A dream home
Beca Valentino is ready to escape the city. When she sees the perfect house for sale in her hometown, it seems like fate. Is this her chance to build the foster family she dreams of, on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast?

A big mistake?
Returning home isn’t as easy as she thought, however. Her family’s beloved ice cream café is gone – turned into a soulless wine bar by her hateful ex-boyfriend. Reconnecting with her oldest friend, fisherman Griff, isn’t straightforward either. And when, instead of the children she expected to take in, two wary teenage boys appear on her doorstep, Beca fears she’s made a terrible mistake.

A recipe for change
But an old family recipe book is just the inspiration she needs. Soon, with a little help from friends old and new, Beca is selling mouth-watering homemade gelato from a pop-up café on the beach.

Then disaster strikes. Will the Valentino family legacy be lost forever? Or can Beca create a new recipe for happiness?

My Thoughts:
I loved, loved, loved this story so much. It is all about Beca who decides to move back to the place she grew up in, she left for reasons that we as a reader will discover whilst reading through this book. She is heartbroken to find her family’s ice cream cafe has gone and is now being run by her ex But when finding her families recipe book she knows with help she can sell her beloved families gelato once again and make people very happy.. Beca tries to reconnect with all her old friends but she doesn’t realise how much people have moved on. She is trying to embark on the biggest thing in her life but has she done the right thing? This was such a splendid read and made me hungry for gelato. I could almost taste it. I like seeing how the community can pull together when someone needs help. If your after a read that will whisk you away this is the book for you. A fantastic read but a brilliant author.

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

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“More Poetic Meanderings” is a collection of poems that explores the complexities of life through the lens of the human experience. Each poem offers a unique perspective on various themes, such as love, loss, mortality, pain, joy, hope, and the beauty of nature.

The collection begins with an introductory poem that sets the tone for the rest of the book. The collection delves into deep themes, such as the meaning of life, the struggle for self-discovery, and the beauty of nature.

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Kevin’s poems and I was excited to hear he had another poem book out. I couldn’t wait to meander through it. It is different from my usual reads and I think that is why I like them so much. For me they add a sense of peace and calm and helps me to restore my energy. There are so many wonderful poems throughout this book, my favourite being Nature and my favourite room but they are all really good. When I need to relax I will definitely be picking this book up.

Check out Kevin’s other poem books on his website:

https://kmorrispoet.com/

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

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Years ago, Juliet left a little piece of her heart in Paris – and now, separated from her husband and with her children flying the nest, it’s time to get it back!

So she puts on her best red lipstick, books a cosy attic apartment near Notre-Dame and takes the next train out of London.

Arriving at the Gare du Nord, the memories come flooding back: bustling street cafés, cheap wine in candlelit bars and a handsome boy with glittering eyes.

But Juliet has also been keeping a secret for over two decades – and she begins to realise it’s impossible to move forwards without first looking back.

Something tells her that the next thirty days might just change everything…

My Thoughts:

Reading this book I felt as though I was being whisked away to Paris too with Juliet. It was such a fun read and I loved all the descriptions of Paris, it is definitely on my bucket list. I got so caught up in the romanticism and culture and Juliet’s life, I felt as though I didn’t have time for anything else. But as always Juliet has a secret that she has been keeping to herself, is she ready to reveal it? I liked going on Juliet’s journey with her and experiencing everything with her. This book is full of love, Paris, secrets and memories. Such a perfect read.

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

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Becky: a single mum who prides herself on her independence. She knows from experience that men are trouble.
Louise: a loving husband, gorgeous kids. She ought to feel more grateful.
Jameela: all she’s ever done is work hard, and try her best. Why won’t life give her the one thing she wants?
Sheila: the nest is empty, she dreams of escaping to the sun, but her husband seems so distracted.

The inhabitants of the Inventor’s Housing Estate keep themselves to themselves. There are the friendly ‘Hellos’ when commutes coincide and the odd cheeky eye roll when the wine bottles clank in number 7’s wheelie bin, but it’s not exactly Ramsay Street.

The dilapidated community centre is no longer the beating heart of the estate that Becky remembers from her childhood. So the new pottery class she’s helped set up feels like a fresh start. And not just for her.

The assorted neighbours come together to try out a new skill, under the watchful eye of their charismatic teacher, Sasha. And as the soft unremarkable lumps of clay are hesitantly, lovingly moulded into delicate vases and majestic pots, so too are the lives of four women. Concealed passions and heartaches are uncovered, relationships shattered and formed, and the possibility for transformation is revealed.

My Thoughts:

This was such a lovely story about a community that needs to find a way to come together. We follow four very different women who all have things in their lives that people will be able to relate to. I really enjoyed all the different mix of characters and the fact it is a light heated read. The pottery class was such a great idea and it brought people from the community together. I really like Sara Cox so was looking forward to seeing how she writes and it is definitely a thumbs up from me. You definitely will be able to relax with this read.

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How well do your family really know you?

Belle can’t wait to finally have her twins all to herself after their first term at university. But when Kit unexpectedly brings back her boyfriend Ivo, Belle has to welcome him into their home. Charming and confident, Ivo soon wins over the family, but Belle can’t shake a strange feeling. And when Ivo reveals he knows a lot more about Belle than he first let on, she realises his intrusion into their lives could destroy everything she has built. How far is Belle willing to go to protect her family and herself? 

My Thoughts:

Wow this book was absolutely brilliant. After reading Jacqueline’s previous novel The Coffin Club I couldn’t wait to start reading this one and my oh my it was good. I felt as though I got swept up into the story and didn’t want to leave until the end. The story is all about Belle and her family. She has two daughters that are coming back from university but one of them brings her boyfriend back. He is a bit of a mystery and starts acting weird around Belle, does he know her secret? the story runs at a great pace that keeps you intrigued, I didn’t guess what would happen and I was completely in shock over the last few pages. I couldn’t predict the ending it was so good. This is an author that is going to be on my radar now.

