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31 May 2015

June 2015 releases! (Part 2)

Yesterday I shared several upcoming June releases which I'm really excited about and today I have part 2 of the list for all of you! If you think the first part of June already has some great releases in store for us, be sure to scroll down to today's list, because I'm sure you'll find several other novels to add to your TBR-list straight away!

Which releases are you excited about? I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like me to include your book release in this list, feel free to contact me via e-mail or Twitter! :)

Tilly Bagshawe - 'The Show' (4 June)

Welcome to Swell Valley – where the scandal is in a class of its own…

The second book in the Swell Valley series by bestselling author Tilly Bagshawe

Nestled in a glorious patchwork of fields, surrounded by chocolate box villages, Wraggbottom farm means everything to Gabe and Laura Baxter. But love and tradition doesn’t pay the bills. Luckily, Laura has an idea that will share the secret of her happy (if sometimes muddy) country life: producing a reality show that will save the farm!

Until the interfering new vicar, ‘Call-me-Bill’ takes it upon himself to lead a protest against the show. Suddenly the village is divided; even Gabe is torn between his new found fame and his old, happy life.

With so much at stake for her village and her marriage, will Laura be able to weather the storm or will her big idea turn out to be her biggest mistake?

Why so excited? --> 'The Show' is the second part of Tilly Bagshawe's 'Swell Valley' series. I haven't read the first part, but I've read several positive reviews and I've added both books to my TBR-list, hoping I will be able to pick them up soon!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Teresa Driscoll - 'Recipes for Melissa' (5 June)

Melissa Dance was eight years old when her mother died. They never got to say goodbye.

Seventeen years later, Melissa is handed a journal. As she smooths open the pages and begins to read her mother’s words, she is instantly transported back to her childhood. 

But returning to her past is painful and memories of her mother’s beautiful face are a cruel reminder to Melissa that she’ll never see her again.

As Melissa slowly makes her way through the precious book, reading the snippets of advice and cooking the dishes from the recipes she is also shocked to learn of her mother’s secrets – secrets that if shared, could change Melissa’s world forever. 

Why so excited? --> I have a feeling this is going to be quite a heart-breaking read which will have me shedding a few tears! Teresa Driscoll's upcoming release has definitely caught my attention and I look forward to reading 'Recipes for Melissa'.
 


Erin Lawless - 'Somewhere Only We Know' (11 June)

Boy meets girl…

Alex Bradley can't help but feel that life is rather passing him by. And not just life – promotions, invitations, romance; the girl he loves only has eyes for his flatmate and his 9-5 job as the Immigration department skivvy is slowly numbing his soul. Until he meets Nadia.

Girl meets boy…

Nadia Osipova is running out of time. With no money, no lawyer and a totally fictitious boyfriend, she’s got one last summer and one last appeal before the British government deport her back to Russia.

Girl gets deported?

It's going to be a bumpy ride, one she's dragging her new friend Alex along for. As Nadia races through a list of all her favourite London adventures, for what may be the last time, Alex can’t help but start to see the city, and his life, through Nadia’s eyes.

From hazy summer days on the Common and heady nights in Soho’s basement bars, to twilight walks along the Southbank, will Alex realise what he’s got before it’s too late?

Why so excited? --> Stunning cover (I absolutely love everything about it!), great and promising storyline, and some very positive reviews... Definitely can't wait to pick up this book as soon as possible!
 


Jenny Hale - 'Summer By the Sea' (12 June)

For Faith the one summer she can’t forget is when she fell in love as a teenager – only for her sister, Casey, to steal her man. Now, at the request of her beloved ninety-year-old Grandmother, Faith has agreed to a family holiday – at their childhood beach house, where it all began. 

Faith hasn’t seen her sister in years but is finally ready to forgive and forget, enjoy the sunshine and relive happy memories. What she’s not ready for is meeting Jake Buchanan – the owner of the beach house – or the long-forgotten feelings he ignites in her. 

Can Faith overcome the hurt of the past, rekindle the close bond she had with Casey and make this summer THE ONE to remember? 

Why so excited? --> I've had the pleasure of reading all of Jenny Hale's other works so far and I've thoroughly enjoyed all of them. It's no surprise her new novel 'Summer By the Sea' is one of the books I'm most excited about this June, and I'm sure it won't disappoint!
 


