Tag: Respect Rom Fic

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BLOG TOUR: Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash

Published October 31st, 2025 by Boldwood Books
Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Nautical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Set against the sparkling shores of Cornwall☀️, this BRAND NEW heartwarming, uplifting and gorgeously romantic tale of second chances is perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley. ✨

When life gives you heartbreak 💔, sometimes it also gives you a second chance… 💕

When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn’t seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play – a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow.

The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she’s thrown firmly back into Tom’s path.

As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together – and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it’s time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself.

Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

While this novel is set in the same village as the other books in the Sandpiper Shore series, it can be read as a STANDALONE

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Emma Montgomery is trying to move on with life following the sudden death of her husband, Ben. Along with her friends Jo and Michelle she runs the Lonely Hearts Club, a group for singles wanting to make friends, and has agreed to organise the local pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance. But Emma gets a huge shock when at a meeting about the pantomime who should appear but Tom Sullivan, Emma’s first love who she hasn’t seen since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play. To Emma’s dismay, he still makes her heart flutter just like he did when they were teenagers. But Tom broke her heart and she’s not looking for a man, so Emma is determined they will just be friends. But can she resist what her heart seems to want?

There is nothing better at this time of year than an uplifting romcom. And this book certainly fits that bill. Charming, warm, and witty, this was a joyful festive read and exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Kim Nash writes with heart and humour, expertly immersing you in the lives of her charismatic characters. And while there was laughter from the start, this is also a lot of depth to this story as Kim explores difficult topics such as coercive control, particularly the complex emotions that accompany it, and delivers an an evocative and moving portrait of grief and self discovery that reminds us all to believe in ourselves and take the opportunities life brings our way. 

But what’s most important in a romcom is the romance. You need characters who seem destined for each other and make you root for their happy-ever-after. This is something Kim delivers perfectly. I loved Emma and Tom. Not only were they great characters in their own right, but they had a compelling and tragic history and an undeniable chemistry that is still there over three decades later. These are people who make you believe in soulmates and I was rooting for them to find happiness again with one another despite the obstacles in their path. 

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage is the perfect romcom to escape with this festive season. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours, Anne at Random Things Tours, Rach at Random Resources and Zoe at Zooloos Book Tours for the invitation to take part in this tour and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Nash is the bestselling author of uplifting, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction. She has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. Her other dream, is to live in a home that has a view of a golden sandy beach and the sea sparkling in the sunlight. Until that dream comes true, she’ll continue to write second chance romances about women who live or move to the seaside on her behalf.

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage, the second book set in Sandpiper Shores, is out on 31st October 2025 and is available to pre-order now.

One of her greatest writing achievements is to be nominated for the Kindle Storyteller Award in 2020, and she was delighted when Claudia Winkleman had read her book and said it was ‘Totally warm and absolutely lovely.’

She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Author Community Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and, as an avid reader, started her career in the publishing industry as a book blogger.

When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading and binge-watching TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day, lemon drizzle cake and a gin and tonic (not all at the same time!)

Kim also runs a book club in Staffordshire and organises local and national reader/author events.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the review from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

*This post constains an affiliate link

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: All Wrapped Up by Heidi Swain

Published September 11th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Ficiton

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this delightful autumnal romcom. Thank you to SJV and BATC for the invitation to take part and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

In Wynbridge, the scent of autumn is on the breeze and love is in the air…
 
Clemmie Bennett has been renovating beautiful Rowan Cottage on the outskirts of the small town of Wynbridge, for eighteen months following a very public heartbreak back in her childhood hometown. The popular Instagram influencer, lost her husband, sold their home, and has been cosied up the Fens and living a very private life, but now she feels it’s time for a change.
 
A chance encounter with co-owner of The Cherry Tree Café, the bubbly Lizzie Dixon, pulls her into organizing Wynbridge’s first-ever Autumn Festival, and her once quiet life is soon a distant memory. With the whole town rallying behind the event, she discovers a new sense of purpose.
 
And when local vet Ash falls hard for Clemmie, she begins to wonder if she’s ready to move even further on from her past and fall in love again…
 
This autumn, cosy up with Heidi and this perfect seasonal romance.

