Guest Review: All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents …

Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?

Rosie married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?

Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?

All this secrecy could derail everyone's happy holidays. Can the siblings open up to each other in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?

Review: I have been eagerly awaiting the new Christmas book from Sarah Morgan. For me, it’s like a sign of the beginning of the festive season, as I can be sure that her story will have me in a mood for all things Christmas by the time I have read a few chapters. In the past her books have taken me to various snowy destinations; this time the story is set in the north of England and there’s plenty of snow. As the beautiful cover suggests, there is a family get together in a house tastefully decorated for the occasion.

This story centres on the Balfour family as they gather to celebrate Christmas in the family home on the Northumberland coast. It is told by the female members of the group, individual chapters being narrated from the point of view of one of them in turn. Mother, Jennifer, is busy making the house ready, concerned that a newcomer to the family, her son’s girlfriend Hayley, should enjoy her first proper Christmas. Twins Becky and Rosie are travelling north, worried that the weather might stop them getting home. Becky has become stranded at the airport with all planes grounded. She is actually nervous about meeting up with the rest of the family for the first time in ages. Luckily she bumps into her brother’s friend Will, the only person who knows the reason for her nervousness, who offers her a lift north in his car. Rosie and husband Declan are driving towards the family gathering, but all is not well with their marriage and they want to keep that fact from the others. In fact, everyone in the party is hiding secrets. The question is: will a big family Christmas help with their problems or make things worse?

I can confidently recommend this heartwarming festive romance, that is simply brimming with strong characters, to other readers. It had me completely immersed in the lives of this family in no time at all. As they gathered together, one secret after another emerged and I was left wondering what would happen when they all came to light. This story is so well written that I could feel the tension building amongst the characters as one after the other neared the family home. I felt for Jennifer as she tried to ensure that Hayley would have as good an experience as possible, while also worrying about the rest of the family, her intuition that all was not well working overtime. I loved the sound of the big house that she has managed to decorate inside and out for Christmas. The setting also sounds wonderful, just a few steps from a long beach. This is definitely a book fans of quality romantic fiction would be happy to find in their stocking this Christmas.

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Guest Review: Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas

Jemima Jones is driving home to her family's magical hill-top farm for Christmas…

And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima must pull on her winter wellies and get stuck in.

Amid the chaos of chasing after escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming, retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa's helper.

With a sprinkle of festive cheer and a dash of goodwill, might the community pull together to help save the farm in time for Christmas?

Review: Jo Thomas is one of my favourite authors. In her books, she often transports the reader to a far off country and always highlights the tasty foods there, usually including some recipes for dishes described in the story. I look forward to her Christmas books in particular; they always get me in the mood for the upcoming festivities. This story is set in the UK and has a message for us all.

The story begins a few weeks before Christmas when Jemima Jones (Jem) is travelling to her family’s small farm in west Wales to visit her father and introduce him to her boyfriend. When they arrive at Hollybush Farm, it is apparent that all is not well and that her father has not been looking after himself. As Jem decides that she must stay and help her father around the farm, even though it costs her her job, she gradually realises that the farm is in a poor financial state and that there is even a possibility that they could lose it altogether. Whilst trying to find ways of bringing in revenue, Jem begins to post a diary on social media to highlight the plight of small farmers fighting to make a living off the land in the face of competition from cheap food imports. She has no idea of the impact her posts are going to have as they resonate with other farmers as well as the public in general. She even manages to win around a business man, Llew, who came to buy the land but ends up helping out and becoming a close friend.

I very much enjoyed this thought-provoking festive tale full of interesting and well-developed characters. Although set in the run up to Christmas, the story is more about the struggle not only farmers but also small villages have to survive against competition from large companies. Jem was an amazing character who moved from one world to the other when she gave up her job with a large hotel brand to help not only her family farm but the local community as a whole. She came up with some incredible schemes. The story also illustrates how social media, often given bad press, can be used in a positive way. Of course, the book also has its fair share of romance as well as a helping of humour. Finally, thank you to the author for providing recipes for some of the traditional Welsh dishes mentioned in the text. I highly recommend this book to read or gift this Christmas or practically any time.

