The Recipe for Happiness - Jane Lovering

 

When Seren’s brother Andrew signs her up to Yorkshire Dating, only for them to recommend that she ‘gets a life’ before they find her a match, Seren has to admit that they may have a point. 

She loves her job cooking at an elder day centre and her little flat, but it’s fair to say her life is a little short of hobbies and friends. Since she was young Seren has felt safer close to home, but now she’s a thirty-something divorcee, it’s time for a change.

Change arrives in the shape of alarmingly clever collie Kez, who Seren offers to take in ‘temporarily’, and kind but mysterious new colleague Ned. But as Ned and Kez tempt Seren out of her shell, it means facing her fears. And when Andrew finally reveals the secrets of their childhood, Seren’s need for safety suddenly makes sense.

A problem shared is a problem halved, and with friends by her side, Seren might be able to get a life that she loves at last.

My Review:

A first for me, being a newbie to Jane Lovering books I was excited to see how this read would pan out and I was not disappointed at all.

I loved it from start to finish, a book that I was reluctant to put down.

The characters are ‘normal’ and by that I mean, relatable and comfortable. They are they type of people I’d love to be around and I really liked them. Seren is a creature of comfort, seeking what she knows and being home over challenge but she decides it could be time for a change. Change comes initially in the form of Kez, a super clever Collie and Ned.

The more we learn about Seren, the more we understand her reluctance to face her fears and put herself out there. With the right support around her, can she finally be the Seren she longs to be and potentially find romance where she hopes she will find it.

Warm, tender and a read that gives your emotions a big squeeze. I really loved the added recipes too!  It may be my first but it won’t be my last. 

Purchase Link:

https://mybook.to/recipehappinesssocial

Author Bio:

Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who won the RNA Contemporary Romance Novel Award in 2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.

Social Media Links –   

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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.

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