Book Review: Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow

Synopsis:

Welcome to Love Heart Lane…

When Flick Simons returns to the cosy village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away. As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…

My Review:

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for allowing me to read and review this wonderful story by the amazing Christie Barlow.  Ahhhh my squishy heart is all full of love for this book right now!  

The book cover is a welcome delight to gaze at during these cold winter months! I am a huge fan of Christie's books and without even reading the synopsis I just knew straight away I was in for a treat.

The story features Flick who after hearing some sad news decides it's time to return to her home village of Heartcross situated in the Scottish Highlands.  The journey to Heartcross for Flick is an awful one through a winter storm and waiting on the other side of the bridge to the village are painful memories that Flick would rather not face especially one man in particular, Fergus Campbell.

As a reader we are not aware of Flick's past and the pain that comes with visiting Heartcross but it soon becomes clear and it just made me warm to Flick so much more.  I really liked the character of Fergus too, a quiet and mysterious character but you could totally tell that behind the barriers he puts up deep down there is a soft, caring and loveable side to him.

After a destructing winter storm which passes through the village causing chaos and leaving behind a broken swept away bridge that connects the village to the main land.  The villagers have to work together to ration food and keep morale up while they wait for help in the form of a temporary bridge to be constructed.

Flick uses this distraction to help her settle back into village life making new friends and mending past friendships that she left behind when she moved to London.  When the snow disappears and it's time for Flick to leave her homely village again, does she want to and will she?

I absolutely adore this story, I love Christie's fabulous writing and how she can make you feel so involved in village life and have you feeling like have known the characters forever.
I enjoyed all the little twists and heart warming moments.

This is most definitely one of those books that you rush through to get to the end and before you know it you are there but you haven't mentally prepared yourself for the story to end and leave the village and all the lovely people there but it's ok because we can return to Heartcross real soon in Christie's next instalment 'Foxglove Farm' YAY! I am counting down the days for this and June cannot come quick enough!

  

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Blog Tour Book Review: Only When it's Love: Holding Out For Mr Right by Olivia Spring

Synopsis:

Alex’s love life is a disaster. Will accepting a crazy dating challenge from her friend lead to more heartbreak or help her find Mr Right?

Alex is tired of getting ghosted and dumped. After years of disastrous relationships that started and ended in the bedroom, Alex is convinced she’s destined to be eternally single. Then her newly married friend Stacey recommends an approach she followed from a self-help book guaranteeing Alex true love in just seven steps. Sounds simple, right? 

Except Alex soon discovers that each step is more difficult than the last and one of the rules involves dating, but not sleeping with a guy for six months. Absolutely no intimate contact whatsoever. Zero. Nada. Rien. A big challenge for Alex, who has never been one to hold back from jumping straight into the sack, hoping it will help a man fall for her. 

Join Alex on her roller coaster romantic journey as she tries to cope with the emotional and physical ups and downs of dating, whilst following a lengthy list of rigid rules.

Will any guys be willing to wait? Will Alex find her Mr Right? And if she does, will she be strong enough to resist temptation and hold out for true love?

Only When It’s Love is a standalone, fun, feel-good, romantic comedy about self-acceptance, determination, love and the challenge of finding the one.

My Review:

Welcome to my stop on the jam packed Blog Tour for Olivia Spring’s second novel ‘Only when it’s Love’.  Also a HUGE Thank you to Olivia for asking me to join the Blog Tour and for an early sneak peak at this fab read!

This is a story about a lady called Alex, a very true to life story I am sure. Full of humour, friendship and love including and not forgetting all the dodgy dates in between…! I guess like that saying goes you always have to kiss a few frogs before you meet your prince!

If you look up on Google for the term Ghosting or Ghosted, in the world of dating it suggests a breaking off of a relationship (often an intimate relationship) by ceasing all communication and contact with the former partner without any apparent warning or justification, as well as ignoring the former partners attempts to reach out or communicate. Ruthless but this goes on frequently and for poor Alex this is her current situation.

Alex has had enough of being someone’s bootie call (and yes.. I’m now singing the All Saints hit ‘Bootie Call’ while I type this..! Ha!) So turning to her newly married friend Stacey who gives to her some words of wisdom and a self help book, Stacey guarantees Alex will find her true love in just seven steps… easy peasy lemon squeezy!... Or will it be?!

