One Family Christmas - Bella Osborne (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 19/10/2020

Author: Bella Osborne

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: October 15, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

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

About the book:

A big family. A whole lot of secrets. A Christmas to remember…

This year, Lottie is hosting one last big family Christmas at the home she grew up in – just like her Nana would have wanted.

But when her relatives descend on the old manor house, Lottie gets more than she bargained for. Every family has its secrets, but in this family, everybody has one!

So, between cooking a Christmas dinner, keeping tensions at bay and a stray dog out of mischief, she has plenty on her plate (and not just misshapen sausage rolls and a frozen turkey). And then her first love shows up – nine years after he walked out of her life.

Can Lottie make their last family Christmas one to remember… for the right reasons?

A festive treat to curl up with this Christmas, perfect for fans of Milly Johnson and Trisha Ashley.

Review:

        I am speechless! It is a known fact that miracle hands are needed to manage a festive family gathering, but to manage Collins family . . . we need something more. Talk about a crazy family, and adorable in their own ways too.

        To honour her grandmother's last wish, Lottie is hosting the last Christmas in the manor. Her career and love life is in shambles and she is going to be homeless soon, but she can handle one Christmas right? How naive she was!!! 

        On the one side, there are the pets, Duchess the cat and Dave the dog, turning everything topsy turvy (I was planning to buy a puppy for Christmas, now I am not so sure). Then the family secrets which decide this the perfect timing to come out of the closet; and yes, Lottie's old flame is back too. What is not to go wrong?

        Did I scare you enough? Aren't you curious how Lottie survive this messiness? Go ahead then. This hilarious, unforgettable family story will definitely bring back memories of bygone Christmases and anticipation for more.

Meet the author:

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full-length novel. Since then she’s written six best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award. 

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/osborne_bella

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/BellaOsborneAuthor/ 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellaosborneauthor/

But for the Mountains - Erin Riha (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 03/10/2020

Author: Erin Riha

Publisher: REUTS

Publication Date: June 3, 2020

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Favourite Pages Book Club)

About the book:

Arden Thatcher wasn’t meant to be chosen.

But when her name is announced, she’s presented with something she never thought she’d have: a future away from her abuser. Shuttled off to attend the prestigious National Women’s Institute, Arden will receive Nordania’s highest honour, studying with other elite candidates to become leaders, diplomats, and ambassadors on the world stage.

Only, the institute’s not quite what she expected. Paraded around in gown after gown, the tests seem less about educating and more about a different competition, with a very specific prize at stake—the Nordanian Prime Minister’s son. Despite the dean’s protestations that angling for an engagement leads to expulsion, Arden sees the truth. There’s a secret bubbling beneath the institute’s refined surface, and those who refuse to play along may well wind up dead.

With the danger escalating, and the return of her abuser on the horizon, Arden’s shiny future becomes a gilded cage. And this time, she’s going to need powerful allies to escape.

Political intrigue, swoon-worthy romance, and a dash of dystopian flare, But for the Mountains begs the question, how do you change the world when you’re not allowed to try?

Review:

      Fans of 'Selection' may find this story somewhat similar, but I can't be the judge of that since I never got to read the series. I might after this, as it looks like I am inclined to like this particular trope. It is not everyday one can find such a strong heroine who fights back even with all the mental and physical abuse she has undergone. Books like these are a necessity.

   Arden Thatcher doesn't have much to look forward to in her life. Her hopes of being selected to the Institute have been demolished long back, she has no way of escaping the clutches of her benefactor's son. Then the unthinkable happens opening an escape route to a better future. But is the life at the Institute is all that is promised? Is she just transferring her bronze chains to golden ones?

    Well, the story had me hooked from the beginning. Lots of intrigues, mishaps and a love triangle -- quite a page turner from start to finish. Romantic part didn't interest me that much (nothing is confirmed yet, by the way) as Arden is a force to be reckoned with. I don't think she even needs a man. Her resilience and strong will to survive is hardly ordinary. I can't wait to know what new adventures destiny plans for you. 

