Is there anything better than a cover reveal? Yes there is, it’s a DOUBLE cover reveal!!!

Synopsis

A Scottish Country Escape

Escape to the Scottish Highlands with a brand new spring romance from bestselling author, Julie Shackman

*Julie Shackman’s brand new romance The Cottage in the Highlands is exclusively available on First Reads for November*

Determined to overcome a family tragedy, Elle Cassidy decides to reopen her late mother’s ailing newsagent as a stationery shop in the quiet Scottish town of Fir Haven.

But when the arrogant yet handsome crime writer Dexter Grayling almost runs over Elle in his beast of a sports car, the town is thrown into a tailspin – especially when Dexter claims that local resident Linda Carlucci has put a curse on him and he is no longer able to write.

Can Elle put aside her dislike for the self-absorbed writer and help Dexter uncover what is really going on with the Carlucci family? And in the process will Elle realise that there’s a lot more to her beloved Fir Haven than she first thought…

For fans of Donna Ashcroft, Jane Linfoot and Rachael Lucas.

Pre-order Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B9SK1DHM  

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9SK1DHM

Publication Date: 16th March 2023

The Christmas Highland Lodge

The brand new Christmas romance filled with love and second-chances

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?

Pre-order Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BDBT59L4

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BDBT59L4

Publication Date: 20th October 2023

About the author

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. 

She admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags and has an impressive pile of gorgeous To Be Read novels she is wading her way through.

She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper. A Scottish Country Escape and The Christmas Highland Lodge are Julie’s eighth and nineth novels respectively

Cover #1:

Cover #2:

Life never goes as expected…

Synopsis

With Jo’s future changed forever, it’s time to embrace a new chapter in her life. One which will take her away from her Cornish home and the ex-boyfriend who’s living the life which should have been theirs. 

But crossing paths with local surfer Ben before she leaves wasn’t part of the plan. Seven years ago Ben’s world was turned upside down, but could Jo be the one to make it right for him? When hidden truths threaten, Jo will have to fight for love and the life she’s really meant to live.

My review

Jo once thought she had it all, she loved her husband and they were both ready to start a wonderful family together. But Fate had other plans, and now Jo is ready to start a new chapter in her life, on her own. She is ready to leave her Cornish home and her ex who is living the life they should have together.
She didn’t expect that her taking surfing lessons, would let her meet Ben. With the both of them having world’s turned upside down, they understand the need of keeping things casual. However, they are for each other who makes them believe in love again.
But falling in love is the easiest part, as Jo quickly learns that she will have to fight for not only their love, but for so much more… 

Having read the previous book of this author, I was fully aware that I would be on an emotional rollercoaster. But even I was ready for it, it still got me completely… 

First of all, it broke my heart to see how Jo was trying to overcome her heartbreak. She deeply loved her husband, but their attempt on becoming a family and the news it wasn’t in store for her, put an end to their fairy-tale.
I am not a mother myself, but I hope that one day, after finding the right partner, I will have a lovely child myself. And I cannot imagine how it would crush me getting to know that I would never be able to put a tiny human on the world…
It broke my heart for Jo, because from the first chapters already, we see that she is a kind, lovely, caring person. Of course, if she weren’t, she wouldn’t be a nurse, caring deeply for her patients… 

I also comprehended why she wanted to get away from her home, because every corner, every place would remind her of what she has lost… 

It was lovely to see how Jo and Ben meet, even a bit hilarious to see how at ease they are with their banter. I could see how well – matched these two people are!
But also Ben didn’t have an easy life… His world completely changed seven years ago, and he still hasn’t been able to move along, especially as he is not on his own… 

The more Jo and Ben were together, even facing the distance, the more I wished to quickly reach the end… Not because I wanted the story to be over quickly, but because things fell into place for the both of them and I didn’t want to let anything happen to change it. 

But it did, in a way that was way too close to home for me… I am not going to explain what happened, but I can say that what Jo and Ben had to go through, reminded me of something that happened in my family too. And it reminded me that no matter how strong someone is, it will never be an easy journey. While reading those bits, I found myself in tears, for the injustice of it all.
And having Ben’s parents acting terribly the way they did, made my heart only boil even more! 

