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Summer at Buttercup Beach by Holly Martin (Hope Island #2)

Synopsis: For two years Freya Greene has hidden the fact that she’s totally and utterly in love with her best friend Rome Lancaster. It’s not been easy – they work together in his glasswork business, she lives above his workshop and, he’s completely gorgeous. But Rome has never shown any sign of returning those feelings. Until now… 

Lately they’ve shared affectionate touches and words heavy with meaning. Yet Freya knows Rome has a damaged heart. After losing his fiancé in a tragic accident, he’s not allowed himself to fall in love. 

Freya has already had her heart broken by a man who couldn’t let go of a past love. Can she risk it happening again? Rome and Freya have a friendship that could blossom into something more. Are they both brave enough to take that chance? 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I am a fan of all things Holly Martin and was thrilled that Summer At Buttercup Beach was available to read. Bella and Isaac from Spring at Blueberry Bay feature in this latest book but the main stars of the show are Freya and Rome. Freya gave evevrything up and has ended up staing on Hope Island working alongside her best friend Rome. The only problem is that although they have been firm friends for 2 years, she has never told him that she is head over heels in love with him.

I liked Freya and Rome and they are certainly characters which are easy to read, as is the beautiful setting of Hope Island. When Rome starts to show signs that maybe he feels something different Freya wonders if she was imagining it. We also see some characters return (albeit briefly) from the last book and it’s always lovely to see where everybody is with their lives. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I felt like there was maybe a little something missing from Holly’s usual offerings. Maybe because the story solely worked itself around just Rome and Freya and their feelings it wasn’t quite as engaing as her other books?

Thst small niggle aside the story has everything you would want from a book like this and is a perfect beach read. What I did love was the addition of Dougie and Rome’s sister Eden featuring lining up what I hope is the synopsis for the next Hope Island book. Another great read by Holly Martin and I will look forward to reading the next one for sure!

REVIEW OF INSIDE THE WHISPERS BY A J WAINES (DR SAMANTHA WILLERBY #1)

324x500Synopsis: Where the most dangerous place – is inside your own head…

Following a London Tube disaster, three traumatised survivors turn to clinical psychologist, Dr Samantha Willerby, for help – but she’s mystified when their stories don’t add up. Her confusion turns to horror when one by one, instead of recovering, they start committing suicide. 

When her partner, Conrad, begins to suffer the same terrifying flashbacks, Sam is desperate to find out what is causing them and a mysterious and chilling crime begins to unravel. 

Then the flashbacks begin for Sam…

The first book in the Dr Samantha Willerby Series, INSIDE THE WHISPERS is a tense, haunting Psychological Thriller that will leave your nerves in shreds.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “REVIEW OF INSIDE THE WHISPERS BY A J WAINES (DR SAMANTHA WILLERBY #1)”

Summer at Seafall Cottage by Lily Graham

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Synopsis: Victoria Langley’s world crumbles when her husband leaves, but she knows exactly where to go to mend her broken heart. The rugged shores of Cornwall will be her perfect sanctuary. 

In the quaint, little village of Tregollan, nestled in the sea cliffs, Victoria is drawn to Seafall Cottage, covered in vines and gracefully falling apart. Inside she finds a diary full of secrets, from 1905.

Victoria is determined to unravel the diary’s mystery, but the residents of Tregollan are tight-lipped about Tilly Asprey, the cottage’s last owner. Just as she reaches a dead end, Victoria meets Adam Waters, the lawyer handling the cottage’s sale. He’s handsome, charming, and has a missing piece of the puzzle.

Tilly’s diary tells a devastating love story that mirrors Victoria’s own. Can Victoria learn from Tilly’s mistakes, and give herself a second chance at love? Or is history doomed to repeat itself?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I was looking forward to this release by Lily Graham as I absolutely LOVED A Cornish Christmas. However, I was surprised as this one seemed a little slower to get into.

Our lead character Victoria’s has gone to Cornwall and made an extremely rash decision and brought herself a derelict house. Following the breakdown of her marriage it appears this is her way of retreating to lick her wounds in private. ‘Seafall Cottage’ Has its own secrets though and when she finds some diaries in the house she cannot help but be pulled into the stories within those pages. Before long she becomes almost obsessed with the owner and writer of the diaries Tilly.  Tilly is a young girl living in the early 1900s and we see the story flip between present day and Victoria and then back to the past with Tilly.

