The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali McNamara

The Little Flower Shop by the Sea

Ali McNamara

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

The blossom is out in the little Cornish harbour town of St Felix

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!

Let Ali McNamara, author of the much-loved From Notting Hill with Love...Actually, bring some sparkling sunshine into your life.

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I always find that Ali McNamara's novels have a certain amount of magic in them. This one is no different. I have had this novel on my TBR pile for ages but have only just got round to reading it, and I wonder why I left it so long! It's a lighthearted and easy read, a perfect way to spend a few hours. The cover of this novel is so pretty, I love the ombre sky, the coloured buildings, and the surrounding fields and sea.

At first I was so unsure on main character Poppy, only because there was a huge mystery behind her and what she had been through. She seemed very distant from everyone and was occasionally very snappy, which I didn't really like reading, especially when everyone was just trying to be kind to her! However, as the novel went on, we can clearly see Poppy coming out of her hard shell and relaxing a little - and it's nice to see her happy! I liked Amber's character, Jake and of course I was in love once Basil came into the story! (and equally heartbroken when he unexpectedly left it too!!!!)

As well as the characters mentioned above, there are a bunch of other secondary characters that we get to meet and they all come across as delightful and overall very lovely. There's a real community spirit in this little town, and I loved reading about them all coming together to help each other out. It's so heartwarming to see. One character I wasn't sure on was actually Ash. However, I think this is just because I really didn't want Ash and Poppy to get together! I had my hopes on Poppy falling for Jake! (which was clear from the very beginning that this is what is going to happen - but it was so nice to see it all unfolding!) I also loved the setting of this novel, any book set in Cornwall is a winner in my book, so I really loved it. It sounded like the most perfect place to live.

Overall, another very enjoyable and easy read by the lovely Ali McNamara. I will be on the look out for more of her novels in the near future!!

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus

Cressida McLaughlin
Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Next stop, Cornwall! Hop on The Cornish Cream Tea Bus for a delicious, romantic adventure...

Baking fanatic, Charlie Quilter, is surprised when her late uncle bequeaths his vintage bus to her in his will. Keen to give the bus a new lease of life, Charlie thinks it will be mobile cafe for afternoon tea, and when her friend, Juliette, suggests Charlie comes to stay with her in the picturesque Cornish village of Porthgolow, she's thrilled at the chance of a new start.

Charlie and her cute dog, Marmite, makes new friends wherever their bus stops - except for the sexy but reclusive owner of the posh spa up on the hill, Daniel Harper, who isn't very pleased that her bus is parked outside his lovely hotel.

Has Charlie's Cornish dream developed a soggy bottom? Or can she convince Daniel that her bus could be the start of something wonderful for the little village - and for them?

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I was eagerly awaiting a new novel or series by Cressida McLaughlin, her novels are brilliant and I can never put them down! So when I saw the cover of this on Amazon I couldn't wait to read it. I absolutely adore the colours used - such bright pastels used on the bus, the bright yellow sand, sunshiny blue sky and the cute bunting along the top makes such a lovely cover and makes me want to visit! I also love that at the start of each chapter there is a cute little teacup.

The story itself starts off quite sadly, with Charlie and her dad working on the old bus and feeling quite emotional as they've just lost a loved one. However, you can feel how close they were to Hal and how close they are as father and daughter as well, and it was quite a nice opening. The story gets moving quite quickly, so soon we're enjoying Charlie taking Gertie out for a test run (at being a moving tea room) at a fair, to see how people react. Most of Hal's old friends aren't too impressed, and after a minor disaster strikes, Charlie is left feeling quite deflated. Her boss orders her to take some time off, and so Charlie decides to go down to Porthgolow to visit her best friend Juliette and to get a break away from everything else.

Porthgolow sounded so idyllic and not for the first time throughout Cressida's novels I'm wishing that I could live or visit some place just like that! The story absolutely flew by, and once Charlie moved to Porthgolow I really started loving it and didn't want it to end! I loved each new character, the new location, and everything that was changing with Gertie was just so exciting! I enjoyed reading about Charlie's relationships, with both Daniel and Oliver, and I was intrigued as to who she would feel closer to. Charlie's character herself was really relatable. She seemed like such a genuine and caring character. And I loved reading about her conversations with Reenie. As well as Reenie, there are also other secondary characters that you get to meet and read about, and most of them (with the exception of a few) are all really lovely and a dream to read about.

