The perfect place to mend a broken heart!

Synopsis

Welcome to Tilly’s Tuscan Teashop, the first book in a brand new series from the author of the Hummingbird Hotel and the Cornish Confetti Agency series.

When photographer Natalie Nicholson’s beach hut studio – and everything she’s spent the last two years working on – is destroyed in a fire, she doesn’t think things can get any worse. Until she sees her boyfriend Josh Clarke on Instagram frolicking on a palm-fringed Balinese beach with a fellow cabin crew member.

Devastated and heartbroken, she heads to Italy to help out at her sister’s English teashop in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, where she encounters sun-dappled hilltop villages with attractive terracotta bell towers, cobbled piazzas housing world-famous art and architecture, and a national fixation with getting from A to B as quickly as possible whether in a glamourous Ferrari, a scarlet Vespa, or a snail-like ape.

With handsome local filmmaker-cum-waiter Matteo Ferretti on hand to guide her, can Tilly learn to ditch her workaholic ways and embrace the Italian pursuit of la dolce vita? Or will she miss out on her chance at a happy-ever-after?

My review

Natalie Nicholson, better known as Tilly, is devastated when her beach hut studio goes up in flames. She worked so hard for the last two years as a photographer and seeing everything destroyed is just terrible. To make things even worse, she discovers that her boyfriend Josh has been being too close with a fellow cabin crew member in Bali and posted it on Instagram.
Heartbroken on two levels, Tilly decides to help out her sister in Italy. And working in the English teashop in a small Tuscan countryside village, may be the perfect place to mend a broken heart. Especially when Tilly is surrounded by beautiful architecture, inviting piazze, welcoming people. And one of those people is Matteo, a local filmmaker slash waiter, ready to not only guide her around and help her, but also to show her that life is too beautiful and colourful to be only filled by work.  

Oooh Daisy James, what do you do each time to me with each book you write? And no, I am not biased (okay, just a tiny bit!) as this beautiful story is set in Italy. I have read several books from this amazing author, and I loved them all, even when they were not set in Italy! 

Before I start with describing all the things that made me fall in love with Tilly’s tale… I have to get one thing of my chest…
Being an Italian (yes yes, I know I was born and raised in Belgium, but having both parents being Italian, that makes me also an Italian!) I felt my Italian fury rise a little bit whenever I read the word ‘fiesta’.
My dearest Daisy, ‘fiesta’ is not Italian, it’s Spanish… Italians say ‘festa’ for a party or a ‘fiera’ as it would be appropriate in this story as it concerns more a local fair. 

That’s it, that is all the negative I have to say about this book! Be prepared to be overwhelmed by positivism and happy thoughts! 

When I started reading this book, I immediately liked Tilly. Even her sad past, and the struggles she still had, made me not dislike her, on the contrary. I liked her even more and especially at the start I wanted to jump into the book and be there for Tilly as a friend. 

I also felt it appropriate that at the start, Tilly’s work was monochrome photography. Because that shows us as a reader that her life is also rather monochrome. We see that Tilly is passionate about her work and she is a great and supportive friend. But her life is a bit grey, dull… she doesn’t go on great adventures, she even doesn’t dress herself in colourful clothes.
And I liked it how her being that kind of photographer reflected perfectly on her life. 

Of course there has to be a reason why Tilly decides to go to Italy (but do we really need a real reason? Let’s just all go!). And I felt so sorry for her, I even pitied her as there were two heart-breaking reasons for her to leave her home. 

And then in Tuscany her amazing adventure starts. I can understand the cultural shock that Tilly had, as in Italy things are done completely differently. And I was glad for her that her vehicle of transportation was a Vespa and not a car. Even I don’t dare to drive in small villages (or even big cities) in Italy with a car. 

I completely agreed with Tilly that having a teashop in Italy wasn’t a rather great idea, but I liked it how Tilly tried to come up with ideas to make the business flourish, using Tilly’s own imagination and ideas.
But what I liked the most, beside the dedication Tilly has for her sister, was to see the evolution in Tilly. We see her literally become a more colourful character. What starts with wearing her sister’s clothes, ends with Tilly almost becoming a real Italian (or at least as close as possible 😊). 

Having been in Tuscany several times, it was so easy for me to see Tilly wandering around the piazza, sipping her coffee, absorbing the Italian sun and fall in love with not the place.
Because let’s be honest here, Matteo is rather easy on the eye! And no, I am not objectifying him, as he has a wonderful character too!  

