Chocolate Cake for Breakfast (Little Duck Pond Cafe Series) - Rosie Green

 

After a shocking accident, Martha Munro has given up on her childhood dreams. With her confidence shattered, even leaving the house is scary, and a promising romance with gorgeous Logan is over before it even has a chance to begin. But cheered on by her dad and her great friend, Madison, she makes a decision that could change everything. Can Martha find the courage to step out into the world and love again?

Purchase Link- https://amzn.to/3Do07vT

My Review:

Always an absolute joy to read the next book by Rosie Clarke, and this time is no exception at all. I love the characters we are introduced to each time, Martha is a character I took straight to heart. Her life is turned upside down by a really nasty accident; she’s left with debilitating migraines which sounded horrific. I really did feel for her!

The accident always puts pay to her dreams, putting them to one side as she doesn’t believe in her own abilities anymore.

I think some really serious and important issues are touched within Martha’s story; of course physical health, mental well-being and self esteem are key issues for her character.

A new job brings a new colleague who helps her see things in new ways. She is a fab character, I loved their friendship.

I enjoyed seeing how Martha’s relationship with Logan develops throughout this story. They met and instant chemistry, so exciting to read. There was a change to the relationship after her accident, but slowly and surely it was clear to see that the chemistry was still there. Even with the love to hate character, Lila, around always involved, trying to cause problems and being a nuisance!

It’s always nice to catch up with this series, this is the 20^th book from Rosie Green now and it’s down to her brilliant writing and well developed, likeable characters that mean this community goes strength to strength.

I always look forward to the next visit and welcoming more characters to the series. 

Author Bio:

Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe. Her latest, ‘Snow Falls over Sunnybrook’, is out now.

Look out for more Little Duck Pond Café tales in 2022, including ‘Jingle Bells in June’.

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

Things are looking up - Maxine Morrey

 

What if what you really need is right there in front of you, if you just take a moment to look up?

Milly has been waiting for this moment forever and finally it’s just an hour away – an interview with Vogue magazine and the opportunity to get her Louboutin-clad foot in the door.  There’s just one problem – totally engrossed in her mobile phone, Milly doesn’t see the bus that is fast approaching – until it’s too late…

When Milly next opens her eyes, the consequences of her accident become clear. Everything she has worked for and dreamed of suddenly feels out of reach. But there is one bright spot on her horizon – the reappearance of her ex Jed, in all of his six-foot-four, broad-shouldered glory, with the most piercing ice blue eyes Milly ever saw.

Once used to working in a whirlwind, Milly now has the chance to reconsider how to live. Will she rush back to the treadmill, get her head down and back to business, or is there a whole other life waiting for her, if she’ll just look up to see it? 

‘Read yourself happy’ with Maxine Morrey’s latest uplifting, page-turning, heart-warming romance, guaranteed to brighten up your day.

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

My Review:

Ever felt like you’ve been hit by a bus? In this fun, life-affirming read by Maxine Morrey we meet Milly who does get hit by a London bus and lives to tell the tale. This story is how she takes stock of her priorities, realises what she has been missing and learns to see the beauty around her instead of striving for some out of reach, and quite frankly superficial, position.

Milly, a workaholic, has spent years with her head in her phone, scrolling through the latest fashion and society news. In a rush and not focusing on the goings on around here, her life changes in the blink of an eye.

Coming round in hospital, she is greeted by loved ones, her brother, and his family. Devastated she has caused so much pain, she vows to make changes.  She is beside herself when she spots a familiar face by her side, and not one she welcomes – her ex, Jed. Hot, rich and wanting to help, Milly needs to get over herself and let him be a shoulder for her to lean on during her recovery.

Things are looking up gives a gorgeous tale of second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It is full of interesting little moments that will take you by surprise, and the addition of Hector is a massive turning point.

Gently paced, I don’t feel anything is rushed nor strung out too long. I liked all of the characters (bar the one’s we are meant to dislike of course!) and Jed, well, he sounds far too good to be true but we can all dream can’t we!

I would love to see a return to Milly and Jed’s story, I feel like there could be more to explore. A highly enjoyable, fun read that’s perfect for summer.

Author Bio:

Maxine Morrey is a bestselling romantic comedy author with ten books to her name including Winter’s Fairytale and the top ten hit The Christmas Project. Her eleventh book is being released by Boldwood in 2021. She lives in West Sussex. Her first novel for Boldwood, #No Filter, was published in November 2019.

Social Media Links

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scribbler_Maxi

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

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maxine-morrey

Our House - Louise Candlish

Available to buy here

Goodread Blurb:

On a bright January morning in the London suburbs, a family moves into the house they’ve just bought in Trinity Avenue.  Nothing strange about that. Except it is your house. And you didn’t sell it.

When Fiona Lawson comes home to find strangers moving into her house, she's sure there's been a mistake.Now Bram has disappeared and so have Fiona's children. As events spiral well beyond her control, Fiona will discover just how many lies her husband was weaving and how little they truly knew each other. But Bram's not the only one with things to hide, and some secrets are best kept to oneself, safe as houses.

My Review:

This has been at the top of  my TBR pile for a while. I saw lots of goof things about this book and it always caught my attention when picking my next read but I think I knew I wanted to be "in the right mood" for it.  Let me tell you - it was worth the wait. 

