❄️ Just Christmas by Emily Harvale **Book Review** @rararesources

happy happy Tuesday!

excited to share today a book from one of my absolute favorite authors! cannot wait to get my hands on this festive read!❄️

Just for Christmas

Could this be true love? Or is it just for Christmas?

Finding an abandoned dog beside the road isn’t the Christmas surprise interior designer, Molly Ford is hoping for. But when the local vet can’t find a space for the bedraggled dog, Molly makes a rash decision. 

The problem is, she’s spending Christmas with her brother, Terence, and his girlfriend is allergic to dogs, so the bundle of wet fur, which Molly has named Miracle, might not be the only one needing a home this Christmas.

And Miracle causes chaos wherever he puts his paws. He pees on the Christmas tree, shreds the Christmas presents and eats the honeyed ham. That’s just the first night. 

When Terence’s best friend, Chance offers Molly and Miracle a place to stay for Christmas, Molly is ecstatic. She doesn’t mind at all when he informs her there are strings attached. She’d rather like a festive fling with gorgeous Chance.

Now Molly’s in for another surprise. Chance is about to pop the question. Except it’s not to Molly. In fact, he needs her help to get the dilapidated cottage he’s bought, all clean and sparkly in time for his girlfriend’s impending arrival on New Year’s Eve.

But as Molly and Chance grow closer, spending time together beneath the stars in a winter wonderland and enjoying the Christmas festivities, they realise they have feelings for each other.

Could this be true love? Or is it just for Christmas?

Purchase Links 

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emily-Harvale/e/B007BKQ1SW

US – https://www.amazon.com/Emily-Harvale/e/B007BKQ1SW

Author Bio – 

Emily writes novels, novellas and short stories about friendship, family and falling in love. She loves a happy ending but knows that life doesn’t always go to plan. Her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily loves to connect with her readers and has a readers’ group in which many have become good friends. To catch up with Emily, find out about the group, or connect with her on social media, go to her website at www.emilyharvale.com.

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now writes full-time. She’s a member of the SoA, an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. When not writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both. Emily has two mischievous rescue cats that like to sprawl across her keyboard, regardless of whether Emily is typing on it, or not.

Social Media Links –  https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim **Book Review** @parkrowbooks @harperaudio

Happy Tuesday all!

Happy birthday to this fabulous debut!🎉

My Thoughts

An authentic and raw look at the life of an immigrant. A compelling debut packed with culture and secrets. Margot is first generation Korean American, She grew up in LA’s Koreatown. Margot was always a little embarrassed of and never fully understood her mother, so she went to college in Seattle and never looked back. Now she is home, her mother is gone, and Margot is learning that there was much more to her mother than she ever realized. Told from the alternating perspectives of Margot and her mother Mina. Not only do we watch Margo try to figure out what happened to her mom we are also privy to Mina’s life when she first arrives in the US from Korea. This really allows the reader to glimpse the full picture of this complicated mother daughter relationship. As well as a real look at the life of an immigrant. Greta Jung narrates the audiobook masterfully. She gave the perfect voice to both Margot and Mina and what I appreciated is I always knew which character was speaking. I also really appreciated both her Spanish and Korean pronunciation.

Nancy Jooyoun Kim grew up in Los Angeles and that as well as her Korean Heritage really shown through on these pages. I love seeing the diversity, especially the representation of the Asian and Latin cultures. This is the California I grew up in, I grew up in LA County in a neighborhood that was more white than this one but diverse none the same. So often this area is portrayed as this glitz and glamour place of privilege where the majority of Californians don’t live. The LA Mina lived in was broken and dirty, yet beautiful and diverse. I have to admit I enjoyed her parts of this book more than Margot’s. Mina was such a wonderful character! She was so strong, so resilient, so stoic, and yet she had a quiet sense of humor. I was humbled by how brave she was to uproot her life and move to a different country where she had no knowledge of language or culture. Her tenacity was admirable and she really made a good life for herself. What was unfortunate was that Margot never recognized it and part of that was on Mina there was so much she could have shared but didn’t. The mystery in the story was probably the weakest part of the book a lot of it depended upon coincidence. I think I would’ve liked more about Mina, more about her life in Korea and more about her life after her first year in America. A lovely story looking forward to what’s next from Mancy Jooyoun Kim.

