The Mix Up by Holly McCulloch

The Mix Up by Holly McCulloch


Paige might bake wedding cakes for a living but that doesn’t mean she’s dreaming about her own perfect day. Far from it.

Trusting people is hard after she was badly let down by her family and boyfriend just when she needed them most. And to make things worse, her ex has just walked into her bakery with his new fiancée…

Needing a little no-strings-attached fun, Paige goes to a party where her friend knows just the guy – the guy in the black top.

There’s just one problem. There are two men wearing black tops.

Noah was meant to be her perfect distraction…instead, he wants more than just a bit of fun. But could the wrong guy turn out to be the right choice?

My Thoughts:

I loved the sound of this story and was excited to start reading. Paige is a wedding cake baker and she has not had the most successful relationships in the past, when one of her exes walks into her little shop with his new fiancée, Paige is upset i mean who wouldn’t be seeing as he is pretending he doesn’t even know her. So Paige knows she needs to get out there again and look for my right but it may be harder than she has ever thought. I liked the way the story flowed, I felt a connection to Paige and wanted her to find someone that was going to look after her like she should be treated. It is a fairly funny book and I couldn’t help but laugh at some of Paige’s mishaps. All in all a really amusing read, one that I would definitely read again.

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

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Wolfe Trap ( A Clay Wolfe/Port Essex Mystery) Book One By Matt Cost

Wolfe Trap ( A Clay Wolfe/Port Essex Mystery) Book One By Matt Cost

Clay Wolfe is a former Boston homicide detective who has left the police department to return home to Maine to care for his elderly grandfather and open a private detective agency. Haunted by being orphaned at an early age, and jaded by the corruption of the big city, Clay is happy to hit pause and investigate minor crimes. When he is hired to find out who sold the drugs that killed a six-month-old baby girl, he has no idea of the evil that he is going to uncover in the underbelly of his hometown. 

My Thoughts:

I have previously read all of the Mainely series that Matt has written and really enjoyed them. So couldn’t wait to read his new series. This is book one and it already hit me hard, I didn’t want to put the book down. It is nitty and gritty and set in a small town in Maine, I have been there before and loved it, so could imagine it more. There are lots of characters, Clay is the main character who was a homicide detective but left it to look after his grandfather and to also open up a private detective agency. We see his first case come in where he has to help a desperate grandmother find out who gave her daughter drugs and there is a baby involved. The drugs world is a dangerous place, can Clay help her before he gets himself caught up into it all? There are a mixture of characters some good and some bad. I love any book that is about being a private detective it really interests me and you don’t see many books written about it. There are some shocking twists that I didn’t see coming. I loved the beginning, middle and end and really look forward to the next book.

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

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The Murder of Graham Catton By Katie Lowe

The Murder of Graham Catton By Katie Lowe

It’s time to hear the truth…

Ten years ago, Hannah Catton’s husband was brutally murdered in their home.
The murderer was convicted. The case was closed.

But now a podcast called Conviction is investigating this horrific crime – and they have Hannah in their sights.

Someone knows more than they’re letting on, and listeners are about to become judge, jury and executioner as they undercover the truth about the murder of Graham Catton.

My Thoughts:

When a podcast comes out about Hannah and her family’s past, she is worried, Hannah’s husband was horrifically murdered and the murdered was sent down and that was it, but now this podcast are investigating what really happened that day and Hannah is their main target. But did she really do it? It was a well thought out plot that kept me involved in the story but I did feel as though it was a little slow and the story dragged out a little too long for me. However I did like the twists and some of them I hadn’t expected. I thought the characters were good too, and the story wrapped up nicely in the end.

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

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True Crime Story By Joseph Knox

True Crime Story By Joseph Knox

‘What happens to those girls who go missing? What happens to the Zoe Nolans of the world?’

In the early hours of Saturday, December 17th, 2011, Zoe Nolan, a 19-year-old Manchester University student, walked out of a party taking place in the shared accommodation where she had been living for three months.

She was never seen again.

