Patience - Victoria Scott

If you were offered a chance to cure your child's disease, would you take it?

The Willow family have been through a lot together. Louise has devoted her life to her family and raising her disabled daughter, Patience. Pete now works abroad, determined to provide more, even if it means seeing less of those he loves. And Eliza, in the shadow of her sister, has a 'perfect' life in London, striving to live up to her mother's high standards.

Meanwhile, Patience lives her life quietly, watching and judging the world while she's trapped in her own body. She laughs, she cries, she knows what she wants, but she can't ever communicate this to those who make the decisions for her. Patience only wants a voice, but this is impossible.

When the opportunity to put Patience into a new gene therapy trial to cure her Rett syndrome becomes available, opinions are divided. The stakes are high, and the Willow family face an almost impossible dilemma.

And what is a 'normal life,' anyway? Is Patience about to find out...?

Available to purchase - HERE

Incredible.

What a wonderful debut from Victoria Scott, it blew me away. We are taken into the world of Patience, a young lady with Rett Syndrome who needs 24-hour care, having a caring, compassionate family and support network. This normal, run of the mill family face some of the most difficult challenges in caring for Patience and eventually realise they are struggling to give her the quality of life needed. An opportunity presents itself that tears the family apart, each wanting what is best for Patience but each seeing things from a different point of view.

A chance of a cure via gene therapy seems like a miracle and Patience’s’ Mum is passionate that this is what they’ve been waiting for; her dad however questions if the risks are worth it; he is sure Patience is happy and they are managing.

What a challenging, heart-breaking decision to make. The characters were all so engaging, especially as we knew the inner thoughts of Patience and had that special unique insight her parents etc didn’t. Each character has their own struggles on top of caring for Patience, that adds extra pressures to their lives but also extra complexities to this story.

This book is at times heart breaking but thought provoking, it provides an honest insight into those living with severe disabilities and those who provide their care whilst challenging the perception of what a “good life” may be.

There are moments of light, laughter, and lots of love of all kinds. Victoria Scott has written this with intimate knowledge of living alongside this condition and I know it will provide education for others, like me, who knew very little of this syndrome. Her writing has compassion, heart and humour and it captured my attention from the first page.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Scars - Dan Scottow

 

The wounds you can't see take the longest to heal...

In an isolated cottage on the banks of a Scottish loch, a reclusive couple take on a new live-in carer.

As Lucy gets to know her employers, she realises the house and the people in it aren’t what they seem. Is the house haunted or is something far more sinister living within the walls?

As secrets and lies begin to unravel, Lucy starts to question what is real. But one thing seems certain, if scars cannot heal, people will never forgive…

Purchase HERE

My Review:

WOW!

What an incredible, dramatic read; I was hooked from start to finish. From a dramatic and horrific opening, this thriller will have you eager to read every twist and turn. You will not want to put this down!

This is such a clever story, with details scattered throughout; some red herrings that will throw you off. I’m usually good at spotting things and having these books all figured out, but Dan Scottow stumped me until late on and even then, I was surprised.

I liked the characters; although ‘liked’ may be the wrong word. I liked that in terms of characters I didn’t know who to trust, who to believe, who to pity and who would come out on top by the end.

The location and how well its described adds to the tension; the idea of being so remote and away from things gives me the shivers just imagining.

This is Dan’s third book and the second I have read… his writing is fantastically descriptive and detailed; at one point I didn’t know if I dared switch out the light! The book is intense, with twists and turns galore, suspense and a thrilling finale.

If you are a fan of dark, dramatic, thrillers, I cannot recommend this highly enough. 

Follow Dan on Twitter: @DanScottow

Worn Out Wife Seeks New Life - Carmen Reid

 

Tess Simpson needs a break!

Under appreciated at home, overlooked at work and now her beloved dog Bella has died. Tess has simply had enough!

So in a spur of the moment act, Tess books a holiday of a lifetime for her, her two grown up kids and useless husband Dave. Maybe they can use the break to reconnect with each other?

But when the kids refuse to go, and Dave breaks his leg, Tess’s dream holiday looks seriously in doubt. And then there’s River Romero, the glamourous LA screen writer who is supposed to be house-sitting for Tess whilst she’s away….

Everything about River sounds so much more exciting than Tess’s boring life in Stratford Upon Avon. From her beautiful LA condo and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Tess wonders whether a bit of River’s LA life might be exactly what she needs? So when River suggests a house swap, Tess jumps at the chance!

With Dave happily ensconced in the summer house at the bottom of the garden, the kids not needing mum anymore, Tess packs her bags and heads off for the adventure of a lifetime.

But real life isn’t like the movies, and when Tess arrives in LA, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

Will Tess find what's she's looking for or is getting away from it all isn’t all perhaps not all it’s cracked up to be?

