When Olivia Kaspen spots her ex-boyfriend in a Miami record shop, she ignores good sense and approaches him. It’s been three years since their breakup, but when Caleb reveals he’s suffering from amnesia after a recent car accident, first she feels regret – and then opportunity. If he doesn’t remember her, then he also doesn’t remember her manipulation, her deceit, or the horrible way she broke his heart. Seeing a chance to reunite with Caleb, she keeps their past, and the details around the implosion of their relationship, a secret.

Wrestling to keep her true identity and their sordid history under wraps, Olivia’s greatest obstacle is Caleb’s wicked new girlfriend, Leah, who’s equally determined to possess the man who no longer remembers her. But soon Olivia must face the consequences of her lies, and in the process discover that sometimes love falls short of redemption.

My Thoughts:

When you see your ex boyfriend who you haven’t seen for a while in a shop do you go and say hi or do you give him a wide berth? Olivia doesn’t do either she has her own plan up her sleeve until she finds out something that has happened to her ex and uses that to her advantage but is the cat playing the mouse or the other way round. I liked how the story spiralled and kept me hooked the whole time reading it. I flew through it and cannot wait to read more by Tarryn. One to watch out for as this was so good.

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

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Set in the fictional Sussex village of Blossom Heath, and featuring characters you will know and love from Julie Haworth’s RNA Katie Fforde Debut of the Year Always By Your Side and follow up New Beginnings at The Cosy Cat Café, Bea’s Book Wagon is a cosy, uplifting and comforting romance that tells the story of two love-interest heroes vying for Bea’s heart – her artisan-cheesemaking childhood sweetheart and a knock-you-off-your-feet property developer. After impulsively jacking in her dead-end temp job and investing her life savings in a ramshackle old horsebox, Bea sets about turning her dream of running a bookshop into a reality, and opens Bea’s Book Wagon. But it’s not all smooth sailing, and as Bea struggles with the challenges of running her own small business, she can only hope that her love of literature and the power of reading can help transform the lives of her friends, her community and herself in the process.

My Thoughts:

I could not wait to start this book, I love a book where the main character is a powerful woman who decides enough is enough and sets out on a journey to make her dream a reality. In this case her name is Bea and she has always wanted to start her own bookshop. But nothing is every as simple as it could be and Bea soon runs into a spot of bother, but she is a determined woman and if she wants something so badly she will do anything to stop anything getting in her way. It was a light and uplifting read, I loved Bea from the get go and how determined she is. I always find reading a book that is set around a bookshop very comforting, I am not sure why but I do. The perfect book for me.

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

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‘Is he your little boy?’

‘No. No. He is not my boy. He’s your boy.’

When Bronagh opens her front door to find a child on her doorstep, crying for his mother, she follows him without question.

Twenty-four hours later, Bronagh’s boyfriend Mal returns to their home in Derry to discover the house empty. Bronagh has vanished.

At first, the police don’t take Mal seriously, but as the hours since Bronagh’s disappearance tick past, it becomes clear that this isn’t just a case of extreme ghosting. Something is wrong. Very wrong.

Because people don’t just vanish, and Bronagh may be in more danger than Mal could ever imagine.

Just where is Bronagh? And can they find her before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:

When Mal comes home from a work trip he cannot believe that Bronagh his girlfriend has gone missing. The last sighting of her was with a small child but they don’t have kids so who is the kid? When the police don’t take him seriously he takes matters into his own hands, as he knows something is very wrong, can he find her before it is too late. I loved the idea for this story, I felt invested in this story and wanted to know the outcome, it is quick paced and full of twists. I liked how each chapter was either Mal or Bronagh so we as the reader knew where she was. I was shocked finding out how the story ended. It was tense, gripping and brimming full of suspicion. It was brilliant.

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

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Sometimes it’s as simple as meeting the boy next door.
 
Jenni lives alone with her cat Oscar – yes, she’s single but, after breaking up with her boyfriend, she’s more than content to be living alone. Sometimes she worries she might be playing things too safe, but she’s had enough of taking risks.
 
