Shame on you if you fool me once…

Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Jo Watson, Mhairi McFarlane and Portia MacIntosh.

City girl Sophie has married the prince (or landed gentry – close enough), moved to his pile (which is more accurate a description than she’d anticipated) and is set to live happily ever after – until she finds the other half of her perfect life in the stables with the stable girl, and they’re definitely not grooming the horses.

Shocked and appalled, Sophie’s no happier to learn that she’s supposed to ‘just get on with it’. After all, according to her mother-in-law, she got the title . . . they even overlooked her family’s ‘new money’ status.

What a lovely family she’s married into! But what’s a girl to do when she’s still in love? Make it work or leg it as fast as she can? Either way, the mother-in-law will not be coming to tea!

What readers are saying about Phoebe MacLeod:

‘A perfect love story’

‘Humorous, light and romantic!’

‘I absolutely loved it. Heart-warming, just perfect!’

‘I loved every minute reading this book, light hearted and fun, finished in a day!’

‘I smiled so much’

‘What a wonderful book’

‘Fantastic’

My review

Sophie changed her city – life out of love into the farm – kind of life. While life there has its struggles, like coping with an Aga with a mind of its own, Sophie still loves her husband James after four years of highs and lows.
So when she finds James in the stables with the groom Becky doing everything but working in the stables, her heart is broken.
And when her mother – in – law apparently makes no big deal out of it, Sophie is just flabbergasted. But despite her hurt, she still loves James. So should she give him a second chance, with clear rules? Or should she walk away and find her the life she truly deserves? 

There is so much to tell about this story, but let’s start with how amazing it just was reading it! 

I liked Sophie immediately, and I admired her courage to walk away from her city – life for love. For sure I would have many struggles changing my life completely. Obviously, things don’t always run as smoothly as it should, but I liked how Sophie still tries to make the best out of every situation.
I also admired her strength. Because it cannot be easy to find your husband wit another woman. Yet as she still loves James, she decides to give him a second chance. I am not sure I would be that forgiving!
But before you think Sophie is a doormat, she also makes it very clear that a few rules to stick to. And no, those rules aren’t crazy ones, they made complete sense to me. 

I have to admit, James The Husband and the mother – in – law weren’t very likeable… James is just a d*ckhead, and my opinion of him only got worse the further I was reading… It kept me wondering what a lovely lady like Sophie ever saw in him.
And her mother – in – law… I understand that parents see their child as a perfect one, nothing can be done wrong. But I could see where James got his behaviour from! I just kept comparing her to Cinderella’s stepmother! 

I admired Sophie in so many ways, how she was ready to give James a second chance, but also how she remained strong and did what she told would do if James would screw up.
Of course my heart broke with Sophie when she sees the evidence of James’ lack of character, yet I was happy to see her walking away. 

Of course Sophie is gong through a lot, yet her strength is something that truly stood out. Not only does she manage to leave James, she also manages to act perfectly in dire situations at work and manages to turn a ‘saboteur’ into a real ally.
I applauded the way she slowly gets her life back on track, the way she wants to, finding her own place, making new friends, and jokingly yet with surprising results getting back on the dating scene. 

I absolutely adored reading this book, and my review will never do justice as there is so much more I can say. Sophie is the kind of woman many people should use as an example, being forgiving, but not stupid, being kind and helping instead of being aggressive. And always walking with head high and being the bigger person instead of allowing someone else to join their petty games.

A holiday which doesn’t go as expected.

Synopsis

Single-mother Beth desperately needs a break.

Grieving the loss of her mother, she sets off to the Isles of Scilly with her five-year-old daughter, Ellie.

Their holiday cottage is utterly charming, but it’s meeting Trystan – the owner of the cottage – that makes Beth’s stay so perfect.

When their holiday fling starts to feel like something more, she knows she’s in trouble. Her life is in Plymouth, while he lives in London. Besides, Trystan has already admitted he’s not ready for a family.

Is he prepared to take a leap of faith for Beth and Ellie? And with the odds stacked against them, can they find a way to make their relationship last beyond the lazy days of summer?