After reading the book cover to cover and getting over the fact that there will be no coitus, boinking, getting busy and certainly no Bow-chick-a-wow-wow moments under any certain terms for six whole months Alex is determined to start her new search for Mr Right!

Of course I won’t spoil the story on whether Alex finds her dream man but you sure will be entertained throughout the journey! I really liked the character of Alex, very true to life and written so well that I could totally picture her being in my friendship circle! The highlight was noticing a past character from Olivia’s first novel (The Middle-Aged Virgin) Roxy pops up on a few occasions as Alex’s cousin and if you have read The Middle-Aged Virgin you will know that Roxy isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind.

Such a flipping fab fun filled read… Wow lots of F’s! But totally needed for this! Olivia is an author to watch for sure. With the right mix of romance and comedy this is the perfect read and at an eBook bargain price of 99p at the moment you can’t afford to miss out!

Make sure to purchase today!

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Don't forget to check out the other stops on this fab Blog Tour!

Author Bio

Olivia Spring is a London-based writer of contemporary women's fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her debut novel 'The Middle-Aged Virgin' was released in July 2018.

Olivia's uplifting debut novel deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

When she's not making regular trips to Italy to indulge in pasta, pizza and gelato, Olivia can be found at her desk, keenly pursuing her new career as an author whilst consuming large bowls of her mum's delicious apple crumble and custard.

Follow Olivia!

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Book Review: Love Punked by Nia Lucas

Synopsis:

When her life is irrevocably altered by a post-Rave tryst on her mother's floral patio recliner, Erin Roberts’ long-standing relationship with Humiliation takes her down a path that's not so much 'less well trodden', more 'perilous descent down sheer cliffs'.

Armed with a fierce devotion to her best friend and the unrequited love for the boy she might have accidentally married at age seven, when Erin falls pregnant at sixteen, life veers off at a most unexpected tangent.

Her journey to adulthood is far from ordinary as Erin learns that protecting the hearts of those most precious to you isn't balm enough when your Love Punked heart is as sore as your freshly tattooed arse.

Whilst raising football prodigies and trying not to get stuck in lifts with Social Work clients who hate her, Erin discovers that sometimes you have to circumnavigate the globe to find the very thing that was there all along.

My Review:

I was very fortunate to be asked by Nia Lucas to read and review 'Love Punked'.  

Slightly different to my usual reads, however after reading the synopsis I was intrigued and wanted to read more!

Blimey! I was gripped! Constantly trying to fit in a few pages where I could...  This read is highly addictive, down to earth and very funny and although it is based on a very serious subject of Teen pregnancy the humour and one liners Nia brings to the story is simply faultless.  Lets just say I cannot look at an Argos patio recliner in the same way! Ha!

I warmed to Erin immediately, loyal, trustworthy, dependable.  Erin is the type of friend that every girl should have.  I loved reading the story from her point of view, a young sixteen year old growing into an independent young lady and mother.  I also loved the closeness she had with her family and the support she received from them was heart warming.

Going back to the fantastic writing of Nia, this book was a rollercoaster of emotions, some pages would have me howling in laughter but at other times the story would turn a 360 and have me nearly in tears.  Loved also the references to the 90's they made me chuckle and cringe at the same time! Some of the outfit choices! What was the 90's thinking! Ha!

I remember feeling desperate by the end of the book wanting to get through the pages to find out how it ended and what lay ahead for Erin.  I wasn't disappointed though, I absolutely loved the ending and it left me with a huge smile on my face.  I really hope Nia brings out a follow up to Erin and the whole gang, I still think about the characters and often wonder what they are up to now. 

Thank you Nia for asking me to read your wonderful book I very much enjoyed it!

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Book Review: From Paris with Love this Christmas by Jules Wake

Synopsis:
Just until Christmas…

That’s what Paris socialite Siena keeps telling herself. She’ll hide away in her sister Laurie’s cottage near London to escape her hot-tempered fiancé.

However, when Jason – gorgeous but a bit of a Grinch – picks her up from the airport, he reveals that Laurie hasn’t lived there for months, complicating Siena’s holiday getaway.

