When you lose, how do you get up again?

Synopsis

When Lily’s husband dies, she moves to the edge of a tiny village, settling into a solitary life, her only real company her brother and his family. A quiet life becomes her safe space, with no risk of getting hurt.

When her brother offers her spare room to his oldest friend, Jack, Lily’s reluctant – but knowing how much she owes her family, can’t say no. 

A lodger takes some getting used to but to her surprise, Lily begins to enjoy Jack’s company. Slowly but surely, Jack encourages Lily to step outside her comfort zone. 

But taking risks means facing the consequences, and telling people how she really feels, means Lily might have to face losing them. But as the saying goes – you only live once – and being brave could mean Lily gets a second chance at love…

My review

Lily never expected to be a widow so soon and in so a tragic way. Having loved and lost, made her change her life into a solitary one. She lives now in a tiny village, close to her brother and his family as her only company.
So when her brother needs her help, as letting stay his best friend in her spare bedroom, it’s clear that Lily isn’t all too happy.
But with Jack’s presence in the house, Lily slowly learns to step outside and out of her comfort zone. And enjoys Jack’s presence…
However, can Lily find the courage to open her heart again, and not let her fear of losing again to take the upper hand? Because in the end, you only live once… 

There are some authors that you know you will immediately like, even if you haven’t read one single word of their latest book.
And Maxine Morrey is one of them! 

It’s obvious that Lily is a sad, lonely character and I mean this in the literal sense, she IS sad and lonely. We feel how she is still grieving over losing her beloved husband. And I could also understand how she kept to herself and didn’t wish to socialise and pretend everything was okay, when it obviously still isn’t.
But we also see the amazing Lily, as a sister, a sister – in – law and great aunty to her brother’s kids!
And she knows how much she has to thank her brother for, so if repaying him somehow means allowing Jack, her former crush, to stay in her spare bedroom, how can she say ‘no’? 

I absolutely adored reading how Lily and Jack are living at the same place. Reading their banter, their stubbornness but also being there for each other was just so amazing.
Jack may be part of the higher society, but he want nothing to do with it. In fact, he couldn’t be more normal!
He helps Lily, not because of duty or sense of obligation, but because he is just that kind of good guy.
And how he gently pushes Lily out of her cocoon, sometimes doing it the right way, but also messing up, made my heart melt. 

This isn’t a story about a maid in distress and a knight in shining armour, but I felt it more like equal distress and equal helping hands. And obviously mutual attraction but trying not to give in.
As a reader, we know that there will come a moment where resisting is impossible, and when it FINALLY happened, even if the author skipped the whole build – up and leaving us using our own imagination, I think I was as happy as the main characters! 

While I wanted Lily to make a quicker move, I could also perfectly understand her. There isn’t a timeline on how long grief takes, this is different for each person. And while frustrating for me, I could also comprehend why she was afraid to get closer to Jack. She barely survived losing her husband and if she has to go through it all again, I could see that it would truly break her.
But should we truly let fear let us miss out on the best thing in life, love? 

During this book, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions. It made me happy, made me swoon, made me sad, made me angry, made me frustrated but also made me understand even better how grief and fear can change a person into only a shadow of how she/he was before.
But it also showed me that no matter how much someone suffered, or was afraid, for having the right person by your side it’s always worth of taking that terrifying step and turn into the glorious you again.

What would you wish for if you had three wishes?

Synopsis

The hilarious sequel to A Wish For Jinnie! Best read in order.

Jo Milligan’s café — A Bit of Crumpet — is her pride and joy.
But icing cakes and baking pastries in the sleepy Scottish village of Cranley isn’t hitting the sweet spot.

Jo longs for some excitement in her life. The arrival of gruff stranger Harvey Quinn doesn’t fill her with joy. Nor does the appearance of an unlikely assistant with an unexpected gift … and a serious attitude problem.

Genie Aaliyah grants Jo three wishes, but coming up with ideas proves challenging.

As Jo grows closer to Cranley’s newest resident, secrets threaten to derail their relationship.

Can Jo find a way to cook up a happy ending, or do the ingredients add up to a recipe for disaster?