Meet the author:

Erin Riha writes young adult fantasy novels about ambitious girls who don’t know they’re not supposed to exceed expectations. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Science, a Law Degree, and a deep reverence for the power of using exactly the right word in exactly the right moment. She lives in wonderfully weird Portland, Oregon, with her super dreamy husband, where they’re raising a future train engineer and a future chicken whisperer. When not writing, she’s a music director for a teen theater company, traveling the world, or dreaming of traveling the world. But for the Mountains is her debut novel.

Favourite quotes:

"It doesn't matter what I do, I'm always stuck between the person who thinks I'm trash and the person who's drunk - or both".

"You are so damn optimistic," he says.

"Well, that's something I've never been accused of."

"It wasn't until I was older that I truly understood. I wasn't worth a pronoun. I was an "it," a dehumanized nothing"

The Coffer Dams - Kamala Markandaya (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 10/10/2020

Author: Kamala Markandaya

Publisher: HopeRoad

(Re)Publication Date: September 30, 2020

Rating: 3.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

Clinton, founder and head of a firm of international engineers, arrives in India to build a dam, bringing with him his young wife, Helen, and a strong team of aides and skilled men. They are faced with a formidable challenge, which involves working in daunting mountain and jungle terrain, within a time schedule dictated by the extreme tropical weather. Setbacks occur which bring into focus fundamental differences in the attitudes to life and death of the

British bosses and Indian workers. A timely reminder of the British contempt for Indian lives and for nature.

Review:

       This book has been a part of my TBR for a very long time. How can it not be? When it comes to dissertations, Kamala Markandaya is always a student's favourite. Her books are testaments to the struggles of an early India that is trying to find its foothold in a modern world. 'The Coffer Dams' is no different.

    The entire novel revolves around a massive dam construction project planned with a major British company. In alternating perspectives, the author captures the forced co-operation between the two nations and also the undercurrents within Indian society. While the British constructors perceive India with a mixture of fear and wonder, the natives, still recovering from the impact of colonisation, approach the foreigners with doubt and suspicion. Weary of each other, they proceed with caution, united only with their common aim.

    As the discourses of marginalisation gain more importance each day, Kamala Markandaya's attempts to give voice to the helpless tribals pave a new direction which is continued by contemporary writers. Without a doubt, 'The Coffer Dams' will forever remain as a classic of Indian English literature.

Meet the author:

Kamala Markandaya is a pseudonym used by Kamala Purnaiya Taylor, an Indian novelist and journalist. A native of Mysore, India, Markandaya was a graduate of Madras University, and afterwards published several short stories in Indian newspapers. After India declared its independence, Markandaya moved to Britain, though she still labelled herself an Indian expatriate long afterwards.

Known for writing about the culture clash between Indian urban and rural societies, Markandaya's first published novel, Nectar in a Sieve, was a bestseller and cited as an American Library Association Notable Book in 1955. Other novels include Some Inner Fury (1955), A Silence of Desire (1960), Possession (1963), A Handful of Rice (1966), The Nowhere Man (1972), Two Virgins (1973), The Golden Honeycomb (1977), and Pleasure City (1982/1983).

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.

Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Jane Linfoot (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 10/09/2020

Author: Jane Linfoot

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: August 20, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere…

Return to your favourite little wedding shop by the sea for love, laughter and a romance to sweep you off your feet!

It’s the most romantic day of the year but the girls aren’t just gearing up for Valentine’s Day and a busy wedding season ahead, it’s also the 10 year anniversary of their beloved shop!

Jess is planning the party of the decade and with the champagne and cocktails flowing, sparks are going to fly…and not just from the fireworks display!