Elin Hilderbrand - 'The Rumor' (16 June)

Nantucket writer Madeline King couldn't have picked a worse time to have writer's block. Her deadline is looming, her bills are piling up, and inspiration is in short supply. Madeline's best friend Grace, is hard at work transforming her garden into the envy of the island with the help of a ruggedly handsome landscape architect. Before she realizes it, Grace is on the verge of a decision that will irrevocably change her life. Could Grace's crisis be Madeline's salvation? As the gossip escalates, and the summer's explosive events come to a head, Grace and Madeline try desperately to set the record straight--but the truth might be even worse than rumor has it.

Why so excited? --> Elin Hilderbrand's 'The Rumor' seems like the perfect read to take with you when you're going to spend a day on the beach or when you want to escape everyday life for a few hours. 
 


Cressida McLaughlin - 'Sunshine and Spaniels' (Primrose Terrace #2) (18 June)

Cat Palmer’s dog-walking business, Pooch Promenade is taking off. It hasn’t been plain sailing but with the help of her flatmate Joe, she’s taken on some more new clients from Primrose Terrace. But when she meets boisterous puppy Olaf, who is owned by harassed single mum Frankie, she wonders if she has bitten off more than she can chew! Cat’s also getting to know her sexy neighbour Mark and his Collie, Chips, a little better, but is there more to him than meets the eye? Perhaps sorting out her best friend Polly’s love life will be easier than her own…

Why so excited? --> 'Sunshine and Spaniels' is the second part of the serialised novel 'Primrose Terrace' by Cressida McLaughlin. I recently read the first part and absolutely loved it, so I can't wait to continue the story!
 


Giovanna Fletcher - 'Dream a Little Dream' (18 June)

Sarah is doing just fine. Sure she's been single for the last five years, and has to spend an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex-boyfriend, his perfect new girlfriend and all their mutual friends. And yes, her job as a PA to one of the most disgusting men in London is mind-numbingly tedious and her career is a constant disappointment to her mother. But it's really okay. She's happy (ish).

But it's not surprising that when Sarah starts dreaming about a handsome stranger, she begins to look forward to falling asleep every night. Reality isn't nearly as exciting. That is until her dream-stranger makes an unexpected real-life appearance, leaving Sarah questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Because no one ever really finds the person of their dreams... do they?

Why so excited? --> Giovanna Fletcher's previous two novels were brilliant chick lit reads and I am absolutely positive 'Dream a Little Dream' will be just as great; can't WAIT to have a copy of this in my hands!
 


Milly Johnson - 'Afternoon Tea at the Sunflower Cafe' (18 June)

Connie Diamond has always been her husband Jimmy s best girl or so she thought. But then she discovers that he s been playing away for the past twenty-four years, and that the chocolates she believed he bought her as a sign of his love were just a cover-up, and she is determined to get revenge.

Along with Della Frostick, Jimmy s right-hand woman at his cleaning firm, Diamond Shine, Connie decides to destroy Jimmy s life from the inside. Together they will set up a rival business called Lady Muck, and along with the cleaning ladies who meet at the Sunflower Café, they ll make him wish he had never so much as looked at another woman. 

Then Connie meets the charming Brandon Locke, a master chocolatier, whose kind chocolate-brown eyes start to melt her soul. Can the ladies of the Sunflower Café help Connie scrub away the hurt? And can Brandon cure her affliction and make her smile again...?

Why so excited? --> Milly Johnson is another great author whose novels I always end up falling in love with. I already have a good feeling this will also happen with 'Afternoon Tea at the Sunflower Cafe', because the title is already lovely enough to fall in love with!
 


Rebecca Pugh - 'Return to Bluebell Hill' (18 June)

Jessica McAdams has never belonged anywhere; never truly felt at home. Of course, what did she expect from parents who never made her feel welcome in her own house? Leaving her life in London to return home to the charming country village of Bluebell Hill is harder than she thought. Especially as she never considered she’d be returning under such heart wrenching circumstances…

Clearing out the stunning and imposing Bluebell House after her parents’ death is difficult for Jessica—they never had the best relationship and now it’s too late. Yet spending time in the house that was never a home, having afternoon tea with dear old friend Esme—and sharing hot, sizzling kisses with delectable gardener Rueben!—opens Jessica’s eyes to the potential of Bluebell House… Could this big old, beautiful manor really be her forever home? Is Bluebell Hill where her heart is, has always been?

