A family gathering
This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal – to avoid their family’s well-meaning questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention.

An uninvited guest
Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone, and the prospect of losing her job – unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller. She’ll deliver her proposal to his family home in the Scottish Highlands and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller’s perfect family Christmas.

A Christmas to remember
When Lucy appears on the Miller’s snow-covered doorstep, she is mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. But by the time the confusion is cleared up, a storm has hit and Lucy is stuck. As everyone settles in for a snowed-in Christmas, tensions bubble to the surface and suddenly Lucy finds herself facing a big family fallout with a family that isn’t hers…

My Thoughts:

This was the perfect wintery read for me to snuggle up with. I loved it so much. The main character is called Lucy and after having to face the biggest time of the year alone and nearly losing her job, can she turn it all around by going to Scotland and trying to sort it all out. But what happens when you get stuck in the middle of nowhere? I loved seeing where the story was going to go, there were many different characters and I think I liked Lucy and I found the grandma quite funny too. Sarah’s books are always like a warm hug on a cold winter’s day. Perfect.

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

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Meet Vikki and Justin, two best friends from Leeds, in chilly Northern England. Justin works at a bakery and Vikki is stuck at an office, and both of them are bored and badly needing a change in life.
One day at work, Vikki gets a surprise phone call that could change their fortunes forever…Do the two best pals have the courage to risk it all and start a fresh new adventure on distant shores? This is their golden opportunity, one that must surely be taken for a chance at the good life! Will they brace themselves and take the plunge together?
Cracking Ibiza is a fun-filled, easy-reading short novel, brimming over with sun, sea, sand, night-life, and plenty of humour- the perfect read to brighten up any day, all year round!

My Thoughts:

I have read a couple of this author’s books before and enjoyed them so was excited to learn that they had another book out. Cracking Ibiza is such an entertaining and amusing read. It is one of those books that you finish and want to re-read just to get that pleasure again. It is a fairly short and quick novel that I read in an evening and it has some great characters in it too. Vikki and Justin are two best friends who are both stuck in a rut and need their life changing asap. When a call comes through that could potentially change their lives they grab the bull by its horns and decide to take a leap of fate. Cue two best friends on a road trip, it was a very amusing and fun read that makes you wonder what if you had that opportunity would you go for it? A great read that will make you smile.

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

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When event planner Hallie Goodman receives party-inspiration material from the bride of her latest wedding project, the last thing she expects to find in the files are digital videos from Darcy’s ex-boyfriend. Hallie knows it’s wrong to keep watching these personal videos, but this guy is cute, funny, and an astronaut on the International Space Station to boot. She’s only human. And it’s not long until she starts sending e-mails and video diaries to his discontinued NASA address. Since they’re bouncing back, there’s no way anyone will ever be able to see them…right?

Christopher Ortiz is readjusting to life on earth and being constantly in the shadow of his deceased older brother. When a friend from NASA’s IT department forwards him the e-mails and video messages Hallie has sent, he can’t help but notice how much her sense of humor and pink hair make his heart race.

Separated by screens, Hallie and Chris are falling in love with each other, one transmission at a time. But can they make their star-crossed romance work when they each learn the other’s baggage?

My Thoughts:

I love how different and unique the storyline is, Hallie is an events planner and whilst planning a wedding for a couple she discovers the bride’s ex has left some video files on her laptop. Hallie decides to watch them and discovers they are from Chris. But what makes it more interesting is that Chris is an astronaut and was in Space at the time of filming the video. I love how the author Samantha has included space into her story, it was interesting to learn some new things about being in space as an astronaut. Also there is a romance which you could of guessed anyway from the title. I loved this fun and quirky read and even though it was a slow burner, it really was a joy to read.

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

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When college senior, Cassie, spends her Friday evening at an off-campus bar, she isn’t looking for a hook-up – it just happens. Buying a drink for a stranger turns into what should be an uncomplicated, amazing one-night stand. But then the next morning rolls around and her friend drags her along to meet her mum . . . who turns out to be the hot, older woman Cassie just slept with.

