Summer At Rachel’s Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts #PuddingPantry @_caroroberts @fictionpubteam #FoodForTheSoul

It was such an honour to be personally invited onto this blog by Caroline herself. Something I was not missing for the world – thank you for having me! Also thank you to the publisher for the eARC. Here is my review of ‘Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry’, the third book in the series.

The sun is shining as Rachel and her gorgeous beau, Tom, prepare to tie the knot at Primrose Farm.

It takes a village to pull off the perfect country wedding and Rachel couldn’t be more grateful for her friends and family as they roll out the haybales and string up the bunting – all she needs to do is focus on her Happy Ever After.

But no wedding is without drama. A face from the past is looking to stir up trouble in the village and there’s a secret following Rachel all the way up the aisle . . .

With old friends, new promises and a little borrowed time, will Rachel get the wedding of her dreams?

What does TWG think?

Oh my gosh, what great comfort food!

Ahem, sorry, did I say comfort food? I was meant to say comfort read! What a great comfort read! Although, while we are on the subject of food, did anyone else want to jump in the book and snaffle all of the treats? I’m so glad that the author decided to put recipes in there too!

‘Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry’ is book three in the series, and whilst I’m sure there will be a lot of people reading the series in various different orders, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do read the books in order, just so that you can appreciate the natural growth of the bigger picture and the various characters personalities. Trust me – there are a fair few colourful personalities in this book, and they need to be understood in their own way!

I really do love this series! It is such a comforting, homely series, and the addition of the third book kept that heartwarming momentum brilliantly. Despite there being a break between each book, everything flowed seamlessly between each new book, as though there had never been a break.

My only irk about this book was the fisticuffs scene because I felt that the ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhhh’ were a bit pantomime and a teeny bit immature for the situation at the time. You know in a comic when someone gets lumped and there’s a ‘kapow’ in a bubble? It felt a bit like that to me. I’m not saying that the person didn’t deserve being hit, because they did haha.

It was an absolute pleasure to catch up with Rachel and the gang at the Pudding Pantry, and of course ‘seeing’ the animals that had been there since the beginning like Mossy. What a cutie!

Grab a warm drink, a blanket and your comfy clothes, and lose yourself in this tantalising, mouthwatering read that will no doubt leave you warm, comforted, and incredibly hungry. A really, really enjoyable read.

Buy now.

#UnderAStarrySky @laurajanekemp @OrionBooks #Review #empowering

Many thanks to the Orion team for inviting me to take part in Laura Kemp’s blog tour for ‘Under A Starry Sky’, and for the review copy. I’m so excited to be reviewing it today!

Wanda Williams has always dreamed of leaving her wellies behind her and travelling the world! Yet every time she comes close to following her heart, life always seems to get in the way.

So, when her mother ends up in hospital and her sister finds out she’s pregnant with twins, Wanda knows that only she can save the crumbling campsite at the family farm.

Together with her friends in the village, she sets about sprucing up the site, mowing the fields, replanting the allotment and baking homemade goodies for the campers.

But when a long-lost face from her past turns up, Wanda’s world is turned upside-down. And under a starry sky, anything can happen…

What does TWG think?

Beautiful cover, beautiful title, and a story that matches. However it didn’t quite match in the way I was expecting, and I’ll tell you why;

As beautiful as the storyline may be, each chapter seemed to remove a layer like a piece of wrapping paper, ready to showcase what truly lay beneath all of the layers, meaning that there was so much more to the book that meets the eye. Wanda has been dreaming of travelling for many years, yet something seemed to always hinder her plans. That said, I think she can be forgiven for a little grief holding her back…oh and the fact that her sister had some rock and roll in her future.

This storyline made me chuckle and made me gasp in equal measures. I wasn’t expecting the novel to have such a deep, dark undertone to it and, to be perfectly honest, I felt a little uncomfortable at times reading Annie’s situation. Now, don’t take that as a negative, because its not. I mean it in the way that nobody should feel comfortable by the thought of abuse in any form, and I felt that Annie’s story was so realistically portrayed that it didn’t feel like fiction. It felt real. It felt like it was happening right there and then, in front of my very eyes.

