The Italian Job - Kathryn Freeman

 

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. 

A year in a gorgeous Italian castle…

When Anna Roberts’ life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job – management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can’t do it alone…

…With the last man on earth she’d choose!

The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake’s had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult … but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn’t exist is quickly proving impossible!

My Review:

A castle in Italy? Enemies to lovers? TICK AND TICK for me.
This is the story of Anna and Jake, neighbours who have never really seen eye to eye but now have to rely on each other to make their dreams come true. Anna is cheated on, losing both the love of her life and her job. She is told to find her “dream job” and she does just that – managing a castle in Italy. Her dream job doesn’t come easily though, there is a catch; applicants must be in a couple. Single Anna needs this job and so enlists the help of the last person she ever imagined asking for help.

On the surface Jake is a lad with a past; having spent time in prison for punching someone – he is out and now finds the community not exactly welcoming, although he had his reasons for what he did. He is loyal to those he cares about and is soon showing his true colours. He is looking for an opportunity to prove himself, and when Anna provides and opportunity he must decide if he can handle everything that is to come.

Great characters – both having their own issues and insecurities I found they balanced each other out brilliantly and had a positive effect on the other. Both characters evolved throughout the story, with a nudge or disagreement to help them on their way. There is drama, mishaps and miscommunications as well as romance and some light-hearted moments along the way.

This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and I don’t think it will be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, think it moved along at a good pace. I liked the characters (well the ones that we are supposed to like – there are some rotters in the mix as you can imagine).

I think this is a perfect summer, holiday read. 

Purchase Links

Link UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RFF6X5Q

Link US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RFF6X5Q

Author Bio:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kathrynfreeman

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

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Good Neighbours - Mary Grand

 

It was meant to be a safe place to start again... 

In need of an escape from her failing marriage, Nia agrees to house-sit her aunt’s cottage on the Isle of Wight. She feels sure the cosy close in a quaint harbour town will be a safe place to hide and figure out what to do next. 

But things are not all as they seem in the close, and the neighbours who welcome her with open arms, are keeping secrets. When Nia finds the body of one of her new friends lying on the beach, she feels sickeningly sure that the killer is dangerously near to home.

Who killed her friend and why did she have to die? And if Nia discovers the answers she’s looking for, is she next on their hit list? Good neighbours may become good friends, but they can also make deadly enemies… 

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3pyRFpO

My Review:

An atmospheric and tense read, I enjoyed this ‘whodunit’ style thriller. It caught my attention and I found I wanted to keep reading to find out who was behind it all.

This story is set on the Isle of Wight where, upon first impressions they are a close group of friends/neighbours but beneath it all secrets, resentments and arguments mean someone has become a killer and will do all it takes to keep their identity from every being revealed.

Nia, has left Cardiff and her husband, Chris, of 20 years and is seeking refuge in her Auntie Gwen’s vacant property on the island. It isn’t long before she’s part of the group, but a tragic discovery leaves her feeling unsure of who to trust and their motives for wanting to keep her close.

It’s full of red herrings, but the clues are there. You will read along as Nia tries to eliminate each neighbour whilst being under the spotlight herself. As secrets start coming to light, you will not know who she can trust or whether she will be the next victim.

This book will grab you attention and fill you with suspense. It was very well written and moved along at a good pace, which I like with this genre. Very enjoyable for fans of this genre.

Author Bio:

Mary Grand is the author of five novels and writes gripping, page-turning suspense,
with a dark and often murderous underside. She grew up in Wales, was for many years
a teacher of deaf children and now lives on the Isle of Wight where her novel, The House Party, which was published by Boldwood in July 2020, is set.

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authormarygrand

Twitter https://twitter.com/authormaryg

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marygrandwriter/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/MaryGrandNews

The Meet Cute Method - Portia Macintosh

 

Do movie romances ever happen in real life...?

Frankie doesn't believe in true love. As relationships expert at popular magazine Stylife, she has learnt that dating disasters are far more common than happy ever afters.

So when she is tasked to find out if meet cutes can work in real life she is up for the challenge - but whether it's being a damsel in distress with a flat tyre, or spilling coffee over a stranger, she isn't convinced this can really lead to love.

But little does Frankie know that the ultimate meet cute opportunity is just around the corner. As she is whisked off her feet (all in the name of her work project of course...) perhaps true love isn't just for the movies after all...?

