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31 August 2016

September 2016 Releases! (Part 1)

I know a lot of people love summer, but if I'm completely honest I'm more of a Spring and Autumn kind of person. I don't really like hot weather and love the beautiful scenery of both Spring and Autumn, so I have to say I am quite excited that September is almost here! September always reminds me of new beginnings, probably because of the school year often starting in September, and it just gives me a special feeling. It will also be a new month with a lot of exciting book releases (the first Christmas releases have arrived...!), so be sure to scroll down to check out some of the titles I am most excited about picking up in the next few weeks!  

Which releases are you excited about? I'd love to hear from you! If you'd like me to include your book release in this list, feel free to contact me via e-mail or Twitter! :)

'A Winter Affair' - Minna Howard (1 September)

With a recent divorce and empty nest Eloise Brandon is facing Christmas alone until a harried phone call from her godfather changes everything. 

Accepting his challenge, Eloise finds herself en-route to Verbier and to her godfathers chalet in the beautiful Swiss Alps to help cater for some seriously rich, high rolling guests. 

What ensues makes it a Christmas to remember. A heady alpine mixture of old friends, ex-husbands, mega-rich, super demanding guests, a dishevelled proprietor and Bert the dog.
Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 

'The Secret Art of Forgiveness' - Louisa George (1 September) 

Living in a big city, means you can escape your past…

Until Emily Forrester is called back to Little Duxbury, the chocolate-box English village where she grew up - though it was anything but idyllic for the tearaway teenager. Her estranged step-father, a former high-court judge, is unwell and her step-sisters need her help.

It’s just a week, Emily tells herself, but faced with the lies – and hard truths – that drove her to leave in the first place is difficult enough. Having to cope with a step-father (and the only parent she has left) who is so unlike the man she remembers pushes Emily’s emotions in ways she hasn’t been tested in years – since her mother’s death.

They say home is where the heart is – but by the end of the week, Emily isn’t entirely sure which home that is.



'The Holiday Swap' - Zara Stoneley (2 September) 

Florence Cortes has the perfect life – an apartment in the trendiest district of Barcelona, a job she loves and a boyfriend who’s whisking her away on a romantic break to Paris to no doubt propose.
Only, he’s planning something far different, and Flo soon realises her life isn’t so perfect after all.

Home loving Daisy Fischer is perfectly happy in her idyllic home in the Cheshire countryside, with an on-off boyfriend who might be slightly dull but is totally dependable. Until he issues an ultimatum, and Daisy suddenly realises that there might be a whole different world out there that she’s missing out on.

Have Flo and Daisy come up with the perfect solution to escape festive heartbreak?
Can a snowbound Christmas in Cheshire – with aristocratic, handsome Hugo as her neighbour, a house full of animals and a leaking roof – help Flo mend her broken heart, and remind her of what she really wants in life?

Can a sunny break in beautiful Barcelona – with the dishy but brooding Javier, a never ending supply of cava, and a sea view to die for – prove to Daisy that playing safe isn’t always the answer?

Love actually does seem to be all around this Christmas – and in the places Flo and Daisy least expect to find it, but where will they be for New Year?
Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
 

'Catch 26' - Carol Prisant (2 September)

What if you could live your life all over again?

There’s just one catch…

Frannie Turner is a plain, middle-aged housewife married to Stanley, a self-absorbed retired dentist who hasn’t slept in her bed in years. No children to love and be loved by. No exciting career to look back on. Just loneliness and lost dreams. So when the mysterious new hairdresser in town offers her the chance to get everything she’s ever wanted, Frannie figures she has nothing to lose -except her soul. And surely, as a stunning twenty-six-year-old singleton in New York, finding true love within the stipulated year should be a piece of cake, not to mention a hell of a lot of fun!

But New York City is no place for the naïve, and Frannie will soon learn just how dangerous a deal with the devil can be…

 

'Autumn at the Star and Sixpence' - Holly Hepburn (6 September)

As autumn starts to draw in and the nights are getting darker, the fire is lit at the Star and Sixpence and Nessie and Sam start to turn their thoughts to the annual bonfire night. The village comes together every year to celebrate the turning of the season and this year is going to be extra-special.



'Now That It's You' - Tawna Fenske (6 September)

Talented chef Meg Delaney hasn’t spoken to her cheating ex-fiancé, Matt Midland, for two years. Ditching him at the altar after blurting out “I can’t” instead of “I do” would sour any relationship. But now, just as Meg is finally ready to bury the hatchet, she learns closure is permanently off the menu. And the kicker? Matt’s brother, Kyle, is back in her life, stirring up feelings that are equal parts guilt and lust.

