Counting Stars by Keris Stainton

Counting Stars by Keris Stainton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Big city, big dreams, no money, no problem...

Six 'friends', one flat, big dreams... what could go wrong? When eighteen-year-old Anna leaves school and moves to Liverpool, she feels like her life is finally beginning. She's landed her dream job at a theatre, and she's moving into an exciting (if not slightly run-down) flat on a buzzing street lined with shops, bars, and buskers. Best of all, her new flatmates are kind, welcoming and a lot of fun - what more could she ask for?

But although her new life is fun, it's also a little overwhelming. Anna's job quickly falls through, and then she realises that although her new friends are great, they're also a little mixed-up... and it's not long before Anna starts using her blog to talk about her experiences, from the hilarious to the ridiculous to the little-bit-scary. But when Anna spills a bigger secret than she can handle, suddenly the consequences are all too real. She'll have to prove she has the mettle to make it in the big city, or risk losing everything she thinks she wants.


Average chic lit book that would appeal to most students who’ve just moved away from home.

Mainly dealing with growing up and relationships with boys and learning to live with others.

Likeable characters and an average storyline. Very predictable but an easy read and perfect for holidays (if we ever get back to normal post lockdown life).

Three stars for this one.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

What happens now? - Sophia Money - Coutts

What Happens Now? by Sophia Money-Coutts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After eight years together, Lil Bailey thought she’d already found ‘the one’ – that is, until he dumped her for a blonde twenty-something colleague. So she does what any self-respecting singleton would do: swipes right, puts on her best bra and finds herself on a first date with a handsome mountaineer called Max. What’s the worst that can happen?

Well it’s pretty bad actually. First Max ghosts her and then, after weeing on a stick (but mostly her hands), a few weeks later Lil discovers she’s pregnant. She’s single, thirty-one and living in a thimble-sized flat in London, it’s hardly the happily-ever-after she was looking for.

Lil’s ready to do the baby-thing on her own – it can’t be that hard, right? But she should probably tell Max, if she can track him down. Surely he’s not that Max, the highly eligible, headline-grabbing son of Lord and Lady Rushbrooke, currently trekking up a mountain in South Asia? Oh, maybe he wasn’t ignoring Lil after all…  

This is a real fun, entertaining read, one which was a bit of fresh air for me as I haven't read a book like this for a while. At the moment I have limited time to sit down and read a book for hours, so I need a book that will hold my attention and make me want to go back to read more of it. This book certainly did that.

Lil is going through a tough time, she has just come out of a relationship with a guy, who she thought was the one, they have been together for 8 years and she was ready for her relationship to go to the next level. However she has not got her happy ever after and is forced into the dating scene. Using an app she agrees to meet up with Max, things are good on the date and that night they get even better. In the morning when Lil wakes she finds Max has gone and although she thinks its a bit rubbish him running out on her like that begins to move on, that is until she finds herself pregnant.

I really enjoyed this book, it whizzed by and I really wanted to know what was going to happen to Lil and Max. I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun, light hearted read. Personally I can't wait to read more by Sophia.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Are We Nearly There Yet? by Lucy Vine

Are We Nearly There Yet? by Lucy Vine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alice is turning thirty and is stuck in a rut. Her friends are all coupling up and settling down, while she's still working as a temp, trying (and failing) not to shag her terrible ex, getting thrown out of clubs, and accidentally sexting her boss...

She decides to throw caution to the wind and jets off on a round-the-world adventure to #FindTheFun and find herself. Of course, she's no more likely to find the answer to true happiness on the beach in Thailand than she is at the electric beach in Tooting, but at least in Thailand there's paddleboard yoga.

Can Alice find happiness on her travels? Or is she more likely to lose herself all over again...?

When I heard about this book, I thought it would be right up my street, and it was. Alice has just turned 30, she has been in temp jobs for 10 years and she lives with her best friend Eva. However all that is about to change!