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2025 Q3 Reading Wrap Up

 Here's everything I read in  July, August and September AKA Q3 of 2025! I like the balance of fiction, non-fiction, adult and YA and romance vs thriller!

Guest Review: Everything Changes But You by Sarah Bennett

Is home always where the heart is? ✨

Running a café by the sea in Halfmoon Quay should be a dream job for Issy Kernow, but the view reminds her of everything she’s lost since her parents’ death. She’s relied on no one but herself and her eccentric grandmother, Maud. But as Maud finds unexpected love, Issy begins to feel restless and lonely. Could it be time for a change?

Liam Penrose has always lived up to his family’s expectations, but after a failed relationship and a job he hates, life in London isn’t fulfilling. When a gift from his great-uncle offers the chance to take over a run-down hotel in Halfmoon Quay, Liam is torn. Returning home means a career change—and a chance to reconnect with Issy, his teenage love who slipped away years ago. Is it too late for Liam to risk everything and return to the life he once dreamed of?

In this heart-lifting story of love and second chances, will Issy and Liam discover that, when everything changes around them, some things were always meant to be?

Review: This is the second book in Sarah Bennett’s Halfmoon Quay series, with stories set in the coastal Cornish village of the same name. Halfmoon Quay is a popular destination for tourists, with its pretty bay and busy harbour. The books feature events in the lives of its residents, with a helpful cast of characters and map of the village included at the beginning of each. This, like the last book in the series, can be read as a standalone.

This story centres on cafe owner Issy Kernow and Liam Penrose, eldest son of a prominent village family. Issy has a busy life, running the cafe with its mouthwatering home baking and cooking and also hosting a summer afternoon kids’ club in the hub attached to the cafe. Liam left the village after university and has been living in London, where he has a high-powered job and a long-term girlfriend. However, when his relationship breaks up, he takes the opportunity to have a break from the job that has become more and more of a chore and return home for a while. When his great-uncle presents him with the deeds for the local hotel he no longer wishes to run, Liam has decisions to make about his future. The hotel needs quite an injection of cash to update it from its present rundown state. He is also unexpectedly presented with the chance of rekindling his once serious relationship with Issy, especially when they discover that their break up years ago was engineered by a third party.

It was great fun returning to Halfmoon Quay and catching up with the people there in this heart-warming second chance romance. This book was an easy read and I didn’t mind that it was a little predictable as it left me with a nice warm feeling. Although the story homes in on Issy and Liam, there is plenty going on around them. I loved that Issy had her three loyal friends who were always there for her at a moment’s notice, while Liam’s family were ready with help and support at all times. Issy’s grandmother, Maud, was quite a character and a favourite with me; a source of amusement but also sage advice. As with the first book in the series, I was again attracted by the setting; I would love to visit this little village, perhaps enjoy a pot of tea and some cake while taking in the view. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series. I wonder who will be in the spotlight next time.

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Book Review: Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk

 One fake romance. One magical Christmas. One chance to fall in love.

Laura was all set for a quiet solo Christmas – just her, a bottle of wine, and flat-sitting for a stranger. But when the stranger’s parents mistake her for his mystery girlfriend, she’s swept off to the snowy Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family.

Between the cosy sleeper train, charming pubs and breathtaking views, this could be the no-strings-attached Christmas of Laura’s dreams.

But stranger Callum is hot, hilarious and their ‘fake’ chemistry is off the charts.

So is this just a Christmas fling? Or the start of something more?

