Tag: Rom Com

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Christmas on the Riviera: Escape to the French Riviera for a delightfully festive read from Jennifer Bohnet 

212 pages Boldwood Books August 31, 2022 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

As a toddler Elodie Jacques was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her French grandmother, Gabriella in Dartmouth, Devon.

Now 24 years old, Elodie struggles to reconcile the deep anger for the mother she has never since seen.

When Gabriella unexpectedly announces she wants the two of them to spend Christmas and her 70th birthday in her home town of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France Elodie is thrilled.

Gabriella meanwhile has her own ulterior motives for wanting to return after 40 years, a daunting homecoming potentially filled with memories, secrets and recriminations.

With Juan-les-Pins pulsing with lights, decorations and the festive spirit, Christmas promises to be filled with fun. But when Elodie learns there is the possibility that her long absent mother may join them she hides her feelings behind a show of indifference and animosity.

Will there be the reconciliation that Gabriella longs for – or will the spirit of Christmas fail to work its wonder?

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed the idyllic setting of Juan-les-Pins in the South of France. It sounded very charming and like an enjoyable vacation spot.
When Elodie Jacques is three years old she is abandoned by her mother when she gets a new man, and he doesn’t want a child from the mother’s previous relationship around.


Having been raised by her grandmother ever since she’s been happy.
Grandmother announces she wants to spend New Years and her 79th birthday in her hometown of Juan-les-Pins. Unknown to Elodie grandmother has some secrets she has been keeping from her and she needs to travel to France to take care of somethings and come to grip with her feelings.

The book has a mention of Christmas here and there, but you don’t get a Christmassy feel to it.
While there are some heartwarming moments and a sweet new romance there were some things I didn’t agree with in the book that brought the stars level down for me. Quick easy read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Bohnet is the international bestselling author of twenty-one novels, including ‘A French Adventure’, ‘Summer at the Château’, ‘High Tides and Summer Skies’, ‘Villa of Sun and Secrets’ and ‘A Riviera Retreat’. Jennifer’s stories usually span the generations with characters ranging in age and having to cope with unexpected problems in their lives – but there is always a hopeful ending, even if there are tears before. Living in France for twenty-five years she has happily adapted to the French lifestyle including the long lunches with friends and the wine.

Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog Tour for Second Chances at The Board Game Cafe by Jennifer Page

ABOUT THE BOOK

Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe

The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Cafe series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.

At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry’s confidence issues and Taylor’s concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.

Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely loved revisiting the Little Board Game Cafe and the community. Revisiting the characters from past books and meeting new characters was like visiting old friends and meeting new. I still love the concept of a board game cafe where all ages can play board games and have coffee while having friendly chats and a little fun competition. Would be so much fun to have one around here.


I’ve found a new favorite series. The series is fun, light and just what I need. I’d recommend it to everyone.


The Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick is single Mom to Max’s home. She’s dreamed of being a fashion designer for as long as she can remember but without encouragement at home it didn’t come about. She’s a seamstress now fixing buttons, seams, alterations at times and the occasional more complicated job.


She wants the best for her son Max, but he’s not popular at school and seems to be the odd duck out. Poor kid. While talks with the headmistress seem to do nothing, she isn’t sure what to do beyond being very frustrated.


Moving house seems like a fabulous idea, she has more room to work with and can set up her sewing in a way to start bringing in a bit more money.
Some funny mishaps had me laughing out loud.
When I saw the trouble, the landlord was giving her and not wanting to do repairs it made me mad, because this is how many landlords are.


A mistaken measurement leads to just what Taylor needs, a friendship with a shy and caring man, Harry. Harry is a railway enthusiast just like Taylor’s son is. I love the idea of upcycling clothing; it sounds like so much fun.


Can a possible friendship become more with the busy mom and the man dreaming of fatherhood? I really enjoyed Max’s character and am rooting for him and his happiness all the way. I hope to see him in a future book. It would be so neat to see him as a grownup in a future book with his own relationship going and see how far he’s come.

Fully recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/gyPqfRG

Author Bio – Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

Social Media Links –

Home

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferPagewrites/

https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpagewrites/

Thank you for stopping in. I hope your day brings you a smile.

