Tuesday, December 9, 2014

A Piece of Cake by Trisha Ashley

***3 stars
Cute short story. It ended too soon. ;)

Story Summary:
Professional cake-maker Kate doesn’t have time for a man in her life, especially a boorish, sports-mad one like Wes. He’s definitely not her type.
But at her best friends wedding, when one crisis follows another, Kate begins to wonder whether she’s misjudged Wes.
Can love be the sweetest thing of all?

Staying Away at Christmas by Katie Fforde

**** 4 stars
Sweet holiday short story. I adore this author so I am always quick to gobble anything that she puts out. I can't wait for her new release in February of A French Affair.

Story Summary:
Miranda and her daughters have rented a cosy cottage for Christmas. The only trouble is, Anthony and his children are booked into the same place. In a moment of Christmas spirit, Miranda suggests they all spend yuletide together. Will the mistletoe help ease the tension and bring some cheer? Will romance blossom under the stars? Or will it be a Christmas they’d all rather forget?

Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Fforde is known for her wonderfully romantic stories, delectable heroes, and heroines we can all relate to. In Staying Away at Christmas her warmth and wit shine through in this enchanting short story. Turn on the Christmas lights, curl up on the sofa and immerse yourself in the deliciously readable world of Katie Fforde.

It Started with A Kiss by Miranda Dickinson

***** 5 stars
LOVED IT! I haven't read a Dickinson book in a while, shame on me. I had forgotten how much fun it was to escape into one of her books. I have to say it's been a while since I have read her previous, which I went back through and read my blogs of and I still think this one may be one of my favorite ones by her. What a wonderful fun read. There are many twists and turns throughout and the story and I absolutely loved the characters. If you want an excellent read, this is a must on your list :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Snubbed by her best friend, Rom flees from her humiliation and encounters a stranger whose kiss changes everything. Join her as she embarks on a quest to find the man of her dreams…

Exclusive extra material available in this e-book edition!

What would you do to find the one that got away?

Romily Parker is a woman on a mission. On the last Saturday before Christmas, (shortly after disastrously declaring her undying love for her best friend, Charlie) Romily has a sudden, brief encounter with a gorgeous stranger who might, just possibly, be the man of her dreams. It only takes two small words – ‘Hello, beautiful’ – and one, heart-stopping kiss to make up her mind: she has to find him again.

Giving herself a deadline of the

Love me for me by Jenny Hale

*****5 stars
Great read. A sweet romance about first loves and finding your way back home. I loved this book, I was immediately hooked and felt it ended too soon. Can't wait to find another by this author.


Book Jacket Summary:
Sometimes you find perfect where you least expect it…
Libby Potter has just lost the perfect job, the perfect apartment and the perfect boyfriend. Moving back to the home town that she couldn’t wait to escape when she was younger was definitely not on her to-do list. Especially as it means running into the man whose heart she broke when she left.
Pete Bennett can still make Libby’s world stop with just the sound of his voice – even ten years on. Only now, she is the last person in the world that he wants to see.

As everyone else welcomes Libby home with open arms, she realizes she’s missed that special closeness that comes from lifelong friendship. And, as Libby seeks to make amends with Pete, she begins to wonder whether she made the right choice in leaving all those years ago.

When an amazing career opportunity gives her the chance to leave again, Libby will have to decide what her version of perfect is… and where she really belongs.

Sealed with a Christmas Kiss by Rachael Lucas

*****5 star
This was a short story, but a great follow up to Sealed with A Kiss. It gave us a chance to see more of some of the characters I adored. I am putting these in my favorite pile to be able to go back and read.

Book Jacket Summary:
Kate has taken to life on the remote Scottish island of Auchenmor like a seal to water: she's given a new lease of life to the Laird's estate in her day job; she's befriended the once-nosy locals; and even young Laird Roddy is not quite so grumpy these days.

