Harper Impulse – Jane Hunt Writer

Book Review, Festive Read

The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop – Caroline Roberts – 5* Review

Posted on October 6, 2017 by jolliffe01

I read this lovely Christmas story last year but didn’t have time to share it with you, until now, as I was too busy running my own tea shop.

More Christmas book reviews to follow this month as I review this year’s Christmas romances but here’s what I thought of ‘The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop’.

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From sleigh bells to wedding bells . . .

After a rocky start, Ellie Hall baked her way into everyone’s hearts at Claverham Castle – even the miserly Lord Henry was won over – and the run-down teashop regained its old sparkle.

Now Ellie has upgraded cupcakes for fairytale masterpieces as the proud caterer for an ever-growing list of weddings at the castle. The teashop team love baking to the tune of happy ever afters, but can they pull together when a certain bridezilla pushes them all to boiling point?

Christmas is just around the corner, and a last minute booking threatens to snow the team under. Ellie and her hunky hubby Joe have their own Christmas dreams to chase, but they’re determined to pull through and give this special couple the winter wonderland wedding they deserve.

Will Christmas at the Cosy Teashop be a showstopper to remember?

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Festive angst and cheer at the castle tea shop. Easy to read with believable characters and events, definitely my favourite book in this series. Romance, friendship and sparkling humour. Lovely down to earth characters, a perfect slice of cafe life at the castle for Christmas. I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

And Then What? – Britannia Beach #3- D.R.Graham- 5* Review

Posted on November 17, 2016 by jolliffe01

“A complication just showed up. Mmm, a beautiful complication.”

Juggling assignments and missing her old life inBritannia Beach, Derian Lafleur’s first year at university has beenoverwhelming to say the least. A sun-filled, all-expenses-paid, springbreak getaway with her best friend, Sophie Sakamoto, is exactly what she needs. Or so she thinks…

Until the last person in the world Derian expected to see shows up at the Acapulco resort, and her already stressful life suddenly becomes a million times more complicated. When the girls’spring break takes an unexpectedly dangerous turn, they find themselves lost and injured in the Mexican wilderness, and Deri is the only hope they have for getting out alive. If only she can figure out what to do next.

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My Review - Coastal

I read book 3 immediately after ‘What are the Chances’ because I wanted to see what happened to Derian and Trevor. You won’t be disappointed if you’re a romantic but this story has lots of surprises and adds suspense and drama to the romance and self-development of the previous books. The Britannia Beach series is worth reading and book 3 provides an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
Now at university, life is a little ordinary, Deri and Trevor are together but Deri is still unsure of her place in his life, although he is number one in hers. A surprise invitation leads to reunion, unexpected danger and a maelstrom of emotions for Deri. Friendship and love are centre stage in this story and it’s often poignant.
The ending is suspenseful and well written and a perfect ending to a lovely young adult series.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

And Then What? by D.R. Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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What Are The Chances? – Britannia Beach #2 – D.R.Graham – 4*Review

Posted on November 17, 2016 by jolliffe01

“Oh, there’s a point to a summer fling. Trust me.”
The Inn is sold and Derian Lafleur has been accepted to two universities–one close by and one across the country. Before leaving Britannia Beach for good Deri wants to enjoy one last summer of sun and fun. However her best friend, Sophie Sakamoto, is more interested in making sure Derian has one last summer romance. The question is, with whom? Deri has had a crush on childhood friend Trevor Maverty since forever. But he’s already taken. And Mason Cartwright is back in town after a year abroad. But will he remember her? Faced with tough choices, emotional revelations, and heart-breaking goodbyes, Derian knows that whatever happens it’s definitely going to be an eventful summer….