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Blog Blitz:The Sunshine Sisters: Skye (Little Duck Pond Café) by Rosie Green

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Sunshine Sisters: Skye (Little Duck Pond Café)

The Sunshine Sisters: Skye. This is BOOK TWO of a TRILOGY in the popular Little Duck Pond Café series:
Skye Sunshine has a theory that workmen, when in your house, should be seen and not heard. But Saul, the annoyingly sexy handyman clearly hasn’t received the memo! He’s far too cheeky and irritating for her liking.
But when Skye’s peace of mind and reputation as an actress is threatened by hacks desperate for a story, can she really afford to turn down Saul’s offer – to whisk her away from the limelight to the privacy of his rustic cabin in the woods?

MY THOUGHTS

I have been reading the Little Duck Pond Cafe series for quite a while. I always look forward to a new novella length book coming out. This is one thing that I love about the series too, that each book is novella length so I can read it in an afternoon and not feel bogged down by not having time to read it. Each book has a full story.

The characters, I love them. Each one of them feels like friends and we still have some from the older books but meet new friends in each book too. This trio of books is the Sunshine sisters, and this is Skye’s story.

Skye Sunshine shows her vulnerable side when she must go into hiding because she is being threatened with blackmail for past secrets that are being threatened to be spilled. There are some serios subjects touched on in the book and the author does it in an understanding way.

The characters are relatable and fun and I’m enjoying meeting them all. Family relationships, drama, misunderstandings and secrets are explored. I did enjoy seeing how the sisters are all there for each other and look forward to reading the last sister’s story, Blossom.

Purchase Links

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosie’s series of Little Duck Pond Café novellas is centered around life in a country village cafe. Skye’s story is the second in a trilogy called THE SUNSHINE SISTERS. Watch out for Blossom’s dramatic and emotional story, which completes the trilogy and is out in early June 2024!

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

Thank you for stopping in and have a lovely day.

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Blog tour for A Wonderland Wish On Ever After Street 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street

A brand new and utterly enchanting series by bestselling author Jaimie Admans.

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street…

There’s always time for tea… unless you’ve lost your teapot…

Cleo Jordan has only ever wished for one thing – to open her own teashop in memory of her lovely gran. So when she accidentally fools the interview board into thinking she’s a brilliant baker and is offered a prime spot on Ever After Street, she knows her dream is about to come true!

Stepping into The Wonderland Teapot is like falling down the rabbit hole – magical! But there’s a catch: Cleo has completely lost her love of baking! With her little white lie ticking in her ear, it seems her dream is over before it’s begun.

Until she meets her very own Mad Hatter. Loved by everyone on Ever After Street, magician Bram brings an energy to the teashop that lifts everyone, and slowly, with his encouragement, Cleo is getting back to doing what she loves best.

But with Bram hiding secrets of his own, Cleo isn’t sure she can put all her faith in him. And when things start going wrong at the teashop, Cleo wonders if the culprit sabotaging her dream is someone closer than she thinks?

If Cleo wants her wish to work, she has to learn to trust again before she loses her head and heart completely…although it might already be far too late for that…

Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Kat French and Caroline Roberts!

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/EverAfterStreetsocial

MY THOUGHTS

A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street is the third book in the Ever After Street series and my first read in this series but not my first read by the author. This is the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a long time. The book is Alice in Wonderland Themed, now I’ve never actually read Alice in Wonderland completely through but after reading this I’ll need to make that a priority.


Cleo Jordan’s gran had a tea shop serving the most delightful baked goods, the customers loved it and gran. After her death Cleo wants to honor her memory and open her own teashop. Now there’s just a few things standing in her way, Ever After Street is a very highly sought after street and open shop rentals are very hard to find, Cleo counts her lucky stars when she’s offered an interview for an open store front. Running late to the interview she grabs store bought cupcakes to represent her own baking, no one will ever know, right? Problem number two she’s lost her love of baking and doesn’t seem to have any luck in rejuvenating it. The stars align and she’s able to call the shop hers.


The shop is a Alice in Wonderland themed teashop. I loved the descriptions of the shop decorations and Bram who is the Mad Hatter and who has the part down pat from his costume to magical tricks to the voice the customers and children alike love him.
The shop is so whimsical I just loved it, can I visit this tea shop now, please?


