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 . . .