Thursday 29 March 2018

The House of Birds and Butterflies: The Dawn Chorus by Cressida McLaughlin


The House of Birds and Butterflies: The Dawn Chorus
Cressida McLaughlin
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK £0.99

A gorgeous new romantic series from the bestselling author of The Canal Boat Cafe.

Abby Field is living the dream. As events coordinator at the Meadowsweet nature reserve on the idyllic Suffolk coast, every day is an adventure with the birds and the butterflies, and she couldn't feel more at home. When another local nature reserve is chosen as the hot location for a new television series, however, Meadowsweet looks set for seasonal hibernation - unless Abby can whip up a creative plan to keep the visitors flocking.

With the help of the Meadowgreen villagers, and her cute rescue husky, Raffle, can Abby rescue the nature reserve from oblivion? Or will she be distracted by the arrival of a brooding - and annoyingly handsome - new neighbour...

The Dawn Chorus is the first part of a four-part serial.

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I thought this was a lovely introduction into a new series by Cressida McLaughlin. I didn't think I would have much interest in it (as it is based around a nature reserve) but, having said that, I found myself loving the story and really enjoying learning more about the birds, butterflies and animals etc.

I really warmed to Abby's character, most of the story is at the reserve and we don't get to read much about Abby's home life, which I think I would have liked but this is only the first part of the novel so I'm sure we'll learn more about Abby in the other three parts. As I mentioned above, I didn't think I would really 'get' the nature side of the story, but I really found myself getting into it so if you're feeling the same I would recommend you giving this novel a go. Cressida's novels have never disappointed me before - and this one is no different!

As it's a new series, you get to learn about all the new characters and this is something I love. You get to learn their personalities and I think this is what this part 1 of the story was all about and I believe this is so important in a new story. There are quite a few characters to get to know but it's not confusing at all and each character has their own very different personality so you get to know them pretty quickly.

The story follows main character Abby who works on the nature reserve that is suddenly under a lot of pressure to up it's attendance. There are interesting events that take place, moon-lit nature walks and quite a few descriptions about the yummy cakes and hot chocolates from the cafe! Suddenly, Abby has something else she wants to focus on, the gorgeous but grumpy author who just moved into the empty cottage by the reserve.

As the story goes on, you don't get to read too much about the pair's relationship developing until the very end, but I feel like the story was well written and it was interesting throughout. For someone who was a bit dubious to start with, I now can't wait to get my hands on part two and to read more about this reserve community!

Overall, a really great start to a new series. One I would thoroughly recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Publication Day Review: Annie's Summer by the Sea by Liz Eeles


Annie's Summer by the Sea
Liz Eeles
Rating:
Amazon UK £1.99

Fans of Jenny Oliver, Cathy Bramley and Debbie Johnson will love this hilarious and heart-warming romantic comedy!

A storm is brewing on the stunning Cornish coast - but will sunshine follow the rain?

When Annie Trebarwith unexpectedly inherits Tregavara House, her much-loved family home atop the cliffs of Salt Bay, she begins to wonder: with all the good friends and warm memories she's made in the village, could it be her forever home?

Luckily her gorgeous Poldark-lookalike boyfriend, Josh Pasco, has exactly the same idea. High on the Cornish cliffs he gets down on one knee, and Annie has everything she's ever dreamed of.

But when a summer storm causes catastrophic damage to the beautiful but ageing house, Annie and Josh are faced with tumbling tiles and a massive repair bill - and a roof that's leaked straight onto her wedding gown...

Can Salt Bay community save Annie's house and her wedding - and give Annie the happy-ever-after she's always wanted?

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I have been wanting to read this novel ever since I heard that Liz would be releasing another one in the series. The cover is stunning (just like the rest of them), this one in particular - I adore the pink sky, gorgeous looking sandy beach, the lighthouse in the background - it all works so perfectly and is just so inviting.

I've enjoyed the past two Salt Bay novels so much that I actually feel a teensy bit jealous whilst reading them, it sounds like such a perfect place to live that I wish I could live somewhere like that! I love the main character Annie, she seems so lovely and I love that there is also humour in these novels. Where all the villagers are lovely, the scenery is stunning and life just seems perfect!

