At Ravendale Castle, nestled in the snowy heart of the Lake District, Lara is busy preparing for the Winter Spectacular ― a glittering light trail that will fill the grounds with the magic of Christmas. It’s the perfect distraction from her recent heartbreak until Flynn, the ruggedly handsome technical manager, arrives and sparks start to fly.

Flynn is determined to prove he’s worth taking a chance on. But just as Lara begins to believe in love again, someone from Flynn’s past arrives at the castle, bringing a secret that could tear them apart.

As Christmas draws closer, can Lara and Flynn take a leap of faith toward the happily ever after they’ve always wanted?

My Thoughts:

If you are after a festive read, this is the book to read. Set in my favourite place The Lake District Lara is busy setting up the castle that she works at for Christmas. But when the handsome Flynn turns up to help her she does not know how she feels towards him after her recent heartbreak. It is a will they won’t they? kind of read, but oozes warmth and comfort, I love reading about the castle and the Lake District is the perfect place for the story to be set in. The characters all bring their own delight and I could not wait to see what would happen. Loved it.

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

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Since her breakup with Fraser – which was not part of the script – she’s retreated into a lonely WFH world of sweatpants, disordered hours and comfort eating. The one luminous constant in her life is her love for her rescue dog, Tomsk, and his for her.

When Beth’s house share falls apart, she is thrown a lifeline by the least likely person: Fraser’s mother Martine, who offers Beth and Tomsk a temporary space above her garage in which to start over. Returning to Longhampton, scene of her happiest memories with Fraser and his family, feels like a second chance: might this be a sign that she and Fraser are meant to be?

But when Beth is recruited as a writer for a project called The Story of Your Life, she starts to gain more perspective on her own life. Run by the local retirement community, some of the stories she hears are heartwarming, some are heartbreaking. All of them, Beth notes, reveal a little more than the teller realises. And when she is sent an anonymous story of first love that threatens to destroy more than one family’s identity, Beth has to decide: is it sometimes better to keep a secret than reveal the truth?

My Thoughts:

I loved this book, it was an easy read and something about Lucy’s writing just makes it come alive like you are there. I loved the way each character had their own story to tell and that the setting was in an old people’s home. I think people reading this will be able to relate to Beth and hopefully find that they are not alone and have Beth’s determination. I liked hearing all of the residents stories of back in their days and also the warmth from the staff that work there. Full of warmth, kindness and a lovely family feel. I really enjoyed this story.

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

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At 30,000 feet, the danger isn’t turbulence—it’s him.

After suffering a breakdown from her brutal divorce, airline pilot Claire Winslow is rebuilding her life with her five-year-old daughter. Just as she’s finding her footing, an online romance spirals into a chilling nightmare. Her first date with Evan goes terribly wrong, and he soon begins stalking her, showing up outside her home and even her daughter’s school.

After nearly a week of no sightings of him, Claire dares to believe maybe he’s moved on. Relieved, she puts her focus on her upcoming flight—the first chance she’s had to prove herself since she was put on leave. Then, on a layover in Boston, Claire spots Evan at her hotel. She goes to the police, but with no real name and nothing traceable online, they say there’s nothing they can do.

When Evan boards her flight wearing a pilot uniform and takes the jump seat just before takeoff, Claire is convinced he’s there to kill her—or take the plane down. But after her recent breakdown, the question becomes: is she right…or unraveling all over again?

My Thoughts:

I needed something a little different to my usual reads and I have not read a novella for a very long time so picked this one. An author I have never heard before but have seen she has written a few books. This one is about a woman who decides to try online dating but she is not prepared for someone who starts to stalk her. As her job is an airline pilot she is shocked to find him on her plane and does her upmost to remain calm and collected but nothing is as it seems and she finds her self in mortal danger. As it is a novella I found it feeling quite fast paced but almost rushed. The main character annoyed me but constantly repeating herself and being whiny. I did feel as though it did not really go anywhere and was left feeling deflated after reading it.

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

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Jemma has lived a thousand lives through books. The only life she isn’t living is her own.
That is, until the day she finds a note from a stranger in her favourite library book. When she replies, the pair begin a longhand conversation about their love of novels that sees Jemma finally coming out of her shell. Is she ready to fall in love for the first time – with someone she’s never met?
 
Clara has always run away from her problems, but this might finally be one she can’t escape.
Everyone wants to know what happened to Clara in America – but Clara isn’t talking. Instead she’s focusing all her energy obsessing over a hot new actor, starring in the TV adaptation of her twin Jemma’s favourite book. Soon, Clara is reading every interview, trawling his social media, and following him to showbiz parties in the hopes he’ll notice she’s The One.
 
