☀️Summer Reads ~ A Proposal in Provence by Alison Roberts

It’s that time of year again when I choose books which would make the perfect holiday reading. The stories which are easy enough to pick up and put down and which lend themselves, both by plot and characters, to lazy afternoons in the sunshine.

I’ll be sharing a few of the books which I think are perfect escapism summer reading. 

Look for #SummerReads

Boldwood
26 July 2026

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

In Provence’s golden heat, even guarded hearts surrender.

Tilly is an expert in love—just not her own. As the owner of A Promise in Provence, she creates exquisite marriage proposals for clients chasing happily-ever-afters in sun-drenched Provence. And along the way allows herself one dangerous indulgence: imagining what it might feel like to be loved that way herself.

But when Tilly arrives to meet her latest client, intensely private businessman Angus, it’s already a disaster. Angus is alone. There is no fiancée and no longer a proposal to plan. Instead of wasting the trip, Angus asks Tilly to show him the sights. With one strict condition: no mention of romance.

But Provence has other plans. Between vineyard lunches, sunlit chaos, and Tilly’s relentless optimism clashing with Angus’s careful restraint, attraction becomes impossible to ignore. As the lines between client and companion blur, they begin to wonder if love is easiest to find in the last place either of them expected.

☀️ My Review..

Tilly’s fledging business, A Promise in Provence, aims to deliver the perfect backdrop for a romantic marriage proposal and when she is contacted by Scottish businessman Angus McCleod she is determined to make sure everything goes exactly as arranged. However, when Angus arrives at the airport without his fiancée, Tilly is met with a man who has no romance in his soul, and is completely taken by surprise when Angus asks that the planned trip should still go ahead with Tilly as his guide but with absolutely no mention of romance.

What then follows is a wonderful trip around the beautiful region of Provence, which reads like a beautifully put together travelogue, complete with lavender fields and the most glorious descriptions of cosy French villages with beautiful scenery and stunning history. However, this is not just a love story to Provence, it’s also unashamedly romantic, with a story which melted my heart, whether it was sipping wine with Tilly and Angus in secluded vineyards, or floating through the sky in a hot air balloon, the story oozes romance in bucketfuls. 

A Proposal in Provence is a beautifully described and wonderfully written love story about taking a chance on love when the right person comes along. It’s the perfect read for a lovely summer’s day.

About the Author

Alison Roberts is the author of over one hundred romance novels, joining Boldwood to write ‘wish you were here’ fiction set in the South of France.

☀️Summer Reads ~ Secrets of the Italian Guesthouse by Sue Moorcroft

It’s that time of year again when I choose books which would make the perfect holiday reading. The stories which are easy enough to pick up and put down and which lend themselves, both by plot and characters, to lazy afternoons in the sunshine. 

I’ll be sharing a few of the books which I think are perfect escapism for summer reading. 

Look for #summerReads

Renegade Books
2 July 202

The Italian Legacy Book #1

My thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to review this book 

Two sisters she's never met…

A first love who's impossible to forget...

For Jade, life in Lake Como is la dolce vita. Until her beloved grandmother passes, leaving Jade not just the family's bustling guesthouse to run, but two life-changing secrets to confront...

The pensione hasn't just been left to Jade, it's also been inherited by her sisters - who she had no idea existed. As Erin and Rosalie arrive in Italy, Jade is forced to face the heart-wrenching prospect of sharing her last remaining tie to the woman who raised her.

Jade is desperately trying to hold on to the past, but there's one person she would prefer to leave firmly behind: her first love, Leo. He's back in the city that is filled with the memories they once made together. But as Jade fights to take control of her future and her heart, why do all cobbled roads lead back to Leo?

☀️My Review..

When Jade’s beloved grandmother passes away she is faced with the momentous discovery that she has two younger sisters who she knew absolutely nothing about and not only that but also Erin and Rosalie have inherited a share in the cosy Italian guesthouse which has been home to Jade all her life. Faced with such life changing uncertainty poor Jade has more than enough to worry about however, with an enviable stoicism, and with the occasional nudge, from her friends, she eventually comes round to the idea that she must learn to change and adapt to her new circumstances.

