Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Friday, May 8, 2026

My Review for La Dolce Veto by Caitlin Alice Gilbert


“Maybe it's not possible to let go of who you used to be and escape old patterns.” ๐Ÿ’ญ

I was lucky enough to receive La Dolce Veto as both a digital and audio ARC, and I chose to read it first. Although I enjoyed it so much, I’ll probably go back and listen at some point too. I always find things I missed the first time around on a second visit. ๐ŸŽง✨

Pick me up and put me back down in a traditional European village with sunshine, good food, good wine and nosey locals, and I’m in heaven. ☀️๐Ÿท This is exactly what Caitlin’s book did for me. Izzy needs to run away, and so she does — to La Musa in Italy, a place filled with fond memories for her. It’s not quite the same as she remembered, but it’s good enough to hide away from the world for a while. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น✨

I don’t usually go for a political romance, but the politics quietly simmered away in the background, which I really enjoyed. The Italian people and countryside are the things that will stay with me most though. The descriptions are so vivid that I felt like I was in La Musa too, drinking coffee, eating all the good food and soaking up the sunshine. ☕๐Ÿ๐ŸŒž

La Dolce Veto is Caitlin’s debut novel, and she’s absolutely smashed it. I can’t wait to see what’s next from her. ๐Ÿ“š✨

Thank you to Keeperton/Arndell and NetGalley for the opportunity to read (and listen to) La Dolce Veto by Caitlin Alice Gilbert. ๐Ÿ’•

About the Book

When steamy text messages between tenacious US Congresswoman Isabella Rhodes and her opposing candidate, Levi Cross, go public just before the election, Izzy’s reputation takes a nose dive and her political career comes to a crashing end.

Desperate to have some time out she returns to the gorgeous Italian village of La Musa, which she last visited when she was nineteen, to lick her wounds and recover. Welcomed with open arms at the Villa Farentino by matriarch Anita, she doesn’t get the same reception from her grumpy son Benito who’s just returned from England to take over as mayor after his father, Rafaello, left town...and his wife.

But Izzy can’t escape politics or matters of the heart and she quickly becomes embroiled in the village’s mission to stop Rafaello’s greedy development company from building a 5-star hotel, and along the way discovers that there’s a lot more to Benito than she thought.

When Izzy unwittingly becomes the face of the proposed development her cover is blown and she has to decide - can she save the town, mend her broken heart, and have the life she’s worked so hard for or does she want to stay out of the limelight and risk it all?

About Caitlin

Caitlin Alice Gilbert is an author and screenwriter based in Los Angeles. Born in Michigan, she grew up between the Midwest and Fountain Hills, Arizona, home of the third-tallest year-round fountain. 

She is a graduate of the University of Arizona where she studied Film and Television and Creative Writing. She has spent over ten years working in the streaming industry at companies such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney, and the now defunct Watchable and Quibi, the downfalls of which were not her fault.
When she’s not writing, Caitlin is taking in theatre or live music, playing tennis, cheering for Angel City Football Club, going on a long walk, or watching way too much TV.


Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US


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Caitlin's Website

Thursday, April 30, 2026

My Review for The Sunshine Teashop by Jaimie Admans



“You’ve got to be incredibly confident in your transport choices to drive a highlighter pen on wheels.”
๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ’›

I was worried about reading Jaimie’s new book because I loved her Ever After Street series so much, but I needn’t have worried—The Sunshine Teashop is every bit as good. It has a new vibe, new characters, and lots of huggy moments. ๐Ÿค—

As the book starts, we’re in Kent. No offence to Kentish people, but I want my cute romance books to be set in the countryside or near the sea. ๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒฟ So imagine my delight when Dolly ups and leaves for a gorgeous village in Yorkshire. ๐Ÿก (Yes, I know the synopsis says this, but I don’t read them! ๐Ÿ˜†)

