Book Escapes with BabsW67

Blog Tour – A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please @maddieplease1 @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #BlogTour #BookReview #BookBlogger #boldwoodbloggers #AVintageVacation

One of my favourite things about book blogging is discovering new authors. When I was first invited to take part in a blog tour for Maddie Please, I was excited to read her work, and can honestly say that I’ve not looked back. Her books are filled with fun and heart and a lovely helping of romance for a more mature heart. If you’d like to read a couple of my previous reviews, you can follow these links: The Old Ducks Club and Old Friends Reunited.

Thanks to Rachel Gilbey from Rachel’s Random Resources for arranging this tour and for arranging my digital advance reading copy, which was gifted to me via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

Clover Harrington might be sixty-one, but she’s still bossing it in the corporate world and can still run rings around her younger colleagues. And then she is made redundant….

Devastated and now suddenly the wrong side of sixty Clover doesn’t know what to do with her life or her corporate wardrobe! What does she wear if not red lippy and a power suit?! Rather than offer her any support, her partner, Jack announces he’s off on a golfing weekend, leaving Clover completely adrift.

Desperate to get away from it all, Clover decides to visit her cousin Zoe at her small taverna in the gorgeous Italian Lakes. There she can rest and recuperate and plan the next stage of her life.

Until Clover’s eighty-year-old mother, Eleanor decides to turn up for the holiday too! Instead of gentle ambles around the lake, Eleanor seems more interested in late night poker and swigging Prosecco and Clover can’t quite believe her mum is having more fun than she is. But as the saying goes – if you can’t beat em, join em!

But is Clover brave enough to live La Dolce Vita?

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Review

As the weather here had turned rather chilly and distinctly wet, I was more than happy to accept a trip to the Italian Lakes. Previous books had taught me that I was going to have a fun-filled trip and I couldn’t wait.

Clover Harrington was the epitome of how I would imagine an older version of a helpless workaholic. Addicted to power in all forms, boardroom and dressing alike, she took her redundancy to heart. I’m not quite the same age but would certainly panic if I had to start again. I don’t buy into the power side of work, but as I age, I know it’s a harder sell when competing with younger candidates.

Losing patience with her partner, Jack, she tells him that they are over and packs a bag for a trip to the Italian Lakes. The part of the story that centred around Clover’s relationship with Jack was highly amusing. His inability and unwillingness to accept her decision spoke volumes about his commitment to Clover, or rather, his lack of commitment.

Arriving at her cousin’s taverna, it doesn’t take long for Clover to realise that there is more to life than power dressing and red lipstick. She soon learns that there is joy in getting dirty, working hard, and relaxing with a glass of something nice. She also learns that not all men are the same as Jack. Just as she’s beginning to see an opportunity for some fun, her octogenarian mother appears and has definite plans to live her best life.

Eleanor, Clover’s mum, is an absolute force of nature. She doesn’t feel that the decision to move into a retirement community was the right one for her and soon sets about proving that she has plenty more years of fun still to enjoy.

I am struggling to choose the best part of this book and really believe that it’s all pretty wonderful. I found joy, most of all, in seeing Clover’s metamorphosis from boardroom titan to the relaxed, fulfilled woman she became. Her story arc was triumphant and wholly uplifting.

You may not be surprised to learn that I am recommending this book, unreservedly and looking forward to the next treat from this fabulous author.

Author Bio

Maddie Please is the #1 bestselling author of novels including The Old Ducks’ Club and Sisters Behaving Badly. Having had a career as a dentist and now lives in rural Devon where she enjoys box sets, red wine and Christmas. She will be taking a new direction in her writing for Boldwood with joyous tales of older women.

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ARC Review – The Country Village Allotment by Cathy Lake @LakeAuthor @ZaffreBooks @bonnierbooks_uk #BookReview #BookBlogger #PubishingSoon #TheCountryVillageAllotment

I have read, reviewed, and thoroughly enjoyed each of the books in the gorgeous series. Little Bramble is a place that I would love to visit. The people are friendly and there’s always something going on. If you’d like to read my previous reviews, you can follow these links: The Country Village Christmas Show, The Country Village Summer Fete, and The Country Village Winter Wedding.

