The Olive Branch by Jo Thomas

The Olive Branch

Jo Thomas

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Escape to Italy with The Olive Branch - the irresistible new novel from Jo Thomas, author of ebook bestseller The Oyster Catcher.

'It's time to let love grow.'

You can buy almost anything online these days. For Ruthie Collins, it was an Italian farmhouse.

Yet as she battles with a territorial goat and torrential rain just to get through the door of the new Italian home, the words of Ed, her ex, are ringing in her ears. She is daft, impetuous and irresponsible.

But Ruthie is determined to turn things around and live the dream.

First, though, she must win over fiery neighbour, Marco Bellanouvo, and his family... Then there's the small matter of running an olive farm. As the seasons change and new roots are put down, olives and romance might just flourish in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.

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I've had this on my TBR pile for a while now but I never managed to get into it when deciding which book to read. However, since reading this - I have no idea what took me so long to read it! First up, I love the cover. It looks warm and inviting, the colours jumping out of the page and it looks very romantic. I will say that I knew I was going to love this novel from the very first page. It started off interesting, funny and just really exciting - I couldn't wait to see what happened!

From the off, there was humour and drama. It starts with Ruthie and her friend drunk and Ruthie buying something online. Cut to the next chapter we see Ruthie turning up to a farmhouse that she'd bought and having a bit of a standoff with a goat and a Kit-Kat. We then meet Marco and his family - and it just seems really manic! I warmed to Ruthie instantly and I really enjoy reading novels like this set in a farm or abroad like France and Italy.

I also love Jo Thomas' style of writing, The Oyster Catcher was one of the first Romance novels I read when I first started reading them and I absolutely loved it. This one was no different, I really wondered at points how it would turn out but I needn't have questioned it as I loved every page. It was just written so beautifully and I found it really engaging. With regards to main character Ruthie herself, I really felt for her. I could see that she was lonely and feeling quite down about the whole situation and I really started to feel sorry for her when nothing was going her way.

One character I found myself really disliking was Marco's mamma. She just seemed so cold and heartless and it was when I read about her treatment to Ruthie that I really didn't like her character! However, everything turns out for the best in the end and I was really happy with how it did end for Ruthie! After everything she had been through she deserved to have a happy ending. Overall, a perfect summer read. 10/10 would recommend.

Love in the City by the Sea by Lilac Mills

Love in the City by the Sea
Lilac Mills
Rating: 5 stars
Amazon

Tess Barton is stuck in a rut. She's working three jobs while trying to get her career as an artist off the ground... and now her sister wants her to run a marathon too?! No thank you!

But it's not just any marathon. It's the Barcelona marathon and they'd be running in memory of their late sister. She hops on a flight but when disaster strikes and Emma can't make it, Tess finds herself facing a new city and challenge all alone. That is, until an unexpected rendezvous in a little tapas bar with gorgeous Spaniard Roberto.

Facing the unknown Tess laces up her trainers, determined to master the marathon...and maybe find love in the city by the sea at the same time.

Perfect for fans of T.A. Williams, Samantha Tonge and Sue Roberts.

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This is my first time reading a novel by this author and I can 100% say that it won't be my last. I've seen several tweets and cover reveals on Lilac Mills novels, so when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I thought I'd give it a go. The cover was interesting (although not the best cover ever), and the storyline sounded good so I was pleased when I finally started reading it that it was easy to get into.

The story follows main character Tess, who is asked by her sister Emma to run in a marathon - but not just any marathon - Barcelona marathon! Of course, at first, Tess is apprehensive but Emma is so eager to do this for their sister who sadly passed away when they were younger that she maddeningly agrees to do it. I would say that most of the beginning of the book is taken up with running - training, running routes and Tess complaining about running. This wasn't a let down however, as it was humorous and it was great to see how quickly Tess got better and even started enjoying it.

There are a few side stories that I wasn't sure how they fit in to be honest, but this just added to the story I felt. One side story that you don't get to see how it ends was about Tess's friend Faye, and I was quite sad that I didn't get to see how it worked out for her. However, all of the other characters I really liked and I did think that Roberto was quite the gentleman. I will say though, that I had no idea what he was up to! I just could not put the book down until I knew what he was hiding!

Overall, a fantastic read that I couldn't put down. I'm now on the search for more novels by Lilac Mills! Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

The Little Paris Patisserie by Julie Caplin

The Little Paris Patisserie

Julie Caplin

Rating: 4 stars

Amazon UK

In a cosy corner in Paris, a delicious little patisserie is just waiting to be discovered. And romance might just be on the menu...

As the youngest of four, Nina Hadley has always had her big brothers telling her what to do. So, when she's given the chance to move to Paris and help run a patisserie course, she can't say au revoir quick enough!

There's just one problem: high-flying chef Sebastian Finlay is the owner of the patisserie. He's also her brother Nick's best friend - and the man she has secretly been in love with since forever.

Amongst the mouth-wateringly delicious eclairs and delicate macaroons, Nina's culinary creations aren't the only tempting thing she's working with...

