Lucy Mitchell's Blog, page 16

#BookReview Under a Greek Moon @carolkirkwood

This blog post marks the end of a marathon book blog tour week. So, I am ending with something a little bit special. Check out whose book I am reviewing! I am so thrilled to be part of this book tour.

‘Under a Greek Moon’ is a little bit special as the author is Carol Kirkwood. She is one of the BBC’s most loved TV presenters, best known for presenting the weather.

She lights up viewers’ homes every day, appearing on programmes such as BBC Breakfast, Strictly Come Dancing, Wimbledon Tennis Fortnight, and Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show. She is hugely popular with fans and Carol frequently trends on Twitter. Beyond the television screen, she can often be found ensconced in a book, singing, dancing, and driving fast cars.

Praise for Under A Greek Moon:
‘A real treat, wonderfully escapist with heart and drama – marvellous!’ Anton du Beke
‘Utterly engaging, deliciously escapist, with a heart as warm as its author’s’ Cathy Kelly, bestselling author of The Family Gift.

Here’s the blurb:

Hollywood actress Shauna Jackson left the Greek island of Ithos twenty years ago and thought she would never return. Reeling from a scandal that has tarnished her success, she is drawn back to the beautiful olive groves and endless azure skies – and to the secrets she has tried hard to forget.

Looking down from his hilltop villa, enigmatic tycoon Demetrios Theodosis knows he can’t change the past, and looks to the future through his tempestuous daughter Ariana, but in trying to tame her free spirit, is he driving her further away?

Set against bleached white houses bounded by a sapphire sea, a yearning for the truth will compel them both to confront their shared past, and take them back to a distant summer that seemed to hold so much promise …

Here’s my review:

This book is the perfect summer read. Ideal for beach towels, picnic blankets, garden chairs and armchairs.

I didn’t think I would connect with the main character, Hollywood actress, Shauna Jackson but I did in a big way. She’s been through a lot in her life, she’s strong, kind and is an interesting character – all of which make her very likeable. I thought she was a great heroine and she has the world’s best friend – Roxy. A few times I did find myself thinking Roxy could have her own spin off novel.

The story stems from when Shauna met Dimetrios when she was a penniless student and he was a rich millionaire. They fell in love and everything was beautiful until his cruel family got involved. The lovers are torn apart and even though life takes them both in different directions their love for each other never goes away. This is proper romantic escapism and this love story will have you glued to this fabulous book.

The settings are fabulous; sun soaked Greek islands and Hollywood. I thought some of the descriptions were amazing as they made me forget I was sat on my sofa in Wales with the rain pouring down outside.

There are quite a few twists and turns in the plot which kept me interested. I also loved the family theme running throughout it.

This is well worth a read if you fancy a good summer romance which will whisk you away from real life and place you on a sun drenched Greek island beach

#BookReview The Keeper of songs @FionaMountain

Some books are so captivating you struggle to put them down. This book is a good example.

Here’s the blurb:

A modern day Downton Abbey set at Chatsworth House, England’s most famous stately home.

A missing singerA doomed love storyA family split by secrets & lies

1967: Enigmatic young folk singer Molly Marrison disappears on the cusp of fame.

2002: Silva is working as a housemaid at Chatsworth House when her father suddenly dies, leaving her with one instruction – find Molly.

The only clue is a haunting song, centuries old, that Molly recorded before she vanished. Silva needs the help of song collector, Robbie Nightingale. Silva and Robbie were teenage sweethearts, but they’ve not spoken for decades. If they try to find Molly, what else will they discover? For Molly is not the only girl to have disappeared. Silva’s mother, Sukey, vanished when Silva was a child, leaving her with scars that Robbie once tried but failed to heal.

Here’s my review:

One word to describe this book – captivating!

This book had such a hold over me. It was like the story had cast a magical spell over its reader.

This story has all the makings for a great story; mystery over a singer’s disappearance, secrets, deep rooted family connections, Derbyshire countryside, music and an air of romance.

I thought the twisting and turning plot was fabulous. It was packed full of heartbreak, love, mystery and echoes from the past. I loved the dual POVs too.

Silva and Molly were great characters and their two stories were cleverly woven together. I loved Silva’s mission, which was set by her dying father, to find Molly, the beautiful and mysterious singer who had disappeared in 1967. From that point on I was hooked.

