Virgin River ( Book 1) By Robyn Carr

15 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 4 Comments

Sometimes all you need is a fresh start

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees an advert for a midwife in the remote town of Virgin River, she decides this is the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to revitalise the nursing career she loves.

However, her hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is uninhabitable, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. But when a tiny baby is abandoned on a front porch, Mel must decide whether to stay and help or cut her losses and leave.

Helped by local barman, and former marine, Jack Sheridan Mel must face her past, and finds that there may be a future in Virgin River after all.

My Thoughts:

I loved this story, I actually watched the netflix series first before reading this book, and I didn’t realise how many books are in the Virgin River series. I have some serious catching up to do. I loved the plot line for this story, and the characters are really brought to life. They make you feel as though you are a part of the story, it almost feels familiar, I fell in love with the scenery and where it is set, you just don’t want to leave. The story centres around Mel after an awful time in her life, she decides to escape to Virgin River to become a midwife, little does she know how much she will fall for the place. Lots of things happen that put her on edge but with the friendly locals will she feel settled or will she up sticks and leave? I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there was lots more descriptions than in the netflix series but they are both good.

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

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All You Need is Love By Jessica Redland

11 March , 202111 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

When you’ve loved and lost, how do you find the strength to let love in again?

Jemma thinks she’s found the love of her life. Scott is everything she ever dreamed of and she can’t wait to begin the next stage of their life together. But just as she is heading for her happy ever after, a shock revelation shatters Jemma’s life as she knows it. Left to pick up the pieces, Jemma’s friends and family rally round to help her find the courage to move on.

Sam think he has his future all worked out. A thriving career, lovely home and an amazing fiancée. But when tragedy strikes, he finds himself alone, far from everyone he cares about. Did he do the right thing by running away and trying to rebuild the tatters of his life alone?

This is the story of Jemma and Sam. Two lost souls, desperately trying to find closure and happiness. When a chance meeting brings them together a friendship is formed, but the guards are up.

Will it finally be their turn for a happy ever after? Or will the secrets from their pasts prevent them from moving on?

My Thoughts:

As much as I have really enjoyed reading Jessica’s previous novels, this has to be my favourite by far. It is about two people drawn together through heartache. It is emotional but explores real life issues that has been written in a sensitive manner. Two extremely loving people called Jemma and Sam who are always doing stuff for others and put everyone before themselves experience utter heartbreak, I loved how the story develops, there are lots of turns that I never saw coming, I just didn’t want the story to end. I couldn’t and wouldn’t put this book down. Jemma is a tough and strong woman, her mum is incredibly brave to accept what she is going through, the parts where her doctor doesn’t seem to care reminded me of my own similar experiences that I have had, Sam seems a wonderful man who has really taken it hard what has happened to him, he has been through a lot and holding on to alot of things isn’t helping him. This is a story that is relatable and will stay with me for a long time. It is sad and I did cry quite a bit, it made me feel really emotional finishing it which I have never had with a book before. It makes me want to hug my loved ones tighter as you never know what is around the corner.

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

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Dog Days By Erika Waller

11 March , 202111 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

George is a grumpy, belligerent old man who has just lost his wife. She has left him notes around the home and a miniature dachshund puppy called Poppy. But George doesn’t want a dog, he wants to fight everyone who is trying to help him.

Dan has OCD but has channeled his energy into his career as a therapist. Afraid to acknowledge his true feelings, his most meaningful relationship so far is with his dog Fitz. That is, until Atticus walks into his life.

Lizzie is living in a women’s refuge with her son Lenny. Her body is covered in scars and she has shut herself off from the world. She distrusts dogs, but when she starts having to walk the refuge’s dog, Maud, things begin to change.

As three strangers’ lives unravel and intersect, they ultimately must accept what fate has in store for them with their dogs by their sides. Set against the backdrop of Brighton, Dog Days is an inspiring, unflinching, and deeply moving novel about life, and the way dogs can help us understand it, and each other, a little better.

My Thoughts:

In this story we follow three people’s lives, dogs are part of each person’s story. George is a grumpy old man but when you read about his story, you can kind of see why. His story for me was the saddest and I wished for better things for him. His late wife had a dog and he doesn’t want anything to do with it until his saviour comes along and basically gives him a shove in the right direction. Lizzie has a son called Lenny and they are living in a women’s refuge, she has had alot to deal with in the past and is trying to put a brave face on for the sake of her son but can she really? she starts walking Maud and it makes a real difference to her life. Dan is a therapist who can’t admit his own feelings, he has his own dog that is always there for him until a man walks into his life and his chair, can he bring himself to admit his feelings or will he miss out on something that he has always wanted? Bringing these three people and their lives including all the dogs involved makes this book really stand out for me, dogs have their way of bringing people out of their shell in the best way possible. I liked how we weaved through George, Lizzie and Dan’s story and it wasn’t hard to keep up, I really enjoyed reading this story and found it inventive.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and ST. Martin’s Griffin.

