Review: Southern Lady Code by Helen Ellis

This audiobook was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Helen Ellis has a mantra: "If you don't have something nice to say, say something not-so-nice in a nice way." Say "weathered" instead of "she looks like a cake left out in the rain." Say "early-developed" instead of "brace face and B cups." And for the love of Coke Salad, always say "Sorry you saw something that offended you" instead of "Get that stick out of your butt, Miss Prissy Pants." In these twenty-three raucous essays Ellis transforms herself into a dominatrix Donna Reed to save her marriage, inadvertently steals a $795 Burberry trench coat, witnesses a man fake his own death at a party, avoids a neck lift, and finds a black-tie gown that gives her the confidence of a drag queen. While she may have left her home in Alabama, married a New Yorker, forgotten how to drive, and abandoned the puffy headbands of her youth, Helen Ellis is clinging to her Southern accent like mayonnaise to white bread, and offering readers a hilarious, completely singular view on womanhood for both sides of the Mason-Dixon.

Review: I read and enjoyed Helen Ellis's American Housewife last year and so I was excited when I heard that she had a new collection of essays coming out. If you enjoyed her last collection then you will be pleased to hear that this one is slightly less dark than its predecessor, but not less funny. 

I chose to do this one on audiobook having enjoyed the paperback of American Housewife and it was read by the author-what a treat! I love that Helen read this herself because she could really put the emphasis in the right places where she meant to be humorous and where she meant to be serious. Her anecdotes and personal stories sounded so great when actually read out by her so I can definitely recommend the audio in this case!

The stories are varied, this writer really does cover everything in a relatively short space of time and so there is something for everyone here. I could relate to some but not all of the essays and some were real eye openers for me, someone who hasn't travelled to the south or encountered too many ladies from that neck of the woods. I loved the story about the trench coat and definitely appreciated hearing about the etiquette of thank you notes. 

I laughed my way through this one on a flight between London and Denver and so where ever you are in the world I am sure that you will find Helen Ellis's Southern Lady Code just as amusing as me!

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

Guest Review: Date with Malice by Julia Chapman

It’s dark in the Dales this winter . . .

When Mrs Shepherd arrives at the Dales Detective Agency on a December morning, quite convinced that someone is trying to kill her, Samson O’Brien dismisses her fears as the ramblings of a confused elderly lady. But after a series of disturbing incidents at Fellside Court retirement home, he begins to wonder if there is something to her claims after all . . .

With Christmas around the corner, Samson is thrown into a complex investigation. One that will require him to regain the trust of the Dales community he turned his back on so long ago. Faced with no choice, he enlists the help of a local – the tempestuous Delilah Metcalfe.

Against the backdrop of a Yorkshire winter, Samson and Delilah must work together once again if they are to uncover the malevolence threatening the elderly residents of Bruncliffe. Could the danger be perilously close to home?

Review: This is the second book in the Dales Detective series from Julia Chapman. I found the first in the series (Date With Death) very enjoyable and was looking forward to publication of this new title. As before, the action takes place in the Yorkshire Dales, an area of great natural beauty that I know well. Also in common with the first book, this one has a most attractive cover, illustrating various aspects of the story. 

This tale once again unites the characters Samson O'Brien and Delilah Metcalfe. Both have business premises in the village of Bruncliffe, where Delilah runs not only the Dales Dating Agency, but also a web design company. Samson has returned home to the village after a long absence to open the Dales Detective Agency. Mysterious goings on at the Fellside Court retirement home in the village bring the pair together when Samson is asked to investigate. In addition to Samson and Delilah, there is a delightful collection of elderly residents from the home and local residents from the village playing roles in the story, many adding a touch of humour. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention Delilah's faithful hound, Tolpuddle the Weimaraner, who helps with the inquiry as well. 

I very much enjoyed this story. It drew me in from the start and kept me guessing all the way through with respect to what was going on and how it was all going to end. It was very skilfully written to put the reader off the scent at a few junctures. Of course, the lovely Yorkshire Dales scenery was brought to life in the narrative. Although not obviously a festive tale, it was nice that the action took place in the run up to Christmas, with all the preparations going on in the background. This would certainly be a good book to pop into someone's Christmas stocking, but don't forget to buy a copy for yourself as well. 

Click here to order your copy: UK or US

Review: I heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk

Please remember this is book 7 in a series before reading my review and being spoiled for the other 6! (But if you haven't read the others, go away and read them now because they're amazing!)

Winter in Manhattan…and someone’s keeping a secret.

The day her husband Alex picks up a backpack and goes travelling, Angela Clark promises to stay out of trouble and keep both Louboutins on the ground.

So when her best friend’s boyfriend confides in her, it can’t hurt to help him pick out a ring at Tiffany’s surely?

And when her fashion magazine announces major changes, being terminally late and arguing with your boss isn’t that bad, is it?

Then suddenly there’s another big secret Angela’s got to keep – and the man she loves is still thousands of miles away. As the wedding of the year looms, and Manhattan switches on its Christmas lights, Angela is going to need her friends by her side as her old life looks set to change forever.

