: Summer at the French Bakery by Jo Thomas

 

July is coming to an end, and so to is Paris in July! I just had time to squeeze in one more read set in France, and only just enough time to actually write the review!

I have read a number of Jo Thomas books over the last few years and I have enjoyed them all. I love the way that she incorporates food into all of her story. Over the years I have visited Italian towns with lasagne wars, a chocolate school in the alps, an oyster farm in Ireland and a German Christmas market amongst other places. This time we are in a small town in France!

Juliet has just gone through treatment for cancer and as a result she wants to make some changes in her life. She convinces her husband Pete that a holiday in France is just what the doctor ordered. There they find an unused water mill and in her mind she can see that it will make the perfect salon de thé. The only problem is that she can't see herself doing this with Pete. He is quite content with his life that is filled with routine. Juliet does not want that anymore. Her children are all grown up with lives of their own so they don't need her as much as they used to. Can she follow her dream of reinvigorating the water mill on her own?

Juliet's plan after refreshing the décor is to open a salon de thé where she can serve cakes and tea in an elegant lake side setting. However, it isn't too long before she hits her first hurdles. First, there is the mayor who wants Juliet to reopen the town boulangerie which has been closed for years and he won't support her plans unless she agrees to it. Now, there is only a tabac in town, and that only has a few customers. The town is served by a bread vending machine which is maintained by a slimy baker from a nearby town. He is not happy at the prospect of a rival taking his customers, especially given that Juliet rejected his advances.

As an aside, recently I was at the supermarket when I witnessed the check out operator doing something that I thought would be sacrilegious, but apparently the customer was asking her to do it. He had bought at least a dozen bread rolls including several baguettes which she folded in half to fit in a shopping bag!  I made a joke about man not being able to live on bread alone. Turns out he didn't speak English and so he didn't get my joke. I was shocked at the folding of the baguette, so the idea that you could buy a baguette from a vending machine in France is similarly shocking to me

Back to the book, the biggest issue is that Juliet doesn't know how to bake bread, particularly not the delicious, crusty, fluffy French bread that the town deserves. And in order to be called a boulangerie, the bread must be baked on premises. Juliet can make a lovely Victoria Sponge and a very nice Lemon Drizzle cake, but not bread. Juliet is going to need all the help that she can get, especially in getting the right ingredients to give it the right taste and texture. After all, there are only four ingredients in bread - flour, water, salt and water.  But in order to get the help she needs she is going to win over the gorgeous tabac owner Laurent and her grumpy upstairs neighbour who is initially opposed to Juliet's plan for her own reasons.

I liked that the author showed that it isn't easy to just decide to move to France anymore. Juliet had to meet certain criteria in order to get the right visas to be able to keep her French dream alive and the mayor's conditions might put that all at risk. Whilst this story is all about taking a chance on a new life, but I was really moved by Juliet's friendship with Annie who is undergoing her own treatment back in the UK.

Once again, food and community are right at the centre of Jo Thomas's books. It would have been nice to have a bit more of a feel about where in France the book was set but this was another fun read from an author who really knows how to draw the reader in, and to make you wish that you could eat a delicious baguette right now!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, with Weekend Cooking which I host here, with Foodies Read hosted at Based on a True Story and with Paris in July hosted at Words and Peace. 

Rating 4/5

Blog Tour: Escape to the Turquoise Seas by Carrie Walker

 

Do you love an office rivals romance? With a twist? In this book the twist is that the rivals find themselves on a ship, competing for a huge PR account which will have a huge impact on their professional careers.

Kat Brennan is passionate about her job in PR. Her main client is Excalibur cruise lines. She can't believe it when she finds that Excalibur is making her company reapply for the right to continue their long standing business relationship. Of course, Kat is determined that they are going to win the competition, whatever it takes.

Leo Kendrick is the CEO of a rival agency, and he is just as determined that he and his team are going to do everything in their power to win that account! The thing is that Leo and Kat have a bit of a history. Fifteen years ago, they were both interns when they were starting out in PR, until Leo got the job that Kat wanted, and she is sure that there was underhandedness involved and she still holds a grudge.

The new Chief Marketing Officer at Excalibur has decided that the best way to provide inspiration to the two rival companies is for them to take an all expenses paid cruise on the new ship Esmerelda, along the Portuguese coast where the two teams have to experience everything that cruising has to offer.  It sounds glamorous, but the reality is anything but. The two teams are staying in bunk beds in crew accommodation, they are expected to take part in all of the activities whether they want to or not and by the end of the two weeks they have to come up with a winning strategy.

It wasn't all bad news though. Along the way the rivals got to experience some amazing sights and activities. But while Kat and Leo begin to spend more time together and to begin to fall for each other it doesn't take a lot for the fact that they are rivals to get in the way. For two people whose job is to communicate they aren't particularly good at it with each other. Mistrust and misunderstandings abound.

I loved reading about Portugal. It is one country I haven't been to in Europe but it is on the list. I just don't know when. We also enjoy a cruise so I could be convinced that a trip on the Esmerelda would be an amazing trip, although I would much prefer different cabins from those that Kat and Leo had to share with their respective co-workers.

This is the fourth book in the Holiday Romance series, and Kat really relies on her friends who have featured in the previous books. I have actually only read the third book, Escape to the Northern Lights (my review), but I have more on my Kindle waiting for the time when I want to escape to somewhere new! I am also keeping an eye out for whatever new books Carrie Walker comes out with! Yes, I am a fan!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. It was also one of the books I nominated to read for the 20 Books on Winter. 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!

