How long does it take to turn dreams into reality?

Synopsis

Lorna is following her dreams. But can she follow her heart?

Lorna Ferguson has dreamt of opening her own bed and breakfast in the village of Glendale for as long as she’d pictured falling in love. While her love life remains frankly hopeless, Lorna is determined to secure Dove House – the home she imagined living in as a child – to start this new venture with her family.

Along with brother Adam, Lorna starts restoring the house to its Art Deco glory, but faced with a whole host of renovation problems and their money fast running out, they worry that Dove House will never be ready to open in the New Year.

When a mystery man turns up, needing to fulfil a promise he made to his dying father and find the object he left at Dove House many years ago, Lorna’s heart goes out to him. But what they find there is going to change both of their lives forever.

Facing problems at every turn, and distracted by her heart, Lorna is going to need all the magic that her beloved Glendale can supply to make all her dreams come true…

My review

Ever since her mother showed her and her brother Adam Dove House, Lorna Ferguson has dreamt of living there.
As a child, she saw it as a fairy-tale castle, and now it’s the perfect place to open her bed & breakfast together with Adam.
When the house is back on the market, they both see it as a sign that now their time has come. But restoring Dove House in its original Art Deco glory isn’t as easy as thought as renovations problems keeps coming around the corner and money starts to run out.
Add the mystery of Finlay, who is fulfilling a promise to his father, and wants to search the object left behind at Dove House many years ago.
Will Lorna manage to get her wish granted? Or will her dream get crushed? And what will Finlay find in the house and how will it affect their lives? 

Oooh it’s always a joy to return to Glendale Hall and see my good friends again! And I am always eager to expand my circle of friends whenever I return! 

I immediately liked Lorna, and I admired her dream of opening her own B&B. and I could for sure comprehend her ‘obsession’ for Dove House. The way she sees the place, it’s difficult not to fall in love with the place myself.
Lorna’s story isn’t one filled with heart-breaking moments, as she had a normal childhood with loving parents and siblings.
She loves her family deeply, even if things aren’t always going great with her sister. But isn’t that typical of siblings? You love them dearly, but sometimes you just want to strangle them too. 

What warmed me the most was how Lorna and Adam decide to live their dram together. It was just sweet to see how brother and sister chase their dreams together. It is not a sinecure to live together with your sibling as an adult, but I liked how they made it all work.
And it was lovely yet also recognizable how they balanced each other out. While Adam was a marvel at keeping the numbers straight and organize all the work, Lorna was the one with the vision of how the place should look like. 

When I started to read this book, I knew that things would start quickly to go wrong for Lorna. An old house need renovation. And I have to admit I had a few (evil) laughs when Murphy and that famous law started to appear all the time.
However, I also admired the positivism Lorna kept having. If I were in her shoes, after the first disaster, I would have given up.
But no, she just keep going, and together with Adam she tries to find a way to make things work.
And when things seem to have reached the impossible, it warmed my heart to see how not only Lorna’s family, from an unexpected corner also, but also how the close friends stand by her side and help out anyway that they can. 

And then the elephant in the room… the presence of Finlay…
It’s obvious that he is Lorna’s love interest. And the reasons why he wants to search the loft and dig into the boxes laid there for years, made me also a bit wary. But it’s quickly obvious that he is a genuine character with good intentions.
It was lovely to see how Lorna and Finlay grew closer together on his quest, even when neither of them knew what to look for.
And when they found it, it was bittersweet to read how it was linked with Lorna and her family… 

I found this a marvellous book to read, about keep believing in a dream and try to change that dream into reality with a passion. But it’s also about family and its dynamics, friendships that truly matters, and compassion and sympathy for new arrivals at Glendale Hall. In short, it’s about love in all its aspects.  

I thought I couldn’t fall deeper in love with Glendale Hall and its amazing inhabitants, but the author shows me wrong again!
And while it can be perfectly be read on its own, why would you want to stop at one book when there is so much more to discover and love???

A woman can never be underestimated…

Synopsis

Tempted by the Warrior

But she’ll never wed

Brynhild had once been close to Erik – until he’d betrayed her, and she’d hoped never to see him again. Now the fiercely independent shieldmaiden needs Erik’s skills to rescue her sister. Striking a truce with the tough, isolated loner they reach a mutually beneficial deal: in return, she’ll help him in his quest to find a wife – by teaching him how to please a woman in bed…!

My review

Once, when they were younger, Brynhild and Erik had been close, even friends. That was until Erik betrayed her…
Now Brynhild is a fierce, independent shieldmaiden, adamant she will never marry. And if she never had to put eyes on Erik again, it would be the best.
However, not only are they now bonded by the wedding of their siblings, but when Brynhild’s youngest sister has been abducted, Erik offers his help.
With their temporarily truce, they are on a mission to rescue Helga. But with spending so much time together and on their own, they realize that feelings of dislike can turn into something total different… But with each having their own goals in mind, can a common ground be found? Or will their paths never cross again? 