Review: Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved this book! A Christmas Fling is everything I want in a festive romance — funny, cozy, and full of heart. The fake dating trope is one of my all-time favorites, and Lindsey Kelk nailed it here. Laura and Callum’s chemistry was off the charts, and the Scottish setting made it all feel so magical and atmospheric. I could practically picture the twinkly lights, rainy streets, and festive vibes — it was pure Christmas escapism.

Laura was such a brilliant main character. I adored her — she’s funny, relatable, and just trying to figure things out like the rest of us apart from the fact that she is a neurosurgeon. And Callum? Total dreamboat. I loved how grounded and kind he was, and the slow burn romance between them had me kicking my feet and grinning like an idiot. Every little moment built so perfectly to the big payoffs, and I couldn’t stop reading because I just had to see how it would all unfold.

Also, shoutout to the M&S Christmas range — the references were iconic and made me crave mince pies and festive snacks the whole time. And yes… the sex scenes were hot! Like, properly steamy but still emotional and in tune with the fake dating trope. Honestly, this book gave me everything I wanted — a swoony romance, a cozy setting, and all the festive feels. I’ll definitely be rereading it along with the rest of my Lindsey Kelk collection! 

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Guest Review: A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas

It's never too late to find where you belong...

Thea knew the holiday house her late husband Marco bought in Tuscany wasn't pristine. But when she relocates to Italy for the summer with her children, she's shocked by how much work Casa Luna needs. And she only has six weeks to fix it up ready to sell! Her only option is to ask the tight-knit Italian community for help.

In return, Thea and her children become involved in the community kitchen, working alongside handsome chef Giovanni and three very competitive nonnas. Gradually, Thea begins to open up to the people around her for the first time in a long while. But just as she's beginning to wonder whether this small Tuscan town could become a new place to call home, a surprise visitor turns everything on its head . . .

Review: I do love a book from Jo Thomas. I know when I pick one up to read I will find myself transported to a world of new characters and usually another country with interesting sights, sounds and smells. Often, I find myself keen to try out some new dishes that I have read about, because food always plays a big part in Jo’s stories. This latest book promised a trip to Tuscany, its bright cover giving a clue to a busy time for the characters.

The story centres on Thea and her young family, who have travelled from the UK to spend the summer in a small town in Tuscany where her late husband, Marco, bought a house as a surprise for the family. Thea learns that Marco bought the rundown house cheaply on the understanding that it would be renovated within a given time period, and that time has almost run out. There is so much to do to bring the house up to standard that Thea realises she must ask for help from the local community. She makes a deal with chef Giovanni, who runs a community kitchen in the town, that he and his friends will help with the house if she and the children will help run the kitchen, side by side with three elderly nonnas who have lived in the town most of their lives and pride themselves in their cooking skills. As the young family become immersed in the community, Thea finds herself relaxing more than she has been able to in a long time, and even wondering if this small town could become home to her and her children.

I very much enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it as an absorbing summer read. It has so much going for it, with its combination of drama, mystery, romance and comedy, combined with a cast of captivating characters and a wonderfully warm community feeling. I absolutely loved the three nonnas, who were at loggerheads for most of the story. I could almost picture them hanging out of their windows shouting at each other. On the other hand, Thea’s children were almost too good to be true; she was very lucky to have such compliant companions. Thea herself was a courageous woman grieving for her husband but always doing what she thought best for her young family. I hoped she would find time to examine her feelings for handsome Giovanni. All through the story, the reader and Thea are presented with mouthwatering dishes made using traditional Italian recipes. This is definitely one of those books liable to leave you hungry for some good food.

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Guest Review: One Cornish Summer With You by Phillipa Ashley

Tammy loved her childhood growing up in the harbour town of Porthmellow. But when her father went bankrupt and her mother abandoned them, she was quick to learn that nothing lasts forever.

Now, Tammy spends her days creating works of art in the golden Cornish sand, and is determined to protect herself from further heartache. But everything changes when she meets Ruan – a gorgeous solicitor who has moved to Cornwall for a fresh start.

