When sisters Addie and Susanna receive invitations to a memorial for their Aunt Gayle, they’re heartbroken to learn the woman who raised them has passed away. But arriving on Anchor Island, they’re met with the shock of their lives: Gayle is alive and well, busily preparing her own ‘Celebration of Life’ at her beloved pudding bar, The Sweet Life Café.

Agreeing to stay for the event, the sisters begin sorting through their late father’s belongings, reopening wounds they thought long buried, and forcing them to reflect on their lives since leaving the island. Addie is struggling as a single mother, torn between love for her son and doubts about the life she can give him. Susanna’s marriage is crumbling, and being back on the island only reminds her why she couldn’t wait to escape.

But as Gayle prepares gooey brownies, steaming lattes and delicious cakes for her customers, and for her big event, she is hiding secrets of her own – including one that could change everything the sisters thought they knew about their family…

My Thoughts:

Aunt Gayle has a big secret and her nieces are invited to her memorial but one of the secrets is she is not dead. But the girls don’t know this and get a huge shock, but there is a reason Aunt Gayle wants them to all be together and it is a secret Aunt Gayle has kept. The sisters both have their own issues in their own lives and Aunt Gayle knows it’s best to share and share alike, but how will the sisters react when she tells them the truth. I found the story a long one and quite slow, I predicted what the secret was fairly early on and felt as though I was plodding through the book. The characters were ok but there was nothing special about this read especially set around a café.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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She married her high school sweetheart, stayed in her hometown and lives right next door to her mum Lisa and younger sister Sorrel. But with a new job on the horizon and her family no longer living a stone’s throw away, she’s going to have to get used to her comfortable life shifting into something new.

Jess finds the idea of being a part of the White House – the village’s new and stylish restaurant – incredibly daunting, but she knows she is more than capable. And with her role at the care home uncertain, this would give her the chance to finally pursue her passion for cooking.

But as her professional life soars, her romantic life is thrown into turmoil. Having welcomed back into her life her no-good ex, she’s quickly questioning her decision – especially as new faces in Beddingfield begin to catch her eye.

As the familiar rhythms of life shift and long-held routines are upended, she starts to see that sometimes change is no bad thing at all. And someone who encourages her to take a risk – even if it’s the last person she ever expected – might be just the thing she needed.

My Thoughts:

This story is about Jess and when she moves away from family and friends to go out in the big wide world alone will she be able to cope? a new job but a new and good challenge for her and it is something that she has wanted for a long time. Just as she is settling in to her life a blast from the past turns up and tries to shake things up for Jess, can she remain strong for herself or will she revert back to her old ways. It is all about taking that leap of faith and going with it. It was an easy story to read, this is book three but I read it as a standalone but I would suggest reading the other books first as with the other characters I felt I was missing out as I did not know them very well. It was a well written story but it was to me predictable.

I received an ARC copy of the book for an honest review.

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January 1945. As Auschwitz falls, Rachael Kisch joins the death march toward Dachau, freezing, starving, and clinging to one desperate hope: to find her brother Hannes. When she is forced to work in a Nazi print shop forging false identities for escaping officers, she risks her life again to sabotage their plans and save others.

Liberation brings new struggles. The war may be over, but returning home to the Netherlands means facing famine, loss, and a nation that has forgotten its Jews. Yet through grief and resilience, Rachael refuses to surrender her will to live or her determination to remember.

My Thoughts:

This is book 3 in the Rachael Kisch Trilogy and can be read as a standalone like I have but if you want more of Rachael’s story then I suggest reading the first two books first. It is set in 1945, it is all about the Death March where the Jews did not know where they were being led and what would happen to them. In such awful conditions it makes you appreciate what you have. I did feel very sad for them all and it was also sad to read the statistics that are covered at the end of this very powerful read. You just cannot ever imagine what these poor people went through. It is such an emotional and heavy read that I had to read it in chunks. It was a lot to take in. It follows Rachael and we see where her journey goes and I was really hoping as she is such a strong woman that she would survive. A good story with a powerful ending.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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In the crisp mountain air of central Oregon, a teenage girl’s search for discarded cans leads to a horrifying discovery: a body, brutally murdered and abandoned in the woods. The case falls to Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall, who finds herself navigating a community steeped in secrets, suspicion, and distrust of outsiders—especially law enforcement.