In this book we see that life is supposed to be an adventure and that we should always follow our dreams. But we also see that dreams can change, and tat only time can show us where our heart truly is. And that can be from dreaming to become an actor, or to run your family business. Or even something more drastic like Tilly will discover in this book.
Life doesn’t always go as expected, as tragedies can happen to all families, in very different ways, but we shouldn’t allow those tragedies to take the light out of our lives. Instead, like written so well by this author, we should find a way to let the colour and light back in, even if it seems impossible.

I truly enjoyed reading this colourful book, that not only has an amazing cover, but also its content is filled with sparks of joyful colours. I had a smile on my face while reading, realizing that in this case, you can perfectly judge a book by its cover.
This was a wonderful journey in a wonderful place, with amazing and warm people that made me love them all so easily.

It’s the season to find love, for everyone

Synopsis

‘It’s not a fair world I’m afraid. Beauty or fortune carries the day. You have the beauty and I the fortune, so there’s every chance we’ll succeed’

In Regency England, marriage is everything. For young widow Sybella Lovatt, the time has come to find a suitable husband for her sister and ward Lucie. Male suitors are scarce near their Wiltshire estate, so the sisters resolve to head to London in time for The Season to begin.

Once ensconced at the Mayfair home of Lady Godley, Lucie’s godmother, the whirl of balls, parties and promenades can begin. But the job of finding a husband is fraught with rules and tradition. Jostling for attention are the two lords – the charming and irresistible Freddie Lynwood and the preternaturally handsome Valentine Ravenell, their enigmatic neighbour from Shotten Hall, Mr Brabazon, and the dangerous libertine Lord Rockliffe, with whom the brooding Brabazon is locked in deadly rivalry.

Against the backdrop of glamorous Regency England, Sybella must settle Lucie’s future, protect her own reputation, and resist the disreputable rakes determined to seduce the beautiful widow. As the Season ends, will the sisters have found the rarest of things – a suitable marriage with a love story to match?

My review

Sybella Lovatt is a young widowed mother, who is also looking after her younger sister Lucie. Even if their characters couldn’t be more different, the love between the siblings is very obvious.
As usual in Regency England, when the Season starts in London, it’s time to find a suitable husband. But with not so many suitors around, Sybella and Lucie decide to stay a while at the Mayfair home of Lady Godley, Lucie’s godmother who resides in London.
Going to balls, parties and making promenades, the search for Lucie’s husband must be easier, right?
But not only Lucie is finding herself having the attention of two men, but also and mostly unexpectedly Sybella has two total different men lurking for her attention.
However, Sybella’s first priority is to find  suitable husband for Lucie. Will it be Freddie Lynwood or Valentine Ravenell that will capture her sister’s heart? And what about Sybella’s own heart? Will she love again with Mr. Brabazon or with his rival Lord Rockliffe?
One thing is sure, both sisters won’t settle for anything less than love… 

The Regency era has always intrigued me. While I have always been fascinated by the balls, the etiquette of that time, the idea of ‘must get married’ also frightened me a little bit. But the great English Classics made me dream once and again of living in that era. If only we could have the perks of the past and the present at the same time, discarding all the disadvantages. 

So returning to that era with this book, surely had my interest. And reading how the focus is on two women who know what they want, not wanting to settle for less, was a nice extra. 

Sybella and Lucie are sisters of the wonderful kind. Sybella had found her love already, but lost it, while Lucie is looking for what her sister had.
They couldn’t be more different in character, but from the very start it was obvious that they love each other deeply. 

Sybella is the more responsible sister, which makes obviously sense, as she is a young mother and has to take care of not only the estate, but more important her young, adorable, son James.
She only wants the best for Lucie, and hopes that just like herself Lucie will be able to marry out of love.
But she also is the kind of person who believes that she had her shot at love once, and doesn’t deserve another one. Because how can she possible love someone again as much as she loved her husband? 

Lucie is much more a free spirit. I could clearly see her roaming in the woods, lacking a little bit the forced cultural norms of the time. She doesn’t care if it’s not done to walk on territory that doesn’t belong to her family, or being alone in a room unchaperoned. Lucie is also the kind of character that would fit in perfectly in the 21st century.
We also see the kind of friend she is, even ready to give up her freedom and her own dreams to rescue one of her friends. 

I liked it how the author divided her time in both sisters, so we get a chance to get to know both Sybella and Lucie much better. And it was sweet to see how each sister suddenly find themselves recipient of the attention of two men.

Obviously as a reader, we have our preferences, and even a better knowledge of the men. While in Sybella’s case it was clear who we should be rooting for, Lucie’s case was a different one. Because both her contenders were the ‘good guy’ kind of men, however very different in so many ways. And like I said, Lucie shows her character by wanting to help out when one of them is in need of help… 

This book shows us that everyone, in any era, deserves to be loved and find love (again). And while it can be hard to distinguish the good from the ‘evil’, just like Sybella said it herself, we have to follow our heart, even if that might frighten us. Because in the end, finding love is what will make us happy.

