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!

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!

When a terrible moment means a change in your life

Synopsis

Welcome to the Happy Hartes Bookshop in MicklewickBay on the beautiful North Yorkshire Coast!

The Happy Hartes Bookshop has been a part of bookworm Florrie Appleton’s life as far back as she can remember. From the evocative smell of the books, to working alongside her beloved Mr H and his black Labrador, Gerty, there’s no wonder she calls it her happy place.

Living in a town she loves, with her family and group of close-knit friends nearby, life is sweet. Until one dreadful Monday morning, when everything is turned upside down and things are changed forever.

Devastated, Florrie finds herself thrown into an unexpected situation with handsome stranger, Ed Harte, owner of a pair of twinkly navy-blue eyes and a smile that has the knack of making mischief with her insides.

Despite being fresh out of a relationship, Florrie quickly finds herself falling for him, but she’s torn, reluctant to give her heart to someone who seems intent on not sticking around.

While her heart’s doing battle with her head, Florrie soon finds herself privy to a secret with Ed involving a heart-wrenching twist they could never have imagined.

Will love find a way to bring them together, or are they destined to go their separate ways?

My review

Florrie Appleton has never thought about leaving the town she lives in. She has her family, her amazing friends, a boyfriend that doesn’t make sparks fly around but he’ll do, and a job at Happy Hartes Bookshop.
Being a bookworm, Florrie has started working with love and passion at the bookshop as a weekend job when younger, and now she is still working there with the same energy fulltime.
Little does she know that one Monday morning, her whole world will turn around with a devastating discovery…
Because now she owns half of the bookshop, together with her boss’ estranged grandson Ed Harte.
And while she has many ideas to keep the bookshop a success, she doesn’t dare to give in the growing feelings she is cultivating for Ed. Because she cannot give her heart to someone who doesn’t know if he will be sticking around or not. 

Is there something better for a bookworm like me than reading a book about a bookworm, working in a bookshop, and perhaps even finding romance, and add a little mystery to it too?
That’s what I thought… 

So obviously I immediately liked Florrie. But not only because we have a shared passion for books, but because she just is such a nice person!
The way she looks after the customers of the bookshops, how she laughs and cries with her friends, and the way she takes Gerty in after their loss, these are just some of the examples to proof who Florrie really is.
Even the way she is reluctant of getting out of a passionless relationship shows her she thinks more about other people than herself. 

My heart broke when it was her who made the discovery that Monday morning, and her reaction shows us that Bernard was so much more than just her boss.
Bernard, the kind of grandfather everyone would love to have, making Florrie his ‘honorary’ granddaughter…
It made me wonder with such a great character, how it would be possible that he has such an ungrateful family… A family that broke all contact when they didn’t get things their way… 

But luckily Bernard’s kind character can be found in Ed’s character too. Because Ed decides he wants to know his grandfather, and that is of course the right decision, not only for the matter of the heart, but also that is great news for our own Florrie! 

This isn’t just a story about two people finding each other. But it’s also about people trying to figure out where they want to go with their lives. Because not everyone always knows what they want from life and what the right direction is.

And there I understood why Florrie didn’t want to invest too much of her heart in getting closer to Ed. Because what if he would just leave and leave her and her heart broken?

While it was lovely to see how feelings grew stronger, I also was very invested in the story of some side characters. Without giving too much away, their story warmed my heart and I was glad I was put on the wrong track for once, as the reality was even better than I imagined! 

I loved reading this book, with two lovely characters who both deserve the world, amazing friends that will make you laugh and a bookshop I wish I could spend all my time and money!
This story shows us that family doesn’t mean that there has to be a connection by blood. And that fighting in the same corner, even with a small diversion there, can be the start of a wonderful romance.

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!

When you had it all and lost it, will you dare to try to do it all over again?

Synopsis

He’s on the fast-track to serious, and she’s hitting the brakes.

