Book Birthday Blitz: The Secret to Falling in Love by Victoria Cooke

The Secret to Falling in Love

Victoria Cooke

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Status Update: I'm going offline for a while... Wish me luck! xx

Lifestyle journalist and thirty-something singleton Melissa hashtags, Insta's and Snapchats her supposedly fabulous life on every social media platform there is.

That is until she wakes up on her birthday, another year older and still alone, wondering if for all her internet dates, love really can be found online? The challenge: go technology free for a whole month!

Forced to confront the reality of her life without its perfect filters, Melissa knows she needs to make some changes. But when she bumps into not one, but two gorgeous men, without the use of an app, she believes there could be hope for love offline.

If only there was a way to choose the right guy for her...

--------------------------





Victoria Cooke grew up in the city of Manchester before crossing the Pennines in pursuit of a career in education. She now lives in Huddersfield with her husband and two young daughters and when she's not at home writing by the fire with a cup of coffee in hand, she loves working out in the gym and travelling. Victoria was first published at the tender age of eight by her classroom teacher who saw potential in a six-page story about an invisible man. Since then she's always had a passion for reading and writing, undertaking several writers' courses before completing her first novel, 'The Secret to Falling in Love', in 2016.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram




------------------------------

I do really enjoy Victoria Cooke's novels and I'll be honest and say this was possibly one of my favourites of hers! Her novels are upbeat, funny, entertaining and just draws you in to the storyline and makes you want to continuously read on. I adore the simplistic and colourful cover, the font is pretty and I love that it doesn't give much away but at the same time gives you a bit of an indication as to what the story is about.

At first, I wasn't too sure if I'd enjoy a novel based around social media but it gives off a great message. It really made me think about how much time I spend on my phone and it really struck a cord with me. Do I really want to spend this much time on my phone? And miss out on the events that's going on around me? It was a great read, and one that I really enjoyed.

The novel follows Melissa who, after writing a fab article on todays society and mobile phones, gets everything electronic taken away from her from her boss Dee in order to force Melissa to write an even better follow up piece to work out how she got on without technology. As Melissa comes to terms with not being reliant with her phone, she realises how much of life she's missing out on and starts to enjoy her time without her phone.

She visits her sister (whom she normally only contacts via Skype) and goes to visit her mum as well, and also starts to meet new people as well as two new men, Scott and Joseph. Her date with Joseph was out of this world, a limo driving her around, a beautifully cooked meal in a penthouse apartment overlooking the city, but all wasn't how it appeared! Melissa finds out someone was behind her date and as an apology they sent her up to Scotland for an all-expenses-paid holiday. However, Melissa wasn't alone on this trip. When she arrives, she bumps into Scott, whom she has quite a crush on despite the divorce he is currently going through. The pair hit it off, but when Joseph shows up at the house Melissa is thrown. What will she do now that Joseph has arrived? Will she get to know Scott some more? Or will she go back to Joseph?

It's a great novel, very entertaining and overall a fab read. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for allowing me to be a part of this amazing Blog Tour.

New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles

New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle

Liz Eeles

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Fans of Cathy Bramley, Debbie Johnson and Jenny Colgan will fall in love with the Cosy Kettle cafe, where slices of lemon meringue pie are served in the sun-dappled garden - and where Callie's new beginning collides with an old flame...

After yet another failed romance, twenty-six-year-old Callie Fulbright is giving up on love. She's determined to throw all her efforts into her very own, brand-new cafe: The Cosy Kettle. Serving hot tea, cherry tarts and a welcoming smile to the friendly locals proves to be the perfect distraction, and Callie feels a flush of pride at the fledging business she's built.

But her new-found confidence is soon put to the test when her gorgeous ex reappears in the quaint little village. She'll never forget the heartache Noah caused her years ago, but when they bump into each other on the cobbled streets of Honeyford she can't help but feel a flutter in her chest...

As Callie and Noah share laughter and memories, she starts to wonder if this could be her second chance of happiness. But when Callie discovers that someone is mysteriously trying to ruin the cafe's reputation... she has an awful suspicion that Noah knows who's involved.

Was she wrong to ever trust him again? And can she find out who's behind the lies and rumours, before it's too late for the Cosy Kettle?

