Shadows and Birdsong brings together poems that reflect on nature, memory, friendship, and the quiet passing of time. Moving through woodlands, graveyards and everyday rooms, K Morris writes about the moments that stay with us and the ones that slip away.

The collection touches on ageing, loss, companionship, and the small details that shape a life: birds calling in the trees, the steady tick of a clock, the feel of rain, the presence of shadows. Some poems remember those who are gone; others simply observe the world as it is, with its mix of beauty and impermanence.

My Thoughts:

Sometimes you just need to pull away from life and reading stories and concentrate on yourself and the nature and world around you and this is exactly what I needed. All you need is five minutes each day to sit and read one of these poems and reflect what the poem means. There is a mixture of poems and I find that flicking through and picking one at random helps immensely. I like the way Kevin the author brings each and every poem to life and captures each word beautifully. I personally liked should I shed a tear and umbrella but heart to heart I loved them all. Such a stunning collection of poems to breathe life into.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Dr Charly McKenna had the perfect life: a thriving dermatology practice, a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park, and a handsome husband who adored her.

Until the night a bullet tore through her skull…and stole everything.

Now Charly wakes in a rehabilitation hospital, unable to walk, speak, or remember her own name. All she knows is that someone tried to kill her―and they may still be out there. As fragments of memory surface, so do unsettling questions about the people around her, including the attentive man who keeps appearing at her bedside.

The truth of what happened that night lives somewhere inside her brain. And as Charly pieces together the jagged edges of her past, she begins to realise the most terrifying possibility: the person who wants her dead might be the one she once trusted most.

My Thoughts:

Wow another fantastic read from Freida, I don’t know how she keeps pulling these blinders out of the bag, when Dr Charly McKenna’s life changes dramatically, she never thought she would wake up and be in a rehabilitation hospital. Apparently someone shot her and this has left her unable to do life’s basic needs. But who tried to kill her? slowly she starts piecing things together but her brain is not what it used to be and there are hoops to jump through before she can think about getting there. It was a slow burner but in this respect that is what this story needed. It went with the theme and I think if anyone was going through similar it may give them courage to not give up. Charly was a strong independent woman and with grit and determination she knew she would get there eventually.

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Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime.

To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she’s done.

But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night.

Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn’t the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. And in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick’s ailing wife is always at the window. Always watching.

In the morning, Quinn must leave the motel. She’ll pack up her belongings and get back on the road to freedom.

But first, she must survive the night.

My Thoughts:

I had a bit of a reading lull so knew one of Freida’s books would pull me out of the lull and it certainly did, this one was about Quinn, she is on the run for a murder she committed. But as she gets further away, a really bad snowstorm blows her way, she must find shelter fast. Nick owns the Baxter Motel and when he sees Quinn wanting a room, he is more than happy to help. No one has stayed in the hotel for a very long time apart from one old lady who Quinn finds creepy. Things start feeling odd for Quinn as she is forced to stay a while longer but nothing is as it seems at this isolated motel. Will Quinn be able to escape her past? I liked the intensity that built up throughout the story, Frieda writes with such conviction and realness that is what I like about her books. They keep you on tenterhooks and you never know what to expect.

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Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle – and her followers are sick with envy. Her charming farmhouse on her working ranch is artfully cluttered, her husband is a handsome cowboy, her homemade sourdough boules are each more beautiful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers and industrial-grade ovens behind the scenes? What her followers don’t know won’t hurt them.

Then, one morning, Natalie wakes up in a strange, horrible version of reality. Her home, her husband, her children―they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Is this a hoax? A reality show? A test from God? Natalie knows just two things for sure: this isn’t her perfect life, and she must escape, by any means possible.

My Thoughts:

This book had a lot of hype when it first came out, I don’t know what it is about trad wife stories but I have read a couple now and haven’t liked them at all. But with everyone talking about it, I knew I wanted to give it a go. I found the first half of the story addictive, I did not want to put it down, but then after half way I felt it got really silly and just boring. I think a lot of over hyped books are really not worth spending your time on and I felt this with this read. Bizarre.

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Can love blossom amongst the leaves?