Ben is a firefighter and, if he’s honest, he’s finding life hard. The arrival of a small tabby cat, who Ben decides to call Fred, helps him feel less isolated. But then, one day, Ben decides to take a chance. Wanting to reassure Fred’s owner he’s not stealing their cat, he attaches a note to the cat’s collar. 
 
As the two neighbours start corresponding via the cat, their notes to each other reveal the truths they are hiding from even their closest friends, and themselves.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book so much, it is about two people who are connected by a cat. This cat Oscar who is a cheeky thing and likes to go elsewhere for comfort and food mainly. Neither of them realise that they are neighbours and that a cat would bring them together. Though how they are connecting with each other will make you laugh out loud and Oscar is having a lovely time getting fed twice. It was a lovely warm hearted story that has some added romance. I mean you know what is going to happen but it gave me pure joy reading it. I have a cat so I found this book even more enjoyable.

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

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In the summer of 1967, the Levitsky family convenes for a long weekend at their home in the suburbs―an idyllic holiday for the perfect family.

But Nora has always known better.

Growing up, she learned to tiptoe around her mother Lillian’s explosive temper. Her father did the same. Nora’s sole confidante was their housekeeper, Clara, and their bond has only strengthened through the years. In fact, it’s all that’s keeping Nora together for her homecoming. But under that lifetime of pressure, the facade is beginning to splinter.

Over the next four days, everyone’s secrets are at risk. None more so than what Nora really wants for her life, how Clara has helped her get it…and how they’ve orchestrated it all behind Lillian’s back.

As the family grapples with the complex ties that bind them, Nora discovers that facing the truth―however painful―might be the key to finally breaking free. This weekend, Nora’s bravest act may be in knowing which bonds to cherish and which ones need to be gently set aside, making room for a future of her own choosing.

My Thoughts:

This was a bit of a random pick for me, something about the blurb drew me into reading this book and I am so glad I did. I enjoyed it immensely. Set in the summer of 1960’s, it is all about the Levitsky family and how the whole family is brought together for a long weekend. Each family member has something going on in their life and it was interesting to piece together what would happen. Secrets, lies, betrayals all happen between this family. It was an interesting concept to a story and one that really worked. I loved it and the ending was so good.

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

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In a picturesque town in Derbyshire, Merry has always wanted a family to spend Christmas with, and this year her dream comes true as she says ‘I do’ to father-of-two Cole. But as she juggles worries about her business, last-minute wedding planning and the two new children in her life, Merry is stretched to breaking point.

Meanwhile, only a few miles away, Emily is desperately waiting for the New Year to begin. Her father Ray’s dementia is worsening, and she’s struggling to care for him alone while holding down a job. When Ray moves into a residential home, she discovers a photograph in his belongings that has the potential to change everything .

As shocking secrets from Ray’s past finally come to light, will this Christmas make or break Emily and Merry?

My Thoughts:

I have read this book before but it is one of my favourite Christmas books so I knew coming up to Christmas I would have to revisit it. There are two stories that intertwine together. Merry is working hard at her candle shop with her fiancé and his two children but she worries that the kids don’t like her. Emily is struggling with her dad who’s dementia is deteriorating and she is finding it hard to care for him and go to work. Emily makes the hard decision to move him into a home but it’s hard for her to accept it but knows it is the right thing to do. When she finds a baby photo, she will come to realise that not everything is as it seems but in the end everything will come together perfectly. Such a lovely festive read. I really hope the subject matter helps people in the same situation, that you need to do what is best for everyone involved. Loved it.

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Thirty-four-year-old Lauren has a list for everything, especially Christmas. With her presents bought months in advance, the last thing on her checklist is the charity party she runs every year. It has to be perfect – she has seen how much the event means to the older villagers who would be alone for the holidays otherwise.

Everything is going smoothly as the local church bells ring. Until handsome Kian walks in, claiming he has the little village hall booked for his young daughter’s birthday party. Lauren nearly falls off the ladder she is using to hang fairy lights. There’s no way this is happening. Not when she’d triple-checked every detail…

As Lauren frantically tries to find another option, Kian’s insistence that she should just “relax” isn’t helping her stay merry and bright. There’s only one way to make this a festive party to remember. She has to try and work with Kian.

