Tag: family

One More For Christmas By Sarah Morgan

One More For Christmas By Sarah Morgan

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Gayle is a highly successful and motivated business woman, but her success has come at a price – she hasn’t spoken to her daughters, Ella and Samantha, for years. But when Gayle has an accident at work, she realises she needs to make amends with her family.

And so she invites herself to join Ella and Samantha for their Christmas in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The sisters are none too pleased that their mother has inserted herself into their Christmas plans. They have each other – and don’t need their mother back in their lives. Or so they think…

As they embark on their first family Christmas together in years, will the three women learn that sometimes facing up to a few home truths is all you need to heal your heart?

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to read this book, I love snuggling up reading a Sarah Morgan book. The cover of this book is absolutely stunning and makes you think of winter time at Christmas. I liked this story about a mother and her two daughters. Gayle doesn’t realize how much of her daughters lives she has missed out on, she has put her head in the sand all of those years and when she has an accident they are the first people she calls upon. Can they regain their relationship and have a lovely Christmas together? The girls Ella and Samantha are weary of their mother but eventually come round. A lovely story about friendship, love, family and Christmas. The setting sounded wonderful too, you can just imagine being out there in the snow.

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

Pre-order your copy here:

Paperback: Out 29th October

Kindle: Out 22nd October

Why Mummy’s Sloshed By Gill Sims

Why Mummy’s Sloshed By Gill Sims

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

I just wanted them to stop wittering at me, eat vegetables without complaining, let me go to the loo in peace and learn to make a decent gin and tonic.  
It genuinely never occurred to me when they were little that this would ever end – an eternity of Teletubbies and Duplo and In The Night Bastarding Garden and screaming, never an end in sight.  But now there is.  And despite the busybody old women who used to pop up whenever I was having a bad day and tell me I would miss these days when they were over, I don’t miss those days at all.  
I have literally never stood wistfully in the supermarket and thought ‘Oh, how I wish someone was trailing behind me constantly whining ‘Mummy, can I have, Mummy can I have?’ while another precious moppet tries to climb out the trolley so they land on their head and we end up in A&E.  
Again.

Mummy has been a wife and mother for so long that she’s a little bit lost. And despite her best efforts, her precious moppets still don’t know the location of the laundry basket, the difference between being bored and being hungry, or that saying ‘I can’t find it Mummy’ is not the same as actually looking for it.

Amidst the chaos of A-Levels and driving tests, she’s doing her best to keep her family afloat, even if everybody is set on drifting off in different directions, and that one of those directions is to make yet another bloody snack. She’s feeling overwhelmed and under appreciated, and the only thing that Mummy knows for sure is that the bigger the kids, the bigger the drink.

My Thoughts:

If you are after a hilarious and laugh out loud read then this is the book for you, I loved it, definitely in my top ten books of this year. I loved the first three in the series and this is the fourth and final why mummy books. It will be a shame to see the end of them as they are just brilliant but I am excited to see what Gill writes about next. Everything that happens in this book is amusing, I do feel for Mummy but I just can’t help laughing what she says and does.You don’t have to be a mum to read this story, I am not yet and still find the stories amusing. Some of the stuff with the kids reminds me when I was a teenager and what my mum had to put up with me. This is a book I would reread many times if I need cheering up. Absolutely brilliant.

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

Get your copy here:

We are Family By Nicola Gill

We are Family By Nicola Gill

by Hannah ♥ 6 Comments
nicola gill


Laura and Jess are sisters – but that’s pretty much all they have in common…

Laura has a laid back attitude to life. Her home isn’t spotless, and after a hard day she likes to take to bed with a block of cheese.

Jess, on the other hand, is your classic overachiever: The Big Sister, Chief of Chivvying, Queen of the family WhatsApp. Her life is picture-perfect.

Laura and Jess lost their dad when they were kids, and now their mum is gone too. And one of the hardest times in life is made harder by the fact they can’t agree on a single thing, from where to scatter the ashes to whether “passed away” is even an acceptable term.