Review: Well its safe to say that I loved this read! I did what I really don't do very often with a book and that is to read chunks at a time but not read the whole thing all at once to make it last longer. It's been a while since I took that approach and I am glad that I did. I just love Lindsey Kelk's writing. She is so funny and her way with words just makes me laugh all through anything she writes. She puts into words how I look at the world and she isn't afraid to say what we are all thinking, out loud, very loud! I also love the fact that this series of books is set in America and yet Angela is English and so there is this amazing mix of English terms mixed in with American life ( just like my life!) and that makes me laugh too but also makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

So back to Angela, Angela has a secret in this novel and Angela with a secret is never a good thing. As if she didn't have enough on her plate already, she has more and more things loaded on there over the course of this novel and I was really quite worried for her stress levels and her blood pressure at one point. Some of the things she went with induced anxiety in me, never mind her. But she deals with them in an Angela way, the way we all love her for. Alex is a little absent in this book because of his travelling but he is also very true to form and it was great to see her again. I think Angela's parents went down a storm in previous novels and so they have a part to play in the ending of this novel and they just made me laugh so much. In particular look out for a moment with Angela's Dad and some Yorkshire tea, that's all I'm saying!

Jenny Lopez, it was great to see Jenny again and Jenny is just Jenny and wonderful. I just love her friendship with Angela because it is such a turn friendship. A lot of people think that Jenny is holding Angela up, others think it is quite the opposite, but I just love the fact that they support each other and they need each other there in major life events because that is exactly how I am with my best friend. Cici is also a major player in this novel, which i kind of suspected but I love that she got a slightly bigger role this time around, she really comes into her own and we get to learn a lot more about her than in previous novels. I think that I would hate to work with her on a personal level but on a professional level, she gets the job done!

Of course the other major character in these books in New York and reading this novel, you can tell just how in love with New York this author is. The way things are described and the comfort that comes across throughout the book is just amazing. If you don't come away from reading this book wanting to go to NYC and have a great time, then I really don't know if we can be friends! I love the places they go, they places they resist and they are described with such detail and with such wistfulness it just makes for great reading!

There were a few surprises along the way in this novel, thankfully I wasn't spoiled for any of the details beforehand and I won't spoil you either. Some events were predictable, but in a really great way but there are a few things that made me go 'WHAT?' just in a really great way. I loved every moment of this book and I cannot WAIT for the next one. Read this series now, you won't regret it!

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

Review: Boys Don't Knit (In Public) by TS Easton

Meet Ben Fletcher, an Adrian Mole for a new generation

Ben Fletcher must get to grips with his more 'feminine' side following an unfortunate incident with a lollipop lady and a stolen bottle of Martini Rosso from Waitrose. All a big misunderstanding of course.

To avoid the Young Offenders unit, Ben is ordered to give something back to the community and develop his sense of social alignment. Take up a hobby and keep on the straight and narrow. The hot teacher he likes runs a knitting group so Ben, reluctantly at first, gets 'stuck in'. Not easy when your dad is a sports fan and thinks Jeremy Clarkson is God. To his surprise, Ben finds that he likes knitting and that he has a mean competitive streak. If he can just keep it all a secret from his mates...and notice that the girl of his dreams, girl-next-door Megan Hooper has a bit of a thing for him...

Review: wow I really totally loved this book. I felt like I was watching a TV show about some unlikely lads and how they all got themselves in and out of trouble. I laughed so much reading this and just generally had a jolly good time. 

I think it was interesting that the whole premise behind this book is that Ben is doing things that are all requirements of his probation and yet I found myself forgetting so often that he had done something wrong and was now dealing with the consequences. I really liked Ben as a character and he really does seem like a decent stand up gentleman. There are even knitting magazines hidden under his bed where you might expect other kinds of magazines to be hiding as well. Ben's friends, as I mentioned above, are also interesting characters. They just remind me of the lads that I went to school with and one of them is even attempting to write a sort of Fifty Shades of Grey spin off novel-how hilarious is that?

This book is very very funny but there are also some decent messages for life in here too. Ben really does grow and change because of his court mandated knitting and community service. He really is a decent person to start with but gains a level of maturity throughout the novel. He also finds out what happens when a lie spirals out of control. There is a little romance in this novel, and not just between Ben's parents (who are very much as embarrassing as a teenage boy's parents should be) and I liked that there was just a smattering of that left in there. Despite the fact that there is some slightly offensive language in there and allusions to sex in some scenes, I think this would definitely be something entertaining for the younger end of the YA audience, with those disclosures in mind. 

This is a very British read, despite me having read the US version and translating certain things in my head as I went along and I loved that about it. I really enjoyed getting to know Ben and his friends and also getting to know a little bit more about knitting and football (soccer). I would definitely recommend this read, it was very funny and thoroughly entertaining!

To get your copy now, click here!

Review: Lobsters by Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison

Sam and Hannah only have the holidays to find 'The One'. Their lobster. But instead of being epic, their summer is looking awkward. They must navigate social misunderstandings, the plotting of well-meaning friends, and their own fears of being virgins for ever to find happiness. But fate is at work to bring them together. And in the end, it all boils down to love.

Review: Why did I wait so long to read this book? I know I am always saying this but I bought this book when it first came out in the UK and so it has been sitting on my shelf that long waiting to entertain me. I loved this read right from the word go. It was entertaining, funny and relatable. I loved the fact that it is a YA novel but it is about grown up, British teenagers. Something which is often hard to find. This book is all about that summer between school and university when people are going off on group holidays, heading to festivals, travelling to their gap years, finding jobs and waiting for those exam results. Most people have gone through that time and so it is about time someone wrote a novel about how weird a time it is!

