We were on a break - Jo Lovett

We Were on a Break

A summer to remember...

A love to last a lifetime...

Stranded in Rome, with all planes grounded due to volcanic ash, Callum gratefully accepts a lift back to London with a friend-of-a-friend who's on her way home after a European road trip in a campervan.

But when he meets her, his heart plummets - she's Emma, his ex, The ex, and he can't be stuck in a van with her.

 

When Emma sees Callum again, she's horrified. It's taken so many years to heal her heart - she really doesn't want to spend the next few days in close quarters with him.

As they embark on the drive of a lifetime, it begins to feel as though fate might have had a hand in reuniting them. But understanding what happened in the past and coming to terms with the present isn't easy. Can the gift of time - and forced proximity – bring them back together again?

A gorgeous romantic comedy set against the beautiful sights of Italy and France, perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Mhairi McFarlane

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/onabreaksocial

My Review:

Cross country travel, forced proximity and a not so fantastic shared history all lend to making this cute rom com a very fun, easy read. 

Callum and Emma didn’t think would ever see each other again, but a pesky Volcano spewing ash leads to planes being cancelled and the only way for Callum to get home is to hitch a ride.. with his ex!

It was clear they had chemistry from the start; I found Callum a bit rude and stand offish and Emma was fun and interesting. As the journey gets underway, we discover more about each of them but also what happened in their past. 

As the days pass the spark between to two ignites, but is it just because of being so close? 

Both characters have things they have overcome, they are very different to the people they once were. I wished we could have delved more into Callum’s history, it was such a big thing for his story. 

Well written and full of fun, laughs and entertaining moments; a must read for rom com lovers, a great summer read! 

Author Bio :

Jo Lovett writes heart-warming, feel-good romcoms. Her latest book, Can You Keep a Secret, published by Boldwood, was released in March 2024. Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019.

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A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital - Jo Bartlett

 

A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital

A tragic loss…

Since the death of her beloved father, Isla Marlowe has felt the need to do something to honour his memory; something meaningful that will bring joy to others and repay the kindness of a stranger who changed their lives. She’s got the perfect solution, but she’s worried not everyone will understand.

A precious gift…

Aidan Kennedy and his husband, Jase, are desperate to start a family of their own, but finding the right woman to help them is difficult and some people don’t think they should even try. So when Isla offers them the chance to fulfil their dream, they can’t believe their wish is about to come true.

A family made of friends?

But when Isla is forced to face her greatest fear, Aidan and Jase’s dream has to be put on hold. Broken-hearted and questioning everything she once believed, Isla desperately needs someone to share her problems with but has no idea where to turn.

But then, in her darkest hour she discovers that friends can be the family you choose for yourself.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/FoundFamilySocial

My Review:

As the third book in this series, "A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital" by Jo Bartlett is a much welcome return to St Pirans Hospital, full of familiar characters – each with their own story to tell. If you haven’t read the first two books, don’t worry, each can be read as a standalone book, but I do highly recommend them, in fact everything Jo has written is worth a read. If you enjoy a series, check out The Cornish Midwives!

This latest book is yet another emotional story, interweaving themes of heartache, tragedy, shock with themes of hope, desire, love and compassion.

Isla wants to mark her father’s memory by doing something extremely special, when the opportunity presents itself via Aidan and Jase, it seems everyone is about to get exactly what they want. Aidan and Jase want to start a family, but Aidan has concerns as he has a difficult relationship with his own family, he worries he will turn out to be just like his unsupportive and evasive Dad. Jase’ family couldn’t be more different; they accept everyone as family, no matter what – that is what inspires Aidan to go after what they truly want.

Isla’s gift to them means she is a welcome addition to their family now, and when surprising events cast a shadow over what should be an exciting time, everyone needs to evaluate their priorities and how they will move forward, whilst still supporting each other.

Jo Bartlett's storytelling draws you in, becoming emotionally invested in all the characters. My heart ached for them, reading these books never fails to tug at the heartstrings whilst still feeling hopeful that things will work out well. I am a huge fan of how Jo is never afraid to tackle serious, sensitive issues but does so carefully and alongside happy and positive moments.

I do feel like this series is going from strength to strength, this is a fantastic summer read and I look forward to the next

Author Bio:

Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast.

Social Media Links –  

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A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge - Jessica Redland

 

Could one chance meeting change your life forever?