Just as Tammy starts to question if Ruan could be the one to break down her walls, she discovers he has a secret – one that unravels everything she thought she knew about her past.

Can Tammy find the courage to trust again? Or will Ruan’s secret push her away forever?

Review: I have been an avid reader of Phillipa Ashley’s books for many years now. She obviously has a special passion for the Cornish coast, as is apparent from reading the list of her previous titles. This book promised a return to the coastal town of Porthmellow, a setting for some of her earlier stories. I loved its cover, with its invitation to step from a sandy beach into water warmed by the sun.

The story concerns 32-year-old Tammy who has lived in Porthmellow all of her life. Sadly, her happy younger years came to an abrupt end due to her father’s financial problems which also led to her mother leaving her and her home. Now that her father has died, Tammy is all on her own, making a living as a sand artist and helping out at a friend’s gallery. She is intrigued one day when she notices a young man in a suit watching her at work. He stands out because of his apparel and the fact that he is obviously too hot. Tammy learns that he is a solicitor by the name of Ruan, who is new to the area. Over the next few weeks they develop a friendship. Tammy is independent, but as she gets to know Ruan, she feels that he may be someone she could let into her heart. However, when she discovers that he has been hiding a secret from her, she thinks that she may have been wrong to trust him after all, especially because that secret has implications for what she believed about her past life.

I very much enjoyed this summery romantic story with its beautiful setting and likeable characters. As well as the main characters, Tammy had many friends who we met along the way. Despite her situation, she was obviously popular and a well-known figure in the town. Ruan was also a kind and considerate person. I liked that fact that the romance between him and Tammy was very gentle and gradual. It was sweet that he could be so caring of Tammy’s feelings, even if it got him into trouble. As well as the characters, I really liked the setting for the story. I could well imagine strolling along the beach with the waves lapping at my feet and I could hear the cries of the gulls. The town had a really strong feeling of community which added to its attraction. It was interesting to learn that so many people would commission sand art for a celebration or other special occasion. I think that this book will make a great summer read, presenting an escape for the reader, even when sat at home.

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Book Review: All Wrapped up by Heidi Swain

 In Wynbridge, the scent of autumn is on the breeze and love is in the air…

 

Clemmie Bennett has been renovating beautiful Rowan Cottage on the outskirts of the small town of Wynbridge, for eighteen months following a very public heartbreak back in her childhood hometown. The popular Instagram influencer, lost her husband, sold their home, and has been cosied up the Fens and living a very private life, but now she feels it’s time for a change.

 

A chance encounter with co-owner of The Cherry Tree Café, the bubbly Lizzie Dixon, pulls her into organizing Wynbridge’s first-ever Autumn Festival, and her once quiet life is soon a distant memory. With the whole town rallying behind the event, she discovers a new sense of purpose.

 

 And when local vet Ash falls hard for Clemmie, she begins to wonder if she’s ready to move even further on from her past and fall in love again…

Review: As usual, Heidi Swain brings us a wonderful seasonal read with a main character you instantly sympathise as well as empathise with and want to help save over the course of the novel. I love that this book is Autumn themed. Heidi references Milly Johnson’s autumn novel and until the recent popularity in pumpkin spice romances, it really was the only other book out there that I had read that was truly about the ‘new school year’ feel of autumn. As a teacher, autumn is the new year for me-January is just the day the numbers on the end of the date change and so I really appreciated the theme of change and renewal that this book held. 

Clemmie is a great main character to spend the novel with. She is a classic character who is strong on the outside, keeps herself to herself, has renovated her own house and has a mini online empire of her own but on the inside, she is broken and hurting and soft in all the right places. It was wonderful to see her be welcomed into the Wynbridge community, knowing everything that the cast of characters could do for her. Even if you hadn’t met this group of people in previous Heidi Swain novels, you would know almost straight away that this town would welcome Clemmie and be the best thing to support her on her healing journey. 

