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 . . .

Oh Crumbs - Kathryn Freeman (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 25/05/2018

Author: Kathryn Freeman

Publisher: Choc Lit

Year: 2018

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4.5/5

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

About the book:

Abby Spencer knows she can come across as an airhead – she talks too much and is a bit of a klutz – but there’s more to her than that. Though she sacrificed her career to help raise her sisters, a job interview at biscuit company Crumbs could finally be her chance to shine. That’s until she hurries in late wearing a shirt covered in rusk crumbs, courtesy of her baby nephew, and trips over her handbag.

Managing director Douglas Faulkner isn’t sure what to make of Abby Spencer with her Bambi eyes, tousled hair and ability to say more in the half-hour interview than he manages in a day. All he knows is she’s a breath of fresh air and could bring a new lease of life to the stale corporate world of Crumbs. To his life too, if he’d let her.

But Doug’s harbouring a secret. He’s not the man she thinks he is.

My Review:

      I know what you are thinking. This is so cliche!!! The glorified typist falling for the boss man . . . happens all the time. But this is a cliche we would like to dream of 😉. So here I am with my first Choc Lit book while the rain is raging outside.

        The story begins with a funeral and we are slowly introduced to the Spencer family which now consists of a widowed father and five kids. Don't get me wrong here. I am not against having kids, but if you don't have the means to take care of all of them, then that is a big no-no. Safe to say, I disliked Mr. Spencer from the start even though he is presented in a good light throughout the novel.

          But Abby is altogether a different story. She is cute, witty, hardworking and caring. I was curious how she will manage to accommodate Dough with her hectic work life and family pressure. Keeping work and family together is one of the greatest challenges today's women face and I am so glad that she made the right choice. This story thus contains one of the best climaxes that I am going to cherish forever.

        I don't know if men like Dough exist anymore other than in imagination. A handsome introvert who is not at all possessive, he is an awesome match for Abby. 

        By the way, if you are wondering about the title, it is just an expression often used by Abby when she wants to swear. So altogether a fantastic read and thank you, Rachel, for giving me a copy for the blog tour. Loved it every minute of my reading.

Meet the author:

I was born in Wallingford, England and have spent most of my life living in a village outside Windsor. A former pharmacist, former pharmaceutical industry employee I’m now a self-employed medical writer who also loves to write romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero… 

I’ve two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) so the romance in my life is all in my head. Then again, my husband’s unstinting support of my career change goes to prove that love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes can come in many disguises

Please have a look at the other stops on the tour ...

A Vicarage Wedding - Kate Hewitt (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

Date of Reading: 21/07/2018

Author: Kate Hewitt

Publisher: The Tule Publishing Group

Publication Date: 2018

(This review is part of the blog tour hosted by Neverland Blog Tours)

About the book:

Rachel Holley has always dreamed of a wedding—the white dress, the fairy tale, and of course, the happily-ever-after. But when her fiancé breaks it off the night before, claiming she doesn’t love him, Rachel’s fairy tale ends in ashes. 

Homeless, hopeless, and feeling like her life has been completely derailed, Rachel must start over in all sorts of ways—and hold her head up high in the fishbowl of her tiny village. The last person she expects to become a friend is Sam West, the taciturn owner of The Bell, Thornthwaite’s rougher pub, and a little rough around the edges of himself. 

But as Rachel gets to know Sam, and sees him caring for his orphaned nephew, she finds herself drawn to this enigmatic man. Nothing about Sam is what Rachel expected in a life partner, and yet she can’t deny their increasing closeness. But can love flourish on the rebound? And will there be a vicarage wedding after all?

My Review: 

       A cosy read that will make you wish for more. Luckily, this is the third in the series and so I am going to dig up the other two. The story starts the day before Rachel's wedding when her fiance unexpectedly calls the whole thing off. I really admire the guts and perceptiveness of the guy in this regard and even for a while was tempted to know more about Dan's (he is the fiance) future. He seems to know Rachel more than she knows herself. But that is a plot for another book altogether.

         Rachel succeeds in capturing our hearts soon enough with her caring nature and patience. She is the best teacher any child could wish for. We could never tire of reading about her life in the village school. On the other hand, there is Sam West, our handsome rugged hero, who reminds us a lot of Darcy if you minus the aristocratic background. He might act tough all he wants, but deep inside he is a big softie.