Additional characters such as Angie, Victoria’s houseboat neighbor struck a cord and I really liked her and then there is Adam and a whole host of others. Somehow though I never really connected all that much with any of them. The writing was brilliant and the story enjoyable but I just felt there was something lacking with this latest book that wasn’t with the last one. I certainly enjoyed it, but think her first book was so amazing I spent the whole time comparing which is never a good idea.

Single For The Summer by Mandy Baggott

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Synopsis: Tess Parks has made up her mind: love isn’t for her.

When it comes to dating she has one rule: after six weeks with a guy, she ends it. So when her heartbroken best friend invites her for a girly getaway in Corfu, Tess is sure she can stick to their pact to stay single for the summer.

But then she meets the gorgeous restaurateur Andras…

To keep his overbearing mother off his back, Tess agrees to pretend to date him. But as the two spend time together, Tess begins to realise that this fake relationship is starting to feel like the best one she’s ever had…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I have to say I have a bit of a girl fan thing going on with Mandy Baggot. Her books are like the best chocolate on a miserable day, no matter what…it never fails to cheer you up. I have read a few MB books now and they just seem to cheer me up immensely, I always know I am going to get a fantastic book that will have me smiling and laughing from one page to the next. Thankfully her magic has not faded one bit. This latest book is the absolute PERFECT anecdote to our miserably pathetic ‘summer’ evenings we are meant to be having.

Tess Parks is front and centre in this latest book and is strictly a 6 week maximum serial-dater. I fell head over heels in love with this loud, funny yet sensitive woman who is an absolutely hilarious serial dater. When her latest BF pops the question over dinner she goes into meltdown. Her friend Sonya is also having a hard time and is ‘on a break’ from her boyfriend Joey. When Sonya suggests some R&R in Corfu the two girls head off with the plan of drinking in the sun and forgetting all their troubles.

For the girls, what they didn’t plan on was running into a gorgeous Greek restaurant owner Andras and his overbearing Mother. Andras needs a fake girlfriend to get his Mother off his back and before they know it, they are dragged into a crazy week which had me tittering along with every additional part of the story. Mandy Baggot has created the perfect read, full of characters that you can’t help but love (even Andras overbearing Mother), tortoises that won’t stay in their home and all sorts of weird and wonderful other things.

This book was a sheer joy to read and I just loved how beautiful Corfu sounded, it actually made me want to hop on a plane for a weeks R&R myself. I read the book in one day over two sittings and loved it from start to finish. Having been having an absolutely rubbish day, Mandy Baggot single-handedly sent me to bed feeling a lot more happy than I was when I woke up. A pleasure to read and I will make sure that her newest releases always make their way to the top of my to read list now!

WATCHING THE BODIES BY GRAHAM SMITH (JAKE BOULDER #1)

Synopsis: When Jake Boulder is asked by his PI friend to help investigate the vicious murder of Kira Niemeyer, he soon finds himself tracking a serial killer who selects his next victim in a most unusual manner.

As the body count rises, Boulder has to work with the police to identify the heinous killer before more lives are taken. What ensues is a twisted game of cat and mouse, that only Boulder or the Watcher can survive. But who will it be?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I was really looking forward to reading a new series featuring a new character by Graham Smith. Jake Boulder is the polar opposite of Smith’s previous character Harry Evans. Jake is not a police office, nor is he ex special forces, he is actually a normal bloke that works on the door of a local bar, but he most definitely comes across as the dark and moody type that’s for sure.

His long-term friend Alfonse is an Investigator who has been hired by the family of a murder victim Kira Niemeyer. Jake works alongside him using his own methods and they inadvertently manage to annoy the local police. With this small town in Utah, it’s no wonder that happened and it soon becomes apparent that the local police also have a reputation as lazy, so with a new Chief in town he happily takes help on the investigation meaning Jake and Alphonse get to see a lot more than they bargained for.

The Watcher is the person behind the spate of killings and as we see chapters interweaved among those featuring Jake, you get to see him plan and execute all the while just waiting to be discovered. I think writing a series set in the US is very risky for a Brit, but think Graham has done a stellar job and created not only a great series but exceedingly good characters that go with it. I loved the method the killer had to choose his next kill and found myself thoroughly entertained with this book from start to finish. I think there is more to come with this series but an absolutely blinding start!

Blog Tour: Deadly Friendship by Tara Lyons (Hamilton #3)

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Synopsis: Who can you really trust?

Detective Inspector Denis Hamilton is dragged into a gruesome murder investigation, while on annual leave at Lake Windermere. A handwritten note, with a woman’s name, is found inside the corpse.