Beautifully written, and wonderfully descriptive, the area around Lake Como comes vibrantly to life, so much so, I feel like I have been on holiday, staying in the rather marvellous Pensióne Three Sisters which is situated in the old part of Como. It’s been such a pleasure to get know not only Jade but also the other lovely characters who have made this story such a joy to read. The place, the people, the atmosphere are all brought to life with such lovely detail that it’s difficult not to fall in love with everything as her friends pull together to help Jade when she feels that her life, as she knew it, is unraveling. Special mention must also go to the rather delicious Leo, Jade’s first love and now suddenly back at his parent’s hotel in Como after an absence of sixteen years.

Secrets of the Italian Guesthouse is an absolute joy from start to finish and is the most perfect summer read. I was sorry when the story ended, but reassured that the second book in this delightful new trilogy will be published in November. Can’t wait.. 😄 

About the Author

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author. Her novels have been #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US, Canada, Germany and Italy. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award, two HOLT Medallions and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She’s the president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.

Website: www.suemoorcroft.com

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☀️Summer Reads ~ One Scottish Summer by Kate Frost

It’s that time of year again when I choose books which would make the perfect holiday reading. The stories which are easy enough to pick up and put down and which lend themselves, both by plot and characters, to lazy afternoons in the sunshine.

I’ll be sharing a few of the books which I think are perfect escapism summer reading. 

Look for #Summer Reads

Boldwood
February 2026

My copy

Tilly Fernsby’s happiest memory is the summer spent on the Isle of Mull with best friend Logan Wray and his aunt Joy, exploring the beautiful Scottish island and making plans and promises for their future.

Returning together nearly fifteen years later after Logan inherits his beloved aunt’s house is a bittersweet experience. Overcome with sadness, they both carry regrets and secrets from that summer.

For Tilly it’s a chance to right a wrong and learn to open her heart without the fear of getting hurt. For Logan it’s an opportunity to make good on a promise while being honest about his true feelings.

With the help of Aunt Joy's journal filled with lost love, heartfelt words and sage advice, a new dawn of honest emotions emerges to the breath-taking island backdrop of lochs and mountains.

Will Tilly and Logan endure further heartache, or can a summer promise pave a way to everlasting happiness?

☀️ My Review..

Logan and Tilly spent time together as teenagers on the beautiful Scottish Isle of Mull. Returning to the island after a fourteen year break is both poignant and special for them especially as they are mourning the loss of Logan’s aunt Joy, who was so important to them when they were growing up. The intervening years have brought their own challenges for Logan and Tilly and whilst they went their own way they never stopped caring for each other.

This friends-to-lovers story is beautifully evocative of time and place, I enjoyed watching Logan and Tilly’s new relationship start to develop whilst at the same time loving spending time on the Isle of Mull, a place I visited a few years ago, and which the author brings alive in her vivid description of island life. Logan and Tilly’s new relationship journey is not without its challenges however, the author shares these difficulties with a light touch and a lovely eye for detail. I especially enjoyed reading Aunt Joy’s personal journals which add an another evocative dimension to this lovely story.

One Scottish Summer is a light and easy romantic story. It’s a perfect accompaniment to an afternoon in the garden and a lovely summer read.

About the Author

Kate Frost is the author of several bestselling romantic escape novels including The Greek Heart, and The Love Island Bookshop. She lives in Bristol and is the Director of Storytale Festival, a book festival for children and teens she co-founded in 2019.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katefrostauthor

Twitter: @katefrostauthor #OneScottishSummer

Instagram: @katefrostauthor

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Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-frost

☀️ Summer Reads ~ Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

 It’s that time of year again when I choose books which would make the perfect holiday reading. The stories which are easy enough to pick up and put down and which lend themselves, both by plot and characters, to lazy afternoons in the sunshine.

I’ll be sharing a few of the books which I think are perfect escapism summer reading. 

Look for #SummerReads

Michael Joseph
7 May 2026

My thanks to the publisher for the copy of the book

Two best friends. Seven days in paradise. One last chance to fall in love, or fall apart...

Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight. They’ve always clashed and come back together—it’s what they do. Until now. On the eve of her wedding, Frankie doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.

As she loses hope, in walks George. For one glorious evening, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note behind.

Crushed and confused, Frankie only wants to wallow. But George has a different idea. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.

Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. 

Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good.

📖 My Review..

Frankie is celebrating the build up to her marriage to Nate and yet is desperately awaiting the arrival of her best man. George has been her best friend since they bonded as children when George came to live with his grandmother. Through good times, and bad, George and Frankie have been each other’s comfort but it’s only when Frankie’s fiancé unexpectedly jilts her on the very eve of their wedding that Frankie is forced to confront just what is going on in her life and how important George really is to her.

