My Review for The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore, read by Regina Reagan

I'm a bit late to the Dream Harbor party, but thanks to my lovely friends in my Instagram UK book chat, I've now joined a Laurie Gilmore chat, and I'm up-to-date! Reviews for the next two are coming soon!

The Pumpkin Spice Café I listened to as an audiobook, whilst pottering around in the garden a few months ago. Dream Harbor definitely gives off Stars Hollow vibes (if you know, you know), and although I live in a small village, I'd quite like a local coffee shop I could walk to every morning for my pumpkin spice latte or my peppermint mocha, with an owner who is chatty and kind like Jeanie and inevitably ends up making friends with almost everyone that walks in. 

I love a small town series, and in Dream Harbor, everyone knows everyone else and there aren't are secrets - no matter how hard you try to keep them! If you fancy trying a new series, give The Pumpkin Spice Café a try. There's lots of romance, tons of coffee and just a little bit of spice. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Libro FM for the opportunity to listen to and review The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore.

About the Book

When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. But Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

Will Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won't fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…

About Laurie/Melissa

As Melissa McTernan, I write sweet and steamy fantasy/paranormal romance. I love grumpy heroes, sarcastic heroines, and grown-up fairy tales. I am currently working on The Wolf Brother’s series for One More Chapter (a HarperCollins UK imprint). The trilogy follows three werewolf brothers and their (maybe if they don’t screw it up) Mates.

As Laurie Gilmore (my pen name), I write steamy small-town romance. My Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. I love finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strive for that in my own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then these books are definitely for you.

When I’m not writing, I’m most likely reading or wrangling my kids as a stay-at-home mom. I live in upstate New York with my husband, kids, cats, puppy, and full bookshelves. I write romance to keep my sanity.

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My Review for A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride

As soon as I see that Patricia has written another book, I'm champing at the bit to read it and, in particular, this series about the East End Library Girls. Cordelia, Mavis and Jane are an inspiration to the community they live in, opening the library doors to young and old alike, as well as helping their fellow EastEnders in the best way they can. 

It was fun to see the American GIs appear in the East End of London, helping out with repairs in the areas that have been affected by the bombing before they were deployed to fight, and of course all the local girls are flirting at every opportunity they get!

Some of the old characters make an appearance too, and I loved how Edith's future looks to be panning out, and it'll be interesting how the absent men are brought back into future books as they return from war.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride.

About the Book

With London still in the grip of war, Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane find themselves facing a new challenge. Determined to make a difference, the librarians band together to organise rent strikes, standing up against dirty landlords and unfair practices.

Meanwhile, with the arrival of American GIs in the East End, Cordelia is presented with a temptation too irresistible to bear. Should she follow her head or her heart – stay faithful to her beloved Robert fighting abroad, or enjoy the brief respite from the constant air raids and destruction?

As the women fight for what’s right, the promise of a better tomorrow begins to take shape. But will their efforts be enough to secure a better life for their community?

About Patricia

Patricia McBride is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books as well as numerous articles. She loves undertaking the research for her books, helped by stories told to her by her Cockney mother and grandparents who lived in the East End. Patricia lives in Cambridge with her husband.

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My Review for We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey

Another belter from Kristen and once again I was laughing out loud, right from the very beginning! We Three Kings was hugely funny, with a fair amount of cuteness and a spritz of romance. I fell in love with the geeky Jasper, Frank, Leo and Maggie, along with all their families. The food made me so hungry, all of the time and in particular the Singaporean wedding food, including the lobster noodles and satay with peanut dipping sauce - yum yum!

I loved the IT aspect, how the four make up the IT Department with the company they work for and the banter they share about the rest of the building’s IT mishaps! They also reminded me so much of the amazing IT team that I had the pleasure of knowing when I worked for twenty-plus years in a hospital in the UK. The lads in the book each reminded me of different team members I knew! 

We Three Kings is a book full of cosiness, hugs, kindness and families and I loved it. Kristen has made her way to be one of my must-read authors and I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kristen Bailey for the opportunity to read We Three Kings.

About the Book

Maggie Field was looking forward to a solo Christmas in her cosy London flat – before her three workmates decided to liven things up for her.

Maggie loves her job as head of IT at a financial firm, and her three geeky but lovable work buddies. And when they invite her to stay with each of them for the holidays, she can’t resist the chance to get to know them better.

But then her boss tells her she has to make one of her beloved team redundant, and Maggie is distraught. Frank’s work is his world, Jasper’s sarcastic humour is everything, and Leo…well, he’s talented, professional, confusingly attractive, dependable, and funny… Maggie definitely doesn’t want to lose him.

With her career and her heart on the line, Maggie sets off on the Christmas adventure of a lifetime, from playing fake girlfriend at a lavish wedding, to rescuing baby foxes on a posh country estate, to chasing a very confused donkey on Christmas Day in the Lake District. She can’t ignore the sparks between her and Leo – but she also can’t avoid her dilemma.

