Review: A Mother's Heart by Carmel Harrington

 Before we dive into my review of this fabulous new book from Carmel Harrington, I have an interview with this author coming up on my channel on Thursday at 6pm BST. If you're reading this before then, you can set a reminder or if you're reading this after the interview I'll leave it below for you to watch!

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

While Rachel Butler likes her life in a pretty Dublin coastal village, her heart lies in Hawke’s Bay, where she grew up. Visiting for the first time since tragedy tore her family apart, she and her stepchildren fall for its beauty and outdoor lifestyle.

Malahide, Ireland

As Rachel picks up the threads of her life as a single parent, she can’t shake off the memories of her loving family in New Zealand – and her dream house, the villa on the bay. But it’s time to move forwards with their life in Ireland, close to the children’s grandparents, amid the familiar surroundings they all know well.

Until the children’s grandmother, still grieving, starts to interfere, questioning Rachel's position as stepmother.

Until Rachel’s attempts to strengthen the family she loves so dearly backfires, pitting everyone against each other.

And until her late husband’s parents mend the rift that has existed as long as she’s been married – bringing with them an explosive secret . . .

Review: I listened to this book on audio and the narration was excellent!

I just love the many meanings hidden in the title of this book. A Mother’s Heart. Rachel is a mother and she is our main mother that we follow in this book but then there is the mother of Olivia and Dylan whom Rachel has recently adopted. Then there are 3 grandmothers all with concern for their own children as well as their grandchildren. Finally we have Rachel’s sister who is yearning to be a mother too. The stories of all 6 of these mothers are woven together so beautifully in the way that Carmel Harrington knows how to do so cleverly.

The wonderful thing about this book is that we get to hear about and from all of the mothers in question over the course of this novel. We get to hear from them and therefore each and everyone of them gets our sympathy as a reader and probably if you are a mother yourself then your empathy too. I love a book with multiple narratives and this writer does that so well. Just when you think you’re about to make a breakthrough with a character or someone reveals something in their life, we switch direction and you hear from someone else. This makes for an excellent page turner though!

Not only does this book have multiple points of view but it also has multiple locations. This is another thing that I loved about Carmel Harrington’s previous novel. Switching between New Zealand and Ireland is quite a contrast but both settings are written so well they both feel like home. Switching settings also allowed some of the tension to diffuse between some of these mothers and I think I was as grateful as Rachel in some instances to get away from things and have a change of scenery. 

Rachel is definitely the star of the show in this book. She is instantly relatable and easy to empathise with because she goes about her life in such a considered and caring way. She loves her step children and she has done the very best for them the entire time she has been in their lives. Everything she does outs them first but she is so torn after tragedy has followed her and affected her so many times. Whilst this may not sound like the most appealing concept to deal with in a novel, it is the way that Rachel deals with this stress and the tragedies that face her that is the uplifting thing about this book and what endears her as a character. I am sure that she will touch many hearts and that this novel will bring hope and joy to many people.

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

June 2022 TBR: New Releases, Audiobooks and an Author Interview!

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Guest Review: The House Swap by Jo Lovett

Island house off coast of Maine, with private beach, sea views and the occasional farmyard animal, seeks super swanky Central London penthouse overlooking Holland Park, complete with concierge service and spurned ex-lovers…

When thirty-somethings Cassie and James find each other on a home swap website, it feels meant to be. City hotshot James needs a bolthole after a relationship goes sour and Cassie needs to leave the comfort of her little island to research her new book.

Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution.

Except James didn’t imagine he’d be sharing his home with eleven chickens and three alpacas, not to mention the unusually friendly neighbours, who seem to find any excuse to drop by. And Cassie is less than impressed when James’s ex-girlfriend turns up at his door, demanding to know where he’s gone.

The more Cassie and James talk, the more the tension between them mounts. But as the insults fly so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t quite ready to give each other up.

But there’s more than just distance between them – and when Cassie makes a surprising discovery, the pair are forced to confront their feelings and decide what kind of life they really want.

Review: Jo Lovett is a new author to me. I saw this book on my local library’s website and liked the sound of it, so I borrowed the audiobook. The premise sounded reminiscent of the film The Holiday, which is one of my must-watch films for the festive season. I’m so glad that I did borrow it, because I was instantly hooked by the story and the characters. It took me no time at all to finish because I was so immersed in the world that the author had created.

The main characters in the story are Cassie and James. Cassie is originally from Glasgow, but now lives on a small island off the coast of Maine, where she keeps alpacas and chickens and writes children’s books. Business man James lives in a luxurious apartment in central London and has a concierge service on hand to provide him with his every need. When Cassie needs somewhere to live in London for a few months and James needs to get away from the city for a while, they find each other’s homes on a house swapping website and decide that this seems an ideal solution. The problem is that neither of them is quite prepared for what they find, and there are more than a few heated texts and phone calls across the Atlantic. However, as time passes, the situation calms down and the pair find that they can actually enjoy talking to each other and that they will miss this when the swap ends. When Cassie subsequently has to make a business trip to London, she even meets up with James. However, she makes a startling discovery once she returns home that will change both of their lives forever.