Unashamedly romantic, this best friends-to-lovers genre is done with the ease of a writer who knows how to blend her characters so that they gel together beautifully in an emotional love story. However, their togetherness journey is not all hearts and flowers and Frankie and George have a way to go before their feelings explode but when they do they set the book alight with a sizzling passion and a genuine feeling of two hearts, at last, colliding.

Our Perfect Storm brought the beauty of the natural world, especially the observations about Right Whales , which I’d never heard of before, and introduced me to the glorious West Coast of Vancouver Island in Bristol Columbia. So evocative are the descriptions that I felt like I was surfing in Tofino with Frankie and George. I devoured Our Perfect Storm in a couple of sultry, hot days and so for that reason I am sure this will make a perfect summer read ☀️📖 .

About the Author

Carley Fortune is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After, Meet Me at the Lake, This Summer Will Be Different, and One Golden Summer and One Perfect Storm. She is also an award -winning Canadian journalist who has worked as an editor for Refinery29, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Toronto Life. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons.

Website

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📖 Book Review ~ The Forest Hideaway by Sharon Gosling

Simon &Schuster
August 2025

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

 

Set on the wild edge of Cumbria, close to the Scottish border, The Forest Hideway promises a gorgeously remote and romantic autumn escape, full of hope, friendship and new beginnings.

Saskia is building a home for herself out of the ruins of an old castle. Surrounded by forest, hidden away from everyone and everything, the place is special - it’s the only connection she has left to her father and it’s a hard-won chance to escape from her difficult past and create a new future. She’s spent her whole life trying to find a way to make this project work and finding someone to help her realise her dream has been almost impossible.

When local builder Owen finally signs up to manage the construction, things get off to a very bad start. But forced to find a way to work together, both realise that first impressions aren’t always the right ones, and when Owen discovers the forest is hiding a secret that could bring work to a halt, he realises he’s much more invested in the project – and Saskia – than he thought.

📖My Review..

The beauty of its Cumbrian woodland location sets the scene for a delightful story which introduces us to Saskia who is doing all she can to preserve the integrity of an ancient castle which is surrounded by forest and which is in a sorry state of disrepair. Employing a local builder to oversee the construction and preservation is a daunting task however, Owen is just as committed to the beauty of  Gair and regardless of opposition from local people both he and Saskia continue with the dream of bringing the castle back to life.

This is a lovely story which focuses on the beauty of the landscape, the pitfalls of preserving something so old whilst at the same adhering to all the rules and regulations which are involved with an ancient building. With its air of melancholy, and with a majestic oak tree at the heart of the project, Gair Castle comes alive and as the surrounding forest starts to give up its secrets so we discover that there is far more going on in this forest hideaway than we could have imagined.

I especially enjoyed the relationship, which developed slowly, between Saskia and Owen, each have their own personal problems to work through and there are several difficulties along the way all of which added an interesting dimension to the story. The Forest Hideaway is a well written story about taking a chance when the odds are stacked against you and of finding friendship, love and a fresh start along the way.

About the Author

Sharon started her career as an entertainment journalist, writing non-fiction books about film and television. She is also the author of multiple children's books. Sharon and her husband live in a small village in northern Cumbria. 

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🌞 Summer Read ~ Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson

Simon and Schuster 

27 February 2025

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

Welcome to Spring Hill, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and nearby the newest venture, Ray’s Diner. Here a group of women meet once a week over a cup of something warming.

Amanda is primary carer to her elderly mother and one of the only women in a male-dominated company. Used to being second-best all her life, is this her time to finally break ranks and shine?

Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But her heart beats for the one man who is strictly off-limits.

Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years. Then when he goes to his old school reunion, life as she knows it will never be the same again.

Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss where her guilt weighs more than her grief. Can she find the first step to healing lies in sharing an hour with strangers once a week? 

Astrid is feeling in need of a change and a challenge. But when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk?

Can these women find the answers to their worries, acceptance, courage, support here? Join them at the same time next week to find out…

🌞My Review..

For the past couple of afternoons I have spent time with a group of women who could so easily have been my best friends and thanks to this lovely story they remain with me long after I closed the book with a satisfied sigh. There is something really special about this author’s stories and it’s not just the amount of heart and soul she pours into them, or about the snorts of laughter which erupt as I’m reading them, it’s that she just gets inside characters, and brings to the page their hopes and fears, their faults and flaws, their small joys and their whopping big insecurities. They’re all there on the page, relatable people who steal their way into your heart, well the good guys do, the seriously bad ones tend to get their comeuppance in the most perfect of ways.