Rating 4/5

About the book

Escape to the Turquoise Seas

Kat Brennan has always been the work-hard, play-harder type, navigating single life in London and the chaos of her job at Northstar PR. So when Excalibur Cruises invite her aboard to pitch for their account, she jumps at the chance to prove to her boss she's indispensable... and to finally relax a little.

But the last person she wants to get stuck on a boat with is industry hotshot Leo Kendrick, the CEO of rival agency Amplify – and Kat's nemesis. When Leo bagged a coveted marketing internship 15 years ago, Kat vowed never to let him win anything again. She is not about to break that promise, even if Leo has become a distractingly attractive opponent.

As the Esmerelda sails the seas, from the Azores to Lisbon via Madeira, the two agencies must battle it out to present the best pitch. But in such close quarters, the sea might not be the only thing rocking the boat…

PERFECT for fans of:

Forced proximity

Enemies-to-lovers

Workplace romance

A dash of spice

Beachy destinations

Purchase Link - https://amzn.eu/d/0eUS4oNt

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/

Blog Tour: The Book Lover's Bucket List by Hannah Claire

 

Do you have a book related bucket list?

Librarian Gabriella Brookes has moved back to her childhood home after a bad break up and she is missing her dog badly. Given that she is now living with her brother, it is a bit cosy but at least she has somewhere to go. 

Enter Zach Osborne, her brother Dan's best friend Zach Osborne turns up out of the blue with the idea to throw a surprise birthday party for Dan! Zach has lived in London for years but he has some time on his hands and so he has come home for a couple of months before he moves overseas. Whilst Gabby is happy to see him, it is a bit awkward because Zach has been the subject of her biggest crush!

One day, Gabby finds a list that she wrote when she was very young. It is a list of bookish things that she would like to do ranging from "Find a magical land at the back of a wardrobe" to "visit a secret library" and "receive a love letter." Some of the things on the list are achievable but there are others that probably aren't.

The last thing she expects is for Zach to say that he wants to help her achieve the items on her list. And then he puts together his own non-bookish list and suggests that they can work together on their lists. Suddenly Zach and Gabby are spending a lot of time together and all those feelings come to the fore again, Given that Zach is only in town for a short time, this can only lead to more emotional heartbreak again.

I loved that Zach was very quickly invested in helping Gabby cross off the items on her list. And it was interesting to see his list, which also had the effect of taking Gabby out of her comfort zone! And I loved how she stepped up. Zach also had to open up about his challenging upbringing but he also needs to work out whether the things that have kept him away from his home town for so long are still enough to keep him away.

There was also a fun group of secondary characters who frequent the library, and especially Mr Cooper. I want to visit his house! Gabby's confidence had been dented, but the people around her were so supportive of her. 

Of course, you can't read a book about a bookish bucket list without thinking about something similar. I am not sure that I have specifically written a bookish bucket list, but my reading has inspired me to have some really great experiences including visiting St Chappelle in Paris, visiting Mont St Michel, visiting Alberobello in Puglia amongst others. 

I hadn't read Hannah Claire before. It's always nice to find a new author. It appears that this is the first book in a series, and I am here for the next book! In the mean time, I am going to search out Hannah Claire's previous book.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and it counts for the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin' 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!

Rating 4/5

About the book

The Book Lover’s Bucket List

A bucket list to change her life.

Gabriella Brookes has spent years quietly loving Zach Osborne, knowing he only sees her as his best friend’s bookish little sister. He’s charming, successful, and only back in their Derbyshire village for the summer before his next big move.

When Gabby stumbles across her long-forgotten teenage bucket list, Zach proposes a deal: together, they’ll tick off her book-inspired challenges, if she helps him complete a few fun tasks of his own.

What starts as a perfectly sensible plan quickly turns into something far more complicated, when real life refuses to stay neatly tucked between the pages.

But as Zach’s past resurfaces and his future pulls him away, Gabby is forced to face a harder truth: dreams don’t come true if you only ever read about them.

Ticking off the challenges was meant to be easy.
Admitting what your heart wants is the real risk.

A cosy, small-town romantic comedy about courage, love, and rewriting your own ending.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX33FZ34

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX33FZ34

About the Author 

Hannah has always been a bookworm, loving nothing more than escaping into fictional worlds, and can't walk past a bookshop without adding to her already-overflowing To Be Read shelves. She writes contemporary romantic novels set against the beautiful landscape of the Peak District in Derbyshire, close to where she lives.

A firm believer in the power of love stories to offer comfort and escape, Hannah writes books that celebrate connection, hope, and the magic of second chances — stories designed to bring a little joy into busy lives.

She lives with her husband, their three children, two cats, and one very bouncy dog who still hasn't worked out that squirrels generally don't want to be her friends.

Hannah loves long sunny days spent outdoors and rainy afternoons spent indoors — ideally under a cosy blanket with a good book. Her favourite things include sparkly nail varnish, candles, bubble baths, and chocolate, and she remains convinced that there is no such thing as too many notebooks.

 

Social Media Links – @hannahclairewriter

Facebook and Instagram

Don't Brake My Heart by Leonie Mack

 

Last year I read and really enjoy Leonie Mack's book Head Over Wheels which is set in the world of professional cycling (my review). It was always a given that I was going to read the follow up book!