I was with Dolly every step of the way and loved how easily she immersed herself in village life. She had the little old ladies wrapped around her little finger—in a lovely, happy, friendly way—and, just as importantly, they had her back every step of the way. ๐Ÿ’› I did cringe a bit when she and her new-found builder friend, Reece, got out the paint rollers and brushes—that did not sit well with my OCD—but hey, needs must! ๐ŸŽจ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

My favourite part was the nostalgic bakes Dolly loves making. ๐Ÿง I’d forgotten half of them existed, and it’s such a lovely idea—to open a cafรฉ serving all your childhood favourites. ๐Ÿฐ✨

Of course everything ends up lovely and cosy and utterly gorgeous and I know that this is supposed to be a standalone book but I really want to know what happens next please Jaimie. ๐Ÿ“–๐Ÿ’•

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Sunshine Teashop by Jaimie Admans.  ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ“š

About the Book

Welcome to Thimblenouth: where the kettle is always on and fresh starts and unexpected love are waiting. ๐Ÿง๐Ÿซ–

Dolly Lymford is having one of those days…The kind that starts with dreams of opening a cafรฉ… and ends with discovering your boyfriend kissing your best friend!

Heartbroken and with nowhere else to go, Dolly accidentally-on-purpose borrows her now-ex-boyfriend’s campervan and drives until the road runs out. This leads her to Thimblenouth, a picture-perfect Yorkshire Dales village where life moves more slowly and the kettle is always on.

After literally bumping into gorgeous local builder Reece Sterling, Dolly begins to feel something she hasn’t in a long time: safe. She also rediscovers her love of baking, filling the campervan with the scent of warm scones and freshly brewed tea. And Reece is always around to share a lemon pie or two...

When Dolly has an idea to open her own pop-up cafรฉ, Reece is all too happy to help. And as the summer sun begins to warm everything it touches, Dolly wonders if she's finally found a place to call home... maybe even with Reece.

But can she really build a future on borrowed wheels?

A warm, uplifting story of fresh starts, village kindness, and finding love where you least expect it — best enjoyed with tea and cake. ๐Ÿฐ


About Jaimie

Jaimie is a 38-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. 

She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots. 

She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.














Sunday, April 12, 2026

My Review for The Lily Garden by Barbara Josselsohn



“Inside was a message in her dad's handwriting.”
๐Ÿ’Œ

The Lily Garden was April's read for #kindlecrushchallenge ๐Ÿ“š and a book that had been sitting on my Kindle for almost five years! This was the first Barbara Josselsohn novel I’ve read, and I loved it from beginning to end. ❤️

We spend the majority of the book in the small town of Lake Summers—a place where, almost thirty years ago, Caroline lost her parents. ๐Ÿ’” She left a few years later and never returned… until now. ✨ The story had everything I adore in a book: a close-knit community, ๐Ÿก cosy spots to grab a coffee, ☕ a great food place serving delicious, mouthwatering dishes, ๐Ÿฝ️ and of course, a cute love interest. ๐Ÿ’• Throw a garden into the mix ๐ŸŒธ and I’m all in!

I really liked how Caroline’s daughter, Lee, consistently knew what she wanted throughout the book and stuck to her guns. ๐Ÿ’ช Yes, other people tried to force their opinions on her, but in the end, her dreams shone through. ✨ Maxine and Gull are great characters too—full of wit and warmth. ๐Ÿซถ They seemingly hold the town together, and I’d love to visit their grill and try their chicken riggies. ๐Ÿ I have no idea what they are, but they sound amazing! ๐Ÿ˜„

I’ve added the other books in this series to my TBR, ๐Ÿ“– and although this is the third one, I don’t think it matters. I’ll definitely be checking out the others at some point. ๐Ÿ‘€

A very belated thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review The Lily Garden by Barbara Josselsohn. ๐Ÿ™

About the Book

She held the letter that she had found in the garden, and noticed the distinctive curls of her father’s handwriting etched on the worn paper. Her life had already been turned upside down by one family secret, would his last words force her to leave her childhood home forever?