This book in emojis 🍱 🍵 👗 🧸 🖼 🛒

*** Big thank you to Park Row & Harper Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About the Book

“Kim is a brilliant new voice in American fiction.” (Alexander Chee, best-selling author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel)

“Suspenseful and deeply felt.” (Chloe Benjamin, New York Times best-selling author of The Immortalists)

“Fans of Amy Tan and Kristin Hannah will love Kim’s brilliant debut.” (Booklist, starred review)

A profoundly moving and unconventional mother-daughter saga, The Last Story of Mina Lee illustrates the devastating realities of being an immigrant in America. 

Margot Lee’s mother, Mina, isn’t returning her calls. It’s a mystery to 26-year-old Margot, until she visits her childhood apartment in Koreatown, LA, and finds that her mother has suspiciously died. The discovery sends Margot digging through the past, unraveling the tenuous invisible strings that held together her single mother’s life as a Korean War orphan and an undocumented immigrant, only to realize how little she truly knew about her mother.

Interwoven with Margot’s present-day search is Mina’s story of her first year in Los Angeles as she navigates the promises and perils of the American myth of reinvention. While she’s barely earning a living by stocking shelves at a Korean grocery store, the last thing Mina ever expects is to fall in love. But that love story sets in motion a series of events that have consequences for years to come, leading up to the truth of what happened the night of her death.

Told through the intimate lens of a mother and daughter who have struggled all their lives to understand each other, The Last Story of Mina Lee is a powerful and exquisitely woven debut novel that explores identity, family, secrets, and what it truly means to belong. 

Summer at Orchard House by Ellyn Oaksmith **Book Review** @bookouture

Happy Monday everyone!

Well I loved this book! It was such a wonderful story about family… and love… and wine 🍷

My Thoughts

Family, romance, and wine. Ellen Oaksmith has written such a heartwarming feel good story about the strength and power of love. Carmen has returneded home from Seattle to help on her family’s Vineyard. Her beloved father Juan is suffering from Alzheimers, and Carmen is afraid that the smooth talking interloper who just moved into the Vineyard next-door will talk him out of the family land. Carmen is surprised by the disrepair of the family home and Vineyard, but soon she remembers how much she loves the land. Carmen is determined to not only pay off the bank, but also bring the family vineyard back to its former glory. But Evan the budding winemaker next-door has other ideas, he really wants to get his hands on Carmine’s family land and grapes. Carmen it’s not having it, and will stop at nothing to stop this from happening. But surprise surprise Carmen and Evan are as drawn to one another as they are repelled.

This was such a gorgeous story. The setting was absolutely stunning and so vividly described. I felt like I was right there on the vineyard with Carmen and her family. Loved the bond between the sisters and their father and how determined and creative they were to keep the Vineyard. Also loved the back and forth between Carmen and Evan. There were some pretty funny moments while these to try to undermined one another, I especially loved the goats. A touching story that tugged at my heart, glad to see it is the first in what looks like will be a delightful series.

This book in emojis 🍇 🐶 🍷 🐐 👩🏼‍🌾 🏊🏽

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About the Book

The Alvarez sisters have grown up and moved away—but now their dad is in crisis, the family business is collapsing and it’s time to go home to Lake Chelan.

Carmen Alvarez is the reliable one. When her vulnerable father’s livelihood is threatened, she’s the person her sisters call. Abandoning her job in Seattle, Carmen races home to the family vineyard her dad built up from nothing to set things straight. But soon she’s fallen back in love with the dusty sage hills, the turquoise blue lake, the fragrant June orchards… Maybe she’s not just home for the summer?

