BLOG TOUR: Jan the Dutchman (Mike Kingdom Thrillers Book 6) - David Jarvis

When a deadly enemy from her past appears alive and well, can Michaela ‘Mike’ Kingdom finally face up to her demons?

On holiday in The Gambia, Terry Bailey is enjoying his retirement from MI6 when he receives a shock. He spots a man in a car. It’s a fleeting glimpse. But it’s enough. He swears it is Jan the Dutchman, a drug overlord linked to a Colombian cartel. It can’t be Jan, as Jan is dead. Terry should know, he killed him.

Only one other person knows that Terry killed Jan – Michaela ‘Mike’ Kingdom, a CIA analyst based in London. Seven years ago, Jan had orchestrated the ambush in Holland that had killed Mike’s husband Dylan leaving her severely injured.

Was Terry tilting at windmills, Dutch windmills, or was Jan really alive seeking revenge? Terry tells Mike about the sighting and it re-opens wounds they both thought were long-healed.

It is now the beginning of a race to find Mike’s nemesis. But where to start? All Mike knew for certain is that he was not called Jan and he wasn’t a Dutchman. Apart from that, the search should be straightforward, shouldn’t it?

Jan the Dutchman is a thought-provoking and gripping sixth geo-political thriller that will delight fans of Frederick Forsyth and Mick Herron.

 

What did I think?

I was late to the party where the Mike Kingdom thrillers are concerned as I jumped in at book five but it's definitely a case of better late than never as they are fantastic. Jan the Dutchman is book six in the series and it's an absolute belter.  I think you could read it as a standalone and you will be hooked on Mike's story, like I was with the previous book.

Mike (Michaela) thought Jan the Dutchman was dead after causing the death of her husband and leaving her injured.  Now Jan is back and wants to finish the job, which puts Mike in terrible danger.  With her wedding day just around the corner, will Mike and Wazz get to the registry office on time?

Wow!  I could not put this book down!  The pacing is blisteringly fast and the plot is sharper than a razor blade.  There is so much going on, but it never gets confusing, and I think I was gripping the book tighter and tighter when Mike started to get closer to identifying Jan and the danger levels ramped up.  That ending, though!  Chef's kiss, Mr Jarvis!

Exciting, suspenseful and highly original, Jan the Dutchman is an outstanding thriller that kept me riveted from first page to last.  A very highly recommended read that is sure to result in new fans of this magnificent series.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Thank You, Next - Kathryn Freeman

I'm delighted to be taking part in the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour for Thank You, Next by Kathryn Freeman.  Scroll down to find out more about the book, read my review and win a paperback copy in the fabulous giveaway.

In this game of hearts, the stakes have never been higher…

Molly Harris is used to being left. Parents, boyfriends – she’s the queen of rejection. Her latest boyfriend, gym-fanatic Duncan, dumps her to go on reality dating show The One which sets up hot singletons to date for four weeks before meeting at the altar to say, ‘I do’.

But Duncan was the one who picked Molly up and put her back together the last time her heart got broken, so, determined not to let ‘The One’ get away, she follows Duncan onto the show. If she can prove that they’re meant to be, she might just get the happily ever after of her dreams…

But on the first day of filming, another reminder of her painful history walks into Happily Ever After Towers: Ben Knight, her it’s-not-you-it’s-me heartbreaker. The one she loved before Duncan.

In four weeks’ time, who will she meet at the altar? Duncan, the first person who ever made her feel loved, or Ben, the first person who made her feel?

 

What did I think?

If you follow my blog, you will know that I love Kathryn Freeman books and her latest novel, Thank You, Next is fun, flirty and a little bit racy.  It certainly had me blushing at times!

Molly loves watching reality dating show The One with her boyfriend Duncan and the romance on TV has Duncan hinting at marriage and children.  So, Molly is shocked when Duncan decides to join the show 'to gain more followers' or so he says.  Well, two can play at that game and Molly joins the show too.  Molly is sure that she will be matched with Duncan anyway and she starts dreaming of her wedding...until she is matched with her ex Ben.

Oooh I loved Ben even though he tries to keep Molly at arms length the attraction virtually sizzles off the page.  Ben doesn't have any desire to get married though and that's something that Molly really wants, due to being abandoned in her past by her parents and Ben himself.  Is Duncan 'the one' for Molly or should she give Ben another shot?