Miles away, FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes investigates a different kind of darkness—chatter about a violent uprising from a shadowy militia group preparing for war. The two cases seem worlds apart. But as Noelle digs into the murdered man’s past and Max closes in on the source of the terror plot, their paths begin to converge in a terrifying way. This was no random killing. It was a message. A merciless killer and a hidden army are operating in the same shadows, and finding the link between them is the only thing standing between a single murder and a full-blown massacre.

My Thoughts:

This is book two of four in the Noelle Marshall Series, this is the first book I have read in this series and can be read as a standalone but I would suggest reading book one first as I feel as though I missed out on quite a bit. Detective Noelle Marshall is on the case where a girl’s body is found, as she looks to the community surrounding the death she finds their is more than meets the eye with suspicious characters and secrets, she has to piece together what really happened to this poor girl. Then there is another story that intertwines with this case where FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes is investigating a completely different kind of case but how can they be linked? it was a fast paced thriller that leaves you on the edge of your seat. I wanted to read quickly to find out what would happen but at the same time I wanted to saviour how good the story was. Absolutely brilliant thriller that I cannot wait to continue with this series.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Ten years ago, in the depths of the Finnish winter, Detective Elea Baker’s daughter was taken—and never found.

Now, in the quiet streets of Lincoln, girls are disappearing again. When one is found on the cathedral steps, clutching a chilling clue linked to the decade-old abduction, there’s only one person who can solve the case: Elea.

Dragged back into her nightmare, she’s determined to bring her daughter home this time—no matter the cost.

But is she chasing a ghost, or on the verge of uncovering a truth that will shatter everything?

My Thoughts:

This is book One of A Detective Elea Baker Novel. Many years ago Detective Elea Baker’s world turned upside down when something horrendous happened. Elea has never forgotten and when it starts rearing it’s ugly head again Elea wonders if this is a chance to find out what really happened to her daughter. She wants justice and that is what she is going to get. I love reading a new detective Series and this one did not disappoint, when the detective is involved but it is more close to home for them it makes it more personal and I was hopeful she would get more answers as to what happened a long time ago, I was really rooting for her. The story was gripping and held my attention all the way through, I was on tenterhooks wondering where the story was going to lead. I thought it was brilliant.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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When she unexpectedly loses her husband, Yvonne Kellerman’s world turns quiet and grey. Five years on, her days are filled with the gentle chatter of her loyal parrot, Trevor, and the comfort of her crafting table—but she can’t shake the feeling that life is slipping her by and Yvonne feels lost and lonelier than ever.

When she joins the local crafting club at Willowdale Village Hall, Yvonne expects nothing more than a few afternoons of sewing. Instead, amongst the other local crafters, she discovers friendship, laughter and a renewed appreciation for her gorgeous Lake District home. It’s a reminder that she isn’t alone and, with each new stitch, her confidence returns, and so does her belief that it’s never too late for fresh starts and new beginnings.

When a familiar face from her past reappears, Yvonne finds herself standing at a crossroads: will she protect her heart, or embrace the chance to love—and truly live—again?

My Thoughts:

Yvonne’s world is turned upside down when her husband of so many years passes away, she loves her crafting and spends time doing crafts but feels very lonely by herself. She decides enough is enough and sees that the local Village Hall has a crafting club so decides to bite the bullet and join. Apprehensive and nervous, she realises that these women don’t bite and most of them are in the same situation as her. Yvonne starts to open up more and starts doing a bit more for herself and realises she is loving her new life and her new friends. I loved meeting all the other crafters and hearing some of their stories. Even though it was a sad story to begin with, it was lovely to see how much joy it brought to Yvonne and to see her doing much better. It was a cosy read full of warmth and hope. I really enjoyed it.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Can a cake change your life?

Clemmie Rose’s great-great-grandmother’s beloved clementine torte is her ticket to the prestigious Royal Baking Competition. A win could put Puffin Island’s charming Café on the Coast on the map, land Clemmie her very own cookbook deal, and secure her a coveted invitation to a royal garden party.

But when she discovers the competition is being hosted aboard the Royal Yacht by none other than her ex, Oliver Lockwood, the stakes – and the soufflés –suddenly rise, and Clemmie’s bid for the Golden Whisk trophy is at risk of collapsing like an underbaked sponge.

When a decades-old secret is thrown into the mix, she’ll need more than the perfect recipe to keep her dreams from crumbling.

