Memphis, the rock ‘n’ roll place of not only the past but also the present and future

Synopsis

It’s Now or Never…In the summer of 1960, eighteen-year-old Rose Featherstone took a trip to Memphis that changed her life. Now, Rose confesses to her granddaughter, Daisy, that she returned home with more than just memories all those years ago – she was carrying Elvis Presley’s child!

Daisy is sure the claim can’t be true, and yet, what if it is? When her grandmother passes away soon after her startling revelation and leaves Daisy with a ticket to Memphis, Tennessee, Daisy decides it’s time to discover the truth. She’s always struggled to fit in but this trip might just show her the benefits of being born to stand out and is a moody motorcycle cop called Blue the answer to all her dreams?

Her adventures in Memphis take her behind the famous music gates of Graceland. Pack your Blue Suede Shoes for a rockin’ rom-com.

My review

Daisy Featherstone has always struggled to fit in, with her love for the Fifties, vintage clothing and even her love for The King himself, Elvis Presley.
That is all thanks to her grandmother, Rose Featherstone, who never forget her trip to Memphis in the summer of 1960. While Rose’s confession, that she returned home not only with amazing memories, but also carrying Elvis Presley’s child, seems to be the babbling of an old woman, Daisy starts wondering what is actual true of Rose’s claims, especially now that Rose has passed away. And that’s how Daisy finds herself taking a trip to Memphis, trying to discover the truth, but finding so much more than imagined, and that’s not only that nice Officer Joe Cody, aka Blue we’re talking about…. 

Reading about a story where there may or not may be an unknown child of Elvis Presley may seem a bit farfetched, but then once you start thinking about it, do we really know everything about The King? And is there a small chance that somewhere there truly is such a child? 

But that didn’t take away the fun I had while reading this story. 

First of all, it warmed my heart seeing the love between Daisy and Rose, even if we only saw that for a short period. It was lovely to see how Rose passed her passion for Presley, but also the music of that era to Daisy. It goes even that far that Daisy has her own Vintage – shop and feels more linked to the Fifties than the present. 

For me personally, it would be terror, going all over the Memphis, even if part of a tour, totally on my own, not knowing anything or anyone. So in those circumstances I admired Daisy, even if the initial plan was that her mother Lilian would accompany her. 

Being on a trip with people who cannot wait to visit Memphis and Graceland, with a love for Elvis Presley, it’s clear that Daisy will meet them and even befriend them. And while her closest new friends couldn’t be more different from each other, a unique friendship is made.
It also was sweet to see how well Daisy fitted in Memphis, how her passion here wasn’t seen as something strange, but rather as something normal. 

The Southern Kindness is also obvious with the help of Officer Joe, better known as Blue. While his initial help was rather up to standard, seeing how he kept on helping Daisy more in the store, and even turning out to be of invaluable importance, was a nice extra.
He for sure is the kind of man I would want to help me out too! Maybe in me being too level – headed, the romance bit went a bit too fast, but on the other hand, when you have found what you have been looking for…  

I have never been to Memphis myself, but following Daisy’s step, and the clear descriptions made it possible for me, as just a merely reader, to envision the places where magic took place.

Obviously, the author added a few layers of imagination and liberties in this book, yet she managed to stay true to the character of Elvis himself.
Having Elvis as a common thread throughout this story, was a nice idea, while the story itself was more about not only finding your ancestors, but also finding a place where you belong and you can just be yourself.

When the love for one person makes your forget the hate for another…

Synopsis

Becca and Charlie have known each other since university.
Becca and Charlies have also hated each other since university.

Until now. Until Ally’s bucket list. The death of their loved one should mean they can go their separate ways and not look back. But completing the list is something neither of them can walk away from.

And sometimes, those who bring out the worst in you, also bring out the very best…

Over the course of ten years, Becca and Charlie’s paths collide as they deal with grief, love and life after Ally.

Not since Emma and Dex in One Day and Will and Lou in Me Before You will you root for a couple as much.

