I love Darcie Boleyn's books and the gorgeous setting for this one really made me want to book a trip to Lake Garda. I easily lost myself in the descrI love Darcie Boleyn's books and the gorgeous setting for this one really made me want to book a trip to Lake Garda. I easily lost myself in the descriptions of this beautiful place and the characters are so well drawn that you feel instantly close to them. Sophia is escaping to Italy to get away from a broken relationship. She bumps into Joe at the airport and this starts a great relationship between the two. She is staying with her grandmother and it's so sweet to see them bonding after a lengthy absence. There are hints of secrets that could upset everything and they are dealt with very sensitively. I absolutely adored everything about this book.
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I love Darcie Boleyn's books and the gorgeous setting for this one really made me want to book a trip to Lake Garda. I easily lost myself in the descriptions of this beautiful place and the characters are so well drawn that you feel instantly close to them. Sophia is escaping to Italy to get away from a broken relationship. She bumps into Joe at the airport and this starts a great relationship between the two. She is staying with her grandmother and it's so sweet to see them bonding after a lengthy absence. There are hints of secrets that could upset everything and they are dealt with very sensitively. I absolutely adored everything about this book....more
I always eagerly await Jane Linfoots new releases. She has a lovely way of setting the scene so vividly you feel like you are there alongside the charI always eagerly await Jane Linfoots new releases. She has a lovely way of setting the scene so vividly you feel like you are there alongside the characters and who wouldn't want to live in St Aidens?! Her characters spring to life before you and you feel every emotion. Cressy is taking a break from her everyday life after suffering a humiliating experience. She's in St Aiden licking her wounds and her youthful past is catching up with her and providing a much welcome distraction. Foody references and recipes combine to make this a delicious experience....more
I found this book really gripping. Amy has been away filming in America. When she comes back earlier than expected she discovers that her best friend I found this book really gripping. Amy has been away filming in America. When she comes back earlier than expected she discovers that her best friend has been sleeping with her fiance. She decides that she will come back without letting them know but cause some mischief whilst she is starting to rebuild her life. She finds a flat above a shop which is awful- but all she can afford whilst she is waiting for a break. She starts to make it homely with some amusing finds. One of her old Uni friends steps up and provides the support and friendship she needs and they have a lovely friendship. We flash back to their Uni days and the early days of her friendship with Melissa who has always been very selfish. I loved every page- seeing her flat take shape with it's unexpected surprise. I loved the 'secrecy' with her keeping the fact that she knew from those who had been the closest to her....more
This was such a beautiful read. I felt like I was exploring Florence with Debbie and enjoying every moment. You could taste the wonderful food , it waThis was such a beautiful read. I felt like I was exploring Florence with Debbie and enjoying every moment. You could taste the wonderful food , it was so vividly written. Debbie agrees to work in a school for the English Language in Florence and meets the staff and students and starts to make friends. Byron, the black lab was a charming character, one of TA Williams trademarks! Debbie has had her fingers burned in the romance stakes and is reluctant to trust her feelings again- but when romance is in the air the right man can make all the difference. I loved their friendship and the feeling that this was going to develop into something lovely. I was so sad to leave the characters behind when we got to the end. I wanted to help them put up their Christmas tree and invite me over for dinner! ...more
It took me a little while to settle into this book although I am glad I read to the end, as I got more invested as it went along. It's set during the It took me a little while to settle into this book although I am glad I read to the end, as I got more invested as it went along. It's set during the miner's strike and we get a sense of how tough life was in the mining villages and how tensions grew. Heathcliff is a brooding character as in the original novel. It actually made me keen to reread the classic....more
I thought this was a great read. Clara is taking a boat over to America to help her family back in Ireland. When she arrives she discovers someone looI thought this was a great read. Clara is taking a boat over to America to help her family back in Ireland. When she arrives she discovers someone looking for a girl with the same name and takes on that girls identity so that she has a job to go to. She is working as a ladies maid without any prior experience and it's interesting to see how she gains the skills she needs. Mrs Carnegie is a tough taskmaster in public. I didn't know anything about the Carnegie family and found it fascinating to read about the times that the real Carnegie family lived through. Clara spends time with the son, who has several business interests and we hear about how he made his money. I love historical books and will look out for more books by this author ...more
I really enjoyed this thriller. An eight year old girl goes missing from her parents party- but no one can tell the police when they last saw her. EveI really enjoyed this thriller. An eight year old girl goes missing from her parents party- but no one can tell the police when they last saw her. Everyone seems to have something to hide and the parents aren't presented sympathetically at all.