Can she find a way to keep her work family together, and maybe even find true love under the mistletoe?

About Kristen

Mother-of-four, gin-drinker, binge-watcher, receipt hoarder, enthusiastic but terrible cook. Kristen also writes. She has had short fiction published in several publications including Mslexia & Riptide. Her first two novels, Souper Mum and Second Helpings were published in 2016. In 2019, she was long-listed in the Comedy Women in Print Prize and has since joined the Bookouture family. She writes women's fiction and she hopes her novels have fresh and funny things to say about modern life, love and family.

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My Review for The Foyles Bookshop Girls' Promise by Elaine Roberts

Goodreads is really confusing with this series, and which book is which number in the series, so I’m ignoring all that and just going in to say that I really enjoyed The Foyles Bookshop Girls’ Promise. This one sees Rosie as our protagonist, and along with her friends, family and colleagues, she deals with the trials and tribulations of London during WWI. Rosie is working at Foyles Bookshop, but she’s also lending a hand in the hospital. That’s all before she begins to help the children in the local school with their reading!

Elaine writes with such warmth about all of her characters, and it’s extremely easy to lose a few hours while you’re immersed in one of her stories. The book is well-researched, and although it is fiction, I enjoy reading about the way life would have been during the war.

Regardless of what number this is in the series, I loved it and at some point, I’ll investigate what I’m missing and what’s going on with the other books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review The Foyles Bookshop Girls’ Promise by Elaine Roberts.

About the Book

London, 1918: war rages on, but the girls of London’s Foyles bookshop always have a place to feel safe. 

Rosie Burrows loves being part of the Foyles team, and outwardly, she’s a happy young woman, engaged to the love of her life. But inside, Rosie faces a horrible dilemma. When Alfie enlisted, she promised to wait for him to return from France. And she has waited, quietly preparing for him to come home so they can marry. But for years her letters to him have gone unanswered, and now she doesn’t know where she stands. 

To keep occupied, Rosie starts volunteering at the local school. She loves reading to the children, and takes solace in her growing friendship with the kind and gentle class teacher. But Rosie knows she can’t allow herself to develop feelings for Sam – she gave her word. 

But why hasn’t Alfie answered her letters? Has he changed his mind about her? And how long should she wait for a man who may never come back?

About Elaine

Elaine's dream was always to write for a living. She completed her first novel when she was in her twenties and received the first of many very nice rejections. Life then got in the way, until circumstances made her re-evaluate her life and pick up her dream again in 2010.

​Elaine joined a creative writing class, The Write Place, in 2012. Shortly afterwards, her first short story was published and she was thrilled when many more followed. Elaine finally started to believe in herself.

​As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Women Writers & Journalists, Elaine attends many conferences, workshops, seminars and wonderful parties. Meeting other writers gives her encouragement, finding that most face similar problems.

​Elaine has a patient husband, Dave, and five children who have flown the nest. Home is in Dartford, Kent and is always busy with children, grandchildren, grand dogs and cats visiting. Without her wonderful family, Elaine says that she knows the dream would never have been realised.

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My Review for a Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft

Congratulations to Sue Moorcroft for the publication of her 25th novel - what an incredible achievment. You can find all the details of her other books on the graphic.

So back we go to the Isle of Skye, and this time we travel along with Essie, one of the Wynter sisters. We met Thea in book 1, but not to worry if you haven’t read this yet. A Skye Full of Stars can absolutely be read as a standalone. 

I loved Essie’s story, and, as with Thea’s, things unfold which, hopefully, will enrich her life, but perhaps with just a little bit of uncertainty along the way. I learnt a little about Swedish Christmas traditions and it’s interesting to discover how different countries celebrate different holidays. Most have one thing in common - food - lots and lots of delicious food!

The kids are cute, Daisy is adorable - as always - and the Skye landscape, especially in the snow, is incredible. I’ve never ventured that far north, but hopefully, someday, I’ll get the opportunity to visit Skye. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft.

About the Book

Under the winter stars, anything is possible… 

Ezzie Wynter can’t wait for Christmas on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Her island home sparkles at this time of year thanks to the snow-capped mountains and frosty winter walks, topped off with family gatherings with those she loves the most. 

But her peaceful Christmas idyll is upended when she hears that the Larson family – the owners of Rothach Hall – are flying in from Sweden for the festivities. As Manager of their grand Scottish manor house, Ezzie suddenly has decorations to hang, food to source and itineraries to organise. 

Life only becomes more difficult when Mats Larson turns up. The owners’ handsome, self-assured son is used to doing things his own way – and he is only another headache to add to her overflowing list. 

Yet when unexpected visitors arrive looking for Ezzie, nothing else matters as she is left questioning everything she ever knew about herself. But amidst the Christmas chaos, she might also discover that, when all is lost, it’s sometimes those we least expect who come to our aid…

About Sue

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, and her novels have been #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US, Canada and Italy. 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, a HOLT Medallion and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She’s the president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. 