My Thoughts:

This made for a very interesting story, it is very well written and I like how the story is set out, even though it is mainly interviews it really works and you see the story come together in a very unique way. The story is about Zoe who goes to university and has her whole life ahead of her but after a party one night with her friends she walks out and is never seen again. All the interviews are with her friends and family and I for one was suspicious of everyone. Did something happen to her? or did she just up and leave on her own account? I hope Joseph writes more of these as this one was brilliant. I devoured it in one sitting, I was just too impatient to find out.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and DoubleDay for sending me a copy.

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The Family Tree By Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry

The Family Tree By Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry

The DNA results are back. And there’s a serial killer in her family tree…

Liz Catalano is shocked when an ancestry kit reveals she’s adopted. But she could never have imagined connecting with her unknown family would plunge her into an FBI investigation of a notorious serial killer…

The Tri-State Killer has been abducting pairs of women for forty years, leaving no clues behind – only bodies.

Can Liz figure out who the killer in her new family is? And can she save his newest victims before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:

I have never felt comfortable about DNA or ancestry kits, and in Liz’s case you can see why as after doing one she finds out she is adopted but no on has thought to tell her, when she starts looking into her family members the FBI want to talk to her as they are investigating a crime that happened. Will Liz be able to help the FBI before another set on women are killed? who could it be? I liked the way the writing and story line flowed, it kept me on edge and I also liked how the book was set out, alternate chapters one with Liz’s story and also one with each of the women. I just didn’t want to stop at any chapters, I just wanted to read on to find out who the killer was. It was a very good thriller and the ending was brilliant.

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

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One Ordinary Day at a Time By Sarah J. Harris

One Ordinary Day at a Time By Sarah J. Harris

TWO PEOPLE
 
Simon Sparks is the man you know from behind the counter at the local Prince Burger (‘hold the gherkin!’), fry shovelling, shelf stacking, hiding away from the world. And Jodie Brook is the single mum you see crossing the street with her son Zak – always chasing a dream she can’t reach.
 
ONE LIFE
 
What if life could be so much more? When Simon and Jodie’s worlds collide, it upends everything they know. But in chaos comes opportunity. And for every person who’s ever doubted them, they find someone who’ll finally believe

My Thoughts:

This is a book about friendship, overcoming difficult situations and also how things might not seem ok at the time but they work out well in the end. It is a book that came into my life when I really needed it and It has made my heart so full that I want to share it with the whole world and hope it helps someone else out too. It is original and uplifting story about Simon who is a quirky guy that loves math’s but hides away from the world and Jodie who is a mum to Zak that tries her hardest but doesn’t always get there. I loved all the characters, how they are written really brought them to life and their personal situations are real life situations so I feel as though people will be able to relate. I just felt as though this book was a great big hug and it is what I needed. So Thank you to Sarah the author.

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

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Nook Farm Honey

Nook Farm Honey

I just wanted to write a little post about a business that I came across the other day, a little different to my book reviewing but I felt this business is worth a mention.

Nook Farm Honey is a business that is set in Cumbria and is run by Helen Griggs, the setting is idyllic with lots of flowers and beautiful countryside, you can just imagine how well the bees are thriving there, that’s why their honey tastes so good. The bees live at different locations through out Northern Cumbria, I mean come on who wouldn’t want to be a bee living there, I know I would. Nook Farm Honey have been producing honey since 2001 and I wish I had heard of this place a long time ago as buying honey from them helps out a small business and I will definitely be buying more from this place in the future.

Did you know eating local honey can help relive hayfever symptoms?

They have all different types of honey on their website some I have never heard of before but can’t wait to give a try. You can actually visit Nook Farm Honey too, so that would be lovely to see, find these details on their website.

Their website is very easy to navigate round and it was interesting to learn and see pictures that they have taken.