My Review:

I enjoy every single book that Portia writes; they are fun, quirky and I know will have really interesting characters. They are always books I read quickly, just because I am enjoying them so much. This book gives us all the usual Portia fun and frolics, also a gorgeous setting to ensure we have maximum holiday envy!

Frankie is single, living in a flat share and keen for the promotion of her dreams. It’s within touching distance when one fated day,  THE potential promotion announcement day, she finds everything that could go wrong does. Finally getting to her office, Frankie discovers a big change and one that threatens the promotion (and her chance to leave that flat share!)

Addison is cutting the dead wood and everyones needs to prove themselves if they are to stay, including Frankie. Pitching ideas to Addison, Frankie suggests using the old film style “meet cutes” in attempts to pick up men, i.e. ordinary situations that get her and a dream guy talking – falling over in the street, broken down car – that kind of thing.

This results in some hilarious antics, I laughed out loud a few times imagining the things Frankie does. When nothing seems to go to plan she turns to new friend Max, his idea is to invite her to join him on holiday. Hawaii, a dream destination, sounds too good to be true but Addison is over the moon with the possibilities this could have for Frankies article.

With lies being told on all sides, Hawaii may seem like an island paradise, but it soon becomes apparent that Max isn’t all he seems either. Both make bad choices, say the wrong thing but ultimately both Frankie and Max are trying to do what makes them happy whilst pleasing other people, maybe both need to take a step back and reassess.

Thoroughly enjoyable – a friends-to-lovers story with heart and action. Characters that are fun, likeable, and interesting. It ticked all the rom com boxes for me, and it played out in my head like a movie (that’d be a fun idea!)

I highly recommend checking this one out when it is released in May 2022. Many thanks to NetGallery and Boldwood Books for allowing me the opportunity to get an early copy of the book. 

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3vU5jrB

Author Bio:

Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 20 romantic comedy novels.

From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.

Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia/

Twitter https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up Link http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh

The Summer Fair - Heidi Swain

 

Join Heidi Swain back in Nightingale Square for a sunshine and celebration filled summer....

Beth loves her job working in a care home, looking after its elderly residents, but she doesn’t love the cramped and dirty house-share she currently lives in. So, when she gets the opportunity to move to Nightingale Square, sharing a house with the lovely Eli, she jumps at the chance.

The community at Nightingale Square welcomes Beth with open arms, and when she needs help to organise a fundraiser for the care home they rally round. Then she discovers The Arches, a local creative arts centre, has closed and the venture to replace it needs their help too – but this opens old wounds and past secrets for Beth.

Music was always an important part of her life, but now she has closed the door on all that. Will her friends at the care home and the people of Nightingale Square help her find a way to learn to love it once more.?

My Review:

Heidi Swain stole my book heart many moons ago with her fantastic characters, wonderful communities and stories that warm even the coldest of hearts. With each book we fall more in love with one of her fictional settings and have another character to adore.

A little biased you may presume, but honestly, Heidi never delivers a book I don’t love. I know exactly how I feel by the end – like I’ve spent time with a really good friend.

The Summer Fair is fantastic, another trip to Nightingale Square and back to catch up with friends of old. We also meet Beth, who has shut her beloved music out of her life as it is too painful to hear. She is a broken woman who is desperate to forget her passion for music because it brings back memories. She wants to move on from the past but her arrival in Nightingale Square might mean that is going to be more difficult than she ever thought.

Oh how I felt for Beth, I was willing her on at every opportunity – at work, getting away from awful housemates and once she settled into Nightingale Square. I could empathise with her aversion to shut out parts of her past, but she didn’t make it easy for herself at all.

As Beth works in a care home (you may recognise a certain someone there) and what a brilliant, often funny, inclusion – full of funny, quirky characters. This is also where we see Beth come into her own and blossom.

Eli is a great character and although he had his own thing going on, he helps Beth more than he realises ay first. He is an important part of helping Beth heal and believe in herself again.

Music is such a powerful and emotional tool in terms of mental health. It can break us down or build us up and this is a theme that is woven into this story.

Heartwarming, charming and probably one of Heidi’s best, I cannot recommend The Summer Fair enough. What a treat!

Until next time Nightingale Square….

Treat yourself with a copy of 'The Summer Fair' - Available - HERE!

 

The Sweet Shop of Second Chances - Hannah Lynn

"A delightful, well written tale, full of wonderful characters in a charming setting. I loved it!" - Katie Fforde

Starting over never tasted so good

Holly Berry has it all; a good corporate career, a steady boyfriend, and enough savings that they will soon be able to buy a nice little house. But when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she decides to retreat to the Cotswolds and a place full of far sweeter memories.