Alice decides she needs a break, she needs to find herself and goes travelling, beginning with LA. She knows someone who lives there so it will be perfect! While she is travelling she decides to keep in contact with everyone by writing her own blog.

It has been a while since I have whizzed through a book, through enjoying it so much, this was funny and I enjoyed seeing what Alice was going to get up to next.

For me and the reason I have not given this 5* is that I felt the mood change and during her time in Thailand when her brother shows up, the book becomes more serious and emotive, which for me I was a little disappointed with. I wanted it to continue as a fun adventure. Don't get me wrong it gave the book substance and more of a story line, I was just enjoying her care free attitude and it exposed Alice as a different type of person. I found it hard to like Alice towards the end, however she redeemed herself.

This was the first time I have read anything by this author, but on the strength of this I would seek out other novels.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Holiday in the Hamptons by Sarah Morgan

Holiday in the Hamptons by Sarah Morgan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

She’s moved on…

Felicity Knight loves New York. But when she spots her ex-husband in the city, Fliss is desperate to escape!

He’s moved back…

Vet Set Carlyle is back from California to establish his own practice and settle down. When he learns that his ex Fliss still lives close by, that future is looking a whole lot brighter…

Will a perfect escape bring them back together?

With the help of his adorable dog Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see he’s never stopped loving her!

The usual chic lit novel, no great surprises in this story, very predictable and a little boring to be honest. So much moaning from Fliss about her feelings and her being terrified about being hurt again. Really laboured the point so much it was tedious - its not necessary to constantly tell the reader how they should feel towards a character, a good writer will create that through the showing. Disappointing read - average writing with a poor storyline. Can only give this 2 stars.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fixie Farr can’t help herself. Straightening a crooked object, removing a barely-there stain, helping out a friend . . . she just has to put things right. It’s how she got her nickname, after all. 

So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees, she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank her, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, scribbles her an IOU – but of course Fixie never intends to call in the favour.

That is, until her teenage crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and needs her help – and Fixie turns to Seb. But things don’t go according to plan, and now Fixie owes Seb: big time.

Soon the pair are caught up in a series of IOUs – from small favours to life-changing debts – and Fixie is torn between the past she’s used to and the future she deserves. 

Does she have the courage to fix things for herself and fight for the life, and love, she really wants? 



I really wanted to enjoy this book, I love Sophie Kinsella novels, however the last few she has written I felt have really let me down. This one unfortunately for me didn't give me the full enjoyment I came to expect from a Sophie Kinsella novel.

There were a few things, which annoyed me in this book. To begin with the main characters name Fixie, it just irritated me, I understood why she is called this and it is only a nickname but it just grated on me the more I read of it.

The second thing was the love affair with Fixie and Seb, how they got together just wasn't very believable for me, one minute he was with Bryony, which I'm guessing he has been her for some time and then literally the next minute Seb is asking Fixie out and they end up staying the night at his.

Fixie is left to deal with her families business while her mum is on holiday with her aunt, there is a lot about family in this book and how you support each other.

This was a very quick read, I read over a couple of plane journeys and it kept me entertained. I just felt it didn't have the humour I have grown accustomed to with Kinsella's novels.

I am hoping that Sophie Kinsella gets the spark back to her writing like she had when she wrote Can you Keep a secret and The Undomestic Goddess as personally I feel these were her best standalone novels.

Sail Away by Celia Imrie

Sail Away by Celia Imrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The phone hasn't rung for months. Suzy Marshall is discovering that work can be sluggish for an actress over sixty - even for the former star of a 1980s TV series. So when she's offered the plum role of Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest in Zurich, it seems like a godsend. Until, that is, the play is abruptly cancelled in suspicious circumstances, and Suzy is forced to take a job on a cruise ship to get home.

Meanwhile Amanda Herbert finds herself homeless in rainy Clapham. Her flat purchase has fallen through, and her children are absorbed in their own dramas. Then she spots an advertisement for an Atlantic cruise, and realises a few weeks on-board would tide her over - and save her money - until the crisis is solved.