This is just what Annie thinks too, but after some not-so-lucky events take place, Annie feels let down and not-so-lucky with her life anymore. Everything seems to be going wrong, and it seems like a huge sign not to marry boyfriend Josh when a leaky roof ruins her wedding dress! However, the lovely community of Salt Bay all come together and I really, really enjoyed how this book ended.

I just find all of the characters really lovely and caring and not for the first time I find myself wishing I could live in a little tight-knit community like this. I found the Jennifer storyline a little intriguing as I really wasn't sure where it was going to go but there were some serious laugh-out-loud moments - I love Kayla! The setting of the book sounds absolutely gorgeous as well, and I was daydreaming about possibly visiting Cornwall for some time after finishing this novel!

Overall, another beautiful book to go in the Salt Bay series. I have a feeling this could be the final one in the series, but I'm hoping there's a spin off and we could possibly take a look into Kayla's life in more detail, maybe? I'm just not ready to leave Salt Bay yet! Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Saturday 24 March 2018

Blog Tour: Love Among The Treetops by Catherine Ferguson



Love Among The Treetops
Catherine Ferguson
Rating: 4.5 stars
Amazon UK (K £1.99 / P £7.99)

Can love flourish amongst the tree tops?

When pastry chef Twilight Wilson was a young girl, she would hide from school bullies up in the treehouse at the bottom of her garden in her family home in Sussex. It was her special place, and even as an adult she still loves it.

So when her family tell her they can't afford to live there any more, Twilight is devastated. Not only will they lose their home - but the treehouse too!

She comes up with a plan to save the family home - she'll start up a cafe in the treehouse! It's a brilliant idea, and excitement builds as she starts planning the menus, with the help of Theo - a rather attractive man from the gym. But when former school bully Lucy finds out the plan, she starts plotting - and opens her own rival cafe in the village!

Can Twilight save her family home? Will her friendship with Theo ever be anything more? And who will win the cafe wars?

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I've had a couple of Catherine Ferguson's novels on my TBR pile now for a while, but when I spotted this one, I knew I just had to read it! The cover itself is so gorgeous, I absolutely love the treehouse - it's so beautiful and the colours are lovely and eye-catching! The bunting, the little curtains in the window, and of course the flowers and the tree surrounding it makes it look so pretty. I just wish I had a treehouse like this! Whatever your age, you're never too old for a treehouse.

This book pulled on my heartstrings from the minute I started reading it. It begins with Twilight running away from bully Lucy when she was a little girl. She runs home after Lucy threatens to once again 'get her after school' and Twilight runs straight for the most safe and secure place she knows - her treehouse. Twilight then starts to calm down and this is when it cuts to the present day.

Twilight is now on her way home after cutting her pastry course in London short after finding out her family are currently undergoing quite a few serious issues at home. She decides to head home and start running a cafe in her dad's old shop to help out and raise some money to allow her family to keep their home. Once Twilight is home, it brings some happy but also saddening memories back to her about her childhood - and I have to admit, I had tears!

Reading about the lovely childhood that Twilight had, it just pulled at all my heartstrings, and without giving too much away, I just really hoped that all worked out well for her and her family. As I mentioned above I have never read a book by Catherine Ferguson before but I really loved it! I really enjoyed Catherine's style of writing. It was witty and funny without being too much and it also had some really emotional moments that made it lovely and heartwarming to read.

I adored all the characters in the book and really found myself rooting for Twilight and her cafe! It's a beautifully romantic novel in a lovely-sounding setting and I can't wait to read more of Catherine's novels. It was lighthearted and a great read. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.


Friday 23 March 2018

Blog Tour: The Little Wedding Island by Jaimie Admans


The Little Wedding Island
Jaimie Admans
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK £2.99

'Will you... pretend to marry me?'

Bonnie Haskett loves everything about weddings. She loves her job at a national bridal magazine and even has a deposit down on her dream dress. The only problem? She doesn't have a fiancé!

So when Bonnie is sent to Edelweiss Island, known as 'The Little Wedding Island', it's a dream come true. She's heard the rumours, every wedding that takes place in the tiny chapel ends in a happy-ever-after.

But there's a catch! Investigating the story, Bonnie needs to pose as a blushing bride - and the only man up for posing as her groom is her arch rival (and far too handsome for his own good) journalist Rohan Carter...

A gorgeously uplifting summer romance. Perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Caroline Roberts.