My review

Spending the holiday at the Isle of Scilly didn’t turn out to go as expected for single – mother Beth. The original plan was to go with her own mother and her five – year – old daughter Ellie. But now Beth and Ellie are staying in their holiday cottage, with Beth still grieving over the loss of her mother.
When their week there turns out to be the most rainy one, she finds herself being persuaded by the Treneary family to prolong their stay, even if cottage owner Trystan Treneary isn’t aware of these changes as he planned to stay in the cottage after Beth and Ellie left.
Sparks start to fly around between Beth and Trystan, but with Beth living in Plymouth and Trystan in London, this could never be more than a holiday fling… especially as Trystan is not ready for a family… 

I will start by just saying how much I just ADORE the Treneary family! This is my third return to them and the Isle of Scilly, and each time I fall deeper in love with the place and the family! 

In the start of this book, Beth’s family situation isn’t 100% clear. We know she is on her own looking after Ellie and we know Beth recently just lost her mother. So I can imagine how difficult things are at the moment for her.
Yet the more was revealed of Beth’s life, the more I admired her choices and courage. Having a child is already not an easy task, so I was in awe when Beth talks about the choice she made. 

Ellie is just adorable! She is curious, eager, a bit stubborn, so lovable and I just wanted jump into the book to go on the train with her, build sandcastles and play with her! 

I absolutely had a blast reading how Trystan finds himself overwhelmed not only by Beth but also by Ellie. For those who have read the previous parts of the series, we know from before the start that Trystan isn’t ready for a family, so it came also as a complete surprise seeing how easily Ellie manages to steal his heart. Ellie is for sure a force of nature to reckon with!
It saddened me terrible discovering the reason why Trystan and his brother Lowen aren’t getting along. So I have all my fingers and toes and all other body parts that are crossable, crossed, that in the next book, these once close brothers will find each other again!  

And while between Beth and Trystan it starts with a physical attraction, it warmed my heart to see how at ease they are with each other, able to completely open up. Both main characters have their problems, and even if nobody can offer a real solution, with Beth and Trystan just listening to each other, and having some hurt in common, shows that just being there can be the perfect medicine. 

Obviously, as their lives are taking place in different cities, and Scilly is just a holiday place, the getting together was the easiest bit…
And I liked how the author was able to capture the doubts Beth was having. Because Beth doesn’t has to look only at herself, but she wants to protect Ellie too. Even if I didn’t like it at all when she was back in Plymouth and acted the way she did. 

But on the other hand, I liked it how Trystan gave her the space she needed, yet also did some real nice things for Ellie (talking about swoon – worthy material!). 

This was a wonderful next chapter in of a marvellous series. You don’t have to have read the previous parts, but I truly recommend it as I am sure you will fall in love with the place and its inhabitants!
And while it would be easy for an author to fall in the trap of writing the same thing all over again but with slight differences, Hannah Ellis wrote a story totally different from the previous ones, showing that love doesn’t always come easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. And that with the right perfect, you can long for something you never wanted before.

Nothing is what it seems, except real love

Synopsis

Lucky in life but unlucky in love, Lucy Greenfield owns a successful carriage business along with her best friend Max, and they have never been busier since their shire horses gained fame from their roles in the hit movie A Little in Love.

Too busy for romance, Lucy is surprisingly swept off her feet when Spencer arrives seeking help with his horse, and something more from Lucy. As quickly as Lucy falls, she wonders if all is not as it seems. Max can prove it, but that means he will have to express his true feelings for Lucy.

Relationships are strained as secrets unravel, and Lucy needs to solve the riddle of words to best describe how she feels… For her best friend.

Together, they must overcome what’s keeping them apart before it’s too late, if they are going to realise that the word is love.

My review

Lucy Greenfield’s first priority has been and always will be horses. Together with her best friend Max she runs the successful carriage business.
But that same business is also the reason that Lucy is unlucky in love. Because nobody likes it to come next to horses.
That is, until Spencer arrives needing help with his horse. Lucy is swept off her feet as Spencer seems to be the perfect man for her. But quickly Lucy feels that something is off, despite her mother’s insistence to just go for it as she wants to see Lucy get married as soon as possible.
Lucy starts to wonder if Spencer truly is who he claims to be, while Max has always has his doubts, and can prove it too. but that means he has to come clean about his feelings, and reveal a few of his own secrets… While Lucy starts to realize that her feelings for Max go deeper… but how t put that into words? 