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/34hthhb

My Review:

Having been a big fan of Carmen Reid a long time ago, I was really excited to hear a new book was being released. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and let me say that it didn’t disappoint.

A great book, interesting, life-affirming for those of an older age, it has moments of comedy but also moments of emotion, heartwarming and probably more serious than I thought would be. It is a rollercoaster and not as ‘cutesy’ as it’s cover may suggest. If you are expecting a light, fluffy rom-com then you will be given more depth and more sentiment, this story does tackle issues that some may find difficult.

Tess is almost fifty and realises she wants more from the wife/Mum life she is living. River is in desperate need of some success in her writing career, being presented an opportunity is finally her chance. Both ladies decide to fly away from home to see if they can find themselves again.

Out of the two main characters, Tess and River, I liked Tess and could sympathise whereas I couldn’t really get on with River’s character. I didn’t warm to her at all, even by the end of the book I wasn’t that bothered… I’m not sure why, I just didn’t connect. Tess really opened up in LA and pushed herself in new ways, I think she really made the most of the opportunity. Her family are out of sorts but they find their way back to each other by the end. 

Well written, I enjoyed the book and recommend for fans of Carmen as well as fans of fiction fans in general. Ups and downs that will entertain for a good few hours. I definitely recommend. 

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. Her first title for Boldwood will be published in July 2021. 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/

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

The Beach Reads Book Club - Kathryn Freeman

 

Welcome to the Beach Reads Book Club…where love is just a page away…

When Lottie Watt is unceremoniously booted out of her uptight book club for not following the rules, she decides to throw the rulebook out the window and start her own club – one where conversation, gin and cake take precedent over actually having read the book!

The Beach Reads Book Club soon finds a home for its meetings at Books by the Bay, a charming bookshop and café owned by gorgeous, brooding Matthew Steele, and as the book club picks heat up, so too does the attraction between Matt and Lottie.

If there’s anything Lottie has learned from the romances she’s been reading, it’s that the greatest loves are the ones hardest earned.

A love letter to chicklit, romance, romcoms, whatever you want to call them!

Purchase Links

UK AMAZON https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0931Y5W12

US AMAZON https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0931Y5W12

My Review:

For book lovers and readers of all kinds, here we have a dream book – a wonderful romantic tale that really does celebrate books, book clubs and genres that do not get the true recognition they deserve.

I loved the book club in this book and wish I could be part of it; I also enjoyed the fact they talked about books and authors I love.

Lottie is a girl with gumption, and I think she’s absolutely brill. Bored of the stuffy book club lead by the seemingly miserable and stuffy Eve, she decides to start her own. Returning a book to the local book shop, she meets the new owner and slowly but surely a plan is formed!

Such a lovely compliment of characters, the book club members form a great friendship and that is a key part of the story – how much they help and support each other in difficult circumstances.

Matt is the new owner of the book shop, determined to keep his family together following a loss, he has his work cut out to make everyone happy. He is smart, well mannered, and not exactly in his comfort zone. Matt has built up his defences, but I knew from the start Lottie could be the one to break them down.

A lovely romance, their budding friendship and relationship grew on me the more I read. Is it predictable and cute? Yes – nothing wrong with that at all. Isn’t that the point of the book club anyway…

It’s well written, funny and entertaining (Audrey is so funny!) but it has a little drama; nothing ever runs smoothly does it!

Highly recommended for book fans and romance lovers. Perfect summer read! 

Author Bio:

A former pharmacist, I'm now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it's the reaction to a sexy hero. 

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

       

A Summer of Surprises, Little Duck Pond Café - Rosie Green

 

When Ruby Watkiss lands a job at the True Loaf Bakery, she feels as if the sun has finally come out. Having been through a traumatic time that wrecked her confidence levels, it’s a joy to be working for Ellie, and now all Ruby wants is to lead a quiet life and support her mum in getting the help she needs.

But life, it seems, has other plans for Ruby.

Working alongside the bafflingly rude Hudson Holmes would be bad enough – but then odd things start happening. It seems that someone is out to sabotage the café and bakery, and to her horror, Ruby finds the finger pointing at her.

Desperate to prove her innocence, she teams up with the most unlikely person in order to get to the bottom of what’s going on. Tailing suspects and hiding in bushes isn’t something she ever imagined she’d be doing, although her partner in mystery-solving seems the perfect man for the job. Can they clear Ruby’s name by discovering the real culprit?

With all the drama afoot, at least there’s no time for romance. Because that’s the very last thing on Ruby’s mind these days. Or is it…?

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

My Review:

One of my favourite series! After 16, Rosie has built quite the community whilst still managing to keep the stories fresh and different. If you haven’t read any of the series, don’t be put off. You can totally pick each up and read as a standalone, they include enough information to give you a bit of background but not too much to put off those that have read them.

