An Impossible Thing Called Love - Belinda Missen (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 22/01/2019

Author: Belinda Missen

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: November 18, 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:

A second chance at love…

When globe-trotting Emmy first fell for first-aider William on a freezing New Year’s Eve, she really believed that their love would go the distance.

But when she returns to Australia, her letters start to go unanswered and her emails bounce back unread, Emmy decides it’s time to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and start afresh in London.

So she’s shocked when William walks in on her very first day at her new job! Even worse, he’s hotter than ever. But why did he disappear for so long? What has he been hiding? And could this really be their second chance at falling in love…?

Perfect for fans of Carole Mathews, Mhairi McFarlane and Carrie Hope Fletcher.

My Review:

        Belinda Missen does it again! After 'Recipe for Disaster', I knew she was going to be the queen of second chance romances and this story displays all her familiar charms at its finest. What I liked most about this author is her style of writing and the characters who leap out of the pages even if the story sounds a bit unrealistic. A girl and boy meet accidentally and falls in love within a span of a few hours, only to fail in the long distance relationship . . . and they meet again after years quite unexpectedly. What are the odds?

        I don't want to spoil your reading by giving out too much of the story. Obviously, you need to wait until the last pages to know what happened to the missing letters. And if you feel sorry for Emmy's boyfriend (like I felt), then don't worry, soon her actions will be justified. Then there is the cute romantic ending,  a romance reader's dream. Oh! I loved it!

       Altogether a perfect romance for the month of love . . .

Meet the author:

Author and sometimes foodie, Belinda is a ridiculous romantic who met her husband after being set up by a friend two states away. 

Residing in country Victoria, surrounded by books, cat-fur, and half-eaten cake, Belinda divides her days between writing rom-coms, baking, and indulging her love of comic books.

The Prince - Samhita Arni

Date of Reading: 12/02/2019

Author: Samhita Arni

Publisher: Juggernaut

Publication date: February 10, 2019

My Rating: 5/5

(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

About the book:

The famous dancer Madhavi is at the court of the

Chera king for a grand performance. The king’s first son, Shenguttuvan – the crown prince of the Cheras – is getting ready for his engagement to a Velir princess. There is celebration in the air.

But when an astrologer predicts that the second son Uthiyan is destined to be greater than his elder brother, the Chera court erupts in chaos. The courtiers begin to play the brothers against each other. Life becomes dangerous for Uthiyan and the prince is forced to flee his home in the garb of a monk.

On the perilous journey rife with assassins and conspirators, he is joined by others who seek refuge at the just court of the Pandya king. But darkness is descending on the ancient city of Madurai. Warriors from the west, the single-minded and ruthless Kalabhras, have set out to conquer the prosperous Pandya capital and change the face of Tamilaham. Tormented by rage and lust, beset by betrayal and terror, Uthiyan is forced to choose a side in a conflict that is certain to end in bloody violence.

My Review:

        I don't know how much my words could do justice to such amazing work, but I am going to try my best. This has been an epic journey filled with trials and tribulations and Samhita Arni deserves all the praise she has got so far. Her captivating writing effortlessly draws you into the glorious times of Chera, Chola and Pandya empires.

     I was expecting a retelling of 'Silappadikaram', the story a woman's wrath burning an entire city, but 'The Prince' is the story of its creation; in other words, here we get a glimpse of the eventful life story of Illango Adigal, the author of this great Tamil epic. Born as a prince, he takes the garb of a monk, when a prophecy comes out predicting his future greatness which will surpass his elder brother's. He sacrifices all his claims to the throne and leaves the intrigues of the court in pursuit of his greatest love: poetry.
      So be prepared, you are in for a roller coaster ride through great cities of Tamilaham and we will suffer along with Uthiyan when he undergoes the birth pangs leading to the emergence of a timeless classic. Thanks to Samhita, never will I pass the hostels named after this great man without remembering him. A phenomenal book that should not be missed...