This is also a love story obviously. But, like all real relationships things aren't smooth and happy and jolly, there are some total cringe moments, as well as some hugely funny misunderstandings and I loved that about it. These characters of course, bring these situations to life and I loved spending time with Hannah and Sam and their groups of friends. Sam's group of friends felt just like watching an episode of the Inbetweeners and I think that's one of the reasons I found them so hilarious. Hannah's group is the usual frenemies situation and are always talking about sex and losing their virginity (remember when that's all you and your friends could talk about?). I really enjoyed the dynamic between them and any of them could have been the people I went to school with. 

I listened to this book on audiobook and because it is a dual narrative, this worked really well. The only aspect of the audiobook that let it down a little was the fact that the narrator gave Tilly a really squeaky voice so that she sounded 4 and not 18! The romantic aspect of the book isn't rammed down your throat, this is a funny story about growing up more than it is about relationships and so don;'t be put off by that. There are some very real relationship moments and I loved the bits that really were sweet in there, because that's real life isn't it? I just really loved this book, I loved what it stood for I loved the humour and I really want to know where these characters all are now!

To get your copy, just click the link UK or US

Guest Review: A Night In With Grace Kelly by Lucy Holliday

Fate has got it in for Libby Lomax. She realised, far too late, that her best friend Olly, is the actual Love of Her Life. Now he’s in love with the so-nice-it-hurts, Tash, and it looks like her happy ending is completely out of reach.

Things start looking up when she, quite literally, runs into the completely gorgeous Joel. Libby discovers that there is more to Joel than his six-pack, not least, the incredible fact that he honestly believes he has found his fairy tale princess in her.

And if this wasn’t enough, an unwanted guest shows up on Libby’s enchanted sofa; Grace Kelly, wearing her iconic wedding dress and convinced that Libby is figment of her imagination. But Grace also believes that if you want something, then you’ve got to make it happen; words which give Libby hope that happy endings aren’t just for fairy tale princesses…

Review: This is the final part of a trilogy by Lucy Holliday, following on from A Night In With Audrey Hepburn and A Night In With Marilyn Monroe. The question with trilogies is always whether each part can be read as a standalone. In this case, I would suggest that it would be best to read all three in order, as there is a central story running through them; but then I would suggest that you should read them all just because they are so good. They are without doubt some of the funniest books I have read. It does help if you can suspend belief a bit, as magic forms the basis of the stories. 

The central character in all three stories is Libby Lomax, a lovely girl with a dreadful overpowering mother and an equally awful sister. It's just as well she has long time best friend Olly to look after her and keep her grounded. Having found somewhere to live, he is the one who helped her find some furniture, including a sofa which turns out to have some strange powers and play a big part in the story.  In this book, Libby, as the title suggests, has a  surprise meeting with long dead actress Grace Kelly, dressed in her fabulous and iconic wedding gown. As in previous parts of this series, Libby is given very good advice by her actor friend in an attempt to help her sort out both her love life and her future in general. 

I really loved this story and would highly recommend it to anyone. Libby Lomax is such an endearing character, persevering through all that befalls her. Her friend Olly is also lovely; you can't help feeling that they belong together. As I said at the beginning, the book is really funny; a cleverly written combination of romance and comedy with a little sprinkle of magic. 

To get your fabulous copy now, click here!

Review: The Mills and Boon Modern Girl's Guide to Turning Into Your Mother by Ada Adverse

Perfect for mothers' day here in the US!

Have you ever…?

A) Opened your mouth and heard your mother come out?

B) Wondered whether a bunch of flowers and breakfast in bed once a year really makes up for the 37 hours your mum spent in St Agnes’ Maternity Ward?

C) Voiced a heartfelt opinion on the weather?

If so, the Mills & Boon Modern Girl’s Guide to Turning Into Your Mother is for you: a guide to the joys of motherhood – with a feminist twist.

Review: now I am not a mother, but when I received this book, just before mothers day, I had to dive right in. This book follows the current trend for books in the style of children's how to books but with grown-up funny things on each page. This structure of this one is that it is an A-Z of things that mums and perhaps their children too, do and feel every day. Of course there is a comedy twist to it and I laughed my way through this one. 

This book would make the perfect gift for anyone who is a mum because there are definitely things in here that any mum will be able to relate to such a not being able to go to the bathroom on your own or one day of breakfast in bed making up for all the other stuff you have to deal with on a daily basis. Of course this is the guide for turning into your mother and so I found things resonating with me, as a get older, despite the fact that I am not a mum yet. 

Whether you have children or not, I am sure that you will be able to find the humour in this book. I read this one from cover to cover in one sitting, reading most pages out loud to my parents who were also in the room. This book could be picked up again and again however, providing a bit of light relief and humour just when you need it. Since mother's day is over in the UK, consider this one for your next gift giving occasion, Easter, Birthdays etc because I can assure you, it will be very much appreciated!

Here's the link to order now!

Guest Review: Wickham Hall by Cathy Bramley

Holly Swift has just landed the job of her dreams: events co-ordinator at Wickham Hall, the beautiful manor home that sits proudly at the heart of the village where she grew up. Not only does she get to organise for a living and work in stunning surroundings, but it will also put a bit of distance between Holly and her problems at home.

As Holly falls in love with the busy world of Wickham Hall - from family weddings to summer festivals, firework displays and Christmas grottos - she also finds a place in her heart for her friendly (if unusual) colleagues.

