Blog tour: The Hotel by the Sea by Julie Caplin

 

Rebecca has secretly been in love with her best friend Will for years. When she attempts to finally show this to him, he doesn't see her at all as anything other than the friend who keeps him afloat following the death of his wife five years before.

Humiliated, Rebecca decides that she needs a change and so she packs up and moves to the Algarve in Portugal to work as the yoga teacher at a small family run hotel for the summer.

There she meets the Rebelo family, more specifically Felipe Rebelo. Felipe and his family run the Quinta do Mar hotel. His mother runs the kitchen, his sister the spa, his nieces have jobs that they are forever trying to negotiate their way out of. Whilst Felipe gives off the air of a charmer who has a relaxed view of life, the reality is much different. Whilst none of his family can see it, Felipe is the one who everyone relies on to get everything done, the one they come to for decisions, the one who fills in the gaps such as working shifts in the laundry when no one else can. They all had to lean on him when his father and uncle died years before and they continue to lean on him now.

Felipe had dreams of being a professional cyclist but those dreams were put away to focus on his family. However, Rebecca is very competitive and so they first meet when they silently challenge each other to a race in the pool. She has no idea that he is really her boss. That rivalry quickly turns into attraction.

Soon Rebecca is torn. She has loved Will for so long but Felipe makes her feel desirable, wanted and valued in ways Will never has. Going with Will means leaving behind the life that she is building in Portugal.

I really enjoy Julie Caplins romantic escape series which is set in all sorts of interesting locations around the world and this was no exception. Portugal is on my list of places I would love to visit, although to be fair I am unlikely to join one of Rebecca's yoga classes

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and Bookish Books challenge hosted at Blogging ‘Bout Books. Thanks to the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour below too!

About the book

The Hotel by the Sea

Pack your bags and get ready to fall in love with The Hotel by the Sea—your next romantic getaway awaits!

Rebecca needs to escape. After making a complete fool of herself watching the man she's secretly loved for years run off with someone else—she jumps at a temporary job at the family-run Quinta do Mar hotel. Sun, sea, and a fresh start sound perfect.

What she doesn't expect is Felipe Rebelo.

Charming, infuriatingly confident, and always ready with a flirty quip, Felipe seems to have life sorted. But beneath his carefree exterior lies a man carrying the weight of his entire family. The last thing he needs is another responsibility. Especially one who challenges him at every turn, makes him laugh, and is dangerously easy to fall for…

Escape to Portugal's stunning Algarve coast in this uplifting summer romance about finding yourself, choosing happiness, and discovering that love isn't about being needed—it's about being seen.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hotel-Sea-Charming-Family-Run-Portuguese-ebook/dp/B0FSBMPXZX/

https://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Sea-Charming-Family-Run-Portuguese-ebook/dp/B0FSBMPXZX/

About the Author

Jules Wake aka Julie Caplin is an internationally bestselling author with over 2 million sales over twenty five books including the highly successful Romantic Escape series which has been translated into over 24 languages. Her books have topped the charts in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Iceland, Italy, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

After reading English at university, Jules Wake worked in PR where she honed her fiction writing skills on press releases and swanned around Europe taking journalists on gastronomic press trips. These visits inspired the locations of many of her books. She’s now a full-time author and what better job is there than making stuff up! It certainly beats housework.

As an avid romance fan, she’s written in several genres including historical romantic fiction, contemporary women’s romance fiction and romantic comedy.



Social Media Links


https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram @juliecaplinauthor

Blog Tour: Escape to the Northern Lights by Carrie Walker

 

You know I love an escapist romance. While I normally read a lot of books set in France, Italy and Greece, this year my focus seems to have moved North as I have read a couple of books set in Finland and now this one which is set in Norway.

Sara Pearson is a lawyer who is going places. Sure, her private life is a mess given that she is currently going through a divorce from sleazy Mark, but any day now she is going to be made partner in her law firm. When she wins a big case but doesn't get made partner, her anxiety and stress reach burn out levels and she is forced, albeit unwillingly, to take a month off work.

When one of her friends mentions that she saw that a Hollywood star had recently stayed at a luxury resort called Firefly Forest, Sara decides if it is good enough for them, it's good enough for her so she impulsively books to stay at the spa retreat for four weeks. It's pricey, but it's going to be worth it. 

