A Cosy Christmas at Bridget's Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown

 

Finding yourself without a home in the weeks before Christmas would break most people, but for Bridget Carrington it’s a chance to start again. Mulberry-On-Sea has always been her happy place and she’s hoping it can work its magic this festive season and heal her family after a difficult year.

Now, as the community wraps Bridget and her children in its warm embrace, she starts to feel like herself again. With a new business, kids who are starting to smile, and the promise of a second chance at love, Bridget’s holiday season might just be a happy ever after…

Alex Brown is one of my top 5 authors and every single one of her books have been an absolute dream to read. I trust in her writing so much now that I don’t even read the synopsis to tempt me I dive straight into her novels with no expectations other than to know she will blow me away every single time.

Her new release A Cosy Christmas at Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery has been on my wish list since I first glimpsed the online trailer for the book and I have desperately been waiting for the paperback release but I am going to admit I have caved in early and read the book on my kindle but let me tell you having just this moment finished reading the book I am sitting here with a very satisfied and content grin on my face desperate to get my thoughts down for you all to read.

Bridget and her twin sons and daughter will steal your heart from the start of this novel, a family huddled together nursing the grief of the loss of husband/father Ted learning to adjust to their new life with a big gaping hole where he should be. Returning to her roots in Mulberry on Sea she is hoping they can all begin to heal and adjust surrounded by a caring and supportive community but Bridget also needs to start earning a living to support her family, could her love for baking be the distraction she needs and the solution the community of Mulberry on Sea need?

The novel has a tenderness to the storyline where it follows the families struggle with the loss of Ted but also a very uplifting feel too with hopes and new beginnings opening up and new sense of purpose and direction that is helping Bridget on the next path of life. Friendships new and old comfort not only Bridget but also bring a familiar and welcome feel to the reader as we are reunited briefly with much loved characters such as Eddie, Georgie and Sam who we remember from the wonderful Carrington’s series.

I love books that have characters setting up new little businesses so this one really appealed to me and I felt myself getting swept away with the excitement of Bridget’s baking business and I was eager to see her succeed.

Alex Brown has managed to capture the modern vibrant feel from her Carrington’s series and moulded that with her cosy, uplifting feel of her Tindledale books to make this book an exceptional read that ticks all the boxes for me. As I was reaching the end of the novel I really didn’t feel ready to leave these characters behind, I still fell like there was so much to explore in this story but to my delight I then read at the end that we can look forward to reuniting with them all again in another book in the series so I am already counting down the months until I can return in A Summer Holiday at Bridget’s Bicycle Bakery.

Celebrations at the Chateau by Jo Thomas

 

When their grandfather dies, Fliss and her sisters are astonished to inherit a French chateau! Travelling to Normandy to visit the beautiful if faded house, they excitedly make plans over delicious crepes and local cider in the town nearby.

They soon discover the chateau needs major work and a huge tax bill is due . . . Unable to sell but strapped for cash, Fliss determines to spruce up the elegant old rooms and open a B&B.

But Jacques, the handsome town mayor, is opposed to her plan. When it becomes clear that the only way to save the magnificent castle is to work together, Jacques and Fliss discover that they have more in common than they think...

Jo Thomas has done it again, delivered an uplifting atmospheric novel that whisked me away to an idyllic setting with a whole host of loveable and loathable characters whilst salivating over the delights on offer!

Fliss and her two sisters have found out they have inherited a chateau from their Grandfather yet they knew nothing about it. When they arrive in France expecting that they would be able to sell the chateau to share the inheritance they soon find out that there is a live in Chatelaine which prevents them from being able to sell.

Fliss decides to stay behind and try to get the chateau up and running and earning a profit again but with hostility from the locals can she really make the Chateau not only a financial success but bring the heart and life back into this once much loved part of the community.

I am a sucker for an episode of Escape to the Chateau and this novel was definitely channelling this vibe so I was hooked from the moment Fliss got stuck in on turning the chateau around. I would have loved to have read more on the clean up and fix up of the Chateau but I do love seeing a determined woman setting out to start a business so I loved seeing the bookings rolling in for Fliss.

Fliss was the perfect main character for me, she was your ordinary down to earth woman who has had her challenges in life with dyslexia and never quite finding her confidence and niche in work, however all her experiences she had learnt from previous jobs she managed to pull together to help her in her Chateau task.

