Books I Read in Q1 of 2025

Here's a list of everything I read in the first quarter of 2025. It doesn't look that impressive compared to previous years but I'm proud of it!

Book Review: Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

 Lexi is looking for no-strings-attached fun with a stranger. She deserves one night for herself, doesn't she?

Zeke is looking for love. But for one night with a woman like Lexi, he'll break his rules . . .

Sparks fly at the pub, one passionate kiss leads to another and they end up stumbling home to the marina together.

The next morning, hungover and shaken by an amazing night together, Lexi is more than ready for Zeke to leave. There's just one small problem . . . the houseboat they stayed on has been swept out to sea.

As their supplies start to run dangerously low, and the waves pick up, Zeke and Lexi soon realise there's much more on the line than their new relationship.

How long can they really survive on a drifting houseboat in the North Sea? Will search and rescue find them? And who will they be if they both make it back to dry land?

Review: If the premise of this book isn’t enough to lure you into reading the whole thing in one sitting, then as soon as you pick it up and start devouring it chapter by chapter, you will NOT be able to put this book down. 

I just don’t know how Beth O’leary does it, she writes book after book with compelling characters, multiple viewpoints and original plots that I wouldn’t even think of drawing up-they are truly addictive. This latest book had me hooked from the premise and it didn’t let me down when I started to read about Zeke and Lexi and their one night stand that never ends! I love that this author gives me a dual narrative everytime. It is so great getting to find out what each character thinks of the other and see different plot points from multiple points of view. I loved seeing Lexi through Zeke’s eyes in particular because they have very different perceptions of who Lexi is and what is so great about her. 

Getting to know these characters was very easy because, as a reader, you are also trapped on the house boat with them and so you are literally living on top of them the way they are living on top of each other-such a brilliant way to force empathy out of an audience. I loved how strong Lexi was and yet how unsure she was at the same time and yet I loved how strong Zeke was in his own way. It was great to have someone who was really quite self-assured with someone who on paper should be in a better place than he was but really only knew what she didn’t want, not what she DID want. 

Being trapped on a houseboat with these characters was great and it made for some fun and some awkward situations but being trapped on a houseboat with them out in open water was quite frankly terrifying. When you weren’t worrying that they were going to die of dehydration, you were worried that they were going to drown, get injured or even get swept away in a storm. If you're a reader who dislikes miscommunication as a plot point then be warned there is a fair dose of that in this novel but honestly you barely notice it whilst you’re willing these two characters to not only survive through the night but also to just get it on already! I loved this book, I couldn;t put it down and read it in 2 delicious sittings. It’s another hit for this author and one that is not to be missed this summer!

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: One Night at the Château by Veronica Henry

One night to fall in love.

One summer to change everything...

Over the last few months, Connie's whole world has fallen apart. Her husband's run off with an older woman, the magazine she works for has gone bust and she's having to sell the family home. So when her beloved godmother, Lismay, begs her to help run the beautiful Château Villette, it couldn't come at a better time...

No one knows the château quite like Connie. She spent a blissful summer there in her twenties, learning to cook delicious French food for the guests, ironing the lavender-scented sheets - and trying to resist the very handsome neighbour, Remy.

As soon as she arrives, it's clear that the château is close to crumbling and Connie knows she's going to have her work cut out. Could it be the fresh start she didn't even know she needed - and will she find a way to save the château, before it's too late?

I was keen to read this latest book from Veronica Henry as soon as I read its synopsis. I thought the idea of a French château with a history and an added helping of romance sounded just up my street. I have enjoyed many of this author’s books, so I was expecting to find another triumph in this title. I was not disappointed.

The story centres on two women, each of whom end up at different times living in the beautiful Château Villette in Provence. The first one to live in the château is Lismay. She and her husband bought the house on a whim while on holiday in the area in 1985 with the idea of doing it up and running it as a guest house, which they achieved with great success. The other main character is Lismay’s god-daughter Connie. When her godmother asks Connie many years later if she would look after the château for a while, the timing is perfect for her. Connie’s life is at a turning point, her husband having left her, her job having come to an end and her future looking uncertain. Connie is also familiar with how things are run at Château Villette, having spent a summer working there as a girl. Unfortunately, Connie finds that Lismay has let things slide, recent visitors to the château having left less than complimentary reviews. As she sets to, determined to restore the building and the business to its former glory, she meets up again with neighbour Remy. He is keen to rekindle their relationship from that summer long ago, but does she have time for romance when she feels she must save the château?