Meg was the best thing that never happened to Kyle. He couldn’t make a move on his brother’s girlfriend—even if Matt didn’t value her nearly enough. The situation is even more complicated now that Meg’s bestselling aphrodisiac cookbook has spawned a legal battle with the Midlands. Maybe he should stay away. But love, like family, plays by its own rules. And the one woman he shouldn’t want might be the only one who’s perfect for him.



'The Ex Factor' - Eva Woods (8 September)

Is it possible to freecycle love?

Modern dating is hard, especially when all you meet are liars, oddballs, men who wear Superman pants and men who live with their mums.

So why not date someone who already comes pre-approved? Just because your friend’s ex wasn’t right for her doesn’t mean that he won’t be right for you. That’s Marnie’s new plan for herself and her three best friends, perennially single Helen, recently divorced Rosa and cynical lawyer Ani.

Through bad dates and good, the four friends begin to realise that there are advantages to dating pre-screened men…but there can be some serious pitfalls to falling for your friend's ex. 



'The Things I Should Have Told You' - Carmel Harrington (8 September)

Every family has a story…

But for the Guinness family a happy ending looks out of reach. Olly and Mae's marriage is crumbling, their teenage daughter Evie is on a mission to self-destruct and their beloved Pops is dying of cancer. Their once strong family unit is slowly falling apart.

But Pops has one final gift to offer his beloved family – a ray of hope to cling to. As his life's journey draws to a close, he sends his family on an adventure across Europe in a camper van, guided by his letters, his wisdom and his love.

Because Pops knows that all his family need is time to be together, to find their love for each other and to find their way back home…



'Love Is...' - Haley Hill (8 September)

Dating Agency doyenne Ellie Rigby always thought that helping people find love with the hard part…

But now she’s all loved up with husband Nick and has hundreds of matchmaking successes under her belt, Ellie ought to know all there is to know about love.

As her struggles to get pregnant put strain on her marriage, and her matchmaking service starts losing clients, Ellie realises she has so much more to learn. So setting off on a global research trip, Ellie makes it her mission to find out what makes love last forever, and whether it’s enough to save her own romance.





Be sure to check back tomorrow for even more September 2016 releases!

30 August 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I Think Should Be Required Reading at School

'Top Ten Tuesday' is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. I love making lists, so this feature fits me perfectly! If you also take part in this feature or have any additions to my lists, please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you!
 
 
10 Books I Think Should Be Required Reading at School

Especially when I think back at all the books I had to read while I was at university, somehow I mainly remember the books I really did NOT enjoy. And I have to admit there were quite a lot of them. So, I actually quite like this week's Top Ten Tuesday list because it gave me the opportunity to make my own list of books I think every student should read at one point in their school career. I've put both love and hate in there, because you don't know what a great book is until you've read something that's completely the opposite...

Be sure to share your own TTT's in the comments section below; I'd love to hear from you! 



1. 'Pride and Prejudice' - Jane Austen


Everyone needs to read this book. Even if it's just to see what real romance is like <3 (I can't help it, sorry).



2. At least one Shakespeare play


Even though I personally don't really enjoy reading Shakespeare plays I agree that he is one of the best playwrights our world has ever known and everyone should have at least (attempted to) read one of his works.



3. 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' - J.K. Rowling


Everyone should know what brilliant fiction is like and what better way than to read Harry Potter? Just the first part, so everyone can decide for themselves whether they want to read on or not (even though you would be silly if you didn't...).



4. 'A Christmas Carol' - Charles Dickens


Charles Dickens deserves a place on this list as well and I've chosen my favourite novel of his, mainly because it is such a classic story everyone should know.



5. 'The Odyssey' - Homer


A true classic.



6. A novel by James Joyce


I personally didn't realise how horrible a book could be until I had to read my first James Joyce novel for school. I hated it, but it did provide me with a new look at books and how to appreciate them.



7. 'Little Women' - Louisa May Alcott


Yes, I just added this one because I love it and it's one of my favourites...!



8. An example of children's literature


I did some research into children's literature when I was at university and loved it, and I think it's important that everyone reads at least one of these, next to most likely seeing the Disney films...!



9. 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' - Oscar Wilde


A novel that has always stayed with me; a really powerful story.



10. 'Persepolis' - Marjane Satrapi


I was really surprised when I had to read a graphic novel for school, but I ended up really enjoying it. Think this should be required reading so that everyone at least checks out a graphic novel before making certain assumptions about them.

29 August 2016

Review: 'Eligible' by Curtis Sittenfeld (2016)

This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming... 

