Stuck on You - Portia MacIntosh (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 16/09/2020

Author: Portia MacIntosh

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: September 17, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources) 

About the book:

Could a post-it note really lead to love...?

Sadie doesn't have time for finding love. She's too busy as PA for famous artist Damian Banks. When she's not arranging exhibitions, she's organising his dry cleaning or dumping his never-ending stream of girlfriends.

But when she strikes up an unusual friendship with her desk share buddy, she finds a confidante and a new potential love interest. Problem is, they've never actually met...

With Christmas just around the corner, can Sadie put herself first for a change and find what she's been looking for all along? The brand new romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald, Mhairi McFarlane and Zara Stoneley.

Review:

        I figured out the plot from the blurb itself and it went exactly as predicted. No last-minute surprises or sabotages and I absolutely ADORED IT for that exact reason. It may not be Christmas yet, but Portia surely makes wonders in creating a festive spirit throughout. Playful banter, a creepy beginning with a serial killer and Christmas with the family . . . she does prepare a curious mix.

        Unlikely love stories have always held a special charm for me and this is no different. A hated boss and an unusual friendship through post-it notes contribute much to the mystery and then there is the meet the parents part. Don't we love it all the time? (Utterly nerve-racking though it may be in real life). Christmas with Sadie's parents on an island which takes the traditions quite seriously is one the best parts in the story. Competition to post Christmas postcards, Dickens Day, Winter Wonderland and movie night in pyjamas . . . I am tempted to pack my bags right away.

        And the dad jokes (on both sides) are absolutely  . . . hmm, ridiculous and hilarious. It is impossible to talk about the love story without some spoilers so I will let you be the judge of that. Suffice to say, this is, by far my favourite among all these author's works. Trust me, you cannot read this book without an evergrowing smile.

Meet the author:

Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 12 novels, including It's Not You, It's Them and Honeymoon For One. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real-life experiences.

Sorry Not Sorry - Sophie Ranald

Date of Reading: 28/01/2019

Author: Sophie Ranald

Publisher: Bookouture

Expected Publication: February 13, 2019

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

About the book:

Is this all there is? I hadn’t had so much as a sniff of a shag for over a year. I scraped the last dregs of Caramel Chew Chew ice cream out of the bottom of the tub with my finger and licked it. It left a sticky smear on my phone’s screen when I typed into Google, “How to find love, sex and happiness.” 

Charlotte has always been a good girl. 

She sorts her paper from her plastic. She eats her greens (even Spirulina, whatever that is). Boozy brunches with her best friends on the third Sunday of every month are about as bad as she gets. 

But being good is getting boring… 

Charlotte’s not just stuck in a rut – she’s buried in it up to her chin. The only company she has in bed is the back catalogue of Netflix and falling in love feels like the stuff of fairy tales. So when she stumbles across a popular podcast, Sorry Not Sorry, which challenges women to embrace their inner bad girl, she jumps at the chance to shake things up. 

Old Charlotte would never ask for a stranger’s number, go on a blind date or buy lacy lingerie… But New Charlotte is waving goodbye to her comfort zone (with a side order of margaritas). And it turns out that good things happen to bad girls, as Charlotte finally finds her Mr Right – or so she thinks… Is falling in love too tough a challenge even for Charlotte? 

Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Mhairi McFarlane and Matt Dunn will love this fabulously feel-good novel that will make you laugh till you cry and leave you living life to the full, margarita in hand!

My Review:

        I don't know how much my review will do justice to this book with my sleep induced brain, but my excited heart won't allow me to rest until I have posted this. Have you ever felt that particular urge to share your excitement just after reading an amazing novel? Ever experienced that bubbling happiness that won't be subdued unless you narrate the story to at least one person? If yes, then you know what I am going through now. Yup! I have found this wonderful chick lit (quite accidentally, in fact) and there is only one thing I can shout at you: READ IT!

