Three generations of women, and the summer that saved them.

The holidays are here, and in Salcombe, Liz longs for the arrival of her god-daughters, Skye and Clare and Clare’s daughter baby Ivy. After years on her own, she needs help to save the catering business she built with Clare’s late mother, Jen.

However, half-sisters Skye and Clare couldn’t be more different, struggling with family secrets and hidden jealousies. As the women navigate this unexpected summer together, truths are revealed and their relationships are put to the test.

My Thoughts:

Cathy is one of my go to authors, as soon as I saw this one, I knew I was going to love it and I did. It is all about three women and what the summer did for them. They all are going through things in their lives that they need help with so spending the summer together means they can all help each other out. I felt as though I warmed to all three women and felt a connection. I loved the way the story flowed and how I just wanted to keep reading on. It is a heart warming story that is full to the brim of friendship, families and love. Perfect reading.

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

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From the first time I saw them together I knew it felt wrong. I didn’t like the way he touched her or the self-conscious way he played with Molly and Luke. Joanne saw none of it of course. So I did it to prove to her that she was wrong. I did it for us.

Emily’s instincts tell her that best friend Joanne’s new boyfriend is bad news. Emily fears for Joanne. Fears for Joanne’s children. But Joanne won’t listen because she’s in love. So Emily watches, and waits . . . and then she makes a choice.

But Emily has a past, and secrets too. And is she really as good a friend to Joanne as she claims?

My Thoughts:

This was a bit of a wild card for me, I had never heard of the author but the plot sounded really intriguing. I loved it, this is an author I will be keeping my eyes out for. It is a story that will keep you guessing and was a really good psychological thriller that keeps you on your toes. It is a fairly short story but one that packs a punch. A gripping read that I really enjoyed.

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Rachel has loved Alistair since she was seventeen.

Even though she hasn’t seen him for sixteen years and she’s now married to someone else.

Even though she was a teenager when they met.

Even though he is almost twenty years older than her.

Now in her thirties, Rachel has never been able to forget their golden summer together on a remote, sun-trapped Greek island. But as dark and deeply suppressed memories rise to the surface, Rachel begins to understand that Alistair – and the enigmatic, wealthy man he worked for – controlled much more than she ever realized.

Rachel has never once considered herself a victim – until now.

My Thoughts:

I found this debut novel such a mesmerising and thought provoking read that I will be recommending to people to read. It is a raw and engaging read that makes you think what you would do in that situation. It is a read that I am sure women will be able to relate to and is about coming to terms with a trauma which I hope people that read this and are in that situation realise they are not alone. Rachel is a married woman and when she sees her first true love again, it brings back memories of back then. But being older now she realises that life was not all it seemed back then. For a debut this was really good and I look forward to seeing what Katie will write about next.

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

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After twenty years apart, Matthew and Helena have rekindled their college romance and are away in Iceland on their first holiday together. Swept up in the romance on a mountain hike, one moment they are taking the perfect photo, the next Helena is hanging from the cliff edge…

Terrified, Matthew almost misses Helena’s sudden and shocking confession—but what he hears chills him to the bone. And when Helena reveals the full truth Matthew is horrified, not only by what she’s done, but why she did it. Does he really know her at all?

His shock turns to horror when, back in England, they discover that someone not only overheard Helena’s confession but plans to blackmail her. Now Matthew must decide whether to go to the police or help Helena keep her secret—and as events spiral out of control, how far is Matthew willing to go to protect his ‘perfect’ girlfriend?

My Thoughts:

I have never read any of Mark’s books before and I really don’t know why as I really enjoyed it. I am now on the look out for more of his books as this one was just so good. It is all about Helena and Matthew and what happens when they go on their first holiday together. A shocking confession, lies, betrayals and a massive twist all makes this a captivating read. I didn’t know how the story was going to pan out and I love how there are many twists throughout. Each chapter for me ends with a suspense so made me want to read more. It was such an addictive thriller that I would highly recommend. A great new author to me.

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

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Esther is out with her two friends, bemoaning her lack of relationship, when she finds a magazine from the noughties. Seeking comfort – and a laugh – she turns to the dating advice only to find an article that feels a little too close to home. According to the journalist, there are seven people a woman will date before finding the one:

The First Love, The Work Mistake, The Friend with Benefits, The Overlap, The Missed Chance, The Bastard and The Serious One. 

Her friends laugh but Esther realises each of her exes fits these roles perfectly. Deciding that she’s mistaken her true love in the reject pile she decides to contact each of her exes to find out which is the one that got away…

My Thoughts:

Esther wants to be in a relationship, she sees other couples being all romantic and wants that for herself. So when she sees a magazine from the noughties that she use to love, she knows she has to read the article about dating advice. What is tells her to do is there are seven people a woman will date before finding the one. Esther with the help of her friends go on a journey into the past to try and find her one true love. All very different guys and very different endings on why they split up. It was a good story to read but I didn’t find it as funny as I was thought I would. I like how Lucy writes and I found the story fresh and it had a good pace to it. I enjoyed it.

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

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At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her—and she’s forced to decide what her next move should be.

Soon, Sydney finds herself captivated by her mysterious and attractive neighbour, Ridge. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either. They soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.

My Thoughts:

This is book one in the Maybe Series and I have to say my least favourite of Colleen’s. I just didn’t feel as though it had a good flow like the rest of her books. I enjoyed the first half but I found the second half slow and boring. When Sydney finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her with her best mate, she is heartbroken, with no where to go, her handsome neighbour invites her to stay with him. He has a secret that Sydney will soon discover and maybe they both can be happy together? it is a long drawn out story, I am intrigued to read the second book in the series to find out where the story is going to go.