Cleo and Bram start to form a friendship and start baking things for the shop together as her love of baking returns. All isn’t well as some of the baked goods get sabotaged that are being served to the customers, nothing poisonous but some are too salty or spicy.


With Bram hiding a few secrets of his own could Cleo’s fairy tale dreams be going up in smoke just as she’s starting to learn to trust again?
Fun, whimsical and magical this is a heartwarming tale we all need on our reading list.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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AUTHOR BIO

Author Bio –

Jaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.

She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimieadmansbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/be_the_spark

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimieadmans1/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaimieAdmansNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jaimie-admans

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Happy Publication Day and blog tour for Coming Home to The Sunflower Cliffs by Georgina Troy 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Coming Home to the Sunflower Cliffs

Gabriel has returned to the island of Jersey after ten years abroad to help his aging showbiz parents revive their failing Art Deco hotel, The Encore. This proves to be something of a challenge, especially as his singer father and actress mother are more concerned with staying in the limelight than keeping track of the cash-flow. It looks like Gabriel isn’t going anywhere fast. Meanwhile, he’s stunned to find that the hotel’s new receptionist is Daisy, the girl he fell in love with years earlier in Vietnam, and falling in love with someone who is tied to Jersey is the last thing she wants.

Previously published as A Jersey Bombshell

MY THOUGHTS

I read a lot of books that have tough subjects to get through and sometimes I just need an escapist read. A fabulous book to just read in an afternoon, relax and forget about it all. Georgina Troy has books just like this, the afternoon disappeared as I read while sipping tea.

Yes, the characters have problems, just like we all do, and it seems like they won’t be resolved but by the book’s end they are.

I think one of the things I love about reading rom-coms is a guaranteed happy ending. Life is hard so read books that make you happy. I loved the descriptions of the breathtaking island of Jersey.

Life certainly holds surprises, doesn’t it? Gabriel, a former Jersey island resident feels he needs to come home. His parents are having trouble with their hotel, financially and otherwise. He’ll come home make the hotel have a quick turn around and be on his way.

To his shock Daisy, a woman he met while in Vietnam years ago is now the receptionist at his parents’ hotel. He hadn’t been able to get Daisy off his mind, unfortunately things don’t always work out like we plan them too. Will this be the second chance they need or will the extra baggage they are carrying get in the way of this potential sunny island romance?

A breathtakingly delightful summer romance you won’t easily forget.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/homesunflowersocial

Author Bio –

Georgina Troy writes bestselling uplifting romantic escapes and sets her novels on the island of Jersey, where she was born and has lived for most of her life. She has done a twelve-book deal with Boldwood, including backlist titles, and the first book in her Sunshine Island series was published in May 2022.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georginatroyauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/GeorginaTroyNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.boldwoodbooks.com/contributor/georgina-troy/

Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog Tour for: A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge by Jessica Redland

A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge

Could one chance meeting change your life forever?

Zara is at a crossroads in life. While she adores her job as a producer’s assistant working on hit TV shows, travelling around the country means she doesn’t truly feel that she has a home. With a fractured relationship with her family and unrequited love weighing heavily on her heart, she is torn about what her next step in life should be…

Snowy is hiding from the world. He’s devoted his life to home schooling his young son and caring for sick owls at his home, Owl’s Lodge, deep in the Yorkshire Wolds countryside. While he’s passionate about both, it’s a lonely existence and he’s starting to question his decisions. But how do you step back into a world you’ve pushed away for years…?

When Zara brings an injured owl to Owl’s Lodge, its frosty, reclusive owner is far from welcoming. Despite hostilities, there’s a connection that neither could ever have prepared themselves for. As they discover a shared passion, a new friendship blossoms, but both Zara and Snowy are used to shutting people out.

Can they both find the courage to open up and the strength to move on from their pasts? And what could this mean for their future happiness?

Escape to the world of Bumblebee Barn and Hedgehog Hollow with MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Jessica Redland for this brand new feel-good romance of family, friendship and hope.

MY THOUGHTS

Reading the author’s books is just like being on a special holiday. I always enjoy them and look forward to a new one with anticipation.
This one has the inclusion of some of her Hedgehog Hollow and Bumblebee Barn characters returning so that is exciting right there.
Warm and delightful, I had a hard time putting this one down.
There are some serious subjects discussed but the author does it in a realistic way and I liked this. No one is belittled and the characters rally around to help each other out.


