A Year of Mr Maybes - Judy Leigh

 

Never say never to falling in love…

Val didn’t expect to be starting again in her seventies, but when life gives her lemons, Val is determined to make lemonade.

Settled into her new home – a picture-perfect fisherman’s cottage in the small Cornish seaside town of Lowenstowe – Val is ready to start a new chapter. And with her son due to get married next Christmas, there’s also the little job of finding herself a plus-one to help her face her ex-husband and his new girlfriend.

With the support of her neighbour Connie, and after decades of married life, Val takes the plunge back into the world of dating with trepidation and excitement. But can she remember how the single life works, let alone what her type is? There seem to be plenty of Mr Maybes, but no sign of Mr Right.

As the year passes, and as friendships and community life flourish, Val begins to blossom. And as Christmas approach, she might just decide she doesn’t need that plus-one after all - although never say never... 

Judy Leigh is back with her trademark promise of laughter, love and friendship. The perfect feel-good novel for all fans of Dawn French, Dee Macdonald and Cathy Hopkins.

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

My Review:

A lovely read by Judy Leigh. A Year of Mr Maybes is a fictional celebration of the older generation really proving you are never too old for a fresh start. A story about rediscovering fun, hobbies, finding new friends and even a little bit of romance.

Catching her husband cheating at Christmas, Val decides to leave him and make a new start. A move to a small Cornish town brings about a host of new friends and opportunities. When her son announces he is to be married the following year, she decides to have a go at dating again and find someone who will be the perfect plus one. She really wants to avoid being alone and facing her cheating ex!

The book contains a strong environmental theme – shown by how she helps the local community, keeping the beaches clean. Through the various activities and people she meets, Val encounters many “Mr Maybes” but realises that she doesn’t really need her “Mr Right” and is very happy within herself – the person she has become and the life she has created for herself.

I was really entertained, I didn’t know what to expect but this was a nice surprise, I enjoyed the read and think many others will too. Not your normal “cosy” or chick lit read, and it was lovely to see the main character was an older lady. I think many readers will find it inspiring.

Entertaining and empowering for the older generation, great stuff!

Author Bio:

Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens, A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

Social Media Links:

Website http://judyleigh.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/judyleighwriter

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

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

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judy-leigh

Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point - Sarah Bennett

 

When her dreams of young love were cruelly shattered, Nerissa Morgan found it hard to move on. Now, at forty-three, everyone around her is enjoying life while she’s just going through the motions. With her boss retiring and rumours of a new doctor coming in to take over the practice she manages, change is coming, whether she’s ready for it or not.

Following the death of his beloved wife, Tom Nelson buried himself in work at his busy inner-London GP practice. When his teenage children find themselves in trouble at school, he realises he’s completely lost touch with them. Desperate to reconnect before it’s too late, he whisks his family away to the pretty seaside village of Mermaids Point determined to make a fresh start.

But all is not as idyllic as it seems. With his predecessor reluctant to let go of the reins and the children as distant as ever, the last thing Tom needs is an undeniable attraction to the woman he unexpectedly finds himself sharing a roof with…

Warm, escapist, feel-good and altogether brilliant story-telling from bestselling author Sarah Bennett. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley and Milly Johnson.

My Review:

A pleasure to be back in Mermaids Point with Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett. Although the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The main character has changed to someone involved in the story in book one but not the focus, so it’s nice to get a chance to catch up with what’s happened to characters from before but also get a more in-depth look at someone else’s story. Mermaids Point is a cute, coastal village with interesting characters that create a good community feel. This time we mainly focus on the stories of Nerissa and Tom. Both characters have suffered heart-breaking losses and although their grief has calmed to a liveable level neither feel the need to move past that. The more we read the more we see that both are struggling with how they are; they miss that spark in their lives. Tom has two children and when they come to the village and slap bang into Nerissa’s life, things look set to change whether they want them to or not. As their friendship evolves, they both help each other heal in various ways. I love Nerissa and how she takes to both children, supporting them whilst not being too much too soon. With moments of laughter, emotion and drama this is a brilliant read. I hope there is a return visit soon, I can’t wait to catch up with all of these characters and see what fun is in store next.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3hcHcv8

Author Bio:

Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.

Social Media Links:

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/Sarahlou_writes

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

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

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sarah-bennett-b4a48ebb-a5c3-4c39-b59a-09aa91dc7cfa

BLOGTOUR: A Bakery at the Little Duck Pond Cafe - Rosie Green

Available Here

Ellie’s dreams of opening a bakery in Sunnybrook are finally coming true and best friends Fen and Jaz are happily rallying round, helping her to plan a fabulous grand opening day. Everything in their garden seems to be rosy – until the arrival of a newcomer brings chaos to the village and tests relationships to the limit. 
Can the bakery succeed in the face of such upheaval? And more importantly, can firm friendships survive?

