My Review for Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This shouldn’t work, but it oh-so does! It’s cuteness overload and as much Christmas kitsch as you can ever imagine. Everything, literally everything, is Christmas, from the name of our protagonist to the village she’s residing in. Even the pub is called The Christmas Pud Inn!

Merry (yep - that really is her name) is looking after her aunt’s cottage in the Scottish Highlands and the menagerie that comes along with it. She wants to turn her life around and become a new and confident Merry and where better to do that than somewhere where no one knows her past. Coincidentally, Theo is the new vet in town and he is also running away from his past and then he runs into Merry…

I really enjoyed reading Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands and yes, I want to live there, be part of the secret Santa that and drink pumpkin and gingerbread lattes with Merry.

If you don’t like Christmas then you probably won’t like this very Christmassy story but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend you read it, curled up with a coffee or a mulled wine, sitting in front of the fire whilst the snow is falling outside.

I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft.

Book Description

Step into the cosy Scottish village of Christmas where you’ll find plenty of secrets, romance and mulled wine! And join Merry McKenzie as she stays at her Aunt Ava’s cottage for the winter festivities to try and mend her broken heart…

Thirty-one-year-old Merry is escaping to the Scottish Highlands for Christmas. Heartbroken by the death of her father, the man who raised her single-handedly, she needs some time to heal. Hiding away at Chestnut Cottage with only her Aunt Ava’s menagerie of pets for company seems like the perfect way to spend a peaceful December. But when she arrives, Merry discovers some curious instructions from her aunt asking her to organise Secret Santa gifts for the residents of Christmas village.

Merry’s determined to try and carry out her aunt’s festive task. But on her first night in the little cottage everything goes wrong – including upsetting the handsome local vet Theo Ellis-Lee when he arrives to assist with a crazed turkey and the mischievous rabbit who’s torn apart her aunt’s gift list. Merry is completely out of her comfort zone and it doesn’t help that Theo is both infuriatingly cheerful and insanely attractive.

Merry’s plans for a quiet break are quickly thwarted as Theo starts coming by every day to check on the unruly animals, and she can’t deny he sets her pulse racing. And, one by one, the friendly locals draw her out of her shell with cosy cups of tea, warm words and laughter-filled evenings in the pub. She finds herself embracing the challenge of finding the perfect gift for each of the kind-hearted people on her list. When Theo offers to help, sparks fly between them. But when the Secret Santa project forces Merry to face her heartache, she’s not sure she’s ready for a fresh start.

At a crossroads in her life, will Merry decide to go home and hide from her problems or will she open her heart and stay in Christmas village?

A gorgeous, winter romance to lose yourself in this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Nicola May, Trisha Ashley and Debbie Macomber – and best accompanied by a hot chocolate!

Author Bio

Donna Ashcroft was born in London, England and grew up in Buckinghamshire. She went to university in Lancashire and, among other things, worked as a copywriter, buyer, waitress, secretary and marketing manager.

Donna was shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019, has had nine books published with Bookouture and her tenth is due out in September 2022.

Donna loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she's escaping into a romance novel or movie. When she's not reading or writing she'll probably be found hoovering ... or negotiating with her two teenagers about who is doing the washing up.

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My Review for Secrets at the House by the Creek

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Once again, we are heading off to Brambleberry Creek for the last part in this Elizabeth Bromke trilogy. This time around we discover the secrets behind Amber’s and Morgan Jo’s parents and just where Carla-May has been disappearing off to on her mysterious date!. Another slow burner from Elizabeth Bromke, but one I was more and more invested in as the story progressed.

Family is important to the Coyle’s, and this is evident throughout all the Brambleberry Creek books. They always have each other’s backs, no matter what.

I wanted to be with the cousins as they launch their winemaking business and I definitely wanted to sit and enjoy Brambleberry Creek with them and a glass of their homemade wine - I fancied the peach one!

Although part of a trilogy, Secrets at the House by the Creek could be read as a stand-alone, but I feel you would get more from the story if you knew the background of all the characters.

I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Secrets at the House by the Creek by Elizabeth Bromke.

Book Description

Secrets at the House by the Creek: An absolutely heart-warming and addictive page-turner, full of family secrets

(previously titled Secrets at Brambleberry Creek)

Sometimes you need to face the past to find your path in life…

A gorgeous, uplifting story about family secrets, unconditional love and staying true to who you are—even when life throws you a curveball. This irresistible novel is perfect for fans of RaeAnne Thayne, Elin Hilderbrand and Susan Mallery.

Morgan Jo Coyle grew up in the small town of Brambleberry Creek, running across the green fields of Kentucky. But Morgan’s carefree childhood days seem far away, and the pressure is on with the two biggest events of her life just around the corner: the launch of her new family business and her wedding. Will everything go to plan or are Morgan’s dreams about to unravel?

Morgan is determined to make a success of the new wine venture with her cousin Amber, to create a future for the beloved farmhouse that means so much to them. As they renovate the creaking old barn, precious memories are unearthed and Morgan finds her mother’s old leather-bound diary. Little does she know, she’s about to discover a secret that will change everything…

As the past and present collide, Morgan’s sense of identity is rocked, and then she is faced with devastating news that could shatter everything’s she’s dreamed of. Are Morgan and her fiancé a strong enough team to navigate such an emotional rollercoaster ahead of their big day? Or will their relationship be tested to breaking point?

With a business, a wedding and the family home at stake, will Morgan be able to get through the biggest challenges of her life? And can she accept the past in order to move forward with her future?