Wanda was a little bit of complicated personality. She didn’t seem entirely convinced by her choices in life, and I felt like she wasn’t confident in doing what was best for herself, which was a shame yet on the other hand, a lot of readers will be able to relate to the type of person she is.

I loved the sense of empowerment that was laced through the book, as well as the feeling of hope when things go wrong. All of the characters had been through so much in their own individual lives, yet they all still believed in hope and the ability to search for the stars in the sky to help them on their way.

Empowering, inspirational, moving and incredibly relatable; I know that whenever I look up at the sky, like Wanda, Annie and Lew, the sparkling stars in the sky will be there to give me hope.

Laura Kemp, please hold me!

Buy now!

#TheWaffleHouseOnThePier – Tilly Tennant @TillyTenWriter @Bookouture #Review

I am absolutely delighted to be todays stop on Tilly Tennant’s blog tour for ‘The Waffle House on the Pier’. As always, thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the blog tour, and for the ARC.

Run away to Sea Salt Bay, where the sand is warm and soft, the sea is a perfect blue, and a candy-coloured waffle house is about to change Sadie’s life…

For as long as she can remember, Sadie’s grandparents have run the waffle house on the pier at Sea Salt Bay. With its pretty painted chairs, sweet smells, and the warm advice of her beloved grandparents, the waffle house is like a second home

But when Sadie’s grandfather dies, leaving her grandmother without an anchor, Sadie must make a difficult decision. She quits her job and moves back home, determined to keep things going. The trouble is, she knows nothing about running a business, and learning at a million miles an hour with a shop full of hungry people isn’t easy. When she nearly burns the waffle house down, she has to admit she needs to get some help.

Her ex-boyfriend Declan promises to be there for her but Sadie worries that getting too close is a mistake – especially as he has a new girlfriend now. And anyway she’s just met newcomer Luke, with his gorgeous suntan and mellow voice…

Sadie’s family have always loved Declan and they’re not too sure about Luke, leaving Sadie unsure which way to turn. A terrible accident at sea forces her to look into her heart, but what if it’s already too late to tell the right man that she loves him?

What does TWG think?

You know what REALLY bugged me?

The fact that I cannot give this book anymore than five stars :(. (Sorry Tilly, you can breathe now haha). If I could reach into the night sky and pluck out every single shining star there was, I would put them onto Amazon and co in a heartbeat. I truly, truly think that this novel is worth its weight in gold – I loved it. This is Tilly Tennant at her finest, and then some.

Why?

Because ‘The Waffle House on the Pier’ isnt just about what toppings you can put on your waffles, nor is it just about keeping memories alive. It’s about being strong enough to know when something in your life isnt right for you, something which Sadie took the guts to change when she realised that she wasnt entirely cut out for the career she had been working towards.

Not only that, this book is about learning not to settle for second best and being true to your heart. Sadie’s love life was questionable, and many of her loved ones felt as though she made the wrong choice by choosing to ‘dump’ Declan. Every man she dated after him was always being compared to him and his personality. Although I was gutted to find that she didnt date an Ant….

Sadie wasnt given enough credit by her mother for the way she conducted her life, which I felt was a shame as, even if parents dont like the choices their children make, surely they should support them in their endeavours regardless? That certainly wasnt the case there and i really did feel as though Sadie was quite a misunderstood character.

For me, the waffle house may have been a sweet family connection, however it was the true heart and soul of the storyline. A real stepping stone, if you will, to allowing Sadie and her family to finally realise their worths.

Like I said before, this was Tilly Tennant at her finest and, despite having read many, MANY of this authors books, I will even go as far to say that ‘The Waffle House on the Pier’ is my most favourite book that Tilly has written so far.

A delectable, heartwarming, generous, free spirited novel that was absolutely spot on.

Buy now.

#APerfectCornishEscape @phillipaashley @AvonBooksUK

Many thanks to Avon for inviting me to take part in Phillipa Ashley’s blog tour today, and for supplying me with an ARC.

Summer in Cornwall is the perfect time for a fresh start…

Seven years ago, Marina Hudson’s husband was lost at sea. She vowed to love him forever – but when kind-hearted Lachlan arrives in Porthmellow, should she deny herself another chance at happiness?

