Review: Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

When the love of your life says you're not The One, who are you? Lizzy and Ian have been a couple since the first week of university. Now, after celebrating a decade together, everyone thinks they're about to get engaged. Instead, a romantic escape to Dubai leaves Lizzy with no ring, no fiancé and no future. Lizzy is heartbroken - but through the tears, she sees an opportunity. This is her moment to discover what she's been missing while playing Ian's ideal 'better half'. But how much has Ian changed her, and who should she be without him? Determined to discover who she is at heart, Lizzy sets out to rediscover the girl she was before - and, in the meantime, have a little fun . . . 

Review: This book instantly felt like a classic rom com as soon as I started reading it. The strong female lead, the rubbish boy friend, the whole premise of the book screams everything that I love from my favourite genre of book and it delivered as well. I loved the fact that we have a strong female lead in this book. All of Giovanna's books have this in common but this one seemed a little different from her others so I was a little worried that the lead might be a little more of a pushover but she is feisty and I loved spending time with Lizzy. The other characters in the novel provide great comedy moments and great moments of tenderness too. I loved that fact that Lizzy is close with both of her parents. She has an amazing best friend who is a serial dater and so has great stories to tell. My favourite supporting character though had to be sister Emily. She was wonderful, I want to be her and I loved every scene with her in. 

This book is also very easy to relate to. Lizzy is in her late twenties and so has a lot of the same teenage memories that I have. She has some really nostalgic moments that I was nodding along with thinking 'me too, me too' so that was wonderful. She is also at a bit of a crossroads in her life and so goes back and relies on the support of her parents, something which I could also identify with, and I;m sure a lot of readers out there will also be able to understand. This book is also set in a very relatable setting Lizzy doesn't have a glamorous London lifestyle, she lives in Essex, so not a million miles away from London but still embraces the village life and is around those she knew growing up, I really liked this aspect of the book. 

Although this isn't a Christmas book, Christmas does take place during the course of the novel and is a cosy family affair so I really enjoyed the fact that I left this book until December to really get into. There are also themes of a new beginning and reflection on the past which people do during the last month of the year before we see in a new one! I listened to this book on audiobook and I really enjoyed the voice that the narrator gave Lizzy, I found I could identify with her more because I got used to that particular voice. For more exciting moments though, the narrator was a little monotone. I couldn't imagine Lizzy not getting more than a little het up at an argument with her boyfriend or exciting moments on New Year's eve. 

If you follow this author on YouTube or Instagram then you will definitely be able to see parts of her personality in this book and I liked that, she also mentions the charity that she works with which I thought was great. one of the other moments that I really liked was that she mentions more of my favourites authors, Lizzy apparently has the same taste in book as me since we are both fans of Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon. 

This was a really lovely read and if you are after a very classic, Sophie Kinsella feeling, romantic comedy then this one is most definitely for you. Although it isn't a Christmas book it makes for perfect reading at this time of year and so I would definitely recommend popping this one on your Christmas list or downloading it now and enjoying a moment of calm in the run up to the festivities. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: The Woman At Number 24 by Juliet Ashton

Meet the residents of number 24 in the warm, witty and wonderful new novel from bestselling author Juliet Ashton.

When your marriage falls apart, the last place you'd want your husband to move to is downstairs. Unfortunately for Sarah, up in the eaves at number 24, her ex-husband now lives one floor beneath her with his new wife. Their happiness floats up through the floorboards, taunting her.

A child psychologist, Sarah has picked up great sadness from the little girl, Una, who lives with her careworn mother three floors below, but is Sarah emotionally equipped to reach out?

The Spring brings a new couple to the house. Jane and Tom's zest for life revives the flagging spirits, and Sarah can't deny the instant attraction to handsome Tom. Having seen at first hand what infidelity does to people, she'll never act on it ... but the air fizzes with potential.

The sunshine doesn't reach every corner of number 24, however. Elderly Mavis, tucked away in the basement, has kept the world at bay for decades. She's about to find out that she can't hide forever.

Juliet Ashton weaves a story of love, friendship and community that will move you to laughter and to tears. Think Cold Feet meets David Nicholls, with a dash of the joy of Jill Mansell added for good measure.

Review: Oh my goodness, everything that could possibly happen inside Number 24 literally does happen. This is a book packed full of twist, turns and dramatic revelations and that made for some fast-paced, Page-turning reading for the entirety of the second half! Number 24 is a house split into flats in Notting Hill and each of the residents, or former residents in these flats each have their own dramatic story lines going on but Sarah, who lives in the flat at the top of the building and is the titular woman, is the lynch pin that holds it altogether. So whilst there are so many dramatic story lines taking place, this is a very character driven book, I loved that about it. 