Review:

        Even though I have read two of her other works (can't resist those cute covers), this is my first step into the 'Little Wedding Shop by the Sea' series. Surely, it lives up to its name. Though each book can be read as a standalone, we do get to meet a lot of characters from the previous books and the tightly knit group is enough of a temptation to pick the other books in the series. Well, I will have to follow the reverse order now.

        Milla is back in St. Aidan for a working holiday. That's the excuse, but the real reason is that she wants to be away from her ex-fiance and business partner who are now having a baby together. What is a better way to a speedy recovery other than working with her best friends? What she didn't foresee is that her first client will be the handsome stranger she kissed on Valentine's day. But Nic is here for arranging his marriage and so totally off-limits. Can Milla remain professional throughout the ordeal?

        Talk about a messy situation. I was worried in the beginning as snatching someone's fiance is not really a story I want to read. Well, I can't give you any spoilers, but rest assured, all will be well in due time. We could pretty much guess the way it's going but that didn't spoil anything for me. Even if you are not really into weddings, this will really pull you in. The wedding jitters, walking the aisle and the first dance . . . it is hard to keep back the happy tears once you come to know the work in the background.

        All in all, another delightful read from Jane Linfoot where Cornwall works its magic . . . again.

Meet the author:

I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines, and lots of heart. Writing is fab because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I live in a cottage up a mountain road in Derbyshire, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos. Happily, we're in walking distance of a supermarket. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things french. When I'm not on Facebook, and can't find an excuse for shopping, I'll be walking, or gardening. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.

We Are Not Free - Traci Chee (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 02/09/2020

Author: Traci Chee

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Date of Publication: September 1, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Colored Pages Bookish Tours)

About the book:

“All around me, my friends are talking, joking, laughing. Outside is the camp, the barbed wire, the guard towers, the city, the country that hates us.

 

We are not free.

 

But we are not alone.” 

From New York Times best-selling and acclaimed author Traci Chee comes We Are Not Free, the collective account of a tight-knit group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens, whose lives are irrevocably changed by the mass U.S. incarcerations of World War II.

 

Fourteen teens who have grown up together in Japantown, San Francisco.

 

Fourteen teens who form a community and a family, as interconnected as they are conflicted.

 

Fourteen teens whose lives are turned upside down when over 100,000 people of Japanese ancestry are removed from their homes and forced into desolate incarceration camps.

 

In a world that seems determined to hate them, these young Nisei must rally together as racism and injustice threaten to pull them apart.

Review:

        I am not affected by this book. I am not an American and it's not my country which committed these atrocities. Why should I be bothered? Then the nightmares began. And I knew. There is no way to run. I cannot forget this story, even if I try to. That's the power of the written word. Who was I kidding again?

        Fourteen youths. Incarcerated with their families in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbour attack. This is their story. Written in multiple POVs, reading this book felt like looking through a window to peek at the family living inside the room. All the stories are connected yet different. They have their personal woes and also pleasures, like a softball match. Inspired by the author's own family history, these fourteen voices make it known that they cannot be forgotten. 

        Other than the brief understanding, I didn't know much about the US incarceration camps before reading this remarkable work. Stamped as enemies, this San Franciscan Japanese community is forcibly deported from their homes to live in inhuman conditions and this happens in a country which advertises freedom more than anything else. The betrayal, the anger and the confusion that they experience are vividly portrayed by Traci Chee, making it so heartbreaking and real.

        Not many books can't be claimed to have the power to haunt my dreams at night. 'We are not Free' is one of the exceptions and though bittersweet, I am happy to be splashed with some hard realities. 

Favourite Quotes:

"It doesn't matter how good we are, because they see only what they want to see, and when they look at us, all they see are Japs"

"And I get it finally. Gaman. The ability to hold your pain and bitterness inside you and not let them destroy you. To make something beautiful through your anger, or with your anger, and neither erase it nor let it define you. To suffer. And to rage. And to persevere."

"I learned a long time ago that the secret to academic success isn't smarts. It's knowing what they want from you and giving it to them with a smile."

