BOOK REVIEW NEVER KISS A MAN IN A CHRISTMAS JUMPER BY DEBBIE JOHNSON

You’ve seen Mark Darcy in the reindeer jumper his mother gave him, now meet Marco Cavelli in this season’s Christmas knit!

For single mum Maggie, Christmas has always been a family occasion – her daughter Ellen filling the house with her bubbly warmth and mistletoe, her dad Paddy having one too many festive tipples, and the traditional family Christmas tree looking like a drunken elf vomited a rainbow all over it.

But this year, with both Ellen and Paddy away for the holidays, Maggie’s facing a truly blue Christmas – alone with nothing but a bottle of Baileys and an M&S turkey dinner.

Until walking the snowy streets of Oxford, Marco Cavelli quite literally crashes into her life – and, complete with broken leg, becomes her unexpected houseguest. All dreamy brown eyes and 6’5” of gorgeousness, the man is hotter and more delicious than a freshly baked mince pie.

Though Maggie always thought it’s a truth universally acknowledged that you never kiss a man in a Christmas jumper?

The next FABULOUS book from Debbie Johnson, author of best-selling Christmas number one, ‘Cold Feet at Christmas’ and the summer hit ‘Pippa’s Cornish Dream’.

Firstly thank you to Felicity at Harper Collins for sending me a copy to review .

This is the first I have read from this author and will certainly not be the last!

I absolutely loved it and fell in love with the leading man ….new book boyfriend alert .Found myself grinning and swooning on the bus when reading ,I’ve been single sooo long now so I love discovering new hotties 🙂

The cover was brilliant and I imagine will be flying off the shelves for that alone .

I connected with Maggie instantly who has put her life on hold really to be a devoted single mum ,believe me its easily done and the years do fly by .

She is a great character full of warmth and heart but also a very strong woman.

This book had so many aww moments and some steamy ones ….

Maggie and Marco had great chemistry and I just adored their story .

I will most certainly be purchasing her other books as I miss her writing already .

Great escapism romantic funny Christmas read .

 

 

BLOG TOUR SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS BY CLARE SANDY

Asta’s plane touches down in Ireland as the first flakes of snow begin to settle. As the weather worsens, it turns what should be a flying visit into a snowed-in Yuletide with her chaotic family.

Asta fled her childhood village years ago, with a secret hidden deep within her. That secret is now a feisty sixteen-year-old – Kitty – who’s keen to meet her long-lost relatives. It seems there are many family mysteries waiting to be unwrapped, along with the presents under the tree…

Missing the man she left behind in London, yet drawn to a man she meets in Ireland, Asta is caught in an emotional snowstorm.

Maybe this Christmas Asta will find a cure for her long-broken heart?

I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for this beautiful Christmas book .Thank you to Francesca at PanMacmillian for sending me a  copy .

Firstly the cover is really sparkly and really eye catching which I think adds to the effect of as festive read .

I adored this book and left me feeling warm and happy which is what you want for a feel good Christmas book .

I could relate to Asta having her daughter young and then being a single mum ,you could see how much her daughter meant to her .Asta is a strong women with her guard up …another thing I could see in myself .

Shes determined to not let anyone get too close to her and especially her heart but all that is about to change and soon she seems to be drawing the attention of more than one man .

Her beckoning to return home comes in a unlikely way but its time to face some demons .

There is a twist which I didn’t see coming and was huge for Asta and her family .

But amongst the revelations and drama there is a chance of romance in the form of mysterious Jake .

Before long Asta needs to be asking where home really is now …as the saying goes home is where the heart is .

I enjoyed going on a journey with Asta not just to Ireland but also of self discovery .

Funny ,heart warming story about friendships family and giving your heart the chance to love again and be loved .

Below is the details of the blog tour 🙂

 

 

BOOK REVIEW EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES BY LISA SCOTTOLINE

I plan everything. I set everyone in motion, and when the moment comes, I strike.

Psychologist Dr Eric Parrish is unwittingly under threat.

Recently separated from his wife, Eric is learning to become a single parent to his seven-year-old daughter, and life is far from straightforward.

Now Eric has a new patient who could be a severe danger to others. And he must make a decision that will leave deadly consequences in its wake.

The clock is ticking, and someone is hell bent on destroying Eric’s practice, his family, his life.

But how can you defend yourself against an enemy you don’t know?

And can you ever win a game you don’t even know you are playing?

Firstly thank you to Frances at Headline for sending me a copy to review .

I loved the blurb and concept and despite it having a gripping start I didn’t finish this book .

This was excellent and disturbing in some places but I ended up skipping pages as just wasn’t hitting the spot for me .

I think the length of the book played a part as it felt like it dragged in some places .

There is  a twist which you don’t see coming but unfortunately it was too late to grab my interest .

This definitely had potential and I have a big interested in world of psychology and I loved the main character Eric .

Overall a brilliant start but failed to sustain my interest .

Published 19th November

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW A WEDDING AT CHRISTMAS BY CHRISSIE MANBY

A warm, wonderful and funny Christmas novel from Chrissie Manby – the ideal treat this festive season. Mince pies and mayhem guaranteed!

What comes to mind when you picture a wedding at Christmas? A gorgeous white dress accessorised with a thick velvet cape… bridesmaids in red velvet too? An arch of Christmas greenery: holly and ivy and boughs of fir. Candles and fairy lights. Snow!