However, during these hardest bits, Jo showed such a strength, determination and will to stand by Ben’s side, no matter how difficult things got.
And it warmed my heart to see how Jo not only opened her heart to Ben, but found what she was missing in Poppy too… 

On a side note, it was also lovely to see some old friends again!

If you keep your eyes dry while reading this book, I can only applaud you. Because even just thinking about it, has me got teared up all over again. And while nearly the end, the author made me think the worse, I found this a wonderful story to read. It shows us that Life and Fate doesn’t give us the life we dream of, but gives us the life just right for us, giving us things in a way we didn’t expect, yet marvellous anyway…

A Panto is all you need…

Synopsis

Can a little Cornish village panto convince a troubled Hollywood heart throb to act again?

Oh no it won’t! At least that’s what Zach Broussard initially thinks when the eccentric Anna Teague tries to railroad him into helping out with her community pantomime production in the run-up to Christmas. Zach has his reasons for leaving Hollywood behind, and his retreat to the remote village of Polcarne in Cornwall signals the start of a new acting free life for him.

But when Zach meets Anna’s daughter, Rosey – an ex concert pianist who has swapped Mozart for panto tunes – he starts to wonder whether he could change his mind, and not just about acting.

If nothing else, will the residents of Polcarne ensure Zach has a Christmas he never forgets?

Oh yes they will!

My review

When Zach Broussard needs an escape from Hollywood, and the remote village of Polcarne in Cornwall gives him all the peace and quiet he needs. He cannot imagine to take back his acting, and in Polcarne he can finally think of what direction his life should take.
Gently pushed by Anna Teague, he finds himself helping out with the community pantomime production, where he meets Anna’s daughter Rosey. Rosey, who is a talented musician who has returned home after a failed marriage and has changed her tunes from Mozart into panto…
While neither of them are looking for something serious, just being together makes them both wonder if they have found something they weren’t even looking for… 

Angela Britnell has written another wonderful story, filled with Christmassy feelings and also letting me enjoy a British tradition I know about, but not enough and that all in a wonderful setting in Cornwall! Could my expectations be any higher? Nope… Did I get disappointed a little bit? Not at all! 

Zach and Rosey are at a different stage in their lives, both coping somehow with their grief.
Zach’s grief is still raw and painful, and his guilt is almost tearing him apart. So I completely understood why he needed to get away from those spotlights and needed to be at a place where no one would bother him.
While I understood his pain, it’s only further along in the story that his pain has a deeper cause. And it made me only want to jump in the book to give him all my love in the biggest hug possible.
However, there were also moments I wanted to jump into the book for total different reasons… and that is to blame to his behaving very stupidly!
But that is all part of his growth and trying to move on from a past that hurt him beyond… 

And meeting Rosey is the perfect medicine for him. Because Rosey knows how it feels to have a broken heart, although for a different reason and a different outcome. But while she is still not feeling the need to dive into another relationship, she is clearly already in a next phase.
However, being further along, doesn’t mean she is there yet… And that vulnerability and fragility was so palpable, no matter how hard she tries to keep up the façade… 

Seeing how these two people meet each other at the right time, even if it doesn’t seem so, truly warmed my heart.
There is obviously the physical attraction, but slowly the emotional attraction overshadows the physical one.  

Of course, reading this beautiful story caused me to laugh several times, how could it not with a character like Anna in it.
But there were also the sweetest moments, about a second chance at love. And maybe even as important as the romance between Rosey and Zach, the bond of a whole community.
Because there are moments that some characters behave despicable, and the community react in the right way. 

I absolutely devoured this heart – warming Christmas story about two lovely people who have both endured a terrible heart – break, but found each other and were able to put the pain behind them and look forward to a bright future together, perhaps not how they envisioned it once, but nevertheless magnificent!

A rebellion to be never forgotten

Synopsis

A country rebelling
It’s 1916 and, as war rages in Europe, Gráinne leaves her job in a department store to join Countess Markiewicz’s revolutionary efforts. It is a decision which will change her life forever. A rebellion is brewing, and as Dublin’s streets become a battleground, Gráinne soon discovers the personal cost of fighting for what you believe in…

A forgotten sacrifice
Decades on, student Nicky is recovering from a break-up when a research project leads her to her great-grandmother’s experiences in revolutionary Ireland. When Nicky finds a long-forgotten handkerchief amongst her great-grandmother’s things, it leads to the revelation of a heartbreakingstory of tragedy and courage, and those who sacrificed everything for their country.

Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, this emotional historical novel will sweep you away to the Emerald Isle. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Sandy Taylor and Fiona Valpy.

My review

In 1998 Nicky is looking for inspiration for a research project. She wants to find something original and worth talking about. And even is her relationship with her parents is strained, as they (and specially her mother) sees her as a rebel, it’s the family past that gives Nicky the right subject.
Because it’s her own great – grandmother Gráinne that joined in 1916 the revolutions in Ireland. Gráinne left her job in a department store to join the cause, but also learns the hard lessons that during rebellions that fighting for what you believe comes at a high cost… 

I have to admit, that my knowledge of the Irish history is rather limited… Of course I am aware of the fact it was not an easy fight for Ireland to gain their independence. But ask me for any kind of details, years, important characters, and all I could come up with is the famous U2 song… 

So in this matter, this was a very enlightening book, as I learned something completely new, fascinating and inspiring, but also about the hardships and sacrifices. But also about growing up (too fast perhaps in Gráinne’s case), maturing and understand yourself and your family’s history better. 

Gráinne is a young woman in 1916 living in an Ireland that still is under British ruling. An Ireland that dreams of being independent and the Irish people trying to fight for their country.
I admired how Gráinne feels that becoming joins the revolutionary efforts, something I cowardly have to admit wouldn’t be sure to be as courageous as Gráinne…
While things are escalating to its climax, we see how Gráinne goes from a young, perhaps a bit gullible woman, and grows, matures into a woman who sees and understand the sacrifices a fight brings. I liked it how we see how she starts to question not the rebellion, but if the cost is all worth it… Especially if in the end, the goal is only achieved years later… 

Having read several books of this author, with dual timelines, it’s often that the main characters never meet in real life. So I found it a nice change to see how Gráinne and Nicky are related to each other. and not related in a far away, as Gráinne is Nicky’s great – grandmother. 

I found that Nicky is somehow also having her own, personal rebellion. She is finding her own path, breaking up with her boyfriend, starting something with someone total different, and finds it difficult to have an easy relationship with her parents.
Of course, both main characters are fighting for total different things, but somehow that rebellious streak is something they have in common. 

Since Nicky visited Gráinne, there is a change in Nicky. She starts to that the people who love her will always have her back, even if they don’t always understand each other.
And Nicky starts to appreciate the family she has, and should show her appreciation more.  

After finishing this book, I found myself browsing on the internet, eager to learn more about the Easter Rebellion. And I was a bit flabbergasted when I realized that some of the characters present in the story, were actual people who participated in the rebellion (again, only because of my own ignorance…).
And seeing how the author managed to blend reality with fiction, yet staying true to known facts, gave me goosebumps (in a good way). It’s easy to re-write a story of people with your imagination, but it’s harder to stick to the facts and let the readers get involved with the history. 

This story shows us that in the past many people made sacrifices to let us have the present we have now. And with remembering that past, with people we know, we get to see our sometimes own selfish ways, and the remembrance will let us mature and understand who we truly are.

Three best friends, together for an unforgettable Christmas

Synopsis

Another year has passed and it’s Christmas again. This year best friends Chloe, Jules and Lucy are all loved up but living worlds apart.

Chloe is madly in love with her celebrity beau, Archer, but after a whirlwind year in Hollywood’s limelight, she’s desperate to get away and spend some quality time together.

Jules loves her Melbourne life – and gorgeous winemaker Matt – but a crowded flat share has her longing for a place of her own.

Meantime, Lucy is stuck in a long distance relationship, jetting back and forth between Colorado and London to see Will.

