Snowflakes on Silver Cove by Holly Martin (White Cliff Bay #2)

****4 stars
This is a follow-up in the Martin series White Cliff Bay. If you have read the first in the series "Christmas at Lilac Cottage" you will see an overlap of time and events happening in the town, but not a full crossover of characters. With that being said, it has the same feel of Christmas magic and warmth of the holidays as the first book. A sweet follow-up. Looking froward to the next ;)

Book Jacket Summary:
Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself…
Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance.
As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and…discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George.
But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas?

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin (White Cliff Bay #1)

*****5 stars
Holly Martin quickly made it into my top favorite authors. I've been holding this book until the holidays approached to read. I was worried that my anticipation of this book would make it a bit of a let down, but I was so wrong. This is the type of book you want to curl up on the couch with in front of a fire. I found myself warmed from the inside out with this book. The characters were all so real and kept you turning the page to see what would happen next.

Book Jacket Summary:
Welcome to the charming seaside town of White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air…
Penny Meadows loves her home – a cosy cottage decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights and stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay. She also loves her job as an ice-carver, creating breathtaking sculptures. Yet her personal life seems frozen.
When Henry and daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage to rent the annex, Penny is determined to make them feel welcome. But while Daisy is friendly, Henry seems guarded.
As Penny gets to know Henry, she realises there is more to him than meets the eye. And the connection between them is too strong to ignore…
While the spirit of the season sprinkles its magic over the seaside town and preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas eve ball are in full swing, can Penny melt the ice and allow love in her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of?

A Time for Living by Ruth Saberton Polwenna Bay #2

*****5 stars
This is the second book by Saberton in the Polwenna Bay series. "Runaway Summer" is the first, which I loved as well. You don't have to have read the first to keep up in the second but I did find it really laid a lot of the ground work for many of the characters. This is a wonderful series and I look forward to the next.

Book Jacket Summary:
Is there ever a right time for love?
Feisty horsewoman, Morwenna Tremaine, has always known what she wants from life and success as a three day event rider is all she’s ever dreamed of. Mo has neither the time nor the inclination for love. Even if she did it wouldn’t be with a man who stands for everything she despises…
Beneath a tough and determined exterior, businessman Ashley Carstairs harbours a dark secret that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. Although aware that he is heading for trouble, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the one woman he knows he should stay away from – for both their sakes.
As the autumn nights draw in and the trickling sands of time gather speed, emotions run higher than the tides and Mo finds herself unable to step away. What is Ashley hiding? Is there more to him that meets the eye? And will his secret destroy everything she now holds dear?

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson

***** 5 stars
Loved this book so much, I reached out immediately to my couple of friends that I share books with telling them that they must read this next. I don't want to ruin this book for anyone, so will just say that it is a wonderful book full of twists and surprises.

Book Jacket Summary:
Annie has a secret. But if she's not going to tell, we won't either. It's a heart-breaking secret she wishes she didn't have - yet Annie isn't broken, not quite yet. Especially now there's someone out there who seems determined to fix her.
Kate has run away. But she's not going to tell us why - that would defeat the point of running, wouldn't it? It's proving difficult to reinvent herself, however, with one person always on her mind.

Scratch beneath the surface and nobody is really who they seem. Even Annie and Kate, two old friends, aren't entirely sure who they are any more. Perhaps you can work it out, before their pasts catch up with them for good . . .

A gripping and unpredictable story of two young women running from their pasts. We defy you to guess the twist . . .

Somewhere Only We know by Erin Lawless

*****5 stars
I have always wanted to go England for a long visit. I went once in my early teenage years, and don't remember much of what I saw. This book was like a where to go book for London. I felt as though each place was coming alive as we are watching Alex and Nadia go on adventures together. An Absolute fun read.

Book Jacket Summary:
Boy meets girl…
Alex Bradley can't help but feel that life is rather passing him by. And not just life – promotions, invitations, romance; the girl he loves only has eyes for his flatmate and his 9-5 job as the Immigration department skivvy is slowly numbing his soul. Until he meets Nadia.
Girl meets boy…
Nadia Osipova is running out of time. With no money, no lawyer and a totally fictitious boyfriend, she’s got one last summer and one last appeal before the British government deport her back home.
Girl gets deported?
It's going to be a bumpy ride, one she's dragging her new friend Alex along for. As Nadia races through a list of all her favourite London adventures, for what may be the last time, Alex can’t help but start to see the city, and his life, through Nadia’s eyes.
From hazy summer days on the Common and heady nights in Soho’s basement bars, to twilight walks along the Southbank, will Alex realise what he’s got before it’s too late?

After the Wedding by Roisin Meany

*****5 stars
Wonderful follow-up book to One Summer by Meany. I love that we are able to see how Nell and James are doing, as well as the many characters we loved from the first book. This book also had a bit of a mystery that just made it all the more enjoyable.

Book Jacket Summary:
After a bumpy start, Nell and James have finally said 'I do' and everything seems to be falling into place. Nell is getting comfortable in her new role as stepmother to James' sixteen-year-old son Andy, she's finally mending fences with her father and she's ready to look to the future.
Then Nell's ex-fiancé Tim - her husband James' brother - comes back to Roone, a place he's never liked, and she begins to feel uneasy. As the summer days roll by, and Tim seems in no hurry to return to his wife and daughter, Nell is finding it more and more difficult to enjoy her new beginning.
But when the little island of Roone is rocked by the disappearance of a young child, Nell realises that life can change in a single moment. Will happiness be restored before the autumn comes?

One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond

***3 stars
I really enjoy Lucy Diamonds books. I liked this one, but wouldn't put it in my top favorites by her. It had some great characters and the story was cute, it just fell a but flat for me. I can't wait for my next Diamond book tho as even her 3 star books are still such a solid read.

