relate to each point of view. 

I must say, I pitied Lottie at the start of the book. She loves working at the shop, and has already so many plans once she has taken it over. So seeing her dreams falling apart really did something to me. Now, this isn’t a case where the takeover was done by someone malicious, but it’s just how things sometimes happen in life. 

What I liked about Lottie perhaps the most, was how close she is to her mother. She had the best of families, with lovely parents. And losing her father was vey difficult, but it was also sweet to see how even closer it brought mother and daughter.
And even if her own father isn’t in the picture anymore, Lottie still feels his presence, and as a reader we feel it too. His ‘appearances’ for sure have a positive impact on the story, only highlighting how close this family was and still is.
That kind of density is something I recognize in my own family too, with the addition of the typical Italianisms 😊. 

It was serendipity reading how the perfect job opportunity came, as I could perfectly see Lottie diving into the new adventure! 

Yet it was also perfect seeing how all Lottie’s Christmassy cheeriness were being ‘cancelled’ by Blake’s feelings. I can comprehend that some people may think that Lottie is perhaps over the top, but I was wondering why Blake was just so against it all. It’s clear that something happened in the past to cause such strong feelings, because it’s not possible to be so anti – Christmas. 

Yet despite his Grinchy attitude, we also see that despite his words, his actions speak louder. Yes, he could have refused to dress up as Santa, and nobody told him to be so kind afterwards especially towards one child in particular. But he doesn’t… and that says more to me than everything he claimed beforehand. And that in fact, Blake is a sturdy teddy bear with a soft and kind heart. 

So is it truly surprising to see Lottie change her feelings from dislike into something else? No, not at all, as I myself was feeling more and more attracted to this fictional character that Blake is! And yes, even I kept wondering how he would like without his beard! 😊 

Once Blake’s past is revealed, I couldn’t blame his strong feelings about Christmas, as that holiday is linked to specifically two heartbreaking incidents in his life.
Knowing his past made so much clear to me, made it easier to understand him, and even understand his feelings and actions when he Is faced with a blast from the past. 

Perhaps as a reader, I would have enjoyed reading more in depth about this character making a resurface, but I also felt that this was not the main focus of this story. 

Because it’s a story about seeing a door closing but a window opening instead. A window that brings you even more than expected. It’s also about seeing behind the mask (or beard in this case 😊) and truly understanding someone. 

It a story that made me laugh, it put several smiles on my face, and it made me feel all warm and cosy, ready for Christmas. It took me perhaps a while to get completely into the story, but once I was in it, I just couldn’t put it away. Can I stay at one of the cabins too???

When an escape from everything makes you find everything

Synopsis

When soap actor Sabrina Swift loses her way due to a public scandal, she packs up her life, heads to Cornwall and randomly finds herself running a Christmas gift shop in the quaint and quirky Ferry Lane Market.

Changing her looks and identity to keep her anonymity, the newcomer starts to make friends and enemies as she walks a frosty path in the established community.

And as rumours start circling that the outside market is going to be shut down, Sabrina is not only ensconced in an unexpected love triangle but is also faced with a difficult decision that could alter both her life and those of the inhabitants of Hartmouth forever.

Charming characters and a beautifully written setting make for a delightful and uplifting tale that explores themes of self-discovery, belonging and the importance of following your heart.

My review

Soap actor Sabrina Swift never expected to head to Cornwall on her own after a scandal. Wishing to keep her anonymity, she changes her looks. Yet she now has a place where she can be Jilly, instead of Sabrina the actor.
And with not being in spotlights, Sabrina starts to make friend who like the real Sabrina and support her on opening a gift shop in the famous Ferry Lane Market.
Sabrina now has the chance to figure out herself who she is, what makes her happy and where her heart truly lays.
But there are several dark clouds hanging over Sabrina and the place that starts to feel like home. And now Sabrina has to decide which path to follow not only for her own sake but for the sake of the lovely people of Ferry Lane Market.

