Sunday, August 17, 2025

My Review for Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, read by Andrew Wincott

August 17, 2025  , , , ,  No comments


'If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.'

Although I have a beautiful, Penguin clothbound copy of Nineteen Eighty-Four, I chose to listen to it, and I'm so glad I did! As soon as the narrator spoke the first words, I knew that I knew him, and it took me all of five minutes to realise that it was Adam from the Archers. He was phenomenal, and made Winston come to life!

I read this book many, many years ago, and I couldn't remember a thing about it. I found it terrifying that the authoritarian state in which he's living, could be said to resemble what's happening in certain parts of the world right now. Let's rewrite history, and make it the way we want it!😲

I enjoyed the beginning and the end, but now and then, Orwell goes off on a tangent and I became bored quite quickly.

Nineteen Eighty-Four is definitely worth a read, just because it's a classic. Oh, and I love that he lived about thirty minutes from me, in a town on the east coast of England called Southwold. There is a huge mural of him on the pier there. 

Thank you to #classiclitbookclub for choosing this one for August's read.

About the Book

Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal.

About George

As both pioneering political journalist and sage-like novelist George Orwell shaped how many of us interpreted the 20th century. His pre-war reportage highlighted inequality and poverty in Britain’s provinces, as well as bearing witness to pivotal political developments in Civil War Spain. His earlier fiction drew on his own experiences in imperial India and the English suburbs but broadened out to envision dystopian worlds rich in political allegory. His masterwork, Nineteen Eighty-Four, is one of the most significant novels of the 20th century.



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Friday, August 15, 2025

My Review for Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin

August 15, 2025  , , , ,  No comments


'Your robot short-circuited! There was a system failure and a malfunction in the motherboard.'

Rebecca Raisin is a must-read author for me, and I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a few minutes to get into the eccentricities of many of the people who were travelling on the Winter Wonderland Express, but very soon I was loving Princess, Sabrina and of course Jasper!

Aubrey had my admiration, to have the confidence and wherewithal to travel as she does, is simply amazing. Simply to pack up her belongings and head off to the next destination. I love a cruise. I love going to sleep each night and waking up in a new place each morning. The Winter Wonderland Express was exactly like this, but with the added fun of the Christmas themes onboard.

I really hope Rebecca decides to write a sequel to this one. I'd love to find out how Aubrey and Jasper manage on the Camino trail, and I'd delight in spending some time on Princess's yacht in the Cyclades.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express.

About the Book

A honeymoon for one on the most romantic train journey in the world… what could possibly go wrong?

When Aubrey’s fiancé dumps her – literally at the altar – just days before Christmas, her first thought is for the honeymoon. A luxury snow train, winding through Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets, stopping in places like Paris and Stockholm, before ending in Lapland, to stay in igloos under the Northern Lights.

It was meant to be the most romantic ten days of her life. And now she has to go it alone. But arriving on the train – where, not wanting to be known as someone who was jilted, she might have accidentally implied her new husband died in a horrible accident – she finds she’s not the only singleton on board.

The group of single passengers quickly nickname themselves ‘The Unlucky in Love Travel Club’… But – as the train gathers pace – so do Aubrey’s feelings for absurdly handsome travel journalist, Jasper.

And she starts to wonder – as fireworks explode over the snow – whether her magical Christmas honeymoon-for-one might be just what she needs. And if she might not be as unlucky in love as she’d thought…


About Rebecca

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.





















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Thursday, August 14, 2025

My Review for Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, read by Joe Arden and Lucy Rivers

August 14, 2025  , , ,  No comments


' “You might be psycho,” I say with a grin as her eyes narrow, “but you’re my psycho, and I’m yours. Got it?” '

I listened to this one, along with Leather and Lark, last summer whilst I was manning the cement mixer as we landscaped our garden! I had no idea what to expect, I just knew that everyone had been raving about it, and, like the sheep I am, I had to follow. 

One minute I was listening to the most gruesome murders I have ever read or listened to, and the next, it was getting very hot and steamy! On and off my husband would ask me what I was listening to, and I'd just say 'someone got murdered', but then half an hour later, I'd be distracted (probably getting the measures of sand and cement wrong) and he'd ask what was happening in the book. He was getting very confused when I'd say 'a lot of s*x, and thought I'd switched books. He doesn't read - he doesn't understand that murders and steaminess can go together, lol!

Both narrators are brilliant, I was invested right from the beginning, and even though I didn't know what to expect, I was blown away by the speed at which this story travelled. The chemistry between Sloane and Rowan and the breathtaking, if macabre, killings. I didn't think I would be into this, but I totally was!