This is a really fun read and I really enjoyed following the couples on the dating show.  I was worried that Molly would get her heart broken again, either by Ben or Duncan, as Ben has a past he has yet to reveal and Duncan loves himself so much that he has no love left to give anybody else.  Who will be standing at the altar and what will happen next?  I couldn't read fast enough to find out!

Hugely entertaining, pulse-racing and very enjoyable, Thank You, Next is classic Kathryn Freeman and I absolutely loved it.

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

About the author:

A former pharmacist, Kathryn now writes romantic comedies. Feel good books that are sexy and sweet, funny yet heart-warming. Mr Right Across the Street won the RNA Award for Romantic Comedy in 2022. 

With a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), the romance in her own life is all in her head. Then again, his unstinting support of her 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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryn.freeman_author/ 

GIVEAWAY!!!

Win a Paperback copy of Thank You, Next (Open Internationally). 

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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BLOG TOUR: Murder on the Dancefloor (The Bad Girls Detective Agency Book 2) - Katie Marsh

They DID promise her a killer hen weekend...

Jeanie’s getting married, and – despite her completely impossible four sisters – her best friends Clio and Amber are determined to give her a bachelorette weekend to remember. They’re in matching pink T-shirts and the drinks are flowing...

But the night turns out to be unforgettable for all the wrong reasons when a girl turns up dead on the dancefloor. And – even though she’s a stranger – she is wearing one of Jeanie’s hen T-shirts.

Who is she? And why are the police convinced that the hens are involved? Can the newly-formed Bad Girls Detective Agency solve the murder? And in time to get Jeanie up the aisle?

Unputdownable mystery set on the English coast – perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Bad Sisters and How to Kill Your Family.

 

What did I think?

Although I haven't read the first book in The Bad Girls Detective Agency series, How Not To Murder Your Ex, I really want to after reading Murder on the Dancefloor.  It's not necessary to have read the first book as I really enjoyed meeting this colourful group of girls and I felt that I got to know them over the course of the book.

Jeanie's hen party takes a sinister turn when a body is found in the nightclub where they are partying.  Jeanie is with her mother (who spends the evening reading her kindle), her quirky sisters (who could be an alternative to the Spice Girls) and her friends (who form The Bad Girls Detective Agency).  An investigation soon begins that puts Jeanie's wedding at risk.

This is a really fun crime caper that is very entertaining and would make a great TV series.  I had my suspicions about who the murderer was but there are a lot of threads to untangle before the big reveal.  I loved how everything came together at the end in a very satisfying conclusion.

Entertaining, fun and captivating, Murder on the Dancefloor is a heartwarming cosy mystery with friendship and family at its heart.  I loved it and will definitely be reading the first book in  the series to find out more about this wonderful group of friends.

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/dancefloorsocial

About the author:

Katie wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime. Her debut novel was a World Book Night pick and her books are published in ten languages.

She lives in the English countryside and loves strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of her children. ‘How Not to Murder your Ex’, the first in her Bad Girls Detective Agency series is out now, published by Boldwood Books. The next instalment, 'Murder on the Dancefloor,' follows in March 2024.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook https://facebook.com/KatieMarshAuthor 

Twitter https://twitter.com/marshisms

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katiemarshauthor/ 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KatieMarshNews 

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Never Forgive You - Hilly Barmby

A glamorous French wedding 

Arriving at the station with her boyfriend Davey MacGregor and his twin sisters, Ailsa and Juliette, Hetty, a thriller book addict, picks up on family tension. But that’s natural before a big wedding, isn’t it? Hetty feels out of her depth. The family are wealthy and well- educated, whereas she is a council house girl. Davey’s cousin Isabelle is to marry Jean- Jacques, a French right-wing politician, in the family chateau. 

A fairy-tale event 

Ailsa is hesitant about coming back to France. Eight years ago, something happened that nearly destroyed the family. But that was dealt with, wasn’t it? Hetty has secrets of her own that she doesn’t want known. Ailsa is drawn back into the past. What, exactly, did happen? The expensive wedding is everything it should be, except when the groom is taken ill. The revellers carry on, but something is seriously wrong. 

Then things start to unravel 

The relationships between the family members fracture and secrets from the past start coming to the surface, with murderous results… Who is telling the truth? Who is out for revenge?

 

What did I think?

As you can tell from the fabulous cover, Never Forgive You is a dark and disturbing novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I loved the setting of a French wedding in a village where the MacGregors are clearly not welcome.  Something clearly happened in the past and I couldn't read fast enough to find out what it was.