What a delight to return to Ferry Lane Market! And while I thought I couldn’t fall even more with the place or the characters, Nicola May proved me wrong once again!

I have to say, for several reasons I felt so sorry for Sabrina. Firstly at her own wedding she makes a terrible discovery, as the man she was supposed to be getting married to, betrayed her.
And being chased by the press for sure turned a terrible day into an even worse one.
But it’s not only that… because it’s clear that, even if Sabrina is a famous soap opera actor, she is at loss somehow. She doesn’t know what she truly wants or who she truly is.

Of course she needs to find a place to hide, to process everything that has happened, and more important to think about herself and her future. And is there a better place, a welcoming place like Ferry Lane Market?

It was so heart – warming to see how Sabrina was welcomed with open arms, how our old friends showed once again how wonderful they were. Even to complete strangers like Sabrina, they show how helpful, nice and kind they all are.
And on a funnier level, even the way they went along with her little white lies! But that shows also that they understand Sabrina’s need to protect herself.

While reading, I began to understand that this is mainly a book about self – discovery, even about making mistakes, but also about finding out what you truly need and want from life.
Because Sabrina makes a few errors during her stay, even misjudging some characters. But even if I saw it from miles coming what the outcome would be, I could comprehend Sabrina’s “need” for it.

As a bystanders obviously it’s easy to say what Sabrina should do: tell her ex – fiancé to bugger off, take a chance on her romantic interest and stay at Ferry Lane Market. But from afar it’s always easy… love doesn’t disappear in the blink of an eye, no matter how much you are hurt.
And hurt and fear also don’t just go away, even if the right person appears. It can be a long journey to not only overcome those feelings, but it’s also a long journey to understand who you truly are and what you truly desire.

In that view, seeing Sabrina going through all those different phases, but also seeing how she starts to feel at home at Ferry Lane Market. She cares so much about the place and the whole community that she goes lengths to protect it anyway she can.

I loved returning to Ferry Lane Market, adored seeing old friends again and discovering how they were doing (some more surprising than others! ☺️) but most of all, I absolutely enjoyed reading about how one terrible, devastating event can be the catalyst of (finally) discovering who you truly are and finding out what truly makes you happy and chase that dream. It may be perhaps a long and difficult journey to get there, but nevertheless the final destination will be worth of the journey, especially with wonderful people by your side!

When a dedicated and Christmas – loving real estate agent meets The Grinch…

Synopsis

When Christmas-hating Sam moves to Holly Cross, he thinks he’s found the perfect home, until he discovers that, each year, Holly Cross transforms into the most Christmassy village in the whole country…

Blythe is just one sale away from being Real Estate Agent of the Month, so she twists the truth to sell a home to city boy Sam, who is looking for the perfect house in the perfect location. Little does he know he’s just bought a cottage in the middle of the most Christmassy village in the country. And if there’s one thing Sam loathes, it’s Christmas.

Sam’s arrival puts Holly Cross’s chance to win the title of Britain’s Most Perfect Christmas Village now in jeopardy, and the villagers are soon up in arms. Meanwhile, Sam is in his own personal hell surrounded by fairy lights and everyone is looking to Blythe to fix things.

But as the festive season looms, maybe there’s more than just Christmas in Holly Cross for Sam to fall in love with…

My review

Blythe is on a streak as she has been several months in a row Real Estate Agent of the Month. But when one of her colleagues has made one more sell than her, Blythe does whatever she can to beat him. Even if that means to omit a few details while selling a cottage to city boy Sam. Because what Sam doesn’t know when putting an offer on the place, is that he will be buying a house in the most Christmassy village. And if there is one thing Sam truly hates, it’s for sure Christmas.
But Holly Cross has entered the competition to win the title of Britain’s Most Perfect Christmas Village, and Sam’s new home has always been the centre of it. Sam now has the whole village against him, while everyone, Blythe included, is also trying to persuade him to take part of the festivities. And everyone is putting their trust in Blythe, to fix things. Yet Blythe knows she was in the wrong by not telling Sam the truth about Holly Cross, and she knows that Sam only has so many buttons she can push, and many has been already pushed.
The closer Christmas comes, the lesser it seems possible that Blythe will succeed in her mission. But the more she gets to know Sam, the more she starts to understand him and the more her initial dislike disappears… 

Bella Osborne is one of those authors you know always deliver. Once again I found myself drawn into this wonderful story, where Christmas is the theme that builds the whole story. 