When cosmetics entrepreneur Sabrina Kelly waited until she was thirty-eight to marry, she never thought she’d be widowed by forty. Now, two years later, she’s ready for a dip in the dating pool. And Michael, the merciless flirt who lives down the hall, seems like a fun way to get wet. He has “player” written all over him, but Sabrina’s not looking for a love connection. Her heart can’t take more than a fling.

Wall Street mogul Michael Wright has ignored his mom’s pressure to marry for years. But it’s not until he has a health scare that he finally takes stock of his life. If he’s going to settle down, only one woman comes to mind… his gorgeous, whip-smart neighbor, Sabrina. Their chemistry is off the charts. The banter? So. Hot. But while he’s working overtime to woo her, she’s holding back. Can two people running at different speeds get to happily-ever-after together?

My review

Sabrina Kelly waited a rather long time when she finally got married. But her husband was worth the wait. Last thing she expected that two years later she would be a widow.
Now that her cosmetic business is booming, she is ready to start dating again. But she is not looking for a love connection, as her heart couldn’t cope with another loss.
Her neighbour Michael is just perfect, as they are daily flirting in the elevator and he has ‘player’ written all over him.
But Michael Wright, after having a health scare, is ready to finally settle down. And the only woman he can think of is his neighbour Sabrina.
Two people, ready to take a next step in their lives, on a different level but with chemistry flying around, can they find common ground and love? 

Having read other books from this author, I knew that this next chapter would be my cup of tea! 

Sabrina felt like a real person to be, having struggles, doubts and fears each and every one of us has in life.
But she is also committed, passionate and driven, with a desire to make her own business a success, but without giving away the personal touch it has.
Being around the same age as Sabrina, I could relate easily to her. And I can only imagine the pain and grief she has after losing her husband after finally having found the perfect man. 

At the same time that I felt sorry for her, I also admired her, as she finally found the courage to get out on the dating scene again.
I also comprehended why she wasn’t looking for love, but just some casual flirting, without getting too attached. 

From the start I loved the flirting and banter at the elevator between Sabrina and Michael. It was the start for the both of them!
And when they start to see each other at other places beside the elevator, I found it some kind of sweet to see how perfect they would be for each other. They are different, but they would be completing each other! 

I was very happy to see how Michael started to think it was time to settle down, although the reason why he did was a scary one…
But sometimes we need a scare to realize what truly matters in life…
And while Michael has his reputation, we see the real Michael, a loving man that once he is in, he is totally in. 

The beauty of this story is, like I said before, the fact it is all so recognizable and real. Life isn’t always a walk in the park, we lose people we love, we have health problems. But that shouldn’t be a reason to keep us to love all again.
It is a scary thing to start all over again, but the reward, with the right person makes it all so worth it!

A betrayal can never be overcome, right?

Synopsis

In close quarters… With the Viking she’d loved and lost

A Shieldmaiden Sisters story—with her family fallen on hard times, Valda’s forced to join the crew on Halfdan Ulfsson’smerchant ship as he sets sail on the treacherous silk route. But this handsome jarl’s son is the man she’d planned to wed, until his bitter betrayal. Knowing she can never trust him, she must focus on saving her sisters…and not the intense connection that still burns between them!

Passion erupts when these bold, spirited Vikings are reunited!

My review

Valda has always been proud of being a shieldmaiden. But after having her heart broken, again, she is finding it difficult now that her position has changed, and also her and her family’s situation. There isn’t a thing she wouldn’t do to save her sisters and mother, even if that means joining the crew on Halfdan Ulfsson’s merchant ship. No big deal, if it weren’t that Halfdan was who broke Valda’s heart for the first time by betraying her on the worst way.
But as her choices are limited, they set of on the journey, not realizing that the intense connection they once had is still present. Valda is determined to keep her distance, also because Halfdan has his own motives to undertake this journey.
And he is still as unreachable and unavailable as before, so why is the attraction between them only growing? 

I have a weak spot for Vikings, as they are always fierce, strong yet with a kind heart (at least in the stories I read and the Viking is the main character).
So obviously I had to read this story, and add the fact that I have read previous books of this author and now the main character Valda is a familiar face, well, how could I resist? 

