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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After a whirlwind romance and a dream beachside wedding, Lucy Brightman returns home brimming with hope for her future. But as the honeymoon glow fades, small cracks begin to show. Life quickly shifts into something far darker, and Lucy finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive marriage with her husband, David.

As the illusion of marital bliss crumbles, David tightens his grip using his wealth to control Lucy by funding the care of her critically ill mother, ensuring she cannot leave their marriage.

Then, one night, David fails to return home for an important dinner with a business partner – something utterly out of character. With his phone going straight to voicemail, Lucy reluctantly contacts his London workplace. What she learns shatters everything she thought she knew.

Was her marriage a lie from the very beginning?

My Thoughts:

This was a very cleverly put together story by an author who knows she she is doing. Lucy has it all, she has married the man of her dreams and life is good until it is not. Slowly but surely she starts to see her husband change in ways she never imagined, she tries to ignore these little things but it is very hard not too. David then starts to control everything Lucy does, and even if Lucy wanted to leave she cannot because he has made it his mission to bind them together forever. But he is hiding something major and Lucy must try to find out what it is before it is too late. It was a whirlwind of a story, it makes you think what you would do in Lucy’s situation. I cannot imagine how I would feel to be Lucy, I know a lot of women and men go through this kind of situation every day and it breaks my heart but it felt like I understood a little more and it felt like an addictive read.

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

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Molly Harris hasn’t taken a real breath since her grandmother died – so when her Manhattan boss forces her onto a month-long sabbatical, she does the one thing she’s been avoiding for a year: she flies to Ireland to keep a promise. All she has to do is reach the ancient oak in Lough Glen – the place her nan loved most – and complete one final goodbye.

Instead, Molly arrives to rain, cobblestones, and an apple-cart collision that puts her squarely in the path of Jack Flynn: Goldenridge Orchard’s fiercely protective owner, local legend, and the grumpy kind of handsome that makes a girl forget her jet lag. Jack has corporate buyers sniffing around his land, and he doesn’t trust outsiders – especially not a polished New Yorker with a laptop and too many questions.

But Lough Glen has a way of pulling people into its orbit. Between festival planning, fresh bread, and a village that treats curiosity like a sport, Molly finds herself helping Jack fight for the orchard’s future … while falling for the man who refuses to fall for anyone.

Keeping her promise means telling the truth. And the truth might cost her everything she’s beginning to love.

My Thoughts:

When Molly is forced to take a break from her very busy job, she decides to go an honour her grandmother’s wish for her to go and see the sights in Ireland. As soon as Molly arrives nothing is going right and she wonders if she has made the right choice. When Jack Flynn appears in her way, she cannot believe how rude he is to her but also how handsome he is. Why does this always happen? Jack does not take to kindly to outsiders and he is worried Molly is trying to poach his apple orchards for her own. Can Molly prove to him she is not, also Molly needs to be on his good side as she has some digging to do about why her grandmother wanted her to visit Ireland and this spot in particular. It was a nice easy read to follow along with. A great bunch of characters and I what I found interesting is how the orchard works and the process and that there is so many different types of apples. A great read.

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

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Introvert and self-described whodunnit enthusiast Viviane has never much believed in living life outside of the pages of a book. But when her interfering mother insists that Viviane needs some friends who aren’t fictional, she decides to head into the beautiful bustling streets of Porto in search of her community.

What better place to start than by reading her favourite mystery in the corner of a little-known café? But when one, then two, and then outrageously six other people decide to join her silent book club Viviane realises that she is firmly out of her depth. There’s Thomas, a middle-aged man hiding his love for romance novels, Lucinda, a chic sixty-something with a penchant for Christie, and then there’s Tiago, the hot alpha male of every romance novelist’s dreams.

But when one of these newfound friends disappears from the book club without a word, will the community come together to find their fellow lost soul, and will Viviane find love along the way…?

My Thoughts:

Viviane loves reading and getting lost In her books. The characters are like her friends and she tells them everything but her mother is not happy and wants her to make real friends so when Viviane goes to Porto she discovers a different world out there and there is always a place where books are needed. With the silent book club she meets a range of different characters who all have their reasons of attending. I liked the story, it felt slow but in a good way, it was an easy pick up book and I like reading about books. I think I would get on well with Viviane.

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

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Stella’s life is not going to plan. She’d never imagined ending up divorced in her early thirties with a young baby, zero dating experience and a house in desperate need of renovation.

To make up for lost time, she hatches a plan to date different ‘types’ of men in order to work out where on earth her love life is going. There’s the Gentleman for elegant dinner dates. The Poet for deep conversation. And the No Strings Attached Guy for … uncomplicated fun.

Dom doesn’t quite fall into any of the categories, so ends up as The Friend instead, spending time with Stella and her daughter whenever they can. And then Stella meets her perfect guy, on paper. Things are finally all coming together. But when did love ever follow the rules?

My Thoughts:

Stella thought her life would look completely different in her thirties but no such luck. She is having a hard time and things are not going her way, with a baby and being single. Life could not get any more complicated but yes it does her house needs a renovation too. She needs to get her dating life back on track so compiles a list to date different types of men, but when one guy Dom does not hit the criteria she can’t help asking herself if he is the one? I felt for Stella at the start of this journey, everything she has been through which I am sure women will be able to relate to, I found it tough to read. But I liked her way of thinking of getting back out there in the dating department and her lists made me laugh. It was an interesting concept to dating but I found it amusing to read and a really good idea. It was a brilliant and amusing story.

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

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