When Caroline left Lake Summers thirty years ago, she thought she’d never go back to the place where she lost her parents. But when she finds out that the town’s lily garden lovingly built by her mother is going to be destroyed, she knows fate is calling. Dropping everything at her office in Chicago, she knows she is the only person who can save the garden.

Caroline and her daughter Lee are welcomed home by the warm smile of her mother’s best friend Maxine, and piles of pancakes at her cozy little restaurant in town. And Caroline soon learns that she isn’t the only person invested in saving her mother’s legacy, when she meets handsome historian Aaron . As she gets to know him, strolling along the sparkling lakeshore, she can’t imagine anywhere else she’d rather be.

But then Caroline learns a terrible secret about the day her mother died. And soon the real reason Aaron is in Lake Summers comes to light. Will the truth about the people she loves force her to give up a future with Aaron, and the beautiful town that has always been in her heart?



About Barbara

Barbara Josselsohn is a best-selling author known for her captivating contemporary and historical novels, including her latest, The Forgotten Italian Island. This sweeping, multigenerational story delves into the lives of two women bound by a fateful mistake made one night during the Nazi occupation of northern and central Italy. It is a follow-up to her two previous World War II novels, Secrets of the Italian Island and The Lost Gift to the Italian Island. Barbara’s work is marked by richly developed characters, intricate emotional landscapes, and immersive settings that transport readers to the heart of each story.


With a talent for blending history and human drama, Barbara’s novels explore complex themes of love, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of secrets. Her storytelling often spans generations, drawing readers into a tapestry of personal and historical struggles. Known for her lush descriptions and evocative prose, Barbara has garnered praise for her ability to bring history to life while crafting deeply emotional, character-driven narratives.

Her books resonate with readers who appreciate stories that combine rich details with powerful personal journeys. Currently, Barbara is working on a new World War II novel set in the mountains of southern France.

In addition to her writing career, Barbara teaches novel writing at Sarah Lawrence College and other prestigious venues. When not writing, Barbara enjoys ballet, yoga, reading, and relaxing on the beach. She loves spending time with her family, which includes her beloved rescue pup, Albie.



Monday, April 6, 2026

My Review for Falling for Polkerran Point by Cass Grafton



“...this place has a way of encircling your heart, cocooning you in its warm embrace so that you never want to let go. Of it, or the way it makes you feel.”

Falling for Polkerran Point was published in October 2025, and I’ve been putting off reading it. Why? Because it’s the final book in the series. I wasn’t (and I’m still not) ready to say goodbye to Cleggie and old Mrs Lovelace. I adore Mrs Lovelace’s mispronunciations—they’re hilarious, and I always enjoy the chuckles she brings as the story goes on.

This book follows Ellie and Will in a second-chance romance, full of friendship, community spirit, and oodles of love. The lovely Anna is still there too, making everyone feel welcome around her kitchen table every single morning with coffee and homemade cakes—far too sociable for me, though maybe I could manage it occasionally!

I’ve loved all the books in this series, and it’s definitely one I’d read again—high praise indeed. Please, Cass, I hope you have another equally unforgettable series waiting in the wings, because I’ll be right here ready to read it!

About the Book

Will she get a new start with an old love?
Ellie Arbon thought she left Polkerran Point behind her, for good. But when her cousin Nicki needs her help, Ellie has no choice but to return.

The cove stirs up memories Ellie would rather forget. Will Farmer left her years ago to pursue an acting career, and now he's back.

Handsome and famous, Ellie is sure he's all but forgotten her. Every encounter they have suggests otherwise there's an undeniable spark between them and old feelings return once more.

Ellie must decide whether she wants to fight for a future together, or whether Will is - and will always be - the one who got away.


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.




