My review

Becca and Charlie have hated each other since university. The only thing that held them together was Ally, Becca’s best friend and Charlie’s fiancée.
But unfortunately, Ally passed away, leaving the both of them heart – broken. Only silver lining would be that now Becca and Charlie can live their own lives, far away from each other. That is, until they learn about Ally’s bucket list she wanted Becca and Charlie to complete together for her.
Over the course of ten years, they complete one item of the list on a yearly base together. And meanwhile, they learn to deal with strong emotions like grief, loss, love while they also have a life after Ally… 

When I started reading this book, I knew I would be on a rollercoaster of emotions. But did I expect to find myself in tears just after the first chapters? Not at all! Was that the last moment I was crying while reading? Absolutely not!
So be warned when you start reading this book, waterworks will be turned on! 

In life, you have people you love, and some people you hate. There may be a logical reason for the hate, or not, but it can be rather easy to avoid those people.
That isn’t in Becca’s case. She knows Charlie since university, and she knows what kind of person he was, and she just doesn’t like him. Unfortunately, her best friend Ally fell in love with him, so Becca still had to endure his presence, for Ally’s sake. And the feeling was totally mutual, as Charlie loved Ally with whole his heart, but had to accept that Becca would be part of his life too…
But their unconditional love for Ally made them ready to thick of items of her bucket list, eve if that meant to still be in each other’s life, even if it were for one day per year… 

What I liked about this book, but at the same time also frustrated me a little bit, is that we see the whole ten years. Frustrating, because we knew what endgame we wanted to have, but also knowing it would take so long!
Liking it, because we see how both characters, with their own demons to face, mature in all these years. 

The items of Ally’s bucket list weren’t always my cup of tea, neither Becca’s or Charlie’s, as they couldn’t be more opposite. When Charlie was having a blast, for Becca is was torture, and the other way around. But no matter what the initial feeling at the start of the task was, we saw how Becca and Charlie could see the allure of each task, even if they wouldn’t choose it for themselves. 

In ten years, people change. It can be a big change or rather small ones. And because of the length of years, we see the change of the main characters, yet also managing to stay true to themselves. The more years pass, the better we understand Becca and Charlie.

The author managed also greatly in showing all the ups and downs in life. Both Becca and Charlie move on after losing Ally, cooping with their grief in different ways and times. We see how Becca still hangs on to Ally’s memory shows clearly her abandonment issues, and seeing Charlie after a few years into a new relationship, yet hiding his past, his fear of confrontation and wanting to take always the easy way out.
Life can take funny turns, one moment we are in the deepest imaginable pit, and the next one we are on cloud nine. Failure and success are both clearly present in the characters’ lives, at different moments, yet collide somehow sometimes, by a trick of Fate, when Becca and Charlie are together that one day. 

This was a heart – gripping, heart – warming story, showing the loyalty towards our loved ones. While the prelude was a sad one, the book is still filled with laughter, love and happy feelings.
The reader sees how feelings are shifting, the characters are evolving, maturing.
And I especially liked reading how sometimes the most frustrating person in the world can turn out to be the person you need to have in your life and to love him/her no matter how long it takes to be at the right time and place…

Home will always be home…

Synopsis

When your heart’s broken, all roads lead home…

London City Vet, Phoebe Dashwood, finds her partner Hugh and their boss in a passionate clinch beneath the mistletoe at their works Christmas party.

Heartbroken, she bolts to the New Forest, her childhood home to regroup and soul search.

Being home gives Phoebe the chance to reconnect with friends and family and especially with her fiercely independent gran, widower Maggie Crowther, owner of Puddleduck Farm, and makeshift animal shelter New Forest Neddies.

Deciding not to return to London, Phoebe hunts for work locally, hoping she can also help Maggie, who’s clearly swamped and not coping. But will Maggie accept Phoebe’s help?

Her quest is hampered by stubborn grandmothers, meddling mums, an attractive childhood friend, a real-life Lord, a remorseful ex, and a best friend who’s determined to play matchmaker.

Can Phoebe find happiness professionally and personally in the place she calls home, surrounded by those she loves or does fate have other plans for Phoebe?

My review

Vet Phoebe Dashwood is heartbroken when she finds her partner Hugh and their boss kissing underneath the mistletoe. She knows what the tradition is, but it’s the passion and emotion during that kiss that Phoebe sees that makes her return to New Forest, her childhood home.
Reconnecting with family and friends, and especially with her grandmother Maggie, makes Phoebe decide to stay in New Forest.
Phoebe now is looking for a new job, while also helping out Maggie at Puddleduck Farm even if Maggie is adamant she doesn’t need help.
Has New Forest always been and always will be her place to call ‘home’, where Phoebe is surrounded by not only her loving (yet sometimes interfering) family, a childhood friend who for sure has the looks, and a mysterious and also sometimes rude Lord? 