There is a bumpy romance bobbing along for us romantics who enjoy watching relationships blossom. This was another wonderful storyline by Jo Thomas who never seems to disappoint, she is an author whose books I know I can always rely on to take me somewhere new and enticing with engaging characters and danger to the waist line!

Kindle                    Paperback

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan

 

Today I am sharing my review for The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan as part of her blog tour for her new fabulously festive novel.

It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb’s oldest friend, Zac, can take Christy’s daughter on the planned Lapland trip, and they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for?

There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy, but Christy’s plan to save Christmas is testing their friendship. Especially as Alix and Zac have a difficult history of their own.

As long-held secrets unravel, and unexpected romance shines under the Northern Lights, can Christy and Alix find the courage to fight for the relationships they really want? And could this Christmas escape save the precious gift of each other’s friendship?

I love a festive novel that makes me feel all fuzzy with excitement and this is just the feeling I got when reading Sarah Morgan’s new book The Christmas Escape which is set in such an idyllic location in Sweden with snow, husky rides and to top it all the dazzling allure of the Northern Lights which is something I have always been so desperate to see for myself and this book has just made me yearn for that experience even more!

We can always rely on Sarah Morgan to introduce us to three strong female characters, this seems to be her signature thing and she aces it every time. Christmas is Christy’s favourite time of year and this year is going to be extra special as she will be spending it in Sweden in the perfect festive setting and she can’t wait for her daughter Holly to have a magical time but there are nerves bubbling as she will be meeting her rebel auntie Robyn for the first time.

When Christy uncovers a hidden secret kept by husband Seb she wants to get to the bottom of it and so asks best friend Alix to go on the planned trip taking care of Holly and she would join them a few days later.

Alix senses that her best friend is keeping things from her but she would do anything to help her best friend even if that means sharing a romantic log cabin with a young child and a man she has been successfully keeping her distance from for a long time!

This is perfect festive reading with engaging characters, wintery chills that will be warmed with the spark of romance and the heat of conflict whilst wrapping you up in the magical setting of snow and auroras. Friendships and relationships are put to the test and secrets are uncovered new and old which all add depth and intrigue to this storyline. This is another fabulously festive read by Sarah Morgan she has ticked all the boxes once again.

Kindle               Paperback

Underneath the Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain

 

Heidi Swain is back with another fabulously festive treat in Underneath the Christmas Tree!

Wynter’s Trees is the home of Christmas. For the people of Wynmouth it’s where they get their family Christmas tree, and where Christmas truly comes to life.

But for Liza Wynter, it’s a millstone around her neck. It was her father’s pride and joy but now he’s gone, she can’t have anything to do with it. Until her father’s business partner decides to retire and she must go back to handle the transition to his son Ned.

When Liza arrives, she discovers a much-loved business that’s flourishing under Ned’s stewardship. And she’s happy to stay and help for the Christmas season, but then she has other plans. But will the place where she grew up make her change her mind? And can it weave its Christmas cheer around her heart…?

Heidi Swain has gone and sprinkled her flurry of Christmas magic through the pages of her new release, Underneath the Christmas Tree. The backdrop for this novel couldn’t be more perfect for a festive novel with a Christmas tree business and quirky little Christmas huts to lure you into this sweet romance as our main character Liza returns to her late father’s business of Wynter’s Trees. Liza is determined to relinquish all ties to the business but Ned who is currently running the business along with his dad is hopeful she will change her mind plant her own roots at Wynter’s Trees.

We can always rely on Heidi to surround our main characters with a welcoming community of supportive characters and they all brought a little something to the storyline but my favourite had to be little Liam who looked like he was set to full down a slippery slope but with a bit of direction his true character becomes to flourish when he is given an unexpected opportunity which he took with glee. I really hope he pops up in future Heidi novels to see how he is progressing.

This was a festive delight that lifted my mood thanks to its feel good and lighthearted storyline that is full of romance, friendships, entrepreneurs and new beginnings and not forgetting CHRISTMAS!

This is the perfect book for any book worms stocking filler this year and currently on of my top 2021 Christmas reads so far this year.

 

Paperback                             Kindle

The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella

 

Effie's still not over her parents splitting up a year ago. Her dad and his new girlfriend are posting their PDAs all over Instagram - and no one should have to deal with photos of their dad with the hashtags #viagraworks and #sexinyoursixties. Now they're selling the beloved family home and holding a 'house-cooling' party. When Effie receives only a last-minute 'anti-invitation', she decides to give it a miss.