With her bags packed filled with her most fashionable winter clothes, Sara heads off to Norway. She probably should have taken a closer look at the website because the place where she ends up is less luxurious spa retreat and more vegan getting back to nature retreat! As such, it is against the rules to use the internet unless there is an emergency, it is alcohol free, and every day there is a silent lunch. Then there are various wellness activities which encourage participants to look inwards. It is not what Sara signed up for. She does contemplate leaving but there are no refunds and the air fares are expensive to reschedule, so she stays...for now. 

There is one bright light though. Firefly Forest is a family run affair. There is the father, Tore Nilsen and his two sons, Henrik, and Jonas  and his fiancee Greta who are doing their best to keep the retreat commercially viable. Henrik is one of the good guys. Handsome, attentive and drawn to Sara despite her initial unmet expectations of her destination, he too has had a high flying career but these days he is happy to live and work in the family business 

When the Nilsen's whole home and livelihood come under threat from an unlikely source, Sara becomes involved, which is probably the least she can do, especially since she may have been the person who inadvertently caused the problem in the first place.

It took me a while to warm to Sara. She was so focussed on her work that it did make sense that she wouldn't look further at the website to understand where she was going but on the flipside surely as a very successful lawyer she is good at looking for detail. I also didn't always understand some of her decisions. For example, she was moving back into her flat which she decided to get redecorated in exactly the same colour palette of the marital home. And as for Mark....ugh, what a sleaze. 

This is my first book from Carrie Walker, and I am glad that I took a chance on this new to me author. I am interesting to read her previous two books as well. The titles make it sound as though they might be connected but I don't think they are. Those books are set in Tuscany and Switzerland and they both sound like fun.

The idea of seeing all that snow and the Northern Lights fascinates me. I read this on the plane to Sri Lanka, so you can't really get much more different weather conditions. We are, however, contemplating a trip to see the Northern Lights at the end of 2026 so this was definitely a good taster for that trip. I can't wait for the day that we too can escape to the Northern Lights.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!

Rating 4/5

About the Book

Escape to the Northern Lights

Packed with humour, romance and a love affair with nature, Escape to the Northern Lights is a story of transformation, second chances and finding home in the most unexpected places.

High-powered lawyer Sara thought she had life figured out – until her whirlwind marriage ends in divorce, her dream promotion slips away and a burnout diagnosis forces her to take a break.

Desperate for a reset, she books a four-week spa retreat in Norway, imagining a luxurious escape. Instead, she finds herself in the rugged wilderness of Firefly Forest, knee-deep in reindeer droppings and stuck with an annoyingly bohemian – and ridiculously attractive – outdoorsman, Henrik.

What starts as a nightmare turns into a journey of self-discovery as Sara swaps designer heels for bare feet, legal briefs for tree-hugging, and fleeting flings for something far deeper...

Purchase Link - https://amzn.eu/d/5U4BLAz

 

About the Author

Carrie Walker is a Brummie born rom-com lover with a lifelong passion for travel. She has lived in a ski resort, by a beach, in the country and the city, and travelled solo through Asia, South America and Europe. Her own love life was more com than rom until she met her husband a few years ago and settled down with him and her dog Ziggy in a small pub-filled village in Essex.

Social Media Links 

https://www.carriewalker.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/carriewalkerauthor

https://x.com/carriewauthor

Blog Tour: A New Life in Amsterdam by Helga Jensen

 

Sandy is feeling a bit lost in life. Her ex husband has moved back to Australia and started a new life, and now her daughter has done the same thing. Sandy tends to make herself feel better with impulse buys. Her house is stuffed with items and clothes that she just had to have but they after the initial buzz when she purchases them, they don't really bring her any joy.

When she makes the biggest online impulse buy of them all, a houseboat on a canal in Amsterdam, it is a chance for a new adventure, a new start. Amsterdam was a place that she visited years before with her friend and loved, and so it almost feels like a dream to be able to live there.  The houseboat needs a lot of work inside and out, and before long Sandy finds herself immersed in life in Amsterdam, mainly thanks to her friendly and very attractive neighbour, Abe, and the real estate agent who sold her the boat.

I did enjoy all the sights and sounds of Amsterdam, especially when Sandy's former neighbour Debbie came to visit. 