My review

While polishing a lamp, Jo Milligan get the shock and surprise of her life. Because the owner of café ‘A Bit of Crumpet’ surely didn’t expect that a genie would appear out of it!
Genie Aaliyah grants Jo three wishes, but Jo now must decide what her wishes are… while Jo thinks about her wishes, Aaliyah becomes the assistant Jo wasn’t looking for. And neither was Jo looking for the arrival of Harvey Quinn, the gruff stranger just arrived in town who didn’t make the best impression…
What wishes will Jo wish for? And while they started on the wrong foot, will Jo and Harvey grow closer, or will the secrets put a stop of something that could be beautiful? 

As I had so much fun reading the first part of this series, I just had to read this next chapter. And as Jo wasn’t a total stranger, I wanted to know what adventure she would be making with a genie of her own. 

Getting to know Jo better was like being on a wonderful journey. While it would have been easy to pick out three wishes, I admired Jo that she truly wanted to think about what she would wish for.
And seeing what she chose, made me like her even more than before!
What she chose, was a choice made by her heart, and especially her first choice was so heart – warming yet also heart – breaking. 

I have to admit, I got a bit frustrated with Aaliyah, because yes, if we think about a genie, there is that big blue one that pops in everyone’s mind.
But Aaliyah couldn’t be more different! I would even compare her with an obnoxious teenager maybe?
But the way she grants Jo’s wishes perfectly, showed me also the good bits of this weird genie! 

And then there is Harvey… he too didn’t make a great first impression but he easily and quickly redeemed himself, especially when we get to know him better and learn what he has been going through.
There was a likeness with a new item that is very recent (I am not going to say what exactly or put my own thought about that on paper), but it made me realize even more that there are always two sides of a story and we shouldn’t just believe everything we read online or on the papers.
And lesson to be learned: sometimes doing nothing isn’t the right thing to do. Because the fight is worth it, especially when your own future is at stakes. 

Jo and Harvey getting closer and closer was truly sweet and lovely to read, but also a bit scary. Because as a reader you know what truth will come out, but you don’t know how our characters will react. We always hope for the best, but the author managed perfectly to grasp the humanity of Jo and Harvey.
It’s easy as a bystander to say what the right thing to do is, but when it’s you who is in the middle of it, fear and doubt are the feelings that sometimes will let you make the wrong decision. 

The third wish Jo had, shows us again how lovely she truly is. Because a wish made from the heart is always a great wish.
And seeing how our old friends are doing, was a great extra!

When you read this story, I will assure you, you will laugh, roll your eyes (Aaliyah!), experience heart – warming moments, experience heart – breaking moments and wish you had your own three wishes to see come true!
But if you have that opportunity, think wisely what you wish for, because we have seen how wonderful the right wish can be!

What prevails, nature or nurture?

Synopsis

Maggie Pink is a lot of things to a lot of people, but does she know who she really is?

Maggie is a mother to a stroppy teenager, a wife to a befuddled husband, and a daughter to two very different women. She has always known she’s adopted, but has she ever understood what that means? Not really.

Following the death of her mother, Maggie finally feels able to go in search of her birth mother Morag, and heads to the Highlands of Scotland with her disgruntled daughter Roxie in tow, leaving her crumbling marriage to worry about another day.

The family reunion is bittersweet, but everything is blown wide open when Roxie unearths Morag’s explosive teenage diaries. Why did Morag give Maggie away? What really happened all those years ago, and how have the echoes of the past resounded through the generations, like ripples in a puddle?

And when all the secrets and promises are out in the open, will Maggie finally have an answer to the question – who do you think you are Maggie Pink?

My review

Now that her mother has died, Maggie Pink is looking for her biological mother. She always knew that she was adopted as a baby, but until now never wanted to know more about it.
Looking for her biological parents before seemed unfair to her adoptive parents, because they truly loved her.
But now, Maggie finally finds the courage to find out more about her birth mother Morag. So she head up with her reluctant teenage daughter Roxie to the Highlands of Scotland, and leaving the worries of her failed marriage home.
Finding her family and roots is bittersweet, especially when Morag’s diaries are found and the truth about her pregnancy is revealed.
Slowly Maggie is finding answers to her questions, but will she also find an answer to the most important one, who she truly is? 