Zara is at a crossroads in life. While she adores her job as a producer's assistant working on hit TV shows, travelling around the country means she doesn't truly feel that she has a home. With a fractured relationship with her family and unrequited love weighing heavily on her heart, she is torn about what her next step in life should be...

Snowy is hiding from the world. He's devoted his life to home schooling his young son and caring for sick owls at his home, Owl's Lodge, deep in the Yorkshire Wolds countryside. While he's passionate about both, it's a lonely existence and he's starting to question his decisions. But how do you step back into a world you've pushed away for years...?

When Zara brings an injured owl to Owl's Lodge, its frosty, reclusive owner is far from welcoming. Despite hostilities, there's a connection that neither could ever have prepared themselves for. As they discover a shared passion, a new friendship blossoms, but both Zara and Snowy are used to shutting people out.

Can they both find the courage to open up and the strength to move on from their pasts? And what could this mean for their future happiness?

Escape to the world of Bumblebee Barn and Hedgehog Hollow with MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Jessica Redland for this brand new feel-good romance of family, friendship and hope.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/NewDawnatOwlsLodge

My Review:

Any Jessica Redland book is a must read for me, one of my “go to” authors. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in to ‘ A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge’ and it didn’t disappoint.

There is a lot to this story but I felt everything was tackled sensitively and was relevant to what the characters were going through, individually and when becoming romantically involved.

As a fan of the hedgehog series, I knew I would learn some interesting snippets about Owls, I enjoyed that element of the book. I also found out more about gymnastics that I thought I would, Snowy’s passion for this jumped off the page.

As we have already been in this neck of the woods and are aware of Zara, it had the feel of catching up old friends. It was lovely to be back at Bumblebee Farm too and discover how lives have progressed. This being said, you can read this book as a standalone.

Zara is such a likeable character, she struggles to believe she is good enough – her Mum seems to prefer her brother at every opportunity. The positive relationship she has with her Stepdad is nice to read, knowing she had someone she felt she could rely on.

Snowy was a complex character, clearly hiding from the world and suffering. He wants the best for his family, even if that means keeping everything to themselves. Zara and Snowy have an instant spark, and the gentle way they gain each other’s trust, respect and understanding leads to an amazing bond. She helps him move forwards in so many ways whilst also building her own self-esteem and repairing difficult relationships.

This story includes significant and emotional topics relating to death, grief, mental health and alcoholism, but has been written in a respectful and sensitive way. Another heartfelt, emotional story from Jessica Redland but one that does have many moments of joy, humour and of course, romance.

Another highly recommended read; great writing, likeable characters and interesting themes.

Thanks to all for the advance copy to read and review. 

Author Bio:

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

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That Festive Feeling - Heidi Swain

 

Holly has the place to herself this Christmas. It’s not her place, though – she is house-sitting for friends who live on Nightingale Square – just there to keep the place warm and cosy and only for long enough for her to sort her life out. Newly single and finding herself unsure about next steps for her career, she plans to hunker down and make some life decisions.

To clear her mind, she sets off on early morning walks around a nearby lake and bumps into May, an older lady who is also new to the area, and her dapper Dachshund Monty. Quickly, a firm friendship blossoms. Then when Holly meets Bear, a rather large and rather attractive man, at the local pub, and his rescue dog Queenie, her stay at Nightingale Square suddenly feels even more appealing.

As the community comes together for the season’s festivities, Holly must start thinking about where her life will take her next. Some big decisions need to be made, but distractions close to home make thinking about the future more tricky than ever…

Will she get that festive feeling this Christmas…?

My Review:

Want to get into the festive spirit? Heidi Swain’s books will always leave you feeling ready for the season and ‘That Festive Feeling’ is just perfect for doing just that.

Having created many wonderful settings for us, Nightingale Square is so special and even more so at Christmas time. It’s a strong community with a great cast of characters (or friends as us Swainettes see them).

Holly is a great addition to the characters we love so much. She is housesitting for characters we already have come to know a little about and all she wants is to hide herself away, have a quiet time to evaluate her life/options for roving forward. She is adamant that she will not be drawn in to all the frolics and activities in the square, not matter how much any of the neighbours try to cajole her. Even I know this is not realistic with the Nightingale Square residents and soon Holly is finding herself getting involved.

Holly does strive for some quiet independence and soon becomes friends with a dog walker called May. May is the absolute best, what a colourful breath of fresh air she is, I adore her and would love to have her tenacity and character. The bond formed between these two characters is gorgeous, really so heart warming and it’s very clear both are helping each other in so many ways.