Until she remembers her precious Russian dolls, safely tucked away up a chimney. She'll have to go back for them - but not as a guest. She'll just creep in, grab the dolls and make a swift exit. No one will know she was ever there.

Of course, nothing goes to plan. Not only does Effie bump into her ex-boyfriend (who she's very much not over), she can't find the dolls. And as she secretly clambers around dusty attics, hides under tables and mournfully eyes up the dessert table, she discovers unexpected truths about her family - and even about herself.

With time (and hiding places) running out, Effie starts to wonder if she'd be better off simply crashing the party. Perhaps that's the only way to find out what's really going on with her family...

When Effie gets a half hearted last minute invitation to her father and new step mums house “cool down” party she is adamant she is not going, that is until she remembers her precious hidden Russian dolls tucked away in the house.

Effie decides to embark on an undercover mission to secretly gatecrash the party, retrieve her dolls and head home all without being noticed…….

Undercover missions don’t always quite go to plan!

I was thoroughly entertained watching Effie on her undercover mission to secretly gate crash her family party, I was so won over by this absolute bizarre decision of how she was going to get her dolls that I was hooked and had to watch the events unfold leaving few opportunities to put this addictive fast paced book down. There is a continual light hearted witty feel to the storyline wrapped around a little flicker of romance and a rollercoaster of issues surrounding family dynamics.

Effie certainly had a slight immaturity to her which becomes apparent because she has always been babied by her family and she hears some comments during her undercover mission that hit home.

I can always rely on Sophie Kinsella to provide a feel-good witty read to lose myself in and to introduce us to characters who you would love to be friends with and The Party Crasher is no exception.

Kindle                                  Hardback

The Impossible Truths of Love by Hannah Beckerman

 

It is my stop on the blog tour for Hannah Beckerman's third novel The Impossible Truths of Love and I am going to be sharing my review on this accomplished and poignant read.

When Nell’s father makes a deathbed declaration that hints at a long-held secret, it reignites feelings of isolation that have plagued her for years. Her suspicions about the family’s past only deepen when her mother, Annie, who is losing her memories to dementia, starts making cryptic comments of her own.

Thirty-five years earlier, Annie’s life was upended by a series of traumas—one shock after another that she buried deep in her heart. The decisions she made at the time were motivated by love, but she knew even then that nobody could ever understand—let alone forgive—what she did.

As the two women’s stories unravel, a generation apart, Nell finally discovers the devastating truth about her mother’s past, and her own.

Hannah Beckerman is the author of two absolutely flawless and highly emotive novels both left a lasting impression on me. We have desperately long waits between her novels but they are truly worth waiting for.

The Impossible Truths of Love is Hannah’s third novel which begins with our main character Nell as she sits with her dad in the last hours of his life when he makes the declaration “I have always loved you even if you were never really ever mine to love”

In the weeks after the loss of her father and with her mum quickly becoming lost to dementia the time is ticking but Nell wants to find answers as to what her father’s last words to her could really mean.

This book explores the effects of grief and trauma on mental health and the impact deep rooted secrets have on shaping the lives of all involved because all secrets have a way of coming to light in the end and the longer they stay hidden the more damage they cause.

The book tells the story of both Nell and her mum, Annie so we get a bigger picture as we start to put the pieces of the story together looking for clues as to what secret is hidden in Nells childhood. As Annie tells her story there is so much honest, raw and painful emotion seeping through the pages, a mother who has had her heart broken to pieces in a devastating way and the author has raised awareness on this subject matter in such a tender and careful way as she always so masterfully does.

Hannah Beckerman has such a powerful emotive style of writing that really hits home every time I read her novels and they all feel so honest and believable like I am reading a life story and that is because she draws on day to day tragic events of loss that affect us all directly or indirectly in our life time which leaves us at our most vulnerable and every single emotion we feel she pours int the bucket loads into her storylines.

I didn’t like Nell’s sisters especially Claire and although the way in which they treat Nell is explained later on in the storyline and is proof of how secrets can destroy a relationship I still don’t feel that Nell deserved to be treated the way she did and I was so pleased she had a supportive boyfriend and long standing family friend to support her.

This is yet again another skilful written unpredictable storyline with so much depth, emotion and intrigue to make this a captivating and poignant read, so praise once again to Hannah Beckerman.

Kindle                 Paperback