When reading a book about the main character being adopted, it’s easy to have prejudices. But how can we have an opinion about something when we don’t have all the information? 

What I loved about this story, is that it isn’t a sad story. Maggie was loved by her parents, even if they weren’t always on the same page about things.
And I appreciated how Maggie knew that she was adopted and out of respect for the people who raised her, didn’t have the need to find more about her biological parents. 

But while she was being truly loved by her adoptive family, her own family appears to be falling apart.
And while initially the reason of it isn’t clear, slowly we see the tragedy her family had to endure and how it changed not only Maggie but the dynamic of the family. 

Morag’s story was difficult to read, because slowly we get to know her better. Reading that getting pregnant as a young teenager and not getting the needed support from everyone, was heart – breaking.
We learn that giving Maggie away was the hardest thing Morag ever did and it scarred her…
But I found it lovely to see how Morag still kept the hope that Maggie would find her again. 

This story is about four generations of women, facing difficulties in their lives. We have the mother of Morag, who may seem like a dragon, but her own tale is also a sad one. And while I wanted to despise her, her own truth made me feel with her.
We have Morag, forced to give up Maggie, is heart – broken, lost but hopeful that the wrong will be undone.
There is Maddie, trying to find out about her family, finding out who she is while grieving over her own tragedy.
And then Roxie, a teenager who wishes that her parents get back together but has to learn that not always everything is what it seems. 

While there are so many other things happening, and many other side characters appears and you love immediately, the feeling of hope and longing emerged above every other feeling.
And reading how Maggie suddenly discovers that nurture made her the woman she is now, nature also had an input in making her the Maggie Pink she is now, was a lovely discovery as a reader too.
Because we may never underestimate the love and care we receive from our parents, whether biological or adoptive…

A surprise wedding, wonderful right?

Synopsis

Some people are romantics. Some aren’t. When Sophie and Maddie are summoned to a mysterious, top-secret meeting by their best friend Kate’s partner, and told that he’s planning to whisk Kate away for a surprise wedding in Gibraltar, it’s immediately clear that bubbly florist Sophie is a total romantic. And that freewheeling, purple-haired Maddie is not.

Soon, Maddie finds herself reluctantly organising venues, planners and ceremonies; trying not to think of her own memories of Andalucia, and those she’s lost touch with there. Meanwhile Sophie’s hoping this dreamy gesture might spur on her own boyfriend to similar plans . . . and absolutely notthinking at all about Kate’s gorgeous brother-in-law-to-be.

But Kate’s got no idea what’s going on. And as the stress piles up and the group jet off to the sunny south, it seems it’s not just Kate who might get a surprise in Spain – one that could change everything . . .

My review

Kate is looking forward to her holiday in June in Spain. But what Kate doesn’t know, is that her boyfriend is not only planning to propose to her, but to actually marry her there!
Obviously Steve needs help, and who better than Kate’s best friends are perfect for the job. While Sophie is a romantic at heart and swoons by this idea, Maddie isn’t a big fan of it. And Steve adds his brother Josh in the equation as his best man.
But how can you prepare a wedding without the bride’s input? And will the result be just what Kate likes? But more important, will Kate accept Steve’s proposal? And how will these stressful months affect the organisers? Will there be an ‘I do’ in the end or not? 

Obviously, in my opinion, is a secret wedding surprise a terrible idea. No matter how good my best friends and fiancé knows me, I will always want to have my own say in it, put somewhere something that is just typical *me*.
And then I’m not talking about the dress, flowers, food, locations etc.
So as far as I could see, this would be indeed a wedding disaster! 

However…
I loved reading how Sophie and Maddie were doing everything they could to get everything perfect, together with Steve and Josh.
And trying to keep it a big secret, making up lies down the line was funny to read as it was just getting sometimes over the top. 

I found it also funny to read how the organizers were trying to get the information out of Kate without being too obvious about it.

