Breathing Underwater By Julia Green

Breathing Underwater By Julia Green

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Freya has come to visit her grandparents who live on a remote island. Last year she visited them with her brother – but last year her brother died alone in a boating accident. Whilst back on the island, Freya finds a way, with the calming presence of her grandparents and the gentle care and attention of the people around her, to adjust to the fact that her brother has gone, and that life – and love – are still vibrantly in the air.
A perfect coming of age for any young girl just tipping into teenhood.
My Thoughts:
This book is about a girl called Freya, it is beautifully written by her point of view and how she reacts going back to the Island where her brother drowned. I think she dealt well with the situation and her character comes across strong. The book mainly centres on how she is feeling. Julia writes in a way where you can almost feel like your there, there is a lot of emotion going on in this book, but Julia seems to write with light heartedness.
The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams By Fiona Harper

The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams By Fiona Harper

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Nicole, a born organiser and true romantic, has created her dream job when she sets up the Hopes & Dreams proposal agency – staging YouTube worthy proposals…until she’s hired to plan a proposal by gorgeous photographer Alex Black’s girlfriend.

Alex is the New Year’s kiss that Nicole hasn’t been able to forget – and now she’s planning his wedding to someone else! But if she lets herself fall for Alex’s charms, her reputation and business will be ruined before it’s even got off the ground! Suddenly the girl whose always prepared is at a loss…and falling head over heels.

My Thoughts:

I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of this book by Fiona for a honest review. I have enjoyed Fiona’s previous books, but I have to say this one was my favourite. The story evolves around Nicole who is a proposal planner. I thought it was a quirky idea for a storyline but it really does work. Nicole is a very thoughtful person but lacks confidence in herself. I did find myself giggling at parts of this story, which adds to it. The other character who I liked was Alex, who is a guy that works hard to get what he wants. He seems very handsome too as all the ladies love him. The cover almost seems magical which made me want to read it straight away, I read it in a few days as I wanted to saviour it. For those of you who love your chick-lit books, this is a definite must. So what are you waiting for? GO and buy it.

Flirting With Love (Love in Bloom: The Bradens) Contemporary Romance By Melissa Foster

Flirting With Love (Love in Bloom: The Bradens) Contemporary Romance By Melissa Foster

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IN FLIRTING WITH LOVE…

Elisabeth Nash has spent years dreaming of returning to the small town of Trusty, Colorado, where she spent summers with her favorite aunt. When she inherits her aunt’s farmette, she closes her Los Angeles pet bakery and pampering business, sure that life in Trusty will be as peaceful and as welcoming as she remembers. But being an outsider in the close-knit town proves to be very different from the happy summers she remembers from her childhood–and falling for Trusty’s hot, wealthy, and sinfully irresistible veterinarian, Ross Braden, sends the rumor mill into a frenzy.
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Ross Braden learned long ago that gossip spreads faster than weeds in his small hometown, and Ross loves nothing more than his privacy. For that reason, he doesn’t date women who live in Trusty. But that was before blond, beautiful, and refreshingly honest Elisabeth Nash flew into his vet clinic seeking help for her panicked piglet and turned his comfortable life–and his heart–inside out.
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Despite rumors about Elisabeth’s motives toward her aunt’s property, passion brews between Elisabeth and Ross. Every steamy kiss and every sensual touch brings the pair closer together, and when Ross helps Elisabeth try to fit into the town he adores, it makes their bond even stronger. But even Elisabeth’s efforts toward reaching the community, and the love she and Ross so desperately believe in, might not be enough for the protective small town to offer them a future.

My Thoughts:

Melissa Foster books never fail to provide a fantastic story. In Melissa’s books, she always has a strong male and female main character and they do get quite steamy in parts of this book. The plot is great and I love the fact that Elizabeth has to take over her aunt’s farm and the fact that the local veterinarian is a bit of a dish. I am a animal lover, so this book I found was really heart warming. If you have read Melissa Foster’s books before, you certainly will love this book, if you haven’t what have you been doing. Brilliant stuff!!

Deadly Lies By Chris Patchell

Deadly Lies By Chris Patchell

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As a teenager, Jill Shannon fell victim to her stepfather’s cruel abuse. Now, as an adult, Jill’s made it—she has a successful career and a solid, if not static, marriage to Detective Alex Shannon. Together they live out what seems to be a perfect life in Seattle.

