Book Escapes with BabsW67

Blog Tour – Welcome to Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May

‘Delightful and witty with a heroine you’ll be rooting for . . . joyful escapism’ Milly Johnson

‘Spirited, adventurous and full of heart!’ Heidi Swain

Although thirty-three-year-old Kara Moon loves her hometown of Hartmouth in Cornwall, she has always wondered if she should have followed her dream of going off to study floristry. But she couldn’t bring herself to abandon her emotionally delicate single father, and has worked on Ferry Lane Market’s flower stall ever since leaving school.

When her good-for-nothing boyfriend cheats on her and steals her life savings, she finally dumps him and rents out her spare room as an Airbnb. Gossip flies around the town as Kara welcomes a series of foreign guests to her flat overlooking the estuary.

Then an anonymous postcard arrives, along with a plane ticket to New York. And there begins the first of three trips of a lifetime, during which she will learn important lessons about herself, her life and what she wants from it – and perhaps find love along the way.

More praise for Nicola May!

‘This book will twang your funny bone & your heartstrings’ – Milly Johnson
‘A fun and flighty read’ – Sun
‘A funny and fast-paced romp – thoroughly enjoyable!’ WOMAN Magazine
‘One of those books that I can’t stop thinking about way after I’ve read it! – Kim The Bookworm
‘This book is so addictive that you will literally lose 3 hours of your life, and you won’t care!’ – Cara’s Book Boudoir

Readers love Nicola May, too!

‘A FABULOUS must-read’ – 5 STARS
‘An excellent book of friendship – with a little wickedness!’ – 5 STARS
‘Good for the soul‘ – 5 STARS
‘I loved it and devoured it in a matter of days’ – 5 STARS
‘A wonderful, feel-good novel with some grit thrown in’ – 5 STARS
‘Marvellous, beautiful and heart-warming‘ – 5 STARS
‘Sea, sand and sex – a soppy delight’ – 5 STARS
‘A truly lovely book’ – 5 STARS
‘Fun and whimsy, plus a dog!’ – 5 STARS
‘Nicola May is a brilliant, relevant writer for today, exposing today’s issues with tenderness, and always demonstrating a warm, human, heartfelt response‘ – 5 STARS

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Review

I received a digital ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Having loved the Cockleberry Bay series, I was really looking forward to this new release, and Im delighted to say that I wasn’t disappointed.

Once again, Nicola May has created a community filled with characters who I am eager to learn more about. The main focus in this book is on Kara and her family. Originally named Kerensa, a gorgeous Cornish name, she is known as Kara to all except her family. Close to her adorable Grandfather and her father, Kara has a strained relationship with her sister as they see their priorities quite differently. Abandoned before reaching her teenage years, Kara is completely estranged from her mother.

With so many fabulous characters, it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite, but if pressed, it would have to be Pearl. The change that she brings to the family dynamic is wonderful and her nature practically leaps from the page.

Kara is beautifully written and it’s impossible not to fall in love with her and wish her nothing but happiness. Of course, she’s a long way from perfect yet her slightly embarrassing antics manage to make her even more likeable. As the synopsis explains, Kara works on a market flower stall. She has a natural flair, and as the story progresses, it soon becomes clear that she is being taken advantage of.

The story shifts a gear when a mysterious postcard arrives, along with airline tickets for a trip to New York. As this adventurous element of the story begins to unfold, we meet a new and interesting Kara. No longer restricted by the confines of her life at home, she soon adapts to her new challenges, and I felt myself hoping that she would discover a braver version of herself. Of course, I was also trying to work out who her mysterious benefactor could be.

I could go on, but would find myself giving spoilers, and that must be avoided at all costs. I’ll close by saying that I am already looking forward to the next instalment, especially after reading the taster at the end of this book.

Author Bio

Nicola May writes ‘chick lit with a kick’ and is the internationally bestselling author of eleven romantic comedies. All have appeared in the Kindle bestseller charts. The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay became the best-selling Kindle book in the UK across all genres in January 2019 and March 2020 respectively. It was also the second best-selling eBook of 2019 in the UK. Nicola’s books have also been sold in many languages.

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Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour – Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life by Carmen Reid

Tess Simpson needs a break!