But even if it was all about the wedding, for me it was about the friendship between the three women. Because no matter how different Kate, Sophie and Maddie are, they are a close unit, they would do anything for each other, even putting on a dress as a bridesmaid! 

Of course, there is romance in this story, and it’s not only about Kate and Steve. And I will not talk too much about how things are going, but it was nice to read how emotions and affections can shift during a couple of months.
And how our own perceptiveness can fool us and won’t allow us to see what is obvious… 

This was a funny, sweet, lovely story to read, about what we would do for our loved ones, but also how sometimes things don’t go 100% as expected.
But the love, in all the aspects, just sparks of the pages!

Nobody wants to attend a wedding on her own…

Synopsis

Tilly’s got her invite, now this single mum needs a plus one.

But she’s far too busy parenting her little girl, stopping her mum from over injecting her face with filler, and playing happy families with her pompous coffee-fuelled ex. Oh yeah, and there’s the new guy at work who is gunning for her job. So Tilly really doesn’t have time for any of the grief that relationships can bring. She just wants the fun, not the red flags. And it just so happens that a nice-looking man has recently caught her eye. He’ll do… for now… just perfect. 

Except he’s a little elusive. After a wild hen do including a very ropey boat trip, a gobby gate crasher and a dodgy male stripper, a series of dating disasters leaves Tilly feeling disheartened. When that familiar gorgeous face pops up on the dating website, she thinks all of her Christmases have come at once.  Could he be the plus one? 

Tilly’s too nice and she really needs to set some boundaries if she wants to be happy. Is there such a thing as the perfect plus one? Will her mother’s obsession with tweakments ever stop? Can Tilly compete with the sexy but infuriating new guy at work?

My review

Tilly absolutely adores her baby – girl. But things aren’t as easy as they may seem, because while Tilly is supposed to get back to work, she isn’t ready to let her baby go. Which is obviously understandable, as she is a single mum.
To complicate things even more, she keeps on playing happy family with her ex, her own mother is apparently a big fan of fillers and Tilly doesn’t want to attend her friend’s wedding on her own.
So her plan is to find someone to bring as her plus – one, a man to bring along but not being in an actual relationship with him. She only wants the fun, and nothing more, as she has been there, done that.
On the hen do, which goes a bit wild, she meets the perfect man and when she finds him again on a dating site, it must be a sign that he is perfect for the job ahead!
But isn’t it that something that looks too perfect, often is the total opposite? And why does the other guy she met on the hen do keeps popping up at the most unexpected places?

When I started to read this book, there were a few things I could easily relate with Tilly. Being a single (but not a mum) myself, I have felt also awkward when attending a wedding and not having my ‘gang’ with me.
It’s those moments that make you feel lonely, even if in any other occasion you wouldn’t feel that way.
So yes, I could understand why Tilly wanted to find someone to bring along, even if she isn’t looking for something more permanent.
And even if I am not a mother myself, I could also comprehend why Tilly was reluctant of leaving her lovely daughter even for a little bit.

While I felt sympathetic towards Tilly, I also had several mean streaks as I was laughing at loud at all the mess she got herself into!
It all starts with a ride in a car without putting sunscreen on, to a hen do getting over the top and a stripper who isn’t a real stripper (you’ll understand what I mean when you get at that part!).

When you read the blurb, you may think it’s all about Tilly trying to find a date for the wedding. But it’s so much more. The author manages perfectly to point in a funny way the struggles people have to face on being a single parent, and finding the perfect balance of being a good parent but also not losing yourself in the process and why not, finding that special one.

Baby classes, dates with terrible habits (TEA BAGS!!!), nosy friends and family, a too imposing ex, starting again at work while you have to face a new colleague who appears to be better than you, while some of the above may seem a bit over the top, it made me laugh yet realize how difficult it all can be.
And let’s not forget about how ‘dangerous’ the whole internet dating thing can be! Because I saw several red flags but I could see how Tilly didn’t.

There were also lovely, unexpected bits, from someone we didn’t see coming (yet we did 😊) and made me smile of contentment, making me see that no matter how weird things can go in life, there are also many good bits and you’ll never know where they will take you!