----------------------------

Words cannot describe how much I adored this novel. This was a delightful and easy, fun read and I loved every minute. As soon as I knew that Liz Eeles would be bringing out another novel and then I saw it on Netgalley I was so excited! Her past novels have been absolutely amazing to read and I love her style of writing. I jumped at the chance to download it and began it immediately after I finished the one I was currently reading.

I absolutely adore the cover and the title of Liz's new novel. The cover is one of my favourites from this year actually. Cherry tarts at the Cosy Kettle sounds very inviting indeed! I also love the cakes along the bottom of the cover, the cute cottage at the back of the cover and the bright, inviting colours. Even the name is mouthwatering!

Straight from the start with this novel I knew I was going to love it. I just feel that Liz's style of writing hooks you from the start and I just loved all the characters from the off. I really related and felt for Callie, she was shy but just so lovely and I instantly warmed to her. I also found her granddad Stanley really funny and really enjoyed reading about his crazy antics! As well as this, I loved all of the other secondary characters such as Flora, Becca and Mary! They were all really lovely and I dreamed throughout of living somewhere like Honeyford. The setting sounded absolutely idyllic and I longed to book a trip to the Cotswolds!

This was just an overall really delightful and enjoyable novel. It's lighthearted and the perfect easy read for Spring. It will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy and I just loved every page. I'm really hoping that we go back to this little story and read more about the other characters - as I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to Honeyford just yet! Liz Eeles has a gift of making you want to be exactly where she's writing - and as with her other novels, this one was no different. It was well-written, engaging and simply brilliant.

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

Dreaming of Tuscany by T.A. Williams

Dreaming of Tuscany

T.A. Williams

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon

The glamour of Hollywood. The magic of the Tuscan countryside. One big decision...

Beatrice Kingdom (Bee to her friends) wakes up in hospital in Tuscany. After an accident on a film set leaves her burned and scarred, she feels her whole life has been turned upside down.

Bee is offered the chance of recuperating in a stunning Tuscan villa in the company of a world-famous film star, the irascible Mimi Robertson. Here amid the vines and olive groves, Bee quickly finds there's more to the place than meets the eye, not least a certain Luca (and Romeo the dog).

As she comes to terms with her injuries and her new life takes shape, Bee will have to travel a road of self-discovery. . . and make a huge decision.

A joyous, funny and moving tale, Dreaming of Tuscany is a triumph, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant, and Jenny Oliver.

----------------------------------

I can't tell you how much I absolutely fell in love with this book. It was heartwarming, an easy and very enjoyable read. I fell for the cover as soon as I saw it, the picture even looks hot! I love the beautiful flowers, the villa in the background and of course the really cute labrador at the front of the cover. This cover screams summer and will instantly make you want to go on holiday. I absolutely adore it.

For the story, I really loved it. And I mean, really, really loved it. I really enjoyed Bee's character, she seemed sensible but very easy to relate to and I adored her relationship with the famous Mimi by the end of the novel. Another character I found myself warming too was the brilliant Riccardo, I really felt for him - he had been through so much in his life and I was happy with how his life turned out in the end. And of course, I loved Luke (or Luca) and his dog Romeo (who was possibly my favourite character ever), every character was just lovely and I very much enjoyed reading about their blossoming relationships.

The storyline was fantastic, Bee woke up in an Italian hospital after she was involved in an accident on the film set she was working on, as compensation the company invited her to spend a few months recuperating in a beautiful Tuscan villa in the middle of nowhere. Bee automatically falls in love with the place and the people who love there, and with one more than the others - Luke the estate manager. As the days get hotter, Bee realises that she doesn't want to get into any sort of relationship, leaving her heart breaking at the prospect of leaving Luke in Italy.

The storyline gets better and better as the pages go on, and whilst nothing huge nor significant happens, it's still just a beautifully written novel and I absolutely loved every minute of it. Thank you to Netgalley for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Blog Tour: Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow

Love Heart Lane

Christie Barlow

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Welcome to Love Heart Lane...

When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular - Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus's heart will thaw too...

---------------------------

Oh I do love a Christie Barlow novel! I've read a few others by her and I have really enjoyed them but this one was probably my favourite. The cover is absolutely stunning, I love the colours, they go together so well and the village looks so cute!

