Review of Those Summer Nights by Mandy Baggot - Five **


Blurb:

Sunshine, soft white sand and a sizzling hot millionaire – you don’t get trouble in paradise, right?

Imogen Charlton is sorted. Dead-beat husband? History. Dream job? Application sent. But then her impulsive brother, Harry, spends every last penny on a Greek restaurant in Corfu, and is determined to run it himself. It’s up to Imogen to bring him to his senses.

When sexy millionaire Panos Dimitriou offers to buy back his family taverna, Imogen wonders if all her prayers have been answered (and all her fantasies about to come true). But Harry won’t budge, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Bright pink bougainvillea tumbling over whitewashed walls, endless blue skies, the sparkling Mediterranean; it’s hard not to fall for Corfu. And that’s not all Imogen is falling for…

As the sparks of passion fly between Imogen and Panos, is Imogen having second thoughts on selling the restaurant? And will she have to choose between love and a new dream?

This summer, spend long sunny days on the beach, and balmy nights in Greek tavernas on the gorgeous island of Corfu. Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Miranda Dickinson and Lindsey Kelk.

Review:

Wow! Where do I start? This book is a fabulous summer read! Mandy always captures Corfu so brilliantly and this is probably the best so far. 

Set away from the main tourist areas, the book follows brother and sister Harry & Imogen as Harry sets about opening a restaurant in Corfu. We meet their families and learn about Harry's struggle with Bipolar disease, following an accident at work. 

Once in Corfu, we quickly meet Panos, who has other ideas for the beachfront where the restaurant is situated. We also meet Elpida, Panos' grandmother, who is the most marvellous character. Her sense of humour and kindness shine out of the pages.

Panos and Imogen sizzle when they meet - despite the fact that they are very much on opposite sides on the development of the beachfront. Their story is lovely - and unusual in the fact that they can't understand why the other opposes their wishes for the village, but have to acknowledge their mutual attraction at the same time.

There are so many special moments in the book - the market, the festival, the dance, the after-dance (no more details!), Panos' story of his father - I could go on forever.

I spent the last 3 chapters saying No! No! to myself - I was very worried!

When I finished, I felt bereft and promptly went online to view holidays to Corfu ;) Well done Mandy - a warm, funny, summery read - perfect for the pool, especially if it's in Corfu!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Review of The Summer Escape by Lily Graham - Four **


Blurb:

Amongst the beautiful olive groves and sea-front tavernas, summer has arrived on the sun-drenched island of Crete.

After losing the love of her life, Ria’s life has been on hold. So when her boss becomes completely unbearable she makes the snap decision to run away to the Greek island of Crete, armed only with her passport. 

When Ria finds herself working for eccentric novelist Caroline, she meets handsome vineyard owner Tom. He’s charming, mysterious and Ria starts to wonder if it’s not just the beautiful Greek island that she’s falling for.

But as Ria gets to know Tom better, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets. What is he hiding? Ria has some secrets of her own. Can she open up to Tom and learn to live again?

This summer, escape to the sun with this charming and emotional story about starting over and grabbing happiness with both hands.

Review:

Am loving all these summery reads at the moment! Lily's book is literally an escape to Crete and the descriptions had me looking up holidays there!

Ria is half greek, and after a particularly stressful day brought about by her unsympathetic boss, she jumps on a plane to Crete. The book follows her story as she gradually unwinds, finds a job and meets the locals - both English and Greek.

I loved the story and mystery surrounding the vineyard and Tom's cautious advances. Caroline was a great character and their conversations were very funny! 

The food was so well described throughout the book, as were the smells of the herbs and flowers growing in Crete. I could almost taste and smell them myself!

An all round beautiful summer read - and if you can read it on a Greek beach, so much the better!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Review of Something Old, Something New by Darcie Boleyn - Five **


Blurb:

When Annie Thomas agrees to give her ex away at his wedding to his boyfriend, she thinks she’ll be fine. With her three children at her side, she can handle anything. Then she finds out her gorgeous first ex-husband Evan Llewellyn is flying in from his glamorous life in New York to attend as well!

An unexpected pregnancy ended their relationship and as she stumbles through the ups and downs of life as a working single mum – helping everyone else find a happy ending along the way – Annie refuses to believe their old and incredibly hot spark can still exist.

