Review: Don't fall In Love With Me by Paige Toon

 What if the person you love the most is the one you can’t have?

Grace has loved Jackson since she was fifteen – when they spent every childhood summer exploring France's breathtaking Ardèche region together. They were best friends, until life took its course and Jackson married someone else.

Years later, Jackson re-enters Grace’s life with an irresistible offer: her dream job in the very town where their story began. And he’s newly single.

As memories from those idyllic summers flood back, Grace encounters an old friend Étienne, who proposes a plan to help make Jackson jealous. But as their scheme unfolds, Grace finds herself questioning if the sparks between them might not be so pretend after all…

Unbeknownst to Grace, Étienne is harbouring a secret that could shatter her world.

Will learning the truth finally set her heart free?

Or is this the beginning of a love story bigger than she ever imagined?

Review: Don't Fall in Love with Me was an absolute treat to read, and I loved getting to know Gracie from the very first chapter. She's such a driven, determined protagonist, and I was immediately invested in her journey after watching her heart get her heart broken right at the start of the story. Rather than letting that define her, Gracie's experiences become the catalyst for something much bigger, making her someone I couldn't help but root for from beginning to end.

Paige Toon has created two wonderfully realised love interests in Jackson and Etienne, and I genuinely found it impossible to choose between them. Both possobilities felt authentic and compelling in their own ways, so I never found myself firmly on one side. Alongside the romance, I adored being transported to the French countryside. The beautiful settings, delicious food and relaxed atmosphere made this the perfect escapist read. As always, Paige Toon's signature passion for cars is woven effortlessly into the story, which felt particularly fitting as I finished the book during the British Grand Prix weekend.

What I loved most, though, was that this never felt like a story that was solely about choosing between two people. At its heart, it felt like a journey of self-discovery, with Gracie learning who she was and what she truly wanted from life. I honestly think I would have been happy whichever way the romance ended—whether she chose Jackson, Etienne or even herself—because the emotional journey was so satisfying. I was completely swept along for the ride, and by the final page I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters.

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Guest Review: The Seaside Book Club by Helen Rolfe

Welcome to a very special book club – where stories are shared, secrets kept, and friendships found.

Howard, newly retired to Dorset, joins because he can’t sleep; the weekly sessions give him an opportunity to connect. Margot logs in only after her husband’s fallen asleep – her life has grown small, and the club is the one place she can still be herself. And on the other side of the world, Faye joins to escape her sister’s latest crisis and feel, for an hour, that she belongs somewhere.

For each of them, the book club is more than a hobby – it’s a lifeline.

So when Howard suddenly disappears from the meetings, everything changes. Determined to be there for their friend, Faye and Margot must step out of their own troubled lives and travel to Dorset – where the truth behind Howard’s silence may turn out to be the most unexpected story of all…

Review: I’m sure I am like most readers in being pleased to find a new book by a favourite author. So I was delighted to see this new release from Helen Rolfe. The cover as well as the title made me anticipate a good story in a lovely setting. I listened to the audio version of the book and found it compelling from start to finish.

The story, as the title suggests, concerns members of a rather special book club. It is actually known by its members as the midnight book club, since that is the time it convenes in the UK. It is an international book club held over zoom, with contributors from Australia as well as England. Originally started by Faye, who lives in Australia, members include Howard, an elderly man who runs a bookshop in Dorset, and Margot, a wife and mother who is trapped in an unhappy marriage. Each of them relies on the club as an escape from the reality of life. However, when Howard suddenly stops attending their sessions, the others become concerned, and turn up at his bookshop to investigate. What they find is disturbing, but it turns out to have far reaching consequences for their lives.

I very much enjoyed this heart-warming story about a slightly unusual book club and some determined women. As well as a strong storyline and some interesting characters, the author introduces readers to some beautiful coastal scenery and a marvellous community. The main characters each had their own back story and were certainly not without their problems, including bereavement, coercive control within a marriage and family disruption, but acted together to change their lives. I would have loved to meet them all and visit Howard’s bookshop. I can definitely recommend this summery read.

