Thursday 31 October 2019

A Beautiful Day For A wedding by Charlotte Butterfield

Eve is a wedding journalist and magazine agony aunt whose friends are all getting married so as she struggles to help plan and attend five then later that becomes six, weddings, Ben the guy she expected to marry shows up again at a wedding after jilting her at the airport years before leaving her to live in New York alone.

As her brother's, Ayesha, Tanya and Becca's weddings all look closer and take place there's psychic action through sceance, Harry Potter themes parties and besides looking after Tanya's flat she has to dog sit for her too despite her rotten attitude and lack of respect we later see for her have for her so called friend!

Then there's Ben showing up everywhere, but as the pair reconnect and discover the years they missed out on each other's lives, will the old spark reignite?

As Eve tries to find her ideal man who's name coincidentally begins with a B as the psychic told her...

With a lot of wedding drama, heartbreak and craziness in the build up to the weddings this shows the way the big day can take a toll on the most prepared of girls! It shows even wedding journalists can feel the big day blues, every girl might stress over their lippy for the wedding but not even factor in having to face their ex again! Full of fun, dramatic fallouts and wild antics in some cases as well as showing freaky coincidences can lead to happiness this is a book perfect for wedding season!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!


Wednesday 30 October 2019

Sit Stay Love by J J Howard

In this book we meet Cecelia whom is having a rough time, after her house gets condemned after a fire she finds herself and her dad moving in with her aunt Pam.

Meanwhile she adores dogs and dreams of owning one of her own and the sooner the better for her however as she works voluntarily at an adoption centre for dogs, she falls in love with a pug she calls Potato.

However as she finds a friend in Lily at school, she discovers Lilys brother Eric wants to adopt Potato into their family's show dog brood!

Can she get her dream dog before he's snatched away from her for good?

Another cute pug related love story that was a bit more serious than the previous one as Potato looks set to be forced into a life just for the stage and performing, not going to a solely loving and fun caring home like Cecelia would provide. I found myself wishing for Cecelia to get to keep him and not let her fall for Eric but alas the inevitable happens after a twist in the tale!


Tuesday 29 October 2019

Pugs And Kisses by J J Howard


In this book we meet Ana and her pug friend Osito whom she walks for the lady in her building who can't get out often.


She meets Calvin and his pug Pancake when out walking and soon the pair become friends after he joins her school too!

However, he doesn't know that Osito isnt her dog but her neighbours, how will he react when or if he finds out?

Ana was an admirable protagonist in helping her neighbour neighbours care for her pet how she does and also serving the double purpose of letting her enjoy time with a dog she so desires herself! The relationship between the pair was sweet and we saw how much Osito adores her too, Ana and Calvin were a great pairing and made this love story more cuter!


Monday 28 October 2019

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin

After losing her uncle Hal, he leaves Charlie his beloved bus, Gertie.

After breaking up with her boyfriend Stuart and her beloved uncle, her best friend Juliette comes back from Cornwall where she lives and alongside Charlie's dad and boss try to get her to take a break and have a holiday as she throws herself instantly  into making Gertie a success and have her uncle Hal be proud of her for keeping the bus going now he's gone.

After a first disaster, she and her dog Marmite end up in Portgollow where Juliette lives. The area is a bit ran down and in need of revival, however there's the matter of Crystal Waters, a high end spa ran by Daniel.

Not everyone is welcoming to Charlie, Marmite and Gertie but can they change their minds?

Charlie and Marmite her yorkiepoo are setting up the Portgollow food festival to help raise the areas profile and make their businesses a success as she runs her Cornish Cream Tea Bus.

As she reunites with Oliver from The Marauding Mojito, Daniel invites her to the spa after her opens up about helping and failing to give her friend a job.

So on enough she has a choice to make and to address her feelings, safe Oliver but sexy and risky choice Daniel, who'll she realise her feelings for?

Charlie has to confront her true feelings for Oliver and Daniel especially when it seems one might have a wandering eye and not been honest with her alike she with them but only worse...

We also see how she plans to tour her bus around now and begins to trial her plans too!

In the final part of Charlie's story, we see how she discovers who sabotaged her bus stopping her trading which was of no surprise to me who'd done it, the clues are there all along...

However the whole village comes together to make it better including with regular food festival's!

But will she and Daniel finally sort out their feelings?

