The Cake Shop in the Garden by Carole Matthews book review

The Cake Shop in the Garden by bestselling author Carole Matthews is available now in hardback and ebook but is due to be published in paperback on the 23rd April 2015. This is Carole’s 26th novel and she has recently been awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Romantic Novelist Association.

To buy links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cake-Shop-Garden-Carole-Matthews/dp/0751552151/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427736854&sr=1-1&keywords=the+cake+shop+in+the+garden

Product Details (as per amazon page)

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.

I’d like to thank the publishers and netgalley for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Carole Matthews has done it again and has delivered a fabulous, heartwarming story in The Cake Shop in the Garden.

I adored Fay’s character and I felt empathy with her with all her responsibilities and wanting to please everyone.  The house and garden besides the canal sounded idyllic.  The idea of turning part of the house into a café was wonderful and I hope one day to find a little cosy eatery along the water’s edge that would remind me of Fay’s cakes.  Canal life sounds very charming and has its own community.  This is the second book that I’ve read recently that has left me dreaming of taking a trip along the canals.

Lija’s character was fabulous, she was definitely one of my favourites and had such depth to her persona.  She was honest and sometimes shocking but had a heart of gold.

Thank you Carole for creating such wonderful memorable characters and such a lovely story.  A heartwarming, scrumptious 5/5* read.

To find out more about Carole Matthews and her books please visit the following links:

http://www.carolematthews.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CaroleMatthewsBooks

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Slow Burn by K Bromberg book review

Slow Burn by K Bromberg is available now as an ebook and paperback.

To buy link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slow-Burn-Driven-K-Bromberg-ebook/dp/B00MY3IZJ4/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1427389258

Product Details (as per amazon page)

One night. That’s all it was supposed to be . . .

Reeling from the sudden loss of her sister, Haddie Montgomery has sworn off relationships. All she wanted from Beckett Daniels was a sexy distraction to help her escape her pain for just a little while . . .There weren’t supposed to be any strings attached-so why can’t she shake the memory of that unforgettable night from her thoughts? Or the taste of his kiss from her lips?

No matter how hard Haddie tries to forget about him, Becks relentlessly tries to prove that she should start living for today. But she is determined to avoid romantic commitment, and she can always use her ex-boyfriend’s reappearance to help snuff out the slow burn within her that Becks has sparked . . .

Or will fate force her to realize that this kind of connection doesn’t come along very often and a chance at love is worth the risk?

I’d like to thank the publishers for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

This is the first book by K Bromberg that I’ve had the privilege to read and I can honestly say it won’t be the last.  The author captivated me early on and I was soon gripped with the ‘will they won’t they’ storyline between Haddie and Beckett.  I loved Haddie’s character she was fun, confident, sexy, family orientated but she had an inner turmoil that made her very vunerable. I instantly fell for Beckett’s character, the good Country guy.

Haddie is still very much grief stricken after losing her sister to breast cancer months ago.  She vows not to let anyone get close to her so they don’t have to suffer this heartbreaking grief that her sister’s loved ones have endured and are still suffering.  However, a one night stand with Beckett Daniels, a guy who is the total opposite to her type, leaves a lasting feeling of need within her.  Haddie is struggling fighting this need.  However, she has another fight to overcome one which she insists on fighting alone.

This novel was a seriously sexy, stunning, emotive, addictive, heart wrenching read … I didn’t want it to end. 5/5* read.

To find out more about K Bromberg’s books please visit the following links:

https://twitter.com/KBrombergDriven

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKBromberg?fref=ts

http://www.kbromberg.com/

The Girl Who Couldn’t Stop Arguing by Melissa Kite book review

The Girl Who Couldn’t Stop Arguing by Melissa Kite is available to pre-order now ready for release on 2nd April 2015.

To pre-order/buy links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Who-Couldnt-Stop-Arguing/dp/1472115368/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427047578&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girl+who+couldn%27t+stop+arguing

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Madison Flight refuses to be born for five days. She comes out eventually – kicking, screaming, and scarred for life by forceps – but it isn’t long before her mother, Cynthia, realises the terrible truth: she has given birth to the world’s first arguing baby.

Cyntha’s husband Mitchell soon takes off in terror, leaving her to raise their quarrelsome rugrat with only the help of the next door neighbour Shirley – a sadistic retired nurse who detests children.

Madison’s young life is full of proud milestones: at the age of one she breaks the world record for the number of times anyone has said the word ‘no’ during a two week Spanish package holiday – 4,477 times – and she gets better with practice. Lots of practice.

This is the story of a girl who wanted to be right rather than happy. This is the story of the girl who couldn’t stop arguing.

I’d like to thank the publishers for an arc of the book in return for an honest review.

This is the first book by Melissa Kite that I’ve had the privilege to read.

Melissa Kite is a very witty writer and has made such wonderful, imaginative, unforgettable characters for this novel.  Her writing style is very honest, funny and ironic and the novel contains some great one-liners.

However, I have to admit I did struggle a little with the book early on but I’m glad I stuck with the story as I would have missed out on such a feisty character in Madison Flight and all the fabulously, funny moments.