Could I ever skip the opportunity to read a book of Della Galton, especially if this is the start of a whole new series? Of course not, are you crazy!!! 

Before I started to read this book, I already imagined the whole story in my mind. And even when I was reading the first chapters, it looked like my imagination would seem to be correct and that I would be reading the story how I imagined.
But the more I was reading, the more I started to realize that the author didn’t follow my thoughts. And I didn’t feel sad about it at all, on the contrary! 

The main focus is on Phoebe, that after the end of her relationship returns back to her childhood home. I can only imagine how awful it is not to only break up with your partner, but having the break – up in the Christmas period.
I liked how Phoebe was determined to not let the break – up ruin the festivities with her family and how she put on a brave face. She even reassures everyone that celebrating the good things in life while her life is a little bit in pieces is not a bad thing. 

I loved how Phoebe cares about her family and is even ready to move back home, not only for herself to move forward, but also to help out Maggie at Puddleduck Farm. Is there a possible cuter name for a farm, that also turns out to be an animal shelter? 

The residents of the shelter for sure made me laugh. The donkeys are adorable, the dogs adorably loyal and even the most evil cat in the world stole my heart a little bit!
And the author managed perfectly to show us the importance of having dedicated people to look after the animals in need! 

Now, in this story there is also focus on two male characters, Sam, Phoebe’s childhood friend and actual Lord Rufus Holt.
I saw these two characters being contenders for Phoebe’s heart and initially I had my own preference as that one was obviously the nicer guy.
But like I said, this wasn’t that kind of story, and getting to learn both characters better, we got to know them better and even saw the pain behind the mask… 

And while I would have liked if there would be romance in it, I understood what the author was doing here.
Of course if Phoebe found someone new, how would the rest of the series continue? But also, Phoebe doesn’t need to be in a relationship to find happiness, especially so quickly after her previous one. Being in a relationship is a wonderful thing, but it has to be with the right person, at the right time. And in this book, it isn’t the right time yet for Phoebe, as her focus now is to start her new life in New Forest and at Puddleduck Farm. 

This was a wonderful, delightful story, with strong, lovely characters, human and animal. Starting over is never easy, but with resilience, good intentions, a kind heart, realizing who you truly are, putting your best food forward, and being surrounded by those who love you, things can be a little bit easier.
I cannot wait for what else Della Galton has in store for the characters of Puddleduck Farm!

Can love be found as easy as in a station?

Synopsis

Two people. One journey…

Millie loves her city life, her city friends and writing her true(ish) confessions column – but she’s starting to wonder if the grass really is greener on the other side, or if her heart really belongs back in Northumberland, with her mum who is struggling after the death of Millie’s dad.

Joe is happy doing what he does, writing games. He could do it anywhere, but since leaving home he’s lived believing that looking back means you’ve failed, and life is about taking chances and seeing the world.

So when the two meet up surely it can never work, their lives are moving in opposite directions. On different tracks…

My review

Millie has always wanted to live in London, and is happy that she finally is. She loves her city friends, her city life and her city job as writing confessions columns.
But as her career isn’t taking off as she imagined, she starts wondering where ‘home’ truly is. Is it in London, or is it still in Northumberland, where her mother still lives?
When going back to visit her mother, one day she literally clashes with Joe in King’s Cross Station. And Millie seems unable to forget her ‘Train – guy’, who becomes her inspiration for her weekly columns.
But Joe doesn’t know that Millie is writing about him, and the last thing he wants, is to be in the spotlights. While he loves going back home ‘up North’, he feels his future lays in London. And going back home is a sign of failure, right?
With their first meeting being so random, what are the odds Millie and Joe will meet again? And if they do, will it appear that the initial attraction was just a figment of imagination? Or even worse, just being one – sided?  

Oooooh, Zara Stoneley surely knows how to captivate her readers! And the way this book starts, is just perfect!
While taking public transportations, haven’t we all seen someone who caught our attention, and haven’t we all secretly hoped that once we caught his/her eyes it would be the start of an amazing romance?
And exactly how often does that happen in real life? Exactly, almost never! So what if it would happen?  