Erin was meant to spend the weekend getting closer to her daughter, not having a one-night stand. But despite her better judgement – how could sleeping with your daughter’s friend be anything but bad? – Erin and Cassie get along in the day just as well as they did last night.

What should have been a one-time fling quickly proves impossible to ignore, and soon Cassie and Erin are sneaking around. Worst of all, they start to realize they might really have something real. But is being honest about the love between them worth the cost?

My Thoughts:

Cassie is at college and one evening whilst out, she hooks up with a stranger, it is amazing and everything she could ever ask for until she realises the next day the person she hooked up with is her mates mum. cue awkwardness but neither can resist one another so they decide to keep quiet and have a good time, but when this happens feelings are turning into something far more real than Cassie could ever imagine. Love is love, it doesn’t matter who you love but how you have to deal with other people’s assumptions. It was a quick read that is full of sexiness.

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

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This anniversary edition celebrates 35 years of the original Winnie and Wilbur adventure.

Winnie shares her big black house with Wilbur her big black cat. So sometimes she accidentally trips over him. Ouch! After some spells that make Wilbur look very silly, Winnie finds just the right magic to make sure she can always see him. It’s a colourful Winnie and Wilbur adventure! Korky Paul’s intricate artwork is full of madcap humour and crazy details to pore over.

Since Winnie and Wilbur first appeared in 1987, they have been delighting children and adults in homes and schools all over the world and more than 9 million books have been sold. Celebrating the wonderful relationship that exists between Winnie and Wilbur, this anniversary edition includes forewords by the author and illustrator, a gallery of Winnie and Wilbur’s most magical memories, and sketches from Korky Paul’s studio.

My Thoughts:

I was so excited to read and review this book, this book really bought me back to my childhood where I would sit and read these books with my mum, I loved reminiscing and remembering Winnie and Wilbur. The book itself is beautiful and I can’t believe it is celebrating 35 years that is crazy. The illustrations are wonderful as always and lots to look at, lovely colour pictures bring the story to life. I read it then had to re-read it as it was such a wonderful and engaging story. It is an amusing story for all ages and I am glad I got the opportunity to revisit my favourite childhood book.

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

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Better cooking is a lifelong journey. It’s the flick of a wrist, pinch of the fingers, the whiff of a waft. It’s intuition. It’s flying hours and muscle memory, from childhood, through school and young-adult years, to bring-a-plates and dinner parties where you learn to keep things simple … eventually.

But what happens when we miss a stage? Or three?

The Art of Better Cooking is an instruction manual, but you’d never know it. Alice Zaslavsky, master-mind behind the colourful debut (and award-winning) cookbook, In Praise of Veg presents a collection of 100 recipes (plus countless riffs) that you’ll want to cook, on a weekly basis, with tips and tricks scribbled in the margins, and explanations where need be, so that by the time you’re finished (never!) you’ll have tripped over technique to a point where if feels second nature.

Starting with chapter one, entitled Really Outstanding Things Simply Thrown Together (hello All-seasons Avo Half and Wedge Caesar), through to Never Going Back (Fava Bean Felafel, Hubbababaganoush) and Making the Most of It (delicious ideas with leftovers, saggy bits and preserves). Then it’s Loosen the Shoulders Time (Onion and Tomato Pie) and building up to Showstoppers and Centrepieces (yes you can make Salt and Pepper Creme Caramel).

All recipes are naturally veg-forward, with countless suggestions for making adaptations, spotlights on favourite produce and kitchen gadgets galore.

You are a better cook than you know. Here’s the book that builds your confidence.

