Guest Review: The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop by Debbie Johnson

Single and in a dead-end job, Kate feels hope spring when an anonymous invitation falls from the pages of a book. Now, she’s standing in a charming Scottish village and trying to ignore the six-four silver fox by her side. He’s got an invitation too, a husky Chicago accent, and dangerously gorgeous sea-blue eyes…

Widowed ex-police officer Brody never expected to be stranded in Scotland with a cute British lady. Her smile might be bewitching… but her attitude? Way too cheerful. And eccentric bookshop owner Moira says they can stay for free, as long as they don’t mind sharing one very cozy little cottage.

That’s the least of their problems. Turns out Moira’s bookshop needs them just as much as Kate and Brody need a fresh start. And with a twinkle in Moira’s mischievous matchmaking eye, things are soon hotting up in surprising ways!

But as they string fairy lights over snug reading nooks and rally the whole community to buy their favourite reads, can Kate and Brody save the bookshop and heal their hearts? Or will their fresh start come crashing down?

Review: What a treat to find a new release from Debbie Johnson. Everything she writes brings a smile to my face and leaves me wanting to read more. This book has the most amazing colourful cover, featuring so many elements from the story; it really draws the eye and invites the reader in. I picked up this book and found it hard to put down, finishing it all too soon.

The story centres on two people, Kate and Brody, who are brought together by chance after discovering cards bearing an invitation inside the books they were reading. These cards were placed randomly in ten books by Moira, owner of the Edge of the World Bookshop in the small seaside village of Bonnie Bay in the far north of Scotland. They invited the receiver to leave their cares behind, come and visit the bookshop and stay for a while. She believed that the cards would reach the right person at the right time. For Kate, living a solitary existence in London and in a dead-end job, it seems like an adventure that would cheer up her world if she could just take a leap of faith.

Although suspicious at first, to widowed gruff ex-cop Brody, visiting the UK from Chicago, it seems like it might be an exciting experience before returning home to his empty house. By sheer coincidence, Kate and Brody find themselves travelling to Bonnie Bay at the same time. What at first appears an unlikely match turns into the complete opposite as the pair find themselves sharing a cottage as they renovate the now neglected bookshop. As the bookshop comes back to life so too does the whole community, but as Kate and Brody become closer, each wonders how they will be able to part company and return to their old lives when the time comes.

What an absolutely lovely romantic, and sometimes steamy, story this was. As well as two likeable but seemingly very different characters, the reader is treated to a whole caring and close community of often comical figures, and an amazing setting with all kinds of wildlife including many of my personal favourites. I couldn’t see Kate and Brody as a couple, coming from disparate worlds and with a bit of an age gap, but the wonderful Bonnie Bay seemed to work some sort of magic on them as they became inseparable. I loved the way in which Kate’s imagination and Brody’s practical skills were put together to revive the book store, with locals providing valuable backup in all sorts of forms including pints of Guinness. I was glad to see on the cover that this is Bonnie Bay Book 1, because I definitely want to learn more about this intriguing village as well as finding out what happened next for Brody and Kate.

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Guest Review: The Mysterious Affair at Styles By Agatha Christie

In The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie invites readers into a quiet English country estate—where jealousy simmers, secrets hide behind every polite smile, and murder strikes with chilling precision. When the wealthy matriarch Emily Inglethorp dies under suspicious circumstances, the entire household becomes a tangle of motives, lies, and carefully guarded truths.

Enter Hercule Poirot. Meticulous, brilliant, and delightfully eccentric, he begins his very first literary investigation. With razor-sharp logic and a flair for uncovering human folly, Poirot follows a trail of subtle clues that lead to one of Christie's most surprising and cleverly constructed conclusions.

This restored edition preserves the charm and originality of Christie's 1920 debut while offering a clean, modern reading experience. Whether you're deep into the world of crime fiction or just discovering Christie's genius, this book promises suspense, delight, and the unmistakable thrill of a mystery done right.

Review: Having enjoyed films and television programmes based on books by Agatha Christie but never having read one, I was keen to read this book. I was not disappointed.

This book was the first of the author’s to be published in 1920 and introduces the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Set in 1916, during the First World War, it is based in a country house called Styles Court. It is narrated in the first person by Captain Hastings, an Army officer on convalescence leave from the front line, who has been invited to the house by one of the stepsons of the owner Emily Inglethorp. I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by the actor who played Captain Hastings in the television series “Poirot”. There is a rich cast of characters, typical of a country house at that time. One night, shortly after Captain Hastings’ arrival, Emily Inglethorpe is found dead in suspicious circumstances. It is suspected that she had been poisoned. Staying in the village near the house are a number of Belgian refugees, including Hercule Poirot who Captain Hastings had met and befriended whilst serving on the Western Front. The Police request Poirot’s assistance in a seemingly intractable case.