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Mainely Money (A Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery Book 3) By Matt Cost

10 March , 202110 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Money is power. Those who have the money wield the power. Laid back, slacker detective Goff Langdon is confronted by this fact as he investigates the blackmailing of a U.S. senator. What starts as a simple extortion case quickly becomes a race for survival as Langdon faces off against a veiled villain with big money and little morals.

My Thoughts:

It is all coming to an end in the Goff Langdon series, as this is book three in the series, If you haven’t read the other two I would suggest reading them first as you get to know the characters and the back story about them. They are too good not to be missed. This story is just as good as the others if not better, Goff this time is investigating the blackmail of a U.S. senator, will it be an simple case or will Goff get himself into hot water again? We also see how Goff’s life has evolved since the last book. The story was engaging, I already felt as I knew Goff and his friends after reading book one and two. I was sad to finish the story but I look forward to seeing what Matt is writing next.

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

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If you are interested in reading book one called Mainely Power, click on the link down below:

Book two is called Mainely Fear

The Dare By Lesley Kara

9 March , 20219 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 4 Comments

As a child, it was just a game. As an adult, it was a living nightmare.

‘This time it’s different. She’s gone too far now.
She really has.’

When teenage friends Lizzie and Alice decide to head off for a walk in the countryside, they are blissfully unaware that this will be their final day together – and that only Lizzie will come back alive.

Lizzie has no memory of what happened in the moments before Alice died, she only knows that it must have been a tragic accident. But as she tries to cope with her grief, she is shocked to find herself alienated from Alice’s friends and relatives. They are convinced she somehow had a part to play in her friend’s death.

Twelve years later, unpacking boxes in the new home she shares with her fiancé, Lizzie is horrified to find long-buried memories suddenly surfacing. Is the trauma of the accident finally catching up with her, or could someone be trying to threaten her new-found happiness?

Twelve years is a long time to wait, when you’re planning the perfect revenge . . .

My Thoughts:

This book has now made me want to read Lesley’s other books, it was a really good story that had anticipation, twists and turns that kept on coming through out. It held my attention and was intriguing all the way through. The story is about Alice and what happened to her and her best friend when they were kids, the story is set in the present but does go back to the day that changed everything and everyone. A number of years later Alice is moving into her her new home with her fiancé and living a good life when it all comes crashing down again as a surprise visitor turns up, who is it and what do they want? I found this story really addictive and can’t wait to read more by Lesley. This was a really good read.

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

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My Kind of Happy By Cathy Bramley

8 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Flowers have always made Fearne smile. She treasures the memories of her beloved grandmother’s floristry and helping her to arrange beautiful blooms that brought such joy to their recipients.

But ever since a family tragedy a year ago, Fearne has been searching for her own contentment. When a chance discovery inspires her to start a happiness list, it seems that Fearne might just have found her answer…

Sometimes the scariest path can be the most rewarding. So is Fearne ready to take the risk and step into the unknown? And what kind of happiness might she find if she does?

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to start reading this book, every book by Cathy gets better and better, they certainly do not disappoint. It is an engaging and comforting read, I wanted to savour this book but ended up reading it within two days, it was just too good. Fearne has been through an awful family tragedy and is not very happy with her life until a chance discovery of a letter makes her realise she has not fulfilled her true potential and sets out on a journey to discover her happiness. Is she ready to find happiness? It made me realise if you are not happy with your life then go and sort it out, do whatever makes you happy and do it for yourself. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

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The House Guest By Mark Edwards

5 March , 20218 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A perfect summer. A perfect stranger. A perfect nightmare.

When British twenty-somethings Ruth and Adam are offered the chance to spend the summer housesitting in New York, they can’t say no. Young, in love and on the cusp of professional success, they feel as if luck is finally on their side.

So the moment that Eden turns up on the doorstep, drenched from a summer storm, it seems only right to share a bit of that good fortune. Beautiful and charismatic, Eden claims to be a friend of the homeowners, who told her she could stay whenever she was in New York.