When Archer’s plan to whisk Chloe to Paris goes awry, he surprises her by bringing her friends together for a Christmas to remember…

My review

Last Christmas changed the lives of best friends Chloe, Jules and Lucy. This year, Chloe is happily in love with Hollywood’s beau Archer, yet a life in the spotlights make her dream of some precious qualitative alone – time, just the two of them.
Jules never regretted the move to Melbourne and is enjoying her relationship with winemaker Matt. But having a too crowded flat, makes her long for a place on her own. But what are Matt’s thoughts and plans?
And Lucy, while absolutely in love with Will, is feeling the tiredness of a long distance relationship, flying forth and back between Colorado and London. And she feels more lonely than ever, as she feels that her relationship is all one – sided.
So when Archer surprises Chloe even more, after his plan to go Paris fall flat, and brings all the friends back together to spend Christmas in Kauai, it’s going to be memorable. But will it be for the right reasons? 

My dearest Sandy, what do you do to me with each of your books? I don’t know if I should be proud or ashamed admitting that I just read everything in just one session! 

I loved reading ‘The Christmas Swap’, which I absolutely recommend, so I was over the moon to read this sequel, knowing that now the best friends would all be together to spend Christmas at the same place. 

But no matter how much I was happy to be back with these lovely women and their partners, I also knew that a happily ever after is only in fairy tales and that falling in love is the easiest bit in a relationship. While all the characters deserve their happiness, unfortunately life doesn’t always go that way, and each woman is having her own struggles. 

Chloe’s world is perhaps the furthest away from my own. But I can imagine the difficulties of having a life in the spotlights. Of course there are also perks, it’s not that I can decide to fly to Kauai on a whim and stay at a magnificent villa myself, but all the glitter and glam come at a price.
And then there is Archer’s ex still causing more and more problems…
Yet no matter what happens in the spotlights, or with the menacing ex, I found the moments of pure ‘Chloe and Archer’ swoon – material.
Archer truly is in my opinion the perfect blend of all my favourite actors, and the perfect down – to – earth, boy – next – door character. He truly wants to make Chloe happy. And the things he has planned for her… can I have my own Archer? 

Although, it’s not that Matt or Will won’t do for me… 

Of the three friends, perhaps I felt the most for Lucy. She absolutely loves Will, but somehow being in a relationship with this amazing man, makes her feel the loneliest she ever did…
It broke my heart to see how she feels, and yet tries to put on a brave face and won’t let anyone notice how she is truly feeling…
And having then a character like Audrey, trying to get Will’s attention, it made me as angry as it made Lucy angry.
I laughed at moments at her attempts to make this the Best Christmas Ever, even if sometimes it turned into an almost disaster. But that shows only how devoted she is, and how much she want perfection for the people she loves.

But I also totally comprehended Jules and her feelings. She is the kind of characters that doesn’t easily give her heart away, but with Matt she has found that person she would want to share everything with. But is she ready to share that everything yet? How can she tell the man she absolutely adores she is thinking of having a place of her own?
And knowing Jules, I understood her perfectly. It’s absolutely no doubt how much she loves Matt, she also needs her own place. Being with Matt is already a big step for her, but she doesn’t want to rush into things too fast.
And without giving anything away, I KNEW IT, after reading the epilogue!!!!  

It was marvellous to have these wonderful people all together sharing wonderful times together. And seeing how, even if I didn’t need the proof, Chloe, Lucy and Jules understood each other even without talking. They are ready to help each other with whichever doubt or problem they are having, but also giving each other the space to talk whenever they are ready.
I found it special and heart – warming to see that no distance could break up the closeness of these three friends.
And it was extra special to see how also the men are close friends! 

This lovely book shows the strength of real friendship, indestructible no matter what happens to either one of them. They have each other’s back, feeling that they are not ‘just’ friend but as close and loving as a real family.
But this book is also about love, that doesn’t always come easy, but in the end, when in the warm embrace with the person you love, you will never feel more loved, safer and stronger!

Even at Christmas, Belbird Bay works its magic

Synopsis

Libby Walker never imagined she’d be moving into the dream house she and her husband had purchased for their retirement as a widow. Intent on making a new life for herself in the quiet coastal town of Bellbird Bay, Libby’s life is upended by an unexpected call from her daughter.

Adam Holland’s unhappy childhood and broken home has left him scarred. Content with the life he has built for himself as a journalist and author of political thrillers, Adam arrives in Bellbird Bay to fulfil the deathbed request of an old friend.