Better still, Kate has just had her best idea yet: they'll turn the castle into the most gorgeous wedding venue in Scotland. The pressure's on as the first wedding is booked in for Christmas Eve - just weeks away. But with a mismatched bride and groom, a hysterical PR on her case, her own relationship woes and a huge storm blowing in, can Kate pull it off in time?

Sealed With A Kiss by Rachael Lucas

*****5 stars
Great book and excellent escape. I read this as I had seen the follow up e-book Sealed with A Christmas Kiss and thought it perfect read for the holidays. I was instantly hooked with the characters and loved this book. I hope we see more of the characters in Lucas's future books :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Kate is dumped on her best friend's wedding day by the world's most boring boyfriend, Ian. She's mostly cross because he got in first - until she remembers she's now homeless as well as jobless. Rather than move back home to her ultra-bossy mother, Kate takes a job on the remote Scottish island of Auchenmor as an all-round Girl Friday. Her first day is pretty much a disaster: she falls over, smack bang at the feet of her grouchy new boss, Roddy, Laird of the Island. Unimpressed with her townie ways, he makes it clear she's got a lot to prove.

Island life has no room for secrets, but prickly Roddy's keeping something to himself. When his demanding ex girlfriend appears back on the island, Kate's budding friendship with her new boss comes to an abrupt end. What is Fiona planning - and can she be stopped before it's too late?

Monday, December 1, 2014

It's Not Me It's You by Mhairi McFarlane

*****5 stars
OMG! How does she do it!?! This is her third book that I have read and I absolutely adore them. All three of her books are at my top of my favorite top keep and reread list. You will love the characters and find yourself smiling or even a chuckle to escape. Do not miss reading this authors books. Pick one, you can't go wrong. :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Delia Moss isn’t quite sure where she went wrong.
When she proposed and discovered her boyfriend was sleeping with someone else – she thought it was her fault.
When she realised life would never be the same again – she thought it was her fault.
And when he wanted her back like nothing had changed – Delia started to wonder if perhaps she was not to blame…
From Newcastle to London and back again, with dodgy jobs, eccentric bosses and annoyingly handsome journalists thrown in, Delia must find out where her old self went – and if she can ever get her back.

The Magic of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

***3 stars
I love Trisha Ashley's books, with that being said, this wasn't in my top choices if you ask "what book should I read by Trisha Ashley?" I found it a bit dragging in places. I liked the characters and plot, I think it just fell a bit flat for me. Sorry. I do look forward to future reads by this author, as even her 3 stars are better than most ;)

Book Jacket Summary:
In the pretty Lancashire village of Middlemoss, Lizzy is on the verge of leaving her serially unfaithful husband, Tom, when tragedy strikes. Good job she has welcome distractions in the form of her Christmas Pudding Circle, a circle of friends swapping seasonal recipes, and a simmering rivalry with cookery writer Nick Pharamond – a rivalry set to come to boiling point after he snatched the Best Mince Pie prize away from her at the village show.
Meanwhile, the whole village is gearing up for the annual Mystery Play which takes place on Boxing Day. But who will play Adam to Lizzy’s Eve? Could it be the handsome and charismatic soap actor Ritch Rainford, or could someone closer to home win her heart? Whatever happens, it will certainly be a hard act to follow next year!

One Hundred Christmas Proposals By Holly Martin

***** 5 stars
This was a great installment from the "One Hundred Proposals" book. It followed up the characters and a great Christmas treat. Loved!

Book Jacket Summary:
If you thought Harry & Suzie’s life couldn't get anymore sweepingly romantic than Harry asking her to marry him at the end of One Hundred Proposals – think again!
It’s Christmas in a snow-kissed London, and the.PerfectProposal.com have vowed to carry out one hundred proposals in December. No easy task at the best of times - made even more complicated by Harry & Suzie trying to plan their first Christmas and a visit from the dreaded in-laws. But one hundred deliciously Christmassy proposals later they find themselves asking if everything is still perfect in their own relationship….
Welcome back to the divinely warm world of One Hundred Proposals – with a sprinkling of pure, joyful, festive magic.