Moonbeams in a jar – Christine Stovell

When Chloe Potter wishes on a star that she’ll find a man who’ll accept her and her noisy dachshund Wilma, she doesn’t think that she’ll bump into one quite so soon …
But almost immediately she meets Ryan Green and his boisterous basset hound, Fred. Ryan is larger than life, ruggedly handsome and, most importantly, a dog lover – surely a match made in heaven?
But Chloe soon finds that trying to tie a man like Ryan down is like trying to catch moonbeams in a jar. Ryan’s job as a photographer means that when he’s not in the middle of a war zone, he’s trying to catch just the right light at the top of Mount Snowdon.
Chloe wants stability and when it becomes clear that Ryan will always put his job first, she knows she has to move on. But then a once-in-a-lifetime trip unexpectedly brings them together once again …

 

 

My review

Sometimes you think you have to be there for other people to help them through bad times. That’s a good thing of course, but was it not a convenient excuse for hiding yourself and not moving on?
Meet Chloe.
Sometimes you think you have it all. A job you love, making your own schedule and do as you please, a great career, but what does it mean if you don’t have someone to share your life with? When you realize that, it’s time to make changes, changes you would never have thought you would be willing te make before.
Meet Ryan.
If you are in for not one but two a lovestories, this is a book you should read. I am certain you will enjoy it. 4 stars.

Thank you, Choc Lit.

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Dying truth – Angela Marsons

How far would you go to protect your darkest secrets?

When teenager Sadie Winter jumps from the roof of her school, her death is ruled as suicide – a final devastating act from a troubled girl. But then the broken body of a young boy is discovered at the same school and it’s clear to Detective Kim Stone that these deaths are not tragic accidents.

As Kim and her team begin to unravel a dark web of secrets, one of the teachers could hold the key to the truth. Yet just as she is about to break her silence, she is found dead.

With more children’s lives at risk, Kim has to consider the unthinkable – whether a fellow pupil could be responsible for the murders. Investigating the psychology of children that kill brings the detective into contact with her former adversary, Dr Alex Thorne – the sociopath who has made it her life’s work to destroy Kim.

Desperate to catch the killer, Kim finds a link between the recent murders and an initiation prank that happened at the school decades earlier. But saving these innocent lives comes at a cost – and one of Kim’s own might pay the ultimate price.

 

 

My review

OH MY GOD. I am sorry for shouting but there is no other way to express how I feel about this book! It was more than awesome and more than gripping. I have put on hold everything that was possible to put on hold in order to be able to continue reading. I love the way the author builds up a story and slowly reveals everything. She really keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole book through.
Then suddenly there was that certain chapter … I shouted ‘NOOOO’ out loud, but to no avail.
5 out of 5 stars does not seem to be enough to quote this masterpiece.
I am already looking forward to the next book.
Thank you Netgalley, bookouture and Angela Marsons.

Three secrets – Clare Boyd

A terrible secret killed your husband… But which one?

Robert kisses his wife on the head before heading out to the shop for more wine; he walks up the hill, takes a left across the footbridge and jumps to his death on the busy motorway below.

Two years later, Francesca and her young daughter are leaving London for a fresh start, money is tight and Robert’s mother has found them a little cottage in her village. Francesca is grateful for the help, but why does Robert’s mother want to keep them so close? Does she know about what Francesca did in the hour before Robert’s death?

Soon Francesca begins to suspect there was more to her husband’s death than she realised, that there might be even darker secrets hiding in his past than her own…

The closer she gets to uncovering the truth, the more she asks: is her own life in danger now too?

 

 

My review

The start of the story seems like there are a dime a dozen, but I felt an undercurrent of something that was not quite right. Why was the atmosphere so strained?
Very soon, you feel like you are a speck of dust in front of a powerful hoover. You can’t resist and are sucked into the tube. You have to follow the winding road full of twists and turns until you arrive in its belly where you keep swirling. You can only settle down when the hoover is switched off at the end of the book.
If, by any chance, you are still wondering how I felt about the book? The answer is easy : I loved it! 5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for another fabulous read.

Blood runs cold – Dylan Young

Blair had stopped crying. There was no window, the walls were smooth and it was quiet. She didn’t want to be alone. But she didn’t want him to come back.

When eleven-year-old Blair Smearton is abducted near a river bank on the hottest day of the year, no-one can trace the man spotted taking her.

Detective Anna Gwynne is back at work with her cold case unit following a brutal attack that nearly cost her her life. She’s investigating the death of young Rosie Dawson, whose bones were found hidden in a hole in the ground ten years ago. At least avenging Rosie’s murder, focussing on her past, can help Anna ignore her own.