But when Laura starts pushing her own boundaries and Jess agrees to let other people in to her (not so) perfect life, the two women realize they need each other more than ever. They might not be ready to admit it, but family is everything…

My Thoughts:

A thoroughly entertaining read but tender and emotional at the same time. This is Nicola’s second book, if you haven’t read the neighbours then you definitely should. This story is about two sisters called Laura and Jess who are relatable characters and are going through subjects that I think most people can relate to. I really felt for Laura as I felt as though people see her as a push over and she never has any time for herself. Jess I felt as though even though she is the bigger sister, she seemed very bossy and a little bit stuck up, like look at me. But she is hiding things that no one knows about, will she let her secrets come between her and Laura or will Laura be able to help her? Even though there are sad parts to this story there are also some hilarious bits that had me in stitches. Some of the things Laura says and does and also her son Billy.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Are-Family-funny-life-affirming-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untitled-Nicola-Gill-2

One of the Family By Sadie Pearse

One of the Family By Sadie Pearse

by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE?

Samantha Jackson has been missing for eighteen years. Then, out of nowhere, she gets back in touch with her sister.

Sam needs Freya – now a grown woman with a family of her own – to take in her son.

But Dino is not a happy child, despite the warmth of Freya’s family he cannot settle. He startles at loud noises and he’s prone to angry, violent outbursts. He’s one of the family, Freya knows he is, but why doesn’t it feel like that?

In order to keep her daughters safe, Freya is forced to go in search of the truth. What is going on with Dino, and what really happened to her sister the night she left?

My Thoughts:

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

When I finish a book now I always look at the cover again and I always find it poignant. You will see once you read this story how the cover comes more alive. This story is set in one of my favourite places Dorset, I love the different places they go to like Lyme Regis and Monkey World is mentioned too. It always feels more special when you know the places that are talked about in a book. The story is about Freya and her sister Sam who has been missing for a long time, Freya now has two girls and has always been looking for her sister every day since she went missing. One day she gets an email for Sam asking to look after her son Dino, when he turns up he is violent and has issues, what is the problem and can Freya help him? Early on in this story I thought I had it all figured out but then throughout the story there is a massive curve ball that is thrown into the mix that I did not see coming. I really felt for Freya as she has it tough looking after a child that obviously has more things on his mind than he is willing to share, she has to give up things she loves. I also really felt for Dino, when he does decide to open up, his story is quite heartbreaking and I did shed a few tears. I didn’t feel anything for Sam as I cant understand people that take drugs and all the other things she does, I didn’t have any time for her at all. I read this book in a day as I just could not put it down.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

paperback

Like a House on Fire By Caroline Hulse

Like a House on Fire By Caroline Hulse

by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Things Stella and George have had blazing rows about:

– Misquoting Jurassic Park
– Leaving a Coke can on the side of the bath
– Fitting car seats for their hypothetical kids

In other news, they’re getting divorced.

But first, Stella’s mum is throwing a murder mystery party and – with her dad losing his job, her mum’s recent diagnosis, and some very odd behaviour from her sister – now is not the time to tell everyone.

All Stella and George have to do is make it through the day without their break-up being discovered – though it will soon turn out that having secrets runs in the family…Sent

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read any of Caroline’s books before so was looking forward to reading a new author. I think anyone will be able to relate to at least one of the characters in this book. It’s all about family and how they interact with one another. It reminded me of growing up in our family home with the bickering, the laughter and love that comes from being in a family. Caroline has nailed it with this story.

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

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition

 

Hardcover

Rachel’s Pudding Pantry By Caroline Roberts

Rachel’s Pudding Pantry By Caroline Roberts

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Primrose Farm is Rachel’s very own slice of heaven. Come rain or shine there’s always a pot of tea brewing by the Aga, the delicious aroma of freshly baked puddings, and a chorus of happy memories drifting through the kitchen.

But the farm is in a spot of trouble. As the daffodils spring, Rachel must plant the seeds of change if she wants to keep the farm afloat, and it’s all resting on a crazy plan. She’ll need one family cook book, her Mum Jill’s baking magic – and a reason to avoid her distractingly gorgeous neighbour, Tom . . .

Swapping their wellies for aprons, can Rachel and Jill bake their way into a brighter future? The proof will be in the pudding!