The storyline itself is really addictive, with each part only taking a few hours to read and finish. It's an absolutely fabulous novel and I urge you to give it a read. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

No-one Ever Has Sex on Holiday by Tracy Bloom

No-One Ever Has Sex on Holiday

Tracy Bloom

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Get ready to enjoy your first holiday abroad with small children. Highlights include: being woken at 5 every morning and working a gruelling day in 30-degree heat chasing kids around the pool with a bottle of sunscreen. Added features: screaming during mealtimes and toddlers moaning about sand. Absolutely no sex guaranteed or your money back!

Katy and Ben and their four closest friends are going to Spain for a week with their kids. Sun, sex and sangria? Almost certainly not.

The couples think they are prepared for all the joys and trials a family holiday has to offer but they have a shock coming, and not only from the kids. Into their first day by the pool crashes Ollie, who has just been dumped by his girlfriend, and Cassie, on her hen party holiday but having serious doubts about her impending marriage. A recipe for a relaxing week abroad? Let's wait and see...

From the no.1 bestselling author of No-one Ever Has on a Tuesday, this is the perfect book to read on the beach - either with or without small children. Perfect for fans of Nick Spalding, Marian Keyes and Gill Sims.

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What a hilarious and lighthearted, enjoyable read! I've read novels by this author a few times but this is by far my favourite. It's hysterical from start to finish, one that I couldn't put down because every page was just so funny and engaging! The cover is bright, summery and draws you in with it's simplistic but happy colours.

Every part of this book had humour, whether the families be on the plane, or at dinner time or even just chilling by the pool. There was always something funny happening and I loved that. It's the perfect lighthearted novel to read whilst lounging (either by the pool or on your sofa!). One character who I really liked was Daniel, I loved his sense of humour and just his ways made me laugh too! I also liked Katy and her partner Ben. One person who I wasn't too sure on was Abby, this was because I really liked Braindead and hoped that they were going to sort out their differences and have a lovely family holiday!

I honestly really enjoyed this novel from start to finish. Even though I'm not a mum yet I still found every page relatable and funny. It gave a good insight as to what a family holiday is really like! I loved Tracy's style of writing, it was effortless and easy to read. The only characters that I felt weren't really needed was Ollie and Cassie. They kind of just seemed irrelevant to me, like they weren't necessary to the storyline. Other than this, it was a great read and I'll definitely be looking out for more Tracy Bloom novels in future.

Even though I hadn't read every book in this series, you can easily read this novel as a standalone as the author gives quite good backing stories so you don't feel like you are missing too much information. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

The Little Vineyard in Provence by Ruth Kelly

The Little Vineyard in Provence

Ruth Kelly

Rating: 4 stars

Amazon UK

Ava needs to escape.

Stuck in a dead-end job, her husband Mark has left her with a mountain of debt and no clue as to when he'll be back.

When she receives the news that her grandfather has passed away, Ava is shocked to learn he has left his entire vineyard, Chateau Saint Clair, to her.

Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, a glass of red with the handsome local waiter Jacques; Ava starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her marriage, to take a chance on a place she fell for as a child - wouldn't it?

Fans of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Veronica Henry will want to join Ava for a glass of wine as the sun sets on the terrace of Chateau Saint Clair.

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Another lovely summery novel set in the idyllic location of France. I'd never heard of this author before but the title caught my eye and once I'd read the synopsis I was sold. The cover is quite sweet too, I like the bold colours and the grapes and vines surrounding the outer edges. It gives a clear indication as to what the novel is about and I for one couldn't wait to get stuck in.

I really felt for Ava throughout this whole novel, her husband Mark was horrible to her and their daughter Sophie didn't exactly treat her nicely or with any ounce of respect either. So when Ava received the letter to explain that she now owned a vineyard, I was so happy for her! It was about time something went her way and I couldn't wait to read about her adventure in France.

Once Ava arrives at the vineyard, she soon realises it won't be a walk in the park. The farmhouse and vines are in dire need of repair and some TLC and Ava soon finds that the old gardener Bernard and the housekeeper are struggling to make ends meet. Ava soon meets younger waiter Jacques and they form a relationship (even though Ava is unsure at first because of the age difference). However, it soon comes to light that Jacques was hiding a secret from Ava that would break her. What with Jacques being secretive and with rival vineyard owner Ambrose trying to ruin her wine, Ava has a hard job of adjusting to life in France.

