Guest Review: Just One Look at You by Jill Mansell

Fen can't believe her luck. A luxury holiday with her beloved grandmother Disa - what could be more delightful? It doesn't cross her mind that she might fall in love. Or that love can bring complications . . .

Jamie can't help it that women always fall for him, rather than for his kind-hearted friend Leon. Nor that only one of them got the looks (that would be Jamie). But how will he feel if the girl he's drawn to only has eyes for Leon?

Disa has a secret. A few weeks ago, an old letter in a file revealed a shocking truth about her late husband. She's come to Venice to find out more.

There's news on the way that will reverberate through all their lives, as Jill Mansell's joyful, heartbreaking new novel takes readers on a roller coaster ride of emotion - and makes us believe in love again.

I have been eagerly awaiting this year’s book from Jill Mansell. As the striking cover reveals, this story is set primarily in Venice, promising the reader romance and so much more.

The protagonists in this book come together on a luxury river cruise based in Venice. Among the travellers are Fen, her vivacious grandmother Disa, rugby star Jamie, who is the onboard celebrity speaker, and his best friend Leon. Jamie is used to lots of attention from the ladies, but it is Leon who steals the heart of Fen. Disa has been keeping a secret linked with her desire to visit Venice which comes as a surprise to all. The group have a marvellous time in Venice, and Fen and Leon’s romance continues when they return home. When tragedy strikes, the shock affects everybody and has long-lasting consequences.

This was a highly emotional romantic novel that had me completely absorbed from the start. Much of the book was set in Venice, but there were also parts that took place in Bristol and the Cotswolds. The characters were all well developed and had their own interesting back-stories. I particularly liked stylish Disa with her bubbly personality. This book could certainly be described as an emotional rollercoaster, humour and drama mixing with extreme sadness. I highly recommend it, but make sure to have a tissue close by.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: The Wedding of the Year by Jill Mansell

Love, friendship and secrets revealed as the sun beats down on dazzling blue Cornish seas . . .

It's set to be a perfect day - until the chauffeur is asked to keep driving the bride around the church. This wedding definitely isn't going as planned.

Lottie is a guest at the wedding when she sees Max. No kiss has ever matched the last one they shared fifteen years ago. They were on the brink of a beautiful love story, until a shocking event tore them apart. Now here he is, still ridiculously good-looking, teasing Lottie in the old way - and that overwhelming electric attraction is back. But Max is way out of bounds.

Freya owes Cameron everything. But she doesn't love him. Which is a shame, because they're about to be married.

Ruby has been the perfect wife. When she discovers the truth about her husband, her response is reckless and delicious. But after that, nothing will ever be the same again.

Review: I always look forward with great anticipation to the annual offering from Jill Mansell, expecting a thoroughly entertaining read. Her novels are always full of well-developed characters and dramatic storylines. This book is set in Cornwall. I was not sure what to expect from the title, but its dramatic opening had me hooked from the start.

The story begins in the church in the village of Lanrock, where Freya is about to walk down the aisle towards her groom, Cameron. However, the wedding is suddenly halted by Ruby, the vicar’s wife, who has just made a shocking discovery. Her actions are just the beginning of a chain of events that will impact on more than one marriage. In the congregation are old acquaintances Lottie and Max. They have quite a history, a budding romance in their teens having been abruptly brought to a halt by events outwith their control. However, it seems that although there is still a spark there, there are still major obstacles in the path of their relationship nevertheless. Meanwhile, it appears that the interruption to Freya’s wedding may have been fortuitous for her, as she is unsure if she really loves Cameron, and she may now have time to find a way to wriggle out of their relationship.

This was a delightfully entertaining book with multiple storylines involving the various characters from the village of Lanrock and beyond. They included several particularly strong women. I loved the drama of the opening pages of the book, with one shock after another. Ruby proved a much stronger person than villagers realised; she was not taking any nonsense from anyone. I was also struck by Freya’s actions in dealing with her situation. She had an idea of how to act and stuck to it. Lottie and Max’s story was reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet’s situation, but fortunately they found a different solution from the star-crossed lovers. I loved their story most of all. I can highly recommend this enjoyable book, full of drama and romance, and certainly never a dull moment.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: Should I Tell You? by Jill Mansell

Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met as teenagers in the Cornish seaside home of kind-hearted foster parents. Years on, the bond between them is unbreakable

But Amber has a secret. She's in love with Lachlan. She can't tell him, because that would never work - he's definitely not the settling-down type. Surely it's better to keep him as a friend than to risk losing him for good?

