Book Review: Finding Colin Firth by Mia March

Only an idiot would attempt to make a pie – a special-ordered chocolate caramel cream Amore Pie – while watching Pride and Prejudice. Had she put in the vanilla? What about the salt? Damn Colin Firth and his pond-soaked white shirt.

At home in Boothbay Harbour, Maine, Veronica Russo loves to lose herself in watching Colin Firth movies and baking pies filled with good thoughts. Pies that can bring you happiness, hope, even love (everything she feels when Colin Firth is on the screen, in fact). But Veronica is not so in touch with her own feelings and has deeply buried memories of that one heart-breaking summer, when she was just 16...

In Boston, college graduate Bea Crane has received an earth-shattering letter. A year after the death of her wonderful mum, she reads that she was adopted at birth and that her biological mother lives not that far away, in Boothbay. But is she brave enough to find out more?

Gemma Hendricks has come to Boothbay not to find something, but to run away. She’s accidentally pregnant, suddenly unemployed and under pressure from her husband to give up on her career and settle down, away from her beloved New York City. With all this on her shoulders, Gemma would rather watch Bridget Jones’ Diary with a bowl of popcorn rather than face the truth. But she can’t hide away for ever.

With Colin Firth in town to shoot a new movie, all three women find their lives become closely entwined. They might be looking out for Colin Firth at every turn, but they’ll also find new and important friendships along the way.

Rating: 4/5

You can buy Finding Colin Firth as a paperback or an eBook now.

I first came across Mia March a few years ago when I read her debut novel The Meryl Streep Movie Club. It was a lovely, heart-warming family-orientated story that I thoroughly enjoyed, and that put a smile on my face. I was sent a review of her second novel Finding Colin Firth at the end of last year, but for some reason, it fell off my radar. Last month, when I was looking for something to read and this cover caught my eye - it's certainly different to anything else I've seen for a while! I picked the book, eager to give it a go, and I'm pleased I did, it was a great read.

Boothbay Harbour in Maine is a special place for a lot of people, and it's about to get a lot more special as well. Veronica Russo loves baking her pies for the local diner, and is quite well known locally for the special effects they seem to have on those who consume them. But Veronica is hiding her own secret, one from her childhood which is going to come back and make a sudden reappearance in her life. Gemma Hendricks, a married journalist, comes to Boothbay for a break from her husband, and to work out how to break the news to her husband that she's pregnant. She knows he'll want her to be a housewife, but that's the last thing Gemma wants. Finally, there's Bea Crane, who has received a shocking letter after the death of her beloved mother. It turns out she is adopted, and her biological mother lives in Boothbay. Will she be brave enough to locate her mother and forge a friendship after so many years? As well as being in Boothbay, the three women are excited to find out that Colin Firth is filming his latest movie in the small town, and wonder if they'll get to find not only Colin Firth, but true happiness as well.

I have to be honest and say despite the title of the book, Colin Firth doesn't actually appear in it at all, and it was a bit of a tenuous link to the rest of the story really. It worked well enough as a story without the Colin Firth love thrown in for me, but there you go! One thing I really did enjoy about this book was how we got to catch up with some of the characters from March's first book The Meryl Streep Movie Club; June, Isabel and Cat. It was fun to see them all settled down and happy now, and it worked really well to write the book to include them in it. The setting of Boothbay sounds idyllic, and is very well described by March. She makes it sound like the perfect place to live, and you can see why people are drawn there. March's writing is very easy to read, whether it's her descriptive passages or her dialogue, I really was drawn into the stories of each of the women and cared about them getting the happy endings they deserved.

I loved each of the characters in the book too. There's young Bea, trying to get over the death of her mum, and dealing with a massive shock as well. It must be awful to find out you are adopted out of the blue, especially as she's just lost her mum, but Bea actually dealt with it well, deciding quite quickly to go and meet her mother. I really hoped it would turn out well for her, she certainly deserved a bit of happiness. I liked the friendship she forged with Gemma as well, both women in a strange town but finding themselves drawn together through circumstance. I did feel sorry for Gemma, she loves her work as a journalist but is scared of being tied down by her husband and his family now she's pregnant. It's a very realistic story, and you certainly sympathise with both Gemma and her husband, he did seem really nice!