I did really enjoy this novel. I loved the location, it sounded so idyllic and simply delightful. I also loved the secondary characters such as Bernard and Ava's best friend from England. Some characters I didn't warm to, like Ava's daughter and of course Victor Ambrose. However, overall it was an enjoyable novel and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future. Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this novel to read, which I have reviewed honestly.

Blog Tour: The Secret Cove in Croatia by Julie Caplin

The Secret Cove in Croatia

Julie Caplin

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Sail away to beautiful Croatia for summer sun, sparkling turquoise seas and a will-they-won't-they romance you won't be able to put down!

When no-nonsense, down-to-earth Maddie Wilcox is offered the chance to work on a luxury yacht for the summer, she can't say no. Yes, she'll be waiting on the post guests... But island-hopping around the Adriatic sea will more than make up for it - especially when Nick, her best friend Nina's brother, is one of them.

Sparks fly when they meet on board and Maddie can't believe self-entitled jerk Nick is really related to Nina. But in a secret, picture-perfect cove, away from the real world, Maddie and Nick discover they might have more in common than they realise...


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Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury brands, taking journalists on press trips to awful places like Turin, Milan, Geneva, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam and occasionally losing the odd member of the press in an airport. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to eat amazing food, drink free alcohol, hone her writing skills on press releases and to research European cities for her books.

She writes best-selling warm-hearted contemporary fiction for HarperImpulse.

Under her pen name, Julie Caplin, her twelfth novel, The Secret Cove in Croatia published in ebook format this July.

Twitter | Facebook

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I have so been looking forward to reading this novel by Julie Caplin. I've really enjoyed all of the other novels in the Romantic Escapes series and this one caught my eye with it's bright and cheerful cover. I love colours used, which really catch the eye and the pretty trees and flowers on either side of the cover.

This particular novel is set in the beautiful sounding Croatia, sailing along the coast to visit a manner of different coves and towns. On this trip, main character Maddie is hired to do the basics: cooking, cleaning etc for a group of 6 very rich (and most of them), very stuck up people. Maddie still enjoys the work however, even though two of the models on the yacht are rather unkind to Maddie. She makes the most of a few hours she has on the boat to herself, sunbathing and taking part in her passion - painting.

I really feel like I got to know all the characters on the yacht really well throughout this novel. They each had their own individual personality and I enjoyed getting to know them all - some more than others admittedly but it was still drama filled and enjoyable to read! As well as Maddie, we also saw part of the novel through Nick's eyes. Nick's sister Nina is friends with Maddie and managed to get her the job on the yacht, however they had never met each other before this and lets just say that Maddie's first impression of Nick wasn't the best!

As the story goes on, we get to know both main characters a lot better, and get to see the chemistry build between them. Despite Nick being on holiday with his model girlfriend! We get to see the pair bond when Nick is extremely ill with food poisoning and the rest of the group are away at a celebrity pals house partying. Nick and Maddie grow really close during this time and it's clear to see that sparks fly. I loved each of them, they had a great relationship and between them shared some funny banter.

As well as their relationship, we get to read a lot about the towns and coves of Croatia and I'll be lying if I said I didn't want to visit this beautiful sounding country! It honestly sounded idyllic and I longed to visit there! It gave me a major case of FOMO and I wanted to grab the next flight to Croatia and sail it's seas ASAP. Overall, this was a perfect summer read. It's lighthearted, sunshiny and perfect for those long summer days. Thank you to the publisher and to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

The Cottage at Plum Tree Bay by Darcie Boleyn

The Cottage at Plum Tree Bay

Darcie Boleyn

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

One summer can change everything...

Catherine Bromley has spent her life in Penhallow Sands, dedicating herself to work and supporting her emotionally fragile mother. Since her father left, it's always been the two of them and Catherine has no interest in romance. What's the point when men just leave? And besides, her mother needs her.

But when handsome novelist Mark Coleman arrives to stay at the cottage overlooking nearby Plum Tree Bay, Catherine's world is changed. She's soon bumping into Mark everywhere - or being thrown at him by her matchmaking friend! The chemistry is undeniable. But can Mark let go of his painful past to be the man that Catherine can rely on? And will Catherine find the courage to let love in?

