Can love find a way through all obstacles?

Synopsis

A sparkling, witty Regency set in the Scottish Highlands

Becoming a laird

…worthy of the Highland lady?

After an unexpected encounter with Eilidh MacDonald, Max Wood thinks this shockingly beautiful woman is unlike anyone he’s ever met! Working to restore the Scottish estate long neglected by his family, Max is achieving more than he thought possible. As a carefree second son, he’s never considered marriage—until now… But is shaking off his decadent persona enough to win the flame-haired lady who’s captured his heart?

My review

Max Wood has the perks of being the second son of his family. He has no responsibilities or cares, and can do as much as he pleases.
Yet it’s that same liberty that makes him feel like a real spare, useless…
When he meets Eilidh MacDonald, he cannot take his eyes off her. And he is more than willing to help her and her brother out to restore the Scottish estate neglected by his own family.
The more time they spend together, the more his feelings grow. But with his reputation and no liable prospects for the future, will Eilidh also fall for him as he did for her? 

This book is for me a very much anticipated sequel, as we have met both Max and Eilidh in A Laird In London, where Max’ sister Isabella falls in love with Eilidh’s brother Angus.
And there was already *something* in the air for Max and Eilidh, so I was very eager to read their story.
Although, it is not necessary to have read the previous book, but it will for sure help. 

What I liked about this book is that for a great part it just tells the same story as its predecessor, but from another point of view (or two actually).

And we get to know that Max is yes a bit wary of Angus and Eilidh, but once he knows them better, he is an amazing and kind friend, ready to help the both of them out, even if it means to act against his own brother. 

While it’s clear Max enjoys the freedom he has as being the second son, it’s also clear he has this restlessness over him. He feels unneeded, without a purpose and that even makes him feel inadequate.
And it saddened me because I could clearly see all his potential, if only he would ever get a chance to prove  it to not only himself but to everyone. 

Eilidh was exactly the exuberant character I expected her to be, from the snippets I knew of her beforehand.
She is outspoken, speaks her mind without fear, even in a place where she doesn’t belong like London.
I loved it how she has her own individuality, and also her own freedom. She also knows very clearly what she wants and won’t settle down for less. And even I could see how she wouldn’t ever be able to live in London, while her heart screams out the love she has for the Scottish Highlands. 

But that same outspokenness makes her also a bit prejudiced. She sees what she wants to see from Max, and initially she doesn’t see the real Max, but only the carefree Max… 

The more the book evolves, the more I got frustrated. And I mean this in the kindest way! Because despite the differences between them, there is also a lot that Eilidh and Max have in common. Yet they fail to see that themselves and allow the differences and even fear to hold back. 

I loved to read about a few twists in this story, as it put many pieces of the puzzle together. Those twists made it possible to Max to see and appreciate himself, and see his worth and importance. And for Eilidh they were the perfect solution for her problems of her feelings for Max. 

This was a great story to read, not only because of the romance. Because for sure the romance between Eilidh and Max was amazing to read. And also seeing their perspectives on their siblings’ romance was a nice addition.
But it was also about discovering that your position in your family doesn’t determine you. It’s up to you to make something of your life and build your own future. And why not, take that step that will show you your worth, but at the same time also will help out others.
But also that no matter how difficult it may be, try to see behind the façade that someone holds up, because when you truly look at that person, you may see someone amazing!

Never underestimate the determination of a woman, even in Regency…

Synopsis

‘Do you realise, Corinna, just how hard it is for a young woman of irregular birth, without family, fortune or friends in the world? Marriage is the only way to get any chance of a life.’

Following the death of her mother, Corinna Ormesby has lived a quiet life in the countryside with her cantankerous Cousin Agnes. Her father’s identity has been a tantalising mystery, but now at nineteen Corinna knows that finding him may be her only way to avoid marriage to the odious Mr Beech.

Deciding to head to London, Corinna dons a male disguise. Travelling alone as a young woman risks scandal and danger, but when, masquerading as a youth, she is befriended by three dashing blades, handsome and capable Alick Wolfe, dandy Ferdinand Shilton and the incorrigible Lord Purfoy, Corinna now has access to the male-only world of Regency England. And when she meets Alick’s turbulent brother Darius, a betrayal of trust leads to deadly combat which only one of the brothers may survive.