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

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Grace’s best friend Anna is missing.

She would never leave her husband and son by choice and Grace is beside herself with worry.

As Grace searches desperately for answers, everyone seems to have a different version of the truth.

Why won’t Anna’s husband call the police?

What secrets are the other mothers at the school gate hiding?

With each day that passes, Anna’s life is under increasing threat.

The pressure is mounting and it won’t be long before something cracks…

My Thoughts:

This is the story of two friends called Anna and Grace that had a very obsessive relationship when they were younger. When they reunite after several years will they be the same people? will they have the same bond? but when Anna goes missing no one seems to worried about her but why? there were loads of questions going on in my head and I was wondering where the story was going to lead. I like that we get to hear both sides of the story from Anna and Grace, it made the story more interesting. I did find the story a little slow and I felt as though it was a bit longer than it could of been. Watch out for the big twist too.

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8 Ballo’s mother was certain he was going to be born a girl, but when he comes out a boy, she writes down simply the number 8, as he has seven older siblings. She meant to change it to a real name at some point but never got around to it.

Now, in his mid-thirties, 8 is a college educated man, a veteran of the Great War, jilted in love, and has his own private investigator business. He enjoys his friends, a good book, jazz music, and a very simple life. When he is hired to find the young flapper daughter of a German businessman, life suddenly becomes much more complicated.

My Thoughts:

8 is the main character in this book and he is now in his thirties, and lots of things have gone on in his life. He runs his own private investigator business now and when he is called upon to find a business man’s daughter he goes in there great guns. I found 8 a very unique character and the era the story is set in was an interesting one to read about. The only thing I would advise is the sexual and violence descriptions are quite vivid. Matt has really done well with the descriptions but I did feel as though it was a little bit too much for me. I enjoyed learning about the private investigator business too.

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

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It’s late. You’re waiting up for your son.

Then you spot him: he’s with someone. And – you can’t believe what you see – your funny, happy teenage boy stabs this stranger.

You don’t know who. You don’t know why. You only know your son is charged with murder. His future is lost.

That night you fall asleep in despair. But when you wake . . . it is yesterday. The day before the murder.

Somewhere in the past lie the answers – a reason for this crime.

And your only chance to stop it . . .

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Gillian and I felt as though it was a brilliant idea and one that worked really well. It was a fascinating and mesmerising read that makes you think what you would do in that situation. Even as I finished the first chapter, I was wondering how the ending would work out. It pulls you in and I felt drawn into the story, I don’t normally like stories that time travel but this was an exception and I am glad I gave it a go. Jen is waiting up for her son Todd when she looks out the window she sees him stab a man, there are so many questions going round her head but what must she do? when she wakes in the morning it is the day before and the day before the murder, but what is going on and why is this happening to Jen? can she piece it all together? I really enjoyed this one and look forward to more of Gillian’s books.

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After a betrayal that sent their marriage into freefall, Hannah and Sam are desperate for a fresh start with their eight-year-old daughter Lily—and where better than picture-perfect Owl Cottage in beautiful Cornwall. But something about the holiday home stirs dark memories for Hannah…

When she finds dead creatures on the doorstep and hears mysterious knocks at the door, Hannah can’t help wondering whether someone is messing with her—or whether the past she’s been running from has finally claimed her sanity.

As the disturbing events at Owl Cottage seep out into the local community and the police become involved, Hannah turns to Sam for help, but when he dismisses her worries, she wonders if she was wrong to ever trust him. Are the memories making her paranoid, or is this something more sinister than she dares imagine?

My Thoughts:

The story is based in Cornwall and it centres around Hannah, her husband Sam and their daughter Lily. They are staying in Owl Cottage in Cornwall and strange and sinister things start to happen, Hannah doesn’t know how to cope with it all, is it to do with her past? as a reader we get the back story about Hannah’s past and things become more clear as we read on. Then something truly tragic happens and the police get involved but who can Hannah trust? I liked how each chapter we peeled off a another layer and it was great the anticipation of what the outcome would be. I never guessed where the story would lead and I doubt anyone will. I really enjoyed this chilling read that is packed full of tension, suspicion, intrigue and more importantly lies. I cannot wait to read more of Teresa’s books.

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

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Edie finds the world around her increasingly difficult to comprehend. Words are no longer at her beck and call, old friends won’t mind their own business and workmen have appeared in the neighbouring fields, preparing to obliterate the landscape she has known all her life. Rattling around in an old farmhouse on the cliffs, she’s beginning to run out of excuses to stop do-gooders interfering when one day she finds an uninvited guest in the barn and is thrown back into the past. Jonah has finally made it to England – where everything, he’s been told, will be better.

But the journey was fraught with danger, and many of his fellow travellers didn’t make it. Sights firmly set on London, but unsure which way to turn, he is unprepared for what happens when he breaks into Edie’s barn. Haunted by the prospect of being locked away and unable to trust anyone else, the elderly woman stubbornly battling dementia and the traumatised illegal immigrant find solace in an unlikely companionship that helps them make sense of their worlds even as they struggle to understand each other. 

My Thoughts:

This was such a beautiful read about two very different people and what happens when their worlds collide. Edie is not getting any younger and her age is creeping up on her more than she would like. She has started to forget things but she can remember so many things from her past. When she meets Jonah I wondered if he would be able to help her but can she also help him? It was interesting to see these two people come together when they needed someone the most. This is a sad story and it was heart breaking to see Edie deteriorating, you will know what I mean if you have been through it with someone. But this is such a thought provoking book that is told really well. I wanted to help Edie and I was hoping for the best for her.

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

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