When Libby and Adam meet, there is an initial attraction. But Libby is grieving for her late husband and trying to help her daughter sort out her life, and Adam has no intention of forming a relationship, wary of commitment because of how his family was torn apart.

Will the peace and tranquillity of Bellbird Bay help these two move on from old hurts and make this a Christmas to remember, or will events conspire to keep them apart?

A heartwarming tale of family, friends, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.

My review

Libbie Walker always thought that she would be enjoying her retirement with her husband in Bellbird Bay. Little did she know that she would only have half the dream, as she does have a wonderful place in Bellbird Bay, but unfortunately she is living there as a widow.
Despite not having it all, she is enjoying making a new life on her own. That is until she receives a total unexpected call from her daughter…
Adam Holland is staying in Bellbird Bay with a mission. He wants to fulfil the last wish of his best friend. And perhaps he can find inspiration for a new book, as he is a famous author of political author.
When Libby and Adam meet, there is an immediate attraction, but with Libby still grieving over he husband, and helping out her daughter and Adam, afraid of commitment after seeing how his own family got torn apart, falling in love is the last thing on their mind.
But somehow, Bellbird Bay is the perfect place to move on from the past, or not? 

With each new story taking place in Bellbird Bay, I fall more in love with the place. And perhaps I should also go there to find my own love story there? Who knows… 

From the very start, I knew that Libbie would be a lovely character. Although it saddened me to read that when it was finally to put her dream into action, she wouldn’t be doing it as planned as with her husband, but on her own, it also put a smile on my face to read how she pursued it anyway, and how she even makes it possible that Bernie is together with her anyway in the sweetest way. 

I also loved her motherly, protective behaviour. The moment she hears that her daughter and her granddaughter need her, she doesn’t hesitate one moment and gives them all the help and support they need.
It was sweet to see how Libbie is taking the both of them in, giving up her peace and privacy. Obviously that is something that most loving mothers would do, but we also know that that is not always the reality.
Although I have to admit, that soe moments I found that Libbie’s grandchild was acting more mature than Emma, Libbie’s daughter. I could understand on some level how Emma would be against Libbie seeing Adam, but I found her behaviour sometimes a bit over the top… 

Now that I mentioned Adam… it warmed my heart to see how determined Adam was to respect his friend reg’s last wish. I cannot imagine losing my best friend, I can only try to understand that kind of grief.
In first instance, I just liked Adam, but nothing special. But only further along in the story, learning about his past, and his pain, I truly liked – liked him.
And having him being a typical man, oblivious of what’s truly happening around him, was really funny!  

It was lovely to see how Libbie and Adam are easily getting along and how feelings are growing into something bigger. It warmed my heart to see how at ease both main characters feel around each other, and how easy it is for them to open up.  

This book shows us that age is truly just a number, and that no matter what happened in your past, everyone deserves a second chance in love. But the author also manages to make her readers understand that falling in love, no matter what your age is, it doesn’t mean that it will diminish the great love you had previously. Meeting someone new won’t let you forget the past. 

Obviously it was a joy to return to this wonderful place. But even if it wasn’t a return, this could have been perfectly be read as a first visit. There are returning characters, which was lovely and also funny to see again, but even if you do not know what happened previously, it’s easy to instant like them!

A wedding and its preparations, not only filled with love, but lots of drama…

Synopsis

I don’t like change. That’s fine, because I, Tori Hayes, am quite content with my single status and fulfilling sales career. I’ll make an exception and step out of my comfort zone to be a part of my college bestie’s wedding party. Anything for a friend, you know?

But this—this is not what I thought it would be. Suddenly, I’m thrown into drama that only a Southern belle bride and her friends can stir up. The secrets, the lies, the deception—it’s more than I can take. Not to mention that groomsman Tyler, who seems to know exactly how to push my buttons.

I don’t like my buttons pushed. Or maybe I do.

Dashing groomsmen aside, why do I keep finding myself in the middle of all this madness? I want to support Caroline and give her the perfect day, but things are getting messy and fast. Is there going to be a happy ending amid all this chaos?

