The First Man - Alex Kelly (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 9/3/2021

Author: Alex Kelly

Publication Date: February 25, 2021

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

Shane

Do you want to know what it means to live like me?

It means being forced not to look at him, not to touch him, not to be left alone in the same room as him.

Not to seek him out. Not to want him.

Not to love him.

Do you know how it feels to spend your entire life pretending to be someone else? Do you know what it’s like to love someone who doesn’t want to be loved?

I’ll tell you how it feels.

It feels as if you’re living in constant torment: you know which path you should follow, but you also know that, if you follow that path, you can never turn back.

And I can’t do that to him.

Every day I come back because I know that he’s waiting for me.

Every day I promise him that he will never have to live without me.

Andy

Do you know what it means to live like me?

It means being forced not to touch him, not to kiss him, not to be able to leave the room while he’s still in it.

Not to breathe him in, not to lust after him.

Not to love him.

Do you know how it feels to spend your entire life pretending to be someone else? Do you know what it’s like to love the only person you’re not allowed to love?

I’ll tell you how it works.

You can’t seem to feel anything other than him; when you walk away, you know that you’re turning your back on the only thing that’s good in your life.

Yet you still walk away.

Every day I leave, knowing that he will be standing there, watching.

Every day I ask him to promise me that I will never have to live without him.

Review:

        I have mixed feelings on this one. Since the story doesn't take place in the 16th or 18th century or in a brutal society that looks down on homosexuality with hostility, I still can't fathom what all this fuss is about. Couldn't they really confess their love and get it over with? Well, nothing is as simple as that. Inner demons are always the worst.

        Shane and Andy have been in a secret relationship for seventeen years now, emphasis on the 'secret' here. Since it is a closely-knit community, keeping it hidden means, it is more or less an emotional, non-touchy relationship. Why can't they come out of the closet? Several reasons: Andy's family is not well-liked and he may lose customers from his pub. Shane, on the other hand, is from a wealthy background and is not sure about his family's reaction to this piece of news. Then there is the fact that it all started when one is a minor. Even though it is the said minor who initiated everything, will anyone really believe it? So you see, it is not easy even in this century.

        Told from the perspectives of both protagonists, we get to see the agonies and frustrations they undergo and our first reservations on them slowly fade to a sense of pathos. It does end happily but the reality this story addresses can never be forgotten.

Meet the author:

Alex Kelly writes uplifting, emotional and heartwarming Romantic Fiction and Family Sagas.

She's a bibliophile, a Yogi, a lover of English literature and a baking enthusiast. She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.

Social Media Links – 

Website: www.authoralexkelly.com

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2EY07e3

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AKelly_Writes

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3aXiHNk

 

Glimpsed - G. F. Miller (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 15/2/2021

Author: G. F. Miller

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date of Publication: January 5, 2021

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

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

About the book:

Perfect for fans of Geekerella and Jenn Bennett, this charming, sparkly rom-com follows a wish-granting teen forced to question if she’s really doing good—and if she has the power to make her own dreams come true.

Charity is a fairy godmother. She doesn’t wear a poofy dress or goes around waving a wand, but she does make sure the deepest desires of the student population at Jack London High School come true. And she knows what they want even better than they do because she can glimpse their perfect futures.

But when Charity fulfils a glimpse that gets Vibha crowned homecoming queen, it ends in disaster. Suddenly, every wish Charity has ever granted is called into question. Has she really been helping people? Where do these glimpses come from, anyway? What if she’s not getting the whole picture?

Making this existential crisis way worse is Noah—the adorkable and (in Charity’s opinion) diabolical ex of one of her past clients—who blames her for sabotaging his prom plans and claims her interventions are doing more harm than good. He demands that she stop granting wishes and help him get his girl back. At first, Charity has no choice but to play along. But soon, Noah becomes an unexpected ally in getting to the bottom of the glimpses. Before long, Charity dares to call him her friend…and even starts to wish he were something more. But can the fairy godmother ever get the happily ever after?

Review:

        Magic, teenager, happy ending --- yup! terrifying combination and that is what bought me. If you ask me whether I have ever spared a moment on fairy godmothers, that will be a big no. Wishes yes, but not them as flesh and blood beings with aspirations for their own happy endings. How does it feel to be a forever sidekick, never a heroine?