Tiff Trescott was living life to the full as a journalist in London – until her boyfriend’s betrayal brought it all crashing down. Fleeing to her cousin Marina’s cottage, Tiff feels like a fish out of water. And when brooding local Dirk wins a day with her in a charity auction, she’s thrown headfirst into Cornish life.

This summer promises new beginnings for both Tiff and Marina. But are they too good to be true?

What does TWG think?

Life is very uncertain for all of us right now. Meet ups with friends and family in a close knit situation is forbidden. Travelling for a weekend away to a favourite spot can earn us a slap on the wrists. So how can we escape from a locked down world, without breaking the rules?

One word, books. Actually, scrap that.

Two words….Phillipa Ashley. If you arent allowed to go to Cornwall, then this author can bring Cornwall to you.

Romance, friendships, hope; what more could you want? I wasnt too surprised by many of the elements within this story, yet that didnt deter me from enjoying Tiff and Marina’s personalities and their lives. Dirk is a bit of a questionable character for many reasons which become evident the more the storyline progresses, whereas I couldnt help but forge a bit of a soft spot for Lachlan. He seemed to add so much joy to the storyline, a breath of fresh air if you will.

What I loved most about this book was the way it allowed me to getaway and lose myself in the picturesque setting that was being described to me absolutely beautifully. Phillipa Ashley has such an uplifting way with words which made ‘A Perfect Cornish Escape’ a highly enjoyable read.

Buy now.

Tell That To My Heart @ElizaJScott1 #review

Many thanks to Eliza J Scott for providing ARC’s for her new book, and happy publication day!

Jemima Dewberry wears her heart on her sleeve. Her weakness for bad boys, coupled with her track record for making bad decisions has led to endless heartbreak. The only trouble is, she can’t seem to kick the habit.

On top of that, her “dream” job at Yorkshire Portions magazine hasn’t turned out to be what she’d hoped, and she seems to have developed the knack of annoying her boss without even trying. It doesn’t help that the new girl seems to have taken an instant dislike to her. All that’s keeping her there are her best friends Anna-Lisa and Aidey, who have picked up the pieces of her shattered heart more times than they care to remember.

When Jemima’s latest boyfriend turns out to be no better than the rest, the hurt and humiliation is almost unbearable. She declares she’s finally through with love, and swears off men for life. But when charismatic Caspar De Verre walks into the office with his dangerous good looks and mesmerising smile, she’s utterly captivated, and her promises to Anna-Lisa and Aidey not to let her heart rule her head are soon forgotten.

But is Caspar all he seems? Anna-Lisa and Aidey have their doubts. And Herbert, the happy-go-lucky black Labrador Jemima’s looking after, doesn’t seem to like him either.

As Jemima falls for Caspar’s charms she finds herself being forced to confront the struggle between her head and her heart. But which one will prove the most powerful?

And will Jemima get the happy-ever-after she so desperately craves?

What does TWG think?

Yay, a new series! The first book in a new series always gets me excited because it’s the first insight into a bunch of new characters. We get to learn about their families, their history, what makes them tick. Its exciting….especially as I am so nosy. Win win really, don’t you think?

This isnt my first rodeo when it comes to reading Eliza J Scott’s novels and, having really enjoyed what i have previously read, I had very high hopes for ‘Tell That To My Heart’.

To be perfectly honest, I thought I was reading a book that had been written by a completely different author. I’m not too sure whether those feelings of mine were due to it being a new series, a new bunch of characters, and the uncertainty of not knowing where the storyline was going to take readers, however I couldnt seem to feel the usual spark that the author laced her words with.

I’m not saying that those feelings lasted the entire duration of the novel, although they did last until the halfway mark. That was when things began to change for me as a reader.

Honey, Caspar and ‘the boss’, really needed their heads banging together. What utterly aggravating people they were! Saying that, their annoying personalities made for great reading. Yes, horrible characters can add negativity to a storyline, yet they can also make the storyline even more addictive as you want them to get their comeuppance and will continue reading until they get just that.