When a direct link to London is identified, Hamilton must race against the clock to make the connection before the body count rises.

Meanwhile, four friends with strained relationships, are reunited. What past event do they want to keep buried and is there something linking them to the murders? 

Then, when a person from Hamilton’s past returns, he must ask himself: how well do we really know our friends?

Kat’s Rating:4.5/5

Kat’s Review: I really enjoyed book 2 featuring Denis Hamilton and was thrilled to get my hands on an early review copy of book 3. DI Hamilton is on holiday with his wife Elizabeth when lo and behold he stumbles across a murder scene. Denis being the type of man he is, decides to give the local police a helping hand. As his holiday quickly turns to a distant memory it becomes clear than Denis wants this case for himself and his team. Lucklily his boss pulls some strings and before you know it their wish is granted.

The dead man was a relatively well known celebrity Warren Speed. The discovery of his body uncovers the dissapearance of a close friend of his in the same spot some a couple of years prior to his body being found. That gives the team two angles to work with. It was lovely to see the return of Hamilton’s team all of whom are quickly becoming integrated in my mind as one unit. Rocky, Fraser and Clarke return along with the newest member Dixon. The interaction between the team was what made this book for me, and the storyline a close second. Now I know that sounds strange but for me it’s crucial that your  become involved with all the characters and this third book in the series encompasses all that I want from a book like this.

Although the main storyline focuses on the what starts with the death of Warren Speed, I also liked the sub plots that appear and it keeps the book fresh and interesting. Hamilton is a character I am quickly becoming quite attached to and I love how close the team are and they all have their place firmly in this series in my mind.

The Detriment by David Videcette (Jake Flannagan #2)

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Synopsis: “The truth costs nothing, but a lie can cost you everything…” 

June 2007: a barbaric nail bomb is planted outside a London nightclub, a spy is found dead in his garden, and a blazing Jeep is driven into Glasgow airport. Three events bound by an earth-shattering connection that should have remained buried forever. 

From the author of ‘The Theseus Paradox’, the smash-hit 7/7 thriller based on true events, comes the sequel about a real-life mystery that threatens to destroy a nation. Detective Inspector Jake Flannagan must uncover how a series of astonishing events are inextricably linked, before the past closes in on him. 

We all have secrets we say we’ll never tell… 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “The Detriment by David Videcette (Jake Flannagan #2)”

Bed and Breakfast on The Beach by Kat French

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Synopsis: A Greek island solves all life’s problems…doesn’t it?

Winnie, Stella and Frankie have been best friends forever.

When their lives unexpectedly unravel, they spontaneously decide to buy a gorgeous B&B on a remote Greek island. Drenched in hot sun, Villa Valentina is the perfect escape from reality. But when Winnie meets Jesse, their brooding neighbour, she finds that Greece is full of its own complications – not least how attractive he is…

Meanwhile, Frankie and Stella are discovering that Villa Valentina has its own secrets – starting with the large supply of gin in the cellar and the arrival of a famous rock band. A band with one very good-looking member who just might distract Frankie from thoughts of her husband…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: So Kat French (or Kitty French if reading her other books) has very quickly become a firm favourite of mine. Her books are endless buckets of fun and I was really looking forward to this latest one. To be fair when I started reading it I wondered what on earth was going on?  A couple of chapters and we already had three women with a whole new adventure ahead of them? Where was the explanation and the background? Well, you see this is where the delectable Kat French comes into her own. She doesn’t need all that because what she does is then slowly reveal each character and the reasons for how they got to the beautiful island of Skelidos.

Villa Valentina on the sun soaked Greek Island starts out as a holiday destination, but somehow ends up with them being the new owners of the B&B. What they don’t realise is that by taking a leap of faith and starting a new adventure, it would also bring with it some added extras which they weren’t quite prepared for! Stella, Frankie and Winnie have been friends since childhood, so the fact they start a whole new adventure and business together comes as no big surprise. I think in my eyes Winnie seemed to be more of a central character with Frankie and Stella playing more of a backseat. However as the story progresses each of the three women take their own journey and we go along for the ride.