Veronica was the eldest of the women, and although she seems happy, she's hiding a dark secret that is about to come back into her life. I really liked Veronica, she seemed like such a nice, kind person and her pies sounded absolutely delicious! I loved the idea of the pie class she ran, it allowed the book to introduce some more characters who hopes Veronica's special pies could work their magic on them too. I really enjoyed how March brought all these characters together through the story so well, and found that I really didn't want to put it down, I just wanted to keep reading and find out what was going to happen next. The book is heavily focused around babies and adoption, and those are themes I really enjoy reading about so it was an enjoyable story for me, although perhaps not everyone's cup of tea. For me, this was a really wonderful read from Mia March, a story that will leave you with a smile on your face, and a happiness inside you too. Whether or not you're a fan of Colin Firth like Gemma, Bea and Veronica, you're sure to enjoy this book!

Book Review: A Summer to Remember by Victoria Connelly

Rating: 4/5

I have read the past few novels that Victoria Connelly has released and I have really enjoyed all of them. Victoria's novels are fun to read with great stories, characters you care about and are perfect escapist reading. I was really pleased to be sent a review copy of her brand new book A Summer to Remember, and with it's gorgeous summery looking cover, it seemed like the perfect book to dive into with summer fast approaching!

Nina is fed up. Her job doesn't seem to be going to plan, she works for the boss from hell and quite frankly, she's had enough. Nina finally hands in her notice then finds herself without a job, and wondering how exactly she's going to make ends meet. When she, by chance, bumps into her old employer Mrs Milton, she finds herself being offered a job opportunity she can't afford to turn down. She ends up working as Mr Milton's secretary while he writes his secret new book, a job the other Milton's think she is mad to take! What will Nina make of her new job, and what is going to make it a summer to remember?

What I really loved about this story was it's simplicity. There wasn't anything mad going on, any craziness but it just plodded along nicely, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read from start to finish. I really liked the character of Nina. You could understand why she hated her job so much, and I was pleased she found the job at the Milton house. It turned out she had worked there when she was younger, so it was nice that the characters already had a rapport with each other. I did however like the change in the relationship between Nina and the Milton boys, whom she used to babysit for. They clearly see Nina in a new light now they are grown men, but she still sees them as the boys she cared for in Batman pyjamas, which led to a few funny moments! Nina was thoroughly likeable though, and I loved following her in the story.

The Milton family were plenty to make up the rest of the characters for the book. Mrs Milton, bless her, enjoys a rather easy life, caring for her house and husband, and wanting everything to be just perfect. She despairs at husband Dudley's disorganisation, which is where Nina came in. Dudley seemed pretty unliveable at first, but as the book went on, I grew to really like him, he was just stuck in his ways! The Milton sons were an important part of the book too. There's artist Dominic, harbouring a crush on unsuspecting Nina, and his older brother, playboy Alex. As I said, they're now grown men with feelings of their own, and Nina isn't quite sure how to handle it. I particularly liked Dominic, and reading about him and the growth of his relationship with their gardener Faye - this was a lovely addition to the story.

One thing I really loved about this book was the Milton house.  Everything about it is described so beautifully, it's so easy to picture it clearly in your mind. The flowers, Dudley's study, the folly where Dominic loves - it all sounds so perfect, you can see why Nina was so keen to return to the house and not want to have to leave! Connelly creates a beautiful setting for this book, and another part I enjoyed was when Nina had to walk the dog, Connelly's descriptions of Nina's surroundings were just wonderful, I loved reading them. This allowed the introduction of a new character, Jamie, with a bit of mystery as to who he is. I have to admit I worked it out quite early on but it was still fun to read on and see if I was right!

For me, this book is a perfect summer read, it's got everything you would want in a book. There's great characters, a beautiful settings and Connelly's writing is so easy to read that the book was a joy to pick up of an evening. I loved Nina and the Milton's, and I really hoped that they would all find the happiness they all wanted, especially Nina and lovely Dominic too! I know fans of Victoria's previous books will enjoy this, and it's a good place to start if you haven't read anything by her before too! It was a fabulous read, I can honestly say I enjoyed every page and didn't want it to end. A wonderful summer read I heartily recommend. Full of romance, laughs and lots of family fun.

Book Review: Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves

Rating: 4/5

You can buy Covet as a paperback or an eBook now. 

I was really pleased to receive a review copy of Tracey Garvis Graves latest book Covet. I read and loved her debut novel On The Island when it was first released, and it feels like I've been waiting for the release of this one for a long time! While it was very different to her debut novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it for summer reading lists!

Claire and Chris have been married for years and have two children together. However, their marriage has been put under severe strain thanks to the recession, Chris losing his job and subsequently getting a new one which takes him away from his family more often than he or Claire would like. So when she meets police officer Daniel Rush by chance, and the pair strike up an unlikely friendship, Claire begins to feel confused about her feelings. She knows that she misses her husband but things haven't been right for a while - and she loves how Daniel makes her feel when they spend time together. Will Claire be able to get her feelings under control and make the right choice for her and her family?