It could happen …

USA Today bestselling author Melissa Baldwin presents a brand new romantic comedy about friendship and finding love when you least expect it.

My review

Tori is a bit surprised when her friend Caroline asks her to be one of the bridesmaids at her wedding. Tori knew she would get an invitation, but she is honoured to discover how important she still is for Caroline.
With being part of a squad now, Tori’s calm life is quickly switched into a chaotic one. She finds herself dragged into lies, secrets and deception, things that makes her long for her unchanging, unexcited life.
And then there is Tyler, who just keeps pushing her buttons and irks her. But Tori will do whatever she can so that Caroline has the perfect wedding, even enduring all the unexpected drama that occurs before the ‘I Do’… 

There are characters in books that you can easily relate to. And for me, it was so easy to relate to Tori, even if being both single isn’t the only thing.
I could completely understand why Tori isn’t a fan of changes. If something is going well, why change anything? She enjoys being single, and she knows that one day she will meet the right man. So why bother with looking around every corner if you can find him?
Also she enjoys her job, so why should she think about stepping up when the opportunity arises?

I also understood easily how especially Tyler is the person to push Tori outside her comfort zone. Their first meeting was hilarious to read, bickering about how to park a car! Of all the things they could start bickering about, it was about parking!
It was also funny to read how stubbornly neither one of them would give in and how this event would turn into a recurrent joke between time. 

I had the best of time reading the constant bickering and banter between Tori and Tyler, but I also found it utterly sweet to read how (very) slowly Tori starts to realize that she was very prejudiced towards Tyler and she didn’t see the man he truly is, a man that can even enjoy a game of bingo! 

But there is so much drama in this book, on a level I couldn’t imagine…  We know from the blurb that something big is going to happen, but I didn’t expect it to be so big and that it would affect so many parties…
Yet I admired Tori and how she kept her head cool. It is not easy to be the newcomer in a close group of friends, yet her being ‘the new girl’ makes her see obvious things that are invisible for the other girls. 

Tori not only steps outside her comfort zone, but she also discovers that doing the unexpected give you more insight of yourself. And seeing Tori doing the unexpected and grows more and more confident during this story, was great to read!
But through Tori we also understand again how important friendships in our lives can be. It’s not because you don’t see each other every day, that you aren’t important for your friend. However, this story shows also how hurtful it can be to be betrayed by your close friends… 

This book was such an easy, funny, great read, it took me on a journey filled with laughs and gasps. But also it took me on a journey to show the importance of honesty, friendship and love. And a reminder that even the most unexpected could happen when you least expect it!

Born rivals, destined together

Synopsis

Welcome to Pepper Bay. A small close-knit community where you’ll find chocolate box cottages, quaint shops, love drama, and a happily ever after.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Phillipa Ashley, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories, best when read in order, that intertwine with recurring characters.

Pepper River Inn: There has been a longstanding family feud in Pepper Bay between the Renshaws and the Trents, and it’s about to get even more messy.

Rosie and Belle Trent have just inherited their uncle’s rundown hotel and have decided to see if they can rebuild the unloved business. They don’t rate their chances of having a successful inn, not with the perfect one right next door owned by Elliot and Ned Renshaw.

The two sisters and two brothers aren’t meant to be friends, so when Elliot saves Rosie from drowning and they fall in love, it’s down to Belle and Ned to keep the family feud alive. All they have to do is continue to hate each other. How hard can it be?

My review

The Renshaws and the Trents have a family feud going over a few generations. The current members of each family don’t even know what the original feud was about, but it’s the counterpart’s fault anyway…
Rosie and Belle Trent have inherited from their uncle half of the Pepper River Inn, which has more alike with a haunted hotel than a flourishing one.
They are determined to turn their hotel into a successful business, not afraid of the right part of the hotel run very well by Elliott and Ned Renshaw.
Rivalry is on from the minute Belle and Ned meet, but when Elliott saves Rosie from drowning and fall in love instead, it’s up to Belle and Ned to keep the feud alive… 

Pepper Bay is such a lovely place to return to, and I was very eager to know the complete story of how the Pepper River Inn was literally split in half in the past.
And of course I was very curious to get to know the owners and was looking forward to see sparks fly around! 