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Oh, it's lovely to be reading another book by Jaimie Admans again! I absolutely adored her first novel  (it definitely was one of my favourites of 2017!) and I was so, so excited to read this one because I just knew it wasn't going to disappoint! And I was right! I loved every page of this novel and I'm so happy I got a chance to read this story. I absolutely love the cover of this book! The pink sky is sooo pretty and I love the lake, church and the pink flowers too! This is definitely a cover that stands out for me - and I love it!

Now, the story itself follows main character Bonnie on her quest to find out more about The Little Wedding Island, a little island just off of England. She wants to find out if the rumours are true and if every marriage here ends in a happy-ever-after, and seeing as Bonnie works for a bridal magazine, she seems like the perfect person for the job ... However, when she arrives on the island (after spending an enjoyable boat ride with a handsome guy), she soon finds out that the locals are more than a little bit secretive about all things to do with weddings on their island, and that the hottie on the boat was someone who she was least expecting.

Bonnie soon finds out that the nice guy from the boat is also the reason why she is stuck researching this island on the first place! Annoyed with him (Rohan) for being Mr Not-So-Nice-Guy and at herself for falling for his charms, Bonnie soon heads to bed wondering what she is doing with her life. After spending the night in the only B&B on the island, Bonnie sets out early keen to make a start on her report on the island where no one divorces but is quickly shown that she is not welcome - I mean if someone shut the door in my face, I'd know I wasn't welcome either! However, Bonnie isn't going to let it stop her, and is soon trying to hatch a plan with arch-rival Rohan (or R.C. Art from Twitter (!!!!)) to find out a way of getting the information they require. Will this end in disaster? Or will Bonnie finally get her Happily Ever After?

This book is full of giggles and is so lighthearted and enjoyable, I couldn't put it down. Every page was fantastic and I loved it. I loved main character Bonnie - I thought she was really down to earth and she reminded me of myself! And I really liked the character of Rohan, he seemed like such a sweet guy that was unfortunately hurt before - hence why he is so cynical! I was so intrigued about the mystery of why the locals on the island are so secretive and couldn't wait to find out why. It will leave you wanting more.

Overall, another brilliantly written novel by Jaimie Admans. I can't wait to read more by her in the future.

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Jaimie is a 32 year old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she's seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she's got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots. She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.

She is the author of chick-lit comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters, The Little Wedding Island and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Blog Tour: The Pets at Primrose Cottage by Sheila Norton


The Pets at Primrose Cottage
Sheila Norton
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK (K £4.99 / P £7.99)

Emma Nightingale needs a place to hide away.

Fresh from the heartbreak of a failed relationship, she takes refuge in quiet Crickleford. And not before long - and quite accidentally too - Emma finds herself the town's favourite pet-sitter, a role she isn't certain of at first, but soon her heart is warmed by the animals' they expect nothing more of her than she is able to give.

The last thing Emma wants is for people to discover the real reason she is lying low, but then the handsome reporter from the local paper takes an interest in her story. Can Emma keep her secret and follow her hearts desire...?

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I've been so excited to read this new novel by Sheila Norton that when I got the chance, I simply couldn't put it down! The cover as always, looks so inviting and pretty, it's cosy-looking and beautiful! I love the font, the colours and the beautiful flowers.

Any books that involve romance and animals is a win win in my book! Straight away with this novel I was drawn in and couldn't put it down and straight from the beginning there is mystery in regards to why Emma had to leave her family home and find somewhere to lay low for a while. I loved the character of Lauren and Little Holly, they were friendly, inviting and Holly has a lot of cute sass that made me smile! I absolutely loved reading about Emma's job with the looking after of cute animals and I really enjoyed reading about the animals own little personalities - it was so cute!

Straight away I loved the descriptions of Crickleford and I just knew from the off that I was going to enjoy this novel and where it was set. I adore Sheila's style of writing; it's descriptive, enjoyable, humorous and lighthearted - all of which makes an easy read. At first I was a bit hesitant about Emma's past, wondering what on earth could have happened for Emma to have to go into hiding, I was so intrigued that I really couldn't stop reading! I don't want to give too much away, but lets just say that it was a fantastic ending and such a brilliant read.

