Category: General Fiction

The Cake Shop in The Garden by Carole Matthews

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My Star Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn’t do all this, who will? Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she’s ever made. When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay’s entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn’t know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision – even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden. Continue reading “The Cake Shop in The Garden by Carole Matthews”

Rose Petal Beach by Dorothy Koomson

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Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Availability: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audio, Nook and Kobo

Synopsis: Every love story has a dangerous twist. Tamia Challey is horrified when her husband, Scott, is accused of something terrible – but when she discovers who his accuser is, everything goes into freefall. Backed into a corner and unsure what to think, Tamia is forced to choose who she instinctively believes. But this choice has dire consequences for all concerned, especially when matters take a tragic turn. Then a stranger arrives in town to sprinkle rose petals in the sea in memory of her lost loved one. This stranger carries with her shocking truths that will change the lives of everyone she meets, and will once again force Tamia to make some devastating choices… Continue reading “Rose Petal Beach by Dorothy Koomson”

Pieces of You by Ella Harper

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Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Available: Kindle, Paperback, Kobo, Nook

Synopsis: The perfect marriage. A devastating secret.  An impossible choice. Lucy was always sure of one thing – her future with husband and soulmate Luke. But after eight long, heart-breaking years trying to have a baby, that future is crumbling before her eyes. When a terrible accident puts Luke into a coma, Lucy is forced to reassess everything she thought she wanted. Then Stella arrives. A woman Lucy’s never met, but with a secret that will change her world forever.

My Review: I am a Sasha Wagstaff fan, and for those that don’t know Ella Harper is a pseudonym used by her for the release of this book. The characters are extremely likeable and Lucy and Luke are who the story centres around. They seem to have it all and as the story progresses we are taken back chapter by chapter to how and when they met. When we read about them in the current day, although their love for each other is blindingly obvious, Lucy’s need for a baby seems to be overshadowing everything. The premise is probably a familiar one with thousand across the world knowing just what Lucy is going through.

However, Lucy’s life becomes ten times worse when her paramedic Husband Luke is involved in an accident and lays in a coma. This is the catalyst for Lucy’s world to start crumbling. In addition to Lucy the other characters are their friends Dee and Dan, as well as Luke’s Mother Patricia, his sister Nell and brother Ade. There weren’t any characters I disliked and I thought they all brought something to the story.

The one thing I will say is that this isn’t exactly the most uplifting book you will read, it’s gritty and real and some people will say at times extremely upsetting. All of that aside, this was still a book I really didn’t want to put down and to be honest thought it was an extremely readable book that caught me hook line and sinker. Sasha Wagstaff it seems will now be getting herself a whole new bunch of fans with this type of book and I am really looking forward to what she has out next.

The Dandelion Years by Erica James

My Rating: 5/5

Available: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio, Kobo, Nook, Paperback due 18.06.15

Synopsis: Ashcombe was the most beautiful house Saskia had ever seen as a little girl. A rambling pink cottage on the edge of the Suffolk village of Melbury Green, its enchanting garden provided a fairy-tale playground of seclusion, a perfect sanctuary to hide from the tragedy which shattered her childhood.

Now an adult, Saskia is still living at Ashcombe and as a book restorer devotes her days tending to the broken, battered books that find their way to her, daydreaming about the people who had once turned their pages. When she discovers a notebook carefully concealed in an old Bible – and realising someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to hide a story of their own – Saskia finds herself drawn into a heart-rending tale of wartime love.

My Review:  I wasn’t entirely sure about the synopsis of this book but all those reservations went away when I started reading this latest release by Erica James. It was a bit of a slow burner but well worth the wait. Saskia seems something of a loner and following the death of her mother and grandmothers her life has fallen into an unusual situation. She lives with her father and two grandfathers in relative harmony. Saskia is a book restorer and along with her father they arrive at a job where Saskia finds a hidden notebook which soon becomes a bit of an obsession.

Saskia wasn’t a character I was drawn to immediately, but as you get to know her father and two grandfathers each character means you understand Saskia that little bit more. Matthew Grey is recovering from the death of the man closest to him Jacob, who he considered a father figure. When Saskia and Matthew meet they have no idea how they are linked but their awkward and faltering start makes for compulsive reading. 

The notebook is the second thread of the story and features a man who falls in love with the love of his life Kitty during the war. This element of the story was one that made me question whether I would enjoy the book, but Erica James has a way with storytelling that means it matters little what era you are in. The war time love tale between Kitty and the man in her life had me hooked. I would say this is the furthest from what I would traditionally read, but a book that took me completely by surprise. An absolutely wonderful book by an author I love, and I cannot recommend this highly enough!