Book Jacket Summary:
Is Italian really the language of love? A new class of students hopes to find out.
Anna's recently been told the father she's never met is Italian. Now she's baking focaccia, whipping up tiramisu and swotting up on her vocabulary, determined to make it to Italy so she can find him in person.
Catherine's husband has walked out on her, and she's trying to pick up the pieces of her life. But she'll need courage as well as friends when she discovers his deception runs even deeper than infidelity.
Sophie's the teacher of the class, who'd much rather be back in sunny Sorrento. She can't wait to escape the tensions at home and go travelling again. But sometimes life - and love - can surprise you when you least expect it.
As the evening class gets underway, friendships form and secrets from Italy begin to emerge. With love affairs blossoming in the most unlikely places, and hard decisions to face, it's going to be a year that Anna, Catherine and Sophie will never forget.

Summer at Tiffany's By Karen Swan

****4 stars
Summer at Tiffany's was a great book, full of characters that you want to befriend. I was able to read this in two sittings and was sad when it ended.

Book Jacket Summary:
Cassie loves Henry. Henry loves Cassie. With a Tiffany ring on her finger, all that Cassie has left to do is plan the wedding. It should be so simple but when Henry pushes for a date, Cassie pulls back.

Henry's wild, young cousin, Gem, has no such hesitations and is racing to the aisle at a sprint, determined to marry in the Cornish church where her parents were wed. But the family is set against it, and Cassie resolves to stop the wedding from going ahead.

When Henry lands an expedition sailing the Pacific for the summer, Cassie decamps to Cornwall, hoping to find the peace of mind she needs to move forwards. But in the dunes and coves of the northern Cornish coast, she soon discovers the past isn't finished with her yet . . .

The Summer Without You by Karen Swan

***** 5 stars
Karen Swan is becoming one of my top favorite authors. I sit down with her books and immediately escape, loving the characters as well as the plot. I really enjoyed this books as it had many twists and turns and a bit of a mystery on hand. Be sure to add this to your list of must reads.

Book Jacket Summary:
Rowena Tipton isn't looking for a new life, just a new adventure, something to while away the months as her long-term boyfriend presses pause on their relationship before they become engaged. But when a chance encounter at a New York wedding leads to an audition for a coveted houseshare in The Hamptons - Manhattan's elite beach scene - suddenly a new life is exactly what she's got.

Stretching before her is a summer with three eclectic housemates, long days on white sand ocean beaches and parties on gilded tennis courts. But high rewards bring high stakes and Rowena soon finds herself caught in the crossfire of a vicious intimidation campaign. Alone for the first time in her adult life, she has no-one to turn to but a stranger who is everything she doesn't want - but possibly everything she needs.

The Last Kiss Goodbye by Tasmina Perry

*** 3 stars
I've actually found that I like the dual timeline that I have been seeing in more recent books. With that being said as much as I am fan of Tasmina Perry, I wouldn't count this among my favorites. I just couldn't seem to get into the characters and found the plot a bit unrealistic. Even with that being said it is still a solid read, but not my normal expectation for this author.


Book Jacket Summary:
Everyone remembers their first kiss. But what about the last?

1961. Journalist Rosamund Bailey is ready to change the world. When she meets explorer and man about town Dominic Blake, she realises she has found the love of her life. Just as happiness is in their grasp, the worst happens, and their future is snatched away.

2014. Deep in the vaults of a museum, archivist Abby Gordon stumbles upon a breathtaking find. A faded photograph of a man saying goodbye to the woman he loves. Looking for a way to escape her own heartache, Abby becomes obsessed with the story, little realising that behind the image frozen in time lies a secret altogether more extraordinary.

Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond

**** 4 stars
WOW! This book had it all. It had great characters, each with a little something going on with them. The house and town of Devon were described so well, I wish I could take my summer vacation there...maybe without all the drama ;)
This was a wonderful read with lots happening. You will find it ends too quickly and wish you could spend more time with the characters.

Book Jacket Summary:
A seaside holiday at Shell Cottage in Devon has always been the perfect escape for the Tarrant family. Beach fun, barbecues and warm summer evenings with a cocktail or two - who could ask for more?
But this year, everything has changed. Following her husband's recent death, Olivia is struggling to pick up the pieces. Then she makes a shocking discovery that turns her world upside down.
As a busy mum and GP, Freya's used to having her hands full, but a bad day at work has put her career in jeopardy and now she's really feeling the pressure.
Harriet's looking forward to a break with her lovely husband Robert and teenage daughter Molly. But unknown to Harriet, Robert is hiding a secret - and so, for that matter, is Molly . . .

The Hotel on Mulberry Bay by Melissa Hill

***** 5 stars
If you have ever read any of my reviews, you know that I am a huge Melissa Hill fan. If you haven't and have read anything written by Hill, you know that her books are terrific. I was eager as I had pre-ordered this book and couldn't wait to get a start on it and I wasn't disappointed. It was a wonderful escape. I look forward to her next book :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Mulberry Hotel, perched on a clifftop above a sweeping bay, was once the heart and soul of pretty seaside town Mulberry Bay. Run by the Harte family for years, the place itself is almost as beloved as cheery landlady Anna.
The hotel was also once home to thirty-something sisters Eleanor and Penny, and while youngest sister Penny still lives close by, it's been some time since Elle has visited. But following a family tragedy, Elle is forced to return from her busy London life and reassess her past.
When it becomes apparent that the hotel is in dire straits, Elle and Penny are unprepared for the reaction of their father, Ned, He steadfastly refuses to give up the family legacy, revealing that he's given up something equally precious once before. Startled by their father's surprising revelation, the sisters unite, with the local community behind them, in their efforts to save the hotel - and, in the process, heal the fractures in the Harte family.