As the two women set sail on a new adventure, neither can possibly predict the strange characters and dodgy dealings they will encounter - nor the unexpected rewards they will reap.

Vividly evoking the old-world glamour of a cruise ship - and the complex politics of its staff quarters - Sail Away is at once a hilarious romp and a thrilling tale of intrigue, from the acclaimed pen of Celia Imrie.

My first novel by this immensely talented actress who now is becoming an immensely talented author!

A light-hearted, fun farce based around the antics of a couple of 60 ish women who both find themselves on a cruise ship for different reasons that lead their lives to be linked together. I liked Imrie's style of writing, obviously dipping into her vast theatrical background and using her great sense of humour to deliver an enjoyable fun read.

Lots happening in this book; likeable characters that work well together, if I have one criticism it would be that it does tend to be strung out a little and does ask that you be patient until it all unravels. I did guess who the mysterious Karl really was fairly early on but it didn't detract from the story that was well thought out and tidied up all the ends satisfactorily.

It was quite refreshing to have the majority of the characters being 60 ish who showed they were certainly not past a bit of fun and mystery a good holiday read. I look forward to reading more novels by Celia Imrie - this one gets a 4 stars from me.

Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon

Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tamsin and her best friend Michelle have been inseparable since they were teenagers. Even now they spend all their time together, along with Patrick, Michelle's handsome husband.

So when Tamsin hears a rumour that Patrick is having an affair, she is furious. Unwilling to ignore it, Tamsin plots a scheme to catch Patrick in the act, using her assistant Bea as live-bait. It should be fool proof.
After all, Tamsin can trust Bea with anything. From her daily coffee order to fetching her dry-cleaning, writing reports and doing all the filing - Bea does everything with a smile on her face.

Except Tamsin never considered Bea might have her own agenda.

And if she does, then Tamsin really needs to watch her back . . .

Really enjoyed this clever, funny, entertaining chick lit by Jane Fallon. The characters were beautifully drawn with all their faults and insecurities that allow the reader an insight into their relationships and friendships. Peppered with lies, cheating, dishonesty and a sprinkling of revenge and jealousy this was a great read.

Told initially in the POV of Tamsin we learn initially all about her and develop an understanding of why (in part) she feels compelled to involve herself in her best friends marriage and expose cheating, lying Patrick, and the hazards of doing so. Part two of the novel you hear other characters 'speak' which allows the 'penny to drop' but also gives the reader choices of who to side with. This change of 'voice' in part two then pivots the pace to race towards the (not entirely expected) ending.

Hugely entertaining, great believable relatable characters, revenge and jealousy with a little romance thrown in for good measure, what's not to like? Intriguing and well woven plots, plenty of little surprises it has to get 5 stars - Jane Fallon is up there with the best in Chick lit writers.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

A Winter Kiss on Rochester Mews by Annie Darling

A Winter Kiss on Rochester Mews by Annie Darling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


But on Rochester Mews, two unlikely lovebirds are struggling to find their festive cheer.

Star baker Mattie has hated Christmas ever since she had her heart broken on Christmas Eve. The only thing she hates more is the insufferable Tom, who has rubbed her up the wrong way since she started running the tearoom next door to his bookshop. So when Mattie and Tom are left in charge in the frantic festive days before Christmas, it might be cold outside but things are sure to heat up.

Can a bookshop full of romantic novels, a life-sized reindeer and a mistletoe kissing booth persuade two scrooges to fall in love with Christmas… and each other?

Romantic heart-warming rom-coms don't come a lot better than this one. Funny, poignant, good likeable characters and a real feel good factor at the end. Mattie Smith a successful patisserie chef has been running the café in London since she left Paris when her heart was broken at Christmas. She hates Christmas and the endless season of good will, she has no time for men in her life and always wears depressing black outfits. Next comes Tom, and academic who has worked in the bookshop part of the business called 'Happy Ever After'. Tom appears to be as dull as dishwater, dresses much to old for his age and is aloof and stand offish.

