We were on a break - Jo Lovett

We Were on a Break

A summer to remember...

A love to last a lifetime...

Stranded in Rome, with all planes grounded due to volcanic ash, Callum gratefully accepts a lift back to London with a friend-of-a-friend who's on her way home after a European road trip in a campervan.

But when he meets her, his heart plummets - she's Emma, his ex, The ex, and he can't be stuck in a van with her.

 

When Emma sees Callum again, she's horrified. It's taken so many years to heal her heart - she really doesn't want to spend the next few days in close quarters with him.

As they embark on the drive of a lifetime, it begins to feel as though fate might have had a hand in reuniting them. But understanding what happened in the past and coming to terms with the present isn't easy. Can the gift of time - and forced proximity – bring them back together again?

A gorgeous romantic comedy set against the beautiful sights of Italy and France, perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Mhairi McFarlane

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

My Review:

Cross country travel, forced proximity and a not so fantastic shared history all lend to making this cute rom com a very fun, easy read. 

Callum and Emma didn’t think would ever see each other again, but a pesky Volcano spewing ash leads to planes being cancelled and the only way for Callum to get home is to hitch a ride.. with his ex!

It was clear they had chemistry from the start; I found Callum a bit rude and stand offish and Emma was fun and interesting. As the journey gets underway, we discover more about each of them but also what happened in their past. 

As the days pass the spark between to two ignites, but is it just because of being so close? 

Both characters have things they have overcome, they are very different to the people they once were. I wished we could have delved more into Callum’s history, it was such a big thing for his story. 

Well written and full of fun, laughs and entertaining moments; a must read for rom com lovers, a great summer read! 

Author Bio :

Jo Lovett writes heart-warming, feel-good romcoms. Her latest book, Can You Keep a Secret, published by Boldwood, was released in March 2024. Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019.

Social Media Links

Facebook: @JoLovettAuthor

Twitter: @JoLovettWrites

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-lovett

A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital - Jo Bartlett

 

A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital

A tragic loss…

Since the death of her beloved father, Isla Marlowe has felt the need to do something to honour his memory; something meaningful that will bring joy to others and repay the kindness of a stranger who changed their lives. She’s got the perfect solution, but she’s worried not everyone will understand.

A precious gift…

Aidan Kennedy and his husband, Jase, are desperate to start a family of their own, but finding the right woman to help them is difficult and some people don’t think they should even try. So when Isla offers them the chance to fulfil their dream, they can’t believe their wish is about to come true.

A family made of friends?

But when Isla is forced to face her greatest fear, Aidan and Jase’s dream has to be put on hold. Broken-hearted and questioning everything she once believed, Isla desperately needs someone to share her problems with but has no idea where to turn.

But then, in her darkest hour she discovers that friends can be the family you choose for yourself.

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

My Review:

As the third book in this series, "A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital" by Jo Bartlett is a much welcome return to St Pirans Hospital, full of familiar characters – each with their own story to tell. If you haven’t read the first two books, don’t worry, each can be read as a standalone book, but I do highly recommend them, in fact everything Jo has written is worth a read. If you enjoy a series, check out The Cornish Midwives!

This latest book is yet another emotional story, interweaving themes of heartache, tragedy, shock with themes of hope, desire, love and compassion.

Isla wants to mark her father’s memory by doing something extremely special, when the opportunity presents itself via Aidan and Jase, it seems everyone is about to get exactly what they want. Aidan and Jase want to start a family, but Aidan has concerns as he has a difficult relationship with his own family, he worries he will turn out to be just like his unsupportive and evasive Dad. Jase’ family couldn’t be more different; they accept everyone as family, no matter what – that is what inspires Aidan to go after what they truly want.

Isla’s gift to them means she is a welcome addition to their family now, and when surprising events cast a shadow over what should be an exciting time, everyone needs to evaluate their priorities and how they will move forward, whilst still supporting each other.

Jo Bartlett's storytelling draws you in, becoming emotionally invested in all the characters. My heart ached for them, reading these books never fails to tug at the heartstrings whilst still feeling hopeful that things will work out well. I am a huge fan of how Jo is never afraid to tackle serious, sensitive issues but does so carefully and alongside happy and positive moments.

I do feel like this series is going from strength to strength, this is a fantastic summer read and I look forward to the next

Author Bio:

Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/J_B_Writer 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo_bartlett123/

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-bartlett

Finding Love At Sunset Shore - Bella Osborne

 

Finding Love At Sunset Shore

Sometimes, you have to fake it until you make it…

Ros is too busy for a boyfriend; between work and looking after her poorly father, there’s no time left for a relationship. But when she overhears her dad's dying wish is for her to find love, Ros is determined to make it happen – or at least, make it look like it has.

Enter Cameron, a struggling mature student with a mountain of debt but a zest for life.

Ros, driven by love for her ailing dad, reluctantly agrees to the simple business transaction: paying Cameron to play the role of her boyfriend. Ros meticulously plans their fake relationship – but when Cameron decides to go off-script, chaos ensues.