But life isn’t as easily organised as an event at Wickham Hall (and even those have their complications…). Can Holly learn to let go and live in the moment? After all, that’s when the magic happens…

Review: Another triumph from Cathy Bramley to add to my ever growing collection. I waited in anticipation for this book to be published and wolfed it down in quick time. As you may gather, I'm quite a fan of Cathy's work, and this latest story did not disappoint. It was originally published as a four-part e-serial, but is now available as a complete package.

The central character in the book, Holly Swift, has landed her dream job as assistant to the events' organiser at her local stately home, Wickham Hall, situated near to Stratford upon Avon. She lives in the nearby village with her mother, Lucy, but there is a bit of friction at home due to her mother's hoarding habit. Holly, however, is a very tidy and organised person, well suited to her professional role. Mum and daughter have visited the Hall regularly throughout Holly's life, so this is also an asset to her in her new job. Wickham Hall sounds a very grand place, with amazing grounds, but very busy with day visitors and events, making it a big job for Holly when the events' organiser leaves her in the lurch from her very first day in the job. When heir to the manor and budding artist Benedict returns to the Hall after living away for some time, life gets even more interesting for Holly. Other people we meet along the way include: the Hall's owners, Lord and Lady Fortescue; their grown daughter Zara; Holly's best friend and local boutique owner Esme; and various members of staff who work with Holly at the Hall and are an interesting group of characters in their own right.

This is a lovely feel-good story full of lovely characters. I really warmed to them all, even the slightly snobbish Lady Fortescue and the somewhat difficult to please gift shop manager. I loved Lord Fortescue's quiet tolerance of his wife's moods and his ability to hide away from his 'duties'. Most of all, I particularly liked Holly, with her amazing organisational skills and quick-thinking problem solving abilities, and the dishy and amusing Benedict. I would recommend this as a good addition to your reading list and a wonderful introduction to Cathy Bramley's work for those new to her books. 

If you like the sound of that click here to get it for yourself!

Review: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

People today have more romantic options than at any point in human history, and thanks to social media, smartphones and online dating, our abilities to connect with these options are staggering. Yet we also have to face new and absurd dilemmas, such as what to think when someone doesn't reply to your text but has time to post a photo of a pizza on Instagram. But this transformation of our romantic lives cannot be explained by technology alone. Whereas once most people would find a decent person who probably lived in their neighbourhood and marry by the age of 23, today we spend years of our lives on a quest to find our soulmate.

While Ansari has long aimed his comedic insight at modern relationships, here he teamed up with award-winning sociologist Eric Klinenberg to research dating cultures from Tokyo to Buenos Aires to Paris, crunch the quantitative data and interview some of the world's leading social scientists. The result is an unforgettable tour of the romantic landscape.

Review: I so enjoyed this book, it is such fun! I listened to this book on audiobook and I actually listened to it with my other half. It was so interesting and thought provoking that it took us ages to listen to because we had to keep stopping it to talk about the observation that had just been made! I think the whole concept of the book is something that should be explored nowadays, the way we date and the way we meet people in general is so different now, so reliant on technology that it is something really interesting to sit down and actually think about. One of the observations towards the end of the book is to do with the fact that we wouldn't speak to someone in real life the way we speak to them on a dating app.

Ansari obviously adds his own humour into this book and that's what really tipped it from a four star into a five star read for me. I was laughing the whole way through. Obviously you can have some Hilarius stories stemming from any kind of dating scenario but particularly online dating and so the subject is funny anyway. When you add Ansari's brand of dry quick witt into there, you've got a match made in heaven! Some of the things he was saying were a little risque and definitely not for the most sensitive of souls, but his brutal honesty was what made it for me really.

I really liked the way the book was structured as well, It is always difficult knowing what to expect with a non-fiction title and this book just had it all for me. I liked the fact that we dealt with one subject matter after another. There were scientific studies, comments from anthropologist, results from surveys and observations from people who are actually living in this age of modern romance from online and in real life interviews. I thought it was a really good way to bring the whole subject together. Of course, because i listened to this on audiobook, I got to hear it read by Aziz Ansari and that added another level to the whole thing but I think I would still like to own a hard copy of the book so that I can see the charts and graphs and studies that lie within.

This was such a fun read but also though-provoking and definitely something that it needed in today's society. Add it to you TBR now!

Guest Review: The Birthday That Changed Everything by Debbie Johnson

She wanted a birthday surprise, just not the one she got…

The last thing Sally Summers expected from her husband on her special day was that he’d leave her for a Latvian lap dancer half her age. So with her world in tatters, Sally jets off to Turkey for some sun, sea and sanctuary.

The Blue Bay resort brings new friends and the perfect balm for Sally’s broken heart in gorgeous Dubliner James. He’s just the birthday present she needs. And when the chemistry between them continues to spark as the holiday ends, Sally wonders if this is more than just a summer fling.

But James has scars of his own and Sally isn’t quite ready to turn her back on her marriage. This birthday might have changed everything, but what will the next one bring?

This has to be one of the funniest books I have ever read.  It had its serious moments, but in the main had me laughing inside as well as out loud at times. There was, however, some strong language and hot sex, so some people might not find it quite so funny.