        As the title suggests, it is not only the story of Rachel but also that of the vicarage and the village it is situated. Like any other village around the globe, Thornthwaite has its particular set of rigid and uptight behavioural traits, but we can't help but fall in love with the thriving community there.

Meet the author:

Kate is the USA Today-bestselling author of many books of women's fiction and romance. Her latest releases are A Mother's Goodbye and A Vicarage Wedding. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.

She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, and historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.

Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and an overly affectionate Golden Retriever.

Website: http://www.kate-hewitt.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/katehewitt1

International Giveaway:

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How (Not) to Marry a Duke - Felicia Kingsley

 

Date of Reading: 19/07/2018

Author: Felicia Kingsley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: August 2018

Translated by: Alessandra Rotilio

Rating: 4.5/5

From: NetGalley 

 

 

 

About the book:

 

A hilarious romantic comedy perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jo Watson and Meg Cabot.

One minute, Jemma Pears is a struggling theatrical make-up artist in London. The next, she's been left a vast fortune by her estranged grandmother. The catch: she must marry a man with a title to inherit. Jemma thinks this is truly impossible: she's a romantic, searching for true love, not just a convenient marriage... and besides, where would she even find a titled guy?

Enter Ashford, the new Duke of Burlingham. His legacy: massive debts that he must pay back immediately or risk the bank seizing his assets. Or worse: his mother's wrath!

When their lawyer hears of their situations, a secret match is made despite their mutual hatred of each other: through marrying Ashford, Jemma can inherit and Ashford can pay back his debts immediately. Problem solved. That is, until their marriage is leaked to the press and everyone finds out...

Now they have to play out the charade for at least a year or risk going to jail for fraud!

A hilarious pretense ensues and Jemma must battle against a crazy mother in law, a stuffy aristocracy, and finally, and most surprisingly of all, confusing feelings for Ashford...! 

 

My Review:

 

      Reading this book was like getting exposed to Nitrous Oxide aka, the laughing gas. Fortunately, I am not too old, so my teeth haven't come off. But then again, I must have given a total scare to my hostelmates with all the shrieks of laughter coming from my room. I think you got the picture now.

      Since you are acquainted with the after effects of a laugh out loud romantic comedy now, let me come to the story. Predictable, for sure, but the novelty comes through the narrative style and the witty dialogues. Often it reminded me of a Korean drama I used to watch of a common girl forced to be married to an arrogant Prince. But Jemma is not an innocent, childish character; she is resourceful, fearless and a bit opinionated in a good way. She never runs out of ways to shock Ashford and also the readers.

      The Duke in the story, Ashford Parker is the epitome of elegant wit. I thoroughly enjoyed his narration and unique perspective of the events. The way he handles his mother and the rapport he enjoys with his best friend Harring produce the most hilarious moments in novel.

       A word of advice before you go hunting for this book. Never dare to open this precious thing in train or while waiting for the bus; well, that is, if you don't want to be stared at. Have fun reading!!!

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.

Here Comes the Best Man - Angela Britnell (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 26/06/2018

Author: Angela Britnell

Publisher: Choc Lit

Place: UK

Publication Date: July 10, 2018

Rating: 3/5

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

About the book:

Being the best man is a lot to live up to … 

When troubled army veteran and musician Josh Robertson returns home to Nashville to be the best man at his younger brother Chad’s wedding he’s just sure that he’s going to mess it all up somehow. 

But when it becomes clear that the wedding might not be going to plan, it’s up to Josh and fellow guest Louise Giles to make sure that Chad and his wife-to-be Maggie get their perfect day. 

Can Josh be the best man his brother needs? And is there somebody else who is beginning to realise that Josh could be her ‘best man’ too? 

My Review:

       I am not a fan of first sight love stories, preferring to read the gradual building up of a relationship. But the book kept me going partly due to the lovely repartees constantly engaged between the pair.  Josh, without a doubt, is the best man in the novel and captures our hearts with a frankness that is quite foreign nowadays.

        The novella comes as a sequel to "The Wedding Reject Table", but can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the previous one in the series, but the constant references make me think it has a good premise and now I will surely have to look into that. Chad and Maggie seemed to have gone through some high waters and now it's his elder brother's turn to reveal his cowboy charm.

