Blog Tour Book Review: Bridesmaids by Zara Stoneley

Synopsis:

Meet Rachel, the beautiful bride with BIG plans for the perfect day! The venue is a castle and the dress is designer. It’s just a shame her husband is a rat. 

Maddie and Sally have only one thing in common – they both love the same man!

Beth is a newly single mum with a mystery baby daddy. Surely the father isn’t someone the girls all know?

And then there’s Jane, the glue holding them all together, but being dumped doesn’t make her the happiest bridesmaid…especially with gorgeous flatmate Freddie complicating things. 

Will the bride say, ‘I Do!’? Or will her bridesmaids save the day…and find love along the way? 

The most hilarious, feel-good rom com of the year!

My Review:

Welcome to Publication Day and the first stop on a jam-packed Blog Tour for the wonderful Zara Stoneley’s ‘Bridesmaids’.

I have wanted to read ‘Bridesmaids’ since forever ago when Zara shared a photo of the book cover on social media. For a start a book that has not one but four cupcakes on the front deserves my attention! Wow! I know the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover’ but let’s… Beautiful, even without taking a look at the synopsis I knew I wanted to read this and I knew I would simply love it. ‘Four friends, four secrets, a wedding they’ll never forget’ How can you not dive into the pages! 

I love a wedding, everyone does surely…?! Who doesn’t love a wedding involving secrets and gossip though, I would have Pinocchio’s nose if I had said no! Of course we all do. Wedding’s are one of the most stressful times that can create disputes between families and friends, generate money troubles, it can turn you into a weather stalker (you’re just asking for one dry day that’s all!) but what happens when your best friend is marrying someone you know is not their soul mate, it’s not going to be easy sailing that’s for sure! 

I loved this book, it’s pure easy reading, escapism with bundles of humour thrown in too. Although Rachel is the bride to be the book is actually written through Jane’s point of view. Jane, we find out isn’t such a fan of weddings which is totally understandable after her heart was broken after being dumped by her fiancé on her hen night! So you can understand her worries when best friend Rachel breaks the news of her approaching wedding especially when she has a sneaky suspicion that Rachel’s fiancé is a complete toad. But being a good bridesmaid and more importantly best friend Jane is ever supportive, making sure to oohhh and ahhh at the right times throughout every step of the wedding planning. 

I really liked the character of Jane, Zara has created someone who not only is likeable for so many reasons but relatable. I could really see myself in her at times throughout the book, the friend who keeps everyone together no matter the situation, a peacemaker, barrier, reliable and a confidant to all. I felt sorry for her at times too, trying to keep everyone happy, keeping people’s secrets all while battling a dragon of a boss at work and jeopardising her own happiness at the same time. 

We all know life can get in the way of keeping in touch so Rachel’s wedding is a great excuse to bring the girlfriends back together however along with them they bring secrets of their own. Sally and Maddie are both in love with the same man which surely will cause no end of awkward moments during the wedding run up, hen party and the big day itself, especially when the man in question is the best man..! Beth who may not be a bridesmaid but still very much part of the bridal party is a new mum to baby Joe but is keeping schtum over who the daddy may be. All this and the hen party antics haven’t even started! 

Last but no means least is Jane’s gorgeous flatmate Freddie who came to Jane in her hour of need and has continued to be her knight in shining armour. I loved all the scenes that Freddie appeared in, you just know he is one of the good ones that every girl needs in her life whether he is fantasy Freddie who Jane secretly crushes over or reliable flat mate Freddie, you can tell that he is a keeper for sure. 

Overall this book was everything I wanted it to be and more, featuring lots of laugh out loud moments, some shocking revelations that left me gob smacked.. and not forgetting a wedding day no one will forget in a hurry! Bridesmaids is a total must read for this summer..! Buy Buy Buy! Zara thank you for another smashing read! 

Big thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources, Harper Impulse and of course Zara Stoneley for allowing me an early copy and asking me to be a part of this fab Blog Tour! 

Bridesmaids is out now...! Purchase Links Below!

Amazon | iBooks |  Waterstones

...and other good retailers

Check out other stops on this fab Blog Tour!