A heart-warming romance set in Cornwall and perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Phillipa Ashley.

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This is such a heartwarming and delightful story about love, trust and family. When I saw this cover I knew I had to read it - then I saw that this was the cover for Darcie Boleyn's new novel and I knew even more that I had to read it! I love Darcie's novels, her style of writing is so elegant and just draws you in from the first page. With this cover, I love the pink sky, the pretty flowers and the glistening sea. It makes me want to visit Cornwall!

With this storyline, I felt quite sorry for the main character - Catherine. She seemed to be out of sorts as she is always looking out for her mum and can't seem to have a break without her mum being there. Having said that, it must be so difficult living with that type of anxiety, and I felt for both Catherine for having to care for her mother and I felt for her mum for going through it! It must be so hard, but then again you would always look out for those you care for.

There's a lot of great parts throughout this novel, I really loved the characters of Jamal and Bradley and enjoyed reading about the hairstyle competition. It was also really nice to see Catherine coming out of her shell and getting to know Mark. They clearly had great chemistry and it was clear to see. One character I wasn't too sure on was Catherine's mum (for obvious reasons). One minute I felt for her and what she had been through in life and what she suffers with, and the next she's dropped a massive bombshell on Catherine and it made me see her in a different light!

Overall though, this was Darcie Boleyn at her finest. It was excellently written, keeping you wanting to read more and more. I couldn't put this book down. The setting is idyllic and the characters are relatable. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Escape to the French Farmhouse by Victoria Brownlee

Escape to the French Farmhouse

Victoria Brownlee

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Ella moved to Paris on a whim - and found happily ever after.

But after six months of romantic bliss, living with her French boyfriend, cheesemonger Serge, Ella's new life is thrown off course. An unplanned pregnancy doesn't seem too bad, until Serge unexpectedly decides to move their growing family to a goat farm in the Loire Valley, without consulting Ella.

Can Ella and Serge's relationship survive their relocation to the depths of the French countryside?

A heart-warming and joyful romance, for fans of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Sophie Kinsella.

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I was wondering when the next one in this series was coming along, and I was so pleased when I saw it pop up on Netgalley. Being pregnant myself, it was enjoyable to read about a character who is going through a similar situation - and I really enjoyed this fresh storyline. The cover also drew me in and made me want to read it as soon as it hit my kindle! I love the bright colours, the farmhouse in the background and of course the lone goat. It's eye-catching and it made me want to read it.

Reading about Ella and her unexpected pregnancy was really different to other kind of novels I tend to read. I was a bit shocked sometimes with how Serge was hiding and I was worried for Ella and what she would uncover, it appeared to me at the beginning that he was hiding things from her. And I felt that Ella had been through quite a lot already - she didn't deserve to keep getting knock backs and more bad news! I enjoyed reading about her life in Paris, but when they made the move to the French countryside, I found myself enjoying this part even more - perhaps because there was more drama!

When Ella and Serge make the move, one of the conditions is for them to start renovations straight away, as quite understandably, Ella doesn't want to live in a rundown farmhouse - especially with a new baby! However, even though Serge agrees, he soon makes other plans, and all behind Ella's back! Ella is hurt and soon realises that she hates life in the country. She also worries about what other things Serge is keeping from her.

There's quite a lot of drama throughout, but this just added to the already amazing storyline. I really enjoyed reading about Ella and her quest to start a cheese room (but what ends up as more of an English tea room!). I enjoyed the characters and the location. Everything was making it more and more like a perfect summer read. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Blog Tour: The Garden on Holly Street by Megan Attley

The Garden on Holly Street

Megan Attley

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to get the life you want . . . 

Abby Hamilton's world has turned upside down in a matter of months - it seems that change is definitely in the air. But moving into Willow Court might just be the fresh start and happy distraction she needed.

Meeting her intriguing new neighbours helps push Abby out of her comfort zone. Then she finds an overgrown patch of garden in desperate need of love and time - something Abby has in spades! Throwing herself into bringing the garden back to life, Abby discovers that new beginnings can come from the most surprising places...

An uplifting, feel-good novel, perfect for fans of Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain and Isabelle Broom.