My Thoughts:

What a lovely read, what more can you want when there is romance, cakes and puddings to dream about. Rachel and her family live on Primrose farm and when things get tough she and her family have to decide how to put things right so they set up the pudding pantry, you can just imagine going in there every day to see what delights they have come up with( like Frank does). Also thrown into the mix is their gorgeous neighbour Tom, will love blossom between the two? If your reading this book make sure you have a sweet treat to eat otherwise you will become very hungry.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rachels-Pudding-Pantry-gorgeous-bestselling-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rachels-Pudding-Pantry-gorgeous-bestselling/

A Wedding in December By Sarah Morgan

A Wedding in December By Sarah Morgan

by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

christmas wedding

In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding.

First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister Katie is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself. If only the irritatingly good-looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiance but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived – how can she tell them she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget.

My Thoughts:

I am always happy when I read another of Sarah Morgan’s books, they are just utter bliss. You can just get snuggled up with a hot chocolate and escape to a world of beautiful scenery and settings. The story is set around the White family and each chapter is a different member of the family. I felt as though I was getting three stories in one which was good. I look forward to Sarah’s next book.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wedding-December-Sarah-Morgan-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wedding-December-Sarah-Morgan

Rewrite The Stars By Emma Heatherington

Rewrite The Stars By Emma Heatherington

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From the moment they meet one December day there’s something between Charlotte Taylor and her brother’s best friend, Tom Farley. But Tom’s already taken and Charlie has to let him go…

It’s another five years before their paths cross again only a secret from the past forces Charlie to make a choice. She promises herself she’ll never look back…

The years pass and Charlie moves on with her life but she can never forget Tom. He’s always there whispering ‘What if?’.

Can Charlie leave the life she has built for one last chance with Tom?  Or is the one that got away not really the one at all…?

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this book and a new author to me who I will be reading more of. I liked the whole idea of will they? or won’t they? It is a heartfelt and emotional story which made me not want to put it down. The story really pulled at my heart strings and made me realise the importance of friends and family.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rewrite-Stars-heart-warming-page-turning-Christmas-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rewrite-Stars-Emma-Heatherington

The Family Upstairs By Lisa Jewell

The Family Upstairs By Lisa Jewell

by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

family.jpg

In a large house in London’s fashionable Chelsea, a baby is awake in her cot. Well-fed and cared for, she is happily waiting for someone to pick her up.

In the kitchen lie three decomposing corpses. Close to them is a hastily scrawled note.

They’ve been dead for several days.

Who has been looking after the baby?

And where did they go?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this creepy read. It is a story that is told very well but your never quite sure where it is going to lead to. It is a unusual story about a mixed family that are bought together by unusual circumstances, I did find it a little confusing when the book tends to jump from character to character, it was hard to keep up with.The storyline was slightly weird but that is what drew me more into the book.  An intriguing read.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Upstairs-Lisa-Jewell-ebook/

hardcover

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Upstairs-Lisa-Jewell

My Sister’s Lies By S. D. Robertson

My Sister’s Lies By S. D. Robertson

by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

sister.jpg

For a decade, Hannah’s life has been pretty close to perfect – she has a great job, she’s married to Mark, and her child-free existence means she’s free as a bird. The only sadness in her life is a fall-out with her sister Diane, who hasn’t spoken to her in over ten years. But now Diane is on her doorstep – and this time, she’s got her teenage daughter Mia in tow.

When Diane asks if Mia can stay with Hannah and Mark for a few days, Hannah is glad of the chance to get to know her niece. But as the days turn into weeks and Diane doesn’t return, Hannah begins to worry. Why hasn’t her sister been in touch?

Diane is carrying a devastating secret that will destroy Hannah’s carefully constructed life. But how much is she willing to reveal – and when will she pick her moment?

My Thoughts:

This is such a powerful and emotional read. After not seeing her sister for over ten years Hannah gets a shock when she turns up on her doorstep. Diane needs help, help from Hannah and her husband Mark to look after Hannah’s niece Mia, something is not quite right and what will be will shock you to the core. The truth comes out after something shocking happens. How will they all cope? Had me hooked till the very end.

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

Also I am listed as one of the reader quotes in this book.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Sisters-Lies-gripping-secrets-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Sisters-Lies-gripping-secrets