In From the Cold - Sarah Bennett

Amelia Riley and Ben Lawson have something in common – fathers who have kept secrets.

On the day of his father’s funeral, Ben’s life changes forever when a woman he’s never met shows up claiming to be his sister. As he investigates the past, Ben is shaken to discover that much of his life has been built on a carefully constructed foundation of his father’s lies. Needing answers, he agrees to visit Juniper Meadows, the ancestral estate owned and run by his long-lost relatives, the Travers family.

Arriving in the pretty Cotswold countryside, the first person Ben meets is Amelia Riley. They are immediately drawn to one another, but Amelia has her own complicated ties to the Travers family. Her only goal is to set the past to rights so she can move on with a clean conscience.

As Ben starts to see the events of his childhood more clearly, he allows the warmth and fun he finds at Juniper Meadows to draw him in from the cold. But just as he’s contemplating setting down roots, Amelia is making plans to leave…

Bestseller Sarah Bennett is back with an irresistible, feel-good, page-turning escape, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Phillipa Ashley.

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

My review:

I thoroughly enjoy all of Sarah Bennett’s books, and having read the first book in the series Where We Belong a short while ago, I was keen to go back to Juniper Meadows and find out what more was in store.

Having previously met Hope, we learnt how complicated her family is, (I highly recommend you do read the first book before this so to have the full idea). Now this book is yet another emotional tale. There are discoveries of such hurt, betrayal and deceit within the family, how heart breaking that one persons actions can cause so much angst. Ben had no interest in rekindling a relationship with his biological mother Stevie, but learning what happened in the past, could this change how he proceeds with his future?

Another character we discover some more about is Amelia, who is Hope’s childhood best friend. She is devastated by what her father did and pushed everyone else away because of the shame.  She is fierce though and wants to prove to everyone that she is nothing like her dad, not that she needs to do that really.  I had really felt very sorry for her in book one, nothing was of her doing but she was resolving things and fixing problems.

Sarah is a great storyteller and the way her characters develop throughout the story and over a series is brilliant. This isn’t your typical light and airy rom com at times, or story of festive cheer (even though the cover looks that way); it has serious, intense themes that have been written with sensitive care but it is still enjoyable. You will get stuck in and have your head in the book for hours.

I always enjoy catching up with previous characters and this book was no exception, I am really looking forward to more from Juniper Meadows. 

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/

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New Family Required - Carmen Reid

 

Sasha Greenhope has a very lovely life. Her marriage is solid, her only daughter is delightful, and the family business is going full steam ahead.

The only blip on the horizon is the upcoming family reunion for her parents 40th wedding anniversary at Chadwell House – the family pile. Sasha just does not fit with her rich family. Her French mother, Delphine thinks everything Sasha does is a faux pas.. And siblings, Adele and Beau, are clearly the favourites, leaving Sasha surplus to requirements

So when Sasha’s husband Ben takes this exact moment to reveal that they are about to go bankrupt, Sasha wants to be anywhere but stuck in a lavish marquee!

Swallowing her pride, and a whole bottle of fizz, Sasha determines to ask her family for help – and maybe even a loan – only to discover that her parents and siblings are all keeping secrets of their own!

Family secrets, warring siblings and a disastrous reunion… what could possibly go right?!

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3sg7suR

My review:

An interesting, dramatic read at times. Families aren’t always the most fun to be around, especially for Sasha, who has always felt like the odd one out. Younger brother beau is adored by their mum and older sister has a special relationship with their father, so Sasha is used to feeling overlooked. 

Luckily she has her adoring husband Ben and their wonderful daughter, Loulou who mean the world to her. When their business hits a rough patch Sasha knows it’s not worth asking her parents for help. 

Anniversary celebrations throw the family together and it true fashion, there are dramas, secrets and fights ahead. Sasha uncovers various family secrets and to her it yet again reiterates she isn’t considered, but when an unexpected event means there is no chance of an escape, they all must learn to get along and communicate. Someone gets in serious danger, and when it counts the family work together.

Funny and dramatic, I felt for Sasha but was frustrated she doesn’t learn to speak up earlier. Ben makes his mistakes but he’s supportive. An interesting story of family and how keeping things secret will always come back to cause trouble. 

