Blog Tour: Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

Lily loves her job running the family bookstore Bay Books. She loves the moments during her day when she gets to talk about books with customers or when she sees a young child engrossed in a book in the children's area of the store. She loves the team who work with her, including one of her best friends, she loves planning window displays, especially in the run up to Christmas.

Whilst her professional life is satisfying, her personal life is arguably not so successful. She had had two big romances in her life and they both ended with her being left behind. Now, she lives in the annexe at her parents house and she is happy there, but she does know that something is missing.

When her dad, well actually her stepfather but he has been there for her since he came into her life which is more than you can say about her biological father needs a double knee operation and it is going to be happening in the run up to Christmas, which is the busiest time of the year, she knows she is going to need some help. She needs to recruit someone who loves books, has initiative and great customer service.

Enter Lars Jóhannsson. Lars has recently sold his successful business and his grandmother has moved into a seniors community, so he knows that he needs to find something to do with his time. When his friend sees the ad for the role at the bookshop, he applies but he isn't really convinced that he has a shot at getting the role. After all, he has never been someone else's employee. Oh, and there's the small matter of him treating Lily quite badly at school. He knows that he was unfair back then, but he also knows that Lily would have no idea why he didn't want to be her friend, which was actually nothing to do with her. Rather it was all to do with the hurt he felt after his beloved sister passed away and his parents separated, leaving Lars to be raised by his grandmother.

Lily remembers the hurt she felt at being rejected by Lars all those years ago, but if they can get past that could there be more between them. 

I really love a book about books and this definitely a celebration of all things books. It was full of references to many books some of which were made up but many of them were real. Anne of Green Gables, which is Lily's favourite book featured throughout the book. I loved the sound of the bookstore with it's various different levels, especially the kids section which sounded magical. 

The book is also a celebration of all things Christmas as well, with a special focus on the Christmas traditions of Iceland, due to Lars being half Icelandic and half British. I loved the sound of the 13 Yule Lads of Christmas and, of course, which of us would not love the idea of all sitting around on Christmas Eve reading the books we have just been gifted as part of the Christmas Book Flood.

As soon as I saw this book I knew that I was going to request it, because as far as I could tell it was a standalone novel. I had previously read another book from this author but I was very conscious of not wanting to start midway through any of her series. However, it become very obvious that this wasn't the first book that featured some of the same characters. It turns out that several of the shopkeepers are Lily's friends and that they have found their loves in earlier books. It didn't stop me enjoying this book, although it did distract me a little as I was reading because I was thinking about which book their stories were in. I don't like reading series out of order!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and with the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin Bout Books. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Love Book Toursfor the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!

Rating 4/5

About the book

It's the most wonderful time of the year at Bay Books, and a new love story is being written in the stars ✨ Nestled amongst the comforting shelves of her beloved Bay Books, Lily Appleton finds the peace and quiet she needs. But with Christmas just around the corner, Lily has to find an extra pair of hands to help her share the bookish magic.

After selling his business, Lars Jóhannsson is feeling lost. A job at Bay Books would give him the space he needs to contemplate his next move, but returning would mean confronting a painful past he's been avoiding. He’s also fairly sure he’s the one person Lily would never want to see again.

Lily is torn. Lars could be the perfect fit for Bay Books, but he once rejected her friendship and the hurt still lingers. But working together, Lily discovers a vulnerability that Lars has kept hidden away, along with a few surprising secrets. And as the Christmas season sprinkles its magic, Lily discovers the warmth of renewed friendship and the joy of heartwarming traditions from Lars’s Icelandic roots.

Surrounded by the quiet magic of the season and the soft glow of festive lights, perhaps there’s even the possibility of finding a love as enchanting as the Northern Lights on a winter's night.

About the author

 About the Author  –

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland

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

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland

The Storytellers by Sue Heath

 

Happy release day to Sue Heath for her new novel The Storytellers!

Last year I read and loved Sue Heath's novel The Secret Ingredient. It was one of only 3 books that I gave a rating of 5/5 to, so I have been keeping an eye out for a new book by her. I was very excited when I saw the cover and read the description!

The Storytellers is another delightful read about found community, about the power of storytelling and so much more. The book is centred around the local library, where a group of come together to write a short story for a local competition. The rules are simple. Each part of the story must be clearly written by different contributors but come together as a complete story. And the prize? A party with the mayor!

Hattie first comes to the library as she wants to learn to use the computer. She has recently been widowed after many years of unhappy marriage and now she wants to find the man she believes she was in love with many years before. 

Will is the librarian who has moved back to town to look after his dad. He is only in town for a while and hopes to go back to his real job running a bookshop. Things are a bit complicated for Will as his ex girlfriend is also his boss and she is now going out with a man that Will dislikes intensely.

Avril has quit her job and is now searching for what the future might bring. She is also trying to find out anything about her mother who died when she was very young. Her father remarried and Avril doesn't really get along with her stepmother or her two stepsisters. 

Stuart has recently retired and is at something of a loose end. He has a happy marriage although his wife is often very busy with all her different hobbies. Stuart has to get out of the house on Thursdays as he doesn't want to catch an eyeful when his wife is hosting her life drawing art class.

Given that each of our characters are at different places in their lives it makes sense that their sections are all very different, and each of them work through their own issues in their sections of the story. It is a bit of a concern that Hattie does tend to want dead bodies to keep on turning up in her sections!

You couldn't help but cheer the characters on as they wrote their story, willing them on with the hope that they would win the prize. More importantly though, I willed them on as they built bonds with each other, and as they began to help each other.