The only lead Anna has is a photo of Rosie posted on a chat room hidden deep online. And then she finds one of Blair. Kidnapped. In the exact same dark room. The same concrete walls. The same stony floor. The killer is bragging. No-one can trace the photo.

Blair’s time is running out. But Anna has a contact who knows the dark web better than anyone. He’s the key to finding those girls. Can Anna get his help to find Blair alive?

 

 

My review

I had mixed emotions about book 1 but was super pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns at the end of the book, That is why I was looking forward to read more about the Anna Gwynne series. I have to say I was hooked this time. All the things I did not like so much last time, were gone! No more boring bits, but it was utterly captivating. I could not put the book down. The writing style improved as well and I liked the fact that I learned something from the story.
This books adds a feather in the author’s cap.
I would recommand it to everybody but don’t forget to put part 1 in your basket as well! You won’t regret it! 5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture.

Summer at the Castle Cafe

The cosy, crumbling Castle Café is a place like no other. With stunning views of the sparkling sea and sandy beaches, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome, delicious cake and plenty of laughter as soon as you step through the door…

When Alice Appleton escapes to the gorgeous seaside town of Castle Cove it’s the change of scenery she didn’t even realise she needed. Taking up a job in the charming Castle Café, Alice finds herself surrounded by cream teas, chocolate cake and quirky characters. Could this be the perfect place for Alice to embrace the summer?

Mysterious and hunky Jay O’Donnell has lived in picturesque Castle Cove since he was a child. As a volunteer on the lifeboats, his days by the sea are far from predictable. Haunted by a tragedy from his past, he’s on a mission to save as many people as possible. But when Alice Appleton walks into his life – and turns his world upside down – he begins to realise that perhaps it might just be his turn to be rescued…

As Alice and Jay find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, will they learn the importance of letting go to make way for second chances? And will Alice find the life she’s always dreamed of in Castle Cove?

 

 

My review

How I love the covers of those feel good books. They already make me feel good even before I have read one single word. I adore the sun and the sea, so this setting is one of my favourites.
Of course you know from the start that you are in for a fairytale ending but you never know what you will get before you get there.
I have to admit that the story felt so real. I could see everything I read and I felt the hurt, the danger and the love as if I was a character in the story myself and the funny bits made me laugh out loud sometimes.
The charcaters could have been your neighbours because they were so down to earth and it’s true that you often think that what you don’t have is something you really want. By doing so you don’t see what’s under your nose and you don’t realize that you already have what you are looking for.
At the last page I kept tapping on my Kindle. I hoped that it would make pop up, miraculously, the sequel, because I want more … 5 stars
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture.

My Big Greek Summer – Sue Roberts

A holiday can solve everything… can’t it? A hilarious, hot new summer escape about kissing your past goodbye and learning to love again…

Carefree, thirty-something Mandy thought she’d be married to first-love Danny forever.

So when she discovers her heart-throb husband has had a fling, she realises it’s time to make some BIG changes. But what will Mandy do now she’s single for the first time in her adult life?

Determined to find her spark again, Mandy hops on a plane, ready for adventure and a second chance at happiness. Escaping to a sun-drenched Greek island, the glittering blue seas, golden beaches and delicious cocktails are exactly what she needs.

Over one spontaneous summer, Mandy has the time of her life making new friends in a pretty little Mediterranean village by the sea. And she finds herself unexpectedly falling for a tall, dark, handsome stranger. But Mandy soon realises that even paradise has its problems…

Can a holiday romance really heal her broken heart? Or will someone in Mandy’s old life call her home again?

 

 

My review

Sometimes you read a book and you think ‘What a beautiful story’ and you are aware that it is fiction. But here I felt like I was reading a diary. It seemed like Mandy was real and if I would live in Liverpool I could acutally meet here there.
The descriptions in the book were so realistic that I saw everything in my mind. I was in Liverpool, I was in Greece. It was as if I was an invisible friend going through all the emotions and facts with Mandy.
Sometimes it seems that a good friend is better for your heart than a lover but when friendship turns into something more, it’s wonderful to enjoy it with your best friend.
I loved that everything came together and what a beautiful fairytale ending. I dare to hope for a sequel, because closing this book feels a bit like loosing a friend. I am not ready to say goobye to Mandy. So, pretty please ….?
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read this wonderful story. 5 stars.

Summer at the Art Cafe – Sue McDonagh

From watercolours and cupcakes to leather jackets and freedom … 
If you won a gorgeous purple motorbike, and your domineering husband said you were too fat for leathers and should sell it, would you do as you were told – or learn to ride it in secret?

