25 Books I Want To Read in 2025

 Here's everything I want to read in 2025! As always release months are subject to change and this is based on UK release dates...

February

March

April

May

June

October

Guest Review: Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson

onnie Llewelyn is the beating heart of the magical seaside village of Starshine Cove. She runs the local cafe, and is everybody's friend – always on hand with a kind smile, a listening ear and a freshly-baked scone.

Since losing her beloved husband five years ago, she's been busy raising her children, supporting her extended family and staying positive. Now, as her kids fly the nest, she finds herself wondering what her own future might look like.

When a face from the past unexpectedly arrives in Starshine, could meeting Zack again give her a second chance at love? Will Connie be brave enough to take a risk on living life for herself?

Review: This is the fourth book in the Starshine Cove series from Debbie Johnson. Stories in this series are set in the strangely magical Dorset seaside village of Starshine Cove, which draws in visitors who then never want to leave, meaning that the population grows with each successive book. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

This story centres on Connie, a character who has lived in Starshine Cove for many years and has featured in these books from the start. Connie is an amazing cook who runs the cafe in the village while raising a family and being on hand to help anybody who needs assistance or even just a listening ear. Having been widowed five years ago, she is now finding life a bit empty as her children are leaving the nest to follow their own paths. However, a surprise encounter with a face from her past in the shape of Zack has her recalling how she arrived in the village all those years ago and wondering if it is too late to consider opening her heart to love once again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and especially learning more about one of the key inhabitants of the village. I feel as though I have got to know the villagers as I have read each book in turn, and Connie has always struck me as someone I would love to sit down and chat with. Learning about Connie’s past was quite painful at times and, typically of Debbie Johnson’s writing, I experienced both laughter and tears as I read. The wonderful power of community came across once again in this book as it has in previous stories about this village. As well as enjoying Connie’s story, I also liked meeting Zack, a strong personality with a surprising secret. I am hoping that there will be further additions to this amazing series; it is wonderful to have somewhere like Starshine Cove to escape to once in a while.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft by Jessica Redland

New friends, new life, new love…

Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way…

Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Barn couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves?

When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroads, a future together seems impossible. Can they find the strength to overcome their challenges to secure their forever home together?

I have been a fan of Jessica Redland’s books for some time now, enjoying the various collections of stories she has published. This latest book is part of the Honeybee Barn collection, with stories set in the Yorkshire Wolds. There are a number of familiar faces from previous series in this book, but this is still a standalone story for those who are perhaps new to this author.

The central characters in this story are Joel Grainger, a divorced dad trying to get better access to his daughter Imogen, and accountant and beekeeper Poppy Wells, who is finding life stressful fitting work around visiting her dad who is in advanced stages of dementia. When concerned friends finally persuade Poppy that she needs a break, she books a stay in Whisperwood Farmhouse in the Yorkshire Wolds, which is also close to Honeybee Barn. Poppy instantly falls in love with the farmhouse and the area in general and sees an opportunity to begin a new life there where she can keep bees and make products from their honey. A chance meeting with Joel, who is also considering a new start, and acknowledgement of an instant attraction between them has has the pair wondering whether they could have a future together in this lovely part of the country.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to other readers. It is full to the brim with love, friendship and a sense of community. Poppy and Joel were both appealing characters, each of them going through hard times. As well as the heartbreaking time Poppy was having watching as her dad’s health deteriorated, there were other stresses in her life. Similarly, Joel was having a tough time, fighting with his ex-wife over access to Imogen at the same time as worrying over other family members and the security of his job. It was heartwarming to watch them find solace in each other. Having already read many of Jessica Redland’s other books, I enjoyed meeting up with lots of characters that I recognised from previous storylines. Once again, I was struck by the beauty of the setting for the book, while the farmhouse where Poppy was staying sounded really enchanting.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: Something in the Air by Helen Rolfe

A surprise arrival

Working with the Whistlestop River air ambulance is Nadia's whole world. She adores her job and the team – they’re family. But when a baby is abandoned on the steps of the base, Nadia is forced to confront events from her past she’d rather forget.

A difficult change

Hudson is trying to get his life back on track after his divorce. It’s not easy juggling his work as a patient and family liaison officer and being the primary parent for his children. He wouldn’t change it for the world. But when his teenage son’s behaviour spirals out of control, Hudson begins to wonder if he can really be there for everyone who needs him…

A chance for something special?