Sheila Norton is one of my favourite writers now, I just love how she can draw a reader in so quickly! I loved every single page of this novel and I was sad when I finished it. This novel is about love, friendship and is utterly heartwarming. Definitely 5 stars from me. If you haven't read a Sheila Norton novel before now, then I urge you to read this.


Monday 19 March 2018

Blog Tour: Mums Just Wanna Have Fun by Lucie Wheeler


Mums Just Wanna Have Fun
Lucie Wheeler
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK (£1.99 / P £7.99)

Meet Nancy...

Single mum Nancy will do anything for her little boy. Jack's autism makes life difficult at times, but she's determined to ensure he lives the best life possible. So, when her best friend Harriet suggests a holiday to Ibiza, Nancy is torn: will Jack cope with the change in routine...will she?

And Harriet...

Workaholic mum Harriet convinces Nancy it's the break they all need. A chance to have some fun with the kids, away from the stresses of normal life. And she's determined to switch off her laptop, ignore her inbox, and just have fun with her kids for seven whole days...

Cocktails and kids' club - what could go wrong?

Ibiza is beautiful, but Jack struggles with everything, Harriet refuses to put her laptop away, and Nancy begins to think she's made a huge mistake. And then Nancy meets Cameron and his young son, Aiden and discovers that sometimes the best fun happens when you least expect it...

Can these two single-mum's swap their mummy guilt for sunglasses and sangria?

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Lucie lives in Essex with her husband, daughter and her English Bull Terrier, Dame, who loves to sit under the desk as she writes and keep her feet warm. Never one to sit still, she always has lots going on in her life at any one time.

Currently, she is writing her novels alongside studying for a degree. As a graduate of The London School of Journalism and one eighth of the writing group, The Romaniacs, Lucie is passionate about writing and continues to source new opportunities to share her words with the world. In 2013, Lucie won a New Talent Award at The Festival of Romance and is now represented by literary agent, Kate Nash.

You can also find Lucie spending too much time on social media! She loves to connect to her readers, so do pop by and say hello to her!

Facebook / Instagram / Website / Twitter / YouTube

She loves reading, spending time with friends and eating chocolate - when she gets to do all three, she's a very happy lady!

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Words cannot really explain how much I enjoyed this book. This is my first Lucie Wheeler novel (I have The First Time Mums Club in my TBR pile and shall be reading it very soon seeing as I loved this one so much!) and I really, really enjoyed it. It has such a refreshing and lovely outlook on motherhood, and even though I'm not a mum myself yet, it brought a lot of reality of motherhood to light and I really enjoyed that.

I loved both Harriet and Nancy and really felt myself connecting to both characters on different levels. For Harriet, I felt for her because she was a working mum but was worried she wasn't good enough and for Nancy, she just wanted to live a normal life with her son but felt awful when she thought like that. Both characters were easily relatable and I loved the entire storyline.

The story follows the two mums on a holiday to sunny Ibiza, where they have gone to get away from normal life and have a break from all the stresses they both have back home. The place itself sounded beautiful and it had me longing for a ice cold cocktail! The descriptions of the cocktails (and how many they had!) sounded delicious and I was soon wishing I was in Ibiza instead of snowy London! Along the way, both mums learn new things about themselves and they also learn that it's okay not to be Super Mum and that they are trying their best.

I think this book sends out an incredibly important message to all mums out there who are struggling with motherhood and with their mental health - and the message is that it's okay not to be okay. There is help out there for you, you only need to ask for it. Everyone struggles from time to time, and that you need to just be honest if you are struggling, you are never alone. And I just think it's so important to know that. I think that this book helped me learn that I haven't got to know it all and I think that this will be really helpful for me when I do become a parent one day.

This book is amazing, it has some laugh out loud times and some emotional ones too. It's an incredible novel with an incredible message. Overall, a brilliant story and I would recommend to all - mum or no-mum! Thank you for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Thursday 15 March 2018

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson



The Perfectly Imperfect Woman
Milly Johnson
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK (K £8.99 / P £7.99)

Marnie Salt has made so many mistakes in her life that she fears she will never get on the right track. But when she 'meets' an old lady on a baking chatroom and begins confiding in her, little does she know how her life will change.

Arranging to see each other for lunch, Marnie discovers that Lilian is every bit as mad and delightful as she'd hoped - and she owns a whole village in the Yorkshire Dales, which has been passed down through generations. And when Marnie needs a refuge after a crisis, she ups sticks and heads for Wychwell - a temporary measure, so she thinks.