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MY REVIEW:

Clemmie Bennett has spent the last year and a half in solitude while renovating Rowan Cottage. It’s been the best way she could think of to help her work through her grief after the death of her husband, Callum, in a tragic accident. But now Clemmie is ready to rejoin the world and decides it is time to explore her new town. But then, a chance encounter with Lizzie, the co-owner of The Cherry Tree Cafe, sees Clemmie agreeing to organise the first Wynbridge Autumn Festival, with help from local vet, Ash. And as their friendship starts to feel like more, Clemmie has to ask herself if she is ready to fall in love again…

Heidi Swain can always be relied upon to deliver heartwarming and uplifting romance that warms you from the inside like porridge on a cold day. And with her latest book, All Wrapped Up, she delivers all that and more. This is autumn in book form. Heidi has crafted the perfect autumnal romcom to read while snuggled up under a blanket drinking a pumpkin spice latte. 

This story is friend-to-lovers perfection and I was here for it at every step. Clemmie and Ash were both likeable and charming characters that were fun to read. Clemmie is also trying to navigate a devastating loss and I was cheering her on as she began living life again. I loved Ash and Clemmie’s friendship, though I was rooting for them to be a couple. It was obvious that they were made for each other. I’m a sucker for a dog sidekick and loved Pixie, the adorable pooch that Clemmie adopted, and loved seeing them help to heal one another’s grief. I also enjoyed seeing the familiar characters from Heidi’s other Wynbridge books make an appearance, but appreciated that this book could also be read as a standalone.

Delightful, warm and full of heart, this was a joy to read from start to finish. All Wrapped Up is the perfect book for your TBR this autumn. Read it now.

Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Bestselling Author who writes commercial fiction for Simon and Schuster.

She has three series set in fictitious Wynbridge, Nightingale Square and Wynmouth and writes two titles a year – a summer and a Christmas book.

She also writes short stories and non-fiction for magazines and is represented by Amanda Preston.

Heidi always wanted to be a published author and her big writing break came in 2014 when she submitted The Cherry Tree Café to Books and The City (the digital first imprint of Simon and Schuster). The book was published a year later and she hasn’t stopped writing since.

Her books are available in paperback, E-book and audio and have been published in Italy, France and Germany as well as the UK.

She lives in the east of England, is a member of the RNA and the Society of Authors and has a TBR pile which is always out of control.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine

Published June 19th, 2025 by Simon & Schuster UK
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for one of my favourite books this year. This was a bibliophile’s dream and joy from start to finish. Thank you to SJV and Team Books and the City for the invitation to take part and for my proof copy of the book.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘Book Boyfriend is Lucy Vine at the absolute top of her game’ MIKE GAYLE

‘A proper love letter to love stories and the people who read them’ DAISY BUCHANAN 

‘From belly laughs to heartfelt emotion, this book is absolute peak romcom’ LINDSEY KELK

Jemma has lived a thousand lives through books. The only life she isn’t living is her own.
That is, until the day she finds a note from a stranger in her favourite library book. When she replies, the pair begin a longhand conversation about their love of novels that sees Jemma finally coming out of her shell. Is she ready to fall in love for the first time – with someone she’s never met?
 
Clara has always run away from her problems, but this might finally be one she can’t escape.
Everyone wants to know what happened to Clara in America – but Clara isn’t talking. Instead she’s focusing all her energy obsessing over a hot new actor, starring in the TV adaptation of her twin Jemma’s favourite book. Soon, Clara is reading every interview, trawling his social media, and following him to showbiz parties in the hopes he’ll notice she’s The One.
 
As the sisters fall hard for two men they’ve never met, it’s time to ask the question: Can either relationship survive the real world?

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MY REVIEW:

A romcom about a book nerd who has a meet-cute through anonymous letters inside a library book? Could there be a more perfect book for a bibliophile to read? I don’t think so, and I didn’t hesitate to sign up to be part of this blog tour.

Funny, delightful and uplifting, reading this was like a warm hug. A love letter to books, Lucy Vine’s love of literature is evident on every page and made me feel so seen as a bibliophile. Exquisitely written and cleverly plotted, I was in love from the first page and immediately knew that this would be a book I devoured. And I was right, reading it in practically one sitting and staying up until the early hours to finish it as I HAD to know if Jemma got her happy-ever-after with her mystery man.

