BOOKSIMO

  Description The wise and gloriously big-hearted debut novel from the much-loved broadcaster, Sara Cox Becky:  a single mum who prides herself on her independence. She knows from painful experience that men are trouble. Louise:  a loving husband, gorgeous kids. She ought to feel more grateful. Jameela:  all she's ever done is work hard, and try her best. Why won't life give her the one thing she really wants? Sheila:  the nest is empty, she dreams of escaping to the sun, but her husband seems so distracted. The inhabitants of the Inventor's Housing Estate keep themselves to themselves. There are the friendly 'Hellos' when commutes coincide and the odd cheeky eye roll when the wine bottles clank in number 7's wheelie bin, but it's not exactly Ramsay Street. The dilapidated community centre is no longer the beating heart of the estate that Becky remembers from her childhood. So the new pottery class she's helped set up feels like a fresh start. And not ju...

  Description Meredith Maggs hasn't left her house in 1,214 days. But she insists she isn't alone. She has her cat, Fred. Her friend Sadie visits when she can. There's her online support group, StrengthInNumbers. She has her jigsaws, favourite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson, the internet, the Tesco delivery man and her treacherous memories for company. But something's about to change. First, new friends Tom and Celeste burst into her life, followed by an estranged sister she hasn't spoken to in years, and suddenly her carefully curated home is no longer a safe place to hide. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door . . . Review Absolutely loved this book. Meredith hasn't left her home in 1,214 days. You might think this won't be much of a story as she only has her four walls and a cat for company. But you would be wrong - I was hooked from the beginning into this wonderful and realistic tale. I just loved the character of Mered...

  Description Lucinda Green knows something is missing from her life. But what? Her catering business is enjoying modest success and she loves her cosy house, even if she does have to share it with her irritating ex-fiancé.    Whatever’s making her unsettled and edgy, Lucinda’s certain that a lack of romance isn’t the problem. How could it be when she doesn’t believe in true love?   But Lucinda’s beliefs are shaken by a series of electric encounters with Alex Fraser, a newly notorious actor who gradually proves himself to be infuriatingly funny and smart, as well as handsome.    Not that any of that matters. Because Lucinda doesn’t believe in all that ‘The One’ nonsense. That’s the rule.   But doesn’t every rule have an exception?   This uplifting grumpy-meets-sunshine romance is perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley, Katie Fforde and Trisha Ashley. Review This is the 3rd book by Claire that I have read and enjoyed. It shares locations and a ch...

  I'm so pleased to be on the blog tour for this book today. Description The Secret Lives of Church Ladies  explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires, and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. There is fourteen-year-old Jael, who nurses a crush on the preacher's wife; the mother who bakes a sublime peach cobbler every Monday for her date with the married Pastor; and Eula and Caroletta, single childhood friends who seek solace in each other's arms every New Year's Eve. With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be – and as free as they deserve to be. Review A collection of short stories that are sure to stay with you for many years to come. Each of these stories is a jewel with many facets. I am amazed at how one author can write such varied and unique voices, an...

  Description From the Sunday Times bestselling author of QUEENIE comes a propulsive story of heart, humour, homecoming. People Person  is a triumph.  Caleb Azumah Nelson Wonderful.  Marian Keyes I loved it.  Sara Collins It's as warm and infectious, as familiar and true as Queenie.  Diana Evans IF YOU COULD CHOOSE YOUR FAMILY... YOU WOULDN'T CHOOSE THE PENNINGTONS. Dimple Pennington knew  of  her half siblings, but she didn't really  know  them. Five people who don't have anything in common except for faint memories of being driven through Brixton in their dad's gold jeep, and some pretty complex abandonment issues. Dimple has bigger things to think about. She's thirty, and her life isn't really going anywhere. An aspiring lifestyle influencer with a terrible and wayward boyfriend, Dimple's life has shrunk to the size of a phone screen. And despite a small but loyal following, she's never felt more alone. That is, until a catastrophic e...

  Description Escape to the cosiest little lodge in Iceland for love, log fires and the Northern Lights… With a shattered heart and her career completely in tatters, Lucy needs to get away from her life in the UK. But, when she takes a job as hotel manager of the Northern Lights Lodge, she doesn’t quite expect to find herself in a land of bubbling hot springs and snowflake-dusted glaciers – and in the company of gorgeous Scottish barman, Alex. Determined to turn her life around, Lucy sets about making the lodge the number one romantic destination in Iceland – even though romance is the last thing she wants. However, as Alex and Lucy grow closer under the dancing lights of the aurora, Lucy might just learn how to fall in love again… Review A lovely gentle read. I've read all the Julie Caplin novels in this series apart from this one, which I came across in a charity shop the other week. Despite having many other books to read and review I couldn't resist starting this one and I ...

  Description Two strangers. One big coincidence. Driving each other crazy is just the beginning… Harriet Hatley is running away from everything. Getting married. Her boyfriend’s family. Her past. A dream house-share seems like the perfect place to hide, but her unlikely housemate Cal is no stranger to running away himself. And he's also hiding secrets of his own . . . Can these two take a crazy risk, face the past and finally find a reason to stay? Review Mhairi's writing continues to go from strength to strength. Mhairi's books have never been your average chick lit, but in this and the last book she's begun to tackle deeper subjects. It's a little heads up for those that would like a cosy chick lit, as this book deals with coercive relationships in a very down to earth way. Unsettling but entirely readable. I really liked Harriet and her friends. The writing was realistic and didn't pull any punches, especially when the actions of one of the friends really ha...