Book Review: Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

Synopsis:

When the love of your life says you're not The One, who are you?

Lizzy and Ian have been a couple since the first week of university. Now, after celebrating a decade together, everyone thinks they're about to get engaged.

Instead, a romantic escape to Dubai leaves Lizzy with no ring, no fiancé and no future.

Lizzy is heartbroken - but through tears, she sees an opportunity. This is her moment to discover what she's been missing while playing Ian's idea 'better half'.

But how much has Ian changed her, and who should she be without him?

Determined to discover who she is at heart, Lizzy sets out to rediscover the girl she was before - and, in the meantime, have a little fun...

My Review: 

I really enjoyed Giovanna's latest book, I heard some great reviews and being a huge 'Billy and Me' fan I knew I was in for a treat! 

This story follows Lizzy, who dreams of being next to walk down the aisle with her boyfriend Ian who have been boyfriend and girlfriend for like forever. Every Christmas, birthday, holiday or a general Friday night Lizzy is waiting and hoping that Ian will get down on one knee and declare his undying love by proposing and making Lizzy his future wife. 

After a holiday in Dubai ends in disaster, Lizzy's hopes and dreams are crushed when Ian doesn't declare his love but instead decides Lizzy is not The One for him and that they should split up. 

Coming home to their empty flat they once shared with happy memories of their travels together, Lizzy makes the journey back to Essex to her parents, back to her childhood bedroom, back to her Bananarama cd's and Take That posters. (It could have been worse... Lizzy could be sleeping on a treadmill after her sister Michelle's old childhood bedroom was turned into a gym!) 

Going through the boxes from her childhood a time before university and Ian, Lizzy tries to discover whether she was always destined to be the person she is today or that her relationship with Ian has lead her to be the Lizzy she is. 

I really liked Lizzy and following her on her journey of rediscovery, mixing back with old friends, meeting new friends and reconnecting with her family. I think Giovanna had the right mixture of characters and they all had a little story of their own along the way. 

I did feel the book ended far too quickly than I hoped it would, I felt that Lizzy had so much more to give to the story so I am really hoping Giovanna brings out a follow up as I would love to check in with Lizzy and all the other characters. 

This book was warm, funny and entertained me throughout, I especially loved all the Essex mentions, being an Essex girl myself I loved that Lizzy spent her clubbing days in Dukes, Chelmsford! 

Thank you Giovanna for a fab read, please bring Lizzy back!!



Buy the book!

Books Review: Mums Just Wanna Have Fun by Lucie Wheeler

Synopsis:

Meet Nancy...

Single mum Nancy will do anything for her little boy. Jack's autism makes life difficult at times, but she's determined to ensure he lives the best life possible. So, when her best friend Harriet suggests a holiday to Ibiza, Nancy is torn: will Jack cope with the change in routine...will she?

And Harriett...

Workaholic mum Harriet convinces Nancy it's the break they all need. A chance to have some fun with the kids, away from the stresses of normal life. And she's determined to switch off her laptop, ignore her inbox, and just have fun with her kids for seven whole days...

Cocktails and kids' club - what could go wrong?

Ibiza is beautiful, but Jack struggles with everything, Harriet refuses to put her laptop away, and Nancy begins to think she's made a huge mistake. And then Nancy meets Cameron and his young son, Aiden and discovers that sometimes the best fun happens when you least expect it...

Can these two single-mum's swap their mummy guilt for sunglasses and sangria?

My Review!

Not only was I excited to take part in Lucie's blog tour with an author interview (see earlier post here) and thanks to the lovely people at Netgalley I was also able to get my hands on an early copy of this fantastic book!

I enjoyed Lucie's first book 'The First Time Mums Club' so I knew I would be in for a treat! It did not disappoint It was such a fun read about two single mums holidaying in Ibiza. 

Harriett and Nancy have been friends since forever and after a disastrous year for them both, Harriett decides they need a break away and manages to convince Nancy that what she needs is sun, sea and cocktails! 

As the synopsis mentions above, Nancy's little boy Jack has autism. I really liked that Lucie has included this into her story, myself not knowing anyone with autism I found it really interesting understanding how Jack coped in certain situations and environments. I really liked the relationship between mother and son and the way Nancy communicates with him by simply putting her hand on his arm and waiting for him to be ready to speak to her, it was really heart warming to read. You could tell that Lucie has done her research or maybe knows someone with autism, it was a real eye opener for myself. 

My favourite character has to be Harriett, successful business woman and mother to two she is superwoman and has it all under control. (so she would have you believe) but through the book we get to see a different side to Harriett that simply made her human and normal with every day struggles of trying to keep that work life balance. Trying to be the best mother by working all the hours to provide for her children which then results in loosing time to spend with them. 