The lady with the birthday of the title is Sally Summers. We actually see her through 4 birthdays in all during the course of the novel. We first meet her as she wonders what her plastic surgeon husband, Simon, is going to give her for her 40th birthday. In fact what he gives her is a very unwelcome surprise as he announces that he is leaving her for a much younger woman, who is, in fact, a stripper. Once she has recovered slightly, Sally decides to pack her case and go off on a luxury holiday to Turkey courtesy of Simon's credit card. Accompanying her are her teenage children, Lucy and Ollie. While on holiday, Sally meets an interesting mix of people, a group of whom meet up there every year. They welcome her family into their group, and they party for the next fortnight. Each of this new group has their own tale to tell, which emerges as the story unfolds and they return to the hotel in Turkey on subsequent years.

I found the characters in the story strong and mostly, with the possible exception of Sally's husband, likeable. Sally's children are very different; while Ollie is no trouble at all, Lucy is most definitely the teenager from Hell and a source of great humour within the story. She treats her mother, brother and father outrageously. Sally, however, deals with her outbursts with great patience, despite the embarrassment they cause her. Although cringing at some of the things she comes out with, it was difficult not to warm to Lucy; you could see the decent person underneath waiting to emerge. The other main character out of the group of friends is James, practically a single dad, as his wife takes little interest in their young son who is on holiday with him.

I would highly recommend this story to anyone who fancies a bit of comedy and romance rolled into one. It had me laughing out loud several times, which probably got me a few funny looks if I happened to be reading in a coffee shop. There were also some serious and sad parts as well, as happens in real life, but overall this is a very, very funny story, extremely well told.

Review: Will Grayson Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two strangers cross paths. Two teens with the same name, running in two very different circles, suddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, culminating in heroic turns-of-heart and the most epic musical ever to grace the high-school stage.

Review: from the moment this book started, it affected me, one moment I was laughing, the next I was crying and all of the time it made me really think! If you described the plot of this to someone who hadn't read it, they would probably think that the main focus of this book is the two characters called Will Grayson and the comedy of the fact that they have the same name and end up meeting. In fact this is not the main focus at all. This book is about growing up and friendship and finding yourself and about the pressures that society puts on young people to conform and to be something that they're not. 

Now whilst this sounds like a deep concept and not something that should have you in stitches, the way John Green and David Levithan have written this book means that you never feel as if you're being preached at or feel like these deep and meaningful things are affecting you but when you put this book down, you really do come away thinking and evaluating. There are some seriously funny moments in the book though, some proper, I am laughing out loud in a public place, kind of hilarious. There were also a couple of tears shed but I was very satisfied with the ending and I really didn't cry too much!

Of course everyone has their favourite characters in this book. Now Tiny Cooper is a major player in this story and he even gets his own musical and spin off book about that musical. I did like him but i had that trouble that I quite often have with teenagers in books in that he was quite self involved and in some part of the story, I just really found him to be completely selfish. i would have to say that my favourite character is Will grayson. Which one though? i think I like the Will Grayson who begins the tale, Tiny's original Friend. He's a little more down to earth that the other characters and I really like the way his character evolves over the novel. The cast of characters in this book though is seriously good and very well developed for a collaborative novel like this!

The writing in this book is really wonderful. the humour is dry and sharp and the narrative just addictive. Despite the fact that I had this book in paperback, I listened to the audio version of this one because I thought it would be interesting to hear it with the two different Will Graysons. It worked really well because I had their different voices in my head for each. There are also a few bit of musical merriment in this novel and so the narrator actually sings in those bits so it was really fun and I would really recommend a) reading this fabulously humorous novel and b) recommend getting the audio version of this book. I think there really is something for everyone here whether you've already grown up or not-seriously good!

Review: Always The Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk

Everyone loves a bridesmaid - except Maddie, who’s perpetually asked to be one.

Everyone loves a wedding - except Maddie’s best friend, who’s getting divorced.

And everyone loves the way Maddie’s so happy behind the scenes - except Maddie herself.

One best friend is in wedding countdown while the other heads for marriage meltdown. And as Maddie juggles her best chance at promotion in years with bridezilla texts and late-night counselling sessions, she starts to wonder – is it time to stop being the bridesmaid?

Review: a new Lindsey Kelk book is always a delight and this one was no exception. This book is fairly different from her other novels and yet still has that fabulous Lindsey Kelk sense of humour and charm about it-fans will not be disappointed. One of the things I like most about Lindsey Kelk's writing style is that she says what we're all thinking. I particularly like a line in the novel where she references look at someones baby scan by pointing out that you're looking at the inside of someones uterus! This storyline in particular is incredibly relevant to those of us who are at the age when all our friends are getting married. The endless cycle of hen parties and weddings and often, the bridesmaids dresses too (my most recent one was red like the one on the cover!)

Maddie is an interesting character. I loved reading about her over the course of this book because she seems to be fearless. She just goes for what she wants and doesn't care how she looks doing it, she has no shame and I think that's an ace way to be in life! Her friends on the other hand, i didn't have so much love for. Lauren seemed incredibly spoiled to me and like the kind of high maintenance friend we all try and phase out eventually. Sarah seemed a little bit more sensible and I liked her a little more but I did feel that she was trying to put a brave face on her divorce and that if she had've just let herself wallow for a bit then her emotions wouldn't have gotten the better of her at pivotal points during the wedding planning. 

