BLOG TOUR: The Beach Reads Book Club - Kathryn Freeman

Welcome to the Beach Reads Book Club. Where love is just a page away…

When Lottie Watt is unceremoniously booted out of her uptight book club for not following the rules, she decides to throw the rulebook out the window and start her own club – one where conversation, gin and cake take precedent over actually having read the book!

The Beach Reads Book Club soon finds a home for its meetings at Books by the Bay, a charming bookshop and café owned by gorgeous, brooding Matthew Steele, and as the book club picks heat up, so too does the attraction between Matt and Lottie.

If there’s anything Lottie has learned from the romances she’s been reading, it’s that the greatest loves are the ones hardest earned. 

A love letter to chicklit, romance, romcoms, whatever you want to call them!

What did I think?

Well this book turned out to be a breath of fresh air and as it's about a book club set in a book shop it's the perfect read for book lovers.  I loved it and read pretty much the whole book with a smile on my face so I must say a huge thank you to Kathryn Freeman.

Lottie's experience of the book club in her local library is precisely what puts me off book clubs: reading a book that somebody else has chosen and then having to discuss it.  I love books but speaking about them in front of people is my idea of hell.  Lottie isn't the only book club member to find that they're not having as much fun as they'd hoped so when Lottie decides to set up her own book club she already has a couple of founding members.

A book shop café is the perfect location for Lottie's book club and owner Matthew Steele provides the sexual tension as a brooding Mr Darcy style love interest.  Lottie is an electrician (and her surname is Watt which is rather amusing) so there's more than a few sparks as she is drawn to Matt but both of them have been hurt in the past so they're each reluctant to make the first move.

If all book clubs were like this one, I wouldn't mind joining!  Although I'd be the size of house with so much gin and cake!  I loved every single character as each one is brought to life through Kathryn Freeman's wonderful writing.  I have to say that my favourite character was Lottie's dog Chewie and it just shows the depth of character portrayed that he is so multidimensional without having the ability to speak.

You're always guaranteed a smile with a Kathryn Freeman book and The Beach Reads Book Club is no exception.  It's perfect escapism and I picked up one or two book recommendations along the way so it's a book lover's dream.  So cut a slice of cake, pour yourself a (large) gin and tonic and pick up a copy of The Beach Reads Book Club - you won't be disappointed.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

UK.Bookshop.org

About the author:

A former pharmacist, I'm now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it's the reaction to a sexy hero. 

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links – 

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

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BLOG TOUR: The New Guy - Kathryn Freeman

Phew, that was a close shave, I almost missed out on this blog tour!  I'm a huge fan of Kathryn Freeman and I only happened to spot it on Facebook on one of my rare visits.  So put the kettle on, make a cuppa and read my review of The New Guy but whatever you do, make sure you click the links to buy your very own copy; you won't regret it.

Sam Huxton doesn’t do one-night stands, especially not with men she’s just met! But the hot guy at the bar was hard to resist and their one night together is one she’ll never forget.

But one night is all they share – no names, no numbers, just some much needed fun…

Until the same guy walks into Sam’s life the next day as her new employee.  Sam never mixes business with pleasure and makes it clear an office fling with Ryan is off-limits.  But after-hours…one thing can lead to another. Can Sam trust her heart and her business with the new guy?

What did I think?

Although I don't read a lot of books in the romance genre these days, Kathryn Freeman books are definitely my not so guilty pleasure!  Kathryn's books are always guaranteed to entertain and The New Guy does just that.

We meet Sam Huxton when she is drowning her sorrows in the pub after her Grandad's funeral.  Feeling the need to talk about her beloved 'Grumps' she turns to the man next to her at the bar.  Ryan Black is just trying to have a quiet pint but Sam won't be put off, despite his rudeness and clear annoyance at her chewing his ear off.  As Sam continues to talk and the alcohol begins to flow, she has the crazy idea to have a one-night stand with her nameless bar buddy.  After all, she'll never see him again after tonight...until he walks into her office tomorrow as her newest employee!  Ryan is equally mortified; it's his first day at his new job and he's already slept with the boss!