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Linzi arrived at Green Valley Vineyard nine years ago, in need of a fresh start. In the lush emerald countryside and ripening grapes, she finally has a place to call home.

But Linzi’s world is rocked when the owner announces he is retiring, and his grandson is taking over.

When Elliot Montgomery first sets foot at Green Valley, Linzi’s worst fears are realised. He’s stepped straight out of the boardroom in shiny shoes and a tailored suit. How will a numbers man like him ever understand the magic of what they do here?

Elliot has his own demons, carrying the grief of his father’s death. Despite their differences, he has come to the vineyard for a new beginning, much like Linzi once did.

As the summer unfolds, Elliot and Linzi find themselves in an uneasy alliance while old secrets threaten to be revealed.

Could more be about to bloom here among the twisting vines than they ever thought possible?

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Lucy and I cannot wait to read more by her. You can tell so much research has gone into this book and I really enjoyed the fact the story is set in a Vineyard, it was a little different and quirky but I enjoyed it. Linzi works at the vineyard and has been working there for a number of years, but when she finds out the owner is retiring and that his grandson is taking over she is not happy about it. Elliot rocks up thinking he knows it all but he doesn’t have a clue. He is struggling with his own personal issues but can the two of them work together and help each other? I felt as though this could be made into a Sunday afternoon programme on the TV, I found it very relaxing and almost comforting. A great read.

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

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A family wedding
Catherine Swift is a bestselling romance author, but her personal story hasn’t been quite so successful; three failed marriages have left her relationship with her daughters strained. Engaged once again, Catherine is counting on this wedding, at her villa in Corfu, to finally bring the family together.

A summer of secrets
Adeline can’t believe her mother is getting married for a fourth time, or that she’s expected to attend. It brings back the pain of her mother’s infidelity and the baby who was the result. Not that she blames her half-sister Cassie, but then she’s never tried to know her, either. Cassie, on the other hand, is thrilled by her mother’s news – she’s always admired Catherine’s resilience, and is excited to meet the mystery groom. Cassie also has a secret of her own, and a summer in Corfu will give her the time she needs to process everything.

A chance to start over again
As the guests arrive on the island, and the big day approaches, Catherine begins to reveal secrets from her past, and suddenly both Cassie and Adeline realise that they don’t know their mother at all . . .

My Thoughts:

Sarah is one of my go to authors and will always be. I feel as though her books just get better and better, the more she writes. I loved following Catherine through this story as she is a best selling author but her own life is not up to much, lots going on in her life which I am sure many people will be able to relate to, now she is engaged she wants to bring everyone together but will it be the happy ever after she craves for? I like how the chapters switch for Catherine to Adeline her daughter, so we get both of their perspectives. It was a good wholesome read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Also I now want to visit Corfu in the summer it sounds such an idyllic place. Very much looking forward to Sarah’s next book.

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

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Jack Fogel had always wanted to work in TV, not run the family business. He thought he’d escaped, until his father’s heart attack saddled him with Fogel’s Kosher Chickens, an operation built by his grandfather and mired in the past. Years later, his wife is long gone, his two teenage daughters perpetually disappointed and his mother insistent that he fund her expensive lifestyle. Even worse, he finds himself at war with business rival Lionel Gutterman, a former employee now prepared to use the most unethical tactics to exact revenge. Lonely and miserable, he meets Sonia Lewis on a blind date. When she reveals she owns a vegan cafe, Jack panics and doesn’t quite tell the truth about what he does. As their relationship blossoms, the lie becomes more difficult to sustain. With increasingly unpredictable attacks from Lionel, he faces personal and professional destruction unless he works out how the truth can save him. Chicken Wars is a romantic comedy about the conflicts we must overcome to accept who we are. For Jack, the prize is love or poultry. Can it be both?

My Thoughts:

This was such a brilliantly funny read that had me in stitches. Jack does not want to have to run the families business Fogel’s Kosher Chickens but here he is after his dad has a massive heart attack. His life is not going how he thought it would, his wife has left, his two daughters are not impressed by him and he is fed up with having a rival who is doing his upmost to seek revenge on him. A little hope when he goes on a blind date with Sonia but there are problems from the start, she owns a vegan cafe and he doesn’t have the heart to tell her what he does for a job. Can he open up to her and tell her? what is going to happen? There is lots going on in this book and some really good characters. It is a thought provoking read and one that will be very popular.

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

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Three years ago, Detective Saga Bauer received an ominous postcard describing a gun and nine white bullets – one of which was intended for her partner, Detective Joona Linna. The sender alleged that Saga was the only person who could save him. But as time passed, the threat faded.

Until now.

A sack with a decomposing body has been found hanging from a tree in the forest. A milky white bullet casing turns up at the scene. When the body count begins to rise, the police realise that the killer is sending riddles, offering them the chance to stop the murders before they happen.

But the police always seem to arrive a moment too late. As they begin to close in, the case becomes more and more tangled. Someone is spinning a fiendishly intricate web, pulling Joona ever closer to a trap he may not be able to escape.

My Thoughts:

Saga and her team has to work out who the killer is before it is too late? She receives little figurines of the next victim but can her and her team find that person before they end up the next victim? I loved the sound of this story it sounded really good, I really enjoyed the story, it had a good pace to it. There are a number of characters to this story some of whom intrigued me and I wanted to find out more about them. I think the second half was much better than the first half and the explosive ending was brilliant. I really enjoyed it.

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

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