        If I want to change anything about the book, then that will be the length. I couldn't shake the feeling that the book would have fared better with a slow take on things with some added insights into the characters. Is a week really enough for Josh to sort through his feelings towards his dad and for Louise to regain her courage to love again? On the other hand, the short length has its benefits and a single sitting will see you finished it in no time.

Meet the author: 

I was born in the beautiful county of Cornwall in southwestern England and grew up in a small village there. I return frequently to visit family and friends but especially to savour the cool rainy weather and hot tea. After school, I joined the Royal Navy and served for nearly six years. I held varying jobs from being the only woman in the staff of a sports centre to arranging social engagements for the Captain of the base. My last assignment was to Denmark where I thought I would spend a wild two years in Copenhagen only to discover I was being sent to a NATO Headquarters in a quiet town on the Jutland Peninsula. I was only disappointed for a while as I met my own tall, dark, handsome stranger there - a US Naval Officer named Richard who became my husband.

I have always been a voracious reader, even at 5 years old my school reports show a keen interest in English and very little in math - some things never change! Although I enjoyed writing in school it wasn't until 2001 that I was tempted to take a creative writing class at a local recreation centre which has sparked my new career.

When I'm not busy writing I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I try to grow English flowers in the Tennessee heat and succeed some of the time. I belong to the wonderful Red Bandanas Writing Group, Jubilee Readers Book Club, and volunteer at my local library so you can see that words are important to me.

I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoy writing it so sit back, make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy a break from everyday life.

Matchmaking for Beginners - Maddie Dawson

Date of Reading: 23/06/2018

Author: Maddie Dawson

Publisher: Lake Union

Place: Seattle

Year: 2018

Rating: 4/5

From: NetGalley

About the book:

Marnie MacGraw wants an ordinary life—a husband, kids, and a minivan in the suburbs. Now that she’s marrying the man of her dreams, she’s sure this is the life she’ll get. Then Marnie meets Blix Holliday, her fiancé’s irascible matchmaking great-aunt who’s dying, and everything changes—just as Blix told her it would.

When her marriage ends after two miserable weeks, Marnie is understandably shocked. She’s even more astonished to find that she’s inherited Blix’s Brooklyn brownstone along with all of Blix’s unfinished “projects”: the heartbroken, oddball friends and neighbours running from happiness. Marnie doesn’t believe she’s anything special, but Blix somehow knew she was the perfect person to follow in her matchmaker footsteps.

And Blix was also right about some things Marnie must learn the hard way: love is hard to recognize, and the ones who push love away often are the ones who need it most.

My Review:

       I added this to my overflowing TBR pile, due to the numerous positive reviews I found on the web. And the novel won't disappoint you a bit. As you must have guessed already, the storyline is unique and the incorporation of magic realism blends well with the plot.

        What interested me most was Marnie, the imperfect heroine. I have seen many complaining of her as she has cheated on her fiance. Well, obviously that is a major issue, but may be that is what makes this novel dear to our hearts. Even with the little magical powers involved, this splashes us with reality, giving a break to perfect Cinderella stories.

         Then there is Blix, who I think have blixed all us readers. One could almost feel her wishes of happiness flowing throughout the book, seeping into our bloodstream and to our heart. Her matchmaking projects are one of a kind and many a time I felt really jealous as to how she marched on with her life.

        All in all, I will recommend this precious book to anyone looking for a different romance read. It will surprise and enthral you till the very end!

Meet the author:

I'm the author of seven novels about love, crazy families, secrets, parenthood, and--yes, they have reasonably happy endings. Kind of like life. My newest, Matchmaking for Beginners, is released on June 1, 2018. My other novels are The Survivor's Guide to Family Happiness, The Opposite of Maybe, The Stuff That Never Happened, Kissing Games of the World and A Piece of Normal. 

