Book Review: Love to Hate You by Jo Watson

Synopsis: 

Sera is usually a good girl. (Except for one wild night in the backseat of a stranger's car!) But what happens when that bad boy turns out to be her new boss? And what happens when he wants more than one night... and he can be very persuasive... 

My Review!

This is my first book by Jo Watson and as soon as I read the synopsis I just knew I would love it and bought it straight away. After reading the first few chapters I started thinking 'why haven't I discovered Jo Watson before?!!' Her writing style is right up my street so I have already downloaded a few of her other books and cannot wait to read them!

So Sera... Although normally a serious and sensible girl, decides one night to go wild and meets a very attractive man in a nightclub and after some flirting ends up on the backseat of his car! Wowza, what a start to a book! 

But as we know this isn't just anyone's backseat and as we get into the book you find out that the hottie is her new boss!! Whoops!

I really love these types of books, easy to read, laugh out loud, full of romance and a right hunk as the male lead... Perfect! You could easily see this book turned into a film, although I am struggling to choose an actor who would play him.. It's not a decision to be taken lightly!!

Sera is very loyal and caring especially to her little sister who she works 2 jobs for just to make sure she gets through school. Sera's family life isn't picture perfect and she's lucky enough to be supported financially and emotionally by JJ and Bruce her 2 gay surrogate dads. (absolutely loved both of them, really made me laugh reading the scenes between them and Sera!)

After learning that Ben (the hottie from the car backseat) is her new boss, Sera is mortified and hoping he doesn't recognise her (which of course he does as this is a rom com people and it wouldn't be right if he didn't fancy her and declare that she is his soul mate!) As mentioned before Sera's family life isn't great and she worries that Ben finding out might cause him to run in the other direction but as I got to know Ben you soon realise he is in it for the long run and nothing about Sera could ever put him off her (awwww) I laughed and loved the scenes between Ben and Sera, lots of flirting and poor Ben trying everything just to get one date with her... Will he succeed and will she let her barriers down?! On a few occasions throughout the book I thought 'just go out with him you idiot!!!!'

I could and most probably will re read this book again and again, this book is the perfect holiday read!! Look out for a couple of twists throughout the book, they just make the story even more brilliant. 

Buy the book!

Book Review: What Fresh Hell by Lucy Vine

Synopsis:

Lilah Fox has just returned from the hen party from hell, vowing to actually spend time with her boyfriend and focus more on herself. Then she gets the whatsapp from her best friend Lauren to say she's just got engaged. And as maid of honour, Lilah just signed up for weekend wedding fairs and weekly planning meetings for the next year.

Just when she thinks things can't get any worse, she's about to discover a new fresh hell. 

My Review!

I really enjoyed Lucy Vine's debut novel 'Hot Mess' so when I saw this one I couldn't wait to start it. If you enjoyed Hot Mess I can promise you this one will not disappoint, like Hot Mess Lucy's writing is very clever and the stories are really very relatable! This book had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. 

What a year for Lilah Fox, demanding job as an assistant producer, stuck in the middle of her divorced parents who hate each other and see nothing wrong with slating each other to her, a brother who only appears when he needs to borrow money, endless hen nights to attend, following all the weddings and not forgetting the wedding gifts to be bought leaving her bank account in the minus, trying to find time to keep her relationship to Will alive and now to top it off her best friend Lauren announces she is engaged and lucky Lilah is the maid of honour... I feel exhausted just typing all that!

I really liked and believed in the character of Lilah, she is your typical woman in her late twenties, trying to please everyone and not being able to say no. There were times when I wanted to jump into the book and shake her as I could see she was taking on too much.

So Lilah's now maid of honour to her best friend Lauren.

Lauren... what a blooming nightmare bride! I fear that there are many Lauren's in this world and I really hope I wasn't a Lauren myself! I think there is something about weddings that bring out the bridezilla out of everyone! 

The number of hen do's in a year was ridiculous but not surprising... Lucy describes them all really well, they had me giggling and thinking 'oh my Christ!!' on many occasions, my favourite one being the juice hen party!!

