Category: General Fiction

Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

Synopsis: When the love of your life says you’re not The One, who are you?

Lizzy and Ian have been a couple since the first week of university. Now, after celebrating a decade together, everyone thinks they’re about to get engaged.

Instead, a romantic escape to Dubai leaves Lizzy with no ring, no fiancé and no future.

Lizzy is heartbroken – but through the tears, she sees an opportunity. This is her moment to discover what she’s been missing while playing Ian’s ideal ‘better half’.

But how much has Ian changed her, and who should she be without him?

Determined to discover who she is at heart, Lizzy sets out to rediscover the girl she was before – and, in the meantime, have a little fun . . .

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Well I have to say this is a bit of a departure from the normal Giovanna Fletcher writing style but one that I absolutely loved. Lizzy has been with Ian since Uni and she has their whole lives planned out, even if it is only in her imagination. When they go on a trip to Dubai Lizzy is convinced that this is ‘it’. Instead she finds herself at the polar opposite of where she thought she would be and flies home a single woman. This throws her and she returns to her Mum’s house to lick her wounds and find out who she really is.

The reason I say this is a departure is that it doesn’t follow suit with some of her other fabulous books where everything is wrapped up neatly by the end. This isn’t about Lizzy finding the man of her dreams which will fix everything, it’s about her journey from being part of a couple to suddenly re-discovering what she likes to do and the things she wants from life.

All of the additional characters were brilliant in this book especially her friendship with her friend Connie. Then there is her very funny sister Michelle, her Mum and husband, her Dad and a whole fleet of other people who pass through. This truly was a fantastic read if only because I think it will resonate with so many people. It’s been written with humour and love throughout without the condescending tone that some books manage to spill out. It was a sheer joy to read and I loved every page of it. Although I absolutely loved her other type of books such as Billy & Me this really was a brilliant book. The icing on the cake was the ending where it’s not all wrapped up and the options for Lizzy are limitless, bravo Giovanna!

I Heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk (I Heart #7)

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Synopsis: Winter in Manhattan…and someone’s keeping a secret.

The day her husband Alex picks up a backpack and goes travelling, Angela Clark promises to stay out of trouble and keep both Louboutins on the ground.

So when her best friend’s boyfriend confides in her, it can’t hurt to help him pick out a ring at Tiffany’s surely?

And when her fashion magazine announces major changes, being terminally late and arguing with your boss isn’t that bad, is it?

Then suddenly there’s another big secret Angela’s got to keep – and the man she loves is still thousands of miles away. As the wedding of the year looms, and Manhattan switches on its Christmas lights, Angela is going to need her friends by her side as her old life looks set to change forever.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: It’s been far too long since I read a book in this series but it took me no time at all to get back into the swing of it with the loveable Angela Clarke. Angela is settled in New York and seems to have it all now, but as loyal readers will know everything Angela does is NEVER easy. This time around her husband Alex is on travels to Asia and Angela is left in New York which would be fine…until she discovers a secret. I know as one of those loyal readers that secrets and Angela don’t mix very well. IN fact is almost always a recipe for disaster and this latest book is no different.

What makes this series so special is not only Angela herself but the characters we have met along her journey such as Jenny Lopez her best friend. These two are a match made in heaven and some of the things they get up to had me roaring with laughter. In addition Angela has issues at work where she is Editor of Gloss magazine. With Alex away travelling we don’t actually see too much of him but in all honesty this book was all about Angela and Jenny and it just worked. 

I’m fearful of saying anything else about the storyline, because it really will be a spoiler for those that haven’t read it yet. Suffice to say that I absolutely loved this book and feel like I have severely missed out having not read any Kelk books for some time! I have seen other readers and reviewers say this may be the end of the series. I can’t say I have seen that anywhere but will be truly gutted if that’s the case. Besides the ending is left open for a corker of a next book if that’s not the case. This truly was a joy to read and I will be moving my unread Kelk stand alone books firmly up my to read list.

Ladies Who Launch by Milly Johnson (Short Story)

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Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: So the follow up from the Short Story Here Come The Boys is this one and it’s a perfect continuation and wrap up of both Angie and Selina’s story. Angie and Selina are now firm friends following their years of not speaking after their school days. Their last trip resulted in Seina making the brave decision to leave her husband and it made Angie see what she had waiting for her at home!

This book seemed a little shorter than the last and I literaly read it in about 10 minutes. I think this would have been better being added on to the last short story. Unfortunately about 40% of this was the short story and the rest is extracts from another MJ book. Couldn’t helpp being a little bit dissapointed but am hoping we return with a full length book at some point to see how Angie and Selina are getting on.

