Guest Review: The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan

Will this Christmas finally bring comfort and joy?

A PAINFUL SECRET

Imogen loves her job as an events organiser, and her colleagues are in awe of her. But Imogen isn’t the person she pretends to be, and she’s hiding painful truths about her past. But as long as she can keep on top of her work, Imogen can put everything else to one side.

AN ACT OF KINDNESS

And then Imogen makes a catastrophic mistake at work, and finally realises it's time to reset. When her favourite client, Dorothy, invites her to spend Christmas with her and her family, in her cottage in the Cotswolds, it sounds like the perfect way for Imogen to take stock.

FINDING HAPPINESS AT CHRISTMAS

Imogen soon settles into idyllic cottage life, especially with the prospect of a new romance on the horizon … but when long-buried secrets and unwanted faces from the past resurface, Imogen’s new peace is threatened. Will Imogen end up alone this Christmas, or can she find it in her heart to forgive and move on?

Review: I always enjoy a Christmas book by Sarah Morgan. The reader is presented with all the essential elements of a story set at Christmas on top of the usual high quality narrative from this author. This book has a very attractive cover depicting a snowy country scene indicative of the setting for this story.

Individual chapters of this book are voiced by one of three female characters. Imogen is an events planner living in London. She is highly skilled at her job and works hard to provide clients with their often exacting requirements. She has had a difficult past and is hiding the reality of her life outside work from her colleagues by inventing a fictitious existence. However, it is becoming difficult to keep up the pretence. Dorothy, Imogen’s favourite client, lives on a large estate in the Cotswolds, where she looks after animals in need of a home. Sara is Dorothy’s daughter, who lives near her mother with her husband and two young daughters. When overstretched Imogen eventually makes a dreadful mistake at work, she is given leave from her job and is grateful when Dorothy offers her use of a luxurious cottage on the estate over the Christmas period. She is soon enjoying spending time with the family and with the handsome local vet, Miles. That is when a secret that Dorothy and Sara have been keeping from Imogen comes to light. The implications of what they have been hiding are enormous for Imogen and she is thankful for support from Miles. Can she forgive the others or will she go running back to her life in London?

This was such a good story, containing a wide range of elements that had me hooked from start to finish. There is drama throughout the book and so many secrets, including one massive one that had me gasping with its enormity. To balance out all the drama, there is a gentle romance, a family Christmas with all the trimmings, a beautiful setting and some well-developed characters. Imogen was such a workaholic that I feared for her health, especially with pressures put on her outside work as well. Thank goodness for Miles; he was just what she needed to get her through. Although Dorothy and Sara were both strong characters, I’m not sure that I liked the way in which they behaved. I think this is another triumph for Sarah Morgan and a festive book that would make a welcome addition to anybody’s Christmas stocking.

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Guest Review: A Recipe for Christmas by Jo Thomas

Take one woman longing for the perfect Christmas . . .

All Clara has ever wanted is Christmas surrounded by loved ones, full of warmth and delicious food. So when her new boyfriend asks her to move to Switzerland, she can't help but say yes! After all, what could be more perfect than Christmas in the Alps?

Add a dash of surprise

She quickly signs up for a tempting chocolate-making class, but it turns out to be chocolate-making bootcamp! And her boyfriend isn't all he seemed either . . .

And enjoy a magical festive treat!

Despite it all, Clara begins to make friends - including the aloof yet intriguing Gabriel. With all of the ingredients at her fingertips, will she finally be able to whisk up her Christmas dream?

Review; Jo Thomas is one of my go-to authors; I know when she releases a new book I am assured of a story that will have me transported to an interesting location while enjoying lots of lovely local dishes. For this year’s Christmas book, Jo is taking readers off to Switzerland. What could be more perfect than a festive trip to the snowy alps combined with lots of chocolate?

