My Review for Five Gold Rings by Kristen Bailey

Think ‘Love Actually’, ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ or ‘Notting Hill’, which sum up this fantastic Christmas book from the amazing Kristen Bailey. It’s hilarious, romantic, a bit mad and just that little bit sad. Don’t worry though, you won’t be crying, well not tears of sadness anyway. I laughed out loud a lot at this book.

Joe and Eve need to rectify a ring delivery which went to the wrong place. Five rings, five destinations and just a couple of days in which to ensure happy outcomes.

Our two protagonists tell their story in alternating chapters, and I promise you’ll be rooting for this couple until the very end, which comes all too quickly. I could have carried on reading about their adventures throughout London for a lot longer.

This would be amazing as a movie, and I honestly hope that someone picks this up for the big screen with some big-time actors. It would be good to see this out in time for Christmas 2024! I wonder if Richard Curtis is busy at the moment!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kristen Bailey for the opportunity to read and review Five Gold Rings.

About the Book

What does Christmas look like to you? A tree rammed with homemade decorations, a mantelpiece weighed down with cards, Mum telling Dad not to put the chocolate wrappers back in the tin, a festive film on television...

It should definitely not look like a naked woman on her knees noshing off your boyfriend of three years in the shower.

It’s Christmas Eve eve, and the holidays are not off to a good start for, er, Eve.

After the surprise and shock of catching her boyfriend cheating, Eve – totally devastated – reacts by throwing the gifts she’s selflessly bought and wrapped for HIS family out of the window. But while doing so she discovers her own present from Chris under the Christmas tree: an engagement ring, bought at the jeweller’s where she works. What the jingle bells is going on? And what was he thinking?

Confused and with her Christmas plans in tatters, Eve rocks up at the jeweller's for some tea and sympathy with her lovely employers, Mr and Mrs Caspar, who quietly put in a distress call to her colleague, Joe. Eve doesn’t know that Joe is secretly in love with her, but her bosses do, and they know he’s just the person Eve needs to comfort her in a crisis.

Joe gets the call while moonlighting as a buff butler at a Christmas-themed hen do and races across town to help console Eve. But as he learns about her heartbreak, the Caspars realise a crucial delivery has gone astray: five gold rings destined for Christmas proposals and weddings have been sent to the wrong address.

Can Eve and Joe retrieve the rings and get them to their rightful owners in time?

As they set off in Joe’s ancient mini – Joe still dressed as a sexy elf and Eve just a liiiittle bit tipsy – their adventure begins. With three proposals and two weddings to get to, it’s up to Eve and Joe to save Christmas.

An utterly hilarious novel for anyone looking for festive romance with all the feels. If you have a hot date with Love Actually every Christmas you will adore this gloriously funny and unmissable festive read.

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.

 Amazon UK | Amazon US | Facebook | Instagram |  Website | X

Read More

My Review for Irish Eyes by Hope C. Tarr

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres. I love that I’m learning as well as reading at the same time and Irish Eyes was no exception. I loved it from start to finish and it taught me so much about the Irish immigrants at the turn of the twentieth century.

Irish Eyes is beautifully written, and in parts, you could almost believe you were reading something written by Austen or Bronte. Initially set in the depths of Ireland, we are quickly transported to America and New York City as Rose, a young girl, falls in love with an American ex-soldier and emigrates to be with Adam in New York. 

However, things don’t go to plan and Rose is left alone and penniless with just a carpet bag containing her belongings. Rose is a fighter and as the years progress she goes from strength to strength, albeit with various hurdles along the way.

Irish Eyes is up there as one of my top reads for 2023 and I’d recommend this if historical fiction is your thing.

Thank you to Lume/Joffe Books and Insta Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review Irish Eyes by Hope C. Tarr.

About the Book

Aran Islands, 1898.

Rose O’Neill learns that her beloved brother Donal has died fighting in the Spanish-American war.

The news is followed by Donal’s comrade-in-arms, Adam Blakely, who arrives a month later on Kilronan’s scenic shores. He’s come to return Rose's letters. Letters that Adam has re-read a hundred times.

Two weeks stretch into two glorious months, then Adam’s father falls ill, and he’s summoned home to New York.

He leaves Rose with the memory of a beautiful night and the promise of marriage. Yet Rose’s eighteenth birthday comes and goes, and she doesn’t hear a word.

Unable to ignore the child growing inside of her, she leaves the only home she’s ever known, clutching Adam’s address. But in New York’s crowded harbor, she’s met with a cruel awakening.

Penniless, pregnant, and alone in a foreign city, Rose must ford through sweatshops, Lower East Side tenements, and personal tragedy, before she can let go of her first love and hope for a second chance with a good, steady man.

Then, just as Rose makes peace with her past, changes nobody could have foreseen threaten to topple the life for which she has sacrificed so much.

Spanning the turn of the twentieth century, World War I, and the early Roaring Twenties, this historical tale gives an immersive and poignant look into New York City life.

