Seven Days of You By Cecilia Vinesse

Seven Days of You By Cecilia Vinesse

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It’s Sophia’s last week in Tokyo, and she’s going to make it count…

Sophia has spent her life ping-ponging between different countries and schools, so, in theory, saying goodbye should be easy. But now she’s leaving Tokyo – the place that finally felt like home. The only way she can get through this is to make her final week perfect.

Then Jamie Foster-Collins shows up, just in time to ruin everything. Jamie and Sophia used to be friends . . . and his return stirs up feelings she thought she’d forgotten.

Suddenly, hours and minutes become meaningless. Only time spent together, exploring the hidden streets of the city they love, is real.

My Thoughts:

I won this book in a competition. The story drew me in from the first chapter and hooked me straight away. I needed a book that I didn’t have to concentrate on and this book was perfect. It was interesting to find out about Japan as I don’t know much about the country. I learnt all about their culture and food. This is a young adult book.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Days-You-Cecilia-Vinesse/

Breaking Norms By Mita Balani

Breaking Norms By Mita Balani

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What if you fall in love and your family thinks you are crazy? Sonia too gets in a similar situation.

Sonia, a submissive and people-pleasing girl falls in love with the chirpy girl Esha. Their common passion for painting brings them closer. Sonia realizes that no one in her family will accept her relationship with Esha.

But her heart and emotional state are beyond the control of her own mind. At first, they keep their relationship on the hush. Unfortunately, their secret comes out in an ugly way and havoc breaks loose.

Will Sonia stand up for herself and withstand the pressure of not following the cultural norms? Are they destined to meet? Can Sonia and Esha live happily ever after?

My Thoughts:

I was given a advanced copy of this book to read and review and was asked to give an honest review. The cover looks so pretty and inviting. I found this a interesting read about a lesbian love affair in India. I felt like I was taken on a journey through out the book and I especially loved the food talk. The author’s message is a bold one but done sensitively as she says you all deserve a chance and embrace it. I look forward to more from Mita Balani.

Get your copy here:

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BREAKING-NORMS-Story-Agony-Tolerance-ebook

USA: https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Norms-Mita-Balani

Island of Secrets By Patricia Wilson

Island of Secrets By Patricia Wilson

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‘The story started at dawn on the fourteenth of September, 1943 . . .’

All her life, London-born Angelika has been intrigued by her mother’s secret past. Now planning her wedding, she feels she must visit the remote Crete village her mother grew up in.

Angie’s estranged elderly grandmother, Maria, is dying. She welcomes Angie with open arms – it’s time to unburden herself, and tell the story she’ll otherwise take to her grave.

It’s the story of the Nazi occupation of Crete during the Second World War, of horror, of courage and of the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her children. And it’s the story of bitter secrets that broke a family apart, and of three enchanting women who come together to heal wounds that have damaged two generations.

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t believe that this was a debut novel, the writing is very descriptive and it almost feels like you are there in the thick of it, I loved it.  Maria’s story is heart breaking and I was in tears it was sad but then it is uplifting too. All the villagers that are described in the book bring some humour and also some lovely friendly warmth. I loved how the book was set out too.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Secrets-Patricia-Wilson-x

The Woman Who Met Her Match By Fiona Gibson

The Woman Who Met Her Match By Fiona Gibson

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What if your first love came back on the scene . . . 30 years later?

After yet another disaster, Lorrie is calling time on online dating. She might be single in her forties, but she’s got a good job, wonderful children and she’s happy. This, Lorrie decides, is going to have to be enough.

That is, until she receives a very unexpected request from France. Antoine Rousseau, who had once turned a lonely French exchange trip into a summer of romance, wants to see her – after thirty years.

But Lorrie is a responsible woman. She can’t exactly run off to Nice with the man who broke her teenage heart . . . can she?

My Thoughts:

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoy Fiona’s books and I find people can relate to her books. The dating scenario’s that Lorrie goes through did make me chuckle, there is humour and sadness of a life on your own which Fiona has written really well. I liked Stu from start to end and he really seemed lovely. I am glad Lorrie got her happy ending as she really deserved it.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Woman-Who-Met-Her-Match/

The Starlight Ball: Volume 2 (Hall’s Cross)By Emily Harvale

The Starlight Ball: Volume 2 (Hall’s Cross)By Emily Harvale

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Wishes can come true. Harri (Harriet) Hall is brimming over with happiness since returning to her ancestral home, The Hall and her eccentric, big-hearted family. But her blissful state has more to do with meeting the love of her life, Lance Knightly.

Now her greatest wish is for her stepsister, Merrion, her stepbrother, Ralph, and Lance’s younger sister, Gwen to find similar joy. And what better way is there to hurry love along than dancing beneath a starlit sky?

Harri’s convinced that with some careful planning she can get her wish. But Love it seems, may already have plans of its own…

My Thoughts:

I am a huge fan of Emily’s books and always get excited to be sent an advanced reading copy. Emily’s books are nice easy to get into short reads and I can never get enough of them and always read them within a day. It was exciting to get back to Harriet’s world and to see what is going on now. I love the fact this story kind of centres around animals and the animal sanctuary, it makes it even more enjoyable to read.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starlight-Ball-Halls-Cross

The Punch and Judy Girl By Sheila Newberry

The Punch and Judy Girl By Sheila Newberry

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This title will be released on May 4, 2017.

Suffolk, 1925.