About the Book

When a chance encounter sparks an unlikely bond between rival murderers Sloane and Rowan, the two find something elusive—the friendship of like-minded, pitch-black souls. From small town West Virginia to upscale California, from downtown Boston to rural Texas, the two hunters collide in an annual game of blood and suffering, one that pits them against the most dangerous monsters in the country.

But as their friendship develops into something more, the restless ghosts left in their wake are only a few steps behind, ready to claim more than just their newfound love. Can Rowan and Sloane dig themselves out of a game of graves? Or have they finally met their match?

About Brynne

Writing has always been a hobby for Brynne. Even as a young child, she loved typing out stories on her grandmother’s typewriter. She wrote award-winning poetry and essays, and dabbled in various forms of fiction over the years. In 2019, Brynne committed to publishing more of her works, and released her first non-fiction book (under her real name!). She then began focusing on her first fantasy-romance (or ‘romantasy’) series, The Diviner. Next up was the three-part Shadow Realm paranormal dark romance series. Brynne then partnered with author Alexa Harlowe on the contemporary dark standalone romance, Black Sheep. 

Brynne aspires to write female-focused stories about complex, resilient, imperfect characters who struggle with anger, trauma, fear, courage, and love. 




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Wednesday, August 13, 2025

My Review for Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn by Sarah Hope, read by Sophie Mackall

August 13, 2025  , , , ,  No comments


'...has the freedom she's been enjoying finally turned her feral?'

Claudette, our favourite woolly friend, is back and as feisty as ever in this, the second book in Sarah Hope's Pennycress Inn series. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this, but when I discovered there was an audiobook, I was straight in there, and I listened to it in just a day. I get through so many more books in the summer when I'm outside weeding and whatnot, with my AirPods in!

As always, I fell in love with all the characters and of course I was rooting for Nicola and Charlie, right from the get-go. I loved Charlie. Mr Grumpy, who pretends he isn't falling in love with Meadowfield and its inhabitants, and especially one in particular. Many of the characters from the first book make an appearance, Laura and Jackson, stern old Miss Cross and of course Claudette the sheep!

English country romances are one of my absolute favourites, and in this one, I loved the essence of quintessential village life. The fun, the friendship, knowing everyone and being able to pop into the pub for a drink and knowing that there will be someone in there to talk to! 

Thank you to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read, listen to and review Falling in Love at Pennycress Inn by Sarah Hope.

About the Book

Is this just a summer romance or could it be more?

Nicola grew up at Pennycress Inn, in the beautiful Cotswold village of Meadowfield, and now she’s come full circle by landing a job there. After a difficult few months, she’s happy to be back in the place she loves and calls home.

The whole village is looking forward to the annual summer carnival, and Nicola is charged with asking the local farmers to lend their tractors and trailers for the occasion. It’s an easy task – until she meets the new owner of Little Mead Farm, who stubbornly refuses to help.

On sabbatical from his City job for the summer, Charlie wants to do up his late uncle’s farm and put it on the market as soon as possible. The place might have been in his family for generations but country life is simply not for him. He has no time for whatever the villagers are up to.

When Nicola and Charlie meet, sparks fly – and unexpected feelings grow. Soon there’s more at stake in Meadowfield than the success of the carnival. But whatever happens between them, this is just a summer romance… isn’t it?

About Sarah

Sarah has been dreaming up stories ever since she was a child. She remembers many a family stroll when she’d daydream up her next story adventure. 

As an adult, she prefers to write romance novels and novellas with a Happy Ever After ending. She has two main romance series, the Escape To... series that focuses on single mums taking a chance and fulfilling their career dreams as well as finding love, and The Cornish Bakery series, that follows a busy bakery in a beautiful fictional bay in Cornwall. 

Sarah Hope lives in Central England with her two children and an array of pets and enjoys escaping to the seaside at any opportunity. 

She has also written some women’s fiction books.















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Tuesday, August 12, 2025

My Review for He Falls First by Jill Shalvis read by Lila Winters and Sebastian York

August 12, 2025  , , , , , ,  No comments


'I straightened and a cheese puff fell out of my shirt.'

I loved the simplicity of this cover and when I was invited to listen to a copy by the lovely Hambright PR, I grabbed it with both ears!

Penny and Ryder are adorable, even when Penny is stressing and Ryder is grumpy, and believe me - that happens a lot. As the title suggests, Ryder falls first, and slowly, but surely he persuades Penny that he will never hurt her, that she absolutely should take a chance on love and that they can have so much fun together. 

This is a small-town romance that I listened to whilst working in my garden. It has all the super-sweet vibes of cute couples, community spirit and family loyalty. Mix all that up with a well-meaning but interfering Granny, and you've got a gorgeous summer read. 