I am always jealous of those stumbling on this series for the first time and them being able to work their way through them all!

Introduced to some new characters, you soon learn a lot about them as well as how they will fit with the rest of the community. I loved Ruby, and her relationship with Hudson. Their mystery solving is second to none, I loved it, fun and interesting! I was trying to figure it all out alongside them but Rosie did very well at keeping the mystery going for us readers. I changed my mind so many times, I really couldn’t figure out who was behind the sabotage.

Whilst these books are cheerful, fun, reads they do incorporate serious, sensitive topics and issues. Rosie does very well at tugging on our heartstrings, playing with our emotions and hitting us straight in the feels.

Another fabulous visit, I am already looking forward to the next!

Author Bio:

Rosie 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.

Her series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe. The latest, ‘Sweet Pastries & Sourdough', is out now.

Look out for more Little Duck Pond Café tales in 2021!

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

The Promise of Summer - Bella Osborne

 

Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…

After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?

When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.   
 
As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R6Q4T66/

Universal Amazon link - http://mybook.to/ThePromiseOfSummer

KOBO - https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-promise-of-summer

My Review:

A fun, heart warming romance, full of character, spirit, and happy times.

Bella is brilliant at incorporating humour alongside touching moments of emotion, creating intricate stories with complicated relationships and special characters.

I love the characters in The Promise of Summer -Ruby has given up on finding love, she’s met man after man and they have all let her down. She knows what she does want and is intent on making it happen. She is bright, sassy and full of life, so meeting an awkward Curtis, who is intelligent an super successful in his chosen field, on a train to London sets things off on a very different path.

I really enjoyed how these characters complimented each other and how they brought out the best parts of each other. I loved how their friendship blossomed.

Bella’s writing drew me in and kept me thoroughly engrossed from start to end. It is everything you want from a feel good, romantic fiction. Perfect for all reading occasions, I highly recommend you grab yourself a copy and enjoy!

Author Bio:

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written seven best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links –

Twitter - https://twitter.com/osborne_bella

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

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bellaosborneauthor/

The Beginners Guide to Loneliness - Laura Bambrey

 Tori Williamson is alone. After a tragic event left her isolated from her loved ones, she’s been struggling to find her way back to, well – herself. That’s why she set up her blog, The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness, as a way of – anonymously – connecting with the outside world and reaching others who just need a little help sometimes.

When she’s offered a free spot on a wellbeing retreat in exchange for a review on her blog, Tori is anxious about opening herself up to new surroundings. But after her three closest friends – who she talks to online but has never actually met – convince her it’ll do her some good, she reluctantly agrees and heads off for three weeks in the wild (well, a farm in Wales).

From the moment she arrives, Tori is sceptical and quickly finds herself drawn to fellow sceptic Than, the retreat’s dark and mysterious latecomer. But as the beauty of The Farm slowly comes to light she realizes that opening herself up might not be the worst thing. And sharing a yurt with fellow retreater Bay definitely isn’t.  Will the retreat be able to fix Tori? Or will she finally learn that being lonely doesn’t mean she’s broken . . .

Welcome to The Beginner’s Guide to Loneliness! Where you can learn to move mountains by picking up the smallest of stones…

Purchase your copy - HERE

My Review: 

A brilliant debut from Laura Bambrey; I enjoyed ‘The Beginners Guide to Loneliness’ from start to finish. It’s emotional, fun-filled, dramatic and covers some very sensitive topics that will resonate with many readers. You get a real sense of how much love and passion has gone into creating these characters and their stories. It’s such an impressive debut -I will be looking forward to more.

Tori is our main character, and she is one I immediately empathised with. She has been through so much and the pain/hurt she feels means she isolates herself from others and is determined to keep people from getting close. She feels lonely and has cultivated an online persona for herself, one in which she has control, speaks freely but is anonymous. Her online friends have been her rock and guide her into making some big decisions. When an opportunity comes for Tori to visit The Farm; a retreat where she can take more time for herself and her issues; the warriors are all for it and convince her to go.

The Farm is brilliant, very “out there” for Tori and I couldn’t imagine myself in her position at all! I adored the cast of characters, you could tell who would be good and who would cause trouble. I am a huge fan of Rowen though – that girl is going to go far and she really comes through for all involved in the end.

The Farm seems like the perfect place for some respite and to discover a little more about yourself; maybe we should all have a visit! I

With themes that can be sensitive like grief, torment, guilt, fear and betrayal, great care has been taken by Laura to write this with compassion and with great balance with funny, laugh out loud moments.

Keep an eye out for Dennis, he may be the star.

I highly recommend this one – enjoy!