This was a marvellous book, filled with interesting characters and with a glorious setting. I thought the story was cleverly told, describing the way in which Lismay approached the renovation of the château and the stumbling blocks she had to overcome, and then many years later Connie working to recreate what her godmother had achieved, but also considering how expectations of guests have changed in the intervening period. They are both strong women with the determination required for the task. There are, of course, many other characters in the story. I loved the local women who helped Connie and had their own tales to tell. Then there is the dashingly handsome Remy running the vineyard next door and desperate to woo Connie; I can imagine it was difficult to turn him down. This is definitely a book I can recommend to any reader who would like to escape into the French countryside for a while in the opulent surroundings of a château and watch as two amazing women turn it around.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson

Welcome to Spring Hill, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and nearby the newest venture, Ray’s Diner. Here a group of women meet once a week over a cup of something warming.

 

Amanda is primary carer to her elderly mother and one of the only women in a male-dominated company. Used to being second-best all her life, is this her time to finally break ranks and shine?

 

Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But her heart beats for the one man who is strictly off-limits.

 

Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years. Then when he goes to his old school reunion, life as she knows it will never be the same again.

 

Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss where her guilt weighs more than her grief. Can she find the first step to healing lies in sharing an hour with strangers once a week? 

 

Astrid is feeling in need of a change and a challenge. But when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk?

 

Can these women find the answers to their worries, acceptance, courage, support here? Join them at the same time next week to find out…

Review: I have read a good many of Milly Johnson’s books over the years and always feel sure of a good story, full of relatable characters and many humorous situations. She has a great knack of making the reader feel as if they know somebody just like the person she is writing about. I was pleased to have the chance to read this latest book.

This story involves five women, strangers to each other at the start, but whose lives begin to intertwine as time passes. Each of these women is experiencing problems in their life. Amanda is caring for her elderly mother, who unfortunately doesn’t recognise what Amanda does for her, preferring Amanda’s lazy brother. Amanda is also fed up with the overbearing men in her workplace and wants to improve the lot of female workers often employed in a male-dominated world. Teddy bear repairer Sky suffers from ill health and is having problems with her sleazy landlord. Mel has been married to her husband for thirty years, but suddenly she’s not enough for him. Erin is weighed down with guilt while also dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one. Finally, Astrid is looking for something to perk up her life, but she needs a shove and injection of confidence to take a leap in the right direction. All of these complete strangers suddenly find the hope of friendship and understanding in the back room of a new diner in the area run by American Ray, where they meet on a weekly basis.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others looking for an entertaining and uplifting read. I loved following the individual stories of these women, sometimes crying for them and other times laughing along with them. It was heartwarming watching their friendships grow, along with their confidence to face whatever challenges they had. One of the things I really enjoy in Milly’s books is when the horrid men get their comeuppance. There was plenty of that in this book, but fortunately not all the male characters were unpleasant; in fact, some were very nice indeed. I think this book was another triumph for Milly Johnson and I’m already looking forward to her next release.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Blog Tour: What if I Never Get Over You By Paige Toon Review

I'm excited to be part of the blog tour today for the amazing new book by Paige Toon. The book comes out on Thursday 10th April and you can order your copy here! I have a review for you today, here's what it's all about:

Ellie didn’t expect to fall in love while travelling in Europe. But she also didn’t expect to meet a man like Ash.

Three blistering days in Lisbon is all it takes to form an unforgettable connection – deep enough for them to plan to meet again in Madrid. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash is nowhere to be found.

Six years later, the memory of Ash and their time together still burns deeply in Ellie’s heart. She hopes that her dream job as a gardener on a grand estate in Wales will bring the fresh start she desperately needs.

But when Ash unexpectedly crashes back into her life, Ellie is forced to question if the universe has other plans...

Review: gosh it was good ro be back in a Paige Toon novel again. I know I am in safe hands going into one of her books, the short chapters make for a page turner you really can’t put down! And….this one didn’t make me cry! Paige always does such a great job of a bit of a slow burn romance, puts a barrier up for her main characters and their love story and always has some sort of exotic location as a long-distance additional barrier too of course. There’s always a hot Aussie in there too! And this book is no exception!