With so many misunderstandings, insecurities and raging hormones Sam and Ryan attempt to work together but their mutual attraction and memories of an amazing one-night stand keep pushing them together.  Aside from the romance aspect of the story, there is an excellent storyline of Sam trying to keep her business afloat in spite of her ex-boyfriend's efforts to destroy her with his rival business.  Sam's employees are more family and friends than co-workers though, so their strength is very much in their togetherness.  

Ryan also has a very good storyline which shows a different side to him.  He's very anti-social and snappy but he has a lot of emotional baggage to carry in the form of his alcoholic mother and a sister who will barely speak to him.  It just shows how we can make a judgement on someone from first impressions but when you dig beneath the surface there is so much more going on.

So very entertaining, The New Guy is pure escapism in these troubled times.  Kathryn Freeman writes such multi-layered stories that continue to surprise me; The New Guy makes for addictive reading as, with there being so many different strands to the story, I was desperate to find out what was going to happen in every single one of them.  An immensely enjoyable and delightful read, The New Guy gets 5 sparkly stars from me!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:
Amazon UK
Amazon US

About the author:

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links –

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

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Practising for Christmas - Rachael Richey

A remote coastal cottage; a group of old friends; the Christmas holidays. It's just the break Olivia needs to help her relax and forget her worries. What could be more perfect? But that was before she found a handsome unconscious stranger on the beach. Add in a case of mistaken identity, a lot of kissing practice, and an inquisitive best friend, and things begin to get more than a little complicated. 

The large bump on Adam's head hurts, but he refuses to go to the hospital—or back home—and eventually accepts Olivia's offer of hospitality. When her friends arrive the following morning, a chance remark catapults them both into a bizarre and amusing situation that promises to make it a Christmas to remember.

What did I think?

I don't read a lot of chicklit these days but there are certain authors I make an exception for and Rachael Richey is one of them.  As it's the 1st of December, I find it rather fitting to start the advent period with a review of a Christmas themed book.

Olivia had planned the perfect getaway for the Christmas break: a cottage by the sea with her new boyfriend and best friends.  Only she broke up with her boyfriend and she's dreading being alone at Christmas when her friends might think she made her boyfriend up in the first place.  Olivia arrives at the cottage a few days early to get it ready for her guests and happens upon an unconscious man when walking on the beach one day.  With a cut on his head, Olivia takes Adam back to the cottage to tend to his wounds and I could feel the air positively FIZZING with sexual tension.

Despite her worries that he could be an axe murderer, Olivia offers Adam her couch for the night so she can keep an eye on his head wound.  He's just about to leave when one of Olivia's friends arrive and presume he is Olivia's boyfriend, as she hadn't told them that they had broke up.  Adam sees it as a bit of fun to go along with the ruse but there's nothing fake when he kisses Olivia - oh boy!  Of course, things are never perfect and Adam has some secrets of his own...but if Adam and Olivia are meant to be, fate will find a way.

I absolutely adore Rachael's Richey's books and her amazing ability to sweep me away with her gorgeous storylines; for anyone who believes in fate and believes that one day her prince will come, you will LOVE this book.  It's not all sugar-coated and feel-good as there's a good dollop of real life hurt and disappointment in there, but I always know that I'm going to finish one of Rachael Richey's books with a smile on my face.

Practising for Christmas is a fabulous feel-good festive frolic and the perfect book to curl up with by the fire on a dark wintery night.  So whip up a hot chocolate and allow Rachael Richey to warm the cockles of your heart with this seaside Christmas treat.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: A Little Christmas Faith - Kathryn Freeman

So I'm reading an email: there's a new Kathryn Freeman...YES! Count me in!  Book, blog tour, bank holiday...whatever it is, I'm on board.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kathryn's books and I wouldn't even say that I'm a huge chick lit fan, but they are so down to earth and filled with insecurities and misunderstandings that they always manage to leave a smile on my face.  So the email wasn't for a new Kathryn Freeman bank holiday (bah humbug), it was an invitation to join the blog tour and I am unbelievably thrilled to be kicking off the tour along with 27 Book Street.

Is it time to love Christmas again?

