Tag Archives: romance

Secrets of the Italian Guesthouse by Sue Moorcroft #romance #bookreview

Posted on by
Reply

This is a great start to a new trilogy, The Italian Legacy, by one of my favourite authors. Like her previous series, The Skye Sisters trilogy, this also follows the lives of three very different sisters, who don’t even know each other exist. Each book will follow a different sister’s viewpoint and I’m so glad we got to start with Jade in Italy. It’s a brilliant premise and the hotel is the perfect backdrop for their stories to unfold.

Jade is the sister with the most to lose, but everything to gain if she can accept her grandmother’s dying wish. I felt sorry for Jade who’d grown up at the hotel and loved running it, but was now expected to share it with sisters she doesn’t know.

The male lead Leo was swoonworthy and their past together made this the perfect second chance romance.

There are several story threads running through this book, each intriguing and had me hooked. Some will no doubt unravel as the series progresses. I loved the romance re-sparking between the couple and the three sisters have a great dynamic.

I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy, which I am very late posting.

Here’s the official blurb

Two sisters she’s never met
A first love who’s impossible to forget…

For Jade, life in Lake Como is la dolce vita. Until her beloved grandmother passes, leaving Jade not just the family’s bustling guesthouse to run, but two life-changing secrets to confront…

The pensione hasn’t just been left to Jade, it’s also been inherited by her sisters – who she had no idea existed. As Erin and Rosalie arrive in Italy, Jade is forced to face the heart-wrenching prospect of sharing her last remaining tie to the woman who raised her.

Jade is desperately trying to hold on to the past, but there’s one person she would prefer to leave firmly behind: her first love, Leo. He’s back in the city that is filled with the memories they once made together. But as Jade fights to take control of her future and her heart, why do all cobbled roads lead back to Leo?

Lose yourself in the first, utterly romantic novel in a brand-new trilogy, filled with new beginnings and second chances. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Milly Johnson.

The Little Greek Guesthouse by Lizzie Lee #romance #bookreview

Posted on by
Reply

I haven’t read any of Lizzie Lee’s books before so I was really pleased to win a paperback from the publisher in an Instagram competition. It arrived promptly and I couldn’t wait to read it. The cover is pretty and the blurb intriguing and I was hooked from the first few pages with the mess Nina’s life suddenly spirals into.

Nina’s a great lead and her relationship with her father Theo shines through. I also really love her friend, Heather, the schoolteacher who has a delightful way of avoiding swear words.

Kefalonia came alive and all the people in the little town were wonderful to spend time with.
I quickly became invested in the house renovation and wanted Nina’s dream to become a reality against all the odds thrown at her, including her dad’s stubbornness.
I loved the conservation aspect of this book and the geeky, turned hot enemy to lover dynamic with George. Vassilis, the builder, is another story!

Overall, it was a great read and I’m looking forward to discovering more of Lizzie Lee’s books.

Here’s the blurb

Sun, sea and second chances are on the cards this summer…

At thirty-three, Nina Pappas never imagined she would be back in her childhood bedroom, but having lost her job, her flat and her boyfriend (to her best friend, no less!) in one disastrous day, that’s exactly where she finds herself.

So when her dad, Theo, suggests she join him for the summer in Kefalonia, Nina is more than ready to trade heartbreak for healing – and the concrete jungle for the shimmering Ionian sea. A few sun-soaked weeks under the Greek sky, filled with balmy, thyme-scented evenings and lashings of sumptuous home-cooked food, might just be the reset she needs. And she might even enjoy renovating the house Theo’s inherited if it involves working with the irresistible and brooding local builder…

But island life isn’t all sea views, sunsets and souvlaki. As Nina finds herself clashing with the determined (yet undeniably handsome!) conservationist, hellbent on derailing Theo’s plans, she discovers that starting over is rarely straightforward – and that following your passion is one of the bravest things you can do. That, and recognising real love when it crosses your path…

Escape to Greece this summer in Lizzie Lee’s brand-new uplifting and feel-good read about taking a chance on life and love. Perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Sue Roberts and Jo Thomas.

Final thoughts – it’s well worth a read!