It was such a captivating and enjoyable book I read it in a couple of days. All the way through I kept thinking – this would make an excellent BBC drama.

Purchase links:

Amazon – click here.

Waterstones – click here.

Author bio:

Fiona Mountain grew up in Sheffield and moved to London aged eighteen where she worked in the press office for Radio 1 for ten years, handling the PR for presenters including John Peel, Mark Radlcliffe and Steve Wright and traveling with the Radio 1 Summer Roadshow.

Her first novel, Isabella, tells the haunting love story of Bounty mutineer Fletcher Christian and his cousin, Isabella Curwen. It was short-listed for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2000, the first debut novel to reach the shortlist. It was followed with Pale as the Dead and Bloodline, which combine history with mystery and feature ‘ancestor detective’, Natasha Blake. Bloodline is the winner of the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark Award.

Fiona’s novels have been published in America, Canada, Japan, Thailand, Italy, Germany, Holland and Australia. Though having enjoyed writing the mysteries, Lady of the Butterflies, published in 2009, marks her permanent return to historical fiction.

She lives in a seventeenth century house in the Cotswolds with her husband, Tim, a musician, and their four young children.

#BookReview Gigi’s Island Dream @RosieDeanAuthor

Life dreams are odd things. You spend a lot of time daydreaming about them, envisioning yourself in this new reality with them and working hard to make them come true. Sometimes the unexpected happens and suddenly you find yourself with what you’ve always longed for. A lot of the time when life dreams come true…they don’t always turn out the way you intended.

I dream about living in the middle of nowhere, giving up my day job, writing (occasionally), wandering the land looking amazing (not windswept, bedraggled or covered in mud) and filling my time with growing and eating our own food.

So, you can imagine my excitement when the book tour for, Gigi’s Island Dream, by Rosie Dean came along. I connected with it immediately. It ticked all my reading boxes; interesting character, good premise, aligned with my own life dream and the author is known for writing funny romances.

I loved the idea of an inheritance giving posh Gigi the opportunity to follow her dream by going to live on an island, grow veg, find herself, sculpt and teach a few pottery classes.

Here’s the blurb:

Gabriella Gill-Martin – Gigi to her friends – ditches her privileged life in London’s fast lane, to live on an island. In her dream home she will build beautiful sculptures and grow vegetables.

But she soon learns that’s not all she has to give up.

When dreams become nightmares – what’s a girl to do?

Here’s my review`:

This book is a funny and heartwarming read. For me the standouts are the humour and the characterisation.

I loved ex-London girl, Gigi, as a main character. She had good book character appeal with her dysfunctional parents, her screw-up brother, Freddy, her crazy diva friends, an architect boyfriend and her two cats. Her determination to ditch her old life of privilege and make her island dream a success really stood out. This girl has bags of inner strength.

One of my favourite quotes was when Gigi decides to start growing her own vegetables. It really made me giggle after she’d been howling with frustration after trying to create a vegetable patch and she concludes – ‘it never looked this difficult on the internet.’

I enjoyed Gigi’s uplifting journey of self discovery. Things don’t go to plan on the island and there are some worrying times when her finances get tricky too. Throughout all this she learns so much about herself and the expectations her family has on her.

The characters are quirky and interesting which is one of the standouts. The humour is also good.

If you are looking for a fun-light read with a hint of romance and a sprinkling of suspense this book is for you.

As for my life dream…well, after hating lockdown, spending the last couple of years trying to have some success with vegetable growing (as with anything in life it takes a lot of hardworking and failure), wandering around the countryside with my dog who always manages to get me caked in mud and reading this book….I think I’ll pass on that lifedream

Author bio:

Rosie Dean has been writing stories and plays since she was big enough to type. After studying ceramic design and gaining a ‘degree in crockery’ as the man in her life calls it, she became an Art & Pottery teacher. Seven years later, she moved into corporate world, writing training courses and marketing copy until the lure of being a full-time writer became irresistible.

Her passion is to write entertaining love stories that can make a reader chuckle, laugh out loud or, occasionally, feel a lump in the throat. Most of all, she loves developing the characters who inhabit her stories – eccentricities and screwball scenarios pop up in all of her work. Some of these characters have four legs – because animals offer an interesting counterpoint to human dramas.