The novel begins fairly pacey because we are working out who all the residents are and how they relate to one another. each chapter begins with a quote from the calendar from the Chinese takeaway that Sarah uses and is a piece of wisdom that someone in that chapter could definitely use. I loved the little clues that Juliet Ashton left in the form of the wise sayings and other little clues about people throughout the chapters, and just like her last book, i enjoyed working out what everyone's story was and the skeletons in their closet. 

It is fairly hard to pass judgement on many of the characters in this novel because there are so many twists and turns and everyone is not who they seem to be. I loved the relationship that the characters had and developed with one another though. Many people in London do not know their neighbours and this book certainly starts of being that typical set up, with only a couple of exceptions. There are many changes over the course of the book, but I liked seeing how the characters and those changes affected relationships within the doors of Number 24. 

Sarah is a great character to hold the whole story, and the house, together because she is very relatable. She is recently divorced but having to see her husband on a regular basis. Because of the housing situation, in cities in particular, many people are faced with this situation The crisis of her sudden divorce has also made her question her professional capabilities and so we have to go through that with her as well, making her even more easy to sympathise with as a character. She is just a normal woman who is determined to make the best of herself but questions her choices at every turn. I loved the friendships that she forged during this novel and I loved watching her grow and change as a person over the period of time that this story is set. 

The beginning and end of this book (I'd say the first 30% and the final 40%) are very pacey and I read those sections all at once. I couldn't believe some of the twists that this story took on and found myself shouting at the characters to realise what was going on right in front of their eyes. The very middle of the book dragged a little for me, it was focused on one storyline in particular and I just didn't click with that one. Overall though this was a great read and in keeping with what I have now come to expect from this author. This would be a great book to read over the bank holiday weekends that are coming up and if you haven't read any of Juliet's other novels, definitely add those to your TBR too!

To get your copy now, click here!

Blog Tour: The Singalong Society For Singletons by Katy Lovell

Today is my stop on the singalong society for Singletons blog tour. I'm so excited to be sharing my review for Katy Lovell's debut novel as the first stop on the tour! The links for her twitter account are there on the banner and there's a link below for you to buy the book. Please do add Katy on twitter, she is such an awesome online buddy to have! 

A charming, feel good novel about the healing powers of friendship…and Frozen!

Monique and Issy are teachers, housemates and lovers of musicals! Their Friday night routine consists of snacks, wine and the Frozen DVD. So when Monique’s boyfriend moves to America for a year and her sister Hope moves in because of her own relationship woes, Friday nights get a new name… ‘The Singalong Society for Singletons’!

It’s a chance to get together, sing along to their favourite tracks from the best-loved West End shows, and forget the worries of work, relationships and love (or lack of it). But when Issy shares the details of their little group further afield, they get some unexpected new members who might just change their opinions on singledom for good….

http://amzn.to/29YrHEA

Review: I loved this novel so much! It was seriously so much fun. The fact that this book features a couple of teachers (including a year 6 teacher) and a teaching assistant, as well as a long distance relationship and a ton of fabulous musicals means that it is right up my street. But if you're not into any of those things, or can't relate to any of those things, don't worry, this novel is about so much more too. There is moments of identiy crisis, moments that deal with unrequited love, moments where first aid needs to come into play and so many more issues facing us today in society. 

I really related to all of the characters in this book. I loved Monique and the situation she is in in her life. Although she is a little younger than me, I can relate to her on so many levels. I don't think anyone could not love Mon, she has so much going on but is such a positive and compassionate person who clearly loves her friends and family to the moon and back. Roommate Issy is equally as loveable and I know you will all be able to feel her need for a glass of red bigger than her head on a Friday night, especially given that she is a year 6 teacher with Ofsted and Sats looming! Connie and Hope make up the rest of the cast of girls, and if you forget who's who, there's a cast list at the beginning of the book to keep you'd straight (something which I love!)

The storyline centres around the four girls and their singalong society for singletons. We meet them having just set up the society when Issy invites actors Ray and Liam to join them....you know this makes for some interesting moments! I love the fact that no issue is left untackled here including revealing a same-sex relationship to overly conservative parents. This is the only moment in the book where I wanted just a little bit more than this author gave. I felt there could have been more made of the scene where this May or may not happen (no spoilers) but I still loved this couple all the same! I really liked the long-distance relationship aspect of the book because I can completely empathise with that and of course, all the attention to the detail when it came to the teachers. This author clearly knows her stuff when it comes to working in a primary school and I love her for getting it so right! 

I need to mention the structure of this book as well. Each chapter takes place on Friday night when the group watch and singalong to each musical. You get to know which miss it is and who chose it. I defy anyone not to sing a number or two as they are reading this when their favourite musical comes along. And fear not! If you aren't that into musical, each chapter also has some details abotj the film/show and it's biggest numbers. I found this quite helpful as I totally couldn't Rememebr what songs came from a certain Rogers and Hammerstein film that the cast watched-fabulous. It also sparked an idea in my mind for watching all of this shows mentioned-I need to do it now! 