Author Bio

Zara Stoneley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date.

Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true. 

She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.

Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.

Zara’s bestselling novels include 'No One Cancels Christmas', 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'. 

Where you can find her-

Website: http://www.zarastoneley.com
Twitter: @ZaraStoneley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ZaraStoneley

Instagram: zarastoneley

Book Review: The Last Dance by Aimee Brown

Synopsis:

Ambri and Henry have been best friends forever. They've been through the highs and lows of life with each other by their sides. The worst? When Henry's wife, and Ambri's sister, died. Together, they can face it all. Until one night destroys everything.

Two years after he stepped out of it Henry walks back into Ambri's life and she's more than a little shocked. But as old friends fall into even older habits they need to decide whether they can forget the past and embrace their future.

My Review:

Big thank you to Netgalley, Head of Zeus and Aria for allowing me an early read of Aimee Brown’s new novel ‘The Last Dance’. The front cover caught my eye immediately and I liked the sound of the synopsis, although you could tell straight away that this wasn’t going to be your standard romance story. Being a newbie to Aimee’s books I was excited to get started.

Best friends Ambri and Henry have been each other’s supports since forever until tragedy strikes when Ambri’s sister and Henry’s wife dies. Grief brings them closer together until one disastrous night where their relationship changes forever resulting in Henry walking away leaving behind a broken Ambri.

Fast forward two years and Henry is back in town and wanting to be back in Ambri’s life. With a new girlfriend and home Henry is hoping he can amend the past however Ambri isn’t so sure this can be done. Ambri having had two years to rebuild herself, her confidence, trust and still fighting off the all consuming grief of losing her sister; Henry has a lot of bridge building to be back in Ambri’s life again.

There are so many things I love about this book, from the storyline to the characters. Aimee writes beautifully bringing the characters to life, Ambri and Henry being the main characters were likeable (although after Henry making such a huge mistake it did take me a little while to warm up to him again!) As we know Ambri and Henry loose someone they both love, grief and dealing with those feelings were a huge part of the story which was written well, the book was well balanced and the use of humour between the characters was a regular occurrence and gave some light relief from the heartache both Ambri and Henry were feeling.

Another big bonus was getting to read the story through both Ambri and Henry’s eyes, I always say how much I love when authors do this. It gives you that extra insight into their feelings and reactions to situations and towards each other, it helped me to understand their grief a little more and their emotions, it also made me want to bash their heads together knowing their inner thoughts!

Ambri, I could quite easily see myself being friends with, I love how passionate she is about food (I am a huge foodie myself, who isn’t?!) and I love that her job is to blog about up and coming restaurants. Yes Please! I liked that Aimee wrote a character that didn’t have her stuff together in life, she didn’t know where she was headed with her job and she wasn’t sure whether her current boyfriend was ‘the one’ it made Ambri a lot more real and believable.

Henry… What can I say, he is the character you want to dislike but you just can’t help but fall a little bit in love with. Like I said above, I had to get through a few chapters before warming up to him but I couldn’t not. He of course like everyone, is doing the best he can to get through the grief that consumes him, unfortunately he makes some mistakes along the way which you want to hold against him but deep down you know his a good guy and he proves this by all the things he does for Ambri.

The story at times was a little predictable, but you will know from my other reviews that I never mind that in a story, I welcome knowing where it will lead as most of the time I am already willing the storyline to head that way so I am never disappointed and can finish the last page with a smile on my face. I have to admit though I wasn’t ready to finish this story, I wanted it to carry on for a little longer, I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Ambri and Henry.

I am so pleased I read this wonderful, heartwarming story between two people who sadly lost a loved one but learned to survive and keep living and like the synopsis states embrace their future.

Buy the Book!

Book Review: Dear Mrs Bird by A J Pearce

Synopsis:

London, 1941. Amid the falling bombs Emmeline Lake dreams of becoming a fearless Lady War Correspondent. Unfortunately, Emmy instead finds herself employed as a typist for the formidable Henrietta Bird, the renowned agony aunt at Woman’s Friend magazine. Mrs Bird refuses to read, let alone answer, letters containing any form of Unpleasantness, and definitely not those from the lovelorn, grief-stricken or morally conflicted. 