The story centres on chocolate-loving Clara, who has shocked her two best friends by announcing that she has left her position as HR manager and, what’s more, is moving to Switzerland with her very new boyfriend as he begins a new job there. Her plan is to enrol on a chocolate-making course that runs for six weeks up to Christmas. Clara has spent years celebrating Christmas on her own and is dreaming of a different experience this year with her boyfriend in their Swiss home surrounded by all the trappings of the season. The reality is somewhat different as neither the course nor the boyfriend is what she expected. However, Clara does her best to make the most of the situation. She finds friends amongst the others on the course and surprisingly becomes close to gruff tutor Gabriel. It looks as though that perfect family-style could be in her future after all.

I absolutely loved this book. It has so much going for it, with marvellous mountain scenery, a host of interesting characters, romance and a mouthwatering selection of food, with chocolate front and centre. Definitely a story for foodies and chocolate addicts, with a lovely Christmassy feel throughout. I feel as though I learnt a lot about the chocolate making processes. Even hot chocolate was very different from what we are used to drinking from our usual coffee shops. I loved the main characters in the story. Clara was somebody with great determination to turn her life around and I admired the way in which she fought to achieve her goals. She was slightly misguided in putting her faith in someone she had just met, but fortunately that worked out in the end. I was attracted to Gabriel right away, although he was a little moody at times. Thanks to the author for including a selection of recipes, sweet and savoury, at the end of the book; I might just give some a try.

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Guest Review: An Ideal Husband by Erica James

After a long and seemingly happy marriage, and a wonderful family Christmas, Louisa is stunned when husband Kip asks for a divorce on Boxing Day. He’d never seemed unhappy – and they’ve raised three children together.

For months, Kip has been secretly seeing a younger woman – and if that wasn’t bad enough, it’s the woman who broke their youngest son’s heart.

Now Kip is moving out and embarking on a new life with Zoe, and Louisa is left to pick up the pieces. Their beloved family home, Charity Cottage, is up for sale, and tensions are running high.

Yet, despite the betrayal and anger, when Louisa lays eyes on what might be a unique and welcoming new home, she feels a first glimmer of hope that life might be taking a turn for the better.

And while Louisa is making exciting plans, Kip finds himself facing challenges of his own and begins to learn that living the dream may not be as simple as he thought…

Review: As a fan of Erica James’s writing, I have been looking forward to the publication of her latest book. Her stories are always full of family drama and romance and I was intrigued to discover all about the husband in the title of this book. The first few paragraphs of the story quickly drew me into the drama that was about to unfold, and, once hooked, I finished the book all too soon.

The story focuses on Louisa and Kip, who are divorcing after almost forty years of marriage. Kip’s announcement that he wanted a divorce came as a shock to everyone, almost as much as the news that he was setting up home with his teenage son’s ex-girlfriend, Zoe. Louisa is further devastated that the lovely family home has to be sold, leaving her looking for somewhere else to live. Luckily, she is a strong woman with the support of her three children, and realises she must continue with the cards she has been dealt. While looking for a suitable home, she suddenly finds the perfect place to live where she can make a new beginning. Meanwhile, Kip is finding that his plans for the future may not play out as he hoped, as complications arise.

I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling story with all its twists and turns and recommend the book to everyone who enjoys a good family drama. It was full of surprise after surprise for the main characters and had me gasping out loud several times. Even by the end, I was not sure I liked Kip as a character; there was a certain amount of sympathy for all that befell him along the way, but did he deserve it? Louisa, on the other hand, was a warm, likeable character. She had such strength to pick up the pieces and get on with life. I absolutely loved the place she found to live after the family house was sold. I won’t go into detail and spoil the surprise, but I was jealous. Of course, the story is not all about Kip and Louisa; there is a lot going on with the other family members as well as they come to terms with the divorce and its ramifications as well as unconnected events in their lives. I think this book is another triumph for Erica James.