Artist and café owner Lucy Daumier intends to do just that – but learning to ride is far from easy, especially under the critical eye of prickly motorcycle instructor, Ash Connor.

But gradually Lucy gets the hang of it, and in the process re-discovers the girl she used to be. So starts an exciting summer of new friendships and fun – as well as a realisation that there is more to Ash than meets the eye when she is introduced to his seven-year-old daughter, Daisy.

But can Lucy’s new-found happiness last when a spiteful family member wants to see her fail?

 

My review

Motorbikes and cakes, two things I like very much as well. So when they were combined in a story, it had to be a good one.
I loved the way Lucy, bit by bit, changed her life and put herself first for a change. She showed, that if you are determined enough, you can reach your goal.
Love seems to be in the picture again as well, but the road is bumpy and it looks like it is taking a wrong turn. Can everything be turned around or …?
A lovely summerread with ups and downs, funny bits and sad ones, love and bitchyness. These are all ingredients that will keep to glued to your seat.
Thank you, Choc Lit.

 

The truth lies buried – Morton S. Gray

Two children in a police waiting room, two distressed mothers, a memory only half remembered …

When Jenny Simpson returns to the seaside town of Borteen, her childhood home, it’s for a less than happy reason. But it’s also a chance for her to start again.

A new job leads to her working for Carver Rodgers, a man who lives alone in a house that looks like it comes from the pages of a fairy tale – until you see the disaster zone inside …
As Jenny gets to know Carver she begins to unravel the sadness that has led to his chaotic existence. Gradually they realise they have something in common that is impossible to ignore – and it all links back to a meeting at a police station many years before.
Could the truth lie just beneath their feet?

 

 

My review

I have read the first part of this series as well. So I was very curieus to read the next one. I was very pleasantly surprised. I liked this book even better than the first one. Although there was a lot of romance, there was also a lot of sadness, but always with a hint of suspense in the background. I adore this combination. It kept me wanting to read on and on and on until the end. It was very hard to put it away. I simply loved it and I am already looking forward to the next part. Bring it on! 🙂
Thank you, Choc Lit

The purrfect pet sitter – Carol Thomas

Introducing Lisa Blake, the purrfect pet sitter! 
When Lisa Blake’s life in London falls apart, she returns to her hometown rebranding herself as ‘the purrfect pet sitter’ – which may or may not be false advertising as she has a rather unfortunate habit of (temporarily) losing dogs!

But being back where she grew up, Lisa can’t escape her past. There’s her estranged best friend Flick who she bumps into in an embarrassing encounter in a local supermarket. And her first love, Nathan Baker, who, considering their history, is sure to be even more surprised by her drunken Facebook friend request than Lisa is.

As she becomes involved in the lives of her old friends Lisa must confront the hurt she has caused, discover the truth about her mysterious leather-clad admirer, and learn how to move forward when the things she wants most are affected by the decisions of her past.

 

 

My review

I thought it would be about the funny tales of a pet sitter, but I was wrong. Although we follow Lisa when she is doing her job, the story is about so much more. It’s about friends, love and family lost and found, about a secret that seems to threaten but are lovely when revealed, about changes in life. There are fun parts but also moments filled with a lot of tears. Some are happy ones, some are sad ones. But in the end, everything comes together and only happy tears remain.

The book is fluently written and it took me by the hand and would not let go until the last full stop. Loved it!
Thank you, Choc Lit

Watch for me by candlelight – Kirsty Ferry

“The stars are aligning and it’s time again …”
Working at the Folk Museum in Hartsford village means that Kate Howard is surrounded by all sorts of unusual vintage items. Of course she has her favourites; particularly the Victorian ice skates with a name – ‘CAT’ – mysteriously painted on the sides.
But what Kate doesn’t realise is how much she has in common with Catriona Aphrodite Tredegar, the original owner of the skates, or how their lives will become strangely entwined. All Kate knows is that as soon as she bumps into farrier Theo Kent, things start getting weird: there’s the vivid, disconcerting visions and then of course the overwhelming sense that she’s met Theo before …

 

 

My review

I have read part one of the series and I really liked it. So, when I was asked if I wanted to read the next book, I did not hesitate for one second. I honestly thought it would have been difficult to top it, but I have to admit I was wrong. This part I even liked more. Normally I am not a big fan of time travel, but the author has made me change my mind. The way she writes, adds emotions and drags you in to the story is high class.

It’s also nice to see that one of the characters ends up, even only for a while, in your home country. It even connects you more to the story.
If you have missed part one, hurry and buy it and oh, don’t forget to add this one to your basket as well. I know you will enjoy it as much as i did. 5 stars.
Thank you, Choc Lit.