I’m grateful to Cathy Lake and Zaffre books for my advance reading copy, which was gifted to me via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

At eighty-two years old Zelda Grey is tired. Tired of how much slower she is physically and mentally. Tired of technology. Tired of being alone since her beloved cat, Flint, died just before Christmas. And tired of life. The only thing that brings Zelda joy these days is her allotment in the gorgeous village of Little Bramble, where she has lived her whole life, and her three cranky goats.

Widow Mia Holmes always loved visiting Little Bramble Allotment with her husband, Gideon. But since his death she can’t motivate herself. Despite putting on a brave face for her three sons and four grandchildren, she’s reached breaking point, and isn’t sure she can carry on.

And history teacher Liz Carter thought she had it all. The perfect job, perfect boyfriend in Rhodri and the perfect wedding to plan. Until she found Rhodri in bed with the neighbour. Holed up in her sister’s box room she wonders how it all went so wrong. As she wallows in her misery, her sister takes her in hand and drags her to Little Bramble Allotment and suddenly she discovers the wonders of planting, growing and getting her hands dirty.

In an increasingly lonely world, these three women strike up an unlikely friendship and find that community, female friendship and the wonders of nature can truly be powerful healers.

The Country Village Allotment will be published on June 8^th in eBook, audio, and paperback

Pre-order here

Review

It was a real treat to return to Little Bramble and have a brief catch-up with some much-loved characters. Kyle is still hosting the Tai Chi classes and Marcellus still delivers the post, with a smile and a kind word.

The book opens as history teacher, Liz Carter is becoming overwhelmed by the impact of discovering her fiancés’ indiscretion with their neighbour. A meltdown sees her move into the spare room of her sister’s house in Little Bramble. She was both devastated and positive that this it was just a glitch.

Zelda’s only regular visitor is postman, Marcellus. She looks forward to their daily chats but is feeling cut off from society. Even her trips to the village shop aren’t enough to raise her falling spirits. Thankfully, recently widowed Mia decides to visit and present her with a homemade cake. Mia hasn’t got the strength to break her habit of baking, even though she no longer has anyone to bake for.

From the gorgeous cover artwork to the final pages, this book was a real treat. I simply couldn’t put it down and kept reading until it finished. The message of friendship and support is simply wonderful, and I was totally absorbed.

I loved all three women but had a particular soft spot for Zelda. She reminded me of my Nana with her sage advice and memories from her youth. As her story gradually became clear, it was difficult not to feel anything but compassion for her.

The dynamic between the three women was beautifully imagined and their story arcs were simply perfect. The characters were as alike as they were different, each bringing a particular strength to the story. I particularly enjoyed the part where Leopold Biggins learned exactly how amazing Mia and Zelda could be in a crisis.

The Country Village Allotment is a perfect addition to this series, and I loved every moment of my visit to Little Bramble.

Author Bio

Cathy Lake is a women’s fiction writer who lives with her family and three dogs in beautiful South Wales. She writes uplifting stories about strong women, family, friendship, love, community and overcoming obstacles.

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ARC Review – Summer Wedding by Sarah Morgan @SarahMorgan_ @HQstories #PublicationDay #BookReview #BookBlogger #SummerWedding

Sarah Morgan writes wonderful, romance-filled stories that allow me to escape for a few hours. I have enjoyed every book of hers that I have read, and this was no exception. If you’d like to read some of my earlier reviews, you can follow these links: The Summer Seekers and Snowed in for Christmas.

I was fortunate to receive a digital advance reading copy of this book from HQ Stories, gifted via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

A family wedding Catherine Swift is a bestselling romance author, but her personal story hasn’t been quite so successful; three failed marriages have left her relationship with her daughters strained. Engaged once again, Catherine is counting on this wedding, at her villa in Corfu, to finally bring the family together.