First Time in Forever by Sarah Morgan (Puffin Island #1)

***** 5 stars
This is the first book in a trilogy about Puffin Island. I was engrossed in this book and spent an entire afternoon reading it. I was happy to find that the sequel would be coming out soon and look forward to reading more by this author. What a great find!!!!

Book Jacket Summary:
Windswept, isolated and ruggedly beautiful, Puffin Island is a haven for day-trippers and daydreamers alike. But this charming community has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected ways…
It's been a summer of firsts for Emily Donovan. From becoming a stand-in mom to her niece Lizzie to arriving on Puffin Island, her life has become virtually unrecognizable. Between desperately safeguarding Lizzie and her overwhelming fear of the ocean—which surrounds her everywhere she goes!—Emily has lost count of the number of "just breathe" pep talks she's given herself. And that's before charismatic local yacht club owner Ryan Cooper kisses her…
Ryan knows all about secrets. And it's clear that newcomer Emily—with her haunted eyes and the little girl she won't let out of her sight—is hiding from something besides the crazy chemistry between them. So Ryan decides he's going to make it his personal mission to help her unwind and enjoy the sparks! But can Puffin Island work its magic on Emily and get her to take the biggest leap of trust of all—putting her heart in someone else's hands?

A Passionate Love affair with a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson

**** 4 stars
I was a bit skeptical at the beginning of this book whether it would be good. I had a hard time relating to the main character Charley, but I found the more that I read the more I really began to like her. I also think that this was the way Robinson wanted us to view her. I loved all the characters and their stories in this book as well, I feel it really kept the book going at a great pace

Book Jacket Summary:
A Passionate Love Affair with a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson, author of The Greatest Love Story of All Time, is a hilariously funny and gorgeously romantic story about falling in love when you least expect it. Charley Lambert has put considerable effort into achieving a perfect life. She has The Job. The Wardrobe. And The Flat. Her womanising, junk food-loving housemate Sam lowers the tone a bit but that aside, things are peachy. Then she breaks her leg in three places, watches her unrequited love propose to someone else and - worst of all - is forced to hand over her job to her nasty deputy while she recovers. Workaholic Charley fears that she will soon go mad. Desperate for something to do, she discovers her talent for helping the lovelorn online. And then William arrives in her inbox. Within hours of his first email, her world starts to change. Helpless, she watches herself fall in love with this man and begins to realise that she's not who she thought she was. But will she be brave enough to turn her back on her old life - all for a total stranger?

To Die Series by Lisa Jackson

It seems like every summer, I decide I want to read a bit of something different and when I look around I always find myself reading a Lisa Jackson series. I adore her writting, along with the characters and suspense. SO, this year I decided to start on the To Die Series. I am gonna go ahead and review each all in the one post. I haven't read the entire series but as I finish them off I will update you ;)

Left To Die **** 4 stars
Great Suspense. I loved the intensity of this book.

Book Jacket Summary:
Nothing's More Terrifying. . .
One by one, the victims are carefully captured, toyed with, then subjected to a slow and agonizing death. Piece by piece, his exquisite plan takes shape. The police can't yet see the beauty in his work--but soon, very soon, they will. . .
Than Being Left Alone. . .
In the lonely woods around Grizzly Point, Montana, four bodies have been discovered. Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come. . .
To Die. . .
When Jillian Rivers opens her eyes, she's trapped in a mangled car. Then a stranger, claiming to be a trail guide named Zane McGregor, pries her free. Though she's grateful, something about him sets Jillian on edge. And if she knew what lay out there in the woods of Montana, she'd be truly terrified. Because someone is waiting... watching... poised to strike and make Jillian the next victim...

Chosen To Die **** 4 stars
Great follow up book. I really liked the strength of Regan Pescoli and her relationship with Nate.

Book Jacket Summary:
HE'LL CHOOSE THEM...
Detective Regan Pescoli has worked the "Star Crossed Killer" case for months, never imagining she'd be captured by the madman she's been hunting. Regan knows exactly what he's capable of - and avoiding the same fate will take every drop of her courage and cunning.
ABDUCT THEM...
Regan Pescoli is unlike any woman Nate Santana has met before. But now she's missing, and Nate knows something is dangerously wrong. The only person who can help him find her is Detective Selena Alvarez, Regan's partner. As Nate and Selena dig deeper into the Star-Crossed Killer case and the body count rises, the truth about Regan's disappearance becomes chillingly clear.
AND KILL THEM...
In the desolate Montana woods, evil is lurking. And with time running out, the only way to save Regan will be to get inside a killer's twisted mind and unravel a shocking message that is being revealed, one body at a time...

Born To Die **** 4 stars
I was hoping that this book would tell more about Selena Alvarez, but instead we are introduced to Dr. Kacey Lambert which is a doctor and has had a previous run in with the killer. Once again I love the intensity and how the story was revealed. I look forward to the next book which hopefully will be Selena's story :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Appearances. . .
A sad, strange coincidence. . .that's Dr. Kacey Lambert's initial response to the deaths of two women who bear an uncanny resemblance to herself. It's not like there was any real connection between Kacey and the B-movie actress or the elementary school teacher. But Detective Selena Alvarez suspects otherwise.
Can Be. . .
One of the bodies contained traces of poison at the time of death. Selena and her partner, Detective Regan Pescoli, can find no motive for murder. But Kacey has started to notice ties between the dead women's lives and her own--all close in age, born within miles of each other. And all have links to Trace O'Halleran, the man Kacey just started dating.
Deadly. . .
The deeper Kacey digs, the more reason she has to fear. More look-alikes are dying, and the killer is getting bolder and more brutal. And Kacey knows it's only a matter of time before hers is the next name on a list of those who were born to die. . .