Under appreciated at home, overlooked at work and now her beloved dog Bella has died. Tess has simply had enough!

So in a spur of the moment act, Tess books a holiday of a lifetime for her, her two grown up kids and useless husband Dave. Maybe they can use the break to reconnect with each other?

But when the kids refuse to go, and Dave breaks his leg, Tess’s dream holiday looks seriously in doubt. And then there’s River Romero, the glamourous LA screen writer who is supposed to be house-sitting for Tess whilst she’s away….

Everything about River sounds so much more exciting than Tess’s boring life in Stratford Upon Avon. From her beautiful LA condo and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Tess wonders whether a bit of River’s LA life might be exactly what she needs? So when River suggests a house swap, Tess jumps at the chance!

With Dave happily ensconced in the summer house at the bottom of the garden, the kids not needing mum anymore, Tess packs her bags and heads off for the adventure of a lifetime.

But real life isn’t like the movies, and when Tess arrives in LA, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

Will Tess find what’s she’s looking for or is getting away from it all isn’t all perhaps not all it’s cracked up to be?

Click here to purchase

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I decided to read this book, I expected a run of the mill comedy with some giggles along the way. I will try to never make that assumption again. This book certainly has some great comedy moments – flying dog poo, for example – but it is more than that, it’s a book that gets right to the heart of how easy it is to get stuck in a rut and how fragile mental health can be.

I felt that I immediately empathised with Tess, overlooked at work despite working hard and generating great results. Taken for granted by her family and completely jaded. It’s not a unique set of circumstances, especially after recent events. I even cried when her dog died!

River is the polar opposite, younger and determined to find her next big break, she is tenacious to the point of over committing and letting her personal life fall into disarray. I liked River but didn’t feel as connected to her.

The story is told in dual perspectives as Tess adapts to life in LA and River searches for inspiration in Shakespeare country. Each has to navigate their way to finding the peace and contentment that they both need and crave.

Their journeys have an effect on the people that they meet along their paths. From learning the Argentinian Tango to creating an epiphany for Dave. A lot happens in this delightful, life affirming book, and it is way more than the light-hearted story that I shamefully expected it to be.

Author Bio

Carmen Reid is the bestselling author of numerous woman’s fiction titles including the Personal Shopper series starring Annie Valentine. After taking a break from writing she is back, introducing her hallmark feisty women characters to a new generation of readers. Her first title for Boldwood will be published in July 2021. She lives in Glasgow with her husband and children.

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Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour – Celebrity SOS: Love Survives (Spotlight Book 2) by Helen Buckley

I’m a celebrity … trying to escape the past!
When Katerina Murphy agrees to take part in Celebrity SOS, a reality TV show where celebrities have to fend for themselves in the Alaskan wilderness, she’s up for the challenge. But then she locks eyes with fellow contestant Finn Drayson of 1Dream boy band fame and realises that the show is going to push her further from her comfort zone than she ever imagined.
After all, Finn wasn’t just Katerina’s co-star in the school play adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s where she discovered her acting confidence, he was also her first love – and the first boy to break her heart. Even years later, the secret kisses and shared packets of crisps on park benches are never far from her mind.
Will award-winning actress Katerina Murphy’s talents stretch to staying composed in the face of Arctic winds and blasts from the past?

Purchase here

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, so it was a no-brainer when I was invited onto this tour. The series is connected by a common theme and a few referenced characters, but each instalment can be enjoyed as a standalone.

The concept for Celebrity SOS follows the theme of celebrities in reality TV shows. Not a genre that I’m enamoured with, but they supply a great theme for this series. Book 2 finds the reader in the wilds of the Alaskan Wilderness as this group of celebrities embark on an extreme survival challenge.

There are some great characters, but the stars of the show are former childhood sweethearts, Katerina and Finn. It soon becomes clear that despite Katerina’s reluctance to engage with Finn, there’s unfinished business to deal with. As the show progresses, and just before a complete thawing of hostilities, a huge secret is revealed which throws everything into a painful freefall.

I enjoyed Katerina and Finn’s story, it was hard not to fall for them once the dual timeline uncovered their pasts, and it became clear that there was a history that couldn’t be airbrushed over. I particularly liked Finn and found myself hoping that he would find a happy ending, one way or another.