Reading a book from this author always makes me happy. Yes, there are plenty written stories that are alike, and the finale isn’t one of the biggest surprises. But why cannot we just enjoy these books without feeling guilty about admitting how much we like them? 

Brynhild is a woman who intrigued me. We know from the first part in this series what a shieldmaiden is, and how strong they are.
And Brynhild, as being the oldest sibling, has always put her family first, and even put her own wishes and desires aside to provide the best for her family. 

She is strong, independent and fierce, but no matter how hard she tries, we see her vulnerability. I liked her for not wanting to do what everyone else is doing. She doesn’t want to get married like everyone else and she even doesn’t know if she wants t have children. So why should she have to change herself for a man?
I liked her fierce spirit, even her stubbornness in doing what she wants to do. But I also liked her for her love for her family.
Her family isn’t the ‘standard’ family unit, but she loves them all dearly. And even if she doesn’t share their views, she sees and understands that each woman has her own path to follow.
She would go to the end of the world for her sisters, and she Is actually nearly doing that for her youngest sister Helga. 

We know that Brynhild and Erik have known each other a long time, but we don’t know what happened between them. And reading how she felt that Erik betrayed her, saddened me. But I also understood why Erik did what he did back then. Even if Brynhild got hurt by the only person beside her family she truly cared about.
But let’s be honest, Erik hasn’t had the easiest life either…
And my heart went out to him for everything he had to endure in the past. But it also warmed my heart to see how things are starting to get better for him. 

Both Brynhild and Erik stand their grounds, even in fights. They have a strength that can be seen miles ahead. They aren’t the kind of people I want to have against me. I prefer them having on my side in a fight!  

I have to say, I found it a little bit funny how in this book, the woman is the experienced one in *that* aspect and the man the inexperienced one. It shows us that not all women are ladies in distress!
I found it also sweet how Brynhild is teaching Erik how to please a woman. Sweet in the sense that I had a feeling of ‘aaaaw’ reading how Erik does his best but also finds himself at loss during those lessons. 

I enjoyed reading how these two characters evolved from enemies to more. But also their actual character made an evolution. Initially they were so bound to the vision of how their lives should look like, but slowly they started to see that not everything is just black or white.
It was great to see how both Brynhild and Erik realize that falling in love with someone doesn’t mean to give up your own persona, but to accept each other just the way you are.  

And on a last note, the ending of this story, somehow a tiny cliff-hanger in my opinion, left me wishing the third book was already out there!

When things get tough for the toughest family…

Synopsis

It takes a thief to catch a thief…

Charley Glass arrived in her family’s lives like the hurricane she’d escaped. But she hadn’t run far enough: the ruthless Giordano family are on her tail and want two things – her life, and the return of the property she stole from them. No matter how many bodies stack up.

After years of longing, Charley finally has the family she’s always wanted, but now she’s going to have to tell them the real reason she came looking them. There is only one way she’s going to stay alive, and that is to employ the muscle of the notorious Glass Family.

The head of the family, Luke, has become embroiled in a dangerous political plot and isn’t sure they’re strong enough to take on one of New Orleans’ biggest crime gangs. But he’d put his life on the line to protect the empire they’ve built – even if they’ll have to take on an enemy hurting enough to cross an ocean for revenge.

Page-turning, gritty, and utterly compelling, Thief is Owen Mullen’s best book yet. Perfect for fans of Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers and Mandasue Heller.

My review

Charley hasn’t always been part of the Glass family, but now she has proofed her value in building a real empire with her just found brother Luke and sister Nina.
Things don’t always go easy, but Charley stands her ground and knows that nobody can just mess with the Glass family.
But there is a reason why Charley came looking for her family, and that reason is the same one she ran away from New Orleans. Now biggest crime gang from New Orleans, the Giordano family, is in London to reclaim what Charley took from them.
No thief can just walk away unharmed… But Luke won’t allow any enemy to hurt his family… Because there is one golden rule to behold… Family First, Family Last, Glass Family Always… 

I am not a fan of criminal families… And I always hope that these people will pay for whatever crime they committed.
But I think that the Glass family is the exception that proves the rule.
We know that all the members of the family are not on the good side of the law and playing nice. Yet despite that knowledge, I have sympathy for them.
To tell them I like or love them, would be an exaggeration, as I still have my moral grounds. But knowing where they came from, what they have endured and how they manage to show their power, well, you have to admire that somehow… 

In the previous parts we got to know Luke and Nina much better, but the new arrival Charley still remained an enigma.
Previously she appeared out of the blue, managed to proof her worth and is now truly a member of the Glass family.
So I was happy to get to know her and her past better in this book. 