When the flat above the premises becomes vacant Mattie and Tom find themselves flatmates. The novel expands the personalities of both these characters and the sub characters who are just as interesting but all together they work well in this story. Through various trials and tribulations we get our happy every after ending.

It's all you could want from a romantic rom-com and is well written although at times a little frustrating as is always the case with these novels. If you want to have a romantic escapist afternoon or two this is just the medicine you need. Perfect festive reading with plenty of comic moments and a satisfying conclusion. 4 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements

The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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'?

​Having taken on planning her sisters wedding when the original wedding planner cancelled, Hazel finds herself with a success on her hands. Many guests at the wedding congratulate her on an excellent job and through this she manages to get a couple more bookings.

Hazels full time job is a set designer but she is constantly passed over and her ideas stolen by others for their own gain. She is nervous about organising her sister Lila's wedding but approaches it like set design and soon finds she has a flair for it. Tasked to organise a Scottish Highlands wedding complete with a snow covered castle and a Caribbean beach wedding Hazel at times thinks she has taken on more than she can handle. Add bridezillas and unpredictable weather along with a confusing love life and you have a recipe for a pleasant chic lit novel.

Good balanced rounded characters if somewhat flawed gave this a realistic feel and a little dose of humour kept it going. Perfect for holiday reading or round the fire at Christmas - feel good factor novel. 4 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Marnie Salt has made so many mistakes in her life that she fears she will never get on the right track. But when she ‘meets’ an old lady on a baking chatroom and begins confiding in her, little does she know how her life will change.

Arranging to see each other for lunch, Marnie finds discovers that Lilian is every bit as mad and delightful as she’d hoped – and that she owns a whole village in the Yorkshire Dales, which has been passed down through generations. And when Marnie needs a refuge after a crisis, she ups sticks and heads for Wychwell – a temporary measure, so she thinks.

But soon Marnie finds that Wychwell has claimed her as its own and she is duty bound not to leave. Even if what she has to do makes her as unpopular as a force 12 gale in a confetti factory! But everyone has imperfections, as Marnie comes to realise, and that is not such a bad thing – after all, your flaws are perfect for the heart that is meant to love you.

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman is the heart-warming and hilarious new novel from the queen of feel-good fiction – a novel of family, secrets, love and redemption … and broken hearts mended and made all the stronger for it. 



Nicely written, feel good factor chic lit which moves along at a steady pace. Some of the decisions made were not relatable but if you're happy to go along with it and not over analyse then it's a fun story that has a happy ending.

Perfect for taking on holiday or for round the fire reading in winter. Loved the little village and its history and the quirky village characters who all added to this charming story. Cheesecake does dominate but it's also about chances, love and rivalry. Nicely put together and easily worthy of 4 stars.

Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Happiness can be found where you least expect it . . .


When the love of your life says you're not The One, what next?

After celebrating a decade together, everyone thinks Lizzy and Ian are about to get engaged.

Instead, a romantic escape to Dubai leaves Lizzy with no ring, no fiancé and no future.

Lizzy is heartbroken - but through the tears, she sees an opportunity. This is her moment to discover what she's been missing while playing Ian's 'better half'.

But how much has Ian changed her, and who is she without him?

Lizzy sets out to rediscover the girl she was before - and, in the meantime, have a little fun . . .

This was my first book I have read by Giovanna Fletcher. I didn't know really what to expect, I was hoping for a good chick lit novel.

In this story we follow Lizzie, she has been with her boyfriend for many years and is desperate to get married, when she gets whisked away on a romantic break to Dubai, she is sure that finally he is going to pop the question. The trip is almost over and so far no sign of a romantic proposal, after one final night she returns home without a boyfriend and her whole life is about to change.

She begins to gradually rebuild herself, this is a chance for a fresh start and although hard Lizzie has decided she needs to move on with her life and try and make the best of it.

I really liked the beginning part of the story and thought it was everything I was looking for, however I must admit I started to get a little lost and bored towards the middle, it felt like it wasn't going anywhere. I was a bit disappointed as it had such promise but I was unable to enjoy it again as much as I had initially.

