BLOGTOUR - The Ingredients for Happiness - Lucy Knott

AVAILABLE HERE

About:

Three sisters, a stash of family recipes, the chance to make their dreams come true…

Amanda is about to open her very own café. She has the pastry sorted, but hasn’t a clue about the plumbing. With the love of her life by her side, surely nothing else can go wrong?

Sabrina has struck out on her own and is proving to the global music industry she has what it takes. However, balancing the business side of the band with her personal life will end up being more than she bargained for.

Louisa is drawing inspiration from the beautiful Amalfi coast, channelling it into creating gorgeous gowns for modern day Sophia Lorens. But putting herself out there in the fashion industry will present its own challenges, even with the ever-supportive Luca by her side.

With the right mix of perseverance, love and plenty of Italian delicacies, these three sisters are about to discover that when they support each other, the sky really is the limit! 

My review:

This is the first book I’ve read by Lucy – I didn’t read the first in this series (I don’t know how that’s skipped me by though to be honest!) – but it’s a nice, easy read that you can enjoy without getting caught up in complicated plots and overlapping storylines, especially as you are following three sisters as your main characters.

Although I think you may benefit from having read the first as you will be fully invested in each character and understand their positions immediately, I don’t feel I lost anything and would say it’s easy to read as a standalone, you are fully caught up on each sister and what has happened previously.  You meet each sister trying to forge their own path in their relationships and careers.

The Italian style, recipes, lifestyle really comes across throughout the book and what amazing sounding recipes! Honestly you will be drooling all the way through, really adds to the story too. You can imagine yourself alongside the characters.

This is a lovely book that explores hopes and dreams, shows the work you must put it to follow your heart and it demonstrates the importance of family, no matter where if they are near, far or just fondly remembered.  

I did find that everything seemed very good to be true, nothing seemed to “go wrong” and I was always expecting something dramatic to happen, or twist. Maybe that’s just how my mind works. It is a perfect read especially for summer, something you can pick up and read pretty quickly. I think the writing style is lovely and very descriptive too.

I’d definitely recommend. 

About the Author:

Lucy Knott is a former professional wrestler with a passion for storytelling. Now, instead of telling her stories in the ring, she’s putting pen to paper, fulfilling another lifelong dream in becoming an Author.
Inspired by her Italian Grandparents, when she is not writing you will most likely find her cooking, baking and devouring Italian food, in addition to learning Italian and daydreaming of trips to Italy.
Along with her twin sister, Kelly, Lucy runs TheBlossomTwins.com, where she enthusiastically shares her love for books, baking and Italy, with daily posts, reviews and recipes.


You can find Lucy on 
Twitter @TheBlossomTwins or @LucyCKnott
Instagram @LucyCKnott

Website: www.theblossomtwins.com

The Northern Lights Lodge - Julie Caplin

Order HERE

Goodreads Blurb:
With a shattered heart and her career completely in tatters, Lucy needs to get away from her life in the UK. But, when she takes a job as hotel manager of the Northern Lights Lodge, she doesn’t quite expect to find herself in the middle of a snowy nowhere, in a land of hot springs and snowflake-dusted glaciers, and in the company of a gorgeous Scot, Alex.
Determined to turn her life around, Lucy sets about restoring the lodge to its former glory as the number one romantic destination in Iceland – even if romance is the last thing she wants or needs. However, as Alex and Lucy grow closer under a blanket of stars and the dancing lights of the aurora, Lucy might just learn how to fall in love again…
My Review:

I could try and play it cool (haha Iceland, cool.. get it?!) but I can't I LOVED this. I've only just stumbled upon this series and have read the previous books in very quick succession so I was thrilled at the chance to head to Iceland on this next adventure. That being said, it works as a standalone (they all do) so you really don't need to have read any of the others. If you have - then you will recognise a few characters!

Alex is one - he's really a secondary character in The Little Paris Patisserie but I liked him then and now he comes into his own - I am so pleased we got to see more of him. The spy/love interest for our main lady Lucy, you are already on his side (even knowing his 'undercover' position) and it is soon clear he is actually falling for Lucy in every way possible.

Lucy has been through a lot, mistakes in her past and awful behaviour by others abusing their power and position have left her needing the job nobody else would take on. She's pretty desperate. You don't really discover what has happened for a while, you see that she is vulnerable, lacking confidence and needs support. If I'm honest, I'd imagined far worse than what we find out but maybe that's just my mind - it isn't a pleasant situation for anyone to go through though.