How can you fall in love with your enemy?

Synopsis

Kidnapped by the warrior

Tempted by the man…

Captured by the infamous Lord Rhys, a Welsh prince intent on revenge against her family, Viking healer, Helga, must keep her wits about her if she’s to be freed. Easier said than done when she desires him rather than fears him! Helga senses there’s good inside Rhys and feels compelled to reach his heart. First she must make him see there’s more to her than just his enemy…

My review

Helga is the youngest of three sisters. While her sisters are knows as fierce shieldmaidens, Helga feels like she is disappointing her family, as she is not as strong as a warrior, but has other talents, like healing and understanding the people around her. She also believes that there are signs out there, showing us what life has in store of us. Unfortunately, that made some even call her a witch.
One of those signs, told her by the runes, is that a black dragon will appear to be the love of her life.
Little did she expect that Lord Rhys, a Welsh Prince, known as the Black Dragon in Wales, would kidnap her in retaliation when Rhys’ sister disappeared with her bodyguard instead of marrying Halfdan, now happily married Helga’s sister Valda.
Even if Helga should be afraid of Rhys, she also senses the good in him. And while staying at Rhys’ homeland, she understands that there is more to him and his story than she thought. But can she trust her heart to the man who captured her and is a sworn enemy? 

Having read the previous parts of this series, I was very intrigued what Helga’s story would turn out to be.
I dare not to say she is the weakest sister of the three, but she clearly isn’t a fighter and has her focus on other things. 

And while her other talents are for sure admirable and perhaps even more helpful, I could understand why she sees herself as a disappointment. Having a mother and two sisters who are just so fierce and strong, while you are not, well, it’s understandable to have a lower self – esteem, even if your family loves you deeply. 

But I just wished Helga to see what we as a reader could see so clearly, and that is how amazing she just is by being herself… so what if you are not a fierce warrior? Helga’s knowledge, patience and understanding brought her so much more that anything else would have…
It’s obvious that she is a compassionate, kind, gentle person, ready to help out however she can, whoever she can. She sees behind the masks people put on, and understands them on a level no-one else could. 

And even if I am not the kind of person who believes that dreams can reveal the truth, or that there are signs out there, I was very curious to see whatever Helga would see and how it would turn out to be in reality. 

From what we have know  in the previous books (which I strongly suggest to read!), it was easy, almost mandatory to see Rhys as the worst kind of enemy. Who would ever think to capture just a kind person like Helga?
But of course, Rhys turned out to be nothing like we initially thought he would be like! What was I ever thinking, seeing him as a bad guy! 

First of all, it’s the way he treats Helga. While she is obviously his captive, he let’s his people know her as a guest. And when he understands her feelings of desperation and uselessness, he allows her to roam around, making her feel more at home and discover his world. 

And then when we know his own tale, well, even if I don’t agree with his actions, I could understand where he was coming from. And I admired his sense of duty and responsibility. He is the kind of person who would give up on his desires and own happiness, if that means that his people would gain from his sacrifices. 

I loved how this story was filled with reciprocity. Because thanks to Rhys, Helga starts to see whatever she thought as a weakness, as her strength. And seeing her bloom into a confident young woman was wonderful to read.
And thanks to Helga’s empathy, Rhys understand that he too deserves to be happy and that being happy isn’t at cost of the happiness of others. 

This was a wonderful, perfect ending of a series that captivated my from the first book. And Helga’s story was the one that I was the most eager to discover, it was also the one that I liked the most, as Helga was perhaps the most recognizable, relatable character from all the sisters. Because let’s be honest, we aren’t all fierce warriors, but there is nothing wrong with that!

When loving two men…

Synopsis

The one that she wants…

Adam Bowers; handsome, funny and with the charm of a rock star, from the moment she laid eyes on him, teenage Erin was smitten. But first loves don’t always last, and after a whirlwind romance, Erin and Adam go their separate ways. Yet, Erin never lets go of the feeling that Adam may have been her soul mate…

The one that she needs…

Greg fell in love with Erin in their first week at university. Solid, trustworthy and hopelessly devoted to Erin, he knows he’s better for her than the feckless Adam, who is forever leaving Erin broken-hearted, before winning her back with his charm. As far as Greg is concerned, it’s easy to promise the world, but it’s harder to love someone for a lifetime.