This book is about so much more than the musicals though, but I've rambled on enough. I urge you to pick up this feel-good bouncy book and discover the joy for yourself, I'm going to go and watch Rocky Horror! 

Review: A Night in With Marilyn Monroe by Lucy Holliday

After dating the hottest man on the planet, Dillon O’Hara, Libby Lomax has come back down to earth with a bump. Now she’s throwing herself into a new relationship and is determined to be a better friend to best pal, Ollie, as he launches his new restaurant.

Despite good intentions, Libby is hugely distracted when a newly reformed Dillon arrives back on the scene, more irresistible than ever. And when another unwelcome guest turns up on her battered sofa in the form of Marilyn Monroe, Libby would willingly bite her own arm off for a return to normality.

But while she hasn’t been watching, someone else has filled the Libby-shaped hole in Ollie’s life and she realises she could be about to lose something that means everything to her. Libby doubts that Marilyn is the right person to offer her advice, but perhaps she should listen up, before it’s too late…

Review: aww I loved this book so much, I can't wait for the next in the Libby Lomax series. I read this book almost immediately after finishing reading A Night in With Audrey Hepburn, which I also loved, and I think that that was a really good way to do it. If you can I would totally loose yourself in a mini marathon of Libby Lomax and her fabulous friends! 

This was a lovely quick read and one you could totally escape into. There are a few events during the course of the book that made me feel a little tense and on edge just because Libby gets herself into such scrapes and I want it all to be better for her, but overall, it is a really light hearted read that you can escape into after work or for an indulgent duvet day! 

I really like the character of Libby because she is just so real. She goes through the things we could all go through. Granted, we don't get into such comedic situations as she does, but we've all had that ex that we know should be an ex but we're drawn back to, we all worry about careers and we've all been in the flat that turns out to be not quite what we expected! 

In terms of storyline, as with the previous novel in this 'series' you do have to suspend your disbelief slightly to get to grips with the fact that Libby has conversations and exchanges with Marilyn Monroe, wears her bracelet and takes fashion advice from her but overall this is a really sweet story and leaves things fabulously placed for the next book in this series. If you haven't read them yet the now is your chance to catch up because I am sure that the wonder that is Lucy Holliday will be bringing another luscious installment of Libby to our shelves very soon!

To order your copy now, click here!

Review: Trouble by Non Pratt

In this dazzling debut novel, a pregnant teen learns the meaning of friendship—from the boy who pretends to be her baby’s father.

When the entire high school finds out that Hannah Shepard is pregnant via her ex-best friend, she has a full-on meltdown in her backyard. The one witness (besides the rest of the world): Aaron Tyler, a transfer student and the only boy who doesn’t seem to want to get into Hannah’s pants. Confused and scared, Hannah needs someone to be on her side. Wishing to make up for his own past mistakes, Aaron does the unthinkable and offers to pretend to be the father of Hannah’s unborn baby. Even more unbelievable, Hannah hears herself saying “yes.”

Told in alternating perspectives between Hannah and Aaron, Trouble is the story of two teenagers helping each other to move forward in the wake of tragedy and devastating choices. As you read about their year of loss, regret, and hope, you’ll remember your first, real best friend—and how they were like a first love.

Review: oh this book was so fast paced and easy to read it was truly a delight. I was recommended this book by so many people, and sometimes when that happens, you can end up disappointed but I really wasn't disappointed by this book. It has a little bit of everything, love, friendship, life lessons, mystery and humour, all wrapped up in just the right number of pages. The storyline isn't necessarily what you would expect from a teen pregnancy novel. The emphasis isn't totally on the pregnancy, or the taboo of being a fifteen year old with a baby bump, there is so much more to this novel and the storyline goes much deeper. Because of the mystery element of the storyline, I will avoid spoilers by saying any more. 

I actually thought Hannah was a really likeable character. To begin with I thought she was a bit of a 'popular girl' and so therefore I won't like her, but she bucks the trend, gains her own identity and I really admired her for that warming to her almost instantly then. Aaron was a firm favourite of mine right from the start. He was honourable and again, happy to be his own person. There is a mystery that surrounds both of these characters and we don't know just how sinister that mystery is, but despite that, I think I would forgive Aaron anything because he is just such a mature and likeable character. Normally the supporting characters in YA novels tend to grate on me a bit by being needy and whiney, but because these two main characters are so independent, they choose the kind of friends that I approve of and like, those who I would've chosen as my friends too! 

The ending of this novel is just fab. Things are wrapped up satisfactorily, yes, but so so much is still left open, leaving you with questions in your head, but enough resolution to be happy too. I think that the way it ended was one of my favourite things about this book. Too many books have predictable endings. Whilst we knew that eventually Hannah was going to give brith, so it is predictable in that way, there are so many things not fully tied up and resolved in a neat little package that this book can be called anything but predictable. Although this is a YA novel, I think it is definitely suited more at the upper age bracket of that genre, just because of the themes it covered. It felt like an adult book when I was reading it, but it was simply stunning for a debut novel, please tell me there's going to be more from this fab author! 