I always enjoy reading a story about friends who realize that there feelings run deeper. So from the very start I was Team Max. Even if he knows his feelings, he does not push Lucy, he is just being the best possible friend for her, even if that means keeping big secrets for her. 

What I liked about Lucy, was that she is passionate about being the owner of the carriage business. She does not see it purely as a business, but she truly loves her horses and they are her absolute priority. Even if that means less money, she won’t do anything to hurt or overburden the horses. It’s clear that she has a kind heart, yet that makes her also a little bit gullible in my opinion. 

First of all, her mother is truly annoying, even with the best interest at heart, as she keeps pushing Lucy in doing things she doesn’t want to do, and even push her to find someone to marry.
Lucy is so kind – hearted that she does what her mother requests, even if she really really doesn’t want to. 

Then when Spencer arrives, it frustrated me a bit seeing how Lucy is blinded by his looks and his apparent wealth. Of course, when a good-looking man passes, I also am a bit lovestruck, but I would never do the things Lucy does without even thinking twice about it.
But that is also the process of maturing that Lucy will do while progressing in the book. Because she slowly starts to see the world how it really is, with the best people in the world, but also people who are out there to gain as much as possible for their own benefit. 

Reading how Lucy realizes this, and becomes wary of Spencer and even starts to grow a backbone towards her mother, made me forget about my previous frustrations.
And add how Lucy starts to see what she had all the time and now is risking to lose the bets thing, was great to read.
I found it also very realistic to see how Lucy is struggling to understand her own feelings. Because how do you know that your feelings have become more than before?  

There are several secrets and thus revelations in this book. Many of them were rather predictable for the readers, but that didn’t diminish the fun of seeing how Lucy would react!  Some were more surprising, leaving even me a bit flabbergasted. 

This was a lovely story to read, to see how love is something we all dream of finding. But love goes deeper than good looks and money, it is about friendship, doing whatever we can for that person, even things they don’t know about, and being there even if mistakes are being made. Because love is all that matters…

The clash of cooking titans!

Synopsis

It’s the festive showdown to end all festive showdowns …
“Queen of Chocolate” Beatrice Wodehouse, known for her decadent desserts, is ready to go head to head with her social media nemesis, clean lean baking machine Charlie Simmonds, in the Great Christmas Cook Off TV show.
Beatrice is fed up of Charlie’s sanctimonious attitude and is ready to show him that food is there to be enjoyed. Surely she’ll blow his keto, low sugar, low-carb mince pies out of the water with her chocolatey creations?
Except filming for the Cook Off turns out to be anything but sugar, spice and all things nice when the contestants realise there’s a festive saboteur in their midst – leading to melted ice cream, trifle mishaps and private stories leaked to the press.
As the countdown to the final commences, suspicions run high and sparks are bound to fly – and not just from the flaming Christmas puddings!
Part of the Spotlight series but it can be read as a standalone story.

My review

Beatrice Wodehouse has been named the Queen of Chocolate as she is known for her decadent desserts. Now she is ready to participate in The Great Christmas Cook Off TV – show, where several bakers are trying to win the title.
Too bad that one of the contestants is Charlie Simmonds, her nemesis. They both adapt different attitudes, as where Beatrice believes that chocolate can bring heaven on earth (in moderation though!) and Charlie hangs on to his keto, low sugar and low carbs recipes.
But their own personal battle is nothing compared when there appears to be a saboteur in their midst, as the episodes are filled with melted ice – cream, salted dough and also very personal stories leaked to the press, causing the tender friendship built between the two enemies to break before it had the chance to grow into something even more? 

Ooooh how much I enjoy reading Helen Buckley’s books! Each story is amazing and then she writes a book filled with chocolate to be even more amazing! 

I completely understood Bea and how she feels that chocolate can truly bring you in a state of bliss. Whenever she was cooking/ baking in the book, I somehow was able to smell those delicious, decadent scents, making my mouth watering. 

But this story goes way further than just two rivals in a shows, adapting different credos…  

Beatrice has her reasons of why she finds comfort in the sweeter the better. And slowly seeing those reasons made me even like her even more than before. Because despite the family she grew up in, she find her own tribe, friends that are there for her no matter what, that understand her in ways her own parents never did. 