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My Review - Coastal

Derian has come to terms with losing her childhood home, the Inn at Britannia Beach but she still craves something more than friendship with her childhood companion Trevor. He is at University, getting on with his life, so she should do the same, right? Sophie her best friend wants her to live a little in her last summer in Britannia Beach and have a summer romance and when Mason returns from a year abroad, the attraction between them is still simmering, so why not?
This is not a typical love triangle book, although there are elements of this in book 2 of The Britannia Beach series. Derian is at a crossroads, she has a new maturity, as she decides where to university and what she wants from her life. Acceptance of how things are is an important theme of this story, which is light and romantic but doesn’t shy away from the thorny issues that face young people in early adulthood.
Her relationship with Mason is interesting, he appears to be her back up plan, a way to get back at Trevor her lifelong friend, who she is desperate to have as a boyfriend. After a rocky start, she sees more to Mason than his polished appearance and personality usually reveals and she begins to like him. There are lots of emotional ups and downs in this story, not only for Derian but also for her close friends.
This story doesn’t have the impact of the first book’ Put It Out There’ but it is a good middle story. It explores ‘Deri and Mason’s relationship and sets the scene for the final book in the series ‘And Then What?’.
An easy to read, entertaining story with well-developed, interesting characters and a sensitive exploration of young love and problems facing young adults.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley.

What Are The Chances? by D.R. Graham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Catch 26 – Carol Prisant – Review

Posted on November 11, 2016 by jolliffe01

What if you could live your life all over again?

There’s just one catch…

Frannie Turner is a plain, middle-aged housewife married to Stanley, a self-absorbed retired dentist who hasn’t slept in her bed in years. No children to love and be loved by. No exciting career to look back on. Just loneliness and lost dreams. So when the mysterious new hairdresser in town offers her the chance to get everything she’s ever wanted, Frannie figures she has nothing to lose -except her soul. And surely, as a stunning twenty-six-year-old singleton in New York, finding true love within the stipulated year should be a piece of cake, not to mention a hell of a lot of fun!

But New York City is no place for the naïve, and Frannie will soon learn just how dangerous a deal with the devil can be…

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Paranormal My Review

I liked the idea of this story, but I didn’t connect with the central character and the story didn’t fulfil it’s potential. I didn’t finish this book, which is rare for me.
This story is too dark, the main character doesn’t seem to have any good memories in her life and came across as someone who lets life pass her by. This passive personality trait makes it unlikely she would ‘make a deal with the devil’, as we are supposed to believe. If she couldn’t break away from a man who clearly thought of her as a possession rather than a person how could she make such a risky, out of character choice? It’s the lack of credibility of the main character that spoils the story.
There are many humorous moments and plenty of passion as she searches for her true love but these don’t compensate for the lack of authenticity for me.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Catch 26: A Novel by Carol Prisant
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

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The One With The Wedding Dress – Bridesmaids #2 – Erin Lawless- 4* Review

Posted on November 2, 2016 by jolliffe01

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Nora Dervan is ready for her Happy Ever After. With her darling Harry waiting at the altar, and all her family and friends around her. She is certain that her special day will not be forgotten/will be one to remember…

But with her four bridesmaids hiding more secrets, than bottles of champagne. Will her big day be remembered for all the right reasons?

Bea has barely gotten past the fact that her two best friends are dating, and now they’re engaged, whilst cupid’s arrow points in a forbidden direction for Cleo. She is so distracted by her off limits, hot new colleague that she has forgotten Daisy, who has been left dreading the singles table. There’s more romance in the cheesy pick- up lines than Sarah’s own marriage, which hasn’t turned out as she hoped it would be.

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My Review 2016-1

Reacquainting with bride to be Nora and her prospective bridesmaids, as they celebrate Cleo’s thirtieth birthday is easy, despite the months that have passed since I read part 1 of the Bridesmaids’ story. Experience, a nerve racking but hilarious weekend finding the perfect wedding dress. There is plenty of tension between bridesmaids Cleo and Bea and Nora and her mum, who seems set on ruining her daughter’s wedding dress buying experience.
It’s enjoyable sharing the ups and downs of the weekend and the story ends with an unexpected cliff-hanger that could threaten the stability of the group and turn the wedding into a disaster.
This is a quick easy read but there are complex characters and vivid imagery which make this story addictive. I also love the snippets of real wedding memories at the beginning of each chapter.
Looking forward to the hen weekend, all the fun without the hangover, what could be better?
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The One With The Wedding Dress by Erin Lawless

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Book Review, Festive Read, Friday Read

Sequins and Snowflakes-Christmas at the Little Wedding Shop #2- Jane Linfoot- 5* Review

Posted on September 30, 2016September 30, 2016 by jolliffe01

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The snow is falling around Brides by the Sea, Cornwall’s cutest little wedding shop, and wedding dress designer Seraphina East is in her cosy studio designing exquisite dresses to make even the most demanding bride’s dreams come true.