But Halfdan is not the only fierce one. Because Valda is a force to reckon with! And that made me like her immediately.
Valda knows her worth as a shieldmaiden, and doesn’t let her being a woman hold her back. She is a feminist before there was even a talk about feminism.
However not only is Valda a fierce and literally strong woman, she is also a loving woman. She hasn’t had it always easy, but for love of her mother and sisters, she would do anything. 

And her loving character also burnt her in the past. She has truly loved twice, and twice did she get her heart broken… That shows how vulnerable she also is, and added an extra feeling of sorry from my side.
The more we know about her first heartbreak, the more we understand Valda and the more we sympathize with her.
So yes, I wasn’t a fan of Halfdan because of that past, but I was seeing why Valda went along on being part of his crew, because there weren’t many other options. 

While I might me prejudiced what concerns Halfdan, his case was again a clear case of don’t judge before you know all the aspects.
Also here I admired the things he would do for those he cares about. Even if that means getting married to someone just to give his brother his freedom back.
But don’t get me wrong, Halfdan is not a softie, not at all! He knows how to take matters in his own hands, and foresee what might be the backlash and act beforehand. 

Obviously, when Valda and Halfdan meet again, they have oppsite feelings. Valda doesn’t want to do with him in any way, while Halfdan sees this as a new opportunity to get closer.
Being on the waters, you cannot avoid each other for a long time, so it’s not a big surprise that Valda and Halfdan grow closer again.
But it’s not a case of just getting back together and then ‘the end’.  Valda remains true to herself, and doesn’t want to be just a ‘conquest’ of Halfdan.
Even when she gives in the physical attraction, she knows that nothing more can come from it, as Halfdan is going to marry someone else. 

And in that aspect I would have liked that Halfdan did just something *more*. Yes, we know he doesn’t want to marry the unknown woman, and he still has deep feelings for Valda. But for the biggest part of the story, he doesn’t give Valda any actual prospect. While that is exactly what Valda needs to be able to give her heart away… 

Naturally, there is a big issue to overcome, but even while the happy end seems far away and just impossible to reach, again the loving characters of both Valda and Halfdan are shown as the happiness of their loved ones comes before their own.  

I truly enjoyed reading this story, getting to know Valda, Halfdan and their search for happiness and love.
I loved the strength of Valda’s family, and how different each sister is, and found myself getting eager for having the other sisters their own tale asap!
This was an easy book to read, in the sense that I found myself quickly submerged in the tale of second chances at love, strength and remaining true to yourself!

Love comes in all shapes and forms

Synopsis

Fly to France for the perfect summer getaway –without leaving your house! This a heartwarming, feel good read perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman and Jo Thomas.

Escape to heaven…

Daisy has never been lucky in love, and when her love life implodes—again—she flees to France. A summer in the sun helping out at her friend Poppy’s guesthouse is the perfect way to put unsuitable men behind her!

When Daisy finds herself dog sitting for two loveable rescues they quickly wind their way into Daisy’s heart. The trouble is so does their owner – enigmatic widower and bookseller Anton! But she didn’t come to France fall for another unattainable man…

Can they honour the past and take a chance on the future?

My review

After another fiasco in her love life, Daisy decides to escape to France and help her friend Poppy with the guesthouse.
Spending the summer in the south of France is the perfect opportunity for Daisy to rethink about her life and her future.
However, Daisy is not the kind of person to just sit back and do nothing, so she quickly finds herself a job as a dog sitter for the two loveliest dogs. The dogs quickly steal her heart, but so does their owner, widower Anton.
No matter how hard sparks fly, Daisy is not going to fall for another unattainable man and Anton himself is also not ready to let go of the past.
However, how long can they keep their distance? And are they both willing to accept each other just the way they are, even with unexplainable gifts? 