Yet honesty also forces me to tell, even if I adore this author, at the start of the book, I didn’t completely liked Blythe.
I’m not saying that she was a bad person, but I saw her as the kind of person that didn’t like to be defeated and would go lengths to find a way to become victorious in the end after all.
And so she finds herself selling a house to Sam, that isn’t exactly according the rules, and she omits to tell Sam that Holly Cross is completely into Christmas. Now, it could be a detail, but not when she knows how much Sam hates that holiday.
That made me see Blythe a bit a selfish woman, only thinking about her own goals and not thinking about her buyers. 

But I also have to say, before you think truly bad about Blythe, slowly she shows her real character, and while her actions perhaps aren’t showing it, knowing the true reasons behind it, made me understand her and like her. 

Sam couldn’t be more different from Blythe. While Blythe just loves being part of Holly Cross’ community, Sam prefers to be left on his own, minding his own business and not having to take anything or anyone in account. Even the presence of Turpin The Cat is too much for him.
He for sure shows all the signs of being a real Grinch, but also in his case, once knowing his background, can you really blame him hating Christmas so much?
And having a whole community pushing and pressuring him, isn’t truly helping him, is it? 

Of course Blythe and Sam find themselves faced with drawn swords, as Blythe wants Sam to participate to all the preparations, and Sam is adamant to do anything but.
Yet the more time they are spending together, thanks (or ‘thanks’…) to Turpin too, Blythe starts to understand Sam. Knowing where he comes from, having had so many disappointments over Christmas, Blythe understands that Sam doesn’t need to be pressured into doing something he doesn’t want.
But Blythe also knows that she has to show Sam that Christmas can be indeed the most wonderful time of the year.  

And Blythe also understands that while Sam doesn’t want to be part of the whole shebang, Sam can be still part of the community with other activities. 

Seeing Sam ‘melting’ was sweet to see in a way. Obviously his dislike for Christmas doesn’t disappear overnight, but he sees how a whole community works together, how there are so many different activities organised he can also participate to.  

The community of Holly Cross for sure seems a wonderful community. Although I have to say, that even for my liking they were waaaaaay too much into Christmas! 😊
And I felt that they should cut Sam some slack. Just like Blythe is understanding, Sam isn’t obligated to take part into all of it, it is his free choice to or not to. 

But I found it funny on the other hand, seeing how somehow ways were found to the community get their own way! And the idea Blythe thought of, couldn’t be more apt, seeing Sam’s reluctance towards everything involving Christmas! 

While the focus is definitely on Blythe and Sam, and their clashing and later on growing closer, we also see the dynamics of families. In Blythe’s case we see a family where nurture beats nature, but also that blood is thicker than water, no matter how much someone disappoints us.
We also see that a mistake made in the past can get a second chance for a happy end, and that people can always keep on surprising us in the best ways, showing once again the great and kind hearts of people. 

This was a wonderful festive read, with the main characters clash at first, but slowly come to an understanding, and where the past can be not erased, but replaced by new lovely memories. And that even the greatest clash can turn into something beautiful, as long as we are prepared to listen and even forgive for made mistakes.

Check out this amazing cover!

Synopsis

A festive, coming-of-age tale about an Oxbridge candidate and a young homeless man who find themselves in the bittersweet predicament of falling in love with exactly the right person at exactly the wrong time. 

Well-to-do Jed never imagined he’d end up homeless, but family circumstances have made it his only option. Local vicar, Ben, tries to help him but there’s an element of self-punishment to the homelessness that makes Jed continue to put up with his situation – until disaster leads him to re-consider the vicar’s offer of a place to stay. 