I have truly loved this book. Once again Cressida has written a remarkable story with characters that I wish really existed as this bus sounds amazing and I would love to support it!
I love the idea of keeping and using a vintage bus as a cafe it's absolute genius and I wish it existed. Even early on the chemistry is building between her and Daniel and the Cornish village life looks set to get vibrant, I was hooked on this book Cressida just keeps writing thrilling entrancing books you need to read!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!



Saturday 26 October 2019

Isadora Moon Puts On A Show by Harriet Muncaster

In this book Isadora gets to attend the vampire ball with her parents and gets to take part too, however we see how nerves get the better of her at times and how new friends can make everything better and his being you is the best thing you can be!

A great little book to help you embrace who you are and make you appreciate your talents and passions too!


Thursday 24 October 2019

A Shape Of My Own by Grace Bowman

In this book we meet Grace the author as she takes us through her past to present story of her life with anorexia and all the stages she went through with it.

From losing boyfriends and friends to losing control over her life as good became the main focus of her life and things like socialising and enjoying university became mixed up with varying emotions over her battle with food. We see what a toll or took on her parents as they watched her lose weight and regained too as well as when she finally managed to get to university and break free into the world on her own with a proper graduation job and finding her new love.

Grace's story is one that is honest and raw with all emotions splayed out page by page in her effectively captivating writing. It was a truly brutal battle and a hard one Grace pushed to try and overcome but I was truly blown away by her account of becoming herself again after losing her way.


Wednesday 23 October 2019

I Only Have Pies For You by Suzanne Nelson

In this sweet treat read we meet Dacey a girl from a small town in the south of America where businesses are closing down fast.

Her family's famous pie shop is kept going by it's regular locals and the legend of her great grandma's pie being magical in it's healing properties helped  especially as since the recipe was hidden no more successful copies of that Heartstring pie have been made.

Dacey however isn't naturally talented at pie making and has a quick fiery temper that gets the better of her, unlike her family and gets along better naturally with animals like her vet dad and she dotes on her horse Ginger.

Upon hearing from her best friend Zari that her nemesis Chayton is back in town she is super unhappy however her mum is overjoyed as his mum Julip has a TV show which could boost the town and provide some much needed tourism.

As the town revitalises itself, dealing with a sick horse, addressing her true feelings over Chayton, especially with Caroleen after him and trying to find and save her grandma's Heartstring pie recipie, there's an endless supply of drama I such a small town!

Suzanne writes such sweet stories love and food wise not only was the title another great pun but the mystery of where the recipe is keeps us intrigued and guessing along too. I loved the southern aspect especially as I love country music so animal lovers will especially enjoy the book.


Tuesday 22 October 2019

Getting Away With It by Anne Cassidy

When Mark and Katie go out it changes their lives forever, as Katie takes the brunt of the accident Mark becomes haunted by her constant presence and soon realises he can't get away with not being punished for the accident...

All about facing your fear, owning your grief and appreciating life while you have it this is a poignant book and made a great quick read.


Sunday 20 October 2019

The Art Of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Nina leads a luxury life with her husband Finn and Connor and Declan their two sons. That is all turned upside down by one phone call from the hospital telling her that her husband has been in a car accident and has died.
Nina later comes to find out that they are millions of pounds in debt and facing everything being repossessed to pay back her husband's debt landing them having to uproot from their normal lives as they know, no more private school for the children either as they move in with Nina's sister, Tiggy on a ran down council estate.

It was a great book about a woman whose unknown strength gets her family through the toughest times they face as they hit rock bottom in life. Flipping their life around despite bullying the boys endure, finding a job being a struggle these are all things which we can relate to a lot and it could keep some hope that we can change our lives like in this work of fictional magic.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!


Saturday 19 October 2019

The Vintage Summer Wedding by Jenny Oliver

Anna and Seb have returned to a cottage in Nettleton their home town as they prepare to get married but they return after Anna caused a scene strong enough to leave gossipers still going on about it even now!

Anna dreamt of London being her home with Seb but after their money ran dry, home was true only place to go to. Forced to work alongside Mrs Beedle in her antique shop for a measly wage and doing what she feels is disgusting work as her snobbish attitude is.

She also starts to help out at the village hall dance group where a group of kids have fun learning when they have nowhere else to learn to dance. After their teacher leaves it's down to Anna to keep them practising despite her tempting job offer in New York...

