The First Date - Zara Stoneley

Right place.
Right time.
Wrong guy …

After breaking up with her childhood sweetheart, clueless dater Rosie has found herself in a boyfriend-drought. So when she finally swipes right on a guy who seems interested, she can’t wait to meet up IRL.

Until she’s left standing alone. In a bar. Ghosted.

Enter Noah. Confident, funny … and a serial first dater. Offering to give Rosie a crash course in seduction, this could be just what she needs. Until her matchmaker turns out to be the best date she’s ever had – and Rosie wonders if she wants the fake dates to be the real ones after all …

A hilarious, heart warming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Debbie Johnson.

My Review:

A delightful, fun filled book with humour that will have you laughing out loud and giggling at the blunders, miscommunications and tension between our two main characters.

I really enjoyed the blossoming friendship between Rosie and Noah, they had a great chemistry and banter. In my opinion Noah is the easier character to like, he has charm in buckets whereas Rosie is a tad selfish. Rosie grew on me the more I read, I think the more she opened up and the more she acted like a grown up rather than a poor little girl with Daddy issues, the more I liked her. There is a lot of emphasis about the issues her Dad’s ‘extra curricular activity’ and how it has changed her view of men/dating. I think it goes on a bit, I mean she’s not the first nor last it would have been a problem for. Thank goodness for Noah who is not afraid to say what he thinks about her Dad.

Rosie’s Mum was another cool character and taught her daughter some much needed lessons thankfully. I love a crazy character and she is that indeed! It took Mums actions for Rosie to move forward and see she could attempt relationships, or live a little dangerously.

It’s pretty obvious where the story will go but I have no problem at all with that, I was rooting for the romance between them to grow into something more.

It’s well written and amusing, a fantastic read if you are looking for something to put a smile on your face. Highly recommended!

About the Author:

Zara Stoneley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date. 

Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years, and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true.

She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.

Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.

Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.

A Part of Me - Anouska Knight

Available here on Amazon

Amy and James have finally been accepted into the adoption process, after a long, painful and emotional road. When things start to look like their family may be a complete, a dark secret changes their lives. Does Amy follow her heart but let the thing she wants most in her life slip away, or should she chase the dream but deny the truth? Adding to her stress is a client who is well and truly intent on keeping Amy on her toes.

I imagine that almost having everything your heart desires is the most wonderful feeling in the world, especially after working so hard to move forward after the darkest times of your life. You automatically feel for Amy, of course James as well, but with Amy you feel the pain she has been through and want to see her get the happy ending she yearns for and deserves.

I felt shock and outrage by her discovery, with secrets and revelations out in the open you see how hard Amy battles – heart or head type decisions that really will impact her life forever.

This is the first Anouska Knight book I have read and I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I expected this to be a lighter more chick lit/ rom-com style book (I love them!) and found it gave us the romance, the love and even the trials and tribulations of a will they or won’t they tale but on a deeper and in some ways more meaningful way.

‘A Part of Me’ looks at many aspects of life and love – families, love, loss, adoption and how relationships that are formed early in life can go on to play a large role in your adult life. The book explores how people use controlling behaviours in relationships to emotionally hold loved ones to random as well as how secrets can change lives in an instant.

Emotional from the outset, it did take a bit to get going but once it picked up pace I was hooked and so sat and read this is one sitting. It’s well written and the characters are amusing and believable. I did warm to Amy – her indecisiveness and inability to do see what was right in front of her frustrated me though. A lovely ending that may have been what was glaringly obvious all along –it would be interesting to explore it a little further as it felt like I wanted more.

Some of the characters gave us some comedic, light relief such as Amy’s Mum, Viv. I was glad to have the giggles they gave– especially when the theme was generally quite emotive. A good read, I will be looking forward to another Anouska Knight book in the future.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍

Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square - Heidi Swain

Available on Amazon here 

Kate is almost-divorced and desperate to keep as far away from her ex-husband as possible. He is determined to have her back but she has found the perfect place to hide away. Kate finds herself besotted with a house on the historical Nightingale. The residents of Nightingale Square don't take no for an answer so Kate soon finds herself pulled into new friendships and adventures.

Kate soon finds herself campaigning the council to turn the green into a community garden, whilst all the residents are horrified to discover that the Victorian mansion on the other side of the square has been bought by developers. Concerned for the preservation of their small community they begin to worry all hope is lost until the arrival of a handsome stranger looks sure to turn things around!

You know a book is good when you simply cannot pick up another for a couple of days… that is exactly how I have felt since finishing Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square. Heidi Swain (@Heidi_Swain) has yet again given us an array of wonderful characters as well as creating a fantastic setting– Nightingale Square sounds like the type of place I would love live; where something is always happening, people take you in and make you part of a great group of friends and neighbours forming a real community - looking out for each other and their local area.  This book simply captures your heart and leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling – I couldn’t stop imagining what these characters would be up to next.

Our leading lady, Kate, is a charming character that we learn has been treated poorly by a cheating husband and now believes the only life for her is the single life! Kate keeps things to herself but we  do eventually discover that she blames herself for the husband being a cheater and also that he gave her more than she bargained for in more ways than one.

The Nightingale Square characters have brilliant and individual personalities - busybody Carole, struggling first time mum Heather and the bolshie, loud but absolute sweetheart Lisa – all play an important role in supporting Kate in the local campaign but also in replenishing her faith in people and love. 

If you are already a fan Heidi’s books (and of Wynbridge) you will be happy to know that, whilst this novel is set in Norwich, there is a brief visit to the much-loved market town. Kate is originally from Wynbridge and is related to one of Heidi’s much loved characters. 

I love Heidi’s style of writing; it flows very nicely and fully engages you throughout. I devoured the book in one sitting, as I was engrossed and didn’t want to stop. With all stories, especially if you read a lot, you can predict what will happen, I don’t say that to be negative as I always enjoy to read how the story actually blossoms but with Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square there are added ups and downs that do keep you on your toes, the will they/wont they romance; the added surprises you wouldn't predict– all will keep you hooked until the end. 

This is a great story of how one woman rebuilds her life, her heart as well as her trust in other people. It is a story of true friendship and community- finding things where you least expect them.  If you haven’t had the sheer pleasure of reading any Heidi Swain books before – then you must, you will not regret it. In fact, like me, you’ll be eager to devour as many as you possibly can.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