There were so many great quotes about life and books in this novel, and it was full of humour too. I often found myself smiling for pages afterwards as I read including a particular passage about the local butcher that just had me laughing and smiling for ages.

This is a book that I can see myself rereading if I need a pick me up. At least until the next Sue Heath book comes out anyway!

This was one of the books I nominated for 20 Books of Winter. I am also sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog and the Bookish Books challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books.

Rating 4.5/5

Paris in July: The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

 

I am pretty sure that I heard about this book as part of last year's Paris in July. I bought it and then patiently waited for the right time to read, which ended up being last week!

We meet New Yorker Stella in Paris in 1983, her mother having just passed away. Stella's relationship with Celia St Vincent was difficult. Where Celia was flamboyant, Stella was quiet. Where Celia was the centre of society, Stella was a studious copy editor who preferred to live alone quietly. Needless to say, they clashed on many issues. When Celia dies, she leaves a small amount of money and an instruction. Go to Paris.

Usually she doesn't do what her mother says, but in this case she agrees and that is why she is in Paris. On her first day in Paris she is attracted to a small dress shop. The shop owner greets her as if she has been waiting for her and instructs her to buy a specific dress, which fits her as if it is made for her. However, when she hears the dress is 6000 francs she leaves the store. Eventually, however, she returns to the store where the owner gives her a deal. She can take the dress but she must then walk through the Tuileries to the Seine and then to the Pont des Arts, have champagne and oysters at Les Duex Magot an then go to the Musee du Jeu de Paume. After that, if she then wants to return the dress she can.

And so begin a series of events which change Stella's life in ways she can never imagine. She meets an older man called Jules who helps open her eyes to the joys of Paris, the sights, the sounds, the food and wine, the art and introduces her to many influential people, many of whom are real people from history.  Along the way he sets her on a search for someone she never expects to find...her father.

One of the places that Stella finds herself is at the legendary bookstore, Shakespeare and Co and she soon becomes a Tumbleweed, someone who lives in the bookstore in exchange for helping out occasionally. She first went to the store as she became interested in the life of Victorine Meurent and was looking for a book about her. Victorine was originally a model to many famous artists including Edouard Manet. She then disappeared from history which in itself an injustice given that she has become a painter and had her worked displayed at the famous Salon something which was extremely difficult to achieve as a women. Despite this success, it was believed that none of her paintings survived.  Now Stella is on the hunt to see if she can find any of Victorine's works. Being set in 1983 meant that Stella has to do old fashioned research like going to churches to find records, going to National archives etc. None of this just looking everything up on the internet.

As you might expect given that Reichl is a renowned cookbook writer, an editor, a restaurant critic and more, the food and wine related passages shine throughout this book, and there are a lot of them. Here's just one

Jules's wines were opened, decanted, fussed over. They both watched Olney take the first sip of the 1945 Romanee-Conti, his eyes growing wide as he held the liquid in his mouth. Then he took another, closing his eyes in pleasure. If he were a cat, she thought, he would be purring. 

She took a sip. And understood. She was drinking liquid rubies.

But they did not discuss the wine. When she remarked on it later, Jules shrugged. "What would we say? The wine spoke for itself. We were drinking time, drinking history, tasting the past. You can't talk about that, and only idiots would try."

Instead, they cooked. 

Stella goes from being someone who doesn't even think of food to someone who is brave and loves the experience of trying new things, some of which are probably outside the realms of what I would like to try myself. It turns out that, of course, she has an exceptional palette and food begins to becomes a huge part of her future. 

This is a bit of a kitchen sink book. If you think about any of the things that France is famous for it is in the book. Food and wine...check. Art...check. Literature...check. Iconic locations...check. 

So what stopped this from being a more enjoyable experience to me. It comes down to one chapter early in the book. In chapter 2 of the book, we hear about some childhood experiences that Stella had, and having read to the end, I am not sure why it needed to be there. Whilst I think it was meant to show that those experiences shaped the way that she lived her life in New York, just her difficult relationship with her mother would have been enough to explain it. It felt a bit manipulative to me, although I do acknowledge that this particular subject is something that I am a bit sensitive too.

So this was a bit of a mixed bag of a read for me. I enjoyed a lot of the book, but it was soured a little by some of the choices that the author made. 

I am sharing this review with Paris in July, with Weekend Cooking which I host, Bookish Books Reading Challenge hosted at Bloggin' 'Bout Books, with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host and with Foodies Read hosted at Based on a True Story. This is the eighth book I have read this year with the word Paris in the title!

Rating 3.5/5

Blog Tour: The Cruise Club by Caroline James

Welcome on board the Diamond Star! The sun is shining, the drinks are flowing, and the sightseeing is amazing.

This is the second book from author Caroline James set on board the Diamond Star. I hadn't read the first book, The Cruise, but it didn't really matter as it appears that the story is set on the same ship but with only a couple of crew members returning as characters, one of which was the old style comedian Dickey Delaney. I was surprised in a good way to see Sid and Fran from The French Cookery School (
which I reviewed here) pop up on the cruise on holidays

Carmen Cunningham is an author who has had one successful cosy mystery novel published. She has a contract for two more, but the words just aren't coming. She also has a very difficult and demanding mother, Betty, who is really, really horrible to her the vast majority of the time. One day, Carmen sees an advertisement for a Mediterranean cruise where there is a special guest. Her author hero Ruskin Reeve is going to be on board and leading writing workshops. Thinking that maybe this might help her writing so she books! Of course, as soon as Betty finds out she is insistent that she too will go on the cruise and must be in the cabin next to Carmen. Poor Carmen. Every time her mother bashes on the wall with her walking stick she is expected to react immediately.