Well, with great joy I can say that the author does not give us one love story, but two! What a bargain! 

I always like to read how close siblings are, and decide to venture together in a business. As I am also very close with my brother, it warmed my heart to see how this such familiar and recognizable bond was present with both Rosie and Belle, and Elliot and Ned. 

Both pairs of siblings are very different, and it’s not only because we have two sisters against two brothers, but also because the two pairs have all gone through hardship in the past in their own ways. Yet whatever happened in the past, only made the bond stronger.
Each sibling would walk through fire for each other. 

I know that this author is the kind of author where feelings evolve very quickly. And while it could have bothered me, why shouldn’t I believe in a coup de foudre between Elliot and Rosie?
Especially when I got to read how they met… 

I found myself gasping for air reading how Rosie almost drowned, and I absolutely understood her trauma, especially after learning about a past incident. I am not a big fan of water myself, so I felt her anxiety thoroughly.
And I ABSOLUTELY understood how Rosie swooned over her own Merman Elliot, because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t feel safe with his arms around you???  

The story of Belle and Ned was a more complicated one, yet it’s often in such books that enemies tend to become more…
It was hilarious to read how the both of them try their utterly best to keep on despising each other, but start to learn they have more in common than thought.
And Ned’s little girl for sure was a big part of these two rivals spending more time together. 

It was so much fun to read this book, which can be absolutely be read as a standalone. I found it lovely to see how close all the siblings were, how protective of each other too. I laughed at the stubbornness of a few characters, but I mainly laughed about the absurd feud and the dictated, even more absurd rules.
But most of all, I fell in love with reading how easy or difficult it can be to fall in love. What comes easy for one person, isn’t easy for another one.
Even with all the scars (literally and figuratively ones), sometimes when you meet someone, you can feel it in your gut when you meet the right person.
But sometimes it takes a while to understand who is standing in front of you. And it takes even more time to find the courage of taking that step to trust someone or to move on. 

This was a marvellous next chapter in a heart – warming, funny, lovely series, keeping up with the high expectations!

Another season, another avalanche of curveballs

Synopsis

Just when Louisa thought everything was getting back on track, she not only is pregnant now, but pregnant with twins…
One new baby isn’t easy, but now that there are two on the way, Louisa worries how she can keep all the balls juggling up in the air without disappointing or letting someone down.
Will she be able to run her company, be a partner in a new venture, be a good friend, a loving wife and a doting mother of five children with their own needs?
With her kind and helping character, will she find the much needed support or will she find herself pulled in different directions?

My review

With each new season, I am amazed by Lou, not only for her strength and her kind character but especially by her ‘realness’…
Even in this book, you wouldn’t think it would be possible everything Lou is going through, yet she somehow manages to get a hold on everything. 

I would have thought that in this last book of the wonderful series, Lou would turn to be a little bit more ‘selfish’ as she has to think about her babies. Yet her kind nature and warm heart won’t allow her to just to less.
She helps out whenever she cans, no matter who is asking, even goes beyond for those in need and also keeps showering her family and friends with all the love she has. 

But I also liked somehow how Lou is struggling even more in this books. Not that I am an evil person, wanting people to suffer! But seeing all the doubts Lou has, all the problems she has to face, makes her feel just like one of us.
Life is not always a walk in the park, on the contrary. Life is filled with curveballs and lemons, only letting us see the strength we didn’t we have. But also showing us that no matter what is happening in our lives, we have a group of people who love us, and support us no matter what. 

I also admired how Lou understood that sometimes her reasoning was not righteous and she felt guilty about her feelings. Blaming it on the hormones, the thoughts she sometimes had, was not the Lou we all know and love. But also gave u a better understanding how being pregnant can mess with our minds. 

There are so many lovely, heart – warming moments in this book, like the moments where Ronnie shows Lou how supportive and protective he can be, the moments where Lou and her friends show the meaning of real friendship, and the moments where Lou is talking to her unborn babies, already loving them unconditionally even if they will turn her whole world around.
But there were also funny moments, just anytime Aria is present, or a certain thing happening in the car (yes I know, it shouldn’t be something to laugh about, but I found it funny 😊). 

