Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara

Amelia is a single mother, doing her very best to look after her young son, Charlie - but money is tight and times are tough. When she first hears that she is the last descendent of the Chesterford family and that she has inherited a Real-Life Castle by the sea, Amelia can't quite believe her ears. But it's true!

She soon finds that owning a castle isn't quite the ticket to sorting out her money problems that she'd first hoped: she can't sell, because the terms of the ancient bequest state that any Chesterford who inherits the castle, must live there and work towards the upkeep and maintenance of the family home. So ever-practical Amelia decides to uproot her little family and move to this magnificent castle by the sea.

Living in a castle on the beautiful Northumberland coast is fun at first, but organising the day-to-day running is a lot more complicated than Amelia first imagined. Luckily she has help from the small band of eccentric and unconventional staff that are already employed there - and a mysterious unseen hand that often gives her a push in the right direction just when she needs it most. It's only when she meets Tom, a furniture restorer who comes to the castle to help repair some antique furniture, that Amelia realises she might get the fairy-tale ending that she and Charlie truly deserve...

Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay is the latest release by Ali McNamara and I was so wrapped up in this storyline that I read the book greedily from cover to cover in one day.


Amelia is trying to make ends meet after her husband walked out on her and their son leaving her with no money to pay their mortgage. Out of the blue she is contacted and informed that she has inherited a castle!


Amelia and her son Charlie begin their new chapter as they move into Chesterford Castle but they have a challenge on their hands as the castle needs a fresh pair of eyes to bring the castle back on the tourist path and turning a profit.


I can not tell you what a breath of fresh air it was reading this exciting and uplifting storyline. I really felt for Amelia being left in such an awful situation and wanting to still try and do the best for her son even though everything has been swiped away from under her feet. I was so pleased that she had been dealt this good hand of inheriting the castle and you could see her determination to get stuck in and make this work not just for her and Charlie but also for those who work at the castle.


I found myself swept along with the excitement as ideas began to flow to improve the appeal of the castle and I love that we was there every step of the way as the changes began to take shape. I would have loved to have jumped into the pages of this novel to be a part of all the changes.


There are so many wonderful characters in this novel that all add a lovely touch and all come together as a team all wanting the castle to be a success, they knew the true meaning of community spirit.


I am truly sad to be leaving these characters behind but I do feel that the storyline has been tied up perfectly not leaving a sequel needed. I would definitely say this novel is Ali McNamara at her best, she kept my interest piqued the whole way through and I found it impossible to put down as I was so eager to see what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this novel it is an excitable uplifting feel good read that ticks all the right boxes, true escapism.

Paperback               Kindle

Somewhere Close to Happy by Lia Louis

Lizzie James is happy.
She has a steady office job (with a steady stream of snacks), has had the same best friend since school, and she sees her family every Thursday night for take-away and trashy TV. Lizzie likes her uncomplicated life.
Then a letter arrives one day from her first love, Roman. A letter dated the day he disappeared, 12 years before. As Lizzie uncovers the secrets of the letter, she discovers what really happened the year her life fell apart – and all avenues lead back to Roman.
Lizzie James thought she was happy, or somewhere close to happy, at least. Now she’s not so sure.


Somewhere Close to Happy is a debut novel written by Lia Louis and this is certainly going to be an author whose books I will be keen to read in the future. I was expecting a light and feel good read but this storyline touches on some delicate issues and follows such a tender storyline that as the storyline moves along more layers and depth are revealed.



Lizzie has always wanted to know whatever happened to her friend Roman from her teen years and when a letter arrives from him she embarks on a long and complicated search to try and track Roman down with the help of her friend Priscilla.


Lizzie has never really moved forward in life having not had the answers she needed to start a new chapter. She had such a valued friendship that she feels saved her and so there is part of her heart that still lies with Roman.


There are many issues that are touched upon in this novel from mental health, grief and substance abuse to name a few and each issues is handled sensitively, raising awareness and giving insight whilst being woven into the storyline to give more depth and emotion.


I was so hoping for a different ending but this book is such an honest book that doesn’t dress everything up in roses, it is raw and as such the ending ties in beautifully with the storyline showing that rarely is there an easy plain happy ever after looked at through rose tinted glasses.


I think this was a superb debut and I will be keeping my eye out for a future release by Lia Louis.