Once on board, we meet a variety of characters from Dickey to the drag queen Melody, who don't initially like each other which is tricky seeing as they are sharing a backstage dressing room. We meet Ruskin who has his own reasons for coming on the cruise, Theo a famous TV chef, Holden who is an American gentleman and a few other characters.  

When mystery author Ruskin initially meets Carmen he pretty much dismisses her, which might say something about him but it also reflects how Carmen feels about herself. She dresses in boring, drab clothing, hasn't had her hair done in forever and hides behind her big glasses. However, colourful Fran gets hold of Carmen and helps give her a makeover, and magically, Carmen begins to shine. Of course, her mother does her best to knock that shine off.

For the crew on the Diamond Star, things start to get a bit problematic when there are a series of jewellery thefts on board. Can the author of mysteries figure out who the thief is before they have to alert the authorities and cause panic on board?

My favourite things about this book was the ports that the boat stops in at. It visits places like Rhodes, Crete and Malta. There was also a description of the ship passing through the Corinth Canal, which as a smaller ship it was able to do, although I don't think cruise ships go through there too often, regardless of their size. All of the places describe made me wish I could go on a Mediterranean cruise now.

We enjoy a cruise. Together we have been on two. The first was to the Caribbean and then recently to Japan. Separately we had done the Pacific Islands. One thing I don't remember seeing much of were the upside down pineapples which apparently mean that you are up for some "good times" if you get my drift. Maybe they were there but I just wasn't seeing them.

If you are looking for a quick, easy and fun escapist read which takes you on a journey through the Mediterranean this is a book for you. There's humour, romance, some interesting characters (good and bad), a bit of a mystery and more. 

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. 

Rating 4/5

About the Book

The Cruise Club

Because the best adventures are still to come…

Escape to the sun with the #1 bestselling author of The Cruise in a feelgood romcom full of romance, fun and mischief, which will sweep you away to the azure waters of the Mediterranean with every turn of the page…

Set sail on the Diamond Star for sunshine, romance – and just a little bit of mischief…

Cosy crime writer Carmen Cunningham is in trouble. Her inspiration has vanished, her deadline is looming, and her meddling elderly mother Betty consumes her every waking moment. Hoping to revive her creativity, Carmen books a dream cruise, featuring workshops with her literary idol, Ruskin Reeve. It’s the perfect plan – until Betty insists on tagging along…

However, as the Diamond Star sails through sun-soaked ports and magical Mediterranean islands, Carmen finds the escape she needs as she discovers new friendships, and unexpected sparks with the grumpy, but charming, Ruskin.

But mischief is afoot on board the ship, with talk of items going missing and a secret club that’s got everyone talking… Will the cruise reignite Carmen’s writing muse or plunge her into the biggest plot twist of her life? Because, as she's about to find out, anything can happen at sea…

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/CruiseK

About the Author 

Caroline James is the celebrated author of later-life fiction, including THE CRUISE, the #1 best-seller that has captivated readers and cruise ship passengers worldwide, earning its reputation as Girl Power for the Over-Sixties! Her eagerly anticipated follow-up novel, THE CRUISE CLUB, is set to make waves when it launches in 2025.

Caroline’s vibrant storytelling stems from her colourful career. Before becoming a full-time writer, she carved out a fascinating path in the hospitality industry, owning a charming country house hotel and a lively pub. As a media agent, she worked closely with celebrity chefs, giving her an insider’s perspective on the glitz, glamour, and grit of the culinary world. When she finally turned her focus to writing, she discovered her true calling, penning best-selling novels that have garnered her legions of fans.

When she’s not writing in Venus, her holiday home on wheels, Caroline enjoys tranquil walks with Fred, her lovable Westie, and swims in a local lake. As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the SoA, ARRA, and the Society of Women’s Writers & Journalists, Caroline is a passionate advocate for the written word and a champion of life-long creativity.



Social Media Links –

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

X: @CarolineJames12

Bluesky: CarolineJamesAuthor

Facebook: Caroline James Author

Insta: Caroline James Author

TikTok: carolinejames494

The Lost Story of Sofia Castello by Siobhan Curham

 

Sometimes when you pick up a book you just know straight away that it is really going to work for you! This is one of those books. I was hooked by the end of the prologue and basically couldn't stop reading from that point on!

Ghostwriter Lily Christie wants to continue to write for a living, but she is a bit disheartened after her last couple of gigs with people who barely cared about the story that they were telling even though it was their own story! She could do with a break. When she is contacted by her agent with a request for her to write a new book, she is a little bit surprised by the secrecy surrounding it. Having been presented with a Non Disclosure Agreement:

"Go on then, put me out of my misery - who's the client?" I ask as I sign it, praying I won't be disappointed. 

"Sofia Castello," she replies enigmatically

I frown. "The singer."

"Yes!" She smiles.

"The singer who sang "Ocean Longing"?" I ask, certain I must be mistaken.

"The very one."

"But it can't be." A shiver runs up my spine. "She's been dead for years!"

The book then follows Lily to Portugal where she meets the enigmatic Sofia who both wants to tell her story but also wants to keep her secrets. It's a difficult path for Lily who knows that Sofia isn't telling the whole truth . She doesn't understand why Sofia would specifically request Lily as a ghostwriter but then not be willing to be honest.