Standing in the way of Carmen’s happiness is one very attractive obstacle: new neighbor Evan Hollister, who’s after her dad’s land. He’s arrogant, entitled and spoiled—everything Carmen hates—and she is all set to have a bit of fun driving him out of town so things can get back to normal. She isn’t ready for their relationship to get complicated…

But Evan is the least of Carmen’s worries. The business is falling apart and it starts to look like Carmen might lose much more than just her pride: employees have quit, the bank keeps calling and everything her father worked so hard for is slipping away. As she is pushed to breaking point, Carmen will learn that her true family are the people who will see her through the worst of times, and that love can be found in the most unlikely of places.

A heart-warming romance about embracing the unexpected, Summer at Orchard House will make you laugh, make you cry, and remind you that it’s never too late to start again. For fans of Robyn Carr, Carolyn Brown and Debbie Macomber. 

About the Book

Ellyn Oaksmith is a USA Today and Kindle bestselling author. After graduating from The American Film Institute, Ellyn was a screenwriter in Hollywood, pitching movies, rewriting scripts and navigating the Los Angeles freeways before Google Maps. Meeting movie stars was a fun and surreal perk.

Ellyn’s first book was published by Avon/Harper Collins. Other contemporary romances with smart, ambitious heroines followed.
Ellyn lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and their polydactyl cat, Forest. Ellyn is an avid competitive rower. 

 http://ellynoaksmith.com/

https://www.facebook.com/EllynOaksmith 

 https://www.instagram.com/ellynoaksmith/

https://twitter.com/ellynoaksmith  

Buy Links: 

Amazon: https://bit.ly/2VGNo4H

Apple: https://apple.co/2yH9JX8

Kobo: https://bit.ly/34fmiVl

Google: https://bit.ly/2YTrT2v

The Lilac House by Barbara Jesselsohn **Book Review** @bookouture

Happy Friday all!

“May you not live in interesting times”. I don’t know how things are going where you are, but it has gotten a little crazy here! No toilet paper, no water, no sanitizer, no NBA, no MLB, no Coachella, no Disneyland. You need a sweet little escape read and this book is perfect for that!🌸

My Thoughts

This was a sweet small town story of family, second chances, and moving on. I would classify this as women’s fiction with a splash of romance rather than a true romance, but for me that worked just fine. I loved the small town of Summers Lake; The quaint shops and the quirky residence. Anna returns to her summer home in Somers Lake for the first time after the death of her husband Greg. Convinced that this is the last summer the family will spend in this small town and determined to make it as normal as possible for her two children. Anna’s aunt Hope has just opened a dance studio/boutique in the same small town and is hoping she can change Anna’s mind. Just as Anna starts to think she has completely made a mistake by returning to Summers Lake she meets Aiden. Aidan is also suffering from his own loss. Handsome, strong, silent, and hiding a secret of his own. I am certain you know where this is going. But the journey was filled with much more depth and emotion than I was anticipating.

I really liked Anna and felt for her as she tried to navigate this tough situation with her children. I thought the portrayal of grief was very raw and realistic. I loved the inclusion of Aunt Hope to the story. Especially loved the dance shop and all the little ballet tidbits. I’d venture to guess the author danced at some point in her life or had a child who danced (my daughter danced for many years competitively and all this brought back memories of that time). Aidan was a good guy and a good father. I was trying to figure out what he could have possibly done that was so bad that he was pretty much in hiding. That leads me to what I thought was the weakest (for lack of a better word) part of the story. There were a lot of so-called secrets and big reveals and I wasn’t always convinced that they were as big of a deal as they were made to be. I think people were a little underestimated when it came to some of the things in the story. In spite of this I really enjoyed the story. The setting was delightful, the characters were enchanting, it left me smiling and wanting a smoothie.

This book in emojis 🩰 ⛰ 🍔 🥤 🏊🏼‍♂️

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

About the Book

Can one summer house bring two broken hearts together?