Gigi’s Island Dream is her fourth romantic comedy, and won the Readers’ Choice Award from Romance Writers of America’s Florida chapter.

Rosie lives on the Isle of Wight, and can see the sea from her writing den.

Website/blog​https://www.rosie-dean.com​

Facebook​https://www.facebook.com/RosieDeanWriter​

Twitter​https://twitter.com/RosieDeanAuthor​

Goodreadswww.goodreads.com/RosieDean

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#AmWriting #GuestPost – My Unsupportive Ex, Imposter Syndrome @elodiegarroway

I am thrilled to bring you a super guest blog post from a romance author who I think is brilliant – Élodie Garroway. I am a fan of her romance stories and I am excited she’s here today on my blog putting a unique twist on Imposter Syndrome.

Please welcome Élodie Garroway.

Hi everyone.

If you’ve ever tried to create something, you’ve heard the term “Imposter Syndrome.” Imposter Syndrome is feeling like your skills and talents are in doubt, not by others but by you.

I’ve been having a not-so-secret affair with imposter syndrome since I was seventeen.

I had secured an audition for a school of music I wanted to attend. It wasn’t a perfect audition but I got in. I was proud until I realized I was one of two trombone players. I got in because of what I played, not what I could do– quantity over quality.

And that is how I met my unsupportive Ex, Imposter Syndrome. It didn’t matter if everything it said was lies. I believed it. It ate at my confidence. It invaded my speech, my actions. In spite of it, I graduated top five.

I made it. Right? That ish was over?

I wish.

This Ex invaded every aspect of my life and I unknowingly made it room, questioning how I was raising my son, teaching my students, and yes, my writing.

And I am not its only relationship, maybe you know it too?

So how do we do ensure we never get back together, even though they keep coming back?

Keep telling yourself you are amazing until you believe it.

There is nothing more powerful than positive self-talk. Remember it’s you. You feed the syndrome and let it pay rent in your mind. Naturally only you can keep it at bay. You have to decide to not feed it anymore. Just like you tell that ex that you aren’t getting back together, you have to tell yourself, “I’ve got this. I can write. My words are worth reading.”

Surround yourself with positive people.

It’s hard to make headway if the inner voice doesn’t match the out voices. Maybe those who love you can’t get on board with your “hobby.” That’s okay because we exist. Who’s we? Why the writing community of course! Trust me, if you have a genre, there is a group for you. Just find us. We want to meet you and support you!

Prove yourself wrong over and over again.

The Ex won’t stop calling with nasty comments? Fine. Prove it wrong. Do you doubt your world-building abilities? Take a class or ask a fellow writer for help, find a way to learn and improve. Then what can the voice say? Challenge that voice and make its argument worthless.

Do what scares you.

Don’t be the one holding you back. It is scary to put yourself out there. I put it off for years. I didn’t hit the top of anything the first time I published solo. Heck, I still haven’t. That doesn’t mean I should give up. What I should do is put myself out there again.

You should too. Even if you get a negative response. Then go back to number three and now prove them wrong. Keep doing what scares you, it’s the only way to move forward.

And break up with Imposter Syndrome. It never did anything for you anyway.

Author bio

Élodie’s first taste of reality came from her Southern upbringing.  She climbed majestic Dogwoods, chased fireflies, and ran from mosquitoes and no-see-ems.  This idyllic world helped her see beauty, love and magic all come with a cost.  That never stopped her from dreaming big!

Life continued to reinforce its duality – she overcame personal trials that would threaten her life and her vision.  Dreams don’t die easily, so she pushed through and found a way to share the love stories that kept her on the lighter side of life.

She also managed to find her brooding prince and against all odds, have the most wonderful son with an imagination that rivals hers.  Proving once again, the price of love is always worth it!

Grab a mason jar of lemonade and let Elodie Garroway show you the ups and downs of real love, so you can Capture the Feeling.