I very much love the inclusion of animals in the author’s books. I am a big animal person and to have the author encourage others with her books about animals is such a positive thing.

One of her series was about a hedgehog rescue and this is about an owl rescue. Owls are so beautiful and majestic, and I thank the wildlife rescues out there for devoting their time and energy to these animals. There were so many informative facts about owls living in the UK in the back of the book so make sure to check this out.

The romance is a slow burn and not rushed which is always nice to see. I found the book to be filled with fun and informative facts about owls and gymnastics. As you read you will be taken on a beautiful and emotional journey which you will want the very best for the characters.

I connected with the characters right away which made for an enjoyable read. Now I just need to catch up on a few more books by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/NewDawnatOwlsLodge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaRedlandAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JessicaRedlandNews Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland

Thank you for stopping in and have a marvelous day.

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Blog tour for Love, Julie: A Poignant and Humorous Romance by Jamie Anderson

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Poignant and Humorous Journey of Self-discovery, Resilience, and Redemption

Once, Julie dreamed of a life filled with love and laughter. Now, in her mid-forties, she faces a starkly different reality. She’s single, lonely, and reeling from breaking her hard-earned sobriety in front of her family and friends.

Opting for self-recovery over romance, Julie dives into planning her best friend Kate’s wedding. However, sharing this task with the irritatingly cheerful best man, single dad Luke, proves to be an unexpected challenge.

As Luke’s persistent kindness chips away at her icy exterior, a friendship forms, stirring a longing she’d sworn to suppress. But with self-forgiveness as her biggest hurdle, and her past ready to sabotage her future, can Julie confront the shame and trauma that have darkened so much of her life and find the courage to love again? Or will her demons shatter both her and Luke’s hearts in the process?

Jamie Anderson, author of the hilarious and heartwarming Someone to Kiss, is back with another witty, acerbic, and relatable story. Love, Julie is a richly emotional tale of recovery, forgiveness, and romance that readers have praised for “nailing the humor and snarky nature of our generation.

MY THOUGHTS

Before I even knew what this book was about, I was drawn to the cover. This is such an eye-catching cover. After focusing on the cover, I’m so glad I decided to explore the book further and read the contents. The book is real, transparent and can be a very relatable subject. Intertwined with humor, jokes and good times is a serious matter, addiction. The addiction focused on here is alcoholism.


Julie is in her mid-forties and still doesn’t have it all together yet. This isn’t at all how she envisioned her life when she was in her twenties. The way the author portrays the stops and starts, fails and wins sounds realistic in Julie’s journey to sobriety. From self-help classes, to winning it and then falling off. The elations and falling low.

My son is a police officer and has told me of some very sad cases where people were not able to get the help they needed with such sad results. Admitting you need the help and taking that first step is so important to your road to recovery. There is no smooth sailing, there will be good days and bad.

I really loved Luke’s character, he and Julie are working on wedding planning her best friend’s wedding together. Luke is Julie’s biggest supporter in her recovery journey, so incredibly supportive. When she doesn’t believe in herself, he’s there to pick her up. She’s not looking for romance her recovery journey is her main focus. Luke has a daughter he’s raising so he has to be completely sure of who he hooks up with and how she will perceive them.

Will his sense of humor, understanding and kindness break down her fences as she continues her healing journey? I loved this impressive and moving story. One to remember.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Links

https://mybook.to/lovejulie

🇺🇸 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D135N3R8
🇬🇧 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D135N3R8
🇨🇦 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D135N3R8
🇦🇺 https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D135N3R8

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jamie Anderson is based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. A proud Canadian and Saskatchewanian, she wanted to set her first two novels in the place she was born and raised.

She’s been writing for as long as she can remember, and has been reading for longer than that. She lives happily with her mountain of books, her TV and her two plants.

You can read Jamie’s first novel Someone to Kiss here: https://mybook.to/someonetokiss

Social Media Links – https://linktr.ee/jamieandersonwrites

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping in today.