I'll be honest and say I did struggle withthe  idea of this book before I had read it. I don't approve of affairs by any stretch of the imagination, so I was curious how I would find a book that explores that part of a relationship - whether or not Claire would take her friendship with Daniel to the next level, and how she would reason with herself over that decision. Garvis Graves doesn't make it an easy choice for Claire, showing her struggling with the very realistic emotional turmoil she is going through, both through her story with Daniel, and flashbacks to the tough times she has already gone through with Chris too. 

While I didn't expect to like Claire, I did like her. She's a normal mum, working hard for her family, enjoying time with her friends as well as supporting them through some tough times too. I felt she started off with good intention towards Daniel, but as the pair spent more time together, it inevitably turned into something more. Daniel was a very likeable character, a upstanding policeman in their small town, and someone we know has been hurt before in a relationship. I liked him because although you can see he likes Claire, he too struggles with the fact she is married. Both Daniel and Claire struggle with their feelings, and I did have a small hope that they could make it work together. 

As well as the main story of Daniel and Claire, and the subsequent effect that has on Claire's marriage, I really enjoyed tre smaller storylines of the problems that several of Claire's friends are facing. Outwardly they seem to live ideal lives but as usual, things aren't what they seem and there's a lot of heartache behind closed doors. Claire dealt with these really well, the sort of friend that you need in this situation, it allowed us to see a different side of this character and that she wasn't a bad person, despite her actions in parts. 

I really enjoyed the book, it was really well written and presented what could be a tricky storyline in a fair way that made you actually question what would be the right decision for Claire. I did feel sorry for Chris in parts, but I did feel he neglected his wife somewhat, although he didn't deserve to lose his marriage over it. Daniel was lovely, and he definitely deserved happiness after what he had been through. The book is quite slow paced, but it needed to be like this for the story to develop well. I definitely recommend this book, it's well written and an enjoyable book. 

Giveaway! Win a picnic hamper thanks to Erica James and Orion

To celebrate the release of Erica James' new book Summer at the Lake, I am part of the blog tour, and we are each hosting an amazing giveaway prize! My prize to give to one lucky winner is an amazing picnic hamper, perfect for the upcoming summer, to pop in the boot of your car stuffed full of yummy and delicious treats for the family! The hamper is pictured below. Please note the prize is an empty hamper, you'll need to fill it with treats yourself! :)

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous hamper, all you have to do is enter using the form below, and that's it! Open to UK residents only please, and only one entrant per household. Please feel free to enter as many of the categories as you want, the more you do, the more chances you have to win!

Competition ends 10th June 2014 at 11.59pm.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Erica James - The Summer At The Lake

Today, I am thrilled to be part of Erica James' blog tour for the paperback release of her latest book Summer at the Lake. It sounds like a beautiful summer read, and I can't wait to get around to reading it as soon as I can. Erica was kind enough to share some of her photographs with me of places that inspired the book Summer at the Lake. I also have an amazing giveaway coming up later too, so make sure you check back for that!

You can buy Summer at the Lake as a paperback or an eBook now.

"It was a wedding invitation that changed everything for Floriana...

If she hadn't been so distracted at the thought of having to witness the one true love of her life get married, she would have seen the car coming.

If she'd seen the car coming, there would have been no need for elderly spinster Esme Silcox and local property developer Adam Strong to rush to her aid.

And if Floriana hadn't met Adam and Esme she would never have had the courage to agree to attend Seb's wedding in beautiful Lake Como.

For Esme, Lake Como awakens memories of when she stayed at the lake as a nineteen-year-old girl and fell in love for the first time. So often she's wondered what happened to the man who stole her heart all those years ago, a man who changed the course of her life.

Now it's time for both Esme and Floriana to face the past - and the future - on the shores of this most romantic and enchanting of lakes."

"I’m lucky enough to have this lovely view from my apartment at the lake and, not surprisingly, it provided me with a very special kind of inspiration when I was writing Summer at the Lake."

This is the Villa del Balbianello, which is where Seb and Imogen’s wedding takes place.

Bellagio is my favourite place to go shopping and to enjoy lunch with a friend. It’s generally considered to be the pearl in Lake Como’s crown and so my story wouldn’t have been complete without a few chapters set there.

Thanks so much, Erica!

Book Review: A Place to Call Home by Carole Matthews

"In the dead of night, Ayesha takes her daughter, Sabina, and slips quietly from her home, leaving behind a life full of pain. Boarding a coach to London, all Ayesha wants is a fresh start.