It’s only when she and Evan are forced to face up to the past together that they’ll discover if they can have their own happily-ever-after too!

Review: 

I loved Darcie's last book, Wish Upon a Christmas Cake and was very happy to see this! It was a really good, funny book that dealt with modern issues very well. I was a little started to see Annie's name in full - Annie Thomas - that was my maiden name, and I used to be a teacher, so the coincidences were strong. However I have only been married and divorced once, whereas Annie has been through it twice! The story follows Annie as she negotiates her way through life with both her exes, her 3 children, 2 Bulldogs (with very funny names), her best friend and her secret desires. The family are very well written and all totally believable - as I said - they all have to deal with current day issues and we find out so much more about them all as they do. Fabulous ending - I admired Annie's courage! I was given an ARC from NetGalley and Carina UK in exchange for an honest review. Amazon UK

Review of Summer at Rose Island by Holly Martin - Five **


Blurb:

Fall in love with the gorgeous seaside town of White Cliff Bay this summer and enjoy long sunny days, beautiful beaches and… a little romance. 

Darcy Davenport is ready for a fresh start. Determined to leave a string of disastrous jobs and relationships behind her, she can’t wait to explore White Cliff Bay and meet the locals. 

When Darcy swims in the crystal clear waters of the bay, she discovers the charming Rose Island Lighthouse. But it’s not just the beautiful building that she finds so intriguing… 

Riley Eddison doesn’t want change. Desperate to escape the memories of his past, he lives a life of solitude in the lighthouse. Yet he can’t help but notice the gorgeous woman who swims out to his island one day. 

Darcy is drawn to the mysterious and sexy Riley, but when it seems the town is trying to demolish his home, she soon finds herself having to pick sides. 

She’s fallen in love with White Cliff Bay. But is that all Darcy’s fallen for? 

Pull up a deck chair, sink back with a bowl of strawberry ice cream and pick up the summer read you won’t be able to put down. 

Review:

This is a lovely feel-good book with a couple of nice twists that make it a little different. It's the third book set in White Cliff Bay - but all can be read as standalones.

Darcy has a string of failed jobs and comes to White Cliff Bay to start a new job with the local council.
Riley is a reclusive American living in the lighthouse on Rose Island.

The lighthouse is under threat and Darcy marshalls the townspeople - and Riley - to save it. The book follows Darcy & Riley's developing relationship and the attempt to save the lighthouse.

I loved the story - and the fact that Darcy is a marine biologist certainly made a change! There is a lot of humour in the book - as usual with Holly's books and a couple of "Gasp!" moments too!

Some of the characters in the town are so funny and I read the summer fete chapter twice! Absolutely hysterical!

I sincerely hope this isn't the last one in the series - I love my visits to White Cliff Bay!

I was given an ARC by NetGalley & Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Review of See How They Run by Tom Bale - Five **

Blurb:

How far would you go to save your family?

In the dead of night, new parents Alice and Harry French are plunged into their worst nightmare when they wake to find masked men in their bedroom. Men ruthless enough to threaten their baby daughter, Evie. 

This is no burglary gone wrong. 
The intruders know who they’re looking for – a man called Edward Renshaw. 
And they are prepared to kill to get to him. 

When the men leave empty handed, little do Alice and Harry realise that their nightmare is just beginning. Is it a case of mistaken identity? Who is Renshaw? And what is he hiding? 

One thing is clear – they already know too much. 

As Alice and Harry are separated in the run for their lives, there is no time to breathe in their fight to be reunited. And with their attackers closing in, there is only one choice: 

STAY ALIVE. OR DON’T. 

Terrifying, unputdownable and full of twists and turns, this stunning thriller will have you on the edge of your seat right to the very last page. 

Review:

I'm not a major thriller fan, but had heard everyone raving about this book, so thought I'd give it a go.

Have you ever read a book where you were too scared to turn the page?? I did once with Turn of the Screw - but I was 13 and alone in a new house. Now I can safely say I have had that experience twice. See How They Run is so tense, it became difficult to breathe at times, never mind manage to turn the page!

It starts with what appears to be a terrifying case of mistaken identity. Harry & Alice breathe a sigh of relief when it is over and they are left in peace with their tiny daughter, Evie. But, as Tom so succinctly puts it: this was only the beginning.