Élodie’s contact links

Élodie’s Website: https://elodiegarroway.com
Learning to Love Again: https://books2read.com/u/mYZGQM
Joyeux Noël, Elinor: https://books2read.com/u/3yeadL
Falling for Farris: https://books2read.com/u/b6OvW0

Writers – Remember Good Things Grow In Tough Writing Times #MondayBlogs

I have done all sorts of things with tough writing times; experienced them, tweeted about them, written blog posts about them, moaned about them, cried about them, had sleepless nights about them, written lengthy emails to writing friends about them and filled out hundreds of diary pages.

Recently I have seen tough writing times differently. They are not so bad. Once you remove the emotion from challenging writing situations; literary rejection, a shelved draft novel, negative feedback which breaks your heart, a writing competition you didn’t win, a blog post which don’t set the online world on fire, an inability to write anything for weeks, and a beloved main character who beta readers dislike – you will start to see that good things soon start to sprout and grow.

Here are the good things which have grown out of my tough writing times:

Friendship. Some of my best creative friendships have started with a supportive blog comment or an encouraging tweet post during a bleak writing time. The online writing community will always give you a reassuring and warm virtual hug via social media if you reach out and share your suffering.

New Characters. I have created some great new characters, whilst shelving old stories. For me my main characters start as minor ones in old stories and catch my eye. After some revamping I find myself with some cool new characters.

New Direction. Sometimes difficult writing situations have pointed me in a new and interesting direction. I love this because my ‘I know best’ writing mindset would have prevented me from pursuing new directions.

Knowledge. I have acquired new knowledge about writing during the hard times. The universe knows I struggle to read writing craft books and take the advice of others, so it makes me learn new stuff through failure. Sigh The universe is so thoughtful…

New Stories. Whilst sifting through the wreckage of shelved stories I have discovered new story ideas, buried deep. Never delete or throw anything away when it comes to writing.

Humour. The best way to get over writing failure is to find some funny aspect about the situation and laugh it out with writer friends. I think laughing helps the creative healing process.

Perseverance. I have learnt that you can’t buy this on Amazon. It’s something you have to cultivate yourself. Finding your way through a challenging writing time is one way of growing your own batch of this stuff.

Patience. A writing journey cannot be rushed. Books need time to stew inside your head, in notebooks and on your laptop screen. Writing failures have taught me to slow down and think stuff through.

The chance to do something again. We are so lucky as we get the chance to rewrite, modify and adjust our stories. Can you imagine if we were only allowed one attempt?

I was also going to add – Tough writing times give you a damn good reason to buy yourself a huge slice of cake and devour it in seconds.

If you are going through a tough writing time right now, look for the green shoots of good things. They will be poking through the creative soil. I promise you.

What good things have grown out of your tough writing times?

Have a great day writers!

Writers – Remember Good Things Grow In Tough Writing Times #MondayBlogs

I have done all sorts of things with tough writing times; experienced them, tweeted about them, written blog posts about them, moaned about them, cried about them, had sleepless nights about them, written lengthy emails to writing friends about them and filled out hundreds of diary pages.

Recently I have seen tough writing times differently. They are not so bad. Once you remove the emotion from challenging writing situations; literary rejection, a shelved draft novel, negative feedback which breaks your heart, a writing competition you didn’t win, a blog post which don’t set the online world on fire, an inability to write anything for weeks, and a beloved main character who beta readers dislike – you will start to see that good things soon start to sprout and grow.

Here are the good things which have grown out of my tough writing times:

Friendship. Some of my best creative friendships have started with a supportive blog comment or an encouraging tweet post during a bleak writing time. The online writing community will always give you a reassuring and warm virtual hug via social media if you reach out and share your suffering.

New Characters. I have created some great new characters, whilst shelving old stories. For me my main characters start as minor ones in old stories and catch my eye. After some revamping I find myself with some cool new characters.

New Direction. Sometimes difficult writing situations have pointed me in a new and interesting direction. I love this because my ‘I know best’ writing mindset would have prevented me from pursuing new directions.

Knowledge. I have acquired new knowledge about writing during the hard times. The universe knows I struggle to read writing craft books and take the advice of others, so it makes me learn new stuff through failure. Sigh The universe is so thoughtful…

New Stories. Whilst sifting through the wreckage of shelved stories I have discovered new story ideas, buried deep. Never delete or throw anything away when it comes to writing.