Something to ponder:

"All art, all dance, all poetry and music seek to breach the boundary between the inner and the outer - between what is felt and what is seen, between the human and the divine, between the soul and the material forms of our world - making them one." - 42

"The truth is this - we are all seekers, for the knowledge that makes us content with our lot, content with what we are, to make peace with the tragedies that befall all of us." - 50

"We must respond to the new ways, we cannot keep with the traditions of the past merely because they come from the past. If we do so, we destroy ourselves." - 168

Meet the author:

When she was eight, Samhita Arni started writing and illustrating her first book. The Mahabharata – A Child’s View went on to sell 50,000 copies worldwide. Her second book, Sita’s Ramayana, a graphic novel, was on the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels for two weeks. She is also the author of the novel The Missing Queen.

The Tanglewood Tea Shop - Lilac Mills

Date of Reading:02/02/2019

Author: Lilac Mills

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: January 31, 2019

Source: NetGalley 

My Rating: 3.5/5

About the book:

Patisserie-Chef Stevie is stuck in a rut. Her beloved Great Aunt Peggy has passed away, she’s been fired from her job and the love of her life has walked out the door. But when she’s called to the solicitor’s office to hear the reading of Peggy’s will, Stevie’s life begins to change.

Left with a large amount of money, Stevie is determined to take Peggy’s advice and turn her life around. The quirky tea shop that she sees up for sale in the beautiful village of Tanglewood must be a sign, and Stevie can’t wait to make it her new home.

But what happens after your dreams come true? It turns out that life in the village isn't as idyllic as it may have seemed. With local mums waging war against sugar, a tea shop and its patisserie-chef owner are definitely not welcome.

When the gorgeous but grouchy local stable-owner, Nick, shows up he seems like just another fly in the pastry batter but as the two grow closer, Stevie realises he might just be the perfect reason to stay and win over the village...

This laugh-out-loud romantic comedy is perfect for fans of Daisy James, Holly Martin and Portia Macintosh.

My Review:

        I don't want to lie, I was planning to give up on this story without finishing. Glad that I have stuck through because the latter half more than made up for all the dull moments in the beginning. Stevie's buying of the tea shop and settling in the community takes half of the book and then only we get the glimpse of the exciting story we are promised. Especially when old lady Betty comes to the scene to play the perfect fairy godmother.

       I loved the cosy community, the tantrums of the black cat who is also named Peggy, but the one who has really touched my heart is Tia, who braves the world from a wheelchair. This book would have been really fascinating and unique if Tia was to be on the lead role. Sadly, that is not in my hands. But I do really hope that there will be such a story from the talented hands of Lilac Mills.

Meet the author:

Lilac spends all her time writing, or reading, or thinking about writing or reading, often to the detriment of her day job, her family, and the housework. She apologises to her employer and her loved ones, but the house will simply have to deal with it!

She calls Worcester home, though she would prefer to call somewhere hot and sunny home, somewhere with a beach and cocktails and endless opportunities for snoozing in the sun…

When she isn’t hunched over a computer or dreaming about foreign shores, she enjoys creating strange, inedible dishes in the kitchen, accusing her daughter of stealing (she meant to say “borrowing”) her clothes and fighting with her husband over whose turn it is to empty the dishwasher.

Coming Home to Holly Close Farm - Julie Houston

Date of Reading: 05/02/2019

Author: Julie Houston

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: February 5, 2019

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

About the book:

Charlie Maddison loves being an architect in London, but when she finds out her boyfriend, Dominic is actually married, she runs back to the beautiful countryside of Westenbury and her parents. Charlie's sister Daisy, a landscape gardener, is also back home in desperate need of company and some fun.

Their great-grandmother, Madge – now in her early nineties – reveals she has a house, Holly Close Farm, mysteriously abandoned over sixty years ago, and persuades the girls to project manage its renovation.

As work gets underway, the sisters start uncovering their family's history, and the dark secrets that are hidden at the Farm. A heart-breaking tale of wartime romance, jealousy and betrayal slowly emerge, but with a moral at its end: true love can withstand any obstacle, and, before long, Charlie dares to believe in love again too...