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What a delightful and heartwarming story about friends, love and new beginnings. These first came out as novella's but I'm so pleased I waited until I read the whole thing in one go as I wouldn't have been able to wait until the next one came out! The novel was captivating, lighthearted and unputdownable. The cover is simple and effective but I love it. I love the bright colours, the flowers - it gives a great feel as to what the novel is going to be about.

We first meet Abby when she is let go from her job and then we learn that her partner had broken up with her and she hadn't anywhere to live. After finding a new place to live, she then moves into Willow Court, a lovely place with a community garden that has been let go a bit. No one appears to be using it nor are they pouring any love into it, so Abby finds it with cigarette buts on the floor, broken glass and lots of animal poo.

As well as Abby, we also meet Arthur and Ernie. Arthur is an elderly man who lives on the ground floor on his own after his wife died. He's clearly very lonely but he seems to take quite a lot of his frustrations and depression out on Ernie (who lives on the first floor) and Abby (who lives on the second floor). I felt so sorry for Arthur throughout this book. He had obviously been through so much in life and I really felt for him. Don't get me wrong, some points throughout this novel I was a bit frustrated with how he acted but I understand why he did. Ernie was a sweetie all the way through this novel. He was my favourite character 100%! When he injured himself cleaning the flat for his dad, I almost cried! I really hoped nothing wrong happened to Ernie because he was just so pure and innocent.

Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book. It was uplifting and hooked me from the start. I loved reading about these bunch of characters, all of them seemed kind and caring and I really enjoyed getting to know them all. I really am looking forward to seeing more by this author in future. Thank you to the publisher and to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Hattie's Home for Broken Hearts by Tilly Tennant

Hattie's Home for Broken Hearts

Tilly Tennant

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Escape to the daisy-strewn windswept Dorset cliffs, to the donkey sanctuary at Sweet Briar Farm, where Hattie Rose is about to find, that in this world, the most unlikely opposites can sometimes attract . . .

Hattie was once thrilled to call the beautiful city of Paris her home. But when her heart is broken by her boyfriend and she loses her dream job, she bids farewell to the city of love and hurries home to Gillypuddle, a sleepy village on the Dorset coast. But as she returns home she finds her parents struggling to cope with a terrible family tragedy.

In a desperate search for a new start, Hattie takes a job at the donkey sanctuary nearby on Sweet Briar Farm where Jo, the taciturn owner, certainly loves her animals far more than humans. Hattie can't help but fall in love with the donkeys (and the opportunity to get close to dreamy Canadian vet Seth) but Jo is harder to get to know and when she finds her boss sobbing in her sleep one stormy night, she knows that her new friend is hiding a dark secret.

And when handsome newspaper reporter Owen does some digging into Jo's past he finds something that connects her to Hattie on a whole new level. Can Hattie trust what Owen says, especially when he seems intent on standing in the way of her blossoming romance with Seth? And can Hattie help Jo to start healing and the donkeys of Sweet Briar Farm?

A beautiful story that will melt the hardest of hearts. If you love Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Josie Silver you will be enchanted by this life-affirming read that reminds you that home is wherever the people you love are.

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I always look forward to a new Tilly Tennant novel, and this one was no different. The covers are always easy on the eye and always so pretty and colourful! I love the pink cottage in the centre, surrounded by the bright blue sea with a cute, little donkey floating about on a field next door! It looks so summery and inviting.

The story starts with Hattie in Paris, thinking about home. I was a little confused when I first started reading this book because I wondered just how much was set in Paris but it was literally just a chapter and then Hattie had decided to come home because everything was going wrong for her. Upon a whim, she booked a flight and headed home to her parents house in Gillypuddle (what an amazing name!!). Her dad was a bit of a shocker when I first read his response as to what she was doing in their home, he was quite harsh and not very inviting so I felt really sorry for Hattie after that. We're then introduced pretty early on to the donkey sanctuary and to the mysterious Jo who runs the sanctuary.

I fell in love with the donkeys straight away, just like Hattie! They all seemed to have their own personalities and I thought that they all were so cute! But, my favourite was definitely Norbert. I could understand why Jo seemed so distant and just wanted to help the donkeys! When Hattie suggested to Jo that they open the sanctuary up to paying customers, Jo is quite obviously against the idea. However, she gives Hattie a month to trial the idea otherwise she has to leave. Pretty harsh but I was hoping everything would go well for them all!