Helen Buckley has struck gold with this series as it’s almost impossible not to see them for the page-turners that they are. I managed to read this in one sitting and enjoyed it enormously. The story tackled some darker themes yet remained light and certainly romantic. An escape to the snowy scenes in Alaska was just the ticket, during the recent heatwave.

Author Bio

Helen Buckley lives in Bedfordshire with her husband and two sons. After working in the charity sector in the UK and abroad, she turned her hand to writing and her first novel, Star in the Shadows, was published in 2019.

She writes any moment that she can, enthralled by stories of fame, romance, and happy ever afters. Apart from being addicted to writing and enjoying soft play with her sons, she’s an avid reader, action-movie fan, and chocolate addict.

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Disclaimer

Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour – The Mothers of Victory Street by Pam Howes (The Bryant Sisters – Book 3)

From Amazon charts bestseller Pam Howes comes a heartbreaking and uplifting historical novel about a young woman trying to snatch her chance at happiness amongst the ruins of World War Two.

1946, Liverpool. Bella Harrison cannot believe the devastating war that stole the lives of her father and sister is truly over at last. She wonders how they will ever rebuild Victory Street with the city in ruins, and half their neighbours gone. But for now, she and her childhood sweetheart Bobby are happy newlyweds, doting on Bella’s little son, her child with black American pilot, Earl Franklin Junior.

With the other members of Bella’s wartime singing trio, The Bryant Sisters, busy starting families of their own, Bella can’t help but feel a jealous; Bobby’s wartime injuries make a baby impossible. Instead, she focuses on recording and writing songs with her husband. Everything seems to be falling into place until they get a surprising letter: Earl is moving to England and wants to see them.

Earl arrives and is delighted to see that his son is well and happy. He joins them as a singer and together, they start recording songs. But one night as Earl leaves the recording studio, a racist gang brutally attacks him and set the place alight, leaving Bobby trapped inside. Meanwhile, Bella is at home, waiting to tell Bobby a devastating secret…

With peace in Liverpool at last, Bella had hoped for a brighter future. But as she faces her life being ripped apart once again, can she rediscover the strength that carried her through the war?

A totally unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel, packed with family secrets, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Diney Costeloe and Nancy Revell.

Purchase here

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the latest instalment in one of the first wartime sagas that I read. Each book has been wonderful, and Pam Howes has created a fantastic series. The last book finished as all three girls found their ways to the altar and married their sweethearts. Fast forward and the focus is on babies and life returning to normal after the war.

Once again, the story revolves around Bella and Bobby, childhood friends who fell in love, and their son, Levi, from Bella’s brief relationship with American Airman, Earl. This instalment tackles the difficult subject of racial bigotry as their child’s skin colour brings ugly behaviour and comments.

In this instalment, there is more focus on Fran and Edie, Bella’s best friends who make up the balance of the Bryant Sisters. Fran has had a daughter and Edie is pregnant and waiting for her baby to come along. However, it doesn’t take long for it to become clear that not every one of the girls will enjoy a happily ever after.

There’s also romance in the air for the rest of Bella and Bobby’s family as peacetime sees Bobby, and former manager Basil, embark on a new business venture. I was especially keen to catch up with Bella’s sister, Molly. Book 2 saw her endure a terrible ordeal and it was good to see her overcoming the consequences of her experience.

I’m not sure, but this felt like it may be the final instalment in this series. All the loose ends were tied up, and the story found its way to a happy ending.

I inhaled this book and would recommend it for a wonderful escape to an era when, despite the horrors of war, everybody looked for the bright side of life and remained optimistic.

Author Bio

Pam Howes is a retired interior designer, mum to three daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren and roadie to her musician partner. The inspiration for Pam’s first novel came from her teenage years, working in a record store, and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band, The Raiders. She is a fan of sixties music and it’s this love that compelled her to begin writing.

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Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour – The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne

Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…

After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?

When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn’t counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.

As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?

Purchase links

Amazon UK

Universal Amazon link

Kobo

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is another fantastic story from Bella Osborne, she is certainly claiming her place in the romantic comedy royal family. This book is full of laugh out loud scenarios and touching moments. I found that I breezed through it and loved every page.