Some Kind of Wonderful by Sarah Morgan (Puffin Island #2)

***** 5 stars
I stumbled upon the first book of this series "First time in Forever" and immediately downloaded it and read it. I gave it a solid 5 stars and loved every bit of it. When this follow up book in the series came out, I was anxious to see Brittany's story as all the series are based on three great friends that went to college together and have remained family for one another. Morgan's second book in the sequel was just as solid of a good read as the first. I am anxiously awaiting her third book in this series. In the meantime I went and stocked up on her other books as well, so i look forward to reading those and keeping you updated. ;)

Book Jacket Summary:
Her whole life, Puffin Islander Brittany Forrest has dreamed of adventure. And at the age of eighteen, she thought she'd found it in bad boy Zachary Flynn. But after just ten tempestuous, smoldering days, their whirlwind marriage went up in smoke, and Brittany resolved to put him out of her mind forever.

Zach knows he let Brittany down, but being back on Puffin Island and seeing Brittany again stirs up long-buried emotions. This daredevil pilot has never felt worthy of her, yet he can't stay away—even when he knows the chemistry between them will only complicate his life.

As long, hot summer days on the beach dissolve into sultry, starry nights, Brittany and Zach find that the sparks between them are more powerful than ever. Could it be that the second time around, their dreams of a happy-ever-after will finally come true?

Fairytale Beginnings by Holly Martin

****4 stars
Ok, this has got to be one of the hardest reviews I have written. When I first started this book it felt a bit like a Disney Chick lit. I hate the word Chick Lit, because it has grown so much as a genre and the authors that write these books deserve so much more respect. Anyway, as I kept reading I was very surprised at how much depth were in the characters and although a bit disney, not in a bad way. This book was a great, fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit. This is my second or third book by Holly Martin and the moment I finished this book, I went and ordered everything I could get my hands on by her. Another great read and now one of the authors I have on my watch list.

Book Jacket Summary:
Love is an open door…except when it keeps slamming in your face.
Hopeless romantic Milly Rose has had her fair share of heartbreak. Obsessed with all things Disney, she refuses to give up on finding her Prince Charming – he’s out there somewhere, isn’t he?
When Milly is given a job to investigate the origins of an historical building in the village of Clovers Rest, she’s not sure what to expect. What she discovers takes her breath away - a beautiful real life Cinderella castle, complete with turrets, a magnificent drawbridge AND a very handsome owner…Cameron Heartstone.
As Milly and Cameron begin to unearth the secrets of Clover Castle, they can’t ignore the intense chemistry building between them. But they’ve both been hurt badly before. Can they take a big leap of faith and find their own happily-ever-after?

The Sun in Her Eyes by Paige Toon

****4 stars
Loved Loved Loved this book. Paige Toon is on my author watch list and I am always eagerly awaiting anything she churns out. This was no exception. The moment my kindle updated with the book, I read like a maniac to finish my previous read (I can't ever not finish a book and for some reason can't seem to want to read two books as once). I then dived straight in to The Sun in Her Eyes. What a wonderful book, with a great underlying question...Does making bad choices at times, make you a bad person?

Book Jacket Summary:
"Before your mother died, she asked me to tell you something …'
When Amber Church was three, her mother was killed in a car accident. A stranger was at the scene and now, nearly thirty years later, she's desperate to talk to Amber.
Living in London and not-so-happily married to Ned, Amber is greeted one morning by two pieces of news: she's to be made redundant from her City job and her beloved father, across the world in Australia where she grew up, has been felled by a stroke. She takes the first plane out to be by his side, leaving Ned uncertain as to when she will return. Reunited with her old friends, Amber is forced to confront her feelings for Ethan Lockwood, the gorgeous, green-eyed man she fell for as a young girl.
And then Amber receives a letter that changes everything …

Truly Madly Greekly by Mandy Baggot

**** 4 stars
I saw this book on Amazon and the reviews seemed good, so I decided to take a chance...it also had a cute book jacket :)
I was so not disappointed. This was a wonderful escape. You really will adore the characters, and the way Mandy Baggot worked the language so that you felt the language barriers, was incredible. I will definitely add this author to my watch list. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Book Jacket Summary:
Sun, sea and a sexy stranger - a whole lot of fun just got a lot more complicated.
Capable, confident and career-driven, Ellen had her dream job and a marriage proposal from boyfriend Ross. Life was good, her future set. Until it wasn’t and everything fell apart…

Whisked off to the beautiful island of Corfu to plan her sister Lacey’s big, fat, Greek wedding, Ellen is hoping some time out will help clear her head and heal her heart. But letting go of her past is not going to be easy.

With Lacey in full on Bridezilla mode, Ellen is soon distracted from her own problems. And when the all-inclusive treats on offer at hotel Blue Vue include one gorgeous, brooding Adonis – Yan – Ellen finds him difficult to resist.

But Ellen isn’t looking for love or lust, or anything involving too much ouzo…or is she?

Coming Up Roses by Rachael Lucas

***** 5 stars
I adored this book. I absolutely loved Daisy and the friendship she forges with Elaine and Jo. I always laugh that I have a black thumb when I attempt to garden or keep a plant alive, but after reading this book, I wish I had a bit better luck as Lucas makes the setting so vivid you want to reach out and touch it.

Book Jacket Summary:
Would-be gardener Daisy can’t believe her luck when her parents announce they’re off on a midlife crisis gap year, leaving her in charge of their gorgeous garden. After a turbulent few months, a spot of quiet in the countryside is just what she needs.