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Blog Tour for Silver Wish Farm by K.T. Dady

Welcome to Pepper Bay, where you’ll find love, drama, and a happily ever after.


Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Alison Sherlock, Rachael Lucas, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories, best read in order, that intertwine with recurring characters.

Silver Wish Farm: After Rhett left Heath on their wedding day, things were never the same for them, but because they have a daughter, they’ve always tried their best to keep the peace. But then life changes for Heath, and he suddenly wants answers about their past and the future he believes he should have had, but will Rhett tell him the real reason she left him all those years ago?

MY THOUGHTS

The Pepper Bay series is one of my favorites and I’ve read quite a few in it though not quite all yet.
It makes for comfortable reading to be able to return to this series time after time and feel familiar with the setting and characters that many we’ve met before in other books in the series. Not a problem if this is your first read in the series though as it’s a delightful story all on its own.


We were introduced to Heath and Rhett, and you’ve got to love their names in another book in the series. They have a backstory, Rhett never showed up for her wedding with Heath many years ago and she broke his heart. They keep it civil though because they have a child together and coparent her.

We do see a lot of differences in their families and how they were raised and how it affected each of them and still does. As Rhett spends more time with Heath with and without their daughter those old feelings come rushing back but their newfound second chance romance is anything but rushed.

Through many heart to heart and emotional talks they must decide what is right for them, their daughter and the farm. A beautiful second chance romance and a man who wants to open his heart back up to the possibility of a second chance love but is afraid to.

I really enjoyed how this wasn’t rushed they thought of their daughter’s wants and needs and how she would feel about the chance of her parents reuniting for good.

The author writes a fun and realistic book from the heart. Family relationships are important, and the characters draw you in to care about them.
Looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Links

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Author Bio – Hello, I’m K.T. Dady. I’m the bestselling author of the Pepper Bay series. I’m also a chocolate lover, mum to a grown-up daughter, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, baking cakes, or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers.

Social Media Links –

Welcome

https://www.instagram.com/kt_dady

https://www.facebook.com/ktdady

Have an awesome day. Thanks for stopping in today.

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Publication Day and Blog tour for Effie Olsen’s Summer Special 

379 pages Berkley publisher April 30,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

These childhood best friends swore they’d never speak again. But a surprise summer reunion changes everything when it gives them the chance to turn up the heat.
 
Effie Olsen thought she’d never live on the tiny Maine island where she grew up, but she’s returning from sixteen years as a professional chef in far-flung countries for one summer and one summer only. Her hometown boasts one of the best restaurants in the US, and lucky for her, Brown Butter needs a sous chef. Effie’s eager for a chance at redemption after her last job went up in flames, but reluctant to set down roots in a place that reminds her of the ghosts of her past.

Until, that is, she runs into Ernie Callahan, her onetime best friend who now works in the very same restaurant. Early morning swims and late-night games of truth or dare with Ernie remind her of what she’s been missing while traveling the world. He knows her better than anyone, and it doesn’t hurt that his smile lights her up brighter than the lighthouses dotting the craggy coastline.

But their restaurant has a secret that’s bursting at the seams, and if Effie doesn’t keep it, her job will vanish into the foggy Maine air. As summer draws to a close, her dream job and the perfect guy are both within reach. Her salty seaside hometown might be the key to Effie’s sweet ending…if she can learn to let her heart lead the way in time.

MY THOUGHTS

Absolutely delightful foodie summer romance set on an island off the coast of Maine. So realistically descriptive, I could hear the water crashing against the rocks, see the seaweed as the low tide lapped, hear the gulls cawing looking for breakfast and see the lobster boats out with their traps set as they watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Though I don’t live in Maine I have had the privilege of visiting the beautiful and charming state multiple times in summer and fall. I’m ready to return.


Effie left the tiny Maine island and her best friend Ernie sixteen years ago, right after high school, thinking never to live there again. She had high aspirations for herself, become a professional chef and travel to foreign countries. She accomplishes both but her latest restaurant job doesn’t work out so well and she’s home again on the island after all this time, just for the summer she tells herself.

Ernie, he’s a lifer, he still lives on the island and is satisfied to not have the travel bug. Island life has treated him well. Effie knows it’s inevitable on the small island she’ll eventually run into Ernie. You can’t plan these things, it’ll just happen. Will it be awkward after all this time?