Here Come The Boys by Milly Johnson (Short Story)

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Synopsis: Angie Silverton and her husband are taking a much-needed holiday on the cruise ship Mermaidia, so the last person she hopes to bump into is her one-time best friend Selina who stole the love of her life and married him twenty years ago. 

And what she needs even less is to be marooned in Malaga with Selina when both of them manage to miss boarding the ship in port. 

It will take three days for them to travel across Europe to catch up with the ship again in Croatia. And in the company of each other twenty-four/seven, a lot of old baggage is going to be unloaded. 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Considering I don’t read short stories this is the second of Milly Johnson’s I’ve read in the same amount of weeks:-) Angie and her very loveable husband Gil are taking their very first trip aboard a cruise ship. From the moment they start their journey on the coach they realise this will be very different to what they are used to. No sooner have they arrived do they start to meet some onboard friends all of whom had their own part to play in this story.

Both Angie and Gil are such likeable charaters however when Gill is suffering from sea sickness when they dock in Malaga, Angie decides to do some shopping on her own. What she didn’t bank of was not making the ship in time and being stranded. Not only that she ends up being stranded with her ex-best friend who went off and married the man she was supposed to end up with.

This story was a delight to read and as soon as I had finished I checked out whether there was a continuation of sorts andd sure enough the short story named ‘Ladies Who Launch’ appeared and hey Presto, my next Milly Johnson arrived on my Kindle. It’s been far too long since I read this lady’s books it certainly put me back in that zone! A great short read… 

Blog Tour: A Cosy Candelit Christmas by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: It’s the week before Christmas and Isla McCoy has just received an unexpected gift: a letter announcing she is due a life-changing inheritance, but only if she’s willing to make amends with the father who abandoned her.

She has absolutely no intention of forgiving him, but who could resist an all-expenses-paid trip to the French resort of St Martin-de-Belleville?

There she meets smooth-talking Justin and nerdy glaciologist Sebastian; two very different men, with two very different agendas. Torn between her head and her heart, Isla finds herself utterly lost in a winter wonderland of her own feelings.

Surrounded by twinkling candles and roaring log-fires, Isla’s resolve finally begins to melt. But will she learn how to reconnect, not only with a whole new family, but with herself and her heart?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I really enjoyed the last book by Tilly featuring Isla’s friend Dodie. However I wanted to get stuck in with this book as I was curious about her best friend Isla. This book moves on to the same time period as Dodie, but we get to catch up with what Isla has done. Isla has had a strange phone call saying that her Grandmother she never knew has left her something in her will. However, that means visiting the French resort of St Martin-de-Belleville and seeing the Father who walked out on her and her Mum when she was a girl. <blog_break>

As Isla arrives in the resort she has no idea but upon meeting Dahlia the owner of the place she is staying, and geeky but loveable Glaciologist Sebastian things seem to take a turn for the better. I absolutely adored Sebastian and although Isla is quite prickly and defensive you could tell that she was thawing to both him and the lovely Dahlia that owns the hotel. Tilly does a cracking job describing this beautiful place and it was easy to fall in love with it all as you read.

There are certainly some hairy moments as Isla faces her fears and meets not only the Father she doesn’t know but the new step mother and half siblings. There are a couple of curveballs going on and you get the feeling that all is not as it seems on the surface. However, Isla doesn’t suffer fools gladly and you can see her battling to do the right thing. What I did love was that the process wasn’t shown to be easy. If she would have met her Dad and everything was instantly wonderful it wouldn’t have had the same impact.

I read this book in just two sittings and absolutely loved it. As much as I enjoyed reading about Dodie in book 1, geeky Seb and stern Isla stole the show and this book was definitely my favourite of the 2. A wonderful book and a perfect Christmas present!

No One Ever Has Sex on Christmas Day by Tracy Bloom

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Synopsis: Katy’s been stuck in the office away from her family so she wants it all: snow (fake or real), the Michael Bublé Christmas album, whatever it takes. 

There’s only one thing missing as far as her husband Ben is concerned: another baby to complete their family. But Katy isn’t so sure she’s ready yet…

Ben may be playing the role of Master Elf in the pre-school nativity but he is struggling to master his own family life. With romantically-challenged friends, an ex who refuses to go away and Katy’s mum’s 64-year-old toy boy thrown into the mix, Christmas looks like it could be going off the rails… Never mind family planning, can Katy and Ben even plan to make it to the end of Christmas Day? 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have really enjoyed some of Tracy Bloom’s books and especially since I read the previous book featuring Katy and Ben I was keen to see what had happened to them. Even if you haven’t read that book you can certainly read this as a stand alone, but I found it so much more enjoyable to go back and see where they had got to.