There are lots of offers going on at the moment and some really lovely gift bundle ideas, so whether you want to buy a gift for a honey lover or to treat yourself, have a look at the website and help out a small business as they really need your help at the moment to thrive and the bees will love you forever.

www.nookfarmhoney.co.uk

single jars of honey are available to buy

beehives at nook farm honey

bundles of honey that come with a jar of honey, a honey drizzler and a bee bomb

wild seed bombs

gift wrapping service

On the website they also have a few recipes that you can try with their beautiful honey.

Be quick to get in on all the lovely deals that are happening at the moment.

Bundle - Yorkshire Heather Honey 340g, Beebomb & Honey Drizzler

and Bee Happy

let me know if you buy any of this honey in the comments and how much you liked it.

The Long Way Home By Fanny Blake

The Long Way Home By Fanny Blake

A family secret, a mysterious legacy, and a journey that will change everything…
 
When Isla, a 65-year-old grandmother, is left nothing but an old painting in her mother’s will, while her sisters and aunt inherit the estate, she is devastated. Close to retirement, getting ready to live on her own terms, the last thing she expects at this time of her life is such turmoil. So, to find an explanation for her mother’s rejection, she embarks on a road-trip.
 
But, right at the last moment, she’s forced to take her sullen – and, in her view, impossible – 14-year-old granddaughter Charlie with her. Cramped together in Isla’s car with her smelly old dog, these ill-assorted travelling companions set off to uncover some shattering and life-changing family truths at the same time as learning to love each other…

My Thoughts:

The cover is so pretty, it reminds me of lazy Summer days and being out on walks in the fresh air. This book is set in the UK but we also see the book go back in time to Paris in the 1950’s. Family, secrets and love and loss are all a big part of how this story is told, really well thought and told characters that really bring the story to life. It is so much more than what the story is really about. Isla is about to take her 14 year old granddaughter on a road trip, but will a 14 year old really want to cooperate with her 65 year old gran? What will they uncover when they embark on this trip of a lifetime?

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

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and now you’re back By Jill Mansell

and now you’re back By Jill Mansell

One magical night in Venice, Didi fell in love. But it ended – and he left without even saying goodbye.

Now, thirteen years on, Shay Mason is back.

The old spark is still there, but Didi’s determined to ignore it. As manager of a stunning Cotswolds hotel, she’s happy at last, and soon to be married. Anyway, Shay isn’t staying. He’s made a promise to his father. He’s going to keep it. And then he’ll be gone.

But Shay’s return stirs up long-forgotten emotions, and the scandal that led him to leave raises its head once again. It’s time for buried secrets to come to light. And it seems that this was someone’s intention all along . . .

My Thoughts:

I was excited to read this book by Jill Mansell as she is one of my favourite authors, I just find her books are easy going and perfect escapism. Didi is soon to be married but when an old flame Shay turns up unexpectedly her feelings all come back from the past, and so does his. But what made him back then leave so suddenly, will Didi ever find out? what will it mean for her now? Lots of secrets are uncovered and emotions are high in this gripping and satisfying read. It is a feel good story that will make you crave reading another Jill Mansell book.

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

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Still Life By Sarah Winman

Still Life By Sarah Winman

1944, in the ruined wine cellar of a Tuscan villa, as the Allied troops advance and bombs fall around them, two strangers meet and share an extraordinary evening together.

Ulysses Temper is a young British soldier, Evelyn Skinner is a sexagenarian art historian and possible spy. She has come to Italy to salvage paintings from the wreckage and relive memories of the time she encountered EM Forster and had her heart stolen by an Italian maid in a particular Florentine room with a view.

These two unlikely people find kindred spirits in each other and Evelyn’s talk of truth and beauty plants a seed in Ulysses’ mind that will shape the trajectory of his life – and of those who love him – for the next four decades.

My Thoughts:

After reading this book I can’t wait to delve into more of Sarah’s books. I found this story fascinating and even more so by the way Sarah is a great storyteller. It is a moving and poignant story that explores love in it’s many forms. I wanted to cherish the words longer than I needed too just because it is such a rich story which is set in the 1940’s. A British Soldier and a art historian meet, will romance blossom? what will happen to both of them especially at this moment in time. A beautifully told story that you will just want to cherish.

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

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