However, it is not a happy past, as we slowly get to learn. I understand the choices that she made in New Orleans, and I admired how she managed to escape the Giordano family. And I was glad that she has found her place and her family.
But I also realized it would only be matter of time before her past would catch up. 

While Charley keeps to appears as a strong woman, we see so much vulnerability in this book. I liked how she wanted to protect her family, even wanting to sacrifice herself as long as that meant that her siblings would be alive.

From the beginning I absolutely despised the Giordano family. And not only because they are after Charley, but mainly because they lacked a moral compass (even criminals have a tiny compass) and also lacked any kind of humanity. While the Glass family rule with iron fist, they are also righteous, while the Giordano don’t see a problem with just hurting and killing people for fun… 

I feared that these clashing families would end terribly, but I also felt some pride to see how Luke was adamant to protect his family. Nobody messes with the Glass family! But we also see the struggles he is facing with him trying to keep being ahead of everything. Not only is he protecting Charley, he himself too is facing some issues, with political involvement. And then there is Nina… 

Nina is the character that I felt the most sorry for. What happened in the previous book, truly broke her and while I don’t agree what she is doing, I understand where she is coming from.
It was so sad to see her getting into a downward spiral. But there were also silver linings as she found people who were there in her darkest moments, with good intentions and desire to help her out. 

This book is best read in its whole series, to understand better each development and each character. It’s not easy to like the criminal Glass family, but seeing them united and by each other’s side is what family is about, whether you’re part of a criminal one or not.

In this chapter of the series you feel that the coin can fall on either side. It’s a gripping thriller, with twists, betrayal all around the place, but also loyalty and sense of protectiveness.
Things aren’t beautiful in this book, yet I kept turning page after page, wanting to know more and hoping that the right family would end victorious with as less casualties as possible…

The things we do to escape our family on Christmas…

Synopsis

Billie is looking forward to a quiet, man-free Christmas. It’s just a shame her family doesn’t feel the same way…

With a house full of unexpected (and unwanted) guests, Billie needs to find the perfect escape to get away from the chaos.

So when her dating app recommends a week of singles nights in her area, Billie decides that braving these events has to be better than making conversation with her dad’s new wife, dealing with her mum’s mid-life crisis or witnessing her sister flirting with her insufferably arrogant next-door neighbour.

While this is definitely not the festive season she had planned, between disco bowling and boozy bingo, little does Billie know that she may find love this year after all – she’ll just have to date and see…

Fall in love with the perfect laugh-out-loud festive read from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh.

My review

Billie is looking forward to spend the Christmas period on her own terms. That means a quiet, man – free and mentioning her ex – ban time.
But suddenly Billie’s house is filled with family, some members truly welcome and some other truly not.
To escape everything and everyone, from a mother with a midlife crisis, a  father who suddenly wants to be part of the family again together with his second wife and a sister who is flirting with Billie’s arrogant neighbour, Billie decides to accept the challenge of her dating app. So now Billie’s agenda is filled with a week of singles nights with a activities like boozy bingo and disco bowling.
With the same people appearing on several scenes, new friends are being made and even if Billie wasn’t looking for love, perhaps one of her new friends may be just perfect for her. 

Portia MacIntosh is one of those authors that make me read her books without having read one word on the backside of the book.
No matter what she has written, I know I will laugh, swoon, even cringe a little bit, but most important, I will have a great time.
And obviously she did deliver again! 

From the start, Billie was able to let me linger on two total opposite feelings. On one side, I admired her, because she managed to create the perfect place for herself, even after her boyfriend left her. I have two left hands, even just putting a nail in the wall required me to call my dearest dad to come over!
And she is truly a loving daughter and sister. She is not 100% sure of the changes her mother made after her divorce, but Billie sees that it makes her mother a happier woman, and that is all that matters.
Even as a sister she is amazing. Jess is not the easiest sister to have around, but their bond is just wonderful to read about, and I liked it how Billie tries to protect Jess when jess starts to flirt with the neighbour. 

But on the other hand, she also frustrated me. I understand that for your family you would do anything. But I just wished that Billie at some moments would just say no… But she sees her own little peace of heaven being invaded by family members, all having their own vision and opinion about just everything, going from the Christmas tree to Billie’s love life.
And yes, to just keep the peace between everyone, Billie keeps her mouth, but why should she? It’s her place, so her rules…  

Reading how Billie wants to escape all the unfolding drama home, making her go to different dating events was something I was looking forward to because I knew there would be some disaster and hilarious bits.
Already on the first event things go wrong for Billie and had me laughing all over the place. And things don’t always improve on the next occasions! There was even one specific event in a grand mansion that would make me run away screaming! But obviously as a reader it was just marvellously hilarious! 

But I also found it sweet to read how Billie befriends some fellow daters. It shows us that even if love isn’t found on an event, true friendship can, even after some initial misunderstandings. 