Thursday, March 19, 2026

My Review for Shaedes of War by Jenny Grimes



“You turned a dark magic spell into a field full of flowers?”
๐ŸŒธ✨

Shaedes of War is the fourth book in the series and such a fun read! It starts a little slow, but the intensity really builds as you go. ๐Ÿ”ฅ The trials gave me Hunger Games meets Triwizard Tournament vibes, and I loved them—especially the last one. ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ’ฅ

Edmyn and Markis bring such a great contrast to the purity of the Shaedes, and their love for their mates is intense .❤️‍๐Ÿ”ฅ And wow… the spice in this one ๐ŸŒถ️๐Ÿ”ฅ let’s just say… toe-curling and mind-spinning. ๐Ÿ˜ฎ‍๐Ÿ’จ

Oh—and Collin.๐Ÿฅน You will fall in love with him. Such a sweet kid who just wants to protect the realm and become fae… but will they let him? ๐Ÿ‘€✨

As with the other books, I loved discovering the different Shaedes and their powers. Honestly, I’d take a bit of each… plus a dragon ๐Ÿ‰ (her name would be Cora. ๐Ÿ’‍♀️)

Thank you so much to Jenny Grimes for including me on her ARC team. ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ“š

About the Book

With everything to gain and even more to lose, will their love survive?

An ancient prophecy threatens everything Opal and the others believe about the future of the Seam, while new adversaries sow fresh hate in a court susceptible to unrest. To prevent bloodshed and a war built on terror, Dru sacrifices herself as the prize in a set of harrowing marriage trials, jeopardizing her chance to find happiness in the arms of a certain handsome dark lord.

When the pressure is on, the battle lines are drawn, and new faces at court bring more questions than answers, Opal and her friends won’t stop fighting for what is right—even if the result is a terminally broken heart.

The stakes are at their highest and so is the heat between characters who are living each day as if it is their last. Join the Shaedes on this final epic adventure full of spice, magic, longing—and hope. True colors will shine, and all truths will eventually be brought into the light.


About Jenny

Jenny Grimes writes fantasy romance novels that focus on the blurred lines between worlds, the darkness you’ll find in all of them, and the love that resides there too. She creates her characters and spins her stories from her home in the human realm, where she raises her three little book dragons with her husband, and spends a healthy amount of time reading, travelling, and creating art.


















Sunday, March 1, 2026

My Review for The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin



“It's accepting the value of things – an old pot, an old person – and understanding that those things have wisdom, that they have seen things. They have value in being.”

The Little Teashop in Tokyo has been on my shelf for a couple of years after I found it in a charity shop one day. It was February’s choice for #thatbonkersbookclub, so I finally had the opportunity to dust it off (literally) and dive into cherry blossom season in Japan.

It was a quick, cute read, and I loved hanging out with Fiona as she enjoyed her prize-winning trip to Japan. The family she stays with are instantly loveable characters, and I found it fascinating to discover their way of life — the simplicity of their home and the warm welcome Fiona receives the moment she steps over the threshold.

I was intrigued by the many tourist spots that Fiona and her mentor, Gabe, visited. I’m not sure whether I’ll ever visit Japan, but if I do, I’d definitely want to go during cherry blossom season!

About the Book

Grab your passport and escape to the land of dazzling skycrapers, steaming bowls of comforting noodles, and a page-turning love story that will make you swoon!

For travel blogger Fiona, Japan has always been top of her bucket list so when she wins an all-expenses paid trip, it looks like her dreams of the Far East are coming true.

Until she arrives in vibrant, neon-drenched Tokyo and comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart ten years ago, gorgeous photographer Gabe.

Fiona can’t help but remember the heartache of their last meeting but it’s not long before the Japanese art of contentment and a special, traditional tea ceremony work their magic…

Amidst the temples and clouds of soft pink cherry blossoms, Fiona and Gabe start to see life – and each other – differently.

About Julie

Julie Caplin also writes contemporary romance as Jules Wake. 

Julie Caplin is addicted to travel and good food. She’s on a constant hunt for the perfect gin and is obsessively picky about glasses, tonic and garnishes. Between regular gin tastings, she’s been writing her debut novel which is set in just one of the many cities she’s explored over the years.

Formerly a PR director, for many years she swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the trilogy, The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, The Little Brooklyn Bakery and the The Little Paris Patisserie.