As I said above, it was the halfway point in the storyline when I began to really get into into throws of the storyline. I also began to feel the authors presence more, as though she had grown in confidence as the storyline progressed. I felt that Eliza J Scott was finally believing in her characters and her storyline, and as a reader I really appreciated that connection to the author.

Romance plays a big part in ‘Tell That To My Heart’, as Jemima struggled to see what was right in front of her, instead letting a good looking, disaster waiting to happen type of man, cloud her judgement. We have all been there though, I’m sure!

Overall I really did enjoy getting to know Mim and her friends, and i am really looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here.

Buy now.

#TheNeverHaveIEverClub by Mary Jayne Baker (@MaryJayneBaker) @Aria_fiction

Happy publication day, MJ! I am so excited to be kicking off your blog tour today with a review of ‘The Never Have I Ever Club’. My thanks, as always, go to Aria for inviting me to take part in the tour and for supplying me with an ARC. Let’s get this show on the road then, shall we?

Robyn Bloom thought Ash Barnes was the love of her life – until one day he announced he was leaving her to fly halfway across the world.

Months later, Robyn is struggling to move on – but then she has a brainwave: The Never Have I Ever Club. Her handsome next-door neighbour Will helps her bring their fellow Yorkshire villagers together for some carpe-diem-inspired fun.

From burlesque dancing to Swedish massages, everyone has plenty of bucket-list activities to try, but it doesn’t take long for Robyn to realise what – or who – her heart truly desires: Will.

There’s just one problem: he’s Ash’s twin brother.

Make that two problems: Ash is moving home… and he wants Robyn back.

What does TWG think?

‘Oh, hasn’t he grown?’ – legit the most funniest sentence ever….in context though, clearly! That line had me proper laughing out loud, the timing could not have been better if it tried. Out of context though, that sentence is pretty meh – just trust me on this, ok?!

It’s been a while since I last settled down with a Mary Jayne Baker book, and I have to say that I had really missed reading this authors books. MJB has a mind like a sailor and the humour of Rik Mayall and Michael McIntyre, entwined with her own uniqueness, how could I NOT miss that?!

Now, MJB has a brilliant sense of humour, however after i had read multiple chapters of this book, it dawned on me that MJB’s usual persona wasnt shining through. It felt like she had been told off, put on the naughty step, coming back as good as gold without her usual ‘I’m gonna break out my inner Xtina and get Dirrrrrty’. For me, it felt as though something was holding her back and that’s not the style of MJB I adore.

That said, once the storyline hit the whole love triangle with Robyn, Will and Ash, as well as the Never Have I Ever Club, MJB’s on point, laugh out loud, innuendo filled, sarcastic humour came shining through! I’m sure I even saw little cherubs fly through the air singing ‘Hallelujah’!

Robyn is definitely a marmite character….marmite in the sense that you’re undecided whether you are going to through the jar at her or not. It was abundantly clear that she adored Fliss. It was also abundantly clear that she had no idea what she wanted. Robyn had a nice enough personality, yet her self centred personality really irked me. Will, on the other hand, was an absolute gentleman and so funny! Okay, his martyr moments gave my eyes a bit of excercise, and I wished he would just deck his brother already, but, apart from that, hes a good egg.

The Eurovision element to the storyline was brilliant. It actually made the song contest seem quite fun! Definitely something different to come across, but it really enjoyed it as it just fit with all of the colourful personalities of the characters. I say colourful……rainbows and fireworks. Together. At the same time….

‘The Never Have I Ever Club’ is a humbling, laugh out loud read which, despite starting off on the wrong foot, ended on douze points. With serious and lighthearted situations blending well together, it was the strength of belief and hope which gave this storyline its shining glory. Oh….and the wonder of twins having the same size package or not….

Buy now.

#TheSightOfYou @byhollymiller #blogtour #review @hodderbooks

I am over the moon to be kicking off Holly Miller’s blog tour for ‘The Sight Of You’, today with a review. Many thanks to the Hodder and Stoughton team for inviting me to take part in the tour and for the ARC.

Joel is afraid of the future.
Since he was a child he’s been haunted by dreams about the people he loves. Visions of what’s going to happen – the good and the bad. And the only way to prevent them is to never let anyone close to him again.