Obviously Billie has a love interest in this story. And he is the kind of love interest I would like to have myself. It isn’t the lovestruck kind of romance, but more the slowly growing together kind, having a laugh together and slowly realizing that there is more than just friendly feelings…
But as expected, even here things don’t go the right way immediately! And even when things seems to go the right way, another twist brings us back to square one!

I truly enjoyed reading this new book from this amazing author. I had so many laughs, saw some disastrous moments coming from miles ahead (one event even reminded me of Mrs. Doubtfire, when Billie tries to be at two places at the same time!).
But in the end, I loved reading how Billie and her (a little bit dysfunctional) family are all together, spending Christmas together, maturing during the process, and realize that despite they all being different from each other, their love for each other is bigger than ever.

When everyone thinks it’s all in your mind…

Synopsis

Is someone dangerous out to get her? Or is it all in her mind?

Becky’s life is almost perfect. Growing up, she could never have imagined living in such a safe, beautiful home, with a boyfriend as loving and kind as Alex, and hopes for a little family of her own. But then stand-offish Max moves in next door, and things begin to fall apart.

First, someone starts trolling her social media. Then she finds her tyres slashed. By the time she discovers the dead bird, left waiting for her like a prize, she’s sure someone is after her. And having spied some strange goings-on beyond her kitchen window, she suspects that person is Max.

Frightened, Becky turns to Alex for help, but she’s surprised to find that he and Max have become firm friends—and that Alex is convinced it’s all in her mind. But when news of a missing young woman breaks, Becky knows she has to do something. She’s sure she’s seen this woman in Max’s home—hasn’t she?

With Alex concerned that she’s losing her grip on reality, does Becky dare keep digging, knowing her almost-perfect life could shatter into imperfect little pieces?

My review

After a traumatic childhood, Becky has finally the safe and beautiful home she always dreamed of. With her boyfriend Alex now the next step is having a small family of their own. Nothing could be any better.
That is, until Max moves next door…
Not only does it seem that he is constantly appearing to stare at her, now there is someone trolling her on social media, slashing her tires, and even leaves a dead bird.
Becky feels that someone is watching her, and she suspects her new neighbour. But no matter how frightened Becky feels, Alex isn’t giving her the much needed support, as he and Max have become real friends. Even worse, Alex thinks it’s all in her head.
With no actual proof, is Becky truly imaging things? Or does she sees Max for who he really is? And how far and deep is Becky prepared to dig? 

Don’t we all have had that feeling that someone is watching us, but when we turn around there is nobody to be seen?
But how would you feel when you appear to have that feeling more and more? Well, I know I would be terrified! 

It’s clear from the start in this book that Becky is a happy woman at the moment. She has a job that she likes doing, has lovely friends and she is living together with her wonderful boyfriend Alex and they are ready to start a family together.
Yet it is also obvious that Becky hasn’t been this happy all the time. Having been into foster care after a traumatic event when she was five, has made her always dream of a safe place where she would truly belong. 

Her safe place unfortunately doesn’t feel that safe anymore once she has a new neighbour. We all hope that our new neighbours are the best kind, and we hope to become all friendly. But when it’s clear that Max isn’t that kind of neighbour, I also understood why Becky didn’t want to make a big scene about it all. Because in the end, you all have to live next to each other. 

However, since Max has moved, it’s also all when it goes downwards for Becky. She finds herself in situations she has never found herself in before, even at work things aren’t going good anymore. And I felt for her, seeing how her sense of safety started to disappear. 

But it saddened me even more to see that nowhere she could find some comfort. Yes, she has her friends, but they all have a life of their own. But at work, her boss seems to even enjoy the problems Becky is facing, and it even looks like the boss is finding ways to get Becky out of the place.
And I couldn’t be more disappointed in Alex… I understand that it’s difficult to agree with Becky’s fears. But if your partner is feeling this way, wouldn’t you be a little more supportive, even if you don’t see actual proof? 

Talking about proof… yes, someone is trolling her on the internet, yes, a viewing of a house went terribly wrong, even a dead bird has been placed on her car. But nowhere, with exception of some staring contest, there is no actual proof that Max, her prime suspect, is the culprit.
And while I wanted to believe Becky, even I started to doubt her a little bit the further along I was reading this book. 

It’s a slow book, where the readers just like Becky are trying to make sense of it all. Is Becky truly losing her mind? Or is Max after her? But why should he, when they don’t know each other at all?
And while it all goes at a slow pace, suddenly it all went at highspeed. There is such a long build-up, and I feel that towards the end, it all went a little bit too fast at once.
The way the pieces of the puzzle fell together didn’t give me the 100% satisfaction I thought it would give. There were a bit too many things happening at once. 

While this book shows perfectly how tricks can be played on someone’s mind, and how your sense of safety can easily disappear, it didn’t give me goosebumps or made me look over my shoulder myself. But that doesn’t mean that now I will close my curtains even sooner in the evening! Because you will never know if someone is watching you…

Do a single mom and a playboy stand a chance?