The one that got away…

Years later Greg and Erin are married, and although life hasn’t always been easy, Greg’s love for Erin has never dimmed. But when Adam comes back, in desperate need of Erin’s help, everything changes.  Erin starts to wonder whether fate is trying to tell her something…

Will Erin risk it all for the man she had thought was ‘The One’?

My review

Erin is married to Greg for several years. While things didn’t always go that easily, Erin knows that Greg is the man she can always count on. Even when they just met, Greg stood by her side and even loving her from a distance while Erin was in a relationship with Adam. But his patience got rewarded as now they are happily together.
But when Adam resurfaces, Greg is not the only one feeling insecure. Because Erin always felt that Adam was The One, even if in the end he broke her heart. While Adam needs Erin’s help, Erin starts to question herself about her own feelings… 

I have to be honest, from the blurb of this story, I didn’t think that I would like Erin a lot. However, I knew that this author writes emotional rollercoaster and that I shouldn’t be fooled by the too short synopsis.
And I was glad I followed my gut feeling, because this book turned out to be so much more than expected and way deeper too. 

It was a great idea of Clare to write two different timelines, so that the reader can better understand the dynamics and the evolutions of not only Erin, but also of Greg and Adam. 

Although it saddened me to read how the love story of Erin and Adam ended in heartbreak for Erin, it was also comforting knowing that Erin would always have Greg by her side, offering her always a shoulder to cry on. And seeing how that strong friendship between them turned into love and marriage felt like the right direction for both characters. 

With Greg being so supportive and reliable, I couldn’t comprehend why Erin would even be tempted by the return of Adam. But obviously the author would make it difficult not only for Erin but also for us to pick a side, as not everything is as black or white as expected. 

While I initially disliked Adam for his past behaviour, his present broke my heart. I can only imagine the hardships he has been going through and is still facing. He obviously made mistakes in the past, but that doesn’t mean he deserves his current situation.
So seeing how compassionate Erin was, and despite everything still ready to help him, warmed my hear. 

Unfortunately Greg went to other direction… It took him a long time to get him and Erin where they are now, his path took him into a downward spiral (no spoilers here, you’ll just have to read the book!). And while I also know he cannot be blamed for the full 100% for the situation he is in, the desperation of trying to hold onto Erin, coming with completely the wrong solutions, made it difficult to keep on liking him. 

The more I was reading this story, the more difficult it was to just pick a side. And I started to understand Erin’s position. Especially when she learns new information about her own mother’s past and learns that her mother understand Erin better than Erin ever thought. 

As a reader, you know that there will be heartbreak anyhow. No matter what Erin decides to do, there is always someone getting hurt. But I have to say, Clare made the right decision here with her ending. It’s the perfect ending letting us see that neither the past or the present can show what the right decision is for us. But that our future is in our hands only and that we have to choose what is best for us and not what is best for others…

Housemates that don’t get along…

Synopsis

Two reluctant housemates. One question: Is this your place or mine…?

When Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend, Taylor, to house sit for her while she and her husband go travelling could not be better timing. But unfortunately for Serena she’s not the only one to have received this offer…

Enter Ziggy: arrogant, messy (and annoyingly handsome) musician, and friend of Taylor’s husband. Living with him is far from ideal, especially when he claims the best room, has loud parties – and the least said about his kitchen manner the better…

There’s just one solution for Serena – drive him out of the house by being twice as difficult to live with than he is! But Ziggy knows Serena’s game and as war ensues between them, being forced together under one roof may result in some unexpected consequences…

My review

Serena is shocked when she is suddenly kicked out of her flat. With having literally no place to stay, she counts herself lucky when her friend Taylor tells Serena that she and her husband go travelling and need someone to house sit their home.
If only Taylor’s husband didn’t make the offer to his friend Ziggy…
Now Serena and Ziggy are house sitting together, but things aren’t as great as they seem. Especially as Ziggy has claimed the bigger and better room, has loud parties and isn’t keen on cleaning.
But Serena has a plan, driving Ziggy crazy and out of the house by being more annoying than him. But Ziggy won’t let him chase away that easily and a war between housemates starts.
And between Serena discovering a despicable truth about her boyfriend, and being flabbergasted by the unknown side of her boss, she also may see that living together with Ziggy may take an unexpected turn. 

I just have to start by saying how much I laughed while reading this marvellous story by an author I know that is just amazing!
Having read several of her books, I wouldn’t think she would be able to surprise me anymore, but she did it again.  

Getting to know Serena was giving me opposite feelings. Not because she isn’t a likeable person, but just because what she has been through in the past and what she has recently endured. And that made me feel so sad for her, because it’s easy to see how lovable she actually really is. And seeing her without a home after the shocking passing of her boss Diana, felt unjust… Serena deserved to be in her happy place, in her flat and working at the lovely tea room.
And for sure she deserves a better boyfriend! 