And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.

It's been quite a while since I've been as excited about a book as I was for the release of Curtis Sittenfeld's 'Eligible.' As some of you might know by now I am a big Jane Austen fan and I was incredibly excited about this new modern-day retelling of her famous novel 'Pride and Prejudice.' The book was released in April this year and I was lucky enough to get a copy of the book for my birthday. I decided to save it for my summer holiday, so I would definitely have a good book to enjoy. So, when I went to the UK for my holiday a few weeks ago, I couldn't wait to get started in 'Eligible' and really hoped I would end up enjoying it as much as I expected to...!

Thirty-something Liz Bennet works as a magazine author in New York City, where she lives not far from her older sister Jane, a yoga instructor. When they receive news that their father has been in an accident, they return to their family home in Cincinnati to join their mother and three sisters. While her husband is recovering, Mrs. Bennet is solely focused on how to marry off her daughters and she immediately sees an opportunity for Jane when doctor and reality TV star Chip Bingley comes to town. Liz, on the other hand, gets distracted by his neurosurgeon friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, whom doesn't leave the best first impression but somehow Liz can't get him out of her head...

'Eligible' is the fourth part of The Austen Project, a series of modern-day retellings of Jane Austen's classic novels, and is author Curtis Sittenfeld's own interpretation of Austen's most famous story 'Pride and Prejudice'. I'm a big fan of anything Jane Austen and have to say 'Eligible' is one of my absolute favourite adaptations of the love story so far. I loved the author's writing style (which is comfortable and consists of mainly short chapters with a few longer ones in between), the modern-day setting, and the new interpretation of some of the characters. For example, Mr. Collins has become cousin Willie, a rich whizz kid genius, and Catherine de Bourgh has turned into Kathy de Bourgh, a well-known feminist whom Liz is eager to interview. Next to that, the sisters are also a bit older; Jane is 39 and Liz 38 with the other sisters being in their early thirties and twenties, which obviously fits the modern-day setting really well.

While this is definitely a new interpretation of 'Pride and Prejudice', Curtis Sittenfeld has done a wonderful job staying close to Austen's original, especially when it comes to the witty nature of the story. It made me laugh and shake my head numerous times and I dare to say Austen herself would have loved this retelling as well. The book is quite lengthy, with more than 500 pages, but I personally couldn't get enough of it and wouldn't have minded if it had been 700 pages instead! I'm really glad this adaptation introduced me to Curtis Sittenfeld as well because I definitely plan on picking up one of her other works in the near future. On the whole, 'Eligible' is a fantastic, witty and thoroughly enjoyable modern-day interpretation of Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', but at the same time also just a great piece of women's fiction, worth picking up whether you're a Jane Austen fan or not.
Rating:10/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

26 August 2016

Exciting Release: 'A Wedding in Cornwall' by Laura Briggs

It’s the career move of a lifetime, and Julianne can’t believe it’s hers: a position as an event planner at a country house in Cornwall, England, beginning with the wedding of a celebrity! If her old firm's senior planner back in the States hadn't fallen suddenly sick with the chicken pox, Julianne would never have found herself chosen for a life in one of England's most beautiful coastal counties, surrounded by rugged shores, quaint cottages, elegant gardens and a house to die for. 

But life in Cornwall isn't exactly as Julianne imagined it. Her first bride-to-be is a resentful, petted snob, the groom is immature and bored, and the Cornish staff of Cliffs House has a difficult time believing that an event planner from a mid-level position can handle a wedding this big. And then there's a personal matter -- the handsome, sometimes charming, sometimes standoffish gardener Matthew Rose. He and Julianne have a strangely complicated relationship somewhere between friendship and attraction. But with a secret in his past, and a scheming bridesmaid plotting to have Matthew all to herself, will Julianne find a way to untangle her feelings and the problems of planning a perfect Cornish wedding?

Today I've got a short excerpt from an exciting release to share with all of you, namely Laura Briggs' novel 'A Wedding in Cornwall'. The book promises to be an enjoyable romantic read, perfect for these warm summer days, and I look forward to reading the book myself as well!

Short Excerpt:

One of Cornwall's milder breezes swept across me as I found my way past the formal hedgerows to the winding little path to the sea. I buttoned my green pea coat as I climbed down, gradually moving from the craggy slate walkway carefully built like a natural stair to the soft, wild grass growing alongside it. I angled my way towards the view of the water below, hearing it surge and crash against the cliff's walls.

