The Break - Marian Keyes

Available on Amazon 

Amy's husband Hugh says he isn't leaving her. He still loves her, he's just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. Six months to lose himself in South East Asia. And there is nothing Amy can say or do about it. Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet . . .

However, for Amy it's enough to send her - along with her extended family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers - teetering over the edge. For a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns, if he returns, will he be the same man she married? Will Amy be the same woman? Because if Hugh is on a break from their marriage, then so is she . . . The Break is a story about the choices we make and how those choices help to make us. It is Marian Keyes at her funniest, wisest and brilliant best.

My Review:

This one really took me on an emotion filled ride. I have been through every feeling, particularly for our female lead Amy.  If I'm being honest - even now I am still unsure if I actually LIKE her not. 

When Hugh decides he needs a break, some time for him to break away from everything and everyone on some kind of 'anything goes' trail around Asia, Amy and his kids are obviously devastated. Amy has trust issues, we find that out early on, from a previous marriage so this is a massive deal for her (as it would be for anyone I guess!) Hugh claims he loves her and WILL be back after six months, but realistically even before he has gone anywhere I didn't imagine for one second he'd be slotting back into place.

The story follows Amy through those next days, weeks and months of his absence. Yes, there is the sadness and she is obviously traumatised - I felt so sorry for her, I empathised and really quite disliked Hugh but rest assured it's not all gloom and doom. 

We journey through Amy making some shocking and - quite frankly - stupid life choices in my opinion. I began to quite dislike her at some points, and my sympathy towards her started to wain - we also get to see all was perhaps not what we originally thought and Hugh, well for me, he doesn't seem as such an idiot really - in fact I had more sympathy for him at some points. 

There are plenty of laughs in this story. There are so many wild and wonderful characters you are assured to find moments of true hilarity. The characters are fantastic, well written and even though there are quite a lot of them I didn't think this took anything away from the story only added some fun, interesting aspects. 

Marian's writing style is captivating, you get so engrossed in what you are reading. I read this in one sitting which is quite some feat! I love the relaxed and witty way Marian writes, makes the characters relatable too.  Though we have many lighthearted moments this story does also look at some serious, deeper issues that have need to be addressed. It's done in a brilliant way though, totally in-keeping with the tone of the book. 

As a big Marian Keyes fan, this book did not fail to live up to expectations. I highly recommend The Break. It's a keeper for me - I'll definitely re-read. 

I invited her in - Adele Parks

Available here on Amazon 

Mel hears from a long-lost friend out of the blue; they are in need of help and so lovely Mel  doesn’t hesitate to invite her to stay. Mel and Abi were best friends at Uni, sharing the highs and lows of student life until Mel’s unplanned pregnancy made her drop out .
Seventeen years later, Mel and Abi’s lives couldn’t be more different. Mel is happily married and has a chaotic but happy family home, with three children. Abi married and moved to LA for a glamourous life of celebrity. Everything was perfect, until she discovered her partner had been cheating. Abi needs a true friend to lean on, to share her grief over a glass of wine, and to have some time to heal. Thinking of her dear old friend Mel, she realises there would be no better place to heal than in a family home. 'I invited her in' is a dark tale of the reunion of long-lost friends and is a gripping exploration of wanting what you can’t have, jealousy and revenge. 

This story is predominantly told from Mel’s point of view with occasional chapters focusing on other characters. I enjoyed seeing certain parts from another characters perspective, I think it definitely adds something extra to the story - you get a more well rounded view of events - for good or bad. 

The story line for this book is a good idea, its definitely full of little twists and turns - some may be a little predictable but you are still caught off guard at times - some events in this book are not at all what I imagined.  It isn't always a fault of the writer that we can predict some of the story, all book lovers read enough to be able to do it - the twists that you don't necessarily coming in 'I invited her in' are gripping and well placed. 

It took a few chapters for it to really get going but once it did I was committed in seeing what exactly what happening.I was well and truly invested in finding out exactly what Abi was planning to do and how Mel fit into her scheming.