It's every parents nightmare- but they don't seem to be living in a nightmare and are still more concerned about how they are perceived. There are obviously secrets in this family- but just what secrets we are left to discover.
We read real time updates on facebook and twitter revealing what the local people think. We also see the tv appeal where the parents are alway scrutinised closely. This always makes me feel great sympathy for the parents at the worst point in their life they are expected to appeal to the public whilst everything they do and say are watched by the police for clues to their guilt.
It's a real page turner making you second guess events along the way...more
Tessa arrives home after visiting her childrens graves to find a little boy sitting in her kitchen announcing that she is his new mummy. Where has he Tessa arrives home after visiting her childrens graves to find a little boy sitting in her kitchen announcing that she is his new mummy. Where has he come from and is Tessa losing her mind- others around her seem to be convinced that she is.
I loved every page of this book following Tessa trying to investigate how Harry came to be sitting in her house and then trying to deal with the backlash from a police investigation and a journalist deluge. Mystery surrounds her. It's a great psychological thriller.
She finds some unexpected support from her boss and work colleagues and that helps her deal with the breakdown of her life. ...more
This book was previously published in three separate books - Celebrations & Confetti, Brides & Bouquets, Midnight & Mistletoe. I was really keen for tThis book was previously published in three separate books - Celebrations & Confetti, Brides & Bouquets, Midnight & Mistletoe. I was really keen for this one to be released as a single volume. It leaves you with lovely images of CedarWood Lodge coming back to life after Clio decides to renovate it and turn it into a venue for celebrations. You fall in love with the old house and all the characters become firm friends. There is an air of mystery surrounding the house and lots of romance, too. This book comes with bonus material which is a lovely catch up with the characters and how their lives have changed surrounded by the magic and love in the air at Cedarwood Lodge.
Lizzie is on a dream holiday with her boyfriend and expecting him to propose in the most romantic way. The book explores shattered dreams, family dynaLizzie is on a dream holiday with her boyfriend and expecting him to propose in the most romantic way. The book explores shattered dreams, family dynamics and rebuilding your whole life when the one you'd hoped and dreamt about is cruelly snatched away. Lizzie works to rediscover the girl she was before and that she is entitled to have her own thoughts and decisions on what happens. I loved the characters and the whole feeling around the family, even her nightmare sister. I always enjoy Giovanna Fletcher's books....more
This was a really sweet engaging read and I was thoroughly drawn into the storyline. I was intrigued and enchanted by it. Lucy finds a box full of antThis was a really sweet engaging read and I was thoroughly drawn into the storyline. I was intrigued and enchanted by it. Lucy finds a box full of antique christmas decorations based on the 12 days of Christmas and a mystery surrounds them. She is clearing her nan's house as she is going to need looking after , following a spell in hospital. We have a intolerant boyfriend and a hunky diy male doing up her nan's house- which provides the romance for the story and the sparks. Lucy is pulled into the mystery and romance of the decorations box. Joe is keen to help her and we learn more about his past as we get further into their friendship. I really enjoyed this book and will look out further books by this author....more
This was a really chilling read about a journalist being called in to help the police investigation into the Santa killer- who has been killing a coupThis was a really chilling read about a journalist being called in to help the police investigation into the Santa killer- who has been killing a couple every year. The killer sends a horrific gift wrapped present to her home and she begins to wonder how much danger she is in and who she should fear. The book keeps you on the edge of the seat hoping to keep her safe whilst solving the mystery. I will be really keen to read more by this author and don't think I will ever listen to 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' in the same way ever again!...more
Natalie works for a company that organises events and parties and is very undervalued and underpaid. She loves to gatecrash the parties that she organNatalie works for a company that organises events and parties and is very undervalued and underpaid. She loves to gatecrash the parties that she organises and enjoy all the special details. She gets to meet another person who seems to be gatecrashing the same parties. Although she isn't instantly drawn to him- the spark soon hits them and it's great to read about the parties they go to and as they get to know each other better they are really drawn to each other. Dean was left by his fiancee on their wedding day and it has made him wary of commitment and as they get to know each other better will it be the stumbling block. As you read you have the feeling you know where a certain storyline is going to develop but it is still great to immerse yourself in the story and enjoy the read....more