Chelsea Benson has just twelve weeks to organise her perfect winter wedding. Her family and friends pitch in to help, but sisterly squabbling, issues with money and an Ice-Queen mother-in-law soon threaten Chelsea’s plans for her big day. And that’s without the firework fiasco…

Rescuing Chelsea’s dream of a proper family wedding might just take all the magic of Christmas…

Firstly thanks to Hodder for the beautiful copy for me to review .I reviewed her last book which was with the Bensons too earlier in  the year which I loved .

I was delighted to hear we would be getting another instalment this year .

This was my first Christmas read of 2015 and it couldn’t have been a better one .

I adore this family and all their mishaps and adventures they have .

I especially love Jack as he is literally my son…a huge doctor who fan so when I read his parts it never fails to make my heart warm .

Once you start reading this you will struggle to put it down .

Funny ,warm and full of festive cheer .

I love how we always get to read about other members of the family and some extra characters who each bring their own sparkle to the story .

There are some sad parts in this book which will be even sadder if you have read all of these books 😦

Really enjoyed reading all this series and cant wait to read more from Chrissie Manby but the Bensons will be a hard act to follow !

Be sure to pick this up put feet up with a mince pie and feel festive 🙂

Published 19th  November

BOOK REVIEW CONDITIONAL LOVE BY CATHY BRAMLEY

What surprises might life have in store for you?

A takeaway, TV and tea with two sugars is about as exciting as it gets for thirty-something Sophie Stone. Sophie’s life is safe and predictable, which is just the way she likes it, thank you very much.

But when a mysterious benefactor leaves her an inheritance, Sophie has to accept that change is afoot. There is one big catch: in order to inherit, Sophie must agree to meet the father she has never seen.

Saying ‘yes’ means the chance to build her own dream home, but she’ll also have to face the past and hear some uncomfortable truths…

With interference from an evil boss, warring parents, an unreliable boyfriend and an architect who puts his foot in it every time he opens his mouth, will Sophie be able to build a future on her own terms – and maybe even find love along the way?

A totally charming, modern love story for fans of Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews and Trisha Ashley.

After reviewing Ivy lane and Appleby farm earlier this year I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book .Stunning cover and a fantastic read .

I adore Cathys writing and my only moan is that I didn’t have time to sit and devour in one go!

Yet again I loved her main character and I could really relate to Sophie ,unlucky in love and family rifts  causing her unhappiness.I loved watching her grow and get stronger with each chapter .

But her life is about to change !

I fell in love with Nick and in fact dreamt of him last night ….mad? no just expertly written that he felt real .

Some funny moments and sad making this book the full house for me ticking all the boxes .

Complete escapism  and a beautiful story, Cathy is certainly one of my favourite writers of 2015 and for many more years I hope .  So if you are yet to enjoy her books heres my reviews for her previous books which will persuade you even more .

BOOK REVIEW IVY LANE BY CATHY BRAMLEY

BOOK REVIEW APPLEBY FARMBY CATHY BRAMLEY

BOOK REVIEW THE WINTER WEDDING BY ABBY CLEMENTS

Hazel never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Ollie’s summer ceremony is a runaway success, with guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty venue, word about Hazel’s expertise soon spreads.

But Hazel’s clients expect the very best – she’s promised lawyers Gemma and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws and wilful brides conspire against her, can Hazel get two very different couples to walk up two very different aisles to say ‘I do’? And will she find her own happy ending if she does?

Firstly a big thanks to Hayley at Simon & Schuster for for sending me this very sparkly festive book to read ,

I love all of Abbys books so was very excited to read this .

Full of magical romance and warmth this is bound to fill you with that seasonal glow.

Really enjoyed reading about Hazels adventures not just with becoming her own as her twin sister life moves forward but also in the world of her career. She embarks on new challenges which give her the confidence to grow as a person . But when planning on peoples special day ,there’s a downside as it highlights what shes missing herself .

I didn’t feel the same connection to the characters as I have with her other books but it was still a brilliant page turner that left me with a warm glow when finished .

BOOK REVIEW THE BEACHSIDE GUEST HOUSE BY VANESSA GREENE

When Rosa and Bee get together in the run-up to Bee’s wedding, they reminisce about the holiday they took together as teenagers to the beautiful Greek island of Paros. They remember the sandy coves, the guest house in the converted windmill where they stayed with their friend Iona, and the gorgeous local men. As memories of that long-forgotten holiday resurface, they are forced to confront the turns their lives have taken – and the guilt they both feel about letting Iona slip away from them.

When they learn that the windmill guest house is going bust they form a plan: why not go back to the island and take it over themselves? And so begins a life-changing journey – because it turns out that opening a guest house and reliving their teenage dreams isn’t that easy . . .

Full of romance and friendship, love and life, laughter and tears, The Beachside Guest House is an uplifting novel about the magic of starting over with friends by your side.

I have finally finished this book ,not for lack of wanting to read it …but kids new puppy exhaustion lol

As to be expected this is yet another beauty of a read by this fantastic author .

This however was quite a poignant read for me as I have been in Iona’s shoes and reading it was like reading a diary . How did Vanessa manage to write this so accurately?

Sorry I didn’t like the ending as in I wanted more!

A great read about friendships ,love  and new beginnings 🙂

I love the design of all of her book covers and have thoroughly enjoyed every read .