As far as the world is concerned, Sofia died in a plane accident during WWII when the plane she was travelling in was shot down by the Germans. Prior to her death, Sofia had a meteoric rise to stardom. Originally from a small fishing village in the north of Portugal, Sofia moved to Lisbon when she was 16 and became a varino, selling fish while dressed in colourful costumes. What set Sofia apart from the other varinas? Her ability to make up witty songs about her fish. One day, a man from a bar offers Sofia a chance to sing in his bar, and thus, from these humble beginnings a star is born. Right from the beginning though, the story of who Sofia is has been blurred between what the public knows and what the truth is. Soon, Sofia is working with major record companies, recording songs that will soon become anthems for Portugal during these troubled times.

Portugal was a neutral country during WWII, but that doesn't mean that Lisbon wasn't a hot bed of political activities from spying to German agents hunting down Jewish refugees and more. With Sofia's growing public profile she is able to attend events where she becomes useful for what she can learn and share. She also becomes friends with a young German girl, which brings her great joy in the friendship but they are both in danger.

It isn't only in Portugal that Sofia's fame is growing, and so she is sent to London to put on a show to help raise morale. There, Sofia falls in love with a man who she knows very little about, other than that he does important war work. Even here, the line between truth and untruths is very fine. Who can Sofia trust? Maybe just her musical partner?

I loved this book! There were twists and turns all along the way. There were some things that I saw coming but there were also a couple of reveals that I didn't!

The modern storyline which is set in the year 2000 was interesting too, with Lily using the time in Portugal to really take stock of her life, but the real star of the show was Sofia's story. I didn't think that the Lily's story really needed the nice little bow that was presented in the epilogue, but I do understand why the author chose to finish the book that way.

The sights, sounds and food of Portugal came to life as well. I could really do with a Portuguese custard tart right about now just thinking about this book! And the description of the air raids on London that Sofia witnessed were so well done.

I have read a number of Siobhan Curham books now, and I have liked them all. Sofia Castello's story will stick with me for a long time and I think it is Curham's best book yet! I loved it from the very beginning to the end

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host, and with Bookish Books challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. This also counts for my read on a theme book club where the current theme is War. At 402 pages, this also counts as a Big Book of Summer! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy. 

Rating 4.5/5

Blog Tour: The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn (includes international giveaway)

 

And above all, don't forget there needs to be a terrible secret at the heart of the story.

Successful author Jessica Rose has been hired to run a writing retreat on the gorgeous Greek island of Santorini. Jessica's book Only. Ever. You. was a runaway hit, even being made into a film. At the retreat Jessica, whose real name is Jo, is expected to share her writing wisdom to a group of eager wannabe authors. But Jo has a terrible secret at the heart of her story, and she doesn't know how to fix it for herself, let alone guide others! What she does know is that the retreat should provide her with some time away from her controlling and most likely unfaithful husband Rees.

One of those students is Karmela. She is a professor who escaped from Sarajevo as a refugee as a child. Over the years she has closed herself off from being close to people for years. After spending some time in Dubrovnik last year doing research, this year she is at the retreat, determined to write the book of her heart, not only for herself but also to prove to her distant mother that she can. Other guests include Sophie and Diana, two friends who want to write a romance together, Ellen and Susan and Iain with his retired greyhound dog Sybil.

For the owner of The Retreat House, Zina, the success of the retreat is crucial. She and her husband, Lambros, have returned to Santorini from Athens where she worked in marketing. They live on the family farm with her widowed mother. Lambros is happy working the farm which includes growing pistachios and raising troublesome goats with all the manual labour that farming requires but the couple get little privacy. This is such a change for Zina that there are times where she struggles with what her life has become. There are times that her own traits, like being very competitive, don't help matters.

Gradually Jo, Zina and Karmela become closer and soon each of their secrets and desires are being revealed, and they are able to help each other. As well as being a book about the strength of female friendship, even new ones, it is also about mothers and daughters, and about the bravery it takes to take charge of your own life. 

One of the strengths of this book is the location. From the descriptions of Santorini to the food, Eva Glyn brings the island and culture to life! I would love to take a dip in the sea about now but it's a bit cold here in wintery Melbourne! Thanks goodness we can travel to other places, like Santorini, through the pages of books. 

Oh, and as for the books that are mentioned in the story Only. Ever. You. sounds fabulous and I would love to read the book that Karmela is writing which is historical fiction set in Croatia. If only they were real books!

Eva Glyn has been on my reading radar for a little while. I own her last book, The Dubrovnik Book Club, but I still haven't read it. After reading this book, I am definitely going to have to fix that oversight, especially seeing as I want to see where Karmela's story started.

How does a trip to Santorini sound to you?

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Bookish Books Reading Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Don't forget to enter the international giveaway below.

Rating 4/5

About the book

The Santorini Writing Retreat

Secrets make the best stories…

Three women, one writing retreat, endless possibilities…

Bestselling author Jessica Rose needs to escape from a terrible secret that’s robbed her of her creativity. Could leading a retreat on a gorgeous Greek island be just what she needs?

Coming home to Santorini was never in Zina’s plans, but now she’s determined to make her new business a success.

And then there’s Karmela, who just wants to write her book and make her mother proud.

In the heat of their Greek island paradise, these new friends find the courage to shape their own stories, and write endings they can all be proud of…

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/SantoriniRetreat

About the Author 

Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.