I always enjoy a story where the author takes us to a wonderful setting. And having read the previous parts of this series already, I knew I just had to read this book!
I truly enjoyed returning to the guesthouse, meet my old friends (without and with fur) again and discover how they are doing.
And I was willing to accept a new entry with whole my heart! 

It’s obvious that Daisy is a great character even if she is not that lucky what concerns love. Having another disappointment, she decides bravely to get away from everything, and take some time to reset her focus.
I admired her for that, as it cannot be easy to take that step and just step away from everything. 

We see her struggling, trying to find her feet again and decide what her future will look like. But the more I was reading, the more I truly liked Daisy.
I honestly believe that animals are a good judge of character, and seeing how Daisy takes care of Pickle and Squeaker warmed my heart. 

While Daisy and her patience and love for the dogs warmed my heart, their story, and that of their owner Anton broke my heart…
We often forget that animals also have feelings and that they can also grieve when losing someone they love. So seeing how grieve changed the dogs, broke my heart.
On the other hand, seeing the sibling love between the two dogs was again heart – warming. 

I could understand why Anton kept to himself, and tried to stay as far as possible from Daisy, but at some point, you have to let go of the past for your own happiness.
And seeing Daisy and Anton growing closer, yet having the respect of the past, was in my eyes the perfect balance of letting go and yet treasuring the past. 

What I loved even more about these two main characters, is how they accept each other for who they are.
I admit, I found Daisy and her ‘special gift’ difficult to comprehend, but that’s me just being me, not truly believing in these things. But I also saw how it was an ‘extra’ in this story, adding an additional layer.
And seeing how eager Daisy was to listen to Anton and his own passion, showed me that there is always someone who matches perfectly to you, even with all your ‘nerdy’ passions. 

This was a lovely next chapter in the series, showing the importance of acceptance and unconditional love. Sometimes getting away from a familiar place is the best thing to do to find a place to call home.
And taking a fearful step in the unknown will sometimes make you find happiness and love even when you’re not looking for it.

A dream, a misunderstanding, a new beginning in Cornwall

Synopsis

All eight novellas in the UK bestselling series A LITTLE HOTEL IN CORNWALL are now available in one collection! Follow aspiring young author Maisie Clark as she stumbles into a role as a maid in the idyllic hotel by the sea, where there’s never a dull moment, from her quest to track down a reclusive English novelist, to her brush with jewel thieves and a whirlwind trip through Paris and London to name a few. All the while, she finds herself falling for the handsome and enigmatic groundskeeper Sidney Daniels. Could the key to unlocking her dreams be right in front of her?

This collection contains A Little Hotel in Cornwall, A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores, Sea Holly and Mistletoe Kisses, The Cornish Secret of Summer’s Promise, A Train from Penzance to Paris, A Cornish Daisy’s Kiss, A Stargazy Night Sky, and The Cornish Key to Happiness.

My review of Book 1

Maisie Clark is an American waitress whose dream is to become a real novelist. When her chance to follow an exclusive writers’ mentorship programme evaporates, Maisie decides to track down her favourite yet elusive author and ask for help to achieve her dream. The reply she receives is not a positive one, yet the postmark from Cornwall makes Maisie pack her bag and fly over to a wonderful Cornish hotel, hoping to find the person that can make her dream come true. After arriving, the hotel thinks she is the new maid, Maisie sees this as an opportunity she cannot let go to waste. Will Maisie be able to find the author, and persuade him to help her? All the while keeping her real identity hidden, making new friends, and even find love?

I can truly enjoy reading about a character following her dreams, not giving up after a setback, and even not being afraid to make a trip to the other side of the world.

So yes, I admired Maisie and her dream and passion of writing. Even if the chances of becoming a famous and successful author are small, she doesn’t give up.

And that is exactly the kind of character I love!

Maisie packs her bags filled with hope, and is determined to make this trip a success. I could easily understand her reasoning, and even why she went along when the hotel assumed she was a maid.

While it wasn’t exactly the right thing to do, she isn’t doing something really illegal, and she is actually doing what is being expected from her. I could see why she kept the charade, and even had a few laughs when there were risks of being exposed.