But even if it doesn’t show, Charlie has his own demons to fight. And him using low carbs, no sugar etc come from a deep grief that he is still carrying around. And okay, I am still not a converted person, as I need my daily shot of chocolate, I could understand what Charlie’s purpose was. 

I have to admit, I as very curious and even a bit evil to discover which dish would end up in disaster and how. Of course I felt sad for the contestant, yet it was a tiny bit funny too. And the saboteur didn’t come as a real surprise for me. 

It was lovely to see how despite their initial dislike for each other Bea and Charlie start to spend more time together and start to realize that they aren’t the enemies they thought they were. It warmed my heart to see how they were able to reveal their secrets to each other. But it also broke my heart to see how those secrets are spilled to the press, only causing a breach of that tender bond which I was very eager to develop even further.  

I felt that this story also managed to address serious topics but without a level of becoming too ‘teachy’. The characters are not only facing during the show some kind of bullying, but even during their childhood. But the author makes it also possible for the readers to understand the importance of growing up in a loving family (or the results of when you don’t). And with Charlie’s backstory it made me think about the consequences of overindulgence.
But also in this book we see that having a different belief, doesn’t mean that the counterparty is wrong. And that we all have to try to understand and accept the their different opinion. 

And all this you can get, with an amazing slow burning romance (the only thing that slowly burns in this book!) in one marvellous story, that will make you drool for all the deliciousness and heating your heart for the growing bond between the two main characters.
This author delivered again a perfect story about yes celebrities, but also so recognizable and likeable and real.

No matter what happens, a sisters’ bond is unbreakable

Synopsis

Sisters Laura and Penny were once close, bonded together after the early death of their mother. Laura always had her younger sister’s back until one day everything changed and Penny disappeared.

Twenty years later Laura finds herself alone and at a crossroad in her life; questioning her marriage and her future.

Meanwhile Penny has spent her whole life running away from her problems until one day she is forced to stop and face the shocking truth.

When Penny turns up on Laura’s doorstep late one stormy night, holding the hand of a shivering little girl, Laura is immediately suspicious of her sister’s motives. Just what does Penny want and who is this little girl?

Penny carries a devastating secret that will test their bond as sisters and is forced to make an impossible choice.

Can the sisters find it within their hearts to forgive and unite before it’s too late?

My review

Laura’s life is at a crossroad. She always took care of her children, but as they have left the house now for their studies, she is questioning her future. And her marriage is also at risk after discovering the unfaithfulness of her husband.
But the greatest shock is when one night she finds standing at her door her sister Penny, with a little girl.
When growing up, Laura and Penny were thick as thieves, Laura always had Penny’s back especially after losing their mother at a young age. But one day things went so wrong and Penny just disappeared for twenty years.
So obviously Laura is wary of Penny’s sudden return, but she didn’t expect the bombshell behind Penny’s return. And Penny, more than ever needs the support and help of her sister, but was their once strong but now broken bond mendable?  

I was kind of reluctant to read another book of this author. Not because she is a terrible writer, but because I just know beforehand that my heart will get broken and I will need plenty of tissues while reading.
But my desire to read was bigger than my reluctance, so I started to read but was fully prepared! 

This story broke my heart on so many different levels, as Laura and her family for sure aren’t facing an easy period.
I felt sorry for Laura from the start, as she clearly felt the empty – nest – syndrome and is wondering what to do with her life now that her children don’t need her anymore.
Being a daughter of a mother with that same syndrome, I could understand Laura’s anxiety, but I could also understand how suffocating it felt for especially her own daughter. 

To make things even worse, her own husband did the unthinkable and I totally agreed with her decision to kick him out! But it only added more sadness as now she was truly on her own… 

When Penny appears on her doorstep, as a reader we already know the reason of Penny’s sudden return home. And while we know why Penny is there, I could also understand why Laura isn’t really welcoming her and the little girl with open arms in her home.
And knowing both sisters and their stories, but me as a reader in a kind of difficult position too… Because I WANTED Laura to be welcoming Penny and Willow like nothing happened, but it also made perfect sense why Laura just didn’t. I think if I were in Laura’s same position, I would act and think the same thing. 