Synopsis

After a heartbreaking betrayal, Lily ends up at a party where she drowns her sorrows in the bed of a sexy stranger.
In the light of day, Lily wants to forget her mistakes, including that sexy stranger. With nothing and no one left to keep her in Corvallis, she packs her entire life into her car and moves miles away from home.

Two years later, and now a single mother, Lily meets Jake, a handsome, confident young man to whom she is instantly attracted. If the rumors are true, Jake is a playboy with commitment issues, but his attentiveness to both Lily and her daughter suggests otherwise. Before long, they fall for one another.

It soon becomes obvious why they’re so attracted to each other, and this revelation threatens their new relationship. To make matters worse, Lily’s ex tracks her down and demands a second chance.

Will Lily’s past overshadow her future with Jake, or can their love survive the rough road ahead?

My review

Two years ago, Lily discovers that her boyfriend Tony was a married man. She went to her sister’s place, to only discover her sister was out for the night and the roommate was having a party. What better way to forget your heartbreak to get drunk? But that is not all that Lily does that night… she ends up in bed with a total yet sexy stranger.
So now Lily finds herself being a single mother, living together with her other sister and miles away from Corvallis, where she used to live.
When she meets Jake, she is immediately attracted to him, but the rumours tell her that he is a playboy with commitment issues. So with her little girl as top priority, Lily is wary of seeing and dating Jake. However, even if Jake is not at ease with a baby nearby, his kind and tender actions towards Lily and Ellie make it impossible to resist him.
Even if Lily and Jake are just starting to date each other, how is it possible that their attraction feels so familiar? And what when Tony suddenly reappears on the scene? 

I always truly enjoy reading about stories with a single mother in it. Because such stories always show us the strength of the women, as they, for one reason or another, are raising a child on their own.
So obviously I just had to read this story.  

The story immediately begins with a bang, as we are at the point where Lily discovers that her boyfriend is actually married. But Tony, the sleazebag that he is, doesn’t see it as a problem and just wants to go on as things were.
But I immediately liked how Lily, even if heartbroken, tells him to just get lost. Even if she wasn’t aware of Tony being married, she does not want to the ‘the other woman’.  

Ending up at her sister’s place with a party going on, and shares the bed with a total stranger, made me initially think that she doesn’t have any problems with just doing that. But I liked her even more when she realizes that she has done something so out of character for her.
Now, don’t understand me wrong, I am not judging people who do that, each to their own and whatever makes you happy.  

But what I liked the most about Lily is her courage and her determination. She not only decides to keep the baby after being shocked by being pregnant, but she also decides to move miles away and start all over again. Starting all over isn’t easy, and I can only imagine the more difficult is it when you’re pregnant and are having a baby to take care of.
She is also determined to make her new situation work. Ellie is her biggest and only priority, and Lily for sure doesn’t need a man in her life. 

Feeling an immediate attraction towards someone is something I find it hard to completely comprehend, maybe perhaps I haven’t experienced it myself. But I could understand why Lily and Jake are attracted to each other.
It was really nice to see how Lily and Jake are growing closer together, with Lily being initially wary but starting to realize how amazing Jake is. And also seeing how respectful Jake is towards Lily.
He may have a history of quick flings and thinking more with that male body part, but with Lily everything is different.  

It was funny yet sweet to see how Jake doesn’t know how to behave towards a little girl, but it warmed my heart to see, despite him being out of depth, how he starts to love this little girl and her mother. 

With reading the blurb, I had thought that the return of Tony would take up a bigger part in the story, so I was happy that the focus was more on Lily and Jake and their lovely romance.
Seeing how these two total different people get to know each other and beside the physical attraction, truly start to fall for each other, warmed my heart. 

What I pitied a little bit, was how the title gave away what the big twist was. I already knew what the revelation was, even if throughout the whole story there would be no other tips.

But beside that, I loved reading this story. And while it is intended for adult readers, I found the more heated moments not that overheated at all. But that shows how the author manages to keep the focus on these two lovely characters!
She shows us that sometimes one crazy night can be the best thing that could ever happen and that sometimes Fate has a strange way to make things work, but it will always manage to let people have their happy end.
I cannot wait to see what story the author has in store for the other sisters!

How one lost luggage can change several lives

Synopsis

Brand new from the bestselling author of Under One Roof.

One lost suitcase. Two strangers. And a notebook that will change lives.

For almost fifty years, sisters Dolly and Greta have lived together – getting each other through the good times and the bad.

Except this year, Greta isn’t there and Dolly is feeling lost and alone. In memory of her sister, Dolly heads to the lost luggage auction where she and Greta go each Christmas. But her bid reveals a gift she never imagined.