As well as the theme of autumn and renewal in this book, we also have some great festivities along with crafts, walks and autumn food going on. We have a canine character to get to know (and fall in love with) and of course some romance. This is the best kind of romance because is it low and slow and the kind that you feel like you might get to the end of the novel without ever having your own love for Ash requited. I love the way this author wrote the friendship and the love in this book and I definitely fell in love with Ash the vet for all the right reasons. 

I read this book on cold autumn mornings and cosy autumn evenings with a hot coffee or a big mug of tea and it was just the perfect gateway read to take me from summer to autumn. I highly recommend you do the same!

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Guest Review: Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft

One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…

Valentina Taylor's life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.

But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…

Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.

Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?

Review: This is the third book in a trilogy featuring three sisters with different birth mothers adopted as babies or infants by the same couple. All the books are set primarily on Skye, an island off the west coast of Scotland. Each story has centred on a different sister, this one concerning the oldest of the three, Valentina. Although this book can be read as a standalone, I can highly recommend reading all three books in order since details in the later stories may act as spoilers for the earlier ones.

In this story, recently separated from her cheating husband, and having left her job as a corporate lawyer, Valentina has decided to spend the summer at her Skye holiday cottage with her seven-year-old son, Barnaby. On the journey from their home just outside Inverness to Skye, Valentina and Barnaby meet Xander and his teenage nephew Macdonald, Americans also intending spending the summer on the island. Valentina and Xander don’t see eye to eye initially, but as they keep crossing paths on the small island a friendship soon develops. The peaceful summer Valentina was envisaging, catching up with her sisters, Thea and Ezzie, and playing on the beach with her son, is interrupted by distressing news that has her hurrying back to Inverness. Suddenly, Valentina finds her future uncertain as she faces problems at home and at the same time a heart telling her that she has a chance to love again if she can overcome the obstacles in the way.

What an eventful and gripping story this was. Like Valentina, I was quite wrong in expecting to read about a peaceful family holiday in this beautiful setting so wonderfully described by the author. This book had so much going on from start to finish. I finished it really quickly because I didn’t want to put it down; I was never sure what would happen next. As well as the drama that had Valentina driving back and forth over the Skye bridge, there was an emerging romance, the warm friendship among the three sisters plus the bonus of Valentina’s chance to discover details about her origins. All of this with a cast of numerous interesting and thoroughly likeable (with a few exceptions) characters. I think others will agree with me that this is one of Sue Moorcroft’s best books so far, and definitely a recommended summer read.

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Guest Review: A Cornish Love Story by Cressida McLaughlin

The most romantic house in Cornwall has got a new owner…

Journalist Georgie Monroe has watched as it has been transformed into a high-tech glass palace, renovated by a mystery buyer.

When she’s invited to report on an event there, she comes face to face not only with her first love, architect Ethan Sparks, but also with their complicated past. Finding themselves trapped inside when the house malfunctions, Georgie realises that they — and the house — are still keeping secrets.

But have Georgie and Ethan left it too late to start again, or can they write the next chapter of their love story together?

Review: I have read and enjoyed a great number of Cressida McLaughlin’s books, many of which, like this latest release, are set in Cornwall. Unlike some of her books, such as the Cornish Cream Tea Bus series, this is a standalone story. I was drawn in by her characters right away and finished the entire book in no time.

The central characters of this story are journalist and aspiring novelist Georgie, architect Ethan and a beautiful old house described as the most romantic house in Cornwall. The narrative is split between two time periods - the present and the year when Georgie and Ethan fell in love as teenagers. Georgie still lives in her childhood home, but Ethan left the area. When the lovely old house is redeveloped, Georgie is sent to cover the open day for the local newspaper. She is surprised to discover that Ethan is the architect behind the transformation of the building. Not having seen him since they broke up all those years ago, she is not sure how to feel about coming face to face with him now. When they find themselves trapped inside the house, there is time to examine what happened to their relationship and whether they may have a second chance at romance.