GREAT SUMMER READ.

Author Bio:

Carmen Reid is the bestselling author of numerous woman’s fiction titles including the Personal Shopper series starring Annie Valentine. After taking a break from writing she is back, introducing her hallmark feisty women characters to a new generation of readers. She lives in Glasgow with her husband and children.

Social Media Links:

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/thiscarmenreid 

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/CarmenReidNews 

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carmen-reid 

The Lake House - Christie Barlow

 

There’s a newcomer to the village of Heartcross and she’s never been more in need of a friend.  Ella is ready to start afresh ––and that could mean there’s love on the horizon in the form of the gorgeous Roman, the local water taxi driver. Every day Roman is there to ferry Ella to the restaurant on the other side of the lake and every night he makes sure she gets home safe. But Roman has secrets of his own…

Can the Love Heart Lane community offer Ella a chance of a new life? Or will the ghosts of her past catch up with her?

My Review:

I’m a really big fan of Christie’s and the Love Heart Lane series is one of my favourites. I like how Christie creates such wonderful settings and relatable and likeable characters – The Heartcross community is like a familiar group of friends now and I’m fully invested in so many of their lives. It’s always a pleasure reading the next book and catching up with old favourites as well as new characters.

The Lake House is our fifth book in this series, although each can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading all in this series.

Ella is our leading character this book and she finds herself in Heartcross after some serious trouble. She is at rock bottom because of other people’s secrets and deception, now she needs to start again, if she can. What a lovely character, I felt so sorry (and angry) for her, hoping that whatever happened it could all come good with a fresh start.

Roman instantly gained my interest and affection but what is he being so secretive about. Can Ella take any more lies and secrets? Can she trust him or not, it’s hard for her to tell after all she has been through. For Roman, he wants to do the best for everyone even if that means running into trouble himself.  

The star of the show is most definitely Dolores. What a great character – she jumps off the page and into your heart. She deserves the adulation she receives.

I adored this story and the Lake House just sounds like the most phenomenal place – I’d go in a heartbeat if I could.

It’s the brilliant sense of community that you get with this book, yet again, that makes it so good. Christie doesn’t shy away from including issues and problems whilst creating a cosy and heart-warming read. You feel uplifted and happy for the characters, like they are friends. I couldn’t put it down, perfect cosy up and enjoy an afternoon type read. 

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B086115DK9/

US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086115DK9/

Author Bio:

Christie Barlow is the author of ten bestselling romantic comedies including A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Clover Cottage. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.

Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. Christie’s dream was to become a writer and the book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.

When Christie isn’t writing she enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture.

Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale’s Bhasker Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.

Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 Social Media Links: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie_barlow/?hl=en

Twitter @ChristieJBarlow 

Facebook page Christie Barlow author

BLOGTOUR - The Alibi Girl by C J Skuse

Joanne Haynes has a secret: that is not her real name.

And there’s more. Her flat’s not hers. Her cats aren't hers. Even her hair isn’t really hers.

Nor is she any of the other women she pretends to be. Not the bestselling romance novelist who gets her morning snack from the doughnut van on the seafront. Nor the pregnant woman in the dental surgery. Nor the chemo patient in the supermarket for whom the cashier feels ever so sorry. They're all just alibis.

In fact, the only thing that’s real about Joanne is that nobody can know who she really is.

But someone has got too close. It looks like her alibis have begun to run out….

My Review:

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

An interesting, exciting read that kept me on edge throughout, uncomfortable but it an interesting way.

‘Joanne’ is quite the character, in fact unlike any I have read before. A liar, deceptive and complex; an interesting choice for narrator of this story. Written so well though, with a fantastic set of personalities that the reader gets to know. It would be easy for readers to dislike her but I think she does get to you a little bit and does make you feel sorry for her and even protective.

I want to be careful not to give too much away, its full of many twists and turns, some may shock you, others maybe not so much but will lead you into thinking many things and realising others.

I really started to enjoy discovering more about her past. At times I felt sad, concerned and quite emotional by the themes being touched upon, there is some violence.

This is definitely a book that will keep you guessing, it’s enjoyable, interesting and will have you hooked. I highly recommend for thriller fans and those looking for something

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: 👍👍👍👍