After a collision with Bear, Holly’s festive season is about to get busier and perhaps a little more complicated than she expected. Bear lives in an ‘alternative’ home and is quite keen to show Holly she has options she had never considered.

An absolutely gorgeous story with friendship at the heart of it all. Encouraging people to take chances, make changes and putting a bit of trust in other people again. Although it is a romance, it gives us so much more – comedy, drama, heart warming messages of kindness and compassion. A story to inspire people to follow their hearts and dreams, think outside the box and to always add a little more colour to their lives.

Left me feeling all warm and fuzzy. Another Heidi Swain classic!!

Buy a copy - HERE! 

Heidi Swain - X , Facebook, 

Love Blossoms at Puddleduck Farm - Della Galton

How can life be too busy for love?

Phoebe Dashwood is living the dream. She’s running her own successful vet practice, Puddleduck Vets, alongside her grandmother’s animal sanctuary.

She’s also dating the gorgeous, yet slightly broken Rufus Holt, the most eligible bachelor in the New Forest.
So why isn’t she blissfully happy?

Both Phoebe and Rufus are consumed 24/7 by their own commitments. Their relationship is always last on the list.
Phoebe juggles quirky, yet demanding clients and their pets whilst widowed Rufus is consumed by his anxieties, responsibilities of fatherhood and the unenviable tasks of being a Lord in waiting with a huge estate to manage.

Phoebe knows that when you’re a vet, there isn’t always a happy ending. But will there be a happy ending for Phoebe, Rufus and everyone else at Puddleduck Farm?
Is it ever really possible to have it all?

Purchase Link https://mybook.to/loveblossomssocial

My Review:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series by Della Galton. This is the third book in the series although you could read it as a standalone (I recommend the other books though – they are wonderful!)

Finally, Phoebe and Rufus have got together, after an instant attraction they took a long time in actually making a go of things. I do like this coupling; I was hoping they would be together and all would be well, but we realise throughout this book that life just gets in the way. Both are guilty of prioritising other things and not committing to the relationship enough for it to work. I was massively disappointed, even though it makes complete sense, I just feel like their attraction could have developed into something amazing. Phoebe does make some romantic decisions and honestly, I think it was the easy way out. I will probably be in the minority, and it will be an unpopular option but to me it felt like she took the easy option.  

As always there are funny moments that had me giggling as I read, Saddam is hilarious really and I’d welcome hearing more of his crazy antics! Will anyone ever be able to tame that cat!

It was lovely to see some of the other characters developing and having wonderful things happening – proposals, pregnancies and business success.

A great read, a chance to escape and catch up with lovely characters. Highly recommended read.

About the Author:

Della Galton writes short stories, teaches writing groups and is Agony Aunt for Writers Forum Magazine. She lives in Dorset.

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Another Time Another Place - Jo Lovett

 

Has someone ever come into your life and you thought, what if you’d had the chance to get to know one another better? Would we be together?

When Liv finds herself locked in a shed with handsome stranger Ben (after both trying to rescue the same cat), the instant connection they make feels like fate had a hand in it. Has Liv finally found her perfect match?

But everything about the timing means there’s no way they can be together. Not least because Ben has a girlfriend and Liv is moving to Paris the next day.

Over the coming years their paths weave in and out of each other’s lives – together, but always fleetingly.

If only they could stop missing each other, who knows what fate may have in store for them…

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/anothertimesocial

 

My Review:

An adorable rom-com that actually pulls an emotional punch every so often. With a funny “meet-cute” (sounds like a nightmare but with added good looking benefits!) we chart the ups and downs of the lives of both Ben and Liv. We see how their stories play out, charting disappointments, highs and low. With both characters moving forward over the following months and years, we see how friendships, love interests and careers change. At various, random moments they come across each other, a bar at New Years, a work meeting; the connection and chemistry is electrifying. Something is holding them both back and timing always seems to be off, maybe both should forget the other and the connection they seem to share. 
The story plays out from both characters perspectives, we know that they are both not entirely being honest with the other. Drama, longing, missed chances all play a vital role in this story. It’s well written, and the pace is good so much so you won’t realise just how quickly you are reading, you will be so engrossed in the characters and the will they wont they plot. 
A cosy read, heartfelt yet funny – I could see it play out as a film!

