Thirty-year-old Tessa Archer is an emotional eater who is full of self-loathing and lacking confidence – she’s a woman who is desperate to change if only she had the nerve.

Her cause isn’t helped by her family whose all-round lack of regard, belief and simple love make her life a whole lot harder. Unable to match up to her ‘perfect’ siblings, a brutal family dinner pushes Tessa to take the first tentative steps towards transformation. Inventing a girls’ weekend away, she plans a short break in Cornwall – alone. It’s a place where she hopes she can feel reinvigorated about life, even if she’s terrified of the prospect. This is a last-ditch attempt to prove to her family that she isn’t the scared, useless ‘lump’ they think she is.

Once in St. Ives, with no expectations or standards to uphold, Tessa finally feels as though she can breathe, and not just because the air is cleaner. She pushes herself to meet new people and finally concentrate on her own life. With the help of the Coastal Cahoots Club, a group of crazy elderly ladies, led by the indomitable Winnie, a new Tessa emerges. There’s even the possibility of love with Winnie’s sexy grandson Ben – if only he was willing to open up his heart.
Who knew a group of old aged pensioners, a sexy bar owner, a militant seamstress and a beautiful Cornish coastal town could bring such magic to a person’s life.

My Thoughts:

When reading the blurb on the back of this book, I knew it was a story I would enjoy and I did. Tessa is thirty and likes to eat, she is not really happy with her life and lacks confidence. She is desperate for a change so whilst on a short break in Cornwall she encounters Winnie who is an elderly lady, she shows her how to be more confident and gives her a job opportunity which she can’t refuse. Add in Winnie’s elderly friends who are just as crazy as Winnie, and Winnie’s very handsome grandson and you are in for a real treat. It does tackle some personal situations but the topic is dealt with sensitively. Tessa grew on me and I really hoped she found her confidence and it was wonderful to see her coming out of herself. I look forward to the next book by Victoria.

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

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COULD THE WORST DAY OF SALLY PARKER’S LIFE BE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO HER..?

Sally Parker had a morbid fear of big social events and it was for this reason that she was crouching down low in the shoe section of her wardrobe…

Sally Parker is struggling to find the hero inside herself.
All she wants to do is lie down.
Her husband Frank has lost his business, their home and their savings, in one fell swoop. Their bank cards are being declined. The children have gone feral. And now the bailiffs are at the door.
What does an ordinary woman do when the bottom falls out?
Sally Parker is about to surprise everybody.
Most of all herself.

My Thoughts:

I love a book that points out familiar places, throughout this book places are mentioned like Fetcham, Epsom, and leatherhead that are all near to me, I feel as though it makes the book more special when you know the place. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining read. I can almost see this as being made into a sitcom, I am sure it would have high ratings. The characters especially Sally are all wonderful, you can understand her and I really did feel for her on some occasions. I found it a really easy book to get on with and I hope to enjoy more of Mel’s books in the future.

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

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Trick is fifteen and the only black kid growing up in a dead-end country town. He wins approval from his tough gang of friends by spotting an opportunity for a robbery at a local supermarket. He just never thought they’d go through with it. Even though they escape with more money than they’d anticipated, it is a botched job and cataclysmic events unfold. To make matters worse, Kelly Jenkins, the girl Trick has been in love with since he was seven years old, is planning her escape from their small town. If he doesn’t tell her how he feels now, he risks losing her forever.

A gritty fast-paced story full of suspense and intrigue, Trick is about friendship, love and a good kid’s determination to make something of his life, against all the odds

My Thoughts:

This is the story of Trick and his life as a teenager. In his town he is the only black kid and we see how what his life is like. Trick is part of a gang with a few interesting characters, they decide to rob the local grocery store, so that they can get enough money to go to London and see a music gig. They are surprised at how much they actually get. But not everything is well as they have robbed from a drug dealer who wants their blood on his hands, can they get away in time? some parts of this story are amusing but there is also a more serious side to it including the drug parts. Also we see how a teenage romance blooms too. A well written story that I am sure some people will be able to relate to. I warmed to Trick straight away.

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

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You trust her with your home, your husband, your baby… but she is about to destroy it all.

Sophy Pemberton is struggling to cope with the pressures of becoming a new mother. Her nine-month-old son never settles in her arms and the unrelenting tiredness from late night feeds is all consuming.

So, when Liv Granger from the mother and baby group offers her services as a nanny, Sophy is overcome with relief. Now she can finally get some sleep… She can stop failing at being a mother.

But Liv has a secret.

She is convinced that Sophy was accountable for her brother’s tragic death and she has been searching for her for years.

And now that Liv’s found her, she’s outraged Sophy seems oblivious to the pain she has caused her family.

Sophy’s perfect house, perfect husband and perfect baby are too much for Liv to bear… and she’s going to make her pay.