The focus in this book is on clearly on Laura and Penny and their relationship. But while they are having their own struggles, we also see how they are trying to protect their loved ones. Penny is protecting Willow as she is still too young to understand everything, and Laura is having a greater shock with revelation of her own daughter. 

But I found it sweet to read how all the side characters became also important pillars of this story, on their own unique way. Because of what is happening to Laura and Penny, everyone realizes that some things are just too important in life. And it was wonderful to see how this broken family stuck together when it matters. 

This story hit home on some levels, and that made me reach for tissues as it all seemed too familiar from my personal experience (different yet the same…).
But beside this major subject, I was also on a continuous emotional rollercoaster, as things wouldn’t just stop coming for Laura, Penny and their loved ones.  

And while it would easily crush people, it also shows how resilient and strong people can be. Because no matter what is happening, after an initial setback, strength to keep fighting can be found.
Even with the most hopeless situations, heart – breaking moments, the fact that the members of a broken family find each other again and can rely on each other, mended my broken heart. 

With each book I read from this author, I am crying all over the place, as the subjects are so heart – breaking and terrible for someone to endure. Yet the strength, hope and love that is written all over the pages, made me feel not only sad after finishing the last chapter, but also hopeful.
Because no matter what happened in the past, in the moments that matter the most, we can always find comfort and solace in the arms of a long lost sister, an estranged partner, our children, our parents, our whole family. 

This was a heart – breaking, crying – all – over – the – place, feeling – a – complete – sense – of – injustice story, yet a wonderful, heart – warming, courageous, hopeful, injecting – strength story that will touch your heart and it made me think how lucky I can count myself having all my loved ones around me… Something we sometimes need to be reminded of…

This wonderful author has a new book and I am here to do a little cover reveal!

Synopsis

Dating her brother’s best friend is against the rules. 

But some rules are meant to be broken…

After discovering her cheating ex’s plans to move into her building, accountant Lily jets off on a sabbatical to Marbella. 

When she unexpectedly bumps into her brother’s best friend, hot Spanish DJ Carlos—the guy she’s had a crush on since forever—sparks fly. 

But Carlos promised Lily’s brother he’d never mess with his little sister. Breaking the bro code would end their friendship. 

Lily knows that Casanova Carlos doesn’t do relationships, so all he could offer is a steamy holiday fling. And after wanting him for so long, if they spent the night together, Lily’s heart and body might never recover.

She tries to suppress her feelings, but when Carlos takes Lily to his favourite places in Spain, the attraction becomes harder to resist. With her brother hundreds of miles away, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt, right?

Should Lily throw caution to the wind and risk heartbreak by enjoying a sizzling Spanish romance? And if she does, will it lead to long-term love? 

Order this fun, steamy, brother’s-best-friend, forbidden love romcom now and join Lily in Spain to find out!

Read as a standalone novel or as part of the My Ten-Year Crush series.  

Pre-order Links

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3OmXHUB

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3zIFw6O

Publication Date: 19th January 2023

About the author

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel When’s The Wedding?

My Ten-Year Crush, Olivia’s seventh novel, marked the start of a new series in 2021. My Lucky Night and My Paris Romance followed soon afterwards and book four, My Spanish Romance will be published in January 2023.

When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

The cover!

Sunshine Island, where just anything is possible…

Synopsis

Welcome to the sunshine island – where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle is perfect and anything is possible.

Popstar Matteo Stanford is eager to escape to the sunshine island to catch up with his old friend Alex and secretly film his latest music video. But within moments of landing, the location for the shoot is leaked to the press, and his island escape and video might be over before they start.

Not to be defeated, Alex’s girlfriend Piper recruits her two best friends Casey and Tara, who run the Smoke and Mirrors stall at the The Cabbage Patch market. It doesn’t take Casey more than a moment to realise the perfect setting for Matteo’s video is Gorey castle, but securing the venue means Casey is soon planning a secret wedding, finding an actress and becoming a set designer!

It’s chaos and crazed fans, peppered with the sweetest moments she’s ever experienced. But could a popstar really fall for island girl Casey Norman?