From gambling in gentleman’s clubs to meeting the courtesans of Covent Garden, Corinna’s country naivety soon falls away. But when she finds her father at last, learns the truth about her parentage and discovers her fortunes transformed, she must quickly decide how to reveal her true identity, while hoping that one young man in particular can see her for the beauty and Lady she really is.

My review

Corinna Ormesby has been living with her Cousin Agnes since the death of her own mother. However, at the age of nineteen, Corinna wants to discover who her real father is, whose identity is a mystery. Especially if that can avoid her marrying Mr. Beech.
With the help of her friend, she disguises herself as a young man and sets of to London, as travelling as a woman would cause too great of a scandal.
As Cory, she befriends three men, Alick Wolfe, Ferdinand Shilton and Lord Purofy. Without them knowing that their friend Cory is actual Corinna, they show her the perks of being a man in London.
But once she found her father, and discovering her true inheritance, her identity is quickly revealed, with consequences nobody could foresee, which involve Corinna, Alick, but also his brother Darius… 

I am always intrigued by stories where the main character is in search of her parentage. Add it with the charm of Regency and even a ploy, and I am even more eager to read it! 

Even if Corinna is ‘only’ nineteen, I liked her determination to find out who her father is. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t even know where to start, and I for sure wouldn’t take off on my own to London.
And her ability to have her best friend on her side, even reluctantly agreeing to help her out, only shows us how far she would go in search for her own happiness. 

Yet her just taking off, also shows a bit her ingenuity, especially when she quickly finds herself in the midst of a dispute and cannot defend herself, or at least how a young lad is expected to defend himself. 

But her innocence, if we can call it like that, also allows her to make very loyal friends, who take her under their wings, showing her, as Cory, what living in London entails. And they are ready to help her with her search for her father, even with their unawareness of her true identity of being a woman. 

I found it rather funny to see how Corinna is trying to keep pretending to be a man, but also starts to see how being a man can give her certain advantages that she wouldn’t have if she would be wandering around as a woman. 

And I found it great to see how there was such a comradery between all the men, even if Corinna is a rather new addition to the group.
All three new friends accept Cory in their midst, offering their help. But it also works the other way around, as Corinna turns out to be also an asset to their group. 

I have to be honest, while I immediately liked Alic, Ferdinand and even Lord Purofy, I never really warmed towards Alick’s brother Darius.
Not only his behaviour towards Alick himself, or even towards his own mistress, but his behaviour in general made me dislike him from the start of his appearance. A feeling that only increased the more I got into the story, as his actions become more and more selfish and unlikeable. 

Of course Corinna succeeds in her mission of finding her father, and the reunion truly warmed my heart, only to break it again way too quickly for my liking.
But that only added more fuel to the plot that keeps on thickening. 

The author managed perfectly to describe the scenery and made it very easy for me and the reader to see in our imagination what was going on, where it was taking place etc.
And I enjoyed reading this story about a young woman taking her destiny and future back in her own hand, by doing something unexpected but showing us that determination can take you far and make you find not only what you were looking for, but even more.

Where one myth ends, can another tale take off?

Synopsis

The friendship that launched a thousand adventures is about to embark on the greatest one of all…

Ever since Stuart Carlson and Dusty Danforth met as kids on a dig in Egypt, they’ve been best friends, supporting each other through heartaches, triumphs, and countless archaeological expeditions. So when Stuart gets hired to help run the American excavations at Troy, he asks Dusty to join him as the site illustrator.

For Dusty, the Troy project isn’t just another adventure. It’s the chance to tell Stuart how she really feels. After years of pining for him, she’s ready for more than friendship. 

But soon after they arrive at the site in Turkey, they’re caught up in a feud with a group of German archaeologists. While both teams are eager to make a major find, Stuart’s boss is so determined to beat his rivals that he’s willing to break a few rules. Or laws.

As Stuart and Dusty work together to keep the dig on track, they give in to the passion that’s been simmering under the surface. But will their romance survive when their boss’s scheme puts the entire project in jeopardy?