A summer of secrets

Adeline can’t believe her mother is getting married for a fourth time, or that she’s expected to attend. It brings back the pain of her mother’s infidelity and the baby who was the result. Not that she blames her half-sister Cassie, but then she’s never tried to know her, either. Cassie, on the other hand, is thrilled by her mother’s news – she’s always admired Catherine’s resilience, and is excited to meet the mystery groom. Cassie also has a secret of her own, and a summer in Corfu will give her the time she needs to process everything.

A chance to start over again

As the guests arrive on the island, and the big day approaches, Catherine begins to reveal secrets from her past, and suddenly both Cassie and Adeline realise that they don’t know their mother at all . . .

Review

A Summer Wedding on the Island of Corfu sounds idyllic, to me, but for Adeline, it’s a personal hell. She is virtually estranged from her mother, best-selling author Catherine Swift, and has a seriously fractured relationship with her half-sister, Cassie. Determined to try and recover her relationships with both her mother and half-sister, Adeline breaks free from her uncommitted boyfriend and flies to Corfu.

Cassie is excited to meet her mother’s new fiancé and for a chance to get to know her half-sister. Hiding an exciting change of personal, professional direction, Cassie has high hopes for her family, and is dreaming of reconciliation and a future where they are all united.

Sarah Morgan has a natural flair for creating stories and characters that capture the imagination. I always enjoy meeting the new cast of her books and love how effortlessly they come to life in my imagination. I say effortlessly because I don’t struggle to picture them in my mind, I’m pretty sure it’s not effortless for the author.

The descriptions of the island setting, the hills, and the beaches, created an image that was easy to envisage to the point that I could almost hear the waves breaking on the beach. Of course, I was imagining the food presented at each meal. Greek is a personal favourite of mine.

Anyone who has read Sarah Morgan’s books before, will not be surprised to learn that there are several twists in the story, and each one is perfectly delivered. I must admit, they weren’t huge surprises, to me, as I was already thinking ahead, but that didn’t spoil the book in any way.

Sarah Morgan captured my imagination from the first book that I read, and I will certainly be looking forward to more in the future.

Author Bio

Sarah Morgan is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of romance and women’s fiction. She has sold over 21 million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe.

Sarah lives near London, England and when she isn’t writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking or riding her mountain bike.

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Blog Tour – An Italian Island Summer by Sue Moorcroft @suemoorcroft @rararesources #BlogTour #BookReview #BookBlogger #Sicily #PublicationDay #AnItalianIslandSummer

Twice a year we are treated to a new release from Sue Moorcroft. I wait impatiently for each edition and then read as though it’s going to be my last book ever. I was certainly not disappointed with An Italian Island Summer and even think it may be one of my favourites. If you would like to read some of my other reviews, please follow these links: Under the Italian Sun and Summer at the French Café.

My thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for organising this lovely tour, and arranging my digital advance reading copy, which was gifted to me via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

Will one summer in Sicily change her life for ever?

After her marriage falls apart, Ursula Quinn is offered the chance to spend the summer working at a hotel on a beautiful island off the coast of Sicily, Italy. Excited by a new adventure, she sets off at once.

At Residenza dei Tringali, Ursula receives a warm welcome from everyone except Alfio, son of the Tringali family. He gave up his life in Barcelona to help his mother Agata with the ailing business, and is frustrated with Ursula’s interference – and she in turn is less than impressed with his attitude. As they spend more time together, though, they begin to see each other in a different light.

But what with Ursula’s ex-husband on her tail, family secrets surfacing and an unexpected offer that makes Alfio question his whole life, there’s plenty to distract them from one another. Can she face her past and he his future, and together make the most of their Sicilian summer?

Purchase Links

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Amazon UK PB

Kobo UK EB

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Review

We first met Ursula in One Summer in Italy, where she visited her best friend, Zia. This time, the focus is on Ursula as we follow the effects of her life-changing decisions after divorcing her controlling husband. Snatching an opportunity to work at a hotel in a Sicilian hotel, she leaves her past behind and throws herself into the hotel each morning, and training as a ceramicist each afternoon.