The story is narrated by Jemma and Clara, twin sisters who couldn’t be more different. Jemma is a book lover who prefers to fade into the background and is happiest at home re-reading her favourite book. Meanwhile, Clara is outgoing, the life of the party who is happiest when all eyes are on her. The sisters have long had a strained relationship and it is strained even further when Clara announces she’s moving back to the UK from the States, as with nowhere else to go she moves into Jemma’s houseshare and the sisters have to adjust to living together again.

At the centre of this book is another book, Too Good to Be True, Jemma’s favourite book which is like a character in its own right. Jemma loves the book so much that she owns multiple copies that are only to admire on her shelves, and she takes a copy out from the library to regularly re-read. It’s obvious from the start how important this story is to Jemma, and you can feel how much she cherishes it and the joy it brings her. A few months ago, Jemma discovered a note inside the book from the only other person who takes out the book and they have been exchanging anonymous notes ever since, sharing their love of books. Talk about the perfect meet-cute for a book lover! But when Jemma learns that not only has the book been adapted, but its title has been changed, she is horrified. She can’t watch, especially as the lead actor is nothing like she imagined. Clara disagrees and not only loves the show – declaring that TV is better than books! – and developing an unhealthy crush on the actor; declaring he’s the one for her and tracking him down to engineer him falling in love with her.

There’s a cast of compelling background characters that I loved reading, especially Harry and Salma, Jemma’s housemates. And Milo was the perfect leading man, even if Jemma disagreed. He was fun to read and I loved the very different reactions Jemma and Clara had to him and his celebrity status. Then there’s the mystery narrator, a brilliant character who opens each of the book’s three parts. He talks directly to the reader which pulled me in and immediately made me feel part of the story.

But who was Jemma’s ‘book boyfriend’? There’s a number of potential candidates and Vine does a great job of keeping the reader guessing about his identity. I’ll admit, I did guess who he was early on, but I was also never completely sure of my suspicions thanks to the twists and red herrings. I loved the bumpy ride she took me on to finally get the answer and how even when his identity was revealed the wait wasn’t over, Vine keeping me on the edge of my seat as I waited to see if he and Jemma would actually get together. My poor heart!

An absolute joy from start to finish, this is a must-read for all book lovers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lucy is the best-selling author of novels, Hot Mess, What Fresh Hell, Are We Nearly There Yet?, Bad Choices, Seven Exes, and Date With Destiny. Book seven is called BOOK BOYFRIEND and is out 19 June 2025. Lucy’s currently working on book eight, out summer ‘26.

Her books have been bought in 17 territories – including the US, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Serbia, Japan, the Netherlands, Czech, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Finland, Slovakia and Sweden. Hot Mess was optioned for a TV series in America, while Hot Mess and Are We Nearly There Yet? have both been longlisted for the very brilliant Comedy Women In Print book award.

In a previous life, Lucy was a journalist, working for magazines and newspapers including GRAZIA, Stylist, heat, Fabulous, New, Now, marie claire, Glamour, COSMOPOLITAN, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and The Mirror.

Lucy is also an events host (available for hire!), and previously ran a regular event and podcast series with Waterstones, called the Hot Mess Clubhouse, featuring conversations with funny women.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*these are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: From London with Love by Katie Fforde

Published February 13th, 2025 by Century
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Urban Fiction

Welcome to my review for this delightful romcom. Thank you to Century for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A beautiful Chelsea town house. A chance to fulfil her dreams. A life adventure awaits…

‘The queen of uplifting, feel good romance.’ AJ Pearce
‘A force to be reckoned with for her uplifting tales of romance’ Daily Express
‘Top-drawer romantic escapism.’ Daily Mail
‘Warm, brilliant and full of love.’ Heat
‘Warm, wise, witty and with a wonderful retro flavour, From London With Love is a trip to the city you won’t want to miss!’ Lancashire Telegraph
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It’s 1968 and it’s cold when Felicity arrives in London to stay with her mother, improve her English, do a secretarial course – and meet a suitable man.

She is already missing her home in Provence and her father and his new wife and their extended family. But it’s only for a year she tells herself – and then she can go back to France and do what she really wants and become a painter.

And then she bumps into Oliver who is quite the most interesting young man she has ever met. He lives on a barge for one thing and has a collection of jobs, but his passion is looking for hidden treasures along the shores of the river Thames.

