Love at First Sight by Laura Jane WIlliams

 

 

He’s the perfect guy. There's just one problem...

Jessie knows that love at first sight doesn’t exist. But, one sunny Saturday in London, a fire alarm in Whole Foods throws her into a stranger's arms. Cal is charming and funny: their chemistry is instant.

Quick-fire flirting turns into the most enchanting day of Jessie’s life. But that evening they're forced apart before swapping numbers. Jessie is devastated – what if she’s just lost the one?

After weeks of searching, imagine her surprise when Jessie opens the door at her nannying job to Cal holding two dozen red roses.

 

The only thing is, they’re not for her…

This is my first read by Laura Jane Williams but I am incredibly thankful to her as Love at First Sight has just pulled me out of a big reading slump. This is a fast paced romance that will divide readers as you choose if your team Cal or Team Leo! 

I was firmly Team Leo.

Jessie really kept me on my toes not quite knowing if she was going to end up with either guys or if she was going to end up on her own.

Alongside the romantic side of this novel we also get to see Jessie who is so passionate about the care and growth of children and has a brilliant idea for a new community idea but she lacks the confidence to make it happen. 

This book does show the effects that rejection and also poor work relationships that overstep the mark can have on someone's confidence and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people to help find confidence and belief in yourself.

This is certainly an ideal beach read it is an enjoyable easy read that will keep you guessing on how the book will end and I for one couldn't guess what way things were going to go.

Available to buy here

A Cornish Love Story by Cressida McLaughlin

 

The most romantic house in Cornwall has got a new owner…

Journalist Georgie Monroe has watched as it has been transformed into a high-tech glass palace, renovated by a mystery buyer.

When she’s invited to report on an event there, she comes face to face not only with her first love, architect Ethan Sparks, but also with their complicated past. Finding themselves trapped inside when the house malfunctions, Georgie realises that they ― and the house ― are still keeping secrets.

But have Georgie and Ethan left it too late to start again, or can they write the next chapter of their love story together?

Cressida McLaughlin is a go to author of mine so I didn't hesitate to start her latest release A Cornish Love Story the moment it pinged onto my kindle. 

This is a perfect light holiday read with its forced proximity romance set on the idyllic setting of Cornwall which this author always charms us with her exceptional descriptive writing that brings the Cornish setting to life.

In this story we meet Georgie and Ethan who were childhood sweethearts whose relationship ended abruptly but they still hold a torch for each other years later. When the two meet again and find themselves in extraordinary circumstances but will it pull them together or push them further apart?

I love a character who seems lost in life who then turns their life around and finds their path in life and so I think this is why I loved Georgie in this book. We get to know her and Ethan from both the current day and also hopping back to their early years too so we get a rounded view on their relationship. 

I enjoyed this storyline and I certainly think it makes for an ideal holiday read as compared to her previous books this one is a lot lighter so it is easy to pick up devour a couple of chapters here and there. Although I wouldn’t say this was one would leave a lasting impression on me it was still none the less an enjoyable romantic read. 

A Secret Escape by Sarah Morgan

 

A lifelong friendship

Childhood friends Milly and Nicole had always been more like sisters so Milly never understood why Nicole dropped out of contact all those months ago. Milly buried that hurt and moved on with her life.

A call for help

Now, suddenly, Nicole is begging for Milly’s help. She needs somewhere private to hide, and the only safe place she can think of is Milly's holiday home business in the Lake District. Milly knows she should tell Nicole no, but she can’t ignore the desperation in her old friend’s voice so, despite her misgivings, she agrees to let Nicole stay.

A summer to reconnect

Over a summer of tentative conversations, the two women begin to reconnect, and there’s a potential new romance for Milly too. But then the biggest bombshell of all lands and their delicate friendship is put to the test once more …

Can the friends come together in this time of need, or will this summer break their bond forever?

Sarah Morgan is always one of my go to authors when I need a feel good uplifting read as she has hit that spot every time with each and every one of her books. Her new release A Secret Escape does just that as we meet best friends Milly and Nicole whose friendship goes back to childhood making them feel more like sisters than friends. But in Milly's desperate time of need Nicole ghosts her and they have had no contact in 18 months but with the tables about to turn and Nicole's hour of need is here can Milly forgive her and help Nicole as well as get their friendship back once she finds out why she was ghosted?

Usually in Sarah Morgan's books we alternate between three female leads but this book focuses on Milly and Nicole's points of view with only an odd chapter from Connie and Zoe ( Milly's mum and daughter ) but this worked perfectly for this book because it revolves around friendship, loyalty , heartbreak and forgiveness and I didn't want to be distracted from them as they navigate their emotions, trying to not hurt each other further but also still having that need for the air to be cleared.

They both are likeable characters and you can see why they have such a strong bond but they also live completely different lives with both of them feeling like the other has the perfect lives but not truly appreciating the struggles they each  face.

The supporting characters were all great too some offering support others a touch of romance so each held an important part in the story. I was surprised how attached I become to these two characters and I didn't want their story to end.

Available to buy here.

By Your Side by Ruth Jones

 

Linda Standish has been a friend to the friendless for the past thirty-three years, in her role at the council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit. And now she’s looking forward to the joys of an early retirement.

But before she hangs up her lanyard, Linda takes on one last case – that of Levi Norman – a Welshman who made his home on a remote Scottish island for the five years before he died. Linda must visit Storrich to track down Levi's remaining relatives . . .

What brought Levi here? And who did he leave behind? Obliged to travel (by hearse!) with her arch nemesis, and helped (and hindered...) by the local residents, Linda searches for clues to a life now lost. And in the process unexpectedly makes new friends, and discovers things about herself she never knew.

By Your Side is one of the most captivating books I have read in 2025 and Ruth Jones has such an easy flowing writing style that whisks you away into the lives in the current day of loveable Linda and in the past the adorable and gentlemanly Levi. 

The book is centred around death however it has a wonderful balance of emotion and humour so this was actually a heartwarming read rather than all doom and gloom. 

I haven’t read a book like this before and Linda has a job I haven’t come across before in books where she has to find out information about people who have died that appear to have no heirs as is the case with Levi who has passed away and as she begins to work her way through his home looking for clues to point her in the direction of any loved ones he may have or have had we then switch to Levi’s life and uncover heartbreaking secrets and also get to know this beautiful man who may have done wrong but only from a place of love.

Usually I am not a fan of dual time frame and I find myself leaning more towards one story desperate to get back to that particular one however, with this book I was equally invested in both Levi and Linda’s storylines and they really were skilfully weaved together so well that I felt that we was getting to spend enough time with both to really feel like I was getting to know both characters so well. 

This storyline really does make you question your morals, your rights and wrongs and see that sometimes things are not always clear cut and wrong decisions are made from a place of love and protection even if it will look to others as harmful and selfish.

I love how tender and intriguing the author made Levi’s chapters feel but then flipped to Linda and managed to bring more dry humour to the storyline it really helped to keep this book and the character engaging and intriguing I really struggled to put this book down it was a pure joy to read.

I can not recommend this book enough and we are now into May and this is my first 5 star read of the year. Levi really did touch my heart and I think that at the end of the year when I come to do my yearly wrap up he will still be in my mind then and this book I wouldn’t be surprised would be on my top 10 list.

Available to purchase here on Amazon ( associates paid link )

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

Paid amazon associate link

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.