The wind rose and batted my hair across my face. I could see the Channel below, washing its way between the shores. I could see the beach, the stones and sand lost along the shallow edge whenever water rushed up from the sea. I sucked in my breath, imagining the power of the waves if I were below, walking along the strip of white foam instead of the soft grass and delicate purplish flowers around me.

That's when I noticed I wasn't alone. A man was kneeling near the edge of the cliff a few yards away at the foot of the stone path, watching the water also. Wind swept his dark, unruly hair back from his brow, and fanned the edges of his worn brown canvas jacket. Between his fingers was a sprig of something dark green, a plant or a leaf of some kind.

Sensing my gaze, he turned towards me. I felt my breath catch. He was attractive. But more than that, he was… familiar.

The handsome stranger from the railway station, his dark good looks even more impressive against the stunning backdrop of the cliffs and water below. A day’s worth of stubble made his well-formed features even more pleasing:  features that were accented by eyes that I imagined as dark as coffee beneath those perfect lashes and sculpted brow. For a moment, we stared at each other. Then he spoke.

"Do you mind getting off the heath?" A gruff, commanding voice that was filled with disgust — even though he was practically shouting over the ripple of wind and tide, I could detect that much.

I gaped at him. "What?" I asked. His manners weren’t as pretty as his looks, apparently. I felt a surge of annoyance along with my confusion for the accusation in his voice. Why was he talking this way to a perfect stranger? Who did he think he was anyway? Besides a good-looking…but no. That wasn’t enough to justify the rudeness etched in his perfect face, or the scowl he offered my shoes. 

"You're standing on it," he said. "The heath. What are you doing off the footpath? Can't you see you're trampling it with those spiky shoes of yours?"
Author Bio:
Laura Briggs’ first stories were written in crayon about a rooster named Henry–but she was pretty young at the time, so it’s understandable. She eventually graduated to writing more complex plot lines and characters and writing her stories on a laptop. She tends to write stories with a romance theme, but as a reader she has a soft spot for mysteries, including those by Agatha Christie and Mary Roberts Rinehart. She also enjoys books by Jane Austen, Anne Tyler, Amy Tan, and too many others to name. In her free time, she likes to experiment with new recipes and tries to landscape her yard (a never-ending project).

25 August 2016

Review: 'The Trouble with Henry and Zoe' by Andy Jones (2016)

Henry and Zoe have more in common than they realise. For a start, they both have pasts they'd rather leave behind.

After jilting his childhood sweetheart on the eve of their wedding in the small town where they both grew up, Henry runs away to London, planning to reinvent himself and start afresh.

Zoe has her own healing to do and so she plans to leave London, travel the world, and figure out just what it is she wants out of life. She doesn't know where she's going, but she is determined to go there alone.

If Henry and Zoe had met one year ago, perhaps things could have worked out differently. But that's not the way it works; they meet seven months after their worlds have been turned upside down. And four months before Zoe is due to climb on a plane...

I hardly ever read books written by male authors. I guess this probably has to do with the genres I enjoy the most, particularly chick lit, so whenever I do stumble upon a male author whose books I enjoy I always keep an eye out for them. So, when Andy Jones' second novel 'The Trouble with Henry and Zoe' was released on the 28th of July by Simon and Schuster UK, I straight away added the book to my TBR-list. I read and reviewed Andy's debut novel 'The Two of Us' last year and really enjoyed it, so was definitely curious to see what this new novel would be like!

Henry never planned on leaving the small town he grew up in. Yet, when he decides to leave his childhood sweetheart April the day before their wedding because he's afraid he doesn't love her enough, he doesn't see any other choice than to go to London and start over. Zoe is content with her life with her boyfriend Alex, even though she can't help but have some doubts every now and again. Then her life is unexpectedly turned upside down, which eventually leads to Zoe deciding to go and book that trip around the world she always wanted to make. But then Henry and Zoe meet...

Andy Jones is one of those authors with a distinctive and own writing style and I'm very happy it's a writing style I personally really enjoy. His debut novel 'The Two of Us' told the story of a couple and 'The Trouble with Henry and Zoe' follows that same pattern, with a main focus on both a male and female character that are linked to each other in a specific way. While I love a good dose of romance and happy-ever-afters, I can also really appreciate the realism of Andy's novels and the familiar portrayal of relationships/dating in his books. I liked both Henry and Zoe (even though I definitely warmed to Henry a bit more), and was curious to read about their lives and see how their paths would eventually cross.