In a word, he’s a mudlarker – and before long Felicity is mudlarking too. She is also pursuing her dreams and painting scenery for Oliver’s actor friends.

But is Oliver a Suitable Man of whom her mother will approve? Felicity knows she will not …

Love, tangled relationships, and a real life adventure lie at the heart of Katie Fforde’s heart-warming new novel.

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MY REVIEW:

London, 1968. Felicity has moved from Provence to London to live with her estranged mother for a year before she goes to Paris to study art. While here she plans to improve her English, take a secretarial course and meet a suitable man. She’s feeling homesick but things start to look up when she meets Violet, who has recently moved from the countryside, works in a bookshop and is living in her godmother’s flat, which happens to be in the old servants quarters of the house that Felicity’s mother rents.  The pair quickly become friends and help each other as they adjust to life in the city. And when Felicity meets Oliver, a man like no-one she’s ever met before who lives on a barge, works a number of jobs and enjoys mudlarking as his hobby, Violet is there for her to talk to. But is Oliver the suitable man that Felicity is searching for?

Katie Fforde can always be relied upon to deliver a heartwarming and uplifting romance and her latest novel, From London with Love, has all of that and more. Charming, witty, romantic and nostalgic, this is a story about family, friendship and falling in love that will take you back to when you were young and finally discovering the world for yourself. 

Well-written and enthralling, it is filled with compelling characters who I loved reading. Felicity and Violet were fantastic central characters and I adored their friendship.  Fforde also explored the complicated relationship that can exist in our families but also the great relationships, such as the sweet relationship that Felicity shared with her stepmother which proves not all of them are wicked. The romantic interests were superb and Fforde perfectly captured the pain, uncertainty and misunderstandings that can come with the joy of falling in love, which is made all the more complicated by the class element that surrounds these characters. But my favourite character was Mrs. Wynter, who was delightful comic relief and I loved reading. 

A gorgeous escapist romcom that will make you smile, add this to your TBR now.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Amazon:
Dear readers, thank you for visiting my Amazon Page.

I live in the beautiful Cotswold countryside with my family, and I’m a country girl at heart.

I first started writing when my mother gave me a writing kit for Christmas, and once I started I just couldn’t stop. Living Dangerously was my first novel and since then, I haven’t looked back.

Ideas for books are everywhere, and I’m constantly inspired by the people and places around me. From watching TV (yes, it is research) to overhearing conversations, I love how my writing gives me the chance to taste other people’s lives and try all the jobs I’ve never had.

Each of my books explores a different profession or background and my research has helped me bring these to life. I’ve been a porter in an auction house, tried my hand at pottery, refurbished furniture, delved behind the scenes of a dating website, and I’ve even been on a Ray Mears survival course.

I love being a writer; to me there isn’t a more satisfying and pleasing thing to do. I particularly enjoy writing love stories. I believe falling in love is the best thing in the world, and I want all my characters to experience it, and my readers to share their stories.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*these are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Respect Rom Fic Romance Rocks Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Last Days of Summer by Sarra Manning

Published March 27th, 2025 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romcom, Romance, Romatic Comedy, Humorous Fiction

Welcome to my review for this spicy and heartfelt romcom. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sometimes all it takes is one long summer weekend for the person you thought you hated to become something more…

‘It’s about friendship, it’s about life, it’s about how people change . . . I loved it very much’ MARIAN KEYES
‘Funny, filled with emotion and very, very sexy! Add it to your 2025 TBR pile immediately…’ BETH O’LEARY
‘I laughed out loud, cried until I was a husk and finished it feeling refreshed, renewed, and looking at life a little bit differently. It’s a summer I never wanted to end’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN
‘Your favourite writer’s favourite writer . . . fun, sexy, bittersweet and utterly romantic, I fell head over heels for Cassie and Marc’ LINDSEY KELK
‘Expertly crafted, extremely loveable and a perfect balance of wit, heart and smut’ LAUREN BRAVO
****

After a disastrous first meeting, Cassie and Marc become arch nemeses. He might have great cheekbones and a sexy French accent but he’s a terrible person who did a terrible thing. Too bad that Cassie’s best friends Lucy and Russell think he’s wonderful.

But years later, when an unexpected tragedy strikes their friendship group, Cassie and Marc team up to give Lucy and Russell the best weekend ever so they can make new memories with all of their favourite people. Which means convincing everyone that Cassie and Marc are head over heels in love.