I thought the characters were good, if frustrating. Mel did come across as a bit of a damp squib in many ways, a bit pathetic - she is very easily led by Abi - for a 'friend' she hadn't seen for a very long time she was soon siding with Abi over Ben and forsaking their relationship for the one she is rebuilding with her friend. You want to like Mel, and I did pity all she went through, but I felt she could have been stronger, she should have listened to her husband Ben. Ben on the whole is a nice man, hard working and can see that Abi is not someone to have around for long but I felt he could've tried harder to pull Mel away from Abi and trusted his gut instinct.  I didn't trust Abi from the beginning, her whole appearance and demeanour put me on edge, early on you realise all is not what it seems with her and soon you see how she enjoys her hold over Mel.

This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster - experiencing the turmoil of the characters involved. Adele Parks provides a dramatic tale - a story full of revenge and betrayal that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. It gives us a look at how we are so eager to trust, especially if it comes from a place of regret and that you never really know what anyone is willing to do to get exactly what they want. 

I am not 100% sure I would agree with this as just a 'thriller' - perhaps a darker chick-lit with added extras but I enjoyed it anyway. Once I'd got into it I was very eager to see how things progressed and couldn't put it down. I would recommend for a good, well written book by a very popular and respected author.

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: 👍👍👍👍👍

Christmas at the Little Wedding Shop - Jane Linfoot

Available on Amazon 

Christmas is coming for all those at Brides by the Sea, Cornwall’s cutest little wedding shop, and the in-house wedding dress designer Seraphina East is at her best in her studio designing exquisite dresses, the type that makes even the demanding bride speechless.

This time the demanding bride is Sera’s very own sister Alice. These two sisters aren’t exactly close, Alice hasn’t even asked Sera to design her wedding dress but asks Sera to take charge in getting things ready when she is stuck overseas with work. But as plans start to go wrong and the groom hasn’t turned up, Sera is determined her big sister gets the wedding of her dreams – especially when that means keeping two irresistible best men under control. A blast from the past shocks Sera, can she keep her mind on what she needs to do for her sister, or will everything end in disaster?!

This is my third visit to St Aiden and the wonderful women (and men) of Brides by the Sea. I didn’t read them in order – usually something that would drive mad – but it really doesn’t matter. Picking up this book, I was instantly transported back to Cornwall and it very much felt like I was back with my closest friends. 

If you haven’t read any of the previous books, don’t worry, this can easily work as a standalone but I would imagine you’d want to catch up.
This story gives us Sera, the quiet, yet fabulously amazing, dress designer – I like her a lot. I like that she is not a girly girl, she doesn’t like fuss and attention yet she can be fiery and doesn’t realise just how tough she can be. She doesn't suffer fools gladly and she really does find one in the gorgeous, utterly chaotic and charming Quinn, one of the two best men helping to get the wedding organised. As they try to fulfill all the tasks in the wedding manual Alice sent, all manner of things start to go wrong. Sera's friends are on hand and, as always, they are willing to help - there are no problems that these guys cannot fix to ensure a Happily Ever After.

Personally, I enjoyed the obvious rivalry between the two best men. Both wanting Sera for themselves and constantly battling for her attention. Quinn, in a more brash and obvious way while Johnny kept it simple, classy and was the guy I was championing from the beginning. At times during the book I did wonder if Sera would go the other way and end up with the wrong guy, as it sounded really tempting for her but I knew the best man (ha ha – best man, get it?!) would win. 

I adore Jane Linfoots writing, her style and the way I never want to put a book down. The way her writing flows and gives us the kind of book where you don’t notice time slipping by because you are so completely absorbed.

This book gave me a true Christmas feel (even in September), I was dazzled by the decorations, the descriptions of the amazing dresses, and I drooled over the cakes. With all of books I’ve read by Jane Linfoot, I was bowled over by the feelings of love and friendship. So much so I wish I lived in St Aiden and I could be part of Brides by the Sea.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair - Heidi Swain

Available here from Amazon 

I hold my hands up and admit I’m a new addition to the Heidi Swain Appreciation Society, but I LOVE everything I have been able to get my hands on so far and that includes Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair.

Independent Anna takes a job as companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall for the festive period, expecting it to last only a few weeks - little does she know that this is the start of a life she never believed she could have. Anna is Anti-Christmas and does everything she can to avoid the entire season, but very soon after her arrival at Wynthorpe Hall she is amazed to find herself thrown in the festive deep end. Within the eccentric household, she starts to feel like she is part of their very unique family and when Jamie arrives home from travelling it soon becomes clear Wynthorpe Hall will provide her with far more than she was bargaining for

Jamie finds himself struggling to come to terms with life at home, responsibilities are making it difficult for him to be truly happy. He makes a pact with Anna – she must teach him to fall back in love with Wynthorpe Hall, while he helps her fall back in love with Christmas. But will it all prove too much for Anna, or can the family of Wynthorpe Hall warm her heart once and for all.