All planning meetings, hen party's and weddings aside this book takes on a deeper story of Lilah. Trying to keep everyone happy is causing Lilah's private life to suffer and at some point something has got to give and Lilah needs to take back control of her life and start saying NO!

All in all this book is brilliant, funny and at times over the top but that just makes it even better! 

Thanks Lucy for another fab read! 

Buy the book! 

Book Review: The Wedding Date by Zara Stoneley

Synopsis:

One ex.

One wedding.

One little white lie.

When Samantha Jenkins is asked to be the maid of honour at her best friend's wedding, she couldn't be happier. There are just three problems...

1) Sam's ex-boyfriend, Liam, will be the best man.

2) His new girlfriend is pregnant

3) Sam might have told people she has a new man when she doesn't (see points 1 and 2 above)

So, Sam does the only sensible thing available to her... and hires a professional to do the job.

Actor Jake Porter is perfect for the role: single, gorgeous and cheap! Sam is certain it's the perfect solution: no strings, no heartbreak and hopefully no chance of being found out.

But spending a week in the Scottish Highlands with Jake is harder than she imagined. He is the perfect boyfriend, charming sexy and the hottest thing in a kilt since Outlander! And his dog Harry is quite possibly the cutest things Sam has ever seen!

As the wedding draws closer, Jake plays his part to perfection and everyone believes he is madly in love with Sam. The problem is, Sam's not sure if Jake is acting anymore.

My Review!

This is one wedding you do not want to miss! I LOVED it! As soon as I saw the book cover (cake... need I say more..!) and the synopsis I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse I was lucky enough to receive an early copy and after reading a few reviews I couldn't wait any longer and this book shot up my 'to be read' pile.

This story made me think of the brilliant 2005 film 'The Wedding Date' with Debra Messing and the lovely Dermot Mulroney! How was this film 8 years ago?! - I must re watch this!

This book has to be one of my fav books of 2018 so far, so good I was up till the early hours as I just couldn't put it down.

We meet Sam... good news is that her best friend is getting married, bad news is the best man is her ex boyfriend Liam.. The bad bad news is her ex boyfriend Liam has a new girlfriend and to make matters worse the bad bad bad news is the new girlfriend is pregnant!! Arghhhh!!!

So Sam is the maid of honour to her best friend, Jess. Unfortunately the groom's brother is Sam's ex boyfriend Liam. The wedding is the last place Sam wants to run into Liam but Sam being Sam the most caring and wonderful friend she puts her feelings to one side and plans to attend.

To save loosing face in front of family and friends at the wedding she decides to tell everyone that she has moved on and has a new boyfriend, problem is said boyfriend does not exist. After visiting her hairdresser Tim, she is presented with an idea of an escort or hiring an actor and here she comes away with a business idea that is Jake.. Sam and Jake meet and after hitting it off decide to confirm a contract with rules (rules are for breaking right?!) and off they leave for the wedding in the Scottish Highlands as 'pretend' boyfriend and girlfriend not long after Jake has played the perfect partner at dinner with the 'in laws'. (awww he's a keeper!)

Thank you Zara for Jake, I am sure I am not alone when I say he is the perfect date, such a charmer and I loved him from the first chapter he appeared in. My list of chick lit hotties is rather long (what's a girl to do?!) but I have to say Jake is right up at the top!

I really liked Sam, she was very relatable, and I really wanted nothing but good things for her. I did feel sorry for her in the beginning especially finding out that her ex boyfriend Liam (we hate him by the way) must have done the dirty deed on her but as I read further into the book I envied her for having such a hot date at the wedding of the year! (jammy dodger!!) On a serious note this book was also a self discovery for Sam on what she wanted out of life 'AL' (After Liam!) and I must admit Liam most probably did her a massive favour!

I loved the lead up to the wedding, lots of funny scenes many including Harry, Jake's dog... The most cutest, curious dog ever! I enjoyed reading the chemistry between Sam and Jake, Will Sam fall for Jake and just how good of an actor is Jake?! Arghhh questions.. questions...!