Forgive Me by Lesley Pearce

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Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Available: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle, Audio, Nook, Kobo

Synopsis: Eva Patterson’s life is forever altered by the devastating discovery of her mother, Flora, dead in the bath leaving only a note: ‘Forgive Me’. Until Flora’s suicide, Eva’s world had been secure – but overnight everything changes. For when Flora leaves Eva a London artist’s studio in her will, she finds her mother had a secret past. In the studio’s attic are Flora’s paintings and diaries, and Eva learns her mother was a popular artist in the swinging sixties. Eva’s hunt for answers uncovers clues to a shocking crime which led Flora to hide her past. But will discovering the truth destroy Eva’s belief in everything she holds dear? And will this journey lead her and those she loves into danger?

My Review: I have never read a Lesley Pearce which I now realise was a huge mistake on my part. However, this gave me the added advantage of having no expectations when I started reading. The main character Eva Patterson is the lead character and the opening chapters put you firmly into the horrifying discovery Eva makes as she finds her mother following her suicide. It is this event that starts a chain reaction that is horrifying and I certainly didn’t expect from a book with some an endearingly beautiful cover.

Aside from her Mothers suicide it’s hard to mention anything else within the story for fear of spoiling it for others. As a reader you literally follow Eva throughout her life and as each new trauma unfolds you feel yourself willing her on and hoping that things turn out okay for her. It’s an extremely gripping book and I can honestly say buy the end of it I was certain that I needed to stock up on Lesley Pearse’s back catalogue.

From start to finish I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster and found myself utterly enthralled by this book. The cover (although beautiful) didn’t even give me the slightest hint that this book would be so full of drama and tension. I would truly recommend this book and am thrilled that I have discovered just how great an author she is. I am now eagerly looking forward to reading her other books.

Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Hallie has a secret. She’s in love. He’s perfect for her in every way, but he’s seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren’t going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn’t have long to live. Time is running out…

Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won’t be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends – let alone anything more.

Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she’s afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.

Three Amazing Things about You begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she’s about to be given new lungs. But whose?

Kat’s Review: For some reason, although I had this copy early, it just got pushed out of my mind. When I took a look through my books I realised with horror I still hadn’t read it and it had been out weeks. I made an immediate start and as usual devoured this in one sitting. The book revolves around three characters and although the synopsis doesn’t say too much (and neither will I), it’s clear when you start reading that this isn’t all going to be plain sailing.

The three main characters were all extremely likeable and their lives were full and happy for the most part. Hallie is the one who has an illness. It doesn’t stop her trying to do things, but with the clock ticking it seems like she really doesn’t have much time left. I really liked Hallie and her condition (which I confess I know nothing about) was written about sympathetically without it being ‘poor me’. I really liked her and she seemed like a ballsy kind of girl that would give anything a try.

There is also Flo who is the caring and nurturing one. She realises she has a problem when she falls for Zander, as his sister absolutely loathes Flo and is determined to make Flo’s life as difficult as possible. Lastly there is Tasha who made me laugh as we see her circumstances as she meets her boyfriend for the first time. I loved reading about all of the characters and the storylines have plenty going on in each of them. 

However, as the book continues, you just know that the murky ‘elephant in the room’ is there waiting to happen and you just don’t know who it’s going to effect. Eventually the reader discovers that all three women are linked, it’s just a hell of a journey to find out how. I am very aware this review may sound sketchy but I really don’t want to spoil the plot for people. All I will say is that this book is the usual exceptionally high standard from Jill Mansell and has a few tears as well as laughter along the way. This is a wonderful book that I truly adored and enjoyed from the first page to the last. Jill Mansell continues to amaze me with each and every release, and somehow never disappoints me. 5 Stars from me!

Behind Closed Doors by Susan Lewis

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My Rating: 3/5

Synopsis: When fourteen-year-old Sophie Monroe suddenly vanishes one night it looks at first as though she’s run away from home. Her computer and mobile phone have gone, and she’s taken a bag full of clothes. As the police investigation unfolds a wealth of secrets from the surrounding community start coming to light. And it seems everyone has something to hide. For Detective Sergeant Andrea Lawrence, the case is a painful reminder of the tragedy that tore her family apart over twenty years ago. She is convinced there is more to Sophie’s disappearance than teenage rebellion. But is the past clouding her judgment, preventing her from seeing a truth that neither she, nor Sophie’s family, would ever want to face?