It was also lovely to see how Maisie starts to fall in love with the place, because honestly, who wouldn’t?

The setting is a beautiful place, making me wish for a trip there myself!

This is the beautiful start of an amazing series, of which the next part I have also already read. With each new chapter it was falling more and more in love with the main characters and the palce. But this first chapter was a wonderful first encounter with lovely characters, making the readers eager to read on and see if Maisie can make her dream come true and what else she will find on her quest.

City girl meets Cowboy…

Synopsis

Falling for the wrong cowboy never felt so good . . .

Samantha Baker is a high-flying movie producer living in New York City. She loves her shoes, drinking cosmopolitans, and wouldn’t trade the comforts of city life for anything in the world. But when her job is put on the line, Samantha has no other choice than to move to the middle of nowhere to straighten out the filming of her latest romantic comedy blockbuster.

Her new country home has no Starbucks, no Pilates, and the one pub in town has never heard of appletinis—only serves beer and whiskey neat. On the plus side, the views are scenic. And not just for the aerial shots, as the local eye-candy provides a welcome distraction.

At least until Samantha discovers a native cowboy, Travis Hunt, is the source of all her troubles…

And the battle begins.

Each has something the other wants, but as Samantha and Travis go head to head, they might discover the endgame has changed. When hate turns to heat, all becomes fair in love and war for these two sworn enemies who’ve been playing a game of hearts.

But will a roll in the hay be enough to make Samantha decide there’s no sex in the city and convert to country living?

My review

If you would search for the word ‘city girl’ in a dictionary, you would find a picture of Samantha Baker. Samantha is a successful movie producer, living the life in New York City. When her latest romantic comedy blockbuster is having issues while shooting, and with Samantha’s job suddenly on the line, she has no other option than going on the premises and direct things back in the good direction. But shooting is taking place in the middle of nowhere, and couldn’t be more out of Samantha’s comfort zone… Samantha is eager to get everything working and head back home, but things aren’t that easy as it seems, as things don’t work the same way as in New York City. And add a cowboy who makes Samantha’s blood boil, but at the same time heat other parts, and we have a love story out of script…

First thing first, I am going to state the obvious. Yes, I adore this author. Yes, I adored each book she has written I have read so far. Yes, I read this book in one session. No, I have no regrets at all. But most important, yes, this new book was just perfection in every possible way!

At the start, I didn’t like Samantha 100%… not because she is a bad person, but because she is so focused on her life in New York that every other place is a lesser place than her home. But on the other hand, I could also comprehend her, because home is always home, and from living in a place like New York City, where you have everything, going to a place with only one bar, where coffee is just black and cowboys, goats and gigantic cats. The differences couldn’t be any bigger thus even more fun for us readers!

I also admired Samantha, and her hands – on attitude. She is not someone to mess with and is a force to reckon with! So seeing her handling every setback with her fierceness and attitude, made me feel all the ‘girl power’ but made me also a bit scared of her! 🤣

Of course, moving to Emerald Creek isn’t a piece of cake for Samantha and adapting to countrylife isn’t a sinecure. Life in Emerald Creek is the total opposite of what Samantha is used to, and she would have never thought that she could fall in love with such a place, and definitely not with Hildi, the most adorable goat I have ever met!

Talking about meetings… I admit, like so many women, cowboys are my thing! But you have the typical cowboy, and then there is Travis… He is just the perfect blend of a loving son, a kind man with a great heart and also a focused man.

Yes, the man sometimes infuriated me just as much as he infuriated Samantha, but also in his case, I saw where he was coming from.

Like I said before, this story was just perfect. I loved how Samantha and Travis were constantly fighting against each other, the non – stopping banter, but also the way they joined forces, how they found common ground.