Callie can’t let go of the past.
Since her best friend died, Callie’s been lost. She knows she needs to be more spontaneous and live a bigger life. She just doesn’t know how to find a way back to the person who used to have those dreams.

Joel and Callie both need a reason to start living for today.
And though they’re not looking for each other, from the moment they meet it feels like the start of something life-changing.

Until Joel has a vision of how it’s going to end . . .

What does TWG think?

You may have heard or seen the question ‘if you were reading a book about your life, would you read to the end to find out how your life goes?’. I’ll admit that I didn’t really think too much of that question the first time I saw it….until now that is.

Joel has dreams about the people he loves. Sometimes they are good dreams; a happy event, long awaited happy news. Or they could be bad dreams; the death of a loved one, a disruptive traffic jam, a broken down marriage.

When Joel met Callie, he tried his best not to get too involved in her life. As much as he wanted to keep her at arms length, the friendship that he built with her dog, Murphy, was too much for him to lose. Oh, and he may have had a little crush on Callie too. He was frightened that he would have a bad dream about Callie and that there would be nothing he could do to intervene…..

When Callie said that Joel’s premonitions were a gift, I agreed with her to a point, however I couldn’t help but agree with Joel in the sense that it was as though he had been given a life sentence. He knew things that other people didn’t and if asked, most probably wouldn’t even want to know. I felt for him – how could you live like that? Knowing a loved one was going to die on a certain date and being unable to stop it happening. I did feel a bit frustrated at Joel when he kept on saying how he wanted to tell the people in his dreams that something was going to happen so that it rid him of the emotions that came with it, because hes then giving that person a life sentence. What would be the point in attempting to carry on with your life knowing that you have to fit in everything you’ve ever wanted to do?

On the other side of the coin though, we are having to do that ourselves in our own lives, but because we don’t have a ‘use by’ date so to speak, we think we have all the time in the world to achieve our dreams, when in reality we just don’t. It a difficult one to fathom, and my thoughts change each time I think about it.

‘The Sight Of You’ was a teeny bit confusing at first due to the snippets of messages from Callie, and the switching between character points of view during various stages of their lives. It took me a little while to truly get into the zone of the storyline, yet once I did, as obvious as this is going to sound, things began to make sense and I was able to piece things together and create a picture of what the characters lives may end up looking like.

I was genuinely taken back by the sheer amount of heart, warmth, and emotion that was riddled throughout the storyline. The timelines that were written about certain relationships were so beautiful, so genuine and made for an incredibly tender read.

As soon as it became clear that we were nearing the end of the book, I started to get anxious because, like Joel, I knew I something was going to happen but I couldnt do anything about it. I didnt want the character go – they still had their life to lead. It just wasnt fair. Now I know that this is only fiction and regardless of how I was personally feeling, the inevitable was going to happen anyway, but in a story like this one, it is super hard not to become invested in the lives that were being played out in front of my eyes. The quality of this story needed to be appreciated, and by me investing my own emotion into the book, I felt that I was able to truly to connect with what the author was trying to convey.

‘The Sight Of You’ truly is a one of a kind, memorable and highly emotive read that has made me think of certain things in life that I havent really needed to think about until now. Holly Miller has an exceptional way words – I loved it, i bloody loved it. In fact, I’m just devastated that i cannot give the book more than 5 stars.

The Sight Of You will be published on the 11th June. The book can be pre-ordered now by clicking the link below:

Pre-order now.

#JoJosFrenchEscape #LorraineWilson @RomanceMinx @RaRaResources @0nemorechapter_ #publicationday #blogger

Happy publication day, Lorraine Wilson! Flights may be grounded just now, but if you’re missing venturing overseas, then this little home away from home novel may just be the ticket. Many thanks to Rachel and the publisher for the tour invite and ARC.

Trapped in paradise…

For twelve months JoJo Grant has been hiding from a secret too shameful to share. And whilst her sanctuary might be the beautiful French countryside, JoJo has a horrible feeling that her peace is about to be shattered…because bursting into her life is the hottest celebrity chef around – Callum O’Connor.