It would be totally cool to be able to stay on a houseboat in the middle of Amsterdam and be right in the city. I don't know that I would want to have to do all the renovations, although my husband does love a project so it could be right up his alley.

In some ways this book felt a bit surface level to me. Whilst her shopaholic tendencies were important in setting up the story, they were just glossed over that, almost like the problem was solved as soon as she moved into the houseboat. If there's one thing that I do know from having moved countries and states it is that the one constant is you, and so your problems do tend to go with you.

My brother in law and his family live in the Netherlands, not too far from Amsterdam, so the likelihood is quite high that I will visit there again. I am slowly collecting a few ideas for places I would like to visit when next we go there. For example, from Melissa Ashley's The Naturalist of Amsterdam I found out about Hortus Botanicus, the oldest botanical gardens in the world. If I could only choose one place to visit from this book it would be the Amsterdam Boekenmarkt - the book market.

I did also find myself going down the rabbit hole looking at felted animals. They look so cute!

Helga Jensen writes the kind of books I love to read right now. They feature older characters making a new start in amazing places. I look forward to reading more from her! Oh, and how lovely is this cover!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher, and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 3.5/5

About the book

A New Life in Amsterdam

Could down-sizing her life mean up-sizing her dreams?

Since her daughter grew up and left home, Sandy has found herself filling her house with things - impulse purchases that she just has to have but that quickly lose their sheen. Why would she need an expensive set of copper pans when she has no one to cook for?

Realising that her shopping habit is out of control, she asks herself: can she de-clutter, downsize and start a new life?

She has always wanted to live on a barge, and she reasons that there is no way she would have room for random purchases on a boat. Taking the bravest decision of her life, Sandy buys and refurbishes a barge in the beautiful city of Amsterdam.

Relishing her independence, she is not looking for love, but as the nights draw in and the leaves start to fall from the trees, she finds herself drawn to cafe owner and expert hot chocolate maker Abe.

Is she willing to take a second chance on finding the one?

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/k2IyNBF

About the Author 

Helga Jensen is an internationally award-winning British/Danish best selling author and journalist. Her debut novel was a winning entry in the 2017 Montegrappa First Fiction competition at Dubai’s Emirates Literary Festival. Her debut was also a contender for the coveted 2021 Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Helga's best selling novel, Fly me to Paris, was a finalist for the 2024 Popular Romantic Fiction Award. In 2025, her novel, A Christmas in Prague, was also a finalist for the Popular Romantic Fiction Award.



Helga holds a BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, along with a Creative Writing MA from Bath Spa University. She is currently finishing a Creative Writing PhD.



Social Media Links –

Twitter - @HelgajensenF

Instagram - @Helgajensenauthor

Facebook - @Helgajensenfordeauthor

Blog Tour: A French Inheritance by Jennifer Bohnet

 

Briony has been going through a rough time. She was made redundant shortly after her beloved grandmother has died and her divorce was also finalised on her last day at work. She knows that she is going to have to find a new home and new job in the auction industry soon. 

What she didn't know is that Giselle, her French grandmother, has left her a cottage on the French Riviera and one of Giselle's final wishes was that Briony would give living in the cottage a go. Briony's initial reaction is shock. She was expecting that her mother would inherit the cottage but this isn't possible under French law. And then she thinks that she will sell the cottage, but if there is ever going to be a time when she could try living in France this is it. But first, they need to sort through her grandmother's belongings. When they find an old diary there is also a bit of a mystery to solve.

The cottage is near to a property that is owned by an expat couple, Adam and Lucy. The bought a parcel of land a few years ago and they are slowly building up the business by renovating various outbuildings, and trying their hands at growing grapes for wine making as well as a few other ventures. Also living on the property is Adam's brother Elliot who has just gone through a very public and very bruising divorce. He has just passed the French language test so that he can get back to his career as a vet.

I have enjoyed this author's previous books where a group of people come together at different points in their respective new lives in France (for example in A French Country Escape) and this had a similar focus. Whilst Adam and Lucy love their life it is hard work, and when Lucy decide that she needs a Girl Friday, Briony is happy to take the job for the summer, and she slowly begins to realise that this life in France doesn't need to be just for the summer, and maybe, a chance for a new start in life from all aspects.

I don't really love visiting second hard markets myself, but I did enjoy the fact that Briony's previous role was working in auction houses and the way that she was able to translate that into a new career in France. 

