My Review for #Rejected Goddesses by Natalie Watson and Nina Holmes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I didn’t know what to expect when the authors approached me and asked if I’d read and review their book, #Rejected Goddesses. From what I can gather, they are relatively unknown authors and therefore I was somewhat surprised when Cat and Robyn, the two protagonists, tugged at my heartstrings from the outset. 

I loved this novella. From beginning to end, I was dragged into Cat and Robyn’s worlds, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Each of them is looking for love, even if they try to pretend that they’re not in the slightest bit bothered! Cat is a Personal Assistant to a seemingly tyrant of a business manager and Robyn has taken over the reins of her grandmother’s bakery, left to her when she passed away. 

We journey along with them both, as they each edge forwards in their work and personal lives, meeting new, many lovable characters along the way. I was particularly taken with Darcy, Robyn’s rescue dog, who won’t let anyone hurt her new owner.

I laughed, cringed, and swore as I read on, sometimes not believing the actions of some characters and how they dealt with things. There was a very definite element of humour, which only added to my enjoyment of the book.

If you enjoy a contemporary romance novel, put this on your Christmas list. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I hope Natalie and Nina continue their writings. There is definitely up-and-coming talent there.

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My Review for A Mother's Secret: The Battersea Tavern Series (Book 1) by Kitty Neale, Read by Annie Aldington

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  Wow! This was such an awesome listen. Those of you who are regular readers of my reviews will know that I love a good Audiobook and often lose myself in someone else’s world for hours at a time! A Mother’s Secret was no exception, and I quickly fell in love with the characters (well, most of them)!

Winnie is running The Battersea Tavern at the onset of the Second World War, and alongside her faithful barmaid, Rachel, they welcome their regulars in with pleasant conversation and the promise of a pint. Winnie’s lazy husband, Brian, spends most of his time in his armchair, whilst their son, David, doesn’t have an honest bone in his body.

Kitty Neale introduces a wide variety of characters into the book, each with their own story to tell, many of which are sad and which will definitely tug at your heartstrings. Dealing with alcoholism and domestic abuse, these subjects are managed delicately and in keeping with the era in which the book is set. We need to remember that back in the 1930s and 40s, subjects were not discussed as openly as they are now and what we would see as simply not right would have been normal and expected during those years.

Annie Aldington reads A Mother’s Secret with enthusiasm, compassion, and love. She immersed herself in the characters’ lives as the book continued and seemingly wanted to share her passion for the Battersea Tavern with her listeners.

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My Review for The Red Button by Keith Eldred

⭐⭐⭐⭐ A prequel to Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, The Red Button is a delightful, Regency romance novel by Keith Eldred. Beautifully written, with familiar characters, Eldred provides us with a differing side to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, showing us he hasn’t always been the grumpy old miser that we are accustomed to. Indeed, he used to be in love with a young lady named Belle and they were all set to spend the rest of their lives together until business got in the way.

Belle works alongside her father, in the family business, making buttons, hence the title of the book. Parts of the story are actually told from the Red Button’s perspective - weird I know, but strangely, it works!

The Red Button isn’t my usual genre, and, as expected, is written in the style of Dickens. It is far from fast-paced but gives us insight into Ebenezer’s life, and business dealings from a young age. How he came to know Jacob Marley and how money changed his life and his priorities. The author delicately deals with the sad subject of dementia and how it not only affects the person suffering but also their family and friends.

To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Red Button, and whether or not you have read A Christmas Carol, I’m sure you will know the story and, therefore, the characters. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a Regency-era story and is intrigued to find out why Scrooge became the man he did.

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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My Review for The New Wife by Sue Watson, read by Tamsin Kennard

⭐⭐⭐⭐ What better to listen to whilst tidying my garden for winter, than a twist and turn thriller. 😱 I’m surprised I didn’t cut back the wrong plants. I was so caught up in the revelations that continued to spiral throughout the story!

Georgie, the protagonist of The New Wife was a fun character. As the story progressed, she turned into a proper little Miss Marple, wanting to solve the crime all by herself. I realised I was talking to her often, as I wandered around the garden, and telling her what she should and shouldn’t be doing! 🤣

I found The New Wife slow to begin with as we were introduced to all the characters and their backgrounds, however, once we knew their relevance to the story it soon sped up and I was excited to see what the next twist would be and how it would fit into the story.

A quick read and listen if you’ve got a few hours to spare and fancy some surprises. I defy anyone to guess the ending. I certainly didn’t!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of The New Wife by Sue Watson, read by Tamsin Kennard.