The plot bears many hallmarks of Agatha Christie’s detective stories. It is set in a country house; there are a number of potential suspects, many of whom appear to be hiding secrets; there are clues and red herrings scattered throughout; and at the end, everybody is gathered together for the final dénouement. Agatha Christie used her knowledge of medicines and poisons, gained whilst working in a hospital dispensary during the First World War, to good effect in this novel. I enjoyed listening to this book, which kept me guessing throughout, and would recommend it to all whodunnit fans.

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Guest Review: The Forever Cottage by Jill Steeples

🌿 It's never too late to follow your heart... 🌿

Tess Alexander lives an enviable life with her husband Charles, at Hollyhocks Cottage in the idyllic Cotswold village of Lower Leaping. Dreaming of their early retirement, Tess’s plans are dashed when Charles shares some devastating news and suddenly she’s left alone with only Barney, her adorable Beagle dog, for company.

Facing an uncertain future, Tess tries to reconnect with her old self. She begins to transform the neglected garden office into a beautiful retreat, the perfect spot for her to indulge in her long-forgotten creative passions.

However, a chance encounter with charming but down on his luck, Rob Templeton, soon puts pay to her plans, when she offers him the place to stay, sensing a kindred spirit.

With the support of old friends, Gina and Suzy, Tess must now step out of her comfort zone and embrace a different way of life, one that is filled with secrets, possibilities and second chances, if only Tess is prepared to take them.

With so many demands on her attention, will Tess find a way to follow her heart and discover her own happy ending?

Review: This book is the first in a new series from this author, set in a charming Cotswolds village. I have very much enjoyed Jill Steeples’s other series of stories, so I wasn’t surprised that I found this book an easy and entertaining read. As promised for future books in the series, this story can be read as a standalone.

The central character in this book is Tess Alexander, whose husband of thirty years has left her for a younger woman. Tess is living alone but for her dog in the family cottage in the Cotswolds village of Lower Leaping, her daughter having taken a year off to travel before resuming her studies. She loves her cottage and its garden and living in the village with its friendly community. With lots of time on her hands, Tess decides to clear out the summer house in the garden and use it a place to relax and craft. However, when she bumps into Rob Templeton while shopping and hears his unfortunate tale, she offers the spruced up space to him as a temporary home. As time passes, Tess becomes used to a different way of life, enjoying the company of her friends and next-door neighbour. She also gets to know Rob better and feels as though, with time, she may be able to open up her heart once more.

This was an enjoyable story with a collection of mainly likeable characters. I greatly admired Tess, with her determination to turn her life around after her silly husband had gone off with a younger replacement. Like her fiends, I thought she was far better off without him. It was good that she had the funds to make the desired changes to the cottage and summer house. I wasn’t at all sure about the wisdom of inviting a stranger to literally live in the garden, but what a kind gesture that was. Of course, no story is really complete without a dog, and Tessa’s companion Barney the beagle was a star. I am really looking forward to the next instalment in this series, where there will hopefully be developments in Tess and Rob’s relationship.

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Guest Review: Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England’s Greatest Warrior King By Dan Jones

Henry V reigned over England for only nine years and four months, and died at the age of just 35, but he looms over the landscape of the late Middle Ages and beyond.

The victor of Agincourt was a model king for his successors. Shakespeare's version of Henry V saw his youthful folly redirected to sober statesmanship, and in the dark days of World War II, Henry's victories in France were recounted in British propaganda. Churchill called Henry 'a gleam of splendour in the dark, troubled story of medieval England', while for one modern medievalist, Henry was, quite simply, 'the greatest man who ever ruled England'.

For Dan Jones, Henry is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down. He was a hardened, sometimes brutal, warrior, yet he was also creative and artistic, with a bookish temperament. He was a leader who made many mistakes, who misjudged his friends and family members, yet always seemed to triumph when it mattered.

As king, he saved a shattered country from economic ruin, put down rebellions and secured England's borders; in foreign diplomacy, he made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for three generations of calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.