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

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My Review for Christmas at Polkerran Point by Cass Grafton

Christmas, Cornwall, Polkerran Point, a cute but grumpy man and lots of baked goodies - happiness in a book! I had an early November visit to Polkerran Point and was quickly reacquainted with all the characters I’ve grown to love, along with their quirks and oh-so-funny peculiarities. Gemma brings along her own little oddity - she talks to inanimate objects - but do they answer back?! Matt is an oddity in himself, grumpy, introspective and full of self-importance - at least to begin with, and Gemma is the one who needs to deal with him!

I loved the adapted Christmas song lyrics at the beginning of each chapter, each one written to tie in with the coming chapter. Such a clever idea, I enjoyed those a lot!

I can’t wait to read Cass’s next trip to Polkerran Point. I have a sneaky feeling that Dev might be our main character, but we will all need to wait and see!

Thank you to Cass Grafton and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Christmas at Polkerran Point.

About the Book

Fate may have brought them together, but secrets seem destined to keep them apart... An accident and a lost passport mean Gemma's six-month sabbatical to go travelling is not off to a strong start. She heads to Polkerran Point to stay at her aunt’s while her new passport is processed and to find temporary work in the meantime.

Enter musician Matt. Newly moved into a secluded, renovated mill – complete with a recording studio – Matt is preparing for his band’s big reunion tour. Focused on writing new music for the album, he needs a live-in housekeeper.

Even as sparks fly, Gemma can sense Matt's keeping secrets and with her role ending once Christmas is over, will there be anything to keep her in Polkerran?

About Cass - by Cass

I began my writing life in Regency England, enlisted Jane Austen's help to timetravel between then and the present day and am now happily ensconced in 21st century Cornwall.

Well, in my imagination and soul; my heart and physical presence reside in northern England with my ever-patient husband and Tig and Tag, our cute but exceptionally demanding moggies.

A bit of a nomad, I’ve called three countries home, as well as six different English counties, but my aspiration is to one day reunite with my beloved West Country.

In the meantime, I write feel-good contemporary romances set in Cornwall and, in doing so, manage to live there vicariously through my characters and settings

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My Review for Wreck My Plans by Jillian Meadows, read by Samantha Brentmoor and Patrick Zeller

Lena and Gavin....at the beginning I just wanted to bang their heads together - a typical case of miscommunication, or rather a lack of communication! For heaven’s sake, just talk to each other! 

Samantha Brentmoor and Patrick Zeller were great narrators as Lena and Gavin, both of them throwing themselves into the characters, especially during the spicy scenes - you have been warned! Of course, it was pretty obvious how the story was going to pan out, but the excitement and the build-up to Christmas and beyond was so much fun. I loved that Gavin was having to eat a gluten-free diet. This resonated slightly with me as my husband has recently been diagnosed with coeliac, so that’s the route we’re going down right now!

Lena’s family is just a cuteness overload. From the smallest baby to the eldest Grandma, I was invested in them all as soon as I plugged my AirPods in. The bonus episodes were awesome, I don’t know whether these are included in the physical book, but I loved hearing what happened a few months on,

Thank you to HarperAudio and Libro.fm for the opportunity to listen to and review Wreck My Plans by Jillian Meadows.

About the Book

A sweet and spicy holiday romance between a spirited artist who returns to her small town for Christmas and her older brother’s best friend, a serious architect who pushes all her buttons—but whom she can’t seem to stay away from. Now with exclusive bonus content!

Lena’s plans are simple. Surprise her family for Christmas, don’t tell them she lost her job, and most importantly, spend the week relaxing with the people she cares about.

But when she arrives in Juniper, she discovers she’s not the only unexpected guest this year. Her older brother’s best friend, Gavin, is back after disappearing three years ago without a word. He has the kind of charm Lena has always been drawn to. But she knows he’s also the kind of temptation she needs to stay far away from.

Gavin has built his architecture career out of planning strategies for dealing with the unexpected—but he didn’t have a strategy for the possibility of seeing Lena again. Though he’s been dreaming of her since the day he left, he can’t risk giving in to his feelings when they could upend the only family and home he has ever known.

New plan: try to be friends again. Just friends.

But as the pieces fall into place about why Gavin left, staying friends is the last thing on his mind…and on Lena’s. All the plans they’ve made might end up completely wrecked. And for once, maybe they want it that way.

About Jillian - by Jillian

I love to write romance that feels like a warm, cozy hug. That makes you smile and laugh and blush. That gives you that heart-bursting, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling that we’re all searching for in a love story.

​​If that’s your vibe, welcome! I’m so happy you’re here!!

​​I live thirty miles past The Middle of Nowhere with my husband, four wild daughters, two unruly dogs, and my sparkling water addiction. When I’m not writing, you can find me devouring a romance novel, playing board games, or enjoying the outdoors with my family.

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