The vow she made as a teenager to never again be a victim lies dormant—until one day a reporter lures her to his hotel room under the pretense of an interview—and suddenly it all comes rushing back.

Jill seeks revenge on the reporter, triggering a series of events that leads Jill down a wormhole of retribution, forcing her to spin an ever-widening web of lies.

Meanwhile, Alex is on the case of a series of murders that began as cyber relationships. There seems to be a familiar fingerprint on these crimes, but Alex refuses to believe that the murderer could be so close to him.

My Thoughts:

I have to say even though I prefer Chick-lit books, I did really enjoy a break from them to read this fantastic book. The plot is so interesting that I could hardly the book down. The details in this book are amazing and I found that the author had clearly put a lot of thought into each of the chapters. There are two major story lines in this book and Chris has put them together so unexpectedly but so well. Bring on the next book. I did not know what to expect from this book but I absolutely loved it.

The Poppy Factory By Liz Trenow

The Poppy Factory By Liz Trenow

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A captivating story of two young women, bound together by the tragedy of two very different wars. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee.

With the end of the First World War, Rose is looking forward to welcoming home her beloved husband ,Alfie, from the battlefields. But his return is not what Rose had expected. Traumatised by what he has seen, the Alfie who comes home is a different man to the one Rose married. As he struggles to cope with life in peacetime,Rose wrestles with temptation as the man she fell in love with seems lost forever.

Many years later, Jess returns from her final tour of Afghanistan. Haunted by nightmares from her time at the front, her longed-for homecoming is a disaster and she wonders if her life will ever be the same again. Can comfort come through her great-grandmother Rose’s diaries?

For Jess and Rose, the realities of war have terrible consequences. Can the Poppy Factory, set up to help injured soldiers, rescue them both from the heartache of war?

My Thoughts:

This a captivating tale about the effects of the war. The history that was bought throughout the book was excellent, it bought the book alive and I thought all the characters were brilliant. There is quite a bit about post traumatic stress/shell shock in this book that is researched extremely well, I found it a very interesting read and I felt I could understand how the soldiers were feeling. Rose and Alfie’s story was told through Rose writing a diary and it was told in both the past and the present, which I feel that the story came more alive. I think the cover is poignant too and it is beautiful. Everyone should read this book.

I’ll Take New York By Miranda Dickenson

I’ll Take New York By Miranda Dickenson

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Not out till the 4th December 2014

 

Have you ever given up on love?

When her boyfriend lets her down one time too many, Brooklyn bookstore owner Bea James makes a decision – never again! No more men, no more heartbreak, and no more pain.

Psychiatrist Jake Steinmann is making a new start too, leaving his broken marriage behind in San Francisco. From no on there’ll just be one love in his life: New York.

At a party Bea and Jake’s paths cross. United by being the only two singletons there, they make a pact: no more relationships….

But the city has other plans…

My Thoughts:

I loved this book, I have only ever read one of Miranda’s books before and quite liked it. I know it is predictable what is going to happen early on in this book but Miranda has written it well so that it didn’t really bother me.I think the main character Bea is lovely, i mean who wouldn’t fall for Jake he sounds utterly gorgeous and a decent kind of guy. I love the way Bea and her Gran write letters or emails to each other and that it is written in a different font, it somehow makes it extra special. Bit of a shame the plot was predictable but I totally loved it no matter. The cover is gorgeous too, it is a must if you like chick-lit.

The Christmas Surprise By Jenny Colgan

The Christmas Surprise By Jenny Colgan

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Rosie Hopkins, newly engaged, is looking forward to an exciting year in the little sweetshop she owns and runs. But when fate strikes Rosie and her boyfriend, Stephen, a terrible blow, threatening everything they hold dear, it’s going to take all their strength and the support of their families and their Lipton friends to hold them together.

After all, don’t they say it takes a village to raise a child?

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Jenny Colgan, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Normally I wait until it comes out in paperback but I literally couldn’t wait so bought it in hardback as a treat. There are a couple of other books before this one which I would suggest you read but if you didn’t want to, Jenny does come recap about what had happened at the start of each book. This story had a brilliant little plot, some people would probably say they could tell what was going to happen, but I don’t mind that as Jenny has a way of writing where you feel that it doesn’t really matter. There was some brilliant characters in this book including Rosie, who I am very envious of as she owns a sweetshop and little baby Apostil, who just seems so cute. I love the fact Jenny has a map in the front of her book and a timeline, it makes you feel as if you are included in the story. If you know what I mean. Fantastic recipes at the back of this book and all of her other books, that you simply must try out as they are brilliant. Rather than a 5/5 I would definitely give this book a 10.