Same Time Next Week focuses on the lives of five women who each have their share of life’s problems. Finding friendship and support at a weekly meeting, pouring their hearts out to each other over copious amounts of coffee and plates of delicious cookies. They learn how to be strong, how to take a long hard look at their lives and be brave enough to take that second chance when it’s offered especially when they realise that they should never settle for anything less, especially when they deserve so much more. 

Beautifully written, with great dollops of northern humour and laugh out loud funny bits, but also with some really poignant moments which made me shed a little tear. Same Time Next Week is a perfect read for anytime of year but even more so when the sun is shining, we’re in the middle of a heatwave and I have a long cold drink close to hand.

About the Author

Milly Johnson was born raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. A Sunday Times bestseller, she is one of the top 10 Female Fiction authors in the UK, and with millions of copies of her books sold across the world, Milly’s star continues to rise. Milly writes from the heart about what she knows and highlights the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate love, friendship, and the possibility of second chances. She is an exceptional writer who puts her heart and soul into every book she  writes and every character she creates.

X @millyjohnson #SameTimeNextWeek

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📖 Book Review ~ Six Poppies by Lisa Carter

 

Penguin
Michael Joseph
30 January 2025

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

Afghanistan, 2007. Carl meets Sarah, a nurse, at Camp Bastion and they feel an instant connection. But she’s the girlfriend of his fellow soldier, Danny, so he pledges to keep his distance.

Finally back in England, Carl vows to never forget those who didn't make it home, honouring each of them with a tattoo of a poppy. While many miles away, Sarah tries to forget the man she swore to leave behind.

But when Carl and Sarah are thrown back together, it’s clear that both of them are broken. But do the scars of what they went through run to deep, or is there a chance they can find happiness again, together…

📖 My Review..

There is no doubt that the war in Afghanistan left its mark on those service personnel who fought and died there. Six Poppies is an emotional story which, although fiction, is based on factual experiences and highlights the difficulties of adapting to life when you feel you have lost everything and of the horrors of PTSD, which so often goes untreated.

Carl and Sarah meet at Camp Bastion and although there’s an instant connection between them Sarah is the girl friend of Danny, Carl’s fellow soldier, and is therefore off limits. With emotions running high and danger never far away this group of soldiers bond together like brothers , they feel loss sharply and grieve keenly for those who never make it home. Back in England, Carl picks up the pieces of his life, honouring his lost comrades with a poppy design inked onto his back by a talented tattooist. However, even though his life is returning to some semblance of a new normal, Carl can never forget Sarah and the dream of what might have been…

This beautiful story is told from both Carl and Sarah’s perspective, we find out more about them, their lives going forward and the hurt they each carry within them. And as each beautiful poppy is etched painfully into skin we learn the significance of each one, the memories evoked, and the raw pain of not being able to do more for those who lost their lives. Carl and Sarah’s story broke my heart into a million pieces and as their connection becomes ever more irresistible so we learn more about the harsh reality of living life broken in mind and spirit.

Poignant, beautiful, emotionally charged, this is one love story which will stay with me for a long time.

About the Author

Lisa Carter is a journalist who has worked for The Sun, The Mirror and the Daily Mail where she edited the Femail pages for over ten years. She lives in London with her husband and three sons.

X @MichaellJBooks #SixPoppies

 

📖 Publication Day Book Review ~ A Duke of One's Own by Emma Orchard

Boldwood
22 April 2024

Thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

Summer, 1816. A notorious rebel is about to meet her match...

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury is no stranger to breaking the rules of polite society. But when a so-called ‘friend’ invites her to a clandestine party, Georgiana is shocked to discover the event is more scandalous than even she could have imagined. So when a mysterious stranger offers help, she accepts, not realising their encounter will turn her life upside down.

Later that summer, Georgiana is invited to attend a house party at an infamous castle in Yorkshire. The gathering is a loosely veiled effort to arrange a marriage for the Duke of Northriding, who desperately needs an heir. Duke Gabriel Mauleverer has a terrible reputation as a rake, and Georgiana is happy to be a guest purely for the entertainment, but upon arrival, she is shocked to discover that the Duke is none other than the stranger who rescued her weeks earlier.