"Sometimes I think it'd be easier to be stupid, because then at least I wouldn't be miserable all the time."

"They say they're here for our safety, but no one feels safe when they've got a gun pointed at them."

Meet the author:

Traci Chee is the New York Times best-selling author of The Reader trilogy. She studied literature and creative writing at UC Santa Cruz and earned a master of arts degree from San Francisco State University. She is Japanese American and was inspired to write We Are Not Free by her family’s experience during World War II. Some of the events she includes in the book are loosely inspired by their stories. She loves books, poetry and papercrafts, as well as bonsai gardening and games. She lives in California.

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.tracichee.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6567825.Traci_Chee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracicheeauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tracichee

Tumblr: https://tracichee.tumblr.com/ 

Starcross Manor - Christie Barlow (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 24/08/2020

Author: Christie Barlow

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: August 14, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3.5/4

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

About the book:

Dying to know more about the brooding and mysterious Flynn Carter and the secrets behind his plans for Starcross Manor?

You won’t want to miss the next spellbinding chapter in the Love Heart Lane series – where friends are there for you no matter what.

When Julia Coleman meets Flynn Carter again in the cosy village of Heartcross it can only mean trouble. Flynn might be rich, brooding and sexy, but Julia knows first-hand he’s ruthless and she plans to watch his every move.

When Julia discovers Flynn’s plans for beautiful Starcross Manor her greatest fears come true. Because Flynn’s dreams of turning Starcross into a luxury hotel could ruin Julia’s dreams…and finish off the community of Heartcross for good.

Flynn makes it clear he doesn’t want trouble, and he’s not the man Julia thinks he is. As he sets about convincing the community he’s changed, he hopes he can convince Julia to give him another chance too…

Review:

        Once again, Christie Barlow takes us to the beautiful village of Heartcross and this time it is Julia, the owner of the B&B who finds her happily ever after. Surely, this is not only her story, but also of an entire village where the community stands together no matter what.

        Gorgeous, wealthy Flynn Carter is not a past that Julia wanted to face again. But here he is in Heartcross, encroaching on her safe haven with plans of converting the Starcross manor to a world-class hotel facility. Flynn's plans threaten the welfare of the entire community with their small businesses and Julia is determined to stop him. But is Flynn Carter really the guy she thinks to be? Her past experiences advise her to be wary of him, but her heart is not planning to listen. 

        From beginning to end, this cute little story was the perfect getaway from the real world. As always, Christie Barlow never fails to amaze us.

Meet the author:

Christie Barlow is the number 1 International bestselling author of ten bestsellers including A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Clover Cottage. 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, Canada & Australia.

Emmie and the Tudor Queen - Natalie Murray (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 10/08/2020

Author: Natalie Murray

Publisher: English Editor

Publication date: August 25, 2020

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Favourite Pages Book Club)

About the book:

True love has never been more deadly in this lush sequel to the best-selling Emmie and the Tudor King.

For an extraordinary love, Emmie Grace has given up her life in the modern world to move to the sixteenth century and marry the Tudor king she bravely saved from a dreadful fate. However, not everyone is pleased to see the glorious King Nick betrothed to the unknown and uncultured Emmie—especially the noblemen commanded to protect her.

As Emmie is drawn deeper into Nick’s sumptuous and savage world—where beheadings are way more popular than time travellers—the Tudor court heads on progress across the country, and a growing rebellion against the promised queen looms.

With life and love at stake, Emmie must face the cost of changing the path of history and realize that her greatest sacrifice is yet to come.

Review:

        I have loved 'Emmie and the Tudor King' and this beautiful sequel is a fine addition to a wonderful series. Starting directly from where the first book ended here we see Emmie embarking through new challenges as the betrothed of King Nicholas. But as all the time travel tales establish, life as a royal is not a fairytale. It's always exciting to travel to the past when you know what the future brings, but if you don't have some magic tricks up your sleeve this is going to be a perilous journey indeed.