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Guest Review: Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe

A hidden secret

Live every day as if it were your last – that’s the motto Bess has lived by since her father died unexpectedly. As a critical care paramedic, Bess sees every day just how easily life can be taken away. But carefree living has risks, and as Bess’s debts mount, she discovers her actions could have terrible consequences…

An unexpected arrival

Nothing gives Gio more joy than his work saving lives in the fire service. And on the days when his call-outs put him in the path of the air ambulance, and one paramedic in particular, things are pretty perfect. Until Gio’s world is spun on its head, first by the arrival of his estranged mother on his doorstep, and then by an accident that could put his career on hold indefinitely.

A new beginning?

Gio and Bess have always worked well together, but could they be the solution to each other’s problems beyond the frontline as well? And will they let their guard down enough to give each other a chance before snow falls over Whistlestop River?

This is the second book in The Skylarks series from Helen Rolfe. Books in this series follow the lives of the crew of the air ambulance service based in the fictional Dorset town of Whistlestop River. Although there are characters common to both books, each can be read as a standalone.

This story focuses on Bess, critical care paramedic with the air ambulance crew, and her friend Gio, a local firefighter. Since the tragic death of her father, Bess has dealt with her grief by splashing out on luxuries and holidays. Now she is deep in debt and it’s spiralling out of control. Gio also has troubles, but of the family kind. His estranged alcoholic mother has turned up on his doorstep claiming that she’s ready to make a fresh start, but can he believe her, after all he’s heard it all before. On top of that, he’s badly injured in the line of duty and is worried that his injury may end the career he loves. Bess and Gio have known each other for a long time, but suddenly realise how close they have become. Should they risk their friendship by taking their relationship further?

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series, once again it was full of friendship and love. It was fascinating learning more about the air ambulance service and how it works. It was also good to meet the crew members, ground staff and their families again. Both Bess and Gio are dedicated to their jobs and both have troubles that are sadly not uncommon. It was lovely to see how their families and friends rallied around to help. I especially loved the relationship between Bess and her mother. They were more like sisters than parent and child. I wasn’t too sure about Gio’s mother, but she grew on me. I’m hoping that there will be more books in this series as there are lots of other characters to explore.

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Guest Review: The Secret Orchard by Sharon Gosling

Bette and Nina Crowdie have never been close – the ten-year age difference doesn’t help, and Bette’s rarely been home since she left for university at eighteen. When their father passes away and unexpectedly splits the family farm between them, Nina is furious and afraid. She’s been working at the farm for the past five years. It’s the only home her young son, Barnaby, has ever had, and she’s convinced that Bette will sell at the first chance she gets.

When they discover the huge debt their father has been hiding, Bette reluctantly agrees to help her sister. But that means they have to find a way to work together, and Bette must face up to the real reason she left all those years ago.

Could a long-forgotten diary and the discovery of a secret orchard on their land help save the farm – and the sisters’ relationship?

I have been a fan of Sharon Gosling’s books since reading her debut adult novel. The Secret Orchard is her fourth adult fiction book and is set like some of the others in a small community in north-east Scotland. I liked the sound of the story, with a little bit of mystery and history combined with family affairs. I certainly found it an intriguing tale from the very start, the storyline keeping me coming back for more right up to the end.

The story centres on sisters Nina and Bette Crowdie, whose father has recently died, leaving the family farm shared between them. This has angered Nina, who has been living there with her young son and working the land alongside her father. Bette, on the other hand, left home many years ago and has been working as a successful lawyer in London, seldom returning home. When it becomes clear that the farm has been left in serious financial difficulties, the sisters must work together with the help of some close friends to save their family home. The discovery of an orchard on the land which seems to have an interesting history holds a possible lifeline for the farm. While the estranged sisters work together to establish their rights, it seems that their fractured relationship could just be healed.