At first, Jason and Siena don’t see eye to eye. But after a weekend in the most romantic city in the world, experiencing all it has to offer – from the magic of a fir-lined Champs-Élysées, lit up by thousands of sparkling fairy lights, to the swoosh of skates on ice at the Eiffel Tower – Siena shows Jason her Paris, and a whole other side to herself. Suddenly Siena’s December deadline seems far too close…

My Review:

Kicking off my first review for 2019 is a festive read by Jules Wake 'From Paris with Love this Christmas.'  A feel good book full of new friendships, family, love and of course lots of Christmas cheer!

The story kicks off with main character Siena on a flight to London, from reading the blurb you already understand that this wasn't a planned vacation or visit but an escape from her fiancé.

Siena, hoping to stay with her sister Laurie after past promises that there would always be a room for her whenever she needed is surprised to find a grumpy but gorgeous Jason awaiting her in the arrivals hall.  Not knowing who he is and assuming he is a taxi organised by Laurie and Jason coming to his own conclusions that Siena is a little bit of a princess they get off to a rocky start.

Laurie no longer lives at the cottage that Siena was planning to stay at but as promised a room is waiting for her however she soon gets a shock when she realises that the stranger who collected her Jason is also staying at the cottage after finding out Laurie is his landlady.

Jules Wake's writing is fantastic, drawing you in from the first few pages. I absolutely love when an author writes from both the female and male voice, you get that extra inside scoop understanding the characters feelings.  Prime example is knowing from reading Siena's story that she isn't this precious money grabbing princess that Jason is led to believe and I loved reading how their first impressions are so far removed by the end of the story.

The locations and descriptions were on point, never having visited Paris myself this gave me a wonderful insight into Paris at Christmas time and it's now on my list of places to visit!

An easy read, this is perfect when you need a bit of me time to cosy up and shut off from the everyday chores!

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Blog Tour Book Review: What Happened to Us? By Faith Hogan

Synopsis:

Carrie Nolan is devastated when she is dumped by Kevin Mulvey after more than a decade without even a backwards glance! On reflection, she has sacrificed her own long term happiness establishing their critically acclaimed Dublin restaurant and pandering to his excessive ego.

Meanwhile Kevin can't believe his luck. Valentina, their new waitress is a stunner, the kind of girl that turns heads when she walks in a room and surprise, surprise she has chosen him! He is living the dream!

Carrie seeks solace from a circle of mismatched friends who need her as much as she needs them. Jane, who struggles to run the pub on the opposite side of the street, Luke, who has stopped drifting while his father settles in a nearby nursing home and Teddy, a dog who asks for nothing more than the chance to stay by Carrie's side.

With Christmas just around the corner, all is not quite as it seems and a catastrophic sequence of events leads to the unthinkable...
How far do you need to fall before you learn the true value of family and friends? And is it ever too late to start again...



My Review:

Welcome to my stop on Faith Hogan’s blog tour for her new book ‘What Happened to Us?’ I am so excited to be part of a jam packed tour and share my review with you all!

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria Fiction for allowing me a sneak peek of this wonderful Autumnal story about friendship, family and love. I’m ashamed to say this is my first ever Faith Hogan book and I am sure I have missed out on some great reads. 

The story follows Carrie who has just been dumped by Kevin (we hate him by the way…!) not only has she been dumped without a second thought but Kevin leaves her for a younger woman, here we meet Valentina a Columbian waitress who works at the restaurant Carrie and Kevin co own in Dublin. Awks! 

First off, all of the characters are so well written, I liked them all apart from a few who I really disliked and after reading the synopsis I am sure you will know who I am talking about… ‘cough Kevin cough!!’ Of course my favourite was Carrie who by the way is the most nicest character I have ever met in a book. I really did feel sorry for Carrie when Kevin paraded his new romance in her face and she still had to work with him, how she kept her calm throughout the breakup of their relationship and still kept it business as usual at the restaurant I do not know! I salute you Carrie Nolan!

With Christmas soon approaching Carrie turns to some new friends for support. Jane who owns the pub across the road from the restaurant and also Luke who she happened to meet only by chance one evening. Oh and Teddy, cannot forget to mention Teddy a gorgeous dog who Carrie finds on the street and becomes Carrie’s confidant and shadow. 