Hattie is on the cusp of adulthood, frantically trying to persuade her mum that she doesn’t want to attend an elite university, preferring the idea of pursuing her love of art and textiles. When she meets Jed, she badly wants to understand his circumstances and why, when she has everything at her fingertips, he doesn’t. 

Hattie’s mum, Christine, has had a hard life and is desperate for more for her only child. When she meets Ben, the vicar who’s trying to help Jed, she finds an unlikely ally, and the two heartbroken souls find themselves drawn to each other. Until they find their relationship suddenly tested to the limit. 

One thing’s for certain: none of these characters is looking forward to Christmas. It’s the worst time of year for each of them, for different reasons. But perhaps this year, the festive season could defy all expectations.

Rebecca Boxall is the award-nominated author of five bestselling novels – Christmas at the Vicarage, Home for Winter, Christmas on the Coast, The Christmas Forest and Christmas by the Lighthouse. She is also the author of Christmas at the Farmhouse and her popular short story, A Winter’s Day.

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-at-Cabin-Rebecca-Boxall-ebook/dp/B0CHCFH82M/
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-at-Cabin-Rebecca-Boxall-ebook/dp/B0CHCFH82M/

Publication Date: 24th November 2023

About the author

Rebecca Boxall was born in East Sussex in 1977 and grew up in a bustling vicarage always filled with family, friends and parishioners. She now lives by the sea in Jersey with her family and Rodney the cat. She read English at the University of Warwick before she trained as a lawyer and more recently worked at a psychiatric unit.

She is the No. 1 bestselling author of Christmas at the Vicarage and Christmas on the Coast as well as the bestselling writer of Home for Winter, The Christmas Forestand Christmas by the Lighthouse, in respect of which she was nominated for the Romantic Novel Awards in 2020. She is also the author of Christmas at the Farmhouse and her popular short story, A Winter’s Day.

The cover

When art brings love on your path, but what if it all starts with a lie?

Synopsis

He hates lawyers. So I’m a lawyer pretending to be an artist. Forgetting one tiny detail: I can’t paint.

Tessa: There’s something about the way the blond guy laughs and leans in to listen. My gaze keeps returning to him.

The only problem is, we’re at an art gallery after work, and I’ve swapped my lawyer suit for a paint-splattered shirt. I’m pretending to be a struggling artist, acting as bait to entice a scammer who conned my friend out of thousands of dollars.

I look pathetic. But still, I approach Hot Guy.

Our glances meet, and an awareness shimmers across.

He offers to buy me a drink–we’re definitely flirting–and then he asks me what I do.

Just when Scammer Guy is in earshot.

I have no choice but to say I’m an artist. I can tell Hot Guy later that I’m not.

But then he says he hates lawyers.

Now what?

Zeke: She’s the worst artist I’ve ever seen.

And I hate that that makes me suspect that she’s lying to me. After my ex-girlfriend cheated on me, trust is in short supply.

She makes me laugh, and it’s one adventure after another with her. Definitely different from my workaholic lawyer ex.

Maybe it’s time to give love a second chance.

All is fair in love and litigation, but when truth and deception clash, can you trust your heart?

*The romcom books in this series are interconnected standalones set in the same world. Each can be read as a pure standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after.

My review

Tessa is very dedicated to her job as a lawyer. Unfortunately, her dedication came at the cost of her relationship with Wyatt, who only saw her as a workaholic.
At an art gallery, Tessa is pretending to be a struggling artist, trying to turn the attention of a scammer on her.
And looking at her worst, she meets Zeke. The attraction is immediate! If only Tessa didn’t discover that there is one thing that Zeke truly hates, and that is lawyers…
With the scammer nearby, how can Tessa tell Zeke the truth? But the more Tessa is keeping the truth from Zeke, the harder it gets. Especially as Zeke still finds it difficult to trust people, as his ex – girlfriend cheated on him…
But with Tessa feels everything so right, even if she is the worst artist Zeke ever met. So perhaps Zeke is ready to give a second chance. But what when the truth comes out?