Saving Grace by Jane Green

Saving Grace by Jane Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A perfect stranger wants her perfect life.

Grace Chapman has the perfect life, living comfortably with her husband, bestselling author Ted, in a picture-perfect farmhouse on the Hudson River in New York State.

Then Ted advertises for a new assistant, and Beth walks into their lives. Organized, passionate and eager to learn, Beth quickly makes herself indispensable to Ted and his family. But Grace soon begins to feel side-lined in her home - and her marriage - by this ambitious younger woman.

Is Grace just paranoid, as her husband tells her, or is there more to Beth than first thought?


On the whole I enjoyed this book; it was well written and had reasonable pace to keep the reader involved although the first quarter of the book was a bit boring and slow it did pick up pace. The main character Grace was, in my opinion, a bit weak and lack lustre, she had been married to Ted for 20 years and spent most of that time tip toeing around his ego and not really having a life of her own. Plagued by thoughts of mental health issues around the corner for herself (her mother had mental health issues) she seemed to live a half life with the overpowering, egotistical Ted.

When Ted's assistant has to leave and look after her sick mother, Grace realises just how much of a buffer she had been and her absence means that Grace has to manage Ted's moods and demands herself. Grace it seems could only cope with Ted when she had his assistant taking the strain and its' not long before she is pulling her hair out with having to cope with him.

Just as she thinks she will go mad she is introduced to the marvellous Beth at one of Ted's book launches events and is introduced by Clemmie Graces' daughter to Beth. They get chatting and Beth is looking for an assistant position, Grace is so relieved to think that she might not have to cope with Ted on her own any more she practically offers Beth the job on the spot.

Beth turns out to be rather more than Grace expected and soon she is regretting her decision. I won't say more - read the book.

It was cleverly woven albeit that Grace was a bit weak and gullible which didn't come across as real for me. I did enjoy the journey and some of the characters were likeable. I didn't like the recipes at the end of each chapter - why were they there? A bit pointless and annoying really. There were also some inconsistencies in the book where Green inferred that Grace and Ted had more than one child so I'm guessing this was just a mistake as I searched in case I had missed it but couldn't find another child.

All in all an entertaining read but not a satisfactory ending in my view; I give this one 3.5 stars rounded up to 4* for Goodreads and Amazon.

Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon

Strictly Between Us by Jane Fallon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Tamsin and her best friend Michelle have been inseparable since they were teenagers. Even now they spend all their time together, along with Patrick, Michelle's handsome husband.

So when Tamsin hears a rumour that Patrick is having an affair, she is furious. Unwilling to ignore it, Tamsin plots a scheme to catch Patrick in the act, using her assistant Bea as live-bait. It should be fool proof.
After all, Tamsin can trust Bea with anything. From her daily coffee order to fetching her dry-cleaning, writing reports and doing all the filing - Bea does everything with a smile on her face.

Except Tamsin never considered Bea might have her own agenda.

And if she does, then Tamsin really needs to watch her back . . .

Really enjoyed this clever, funny, entertaining chick lit by Jane Fallon. The characters were beautifully drawn with all their faults and insecurities that allow the reader an insight into their relationships and friendships. Peppered with lies, cheating, dishonesty and a sprinkling of revenge and jealousy this was a great read.

Told initially in the POV of Tamsin we learn initially all about her and develop an understanding of why (in part) she feels compelled to involve herself in her best friends marriage and expose cheating, lying Patrick, and the hazards of doing so. Part two of the novel you hear other characters 'speak' which allows the 'penny to drop' but also gives the reader choices of who to side with. This change of 'voice' in part two then pivots the pace to race towards the (not entirely expected) ending.

Hugely entertaining, great believable relatable characters, revenge and jealousy with a little romance thrown in for good measure, what's not to like? Intriguing and well woven plots, plenty of little surprises it has to get 5 stars - Jane Fallon is up there with the best in Chick lit writers.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Mile High by Rebecca Chance

Mile High by Rebecca Chance
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


First class can be murder . . .