My review

Dusty Danford and Stuart Carlson have been best friends for years, from the moment they met as kids on a dig in Egypt. No matter where life took them, they could always rely on each other on not every high but also every low. They even worked together on several archaeological expeditions.
So when Stuart get the chance to help run the American excavations at Troy, in Turkey, he asks Dusty to help as the site illustrator.
Now that Stuart is available again, perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for Dusty to come clean about her feelings for her best friend, as she has been loving him for years.
But things aren’t that easy as it seems, because at the site it’s clear that Stuart’s boss is adamant to make a major find to restore his reputation, competing against the German archaeologists. And he is ready to break not only the rules, but also the laws…
Will Stuart and Dusty be able to keep things on track and protect not only the dig but also everyone involved? And will their passion surface and survive without their boss putting everything everyone worked so hard for in jeopardy? 

While I am not into the whole archaeology – thing, I am into Carla Luna 😊
She makes it possible for even a complete layman like me to enjoy a great story of archaeology. 

I always had and always will have a soft spot for stories where friends turn into something more. I find it so amazing to see that relationship evolve into something deeper, where characters know each other inside out. 

However… 

The real romance in this book takes a rather long time to happen. But that isn’t a bad thing! Because the longer we have to wait, the better we can understand both main characters and see not only their hopes but also their fears.
And whatever Dusty and Stuart do, they do it to protect each other, even if the feelings aren’t known. 

I felt a bit sorry for Dusty, because she has a lot of pressure on her shoulders. Not only from her parents, as especially her mother is pushing her, but Dusty doesn’t seem to appear to know what *she* truly wants…
And that made me sad, because everyone should know where their heart lays and should be able to follow their dreams.
But my heart went out to her also concerning Stuart…
It cannot be easy to be in love with your best friend and I could understand her fear of ruining their friendship. 

Even if it were wrong, I admired the lengths Dusty would go to protect Stuart. Because his boss, Professor Hughes, is truly a disgusting man. And I am not only talking about his persistence on the dig itself, but his behaviour in general… He also uses his ‘power’ in his own advantage, making people, Dusty included, do things that aren’t right. 

But Dusty isn’t the only one being protective, also Stuart is very protective towards Dusty. Yet we see him also struggling with doing the right thing. He isn’t doing anything bad per se, but he has also worked very hard to be where he is right now, and he doesn’t want to make any mistakes… Making him make mistakes obviously. 

I loved reading about the dynamic between these two lovely main characters, but I also absolutely liked all the side characters (with the exception of the professor of course!). While my archaeological knowledge is barely existing, I could feel myself getting enthusiastic at the dig myself, eager to see if there would be any actual discovery!
And there are two characters that I for sure would like to have their own story, as their antics for sure made me laughs throughout this book!    

This was again a story that didn’t disappoint, as it shows us not only the curiosity of a dig, but also the dynamics in a changing relationship, where the love for each other make the characters want to protect each other at their own cost.
But also about characters finding not only the courage to admit their feelings towards each other, but about characters finding themselves, with the help of those who they love the most. 

As this book was way too quickly over, I cannot wait to read what else this author has in store for us!

How a strange café can be exactly what you need…

Synopsis

A gorgeously uplifting story about memories, storytelling, love and friendship, about the journeys we take and the people we meet, what we remember and how there are some things we can never forget.

Alex would like to believe she’s a woman who has it all. Or that’s what she tells everyone, including herself. But this is far from true. Actually she’s on the cusp of losing her home, her dream career as a writer is in tatters, her ex won’t speak to her, and her mother’s gone forever.

But then a chance meeting with a stranger named Hope gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, when Hope jokes that perhaps Alex should take over her job in a cafe while she goes travelling.

Just at that moment, it sounds like the answer to all her problems. So Alex persuades Hope to let her step into her shoes for a month. She brushes away Hope’s attempts to explain about the café, instead demanding to know more about the owner Tom.

But she should have asked to know more. Because the ‘Wrong Order Café’ isn’t like anywhere she’s ever been before. And Alex’s life is about to change forever…

My review

Alex is a writer whose books have been very successful. Yet inspiration has abandoned her lately, even making her risk losing her home, after a failed marriage and losing her mother. Despite her situation, she won’t admit it and makes everyone believe that she still has it all.
Perhaps what she needs is to take a step back, just like Hope, a woman Alex has met by cheer coincidence, suggests. And with Hope going travelling for a month, Alex grabs this chance to step into Hope’s shoes. Not only will Alex be staying at Hope’s place, but she will also take over Hope’s job at the Wrong Order Café.  
Yet Alex is going to have the surprise of her life, once she realizes that perhaps she should have been listening to Hope’s explanations about the Café and owner Tom, instead of dismissing Hope so easily… 

