Today I'm over the moon to be part of the Blog Tour for Talking As Fast As I Can, Lauren Graham's first work of non-fiction. Lauren Graham, or as we all know her, Lorelai Gilmore, has been a huge part of my life. I loved the Gilmore Girls and I've rewatched all the seasons several times. And of course, I spent last weekend watching the revival A Year in the Life. So today, I'd like to talk a bit more about Lorelai Gilmore. And! You have the chance to win a copy of this book too!

Lorelai Gilmore has had quite an eventful life. She made a lot of mistakes and made a lot of wrong decisions along the way but one thing is for sure, she couldn't have loved her daughter more. She was not the perfect mother but she was always there for Rory. And she has become one of the most iconic mothers in TV. So today, I'd like to share with you my top five favourite Lorelai moments:

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About the book:

Title: Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls and Everything in Between

Author: Lauren Graham

Published: December 6th 2016 by Virago

Amazon | Amazon UK

“This book contains some stories from my life: the awkward growing up years, the confusing dating years, the fulfilling working years, and what it was like to be asked to play one of my favorite characters again. You probably think I’m talking about my incredible achievement as Dolly in Hello, Dolly! as a Langley High School junior, a performance my dad called “you’re so much taller than the other kids.” But no! I’m talking about Lorelai Gilmore, who, back in 2008, I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again. Also included: tales of living on a houseboat, meeting guys at awards shows, and that time I was asked to be a butt model. A hint: all three made me seasick.”—Lauren Graham

After interviewing author T.A. Cotterell for the Blog Tour (you can read his interesting interview here), today I'm reviewing What Alice Knew, a psychological thriller with many new and shocking ingredients.  

Title: What Alice Knew

Author: T.A. Cotterell

Published by Transworld:

ebook - December 1st 2016

paperback - April 17th 2017

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Alice has a perfect life – a great job, happy kids, a wonderful husband. Until he goes missing one night; she receives a suspicious phone call; things don’t quite add up. 

Alice needs to know what’s going on. But when she uncovers the truth she faces a brutal choice. And how can she be sure it is the truth?

Sometimes it’s better not to know.

Review: I finished What Alice Knew a couple of weeks ago already but I wanted to wait a few days before writing the review to gather my thoughts. I think this is a book with many layers that makes you doubt every character and even yourself with every new chapter. The story is narrated by Alice, a portraitist with a loving husband and beautiful children. At first sight, she's living a perfect life but then, her husband disappears one night and when he comes back, their lives change forever.

After loving Isabelle Broom's debut, A Map of You, earlier this year, I was really looking forward to getting my hands on her second book. Even more when she said it was set in Prague, a beautiful city that I loved visiting. Here's what I thought about it:

Title: A Year and a Day

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published: November 17th 2016 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Welcome to a city where wishes are everywhere

For Megan, a winter escape to Prague with her friend Ollie is a chance to find some inspiration for her upcoming photography exhibition. But she's determined to keep their friendship from becoming anything more. Because if Megan lets Ollie find out about her past, she risks losing everything - and she won't let that happen again . . .

For Hope, the trip is a surprise treat from Charlie, her new partner. But she's struggling to enjoy the beauty of the city when she knows how angry her daughter is back home. And that it's all her fault . . 

For Sophie, the city has always been a magical place. This time she can't stop counting down the moments until her boyfriend Robin joins her. But in historic Prague you can never escape the past . . .

Three different women.

Three intertwining love stories.

One unforgettable, timeless city.

Review: What a treat! After loving Isabelle Broom's debut, My Map of You, I was really looking forward to her second book and after finishing it, I can truly say A Year and a Day is a magical and evocative story. Set in the beautiful city of Prague, this book tells the story of three different couples that find themselves in the same hotel. My favourite couple was Megan and Ollie. They are actually only friends but it's quite clear from the begining that Ollie has other intentions. I really enjoyed reading about them and their back stories, and they had so much fun together.

Then we've got Hope and Charlie. She has just left her husband for him and their are still getting used to each other and their quirks. I really liked Hope, she was like a mummy bear, always worrying and taking care of the younger girls. I think her story was really inspiring, especially as she started to realise that her own happiness should be her priority and everyone else's. And finally, we've got Sophie and Robin. At the beginning of the story, Sophie is alone, waiting for Robin to get to Prague. I found her a bit needy and annoying, always missing him and thinking about him. I felt like she couldn't function without him. But then as I got to know her better, I started to warm to her and she really got me by the end of the story.