As Ros and Cameron navigate the ups and downs of their faux romance, their differences drive each other crazy. But they may just need each other more than they think…

Purchase Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Love-Sunset-Shore-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0CQKXSWMT/

KoBo - https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/finding-love-at-sunset-shore-1

Apple - https://books.apple.com/gb/book/finding-love-at-sunset-shore/id6479511603

My Review:

Already a fan of Bella Osborne books, I highly anticipated a great summer read full of escapism and romance, with a dash of humour and great characters; and that  is exactly what was delivered.

The characters are what makes the book for me, Ros – awkward, straight laced, Darla – Willing to take risks, sociable, hardworking and Cameron – charming, funny, kind to all. An eclectic bunch that compliment each other well. A special mention to Gazza the dog, what a fab name ha!

Ros’ Dad hasn’t long to live and upon overhearing he wishes she would find a boyfriend, Ros forms a plan that is the start of her ordered life becoming a little more… unplanned. Cameron agrees to be her significant other; he needs the money after all but it soon becomes clear that Cameron is more than Ros took him for. Cameron brings out things in Ros she didn’t know she had.

Darla has been a best friend to Ros, even though most people would have given up and she couldn’t be less like her. She is hiding out, taking on all the jobs she can to pay off her exes debts. When a new pet sitting job turns into more than she bargained for, can she ever get on the right side of the local, grumpy farmer.

Got to love a fake relationship storyline, especially when sparks are flying and it’s clear to see the characters are bringing out the best in one another. At the heart of the story, it’s about doing what is best for those you care about, trying to make others happy no matter what. All the characters learn something about themselves and face up to things from their past.

Romance at it’s finest. I enjoyed every moment and think it’s an ideal summer read. 

Author Bio:

 Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written eleven best-selling romantic comedies, two best-selling bookclub reads and won the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year Award.

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in Warwickshire, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/osborne_bella

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

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bellaosborneauthor

The Cornish Beach Hut Café - Jane Linfoot

 

A fresh start among old friends…

Florence May never expected to trade the high life of London for the cosy comfort of a beach hut in her Cornish hometown, but the moment she steps inside she knows it was the best choice she ever made. The fact that it comes with a requirement that she sets up a business on site? A minor setback that’s easily fixed by opening up a surfside outpost of her friend Clemmie’s Little Cornish Kitchen … where Floss finds herself unexpectedly flourishing.

And when the hotel owner next door sets out to buy the land out from under her? Floss calls on her loyal friends to help her save her little slice of heaven. Because if there’s one thing the community of St Aidan does well, it’s banding together to make the most of every second, whatever life throws at you.

 

My Review:

A gorgeous return to St Aidan for Jane Linfoot fans, with familiar faces and places but a brand new story centred around Florence May, the younger sister of Sophie. You don’t have to have read any of the previous St Aidan based books, it’s a stand alone book, but I would always recommend reading Jane Linfoot’s back catalogue as they are gorgeous reads.

Floss is returning home after a difficult time in London. Needing a change yet needing to be somewhere familiar, she is determined to forge a way forward in this new life one step at a time. Finding the perfect, most idyllic place to live, on the beach, and surrounded by her amazing family and friends (it sounds like heaven) Floss starts to find some happiness again, slowly and surely kick starting her new chapter. That is until her peace and tranquillity are threatened, and a familiar face from her past changes her plans in many ways.

Discovering her new abode comes with a catch, Floss randomly finds her home becoming the place to be for many people. Floss turns her hand to many things, but her skillset is making people feel comfortable and well-taken care of. Her concoction of random desserts are a bit (and will make your mouth water!) and she soon is in demand – in more ways than one.

Keen not to let people down but wanting to stick to her plan of not letting people get close, when her latest neighbour seems intent on being part of her life, Floss struggles to keep him at arm’s length.

I adore Floss, especially having been through so much already, she is hardworking, kind and caring, she has great relationships with people, if not always with her sister and Mother – but essentially, they do all love each other. She’s taken life by the hands and is rolling with whatever comes her way, embracing second chances even if scary and not part of her intended plan.

Full of teasingly yummy sounding goodies, this is another brilliant book by Jane and a highly recommended summer read. It's a gorgeously romantic book, with themes of friendship, community and embracing second chances.

Purchase Links

Amazon Paperback https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cornish-Beach-Hut-Caf%C3%A9/dp/0008537062

Amazon E book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cornish-Beach-Hut-Caf%C3%A9-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0CTCCM9SS

Author Bio:

I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines, and lots of heart.

Writing is fab, because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I live in a cottage up a mountain road in Derbyshire, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos. Happily, we're in walking distance of a supermarket. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things French. When I'm not on Facebook, and can't find an excuse for shopping, I'll be walking, or gardening. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.

 

Social Media Links:

https://www.facebook.com/JaneLinfoot20

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076517614571

https://www.instagram.com/janelinfoot/

https://twitter.com/janelinfoot