This is a perfect read for a bookworm. It's about a small book club set in a local library. Lucy is the manager at the library and wants to help everyThis is a perfect read for a bookworm. It's about a small book club set in a local library. Lucy is the manager at the library and wants to help everyone solve the problems and relationship issues they have. Sometimes things seem to get worse for the people she's trying to help and she wonders whether she should leave things alone. We see some fledgling relationships take hold and grow throughout the book and it is a very heartwarming book. Lucy, Lia, Callum, Hattie and Oscar soon feel like old friends and you are willing them along and hoping that the sunshine will shine down on them. Dreams should always be held onto and your hearts desire can become a reality before your very eyes. ...more
This is the final book in the Cotswold Cookery club series and I will be so sad to say goodbye to the bunch of friends who meet up to share themed cooThis is the final book in the Cotswold Cookery club series and I will be so sad to say goodbye to the bunch of friends who meet up to share themed cookery evenings where they share friendship alongside delicious recipes. This one concentrates on French recipes and in particular Kate's life and issues. She's a harried mum of 3 and feels unable to cope with everyday life in the same way that the supermums at nursery seem to excel at. She owns the local vet surgery and has to get a new locum, she suspects her husband is having an affair with their aupair and her little girl seems to want to live at her friends house. Her friends rally round and provide huge support and the occasional babysitting to help her feel like her own person for a while. You can just cheer them all along whilst they are getting ready for the bake sale and can imagine the faces on the other mums because they'd expected her to fail. It really makes you want to move to the Cotswolds to find a similar group of friends to spend time with....more
Another chilling book from Carol Wyer - I just love the Robin Carter series. After a man is found shot on Cannock Chase she is investigating the case Another chilling book from Carol Wyer - I just love the Robin Carter series. After a man is found shot on Cannock Chase she is investigating the case and trying to find a link between other deaths. She feels sure there is a link- but some of the deaths are down to natural causes. It's a real edge of the seat read with the mystery about her husband running in the background.
I now really want to go and see the Gruffalo Trail on Cannock Chase- but hopefully a much less eventful trip.
I love the character Ross- he allows so much potential for further investigations that might find the police hands tied. He's looking into the death of Robyn's husband and we feel that there is so much more to come from this part of the story.
I literally can't wait for the next book in this series....more
A new series set in a small town in Dartmoor called Crickleford. Emma is escaping her past life and renting a room here. She needs to find a new job- A new series set in a small town in Dartmoor called Crickleford. Emma is escaping her past life and renting a room here. She needs to find a new job- but there is more about her past life to be released in future books. She finds herself lying about her personal life and work and then having to remember what she has told everyone. I loved the characters and the wider community and the animals that she finds herself looking after. I look forward to more pet sitting adventures and finding more out about Emma's previous life and why she's escaped. There is definately a lot more fun to come in this series....more
This is the 4th book in the Lovely Lane Series and another wonderful read. We join the nurses of St Angelus and the wider community in the build up toThis is the 4th book in the Lovely Lane Series and another wonderful read. We join the nurses of St Angelus and the wider community in the build up to Christmas. Matron is concerned that Sister Tapps never takes a break from her nursing career and has made it possible for her to be off all over the Christmas holiday. At the time it was common for nursing staff not to be able to work after marriage so the Matrons and Sisters were often single ladies who made their hospital their life. It was interesting to read about how the nursing homes were like families and then the sisters rooms were again their homes. It was also astonishing to read that the children's wards only allowed family visiting once a week. The poor families must have been devastated to have their children taken in- especially those that were in for lengthy spells. I loved the characters and the warmth that they feel for Sister Tapps. You could feel her anguish about being taken away from her beloved job and the problems it causes. It really explores family relationships, romance, post war life and conditions and nursing practice. There is a real sense of community decorating the wards and you really felt a part of the build up. This is a really nice series and I will be keen to read more....more
This was such a lovely book- full of Christmas magic and great characters. Lily wants to escape over Christmas and stays in Shipley where she enjoyed sThis was such a lovely book- full of Christmas magic and great characters. Lily wants to escape over Christmas and stays in Shipley where she enjoyed special holidays as a child. She's keen to mix with the locals and finds herself promising to find a celebrity to judge the village Christmas lights. Then she has Olly, a reality star looking to revive his career turn up on her doorstep with his cameraman Craig. Olly is a loose cannon and a bit of a livewire to keep on the neighbours good side. There are some really amusing scenes and also some lovely Christmas settings to start your Christmas festivities in the best way. The ideal book to curl up with after some Christmas shopping with a cup of steaming Hot Chocolate full of marshmallows- spoil yourself!...more
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