A shoulder to cry on wouldn't go amiss either - so when Daisy comes across Elaine and Jo, she breathes a sigh of relief. But her new friends are dealing with dramas of their own…

As Daisy wrestles the garden into something resembling order, her feelings for handsome Irishman George begin to take root. Daisy’s heart’s desire − her parent’s garden − is under threat, and Daisy's forced to confront nosey neighbours and fight greedy developers. Village life is turning out to be far from peaceful.

The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali McNamara

*****5 stars
I became a huge fan of McNamara after I read "From Notting Hill with Love...Actually". Since then every book I have picked up by her has been a solid good read. I always adore her characters and how dimensional they are. I look forward to this book being released and started on it the first chance I had. I was not disappointed. Make sure you don't miss this author or her books. You will find time slips by too easily :)
Book Jacket Summary:
But Poppy Carmichael's spirits aren't lifted by the pretty West Country spring. Inheriting her grandmother's flower shop has forced her to return to Cornwall, a place that holds too many memories.

Poppy is determined to do her best for the sake of her adored grandmother, but she struggles with the responsibility of the more-shabby-than-chic shop. And with the added complication of Jake, the gruff but gorgeous local flower grower, Poppy is very tempted to run away...

The pretty little town has a few surprises in store for Poppy. With new friends to help her and romance blooming, it's time for Poppy to open her heart to St Felix and to the special magic of a little flower shop by the sea!

Runaway Summer (Polwenna Bay 1) by Ruth Saberton

*****5 stars
I found a book by this author a while ago and I am still working my way through her books. I am always sure to lookout for her new releases. I ended up pushing this book up my quay so that I could read it as soon as it was released. I am happy to say that I was more than pleased. I truly loved Summer and many of the supporting characters, which I think we will find have their own books in the future. I wasn't a huge fan of Mo, but she redeems herself towards the end. Can't wait to read her story.

Book Jacket Summary:
Running Away…
Since leaving Polwenna Bay for the bright lights of London, actress Summer Penhalligan has tried her hardest to never look back; Jake, her childhood sweetheart, let her down terribly and the beautiful Cornish village holds nothing but painful memories. It’s only when a volatile relationship threatens to destroy all she holds dear that Summer finds herself returning to the place she knows so well.
Jake Tremaine has travelled the world but reluctantly finds himself drawn back to Polwenna Bay to run the family marina and take care of his unruly siblings. While Jake knows his attention should be on the rescuing the business, determined Ella, daughter of a wealthy hotelier, is set on working her way into his affections and beneath his sheets. The last thing Ella will tolerate is the reappearance of a rival…
As the holiday season approaches and seaside life gathers pace, Jake suspects that Summer is keeping a huge secret from him. But Summer is not the only person in the village with something to hide. Is she just an echo of Jake’s past or are there far more important matters at stake?

Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk

*****5 stars
Lindsey Kelk has had me as an avid reader of her books since her "I heart ..." series. There was a lot going on in this book and you find yourself unable to put it down wondering which distaster is gonna hit next. Add the wonderful plot with great characters and you have yourself a great escape :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Everyone loves a bridesmaid - except Maddie, who’s perpetually asked to be one.
Everyone loves a wedding - except Maddie’s best friend, who’s getting divorced.
And everyone loves the way Maddie’s so happy behind the scenes - except Maddie herself.
One best friend is in wedding countdown while the other heads for marriage meltdown. And as Maddie juggles her best chance at promotion in years with bridezilla texts and late-night counselling sessions, she starts to wonder – is it time to stop being the bridesmaid?

The Love Shack by Jane Costello

**** 4 stars
I adore Jane Costello's books, they are always a solid read. I was a bit worried when I read the summary which began with " Life's great when you're 29 years old with a gorgeous girlfriend and fulfilling job. Until you have to move back in with your mum . . ." I am happy to admit that my worries were unfounded and I really enjoyed this book. It isn't just about having to move home to save money. I felt it was more to do about making that conscious effort to be an adult and let go of the past and the baggage we carry with us. Very enjoyable.

Book Jacket Summary:
Life's great when you're 29 years old with a gorgeous girlfriend and fulfilling job. Until you have to move back in with your mum . . .
Dan and Gemma have found their dream first home, but the asking price is the stuff of nightmares. The only way they'll ever save enough for the deposit is by moving in, rent-free, with Dan's mum.
It's a desperate solution, but it's only for six months. And Gemma's determined to make it work, no matter how bad things get.
But between Dan's mum's kitchen karaoke, her constant innuendos, irrepressible argumentative streak and - worst of all - her ham and pineapple curries, life back at home would test the patience of two saints. Which Dan and Gemma most definitely are not.
Then, as they're trying to convince themselves it will all be worth it, Gemma's past comes back to haunt her. And suddenly the foundations of their entire relationship are shaken to their core…

The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by Kristy Greenwood

****4 stars
I had a hard time getting into this book. I think one of my main reasons for this was the main character Jessica. When I first began reading I felt very strongly against Jessica. She was selfish and seemed very immature, but as with many womens fiction books, we saw this character grow. I also liked the bit of hidden subtext about Jessica's mother and what her true story was. Definitely don't place this book aside, just give it a bit of time. :)
Book Jacket Summary:
Jessica Beam is a girl who knows how to party. Only lately she's been forgetting to turn up for work on time. Or in clean clothes. Down on her luck, out of a job and homeless, Jess seeks the help of her long-lost grandmother.
Things aren't going well for Matilda Beam, either. Her 1950s Good Woman guide books are out of print, her mortgage repayments are staggering and her granddaughter wears neon Wonderbras.
When a lifeline from a London publisher arrives, the pair have an opportunity to secure the roof over their heads - by invigorating the Good Woman guides and transforming modern, rebellious Jess into a demure vintage lady.
The true test of their make-over will be to capture the heart of notorious London playboy Leo Frost and prove that Matilda's guides still work. It's going to take commitment, nerves of steel and one seriously pointy bra to pull this off . . .

