Thirteen Weddings By Paige Toon

Thirteen Weddings By Paige Toon

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Last year, Bronte left Sydney for a wedding in England, where she met newly single Alex. After a night of passion they parted ways, and Bronte returned to Australia. Now working on a picture desk for a magazine in London, Bronte is about to meet her new colleague, who turns out to be all too familiar. Although awkward at first, as Alex is now engaged to the girl he was on a break from when they met, they soon become friends. But as the two get closer, and the wedding day looms, it is clear that Alex and Bronte have unfinished business…A charming bittersweet novel from the author of The Longest Holiday.

My Thoughts:

Not having read any of Paige’s books before I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the book or not…. well what a surprise, I really don’t know why I have never read any of her books before. I loved all the characters in this story especially Lachie, who is a bit of a heart throb in my eyes. I thought I knew what was going to happen in this story but was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t. This is a truly wonderful book that will have you hooked right from the word go. A fantastic, light, chick- lit that will make you laugh. Look forward to reading all of Paige’s other books now.

Bringing the Summer By Jane Green

Bringing the Summer By Jane Green

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It’s the lazy end of summer and Freya is about to start her A levels. Her brother Joe died a year ago, but she is slowly coming to terms with his death. She is beginning to feel ready for something new – a change. And then a railway accident brings her by chance into contact with the gorgeous Gabes. Freya is drawn not just to Gabes himself and his blond good looks, but everything about him, including his large, shambolic, warm and loving family, which seems to Freya so different to her own family of three.

And then Gabes’ clearly troubled older brother makes it clear he is interested in Freya – and Freya has some decisions to make about what she really wants.

My Thoughts:

I have read one of Jane Green’s books before and was a bit disappointed towards the end, but I have to say I enjoyed this one a little better. Great characters that you feel you may know them, fantastic little story that you just want to curl up under a blanket with. These books are part of a series but can also be read standalone, which I think is great. Jane has a brilliant way of making you feel as if you are there with her vivid images that just leap off the page. Cover looks nice and bright too. Nice, easy read, I finished it in two days.

 

A year in the life of a playground mother by Christie Barlow

A year in the life of a playground mother by Christie Barlow

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A year in the life of a playground mother Ever had the pleasure of collecting your children from the school playground? Even if you haven’t this is a hilarious must read. A month by month comical tale of a young mother fighting for her place in the world against the backdrop of the Playground Mafia. As her life unfolds and she takes us through from one amusing anecdote to another the characters come to life.

There is Penelope who has a lot more going on in her life than she bargained for and Mrs Noland who has a lot less than she claims, not to mention Rupert who is a VERY busy man. With Mrs High School Musical, The International Sex God and The Frisky Pensioner, the characters are undeniably fascinating and leave you compelled to read more. Who knew one false move in the playground, one step in the wrong direction, or smile at the wrong person could lead to such complications?

The witty one liners and side splitting stories will keep you amused from beginning to end. Lively, and entertaining, a hilarious comedy that every playground mother can relate to.

My Thoughts:

This book was fabulous, such a nice light hearted read, which was very funny the whole way through. Christie has written well to include some horrifying moments but also some real laugh out loud moments. I can see many parents being able to relate to many of the incidents that happen and they will be able to see the funny side of them even if they weren’t laughing at the time. Am now looking forward to Christie’s next book.

Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista By Aven Ellis

Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista By Aven Ellis

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Recent college graduate Avery Andrews is ready to begin a new life in the big city. She’s landed apartment in Chicago’s famed Lincoln Park neighbourhood-and has her eye on the cute commodity trader just a floor above.

If Premier Airlines knew about her fear of flying, they never would of hired her to be their marketing assistant – but it’s not like Avery wants a lifelong career. Right now she simply wants a job to pay her bills … and fund a few little shopping excursions, too.

Her new lifestyle comes with a price tag, as Avery is not only faced with paying a ridiculous rent but finds she’s perceived as one of the vacant, husband-hunting fashionistas  who live in the area. Avery resents this stereotype. So she doesn’t want a lifelong career, and she loves fashions she can’t afford, but that doesn’t mean she is empty-headed and spoiled does it?

