Tag Archives: contemporary

Review of Emma Jackson’s One Kiss Before Christmas.

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The blurb:

Could it be the start of her happy ever after?

Ashleigh could use a little Christmas magic. She’s still living in Brighton with her Nan – who could give the Grinch lessons in how to be miserable – her acting career has been reduced to playing one of Santa’s elves, and not even the prospect of a friend’s winter wedding can cheer her up…

That is until Olivier, the gorgeous French chef, reappears in her life. Or more accurately, next door.

When they were teenagers, Olivier would spend every Christmas with his mother, who just happens to be Ash’s neighbour and owner of the best chocolate shop in England.

If anyone can bring a little sparkle back to Ash’s life, it’s Olivier. All she needs is one kiss before Christmas…

Purchase links: AmazonUK | Amazon.com |

My review:

This was a sweet, second chance romance story set in Brighton (not that far from where I live), and so I greatly enjoyed recognising places mentioned and visited. The lead characters, Ashleigh and Olivier, were both likeable, as were the supporting cast. I especially liked Romesh and his matchmaking. There is a lovely sprinkling of Christmas throughout as Ash and Olivier both learn to be the people they want to be. While the middle slowed a little in terms of the will they won’t they, I really liked the ending; it provided the kind of warmth you expect from a cosy Christmas film.

About the author:

Author of the Best Selling A MISTLETOE MIRACLE and contender for the Joan Hessayon Award 2020, Emma has been a devoted bookworm and secret-story-scribbler since she was 6 years old. When she’s not running around after her two daughters and trying to complete her current work-in-progress, Emma loves to read, bake, catch up on binge-watching TV programmes with her partner and plan lots of craft projects that will inevitably end up unfinished. Her latest romantic comedy, SUMMER IN THE CITY, was released in June, with a festive romance, ONE KISS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, was released on 2nd November 2020.

Emma also writes historical and fantasy fiction as Emma S Jackson. THE DEVIL’S BRIDE was published by DarkStroke in February 2020.

Discover more about Emma Jackson via: newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Huge thanks to Emma Jackson and Orion Dash for the advance read copy and special thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me along to be a part of the blog tour. xx

Review of Tracy Bloom’s Dinner Party

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The blurb:

Never has an unexpected guest caused such chaos!

Three couples take it in turns to host a monthly dinner party.

Beth, Sarah and Marie have been friends forever. Now they are grown up, with busy lives, busy husbands, busy kids… but they still find time to meet up over dinner once a month. A cosy, comfortable gathering of happy couples – or so they thought.

Until one night, someone brings along a last-minute guest whose wife has just left him. 

Simon is standing on the doorstep in floods of tears. While the women do their best to console him, their husbands feel the need to mark their territory.

And as Simon becomes more involved with the group, his presence changes everything these three couples thought they knew about each other, leading to a final dinner party that no-one will ever forget.

Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Literary Humour

My review:

I always enjoy Tracy Bloom’s books. This one follows a different format to Tracy’s other books and is less of a laugh out loud read, but I found myself hooked and enjoyed discovering more about each of the characters. The storyline was interesting. Each of the characters and their individual relationships had something to add the story and I really enjoyed the developments throwing somebody new into the mix produced. Towards the end, the pace quickens as the intrigue and action increase. Overall this was another great Tracy Bloom read, I’d definitely recommend.

Click here to buy the book:

About the author:

Tracy Bloom started writing when her cruel, heartless husband ripped her away from her dream job shopping for rollercoasters for the UK’s leading theme parks, to live in America with a brand new baby and no mates. In a cunning plan to avoid domestic duties and people who didn’t understand her Derbyshire accent, she wrote her romantic comedy, No-One Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday. This debut novel went on to be successfully published internationally and became a #1 Best Seller.

You can find Tracy via her website | Facebook | Twitter

Thank you for the great read Tracy, my reviews are added to Amazon Uk and Goodreads. xx

Review of Arlette’s Story by Angela Barton

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Arlette’s Story by Angela Barton

The Blurb:

An emotional and beautifully written debut you will not want to put down.

One woman’s struggle to fight back against the enemy in order to protect the ones she loves.

When Arlette Blaise sees a German plane fly over the family farm in 1940, she’s comforted by the fact that the occupying forces are far away in the north of the country. Surely the war will not reach her family in the idyllic French countryside near to the small town of Oradour-sur-Glane?

But then Saul Epstein, a young Jewish man driven from his home by the Nazis, arrives at the farm and Arlette begins to realise that her peaceful existence might be gone for good …

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Ruby Fiction an imprint of Choc Lit

My review:

This story of love set in occupied France during WW2 gripped me from the start. It is very well researched and a thoroughly absorbing read.

The landscape is exquisitely brought to life. I fell in love with the characters, cried at their plight and willed them to achieve their hard fought victories. Being partly based on real events, I know Arlette’s Story will always stay with me.