Faith Watkins loves Christmas, which is why she’s thrilled that her new hotel in the Lake District will be open in time for the festive season. And Faith has gone all out; huge Christmas tree, fairy lights, an entire family of decorative reindeer. Now all she needs are the guests … 

But what she didn’t bank on was her first paying customer being someone like Adam Hunter. Rugged, powerfully built and with a deep sadness in his eyes, Adam is a man that Faith is immediately drawn to – but unfortunately he also has an intense hatred of all things Christmassy.

As the countdown to the big day begins, Faith can’t seem to keep away from her mysterious guest, but still finds herself with more questions than answers: just what happened to Adam Hunter? And why does he hate Christmas?

What did I think?

Well I certainly don't have to think twice about snapping up a copy of a Kathryn Freeman book.  There may be snow on the gorgeous cover, but I just knew I was going to end up with a warm glow inside...and I was not disappointed.  Kathryn has a knack of creating down to earth characters that you can easily identify with.  Her characters aren't perfect but more true to life and it's not all moonlight and roses, it's more drizzle and dandelions but that's why her books are so special.  This is real life, warts and all with a dollop of romance and a huge helping of humour.

Faith Watkins' dream has come true: ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of owning her own hotel.  Now after all her hard work, the doors are open and Faith is welcoming the first guests.  Ok, it's her Mum and Dad but how lovely is that?  They are so supportive and family is clearly very important to Faith - she has even employed her troubled niece to work on reception.  Faith's first real guest is Adam Hunter and there is just something so mouthwateringly delicious about him.  Faith has been working so hard that there's been no time for men but Adam is just so alluring - she can't fraternise with a guest, can she?  It's her hotel, she can make up her own rules but surely a guy looking like Adam isn't single?  

Adam is tall, dark and very troubled.  He is SO damaged and so very deep that I didn't think Faith would ever crack his shell and release all his demons.  His story is so heartbreaking, not only the things he has gone through but how guilt has eaten him up.  Thank goodness that fate saw fit to steer him in Faith's direction but when Christmas is over he'll be checking out and going back home.  After tasting the sweet fruit of love, can Faith swallow the bitter pill of loneliness when Adam leaves?

A Little Christmas Faith is a festive delight from Kathryn Freeman.  Make sure you put it on your Christmas list.  It's so much fun with characters that you instantly warm to, I laughed and cried with them but felt that familiar uncontrollable smile creeping on to my face as the final chapter drew to a close.  I'm going to call it my Kathryn Freeman smile as she NEVER fails to put a smile on my face, sometimes after putting me through the emotional wringer of course!  So wrap up warm, snuggle under your blanket beside the fire and pick up a copy of A Little Christmas Faith.  It's guaranteed to leave you with such a warm glow and a huge smile on your face.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Too Damn Nice - Kathryn Freeman

I love Kathryn Freeman's books so I'm delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for her new novel, Too Damn Nice.  I am releasing my review for my stop on the tour and there is also a fabulous giveaway where you can win a signed copy of Kathryn's previous novel, Before You.  As a big F1 (and Jenson Button) fan I absolutely LOVED Before You and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, and you definitely don't need to be a motor racing fan to enjoy it.  You can read my review of Before You here but do make sure that you come back to enter the giveaway at the end of my post - you don't want to miss this one!

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 1^st August 2017
Publisher: Choc Lit

Nice guys don't kiss like that ...

Do nice guys stand a chance? 

Lizzie Donavue went from being the sister of his best friend to the girl Nick Templeton most wants to kiss. On her birthday, he finally summons up the courage to make his move. But it looks like Nick’s missed his chance when he discovers that Lizzie has been offered a modelling contract, which will take her away to the glamorous fashion scenes of New York and Los Angeles.

Nick is forced to watch from the sidelines as the gawky teenager he knew is transformed into Elizabeth Donavue: top model and ultimate English rose pin-up, forever caught in a whirlwind of celebrity parties with the next up-and-coming Hollywood bad boy by her side. 

But then Lizzie’s star-studded life comes crashing down around her, and a guy like Nick could be just what she needs. Will she take a chance on him? Or is he just too damn nice?