Leesa Kubicka used to be a professional rider. In her mind, it was not a particularly successful career but she wasn't quite ready to give up. However, when injury forces her to retire, she needs to find a new career. She joins a sports marketing agency with only one proviso. She doesn't want to go anywhere near any cyclists. But when you are desperate to secure a contract, sometimes you just have to go where the work is. And so it is that she finds herself back in the world of professional cycling. It doesn't help that Leesa was often the recipient of Colin's many pranks.

Australian professional rider, Colin Gallagher is a man who has the hopes of his team on his back! As one of the successful Gallagher's there is a lot of expectation for this year's Tour de France. His sister, who was the main character in the first book, is a successful cyclist, his dad is the team manager and everyone thinks that he should be a favourite for the most prestigious and famous bike race in the world. The last thing he needs is a sports marketer following him around, filming his every move to give the team sponsor more exposure.

While Colin is driven to succeed, he is also known as a prankster and he has been known to take things a bit far. And that's especially true of his interactions with Leesa. The thing is though, part of the reason that he pranks her is that he really likes her, as in really likes her, and has done every since the first time he met her. And Leesa has no idea that this is why!

Colin needs to focus so he can't afford to be distracted from his preparation and Leesa also needs to just do her job well to increase her chance of keeping her job. Of course, that means that the more time that they spend together the more their simmering attraction keeps getting in the way.

This week was the perfect time to read this book given that the Tour de France is now underway. I do enjoy Le Tour although to be fair I do watch it more for the chateaux, cathedrals, scenery and the 5 minute cooking show which showcases the areas that the riders are racing through. I have, however, picked up some of the more technical terms which helped with reading these books. However, if you don't watch any professional cycling this is still very readable. The author does a great job of showing the gruelling physicality that the racers face, and that's before they accidentally hit the ground!

The first half is set in training camp but the second half of the book is actually set during the Tour, which is very cool!

With Colin being a prankster there is plenty of humour in this book, and the spice level is high! The chemistry between Leesa and Colin is scorching! I did find myself reading some very spicy bits while I was sitting in the café at lunchtime at work! I hope I wasn't blushing!

I have read a lot of Leonie Mack novels over the last few years and I find them very enjoyable and this was no exception! I am not sure if there will be any more books set in this world, but I hope so. In the mean time, the next book in her Adventure Wedding series is out in August so not long to wait for her next book!

Given that this book is set against the background of the Tour de France, I am counting this read for Paris in July hosted at Words and Peace! It also counts as a read for the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog

Rating 4/5

The Palace of Lost Virtue by Anthea Hodgson

Goldrush history is always something that I find really interesting. So many interesting characters who leave everything behind in the hope that they can change their lives and the lives of their families, the mix of nationalities, the colourful characters and so much more. Of course, more often than not, that dream find does not happen but the lure of gold is strong.

Marigold Harrington, a devout young Christian woman, arrives in the remote Western Australian gold town of Kalgoorlie in the late 1890s with only one plan. She and her mother have undertaken the long and arduous trip from Melbourne to be reunited father. He used to be a preacher but he headed west in the hope of making his fortune and save his family from their current financial problems. When Marigold and her mother arrive, there is no sign of her father. 

It is hot, dry and dusty and Kalgoorlie is a typical gold town, full of miners, with limited numbers of women. And a lot of the women that there are prostitutes. American Pansy Arlington is the owner of the Palace of Pleasure. Pansy is rough around the edges, is prone to drinking too much, and is hiding a story of heartbreak

In theory, Marigold and Pansy should not even cross paths, but they do when Marigold joins the Christian Women's Temperance Union and she and the other members knock on the door to try and minister to the girls who work for Pansy. This unlikely pair form a friendship based on a love of good conversation, books and more.

This is a dual timeline novel with the second part of the story being set in the late 1920s when two gold detectives are murdered. As the investigation continues, we find out how the women's history impacts lives 30 years later.

Anthea Hodgson has found a great story to tell, packed with interesting history. Pansy Arlington was real life character from history, and the history of prostitution in Kalgoorlie is very interesting. The y came up with an interesting way of dealing with the problem of having ladies displaying their wares in public. This was through a policy called containment which meant all the brothels are located on just one street, known as Hay Street. There were also rules around how they could operate. It is something unique to Kalgoorlie. The murder case was also based on a true story which was also very interesting.

Many years ago we used to catch the train from Adelaide to Perth, which is a journey of around 36 hours. The last major stop before you get to Perth is in Kalgoorlie, where there was a fairly long stop. On one of those trips, I did a bus tour which took you down Hay Street, which is the street where all of the brothels were located. I mean, we looked at the mine heads and other things too. Apparently these days there is not much to see thanks to the advent of fly in fly out work and the internet but it was certainly an interesting tour to take.

Anthea Hodgson has given us another really interesting read with some little known aspects of history portrayed on the page. As a reader we were taken back to the dusty, rough streets of Kalgoorlie, warts and all. It wasn't an easy life and things happened to the characters that broke my heart.

I always intended to read this book, but it moved to the top of my list as it was one of the books that I needed to read for the Rachael John's Book Club Reader's Retreat that I attended last weekend. I might not read many of the other book club books, but I do make an effort to read the retreat ones! 

This book counts for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, which I host here, with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and was also one of the books that I nominated for 20 Books of Winter hosted at AnnaBookBel.

Rating 4/5

Blog Tour: Charlie's Last Angel by Maggie Christensen

 
When Harri met Charles....