         Well, since it is made quite clear how much I enjoyed reading it, let's go to the question of why. I am an avid Sophie Kinsella fan and anything of her style is always a bliss. They are not joking in the blurb about this being suitable for Kinsella fans -- the novel is a clever combination of humour, mystery and romance typical of the chick lit and it will keep you on your toes till the very end. (Even now I am tapping my feet on the floor 😇 )

      Charlotte is a heroine that is close to my heart and reading her story, thanks to the exemplary narrative skills of the author, was like being a part of her life. Boyfriend trouble, bridesmaid crisis and stifling but enjoyable work life . . . that pretty much surmises the plot we will go through. Even paced, with bits of mystery and conflicts strewed in between, the novel makes an excellent light read that is hard to put down. It cost me a night's sleep, but that was so worth it. Happy reading everyone!

Meet the author:

Sophie Ranald is the youngest of five sisters. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived in South Africa until an acute case of itchy feet brought her to London in her mid-20s. As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she'd never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat. 

Love to Hate You - Anna Premoli

Date of Reading: 12/10/2018

Author: Anna Premoli

Publisher: Aria

Year: 2016

Rating: 5/5

About the book:

Can your worst enemy become the love of your life? A fun, feisty, feel-good romance for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Meg Cabot. 
 
  Jennifer and Ian have known each other for seven years. They are leaders of two different teams in the same London bank and are constantly engaged in a running battle to be number one.

Ian is a handsome, wealthy and sought-after bachelor; Jennifer is a feisty, independent lawyer. When they are thrown together to work on the same project, Ian makes Jenny an offer she can't refuse: to have free reign of their rich client if she pretends to be his girlfriend.

Soon, it becomes more and more difficult to tell the difference between fiction and reality...

My Review:

      After reading one of her recent works, I thought of digging up some of Premoli's older novels. This one caught my eye since I am a great fan of enemies to lovers romance and the fact that Ian St. John is also a future Duke made the perfect combination I needed.
       As always, the witty banter between the two protagonists is the highlight of her novel. Jenny may irritate you a bit towards the end, but Ian is definitely someone to swoon for. Alright, I can feel Jenny rolling her eyes at this comment, categorising me among all other brainless girls who are after Ian. Easy there girl, after all, it is your narration that reminds us constantly of his deep blue eyes.
       Completely predictable but hugely enjoyable plot hooks you from the beginning and guarantees so much fun. I have read it twice already 😉. Surely, this is Anna Premoli at her best!

Meet the author: 

Anna Premoli is a bestselling author in Italy. She began writing to relieve stress while working as a financial consultant for a private bank. Her novel, Love to Hate You won the Bancarella prize in 2013   

Come Away With Me - Maddie Please

Date of Reading: 12/08/2018

Author: Maddie Please

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: August 13, 2018

Source: NetGalley 

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

When Alexa Fisher finds herself trapped on a twelve-day cruise to celebrate her younger sister’s hen-do – just the two of them – she wishes she’d jumped overboard.

Despite the age difference, India has always been the judgemental sibling, and there’s been even more friction than usual since ‘the big engagement’. With India constantly obsessing over wedding plans, Alexa has never felt more single, or more of a failure.

If only she could find a man who was funny, handsome and faithful. But when she meets the enigmatic (and *gorgeous*) Gabriel Frost on the cruise, he is as cold as his name suggests… Isn’t he?

Set sail for an adventure on the high seas, it’s time for Alexa to discover that sometimes romance can surprise you! 

My Review:

       To be honest, I just picked this book only because I didn't find anything of interest in NetGalley at that time. Oh, there is nothing wrong with the theme. It is just . . . being not a daughter of Poseidon I am quite unnerved by the so-called magnificence of the sea or should I say its destructive power? I tend to avoid anything related to the sea, movies included. So if I say I completely loved this book, you can fairly imagine the rest.
       As the cover blurb informs you, this is the story of two sisters, Alexa (for Alexandria) and India. Their wanderlust parents named them after the two places they loved most. Alexa is the responsible eldest with no boyfriend, while India is endowed with good looks and is about to get married. Yesss, it is '27 Dresses' all over again, but in a cruise ship. The novel traces the twelve days of their travel where their old bond and comradeship return.
      The readers are taken along with their beautiful journey and while closing the book, I felt I just finished a very rewarding and comforting cruise adventure.  Why can't they write travel books in this mode? There is, of course, a love story but that only makes a mere twenty percentage of the book. And the amazing thing is, I really didn't mind it at all. I was so immersed in Alexa and India that not even once I fast forwarded to check when Gabriel Frost will make his next appearance.
        Thank you, Avon and NetGalley for giving me this review copy. It has captivated me so much that I won't mind going on a ship anymore. 