Of course there are some male interests in this book-it couldn't be a Lindsey Kelk novel without a delicious guy or two to lust over and there are males a plenty in this novel. I kind of don't want to mention how many or who because I don't want to give anything away but there is a moment where Maddie is romanced to the hilt, proper old Hollywood style, and this was just a joy to read. This book had me laughing hysterically in points. I read the majority of this at an airport or on a plane which was a little embarrassing but totally worth the laughs because I just relate to Lindsey's humour so much! Even if you haven't read any other Kelk novels, you should pick this one up. Its relatable, romantic, funny and so so true to life. I loved the ending and its just a great read!












Review: 

Review: Paris For One by Jojo Moyes

Bestselling author Jojo Moyes brings us a charming and heart-warming short story in association with Quick Reads.

Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She has never even been on a weekend away with her boyfriend. Everyone knows she is just not the adventurous type.

But, when her boyfriend doesn't turn up for their romantic mini-break, Nell has the chance to prove everyone wrong.

Alone in Paris, Nell meets the mysterious moped-riding Fabien and his group of carefree friends. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life?



Review: Oh what a fab fab read! This book may come in a small package but it certainly packs a massive punch. I had no expectations going into this book, which i think is the best way sometimes don't you? I sat down with a glass of wine and this in my hand and i didn't get up until i had finished both. (This is the perfect length of book for a large glass of red by the way). This book has all the feels. I loved Nell, she really blossomed over the 95 pages of this cute little novella and i had completely fallen in love with her by the end. Her confidence and self-belief grew and she learned how to have fun and be spontaneous.

This book has romance and laughs, a little bit of sorrow and the beautifully described city of Paris. I loved the descriptions of zooming around Paris on a moped, no detail is left out , despite the short length of this novella. The wine and the coffee sounded amazing so i really do defy you not to at least want a croissant whilst reading this delightful little offering. There were also parts which made me laugh, Nell's friends and her American nemesis provide the laughs in spades and along with the aw factor, the writing style was wholly satisfying|!

There are two possible suitors for Nell's heart and the French one of those two will definitely melt your own heart and he's a writer too. They've both been hurt and so you know that makes for the best kind of will they won't they situation. because Nell is only in Paris for a couple of nights, her trip is a short as the book and so you are definitely left wanting more. This ends on a delightful cliffhanger and i so so want to find out from Jojo Moyes exactly what happen next...like now!

Review: The Doris Day Vintage Film Club by Fiona Harper

Claire Bixby grew up watching Doris Day films at her grandmother’s house and yearned to live in a world like the one on the screen – sunny, colourful and where happy endings with chiselled leading men were guaranteed. But recently Claire’s opportunities for a little ‘pillow talk’ have been thin on the ground.

Until she meets mysterious Dominic. Nic is full of secrets but their connection is instant. Could he help Claire finding the Hollywood ending she’s been searching for? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps… 

Review: aww I loved every moment of this book-what a sweet funny, cosy read! This book is not taxing in any way, it can be picked up and put down again at will but short chapters and an easy reading style will allow you to just carry on reading on and on once you have started! 

I really liked Claire as a character. She is a romantic but she is still a strong female and happy enough to be on her own and make her life good all by herself. She has a fabulous groups of friends all of whom are strong women too and they are all fun to read about. Nic is our love interest in this book and I found him to be a really interesting character, there are definitely more dimensions to him than meets the eye and I was totally rooting for him all the way through this book, it was a very much a will they won't they sort of situation and I think I'd have been happy whichever way Italy or May not have turned out! 

There is a lovely sub-plot to this book than involves a younger Doris Day fan or not as the case may be and her sort of transformation to becoming a little more girly and a lot less football chic. I think there could have been more done with this story and I would love to find out more about what happens with her in the future. This story delivered a good message of not having to look or act girly to be womanly though and I really liked that. There were a couple of other sub-plots going on as well, including one with Claire's father that I'm not sure added an awful lot to the storyline, I found myself flicking through those a little bit to try and get back to the love story at the heart of this novel, that's the thing that stopped this from being a five star read for me. 

Of course this book is all about Doris Day films and I now have to go away and watch as much about Doris Day as I can where's the E true Hollywood Story when you need it? I loved that Dorsi tied this whole book together and I love that it made me want to find out more about her as well as teaching me a lot about her. It must have been really good fun to research! 

I really enjoyed this book I would definitely recommend this as a novel whether you know anything about Doris Day or not. It's definitely a love story but was a very quick read for me and something which I found hard to put down. It's got girl power and a steamy will they won't they love story-what more could you ask for?



Bonus time! The lovely publishers are going to be running a (rather exciting!) Pinterest competition as part of the campaign for The Doris Day Vintage Film Club, giving one reader the chance to win a Vintage makeover with stylists Lipstick & Curls for themselves and a friend. Here's the link as well as the Lipstick and Curl website-good luck!

http://on.fb.me/1HnmAIL

www.lipstickandcurls.net

Review: The Vintage Guide To Love and Romance

Jessica Beam is a girl who knows how to party. Only lately she's been forgetting to turn up for work on time. Or in clean clothes. Down on her luck, out of a job and homeless, Jess seeks the help of her long-lost grandmother.

Things aren't going well for Matilda Beam, either. Her 1950s Good Woman guide books are out of print, her mortgage repayments are staggering and her granddaughter wears neon Wonderbras!

When a lifeline from a London publisher arrives, the pair have an opportunity to secure the roof over their heads – by invigorating the Good Woman guides and transforming modern, rebellious Jess into a demure vintage lady.