Review: Carry You by Beth Thomas

For anyone who has loved, lost or found it hard to let go, CARRY YOU will make you laugh, cry and celebrate your best friends. Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Jo Jo Moyes.

Daisy has lost her mum to breast cancer. She’s at rock bottom and doesn’t think she’ll ever get back up again. Her best friend Abi has other ideas – she tells it like it is and she’s determined to make Daisy remember the person she used to be.

What Daisy doesn’t know is that, thanks to Abi, her life is about to take an unexpected turn, when she signs them up to do a charity walk. Added to which, someone is about to burst into Daisy’s world in a riot of colour reminding her that life can be full of surprises.

Review: this book was quite different to anything I've ever read. There was something about the voice and the storyline that was entirely unique which is such a gem to find considering the amount of books that I read in this genre! The storyline was really really lovely because it all surrounded raising money for breast cancer and breast cancer awareness and raising awareness and dealing with mental health, something which again, is not dealt with that often in other books. Although the book deals with these thought subjects, it still manages to be light hearted and a lovely read and yet the subjects are dealt with in a sensitive way and covered comprehensively! 

The other major storyline here is one of friendships and the two friends in question are easy characters I get to know and to relate to, the reason for this being that the each have flaws. Daisy is dealing with depression and has to suddenly move in with best friend Abbey. She comes across as a fairly selfish character and also someone who is unaware when they are hurting other people around her. However, watching her grow and get her life back on track in this novel was really really special. I really liked her by the end of the novel, even if I didn't agree with some of the choices she had made. Abbey made some choices that I wasn't so sure about either but as a best friend, she is truly awesome. She supports Daisy without question and gives her space and her time freely, something which is such an endearing quality! I loved he ending that both of these characters got, even though they might not be what you would expect from the beginning of the book! 

Ther IS a love story in this novel but it is such a slow burn and such sweet beginning that's you will literally find yourself squealing out loud when it finally surfaces. Of course other relationships are dealt with as you would expect from this genre but the little love story that runs underneath everything else is just delicious. The pace of this book is definitely slower than you might expect and that for me was really the only thing that stopped it from being a five star read. It didn't stop me from reading it in 2 days however which considering its substantial size, is pretty impressive. This is definitely something to read this summer and something which will definitely take a good look at your best friends with a renewed sense of appreciation!  

Review: Take Mum Out by Fiona Gibson

Fiona Gibson returns with a laugh-out-loud read, sharply observed and full of dating disasters.

Three blind dates

Two teenage boys messing up her plans

And one man who'll melt Alice's heart.

'You need to get back in the saddle…' Alice despises that phrase. She's fine being single – with two slothful teenage boys and a meringue business to run, she has enough on her plate without negotiating the troublesome world of modern dating.

However, Alice's three best friends have other ideas. Each one will present her with an utterly delicious, eligible man – all Alice has to do is pick her favourite.

Review: I found this book really easy to get into. You warm straight away to the character of Alice, a single mum with 2 teenage sons. She is the perfect chick0lit heroine in that she ins strong and independent but just a little bit ditsy too. You find yourself rooting for her the entire way through the novel and so that really carries the storyline along. The other characters in the novel were there for emotional value and comedy value. The two teenage sons are written beautifully, given the teens that i know/have worked with, and they add pure moments of magic to the novel. Throughout the novel, Alice goes on dates with various men picked out by her girlfriends. These guys really do just add pure comedy value. I have to say though, i found them all rather hard to warm too. I had this same problem with Alice's ex Tom, perhaps this was because I felt somewhat protective over Alice and her family and didn't want anything to burst their little bubble. 

The storyline of this book was nothing new. The idea of a women dating several guys and having to choose between them or eek out their pros and cons, however it was told in a light-hearted and fun way, and every aspect of dating was explored-from the butterflies in your tummy beforehand, to the thought of sex with another man when its been a while. The whole thing is definitely heart-warming, and really highlights the importance of a strong family unit. There were some real laugh-out -loud moments, especially moments from her fortieth birthday party, and so you will definitely fin yourself chuckling at several points in this book!

I liked the fact that this book was set in Edinburgh, you know I love a good setting, and I found it really easy to picture Alice's surroundings and all the different scenes where her adventures were taking place. In one part of the book, she travels to a different city and there could have been a lot more description of her surroundings, but there were a lot of events going on at the time and so I can understand why the author chose not to include too much setting description at this juncture. 

Overall this was a fun read and definitely something I would recommend to fans of chick lit, or fans of this author. It had all the makings of a really good contemporary women's fictions novel and will definitely keep you entertained. I've not read any novels by this author before, although I have a couple sitting waiting to be read, this novel would definitely encourage me to explore more of her writing in the future!