Nadia and Hudson have always been friends, but the arrival of baby Lena pushes them closer than ever, and as their feelings start to grow, they’ll have to decide – do they have space for love when their families need them? And could they put themselves and each other first, just this once?

Review: This is the third book in The Skylarks series from this author, with stories set in the Dorset town of Whistlestop River, concerning the activities of the air ambulance crew stationed there. While the stories feature a number of returning members of the helicopter crew and helpers, each book focuses on one or more characters in particular. The author has helpfully listed the main characters and their roles at the beginning of the book. Although part of a series, every book can be read as a standalone.

This third story in the series centres on operational support officer Nadia, and patient and family liaison nurse Hudson. Nadia has been working with the air ambulance team for some time and is happy with her life there, considering her colleagues as family. However, when a newborn baby is abandoned on the doorstep of the base, it brings back memories of a life she had before she moved to Whistlestop River - a life that none of the others know about. On the plus side, the arrival of the baby in their lives brings friends Nadia and Hudson closer together and makes them acknowledge that they might become more than friends. Since his divorce, Hudson has been struggling to look after his two children and at the same cope with his demanding job, but wonders if now he might be able to find time for himself as well.

Having read and enjoyed the other books in this series, I was eagerly anticipating the release of this third book. I was not disappointed. Once again, I found myself engrossed in the story about the air ambulance service and the hard-working crew and support personnel. It was interesting to learn a bit more about the characters from previous stories, in particular Nadia’s past life that she had kept secret until now. It was moving to learn the details of what she had experienced from a young age. Hudson, on the other hand, was having a tough time in the present with a rebellious teenager and a difficult ex. I felt that both Nadia and Hudson deserved a happy future and was willing them to get together. I can highly recommend this book and, indeed, this series.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: An Almost Perfect Summer by Jill Mansell

Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He's a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.

Then Nella loses her job. There's a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can't risk falling in love with.

While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie's sworn off people - especially men - until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation - with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn't a member of her fan club. Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .

Review: I can’t believe another year has passed and it’s time to read Jill Mansell’s latest book again. It is always a highlight to look forward to in the time after the Christmas celebrations are over. This new book is set in the Cotswolds, a lovely part of England, and features a development of luxury holiday homes that sound absolutely fabulous.

Among the many characters in this story, two women take centre stage. The first is Nella, who we meet as she is visiting the village of Starbourne, where she spent her childhood living with her grandfather. Following a nasty accident, she meets Nick, owner of luxury holiday accommodation in the village, who is looking for a concierge to run the complex. Although being attracted to Nick and eminently qualified for the job, Nella decides that she is happy in her current position and the two part company. However, when her situation unexpectedly changes, she later takes on the concierge job and moves back to the village. The other central female character is Lizzie, an English actress currently living in Los Angeles. When her latest film is completed, she decides to take a few months off and books into one of Nick’s houses in Starbourne while writing her autobiography. As Lizzie is settling into the village, she encounters a few of the locals, one of whom is widower Matthew. Unfortunately, their relationship starts off badly, but all that changes when a secret gets out and an unbelievable coincidence is revealed.

Oh my goodness what a lot happened in this book and what an amazing cast of interesting, well-developed characters. There was romance, drama, friendships renewed and new friendships formed galore; certainly never a dull moment for the protagonists or the reader. I loved the idea of the luxury development where there was someone on call to source any requirements, and in such a lovely country setting. As you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do not hesitate to recommend it. This feel-good story can’t fail to dispel any post-Christmas blues.

To order your copy now, click here!

Guest Review: A Postcard from Puffin Island by Christie Barlow

Verity Callaway is running away.

From her job.

From her quiet life in the Midlands.

And most of all from her ex-fiancée…who has just become her newest neighbour.

The plan is simple: hop in her reliable camper van and cross the Channel, headed for a rendezvous with her best friend in Amsterdam to kick off six months of travel. But when Verity stumbles across a decades-old postcard while preparing her cottage for its temporary tenants, her life takes an unexpected turn, and she finds herself on a ferry to Puffin Island instead.