Review: This is the biography of the English king Henry V by the historian and journalist Dan Jones. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. Most people will be familiar with this monarch through William Shakespeare’s play and the films based on the play. These concentrate on his martial achievements during his 9-year reign from 1413 to 1422. However, this book gives a more complete and nuanced account of his life.

Born in Monmouth in 1386, Henry was the son of the nobleman Henry Bolingbroke. When his father was sent into exile by the then king Richard II in 1398, the young Henry was taken into the court of King Richard. Henry Bolingbroke returned to England in 1399 to re-claim his inheritance, but instead forced Richard to abdicate and seized the throne as Henry IV. The young Henry subsequently became heir to the throne. During his teenage years he gained military experience during Owain Glyndwr’s Welsh rebellion and assisting his father put down a rebellion by the Percy family. It was during the latter rebellion, at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, that he received a near fatal injury from an arrow to the face. He survived thanks to the expertise of a doctor sent for from London.

When his father died in 1413, Henry succeeded him as King Henry V. During his reign he achieved military successes in his campaigns in France to assert his claim to the French throne. Probably the most famous was his victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, but there were other campaigns. Eventually, in 1420, a treaty was signed recognising him as heir to the French King Charles VI. Unfortunately Henry died in 1422 whilst on campaign in France, possibly from dysentery, prior to the death of Charles VI so never became king of France.

I found the book to be a balanced biography, illustrating Henry V’s skills as a military commander, but also describing his ruthless and brutal side when he felt it was necessary to protect his kingdom. As a more complete biography than the one we get from Shakespeare’s play, I would recommend this book to all interested in this period of history.

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Guest Review: Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland

Welcome to Whitsborough Bay, a place where hopes and dreams really do come true... ✨

Life at the Chocolate Pot Café has never been sweeter for Tara Porter. Nestled on Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay, her café is thriving, her friendships are close, her foster parents are back where they belong—and she’s finally let herself fall in love with artist Jed Ferguson.

For Jed, returning from Australia feels like coming home in every sense. His teenage daughters have settled, his gallery opening is a success, and with Tara by his side, the future looks full of promise.

But the past can’t stay at bay forever.

When Tara’s estranged foster sister reappears, old wounds resurface. And when Jed is reunited with twelve year old Aaron - a boy he once believed was his son - secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.

Now Tara and Jed must decide whether facing the past will shatter everything they’ve built—or hope it gives them the strength and courage to dream again.

Review: I am an avid reader of Jessica Redland’s books, and was pleased to see that in this new release, I will be returning to the fictional Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay, and Castle Street, where the independent shops sell all manner of goods. This book is a sequel to Jessica’s earlier book, Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Cafe. However, there is no need to have read the earlier book, since this one begins with a detailed cast of recurring characters and past events are explained in the text where necessary. This story can be read as a standalone.

The main characters in the book are Tara Porter, who owns the chocolate pot cafe, and Jed Ferguson, a single father and artist who owns the gallery across the road from the cafe. Tara lives above the cafe with her adorable house rabbit. As well as running her successful business, she likes to help people in any way she can. She and Jed have been in a strong relationship for some time, but their busy lives sometimes get in the way. However, suddenly things become even more complicated as Jed’s ex-wife reappears from Australia with her children in tow at the same time as Tara’s foster sister, who betrayed her in the worst possible manner, resurfaces. Tara and Jed wonder what impact these arrivals will have on their lives.

It was great to return to Whitsborough Bay and catch up with its inhabitants, Tara and Jed in particular. I have to admit that I was glad of the cast of characters at the beginning of this book. This story had so many threads to it - never a dull moment. Jed’s ex-wife was an absolutely incredible woman, dragging family back and forwards to Australia. I was afraid that Jed might not be strong enough to reject her latest suggestions. The tale of what happened with Tara’s foster sister was shocking and saddening and would increase any reader’s respect for Tara herself. I think this is one of Jessica Redland’s best books so far. It has multiple aspects, being full of romance, drama and humour, and that sense of community always found in Whitsborough Bay. If you’re not familiar with this author’s books, this would be a good place to start.

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Guest Review: The Best Thing That Ever Happened by Sarah Bennett

One flat. One friendship. One chance to change everything...🏠☕💗

Kat Bailey’s life is going nowhere. Working at her father’s coffee shop in the picture-perfect Cornish holiday hotspot, Halfmoon Quay, makes her dream of becoming an author feel more fantasy than reality – and playing third wheel to her flatmate’s new relationship isn’t helping. So, when her childhood friend Harry Penrose offers her his spare room, it feels like an opportunity not to be missed.