Various situations arise as she'd getting to grips with running the hotel and Lucy, with a good team of staff/friends, handles everything in a typically unique way and we see her rediscover passion for the job, remembering why she chose the career in the first place. She is hardworking and determined and it shows true spirit that she can bounce back. I like her, I hoped she wouldn't be a weak, sorry for herself kind of character but you see she is quite daring and willing to put herself out there. 

Just like the previous books, the setting sounds incredible. It is well written and moves along at a nice pace, yet again reading one of Julie's books makes me want to book a trip.So thats Copenhagen, Brooklyn, Paris and Iceland on the travel list!!  In fact, Iceland and the Northern Lights has never really appealed to me before but now I could really be tempted.

Julie Caplin gives us a wonderfully romantic escape with characters and places you'll love. I cannot recommend The Northern Lights Lodge enough, perfect for a cosy, snuggled up read. I will eagerly await the next book!

Many thanks to Harper Impulse and Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

Knowing You - Samantha Tonge

Available to order here 

Goodreads Blurb:
An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret...
Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home. However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

My Review:
A thought provoking and emotional book. I was not prepared at all for what it a lot of more than your standard 'chick- lit' /women's fiction - I was engrossed throughout, what a brilliantly written tale of the fragility of relationships, friendships and control. 

Violet , our main character, is really likable and relatable. She thinks of herself as an odd ball who doesn't quite fit in or deserve any of the good things in her seemingly happy, comfortable life. She is a normal - kind hearted girl, loved by those around her and is admired for who she is. Only problem being that she doesn't see it. 

The breakdown of her relationship with Lenny is the catalyst for her examining every part of her life and deciding that she needs to stop being the oddity, she needs to be better ao to compete with the type of women Lenny now wants to be with.

I enjoyed the use of flashbacks - helping to understand the reasoning and details of why Violet feels and acts how she does. To see how the issues she struggles with have deep seated roots.

The additional characters in the book are interesting. Some characters are the people she needs - the ones that stick by her no matter what; some are the people she desires - although they aren't necessarily the ones who want the best for her and are people she could do without. I liked how the friendships Violet had remained strong, how she had people on her side throughout.

Admittedly, I had my suspicions about certain elements of the book  but I was still surprised and shocked. I'm not giving anything away - but I was pleased the twists were there. I think it's important to have a book like this around in today's climate. 

Some may find it a tough read, it's emotional and quite hard in some parts. Don't get me wrong, it's not all dark and gloomy, but it is a read that will have you hooked until the end. It tackles some difficult, but realistic themes but Samantha Tonge has done so in a careful way, sensitively where you feel connected to the character and emotionally involved.

My first Samantha Tonge read and definitely not my last.
Comfy rating: 👍👍👍👍
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for the copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The German Midwife/ A Woman of War - Mandy Robotham

Amazon UK 

Goodreads Blurb:

Germany, 1944. A prisoner in the camps, midwife Anke Hoff is doing what she can to keep her pregnant camp mates and their newborns alive.

But when Anke’s work is noticed, she is chosen for a task far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined. High in the Bavarian hills, Eva Braun is pregnant, and Anke is assigned as her caregiver. Before long, Anke is faced with an impossible choice. Does she serve the Reich she loathes and keep the baby alive? Or does she sacrifice an innocent child for the good of a broken world?

My review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is incredibly thought provoking and emotive. A book so well written it makes you question the 'what if's' - quick note: if you are looking for a book ENTIRELY factual then this perhaps isn't for you. Based on accounts - this fictionalised story takes one of the most significant events in history and plants seeds of what could have been.  Very well written by Mandy Robotham, so good in fact I forgot it wasn't a (fully) true story.

The book looks at the complex set of relationships Anke establishes, cherishes and aims to protect; whether through her job as a midwife, as a daughter, sister, friend or lover. I liked the romance element to the book, I think it was a lifeline for Anke but didn't distract from the other themes. 

As you can imagine with the theme of the book, it has moments of heartbreak, sadness and pain I doubt anyone could truly imagine. It describes various stories of childbirth in great detail - something I have no experience of, so I was intrigued and luckily not squeamish. I admire the work of midwives now and especially then, in those circumstances and with far less in terms of equipment, medicines etc.