Well done Zara on such a blooming brilliant read, thank you for creating a story that kept me from sleeping, I love when a book does that!

This little beauty is due to be released as eBook 20th April, paperback due out 28th June! BUY BUY BUY!!

Buy the book! 

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! 

Book Review: My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

Synopsis:

Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.

Ok, so the truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn't really hers.

But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren't they?

Until her not-so-perfect life comes, crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie's hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.

Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams - or try to get her job back? Does Demeter - the woman who has everything - actually have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have move in common then it seems.

And what's wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway? 

My Review:

I absolutely loved this book, so good that I read it within a few days! Sophie Kinsella always delivers and this is another fab read from her. 

We meet Katie 'Cat' Brenner originally from Somerset now trying to make it in London, her Instagram feed might show a fabulous lifestyle but in fact her life is far from it. Katie has always wanted to live in London so living in a tiny room with only a hammock as storage, a nightmare of a commute to a job where she feels invisible with a demanding boss is all totally worth it to live out her dream of living in London. 

All the negatives seem worth it when things start to look up and Katie is invited out for social work drinks, she asserts herself and gets to join a team meeting and she meets Alex who is one of the partners in the company. However the positive times don't seem to last when her boss Demeter fires her as her role is no longer needed. 

Katie struggles to find another job so she decides to head back home to Somerset to help her Dad and Step Mum (Biddy) with their new Glamping business. I loved everything about Ansters Farm Country Retreat, It felt so real that I really wanted to go, I wanted to stay in a yurt, take part in willow weaving, taste Biddy's home made scones and come home with some personalised soap.

Then one of the families staying at the farm is Demeter along with her husband, son and daughter. Katie struggles to hold back her feelings and stay professional, does she take her revenge or does she try to get her job back? I won't spoil this as the plot is brilliant and had me laughing out loud! Just to top things off Alex also makes a reappearance... (Loved Alex and how well they got on together..) 

I am very grateful to Sophie for bringing Alex into our lives as he sounds like a right hottie! 

I wouldn't say this book is a love story or a romance but it is much more than that. We always think we know more about the people that surround us but sometimes it is very easy to hide behind social media and people's lives aren't always the fairy tale you think it is. 

Thank you Sophie for another fantastic read it really lifted my mood from start to end. 

Buy the book!

Book Review: Izzy As Is by Tracie Banister

Synopsis:

The party is over for bikini model Izzy Alvarez. For six years she’s made a good living by flaunting her God-given assets on runways and in front of cameras, but now as she approaches the big 3-0, the bodacious Latina is shocked to learn she’s aged out of the profession that’s kept her in mojitos, mani/pedis, and designer thongs. What’s a girl with a taste for the finer things in life and no marketable skills to do?

Getting a regular job is too boring to even consider, so Izzy decides to follow in the footsteps of her newly-engaged frenemy and become a trophy wife. Although she’s desperate and too broke to get a chipped nail fixed, Izzy still has standards for her future husband, which means no uggos, no vertically-challenged guys, and no geezers who need to pop a blue pill to perform in the bedroom. Enlisting the aid of her computer whiz nephew and her closest pals, Izzy goes on the prowl for a rich, marriage-minded man, encountering likely candidates in a lot of unlikely places.

The high life she’s dreamed of may be within reach when Izzy meets a charming, successful man who’s not only hotter than a steamy summer night in Miami, but ready to settle down. Now all Izzy has to do is make sure her loud, crazy Cuban family doesn’t scare off el hombre perfecto—oh, yeah, and squelch those pesky, romantic feelings she keeps having for the sweet, cash-strapped guy she's known forever.

Will Izzy’s hunger for money win out, or will her fiery heart demand to be heard?

My Review!

This is the first book I have read by Tracie Banister, I always love to try out and read from different authors. This book is your typical easy read chick lit story and it should be enjoyed while sunbathing round a swimming pool in a warm location!