Single Woman Seeks Revenge by Tracy Bloom

***** 5 stars
Ok, Let me start off by saying "WOW". I started this book and in the first chapter I am thinking, ok just another Chick lit book and will probably be predictable. I have never been so wrong about a book lol. This book was fresh and actually funny. I found myself laughing and thinking what creative ways to get revenge. I even had to share some of the Dear Susie letters with my husband. I loved how Bloom brought in our knowledge of RomCom movies and incorporated them into how we find ourselves growing up and wanting that scenario to happen. Personally, I always loved The ending of Pretty in Pink with Blane McDonnagh walking up to Andie and saying "You don't need to me to say I'm sorry... You told me you couldn't believe in somebody who didn't believe in you. I always believed in you.I just didn't believe in me. I love you……Always." ;)
If you are looking for a great read that will grab you almost straight away and make you feel as though you are reading a fresh perspective of women's fiction, this is your book! I look forward to reading more by Tracy Bloom. She is now 2 for 2 on good solid reads, as No-one Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday was another great read :)

Book Jacket Summary:
What do you do when you find your love-life in ruins? Get revenge on every man who ever broke your heart of course....
Suzie Miller, a disillusioned agony aunt, can't believe she's been dumped from a great height yet again (this time by text, straight after they've had sex... twice!). So she decides the time is right to make every one of her exes feel the pain she felt when they carelessly cast her aside.
Her methods are unusual but humiliation on a grand scale is no less than they deserve.
Euphoric that she's finally stood up for herself she starts suggesting outrageous ways for her readers to deal with their relationship nightmares too. Suddenly everyone wants Suzie's advice. Finally content with being single and enjoying her blossoming career it seems as though happiness is within her grasp. That is until a man gets in the way.
Single Woman Seeks Revenge is a romantic comedy with a kick: a kick up the backside to any man who believes he got away with treating a woman badly and to any woman who doesn't fight back.

30 First Dates by Stacey Wiedower

****3 stars
As I was searching for a new read, this book popped up as a suggested book. After reading the summary and reviews, I figured, why not. It was a cute read with some enjoyable characters. I liked the premise of the blog and how quickly something can take off and change your outlook on things.

Book Jacket Summary:
30 dates, 30 wild ideas, total media frenzy… but only one Mr. Right.

Erin Crawford is a relationship blogger with a bucket list and a vendetta. After having horrible luck in her own relationships, she decides to start a blog called "30 First Dates." Her mission: go out with 30 men before her 30th birthday. It's her quest to find a non-jerk in 30 dates or less. As she blogs about her sometimes humorous and sometimes just sad dates, she also begins to cross off her bucket list of 30 things she wants to do before she turns 30—killing two birds with one stone by completing the items on her dates! In fourteen months she skydives, skinnydips, crashes a wedding, travels to multiple cities and lives way outside her usual comfort zone. The only question is, as her birthday approaches and her list grows smaller, will Erin be able to find love? Or is she destined to be a first-date-only kind of girl?

The Greatest Love Story Of All Time by Lucy Robinson

**** 4 stars
Hmmm.... This book took me a bit to get into, but once I did it really had me. The characters were a bit odd, but I found that it added to the charm of this book. I really enjoyed the twists that came throughout the book, although some of them you could see coming, it was still enjoyable and watch out, there were a few you won't see ahead of time.

Book Jacket Summary:
It's Fran's thirtieth birthday and things are good . . .
She's bluffed her way into a Very Posh Job and her outlandishly handsome and talented boyfriend Michael is escorting her to the Ritz with a bulge the shape of a ring box in his pocket.
But something has gone wrong. Very wrong. By the end of the evening Fran is howling in bed with a bottle of cheap brandy and one of Michael's old socks.
In her quest to figure out why her life has suddenly gone down the pan, Fran comes up with a failsafe plan: live like a badger, stalk a stranger called Nellie and cancel her beloved Gin Thursdays in favour of drinking gin every night. But then Fran's friends force a very different plan on her and it's nowhere near as fun. How could eight dates possibly make her feel better?
But eventually she agrees. And so begins the greatest love story of all time . . .

The Wish List by Jane Costello

**** 4 stars
Very cute book. I know that we have seen alot of these kind of books in the Chick lit genre, but that doesn't take away what a cute read it was. I always enjoy Jane Costello's book. I was surfing Amazon (kindle) for a new read and saw that she had a book out I hadn't read "The Big 3-OH". I would like to say that it very frustrating when a publishing company puts out the same book but renames it. Thankfully, I have read this recent enough, although forgot to blog on it, that I didn't purchase it a second time. Anyway, a cute fun read, you won't be disappointed.

Book Jacket Summary:
The Big 3-0 is looming, but there's so much still to do... The brilliant new novel from the Sunday Times Top 10 bestselling author
There are six months left of Emma Reiss's twenties. . . and she has some unfinished business.
Emma and her friends are about to turn thirty, and for Emma it's a defining moment. Defined, that is, by her having achieved none of the things she'd imagined she would.
Her career is all wrong, her love life is a desert and that penthouse apartment she pictured herself in simply never materialised. Moreover, she's never jumped out of a plane, hasn't met the man she's going to marry, has never slept under the stars, or snogged anyone famous - just some of the aspirations on a list she and her friends compiled fifteen years ago.
an endless round of birthday parties sees Emma hurtle towards her own thirtieth, she sets about addressing these issues. But, as she discovers with hilarious consequences, some of them are trickier to tick off than she'd thought…

Since You've Been Gone by Anouska Knight

**** 4 stars
Saw this book jacket while surfing and it caught my attention. After reading the summary, I decided to give it a try. I am so thankful that I did. This book was a great read, with some wonderful characters in it.