And what starts as an awkward first meeting, maybe will end in something totally unexpected yet totally wonderful, just like reading this book!

No matter how hard you try to protect your heart…

Synopsis

Paige wants two things: to land a full time librarian job and find the man of her dreams. On the cusp of thirty, she finds herself suddenly single and working part-time in a Michigan library. A handsome patron with a delicious accent appears at the reference desk, inadvertently sparking an idea that might help her land the promotion she so desperately needs. But that’s not the only thing he sparks.

James is in town from Glasgow, Scotland, on a summer artist residency. Luckily, the trip got him away from the pressure he feels to take over his uncle’s river tour business. He only wanted to clear his head and make his art in peace, but he wasn’t counting on finding an attractive librarian to fill his days.

With only eight weeks before James goes home to Scotland, Paige knows she should protect her heart. After all, she already wasted years with her commitmentphobe ex. But the more she gets to know James, the less she can stick to her plan to just be friends. Is she just wasting her time again, or can they bridge the ocean between them to find a happily ever after of their own?

My review

Paige loves books, so her working in the Michigan library is just perfect for her. Even if it’s part – time only, she hopes to get the promotion ahead and change her position into a fulltime job.
However, her hopes that her boyfriend would put a ring on her finger are crushed as she finds herself single…
When Scotsman James on his visit in the library gives Paige a lovely idea to help her get the promotion, it’s not only her interest in Scotland that suddenly sparks.
But James is only on a summer artist residency, thus his days in Michigan are counted. With only eight weeks, James knows better than finding himself attracted to a lovely librarian, while at home so much is going on.
And Paige surely isn’t looking for a summer fling, after having just had her heart broken.
But is staying ‘just friends’ really that easy?

Tips for authors about how to get me hooked to a book:

·         Main character loves books as much I do

·         Male love interest has a lovely accent too hard to resist

·         For love, fears are getting overcome (a little bit)

·         No matter how hard main characters try, attraction is impossible to resist

·         Artistic protagonist

·         Sightseeing

So this book ticked all the above boxes, thus it got me hooked!

There isn’t any way that I could possibly dislike Paige. Every decision (with the exception of keeping James initially at distance 😊) she made, was just the right thing to do.
If it is breaking up with her boyfriend, putting the extra effort for getting the promotion,… I could all agree with each decision!
And even on some level, I could comprehend her when she wanted to keep things with James just friendly.

But how can someone resist James??? I have to say, I found it an lovely extra addition that the author wrote whatever James said phonetically, having a better idea of his lovely accent!
But there is so much more to James than just his accent.
He is just a nice guy in every sense! He helps Paige out with her ideas, respects her decision to keep things platonic, and gives her the much needed reassurance when she is doing something that terrifies her.

What I liked about this story is the kindness of the main characters. There isn’t a real reason why Paige would allow James to use her library card, but she is just that kind of kind person. And why should she take James on a trip discovering Michigan? Again, because she is that kind of person.
Why should James bother with helping Paige with her ideas? Because he was raised the right way! And when required, he didn’t hesitate to do the right thing. And showing Paige what he is working on, and eventually turning her into her muse? Can I already melt???

And the issue of the distance and both of them not really looking for love, those are only minor problems that can be overcome with the right incentives.

I can understand why some people may say they didn’t like this story, as they didn’t feel the attraction between Paige and James (but I totally did) or that this wasn’t the story they expected.
But I liked it, as this was just about two nice persons, finding each other and having no other desire to be together. There are a few minor hiccups, but sometimes we don’t need a story with a major tragedy taking place, but we need an easy story which we can enjoy by sitting comfortably and enjoying a blooming love.

The difference that one action can make…

Synopsis

One night in December, twenty-two year old Ted Green makes his way to Waterloo Bridge determined to end his life. Lonely, despairing and utterly hopeless, it seems the only choice to make.

That same night in December, Marianne Cooper is running away from a party. Having found her boyfriend in a passionate clinch with someone else, Marianne can’t get away fast enough. But as she makes her way along London’s South Bank, a figure catches her eye on top of the bridge.

Then she sees him, a man ready to jump.