As the other ladies vie for the Duke’s attention, Georgiana is desperate to avoid their shocking secret getting out. But she finds herself caught, unable to avoid Gabriel’s gaze. Are they a threat to each other? Or could they be the answer to each other’s greatest desires?

My Review..

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury isn't your usual Regency miss, she enjoys a rather unconventional lifestyle which inevitably leads her into trouble. Her meeting, one night, with a mysterious stranger changes the course of both their lives and brings unexpected results. Whilst the Silver Duke has his own rather louche lifestyle, he can't get this beautiful stranger out of his mind and when he meets her again, sparks fly in more ways than one.

This is a lively, and rather spicy, romp through the vagaries of Regency society where there is never a dull moment as we observe as aged roués gather in the jaded decadence of a London salon, to the starkness of a Yorkshire castle where prospective brides are paraded in front of Gabriel Mauleverer, Duke of Northriding, as he attempts to pick out his future wife.  I raced through the story in a couple of afternoons, there's a nice amount of intrigue to keep interest, and lots of sparky passion between the lead characters and whilst the peripheral characters add interest this really is Georgie and Gabriel's story. 

A Duke of One's Own has a hint of a modern day Georgette Heyer, the narrative is authentic, no modernisms to spoil the flow, and whilst it is unashamedly sexy, it is also super duper romantic.

About the Author

Emma Orchard was born in Salford. She studied English Literature at the Universities of Edinburgh and York, before working behind the scenes in publishing and television for many years. Her first job was at Mills & Boon, where she met her husband in a classic enemies-to-lovers romance. She now lives in North London.

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📖 Book Review ~ A Lady to Treasure by Marianne Ratcliffe

Bellows Press
15 October 2023

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

Louisa Silverton is the daughter of a wealthy American businessman, brought up to believe a healthy profit is the only route to happiness. With the family company over-leveraged and in need of a capital injection, she travels to England to find a rich husband.

The Honourable Miss Sarah Davenport has no time for romance. The family estate of Kenilborough is mired in debt and only she can save it. Unconventional and outspoken, Sarah is dismayed that somebody as intelligent and attractive as Louisa is willing to sacrifice herself for financial gain.

As Louisa pursues her campaign, Sarah realises her objections to the project run deeper than mere principles. At the same time, Louisa finds herself captivated by Sarah's independent spirit. Yet to indulge their unexpected passion would surely mean the ruin of both their families. Bound by duty, will they ever be free to follow their hearts?

📖 My Review..

An interesting twist to the classic Regency romance which this time focuses on the burgeoning relationship between Louisa, who is the daughter of an American businessman, and Sarah Davenport whose family is in financial difficulties.  Louisa is sent to England by her father in order to save the family’s finances only to discover that Sarah, on a nearby estate, disapproves of Louisa’s quest for a rich husband.  The two women have a rapport from the start and as a gentle romance starts to blossom so we start to learn more about their characters and what they want from life.

There’s much to enjoy in this gentle sapphic romance. I enjoyed getting to know both Louisa and Sarah along with the rest of the characters who flit into, and out of this charming story. The historical aspects are done well, especially the constraints placed, by Regency society, on women who were so often viewed only by their marriageable status. The romantic attraction between Louisa and Sarah is gentle and charming and adds a nice heart-warming element to the story.

Overall, A Lady to Treasure has much to offer in terms of Regency history and family drama with a nice sense of romance thrown into the mix.

About the Author

Marianne Ratcliffe grew up in Lincolnshire. A biochemist by training, she has always found creating new worlds and interesting characters every bit as rewarding as discoveries at a laboratory bench. She has had short stories published in literary magazines and was runner-up in the Guildford Book Festival short story competition in 2010. In 2017, redundancy spurred her to focus on creative writing, and she published her debut novel, The Secret of Matterdale Hall, with Bellows Press in 2022. Marian lives in Cheshire with her wife and two dogs.

Twitter @ratcliffe_mj  #ALadyToTreasure

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☼ Summer Reading Blog Tour ~ Love on the Island by Jessica Gilmore

 

Destination ... GREECE ☼

Orion
3 August 2023

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book and the invitation to the blog tour

One week.

Two couples.

A holiday they'll never forget...

Indi Drewe is turning thirty and is exactly where she wants to she's on the cusp of a promotion, lives in her gorgeous London flat and is sure her perfect-on-paper boyfriend, Will, is about to propose...