      Meet Charity. Our modern-day fairy godmother utterly devoted to the well being of her Cindies. The moment she glimpses their fortune, she is on it to make it a reality. Well, until her recent project backfired and is being accused of manipulating her Cindies' desires by Noah. That begs the question: Is the line dividing a fairy godmother and an evil witch really that thin?

        To tell you that this book has bewitched me from the very first page is an understatement. Hooked as if by enchantment, I even prioritised it over my work (I hope none of my colleagues will chance upon this post 😟) So what did I love? It's fast-paced, funny and does touch upon all teenage angst and drama without a single dull moment. Charity, once unleashed, is a storm that cannot be contained and her narration perfectly captures this persona. And the love story? So cute and adorable that you may forget your age (if you are as old as I am that is). Haven't I tempted you yet?

Favourite quotes:

"Sometimes an uncomfortably long pause is the thing that really draws people out"

"The fairy godmother doesn't get her own story. She just pops into other people's stories once in a while. We're the Universe's designated side characters"

"Mothers are just people with their own set of problems"

"If you spend your life trying to protect yourself from getting hurt, you'll end up missing the best parts. Some people are worth breaking your heart over"

Meet the author:

G.F. Miller can write 80,000-word novels but ask her to sit down and write 250 true and meaningful words about herself and she is likely to have an existential crisis. Who am I, really? She ponders. What do I want to be known for? Does anyone even read the back flap or visit author websites?

But eventually, she will pull herself together and tell you that…She married her college sweetheart and is mom to three littles who routinely make her heart burst and her head explode (it’s a messy business, love). There are puppies big and small residing at her house (you’ll be seeing a lot of them if you follow her on Instagram). She’s been to a dozen countries, but not nearly as many as she would like. She loves learning all the things. She cries at all the wrong times. She makes faces at herself in the mirror. She believes in the Oxford comma. And she’s always here for a dance party.  

While the stories she has brewing in her soul vary wildly from one another, there are three things they will always have in common: love, snappy dialogue, and happy endings.

A Pho Love Story - Loan Le (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 14/2/2021

Author: Loan Le

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: February 9, 2021

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

(This review part of the blog tour organised by The Coloured Pages Tours)

About the book:

If Bao Nguyen had to describe himself, he’d say he was a rock. Steady and strong, but not particularly interesting. His grades are average, his social status unremarkable. He works at his parents’ pho restaurant, and even there, he is his parents’ fifth favourite employee. Not ideal.

If Linh Mai had to describe herself, she’d say she was a firecracker. Stable when unlit, but full of potential for joy and fire. She loves art and dreams of pursuing a career in it. The only problem? Her parents rely on her in ways they’re not willing to admit, including working practically full-time at her family’s pho restaurant.

For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighbouring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.

But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao in the same vicinity despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember.

Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Ugly Delicious in this funny, smart romantic comedy, in which two Vietnamese-American teens fall in love and must navigate their newfound relationship amid their families’ age-old feud about their competing, neighbouring restaurants.

Review:

        There is no need to wonder why 'Romeo and Juliet' is still popular. Times might have changed but we have similar scenarios even now, apparently. And thus we have 'A Pho Love Story' . .  oh, don't worry . . . with a happy ending. After all, anything can be resolved if you can talk it out.

        I am neither Vietnamese nor American but anyone from Asian families can really relate to Loan Le's debut. The family rivalry is one thing and along with that is the pressing matter of following your dreams. Its all charming and inspiring, but by the end, it all comes down to one thing: economic security. Can we really blame their parents for looking out for their children?

        Reading the way Bao and Linh weave through this complex family situation was altogether rewarding and amusing. Linh is an aspiring artist and consequently bears the burden of her parent's expectations due to her talent in academics. Bao, on the other hand, is another story. He revels in being mediocre and that strategy eventually allowed him to walk on his chosen path without much family drama. Fewer expectations, fewer demands and more freedom. Isn't that clever?

        But my most favourite part is the Vietnamese food and culture referred throughout the story, like the right kind of spice to a curry. Struggles in a foreign country, racist remarks and language barrier all plays its part and one cannot but salute both these families. 

        And I cannot forget Chef Le, our 'little' meddler. He surely is a force to deal with and the parts he were in is the quite memorable ones. His life, in a way, represents the future that awaits our cute couple. Whether it is love or career, a little bit of courage can surely make a change.

