Hard Times For The East End Library Girls - Patricia McBride

 

As the war hits London, they’ll band together…

War strikes close to home for chief librarian Cordelia when her flat is bombed, and her beloved Robert is called up and sent abroad. Fortunately, her colleagues Mavis and Jane can help see her through hard times.

The three friends find purpose in making the Silvertown library a friendly sanctuary for their deprived and devastated community. But sinister forces, from callous bureaucrats to crafty criminals, still lurk among the stacks. Worse, Jane’s soldier husband is injured and suffers both physically and mentally.

With so many struggles Cordelia and her friends might need more than books to survive war's shadow. Can they find light in the darkness?

A captivating tale of resilience and determination, perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Elaine Roberts and Lesley Eames

 

My Review:

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the series, I had been looking forward to this next instalment.

Whilst I love the characters, their spirit and the storylines; I enjoy how we learn more about life in the East end at the worst of times, enjoy is possibly the wrong word but this period fascinates me and no matter how much you read of the atrocities and how awful things were, you cannot helped but be moved by reading stories depicting how peoples lives were affected.

The book takes us through a year; and we see just how important the library was within the community. The characters are all brilliant, I love how they are so different but compliment each other. Each has their story to tell but are so dedicated their jobs. We have a fourth member of staff this time around, Tom, who is a welcome addition to the team. Whilst the concerns about his beliefs worry some, he is a great asset to the library and proves this time and time again.

Patricia McBride has created characters we truly care about and has delicately balanced the devastation and difficulties, written with great care, with heartfelt moments.

A brilliant read, and the fact it only spans one year gives me hope for further books in the series. I shall look forward to seeing the characters again and learning more about East End spirit. 

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/hardtimeseastendsocial

Author Bio:

Patricia McBride is an author of heartwarming World War II sagas featuring fierce female friendships. She resides in Cambridge, England with her husband. When not writing, Patricia enjoys curling up with a cup of tea and books about strong woman in war time. Patricia's latest series follows the adventures of three librarians living and working in London's impoverished East End during the Blitz. The first book, The Library Girls of the East End, introduces posh Lady Cordelia Carmichael, bold Mavis and more timid Jane. Despite their differences, the three band together to keep their beloved library running amidst food rationing, air raids, and family troubles. And of course, romance.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.mcbride.106

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tricia.mcbride.writer/

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Making Memories at the Cornish Cove - Kim Nash

 

Making Memories at the Cornish Cove

It’s never too late…

After five husbands and five broken hearts, Lydia feels like she’s always been chasing something. But now she’s found her purpose, and having moved to Driftwood Bay to spend more time with her daughter Meredith, she’s happier than ever. 

But there’s still life in these old bones yet! With her newfound sense of identity, she’s keen to re-explore the things that made her happy as a younger person. Lydia’s passion was dancing – she used to compete in her younger years, and there’s no place she’s more at home than on the dancefloor. 

So when widower and antiques restorer Martin tells her about a big dance competition, she’s ready and raring to bring more joy into her life. But while making memories with Martin, the more she realises that both of their hearts need restoring too...

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/memoriescornishsocial

My Review: 

The third book in the Cornish Cove series, and what a great return to Driftwood Bay. Whilst each can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading all in this series, you will enjoy getting to learn about this wonderful community and the variety of interesting, interconnected characters that provide such interesting stories.

Kim Nash has created one of those wonderful, fictional places where I would love to visit (and lets face it, I’d want some rom-com style romance that would mean I stay forever!)

This book focuses on Lydia, a five times married woman in advancing years, who is keen to build a better relationship with her daughter, Meredith. She is looking to find herself, a version of herself that doesn’t need a man or the complication of romance.

Opportunities arise that help her reconnect with passions from her past, dancing. She could have made something of her talent, but life got in the way. Being in Driftwood Bay and the memories being unearthed whilst reconnecting with Meredith provides a chance to relive her youth and enter a dancing competition with Clems Dad and local repairer, and friend, Martin. With a new friend next door, Dianne, providing some light relief and support, Lydia’s time in Driftwood Bay is going well until an accident threatens to ruin everything.

Serious issues are threaded throughout the story but it’s feel-good, heartfelt and a wonderful read. I love Lydia’s character now – at one time I wasn’t that fond of the impression we got of her if I’m honest, so I’m pleased this book changed that.

A book that made me laugh, made me feel emotional and hopeful for all characters; it’s lovely to see how characters are getting on despite it being Lydias story.

Highly recommended! 

Author Bio:

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction and has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. The Cornish Cove series is set in the fictional seaside village of Driftwood Bay in Cornwall and is published by Boldwood Books. She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and is a book blogger.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.nash.10

Twitter https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm

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

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Summer at the Santorini Bookshop - Rebecca Raisin

 

A Greek island holiday. A fake-dating pact. A chance at true love?

After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just taken on a small bookshop in Santorini, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her.

But life on the island is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake a romance with her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on side, she reluctantly agrees.

As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop – and fake date her way to love?

Purchase Links

US: amzn.to/40rvToW

UK: amzn.to/3u4QJOY

Aust: amzn.to/3QOc6x1

My Review:

Sunshine, books, a dreamy love interest? What more could any book lover need – Summer at the Santorini Bookshop is a brilliant way of escaping the not-so-great weather here.

Rebecca Raisin always gives us a great read, brilliant characters and excellent settings and this one couldn’t sound more idyllic. I loved the descriptions of the bookshop, the characters are funny but also relatable in many ways. The bookshop sounds like my perfect holiday destination!

Evie suddenly finds herself at a loose end when she loses her job and so is sent to keep an eye on her Gran, who is on husband number nine and a cause for concern (to Evie’s Mum and sister). Evie finds herself in quite the situation as soon as she arrives and is determined to do all it takes to support her Gran – even if that means getting close to Georgios (the landlords grandson).

With some ups and downs, can Evie keep her Grans antics from her Mum as well as make the bookshop a success and keep Georgios onside whilst also figuring out what she actually wants to do next.

There are some really funny moments, the man with the donkey, the rescue dogs, the subtle hints about what happens to each husband.

Funny, heartwarming and entertaining. Perfect read for this summer, whether on a glorious beach or from a comfy chair!

 Author Bio:

 Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites2/

https://signup.harpercollins.co.uk/join/signup-hq-rebeccaraisin