So while all the above made me pity her, I also admired her. Because she is adamant on doing the right thing whatever concerns the boyfriend, but also how she won’t let walk over her by Diana’s selfish, spoilt, horrible children, was very admirable.
And reading how she starts plotting on chasing Ziggy away, well, that for sure put a smile on my face! 

And talking about smiles on my face… I was certainly glad that at certain passages I wasn’t in a public space, because people wouldn’t understand why I would be laughing out loud! I never saw it coming what Diana left Serena! And while Serena was discovering that place, well, it almost gave me red cheeks too! It only shows that we don’t always know someone completely! What a wonderful, delightful twist this was! Well done Portia! 😊 

I have to say, if I were living with Ziggy, I would be terribly annoyed too with him! His behaviour initially was so frustrating, I would have slapped him with great joy!
But the more time Serena spent with him, the more we saw the real Ziggy emerge. And the real Ziggy is kind, generous, and just a great friend. 

This story was a delight to read, it was easily written, filled with many funny moments, and while the characters were frustrated, I found myself laughing out loud.
Portia MacIntosh had the difficult task to fulfil my extreme high expectations, but with this funny, with unexpected twists, lovable main characters and amazing side character, she even exceeded those expectations! Although now the expectations will only be even more higher, so don’t start letting me down now! 😊

The things that can happen in just one day…

Synopsis

One day, five lives, but whose hearts will be broken by nightfall?

It started like any other day in the picturesque village of Weirbridge.

Tress Walker waved her perfect husband Max off to work, with no idea that she was about to go into labour with their first child. And completely unaware that when she tried to track Max down, he wouldn’t be where he was supposed to be.

At the same time, Max’s best friend Noah Clark said goodbye to his wife, Anya, blissfully oblivious that he would soon discover the woman he adored had been lying to him for years.

And living alongside the two couples, their recently widowed friend, Nancy Jenkins, is getting ready to meet Eddie, her first true love at a school reunion. Will Nancy have the chance to rekindle an old flame, or will she choose to stay by Tress’s side when she needs her most?

One Day with You – two fateful goodbyes, two unexpected hellos, and 24 hours that change everything.

My review

Max and Noah have been best friends for years. Max is happily married to Tress, who is heavily pregnant with their first child. And Noah still absolutely adores his own wife Anya, after all these years.
But while everyone expects life to go its usual way, nobody sees it coming that secrets will come out that will devastate each and every one of them. And that on the same day that Tress goes into labour.
And then there is neighbour Nancy Jenkins, a rock for both couples, who is ready to meet Eddie, her first true love and the one that got away… Will that old flame spark again? Or will Nancy be where she is needed, by Tress’ side and not where she wants to be, dancing with Eddie?

I have to admit that I was wrong, when I started to read this book. I was questioning (just a little bit though!) how this author would manage to write a wonderful story that just takes place in one day.
Would a good story need more time to really touch its readers, to understand the characters?
But what was I thinking, questioning this amazing author???? Because I KNEW her ability to write compelling stories! 

First of all, I liked it how Noah and Max have been best friend for ages. It always warms my heart to see how friendships can stand the test of time. And seeing that Noah and Max were vey close despite their personal differences, made it even sweeter for me. 

No matter how different their lives went, with Noah being marred to Anya for years while Max was known in the past for not doing long relationships and has not been married to Tress that long, their friendship for sure has been the one certainty in their lives. 

This one day not only turns out to be a turning point of both couples, but it is also a heart – breaking one, also for the reader.
And for me, it felt the worse kind of betrayal that could be taking place…
When you start this book, you already have a hunch of what secrets may be revealed. At least, that was in my case.
And even if these are fictional characters, my heart broke when the truth came out. And not only the truth but the depth of betrayal… 

Can I just say that in my humble opinion, Noah deserves a statue… Despite his discovery, he shows what a good friend he is, especially towards Tress. While Tress is in labour, Noah stand by her side despite his own heartbreak. He is the kind of person who puts his own pain and struggles aside to help whoever is in need of his help. 

While reading, I felt the whole experience as a rollercoaster. Every kind of emotion, it’s all there. Obviously, this book made my own feelings surface very strong. I absolutely loved Noah and Tress, while my feelings for Max and Anya were the complete opposite.  
It made me realize that people don’t always do the right thing. And the secrets made me ask the same question time over time: Just how could you do that to your beloved ones???? 