It's evident from the start that this is one heck of a dysfunctional family but the true extent is not revealed until near the end.  I had my virtual running shoes on when I was reading and I read the book in two sittings as I couldn't put it down until I had discovered all of the secrets.

The family aren't terribly welcoming to Davey MacGregor's girlfriend Hetty and my blood was boiling as I read chapters from their point of view and found out what they really thought about Hetty.  Just who do they think they are?  With skeletons in their closet tapping on the door to get out, they really shouldn't be acting so aloof.

Compelling, dark and disturbing, Never Forgive You is a page-turning thriller that incensed and entertained me.  Revenge is indeed a dish that is best served cold.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: A Little in Love - Florence Keeling

The little village of Weddington is fast becoming THE place to get married. With its stately home, castle and two churches it has something for everyone, and now, famous after appearing in huge romcom movie hit A Little In Love, it’s hosting a monthly wedding fayre…

Rose Pedal is the proud owner of Pedals & Prosecco, a brand new business serving ice-cold fizz from a vintage bicycle, and she’s excited to be attending her first wedding fayre. But, on the way to Weddington Hall she’s involved in a near miss crash involving dashingly handsome James from Blume’s Florist.

Arriving at the beautiful stately home drenched and disheveled, Rose is horrified to find James is not only not sorry for nearly knocking her off her bike, but he’s gatecrashing her allocated spot on the lawn. His arrogance gets her back up and it’s definitely a case of hate at first sight.  But as the wedding fayre season continues, James gently wins Rose over, and their relationship starts to bloom.

Can being just 'a little in love' help Rose and James find their own happy-ending…

 

What did I think?

Awwww I think this is one of the cutest books I have ever read and it warmed not only my heart but every part of me from my head to my toes.  It's a gorgeous story with lots of ups and downs and a generous helping of skulduggery thrown in for good measure.

The setting is the wonderfully named town of Weddington and Rose Pedal is attending her very first wedding fayre to launch her new business, Pedals & Prosecco.  Rose takes an instant dislike to fellow stallholder James Blume but she gets to know him better when they attend more wedding fayres and she gradually starts to (more than) like him.

The course of true love never runs smooth and just as Rose and James start to explore their feelings for one another the Blume family and James' ex stick a couple of spanners in the works.  

I absolutely adored this beautiful story from the camaraderie of the various wedding supplies traders to the rollercoaster love story of Rose and James.  It's incredibly entertaining and I chuckled on several occasions, mostly due to Rose's parents and her mum's cooking paired with her dad's nibbling.

Entertaining, funny and gorgeously romantic, A Little in Love guarantees a lot of smiles for everyone who reads it.  It's the perfect pick-me-up that beautifully reflects the sunshine and showers of life and I loved every moment of it.  Very highly recommended.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: The Wedding Dress Repair Shop - Trisha Ashley

Can her heart be mended too?

Garland Fairford has her dream job as a historical Costumier in London and is engaged to a handsome and successful playwright, Marco.

Whilst working on an exhibition of dresses owned by a Victorian actress, Garland meets a long-lost relative - Honey Fairford. Having no family, Garland is delighted, and intrigued to discover Honey is planning to open a wedding dress museum in Lancashire.

When Garland loses her fiancée and her job in the same week, she is excited to accept Honey's offer to work at the museum. Escaping London, and her old life, Garland is then shocked to be confronted with a ghost from her past - Thom.

As Garland starts to repair the beautiful vintage wedding dresses for the museum, as well as her relationship with Thom, could this finally be the chance for her own happy-ever-after?

 

What did I think?

I am absolutely astonished that The Wedding Dress Repair Shop appears to be the first Trisha Ashley book I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It's incredibly heartwarming and very intriguing with a family mystery to uncover as well as the story of each wedding dress that has been donated to the museum.

Everything is going right for Garland Fairford and she must feel very lucky to have both a job and a fiancé that she loves, but it quickly becomes clear that not everything in Garland's garden is rosy.  Garland's fiancé Marco is a self-centred swearword of a man and I absolutely detested him and his treatment of Garland.  

Luckily for Garland, a distant relative (Honey Fairford) provides her with the perfect escape when her life in London goes pear-shaped.  You might expect from the book title that Garland opens a wedding dress repair shop but she doesn't, she ends up repairing wedding dresses for Honey's new museum.   Garland doesn't have a shop open to the general public so I have to say that I was a little perplexed about the choice of book title, however, it is a wonderful story and the Wedding Dress museum sounds amazing.

