You may have guessed that since my reading of Mr Miracle by Debbie Macomber, I am in a festive mood and am eager to read as many Christmas themed books as I can this year. Here are two festive reads that are due to be published the first week in October! (Days away!!)

 
The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams by Fiona Harper
 
Published by Mills & Boon - Harlequin UK

RRP: £7.99

Availability: Paperback for £3.75   or Ebook for £3.56


Nicole Harrison is planning the proposal of the century. Too bad its not her own…


Nicole, a born organiser and true romantic, has created her dream job when she sets up the Hopes & Dreams proposal agency – staging YouTube worthy proposals…until she’s hired to plan a proposal by gorgeous photographer Alex Black’s girlfriend.
Alex is the New Year’s kiss that Nicole hasn’t been able to forget – and now she’s planning his wedding to someone else! But if she lets herself fall for Alex’s charms, her reputation and business will be ruined before it’s even got off the ground! Suddenly the girl whose always prepared is at a loss…and falling head over heels. They say that life’s what happens when you’re busy making other plans. But what about love?






Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Published by Mills & Boon - Harlequin UK

RRP: £7.99

Availability: Paperback for £3.75 or Ebook for £3.56


The Third book in the Snow Crystal Trilogy

This winter, ex-skiing champion, reformed heartbreaker and single dad Tyler O’Neil has only one mission – making sure his daughter Jess has the best Christmas ever. The fact that his best friend Brenna is also temporarily moving into his chalet at the over-booked Snow Crystal resort is a delicious distraction he’s simply going to have to ignore. Theirs is the one relationship he’s never ruined, and he’s not about to start now.

Ski pro Brenna Daniels knows all about the perils of unrequited love – she’s been in love with Tyler for years. But living with him is absolute torture…how can she concentrate on being his friend when he’s sleeping in the room next door? Then when Tyler kisses Brenna, suddenly the relationship she’s always dreamed of feels so close she could almost touch it. Could this be the Christmas her dreams of a happy-ever-after finally come true?



Don't they both sound fabulous? I'm just not sure which one to read first!

Title: The List by Joanna Bolouri

Published by: Quercus Books

RRP: Paperback £3.50  Kindle Version £1.95

My Rating: 5/5










THE BLURB

Phoebe Henderson may be single but she sure doesn't feel fabulous. It's been a year since she found her boyfriend Alex in bed with another woman, and multiple cases of wine and extensive relationship analysis with best friend Lucy have done nothing to help. Faced with a new year but no new love, Phoebe concocts a different kind of resolution.

The List: ten things she's always wanted to do in bed but has never had the chance (or the courage!) to try. A bucket list for between the sheets. One year of pleasure, no strings attached.

Simple, right?

Factor in meddlesome colleagues, friends with benefits, getting frisky al fresco and maybe, possibly, true love and Phoebe's got her work cut out for her.

MY OPINION

I first read this book not long after my birthday last year (5th October) after becoming single. This year, I decided to read it a little earlier again for a few reasons; 1- It's such a great read! 2- I never reviewed it first time around and 3- It's been a huge talking point on twitter again amongst us Chick Lit Bloggers.

I'm actually writing this review on little more than 4 hours sleep because it kept me awake last night until 5am this morning reading it! This book has probably had me reading it in just as many places as there are challenges on Phoebe's list! I've had the neighbours wonder what I'm giggling at in the bath, laughing out loud in the garden like an insane person, and my bed has seen more of me recently as I've been jotting up those 'early nights' to read! So why has it got me so excited?

Well, Phoebe Henderson is the single girl who didn't have much confidence in the bedroom (like a lot of us ladies right?) and having become recently single she starts the year off with a different kind of resolution list... a list of sexual tasks that she's never done before. But she needs someone to help her do them for obvious reasons. Enter her best friend Oliver who has known her forever and whom she trusts enough to share her list with.

As they work through the list that has things such as; voyeurism, bondage, role play, sex with a stranger and threesome on... things get tricky and complicated with both Phoebe and Oliver dating other people... the thing is has all this sex sparked off more passion and action than Phoebe can handle?

I loved this book because it was raw, utterly honest and Phoebe is the girl we all are.... she's honest and gritty, and Oliver is the honest guy who we all wish we knew. Through Oliver we see what makes a man worthy of a woman, and through Phoebe we see the sexual temptress that is in all of us.

