Finding Happiness at Heritage View - Helen Rolfe

 

Welcome back to Heritage Cove, the little village by the sea brimming with character, community and friendship. The perfect place to fall in love…

Running Heritage View Stables is everything Hazel ever dreamed of. She loves working with the horses and managing the business with her brother. But after a terrible incident, she’s not sure whether she'll ever be able to put things back the way they were.

Gus is ready to start over. He’s moved him and his ten-year-old daughter Abigail to Heritage Cove, where he’s opening his own vet practice. Everything is falling into place, especially as he watches Abigail start to come out of her shell for the first time since the accident.

Neither Hazel nor Gus is looking for love, but could they each be what the other needs? And is happiness even a possibility when their pasts won’t let them go?

Join new friends and old, as summer comes to Heritage Cove.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/37b81il

My Review:

I love the Heritage Cove series of books and ‘Finding Happiness At Heritage View’ (the fifth book in the series) is a smasher. I just couldn’t put it down I was enjoying it so much.

Not matter how long since the last visit to the Cove, it doesn’t take long to feel the sense of community as you read, catching up with characters you love and stories you have read. That being said, you could read this as a standalone, there is a enough backstory information included – but I do highly recommend the other books, they are simply brilliant.

Fantastic writing, great storylines and realistic, loveable characters – Helen Rolfe has genuinely created one of the nicest fictional communities. If only we could go and visit for real. I suppose I will have to be happy with our fictional jaunts with each book – please Helen don’t break our hearts and say there’s no more!

Hazel is a great character but she has her own demons, at first we don’t understand what they are, we slowly learn to understand the problem and hope that she can find the support and help she needs before it’s too late.

New vet, Gus, and his daughter Abigail are very welcome additions to the local community as is their horse. They have both been through so much and a fresh start may just help them move forward.

Hazel needs a boost to her confidence and recognises the in Abigail; the relationship they develop is very sweet and it benefits both as the book progresses.

Gus’ priority if his daughter and wanting to make life as easy for her as possible. He develops a friendship with Hazel but struggles to understand why she stops herself getting too close. There is definitely a spark between the two of them but can something become romantic if they are both needing to get over their own issues.

Absolutely adored the setting of the stables and getting to hear about the different horses. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new characters, catching up with old friends and spending more time in The Cove; I’m already looking forward to the next visit!

I cannot recommend this book enough, perfect for a hot summers day.

Thank you to Boldwood Books, Helen Rolfe and Rach’s Random Resources for the chance to read and review. 

Author Bio:

Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women’s fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. Most recently published by Orion, she is bringing sixteen titles to Boldwood – a mixture of new series and well-established backlist. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

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The Wisteria Tree Cottage - Holly Martin

 

Get swept away to the sparkling Welsh coast this summer, where the sea glitters in the sunshine and love is in the air. From the bestselling author of The Blossom Tree of Dreams, this is the perfect romantic treat to escape with this summer

Meadow has only ever loved one man – the very gorgeous Bear Brookfield. Ever since they were children she’s dreamed of marrying him under the green canopy of Wishing Wood. But when a teenage kiss that held such promise was followed by a series of misunderstandings, Meadow lost all hope of a future with Bear. Years later, Meadow and Bear remain best friends, despite Meadow marrying and divorcing Bear’s brother Heath. Yet she’s sure there’s no chance they’ll be anything more.

What Meadow doesn’t know is that Bear has only ever loved one woman too. He was heartbroken when Meadow married Heath, certain she chose his brother over him. But there’s more to Meadow and Heath’s marriage than anyone knows...

With both Meadow and Bear convinced they can only ever be friends they set one another a dating challenge – will they meet their perfect match online, as Bear thinks, or in person at a dating event, like Meadow believes? Or will they finally discover that their soul mate has been right there in front of them, secretly loving them, all along?

Once you’ve arrived in Wishing Wood you’ll never want to leave! Treat yourself to a summer of love with this feel-good, heartwarming and deliciously romantic tale. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jill Mansell and Sue Moorcroft

To purchase - click HERE

My Review:

I will always abandon my TBR mountain to read a Holly Martin book first. Never failing to provide us with fantastic characters, brilliant locations and storylines that warm the heart and soul. You may tell I am a big fan of hers, every ‘series’ seems to top the last in which will be my favourite (it’s genuinely hard to pick though!) and ‘The Wisteria Tree Cottage’ is firmly up there with the greats.