I very much enjoyed this story with its cast of interesting characters, stunning setting on the sometimes wild Scottish coast and air of mystery surrounding the history of the orchard. Nina and Bette seemed initially very different, but as they worked through the problems left by their father and the discoveries linked to the orchard nobody knew about, problems from the past were gradually eaten away. I loved Nina’s son, Barnaby, whose sometimes amusing antics helped smooth the way for the sisters to find common ground. It was interesting, but also frustrating, to discover as the story progressed the real reason why Bette had left home in her teens. Although much of the story involves problems for the characters, I was pleased that there is also romance for the sisters along the way. This is a book that I would definitely recommend; with its combination of family and mystery, it should appeal to many readers.

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Guest Review: Snow is Falling by Sarah Bennett

When Sadie Bingham’s life takes an unexpected turn, her children treat her to a well-earned break at Juniper Meadows, the gorgeous Cotswolds estate owned by the Travers family.

The festive season is in full swing, and Sadie throws herself into the packed Twelve Days of Christmas programme, relishing the opportunity to make new friends and new memories.

Single father Dylan Travers hasn’t been to his childhood home of Juniper Meadows for decades. Estranged from his cantankerous father Monty, he has made a happy life for himself in the States. But now with teenage children keen to know more about their roots, Dylan has brought them back to the Cotswolds to meet his family.

As Sadie and Dylan both navigate a Christmas very different from the ones they had expected it's soon clear that, geography apart, they have a great deal in common. And as Dylan confronts his past and Sadie contemplates her future, perhaps the miracle of this Christmas will be the happily-ever-after they both deserve.

This is the fourth, and final, book in the Juniper Meadows series from this author, and as the title suggests it is a lovely Christmassy story to wrap up the series. The stories in this series are set in the Cotswolds, on the Juniper Meadows estate where the Travers family have lived for centuries. The Manor House has been converted into a luxury hotel and spa and most of the extended family, all of whom are involved in running the various activities on the estate, now live in the large farmhouse. Each of the books has focused particularly on one member of the family. Luckily, the author has included a character list at the beginning of this book, which I found very useful as I read along. While each of the books can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading each in turn as the collection makes a most enjoyable family saga.

This story centres on Dylan Travers, who has been estranged from the rest of the family after an unfortunate incident many years ago. He has been living in Florida for a long time, his ex-wife and children close at hand. His teen-aged children, Theo and Avery, have persuaded him to take them to stay at Juniper Meadows for their Twelve Days of Christmas holiday programme. While there, they meet Sadie Bingham, whose grow-nup children have gifted her the holiday. As the days go by, Dylan and his children grow closer to Sadie as they enjoy their stay at Juniper Meadows. Initially unsure of his feelings, Dylan also enjoys reuniting with the rest of the Travers family. However, at the end of the holiday, he and Sadie wonder what the future holds for them as they face returning to their lives so far apart.

It was great to return to Juniper Meadows and the amazing Travers family. This series has been so good that I have found myself waiting with anticipation for the each successive part to be released. Now I find myself wishing I could be joining in their wonderful festive programme. I was wondering which family member would be the focus of this book. It was a bonus to find that Dylan came with two wonderful children and that they invited Sadie, another loveable character, into their group. I am sure that anyone reading this book can’t fail to feel full of Christmas spirit by the end. I am going to miss Juniper Meadows and all the characters gathered there; I may well be returning to reread the books in the future.

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Guest Review: The Best is Yet to Come by Jessica Redland

Emma is having a fresh start.

After a successful teaching career, an exciting new chapter awaits Emma – helping her fiancé Grayson run one of Beatrix Potter's farms. While imagining days spent supporting Grayson with his dream, working the land and helping with the animals, Emma harvests a dream of her own – to set up an alpaca-walking business around the farm.

But working together isn’t as easy as Emma expected. Soon her dreams are in tatters and, broken-hearted, she must start over yet again.

When Oliver, Rosie and the team at Willowdale Hall welcome Emma with open arms, she can't believe her luck. But starting a new business in a new place is a daunting prospect, especially when it comes with unexpected obstacles. With a reserved, prickly groundskeeper as a partner, rapidly changing family dynamics to contend with, and time running out to get her new career off the ground, Emma may have bitten off more than she can chew.