Only, on the night she'd hoped Will would present her with a sparkling diamond ring, she finds out that her younger sister Jade is getting married to a man she's known only for a few weeks!

Worried her sister is about to make a terrible mistake, she immediately flies out to visit her sister in Greece - and is shocked to discover she's sharing her villa with a far-too-handsome (and perpetually shirtless) stranger, Mikhos.

Indi and Mikhos might be each other's worst nightmare, but together, they only have days to stop the wedding before it's too late! Yet with so much love in the air on this paradise island, will they be able to resist falling for each other, too?

📖 My Review..

Indi Drewe is at a crossroads in her life and with her thirtieth birthday looming she decides, on the spur of the moment, to visit her younger sister, Jade, who is working on a privately owned Greek island. Worried that Jade is about to make a huge mistake by becoming engaged to her Greek boyfriend, Indi goes into 'big sister' mode in the hope of saving Jade from rushing into marriage. However, on Agios Iohannis, with its postcard perfect setting and with the warm Greek sunshine and gently lapping sea, Indi discovers that this idyllic Greek island, with its peace and tranquility, may be about to lead her own life in a whole new direction.

Love on the Island is a wonderful staycation read so that even if you’re not travelling to an idyllic Greek island this summer you can still experience all the sights, sounds and summery tastes of this wonderfully romantic story. The Greek setting is just so beautifully described that it makes you feel like you are there, sipping mocktails, with Indi and Jade in the beautiful island bar. The author has done a great job of bringing the story to life and I especially enjoyed the alternate chapters from both Indi and Jade’s perspective but it is in the burgeoning relationship between Indi and, island owner, Mikhos, where the hot summer romance really starts to sizzle.

Love on the Island is the perfect pick me up for a rainy British summer or better still on a Greek island soaking up the sunshine.

About the Author

After several very happy years as a bookseller, Jessica Gilmore moved into the charity sector and now works in the Arts, living out her Noel Streatfeild dreams by walking through the Stage Door every morning. Married with one daughter, two dogs and two dog-loathing cats, she lives in the beautiful Chilterns where she can usually be found with her nose in a book. A lover of a happy-ever-after, Jessica loves to write emotional romance with a hint of humour and a splash of sunshine.

Twitter @yrosered #LoveOnTheIsland

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🎄Festive Read ~ Snowflakes over the Starfish Cafe by Jessica Redland

 

🎄Festive Read 2021🎄

Boldwood Books
2021

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

Welcome to The Starfish Café - where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.

Two broken hearts.

Since she inherited The Starfish Café, Hollie has poured her heart into the business, striving to keep her mother's traditions and warm-hearted spirit alive. But behind closed doors Hollie is searching for true happiness as she grieves the tragic loss of her family who were once the beating heart of the café...

An unexpected meeting.

Jake lives by two rules: don’t let anyone get close and don’t talk about what happened. Little does he know that a chance meeting at The Starfish Café, facilitated by a fluffy lost dog, is about to turn his world upside down...

The chance to love again.

Can Hollie and Jake break down the barriers that have been holding them back from finding love and happiness, before Christmas comes around? After all, with courage, nothing is impossible...

My thoughts..

Hollie has had her share of heartache in the past but is determined to make a success of running the Starfish Cafe and making it a warm and welcoming place for all those visitors who come to sample her excellent coffee and cakes. Despite having close friends around her Hollie is lonely and hopes to meet someone who will make her world complete. Jake too has had his share of loneliness and it's only when two very special characters enter his life that he realises just how much he has missed by keeping people away.

Rather like the Starfish cafe, the story has a warm and welcoming feel with extra special characters who enter into your heart right from the start. I especially enjoyed the emotional pull of the story as these two lovely characters start to open up their thoughts and feelings but blimey, the sadness they have endured had me bringing out the tissues on more than one occasion. However, throughout the whole of this emotional story this talented writer brings everything to life in such a lovely way that even the sad bits are beautifully written and thoughtfully expressed. 

I thought Snowflakes over the Starfish Cafe was an absolute joy to read. It's perfect for a cosy afternoon when all the Christmas tasks are done and you can relax in your favourite chair with a cup of tea and a mince pie and immerse yourself in a wonderful story.

About the Author

Jessica Redland writes uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community set in Yorkshire where she lives. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast and her Hedgehog Hollow series takes them into beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Twitter @JessicaRedland#SnowflakesOverTheStarfishCafe

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