When Hattie met Seth, it was clear that there was an attraction and spark between the pair. They seemed to get on really well from the off and I was hoping that things would develop between them as Hattie really deserved to be happy with all the bad luck she had been getting! However, then Hattie was introduced to Owen, a journalist, and that certainly threw a spanner in the works to say the least! I wasn't as keen on Owen as I was with Seth, I thought he seemed a bit arrogant so I was hoping that things would heat up between Hattie and Seth! They seemed like such a perfect match!

Overall, this was a heartwarming story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved getting to know all the characters and the setting sounded idyllic. I also liked how Jo transforms throughout the book, it was so lovely to read about her coming out of her shell. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Blog Tour: Foxglove Farm by Christie Barlow

Foxglove Farm

Christie Barlow

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Return to Love Heart Lane for friendship, romance and a community who will be there for you no matter what...

Isla and Drew Allaway appear to have the perfect life - a strong marriage, two beautiful children and their picture-perfect home, Foxglove Farm.

But, new mum Isla is struggling. She loves her little family but with Drew working all hours on the farm, Isla's lonely.

When she discovers that Drew has been keeping secrets from her, Isla has to face losing the home they all love.

Can the Love Heart Lane community pull together once more to help save Foxglove Farm? And can Isla save her home... and her marriage?

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Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream, Lizzie's Christmas Escape, Evie's Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Foxglove Farm. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to write a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA and Australia.

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being.


Website | Twitter | Facebook

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Oh, how glorious it is to be back at Love Heart Lane! I loved the first one in this series and couldn't wait to be back in the idyllic sounding countryside reading about the lovely characters. I think I love the cover of this particular novel more than the first which is hard but I absolutely love the colours used! The ombre sky is beautiful, I love the coloured flowers surrounding the core and of course the pretty lights hanging over the top. It looks stunning and really draws you in.

I can't honestly put into words just how much I loved this novel. If I could rate it more than the usual 5 stars then I absolutely would! I was surprised at just how much drama was packed into the one story but I was blown away by Christie's style of writing. As I mentioned, there was a lot of drama, but the story flowed really well and it never felt unrealistic with what was happening. I was so intrigued by Drew and Isla's relationship and what was going on, I read this book in a couple of sittings! The storyline is addictive and you won't be able to put this story down once you start it!

I really felt for Isla throughout this novel actually. I felt she was really hard done by and no matter how much stress Drew was under, I felt his behaviour certainly didn't warrant it. I couldn't imagine being in a relationship and being spoken to like that all the time. It must have drained poor Isla, what with all the work she had to do herself as well, what with the children and the running of the household. So let's just say that Drew wasn't exactly in my good books for most of the novel, but I have to be honest and say he made up for it at the end.

As well as Drew and Isla, there is also quite a lot of involvement of the characters from the first novel which I really loved. I enjoyed reading about them some more and I found that the community spirit within Love Heart Lane was utterly heartwarming and so lovely! Everyone really pulled together when something bad happens and it's really nice to see. Even though old characters are mentioned, you don't need to have read the first novel to understand what is happening in this one, they can be read as a standalone really easily. The setting in these novels are also so idyllic, it's a joy to read!

Thank you to Christie Barlow and Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Blog Tour: The Little Village of Happiness by Holly Martin

The Little Village of Happiness

Holly Martin

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Fall head-over-heels in love with the beautiful new novel from bestselling author Holly Martin and let The Little Village of Happiness warm your heart and make your spirits soar.

Willow McKay needs a fresh start. Her recent break-up may not have left her heartbroken but it's certainly wounded her pride. Desperate to escape the whispers and stares of her town's gossips, an advert offering homes in the picturesque village in the grounds of a majestic castle on the Cornish coast sounds like just what she needs. Without thinking twice Willow applies for a cottage and packs up her life for the village of Happiness.

But when Willow arrives she finds a crumbling ruin and ramshackle cottages, nothing like the pretty picture the advert had boasted. It seems Happiness was too good to be true. That is until she meets the incredibly handsome estate manager Andrew Harrington...

His passion for restoring the village to its former glory is contagious and soon they are working together to bring happiness back to Happiness. And as sparks fly between them Willow can feel herself falling. But Andrew is holding something back.