Bear and Meadow are characters we came to know and love in ‘ The Blossom Tree of Dreams.’  Although you can read this book as a standalone, I do recommend reading the first – just because it is a lovely story!

We already know these two characters have feelings for each other but for various reasons don’t feel they can act upon them so it was great to see how Holly would actually create their story and allow us to see if they’d get together.

I wasn’t expecting it to be smooth sailing, and it isn’t at all – cue misunderstandings, drama, online dates and connections. There are some very sweet moments, coupled with comedy – I couldn’t stop chuckling at some of the antics and thought Meadow was great for giving things a go.

It was nice to hear more from Meadows daughter Star, who is intent on catching the antics of the wildlife nearby, especially when a wolf may be on the prowl!

I loved catching up with this great group of characters, and I am really looking forward to the next visit. The setting couldn’t be more dreamy if Holly tried; I wish I could take a trip.

A perfect read, especially if you will be relaxing by the pool or on the beach. I cannot recommend this enough.

Thank you to Holly for the opportunity to read and review.  

One Last Secret - Adele Parks (HQ)

 

One Last Secret - Adele Parks
Published 7 July 2022 - HQ

Everyone has secrets, don’t they?
One last client A week at a beautiful chateau in the south of France—it should be a straightforward final job for Dora. She’s a smart, stunning and discreet escort, and Daniel has paid for her services before. This time, all she has to do is to convince the assembled guests that she is his girlfriend. Dora is used to playing roles and being whatever men want her to be. It’s all about putting on a front. One last chance It will be a last, luxurious look at how the other half lives before Dora turns her back on the escort world and all its dangers. She has found someone she loves and trusts. With him, she can escape the life she’s trapped in. But when Dora arrives at the chateau, it quickly becomes obvious that nothing is what it seems…One last secret Dora finds herself face-to-face with a man she has never forgotten, the one man who really knows her. And as old secrets surface, it becomes terrifyingly apparent that one last secret could cost Dora her life…

From the Sunday Times number one bestseller Adele Parks comes a blisteringly provocative novel about power, sex, money and revenge.

My Review:

There are certain expectations I’ve come to have with each new book by Adele Parks; that it will bring drama and tension; that things will not always be just as they seem and that I will not be able to put it down as I will be so engrossed in the story. One Last Secret did not fail to meet these expectations.

By the end of the first page I was hooked. This is a book where the tension builds as we go, we grow to know Dora, understanding her situation and what makes her tick. As we progress into the story there is suspense, drama, twists and turns that will keep you guessing – well mostly. You may figure some parts of this story out but you’ll still find yourself surprised along the way.

Primarily told from Dora’s viewpoint (with a few exceptions) we get to be drawn into her world, maybe changing initial opinions of what she does when we finally find out more about her life. By looking at her past we also get the depth of character we really need to fully support her.

Taking on one last ‘job’ leads Dora into the path of danger, and it’s only a matter of time before events take a dark and sinister turn. Parks writes this wonderfully, creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere, where Dora seems without options with time running out.

Engaging, dark and atmospheric, I think this is yet another hit from Adele Parks. I highly recommend One Last Secret. Thank you for HQ for the opportunity to read and review.

Available to purchase - HERE

Love You From A-Z - Linda Corbett

 

Experience has told Jenna Oakhurst that Happy Ever After may happen in all the best stories, but Happy For Now is the best one ought to expect in real life. Yet lately even that isn’t quite enough, so when a strange set of circumstances leads her to discover a mysterious letter in an abandoned storage unit, she takes the chance to embark on a journey into the unknown…just like the heroines from the storybooks.

Reaching out to the letter’s author, Henry Somners, changes Jenna’s world irrevocably and she starts to realise that the magic she believed in as a child might not be such a fanciful notion after all…

Purchase Link -mybook.to/LoveYouFromAToZ

My Review:

Love You from A-Z is a cosy read that is a hug in book form. I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised, it had loveable (and not so loveable) characters of human and furry variety – Jenna is our leading lady and is very organised and safe; she doesn’t want a life of risk but her partner seems to be the complete opposite and gets himself (and her) into risky, silly situations that she has absolutely nothing to do with but will always have to deal with the consequences. With each disaster or risk Jenna starts to realise they aren’t on the same page after all.