While I really enjoyed reading this novel I have to admit I did miss something, namely the spark between Henry and Zoe. I just didn't feel the chemistry between them and while I hoped this would change as the story progressed, it unfortunately didn't. That being said, I want to stress I did really enjoy this read and have become an even bigger fan of Andy Jones, particularly his comfortable writing style. Overall, 'The Trouble with Henry and Zoe' is a well-written and enjoyable realistic portrayal of our modern-day world of relationships and dating; a great second novel by Andy Jones and I'm already looking forward to his next one!
Rating:8,5/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

24 August 2016

Upcoming Release: 'Return to the Little French Guesthouse' by Helen Pollard


When Emmy Jamieson leaves her life behind and moves to La Cour des Roses, a gorgeous guesthouse amidst vineyards in France, everything is resting on her success as the new guesthouse manager. 

Looming in the calendar is the biggest booking ever, when the entire eccentric, demanding Thomson family will descend for a golden wedding anniversary. With airbeds on the floor and caravans in the garden, La Cour des Roses will be bursting at the seams. 

Emmy knows she’s up to the challenge, especially with the support of the gorgeous Alain, the half-French, half-English, caramel-eyed accountant. But she hadn’t counted on a naked, sleepwalking travel blogger, or the return of owner Rupert’s venomous ex-wife Gloria. 

Gloria has a few things to say about Emmy’s new role, Rupert’s finances, and the unsuspecting Alain, which send everybody reeling. Just when Emmy can see a future for herself of endless sunshine, true love and laughter, are her dreams about to be ripped at the seams? 

I'm probably not the only one who has already gone on holiday and now has to face everyday life again...! Luckily we've got some great summer reads to keep us distracted and I think Helen Pollard's new novel 'Return to the Little French Guesthouse' will do just that. The book will be released on August 26th and is the sequel to 'The Little French Guesthouse', which was a great read. I can't wait to join Emmy once again in the French countryside and be transported to a lovely holiday destination, even if it's just in my mind...!

23 August 2016

Blog Tour: 'Found' by Elle Field!

Who knew one flight could change everything? When Arielle Lockley stepped on the plane at Heathrow, she never realised how different her life would be when she touched down in New York City. Now she's dealing with that aftermath, as well as trying to find common ground with Etta, her new and unexpected business partner. 

But, trying to sort out business in London whilst her fiancé, Piers, recovers from surgery in New York, is starting to take its toll on their relationship. Can Arielle and Etta work together to continue Felicity's legacy without destroying it, and will Arielle and Piers even make it down the aisle to say "I do"?

I'm excited to be part of the blog tour for author Elle Field's latest release, 'Found', today! This book is the final part of Elle's book series about main character Arielle Lockley and I am honoured to once again be part of the tour Elle has organised herself to celebrate the release of one of her reads. Just a few months ago I read and reviewed 'B-Side', which was part 2.5 of the series, and I have to admit I was really curious to find out what would eventually happen to Arielle, so I was looking forward to picking up this read. Be sure to also visit some of the other stops on the blog tour and enter the giveaway below!

Sometimes your life can change in what seems like just a flash, and that is exactly what happens to Arielle Lockley. When she boards a plane to New York to be with her fiancee Piers, who has unexpectedly ended up in hospital, Arielle has no idea what other news will be waiting for her when she gets there. Stuck between New York, where Piers will need to recover, and her hometown of London, Arielle is forced to make some pretty important decisions about the rest of her life, including a possible career for herself, finally getting married, and working together with the most difficult business partner in the form of Etta. Will Arielle finally find what she has been searching for or does life simply have other things in store for her?

'Found' is the final part of Elle Field's 'Arielle Lockley' series; a series which features the life journey of twenty-something Arielle Lockley over the course of 4 books. In this last and final part, Arielle has just received some terrible news and her life is suddenly turned upside down. With her fiancee Piers stuck in a hospital in New York and the rest of her life not standing still back in London, Arielle is torn between two places and forced to make some pretty big decisions. I think this is probably my most favourite part of the series, because we really get to see how Arielle has grown as a character while also focusing on the other characters we've met along the way such as her parents, her best friend Ob, Felicity, Tabitha, and Etta.

If you decide to pick up this read, I'd like to recommend everyone to start at the beginning of this series. While technically speaking this read could work as a stand-alone (the author does provide some background information), I definitely think it works better if you know all the characters and what they've already been through. Having read the whole series myself, I do have to admit it doesn't feel like an ending; I still have some unanswered questions about what happened to particular characters and what will happen to them in the future. Perhaps Elle Field still has some surprises I store for us, but I have to say it didn't feel like the ending I was expecting. However, overall, 'Found' is an enjoyable and fun read, and once again a promising title by author Elle Field. I've quite enjoyed this series, but have to say I'm really curious to see what else she has in store for us next!
Rating:8/10
 
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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