As with all of Cressida McLaughlin’s books that I have read, this is a story full of romance. I loved the way in which the lives of the main characters were revealed gradually as the narrative swung between past and present times. The way in which Georgie and Ethan were parted was so dramatic. I was glad that they were getting a second chance and found myself hoping that they could rediscover the magic they once had. I wasn’t sure about the high-tech house that Ethan had designed and how it would fit into the lovely little Cornish village, but it was certainly intriguing. I’m sure that many readers will enjoy this summery story, whether or not they are familiar with this author’s books.

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Guest Review: Sunshine After the Rain by Jessica Redland

Melanie knows she’s been running away... But maybe there really is no place like home 🌈

For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most - her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she's been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain? 🌧️☀️

Review: This is the fourth book in Jessica Redland’s Escape to the Lakes series, stories in this series being set in the Lake District, primarily in the vicinity of the town of Keswick. Having read the previous books in the series, I was hoping to meet up again with some familiar characters, and indeed there were quite a few. This and the previous books could be read as standalone stories, as any important links to other parts are explained where required. A helpful list of recurring characters is included at the beginning of the book.

This story centres on Mel, a troubled lady who has spent the last seven years living on her own far away from her family and home in the Lake District village of Willowdale. Her decision to leave behind the life she loved followed a tragic event which left her bewildered and unable to cope with the familiar people and places around her. However, when she is persuaded to attend a family gathering in Willowdale, she realises that it may be time for her to move back to her home village. She is glad that she made that decision when she lands a dream job planning the renovation of Willowdale Hall, and living on the premises. There she also has the opportunity to help with the alpacas and horses who live on the estate. As she settles into village life, making new friends and spending time with her family again, Mel finds that the dark clouds in her mind are gradually clearing. The really big obstacle in her life is meeting up with Flynn, the man who was always the love of her life. Can he let her back into his heart and forgive her for leaving him behind without explanation all those years ago?

This was a very emotional but heart-warming story that I can thoroughly recommend. It was full of family and friendship helping to provide hope for the future. Mel is such a lost soul, and, as her backstory gradually unfolds, it is hard not to shed more than a few tears for her. She had been through a dreadful time, causing her to literally run away from her situation. I loved her large family who were willing to offer her support and then the new friends she made who were there for her as well. Quite apart from them, there was the lovely Flynn, who was destined, it seemed, to come back into her life. I am bursting to tell you all that he did for Mel, but no spoilers, it’s all there in the book. As always, I loved the setting for this story. The glory of the Lake District scenery is brought to life in Jessica Redland’s writing. I could easily picture the lake with the mountains rising up behind, and better still with an alpaca lying in the water humming to itself. Even if you have not read any of the other books in this series, give this one a try; I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

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Guest Review: A Secret Escape by Sarah Morgan

A lifelong friendship

Childhood friends Milly and Nicole had always been more like sisters so Milly never understood why Nicole dropped out of contact all those months ago. Milly buried that hurt and moved on with her life

A call for help

Now, suddenly, Nicole is begging for Milly’s help. She needs somewhere private to hide, and the only safe place she can think of is Milly's holiday home business in the Lake District. Milly knows she should tell Nicole no, but she can’t ignore the desperation in her old friend’s voice so, despite her misgivings, she agrees to let Nicole stay.

A summer to reconnect

Over a summer of tentative conversations, the two women begin to reconnect, and there’s a potential new romance for Milly too. But then the biggest bombshell of all lands and their delicate friendship is put to the test once more …

Can the friends come together in this time of need, or will this summer break their bond forever?

Review: As a confirmed fan of Sarah Morgan’s writing, I was excited to read her summer book for 2025. I always look forward to finding out where her story will be set and was delighted to discover that the action this time takes place in the Lake District, one of my favourite areas of England. Sarah’s books are always full of family and friendships, and I could see from the start that this one was going to be no exception. I was hooked from the first few pages.

