‘I have a first-day rule. Any sign of trouble, even a whiff of a problem, and I walk.’

Noelle is an efficient and friendly hotel cleaner, a model employee. Or so she’d have you think. The trouble is that she can’t help taking little ‘souvenirs’ as she cleans. Nothing of value, just tokens of happy, normal lives: a lipstick, a hair clip, some tweezers. And by the time the guest has noticed, she’s long gone.

As she starts at her 21st hotel, she’s determined to beat her record of one month in a five star hotel before suspicion falls on her. But when she meets her new colleagues, her plans are complicated. These women aren’t just hands pushing carts down lonely hotel corridors: they are women with lives full of happiness and worry, pain and joy. The kind of lives Noelle has never known how to live. They make her wonder what it might be like to have real friends, people to stick around for…

My Thoughts:

I loved the sound of this book, I haven’t read many books about hotel cleaners and thought this sounded right up my street and it was. Noelle is a hotel cleaner and she can’t help herself to the guests own items. She doesn’t take big things just little things so she can hide them. Once she takes someone’s thing she ends up leaving that hotel anyway, she likes the thrill of it. When she arrives at Hotel 21, the group of cleaners already there are different women to whom Noelle has ever met before can they help her to see what she has been missing out on. I like reading about Noelle’s back story and why she does what she does. I am not saying for a second I agree with it but I understand her more after reading about her. It was nice to hear a little about her new group of cleaner friends too, they have relatable situations they are dealing with. I think this was a great little story.

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

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TikTok sensation Clara Batten has dedicated the last few years to seeking the answer to one of life’s most crucial questions:

Is it possible to raise and nurture two small humans without losing your bloody mind?

The good news is, now she’s found (some of) the answers and is sharing her secrets with the rest of us! In this riotous book, Clara reveals:

• when it’s acceptable to buy your kids lunch from a kebab shop.
• why a jar of pickled herrings from Waitrose is the ultimate guilty pleasure, nay necessity, for a sleep-deprived parent.
• how to finally pursue your acting ambitions in your forties (despite a toddler sh*tting on the stairs during a self-tape audition).

Most importantly, Clara shows us that no matter how much we adore our little treasures, life isn’t just about their A, B and bloody Cs.

My Thoughts:

I needed a bit of light relief from all the other books I have been reading recently and this was the perfect solution. You don’t have to have kids to be able to enjoy this delightful and funny read. Some things reminded me of what my parents use to say to me. It was just such a amusing read and I couldn’t stop laughing. I love Clara’s dry wit and I am sure other parents will be able to relate to all the goings on in this book. It is a must read and I loved it. It really cheered me up. This book is going to be a major hit.

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

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Neither of them expected to fall in love. But sometimes life has other plans.

When Wren realises her fiancé is in love with someone else, she thinks her heart will never recover.

On the other side of the world, Anders lost his wife four years ago and is still struggling to move on.

Wren hopes that spending the summer with her dad and step-family on their farm in Indiana will help her to heal. There, amid the cornfields and fireflies, she and Anders cross paths and their worlds are turned upside-down again.

But Wren doesn’t know that Anders is harbouring a secret, and if he acts on any feelings he has for Wren it will have serious fall-out for everyone.

Walking away would hurt Wren more than she can imagine. But, knowing the truth, how can she possibly stay?

My Thoughts:

I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of this book, Paige is one of my go to authors and I love escaping with one of her books. When Wren finds out her fiancé is not who she thought he was, she knows she needs to get away. The idea of spending the summer with her dad and his family in Indiana sounds ideal. To forget about the past and look to the future but when she meets Anders she doesn’t know how to feel. He has his own problems that he needs to sort out but can they both help each other? it is a lovely story to escape with, full of family, friendship, love and warmth. Such a cracking read.

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

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Budding landscape architect Luisa MacGregor is stuck in a rut – she hates her boss, she lives with her sister, and she is still mourning the loss of her husband many years ago. So when she is given the opportunity to take on a parcel of land in a deprived area, she sees the chance to build a garden that can make the area bloom.
 
Arriving in the rundown seaside town of Collaton on the north-west coast of Cumbria, she realises that her work is going to be cut out for her. But, along with Cas, a local PE teacher, and Harper, a teen whose life has taken a wrong turn, she is determined to get the garden up and running.
 