 

Seaside Hearts (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book 2) By Melissa Foster

Seaside Hearts (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book 2) By Melissa Foster

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IN SEASIDE HEARTS…

Jenna Ward is vivacious, spontaneous, and confident–except when she’s around the man who stole her heart years earlier, strikingly handsome, quiet, and reliable Pete Lacroux. After years of trying to get his attention and overwhelmed from dealing with her mother’s new cougar lifestyle, Jenna’s giving up on Peter–and is ready to explore other men.

As the eldest of five siblings, with an alcoholic father to care for, boat craftsman Pete Lacroux always does the right thing and has no time for a real relationship. He’s looking forward to seeing his friend Jenna, a welcome distraction who’s so damn sexy and so painfully shy that she equally entertains and confuses him.

When Jenna picks up a hard-bodied construction worker, jealousy ignites Pete’s true feelings, and he’s powerless to ignore the desires for Jenna he never realized he had. But Pete’s not the quiet guy he appears to be, and his life is anything but conducive to a relationship. Can Jenna handle the real Pete Lacroux–the sexiest, most passionate alpha male she’s ever seen–or will she crack under pressure? And can Pete reclaim the life he once had without tearing apart his family?

My Thoughts:

I am totally and utterly in love with these books. They keep you hooked right from the start. The characters are fun and interesting, I really liked Jenna as she loves collecting stone and has a large collection of flip-flops, which I found to be quite quirky. I have to say that this book is a little raunchy in places, but in my opinion Melissa Foster has written it brilliantly as it isn’t too much or too in your face. The story also covers alcoholism, which I think Melissa has written about really well. She manages to do it sympathetically. Really looking forward to the next book. I would definitely recommend this book.

The Beach Hut By Veronica Henry

The Beach Hut By Veronica Henry

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‘FOR SALE: a rare opportunity to purchase a beach hut on the spectacular Everdene Sands. “The Shack” has been in the family for fifty years, and was the first to be built on this renowned stretch of golden sand…’

Jane Milton doesn’t want to sell her beloved beach hut, which has been the heart of so many family holidays and holds so many happy memories. But when her husband dies, leaving her with an overwhelming string of debts, she has no choice but to sell.

THE BEACH HUT follows the stories of the people who own the beach huts, families who come to Everdene each year, people who fall in – or out of – love, remembering their pasts, or trying to forget them…

Veronica Henry has brilliantly drawn together the comings and goings of life at the beach huts over one long, hot, lazy summer…

My Thoughts:

I love Veronica’s books they always seem to leave a lasting impression. There are lots of characters in this book, the main one being Jane, Veronica transports us back in time so we can learn about Jane’s childhood, which was very interesting. With the other characters in this book, Veronica seems to give us a glimpse into their lives with enough information to get you hooked. I love the cover of this book it reminded me of growing up and going to the beach, there is a certain calm about it also. I have also just realised that Veronica has published ‘The Beach Hut Next Door’ in July of this year, so will be heading out to pick that one up right away. Such a delightful read from an amazing author.

 

Love Me Or Leave Me By Claudia Carroll

Love Me Or Leave Me By Claudia Carroll

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Can an unhappy ending become an exciting new beginning?

Chloe Townsend was dumped at the alter. But now she’s landed an incredible job, running a brand-new boutique hotel with a difference. It’s a pioneering ‘divorce hotel’, designed to make every aspect of breaking up pain free – all in a single weekend.

No one is better qualified than Chloe to deal with relationships at crisis point. But, with three unhappy couples needing her help, she’s forced to tackle her own secret heartbreak.

Can she hold it together and prove that she’s up to the job?

My Thoughts:

This book I won on Goodreads.When reading the blurb for this book I have to say I was intrigued, the idea of a divorce hotel sounded like a fresh, intriguing idea. Throughout the book you meet a few divorce couples that have completely different characteristics and reasons for wanting a divorce but the main character is Chloe, who has had her fair share of heartbreak. A nice, light-hearted story with a unique idea that really does work.