My first novel, What Comes After Crazy, was written under the name Sandi Kahn Shelton

Girl in the Castle - Lizzie Lamb

Date of Reading: 13/05/2018

Author: Lizzie Lamb

Publication Year: 2017

Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Love Books Group Tours)

About the book:

Her academic career in tatters, Dr Henriette Bruar needs somewhere to lay low, plan her comeback and restore her tarnished reputation. Fate takes her to a remote Scottish castle to auction the contents of an ancient library to pay the laird's mounting debts. The family are in deep mourning over a tragedy which happened years before, resulting in a toxic relationship between the laird and his son, Keir MacKenzie. Cue a phantom piper, a lost Jacobite treasure, and a cast of characters who - with Henri’s help, encourage the MacKenzies to confront the past and move on. However - will the Girl in the Castle be able to return to university once her task is completed, and leave gorgeous, sexy Keir MacKenzie behind?

My Review:

       The book's cover was not to my taste and being averse to highland adventures, it was not my intention to read it. But then comes the matter of heroine who is an academic which I can't pass on. So here I am, finishing another enchanting novel and happy in being so wrong in first impressions. 
      
Here are the reasons why I enjoyed the story so much:

Protagonist: As mentioned above a willful heroine with strong academic credentials is one of my weaknesses. And Dr. Henriette Bruar more than qualifies the description. She reminded me a lot of Evelyn in "The Mummy", with all her I-am-the-expert speeches. The author has managed to weave along with it the not so pretty picture of the university politics showing the cutthroat competition that has begun to degrade even our scholarly pursuits.

Setting: An ancient Scottish castle -- the most beautiful background for an amazing Gothic romance! Added to this is the perfect blend of supernatural, family tragedy and a hidden treasure making this an unforgettable read. If you haven't visited the Highlands, after this you will definitely want to.

Characters: Author creates a cosy scene with a few servants, the master and his son. Even the wicked cousins are difficult to hate. I loved Sandy aka Alexander even though he is far from being the rugged hero.

Narration: The omniscient narrator follows the perceptions of Henriette which was a welcome change from the usual romance reads. Kind of felt like going through the modern 'Jane Eyre'.

      All in all, I will recommend this book to anyone who likes romance with a slight sprinkle of mystery.

Meet the author:

After teaching her 1000th pupil and working as a deputy headteacher in a large primary school, Lizzie decided to pursue her first love: writing. She joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme, wrote Tall, Dark and Kilted (2012), followed a year later by Boot Camp Bride. Although much of her time is taken up publicising her novels she published a third novel Scotch on the Rocks in July 2015. It achieved Best Seller status within two weeks of appearing on Amazon. Her latest novel Girl in the Castle was published in 2017 and reached #3 in the charts. Lizzie is a founding member of indie publishing group – New Romantics Press and has held author events in many venues and loves meeting readers. In March 2016, Lizzie was a finalist in the prestigious Exeter Novel Prize for Scotch on the Rocks. In November, she co-hosted an author event at Aspinall, St Pancras, talking about writing and the amount of research she puts into her novels. Lizzie lives in Leicestershire (UK) with her husband and a naughty parrot called Jasper.

What Kitty Did Next - Carrie Kablean

Date of Reading: 23/05/2018

Author: Carrie Kablean

Publisher: Red Door

Year: June 2018

Rating: 3.4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour hosted by Love Books Group Tours)

About the book (Goodreads):

England, 1813. Nineteen-year-old Catherine Bennet lives in the shadow of her two eldest sisters, Elizabeth and Jane, who have both made excellent marriages. No one expects Kitty to amount to anything. Left at home in rural Hertfordshire with her neurotic and nagging mother, and a father who derides her as "silly and ignorant," Kitty is lonely, diffident and at a loss as to how to improve her situation. 

When her world unexpectedly expands to London and Darcy’s magnificent country estate in Derbyshire, she is overjoyed. Keen to impress this new society, and to change her family’s prejudice, Kitty does everything she can to improve her mind and manners—and for the first time feels liked and respected. 

However, one fateful night at Pemberley, a series of events and misunderstandings conspire to ruin Kitty’s reputation and she is sent back home in disgrace. But Kitty has learnt from her new experiences and what she does next will not only surprise herself but everyone else too.

My Review: 

       It goes without saying that I am a HUGE Austen fan. But I am not fond of sequels as they usually never live up to the original. Still, the cover was too persuading and I also felt the need to relive the characters and gave it a try. I would have liked to read about Mary rather than Kitty as she is the bookish sister.