Written in the style of a diary, it's like peaking inside a woman's sexual diary that's full of her exploits, thoughts and laugh-out-loud confessions that you'll find yourself agreeing with! You'll be kept on the edge of your seat... either by making sure you can make it to the toilet just in time (through laughing so much!) or the suspense of the storyline will make you say;

"Just one more page.... Just one more chapter"

So I urge you to go buy the book, open the book and literally laugh your way through each page. And maybe pick up an idea or two... or three.... or ten!!

Title: The Love List by Eve Devon

Published by HarperImpulse, HarperCollins

RRP: Paperback £5.46  (Out 18th December 2014)
         Ebook £1.99 (Out 2nd October 2014)

My Rating: 5/5







THE BLURB

Title: Christmas on Chestnut Street by Nancy Thayer

Published by: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine

RRP: $18.00 / £10.85 Hardback

Available from 28th October 2014

Rating : 4/5










THE BLURB:

In this enchanting holiday novel from New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer, family and friends gather on Nantucket for a gorgeous winter wedding with plenty of merry surprises in store.

As Christmas draws near, Felicia returns to her family’s home on the island to marry her adventurous, rugged boyfriend, Archie. Every detail is picture-perfect for a dream wedding: the snow-dusted streets, twinkling lights in the windows, a gorgeous red and white satin dress. Except a lavish ceremony is not Felicia’s dream at all; it’s what her mother, Jilly, wants. Jilly’s also worried that her daughter’s life with daredevil Archie will be all hiking and skydiving. Wondering if their handsome neighbor Steven Hardy might be a more suitable son-in-law, Jilly embarks on a secret matchmaking campaign for Felicia and the dashing stockbroker.

As the big day approaches and Jilly’s older daughter, Lauren, appears with rambunctious kids in tow, tensions in the household are high. With the family careening toward a Yuletide wedding disaster, an unexpected twist in Nancy Thayer’s heartwarming tale reminds everyone about the true meaning of the season.

MY OPINION:

I was sceptical at first about this book, especially as I was reading the opening chapter. There were so many characters introduced that I found it hard to follow. The first three chapters were a mixture of brief enjoyment, confusion and pure cheese - Christmas cheese. But isn't that why we love a festive novel?

We start by Jilly talking on the phone to her friend Nicole about Jilly's daughter upcoming wedding - on Christmas day. Of course like many mothers, the husband to be wasn't what she'd hoped for her daughter - at first, and she proceeded to try and fix Felicia (her daughter) up with Steven - the guy who recently moved next door and appeared single. Felicia had known him from childhood and still had a great relationship with him, however was it enough to leave her soon to be husband Archie for? Hmm Time will tell as you read further.

We meet Felicia's husband to be, Archie, and his mother Pat, along with Jilly's husband George and Felicias sister Lauren complete with husband Porter and children Laurence and Portia.... see... lots of characters! They spend the few days before Christmas together preparing for the wedding and encountering a few mis-haps that only Christmas can bring including crazy cat Rex tearing up the stocking for his catnip toy!

I would have liked to have read more about the wedding and the days after the wedding, but alas it was not to be.

I found the story adorable, and sweet in a festive short movie kind of way, although there were a few "roll the eyes" and "OMG- Did I really just read that?" moments including the coast guard being named.... John West... as in the Salmon in tins here in the UK John West... maybe it was just me but that was what made me realise it was a story.

I honestly really enjoyed reading this story by Nancy having never read any of her work before, it certainly hasn't put me off reading more.

Title: How to Get a Love Life by Rosie Blake

Published by: Novelicious Books

RRP/Availability: £0.79 on Kindle

Rating: 5/5








THE BLURB


A feel-good, hilarious romcom for the summer! Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Lucy Robinson and Lindsey Kelk.

Some people book last-minute holidays, walk barefoot in the grass or party on a week night. Not Nicola Brown. Nicola is the kind of girl who double-locks the front door, leaves the plastic covering on new furniture, sticks to a super-strict diet and definitely, absolutely Does Not Date.

Her colleague Caroline – loopy, warm and exasperated by her, knows that Nicola’s reluctance to lose control means she’s living only half a life. And so she lays down the gauntlet: Nicola must cast aside her hang ups and go on as many dates as it takes to find true love in time for Valentine’s Day.

The pick of local men is, quite frankly, a bit rubbish. And there are only three months until February 14th. Surely it’s an impossible task? But, as Nicola is about to find out on her dodgy dates, letting go isn’t quite as scary as she imagined.

In fact, it’s rather a lot of fun…


MY OPINION

OMG What a hoot!