At the same time, Alfio has a vivid dream that convinces him to return to his family’s hotel and support his mother and sister. He separates from his unsupportive girlfriend and high-powered job in Barcelona and returns to Sicily.

This is not a simple story, it has many elements that are each handled beautifully by Sue. There are complex family issues which include infidelity, bereavement, and health challenges, all approached with an inimitable skill that saw me fully invested in the story.

Ursula is a complex character who carries more baggage than is usual for a woman of her age. She bears the scars that are associated with having escaped from a controlling marriage. Her relationships with friends and family have all been affected, and moving on emotionally is too huge a challenge. For now, she just focuses on starting over in her new life.

Alfio is a breath of fresh air, he’s determined to help his family, at all costs, and to get to know Ursula. He is fully aware that she is not looking for anything like a relationship, but he offers a reliable friendship and is happy to offer that level of support. I must admit, the more I read about Alfio, the more I liked him. His gentle nature and caring manner helped me fall a little bit in love with him.

I thoroughly enjoyed briefly revisiting Sofia and following Ursula’s story. The descriptions had me feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. I could see the marina and imagine the sounds of the birds. This book is ultimately joyful and fulfilling. Of course, you have to earn the final payoff, or what’s the point? I honestly feel as though this is one of my favourite books from this wonderful author, and I’m now excited for her Christmas book.

Author Bio

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US and Canada. She writes two books a year for publishing giant HarperCollins and has won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary.

Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses appear around the world.

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Blog Tour -A Laird for the Highland Lady by Catherine Tinley @catherinetinley @rararesources #Giveaway #BlogTour #RegencyRomance #ALairdForTheHighlandLady

I do love a new Regency Romance from Catherine Tinley, and since this is the third in a series, I leapt at the chance to read and review this book. I would suggest that you imagine what it would look like if Bridgerton were to meet Outlander! If you’d like to read my reviews of the previous instalments, you can follow these links: A Laird for the Governess and A Laird in London.

Once again, I am grateful to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for arranging this wonderful tour and my digital advance reading copy, received in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

A sparkling, witty Regency set in the Scottish Highlands

Becoming a laird

…worthy of the Highland lady?

After an unexpected encounter with Eilidh MacDonald, Max Wood thinks this shockingly beautiful woman is unlike anyone he’s ever met! Working to restore the Scottish estate long neglected by his family, Max is achieving more than he thought possible. As a carefree second son, he’s never considered marriage—until now… But is shaking off his decadent persona enough to win the flame-haired lady who’s captured his heart?

Purchase Link

Review

Having enjoyed a Laird in London, I knew that I would enjoy reading about Max and Eilidh. Briefly featuring their time in London, we are soon whisked off to the Scottish Highlands where priorities are massively different to those in the Ton.

Having inherited a fortune from his late Aunt, Max finds himself as the new landlord to a village that has been neglected for years. The people are hungry, desperate, and not even slightly warmed to the prospect of another English landlord. Moreover, he has to try and focus on his responsibilities and not the mesmerising image of a future with Eilidh. That can never happen.

It was wonderful to be back in the wilds of Benbecula with the familiar characters that have made this such an engaging series. Catherine Tinley weaves an intricate web of stories and brings the focus to the main characters while still letting the entire cast get a fair mention.

The knowledge of what life must have been like back in the Regency period felt well-researched and I could feel the desperation of the tenants. The loathsome agents for the original landlord, Max’s obnoxious brother, left a distinctly awful taste.

The descriptions of the growing attraction between Max and Eilidh were beautiful and incredibly romantic. I could almost hear the sizzle between them. As the story gave us more detail on Max’s past, there was a growing feeling that maybe he could see a future for himself away from his wasteful life in London.

I loved this book and cannot praise it highly enough.

Author Bio

Catherine Tinley is an award winning author of historical romance. She writes witty, heartwarming Regency romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her first book, Waltzing with the Earl, won the Rita® Award for Best Historical Romance 2018, while Rags-to-Riches Wife won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2021 as well as the HOLT Medallion, and A Waltz with the Outspoken Governess has won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2022.

