Annie's Book Corner

Review of Just For the Holidays by Sue Moorcroft - 5**

The book came out a short while ago, but we decided to save my blog for Midsummer's Day :)

Blurb:

The #1 bestselling author returns for summer! Grab your sun hat, a cool glass of wine, and the only book you need on holiday…

In theory, nothing could be better than a summer spent basking in the French sun. That is, until you add in three teenagers, two love interests, one divorcing couple, and a very unexpected pregnancy.

Admittedly, this isn’t exactly the relaxing holiday Leah Beaumont was hoping for – but it’s the one she’s got. With her sister Michele’s family falling apart at the seams, it’s up to Leah to pick up the pieces and try to hold them all together.

But with a handsome helicopter pilot staying next door, Leah can’t help but think she might have a few distractions of her own to deal with…

Review:

It's always a red letter day when a new book comes out from Sue and I couldnt wait to read this.

And I certainly wasn't disappointed. It has everything - love interest, dysfunctional families, handsome pilot, beautiful scenery and a lot of laughs.

As always, Sue creates deep, meaningful characters, interesting interactions and complicated relationships in the space of one book. I really felt for Leah, going on holiday with her sister's family, whilst her sister and brother-in-law were going through a very rough patch in their marriage. The holiday didn't promise to be a barrel of laughs!

But it was - it was all about self-discovery, mending and making do and the complications that children can bring to any situation. And it was very funny at times!

Thank you, Sue, for yet another great book and I look forward to Christmas!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

And for an added Midsummer's Day Bonus here is Sue talking about her favourite things about summer:

Ten Things I Love About Summer – to celebrate Midsummer’s Day

by Sue Moorcroft

To celebrate my summer book, Just for the Holidays at midsummer, Annie has kindly invited me over to tell you ten things I love about this, my favourite season. So here we go:

Sunshine. I love the feeling of sun on my skin, particularly after a long, dull patch of weather. I have freckles and my mum used to say it was the sun kissing me. I’ve never liked the freckles but I still love the warmth.

Being outside. Whether I’m at home or on holiday I love to eat (or drink, for that matter) outside. If this is with friends and loved ones, I like it even more.

Not having to wear coats and boots. Isn’t it great to just grab your bag and step outside without dragging on eighteen layers? It makes me feel liberated and light. If I stop for a chat I don’t get frostbite.

Long days. We’re just at the longest day now, when afternoons stretch into evenings that are warm and balmy. Dinner outside as well as lunch! The days feel more cheerful with so many hours to admire the blue (hopefully) sky.

Flowers. I know we get flowers in the other seasons but nothing quite as frothing and enthusiastic as those tubs and baskets of summer blooms appearing in gardens everywhere. When I went to Strasbourg to research Just for the Holidays the profusion of flowers made the bridges look as if they were edged with lace. Beautiful.

Thirst. Yes, I do count that a pleasure! A cold beer on a hot day is at least twice as nice as at any other time. Or wine! I’m equal opportunities as far as beer or wine are concerned. As above, best taken in the company of family or friends.

Children playing outside. Hearing their shouts and laughter seems part of summertime. OK, children do sometimes cry or argue but that always seems short lived.

Having windows open in the house or car to breathe in the fresh air without freezing.

Barbecues. Nothing tastes quite the same as proper barbecued food.

And, lastly … holidays! I know we can have them in winter too (I hardly ever get one then, however) but I love to walk by the sea or relax with a book at a pavement café.

Thanks to Annie for inviting me over. I hope that you all have a wonderful, sunny summer of blue skies and happy memories.

Best-selling author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary fiction with occasionally unexpected themes. The Christmas Promise rose to #1 in the Amazon Kindle chart; The Wedding Proposal, Dream a Little Dream and Is this Love? were all nominated for Readers’ Best Romantic Read Awards and Darcie’s Dilemma for Readers’ Best Short Romance. Love & Freedom won the Best Romantic Read Award 2011 and Dream a Little Dream was nominated for a RoNA in 2013. Sue’s a Katie Fforde Bursary Award winner, a past vice chair of the RNA and editor of its two anthologies.

Sue also writes short stories, serials, articles and writing ‘how to’.