Jessica soon dares to dream of her very own home with delicious Rueben by her side. But when a deep, dark secret of Bluebell House is unearthed, Jessica’s world is turned upside down…

Why so excited? --> Rebecca is actually a fellow book blogger who is about to release her very first novel, so exciting! Rebecca is one of the nicest book bloggers around and I just know her novel will blow us all away. Definitely one to add to your TBR-lists, people!
 


Candace Bushnell - 'Killing Monica' (23 June)

Pandy "PJ" Wallis is a renowned writer whose novels about a young woman making her way in Manhattan have spawned a series of blockbuster films. After the success of the Monica books and movies, Pandy wants to attempt something different: a historical novel based on her ancestor Lady Wallis. But Pandy's publishers and audience only want her to keep cranking out more Monica—as does her greedy husband, Jonny, who's gone deeply in debt to finance his new restaurant in Las Vegas. 

When her marriage crumbles and the boathouse of her family home in Connecticut goes up in flames, Pandy suddenly realizes she has an opportunity to reinvent herself. But to do so, she will have to reconcile with her ex-best friend and former partner in crime, SondraBeth Schnowzer, who plays Monica on the big screen—and who may have her own reasons to derail Pandy's startling change of plan.

Why so excited? --> We all know Candace Bushnell's 'Sex and the City' series, and I'm really excited she's back with a completely new novel! 'Killing Monica' is a novel many people have been dying to read and I'm really curious to see what Candace Bushnell has in store for us this time around!
 


Wendy Wax - 'A Week at the Lake' (23 June)

Twenty years ago, Emma Michaels, Mackenzie Hayes, and Serena Stockton bonded over their New York City dreams. Then, each summer, they solidified their friendship by spending one week at the lake together, solving their problems over bottles of wine and gallons of ice cream. They kept the tradition for years, until jealousy, lies, and life’s disappointments made them drift apart.

It’s been five years since Emma has seen her friends, an absence designed to keep them from discovering a long-ago betrayal. Now she’s in desperate need of their support. The time has come to reveal her secrets—and hopefully rekindle their connection.

But when a terrible accident keeps Emma from saying her piece, Serena and Mackenzie begin to learn about the past on their own. Now, to heal their friendship and their broken lives, the three women will have to return to the lake that once united them, and discover which relationships are worth holding on to...

Why so excited? --> I had the pleasure of reading one of Wendy Wax's novels last year and I ended up really enjoying it. I am really excited about her upcoming release 'A Week at the Lake' and have a good feeling I am going to enjoy this novel just as much!
 

30 May 2015

June 2015 releases! (Part 1)

And then it was almost June! Time flies by when you have a lot of great books to read and that was definitely the case in May. However, June is once again a month filled with tons of exciting upcoming releases which I can't wait to pick up. The list with new releases I'm excited about the upcoming few weeks is quite long, so I decided to split it up into two separate blog posts. Be sure to check back tomorrow for even more amazing releases to add to your TBR-list! 

Which releases are you excited about? I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like me to include your book release in this list, feel free to contact me via e-mail or Twitter! :)

Victoria Connelly - 'The Rose Girls' (1 June)

Thirty-year-old Celeste Hamilton’s life is at a crossroads: she has just left a disastrous marriage, and her estranged mother has recently died, leaving the family’s rose business in jeopardy. Reluctantly, Celeste returns to the family home, a moated manor house in Suffolk, to help her two younger sisters sort out the estate and revive the business.

Having endured the fallout from her mother’s Narcissistic Personality Disorder when she was younger, Celeste is filled with self-doubt and crippling insecurities. But she must find the strength and courage to take charge and make some tough decisions to keep the old house from falling down around them.

Why so excited? --> Not only is Victoria Connelly a lovely person, she's also one of my favourite authors and I always look forward to picking up another one of her novels! 'The Rose Girls' promises to be another wonderful read and I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much as Victoria's other works.