Harriet Caldwell is the headmistress of a prestigious girl's school in Brisbane. She has been content to have her successful career. She has never married and she is okay with that. And then she meets Charles Kaye, prestigious barrister and well known man about town and he sweeps her off her feet. Harri isn't Charle's normal type. He is known for dating much younger and glamourous women and regularly features on the society pages.

Harri is happy for this relationship to remain something special between just the two of them, but she is aware that at some point, his three daughters are going to need to know, especially once he proposes. Soon they are planning a life together.  What Charles doesn't expect is the vehement disagreement from two of his daughters. Harri doesn't wan to be responsible for causing arguments in the family and so she is torn. Does she step away to enable Charles to repair his relationship or is she going to fight for the man that she loves.

I liked Harri and loved that she was successful and content with her life before meeting Charles. It did seem like Harri was being requested to make a lot of changes in order to accommodate her relationship with Charles. It's no wonder that she struggled with her decisions.

Charles was an interesting character given his change from chasing attractive, young women, who the media had dubbed Charlie's Angels, to falling head over heels for an elegant, confident, successful woman. His oldest daughter, Nicole, was a bit over the top in her opposition to the relationship. She was old enough to know that her dad should be entitled to have a life on whatever terms he wanted. I do, however, know that sometimes there are dramas when people recouple later in life. I was fortunate to only have a few very small incidents like this when I got together with my husband when I was in my mid 40s.

It's no secret that I am a bit of a Maggie Christensen fangirl. I have read 27 of her books over the last 5 years, all but one of which were part of series set in small country towns. I did miss the country towns, the seaside setting and the community that is such an important part of her series. 

What was still present in this book was the really lovely later in life relationship between Harri and Charles and the same comforting style of writing which I have come to rely on whenever I pick up a Maggie Christensen book. I already have my next of her books lined up ready to read in a few weeks time!

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. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour below too!

Rating 3.5/5

About the book

Charlie’s Last Angel

In her early fifties, Harri Caldwell has always prided herself on being a strong, independent woman. Content with her single life, she loves her role as headmistress at the prestigious Lilian Cooper College for Young Ladies in Brisbane.


High profile barrister Charles Kaye has lived a charmed city life. With an amicable divorce behind him and three grown daughters, he is often featured in gossip columns alongside beautiful young women, a revolving cast his daughters nickname Charlie’s Angels.

When Charles and Harri meet at an art gallery opening, the instant connection is undeniable and, much to the chagrin of Charles’ daughters, a relationship quickly ensues. Their romance attracts media attention, not only because of Charles’ public profile but because Harri is so different from the women he is usually linked to. Older, private and firmly outside the socialite mould, she becomes an unexpected fascination for the press.

As the media attention and his daughters’ disapproval weigh on Harri, she begins to question whether their love can withstand the pressure. Will this prove to be the breaking point for their relationship or will Harri be Charlie’s last angel?

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

About the Author 

After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea. It is warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.

From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call to ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!



Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/maggiechristensenauthor
https://x.com/MaggieChriste33
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8120020.Maggie_Christensen
https://www.instagram.com/maggiechriste33/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-christensen?list=about
https://maggiechristensenauthor.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/maggiechriste33.bsky.social

The Seaside Book Club by Helen Rolfe

 

LIke many of us I am a sucker for a book about books. As soon as I saw this title I knew I needed to read it, particularly given that I know that I enjoy Helen Rolfe's writing.

The centre of this book is an unusual international book club. The members of the club are mainly in the UK and Australia. Given the time difference that means that, for the UK members, the meetings occur in the middle of the night. As someone who is often awake in the middle of the night this does sound appealing, although, to be fair, I never actually get out of bed then. I usually play games or red.

Howard loves meeting online with other book lovers from across the world. He is one of the stalwarts of the group, ever present, and often providing a sounding board to the other members. He loves books so much that he bought a bookshop when he retired. Now, he is fighting off the developers for as long as he can, to keep his bookshop dream alive

Margot attends the midnight book club in secret. Her controlling husband sleeps very heavily and she can sneak into another room and talk freely with the other members. If he had any idea of her activities, she knows he would absolutely put a stop to it. She does not however share her struggles with her friends, not even when she decides that she has had enough and secretly makes plans to leave.

The leader, for want of a better word, is Faye. She inherited the book club from her aunt and she is determined to keep it running, despite the fact that people she counted as true friends are leaving thanks to a huge scandal involving her twin sister. After her fiancé breaks off their engagement over the phone, she decides to join her father in the UK, where she can't be mistaken for her sister. She does not tell the group that she is in the UK, or that her engagement is off.

When Howard uncharacteristically misses a couple of meetings, Faye and Margot decide independently to try and find out what is going on. They both end up staying in picturesque Dorset and they are disheartened to find Howard's beloved bookshop closed. What is going on?

Soon, secrets are being revealed, bonds being strengthened and new friendships developing as everyone comes together, and for some of the group brings new beginnings. 

I really enjoyed the conversations about books where everyone had the freedom to share their thoughts even when there are differences of opinion. I also appreciate seeing where people who have met online are able to come together as friends in real life as well. I have a number of online friends that I have met in person thanks to our mutual love of books.

This was a lovely comforting bookish read. It's the kind of read that I meet right now given how intense work is for me. It was warm and uplifting, despite some of the difficult subjects that are explored through the various characters.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews,  Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books and British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog. Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for this review copy.