When an opportunity to participate in a documentary at work arises, Avery finds a two-fold solution to her problems. She’ll earn extra money for it, and the documentary will show her as a serious career woman, enabling her to shed that husband-hunting fashionista label for good. When the camera is on, Avery attempts to be a motivated business woman. But when she is challenged by Deacon Ryan, the videographer assigned to cover her story, Avery finds herself wanting things she was never supposed to want – like a lasting career – and Deacon. And Avery might just gain more from the experience than a perfect career image and extra cash to put in her Tory Burch wallet……

 

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this funny and romantic read. I found the main character Avery to be annoying at first but but the end of the book I had really warmed to her. Avery went after what she wanted and didn’t let anybody stop her. Really well written book that impressed me and had me hooked from start to finish. I hope Aven Ellis writes more books and I couldn’t put this one down.

Dead Romantic By Ruth Saberton

Dead Romantic By Ruth Saberton

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What would you do if you came face to face with a ghost?

Put it down to a bump on the head and work stress if you’re a respected academic like Cleo Carpenter. With Christmas approaching, professional rivalry afoot and a best friend determined to interfere in her love life the strain is clearly starting to get to her.

Guilt-stricken and deceased, Alex Thorne is desperate to make amends with his brother, Rafe, a tortured musician trapped in a spiral of destruction. When an encounter with Cleo forges a link between them she becomes his only hope. So what if the only person who can see him is a sceptic?

As Cleo starts to doubt her sanity, the safe world she takes for granted crumbles around her. Setting out to regain control and prove once and for all ghost’s don’t exist, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and surprise, learning that love really does defy science, logic, and maybe even death itself….

My Thoughts:

I was really pleased when Ruth said I could read and review her book. The blurb sounded interesting and the cover looked really good, like something I would go for. Having not read any of Ruth’s books before I was intrigued to see what they were like by reading this book. I loved one of the characters called Cleo as she has a very interesting job as an Egyptologist, it was fantastic to learn all about it. There is a Christmas theme that runs through this book but it is heart warming and makes you feel very cosy inside. I actually couldn’t put this book down, and I will definitely be reading more of Ruth’s books.

Make My Wish Come True By Fiona Harper

Make My Wish Come True By Fiona Harper

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The Perfect Christmas swap?

All Juliet, frazzled single mum and Yuletide domestic goddess, wants for Christmas is a joyful family celebration (even if she does have to wrestle with last-minute angel costume making and mad shopping centre dashes).

All her single sister Gemma, an assistant director, wants is a Christmas in the sizzling Caribbean sun, away from diva actors and Hollywood tantrums.

Until a sisterly squabble prompts new plans: a Christmas swap.

Gemma will spend a cosy,snowy Christmas with her nieces and nephews – not to mention Juliet’s gorgeous neighbour Will – whilst Juliet takes Gemma’s tropical holiday and unplanned adventures.

It’s not the Christmas they expected, but it could be about to make all their wishes come true…..

My Thoughts:

Fiona Harper is such a brilliant author, she writes with such enthusiasm that I can never get enough of her books. This book is about two sisters who decided to swap holidays for Christmas, I know it isn’t Christmas just yet but decided to read it anyway and I am glad I did. The story is an enjoyable one that focuses on families, Fiona has a way of writing where you think about the people who are close to you and what matters the most.The cover of this book drew me towards it as it is really pretty.A heart warming story that you will love even if it isn’t Christmas.

 

The Memory Book By Rowan Coleman

The Memory Book By Rowan Coleman

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The name of your first born.

The face of your lover.

What would happen if your memory of these began to fade?

Is it possible to rebuild your life?

Raise a family? Fall in love again?

When Claire begins to write her Memory Book she already knows that this scrapbook of mementoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have left of her. But how can she hold on to the past when her future is slipping through her fingers?