Set mainly in Croatia, her contemporary stories are more about friendship than romance, the coming together of people through shared interests, and the opportunity to make fresh starts in their lives. Her latest book, The Santorini Writing Retreat, is her first set in Greece.

In addition Eva has written two Second World War dual timeline romances, An Island of Secrets and The Collaborator’s Daughter. All her books are published by One More Chapter, a division of Harper Collins.

Although she considers herself Welsh, Eva lives in Cornwall with the man she met and fell in love with more than thirty years ago. She also writes as Jane Cable.

Social Media Links –

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

Twitter: @JaneCable

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eva-glyn



Giveaway to Win a paperback copy of The Santorini Writing Retreat (Open INT)

*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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Booked for Summer by Kathryn Freeman

 

Gorgeous blonde English woman Jade Taylor is looking for a bit of direction in life. She works as a publishing assistant (read general dogsbody) and she know she wants to work with books but she's not sure exactly what! She decides to take a three month contract running a bookstore on Nantucket Island to see if this helps give her some clarity. This time away will also help her reinvent herself. No more disastrous relationships with men. She is determined that she will only fall for someone who sees her true worth, something she is not sure even her family does. 

When Jade arrives in the harbour where she needs to catch a boat to get to the island she mistakenly assumes which boat she needs to get on. The first boat she gets on is manned by a gorgeous man and there is an instant sizzle of attraction between them! What can a bit of fun hurt? 

What no one has told her is Liam is in the process of buying the bookstore and the adjacent private wharf, which is next to the upmarket resort he owns, and he has plans to shut the store down as soon as the deal is finalised. Jade's working arrangement looks like it is going to end before it even gets started.

As much as Jade is attracted to Liam, she is also not afraid to stand up to him and fight for opportunity for the cosy seaside bookstore to stay open. It doesn't take Jade long to round up the locals to join the fight. Some are keen to see the bookstore stay because they like books, but others just want to see Liam Haven get some comeuppance. 

Liam grew up on the island but never really fit in because he wasn't a member of the established rich families on the island. As a result of the hurt and rejection from those years, Liam has built big barriers around himself. The only person who he allows into his inner world is his grandmother who raised him, and now Jade. He is, however, really confused by the feelings that Jade provokes in him so he often says and does the wrong thing. There is always a push-pull between them.

I really enjoyed some of the secondary characters in this book, especially Jeremy and his fiance Leroy. Jeremy is trying really hard to help Liam become less rigid when it comes to his interactions with everyone around him. Liam keeps on rejecting Jeremy's well intentioned assistance, but Jeremy is determined that they will one day be more than just boss and team members. Watching that play out was a lot of fun, and I was impressed with Jeremy's persistence.

This is your classic grumpy/sunshine romance which is based on a serious case on instant attraction. There is good chemistry between Liam and Jade on the page, but there were times when the push-pull became a bit much for me.

I loved reading about the island of Nantucket which sounds like a gorgeous place to visit. In the author's note she mentioned that she thought about setting this story in the Maldives. We are going to Sri Lanka and the Maldives later in the year, and now I am wondering if there are other books set there that I could start reading before we go.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Bookish Books Reading Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 3.5/5

About the Book

Booked for Summer

A love story she didn't see coming…

When book lover Jade Taylor applies to manage the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island over the summer, the last thing she needs is the distraction of billionaire resort owner, Liam Haven.

But things take an unexpected turn when Liam becomes Jade’s boss – a man who only reads contracts for pleasure…

In a bid to save the bookshop from being absorbed into the Haven resort, Jade is determined to teach Liam that there’s more to life than acquiring real estate. And if she can make him realise happily ever afters do exist, might she be able to save the island’s bookshop in the process?

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DBJNP9K5

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBJNP9K5

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

Twitter: @kathrynfreeman1
Facebook: facebook.com/kathrynfreeman
Instagram: kathryn.freeman_author
Website: http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin

 

I have been meaning to read Madeline Martin's WWII historical fiction for quite a while now. A few months ago I picked up a book thinking it was by her, but it turned out to be by someone else. However, when my read on a theme book club chose Spy as it's theme, this was my chance!

Ava Harper is happy working as a librarian at the Library of Congress but given that she speaks two languages it probably isn't a surprise when she is recruited for something different during WWII. She is sent to Lisbon in Portugal. Portugal is a neutral country but that doesn't mean that it isn't a hotbed of activity. There are active spies from every country. There are refugees from countries like France who have made it this far but now they need the right documents in order to be able to fully escape to a new life. There are also the notorious Portuguese secret police who don't need much of an excuse to arrest people.

Ava's job is to collect all the different publications from different countries that end up in Lisbon and to photograph them so that they can then be saved to microfilm and sent back to the US to be analysed in the hope of finding any piece of information that might help turn the tide of the war. As soon as she arrives she catches the attention of both a British and a German spy, and so, over the course of her stay in Lisbon, she gets a bit more caught up in the spy game than she otherwise might have done. She also begins to make connections in the refugee community and it is here that she learns of the difficulties that the refugees face.

The other side of the story is set in Lyons in France. Elaine's husband has insisted that she do nothing for the resistance but when he disappears she realises that she is going to have to get involved. She starts working with the Resistance in the printing of illegal newspapers, but also gets involved in other activities. It is in the course of these activities that she meets a young Jewish woman and her child and she decides that she needs to help them escape in any way that she can. 