I have no qualms with reading festive books at any point in the year, I’m more than happy to cosy up and start thinking about getting festive. Heidi Swain gives us a marvellous, heart-warming festive filled book and I loved every moment of it.

Having only recently been introduced to Wynbridge I was pleased to find myself back -  this time up at Wynthorpe Hall with a whole host of new characters to discover (and ultimately fall in love with). I thought the setting of the Hall added extra festive feeling, imagining the grand building and sweeping landscape. Throughout the book, we are re-introduced to characters from Heidi’s other books, this is something I always really love in books as it feels like you are visiting old friends and catching up on their lives.

This takes nothing away from the new characters in this books. They are all different with their own little back story (and potential for future stories maybe??) but I must confess, I was mostly enamoured with Angus. Lovable Angus, mischievous, smart and always up to something. I can’t wait to find out what Angus can get up to next. I felt for, and liked, Anna- not because I am anti-Christmas (I’m not!) but through the writing you can feel that she has suffered, she has been hurt, devastated and built her own walls up to protect herself. It was wonderful to see her open up and let others in, she embraced the people around her and accepted the love and support they were offering.

I love the relationship between Jamie and Anna, how they help each other and how they learn to love along the way – Anna with Christmas, Jamie with Wynthorpe Hall and both with each other. It is such a feel good, romantic tale that you can cosy up with – whether it’s the festive season or not. 


I just couldn’t put the book down, it’s beautifully written and leaves you with a lovely warm feeling. Here’s to the next! Follow Heidi on Twitter - @Heidi_Swain

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

The One We Fell In Love With - Paige Toon

Available here on Amazon 

I admit to be late in finding just how incredible Paige Toon books are. I have read a couple of her early offerings YEARS AND YEARS ago but recently bought a copy of ‘The last piece of my heart’ and I’m pretty much in book love with her, I'll even go as far as to say no book by Paige would disappoint. With that in mind, I took myself down to the library and got myself ‘The one we fell in love with.’

The story is told through identical triplets – Phoebe, Eliza and Rose. We look at their relationship -the advantages and more importantly, the disadvantages of growing up as being part of a three. We find that Phoebe is caught between a rock and a hard place, is it really her time to settle down and get married, or return to the French Alps to pursue her passion? Eliza is in love with someone who is no longer hers and the dream of becoming a musician seems to be getting further out of reach. Rose returns from London, no job and no boyfriend. To make matters worse, she’s been forced to move back in with her mother, will she find what her passion really is? Although identical, the sisters are all very different but  have one thing in common. Angus. He is the one they fell in love with.

To get straight to the point – I LOVED this book. From the first word to the last it had me hooked. It is difficult to write a thorough this review without giving away a lot of spoilers and I do not want to do that. Everyone should experience this book without knowing more than the basics.  I thoroughly advise that you DO NOT go looking for spoilers or any information – it will ruin such massive, pivotal moments of your reading experience.

Firstly, I loved each of the triplets - they all had their own qualities and styles but I probably preferred Phoebe and Rose. It was difficult to warm to Eliza at first, she had moments where you could see her vulnerability and I hoped that by the end I’d love her just as much (I kind of did). Paige Toon gave each character a distinctive, clear voice and it helped that the book was broken down into chapters for each girl, so it was easy to keep track and avoid confusion between them.
 
The introduction of Toby was an absolute blessing for me. Don’t get me wrong, I like Angus but he just exists within the book, he seems nice but I don’t know if he really lived up to the hype especially having three girls, sisters, in love with him – what made him SO special?  I did love Toby. His character, personality and his back story was just all in place to make me adore him and want him to be happy.