I will definitely have to look for more books by this author.

Book Jacket Summary:
She’s loved and lost – will she ever learn to open her heart again? In one tragic moment, Holly Jefferson’s life as she knows it changes for ever. Now, to the external world, everything’s ‘fine’: she’s renovating her cottage, running her own business, Cake – and generally just getting on with it.
What she feels inside is a different story: lost, alone, unsure of the future – and certain she’ll never love again. When she meets handsome Ciaran Argyll, son of a self-made millionaire businessman, she thinks their worlds couldn’t be more different. He’s rich, confident and gets by on his looks; she’s just trying to get by.
However, there’s more to Ciaran than the superficial world that surrounds him, and he too is wrestling with his own ghosts. Will Holly find the missing ingredient that allows her to put her grief behind her – and embrace an unknown and unexpected tomorrow?

Creature Comforts by Trisha Ashley

***** 5 stars
Can't begin to tell you how happy I was that I was able to go from a new release of Katie Fforde to a new release by Trisha Ashley in same month:) I really loved this book with the characters that were all so well developed and the small town with all it's many traditions. I especially enjoyed the bit of suspense and twists this book had to offer. I am sure Trisha Ashley fan will enjoy and if not already one, you soon will be ;)

Book Jacket Summary:
Fall in back in love with life in this gripping read about fate and second chances.
The eagerly awaited new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author.
Izzy has broken off her engagement to her feckless fiancée Kieran and returned to her childhood home – the sleepy village of Halfhidden.
She soon realizes that life in the village is anything but peaceful – for one thing she’s living with her mad aunt Debo and her pack of dogs, and for another, Izzy has a lot of unanswered questions.
When she was a teenager, Izzy was involved in a terrible accident, involving various inhabitants of Halfhidden. As she sets out to discover what actually happened on the night of the accident, she realizes that her painful past is actually standing in the way of her future happiness. So when a handsome stranger comes to Halfhidden will she let love back into her life?

A Vintage Wedding by Katie Fforde

**** 4 stars
I know I have said many times before that I am a big fan of Katie Fforde's. I will admit that I was anticipating this release and had pre-ordered it. I made the mistake of going and looking at the reviews, which were very mixed, so I worried that it wouldn't be as good as I hoped and was worried about picking up to read, but because I am such a fan I read anyway. I am pretty sure anything Katie Fforde churns out is going to be solid and this is a perfect example. "A vintage Wedding" wouldn't be my favorite Katie Fforde but it was still a great read :)

Book Jacket Summary:
In a small Cotswold country town, Beth, Lindy and Rachel are looking for new beginnings.
So they set up in business, organising stylish and perfectly affordable vintage weddings.
Soon they are busy arranging other people's Big Days.

What none of them know is that their own romances lie waiting, just around the corner ...

The Year of Taking Chances by Lucy Diamond

**** 4 stars
I really liked this book, it had the feel of a Trisha Ashley or a Katie Fforde book. I felt the story line was good and something that could be possible. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Gemma, Caitlin and Saffron, it's always wonderful to find those type of people that you are able to easily bond. :)

Book Jacket Summary:
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 following 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?

Three Amazing Things About you by Jill Mansell

*****5 stars
If you have taken a look back at previous posts you will see that I am a huge Jill Mansell fan. I found her books 5 years ago and can't seem to get enough of them. Each time she has a new release coming out, I am sure to pre-order it and have it marked on my calendar, there are only a few authors I do this with. I always worry that I anticipate these book so much it will be a let down. Like that movie you are dying to go see and half way through, you are wishing time would fast forward and wonder how you had gotten it so wrong, those tricky trailers ;) I have to say that once again I am not disappointed. I have noticed through the years that Mansell's writing has always had substance, but in her last several books, she really has grown as an author and each book keeps besting the previous, although her bar is held so high that even her earlier books score high by my taste.
I don't discuss myself much as I use this blog to keep account of all the books I have read, so I am not rereading, as well as know which one to come back to and read again. I also would love any suggestions by other readers, or opinions :)With that being said, I feel this book struck a special chord with me. I have a beautiful 3 year old grand daughter. She is Our Miracle. She will be turning 4 in the spring and is this beautiful (oops I've already said that, but she really is)active little girl, that just happens to have serious health issues. My granddaughter will be needing new kidneys before she is a teenager. We have some time until this becomes a reality but in the meantime she has many other health hurdles to straddle, none easier to go through. I truly enjoyed this book as it was very uplifting and done in a very tasteful way, that it was an enjoyable read. I think many books, tap a place with us. It could be a character, thinking that "Wow, I totally would want her as a friend" or "that sounds like me and my girls". It can be a plot of something fresh you have been through you can relate to or even a place. For me, that connection, the feeling you get while reading, the understanding, that is what makes a book great :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Hallie has a secret. She's in love. He's perfect for her in every way, but he's seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren't going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn't have long to live. Time is running out...
Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won't be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends - let alone anything more.
Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she's afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.
THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she's about to be given new lungs. But whose?

I'll Take New York by Miranda Dickinson

**** 4 stars
Really liked this book. I am officially a Miranda Dickinson fan. This is the second book in the last couple months I have read of her and I can say that they both have been solid reads. I love her characters and her descriptions of the city in this book. I also loved the ongoing question on what's in store for Bea. My only complaint is I didn't realize that I should have read "Fairytale of New York" first, as Rosie and Ed are returning characters and you are able to see how they are doing. Fortunately, I liked the bit I saw of them in "I'll Take New York", that I am going to have to go back and read "Fairytale..."