In all honesty I was hooked, I didn't want to put it down. Not my usual genre, but I liked it immensely and feel like I have learned a great deal. I think the author dealt with a very emotive topic with great sensitivity.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary

Available to order here 

Goodreads Blurb:
Tiffy’s been dumped by her cheating boyfriend and urgently needs a new flat. But earning minimum wage at a quirky publishing house means that her choices are limited in London.Leon, a palliative care nurse, is more concerned with other people’s welfare than his own. Along with working night shifts looking after the terminally ill, his sole focus is on raising money to fight his brother’s unfair imprisonment.

Leon has a flat that he only uses 9 to 5. Tiffy works 9 to 5 and needs a place to sleep. The solution to their problems? To share a bed of course... As Leon and Tiffy’s unusual arrangement becomes a reality, they start to connect through Post-It notes left for each other around the flat.

My Review:

The Flatshare was far more than I expected. I imagined it would be your typical, run of the mill rom com (which isn't a bad thing for me) but I was pleasantly surprised at how this book gave me a little bit more drama/comedy.   

The whole premise of the book is wonderfully bonkers; but it works. The shared bed situation is unique and the way our protagonists forge a relationship is brilliant. Notes between the two move the story on well and add some real funny, quirky moments. Starting off quite innocently with messages about bins, food etc its interesting to see how they develop a level of intimacy the longer the notes continue - talking about themselves, their lives and their feelings.  I think the balance between using the notes and not to tell the story was just right. 

The story moved along at a good pace - with some unexpected plot points - I was really surprised by some developments. (I don't want to ruin it for anyone but I like how we were not given the whole picture from the start).
 

I loved Tiffy - who appears to be loud, proud and confident. You definitely know there is a soft, vulnerable side, something you cannot quite fathom and you see how Tiffy has certain realisations regarding her past. Leon is different - quietly confident, self assured and wanting the best for those he cares for. Hardworking and loyal - I was rooting for him all the way.  His back story, being told slowly throughout the book is indicative to why he chose the caring profession and why he has a strong connection to Tiffy. I also love the quirky/fun 'best friend' character in these types of book and was not disappointed by the varied characters we meet in this story. 

I assumed this would be a light hearted, simple but lovely read but it is emotional and thought provoking - far more than the romantic comedy books we all love. Touching on some serious issues that will resonate with many readers; the serious moments were cleverly balanced with comedy that had me laughing out loud

Having heard and seen so much about this book I was so pleased I got to read this now. I highly recommend. An e-copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher, Quercus, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Comfy Rating:👍👍👍👍👍

Dear Rosie Hughes - Melanie Hudson

Available to order on Amazon

From Goodreads:

It’s been fifteen years since Aggie’s friendship with Rosie Hughes ended abruptly. But now she’s heard from the village rumour mill that Rosie is off to war, she knows her best friend needs her more than ever – despite what’s happened between them in the past.

As Rosie faces a desert full of danger and Aggie falls further from the path to love she’ so wants, the two friends write each other letters. The comfort in their shared words is an anchor to the life they knew before…and the only constant in a world as increasingly unpredictable as the wind.

My Review:

This is one of those books that will stay in my mind for a while. I don’t know what I was expecting but I got way more than I bargained for (in a brilliant way). I need to be careful as I don’t want to give anything away. You may believe it will the predictable story of lost friendships and renewed love, but it is more, and in my opinion, very well done. I had visions of how the story would go, and found myself surprised -at times.

The story is told through a series of letters, messages and emails, unusual but brilliant – it made me pay attention, focus on who was saying what and think about how their stories were playing out. I love the attention to detail and the little ‘tit-bits’ of back story every so often, enough to make you try and put the pieces in place but not too much to reveal it all in one go. I liked this, and I was eager to know why these two best friends, that seemed to slot back into each other’s lives very easily, could ever lose that relationship.  
 
I think the friendship between Rosie and Aggie was wonderfully written, funny and emotional. Aggie has a great sense of humour and is a character that I would love to have as a friend – cheerful and positive yet reassuring and full of love. Although she is outwardly confident, she does have a vulnerable and sensitive side, she’s really looking for love and has a difficult relationship with her Mum. Rosie strikes me as vulnerable too yet given the circumstances she’s showing how tough she can be.

With an eclectic mix of additional characters, you will read some light-hearted and comedic moments whilst overall the story shows how everyone has the capacity for kindness, love and that we all may find ourselves in a situation that leaves us feeling vulnerable and  in need of the care, loyalty and support of their loved ones.  I think some characters could have been included and developed more whilst some seemed a little redundant and a little unnecessary, but it didn’t ruin or distract.

 ‘Dear Rosie Hughes’ is a great read that I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Impulse for allowing me an advanced copy to read so to provide an honest review.