Hardback                Kindle

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

Zoe is a single mother, sinking beneath the waves trying to cope by herself in London. Hari, her gorgeous little boy is perfect in every way – except for the fact that he just doesn’t speak, at all. When her landlord raises the rent on her flat, Zoe doesn’t know where to turn.
Then Hari’s aunt suggests Zoe could move to Scotland to help run a bookshop. Going from the lonely city to a small village in the Highlands could be the change Zoe and Hari desperately need.
Faced with an unwelcoming boss, a moody, distant bookseller named Ramsay Urquart, and a band of unruly children, Zoe wonders if she’s made the right decision. But Hari has found his very first real friend, and no one could resist the beauty of the loch glinting in the summer sun. If only Ramsay would just be a little more approachable…


Jenny Colgan is a favourite author of mine with her novel Meet Me at the Cupcake Café being one of my all time favourite novels that I can read again and again. The excitement was bubbling again for me when I saw that the new release was entitled The Bookshop on the Shore as being a book addict I love novels that feature bookshops, libraries etc so I knew I was going to be in for a treat added to the fact that the novel reunites with Nina and her book van from The Little Shop if Happy Ever After but if you haven’t read that book don’t be put off as this can still easily be read as a stand alone.


Our main character is Zoe who is a single mum to a dear little boy called Hari. They find themselves in a desperate situation when their rent is put up and they have no means to pay with no help form Zoe’s ex Jaz so when an opportunity comes along for them to move to the Scotish Highlands and get not one but two jobs as well as accommodation Zoe doesn’t hesitate as she will do whatever it takes to put a roof over her sons head.



Zoe gets stuck right in as an au pair to three motherless children but the children make it clear that Zoe isn’t welcome and they wasn’t going to make it easy for her. Hoping that her second job of bookselling in the quirky little book van would be the job of dreams she soon realises that she can’t follow in Nina’s footsteps she needs to make this work her way to get the money rolling in.



I always find that when reading a Jenny Colgan novel I am always so full of adrenaline and excitement, desperate to change career and follow in her characters footsteps and this book was no exception as the idea of driving my own little book shop sounds like a delightful way to spend my time although the same couldn’t be said for taking on the au pair role to these difficult hair raising children!


When we first meet the three children Mary, Patrick and Shackleton they were difficult to take too as they were rude and unruly but I found as the storyline progressed and we find out more of their background my heart began to open up to them and I desperately wanted them to find a safe and loving bubble to make them happy.


I actually really felt for Zoe, she wanted to do the best for her son even though that meant upping sticks to Scotland but deep down she seemed so incredibly lonely which I found incredibly sad as she had a pure heart of gold and deserved to be surrounded by a supportive circle of friends.

I loved the different references to a number of different books that popped up in parts of the storyline, I was ticking them off in my mind thinking yes I have read and enjoyed that one!


The Book Shop on the Shore is a dreamy uplifting novel that kept me entertained from start to finish.

The Bookshop on the Shore is out in Hardback and on Kindle from 13th June! 

Kindle                     Hardback

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin Part 1

Baking fanatic, Charlie Quilter, is surprised when her late uncle bequeaths his vintage bus to her in his will. Charlie thinks it will be the perfect mobile café for afternoon tea, and when her friend, Juliette, suggests Charlie comes to stay with her in the picturesque Cornish village of Porthgolow, she’s thrilled at the chance of a new start.

Charlie and her cute dog, Marmite, make new friends wherever their bus stops – except for the attractive but reclusive owner of the posh spa up on the hill, Daniel Harper, who isn’t very pleased that her bus is parked outside his lovely hotel.

Has Charlie’s Cornish dream developed a soggy bottom? Or can she convince Daniel that her bus could be the start of something wonderful for the little village – and for them?

I absolutely adore books that involve teashops and baking especially when they are set in quaint little villages and seaside towns and it was this kind of novel I was looking to read when I cam across Don’t Go Baking My Heart which is Part 1 of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus, the latest release by Cressida McLaughlin. Although not a fan of books that are released as parts, once I had read the synopsis I knew there was no way I was going to be able to wait for the full book when I just wanted to dive straight into this storyline.
Charlie has recently split from her partner and after the death of her beloved Uncle he left her his route master bus. Wanting to utilise her baking skills Charlie begins to hatch a plan to try and make use of the bus and combine her skills so whilst staying with her friend Juliette she is determined to get her plan rolling.
I don’t want to say too much more about the storyline for fear of giving the whole thing away as is often the way in part release reviews but what I will say is that this was a perfect introduction to our lead character Charlie who is a determined and thoughtful woman who thinks of other peoples needs as well as her own.
I read this book through the night and the delicious treats that are baked during this novel had my mouth watering and me craving a cream and jam scone at 2am not something I can say has happened to me before! I love the idea of the tea bus and the author has clearly undertaken some insightful research as to the problems that need to be addressed when undertaking this kind of mobile business.
I was so entertained by this storyline and enjoyed watching Charlie’s ideas come to life, I wasn’t ready to leave the storyline behind and I can not wait for the full book so I will definitely be pre-ordering part 2 now and I will abandon whatever book I am reading when this pings down onto my kindle! Part 1 of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is out 13th June and is currently only 99p! * Kindle

*Price at time of review, please check price before ordering.