I loved the excerpts from Honey and Garland's ancestor's journal that are sprinkled throughout the book.  Rosa-May's story is set in 1815 as her new husband prepares to fight in the Battle of Waterloo and it ties in nicely with the wedding dress museum storyline.  The stories about each wedding dress are so poignant and one particular wedding dress story brought a tear to my eye, I feel emotional now just thinking about it.

Beautifully written and a joy to read, The Wedding Dress Repair Shop is a heartwarming and alluring novel that delighted me from start to finish (even the bits with nasty Marco in).  It may be my first Trisha Ashley book, but it certainly won't be my last - I loved it.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Trisha Ashley's Sunday Times bestselling novels have sold over one million copies in the UK and have twice been shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan award for Romantic Comedy. Every Woman for Herself was nominated by magazine readers as one of the top three romantic novels in the last fifty years.

Trisha lives in North Wales. For more information about her please visit www.Facebook.com/TrishaAshleyBooks or follow her on Twitter @trishaashley.

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BLOG TOUR: The Bride - John Nicholl

She’s on trial for murder… Now it’s her turn to tell her story…

The truth is that I loved James with my whole heart. We were soulmates: meant to be together forever. On the morning of our wedding, I had just found out I was carrying his child.

But it’s time to tell my side of the story. It’s time everyone knew what happened on that wedding day, on our honeymoon, and on that fateful last drive together. It’s time everyone found out about the secrets and about the threat that loomed over our marriage. It’s time everyone found out who really killed James.

And I need everyone to believe me. To believe I’m not a killer. Because if they don’t, then my baby won’t just have no father… she’ll have no mother.

 

What did I think?

John Nicholl's books always hook me from the start with a wonderfully tense and gripping storyline and The Bride is no exception.  I absolutely loved it and couldn't wait to discover Daisy's story and find out what had happened to her new husband, James.

The tension is palpable throughout as Daisy tells her story about how she so quickly went from being a bride to a widow.  We meet Daisy, widowed and pregnant, when she is remanded in prison and writing her story for her unborn child.  As if that wasn't enough of a hook, the mysterious circumstances surrounding her new husband's disappearance and subsequent death had me doubly hooked.

I loved how the book is written in Daisy's voice and it really felt as if she was speaking out loud to me as I was reading.  You can't help but feel sorry for her when her happy days as a newlywed are cut so devastatingly short.  I couldn't read fast enough to find out what had happened to James and how Daisy has ended up on trial for murder.   I had many theories and I'm delighted to say that all of them were wrong!

Addictive, twisty and tense, The Bride is an incredibly gripping psychological thriller that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/thebridesocial

About the author:

John Nicholl is the bestselling author of numerous psychological thrillers and detective series, previously published by Bloodhound, and inspired by his real-life experience as an ex-police officer and child protection social worker. Boldwood will be publishing the next title in his Galbraith series and a new psychological thriller in autumn 2022, and will be reissuing his bestselling backlist from May 2022.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/nicholl06 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/johnnichollauthor/ 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JohnNichollNews   

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/john-nicholl 

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BLOG TOUR: Before I Do - Sophie Cousens

What would you do if the one that got away turned up the night before your wedding?

Audrey is marrying Josh; steady, dependable Josh, the love of her life. They share a flat and a bank account, and it's the only relationship that Audrey's ever had that feels like something she can put her trust in. But romance should be full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey's found herself wondering if Josh really is 'the one'.

So, when Josh's sister Miranda arrives at their rehearsal dinner with Fred - Audrey's 'What If?' guy, the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with but never saw again - Audrey can't help but see it as a sign.

Surely Fred's appearance the night before Audrey is due to get married can't be a coincidence. And when everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to wonder: could fate be trying to stop her from making a huge mistake?

 

What did I think?

I enjoyed Before I Do so much more than I expected to.  I was expecting something lighthearted and fun, which it sort of is, but it's so incredibly intriguing from the start that I couldn't put it down.  I hadn't read any of Sophie Cousens' books before but I definitely want to read more now.

