When master chocolatier, Charlee, takes the leap to move to the picturesque seaside town of Whitsborough Bay, she is determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and set up a chocolate shop.

Luckily, she finds the perfect location for Charlee’s Chocolates on beautiful Castle Street… Now she just has to refurbish it in time for Christmas!

With a useless boyfriend and countless DIY disasters, Charlee doesn’t know if she’ll make it in time. With no ‘traditional’ family to support her, she feels lost in her new surroundings and the secrets of the past are weighing her down.

But the warmth and festive spirit of the Whitsborough Bay community will surprise her, and when plumber, Matt, comes to the rescue, it might be that all of Charlee’s dreams could come true this Christmas, and she could learn what family really means…

My Thoughts:

Any book with the word chocolate in it and I am sold, especially when it is a book by Jessica Redland. Her writing just makes me want to go to the places she talks about, in this story we return to Whitsborough Bay which was lovely to see what the residents are all up too. Charlee has just moved here, she is going to set up a chocolate shop as she is a chocolatier and wants to carry on the memory of her beloved grandfather. The only problem is she wants it all done before Christmas and Christmas is not too long away. Her boyfriend is not much help either, but will her dreams of opening the shop be a massive failure? When some of the local residents step in to help her can she get it all done in time? This is the perfect Christmas read that you can snuggle up with, with a bar of chocolate of course as reading about the chocolates in this book made me very hungry. The story was captivating and it is a story about finding your one true love. I loved it.

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

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It is in 1950s’ Brighton that Marion first catches sight of Tom. He teaches her to swim in the shadow of the pier and Marion is smitten – determined her love will be enough for them both.

A few years later in Brighton Museum Patrick meets Tom. Patrick is besotted with Tom and opens his eyes to a glamorous, sophisticated new world.

Tom is their policeman, and in this age it is safer for him to marry Marion. The two lovers must share him, until one of them breaks and three lives are destroyed.

My Thoughts:

This is a bit of a different book for me but I enjoyed it none the less. It is set in Brighton, where I love visiting when I get the chance, I feel a book always feels a bit special when it is set in a place you know. It is set in 1950’s and I found it interesting to see what that era was all about, The story shows the reality of homophobia and how someone that is affected by it can relate to it. I found it a hard read and quite sad about what people had to put up with back then and now unfortunately, it is the tale of three people who never got their happy ending but all wished they had. This book is going to become a film soon so it will be interesting to see how it is portrayed across the screen. I am glad I have read the book first.

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

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A gripping and heartfelt story about overcoming the past and finding where you belong.
 
Anna Wilson travels the world as a professional housesitter – stepping into other people’s lives – caring for their homes, pets and sometimes even neighbours. Living vicariously.
 
But all Anna has ever really wanted is a home of her own – a proper one, filled with family and love and happy memories. If only she knew where to start.
 
Growing up in foster care, she always envied her friends their secure and carefree lives, their certainty and confidence. And, while those same friends may have become her family of choice, Anna is still stuck in that nomadic cycle, looking for answers, trying to find the courage to put down roots and find a place to call home.

My Thoughts:

Anna’s job is being a professional housesitter, she travels all around the world and not only looks after people’s houses but their pets and neighbours too. It was an interesting plot line as I haven’t read too many books about a house sitter but it seems an interesting job. As the story unfolds we see why Anna does this job and it is really heart felt. She meets some unique characters along the way too. I just want to keep reading about the different homes she visits. I felt as though this book touched my heart. I now want to read more of Penny’s books as I feel as though I have missed out on her awesome writing.

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

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Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…

After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?

When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn’t counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.   
 
As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?

My Thoughts:

This book is the perfect Summer read, it is about Ruby who has been fairly unlucky in love, all she wants is someone to love her unconditionally is that too much to ask for? she is on a train going to a very big appointment that will hopefully change her life for the better when a guy tells her he is about to pop the big question to his girlfriend. Ruby gets caught up in it all aswell as having a spat with a fellow passenger, who becomes more involved later, things quickly start to go wrong and can Ruby save the day? Will love ever blossom for her? I got whisked away in Ruby’s world and didn’t want to leave, I felt as though Ruby was my friend where I was willing her on and also asking her to take a step back and look at what direction she wants her life to go in. I just wanted her to be happy. I loved the way the story flowed and how you felt as though you were there, it really was such a splendid read, perfect for a Summer read.

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

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Grace, Meg and Daphne, all in their seventies, are minding their own business while enjoying a cup of tea in a café, when seventeen-year-old Nina stumbles in. She’s clearly distraught and running from someone, so the three women think nothing of hiding her when a suspicious-looking man starts asking if they’ve seen her.
 
Once alone, Nina tells the women a little of what she’s running from. The need to protect her is immediate, and Grace, Meg and Daphne vow to do just this. But how? They soon realise there really is only one answer: murder.
 
And so begins the tale of the three most unlikely murderers-in-the-making, and may hell protect anyone who underestimates them.

My Thoughts:

I loved the sound of this story, it seemed like it was going to be really good, although for me I found it a little slow, there is a dark theme with humour, but it is a well balanced and written story. I liked all the characters and hoped that Grace, Meg and Daphne would be able to help Nina. The story is about three friends all in their seventies who come across a young girl who is very upset and is on the run, They decide to help her and get caught up in everything in the process. I tell you what they won’t take no rubbish from anyone, I think these ladies were Nina’s best bet. The ending was good.

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

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They were so in love . . .
And then life changed forever . . .
Will they find happiness again?
 