With donkeys named The Fonz, a secret distillery in the cellar, pop stars turning up just to name a few this story is packed to the rafters with fun, frolics and romance. I loved the additional male characters in the book especially Jesse their moody neighbour. I read this in a day and a half and just two sittings and it was a glorious read. This book was pure delight from start to finish and it had everything you could possibly want in a book like this. There were one liners that made me laugh out loud, ridiculously funny situations, romantic ones, terrible ones…you name it, it was there. Another outstanding read that I would definitely pick up for any upcoming travels you may have

BLOG TOUR – SUMMER AT THE LITTLE FRENCH GUESTHOUSE BY HELEN POLLARD

Synopsis: Emmy Jamieson loves her new life in the gentle hills and sunflowers of the lush French countryside, managing La Cour des Roses, a beautiful, white stone guesthouse. With marriage to caramel-eyed Alain just round the corner, things couldn’t be more perfect.

The odd glass (gallon) of wine dulls the sound of Emmy’s mum in full motherzilla-of-the-bride mode, and the faint tinkling of alarm bells coming from Alain’s ex are definitely nothing to worry about. Guesthouse owner Rupert and a whole host of old and new friends are there to make sure nothing gets in the way of Emmy’s happiness.

But as Emmy gets close to the big day, a secret from the past throws everything decidedly off track. Will her idyllic French wedding go ahead as planned, or will Emmy run back home to England with a broken heart?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I was sad to realise that this is the end for Emmy and the Guesthouse, having read the previous 2 books I had fallen a little in love. Emmy Jamieson is running La Cour Des Roses the guesthouse set in the French countryside and it’s only a matter of weeks until her wedding to the lovely Alain. Rupert is the man who she runs the Guesthouse with and I was thrilled to be back in their lives as they are wonderful characters. This main storyline centres solely around the run up to her wedding with the addition of the overbearing Mother/Bridezilla . The thing that made me fall for these books is the characters and once again Helen Pollards skill of drawing you into their lives is what makes these such an enjoyable read.

Her descriptive ways explaining how beautiful it is where they are in France is also an added bonus. From the guesthouse, to the foord and drink, to the wonderful characters she has created.  We see the return of characters from books one and two but we also meet some new family members which always makes books like these all the more interesting. With Emmy mother causing mayhem it seems that nothing is going right for her and you spemt the whole time praying that things worked out.

I don’t want to mention too much more of the storyline for fear of ruining it for those who have yet to read it. What I will say is that although you could read this book as a standalone, why would you want to? This trio of books is absolutely wonderful and they could be read back to back for pure enjoyment and total escapism. I was once again transported into another world, one which I wish I could have been a part of. As much as I am sad to see the last of the Guesthouse and it’s owners, I am so excited to see what Helen Pollard comes up with next. This is certainly an author that I would highly recommend.

Remember Me by Lynda Renham

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Synopsis: A new neighbour becomes a new friend. She looks up to you. She admires you, but is it you she wants? You begin to wonder if she wants your husband, or even your child. But then you realise, she wants your life. 

When Sharni and Tom move into 24 The Pines, it seems like Clare and Chris have the perfect neighbours. Sharni is always there to help, especially with childcare for Clare’s two-year-old, Ben. But Clare can’t shake off the feelings of anxiety that assail her whenever Sharni is near. Is Clare just being overprotective, or are her feelings justified? As Sharni‘s influence touches everyone around her, Clare finds herself fighting for her sanity as well her family.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have read a few of Lynda Renham’s books and loved them, however this is the first foray of hers into a different genre (to my knowledge anyway) and I was unsure what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised and found myself totally engaged with this rather dark story Involving Claire and a new neighbour named Sharni. It’s very clear from the outset that Claire is not your average person. She seems incredibly highly strung and it doesn’t take long before as a reader you are questioning why she is like that. Then add in to the mix the new neighbour Sharni who instantly made me feel like Claire should be on guard. Sharni was over familiar from the outset and it’s clear there is more to her introduction to Claire than just being a friendly neighbour.

Although Claire was slightly edgy as a charcter I still quite liked her and as we see her interact with her husband Chris and young son Ben. Sharni and her husband Tom very quickly seem to make themselves part of Claire and Chris life and there is always an underlying question mark as to why. As the story progresses, more and more things start to go wrong and it doesn’t take long before you are questioning who is at fault.

Towards the end, we then see the same events but from Sharni’s point of view. I understand the reasoning for this but at times it felt a little bit of a chore. Maybe it might have worked better by mixing the chapters up by time frame and character rather than by repeating the same time frame in one hit. That small niggle aside I loved this book and just had to get to the end to find out what the truth was. I was surprised by the ending, but at the same time it was always a possibility in my mind. Overall, a hugely enjoyable book and I will look forward to reading more by this author in this genre.