I also appreciated that the story is multi stranded as we get to know Lucy and Adam, Elliot and Briony but also a nice side story featuring Briony's mother, Jeannie. Oh, and there are some animals thrown into the mix as well!

Jennifer Bohnet's books always make me want to visit France again. I do know that I don't have a French grandmother. I recently did a DNA test and I don't have a drop of French blood but if anyone wants to unexpectedly gift me a French cottage on the Riviera, I wouldn't say no! 

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!

Rating 4/5

About the Book

A French Inheritance

Every moment is a new beginning on the French Riviera

Five years ago, Adam and Lucy Belgrave took the plunge and bought a sprawling rundown farm in the South of France to bring back to life, much against the advice of Adam’s brother, Elliot.

Today, that dream is becoming a reality and the farm is beginning to thrive and Elliot finds himself grateful for the refuge it provides after his career falters and his marriage fails.

After the death of her beloved granny, a bitter divorce and surprise redundancy - the saying ’sad things come in threes’ resonates with Briony Dymond's life. With her mother by her side, Briony travels to France to learn some news that will change her life completely. Will she have the courage to embrace granny Giselle’s special wishes?

As spring returns to the French Riviera both Elliot and Briony seek to put their pasts behind them and look to find happiness in the future. But can the past give up its hold on the present?

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

About the Author

Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 14 women's fiction titles, including Villa of Sun and Secrets and A Riviera Retreat. She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.



Social Media Links

Facebook: @jenniewriter1

Twitter: @jenniewriter

Instagram: @jenniewriter

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

Bookbub profile: @jenniebohnet

Blog Tour: Meet Me Under the Northern Lights by Mandy Baggot

 

Chloe Bellamy is an events organiser. She loves her job, and she loves her boss Michelle, who has become a close friend. When her boss sends her on a very last minute pre Christmas trip to scope out Iceland for a potential future big event Chloe was hopeful that this might be the time that her boss offers her a partnership.  She's worked hard and she deserves this chance.

The trip was so last minute there wasn't even time to book a hotel. Never mind. Chloe thinks that she will be able to book something when she gets there. What they haven't taken into consideration is that winter is prime tourism season. Oh, and it doesn't help that Chloe has lied on her CV and can't actually speak a word of Icelandic.

When Chloe literally bangs into a tall handsome man at the airport and her overpacked suitcase ends up bursting open, it's not a great start, but it turns it is a stroke of good luck. Tour guide Gunnar is one of the good guys and he also happens to be the driver of Chloe's bus from the airport. Luckily for Chloe he is able to sort out some accomodation and can give her some ideas of where the best places are to visit.

Chloe has had a rough few months. Her relationship disintegrated once it became clear that her fertility issues were not going to go away. She has her job and her best friend Kat and that will have to be enough for now.

If you were describe the perfect man, Gunnar would be right up there. Not only is he good looking (of course), he is the kind of man who would think nothing of risking his life to save a child. In fact, he is raising a young orphan named Magnus. He is ably supported by an octogenarian family friend named Hildur and together they form a lovely found family, and this was one o f. 

When Chloe and Gunnar continue to bump into each other, their attraction grows, although there are several times when assumptions and miscommunications get in the way. But love has a way of finding a way, but only if the two people involved can get out of their own way.

I have read quite a few of Mandy Baggot's books which were all set in Greece, with one exception which was set in the mountains in France. This time we are in Iceland, and I loved how the country was shared throughout this book. You could almost make a map of all the places to visit and create your itinerary. And the same goes for the food, and the traditions and mythology. I love the sound of the night cruise from Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights. Definitely adding that to my list of things to do if I ever make it to Reykjavik in winter. 

Iceland is a place that is definitely on my list of places to visit. It was before I read this book, but it is even more. Coincidentally I have a couple of friends visiting Iceland at the moment and so between the book and their photos, you could say that Iceland is calling my name! One day!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour as well!

Rating 4/5

About the book

Meet Me Under the Northern Lights

Can one kiss melt a cold, broken heart?

When career-focused Chloe Bellamy is sent to Iceland on a last-minute work trip, it’s her big chance to prove she deserves a seat at the top.

But there’s one problem, she may have embellished her CV a little… saying she speaks Icelandic when she doesn’t! And now, to add to her woes, she’s landed with no place to stay.