There also the fact her ex Luke Lloyd see's her again whilst Seb makes a shock announcement and commandeers their garden shed as his live in man cave!

Now Anna also has to deal with the fact her best friend is seeing her dad!

It's a book full of fun and laughter even with a lot of serious life stuff thrown in. Anna soon warms to you as the book goes on and we see her become more open to returning home and the life she has there. Anna won me over as she grew humbler as the story went on as at first I have to admit, she did seem a little full of herself with her big ways and expensive dress but soon she returned to find a love of dance with teaching it not performing on a huge stage with millions of fans and adoration.


Thursday 17 October 2019

Carols And Crushes by Natalie Blitt

In this book we follow, Charlie who's passionate about singing and making the school concert the best it can be especially as she dreams of getting the solo and performing amazingly.

Only when her teacher leaves to have her baby the concert is thrown into jeopardy and as her group consists of her best friend, her crush, Eric and the popular guy, Matthew she doubts whether they'll be good enough or even get along well together to perform to a great standard not to mention how will she cope with her feelings towards the boys!

I really enjoyed the way the characters were thrust together and made to make do which obviously made great twists happen along the way. However Charlie was a great character whose judgement gets shattered and altered for the better by the end of the book she's definitely a better person. A sweet holiday read, curl up with a hot chocolate, blanket and prepare to fall in to a great musical adventure!


Wednesday 16 October 2019

Izzy's Magical Football Adventure by Emma Larkin

In this book, Izzy realises her dream thanks to playing Gaelic football with her brothers in their backyard and being inspired by her grandma's medal bracelet too and all that she achieved and what she had to show for it as well as a legacy.

This may be a short story, but the magic that takes place showing Izzy the future makes the book and upbeat, positive and inspiring read that will show girls they can do and play to achieve in any sport they choose!

Many thanks to the author for allowing me to go review this book for her!


Tuesday 15 October 2019

Rebel With A Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring

When Jess gets called fat by the school mean girl, Zara on Own Clothes Day after a freak clothing ripping accident, she starts to doubt herself and her attitude towards her life choices such as her cupcake making and eating habit for one.

Hannah and Izzie her beat friends assure her it's not all bad as she's gained the attention of her secret crush, Matt and been asked by him to his party! But is he the boy of her dreams after all?

Her older sister Cat has suffered with an eating disorder it's hinted at, her mum encourages her to lose weight and so Jess begins questioning what she eats, when and why as well as taking up some exercise and eating less in general. But, she meets her blogger idol and gets asks to write a piece for her site after a chance meeting at her dads gig and so she swaps numbers with her idol and new friend quite possibly, Imogen and go shopping together.

The book deals with the issues of bullying and name calling in school, it can really effect peoples psyche and so is a key factor especially around the subject of weight as it could have sent Jess spiralling completely but eventually she owned her weight and who it makes her, A Rebel With A Cupcake as she calls herself online and good for her too!

A great book about not letting the bullies get you down, or at least not for long!

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!


Sunday 13 October 2019

Christmas At The Cornish Café by Phillipa Ashley

As Demelza the café is approaching it's opening, now it's October after the summer since starting the series off, everyone pulls together to make it work.

When Kit reveals a shocking surprise to Cal after he sees him with Mawgan their lives all change at this revelation.

Physical and emotional battles get revealed for Cal he finally confides in Demi a huge secret while Demi has a shock turn around with her dad and their relationship.

There is a sentence at the end of the book about Christmas not being perfect and how we shouldn't expect it to be. I have to say not only is it true anyway but definitely in my family as we always lose members at Christmas and sadly my beloved auntie passed on the 21st the same day my grandma passed a year before I was born unfortunately. In this book Phillipa makes it a very emotional ride with family at the heart throughout. With all the issues arising for the extra cast of characters we can't help but get hooked on the storyline it draws us in and makes us appreciate the family and friends we have and can share the joys of Christmas with.


Saturday 12 October 2019

The Benefits Of Being An Octopus by Ann Braden

Zoey is the eldest of her mum's children and since learning about octopuses from an old documentary she watched figures she could do with being one as she has to run around her siblings, Hector, Bryce and Aurora whilst their mum works.

They all live in a trailer park with Lenny, Hector's dad and their mum where they struggle for money as her mum's a waitress. Kenny is quite scathing towards their mum especially as he knows she works with Connor, a kind man at the pizza parlour she works in whom likes Zoey and the other kids.