This book is all about Izzy Alvarez who is nearing 30 years of age and a bikini model. I couldn't stand Izzy unfortunately she was very self centred and she kept making stupid decisions which made me have to stop reading just to calm myself down.. If I could climb into the book and slap her I would have!

Izzy knows nothing but modelling, so after being told that she was nearing the age where modelling jobs were passing her by to younger models she decides to find herself a rich husband to keep herself in designer clothes and spa treatments. Here starts the bad decisions... and breathe..!

I did laugh at some of the dates she went on, they were just disasters straight from the start but she was determined to find her new (rich) husband.

She soon meets Eduardo who is very charming, good looking and of course well off, things between them do seem great to begin with however as the days past I noticed that their relationship wasn't working out and all the money in the world wouldn't solve a relationship when love is not involved. Here I came to see that maybe money isn't everything to Izzy and that having companionship with someone you love would be more important.

Although Izzy was outspoken and feisty she did have a heart of gold and this was displayed a lot with her family and friends. The whole family came across as being really close especially Izzy and her sister Pilar, I did like to see this side of Izzy especially when she helped to arrange her nieces birthday party. 

I see that Pilar has her own story and although I will now know the end of the story I am interested in reading Tracie's other books to understand the family and to find more on Izzy through someone else's perspective.

Thank you Tracie for a great read! 

Buy the book! 

Book Review: A Year of Being Single by Fiona Collins

Synopsis:

Three friends. One year. Absolutely no men...

Imogen is supposed to be on the most romantic weekend of her life and instead she's quickly realised that her current boyfriend definitely isn't 'The One' and actually One Big Mistake.

Frankie is fed up. Fed up of her good-for-nothing husband and her four, unappreciative children. Well, they hardly notice her anyway, maybe it's time to shake it up a little....

Grace thought she had the perfect life. Gorgeous little boy and perfect, hardworking husband. Or rather, she did, until she realised her husband was shagging his 'work'.

These single ladies don't need to put a ring on it... right?

My Review!

First off who doesn't like an easy fun read about friendship!? Secondly who doesn't love Beyoncé's 'Single ladies'?! I know I had this song in my mind throughout the whole time I read this book!!

Imogen, Frankie and Grace are best friends who live down the same street. The chapter's are written by each of the ladies point of view, I always enjoy reading these types of books, I feel you get to know the characters so much more. However I am a little slow getting into them just while I remember who is who!

On the same day they all let out silent screams, they have had enough of their current relationships and decide a change is needed.

Their relationships are all very different but they are not happy and had enough of men so they agree to make a pact and stay single for a whole year... Easy right?!

We first meet Imogen who was on a romantic weekend in Paris with her boyfriend (Dave), successful career in her early 40's she is not having much luck in finding the one and Dave is most definitely not it. She decides to take action and finishes the relationship as soon as they return to London. 

Frankie has had enough of her husband and four children, for a break away from Rob and the kids she buy's one night hotel stays to relax and binge watch TV. Frankie feels taken for granted and decides she wants peaceful weekends instead of clearing up after everyone. She asks her husband Rob to leave.

Grace, poor Grace... I really felt sorry for her, she was the only one who was happy in her relationship until she found a text message on her husband's (James) phone from another woman and finds out he has been cheating on her. 

As soon as they made the deal with each other I did think it wouldn't be long until a man showed up.. As they say things always happen to people when they are not looking for it, they also say that the grass is sometimes not any greener!! 

Being an Essex girl myself I really loved this book and reading all the places mentioned throughout, 'Hylands House' and 'Romford Dogs'! It just made it that little bit easier to imagine the street they lived on and the places they visited.

The story follows the lives of the three women however as you can imagine over the months they struggle to stay single and they each end up getting involved with new men they have met. (hot new men to add!) Being best friends they share everything however as none of them wanted to be the one who broke the deal they start to keep secrets from each other and they become distant. I wasn't too keen on how much they were drifting apart in just a few months.

I did wonder at times whether they would stay single for the whole year or whether they would find love. I did agree with the ending it was a perfect way to end for the three friends. Great book by Fiona! Looking forward to reading many more!

Buy the book!