She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now manages a maternity hospital. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, cats, and dog and can be reached on facebook, twitter, and instagram. Full links are here.

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Giveaway to Win a Signed copy of A Laird For The Highland Lady (Open INT)

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*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Cover Reveal – The Lost Heir by Jane Cable @janecable @rararesources #CoverReveal #TheLostHeir

I’m delighted to help share the cover reveal for The Lost Heir by Jane Cable. I’m really looking forward to another of her wonderful time-slip stories.

Synopsis

Cornwall, 2020

At the beginning of lockdown, teacher Carla Burgess needs to make some changes to her life. She no longer loves her job, and it’s certainly time to kick her on-off boyfriend into touch. But then, while walking on the cliffs she meets Mani Dolcoath, a gorgeous American with a dark aura.

Mani is researching his family history, and slowly their lives and their heritage begin to entwine. The discovery of a locked Georgian tea caddy in the barn on her parents’ farm intrigues Carla, but then she starts to see orbs, something that hasn’t happened since her grandmother died. They terrify her and she’ll do anything to outrun them, but will she lose Mani’s friendship in the process?

Cornwall, 1810

Harriet Lemon’s position as companion to Lady Frances Basset (Franny) perfectly conceals the fact they are lovers. But when Franny is raped and falls pregnant their lives are destined to change forever.

The one person who may be able to help them is Franny’s childhood friend, William Burgess, a notorious smuggler. But he has secrets of his own he needs to protect. Will his loyalties be divided, or will he come through?

Pre-order Link:

https://getbook.at/LostHeir

Author Bio

Jane Cable writes romance with a twist and its roots firmly in the past, more often than not inspired by a tiny slice of history and a beautiful British setting.

After independently publishing her award-winning debut, The Cheesemaker’s House, Jane was signed by Sapere Books. Her first two novels for them are contemporary romances looking back to World War 2; Another You inspired by a tragic D-Day exercise at Studland Bay in Dorset and Endless Skies by the brave Polish bomber crews who flew from a Lincolnshire airbase.

Jane lives in Cornwall and her current series, Cornish Echoes, are dual timeline adventure romances set in the great houses of the Poldark era and today. She also writes as Eva Glyn.

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Blog Tour – Fly Me to Paris by Helga Jensen @HelgaJensenF @rararesources @HeraBooks #BlogTour #BookReview #BookBlogger #FlyMeToParis

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed both of Helga’s previous titles, so it was an obvious decision when I was invited to take part in this blog tour. Helga writes witty, observational stories about real women. If you’d like to read my previous reviews, you can follow these links: Twice in a Lifetime and A Scandinavian Summer.

Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for arranging this tour and the tour support, and to Hera Books for my digital advance reading copy, gifted to me in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

Penny is not living her best life.

Her job is far from thrilling and her long-term boyfriend shows no sign of wanting to commit.

She has just turned fifty and is going nowhere.

Wanting a new start, Penny applies for a job as cabin crew, to find out if she can push herself out of her comfort zone.

Her new job brings the adventure she craves, even if she does keep bumping into impossibly handsome but deeply annoying pilot, Matt Garcia.

Stuck in Paris on an unscheduled stopover, the chemistry between them grows. But the path of love never did fly smooth, as Matt’s past threatens to come between them.

Beside which, Penny is not looking for love. But what if love finds her?

A romantic, uplifting and inspirational read all about taking chances later in life – fans of Milly Johnson and Sandy Barker will love this!

Purchase Links

Review

This is a fun-filled, entertaining story that left me smiling. Penny is good with people and enjoys her job well enough. Her relationship with her boyfriend is doomed after he makes it clear that there is no future for them. After a chance meeting with a member of cabin crew, she makes an uncharacteristic leap and applies for a vacancy with Calm Air. Never expecting to hear back, she’s shocked to be invited to an interview.