There are stories that you want to read even if the characters couldn’t be further away from your own life.
Both Tessa and Zeke have stressful jobs, and jobs that I have no idea how exactly everything works, beside from what I read in books or see on TV.

I truly liked Tessa. Not only is she a very loyal and even committed friend, but she also wants to do good in the world, to make a difference for those who need any (legal) help or whatsoever.
There isn’t literally a thing she wouldn’t do to help, even if that means to pretend to be an artist, while she hasn’t an artistic bone in her body.
And her sense of right of wrong was truly admirable, and her reasons for becoming a lawyer only made me like her even more!

We also see a vulnerability in her. She has been burnt by love before, and that has made her very wary of a new chance at love.
Yet she finds that special connection with Zeke and that was truly lovely to see! But finding love, or finding that connection with someone isn’t enough for her to stop from doing what she believes to do is the right thing. Falling in love with Zeke won’t stop her from doing her job, or trying to lure the scammer.

And she knows that not telling Zeke the truth of what her job is, is the wrong thing to do. But I could understand her, as each time she found the courage, something happened turning the perfect moment in the most imperfect moment.
I could understand how difficult it was for Tessa, but I could also comprehend Zeke, as the truth and honesty is very important to him.

In a way I understood why Zeke was so against lawyers, but on the other hand, it was also rather unfair of him, to see all lawyers in the same negative light. It’s not because your ex, who was a lawyer, did betray you, that everyone is like that.
But like I said, I could understand his general mistrust, as he truly believed that it was endgame with his girlfriend, only to end up heartbroken.
And reading about his past, and how it hurt him and still affects him, made me want to give him a hug and tell him that everything would be okay.

Zeke is also the kind of guy who wants to do things the right way, or no way. Even at his job, when he notices something strange, he wants to figure out the truth, even if it may turn out in his disadvantage.

There were moments in this book that truly swept me away, like the painting that Tessa and Zeke created together, or their biking together. Those bits for sure made me believe that both Tessa and Zeke would be able to put their negative thoughts aside and quickly believe and trust in love again.
But, and even if it was sometimes frustrating, there were also moments where doubts take the overhand, or even the presence of those that hurt our main characters the most.

And it’s those switches that perhaps prolonged the story, having twist after twist. Yet it was also mandatory… even if we read a book where we want that happily ever after, here we see the reality.
Because trust doesn’t just grow overnight, and wariness doesn’t disappear into thin air after just meeting someone that we may like.
For some it may be easy to put it all behind them, but I think it’s fair to say that for most of us, it takes time, patience and courage to allow love back in our lives. It’s a matter of trial and error, there will be misunderstandings, but nothing ventured is nothing gained…

This was a lovely story to read, how two people find each other in an unexpected way. But with their pasts, they have to find the courage to take that dive.
Perhaps a more fitting title would have been ‘Love Is An Artwork’, as love for sure is an art, as it is something beautiful and wonderful. But love is also work, as it’s to learn to give and take, talk and listen, and not jumping into conclusions as it will only give unnecessary understandings.
I truly enjoyed reading this book, as it shows all the aspects of love, how easy it can be, but also how difficult it can be…

It’s never too early in the year to do some promo of a Christmas story!

Synopsis

Alisha Jones, or Princess Christmas as she is affectionately known, is joint heir to her Grandpa Frost’s family fortune, but being third behind an older sister and brother means she has to work three times as hard to prove herself.

Marsha Underwood, her Grandpa’s PA and ever-present thorn in her side, is determined to undermine her at every turn and Alisha finds herself powerless to prevent this.

An encounter with a fortune teller at the Frost Christmas Ball leads to a bewildering dream of the future; and the added complication of Tom Walker, the son of Frost’s new business partner leads to a tumultuous year.

With her friends by her side, will she be able to turn things around? And what exactly does the strange dream mean?

A story of family, friendship and love at first sight with a sprinkle of Christmas magic.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/fpTksgE