        Just like the last book, this story too is filled with twists and turns, the anticipation increasing with each page. I was practically glued to my kindle the entire time even though I had a pretty good guess about the ending (I was right, by the way). I was glad to see Emmie keeping her high spiritedness in the Tudor court with the help of her three best friends. At a time, when kindness may lead to your doom, will her modern ideals save the day? Will their budding love withstand the perils balancing the two time periods? Grab a copy and find out! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Meet the author:

Natalie Murray is the author of EMMIE AND THE TUDOR KING (June 11, 2019) and EMMIE AND THE TUDOR QUEEN (August 25, 2020). A fast-paced YA time-slip romance, the Emmie and the Tudor King trilogy follows an American high school girl to a reimagined Tudor England, where she meets a doomed, but utterly dreamy, Tudor king. Emmie and the Tudor King has already received acclaim from Foreword Reviews, YA Books Central, and popular YA authors Brigid Kemmerer (A Curse So Dark and Lonely) and CJ Flood (Infinite Sky), among others. You can visit Natalie at nataliemurrayauthor.com.

        

        

The Mountains Sing - Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 19/08/2020

Author:  Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai 

Publisher: Oneworld 

Publication Date: August 20, 2020

Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

With the epic sweep of Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko or Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing and the lyrical beauty of Vaddey Ratner’s In the Shadow of the Banyan, The Mountains Sing tells an enveloping, multigenerational tale of the Tran family, set against the backdrop of the Viet Nam War. Tran Dieu Lan, who was born in 1920, was forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Land Reform as the Communist government rose in the North. Years later in Hà Noi, her young granddaughter, Hương, comes of age as her parents and uncles head off down the Ho Chí Minh Trail to fight in a conflict that will tear not just her beloved country but her family apart.

Vivid, gripping, and steeped in the language and traditions of Viet Nam, The Mountains Sing brings to life the human costs of this conflict from the point of view of the Vietnamese people themselves, while showing us the true power of kindness and hope. This is celebrated Vietnamese poet Nguyen Phan Que Mai’s first novel in English. 

Review:

        Covering four generations of the Tran family, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai's epic family saga represents Vietnam at its best and also at its worst. Told through the words of Huong and her grandmother Dieu Lan, what we find is a mother's fortitude and desire for peace undiminished even at the darkest hours. Fast-paced it maybe, but that doesn't make it an easy read; the heartbreaking narrative leaves you often in turmoil, exposed to a part of history that we prefer to forget.

        I loved Dieu Lan from the beginning; it is hard not to admire and bow down before her resilient heart that lived through the Japanese atrocities, the Communist party's brutal Land Reforms, the partition and the Vietnam war. Her loved ones being killed in front of her eyes, she is left with the task of protecting her six children and keeping them together as a family. Most perilous is the battle with her inner demons, especially when the once chubby-cheeked darlings turn out to be the victims of government's propagandist messages.

        Huong represents the author's own voice, a generation that managed to live through the war but not unscathed; the hope of a nation that is slowly being rebuilt from the ashes. They are forced to accept, forgive and move on. And that is what this novel exhorts, not to seek retribution but to move forward with forgiveness in your hearts.

        Interspersed with Vietnamese proverbs and descriptions of the land that regrows each time, this beautiful story is all about a nation's will to survive, refusing to fall back. Thank you, Anne Carter, for this blog tour invite, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to read and review this gem of a book.

Meet the author:

Born into the Việt Nam War in 1973, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai grew up witnessing the war’s devastation and its aftermath. She worked as a street seller and rice farmer before winning a scholarship to attend university in Australia. She is the author of eight books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction published in Vietnamese, and her writing has been translated and published in more than 10 countries, most recently in Norton’s Inheriting the War anthology. She has been honoured with many awards, including the Poetry of the Year 2010 Award from the Hà Nội Writers Association, as well as many grants and fellowships. Quế Mai has a PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, United Kingdom. She currently divides her time between Indonesia and Việt Nam.