While the author doesn’t shy away from the atrocities of war upon the ordinary people of occupied France, she also crafts a heart-warming love story. There are lighter moments and the real affection portrayed between Arlette and Saul draws you in. They are perfectly matched.

Overall this is a tale of hope and resilience against the worst of odds. A must read for those who enjoy historical fiction and WW2 love stories.

Click to buy the book.

About the author:

Angela Barton was born in London and grew up in Nottingham. She is married with three grown up children. Passionate about writing both contemporary and historical fiction, Angela loves researching for her books and is an avid reader. Having signed publishing contracts for three of her completed novels with Ruby Fiction, Angela is excited to be working alongside such a friendly and supportive publishing team. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and Nottingham Writers’ Studio.

Having recently moved to France, Angela (alongside her husband, Paul) is now a lavender farmer, creating products from the oil that’s distilled. Angela says she’s looking forward to spending more time writing in the company of her two spaniels while sitting on her veranda overlooking the breath-taking countryside of Charente.

Discover more about Angela Barton here: Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Ruby Fiction

Thank you for a great read, Angela.

My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. x

Review of Sarah Morgan’s Moonlight Over Manhattan

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Moonlight Over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan

The Blurb:

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog-walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list – dealing with Madi’s temporary dog-sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry.

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi – how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple – he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide 24-hour care. But there’s nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel.

Ethan’s kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over, and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all – letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas?

Genre: Contemporary Romance | Women’s Fiction
Publisher: HQ

My review:

I have been a Sarah Morgan fan since discovering the Snow Crystal series and always enjoy her books. I didn’t know that Moonlight Over Manhattan was the 6th book in a series (not sure how I missed that) and read it as a standalone. It didn’t matter, and it certainly didn’t disappoint, and now I know I have the treat of five more books to get stuck in to.

I read the story with a smile and enjoyed getting to know Harriet, her family and friends, as well as the animals in her care. Ethan Black, as you’d expect from Sarah Morgan, had plenty of swoon appeal. I loved the locations and almost burst when Snow Crystal and the fabulous O’Neil brothers were not only mentioned but visited too!

If you are a lover of a good romance read, Sarah Morgan books are a must.

Click to buy the book.

About the author:

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes commercial women’s fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe.

Described as ‘a magician with words’ by RT Book Reviews, she has been nominated four years in succession for the prestigious RITA© Award from the Romance Writers of America and won the award twice; in 2012 for her book ‘Doukakis’s Apprentice’ and 2013 for ‘A Night of No Return’. She also won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2012 and has made numerous appearances in their ‘Top Pick’ slot.

Sarah lives near London with her husband and children, and when she isn’t reading or writing she loves being outdoors.

Discover more about Sarah Morgan here: website | Twitter

Thank you for another great read, Sarah, and I look forward to catching up with the rest of the From Manhattan With Love series.

My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. x

Review of Tracy Bloom’s The Last Laugh

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The blurb:

Jenny discovers her days are numbered at the same time she discovers her husband is having an affair…

Frankly, she had enough on her plate already. Two tricky teenagers, her mother’s constant complaints, friends who aren’t up to the job and a career which has been spiralling downwards since she won ‘Sunseeker Tour Rep of the Season’ twenty years ago.

And now this. Enough is enough! Jenny vows to keep both revelations a secret. She takes her life into her own hands and decides to live as she did when she was happiest… in 1996. She plans a spectacular 1990s themed party in place of a wake that she herself will attend. But will she be able to keep her secrets for long enough to have the party of a lifetime?

Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Literary humour

My review:

I am a Tracy Bloom fan, when I first saw this book advertised I wasn’t sure how the subjects would fit with Tracy’s fabulous down to earth, rom-com style, and so wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. Well, it turns out I was proved wrong for doubting it would be anything but great and should have trusted in Tracy’s fabulous storytelling ability.

Once I started I couldn’t put it down; it was compelling reading. Soon after I had finished, I tweeted: ‘Gosh, wow, crying, laughing, frustrated, touched and well and truly hooked from start to finish.’ This sums up my reading experience.

The Last Laugh was beautifully written, relatable, and a great read. It was all the things I love about Tracy’s other books while tackling deeper subjects – the things that happen that are beyond our control, and can turn life round in an instant.

Click here to buy the book:

About the author:

Tracy Bloom started writing when her cruel, heartless husband ripped her away from her dream job shopping for rollercoasters for the UK’s leading theme parks, to live in America with a brand new baby and no mates. In a cunning plan to avoid domestic duties and people who didn’t understand her Derbyshire accent, she wrote her romantic comedy, No-One Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday. This debut novel went on to be successfully published internationally and became a #1 Best Seller.

You can find Tracy via her website | Facebook | Twitter

Thank you for the great read Tracy, my reviews are added to Amazon Uk and Goodreads. x