Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain

 

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.  

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

The Best Summer Ever is Heidi Swain's 20th novel which is unbelievable and I have read every one of her books and loved each and every one with her new one being no exception.

If your looking for a feel good Summery read with characters who have always felt like they can't find their right path in life until Wynmouth envelopes them and works its magic and sets them on an unexpected path to bring them joy and purpose in life then this is the book for you.

Daisy is a likeable character who just seems to fail at everything she does and is a constant disappointment to her family and she is back home with her parents after another failed relationship and job. I really did feel for Daisy because sometimes what you really are made to do in life isn't always right under your nose and she keeps trying and trying so she doesn't lack determination in that respect. 

The romance sparks from early on in the book with the mysterious Josh who has come from America from the Summer but there feels like there is something he is hiding and my suspicions about him didn't come until later on in the book which was a bonus as the intrigue kept me whizzing through the pages to discover his truth.

Without giving too much away when things begin to change for Daisy I found myself so invested in her work and her enthusiasm was contagious and I was really hoping that this was going to be an exciting journey for her.

I can't not mention the loveable Algy he was a wonderful character at the heart of the storyline and through is low moods, grouchy days the love he has for Wynbrooke manor and those surrounding him is so sweet.

This was another wonderfully comforting Summer story by Heidi Swain full of friendships, romance and new beginnings.

Available on Kindle and Paperback here

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Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

 

Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of an heiress with more than a few plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

When Margaret Ives, the famously reclusive heiress, invites eternal optimist Alice Scott to the balmy Little Crescent Island, Alice knows this is it: her big break. And even more rare: a chance to impress her family with a Serious Publication.

The catch? Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud, Hayden Anderson, is sure of the same thing.

The proposal? A one-month trial period to unearth the truth behind one of the most scandalous families of the 20th Century, after which she’ll choose who’ll tell her story.

The problem? Margaret is only giving each of them tantalising pieces. Pieces they can’t put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story – just like the tale Margaret’s spinning – could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad … depending on who’s telling it.

I have only recently discovered Emily Henry but I have been slowly working my way through her backlist with Funny Story being my stand out favourite so I was looking forward to reading her new upcoming release Great Big Beautiful Life.

I have to admit this is the first one of this authors books that I actually found quite hard to get into. The first half of this book really didn't grip my attention and I nearly DNF the book but I am glad I persevered because the book definitely picked up in the second half. 

As we have come to know with Emily Henry books they usually centre on two main characters, which in this case would be Alice and Hayden and I was really interested in these characters as they competed to win the contract of writing Margaret's book. The story kept pulling me away from them both to tell Margaret's story but in all honesty I wanted to spend more time with Alice and Hayden! 

The second half of the book we not only get to spend more time with them both but I also found my interest in Margaret's story begin grow too as things began to tally up and make a little more sense. 

There are many situations that are quite sensitive and many of the characters are all struggling with situations that have now shaped who they are today. What I did love was the unpredictable revelation that I didn't suspect at all. There are a few light spicy scenes but this fits well with the storyline so it had its place.

This felt very different to her other books and although it isn't a favourite of mine it was still a good read, just be patient while the story builds.

Available in Hardback or Kindle HERE

What if I Never Get over You by Paige Toon

Three days to fall in love. Six years to try to forget.

Ellie didn’t expect to fall in love while travelling in Europe. But she also didn’t expect to meet a man like Ash.

Three blistering days in Lisbon is all it takes to form an unforgettable connection – deep enough for them to plan to meet again in Madrid. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash is nowhere to be found.

Six years later, the memory of Ash and their time together still burns deeply in Ellie’s heart. She hopes that her dream job as a gardener on a grand estate in Wales will bring the fresh start she desperately needs.

But when Ash unexpectedly crashes back into her life, Ellie is forced to question if the universe has other plans...

Paige Toon is an auto buy author for me, I trust in her writing so much that she is one of only a few authors whose books I don't read the synopsis before I start as I know I am in safe hands and like to go in with no clue what is going to lay ahead for me.

With the title of this book What If  I Never Get Over You and having read many of Paige's books that have made me sob uncontrollably I did expect to need the tissues to hand and yet for me they were not needed this time although the storyline has some emotive moments in this book I didn't find this book a tear jerker so you are safe to read this one in public!

This book follows Ellie and Ash who meet whilst travelling alone and spend three amazing days together exploring Lisbon where they have found a special connection. As they have to part and promise to reunite shortly in their travels Ellie arrives but Ash never appears. The story then follows the pair through their lives as they are unexpectedly reunited but are they truly soul mates or are their lives worlds apart?

This was a bumpy romance story that explores the effects of outsiders opinions and expectations has on a relationship, a couple can be perfect for each other and even they know and feel that too but the thoughts and feelings of others can way so heavily on  couple that it influences the relationship and Paige Toon has delved into this in depth including class and toxic family relationships. 

I really enjoyed this book, selfishly I would have loved to have spent more time exploring Lisbon with Ellie and Ash and getting to know them together more there as this was the more exciting care free part of the book but I appreciate what the author was doing keeping this part short as it was meant to be a whirlwind romance discovering a strong bond.

I love how Paige always writes the perfect romance but whilst including raw and relatable hiccups along the way rather than a fairytale romance and this one definitely didn't disappoint.

Out today! Available to buy here on Amazon.

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

 

The perfect guy. The perfect date. Utterly disastrous timing.

There might be no such thing as the perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes - all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until he opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. But there's nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong . . .

. . . unless he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible date - possibly the best in living history - Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be.

Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one perfect memory is to make a life - and even a love - worth remembering.

I have seen so many people reading and raving about the books by Abby Jimenez and yet I have never read one of her books so I thought it was about time I see what all the fuss is about. From the colourful and summery cover I was expecting a soft fluffy almost forgettable romance and although the start of this book felt like it was going to be exactly as I predicted with a whirlwind romance between Xavier and Samantha but what I didn't expect was this storyline to start exploring real life struggles as they navigate a new long distance romance.

I found myself so invested in this storyline and I really had my eyes opened at the pressures families face when living with those who suffer with dementia, the author has done such a great job of delving into the struggles they face and it was well and truly heart-breaking. 

Both Xavier and Samantha have their own struggles to face but although there are hurdles in the way they are both desperate to make their relationship work and this really touched my heart. You could see they were made for each other and I would love to have an Xavier in my life! You are never quite sure how or if their romance will work and this just helps to keep me interested and turning those pages.

Although there is a lot of emotion and struggles it isn't all doom and gloom there is a lovely romance and a few laugh out loud moments especially involving an escape room and also the ear pod situation made me chuckle! 

I was so surprised by this book and I loved the ease of this authors writing style so I will definitely be picking up another book by Abby Jimenez.

Available to Buy HERE