If you think this is going to be a typical book about women wanting the same man, you’d be wrong. It is more – deeper meanings and looking at the delicate but powerful bonds that bind us, it is such a touching story. Paige Toon has written a beautiful story, a really clever idea that sparks many emotions and may just make you shed a tear.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

On a Beautiful Day - Lucy Diamond

Available here on Amazon 

I was very excited to spot ‘On a beautiful day’ in the library and loved that it was a 7 day chart topper – meaning I had to get it done and dusted as I can’t renew it. It wouldn’t ever take me that long to read a book I started but having already got Milly Johnson's ‘The Perfectly Imperfect Woman’ in my hands, could I rise to the challenge of two chart toppers?! (Silly question really)

‘On a Beautiful Day’ is set in Manchester and explores the unexpected turns life can take and how you must accept the bad along with the good. It shows how a person can face things bravely and find a way to survive when your world turns upside down.

We meet four friends enjoying a birthday lunch, all smiles and seemingly without problems but after they witness a shocking accident, each begins to unravel and it is clear all is not well in each of their lives.

We have Laura, a likable, married, career woman who has suffered miscarriages and is desperate to have a baby. The accident is the wake-up call to heed the ticking of her biological clock. Jo, a nurse, gets involved in the aftermath of the accident and strikes up a connection with one of the casualties. She is in the early stages of a new relationship and decides she has to seize the day and throw all caution to the wind, ignoring the warning signs. Self-controlled mum Eve has been trying to ignore the lump in her breast. For once she feels helpless and out of control. Finding support in an unexpected place, Eve knows she needs to face things head on before too long. Happily married, mum of three, India is drawn to one of the victims of the accident and it causes long hidden emotions to bubble to the surface. Also, a chance encounter with someone from her past reignites old feelings and makes India take stock of how her life is turning out.

The aftermath of the accident and how each of the group changes makes an intriguing story and Lucy Diamond has given us four interesting and likable leads that are different, yet have such endearing qualities that make you want the best for each of them. The accident shakes up their friendship and their relationships, but we see that this can only make things stronger as we read how each character looks at themselves and their lives in a new way. All four women and their situations are entirely realistic - a credit to the wonderful writing of Lucy Diamond. She has created four diverse stories but pulled them together beautifully in one especially so the reader sees from each of their perspectives. It is easy to follow, which is often difficult in a multiple narrative

‘On a Beautiful Day’ is an emotional and at time, sad, read yet it is also full of moments that show pure love and devotion to friends and family alike. It is funny in parts and powerfully thought provoking. An uplifting read essentially that emphasises the idea that you do get a second (and third, fourth etc.) chance and stresses the importance of friendship and support.

I liked the characters within the book, not one stood out more than another. I’m so happy each character got the ending they deserved, albeit probably not what was expected in some cases. It took me a few chapters to get fully hooked but once I was, I couldn’t wait to keep reading more. Although the conclusions within the story are there, I feel there is potential for each character to be revisited in the future (maybe?!) because I would love to see how their lives all continue.

I’ve read several of Lucy Diamonds books before but this is a stand out one for me now. I recommend any of her previous books if you haven’t had the pleasure yet but especially this one.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍

Faking Friends - Jane Fallon

Available to order here on Amazon 

Amy, on the verge of a dream wedding to her long-distance fiancé Jack, thought she knew everything about her best friend Melissa. Paying a surprise trip home to London Jack is out, but it's clear another woman has been making herself at home in their flat.There's something that feels oddly familiar and then it hits her, the other woman is Melissa.

Instead of falling apart, she's determined to get her own back, after all putting her life back together will be no where near as fun as ruining theirs - will it? .
For a story based on deceit, betrayal and revenge, this book is enjoyable - full of humour and perfect comedic moments that ensure the reader doesn't get all dark and 'twisty.' I liked how Fallon explored the theme of relationships, especially the toxic variety within the story shown in Amy's romantic relationship (Jack) and in friendships (Melissa). 
Definitely a book for chick-lit genre fans but this has a darker edge. Revenge tactics and what Amy chooses to do to those that have wronged her make this so much more than your typical woman wronged chick-lit tale. I found I just didn’t want to put it down. I was entertained by the relationships between the characters, and found myself pleased with how some of them played out
I was waiting for a twist and there are several surprises that await the reader. An interesting change from the norm is switching the 'teller of the tale' from Amy to a different character. This definitely adds an extra aspect to the book and is quite the revelation. I think Jane Fallon shows the contrasting viewpoints of the characters brilliantly and keeps an element of suspense.

With twists and turns (possibly predictable), it may not have been overly dramatic but I was more than happy with how it resolves in the end. 

I would recommend this book, a nice take on the genre with humour and revenge thrown in. 