What did I think?

I do love Kathryn Freeman's books, they are so easy to read with characters that you can both identify with and care about.  Nobody can ever be sure of what someone else is thinking and Kathryn Freeman has absolutely nailed the insecurities and misunderstandings that surround fledgling relationships in her new novel, Too Damn Nice.

Nick Templeton has been in love with Lizzie Donavue for as long as he can remember, but she is the sister of his best friend, Robert, and Nick is like a member of the Donavue family himself.  Nick has kept his feelings well buried but, on the day of her 18th birthday, Nick plans to tell Lizzie how he feels about her.  He is beaten to the punch by an announcement that Lizzie has secured a modelling contract and she is going to New York to make all her dreams come true.

Lizzie becomes a successful model and it looks like all her dreams have indeed come true but then her world comes crashing down.  Nick is on the first flight over to pick up the pieces but they are both so afraid of letting their feelings show and ruining their long-standing friendship.  As the pair struggle with their attraction to each other, Nick feels like he is taking advantage of Lizzie in her weakened state, and Lizzie thinks that Nick doesn't look at her as anything other than Robert's little sister.  Both of them are trying to guess what the other is thinking and naturally, they are both ultimately assuming the wrong thing.

Despite her high flying modelling career, Lizzie is quite insecure and doesn't think she is worthy of anyone as 'nice' as Nick.  Nick doesn't think he is good enough for someone as stunning as Lizzie to even look twice at.  It is clear that they are both meant for each other and, although I wanted to bang their heads together and tell them to get on with it, they need to work that out for themselves and be honest about their feelings.  It was sobering to see that someone as beautiful as Lizzie struggled with the same insecurities as every other girl. It's so hard to open your heart and tell someone your feelings: the fear of your heart being broken always seems to win but the reward is limitless if the other person feels the same way.

Too Damn Nice is a book filled with love, laughter, tears and misunderstandings.  It reminds us that, although we may look different on the outside, we are ultimately all the same underneath.  I love books that make me think about things like this - it just goes to prove that Kathryn Freeman doesn't write superficial chicklit, it's as deep and thought-provoking as you want it to be.  I'll leave you with one final thought: although it sounds like such a bland word, there's nothing wrong with being 'nice', because when you consider the opposite is 'nasty', I know which one I'd rather be.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2vDQkzQ

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/2vE5zsK

Choc Lit - http://bit.ly/2xLXJhp


About the author:

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7373990.Kathryn_Freeman

Website: http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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The Birthday That Changed Everything - Debbie Johnson

She wanted a birthday surprise, just not the one she got…

The last thing Sally Summers expected from her husband on her special day was that he’d leave her for a Latvian lap dancer half her age. So with her world in tatters, Sally jets off to Turkey for some sun, sea and sanctuary.

The Blue Bay resort brings new friends and the perfect balm for Sally’s broken heart in gorgeous Dubliner James. He’s just the birthday present she needs. And when the chemistry between them continues to spark as the holiday ends, Sally wonders if this is more than just a summer fling.

But James has scars of his own and Sally isn’t quite ready to turn her back on her marriage. This birthday might have changed everything, but what will the next one bring?

What did I think?

I've had this book on my TBR for quite some time and if I'd known how HILARIOUS it was going to be, I would have read it a lot sooner.  I am guilty of judging a book by it's cover in this case as I took from all the pink that it was going to be a bit of no-brainer chick-lit.  Don't get me wrong, I love the cover and it actually fits the story very well but I have to be in the mood for chick-lit, hence the delay in reading it.  So before I dig myself into a very big hole, and Debbie Johnson pours sand on my head, here's what I thought about the book.

The Birthday That Changed Everything is hilarious from the start whilst dealing with a heartbreaking storyline for Sally.  She has received an email from her husband, Simon, telling her that he is leaving her but asking her to pack his bag and iron his shirts for him before he goes.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr what a total @&$£%0!£.  As if that wasn't a big enough kick in the virtual nuts, Sally is about to turn 40 and Simon has run off with a 19 year old Latvian lapdancer.  So she packs her bags and heads off to Turkey with her two teenage kids - scary Lucy and loveable big-kid Ollie.