One day Ava is reading a French Resistance newspaper and she realises there is something unusual about the article. She cracks the puzzle and finds a plea for help. Can two women who have never met, who cannot communicate directly with each other, and who each face different kinds of danger on a regular basis help save a young family. 

I really enjoyed both aspects of this story, and even more so given that both aspects were inspired by true stories. I never really thought about what kind of activities would be happening in neutral countries like Portugal, and how for the refugees getting there was only one step on the journey. There were still more dangers and challenges to face before they could truly feel safe.

Elaine's story was the more dramatic of the two between her missing husband, her work with the Resistance putting her in danger, and the fear of being betrayed. She had many losses but she still decided to take risks for other people when they needed it.

I will now be looking to read Martin's other WWII novels. From what I can see her future books are moving away from the WWII setting so it will interesting to see how they are received.

I am sharing this review with the Historical Fiction Reading challenge which I host here.

Rating 4/5

Blog Tour: If You Could See Me Now by Samantha Tonge

 

Violet is pretty happy with her life. She has a job in publishing children's books and she and her boyfriend Lenny are pretty happy. Yes, things might be a bit routine but that's how things get after a while in any relationship. Right? Well, not right, once fellow publisher Beatrix is on the scene. Beatrix is something of a personal idol of Violets, until she finds out that she has her claws into Lenny.

Heartbroken, Violet decides she needs a new flatmate. Enter Bella! Bella is energetic and driven and soon she is strongly encouraging Violet to take control of her life. First step, a lifestyle change with food and exercise. Second new hair, makeup, clothes. Third step, lose some more weight. Fourth step, why can't you go after that author with the hot new manuscript! But Bella is not quite what she seems.

As Violet's friends and colleagues become more and more concerned about her, she begins to isolate herself from them, all in the name of putting herself first, which is a shame. I particularly liked the book club women who are all much older than Violet and who clearly care for her and in some parts give some welcome comic relief.

Whilst we get to see the new Violet, we also get flashbacks into her childhood, which wasn't the easiest. I did guess part of what happened to cause her childhood trauma, but not the whole story.

I have read quite a few of Samantha Tonge's books now. She writes issues based women's fiction with an astonishing depth to them. This is the second book in a row by her that I have read where the book that requires the reader to come into it not knowing what the major themes are. Knowing would spoil the twists. It does also make it a bit tricky to review as I have so much more I could say, but I don't want to spoil the reading experience for anyone.

I'll finish with something very wise my good friend Sally told me

You don't have to believe everything you think.

Whilst I am not necessarily good at living up to this, I do remember it clearly quite regularly. It's possibly a mantra that could have helped Violet.

This book was originally published as Knowing You back in 2019 and has been revised and an epilogue added. 

I am sharing this review with the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin Bout Books and with British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog  Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. 

Rating 3.5/5

About the book

If You Could See Me Now

A brilliant, beautiful story from the bestselling author of A Single Act of Kindness
How far would you go for a perfect life?

Back in her troubled school days, kind-hearted Violet always dreamed of a life where she was happy. Now it feels like she’s just about getting there. She has her dream job working with books, and she’s living with her handsome boyfriend, Lenny.

But when her relationship with Lenny falls to pieces and he moves out, Violet, hurt and alone, decides it’s time to really take her happiness in hand. With help from her new flatmate, Bella, she changes her image and takes control at work, ready to show the world that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life. And when she meets magnetic author Casey, she begins to wonder if all she needed all along was a makeover.

But – with Bella – all is not as it seems. And Violet too has a secret, one that dates right back to her childhood, which could change everything…

IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW is a powerful story about friendship, trust, and taking control of your life while not being afraid to stand out. Perfect for fans of Shari Low, Milly Johnson and Colleen Hoover.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/IfYouCouldSeeMe

About the Author 

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines. She is represented by Darley Anderson Agency & Associates. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2020 one of her novels won the RNA's Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award. Currently Samantha writes uplifting, emotional women's fiction for Boldwood Books.

Social Media Links –



Facebook: SamanthaTongeAuthor

Twitter: @SamTongeWriter

Instagram: @samanthatongeauthor

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/samantha-tonge

Blog Tour: Happily Ever After by Jane Lovering

 

Everything Andi Glover knows she learned from books. After an unconventional upbringing, she isn't really equipped to live life independently in the real world but she definitely doesn't want to go back to living in a converted bus, or living with her sister who manages to have a normal life.

When she gets a job working in the library of a stately home cataloguing books, she knows exactly how life should go. She will meet the single and available heir, he will sweep her off her feet and fall desperately in love with her, they will marry, have beautiful children and live happily ever after. That's what happens in every gothic romance right? Except.....that's not how it unfolds

Andi has been asked to catalogue all the books in the library at Templewood Hall, currently haphazardly piled up everywhere. Really, what she is being asked to do by Lady Tanith Dawe is to secretly find the missing diaries of Sir Oswald, a famous author who Lady Tanith says she was the muse for, even though she later married his son. Accompanying Andi most of the time is a cat known only as The Master, and he needs to be treated accordingly. Also in the house is Hugo, who is the second son but who is now heir to all he surveys after his older brother, Jasper, forfeited his inheritance. Throw in a very grumpy housekeeper and a very rude gardener and the cast is complete.

There were a lot of things to like about this book. For example, I loved that each chapter had the name of a famous house from literature in it. For example, the first chapter is called Manderley and then we had Northanger Abbey and Bag End (from The Hobbit) as well as many others. I did like how Andi's story progressed and where she ended up, but I did think it took Andi a bit long to find the diaries and everything was all a bit drawn out and convoluted. 