Meet the author:

Maddie Please was born in Dorset, brought up in Worcestershire and went to university in Cardiff. Following a career as a dentist, Maddie now writes full-time and lives in Devon with her exceptionally handsome and supportive husband.

The Summer of Second Chances was Maddie’s debut novel, and it was the result of Chris Manby’s brilliant plotting workshop in beautiful Cornwall.
Maddie’s second book The Year of New Adventures was published by Avon Maze in February 2018.

The Little Cornish Kitchen - Jane Linfoot (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 03/06/2018

Author: Jane Linfoot

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publishing Date: May 2018 

Rating: 3.8/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book (Goodreads): 

With an exciting new life in Paris, Clemmie Hamilton isn't looking forward to heading home to the picturesque but sleepy village of St Aidan, Cornwall. However, when she discovers that the cosy apartment by the sea, which her grandmother left to her, is under threat from neighbour and property developer, Charlie Hobson, Clemmie realises she can't abandon her home in its time of need.

With her childhood friends encouraging her, Clemmie decides to turn the apartment into 'The Little Cornish Kitchen' – a boutique pop up pudding club raising money for the repairs to the building in an effort to stop Charlie once and for all. But when Charlie and his easy charm won't seem to go away, everything soon becomes even messier than the state of Clemmie's Cornish kitchen…  

My Review:

       I was expecting a laid back funny romance, but what I got was so much more. Deeply buried among the stories of friendship, cooking and matchmaking is Clemmie's search for identity so profound and moving. With each page, the narrator softly peels the hard walls she has put up to reveal the softness inside. Well, a dead woman's undying love can surely work miracles.

        The book will arouse a lot of nostalgic memories, mostly to do with food of course. Being a non-native reader, I had the disadvantage of not knowing many of the delicacies discussed. That being said, it won't stop your mouth from watering constantly, especially when you are constantly reminded of a granny like mine who has exceptional cooking skills. 

        Clemmie and Charlie might be the major characters, but my favourite bits are the moments with Diesel, the pet dog. And it has nothing to do with the fact that he harbingers Charlie ;) Then there are the other three mermaids -- Sophie, Nelly and Plum. It is hard to see a friendship this strong nowadays.

This is the first time I am reading a book by this author and I am definitely going to hunt for more. Considering the reviews she get, I don't think she needs me to recommend her. So happy reading everyone!

Meet the author:

Jane Linfoot is a best selling author, who lives in a muddy cottage, up a steep hill in Derbyshire, with her family, their pets, and an astonishing number of spiders. Although she loves seeing cow noses over the garden wall, she’s happy she can walk to a supermarket. 

Jane grew up in North Yorkshire where she spent a lot of her childhood avoiding horizontal gales blowing off the sea, and wrote her first book by accident while working as an architect, and renovating country houses. While she loves to write feelgood books that let readers escape, she’s always surprised to hear her stories make people laugh, admits to (occasionally) crying as she writes, and credits her characters for creating their own storylines. 
Jane’s garden would be less brambly if she wasn’t on Facebook and Twitter so often. On days when she wants to be really scared, she rides a tandem.
Her latest books include a series of stand-alone novels, based around a seaside wedding shop in Cornwall. Cupcakes and Confetti – The Little Wedding Shop by the Sea, Sequins and Snowflakes – Christmas at the Little Wedding Shop, and Bunting and Bouquets – Summer at the Little Wedding Shop, and most recently, The Little Cornish Kitchen. These are all published by Harper Impulse,  an imprint of Harper Collins.

Follow Jane on Twitter @janelinfoot, or find her on her Author Page Facebook or her Personal Page Facebook. She’s also on Instagram and has lots of Pinterest boards relating to her novels.

Have a look at the other spots on the blog tour . . .