Rating 4/5

Blog Tour: A Venice Summer by Lynne Shelby

 

A couple of months ago I borrowed a book by Lynne Shelby from the library but I had to return it unread because that's just what happens with library books right? I had initially heard about the author who as author of the day in an online group I am in and I thought I liked the sound of her books. They feature fun locations like Venice in this book.

When this book came up for a blog tour, I jumped at the chance to read it, and I am really glad I did! I feel like I got a fun reading experience, a visit to Venice, some art history and a whole lot more!

Rose Bennet is down on her luck but thanks to a friend she gets the chance of a lifetime. She goes to Venice to work on a restoration of a 16th century painting. No one knows who the subject of the painting is or who painted it. After years of neglect, it is up to Rose to restore it and bring it back to life! 

The painting, which is called Portrait of a Young Woman in a Blue Dress, is part of a significant art collection owned by Luca Casserini. Luca is the head of one of the historically important families in Venetian history and owner of the Ca’ D’Ambra, a six hundred year old palazzo that he is in the process of turning into an art gallery.  Like many old homes, the Ca’ D’Ambra takes a lot of money to upkeep and the hope is that by turning it into a gallery with a private living quarters he can save the beautiful home from becoming a luxury hotel or something similar. Luca is head of the family in more ways than one. He is also responsible for caring for his much younger sister, a task he takes very seriously. Like many old homes, the Ca’ D’Ambra takes a lot of money to upkeep and the hope is that by 

As Rose works on restoring the painting, she begins to reveal previously hidden details such as the young woman's hair colour and features, what she is holding in her hand, and she begins to wonder who this young woman really was. She also begins to wonder about the broody Luca who likes to play the guitar in the garden when he is thinking things through. When Luca offers to show Rose the sights of Veniice, is he just being polite as her boss or is there something more. If it is something more, Rose has to be careful. After all, she is only in Venice for the summer.

The Venice that the reader is introduced to in these pages is a combination of touristy Venice but also the Venice that only Venetians know. Short walks down laneways take us to unexpected areas of the city, or a water taxi takes us to other locations. We also get to see glamourous Venice with art, music, and yes, even a masked ball colliding on the pages.

One of the things that I enjoyed was a surprise dual timeline where, as Rose wondered about the girl, the reader meets the young woman in question and we learn her history. There is nothing in the blurb to indicate this so it was a lovely surprise to me. Whilst as far as I can tell the art history was based on real people but imagined for the purpose of the story, I was fascinated by all the art, and history, that was mentioned throughout the book.

Now that I know that I enjoy Lynne Shelby's work, it might be time for me to reborrow that book and see where her next books takes me!

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. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour below too!

Rating 4/5

About the book

A Venice Summer

Art conservator Rose Bennet is still reeling from a bad break-up when she is offered a dream job in Venice, restoring an art collection in the Ca’ D’Ambra, a six-hundred-year-old Venetian palazzo. Despite her fears about travelling to a foreign country on her own, Rose is soon heading to Italy for the summer.

While she is awestruck by the breathtaking beauty of Venice, Rose finds the owner of the palazzo, the arrogant and short-tempered Luca Casserini, insufferable. When he questions her ability to do her work, she almost heads straight back to London, but decides that she won’t let herself be intimidated or driven away before she’s even had a chance to ride in a gondola.

Losing her way in Venice’s picturesque maze of canals and alleyways, the last person Rose wants to see is her employer, but when they meet by chance and, to her surprise, he offers to show her around the city, she feels it would be churlish to refuse.

Spending sunlit summer days exploring Venice with Luca, Rose discovers a passionate side to him, very different to her first impression, and her feelings towards him begin to change …

Rose knows she can restore a damaged painting, but can she mend Luca’s damaged heart?

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Venice-Summer-sunlit-summer-romance-ebook/dp/B0GGX58TWJ/

https://www.amazon.com/Venice-Summer-sunlit-summer-romance-ebook/dp/B0GGX58TWJ/

About the Author 

Lynne Shelby writes contemporary and dual-timeline women’s fiction/romance. Her debut novel, ‘Meet Me In Paris,' (originally titled French Kissing), won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition, and her fifth novel, Love On Location, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novelists' Award. When not writing or reading, Lynne can usually be found at the theatre or exploring a foreign city, writer's notebook and sketchbook in hand. She lives in London with her husband, and has three adult children who live nearby.



Social Media Links –

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynneShelbyWriter

Instagram: lynneshelbywriter

Website: www.lynneshelby.com

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 : New Chapters on the French Riviera by Jennifer Bohnet

Since his wife died 9 months ago, chef Guy Lyon has shut himself away from the world. He has closed down their food and boutique hotel business in the villa they owned, Villa Celestia and refuses to see anyone. It’s not just grief though. Guy doesn’t really know why his wife was in the taxi that day.

Sandy and her husband Romain run retreats. They hire lovely villa’s, provide themed events and good food and let groups of people with shared interests come together and thrive. When the owners of the villa that they had rented for an upcoming writers retreat pulls out at the last minute, they only have two options. First is to cancel the retreat. The second is to see if Guy will let them use Villa Celestia. Originally he is set against the idea but he finally agrees on one condition. He will cook simple food (not the fancy food he is known for) and he will stay in the background.