But even though things are not going to plan just yet, the best is yet to come for Emma, if she can just take a leap of faith and follow her heart...

Review: This is the third book in Jessica Redland’s Escape to the Lakes series, a collection of stories set in the beautiful Lake District. Having enjoyed the previous books in the series, I am looking forward to meeting up again with the characters I got to know in those stories. Each book in the series is a standalone, but I would recommend reading them in order to get full enjoyment. I love the bright and colourful covers of this series of books, and I think this is the best so far. It certainly gives a big clue as to what might happen in the story.

The central character in this story is Emma, who is leaving behind her long and happy career in teaching to join her fiancé in his dream job of running one of Beatrix Potter’s tenant farms in the Lake District. Looking for a new start for herself, Emma decides to set up an alpaca walking business based on the farm. However, before long, she finds herself homeless and broken-hearted as her fiancé decides to go it alone. Luckily, she has the support of a wonderful family and her long time best friend, and with their help she is able to establish her business at Willowdale Hall, home of her half-brother Oliver and his girlfriend Rosie. The only drawback is that she must work with handyman Killian, who at first seemed unfriendly and unapproachable, to set up a home for her alpaca herd. However, as Emma deals with family upsets and pressures of timing, she realises that Killian is not the gruff individual she suspected, but someone who could help and encourage her to achieve her dreams.

This is a wonderful addition to the Escape to the Lakes series of books and I recommend both this book and the entire series to other readers. The characters have their ups and downs just as in real life but there is a message of hope throughout. The settings, both at the farm Emma briefly shared with her fiancé and at Willowdale Hall, are of course idyllic; the writing easily conjured up the majestic scenery in my mind. Emma is an interesting character, not easily daunted by events in her past or present. I felt for her as she was certainly unlucky in love, having been in long-term relationships with men who were not as they seemed. I was hoping that she might have more luck with the lovely Killian, and look forward to hearing more about him in future books in this series. I loved the way in which Emma was supported by her extended family and, particularly, her loyal friend Rachael, who were always ready to rally round and help in any way they could. This story is definitely a must for anyone who, like me, is fascinated by alpacas. Emma’s herd plays a big part in the story, and the author has included lots of information about alpacas as Emma learns how to look after them. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series and hoping to meet up with the gorgeous alpacas again.

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Guest Review: Winter Magic on Railway Lane by Alison Sherlock

Globetrotting Libby Jacobs has lost her job but is looking forward to spending more time in her home village of Cranfield.

She dreams of turning her chocolate making hobby into something more permanent. There’s only one problem - Ethan Connolly.

Despite being soul mates growing up, Libby hasn’t been close to Ethan since their disastrous date at the school prom. But now he’s back and he has just what Libby needs… a large kitchen! But can they even bear to be in the same room together?

Ethan never stays in Cranfield too long as it reminds him of his parents’ terrible marriage. But when disaster strikes, he’s forced to stay and help realise his grandad’s dream of a Christmas train. Can the whole village help Ethan create a seasonal spectacular in time?

Can Libby confront her secrets and realise her dreams?

And can Ethan ever stop running from his past and trust his heart?

Perhaps the magic of winter on Railway Lane might just give Libby and Ethan a second chance after all...

Review: This is the fourth, and final, book in the Railway Lane Series from Alison Sherlock. The books in this series are set in the small village of Cranfield and concern events in the lives of some of its inhabitants. The village was adversely affected by the closure of its station many years ago, but thanks mainly to the characters in these stories, new life is gradually being breathed into it. I have enjoyed watching its development in previous books and am looking forward to seeing what is to come in this new addition to the series.