Modern Persuasion - Sara Marks

Date of Reading: 06/07/2018

Author: Sara Marks

Publisher: Illuminated Myth Publishing

Year: 2017

Rating: 4/5

(This review copy is offered to me by Lola's Blog Tours, but the opinions expressed are completely my own)

About the book:

This story of second chances is inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion. 

Eight years ago Emma Shaw picked her career and family over Fredrick Wentworth, the man she loved. Since then she has built a career as a book editor and spends her free time making sure her father and sisters are taken care of. Fredrick has spent the same years building his career as a screenwriter under increasing public scrutiny as a celebrity. When the editor of Fredrick’s first book is injured, Emma is forced to travel with Fredrick on his book tour. The former lovers are joined by his publicist, Patrick, and her intern, Louisa, who play intermediaries over the month. Emma and Fredrick spend the entire tour avoiding the elephant in the room. 

Tension builds as they each learn about the current version of the person they once loved and resolve the ramifications of their choices.

My Review:

        I have always found it tough to decide which of the Austen books is my favourite. And 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Persuasion' were the top two contenders. I haven't resolved it yet, still, the latter is a book I keep close to my heart. So I jumped at the opportunity to review this modern version and as expected it was mesmerising.

       The author has retained the names of the original characters except that of the heroine, who is addressed as Emma instead of Anne. The story is set in the background of the publishing industry and that is what captivated mostly. Who could put away a book that talks about writing and publishing and book tours?

        Emma is an admirable protagonist who turns down Fredrick's proposal, not because she is persuaded but for her career. And she came up as a successful editor too. A level-headed heroine who is not looking for her Prince Charming to rescue her, I must admit, gives due justice to Austen's lead role.

      I did love the narration and the way the story progressed quite freely without any digressions. What it offers us is a peek to the publishing world and the delicate way books are judged and promoted. If you are looking for an enjoyable read to finish in one sitting, then this is just your pick.

Meet the author:

Born in Boston, MA and raised in Miami, FL, Sara has two masters degrees and plans to never stop getting over educated. She now lives in Lowell, MA and is a librarian at UMass Lowell. She likes the idea of having all the academic regalia she can ever possess and winning with the most degrees in her family. She cries at nearly every movie she sees (ask her about when she cried at a horror movie), but it’s full-on weeping for Disney animated movies. She loves reading nearly every genre but likes to write romance and fantasy books.

Clutch - Lisa Becker

Date of Reading: 08/06/2018

Author: Lisa Becker

Publisher: Becker Press

Publication Date: October 10, 2015

Rating: 4.3/5

From: NetGalley 

About the book:

Clutch is the laugh-out-loud, chick lit romance chronicling the dating misadventures of Caroline Johnson, a single purse designer who compares her unsuccessful romantic relationships to styles of handbags – the “Hobo” starving artist, the “Diaper Bag” single dad, the “Briefcase” intense businessman, etc. With her best friend, bar owner Mike by her side, the overly-accommodating Caroline drinks a lot of Chardonnay, puts her heart on the line, endures her share of unworthy suitors and finds the courage to discover the “Clutch” or someone she wants to hold onto.  

My Review:

        A completely predictable, utterly enjoyable romantic comedy -- that is how I would like to describe this novel. Starting from Caroline's days at Harvard, it follows the friendship and witty banter she shares with Mike. Mike is a playboy who leaves behind a string of broken hearts everywhere while Caroline is in search of the Mr. Right or the 'Clutch'. Clutch is the name of her business venture, something she has built because she held onto her passion. Now she needs a man whom she can hold onto.

         There follows a series of dating adventures with the chapter titles giving a rough notion about the suitors. The only downside is, we know it will all end badly, that is until we reach the chapter 'Clutch'. So a small advise: better not read this in one sitting, it tends to be a bit boring then.

        More than Caroline, I liked the character of Mike. He has an insight that Caroline totally lacks. We can't but wonder how she became a successful businesswoman. Still, it was total fun reading about her dating blunders :)

Meet the author: 

Lisa Becker is a romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money - on books and margaritas. In addition to Clutch: a novel, she is the author of the Click trilogy, a contemporary romance series about online dating. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened to her, there’s hope for anyone! You can share your love stories with her at www.lisawbecker.com. 