The true test of their make-over will be to capture the heart of notorious London playboy Leo Frost and prove that Matilda’s guides still work. It's going to take commitment, nerves of steel and one seriously pointy bra to pull this off... 

Review: oh I loved this book so much it is going to be so so hard to review! Firstly this books was everything I hoped it would be. It is classic feel-good chick lit with some really really funny moments, a strong female lead, some real old-school family values and a twisty turns love story! Of course there is a happy ending which will leave you feeling as if you've just finished that delicious last bite of pudding at the end of your roast dinner and now you just want to lie back happy and content. 

Let's start with those fabulous characters. I loved Jess. I could really relate to her just wanting to have a good time and feeling in no hurry to settle down and be sensible. She's a blogger too (YEY!) so that's an awesome addition to her portfolio. She knows what she wants and she is sure she is right about all her decision until fate steps in her way and she is suddenly thrown into a new situation with new people and a fabulous new vintage take on life! Matilda beam is another strong-willed woman and you know when these two get together, that is going to make for some fabulous reading! 

The supporting characters in this novel also make for some fun reading. We have a couple of love interests (of course) but these are not the main focus of the story. Best friend summer turns out to be a bit of a shady character, I can just imagine her on You Tube with the wonderfully named kitten, Mr Belding. And then we have Peach. She is such a fun character, I defy anyone not to fall in love with her. She definitely needs a spin off book all to herself because she will kill it! 

This book is set between Manchester and London and the two cities deep it beautifully to two sides to Jess's life. The descriptions of her London life were very relatable and Matilda beams apartment in London sounds amazing! The whole story was just lovely the whole way through. There is a nice chunky first act with lots of funny moments and some life changing stuff for Jess and then from there we really get into the vintage section, the clothes, the manners, the love and romance! There are some real contrasts to the vintage guide morals with some casual sex, lots of swearing and some excellent hashtags and Facebook posts. The whole storyline is interwoven with extracts from Jess's mum (Rose) diary, very apt because of course, she was Matilda's daughter so it brings the whole thing full circle. 

I think one of my favourite things about this book is that Kirsty Greenwood puts into writing what so many of us are thinking but don't have the balls to say out loud. Because of this, The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance was a fun easy read with some very real messages and definitely a storyline to get your teeth into. If you're looking for something to really get you excited then this is the book for you. With guaranteed laughs and some characters you will want to call friends, this should definitely be your next good read! 

Review: Geek Girl All That Glitters by Holly Smale

"My name is Harriet Manners, and I am still a geek." The fourth book in the award-winning GEEK GIRL series. Harriet Manners has high hopes for the new school year: she's a Sixth Former now, and things are going to be different. But with Nat busy falling in love at college and Toby preoccupied with a Top Secret project, Harriet soon discovers that's not necessarily a good thing... 

Review: another winner for Geek Girl! This particular Geek Girl books was an interesting one because Harriet, amazing Harriet, is now without Nat and she is at sixth form, a major transition for her. With her tendencies, how will she handle it all? Obviously the answer is with a great deal of mishaps which provide endless humour for us the reader. The ups and downs of Harriet's life never end and so there are many laugh out loud moments in this book. Of course all is not looking well for Harriet Manners right up until the very last moment but she uses her winning personality and her fabulous friends to get her through it in the end! 

There are some interesting model shoots in this particular novel. We have flashbacks to previous shoots with nick aka Lion Boy but also an amazing shoot out in Mororco which involves step mummy Annabel representing Harriet and making sure everything runs smoothly. Despite these shoots we really don't see enough of Wilbur in this novel, Harriet gets various texts from him which remind us of just how funny he is as a character which almost makes it worse that he really isn't  in this novel-I miss him. Harriet's dad is just as funny as ever and you really do find yourself scratching your head as to how he manages to get on alone in the world. 

Nat really comes into her own in this novel and we also see another side to Alexa and her little gang which was really interesting! But again, nick is missing. If you've read the other Geek Girl books then you'll know why but I felt really sad that he wasn't in this novel. There are some really bittersweet flashbacks throughout the book to when he and Harriet had done photo shoots together in the past and the end of the novel leaves it very open ended as to what is goingtno happen with Nick but hurrah there MAY be another potential love interest on the scene and so I can't wait for the next installment in the series to find out how all that pans out! No spoilers here, I promise! 

Overall I loved this dose of Harriet Manners, it's another fab read and one I am sure you will absolutely storm through. There are laughs, there are some really aww moments and some moments where you think that Harriet might not actually manage to pull through this time but overall it is a real feel-good fun read. If you haven't read the other books in this fab series then go and do that now and then get your reading goggles around this one as soon as possible-you won't be disappointed! 

Review: Shop Gossip by Kathryn Player

When the charity shop is in danger of closing down, the ambitious Ruth (the shop supervisor) will do anything to keep it open. One cake sale later and a disastrous encounter with a Health and Safety officer, Ruth lands herself in hot water with Head Office. Meanwhile, Molly (a volunteer) has a stab at internet dating and Nadia (her sister) has a huge crush on the shop manager. But does Alex feel the same? What happens when a forty seven year old married woman has another try at love?

Nadia follows Alex when he goes on a date and she narrowly avoids being arrested. She realises that she needs to leave Alex alone so, therefore, she decides to focus on her ambition to be a successful beautician. She is determined to make it work and doesn’t miss an opportunity to give her beauty products away. However, the dream receives a cruel blow from the bank and just when things couldn’t get any worse, Nadia finds out her husband has been having an affair.