#Bookreview Summer at the French Bakery Jo Thomas #ARC #NetGalley

Posted on by
Reply

Thanks to the publisher for my ARC of Summer at the French Bakery.

Blurb

A new adventure is on the menu . . .

Juliet has learnt that life is too short not to chase your dreams. But when she buys an old watermill in France, her tranquil new start is quickly kneaded into something far more ambitious when the local mayor offers her a deal she can’t reopen the village’s derelict boulangerie.

With a formidable rival – the owner of the local bread vending machine – determined to crush her, Juliet faces disgruntled villagers, her own lack of baking skills, and hidden secrets within the mill itself.

But with help from her outspoken neighbour and the charming Tabac owner, Juliet battles to bring back the aroma of freshly baked bread – and with it, the heart of the community.

Can she prove that even the biggest dreams start with just a little pinch of courage?

Mini review

I really loved Juliet’s story. She took a chance walking out on a marriage of 25 years and following her dreams to France.
The water mill she bought and the lovely little village in France where she moved to are both places that came alive and made me want to visit.
Anyone who loves bread will be enchanted with this tale, while I had a real soft spot for a certain Tabac owner who supported Juliet as much as she needed and made a very fitting male lead.
It was a beautiful story of second chances, and there were some emotional moments too. It’s a story I would like to revisit one day.

Suzanne Rogerson’s review of Summer at the French Bakery | Goodreads

Book review Swept Away by Beth O’Leary #romance #tuesdaybookblog

Posted on by
3

I was lucky enough to have Beth O’Leary come to a town near me and take part in a talk and Q&A about her recent book – Swept Away. It was an enjoyable evening, made all the better because I loved the story.

Thanks to Staines Library and Waterstones book shop in Staines for running this event.

I really enjoy seeing authors talking about their books, especially as an author myself. It’s eye-opening to see how their process differs from mine and I enjoy getting an insight into the publishing process from their experiences.

Blurb for Swept Away

Lexi is looking for no-strings-attached fun.

Zeke is looking for love.

Neither of them were looking for a one-night stand to become their one and only lifeline.

But when they wake up after an unforgettable night together, the houseboat they stayed on has been swept out to sea. There’s no signal, no steering and no sign of rescue.

And as the waves pick up and supplies run low, Zeke and Lexi realise there’s much more on the line than their new relationship.

***

I love this cover. It’s colourful and perfect for the story.

My Review

The main characters Lexi and Zeke are loveable but with flaws and scars from the past they are both struggling to deal with. They meet for a one-night stand before things take the most unexpected turn. I started reading this without even reading the blurb so, I was as shocked as they were when they looked outside and found themselves floating out at sea.

I was able to get in both of their heads as the story is written in first person from both Lexi and Zeke’s viewpoint. They share alternate chapters, so it’s never confusing who’s head you’re in and I found it an immersive and page-turning experience. It was also nice to have an older woman / younger man dynamic to the relationship.

I don’t want to give too much away but I will say that although it may sound like it could be a very static storyline as two characters are trapped on a boat out at sea, there was no boring moments. In fact, there were plenty of life and death moments to keep you reading. It’s very much a love story at heart, and there were secrets to be revealed and past hurts to face up to and to heal from.

I loved the twist, which broke my heart at first, but the end couldn’t have been more perfect.

I hope my vague review has intrigued you enough to check out this book. I’m so happy I read Swept Away and highly recommend it.

***

Thanks for reading.

You can find all my social links on linktree

Book Review Christmas at the Cat Cafe by Jessica Redland #romance

Posted on by
Reply

Well, this book just wowed me. I have to say it was probably one of the best books I read in 2025, though technically I finished it at the beginning of 2006.

Blurb

It’s the most wonderful time of the year on Castle Street, and there’s a paw-some new business opening….

It had always been Tabby’s dream to work with cats and an inheritance from her beloved nanna has finally made that a reality. Idyllic Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay couldn’t be a better place for pastry chef Tabby to open a cat café with her boyfriend, Leon.

But when Leon leaves her in the lurch, the pressure mounts for Tabby. With Christmas fast approaching, she has to open the café on her own – a daunting prospect, especially when she’s been hiding her health issues from the ones she loves.