But soon Marnie finds that Wychwell has claimed her as its own and she is duty bound not to leave. Even if what she has to do makes her as unpopular as a force 12 gale in a confetti factory! But everyone has imperfections, as Marnie comes to realise, and that is not such a bad thing - after all, your flaws are perfect for the heart that is meant to love you.

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman is the heart-warming and hilarious new novel from the queen of feel-good fiction - a novel of family, secrets, love and redemption ... and broken hearts mended and made all the stronger for it.

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Another Milly Johnson book, another book added to my favourites! I have always loved Milly's novels and this one is no different. I would admit that it seemed slightly different to Milly's other novels but it was refreshing and I really enjoyed it.

Throughout the novel I found myself really feeling sorry for main character Marnie (how can that many bad events take place in one persons life?!) and I found that her story was really pulling at my heartstrings - especially when it came to Lilian (but I'll say no more about her)! The story, as aforementioned, follows Marnie and her move to a place called Wychwell. Wychwell is a tiny town owned by Lilian, a friend whom Marnie meets via an online cheesecake forum (I know, it's so random but it just works!).

The two women get on perfectly and it's so nice, after reading so much about what had happened to Marnie, seeing her get on and start to enjoy her life. Although, at times throughout the book, this appears to be short lived. There are utterly emotional moments and these parts really bring the tears to your eyes. But there are also really enjoyable moments where you find yourself smiling.

The story itself, I found beautifully magical and I couldn't put the book down. It was another absolutely brilliant novel by an author that has always been one of my favourites! This book isn't all about romance, I felt as though there were some mystery in parts and I found that really intriguing. The characters all seem so lovely and friendly and the descriptions about the town makes you feel as though you are right there with Marnie.

Overall, I was so sad when this book came to an end! I got lost in this story and felt like I didn't want to let it go! Luckily, I still have some books by Milly to read so shall definitely be going on to them next! Watch this space! Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Wednesday 14 March 2018

The Summer of Secrets by Tilly Tennant


The Summer of Secrets
Tilly Tennant
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK £1.99

Can new love grow when you dig up old secrets?

Harper Woods wakes up every morning on Silver Hill Farm feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. She's recently engaged to the tall, dark and handsome Shay, out of her window lie rolling golden cornfields, and just downstairs are the gorgeous tea rooms she's always dreamed of owning.

But Harper is about to discover a secret that will change her luck forever. For better or worse? She has no idea.

Distracted by her find, Harper doesn't notice Shay getting rather close to his ex from the village. And as news of Harper's discovery spreads through Silver Hill, there are people who are keen to stir up trouble, in particular, Will Frampton, handsome recluse and Lord of Silver Hill House, the crumbling stately home the other side of the hill.

Can Harper trust any man in Silver Hill? And as relationships are tested and tea cakes begin to fly, will anyone catch the romance blossoming in the most unexpected of places?

An utterly gorgeous, heart-warming romance, full of love and laughter. Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson and Jenny Colgan.

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This novel was kind of like a chick lit mixed with a bit of mystery and I found myself really adoring the storyline as well as the characters. It's quite an enjoyable story and I would recommend, especially if you've enjoyed Tilly's other novels like myself.

The cover itself is absolutely stunning, but then I expected nothing less from a novel by the lovely Tilly Tennant! All of her covers are equally as beautiful and this one is no different. I love the beautiful ombre sky of pink to yellow, the colourful bunting flowing at the top of the over and the stunning pink flowers along the bottom.

This particular story follows main character Harper as her fiance digs up some potential treasure. Thus leading to the mystery as to how it came about. Francesca comes to Harper's farm and teashop to investigate and to look at the potential treasure. This is where the good stuff comes in. Francesca meets Silver Hill House owner Will and the pair hit it off, but not with what you would call romantic sparks to start with... We also learn that Harper's fiance Shay isn't all he's cracked up to be and other local village-goer Allie can vouch for that...

The book is just full of suspense, action, romance and humour and I loved every minute of it. It's slightly different from Tilly's other novels but I found it refreshing and lovely to read. I was glued to my Kindle for a few days that's for sure! Overall, it's a really brilliant read that will leave you hooked even after a few pages. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Monday 12 March 2018

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella


Surprise Me
Sophie Kinsella
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK (K £8.99 / H £9.49)

Number one Bestselling Author Sophie Kinsella's emotionally charged, witty new standalone novel about love and long-term relationship survival - and how those we think we know best can sometimes surprise us the most . . . 