Raffaele has his own dilemma. He had the dream girlfriend in Vee, until it all went horribly wrong . . . and he still can't understand why. Is Vee hiding something from him?

Now their widowed foster dad Teddy has found new love. Younger, charming and beautiful, Olga seems perfect. But is she? Or will she break Teddy's fragile heart?

Against a backdrop of sparkling seas and sunny skies, the unexpected is always just around the corner. Welcome to Lanrock!

Review: I have yet to read a story from Jill Mansell that I did not enjoy, so I was looking forward to the release of her book for 2022. I bought the audiobook as soon as possible and was immediately absorbed in the story. The setting is a lovely Cornish seaside town; a map of that town showing some key locations is included at the beginning of the book, a feature that I always enjoy. 

The story concerns three people who met as teenagers when they were fostered by a caring couple, Teddy and May, living in the small seaside town of Lanrock. Sadly, May has since died, but the three she cared for have stayed firm friends with each other and with Teddy. Amber owns a stained glass studio in the town, chef Lachlan has a restaurant there and celebrity hairdresser Raffaele has a salon round the corner. All is not as peaceful as it seems in their lives. Amber is hiding her love for Lachlan for fear of spoiling the dynamic among the friends, Lachlan also has hidden feelings for her, Raffaele is worried about the behaviour of one-time partner Vee, and all three are worried about Teddy, who has turned up with a new, younger girlfriend, Olga. Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele are concerned that Olga may have ulterior motives for the attention she is giving Teddy.

This is a lovely story of family, friendship and romance, told with Jill Mansell’s usual warmth. The characters are all well developed and believable, with their own stories and their own secrets. As well as the central characters, there are many others in the story, some of whom also have a major part to play in the overall tale. Of course, since there is a chef amongst the cast, there is mention of some mouthwatering dishes as well. The setting for the book sounds like the kind of place we would all like to visit and stay awhile, with the sea on the doorstep and some interesting places to explore. I’m sure that other readers will enjoy this book as much as I have.

I must add that I had problems with the audio version of the book that I bought from Audible. Unfortunately, it was faulty in that there was a portion in the wrong place that contained a big spoiler, and another chapter had been missed out altogether. I was advised to download the book again for a fault-free version, which I did, but I was disappointed that the original version had spoiled my enjoyment of the story to a certain degree.

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

Guest Review: It Started With a Secret by Jill Mansell

The trouble with secrets is that you can't guess what the consequences will be . . .

Lainey has lost everything. Luckily one little fib (OK, quite a big fib) helps nail her dream job. Soon she's living in a stunning house by the sea, fending off obsessed fans for a retired - if far-from-retiring - actor and organising his charming but chaotic family. It's definitely worth the challenge of keeping her secret.

At least Lainey isn't looking for love. It's time for a break from all that. And yet . . . Seth, the actor's grandson, really is rather attractive. There's growing chemistry and a definite connection between them. But how would he react if he knew she hadn't been honest with him?

Lainey's not the only one with a secret, though. Seth has one of his own. And everything's about to start unravelling . . .

Review: I have been looking forward to this new novel from Jill Mansell - in my experience, she never fails to disappoint. I was pleased to find that this book was going to transport me once again to St Carys, in Cornwall, a setting for some of her previous stories; that said, not to worry if you have not read any of Jill Mansell’s other novels - this is a stand-alone story. I found that I was quite captivated by this book, and was left missing all the wonderful characters once I had finished.

The story begins with Lainey and her friend Kit losing their jobs at a French chateau hotel, but landing a wonderful position looking after a family in a gorgeous large house by the sea in Cornwall. The only drawback is that they had to tell an enormous lie about being ‘together’ in order to secure the position. The family they are working for comprises an entertaining mix of characters of a wide age range, as well as several animals, so Lainey and Kit find that their duties are widely varied too. Although she is definitely not looking for romance at this stage in her life, Lainey finds herself strangely drawn to Seth, the grown-up and rather serious grandson of the family. As the story progresses, it transpires that Lainey is not the only one to have a secret that she must keep - they are popping up all over the place.

For me, this was a wonderful story that had me spellbound from page one. It is brimming full of really interesting characters with such a lot going on in their lives. In addition, there are so many secrets cleverly woven into this story, emerging gradually as the pages turn. With so many zany characters in this family, there is a large dose of comic moments spread throughout the book, but also poignant events as well. I think that Lainey and Kit were just the right couple the family were looking for in helpers. I loved watching the relationship between Lainey and Seth develop; I was itching to tell him that she wasn’t really spoken for by Kit. This is a lovely romantic tale with great depth that has something for everyone and would make a great read for summer, or any time of the year.