I don't often take a quote or excerpt from a book, but something about this paragraph, which was written to Bea by her Grandmother Dot in a letter, just struck a chord for me and I wanted to share.
"For my first letter, I have enlisted the help of one of your Grandpa Georges chums. Do you remember he used to refer to famous poets like that? He considered them his friends "as all writers of words that touch our hearts should be considered"."



Book Jacket Summary:
Have you ever given up on love?
When her boyfriend lets her down for the last time, Brooklyn bookshop owner Bea James makes a decision – no more. No more men, no more heartbreak, and no more pain.
Psychiatrist Jake Steinmann is making a new start too, leaving his broken marriage behind in San Francisco. From now on there'll just be one love in his life: New York.
At a party where they seem to be the only two singletons, Bea and Jake meet, and decide there’s just one thing for it. They will make a pact: no more relationships.

But the city has other plans . . .

It Had to Be You by Lynda Renham

*** 3 stars
This book was suggested to me by Amazon and it had such wonderful reviews, I figured why not. It was funny but at times almost cringe worthy. I couldn't imagine being the main character Binki Grayson, anything that can go wrong does for her. I think one of my biggest complaints would be it took me a while to get into and I also didn't find Binki's best friend as supportive as one would suspect.

Book Jacket Summary:
When 29-year-old Binki Grayson is offered a Christmas bonus by her boss at the office party she didn't imagine he meant a quickie over his desk. Things for Binki just go from bad to worse and by Christmas Day she is not only jobless but boyfriend-less, so when she discovers her late Aunt Vera has left her something in her will she thinks things can only get better. What she doesn't realise is that her inheritance comes with a complication by the name of William Ellis.

The Christmas Surprise by Jenny Colgan

*****5 stars
Love Love Love this book! This is a follow up to Welcome to Rosie Hopkins Sweet Shop and Christmas at Rosie Hopkins Sweet Shop. Now, if you haven't read these, you MUST go and get them immediately, as you have missed out. I believe that Welcome to Rosie Hopkins Sweet Shop won the RNA-Romantic Novel of the Year 2013. The following books are stand alone sequels and are simply great! You will love the characters as well as the description of enchanted village life. I was so excited to see this release and it was all I had hoped for. MORE More more... ;)

Book Jacket Summary:
Rosie Hopkins, newly engaged, is looking forward to an exciting year in the little sweetshop she owns and runs. But when fate strikes Rosie and her boyfriend, Stephen, a terrible blow, threatening everything they hold dear, it's going to take all their strength and the support of their families and their Lipton friends to hold them together.
After all, don't they say it takes a village to raise a child?

Christmas at Tiffany's by Karen Swan

****4 stars
I won't lie, I saw the book jacket for this book and thought it looked like the perfect read to bring in the holidays. I am not usually a holiday book reader, meaning that I don't choose a book for the season. I usually chose by author, reviews or something that piques my interest. My mother passed this year. We were terribly close and it rocked my home, so as the holidays approached and the weight of the missing loved one came, I dug in to books to escape. I have a teenager and this seems to do the trick when I wanna pull my hair out with her as well. lol Anyway, now I know what I have missed. I adored this book and it was wonderful to see Cassie the leading character grow and find herself. I do have to mention that this is my first Karen Swan book, but won't be my last.

Book Jacket Summary:
Cassie settled down too young, marrying her first serious boyfriend. Now, ten years later, she is betrayed and broken. With her marriage in tatters and no career or home of her own, she needs to work out where she belongs in the world and who she really is.

So begins a year-long trial as Cassie leaves her sheltered life in rural Scotland to stay with each of her best friends in the most glamorous cities in the world: New York, Paris and London. Exchanging grouse moor and mousy hair for low-carb diets and high-end highlights, Cassie tries on each city for size as she attempts to track down the life she was supposed to have been leading, and with it, the man who was supposed to love her all along.

Christmas Gifts at the Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond

**** 4 stars
Another short story follow up from The Beach Cafe and Christmas at Beach Cafe. Nice short read :) I wonder if there will be a full length book in the making with the characters as we keep getting glimpses?

Book Jacket Summary:
With her Cornish Beach Café closed for the winter, Evie Flynn should be looking forward to lazy days and a happy Christmas, with nothing more pressing to think about than when to have her next mince pie.

But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, in a cloud of heartbreak and bitterness following her marriage breakdown, along with her three unhappy children, and Evie knows she'll have her work cut out, trying to spread some festive cheer. Then her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he's going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons, and her heart sinks even further.

Add in to the mix a lost dog plus the hotly contested village Christmas bake-off and before long, Evie is feeling the strain. But there are still a few surprises in store for her, that look set to make this Beach Café Christmas the most memorable one yet...

Christmas at the Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond

**** 4 stars
Cute follow up for The Beach Cafe, which had such a cute story and likable characters, I was happy to see them again.

Book Jacket Summary:
After a hectic summer running her beach café in Cornwall, Evie Flynn is looking forward to her first Christmas with new boyfriend Ed – she’s determined that it’s going to be the most perfectly romantic one ever. Cosy nights in front of the fire, spicy mulled wine, mince pies . . . what’s not to love?

But the peace is shattered when Ed’s ex suddenly gets in touch again, and then some unexpected guests arrive: Ed’s surly brother Jake and Evie’s heartbroken best friend Amber. Add in the stress of trying to finish her very own recipe book, snow blizzards and family dramas and Evie’s Christmas starts to look as if it’ll be a total turkey.

Will any of her festive wishes come true . . . or is this Christmas just a recipe for disaster?