This story focuses on Libby Jacobs and Ethan Connolly, both born and bred in Cranfield. In their youth they were inseparable, until a disastrous date on prom night, after which both followed careers which took them away from the village for most of the time. When Libby loses her job, she decides to try to make a living out of her chocolate making hobby. Scaling up the process means she needs a larger kitchen, and the only one available unfortunately belongs to Ethan, who is between contracts and unusually living in the village for a few months. Sharing the kitchen is not as difficult as the pair feared, but when Ethan’s grandad falls ill, it looks as though Ethan may have to stay longer than planned. In fact, the whole village is brought together in spectacular fashion when Ethan decides to make his grandad’s dream come true and resurrect the Christmas train which used to run from the station. In the midst of the preparations, can Libby and Ethan forget the past and admit their feelings for one another.

This was a wonderful final chapter in this series. Libby and Ethan have featured in all of the other parts, but in minor roles, and there has always been the mystery about why they disliked each other. I was pleased to find out what had happened in their past and was willing them to get together throughout this book. Once again, through Ethan’s determination to get the Christmas train up and running for his grandad, the reader sees the power of community, which is always evident in stories about Cranfield, and which has turned the village around as the series progressed. It has been heart warming to witness developments as new characters have been introduced to the area and the village has gradually woken up. I shall certainly miss all of the villagers who have become like friends as I read each successive book. I can heartily recommend this book and the whole series to anyone wishing to escape to this little village for a few hours.

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Guest Review: Irresponsible Adult by Lucy Dillon

Sisters Cleo and Robyn may be close in age but their attitudes to life could not be further apart. While Cleo's a fully-fledged adult with a family, a business and a signature scent, Robyn is still waiting for the instruction manual to Adult Life and success is keeping her houseplant alive. Skating by at her job as an estate agent, she's adept at avoiding housework, ignoring admin, and evading her mother's anxious questions about her love life. But then Robyn's fired in the most publicly humiliating way imaginable - and her chaos catches up with her.

Although Cleo steps in to give Robyn a temporary job in her cleaning firm, it comes with very firm instructions: Robyn must BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY. And that includes meeting the high standards of Jim, her enigmatic supervisor. But when Robyn learns to navigate the catastrophic kitchens and judgemental dogs of total strangers she learns some unexpected truths about her own messy world. No one's life is spotless...

Review: I always know that I can look forward to a great read when I pick up a book by Lucy Dillon. This one certainly has an intriguing title and I was looking forward to seeing where it was going to take me. I was amused by the cover, but its message soon became clear once I met the lady depicted there. As I began to read, I was quickly absorbed into the lives of the main characters and was left wondering what their futures held long after I had finished the book.

The story introduces sisters Robyn and Cleo. Although from the same family, they couldn’t be more different from each other. Cleo is married with two children and a successful cleaning business. Estate agent Robyn, on the other hand, is messy and disorganised in her private and professional life and is constantly dodging her mother’s questions about her love life. When she is sacked in the most public and humiliating way, Robyn reluctantly accepts Cleo’s offer of a temporary cleaning job while she searches for something more suitable. Cleo wisely teams Robyn up with her best employee, Jim, who sets exacting standards for his new partner. As Robyn gradually learns the secrets for cleaning and tidying other people’s property, she thinks about how they apply to her life. She also unearths some unexpected things among the clutter in her home and some family secrets begin to be revealed.

I absolutely loved this book, with its strong characters, very amusing situations and messages for us all. Robyn was having a wonderful time to start with, floating along until suddenly life caught up with her and she had to grow up. It was funny watching her as she realised the meaning of organisation and responsibility as she had to do her job to a timetable and meet expectations. She learned some valuable lessons about herself and I found myself feeling happy that this knowledge was going to help her be OK in the future. Even though the sisters were so very different, there was a strong family vibe in the book and there was a lot going on within the family outwith Robyn’s development, adding other interesting threads to the story. A feature of the book that I really enjoyed was that each chapter begins with a cleaning tip, many of which I hadn’t heard before; I may just be referring back to some of these. This is definitely a book that I can recommend.

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Guest Review: Funny Story by Emily Henry

Daphne always loved the way Peter told their story.