After a mix up with the cases, Sally's holiday doesn't get off to the best start but being dressed as Naughty Nurse Nancy is quite an icebreaker.  She immediately fits in with a crowd of people who visit Blue Bay every year.  One of the crowd, James, is a mouthwatering piece of eye candy and he certainly got my heart racing every time he made an appearance.  He definitely wakes up Sally's snoozing libido but she's still reeling about Simon and doesn't want a holiday romance.  It's not long before James wears down her resistance but as time goes on both ex-partners reappear to put a spanner in the works.  With men literally cock-fighting over her, who will win Sally's heart?

Honestly, this must be the MOST HILARIOUS book I have ever read, although I did shed a few tears as the sun set on one of these wonderfully colourful characters that I had got to know so well.  There are so many fabulous characters but I always think it's funny that wherever you go there always seems to be a Geordie, so it was great to see Andrew the hunky Geordie firefighter make an appearance although I'm not sure which side he was batting for...  

I guffawed, chortled, snorted and howled through the whole story, mainly due to Lucy and her incendiary outbursts, known as 'proper radgies' here in the North East.  She scared the bejeezus out of me but I think she was my favourite character in the end.  I really would not have taken so long to read this if I'd known how funny it was going to be, and I should have known as it's not my first Debbie Johnson book.  All good things come to those who wait but fellow book lovers, don't make the same mistake as me - read this book now!  Make sure that you wear two pairs of knickers whilst reading The Birthday That Changed Everything as you are guaranteed to pee your pants.  

A perfect feel-good book for rain, hail or shine - escape to Turkey with Debbie Johnson and be prepared for some proper belly laughs.  

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Under the Cherry Tree - Lilac Mills

“My dog didn't like men. Actually that was a lie – she didn't like the men I chose. The only ones who rocked her world had been my father (who was no longer with us), Ross (who was gay), and the butcher on the high street (for obvious reasons).”

When Jenni Meadows has the opportunity to expand her dog-grooming business she takes it, and when a nice man appears on her horizon but fails to make any sparks fly, she decides she has enough on her plate with her business without adding a boyfriend into the mix.

Besides, Millie doesn’t like him and when her dog doesn’t like a man, Jenni knows all about it. So why does Millie take a very strange liking to the new vet, especially since he has a taciturn expression, wears a wedding ring, and wields a needle?

Under the Cherry Tree is a tale of love and hope, waggy tails, and cold noses.

What did I think?

Oh my word, I am in bits after reading this FABULOUS book.  I thought I was settling down to a bit of no-brainer chick-lit so I didn't expect my heart to be ripped out by this tear-jerking read.  I do admit to crying at a few books but I was absolutely sobbing whilst reading this, it had so completely captured my heart and the characters were as real to me as if they were standing right in front of me, or nudging my ankle in Millie's case.  I think Lilac Mills has invented a new genre.  Forget chick-lit, this is pup-lit as Millie the westie completely steals the show and you can be forgiven for forgetting that unlucky-in-love Jenni Meadows is the main character.

Jenni runs a dog-grooming parlour and with running a business she doesn't have a lot of time for a love life.  Even if she did, every man who comes into contact with her gets a disapproving glare or sometimes growl from Jenni's best friend, Millie, the west highland terrier. When Jenni goes to view a property in the hilariously named village of Cow's Bottom she has no intention of buying it, but she falls in love at first sight with the cottage.  Then like buses, 3 men come along at once: Sparkless Mark who's nice enough but doesn't give Jenni butterflies in her tummy, Nasty Neil the architect who has designs on Jenni as well as her cottage, and village vet Scott who's perfect apart from the ring on the third finger of his left hand.  What's even worse for Jenni is that the only one Millie approves of is Scott.  Does Millie know something that Jenni doesn't?