Author Bio:
Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019. She lives in London with her family. She started writing romantic comedy when she realised that she was regularly begging her oldest son to let her do his English homework but wasn't actually very interested in haunted houses or Macbeth analysis. When she can escape her laundry mountain, she enjoys reading, tennis and wine

Social Media Links:

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We Are Family - Beth Moran

 

Thirty-three-year-old Ruth Henderson and her daughter Maggie have some hard choices to make. Following the tragic death of Maggie’s father, they are left with a mountain of debt and broken hearts. So, despite her vow never to return home after the fall-out from her teenage pregnancy, Ruth can’t see any option other than for the two of them to move back in with her parents.

Going home means many things – finally confronting her estranged father, navigating her mother’s desperate need to make everything ok despite the wobbles in her own marriage, not to mention helping a still-grieving Maggie to settle into a new school, find new friends, and stop expressing her emotions through her ever-changing hair colour.

What Ruth needs are friends, but she abandoned her childhood ones when she left all those years ago. Luckily for Ruth, they haven’t abandoned her. Slowly she lets herself be embraced by a group of women who have always had her back – even when she didn’t know it. And as the grief and shock recede, Ruth can even begin to imagine sharing her life with someone other than just Maggie – if Maggie will let her.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/wearefamilysocial

My Review:

Reading Beth Moran books is a treat, always enjoyable and as they are set around where I live, I feel a special connection to them.. almost as if I am within them all.

Widow Ruth must move back in with her parents with her teenage daughter Maggie due to her late husband amassing debts she was unaware of. It is not what anyone was expecting and it’s difficult as the relationship with her parents is difficult, at best.

Also, moving back to the place where her first love and heartbreak took place is overwhelming, (especially given his new celebrity status) her lack of skills or qualifications leads to a struggle with work and her teenage daughter needs her.

Slowly but surely, we see Ruth’s life start to change, her outlook become more positive and she allows herself to become part of the community she once left behind. She meets a group of friends and sees that nobody has the perfect life, everyone is struggling and it’s fine to need the help and support of others.

Shocks, revelations, ups and downs along the way; I thoroughly enjoyed We Are Family and how Beth wrote a story full of heart, laughs and lows, where we see importance of friendships but also rediscovering yourself.

I always look forward to another Beth Moran book, but I highly recommend every book so far!

Author Bio:

Beth Moran is the award winning author of ten contemporary fiction novels, including the top ten bestseller Just the Way You Are and #1 bestseller Let It Snow. Her books are set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she can be found most mornings walking with her spaniel Murphy. She has the privilege of also being a foster carer to teenagers, and enjoys nothing better than curling up with a pot of tea and a good story.

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New Beginnings on Railway Lane - Alison Sherlock

 

When high flying, workaholic Katy Smith is suddenly made redundant, she needs to find a job fast!

After mistakenly answering an advert online, she quickly realises that the rundown railway station in sleepy Cranfield isn’t the 5-star London hotels she’s used to working in!

But a job’s a job. Right?

Chef Ryan Connelly is having a crisis of confidence after his Italian dream turns sour.

Returning home to try to pick up the pieces of his parents broken marriage, he soon discovers that his family home, the railway station, is close to financial ruin

Can Katy use all of her skills and find a way to save the railway station?

And can Ryan rediscover his passion of cooking once more?

As winter in Cranfield begins to sprinkle its magic, perhaps Katy and Ryan can find their very own new beginning on Railway Lane.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/railwaylanesocial

 

My Review:

Having enjoyed Alisons previous books, I couldn’t wait to read New Beginnings on Railway Lane. Whilst you can read as a standalone, there are crossovers with previous books in terms of village and some of the characters. I am a huge fan of books that have strong friendships, welcoming communities and books where you can feel like you are part of things. If you have read previous books you will revisit old friends and catch up with their lives, but this time we focus on newcomer, Katy, who drunkenly takes on a position without actually realising what it entails.

A typical city girl, she is so far removed from her comfort zone, I admire her tenacity at agreeing to stick things out. As the story progresses and she gets involved with the railway station, makes friends and builds on connections, Katy soon finds the countryside might be more worthwhile than she ever imagines.

 A story about family, or creating your own family, supporting those who are in need and accepting support right back. I enjoyed the transformation in Katy, how much she changed but how much it was really what she needed. I thought it was clever that she didn’t quite lose sight of herself so much and that she brought her passion to the projects she aimed to create.

 It is warm, cosy and uplifting. A real feel good romance, that draws us in from the start and has us engrossed right until the very end. Characters who feel like friends, a village setting that I wish I could visit.

As always, I will keenly await another book, and another catch up with wonderful book friends. 

Author Bio:

Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her series for Boldwood is set in a fictional Cotswold village.

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