I love this book to the moon and back because for me, Rosie has created a character; Nicola who represents the single ladies everywhere who have failed dates, and are wondering whether they should give up on love or not.

Nicola, who works at an talent agency has this amazing work colleague and friend, Caroline who has two young children and really wants Nicola to be happy in love, so she sets her the challenge of finding a date for Valentines day. The calendar gets marked and the plan of action begins being put into place. I love how Caroline sneakily asks these questions of Nicola that result in an online dating profile being filled out.

Once word of Nicola's dating mission gets underway, everyone is in on the act... her brother Mark starts setting her up on blind dates that obviously go horribly wrong, her Mother has opinions on men, and her boss, James becomes intrigued with her .... dates... especially an actor who is on the agency's books.

But James has a girlfriend... super glam Thalia.... or does he? Well he seems to, she's always checking up on him.

Nicola's "Find a date for valentines" mission takes her to new experiences and places that she never thought of doing; carpentry class, eating a fry up in a café after reading the football news in the newspaper (that WAS upside down), and even booking a singles holiday!

The question is, Does Nicola get a date for Valentines day?

I urge you to read it and find out! You'll have plenty of giggles along the way.

Title: Hopelessly Devoted to You by Jill Steeples

Published by: Carina UK

RRP: £4.99 / £2.99 on the Kindle NOW












THE BLURB

Meet Ruby’s fiancé, Finn. He’s gorgeous, thoughtful, successful and adoring – pretty much anyone could ever want in a man. 
 
In fact, he’s perfect. The catch? He’s just not perfect for her. But when Ruby finally plucks up the courage to come clean, Finn’s so furious that he misses his footing as he runs down the stairs – and suddenly, it’s not just his heart that’s broken!

When Finn wakes up, he can’t remember a thing. Not that Ruby dumped him – not even that they were ever engaged! It’s on the tip of Ruby’s tongue to come clean, but somehow, it never seems to be the right time... And as the weeks pass, she sees a new side to Finn. Arrogant and a shameless flirt, he’s irresistibly bad, and the chemistry between them is explosive!

It’s not that Ruby’s lying… she’s just withholding the truth. And seeing as things are going so well, perhaps there’s no need for Finn to have his memory jogged… The trouble is, there’s every chance that Finn might remember for himself!



I must say that I am certainly looking forward to finding out Ruby gets herself out of this one.

In this fabulous ebook short story Trisha Ashley will whisk you away for a romantic treat on the Yorkshire moors.

Plus the first chance to get your hands on some exclusive Trisha Ashley recipes.

Budding author and die-hard Bronte fan Eleri Groves decides to escape from her disastrous love life to a remote farm cottage in Yorkshire.

Living in the land of the Brontes has got to be better than her life at home and she hopes that she’ll find some inspiration for her next book.

But what she doesn’t expect is to find her own Mr Rochester and much more than she bargained for …

MY OPINION

This is actually my first reading of Tricia Ashley's work and happily it hasn't put me off her work, because I know that the only reason I scored it as a 3 instead of a 5 is because it is so short, had Tricia been able to lengthen the plot out, it would have made some truly magical reading for anyone who has a soft spot for Mr Rochester.

A real treat of a short e-story from Tricia, and I can't wait to read some more of her work of a more lengthier

I love how the story began with the character being a writer who'd come across some old journals that linked back to the time that the Bronte's were alive and writing. The writer; Eleri Groves takes her dog Missy to the Yorkshire hideout for some peace, tranquillity and the seclusion to write her book. However along with the blocks that every writer experiences, Eleri faces some blocks not of her own. The hideout where she's staying belongs to two family members whom have encountered a division of assets from their departed relative which leaves them fighting over land and egos.

At the end of the story, Tricia includes a handful of recipes which are in fitting with the story, which is a real nice touch.

What Eleri didn't count on was meeting a direct descendant of THE Mr Rochester who looks just like him, and slowly but surely LOVE prevails and softens his heart.

So whilst Eleri bargained on gaining some valuable writing time, she didn't factor in falling in love with Mr Rochester.... but as in life, in love anything is possible.



Title: Love Me or Leave Me by Claudia Carroll

Published by: HarperCollins, Avon

RRP/Availability: Available in Paperback £7.99 and e-book £1.49 (available for download now!) from Amazon

Rating: 4/5







THE BLURB

‘Welcome to the Hope Street Hotel – where you check in married, and check out single.’