After hating him for so long, it takes four bittersweet days for Cassie to wonder if she got Marc all wrong. Can they let go of their troubled past and together, face whatever the future is going to throw at them?

⭐Enemies to lovers
⭐Fake relationship
⭐Grumpy / sunshine
⭐Heartfelt and emotional
⭐True love
⭐Hot, French, male main character
⭐Spicy, including a walk-in pantry scene…

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MY REVIEW:

Cassie and Marc have been the archest of nemeses ever since their disastrous first meeting sixteen years ago. She knows that beyond his sexy French good looks is a terrible person, even if her friends seem to like him. But now an unexpected tragedy forces Cassie and Marc to work together to give their mutual friends, Lucy and Russell, the best weekend ever. And to make things worse, they must pretend to be in love. As the weekend unfolds, Cassie begins to see Marc in a new light. Could her arch enemy actually be the man she’s been waiting for all this time?

Sarra Manning never fails to deliver. A delightful and funny romcom filled with depth that made me feel all the feelings,  The Last Days of Summer was the perfect pick for our SquadPod Book Club this month. This is Manning at her best. The enemies to lovers storyline radiates hatred and chemistry, the spice is sizzling, the humour is sharp, and the emotions are heartbreaking. Heartfelt but hopeful,  it had me glued to the pages and I devoured it in under a day. 

Cassie and Marc are compelling characters who immediately drew me in. I loved how different they were and the added mystery of a secret history between them that was at the root of their mutual distaste. Their best friends, Lucy and Russell, were also brilliantly written, pulling on my heartstrings with their tragic storyline that I’m not ashamed to say brought tears to my eyes a few times. Their love radiated from the pages and I understood Cassie’s mixed feelings of jealousy at the love they shared and grief at what was happening to them. As the story, and the weekend away, progressed, I was glued to the pages by Cassie and Marc’s will they/won’t they romance. I really related to Cassie as Manning expertly portrayed the fear, insecurities, hurt and resentment she was feeling. I wanted her to find the love she longed for, and after seeing how red-hot her chemistry was with Marc, I wanted her to find it with him. 

So, if you’re looking for a spicy but emotional romcom to read in the sun, this is for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarra Manning has been a voracious reader for over forty years and a prolific author and journalist for twenty five.

Her novels, which have been translated into fifteen different languages include Unsticky, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, After The Last Dance, The Rise And Fall Of Becky Sharp and her latest, Rescue Me, which publishes in 2021. Sarra has also written over fifteen YA novels, and four light-hearted romantic comedies under a pseudonym.

She started her writing career on Melody Maker and Just Seventeen, has been editor of ElleGirl and What To Wear and has also contributed to The Guardian, ELLE, Grazia, Stylist, Fabulous, Stella, You Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and is currently the Literary Editor of Red magazine.

Sarra has also been a Costa Book Awards judge and has been nominated for various writing awards herself.

She lives in London surrounded by piles and piles of books.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*these are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Respect Rom Fic Romance Rocks

BLOG TOUR: Better Left Unsent by Lia Louis

Published April 11th, 2024 by Zaffre
Romantic Comedy, Humorous Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this witty and uplifting rom com. Thank you to Anne from Random Things Book Tours for the invitation to take part and to Zaffre for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION:

‘Laugh-out-loud, heartwarming tale’ BETH O’LEARY

Millie Chandler is known at work as the nice receptionist who got dumped by the company hotshot, and ever since then, she has vowed to keep everything to herself – her feelings, her hopes, and especially her fears.

But Millie does have an outlet: her emails. From sarcastic replies to her rude boss, rants to friends about their terrible taste in men to a five-hundred-word love declaration to her ex, who three years on, is about to marry someone else. Millie’s reality lives in her drafts until the morning she discovers that they are somehow in her sent folder. The truth is out.

As every dark secret she’s worked so hard to keep password protected is released, Millie must fix the chaos her words have caused.

Will Millie find the strength to open both her heart, and her inbox?