Both Jane and Luke have their own troubles which Faith touches on throughout the story. Luke a Historian back in town visiting his dad who has just moved into a nursing home and Jane, elderly and living alone in the pub she shared with her husband who has past; she finds herself feeling vulnerable, sad and very lonely. Thankfully both Carrie and Luke rally round to help fill the void for Jane and bring life back to the pub while learning some surprising secrets along the way. 

I think the three of them came together at such a great time and were huge supports for each other, I really liked reading the scenes where the three of them were together.

Stopping briefly back to Kevin, Faith wrote his character perfectly. He came across as a very weak, pathetic man who actually relied on Carrie more than you first thought. Both characters Kevin and Valentina were portrayed so well that you have this dislike for them while reading which shows how well written they are. I won’t spoil the story for you but I love that Carrie stands up for herself and doesn’t let them run her out of her life and if anything gives her the opportunity to find the time to do all the things she loves in life, one of which is investing more time in her blog. (Love a blog!) 

Ok so the story is a little predictable in parts but I never mind that in a book, a thoroughly enjoyable story from start to finish a book I would recommend to friends and family best read indoors on the sofa in happy clothes under a blanket with a big mug of tea and a constant flow of biscuits! Brilliant!

Make sure to purchase your copy today! 

Kobo | iBooks | Amazon

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour! 

Author Bio

Faith was born in Ireland and currently lives there with her husband, four children and two fussy cats.  She gained an Honors Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate from University College, Galway.  She was a winner in the 2014 Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair - an international competition for emerging writers.  When she's not writing, she's an enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger.

Follow Faith!

Twitter: @gerhogan

Facebook: @faithhoganauthor

Follow Aria!

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter:@aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

The Year of Taking Chances by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis:

Because love is always worth the risk . . .

It's New Year's Eve, and Gemma and Spencer Bailey are throwing a house party. There's music, dancing, champagne and all their best friends under one roof. It's going to be a night to remember.

Also at the party is Caitlin, who has returned to the village to pack up her much-missed mum's house and to figure out what to do with her life; and Saffron, a PR executive who's keeping a secret which no amount of spin can change. The three women bond over Gemma's dodgy cocktails and fortune cookies, and vow to make this year their best one yet.
But as the months unfold, Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin find themselves tested to their limits by shocking new developments. Family, love, work, home - all the things they've taken for granted are thrown into disarray. Under pressure, they are each forced to rethink their lives and start over. But dare they take a chance on something new?

My Review:

I picked this book up by chance in my local library and I'm pleased I did, after reading a few reviews I knew I had picked a fab read.

The book kicks off at a house party, New Year's Eve and hiding out in the kitchen are three women who have just met for the first time.

Gemma the hostess of the party, happily married to Spencer living in their new house with their two children.
Caitlin an old school friend of Spencer's who has returned to the village to sort her mums house who sadly passed and to figure out what's next in her life.
Saffron a PR executive taking a break from life, staying in the cottage next door to Gemma, with no one to greet her and with no help when the electrics go out decides to pop next door to seek help.

The three women brought together by the party, bond over dodgy cocktails, fortune cookies and making New Year resolutions.

The three main characters were likeable from the start, the storyline too was very easy to get into and believable. We follow the three women throughout the year, each chapter switching to each character. I always enjoy books that are written this way, reading each characters point of view always gives you that extra insight into their mind.

Over the next few months Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin face change and they are forced to adapt to their new situations. Throughout the changes, struggles and opportunities arise for the three women and they are all made to rethink their choices in life.

I felt that the story was to teach us that change although sometimes can be daunting, it can always be a good thing and helps us to learn, be brave and take risks and to take the positive out of any situation.  However much you plan things never go the way they should!

Throughout this review I know I haven't gone into depth about the storyline itself, with a few secrets and twists I would hate to give away any spoilers and ruin it for others. I would class this book as a feel good read, although the story hits some tough times for each character, the close friendship they form is really heart warming and made me think of my own support network and how grateful I am.  Lovely read and I recommend! 

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Book Review: Watermelon by Marian Keyes

Synopsis:
On the day she gives birth to her first child, Claire Walsh's husband James tells her he's been having an affair and now's the right time to leave her.

Right for who exactly? Exhausted, tearful and a tiny bit furious, Claire can't think of what to do. So she follows the instincts of all self-respecting adults in tricky situations.

. . . And runs home to Mum and Dad.