The Breakup Support Group - Cheyanne Young

Date of Reading: 18/05/2018

Author: Cheyanne Young

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Year: 2016

My Rating: 4.5/5

(This review copy is offered to me by Lola's Blog Tours but the opinions expressed are entirely my own)

About the book (Goodreads):

After four years of first love bliss, Isla Rush just got dumped. 

Any hope she has of winning her ex-boyfriend back is shattered when the town rezones her neighbourhood, forcing her to spend senior year at a wealthy high school in the next town over. 

With a broken heart consuming her soul, Isla can’t focus on anything, except maybe Emory Underwood—a ridiculously hot guy who dates a new girl almost every day. She can’t help but crush on him, even though it’s wrong. 

When memories of her ex make her cry in the second period, the school counsellor sends Isla to a club that meets during lunch. The Break-Up Support Group is a collection of broken-hearted misfits who are all helping each other heal. 

Just when Isla’s heart is finally on the mend, Emory shows up, forced to atone for all the broken hearts he’s caused over the years. While hiding her massive crush, she helps him understand the seriousness of breaking a heart. 

In turn, Emory offers to help Isla get back on the dating scene by agreeing to be her fake date for the homecoming dance. Isla gladly accepts the ruse, because if anyone can make her into a desirable girlfriend, Emory can! There's just one small problem.

Isla's little crush on Emory might be exactly full blown. And a homecoming fake date with him could push her over the edge to possibly uttering the "L Word!"

Isla can't afford another heartbreak so soon after the last one. She will have to resist his charms, refuse to look into those dreamy eyes, and above all else, not make the mistake of letting him kiss her. 

My Review: 

        As it has been my habit recently, I opened my Goodreads app after finishing this novel. Do you know how many ratings I found? 217. If I were the author, I would surely have joined a support group to mend my broken heart. Seriously, an awesome book as this one deserves a bit more recognition. I can only hope that not all readers have the habit of rating the books they read and this review can put some interest back on this high school romance.

       Coming from Swoon Romance, without a doubt, this story will make you swoon. I made the mistake of taking it on a work night, expecting it to be another OK read and I could hardly bring myself to close the kindle 😉. With Isla, we are also transported to her new school and even though she is quite crestfallen, anticipation and excitement will tingle every fibre of our being. Lectures, gym exercises and homecoming dances ... it's good to be young.

         I was not that fond of Isla in the beginning -- she is caring for sure, but it borders on being possessive. Her world revolves around the hunky boyfriend and I was only too glad to get the breaking up point. From the cover blurb, I got the impression that Emory is a pure playboy, but he is not. He possesses a wisdom beyond his ages and I like it how they begin as friends first. 

      But the best part is that this book is not only about romance. It's also about all things high school and of course, the breakup support group. This was such a novel idea for me and I wish every school had one. It is a unique group of exceptional characters and I hope the author has some stories in mind for others too.

       Overall an amazing read you will definitely enjoy these summer days.

Meet the author:

Cheyanne Young is a native Texan with a fear of cold weather and a coffee addiction that probably needs an intervention. She loves books, sarcasm, and collecting nail polish. After nearly a decade of working in engineering, Cheyanne now writes books for young adults. She doesn’t miss a cubicle one bit. Cheyanne lives near the beach with her daughter and husband, one spoiled rotten puppy, and a cat that is most likely plotting to take over the world.

Dating the Prince - Alina Snow (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

Date of Reading: 05/05/2018

Author: Alina Snow

Publisher: Pink Ink Press

Place: United States

Year: May 8, 2018
Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour hosted by I Am A Reader)

About the book:

Small-town girl, Katie O’Connor has always dreamed of seeing her name in lights. Check the box for fame, a movie deal, the perfect leading role that comes with a gorgeous leading man! Katie moved to Hollywood, elbows her way into auditions, lives on a shoestring budget—whatever is required to land a deal, she throws her heart into… until she’s involved in a royal kidnapping.