They know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers—let alone invite them into your home—but after all, Eden’s only a stranger until they get to know her.

As suspicions creep in that Eden may not be who she claims to be, they begin to wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake…

My Thoughts:

I had never read a book by Mark Edwards before and wanted to give this one a go as I had heard great things about it. I found it a compelling and engaging read, I did find it a little slow in parts but the twists in it make up for it. Ruth and Adam are house sitting for a couple, everything is going well until one day a woman knocks on their door claiming to be the home owners friend who said she could stay at their house whenever she wanted. So they let her stay, let’s just say maybe she is not who she claims she is, and then things start going from bad to worse and will anybody’s life’s be the same again? My suspicion of Eden was there at the start, I did wonder who she might really be but didn’t guess it all. It just goes to show you that not everyone is who they say they are. A very interesting and unusual story that kept me gripped till the end.

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Two Wrongs By Mel McGrath

4 March , 20214 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

One girl jumped.
And then another followed…

In the city of Bristol, young women are dying in mysterious circumstances. The deaths look like suicides – but are they something more sinister?

Honor is terrified that her daughter might be next. But as she looks for clues as to what really happened to the girls, she stumbles upon a link to a dark secret in her own past – one that she’s kept from her daughter.

Now Honor has the chance to avenge her child for the terrible events of years ago. But how far will she go to protect her daughter and right the wrongs done to her family?

My Thoughts:

I found this a dark and chilling read all wrapped up into a very cleverly written thriller. The book is set in Bristol where young women are dying but rather than suicide is something more happening to them? Honor’s daughter lives in Bristol ,will the same thing happen to her? through out the story we also discover more about Honor’s past, will her past finally catch up with her? can she save her daughter’s life? It is a very well executed story that left me thinking about it when I was not reading it. I look forward to Mel’s next book.

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

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The Dog Share By Fiona Gibson

4 March , 20214 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Suzy Medley is having a bad day…

… when a shabby terrier turns up at her door. Just like Suzy, Scout has been abandoned, although only Suzy has been left with a financial mess and a business in tatters thanks to her ex.

Suzy takes Scout in and her chaotic world changes in unexpected ways: strangers have never been more welcoming and her teenage kids can’t wait to come home to visit.

Then a chance encounter on a windy Hebridean beach makes things more complicated, because Suzy isn’t the only one who needs a friend.

Scout has plenty of love to go round… but does Suzy?

My Thoughts:

If you want a feel good and uplifting read then this is the one for you, I love animals and there is a dog included in this story. Suzy’s day is going from bad to worse and she can’t see where she is going next until she meets an abandoned dog. Her kids had always wanted a dog but she didn’t have the time for one back then, now she is in a different place, she goes for it. This is a lovely story about friendship and how sometimes an animal coming into your life can be the best thing in life. I loved this story so much, it is uplifting and we all need that at the moment.

I received an ARC copy for an honest review.

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Coming Home to Brightwater Bay By Holly Hepburn

3 March , 20213 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

On paper, Merina Wilde has it all: a successful career writing the kind of romantic novels that make even the hardest hearts swoon, a perfect carousel of book launches and parties to keep her social life buzzing, and a childhood sweetheart who thinks she’s a goddess. But Merry has a secret: the magic has stopped flowing from her fingers. Try as she might, she can’t summon up the sparkle that makes her stories shine. And as her deadline whooshes by, her personal life falls apart too. Alex tells her he wants something other than the future she’d always imagined for them and Merry finds herself single for the first time since – well, ever.

Desperate to get her life back on track, Merry leaves London and escapes to the windswept Orkney Islands, locking herself away in a secluded clifftop cottage to try to heal her heart and rediscover her passion for writing. But can the beauty of the islands and the kindness of strangers help Merry to fool herself into believing in love again, if only long enough to finish her book? Or is it time for her to give up the career she’s always adored and find something new to set her soul alight?

My Thoughts:

What a lovely book to curl up with and forget about the outside world. I have not read many of Holly’s books but I will certainly be from now on, it was just what I needed. Merry is the main character who goes away to write a book, she meets many interesting characters along the way but feels a fraud as she has only come away as she has writers block, not able to tell anyone she begins her journey by living in a clifftop cottage in the Orkney Islands. She hopes she can get some writing done being away from people but the locals are keen to get to know her maybe some more than others. The Orkney Islands are some where I have always wanted to go and haven’t read any books set there, it was the perfect winter warmer for me. It was pure escapism.

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

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