Humour. The best way to get over writing failure is to find some funny aspect about the situation and laugh it out with writer friends. I think laughing helps the creative healing process.

Perseverance. I have learnt that you can’t buy this on Amazon. It’s something you have to cultivate yourself. Finding your way through a challenging writing time is one way of growing your own batch of this stuff.

Patience. A writing journey cannot be rushed. Books need time to stew inside your head, in notebooks and on your laptop screen. Writing failures have taught me to slow down and think stuff through.

The chance to do something again. We are so lucky as we get the chance to rewrite, modify and adjust our stories. Can you imagine if we were only allowed one attempt?

I was also going to add – Tough writing times give you a damn good reason to buy yourself a huge slice of cake and devour it in seconds.

If you are going through a tough writing time right now, look for the green shoots of good things. They will be poking through the creative soil. I promise you.

What good things have grown out of your tough writing times?

Have a great day writers!

#BookReview Twice in a Lifetime @HelgaJensenF #romcom

This book made me think about what I would do if I found myself unexpectedly single again in my 40’s. The thought of being ‘out there’ again after twenty years made me let out so many inner groans. For me finding love again would undoubtedly make great book fodder for a funny romcom. Obviously I am happily married with a dog, 3 cats and 2 moody teenagers. Luckily the main character, in this book, Twice in a Lifetime, Amelia, allowed me to slip into her shoes and experience finding love second time around twenty or so years later.

The standout for me was the relatable character of Amelia. I am so pleased Helga Jenson chose a broken hearted, forty-something, single mother of two for her lead role. Even though I like reading about younger characters it is a nice change to read a romcom about someone my age who once listened to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, wore pink leg warmers and sang Keith Harris and Orville’s ‘I Wish I Could Fly.’

I am also glad she chose someone like Amelia who gets carried away with her emotions and rushes into situations with her heart on her sleeve. This is so me. Well done, Helga

Twice In A Lifetime

Amelia might have met The One. But is she twenty years too late?

After her husband left her out of the blue, the only relationship 45-year-old Amelia Simpson has enjoyed recently is with Nutella and Pinot Grigio. While her 8-year-old twin boys, Jasper and Rupert, keep her busy, Amelia dreams of a life more than washing muddy rugby kits and weekly chats with best friends Sian and Jamie.

Amelia needs some magic back in her life – but magic seems in short supply in her small Welsh village. So when she finds the phone number that was given to her twenty years ago by a handsome stranger in New York, Amelia wonders whether he might be The One That Got Away.

But when Sian takes matters into her own hands, launching a worldwide hunt to find the handsome stranger Amelia met outside Tiffany’s two decades ago, Amelia finds herself on a flight to the Big Apple to reconnect with her ‘Perfect Pierre’.

But as the two explore the sights of NYC, has Amelia reconnected with The One? Or will she discover that the sparkle she was missing is actually closer to home?

A funny, relatable romcom about second chances that fans of Kathryn Freeman and Sophie Ranald will love.

Here’s my review

The best thing about this book was that it was so relatable. Just the other night I was talking to my friend who had tracked down an old flame from the past to see what had happened to him.

Amelia was so true to life. She worried about all the stuff that would concern me if I was ‘out there.’ Like for instance, when Amelia considers ‘how marriage and sex with someone else, is such a terrifying thought’. Her stomach let off big growls when she’s hungry and every top she tries on in a clothes shop reveals a hideous muffin top. All these would be on my list of dating concerns.

This was a funny and cute romcom. It was exactly what I needed to cheer myself up during a stressful few days. It was also great to see Wales featuring in part of a romcom too.

All the characters were good. We all need friends like Sian to rally around us when we are sad and get us back living life again. Jamie was adorable throughout.

It was a good read with a twist at the end and it has since sparked a few conversations with friends on the subject of what it would be like to track old flames down. This book will be great for book club attendees to discuss over a glass of wine or two.