And then, there's an addition character in the story: the city of Prague. I had the pleasure of visiting it a few years ago during winter too and found it a really interesting and beautiful place but Isabelle Broom makes it a magical place (I need to revisit pronto). I loved reading her descriptions of the cobled streets, the statues on the bridge, the clock in the main square and all the secrets places we discover during the story. I think that reading about Megan's pictures (she's a photografer) and her instant connection with the city added a new dimension to these description. I could totally picture her photos, the light and the feelings they evoked.

Isabelle Broom has done it again with A Year and a Day, an unforgetable story that will surprise you and will make you fall in love with the magical city of Prague. Definitely one not to miss these holidays, pick a copy and get lost in the colourful Christmas Markets of Prague! 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Today I'm kicking off the mega Blog Tour for T.A. Cotterell's debut novel, What Alice Knew. This tense and unique thriller is released in digital format the 1st of December and in paperback in spring next year and the author stops by to talk a bit more about it:
Hi and welcome to Alba in Bookland. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi Alba; I was born in London and brought up in suburbia, which was ideal as I loved sport and there was plenty of opportunity. I read History of Art at Cambridge University, having initially persuaded my tutor to allow me to switch to English – only to reverse the request when I realised the first year was mediaeval literature (Beowulf, Song of Roland), which wasn’t my bag! After university, I worked in the City. I liked the people and the ideas but not the mechanics and left to become a novelist. Whilst failing to be published I wrote obituaries and for several magazines, an art dealer, corporate spooks and finally Redburn, for whom I produced a quarterly review and now work as an editor and writer. I live in Bristol with my wife and three children, having been chased westwards by the bailiffs via West Dorset and a year in Pollensa, Mallorca.

Your debut novel, What Alice Knew, tells the story of Alice, who has a really nice life until her husband goes missing one night and when she finds out why, she is faced with the difficult decision of telling or keeping quiet about it. What sparked this idea?

I find ideas for novels gestate over time. There is rarely a ‘Eureka!’ moment. They evolve through books I read, people I meet, stories I hear and – the difficult bit – putting a towel on one’s head (metaphorically) and trying to think things up or work the plot through. The original idea was to write from the perspective of the perpetrator rather than the police or victim. I also became interested in the idea of secrets between parents and children. That led me to write a ‘will they get away with it?’ story rather than a whodunit?’. I hope that is a (relatively) fresh angle – and that that answers your question!

Art plays a big role in the story. Alice is a portraitist and every time she paints someone, she seeks honesty. Painting them as they really are. Are you an art expert too? Or did you have to do a lot of research on this topic?

Despite reading History of Art I am definitely not an ‘art expert’. My interest, as with the City, was always in the ideas rather than the application of the paint. And I couldn’t paint a pin-man! Instead I spoke extensively to two friends who are portrait painters, one of whom sketched me in order to talk me through the process. I have no idea whether all portrait painters have the same animus in how they approach their art, but one was very conscious of the adversarial nature of a sitting, a powerful sitter forced to obey a hired hand, which is how I decided to portray Alice.

What does this aspect add to the story? 

In the original version of What Alice Knew, which was told in the third person, Alice was a GP. Unfortunately I know nothing about medicine and as a result her vocation added nothing to her characterisation. The moment I thought of making her a portrait painter it was as if the proverbial door opened. I realised truth in art is a wonderful metaphor for truth in marriage or life and that the psychology Alice takes into (and out of) her portraits of Julie and Marianne, and the other art she makes (e.g her hands when depressed) were an analogy by which the reader could measure or chart her declining confidence and equilibrium.

When I finished the book, I felt a bit confusing. Is that what you intended, to leave the reader wondering?

No, I didn’t intend to leave people wondering, though I appreciate from conversations with readers some have found it ambiguous. I am clear in my mind about what I think happened, but I am happy for people to interpret it as they wish. I didn’t want ‘What Alice Knew’ to be a traditional ‘linear’ thriller – five suspects and one turning out to be guilty – I wanted there to be more a permanent underlying sense of unease and ‘where is it going?’ and I hope the ending reflects that – my aim was to leave it more ‘open’ than the traditional thriller. 

Actually, what do you expect your readers to feel while reading What Alice Knew?

I wouldn’t dare ‘expect’ anything of my readers! I would love it if they enjoy/suffer/enjoy suffering an on-going, low-level, almost inchoate sense of dread. From the moment Ed disappears, I would like them to sense the novel was not travelling along the traditional path of a thriller (as per above) and therefore have no real idea where it was heading and as a result have a disquieting sense of being out of control. I would also be thrilled to hear that they, male or female, thought at some point: ‘God, that could have been me! What would I have done in the circumstances?’