After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other's sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it's casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years... and panic sets in.

They quickly decide to create little surprises for each other, to keep their relationship fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me - anything from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to photo shoots - mishaps arise with disastrous and comical results.

Gradually, the surprises turn to shocking discoveries. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all...

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Wow, I loved this book!! I was recently treated to this novel by my boyfriend and although I wasn't too sure on it at first - I was totally blown away at the end. I'll be honest, I wasn't too sure just because I'd never read a book by Sophie Kinsella before (I know - the shock), and wasn't entirely keen to pay out for a book that I wouldn't enjoy (£10 isn't that cheap for a book) but luckily, I was treated to it and I did actually really, really love it!

Sophie Kinsella has a great style of writing - and now it's become my mission to read even more by her! I love the quirkiness her style brings - I was hooked after a few chapters (I wasn't feeling it as much at the beginning) but once the surprises start coming in and the humour starts, I loved it! It was hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion. As the story got underway, I just couldn't put it down and I found myself finding more and more reasons to pick it up and give it a read for an hour or so.

I wouldn't say I read this book quickly, it took me about a week but it was worth it. The hardback version is pretty hefty and heavy and I struggled to read whilst snuggled up in bed (I know - such problems) but I loved the simplistic design. The colour and the little characters drew me in because it doesn't give too much away. I was intrigued. I also loved that when you take the cover off, it looks completely different and so simple. The colour of the hardback itself is simply white and I think it just really works well.

The story follows main character Sylvie and husband Dan, after having a health check up, they find out that they have another sixty-eight more years together - this soon sees them panicking - how could they possibly be married for this length of time? Well, they soon come up with ideas for surprising each other and this is when it all goes downhill. The mystery behind what Dan was up to was so, so interesting! I found myself really feeling sorry for Sylvie on more than one occasion and I just couldn't wait to read what Dan was getting up to! The second part of the book was definitely better than the first.

Now, the one down side was Sylvie's character - in part. It really irked me that she kept calling her mum 'Mummy' and dad 'Daddy', I don't know why - maybe it was the way she was talking about them or whatever, but it got on my nerves a little bit. Aside from that, the book and storyline was brilliant and I'll certainly be checking out other novels by the author.

Thursday 8 March 2018

Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson


Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe
Debbie Johnson
Rating: 4 stars
Amazon UK (K £1.99 / P £5.43)

My name is Willow Longville. I love in a village called Budbury on the stunning Dorset coast with my mum Lynnie, who sometimes forgets who I am. I'm a waitress at the Comfort Food Cafe, which is really so much more than a cafe ... it's my home.

For Willow, the ramshackle cafe overlooking the beach, together with its warm-hearted community, offers friendship as a daily special and always has a heart welcome on the menu. But when a handsome stranger blows in on a warm Spring breeze, Willow soon realises that her quiet country life will be changed forever.

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and make yourself home at the Comfort Food Cafe.

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What a lovely addition to the Comfort Food Cafe series. I've absolutely loved reading this series and this one was no different. I've been intrigued by Willow so it was nice to read her story and get to know her more. She's been seen as quite eccentric with how she dresses/acts etc but deep down she is such a lovely character with her own life worries.

Willow works at the Comfort Food Cafe but also does cleaning to help support her life and also her mums. Willow's mum Lynnie has the beginning of the horrible disease, alzheimer's so has to care for her mum when the disease takes hold and confuses her mum. It's quite an emotional and sad story and I really do feel for those going through this. It opened my eyes to what it's like and I found it to be a lovely but emotional story.

The story itself is so beautifully written and I was hanging onto every word. The characters were all lovely and it was so nice reading about some old familiar faces. Being back at the Comfort Food Cafe felt so nice and it was really lovely reading about my favourite fictional cafe again. One thing I do love about this series is the location, it sounds absolutely beautiful and not for the first time I find myself wishing that I was living somewhere like this!

This isn't your typical chick lit novel, it has a lot of hidden depth and is all about family, friends and love. It's such a nice story and possibly one of my favourites from this series. It will leave you feeling warm and cosy. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly. 