My Review:

       I have been a hardcore Houston fan ever since reading 'A Village Affair'. So I approached this new book of hers with some trepidation since a tiny voice inside me was reminding that I don't like war stories. Ya,  you got it right! Never been a fan of guns and bombs . . . I am more of a bow and arrow girl. Thus I am happy to announce that out of the two interconnected stories, I enjoyed the world war love the most. Well, that is Julie's writing for you. Who could ever disregard a star crossed love story?
         As you must have figured out already, there are two stories, going simultaneously in the past and the present. While Madge and James' story is the perfect love story that will give you dreamy eyes for some days, Charlie's story is more about family, sisterly bond and of course finding love again. If I have to pick my favourite characters, that is going to be Daisy and Madge. The former, because she reminds me a lot about my own younger sister who came to my defence all the time at school and Madge . . . because she is one hell of a lady.
        And there is the typical Houston humour which surfaces often enough, even with the serious theme  . . . not surprising considering the number of grannies taking part in the story 😆 
      Altogether a vibrant read you won't dare to put down. Highly recommended!!! 

Meet the author:

      Julie lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire where her novels are set, and her only claims to fame are that she teaches part-time at ‘Bridget Jones’ author Helen Fielding’s old junior school and her neighbour is ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris. 
         After University, where she studied Education and English Literature, she taught for many years as a junior school teacher. As a newly qualified teacher, broke and paying off her first mortgage, she would spend every long summer holiday working on different Kibbutzim in Israel. After teaching for a few years she decided to go to New Zealand to work and taught in Auckland for a year before coming back to this country. 
         She now teaches just two days a week, and still loves the buzz of teaching junior-aged children. She has been a magistrate for the past nineteen years, and, when not distracted by eBay, Twitter and Ancestry, spends much of her time writing. Julie is married, has a twenty-four-year-old son and twenty-one-year-old daughter and a ridiculous Cockerpoo called Lincoln. She runs and swims because she’s been told it’s good for her, but would really prefer a glass of wine, a sun lounger and a jolly good book - preferably with Matthew Mcconaughay in attendance.

What Happens in France - Carol Wyer (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 19/1/2019

Author: Carol Wyer

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: January 28, 2019

Source: NetGalley 

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by the publisher)

About the book:

“She stood and took her place in front of the camera... It was now or never”

  Bryony Masters has been looking for her long-lost sister, Hannah, for years, but when their father has a stroke her search takes on new urgency. So when a primetime game show, What Happens in France, puts a call-out for new contestants, Bryony spots the ultimate public platform to find her reality TV-obsessed sister, and finally reunite their family.

With the help of handsome teammate Lewis, it’s not long before she’s on a private jet heading for the stunning beauty of rural France. With a social media star dog, a high maintenance quiz host and a cast of truly unique characters, Bryony and Lewis have their work cut out for them to stay on the show and in the public eye.

Yet as the audience grows and the grand prize beckons they find that the search that brought them together may just fulfil more than one heart’s wish…

This heartwarming romantic comedy of friendship, family and laugh-out-loud adventures is perfect for fans of Kirsty Greenwood, Colleen Coleman and Marian Keyes.

My Review:

        This is undoubtedly the cutest book I found this year. Starting from the enticing cover (who could resist a pug?), it takes you into a roller coaster ride of fun, laughter and a taste of tears. We could pretty much guess the winners of the game show and the ending was also downright predictable, but that didn't prevent me from getting emotional at the concluding chapter.
        Bryony is both intelligent and witty, and Lewis handsomely completes the pair. The understanding we have in the beginning of Lewis being gay really helps one to concentrate on the game show and Hannah exclusively. A romance in the mix would have turned it quite awkward as it happened towards the end. But a story about a fun companionship, their quirky behaviours and humorous articulations can never be missed.
      This review won't be complete without a mention of Biggie Smalls, who dominates the cover page (for obvious reasons). After all, he is the one who brought the perfect prize to his newfound human companion.
       Overall, an enjoyable story with an idyllic setting. 