The first line is a wonderful hook that not only sets the scene but makes the reader want to find out more.  With chapters titled various amounts of time 'Before I Do' the story flips back and forth between Audrey's past and the present day.  Audrey has always wondered about Fred, her one that got away, as fate seemed to bring them together before so cruelly tearing them apart.  Josh didn't make such a good first impression on Audrey but her love for him grew and they are about to get married.  The last person Audrey expected to see the day before her wedding day is Fred.

I really felt for Audrey as she juggled her emotions and tried to keep her wedding on track.  It seems like fate is once again playing a part in Audrey's life when things start going wrong, but Audrey is sure that she loves Josh, isn't she?  A wedding must be one of the most stressful things a couple can go through so it's no wonder that they often have doubts.  I loved the vivid portrayal of Audrey's emotions and I felt like I experienced them all with her.

Before I Do is so entertaining, the writing is vivid and the plot is wonderfully surprising.  I absolutely loved it and it's an easy five stars.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Six Days - Dani Atkins

 

Two people. One love story. Six days.

He loves me... He loves me not... He loves me...

Gemma knows that she and Finn are destined to be together. They are soulmates. But then, on their wedding day, he never arrives at the church.

Gemma is convinced Finn wouldn't abandon her like this, even though he has disappeared once before. But back then he had a reason. She feels sure something terrible has happened, but no one else is convinced. Even the police aren't concerned, telling Gemma most people who disappear usually turn up in a week... assuming they want to be found, that is.

For the next six days Gemma frantically searches for Finn, even though every shocking revelation is telling her to give up on him. Before long, even she begins to doubt her own memories of their love.

How long can she hold on to her faith in Finn if everyone is telling her to let him go?

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, Dani Atkins has done it again!  Have your tissues at the ready when you start this book as it's a real rollercoaster of emotions.  I was already reaching for my tissues on page 8!  Humpty Dumpty should have called on Dani Atkins as this book completely broke me and put me back together again.

It's Gemma's wedding day and she thinks that the only important person missing from the ceremony is her deceased mother, until the groom doesn't turn up.  Gemma and Finn have a perfect relationship, after a very rocky start, so Gemma is convinced that something must have happened to prevent Finn from turning up at the church.  Until she finds all his clothes missing from his apartment and the joint account funds depleted...

Through flashbacks we examine Gemma and Finn's relationship and much like the he loves me...he loves me not rhyme, I fluctuated between thinking he's done a runner and something bad has happened.  All the evidence seems to point to a moonlight flit so the police won't look for Finn and even Gemma's friends and family think the worst of Finn for hurting Gemma in such a cruel way.

I absolutely loved Gemma to bits and I was completely devastated that her special day had been ruined.  Although many women would have written him off as a jilting rat, I loved how Gemma never lost faith in Finn, although her faith did waiver a bit as it was really put to the test.  So why did Finn abandon Gemma at the church?  You'll just have to read this wonderful book to find out!

So beautifully written, Six Days is a wonderful ride on the emotional rollercoaster; I honestly think I  experienced every emotion when reading this book.  Dani Atkins has fast become one of my favourite authors and I really can't recommend Six Days highly enough.  

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Dani Atkins is an award-winning novelist. Her 2013 debut Fractured (published as Then and Always in North America) has been translated into sixteen languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK. 

Dani is the author of four other bestselling novels, two of which, This Love and A Sky Full of Stars, won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, in 2018 and 2022 respectively. 

Dani lives in a small village in Hertfordshire with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie. 

Follow Dani on twitter @AtkinsDani

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

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BLOG TOUR: Talk Bookish to Me - Kate Bromley

 

Inspiration can be found in the most unlikely - and inconvenient – places…

Kara Sullivan is definitely not avoiding her deadline. After all, it's the week of her best friend's wedding and she's the maid of honour, so she's got lots of responsibilities. She's a bestselling romance novelist with seven novels under her belt, so she's a pro. Looming deadlines don't scare her, and neither does writer's block, which she most certainly does not have. She's just eager to support Cristina as she ties the knot. Right? Right.

But then who should show up at the rehearsal dinner but Kara's college ex-boyfriend, Ryan? Turns out he's one of the groom's childhood friends, and he's in the wedding party, too. Considering neither Kara nor Ryan were prepared to see each other ever again, it's decidedly a meet-NOT-cute. However, when Kara sits down to write again the next day, her writer's block is suddenly gone. Are muses real? And is Kara's muse . . . Ryan?

What did I think?

Oh I really rather enjoyed this.  For those of us who like value for money, it's also a book within a book as Kara is an author and we get to read the first draft of her historical romance novel tucked within the pages of Kara's story.  It's also a virtual trip to New York and Rome from the comfort of your favourite reading chair.