Summer escapes to Lilac House have always been a source of comfort for Anna Harris. Though things will never be the same since her husband’s death, she knows that it is there, nestled in Lake Summers in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, that she and her children Zac and Evie can begin to build a new life.

The house is just as beautiful as Anna remembers, and caught up in the rhythm of small town life, helping her Aunt Hope run the little shop on Main Street, Anna begins to feel a sense of herself she hasn’t felt in years. Then she meets Aidan. Handsome, strong and quiet, he also knows what’s it’s like to lose someone. In each other they recognise something they’ve both been missing and they feel a spark.

But Aidan’s past holds a different set of complications. He’s hiding a secret about why he came to Lake Summers. And just as the Lilac House finally starts to feel like home, Anna learns something devastating about Greg’s death that makes her question everything…

The summer might have brought Anna and Aidan together, but can Anna finally let go of the past now she really has the chance for a new beginning?

A beautiful story about moving on and finding yourself, The Lilac House will restore your faith in love and teach you that it’s never too late the find the person who will change your life. For fans of Carolyn Brown, Jenny Hale and Mary Alice Monroe.  

About the Author

Barbara Josselsohn is novelist and journalist. Her articles and essays appear in a range of publications including New York Magazine, American Baby, The New York Times, Parents Magazine, and Writers’ Digest. Online, you can see her work on WorkingMother.com, NextAvenue.org, and GrownandFlown.com. She teaches novel writing and creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y., and other venues.  

http://www.barbarasolomonjosselsohn.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraSolomonJosselsohnAuthor

@barbarajoss  

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/2VX9fFG

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2PXkx9c

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3aQm35h

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2TQxeUA

— 

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Berit☀️✨

The Worst Couple in the World by Holly Tierney-Bedord @hollytierney @rararesources #bookreview #theworstcoupleintheworld

Happy Monday all!

Another week of fall and I am still waiting for cooler temperatures! Thrilled to share with you today my review for this fun little book! Thanks Rachel for my invitation to this tour!🍃

The Worst Couple in the World

No longer content to just be Snappigram sensations, folk hop singers Zeke and Angelique are ready to move up from coffee house performances to the big stage. With songs like “Uh Huh, Future Baby Mama” and “Don’t Worry About the Bills, Little Missus” there’s pretty much no way they can fail.

But if their musical career takes off, will it leave their love behind?

This satirical novella about an over-the-top fame hungry duo is for fans of David Sedaris and Don DeLillo.

My Thoughts

This was a #shortbutsweetstory full of #humorandheart !!! A satirical look at social media that will make you laugh and think twice before you make that next post. Zeke and Angelique are friends turned lovers turned bandmates who are consumed with being Instafamous (although in this book I guess it would be called Snappyfamous?). They are beyond concerned with their status on “Snappygram” Life is all about likes, followers, hashtags,and The brand. Zeke and Angelique‘s antics will make you cringe, roll your eyes, and laugh. This novella is the perfect little pick me up. I was simultaneously charmed and annoyed by these characters. The secondary characters were fantastic, the band/brand manager who wanted them to always stay “true to the brand” and the extended family members who added some levity to the story. Next time you’re looking for an entertaining quick read, I strongly encourage you to pick this one up!

This book and three emojis: 😂 🎼 🙄

Purchase Links

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X3R74PS

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07X3R74PS

Author Bio – Holly Tierney-Bedord is the author of over twenty books ranging from serious women’s fiction to romantic comedies, domestic thrillers, humor, and cozy mysteries. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Social Media Links –

http://www.hollytierneybedord.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyt

Tweets by HollyTierney

https://hollyrecommends.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HollyRecommends/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6433388.Holly_Tierney_Bedord

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/holly-tierney-bedord

Giveaway to Win a $5 Starbucks Gift Card (Open to US Only)

*Terms and Conditions –US entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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The Favorite Daughter by Patti Callahan Henry @pcallhenry @BerkleyPub #bookreview #thefavoritedaughter

Happy hump day all!