Gunnar Eriksson has a habit of saving people. First, when he rescued a young boy from a volcano and offered him a forever home. Then opening his door and welcoming in a spirited yet accident-prone Octogenarian. Now Gunnar has somehow tied himself to Chloe who needs all the help she can get but, for some reason, is reluctant to accept it.

Neither of them are looking for love, but under Iceland’s spell, and with a little extra help from those around them, something begins to shift. Could one kiss beneath the Northern Lights change everything?

This Christmas, escape to Iceland for festive feels, unexpected friendships and maybe even a chance at love.

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/UndertheNorthernLights

About the author

Mandy Baggot is a bestselling romance writer who loves giving readers that happy-ever-after. From sunshine romantic comedies set in Greece, to cosy curl-up winter reads, she's bringing gorgeous heroes and strong heroines readers can relate to. Mandy splits her time between Salisbury, Wiltshire and Corfu, Greece and has a passion for books, food, racehorses and all things Greek!

Social Media Links 

Facebook: @MandyBaggotAuthor

Twitter: @MandyBaggot

Instagram: @MandyBaggot

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

Bookbub profile: @MandyBaggot

Blog Tour: From Provence with Love by Alison Roberts

 

Last year I read Falling for Provence by Alison Roberts and at the end of it I was really hoping that we would get to read more about the sisters in the story. Luckily for me, we do, and this is Laura's story. 

Laura Gilchrist is a woman in control. She's a successful real estate agent who is charge of her own life, organised and efficient, and who knows what she wants and what she doesn't. After inheriting a share in a run-down cottage in France, what she wants right now is to get it done up and sold. If that means that she has to be in communication with the absolutely gorgeous, motor bike riding French realtor Noah Dufour then so be it. And if that communication turns into flirtation, and that flirtation turns into a whirlwind weekend affair, then again, c'est la vie.

Whilst their weekend affair is brief, it is also intense and they cover a variety of subjects including the fact that neither of them want children. So when Laura realises that she has accidentally fallen pregnant she isn't looking forward to telling him, especially not over the phone, and she also needs to come to terms with her own change in priorities as well. 

When Laura has to travel to France for a family celebration, she has the opportunity to tell him face to face, and he pretty much reacts as expected. However, while I realise that sentence probably makes him sound a bit insensitive, which he is, he also has his reasons and as he works through his past traumas and heartbreaks hopefully he will see sense.

Noah is depicted as a successful bad boy. He knows all the best restaurants for wining and dining, but he is not afraid to share his favourite places with Laura, so he is not just a one dimensional characters. One other thing about Noah. When we first meet him he is a smoker. Ugh...so horrible to even read about. Just shows how ingrained the anti-smoking message is these days. 

The book is broken into three parts. The first few chapters are in effect a recap of the last book, but told from Laura's perspective, rather than Ellie's. At the same time, we are seeing what is going on with Laura and Noah. I recall Ellie having some kind of thought in the first book but boy, it was much more intense than she thought. The second part are the weekend and the immediate aftermath, and then the final act is about dealing with the fallout after the announcement. 

In fiction there is something about Provence. I did go there many years ago but I would love to go back now and see if I could catch the magic that so many other people do. In the mean time, I will just have to make do with feeling the magic through the pages of books like this. At one point Noah says

"The South of France is like a sigh, n'est-ce pas?" he asked. "Like breathing out slowly because you've found what you've been looking for all along, even if you didn't know what it was that you were looking for."

It certainly made me sigh.

Alison Roberts again brings the medieval villages, the lavender fields and the food and restaurants to life in the pages of this book. Bonus points that some of the book is set at Christmas so we get some festive descriptions as well.  She did live in the location that these books are set in, and it shows in the writing. Roberts also has written many straight romance novels, and I do think that there are times when that shows as well, but I am okay with that!

The stage is all set for us to find out now what the story is with Fiona Gilchrist, why she has been estranged from her family and only on the very edges of the story for the last two books. I am looking forward to seeing what her story is!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by 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

From Provence, With Love

A lifechanging encounter, a whirlwind affair... an unexpected consequence

Laura Gilchrist has always made sensible choices. But a trip to Provence to sell an inherited stone house leads her face to face with Noah Dufour. Her wild, irresistibly attractive real estate agent. And within an instant she’s bewitched. Without a second thought, she decides she’s going to accept his offer to ride on the back of his motorbike and see the beauty of the South of France though his eyes. She’s never acted on impulse before, but Noah makes her feel spontaneous and free – and a little bit excited.

