Home For Christmas by Heidi Swain

 

Bella is living her best life in Wynbridge, with her beloved Spaniel, Tink. She’s found a way to keep the house she inherited from her grandparents while expanding her dream business – Away With the Fairies – and she’s ecstatic that Christmas is on the horizon!
 
In fact, everything is perfect until family friend, Catherine Connelly asks Bella if she’d be willing to rent part of the house to freelance author, Jude who is researching the history of the Connelly Clan and Wynthorpe Hall ahead of turning his findings into a book. The plan had been for Jude to stay at the hall, but he can’t cope with the chaos and Bella reluctantly agrees to open her door to him.
 
Initially, the pair clash but then friendlier feelings begin to grow and Bella finds herself wondering if Jude could become more than just another guest before it’s time for him to leave. That is, until he announces he has no time for Christmas!
 
With her favourite time of the year suddenly in jeopardy, will Bella ever feel like she’s home for Christmas?

Heidi Swain has fast become my go to author for Christmas books she is my very own Christmas fairy who sprinkles a large helping of festivity into her books and Home for Christmas is no exception.

Bella is a new character who is surrounded by so many characters that we know and love from all of her previous books including Holly and Bear from her last Christmas book That Festive Feeling as well as the Connelly family too. I loved being reunited with all of these characters it gave the book a cosy and familiar feel but fret not if you haven't read the other books you can go straight into this book as a standalone with ease and be whisked away into the arms of these supportive and friendly characters.

Bella has a new unexpected house guest in Jude and it is no surprise that a little romance is bubbling as we come to expect in Heidi Swains books but it isn't going to be an easy ride with Bella being the Queen of Christmas and Jude being the Christmas Grinch!

Friendship and community spirit is plentiful in this book but what I also love is Bella's passion for her job making fairies and it just helped to add an extra sprinkling of magic on the build up to the festive season. I love books that have small independent business it is a real soft spot of mine but my problem is always I want to recreate that magic myself after finishing the book!

This isn’t one of this Christmas covered books that has barely a hint of festivity in the storyline this one has a generous helping of all things festive thanks to Bella who wants to show all the traditions she has for this time of year in the hope that Jude may come around to love the season.

This is a great book to kick off the 2024 festive novels and will be a hard one to match.

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain

 

Kieran O'Neill should be on top of the world. He's just won a cooking reality TV show, he's on track to open his own restaurant before he turns thirty, and he's even got a high-paying cookbook deal. Still he can't impress his stuck-up family, his ADHD makes planning ahead impossible and, worst of all, his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humourless woman he's ever met. But to be seen as a serious chef like he's always wanted, he needs to finish this book...

Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She's a thirty-year-old widow living with her needy in-laws, her little brother won't adult without her help, and instead of working on her own cookbook, she's ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran O'Neill. Or would be, if he'd ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she's always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book...

As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two driven, lonely people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?

The Slowest Burn is the perfect title for this book because it really was a slow burning book and romance but I loved it for what it was. 

What made me want to read this book was that one of our main characters Ellie is a young widow, and being a young widow myself I can't say that this is something I come across to often in books especially taken from this angle in where we follow Ellie as she is about to navigate her way out of the other side of grief to that dreaded and scary first hint of romance after her husband. I really appreciated how well the author dealt with this topic, it wasn't all plain saying, emotions were explored and boundaries were tested so it all felt very authentic.

We also meet our love interest Kieran who I loved straight away, his chaos and energetic energy could be felt through the pages and he also has his own struggles which ADHD which often leads to him being very misunderstood. As we get to know both Ellie and Kieran, yes the outcome is predictable but none the less I was really invested in them as characters and I loved watching them love and learn from each other, bringing out the best in each other and more than anything being a much needed support to move onto a new chapter in their lives.

This was a slow paced romance that was easy to get lost in and although it may not stay in my mind forever it was a comforting read with a hint of spice that I enjoyed from start to finish.

Available to purchase here.

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Isolation Island by Louise Minchin

 

Ten celebrities have arrived to take part in a gruelling reality survival show: two weeks completely alone on a remote Scottish island, in the depths of winter. With some careers on the rise, and others whose star is fading, almost everyone has something to play for. But investigative journalist Lauren has one question - what does Hollywood megastar Nate Stirling have to gain by taking part?

With a production team that seems incapable of keeping them safe, a gathering storm and the unrelenting gaze of hidden cameras, the contestants are stretched to the limit as they try to outshine their fellow competitors and hide their darkest secrets.

But when a body is found, it's clear that the game has become a matter of life and death...

