Sam's Fireside - Cosy Book Reviews & Recommendations

The Keeper of the Irish Secret is the first book in a new series - the Magnolia Manor series - and looks set to be just as much fun as Susanne’s previous books. Magnolia Manor, in Dingle, County Kerry, has been in the Fleury family for generations but has fallen into disrepair. The three granddaughters, Lily, Rose and Violet, have grand plans for the large Georgian house, but first, they need to persuade their grandmother that it’s a good idea! I loved all the characters in Susanne’s new book. From the outset, both Lily and Dominic had a place in my heart and I was rooting for them the whole way through. In particular, I really want to go and live in Dominic’s house on the beach with its great view of the Atlantic Ocean! I enjoyed the quirky, eccentricity of Wolfie’s character and I think he’d be such a fun man to work for! I love reading books set in Ireland and as I’m reading them; I try to do the accent in my head! I’m looking forward to the next book in the Magnolia Manor series, ...

I love this series from Marion Kummerow. The Berlin Wife’s Resistance is the third book in the German Wives series and we start this book as we finished off the second, where Julius and Edith are at the Swiss border hoping to escape Germany to begin a new life. Once again, I had my heart in my mouth throughout the entire book. Just what was in store for the families that were simply trying to stay alive in the country of their birth? A country that no longer wants them and will go to the utmost atrocities to rid Germany of these people, by any means necessary. Marion Kummerow always researches her books brilliantly, and this one was no exception. I always learn something new when reading one of her novels and as I closed the cover on this one I was blown away by the attitude of the women who tried to save their families. I recommend that you read this series in order to enable yourself to get the full story, and if you enjoy historical fiction and in particular a war story, then I hop...

In one of my Instagram book clubs, we decided that January would be non-fiction month, and Dawn French’s The T**t Files was the overwhelming winner when we all voted. As soon as I discovered this was the choice, I thought what could be better than Dawn reading the book herself, in her own inimitable style.  I found the book on Audible and settled down, just after Christmas, to begin listening. What a hilarious journey Dawn takes you on throughout the book as she travels through her illustrious career, sharing with the listener, the mistakes she’s made, the misunderstandings she’s encountered and basically, how she has made a champion t**t of herself (her words - not mine)! I laughed out loud; I shared stories with my husband and I snorted into my tea as I was listening to Dawn’s ramblings. I resonated with so many of her stories, telling her that yes, I too had almost ridden a horse upside down! (Well, it was actually a fat pony - but same difference)! The T**t Files is a perfect e...

Lolita was January’s read for an online Classics Book Club. I began by listening to the audiobook, read by the amazing Jeremy Irons who narrated it brilliantly. I started just after Christmas while working on my Harry Potter diamond art. Talk about diverse! From fantasy witches and wizards to a classic from a Russian/American novelist. To be completely honest, I rarely read a synopsis of a book before I dive in and I had zero idea what Lolita was about before I put those AirPods in. There were a lot of ‘what the hell am I listening to’ moments until I finally settled into the story. I switched towards the end and read the final third from my beautiful Penguin Clothbound copy. I know that people’s views and reviews of Lolita vary, and are sometimes contentious, but there can be no mistaking the beauty of the imagery which Nabokov portrays.  Lolita, despite the difficult subject matter, was exquisitely written. There were many, many words that I didn’t understand, but I was too inv...

Jaimie is fast becoming one of my must-read authors and I definitely need to start reading her back catalogue and soon! An Enchanted Moment on  Ever After Street is just lovely and is set in a bookshop - what more could a book need? Jaimie has me as soon as I open one of her books and when the characters start talking about one of my favourite books from childhood (and still one of my favourites if I’m honest), The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton then I’ve called under Jaimie’s spell, hook, line and sinker. Marnie and Darcy are just two wonderful main characters and I adore Marnie’s cat, Mrs Potts. So much of this book is based on Beauty and the Beast. There is nothing not to love. I didn’t realise that this was part of a series, but no matter, it can absolutely be read as a standalone, but I can promise you that I will be going back and reading the rest. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review An Enchanted Momen...

Over the Garden Fence was just such a beautiful story. As well as being utterly hilarious, it was warm and happy, and by the end of it, I guarantee you will feel as though you are best friends with Molly and Janice. The premise of the story is that these two elderly ladies got together during lockdown, each sitting in their own gardens, social distancing, but enjoying each other’s company at a time when they didn’t really have anyone else to talk to. Now lockdown is over and social distancing is no longer a thing, but Molly and Janice keep up their daily meet-ups.  I loved that the whole story was like having a conversation with your best mates, just passing the time of day discussing the TV programmes you’ve watched and what’s happening in the news. Everything Molly and Janice talk about is real as well. Everything they discuss are things that have happened, whether it be a news item or who won Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve never experienced anything like this in a book before and I...

My first review of 2024, and I’ve started the year on a high! I loved this book, which was written from multiple points of view. We have Odette - a soap star nearing the end of her career, Keli - a nurse on an elderly care ward, Noah - a paediatric doctor, and Tress - a set designer on the soap that Odette stars in. They all live in Glasgow and are all linked in one way or another. One Year After You is set over 24 hours and boy, a lot happens in those 24 hours. We have birthdays, scandals, break-ups and hook-ups. There are a few tear-jerking moments and a lot of comedy - mainly from Nancy and Val, two of the most delightful characters I’ve read about in a long time. They deserve their own story and if there was one, then I’m sure I’d be laughing out loud! If you want a good old rom-com to start your year and block out the miserable January weather, then I’d recommend getting yourself a copy of One Year After You by Shari Low. She is fast becoming one of my must-buy authors. Thank you...