Can Willow risk her heart again? And will they succeed in transforming the old village to its original beauty before it's too late?

Get swept away to the sun-kissed Cornish coast with this gorgeous love story, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Miranda Dickinson and Lucy Diamond.

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I always get so excited when I start a new Holly Martin novel. There's a sense of magic and pure romance and when you read them you feel all warm and cosy inside. They're quick and easy to read stories which I always find myself enjoying and not able to put it down! This one in particular caught my interest as I loved the books title and also the synopsis sounded really interesting, as well as this I thought the cover was absolutely beautiful and I couldn't wait to get stuck in!

I thought that there would be a bit of a build up to this storyline, but it got stuck in straight away and from the start we saw Willow moving to Happiness village to start afresh after a bad - and rather embarrassing - break up. When Willow arrives at the village, she's in a bit of shock as it isn't anything at all similar to the photos she saw online and inside she is reeling about the fact that she now has to live here for a year! However, there is an upside in the figure of ruggedly handsome estate manager Andrew. When Willow learns that there is an open day to help attract new people to move to the village, she starts with her creative ideas straight away and starts painting the houses and shops so they're looking fresh. Willow came across as such a fun, bubbly and creative character and I really liked her.

When they first met, Andrew seemed really sweet and helpful and it's clear from the start that there is an attraction between Willow and Andrew. However, Willow's sworn off men for the foreseeable future and Andrew has made it clear that he isn't looking for a relationship - and so the pair get on as friends. There are laugh-out-loud moments throughout this novel, using Holly's signature sexual humour. A favourite part of mine was when Holly first went to use Andrews shower as hers was in repair and she was in for a shock! As well as the novel focusing on Andrew and Willow, we also get to meet quite a few secondary characters which I found quite lovely. In particular I warmed to Dorothy and her calling Willow 'Willy' always made me smile. Even though the village is in ruin, there's a lovely sense of community throughout the village and the more I read, the more I wanted to live in Happiness village!!

I loved reading about Willow and Andrew's relationship, and seeing them grow closer and fall more and more for each other was really delightful. This story is packed with wonderful characters, a beautiful location (once the village is nearing completion that is!!), and a heartwarming romantic tale. This novel is Holly Martin at her finest and I couldn't praise it enough. I read that there will be a sequel and I cannot wait for this! Thank you to Holly Martin for an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

That Long Lost Summer by Minna Howard

That Long Lost Summer

Minna Howard

Rating: 4 stars

Amazon UK

A gorgeous and bittersweet romance set in the South of France, about an old passion rekindled and the choice between family loyalty and a great love.

Flora and Hugo are devoted to their children, but when their girls leave home for university, their lives seem empty. Hugo is cold and distant, leaving Flora unsure what their future holds. When they are invited to a friend's villa in the South of France, Flora hopes the summer sun and gorgeous setting may bring them closer together. In a crumbling, picturesque villa in the luscious French countryside, they are introduced to Susie, Matt and their friends. Flora is surprised to meet Xavier, her old flame, who she fell in love with one long lost summer when she was eighteen. They parted suddenly all those years ago, leaving Flora wondering, what if...

Handsome, passionate, sensitive Xavier is so different from her reliable, predictable Hugo. Both Flora and Xavier have moved on with their lives, but is there something that still lingers between them? Or will Flora's devotion to her children, and her loyalty to Hugo, show her where her true heart lies...

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I adore novels set in France, so when this one caught my eye, I was so eager to read it. It had been sitting on my Kindle for a while, and once I started it, I fell in love! The cover is so romantic, with beautiful buildings, rolling hills and the bright blue sky. It draws you in, makes you think of summer days - and I couldn't wait to get stuck in!

I feel like this novel starts fairly quickly, we were introduced to Flora and Hugo and their relationship 'issues' straight away, and I enjoyed that. It gave a quick overview of the whole novel. I also found that the flirting from Xavier started quickly too, and I was eager to see what Flora was going to do about it all. Especially with Hugo swanning off on a boat for a week with an old school friend, to give himself 'space to think'. I loved Flora's character and often felt so sorry for her, with what she was going through with husband Hugo. As well as the other characters, I enjoyed reading about the other secondary characters such as Susie, Matt and the others.