Review: Storm and Stone by Joss Stirling

Behind the ivy-clad walls of an exclusive boarding school, lurks a sinister web of corruption, scandal, and conspiracy. American student Raven Stone has noticed something is horribly wrong. First there were the unexplained disappearances. Then there were the teachers' lies. And now the death threats ...Also entangled in the disturbing turn of events is the enigmatic Kieran Storm - a fellow student with a killer intellect and a body to die for. He's heading for trouble and taking her with him. Raven can feel herself falling in love, but can she trust a boy she knows almost nothing about?

Review: this is a very different kind of book for me and so it did take me a while to get into this, if you are used to reading this kind of YA contemporary though you will have no trouble. And no trouble was exactly what I had when I eventually got into this little gem of a novel. I wasn't so hooked on the character of Raven and so it wasn't until the boys (Kieran and Joe) got involved that I felt the story gathered any pace for me. I felt there was someone about Raven, that she was wallowing in something but I wasn't sure what And I wished she would just shut up and get on with it. The boys were new to the the school and I felt like I was in the same boat as them starting out reading the books with them and so I think I identified with these characters more! 

I knew nothing about this storyline but I found it really interesting. It reminded me a little of the St Trinians stories, but most of all of the Demon Headmaster which was a major favourite of mine as a child and so I enjoyed the school setting and the idea of something not quite right going on inside a school. Being a teacher myself I did become worried about risk assessments and the children's progress over the course of the novel but I managed to squash this most of the time. This story had a lot more action than I normally like in a book but I found it quite exciting and wouldn't rule out reading another novel with this level of action if it was a well-written as this one! 

The love story that goes alongside the action in this novel is a classic protective male, slightly clueless female storyline initially, however, things do evolve and in the end, this female is anything it helpless! I really liked the friendship aspect of the story too and was a surprisingly pleasurable sub-plot! I think if you are a fan of Joss Stirling's other writing, you definitely won't be disappointed with her latest novel. If, like me, to are slightly newer to this genre I think this is an excellent way to ease yourself in and there is enough of a love story there for even the most die hard of romance fans! 

Review: Away by Barbara Wolfe

This review is my stop on the New Adult book tour organised by Faye over at A Daydreamer's Thoughts  

Make sure you check down at the bottom of the page for your scavenger hunt code and rafflecopter entry.

What good is running AWAY when you only end up lost? 

Cassandra Pierce had her whole "perfect" life planned out by her parents. One night of pure weakness and lust has her running away from it all and seeking refuge in Alamosa with her best friend. But it seems life has other plans for her when she finds herself lost in the small town of Keaton. 

Jason Bradley is a charming country guy. He lives a simple life that’s nothing like what Cassandra is used to. A single moment in life changed everything he thought he once knew, leaving him with a broken heart and an unplanned future. 

What happens in Keaton is nothing Cassandra or her heart could have ever prepared for. The instant connection she shares with Jason is no secret, but what they're keeping hidden from one another is. Will these two be able to find a way to trust each other or will their secrets tear them apart?

Review: wow, there we no words to describe how I felt when I finished this novel. I had to save myself to write this review, I'm glad I didn't leave it until the last minute otherwise the page would be somewhat tear stained! I had no clue what to expect from this novel. I know I like the New Adult genre and this sounded like a cute story. The beginning of the book was definitely that. You are dropped right into the action which is the way I like to begin most good reads. We meet Casandra and learn that she is running away from something but we are not sure what yet. Suddenly everything changes,she is involved in a minor accident in a town she doesn't know and is helped by a lovely family she has never met before. 

The storyline continues beautifully from there. She gets to know People, goes out and discovers new things and we as readers get to know just some of her secrets and also the secrets of her new friend Jason. All the things she gets involved in sound really fun and I was just thinking what a lovely easy read it was, when BAM! Everything changed. You don't see it coming, it gets your from nowhere. I was literally sobbing for the last 10% of this book, not just weeping, not crying, sobbing. My advice would be not to read this in a public place or on your own, or when you have to look presentable at any stage, cos your eyes are going to be red/puffy! 

The characters in this story were just lovely. Casandra is the perfect mixture of mature and naive and so I never felt at any point that I wanted to shout at her to sort her life out and start running away. I defy anyone not to fall in love with Jason and his family, he is just unconditionally kind and loving and helps Cassie discover so much about herself as well as helping her after her accident. I love Cassie's friend Mel because she reminded me of my own best friend, she was so protective of Cassie and looked out for her, right up until the end of the book! 

If you're a fan of the New Adult genre then you will definitely enjoy this book. If you like reading books where cowboy boots are involved, you'll love this. And if you're looking for a book that'll let you have a good cry at the end then go for it! I really did enjoy this book but I'm still feeling emotionally scarred by the ending and so the book definitely does come with the warning that you will cry somewhere in the vein of One Day or The First Last Kiss (both of which definitely make it onto my favourite book list). So yes, a lovely novel with a killer twist, as must for new adult fans! 