The story mainly focuses on Ruby, unlucky in love and dreaming of being a parent, and her new friend Curtis. Curtis is socially awkward and seems to enjoy business over pleasure. The unlikely pairing produce some comedy gold as they embark on a scheme to reunite a ring with its true owner.

Of course, there’s another story which sees Ruby’s friend and boss, Kim, trying to adjust to life as a widow. She guards a dark secret which could threaten their friendship. They both work in Kim’s lovely florist shop, enjoying the varied selection of customers each day. Kim finds herself drawn to Adrian, a regular customer who buys his wife a beautiful bouquet each week.

The two storylines, in this gorgeous book, work well together and I had no difficulty keeping up with the changing events. Bella Osborne is excellent at creating characters that a reader can instantly warm to, Ruby and Kim are wonderful examples of this. Of course, the story is not all comedy and high jinks, there are serious moments, and Bella handles these beautifully, creating a depth to her characters and adding to the charm of the book.

The term ‘page-turner’ is often used, but this certainly fits the description, I loved it!

Author Bio – Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written seven best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

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Disclaimer

Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour – A Summer of Surprises, Little Duck Pond Café by Rosie Green

When Ruby Watkiss lands a job at the True Loaf Bakery, she feels as if the sun has finally come out. Having been through a traumatic time that wrecked her confidence levels, it’s a joy to be working for Ellie, and now all Ruby wants is to lead a quiet life and support her mum in getting the help she needs.

But life, it seems, has other plans for Ruby.

Working alongside the bafflingly rude Hudson Holmes would be bad enough – but then odd things start happening. It seems that someone is out to sabotage the café and bakery, and to her horror, Ruby finds the finger pointing at her.

Desperate to prove her innocence, she teams up with the most unlikely person in order to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Tailing suspects and hiding in bushes isn’t something she ever imagined she’d be doing, although her partner in mystery-solving seems the perfect man for the job. Can they clear Ruby’s name by discovering the real culprit?

With all the drama afoot, at least there’s no time for romance. Because that’s the very last thing on Ruby’s mind these days. Or is it…?

Purchase here

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 15 in the wonderful ‘Little Duck Pond Café’ series. I’ve read and enjoyed each instalment and would highly recommend the books as they are wonderfully enjoyable.

A Summer of Surprises referenced all the Duck Pond favourites, but it introduced us to two new characters, Ruby and Hudson. Seeing as Hudson’s surname is Holmes, it came as no surprise to find the usually romantic story moving into the realms of cosy mystery. A definite, yet welcome gear change which felt completely natural.

Rosie Green has created an enviable storyline with the Duck Pond series and each book has fitted perfectly, securing each character into place and finding them on the path to happiness. That’s not to say that the books are cloyingly sweet, there are often darker themes and difficult situations to deal with.

As Ruby and Hudson become immersed in their detective calling, it’s easy to see that these characters are perfectly crafted to take up residence in the village and enjoy lasting friendships with many of the gorgeous characters. Assuming, of course, that they can identify the culprit who is trying to sabotage Ellie’s business…

Author Bio –

Rosie has been scribbling stories ever since she was little.

Back then, they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’.

Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all – unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

Her series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe. The latest, ‘Sweet Pastries & Sourdough’, is out now.

Look out for more Little Duck Pond Café tales in 2021! Follow Rosie on Twitter

Disclaimer

Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour -Captivating the Cynical Earl by Catherine Tinley

The cool, aloof earl

And the enchanting lady

For Jack Beresford, Earl of Hawkenden, emotional entanglements are the path to pain. But when his brother brings his new wife and her best friend to his country home, everything changes. Lady Cecily Thornhill is both vibrant and beautiful, and Jack finds himself increasingly captivated by her sunny nature. Yet he must resist her charms, for in a month she’ll be gone—unless his frozen heart thaws before then…

Purchase here

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I must confess to being a fan of Catherine Tinley’s historical romances, she hits the right note and transports me to a time when courtship and romance was handled quite differently. In Captivating the Cynical Earl, our dashing hero is exactly as described, Cynical! Cynical that his brother could have met and fallen in love in such a short space of time, and marrying for love is a preposterous concept, according to Jack Beresford.