Weeks later, with the memories of their passionate fling refusing to fade, Laura waits for her life to return to normal. But she can’t shake the feeling something has changed. And then her instincts are confirmed by the sight of two blue lines. Their connection was a whirlwind; perfect yet brief. But Noah has become a chink in her buttoned up armour and she knows her news is going to blindside him. Now she must return to Provence to find out whether they can both take a leap of faith based on one brief yet perfect holiday romance…

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

About the Author 

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

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @RobertsAli54060

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

Bookbub profile: @rosi3

Blog Tour: Falling for Provence by Alison Roberts

 

When Ellie and her sisters inherit a house in Provence from an uncle they have never even heard of before, she can have no idea of the impact it will have on her life. The plan was to tidy the place up and sell it straight away. Ellie and Laura head to the house just for a look and then to the local town. Ellie is surprised, even to herself, when she impulsively decides to stay in the house and do the renovations herself.

Ellie hasn't been doing anything on impulse of late, lost in grief following the tragic passing of her young child. So the fact that she is taking an interest in something is a good thing, but it isn't without challenges. She can barely speak the language, she is terrified of the thought of having to drive on the wrong side of the road and she doesn't know the first thing about renovating a house.

Along with the house, Ellie has inherited ownership of two donkeys, Coquelicot and Marguerite. One night she finds a small boy near the donkeys, and soon after she meets his father, who proceeds to berate her for neglecting the donkeys and tells her to fix the fences. It's not quite the introduction you would want when you just move into a house and you know no one.

Julien, the grumpy neighbour, has his own issues to deal with. He is raising his son, Theo, after his wife died in a car accident. Whilst he has support from his family, it is still a challenge given his career as a busy doctor. He is definitely not looking for any complications that might arise with the neighbour next day.

We witness Ellie as she slowly begins to breathe again, to begin to remember who Ellie the person is. The Ellie who used to be an artist, who loves to sit outside and watch the sunset, the Ellie who can open her heart to a small boy. She also finds herself looking after a stray dog called Pascal. In other words, we see her world expanding. The question is how much can Ellie allow herself to feel, especially seeing as she knows that she is only in Provence for the summer. 

Now, if I had an unknown uncle who had a house in Provence, you can bet I would definitely be on my way there in a heartbeat. The author has obviously spent some time there, and was able to bring it to life in the pages. And yes, that means lavender for example, but it also means tiny details in the tiles in the town square, visiting the town market to try the local speciality, socca and so much more.

This is a gentle read for the most part, although there are some dramatic moments, particularly later in the book. It does take a little while to pick up, but to me that is quite clever in that it ties in with Elllie's healing and growth.

It turns out that this isn't my first read from Alison Roberts. I apparently read a previous Mills and Boon book by her more than 10 years ago. I love a good "wish you were here" novel, especially when it is set in France. I think the set up was there for another book connected to this one featuring Ellie's sister, which I will be reading.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by 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

Falling For Provence

She came to Provence in the hope of a fresh start, she never expected she would fall in love in and find herself along the way.

Inheriting an old stone house in Provence, along with her sisters is the catalyst Ellie Gilchrist needs to put some distance between her and her grief. But when she arrives at the run down ‘La Maisonette’ hidden amongst overgrown Lavender and Ivy, she wonders if she’s made a mistake?

That is until she meets her guarded neighbour Julien and his adorable little boy, and she’s surprised by the flutters of excitement she never thought she’d feel again. Add in rescuing a stray dog and she has the much needed distraction she needs. Ellie decides to stay temporarily and work on bringing the little house back to life again. If only she can ignore the fireworks that explode every time she’s around Julien. They both have hearts they want to protect, but a little temporary affaire can’t be too dangerous, especially when Ellie has stated she will be leaving after the last summer market of the season. But something in the alchemy of what she discovers in this part of France seems to be casting an irresistible spell making it difficult to walk away.