When I read the synopsis for Isolation Island I was instantly lured into this story, I am one who likes the odd reality tv show and with a dark twist I thought it may be a similar vibe to The Last Passenger by Will Dean so I couldn't wait to get started.

Our main character is journalist Lauren and she along with 9 other celebrities are left on a remote island but from the start of their journey things begin to go wrong with things that are unexplained and danger seems to lurk around every corner. Lauren has her own agenda for entering the show and that is to get close to Nate Stirling so she can expose him for who he really is. What no-one expected on this Island was there to be dangerous risks and deaths laying ahead of them.

This was quite a hard book to review because I think this book had so much potential but it just fell flat and didn't hit the mark for me and I think the biggest issue was the lack of character building, there were ten celebrities and yet they were not well developed leaving me open to continually forgetting who was who and because we don't really get any connections built with any of the characters I found I didn't really care for them so although I was surprised when the first death was discovered it didn't trigger a reaction in me. 

The author was good at keeping me in suspense because I didn't have a clue who was behind the suspicious deaths or their motive. The secluded Island was described really well and it really did feel like a mix between I'm a Celebrity and Traitors!

Although this isn't a book that wowed me it did show signs of promise so I would read another book by Louise Minchin in the future but I really hope she develops on her character building.

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

CeCe Ashby is looking for a fresh start after escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her adult life.

Unsure of what the future holds, she returns to the small town of Laurel Creek and her family’s ranch.

Nash Carter is the recently retired hockey superstar of the Dallas Stars, Laurel Creek’s hometown hero, and notorious bachelor.

He may look good in a cowboy hat, but he is also CeCe's brother’s best friend… and therefore off limits.

When CeCe reappears in her hometown in need of a job, Nash knows he has to have her, and not entirely for business.

As ‘just one night’ turns into many, Nash learns that where CeCe Ashby is concerned his typical rules don’t apply. Now he has to figure out if he can push his past trauma aside to live the life he never dared dream of.

All he has to do? Take a deep breath and let go of the reins…

Yee-haw, I have just read my first ever small town cowboy romance and it is definitely my first and not my last because Holding The Reins by Paisley Hope was an exciting ride!

This is the first book out of three in the of the Silver Pines Ranch series and it introduces us to Cece who is heading back to her family home after splitting from her cheating fiancé. After reuniting with family and friends it seems like this is the distraction she needs but what she never expected was to bump into her brothers befriend Nash who is a permanent fixture in the town now too.

Nash has an unfamiliar urge to protect Cece which soon feels like attraction but there is always that unwritten rule isn’t there you never go for a friends sibling!

This was a brilliant debut so praise where praise is due to Paisley Hope, she really does lure you straight into the storyline, connecting us with these two characters who ooze sexual chemistry. This storyline is steamy but not in a seedy way and there is a storyline wrapped around the pair rather than it just all being pure smut! 

As my first cowboy romance I was a little worried it would go over my head a bit but I had no trouble with this storyline it really is just a easy smutty romance with a bit of a twang! 

I can’t wait to start Training the Heart next although I am intrigued to see where we will be taken next as I feel like Cece and Nash have told their story so my guess is maybe one of Cece’s brothers are about to go riding!

Available to purchase here

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Close Knit by Jenny Colgan

 

Gertie has always had her head in the clouds, wondering what her life might be like if she could only pluck up the courage to leave the remote Scottish island where she was born.

It's the only place she knows, but you can't do anything there without everyone knowing - the glue of this close-knit community is the Knitting Circle, a group of strong, capable and frankly nosy women who work hard, gossip, knit and support each other through thick and thin. At the centre of this sisterhood is Gertie's mum Jean and her grandmother Elspeth, and the three generations of women live together, surrounded by wool, in one small cottage.

When the chance comes to make changes - a new job working with old schoolfriend Morag on the local airline, new friends and even a possible new romance - a world of possibilities opens up before Gertie. Is this the way to make her dreams come true?

Jenny Colgan is one of my favourite cosy feel good authors and after reading a lot of fantasy recently I needed something light that provides pure escapism and that was just what I got with her new release Close Knit.

Our main character is the loveable day dreamer Gertie who has a pure heart of gold but she has led a very sheltered life never quite fitting in anywhere other than her mum Jeans knitting friends. When an opportunity arises to take a leap and work at the local little airport Gertie finds herself out of her comfort zone and her romantic daydreaming almost getting her in trouble.

The book feels very atmospheric set in Scotland with the harsh weather conditions and small sometimes too close knit community that makes such a cosy and luring setting for the storyline.