But while her parents are sympathetic, Claire's younger sisters are less so. Helen wants to share the new toy (she means baby Kate). While Anna is too busy having out-of her-head experiences.

So when James slips back into her life, desperate to put things right, Claire doesn't know whether to take a chance on a past she feared she'd lost forever or face an uncertain future of her own.

But is she as on her own as she really believes?

My Review:

I admit I have only read a couple of books by Marian Keyes, one of which is the fourth book from the Walsh family series (Anybody out there) After seeing Marian at a book signing, the Walsh family were spoken of a lot and I felt like I had missed out on some fantastic stories. So I got straight down to my local library (libraries by the way are the best places!) decided it was about time I started back at the beginning and read Marian’s debut novel, which is the first book in the Walsh family.

I love that the first chapter takes you straight into the story, Claire minutes after giving birth is content and full of happiness, a loving relationship with a great husband, perfect home, good job and her first baby a beautiful daughter. Can it get any better than this… Of course not, it’s all downhill from now on. As her husband James suddenly announces in the hospital that he no longer loves her and that his been having an affair! I can now confirm James is the worst!

Poor Claire… with her marriage in tatters, a newborn baby and a body that she doesn’t recognize as her own she catches the next flight back home to Dublin to her dysfunctional family. Here we are first introduced to the Walsh family! What a family they are!

I read some reviews before starting where people have remarked on Marian’s ramblings throughout the book but I really liked this, I liked reading Claire’s inner thoughts and musings and getting an insight into each character of the family and stories from their childhood. It always helps me to set the scene and picture it! But I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea!

Back in Dublin, Claire takes refuge to her bed to recoup only to fend for her baby daughter, here we witness Claire at her lowest, going through what you can only describe as mourning, and the stages from sadness to anger.

Thankfully Claire pulls through and takes back control of her life, no longer feeling worthless and knowing she and her daughter deserve better than James.

Here she meets Adam, a friend of her sister Helen; Adam is younger, shy and very very cute! Adam takes an interest in Claire and they hit it off from their first meet. After bumping into each other away from her family you could clearly see an interest for them both. I felt that the attention from Adam was exactly what Claire needed to give her the confidence and the boost to feel like her again.

I guess I should speak about James at some point…! We hate him by the way, what a horrible man… I won’t spoil for you with what happens between Claire and James, as you know from the synopsis James does return to Claire most probably realizing that the grass isn’t always greener. Few scenes when he returned made me angry which shows how well Marian writes her characters, James was written very cleverly the way he could change Claire’s confidence in herself. Anyway enough about James!

I liked the ending of this story, it wasn’t exactly how I imagined it planning out, the story is a little predictable so the end part did throw me but that’s what’s great about Marian Keyes, she always does like to keep you on your toes.

Despite the sad storyline and the situation Claire was in, the story was full of humour and comical moments which I really enjoyed. I cannot wait to get started on reading the rest of the books from the Walsh family.

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Book Review: One in a Million by Lindsey Kelk

Synopsis:
Annie Higgins has given up on love: she’s too busy trying to get her tiny business off the ground. Infuriated by the advertising agency across the hall making fun of her job, Annie accepts their crazy challenge – to make a random stranger Instagram-famous in just thirty days.

And even when they choose Dr Samuel Page PhD, historian and hater of social media, as her target, Annie’s determined to win the bet – whether Sam likes it or not.

But getting to know Sam means getting to know more about herself. And before the thirty days are out, Annie has to make a decision about what’s really important…

My Review:
Hand’s up I am a massive fan of Lindsey Kelk! I was so eager to get my hands on her latest book ‘One in a Million’, even better I got to purchase it on the paperback publication day and meet her in person courtesy of Waterstones along with Giovanna Fletcher and Paige Toon! (Yay!) It was a fun evening of book chat and Lindsey as always is so nice to meet… Even when I was a stuttering wally..! Doh!

This book has everything you need, bundles of humour, likeable characters, romance, friendship and a cat called Wellington.

We meet Annie who works all hours running her own agency involving social media. Being a big fan of social media this story was already a firm fav… Like Annie my phone is the first and last thing I check of a day, never going too long without checking my phone, a constant scroller on social media and never letting my battery fall to below 50%.