Ryan may not be the traditional squeaky clean love interest for Kara but it was clear from the moment they met in college that they were meant to be together.  Ten years have passed since they broke each other's hearts when fate throws them together again and the pages virtually crackle with sizzling chemistry.  Kara thinks she can avoid Ryan throughout Cristina's wedding but before she knows it she is offering Ryan (and his overweight bulldog) a sofa to sleep on.  

The minor inconvenience of having Ryan to stay has an unexpected side-effect for Kara as the novel she was struggling to write suddenly bursts back into life.  All the feelings that Ryan has awakened are transferred to Kara's novel and Kara needs to make the most of this before she leaves for 6 months in Italy just a few days after the wedding.  As the sexual tension increases it's no longer a case of will they/won't they it's more a matter of when, but neither of them are being completely open and honest with each other.  Will Kara ever get her own happily ever after?

Reading this book really reminded me how you should always listen to your heart.  It's like a horror novel when you look back over your own dating history and realise how often you have settled for Mr Not Quite Right on the assumption that he's the best you're going to get.  Don't ever settle - someday your prince (or princess) will come and you really will 'just know'.

Talk Bookish to Me is a fun and charming read that sizzles with chemistry.  Even though it's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, I read most of it with a smile on my face.  Talk Bookish to Me is like catnip for booklovers as you can't get more bookish than a book about books that is also a book within a book.  Book-tastic!

I received an ARC from the publisher to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: The Secret Bridesmaid - Katy Birchall

 

You are cordially invited to the wedding of the year . . .

Sophie Breeze is a brilliant bridesmaid. So brilliant, in fact, that she's made it her full-time job.

As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. From wrangling rowdy hen dos to navigating last minute portaloo cancellations and family dramas, there's no problem she can't solve.

So when she's hired by an actual Marchioness to help plan the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is.

Of course, it's not ideal that the bride, Cordelia Swann, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie's life a nightmare. It's also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia's posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. And when a rival society wedding is announced, things start to get rather complicated...

Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann - all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact?

Heart-warming and hilarious, The Secret Bridesmaid celebrates the joys (and foibles) of weddings, the nuances of female friendship, and the redeeming power of love in its many, unexpected forms.

What did I think?

Well this was just the perfect change of pace I was looking for; now and again I like to escape the darkness of crime thrillers by plunging into the sunny world of chick lit and romcoms.  The Secret Bridesmaid is such a fabulous romcom that it had me laughing out loud on many occasions and I absolutely adored the main character of Sophie Breeze.

Sophie is a professional bridesmaid who takes the stress of wedding planning away from the bride to ensure that they can enjoy their big day without worrying about things going wrong.  Posing as a friend of the bride, the guests are unaware that Sophie is a wedding planner extraordinaire.  Sophie really does throw her all into the role and many of the brides are considered real friends when the wedding day is over.

When Sophie is hired by Lady Meade to help plan her daughter's wedding, it should be a dream come true for Sophie, however, the bride wants nothing to do with her.  Cordelia is a right bridezilla and sets impossible tasks in the hope that Sophie will quit but Sophie is made of much stronger stuff and Cordelia can't get rid of her that easily.

This book was an absolute joy to read; we all need a friend like Sophie in our lives!  It was so delightful to watch friendships grow throughout the book and absolutely hilarious to read emails between Sophie and her suppliers.  Whilst some of the brides' requests may seem far-fetched I bet there have been more outlandish requests in real life making those in the book appear tame in comparison.

Uplifting and hilarious, it's impossible to read The Secret Bridesmaid without a huge smile on your face.  I'm definitely putting Katy Birchall on my 'authors to watch' list and I'll have my eyes peeled for news about her next book.

I received an ARC from the publisher to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Katy Birchall is the author of several young adult novels including The It Girl series, the Hotel Royale series and Morgan Charmley: Teen Witch. She is the co-author of the middle grade Lightning Girl series and Star Switch with Alesha Dixon, and the Find the Girl teen series with YouTube stars Lucy and Lydia Connell. Katy was proud to be the author of a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma for the Awesomely Austen series, a collection of Austen's novels retold for younger readers. She has also written a non-fiction book, How to be a Princess: Real-Life Fairy Tales for Modern Heroines. The Secret Bridesmaid is her first adult novel.

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