But what I liked about this book, was not how immediately the romance started, but how it was a game of ‘will they – won’t they’.
Millie knows that meeting her Train Guy is nearly impossible, as what if he were there just by sheer accident? What if he normally takes the train on another day, or was just in London for one day? So I loved how she remained hopeful that somehow she would see her guy again.
And that is only one of the things I liked about Millie. 

While I don’t approve of writing about your personal stuff all over the place, I could understand that Millie just had to do it for her job. And I appreciated how she kept tings vague, so that not everyone would know who she was taking about. I also had so much fun how she used her bumping into Joe as an inspiration and while writing her column used her imagination to exaggerate a little bit.  

It saddened me a little bit although, to read how Millie seems to have it all in London, but yet has doubts about where here ‘real home’ is. Realizing that reality doesn’t match with your dream is a bitter pill to swallow… 

And then there is Joe, who is going through the exact opposite… He feels his future lays in London, but he isn’t ready to ‘abandon’ his parents and his sister, who still rely on him.
While Millie is a real extravert, and on the verge of ‘oversharing’ (hmmm, makes me think of someone who looks like me 😊), Joe is rather introvert, and doesn’t want everyone to know his business. 

With being at so different points in their lives, and wanting to know how and when they would meet again, made me turn page after page. Their second meeting was both hilarious as sweet. I can never think of a red scarf without thinking of Joe! 😊 

It truly warmed my heart on these warm summer days seeing how Millie and Joe are meeting more and growing closer and realize that sometimes one clash can make you find love.

But as we read both point of views, we know that they are both also struggling with their blooming relationship. Can Joe live with the fact that his dates with Millie will be known to her readers? And what about Millie starting to feel restless in London? 

I truly enjoyed reading this book from start till end. It made me smile, laugh out loud, swoon, some bits made me a little bit sad. But I found it also nearly impossible to put it down! Zara Stoneley wrote a book that almost made me want to walk to my nearest train station in the rain, hoping to clash with my own Train Guy!

I fell in love with this series, so what are *you* waiting for?

Synopsis

The first six books in the heartfelt UK series are now available in one collection!

From a runaway bride to a reality baking show competition, to rumors of a haunted wood and, of course, a Christmas of the cosiest kind, there’s never a dull moment for event planner Julianne in the quirky village she calls home.

This book bundle contains Wedding Vows and Cornish Ribbons, Cornish Sweets and Wedding Treats, Spring Roses Under Topaz Skies, Cornish Gold at Summer’s End, Walnut Mince Pies at the Frost Fete, Secrets and Sunsets at Azure Bay.

About the author

Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller ‘A Wedding in Cornwall’. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.

Giveaway

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494518/

Being on your own is just fine, until it isn’t anymore…

Synopsis

Following the death of her husband, Cleo Johansen and her daughter moved to Bellbird Bay determined to make a new start. Having carved out a new life, Cleo is shattered when a shadow from her husband’s past throws their lives into disarray.

Will Rankin has lived in Bellbird Bay all his life. Now widowed, the former surf champion runs the local surf school and enjoys a close relationship with his son. Content to lead a single life, the appearance of an undesirable stranger is quick to upset his peaceful existence.

While neither Will nor Cleo is interested in forming a new relationship, an unexpected attraction surfaces when a mutual friend suggests they spend more time together.

Set against a background of sun, sea and sand, can Cleo and Will find a way to move forward together?

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

My review

Cleo Johansen and her daughter built a new life after the death of her husband. Being just the two of them is all Cleo needs, so it’s obvious that she is struggling a little bit with Hannah making her own future plans.
But even if she would feel lonely, she for sure isn’t looking for a new love interest. And even if she were, she wouldn’t look at all at Will Rankin, with his surf dude – attitude.
Will also isn’t looking for love, as he has already lost the woman he loved. But when he finds himself on the receiving part of some unwanted feelings and flirtation, Will knows that his friends just want to help him out when they suggest to pretend to be dating Cleo Johansen.
What starts as just a pretend, slowly grows into an unexpected and real attraction. But are they both ready to let love back in?  