After a bumpy start to the holiday and with some minor dramas throughout it turns out the holiday is just what the ladies needed and they would be returning with a different outlook to life both wanting to make some positive changes and bringing home some new friendships. 

Well done Lucie on another fantastic read, the book does have a serious message running throughout the background of the storyline however you kept it light hearted, fun including lots of jokes and cocktails along the way. I really hope you included cocktail research while writing this book, Nancy and Harriett I am sure made their way through the whole of the cocktail menu and I must admit I noted down a few to try when I am next out! 

Oh and one more person that we must not forget to mention.. CAMERON...! 

Thank you Lucie for bringing Cameron into my life..! What a gentlemen, such a fun, caring but cheeky character who just fitted into the storyline perfectly. 

I am looking forward to what is next and Lucie Wheeler is definitely an author to watch! 

Buy the book! 

Author Interview with Lucie Wheeler - Mums Just Wanna Have Fun Blog Tour!

Today I am delighted to be taking part on the opening day of Lucie Wheeler's blog tour to celebrate the release of her new book Mums Just Wanna Have Fun which is out now! 

Thanks to the lovely people at Netgalley I was able to have a sneak peek at this little beauty and I LOVED it! Keep your eyes peeled for my review coming soon!

Lucie was kind enough to do a Q&A with me, thank you Lucie for including me on your blog tour and for taking the time to answer my questions!

1. What five words would you use to describe your new book?

Honest, real, stripped, heart-warming and funny.

2. If you were to start your own book club, which authors would you ask to join?

Oh what a fun question! Well, for me, it would be quite a mix of authors actually because I would want the discussions and the chosen reads each meeting to be varied as I love to read so many different types of books. With this in mind I would ask the following authors: 

David Walliams & Tom Fletcher - I love their children's books but equally, I think David would be hilarious and Tom could sing his reviews to us and we would be entertained! 

Giovanna Fletcher - lets face it, we would have all the Fletchers there if we could because they're such a fun bunch! Plus I think Giovanna is such a wonderfully warm person she would bring a lot to the group.

Cecelia Ahern - I love Cecelia and I especially love her YA writing so she can contribute in a YA capacity. Plus I would love to meet her so she would get an invite.

Michael Morpurgo - because I am a little bit in awe of him and, again, I would love to meet him.

And finally, all my Romaniac buddies because we get on so well and I always have a laugh when we get together so they would most definitely be in my book club. Not sure we would get any work done though...

3. Which scene in Mums Just Wanna Have Fun was the most fun to write?

Oh this is hard, because I don't want to give anything away. There were a lot of emotional scenes to write in this book but I did enjoy writing them because I love getting under the skin of my characters and really feeling what they go through. However, it has to be said, scene's between Nancy and Cameron were a lot of fun to write. In particular the flirting scenes. I won't say anymore!

4. What has been your favourite moment of being a published author?

Honestly, there are so many! It is an incredible and unbelievable thing to experience so it is hard to pick just one. Things like seeing my book on Amazon and then on the shelf in Foyles were incredible. As is every single time someone tags me on social media to either say they have read my book or are currently reading it. But if I was to pick just one, I would have to say the moment I gave a signed copy of my very first paperback to my daughter, with a message inside to her. The book was dedicated to her but I added a handwritten note inside her own copy for her to cherish forever and I hope that she will look back on that in years to come and just feel how much I love her. 

5. What does a publication day look like to you? How will you be celebrating?

Well I have only experienced this once before so I don't have a set thing that I do. Last year when The First Time Mums Club came out in eBook, I literally spent all day on social media trying to keep up with all the tweets, messages, shares etc - it becomes quite hectic. But its wonderful because you feel such a buzz! I drank coffee all day and then at dinnertime I popped open a bottle of champagne to toast the day. I then did a Facebook live on my publishers Facebook page and chatted to some readers which was lovely so I hope to do that again this time round. For the paperback release I had a little party at my house for my close friends and family and we partied into the night and my husband gave a lovely little toast. This time round the book actually comes out on the day my daughter returns from her ski trip so i will be sharing my day with spending time with her so it will be half spent on social media and half spent with her. I am going to try and do a live video in the evening too on one of my social medias. 

Thanks so much for having me on the blog - I hope you enjoyed Mums Just Wanna Fun!

You can buy Mums Just Wanna Have Fun now!