Pure Air's new LuxeLiner is flying from London to LA – its inaugural journey – with a first-class cabin packed with A-list celebrities. As the feuding crew compete to impress their famous passengers, the handsome pilot tries to win the attention of a pretty young stewardess.

But one VIP singer is battling something seriously sinister: watching her every step is a very determined stalker, someone who will go to any lengths to get the star to satisfy their desires. At thirty thousand feet there is nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide . . .

If you like Jackie Collins or Jilly Cooper bonkbuster thrillers then you will probably like this one, it's unusual in that it's set mainly on Pure Air's maiden flight LuxeLiner travelling from the UK to LA overnight carrying 388 people and some selected VIP's on their way to the Oscars. There are several sub stories going on but the main one is that of a pop star who is being stalked. This aircraft is pure luxury with VIP's having their own 'pods' on board in which to relax on the long 10 hour journey that is timed to arrive exactly at midnight in LA.

The chapters were very long and wordy, so much information meant that there was not a lot of dialogue in this novel. It could have been easily cut by half in my opinion as the pace was slow and laborious, I found myself skim reading in order to wade through it. It provided good insight into the world of cabin crew and some humour kept it going, I liked Karl but that was about it. All the characters lacked depth for me, Catarina the pop star came across as naïve and whingey, totally pathetic and needy. The bodyguard was not given enough background to make him viable, the background on the stalker was non existent and almost all the other characters seemed to be bitchy and two faced so not easily likeable.

I didn't really enjoy this book, having to skim read made it a bit disjointed for me but to wade my way through endless narrative looking to spot the point of it all was very tiresome. Maybe it jut wasn't for me, I wouldn't say don't read it but if you do don't expect too much. Not really memorable or exciting enough for me to award it any more than 3 stars.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Make or Break by Catherine Bennetto

Make or Break by Catherine Bennetto
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jess, a 29-year-old Londoner with a Kate Beckett fringe and a tendency for dramatics, gets taken on a surprise trip by her long-term boyfriend, Pete, to attend her best friend’s last-minute wedding in South Africa. Jess imagines sun, sand, wine and safaris. And returning to London with an ethically mined diamond on her left hand...
 
But this holiday isn’t set to be quite the fairy tale Jess has planned... Suddenly she finds her world tilting on its axis, and things are only set to get worse when Jess returns home…

When the truth comes out, will it be... Make or Break?



Mixed feelings on this one, it had comparisons with Sophie Kinsella/Lindsay Kelk books and she definitely emulated their style but it just wasn't as polished or complete. It was very funny in parts but the central character Jess was so weak and unbelievable. She is so paranoid and over complicates things so much that it bordered on silliness and I'm not surprised her boyfriend Pete did a runner in the end.

Having been sent tickets for them both to attend Jess' best friends wedding in South Africa, Jess and Pete have an opportunity to re-connect and get their relationship on track. After 6 years of being together it seems that Pete has taken a back seat to Jess' sister who is a single parent with 2 children and who needs all the help she can get and Jess and her mother practically live in her sisters apartment organising her daily life. With a full time job and her obligations to her sister there is really little time left for anything/anyone else.

Jess is harbouring thoughts of returning with an engagement ring on her finger, Pete had different ideas once he was there. Pete is not a likeable character, he comes across as very selfish albeit that I did understand with all her baggage and her infuriatingly childish behaviour and obsessions Jess could be a bit heavy going.

The first half of the book was a bit slow and I believe it could have been a lot shorter without the unnecessary protracted thoughts Jess had on almost every subject and level - it was annoying.

Secondary characters were good, I loved Diago and his character was so well described that I could actually picture him - great descriptive writing. I liked Jimmy but honestly if I were a man I would have steered clear of this kook. Having never been to South Africa I found the descriptions made me want to visit and experience all it has to offer.