At this point, life picks up speed and she soon finds herself in training. What follows are the, at times hilarious, but constantly amusing adventures that she is faced with. As she passes through the training course, she encounters a less than friendly pilot, Matt Garcia. Her initial meeting with him proves to be most unpleasant and she is left in no hurry to ever see him again. Of course, that means that she will be unable to avoid him.

As the synopsis explains, it is while stuck on an unscheduled stopover in Paris, that she starts to feel an attraction to him and then the story gets complicated.

Penny and Matt are clearly meant to be together, but there’s baggage that they both need to process in order for there to be a future for them. The characters and the settings of the story are all nicely delivered, but the focus remains on the main couple. The sadness of Matt’s past is an obstacle that needs to be overcome, but with help from Penny, a happy ending is in sight.

This was a fun escape and I’m already looking forward to the next uplifting read.

Author Bio

Helga Jensen is an award-winning British/Danish best-selling author and journalist. Her debut novel was a winning entry in the 2017 Montegrappa First Fiction competition at Dubai’s Emirates Literary Festival. Her debut was also a contender for the coveted 2021 Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Helga’s second romantic comedy, A Scandinavian Summer, went straight to number one on the Amazon Kindle charts for Danish travel on its publication day. Helga holds a BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, along with a Creative Writing MA from Bath Spa University. She is currently working on a PhD.

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Blog Tour – A Taste of Italian Sunshine by Leonie Mack @leoniemackauthor @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #BookReview #BlogTour #boldwoodbloggers #ATasteOfItalianSunshine

I was late to the party with Leonie Mack but have made every effort to read each of her new releases. She introduced me to the joys of Venice, and I spent a whirlwind visit to Paris with her. I have even had a glimpse of her alter ego and a trip to the European Song Contest. If you’d like to read some of my earlier reviews, you can follow these links: We’ll Always Have Venice and Twenty-One Nights in Paris.

Thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for organising this wonderful tour and to Boldwood Books for my digital advance reading copy, gifted via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

Jenn has always prided herself on being a city girl – she insists on easy access to good coffee, great food from around the globe, not to mention an easy commute. So, when her job takes her to one of the most famous Italian wine regions in search of the perfect Prosecco, travelling to meetings on a tractor is a bit of a culture shock.

Tiziano hates the city. He was made for the mountains and vineyards of Veneto, and generations of his family have earned their living from the land. But times are changing even in the Italian countryside, and the arrival of Jenn at his grandmother’s B&B opens up a window on a different world.

Jenn has two months to persuade the Prosecco producers to trust her with their business, and Tiziano has one summer to persuade Jenn that there’s more to life than the rat race. But can a city girl and a country boy ever find enough in common to see a future beyond one long summer of sun…

Purchase Link

Review

I immediately took to Jenn’s character. She seemed incredibly complex, but it took very little time to discover that she was living the best life that she thought she could have, rather than the one that she dreamed of. That was her first mistake. Being an aficionado of a glass of fizz, it was difficult to imagine how someone who knew wine so thoroughly could have an issue with the golden bubbles, but there we are. Dig a little deeper and you can learn a lot more about the varieties and secrets of the beautiful drink.

My first discovery was that, like Champagne, Prosecco comes from a specific region of Italy. Once again, I was on the outskirts of Venice. This time, up in the rustic hill country that seems a million miles away from the glamour and wealth of the canals and gondolas. The setting was perfect and much closer to my comfort zone. Valdobbiadene is the region that is the setting for this book and provides the dramatic scenery that added breathtaking imagery to the story.

Whilst Jenn has travelled to Italy, she takes a journey that helps her to discover who she really wants to be. When we first meet her, she is buttoned up and reliant on her statement wardrobe. She has an unrequited crush on her boss and has no understanding of how to empathise with the people that she’s hoping to do business with. Of course, it’s not a spoiler to suggest that she learns how to love the people and the region, even if she never fully discovers the joy of a glass of prosecco.