How much fun it was to return to Bellbird Bay! With each story I have fallen more and more in love with the place and its inhabitants!
But even if you haven’t read any book of this series, you can easily just grab this one! 

Initially I admired how Cleo, after losing her husband, found he courage to just pack everything and move to Bellbird Bay to start all over again.
She found her own place to be happy with Hannah and she doesn’t need more at all.

In Cleo I saw a lot of my own mother/parents to be honest.
No matter how old I am, the worrying never stops, and the love is for always unconditional. Even if Hannah makes some decisions Cleo doesn’t 100% agree with, she knows that it’s up to Hannah to live her life like she wants.
Cleo knows that she has to let Hannah go, even if it hurts her mother – heart to see her daughter go. 

But beside being a loving mother, she is in general a caring person. Even if initially she doesn’t really like Will, she helps in out.
And when a shocking secret comes out concerning her husband, she does the right thing to do, even if it’s against her own daughter’s wishes. 

It was really sweet to see how two total opposite people find each other. Because let’s be honest, Will couldn’t be more different than Cleo!
But while we know about his surf – history, reading about his own family and how those past events broke his heart, well, they broke my heart too! 

Slowly we see a more serious side of Will, a man with a passion for his business, a loving father, a caring friend and in general just a great guy! 

So the better we get to know both characters, the more we as a reader would see how perfect they would match. And while it started as a pretend, seeing the emotions and feelings turn into something more, truly made me smile.
The emotions of the characters were realistic, and even if some reactions were a bit on the dramatic side, I could understand the point of view of the character.  

I enjoyed reading every bit of this book. Obviously it’s filled with romance, which warmed my heart, just like the friendship and family in it.
But it also made me laugh at the persistence of someone not understanding a rejection, to even making me a bit afraid as things would appear to be escalating.

This was again a great story written by Maggie Christensen, as it shows us that there isn’t an expiration date on finding love. You never know who crosses your path…

A favour to be returned in an unusual way…

Synopsis

She’s rescued a knight

Now she needs the favour returned…

When widowed Lady Johanne happens upon an injured knight, she sees an opportunity to form an alliance and protect her home, Castle Brae, from her enemies. The betrothal she proposes might be merely for appearances, but the very real attraction between her and Sir Alewyn thrills and disturbs her. For it’s clear he’s hiding something… Can she trust him, with so much at stake?

My review

Widowed Lady Johanne knows she has to watch her back to keep her home Castel Brea safe. So she is totally aware of the risk she is taking with rescuing an unknown yet injured knight. Because who says that he isn’t a spy trying to uncover secrets of the Castle? Especially when that same knight claims he has lost his memory…
But has he truly? Or has his presence at the Castle not been as random as it appears? Because it’s clear that Sir Alewyn is hiding something, but what?
No matter what his reasons are, Lady Johanne needs his help for protecting her home, even if that means to fake their betrothal. No matter how many things they can be faking, their attraction for sure isn’t one of those things. But how far does their trust reach? Because secrets are going to come out anyway… 

It’s known that I truly enjoy reading about Knights, their strength and protectiveness. Add like usual for this author a likewise strong and protective Lady and I am for sure hooked! 

Lady Johanne in this story is just the perfect example of how women are absolutely capable of leading and guiding those under her charge.
Her husband may not have been a good example, but she for sure knows where her priorities lay and does more than her best to keep Castle Brae safe.
And she is making sure that her son grows into a respectful, strong man too! What an amazing woman Lady Johanne is! 

She also wants to make things on her own. While it would have been easier for her to just accept a proposition from her neighbour, she knows it’s not the right decision to make. So she prefers to find her own ways to make things works instead of taking an easy way out, which would also mean her people would be on the losing side.
Her kindness is also clear when she decides to take the injured, unknown Knight to her castle. While it would have been smarter to just let him be, we see that she cannot leave a man in need of help. And not just any Knight, without knowing, she is looking after one of the King’s Knights, who has his own agenda, unbeknownst to Lady Johanne. 

Sir Alewyn may have been able to stay at the Castle using the excuse of having amnesia, but that gives him the perfect opportunity to figure out if the rumours are true.
While I didn’t like him fooling the people who helped him, I could understand why he did it.
But I also liked seeing a soft side of this imposing Knight, who with just standing up would be terrifying almost anyone.
However, seeing him helping around at the castle, and agreeing with Lady Johanne’s proposal, I saw him for who he truly was, just a kind, caring and helpful person.