Luckily, to lighten the sometimes heavy mood, we have Nancy to brighten it all up. She is the kind of neighbour everyone should have. Although that wouldn’t do her justice, as she is so much more than just a neighbour. She is everyone’s friend and ready to help out in her own unique yet marvellous way. Her story may not be the protagonist, but I had my fingers crossed that her meeting with Eddie may be exactly what she expected. But also in this case, Shari Low surprised us and added a twist, perhaps even making Nancy’s little story even better! 

I feel like this book is not to be taken too lightly, as there are many things happening in it that unfortunately also happen in real life. It makes the reader think about what kind of person they want to be. Do they want to be like Noah and Tress, the best kind of man you can imagine and a woman stronger than she may seem like? Or is their path just like Max and Anya, knowing what they are doing is wrong, but not being able to let go? 

Even with the heavy subjects, and the tissues I shred, I found it impossible to lay it aside and I just had the urgency to keep reading until the finish!

An unexpected wife, an unexpected turn

Synopsis

The laird’s bridal bid…

Is love too high a price to pay?

When new laird, Ewan Stewart, comes across a wife for sale at a market, he outbids everyone to rescue her. He never intended for Catriona to become his bride, but a convenient marriage could secure his clan’s future and her freedom. They agree that their arrangement must stay free of love, yet Catriona’s bravery and fire intrigue him. Can Ewan resist falling for his wife—the one rule he must not break?

My review

Ewan Stewart has just recently become laird. He is still trying to find his own way to be laird, but feels the pressure of the Elders. Especially as they want him to marry to secure his clan’s future. However, he does not want to rush into a marriage, with him believing that love will only end in hurt. But when he comes across a wife for sale at a market, inexplicably he feels the rush to rescue her. And perhaps this convenient marriage to Catriona may be the perfect answer. Catriona agrees to the arrangement and to keep everything free of love. But the more Catriona shows her strength and fire, the more Ewan is attracted to her… will the arrangement stand? Or will their attraction and feelings prevail? 

This may seem like an easy, fun book to read, but the more I got to know the characters, the more I sensed that this was more than the typical Highlander Romance. 

First of all, we have a heroine who despite what she has been through lately, is a strong woman, fighting for her freedom. And her fierceness is something I admired, especially after learning how her past is a mystery to her.
Catriona made the best of how the cards had turned for her. No matter how much she had endured, each event she turned into a life lesson, making her realize that the most important was for her was to gain her freedom. 

But she also has good people skills. She sees how people truly are within the blink of an eye, and easily understands the dynamic between people. And that for sure came in handy for Ewan and his wish to be a good laird. 

It’s crystal-clear that Ewan is one of the good guys. Not everyone would buy a woman at a market, but he sees that Catriona is a victim, and he wants to help her. He also shows his great character in wanting to be a good laird, not too tyrannical but also not too soft. And we see him struggling finding not only the right balance, but also showing the clan that he is worthy of being their Laird. And having endured a previous heart – break made the readers understand why Ewan choses to refuse to fall in love again.  

I loved reading how these two characters started to warm towards each other, despite their clear arrangement of not letting any feelings grow. Of course that plan was doomed to fail! And seeing how their own strength strengthened each other was amazing. 

The author surprised with a twist that I didn’t see coming. And while I was glad that a few questions got answered, it was also frustrating to see how this beloved couple were not nearly reaching their happy end… 

This is a part of a series, but can be perfectly be read as a standalone. But having read the previous book, it would help to immediately like a few side characters, who come back in this story after having had their own tale to tell.
For me, this was the best story of the series, as I felt that the roles were switched, as we have a strong female character, wanting nothing more than just to be free to do how she pleases. And then we have a male character, who is obviously also strong, but is still trying to find his own feet, trying to be himself but not showing any weakness. 

Maybe, my only point of criticism (if we can call it like that) was that I had to consult my good friend Google to figure out the amount that Catriona was sold for. I did not have a clue if that guinea was a big amount or not! 😊  

This was a lovely story, with that little more, making it more exiting for the readers to keep turning the pages!

Lilo Moore, douze points!

Synopsis

The song contest is hotting up, on and off the stage!

Rose writes twee pop, smiles a lot, and believes in magic and rainbows. When the cheesy love song she wrote is chosen for the European Song Contest, her luck seems to be turning around – especially when a chance encounter leads to the hottest one-night stand of her life. It’s almost too bad she’ll never see him again.
But then Rose discovers it wasn’t a chance encounter. The hot German DJ with the sexy deep voice is her rival for song contest glory.
Grumpy Emil is incredibly talented and the song he spins with his sister could be a winner, even if he doesn’t appreciate the playful spirit of the contest. As the continent falls in love with Rose and Emil’s competitive banter on social media, they must hide their history from the press or risk losing credibility – and a future songwriting career.
With an anonymous gossip out to ridicule the colourful contestants and a plot to undermine European public broadcasting bubbling under the shiny surface, Rose must be strong in the face of criticism and stand up for everything the contest means to her.
If this Canadian girl can save the contest, maybe she can believe that her feelings for Emil are the real deal.