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Review! Just For Christmas by Scarlet Bailey

Her best friend's wedding...

When Alex Munro learns that the love of her life is getting married to another girl, all she wants is to be alone - and as far away from Edinburgh as possible.

Moving to a Cornish cottage, which comes complete with the world's scruffiest dog, Alex finds that her new neighbours are determined to involve her in their madcap Christmas festivities.

Then she meets her sexy neighbour Ruan - and somehow Alex doesn't want to be alone this Christmas after all. But having lost one fiancé, Ruan has no intention of letting anyone get close to him again...

Review: what a fabulous festive novel! I was so excited about this novel and finally getting chance to read it was amazing! It was such a treat, full of drama and a fantastic storyline as well as a heartwarming message overall, just lovely! I was actually surprised at just how many twists and turns there were in this storyline, not everyone is who they appear to be and those doors which our lovely main character Alex thought were closed may not be as secure as she thought! It's so hard to go into the storyline in too much detail without giving away any of the key plot points so I'll just say that I loved it! 

Alex is just my kind of character, a fabulously strong female! She takes on her new job, home, dog and location with strength and courage and tackles very hurdle that is out in front of her, head on, just what I like to see! She is not short of male attention either, there are some lovely male leads in this book, friend from home Marcus and sparring partner in the village nativity Ruan, both add an extra level to the novel and contribute buckets to the storyline. There are a host of other supporting characters too, I loved Alex's friend Lucy, her first female best friend and real pillar of strength for our heroine! Buoy is very much a character in his own right too. I loved his loyalty to Alex and he too had a certain strength which you will only understand when you read the novel! 

This is just the kind of book everyone should be reading at Christmas, it is so the kind of thing to snuggle up by the Christmas tree with. The beauty of this novel though, is that it could be enjoyed at anytime of year. It is a real page turner and there is definitely something for everyone, some drama, a love story, friendships and some beautifully described scenery. You will definitely find yourself wanting to be there with Alex and co in Poldore watching the boats coming into the harbour, or snuggling down in Ruan's lighthouse. It was everything I could've asked for in a novel and I can't wait to see what this fabulous author comes up with next. 

This novel also had the added bonus of containing a boy band named by me, and I appear in the acknowledgments at the back because of that. I have been excitedly showing everyone this and did do a little squeal when I saw the name of the boyband appear in the book! 

Review: Turning forty by Mike Gayle

How to turn forty:

1. Set yourself a personal challenge.

2. Clear wardrobe of all age-inappropriate clothing.

3. Relax.

How not to turn forty:

1. Have a complete meltdown . . .

High flier Matt Beckford's sole ambition is to turn forty with his life sorted. And with a Porsche on the drive and a job that requires him to spend more time in BA's club lounge than his own lounge, it looks like things are going in the right direction. But when Matt's wife unexpectedly calls time on their marriage, a chain of events is set in motion that very quickly sees him facing forty broke, homeless and completely alone.

But all is not lost because Matt has a plan . .

Review: I got this book on audiobook after enjoying one of Mike Gayle's previous novels on audiobook. I really liked the idea of the storyline, a guy who thinks he has every but as he approaches forty it all egging to unravel. This is a reality facing a lot of people as they reach milestone birthdays. There is high redundancy and a high rate of divorce in th country and so people find themselves starting from square one again more often than we realise. 

The book got off to a really good start, it made me laugh in several places. When Matt returns home he finds himself in his local supermarket bumping into people left right and centre, I know that every time I return home, this happens to me and so I found myself really chuckling at these parts of the book. Other parts of the storyline were much more touching and I found a different kind of emotion being evoked. Some of the scenes where he is speaking to his soon to be ex wife are particularly touching, and the reconciliation he attempts to have with his childhood girlfriend made me feel quite uncomfortable and almost sorry for him. 

The characters in this book were all easy to get along with and, although I didn't particularly like Matt, I found myself sympathising with him and wanting to succeed in his goals. His parents are absolutely hilarious and somenofthe friends he catches up with along his journey provide some hilarious moments too. All the characters were realistic and all supported the storyline in their own way. 

I found this a particularly pacey read and it didn't take me long to get into it. I really liked the ending, it was totally realistic and not the cop-out I was worried might bring the novel to a close. I didn't fall in love with the book but I found it very entertaining and am glad I got it off my wish list and onto my read list. I have a few more Mike Gayle novels sitting on my shelf and I am very much looking forward to reading them having enjoyed two of his novels in fairly close succession! 

Review! Mad About The Boy By Helen Fielding

Bridget Jones is back!

Great comic writers are as rare as hen's teeth. And Helen is one of a very select band who have created a character of whom the very thought makes you smile. Bridget Jones' Diary, charting the life of a 30-something singleton in London in the 1990s was a huge international bestseller, published in 40 countries and selling over 15 million copies worldwide. Its sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, published soon after was also a major international bestseller. Both were made into films starring Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.