This is my third Jane Lovering book. Last year I read and loved The Start of the Story by Jane Lovering (my review). If I was going to recommend anywhere to start with this author I would still start there, but this was a bit of fun and worth reading.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog and the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin Bout Books. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. 

Rating 3/5

About the book

Happily Ever After

Andi Glover loves nothing more than a good book.

Any book in fact because when you’re raised by unconventional parents who think school’s for squares, alongside a deeply conventional sister who escapes home as soon as she can, fiction is eminently preferable to reality.

The only problem is that fiction isn’t the best way to learn about the real world. When Andi starts her new live-in job at Templewood Hall for the eccentric Lady Dawe and her enigmatic son Hugo, it’s tempting to think she’s fallen into the pages of one of her favourite gothic novels.

But the plot twists at Templewood Hall are stranger than fiction and it’s not long before Andi questions if she’s living in a romance novel or a whodunnit. Bumps in the night, a missing heir, ghostly apparitions and secrets that have been kept for generations - the mysteries mount up. Then there's the inscrutable gardener who seems to appear when needed - is Andi right to hope for a happily-ever-after end to her story?

Purchase Link https://mybook.to/happilyever

About the Author 

Jane Lovering is a bestselling and multi-award winning romantic comedy writer. Most recently Jane won the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.



Social Media Links –

Facebook: @jane.lovering
Twitter: @janelovering
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaneLoveringNews
Bookbub profile: @janelovering

Blog Tour: The Secrets of the Rose by Nicola Cornick

 

Writer Hannah Armstrong has been commissioned to write the story of Grace Darling, a Victorian heroine who became famous after performing an amazing history following a shipwreck off the coast of the town of Bamburgh in north eastern England. For Hannah, this is a chance to come home for a while to spend time in the town she grew up and with her stepmother Diana. However, Hannah has never really been that enthralled with the tale of Grace Darling. She is much more interested in the story of Dorothy Forster, sister to a rebel Jacobite general, but she has a job to do, and she will do it. When she sees a portrait of Dorothy on the wall in her family home she is enthralled by the picture, and by all the Jacobite symbolism.

What she doesn't expect when she arrives at Bamburgh is to find that Diana has been keeping big secrets from her, and it means that she will need to spend more time in town than she first planned. It turns out though that there are many secrets, and as Hannah researches both stories, she begins to find more and more threads that link directly to her, and somewhat disturbingly that lead to some uncomfortable truths about her brother, Brandon.

Whilst this is a dual timeline, in effect we are getting three stories for the price of two. We find out more details about Grace's story as Hannah researches and writes. We get to see Dorothy Forster's story as it unfolds in the past. Dorothy is the person who keeps their household running. Her father is mentally absent most of the time and is very unwell, her older brother is mixed up in all sorts of trouble, including the Jacobite rebellion which aims to return Prince James Stuart to the British throne at the expense of King George I. Her younger brother Nicholas is away at Oxford studying, so Dorothy is most shocked when she finds out that he too is involved in the Jacobite conspiracy. Her uncle, Lord Crewe, is determined that the family name will not be tainted in any conspiracy as he knows that there is a risk that they will all be implicated, and he is prepared to use Dorothy as a marriage pawn if he needs to, much to her dismay.

As both stories progress, there is an echo through the generations, both in terms of the difficult familial dynamics, the feelings that Dorothy and Hannah have for men that they don't believe that they could or should have.  Dorothy was also the keeper of a talisman, known as The Rose. The talisman has been lost to history, but as Hannah researches it becomes clear that someone believes in the power of The Rose and will do anything to have it. 

I first became interested in Jacobite history after reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, but it really caught me once i read a number of Susanna Kearsley's books, starting with The Winter Sea. There were parts of this book that really reminded me of Kearsley's stories in terms of there being an almost mystical connection between some of the characters. Reading this book made me wish I had time to reread some of my favourites from her, or maybe I should just read her latest book! Either way would work for me I think!

I liked this book because it told the story of English Jacobites rather than just focussing on the Scottish history. We were in Scotland last year and we heard a lot about the Jacobites. We even visited the famous Glenfinnan monument to them, which is handily located right near the famous viaduct that the Harry Potter train crosses over!

Very early on in the book there is a passage about some glassware. Many years ago now, the National Gallery of Victoria had an exhibition of Jacobite glassware which I spent ages looking at. Some of these were meant to be used to communicate hidden political sympathies, and others were more overt. I couldn't help but think of that display when I read this passage. 

"I can't tell you how lovely it is to have you staying for more than just a few days," Diana said later, over dinner of shepherd's pie accompanied by some of the expensive red wine Hannah had brought with her. Diana had served the meal on the 'good' china with some antique crystal glasses she had bought in an antique shop in Alnwick.

"As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to have them," Diana had told her when Hannah had commented on them. "They came from a house clearance over at Adderstone. You remember the old manor house there? It's been derelict for years, but apparently its being turned into holiday flats now. The antiques dealer said these were quite a find."

"They're beautiful," Hannah had said truthfully, but in fact they were so fragile that she felt nervous to touch them. Hers was engraved with a circle of entwined oak leaves and Diana's had a rose on it. In the cupboard on the wall, Hannah could see the rest of the set sparkling in the light, each with a different motif - a butterfly, sunflower, crown and rosebuds. The symbols were the same as the ones in the portrait of Dorothy Forster in the hall. 

You can some of the symbolism in the image below from the exhibit. It wasn't the easiest to take photos of, but it does give you an idea. 