The setting for this novel sounded idyllic, and not for the first time it had me dreaming of spending weeks in the beautiful country of France, especially where this book was set, it all sounded so beautiful and ideal. I loved the mentioning of the food markets, the food overall just sounded mouth-wateringly delicious. It was a great summery read and I really found myself flying through the pages as it was just such an easy and enjoyable read.

One thing I will say, was that I was a little disappointed with the ending. Throughout this novel, we see Flora and Xavier growing closer and finding it harder to hold back against their passion for one another but when it got to the end, it was kind of left open and we wasn't given a full explanation as to what happened with them both which I thought was a shame. I really thought that we would be given a further explanation as to what was going through Flora's head and who she had 'chosen'. I really disliked Hugo throughout the novel, so to see him and Flora 'together' at the end of the novel confused me slightly - for me it just ended too abruptly. It would have been nice for it to go on for a few more pages to find out more.

Overall, it was a quick and easy summery read. If the ending had been slightly better I would have given it 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this novel to read, which I have reviewed honestly.

My Lemon Grove Summer by Jo Thomas

My Lemon Grove Summer

Jo Thomas

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Could the lemon groves of Sicily be the perfect place to start over? The irresistible new novel from Jo Thomas, the author of Sunset Over the Cherry Orchard, will transport you to the island of mountains and sparkling blue seas.

When life hands you lemons ... is it ever too late for a second chance?

Zelda's impulsive nature has got her precisely nowhere up until now. A fresh start in a beautiful hilltop town in Sicily looking for new residents, together with her best friend Lennie, could be just what she needs. And who better to settle down with than the person who knows her best?

But the sun-filled skies and sparkling seas can't hide the shadow hanging over Citta d'Ora, which means not everyone is pleased to see their arrival. The dreams Zelda and her fellow new residents had of setting up a new life might be slipping away. But a friendship with restauranteur Luca could be about to unlock the possibilities that life in the local lemon groves. And there's a wedding on the horizon that might be just what the town needs to turn it around... 

Could a summer in Sicily help Zelda learn to trust her instinct and follow her heart?

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What an amazing novel by the extremely talented Jo Thomas. This book had me hooked from start to finish and had a completely refreshing storyline. I'd never read a book quite like this before and I loved every page. I flew through this novel and I didn't want it to end! The cover, is quite possibly one of my favourites of all time! I love the bright colours used, the blue of the sea, the yellow of the lemons, the plants and bright sky - all of it is completely eye-catching and simply stunning. I've always enjoyed Jo Thomas' novels, I started reading her novels back when I first got into Romance/Chick Lit and I haven't stopped loving them - in fact, they just seem to keep getting better and better!

This novel in particular was one of my favourites. I adored Zelda's impulsive and funny character. She had some great traits and I couldn't help but warm to her. Then there's Lennie who I also loved, and his mum Valerie and handsome restaurant owner Luca. Those are the main characters in this story, but there are also a handful of secondary characters that you can't help but love. They're funny, unique and I just loved reading about them and their quests for new lives in the stunning Sicily.

When Zelda and Lennie are still unmarried and single at 40 years of age, they go back to a pact they made then they were younger - to marry each other. When Lennie suggests to Zelda that they up and move to Sicily, because they would get a relocation fee and a house to live in, Zelda (being the impulsive woman she is) jumps at the chance and they're on the next flight out there. However, the town isn't what they expected at all, and the houses they passed on their way in which was basically rubble, turns out to be the homes they are due to live in. As well as Zelda and Lennie, there are a few other colourful characters that wanted a fresh start in life, and together they all try their hardest to start their new lives in Sicily.

However, not everything is as rosy as they had hoped it would be. The townsfolk don't want new people moving in to their town, despite it seriously needing some TLC and new life, and they try their hardest to get them to leave. Zelda doesn't let them get to her however, and is soon working with Luca to try and turn things around so they can live a peaceful life in their new home. Tensions soon rise and with young Sophia going missing, they all pull together to try and find her. As well as this, there are storms, that wreck havoc, relationship drama and big secrets that are being hidden. It's a brilliant story and so well written.

This story is unputdownable. I loved it from the very beginning - I was just sad when it ended! The characters, the location and the storyline all flowed well and worked together brilliantly. It's the perfect summer read and I adored every page. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.