Obviously there were also the uglier moments, like people not knowing their place, or behaving improper, or how our beloved friends have to fight against bureaucracy. 

On a total personal level, I wished there would be more room for one character that completely stole my heart… Not that I am biased that this lovely little girl has the same name and written like it should be, even the nickname was flawless! 😊! But no matter how short her time in this book was, and even if she would have a total different name, my heart broke when reading what her tale of woo was and I wished for her all the best with her new life…  

I loved to be part again of Lou and her sweet family, paws included. This was a wonderful finish of a marvellous series. And while I am sad to say goodbye (for now) to my friends, it was a joy to be on this journey with Lou…

A pact to make three wishes come true…

Synopsis

‘A heartwarming read, full of friendship and fun’ Heidi Swain

What would you wish for if you were granted three wishes?

For the first time she can remember, Poppy is dreading Christmas. Unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend after moving across the country for him, there’s nothing cheery about the festive season this year.

Dragged to a Christmas ball by best friend Layla, Poppy meets gorgeous actor Gabe, who stars as a genie in a play. When he asks her what three wishes she would make, she realises it’s quite simple: love, a job she’s happy in and, just once in her life, to do something extraordinary.

Gabe and Poppy make a pact to help each other make their dreams come true. As they tick off their wishes, their friendship blossoms… But, as they discover, sometimes, what you want for Christmas isn’t necessarily what you need…

A delicious romance to snuggle up with this festive season from the author of Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Café and The Cosy Little Cupcake Van.

My review

Poppy expected this Christmas to be the one where all her wishes would come true. But the total opposite happened… While she was waiting for a marriage proposal in New York after moving across the country for her boyfriend, she finds herself in a new place, all alone and single.
After being persuaded by her best friend Layla to join a Christmas Ball, she meets Gabe, a handsome actor who stars as a genie in a play.
Keeping up his act, he asks what Poppy would wish for if she had three wishes.
Feeling a connection, Poppy and Gabe decide to join forces to make their wishes come true. The more time they spend together, the deeper their connection gets and a wonderful friendship is made.
But they also realize that sometimes wishes are not always granted in a way we visioned them and what we want isn’t always what we need…

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. Because while Gabe is just acting to be a genie, what starts as a joke, suddenly becomes a goal, to have those three wishes granted.

Poppy’s story doesn’t start that great, as right from the beginning she has moved for love, only to be dumped for very lame reasons. That made me already put the ex on the ‘naughty list’.
Yet I liked how, with the gentle push of her best friend, Poppy manages to get settled in, even if she doesn’t truly enjoy her job and a few of her new colleagues.

When she meets Gabe, it’s the real start of a wonderful story about friendship, chasing dreams and just going for it.
Just like in real life, Poppy meets Gabe and the ‘click’ is just there. I truly enjoyed reading how these two strangers found each other and even if they don’t know each other from Adam, it seems like they are just meant to become best friends.

I also found it hilarious to read about the misinterpretation of ‘GBF’ and how that is reasons for not letting things go further.

It was both sweet and surprising to read how one random meeting can change the course of your life.
Meeting each other was exactly what both Poppy and Gabe needed. They push each other to chase their dreams, not to be afraid to dream big. And they support each other unconditionally. These are the kind of friendships that need to be cherished…

It is without a doubt that the main characters are lovely characters, and even their friends are. Obviously there are a few characters I liked less, the obvious ones, like Poppy’s ex or an obnoxious colleagues, but even a few characters closer to Gabe did behave sometimes in a way that made me liking them a tiny bit lesser…

While this was a wonderful story about friendship and live your life at the fullest, the pace of it sometimes bothered me a little bit.
There were moments that went slower to show us the importance but there were also a few twists I would have liked where the intrigue would have a bigger effect. But that can be because perhaps I am a full Drama Queen, while this author just wants to show us that not everything has to be full drama 😄

But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy reading this story, because it truly was a sweet, heart – warming, Christmassy story, with main characters who deserve all the happiness in the world. But while being just as lovely as they are, they are also very recognizable as during their journey make mistakes just like you and I would make.
Yet this shows that reaching your goals is a journey filled with trial and error. A journey that shows you that things may not always go as you want but in the end will give you what you need.