The setting of this book just sounds beautiful. The thick snow, the mountains and all other kinds of bad weather makes me feel so cosy when I'm warm and dry wrapped up on the sofa! I also absolutely loved main character Felicity. She pulled on my heartstrings on more than one occasion and I couldn't even begin to feel what she had gone through that made her escape Heartcross for eight years. As well as Felicity (or Flick as some of the characters call her), I really loved the secondary characters as well. I think Flick's mum was adorable and so loveable and I really liked Isla as well, she was so kindhearted!

As well as the characters, the whole novel had a wonderful community spirit, and even though quite a few things kept going wrong (mainly due to the bad weather!), they stuck together and had each others backs. I loved this so much and I wished on more than one occasion that I lived somewhere like Heartcross! Fergus was another one of my favourite characters, I really felt for him in everything he had been through. Not just with Felicity but also with his family. I could feel my heart aching on more than one occasion whilst I was reading this novel!

I feel like there was loads of action throughout this book, straight from the start there were things happening that I just couldn't put it down! I was eagerly awaiting the next time I could pick it up to find out what happens next. It was exciting, heart warming and quite simply unputdownable. This is by far my favourite novel by Christie Barlow right now! It had everything you could possibly want from a story, great community spirit and friendships, drama, romance and some humour too! I really, really enjoyed reading this book and I was sad when it came to an end!

I noticed on Goodreads that this was the 1st in the series (I hope this is true!) so hopefully we hear more about Heartcross in the future! Thank you to the publisher and Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

-------------------------------------

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 and Love Heart Lane. Her writing career came as somewhat as 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 prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia.

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being as well as Literary Editor for www.mamalifemagazine.co.uk bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Wildflower Park, Part Three: Oopsy Daisy by Bella Osborne

Wildflower Park, Part Three: Oopsy Daisy

Bella Osborne

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Escape to Wildflower Park with Part Three of a brand new four-part serial from bestselling author Bella Osborne.

Life's not always a walk in the park...

When Anna is dumped by her fiancé, she moves in to her own place on the edge of the gorgeous Wildflower Park and pledges to stay off men and focus on her career, but a handsome new colleague seems to thwart her attempts at every turn. And when she receives an accident text from a mystery man, could it be the new start she needs? Or someone she really shouldn't be falling for?

Anna's neighbour Sophie is a stressed-out mum-of-two with a third on the way. Her husband is a constant frustration, and their children are a regular source of newly-invented swear words and unidentifiable sticky surfaces.

Luckily, Anna and Sophie have each other - and Wildflower Park proves to be a sanctuary as they map out a path to find happiness they both deserve...

Fantastically funny, this irresistibly heart-warming novel will charm fans of Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell.

-----------------------------------------

This series is seriously hotting up! I've really enjoyed this new series by Bella Osborne. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I think it's her best one yet! As I've said with all my other reviews on this new series, I absolutely love the cover. This one in particular is possibly my favourite, the blooming flowers and all their colours just make it so eye-catching and beautiful!

Onto the story itself, this one is where it really hots up. And in this one I absolutely fell in love with Bert! He broke my heart and I found my eyes welling up on more than one occasion with this lovely elderly man. As well as Bert, I also feel that we got to know all the other characters a whole lot more as well. I find myself relating to both Anna and Sophie on a much bigger scale than I was before and I'm enjoying reading about their issues and dramas!

I also find myself loving Maurice the cat and some other characters as well such as Hudson. However, I will say that I am a bit weary of Connor - I feel like he's hiding something big and I think we'll finally get to find out what in the final instalment! Which might I add, seriously cannot come quick enough. These novella's are so easy and enjoyable to read. They're quick and I find they're the perfect way to while away a few hours.

Overall, a fabulous addition to the series and I absolutely cannot wait to read the final one! I'm a bit gutted because I feel it's ended so quickly but so excited to see what's going to happen in the final novella! Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.

Wildflower Park, Part Two: A Budding Romance by Bella Osborne

Wildflower Park, Part Two: A Budding Romance

Bella Osborne

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Escape to Wildflower Park with Part Two of a brand new four-part serial from bestselling author Bella Osborne.

Life's not always a walk in the park...