My review

Popstar Matteo Stanford has found the perfect place to film his latest music video. Because is there a better place than Sunshine Island? Especially as it’s the perfect opportunity for Matteo to catch up with his friend Alex Cooper.
But no matter how much Matteo wishes for things to remain secret, not only his but also the filming location is leaked. And his plans seem to fall apart.
That is, until Alex’ girlfriend Piper recruits her two best friends Casey and Tara to help out. And Casey appears to be invaluable… Because not only does she find the perfect new location, she also finds the perfect actress for Matteo’s music video and she can plan a secret wedding.
Between all the chaos, Casey and Matteo feel an attraction too hard to ignore. But do a popstar and an island girl have a chance at love? 

This is the second book of the series, but it can be perfectly read as a standalone. Yet I can for suer recommend it, not only because you already know the side characters, but just because it’s a lovely story too!
So the author had the task to fulfil my high expectations. And how did she fulfil them! 

I immediately liked Casey as she is quickly showing her great and kind heart. She doesn’t hesitate after contacted by Piper to help out Matteo.
But not only is she wonderful in helping, she just also has the perfect solution for every new issue that arises. 

Together with her cousin Tara, Casey manages to do the impossible, even if it stresses her out. But her not wanting to disappoint anyone, and her wish to give her friends what they deserve, truly graces her.
And her not being starstruck by Matteo, only makes her more likeable than she already was! 

Matteo.. he may be a star, yet I liked him for being Matteo the person, not Matteo the popstar. Yes, being famous opens door that would remain closed for others, but he also uses this ‘power’ to help out. Just how readily he is to step in with the wedding, which he has no business with, so to speak, shows his real character. 

Matteo needs Casey in so many different situations, and I could perfectly understand why he is in awe of her. And the attraction is so palpable from the pages, it nearly made me envious!
Of course, the life of a popstar isn’t an easy one, and I could comprehend the doubts Casey had, but I could also see how perfect these wonderful characters would be for each other. 

Returning to Sunshine Island was a wonderful return, I could feel the warmth from each character (except one, but that was no big surprise as I knew from book one to be aware of that return on the scene…) .
This place shows that when you are part of a close community, anything is possible, even organising a secret wedding in just three days.
But also that in a wonderful place like this one, it’s the perfect setting for falling in love and dare to take a chance on love.

I loved reading this next storyline, and I hope this author will amaze us further with other wonderful love stories in this marvellous place that stole a piece of my heart!

Will Clara get all what she wishes for?

Synopsis

With her new-found happiness unexpectedly crushed, Clara is struggling to move forward. It’s hard – especially with step-sister Lois bouncing around the place with joy and making all sorts of plans for the future. And when the household is shocked by a mysterious break-in and a neighbour makes a shocking accusation, Clara finds herself in an impossible position. It’s a situation that threatens to destroy her blossoming romance almost before it’s begun . . .

My review

Clara is trying to forget her feelings for Rory, as he is still dating her stepsister Lois. But seeing Lois making future plans with Rory isn’t the only issue Clara is facing… Clara is worried about the operation her Gran has to go through, and when a break – in at her home is linked with her stepmother, it seems like Pandora’s Box has been opened. And what about her relationship Shaun, will it bloom to something further? 

You know what I really dislike about reding a book that is part of a series? I have to show patience that I just don’t have…
With this second part, I was hoping that things would start to go better for Clara. And while after Book 1 I was sad that she didn’t get her man in the end, I was at least hoping that her new relationship with Shaun would proof her that there are plenty of great men around. 

However, Rosie Green did an amazing job in disappointing me… Now Rosie, don’t panic, take a deep breath…
My heart was set on a story filled with happiness, love, and new chances. And what did I get? Even more drama, more secrets, more heartbreak.
It’s obvious that a lot has to happen, otherwise we wouldn’t need a third book. But can’t Clara have a break? 

It saddened me to see how Clara felt around Lois and Rory, especially when it’s crystal-clear that these two people just don’t fit together.
And reading how Rory just goes along with everything, and how far Lois would go to get things her way, really angered me… 

And then there is Irene’s behaviour, where things just seem to go a lot worse… 

Despite every setback, we see how Clara is reaching her boiling point. Yes she is a kind character and doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but enough is enough. And she takes matter in own hands for the sake of her little brother.
And that is something that I admired in her, because it’s not easy to stand against your own family. 