Almost in every book I read, I immediately like the main character(s). So with this new book from an author I truly love, I was really ready to feel a connection with Alex.
However, and perhaps even for a nice change, Alex was not the sweet, loveable character I expected her to be.
On the contrary, for a while I absolutely disliked her… 

Alex felt to me like an obnoxious, even self – centred person, only looking at her own misery (which is justified) and not taking other people in consideration. She is even the kind of person who isn’t kind to others around her.
I really had to trust the author that at some point Alex would change because nobody enjoys reading a book about a character who we don’t like… 

But the one thing I absolutely loved from the very start was the café, and its amazing concept…
I have to admit, I think I can count myself lucky that I haven’t been faced with dementia in real life, so I don’t know how it affects not only the person but also those around him/her.
Yet I admired how Tom made it his goal to give people suffering from this disease still a purpose in life. 

Seeing everyone working in the café, with each their own strengths, truly was wonderful to read. The author shows in an amazing way that a disease can yes change you, but that the disease doesn’t define you.
And while Alex initially is rather reluctant of keeping the job, she also starts to see the beauty of the café, and on her own unique way, she understands the people working there and helps them in a way that is perfect for them. 

And seeing that evolution in Alex, not only towards the café, but also how the café has an impact in her life and her own visions, made me change my initial opinion over Alex.
She starts to see the importance of not only the café, but also the importance of supporting your loved ones, and trying to find a shimmer of light in everyone’s lives. 

My heart went out to each character working in the café, from owner Tom to even parrot Captain Beaky, as they all have their own tale of how they ended up in the café. 

For me, this story was not only heart – warming, but also eye – opening in a sense. Because while it’s easy to disregard people with any kind of disease, they just aren’t. Even if they cannot remember who they are, where they are, or who you are, they still are the people we love. And they still matter… 

And while there were heart – breaking moments, with me having tears in my eyes of sadness, in the end I closed this book with a warm feeling inside, as it made me see that even when we think all is lost, it isn’t…

With this cover and blurb, aren’t you intrigued?

Synopsis

Cornwall, 2020

At the beginning of lockdown, teacher Carla Burgess needs to make some changes to her life. She no longer loves her job, and it’s certainly time to kick her on-off boyfriend into touch. But then, while walking on the cliffs she meets Mani Dolcoath, a gorgeous American with a dark aura.

Mani is researching his family history, and slowly their lives and their heritage begin to entwine. The discovery of a locked Georgian tea caddy in the barn on her parents’ farm intrigues Carla, but then she starts to see orbs, something that hasn’t happened since her grandmother died. They terrify her and she’ll do anything to outrun them, but will she lose Mani’s friendship in the process?

Cornwall, 1810

Harriet Lemon’s position as companion to Lady Frances Basset (Franny) perfectly conceals the fact they are lovers. But when Franny is raped and falls pregnant their lives are destined to change forever.

The one person who may be able to help them is Franny’s childhood friend, William Burgess, a notorious smuggler. But he has secrets of his own he needs to protect. Will his loyalties be divided, or will he come through?

Pre-order Link

https://getbook.at/LostHeir

About the author

Jane Cable writes romance with a twist and its roots firmly in the past, more often than not inspired by a tiny slice of history and a beautiful British setting.

After independently publishing her award-winning debut, The Cheesemaker’s House, Jane was signed by Sapere Books. Her first two novels for them are contemporary romances looking back to World War 2; Another You inspired by a tragic D-Day exercise at Studland Bay in Dorset and Endless Skiesby the brave Polish bomber crews who flew from a Lincolnshire airbase.

Jane lives in Cornwall and her current series, Cornish Echoes, are dual timeline adventure romances set in the great houses of the Poldark era and today. She also writes as Eva Glyn.

Social Media Links – 

Twitter: @JaneCable

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaneCableAuthor

Website & newsletter sign up: http://www.janecable.com

The cover

How can an entire class just disappear?

Synopsis

One spring morning, a bus full of children and their teachers from a Cotswolds primary school head off on a much-anticipated day trip.

But as night falls and the well-heeled parents – one or two of them famous, as well as wealthy – wait at the school to collect their weary offspring, it soon becomes clear that something has gone very wrong.

