The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett

The Big Dreams Beach Hotel

Lilly Bartlett

Rating: 3.5 stars

Amazon UK (K £2.99 / P £7.99)

Synopsis:

This is a brand new standalone novel from the author of the Carlton Square series with a whole new cast of characters to fall in love with!

Wriggle your toes in the sand and feel the warm breeze on your face when you check into the hotel that's full of dreams...

Three years after ditching her career in New York City, Rosie never thought she'd still be managing the quaint faded Victorian hotel in her seaside hometown.

What's worse, the hotel's new owners are turning it into a copy of their Florida properties. Flamingos and all. Cultures are clashing and the hotel's residents stand in the way of the developer's plans. The hotel is both their home and their family.

That's going to make Rory's job difficult when he arrives to enforce the changes. And Rosie isn't exactly on his side, even though it's the chance to finally restart her career. Rory might be charming, but he's still there to evict her friends.

How can she follow her dreams if it means ending everyone else's?

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At first, I'll be honest - it took me a little while to get into. I think what it was is that I was actually confused as to where it was meant to be set! Was it in New York or was it in England? (It's set in England, just FYI). After I realised where it was set I did get into a bit more and started to enjoy the story.

I've never read a book by this author, so I didn't know what to expect. One things for certain though, all of the authors books have absolutely stunning covers! They draw the reader in and I for one fell in love with the cover of this novel. The colours are beautiful and I simply adore the bunting going across the top!

I think one of the things that confused me at the beginning (wondering if it was set in NYC or not) was actually one of the things I did enjoy about this book in the end - you see, the story is set around main character Rosie and her journey as to why she left her job in NYC. Throughout the book there are 'flashback' in which we go back and learn a bit more. I don't want to give too much away obviously but this was certainly one of the things that kept making me want to keep reading!

The characters were all really quirky and unique and another thing I enjoyed was that there was a real sense of friendship and community between those who worked at the hotel - reading it made me want to be part of it! I liked Rosie's character and found her to be easy to relate to. One thing I didn't think was entirely plausible was Rory's character and his place within the story - again I won't go into too much detail but I found sometimes I was a little bored reading about him.

Overall, it was an easy, romantic read. I wouldn't say it was one of my favourite books but it was enjoyable.

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

Publication Day Review: Escape to Willow Cottage by Bella Osbourne

Escape to Willow Cottage

Bella Osbourne

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK (K £2.99 / P £7.99)

Synopsis:

The Escape to Willow Cottage was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

A cosy and heartwarming seasonal romance.

Beth is running away. With her young son Leo to protect, Willow Cottage is the lifeline she so desperately needs. Overlooking the village green in a beautiful Cotswolds idyll, Beth sees a warm, caring and safe place for little Leo.

When she finally uncovers the cottage from underneath the boughs of a weeping willow tree, Beth realises this is far more of a project than she bargained for and the locals are more than a little eccentric! A chance encounter with gruff Jack, who appears to be the only male in the village under thirty, leaves the two of them at odds but it's not long before Beth realises that Jack has hidden talents that could help her repair more than just Willow Cottage.

Over the course of four seasons, Beth realises that broken hearts can be mended, and sometimes love can be right under your nose...

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Looking for a place to escape for your summer holiday? Then look no further, Escape to Willow Cottage is the perfect book just for that! As stated above, this book was originally a four part serial but has now come together as one book. I've never really liked that books can come in four parts, I find waiting for the next one in the series absolute torture as I never like to wait! Very impatient.

So, as you can imagine, I was very pleased when I saw this up on Netgalley and a chance to read the story as a whole. This series was on my TBR pile before I even knew it was coming out as one (I always like to wish that they do), but let me tell you - I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did.

Now normally, I'm quite a slow reader - I like to read with my breakfast in the mornings and then of an evening (working everyday makes reading during the day near impossible), so I make up for lost time in the evenings. So normally I read one to two books a week (depending on how long they are). This book by Bella Osbourne adds up to over 400 pages and it seems so long but let me tell you - you will be flying through it!