With that determination, there are several shocking revelations made. And while they were heart – breaking, it also made it possible for the characters who I didn’t like for the full 100%, to redeem themselves. These revelations showed me that their actions were a reaction to past events.
And even the characters that seemed selfish, oblivious and uncaring, showed another side as they also were maturing along with and thanks to Clara. 

I loved seeing how Clara grew more and more, stood up for herself, but never losing herself. She kept on being that lovely character we met in Book 1, but also matured into a person who knows that Life can throw you several curveballs. 

And can I say that I just keep crossing for my fingers that in the end, even in the love – section she will get she always dreamed about? 

It may seem that I didn’t enjoy reading this book, but I absolutely did! My ‘anger’ of how things went, only shows how invested I was with Clara and her story. It is no lie when I say that I devoured this book and I am waiting patiently (or not so patiently…) for the last part of this series which I absolutely adore!

A ghostly return, but not from who you wanted…

Synopsis

When Beatrice Beaumont loses her husband, George, she finds herself raising their young daughter alone in the ancestral home, Ketton Hall, deep in the Suffolk countryside. With Christmas approaching and marking the first anniversary of George’s death, there’s nothing Bea wants more than to have him back again.

One night, she makes a wish for him to return and gets the shock of her life when a ghost appears. But it isn’t her George…

The Wrong Ghost is a delightful Christmas tale, full of warmth and charm, perfect for a dark winter’s night in a cosy, candle-lit room.

My review

Beatrice Beaumont lives with her young daughter alone in the ancestral home of Ketton Hall. She is still deeply grieving the loss of her husband George. Not only is Christmas approaching, but also the first anniversary of George’s death, making this period an extra difficult one…
When one night she wishes George to return, she never expected to have her wish granted… just not in the way she expected. Because a ghost named George truly appear, but it’s not her George…

I found this a delightful, heart – warming, hopeful novella to read. It seems so easy for this author to write compelling stories that makes your heart ache but at the same time make your heart melt.

The pain and grief Bea is feeling through the whole story is so palpable, especially as she lost her beloved George in such a terrible way…
I could only try to understand how difficult it was for her to move on, yet it’s clear she would move heaven and earth for her little girl, fighting her demons, those in her mind and real demons like George’s cousin.

I don’t live in a great, ancestral house myself, but if I were, I would feel intimated too, especially if just like Bea, it’s the home of the man you loved.
And her tale reminded me that in such grand houses the weirdest things can happen, even summoning ghosts!

Believing in ghosts is not something that I can say I do, but if ghosts truly exist, I hope they would all be like George!
Bea doesn’t know how she did it, but she summoned George from *somewhere*. And while it’s obvious she is frustrated it isn’t her own George, but one of his ancestors, maybe this other George is exactly what Bea needs…

It’s not that George is doing great, amazing things, but his presence and their talks, allow Bea to take baby steps allowing her to move on.
He is helpful in so many obvious and subtle ways. He helps her not only with the resolving the mystery of some old and precious jewellery, but having his shoulder to cry on, Bea is able to feel lighter.

Do you know when you truly enjoyed a novella? The moment you reach the end and you feel unsatisfied! This was such an amazing story, even if the end was bittersweet, and it was way too short! I fell in love with this tale, even starting to like to have ghosts in it, while often I find this a nogoer for me. The author shows us that no matter how broken, crushed our heart is, bit by bit it is possible to see silver linings again. And even me feeling unsatisfied after the end, I can see so much potential for a sequel, and even more?

Always trust your dog!

Synopsis

Elise Butler is a wildlife biologist who enjoys her stable (if somewhat predictable) job in finance at the World Wildlife Trust. However, when the veterinarian at Riverbend Animal Conservation Center goes missing, Elise offers to help the unlucky wildlife Conservation Center get back on its feet. Not only will the job in Riverbend, Indiana let her get back to her roots of working with animals, but it’s also a short drive from her sister’s workplace at Riverbend K-9 Academy, a training center for some of the FBI’s best explosive detection dogs.

FBI Special Agent Finn Cooper and his canine partner, Sedona, are chasing a well-funded animal trafficking ring. After an injury sidelines Finn from official FBI undercover work, he goes to work at Riverbend K-9 Academy to stay busy while he recovers…and to investigate his only remaining lead in the animal trafficking case.

