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Jun 29

He Is Not Worthy By Lis McDermott

He Is Not Worthy‘He Is Not Worthy’ is the latest book by Lis McDermott.

Rhi Dobbs is head of the art department in a secondary school in Whittingbury, a small town on the south west coast of England. She has her dream job and lives in her own idyllic cottage by the sea with her cat Tibbs. Her life is more than she could ever hope for. Ben Brooks is a loner who cares for his mum, who always makes him feel worthless. He is obsessed with a red-headed girl who he met several years ago, just once, on what was the worst day of his life. He lives his life vicariously through hers, until she does the unspeakable. Tragic events and an inappropriate love affair mean that both of their lives will be changed forever.

This book was a relatively short and easy story that was easy to consume in one sitting.

Rhi is a teacher who develops feeling for her student and when Josh reciprocated those feelings, she finds herself in dangerous territory and out of a job. But unknown to Rhi, she made a difference to someone’s lives many years ago and they never got over. Reclusive Ben lives with his mother and dotes on Rhi from afar, but she’s unaware of him.

The story is seen from the perspective of Rhi and Ben and it makes for interesting reading as Rhi struggles with her feelings for Josh and the consequences of following her feelings. I had conflicted feelings towards Ben, on one hand I felt a sympathy towards him for the sheltered life that he led but I also found him extremely creepy and unsettling.

A thrilling story about forbidden love, lust and obsession, ‘He’s Not Worthy’ is a well crafted plot that made for engaging reading.

You can buy ‘He Is Not Worthy’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jun 28

The Emma Project By Dev Sonali

The Emma Project‘The Emma Project’ is the fourth book in the Rajes series by Dev Sonali.

No one can call Vansh Raje’s life anything but charmed. Handsome—Vogue has declared him California’s hottest single—and rich enough to spend all his time on missions to make the world a better place. Add to that a doting family and a contagiously sunny disposition and Vansh has made it halfway through his twenties without ever facing anything to throw him off his admittedly spectacular game. A couple years from turning forty, Knightlina (Naina) Kohli has just gotten out of a ten-year-long fake relationship with Vansh’s brother and wants only one thing from her life…fine, two things. One, to have nothing to do with the unfairly blessed Raje family ever again. Two, to bring economic independence to millions of women in South Asia through her microfinance foundation and prove her father wrong about, well, everything. Just when Naina’s dream is about to come to fruition, Vansh Raje shows up with his misguided Emma Project… And suddenly she’s fighting him for funding and wondering if a friends-with-benefits arrangement that’s as toe-curlingly hot as it is fun is worth risking her life’s work for.

You can buy ‘The Emma Project’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jun 27

Love And Missed By Susie Boyt

Love And Missed‘Love And Missed’ is the latest book by Susie Boyt.

When Ruth’s beloved, reckless daughter is too caught up in drugs to look after her baby, Ruth decides to make off with the child. This time she’ll get the love right.

If you like stories that are deep exploration into fragile female relationships, then ‘Love And Missed’ is the book for you.

The story is primarily seen through the narrative of Ruth, mother to Eleanor. Eleanor has addictions and disorders and is rarely around. She promises to spend more time with Ruth but is always letting her down and Ruth being the committed mother that she is, sees the best in her only daughter. And when Eleanor gives birth to a little girl, Ruth takes it upon herself to bring Lily up and to have a second chance at being a mother.

This story is turbulent one, that I occasionally got lost in as I unsure who’s narrative I was reading, but having said I did find myself embroiled in this story.

Ruth is dedicated mother, she’s committed and is determined to be the best mother that she can be, with Lily’s mother absent. Ruth is a bit naive and always sees the best in people and this can make for sad reading, particularly when she’s making excuses for Eleanor’s behaviour.

Her relationship with Lily is a tender one and it’s heartwarming to read their time together as she does her best to provide Lily with love and protect her from Eleanor.

A beautifully written story about the hardship of unrequited maternal love, ‘Love And Missed’ is a keen observation in the troubled relationship between mother and daughter that is emotional, all consuming with the determination of never giving up.

You can buy ‘Love And Missed’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jun 27

The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday By Cressida McLaughlin

The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday‘The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday’ is the latest book by Cressida McLaughlin in the ‘Cornish Cream Tea’ series.

