Thursday 28 March 2024

Book Review - Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura

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Amazon UK

Title: Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame
Author: Olivia Ford
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: 28th March 2024
Rating: 5 Stars

Mrs Quinn is the unlikely star of Britain's favourite baking show, but could her newfound stardom cause her biggest secret to unravel?

Jennifer Quinn has a secret. Her love of baking has just won her a spot as a contestant on a primetime TV show. It's only the second time in fifty-nine years that she's kept something from her beloved husband Bernard.

She's about to be whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras, timed challenges and celebrity judges. She could be in with a chance of being crowned the best baker in Britain.

But, as Mrs Quinn's quiet ambitions turn into unexpected stardom, the other secret she's been keeping is in danger of resurfacing. It was supposed to stay hidden forever.

Will Mrs Quinn rise to the challenge? Or, will her success become a recipe for disaster?

Absolutely adored this heartwarming book, that left me incredibly hungry. 

In fact please don't read this unless you have a lot of snacks on hand to nibble on as you read, especially baked goods, as this is definitely a book that will appeal to anyone that loves a bit of baking or bake off, or eating!

Jennifer Quinn is a wonderful character and I'd love to be her when I'm older, I'd especially love her baking ability! 

She is in her 70s and has applied to be on British Bakes, keeping the application a secret from her husband. In their almost 60 years of marriage this is only the second thing she has hidden from Bernard. 

The first is slowly revealed to us as readers, over the course of the British Bakes, and of what Jennifer is baking, as from those bakes we are taken on a trip down memory lane to when she was a teen,  Thus reinforcing a theme in the book that good baking can evoke memories. 

I just loved every single thing about this book, and devoured it in a few very short hours. 

The backstory and secret revelation is so understated throughout, that the emotion of it actually took me by surprise by the time we have discovered everything. 

It's a joyous read, and I look forward to seeing what else this author writes in the future. 

Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Wednesday 27 March 2024

Book Review - It's Complicated by Camilla Isley

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Amazon UK

Title: It's Complicated
Author: Camilla Isley
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 23rd February 2024
Rating: 5 Stars

Lori has been in love with her best friend Aiden since college. Now Aiden (handsome, fair, All-American dream doctor) is getting married, and Lori desperately needs a date to the wedding.

So she asks the best man, Jace (tall, dark, and brooding), to pretend their platonic friendship is something more not to have to face the worst day of her life alone.

Fake dating one best friend to forget the other should be easy… Plot twist—it’s not. When Jace starts acting like the sweetest, most attentive boyfriend, Lori begins to wonder if she’s been seeing him wrong all this time?

They've been an inseparable trio since freshman year, but now everything is changing — and that's not even bringing Jace's feelings into the mix.

Basically? It’s complicated.

Within the first few chapters, I was sure of two things - 

1) That Camilla Isley had come up with yet another fabulous premise and that I was going to thoroughly enjoy this book - which I did. 
2) That the title was incredibly apt - to say the situation between Lori, Aiden and Jace is complicated may be an understatement.

There is fake dating, there is fifteen year long unrequited love for two of the characters, and there is a stag do and a wedding to get through. 

It's just so so good, I loved Lori (and her unconventional hobbies), and Jace (wow, I was falling for him), and Aiden the other friend and key to it all, I liked but although he is a focus, we don't get to know him as much, since this really is the story of Lori and Jace. 

I just loved everything about this, and the sexual chemistry is so hot, it jumps off the page. 

I had a lot of fun devouring this book, and found it really quick to read.  I always love this author and this for me is another hit from her.  Just so so entertaining. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Tuesday 26 March 2024

Book Review - The Guest by B. A Paris

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Amazon UK

Title: The Guest
Author: B.A. Paris
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 20th February 2024
Rating: 4 Stars

Iris and Gabriel have just got home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their dearest friends, Laure, is in their house - sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, even rearranging the furniture. She has walked out on her husband - and their good friend - Pierre over his confession of an affair.

Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive. But as Laure's mood becomes more unpredictable, her presence begins to unravel secrets in all their pasts - until things reach breaking point ...

I'm a massive fan of this author, so was incredibly keen to lose myself in their latest novel. And from the prologue I was certainly intrigued. 

I needed to know just who these characters were, and just why did it sound like someone had just been blown up! 

And this is certainly a twisted sort of a story, where you are never completely sure what the truth is, but I was certainly invested in finding out what would happen next at all points. 

All I did know was that Laure wasn't just getting on Iris and Gabriel's nerves after a while, but mine too. But i could never have guessed how some of the sub plots were going to interconnect. 