When Skylar Shawe moves to Nightingale Square in the heart of Norwich, she’s hoping for a fresh start and the chance to connect with the father she never knew. A break from the chaos of real life seems like the perfect way to catch her breath…until she meets Erik, the brooding but wildly handsome neighbour with a past he’s still trying to come to terms with.

Once a rugby hero, Erik Svensson now faces life on unfamiliar terrain after suffering a career-ending injury. Unsure of the man he’s become, he’s determined to live a peaceful life while he finds himself again. What he doesn’t expect is to find himself drawn to the new girl in Nightingale Square.

My Thoughts:

Heidi is one of my go to authors, I don’t even need to read the blurb to know I will 100% enjoy this book and it did not disappoint at all. The main character is called Skylar and after finding her self jobless, moves in with her dad who lives in Nightingale Square. If you have read any of Heidi’s other books you know Nightingale Square features in some of them too. So you may recognise previous characters pop up from time to time. Skylar needs a break from what she went though in her old life but she wants to make the most of her new life and try and fit in with the new community. When she meets grumpy Erik little does she know how he may just be the answer. It was a joy to read, it felt warm and enticing and brimming full of hope and love. You can never go wrong with a Heidi Swain book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Sometimes the key is letting go…

Melody has vowed never to fall in love again.

Al is a hopeless romantic.

So, when they quite literally bump into each other, there’s no reason sparks should fly. But the world seems a little upside down lately.

A few weeks ago, Al ordered the removal of all the lovers’ padlocks from one of Dublin’s beautiful bridges. Ever since then, couples across the world have started splitting up.

And as Melody begins investigating this mysterious wave of breakups for her podcast, it seems there might be a bigger story to tell.

Together, they decide to uncover what’s unravelling so many love stories. And, in the middle of solving everyone else’s heartbreak, can they unlock their own?

My Thoughts:

When two unlikely strangers Melody and Al cross paths, they don’t realise what it could entail for either of them. Melody has had her heart broken and enough is enough and Al wants to find love but can’t. When couples start splitting up around the world, Al knows it is because of him but how can he put it right? with the help of Melody, will they both be able to mend each other’s heart? it was a enjoyable read, people will find it relatable. I liked seeing how they both start opening up to each other and how it blossoms. It taught me sometimes letting go is the best way even if it hurts at the time, you know down the line it was the best thing to do. I found it quite a moving and uplifting story with a touch of Cecelia’s magic and charm that she adds to her stories.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Since his marriage ended, Desmond Leaks has been stuck in rut. But living alone does have some upsides – for one, there’s no one to tell him that he’s ‘not allowed’ chocolate spread on his toast.

And for Leona Lennox, a fresh start might just mean she can finally open that rescue centre for abandoned dogs she’s always dreamed of. That’s if she can learn to let people in occasionally – and accept help.

Take this Desmond guy, he’s so nice that he’s offering to get his old band back together to play some fundraising gigs for the rescue centre. If only Leona could say yes, just this once . . . The Stray Dogs might actually be decent, right?

But the band haven’t played together in years, and if they have any chance of making this work, Desmond will have to track down charismatic frontman Darcus McGuire. But how do you find someone who doesn’t want to be found . . . ?

My Thoughts:

I have not read any of Ruth’s books before but I loved how it is all about dogs. It is a feel good and heart warming story that centres around Leona who decides after being a vet she wants to do something different in her life so her plan is to open a rescue centre for abandoned dogs that just need a good home and some TLC. Obviously she has a good community around her that are willing to do what they can to help her set up and start raising funds for her but also she has a certain someone who is not happy with Leona’s plans. But you can’t please everyone. I loved reading about all the dogs, it was so nice to see how they changed once they were with Leona, I liked the fact she was doing good for the dogs, it warmed my heart. It is crazy to think a dog can change someone completely. The ending was perfect and I would happily read more of Ruth’s books.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Una Lowe lives a perfectly edited life in London. Other than her best friend, she’s careful about who she lets in. Emotional complications are just that – complicated. That is, until she rescues a rare white swallow… who might have just flown in to change her life.

Because, when her beloved swallow fails to return from migration one year, Una’s world crumbles. But a viral social media campaign brings a miraculous response from a man in Bavaria named Konrad, who claims the bird has also visited him. Which leads him to invite Una to his picturesque village for the chance to see their shared feathered friend together.