      Kablean does a nice work of capturing the spirit of  'Pride and Prejudice' using almost similar language and narrative style. Nothing happens much in the first half other than what is described in the cover blurb -- gatherings, visits and dresses. We are slowly eased into the world of the sisters again, but this time Jane is going to be our favourite. Then comes the conflict resulting in Kitty's disgrace and after that the story takes momentum.

      You might be wondering about Kittie's love interest, and though I am itching to reveal that, it will be better if you find it yourself. It is only in the last pages the readers are enlightened as to who it is and until then it was quite fun guessing. Happy reading!!!

Meet the author:

I was born and raised in London and came to Sydney in 1990. I love both cities - shame they are so far apart.

I have always loved reading and when I was a kid and the mobile library made its weekly stop nearby I read anything in the historical fiction genre I could get my hands on. Especially loved Tudor England. Then Jane Austen came into my life and never left. And I started working my way through other great English classic novels (an ongoing pastime). But my tastes range farther afield too, Junot Diaz, Stella Gibbons, Tom Wolfe, Graham Greene, Karen Joy Fowler, Alice Sebold.... have to stop, it will go on forever.

The theatre is also a passion. I reviewed for The Sunday Telegraph for more than a decade, and still post the occasional review. 

I was a journalist with The Australian for more than 20 years, and now write for my own amusement - and hopefully yours!     

Don't forget to check out the other stops in the tour 

The Forgotten Guide to Happiness - Sophie Jenkins

 

Date of Reading: 15/06/2018

Author: Sophie Jenkins

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: July 26, 2018

Rating: 4.5/5

From: NetGalley 

About the book:

You can lose your memory, but you never forget how to love…
 
Lana Green has a talent for pushing people away. As a writer, she’s perfectly happy to be left alone with her books. But when she meets Jack Buchanan and Nancy Ellis Hall, Lana’s solitary life will change for ever.

Nancy has dementia, and social services believe this makes her vulnerable. But Lana can see the funny, brilliant woman underneath the illness.

As Lana and Jack struggle to keep Nancy out of a care home, Lana starts to question everything she ever thought mattered.

Because what’s the point in stories, if there is no one to share them with?

My Review:

       Have you ever read a book that makes you feel warm, happy and content? If you have gone through a similar experience, then you won't be able to pass this one by. The stunning debut with its unique perspective and story line will endear anyone with at least a small inkling to write.
        The story was quite engaging from the start itself and we immediately connect with Lana Green, the author of a single famous romantic novel whose life is now in shatters. Her quirky but insightful comments on other writers (especially the one about Hemingway) and about writing had me grinning from ear to ear.  
       And I never thought that someone with dementia can contribute so much fun. In reality I don't think they will, but here I completely agree with Kitty, "no one wants to read how it all went wrong . . . they can look to their own lives for that sort of thing."
      The characters we meet are also quite distinctive, starting from Nancy. Then there is Jack and we can't but admire how he pedalled  through some really dark periods in life. Love is insanity (some loves at least) and it is good to see him so forgiving. He has become one of my favourite heroes.
      That being said, I won't classify this as a romance novel since that plays only a minor role here. This is a writer's search for her novel, that particular story which is waiting for her to be written. Endowed with one of the perfect endings, this uplifting book will make you happy irrespective of whether you forgot the feeling or not. 

Something to ponder ...

"Generallay, you have to be thin-skinned to be a writer, so you can be insightful and all that, but you have to be thick-skinned too, because no one in the history of the written word has ever written anything that everyone likes" - Loc 169
 
"I can spot a teacher a mile off. They'r e the ones telling people off." - Loc 427

"Self-pity is seductive, but it makes you pitiful." - Loc 479

"A photograph is like a stare, a voyeuristic activity in which you can study someone with all the time in the world and make up a narrative about them" - Loc 2982

"The problem I've always had with real life is, you never know what's going to happen." - Loc 3986

Meet the author:

Sophie Jenkins

Sophie Jenkins is a serial joiner of writing groups and workshops and a prolific short story writer. To encourage her creativity she regularly enters half-marathons and trains by running from her home in North London to breakfast in the centre of town with a notepad.

The character of Nancy in The Forgotten Guide to Happiness is based on her experiences with her own mother, who was diagnosed with dementia fifteen years ago.