What a fabulous book!  I knew from just reading the description that I was going to fall in love with Millie and I wasn't wrong.  Lilac Mills has created the most adorable fictional canine character that I have ever come across.  Millie has more characteristics than most humans making her a larger than life character and one that I will never forget.  I heartily recommend this book even if chick-lit is not your usual genre as Under the Cherry Tree is both heart-warming and heart-breaking.  Despite my tears, and to quote Mary Poppins, Under the Cherry Tree is practically perfect in every way.  Don't miss this one!

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe - Debbie Johnson

Becca Fletcher hates Christmas so much, she’s considering getting ‘Bah Humbug!’ tattooed on her forehead. She has her reasons for being Little Miss Grinch; Reasons that make this the very worst time of year for her.

Now, though, she can’t avoid her version of ho-ho-hell – because she’s travelling to the Comfort Food Cafe to spend the festive season with her sister Laura, and her family. She’s expecting mulled wine, 24-hour Christmas movie marathons and all kinds of very merry torture.

But little does Becca know that the Comfort Food Cafe is like no other place on earth. Perched on a snow-covered hill on a windswept bay, it’s a place full of friendship where broken hearts can heal, new love can blossom and where Becca’s Christmas miracle really could happen – if only she can let it…

What did I think?

It's not too early to read Christmas books and to be fair, Christmas the Comfort Food Cafe is not overly festive.  It has just the right amount of festive cheer to remind you that it's set at Christmas but with the return of all our favourite characters from Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe, I, for one, couldn't have waited until Christmas to read it.

Whereas Laura was the main character in Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe, it is her sister, Becca, who gets to be the star at Christmas.  Becca is the crazy man-eating party-going sister, or so she would have her family believe.  Underneath all that bluster and bravado is a very sad and unhappy lady.  Becca loves her family so much that she is willing to give up cigarettes, alcohol and men to be there for her family whenever they might need her.  When her brother-in-law, Laura's husband, died it was quite a reality check and she vowed never to smoke, touch a drop of alcohol or have a one-night stand again.

Laura invites Becca to Dorset for Christmas, where she can finally meet all the lovely people that have captured Laura's heart.  Laura's daughter, Lizzie, has been taking temptingly revealing photo's of Surfer Sam to entice Becca and Becca finds that he is so much more delicious in the flesh.  Becca doesn't want to give into temptation as that would open up the floodgates to all her vices, but can she really resist the Irish charm of Sam?

This is such a lovely story.  It's surprising how much of our feelings we hide from our loved ones.  Becca feels more comfortable telling her story to a stranger than her own sister; I imagine this is partly to protect her family from her her pain and partly to be the shoulder to cry on rather than the crier.  As we all know, a problem shared is a problem halved and I was desperate for Becca to let go of her past and embrace her present.  A Sam-shaped present of course, wrapped up in a big red bow and nothing else!

Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe is another charming and heart-warming visit to Dorset by Debbie Johnson.  I welcomed the characters as if they were my own family and I do hope that we hear from them all again.  A Debbie Johnson book is like jumping into a pool of marshmallows - so soft, comforting and delicious.

I received this e-book from the publisher, HarperImpulse, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

The Honey Trap - Mary Jayne Baker

The trap is set – but which one of them is the bait?

Journalist Angel Blackthorne is looking for her next big scoop. When her sleazy editor asks her to use her charms on super successful – and married – film director Sebastian Wilchester for a juicy exposé, Angel thinks what the hell? There’s a staff job on the horizon, and, let’s be honest, no one can make a cheater cheat if they don’t want to, right?

After the scandal breaks, Angel tries to put the story – and Seb – behind her, but fate seems to have other ideas. A near miss at a premiere after-party and a shared love of vintage film brings the honey closer to the trap.

But what happens when pretence leads to passion, and a ‘kiss and tell’ becomes something real?

What did I think?

This was such good fun and pure escapism; nobody would be quite as forgiving in real life but that's why it's called fiction.  Angel and Seb is such a good story; the honey trap throws them together but perhaps fate had a little helping hand.

Angel is a journalist who accepts an assignment to entrap married film director Seb Winchester into a compromising position.  Angel happens to 'bump' into Seb at a hotel bar and they immediately feel the fizz of chemistry between them.  One thing leads to another and they end up in Angel's hotel room which is conveniently set up with hidden cameras.  After she got the 'money shot', Angel didn't plan to go all the way with Seb but she got carried away in the moment and really felt something for him.  Cue the heartbreak as the photos of their night of passion make the front page of the sleazy red top and Seb realises that he has been set up by Angel.