Stepping out of her comfort zone, Una flies to Germany. Amidst snow-dusted streets, local festivals, and Konrad’s undeniable charm, Una’s protective walls begin to fall down.

But when the complication she’s avoided her whole life comes for her, she’s forced to confront her deepest fears. As autumn turns to winter, and inspired by the tiny, brave bird that brought them together, Una must decide if she is finally ready to risk her heart.

My Thoughts:

Una is emotionally guarded and that is just how she is. When she happens upon a rare white swallow she feels as though this swallow has been sent to help her. But disaster strikes when this little bird does not return from migration, Una starts to go back into her decline again. So she decides to start a campaign online to see if anyone has spotted this swallow. Una is led to Bavaria where Konrad has spotted it, Una has to step out of her safe place because she really needs to see this swallow again, it will make her heart happy knowing it is ok. You would never know how much this little bird has helped Una and bring the joy back to her life. But will she be able to find it again? I liked this story a lot. I think some people may be able to relate to Una and this might give them the confidence to do one small thing a day to help them. I liked seeing how Una was with Konrad and how she opened up to him. It was such a wonderful and powerful story full of warmth and hope.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Running her cosy café in the idyllic Somerset village of Lower Brambleton provides all the fun and friendship she needs – from the safe side of the counter. But when her mother and long-time sounding board heads off on an adventure of her own, Lauren sees a chance to shake things up, especially when a mysterious new neighbour moves to the village.

Marc Hathaway is desperate for a fresh start. Still reeling from the loss of his wife, he’s moved to his dream house with his energetic six-year-old twin boys. Juggling single parenthood, a house that needs a makeover as much as he does and the approaching winter holidays, the last thing Marc expects to find is comfort in a bustling village café, not to mention a sudden, irresistible attraction to its kind-hearted owner.

As Lauren tentatively steps out of her comfort zone and Marc learns to open his fiercely guarded heart, could a touch of Lower Brambleton magic give them both the new beginning they deserve?

My Thoughts:

I loved this cute story so much. Lauren runs her cosy café in a little village in Somerset, where she sells delicious sounding cakes and drinks. I felt as though I wanted to stop reading and visit this place as it sounded so good. She loves what she does and how many people she can make happy with her café. When Marc moves into the village with his two sons, he just wants to be left alone. He is struggling now he is a widow and does not know how he can cope. But when Lauren sees this, she is going to do her upmost to help him even if he does not want her help. It was the perfect setting and felt fulfilling and brimming with deliciousness. I really enjoyed this read. This is book four in the series and they can be read as standalones, but I would recommend reading them all as they are great reads.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Holly Wynter never planned to return to Birchbrook. But when an old friend calls with a festive job opportunity, it could be just what her fledgling events business needs. So reluctantly, she agrees to return to create the world’s best festive experience at Birch Tree Farm. Even though she hates Christmas with all her lonely heart.

Paul Ryan hasn’t seen Holly for ten years, ever since that fateful day she ran away. While she dreamed of a high-flying career in the city, he stayed in Birchbrook, helping his parents run the local café. Though these days he’s been wondering if he’s meant for something bigger.

As Christmas lights twinkle across the town, old memories resurface and long-buried feelings begin to stir. But Holly can’t stay in Birchbrook, even if it might hold the key to her happiness.

Could this holiday season be the chance to finally admit they want to be – and maybe always have been – more than best friends?

My Thoughts:

Holly is struggling to start up her own events business but when she gets a call from someone in her hometown, Holly is reluctant to go home. There are things that happened back then and that is why she fled. But she really needs the business and it would really help her business plus there are people back home that she really owes an explanation to. Paul cannot believe it when Holly rocks up out of the blue, there is a powerful mix of strong feelings but also deep joy. He needs an explanation but how can he talk to her with all these feelings going on. Holly feels the same, but can they work around everything that happened in the past. Also this is just a job for Holly and she needs to return home in a few weeks. What is going to happen between them? It was a great little read to catch up with. I liked all the characters and it was the perfect romance to curl up with. This is book three of four but can be read as a standalone.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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