If you read Summer Skies last year then you will be thrilled to be reunited with Morag once again and if someone can bring Gertie out of her shell then it is Morag. I still feel like you could read this book as a stand alone so don’t be put off if you haven’t read Summer Skies.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was certainly the right book at the right time but for me it did lack a little of the excitement I usually feel when reading Jenny’s books and I am usually left desperately clinging onto the characters not wanting to let them go but at the end of this book I felt ready to leave these characters behind. The part of the book that was a highlight for me was when the school trip took an unexpected turn of events and I was eager to see how things would pan out. 

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Cursed Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber

 

Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns . . . but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.

Cool-headed Rose sets off on a Royal Tour to win over the doubters, but soon finds herself drawn to the Sunkissed Kingdom. Here secrets are revealed about those closest to her, and Rose finds her loyalties divided.

Meanwhile rebellious Wren steals away to the icy north to rescue their beloved grandmother, Banba. But when she accepts King Alarik’s deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom, the spell has unexpected – and far-reaching – consequences . . .

As an ancient curse begins to arise from the darkness, the sisters must come together and unite the crown. Their lives – and the future of Eana – depend on it.

After finishing Twin Crowns I wasted no time in picking up the second book in this trilogy, Cursed Crowns which picks up on the journey with sisters Wren and Rose after they have taken their rightful place on the throne.

As the pair are set to commence the Royal tour to promote peace within Eana and to unite the witches and the non magical villagers Wren decides to forgo the tour in the attempt to find and save their grandmother Bamba who was captured by King Alerik. Rose has no choice but to continue with the tour along with Shen-Lo to aid her.

As both of the sisters set out on their own tasks it soon becomes clear that both of them are about to face a dark and dangerous time ahead. Each chapter alternates between Rose and Wren which keeps the book feeling action packed and fast paced as lost Kingdoms are found, dark curses are unearthed and blood magic is discovered.

I am not a big Fantasy reader, as much as I would love to be I usually find the vast amount of characters with obscure names along with the various lands and kingdoms to keep on top of all a little overwhelming and before long I lose my way however the Twin Crowns series has been so easy to read, slowly introducing the characters building up a picture in your mind before introducing the next so that they all feel well developed and the places are easy to differentiate between too. If you are just dipping your toe into fantasy this is the perfect series to get you started.

It is rare for me to read a series and find the second book in the series matches the energy and excitement of the first but Cursed Crowns is bursting with the same magical essence as Twin Crowns. The ending has been set up ready for what looks to be a dramatic darker twist to come in book 3 Burning Crowns and I am chomping at the bit to start this final book straight away.

In all honesty I wouldn’t recommend trying to read this book as a standalone so jump straight into Twin Crowns and enjoy this magical witchy journey.

Available to purchase here 

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In Bloom by Eva Verde

 

Delph has kept herself small and quiet as a form of self-protection, ever since the love of her life Sol’s untimely death left her pregnant and alone at the age of twenty-four. Theirs was such a once-in-a-lifetime love, that the loss of her soulmate broke her heart ‒ and almost broke her, too.

Years on, Delph’s protective bubble bursts when her daughter Roche moves out of the flat Delph shares with her partner Itsy and in with her estranged nan, Moon. Now that it’s just the two of them, the cracks in Delph and Itsy’s relationship begin to grow. Feeling on the outside of the bond between her fierce-yet-flaky tarot-reading mother and volatile martial-arts-champion daughter, Delph begins questioning her own freedom.

Is her life with Itsy all it seems? And has keeping small and safe truly been her choice all these years…?

In Bloom is the first book that I have read by author Eva Verde and looking at the pretty floral cover never would I have thought there was such a raw and touching storyline of a families fractured and tormented lives that holds so many years of secrets and hurt.

If I am honest the structure of the book took me a little while to settle into as it jumps between our three main characters, three generations of strong women Moon who is the eldest her daughter Delph and her daughter Roche. Not only do we alternate between each of these women at times we go back in time too but by the time I was a quarter of the way through I found myself relaxing into the story and developing a bond with our characters wanting to know why there was so much turmoil amongst the broken relationships of these three women.

There are many sensitive topics that our characters have been affected by from sexual abuse, grief and volatile controlling relationships and each subject has been explored in gentle detail raising awareness and opening the readers eyes to the effects of each situation has but we also see how strong and resilient these women are and the importance of love, guidance and support can help to reshape lives and protect others with foresight from experiencing the same things in their lives.

I was touched by each of these women, at times I was frustrated with them but it just highlights it is easy to sit on the sidelines and judge but when you are in their shoes they don’t see another way.

For me the title In Bloom really come into light as we see Delph slowly turns from being a small hidden bud of a women to gradually find her way into blossoming into the bright creative and loving person she always was supressed inside.

Available to Buy here.