It's so frustrating that Angel has finally met the man of her dreams but, apart from him being married, he wants nothing to do with her for setting him up.  As the pair kept bumping into each other you could feel the crackle of sexual tension through the pages and I even forgave Angel for setting Seb up in the first place.  Just one thing to sort out though - he's married to the star of his films but are they truly happy?

I really enjoyed reading The Honey Trap, although it was sometimes a wee bit too mushy for me with all of the 'I love You's'.  It's great fun and perfect for reading in the sun or curled up on the sofa with a hot chocolate - although there are some steamy scenes so don't wrap up too warm!

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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Boyfriend by the Book - Laura Briggs

Jodi Nichols isn’t the most romantic girl on the planet. She doesn’t get mushy over fictional love stories, or picture herself getting swept away by a handsome hero. She’s much too grounded in reality—and much too busy working as a concierge at the luxurious Regent hotel. Helping customers is Jodi’s passion in life, and while romance may be on the back burner for now, she is nursing a little crush on Levi, the cute and friendly deliveryman for the hotel packages. And unless she’s imagining things, Levi feels the same way about her. 

But Jodi’s friends think she’s turning into a lonely workaholic. They try to fix her love life, buying her a copy of the bestselling relationship guide that claims women can find true love by channeling the wisdom of famous storybook heroines. Jodi thinks it sounds crazy—no way is she acting like Jane Eyre or Lizzie Bennet to find a man! But when Levi suddenly grows distant and Jodi’s chances with him seem to fizzle before her eyes, she wonders if her friends might have a point after all. Disheartened and lonely, she decides to give the so-called relationship guide a whirl, with unexpected consequences.

Before you can say ‘Pride and Prejudice’, Jodi is up to her neck in handsome, brooding men that seem too much like fictional heroes to be true. Her attempts to think like the greatest heroines in romance lead her to meet everything from a modern Mr. Rochester to an angsty Heathcliff, and even a Darcy-esque novelist. But when a former crush re-enters her life in the form of a modern day Romeo, Jodi wonders if there might be something to this ‘inner heroine’ thing after all. Now, if she could just stop thinking about Levi, then maybe her happy-ever-after will fall into place…or is something still missing from Jodi’s storybook romance?

Boyfriend by the Book is a perfect feel good read for curling up with on a rainy day or a summer afternoon, with lots of laughs and surprises to keep the reader turning pages! 

What did I think?

Boyfriend by the Book is a fabulous read and a wonderful idea for a book, bringing the classics into modern day life.  Who hasn't dreamt of meeting their very own modern-day Mr Darcy or Romeo?  Before I go all dreamy about Mr Darcy, let's see what I thought about the book...

Too late...I've gone all dreamy about Darcy...

Enjoy!

Jodi is a typical workaholic, she loves her job and goes above and beyond the call of duty to be the best concierge she can be. Although she has a harmless flirtation going on with delivery guy Levi, she doesn't get the opportunity to meet men and go out on dates.  When her friends all start 'coupling-up' they buy Jodi a relationship guide based on the classic romances Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Romeo and Juliet.  Jodi casts it aside as mumbo jumbo but when she keeps stumbling across the book she decides to give it a go.

It's absolutely hilarious to see the modern day men compared with the heroes in these classics, but they each play the part surprisingly well.  The only trouble is, Jodi can't stop thinking about Levi but she has no idea whether Levi has any feelings for her beyond friendship.  As Jodi goes on various dates, you can't help but wish she was going out with Levi but fate is always in control of the cards and she must play the hand she is dealt.  Will she get the romantic ending we wish for?  You'll just have to read it and see!

Boyfriend by the Book is such good fun, full of misunderstandings and hilarity as Jodi negotiates the dating minefield.  I read it with a smile on my face and it certainly left me with a warm glow.  Reawaken your very own inner Lizzie Bennet by reading Boyfriend by the Book today!

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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