Tiziano is the perfect anti-hero. He is set in his ways and not even vaguely attracted to the glitzy lifestyle that he could easily afford. He loves his rural lifestyle and driving his tractor. Ok, so it was this book that taught me that Lamborghini make tractors!

This is an ensemble piece, and we soon learn that there is truth in the saying about it taking a village to raise a child. Jenn is no longer a child, but she needs the support of the whole village to teach her to love life and what her life could be.

This was a wonderful escape and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Author Bio

Leonie Mack is the bestselling author of romantic novels including My Christmas Number One and Italy Ever After. Having lived in London for many years her home is now in Germany with her husband and three children. Leonie loves train travel, medieval towns, hiking and happy endings!

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Blog Tour – The Memory of You by Samantha Tonge @SamTongeWriter @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks #boldwoodbloggers #BlogTour #BookReview #PublicationDay #TheMemoryOfYou

I absolutely adore Samantha Tonge’s writing and even managed to attend an author event in a nearby town. She is as lovely as her social media image suggests. If you are new to her writing, I can wholly recommend it and I’ve included a couple of links to previous reviews of her work. If you fancy exploring, just click Summer Secrets at Streamside Cottage and Lost Luggage.

I am grateful to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for arranging and supporting this tour and to Boldwood Books for my digital advance reading copy, gifted to me via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

A gorgeously uplifting story about memories, storytelling, love and friendship, about the journeys we take and the people we meet, what we remember and how there are some things we can never forget.

Alex would like to believe she’s a woman who has it all. Or that’s what she tells everyone, including herself. But this is far from true. Actually she’s on the cusp of losing her home, her dream career as a writer is in tatters, her ex won’t speak to her, and her mother’s gone forever.

But then a chance meeting with a stranger named Hope gives her the opportunity of a lifetime, when Hope jokes that perhaps Alex should take over her job in a cafe while she goes travelling.

Just at that moment, it sounds like the answer to all her problems. So Alex persuades Hope to let her step into her shoes for a month. She brushes away Hope’s attempts to explain about the café, instead demanding to know more about the owner Tom.

But she should have asked to know more. Because the ‘Wrong Order Café’ isn’t like anywhere she’s ever been before. And Alex’s life is about to change forever…

Purchase Link

Review

When I looked at the synopsis for this book, I knew that I would need to dig deep to be able to read it. Dementia and Alzheimer’s have held sway over my family, including both parents, but Samantha has managed to fully share her story without creating pain for the reader. Ok, it was a challenge to read about the impact of this awful disease, but the positivity of the story far outweighed the heartache.

Alex is a wonderful character who feels very sorry for herself when we first meet her. To her mind, her career is in tatters, and she can no longer fund her extravagant lifestyle. Bumping into Hope is serendipitous as Alex is offered a home away from her problems and a chance to do something kind in return. Hope has the chance to go travelling but her job will only be held available to her if she can find someone to cover for her. The job comes with on-site accommodation and an opportunity to be part of the wrong order café. Thinking the café name is simply quirky, Alex doesn’t get the full details from Hope and soon finds herself dealing with a difficult reality.

Café owner, Tom, has taken control after dementia claimed the everyday functions of his father. Originally, they had run the café together, but as his father’s condition worsened, it became apparent that he could no longer cope. Discovering that Renee and Fletch, two of the members of the team had been diagnosed with early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s, Alex accepts that there is more to this café than she originally realised and regrets her decision. Even worse, from her point of view, there is a parrot with a colourful vocabulary in a food establishment.

I absolutely adored Tom, he had created an extraordinary environment that, in turn, created an opportunity for those afflicted by the grasp of dementia to flourish. The more I read about him, I fell a little bit more in love with him.

Samantha Tonge creates stories with humanity and depth. She observes people in a way that delves into their spirits and delivers the best version of them. When I say best version, I don’t suggest that her characters are unflawed, they are fully developed with a caring touch.

Please don’t be put off by the theme of this beautiful book, it is written with a caring and gentle spirit that leads to a greater degree of understanding.