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

About the Author –

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

Social Media Links –

Twitter: https://x.com/RobertsAli54060

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

Blog tour: An Island Promise by Kate Frost

 

When Bella, Gemma and Laurie are 21 years old they head off to the Spanish island of Ibiza ready to have the time of their lives. Sun, music, copious amounts of alchohol, hot me and great friends for forever - it's a recipe to party! At the end of their holiday they promise to do it all again in 10 years time!

Fast forward ten years. Bella agrees to accept an events manager role at a luxury hotel in Ibiza. She has been working hard on establishing her career since recovering from a terrible accident years before, but it is time for a change. In Bella's mind, that trip to Ibiza was where she met the one who got away, the man that no other man has ever lived up to. They may have only spent a few days together, but still! It's also a great opportunity for Gemma and Laurie to come and visit her too.

The girls who were going to be besties forever are still friends, but the reality is that they are nowhere near as close as they once were. Gemma appears to live a perfect life, but appearances can be deceptive. And Laurie has her own challenges. And they all have secrets from each other, and it turns out that at least one of them has secrets from 10 years ago.

When Bella starts her new job, she meets her new boss, Caleb, a guy that came to Ibiza to make his fortune and stayed.  He is a widower who has remained close with his wife's family, runs a luxury hotel. Bella and he soon become friends, but is he ready to move on from his past.

I really enjoyed meeting the girls and seeing how their lives have turned out, even if it isn't at all how they imagined. Let's face it, I think a lot of us can relate to life not necessarily turning out the way we thought it would when we were young!

This is my third Kate Frost book, and they have all been set on different islands. I must confess I have never been fussed about the idea of going to an island like Ibiza. Dance music isn't really my deal, but I loved reading about the other side of Ibiza, the more traditional and cultural aspects.

If you are looking for some sunshine on a beautiful island, this might be the book for you!!

Thanks to Netgalley, Rachel's Random Resources and the publisher for the review copy. Check out the other stops on the blog tour below!

I am sharing this with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews.

About the book

An Island Promise

Three friends, a Balearic promise and a summer that could change their lives forever…

For twenty-one-year-old Belle Madden her first holiday to Ibiza with best friends Gem and Laurie was memorable for all the right reasons: partying the night away, planning a future filled with big dreams and making a promise to return in ten years to celebrate living their best lives – hopefully…

Fast forward a decade and Belle is desperate for a change. Eager to escape her relationship troubles, she jumps at a job opportunity that takes her back to the White Isle.

Despite loving island life and her new job, Belle realises something is missing. With their busy lives the three friends have drifted apart, their friendship fractured. Remembering their promise to return, Belle seizes the opportunity to organise a reunion holiday.

After the initial excitement of being back together in Ibiza, cracks start to appear. A lot can change in ten years. Dreams can be shattered, love lost and hope destroyed. And when secrets are revealed, long suppressed emotions begin to unravel…

Will Belle repeat her past mistakes or can a second chance summer be the beginning of a happy-ever-after for friendship as well as love?

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

About the Author 



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

Top Ten Tuesday: Holiday countdown!

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Ten Favorite Books from Ten Series (We all have a favorite book in our favorite series, right?) (submitted by A Hot Cup of Pleasure)

However, I have holidays on my mind, so I am going to do the last ten books I have read that have given me holiday vibes. Lucky I read a lot of escape lit at the moment!

An Island Promise by Kate Frost - Three friends go on holidays to Ibiza and promise that in 10 years time they will do it all again, except everything is different.

The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan - This book doesn't have a holiday feel at all, but it is set in Scotland and that is one of the places we are visiting.

Poppy's Parisian Patisserie by Daisy James - Poppy goes to Paris to work, but I would love to go back for holidays again and again. (my review)

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum - I picked this one because we are going to Korea next year.

The One That I Want by Sandy Barker - This doesn't really have holiday vibes either, but it is all about London, which is one of our destinations this time. (my review)

A Love Letter from Paris by Rebecca Raisin - Paris! Paris! Paris!! (my review)

The Itinerary by Penny Pentley - This is a fun read in which the main characters starts a European trip in Rome and ends up in France.

The Riviera House Swap by Gillian Harvey - The idea of being able to swap houses and spend some time on the French Riviera sounds amazing! (my review)

The Golden Gal's French Adventure by Judy Leigh - The two main characters in this story, head off to the north of France for a life changing holiday. (my review)

A Wedding in the Sun by Leonie Mack - Two people end up getting into all sorts of adventures on the way to the wedding of their exes. (my review)

What kind of books give you holiday vibes?