Favourite Quotes:

"It's generally accepted that in families like ours, the older kids have it way harder. We're the guinea pigs in a real-world lab"

"I never thought I'd ever feel weak-kneed -- that is for damsels in distress or elderly people with low blood pressure -- but I guess it's the same for first kisses"

"The feeling of lying has become all too familiar. It's not the nervousness of hiding something now -- it's the shame that weighs me down, more and more."

"But in anything you love, isn't there always some bit of sadness, some essence of suffering? That, to me, is what makes art worth it"

Meet the author:

Loan Le is the youngest child of two Vietnamese immigrants hailing from Nha Trang. She holds an MFA degree in fiction from Fairfield University, also her undergraduate alma mater. A Pushcart Prize–nominated writer, her short stories have appeared in CRAFT Literary, Mud Season Review, and Angel City Review. Loan is an editor at Simon and Schuster's Atria Books imprint and lives in Manhattan. A Pho Love Story is her first novel. Visit her website at writerloanle.com and find her on Twitter @loanloan. 

 

The Gilded Ones - Namina Forna

Date of Reading: 5/2/2021

Author: Namina Forna

Publisher: Delacorte

Publication Date: February 9, 2021

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one is quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.

Review:

        There are not many books that have trigger warnings on the front. Well, this is my first and I would be lying if I say this story has not shaken me to the core. Deka might be a fictional character but the world Namina Forna draws is entirely our own and her protagonist is representative of all the women who are chained and who love their chains considering them to be dignified ornaments.

        Deka is a girl from Irfut, a deeply patriarchal village where women wear masks from the age of sixteen once they complete the ritual of purity. Her mother was a southerner and she has inherited her dark complexion. All these years she has been dreaming of being accepted by the villagers when her blood flows red. Then she can wear masks and marry someone from the village. That is all she ever wanted.

        Her world turns upside down when she shows the ability to command the death shrieks, the fearsome demons attacking their country and as expected her blood is gold. Her only way of atonement is to serve the emperor as a soldier, once her allotted time is over, she will be absolved of her impurity. There begins her unexpected journey which brings her closer to the truth of what she is.

        It was hard for me to warm up to Deka in the beginning, a girl so adamant in believing the terrible customs doled out by religious authorities. Will she ever change and find strength in her difference? But each day in training awakens her to new capabilities that she was forced to shut down previously. We proceed with her, sharing her agonies and self-doubts because after all, this is also our story.

        A truly evocative novel which will undoubtedly be one of the best books 2021 offers. And the book, though a part of the series, wraps up nicely too without any cliffhangers.

Meet the author:

"I always wanted to write a book that showed girls that they could be heroes, that they could fight for what's right."

Namina Forna is a young adult novelist based in Los Angeles and the author of the epic fantasy YA novel The Gilded Ones. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, she moved to the US when she was nine and has been travelling back and forth ever since. Namina loves building fantastical worlds and telling stories with fierce female leads.

The Little Swiss Ski Chalet - Julie Caplin (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 25/1/2021

Author: Julie Caplin

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: January 22, 2021

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3.5/5

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

About the book:

It’s time to pack your bags and head to the breathtaking, snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps for velvety hot chocolates, delicious cheeses and a gorgeous love story…

Food technician Mina has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!

So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run-in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger…

Review:

        I do love Julie Caplin's books since each of them takes us on a journey to a different part of the world. And this time it is the snow-laden Swiss countryside. The story had me itching to pack my travel bags (since I am not as impulsive as Mina, that didn't happen).

        Chocolate, cake, skiing and chocolate again. Yup! Consider yourself warned and stock your fridge before planning to take this book. Even the memory of it is making me hungry. Caplin has worked her magic again. Within no time, we are pulled into the beauty and serenity of Switzerland, a country known for its rich heritage and hospitality. And the chocolates of course. In other words, heaven for a foodie buff like Mina.

        As you might have already guessed, this literal journey also provides a turning point in the life of our heroine, both in career and in love. Well, I didn't really buy the romance part; even with all the serendipity ideas, I don't think it was that unique and the ending had me muddled. Giving up your dreams for love, is that really worth it? Hmm . . . not for me to judge.

        Still, it proved to be the perfect comfort read for the weekend (I will have to consider the few pounds added to my weight though). Ever wished to be inside a book while you read it? Well, fairy godmother, I would like to use that gift on this book.

Meet the author:

Julie Caplin is addicted to travel and good food. She’s on a constant hunt for the perfect gin and is obsessively picky about glasses, tonic and garnishes. Between regular gin tastings, she’s been writing her debut novel which is set in just one of the many cities she’s explored over the years.