Excited to share with you today my review for this lovely story that completely captured my heart! Forgiveness seems to be the theme of the week, because this book was all about forgiveness and family!💕

My Thoughts

𝒮𝓉𝓇𝓊𝑔𝑔𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇. 𝒯𝓇𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑔𝑒𝓉.

Patti Callahan Henry has written a beautiful story full of memories, family, and forgiveness. A decade ago Lena was devastatingly betrayed right before she was about to walk down the aisle. Completely destroyed and mortified Lena packs her bags and heads to New York to lick her wounds and start over. Lena gets a job as a travel journalist, traveling the country and the world, but rarely returning home to Water’s End South Carolina. After receiving a phone call from her brother Shane Lena realizes she needs to return home and face her past. Lena’s beloved father Gavin has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and it is only a matter of time before he will lose all his memories. What transpires is a lovely story about the struggle to remember and the desire to forget.

This story completely captured my heart. These characters, this family, I was completely invested. Lena’s struggle to face her sister Hallie after 10 years of animosity was heartbreaking and uncomfortable. Some things are hard to forgive and even harder to forget and I am not certain if I would be capable myself. I really felt for Lena and understood her actions. HallieWas a bit of a hypocrite and really frustrated me. And poor Shane was so caught in the middle just trying to keep the peace between his sisters. Loved how the siblings were working together to create a book of memories for their dad, they really wanted to do just about anything to keep his memories alive. Gavin had a big personality and a big heart and it was heartbreaking to see his health and memories deteriorate.

So many pieces to the story that when put together were pure magic. The story was captivating, the setting was stunning, and the characters were authentic. The ending was so touching and it hit me right in the heart! Another remarkable story that you definitely need to add to your summer TVR!

*** Big thanks to Berkley for my copy of this book ***

About the Book

New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry returns to the beloved Lowcountry setting of The Bookshop at Water’s End with a novel of one woman’s homecoming. 
On her wedding day 10 years ago, Lena Donohue experienced a betrayal so painful that she fled the small town of Watersend, South Carolina, and reinvented herself in New York City. Though now a freelance travel writer, the one place she rarely goes is home – until she learns of her dad’s failing health. 
Returning to Watersend means seeing the sister she has avoided for a decade and the brother who runs their family’s Irish pub – and who has borne the burden of his sisters’ rift. While Alzheimer’s slowly steals their father’s memories, the siblings rush to preserve his life in stories and photographs. As his secret past brings Lena’s own childhood into focus, it sends her on a journey to discover the true meaning of home….
Praise for The Favorite Daughter 
“A satisfying read about family and forgiveness.” (PopSugar) 
“Henry’s latest packs an emotional wallop, delving into the bonds and tragedies that make a family…. Readers of thoughtful family dramas will be drawn to the travails of the Donohue clan.” (Booklist) 
“Readers will be immersed in this moving tale, hungry to learn whether love and family will overcome betrayal, secrets, and heartache.” (Publishers Weekly)

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Berit☀️✨

The Friends We Keep by Jane Green @JaneGreen @BerkleyPub #bookreview #thefriendswekeep #pubday

Happy Tuesday all!

Today I have a review for a book about friendship and forgiveness. This was a wonderful story that I strongly encourage you to add to your summer TBR!📚🏖

My Thoughts

F҉r҉i҉e҉n҉d҉s҉h҉i҉p҉. F҉o҉r҉g҉i҉v҉e҉n҉e҉s҉s҉. L҉i҉f҉e҉.

Jane Green has crafted an engaging story full of friendship, forgiveness, and finding out who you really are. Evie, Maggie, and Topher met at University where they forged a strong friendship that they swore would never end. A friendship built on love, respect, and trust. After university they all go their separate ways. Evvie does something to betray Maggie’s trust, rather than telling Maggie she pulls herself even further away from the friendship. Evvie moves to New York where she becomes a supermodel, Maggie works at a PR company, and Topher becomes a soapstar. Years later they all reunite at Maggie’s wedding to an old crush. The reunion is short as they all have their lives to live and then Evvie does something that might end this friendship forever. Fast forward and the three of them are in their 40s and they are all at a point in their lives where it makes the most sense for them to all live together. But as the three begin to get closer again, secrets begin to come out. Secret that may not be forgivable.