Kat’s Review: I am a fan if Susan Lewis and am rarely disappointed. This latest book didn’t disappoint me, but it felt like there was something missing. The one thing I really loved was the Detective Sergeant Andrea Lawrence. She had her own experience with missing persons and it makes her such an interesting character as her past inevitably affects her future. The story becomes quite involved quite quickly as the 14 year old Sophie Monroe goes missing. The parents are distraught and the police move quickly to try and establish if she has run away of her own choice.

The storyline was certainly engaging and like I say the lead character was great, but the whole time I was reading it I felt like there was something I just couldn’t connect with. Having said that, it was still an incredibly good read, I guess I just have high expectations from this long time and reassuringly good author. There were parts where I felt like things were dragging and I wasn’t as engaged as I normally would be. 

Overall, an interesting and enjoyable read but not one of Susan Lewis best. I think when you buy an SL book you know you are in for a great story, but this one just wasn’t my cup of tea. 

SUMMER AT THE LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY BY JENNY COLGAN

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Summer has arrived in the Cornish town of Mount Polbearne and Polly Waterford couldn’t be happier. Because Polly is in love: she’s in love with the beautiful seaside town she calls home, she’s in love with running the bakery on Beach Street, and she’s in love with her boyfriend, Huckle.

And yet there’s something unsettling about the gentle summer breeze that’s floating through town. Selina, recently widowed, hopes that moving to mount Polbearne will ease her grief, but Polly has a secret that could destroy her friend’s fragile recovery. Responsibilities that Huckle thought he’d left behind are back and Polly finds it hard to cope with his increasingly long periods of absence.

Polly sifts flour, kneads dough and bakes bread, but nothing can calm the storm she knows is coming: is Polly about to lose everything she loves?

*Please note, If you plan on reading the first book, then do not continue to read this review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

My Review: OMG! I recently read The Little Beach Street Bakery and was overwhelmed. I just adored Polly Waterford as she makes a new life in Mount Polbearne. This time around we are back to re-visit them and it felt like I had never been away. Polly is now shacked up with her other half Huckle, and with her job at the bakery and weird choice of pet (a Puffin named Neil) life couldn’t be better.

However, things are about to change for Polly as her boss’ nephew turns up and starts creating havoc. In addition to the work issues Polly has, the recently widowed Selina turns up to live on the island. All of my favourite characters make a re-appearance too and I felt like I had never been away. Of course there is drama with a capital D, because wherever Polly goes, something just has to happen.

I was absolutely entranced from the first to the last page. I just adore Polly, Huckle, Neil and all the gang at Mount Polbearne and it felt like taking a holiday with friends. The story had funny moments, sad moments as well as the laugh out loud moments (especially where Neil is concerned). Jenny Colgan has a certain magic about her writing and it is always a joy to pick up one of her books and just escape from reality for a few hours. I am yet to not enjoy one of her books but Polly and the ‘Polbearne Posse’ are without a doubt my absolute favourites. This was a wonderful book that I didn’t want to end. Hugely recommended by me, that’s for sure!

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alex Brown (Tindledale #1)

51wy1tj5uflSynopsis: Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats, and jumpers. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the cock-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale. 

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas jumpers are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Continue reading “The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alex Brown (Tindledale #1)”

As Good As It Gets by Fiona Gibson

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: “Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!”

Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. Their fourteen years of marriage have been rather lovely so far, but things have been a bit odd lately. With their stunning 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, Charlotte can’t help but notice that things are changing in their household. As Will dusts down his old leather trousers and starts partying with their new, fun neighbours, Charlotte begins to wonder what on earth is going on. So when Fraser, Charlotte’s ex – and father of Rosie – suddenly arrives back on the scene, Charlotte starts to wonder what might have been…

Kat’s Review: Charlotte is a typical Mum to her kids Rosie and Ollie. She and her husband Will have been married for fourteen years and with Will unemployed life at home has become somewhat different. I liked Charlotte and instantly warmed to her. Life just ticks along and she constantly has to think about everybody else apart from herself.

When new neighbours move in across the road her husband’s behaviour changes and at that point Charlotte isn’t really sure what is going on. In addition to that Rosie, who is a typical 16 year old gets signed to a modelling agency and suddenly its all about the latest colour palette that’s in style. 

This book had its funny moments and also some moments where I was sure the ending would be very predictable. Thankfully the ending was just right and the story certainly kept me entertained. I liked the characters and Fiona Gibson has managed to make it light-hearted enough that the characters are very real. Having said all of that there was something that was maybe missing from this latest book that has been there for previous ones. I’m not sure what it was exactly but certainly lacking its usual oomph. Even though that may sound like a negative it was still a book I thoroughly enjoyed.