The children and their teachers simply do not come back.

What’s happened doesn’t seem possible.

How can an entire class of children simply vanish?

My review

The children of class 3B in a primary school in the Cotswolds are looking forward to their trip. After the day is over, the parents are eagerly waiting for the bus the return. But no bus returns…
The more time passes, the more realization dawns that something has happened. No matter how hard everyone is trying to find a trace of the bus with its children and teachers, no sign of them can be found. How can a bus just disappear into thin air?
A race against the clock begins, as it becomes clear that if the parents don’t come up with the ransom money, a dark secret will come out. And with famous parents on the scene, whose secret exactly? 

I am not a parent myself, so I can only try to imagine the terror when you realize that your child, whom you trusted in the capable hands of teachers, just disappeared.
So while reading, I kept having the chills because everything happening in this book is just terrifying. And that is all thanks to this author who kept me sitting at the edge of my seat! 

What I liked about this story, is that we see many different points of view. Not only we see how the police are trying to find any clues, but we also see the desperation of the parents, and how each couple or even each parents handles it differently.
And disturbingly, we also get to learn that several parents are having secrets… so to which secret is the abductor talking about??? 

I was rather disappointed in some of the parents, even a little bit disgusted… It’s obvious that some of them are very selfish, not appreciating what they have and just thinking about themselves. I found it terrible to see how their behaviour, past or present, could be the reason that innocent children were just taken. 

The more I dived into the story, the more I started to have my own suspects of the crime. But while the culprits were not that difficult to find, the reason of their actions were. I was very hard trying to find the common thread between it all, but only to fail at it, as I was surprised by all the revelations, one more surprising than another! 

Perhaps it isn’t a nice thing to say, but with this book, my faith in humankind did take a small downfall. Yes of course, this is fiction, none of it real.
Yet some aspects could totally happen in real life, to some extent. Perhaps in that aspect I am too trustworthy, gullible? Because I always believe that people are good, kind, yet this story shows us the opposite. 

Throughout the biggest part of my reading sessions, I found the pace of all the events rather slow. But I don’t mean this in a bad way, as the slowness only added fuel to the agony, despair and mystery.
However, towards the end the pace went up a few notches, aligning perfectly with what happens in the story itself. Yet to me personally, it felt a bit too quick and several storylines seemed to be closed off too easily, compared to the big scheme of it all. 

I found this a nail-biting thriller (and I am a fervent biter myself!). The author made sure that her readers become even more distrusting towards people, as it would appear that everyone has secrets they keep…
This story is a real nightmare for every parent, and even hose without children find themselves in terror.
A real page – turner that makes you read it quickly while having your fingers crossed for a positive outcome…

An impossible love during war, impossible choices to make…

Synopsis

A forbidden romance in occupied Norway…

Narvik, 1940. After Laila awakens to the sight of warships in the fjord, it isn’t long before she turns resistor to the brutal Nazi regime. She is horrified when local girls begin affairs with enemy soldiers, yet against her own principles, she finds herself falling in love with German soldier, Josef.

Josef is not like the others. He becomes involved in helping her and the locals with resistance activities, risking his life on more than one occasion.

But then Laila finds out she is pregnant. With Josef sent to the Russian front, and Laila cast out by her family, she turns to a home for women which promises to care for her and her unborn child. But instead, she finds herself caught in a system of evil far beyond what she thought possible…

My review

In 1940, many lives were changed, just like Laila’s life. Even in Narvik, Norway the Nazis find their way and occupy the place. However, Laila and many others try to find ways to resist the German occupation.
But not everyone is keeping their distance, and Laila is horrified when she learns that local girls are having affairs with the Germans. And this is just unforgivable!
Yet Laila also sees that not all Germans are the same. While some are convinced of their right, there are others that are just following the rules but are seeing the injustice and even help the locals. And one of them is Josef…
Before she knows is, Laila is falling in love with Josef and the feeling is mutual…
When she falls pregnant, not only when Josef is being sent to the Russian front, but also cast out by her own family, she has no other option to seek refuge in a home for women in her condition, with the promise of being taken care of.
However, Laila learns that there is more going on at the home, something more evil than she could ever imagine… 

We have all learnt about the horrors of the war. Yet with this story, I have learnt more disturbing aspects of the war I wasn’t aware of before. 