Friday, February 27, 2026

My Review for There's Always Next Year by Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson, read by Eric Lockley and Khaya Fraites



“I swear this airline reminds me of The Flintstones. I'm surprised the floor doesn't open up and we land the plane using our feet.”
๐Ÿ˜‚✈️

Told over the space of twenty-four hours, There’s Always Next Year was a fun listen, alternating between Dominique and his cousin Andy, who, although from the same small town in Indiana, have been living very different lives for the past two years. The story was engaging, with multiple plot threads culminating in a finale in the town square on New Year’s Day, when everything comes together. ๐ŸŽ†

I enjoyed the focus on the attempted redevelopment of the town, alongside Dominique and Andy’s relationship mishaps, as they navigated a chaotic New Year’s Day with some wonderfully crazy characters thrown into the mix. ๐Ÿคช๐Ÿ™️

Eric Lockley and Khaya Fraites, as Dominique and Andy respectively, were excellent narrators, drawing me into the manic, rushing-around-town madness that provides the backdrop for most of the story. ๐ŸŽง✨ Although a Young Adult novel, this could easily be enjoyed by adults and teens alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review There’s Always Next Year by Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson.

About the Book

Andy was supposed to shed her too-serious student journalist persona and reinvent herself on New Year's Eve. Instead, she puked on her crush, dropped her phone in a fish tank, and managed to get her car stolen. Now, she only has the first day of the year to stop the gentrification that’s threatening her family’s business right her wrongs from the night before, and figure out why she feels so drawn to the electric new-girl-next-door. . How can Andy find her voice when everything’s being turned upside down?

Dominique is an influencer on the verge of securing a major brand deal that will ensure his future and family legacy. But when he runs into his former best friend, unresolved feelings emerge -- and in a small town, there's nowhere to hide. Not from his cousin, Andy, who has always seen him for his true self, not from his busybody manager, Kim, whose favorite color is money green, and certainly not from himself. When all the world’s a stage, can Dominique rise to superstardom without leaving the ones he loves behind?

There’s Always Next Year is a dual POV, double love story about what it means to nearly blow your life up, and race to put it back together before your time runs out. And if they fail? Well, there’s always next year.


About George

George M Johnson is an Award-Winning Black Non-Binary Writer, Author, and Executive Producer located in the LA area. They are the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Young Adult memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue discussing their adolescence growing up as a young Black Queer boy in New Jersey through a series of powerful essays. The book was optioned for Television by Gabrielle Union in 2020, and as of 2024 is the #1 most banned and challenged book in the United States.

In 2018, George served as a NY State Spokesperson for the HIV stops with me Campaign. George was listed on The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020. The Out 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People in 2021. And in 2022 was honored as one of the TIME100 Next Most Influential People in the World for their fight against censorship in the United States.

In 2021 they wrote and Executive Produced the Dramatic Reading of All Boys Aren’t Blue starring Jenifer Lewis and Dyllon Burnside which received a 2022 Special Recognition Award from GLAAD, and a 2023 Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Daytime Special. 

As a former journalist, George has written for over 50 major outlets including Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, NBC, and Buzzfeed and Huffpost. In 2019 George was awarded the Salute to Excellence Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for their article “When Racism Anchors your Health” in Vice Magazine.

Their second memoir WE ARE NOT BROKEN was released in September of 2021. It received the Carter G. Woodson Award which recognizes books that “accurately and sensitively depict the experience of one or more historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States”. The book also received the Nonfiction Honor Book in the YA category from the International Literacy Association.

Their third book Flamboyants the Queer Harlem Renaissance I wish I’d Known was released in September of 2024. It was an instant Indie Bestseller, receiving 5 starred reviews and an Audie Award Nomination for best Audiobook for Young Adults.

Their first fiction book co-written with bestselling author Leah Johnson, THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR was released December 2025, receiving a Starred Review from Booklist and is a Good Morning America Young Adult Book Club pick.

George is also a proud HBCU alum twice over, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.




