Carmen is at a loose end. Her gorgeous bookshop is the filming site of a cheesy Christmas movie, she’s been ousted from her sister’s house, and the love of her life has just flown thousands of miles away. It’s threatening to be a very unjolly Christmas indeed!

But when the elderly owner of the shop comes to Carmen with a Christmas wish that threatens to never come true, Carmen knows she must buckle down to get the funds to save not only his trip, but the shop itself. While fending off a shady tatt-selling businessman, Carmen discovers wonders to the shop she could have never imagined, and opens a labyrinth of bookish backrooms for the customers to get lost in.

With her deadline looming, it might take more than a fresh coat of paint to solve Carmen’s problems. But with the help of their neighbours, her nieces and nephew, and a very distractingly cute male nanny, Carmen might just pull her greatest magic trick yet…

My Thoughts:

This was such a lovely and warming Christmas read that really gets you in the mood for Christmas. It is set in a bookshop and you can just feel the magic come alive as Carmen brings the bookshop alive. There are some heart warming moments and some interesting characters to enjoy. Being the sequel to The Christmas Bookshop I was looking forward to reacquainting myself with everyone and meeting new characters too. It certainly didn’t disappoint and I felt swept up in the truly magical story.

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

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Joe loves predictability. But his life is about to become a surprising adventure.

Joe-Nathan likes the two parts of his name separate, just like his dinner and dessert. Mean Charlie at work sometimes calls him Joe-Nuthin. But Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, he’s good at his job, good at making things and good at following the rules, and he’s learning how to do lots of things by himself.

Joe’s mother knows there are a million things in life he isn’t prepared for. While she helps guide him every day, she’s also writing notebooks full of advice about the things she hasn’t told Joe yet, things he might forget and answers to questions he hasn’t yet asked.

Following her wisdom – applying it in his own unique way – this next part of Joe’s life is more of a surprise than he expects. Because he’s about to learn that remarkable things can happen when you leave your comfort zone, and that you can do even the hardest things with a little help from your friends.

My Thoughts:

This is the story about Joe-Nathan and how his life as a grown up is slightly different to everyone else’s but it doesn’t let it stop him. His mum is doing everything she can to make life easier for him, but you know he has a job he likes apart from someone who is mean to him. He sees things in his own way and has a unique way about him. I thought it was a sweet and endearing story, my heart felt full reading about Joe-Nathan, I just wanted to give him a great big hug. I really enjoyed reading this book.

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

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All Brontë Ellis has ever known is life at St. Mary’s all-boys boarding school, where he lingered first as a student and then as a teaching assistant. So when a chance to forge a new life in Cambridge presents itself, he seizes it with both hands.

Arriving at Greenwood Manor as the new live-in tutor, Bron finds himself welcomed by all – the gregarious Mr Edwards, his precocious pupil Ada . . . except for Darcy, the elusive and tempestuous eldest son. Despite the rumours about him, Bron cannot help feeling drawn to the one person who seems determined to avoid him.

When tragedy strikes the house, Bron begins to sense dark secrets smouldering beneath Greenwood Manor’s surface. Soon he’s not sure what to believe, or whether he even has a future at Greenwood. Only Darcy holds the key, if he can be persuaded to reveal his heart to Bron . . .

My Thoughts:

This is a modern classic, about Bronte Ellis and his life. As the new live in tutor at Greenwood Manor. When something awful happens it is up to Bronte to piece together the why and what happened. There are secrets to discover and intriguing and suspicious characters, you don’t know who to trust. It was a good read, if you are a fan of Jane Austen this is definitely the book for you. It is full of mystery, romance and secrets, but can Bronte work it all out before it is too late? A author I would like to read again.

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

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NO ONE BELIEVED THE GIRLS…

1985. Separated from her little sister at the children’s home where they are taken as orphans, Holly Moore is a troubled teenager in need of love. When she meets a man who promises to take care of her, she hopes her luck has finally changed.

2015. The clock is ticking for Superintendent Jo Hamilton when the discovery of a young woman’s remains takes her back to an unsolved case from the past. As a constable, Jo was often called out to deal with runaways from Morgate House, but when Holly Moore disappeared – after another female resident fell from the cliffs – Jo was convinced the home was hiding something. Now, with only days before her forced retirement, Jo decides to track down Holly’s sister and re-open the case. But will the trail lead her disturbingly close to home?

My Thoughts:

I have never read any of Emily’s books before so was not sure what to expect. The plot sounded good and something I would enjoy. The story flits from the before and the now and I felt every chapter left something so you knew you had to read on. It intrigued me what the outcome would be. I liked Superintendent Jo Hamilton and I think she is good at her job and wants the best for everyone. I liked when the time flits back to the past as you really get a good sense of the story and what happened previously. I read this book in a day as I just felt as though I couldn’t leave it and I wanted to know how the ending would play out. I never guessed who the killer was and it shocked and surprised me. A great read and I cannot wait to read more by Emily.

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

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A family secret worth killing for…

In the dead of night, 72-year-old Miriam Narracott is found wandering on Exmoor, holding a knife and covered in blood. Inside the family farmhouse lies the body of her adult son, Gabe.

CSI Ally Dymond is on compassionate leave, but when approached by the new DI, recently arrived from London and eager to have Ally’s keen eye and local knowledge on the case, she finds herself being drawn back in.

With their only suspect Miriam unwilling – or unable – to talk, the team must dig into the family’s history to uncover a motive. Instead they find evidence that Gabe was involved with a criminal network, suggesting a completely different chain of events. But if Miriam isn’t the killer – then who is?