Set in the present, the new novel will explore a different phase in Bridget's life with an entirely new scenario. As Helen Fielding has said: "If people laugh as much reading it as I am while writing it then we'll all be very happy."

Review: I was very much looking forward to the release of this book and despite headlines slating it, and reviews being very much mixed, I definitely wasn't disappointed with the newest offering from this fabulous author. I was always going to be slightly biased coming into this review because Bridget Jones Diary is one of my all time favourite novels. The novel that got me into chick lit and the first book to ever make me laugh out loud, so this novel had a lot to live up to. You'll be pleased to know that I laughed out loud several times at this novel, and on a packed flight to Sicily nonetheless! This book had all the wit and charisma of the original, and the same fabulous storyline. 

The structure of this novel is very much the same as its predecessors which I was happy to find out. I loved the little extras telling us her weight at the beginning of each day. Calories consumed and also the number of headlice found. The headlicd thing was a slight issue for me, as I have a massive phobia of them, I can spot them a mile off on a child in my class, but I managed to overcome this because of the compelling storyline. Because the structure was the same diary format as the previous novels, I raced through this book, finding it to be a real page turner! As well as making me laugh, it also made me cry which is definitely the sign of a good novel in my book! 

Bridget is just as loveable as ever. The naivety is still very much there, despite the fact that she is now a mother and a fifty-something. She still has the same kind of romantic problems that she always had and her relationship with twitter is nothing short of genius, of course Bridget could t quite cope its modern technology. There are some brilliant bits in the book where she struggles with the various technological gadgets that are in her house, thankfully her children her her out when it comes to this aspect of life. I was so pleased to find out that Bridget's mum and of course Una were still around to features in this latest instalment, it just wouldn't have been the same without their occasional appearances, and they are just as funny and interfering as usual!  

It's quite hard to write a review of this without any spoilers, so I will just summarise by saying, although there aren't exactly any major events in the novel, I still really loved the storyline and found it to be a real page turner. The characters are full of humour and rediscovering Bridget was like sitting down for a cup of tea with an old friend. I really enjoyed this novel and am would recommend this to any Bridget fan old or new! 

To grab one and see for yourself, just click here

Review! Finding It by Cora Carmack

Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find where you truly belong...

Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life . . . or that's what she keeps telling herself.

It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.

Review:

I am massive fan of this author’s writing. Her novels so far, I have devoured in one day and her novella was just a wonderful dip back into the world of Bliss and Garrick, so I was very very excited about the release of this, her third novel. I definitely wasn’t disappointed with this offering! This novel deals with a character from Cora’s First novel-Losing It-Kelsey Summers. It begins straightaway with her in the middle of her travels that she went off on when Bliss left and went up to Philly with Garrick. I was always very intrigued by Kelsey as a character and so was pleased that this novel deals with her and lets us into her world a little bit more. I liked the fact that she became her own character and not Just Bliss’s friend!

Kelsey is an interesting character and straight away, you know that there is more to her than meets the eye. The wonderful thing about the way that this book is written is that the other side to her character, the one that is most definitely hidden in Losing It, is revealed slowly and takes the whole of the novel to completely come to light. I really liked this about the character development but it does mean that the pace of this book is a lot slower than Carmack’s previous offerings… The other character we are introduced to is Hunt. He is a smouldering hunk if ever there was one. He comes into Kelsey’s life and you know, as a reader, that something is going to happen between them. Like Kelsey, his full character isn’t revealed until the very end of the novel, and whilst we know there are hidden depths, I was pretty surprised to find out just what his secret was!

I really enjoyed the storyline. The Love interest between Kelsey and Hunt was definitely a slow burn. An agonisingly slow burn, you are left right until the end wondering what is going to happen between them and there are plenty of twists and turns along the way. Kelsey does have a few chats with Bliss throughout this novel, but this story is most definitely about her and I really liked that. Whilst the pace of the book was definitely slightly slower than Losing It and Faking It, this didn’t take away from the enjoyment and I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Cora Carmack. It also works well as a stand alone novel, you can pick Kelsey up whether you have read the other novels or not, although it does contain a spoiler for the ending of Losing It-as does my review-woops!

Review! What Would Oprah Do? By Erin Emerson

Cate Sanders is a 32-year-old woman living on her own in Atlanta, who’s at a crossroads. After being laid off from her corporate job, she’s determined to find a new career path. To help guide her, she looks to the woman she admires most, Oprah Winfrey. At every new phase she writes a letter to Oprah, knowing in all probability her hero won’t be reading them, but finds hope and inspiration from imagining what Oprah’s words of wisdom would be.

With Amelia Bedelia tendencies and a Chelsea Handler attitude, Cate’s mishaps provide humor, while her relationships give the story depth. Throughout her amusing and heartwarming trials, she searches for the answer to one question. Can she find her purpose in life by pursuing her passion?