Synopsis:

Meet Nancy…

Single mum Nancy will do anything for her little boy. Jack’s autism makes life difficult at times, but she’s determined to ensure he lives the best life possible. So, when her best friend Harriet suggests a holiday to Ibiza, Nancy is torn: will Jack cope with the change in routine…will she?

And Harriet…

Workaholic mum Harriet convinces Nancy it’s the break they all need. A chance to have some fun with the kids, away from the stresses of normal life. And she’s determined to switch off her laptop, ignore her inbox, and just have fun with her kids for seven whole days…

Cocktails and kids’ club – what could go wrong?Ibiza is beautiful, but Jack struggles with everything, Harriet refuses to put her laptop away, and Nancy begins to think she’s made a huge mistake. And then Nancy meets Cameron and his young son, Aiden and discovers that sometimes the best fun happens when you least expect it..

Can these two single-mum's swap their mummy guilt for sunglasses and sangria?

Author Bio

Lucie lives in Essex with her husband, daughter and her English Bull Terrier, Dame, who loves to sit under her desk as she writes and keep her feet warm. Never one to sit still, she always has lots going on in her life at any one time. Currently she is writing her novels alongside studying for a degree.

As a graduate of The London School of Journalism and one eighth of the writing group. The Romaniacs, Lucie is passionate about writing and continues to source new opportunities to share her words with the world. 

In 2013, Lucie won a New Talent Award at The Festival of Romance and is now represented by literary agent, Kate Nash. Lucie occasionally blogs both on her own website at www.luciewheeler.co.uk and with The Romaniacs at www.theromaniacs.co.uk. She also vlogs over on her YouTube channel.

You can also find Lucie spending too much time on social media! She loves to connect with her readers though, so do pop by and say hello to her! She can be found on:

Facebook:http://bit.ly/LucieWheelerFacebook
Instagram:http://bit.ly/LucieWheelerInstagram
Twitter:http://bit.ly/LucieWheelerTwitter
Website:http://bit.ly/LucieWheelerWebsite
YouTube:http://bit.ly/LucieWheelerYouTube

She loves reading, spending time with friends and eating chocolate - when she gets to do all three, she's a very happy lady!

Check out the other stops on the Mums Just Wanna Have Fun Blog Tour!

Book Review: This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell

Synopsis:

If only Essie hadn't written that letter - the one that went viral...

On the one hand, if Essie hadn't written that letter - the one that only her best friend was meant to see - then she'd still be living like an actual proper grown-up, tucked up with Paul in his picture-perfect cottage, maybe even planning their wedding...

On the other hand (if her true feelings hadn't accidently taken the internet by storm, that is) she wouldn't have moved into the attic flat on the square. She would never have met Conor. Or got to know Lucas.

And she wouldn't have found herself falling in love with someone she really, really shouldn't fall in love with...

My Review!

Stored away on my phone is a lit of ALL the books by Jill Mansell and I have made it my mission to read them all! I currently have 13 books waiting ever so patiently to be read and a part of me wants to rush through them all but a little part of me likes that I still have 13 brilliant books to be opened and 13 lots of fab characters who I will instantly love. 

Jill Mansell is back and she never disappoints! When I noticed her book was sitting at my local library waiting for someone to pick it up I raced down there and grabbed it! The only negative I have is that the book is hardback which can sometimes feel like a mini weight lifting session carrying it on my commute to work but the story is totally worth it. I love my kindle but sometimes you just need a proper book in your hands... am I right?!

Remember at Christmas time when your parents would send and receive 'round-robin' letters typically included in Christmas card's and posted around the world to family and friends. A letter where the owner details all the events and news for them and their nearest and dearest throughout the past year.

Essie and her friend Scarlett decide to create their own 'round-robin' and send one to each other, what could possibly go wrong?.. Well, a lot in Essie's case when the round-robin describing her mother in law as a dragon (whoops!) is sent out by mistake, going viral to her whole address book including her fiancée and mother in law, concluding to Essie loosing her fiancée, home and job!

So poor Essie, after her truthful (but funny) words were released into the world she found herself looking for a new home and job, here enters Zillah! Wow what a character truly glamorous, wise, thoughtful and kind. Zillah doesn't like to live alone after her husband sadly passed away so she rents out rooms in her house and decides to give Essie a break, letting her live in the attic flat for cheap rent in exchange for help with her grocery runs.. 

Here starts Essie on her new journey making new friends and maybe some love interests along the way! Essie soon discovers there is more to life than Sunday morning vacuuming session's with Paul!

I adored this book (like any other of Jill's) yes the storylines are sometimes predictable but I love the little twists and turns along the way and the happy endings which leave you turning the last page with a warm glow and a smile on your face.

Another brilliant read!

Buy the book!