Review of ‘Two To Tangle’ by Melissa Brayden

‘Two To Tangle’ is the second in the Tangle Valley Romance series by Melissa Brayden. I loved being back in Tangle Valley, with a wonderful group of friends, and a new romance to wallow in. This time, chef Gabriella Russo is the focus of our attention. As she works towards opening a new restaurant in the vineyard, her life becomes complicated with the arrival of gorgeous contractor Ryan Jacks. Gabriella has decided that romance can go on the back burner, as she concentrates on her career. But however much she tries, and despite locking horns with Ryan on numerous occasions, she finds it increasingly difficult to resist her.

I adored Gabriella. She was beautiful, insanely talented and had a mind of her own. This was one woman who would not put up with any BS. And Ryan would realise her mistake is she didn’t put Gabriella first and take her seriously. I loved Ryan too. She might have come across as a player at the start, but her vulnerability was endearing. As they get to know each other, sparks fly. The love scenes were romantic, intense and hot. I wanted this couple to work and I warmed to their relationship more and more as the story progressed. It had a wee bit more angst than I was expecting, but ultimately had me swooning. Melissa Brayden has a winner with the Tangle Valley series. I can’t wait for the next one.

I was given this ARC to review.

Kitty’s Top Ten Books of 2020

We’ve all relied on distractions this year. I know I have. Books have been a lifeline and have taken us to other places, far away from the world we’ve had to live in.

I have read so many wonderful books over the past twelve months, so choosing a Top Ten has been extremely difficult. Only three have been pure romance and each of the three were exceptional. Two were mystery and crime stories and among the best I’ve ever read in that genre. The remaining books on my list veered into other genres – science fiction, fantasy and the supernatural. I needed some escapism it seems. 

I recommend each and every one and hope that you will have a look at my reviews and maybe try them for yourselves. Here are my Top Ten, in alphabetical order

Finding Jessica Lambert by Clare Ashton

The Lost Temple of Psiere by K Aten

The Thing About Tilly by G Benson

Never Too Late for Heroes by A.L. Brooks

Spirited by Julie Cohen

Alsea Rising: The Seventh Star by Fletcher Delancey

Without A Trace by Mari Hannah 

Christmas in Mistletoe by Clare Lydon

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Whispering Wildwood by Emma Sterner-Radley

 

Review of ‘The Thing About Tilly’ by G Benson

Do you know how difficult it is to write a review with happy tears streaming down your face? Well, I found out today. ‘The Thing About Tilly’ by G Benson is hands-down my favourite book of the year. Tilly runs away – a lot. Throughout their friendship, Ellie has had to accept that she would. But she’s never known why. Finding herself unexpectedly pregnant, Ellie needs to be able to rely on her friends. She can rely on the third member of the triumvirate, Sean, but Tilly’s another matter. There are so many secrets between them, secrets that stop them living their lives to the full. Will they find a way to be honest, to say what needs to be said? 

I loved the relationship dynamics, the longing and the angst. There were so many layers and stories to be told and I couldn’t put it down. It was wonderful. G Benson certainly knows how to make her readers feel. It was heartbreaking at times, and joyful at others.  And being a G Benson novel, it was also very funny. The intensity of the emotions was breathtaking and so beautifully written. I adored ever last word. 

I was given this ARC for review.

Review of ‘The Real World’ by Kathleen Jowitt

‘The Real World’ is the second book in Kathleen Jowitt’s Stancester series and was a joy to read. I purposely made myself slow down when reading it as I wanted to stay part of this world, of Stancester, for a while longer. There was something familiar and soothing about being with Colette and Lydia. I loved finding out more about their lives and the decisions they were having to make. This is a book about people, about communities, and just happens to involve those of various religious persuasions.

Lydia wants to become an ordained minister, but that is problematic as the Church of England will not allow gay clergy to marry. How will Lydia and Colette navigate that particular issue? Colette is part way through her PhD, and dealing with that is about as much as she can handle. How will she deal with being the partner of a vicar, if that were ever to happen? This is a book about realisation, about finding answers to the questions we all have. Sometimes it takes time to know exactly what we really want. It’s a book to savour. The writing is exquisite, and the characters have depth and realism. I loved it and hope this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Lydia, Colette and their friends. 