It was brilliant, and certainly had me guessing until the last pages, where I was open mouthed.  It's another great book from this talented author and it definitely hooked me in.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Monday 25 March 2024

Book Review - What Happens in Dubai by Sophie Gravia - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura

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Amazon UK

Title: What Happens in Dubai
Author: Sophie Gravia
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Orion
Publication Date: 18th August 2022
Rating: 4 Stars

Everyone's favourite Glaswegian girl is back!

After having her heart well and truly broken, Zara Smith is more interested in fun than forever. But she's starting to wonder if she's slept with every (somewhat) eligible bachelor in Glasgow... and if there's such a thing as too much fun?!

With competition ramping up in Glasgow, Zara and her friends at Individualise can't pass up an opportunity to promote their aesthetics clinic - especially not when it involves an all-expenses-paid quick getaway to Dubai! It's THE summer destination for the sexy, rich and famous. Cue sun, sand and disastrous flirtations for everyone. But it's okay because once they get back to Glasgow, what happens in Dubai stays in Dubai, right?

Warning: this is NOT a romcom. It's dating in the 21st century and Sophie Gravia is about to give you all the toe-curling, cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud details.

Well I couldn't' read this fast enough, it was perfect poolside holiday reading and that is exactly where I read it. 

It's full of real descriptions of sex, as was the previous book, and incredibly real characters, that you can relate too. 

I loved being back with Zara and her colleagues, and especially loved the time spent in Dubai. 

There are a multitude of laugh out loud moments, in addition to some cringeworthy ones. 

And Zara's ideas for the clinic she works at are inspirational. 

Oh and some of her initially dating exploits I wasn't sure whether to laugh, fear for her, or cry, they were just so... actually I have no words, but probably not a glowing recommendation for Tinder!

Loved this second book about Zara and am very curious to see what this author will be bringing us next. 

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Saturday 23 March 2024

Book Review - The Holiday by John Nicholl

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Amazon UK

Title: The Holiday
Author: John Nicholl
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 22nd February 2024
Rating: 3 Stars

It was meant to be the perfect getaway…
As I board the plane, all I can feel is hope and excitement. One whole week away. Just me and the man I have promised to be with forever.

Time to repair what has been broken. Maybe even try for another baby, and pray that this time it doesn’t end heartbreakingly.

I just need to not think about what George has done. He’s my husband. And this is the holiday where we make things right.

But then I realise he can’t take his eyes off the beautiful woman who’s just boarded the plane in front of me…

In that moment, everything changes.

And nobody is safe.

A gripping, twisty, breathtaking psychological thriller that will keep you reading late into the night. If you loved The Housemaid, The Girl on the Train and The Couple at No.9, you’ll be addicted to The Holiday.

I'm really not sure what I just read. 

It didn't feel like a psychological thriller which is what it's meant to be, and I didn't find it particularly addictive. 

The two main characters I personally wanted to do significant amounts of damage too within the first couple of chapters, and that feeling didn't particularly change over the course of the book.  They were one dimensional, money obsessed and I think I kept reading in part because it was a quick and easy book to read, and in part to see if either Suzie or George had any redeeming qualities. 

I was shocked to discover they were only in their twenties, I was convinced they were middle aged at the very least, especially with George's misogynistic tendencies and internal rants.  On the other hand he did sound incredibly mistakenly entitled which is definitely a younger person's thoughts. 

Suzie on the other hand is a weak willed woman, who has recently won a very large sum of money, and she is incredibly religious, and will only do what her father tells her to do, including with regards matters of her marriage and her money. I'm never comfortable with large amounts of faith mentioned, and there was far too much of it. 

There is a minor sub-plot involving I'll say a rogue priest and I'm putting it mildly and some of other opinions towards him were beyond my comprehension.  Having not read this author before I have no idea whether this mirrors his personal thoughts on some of the topics, or it really was just his characters speaking. 

What attracted me to this book initially was the cover, title and the fact that I absolutely love this growing trend  psychological thrillers set on holiday or holiday destinations.  But frankly the section in Tenerife could have been anywhere and wasn't remotely recognisable to me as Tenerife (although admittedly based on the transfer time, they were staying at the other end of the island to where my sister lives). 

By the time the conclusion came around, I wasn't remotely surprised about it, however there were a couple of chapters in the story including the police - and I much preferred the writing of those chapters, but they were so fleeting.  The plot once it ramped up felt so flimsy, and just lacked any depth. 

I didn't hate this book by any stretch, but I do think from what I've seen of other reviews, as well as my own thoughts that this is definitely a marmite sort of a book.  You will either love it or hate it,  And if you love completely vile main characters this could be a good fit for you.   