Formerly a PR director, for many years she swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the trilogy, The Little Cafe in Copenhagen, The Little Brooklyn Bakery and The Little Paris Patisserie.

Julie also writes contemporary romance as Jules Wake.

The Midnight Library - Matt Haig (Review & Summary)

Date of Reading: 14/1/2021

Author: Matt Haig

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: September 29, 2020

Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe, there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting new novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

Review:

    This is not my first Matt Haig book. Though I can't say I love his works, he is not really on the hate zone either. And with all the hype surrounding it, how can I not select this one? Did I love it? Hmm . . . sort of, I guess.

    If you are into Paulo Coelho, then you will definitely love this book. There is a whole lot of philosophical stuff (in layman's terms) to wrap your head around, but many can identify with the story. After all, is there anyone without regrets, wishing for the road not taken? Some may dwell their remaining lives on it and Nora Seed apparently, is one of them. 

    She is constantly haunted by the failures of others which they attribute to her poor choices. Now finally she gets an opportunity to try out all of her options and learn from them. But is there really a perfect life where you can satisfy everyone? I think you know the answer, my fellow bookworms, even if you haven't read this story. Well, the book really puts it in an elegant way.

Summary:

    Twenty-seven hours before she decides to die, Nora Seed finds her cat dead on the road. The next day she loses her job as a salesperson in String Theory, a musical instruments store. With this comes the realisation that no one needs her anymore. She was good at swimming in school but didn't pursue it further for the great disappointment of her father. She joined her brother's band and wrote songs for them but the frequent panic attacks made her drop out of it. Her brother and his friend Ravi still blame her for the band's failure. Even her old neighbour doesn't need her anymore to bring his medicines. So she decides to die.

    But it looks like she cannot even do that properly. Instead of dying, she reaches the midnight library, a place between life and death. Someone who looks exactly like Mrs. Elm, her old school librarian is in charge here. The library, as she explains, offers Nora an opportunity to live the lives she might have lived with different choices in her root life. If she finds one life agreeable, she can choose to live as the Nora there or she can return to try another one.

Source: https://www.concrete-online.co.uk

    Her Book of Regrets is heavy since there are so many decisions that she regretted later on her life. She tried to undo it one by one. In one life she has married her ex-boyfriend and in others, she is an Olympics winner (in swimming), a famous musician, winemaker, animal shelter employee etc. When she takes the life of a glaciologist, she meets Hugo, who is also sliding through lives like her. In his case, it was a video store instead of a library. He has lived so many lives but cannot find happiness in any.

    Nora also plans to live sliding through the indefinite lives available to her. But when she chooses the life where she lives with Ash, the doctor with whom she should have gone for a coffee date, she finds herself liking it. But there are other things that have changed. People she used to lend a hand in her root suffers from the lack of her care. Still she tries to remain there, but in spite of all her efforts to fit in, she is taken back to the midnight library which has begun to fall apart since Nora wants to live now.

    She manages to reach back her root life and gets timely medical help. The message she leaves behind before her suicide attempt brings back her brother to her side. Nora realises that she is capable of doing all the things that she has done in her other lives and decides to live this life instead of running away.

Meet the author:

Matt Haig was born in Sheffield, England in1975. He writes books for both adults and children, often blending the worlds of domestic reality and outright fantasy, with a quirky twist. His bestselling novels are translated into 28 languages. The Guardian has described his writing as 'delightfully weird' and the New York Times has called him 'a novelist of great talent' whose writing is 'funny, riveting and heartbreaking'.

Favourite quotes:

"The only way to learn is to live" - 105

"Because too often our view of success is about some external bullshit idea of achievement - an Olympic medal, the ideal husband, a good salary. And we have all these metrics that we try and reach. When really success isn't something you measure, and life isn't a race you can win." - 106

"To be a human was to continually dumb the world down into an understandable story that keeps things simple" - 136

"Minds can't see what they can't handle" - 136

"I think it is easy to imagine there are easier paths . . . but maybe there are no easy paths. There are just paths" - 163

". . .  a pawn is never just a pawn. A pawn is a queen-in-waiting" - 171

Source: inews.co.uk

". . . where there are books, there was the temptation to open them" -177

"Fear was when you wandered into a cellar and worried that the door would close shut. Despair was when the door closed and locked behind you" - 194

"What sometimes feel like a trap is actually just a trick of the mind" - 241

"But it is not the lives we regret not living that are the real problem. It is the regret itself. It's the regret that makes us shrivel and wither and feel like our own and other people's worst enemy" - 246

The Dead Zone - Stephen King

Date of reading: 06/01/2021

Author: Stephen King

Publisher: Signet

Year: 1979

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Johnny, the small boy who skated at breakneck speed into an accident that for one horrifying moment plunged him into The Dead Zone.