Tuesday 6 March 2018

The Cafe at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke


The Cafe at Seashell Cove
Karen Clarke
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon UK £0.99

Welcome to the Cafe at Seashell Cove, where you'll find irresistible home-baked cakes, smiling friendly faces - and maybe even a second chance at love...

When Cassie Maitland needs a holiday from her glamorous but stressful job in event management, she escapes home to gorgeous Seashell Cove, where her family's cosy cafe sits perched on the cliffs above sparkling waves and golden sand.

But a lot has changed while Cassie's been away: her parents have transformed their tired cafe into a welcoming haven, her friends Meg and Tilly have whole new lives, and old flame Danny's twinkling eyes and winning smile make Cassie feel even more flustered than they used to.

Keen to throw herself back into local life, Cassie starts to run themed events - including a not entirely successful cat-cafe day, complete with dozens of felines. Luckily Danny is always around to lend a helping hand, and Cassie soon begins to wonder if her life in London was really all she made it out to be...

Could a new start in Seashell Cove be exactly what Cassie needs?

A heart-warming and hilarious read about friendship, belonging and seaside living. Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson, Holly Martin and Jenny Oliver.

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Words cannot express how much I enjoyed this novel, it was so easy to read, light-hearted and hilarious that I couldn't put it down.

The story follows main character Cassie, on her return home to Seashell Cove (which just sounds like the most delightful place ever - I now want to live there!) after being fired from her job as an events manager. Cassie is upset that she's lost her job and is too frightened and ashamed to tell her parents the truth as all she hears from her parents are how proud they are of her and her high-flying career.

However, as the story goes on Cassie learns some new things about herself and about her loved ones around her and it really is just a lovely novel with a light-hearted feel. I would 110% recommend this book. It's the perfect story to get you excited for summer and after I'd finished it, it left me feeling all warm inside. I liked the character of Cassie, I felt like she was easy to relate to - I mean who doesn't want to make their parents proud? And I really felt for her with what she was going through - although sometimes I don't think she helped herself!

Another character I loved was Cassie's nan, I found her hilarious! Her and Cassie's conversations had me laughing out loud and that's just what I want from a book, I want to enjoy it and this is just what this book did. Danny was another lovely character and I was totally hoping that him and Cassie were going to end up together. Danny just seemed like the most perfect man ever! Surely I'm not alone in thinking this?

Overall, I really really enjoyed this book. I've liked every single one of Karen's novels that she's released recently and I can't wait to read more from this brilliant author. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Sunday 4 March 2018

Blog Tour: Wedding Bells at the Dog & Duck by Jill Steeples


Wedding Bells at the Dog & Duck
Jill Steeples
Rating: 4 stars

Ellie Browne, landlady of The Dog & Duck, is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas Day before the arrival of her and her partner Max's baby in the New Year. But with a snowstorm brewing outide, it seems that things might not go quite to plan.

After the dramatic events of the holiday season, Ellie settles into her new life at Max's huge country mansion Braithwaite Manor, juggling work and family as best as she can. When she's asked to help organise a summer wedding for one of her best friends it's only natural that her mind turns to her own, non-existent, wedding plans!

But with Max decidedly lukewarm on the subject and other family complications threatening to disrupt life further, Ellie fears there'll never be wedding bells at the Dog & Duck after all.

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Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband and two children. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, baking cakes, eating them and drinking wine.

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I was so excited when I saw that Jill had released another novel in the Dog and Duck series, it's such a feel good and enjoyable series that I couldn't wait to read this one! This particular novel sounded right up my street, a wedding, a country pub and a new family? It sounded really interesting and I couldn't wait to sink into it.

It didn't disappoint. I loved the storyline and where it was going was so enjoyable. I loved reading more about Ellie and Max's relationship and see how it developed. I think it was another great addition to the Dog and Duck series but if you hadn't read the others then you could easily read this as a standalone I think. The novel is set in the cute village of Little Leyton and starts on Christmas Day at the village pub. It's a great atmosphere and I loved reading about it in gloomy February.

The festivities are going well until heavily pregnant Ellie realises that something isn't quite right, it was a great start to the book and it'll leave you hanging onto every word. As the story develops, you see Ellie getting on with motherhood, dealing with her own mother and also her marriage worries. One part that I loved about this book is where Ellie is planning her best friend's wedding at her pub, it was so romantic and just a pleasure to read!