This book starts rather innocent, as Laila and whole Narvik are living all in peace and enjoying life. Laila herself is a young woman, with a great sense of responsibility yet also wondering when she will fall in love.
She still has this innocence over her, as she hopes in vain that perhaps even when the Germans invade, a lot will stay the same. 

I admired her courage when realization strikes and she sees the terrible things the Nazis are doing to her hometown. She sees the injustice, and wants to do her bit with helping the resistance activities.
We see Laila turn from a kind of gullible girl to a young woman seeing injustice and being unable to just stand there and watch. 

But she also turns into a young woman who sees that not everyone, even Germans, is the same. There are several characters in this story just confirming the horrendous things that happened during the war, but there are also characters that show us that there are people, Germans, seeing how wrong it all is, and are even risking their own lives to help out. 

Laila has very strong thoughts about familiarizing with the Germans, and she even despises the girls who are having affairs with Germans, just for the advantages.
Yet, as part of her growth, she falls in love with Josef, a German, but with his heart at the right place. 

This book is divided in several parts, showing also the different stadia Laila is going through. While the first part is mainly about her life in Narvik, falling in love with Josef, the second part takes an even darker turn.
Because now Laila has to live with the consequences of her love for Josef.  

I never heard of Lebensborn before, showing only my ignorance. Yet even if it’s thanks to this book I learnt more about it, when things are too good to be true, they mostly are.
I was very wary of when Laila arrived at the Lebensborn home, yet I was truly shocked by what happened there. 

Yet there were also small silver linings, as Laila befriends other girls in the same situation. Here again we see Laila maturing. She knows which fights to fight or when to keep silent. And she knows that something terrible is going on at that place, and is determined to not only discover the truth but also to get away from it as soon as she cans. 

This book was for me an eye – opener in many different occasions.
I saw the determination for fight for love. Because Laila is ready to lose everything she has for the man she loves and the child she carrier.
But I also understood that we cannot paint everyone with the same brush. Even at the most gruesome bits of history, people on the wrong side of the war are trying to undo the injustice.
And I learnt more about those horrors of the war, counting my blessings that I am living in a place and time without war.
However, mostly I learnt about the courage and determination people had. No matter what they had to endure, they would never stop fighting against abuse and crime… 

A really gripping story about the terror of the war, but also about the power of love and hope… This author managed perfectly to show us the brutality of it, yet also managed perfectly to keep shining the light of good things happening in a terrible time…

An impossible love during war, impossible choices to make…

Synopsis

A forbidden romance in occupied Norway…

Narvik, 1940. After Laila awakens to the sight of warships in the fjord, it isn’t long before she turns resistor to the brutal Nazi regime. She is horrified when local girls begin affairs with enemy soldiers, yet against her own principles, she finds herself falling in love with German soldier, Josef.

Josef is not like the others. He becomes involved in helping her and the locals with resistance activities, risking his life on more than one occasion.

But then Laila finds out she is pregnant. With Josef sent to the Russian front, and Laila cast out by her family, she turns to a home for women which promises to care for her and her unborn child. But instead, she finds herself caught in a system of evil far beyond what she thought possible…

My review

In 1940, many lives were changed, just like Laila’s life. Even in Narvik, Norway the Nazis find their way and occupy the place. However, Laila and many others try to find ways to resist the German occupation.
But not everyone is keeping their distance, and Laila is horrified when she learns that local girls are having affairs with the Germans. And this is just unforgivable!
Yet Laila also sees that not all Germans are the same. While some are convinced of their right, there are others that are just following the rules but are seeing the injustice and even help the locals. And one of them is Josef…
Before she knows is, Laila is falling in love with Josef and the feeling is mutual…
When she falls pregnant, not only when Josef is being sent to the Russian front, but also cast out by her own family, she has no other option to seek refuge in a home for women in her condition, with the promise of being taken care of.
However, Laila learns that there is more going on at the home, something more evil than she could ever imagine… 

We have all learnt about the horrors of the war. Yet with this story, I have learnt more disturbing aspects of the war I wasn’t aware of before. 

This book starts rather innocent, as Laila and whole Narvik are living all in peace and enjoying life. Laila herself is a young woman, with a great sense of responsibility yet also wondering when she will fall in love.
She still has this innocence over her, as she hopes in vain that perhaps even when the Germans invade, a lot will stay the same. 

