Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!

Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?

My Thoughts:

Ben’s family own Maple Tree Lodge and the hotel has seen better days and hardly has any guests staying, Ben has had to come back home to deal with the mess and to save his struggling families hotel. Lily is Ben’s sisters best friend and she needs a new project so when she gets called into to help the struggling hotel, she has some great ideas to transform the place and get the much needed cash flow problem sorted but Ben has other ideas that Lily is not keen on so Lily needs to work out which option is better and go with it. It was an easy story to follow along to, for me the storyline was quite similar to other books I have read before so I found it a bit of the same. It was a nice easy gentle read that did not require too much thinking.

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

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When midwife Zoe Padbury moves into Kestrel Cottage, high on a misty hill above the village of Thimblebury, everyone rallies round to make sure she doesn’t feel lonely. And as she begins her job at the doctor’s surgery, dealing with expectant mums and helping to bring newborns into the world, warmth begins to flood back into her battered and broken heart.

But the evenings are long and as Zoe sits on her cornflower-blue sofa, looking at the golden peaks crowned by clouds, she can’t help but wish she had someone to share her new life with. Her ex-husband treated her badly, but it’s still hard to resist his warm and loving messages begging for a second chance.

Distraction arrives when she meets Alex out walking his shaggy grey dog, and discovers that he will be moving in next door. As she chats to Alex, Zoe finds it hard to ignore his thick dark hair and eyes the colour of chocolate, and her heart clenches at the worried frown that creases his brow.

She soon learns why Alex is anxious when she pays his pregnant daughter a home visit and learns of the tragedy that has brought them to Thimblebury. Zoe is no stranger to sadness, and as she and Alex lean on each other, a tentative spark begins to flicker.

But when Alex gets the wrong idea and thinks Zoe has betrayed his trust, followed by Zoe’s ex appearing on her doorstep, swearing he’s a changed man, will that spark be snuffed out? Coming to the Lake District was meant to be a fresh start for Zoe. But what if the pull of her old life is too overwhelming to resist?

My Thoughts:

I have read Tilly’s books before and enjoyed them so when I saw this one pop up, I knew I had to read it. When Zoe moves to the Lake District, she has moved for a reason, she gets stuck into her new job and is loving it being a midwife, everyone is so lovely but Zoe feels as though something is missing in her life until she meets Alex and then it suddenly hits her why. Both of them have been through tough times in the past but can they help each other find happiness again. You could tell what was going to happen in this read but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Great characters and an easy and light hearted storyline. The perfect read.

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

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You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, ‘I’m afraid…’

Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There’s always something you can do, right?

Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to.

No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will…

My Thoughts:

This is my first read by Sophie, and I liked it. It is all about Sally Lambert and how when the police turn up on her doorstep that everything changes dramatically for her. Sally cannot think straight and is questioning everything, this cannot be happening to her and then she takes matters into her own hands. I liked how the story was paced, it was a quick paced, the story has got layers to it as you turn the page you discover more and more. There are twists that I did not expect to happen and it was full of intrigue and mystery, I flew through this gripping story to find out what it was all about. It was so good. I will be looking out for more of Sophie’s books in the future.

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

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Eve has always loved antiques.

She loves the way an item from the past can offer a glimpse of another world, of another time. It’s why she painstakingly researches the stories behind every item in Rainy Day Antiques, her little Cambridge shop, to share with their new owners. It’s her way of honouring the past and cherishing the present.

Adam is firmly focussed on the future.

He’s only in town to sort his late grandfather’s affairs. When he discovers that his grandfather hired Eve to manage his house clearance, he can only hope her methods don’t delay his return to London.

What neither of them know is that Adam’s grandfather chose Eve for a reason. It’s finally the right place and the right time for the two of them to meet. But what did he have planned for them?

My Thoughts:

I could not wait to start reading this book, I love Ali’s writing, and this book was brilliant. It is all about Eve who owns Rainy Day Antiques, she loves her shop, but the unique thing about Eve is that she takes pride in her shop and will research into every item she stocks in her shop. It is hard work for Eve but I found it fascinating reading about the Antique world. Ali has clearly researched into this world and it shows. Eve has a job to clear a house but she is greeted with a less than friendly man who just wants everything gone so he can go back to London and move on but Eve has other ideas, can they both help mend their ways? It was a story that made me feel warm inside, I loved Eve and how she brought to life the different items she sells. A wonderful story.

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

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Richard Wellington is one of the country’s most recognised doctors. A morning TV regular, surgeon to the elite, and scandal-proof despite a malpractice case that should have ruined him.

But when his body is found sprawled in a harborside park on a sweltering Sydney morning, the facade shatters. His murder dominates the headlines, and the normally quiet cul-de-sac he called home becomes a media circus, seething with speculation and unease.

For Liv Elliot, none of that matters – except for one detail: her daughter, Gracie, was at the park that morning. As the investigation heats up and dark secrets about Richard begin to surface, Liv takes steps to shield her daughter from the storm – steps that could destroy them both if the truth comes out.

How far would a mother go to protect her daughter?

My Thoughts:

A doctor that many people recognise as being on TV and being a top surgeon, so how did Richard become caught up in a malpractice case, but when he is found dead , people around him cannot believe this has happened, people are speculating the worst. But one person knows what happened to Richard but is she going to spill the beans on what she saw. Things start to come to light about Richard and this person really needs to speak up before it is too late. It was an intriguing story line to read along with, it is a thriller that has many underlying secrets and lies, it is packed with suspense and tension. I did not know where this story would lead and I loved the ending.

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

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Cordelia Jago has lost everything. Her mother, her father, her career, her husband and her best friend, her trust. All she has left is a legacy she never expected – and would never have wanted.

Wilder Hoo – The Wild House – is a crumbling Cornish Manor House which she hates, full of unhappy memories for her. It is falling down to the brink of ruin.

Determined to sell-up and forget the past forever, she begins to spruce up its echoing rooms – but the house seems to speak to her and to pull her back to happier times in Cornwall.

With the help of the locals, Cordelia breathes new life into the home, But will she find a way to heal her heart too?

My Thoughts:

A dilapidated Cornish Manor house, a woman who hates this house, she has lost everything and wants to never see this house again until she starts to get it back to a sellable condition. Cordelia realises there is more to this house than unhappiness. The locals all pull together to help Cordelia bring this place to its best but will Cordelia want to sell up after all? Fern is one of my go to authors when I want a comforting and easy read, you can easily get swept away with her stories. This is one I did not want to put down, everything around me stopped just so I could take in this richness and beauty of the stunning Cornwall. It was full of hope and an uplifting read that warmed my cockles. I loved it all.

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

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