My review

Canadian Rose has her dream come true: her song has been selected as the British entry for the European Song Contest!
She feels that it’s finally her time, especially after the most amazing one – night – stand with Emil.
However not much later she realizes that Emil is not just someone, but he is the entry for Germany, together with his sister. And his act may be the winning one.
Emil is everything that Rose is not. Where Rose is sunshine and rainbows, Emil is grumpy and wary. Yet Rose cannot stop bantering Emil on social media, while also hiding their brief history together.
But there are more darks clouds surrounding the Contest, and it’s up to Rose to save the Contest, and think about her feelings for Emil… 

So, there are a few thing sacred to me… Like never putting up a Christmas tree before Sinterklaas has come, or any occasion, how ridiculous it may be, is a great reason to eat cake. And those three special days where Eurovision is on.
Yes, I am the kind of person that watches both semi – finals, the final and even afterwards keeps listening to all the songs I loved on Spotify (and, yes, I still listen to last year’s songs now!). Especially now that it’s again more about the song and the act, and not as much about neighbourly favouritism.  

Thus it makes perfect sense to read a book about a Contest that I adore! And I can proudly say that I D – E – V – O – U – R – E – D this book!
The author grasped perfectly what the Contest is about, and even added some great drama in it. 

If I would ever be so lucky to be part of the whole concept of the Contest, I would expect it to be just as described in this wonderful story.
I not only felt the sense of a close community in it, but it was more one big (sometimes not so) happy family. All the contestants were there to enjoy the moment, absorb the magic of the whole event, and that sparked from each page. And even the drama that surrounded the event was something I could actually see happening for real (although I really hope it won’t!!!) 

And Rose is just the perfect character. I think that if I were in the Contest, I would be the Rose of the gang. She is just a happy, joyful, warm character. She loves every other contestant, and tries to befriend them all. But she also respects them. And I loved it how she ‘tributes’ each entry on her own ‘Rose-esque’ way. 

We also see a growth in Rose the more the story evolves. Because Rose realizes that not everyone always has the best intentions. And she is determined to find out who the saboteur is, to protect who and what she loves.
She is also realizing how deep her feelings are and how quickly they are growing. And she slowly learns that yes, love is worth the risk and yes, she deserves to be completely loved too! 

And the sparks that fly between her and Emil, pfeew! While at the start I didn’t really like her behaviour by not giving Emil her real number, I somehow understood her too. Sometimes it’s better to cut all ties and not getting a bigger disappointment later.
But what I loved even more was how despite her constant online teasing, in real life they just couldn’t keep their hands off each other! And that while they couldn’t be more different. These two lovely people show us that opposites absolutely attract! 

It would be easy to just see Emil as a grumpy man, but the more I got to learn him, the more I started to fall in love with him myself! He has his reasons for seeing things not as amazing as Rose does. And then there is his protectiveness towards his sister Daisy, that just turned me into a complete a puddle!  

Now that I addressed Daisy, I just have to say how much I admired her strength and her courage. It was not easy what she has been through, but her resilience and how she turned her situation into something that works for her, just respect! 

This story is perfect for the lovers of Eurovision, but also for those who don’t. it’s the perfect occasion for people who don’t actual follow it, to understand the magic around this wonderful event. And the author managed marvellously to capture all the aspects of the event, but also major subjects that matter in the real world. 

I fell in love with every bit of this story and its characters, I just finished it one long session, regretting nothing at all, having a big smile on my face with each page!

Well, I know what I want to read!

Synopsis

Meet Steph Barnacle, an English teacher at a private school, married to Dan. Her son has just left for university, her life is feeling a bit stale … and something weird is going on with the skin on her neck. And then Charles Kurmudge, the man she’s never forgotten, walks back into her world.

Charles’s life has blown up spectacularly – he’s lost his job, his house and his marriage. Determined to get back on track, he’s changed career. He’ll now be working for Steph, whose heart he broke over twenty years ago. He still finds her very attractive. What a shame she’s married.

Her husband, Dan, knows he loves Steph more than she loves him. And now that Charles is back in his wife’s orbit, he’s worried about their marriage. But surely Steph wouldn’t dream of leaving him for Charles, who’d treated her so badly … would she?