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I've really loved this series and this one is no different. The descriptions of the food will have your mouth watering and will make you want to visit Paris right now! The cover is just beautiful and I adore all the pastel colours and the floral arrangement around the outside of the cover. The eiffel tower in the background makes the cover but I really love the cute little table and chairs in the centre with the delicious looking treats sitting on top. All in all, it's breathtaking and really catches your eye. If you judged books by it's cover then this is one you would certainly pick up!

On to the actual story, first of all I didn't really like Nina much at the start of the novel. I can understand where she's coming from that being in a big family could be overwhelming but she seemed a bit spoilt to start off with. However, as we got to know her more throughout the book she really started to shine and I really warmed to her character. However, I will say that I cannot believe she stayed with the way that Sebastian spoke to her! I would be out of that door and on a place home as quick as a flash - so I really admired her for sticking it out - because I wouldn't that's for sure!

The same goes for Sebastian, at the start when we first met him I really didn't like him. I found him to be rude, arrogant and so self-absorbed that I really didn't care much for him. Just like Nina however, as the book went on I found myself warming to him too and started to realise why he acted the way he did. As well as Nina and Sebastian, there were plenty of other characters to get to know. And I instantly liked Marcel and Marguerite (think I spelt that right!), I thought that Marcel was quite the character and quite funny and Marguerite just seemed so lovely.

If you add in the location, picturesque Paris, and the addition of the deliciously mouth watering pastries and patisserie, you'e got yourself a beautifully written and lighthearted novel. I really enjoyed this third novel in the series, and if what I've read is correct, I'm so happy this isn't the last one! I adore Julie Caplin's style of writing - it's captivating and just so enjoyable. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Love at the Northern Lights by Darcie Boleyn

Love at the Northern Lights

Darcie Boleyn

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

'Climbing out the window in her dress and tiara wasn't exactly how Frankie imagined her wedding day...'

Runaway bride Frankie Ashford hops on a place to Norway with one goal in mind - find her estranged mother and make peace with the past. But when a slip on the ice in Oslo lands her directly in Jonas Thorsen's viking-strong arms, her single-minded focus drifts away in the winter winds.

When it comes to romance Jonas knows that anything he and Frankie share has an expiration date - the British heiress has a life to return to in London that's a world away from his own. But his family is everything to Jonas and, as the one man who can help Frankie find the answers she's seeking, he'll do whatever it takes to help reunite with her mother.

Now, as Christmas draws closer and the northern lights work their magic Frankie and Jonas will have to make a choice...play it safe or risk heartbreak to take a chance on love.

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Words cannot describe just how much I LOVED this novel. It was romantic, it was adventurous and was just overall a really lovely, cosy novel. The cover is absolutely stunning - I love the colours of the sky, the snowy trees and the cute little buildings with the huge Christmas tree in the centre! Everything draws you in and automatically makes you want to read it.

The story itself was completely gripping - straight from the first page. I felt so sorry for Frankie and everything that she'd been through and I was so happy for her when she ran away from her own wedding! I was so pleased that she decided to get away from her awful relationship and I'll be honest I found myself getting so irritated with Frankie's grandmother! I just thought, how dare she speak to Frankie like that? That's why I was shocked when Frankie decided to go back to England - but to be fair, family is family in the end.

Jonas was an absolute dreamboat and I loved him! He was such a gentleman and I was so hoping that him and Frankie would work out their differences and be together! It was such a romantic setting, what with the snow, the northern lights and then Christmas. It was just such a great novel and I cannot praise it enough. Another part of the novel that I loved was Frankie and her mother, Freya's relationship. It was so lovely to see their relationship blooming and going from strength to strength. One of my favourite parts was when they were baking together. It just made me feel so warm inside and it was lovely to read.

Overall, I cannot recommend this novel enough. It deserves more than 5 stars and I urge you to read this. It was a perfect novel to cosy up with and Darcie Boleyn at her finest. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

The Paradise Cookery School: Mistletoe & Mystery by Daisy James

The Paradise Cookery School: Mistletoe and Mystery

Daisy James

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Welcome to the Cotswolds Festive Feast cookery course...

Fresh off the successful opening of the Paradise Cookery School in St Lucia, Millie Harper is headed to the Cotswolds for Christmas!

Co-presenting Claudia Croft's famous Festive Feast cookery course at Stonelea Manor is a dream come true for Millie...as is reuniting with gorgeous estate manager Zach Barker.

But arriving in a winter wonderland Millie learns the manor is under a mysterious threat. It'll take a holiday miracle, but Millie is determined to save the school and get Zach under the mistletoe to finally finish what they started in the Caribbean!

Cosy up with this fun, festive visit to the Cotswolds premier cookery school! Perfect for fans of Jenny Oliver and Sarah Morgan.

If you loved Mistletoe & Mystery, why not read the first two stories in The Paradise Cookery School series? Sunshine & Secrets and Confetti & Confusions are both available now!