Zoey has just started middle school with Fuchsia her friend where she learns about a debate team and her teacher insists on her taking part. Whilst in school shots are fired outside, a gunman whom Zoey later realises she knew of as he knows Fuchsia.

Neither girls home lives are secure it stable, happy ones and so each girl asks their mum about an idea they have to leave the controlling father figures in their lives well away from them but instead all survive together. They just need to speak up and out to the police and courts, if they can persuade them that is...

The book raises the issue of domestic abuse and all the spectrum of can occur from physical threats and acts to emotional abuse verbally and trying to control a person. We see how it impacts the whole family and Zoey has a lot to cope with hence her feeling comforted by her octopus passion as she knows how she could do with enough arms to do everything she has to do but envy them as they don't have to juggle school work or look after their siblings.  It was nice to see she found debate club a way for some own time and be able to connect more with other students while developing a passion.

Raw and intense look at life as a grown up but while still being a child yourself.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!


Friday 11 October 2019

A Story About Cancer With A Happy Ending by India Desjardins

In this book, we meet a fifteen year old teen girl who has been fighting leukaemia since she was just ten years old. She lost her friend to leukaemia and we see how she feels about feeling a burden on her family and feels they'd be better off without her.

The images are full of mixed emotions with dark sad images for her hopelessness she feels and warmth with colourful happy memories about her life.

Victor is her other friend, nothing to do with cancer but her school, she falls in love with him and we see how they grow together despite the cancer between them that could be a ticking time bomb.

It was sweet and moving with little words, the story comes across well in pictures and is sure to tug on your emotions as we can imagine being the main character as she faces her future and appreciates her past.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!


Thursday 10 October 2019

Girl Out Of Water by Nat Luurtsema

In this book we meet Lou an avid swimmer until she doesn't beat her record and fails to make her swim camp dream come true to possibly compete in the Olympics one day.

She fights off jealousy as her best friend and only friend from her school, Hannah makes the team and thus leaves her behind even though they keep in touch during the novel via text as Lou tries to make new friends and Hannah starts to suffer with mental and physical health and raises alarm bells on Lou.

As Lou awkwardly tries to make friends she finds herself helping out three guys in her school who want to enter Britain Has Talent as synchronised swimmers.

Lou is a fun protagonist and a friend you could dream to have as shows her caring nature over her friend and family. I had heard a lot about this book, all good and I have to say I agree it is a great read as not many teen fiction books focus on swimming as a passion usually it's a lot of love and growing up topics instead of the love of a hobby which added a great soon on this novel.


Wednesday 9 October 2019

Hole In The Middle by Kendra Fortmeyer

Morgan is slim, with a hole in her abdomen, her best friend and cheerleader for body positivity Caro her roommate who is always encouraging her to go out and live her life instead of hiding away.

She revealed herself publicly in a club, Mansion by dancing in crop tops. Only to discover she's become an internet sensation and is being talked about nonstop.

As she later gets approached by another surgeon she struggles trust whom is in charge of a boy and his case of deformity as he has a lump growing which correctly fits Morgan's hole, a strange coincidence but they set about trying an experiment with their separate DNA giving each other a bit of theirs to try and 'fix' themselves. Only with the press hounding them and feeling out of control of their bodies, they try to break free for a while to get a break and time together.

A story about the pressures of news and wanting to be normal and to fit in and not be the but of sick jokes of ridiculed online. It was an unheard of health issue and never read about before in YA fiction so I really enjoyed learning about it as I read, it was eye opening and very realistic with all the medical talk and trying to help solve it.



Sunday 6 October 2019

Chessboxer by Stephen Davies

In this book we meet Leah, a tough teen with a passion and set for stardom for her chess skills being ranked one of the best players there is and ranking higher and higher until she quits one day as the grief she has for her father gets too much and stifles her from her clear set path to being the highest ranking player there is.

Instead, she gets a pet python, gets a job at a donut shop and quits her blogging for others making it private documenting her life as she meets a blog reader, Kit who changes her life.

The air together play money in the park for money but she soon learns about chessboxing, a high intensity complex, thrilling game she desires to turn her talents too now and despite her mother's fears, leah is ruthless is getting what she wants to happen and refuses to back down...