About Leah

Leah Johnson (she/her) is an eternal midwesterner and author of award-winning books for children and young adults. Her bestselling debut YA novel, You Should See Me in a Crown, was a Stonewall Honor Book, the inaugural Reese's Book Club YA pick, and named one of TIME magazine's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. She is also the author of the Lambda Literary Award finalist, Ellie Engle Saves Herself, the editor of the USA Today bestselling middle grade anthology, Black Girl Power, and the co-author of the Good Morning America YA Book Club pick, There’s Always Next Year with George M. Johnson. When she’s not writing, you can find her at Loudmouth Books, her Indianapolis-based independent bookstore that specializes in highlighting the work of marginalized authors and uplifting banned or challenged books.



Wednesday, February 11, 2026

My Review for This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page



"Sometimes life calls for a pillow fort. And sometimes you just have to build that fort yourself." ๐Ÿฐ✨

Libby! Why am I only now just discovering you?! ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ’› It's only February, and I think I've already found the book that is going to be in my Top Ten for 2026. This book is incredible — it made me cry proper tears ๐Ÿ˜ญ (and books rarely do that to me). It's so sad, but so heartfelt, and most of all it's full of hope and promise. Hope that there will be happiness following grief, and the promise that you just need to give yourself time and allow other people to care for you. ๐Ÿค

I adored reading about Tilly and how she fell in love with reading again ๐Ÿ“–, something she hadn't been able to do since before her beloved husband Joe passed away. It was such a gorgeous memory to have — a book from Joe for every month of a whole year ๐Ÿ—“️๐Ÿ’Œ. Oh, and some of those books took her out of her comfort zone and pushed her to do things she would never have dreamed of doing before. ๐ŸŒŠ✨

I will definitely be reading Libby's previous books (watch this space!) ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ“š, and I'm putting them on my wishlist (I hope my Mum is reading this!) ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ˜‰

Thank you to Penguin UK and Viking Books for the gifted copy of This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page. ๐Ÿค

About the Book

Twelve stories. Twelve months. Once chance to heal her heart...

When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her fiancรฉ waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly because Joe died five months ago…

The gift is simple – twelve carefully-chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

Tilly sets out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to vlog her journey, her story becomes more than her own. With help from Alfie, the bookshop owner, her budding new following and her friends and family, can Tilly’s year of books show her how to love again?



About Libby

Libby Page is the Sunday Times bestselling author of six novels: The Lido, The 24-Hour Cafรฉ, The Island Home, The Vintage Shop, The Lifeline and This Book Made Me Think of You.

She is also a writing coach at The Novelry, where she mentors writers through the process of writing their own novels.

Before writing The Lido she worked as a journalist and in marketing. She lives in Somerset with her husband and young son.





Tuesday, January 27, 2026

My Review for Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London


"...family isn't just blood, it's the people you choose to bring into your life."

I’ve joined a few challenges this year, and one of them is the #kindlecrushchallenge which is being run by @hook.me.a.book ๐Ÿ“–✨ The aim of this challenge is to finally read some of those books that have been sitting on your Kindle forever.

So, I started off with Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London ๐Ÿ’•, which has been on my Kindle since 2021—and I’m ashamed to say it was also an ARC. ๐Ÿ˜ฌ I really have no excuse other than life getting in the way and new books constantly being added to the pile. ๐Ÿ“š

Anyway, I’m here now and I’ve finally read it… and I really enjoyed it ๐Ÿฅฐ. We’re in the small town of Forever Falls ๐Ÿก, where Monroe is stuck in a rut and Ethan drops into town in an attempt to discover the truth about his father. In doing so, he also drops straight into Monroe’s life. ๐Ÿ’ซ

The story is full of friendship, romance, family, and self-discovery ๐Ÿ’–—everything that small-town life brings, including nosy residents who seem to know things before they even happen! ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ˜‚ It’s very much a feel-good story, and I can promise it will leave you feeling warm and happy by the end. ☕✨

A very belated thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing ๐Ÿ™ for the opportunity to read and review Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London. ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’•

About the Book

What happens when two people who’ve given up on forever find it in each other…?