Callum knows all about JoJo’s past, her time as a reality star, the scandal that has dogged her, but he isn’t sure why she’s still hiding? After spending time with Jojo, it’s obvious to him that she has nothing to be ashamed of – she just needs to be a little braver…

But as much as JoJo likes Callum, he thrives on the glare of the outside world. Can JoJo let go of her past…with Callum by her side?

What does TWG think?

Before I delve into my nitty gritty thoughts, I want to briefly touch on the message that this story conveys as it’s something incredibly important. JoJo hasn’t had an easy time of it in regards to her love life, after finding herself splattered all over social media for all and sundry to see. Literally. Thanks to her ex boyfriend, Aiden, JoJo was put into a position that nobody should ever find themselves in. The meanings of consent, trust, misuse of power, and emotional damage, are the building blocks to the message of the storyline, and as I said above, a very important message at that. Nobody has the right to refuse you when it comes to using the word ‘NO’, and nobody should ever use you in a way where the law is being questioned.

I know that what I have written above sounds very deep and serious (that’s because it is), but there is a lot of humour to go alongside that depth. Also, if you’re a fan of the old sex scene then make yourself comfortable as there is quite a few in here! Believable and hot to trot on one hand, yet on the other hand, the use of the word ‘sex’ and ‘folds’ to describe the vaginal region had me cringing big time. For me, those words poured water over the heat and turned a highly charged scene into a ‘noooo’.

That aside, I thought the dogs were absolutely brilliant – I wish I I called my rescue dog ‘Flump’! How brilliant is that name! Barney is such a dote and reminded me of my own little Barney dog. Flumps antics with the stealing were hilarious! He, alongside the other four legged friends mentioned, were the stars of the show in my eyes. 100 percent.

I flew through this novel, and I ended up really enjoying the strong friendships and companionships that were described in such moving detail. I could tell that the author really believed in those relationships and that they were written straight from the heart.

An enjoyable read with a rough around the edges storyline that showed promise.

Buy now.

#TheLittleVillageOfNewStarts @Donnashc @Bookouture #PublicationDay #blogtour #review

Happy publication day, Donna Ashcroft and ‘The Little Village of New Starts’ – I am absolutely delighted to be kicking off the blog tour today. Many thanks, as always, to Bookouture for the tour invite and ARC. Here is my review:

Evie Stuart is playing it safe. She lives on her family’s remote farm in the Scottish Highlands and never ventures beyond the local village of Lockton. The most unpredictable events in her life are the antics of Miss Daisy, her grandmother Agnes’s pygmy goat. She’s learned that bad things happen when she’s impulsive, and she’s determined not to get burned again.

Callum Ryder is exactly the opposite of what Evie wants in her ordered world. Six foot two of reckless energy with twinkling eyes and a dangerously charming smile, he’s a thrill-seeking American firefighter with no idea how to slow down. Callum enters Lockton like a whirlwind, fleeing his problems in New York City in search of the truth about his Scottish family.

Yet the pair might have more in common than they think… When the well-meaning Agnes persuades her to help Callum find his grandfather, Evie finds herself being challenged more than she has in years: from swimming in the fabled Bonnie Lochan to exploring an ancient castle and even entering the village jam-making championships. Turns out it’s easy for Evie and Callum to connect when they let go of their fears and enjoy the most surprising summer of their lives.

But getting close to Callum so quickly soon starts to look like it might ruin everything for Evie: she’s heading for a disaster exactly like the one that destroyed her a year ago when she fell for the wrong man and let him change her life. Maybe a fresh start isn’t going to be so simple after all… Is the safe haven Evie’s built about to crumble down around her?

What does TWG think?

Someone switch on the fan because it has gotten hot in here!!!! I would say, ‘so take off all your clothes’, just like the popular song goes, but I think Callum has done more than his fair share of stripping!

Callum has flown to Scotland on an adventure to find his Grandad, also known as the mysterious ‘L.M’. What he didnt bargain for, however, was a certain redhead to get under his skin in more ways than one. Poor Callum has a bit of a wounded soul after losing his mum. Not only is he dealing with the grief surrounding that, hes also dealing with an horrendous bout of guilt.