Blog Tour: Invitation to Italy by Victoria Springfield

Last week I was in Greece! This week I am in Italy! Not literally, but through the pages of the books I am reading. 

When Abi's daughter Chloe goes to Italy for the summer with her father, his fiancee and their little girl, she feels a bit lost. What happens if her daughter needs her and she is so far away? It doesn't take a lot of convincing by her friend to convince Abi to go visit. 

Abi checks into a beautiful boutique hotel which has been run by Loretta for years. She takes great pride in the little oasis that she has created on the island of Procida, which is situated in the bay of Naples, but she is beginning to wonder if maybe running after her guests, cleaning and her other duties are getting to be too much. 

Among the other guests are Bill, who is trying to relax from a busy job as an importer and Salvo who turns out to be an old friend of Loretta's and who knows at least some of her secrets.

I am not sure how my son would have liked it if I had of turned up while he was staying in Adelaide with his dad, but I guess it was different because Chloe was going to be gone for an extended period. Chloe is at that tricky age where she is almost a teenager and therefore thinks she is old enough to be independent but also needs her parents. There were a couple of awkward moments for Abi when she is invited to dinner with her ex husband's new in-laws and a couple of other times, but I guess that is something that we all need to deal with as we navigate the extended relationships that come after parents re-partner. 

Whilst Abi needs to be available for Chloe, she also gets to experience the island of Procida and surrounding areas. What this holiday is really good for Abi is in helping her realise that she can begin to find a new life for herself, and to accept that she doesn't love her ex anymore. This gives her the freedom to explore a fledgling friendship with Bill. He too has some growth. His marriage had fallen apart several years before and he wasn't as confident as he could have been.

As much as I enjoyed Abi and Bill's story, I also liked Loretta's story, as she began to face the demons from her youth. These days she would never swim, but back in the day her nickname had been the dolphin, and she even achieved some great feats as a swimmer. Slowly we began to see why she had so many trust issues, and why she had moved away from her home at such a young age. Despite this, she has managed to make a success her life as a hotelier, and she needs to protect the life she had built.

When we visited Italy early last year, our plan was to visit the island of Procida. Whilst it is a much lesser known island than it's neighbours Capri and Ischia, it was also named as the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022.  Unfortunately, we couldn't make it work during the short time we had in Naples and now I am really disappointed that we didn't get to see the sites and sounds of the island. The author really brings the setting to life through the words on the page! I was totally intrigued by the descriptions of the island, of the ceramics and more.

I haven't read Victoria Springfield before and I was really pleased by how much I enjoyed her storytelling. From looking at the backlist titles, it is clear to me that she has a real love for Italy and it shows through her writing.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Review

Thank you to the publisher, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the blog tour below

Rating 4/5

About the book

Invitation to Italy

Abi is distraught when her ex-husband Alex takes their twelve-year-old daughter, Chloe to spend the summer with his glamorous fiancée Marisa and her parents at their home on the beautiful Italian island of Procida. Persuaded by her best friend to book a holiday at the island's Hotel Paradiso, Abi finally meets the woman she's been avoiding for so long. Will the two women's strained relationship survive the summer?

One-time teenage swimming sensation, Loretta, has run the Hotel Paradiso since leaving Capri broken-hearted. When childhood friend Salvo comes to stay, Loretta is forced to confront her past and the fears that have kept her away from the water for forty years. But just as she finds the courage to open her heart, she discovers all is not as it seems with Salvo...

It's a summer of new beginnings for Abi and Loretta - and one they will never forget.


Take a trip to Italy with Victoria Springfield for a summery getaway any time of the year!

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invitation-Italy-Victoria-Springfield-ebook/dp/B0CF4S132C

https://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Italy-Victoria-Springfield-ebook/dp/B0CF4S132C

About the Author

Victoria Springfield writes contemporary women's fiction immersed in the sights, sounds and flavours of Italy. Victoria grew up in Upminster, Essex. After many years in London, she now lives in Kent with her husband in a house by the river. She likes to write in the garden with a neighbour's cat by her feet or whilst drinking cappuccino in her favourite café. Then she types up her scribblings in silence whilst her mind drifts away to Italy.

Social Media Links –

https://twitter.com/VictoriaSwrites