This book was so enjoyable I can't even put it into words. I absolutely loved it! I loved all the characters and I found myself relating to every one of them. I also loved how Carly had her own kind of focus on her and Fergus (even though it doesn't mention them in the blurb) and they all blended so well into the story together. This book is so well written and I was totally hooked. There's a bit of a twist in there as well that I definitely wasn't expecting!

The story itself is so, so interesting. There's drama left, right and centre and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Nearer the end of the story I couldn't put the book down because so much was happening! Another thing I loved about this book is that it takes you through the seasons - I love reading about summer time but I also love reading about firework night, Christmas etc. And this book mentioned all the holidays.

Overall, I couldn't recommend this book enough. You'll find yourself longing to visit the Cotswolds and be dreaming of living in a house just like Willow Cottage (once Beth has decorated it of course!).

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this book. Which I have reviewed honestly.

Truly, Madly, Greekly by Mandy Baggott

Truly, Madly, Greekly

Mandy Baggot

Rating: 4 stars

Amazon UK (K £1.99 / P £8.99)

Synopsis:

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?

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Get ready to be whisked off to the beautiful island of Corfu in this sizzling romance novel by the amazing Mandy Baggot.

Main character Ellen is at her wits end, so what better way to forget everything than to go on holiday with her sister to help 'plan' her wedding? Along the way secrets are revealed and to be honest, there are twists and turns the whole way through which makes it just so exciting!

Before this novel, I'd only ever read one other book by Mandy and I'm so surprised by this! I simply love her uplifting and enjoyable way of writing - it'll make you feel happy from just reading them. I did really enjoy this story, it felt a bit more serious than the other Mandy Baggot book I read but I still found it enjoyable all the same.

I found that, with main characters Ellen and Yan, they both have a dark past - making them hold back in doing things that they long to do. Whilst both characters are on the run, they both come to terms with why that is and both try their hardest to become a better person. To say there is a lot of drama in this book is an understatement!

As well as the drama, this story will have you longing for a slice of Greek paradise. Your mouth will be watering reading the descriptions of the crunchy salads and the thick, creamy yogurt that Ellen eats whilst she's at her all inclusive holiday.

Of course, with Mandy Baggot novels, there are always bits that make you laugh out loud - and this book makes you do just that. It's uplifting in places and other parts make you understand the characters more. With each chapter, we have ones focusing on Ellen and others focusing on Yan - giving you a clear insight into what each one is feeling and thinking.

Overall, a really enjoyable read. Nearer to the end of the book I found that I just couldn't put it down - too much was happening! It was a great ending and one I really loved.

Cover Reveal: Fatal Masquerade by Vivian Conroy

Today I am absolutely delighted to be able to reveal the cover for the lovely Vivian Conroy's new novel Fatal Masquerade! This is the fourth one of the Lady Alkmene series and it is a cover to die for! (See what I did there?)

The Lady Alkmene series' are all 1920s based mysteries and even though this is the fourth book in the series it can easily be read as a standalone.

The novel is out on 4th October 2017 but you can already pre-order via Amazon here for an amazing £1.99! The cover, I think, screams (okay, I'll stop with the puns now!) elegance and is very chic. It definitely shows more of what to expect from Lady Alkmene! This book sounds exciting and very glamorous!

Synopsis:

Lady Alkmene and Jake Dubois are back in a gripping new adventure facing dangerous opponents at a masked ball in the countryside.

Masked danger...

Lady Alkmene Callender has always loved grand parties, but when she receives an invitation to a masked ball thrown by Franklin Hargrove - oil magnate, aviation enthusiast and father of her best friend, Denise - she's never seen such luxury. The estate is lit up with Chinese lanterns in the gardens, boats operated by footmen float across the pond and the guest list features the distinguished, rich and powerful!

But below the glamour, evil is lurking. When a dead body is discovered, it forces Lady Alkmene to throw off her mask and attempt to find the true killer before Denise's family are accused. If only her partner, Jake Dubois, weren't hiding something from her...

This case might just be more dangerous than either of them could have imagined.

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You can also purchase Vivian's other novels here.