My Review:

As I came to read A Bakery at the Little Duck Pond Café I realised it was part of a series – this is book 5. I was cautious that I would have perhaps missed too much but it’s written very well as it could easily be a standalone. I do not feel like I’ve missed anything and in fact, this book has just made me want to go and start at book 1!

Although Katja Skoroboganova jokingly fills in a job application in the name of Kate Baker, she has no real intention of applying but her Gran posts it in and Katja soon finds herself going to an interview. Under the name Kate Baker, she impresses and gets the job – soon moving to Sunnybrook in eagerness to start work at the bakery. Unbeknownst to Katja, she is one of two new starters and they are competing for the role. The other girl reminds Katja of someone in her past that bullied and made her life hell.

I liked Katja straight away, she has been through a lot, and it is understandable that she just wants to blend in and become just a regular part of the community without them knowing her background. She’s found something that may possibly make her truly happy and then she is hit with the realisation of Maddison.

Maddison is the kind of character you will truly dislike, she does everything to wind Kate up or make her look bad, but as you progress through the story you start to see little chinks in her armour, you feel a sense of sadness and vulnerability that may just make you reconsider your opinion of her – well slightly!

You’ve got cake, cuteness and of course – romance, what more do you need?  This is an uplifting, feel good read, very well written with characters you will adore. I devoured it in one short sitting and can’t wait to go back and catch up on all the fun and adventure I’ve missed with the other books. I cannot wait to get to Confetti at the Little Duck Pond Cafe!! Rosie Green has got a massive new fan here. 

Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources and Rosie Green for an advanced readers copy of this book. 

About the Author:  

Rosie Green has been scribbling stories ever since she was little. Back then they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’. Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all, unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

​

​Rosie’s brand new series of novellas is centred on life in a village café. Confetti at the Little Duck Pond Cafe will be the sixth in the series

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green1988

         

Breaking News - Coming Soon – Confetti at the Little Duck Pond Café 

With Ellie and Zak’s Big Day on the horizon, the sun is shining brightly on the Little Duck Pond Café community. But as dark clouds begin to roll in, threatening more than one close relationship, will the wedding of the year take place at all? 

Follow Rosie Green on Amazon to hear when its published and available for purchase - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosie-Green/e/B07CZYV7DW

Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop - Rebecca Raisin

AVAILABLE HERE

Goodreads Blurb:

Rosie Lewis has her life together.

A swanky job as a Michelin-Starred Sous Chef, a loving husband and future children scheduled for exactly January 2021.

That’s until she comes home one day to find her husband’s pre-packed bag and a confession that he's had an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, Rosie drowns her sorrows in a glass (or three) of wine, only to discover the following morning that she has spontaneously invested in a bright pink campervan to facilitate her grand plans to travel the country.

Now, Rosie is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, and the chance to change her life! With Poppy, her new-found travelling tea shop in tow, nothing could go wrong, could it…?

My Review:

What an utterly charming, delightful book! I was fully immersed in Rosie's new adventure after finding herself alone and determined to prove her (quite awful sounding) husband wrong in that she isn't predictable and boring. A travelling tea shop sounds like the perfect idea to me -and I do love a book that makes me drool for the wonderful treats and delights it describes!

Rosie seems like a woman I would be friends with, shes brave, independent and really funny - I laughed out loud several times throughout. She's been pushed out of her comfort zone but she goes with it and makes the best out of each new situation. I think the combination of her and new friend Aria is wonderful.

 Aria is probably my favourite - a mobile book van, come on!! Books and a tea shop is my idea of heaven. Their friendship is so well written, they support each other perfectly. Both need someone to guide them and work through their different problems, which they do as the story progresses. I could really imagine going to some of the festivals mentioned and sitting with a book from Aria coupled with a wonderful tea from Rosie. 

I enjoyed the romantic aspect of the wonderfully annoying, yet gorgeous, Max. I liked how he continued to push Rosie into new, uncomfortable things and yet she found utter pleasure from them. He really healed her heart and confirmed her ability to be happy and push her boundaries. I think their relationship was well written, sweet and gave Rosie the happy ending I know I was hoping for. 

I have never read anything by Rebecca Raisin before - shame on me! I will be rectifying that. I loved this book, I have never felt tempted by camper vans etc but this genuinely made me imagine life on the road, having adventures and meeting new friends. 

I highly recommend - a book full of adventure, self-discovery, friendship and heart. Thank you to HQ Digital UK and Rebecca for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.