I was a quick read and if you are looking for something that you can whizz through in an afternoon by the pool then this might hit the spot.  Or if you are curious like I was as to just how horrible these main characters are, and how awfully they think of each other and treat each other, then please do give it a try! 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Friday 22 March 2024

Book Review - The Publicist by Natalie Tambini - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura

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Amazon UK

Title: The Publicist
Author: Natalie Tambini
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: One More Chapter
Publication Date: 18th August 2023
Rating: 4 Stars

PR guru Lola Lovett’s client has gone missing, but that’s not the problem. It’s the fact that he’s meant to be at home. Already dead.

But Lola hasn’t come this far in life to let an inconvenience like an undead actor stop her from getting what she wants, so she immediately sets about getting close to the investigation into his disappearance…and DCI Sue Fisher.

Sue’s been laying low ever since the Medford nail bar case, determined to focus on her grieving son Tom and moving on from the horrors they’ve faced, but the search for actor Sam Stevens throws up unexpected challenges. Because in the glitzy, glamorous world of showbiz it’s not a matter of discovering who might be keeping secrets, but rather, determining who is willing to kill to keep them…

I didn't realise when i requested this book initially that it was part of a series, although it became apparent very early on in the reading, as there were many references to the previous book. 

Which worried me at first, but ultimately the main plot of this book can definitely be read as a standalone, I've just missed out of possibly useful background and character building for Sue and her family.

That being said I was certainly invested in Lola, and just why it is she was upset to discover her star client was in fact not missing, and not dead as she was expecting him to be! 

It's a rather twisty tale, that had been intrigued and reading on to find out as much as possible, and I never guessed even a fraction of what actually happens.

I loved seeing what sort of a publicist Lola is, and the lengths she will go to for her clients.

And there were many gasp worthy revelations along the way. 

I really enjoyed this book.  

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Thursday 21 March 2024

Book Review - Shout Out To My Ex by Sandy Barker

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Amazon UK

Title: Shout Out To My Ex
Author: Sandy Barker
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 14th February 2024
Rating: 4 Stars

Fashion designer Elle Bliss is unlucky in love.

She's still hung up on her first love, Leo, who ended things abruptly, then mysteriously disappeared – and a decade on, no one else can measure up.

But Elle's all-time dream of showing in Paris Fashion Week is about to become a reality, and she has no time to dwell on her dismal love life. That is until Leo – now going by Lorenzo – comes back into her life.

An up-and-coming shoe designer, ‘Lorenzo’ is nothing like the man she fell in love with. Rude, brash and with an ego the size of Paris, he’s too caught up in his own celebrity.

But as they constantly cross paths in the city of love, Elle begins to question how much of 'Lorenzo' is an act – a persona for the cameras. Because deep down, she can see glimpses of the man he was, and feelings from all those years ago become impossible to ignore…

Join Elle in the most romantic city in the world in this laugh out loud enemies-to-lovers romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Emily Henry.

I'm now totally convinced that this is going to be one fabulous series.  After the previous which I completely loved, I was very curious just how this was going to be a series. 

And now I have the answer, we get two main characters, two viewpoints, one of them being Poppy our leading lady from before, who works at the Ever After matchmaking agency, and we get to catch up with her life, as well as getting to see all of the ups and downs of her new case. 

For of course the other viewpoint is the new customer, Elle, except that Elle doesn't know the agency exists but her sister has hired them on her behalf to see if they can find Elle's lost love Leo. 

Set in the world of fashion, I loved Elle's excitement at her first ever Paris Fashion week show, and seeing her re-meet and be expected to collaborate with Leo, who is now a shoe designer Lorenzo,  is a lot of fun. 

But in amongst many complications one thing is clear, there may still be on some level at least a connection between the pair, but nothing is simple 

And the skills of everyone at Ever After who are working on this case, and trying to make sure nothing goes awry while dealing with some high profile people, was awe-inspiring. 

I think I would love to be Paloma, who's troubleshooting skills are second to none. 

There is so much to love in this story and I had a absolute ball reading it. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Wednesday 20 March 2024

Book Review - Ex In The City by Portia MacIntosh

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Amazon UK

Title: Ex In The City
Author: Portia MacIntosh
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 27th February 2024
Rating: 5 Stars

Nicole Wilde’s life has not panned out how she expected.

Ten years ago when she was living the rock star lifestyle as a music journalist - touring the country, going to gigs and hanging out with celebrities - she never thought she would end up living an uneventful life in suburbia, in a relationship that is well past its sell-by date.

Nicole knows that her days of wild parties and tour buses are over, but yet there is something that keeps drawing her back to her old life. So when rock star Dylan King turns up on her doorstep needing her help to restore his public image, she can’t resist one last trip down memory lane.