Johnny Smith, the small-town schoolteacher who spun the wheel of fortune and won a four-and-a-half-year trip into The Dead Zone.

John Smith, who awakened from an interminable coma with an accursed power—the power to see the future and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in The Dead Zone.

Review:

    Will you have a panic attack if I confess this is my first Stephen King book? Yes, yes, I know I should be ashamed but what can I do? I have always known him to be a horror author, a genre I prefer to set aside (do have enough demons haunting my living world, thank you so much). But the guilt finally caught on and so here I am finally finishing one of King's book which doesn't have ghosts or zombies or whatever other creepy things out there.

    Johnny Smith is a small-time school teacher who slipped into a coma after a car crash. He wakes up after four and a half years with psychic abilities to know about  a person through touch. He could have been famous, but what Johnny needed was some normalcy in his life. But is it possible to run away from his powers? Especially when he also gains the ability to predict the future?

    Admitting that Stephen King is one hell of a writer would be an understatement. It might be a 1980s book, but it still took my breath away. The narration, character development and the plot twists had made me realised that this is a book that was waiting for me. 

    Well, that doesn't mean I agree with everything though, especially the last part. If you know someone is going to be killer (or start a nuclear war) in future, what will you do? Kill him yourself? It raises another question. If your future is predetermined, then can a killer be judged for following his destiny? Predicting a natural disaster is fine, but seeing someone's future years ahead didn't really agree with me.What is the use of human will then, if everything is preordained?

    Yup, the story for sure had made an impression. Could I be counted as one of the fans now? Let's wait and see.

Meet the author:

Stephen Edwin King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. His books have sold more than 350 million copies, and many have been adapted into films, television series, miniseries, and comic books. King has published 61 novels, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, and five non-fiction books.[3] He has also written approximately 200 short stories, most of which have been published in book collections.

The Smallest Man - Frances Quinn (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 2/12/2020

Author: Frances Quinn

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: January 7, 2020

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won’t go far wrong in life.’

A compelling story perfect for fans of The Doll Factory, The Illumination of Ursula Flight and The Familiars.

My name is Nat Davy. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? There was a time when people up and down the land knew my name, though they only ever knew half the story.

The year of 1625, it was, when a single shilling changed my life. That shilling got me taken off to London, where they hid me in a pie, of all things, so I could be given as a gift to the new queen of England.

They called me the queen’s dwarf, but I was more than that. I was her friend when she had no one else, and later on, when the people of England turned against their king, it was me who saved her life. When they turned the world upside down, I was there, right at the heart of it, and this is my story.

Inspired by a true story, and spanning two decades that changed England forever, The Smallest Man is a heartwarming tale about being different, but not letting it hold you back. About being brave enough to take a chance, even if the odds aren’t good. And about how, when everything else is falling apart, true friendship holds people together.

Review:

    If you search for the stories of Tudor queens, you may find an entire library. Sadly, the popularity of the Stuarts is nowhere near and needless to say this book took me by surprise. Poor old Charles is often ignored, so who cares about his French queen who has come to love England as her own home? Well, I don't think anyone can forget the name Henrietta Maria after this or Nat Davy for that matter.

    A bird's eye view of the Caroline age through the eyes of the Queen's dwarf, that is what this story offers. Based on the life of Jeffrey Hudson, Frances Quinn creates a memorable tale filled with political intrigues, suspense and a touch of romance. She does take a fair bit of creative licence when it comes to Nat's story and I completely loved it. At least in this fictional world, Nat deserves a happy ending.

    Sold by his father for eleven shillings, Nat finds a new home with the young queen who shares a similar fate in her political marriage with King Charles. Since his size limits his access to complex political scenarios, we don't get to know the king that much. Instead, Quinn focuses on Nat's life in the palace, the way he manoeuvres the insults directed against him, turning his disadvantage as a means to create a celebrated story.

