New Family Required - Carmen Reid

 

Sasha Greenhope has a very lovely life. Her marriage is solid, her only daughter is delightful, and the family business is going full steam ahead.

The only blip on the horizon is the upcoming family reunion for her parents 40th wedding anniversary at Chadwell House – the family pile. Sasha just does not fit with her rich family. Her French mother, Delphine thinks everything Sasha does is a faux pas.. And siblings, Adele and Beau, are clearly the favourites, leaving Sasha surplus to requirements

So when Sasha’s husband Ben takes this exact moment to reveal that they are about to go bankrupt, Sasha wants to be anywhere but stuck in a lavish marquee!

Swallowing her pride, and a whole bottle of fizz, Sasha determines to ask her family for help – and maybe even a loan – only to discover that her parents and siblings are all keeping secrets of their own!

Family secrets, warring siblings and a disastrous reunion… what could possibly go right?!

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3sg7suR

My review:

An interesting, dramatic read at times. Families aren’t always the most fun to be around, especially for Sasha, who has always felt like the odd one out. Younger brother beau is adored by their mum and older sister has a special relationship with their father, so Sasha is used to feeling overlooked. 

Luckily she has her adoring husband Ben and their wonderful daughter, Loulou who mean the world to her. When their business hits a rough patch Sasha knows it’s not worth asking her parents for help. 

Anniversary celebrations throw the family together and it true fashion, there are dramas, secrets and fights ahead. Sasha uncovers various family secrets and to her it yet again reiterates she isn’t considered, but when an unexpected event means there is no chance of an escape, they all must learn to get along and communicate. Someone gets in serious danger, and when it counts the family work together.

Funny and dramatic, I felt for Sasha but was frustrated she doesn’t learn to speak up earlier. Ben makes his mistakes but he’s supportive. An interesting story of family and how keeping things secret will always come back to cause trouble. 

GREAT SUMMER READ.

Author Bio:

Carmen Reid is the bestselling author of numerous woman’s fiction titles including the Personal Shopper series starring Annie Valentine. After taking a break from writing she is back, introducing her hallmark feisty women characters to a new generation of readers. She lives in Glasgow with her husband and children.

Social Media Links:

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/thiscarmenreid 

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

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Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carmen-reid 

Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life - Carmen Reid

 

Tess Simpson needs a break!

Under appreciated at home, overlooked at work and now her beloved dog Bella has died. Tess has simply had enough!

So in a spur of the moment act, Tess books a holiday of a lifetime for her, her two grown up kids and useless husband Dave. Maybe they can use the break to reconnect with each other?

But when the kids refuse to go, and Dave breaks his leg, Tess’s dream holiday looks seriously in doubt. And then there’s River Romero, the glamourous LA screen writer who is supposed to be house-sitting for Tess whilst she’s away….

Everything about River sounds so much more exciting than Tess’s boring life in Stratford Upon Avon. From her beautiful LA condo and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Tess wonders whether a bit of River’s LA life might be exactly what she needs? So when River suggests a house swap, Tess jumps at the chance!

With Dave happily ensconced in the summer house at the bottom of the garden, the kids not needing mum anymore, Tess packs her bags and heads off for the adventure of a lifetime.

But real life isn’t like the movies, and when Tess arrives in LA, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

Will Tess find what's she's looking for or is getting away from it all isn’t all perhaps not all it’s cracked up to be?

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/34hthhb

My Review:

Having been a big fan of Carmen Reid a long time ago, I was really excited to hear a new book was being released. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and let me say that it didn’t disappoint.

A great book, interesting, life-affirming for those of an older age, it has moments of comedy but also moments of emotion, heartwarming and probably more serious than I thought would be. It is a rollercoaster and not as ‘cutesy’ as it’s cover may suggest. If you are expecting a light, fluffy rom-com then you will be given more depth and more sentiment, this story does tackle issues that some may find difficult.

Tess is almost fifty and realises she wants more from the wife/Mum life she is living. River is in desperate need of some success in her writing career, being presented an opportunity is finally her chance. Both ladies decide to fly away from home to see if they can find themselves again.

Out of the two main characters, Tess and River, I liked Tess and could sympathise whereas I couldn’t really get on with River’s character. I didn’t warm to her at all, even by the end of the book I wasn’t that bothered… I’m not sure why, I just didn’t connect. Tess really opened up in LA and pushed herself in new ways, I think she really made the most of the opportunity. Her family are out of sorts but they find their way back to each other by the end. 

Well written, I enjoyed the book and recommend for fans of Carmen as well as fans of fiction fans in general. Ups and downs that will entertain for a good few hours. I definitely recommend. 

Author Bio:  

Carmen Reid is the bestselling author of numerous woman’s fiction titles including the Personal Shopper series starring Annie Valentine. After taking a break from writing she is back, introducing her hallmark feisty women characters to a new generation of readers. Her first title for Boldwood will be published in July 2021. She lives in Glasgow with her husband and children.

Social Media Links:

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

Twitter  https://twitter.com/thiscarmenreid

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

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carmen-reid