My Thoughts:

I was not sure how this book was going to work with two authors but they have certainly pulled it out of the bag. It is gripping and full of twists and turns that makes for a brilliant read. Sophy is a first time mum who is struggling with her nine month old. Sophy meets Liv at a mother and baby group where Liv is a nanny to a little girl. Liv is having problems with the little girl’s dad so decides to help Sophy. But does Liv have more than just helping out Sophy up her sleeve? She knows Sophy from when they were young and when something terrible happened, but was it Sophy’s fault and can Liv get her revenge? I liked how the story was written, you are lead to believe it could be one person but is it really? I feel as though people can relate to the issues that are raised in this book too. It makes for a decent read. I can’t wait to see what these authors come up with next.

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

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This little book consists of serious and humorous verses. The poems range from those dealing with nature and mortality, through to limericks and other humorous verses.

My Thoughts:

Here we have some funny but also thought provoking poems and limericks. I have to say I do prefer the limericks that are in this book as they are very amusing. My favourite poem in the book is Sparrows in the tree as we get a lot of sparrows in our garden, they are very common in the UK. Now every time I see a sparrow I will be thinking of this poem. My favourite limerick in here is There once was a turkey called Paul, just from the title alone you know it is going to be funny. I laughed my socks off on this limerick. Thank you once again to Kevin who has written some truly fantastic verses.

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

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Emilia has a secret hobby; killing.She’s hunting the Dark Web gamers who stole her life. The players underestimated Emilia’s will to survive and her thirst for vengeance. It’s her game now. Her rules, her kill list, and she has an unlikely accomplice teaching her how to get away with murder.

But revenge has a price that’s both breathtaking and disturbing. Will Emilia overcome betrayal and tragedy to settle the score and end the game?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this fast paced and captivating read, I liked the plot and couldn’t wait to see what would happen through out the story. Emilia is the main character, she is a strong and feisty woman who likes to kill. When she decides to hunt the gamers that stole her life, they were not expecting her to fight back as much as she does, but it’s up to her to get justice and she has a plan, a plan with the help of someone that will bring everyone and everything down. Will she get the closure she needs or not? I really liked the way the book was set out, the writing is descriptive so you really feel as though you are alongside her, thought I don’t think I would want to be as she is a little scary for me. I wouldn’t want to mess with her. I feel as though there are more great books to come from Vicki and I cannot wait.

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

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It’s only the beginning of her story…

Jess Metcalf is perfectly happy with her quiet, predictable life – it’s just the way she likes it. But when her beloved grandmother passes away and she loses her job at the local library, her life is turned upside-down.

Packing up her grandmother’s books, she moves to a tiny cottage in a charming country village. To her surprise, Jess finds herself the owner of an old red telephone box, too – and she soon turns it into the littlest library around!

It’s not long before the books are borrowed and begin to work their magic – somehow, they seem to be bringing the villagers together once more…

Maybe it’s finally time for Jess to follow her heart and find a place to call home?

My Thoughts:

This is such a feel good story, what can you not like about a beautiful sounding setting, a little romance and lots of books. I fell in love with this story about Jess who after losing the one person that mattered most to her, she moves away and ends up in a tiny little village with a very small community. Has she made the right decision? after finding out she is the owner of a quaint red telephone box, what better to turn it into a little library. It was amazing to see how it bought the community together and helped people in their time of need. It was lovely to read and heart warming. I wonder if there will be another book.

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

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Amelia loves her life in Paris. But with the surprise inheritance of her childhood home, Meadow Farmhouse, she has no choice but to return to the small village of Meadowbank to restore her great-aunt’s old farmhouse. However returning to Meadowbank means she has to confront her past, including old flame Adam.

When Amelia discovers a locket hidden in the farmhouse, containing the picture of a mysterious World War Two soldier, she starts to uncover the secrets of her great-aunt’s past and is drawn further into village life. Shocked by the warm welcome from the villagers and her own surprising feelings for first love Adam, Amelia is suddenly confused as to where she truly belongs.

Can Amelia finally confront her own past and find where her heart truly calls home?

My Thoughts:

I needed a little break from reading all the thrillers so picked this one to read to break it up a little. This was the perfect escape, Amelia is living in Paris and living her best life until she is surprised when she discovers she has inherited her childhood home Meadow farmhouse, even though she is not keen to return, return she must. She moved away for a reason and will that reason come back to haunt her? she is met with a few unfriendly villagers but actually finds solace in one villager who doesn’t know her aswell as the others do. Amelia has to get the farmhouse looking in top top shape if there is any chance of selling it, but she unearths some interesting things and looks deeper into her history. What will she discover? also she meets with her childhood friend/boyfriend at the time, will love bloom once again? this is a warm hearted easy read that you can escape to.

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

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