Verity’s childhood was filled with tales of adventures set on the picturesque island, but she’d always thought her beloved granny had made it all up. Now, knowing the stories and the setting were real, Verity is determined to find the postcard’s sender and uncover the secrets of her grandmother’s past…even if it means setting off a sequence of events that will change not just her own life, but also that of the sleepy island’s close-knit community…

Review: This is the first book in a new series from this author, whose Love Heart Lane series was a favourite of mine. The stories in this new series are set on a small island off the north-east coast of England accessed by a causeway that can be crossed safely only at certain states of the tide. As its name suggests, the island is home to a large colony of puffins.

The main female character in this story, veterinary assistant Verity Callaway, is about to set off in her camper van for Amsterdam where she will pick up her friend and they will go travelling for 6 months. Preparing her house for the tenants who would live there in her absence, Verity finds a postcard addressed to her late grandmother from someone living on Puffin Island. Verity’s grandmother used to tell her stories about a place called Puffin Island; only now does she realise that it is in fact a real place. While intending to board the ferry for Amsterdam, Verity finds that she has time to visit Puffin island first. Her plans change when instead of staying on the island overnight, she gets stuck there when her camper van is damaged. When her friend backs out of the planned trip, Verity stays put and gradually becomes involved in island life. As she gets to know more of the island’s residents, including the puffins, and falls under the spell of the island itself, Verity realises that she is becoming less and less inclined to leave. Looking into the mystery of the sender of her grandmother’s postcard, she also uncovers more secrets from the island’s past.

This was a lovely story with an idyllic setting, lots of sweet little puffins (even if they had sharp little beaks!), interesting characters and some romance to boot. It was fascinating following Verity on her adventure, leaving behind her old life and unpleasant memories to try and solve a mystery from long ago. She certainly wasn’t afraid to take a chance and follow her heart. I’m looking forward to learning more about Puffin Island and the people who live there. The author has included a map of the island with notable locations marked, suggesting many more stories to come.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: The Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson

Welcome to The Comfort Food Café!

It’s been a tough year for Maxine Connolly – so tough she's almost given up on finding her happy ending. But then she discovers The Comfort Food Café, shining like the star on top of the Christmas tree and welcoming her in to its cozy, cake-filled embrace for hot chocolates dripping with whipped cream, melty grilled cheese toasties and the funniest bunch of regulars she soon calls friends.

Then there’s gorgeous local Gabriel Moran, who looks at Max like she’s a present he can’t wait to unwrap – and she can’t help but think that, maybe, he’s just what she wants for Christmas too…

Review: This is the seventh book in the Comfort Food Cafe series from the lovely Debbie Johnson. I was very excited to hear that this book was in the offing as I have read all of the books in this series so far and looked forward to reuniting with the characters who have been introduced as the series has progressed. Each story can be read as a standalone, but how lovely it has been to read them from the start and build up a picture of the cafe and the people in the fictional village of Budbury where the series is set. For those new to the series, the Comfort Food Cafe is a magical establishment set on the top of a hill where a person can find just what they need to set things right in their world, be it a special dish or just the company of people good at listening. As a devotee of Debbie Johnson’s writing might expect, there is a fair amount of humour in this and previous stories in the series.

This story centres on Maxine (Max) Connolly, whose life has become very difficult for her due to a whole series of bad things that have happened one after the other. When her daughter, Sophie, sees an advert for help wanted at the Comfort Food Cafe, on impulse she applies on her mum’s behalf, outlining how low her mother has become due to her bad fortune. Although surprised by this, Max takes the job when it is offered along with accommodation, and both she and Sophie set off for Dorset. As others before have discovered, the inhabitants of the village and incredibly welcoming and make the pair feel at home. Among the sometimes zany group of regulars who frequent the cafe, Max meets the more sober Gabriel Moran who lives alone in a house he inherited from his great uncle. Their initial meeting was not too friendly, but they soon strike up a friendship which has the promise of so much more.

It was a treat to return to Budbury and the famous Comfort Food Cafe and meet up with familiar faces once again. I know I am not alone in wishing that the cafe was real. Max and Sophie were lovely additions to the group of people who arrived in the village and never left. Life had certainly thrown a heap of rubbish in Max’s direction and she was an amazing person to keep up an outward cheery persona despite it all. It was truly heartwarming to witness the gradual change brought about in her by the village and its inhabitants. She and the handsome Gabriel were made for each other and I was willing them on to get over their differences and strike up a romance. I can recommend this book and the rest of the series; I can guarantee you’ll finish the story with a smile on your face but wanting more.

To order your copy now, just click here!