Amongst the clothes is the notebook of a reclusive woman who has hardly been outside for an entire year, but who isn’t ready to give up on life. The notebook’s contents resonate with Dolly. With the support of her neighbours, retired Leroy and eleven year old Flo, Dolly decides to take on the year of firsts Phoebe had planned.

But, can you have a year of firsts when you’re seventy-two? And is Dolly ready to discover the notebook’s secrets, or are some secrets better left lost at the airport?

My review

Dolly is finding it difficult to move on after losing her sister Greta. They have always lived together, and shared the good times and the bad times.
To keep Greta’s memory alive, Dolly decides to keep the tradition of going to the lost luggage auction as the two of them did at Christmas.
Her winning bid is not only a luggage filled with clothes, but also with a notebook. And while Dolly wants to respect the writer’ privacy, she learns that the writer is a reclusive, lonely woman, Phoebe, who has decided to have a whole year of ‘firsts’. Inspired by Phoebe’s determination, Dolly decides to not only follow Phoebe’s list of firsts too, hoping to also find the woman. And luckily she can count on the support of her lovely neighbours, retired and extravagant Leroy and curious eleven year old Flo. 

I started reading this book with only having read very quickly the blurb. Sometimes you just have to read an author’s name on a book and you don’t need to know more. 

While initially it wasn’t clear that Greta had passed, I liked the idea of two sisters being so close and sharing everything with each other.
And obviously, after I realized that Greta was no longer around, it broke my heart, because I could feel the pain and despair Dolly was feeling.
I could understand why Dolly was letting things slip by, only truly looking after Maurice, her fish.
People always say that time heals every wound, even the loss of a loved one gets easier after time. But I saw perfectly in Dolly’s case that there isn’t a strict timeline to follow. Grief is for everyone different. Some can start moving on after weeks, months while other may need more time. 

However, despite her sense of loss, we also see a very caring side of Dolly. I loved how she befriended Leroy, who is rather eccentric, even if he is still heartbroken. And her friendship with Flo truly melted my heart.
These three persons couldn’t be more different from each other, but even in friendships, opposites attract, and they manage to help each other to overcome their fears and thanks to having each other’s back, they all go through a growing process.

I have never heard of a lost luggage auction before, but I am surely intrigued by it. And I know for sure that I wouldn’t have the same restraint Dolly (and also Greta) had with only bidding for one suitcase. And I liked the idea of how the luggage itself would be part of Dolly’s interior. 

With the help of that luggage, and the notebook she finds, Dolly starts to kind of have a purpose back in life. And that is exactly what she needed.
It was sweet to see how that lovely girl Flo is the reason that Dolly goes on a trip of ‘firsts’ too. And causing Dolly to meet the author of the notebook, Phoebe.

Phoebe is not what I expected her to be like, so I was very surprised, just like Dolly to see her. Yet, also in Phoebe’s case, I felt her pain too and immediately. This young woman has gone through hardship and is slowly getting back on track.
Reading how Phoebe was initially wary and suspicious towards Dolly, was something I could relate to. Why would we trust an older woman showing up at the same places, and who has our lost possessions? 

But it’s obvious that Phoebe and Dolly are kindred spirits, and they quickly see that they are the support they need to step outside again. 

This story also has a few twists in it, some I saw coming, but others I didn’t see coming at all.
And while with also these twists, some heavy subjects are being addressed, the author handles them on a very respectful way. She doesn’t downsize the issues or jokes about it, disregarding the actual feelings our characters have.
The way things are explained, makes us sympathize with the characters even more.

The book has a slow start, allowing us to understand not only Dolly but also Leroy and Flo better. But quickly the pace sped up, taking us on a great adventure, showing us the painful parts of losing someone, the hurt after a break – up, the sense of not fitting in and even the seriousness of an eating disorder.
But while it may seem it’s a heavy story, there are so many light moments, bringing joy not only to the characters but also to the readers.
And it left me with a feeling of no matter how different the people are you surround yourself with, the right people will be of invaluable importance in your process of healing. But also think about how important you can be in the lives of your friends, and how your presence can be of great help to them…

Choices come at every age, no matter how young or old you are

Synopsis

Cassie Lewis, a widow for over 20 years has begun to realise there must be more to life.

In-between working at the family boatyard in picture perfect Dartmouth and raising two children, she wonders where the years have gone.

Both her children, Tom and Polly, have inherited their father’s love of sailing and currently Tom is preparing for a gruelling round the world race. When an accident forces Tom to pull out, Polly, to Cassie’s horror, insists she is capable of takinghis place.

As Polly prepares for the race, Cassie unexpectedly finds herself with two keen and eligible men vying for her love.

With her BIG 5-0 birthday approaching Cassie knows she has some big decisions to make but will the worry over Polly’s safe return, cloud her judgement?