As the future king, Prince Alexander refuses to rule from an ivory tower. Duty-bound, he intends to relate to his future subjects, regardless of their walk of life. Before his coronation, he needs a foolproof plan to outrun his security team and go temporarily AWOL. While visiting L.A., all it takes is a soundstage collision and Alex is blindsided by a headstrong woman who is simply irresistible. So much so, he calls in a favour in order to secure her help … as his pretend girlfriend.

Their worlds are oceans apart, but their immediate attraction is impossible to put aside, especially their nonstop banter. Miffed at being wrangled into a situation that might blow up in her face, Katie comes up with her own plan. If The Prince is serious about walking the walk of the common folk, she’s only too happy to oblige as his pretend girlfriend. Through an ice storm, a road trip, kitchen duty, and a Texas pig race, Alex captures the hearts of the locals as well as Ms. O’Connor’s.

What starts out as a deal Katie can’t refuse becomes the acting role of a lifetime… letting Prince Alexander go without a fight.

A delightfully funny retelling of The Prince and The Pauper that romance readers of all ages will enjoy. On a two-week 1,500-mile road trip, Katie and Alex discover the end of the road might just be the beginning of their ‘Happy Ever After’ together.

My Review:

       Absolutely LOVED it! This is an unforgettable romantic comedy that stole my sleep. Katie and Prince Alexander make a charming pair building a mature relationship even with the sizzling physical attraction. Kind of reminds me why I like clean romances. 
        As a die-hard 'Prince & Me' movie series fan, I jumped at the chance of reviewing it. Even with the cuties on the cover, I was not able to shake the actors of the movie from my mind. It almost felt like reliving the movie with a different setting; there are a lot of parallels in the storyline. That could be the reason I was really warming up towards Jeffrey, the private secretary. He resembled Soren so much (even in the dialogues) that Ben Miller's image was at the forefront whenever Jeffrey comes to the fray.
       I must applaud Alina Snow's courage in presenting Alex as the British Crown Prince. I was expecting an unknown prince from some unexplored country (like 'Princess Diaries'), but this is so much better. We know its fiction, so what is the harm in taking a bit of liberty?
       I was a bit confused at the beginning with the language, but once you get the hang of it ... this is a non-stop joy ride. There are no digressions or unnecessary evil plots to drag the story. The ending was a bit rushed, still, I would not want to change anything about this book. All in all, this is a nice, quick, relaxing read, that makes you wish for more ...


Meet the author:

A southern gal at heart. Alina is a librarian who adores her job. She has a degree in anthropology from Vanderbilt and loves writing offbeat romantic comedy. To refuel, Alina sings karaoke, bakes sweet treats, and can be found at the Y, kickboxing. She lives in Knoxville with her husband and Callie, their doxie mix.

Giveaway:

Ends 5/31/18


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This Giveaway is organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It Ends with Us - Colleen Hoover

Date of Reading: 08/04/2018

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Atria

Place: New York

Year: 2016

Rating: 4.5/5





About the book:

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up — she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

My Review:

        I am not that much into triangle love stories. If the heroine makes a decision that I don't approve, I know that I am going to hate her forever. But this is not about triangle love even though we get that impression from the description. No . . . this is far more than a simple love story.

         The love triangle is not going to trouble you the least here (that was something new for me 😊). It doesn't matter who Lily chooses to be with because we feel a complete kinship with her to trust her enough in this. She is strong, dependable and admirable. Trust me, it takes a lot of courage to do what she has done in the end.

        There were times I felt this can't be real. Surely this should not be happening in real lives. But I have witnessed how two of my friends have gone through abusive relationships and how hard it can be. And the author's note at the end just proves how autobiographical it is.

       If you are a married couple or in a relationship, this is a must-read for you. If you are neither, then read to get a profound insight into human behaviour. Nothing is ever simple as we think from the outside. 

        And don't forget to reserve some free time before starting. This will blow you out thoroughly and so expect to get fired from work for lack of focus. Mull over it for some time. You are hereby warned, readers. And I strongly suggest you to not read the summary below unless you need to know the story beforehand for any research/project works.