Meet the author:

As a child, Carol Wyer was always moving and relied on humour to fit in at new schools. A funny short story won her popularity, planting the seed of becoming a writer. Her career spans dry cleaning, running a language teaching company, and boxercise coaching. Now writing full-time, Carol has several books published and journalism in many magazines.

Carol won The People’s Book Prize Award for non-fiction (2015), and can sometimes be found performing her stand-up comedy routine Laugh While You Still Have Teeth.

From Mum With Love - Louise Emma Clarke

Date of Reading: 26/01/2019

Author: Louise Emma Clarke

Publisher: Aria

Publication: February 5, 2019

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Mum of one, Jess has had enough of endless diaper-filled days and her husband Chris has just the solution to vent her frustrations – a blog.

Jess loves her daughter more than anything, but sometimes she just wants a little bit of freedom – some time for herself. Cue a laptop, a glass of wine and the beginning of a life-changing journey.

Overnight Jess's inbox is full of notifications and before long she is officially a 'mummy blogger' but this new life comes with its own set of rules and regulations. With Queen of the Bloggers, Tiggy, blanking her in public, people recognizing her on the street and her life decisions suddenly judged by strangers Jess's idea of 'me time' is slowly becoming a full-time job.

Will Jess be able to find the right life/work balance? Or will she wish she'd never turned to a world online?

From the award-winning blogger behind 'Mum of Boys & Mabel'.

My Review:

        This book was an unexpected find in one of my random NetGalley searches and was refreshingly honest. I never believed in the so-called romantic picture of motherhood, but sort of thought that the greatest trouble is giving birth itself. Looks like, it is just the beginning of a whole lot of sleepless nights and pent up emotions.

       Anyone who is in the blogosphere can pretty much identify with Jess' new venture into writing and what I loved most about this book is her blog posts (not that surprising since the author is an award-winning blogger). In the form of letters to her daughter Bella, they talk about her initial struggles as a mother, but it all ends irrevocably in a positive note. I won't be human if I am not jealous of Bella. 

        It is with the conflict relating to Tiggy, the novel picks pace. I haven't met anyone like that before in this field, and I don't wish to be. Most of the time I was really happy to see Jess rising up to the challenge with the help of her sister and female companions. And that is what this whole book is about; motherhood is no bed of roses, but help is always there for those who ask for it.

        Altogether an enlightening read that hooked me from the very beginning . . .

Meet the author:

From Mum With Love is the debut novel of Louise Emma Clarke; the award-winning writer behind the blog 'Mum of Boys & Mabel'.

Louise was educated at Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School and the University of Southampton, before moving to London to begin a career in publishing at magazines and newspapers including Daily Express, Take a Break, That's Life, Best Magazine, and Woman's Weekly.

After getting married in 2010, Louise moved to Dubai and worked as a freelance journalist for publications including Time Out Dubai, Time Out Kids, Aquarius Magazine, Gulf News, Baby & Child Magazine, and Dubai Confidential.

She started her blog in 2014, a few months after the birth of her second baby - and it quickly attracted a loyal following of over 100,000 mothers across the globe and won numerous awards for its relatable, humorous content.

Now living in the UK countryside with her husband and three children - Stanley (6), Wilfred (4) and Mabel (2) - Louise is moving into novel writing with the publication of From Mum With Love in February 2019.

Love Heart Lane - Christie Barlow (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 10/01/2019

Author: Christie Barlow

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Year: 2019

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

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

About the book:

Welcome to Love Heart Lane…

When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the mainland is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…

My Review:

    'Love Heart Lane' is set in a small but picturesque Scottish village called Heartcross. As a village born and brought up girl, I approached the book with trepidation since I am not a fan of the romantic concepts of village life that clearly has its origins from Wordsworth. The ideas of natural beauty, fresh air and comradeship are sure to be there, but it's also the place where people refuse to change and there will be a few who are only interested in poking at other's personal lives. Ya, its no heaven on earth.
        But a clever writer can always make us forget this dark side and for a moment we are persuaded to follow Coleridge's dictum of willing suspension of disbelief. Clearly, Christie Barlow is quite talented in making us immersed in the story. She is a master writer, and I savoured every bit of this delightful novel.
      It will capture your heart from the very beginning and the moment Flick reaches Heartcross, things start spiking up. So be prepared to read it with some spare time at hand, because you won't be putting down your Kindle any time soon once you start. Felicity (Flick) is not someone to shy away from dangers and her capable hands and strong mind eventually take the village out of the huge crisis. I never thought she was a coward for running away in the past, it might be a bit rash, but something that also needs a lot of courage to do.
       I loved the way the novel ended. Even with the cliffhanger, this is a perfect happy ending for the first book in the series. Can's wait to read more about Flick, Fergus and also about their angelic kid.

Meet the author:

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream, Lizzie's Christmas Escape, Evie's Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Love Heart Lane. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia. 

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being as well as Literary Editor for www.mamalifemagazine.co.uk bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.

website www.christiebarlow.com 
Twitter @ChristieJBarlow 

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. 

Perfect Match - Zoe May (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 31/12/2018

Author: Zoe May

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: January 12, 2018

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

Can you ever find true love online?

Sophia Jones is an expert in all things online dating: the best sites, how to write a decent bio, which questions to ask and the right type of photos to use. The only thing she’s not so great at? Picking the guys…

After sitting through yet another dreadful date with a man who isn’t quite what she expected, Sophia is just about ready to give up on the whole dating scene. But her flatmate, Kate, persuades her to give it one more chance, only this time she must create a profile describing her ‘perfect’ man.

Yes, he must look like Robert Pattinson and needs to own a multi-million-pound business, but there are a couple of other deal breakers, too! So, when a guy comes along who ticks every box, surely there’s got to be a catch?

My Review:

     This is my first Zoe May book, and let's say, it surprised me only a few books could. Though I was not that fond of Sophia from the beginning, this wasn't the end I was expecting and I am really glad about it. More than a romance, this is all about a single girl's transformation to maturity. And more than the love story, it was friendship between Sophia and Kate that drew me to the novel . . . oh, how I loved Kate's acting persona!

       But my favourite character, for sure, is Chris. I didn't like the way Sophia just dismissed him outrightly after their first date. What is wrong with a guy who knows about so many things? I was so happy that he got the happy ending he deserved, though not with the one I imagined to be.

       On the whole, a wonderful light read that will keep you guessing till the very end. Zoe has put together a plethora of characters who are perfectly matched with the storyline and you cannot help but love them to the core.

Meet the author:

Zoe May lives in south-east London and writes romantic comedies. Zoe has dreamt of being a novelist since she was a teenager. She moved to London in her early twenties and worked in journalism and copywriting before writing her debut novel, Perfect Match. Having experienced the London dating scene first hand, Zoe could not resist writing a novel about dating, since it seems to supply endless amounts of weird and wonderful material!

As well as writing, Zoe enjoys going to the theatre, walking her dog, painting and, of course, reading.

Zoe loves to hear from readers, you can contact her on Twitter and Instagram at @zoe_writes

Georgiana Darcy - Alice Isakova

Date of Reading: 28/12/2018

Author: Alice Isakova

Subtitle: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Publication Date: July 2018

Rating: 3.5/5

About the book:

With her temptingly large dowry, the beautiful and talented Georgiana Darcy catches the eye of numerous suitors, not all of whom wish to marry purely for love. As Georgiana navigates the treacherous waters of courtship, her story becomes intertwined with that of Anne de Bourgh, her wealthy but painfully awkward cousin, who stirs up trouble when she sets her sights on a young gentleman with a rank far below her own. In so doing, Anne encounters the opposition of her proud and domineering mother, the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and sets in motion a chain of events that brings a damaging secret to light and threatens to destroy Georgiana's dreams of happiness. Intrigues, gossip, and elopements further complicate Georgiana's efforts to find love and avoid the snares of fortune-hunters. 