About Hope

Hope C. Tarr is the award-winning author of more than 20 historical and contemporary romances and four screenplays including “Stolen Kiss” (in development) with Emmy winner, Linda Yellen. Hope has been featured in numerous entertainment news outlets, including NBC’s Today Show, Time Out New York, The New York Post, Irish Central, and AM NY. She is a founder and past curator of the popular Manhattan-based Lady Jane’s Salon® reading series (2009 – 2021).

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Facebook | Instagram |  Website | X  

Read More

My Review for The Library Girls of the East End by Patricia McBride

I always enjoy a good old-fashioned story, particularly if it’s set around the Second World War. The Library Girls of the East End was no exception. It’s full of (mostly) wonderful characters, from all walks of life, ranging from the very posh and well-off to the cockney people from the depths of the East End. You know the ones I mean, the people who have to work for a living, who don’t have any airs and graces and actually appreciate everything they’ve earned for themselves.

Cordelia has managed to snag a dream job for her and despite being one of the ‘posh-uns’, she actually wants to get her hands dirty and muck-in. She sets about putting her mark on Silver Town Library and increasing the amount of borrowers it gets. She has a task on her hands as she changes everything that has come before whilst keeping her staff happy and all with bombs dropping on their heads!

An easy read that’ll while away an afternoon or two as the days become much colder. So snuggle up in front of the fire with a cup of ‘Rosie-lee’ and join Cordelia, Mavis and Jane at Silver Town Library.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review The Library Girls of the East End by Patricia McBride.

About the Book

1940, London

When Cordelia accepts the post of head librarian in Silver Town Library, her mother is more than a little disapproving. The East End has high levels of poverty and illiteracy, and her mother says it’s no place for a woman of her status.

But Cordelia is determined to make a difference in these times of strife, and along with her colleagues, Jane and Mavis, she begins to help the local community, making sure everyone knows what the library can offer them.

And maybe even a romance will blossom, giving Cordelia the strength to make it through the chaos and destruction that constantly threatens their livelihood.

Against a background of war, air raids and rationing, it becomes clear the library is more than a building filled with books - it is the beating heart of a community refusing to be torn apart.

About Patricia

Patricia McBride is the author of the very popular Lily Baker historical saga series. She is now writing a new WW2 series for Boldwood, based in the East End of London during the Blitz, the first title of which, The Library Girls of the East End, will be published in November 2023.

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Facebook | Instagram

Read More

My Review for Storm From Within by Madeline Vaughn

Another great read from Madeline Vaughn for the next book in the Emily Fallon series. Storm From Within continues the story of the dodgy US Navy guys who think they are above the law, not stopping to continue with their villainous ways and woe betide anyone who gets in their way. Unfortunately, Emily is already in their way....

I love Emily. She’s a feisty main character who won’t stop until her family is safe and the bad people are on their way to retribution. Plus, who can’t love a character that names their car Katniss - if you’ve read Hunger Games you’ll understand the Katniss thing!

Storm From Within is a quick, exciting and rollercoaster of a read and I can’t wait to read the next one.

Thank you to Madeline Vaughn for having me on her ARC Street Team. It’s been so much fun and I’m looking forward to doing it all again soon.

About the Book

Naval Engineer Emily Fallon is still working to uncover secrets surrounding her family, but now with a target on her back. As she gets closer to finding out the truth, she realizes she can't return to the only home she's ever known. 

Will she pull the correct thread to unravel the intricate web that has been woven? Will a sworn enemy now be one of her trusted teammates? Why is the person that loves her the most keeping secrets from her?

The clock is ticking. Is finding out the answers worth the price her loved ones will have to pay?

About Madeline

​I have always been passionate about writing and storytelling. I would describe myself as a curious author who loves exploring different themes and motifs. As part of my writing process, I love to immerse myself into my projects—dive headfirst into the research, production, and fine-tuning of the stories that I feel are the most worthy of telling.​Take a look through the site to find everything from my latest work to future projects.

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Read More

My Review for The Last Train Home by Elle Cook

I really enjoyed The Last Train Home. It was an easygoing, cute read that made me feel all warm and cosy the more I read. Abbie and Tom are great main characters and Elle tells the story from both points of view, flipping from one to the other.

Meeting on a train late one evening, their lives are thrown together in the worst way possible and from there, things get better, then worse, then better again with loads of life-changing events happening to both of them over the next seven years.

I loved all the characters - most of the time - in this book. Teddy made me laugh and Natasha is just the perfect best friend to have. A book about bad timing, and historical events that actually happened, but mostly it’s about love and romance and how everything will always work out in the end.

If you love well-written contemporary fiction, with some curve balls thrown in, then I’d recommend adding this book to your TBR.

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK and Century Books for the opportunity to read and review The Last Train Home by Elle Cook.

About the Book

On the last train home you expect to find standing space only, drunk people singing, the overpowering smell of McDonalds...

You never expect to find love.

When Abbie and Tom cross paths traveling home after a night out, their eyes meet across a crowded carriage and their connection is unmistakable.

What they don't know is that moments later they will both be caught up in an event that will change them forever.

It's one that will bring them together. But it will also tear them apart.

A lot can happen in seven seconds. A lot can happen in seven years.

Can they find their way back to each other?