My Thoughts:

I love reviewing something a bit different from my usual reads. Being a big fan of cooking my own meals and regularly making things from scratch I was excited to delve into this book. I love the retro design and feel of this book, it is packed with some delicious sounding recipes that I cannot wait to try and recreate. There are different sections to this book, so like bits and bobs tossed together, using up gluts and windfalls, go-to’s, weekend food and of course sweet desserts. Just looking at the pictures made my mouth water and I couldn’t resit writing a list of all the different recipes that I want to recreate. I also like how after the recipe it has bonus bits which really helps as it shows you how to do certain things to do with the recipe like making the sauce or tips if things are not going how they should. Such a brilliant and amazing cookbook that I cannot wait to try out. It seems easy to follow too.

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

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Good taste is in the eye of the beholder….

England, 1932, and the country is in the grip of the Great Depression. To lift the spirits of the nation, Stella Douglas is tasked with writing a history of food in England. It’s to be quintessentially English and will remind English housewives of the old ways, and English men of the glory of their country. The only problem is – much of English food is really from, well, elsewhere…

So, Stella sets about unearthing recipes from all corners of the country, in the hope of finding a hidden culinary gem. But what she discovers is rissoles, gravy, stewed prunes and lots and lots of oatcakes.

Longing for something more thrilling, she heads off to speak to the nation’s housewives. But when her car breaks down and the dashing and charismatic Freddie springs to her rescue, she is led in a very different direction….

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to start this book, a book that is centred around food is my idea of heaven. The amount of research that has gone in to this book is awesome, Caroline has really pulled it out of the bag with this heavenly novel. I found Stella the main character very warming and easy to connect with, she has a real passion for her job. I found it a fascinating insight into the world of English nostalgia and the way the world has changed since then. I hope Caroline writes another book along these lines as it was a wonderful insight into the world of food.

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

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Reconnect with the seasons in Britain and Ireland with this month-by-month guide to the world around us – including key dates, tide tables and garden tasks; constellations and moon phases; sunrises, folk songs, seasonal recipes plus a ‘bun of the month’; and – because 2023 will be a good year for planet spotting – the solar system and the zodiac.

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month’s unique nature, with this instalment following the swirling micro world of the garden pond through the year.

My Thoughts:

This is such a brilliant book, it has everything you could possibly want to know about the different months. There is a whole range of different information which is practical and useful to know. Including the moon, gardens ( what to look out for and the wildlife) recipes, different starsigns and also with each month it tells you what dates certain things are happening. It is a very handy and useful book that I will be using every month. It is packed with a lot of information and some beautiful sketches too. It is a great gift idea for someone who likes their seasons.

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

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HE’S WON EVERY TRIAL. BECAUSE HE’S BEHIND EVERY MURDER.

Ambitious District Attorney Randal Korn lives to watch prisoners executed.
Even if they are not guilty.

An innocent man, Andy Dubois, faces the death penalty for the murder of young girl. Korn has already fixed things to make sure he wins a fast conviction.

The one thing Korn didn’t count on was Eddie Flynn.

Slick, street smart and cunning, the former con artist turned New York lawyer has only seven days to save an innocent man against a corrupt system and find the real killer.

In a week the Judge will read the verdict, but will Eddie be alive to hear it?

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Steve and will not be my last. It was so good and captivating. I read this book in half a day and didn’t want to put it down. There is so much tension to the build up and I felt on edge wondering what was going to happen. I can’t wait to read more about Eddie Flynn, he seems like a right character. I love the way the story unfolds and all the characters really make this book intense, that Korn is a right character loving watching people suffer whether they are innocent or not. It was creepy, tense, fast paced and a great thriller, everything I love in a book. I look forward to reading more by Steve, this one was right up my street.

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Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I have read by Colleen and I can’t believe I have waited so long to read one of her books. This was such a brilliant read, definitely in my top ten of books I love this year. It is such a page turner that I read it in half a day, it is not all about romance, there are some serious issues raised too. I went through some many emotions reading this book and I couldn’t put it down. Such a beautiful story and I feel as though it will stay with me for a long time.

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