As Luck Would Have It - Zoe May (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 04/08/2020

Author: Zoe May

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: June 1, 2019

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

Natalie Jackson might keep up appearances on Instagram, but in reality her fiancé has just jilted her after the birth of their baby and she’s moved back in with her mum. Life isn’t exactly going to plan!

So when she enters the village raffle for the holiday of a lifetime, she thinks she has no chance of winning. But her name is pulled out – and, as luck would have it, so is a ticket bought by her childhood nemesis: Will Brimble.

Surely a romantic holiday for two is the worst idea ever…right?

Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Sophie Ranald and Lindsey Kelk.

Review:

        When you are cooped up at home hardly venturing outside, the best thing to do is enter into the fictional universe and if the said fiction offers you some travel experience . . . well, its time for a foreign holiday. We are off to Morocco to have some fabulous time in a luxury hotel with Natalie and Will.

        Life has offered Nat and Will a second chance to rekindle their first love; both are back at their hometown with enough baggage to last a lifetime. Nat is a single mother and Will a divorcee. So when both their names are picked accidentally in the village raffle, they really need to cooperate for this to work. Things go awry when they are mistaken for a honeymoon couple and the charade starts right from the airport when they are offered an upgrade. The room in the hotel turns out to be a honeymoon suite and trouble starts there for our protagonists offering hilarious moments to us readers.

        Marrakesh provides one of the great settings for a romantic getaway with its genuine hospitality and warmth. I would have preferred the story to be slightly longer though. That being said, this was a breezy, funny romance and a perfect cure for the lockdown blues.   

Meet the author:

Zoe May writes romantic comedies published by Harper Collins and is also an indie author. Zoe has dreamt of being a novelist since she was a teenager. She spent her twenties living in London, where she 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 walking her dog, painting and, of course, reading.

Zoe loves to hear from readers, you can contact her on Twitter and Instagram, where her handle is @zoe_writes. Or check out her blogs and the latest news on her website, www.zoemayauthor.co.uk.

The Garden of Forgotten Wishes - Trisha Ashley (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 03/08/2020

Author: Trisha Ashley

Publisher: Bantam Press

Publication Date: July 23, 2020

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

The brilliant new novel from Top Five Sunday Times bestselling author Trisha Ashley

All Marnie wants is somewhere to call home. Mourning lost years spent in a marriage that has finally come to an end, she needs a fresh start and time to heal. Things she hopes to find in the rural west Lancashire village her mother always told her about.

With nothing but her two green thumbs, Marnie takes a job as a gardener, which comes with a little cottage to make her own. The garden is beautiful – filled with roses, lavender and honeysuckle – and only a little rough around the edges. Which is more than can be said for her next-door-neighbour, Ned Mars.

Marnie remembers Ned from her school days but he’s far from the untroubled man she once knew. A recent relationship has left him with a heart as bruised as her own.

Can a summer spent gardening help them heal and recapture the forgotten dreams they’ve let to get away?

Review:

        Be warned! This is a novel on workaholics and if you are not one, prepare to face the onslaught of guilt to follow. I know it is fortunate to have your hobby as your job, but the way Marnie involves herself in gardening will make anyone jealous. And the journalistic sort of writing style with the picturesque setting creates the perfect ambience. I am new to Trisha Ashley's books and she has totally hooked me.

        Marnie barely managed to escape from an emotionally abusive marriage and spent some years hiding with her adoptive family in France. Hearing the news of her ex-husband's remarriage, she is now back in England accepting a gardening job in Jericho's End. Apart from the supposed presence of fairies in the area, the place also holds an emotional appeal as it is her mother's native village. Vane family is hated in the neighbourhood and her mother's warnings of not to go there propel her not to reveal this old connection. But will the secret cost her the trust of handsome Ned Mars?