The attendees are a varied bunch. There is successful novels Liz James who is trying to find her voice again after going through a difficult divorce, there is Lorraine a successful self published author who wrote romantasy before it was a thing, Isobel is polishing her book, Helena and Mandy are friends who want to write a book and don’t know where to start. Finally there is Becky, instagrammer, influencer and wannabe fiction author

Helena has been in love with her childhood friend, Teddy, for years, but they have only just gotten together and she hasn’t told anyone yet, especially not her mother and brother. She does feel a bit guilty going on the retreat as it will be the first time in years their mother won’t be able to celebrate their birthdays today with either one of her children.

When her brother surprises her with a visit from their mother, it sets in chain a series of events which is life-changing for several people in the story. This was a lovely part of the story for me.

There were some interesting dynamics at play. For example, Becky was busy living her best Insta life and often left the group to go and do other things. She also thought she would be able to write a best seller but just working with AI

Several of our characters start to see life differently thanks to spending their time at the writing retreat including Guy, Sandy, Liz and Helena and her family.

This was once again an enjoyable visit to France through the eyes and pen of Jennifer Bohnet.

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!

Can a grieving chef and a group of writers find their own happy endings?

Eight months after his wife Jacqueline died in a tragic car accident, Michelin stared chef and proprietor of Villa Celestia, Guy Lyon’s life has been in freefall. Consumed by grief and plagued by questions as to why she was in a taxi that fateful day, the doors to Villa Celestia have remained closed.

When a good friend, Sandy Thoreau, asks to rent the villa on the French Riviera for a fortnight to hold a women’s writers retreat after being let down, Guy reluctantly agrees.

All the women at the retreat are looking forward to being inspired. Helena and her friend Mandy are writing debut novels, Isobel is editing a cosy crime story, Liz is desperate to kickstart a new book, self-published author Lorraine is looking for advice and Becky, well Becky is a law unto herself.

Over the course of the next fortnight, two of these women will change the course of Guy’s life forever and new chapters - hopefully with happy endings - will begin for all of them.

The perfect tonic and escapist read to the South of France full of warmth and second chances.

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

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: Summer Ever After by Mandy Baggot

It is a complete coincidence that I read two books set in Greece in a row, and I am also watching a TV series set there as well. Or is it? Maybe it is fate telling me to hurry up and go and visit Greece! If I was to visit Greece any time soon, then Mandy Baggot has convinced me that Corfu would be worth going to.

When Faye Lawson's marriage falls apart she finds refuge and purpose at one of her favourite places on Earth. She moves to Corfu and becomes the hotel manager at the family owned hotel Margaritari. Here she deals with the hotel guests, manages the team and budgets and so much more. She lives at the hotel but her dream is to find a small beachfront home to call her own. 

When Dimitria, her friend and the hotel owner, announces that they have an important guest, his name means nothing to Faye. Kostas Petsas, twenty-something ex-professional basketball player, is a Corfiot hero. There is even a statue of him in the town square.  Unfortunately, the love and pride the people of Corfu feel for Kostas is not really reciprocated. He blames the community for the demise of his father. Now, he wants to build a massive tourist development and marina right in the unspoilt area near the hotel.

Despite their 15 year age gap, Kostas and Faye are immediately attracted to each other, but it's complicated. He's a famous former athlete, she's an older divorced mum to a nineteen year old daughter who seems to still think that there is a chance for her parents to reunite, even though that is the last thing that Faye wants.

When she hears that her beloved hotel might be up for sale, she also has to worry about whether her Corfu dream might be coming to an end. And if she find out what Kostas real intentions are, could their fledgling relationship survive?

I have read a number of Mandy Baggot's books and I do enjoy them. Sometimes, there is an element of madcap in the humour, but this was not one of those books. There is still humour for sure, but you can tell that this book is talking about topics that are important to her.

I loved the characters of Dimitria and Kyriaki, Kostas' grandmother who he had long believed to be dead. Kyriaki lives in a tree house with no electricity or other mod cons, which doesn't mean to say that she doesn't know what is going on in the world around her. As she says, "Here I am away from everything I do not want and in the middle of everything I do."

I also loved the epilogue. I can't tell you why, but just the way that everything played out showed that Kostas really got Faye, her history, her dreams and more. In a way it surprised me to see that, despite his age, he really understood her. 

A key part of the story is the locals opposition to the full scale development that Kostas is originally proposing. In the afterword, Mandy Baggot talks about how this is a very real campaign in the area that the book is set, which is near her home. The video below, which comes from the Save Erimitis page, shows how beautiful the whole area is, and why people are keen to ensure that it is preserved in it's current state.

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. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour too!

Rating 4/5

About the Book

Summer Ever After

Forty-year-old Faye Lawson is falling back in love with life at last. Finally divorced from her cheating husband, she has turned her back on the UK and has been living the Greek dream in Corfu managing a beautiful traditional boutique hotel.

For Kostas Petsas, twenty-something ex-professional basketball player, life as he has always known it is over. Having to take early-retirement because of injury, he’s at a loss as to what to do next. But when a piece of land in Corfu comes on the market, it seems this might be the perfect fit. There’s just a couple of things in the way… an area of natural beauty and… a little hotel on the beach.

Kostas has never met any woman like Faye before – she doesn’t behave around him how women usually do, and, when conflict starts to surface, it seems they can’t see eye-to-eye on anything. Or perhaps, when things get body-to-body, both of them begin to wonder if it can turn into heart-to-heart.

Escape to the beautiful island of Corfu with Mandy Baggot - queen of Greek summer romance!