Lately, I have the impression that psychological thrillers are everywhere. What do you think makes What Alice Knew stand apart from the crowd?

I do think – as any writer no doubt would! – that ‘What Alice Knew’ stands apart from the increasingly crowded field of psychological thrillers. This is partly because it takes the perspective of the perpetrator rather than the police or victim, and partly because ultimately it turns on ideas – intuition is more powerful than knowledge; there can be no freedom without truth – and a character (Alice!) rather than a set of fingerprints or a smoking gun. Alice’s choices reflect the collision that occurs in her life between the limitations of knowledge and her obsession with drilling down to the truth. That said, I think there are a lot of brilliant psychological thrillers out there and I’m overjoyed that I get to be a part of that crowd.

Finally, what are you working on now? 

At present I am writing some short stories that I hope will appear alongside the paperback publication of What Alice Knew in April. The plot for my next novel is (slowly) coming together and I hope to start writing at Christmas when I have some time off from the day job! It is shaping up to be slightly more of a traditional thriller than What Alice Knew but I hope my interest in character as much as plot will ensure it is enjoyed by anyone who enjoys What Alice Knew.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog.

About the book:

Welcome to Bookish Recipes, a feature on the blog where I cook or bake a recipe from a book I have loved and share the result with you. This time the recipe is inspired by the book Miracle on 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan. This book is the third on her latest series, From Manhattan With Love, and is a cute and sweet story set in New York during Christmas. What else can you ask for?

The main character, Eva, is a food blogger and creates the most delicious recipes. But when she first meets Lucas, she decides to cook a cheese soufflé for him. It sounded so good that I couldn't resist trying it myself and the result was amazing. Here's how I made my soufflé following this easy recipe:

Ingredients:

Extra Parmesan cheese, for the soufflé molds

1)  Butter your soufflé dish (I used four small molds but you can use one big one) and sprinkle lightly with a little extra Parmesan cheese. Set aside. Move an oven rack to the bottom of the oven and turn your oven on to the broil setting.

2) Separate the eggs into white and yolks. Put the whites in the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large clean bowl. Discard one yolk (you can refrigerate it for later use). Set the eggs aside.

Grate the cheese: Grate all the cheese into a bowl and set aside.

3) Make a béchamel sauce (white sauce). Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan then whisk in the flour and cook for several minutes, until it is thick and slightly toasted (don't let the color darken past a pale golden color, though). Whisk in the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until it thickens. Remove from the heat. 

4) Cool the béchamel: Scrape the béchamel into a large bowl. Let it cool just slightly, so that it's warm to the touch. Then, stir the egg yolks into it.

5) Stir the grated cheese in with the béchamel and egg yolks. Taste and add salt, pepper, and nutmeg or cayenne to taste.

6) Beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold a spoonful of stiff egg whites into the batter, incorporating them thoroughly. The batter should lighten by one shade.

7) Fold in the rest of the egg whites. Spread them through the batter using a stiff spatula, running the spatula straight down the bottom of the bowl, then flipping the batter over. The egg whites should be all mixed in, but there ought be some lumps of stiff egg white still visible. 

8) Scrape the batter into the prepared mold. The batter should fill the mold about halfway. Place in the oven on the bottom rack and broil for 3 minutes. Without opening the oven door turn the heat down to 400°F (200ºC) and continue baking for 20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, place an empty baking sheet on the top rack of the oven to help shield the top.

9) Eat immediately and enjoy! 

About the book:

Title: The Last Night

Author: Cesca Major

Published: November 3rd by Corvus

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: In a quiet coastal village, Irina spends her days restoring furniture, passing the time in peace and hiding away from the world. A family secret, long held and never discussed, casts a dark shadow and Irina chooses to withdraw into her work. When an antique bureau is sent to her workshop, the owner anonymous, Irina senses a history to the object that makes her uneasy. As Irina begins to investigate the origins of the piece, she unearths the secrets it holds within.

Decades earlier, another young woman kept secrets. Her name was Abigail. over the course of one summer, she fell in love, and dreamed of the future. But Abigail could not know that a catastrophe loomed, and this event would change the course of many lives for ever...

Review: I was completely blown away by Cesca Major's debut, The Silent Hours, so I started this book with really high expectations. I was expecting to be blown away again and I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed at all. The Last Night is an atmospheric read with so many layers and details. It captured me from the first page and kept me glued to it until the last word. 