The story centres on Milly and Nicole. Although they have been best friends since childhood, Milly has not heard from Nicole for 18 months until she is suddenly contacted by her and asked for an enormous favour. Nicole has got herself into trouble and needs somewhere to hide while the fuss calms down. Against her better judgement, Milly agrees to smuggle Nicole into her Lake District resort and keep her concealed there until she decides what to do with her life. Milly’s annoyance and hurt at having been ghosted by her friend gradually subsides as they talk, but Nicole is keeping one big secret from Milly, and that is something that could destroy their friendship forever when it comes out. Even as the friends are rekindling their relationship, romance is bubbling under the surface for both of them.

I highly recommend this book, which I absolutely devoured within no time at all. It has so much to grab the reader’s attention, with stunning central characters as well as a host of others who you want to get to know. The story includes four generations of women in Milly’s family. Then there is the beautiful location. Milly’s holiday resort has fabulous luxury cabins set on the shores of a lake in one of the loveliest parts of the UK. Add in not one but two handsome and sensitive men and who could want for more? I always enjoy Sarah’s books, but this one has to be one of her best; definitely one not to miss this summer.

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Guest Review: Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

Sometimes pretending to be someone else helps you figure out who you really are…

Freshly divorced and in need of a job – Kate Elliot’s life needs a rewrite. So when she unearths an old letter from her ex-talent agent, Jojo Francisco – she takes it as a sign from the universe to brush off her old acting skills and become someone else entirely.

Meanwhile, Charlie Francisco is back from LA, leaving his dumpster fire of a life behind. He may be well over his head in filling the shoes of his late eccentric father but he is determined to prove he can, and he might just have the job for Kate: to pose as the author for a novel that the real writer wants nothing to do with. It’s not quite the glamorous gig she was hoping for, but he’s looking for a nobody and she needs cash fast.

When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks, but they have one thing in common – they’re determined to play their parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines or will they go off-script?

Review: I have previously read and thoroughly enjoyed some of Josie Silver’s books and was looking forward to reading this one after being intrigued by its synopsis. This proved to be one of those stories which had me pulled in after just a few pages and kept me captivated right to the end.

The story concerns Kate Elliott, who, as she approaches her fortieth birthday, finds herself in need of a job. She has recently parted from her husband and is living alone and practically penniless in a studio apartment, her daughter having left for university. Having been an actor earlier in her life, she writes to her old agent in case he can get her any work. Her letter is answered by her agent’s son, Charlie Francisco, who has unwillingly taken over his late father’s business. Charlie is in an unusual position and thinks that Kate may be just the person he is looking for. He is in possession of an amazing book written by a well-known crime writer who doesn’t want his identity as the author of this romance revealed. Could Kate be willing to act as author of this book for the purposes of cover photos, interviews, book signings etc.? Even she wouldn’t be aware of the author’s identity. After consideration and with a few misgivings, Kate agrees and begins the process of becoming the book’s author. Everything becomes more and more complicated as the book is released to great acclaim, Kate is expected to play her part more widely and at the same time Kate and Charlie become closer. As the lies build up, is there a disaster waiting to happen?

I loved this book from start to finish, with its drama, real-life situations and big doses of humour. Its storyline and characters stayed with me long after I had finished reading. The idea that somebody could play the part of an author, with the accompanying complications intrigued me. I couldn’t decide whether Kate was very brave or very foolish to agree. All the way through the story, the tension was built up very skilfully. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the whole scheme to explode and wondering what the ramifications would be. The relationship developing between Kate and Charlie was certainly a slow burn romance. There was so much else going on in the story that it almost happened without being noticed. I was certainly drawn into this book and would recommend it to other readers; I hope they enjoy it as much as I did.

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Books I Read in Q2 of 2025

 Here's everything I read in the second quarter of 2025... finally getting to some of those books on my TBR!