After the guys at the advertising agency across the hall (Martin and Charlie) make fun of Annie’s business they decide to set her a challenge to make a stranger instafamous. Challenge accepted! Annie needs the instagram account to reach 20k followers within a month, but when faced with her chosen target Dr Samuel (NOT Sam) Page, historian, badly dressed and an all time hater of all social media this challenge may be harder than she first thought.

Unfriendly and slightly haughty (my new fav word by the way) Samuel is the complete opposite to Annie, hater of all social media, badly dressed and recently dumped by his girlfriend Elaine he doesn’t jump at the chance to become an Instagram influencer. After Annie’s words of persuasion and promises of getting his girlfriend back by enrolling him into boyfriend bootcamp, Samuel agrees to help Annie win the bet.

With help from her friends and work colleagues, Annie sets to work on her mission to get Elaine back for Samuel while creating his instagram profile. Restyling Samuel, changing his bad boyfriend habits, posting history facts and booking him into dance classes… Annie is well on her way to winning, or is she?
Of course there are some bumps along the way, it wouldn’t be a Kelk story if it was all smooth sailing!

The book is a great read (I didn’t expect anything less) with laugh out loud one liners like ‘show me on the croissant where he touched you’ this book is a modern day social media rom com that you should all purchase especially as it’s  currently only 99p for eBook!

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Book Review: The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart By Anna Bell

Synopsis:

Abi's barely left her bed since Joseph, the love of her life, dumped her, saying they were incompatible. When Joseph leaves a box of her possessions on her doorstep, she finds a bucket list of ten things she never knew he wanted to do. Will completing the action-packed list - no easy challenge for the naturally timid Abi - be the way to win back her man? Or might Abi just have a surprise in store...?

My Review!

I have read quite a few books by Anna Bell so when a family member gave me this book I was thrilled! For starters it was an actual paperback book (whoop!) I’ve read quite a few books lately on Kindle and sometimes it’s just so nice to have a paperback in your hands. I know they say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but look at it… it’s sooo pretty! 

The story is all about Abi and how she tries to turn a bucket list into a ploy to win back the love of her life. Will it work? 

Abi is happy and in love with Joseph but after a disastrous dinner he suddenly announces she isn’t for him, they are no longer suited, and their relationship over. Along with her broken heart he returns a box of her things, and after Abi and her friend Sian go through the box, coming across a few racy pieces of underwear in the meantime (whoops! Not what you want your friend seeing!!) Abi uncovers a book that doesn’t belong to her, inside the book a bucket list with ten things to do. Assuming this must be Joseph’s list, a list he wanted to complete, a list of activities he had never mentioned to her, giving Abi the idea that if she completed everything on the list he would notice her and regret his decision. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! 

With her love life in tatters along with someone at her job out to get her, sabotaging her work, Abi sets out to complete the list with some help from her friends old and new. 

I really liked the characters in the book, if you needed an example of a scaredy cat then Abi would be your prime suspect, I did like Abi, I felt sorry for her at times, I was proud of her and I also wanted to slap her! (You’ll understand when you read! Ha!) 

I loved Sian, Abi’s best friend she was fun, caring and honest, I liked that within the story Sian got her own little starring role as her own love life kicked off. We got to know Abi’s work friends and the new friends she makes along the way while carrying out the bucket list, my favourite being Ben… How can you not like a man who always has on hand a flask of tea and cakes! We hated Joseph of course… He broke Abi’s heart so of course we hate him! 

I will let you find out if Abi completes all ten on the bucket list and whether it has the desired effect on Joseph!

This book is an enjoyable light hearted fun read with plenty of laugh out loud moments, it also shows you how a love life disaster can make or break you, turning your life upside down and doing things you wouldn’t normally do… When life gives you lemons… Make lemonade :)

Has it made me want to do my own bucket list, mmm maybe..! Watch this space!

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Book Review: How to Get a (Love) Life by Rosie Blake

Synopsis:
Nicola Brown doesn't like to lose control.  Her flat is always meticulously tidy and her weekly meals carefully planned; Nicola keeps her life in order.  When her carefree colleague Caroline challenges Nicola to find a date for Valentine's Day, it's a surprise to them both when Nicola agrees.

As Nicola's search for a man beings, she is thrown in at the deep end - sometimes quite literally - of the dating scene.  From men more likely to sell their mother than open their wallet, to those who are determined to find a girlfriend who shares their passion for extreme sports, Nicole has to run the full gamut of dodgy dates.  But as the deadline looms closer, Nicola realises it isn't so bad to lose control.  It turns out that trying to get a love life can be rather a lot of fun...