They clash over every detail, but as their helpers arrive, Kian’s kind and welcoming nature soothes Lauren’s shaken nerves. And his gorgeous blue eyes make her wish she’d put the mistletoe out. Until Kian mysteriously disappears…

And Lauren is left alone to keep the excitable children from running into the flaming Christmas pudding the older guests love every year. Will Kian’s chilled approach cool the celebrations? Or can Lauren and Kian put aside their differences and save the day once more?

My Thoughts:

Oh this is such a wonderful story to curl up with. There is everything from festivities, a handsome man, romance and just sheer warmth. Lauren is an asset to the local community, she does everything for everyone else but has little time for herself. But the community could not do without her especially organising the charity Christmas party but when a handsome stranger tells her the village hall has been double booked Lauren must find a way to keep everyone happy. They clash at first but then can they both see the potential. It was a lovely Christmas story.

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Sometimes the only way forward… is to go back.

When Rowan Bellamy’s marriage collapses in spectacular style, she retreats with her two children, Bella and Theo, to the last place she ever wanted to return—her windswept Cornish hometown of Port Agnes. Taking the headteacher role at the local primary school is the easy part. Facing village gossip, curious neighbours, and old flames? Not so much.

Especially when one of those flames turns out to be Nathan Lark — the boy who broke her heart and the man who now has a reputation as bruised as her own. With his young nephew Leo a pupil in Rowan’s school, she and Nathan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. And whether she likes it or not, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore.

As salty sea air begins to soothe old wounds and Port Agnes slowly feels like home again, Rowan must decide if she’s brave enough to let go of the past and open her heart one more time.

My Thoughts:

When Rowan’s marriage suddenly breaks up, she realises she has to return to her home town in Cornwall, taking her two kids she has not been back in a long time but have things changed? Seeing an old flame reignites sparks in her she didn’t realise she could have but she has to do what is best for the kids. It was a great story to follow along with. Predictable in places but still a comfort read. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

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High-powered lawyer Sara Pearson thought she had life figured out – until her whirlwind marriage ends in divorce, her dream promotion slips away and a burnout diagnosis forces her to take a break.

Desperate for a reset, she books a four-week retreat in Norway, imagining a luxurious escape. Instead, she finds herself in the rugged wilderness of Firefly Forest, knee-deep in reindeer droppings and stuck with a grumpy but infuriatingly attractive outdoorsman, Henrik Nilsen.

What starts as a nightmare turns into a journey of self-discovery as Sara swaps designer heels for bare feet, legal briefs for tree-hugging, and fleeting flings for something far deeper.

My thoughts:

I loved the design of this book, it makes me feel ready for winter. I have always wanted to go and see the Northern Lights so I felt I would enjoy this book. It is a light hearted and fun read. Sara has a high pressured job and everything seems to be going wrong so she decides to book a month long retreat in Norway. She cannot wait to push the reset button and relax for a while. It is a time for her to gather her thoughts and enjoy being in the moment. How the scenery was described it sounded wonderful and I felt as though I was there with Sara. I did feel sorry for her and I hoped she would be able to come through her tough time. I enjoyed this book, I thought it was a good well rounded story to escape with.

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

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Is a new beginning waiting for her this Christmas?

When Imogen leaves her fiancé at the altar and escapes to her grandmother’s cottage by the sea, the only thing she wants to do is disappear.

But in a village curious about their new arrival, Imogen finds hiding out harder than expected, especially with the charming local baker Dexter around to distract her.

As secrets unravel and the festive season draws near, Imogen wonders if she’s been running from the wrong things all along.

Will the runaway bride find her happy ever after under the mistletoe?

My Thoughts:

Imogen has a lot going on, she has runaway from her wedding and decides the only place she will find comfort is to go to her gran’s. But the locals are intrigued as to why she has returned after so many years. One of the locals is the local baker and he is rather dashing and handsome, but Imogen does not know where her head is at as she stays there longer and longer she is beginning to realise that her old life is definitely not what she wanted. But can she make her life here and be happy? I loved the characters and how the locals all come together. You feel part of the community reading this. I loved the way the story unfolded, I love the way Cressida writes it was full of pure magic and happiness. I now need to read more comforting tales by Cressida. Loved it.

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

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