4.5 stars! This is my first read by Jenny Colgan. This book far exceeded my expectations. I absolutely loved everything about it, the characters, the 4.5 stars! This is my first read by Jenny Colgan. This book far exceeded my expectations. I absolutely loved everything about it, the characters, the setting, so exquisitely described, and oh the sweets of course.
Rosie, a young auxiliary nurse in London is asked to go care for her ailing great Aunt Lilian in the country. Rosie leaves behind a maybe too comfortable relationship with Gerald her boyfriend of 7 years. Rosie is also to arrange for the sale of Lilian's Sweet Shop which has been closed for quite some time. In order to prepare for the sale, Rosie restores the Sweet Shop and opens it for business. The story switches back and forth between the current time and Lilian's youth during WWII times.
Rosie's adventures in the country are humorous, and I loved Lilian's biting sense of humor. I can't wait to read the next book in this series....more
I usually read edgy psychological thrillers, but I definitely enjoyed this mystery. It definitely kept me guessing the whole time. I look forward to rI usually read edgy psychological thrillers, but I definitely enjoyed this mystery. It definitely kept me guessing the whole time. I look forward to reading the next in the series....more
I received this book from Net Galley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet Christmas story. Evie, having lost a baby and wiI received this book from Net Galley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet Christmas story. Evie, having lost a baby and with a failing marriage, decides to stay at a friend's cottage in rural France to avoid Christmas. She meets some lovely neighbors there and begins finding a way to move on. The characters are wonderful in this book. I loved every one of them. Even better than that are the wonderful descriptions of the setting and the food that Evie cooks. Fiona Valpy's strength as a writer is painting a picture that the reader can not only see, but also taste and smell. I would just love to be in that cottage on Christmas day. ...more
I received an ARC copy of this book from Penguin First to Read.
I loved every bit of this book. Jane Williams was born with gift of being able to see tI received an ARC copy of this book from Penguin First to Read.
I loved every bit of this book. Jane Williams was born with gift of being able to see true love, although has never experienced it herself. She has been seen by a neurologist most of her life thinking that there was something physically wrong with her. On her 29th birthday, she receives a letter telling her about her gift. She is told that she must identify couples that exhibit the 6 types of love before her next birthday or she will suffer lifelong consequences.
I enjoyed not only Jane's story, but the side stories of the 6 couples in love. The characters were all well developed. This is a great unique, mystical story. ...more
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake is a story about two sisters, TaI was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake is a story about two sisters, Tamsin and Sam. Tamsin is a wealthy socialite, who in the midst of staging her annual Christmas party discovers that her husband has lost all of their money. She moves in with her sister Sam, a widow and single-mother to Jacob. Sam runs a small bakery and tries to make ends meet. These sisters couldn't be more different, even in their experiences growing up in the same family. Despite their differences, they are always there for each other. These two sisters truly begin to see what is important at Christmas.
I adored this festive Christmas book, it is humorous, touching, and romantic. The descriptions of the bakery at Christmas are beautiful and made me want to visit. Thanks to this book I will make sure to take the time to make a snow angel in the first winter snow this year.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for introducing me to Sue Watson. I'll be sure to seek out more of her books....more
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone knows the typical Christmas letters you receive every year. Imagine if sI received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone knows the typical Christmas letters you receive every year. Imagine if someone actually told the blunt truth about how the year went. This is what happens to Angela Gillespie when she writes honestly about her year and her husband, trying to be helpful, sends the email out to hundreds of friends and family.
This is a good size novel and I loved every page of it. I loved every perfectly imperfect family member. We see the three grown daughters struggling with job problems and romantic interests. Angela and her husband Nick have lost the spark in their marriage. The youngest child, 10 year old Ig, is quirky and adorable.
I love to discover a great author and am excited to go back and read her previous books....more
I received The Broken String from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This short story is a prequel to Diane Chamberlain's newest novel, The SiI received The Broken String from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This short story is a prequel to Diane Chamberlain's newest novel, The Silent Sister. It did a great job introducing the characters and making me want to read more. I loved the relationship between young Riley and Danny. ...more
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookoutre in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first Jenny Hale novel and in fact my first CI received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookoutre in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first Jenny Hale novel and in fact my first Christmas themed novel.