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Top 10 Tuesday: Books on My Sumer 2026 To-Read List

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I love summer reading and to be honest, I've already kicked it off even though there's 2 weeks left of term...

Review: It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell

It was the night she almost died.

Jane Trevally, newly divorced and feeling a little lost, agrees to accompany a man she doesn't know to his house in the darkest corner of Hampstead Heath. She's offered a drink, goes in, and then - a scream and the sound of something falling upstairs - Jane senses she's in a bad place. She runs.

Twenty five years later, Jane finds herself outside the same house, this time to return a small white dog who's been found near her home in the country; a dog whose owner has just been reported missing.

A fleeting glimpse of a haunted looking woman through the window sends Jane on a mission to uncover the house's secrets - secrets more terrifying than she could have ever imagined, especially when she realises it could have been her. . .

Review: It Could Have Been Her is another gripping thriller from Lisa Jewell, and I raced through it in just one day because I simply couldn't put it down. Although it isn't quite as fast-paced as some of her previous novels, the slower burn only made me more invested. I kept turning the pages, desperate to uncover the truth, and by around the 60% mark I was completely hooked. From then on, I couldn't stop reading until I reached the final page.

The story follows Jane for much of the novel, an amateur sleuth who, alongside her stepson, finds herself drawn into an intriguing mystery. After discovering a lovely Westie named Hugo, her quiet country life with her dogs takes an unexpected turn when she becomes suspicious of a house in Hampstead Village. Jane was such an enjoyable character to follow, and I loved watching her reinvent herself as the investigation unfolded. We also spend plenty of time with Stuart, whose story constantly had me questioning where my sympathies lay. Lisa Jewell does a brilliant job of making you second-guess every character, and I genuinely didn't know who to trust.

Be warned, this book features clowns, family tragedy, and enough twists and turns to keep you suspicious of absolutely everyone. The tension builds beautifully, rewarding patient readers with a satisfying and compelling mystery that refuses to let go. If you're looking for a thriller that will completely consume your weekend, It Could Have Been Her is exactly that kind of book. I couldn't put it down, and I have a feeling you won't be able to either.

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Review: The One Day You Were by Husband by Rosie Walsh

 HE PROMISED HER A LIFETIME. HE GAVE HER FOUR HOURS.

Twelve years ago, Carrie said 'I do' on a sun-drenched beach in Thailand. Four hours later, her world shattered when her husband, Johan, was snatched away in a violent abduction. He was never seen again.

Today, Carrie is a working mum, navigating the beautiful chaos of raising premature twins and rebuilding her life with a man who truly loves her. She has finally found peace. The past is a closed book.

Until she sees his face on a computer screen.

Johan is alive. He has a new life. And he never tried to find her.

Driven by a desperate need for answers, Carrie risks the stability of her marriage and the safety of her family to uncover the truth of what happened that day in Thailand. But as she peels back the layers of Johan’s double life, she is forced to face a devastating question:

Is the truth worth the destruction of her second chance at happiness?

Review: Rosie Walsh has such a talent for creating layered, emotionally intelligent stories, and The One Day You Were My Husband is no exception. I loved getting to know Carrie, who was a refreshing protagonist. She is clever, capable and resilient, and it was wonderful to read about a woman who has managed to find love not once, but twice. Even more moving was watching her build a support network through the most difficult moments of her life. Those family connections gave the novel so much warmth and heart.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was its structure. The dual timeline, paired with the story of Carrie's two partners, pulled me further into the mystery with every chapter. Each shift in time revealed just enough to keep me questioning everything. Interestingly, I found myself suspicious of both men throughout the novel. Carrie is such an incredible person that I felt protective of her, and because of that I never fully warmed to either of them. That uncertainty made the emotional stakes even higher and kept me completely invested in discovering the truth.

The reveals and plot twists unfolded at exactly the right pace, arriving slowly but surely until everything finally clicked into place. The payoff was absolutely worth the wait, and even after finishing the book I still can't quite fathom how Rosie Walsh managed to weave together such an intricate, satisfying story. It's a beautifully crafted novel that balances mystery, romance and emotion so effortlessly, and one that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

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Q2 Reading Wrap Up

 Q2 was a pretty good 3 months of reading. I think it really helped that MOST of my anticipated reads for the year came our this quarter. It also helps that the quick reads were released at the start of April, meaning I got a great start to Q2!