All about loss, grief and pain as well as taking a stand for your future and discovering your passion in life, this is a fantastic high energy read about seeing your goal and achieving it no matter the odds or fears and proving you can and will succeed or at least try your hardest to get there and prove yourself.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review the book and take part in their bookstagram tour today too!


Saturday 5 October 2019

The Summer Of Hopes And Dreams by Lynsey James

Cleo wanted to be a professional dancer until twelve years ago a car crash breaking her leg in two places ended that dream. Instead, a nightmare happens as she keeps getting rejected from any dance teacher job she applies for.
Cleo goes to Carb Counters with her friend Emma and new girl Zara being there too as they all try to lose weight to reach their separate goals.
At the gym however, personal trainer, Scott is always helping her out of situations with the equipment there and soon enough they get friendly with each other.
Amanda then gets in touch, her bully from her school day gone, inviting her to their school reunion. She also starts popping up in their local pub and also at the gym as sure tries and fails to steal Scott away from Cleo!

As their relationship grows stronger, Cleo also becomes the new Carb Counters leader after Marjorie gets sacked by her boss upon Cleo standing up for the groups and their feelings over how she made them all feel week by week.
Reminiscent of Sue Watson's books as reviewed on here previously, this book is a summer read full of love, friendship, humour and a dose of sticking up for yourself during trying times! I really would encourage you to read this one if you enjoy easy read books as the storyline flowed well and didn't lose track of anything happening for onceand Cleo is a strong female after all she has faced but it's made her stronger over the years from being weaker before.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!




Thursday 3 October 2019

One Day In Winter by Shari Low

In this book we meet Caro, who's mum lay dying as she discovers just where her absent father disappeared to and why...

Lila, who is a social media addict with no idea that her boyfriend is going to propose to her, if only he was who she wanted...

Meanwhile Bernadette finally finds the courage to leave her loveless and emotionally abusive husband to enjoy the finer things in life she wants to for a change...

So as Caro discovers who Lila is and Lila discovers Bernadette, their lives link in ways that see the day change their lives forever.

This was a fabulous book, set only over the course of a day all I can say is it was stunning. A captivating, gripping and tumultuous read indeed! I loved courageous Caro, rooted for Bernadette and seethed at Lila and Ken's characters, they deserved each other in my opinion! Cammy Lila's would be fiancée was such a sweet guy, she missed a good one there she didn't deserve him though in my opinion! As you can tell I became attached to the characters reading on I felt like I was invested in their lives as if I were a nosy neighbour or family member! But I truly recommend this book to you, for all the drama the emotional journey and relationships between the characters made it a welcome addition to the chick lit, romance genre, it has been one of my favourite reads for the genre this year.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them and take part in the tour!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1789540577/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tu00_p1_i2




Wednesday 2 October 2019

Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses by Carole Matthews

Christie is in her forties with a teen son, Finn and a divorce in her past as well as a career as a PA for a law firm which doesn't excite her like her passion for crafting does as she loves nothing better than her crafty TV channel and getting her hands going making many cards etc.

When she replies or rather her mum does on her behalf to an add for a future collaboration with an American craft company of which she would love to work for she never expects a reply or for what entails next!

However as her son becomes increasingly unwell with a permanent headache and collapsing which seems obviously a serious issue she doesn't get there for a diagnosis quickly as she wished and soon the worst is confirmed and torn between her son, love and work she feels pulled in many directions before the world helps her figure it out...

This book makes you appreciate family and those you love as well as bringing awareness of health issues and the importance of persistence! Follow your dreams and you never know where it may lead this left me feeling full of hope and positivity as well as wanting to get crafting again!



Tuesday 1 October 2019

Lost In Rome by Cindy Callaghan

Lucy and her sister Gianna are spending two weeks with her aunt helping to run Amore pizza her business in Italy!

Upon arrival though the girls discover business is dire so set to work advertising and soon their rival is onto them, causing their food to be sabotaged at one point!

As Lucy grows closer to Aj and Rico, her sister does to Lorenzo their rival's worker, however they discover Lucy has a skill in matchmaking by pizza preference and so sets about using their niche to help drum up business.

This was a fun idea of a book as being able to matchmake and accurately through pizza preference would be a cool life skill!
I enjoyed the rivalry and friendship that grows through the story of their stay and it was a quick light read perfect for teens.


Great Destinations Of A Lifetime by Claudia Martin

In this book packed with stunning photography my stand out faves were the blue lagoon, ice caves and northern luights in Iceland as well as...