I had not previously read Nicola Cornick before. Looking at her backlist there are a number of her older books that I would like to read at some point!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, the Bookish Books challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge when I host here. I have also shared this with British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog.  Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. 

Rating 4/5

About the book

The Secrets of the Rose

Bestselling author Nicola Cornick’s brand-new heart-breaking historical tale of unforgettable courage, hidden secrets and lasting love, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory and Christina Courtenay.

1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.

Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.

Two women divided by time but bound by a centuries’ old mystery. Bestseller Nicola Cornick is back with a brand-new thrilling adventure, a heartbreaking love story and the unforgettable story of how the courage of one woman can save a family and even save a nation.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/SecretsOfTheRose

About the Author

Nicola Cornick is the international bestselling and award – winning historian and author of over 40 novels featuring women from the footnotes of history. Translated into 25 languages and previously published by HQ, her first book for Boldwood, set in the time of Charles II, will be released in March 2024.



Social Media Links –

Facebook: @Nicola.Cornick
Twitter: @NicolaCornick
Instagram: @NicolaCornick
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/NicolaCornickNews
Bookbub profile: @NicolaCornick

Blog Tour: The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted by Rebecca Raisin

 

Coco Chevalier loves working as a successful boutique publisher in London. She and her partner (both romantic and business) have built the business up from scratch, she loves working with her authors and producing the best books that she can! She is therefore beyond devastated when she discovers that he has been stealing royalties from her authors, many of whom she considers close friends. With her professional reputation in tatters she moves back to her parent's house in Paris with her 13 year old daughter, Eloise.

Coco's plan is to let the dust settle and then hopefully pick up work with a French publisher and start to rebuild her life. Unfortunately though, the bad news has spread across the Channel and no one in publishing will even speak to her let alone give her a job. She's going to have to come up with a plan B. While wandering around the Eiffel Tower, she is nearly robbed but is saved by a handsome but very obnoxious stranger, the same man she literally ran into when she arrived in Paris.

Determined to escape him, she finds a gorgeous little bookshop called The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted in a little laneway. This is a whimsical place where the owner, Valerie, gives potions and passages filled with meaning, the books are barely organised and there are book themed charcuterie/sweet boards available

Romance plat du jour,
because what is life without
love and sugar?
A sweet range of petit fours
and macarons

Crime plat du jour
because it would be a crime
not to snack while you read!
Saucisson, pâté, terrine and
aged fromage served with a
sliced baguette

Fantasy/Sci-Fi Plat du jour
because sometimes we all
need to escape to other
realms . . .
An extravaganza of sweet
and sour bonbons

Doesn't it sound like a delightful bookshop! I would love to stumble across it next time I am in Paris!

The last person that Coco expects is to run into in the bookshop is that man again, whose name is Henri.

After unsuccessfully looking for work, Coco is drawn back to the bookshop, Coco sees that there is a job available and so finds herself working as a bookseller, and in charge of the unruly book club! These book club members are very opinionated, usually have differing opinions and they are not afraid to express them. There is the person who only reads Literature with a capital L, the person who is an extreme fangirl to her favourite authors plus a few others. And then, of course, there is Henri.

Whilst the job situation is sorted, Coco is still having to deal with her daughter, Eloise, who is having trouble adjusting to their new life in Paris and just wants to go back to her friends in London. Her parents are trying to help all they can, but it is challenging to try to connect when Coco is constantly saying and doing the wrong thing in Eloise's eyes.

Henri is also struggling following his divorce and is raising a child on his own. Whilst Coco doesn't want to be interested in Henri, she can't help but wonder about his story. And with Valerie doing her best to encourage Henri and Coco to spend time together, she sees that there is more to him than her first bad impression might have suspected.

Whilst this would have been a fine read just based on the bookshop and Coco and Henri, there is an added depth as a number of issues are raised. We find out more about the book club members and each of their stories, the issues they are dealing with, and get some surprises along the way. I loved Valerie and the way that she could see her people and what they needed, and the friendships that were formed because of the place that she had created.

It's fair to say that I am a dedicated fan of Rebecca Raisin's books now. This is the tenth one I have read, and I think it is her best one yet! As always, I love the way she writes about places, especially when it is Paris, about books and food. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. 

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and the Bookish Book Reading Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. 

Rating 5/5

About the book

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted

Can you ever swear off love, in the city of love?

Coco is having a hell of a month. She’s lost her boyfriend and her business, been forced to uproot her daughter to move back in with her parents in Paris, and now an infuriatingly handsome stranger is yelling at her for acting like a tourist… Right underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Storming away from him – and swearing off men for life – she decides she’s going to take the first job that comes her way.

Then, as if fate hears her, later that day she stumbles into a little bookshop – but not any old bookshop. This one comes complete with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, and just a little hint of magic in the air. So when Coco’s offered a job selling books there, it feels like the perfect fit.

There’s only one problem… propping up the bar in the bookshop is none other than the grumpy, gorgeous stranger she’d met earlier that day…

A totally romantic, bookish and gorgeously escapist romantic novel, set in Paris in Springtime. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Sarah Morgan.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/theparisbookshop

About the Author 

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them–just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with.People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once-in-a-life time love.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @RebeccaRaisinAuthor
Twitter: @jaxandwillsmum
Instagram: @rebeccaraisinwrites2
Newsletter Sign Up: bit.ly/RebeccaRaisinNews
Bookbub profile: @RebeccaRaisin