But Nicole and Dylan's history is complicated. And when her old life and new life collide, she will soon realise that you can’t run away from your past forever, and sometimes you just have to follow your heart...

Join top 10 international bestseller Portia MacIntosh for a brand new laugh-out-loud second chance, celebrity romantic comedy.

I always enjoy a Portia MacIntosh rom-com and this was no exception. 

I was vaguely aware before I started it that this was a follow on, to a book release many years ago that I have sitting unread on my kindle,  and thus it took me a bit longer than normal to settle into properly enjoying this, as my mind kept wondering what I was possibly meant to know already.

i can safely though say it does work as a standalone and once I settled into the characters and had a grip on what was going on, I absolutely loved it.

Both of Nicole's two worlds are so exceptionally described.  I felt as though I was there in the small competitive village that she lives in, but also was totally on board with the rockstar (or groupie) life once Dylan had got back in touch with her. 

And I loved Dylan an Nicole's friendship, re-ignite and grow, and I was just hoping they would get the ending I was hoping for.  But since Nicole had started the book in a relationship she was trying to leave, with a man she can no longer trust and that she is only still hanging around for her fabulous step kids... well I was never completely sure which pull on her life would win. 

It's such an enjoyable story and I was just loving everything about it.  A really fun book to read. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Tuesday 19 March 2024

Book Review - Murder at the Leaning Tower by T. A. Williams

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Amazon UK

Title: Murder at the Leaning Tower
Author: T. A. Williams
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Publication Date: 6th February 2024
Rating: 5 Stars

A secluded villa…

When Dan Armstrong is asked to provide security at a private villa on the outskirts of Pisa, he’s pretty sure it will be an easy job. Villa Gregory is remote; the gathered guests are rich – what could possibly go wrong?

A glittering gathering...

Inside the high walls of the palatial villa, Dan discovers the gathered guests are some of the most powerful tycoons in the media world, with plans for world domination. With so much at stake, Dan redoubles his efforts to keep everyone safe.

A detective under pressure?

But when one of the group is found murdered, Dan’s heart sinks – especially considering Anna’s own daughter is in the frame! When the police arrive, Dan meets formidable Inspector Adolfo Vinci, a man whose main talent seems to be for getting things wrong. It all goes from bad to worse for Dan as the man from the Leaning Tower starts leaning on him.

It's another case for Dan and Oscar to solve and this one won't be easy!

What a star Oscar is, I mean Dan is pretty good too, but Oscar is clearly the brains of their operations at times.  Or at least it feels like Dan's investigative career wouldn't bee half as strong without my favourite labrador sidekick! 

So good to be back with this pair, and in this latest story we get yet another head scratching murder to solve.  There are loads of possible suspects  and I honestly had no idea who to believe. 

The local Pisan inspector though was completely incompetent, and at least one of his wrongful arrests really made me laugh and gasp. 

What I really liked was we got to see a bit of Anna's daughter, and see a slightly different side to Dan as a result.  And I am still deadly curious as to exactly what the big meeting that has being held in Pisa was really all about, 

I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this and already can't wait for the next book in this excellent book. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Monday 18 March 2024

Book Review - What Happens on Vacation by Jo Watson - #HolidayReading Fuerteventura

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Amazon UK

Title: What Happens on Vacation
Author: Jo Watson
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Headline Eternal
Publication Date: 30th March 2023
Rating: 5 Stars

Journalist Margaret needs a vacation.

After a difficult couple of years, some R&R is on the cards, and she's taking her mom with her. Luckily, the office Quiz Night is coming up and the prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar. Good thing Margaret has never met a quiz question she didn't like.

But Margaret has also never played against Jagger Villain. For the last six months, they have shared a desk and not a day has gone by when he hasn't driven her to distraction.

The idea of sharing anything else with Jagger is unthinkable. But if she's going get what she needs from this trip, Margaret might have to compromise.

Away from the office and in a tropical paradise, Margaret beings to wonder if her archnemesis maybe has some qualities.

Could the holiday from hell turn into the vacation of her dreams?

Brilliant escapist rom-com from Jo Watson, just as I have come to expect from her. 

Margaret finds everything Jagger does is rather annoying, and moans about him constantly. 

But yet when they end up on a holiday to Zanzibar together along with a parent each, things start to take a different turn. 

And it where the book goes from enjoyable to fabulous, as I loved seeing the dynamics between Margaret and Jagger change. 

Over the course of a week, there is a whirlwind of romance, and a whole lot more.

Its' just a highly enjoyable book that i was thoroughly entertained by.

Thank you to Headline Eternal and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 
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