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke - 'The Status of All Things' (2 June)

Kate is a thirty-five-year-old woman who is obsessed with social media. So when her fiancé, Max, breaks things off at their rehearsal dinner—to be with Kate’s close friend and coworker, no less—she goes straight to Facebook to share it with the world. But something’s changed. Suddenly, Kate’s real life starts to mirror whatever she writes in her Facebook status. With all the power at her fingertips, and heartbroken and confused over why Max left her, Kate goes back in time to rewrite their history.

Kate's two best friends, Jules and Liam, are the only ones who know the truth. In order to convince them she’s really time traveled, Kate offers to use her Facebook status to help improve their lives. But her attempts to help them don’t go exactly as planned, and every effort to get Max back seems to only backfire, causing Kate to wonder if it’s really possible to change her fate.

Why so excited? --> I love the idea of this storyline! It's original and modern and I'm really quite curious to see what the authors decided to do with it!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Jane Porter - 'It's You' (2 June)

In the wake of a tragedy that tore her life down to the foundations, Dr. Alison McAdams has lost her way. So when she’s summoned to Napa to care for her ailing father, she’s not sure she has anything to offer him—or anyone else.

What Ali finds in Northern California wine country is a gift—an opportunity to rest, and distance from her painful memories. Most unexpectedly, she finds people who aren’t afraid of her grief or desperate for her to hurry up and move on.

As Ali becomes part of her father’s community, makes new friends of her own, and hears the stories of a generation who survived the Second World War, she begins to find hope again. In a quest to discover the truth about another woman’s lost love, she sets off on a journey across oceans and deep into history. And in making sense of that long-ago tragedy, Ali is able to put together the broken pieces of her heart and make new choices that are right for her.

Why so excited? --> Author Jane Porter has written a ton of novels but I personally haven't read any of them yet. However, this might change soon because I really like the sound of her upcoming June release 'It's You', which sounds like quite an interesting read!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Judith Fertig - 'The Cake Therapist' (2 June)

Claire “Neely” O’Neil is a pastry chef of extraordinary talent. Every great chef can taste shimmering, elusive flavors that most of us miss, but Neely can “taste” feelings—cinnamon makes you remember; plum is pleased with itself; orange is a wake-up call. When flavor and feeling give Neely a glimpse of someone’s inner self, she can customize her creations to help that person celebrate love, overcome fear, even mourn a devastating loss.

Maybe that’s why she feels the need to go home to Millcreek Valley at a time when her life seems about to fall apart. The bakery she opens in her hometown is perfect, intimate, just what she’s always dreamed of—and yet, as she meets her new customers, Neely has a sense of secrets, some dark, some perhaps with tempting possibilities. A recurring flavor of alarming intensity signals to her perfect palate a long-ago story that must be told.

Neely has always been able to help everyone else. Getting to the end of this story may be just what she needs to help herself. 


Why so excited? --> I love stories about pastry chefs, probably because I have a soft spot for delicious treats such as pastries, cakes, cookies... Yum! I love the sound of Neely's passion for baking and I think this will be quite a fun and delicious read! 

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Jenny Oliver - 'The Great Allotment Proposal' (3 June)

Welcome to Cherry Pie Island – once you step on to the island, you’ll never want to leave!

Socialite Emily Hunter-Brown has just bought the old manor house on Cherry Pie Island – and her friends think she’s gone mad! Still, they should have known that wild-child Emily will try anything once…even settling down!

But when Emily discovers she has an allotment to take care of as well as the crumbling mansion, she’s unexpectedly flummoxed! It’s all very well knowing that you have to swap your high heels for Hunter wellies….but it’s quite another actually getting dirt underneath her Chanel Rouge Noir polished nails?

And what is she supposed to do with her bumper crop of courgettes anyway?!

Why so excited? --> I've had the pleasure of reading the first part of Jenny Oliver's 'Cherry Pie Island' series and I really enjoyed it from start to finish. I can't believe part 3 will be released next month, so I definitely have to go and get my hands on part 2 first!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Adele Parks - 'If You Go Away' (4 June)

1914. Vivian, a young, impassioned debutante is hurried into a pedestrian marriage to cover a scandal. War breaks out on her wedding day - domestically and across Europe. Quick to escape the disappointment of matrimony, her traditionalist husband immediately enlists and Vivian has no alternative than to take up the management and running of his estate - after all, everyone is required to do their bit. Even pretty, inadequately-educated young wives.