So when the community comes together and the garden starts to grow, she feels her luck might have changed. Can she grow good things on this rocky ground? And might love blossom along the way…?

My Thoughts:

This is my second book by Sharon and I could not wait to delve in to this story. Luisa hates her job and how her life has ended up, she wants to be outside and do what she loves gardening, so when the opportunity comes by about upping sticks and getting a community garden done she is a little sceptical at first as will she be able to succeed, but with the help of the community can she turn this wasteland into a beautiful garden for all to use. I loved how there is a little bit of everything in the story, friendship, love, gardening and coming together. It simply was such a gorgeous read that you will want to read again and again.

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

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This is a love story about things… 

Gwen’s life has stalled. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the country and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around herbaceous borders and the council’s wheelie-bin timetable. Above all she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?
 
When Gwen’s made redundant from a job she drifted into a decade ago and never left, she realises it’s time to make a change. Over what might be the best – and most solitary – meal she’s ever eaten, Gwen vows to find something meaningful to do with her life, reconnect with her family and friends – and finally book herself a dentist appointment.
 
Her search for meaning soon leads her to volunteer in a local charity shop where she both literally and metaphorically unloads her emotional baggage. With the help of the weird and wonderful people she meets in the shop and the donated items bursting with untold stories that pass through its doors, Gwen must finally address the events and choices that led her to this point and find a way to move forward with bravery, humanity and more regular dental care.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely adored this book, I felt as though I had a connection to Gwen and I really liked her. Gwen is a very likeable character who when being made redundant she knows she needs a change so starts to volunteer in a charity shop. It is all the items that people have given up for one reason or another but also she meets interesting customers too. The charity shop is the place where there are untold stories and they also hold the key for people too. I liked seeing Gwen’s journey throughout and hoped for her to have the happy ending she deserved. I like how the book is split up into different parts where they are an item that the charity shop has and the story behind it. It was very eye opening. For someone that uses the charity shop, next time I go in, I will be thinking about this book.

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

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It’s 1980, Liverpool, Robyn is happy living with May, her nan. She is safe and well cared for. When her nan dies, sixteen-year-old Robyn finds herself homeless. She dreams of finding her father and finding a home. But she has no idea where to begin her search. Imagine Living opens as Robyn is working in her first job, in Waterford’s Bakery. It is here she meets an array of characters who befriend her, but some of the characters are dangerous, searching for the most vulnerable in society to exploit. Robyn must find ways to escape them, as she is forced into navigating her own way in the world, doing her utmost to stay alive.

Throughout Imagine Living, readers are jolted with unexpected surprises, through the kindness of strangers and heartwarming moments of joy. How can Robyn be both living on the streets, where violence and poverty prevail, and own a Dior dress? And how will she handle being blackmailed and bullied? Robyn is in possession of an unstoppable sense optimism and loyalty to those she loves. Her kindness is seen by some as a weakness. But don’t cross her, as she’s formidable at protecting herself, described by many who meet her as a survivor.

My Thoughts:

This is book two in the Disappearing Home Series and I feel now I want to read book one. After reading this book I really like Deborah’s style of writing and I found it well descriptive. This is Robyn’s story and is set around the 80’s era which I love reading about. I found Robyn’s story full of emotion and turmoil and I just wanted to help Robyn. There were some really great characters throughout the story and I really loved reading about the 80’s era, Deborah has done a great job with this book. I read it in a day and would recommend.

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

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A dream home
Beca Valentino is ready to escape the city. When she sees the perfect house for sale in her hometown, it seems like fate. Is this her chance to build the foster family she dreams of, on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast?

A big mistake?
Returning home isn’t as easy as she thought, however. Her family’s beloved ice cream café is gone – turned into a soulless wine bar by her hateful ex-boyfriend. Reconnecting with her oldest friend, fisherman Griff, isn’t straightforward either. And when, instead of the children she expected to take in, two wary teenage boys appear on her doorstep, Beca fears she’s made a terrible mistake.

A recipe for change
But an old family recipe book is just the inspiration she needs. Soon, with a little help from friends old and new, Beca is selling mouth-watering homemade gelato from a pop-up café on the beach.