Some really good laugh out loud moments but equally some frustrating 'pull yourself together' moments that didn't allow this novel to satisfy me - it's quite predictable but worth a read especially on a plane or by the pool - gets a 3 from me.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Destination Chile by Katy Colins

Destination Chile by Katy Colins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Welcome to Paradise

Georgia has just been offered the opportunity of a lifetime! She’ll be starring in a TV adventure travel show that will put her and Ben’s business well and truly on the map.

But Georgia’s not quite sure their relationship is ready to be put under the microscope – because even though they survived their first argument the discovery of a sparkling engagement ring in Ben’s suitcase has put Georgia’s head in a spin! Are they really ready for marriage? And more importantly, after all the heartbreak, is she?

This journey is sure to be an adventure like no other. Against the backdrop of rugged and wild Chile, Ben and Georgia must decide if their love is worth fight for…

I enjoyed this book - it's the third in a series although I had not read the first two books I don't think it really mattered much, well written and in the style of the 'Shopaholic' books, this is about Georgia and Ben who have a travel business and the ups and downs of running a business and being together 24/7. They embark on a trip to Chile to take part in a television programme with 3 other couples on running a business but it's not all they thought it might be. Some genuinely hilarious situations occur and it's a great light hearted easy read. I would definitely like to read the other two books although they do go in sequence I am sure they would be just as entertaining.

A great holiday read especially if you like the 'Shopaholic' series - I would definitely recommend this and it gets an easy 5 stars from me.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan

New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

Typical chick lit, nothing too serious here, the usual conflicts and happy ever after ending that most of this genre have. Molly is a psychologist who turns agony aunt and has written a best selling book on relationships. She however can't seem to control her own relationships and bad break-ups convince her she is not capable of falling in love.

She meets Daniel a divorce lawyer who has issues of his own around love and commitment but cares passionately about helping those who can't help themselves. He sees Molly often jogging and walking her dog in Central Park and borrows a dog from his sisters dog shelter so that he can have an excuse to meet her.

The story proceeds from there, we meet several supporting characters, Daniels sisters Fran and Harriet, Molly's neighbours and an assortment of work colleagues. Of course the story is predictable as all these genre seem to be; I didn't particularly gel with Molly, for a psychologist and relationship expert she seemed a bit clueless when it came to her own relationships which didn't really stack up. Daniel was well described, powerful, striking, athletic, passionate, selfless, kind, thoughtful - what was not to like but the silly Molly seemed to be confused by all this!!! He did come across as a bit possessive and controlling to me which was a bit disturbing but that's just my opinion.

It fell down because Molly was meant to be the expert and this made her actions, attitude, and lack of self worth really hard to swallow and therefore the whole story seemed pointless and disappointing. I enjoyed to a degree the flirty banter but even this was over worked, sorry I can only give this one 2 stars, OK for reading on the plane or holiday but don't expect fire works.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Five Years From Now by Paige Toon

Five Years From Now by Paige Toon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What if you met the right person at the wrong time?
 
Nell and Van meet as children when their parents fall in love, but soon they are forced worlds apart.

Five years later, they find each other.  Their bond is rekindled and new feelings take hold, but once again they must separate.
 
For the next two decades, fate brings Nell and Van together every five years, as life and circumstance continue to divide them. Will they ever find true happiness? And will it be together?
 


I love all of Paige Toon's novels, however this one I felt didn't live up to her usual high expectations. I thought that this was just 'very nice'. I felt she was trying to make this a tear jerker, don't get me wrong, this did touch me a lot, especially in the last few chapters but I felt that I was expecting a little more.

Nell and Van were bought together by their parents love, sharing everything together from the age of 5. Over the years their lives are taken in different directions and they only seem to be reunited every five years.

This book has very big chapters, something, which if I was reading this after a hard day at work I would have struggled with as I wouldn't have been able to get through a chapter a night. Reading this on holiday though I read it in a couple of sittings so it was absolutely fine. That's just something to be aware of, if like me you like to read a chapter at a time...Although not billed as a young adult, this felt very that.