After the death of her father, a much-loved Punch and Judy man, May Moon packs her bags and moves to the seaside in the hope of continuing his legacy.

Already tasked with looking after her younger sister, May little imagines her summer will grow tougher still. Her long absent mother has finally returned – and with an agenda all of her own.

But as May struggles to balance her family’s competing demands – and honour her father’s legacy – she’s surprised to discover her passion for performing grows ever stronger.

As the world around her begins to change, might she finally be able to find a dream of her own?

My Thoughts:

After reading some of Sheila’s previous novels I was keen to get stuck into this one. I liked this story but not as much as Sheila’s other stories. It was interesting to see what the 1925’s were like and to see what May would decide she would do with her life. It is a warm hearted read.

Pre – order your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Punch-Judy-Girl-Sheila-Newberry

One Italian Summer By Keris Stainton

One Italian Summer By Keris Stainton

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one italian summer

This title will be released on May 4, 2017.

Milly loves her sisters more than anything – they are her best friends. But this holiday is different. The loss of their dad has left a gaping hole in their lives that none of them know how to fill. Heartbreak is a hard thing to fix …

Still, there is plenty to keep the girls busy in Rome. A family wedding. Food, wine, parties and sun. And of course Luke …. Luke is hot, there is no way around that. And Milly will always have a crush on him. But this summer is about family, being together, and learning to live without Dad. It isn’t about Luke at all … is it?

My Thoughts:

I was lucky enough to get an advanced reading copy of this book. When I looked at the cover I immediately thought of the summer, this book is mainly set in Italy and reading it I could feel the warm Italian sun on my face. I managed to read this book in a day, it is a short book and I really wanted to find out what happens. The story is a bit of a sad one but you will also find romance, lots of food and family.

Pre-order your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Italian-Summer-perfect-summer

The Other Us By Fiona Harper

The Other Us By Fiona Harper

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This title will be released on May 4, 2017.

If you could turn back time, would you choose a different life?

Forty-something Maggie is facing some hard truths. Her only child has flown the nest for university and, without her daughter in the house, she’s realising her life, and her marriage to Dan, is more than a little stale.

When she spots an announcement on Facebook about a uni reunion, she can’t help wondering what happened to Jude Hanson. The same night Dan proposed, Jude asked Maggie to run away with him, and she starts to wonder how different her life might have been if she’d broken Dan’s heart and taken Jude up on his offer.

Wondering turns into fantasising, and then one morning fantasising turns into reality. Maggie wakes up and discovers she’s back in 1992 and twenty-one again. Is she brave enough to choose the future she really wants, and if she is, will the grass be any greener on the other side of the fence?

Two men. Two very different possible futures. But is there only once chance at happiness?

My Thoughts:

I was very happy to receive this new book by Fiona Harper, I have always enjoyed Fiona’s books so was excited to get her latest novel. The story is unlike anything I have ever read before and I think it really worked as it really makes you think what you would do in that situation. I know for a fact that I would always pick the life that I have with my husband and I would never change it for the world as I love him very much,  but Maggie has to decide what life she wants to live with and what man she wants and it is a hard decision for her.

Pre-order your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Us-Fiona-Harper-x

Under the Cherry Tree By Lilac Mills

Under the Cherry Tree By Lilac Mills

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This title will be released on 31st May

“My dog didn’t like men. Actually that was a lie – she didn’t like the men I chose. The only ones who rocked her world had been my father (who was no longer with us), Ross (who was gay), and the butcher on the high street (for obvious reasons).”

 

When Jenni Meadows has the opportunity to expand her dog-grooming business she takes it, and when a nice man appears on her horizon but fails to make any sparks fly, she decides she has enough on her plate with her business without adding a boyfriend into the mix.

 

Besides, Millie doesn’t like him and when her dog doesn’t like a man, Jenni knows all about it. So why does Millie take a very strange liking to the new vet, especially since he has a taciturn expression, wears a wedding ring, and wields a needle?

 

Under the Cherry Tree is a tale of love and hope, waggy tails, and cold noses.

My Thoughts:

I was excited to get an advanced copy of this book as the cover looks really summery and pretty and it sounded like a perfect escape read. The characters are all brilliant and I particularly liked Jennie as she is a very determined woman who has set up her own dog grooming business. There is a hot male vet, dogs, love and hope in this wonderfully told tale and there maybe a few tears along the way.

Pre- order your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Cherry-Tree-heart-warming-tear-jerking-ebook

The Bookshop Detective By Jan Ellis

The Bookshop Detective By Jan Ellis

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When a ghost ship is spotted on the horizon one spring evening, bookseller Eleanor Mace decides to investigate the myths and legends of Combemouth, the Devon seaside town where she runs The Reading Room.

As Eleanor digs deeper into the town s history, she becomes intrigued by a Victorian crime report that seems to have unexpected links to the present day. A celebrity book launch, an exploding dress and some salsa-dancing pensioners make this a mystery with a difference.

My Thoughts:

After reading Jan’s previous novel A Summer of Surprises I was looking forward to catching up with Eleanor and finding out what is happening with her now. I loved getting back to the bookshop it is my favourite place and this one has a beautiful setting next to the sea what more could you want? The town’s people and the mystery really had me gripped and I couldn’t put it down. Another little treasure from a fabulously talented author.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bookshop-Detective-Sea

A Summer of Surprises:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Summer-Surprises-Unexpected-Affair-Bookshop