        The love story is just the tip of the iceberg. Trisha Ashley's detailed narrative covers every nook and corner of Jericho's End and its companionable community which has a healing effect on both Marnie and Ned. The efforts in opening the Grace garden and the excitement surrounding it are quite immersive and easy to relate. The four hundred page book doesn't give you much of a story, but we will be transported to Jericho's End along with Marnie, living and breathing the country air.

Meet the author:

Trisha Ashley’s Sunday Times bestselling novels have twice been shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance, and Every Woman for Herself was nominated by readers as one of the top three romantic novels of the last fifty years.

Trisha lives in North Wales. 

For more information about her please visit www.trishaashley.com, her Facebook page www.facebook.com/TrishaAshleyBooks or follow her on Twitter @trishaashley.

More Than Just a Pretty Face - Syed M. Masood (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 23/07/2020

Author: Syed M. Masood

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: August 4, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Hear Our Voices Book Tours)

About the book:

For fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han, a sweetly funny YA rom-com debut about falling in love, familial expectations, and being a Renaissance Man.

Danyal Jilani doesn't lack confidence. He may not be the smartest guy in the room, but he's funny, gorgeous, and going to make a great chef one day. His father doesn't approve of his career choice, but that hardly matters. What does matter is the opinion of Danyal's longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect.

When Danyal gets selected for Renaissance Man--a school-wide academic championship--it's the perfect opportunity to show everyone he's smarter than they think. He recruits the brilliant, totally-uninterested-in-him Bisma to help with the competition, but the more time Danyal spends with her...the more he learns from her...the more he cooks for her...the more he realizes that happiness may be staring him right in his pretty face.

Review:

        The first thing that caught my eye is the accolades heaped on the book by the senior editor. I must confess that I read it with a smirk (ever the pessimist!) that is immediately wiped off and replaced by a smile once the story began. By the time it was nearing the end, I was full on laughing mode. Well, looks like some people can actually make lemonade out of all the lemons life throws at them.

        This story is one of the instances which shows us that there is more than one way of looking at a situation. Danyal's life had all the ingredients for a disaster -- a dominant father who has no faith in him, foolish first love, bullying classmates -- ah, the list goes on. Added to this is the fact that he is not exactly bright, academically that is. Does that hinder him? Nope, that brilliant smile is forever plastered on his face, however hard everything turns out to be.

        In a way, he reminds me of many manga characters; especially Naruto, and also Asta in 'Black Clover'. His optimism and the witty take on things is highly infectious and that brings him the help he needed every single time. The way he brings together his two extremist friends takes us into the nuances of modern Muslim lifestyle which makes it more than just a love story. This is the story of a laid back Muslim boy who strives hard to balance the desi traditions with modern ideas and above all, to give voice to the truths that we conveniently forget.

        If you, like me, love an easy to read, fast-paced story that makes you laugh and think, then this is for you. With a bunch of unforgettable characters and hugely enjoyable dialogues, this wouldn't fail to make an impression. Highly recommended!

Favourite quotes:

I'd wanted to talk to her about . . . well, not a date, exactly, because neither one of us was allowed to date. I guess I'd wanted us to have a conversation about having a conversation. You know, the Muslim version of first base

Good friends, after all, care enough to pretend to listen.

So now my parents were house rich. Their home was all they really had in the world, which was fine. It wasn't like we were living in the earthquake capital of the world or anything.

I'm pretty sure Ahmed Jilani came into this world with a frown, and the odds are good he'll be frowning when he leaves it. My father's autobiography would probably be called something like A Series of Continuous Disappointments. I'd have a feature role.

I'm really good at letting things go. People screw up. I get it. I screw up all the time and I forgive myself pretty much right away.

If we stay our course, history may not remember us kindly, and even if it does, I'm not sure it matters. History is not morality.