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍

Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage - Heidi Swain

Click here to view on Amazon 

The story begins with Lottie inheriting her her lovely new home, Cuckoo Cottage.
Lottie loves the cottage but Matt, a local builder, points out a whole host of problems that seem to keep cropping up. Lottie suspects Matt is not all that he seems and Will, Lottie’s neighbour and sparring partner, seems to agree.In a village where gossips won't leave her alone, Lottie plans to set up her own business renovating vintage caravans. With two men desperate for her attention too, will Lottie find love as well as success? 

I’ve never had the pleasure of reading any of Heidi Swains previous books -I shall be rectifying that sharpish - so I borrowed a copy from my local library. The book is part of their Reading Chain, you have an extended loan period and you have to leave a review on the bookmark. The existing reviews were good but Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage was a pleasant surprise.  At first, I was unaware that all of Heidi’s novels are connected, set in the town of Wynbridge, but I don't think you really need to read them in order (although usually, for me, I would try to) but I guess that is the chance you take when taking out books from the library.  I instantly connected with Lottie and was rooting for her against all the gossips. She was definitely the kind of character I could imagine being friends with, she seems fun and really interesting. I loved how she was written and that she was the automatic heroine who I felt protective over. Written with warmth and humour, I enjoyed  the feeling of community (people looking out for Lottie) and  the friendships that were built with the use of pre-established characters, I wanted to know their stories (luckily I know I can seek them out in more of Heidi's books!). For an avid reader like myself, you spot typical cliches - the argumentative yet handsome neighbour I knew our heroine should (and probably would) fall in love with, the annoying, yet trying to be helpful, builder pandering for Lottie's' attention (who I personally wanted to get lost and leave her alone). It was fairly easy to spot the villain of the piece, annoyingly Lottie didn't as soon as she should - she seems a smart young lady so I'm not sure she would have really let him get away with so much for so long. I loved Heidi's writing style, it was very easy to read, it flowed nicely and was so descriptive you could imagine yourself there too. It was definitely a good, quick read but I do feel like I want to know more about Lottie and her friends, I would love to see how it all goes for her both professionally and personally. Hopefully in the future, in another story we get a glimpse of how well Lottie is getting on. Couldn’t put it down... I read fast anyway but this was “a cup of tea and slice of cake, don’t put it down” kind of book. Perfect chick-lit, feel good story. Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

One in a Million - Lindsey Kelk

Click here to find on Amazon

Hands up I’m a huge fan of Lindsey Kelk, I have been ever since the first chapter of I Love New York (you have to check out the I Heart Series.) I also love following her on instagram - @lindseykelk One in a Million is the hilarious yet romantic story of Annie and Sam. As described it really is the My Fair Lady of the social media age – it's a definite feel-good read. So make a big mug of tea, grab some snacks and get comfortable... 

Annie Higgins has given up on love and she’s trying to get her fledgling business off the ground. Taunted by the dreamy advertising agency executive, Annie accepts a crazy bet –  make a random stranger Instagram-famous in thirty days.When they choose Dr Samuel Page PhD, historian and hater of social media, Annie’s sure she can win the bet . As Annie gets to know Sam it also means getting to know herself. As Day 30 approaches, Annie has to decide what really is important.
Firstly, hands up, I read this in one sitting. I admit I am a ridiculously fast reader (it’s a helpful skill) but to be honest I just didn’t want to stop reading the story. A gorgeous twist on a My Fair Lady-esque story for the modern age, where social media is everything, likes s equates to what we deem popular and the number of followers we can gain makes someone a celebrity . 

Both main characters, Annie and Sam, had me laughing, made my heart break a little but left me happy. Generally quite easy to see where the story was going but I’m O.K with that.  I enjoyed seeing the progression of the relationship, how Annie won Sam over but as a reader we also see how she is also being changed (unbeknownst to her).  I feel like there was a lot of additional characters that appeared and disappeared and didn’t add that much to the story line, standard best friend role to add a sense of reason for Annie, one side character that I must mention is Wellington. I loved Wellington - that guy could have his own adventures! 

I won't spoil the ending, but I will say it is more dramatic than I imagined it would be and not quite as clear cut as you would think. There is scope for a sequel and I would definitely like to see how the lives of Annie and Sam work out. I highly recommend this book if you fancy a bit of happy in our social media driven world. It may even may you think about how much you are confined to you social media presence.
Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