Then disaster strikes. Will the Valentino family legacy be lost forever? Or can Beca create a new recipe for happiness?

My Thoughts:
I loved, loved, loved this story so much. It is all about Beca who decides to move back to the place she grew up in, she left for reasons that we as a reader will discover whilst reading through this book. She is heartbroken to find her family’s ice cream cafe has gone and is now being run by her ex But when finding her families recipe book she knows with help she can sell her beloved families gelato once again and make people very happy.. Beca tries to reconnect with all her old friends but she doesn’t realise how much people have moved on. She is trying to embark on the biggest thing in her life but has she done the right thing? This was such a splendid read and made me hungry for gelato. I could almost taste it. I like seeing how the community can pull together when someone needs help. If your after a read that will whisk you away this is the book for you. A fantastic read but a brilliant author.

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

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“More Poetic Meanderings” is a collection of poems that explores the complexities of life through the lens of the human experience. Each poem offers a unique perspective on various themes, such as love, loss, mortality, pain, joy, hope, and the beauty of nature.

The collection begins with an introductory poem that sets the tone for the rest of the book. The collection delves into deep themes, such as the meaning of life, the struggle for self-discovery, and the beauty of nature.

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Kevin’s poems and I was excited to hear he had another poem book out. I couldn’t wait to meander through it. It is different from my usual reads and I think that is why I like them so much. For me they add a sense of peace and calm and helps me to restore my energy. There are so many wonderful poems throughout this book, my favourite being Nature and my favourite room but they are all really good. When I need to relax I will definitely be picking this book up.

Check out Kevin’s other poem books on his website:

https://kmorrispoet.com/

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

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Years ago, Juliet left a little piece of her heart in Paris – and now, separated from her husband and with her children flying the nest, it’s time to get it back!

So she puts on her best red lipstick, books a cosy attic apartment near Notre-Dame and takes the next train out of London.

Arriving at the Gare du Nord, the memories come flooding back: bustling street cafés, cheap wine in candlelit bars and a handsome boy with glittering eyes.

But Juliet has also been keeping a secret for over two decades – and she begins to realise it’s impossible to move forwards without first looking back.

Something tells her that the next thirty days might just change everything…

My Thoughts:

Reading this book I felt as though I was being whisked away to Paris too with Juliet. It was such a fun read and I loved all the descriptions of Paris, it is definitely on my bucket list. I got so caught up in the romanticism and culture and Juliet’s life, I felt as though I didn’t have time for anything else. But as always Juliet has a secret that she has been keeping to herself, is she ready to reveal it? I liked going on Juliet’s journey with her and experiencing everything with her. This book is full of love, Paris, secrets and memories. Such a perfect read.

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

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Becky: a single mum who prides herself on her independence. She knows from experience that men are trouble.
Louise: a loving husband, gorgeous kids. She ought to feel more grateful.
Jameela: all she’s ever done is work hard, and try her best. Why won’t life give her the one thing she wants?
Sheila: the nest is empty, she dreams of escaping to the sun, but her husband seems so distracted.

The inhabitants of the Inventor’s Housing Estate keep themselves to themselves. There are the friendly ‘Hellos’ when commutes coincide and the odd cheeky eye roll when the wine bottles clank in number 7’s wheelie bin, but it’s not exactly Ramsay Street.

The dilapidated community centre is no longer the beating heart of the estate that Becky remembers from her childhood. So the new pottery class she’s helped set up feels like a fresh start. And not just for her.

The assorted neighbours come together to try out a new skill, under the watchful eye of their charismatic teacher, Sasha. And as the soft unremarkable lumps of clay are hesitantly, lovingly moulded into delicate vases and majestic pots, so too are the lives of four women. Concealed passions and heartaches are uncovered, relationships shattered and formed, and the possibility for transformation is revealed.

My Thoughts:

This was such a lovely story about a community that needs to find a way to come together. We follow four very different women who all have things in their lives that people will be able to relate to. I really enjoyed all the different mix of characters and the fact it is a light heated read. The pottery class was such a great idea and it brought people from the community together. I really like Sara Cox so was looking forward to seeing how she writes and it is definitely a thumbs up from me. You definitely will be able to relax with this read.

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