Author Bio

Elizabeth Bromke is a USA Today bestseller who loves to write heartwarming women's fiction and romance. She especially enjoys creating vivid characters and enchanting small towns.

Coming from over a decade teaching high school English, Elizabeth knows the impact of great writing and storytelling. Indeed, writing is a dream come true for her. She lives in Arizona with her husband, son, and two golden retrievers. When Elizabeth isn't writing her next bestseller, she can be found reading, working on a puzzle, or relaxing to a movie with her family. Elizabeth also loves to chat with her readers on social media and through email. Be sure to stay in touch!

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My Review for The Bletchley Girls by Anna Stuart

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I think I’d have liked to work in Bletchley Park and be part of the code-breaking team, which helped so much during the Second World War. When I read a book like this, the horrors of war and the actualities of what people suffered disappear into the background, as I become so immersed in the importance of what these amazing men and women did.

Once again, Anna Stuart has written an amazing story of perhaps some of the unsung heroes of World War II. We learn that everyone working within Bletchley Park had to sign The Official Secrets Act, and they weren’t even allowed to talk to each other about what they were working on, let alone their family and friends. I’ve seen a couple of movies about the work of the code breakers during the war, but this book takes in so much more detail than a movie ever could. 

Based on true events and inspired by her visit to Bletchley Park, Anna’s account of The Bletchley Girls - Stefania, Ailsa and Fran - will have you curled up in your chair with a mug of tea, and not moving until you’ve finished. 

I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Bletchley Girls by Anna Stuart.

Book Description

1940, Bletchley Park: I stand alone outside the gates, with no idea what lies ahead. It’s cold and dark. All I have are my suitcases and a handful of letters from my fiancé. Every day, the bombs have been getting closer. I’m only an ordinary civilian, but I was asked to come here in secret, and I’m determined to fight in whatever way I can for freedom and for love…

Inspired by the unforgettable true story of the women of Bletchley Park, this utterly gripping novel of secrets, love and courage shines a light on the incredible wartime work that changed the course of history.

When Stefania Carmichael steps into the mysterious world of Bletchley Park, she immediately finds herself signing the Official Secrets Act. In whispers, she is told that she’s been recruited because of her talent for languages. Before the war ripped Europe apart, Steffie was living in Rome, charming everyone she met with her quick wit and sharp mind, and engaged to the man of her dreams, handsome and brave Matteo. Now everything has changed.

With secrets swirling around the building, Steffie finds it hard to know who to trust, until she forms a close bond with two other new recruits. Ailsa is a gifted radio operator and Fran a logistics genius, and the two women help Steffie navigate her new world of codebreaking. But even though Steffie’s skills are crucial to the war effort, her position is put in jeopardy when Italy joins the opposite side of the battle – and her beloved fiancé becomes the enemy.

Her heart belongs to Matteo, but Steffie knows she must do whatever it takes to help England win the war. So when she is asked to go on a classified mission, she jumps at the chance. But it soon becomes clear there’s a traitor in their midst, and all eyes turn to her…

With her life at stake, can she prove herself innocent and save the man she loves? Or will Steffie lose everything?

An absolutely addictive World War Two novel of friendship, betrayal and heartbreak. Perfect for fans of The Rose Code, The Alice Network and The Nightingale.

Author Bio

Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. 

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My Review for The Boy in the Attic by Imogen Matthews

⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Boy in the Attic is the second book I’ve read by Imogen Matthews and, once again, I was hooked from start to finish. This time, the story is based on events that happened to Imogen’s family, back in 1944 and as she states at the end of the book, if it weren’t for the courageousness of her mother, then she herself wouldn’t be here today.

The story skips back and forth between Ilse’s story in 1944 and Anna’s in 2005, and as we follow them both in their lives, we discover how their stories are linked. The author tells Ilsa’s story brilliantly and with her amazing descriptive writing, we can almost imagine how hungry and scared people must have been during the war. Despite the tragic circumstances, I loved how Anna began her investigations into her past, with a silver sixpence and a peacock blue scarf.

Fast-paced, entertaining and educational. If you enjoy a dual timeline story and you enjoy historical fiction, grab yourself a copy of The Boy in the Attic.

I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Boy in the Attic by Imogen Matthews.

Author Bio

Imogen Matthews writes novels based on true stories about the Netherlands during the German occupation in World War 2. Some stories she discovered by chance, others are based on her Dutch mother's own experiences of hardship and survival during the Hunger Winter of 1944-45.

Her first novel, The Hidden Village, is set in the Veluwe woods, a beautiful part of Holland that Imogen has visited frequently over the past 30 years. It was in these woods that she discovered the story of the real hidden village which provided shelter in underground huts for Jews during WW2. Imogen retells the story of the hidden village with characters drawn from real life and from her imagination.

Within weeks of publication in 2017, The Hidden Village became an international bestseller, ranking at the top of a number Amazon's most-read book lists.

Following on from The Hidden Village comes Hidden in the Shadows, which has the pace of a thriller yet is also a love story. It tells the story about two young people who are brutally torn apart and must find a way to be together against all odds.

Imogen's third WW2 novel, The Girl Across the Wire Fence, is set in Amersfoort, Netherlands, and is based on the unforgettable tale of two young lovers who risked everything to keep hope alive in the very depths of hell - the little known Dutch concentration camp called Kamp Amersfoort.

Imogen's WW2 novels are published by Bookouture, a digital imprint of Hachette.

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