When Marianne saves Ted’s life, this night in December becomes one they’ll never forget, but as Ted watches Marianne leave in a black taxi, all he can think is he should have asked her name.

In a story spanning twenty years, join Ted and Marianne as they navigate life’s twists and turns, joys and heartbreaks, while all the time wondering – will fate ever bring them together again…

My review

At the age of twenty – two, Ted Green feels like he has no purpose in life. The sense of being a burden to everyone, made him take the decision to end his life.
That same night in December, Marianne Cooper just discovered her boyfriend being too intimate with another woman. Walking back home, she sees a figure standing on top of the Waterloo Bridge.
Surprising herself, she manages to change the man’s mind. But before Ted can properly thank the woman who saved his life, she leaves in a taxi, without even knowing her name.
Ted and Marianne move on with their lives, never completely forgetting that one night, and the other person.
Live goes on, with highs and lows, but will they ever knowingly meet each other again? Or was that life – changing night all that Fate had in store for them?

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story, but I was glad I have read it.
This isn’t the kind of story where you know what direction the author is taking, or know beforehand what will happen to the main characters.

When we get to know Ted for the first time, he is in a dark place. And learning what he has been through, I could understand his reasoning. Even if I cannot see how dark things can get to want you to take that final step, I can see how you cannot see a way out.
The author managed to show the readers how truly ugly thoughts can go but also how one act of kindness can change it all.

This book shows us not only two people meeting, but the course of a whole lifetime (well, twenty years ☺️).
Both main characters moved on from that one night in December, but never completely forgetting it.
And through the eyes of Ted and Marianne, we see that each life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs.
Ted seems to get his life back on track after that one night, and it would seem that he will get everything he wished for.
While Marianne seems to get struggling more and more with finding her own happiness.
Life is never just black or white, life can be good one day, and another day everything can be falling apart again.

I loved reading how, despite not knowing each other, Ted and Marianne seem to keep catching glimpses of each other without realizing it.
Shows again how linked different lives and situations can be…

While the story of Bridge Man and Fairy Girl could have been a fairy-tale, or one for superheroes, this is the life story of two people connected by one evening by one simple action.
It was mind – opening to see how real everything happening to the both of them felt, the beautiful bits but also the raw bits.
And how in the end, everything felt, just like for the characters, home…

True love isn’t real, until it is…

Synopsis

Lucinda Green knows something is missing from her life. But what? Her catering business is enjoying modest success and she loves her cosy house, even if she does have to share it with her irritating ex-fiancé.

Whatever’s making her unsettled and edgy, Lucinda’s certain that a lack of romance isn’t the problem. How could it be when she doesn’t believe in true love?

But Lucinda’s beliefs are shaken by a series of electric encounters with Alex Fraser, a newly-notorious actor who gradually proves himself to be infuriatingly funny and smart, as well as handsome. 

Not that any of that matters. Because Lucinda doesn’t believe in all that ‘The One’ nonsense. That’s the rule.

But doesn’t every rule have an exception?

This uplifting grumpy-meets-sunshine romance is perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Phillipa Ashley and Milly Johnson.

My review

Lucinda Green’s catering business is turning into a small success, and she loves living in her house. But sharing it with your ex – fiancé isn’t that good, especially when her ex has a few treats she cannot stand…
And Lucinda feels that there is something missing in her life… what, she doesn’t know, but she knows it surely isn’t romance, because real love doesn’t exist.
She didn’t expect that meeting Alex Fraser in an elevator would make her doubt her own beliefs.
Because Alex is the kind of person that pushes all of her buttons, but inexplicably she finds him also very funny, smart and handsome…
Lucinda keeps to her rule that ‘The One’ is nonsense, but could it be that this actor could be the exception?

Having read other books from this author, I knew that it would be a slow start, but in the end I would feel happy to have read the whole story.
And I surely didn’t get disappointed.