Carrie Blake is a nanny hired by Adam Fletcher to take care of his 4 year old twins over the Christmas holiday. Adam is a single dad and successful businessman. Carrie is saddened to see that he spends little time with his children and does not even seem to know them. Carrie sets out to bring Christmas to the house and encourage Adam to take a more active role.
I really enjoyed this book. The whole time I was reading it, I had a Hallmark movie streaming in my head. It would make a wonderful Christmas movie. I liked the character's and particularly enjoyed Adam's family, who comes to visit for the holiday. I will definitely be reading more by Jenny Hale!...more
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I've read almost all of Rita Mae Brown's Sister Jane series and MI received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I've read almost all of Rita Mae Brown's Sister Jane series and Mrs. Murphy series. I grew up foxhunting in Virginia and love to read about it. I love the character, "Sister Jane Arnold". I did enjoy the mystery, centering around Thoroughbred bloodlines, in this book. Having read so many of Brown's novels, I am finding them all a bit similar at this point. I wish the mystery was a little more in depth. I will continue reading the series because I do like the characters and it's not often that I get to read a story about foxhunting....more
I received an advance copy of"The Language of Hoofbeats" by Catherine Ryan Hyde from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. I would give this boI received an advance copy of"The Language of Hoofbeats" by Catherine Ryan Hyde from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion. I would give this book 3.5/5 stars. This is the first book I have read by this author. I would call this book a comfortable read, enjoyable but nothing truly exciting or exceptional.
The story centers around a family of two moms, two foster children and one adopted child. They move next door to Clementine, a woman who is alone and angry, having lost a daughter and now a husband. Star, one of the foster children, falls in love with the neighbor's horse. Star disappears with the horse, and Clementine is forced to interact with the family far more than she wished. ...more
I received an ARC copy of The Night Garden from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was afraid that this book would be a not very good copy I received an ARC copy of The Night Garden from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was afraid that this book would be a not very good copy cat of Sarah Addison Allen's books. I actually enjoyed it. It's very mystical and magical and reads like a fairy tale. In this story, the main character, Olivia, is so connected to her magical garden that she is unable to touch others. Sam, an old boyfriend returns to town, and they face the challenge of building a relationship with her limitations. I loved the writing style. It definitely drew me in and get me enthralled....more
I received Cop Town by Karin Slaughter from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have never read Slaughter before and quite honestly would haI received Cop Town by Karin Slaughter from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have never read Slaughter before and quite honestly would have not picked this book for myself. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. This crime novel is well written, solid, and gritty. The story revolves around 2 young female police officers in 1975 Atlanta. A killer has been shooting police officers. The police force is filled with racial and gender discrimination. This is a standalone novel, so a great start if you have never read Karin Slaughter. I know that I will be looking for more of her novels and would also love to see these characters again....more
I found this book difficult to rate. It is written in an odd 2nd person style, with most paragraphs beginning with "This is...". "You" are "Annie, theI found this book difficult to rate. It is written in an odd 2nd person style, with most paragraphs beginning with "This is...". "You" are "Annie, the main character. The style gets in the way at first and switches often between characters. It only bothered me for several chapters and then I was fine with it. At times I felt like I was reading someone's writing assignment to show this certain style. This style in some ways outweighed the story. Without a doubt, Yannick Murphy can write.
"This is the Water" is not your typical murder mystery. The story centers around the families of a team of young swimmers. When one of them is murdered, you see how all react. The story is less about solving the crime and more about being inside each character's head. I felt like some of their thoughts were quite repetitive, and I did get tired of Annie thinking about Paul the husband of a friend. I wanted to get on with the mystery. One inner thought that was noteworthy to me was Annie describing "mom energy". This felt very real to me.
Definitely a unique interesting read. I'm just not sure that the story came through....more
I enjoyed this novel about a family spending a two week vacation in Mallorca, Spain. The characters really grew on me despite their flaws. If you needI enjoyed this novel about a family spending a two week vacation in Mallorca, Spain. The characters really grew on me despite their flaws. If you need a plot driven novel, this is not for you. We see the family members and friends struggling with individual problems and rebuilding relationships. I found them incredibly real and refreshing. ...more
The Good Girl is an excellent debut novel by Mary Kubica. This psychological thriller alternates between 4 different viewpoints and 2 different time fThe Good Girl is an excellent debut novel by Mary Kubica. This psychological thriller alternates between 4 different viewpoints and 2 different time frames. I thought the pace was just right and there is a huge twist at the end. I look forward to reading more by Mary Kubica....more
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