Review: Such a cute idea for a book! Each of the chapters in the book begins with a letter to Oprah from Cate. I thought this was such a good way to structure this whole story and meant that I found myself uttering to immortal phrase 'just one more chapter' so I could read what she was going to write to Oprah next! Cat is a fab character, totally someone I could relate to, and someone a lot of readers will be able to relate to as well. She finds herself suddenly laid off from her job, something which has happened to many of us in the economic climate, and struggling for money. She writes to Oprah countless times and even though she doesn't get a reply, she uses these letters as a kind of sounding board as to where she is going to go next with her life. 

The great thing about this story is that we get to live vicariously through Cate. Many of us would love the chance to start over, completely change what it is we do for a living, chase those dreams and be free from tax bills and paying into a pension fund and that is exactly what Cate is faced with, only it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Thankfully she has some wonderful friends who proved great entertainment as characters in this novel, and they help her through the tough times. Everything that happens to Cate is totally realistic and yet I found myself getting frustrated on her behalf, she really did seem to have the worst luck.

Over the course of the novel, she volunteers at various organisations and gets various part time jobs, whether they are creating her own jewellery or her own hats. Through all of this she meets Vivian. Vivian is an elderly woman with a fabulous dog called Buddy and she is just the best character for me. She helps Cate discover what it really is she wants to do. She is a mother figure to Cate and she educates her in the ways of plants. I really wanted to meet the real life Vivian, have her make me some 'good coffee' and spend some time with Buddy too! 

This was a thoroughly optimistic novel with a fabulous storyline, structured so cleverly and it really drew me in to Cate's world. The epilogue is absolutely hilarious and totally wraps up the book beautifully! This was a nice easy read and although Oprah is somewhat of an American treasure, the concept of writing to someone like that and asking them for help or advice, definitely translates over here in the UK too!

This fabulous novel is available at a total bargain price right now, so to get your copy, just click here

Review: Geek Girl 2: Model Misfit

“My name is Harriet Manners, and I am still a geek.”

Harriet knows that modelling won’t transform you. She knows that being as uniquely odd as a polar bear isn’t necessarily a bad thing (even in a rainforest). And that the average person eats a ton of food a year, though her pregnant stepmother is doing her best to beat this.

What Harriet doesn’t know is where she’s going to fit in once the new baby arrives.

With summer plans ruined, modelling in Japan seems the perfect chance to get as far away from home as possible. But nothing can prepare Harriet for the craziness of Tokyo, her competitive model flatmates and her errant grandmother’s ‘chaperoning’. Or seeing gorgeous Nick everywhere she goes.

Because, this time, Harriet knows what a broken heart feels like.

Can geek girl find her place on the other side of the world or is Harriet lost for good?

Review: "Never underestimate the power of a well-placed apostrophe." This quote just sums up how much I loved this book. I spend my life telling children how to use apostrophes, rolling my eyes at misplaced apostrophes in shops and so the fact that this author understands the importance of a good apostrophe shows just how awesome she is! I was very excited about this sequel, I was literally holding my breath waiting for it to come out, and it was just as good as I expected. It was fabulous to catch up with Harriett again and you are thrown right into the action with her, back into her world of obscure facts, exams and a little bit of modelling thrown in!

Harriett is such a fab character and its great to be able to learn her life lessons along with her. This books really does show her growing up. Whilst she develops and has adventures in the first Geek Girl book, she goes out on her own, on her own to another country, on her own to model in another country and so her character really does have to mature and develop! Her friends are all there in this sequel too. Toby plays much more of a role in this book, and 'Lion Boy' much less of a role-I loved this! Nat is there too, and my favourite character of all-Wilbur! Wilbur and Harriett's dad really are just pure comedy genius-i defy anyone not to laugh at the things they come out with and the ways in which they challenge our poor misguided model.

The storyline of this novel is really quite different from Geek Girl, I was really pleased to discover this, Whilst Geek Girl was most definitely a winning formula, its nice that this novel has a bit more of a mystery about it, the added aspect of travelling to Tokyo, and also of course, has Harriett dealing with a broken heart! I loved the whole sabotaging storyline, and also loved the sub plot of everything that was going on at home with Harriett's family!

Overall this was just a great read. It had the comfort of revisiting familiar characters with the bonus new setting and new storyline. It delivered a strong message of doing the right thing, once again, which is wonderful, and also had that pure comedy which really did have me laughing out loud-something which is pretty hard to bring on! If you enjoyed Geek Girl then this is a must read for you. If you haven't read Geek Girl then this novel can definitely be enjoyed on its own, but I can bet anything that you will have to rush out and buy Geek Girl straight afterwards! A fabulous sequel!

Click here to see my review of Geek Girl

Click here to see my interview with the fabulous Holly Smale

Click to get your own copy of Geek Girl and Model Misfit