    From the very beginning we are pulled into this fast paced story growing with Nat, feeling his pain. My only complaint is regarding the abrupt ending which doesn't give us much details on the restoration. Still I am happy to know about Nat Davy. He must be the smallest man, but his courage and wisdom put many a tall man to shame.

    Thank you Anne for the blog tour invite, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to read this amazing novel.

Meet the author:

Frances Quinn read English at Cambridge, and is a journalist and copy-editor. She completed the Curtis Brown Creative Course in 2015. The Smallest Man is her debut novel.

A Real Royal Christmess - Linda West (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 02/11/2020

Author: Linda West

Publication Date: October 6, 2020

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

When the Christmas party psychic said Jess would meet a prince - she didn't know she meant a REAL prince...

Jess is trying to win back her boyfriend, who dumped her for being boring. Jamie is trying to complete his father's bucket list before he takes the Crown. Both of them are hiding who they truly are, and when the truth is discovered, it's a real royal Christmess!

Review:

     I know there is no hope of this story happening in reality, but don't we all need a touch of unreal sometimes? Yup! You got it right, a Cinderella story at Christmas. A prince about to take the burden of the crown and a shy accountant trying to win her boyfriend back . . . hmm . . . not a dull moment in the story.

    It was hard to warm up to Jess in the beginning. I know she is dumped but should she really take that frustration on Jamie? Well, all is sorted in due course though the enemies to lovers trope could have been developed further. Yet the chemistry between the characters and the gorgeous winter setting make up for everything.

    This is my first Linda West novel and I hope we will get to see more of Jess and Jamie. If you are on the look out for something to kick start your Christmas reading, this could be one of the best choices. Happy reading!!!

Meet the author: 

Linda West is the best selling author of the adorable and enchanting "Christmas Kisses and Cookies." It is a delightful series of holiday romances based around the town of Kissing Bridge and the magical Landers sisters who are the reigning blue ribbon cookie queens thanks to their mothers' 'special' recipe book. 

Linda was the owner of Mayberry - a celebrity-filled restaurant in Malibu where many of her recipes enchanted the regulars such as Tom Hanks and Anthony Hopkins to name a few. Her recipes are sprinkled throughout her fiction books much to the delight of her fans.

Her newest venture is in the cozy mystery and humor genre. With - Death by Crockpot - the first in her newest series -Linda takes her favorite known characters from Kissing Bridge and throws them into some side-splitting funny adventures. 

A Little Christmas Hope - Kathryn Freeman (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 22/11/2020

Author: Kathryn Freeman

Publication Date: October 1, 2020

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

Newly promoted headteacher Anna Dalton needs a Christmas miracle – and fast! After years of sitting through excruciatingly dull Christmas productions, complete with crying children and sleeping parents, she’s determined Riddlescomb Primary School will put on a Nativity to remember.

Enter bad boy actor Dan Ramsey, recently axed from the lead role in a TV drama and in desperate need of cleaning up his image or he’ll never work again.

Dan can flash those heart-stopping dimples all he likes, Anna tells herself she isn’t going to fall for them. She knows why he’s decided to volunteer at the school, and it’s for the good of his bank balance…not his soul.

But as Anna and Dan are forced to work together for the sake of a truly magical Christmas for the children, sparks fly and they can’t help but wonder what will happen once the festive season is over… 

Review:

    A romance involving a hotshot actor set in a primary school? Well, that was more than enough incentive for me to just dive into this story. And as always, Kathryn Freeman never disappoints.

    You may find the premise a bit familiar after all isn't there anyone who hasn't fancied meeting an actor in real life? I must make a confession though. Due to my recent obsession with K-dramas, I substituted Dan with one of my favourite actors in my mind. Yes, blue eyes were a bit of a hassle, but nothing a good dose of imagination could not fix. 

    Dan Ramsay comes to his old school for some voluntary work to improve his bad-boy actor image. But he is not fooling the headteacher, Anna Dalton, even with all the smooth talk. Forced to come out of his mask, Dan finds the school environment changing him, allowing him to be a better father and a better actor.

    The vivid school atmosphere Freeman presents reminded me how rewarding teaching is as a career. I could feel the spark radiating from the little group of actors after the successful completion of the Christmas play. Definitely, one of the best moments every teacher aspires for. By the way, little Maisie, you are my star.

    A beautiful Christmas read that reminds you of the magic of Christmas . . . again. Highly recommended!

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.