Following on from the last books debacle, Katy is now living in her little house with Ben and their daughter Milly. All Ben seems to want is another baby to complete their little family, however Katy doesn’t know what she wasnts. To add to her woes, when her Mum skypes her to tell her that she had left Katy’s father and found herself a toyboy AND that she was bringing him over for Christmas she doesn’t know what to think. We also see a lot of Braindead who is Ben’s closest pal and as the name suggests not the brightest spark at times.

The other characters are Matthew and Allison who are expecting baby number four. Matthew is Katy’s ex which makes for a more complicated story than usual. Allison seems to have an ovedoes of hormones making her slight dillusional at times but to be fair also make for some amusing elements of the story. 

This story had some very funny moments in it, and also some slightly chatoic crazy moments in it, but overall was another fantastic read. Tracy Bloom has certainly written a very amusing and entertaining story with characters that you can’t help but laugh at. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea but it certainly put a smile on my face. I would definitely recommend this as an easy to read book that will certainly make you laugh. Can’t wait for the next TB book.

The Barn on Half Moon Hill by Milly Johnson (Short Story)

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Synopsis: Cariad Williams has been writing to Franco Mezzaluna since they were kids. But he has never written back. And now he has become a famous film star. What’s more, he is due to visit Winterworld, the Christmas theme park where Cariad works. The only problem is that she has boasted to her friends that he is her boyfriend and now everyone will find out about her lie…
An exclusive short story from Milly Johnson to raise funds for the Care for Claire charity.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I’m not that much of a fan of short stories as no sooner have I got into the story it’s finishing. However with this book being part of a charity to raise funds for the Car for Claire Charity I figured it was a good enough reason to read it.

As usual Milly Johnson manages to createe characters I like instantly and Cariad is no different. A lady that spent years writing to Franco Mezzaluna her childhood friend. The only problem is he has never written back and has now become a famous film star.

With the imminent arrival of Franco to the town where Cariad lives her tension mounts and she has no idea what to expect. A lovely short story with a lovely ending albeit a story I could have continued reading about as I would have loved to have known what happened next for all the characters involved. Although short stories aren’t really my thing this was for a great cause and Milly’s writing does just the thing and this 80 page treat was perfect to cheer me up one lunch break!

Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances by Sue Watson

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Synopsis: Escape to the cosy little village of Appledore for hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and a second chance at love. Will this Christmas prove that miracles really can happen?

A year after she separated from her husband, Gianni, on Christmas day, Chloe’s heart is finally on the mend as she unpacks the decorations for her first ever festive holiday alone. That is, until the phone rings…

It’s the manager of Gianni’s new seaside restaurant in Appledore, begging for Chloe’s help. Equally famous for his gold-leaf Christmas puddings and his explosive temper, Gianni has been really stirring up a sensation with the locals – and not in a good way! It’s the last thing she wants to do, but Chloe knows she is the only one that can help.

As pans fly and the temperature in the kitchen rises, Chloe’s calming influence and magic touch might just get critics back on side in time to save the restaurant from sinking like a sad soufflé. But as Chloe’s eyes meet Gianni’s as they tussle over a plate of turkey tartlets, could there also be a chance for new romance on the menu? 

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I am as many of you know a huge Sue Watson fan, but that’s not to say I adore every one of her books…but this one I ABSOLUTELY do! This book is Christmas wrapped up in a toe tinglingly festive read, that needs to be accompanied preferably with an open fire and a mug of hot chocolate. Sue has written a few books set in Appledore, and although they are all standalone books they all feature some recurring characters. Appledore is a quaint little place near the sea and it’s where Chloe’s estranged husband Gianni has gone to open his latest restaurant. 

Chloe and Gianni are separated and as the story begins we take a walk down memory ane with Chloe and she describes their past and how they have reached the place they are both at now. With Gianni retreating to Appledore to open a restaurant after turning his back on the glitz and almost celebrity status he had in London, his fiery italian temper has got him in to hot water. With signs of his restaurant dying before it’s even begun Gianni’s Manager asks for Chloe’s help. Chloe who has spent a year building her career in events decides that rather than spend Christmas alone she will help Gianni try and salvage his restaurant (and reputation) and maybe they will become friends..

I instantly loved both these lead characters and they are extremely funny. Gianni with his ridiculous interpretation of the English language leads to some funny moments when he is explaining his thoughts on the beach! I can’t say that this is the most original storyline but it’s positively packed to the brim with Christmas spirit and a good old-fashioned romance. What made the story so enjoyable for me was the characters and the place itself. Having read all the other books set in Appledore I was thrilled to see the return (albeit fleetingly) of some familiar places such as Roberta, Dani and Sue.