What I liked the most about this story was that even he biggest Knight has his own insecurities and doubts. I found it bittersweet to see how Sir Alewyn is struggling with his own place in the world, not seeing his own talents. This only shows us that no matter who we are, we all have our own insecurities, even if unjustified. 

We all know how this story will end, but that didn’t take away the joy of reading page after page after page.
Seeing how two strong-willed characters are growing closer, putting their trust in each other and seeing the lengths they would go for each other, warmed my heart. Their attraction was palpable from each page. 

I truly enjoyed reading this next book in an amazing series, the author easily took me in a world of Knights and Ladies, and showed me that size can be impressive, but that behind that big stature, the kindest men can be found. And the right Lady can see what her Knight truly is made of.
Is there a place where I can find such Knights myself?

When it’s time to chase your own happiness…

Synopsis

Joanna is approaching the end of her forties and the empty nest syndrome looms. She consoles herself with gin and chocolate, realising that apart from her son Jack, she has achieved absolutely nothing in her life.

Somewhat on the plus side of plump and barely five feet tall, she finds it difficult not to envy her younger, prettier sister. Such elevated elegance seems so unfair – as does Hannah’s successful marriage. Joanna, in contrast, has remained in a loveless marriage for the past thirty years, stuck in a rut with the most miserable man on the planet but not having the impetus to get out.

It takes an embarrassing but hilarious encounter in the supermarket to make her realise what she’s been missing. It’s exactly the push she needs to make her change her life. With a little encouragement, Joanna starts to regain her independence, finally leaving her grumpy husband to enjoy life as a single woman. As she attempts to rebuild her own future, her family and friends continually surprise her with their own revelations.

Life is never dull, laughter never far away; can Joanna finally find true happiness within herself at last?

My review

With her end of the forties approaching, Joanna realizes between her gins and chocolate, that the only thing she can be proud of, is her son Jack. But Jack is also an adult now, and making plans for his own future.
She cannot count for support on her husband, as the marriage is rather loveless, they are stuck in a rut and things are his way or no way… Every attempt Joanna makes to bring back some passion is being dissed so it’s obvious that she is a little bit jealous of the perfect life and marriage her sister has.
After the most embarrassing event at the supermarket, Joanna decides to take back charge of her life. Leaving her husband is only the first step of regaining her independence.
And Joanna starts to learn that happiness isn’t found in a few days, and that her own friends and family are struggling with their lives.
Secrets, revelations and just life in general keep Joanna surprising all over again. But in the end, does she find her own happiness again? 

Sometimes you read a book and the further you are in it, you realize what a strong message the author is trying to tell you. And this book is one of it. 

Joanna is a married woman, with a job, a son she adores. So it would seem she has it all, right? But Joanna doesn’t have it all… Her marriage is everything but a happy one, she knows that her only joy, her son, will leave the house at some point, and even her job isn’t making her feel fulfilled anymore. And her younger sister deems to have all the good genes, a perfect husband and now even a wonderful baby. Isn’t it normal that ‘plain’ Joanna feels a little bit jealous?
And that, the way Joanna feels at the start of the book, is something that is so realistic, so understandable.
It shows us that behind every façade there may be an uglier truth, and that people can be unhappy even if on paper they have a perfect life. 

I admired Joanna when she finally decided she had enough. What’s the point of her life if she is only feeling miserable?
The author takes Joanna on a life – changing journey and allows us to watch all the steps Joanna is taking.
Some steps are hilarious, like her visit to the supermarket, some steps warmed my heart, like the kindness of people she meets, some steps are sweet, like her finding the perfect place and some steps are even shocking, like the secret her own mother reveals. 

It was lovely to see how Joanna got out of her shell, becomes more confident and isn’t afraid to just do once in a while what she wants to do and not just pleasing people around.
Her growing in this story also allows her to have a better relationships with her loved ones, find new friends, and even dare to be passionate again.
Although, concerning that last bit, I was rather shocked how that turned out to be! 