I admired her courage when realization strikes and she sees the terrible things the Nazis are doing to her hometown. She sees the injustice, and wants to do her bit with helping the resistance activities.
We see Laila turn from a kind of gullible girl to a young woman seeing injustice and being unable to just stand there and watch. 

But she also turns into a young woman who sees that not everyone, even Germans, is the same. There are several characters in this story just confirming the horrendous things that happened during the war, but there are also characters that show us that there are people, Germans, seeing how wrong it all is, and are even risking their own lives to help out. 

Laila has very strong thoughts about familiarizing with the Germans, and she even despises the girls who are having affairs with Germans, just for the advantages.
Yet, as part of her growth, she falls in love with Josef, a German, but with his heart at the right place. 

This book is divided in several parts, showing also the different stadia Laila is going through. While the first part is mainly about her life in Narvik, falling in love with Josef, the second part takes an even darker turn.
Because now Laila has to live with the consequences of her love for Josef.  

I never heard of Lebensborn before, showing only my ignorance. Yet even if it’s thanks to this book I learnt more about it, when things are too good to be true, they mostly are.
I was very wary of when Laila arrived at the Lebensborn home, yet I was truly shocked by what happened there. 

Yet there were also small silver linings, as Laila befriends other girls in the same situation. Here again we see Laila maturing. She knows which fights to fight or when to keep silent. And she knows that something terrible is going on at that place, and is determined to not only discover the truth but also to get away from it as soon as she cans. 

This book was for me an eye – opener in many different occasions.
I saw the determination for fight for love. Because Laila is ready to lose everything she has for the man she loves and the child she carrier.
But I also understood that we cannot paint everyone with the same brush. Even at the most gruesome bits of history, people on the wrong side of the war are trying to undo the injustice.
And I learnt more about those horrors of the war, counting my blessings that I am living in a place and time without war.
However, mostly I learnt about the courage and determination people had. No matter what they had to endure, they would never stop fighting against abuse and crime… 

A really gripping story about the terror of the war, but also about the power of love and hope… This author managed perfectly to show us the brutality of it, yet also managed perfectly to keep shining the light of good things happening in a terrible time…

The sky is the limit…

Synopsis

Penny is not living her best life.

Her job is far from thrilling and her long-term boyfriend shows no sign of wanting to commit.

She has just turned fifty and is going nowhere.

Wanting a new start, Penny applies for a job as cabin crew, to find out if she can push herself out of her comfort zone.

Her new job brings the adventure she craves, even if she does keep bumping into impossibly handsome but deeply annoying pilot, Matt Garcia. 

Stuck in Paris on an unscheduled stopover, the chemistry between them grows. But the path of love never did fly smooth, as Matt’s past threatens to come between them.

Beside which, Penny is not looking for love. But what if love finds her?

A romantic, uplifting and inspirational read all about taking chances later in life – fans of Milly Johnson and Sandy Barker will love this!

My review

Penny is living  rather dull life. Her job brings her no joy, and her boyfriend is showing no signs of commitment, even if they are together for a while now.
So even if she has just turned fifty, she decides to apply for a job as cabin crew, to get a fresh start and get out of her comfort zone.
Her new job takes her to places she only dreamed about, and friendships between the crew are begin made. But no matter how much she loves the comradery, there is one person who annoys her… pilot Matt Garcia.
Yet their schedules put them on the same flight on several occasions. And when they find themselves stuck in Paris on an unscheduled stopover, they realize that what they feel in not annoyance…
However, Penny is not looking for love, and Matt comes with a baggage that may put a halt to everything… 

At the start of this book, I could easily relate with Penny in some aspects. Even if not having the most exhilarating life, things work for her just like they are.
Just like her, I was a bit flabbergasted when her boyfriend instead of proposing turns out to break up with her. And things get even worse when he tells her that, well, there is someone else! 

But while my heart went out to her, the sc*mb*g boyfriend is also the catalyst for Penny changing her life completely!
Being a flight attendant has never been a dream of mine (I still hold on dearly when the plane takes off or starts it landing!), yet I admired Penny and her decision to just jump into it. 

If I were in Penny’s shoes, I don’t think I would have made it through the trainings! Just like one of the trainees, I think I would freak out by learning all the things that could go wrong.
So extra kudos for her, as she persisted and didn’t give up after one failed test! 