Purchase Links
AMZ: https://amzn.to/3tBjxcw
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3sscn9g
Apple: https://apple.co/3x0vTNO

Author Bio – Helga Jensen is a freelance journalist, of mixed Danish and Welsh parentage. Twice in a Lifetime is her debut novel, and the first chapter was a winning entry at the Emirates Literature Festival in Dubai in 2017.
Social Media Links – @HelgaJensenF

#BookReview ❤️🔥 Sticking to the Terms @CPLauthor #ReadRomance

I am finishing this week’s book review marathon with something a bit special for all those who like a bit of HOT romance. The male character in this book, Lorenzo Romano or Enzo, has made me get carried away with the emoji again. I was texting a friend about this book and she replied by saying ‘this text is just a book title and emojis – nothing else?’ Enzo will make you reach for the emoji on your phone.

The author Cassandra P Lewis has such a great writing style that you feel like you are stood opposite Enzo, looking flustered…and already emotionally attached to him because he’s actually a really nice guy and agreeing (without hesitation in my case) to his proposition whereby you agree to act like his girlfriend at his sister’s wedding.

Here’s the blurb:

Dillon Benedetto always knew what she wanted out of life… to be successful and single; that’s all.

A great night with an incredible man is written off as another one night stand until she comes face to face with him again, in the boardroom.

After thinking about her for weeks, Enzo doesn’t want to let Dillon slip through his fingers again.

He offers her a deal that fits her terms and keeps her in his life… He needs a girlfriend for his sister’s wedding, and he’s willing to pay.

No strings, just a business arrangement.

They both deal with contracts every day, but this one was broken before it was signed.

Can they keep up the ruse and convince his family they’re in love whilst keeping their relationship strictly business?

TW: Mental Health, Bipolar, Anxiety

Here’s my review:

I became really invested in both characters; Dillon a strong female lead, who returns from San Francisco to care for her mum who has depression. Enzo, is the gorgeous man who Dillon meets in a club and who falls for her in a big way. Enzo is amazing in terms of a male lead. He has strong family values and loves his grandmother – who is a fabulous character by the way. He ticked all my fictional crush boxes. The love for his grandmother gave him so many extra ticks with me. Plus he has to overcome so many hurdles to prove to Dillon he’s in love with her. Can you see why I got so hooked on using the emoji?

The characters are so well written you find yourself deeply absorbed in their world and it is dual narrated so you get to understand what’s going on in their thoughts. At one point I was Dillon struggling to stick to Enzo’s business proposition.

The chemistry and romance between these two is I read parts of this book in a cafe earlier this week. At one point I had fan myself with a napkin and ask for an extra chocolate brownie (to keep my sugar levels up).

Lots of great twists and turns to this story. It will certainly keep you on your toes and will leave you dreaming about Enzo at night

I can see from the other reviews there is a queue forming for Enzo – please can everyone form a line BEHIND ME!

Purchase link: click here

Author bio

I’m Cassie, or Cas, or Cassandra.
I’m a mother, a wife, and a writer, amongst many other things.
I’m from Birmingham, England but now live in South Derbyshire with my family.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember but I first published a book in 2012, and my author journey has been a hell of a rollercoaster since then.
I write because I love to write, but also because I love to read. I adore the way a book can take a reader away from reality for a while, and I want to be in the driving seat… I hope you’ll come along on a journey with me soon

#BookReview ❤️🔥 Sticking to the Terms @CPLauthor #ReadRomance

I am finishing this week’s book review marathon with something a bit special for all those who like a bit of HOT romance. The male character in this book, Lorenzo Romano or Enzo, has made me get carried away with the emoji again. I was texting a friend about this book and she replied by saying ‘this text is just a book title and emojis – nothing else?’ Enzo will make you reach for the emoji on your phone.

The author Cassandra P Lewis has such a great writing style that you feel like you are stood opposite Enzo, looking flustered…and already emotionally attached to him because he’s actually a really nice guy and agreeing (without hesitation in my case) to his proposition whereby you agree to act like his girlfriend at his sister’s wedding.

Here’s the blurb:

Dillon Benedetto always knew what she wanted out of life… to be successful and single; that’s all.

A great night with an incredible man is written off as another one night stand until she comes face to face with him again, in the boardroom.

After thinking about her for weeks, Enzo doesn’t want to let Dillon slip through his fingers again.

He offers her a deal that fits her terms and keeps her in his life… He needs a girlfriend for his sister’s wedding, and he’s willing to pay.

No strings, just a business arrangement.

They both deal with contracts every day, but this one was broken before it was signed.