As the sisters fall hard for two men they’ve never met, it’s time to ask the question: Can either relationship survive the real world?

My Thoughts:

When Jemma finds a note in her favourite library book she knows she must reply, but who is the mysterious note writer? they both alternate between reading the book and leaving each other the notes but Jemma wants to find out who it is and if this could be love at first sight? When Jemma’s sister Clara turns up unexpectedly, Jemma wonders why as she thought her sister had the perfect life but obviously there is more than meets the eye. Jemma is not pleased when her sister starts to act like this is her life now. But then Clara starts daydreaming about a specific guy can the sisters both find love in unexpected ways? It was an ok story nothing to shout about really. The story was too long and drawn out. I just felt irritated by the end of the story by both sisters. It didn’t work for me.

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Lena overhears a conversation she shouldn’t have.

She’s sure her new neighbours – the Morgans – are planning a crime.

Her family say she’s mistaken.
They are a lovely, friendly couple.
She should forget it.

Yet Lena can’t.

And the more she investigates,
the worse her suspicions.

But Lena hasn’t counted on one thing.

A secret from her own past. One the Morgans seem connected to.

And which puts Lena in terrible danger . . .

My Thoughts:

Lena has new neighbours moving in next door, but one night when she hears something she should not have, she starts to think they may not be as they seem, as the days and weeks go on she realises there is obviously something not quite right going on with them. They are acting suspiciously and Lena wants to find out the truth but will she be in danger? It was a great story, Claire has a great way of writing where you feel as though you are involved in the story and don’t want to put it down. The Morgan’s definitely made me feel on edge. I could not work out what they were hiding. There was a great mix of characters and I genuinely could not work out what was going to happen. The twists were perfect and added to the atmosphere. It was brilliant. I do love Claire’s books.

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

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Seven people, four days and a snowy Christmas on board a luxury sleeper train. This festive season getting away from it all takes on a new meaning…

The Yorkshire Belle is a glamorous steam train all decked out for an escapist festive getaway. It is not supposed to be where a group of people, all trying to get to their destinations for the holidays, will spend their Christmas. 

Seven people, each with their own hopes and dreams, secrets and sorrows, board the train as strangers, but as the snow keeps falling and they realise they are going nowhere fast, they are forced to slow down and embrace the present.

This Christmas on board the Yorkshire Belle, will the friendships they make change their lives forever?

My Thoughts:

It’s Christmas time and as seven people are making their way on The Yorkshire Belle steam train, little do they know how much they will be acquainted with each other. Every one has their own story and lives to tell but they did not think they would be spending Christmas on a train. They all have a reason to have to slow down and take time for themselves but for some it may be harder than others. It is the perfect cosy Christmas read. If you haven’t read any of Milly’s books before what are you doing? take this as a sign to start now as you will want to read all her previous books. I gobbled this up and felt as though I was part of the gang. Some interesting characters brings this warm hearted story to life. Just perfect.

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

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What if you met the one a week before your wedding to another man?

When Tilly meets Adam, just a week before she’s about to marry Gareth, she knows it can never be. She’s made a commitment, and it’s one she knows she has to stick with, however strong the pull is between them.

Tilly and Adam’s paths will cross, again and again, over twenty years. But Tilly’s a wife now, a mother too, not to mention a person looking after her ailing parent… Sometimes it feels like she’s forgotten how to be herself. It’s only when Gareth drops a bombshell about their marriage, that she decides to put herself at the centre of her own story.

So she books a one-way ticket to San Jose – a place she’s only heard about in a song. But fate seems to be leading her in another direction… and perhaps to exactly the place she’s meant to be, and to the person she’s meant to be with.

My Thoughts:

Once you pick this book up. trust me when I say you will not want to put it down. I loved the sound of this story but there is so much more to it when your reading it. It was a raw and compelling story all about love, grief, but also about so much more, Debbie has done a wonderful job about keeping the sensitive parts honest and open. Tilly and her family go through a lot in this story and I am sure some parts may be relatable to whoever is reading it. I love the way the story was written with flitting back to the past, it felt as though I was inside Tilly’s head. It was a powerful story and one I don’t ever want to forget. It makes you think about what you are grateful for in life and that there is always someone worse off than you. Absolutely brilliant. This is going to be a huge hit when it comes out.

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

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