That is until it became the prologue to his actual love story with his childhood bestie, Petra.

Which is how Daphne ends up rooming with her total opposite and the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra's ex, Miles.

As expected, it’s not a match made in heaven – that is until one night, while tossing back tequilas, they form a plan.

And if it involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex . . . right?

Review: This is actually my first novel from Emily Henry and, having just finished listening to the audiobook and enjoyed the story, I’m not sure why. I think I may just be going back through some of her earlier books soon.

This story tells of how Daphne came to be flat sharing with Miles and how these people with nothing at all in common developed a relationship. When Daphne was informed by fiancé Peter that he was in love with someone else and gave her a week to leave his house, she was left heartbroken and with nowhere to live. She turned to Miles, whose fiancé, Petra, had been snaffled by Peter, and who, more importantly, had a spare bedroom going begging. Librarian Daphne and bartender Miles couldn’t be more different, but somehow they managed to get along and gradually become friends, plotting revenge against their exes. Soon they began enjoying time together, each showing the other new experiences. Could their unlikely friendship be turning into something more?

I absolutely loved this sometimes humorous, sometimes serious romance, filled with interesting, well-developed characters and surprising situations. The way in which the author brought together two very different people who then slowly began to understand each other was brilliant. I liked the way in which the story was told in relation to Daphne’s plan for leaving the town which she now hated behind. The change in Daphne as she began to realise how much her life had been shaped by her ex was truly heartwarming, as was the way in which Miles gradually opened up to reveal the real person underneath the persona. I recommend this book and hope that others will also enjoy it as an introduction to Emily Henry’s novels.

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Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books From Series That I Loved

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. 

This was a real thinker for me, I think we definitely need to include trilogies in this but how do I even think about which my favourite is from some of my favourite series???

August 2024 TBR: New Releases and Other Audiobooks I Want To Read

August is usually a really good reading month for me because I have time at home that I don't usually have during term time but in actually fact I don't have an awful lot of time at home this August becasue I seem to have found myself here, there and everywhere this year! I do have a couple of longer flights this month where I may read some things and I also have some longer road trips where I may listen to some audiobooks so here's what I want to read this month!

August Releases (Both 1st August)

Leftovers from July!

Guest Review: A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge by Jessica Redland

Could one chance meeting change your life forever?

Zara is at a crossroads in life. While she adores her job as a producer's assistant working on hit TV shows, travelling around the country means she doesn't truly feel that she has a home. With a fractured relationship with her family and unrequited love weighing heavily on her heart, she is torn about what her next step in life should be...

Snowy is hiding from the world. He's devoted his life to home schooling his young son and caring for sick owls at his home, Owl's Lodge, deep in the Yorkshire Wolds countryside. While he's passionate about both, it's a lonely existence and he's starting to question his decisions. But how do you step back into a world you've pushed away for years...?

When Zara brings an injured owl to Owl's Lodge, its frosty, reclusive owner is far from welcoming. Despite hostilities, there's a connection that neither could ever have prepared themselves for. As they discover a shared passion, a new friendship blossoms, but both Zara and Snowy are used to shutting people out.

Can they both find the courage to open up and the strength to move on from their pasts? And what could this mean for their future happiness?

Review: This book is the second in the Bumblebee Barn collection, stories set in the Yorkshire Wolds. It contains many characters and locations that will be familiar to readers of Jessica Redland’s books, not only in this series, but also in her Hedgehog Hollow collection. It was good to be meeting up with them again, but not a problem for those who have not read any of the previous books, who will be able to enjoy this one as a standalone. This book has a lovely, colourful cover which gives a clue to the type of animals the reader might meet within.