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

Guest Review: Maybe This Time by Jill Mansell

Heartwarming and joyful - the brand new romantic comedy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of THIS COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING. An irresistible read for fans of Lucy Diamond and Katie Fforde.

'Mansell has delivered another winner with this compelling, thoughtful, emotionally intelligent book about love, friendship and not giving up' Daily Mail

Mimi isn't looking for love when she spends a weekend in Goosebrook, the Cotswolds village her dad has moved to. And her first encounter with Cal, who lives there too, is nothing like a scene in a romantic movie - although she can't help noticing how charismatic he is. But Cal's in no position to be any more than a friend, and Mimi heads back to her busy London life.

When they meet again four years later, it's still not to be. Cal is focusing on his family, and Mimi on her career. Then Cal dives into a potentially perfect new romance whilst Mimi's busy fixing other people's relationships.

It seems as if something, or someone else, always gets in their way. Will it ever be the right time for both of them?

Review: It’s always lovely to find a new book by Jill Mansell. I bought the audiobook of this one on publication day and have finished it in quick time. As usual with this author’s books, I found myself instantly immersed in the world of its characters and eager to move from chapter to chapter. 

The story revolves around Mimi, who is working very successfully in PR, sharing a flat in London with a long-time friend and dating her boss. However, when that relationship ends suddenly, Mimi retreats to the home of her father and his husband in the small Cotswold village of Goosebrook. She makes many friends there, and is particularly attracted to single dad Cal, but what with his family commitments and her career ambitions, things always seem to come between them. Mimi wonders if her feelings for Cal can ever be returned. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this story; it is, in fact, one of my favourites from Jill Mansell. It is at once romantic, amusing and truly heart-warming. I loved Mimi and Cal, and their misguided attempts to be doing the right thing, all the time keeping them apart. They are both thoughtful and caring people; Cal’s relationship with his teenage daughter would be envied by many fathers. The story is, of course, filled with many other lovely characters, many of whom add a touch of comedy by their actions. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romantic comedy; it is a hard one to put down.

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

Guest Review: This Could Change Everything by Jill Mansell

On the one hand, if Essie hadn't written that letter - the one that only her best friend was meant to see - then she'd still be living like an actual proper grown-up, tucked up with Paul in his picture-perfect cottage, maybe even planning their wedding...

On the other hand (if her true feelings hadn't accidentally taken the internet by storm, that is) she wouldn't have moved into the attic flat on the square. She would never have met Conor. Or got to know Lucas...

And she wouldn't have found herself falling in love with someone she really, really shouldn't fall in love with...

Review: Another triumph for Jill Mansell!  I have just finished her new book, and can't believe what a delightful mix of emotions there is within its pages. I found myself laughing one minute, apprehensive as to what was going to happen the next, and then crying tears of sorrow or joy. It was easy to read; from the very beginning, I was absolutely captivated. 

When the heroine of the tale, Essie, writes a letter intended as a joke for her friend, Scarlet, and it somehow ends up being sent by email to all in her address book, it seems like her perfect life as she knows it is going to come to an end. However, but for that she would never have met the incredible Zillah, housemate Conor or ended up working for the lovely Lucas. These are just some of the events that happen due to sheer coincidence throughout the book. The action takes place mainly in Bath and its surroundings. Lucas owns a pub there, which sounds a really warm and friendly place to pop in for a drink. 

I loved all of the characters that Jill has brought into this story, except for Essie's boyfriend and his mother, both of whom are anything but likeable. The star for me was Zillah, an eighty-something year old with such a young spirit and a heart of gold. I would love to think that I could be as adventurous at her age. The story begins with a scene involving her, and you can tell straight away that she is going to be quite a character. Then there were the two principal males in the story, Conor and Lucas. What great men, both of them obviously incredibly handsome, and apparently well able to cope with whatever is thrown at them. As well as being populated with varied and interesting characters, the storyline has been really cleverly written to weave in all of the chance meetings that go together to suggest that there is such a thing as fate for the main and also minor players. 

I would recommend this wonderfully heartwarming story to absolutely anyone, whether or not they have previously read anything by Jill Mansell. Once started, it holds the attention right up to the last page.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US (released on 5th June in US)