Written in a sparkling, witty, humorous style on par with Jane Austen's own in Pride and Prejudice, Alice Isakova's Georgiana Darcy continues the tale that has delighted readers for over two centuries.

My Review:

       It is always hard to pass any books related to Jane Austen and this one was tempting as any other with its gorgeous cover. I was transported back to the time I was gulping down all the Austen novels with Isakova creating a familiar vibe through her splendid writing. She has managed to capture the narrative style of Jane Austen effortlessly and the book had the feeling of a true classic.

        Though titled as 'Georgiana Darcy', the book traces not only the life of Darcy's only sister but also that of Anne de Bourgh, the cold and shy daughter of infamous Catherine de Bourgh. In fact, I found Anne's story much more captivating than Georgiana's. I have never given her much attention until I had the privilege of reading this book. Isakova explores her defiant nature which leaves no trace in 'Pride and Prejudice'. One may struggle to accept this unexpected side of Anne, but it also gives a whole new thrill to the story.

       Georgiana's story perks up by the second half of the book and I really loved the way it turned out in the end. The only fault I could find in the storyline was that both Georgiana and Anne keeps a very modern outlook when it comes to the class distinction which feels quite out of place in that time period. Apart from that, this is a nice addition to the sequels of 'Pride and Prejudice' and gives you an unexpected take on some familiar and lovable characters.

Meet the author:

Born in Eastern Europe, Alice Isakova spent the latter part of her childhood in the United States before finally settling in Australia. There she obtained a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide and won multiple university prizes for outstanding academic achievement.

Alice now lives with her family in rural Tasmania. She spends her free time either writing or pursuing her passion for fitness, especially the disciplines of rhythmic gymnastics, yoga, and ballet. Georgiana Darcy: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is Alice Isakova's first book. 

My Brother's Bride - Rachael Anderson (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

Date of Reading: 27/11/2018

Author: Rachael Anderson

Publisher: HEA Publishing

Year: 2018

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

About the book:

 Miss Abigail Nash is no stranger to loneliness. Her mother died giving birth to her, her father's business dealings took him away more often than not, and her ailing great-aunt, unable to provide much in the way of companionship, was a lack-lustre guardian at best. When her dear friends offer to launch her into London society, her life takes a turn for the better. An instant success, with suitors, social engagements, and offers aplenty, it seems Abby will at last settle into the life of her dreams. 

But appearances aren't always what they seem, and dreams often become disappointments. Just months into her marriage with a proclaimed darling of the ton, Abby finds herself widowed, penniless and increasing. Even more precarious are the feelings she’s developing for a man she shouldn’t love, a man the law prohibits her from marrying—her late husband’s brother, the Marquess of Brigston.

My Review: 

        'My Brother's Bride' is the second book in the Serendipity series and having read the first one I was really happy to review this. Though some of the major characters in the first story make an appearance, this could very well be read as a standalone. Just like the former novel, this one too deals with the nuances of love. It may strike unexpectedly, sometimes it may almost seem unattainable.

           Abigail or Abby as she likes to be called is a delightful figure full of vitality and one would really can't grasp how she ended up marrying the rake, Jasper. But these initial impressions soon evaporate once the true nature of both is revealed. Jasper's death is one of the saddest in the book and Anderson has put down all her charm to adequately present the grief that haunted the Brigston household. The way Morgan opens his heart in front of his brother's gravestone is one of the beautiful imageries that has remained with me throughout the reading of this book.

        Slowly and steadily, Abby and Morgan develop an intimate relationship filled with banter and fun and it was lovely to watch the sweet but forbidden romance blooming. The only dark cloud that disturbed me was the reference to the sexual assault which had shaken me completely. The story thereafter was tinged with a certain gloom that I was not able to shake off, even after the characters have decided to face the consequences bravely.

         Altogether a sweet romance that will fill you with joy even with the slight taste of bitterness. Another unforgettable story that reminds you that nothing can stand in the way of true love.

Meet the author:

 A USA Today bestselling author of clean romance, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.  

Giveaway 

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/1/19

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