Written in the Stars - Helen Rolfe

 

A hidden secret

Live every day as if it were your last – that’s the motto Bess has lived by since her father died unexpectedly. As a critical care paramedic, Bess sees every day just how easily life can be taken away. But carefree living has risks, and as Bess’s debts mount, she discovers her actions could have terrible consequences…

An unexpected arrival

Nothing gives Gio more joy than his work saving lives in the fire service. And on the days when his call-outs put him in the path of the air ambulance, and one paramedic in particular, things are pretty perfect. Until Gio’s world is spun on its head, first by the arrival of his estranged mother on his doorstep, and then by an accident that could put his career on hold indefinitely.

A new beginning?

Gio and Bess have always worked well together, but could they be the solution to each other’s problems beyond the frontline as well? And will they let their guard down enough to give each other a chance before snow falls over Whistlestop River?

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

My Review:

I’ve been a fan of Helen Rolfe’s for a long time now, enjoying many great books, wonderful characters and settings. Written in the Stars is the second book in the Skylarks series – stories based around an air ambulance team in Dorset.

I loved the first book, Come Fly With Me, so was eagerly awaiting this one and it didn’t disappoint. Whilst it was nice to catch up with the characters of the first book, this time the focus was on Bess – critical care paramedic on the  team.

Bess lost her Dad a few years ago, since then she has been living (and spending money) like each day is her last. She has got herself in quite a mess but doesn’t know what to do. Shes proud and when reality hits, she needs to find support from somewhere but isn’t quite sure where.

Gio is a friend of Bess’. He is a firefighter and is also keeping parts of his life from others; having an alcoholic mother means his childhood wasn’t great, he cannot trust her even though he does still want to. When she turns up to stay with him, he gives her one chance but is convinced she will revert to type.

Gio has a great friendship with Bess, but as both their lives start unravelling in different ways, can they help each other, and will they both acknowledge their feelings for one another after all this time Both Gio and Bess learn that they must move forwards and not let the past dictate their present, put trust in people and be willing to follow their hearts.

 A cosy, seasonal romance that has drama and heart, highly recommended. 

Author Bio:

 Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women's fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

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Facebook: @HelenRolfeAuthor

Twitter: @HJRolfe

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Coming Home to Starr's Fall -Kate Hewitt

 

Coming Home to Starr's Fall

Welcome to the town of Starr’s Fall, where Autumn can feel like it goes on forever, and two people have a chance to fall in love…

The leaves are falling, with a crispness to the air, along with the scents of coffee and pumpkin spice, past a half-empty street of shuttered storefronts and a bandstand that has seen better days…

Just like the whole town of Starr’s Fall, thinks Laurie Ellis – as she and her beloved dog Max head to collect the store keys. Maybe she has seen better days, too, but she’s certainly ready for a new start—and to leave her past behind. Still Laurie wonders whether she made a terrible mistake in coming to lovable but shabby Starr’s Fall. Will she even find customers for her pet store and bakery, never mind a community to welcome and accept her?

Not according to Joshua Reilly, the handsome but grumpy manager of the bookstore across the road, who claims he’s never heard of anything so ridiculous as a bakery for dogs.

But Laurie remains stubbornly undeterred. She’s starting over, right here. Not least because she has another secret reason for being here… one she isn’t telling anybody, at least not yet, as it involves her own tragic past.

What she doesn’t yet know is that a clue to the mystery is hidden deep in Joshua’s bookstore. And he doesn’t yet realize that Laurie herself might be the key to mending his own battered heart… for Laurie and Joshua and the whole town, it’s going to be a fall to remember.

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

 

My Review:

A cosy, heart warming story with a fantastic community feel. The start of a brand new series, I was hooked from the start and really enjoyed learning more about Starr’s Fall so I cannot wait to return.

The story focuses on Laurie, who decides to relocate to Starr’s Fall in order to follow a dream of running a pet shop/bakery. We soon learn she has another, big, reason and why Starr’s Fall wasn’t a random choice of location.

I really liked Laurie’s attitude to things, she had had a difficult life and doesn’t have many people in her corner but arriving in this small but welcoming community does her wonders. She is quick to build connections and relationships with the locals, who welcome her with open arms.

The most surprising turn of events is her relationship with grumpy book store owner, Joshua. I thoroughly enjoyed how she helped him change his ways, that instant spark growing into a adorable romance.

Settling into life in Starr’s Fall, Laurie soon makes discoveries that give her the answers she has wanted all her life, but is he prepared for what this will mean?

Brilliant writing and great characters I already adore,  Kate Hewitt has created a wonderful fictional town I’d love to visit, so I will eagerly await the chance to do so but recommend this book wholeheartedly. 

Author Bio:

Kate Hewitt is a million copy bestselling author of historical, contemporary and romantic fiction. An American ex-pat, she lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband and five young(ish) children, along with their two Golden Retrievers.

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Christmas Ever After - Jaimie Admans

 

Christmas Ever After

A picture-perfect way - expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.

Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to Franca’s annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn't know how her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff's magical snow globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!

Franca’s determined to prove Raff’s business is built on lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make anything, she needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person offering is her gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!

As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring and funny. . But unless she can prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together, she’s going to lose everything…

town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open... But there’s one man standing in her

But maybe it's not too late for them to put aside their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?

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

My Review:

What a wonderful return visit to the enchanting ‘Ever After Street.’ I adore this magical community. Although part of a wonderful series, this festive book can be read as a standalone. I’m such a fan of Jaimie Admans’ books that I couldn’t resist Christmas in September!

I love an good enemies to lovers trope and this fits the bill perfectly. Our leading characters don’t seem to be able to co-exist as shopkeepers on the same street, this leads to a competition by the local council – only one can stay and each character has a challenge to complete. The reasons for their “enemy” status seems more one sided to me, and pretty petty but paves the way for a fun and cosy rom-com.

Franca runs the nutcracker store, she was a ballerina until injury put her on a very different path. She loves that the street she works on but is not a fan of Raf, the guy running the snow globe shop. She blames his store (inherited from his Grandfather) for the divorce of her parents.

As the festive season begins Franca is injured because of a mistake by Raf. She cannot possibly continue with making the nutcrackers for the festive market and the customer orders she has. Raf is instantly sorry for what happened and sets about doing all he can to make things right – no matter what it may cost him.

Great characters – Raf just sounds incredible and unfairly judged by Franca. Franca had a difficult childhood following her parents divorce. Her parents hate each other and she has  barely any relationship with either. Raf was surrounded by family, his grandfather build a great business that encouraged romance and played matchmaker for many couples. Raf doesn’t really want to continue this legacy, he just wants to build beautiful snow globes.

A story of both characters following their hearts, doing what they want and feeling supported doing so by those who love them.

A gorgeous, cosy, festive read - Jaimie Admans never fails for me. I highly recommend Christmas Ever After and I cannot wait to go back! 

Author Bio:

Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane and The Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters. Her new series for Boldwood, The Ever After Street Series, is based on the magical world of fairytales.

 

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