Chloe Townsend was dumped at the altar. But now she's landed an incredible job, running a brand new boutique hotel with a difference. It's a pioneering 'divorce hotel', designed to make every aspect of breaking-up pain free – all in a single weekend.

No one is better qualified than Chloe to deal with relationships at crisis point, but, with three unhappy couples needing her help, she's forced to tackle her own secret heartbreak. Can she hold it together and prove that she's up for the job?

The hotel's opening weekend brings troubles and surprises, and it soon becomes clear that some endings can be very exciting new beginnings...


MY OPINION

When I first began reading Love Me or Leave Me I nearly left the book. I found it hard to get into during the first three chapters as it was quickly switching characters perspectives rather quickly. However, by the start of chapter 4 I was intrigued - enough to carry on reading as I'd heard such good things about this book.

The book is held together by a central leading character; Chloe Townsend who after being jilted on her wedding day made an escape back to Ireland and once she'd 'pulled herself together' landed herself a job in a NEW hotel that was part of a leading chain. It was to be a hotel with a difference, it was a Divorce Hotel. Initially I wondered how this would work out, but can happy report that by the end of the book, it worked out perfectly.

When the hotel officially opens, it welcomes in couples for a long weekend of divorce proceedings; from counselling to agreeing financial settlements, the whole weekend is planned to perfection for the couples to ideally sweep in and out of the hotel... and their marriage. It's a hotel for couples who are amicably divorcing.

However when we meet the characters; Lucy & Andrew (Celeb & Banker), Jo & Dave (Businesswoman & Aspiring Actor), Dawn & Kirk (Innocent Girl & Bonkers New Age Hippy-Dippy), we realise that relationships, marriage, breakups, and divorce are never what they seem. As so beautifully put by the Hotel Tycoon Rob

 

Title: The Teashop on the Corner by Milly Johnson

Published by: Simon & Schuster UK - BooksAndTheCity

RRP/Availability: £7.99 Available as a paperback (£3.50) or ebook (£3.32) on Amazon UK

Rating: 5/5








THE BLURB

Life is full of second chances…if only you keep your heart open for them.

Spring Hill Square is a pretty sanctuary away from the bustle of everyday life. And at its centre is Leni Merryman's Teashop on the Corner, specialising in cake, bookish stationery and compassion. And for three people, all in need of a little TLC, it is somewhere to find a friend to lean on.

Carla Pride has just discovered that her late husband Martin was not who she thought he was. And now she must learn to put her marriage behind her and move forward.

Molly Jones's ex-husband Harvey has reappeared in her life after many years, wanting to put right the wrongs of the past before it is too late.

And Will Linton's business has gone bust and his wife has left him to pick up the pieces. Now he needs to gather the strength to start again.

Can all three find the comfort they are looking for in The Teashop on the Corner? And as their hearts are slowly mended by Leni, can they return the favour when she needs it most…?



MY OPINION:

When I began reading this book I was slightly overwhelmed by the thickness (a good 492 pages!) but I knew it would be worth it.

By page 3 I was laughing out loud, and page 5 had me hooked with it's likeness to an Eastender's episode with it's own 'Duff-Duff'!

The book begins with one of the main characters (although they all become stars in their own right throughout the book) Carla at the funeral of her husband which is where the Laugh out Loud begins and the drama unfurls.

I love how Milly Johnson put this scene so close to the beginning because it really gets you hooked into the book quicker that a crochet hook!

We then meet three more characters, Shaun, Leni and Mr Singh. Leni is the owner of the new shop...The Teashop on the Corner with Mr Singh first being her customer and then her friend along with Shaun first her landlord, whilst friendship slowly mends his frosty heart.  

More customers are drawn to the café through the dramas going on in their lives which unites them all in companionship and a friendship that's bonded like a books pages to its cover. From Jane Austen to Thomas Hardy, Heathcliff to Catherine... there is always book chat going on here, which fastly becomes a thrill of the café keeping the customers engaged in a literary chat any English literature professor would love to witness.

Will Linton has lost his business, his wife ups and leaves him with little to own so he finds himself homeless and jobless. Molly Jones' ex husband returns with more than she bargained for and family secrets unfold in a dramatic filled way that would win any soap award without a doubt. Then there's Molly's sister Margaret and her husband Bernard, who are the sweetest couple and family members to Molly. Whilst they don't appear in the book much, when they do it's captivating and sweet, especially when Margaret's ability to see the dead adds a touching and tearful scene that brings everything together.
Whilst Leni is always bright, cheerful and there to lean on should her friends and customers need to, she is harbouring secrets and pain, yet still she takes in a charming 15 year old boy who despite societies neglect is going against the grain of his family in order to be a better person.