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

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: The Islander's Daughter by Patricia Wilson

 

As much as I enjoy reading made up stories in historical fiction, there is something special about stories which are based on real life events, which is the case with this book.

The Islander's Daughter tells the story of a terrible massacre on the small Greek island of Milos in August 1943. 14 men were killed by the German occupiers in retribution for the bombing of the cargo ship, SS Artemis Pitta.

The story is predominantly told through the eyes of Dora, a young woman who has grown up on the island. Like many young women of her time, her life is all planned out for her. She is expected to marry family friend Zoodow, but it is more complicated than that as her brother also has feelings for Zoodow. Her brother is forced to leave home, with tragic consequences, leaving Dora at the mercy of her violent and unpredictable father.

The author really cleverly builds the tension, from the bombing of the ship, with the timelines counting down to the date of the massacre. Dora and her family are key to the events. Dora has a natural caring nature and so finds herself caring for a survivor of the boat explosion in secret, and soon finds herself falling in love. War brings out the best and worst in people and Dora experiences this first hand when she is betrayed.

If you read the blurb for this book it appears as though it is a dual timeline is, and I guess, technically, it is. However, it is only the prologue and epilogue that have a modern setting. To be honest, the reason why is only obvious in the last couple of pages. I do wonder if there was a different way of doing this. 

This is my first book from Patricia Wilson, who retired to Greece many years ago. Just looking at the titles and descriptions of her books, it is clear that she loves the country. That enthusiasm shines through the pages of the book!

I am sharing this review with New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host here.  Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the blog tour below.

Rating 3.5/5

About the book

The Islander's Daughter

When Trisha receives a mysterious letter to her Liverpool home, it opens a decades’ old mystery, drawing her back into her family’s forgotten past, the horrors of war, and a small island off the coast of Greece…

Eighty years earlier, on the island of Milos, Dora is dreaming of a better life, free from the oppression of the occupying army and, closer to home, the brutal rule of her father, an infamous horse breeder.

Then a German cargo ship is bombed in the harbour, killing dozens of the men on board. The islanders trawl the waters for spoilage from the wreckage – finding among the debris a badly injured man, who may just hold the awful truth about what happened.

Dora soon finds this man under her care, and it changes her life forever, introducing her to the possibility of love and freedom for the first time… But Dora cannot know, as she nurses the stranger back to health, that her actions will have devastating consequences for her beloved island. Consequences that will last for generations…

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

About the Author 

Born on the Wirral, Patricia Wilson is the author of emotional, escapist historical fiction set in the Greek Islands, including the Sunday Times bestseller Villa of Secrets. She has had seven bestsellers, and her books have been published worldwide and in thirteen languages. She is dyslexic, and fell in love with writing thanks to modern technology.



Social Media Links

Facebook: @PatriciaWilsonAuthor

Twitter: @pmwilson_author

Instagram: @pmwilson.author

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

Blog Tour: Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen

 

The news that there is a new Maggie Christensen book coming is always welcome! This is the eighth book in the Pelican Crossing series, which is set in a small beachside town on the Queensland coast.

We had met Ranah Black in previous books in the series, given her friendship with Erica and Livvy who featured in early books in the series. Now Erica and Livvy are all loved up with their new partners and they want the same for her. Ranah does allow herself moments where she wishes for someone, but she has never been in a relationship and she can't see that changing any time soon. The reality is that she much prefers the company of her dogs to that of people. As a breeder of spaniels, she came into contact with people often enough.

When she meets a young woman who is crying on the street, Ranah does something completely out of character and offers Tiffany a place to stay. Tiffany works in hospitality in town but is finding it difficult to find accommodation due to the lack of affordable housing. She is also somewhat estranged from her family and in a situation not of her own making. The kindness of a stranger is the last thing Tiffany expects, but she is grateful for the offer and accepts.

Steve Morton has lived outside of Pelican Crossing for a few years now. He is an American with Australian heritage who found the town by accident and loved it so much that he moved there. However, he too keeps himself to himself. He runs his hot air ballooning and scenic helicopter business from his property but other than that he keeps himself to himself. Ranah and Steve have never even met despite the fact that they are neighbours. 

Despite his aloofness, Steve has made a big difference to the town. They just don't know it. Over the years he has made anonymous donations for a variety of local causes, including saving the local newspaper. Now though, he is turning his attention to the housing situation, and he knows that if his plans come to fruition, there is no way he is going to be able to keep his philanthropy anonymous!

Steve and Rhana finally meet when she is invited to go on a hot air balloon ride with her friend which isn't really her idea of fun. Privately, Rhana calls Steve "the birdman" and she is not really that interested in getting to know him. However, sometimes fate has other ideas and the two of them seem to keep on running into each other. Soon, they discover

I thought that the author did a great job a looking at trauma and the way it can impact your whole life. Both Steve and Rhana have had significant impacts on their lives. For Rhana, it has shaped her in ways that have led her to isolating herself from people, and from never believing that anyone would want a relationship with her. She has never, ever told anyone what happened to her, and she doesn't intend to start now. However, when she sees Tiffany suffering, she knows that she needs to share to try to help the younger woman down a different path to the one that she has chosen. And she also might need to put aside the fear of intimacy she has and give the birdman a chance.

Whilst Steve loves his hot air balloon and helicopters, it is a double edged sword. He knows that if it weren't for the tragic loss of his fiancée in a small plane crash many years before he probably wouldn't even be in Pelican Crossing. He has build a successful life for himself despite his loss but he doesn't really want to broaden his life. 