But the thought of these desperate women waiting for an answer at this most desperate of times becomes impossible for Emmy to ignore. She decides she simply must help and secretly starts to write back – after all, what harm could that possibly do?

My Review:

Wow! I was not expecting to feel so in love with a book as I do for ‘Dear Mrs Bird’ You will not be disappointed I can assure you. After reading and enjoying ‘The Street of Broken Dreams’ by Tania Crosse I was quite intrigued to read more books set during the war, so after a book chat with a friend she recommended ‘Dear Mrs Bird’ I made a mental note to add this to my never ending to be read pile and get to it at some point this year but I happened to come across it during a library visit. I couldn’t just leave it there could I?! So I picked it up and my gosh I am so pleased I did. 

1941 World War II London, Emmeline (Emmy as we get to know her as throughout the book) wants nothing more than to be a Lady War Correspondent for the Evening Chronicle. What she does become (after a mix up with the job advertisement) is a typist for Henrietta Bird, a famous agony aunt for a magazine called ‘Woman’s Friend’. Emmy although a little glum due to the mix up, takes it all in her stride and decides to give the job her all and make the most of the opportunity. 

‘Keep calm and carry on’ the well used British phrase popped up in my mind every time I opened this book. While bombs were being dropped and loved ones were away on duty people had no choice but to carry on. Anxious family members, women whose husbands, boyfriends, brothers and son’s were out at war wrote into ‘Woman’s Friend’ for guidance, advice and comfort however Emmy soon realises that Mrs Bird with a heart of stone is a tough one to crack. Refusing to answer let alone read letters from desperate women with socially unacceptable problems Emmy struggles to rip their letters up and throw away leaving Emmy struggling against her heart and mind knowing she would be breaking the rules but not able to sit back while they are ignored. Emmy decides to go with her heart and write back in secret, of course thinking no harm will come of it but of course we know life is never as simple as that. 

I warmed to Emmy from the first page, her character was really likeable, witty and caring. As well as working she was also a volunteer at the local fire department as a telephone operator and reading about the firefighters gave you an insight into what life would have been like during those times. Of course times were hard and I was a fool to think this story was just about an agony aunt page in a woman’s magazine, but in fact the story takes a sudden turn which I won’t spoil as my friend didn’t for me. That point in the book (and you will know when you come to it) grabbed me and for a few chapters I was glued to the pages hoping my commute into work was delayed just so I wouldn’t have to step away from Emmy even for a few hours. 

This is a charming read, capturing my heart and staying with me for quite a few days after finishing. I can usually leave characters in the pages of a book after finishing but not Emmy, I often thought about her, even after a week had passed and I was onto my next book, she always stayed in my mind. 

I recommend Dear Mrs Bird to everyone, it’s beautifully written, the characters are a joy to read about and the story is enjoyable, humorous and utterly moving.

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Book Review: No Place Like Home by Maxine Morrey

Synopsis:
Ellie Laing has a very good reason to want to stay single: her last relationship put her in danger. And she’s worried that while the physical scars will heal, the emotional ones never can. So, travelling to Kansas for her best friend Sandy’s wedding, Ellie’s in need of some time alone. And Sandy’s brother Ben’s rural and idyllic ranch seems like the perfect place for it.

Ben comes with his own baggage – a failed marriage in his past, and a big question mark over his future – and he knows the feelings he had for Ellie belong firmly in the history books. But, sitting on his porch with her, he’s never felt more at home.

Both of them swore they were better off alone… yet is it possible that two broken hearts could come together to heal?

My Review:

LOVED this! I have read a few of Maxine's books and they are my go to when I want an easy feel good read that keeps me up into the early hours. There is nothing better than a book that grips you from the first page and this is one of them! 

This story has everything, friendship, family, love and healing. It covers serious issues of domestic violence which Maxine writes really well, I will admit I didn’t enjoy reading this section (who would? I know..) but it is an important part of the plot. The story focuses on Ellie’s survival and learning to trust and love again. 