Soon Jenna finds herself in a whole different situation as well as living arrangement, but the positive in this is that she gets to meet Henry. He is confident, adventurous (in a good way) and could provide a more stable future but she really doesn’t know if he is just for fun right now or if it could work out in the long term.

Henry provides romance, safety and allows her to support her sister who’s guinea pig rescue is at risk. He learns the adjustments Jenna needs and brings her such happy times; it all seems too good to be true.

Jenna and her sister soon learn that appearances can be deceptive, but is there more to it than they think?

It is really refreshing to read a story with a main character with a disability, who needs an element of organisation and pre-planning in their lives yet still would like to experience things able bodied people do. Jenna is a good character and she wants it all, safety, security, romance and even adventure – she doesn’t want her disability to define her. The stories focus isn’t on her disability but is cleverly woven into it.

A lovely read with interesting characters and funny moments that will make you see guinea pigs in a new light.

Author Bio:

Linda Corbett lives in Surrey with her husband Andrew and three permanently hungry guinea pigs. As well as being an author, Linda is treasurer for Shine Surrey – a volunteer-led charity that supports individuals and families living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. For many years she also wrote a regular column for Link, a disability magazine, illustrating the humorous aspects of life with a complex disability and she is a passionate advocate of disability representation in fiction. When not writing, Linda can be found papercrafting, cross stitching, or cuddling guinea pigs. Love You From A-Z is her first published novel.

Social Media Links –

Twitter:                https://twitter.com/lcorbettauthor

Instagram:          @lindacorbettauthor

www.facebook.com/lindacorbettauthor

A Leap of Faith for the Cornish Midwife - Jo Bartlett

 

Midwife Izzy is devastated to learn that her beloved grandmother is dying. Abandoned as a baby by her own mother, her grandparents have been the only family Izzy has ever known and she wants to spend every last precious moment with them.

New locum vicar, Noah, is a wonderful support – kind, considerate and always there for Izzy whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. But secretly Noah is battling his own doubts about his faith – how can he offer Izzy comfort if he doesn’t truly believe his own words?

When Izzy and Noah are brought together to support grieving parents, Noah reaches breaking point. He can't stay in Port Agnes and live a lie. But Izzy is adamant it’s the only place she can be….

Will love find a way or will Izzy's hopes of a future be dashed?

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

My Review:

An emotional return to Port Agnes and our favourite group of midwives. I thoroughly enjoy returning to this series with each new book giving us more about one of the lovely midwives we have already come to know. Whilst it’s great to catch up with the previous characters storylines, each can be read as a standalone – if you haven’t read any of this series don’t worry, this book in particular is quite a step away from what we have come to know and love (but in a brilliant way of course!)

Its an emotional, poignant read that will strike a chord with even the coldest heart. Whilst we still look at the lives of soon to be parents, and new born babies, Izzy’s story also lets us take a look at the sad, but realistic aspect of those getting to the end of their life too. Izzy has known her Nonna’s terminal illness has but a limit to the time she has left but everyone is determined they make the most of the time they have left. This leads to wonderful, life affirming, memorable moments but of course, it comes with sadness and heartbreak too.

In finding some final days of happiness, Izzy’s Gran turns to Noah, Port Agnes’ temporary Vicar, and the church gardens. Noah himself is having a crisis of faith, wanting to do good but not confident he has found the best way to do this. His chemistry with Izzy is instant but both struggle with their own personal battles and this could be the barrier neither can get over.

I really enjoyed A leap of Faith for the Cornish Midwife; emotive and engaging but containing both heart break and heart-warming moments. As always the supporting cast of characters brought their own moments of entertainment and I am already looking forward to the next book.

A great summer read, I recommend everyone take a read of this book but also the others in this series.

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. Her first title for Boldwood is The Cornish Midwife – part of a twelve-book deal.

Social Media Links –  

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Chasing Dreams at Hedgehog Hollow - Jessica Redland

 

Samantha has a secret. Returning home from her dream honeymoon to the normality of running her beloved Hedgehog Hollow rescue centre, she's ready for the next chapter of her life with Josh. Or is she? Samantha is hiding something which could forever change the dreams they shared and bring their happy ever after crashing to the ground.