My Thoughts:

This is book two in the CSI Ally Dymond Series and can be read as a standalone, though I am dying to read the first book as I want to get more of a back story for the characters. I was not sure what to expect from a new author to me, but I would rate this highly as a great series to get stuck into. I cannot wait to read the next book now. I like the fact that the story alternates between the main storyline but also Ally’s life, with a great pace to it that kept me wanting to keep reading on. I guessed a couple of things that may happen but it didn’t put me off reading it. The setting for the murder was perfect, with the descriptions the author uses you can really feel the bleakness and isolation of the farm house. It was such a great read and the ending was unbelievably good. I look forward to finding out what Ally’s next case is going to be.

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

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Peter and Hank are lifelong friends, but when it comes to their jobs they couldn’t be more different. Peter is a small-town pastor and is devoted to helping the community, while Hank runs the local pub and is never too far from a party. But this Christmas, everything is about to change . . .

Having never settled down, Peter and Hank believe their demanding jobs are keeping them from finding love. Convinced that the other has it easier, they hatch a plan to swap places the week before Christmas to put their theories to the test and find time for themselves.

But as Hank quickly becomes overwhelmed by nativity plans, and Peter struggles to control the rowdy festive pub-goers, they each begin to worry they’re in over their heads. Luckily, church assistant Grace is on hand to help Hank navigate a church/life balance, and a young woman seeking shelter at the pub might be exactly what Peter needs to realise there’s more than one way to help his community . . .

This Christmas, will Peter and Hank’s stunt fall flat, or will it open their eyes to the possibility of love at last?

My Thoughts:

This is my first Christmas book of the year and I couldn’t wait to dive in and feel festive. This is a nice short easy read which I read in a couple of hours. I love the way in which the story is set, telling the children a story, also one that is not made up, we hear from the children throughout asking questions which I liked because some of those questions I was asking myself. It is a lovely festive read all about friendship and romance. It was uplifting and just pure joy to read.

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

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Escaping her seemingly perfect wedding, Naomi Witt arrives in rough-around-the-edges Knockemout, Virginia, running to the rescue of her estranged twin, Tina.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected: the 11-year-old niece she didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no job, no plan, no home and a whole lot of extra responsibility.

There’s a reason local barber Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into trouble, he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least that’s the plan, until their lives begin to entwine in ways they never imagined . . .

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the Knockemout Series and after seeing everyone reading this book and raving about it, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and check out what this series is all about. I thought it was an ok read nothing special but it did keep me engaged. There was something about the characters that drew me in. I liked Naomi and I liked Waylay too, Knox annoyed me throughout the story, he just made me feel a little cringe about certain things he talked about. Also personally I feel the sexual parts were a little too much in parts, I didn’t feel as though they were needed. I will be reading the rest of the series, just to see if they get any better, but for me this was just ok.

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One dark evening in New York City, two strangers meet by chance.
Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realise they have so much in common.

They both feel alone. They both drink alone.
And they both desperately want revenge against the two men who destroyed their families.

Together, they have the perfect plan.
If you kill for me, I’ll kill for you…

My Thoughts:

I have read a few of Steve’s books now and always enjoyed them, this one left me thinking how he could top this with his next book. It was a captivating read that takes you into the deepest darkest twists and turns that you could ever imagine. I find I really like Steve’s style of writing he brings the characters to life and the whole story too, I didn’t want to put this book down. It was packed full of twists, oh my god’s and things you would of never imagined could happen. It was absolutely fantastic read and I cannot wait to read more of his books.

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A long-lasting friendship
Every year, Erica, Claudia, and Anna reunite for their book club holiday. They’re bonded by years of friendship and a deep love of books, but there is still so much they keep from each other . . .

A perfect Christmas escape
At the cosy Maple Sugar Inn, Hattie specialises in making her guests’ dreams come true, but this Christmas all she wants is to survive the festive season. Between running the inn and being a single mother, Hattie is close to breaking point.

The start of a brand-new story…?
Over the course of an eventful week, Hattie sees that the friends are each carrying around unspoken truths, but nothing prepares her for how deeply her story will become entwined in theirs. Will this Christmas be the end of the book club’s story or the start of a whole new chapter?

My Thoughts:

What a magical story about three best of friends who all have different real life situations. They have bonded over their love of books and they are always there for each other no matter what. Over a week away at the Maple Sugar Inn they realise they might not know everything about each other, who is keeping a secret? the owner of the Inn can see things are not quite right but how is it that she becomes involved? I felt very cosy and comforted reading this story, it is the perfect Christmas and winter style read. All the characters are relatable and Sarah always does a wonderful job of keeping sensitive issues right. I just wanted to keep reading more about the three friends.

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

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Yasmiin cannot comprehend what the policeman is saying to her. Her friend in a coma? Attempted suicide? Discovering she’s listed as next of kin, Yasmiin looks to her friend’s past to try and understand her actions, uncovering fresh mysteries at every turn. All the while, her own life seems to be running off course.

Kemi seems to have it all: a high-powered job, a beautiful flat, a loving boyfriend. So why doesn’t she feel more settled? Unsure whether its homesickness, heartsickness or sick-and-tired-of-the-same-old-sickness, she embarks on a destructive path to try and change things up.

Brittany-Rae doesn’t remember the woman she was before she met her husband Jonny. She knows she was an ambitious, confident go-getter, but now she’s faded into Jonny’s domineering shadow. And as she unearths disturbing secrets about her husband, she’s focused on only one thing: her daughter, Maya, and ensuring she is as far away from Jonny as possible.

My Thoughts:

Yasmiin, Kemi and Brittany-Rae are three women who all have their own real life stories that unfold through out the pages. It is raw and emotional as the three women try to make their journey through life and what they have to deal with each and every day. Each has their own life and story and it was interesting to see how they weave together and made an connection. It was a good read and one that I will always remember.

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

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