I love stories about friendships and that this was a friendship between two women and a man was a bit of a different twist that I found refreshing. I really liked all three of these characters even though they weren’t terribly relatable and they sure did frustrated me at times. The story spanned many decades and I Love that. It is so amazing how much we change and grow through the years. How we let go of dreams and develop new ones. That really was evident in the lives of these characters. I probably was most sympathetic towards Maggie, because I could relate to her more than the other characters. I know what it’s like to have a spouse who is an alcoholic, and if I’m being honest Maggie is a much more forgiving person than me. In oh so many ways!

This was a great read that will resonate with many. I think we all have those friends that we thought would always be part of our lives that we don’t see much of any more. Although I have to say some of the characters in this book really push those friendship boundaries, and I am not sure if I would be so ready to forgive. Jane green has a engaging writing style that kept me completely invested in the story throughout. This was another wonderful read that I encourage you to add to your summer TBR!

*** Big thanks to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book ***

About the Book

 is the heartwarming and unforgettable new novel from Jane Green, the New York Times best-selling author of The Sunshine Sistersand The Beach House. 
Evvie, Maggie, and Topher have known one another since college. Their friendship was something they swore would last forever. Now years have passed, the friends have drifted apart, and they never found the lives they wanted – the lives they dreamed of when they were young and everything seemed possible. 
Evvie starved herself to become a supermodel but derailed her career by sleeping with a married man. 
Maggie married Ben, the boy she fell in love with in college, never imagining the heartbreak his drinking would cause. 
Topher became a successful actor, but the shame of a childhood secret shut him off from real intimacy. 
By their 30th reunion, these old friends have lost touch with one another and with the people they dreamed of becoming. Together again, they have a second chance at happiness…until a dark secret is revealed that changes everything. 
The Friends We Keep is about how despite disappointments we’ve had or mistakes we’ve made, it’s never too late to find a place to call home.

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Berit☀️✨

Invisible Girl by Jill Childs @author_jill @bookouture #bookreview #invisiblegirl

Happy Thursday everyone!

Delighted to share with you today my review for this emotional thought-provoking story! Thanks so much Noelle for my invitation to the tour!🥰

My Thoughts

𝔼𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝. ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘. 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥-𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕠𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘.

Jill Childs has written a beautiful emotional heartbreaking story that will make you think. Maddie is educated, an alcoholic, and homeless. Becca is a single mother with a teenage son Alex and a five-year-old daughter Rosie. One Day Becca and Rosie are out and about and run into Maddie, Rosie takes an immediate interest. Ultimately Becca with the urging of her five-year-old Rosie invites Maddie to dinner and a bond forms between Maddie and family. Sarah, Becca‘s best friend and neighbor is a little wary of Maddie and her intentions. What follows is a tale of secrets, lies, grief, and forgiveness.

Maddie was a very likable and relatable character who was really struggling. Grief had completely consumed her and drug her down into despair. This is where I had a little bit of a problem… everyone has hard times in their lives, of course some people have harder times than others, and I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic. But it is how you deal with those hard times that defines who you are. My ex-husband is an alcoholic and it has destroyed his relationship not only with me but his kids, so for very personal reasons I have very little sympathy or patience for people in that situation. Another thing I cannot imagine I would ever under any circumstances bring a homeless person home with me. I do realize people are homeless for many different reasons but I think the prominent reason in the US is mental health issues and I’m not sure I would want that around me or my kids. So while I really loved this book and I loved the kindness and big heart of Rosie and eventually Becca, I’m not sure if it was all together plausible. Sorry I went off on a bit of a tangent there.