When Anna is dumped by her fiancé, she moves in to her own place on the edge of the gorgeous Wildflower Park and pledges to stay off men and focus on her career, but a handsome new colleague seems to thwart her attempts at every turn. And when she receives an accidental text from a mystery man, could it be the new start she needs? Or someone she really shouldn't be starting for?

Anna's neighbour Sophie is a stressed-out mum-of-two with a third on the way. Her husband is a constant frustration, and their children are a regular source of newly-invented swear words and unidentifiable sticky surfaces.

Luckily, Anna and Sophie have each other - and Wildflower Park proves to be a sanctuary as they map out a path to find the happiness they both deserve...

Fantastically funny, this irresistibly heart-warming novel will charm fans of Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell.

-----------------------------------------

I'm really enjoying this series now! The first one didn't give much away but when you think they're just over 100 pages long, it would be a bit hard for tons of action to start then! We're only just getting to know the characters. I really adore the cover of these series too. They're so colourful, bright and just really draw you in. I love the flowers, the swans and the pretty houses, everything just comes together perfectly and makes you want to read it.

I really like Anna's character. She seems to have gone through a lot in her life and I really feel for her. I also feel equally as sorry for Sophie, she's got a lot on her plate and her husband Dave seems to be a constant disappointment! I love the area in which they live, it sounds like a dream to back on to your own private park where only a handful of people are able to visit.

In this series, it's starting to heat up a bit and Liam arrives back in Anna's life with a big bang. She starts pretending to be in a relationship with Hudson (whom she still has some disagreements with) but since pretending to be in a relationship, the pair seem to be getting on a lot better. As well as this, poor Sophie seems to still be having troubles with her crush on Hudson and cannot get him out of her head, causing her and Dave to have a huge bust up. The main question at the end of this novella is whether they will get back together again!

It's a great addition to the story, and as the second and third novella was uploaded onto Netgalley at the same time I was able to start reading the third one in the series straight away which was lovely! I'm now halfway through the third and loving it! Seriously cannot wait to read the fourth in the series. Overall, a really enjoyable addition to the series, would 100% recommend giving this a read. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.

Christmas at the Little Cornish Gift Shop by Rachel Griffiths

Christmas at the Little Cornish Gift Shop

Rachel Griffiths

Rating: 5 stars

Amazon UK

Following a series of disastrous dates and losing her job as a room attendant at a top London hotel, Ruby Penrose heads home to Cornwall. Her dreams of making it as a screenwriter failed and she has no idea what to do next.

Reality TV star Jake Woodhouse was delighted to find a small, isolated Cornish cottage to rent for the holidays. He aims to spend his days there in peace and quiet, licking his wounds - his only company his faithful, but stubborn, British bulldog, Sherlock Bones.

But as Ruby and Jake are drawn together by the magic of the festive season and the Little Cornish Gift Shop, they both begin to realise that sometimes it is possible to learn to trust again, and that friendship can be the most valuable Christmas gift of all.

This is the first of three short stories in The Little Cornish Gift Shop series.

Look out for Spring at The Little Cornish Gift Shop coming in 2019.

------------------------------------

Rachel Griffiths has done it again! This was a delightful and festive heartwarming story and I loved every page. If you wasn't in the festive mood before you saw the cover, then you certainly would be once you saw this one! I love the falling snow, the cutest little cottage with the wreath on the door, the Christmas lights and of course the two cutest little doggies at the front of the cover! It's delightful and if you ask me, it's everything you want in a cover.

Onto the story itself, it starts with Ruby working in London and being set up for cleaning 'accidents' that she didn't do. However, being the caring person that she is, she took the blame for a heavily pregnant single mum and got fired in the process. So not the best end to the year for Ruby, but having said that, this was just what she needed. She desperately wanted to get home to see her nanna and spend Christmas with her loved ones.

What I love about this novel is that we also get to see everything from a male perspective as well. We get to read about Jake and what's going through his past relationships and his urgent need to get away from London. He was a great character with hidden depth and I could just feel that connection between Ruby and Jake straight away. I loved reading about their growing relationship and I was sad when I came to the end of the novella!

I absolutely loved where this was set, the location sounded idyllic on a winters day and it desperately made me want to move or visit somewhere similar! It was so Christmassy and festive that I devoured this book in such a short time and I'm so looking forward to reading the rest in the series. Thank you to Rachel Griffiths for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.