After a traumatic time Ellie agrees to head back to Kansas to stay with her best friend Sandy and use the time to heal. Sandy and Ellie have been friends since they were children when Ellie and her family lived in Kansas, even after returning back to the UK Ellie and Sandy's friendship remained solid. I really enjoyed reading the story through Ellie’s eyes, a rollercoaster of emotions jumped out of the pages, following Ellie's journey to rebuild her confidence and let go of the pain.

Lead guitarist in a successful country band is Ben but to Ellie he will always be Sandy’s brother. Recently divorced Ben is trying to figure out his life as a single man again. Hearing of Ellie being back in Kansas brings back all those feelings from long ago that he thought he had buried away. I know I say it after every book but Ben is my new favourite…! Ha! Maxine created a wholesome, loyal and kind character in Ben, a family man who although is famous is also grounded and we thank you Maxine for him!

This book was everything I knew it would be and more, I loved the friendship between Sandy and Ellie, the closeness of their relationship was nice to read. I loved the humour that was used throughout the book, the scenes between Ellie and Ben were my favourite, the chemistry between them was at times sizzling and sweet and other times sooo frustrating I wanted to jump into the pages and knock their heads together.  Maxine's descriptions of Kansas made me want to be there, sitting on the porch of a beautiful ranch enjoying homemade lemonade with a singer cowboy! Don't mind if I do...! 

This is a heartwarming read, focusing on rebuilding yourself, learning to trust and love again and letting people into your life. Maxine’s style of writing is fantastic, I love the balance of a nitty gritty storyline, with an easy read romance and not forgetting some great humour thrown in too.  Don't stop writing Maxine! 

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Book Review: The Truth About Love and Dogs by Lilly Bartlett (Michele Gorman)

Synopsis:

Four little words, uttered by her husband…
‘Oh my god,’ he gasped into her shoulder. ‘Shannon!’
There’s just one problem: her name isn’t Shannon.

Rewind six months and Scarlett and Rufus aren’t in the honeymoon stage anymore so much as the honey-should-we-bother phase. Desperate to get their sparkle back, Scarlett has plotted, planned and waxed more than any woman should have to, but none of it is working. Which makes it very hard to start the family they want.

At least her business is going strong, even if her marriage isn’t. She and her best friend spend their days tangled up in dog leads and covered in fur. Scarlett is the fairy dogmother, training hopeless pets like compulsive eater Barkley, impulsive Romeo Murphy and bossy Biscuit. Meanwhile, her best friend walks the dogs and pines for the man who doesn’t know she exists. Thank goodness the women have each other.

If only Scarlett could work out how to get her marriage back on track. But Rufus isn’t sharing his feelings with her. He is, though, sharing with her best friend. Her best friend, Shannon.

My Review:

Firstly a big thank you to Michele Gorman (Lilly Bartlett) for asking me to read and review 'The Truth About Love and Dogs' This was an enjoyable read which didn't take me long to get through, it was difficult to put down and I raced to the end as I was desperate to know how the story would unfold.

The story is based around three main characters, Scarlett who runs a dog business called 'Ruff Love' along with her business partner and best friend Shannon and Rufus, who is married to Scarlett but also best friends with Shannon.  So after reading the first three lines of the synopsis you can understand my eagerness for reading this book so fast!

I was laughing out loud right from the off when someone turned up in the park thinking 'Ruff Love' was some sort of sex club! Ha! The dog training group scenes were fun to read and I loved each of their personalities, the dogs as well as the owners!  I loved how caring Scarlett was towards the dogs also the friendships she builds with the owners made for some really nice scenes to read.

As well as being a romantic comedy with lots of humour this book touches on a very serious subject which I won't let on and let you find out for yourself.  I didn't expect this so I was quite surprised but for me it really made the book and I thought the balance throughout worked perfectly and kept the book light hearted even during the more serious chapters.  The writing style was perfect, making me feel all sorts of emotions for the characters.  

Overall this book has everything, comedy, love, friendship, dogs, crushes thrown together with those real life problems that we have to adult through.  I would recommend this book to friends and family for sure!

As this was my first Lilly Bartlett book I am excited to get reading her other books as I am sure I won't be disappointed! 

Thank you again Michele!

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