It was wonderful to meet Ellie at the beginning of the novel, she is trying to do the wild and independent woman travelling thing but we know that something is holding her back, we just don’t know what yet! Then she meets Ash and this meet cute helps to unleash her feer self, the one who gets to let go and have fun and that was fabulous. When Ellie shuts down again once she’s back home, towards the beginning of the book, I found this section so hard to read. The way she is written to be so closed off to pleasure and so just doing anything to stay quiet and be successful in her job-it was just so relatable. 

When we change settings in the third section of the book, that is when the fun really starts. Paige Toon knows how to write a fun group of friends to have an adventure with, people who will challenge our main character to be their best selves and find their joy and this book is no exception. Who knew there was so much fun to be had in such a location that many would consider mundane. 

Now don’t get me wrong, the fact that this book didn;t make me cry doesn’t mean that there is no tragedy in here, there are plenty of moments that tug at the heart strings and both Ellie and Ash have been through a lot to get them to the various points we meet them throughout the novel. But as we always find with a Paige Toon novel, the joy outweighs that. This was a quick read with fun characters, a great meet cute and a story that will have you guessing right up until the last page!

25 Books I Want To Read in 2025

 Here's everything I want to read in 2025! As always release months are subject to change and this is based on UK release dates...

February

March

April

May

June

October

Guest Review: Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson

onnie Llewelyn is the beating heart of the magical seaside village of Starshine Cove. She runs the local cafe, and is everybody's friend – always on hand with a kind smile, a listening ear and a freshly-baked scone.

Since losing her beloved husband five years ago, she's been busy raising her children, supporting her extended family and staying positive. Now, as her kids fly the nest, she finds herself wondering what her own future might look like.

When a face from the past unexpectedly arrives in Starshine, could meeting Zack again give her a second chance at love? Will Connie be brave enough to take a risk on living life for herself?

Review: This is the fourth book in the Starshine Cove series from Debbie Johnson. Stories in this series are set in the strangely magical Dorset seaside village of Starshine Cove, which draws in visitors who then never want to leave, meaning that the population grows with each successive book. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

This story centres on Connie, a character who has lived in Starshine Cove for many years and has featured in these books from the start. Connie is an amazing cook who runs the cafe in the village while raising a family and being on hand to help anybody who needs assistance or even just a listening ear. Having been widowed five years ago, she is now finding life a bit empty as her children are leaving the nest to follow their own paths. However, a surprise encounter with a face from her past in the shape of Zack has her recalling how she arrived in the village all those years ago and wondering if it is too late to consider opening her heart to love once again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and especially learning more about one of the key inhabitants of the village. I feel as though I have got to know the villagers as I have read each book in turn, and Connie has always struck me as someone I would love to sit down and chat with. Learning about Connie’s past was quite painful at times and, typically of Debbie Johnson’s writing, I experienced both laughter and tears as I read. The wonderful power of community came across once again in this book as it has in previous stories about this village. As well as enjoying Connie’s story, I also liked meeting Zack, a strong personality with a surprising secret. I am hoping that there will be further additions to this amazing series; it is wonderful to have somewhere like Starshine Cove to escape to once in a while.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft by Jessica Redland

New friends, new life, new love…

Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way…

Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Barn couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves?

When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroads, a future together seems impossible. Can they find the strength to overcome their challenges to secure their forever home together?

I have been a fan of Jessica Redland’s books for some time now, enjoying the various collections of stories she has published. This latest book is part of the Honeybee Barn collection, with stories set in the Yorkshire Wolds. There are a number of familiar faces from previous series in this book, but this is still a standalone story for those who are perhaps new to this author.

The central characters in this story are Joel Grainger, a divorced dad trying to get better access to his daughter Imogen, and accountant and beekeeper Poppy Wells, who is finding life stressful fitting work around visiting her dad who is in advanced stages of dementia. When concerned friends finally persuade Poppy that she needs a break, she books a stay in Whisperwood Farmhouse in the Yorkshire Wolds, which is also close to Honeybee Barn. Poppy instantly falls in love with the farmhouse and the area in general and sees an opportunity to begin a new life there where she can keep bees and make products from their honey. A chance meeting with Joel, who is also considering a new start, and acknowledgement of an instant attraction between them has has the pair wondering whether they could have a future together in this lovely part of the country.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to other readers. It is full to the brim with love, friendship and a sense of community. Poppy and Joel were both appealing characters, each of them going through hard times. As well as the heartbreaking time Poppy was having watching as her dad’s health deteriorated, there were other stresses in her life. Similarly, Joel was having a tough time, fighting with his ex-wife over access to Imogen at the same time as worrying over other family members and the security of his job. It was heartwarming to watch them find solace in each other. Having already read many of Jessica Redland’s other books, I enjoyed meeting up with lots of characters that I recognised from previous storylines. Once again, I was struck by the beauty of the setting for the book, while the farmhouse where Poppy was staying sounded really enchanting.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: Something in the Air by Helen Rolfe

A surprise arrival

Working with the Whistlestop River air ambulance is Nadia's whole world. She adores her job and the team – they’re family. But when a baby is abandoned on the steps of the base, Nadia is forced to confront events from her past she’d rather forget.