Honestly, Lucinda seems the kind of woman wanting to have everything her way. And I don’t mean this in a negative way.
She pursued her dream of a catering business, but also having issue letting it go and trust her team.
She was engaged, but when her fiancé falls head over heels in love with someone else, she isn’t ready to leave the house she loves.
If that makes you frown your brows, don’t worry, mine acted the same way! I couldn’t understand how she could keep on living in the same place with a man you were supposed to get married.
But that also made it clear for me, that her feelings weren’t those you would have for The One.

Lucinda is also a woman who takes matters in her own hands. When the elevator blocks and an elder woman seems to have an attack, she knows what do to and doesn’t hesitate. She even manages to knock some sense back in Alex’ frozen state.

Alex is in a relationship when he meets Lucinda, but let’s be honest, it’s clear from the start that his relationship isn’t made to last. But even if he gets frustrated or angry, he is a good guy, trying to find a way to gently get out of it.

Oh, the fun I had whenever Lucinda and Alex are together! Their constant bickering, interpreting things the wrong way, was hilarious to read!
But also seeing how they keep bumping into each other, and slowly a friendship is being formed, was lovely to read.

There are several differences in the characters of Lucinda and Alex, yet so many similarities. How I could relate to the toothpaste issue!
And while they are both not looking for something more, it’s obvious for us readers how well they would fit together.

Like I said, this is a rather slow burning book, making you want that the characters would juts hurry up. But that is also the beauty of this story, as we see the struggles both Lucinda and Alex are having. Will they find the courage to put their beliefs aside and belief in love? it’s all easier said than done, especially if you never believed anything differently?

A beautiful story, as expected, about strong characters, finding each other unexpectedly and dreaming of the impossible that isn’t so impossible at all!
I enjoyed reading this book, as it shows that not everything goes easily, but sometimes the longer the wait, the bigger the reward.

Spring, always the start of something new. But just how exactly?

Synopsis

Mum-of-three Louisa thought she only had her never-ending to-do list to worry about, but the arrival of a ghost from the recent past puts her in an untenable position. Can she navigate the difficult situation she’s in without their friendship becoming common knowledge or will it cause long-term damage to her marriage?

When a family member begins to suspect there’s more to her relationship with the new sous-chef than meets the eye, Louisa needs to think on her feet or she’ll dig herself into a deeper hole. But the cost of keeping her secret, not only from her husband, comes at a high price, one which tugs at her conscience.

With everyday niggles already causing a further rift between Louisa and husband Ronnie, will she manage to keep her family on track whilst her life spirals out of control? And when tragedy strikes, will Ronnie step up when she needs him most?

For fans of Fiona Gibson, Holly Martin and Jill Mansell.

My review

Louisa has a daily to – do list, which she truly needs, as being a mum of three. And with a husband that works offshore, she is struggling to keep all the balls in the air.
Even when her husband is at home, she doesn’t feel appreciated and more taken for granted.
When someone from a not that far past suddenly reappears,  it only adds more to her frustrated feelings.
And while the secret she has with the new sous – chef was just in one occasion, the attention she receives makes her feel more appreciated than ever.
The relationship between Louisa and her husband Ronnie seems to be more and more at risk, and with people suspecting there is more going on with Caden, can Louisa manage it all?
And what will her future have in store for her, as it seems that she is far away from her happily ever after? 

When I started this book, I didn’t realize it was the second part of a series. And when I did, I was a bit gutted, because I feared I couldn’t keep up with what happened in the previous book.
However, luckily it was rather easy to catch up, as when necessary a short remembrance was given. That made me able to truly enjoy this book! 

Although, enjoying… Yes of course it was a great book to read, but I felt so sorry for Lou and everything she is going through.
I can only imagine it cannot be easy being a mother of three, and having a husband that is half of the time away for work.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing if Ronnie would be a present, helpful father and husband when he was actually home, but, as often with men, they are clueless… 

I am not saying Ronnie is a bad husband or father, because he really does try, but ends up doing the wrong thing with the right intentions. Like getting a new puppy, while Lou is already struggling.
Lou tries to explain Ronnie that she needs more help, but he just doesn’t see it. 

So yes, when Caden reappears, I could completely understand Lou’s thoughts. Caden gives her attention, and there certainly is a spark.
And while I cannot agree with some thing Lou did (no actual cheating, no worries!), as she has a wonderful family, I could see how much she needed someone who seems to truly care about her. 