Quite literally.

However when Holly discovers the quaint village sweet shop that she worked in as a teenager is starting to crumble she decides that maybe the sensible life isn’t what she wants after all. Putting all her chocolate eggs in one basket, she says goodbye to the city, and sets her sights on Just One More.

After all, how hard can running a sweet shop be?

With charismatic Giles, ready to rescue her at every turn and the local bureaucrats breathing down her neck, it certainly isn’t the quiet life she expected. Can Holly really save the place from the the wicked developers, or will she be the reason Just One More closes its doors for good?

Full of laughter, sweet clean romance and cozy village life, The Sweet Shop of Second Chances will make you believe that the best things in life really are worth fighting for.

Purchase Link -  mybook.to/hollyberrybook1

My Review:

A mouth watering, sweet treat of a book – and a pleasure to know it’s the first in a series! Finishing this story left me with a smile on my face, a hankering for some treats and dreaming of a little trip to the glorious sounding Cotswalds.

Our main character, Holly, is a sensible young woman. Years if seeing her Mum ans Dad struggling to get by has left her working hard to save money and make sure she can invest in her future. Finding her partner in bed with another woman, Holly flees and goes back to the village in which she grew up. Holly needs to make some decisions about her future so when she’s revisiting her past, Holly looks to her former teenage place of work, Just One More; the village sweet shop. Her arrival is just in time– developers want to buy it. Holly uses those savings to try and save the sweet shop – can she turn things around for both herself and the sweet shop?

Holly has the support of friends, both old and new who help her every step of the way but for all those that want to help there is someone very keen to see her fail. Can she stop them ruining her plans and can she discover who doesn’t have her best interests at heart.  

This is funny, heart warming and enjoyable from start to finish. Holly is a really likeable character who I wanted everything to work out for.

I am really pleased there are more to follow as I’d love to know what happens next. 

Win one of Five Signed Paperbacks - https://www.subscribepage.com/hannahlynncomp

Author Bio:

Hannah Lynn is a multi award winning novelist. Publishing her first book, Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015. Her second book, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus – a contemporary fiction novel with a supernatural twist – went on to win the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and the Independent Publishers Gold Medal for Best Adult Ebook.

Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction.

Now settled back in the UK with her husband, daughter and horde of cats, she spends her days writing romantic comedies and historical fiction. Her first historical fiction novel, Athena's Child, was also a 2020 Gold Medalist at the Independent Publishers Awards.

Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/hannahlynnwrites/

https://www.tiktok.com/@hannahlynnwrites/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HannahLynnAuthor/
Twitter @HMLynnauthor
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13830772.Hannah_M_Lynn
Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hannah-lynn

A Taste of Greek Summer - Mandy Baggot

 

Next summer, on the Greek island of Corfu, sparks will fly as dreams come true...

Lydia Broom is living her second-best life. With her dreams of being a chef left in the dust she instead finds solace writing about the dishes she wished she created. When Lydia's sent to Corfu on an assignment, she's excited to see what culinary delights the island has to offer, but nothing seems to tickle her fancy - until she tastes the creations of local cook, Thanos Nicolaidis.

After one sizzling afternoon in the kitchen together, Lydia and Thanos both allow themselves to dream of the futures they desperately want. And as they grow closer, sharing secret ingredients and family recipes, Thanos begins to realise he has to show Lydia the parts of him he's done so well to hide..

My Review:

Just when I needed a sunshine filled escape along comes Mandy to whisk me away to sunny skies at Corfu. Perfect reading by the pool, or for those just wishing they could be. Any book by this author is guaranteed to take you to sun drenched villas, with mouth watering and local food descriptions, atmospheric and exotic – an armchair holiday for all.

Enchanting and a foodies delight, A Taste of Greek Summer was full of comedy, adventure and of course romance.

This book includes an interesting mix of characters, some wonderful and some very frustrating; Lydia is a little bit lost, after losing her mentor and realising she had a relationship built of lies; she has become disillusioned with her passion. Thanos is skilled and could go far as a chef but has certain responsibilities he will not relinquish. He doesn’t know what to do or believe he is able to achieve his dreams. A meeting of minds in many ways their chemistry is instant and leaps from the page.

Follow the rocky ups and downs that come their way. A gorgeous summer read that will entertain and bring the sunshine into grey miserable skies!