Can they keep up the ruse and convince his family they’re in love whilst keeping their relationship strictly business?

TW: Mental Health, Bipolar, Anxiety

Here’s my review:

I became really invested in both characters; Dillon a strong female lead, who returns from San Francisco to care for her mum who has depression. Enzo, is the gorgeous man who Dillon meets in a club and who falls for her in a big way. Enzo is amazing in terms of a male lead. He has strong family values and loves his grandmother – who is a fabulous character by the way. He ticked all my fictional crush boxes. The love for his grandmother gave him so many extra ticks with me. Plus he has to overcome so many hurdles to prove to Dillon he’s in love with her. Can you see why I got so hooked on using the emoji?

The characters are so well written you find yourself deeply absorbed in their world and it is dual narrated so you get to understand what’s going on in their thoughts. At one point I was Dillon struggling to stick to Enzo’s business proposition.

The chemistry and romance between these two is I read parts of this book in a cafe earlier this week. At one point I had fan myself with a napkin and ask for an extra chocolate brownie (to keep my sugar levels up).

Lots of great twists and turns to this story. It will certainly keep you on your toes and will leave you dreaming about Enzo at night

I can see from the other reviews there is a queue forming for Enzo – please can everyone form a line BEHIND ME!

Purchase link: click here

Author bio

I’m Cassie, or Cas, or Cassandra.
I’m a mother, a wife, and a writer, amongst many other things.
I’m from Birmingham, England but now live in South Derbyshire with my family.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember but I first published a book in 2012, and my author journey has been a hell of a rollercoaster since then.
I write because I love to write, but also because I love to read. I adore the way a book can take a reader away from reality for a while, and I want to be in the driving seat… I hope you’ll come along on a journey with me soon

#BookReview One Ordinary Day At a Time @sarahsky23

It’s easy to forget that heroes and heroines actually do exist in everyday life. We’ve all come across them at some point in our lives. This book will make you think about the everyday heroes and heroines who you have come across in your life; the strangers who have gone out of their way to help you in your hour of need, the friends who show up in the bleak parts of your life and the people who come into your life with the answers to your problems.

Here’s the blurb

Behind every ordinary day, behind every ordinary story, there’s an extraordinary one just waiting to happen…

The uplifting, original new novel from the award-winning author of The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder.

TWO PEOPLE

Simon Sparks is the man you know from behind the counter at the local Prince Burger (‘hold the gherkin!’), fry shovelling, shelf stacking, hiding away from the world. And Jodie Brook is the single mum you see crossing the street with her son Zak – always chasing a dream she can’t reach.

ONE LIFE

What if life could be so much more? When Simon and Jodie’s worlds collide, it upends everything they know. But in chaos comes opportunity. And for every person who’s ever doubted them, they find someone who’ll finally believe…

ONE ORDINARY DAY AT A TIME

From the award-winning author, Sarah J. Harris, comes a warm, uplifting story about ordinary people, extraordinary tomorrows, and all the ways that life can surprise you.

Here’s my review

This book is one which should be read when you are feeling like the world is against you. I guarantee it will leave you with a smile and a lovely warm feeling. I was left with all these feelings as well as a powerful urge to hang around my local burger bar in the hope of seeing Cardiff’s version of Simon Sparks working there.

I loved this book because the characters, Jodie and Simon, were brilliant. They were quirky, interesting and an unlikely pair to form a friendship. However as the book progressed it became clear they were both survivors of traumatic pasts who had lost their way in life.

One of the standouts was Simon’s relationship with Jodie’s son, Zak. Their relationship made me get emotional towards the end. Beautifully written.

There are quite a few twists and turns in this story. It’s also an addictive and an emotional read.

I like this book because it was about the magic and healing properties of friendship, how life changing things can happen as a result of it and how it can mend broken people who feel like they have been cast aside by life.

Great read!

One Ordinary Day At A Time is available in hardback, ebook and audiobook now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

Amazon

Waterstones

Author bio:

Sarah J. Harris is an author and freelance education journalist who regularly writes for national newspapers. She became fascinated by synaesthesia and face blindness during her work as a journalist. THE COLOUR OF BEE LARKHAM’S MURDER is Sarah’s debut adult novel. She lives in London with her husband and two young children.