Faced with local resistance to the café – and somebody seemingly determined that she won’t succeed – Tabby will need her friends, family and cats more than ever to recover her broken Christmas spirit and pull together for a Christmas miracle.

Will the cat café bring the festive joy to Castle Street as Tabby had hoped or will it be a cat-astrophe? And can the magic of Christmas on Castle Street mend Tabby’s broken heart as well as her business?

My Mini Review

I loved every moment spent with Tabby and her trials with both her health, heartache and opening a very special cat cafe. The slow burn romance, friends to lovers trope and lots of furry friends made for the purrfect festive reading!

I really enjoyed the friendship and chemistry between Tabby and Tom, and loved their cute nicknames for each other; Tabby-cat and Tom-cat. The cats were all stars of the story as well.

Learning about Tabby’s chronic heath condition was interesting and felt completely believable and integral to the storyline. At no point did I find it too much, it made the story more interesting and made the relationship between Tom and Tabby even more special. I loved their connection. I shed tears quite a few times reading this book, Jessica is a master at getting to you feel the character’s emotions.

It really was a top read for me and I highly recommend it.

Check it out on Amazon.

Book Review A Mistletoe Miracle Emma Jackson #romance #romcom

Posted on by
Reply

I know it’s not Christmas time anymore, but I still enjoyed reading this festive story. Well, actually I loved this book and it led to some late nights staying up reading.

Blurb

A Mistletoe Miracle is the cosy festive romance from best-selling author, Emma Jackson, guaranteed to have readers feeling the joy amidst the chaos of Christmas, and the heady rush of falling in love.

Heartwarming and hilarious, get ready for a generous sprinkling of snowflakes, mayhem and kisses…

Nestled in the sleepy, snow-covered village of Holinton, the Everdene Hotel should be the ideal setting for a perfect Christmas… But for Beth, returning to her childhood home looking for a chance to heal in peace after a disastrous break-up, it’s more of a fiasco than a festive fantasy.

With her mum stranded in a blizzard and most of the hotel staff off sick, Beth is forced to take the reins, impress a mystery hotel reviewer, and figure out if her attraction to Nick, the very grumpy – and very gorgeous – pilot who is staying for the holidays, is the real deal or a rebound headed for disaster.

Between mince pie emergencies, deadly decorations, and two dozen disgruntled guests, Beth needs to find a miracle under the mistletoe if she’s going to survive this Christmas…

Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Heidi Swain and Tarah DeWitt.

Mini Review

I loved the story of Beth and Nick, from the way they literally bumped into each other, right up to their last moment on the page together.

Beth has to cope with running the hotel when her mother is stranded miles away because of the snow. She does an amazing job of juggling a dozen tasks at once and still somehow manages to find the time to fall for one of her grumpy guests.

The festive feel to the story lifts your spirits any time of year. And as the blurb states so perfectly, there are plenty of mishaps to keep everyone, especially Beth, on their toes.


I’m pleased to find out there will be a sequel following two of the other guests, though I shall miss the Everdene Hotel and all of Beth’s antics.

This is my first read by Emma Jackson and it won’t be my last!

5 star read!

Check it on Amazon here.

New Year Plans 2026 #indieauthor

Posted on by
Reply

We’re already over halfway through January, so I’m a bit late with my New Year plans. I don’t like to waste an opportunity, so I’ve made myself a brief list of tasks that will help me reach the big goal – publishing The Mermaid Hotel Series in 2026. I have a rough publishing schedule in my head, though I’m not ready to announce it yet. Instead, I’m focusing on the steps I need to follow to reach my goals.

Book 1 – Get a cover, proofread, start the publishing journey including blog tours, ARC copies etc.

Book 2 – Get feedback from my critique partner, edit, get cover, send to my editor, edit, proof read, prepare to publish.

Book 3 – Read and edit prior to sending to a professional reader within the New Writers Scheme as part of my Romantic Novelist Association membership. Then the usual, edit, critique route as per book 2.

Book 4 – Send monthly installments to my writing group, edit and get a critique / edit etc.

Book 5 and beyond – Plan the books and prepare to write them as soon as possible.