Although this wasn't my favourite novel by Paige, it wouldn't put me off reading her others, I enjoy most of her books and always look forward to her next one. If you like her books I would recommend you give this one ago.

I would give this 3.5* (rounded up to 4* for Goodreads and Amazon)

The Big Little Festival by Kellie Hailes

The Big Little Festival by Kellie Hailes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Love happens when you least expect it…

Jodi is panicking. It’s only weeks until her little village in Devon holds its first ever festival and everything is falling apart.

Desperate to avoid disaster, she brings in notorious party planner Christian to save the day. Although she wasn’t prepared for just how gorgeous he wuold be!

Men are off the cards for Jody and surely Christian is the last man she would ever date? But with tensions rising – along with the bunting and homemade scones – she’s about to find out…

Apparently this is the second in the series, I haven't read the first one and it really didn't matter. Rabbit's Leap is a small Devon town and they are getting ready to host the first Big Little Festival, Jodie is in charge and she has hired in help as she can't organise it all in time. The village community have been very good to her so she wants to give something back.

When I was reading this, it quickly came apparent that the story of the festival was more of a secondary story and the reader was going to become immersed in the feelings between Jodie and Christian the man she had hired to help with making the festival a success.

Personally I was a little disappointed with this, I knew there would be a love interest in the book and I was all for that, however I thought there would be more about the festival, which I didn't get. Perhaps I was just not in the mood for a chick lit type read and wanted the book to have a little more substance. Saying this it was an enjoyable read and I read it pretty quickly.

I would recommend this if you have read the other in the series or you just want to escape in a light bubble for a couple of days.

One Summer in Italy - Sue Moorcroft blog tour

When Sofia Bianchi’s father Aldo dies, it makes her stop and look at things afresh. Having been his carer for so many years, she knows it’s time for her to live her own life – and to fulfil some promises she made to Aldo in his final days.

So there’s nothing for it but to escape to Italy’s Umbrian mountains where, tucked away in a sleepy Italian village, lie plenty of family secrets waiting to be discovered. There, Sofia also finds Amy who is desperately trying to find her way in life after discovering her dad isn’t her biological father.

Sofia sets about helping Amy through this difficult time, but it’s the handsome Levi who proves to be the biggest distraction for Sofia, as her new life starts to take off…

Extract:


Picking up her pace, Sofia whisked through the utility yard and out the other side, taking the steps down to the low, staff-only gate that led to the strip of garden overrun by vine that disguised what Benedetta grandly termed the two ‘apartments’ beneath the terrace for the live-in staff. Hotel guests wandering about the sloping gardens below the terrace would have to approach

almost up to the fence of the utility yard in order to stumble upon the gate. The Morbidellis shared an apartment up in the eaves of the hotel and Sofia suspected it was not the kind best hidden behind a garden filled with rampaging vine.

Once through the gate, Amy’s accommodation lay behind the first faded green door and Sofia’s behind the second. She let herself into her room and breathed a sigh of relief at the drop in temperature that came along with stone walls, tiled floor and only one window. Despite it

being furnished economically, Sofia liked her room. The white walls made it airy, the bedclothes were pretty but simple in blue and white. There was enough room for the clothes she’d brought with her and the chest of drawers provided somewhere for her box of costume jewellery and makeup bag.

She stripped, left her clothes in a heap and stepped into the small shower room. The lukewarm water felt fantastic as it sluiced down her body and, defying Benedetta’s warnings about not wasting water, even though Umbria received more rainfall than most of Italy, she gave herself up to

the pleasure of being cool for several blissful minutes.

Finally, she stirred herself to wash. When dry, she teamed a white dress with shiny black flip-flops, then brushed her hair into a high ponytail and picked up her purse.

After retracing her route to the front of the hotel she cut across the car park to Il Giardino. From there she could see Amy hurrying through the tables wearing a set expression while Davide grinned slyly at her rear view. It looked as if Davide had bagged the centre section again and as the only empty table in the place was in that area, Sofia headed towards it.