The story centres in on Zara, personal assistant to her TV producer friend, Amber. Although she loves her job, she has a troubled relationship with her family who make her wonder whether she should be looking for more out of life. As part of her job, Zara meets up with single dad Snowy, who has a sanctuary for sick and injured owls at his home, Owl’s Lodge. As well as being passionate about owls and nature in general, Snowy is home schooling his 9-year-old son, Harrison, with the help of his grandad. Due to events in his past, Snowy is reclusive, but he realises that some day in the not too distant future he will have to introduce Harrison to the real world and return to his former existence himself. When he first meets Zara, he appears very standoffish and rather formidable, but there is a spark of something else there as well. When they discover a shared interest from their past lives, they gradually become friends and the full story of events that have shaped the way they are now begins to emerge. As they draw strength from each other, it seems that Zara and Snowy may overcome the obstacles that have held them back in the past.

I have enjoyed catching up with Zara and her friends in this book, as well as learning a lot about owls, birds that have always fascinated me. It took me quite a way into the story before I began to warm to Snowy. It was quite heartbreaking to learn of his past, as indeed it was to learn the full extent of Zara’s difficult childhood. The story touches on some difficult subjects, including alcoholism and mental health problems. I admired the way that Snowy cared for his son, but was anxious how Harrison would react to emerging from his sheltered existence into the real world, even knowing the reasons behind Snowy’s decisions. Owl’s Lodge itself sounded a wonderful place to live, with its luxurious house and seemingly endless grounds teeming with wildlife. The author has very kindly concluded the book with a fact file about the five species of owl that breed in the UK. I am already hoping that there will be another book in this series and wondering who will take centre stage next time.

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Guest Review: The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

A summer escape

When Cecilia Lapthorne’s 75th birthday celebrations take an unexpected turn, she seeks solace away from the festivities and escapes to Dune Cottage – without telling her family where she’s going.

A new friendship

Lily Thomas, a struggling artist, has secretly been staying in the unoccupied cottage. When Cecilia discovers Lily during a late-night visit, an unexpected bond forms between the two women.

A chance to start over

Then Cecilia’s grandson, Todd – and Lily’s unrequited crush – shows up, sending a shockwave through their unlikely friendship. Will it inspire Lily to find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new …

Review: I loved the sound of this new novel from Sarah Morgan, one of my favourite writers. A summer in a cottage by the sea would be just the antidote for this wet spring we are having. Sarah’s books always promise a well-rounded story with a range of emotions; this one did not let me down.

This story focuses on the lives of three women: 75-year-old Cecilia; her daughter Kristen; and her granddaughter’s friend Lily. When Cecilia finds life is getting on top of her, she secretly flees her large Boston home on the day of the party that Kristen has arranged for her to stay in the small beach cottage on Cape Cod that none of the family knows about. Just wanting some time on her own, she is surprised to find that aspiring artist Lily has been staying in the cottage, not knowing that it is owned by her friend’s grandmother. Instead of throwing Lily out, Cecilia invites her to stay and the pair strike up a comfortable friendship. Eventually, Cecilia’s grandson, and Lily’s secret crush turns up to check on his grandmother, and the household becomes three. Meantime, Kristen, who is having her own problems and reflecting on her relationships with her absent mother and her husband, also turns up at the cottage. As the summer progresses, can these women find ways to change their lives and achieve happiness in the calm surroundings of the Cape.

I thought this was a wonderful story, one which I read really quickly, so immersed in the lives of its characters did I become. There are so many messages for the reader, with these three women from different generations sorting through the problems in their lives and confronting perceived mistakes. It is a story filled with secrets, but also dealing with so many aspects of life including the effects of grief and misunderstandings, and making choices for the future. I liked the way in which the book was arranged, with each of the women taking turns to tell the story from their point of view. The characters were really likeable, although only when I learned a little of her background did I warm to Kristen. I would definitely have jumped at the chance to live in the cottage by the sea; it sounded perfectly idyllic, if a little larger than what I would class a cottage. Once more, a winner from Sarah Morgan and one I can highly recommend.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I read in The First Half of 2024

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. 

Here's my list of my favourite reads of 2024 so far!