Meet the author:

I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, and currently live in Sacramento, California. There have been plenty of stops in between though. I’m a first-generation immigrant, twice over. I’ve been a citizen of three different countries and lived in nine cities.

I am, as Goethe, said, “nothing but a wanderer […] on this earth.”

Living among different people, in different countries at fascinating times in their histories, has shaped both my view of the world and my writing. Ultimately, human beings are the same everywhere (despite the fact that they tell themselves, everywhere, that they are different from each other), and the theme of this fundamental human unity informs everything I write.

As to my life outside of writing, I went to the William and Mary School of Law, and before that attended the University of Toronto, where I studied English Literature. I am currently practising as an attorney and must “measure out my life in coffee spoons” on a daily basis.

Some members of my family will tell you that I’m also a poet. This isn’t true. I wrote a few poems in Urdu when I was a teenager, and I’ve never heard the end of it…which I wouldn’t mind, honestly, if they were any good. As it is, I’m very happy living in prose, thank you very much.

Other interests include good food, video games, sitcoms, and books of all kinds. Most of my time that doesn’t go to writing or billable hours is consumed by my two children, four and two years of age.

Rodham - Curtis Sittenfeld (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 08/07/2020

Author: Curtis Sittenfeld

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Publication Date: May 19, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book:

‘Awfully opinionated for a girl’ is what they call Hillary as she grows up in her Chicago suburb. Smart, diligent, and a bit plain, that’s the general consensus. Then Hillary goes to college, and her star rises. At Yale Law School, she continues to be a leader— and catches the eye of driven, handsome and charismatic Bill. But when he asks her to marry him, Hillary gives him a firm ‘No’.

The rest, as they say, isn’t history. How might things have turned out for them, for America, for the world itself, if Hillary Rodham had really turned down Bill Clinton?

With her sharp but always compassionate eye, Sittenfeld explores the loneliness, moral ambivalence and iron determination that characterise the quest for high office, as well as the painful compromises demanded of female ambition in a world ruled by men. Uncannily astute and witty in the telling, RODHAM is a brilliant

reimagining – an unmissable literary landmark and truly a novel of our times.

Review:

        I am not sure whether I am fully equipped to review this novel. As per geographical position, I live nowhere near America and hence not an ardent follower of the political condition there. But I did want Hillary to be elected as the President, so a fictionalised version of events where she gets to fulfil her dreams along with that of many is a small consolation. 

      Reading a fictionalised account of a living person is kind of eerie, especially when she is a household name. No one wants to think about the road not taken, that's a sure way to madness. Did her marriage to Bill Clinton change the course of Hillary Rodham's life? Perhaps. But I would like to believe that the glory of being the first female President of the United States is destined for someone else. 

       Now let's have a look at this as a work of fiction. This is my first time reading Curtis Sittenfeld and her writing is nothing short of incredible. We get to see a young and ambitious Hillary making her mark in the law school and the story keeps fidelity to her life story until she rejects the proposal of Clinton. There starts a long and sometimes tedious journey of a law professor who finally finds her way after many years.

        What I loved most about this book is the inside information and the excitement and terror of campaigning. As expected, it is not enough to have the best intentions at heart, you need to advertise it to convince the media and the voters. It does present some hilarious and crazy situations which make this fictional account truly enjoyable. I was not expecting that 'Trump' card . . . Ha! the best moments of the story, without a doubt.

Meet the author:

In addition to Rodham, Curtis Sittenfeld is the author of the Sunday Times bestseller American Wife, in which she painted a picture of an ordinary American girl a thinly disguised Laura Bush who found herself married to a President. It was longlisted for the Orange Prize, as was her debut novel Prep.

Her other books are Man of My Dreams, Sisterland (a Richard & Judy Book Club pick), Eligible, and the acclaimed short story collection You Think It, I’ll Say It. Her books are translated into 30 languages. She lives with her family in the American Mid West.