I truly enjoyed reading this book, and the author managed to write a heart – warming tale about finding the courage to demand more from life than just a feeling insignificant.
How scary, even terrifying it may seem, everyone deserves to find pure happiness in life, and if that means to turn your whole world upside down, so be it. Because the people that truly matter, will stand by your side every step you take on this journey.

Is there a better place to mend your broken than Glentorrin?

Synopsis

After the heartbreak of a secret unrequited love, Millie Treadaway has finally found someone to spend her life with.

Harry Rose is handsome, successful and treats her like a princess. That is until Millie presents her fiancé with a surprise birthday gift, and their future is suddenly doomed.

Eight months later Millie returns to Glentorrin on the Isle of Skye for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding. Heartbroken, single and heavily pregnant.

Staying in Lifeboat Cottage with Jules’ brother, kindheartedDexter, she’s given up on love and resigned herself to be the best single Mum ever.

But a shock phone call from Harry leaves her reeling and doubting herself and her decisions.

Do second chances work? Or is Dexter, right? That she deserves much more?

Can the festive spirit in Glentorrin, and a little stray Jack Russell terrier, heal her heart?

Or is she fated to remain a member of the lonely-hearts club forever?

My review

Millie Treadaway has the perfect birthday present for her fiancé Harry. Because Harry does not only have the looks, he is also successful and treats her like a princess. So could there be anything more perfect than having a child together, even if it was not planned?
Millie is happy to be pregnant, but is shocked with Harry’s reaction.
Eight months later, Millie is going back to Glentorrin for her best friend Jules’ Christmas wedding, as a single and heavily pregnant woman.
She knows that being a single Mum won’t be easy, but she already loves her baby so much and will be the best possible Mum.
Staying with Jules’ brother Dexter at Lifeboat Cottage, she sees how loving and wonderful not only Dexter is, but the whole community of Glentorrin is.
But when Harry contact her again, after long months of silence, Millie must decide where her future is… Should she give Harry and their child a chance of being a family? Or do Millie and the baby deserve more, even if that means being a family of just two? 

Yes, this book is part of a series. Yes, it can perfectly be read as a standalone. Yes, you should ABSOLUTELY read it even if you haven’t read the previous before (and while you’re at it, read the previous parts!!!).
Yes, I have falling completely in love all over again with all the characters of Glentorrin! And yes, I cried while reading it! 

Before I read any of this author’s books, I hadn’t heard of Glentorrin before. But there are only a few places I got to know from books that I would just love to live there myself, and Glentorrin, with their lovely, amazing inhabitants, surely made the short – list! 

From the start, I truly liked Millie. She doesn’t have a very close family, but with meeting Jules at the University, she did not only find a best friend, but also a family who welcomed her with open arms.
But what made me love Millie, is how she stood up for herself and the baby when Harry made his own thoughts clear.
The moment Millie discovers her pregnancy, she is over the moon, and loves the baby immediately. She protects it (yes, I know, calling the baby “it” is terrible, but I don’t want to give away if it’s a boy or a girl, so bear with me…) unconditionally, and is determined to have it, even if that means to do it as a single mother. 

I can only be in awe of Millie’s courage. I am not a mother myself, but I know that having a baby is yes, very rewarding, but can sometimes also be a challenge. So reading about Millie’s determination made me like her even more than before! 

Glentorrin shows again what a magnificent place it is to live. Even if Millie is only planning to stay short-term, everyone welcomes her, helps her with (small) gestures, and Millie never felt more at home.
Obviously it helps that she has Dexter by her side. Jules’ brother is the kind of man every woman can fall in love with. He not only opens his home for Millie, but he looks after her, cares about her and makes Millie understand that she deserves all the happiness in the world, Harry included or not. 

I always like it when friendships stand not only the test of time, but also the test of distance. Millie and Jules would do anything for each other, and they know they can always rely on each other, no matter what. The support Millie can count on, truly warmed my heart. True friends understand when help is needed, and offer it unconditionally. 

The thing that got me the most, is the dilemma Millie is facing. That may sound like a strange thing to say, but while Millie knows that Harry is not the man she thought he was, she doesn’t want to take the father away from her unborn child.
She wants to do the right thing for her little one, even if that would mean heartbreak for her.  