He does, however, meet his match with Lady Cecily Thornhill and finds himself increasingly enamoured of her, as they spend time living at close quarters, due to a double booking at his family hunting lodge. There is no question, for the reader, that romance is on the cards for our Cynical Earl and the strong-minded Lady Cecily. The fun part is discovering how they will reach that point. The dialogue is clever and moves at a steady pace with some wonderful exchanges.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s interesting to visit past times and learn more about the traditions and practices which, thankfully, are now history. That said, whilst I’m glad that we are no longer living in such a misogynistic era, I do enjoy the chivalry that went hand in hand with those less enlightened times.

Once again, Catherine Tinley has created a dashing leading man and a strong-minded heroine to match his cynical heart. I enjoyed this escape, very much, I hope you will too.

Author Bio –

Catherine Tinley is an award winning author of historical romance. She writes witty, heartwarming Regency love stories 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. 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.

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The Missing Pieces of Us by Eva Glyn

There are three versions of the past – hers, his, and the truth.

When Robin Vail walks back into widow Isobel O’Briain’s life decades after he abruptly left it, the dark days since her husband’s unexpected passing finally know light. Robin has fallen on hard times but Izzie and her teenage daughter Claire quickly remind him what it’s like to have family…and hope.

But Robin and Izzie are no longer those twenty-something lovers, and as they grow closer once more the missing pieces of their past weigh heavy. Now, to stop history repeating, Izzie and Robin must face facts and right wrongs…no matter how painful.

Purchase here

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book totally captured my imagination, and I was immediately immersed in the story of Robin and Izzy. I will have to be careful as I review as I have no desire to include any spoilers. I first read one of Eva’s books under her guise of Jane Cable and was also enchanted by her storytelling. I’ve since learned that this is a re-release of the previously self-published The Faerie Tree. I must say, I’m delighted that she made the leap to re-release and to One More Chapter for seeing the potential.

The main focus of the book is about navigating how the human mind handles devastating loss. The way in which our brain seems wired to protect us from unbearable truths and the difficulty of discovering a way to heal and move forward.

When newly widowed Izzy catches a glimpse of her former boyfriend, she takes a leap of faith and tracks him down. Sadly, he is living as a homeless man since a mental break following two devastating bereavements. It’s Robin’s journey to wellness which occupies the main narrative, and it’s almost impossible not to wish for a happy ending.

However, Eva Glyn had created a powerful, examination of the complexities of the human spirit and all is not quite as it initially seems. As the couple find their way back together, it soon becomes apparent that Izzy has not come through her life unscathed.

This is an exceptional and triumphant story which reminds us that even the deepest valleys can lead to beautiful vistas. I was moved to tears and found the experience to be greatly cathartic as all elements of mental health came under scrutiny.

I urge you to read this beautiful book and bask in the truly life-affirming conclusion.

About the Author

Eva Glyn writes emotional women’s fiction inspired by beautiful places and the stories they hide. She loves to travel, but finds inspiration can strike just as well at home or abroad.

She cut her teeth on just about every kind of writing (radio journalism, advertising copy, PR, and even freelance cricket reporting) before finally completing a full length novel in her forties. Four lengthy and completely unpublishable tomes later she found herself sitting on an enormous polystyrene book under the TV lights of the Alan Titchmarsh Show as a finalist in the People’s Novelist competition sponsored by Harper Collins. Although losing out to a far better writer, the positive feedback from the judges gave her the confidence to pursue her dreams.

Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and has been lucky enough to have been married to the love of her life for twenty-five years. She also writes as Jane Cable.

Learn more about Eva Glyn here. Follow Eva on Twitter.

Disclaimer

Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

Blog Tour – The Housekeeper of Thornhallow Hall by Lotte R. James

She arrived as a housekeeper
Will she leave as a countess?
To some, Thornhallow Hall might be tarnished by tales of vengeance and ghosts, but to new housekeeper Rebecca Merrickson it represents independence and peace from her tumultuous past. Until the estate’s owner, William Reid, the disappeared earl, unexpectedly returns… After clashing with him over the changes she’s made to the house, Rebecca slowly unearths the memories that haunt brooding Liam—and her defiance gives way to a shockingly improper attraction to her master!