Evie, like Callum, has a wounded soul, but for reasons completely different to his. Different they may be, yet they still leave their emotional scars on the characters.

Donna Ashcroft’s new novel is the much needed light at the end of the tunnel. The storyline may be fictional, as are the characters, however the message behind the novel is something readers can hone in on, and believe, during these unprecedented times. The feeling of hope gave me such joy while I was reading, when I felt as though there was no joy to be had in the outside world.

This storyline is steamy at times, and if you blush easily then make sure you read it in the garden so that you dont need to try and explain anything haha.

The family dynamics of Evie and her family were humbling, genuine, and absolutely hilarious. When I grow up I want to be like Nanna Agnes – that woman reminded me so much of my great grandmother, Waddy, it was uncanny! I was just waiting for Waddy’s trademark phrase ‘golla golla cats meat’ to come out of Agnes’ mouth!

I must mention my favourite character though as they are an absolute legend…..

….Miss Daisy, come on down! Omg! I never knew a goat could be like that! (If they cant really, dont tell me as I want to believe that they’re all like Miss Daisy!).

I throughly enjoyed delving into Evie and Callum’s story – the most uplifting read I have read in a while. Donna Ashcroft made her characters come alive in a way that readers will keep on remembering, refusing to forget the sheer joy those characters brought to their lives, albeit temporarily.

Ashcroft is definitely my go to author when I need something to put a smile back on my face. I dont think you can put a price on that really, can you? A diamond in the rough, a shining star in the night sky, Donna Ashcroft is my hope when the going gets tough. I cannot recommend this enough.

Buy now.

#SummerOnASunnyIsland @SueMoorcroft @AvonBooksUK #blogtour #review #SummerReads

Delighted to be joining Sue Moorcroft on her blog tour today for ‘Summer On A Sunny Island’ – many thanks to Avon the ARC, and for inviting me to take part. Here is my review:

This summer, sparks are flying on the island of Malta…

When Rosa Hammond splits up from her partner Marcus, her Mum Dory suggests a summer in Malta. Not one to sit back and watch her daughter be unhappy, Dory introduces Rosa to Zach, in the hope that romance will bloom under the summer sun. But Rosa’s determined not to be swayed by a handsome man – she’s in Malta to work, after all.

Zach, meanwhile, is a magnet for trouble and is dealing with a fair few problems of his own. Neither Rosa or Zach are ready for love – but does fate have other ideas? And after a summer in paradise, will Rosa ever want to leave?

What does TWG think?

Wow, what can I say? Firstly, don’t be fooled by the summery cover as this novel is more than just summer romances in a different country. I was genuinely surprised by how much the content differed from my first impression of the cover, and that is definitely a compliment!

I am a huge fan of Sue Moorcroft’s novels, so I had very high hopes for ‘Summer on a Sunny Island’. Did it deliver? If you asked me that question after three or four chapters, I would have said no as I felt like I wasn’t reading a Sue Moorcroft novel. It didn’t, at the beginning, have the vibe from the author that I have loved in all of her previous novels.

Wait a second, before you get angry…..

HOWEVER! Once the storyline got going, it was as though the author had warmed up her voice and got comfortable in her story because, what started off as a bit ‘meh’, ended up becoming one of my most favourite books that Sue Moorcroft has written to date! I loved Rosa and Dory’s relationship – it was so genuine and loving. A real pleasure to read.

I also loved the dynamics between Zach and his family, even though they were, like many other families, quite flawed, the level of depth that their situations brought to the storyline is what gave the novel that bite, that extra lot of oomph. In my opinion, I felt that the issues that arose courtesy of Zach and family, is what turned the novel from typical summer romance read, to a diverse, in depth, passionate, summer romance read.

Sue Moorcroft delivered with her trademark humour, her hot under the collar moments, and brilliantly crafted characters who were as strong on their own as they were together. Yes, it took me a while to warm up to this, however it was soooooo worth the wait and then some.

Loved it – this is the ideal read for all seasons, nevermind just summer. Give this author a crown because she is the queen of romance!

Buy now.