Summary:

       Lily Bloom met Ryle Kincaid on one of the rooftop terraces in Boston. She had just buried her father, gave the worst eulogy ever and needed a quiet place to think and relax. Ryle reached there for a similar reason -- to escape a bad day in the hospital. They shared naked truths about each other since both never believed to meet each other again. Lily hated her father who used to beat her mother. But his apologies after the fights made her stay. Her first love was a homeless guy named Atlas who was beaten up by her father. She works in a company but what she would like to do is open a floral shop.
        Ryle is studying to be a neurosurgeon and lives with his sister and her wealthy husband. He hates relationships but indulges in one night stands. He would like one night with Lily but sadly she in the quest for her true love.

        With the inheritance of her father, Lily starts a flower shop. Her path crosses with Ryle's again when his sister Allysa joins as an assistant as she is bored to be at home all the time. She soon becomes Lily's best friend and Ryle can't stop thinking about her. He finally chucks his fear of relationships and starts dating her.
       On one of her dinners with her mother, she meets Atlas in the new restaurant. She mistakes him for a waiter, though he was the owner. Seeing her happy with Ryle, he tells that he too is dating someone. Lily had always loved Atlas. She even came to Boston because it was their dream city. He had promised to come back to her once he returned from military service. But now that chapter is closed and she begins to think of a life with Ryle.

        Ryle is quite passionate about his career, but he also cares for Lily deeply. But there are times when he is consumed by anger and on one such occasion he pushed Lily hard, hurting her. He immediately apologises claiming it as an accident. Lily is taken back to the memories of her father but Ryle's efforts comfort her. But Atlas warns her against being like her mother and gives her his number in case of an emergency.
       Ryle and Lily get married in Vegas, and Allyssa is found pregnant bringing in more happiness. Ryle accidentally finds the number of Atlas hidden inside the mobile cover and suspects an affair. His anger goes out of hand and Lily is pushed down the stairs. With Allysa's persuasion, Ryle explains the reason behind his sudden bouts of temper. He had accidentally shot his elder brother at the age of five. After that, it was never easy for him to control his emotions. He promises to keep away from her when such scenarios arise and Lily's heart surges with compassion.
        Her shop is nominated for the best new shops in Boston. Atlas' restaurant - Bib's - also makes to the list and newspaper article explains how the name which is short for 'Best in Boston' is inspired by a girl. Ryle notices that Lily has attached to the fridge a magnet which says the same thing. Suspicious again, he reads Lily's old journals and finds that it has been given by Atlas.
       He unleashes his anger and tries to rape her this time. In between, he regains his normal behaviour but Lily was hurt. She calls Atlas in secret and escapes to his house. To give her some space to think Ryle goes to England for three months and she returns to their apartment. She finds herself pregnant and Allysa supports her decision to be away from Ryle.
        Upon his return, Ryle tries to get back her affections but Lily was firm. After the birth of their girl child, she asks for a divorce. She doesn't want her daughter to hate her father as Lily did. She meets Atlas again to begin her life anew.

Something to ponder . . .

"There is no such thing as bad people. We're all just people who sometimes do bad things".  - 14

"Maybe love isn't something that comes full circle. It just ebbs and flows, in and out, just like the people in our lives." - 191

"When you experience it firsthand, it isn't so easy to hate the person who mistreats you when most of the time they're your godsend." - 293

Colleen Hoover

"Cycles exist because they are excruciating to break. It takes an astronomical amount of pain and courage to disrupt a familiar pattern. Sometimes it seems easier to just keep running in the same familiar circles, rather than facing the fear of jumping and possibly not landing on your feet." - 309