Originally published in 2003 as Call of the Sea

My review

Cassie Lewis is has been a widow for over twenty years and has dedicated her life to her children Tom and Polly. But with Tom starting to have his own family, and Polly with equal happy prospects, Cassie starts to wonder if there is more to life.
However, as a true loving mother, she cannot stop worrying about her children, especially as they have inherited their father’s love for sailing, which terrifies Cassie. And things only gets more worrying for Cassie when Tom has an accident which causes him to pull out from his planned round the world race and Polly is determined to take his place.
And let’s not forget that suddenly Cassie finds herself two men who would want to steal her heart…

I have read several books from this author and maybe this one is my favourite one (until now).

First of all, Cassie is so likeable, not only as a mother, but also as a friend and a daughter. Yes, she has last her husband in a terrible accident, which made her wary of sailing. But seeing that same passion her husband had in her children’s eyes, she does not hold hem back. She is obviously terrified that history would repeat itself, but she also knows that both Tom and Polly have to live their lives how they want and just follow their passions. 

While Cassie is a wonderful woman, I also felt a bit sad for her. Because she has so much potential, still so much to give, but she won’t allow herself to get out there again, to start to think about herself a little bit more.
In my opinion, she is holding on to the past for too long, and even if she is reaching her fifties, it’s okay to start living again, even fall in love again. 

But I think this story is not only about Cassie, it’s about her family in general. Tom has to learn to overcome a great disappointment, but he also is facing a great, amazing change in his life. I loved to read his bits and discovering how even despite his own sadness and even jealousy, he is supporting his little sister on her adventure.

And Polly… wow, I for sure would be terrified in her place! She is a stubborn woman, even a little bit annoyingly if I may say, but that doesn’t take away my admiration for her. She wants to make a name for herself, and she tries to persuade everyone to give her this unexpected chance.
I also admired her determination. She knows that not everyone understands her dreams but she doesn’t believe that love is a reason to give up on what she wants to do. Love is indeed about compromising, but compromising should work both ways, and only if both parties understands what the other person feels, loves and dreams of. 

Cassie and her children are all at a point to make decisions, that will somehow change their lives forever. Will Cassie find the courage to allow love again, with two men vying for her love? While I obviously had my own preference, I understood the pull of the other man. But I liked how Cassie made it clear that she does not want to force things, and she just wants to enjoy the time spend together. And I liked how she slowly realizes who the perfect man for her is. 

I also was proud of Polly’s adventurous spirit. She knows perfectly what she can and cannot do. And even when things get more difficult, she knows who to reach to get her back on track. Her trip also makes her realize better what she truly wants to do with her life, and with whom she wants to do it. Even if this is not the easiest path, she will see what the future brings. 

This book took me on a great journey, showing also what the strength of love for someone or something makes us capable of doing.
It takes us also literally miles into the ocean, showing courage in dire circumstance, but also courage in truly seeing what and who is around us.

I found it a wonderful, amazing read about a lovely family, where they all support and love each other unconditionally no matter what decision they make. Decisions and choices, that make them, and also us, realize that life is not only too short to keep lingering in the past, but also decisions and choices that make us understand ourselves better and understand what course we have to take to live our lives at the fullest.

The higher the rise, the deeper the fall…

Synopsis

When we bury our secrets, they always come back to haunt us…

Their rise was meteoric.

Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.

But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.

That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.

Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean would become one of the most powerful writers in the movie industry.

Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero.

And Davie Johnson would rake in millions as producer of some of the biggest shows on TV.

For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret.

Until now…

Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight.

Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall.

An exciting new glam thriller for the fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Liane Moriarty and Jo Spain

My review

In 1993, three friends from Glasgow accepted their Oscar for their movie. But after that night, their yearlong friendship came to end while their career took flight.
Two decades later, and Mirren McLean is a successful writer in the movie industry, Zander Leith is a famous action hero and Davie Johnson is the producer of the biggest TV – shows.
But their world is not all the glitter and glamour everyone thinks. Because each of them may seem to be at the top of the world, but are facing bigger dramas than a soap opera. Even if the friends haven’t spoken to each other for twenty years, a dark secret from their past still link them together. When someone is determined to find out what happened in Glasgow, will this be the last straw for them? 

I have absolutely loved each book I have read by Shari Low, so even if this was a total different genre, I knew I had to read this book too.
And I learned that different isn’t always a bad thing, and in this case, it’s the total opposite! 

Obviously the authors took some liberties in this book, as for example in 1993 the Oscar winner was not a film with the same name. or that while some famous and real names are dropped, they are totally not related to real events. 

But while this book is total fictional, and maybe at moments a bit exaggerated (at least I hope so…), it shows us that Hollywood life is all but this glamourous life we all imagine.
And our three main characters show us clearly that no matter how good life seems to be on he spotlights, it’s behind closed doors that the drama unfolds. But also that the past will always keep haunting you and can even break the best friendships. 