Lauren has given up on love. Twenty-six years ago the love of her life, Shaun, left her a note and was never seen again. Two painful divorces later she still can't face opening up to anyone. But little does Lauren know that the closure she's dreamt of for all these years may be closer than she thinks, and perhaps the only way to let new love in is to forgive and forget.

Samantha and Lauren will need the love and support from the Hedgehog Hollow family more than ever. After all, some dreams are worth chasing...

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/36XRT2Y

My Review:

As a big fan of Jessica Redland generally but also of this series, it’s great to be back with all our friends (human and animal) at Hedgehog Hollow. Another great instalment of the series and it’s sadly the penultimate one – I don’t want this series to end! All good things though and Jessica had ensured there is plenty of storylines to see us through and tie things up for all involved.

Although you could read this as a standalone book, I cannot recommend starting the whole series as well as you really get to know and understand all the characters, living through their ups and downs, celebrations and commiserations.

For this visit we get to hear more of Lauren’s story and I have to say it is definitely not what I expected. We get some answers, make some life changing discoveries and really get to understand Lauren a lot more. There are some twists and turns (as always) but plenty of lovely surprises as well throughout this book. We do catch up with Samantha but, for me, it is a refreshing change to focus on someone else as well. They are a fantastic cast of characters and support each other in many different ways.

Jessica has such a way of drawing you into the lives of her characters, I feel like they are a bunch of my friends who I get to visit and catch up with. It’s just as if we could jump in the car to visit the hedgehogs!

As sad as it will be I cannot wait to see everyone for the last book in the series. I highly recommend this book, treat yourself and surround yourself with great characters, interesting storylines and cute hedgehog fun.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

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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The Little Bookshop by the Sea - Eliza J. Scott

 

Welcome to the Happy Hartes Bookshop in Micklewick Bay on the beautiful North Yorkshire Coast!

The Happy Hartes Bookshop has been a part of bookworm Florrie Appleton’s life as far back as she can remember. From the evocative smell of the books, to working alongside her beloved Mr H and his black Labrador, Gerty, there’s no wonder she calls it her happy place.

Living in a town she loves, with her family and group of close-knit friends nearby, life is sweet. Until one dreadful Monday morning, when everything is turned upside down and things are changed forever.

Devastated, Florrie finds herself thrown into an unexpected situation with handsome stranger, Ed Harte, owner of a pair of twinkly navy-blue eyes and a smile that has the knack of making mischief with her insides.

Despite being fresh out of a relationship, Florrie quickly finds herself falling for him, but she’s torn, reluctant to give her heart to someone who seems intent on not sticking around.

While her heart’s doing battle with her head, Florrie soon finds herself privy to a secret with Ed involving a heart-wrenching twist they could never have imagined.

Will love find a way to bring them together, or are they destined to go their separate ways?

Purchase Links

UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YMMBQCY

US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YMMBQCY

My Review:

Oh my heart! Thank you Eliza for this lovely story.. I was engrossed from start to finish and I’m so happy we get more in a series – so many fab characters I already can’t wait to see more of.

I am a huge fan of all of this authors books, the settings are always so idyllic and make me want to move and make friends with all the brilliant characters we meet. Happy Hartes Bookshop in Micklewick Bay on the North Yorkshire Coast is now top of my list for fictional places to live (and what I wouldn’t give to work in the bookshop!)

When Florrie’s world is tipped upside down before she is able to help Mr H reconnect with his long lost Grandson, a chance encounter leads to surprising news and exciting prospects. Florrie is desperate to honour Mr H and ensure the bookshop stays put. An unexpected revelation leads to Florrie having to believe in herself a little more and also put trust in someone who is still a virtual stranger. Can she put her trust in Ed?

I love Florrie, how she cares for those in her life and she is completely happy with the life she’s leading and the home she’s created. Her passion and devotion to the book shop is evident from the off. The spark between her and Ed is clear from the start and of course we want the romance, but as always obstacles can put a stop to any potential love interests.

Well written with funny, light hearted moments as well as emotional, heart felt ones. I love Florrie’s group of friends she hangs out with – Jasmine, Stella, Maggie and Lark, they have her back and support her with everything.

I will recommend this one wholeheartedly, it’s a fantastic read and a great start to a series!

 Author Bio:

Eliza lives in the North Yorkshire countryside with her family. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her kindle or working in her garden, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. Her books will always have a happy ending.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: @elizajscott

Facebook: @elizajscottauthor