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MY REVIEW:

“For the last couple of years my drafts have become my diary. A confessional. A haunted crypt of unsaid things. Things I wish I could say, things I really really want to say, but don’t in pursuit of an easy life…but now it’s out there… “

It’s a fear of the modern age; accidentally sending an email or text to someone that you didn’t want them to see. In Better Left Unsent, this dreaded nightmare becomes a reality for Millie when the many draft emails she’s written as an outlet for her heartache, frustration, and rage get sent to the people she never wanted to read them. With her innermost thoughts and feeling suddenly laid bare, Millie is left humiliated and scrambling to undo the damage. 

Witty, heartwarming and uplifting, this romcom was the perfect pick-me-up after some darker reads. Millie is a likeable character who was easy to relate to. As someone who often writes down my feelings as a way to get them out of my system, there are many ragey, sarcastic and heartrending notes I’ve written for my own sanity that I’d be mortified should they see the light of day so it was easy to put myself in Millie’s place and understand her toe-curling embarrassment. I would have liked to have seen more of the actual emails that were sent, such as the ones at the beginning of the book, but I loved how Lia Louis wrote the bumpy journey Millie took. The emotion leaped from the page as she attempted to mitigate the aftermath of the email disaster that affected every area of her life.

Some of the greatest shame Millie feels is from the emails she wrote while heartbroken after being dumped by Owen. We’ve all been there when you’re devastated, angry and confused, especially when they move on quickly while you’re struggling to get out of bed. It is through Millie’s relationship with Owen that Louis explores toxic relationships, emotional abuse, gaslighting and coercive control. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and as she reflects on their broken relationship she begins to see the truth, and I loved seeing her emerge from the other side. There is also a non-toxic love interest in the form of Jack, and I loved reading their potential blossoming relationship as Ms. Louis captures the butterflies, anticipation, excitement and uncertainty that a new relationship brings. 

Funny, sweet and charming, Better Left Unsent is a story that reminds us that good things can come even from what we think are the worst moments of our lives.

Rating: 📨📨📨📨

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lia Louis lives in the United Kingdom with her partner and three young children. Before raising a family, she worked as a freelance copywriter and proofreader. She was the 2015 winner of Elle magazine’s annual writing competition and has been a contributor for Bloomsbury’s Writers and Artist’s blog for aspiring writers.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: Token by Beverlery Kendall

Published February 15th, 2024 by Simon & Schuster UK
Romance Novel, Contemporary Fiction

Today is my stop on the blog tour for this sizzling second-chance romance. Thank you to Sara at Simon & Schuster UK for the invitation to take part and the gifted proof.

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SYNOPSIS:

A sexy, whip-smart, enemies to lovers romcom that’s fresh and topical, tackling racism and tokenism as experienced by a young Black woman in the cutthroat world of Publicity.

‘A funny, satisfying read full of sparkling banter and thoughtful social commentary’ Shauna Robinson, author of Must Love Books

‘The most delicious blend of a *very* heated novel, the dynamics of an age old and rock-solid friendship, the complexities that come with being a Black woman in any workspace and a romance that could melt any heart. Token had me rapt from the very first page with it’s humour and intelligence – I absolutely adored it’  Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of The Three of Us

‘Brimming with angst, banter, and a fiery chemistry’ Taj McCoy, author of Zora Books Her Happy Ever After

Kennedy Mitchell is brilliant, beautiful and tired of being the only Black woman in the room.

Two years ago, she was plucked from reception for a seat at the boardroom table in the name of “representation”. Rather than play along, she and her best friend founded Token, a boutique PR agency that helps diversity-challenged companies and celebrities. With famous people getting into reputation-damaging controversies, Token is in high demand and business is booming, but when her ex shows up needing help repairing his reputation, things get even more complicated and soon Kennedy finds herself drawn into a PR scandal of her own.

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MY REVIEW:

Though New York might be known as a melting pot, Kennedy Mitchell is used to being the only Black woman in the room. And she’s had enough. So she and her best friend Aurora create Token, a PR firm that helps diversity-challenged companies and celebrities. But when her ex reaches out for help after becoming embroiled in a scandal, things take a personal turn and Kennedy soon finds herself fighting to save her own reputation.

Sizzling, sexy, funny, and entertaining, Token is a second-chance romance brimming with chemistry, banter, humour, drama, angst, and thought-provoking social commentary. Set against the backdrop of the ruthless world of PR, Beverley Kendall explores topical issues such as racism, sexism, and diversity in the workplace.