If you fancy an alternative romcom read with a feisty heroine who likes to prove a point then check out Melissa Kite’s new book and follow the pre-order links. A witty 3.5/5* read.

To find out more about Melissa Kite and her books please check out her author page on amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melissa-Kite/e/B00J70BMSI/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George book review

The Little Paris Bookshop became a bestseller in Germany in 2013 and has been translated into more than 27 languages.  The English translation is due for publishing by Little Brown Book Group UK on the 23rd April 2015.

Pre-order links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Paris-Bookshop-Nina-George/dp/0349140359/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426434853&sr=8-1&keywords=the+little+bookshop+of+paris

Product Details (as per amazon page)

On a beautifully restored barge on the Seine, Jean Perdu runs a bookshop; or rather a ‘literary apothecary’, for this bookseller possesses a rare gift for sensing which books will soothe the troubled souls of his customers.

The only person he is unable to cure, it seems, is himself. He has nursed a broken heart ever since the night, twenty-one years ago, when the love of his life fled Paris, leaving behind a handwritten letter that he has never dared read. His memories and his love have been gathering dust – until now. The arrival of an enigmatic new neighbour in his eccentric apartment building on Rue Montagnard inspires Jean to unlock his heart, unmoor the floating bookshop and set off for Provence, in search of the past and his beloved.

I’d like to thank the publishers and netgalley for an arc in return for an honest review.

This is a stunningly, beautiful book of lost love, grief, new friends, hope of new beginnings and new love.  And of course, the love of books.

Jean Perdu is a unique bookseller.  He sees into the souls of people and prescribes books that will heal them from his beloved restored barge.  He keeps the barge moored on the River Seine, Paris.  However, Jean is hurting and has been for a long time.  In a whim he decides to untether his boat and set sail to find the cure for his own hurt.  He gains some wonderful, character filled passengers along the way.  Jean and his new friends have a memorable journey travelling along the canals in France, all searching for something to help them move on in life.  They have  adventures, some very funny on the way.

The author, Nina George, was so poetic in her writing, it was beautiful. I could see and almost smell the herbs and blossoms she was describing. I could also feel the emotions each character was portraying.  This book will stay with me for a long time.  It’s heart breaking but uplifting, it’s humour is sensitive to the nature of the characters and storyline.  The novel almost felt like a true story.

To find out more about the author Nina George please visit the following link:  http://www.nina-george.com

Nina George has written some wonderful words in this book, here is a snippet of one of my favourites:

Hero by Samantha Young blogtour

I am pleased to be involved in The Hero Tour for the new book by bestselling author Samantha Young.  Hero is available now to purchase as a paperback or as an ebook.  I would like to thank the publishers for an advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero-until her shocking discovery. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and all-consuming affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for, and when they’re on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again . . .

I was excited to be able to read this book as I haven’t read any of Samantha Young’s novels before but had heard so much high praise for her work.  Samantha Young is the bestselling UK author of the On Dublin Street series.

From the first time Alexa and Caine met you could feel the sexual tension between them.  It was addictive following their story and the anticipation to see how the chemistry they shared developed.  Both Alexa and Caine had witnessed the first hand emotions of abandonment at an early age and they still carried the scars it created.  Can they both learn to heal these scars? …

This novel had it all, unbridled chemistry, longing, lust.  It was fun, it was tantalising.  It had a lot of drama that Alexa and Caine and the reader could well do without!  A great story revolved around two people trying to forget about the past and let love in.

A sexy, dramatic 5/5* read.

Hero by Samantha Young is published by Piatkus in paperback and eBook. You can find of all Samantha Young’s titles in the Kobo website here: https://store.kobobooks.com/List/the-hottest-new-voice-in-romance-samantha-young/J-xrHY0rhcp8fAjSHjnPlQ

To buy links (UK):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hero-Samantha-Young-ebook/dp/B00OYTQ6HO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1426004064

To find out more about Samantha Young and her books visit her facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Samantha-Young/215808575229107?fref=ts

Ivy Lane by Cathy Bramley



Ivy Lane by Cathy Bramley was originally written as a 4 part ebook series but has recently been released as a full length novel and is available in paper book and ebook.

To buy links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ivy-Lane-Cathy-Bramley-ebook/dp/B00OWNQZLO/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

https://www.waterstones.com/book/ivy-lane/cathy-bramley/9780552171236

Product Details ( as per amazon page)

Tilly Parker needs a fresh start, fresh air and a fresh attitude if she is ever to leave the past behind and move on with her life. As she seeks out peace and quiet in a new town, taking on a plot at Ivy Lane allotments seems like the perfect solution.

But the friendly Ivy Lane community has other ideas and gradually draw Tilly in to their cosy, comforting world of planting seedlings, organizing bake sales and planning seasonal parties.

As the seasons pass, will Tilly learn to stop hiding amongst the sweetpeas and let people back into her life – and her heart?



I absolutely adored reading Ivy Lane. I was 3/4 way through reading the novel and I was experiencing that feeling you get when you don’t want something to end.

Cathy Bramley is another new author to me and will now be going on my favourites list.