Throughout the book you have no idea who Harry and Alice can trust - and, indeed, if they can trust themselves and each other. 

An absolute masterpiece of a thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Amazon UK - only 99p!!

Amazon US - only 99c!!

Review of Summer at the Cornish Cafe by Phillipa Ashley - Five **


Blurb:

One summer can change everything . . .

Recommended for readers who loved Summer at Shell Cottage, The Cornish House, Tremarnock and Poldark.

“Warm and funny and feel-good. The best sort of holiday read.” Katie Fforde

"Filled with warm and likeable characters. Great fun!" Jill Mansell

Demi doesn’t expect her summer in Cornwall to hold anything out of the ordinary. As a waitress, working all hours to make ends meet, washing dishes and serving ice creams seems to be as exciting as the holiday season is about to get.

That’s until she meets Cal Penwith. An outsider, like herself, Cal is persuaded to let Demi help him renovate his holiday resort, Kilhallon Park. Set above an idyllic Cornish cove, the once popular destination for tourists has now gone to rack and ruin. During the course of the Cornish summer, Demi makes new friends – and foes – as she helps the dashing and often infuriating Cal in his quest. Working side by side, the pair grow close, but Cal has complications in his past which make Demi wonder if he could ever truly be interested in her.

Demi realises that she has finally found a place she can call home. But as the summer draws to a close, and Demi’s own reputation as an up and coming café owner starts to spread, she is faced with a tough decision . . .

A gorgeous story exploring new beginnings, new love and new opportunities, set against the stunning background of the Cornish coast. Phillipa Ashley has written a feisty, compelling heroine who leaps off the page and encourages you to live your summer to the full.

Recommended for readers who loved Summer at Shell Cottage, The Cornish House, Tremarnock and Poldark.

Review:

If you love Cornwall and romances set there, then you have come to the right place. This book has it all. Great characters, a hot man, a red-headed, independent woman, nasty neighbours (Mawgan is HORRIBLE!), thwarted love. a fabulous dog - and glorious Cornish scenery! It is funny, sad, and absorbed me from the first paragraph. Following Cal and Demi as their relationship changed was great fun - they make a perfect couple - each only too aware of the other's faults - and not afraid to mention them! There were some lovely twists to the story, which were unexpected, Polly really adds to the story and her life observations are very funny. And I thought there might be a serious "accident" on the roof! I also predict that the most read pages will feature a towel. I've read all Phillipa's books and have never once been disappointed. This is yet another fantastic read and I can highly recommend it. If I gave more than 5*, I would!  Roll on book 2 and the continuing tale of Cal and Demi! I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review. Amazon UK Amazon US

Review of  Cupcakes and Confetti: The Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Five **


Blurb:

Brides by the Sea, the cutest little wedding shop in all of Cornwall, has it all, including cake baker Poppy who lives upstairs. But wedding planning is not the piece of cake Poppy thought it would be, and when her best friend Cate’s wedding planner walks out, Poppy has to tie up the loose ends so her bestie can tie the knot.

Double-booked venues, ‘rustic’ locations and gorgeous but grumpy farmer Rafe have this wedding pro feeling like she could be Cate’s ‘something blue.’

Will the wedding, the shop and the cake all come crashing down on her? Or will Poppy pull it off to give Cate – and herself – the happy ever afters they deserve?

This is the first full-length novel in a brand new series set in Cornwall. Look out for the next books in The Little Wedding Shop by the Sea series,

Review:

What a lovely book! Cakes, weddings, handsome men, good friends - the perfect recipe!

Poppy takes a temporary job as a wedding coordinator for the farm where her friend Immie works. There is only one problem - Rafe, the owner. He is a rude and moody individual who doesn't like cake so Poppy's usual method of placating people doesn't work with him!

She becomes immersed in her job and slowly but surely Rafe starts to thaw. But there is also an attractive wedding photographer - what will Poppy do?

There are lovely weddings to enjoy, brides from hell to tolerate - and a lot of Prosecco! Some very funny lines and the farm residents soon become a way of life to city girl Poppy!

Looking forward to the next one - thank you to NetGalley and HarperImpulse for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon UK

Amazon US