My Not So Perfect Life - Sophie Kinsella

Date of Reading: 05/01/2018

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Publisher: The Dial Press

Place: New York

Year: 2017
Rating: 3.5/5

        I was dreading to read this particular one, partly due to the not so positive reviews I have read. Sophie Kinsella is so far the best chick-lit author I have ever come across and I really didn't want anything to change that impression. Still, I picked this one . . . after all it is by Kinsella.
        I can't really blame the reviews. This novel is nowhere near to her usual read. Not that bad either. But.... with Kinsella, we expect something much more. So where to begin?
       The story is completely predictable. The usual Cinderella variety as always. But that is not something I hold against any novel; most chick-lit revolve around this theme. It is the way of presentation that matters . . . and the fun element. Kinsella's usual heroines make even the most heart-wrenching situations laughable. In this regard, this is more of a Madeleine Wickham novel. There is this occasional humour, but that is far from the type we find in 'Shopaholic Novels', or 'Can You Keep a Secret?'.
        So here is my advice: Don't take this in hand hoping to find the usual laugh out loud chick lit. This is of a more serious kind and will surely motivate you in your professional life. The theme is simple: Dreams can come true if you truly wish for it and . . . don't ever judge someone's life based on Instagram (Facebook) feeds. Nobody's life is that perfect 😊😊😊
To the story:

        Katie Brenner lives in London trying to make her dreams come true. She stays in a congested one-room apartment and works with Cooper Clemmow, a branding and strategy agency. Her boss is Demeter who according to her leads a perfect life: a glamorous job, happy family with a handsome husband and charming kids and a stunning home with gorgeous steps. Even her name has a cool ring to it. She is Katie's dream come true.
        But her colleagues hate her as a boss. She can't remember most of them, especially Katie as she fills a minor post. As per the office gossip, she denied a huge project to Liz, the project manager and she has never acknowledged the work of Mark who is in charge of designing logos.
         Katie is from Somerset but she always wanted to be in London though her father was opposed to this idea. She is yet to make her big breakthrough which comes by chance when she is asked to help Demeter in dying her hair. While they were at it, Alex demands a meeting and Katie is burdened with the job of stopping him even though she has no clue as to who Alex is.
        Alex proved to be a stunning guy with enchanting manners. He needed Demeter to check some toys but as she unavailable, takes Katie instead. They had a good time experimenting and Alex advises her to speak out to Demeter if she wants to advance in her career. She follows this and is invited to attend the group meetings. Only later she realises that the guy she talked was Alex Astaris, one of the partners.
         On Thanksgiving, Katie goes home and helps her dad and his girlfriend, Biddy, to convert their farm to a glamping site. Biddy has put her inheritance to the project and Katie takes charge of advertising. Back in the office things take turn for the worse. She is informed that Alex is Demeter's lover and Katie is fired as part of cutting down the expenses of the company. Though angry and depressed, she stays back in London without informing her father.

        As the glamping business starts getting bookings, Biddy gets panicked and asks Katie for help. They are even reviewed by 'The Guardian'. Katie pretends to be on a sabbatical leave and goes to Somerset. The glamping turns out to be a huge success and even Demeter comes there to stay with her family. Katie makes slight alterations to her appearance so that she won't be recognised. She tricks Demeter into doing some horrible things by misleading her to believe that this is all a part of the ancient Druid practice, known as Vedari.
          She also gets a peek into Demeter's life and it didn't look as perfect as imagined. Her children don't respect her and the husband, though supportive, now wants to pursue his career further which means he will have to be away from home often. When her husband leaves the farm for job purpose, Kite sees that Alex has made a booking to their B&B. Thinking that Demeter wants to pursue her illicit affair at her glamping site, Katie continues her revenge. But this time her plans go awry as Demeter recognises her finally.
        She learns that Alex is not Demeter's lover and he might be possibly coming there to fire her as she has sabotaged a huge project because of some miscommunication via email. Her house has cost her a fortune and she works overtime to pay off the mortgage, which leaves no time for family. She has always stood for her colleagues. Liz was never selected and she hid this fact to avoid further pain and Mark was never that brilliant. She is always covering him up.
          Katie suspects that her assistant Sarah could be the culprit as she has complete access to Demeter's emails. While Katie stalls Alex, Demeter goes to London to get some proof. Alex and Katie get romantically attached but he is not ready to go further. Meanwhile, Demeter fails to find any substantial proof.

Sophie Kinsella

         Katie goes back to her old office and befriends her colleagues again. She records Sarah, Rosa and Flora revealing their plans against Demeter and this proof vindicates Demeter. The culprits are fired and Katie is appointed as the Creative Director. Alex goes to New York to make matter straight with his Dad; he was inspired by the bond that Katie shares with her father. Too soon he realises his folly and he comes back to Katie as she is his new found home.