The First Time We Met - Jo Lovett (Blog Tour & Review)

Date of Reading: 01/11/2020

Author: Jo Lovett

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: November 10, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

What if you met The One on his wedding day?

Izzy doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but when Sam walks into the cafe where she works one winter’s morning, she knows without a doubt that he’s the one. Too bad Sam’s getting married. Today.

Nearly a year later, Izzy still can’t stop thinking about Sam, the one that got away, but she knows it’s time to move on: he’s a married man and probably wouldn’t recognise her if he passed her on the street.

But Sam has never forgotten Izzy, the funny, gorgeous woman who asked him out on his wedding day. If the timing had only been better, he knows they could have had something wonderful.

When Izzy and Sam’s paths finally cross again, everything has changed. But with the Atlantic Ocean and decades of baggage between them, they are about to find out whether some obstacles are too big for even true love to overcome.

An unforgettable love story about what happens when the stars finally align. Fans of One Day in December, The Day We Met and Jojo Moyes will fall head over heels for The First Time We Met.

Review:

    Truth to be told, I am not a believer of love at first sight. Still, how can one resist a romance where fate plays a decisive role? Just as the blurb promised Izzy and Sam had a lot of hurdles to overcome. Keeping your love is not as easy as finding the one.

    Izzy meets Sam for the first time on his wedding day. There is a chance meeting again after a few years and neither can forget the other. But one is a widower with twins and the other is expecting a child. Finally, after fourteen long years, our story begins. One tiny glitch though; they are both at different ends of the Atlantic.

    I did love the way Lovett built up the story around both families. Sam is struggling to find a work-life balance and Izzy is still confused about her feelings towards her ex-husband. Sam's family is in shambles and sometimes I just felt that his children are being a bit hard on him. Well, the novel shows how marriage is also a union of families, smoothening the rough edges and bringing happy tears.

    This is my first Jo Lovett book and I am waiting for more. Without a doubt, this one goes straight to my favourite's shelf. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

Jo Lovett lives in London with her family. 

She worked in Corporate Tax before taking a longer-than-expected career break to have more-than-expected children (five). She started writing romantic comedy when she realised that she was regularly begging her oldest son to let her do his English homework but she wasn't actually that interested in haunted houses or Macbeth.

Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019.

When she can escape from her laundry mountain and childcare, she enjoys reading, tennis and wine.

https://twitter.com/JoLovettWrites

    

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery - Su Young Lee (Blog Tour & Review)

 

Date of Reading: 31/10/2020

Author: Su Young Lee

Publication Date: August 20, 2020

Rating: 3/5

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

About the book:

For cake-loving college girl Hana, Japan was the romantic destination of her dreams. With boyfriend Jin, she planned an exciting new life in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. But when she finally arrives after months of planning, Jin isn't there.

Hana is left broken-hearted on a rainy Tokyo street. Jin left no note. One day he just walked out of classes and disappeared.

Hana begins her new life alone. Searching for Jin but finding no trace. Watching cherry blossoms fall into the Tokyo river. Working hard and delivering her lovely home-baked cakes by orange bicycle. Then she meets handsome young farmer Hikaru and glimpses a new way forward - in an alien place where she doesn't know a soul.

The Tokyo Bicycle Bakery is a sweet and sorrowful love story with a dash of magic realism, a sprinkle of mystery and a whole lot of cakes. 

Review:

    To tell that this book took me by surprise will be an understatement. How does it feel when you can't predict anything about the story? Strange . . . somewhat nice too. More than a sweet love story set in Japan, this is a story of self-discovery emphasising the need to pursue our own dreams.

    I won't advocate all the things referred to here. After all, a protagonist who leaves her home suddenly to live with her boyfriend in another country is not a very mature decision. But Hana is a role model when it comes to her kind-heartedness and caring nature. No wonder help comes to her from every quarter. 

    What I didn't like is the writing style which felt too mechanical. The dialogues were stilted and I couldn't find much chemistry between Hana and Hikaru. Jin's character was intriguing, but sadly he didn't get much of a voice. Well, we could always hope for another story featuring him getting to know more of his strange abilities.

Meet the author:

Su Young Lee is a Korean romance author who lived in Tokyo, Japan for 10 years and now lives in London, England with her husband and two lovely cats. 

Su works in academic publishing and loves baking, playing the piano and working on her calligraphy.

Check her blog here. 

https://suyoungleesblog.wordpress.com