Howard, a brilliant young playwright rushes to the front to see for himself the best and the worst of humanity; he cannot imagine what the horror might be. In March 1916, when conscription becomes law, it is no longer enough for him to report on the War, it's a legal requirement that he joins the ranks. Howard refuses, becoming one of the most notorious conscientious objectors of the time. Disarmingly handsome, famous, articulate and informed, he's a threat to the government. Narrowly escaping a death sentence by agreeing to take essential work on Vivian's farm, it's only then Howard understands what is worth fighting for.

Why so excited? --> Adele Parks is a great author and I have to admit I am already really intrigued by her upcoming release, 'If You Go Away.' I can't wait to dive into Vivian and Howard's story and discover all the details!

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Judy Blume - 'In the Unlikely Event' (4 June)

In 1987, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was fifteen, and in love for the first time, a succession of airplanes fell from the sky, leaving a community reeling. 

Against this backdrop of actual events that Blume experienced in the early 1950s, when airline travel was new and exciting and everyone dreamed of going somewhere, she paints a vivid portrait of a particular time and place—Nat King Cole singing “Unforgettable,” Elizabeth Taylor haircuts, young (and not-so-young) love, explosive friendships, A-bomb hysteria, rumors of Communist threat. And a young journalist who makes his name reporting tragedy. Through it all, one generation reminds another that life goes on. 

Why so excited? --> Another intriguing upcoming June release which has already been described as a compelling must-read by other reviewers. I haven't read any of Judy Blume's best-selling novels, but I hope I will be able to pick up this one as soon as it's released.

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Freya North - 'The Turning Point' (4 June)

Over one short weekend, when Canadian musician Scott Emerson and British children's author Frankie Shaw meet by chance, a profound connection is made. Their homes are thousands of miles apart: Frankie and her children live by the coast of North Norfolk while Scott’s roots lie deep in the mountains of British Columbia. Against all advice, they decide to see where this might go.

Over oceans and time zones, they make sacrifices and take risks, discovering along the way new truths about love and family. For the first time in a long while, it seems life could be very good. But fate has a tragic twist in store, one that could destroy all that was hoped for.

Why so excited? --> Another great author who's treating us to a new story this June. 'The Turning Point' promises to be a captivating love story; something which is already enough for me to want to pick it up!
 


Lori Nelson Spielman - 'Sweet Forgiveness' (4 June)

The Forgiveness Stones craze is sweeping the nation—instantly recognizable pouches of stones that come with a chain letter and two simple requests: to forgive, and then to seek forgiveness. But New Orleans' favorite talk show host, Hannah Farr, isn't biting. Intensely private and dating the city’s mayor, Hannah has kept her very own pouch of Forgiveness Stones hidden for two years—and her dark past concealed for nearly two decades. But when Fiona Knowles, creator of the Forgiveness Stones, appears on Hannah’s show, Hannah unwittingly reveals on air details of a decades-old falling out with her mother.

Spurned by her fans, doubted by her friends, and accused by her boyfriend of marring his political career, Hannah reluctantly embarks on a public journey of forgiveness. As events from her past become clearer, the truth she’s clung to since her teenage years has never felt murkier. Hannah must find the courage to right old wrongs, or risk losing her mother, and any glimmer of an authentic life, forever. 

Why so excited? --> Another read which already sounds like it will be quite unique and gripping! I have to admit I'm personally not a big fan of the book's cover, but I am still quite curious to check out the story inside!
 


Louise Mensch - 'Career Game' (4 June)

Topaz Rossi and Rowena Krebs are live and kicking. In more ways than one.

Music wonder Rowena Krebs is so huge she's now in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. Right at the top of Musica Records. Her old rival, now best friend, Topaz Rossi is a magazine guru in New York, heading up American Magazines. Bright and energetic as the city itself.

But things are changing: Rowena senses a shift both in business and on the home front. And Topaz can't work out why the circulation figures are dropping. Something's up. Paradise is a place that can bring trouble...