This full length novel takes you through one year of the life of Tilly Parker, starting with Spring and ending at Winter.

The story flowed so well and at the end of each chapter I was eager to continue reading.

Cathy Bramley has created such memorable characters in Ivy Lane and I feel quite bereft that the story has finished. I do hope the characters will pop up in future stories (hint, hint) 🙂

I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of the story based around an allotment community and feel encouraged to try my hand at more adventurous gardening. I hope allotments are here to stay and inspire younger generations to enjoy nurturing land and seeds to life.

This was such a heartwarming story that left you feeling like you’d been wrapped in a big bear hug. It was a story of heartache and new beginnings, a story of friendship and fun times, a story of love and new hope.

A well deserved 5/5* read.

To find out more about Cathy Bramley’s books please visit the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/CathyBramleyAuthor?ref=ts&fref=ts

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cathy-Bramley/e/B00F3X4SUW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

His Other Life by Beth Thomas



His Other Life by Beth Thomas is released on kindle for the fab price of 99p on 12th March and is available to pre-order via the following link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/His-Other-Life-Beth-Thomas-ebook/dp/B00NEO1MG0/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Product details (as per amazon page)

The story of a couple with seemingly perfect lives…and the secrets they hide behind closed doors.

Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Jo Jo Moyes.

He was hiding a terrible secret . . .

Grace’s new husband Adam seems like the perfect package. Good looking, great job, completely charming – almost too good to be true . . .

So when Adam suddenly disappears from Grace’s life, she is left bewildered and heartbroken. And with a lot of unanswered questions.

As she tries desperately to find him, Grace opens a Pandora’s Box of secrets and lies – and starts to learn that Adam wasn’t so perfect after all.

What shameful secrets was her husband hiding? Is Grace in danger? And can she survive the truth? However terrible it may be . . .



This was the first novel by Beth Thomas that I’ve read and can honestly say I loved it. Firstly, I loved the cover of the book. They say you should never judge a book by its cover but this cover looked so pretty but had an air of mystery about it.  

The premise of the story is that Grace and Adam have been married just a year. Recently Grace has had an uneasy feeling about Adam and when she gets home and finds a message on the answer machine for Adam from someone she has never heard of she becomes intrigued. Adam returns home from work and Grace informs him of the message to which Adam replays it back. Adam carries on as normal and sets off to get their takeaway treat but he never returns. Hours later Grace gets worried and rings the Police. The story follows on with how Grace copes with her husband’s disappearance. Grace starts to learn about Adam, the real Adam, his life she didn’t know about. 

Beth Thomas, the author, was very clever with this story. It could have gone a totally different route with a missing person as the main storyline but Beth has created some wonderful, warm, fun loving characters in this novel. There were some great crazy moments. I was chuckling many times and will never forget Elvis! 

Brilliant story with laughs and loves from a great storyteller. A new author to add to my favourite’s list.  A great 5/5* read.

To find out more about Beth Thomas please visit the following links:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beth-Thomas/e/B00HR5VK8C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

https://www.facebook.com/beththomas68?ref=ts&fref=ts

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery and Polly and the Puffin by Jenny Colgan

 

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan is available now from all good book retailers and as an ebook via the following link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Little-Beach-Street-Bakery-ebook/dp/B00LM9S9IS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

This is the second book by Jenny were we follow the lives of the residents living in and around Little Beach Street Bakery. Jenny has had a lovely promotional video made to promote the book.  The video is as delightful as the illustrations on the cover of the book:

http://youtu.be/6KWer6QAZnw

I adored revisiting the Little Beach Street Bakery with Polly, Huckle and of course, Neil the Puffin.  This book was as good as Jenny’s first visit to Little Beach Street Bakery were we were introduced to the folk of Mount Polbearne.

Polly’s idyllic life is turned upside down and she has to make decisions on what matters in her work life and personal life.  We meet new characters along the way that have lasting consequences to Polly’s existence on Mount Polbearne.

Jenny Colgan always writes with such warmth and humour.  Her characters are written with such sincerity, you feel like you have stepped into a book with friends.  This was such a lovely story with highs and lows for the residents.  Some quite dramatic scenes mixed in with some wonderful, lovely romantic moments.  I always feel happy and uplifted after a Jenny Colgan book.  As always Jenny provides a few yummy recipes at the end of the book so we can continue reminiscing about the Little Beach Street Bakery while munching on a bun or two!

A great 5/5* read that would make a lovely gift.

Polly and the Puffin



We all fell in love with Neil the puffin in Little Beach Stree Bakery and again in Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery.   Jenny has written the most delightful children’s story based around Neil.  My children are a little too old for this book but I fell for Neil and had to buy the book. I’ve just enjoyed a lovely bit of me time reading this sweet book with the most happy illustrations. I would thoroughly recommend it to all children as a book to enjoy being read to or as a book to read by yourself as it has lovely clear text. And it has great bonus features at the back with recipes, puffin jokes and craft activities.

The book is available from all good retailers including Waterstones, whsmith and amazon.

To connect with Jenny to find out more about her books and future releases please visit the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/jennycolganbooks?ref=ts&fref=ts

http://www.jennycolgan.com