But even if some moments I didn’t agree with Lou and her actions, I couldn’t not not like her…
She is great mum, doing her utterly best, an amazing friend, and just a loving and caring person in general.
And despite the tragedies she is facing (and tragedies they are, oh wow, just terrible!), her kindness gets repaid in amazing ways! 

What I learned from this book is, that being a kind person isn’t a sacrifice, and that you will get rewarded even in ways you never saw coming.
But I also saw that making the easiest decision isn’t always the best decision. And how often that we have to face the hardest bits in life before every piece of the puzzle (sort of) fall into place and gives you the energy, hope and determination to be ready for a next season in your life! 

I loved reading this book, as it wasn’t all glitter and glam, but that is just how life goes in real life. But expect the unexpected and real happiness is just around the corner!

How long can you try to forget the past?

Synopsis

Mackenzie Morris, newest recruit at the Little Duck Pond Café, is the perfect addition to the team. But beneath her smiles, Kenzie is hiding a dark secret. It’s the reason she fled to Sunnybrook, desperate for a fresh start that would help to lay the ghosts that haunt her.
The challenge of turning her hobby into a business is a welcome distraction, and to her relief, she finds that her range of quirky pottery mugs and vases appear to be in demand. Alone and scared when she arrived, she’s slowly making friends and starting to feel as if she belongs. Meeting a lovely guy called Aidan seems to confirm this and it looks as if love might be on the horizon.
But then Kenzie makes a devastating discovery that threatens to crush her new-found happiness. Aidan is the one person she yearns to confide in. He’s also the one person who can never know the truth . . .

My review

Mackenzie Morris has recently started to work at the Little Duck Pond Café, while trying to turn her hobby into a real business.
But her recent move to Sunnybrook is due a dark past she tries to hide from everyone. Even from the new friends she is slowly making.
When she meets Aidan, things seem to go very well for her, until her past catches up with her and Aidan somehow seems to be connected…

I became rather late passionate about this series, but better late than never right? So I was ready to start this new story with a big big smile on my face. 

Unfortunately, that smile wasn’t plastered on my face the whole time. Not because it wasn’t a great story, but because my heart just broke in million tiny little pieces… 

From the start, it isn’t very clear what happened with Kenzie and why she made the move from a place she obviously loved and why she hides away when someone from her past appears out of nowhere.
Having my imagination, I was thinking the most absurd theories. But I didn’t expect that her past was so heart – breaking… 

I am not going to spoil things for you by saying what her past is about, but it had my emotions going from pity, to sadness, to rage, to sobbing my heart out all on my own. 

I could see how Kenzie wanted to help, but felt so powerless and that feeling is a terrible one when it concerns the people you love the most.
And being left in the dark after everything is just adding more icing on the most horrible cake ever… 

But seeing how Kenzie slowly finds her feet in Sunnybrook, made me smile too. Sunnybrook, and everyone working at Little Duck Pond Café has that effect on people. They make you feel home when you think you have no longer a true home.
And her finding Aidan…Aidan is just such a nice and caring man, respecting boundaries, but also making clear what he wishes.
He knows that Kenzie is keeping secrets from him, but he gives her time and space to talk to him whenever Kenzie is ready for it.

I wished Kenzie all the happiness in the world but Life and Fate had one more trick up in their sleeves… 

This story wasn’t always easy to read. As a reader we know it’s fiction and not real, but I still wanted to offer my help somehow, just like Kenzie did. Because what was going on, fiction in this specific case, but unfortunately reality for so many people, is just so so so wrong. 

The author managed again to make me give up sleep for this story, but it was all worth it. And even if I felt the end was a TINY bit rushed, it gave me everything I needed after all the tears I shed while reading.
It made me realize how important great friends can be, and how lucky we are in our not so perfect lives. Sometimes it takes a heart-breaking story to make us see that after all, our lives aren’t that bad at all, compared with other’s…

A great, yet again different chapter in a wonderful series, full of emotions of all kind, making me love this author again a little bit more.
And making me eager for the next one!