Guest Review: Summer at the French Bakery by Jo Thomas

A new adventure is on the menu . . .

Juliet has learnt that life is too short not to chase your dreams. But when she buys an old watermill in France, her tranquil new start is quickly kneaded into something far more ambitious when the local mayor offers her a deal she can’t refuse: reopen the village’s derelict boulangerie.

With a formidable rival – the owner of the local bread vending machine – determined to crush her, Juliet faces disgruntled villagers, her own lack of baking skills, and hidden secrets within the mill itself.

But with help from her outspoken neighbour and the charming Tabac owner, Juliet battles to bring back the aroma of freshly baked bread – and with it, the heart of the community.

Can she prove that even the biggest dreams start with just a little pinch of courage?

Review: I do love Jo Thomas’s books. They always whisk me off to captivating locations where there are interesting characters and always plenty of delicious food. I was attracted by the sound of a French bakery and could almost smell the bread cooking as I opened the book.

This story centres on forty-eight year old Juliet, who has recovered from a battle with illness and decides that life is too short not to follow your dreams. She returns to a village in Brittany where she spent a holiday with her husband and buys the old deserted watermill intending to turn it into a cafe, or salon de thé. However, her plans are blocked by the mayor, who offers her an alternative deal. She can open her tea shop if first she renovates the derelict boulangerie and starts to produce bread once more for the village. She has no choice but to agree, but is then faced with an uphill battle. There is competition from the owner of the bread vending machines situated in every local village, as well as opposition from the suspicious villagers, the large stumbling block of her lack of bread-making skills and difficulties in sourcing the necessary materials and good quality ingredients. Finally, she is able to enlist the help of a once hostile neighbour and local tabac owner, Laurent. Can she start to produce the baguettes that will appeal to the local people and break through the barriers to her success in starting a new life in this community?

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Brittany and I am currently longing for a nice fresh baguette. This was a charming story of a woman stepping out of her comfort zone and going for what she wanted, showing determination and courage in the face of adversity from every direction. Juliet surprised everyone by her actions, but her serious health problems had been a real wake up call and she was no longer happy to settle into a quiet retirement. I loved the way in which she dealt with all the setbacks that came her way, not least the difficulties in making an acceptable baguette, until the once unhelpful and unfriendly Laurent stepped up to help her. The setting for the story was lovely. I could easily imagine the quiet little village with the menfolk sitting around chatting in the sun when their wives sent them out for the morning. The description of the watermill and the lake beside it made it sound quite idyllic. I think this would make a great summer read and would recommend it. Thanks to the author for the French onion soup recipe at the end of the book.

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Top 10 Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Book Review: Hit or Miss by Elle Kelk

Ethan Taylor is unbeatable on and off the field. Being the star of the Marshall College soccer team – and hot as hell – has its perks. But when tragedy strikes, Ethan flies straight out of South Carolina and to the intimidating halls of Hemden University, where even his Southern charm can’t melt the stiff British upper lips…

Mia Meyers has never had much luck with people. Having always been a bookish wallflower, junior year abroad could be her one chance to step into the spotlight. So, when Mia realises that she’s not the only student from Marshall across the pond this year, she is determined that no one will get in the way of her new life – not even Ethan Taylor.

But why is it that Ethan’s infuriatingly sexy green eyes can’t stop staring at her, and why doesn’t she want him to look away? They may be far from friends at home, but under the spires of Hemden, could this striker score her heart?

Hit or Miss was such an enjoyable read that completely swept me up in Mia and Ethan's story. Mia was such a relatable protagonist, and I found myself rooting for her from the very first page. I also loved Ethan, and watching the two of them navigate university life 4,000 miles from home made their journey feel even more significant. Moving so far away from everything familiar must have been such a pivotal experience for both of them, and it added an extra emotional depth to their relationship as they found themselves together in a completely new environment.