These books are my comfort read. I know when I pick them up I am going to get immersed in the lives of a small town where there is a solid community, good people, friendships, lifestyle and so much more. Would I like to live in a town like Pelican Crossing? Yes, I think I would. Do I believe that I would get absorbed into the town in the ways that are portrayed in these books. Probably not. At least I can get absorbed into Pelican Crossing through the pages in these books! I am already looking forward to my next visit!

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 4/5

About the book

Something in the Air in Pelican Crossing

Rhana Black has always been content with her quiet life in the Pelican Crossing hinterland, where she spends her days breeding spaniels. Following a traumatic incident at her school formal and weighed down by her own insecurities about her appearance, Rhana has shied away from any romantic relationships. That is, until a chance encounter with a hot air balloonist changes everything.

Steve Morton has been struggling to move on after the tragic death of his pregnant fiancée. In search of solace, he finds himself in Pelican Crossing, where he rediscovers his love for flying and starts offering hot air balloon rides and scenic helicopter flights along the coast. When he meets Rhana, he is taken aback by the intense emotions he feels towards her.

As Rhana and Steve navigate their complicated pasts and undeniable chemistry, they must decide if they are willing to break their self-imposed barriers and take a chance on love. But with their old wounds and deep insecurities threatening to keep them apart, can they be able to overcome their fears and find happiness together?

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

About the author 

After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea. It is warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.

From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call to ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!



Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/maggiechristensenauthor
https://twitter.com/MaggieChriste33
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8120020.Maggie_Christensen

https://www.instagram.com/maggiechriste33/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-christensen?list=about

https://maggiechristensenauthor.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/maggiechriste33.bsky.social

Blog Tour: Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland

 

Tara and Jed are taking it slowly. Tara has emotional scars from her past that have forced her to keep her distance from everyone for years. Slowly, she has been letting down her barriers down to many people around her allowing her to form friendships, to rebuild her relationship with her foster parents and yes, to fall in love with Jed. But she is still keeping part of herself back from him. Fortunately, Jed understands. After all, he has a history of his own including his manipulative ex-wife who tore their family apart, and separated him from the boy he thought was his son, Aaron. 

The past has a tendency to come back to life. Jed returned from life in Australia with his two daughters and has established his own business across the road from Tara's Chocolate Pot Café. When Ingrid, his ex-wife shows up unannounced, drama is sure to follow. When Jed sees Aaron again, the boy is angry with him, believing that Jed had abandoned him and wanted nothing more to with him. 

For Tara, her painful past is represented by her step sister Leanne, who betrayed her in the most shocking way. When Leanne tries to get in contact with her parents, Tara knows that it won't be for altruistic reasons and she also knows that she has to protect herself even if it means losing her parents again.

When I started reading this book, it felt like I had walked in half way through, and that's because I had. Tara and Jed's story started in a book that was published years ago called Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Cafe. Of course, it I had of seen the title it would have prompted me to wonder if they were connected but there was nothing to suggest that it was a continuation of a previous story on Goodreads or in the blurb. I have learned before that Jessica Redland likes to pepper her story with recurring characters and I expected it in this one. I just didn't expect that it would be a sequel. I guess I just have to hurry up and read all of the books set in Whitsborough Bay and then the recurring characters will be old friends!

Giving that this isn't the boy meets girl part of Tara and Jed's relationship, the story really comes from the Drama with a capital D that swirls around them, and there is a lot going on. Jed's daughters have a really fractured relationship with their mother, which is perfectly understandable given the history, so when Ingrid drops in unannounced he has to navigate carefully. Similarly, Tara has enough drama in her own world, but she still manages to see opportunity to help other people, including Zoe, a young girl who lives in a shelter.

I could relate to having a relationship that is in the middle of other people's lives. My husband and I have been known to have conversations about the fact that we are really good within the two of us, but it is outside dramas that can some times cause emotional impacts on one or both of us. The main difference is that we are not now navigating a new relationship as Tara and Jed were. 

Despite the fact that I did feel like I had missed the first half of the story, I did really enjoy this book and I would love to read more of Jessica Redland's books. The question is when will I find the time and space to do so!

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

Rating 4/5

About the book

Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Café

Sometimes all your hopes and dreams really do come true… ✨🌈

Life at the Chocolate Pot Café has never been sweeter for Tara Porter. Nestled on Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay, her café is thriving, her friendships are close, her foster parents are back where they belong—and she’s finally let herself fall in love with artist Jed Ferguson.

For Jed, returning from Australia feels like coming home in every sense. His teenage daughters have settled, his gallery opening is a success, and with Tara by his side, the future looks full of promise.

But the past can’t stay at bay forever.

When Tara’s estranged foster sister reappears, old wounds resurface. And when Jed is reunited with twelve year old Aaron - a boy he once believed was his son - secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.

Now Tara and Jed must decide whether facing the past will shatter everything they’ve built—or hope it gives them the strength and courage to dream again.

Warm, heartfelt and hopeful, Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Café is a story of love, forgiveness and second chances.

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

About the Author 

Jessica Redland is the million-copy bestselling author of novels, including the Hedgehog Hollow and Escape to the Lakes series. Inspired by her hometown of Scarborough and the Lake District, she writes uplifting women’s fiction of love, friendship and community.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @jessicaredlandauthor

Twitter: @JessicaRedland

Instagram: @jessicaredlandauthor

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

Bookbub profile: @jessicaredlandwriter