Working at an island restaurant, Brown Butter, Effie is satisfied and it’s a popular spot for the locals and tourists alike. Behind the scenes there are things going on and Effie feels she must speak up. Once she speaks up how will her job security hold up though? I loved how so much of the book took place in the restaurant and got a real feel of the professional restaurant scene from the servers to the line prep to the dishwashers. The desserts sounded amazing and the dinners divine.


This was a slow burn romance that had Effie and Ernie reuniting in a surprising way, talking things out and taking it slow with their romance. Will Effie’s mind be changed about staying just for the summer or will she be trotting off on her next adventure when the leaves start to change? Such a fun summertime beach read I’ll be on the lookout for more by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Buy Here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rochelle Bilow is a romance writer, food writer, and writer writer. She is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute and has worked as a baker, a line cook, and the social media manager for Bon Appétit and Cooking Light magazines. Her articles about home cooking, restaurants, food news and trends, spirits, groceries, and products have been published in a variety of national publications, including: Eating Well, Food & Wine, Serious Eats, The Kitchn, and The Spruce Eats.

Rochelle’s first book, a romantic farming memoir titled The Call of the Farm, was published by The Experiment in 2014.

Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year, her second book—and fiction debut—was published by Berkley Romance in February 2023. It is available wherever books are sold.

Rochelle’s second romcom, Effie Olsen’s Summer Special, will be published in April 2024, and is available for preorder now!

rochellebilowwriting@gmail.com

IG

Have a marvelous day. Thanks for stopping in.

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Blog tour for Welcome to Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy

ABOUT THE BOOK

Welcome to Hollyhock Farm

Set sail for the idyllic island of Jersey in this gorgeous new romance, perfect for fans of Rachael Lucas and Phillipa Ashley…

When Lettie’s parents call her and her brother back to Hollyhock Farm on the island of Jersey, the last thing they expect to be told is that their childhood home is up for sale.

Back on the island, with its rolling hills and golden sands, Lettie immediately remembers what it feels like to breathe in the fresh air in the green fields, and be part of this tight-knit community – a far cry from the life of events and high fashion she leads in London.

But she surprises even herself when she suggests that she instead could take over Hollyhock farm. Humouring her, her father agrees to give her a three month trial, and Lettie is determined to prove she’s up to the task.

But the summer season is no easy feat for a new farmer, and Lettie has a huge task ahead of her. And when an old flame reappears in the form of dashing local vet Brodie, Lettie’s summer is about to get even more complicated…

MY THOUGHTS

After having read multiple other books by the author and enjoying them so much I was excited to start reading a new series.
Hollyhock Farm sounds like such a delightful place. These rom coms can have some quirky characters in them but not in a bad way, a good way. The characters are fun, outgoing and keep you entertained.


We have Lettie and her brother at their parent’s farm, Hollyhock Farm in Jersey. The parents need to tell them something, they are selling the farm and retiring. Lettie grew up there and she never expected this to happen. She wanted a career in fashion in London but not quite working out like she wanted it to she’s back on the farm and shocked at her parents’ announcement, she and her brother both.

The farm is in Lettie’s blood, she can’t just let it go and sets out to prove to her parents on a trial run of three months she is capable of running it herself though she has no idea of the ins and outs of farm work. Now I do like the thought of an organic produce farm with a few animals but it’s not something I’d want to do day in and day out.


I give Lettie all the props, she works her tail off basically day into the night running this farm while her parents are on a cruise to prove to them, she’s got what it takes. Will it actually be enough to keep the farm in the family and convince her parents it should stay?

With two men competing for her attention, the town’s new veterinarian and a firefighter, who will she choose? Does she even have time for a romance right now?

The book is so heartwarming, the characters are charming and likable, the situation has a bit of tension that has you holding your breath. The book is warm and invites you in to get to know the characters and I’m looking forward to reading more installments in this series and meeting back up with all the animals again.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/welcomehollyhocksocial

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Georgina Troy writes bestselling uplifting romantic escapes and sets her novels on the island of Jersey, where she was born and has lived for most of her life. She has done a twelve-book deal with Boldwood, including backlist titles, and the first book in her Sunshine Island series was published in May 2022.

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