We see Chloe and Gianni battle both on a personal front as well as a business one. Although the majority of the storyline is constantly peppered with humour there are more serious issues meaning both characters have their own chinks in their armour and makes them all the more likeable  The character Marco (who again featured in previous books) was a perfect fit into this story too! I read this in one sitting and loved every single page. If you are looking for a festive read that will make you smile then this here is the answer. One word of warning though, don’t read it if yu are hungry as you may find yourself reaching for food! This would be the perfect stocking filler and is highly recommended!

BLOG TOUR: WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE CHRISTMAS BY JENNY HALE

Synopsis: Christmas has always been a special time for Noelle Parker. Winter evenings spent with family and friends, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies at her family’s cozy bakery have shaped her love for all things festive. But this year everything is changing…

The beloved bakery is facing closure and Noelle needs a miracle to save Christmas.

Determined to raise funds for the family business, Noelle sets about revamping the bakery while juggling a surprise new job, caring for the elderly and cantankerous William Harrington in his luxurious, sprawling mansion.

As Noelle melts the frostiness of the house with cake baking, snowball fights and glittering decorations, she helps William to reconnect with a romance that has spanned decades and unexpectedly finds herself falling for his grandson – the gorgeous but mysterious Alexander Harrington…

In the countdown to Christmas, can Noelle save the bakery, reunite a family and create some magical memories of her own along the way?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I was thrilled to be a part of Jenny Hale’s blog tour as I am a huge fan! This latest Christmas themed book was an absolute corker and I loved it. Noelle Parker is in danger of losing the family bakery and as such she is pulling out all the stops to try and raise as much money as possible to be able to save it from closing. In her quest for money she finds a new job working for William Harrington and caring for him in his ridiculously large mansion house. The benefit for Noelle is that it’s a live-in position which enables her to live there with her son Lucas.

As time goes on Noelle and William form a bond and the story adds another layer, and then Noelle meets William’s Grandson Alexander and another element is added to the story. I don’t really want to re-has any elements of the storyline as it’s so much more enjoyable when you discover it yourself. What I will say is that this book just felt perfect for the Christmas season, love and romance, a fabulously engaging storyline and a splash of snow, you can’t really ask for too much more. I loved the characters in this book and I always think Jenny Hale does an amazing job with her descriptions as I literally feel transported reading her books.

Another cracking book by Jenny Hale and even though I think Summer at Oyster Bay remains my favourite of hers this definitely takes a close second. A wonderful book that I devoured in a day and would highly recommend.

Blog Tour: A Very Vintage Christmas by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: The fairy lights are up and shoppers are flooding the snowy seaside promenade. It’s going to be a busy month at Forget-Me-Not Vintage, a magical shop with a warm heart where every item has a story to be told. 


With bright red hair and an infectious smile, Dodie is a hopeless romantic and absolutely one of a kind, just like the pieces in her shop.

When Dodie finds a love letter in the pocket of an old woollen coat, she makes it her mission to deliver it to its rightful owner. Following the address, she manages to persuade the handsome but reluctant new tenant, Edward, to help her with her search.

As the story of the letter unfolds, Dodie is there, as always, to pick up the pieces and make things right. But who will be there for her when her own love story needs a helping hand?

Is it too much to dream of a happy ending like the ones in the black and white movies she adores? 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have loved Tilly’s books that I have read in the past and was looking forward to indulging in the one of the many Christmas Themed books I have at the moment (it’s never too early right?). The cover is to die for and gives it that Christmassy feel however although the book is centered around Christmas time it’s not too much overkill which I liked. Dodie is a little quirky, she dyes her hair all sorts of colours and owns and runs a Vintage clothing store in town. She finds a letter in among some bits she has brought but all she has is the name of the people who wrote and received the letter and an address. Considering it was in 1944 she has her work cut out but wants to know more about the people involved.

On her quest to find out more she meets Ed who somehow gets involved in her search. Other notable characters were Dodie’s friend Isla, her slightly kooky Gran and even Nick, the homeless guy who Dodie talks to. Dodie’s Gran definitely stole the limelight for me and it was hillarious listening to her regular updates on what ‘classes’ she was attending! It took me a few chapters to get into the story but once there I was completely enthralled.The story of the Wartime romance adds another level to this book and for me made it so much more interesting as it intertwines with Dodie’s life. Overall this is another great book by Tilly and what makes it even better is knowing there is another installment soon! A Cosy Candlelit Christmas is being released in October 2017 and features Isla who is seen in this story. I can’t wait to get started on it!