My Thoughts:

What an incredibly moving and heart-breaking story. The story is about Claire who has  early on-set Alzheimers, it is written in a way that us the reader can see the effect it is having on her life. but it also shows how if affects her family as well. It is a beautiful story of how one family pull together through very hard times. Rowan writes with a sensitive side but also a very informative side too. I wanted to read this book as I love how Rowan writes but also because it is a disease that is affecting many a family member and I think this book will help people that help show awareness of Alzheimers. You may think this book is all gloom, but it is not, it celebrates a life and there are some very uplifting moments through out the book. An amazing read by a fantastic author.

Squaring Circles By Carolyn Matthews

Squaring Circles By Carolyn Matthews

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Free spirit Pandora is shaken by the sudden death of her mother and her discovery of a secret half-brother from across the Atlantic. When her mother’s grave is disturbed, she turns detective and finds herself drawn into a world of intrigue, centring round a devious couple’s plot to exploit a healing circle for their own ends. Her partner Jay’s collaboration with an attractive singer and her own encounter with an old flame add to the confusion. Will she succeed in her quest to bring equilibrium to her life, and the lives of those she loves, or will the decisions she and Jay make set them up for more heartache?

My Thoughts:

This is a story about modern life that has an intriguing tale to tell. Paranormal happenings are going on. This story is a sequel to Carolyn Matthews ‘Transforming Pandora’ and like that story, this one has many magical characters and Carolyn has written it well as the story really comes to life. Reading this book is like being on a journey with so much divine knowledge you would never have imagined. I love the cover to this book, for me it adds a certain mystery to what your about to read.

The Island Hideaway By Louise Candlish

The Island Hideaway By Louise Candlish

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His voice cracked with guilt: ‘I’m seeing someone else’. 

‘Who is she?’ she asked.

‘You don’t need to know.’

‘I repeat: who is she?’

Eleanor Blake, distraught after breaking up with her fiance Will, decides to do what most would scarcely dare: secretly follow him to the island hideaway where he’s on holiday with the woman who took her place. But on the shimmering, sun-drenched Sicilian island of Panarea, distractions come in many forms – including her fellow hotel guest Lewis, an enigmatic Englishman with secrets of his own.

My Thoughts:

I have read a few of Louise’s books now, I have to say this wasn’t her best one but I did enjoy it. The story was a good one but I found I was a little disappointed with the ending it left me wanting more. Louise describes the settings and surroundings brilliantly, I felt like I was there. This book was previously published as ‘Prickly Heat’ in 2004, but I didn’t miss the opportunity to read it. Nice easy read.

Seaside Dreams (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book One) Contemporary Romance By Melissa Foster

Seaside Dreams (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book One) Contemporary Romance By Melissa Foster

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IN SEASIDE DREAMS…
Bella Abbascia has returned to Seaside Cottages in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, as she does every summer. Only this year, Bella has more on her mind than sunbathing and skinny-dipping with her girlfriends. She’s quit her job, put her house on the market, and sworn off relationships while she builds a new life in her favorite place on earth. That is, until good-time Bella’s prank takes a bad turn and a sinfully sexy police officer appears on the scene.
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Single father and police officer Caden Grant left Boston with his fourteen-year-old son, Evan, after his partner was killed in the line of duty. He hopes to find a safer life in the small resort town of Wellfleet, and when he meets Bella during a night patrol shift, he realizes he’s found the one thing he’d never allowed himself to hope for–or even realized he was missing.
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After fourteen years of focusing solely on his son, Caden cannot resist the intense attraction he feels toward beautiful Bella, and Bella’s powerless to fight the heat of their budding romance. But starting over proves more difficult than either of them imagined, and when Evan gets mixed up with the wrong kids, Caden’s loyalty is put to the test. Will he give up everything to protect his son–even Bella?

My Thoughts:

This book was yet another great read from Melissa. This story is beautifully written, and is based in Wellfleet, Cape Cod which sounds like a lovely place. My partner and I are going to New America at some point soon and I literally can’t wait to go now after reading this book. I love the fact that the characters all go on a journey, with a love story all wrapped up in one. I think the cover has a certain type of simplicity about it, which I like also. I look forward to reading Melissa’s next book.