Oh I did enjoy this wonderful romcom! It had me laughing out loud and completely drawn into Cassie and James’s world. I loved both of the central characters, but also their respective friends and neighbours. The change in James after he had been living on the island for a while was particularly heart-warming. It is not all comedy; both Cassie and James have some serious issues, which are dealt with sensitively by the author. I was attracted to both of their homes, but I could absolutely enjoy living on Cassie’s island with her animals, the sea at the door and some very interesting neighbours, to say nothing of the social events organised by the community. This is definitely a book that I would recommend to anyone wishing to escape from the pressures of the real world for a while. I personally shall be looking out for more books from Jo Lovett.

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

June 2022 TBR-What Will I Be Reading This Pride Month?

 June reading actually started at the end of May for me because I knew I was goingf away on a trip and wanted to read on the plane without having to faff around with putting one thing in one month and one in another so I will actually have an extra long reading month this June! June is also pride month and there's one big release I'm very excited for so let's dive right in...

Let's start with some May releases I didn't get to...

Then there's the QuickReads I didn't get to in May...

And finally, some June releases. 

I would also like to read some fabulous pride-filled books but I'll just have to see which audiobooks come my way!

May 2022 Reading Wrap Up-Did I get to Everything on My TBR?

So my May TBR was a little optimistic but I knew I was going to attempt Bout of Books this month and I had lots of May releases I was excited about so I made it that way on purpose. The best thing about this wrap up is that I have books for every category. 

I have also decided to end my may reading early and start my June reading before setting off on a little trip so that I can read on both my journeys and have it count towards the same thing. So June TBR coming your way very soon. 

Therefore this wrap up represents just 25 days of reading which I don't think is too bad really. 

Ebooks

Physical Books

Audiobooks

May Reading Wrap Up: Why Did I Cut it Short? Did I Read ANYTHING?

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Guest Review: Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan

 A marriage in the spotlight

Joanna Whitman’s high-profile marriage held more secrets than she cares to remember, so when her ex-husband dies, she doesn't know what to feel. But when she discovers that he’s left behind a pregnant young woman, Joanna is forced to act. She knows exactly how brutal the spotlight on them both will be…unless she can find a way for them to disappear.

A beach house hideaway

Ashley Blake is amazed when Joanna suggests they lie low at her beach house in her sleepy Californian hometown. Joanna should be hating her, not helping her. But alone and pregnant, Ashley needs all the support she can find.

A summer of new beginnings

Joanna's only goal for the summer is privacy. All Ashley wants is space to plan for her and her baby's future. But when an old flame reappears, and secrets spill out under the hot summer sun, this unlikely friendship is put to the test…

Review: Sarah Morgan is one of my very favourite authors. Ever since I discovered her books, I have looked forward to each and every new title. They are always filled with solid storylines, well-developed characters and amazing locations. This one is no exception; I was hooked from the beginning and charmed by the principal characters and stunning Californian setting.

The story concerns two women, whose lives are brought together by one man. Forty-year-old Joanna was once married to celebrity chef Cliff Whitmore, who cheated on her regularly during their marriage. When he dies in a car crash, the press are at Joanna’s gates hounding her and speculating on the identity of pregnant teenager Ashley Blake, who was also in the car when it crashed. However, Joanna knows from first sight exactly who the girl is and finds herself compelled to help her. They make their way to the charming small coastal town of Silver Point, Joanna’s childhood home, and attempt to hide from the press in her secluded beach front house. Having left the town and cut all ties suddenly twenty years previously, Joanna is surprised to find the community offering acceptance and support for her and Ashley. Ashley is surprised by Joanna’s offer of friendship and protection, but shares her desire to be left be left in peace to build a new life. In Joanna’s case, she finds her old life, and particularly an old boyfriend, Nate, is something she can’t escape, but with Ashley’s encouragement can she rekindle lost relationships?

I absolutely loved this new novel from Sarah Morgan. The storyline was so compelling that I found myself completely immersed in the characters’ world every time I sat down to read. Joanna is an amazing woman, first to have put up with an awful husband for so long and then to have taken a lost, pregnant teenager under her wing without question. I’m sure not many women in her position would have done that. It was great to see Ashley blossom as time goes by and she realises that Joanna really does want to help her, and what’s more that she can help Joanna as well. As for Joanna’s house - I could almost see Ashley’s eyes growing bigger and bigger as she toured inside and outside the property; mine were as well. I loved that every room has a reading nook! A private beach and the ocean on your doorstep; what more could anyone want? Then there was the town of Silver Point - what marvellous community spirit there was amongst its inhabitants. Although all is explained in the text, I’m not sure how Joanna could bring herself to leave in the first place, never mind stay away for twenty years. This story is a real rollercoaster of a read. There is drama, tragedy, emotion and the very best romance. A really heart-warming story for any reader. 

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