Thank you to That's What She Said Publishing and Hambright PR for the opportunity to listen to and review He Falls First by Jill Shalvis.

About the Book

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again...

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.


About Jill

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies filled with madcap adventures and shenanigans and sexy times. (just don’t tell her mom). She’s sold 20 million plus copies worldwide to date and lives with her family in a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental).





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Monday, August 11, 2025

My Review for Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow by Victoria Walters

August 11, 2025  , , , , ,  No comments



' "Apple and cinnamon latte?" Dylan nodded. "Yep." He took a sip. "Oh, man, why have I suddenly developed a taste for sweet coffee?" '

Gorgeous, autumnal and a great big pumpkin spiced latte of cosiness with whipped cream on top! Those are just a few words to describe the first book in Victoria's brand-new series, Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow. 

A smorgasbord of cuteness, pumpkins, community spirit and of course, love. Willow is determined to save her farm from the nasty developers. With help from all her friends, and a dark and handsome stranger, she attempts to create a pumpkin patch, along with all the bells and whistles beside it, to make enough money to ensure her farm becomes profitable. 

As October approaches, both Willow and Dylan make discoveries about themselves, as well as each other, and perhaps they might realise that opposites can attract after all.

This captivating and heartwarming story gives off huge Gilmore Girls vibes. I want to move into Birchbrook immediately and visit the new pumpkin patch whilst sipping on a warm and spicy autumnal drink. 

Thank you to Boldwood and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow by Victoria Walters.

About the Book

I remembered my mum telling me that autumn was a chance for nature, and for people, to let go of anything that was holding them back… Willow Connor has one shot to save her family’s farm – turning it into Birchbrook’s first ever pumpkin patch. There’s just one she has exactly zero pumpkins and only six weeks to make it happen. Everyone in the close-knit town thinks she’s crazy, but she’s determined to prove them wrong.

Enter Dylan Henderson, a hotshot property consultant with a clipboard full of reasons why selling is the smarter choice. Determined to stand her ground, Willow makes him a bold offer – stay and watch her turn the farm around. To her surprise, he agrees.

Now, as Willow throws everything into making her pumpkin patch a success (even if it means buying every pumpkin in the county), she also finds herself learning a thing or two from Dylan – about business, about ambition… and maybe about love?

Will she save the farm and prove everyone wrong? And when the deal is up, will Dylan walk away – or has he found something worth sticking around for?


About Victoria

Victoria Walters is a full-time author living in Surrey. Victoria writes sweet and spicy rom coms set in the book world, and new autumnal small town romance LOVE AND LATTES AT PUMPKIN HOLLOW. She used to work in publishing and a bookshop, and has been a bookworm since childhood.

Victoria is also the author of the bestselling uplifting and romantic series GLENDALE HALL and the cosy crime series THE DEDLEY END MYSTERIES.




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Tuesday, August 5, 2025

My Review for The No-Show by Beth O'Leary, read by Evanna Lynch, Heather Long, Kathryn Drysdale and Luke Thompson

August 05, 2025  , , , ,  No comments


'As a rule, she prefers plants and cats to humans these days. They’re both species with a much better track record.'

This was so far from what I was expecting, I had to take a step back and think - wow! Did I really just listen to that! I thought the No-Show would be a rom-com all the way, but it was that and so, so much more. It took me until at least halfway through the audiobook, if not further, to realise what I was listening to. I can't say much more because I don't want to spoil it for those of you who may read it. Essentially, it's about the same man, standing up three women on Valentine's Day - that's all I'm going to say!

It's heartwarming, heart-wrenching, and completely original. Beth O'Leary is adept at putting these thoughts in your head, making you believe the story is going in one direction. In fact, she gives you whiplash as she throws you in the completely opposite direction and breaks your heart. 

If you're a crier, then you'll sob at this book. If you're more hardhearted, then I'm sure you will have at least a tear somewhere at the back of your eyes!

About the Book

Siobhan is a quick-tempered life coach with way too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon used to being treated as just one of the guys on the job. Jane is a soft-spoken volunteer for the local charity shop with zero sense of self-worth.

These three women are strangers who have only one thing in common: They've all been stood up on the same day, the very worst day to be stood up--Valentine's Day. And, unbeknownst to them, they've all been stood up by the same man.

Once they've each forgiven him for standing them up, they let him back into their lives and are in serious danger of falling in love with a man who seems to have not just one or two but three women on the go....

Is there more to him than meets the eye? And will they each untangle the truth before they all get their hearts broken?


About Beth

Beth O’Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than 30 languages. 
She wrote her debut novel, The Flatshare, on her train journey to and from her job at a children’s publisher. 

She now lives in the Hampshire countryside and writes full time.




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