The romance tropes were riding strong in this one, and without giving away any spoilers, they were executed brilliantly. The chemistry between Mia and Ethan was undeniable, with the sexual tension building beautifully throughout the story. The supporting cast was fantastic too. Oliver was the perfect villain that you simply love to hate, while Alice was an absolute standout as the ultimate best friend, giving me Jenny Lopez-calibre loyalty and support. I also loved spotting the little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the book for Lindsey Kelk fans-they were a lovely touch that made the story even more fun.

The romance scenes definitely delivered on the spice, and Elle Kelk knows exactly how to write sizzling chemistry. My only complaint is that I wanted more! The sexual tension was so high that I would happily have read a few extra bedroom scenes because the payoff was just that good. Overall, Hit or Miss is a funny, heartfelt, and incredibly romantic read with memorable characters, brilliant banter, and just the right amount of steam. If you're looking for a university romance packed with emotion, humour, and irresistible chemistry, this is definitely one to pick up.

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Guest Review: The Clockmaker’s Cottage by Christie Barlow

Can love begin before time runs out?

Pippa Bell never expected to flee her own wedding — or to end up stranded on Puffin Island at the beautifully ramshackle Clockmaker’s Cottage, the perfect place to get away from it all for the summer.

Her stay gets off to a rocky start when she discovers she’s sharing with her old university nemesis, Theo Blake. But, faced with a ferocious summer storm and trapped inside the tiny house, they end up working together to discover long-buried secrets about the cottage’s original owners.

As the storm rages outside and the cottage works its magic, Pippa discovers that sometimes the best shelter is found in the most unexpected arms…

This is the latest book in the Puffin Island series from Christie Barlow. This place is a fictional island sitting off the north east coast of England and accessible via a causeway at certain states of the tide. Books in this series generally focus on particular residents or visitors to the island, and often a particular building. There are always recurring characters, but each book is complete in itself.

This story sees the island hosting a horologists’ convention. It is an appropriate location since two brothers famous internationally for clock design and production once lived there. Having run away from her own wedding, leaving a stunned groom at the altar and still in her wedding dress, clock restorer Pippa Bell travels to Puffin Island, a place she has long dreamed of visiting. However, when she arrives at her accommodation, Clockmaker’s Cottage, she is dismayed to find that she is sharing it with Theo Blake, a rival from university days. Unfortunately, the weather is absolutely atrocious and the island is soon completely cut off, forcing the pair to get along. Practically trapped inside the lovely old cottage, they begin to work together to solve an old mystery concerning the clockmaking brothers. While they are doing that, they also explore how they came to be rivals at university and make some startling discoveries about themselves.

This story had me hooked from the very start and kept me engaged right to the last page. I think it is certainly the best in this series so far and I highly recommend it. It has lots going for it - a wonderful location, even in a horrific summer storm, a long-standing mystery, some wonderful food and a growing romance. There is even a sighting of the eponymous puffins.

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Guest Review: Storm Clouds Ahead for the Village Midwife by Tilly Tennant

As the sun crests the indigo Lake District hills and blossom froths in the trees, midwife Zoe Padbury reaches for her boyfriend’s hand. Her life, at this moment, feels perfect. She has no idea of the storm clouds that lie ahead…

The villagers of Thimblebury know that midwife Zoe Padbury loves babies and now that she’s settled at Hilltop Farm with her boyfriend Alex, they can’t resist wondering when she’s going to start a family of her own. Yet it doesn’t feel like quite the right time. Alex is so busy and Zoe has her hands full with all her new mums to look after. Still, she has hopes for the future…

But what she doesn’t expect is to walk into her cosy kitchen and find Alex’s glamorous ex-girlfriend sitting at the scrubbed pine kitchen table. Virginia claims to be helping Alex with work but as she looks Zoe up and down and offers her a perfectly manicured hand to shake, Zoe can’t ignore a shiver of foreboding. What will this mean for her and Alex?

Zoe tries to quash the pangs of jealousy that wash over her, but with Virginia around what feels like all hours of the day, she and Alex end up in a devastating argument. And when she receives some news that changes everything, she doesn’t know if she can share her troubles… Can they find their way back to each other? Or will these storm clouds break their bond forever?