Can Steph resist her first love? Or will she give him a second chance?

Publication Date: 3rd February

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSDPGWMD

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BSDPGWMD/

About the author

Clare Hawken was born in Zambia and has lived in England, France and Australia. She now lives in Wiltshire with her family and a stubborn springer spaniel. She writes about families, relationships, and the blind spots, mistakes and mishaps that can change life in a heartbeat. Apart from writing, she enjoys reading voraciously across a wide range of genres; other people’s gardening efforts; and long walks, if she can persuade the dog to come with her.

Social Media Links –

https://twitter.com/clarehawken

https://www.instagram.com/clarehawken/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069410435467
clarehawken.com

The cover

The power of lavender…

Synopsis

With nowhere else to go, Harriet Colgan has returned to the sleepy village of Cranfield to sell her beloved aunt and uncle’s cottage, the only place she ever called home.

When she arrives at Lavender Cottage, Harriet discovers plans to replace the beautiful lavender fields, her uncle’s pride and joy, with an industrial warehouse.

With time on her hands, she realises she must fight to protect her family’s legacy and the village of Cranfield as well.

Workaholic businessman Joe Randall was expecting an easy purchase of the lavender fields. But suddenly his quiet life is disrupted by protests from angry locals, organised by Harriet.

Can Harriet show Joe that there’s more to life than just business? And can Joe change his mind and help Harriet save the lavender fields?

Over a long, hot summer, and with the help of a stray dog, perhaps Harriet and Joe can find their way home too.

My review

After being forced to close her beauty salon in London, Harriet Colgan has no other option to return to Lavender Cottage, the place she inherited from her beloved aunt and uncle in Cranfield.
Despite it being the only place she ever felt at home, her initial plan is to sell the place as soon as possible, as she needs the money.
But when she discovers that there are plans to replace the lavender fields that her uncle has taken care of, by building an industrial warehouse, Harriet is determined to fight to protect not only her family’s legacy, but also the village of Cranfield.
And that is not something businessman Joe Randall expected, as the purchase of the fields would have been an easy purchase.
Will Harriet succeed in saving the lavender fields and show Joe the benefits of not only the wonderful fields, but also the beauty of Cranfield? Or is her fight doomed to fail? And how can there be an attraction between enemies? 

Alison Sherlock absolutely knows how to captivate her readers! With something as simple as a lavender field, she has written a compelling story not only about retuning home and fighting for the right cause, but also about finding a home, and finding peace. 

While reading, I felt so sorry for Harriet, as her own family just doesn’t seem to understand her. Even if she is a member of the family, she doesn’t fit in. Her parents and siblings are successful in whatever they do, and have an ‘important’ job, while Harriet is a ‘simple’ beautician. (For the record, absolutely nothing wrong with being a beautician, I just want to make clear that Harriet is not like the rest of the family!).
Yet she wants her parents to be proud of her, even if that means that she had to open a salon in London where she cannot afford the rent. 

It broke my hear to see her return to Cranfield, where she always felt at home, only to be faced with the absence of the only people who accepted her just the way she was.
I felt her pain every time she saw something specific in the cottage, remembering all the happy moments she has there. 

Yet I also admired her fire… because it would have been easy to just walk away from Cranfield, and making the inhabitants face their problems on their own. But that is not who Harriet is. The lavender fields are important to her, and she will protect them anyway she can! 

And seeing how the community was initially wary of her actions, it was marvellous to see how slowly they all started to stand by Harriet, fighting against the injustice. 

Somehow I think that the ‘powers’ of lavender, which are made clear throughout the story, also made sure that Joe wasn’t the big villain in this book.
First of all, it was nice to see which uses lavender has, I for sure have expanded my knowledge about them! 

But the calming effect of the flowers also had an impact on Joe.
Joe may seem as a strict businessman, but his own tale saddened me and I wished that he could find the courage and the strength to do the right thing and also put the hurtful past behind him.
The more I got to know Joe, I could see that he was being held back by what happened in the past. And reading how he couldn’t do something as easy as dancing, broke my heart… 

Seeing Harriet fighting together with the community against the injustice and seeing how Joe is also putting his weight into it (at the right side obviously) was lovely to read. And all the side characters, even those with a not so great reputation but with their heart at the right place, trying to change the situation and their personal situation too, show again what a close community can do. Because no matter how dire they situation may be, a solution may be found in the most unexpected ways. 

This was a marvellous story, and a great start of a brand new series. It was heart – warming, sweet and at moments I could practically smell the lavender while reading, and I could sense its maybe underestimated powers! The characters learned themselves and showed us that home is where our heart is and I cannot wait to return to this beautiful place!