My Thoughts:

This is book four in the Puffin Island Series but can be read as a standalone like I have done, though I will be reading the previous books as I just loved this one. When Clemmie gets picked to bake for a baking competition she cannot wait, everyone loves her cakes and she feels as though this could be the making of her. Though there is stiff competition and Clemmie does have a few wobbles especially when she finds out one of the judges is a former lover. When things start going wrong Clemmie has to decide what she really wants. It was a great and fun story to read, I liked Clemmie instantly and loved reading about the cakes she made, it was quite comforting to read on a cold day. It felt a very satisfying read to escape with. I will be going back and reading the previous books and I cannot wait to read the last book in the series when it comes out.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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At forty-six, Sophie Bianco’s life is half baked―trapped in a controlling marriage and estranged from her critical mother. Her only solace? The Invisible Baker, her secret business helping overwhelmed moms create Pinterest-worthy moments.

When her mother’s death coincides with the last straw in her marriage, Sophie grabs her chance. Armed with divorce papers and her savings, she reclaims her childhood home. But freedom comes with complications: hoarder-level chaos, plumbing disasters, and an ex-husband plotting revenge. When her daughter announces an engagement that echoes Sophie’s own mistakes, the past threatens to repeat itself.

Desperate for income, Sophie takes a position as a pastry chef, finding unexpected sweetness in both the work and the charming restaurant owner. But as family drama and professional opportunities collide, Sophie must finally answer the question she’s been avoiding: Who is she when she’s no longer invisible?

My Thoughts:
There is nothing going right in Sophie’s life at the moment apart from her secret business that no one knows about. Then a death in the family brings Sophie back to reality and makes her realise she needs to do something about her life. A big change is coming for her and Sophie finds herself as a pastry chef, is this the way forward for Sophie? can she finally find her happiness? It was such a brilliant read to get lost in. You feel for Sophie with everything she has to go through but I like how Julie the author has written relatable issues that the reader may be able to connect with. I did not want to put this book down, I had high hopes that Sophie would find happiness, and it came in an unexpected way. It is about pushing your self to the limits and getting a second chance. I really enjoyed it.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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When Olivia Kaspen spots her ex-boyfriend in a Miami record shop, she ignores good sense and approaches him. It’s been three years since their breakup, but when Caleb reveals he’s suffering from amnesia after a recent car accident, first she feels regret – and then opportunity. If he doesn’t remember her, then he also doesn’t remember her manipulation, her deceit, or the horrible way she broke his heart. Seeing a chance to reunite with Caleb, she keeps their past, and the details around the implosion of their relationship, a secret.

Wrestling to keep her true identity and their sordid history under wraps, Olivia’s greatest obstacle is Caleb’s wicked new girlfriend, Leah, who’s equally determined to possess the man who no longer remembers her. But soon Olivia must face the consequences of her lies, and in the process discover that sometimes love falls short of redemption.

My Thoughts:

When you see your ex boyfriend who you haven’t seen for a while in a shop do you go and say hi or do you give him a wide berth? Olivia doesn’t do either she has her own plan up her sleeve until she finds out something that has happened to her ex and uses that to her advantage but is the cat playing the mouse or the other way round. I liked how the story spiralled and kept me hooked the whole time reading it. I flew through it and cannot wait to read more by Tarryn. One to watch out for as this was so good.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Set in the fictional Sussex village of Blossom Heath, and featuring characters you will know and love from Julie Haworth’s RNA Katie Fforde Debut of the Year Always By Your Side and follow up New Beginnings at The Cosy Cat Café, Bea’s Book Wagon is a cosy, uplifting and comforting romance that tells the story of two love-interest heroes vying for Bea’s heart – her artisan-cheesemaking childhood sweetheart and a knock-you-off-your-feet property developer. After impulsively jacking in her dead-end temp job and investing her life savings in a ramshackle old horsebox, Bea sets about turning her dream of running a bookshop into a reality, and opens Bea’s Book Wagon. But it’s not all smooth sailing, and as Bea struggles with the challenges of running her own small business, she can only hope that her love of literature and the power of reading can help transform the lives of her friends, her community and herself in the process.

My Thoughts:

I could not wait to start this book, I love a book where the main character is a powerful woman who decides enough is enough and sets out on a journey to make her dream a reality. In this case her name is Bea and she has always wanted to start her own bookshop. But nothing is every as simple as it could be and Bea soon runs into a spot of bother, but she is a determined woman and if she wants something so badly she will do anything to stop anything getting in her way. It was a light and uplifting read, I loved Bea from the get go and how determined she is. I always find reading a book that is set around a bookshop very comforting, I am not sure why but I do. The perfect book for me.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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