Why so excited? --> I just picked up a copy of Louise Mensch's novel 'Beauty' a few weeks ago and still have to read it, but in June her newest novel 'Career Game' will hit the shelves. I'm curious to check out Louise's work and look forward to seeing what others have to say about 'Career Game'.

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 


Lucy Diamond - 'Summer at Shell Cottage' (4 June)

A seaside holiday at Shell Cottage in Devon has always been the perfect escape for the Tarrant family. Beach fun, barbecues and warm summer evenings with a cocktail or two - who could ask for more?

But this year, everything has changed. Following her husband's recent death, Olivia is struggling to pick up the pieces. Then she makes a shocking discovery that turns her world upside down.

As a busy mum and GP, Freya's used to having her hands full, but a bad day at work has put her career in jeopardy and now she's really feeling the pressure.

Harriet's looking forward to a break with her lovely husband Robert and teenage daughter Molly. But unknown to Harriet, Robert is hiding a secret - and so, for that matter, is Molly...

Why so excited? --> Yes, yes, yes, another Lucy Diamond read! If there's one author whose books always make me smile and feel all warm inside, it has to be Lucy Diamond. I absolutely love her novels and can't wait to read 'Summer at Shell Cottage', which I'm sure will be a fantastic summer read!
 


Sophie Kinsella - 'Finding Audrey' (4 June)

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

Why so excited? --> I think the whole chick lit world is eagerly awaiting Sophie Kinsella's next release, which is her first step into the world of YA. I'm not 100% sure whether 'Finding Audrey' will be my cup of tea, but I'm definitely looking forward to giving it a chance... It's Sophie Kinsella, after all!  

Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads



Be sure to check back tomorrow for more upcoming June 2015 releases!


28 May 2015

Review: 'Wellies and Westies (Primrose Terrace #1)' by Cressida McLaughlin (2015)

Catherine ‘Cat’ Palmer realises, too late, that bringing an adorable puppy into work at the local nursery was a bad idea, especially after the ensuing chaos gets her the sack.
Determined to turn a negative into a positive, Cat decides this is the perfect opportunity to get her dog-walking business off the ground with the help of her flatmates, Polly and Joe. After all, Primrose Terrace where she lives, is full of home-alone hounds…

Wellies and Westies is the first part of a serialized novel told in four parts – all set in Primrose Terrace.

Over the past year or so we've been treated to some really fabulous serialised chick lit e-book novels, such as Lisa Dickenson's 'You Had Me At Merlot' and Cathy Bramley's 'Ivy Lane' and 'Appleby Farm.' No wonder I got really excited when I heard about the upcoming release of another fun and promising serialised e-book, namely the Primrose Terrace series by Cressida McLaughlin. The first part, 'Wellies and Westies', was released on the 30th of April by Harper and I was lucky enough to receive a review copy through NetGalley. I couldn't wait to check it out and had high hopes for a great read!

Catherine Palmer, to her friends and family known as Cat, has been fired from her job working as a nursery assistant after bringing a puppy with her to work. She's not quite sure what to do next in her life, but decides to stay positive and try turning one of her hobbies into her profession by starting her own dog-walking business. The area she lives in, Primrose Terrace, is filled with people who have dogs and Cat is sure her flatmates Polly and Joe will help her spread the word. It doesn't take long before Cat finds her first customer, but will she really be able to get her own business off the ground? And what else will Primrose Terrace have in store for her...?

An incredibly promising start to a new serialised romantic comedy novel! I already had a good feeling I would end up enjoying 'Wellies and Westies', the first part of the 'Primrose Terrace' series by Cressida McLaughlin, and I'm really happy my feeling was right! Cat is a great protagonist whom I liked straight away. She definitely has her head in the clouds and doesn't always think about her actions, but this, combined with her bravery for starting her own dog-walking business, makes her a perfect chick lit heroine. I'm not too much of a dog fan myself, but I loved reading about Cat's passion for dogs, the different dogs that make an appearance in the novel and how Cat deals with them and their antics.