The Paradise Cookery School

1. Sunshine & Secrets

2. Confetti & Confusion

3. Mistletoe & Mystery

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Oh, I've loved The Paradise Cookery School series! But this one really topped them all. I enjoyed when they were in St. Lucia but this one was 100% my favourite. I wondered how it was going to work, with a Christmas novel being set in a hot climate but seeing as they came back to the Cotswolds for this one it was perfect.

Let me quickly just say that I think the cover is stunning - perhaps the best one of the series yet! I adore the dark sky, the snowflakes surrounding the cover, the thick snow and the Christmas decorations on the house. It's inviting, cosy and so Christmassy! It's the perfect Christmas cover and completely draws you in.

The story itself, was so lovely and just a really lovely, heartwarming and in some parts humorous and emotional story. I really loved Millie's character and also Claudia's was lovely. I really felt for Claudia and Tim, they seemed like a really nice couple and their news at the end just made it feel really special. I also loved how it turned out for Millie and Zach. It was happily ever afters all round but it took quite a lot to get there!

Overall, a really happy, lovely, heart warming story. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop by Abby Clements

Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop

Abby Clements

Rating: 4 stars

Amazon UK

One Shop. Two Sisters. An Unforgettable Summer.

When Imogen and Anna unexpectedly inherit their grandmother Vivien's ice cream parlour, it turns both their lives upside-down. The Brighton shop is a seafront institution, but while it's big on charm it's critically low on customers. If the sisters don't turn things around quickly, their grandmother's legacy will disappear forever.

With summer looming, Imogen and Anna devise a plan to return Vivien's to it's former glory. Rather than sell up, they will train up, and make the parlour the newest destination on the South Coast foodie map. While Imogen watches the shop, her sister flies to Italy to attend a gourmet ice cream-making course. But as she works shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best chefs in the industry, Anna finds that romance can bloom in the most unexpected of places...

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I've had this book lingering in my TBR pile for some time now. First found in a charity shop, I couldn't resist the cover - nor the name! The colours are pastel and pretty and I love the detail surrounding the cover. The ice-cream sundae's, the cherries, and everything in between! This novel looks and sounds scrumptious, and I couldn't wait to get into it.

The overall story is enjoyable and easy to read. Although it's not the longest book by a mile, it's still quite a long novel but I felt like I was flying through the pages, as it was just so easy to read. The two sisters were easily relatable and at the same time totally different. I loved reading about their separate lives, and when I was about 70% through, I wondered what was going to happen as the storyline had poodled along up until this point.

When Anna travels to Italy and meets Matteo, I thought nothing of it. They didn't really interact and they carried on with their day to day lives when Anna returned to England. Only thing that we saw from time to time was when they sent each other recipes. So, it was quite a shock when he turned up at the end of the novel declaring his love for her! In regards to Jon, I kind of saw what happened with him coming. I really felt for Anna with what she was going through with Jon but was shocked when things turned out the way they did.

With regards to Imogen, I found her romance with Finn nearer the end of the book a little boring, so I actually skipped quite a few of those pages! I would say that the first part of this novel is a lot better and more put together than the second part. I found that it's just more enjoyable to read. Having said that, I did still really like this book and I'm glad I finally gave it a read! Now to read the second novel in this little series, all about Anna in Italy!

Million Love Songs by Carole Matthews

Million Love Songs

Carole Matthews

Rating: 3.5/4 stars

Amazon UK

Ruby Brown is ready for a change.

She's single for the first time in years and she's going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she's looking for is a serious relationship.

Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he's charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun. Joe on the other hand is kind and attractive, but comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children.

Ruby thinks she knows what she wants, but is it what she needs to be truly happy? It's about to get emotional in Million Love Songs.

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Going back to the author that started my love affair with Romance novels, Carole Matthews is without a doubt one of my favourite authors. She has a way of grabbing the readers attention from the very beginning and throughout the whole novel.

The cover of this particular novel of hers is quite different to the ones I've read before but I actually quite like that. It's simplistic, which I think a lot of authors are going for now, but it works well and doesn't give the story away too much. However, there are key details scattered around the cover that gives us some sort of inkling. I love the colourful little birds, the eiffel tower, the cups of tea and also the pretty flowers. The font also catches your eye.

I'm umming and ahhing as to rate this a 3.5 or 4 stars! It took me quite a while to get into this story, but when I did I just couldn't put it down. It wasn't as happy and bubbly as Carole's other novels, and for that I'm not sure if I enjoyed it as much. Don't get me wrong, it ends nicely but quite abruptly in my opinion! I found myself quite often getting a bit irritated with what Ruby did, especially when things seemed to be going quite well for her! The whole love triangle thing between Ruby, Joe and Mason was interesting but quite exhausting at the same time!

Quite surprisingly, I did really enjoy the concerts and events to do with Take That! I'm not a big fan in any sense but it was really enjoyable reading about Charlie and Nice Paul and all the events that they went to. I also enjoyed the part where Ruby went to Paris, even though what happened there was quite unexpected and I couldn't quite believe I was reading it! I'm glad with how it ended, I feel that Ruby got the right man and I'm pleased she didn't end up with who she could have been!

Overall, an interesting and enjoyable read but not my favourite of Carole Matthews novels unfortunately.