Thea Rushwood was looking forward to exploring the beautiful Cornish tourist spot of Port Karadow, but when her friend drops out at the last minute, she is forced to go solo. Arriving at her cosy holiday cottage to discover a building site next door, Thea and the annoyingly attractive, but grumpy builder, Ben, don’t get off to the best start. Thea starts to wonder if her perfect escape wasn’t meant to be. That’s before she realizes there is more to Ben – and to the community – than she first thought. As a magical Cornish summer stretches out in front of her, Thea discovers this is one holiday that she never wants to end.

Cressida is back with another lovely story set amongst the Cornish community with a welcome return to some of her lovely characters as well as an introduction to Thea, an aspiring bookshop owner.

Thea was meant to be having the holiday of a lifetime with her best friend, Esme. Three weeks in a Cornish cottage with a bucket list of fun things to do. Unfortunately, work prevents Esme from coming along but Thea decides to still go along and enjoy the scenery as well as research a childhood dream of opening her own bookshop. But when she meets Ben, who’s initially a grumpy man, he ends up being her tour guide and with a combination of an adorable dog called Scooter, his exquisite culinary skills and his own charm Thea finds herself falling for him and finding another reason to the move to the coastal town.

This is another delightful story from the Cornish author, set amongst the stunning scenery of Cornwall, packed with heartwarming characters and a lovely plot that flows like a Cornish beach.

I loved Thea, she’s kind with a heart of gold and a massive book lover like myself. She’s brave and determined and even when her dreams are belittled, it gives her more of a drive to continue. The story has some lovely characters, like Sylvia, the eccentric old lady that shouts down from her tower at passerbys, she’s sharp and witty and scenes with make for entertaining reading and occasionally tender as she shows a vulnerable side. It’s warming to see Thea fit into her new life and settle in with the community whilst making friends and her budding relationship with Ben is really lovely reading, as they get to know each other bring out the fun side in each other.

Heartwarming, charming and packed with fun and aspiration, ‘The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday’ a journey of self-discovery and following your dreams which was the perfect seaside book to curl up with.

You can buy ‘The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jun 23

The Summer Trip By Isabelle Broom

‘The Summer Trip‘The Summer Trip’ is the latest book by Isabelle Broom.

It’s been 18 years since Ava spent the summer on the Greek island of Corfu, but she has never forgotten what happened during those months – or who she left behind. Now single, estranged from her family, and preparing to wave her daughter off to university, Ava’s life seems a million miles away from the one she dreamed about as a teenager – a life now being lived by her sister instead. When Ava decides to return to Corfu for the summer, she knows she must finally face the place and the people that broke her heart. But with old resentments festering, long-buried secrets lurking, and familiar feelings resurfacing, it looks set to be a holiday that will change all their lives forever.

The latest offering by Isabelle is a glorious escape to the sun kissed shores of Corfu. Say goodbye to clammy weather, interest rates and drama and hello to an exquisite escape, packed with delicious Greek food, Greek gods and a nostalgic journey into what could have been.

The story is seen through the narrative of Ava who’s never quite gotten over her first love. 18 years after leaving Corfu, she returns with her 17 year old daughter to catch up with her younger sisters as well as the man who first stole her heart.

I love Isabelle’s books, they’re vibrant, romantic and are the perfect distraction from the mundane life.

Ava is an interesting character, she’s fun and protective of daughter and when she meets Niko, the boy she fell in love with, it makes for tender reading as they both have to face up to the past and what could have been. Her relationship with her sisters is strained so it’s interesting to see the different personalities come together and reflect on old times. Niko is also a lovely character with his charming and spirited attitude.

Like Isabelle’s, previous books, this story is vividly written packed with wonderful descriptions of the island, the delicious cuisine and the culture. So if you were thinking of a Greek adventure, ‘The Summer Trip’ is the perfect guide book with the added bonus of some romance.

The story is written in the past and present when Niko and Ava first met as teenagers and it’s so lovely to join as their young love flourishes and this really made for tender and sweet reading.

Beautifully written and wonderfully captivating, ‘The Summer Trip’ is a gentle, heartwarming and witty story about self-discovery and forgiveness that made for poignant and fun reading.

You can pre-order ‘The Summer Trip’ from Amazon and will be available to buy from good bookshops from 23rd June 2022.

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