This story is also a promising start to this series because of the wonderful collection of characters we are introduced to. There's Cat's flatmates Polly and Joe (who hates dogs...), famous author Jessica who lives in the neighbourhood, and mysterious and handsome stranger Mark who seems to suddenly pop up everywhere Cat goes. This introduction to them and their stories has definitely made me curious and I can't wait to read more. Cressida McLaughlin has a great, warm, well-paced writing style which suited the story well and which I personally really enjoyed. 'Westies and Wellies' is a promising start to a lovely, warm, and hopefully pretty amazing new chick lit e-book series and I definitely look forward to picking up the next part, 'Sunshine and Spaniels', as soon as possible!
Rating:10/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

27 May 2015

Upcoming release: 'No One Wants to Be Miss Havisham' by Brigid Coady!


What the Dickens is going on?

Edie Dickens is a shark of a divorce lawyer. She doesn’t believe in love and she scoffs at happily ever afters, however she’s agreed to be maid of honour for her oldest friend, Mel in two weeks and she still has the hen night to endure. But she has even more to endure when she’s visited by Jessica Marley’s ghost and finds out she must change her ways or end up being damned to an eternity watching other people’s happiness. Edie is visited by the Ghosts of Weddings Past, Present and Future, every Friday night until the day of the wedding. Can she learn from her mistakes in time? And did the ghosts send the hunky new lawyer, Jack Twist, to distract her?

On the 28th of May, Brigid Coady's novel 'No One Want to Be Miss Havisham' will hit the shelves and it's one release which I personally have been looking forward to picking up for quite a few weeks now. First of all, I absolutely love the cover; I think it's stunning and every chick lit fan will fall in love with it, I think. Secondly, I love the reference to Charles Dickens and the promise of a the story with the Ghosts of Weddings Past, Present and Future. I just have a really good feeling I am going to love this read and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible!


26 May 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books I Plan to Have in My Beach Bag This Summer!

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. I love making lists, so this feature fits me perfectly! If you also take part in this feature or have any additions to my lists, please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you!
 
 
Top Ten Books I Plan to Have in My Beach Bag This Summer

Alright, I have a good feeling I won't be spending too much time at the beach this summer myself, but I love a good beach read as much as any other person! I definitely have a list of summer books which I can't wait to pick up and read and you can find 10 of them below! 

I'd love to hear which books you plan on definitely picking up this summer!



1. 'The Little Flower Shop By the Sea' - Ali McNamara



I love Ali McNamara's novels, mainly because her feel-good stories never disappoint. Her upcoming release 'The Little Flower Shop by the Sea' makes me long for my summer holiday and I just know this will be the perfect read to take with me for a relaxing day at the beach!



2. 'A Week at the Lake' - Wendy Wax



I just love novels in which we meet a group of friends who lose contact for one reason or another, and then find each other again. Wendy Wax is a wonderful author and a day at the beach would definitely be a great one with this book to keep me company.




3. 'Dream a Little Dream' - Giovanna Fletcher



The past two summers I had a Giovanna Fletcher novel to get lost in and I'm so happy I will have a new one to do the same this summer. Her books are great and thoroughly enjoyable, so summer wouldn't be the same without one!




4. 'The Rose Girls' - Victoria Connelly



A release which I am really really excited about! I can't wait to read 'The Rose Girls' and it would be one of my first choices to throw in my beach bag for a lovely day in the sand.




5. 'The Island Escape' - Kerry Fisher



'The Island Escape'... If that doesn't sound like a great beach read, I don't know what does!




6. 'Love from Paris' - Alexandra Potter



I love Alexandra Potter's novels and 'Love From Paris' sounds like a great read set in a gorgeous city, perfect for a lazy day on the beach!




7. 'The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop' - Abby Clements



Yes, yes, yes! I would throw this into my beach bag straight away if I had a copy to read! <3





8. 'Summer at Tiffany's - Karen Swan


Lovely title, lovely book cover, lovely author... I have a good feeling this will make a great summer/beach read.




9. 'The Piano Man Project' - Kat French



Another release which I've been looking forward to for quite some time. I just know a day at the beach would be a great one with a copy of this novel in my hands!




10. 'A Very Big House in the Country' - Claire Sandy
A book all about three families sharing a summer home in Devon... Sounds like a great read that deserves a place in my beach bag this summer!