A difficult change

Hudson is trying to get his life back on track after his divorce. It’s not easy juggling his work as a patient and family liaison officer and being the primary parent for his children. He wouldn’t change it for the world. But when his teenage son’s behaviour spirals out of control, Hudson begins to wonder if he can really be there for everyone who needs him…

A chance for something special?

Nadia and Hudson have always been friends, but the arrival of baby Lena pushes them closer than ever, and as their feelings start to grow, they’ll have to decide – do they have space for love when their families need them? And could they put themselves and each other first, just this once?

Review: This is the third book in The Skylarks series from this author, with stories set in the Dorset town of Whistlestop River, concerning the activities of the air ambulance crew stationed there. While the stories feature a number of returning members of the helicopter crew and helpers, each book focuses on one or more characters in particular. The author has helpfully listed the main characters and their roles at the beginning of the book. Although part of a series, every book can be read as a standalone.

This third story in the series centres on operational support officer Nadia, and patient and family liaison nurse Hudson. Nadia has been working with the air ambulance team for some time and is happy with her life there, considering her colleagues as family. However, when a newborn baby is abandoned on the doorstep of the base, it brings back memories of a life she had before she moved to Whistlestop River - a life that none of the others know about. On the plus side, the arrival of the baby in their lives brings friends Nadia and Hudson closer together and makes them acknowledge that they might become more than friends. Since his divorce, Hudson has been struggling to look after his two children and at the same cope with his demanding job, but wonders if now he might be able to find time for himself as well.

Having read and enjoyed the other books in this series, I was eagerly anticipating the release of this third book. I was not disappointed. Once again, I found myself engrossed in the story about the air ambulance service and the hard-working crew and support personnel. It was interesting to learn a bit more about the characters from previous stories, in particular Nadia’s past life that she had kept secret until now. It was moving to learn the details of what she had experienced from a young age. Hudson, on the other hand, was having a tough time in the present with a rebellious teenager and a difficult ex. I felt that both Nadia and Hudson deserved a happy future and was willing them to get together. I can highly recommend this book and, indeed, this series.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: An Almost Perfect Summer by Jill Mansell

Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He's a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.

Then Nella loses her job. There's a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can't risk falling in love with.

While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie's sworn off people - especially men - until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation - with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn't a member of her fan club. Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .

Review: I can’t believe another year has passed and it’s time to read Jill Mansell’s latest book again. It is always a highlight to look forward to in the time after the Christmas celebrations are over. This new book is set in the Cotswolds, a lovely part of England, and features a development of luxury holiday homes that sound absolutely fabulous.

Among the many characters in this story, two women take centre stage. The first is Nella, who we meet as she is visiting the village of Starbourne, where she spent her childhood living with her grandfather. Following a nasty accident, she meets Nick, owner of luxury holiday accommodation in the village, who is looking for a concierge to run the complex. Although being attracted to Nick and eminently qualified for the job, Nella decides that she is happy in her current position and the two part company. However, when her situation unexpectedly changes, she later takes on the concierge job and moves back to the village. The other central female character is Lizzie, an English actress currently living in Los Angeles. When her latest film is completed, she decides to take a few months off and books into one of Nick’s houses in Starbourne while writing her autobiography. As Lizzie is settling into the village, she encounters a few of the locals, one of whom is widower Matthew. Unfortunately, their relationship starts off badly, but all that changes when a secret gets out and an unbelievable coincidence is revealed.

Oh my goodness what a lot happened in this book and what an amazing cast of interesting, well-developed characters. There was romance, drama, friendships renewed and new friendships formed galore; certainly never a dull moment for the protagonists or the reader. I loved the idea of the luxury development where there was someone on call to source any requirements, and in such a lovely country setting. As you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do not hesitate to recommend it. This feel-good story can’t fail to dispel any post-Christmas blues.

To order your copy now, click here!