This was a wonderful, marvellous, superb story, showing the strength of a mother, but also the doubts. With a child in your life, nothing will ever be the same again, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing, even if *someone who we truly despise* does think so…
It shows us also love in all its aspects, between friends, own chosen family, long lost loves, new loves, love for just who we are, and everlasting love. And even the love of/for animals.
Because let me tell you, if Nigel won’t steal you heart, there is something definitely wrong with you!  

With this book, Lisa Hobman again met my extremely high expectations, surpassed them easily and made me fall in love all over again.
And yes, even if the epilogue seemed a tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny bit over the top, I still loved it how it all got together and gave the more perfect than perfect ending of an amazing story!

What better way for a crime – writer to find her mojo back with a real – life mystery?

Synopsis

ONE TURKEY FARM, FIVE WILD COLLEAGUES AND A BARN FULL OF MYSTERY

When jilted crime writer August Saunders returns from London to her roots in rural Wiltshire, she feels lost and lacking in inspiration. Determined to reignite her writing mojo, she responds to an advert for a shared workspace in a converted barn.

At the Hub, with its ill-equipped gym, inedible catering and motley array of fellow users, including a matchmaker more interested in her own conquests and a TikToker with a dodgy nocturnal sideline, August is confronted with a real-life mystery to solve.

Why is Max Ronson, the handsome but volatile owner of the Hub, so evasive about his past? And who or what is he hiding on the premises? She is determined to find out – but will her curiosity snuff out the spark of romance?

Nicola May mixes mischief with mystery in a fast-paced rural romp which will make Futtingbrook Farm as beloved a location as Ferry Lane Market or Cockleberry Bay.

Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Sarah Morgan, Jill Manselland Cathy Bramley.

My review

August Saunders didn’t expect to return from London back to Wiltshire with a broken heart. And how can she mend her broken heart when her ex seems to be enjoying his life, and it’s all splattered in the gossip sections?
Feeling lost, alone and without inspiration for her next book, she decides to respond to an advert for a shared workspace in a barn.
The Hub offers a gym not that well equipped, a catering service best to be avoided and a bunch of fellow users, with their own reasons for renting a space.
Slowly August is finding her mojo back, thanks with the mysteries surrounding the place. What is the TikToker doing during the night?
And what about the owner of the Hub, Max Ronson? Why doesn’t he want to talk about his past? And what else is he obviously hiding?
And why does August, despite her suspicions, finds herself attracted to him? 

Okay, this is an easy review for me, because Nicola May did it again. Just when I think that she has reached her peak, and her best books have been out, she comes again with a great story and gets me hooked from the first page! 

From the start I sympathized with August (although, I was a bit confused initially as I kept thinking that August was a male name 😊).
She truly loved her ex and it’s obviously very difficult for her to just start thinking about moving on.
With a gentle push from her sister, she decides to rent out a space at The Hub and then it all takes off. 

I was amazed by how easy it all felt at The Hub. While It could have been a case where everyone just works and doesn’t interact with each other, it felt like a warm, welcoming place, even if the catering services were… well I’ll let you discover that yourself! 

Being a crime – writer, I perfectly understood August’s investigating wish, wanting to know exactly what is going on at the Hub. And while maybe I didn’t completely agree with her snooping around, I saw where she was coming from.

Slowly we see the real August again, a caring woman, not afraid of her own sexuality, but also with a tender heart. She doesn’t hesitate to help out for a good cause and when she starts volunteering, well, it melted my heart and I loved August even more!
And then her attraction towards Max… 

Max is not always the easiest character to like. One moment he is super nice, and the next he is being an utter sh*t. And what about all that mysterious behaviour? It’s clear that it’s something dodge that is going on!
When he is being nice, he is truly easy to like. I loved the banter he had with August. And I could for sure understand the attraction.
But when he is being at his worst, it was really hard to like him. But the better I got to know him, the more I understood that he has his own problems to face, and doesn’t always choses the right way…

This book is filled with hilarious bits, beautiful moments, heart – breaking pieces and with heart – warming actions. A character like August shows us that behind everything, a whole story is hidden. And that events of the past can make us take wrong decisions but always with the best intentions. It’s easy to condemn those who are in the wrong, but it’s better to help them out and not push them deeper.

Nicola May wrote a story that is a slow build – up, but in the end you cannot not be happy about what you have been reading! This was for sure again a marvellous book and I cannot wait what else she has in store for us!