Gorgeously romantic and swoon-worthy, this is the next unputdownable, will-they-won't-they love story from Elle Cook.

About Elle

Elle is a former journalist and PR who now writes novels under two different names. 

Lorna Cook is her historical fiction name where she writes novels filled with romance, intrigue, secrets and history and under the name Elle Cook she writes contemporary romance / women’s fiction. She lives in coastal Essex with her husband and their two daughters. When Elle/Lorna isn't making up stories and characters, she can usually be found with a glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other. It makes it tricky to turn the pages. Her favourite authors are Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Liz Fenwick, Jenny Ashcroft, Iona Grey and Holly Miller. She will even put the wine down to read anything by these fantastic writers!

Lorna's debut novel The Forgotten Village sold over 150,000 copies and was a Kindle Number 1 bestseller for over a fortnight. It spent four months in the Kindle Top 100, has eleven overseas/foreign language editions, won the Romantic Novelists' Association Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel of the Year Award and the RNA Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers.

Amazon UK | Amazon US |  Facebook | Instagram | Website | X

Read More

My Review for Death Before Dishonor by Madeline Vaughn

I really enjoyed this fast-paced military thriller and Emily, our protagonist, is a force to be reckoned with. Everything in this book surrounds the US Navy. Something has been going down and people have died, and now Emily and her friends and family need to find out what’s going on before worse happens.

Emily Fallon is very family-orientated, but she’s also a badass who will do almost anything to protect that family. She is very capable of looking after herself and I definitely wouldn’t want to cross her. Her enemies should be very afraid of her!

Right up until the end, I was questioning who the bad guys were. There were a lot of ‘Is it him’, and ‘actually no, it’s him’, moments and Vaughn kept the suspense going right the way through the book.

I am lucky enough to be on the Street Team for Madeline’s next book, Storm From Within, which is why I picked up this first one in the Emily Fallon series. I’ve already finished the next one and my review will be coming later this week.

If you enjoy a quick thriller with lots of twists and turns, then I’d recommend this new series.

About the Book 

Lieutenant Emily Fallon returns home from her recent at-sea deployment. All she wants before her next assignment is a little bit of R & R.

As soon as her boots hit the ground in Norfolk, VA, a series of events start to unfold. It is clear that someone is targeting her family.

Follow Emily through Norfolk, VA and the Outer Banks, NC as she tries to unravel the conspiracy that started long before she found out about it.

Will she be able to save her loved ones in time? Who will she be able to trust? She will quickly find out that prior events and people in her life are not truly what and who they seem to be.

About Madeline

​I have always been passionate about writing and storytelling. I would describe myself as a curious author who loves exploring different themes and motifs. As part of my writing process, I love to immerse myself into my projects—dive headfirst into the research, production, and fine-tuning of the stories that I feel are the most worthy of telling.​Take a look through the site to find everything from my latest work to future projects.

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Read More

My Review for All in Monte Carlo by Anna Shilling

I wasn’t sure about this book when I started reading it, but it just got better and better, although I’m not sure I’ve read anything like this before! After I finished it, I did a bit of Googling, and although I knew before I started that it was based on true events, I didn’t understand how the book worked.

So basically, Anna Shilling is a pen name for four women living in Monte Carlo. They tell their stories of betrayal, and setting up a book club to act as a cover whilst they put everything to rights! The characters are fictional, but the events, landmarks, hotels and casinos are true.

Much of the story seems completely over the top and melodramatic, but I think that’s how Monte Carlo works. It’s all wrapped up in its own little bubble, without any idea what is going on in the outside world, away from Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Michelin-starred restaurants!

The characters are diverse and live different lives. From businesswomen to models, to magazine editors, with one thing in common, they all live in Monte Carlo, where men seemingly have the upper hand, women go shopping and dogs are carried around in handbags!

This book is fun, busy, conniving and eye-opening and definitely worth a read. It has been left wide open for a sequel, and it seems there are many more tales to come out of Monte Carlo.

Thank you to Troubador Publishing and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review All in Monte Carlo by Anna Shilling.

About the Book

Four women, four ways to revenge… 

A Monaco insider reveals what life is like in the world's richest and most secretive enclave, where revenge is best served with a glass of champagne. 

Wedged between Southern France and the Mediterranean Sea, the miniature principality of Monaco is a place for aspiration, for comic extremes and for outrageous personalities. Where a businesswoman gets her favourite Chanel suit flown in by private jet. Where Hôtel de Paris serves breakfast to a drunken socialite in a prison cell. Where two Gucci-clad women are behind a string of burglaries. 

Against a backdrop of cocktails on superyachts, looking fabulous and feeling empty, this tongue-in-cheek tale revolves around four relatable women who meet by chance in Monte Carlo. After sharing their tales of betrayal, they set up a book club as a cover while they settle each other’s scores. But revenge, like life, doesn’t always go to plan…

About Anna

Anna Shilling is the collective pen name for four women who lived in Monte Carlo. A magazine editor, an aristocrat, a UHNW businesswoman and a private banker formed a book club and shared funny, shocking tales together about life in the principality. The magazine editor wove a fictional plot from their tales into this novel.

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Instagram

Read More