Kennedy and Nate are great protagonists. Kennedy is a gorgeous, smart, fierce and independent Black woman who is passionate about what her company does. While she might despair of the attitudes of some of their clients, she truly believes that they are helping make a difference in the world and I loved her scenes at work because of this. I loved her friendships with Aurora and Sahara, who were also brilliant characters in their own right. I had initially thought Nate was going to be seen only through Kennedy’s lens, so I was surprised when I discovered he was also a narrator. But I enjoyed getting a greater insight into his mind and motivations. It would have been easy for a rich, white man who has famous parents to feel like a vapid and one-dimensional character that no one would like, but Kendall managed to make Nate someone who is compelling. You can see why Kennedy is drawn to him as a person and the spark between them is red hot, making it easy to root for them as a couple.

So if you like your romances loaded with tension, wit, intelligence, and spice, then this is for you.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

BEVERLEY KENDALL has published over ten contemporary and historical romance novels. She also manages the romance review blog, Smitten by Books (smittenbybooks.com). Bev writes full-time while raising her son as a single mother. Both dual citizens of the US and Canada, they currently call Atlanta home.

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023 Squadpod Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD REVIEWS: Preloved by Lauren Bravo

Published January 18th, 2024 by Simon & Schuster UK
Humorous Fiction, Parody, Literary Fiction

Today I’m sharing my review for the delightful and uplifting Preloved which was one of January’s Squadpod Reviews books. Thank you to Sara at Simon and Schuster UK for the copy of the book.

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SYNOPSIS:

‘Lauren Bravo is one of my very favourite writers.’ Dolly Alderton

Gwen is coasting through life. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the countryside and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around the council’s wheelie-bin timetable.
 
And she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?
 
When she’s made redundant from a job she hardly cares about, she takes herself out for a fancy dinner. There she has the best sticky toffee pudding of her life and realises she has no one to tell. She vows to begin living her life fully, reconnect with her friends and family, and finally book that dentist’s appointment. 
 
Gwen decides to start where all things get a second chance: her local charity shop. There, with the help of the weird and wonderful people and donated items bursting with untold stories, Gwen will find a way to move forward with bravery, tenacity, and more regular dental care.
 
Dazzlingly witty, Preloved is a tale about friendship, loss and being true to yourself no matter the expectations. Lovingly celebrating the enduring power and joy of charity shops.

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MY REVIEW:

I’ve always loved charity shops and so I was sold on this book the moment I read the premise. It opens with a short chapter entitled ‘Gift’ about an item that stands out among other charity shop donations, and my interest was piqued. We are then introduced to our main character, Gwen, who isn’t having a good day. She’s just been made redundant and during a fancy dinner to try and cheer herself up she comes to the realisation that she has isolated herself and has no one to tell about her redundancy or the amazing meal. But instead of wallowing in self pity, Gwen decides to do something about it and makes a list before setting out to make conscious changes to her life.

Lauren Bravo’s fiction debut is a delightful story about loneliness, loss, anxiety, self-discovery and second chances. A story for anyone who has been clueless about where their life is going or what they are doing, it reminds us of the importance of friendship and community. Witty, heartwarming, and moving, this is a ‘slice of life’ story filled with relatable characters and observations that drew me in. Gwen comes across as a little miserable at first but I soon warmed to her. She’s isolated, lonely, struggling with severe anxiety and panic attacks and dealing with trauma, but she’s also funny, candid, trying to figure life out, and feels like someone I could be friends with. I liked that when redundancy provided her with an unwritten future she chose to write a better story for herself by making practical changes in her life, something I think we all could learn a lesson from. 

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how the charity shop was so deeply woven into the story. It is staffed by an eclectic group who were so much fun to read and I was taken back to my days in retail during many of the scenes, laughing or shaking my head at my memories. But what was most memorable for me was the sections between each chapter that tell the story of some of the items that find their way to the charity shop. These were fascinating and unique, capturing my heart and sparking my imagination.

Entertaining and uplifting, I highly recommend this wonderful debut. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lauren Bravo is a freelance journalist who writes about fashion, popular culture, food, travel and feminism, for titles including Grazia, Stylist, Cosmopolitan and Sunday Times Style. She volunteers in a charity shop once a week (partly to get dibs on all the best clothes).

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BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*

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Thanks for reading Bibliophiles xxxx

*These links are affiliate links