All the characters continue to be really lovely and I long to live in a community like this! I loved the pub and the events that take place there, it's just a really nice and easy read. I'm not sure if this is the last in the series, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to read some more about the Dog and Duck!

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Friday 2 March 2018

My Top Monthly Favourites: February 2018

So February has come and gone, how crazy is that? It's snowing like mad here and although I love the snow, I'm so looking forward to some sun and feeling warm! We recently travelled to Berlin for our two year anniversary (it feels more like 5 years - not 2!) and although it was lovely to get away for a few days, it was colder over there than it is here at the moment - minus the snow. Some days the temperatures reached -11 and it was so cold I thought my fingers were going to fall off!

However, on the journey to and from the airport I did get to get in a bit of reading time and not only did it make the journey go quicker, it also helped me create a dent in my TBR pile which is growing bigger by the day! My boyfriend has just bought me the newest Sophie Kinsella novel: Surprise Me and I can't wait to get stuck into it! I'm currently reading the new one by Karen Clarke and I'm loving it so far, it's funny and exciting and I can't wait to see what happens, I've been wanting to read this one for ages so so glad I get a chance to read it before it's released.

Let's get on to my favourites of February now, I had quite a few that I enjoyed this month which is such a difference to my January favourites!








Spring on the Little Cornish Isles: The Flower Farm
Phillipa Ashley
You can read my review here

































Ottercombe Bay Part Two: Gin and Trouble
Bella Osbourne
You can read my review here
































The Pets at Primrose Cottage Part Four: No Place Like Home
Sheila Norton
You can read my review here































The Cosy Castle on the Loch: Spring
Alice Ross
You can read my review here
































The Wedding that Changed Everything
Jennifer Joyce
You can read my review here
























Overall, these are the novels that stood out to me the most this month, and they were all equally enjoyable in their own way. It's hard to distinguish an overall favourite from this lot because they were all equally as gripping and light hearted.

What are your favourites from this month?

Thursday 1 March 2018

The House of Hopes and Dreams by Trisha Ashley


The House of Hopes and Dreams
Trisha Ashley
Rating: 4 stars
Amazon UK (K £5.99 / P £7.99)

When Carey Revell unexpectedly becomes the heir to Mossby, his family's ancestral home, it's rather a mixed blessing. The house is large but rundown and comes with a pair of resentful relatives who can't be asked to leave.

Still, newly dumped by his girlfriend and also from his job as a TV interior designer, Carey needs somewhere to lick his wounds. And Mossby would be perfect for a renovation show. He already knows someone who could restore the stained glass windows in the older part of the house...

Angel Arrowsmith has spent the last ten years happily working and living with her artist mentor and partner. But suddenly bereaved, she finds herself heartbroken, without a home or a livelihood. Life will never be the same again - until old friend Carey Revell comes to the rescue.

They move in to Mossby with high hopes. But the house has a secret at its heart: an old legend concerning one of the famous windows. Will all their dreams for happiness be shattered? Or can Carey and Angel find a way to make this house a home?

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Now I've read a book by Trisha Ashley, I was so excited to read another one! The cover of this one in particular drew me in instantly and I thought it was absolutely stunning. The house in the background is beautiful and I adore the greenery all around the house with the flowers on either side.

From the start I was sucked in to the story and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. The story follows Angel, who is a stained glass window designer/restorer and Carey who has recently inherited a house from his uncle unexpectedly! The two were inseparable when they were younger, but things fell apart when Angel met her husband and moved away with him. Now that her husband had unfortunately passed away, she is single again and is looking for work after learning that her future seems uncertain.

Luckily, Carey is looking for someone who help restore Mossby back to it's former beauty and calls upon Angel to help him. As well as Angel, Carey asks a number of other friends, neighbours and others to help him get the house back in shape and along the way we see Angel and Carey slowly getting back to the way things were before Angel moved away. I found the story to be heartwarming and engaging and I couldn't wait to read on and to see how it all worked out for the characters.

The characters themselves I found myself really connecting to and the story was so well told that I flew through the pages. There are laugh-out-loud moments and moments where I was really feeling quite emotional! Overall, I really enjoyed another novel by Trisha Ashley and I would urge you to pick up her novels! Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have received honestly.