Unless the bride is her big sister Alice of course. Saying that the two sisters don’t always see eye to eye is an understatement. Alice hasn’t even asked Sera to design her wedding dress. But when an absent groom and ill-fitting dress threaten to ruin Alice’s happiness let alone her big day, Sera’s determined to give her sister the winter wedding of her dreams – even if that means keeping not one but two irresistibly gorgeous best men under control…

Is Sera going to end up being the maid of dishonour…Or will repairing her frozen relationship with Alice be the icing on the wedding cake?

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Christmas in Cornwall is definitely on my wish list, so reading about a Christmas wedding in this idyllic part of England is the next best thing. I really enjoyed ‘Cupcakes and Confetti’, book one in the ‘Little Wedding Shop by the Sea’ and it’s great to reacquaint with some of the characters.
Overseeing her sister’s wedding is the stuff of nightmares for Sera, the bohemian wedding dress designer, especially when she has to work with the sexy but wild best man Quinn. Told from Sera’s point of view, the story has a diary like quality, which makes the reader’s experience more intense and personal.
Sera is a lovely character, the complete antithesis of her sister. Despite their differences and past hurts, there is an unbreakable bond between them. Sera wants Alice to have the perfect wedding, even if it means working beyond her comfort zone and risking her heart with ‘The Best Man’. Alice’s wedding is plagued with seemingly insurmountable problems but Sera wants her to have her happy day, and is determined to do whatever it takes. Maybe it’s just what Sera needs, something to focus on, beyond her design bloc.
Like all the best romantic comedy, the storytelling is image rich. It’s so easy to imagine the setting at the wedding shop, the farm and the lovely country house. The characters are vividly portrayed and the dialogue is easy to read and full of humour. A lovely romantic tale full of Christmas spirit.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Sequins and Snowflakes by Jane Linfoot

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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The Lost Cats and Lonely Hearts Club – Nic Tatano-5* Review

Posted on September 24, 2016September 24, 2016 by jolliffe01

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Swapping Prada for purrs…

While covering a story, feisty network reporter Madison Shaw gets more than she bargained for when she rescues a box of orphaned kittens. Suddenly the glamazon of the Manhattan news room is doing two am feedings to keep these furbabies alive!

This is certainly a change of pace for the high maintenance workaholic she’s become and taking care of the kittens makes Madison realise how far off track she’s come—after all, she was a stray once too…

When a video of her caring for the kittens goes viral, she knows her image as a hardnosed reporter is shot to hell. What Madison doesn’t expect is the media circus that propels her and the kittens to stardom. And the domino effect that has on her, her career and her love life—especially when she meets sexy Officer Nick Marino…!

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My Review -1

I always enjoy stories that feature animals. One of the many charms of this tale, is its insight into sharing your life with a cat. It’s clear from this book that the author loves cats and knows how they interact with each other and their humans. Coupled with sparkling romance and humour, this is a fun, easy read. Whilst the plot is easy to follow, there are a few surprises and poignant moments that give the story depth.
Madison undergoes an important emotional journey catalysed by her discovery of four abandoned kittens. If you enjoy reading stories about smart career women who discover their lives need something more, you won’t be disappointed. Surrounded by a close knit friend group Madison is eager to share the kitten love and I’m looking forward to reading about her friends and their kittens, in future books.
Romance also features prominently in this story and a curious love triangle emerges. Steamy entrepreneur or dreamy cop, who would you choose? Finally, just to spice up the tale there’s a little political intrigue, just to make sure you keep on reading.
A great story with complex characters and enchanting kittens, purrfect.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Lost Cats and Lonely Hearts Club by Nic Tatano

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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