My Review!
This book has been on my 'to be read' pile for aggeesss and I thought it was about time I started it. I am so pleased I did, I really enjoyed it, such an enjoyable fun read.

This story is all about Nicola and her dating disasters!

As the synopsis stated Nicola doesn't like to lose control or stray away from routine, eating the same dinner on the same day at the same time... I must admit it took me a few chapters to warm up to Nicola, I just found her character so rigid, however my opinion on her soon changed after her colleague Caroline decides a challenge is in order. Nicola, Caroline and even myself were surprised when she took up the dare of finding a date for Valentine's Day.

With only four months to go until the Big V Day we follow Nicola through some funny, disastrous and down right dodgy dates! The one date that sticks in my mind even after finishing the book was kayaking in November, WTF! I really did feel sorry for her then, (I must admit I did giggle through that scene, just the craziness of it!)

However bad the dates were Nicola was a fantastic sport and I enjoyed this side to her, although the dates weren't always up to scratch I really liked reading about this carefree version that was totally different to the beginning of the story. 

I loved the relationship between her and her brother Mark, you could tell straight away how close they were and the special bond they have (just don't trust him to arrange sensible dates for you!!) I liked the other characters too, Caroline her work buddy and James her boss, they had a really nice friendship within the group and it came across as a great place to work. 

So, I hear you ask... Does Nicola find the one? I won't answer that of course and let you find out for yourself. But know that to find your Prince Charming you must date some dodgy frogs first! 

This is only the second book I have read of Rosie Blake's and I thoroughly enjoyed both so I think I need to get onto Amazon quick sharp and get buying!!

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Book Review: Kitty's Countryside Dream by Christie Barlow

Synopsis: 

New home.. New life. New beginning. Love affairs can blossom in the most unlikely places...

When Kitty inherits Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother, a farm in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, it's time for fresh air and a fresh start. Up to her elbows in chickens and ponies, Kitty soon realises there's an awful lot to learn about farming. Still, at least the locals seem friendly, not least her handsome neighbour Tom...

But just as Kitty is beginning to find her feet, and the possibility of love, the discovery of a long-hidden diary, by a mysterious character called Violet changes everything. Who is Violet and what is her message for Kitty? 

As Kitty fills in the lost pieces of her family jigsaw and discovers some shocking revelations, will her countryside dream and blossoming relationship fall to pieces? When it comes to life in the country, nothing is ever quite as it seems...

My Review!

First off I wanted to say what a beautiful cover this book has, really does invite you in for a perfect read for a sunny day! This book has everything you need for a feel good read but it had lots more that I just wasn't expecting.

We follow Kitty who after sadly loosing her mum has ended up in Staffordshire after inheriting Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother. A grandmother she didn't even know existed! 

Kitty who is now the owner of a chicken farm soon gets to work and finds out life on a farm is a lot harder than she first thought especially after having a disastrous first day where Paddy the rooster stole her homemade cheese and pickle sandwich!

I really liked all the characters in the book, Tom and Jeannine who work on the farm, Jeannine's brother Robin and Lucinda who owns the local bakery and makes the most delicious cakes ever! Oh and not forgetting Dotty!! 

I loved the community and how welcoming everyone was to Kitty, Bluebell Lodge was described so well that it made me wish it was a real place that I could visit, especially during the annual Easter egg hunt!

I really enjoyed the scenes between Kitty and Tom, the 'will they' 'won't they' had me on the edge of my seat and throughout many of their scenes I wanted to knock their heads together. 

As Kitty gets involved with the farm she soon finds out more about her grandmother, and after coming across a hidden diary written by someone unknown to Kitty called Violet, she decides to work her way through the pages to uncover hidden secrets about her family and who the mysterious Violet could be. 

On many occasions throughout the book my jaw would drop after another bombshell would hit, sometimes when reading you can see the twists coming or you look out for them but I must say I didn't find that to be the case with this story there were quite a few secrets jumping out that I had to stop and think about it all to piece the jigsaw together. 

This is another brilliant story from Christie Barlow, it had everything you need, humour, love, family and a few twists thrown in for good measure.

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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!!



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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!

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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. 

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