Author Bio

Samantha Tonge is the bestselling and award-winning author of over 15 romantic fiction titles published by HQ, and most recently Aria. Her first book for Boldwood, Under One Roof, was published in February 2022 and her move to Boldwood marks a broadening of her writing into multi-generational woman’s fiction. She lives in Manchester with her family.

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Blog Tour – Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon @paigetoonauthor @RandomTTours @centurybooksuk #BlogTour #BookReview #BookBlogger #OnlyLoveCanHurtLikeThis

Despite being very aware of Paige Toon, this is the first of her books that I have read and reviewed. I see mentions of her across the groups that I’m in, but circumstances have never been accommodating with my habit of accepting ARC copies as though my life depended on it. Until now. I will certainly ensure that I accept future opportunities as this is a very special story.

I am grateful to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invite and tour support. Also, for arranging my advance reading copy, gifted via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.

Synopsis

A love story with an earth-shattering secret at its core,

this is without doubt Paige Toon’s most moving and heart-breaking novel yet.

Neither of them expected to fall in love. But sometimes life has other plans.

When Wren realises her fiancé is in love with someone else, she thinks her heart will never recover.

On the other side of the world, Anders lost his wife four years ago and is still struggling to move on.

Wren hopes that spending the summer with her dad and stepfamily on their farm in Indiana will help her to heal. There, amid the cornfields and fireflies, she and Anders cross paths and their worlds are turned upside-down again.

But Wren doesn’t know that Anders is harbouring a secret, and if he acts on any feelings he may have for Wren, it will have serious fall-out for everyone. Walking away would hurt Wren more than she can imagine.

But, knowing the truth, how can she possibly stay?

Review

This was my first book by Paige Toon, but I’ve not been living under a rock, so knew to expect a powerful story. So, I went into this story prepared for an emotional experience, but I really wasn’t prepared for this. Within the first couple of chapters, I knew that I would become a fan.

Wren is a sympathetic character, born and raised in Arizona, she is the product of divorced parents who now live in separate countries. When her father met and fell in love with University lecturer, Sheryl, his marriage ended and then Bailey, Wren’s half-sister was born. Wren has battled with feelings of abandonment for most of her life and has never really bonded with her father’s new family. Now, broken-hearted after learning of her fiancé’s attraction to another woman, Wren flees to Indiana, to try and bond with her estranged family.

That, in itself, is a powerful premise for a heart-rending story, but we then meet brothers, Anders and Jonas. They are of Scandinavian descent, with a family farm and ageing parents. Jonas works on the farm while Anders works in motorsports. As we learn more about the brothers, we discover a devastating secret that is difficult to even imagine.

I felt every emotion as I read their stories; I was desperate for Wren to reconnect with her family and discover that time can heal all wounds. I was mostly drawn to Wren’s relationship with her sister and felt a deep heartache as she slowly discovered that Bailey’s memories and experiences were loaded with a similar level of regret, but a determination to make a connection that would endure.

The location in Indiana was perfect. I could imagine the winds pushing across the prairie, and the corn in the fields reaching for the sunshine. With Wren’s profession as an architect, there was plenty of detail relating to the buildings in and around the story, and this all added to my enjoyment.

Central to the story of Wren’s growing attraction to Anders, was the loss of his wife. That brought tears and I wept as though the pain was my own. Wren and Ander’s love story is equal parts beautiful and devastating. I instinctively knew that I was in safe hands with the author, but the ride was one that I needed to be strapped in for.

I now get the hype, the praise, and the many wonderful reviews that have been written about Paige Toon’s books. She’s a very gifted and talented author.

Author Bio

Paige Toon is the Sunday Times bestselling author of eighteen books that have sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.

Paige writes sweeping, emotional love stories – filled with characters you’ll never forget and incredible settings – that take you on a unique journey. She tells nuanced stories with big, thought-provoking themes at their heart which leave you uplifted and believing in the power of love. She writes her novel from a converted camper van in the garden of her Cambridgeshire home.

You will laugh, cry, and feel like you’ve become part of a new family. Get ready to feel it all with Paige Toon!