I was given this ARC to review.

Review of ‘Entangled’ by Melissa Brayden

Who doesn’t jump for joy at the prospect of a new Melissa Brayden series? I was delighted to find out I could wallow in some new stories and new characters from one of my favourite romance writers. ‘Entangled’ is the first in the Tangle Valley Romance Series and is set amongst the vineyards run and owned by Joey Wilder. She knows where she wants to go with her business and it doesn’t involve intrusion by corporate America, in the form of the new Jade hotel. She likes the local town, Whisper Wall, just the way it is. And she’s determined not to cave to the charms of the gorgeous hotel manager, Becca Crawford. But the best laid plans……

This novel has a group of friends, women and men, who are going to become part of my reading life for the next few years. I can see wonderful things coming. The setting is cosy and friendly and makes me wish I could visit. In this story we meet Joey, who has had a difficult time and is not open to relationships. But when you meet someone who takes your breath away, it’s not easy to resist. Becca was ambitious and smart, but it was her kindness and caring nature that appealed to me most about her. They were meant to be together. I loved seeing their feelings for each other grow. The people around them were instrumental in helping it happen. It was a feel-good story, with the perfect setting, adorable characters and Ms Brayden’s beautiful writing. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

I was given this ARC for review.

Review of ‘One Golden Summer’ by Clare Lydon and T.B. Markinson

‘One Golden Summer’ is a sweet romance with an idyllic English seaside setting. Kirsty McBride is almost fifty, single and owns her own wine shop. She insists she’s happy being on her own, but as the big 5-0 approaches those around her insist she would be so much happier attached. Her resistance is sorely tested when famous lesbian film star, Saffron Oliver arrives in town for the summer, in a bid to get away from the Hollywood lifestyle. Saffron has been a star for half of her life and can’t go anywhere without being noticed. She would love to blend in as a local – and maybe Sandy Cove is the place for that to happen. If she can just stop her overbearing agent exposing her whereabouts.

I loved the easy attraction between Saffron and Kirsty. They seemed to find something in each other that had eluded them with other partners. Saffron was forever on the defensive, thinking that everyone wanted something from her. But with Kirsty it was different. Or so she hoped. I liked Saffron. She might have been a big star, but she was human, just like the rest of us. She wanted to be loved for herself. And she wanted more from life than the superficiality of Hollywood. Kirsty was a woman happy in her own skin. After a painful divorce in her forties, she knew what she wanted and what made her happy. Meeting Saffron was the icing on the cake. She made her feel complete. But there was always that niggle in the back of her mind – what would a famous film star see in her?

I adored the vibe of the seaside town of Sandy Cove. It was relaxed, friendly and the perfect place for Saffron. Kirsty fitted right in. ‘One Golden Summer’ is the perfect book to put sunshine and joy in your life. Settle down in the garden, with a long cool drink and wallow in this romantic and happy story.

 I was given this ARC for review.

Review of ‘Sliding Doors’ by Karen Klyne

‘Sliding Doors’ by Karen Klyne is one of those surprising books that makes the reader ask “What if?”. 

Gemma Tennant is so unhappy. She hates her life and feels worthless with no way out. When she’s offered the chance to change all that, through a sliding door to a parallel existence – will she take it? This intriguing start really piqued my interest . I wanted to see where the author was going with it. The unfortunate woman who ends up swapping lives with Gemma, Alex Gambol,  doesn’t have a clue that it’s going to happen. Let’s just say she’s none too happy. Her own life had been pretty mundane and if she thought about it, she was just going through the motions. Nevertheless, swapping lives with someone against your will is going to cause some problems and a certain amount of resentment.