Harry has his own dreams and if he could just dare to be honest, when he pictures his future, Kat is at the heart of it. But now they’re living under the same roof, Harry knows the risk of declaring his feelings. And when his plans clash with Kat’s family ties, the time has come for her to choose between the life she’s always known — and the future she’s only just begun to imagine.

Review: This is book 3 in the Halfmoon Quay series from Sarah Bennett. In case you are new to the series or just need a reminder, there is a helpful guide to the characters as well as a map of the Cornish seaside village of Halfmoon Quay at the beginning of the book. This, like the other books in the series, can be read as a standalone story.

This story centres on Kat Bailey, who works in her dad’s coffee shop, and Harry Penrose, chef at the village’s renowned restaurant. Kat has long held dreams of becoming an author, but family problems have meant that she has no time to follow her dreams. When her flatmate gets into a serious relationship with her boyfriend, Kat feels it is time to look for a new place to stay. Harry, who Kat has known since schooldays, offers her the spare room in his flat and she moves in. They both begin to feel an attraction towards the other but are afraid to declare anything when they are living in such close quarters. However, it looks as though they may be forced apart when Harry’s ambitions for the future may be wrecked by Kat’s dad’s plans. Kat has to make a big decision which side to take.

I enjoyed returning to Halfmoon Quay and catching up with some familiar faces in this romantic story filled with family ties and friendship. Once more, I was attracted to the setting of this quaint little seaside village with its close, supportive community. I loved both Kat and Harry; strong characters with ambitions that you felt they were bound to achieve. It was interesting learning the cause of Harry’s unpredictable nature earlier in life. When it comes to Kat, I was shocked by revelations about her parents and willed her to escape from the hold they had over her. As in previous books, it was heartwarming to see how her group of close friends quickly rallied round when needed. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series and hopefully finding out more about Kat and Harry.

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Guest Review: Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash

💔 How do you mend a broken heart? 💔

Michelle finally thought she’d found love with her hot Greek doctor. But when Demetri reveals he’s returning home to care for his sick mother, Michelle’s dream future crumbles. Choosing not to follow him feels like losing more than just love - it feels like losing who she’d started to become.

Determined not to fall apart, Michelle decides to throw herself into rebuilding her life in Sandpiper Shore, but then unexpectedly, Demetri’s brother, Makkis, arrives on her doorstep. Offering him a room seems like the kind thing to do… but the constant reminder of her lost love is difficult for her heartbroken soul.

And the more time she spends with Makkis, the clearer it becomes: there are parts of Demetri she never knew… Just as Michelle starts to heal with a little help from her friends, she’s faced with a decision: fight for the love she knows she deserves, or finally learn how to let go…

Review: This is the third book in the Sandpiper Shores trilogy. The books in this series feature three women who have come to live in this adorable Cornish seaside cottage and its adjacent buildings. Each book focuses on one of the three ladies and, although recurring characters also appear, can be read as a standalone story.

This story concerns Michelle, who moved to Sandpiper Shores after visiting on holiday, making friends with Jo and Emma, and falling in love with the area. After a chance meeting with Greek doctor Demetri, the pair have fallen deeply in love. However, Michelle has a tough decision to make when Demetri is called back home where his mother is gravely ill. She decides not to go with him and is just building up her business and her life in Sandpiper Shores when Demetri’s brother, Makkis, turns up unexpectedly. A dead ringer for his brother but with a different personality, Makkis charms Michelle and, with his stories of back home, makes her wonder if she actually knew the real Demetri. Although her friends advise caution, Michelle decides to follow Makkis’s suggestions for growing her business, but at the same time his presence is a constant reminder of her lost love. She wonders if she should stay in Cornwall and throw herself into life there or journey to Greece and try to revive her relationship with Demetri.

I loved the romantic books in this series, and this one in particular. Although each book focuses on one woman in particular, the others are there in the background ready with support when needed. In this story, as well as the wonderful setting on the Cornish coast, the reader is dealt up not one but two handsome Greek men; what’s not to love! I have admired Michelle from the start. She was so brave to make a move to Cornwall and start out on a new business on her own. She might not have done it without two equally strong friends to help her. I was in total agreement with them and screaming at her to exercise some sense when dealing with the all too charming Makkis. It seemed as if disaster was looming. I don’t want to give away what happened, but not surprisingly I was also treated to a trip to a beautiful Greek island. I can confidently recommend this compelling story and am already looking forward to reading the next book from Kim Nash.

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