The story was told from the perspectives of Maddie, Becca, and Sarah. I always enjoy books that are told from multiple perspectives I just think it gives you such insight to the entire story. All three of these characters were likable and sympathetic. They also all had flaws some a little more obvious than others. Becca was a good person but a little insecure and I wasn’t always thrilled with her parenting decisions when it came to her teenage son Alex. Sarah oh Sarah had some sticky fingers and maybe was a bit jealous of the merging relationship between Maddie and Becca. The little girls Rosie and Sarah‘s daughter Ella were both super adorable and of course added some levity to the book. This story was simultaneously heartwarming and heart breaking. A well told family drama full of secrets and lies. This is a book that I am still pondering, it definitely gave me a lot of food for thought. And the ending was quite lovely and simply satisfying!

*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

About the Book

 A heartbreaking story of family secrets from the USA Today bestselling author of Gracie’s Secret. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain.

I know you. I know you in a way you can’t even imagine. I have been searching for you in the years since you wrote that letter – the letter that told me you were looking for me too. But now that I’ve found you, I don’t know if I can say the terrible truth of what I am. It would ruin your perfect life. It would hurt your beautiful daughter.

So, I hesitate – bide my time, for now. This morning, you’re running late and your little girl, tugged by the hand, scurries to keep up with you. She’s clean but a little scrawny. Maybe that’s because you struggle with the bills; maybe she’s just made that way. 

I know what it is to have lost a child. I pray you never learn how that feels. But I can’t wait forever… and when I finally tell you my secret, will it break you like it did me all those years ago?

About The Author

Jill has always loved writing – real and imaginary – and spent 30 years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She’s now made her home in London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she’s covered everything from earthquakes and floods, riots and wars, she’s found some of the most extraordinary stories right here at home – in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets, just like yours.

If you’ve enjoyed reading one of Jill’s books, please do leave a review.
For latest news, follow Jill on Twitter (author_jill) and Facebook (Jill Childs)

 

Author Social Media Links: 

Website: n/a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.childs.71

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/author_jill

UNIVERSAL Buy  Link:    

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07P9971LCSocial  

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2EKiDUn

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2EJfNyG

Googleplay: http://ow.ly/ETjh30nUpb0

 

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Have a Beautiful day!🌻

Berit☀️✨

Knowing You by Samantha Tonge @SamTongeWriter @rararesources #bookreview #knowingyou

Happy Thursday bibliophiles

Excited to share with you today my review for this delightful book! Huge thank you to Rachel for my invitation to the tour and to Samantha for your lovely words!🌹

Knowing You

An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret…

 Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

 

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

 

Her long-term friends Mable and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them. When she was a child, her closest confidant and companion was a boy called Flint. Her mother didn’t approve of their closeness and he suffered a terrible end. She won’t let the same thing happen to Bella, no matter what anyone says…

 

Knowing You is about friendship and knowing who to trust with your deepest secrets; it’s about taking control of your life and not being afraid to stand out. Perfect for fans of Ruth Hogan, Gail Honeyman and Amanda Prowse

My Thoughts

This was a compelling read packed with friendship, emotion, and depth!

This book was women’s fiction older wiser more jaded sister. A Book that starts with a whisper and ends in a scream! this was almost 2 books in one. The first half was light fluffy reading and then BAM things went a little sideways got a little dark a little deep. Sam Tonge Took on some serious topics in this book and she took them head on. She handled them with compassion and heart.

Violet has a pretty good life she works in publishing, has good Friends, and a loving boyfriend Lenny. When Lenny and she break up Violet is a little lost but she still has her lovely friends. When Bella her flatmate enters the picture that’s when things get a little wild in this book. Bella encourages Violet to change her image, but is Violet becoming the woman she was always meant to be? Or a completely different person? Not going to say any more than that this is a book best gone into with minimal knowledge, I had no idea what I was in for but I soon found out I was in for a treat! A treat with a side of oh no she didn’t!

The story jumps back-and-forth between 2001 and present and really gives you a comprehensive look into Violet’s life. Life has not always been easy for Violet and learning about her past really gave you an understanding of her present. I really liked Violet, I found her charming, kind, and sweet. Her friends were sweet and supportive and I really enjoyed the bond between all of them. This really is a book about self discovery and self acceptance something that is easier said than done.