Hayden, a former popstar, has kept himself hidden away for years. He's only opened up his home to two people - Crystal, a professional dancer with a heart of gold, and Joy, an ill-tempered retiree with a soft spot for waifs and strays.

When Crystal asks Hayden if Ayesha and Sabina can stay with them, he reluctantly agrees and, as different as they may be, they quickly form an unlikely bond. So when enemies threaten their peaceful home, they will do all they can to save it and each other."

Rating: 5/5

You can buy A Place to Call Home as a paperback or an eBook now.

Throughout the past few years, I have become a huge fan of Carole Matthews' books and her writing. Whether its her festive offerings which are always a real treat, or her summer novels, I always feel excited when a new book of hers arrives on my doorstep and I can get stuck in - I know I'm guaranteed a great read from Carole! I have to be honest, the premise of her latest book A Place to Call Home sounded a little bit different from her other books, but it made me look forward to see how Carole would handle something a bit different and darker... and of course, she didn't disappoint!

Ayesha knows that she is making a life-changing decision when she slips away with her young daughter Sabina in the middle of the night, leaving her husband alone and with no clue of their whereabouts. She doesn't even know where she is running to - only that she has to get away from her husband and disappear without a trace. She ends up at the home of Hayden, a reclusive pop star who opens his home to those in dire need to sanctuary. Ayesha is nervous and unsure in her new home, but is welcomed in by fellow residents Crystal, a dancer and Joy, a widow with no family around to care for her. Ayesha begins to slowly muddle along in her new home, with an eye always looking out behind her for her husband Suresh, sure she isn't going to be allowed her happy-ever-after with Sabina...

As you can see, this book tackles a dark issue within, one that I wasn't quite prepared for when I began the book, but it's so well handled in the book, it is simply a must-read. The issue within is domestic abuse, and yes, it isn't easy reading in parts but it's necessary to have these darker moments to show how Ayesha's life moves on and how she can find happiness despite the darkness she's had previously. Suresh is an absuive husband, utterly abhorrent to his wife and his own parents, and as such his daughter Sabina is now a selective mute - she chooses not to speak because of the horrors she has seen at home. I think it is this part of the book which touched me and moved me the most - it's a powerful realisation of how our actions as adults can deeply affect our children.

The characters within the book were so well written, I loved each of them. Ayesha is a strong woman although she doesn't think it - the fact she was able to walk away from an abusive marriage for the sake of her and her daughter proves that, and you can't help but will for her to make a success of herself. Her friendship with Crystal, another resident at Hayden's was so real and touching, you could tell the women genuinely cared for each other and wanted the best for each other too. Hayden was a recluse, and you know there's something sad in his past which has deeply affected him, and we're left wondering what it is. When it is revealed, you can't help but feel so sorry for Hayden, he's been dealt a tough hand and struggles to deal with his own pain afterwards.

All of the characters in the book have been through difficult parts in their lives, and the book really is a journey of them all coming to terms with what's happened, and trying to move on with their lives. The new friendships they have each forged stands them in good stead to help each other, and I loved seeing each of the characters grow as the book went on. This is such a positive and uplifting book despite the initial premise, and I can honestly say I loved every single page of it. Matthews handles such a sensitive issue perfectly, and I think for me this is one of my favourite of her books.The book has you laughing, crying, and emotionally hooks you in from the start - there was one moment at the end that had tears running down my face, so strong was the emotion. This book is simply a must-read, an absolute gem of a book.

Book News: Where I Found You by Amanda Brooke

I read and enjoyed 'Another Way to Fall' by Amanda Brooke last year, so I was pleased to see she is back this year with a brand new book. Where I Found You is due out on 5th June 2014, and sounds like it's going to be another emotional read. Amanda's writing is fantastic, so I'm really looking forward to reading this one.

You can pre-order Where I Found You as a paperback or an eBook now.

"One woman who can’t see her future

Maggie Carter knows Victoria Park like the back of her hand. She can tell you what time of year the most fragrant flowers bloom; she knows which paths lead you to the bench by the lake. The park is her safe place – because outside it, expecting her first baby, Maggie has started to wonder whether she’s going to be able to cope.

One woman who can’t escape her past

Elsa, too, is expecting her first child, and alone and without anyone to support her, she is terrified that her child will be taken away. But all is not as it seems: the secrets of sixty years ago are haunting Elsa and they won’t let her rest…

Bound together by the present

Struggling under the expectations and intentions of others, Maggie and Elsa’s chance meeting on the park bench offers them each a lifeline and a friend. As they reveal their hopes and heartaches, can they see themselves – and each other – clearly enough to help, before it’s too late?"