Mirren, Zander and Davie have all moved on from that Oscar night, and have reaped the benefits of it, by becoming all successful in their own branch.
But no matter how bright their lights are, each character is facing its own drama and tragedy. And while for some it may seem that the downfall serves him right, I couldn’t not sympathize with them all.
And especially Mirren’s story truly broke my heart, as I can only imagine the devastation and the inability to offer the help she must be feeling.

With flashbacks, we also get to see how these three became friends, even best of friends. And that was in a way sweet to read about. Because they didn’t have the best lives, and their future didn’t seem bright at all.
It kept me wondering what that dark secret would be, as the authors just let the readers guess what happened twenty years ago. Yet the truth left me shocked, even if it didn’t came as a total surprise. But it was more the aftermath that caused the tsunami leading to their current lives. 

This book is being described as a thriller, but for me, it didn’t feel like one. I understand why it’s labelled as one, but I felt it more like a tale about three friends who went from having nothing, to have it all to being on the brink of losing it all over again.
I felt the rawness and the hurt and pain the characters endured. But at some moments, I also felt the sparks of hope submerging despite everything that is happening to them.
These characters may be total fictional, but while you are reading their story, they couldn’t feel more real… 

I absolutely devoured this book, as I just couldn’t wait to read more about these three lost friends, trying to keep it all together while being surrounded by drama after drama.
My fear of not liking this kind of book as much as what I am used to read from Shari Low was absolutely unjustified.
I found myself on a rollercoaster of emotions with thanks to the many twists and turns. I went from happiness over the friendship, to feeling a bit disgusted over how someone would make things work in his favour, to getting heart – broken over a few tragic events, but like I already said, there was also a feeling of hope as there seemed to be a silver lining somewhere… Because no matter what you are going through, and no matter how deep you have fallen, there is always a way to get back on track.

What is it with mechanics…

Synopsis

She has no intention of falling for anyone soon – but then she meets Tony.

Susie is a businesswoman, settled, successful, and in love – until one day, her world crashes down around her.

Tony is from another world. A mechanic who hasn’t an ounce of ambition. She’s hired him to fix up her beloved Morris Minor, and she can’t stand his arrogant, judgemental ways.

Their lives couldn’t be more different.

Two people so unalike could not possibly have anything in common. Falling for him is not an option. Is it?

– A strong female lead
– Learning to love
– And a Mediterranean hero.

Fine Motor Skills is a contemporary rom-com novella with steamy sex scenes (18+ readers only).

My review

Susie is not in a good place at the moment. She was a successful businesswoman, in love too, until  the same man she loved caused her her career…
To add even more desperation, Susie’s beloved car Moggie, a Morris Minor, needs to be fixed up. She hires Tony, a mechanic who irks Susie just the wrong way.
Susie sees Tony as an unambitious, arrogant and judgmental man, and while she knows she needs him, she cannot stand the man.
So why is she finding herself checking him out? And why cannot she stop thinking about him? Maybe because perhaps Tony is not the man she thought he was, but is exactly the kind of man Susie needs? 

Why was this only a novella??? That is the question I asked myself after reaching the end way to quickly.
Because I had so much fun reading this story, but I also felt that the author could have written a full – length novel. But it’s okay that she didn’t, because as I knew it would be fast – paced story, I had to enjoy every word of it. And I did! 

When we meet Susie, it’s clear that she is having a hard time. While we don’t know from the start what happened exactly to her, it’s clear that whatever ‘it’ was, she now doubts everything and everyone.
And that saddened me, because Susie is not only good at her job, she has a clear perception of things, and don’t we all do sometimes stupid things because we are in love?
She is also a great friend, and has a great friend, and doesn’t stand injustice or discrimination. 

But she is also guilty in one aspect… she has some prejudices towards Tony. From the start they rub each other the wrong way, and it’s clear that they are total opposites.
And that was the best part, seeing how Susie has her thoughts about Tony, but slowly sees him through a different light. And starts to feel more than what a client should feel for her mechanic.  

But let’s also be honest, it was also just great to see how Susie decides to skip making quiches and wants to learn to fix her car, with the instructions of Tony!  

I knew that there would be steamy bits in this book, so I was mentally prepared for an overload of heated moments.
But after finishing the whole tale, I agree with the fact that things get hot hot hot, but with that warning, I expected more. Now, don’t get me wrong, it got VERY hot at one point, but it was still very ‘clean’ somehow. 

I also appreciated that even in those moments, Tony shows his respect and does not just presume that Susie is okay with it all the times.
Reading how he asked if it was okay to give her a kiss, made me swoon on the spot! And then they say that romance is dead! 

This novella shows us that even if our trust got broken, we can find the right person to restore that trust, even if he comes in the shape of an arrogant Italian mechanic. But that’s life, it surprises us in ways we would never expect but than turn out to be the best thing that could ever happen.