Single men are as scarce in Forever Falls as a vegetarian at a barbecue. That is, until Ethan Hammersmith moves in. After his fiancรฉe gave him an ultimatum, he left Australia and never looked back. He isn’t in America to find a new girlfriend, though. He’s searching for the father he never knew. But now it’s like he has a flashing sign above his head that says “available.” Thankfully, the manager of the local diner is willing to give him cover—if only she weren’t so distractingly adorable.

Monroe Roberts, town misanthrope and divorcรฉe, knocked “forever” permanently off her wish list ever since the love of her life skipped town with the clichรฉ yoga instructor. And good riddance. She’s got this struggling diner to keep her busy, trying anything to boost sales…until a hot Australian strolls in and changes everything. Monroe’s restaurant is packed full of women who aren’t there to order food, unless Ethan is on the menu. This could sink her business faster than ever. So—light bulb—what if they pretend to be together?

It sounds like the perfect plan. Until they realize there is some very real chemistry in this fake relationship. But is it enough to heal two hearts that have been so deeply wounded?


About Stefanie

Stefanie London is a multi-award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of romantic comedies, cozy mysteries and pulse-pounding thrillers.

Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader's Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award.

Originally from Australia, Stefanie lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.



Wednesday, January 21, 2026

My Review for Tomorrow Starts Today by Jessica Redland



‘I want you to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of.’ ✨

I don’t know what it says about me, but when I read a book like this—filled with village life, crafting clubs, ๐Ÿงถ eating cake,  and drinking tea ☕ —I want to be right there in the heart of it all  This is despite the fact that I don’t particularly like “real people” and very much enjoy my own company!

Jessica has the knack of enveloping you in whatever world she’s writing about, and Tomorrow Starts Today is no exception. ๐Ÿ’› I totally wanted to join Yvonne’s crafting club, chat to Trevor the parrot ๐Ÿฆœ, and go for long walks around the Lakes, ๐Ÿšถ‍♀️๐ŸŒฟ what an idyllic part of England to live in!

I loved the second-chance romance ๐Ÿ’•, the friendships, ๐Ÿค and the new challenges this book brought. It’s full of hope and optimism, and the reassurance that there is a brighter future out there for all of us. ๐ŸŒˆ

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Tomorrow Starts Today by Jessica Redland. ๐Ÿ“š

About the Book

It's never too late to find yourself... ๐Ÿ’ซ

When she unexpectedly loses her husband, Yvonne Kellerman's world turns quiet and grey. Five years on, her days are filled with the gentle chatter of her loyal parrot, Trevor, and the comfort of her crafting table—but she can’t shake the feeling that life is slipping her by and Yvonne feels lost and lonelier than ever.

When she joins the local crafting club at Willowdale Village Hall, Yvonne expects nothing more than a few afternoons of sewing. Instead, amongst the other local crafters, she discovers friendship, laughter and a renewed appreciation for her gorgeous Lake District home. It’s a reminder that she isn’t alone and, with each new stitch, her confidence returns, and so does her belief that it's never too late for fresh starts and new beginnings.

When a familiar face from her past reappears, Yvonne finds herself standing at a will she protect her heart, or embrace the chance to love—and truly live—again?


About Jessica - by Jessica

I write uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community set in stunning Yorkshire. My Whitsborough Bay books take readers/listeners to the North Yorkshire Coast and my Hedgehog Hollow books transport them deep into the countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

My books are about real people living real lives. You'll find plenty of warm and fuzzy moments between the pages but you may occasionally find yourself tearing up and reaching for the tissues. I love my characters so, no matter how tough the going gets, I make sure they get their happy ending. Of course, with a series, it may take a few books to fully get there!

My favourite subject at school was English and I always loved the aspects of my day job in HR which involved writing but I never considered writing a novel until my manager told me that my business reports read more like stories and joked that I should write a book. As soon as a plot idea presented itself, that’s exactly what I did.