And the sweet and tender moments, the hotter moments and yes, even the heart – breaking moments… Because decisions have to be made, and the outcome is never an easy one…

I honestly think this is Camilla Isley’s best work (till now) and there was never a doubt in my mind that this story was worthy of my rare and precious five star – rating. There is so much love in this story, so much laughter and so much more, it is just the perfect cure for when you are feeling a bit down. And while the expectations now are superhigh, almost impossible to achieve, I know I am eagerly waiting for the next amazing story!

The things we would do for our dreams

Synopsis

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. 

A year in a gorgeous Italian castle…

When Anna Roberts’ life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job – management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can’t do it alone…

…With the last man on earth she’d choose!

The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake’s had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult … but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn’t exist is quickly proving impossible!

My review

Anna Roberts feels her world crashing down after not only her boyfriend cheats on her, but as being also her boss, she is also without a job.
After a period of wallowing in misery, with the gentle push of her father, Anna is determined to now find her dream job far away from her home.
And how improbable it may seem, she finds it! Managing a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, board and lodging included. Could this be even more perfect?
Only there is one catch… the job is only for couples…
Anna thus needs to find someone who would be also perfect for the job, and pretend to be her better half and needs to get away from everything.
There is only one person she knows that ticks all the boxes and that is her neighbour Jake Tucker.
If he would be the friendly kind of neighbour, she wouldn’t hesitate to ask him, but Anna and Jake are like chalk and cheese… While Anna is a list – person, Jake is more laidback. And ‘Saint Anna’ couldn’t be more different than Jake, who has had a few rough years…
Can they get away with pretending of being a loving couple? Or will their charade be quickly discovered?  

Even before I started reading one word of this book, I knew it would be just perfect. Why? Well, first of all, LAKE COMO! Then we have main characters that are closing to hate each other than love each other, next to being total opposites.
And if that isn’t good enough yet, it’s written by Kathryn Freeman, an author I just adore! 

While Anna may seem like a tight, strict and prejudiced person (especially towards Jake), the more we got to know her, the more I understood where she came from and how she got to become the person she is now.
Being the daughter of the Chief Superintendent, made her always follow the rules. And being alone with her father, made her want to be in control in every possible situation.
Even if sometimes I found her too strict, I could understand her point of view. And let’s be honest, if she wouldn’t be like she is, the story would lose a lot of its charm!

So when Anna finds her dream job, I was a bit surprised that she decided that she would do anything to get the job, even if that means lying during her interview and hide Jake’s past. But again, all part of the wonderful charm! 

Now that I started to talk about Jake… He is the epitome of Bad Boy Vibes. He did some time in prison for assaulting a person, and he is provocative.
But I was very pleased to see that there was so much more to him than just being a bad boy. He is very protective towards his family and there isn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for them.
And I totally comprehended why he decided to help Anna to get her dream job. Because he, just like Anna, needs a way out. 

Obviously, being total opposites, it’s a certainty Anna and Jake would more clash than agree. But slowly we also start to see how they FINALLY get to know the real Anna and Jake. And while I first thought it would be a case of only two people living in a castle alone, thus something will happen between them, it was more a case of finally truly understanding each other. 

The misunderstandings, the pretending of being a loving couple, the sudden realization of feeling more than just ‘repulsion’, all set in a wonderful castle, made this a great reading session (yes, singular!). 

There is also the mandatory blast from the past, the miscommunication, but also so many heart-warming moments.
And I’ll admit, reading how Jake is being a lifesaver, was a huge turn – on for me! 

I loved reading this book, fulfilling my expectations I always for this author, finding myself being ecstatic with the discovery that Kathryn Freeman gave me everything I needed from this book, and even more.
I totally fell in love with Anna and Jake, and even the side characters and their tales stole a piece f my heart.
I laughed, I got angry, I swooned and I even wanted to punch a few characters, but in the end I felt overjoyed with the thought that two lovely characters, who deserved better from life, found each other unexpectedly and proving that being opposites only mean that they complete each other. A wonder story that you cannot not love!

And there is a giveaway!

Try and Win a PB copy of The Italian Job by Kathryn Freeman (Open INT):

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