This is a well told engaging story that will take you places you won’t be expecting to go! Recommend!

Purchase Links

Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MX87BH1/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=ur2&tag=canelo-21

Apple – https://geo.itunes.apple.com/gb/book/knowing-you/id1449854707?mt=11&uo=8&at=1000l5Q7

Google – https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=aRiEDwAAQBAJ

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/knowing-you-6

About Samantha Tonge

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and her passion, second to spending time with her husband and children, is writing. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.

In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.

Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

Thank you so much for dropping by! Have a wonderful day! Berit

The liar’s Child by Carla Buckley @CarlaBuckley @randomhouse #bookreview #theliarschild #valentinebooks

Happy Tuesday book lovers!

Excited to share with you today my review for this intense domestic thriller that comes out today!🌷

My Thoughts

a vividly told domestic thriller packed with characters you won’t soon forget!

Carla Buckley is a master storyteller, this is my second book by her and they both have completely captivated me. This is a compelling domestic thriller with characters that just leap off the pages. The story is mesmerizing and taught with tension and emotion. You won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough, and you won’t want it to end.

Sarah reluctantly enters witness protection and finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In an apartment building named Paradise that is anything but. She spends her time working as a house cleaner and observing her neighbors. Soon she finds herself crossing paths with the two kids that live next-door to her, 12-year-old Cassie and five-year-old Boone. Sarah recognizes that Paradise is certainly no paradise for these kids. The walls are thin and she hears constant fighting between their parents. She also hears other rumors of the family’s recent tragedy. When a devastating hurricane hits and Sarah realizes the kids are on their own she makes a split second decision that will alter the course of all three of their lives.

The story is told from multiple perspectives allowing you to see the entire picture. The characters are extremely well fleshed out and the kids are perfectly portrayed for the ages they were. Cassie was surly, antagonistic, and had a huge chip on her shoulder. Boone was sweet, adorable, and utterly charming. He definitely pulled at my heartstrings as well as Sarah’s. Sarah was strong, complex, and a little mysterious. The three of them made quite the team, and I truly cherished every minute I got to spend with them. I read another review that said this was an unconventional love story and I’d have to say that is a perfect way to describe this book. Three unlikely people who found the best in one another in the midst of tragedy. And can I just say the ending to this book was simple perfection!

A beautifully told story that is simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting. A domestic thriller with a splash of mystery. Absolutely recommend!

*** A huge thank you to Random House Valentine for my copy of this book ***

About the Book

In this intense and intimate family portrait that moves at a thriller’s pace, a troubled woman faces a gripping moral dilemma after rescuing two abandoned children from a hurricane. 
On the outskirts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks sits the Paradise, an apartment complex where renters never stay long enough to call the place “home” – and neighbors are seldom neighborly. It’s ideal for Sara Lennox, who moved there to escape a complicated past – and even her name – and rebuild a new life for herself under the radar. But Sara cannot help but notice the family next door, especially 12-year-old Cassie and five-year-old Boon. She hears rumors and whispers of a recent tragedy slowly tearing them apart. 
When a raging storm threatens then slams the coastal community, Sara makes a quick, bold decision: Rescue Cassie and Boon from the storm and their broken home – without telling a soul. But this seemingly noble act is not without consequences. Some lethal. 
Carla Buckley crafts a richly rewarding psychological portrait, combining a heart-wrenching family drama with high-stakes suspense, as the lives of three characters intertwine in an unforgettable story of fury, fate – and redemption. 
“You should read The Liar’s Child by Carla Buckley because it’s a lovely and evocative story, and because it raises all kinds of questions about parents and children, secrets and safety. But be careful: This is a writer who knows how to break your heart.” (Carolyn Parkhurst, New York Times best-selling author of The Dogs of Babel and Lost and Found) 

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Berit☀️✨