Uniquely, this story is told through a podcast (Fi's point of view), a word document/letter (Bram's point of view) and via events as they happened. Although I had to check whose viewpoint I was reading from a couple of times, I generally found this style interesting  and very creative. I did enjoy having both perspectives  rather than that of 'just' the victims or guilty party.

Bram and Fi have spent their married lives building the dream home for their family. It is  Fi's prized possession, her pride and joy and knowing it's worth a great deal of money that will act as inheritance to her children is important to her. You can imagine then how Fi feels at the start of the book when she arrives home to find another family moving in.
 

What can I say about Fi? Obviously I feel sorry for her; having a cheating husband who has lied to her numerous times, albeit by omission. We discover that Fi really doesn't know her husband as well as she actually thinks she does throughout. He is able to hide things from her very easily.  Admittedly, I found Fi rather annoying - she's quite selfish and actually quite arrogant; she appears to be fairly rational and mature in how she deals with the fall out of Bram's cheating but she was rather unemotional in my opinion. Her blind faith in her new love interest also didn't surprise me; ignoring the warning signs that couldn't have been more obvious.

Bram. He was easy to dislike from the off - cheater, liar and then, well the *accident*. His spiral into the bleak, desperate state he finds himself in is written well; although he does only have himself to blame there was almost a spark of pity at times for him. I do not for one second condone what he did at all; but amongst the aftermath and the way other people manage to manipulate him for their own gain - well it was never going to end well.

The plot is well detailed, with twists and turns throughout. At some places I did want to just give them a shake and tell them to get on with it though.  I guessed a few of the twists but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of how things played out for each of the characters involved. The story really picks up pace towards the end and there are some surprises I did not anticipate. 

This book is a slow-burner at times but I read it in a couple of days - it'll be one of my memorable reads this month. I enjoyed how Louise Candlish gives hints throughout you only realise as the story is pieced together things fell into place - mirroring Fi's inability to see what is in front of her i.e. Brams lies/problems. I doubt I will be the first person to go back and 'check' things.  

Our House kept me interested, I was keen to discover how it would end. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend to readers who enjoy a bit of drama and suspense.  This was my first Louise Candlish read and I'm certain it will not be my last.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍

On a Beautiful Day - Lucy Diamond

Available here on Amazon 

I was very excited to spot ‘On a beautiful day’ in the library and loved that it was a 7 day chart topper – meaning I had to get it done and dusted as I can’t renew it. It wouldn’t ever take me that long to read a book I started but having already got Milly Johnson's ‘The Perfectly Imperfect Woman’ in my hands, could I rise to the challenge of two chart toppers?! (Silly question really)

‘On a Beautiful Day’ is set in Manchester and explores the unexpected turns life can take and how you must accept the bad along with the good. It shows how a person can face things bravely and find a way to survive when your world turns upside down.

We meet four friends enjoying a birthday lunch, all smiles and seemingly without problems but after they witness a shocking accident, each begins to unravel and it is clear all is not well in each of their lives.

We have Laura, a likable, married, career woman who has suffered miscarriages and is desperate to have a baby. The accident is the wake-up call to heed the ticking of her biological clock. Jo, a nurse, gets involved in the aftermath of the accident and strikes up a connection with one of the casualties. She is in the early stages of a new relationship and decides she has to seize the day and throw all caution to the wind, ignoring the warning signs. Self-controlled mum Eve has been trying to ignore the lump in her breast. For once she feels helpless and out of control. Finding support in an unexpected place, Eve knows she needs to face things head on before too long. Happily married, mum of three, India is drawn to one of the victims of the accident and it causes long hidden emotions to bubble to the surface. Also, a chance encounter with someone from her past reignites old feelings and makes India take stock of how her life is turning out.

The aftermath of the accident and how each of the group changes makes an intriguing story and Lucy Diamond has given us four interesting and likable leads that are different, yet have such endearing qualities that make you want the best for each of them. The accident shakes up their friendship and their relationships, but we see that this can only make things stronger as we read how each character looks at themselves and their lives in a new way. All four women and their situations are entirely realistic - a credit to the wonderful writing of Lucy Diamond. She has created four diverse stories but pulled them together beautifully in one especially so the reader sees from each of their perspectives. It is easy to follow, which is often difficult in a multiple narrative

‘On a Beautiful Day’ is an emotional and at time, sad, read yet it is also full of moments that show pure love and devotion to friends and family alike. It is funny in parts and powerfully thought provoking. An uplifting read essentially that emphasises the idea that you do get a second (and third, fourth etc.) chance and stresses the importance of friendship and support.

I liked the characters within the book, not one stood out more than another. I’m so happy each character got the ending they deserved, albeit probably not what was expected in some cases. It took me a few chapters to get fully hooked but once I was, I couldn’t wait to keep reading more. Although the conclusions within the story are there, I feel there is potential for each character to be revisited in the future (maybe?!) because I would love to see how their lives all continue.

I’ve read several of Lucy Diamonds books before but this is a stand out one for me now. I recommend any of her previous books if you haven’t had the pleasure yet but especially this one.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