Libby and Jack are the happiest they’ve ever been. Thanks to their dear friend, eighty-year-old Sid, they’ve just bought their first house together, and it’s the beginning of the life they’ve always dreamed of.

But the universe has other plans for Libby and Jack and a devastating twist of fate shatters their world.
 
All of a sudden life is looking very different, and unlikely though it seems, might Sid be the one person who can help Libby and Jack move forward when what they loved the most has been lost?

My Thoughts:

The story is about Libby and Jack who are in a relationship and blissfully happy, they have moved into their new home together and everything is great until one day something happens and it turns both their worlds upside down. Then what happens when you had your whole life planned out and then suddenly it is changed for you in a way you had never planned. It was lovely to see how much Libby and Jack loved each other and seeing their love blooming, but it is a very emotional read that made me reach for the tissue’s a number of times. You can’t ever imagine these things happening to you and how you would deal with them if you were in the same situation. This story is a reminder that anything can change in an instant. Hug those that you are close too and tell them you love them as you never know what is around the corner.

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

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Theo has been living in his parents’ shed, nursing a broken heart and a wounded ego, convinced life can’t get any worse. Then he gets evicted on his 30th birthday. Theo thinks he’s done with the real world – until it shows up on his doorstep…

Joel is a successful TV scriptwriter, still in love with his teenage sweetheart. A proper grown-up – and yet he’s falling apart at the seams. He’s headed home to reconnect with best friend Theo – except they haven’t spoken since the summer they turned 16.

One of them is keeping a secret, and the other is living a lie. But can the promise they once made to walk all 184 miles of the Thames Path help them find their way back to the truth – and to their friendship?

My Thoughts:

I previously enjoyed Richard’s first novel something to live for, so was looking forward to reading this book, it is about Theo and Joel, they are old childhood friends who lost touch a long time ago but are leading very different lives now. But are they happy? do they wish they could of stayed friends? When they meet for the first time in a long time, what happens when a secret is spilled? will it be happy ever after? I enjoyed reading this book, I thought it showed warmth and tenderness but was also funny at times. It made me reminisce about my childhood friends and what they are up to now.

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

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Tori Williamson is alone. After a tragic event left her isolated from her loved ones, she’s been struggling to find her way back to, well – herself. That’s why she set up her blog, The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness, as a way of – anonymously – connecting with the outside world and reaching others who just need a little help sometimes.
 
When she’s offered a free spot on a wellbeing retreat in exchange for a review on her blog, Tori is anxious about opening herself up to new surroundings. But after her three closest friends – who she talks to online but has never actually met – convince her it’ll do her some good, she reluctantly agrees and heads off for three weeks in the wild (well, a farm in Wales).
 
From the moment she arrives, Tori is sceptical and quickly finds herself drawn to fellow sceptic Than, the retreat’s dark and mysterious latecomer. But as the beauty of The Farm slowly comes to light she realizes that opening herself up might not be the worst thing. And sharing a yurt with fellow retreater Bay definitely isn’t.  Will the retreat be able to fix Tori? Or will she finally learn that being lonely doesn’t mean she’s broken . .

My Thoughts:

I feel as though this is a book that everyone should read whether you are lonely or just to get an understanding of someone who you feel may be lonely, I feel as though this book gives us a better understanding but also will help people realise that they are not alone. Tori is alone and struggling, she has been through a lot and needs to help herself. A wellbeing retreat is the perfect excuse to get help, when she gets there, she doesn’t think it is a good idea but slowly realises that it will help her. There is a nice hot guy too, who wants to help Tori but will she let him? I loved this book and I will cherish it for a very long time. I look forward to seeing what Laura writes about next.

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

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She already has your looks. Now she wants your life…

Beautiful twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beneath the surface lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of open-hearted Summer’s seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband Adam.

Called to Thailand to help sail the beloved family yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes for what might happen on the journey. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. Now is her chance to take what she’s always wanted – the idyllic life she’s coveted from afar. But just how far will she go to get the life she’s dreamed about? And how far will she go to ensure no one discovers the truth?

My Thoughts:

The plot for this book sounded unique and a little different. Twin sisters Iris and Summer, they embark on a journey across the ocean in their families yacht but will it be plain sailing? something dark is brewing and can they both make it to the shore alive? tough decisions have to be made when one twin is lost at sea. I liked the way the story flowed, I could kind of see what was going to happen but it didn’t put me off. I just felt as though the ending was rushed and there was a few loose knots that weren’t tidied up. But all in all a good read.

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

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ONE MISSING BOY.

Marissa Irvine arrives at 14 Tudor Grove, expecting to pick up her young son Milo from his first playdate with a boy at his new school. But the woman who answers the door isn’t a mother she recognises. She isn’t the nanny. She doesn’t have Milo. And so begins every parent’s worst nightmare.

FOUR GUILTY WOMEN.

As news of the disappearance filters through the quiet Dublin suburb and an unexpected suspect is named, whispers start to spread about the women most closely connected to the shocking event. Because only one of them may have taken Milo – but they could all be blamed . . .

IN A COMMUNITY FULL OF SECRETS, WHO IS REALLY AT FAULT?

My Thoughts:

This is a on the edge of your seat read, that will be very hard to put down. When Marissa arrives at the home of one of the mums at her boys school, the woman who answers the door is not someone she recognizes and this woman does not have her son. It feels like every parents worst nightmare, but where is Marissa’s son Milo? as the police and Marissa’s family try to piece together where Milo is, other things start coming to light and it really put me on edge wondering where the little boy was. I like how when one chapter finishes, you are unprepared for what might happens next. A very detailed story with twists and turns that you could never imagine.

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

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