Review: This is the fourth book in a series of stories featuring Zoe Padbury, a midwife who is attached to the medical practice in the small Lake District village of Thimblebury, having moved there from Manchester. She lives with her partner, Alex, and his daughter and baby granddaughter in a farm outside the village. The books in this series feature lots of recurring characters and references to previous stories set in Thimblebury, but I feel that this book, like the others, can be read as a standalone.

As this story begins, Zoe is feeling happy with her life. Her relationship with Alex is going well, she is getting closer to his daughter and his business is finally getting off the ground. She has no inkling of the troubled times ahead. Nobody could have predicted how many problems were going to come along and disturb her life. On top of helping Alex when serious difficulties arise in his business, there is an outbreak of a virus affecting many of the Thimblebury residents, the arrival on the scene of Alex’s glamorous ex, problems with Zoe’s mothers and babies, friction within the medical practice and, most devastating, bad news for her that she is unable to share with anyone else. Everything seems the be conspiring to put a strain on Zoe and her home life. Can her relationship with Alex weather the storm?

This was yet another dramatic instalment in this series. I began to wonder what was going to happen next as Zoe’s problems heaped up on top of her. I like Zoe as a character; she’s very level headed thankfully. I didn’t like Alex so much in this story; he was being uncharacteristically selfish a lot of the time. On the other hand, his daughter is much more likeable as she matures. As with the other books in the series, this one had plenty of glimpses of typical village life where news travels fast and rumour abounds. I am looking forward to the next book in this series, where the village will come alive with Christmas festivities.

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Guest Review: Brave New Summer by Sarah Morgan

Evie is the acting general manager of The Alexandra hotel in picturesque Cornwall, but she feels trapped in a life defined by others’ expectations. Just as she contemplates a fresh start, Abby arrives, sent undercover by the hotel’s owner to assess the staff and operations. But Abby is navigating her own struggles and longs to break free from the shadow of her mother.

As the two women forge an unexpected friendship, they confront their fears and the threat of change looming over them. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. Will they find the strength to reshape their futures, or will the weight of the past hold them back?

Review: I am a huge fan of Sarah Morgan’s books and would never miss a new release. Each time I sit down to read one of her books I find myself lost in the story in no time at all. This was again the case with this summer read; the setting, the characters and the storyline had me engrossed within a few pages. This was truly a book that I couldn’t put down.

The central characters in this story are three women, all linked by one Cornish seaside hotel. Alexandra is the successful business woman at the head of the privately-run company owning the Alexandra Hotel, Abby is her daughter who is high up in management of the hotel group and is expected to one day succeed her mother, while Evie is currently standing in as manager of the hotel. Evie is worried about the financial state of the hotel and feels sure that the company will soon put it up for sale. She is pleased when, instead of announcing closure of the property, the company sends someone to help out. That someone is Abby, reluctantly acting undercover as a general helping hand without revealing her true position in the company. Both Abby and Evie would like to change their circumstances, Evie keen for more freedom to change things in the hotel and Abby wanting to escape from her mother’s control. The pair find they have a lot in common and forge a friendship. With encouragement from the hotel’s Michelin starred chef, who would like to date Evie, and the local pub landlord who is drawn to Abby, they begin to make some changes at the hotel. However, can they take things further and make real changes for their own futures?

I was totally captivated by this story of two young women struggling to find their way in the world, both with ambition that was being thwarted. Evie had the hard job of managing a staff many of whom had known her all her life as she had grown up in the hotel. Abby had the problem of gaining the respect of colleagues who looked on her as just the boss’s daughter. I admired the way in which they united to form a strong team. I was also intrigued to find out why Alexandra was keen to retain a hotel which was plainly failing. There was obviously a story there and it eventually emerged. There are many other well-developed characters in the book as well as interesting subplots and a few budding romances. The setting was absolutely lovely and so well described that I could easily envisage the small Cornish village with its steep streets, pretty cottages, busy harbour and lively pub. This is a warm summery read which I can highly recommend.

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