Nadia starts to question things. Is she really cut out to be a beautician? And is she too old to find someone new? Sometimes it’s easier to go crawling back to the husband of twenty years, rather than try life on your own without an income. Does Nadia want to take the risk? Is love really worth it? 

Review: this book has so much great potential, some really fun characters, a good storyline and some great ideas but it just didn't really do it for me. This was a lovely quick read and definitely something to pick up if you're looking for something to read on your commute or squeeze into a shorter amount of time as it's a cute little novella. 

The characters in the novels and ladies who all work in a charity shop, we meet them all a little later in life than your average rom com heroine would normally be and of course there are men on the scene too! One of the things I really liked about the relationship between the characters was that they didn't necessarily all get along, also two of them are sisters which brings a new dynamic to the story. None of the characters are really well-developed enough for my liking though, they had so much potential and I think that if this had been a longer book, there would've been more scope for them to flourish and fly a little further. 

The storyline just felt a bit the same way to me. Kathryn player is a very funny writer and her first novel is testament to that, there were some really funny moments in the novella but again, some of them could've been developed into so much more, making it seem a little rushed. The ending also felt a little rushed too, almost as if it is open to further development or that we are going to visit these ladies again some time in the future. I think perhaps one of the issues I had was that it was written in the present tense I so I found it a little difficult to follow because of that. 

The story is heartwarming and definitely challenges the perception that life is over after fifty! It also shows that working in a charity shop comes with the same pressures as any other job and that scandals and affairs can happen in any workplace. 

I enjoyed elements of this novella and am definitely glad I read it the whole way through but it just needed a little more development for my taste and I think it would really benefit from being developed into a full-length novel where Player's witty way with words would have it's chance to really shine through! 

Review: Shopaholic on Honeymoon by Sophie Kinsella

The new Mr and Mrs Brandon are on honeymoon, and Becky has big plans! They’ve got a whole year to explore Venice, learn yoga in India, sleep in little wooden huts in South America… maybe even see penguins in the Arctic. And of course they’ll need to buy just a few essential souvenirs along the way (everyone needs a set of Murano glass goblets, after all).

They’re not just tourists, they’re travellers. Becky is sure it is just the thing that Luke needs – time to unwind. He’ll come back a changed man… with all the good bits still intact of course.

But it soon becomes clear that Luke has different plans entirely. Can Becky help him let go, or will this little disagreement threaten their whole honeymoon? 

Review: A proper festive treat from Sophie Kinsella, what could be better than a cute little Becky Bloomwood short story? Nothing! This is such a fun read and you definitely won't be putting it down once you've picked up it. At just over 50 pages, you won't need to either. Kinsella has such a fast-paced writing style! it is really well-suited to the short story setting and she manages to pack in the same amount of abe my antics that we are used to in a full novel into just these short few scenes. 

You can't not love Becky and her usual mix of apologetic over spending and misunderstanding is very present in the story, if you are a fan of Becky you will not be disappointed. like is also deliciously present  on this honeymoon and he plays his usual clam, collected character who is slightly disapproving of Becky's ways, but is he hiding a bit of a secret of his own in the story? It's so exciting! 

Although this is only a short story it definitely has all the good markings of a proper Sophie Kinsella classic and is something to tide us over until the next installment of shopaholic fun which could be next year or possibly the year after, let's hope there are more short shopaholic stories where this one came from because this was a really gem. Read it whether you're a Becky fan or you're not and let it be part of the staple shopaholic series from here on in! 

Review: Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she's successfully kept for years. It's meant that she's had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then she meets the gorgeous Billy - an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy's glamorous - but ruthless - world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

Charming, heartwarming and utterly romantic, Billy and Me will completely capture your heart.

Review: aww this book was just so lovely and sweet and just such a good read. I listened to this novel on audiobook and it was such an enjoyable experience from start to finish. I normally only listen during the week on my way too and from work but I found myself listening anywhere and everywhere because I was just so into this book! It had all the elements of a good fairytale-girl meets a handsome (rich) man and is whisked off to live a glamorous lifestyle in the big city but things aren't all they're cracked up to be and of course there are secrets hidden in everyone's past!

I really liked Sophie as a character, just a normal girl doing her own thing. *I liked the fact that she was so independent and wanted to make things happen for herself, not just have everything given to her! I also loved the relationship that she had with her family and her friends. Billy is very cool too, although he is a celebrity he is grounded and he has such a sense of what is right and what is wrong, he's a real gentlemen when we are lacking so many in today's society! Molly is a wonderful character too. I wasn't as keen on the storyline that she had in this novel, but then the other characters all have great storylines so it's only fair really!

This novel has romance and tragedy but neither of this elements is rammed down your throat. I admit that I did cry but I also laughed and went aww at several moments. I have no idea where Giovanna Fletcher came up with the names of characters and films for this book, making them celebrities but not real celebrities, there is a hidden talent for thinking of glamorous sounding names right there! I literally don't have anything bad to say about this novel. If you don't lie sweet romantic storylines then perhaps this novel isn't for you but if you're l9ookin g for something to snuggle down with over these long winter nights, then this is definitely something you need to read now!

Plus there is the Christmas Billy and Me being released soon so... Giovanna Fletcher Marathon anyone?