I must admit I did not like Alex at all at first, but by the end she was my favourite character in the book. Ms Klyne’s skilful storytelling took me on a journey where my preconceptions were turned on their head. I really liked Reece too. She was sweet and understanding and her kindness really shone through. I really enjoyed seeing how each of them adjusted to their new lives. And changed for the better. It’s a fantastic story that had me on the edge of my seat at some points. It’s about second chances, being true to yourself and finding a way to live that feels right. It was a wonderful story, full of magic and wonder and mystery. It was also, ultimately, beautifully romantic and I defy anyone not to have a wee tear in their eye. I absolutely loved it. 

I was given this ARC for review.

Sliding Doors is out on June 15th.

Review of ‘Love On The Night Shift’ by Radclyffe.

Do you ever read a love story and feel immediately that it’s meant to be? Well that’s exactly what happened when I read ‘Love On The Night Shift’. I love the Rivers series with a passion. Every single time, I’m convinced the one I’m currently reading is my all-time favourite and can’t be topped. But they get better and better as the series progresses. Blaise and Grady’s story pulled at my heartstrings again and again, and by the end I was on an emotional high.

Charge Nurse Blaise Richelieu has spent seventeen years raising her daughter alone, keeping all admirers at a safe distance. When hot new attending Grady McClure starts to show an interest, she goes into shields-up mode as usual. But there’s something endearing about Grady and maybe this time it won’t be so easy to resist. She has her reasons to be wary of attachments, but Grady’s charm might be beginning to wear her down. 

Blaise was strong, intelligent and brilliant at her job. Caring for her daughter has been her top priority. Maybe she has forgotten that she’s a woman with needs and deserves find that special someone. I could see exactly where she was coming from, but Grady was an irresistible force. Who could resist? I loved seeing them begin to get to know one another. Their gently flirting was beautifully done. The attraction was intense and hot and so was the sex.  Interweaving the stories of the Rivers clan, their kids and the townsfolk pushed this novel up even further in my estimation. I want to know what is happening to them and the impact their stories have on each other. 

When I finished this book I had all the feels. It was emotional and important. Their story was important. And not just for them as a couple. It was romantic and sexy but above all it felt right. They were meant to be together . I adored it. Highly recommended.

I was given this ARC for review.

Review of ‘Cake’ by Jove Belle

‘Cake’ by Jove Belle is a really enjoyable story partly set in Bitterroot. It’s the story of what happens when you meet the first women to turn your head in a long time – but there are so many complications. Kelly Miller makes wedding cakes and when he brother asks her to make one for his unexpected wedding to a woman she’s never met, things start to get interesting. Elena Verdad is a psychologist with some emotional problems of her own. When she meets the sister of the groom sparks fly. They really shouldn’t go there, but something is pulling them together and neither feel able to resist. 

It’s a lovely story of a connection that should never work. Even Kelly and Elena can see that. But sometimes the person you need is the one you least expect. The emotional element between them was powerful and the sex was scorchingly hot. Off the scale. A really enjoyable novella. 

I was given this ARC for review.

Review of ‘Two Hearts Alone’ by Harper Bliss

Two Hearts Alone’ by Harper Bliss is the first novella in a trilogy, told from the point of view of Anna and Zoe in alternating chapters. Set in the charming small town of Donovan Grove, upstate New York, we get to know the inhabitants and their relationships through the eyes of the two main characters. I liked the alternating POV as we were able to get inside their heads as they go about their lives .

Anna needs her life to be organised and predictable and likes things to be done a certain way. Her particular way of thinking and behaving points a certain way and  is interesting and authentic and will resonate with many readers . The fact that her experience feels real works because you never once feel it is written by someone who doesn’t know what it means . The writing feels very intimate, very true. It’s about raw feelings and thoughts. I really got the pain that’s involved in dealing with life, with everyday ‘normal’ interactions when you are different. Zoe is the complete opposite to Anna – but sometimes that’s exactly what we need. She is kind and funny and perceptive. I liked her. 

I really enjoyed the story. As the first part of a larger story it worked for me.  I want to know what happens next 

Don’t expect it to be chock full of sex scenes just because it’s a Harper Bliss book, though. It needed to be told this way. 

I was given this ARC for review.