The Sunshine and Biscotti Club by Jenny Oliver

The Sunshine and Biscotti Club

Jenny Oliver

Rating: 4 stars

Amazon UK (K £2.49 / P £7.99)

Synopsis:

Moving to Italy to set up a baking club is a dream come true...

...until Libby catches her husband cheating just weeks before The Sunshine and Biscotti Club opens its doors.

With the first wave of guests set to arrive any day, Libby has no choice but to tie on her apron and get set to bake. But with a dash of sunshine and a sprinkling of old friends, Libby's kitchen nightmare might just become the best thing that's ever happened to her.

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What a gorgeous, summery read by Jenny Oliver. This cover is so beautiful, it's definitely one of the reasons I wanted to read this story - as well as the name! It just makes you feel so warm inside just by looking at it! I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

One of the main things I enjoyed was getting to know the mix of friends that arrive to help Libby get her hotel (and The Sunshine and Biscotti Club) back on track. I loved the descriptions of each character and you really got a lovely feel of their friendships. Another thing I adored and made me long for a summer holiday of my own was the way Jenny described the hotel and the surroundings, the lake, the bar - and the lemons!

The story does alternate between the three female friends of the group - Libby, Evie and Jessica. Each very different in their own way but each fighting their own sort of personal battle. Along the way we learn more about the ladies and in turn come to realise exactly why they are like they are. This book had everything you want from a chick lit book - romance, laughter, friendship and more!

Overall, a very sunshiney enjoyable read. Would definitely recommend for a read by the pool this summer!

Cover Reveal: Christmas at the Dancing Duck by Daisy James

Another day, another beautiful Christmas cover reveal! This time the reveal is by Daisy James and will you just take a look at it! This is Daisy's first ever Christmas novel and by what I've read of her books before I can imagine it's going to be amazing!

This cover is absolutely beautiful - I love all the colours, the use of the snow falling and of course the absolutely gorgeous christmas trees! Everything about this cover screams cosy, warm and of course - Christmas! I simply cannot wait to read it. And I'm sure if you've read any books by Daisy James before then you will to!

It's going to be released on the 23rd of October and you can pre-order it here for just £3.99!

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Synopsis:

A wonderfully festive romantic read to curl up with this Christmas.

The most wonderful time of the year!

Kirstie Harrison is finally coming home for the holidays. Ever since tragedy struck a few years ago, Christmas hasn't felt the same - but she's determined that this year will be different...

And staying at the family pub, The Dancing Duck, means it's impossible not to get caught up in the little village of Cranbury's festive traditions. And it's equally impossible to avoid her ex, Josh Turner!

Kirstie is torn between making this the best Christmas yet and knowing that she can't stay forever. Maybe it's time to make a holiday wish of her own?

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Another wonderful sounding novel by Daisy James - cannot wait to read it!

My Top Monthly Reads: July 2017

Can you believe we're in August already?! We're zooming our way towards Christmas (I must not be the only one whose excited?!) and I am really looking forward to the new Christmas books this year - you can read my post about the new Christmas novels here.

So for todays post I thought I'd start something new - every month I shall devise a post with the top 5 books I've read that month. I'll give a brief breakdown of the rating and who it is by etc and post the link where you can buy on Amazon. Hopefully this is something you all enjoy reading!

The Summer of Serendipity

Ali McNamara

My Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

(You can read my review here)

To Provence, With Love

T.A. Williams

My Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

(You can read my review here)

The Cotswolds Cookery Club: A Taste of Italy

Alice Ross

My Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

(You can read my review here)

Single for the Summer

Mandy Baggot

My Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

(You can read my review here)

Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage

Heidi Swain

My Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

(You can read my review here)

So, there we have it! My top 5 reads of July - and funnily enough, I've rated them all 5 stars. They're all beautifully written perfect summer reads that I just couldn't get enough of! They also all have such pretty colourful covers that draws you in - making you want to read it even more!

All of the books above are written by such talented authors and I'm so pleased that I got a chance to read them all. I've posted each of my reviews for the books underneath each one separately if you want to read more of what I thought! 

What's been your favourite read of July?