Purchase Links

Harlequin

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While I have read a few historical fiction titles, this was a new author for me, and the experience was positive. Harlequin Mills and Boon boast a strong selection of writers in this genre, and I have not come across one that I haven’t enjoyed.

The story is atmospheric and the feeling of despair, when Rebecca originally arrives at the Hall, is tangible. Left unused and unloved for many years, except for a few rooms, Thornhallow Hall is dingy and in need of the love of a household. It takes very little time for Rebecca to disregard her master’s wishes and start the slow restoration process.

Of course, there are reasons behind the brooding estate owner’s desire for things to remain unchanged, and we slowly learn the pasts of both the Housekeeper and her master. As each secret was slowly revealed, I got a glimpse of what may lay ahead.

Besides Rebecca, there is a small and dedicated staff running the Hall, and they have maintained the home with a strict eye on the Earl’s wishes. Although fiercely loyal to their master, they soon learn to respect Rebecca and make her a welcome part of the household. For me, the cook was a gem, kind-hearted with no time for fools!

The tension in this book builds to a climax as secrets from the past are fully revealed and Rebecca is forced to make difficult decisions about her future. I found myself anxiously turning pages as I approached the final chapters and hoped for a happy ending.

It’s fun to travel back in time to observe the differences between then and now. That said, I’m happy to visit, but have no desire to live in the days of being a subservient woman!

Author Bio

Lotte James trained as an actor and theatre director, but spent most of her life working day

jobs crunching numbers whilst dreaming up stories of love and adventure. She’s thrilled to

finally be writing those stories, and when she’s not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she

can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration, or nestling with coffee and a

book.

Social Media link

Twitter

Disclaimer

Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.

A Wildflower Summer by Caroline Flynn

City meets small town in this beautiful, sweet romance about family, new beginnings, and true love.

Single mother Lily Brentwood yearns to leave small town life behind and start again with her young daughter in Chicago. The bright city lights promise an escape from the ex who dismissed her dreams and broke her heart.

But when her car breaks down outside the sleepy town of Port Landon, she is stranded miles from Chicago and reliant on the generosity of local mechanic Jason Forrester.

A single parent too, Jason turns out to be handsome, funny…and bearing bad news – the car repairs will take longer than expected. Lily has no choice but to stay.

Jason is determined to show Lily that there is more to Port Landon than meets the eye… but deep down he knows it couldn’t be further from the city life Lily seeks.

With her fresh start in Chicago calling, Lily must decide whether the new life she hoped for means losing the man who’s quickly winning her heart.

Purchase here

Publication date 21st July 2021

Review

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Billed as being perfect for fans of Virgin River, A Wildflower Summer was the perfect brain cleanser after reading two thrillers, back-to-back! I was in the mood for something sweet and this was the perfect choice.

Whilst it didn’t spoil my reading, it was quite obvious that this is part of a series, and I am certainly going to read the other instalments. A Wildflower Summer is enjoyable as a standalone story, so don’t be put off if you haven’t read the others.

Having lived that life, I adore stories which are set in small town America. The theme of community is not a work of fiction and I often yearn for that part of my life. Port Landon is rich with memorable characters who all have the best interests of each other at their hearts. As I mentioned, the synopsis alludes to similarities with Virgin River, and I have to agree.

Lily and Jason are a lovely match, and it isn’t a spoiler to suggest that there is a romance in their futures. But that romance is hard won, there are obstacles to overcome which include the fact that Lily is only in town while she raises the money to pay for her car to be repaired.

The romance is gentle and needs to accommodate two very bruised hearts who may not be ready to get into something that could risk more pain. The star of the book, for me, was Eden. Lily’s 5-year-old daughter who despite her tender years, had a gorgeous outlook on life.

There’s something special about a community which pulls together and works to make a difference for everyone. Port Landon ticks those boxes, and A Wildflower Summer will leave you feeling satisfied that romance is not a figment of imagination.

Learn more about Caroline Flynn here. Follow Caroline on Twitter.

Disclaimer

Receiving a digital ARC does not influence my opinion of a book. Please note, this review contains affiliate links.