Just as Elise begins to settle into life in Riverbend, her sister asks her to help the K-9 Academy by fostering one of their puppies. Finn is eager to keep Elise focused on training Zeke, the enthusiastic German shepherd puppy earmarked to become Riverbend’s first wildlife detection K-9, and keep her well away from his quiet animal trafficking investigation. Zeke quickly proves himself an expert both at chewing shoes and sniffing out clouded leopards. When Zeke starts finding scents where they don’t belong, Elise and Finn begin to realize that the Conservation Center may be more criminal than unlucky. And if Elise doesn’t keep her nose out of it, she might be the next target.

An Ear for Trouble is Book 2 in the Riverbend K-9 Series. All books in the Riverbend K-9 Series may be enjoyed as standalone novels or as a series.

My review

Elise Butler enjoys her job in finance at the World Wildlife Trust. But not only is she good with numbers, she also has a big heart for any kind of animal. So when her help is needed at Riverbend Animal Conservation Center, as the veterinarian has gone missing, she is happy to help the Center to get back on its feet, especially as now she can work more with the animals.
And this is also the perfect opportunity to see more of her sister Zoey, who works at Riverbend K-9 Academy.
Her sister, that asks her to foster one of the puppies, Zeke, where Elise does not hesitate one minute, especially when her new neighbour Finn Cooper is happy help training Zeke. Finn is a FBI Special Agent with canine partner Sedona, injured after chasing an animal trafficking ring, and now spending his recovery time at the K – 9 Academy.
But when a cub clouded leopard dies unexpectedly, both Elise and Finn start to realize that both their investigations are linked somehow…

While I have no pets myself, I consider myself an animal lover (and being on my own I don’t think it’s right to leave a pet all day alone in a small apartment – this just FYI…).
So having a second part of a series where dogs truly steals the show, how could I resist?

It’s also very obvious that Elise has an even bigger heart for animals. Even if she is working on the financial parts of Animal Centrums, she doesn’t hesitate to get her hands dirty (even literally speaking). And she doesn’t waste a breath for taking Zeke in…
Elise is a character so easy to like and relate to. She is just a young woman trying to find her place in the world, even had her own share of bad luck that at some moments still haunt her. And the fact that she at moments still feels anxious after having a burglar at her home, made me relate with her even more, as I had the some ‘lucky event’ a year ago.
Her gentle heart is also obvious, seeing her reaction when one of the cubs has passed away. her hurt is so obvious from just reading it…

Then there is her stubbornness.. that for sure made me laugh! Her stubbornness is something she shares with her sister, so when we have two characters not giving in… well, I for sure was curious to see who would win!
And that same stubbornness shows clearly with the interactions with Finn! But it was also sweet to see how at ease she feels with Finn and how alert she is whenever Finn thinks he is being subtle.

Obviously this is Elise’s love interest. And while it was great to see their bond grow, that was not the focus of this story.
The focus was on the animals, dogs and cubs clouded leopards. I already had a feeling that there would be so much more than the author shows us. And even if my suspicion were confirmed in every way, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth… Not because the story isn’t any good, but because unfortunately the fiction written here is also reality…
How people try to gain an own profit on the back of animals that cannot defend themselves…

Luckily for the animals in this story and for us readers, we have Zeke! Reading his fascination with shoes was hilarious, but I also felt proud of his own set of skills. Not only does he show how good animals are at sensing the emotions of their owners, but also how when trained well, they show how invaluable they are, as they ‘see’ what we ‘mere’ humans cannot see.

The author has clearly done her research, it shows how she describes the works of both Elise and Finn. The mystery (while not so very mysterious to me) still was an intriguing one, as I was eager to read how deep things were entwined.
And while Elise and Finn are the obvious main characters, determined to find out the truth themselves, the true hero in this book was Zeke, with his young eagerness and his expertise.  Obvious proof that a dog’s instinct are always right!

This was a great second book in a series, which can be read as a standalone. But having read the first book myself, I found it awesome to see how the previous main characters were doing and how they still had an important spot in this new story, without taking the spotlight away from Elise and Finn.
A spotlight that was truly well – deserved as I was rooting for them, not only for solving the mystery but also for getting closer to each other!