The funny bits were whenever Penny and Matt were each other antagonists. They kept irking each other for each little thing. And while I understood Penny’s frustrations, it only added more fuel to me finding it funny, because I knew what direction their relationship would go. 

And while Matt initially didn’t have to try very hard appearing to be as obnoxious as Penny thought, once they are both “stuck” in Paris, we also see this vulnerable side of him. And while I didn’t agree with his actions, I could understand his emotions, and lack of knowledge of how to handle the situation. 

But what I liked the most, was seeing the evolution of Penny. At first, she is an insecure woman of fifty, just tagging along, not daring to take any chance.
Yet we see her grow more confident of herself,, ready for new adventures. She also becomes more assertive, but never loses her kindness. While at one occasion it would have been so easy to say ‘no’, she shows everyone, in the book but also the readers, that being kind and helping out is never the wrong thing to do.  

I found this a wonderful, even sweet story about finding the courage to finally chase your dreams. It’s never too late to embark on a whole new journey, as you will never know what will cross your path. And even at the age fifty you can find the most amazing things if you can find the courage to make a change. Penny made a great change in her life to just show of what can happen, but why cannot great things be found also in small changes?

Can a curse stop you to find love, or will it make you find Love?

Synopsis

CELESTE thought she had long forgotten the sweet, citrusy kiss she shared with TRAVIS during a game of spin the bottle. Splitting her time between her accounts office in super Instagrammable Notting Hill, and her tiny apartment in quirky Exmouth Market, modern-day life is simply too busy for men. Besides, whenever she tries to find The One, it always ends in disaster. From Tinder tragedies to trampolining tribulations, Celeste is starting to think that she’s cursed.

But then Travis begins to pop up wherever she goes, and Celeste knows with stomach-sinking clarity that fate has finally caught up with them. Inspired by the idea of fake dating, Celeste is convinced the only way out of this mess is to call the curse’s bluff. But will Travis agree to it? And how can she manage not to fall in love?

Pour yourself a lemonade and escape with this gorgeous will-they-won’t-they rom-com set between London and Gibraltar!

My review

Celeste truly believes that the game of Spin The Bottle she played years ago has cursed her. Every date she had, has turned out into a disaster somehow. To make things even worse, now she starts to see Travis, whom she shared a kiss with during that game, everywhere.
As she believes that to lift the curse there is only one option, she is ready to bluff fate over, by fake – dating Travis. But is Travis willing to play her game?  

Whenever I start to read a story by this author, I know I have to keep an open mind, and not overthink about things like curses, spells and even time – travelling.
Even if those things seem impossible in reality, why can it not be happening in books?  

I was very intrigued about the whole aspect of a little game to be an actual curse. And how it affected Celeste in her love life.
And I found it a bit bizarre how Celeste truly believed in that curse, even as an adult woman and even going that far to avoid anything with lemons.
For a moment I even thought, just like her best friend, that Celeste was getting a bit delusional when she sees Travis suddenly everywhere. 

Now that I mentioned her best friend, can I just say that for a big part of the story I didn’t like her? I found her patronizing and even selfish at moments… but I was glad that towards the end she saw the light. 

Back to Celeste and Travis now 😊 

For us readers, the idea of fake – dating, we know that it will never end up like just that. We *know* that things are going to evolve somehow, no matter how hard the main characters try to avoid that.
Yet these fake dates turned out to be the weirdest ones I have ever read…
If it’s not the small talk that doesn’t work, there will for certain rise another issue! It made it difficult at moments to like Travis and his lacklustre behaviour. But at other moments he also had me in complete laughs.  

However, he redeems himself when the truth comes out and we can actually see that his behaviour is not because of his disinterest, but because of his own feelings of shame concerning his situation.
That only shows us that there is more to people than they will initially show is. 

There were several moments that put a smile on my face, but also moments that broke my heart… Yet what didn’t take away I truly enjoyed reading this funny, magical story, about how one ‘silly’ game may be exactly what we need, even if we don’t know that yet as a teenager or even an adult.
With this story we see that somehow love always finds its way to us, no matter how long or how far it takes…  

And as a cherry on top of the (lemon?) cake, there are a few cameo’s that I absolutely adored!