When love, life and death collide, it's up to the Teashop on the Corner's new customers to repay Leni with the kindness and love that she's had for each of them.


Leni's teashop has been the talk on twitter among us chick lit reviewers and readers, because we all just want to go to the teashop to meet, have tea and cake with a twist! You see, Leni's Teashop is special and any book lover - bookaholic - book nerd etc will understand why we're so excited about this book (and the teashop). The Teashop on the Corner is a café and shop where you can buy classic book cover themed handbags, postcards, gift-tags, - it's basically a stationary addicts dream. The best news is that, you can purchase these contents - just visit Milly's website (links at the top) for more details

I was completely hooked throughout this book reading 50+ pages in a single sitting at a time. All I would say is make sure you've got a cuppa the side of you when you start reading, and cake (there is always need for cake), because you will be glued to the book (and its cover!).

To say that I HIGHLY recommend this book is a sheer understatement. This has to be the best read of 2014 for me! I just want more!!! I'd love to read a follow up book with a Christmas themed book - going along the lines of A Christmas Carol perhaps... featuring the characters from this book (hint hint Milly ;) ) .

 

ABOUT MILLY

I am so excited to share with you the news that I am going on tour in the blogging world. What I mean by this is that I am taking part in a blog tour for Amy Griffins' new book; Before You Say Yes.

 

The tour kicks off on 29th September with my friend Leah at Girls Love To Read, and it continues through until the last stop on 10th October. You can catch my blog on 2nd October (3 days before my birthday!)

From the book cover, it looks like it's going be absolutely fun to read! Please share the book love and stop by each blog on the designated days to support not only us book bloggers but the author who's put some incredible effort into writing and taking part with us.


Here are the blog tour details, that will be posted along the side of this blog from now and throughout the event.

Carole Matthews kicks off 2015 with more than a firework of celebration! Carole's first book of 2015 is called The Cakeshop in the Garden - which in itself sounds super scrummy and good enough to eat, so I doubt the book will be hard to devour. Due to be published 8th January 2015 but what's it all about?


Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful house on the scenic bank of the canal. She whips up airy sponges, scrumptious scones and fresh bread, and her customers love trying Fay's delicious creations as they watch the world go by. Running her own cafe and looking after her mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities and she's sure her family appreciates all she does for them.

Then Danny Wilde walks into her life.

Danny makes Fay feel things she's never felt before and try as she might to resist, Fay is inexplicably drawn to this man. When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay's entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn't know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision - even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? One thing's for certain: everything is about to change in The Cake Shop in the Garden.

I know I can't wait to read this delicious read after all the festivities are calmed down.

NEW RELEASE!!!


Nic Tatano is back with another new book, and from the cover alone it looks absolutely brilliant! For me if a cover looks amazing, then I guess the book will be too... it's a great decider for me and I'm usually right!

Twitter Girl is out on 18th September and the coolest thing about this book is that you can follow the lead character on her Twitter account @TwitrGrlCassidy too!

You can pre-order Twitter Girl as an eBook now. I can't wait to read this! It's sitting on my e-reader now thanks to the lovely publishers, HarperImpulse (thank you!)

"Meet America’s Tweet-Heart.

She’s network reporter Cassidy Shea, better known as @TwitterGirl, with more than a million followers thanks to her sarcastic tweets. One hundred forty characters that can take anyone down a notch.

But while brevity may be the soul of wit, it can also get you fired.

When a controversial tweet goes viral the snarky redhead finds herself locked out of the career she loves… and watches her boyfriend take a hike.

Alas, no industry values sarcasm more than politics, and Cassidy becomes a marketable commodity for Presidential candidate Will Becker, a squeaky-clean, stone cold lock to be the next occupant of the White House. This candidate is unlike any other; he’s the country’s most eligible bachelor. He’s also looking for a running mate, and we’re not talking about a Vice President.

Twitter Girl has caught his eye.

Cassidy finds herself swept up in a whirlwind romance that turns her into the next Jackie Kennedy and becomes the favorite to be the next First Lady. The country can’t get enough of America’s First Couple… will Cassidy and Will Becker bring back Camelot?

But an anonymous tip triggers her journalistic curiosity. Is Will Becker all that he seems? The search for the answer teaches Cassidy the meaning of love."