Winter Warmers series – Write 8 to 10 cosy Christmas stories and publish in October / November.

Back catalogue – I want to go through all my published books and update the content, ensuring they all have links to my other books, social media etc.

Author profile – I need to improve my author presence on social media, work on my website and restart my newsletter. I’ve looked at Substack and want to figure out how it works before I start posting there.

I plan to attend some in person events this year, including ALLi Indie Author Lab in March and the Romantic Novelist Association bi-annual conference in July. I’m signing up to plenty of online webinars as well, trying to increase my knowledge of current indie publishing trends and marketing opportunities.

I’m hoping to have more time this year to dedicate to all things writing. I need it if I’m going to achieve this huge list. As much as I just want to write stories, I know I need to get a business head on and think about reaching readers. I hope to share more of this journey here.

Any tips will be greatly appreciated!

Have you set any resolutions or goals for 2026, realistic or otherwise?

Book review A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas #romance #netgalley

Posted on by
Reply

My Review

I loved this book, just as I have loved every one of Jo Thomas’ books.
It was a beautiful story of second chances at love, and at times it was very emotional.
I loved Thea and her children, and of course, Giovanni, who comes to their rescue as soon as they arrive in town. There are some real characters, and great backstory to unravel both amongst the townspeople and for Thea and her young family. Plus, it has a renovation theme, which I always love. Everything about this book had me hooked. I’d love another story set in the same town in Tuscany.
In fact, writing this review makes me want to read the book all over again!

It’s never too late to find where you belong…

Thea knew the holiday house her late husband Marco bought in Tuscany wasn’t pristine. But when she relocates to Italy for the summer with her children, she’s shocked by how much work Casa Luna needs. And she only has six weeks to fix it up ready to sell! Her only option is to ask the tight-knit Italian community for help.

In return, Thea and her children become involved in the community kitchen, working alongside handsome chef Giovanni and three very competitive nonnas. Gradually, Thea begins to open up to the people around her for the first time in a long while. But just as she’s beginning to wonder whether this small Tuscan town could become a new place to call home, a surprise visitor turns everything on its head . . .

Check it out on the Amazon book page.

Book Review Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft #Netgalley #romance

Posted on by
Reply

My Review

This is the third book in the Skye sisters trilogy. I’ve enjoyed every one of the Skye sisters’ books equally, and I don’t think I can pick a favourite.
What I have loved is being able to follow each sister and still keep in touch with their siblings. Valentina’s story is just as engrossing as her siblings, and in some ways more emotional as she has a young son and broken marriage to juggle whilst falling in love. Xander has his own issues, but he is the perfect match for Valentina – if only life, family and location issues didn’t get in the way for both of them. This was a lovely end to the trilogy, and I highly recommend the series – just as I recommend every one of Sue Moorcroft’s books.

One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…

Valentina Taylor’s life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.

But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…

Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.

Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?

Here’s and link to the Amazon book page

Book Review A Little Cottage by the Cornish Sea by Nancy Barone #netgalley #romance

Posted on by
Reply

My Review

Wow, the start of this book throws you straight in the deep end, and it doesn’t stop as Kate’s life is thrown upside down. I couldn’t stop reading, hoping desperately that Kate would get her happy ever after. The storyline keeps you guessing as she tries to settle into a new community without giving away her past. I loved how everyone came to help her – the sense of community in Starry Cove is strong and I loved the mystery around Piers her love interest. It was a story I would read again and recommend to any romance reader.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC copy.


Life doesn’t always go to plan . . .

After a messy breakup and a nightmare boss, Kate swaps the chaos of London for the calm of Starry Cove-the charming seaside village she loved as a child. She arrives hoping for peace and a fresh start. But life has other plans: Kate soon discovers she’s going to be a mother.

As she navigates small-town life (and morning sickness), Kate finds friendship in the ‘coastal girls’-a warm, welcoming group who help her land a job with Piers, the reclusive owner of the local manor. He’s guarded, grumpy and impossible to read… but there’s more to him than meets the eye.

As feelings grow and secrets slowly come to light, Kate must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again-and whether Starry Cove could be the home she’s been searching for all along.

Check out the Amazon book page