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My Review of The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this so, so, much! The Winter of Second Chances reminded me of an adult version of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books with their smuggler’s coves and secret passageways under the sea, but without the ‘lashings and lashings of ginger beer’, and instead, lots of hot chocolate with marshmallows! 

Annie needed to get away. From her husband, her restaurant, and her life in the city, and so she finds a nice little hideaway on the coast where she can begin to reset her life. However, her plans to relax and take some time out for herself soon embark on a different route, and soon Annie finds herself busier than ever. 

The Winter of Second Chances is a beautiful, cosy read which will warm the cockles of your heart. Alfred reminded me of Tammylan in Enid Blyton’s, ‘Children of Cherry Tree Farm’, with his outdoor living and love of nature. I know that Enid Blyton’s books never became popular in the US, but those of you in the UK will understand completely! 

This is a brilliant book for a stormy winter’s day, so grab yourself that hot chocolate, settle back, relax and enjoy this amazing read from Jenny Bayliss. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss.

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My Review for Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The second book in Nicola May’s Ferry Lane Market series, Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market, transports us once again to Hartmouth. Home to Steren (Star) Bligh and Kara Moon. This time around, Star is our protagonist and we learn how challenging life has been for her since she had her daughter, Skye, at age sixteen. Since then, Star has built herself a career and a home for them both. There is just one thing missing....

I love how the author brings all the characters together and somehow they all become intertwined. With such a close-knit community, it’s surprising that newcomers are made to feel welcome, but they really are. As long as they treat the current residents in the right way then they will soon become part of the furniture. 

There are twists and turns as we learn the stories behind some of the characters' lives. Many of these aren’t expected and I’m sure you’ll be shocked at things you discover as you read on. However, as life in Ferry Lane Market continues, I developed a virtual friendship with many of them and, as always, with books that create an enveloping feeling, I want to visit Hartmouth, buy some flowers from Kara, and some exquisite jewellery from Star! I hope Nicola has started writing the third in the series because I can’t wait for another trip to Ferry Lane Market.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market, and a special thanks to Nicola May for ensuring I got a copy. 🤗

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My Review for Stolen Ones (Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Book 15) by Angela Marsons

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Angela Marsons sets her books in the Black Country, a part of the West Midlands in the UK, and so-called because of the black soot that emanated from the ironworking foundries and forges in the nineteenth century. My Grandad came from the Black Country and I can’t believe I have only discovered Angela’s books now. This is number 15 in the Kim Stone series and although I haven’t read any of the others, I was assured by the person who introduced me to them that I could read this as a stand-alone, but that I absolutely must go back and read the others!

Stolen Ones has so many twists and turns, that I couldn’t keep up, and the ending just blew me away. I guarantee that you won’t see it coming! I was hooked from the start and I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough. Never having experienced any of these characters before, I guess I didn’t know what to expect. Some annoyed me, some I sympathised with and others I just wanted to punch in the face - well done to Angela here because I guess this was her aim!

 I now need to find the time to go back and start at the very beginning of the Kim Stone series and I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, meaty crime thriller. Oh and if there are any TV producers reading this, the Kim Stone series would make an awesome television production! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Stolen Ones by Angela Marsons.

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My Review for The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary read by Kwaku Fortune and Carrie Hope Fletcher

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I seem to be giving a lot of my reads/listens, 5 ⭐ reviews lately, but that’s just the way I feel about them. If I love it, then I want others to know and enjoy it too.

The Flatshare is the second book by Beth O’Leary that I have listened to and it captured me all the way through. The unusual situation of sharing a flat and a bed, but not a life. As the front of the cover says, Tiffy and Leon have never met, yet they share so much.

A lovely, happy, and romantic read, interspersed with a couple of serious topics. These are dealt with carefully and with compassion, and particularly with Tiffy. We begin to understand why she is perhaps the way she is around men.

The post-it notes that Tiffy and Leon leave all over the place for each other is adorable and probably something I would have done too in my dim and distant youth! It’s a bit like old-fashioned letter writing with a twist and not as instantaneous as sending a text!

All of Tiffy’s friends are so loyal to her, but above all else, they are honest and tell her the truth, and not necessarily what she wants to hear. Everyone needs a friend like that. 🤗

If you love a good old romance book, with a quirky side, then give The Flatshare a read. I can definitely recommend the Audiobook and both narrators portrayed the two protagonists brilliantly.

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