The story is split in two time lines. We follow Abigail in 1952, when she moves to Devon to live with her sister and her husband, and Irina in 2016, when she has just received a Georgian bureau on her workshop. From that moment, their lives start to intertwine in unexpected ways and the more you read about them and their lives, the more you want to know. 

Abigail is a young woman who has her whole life in front of her. But Devon is definitely not the place for her. She cannot really connect with her sister and it is quite obvious that her brother in law is not the reputable man he pretends to be. Plus, her best friend, Mary, is still in Bristol. I found the friendship between Abi and Mary so true and special. I could really picture these two girls packing everything and discovering the world together. But then, she meets a young man in Devon who might influence her thoughts and plans. 

In contrast, Irina is a woman stuck in the past. Something happened to her and she hasn't been able to move on. She is a loner who cannot connect with everyone. I found her character really intriguing and with every new bit of information I became more and more involved in her life. I can truly say that I ended up caring for both Abi and Irina as if they were my own family. They were both such complex and layered women, with secrets and dreams. And I wanted to know everything about them.

As in her debut, Cesca Major based this story around a real historical event. I found it fascinating how she can start with a simple detail in an event from the past and build such a powerful and touching story around it. Her writing is flawless and makes you part of the story too. Her attention to detail is enviable, I could picture every scene, every object in my head and that's something I really value in a novel. 

The Last Night will definitely be one of the books of the year for me. I really enjoy historical fiction but Cesca Major takes the whole concept to a new level. I can only praise this book, unforgettable. 

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of reading Desperately Ever After, a super fun book that caught up with some of my favourite Disney princesses a few years after their happily ever after. I found the idea genius so I'm over to moon to welcome Laura Kenyon today to talk about the third and last installment in this series, Skipping Midnight, out next week: 

1) Hi Laura and welcome to Alba in Bookland. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thanks Alba, and thanks so much for having me! In a few words, I used to be a journalist but reached a point where I just couldn’t ignore all the fictional story ideas flying around my head. Even though there is something to be said for the adrenaline rush of running a newspaper, I knew I’d never be able to achieve what I really wanted (to write books and raise a family) in that sort of environment. So in 2011, I crossed my fingers, got a canine writing companion, became a self-employed freelancer, and started to work on my first novel. A few years later, I published Desperately Ever After (which quickly became a Kindle Store best seller!) and entered the world of motherhood. Now I’m an author mom struggling to balance family life and the “terrible twos” with a self-guided, self-publishing literary career!

2) You're releasing the third book on your Desperately Ever After Series, which follow our beloved princesses many years after their happily ever after. What sparked this idea? 

The idea actually came to me decades ago (the result of a Disney-obsessed kid growing up) and was continually fueled by life experience and shows like Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City. I loved the happily-ever-after Disney films, but couldn’t stand how quickly the characters always fell madly in love. The implication was that because they were physically attracted to each other, they were perfectly matched in every other way...and their lives were going to be filled with butterflies and rainbows and infinite happiness forever after.

Real life just doesn’t work that way. So I began to imagine what happened next—not based on the Disney movies, but taken from the original stories as told by the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, Hans Christian, Andersen, and several centuries-old writers you’ve most likely never heard of. I wanted to know something the original tales never told us: how the characters felt. Could Sleeping Beauty really have fallen for a complete stranger who found her in a bed and was presumptuous enough to kiss her? Did Beast truly change when he was cursed or did he go back to his old ways after the honeymoon period wore off? How did Rapunzel fare when she got out of her tower? Did becoming queen give Cinderella the freedom she so desperately needed? 

That’s why the Rapunzel in my story is a flaming martini mixed in Samantha Jones’s favorite NYC nightclub. Cinderella is far more Lynette Scavo than Charles Perrault. Belle is a nod to every literary heroine who started out making female readers cringe but steadily grew into an example of feminine strength. I used the original tales to outline their backstories (which have nothing to do with Disney, by the way), but my imagination filled in … and questioned … and rewrote … all the rest. 

3) If you could change places with one of the princesses, who would you pick? 

If you’re talking Disney: Belle. Even though Beast morphed into someone who resembles Fabio, that library was to die for. 

But if you’re talking about the Desperately Ever After series, that’s a bit harder. The Rapunzel in my books is super fun but her heart is walled off. Sleeping Beauty (Dawn) still feels like a stranger in this century. Belle has nonstop excitement, but not necessarily of the positive variety. Snow has an amazing disposition, but some of the physical effects of her mother’s poisoned apple would just be too hard for me to bear. But Cinderella … well, Cinderella has everything—a loving, honorable husband, four energetic kids, and the admiration of an entire realm. Sure, she’s too high-strung to realize that, but I wouldn’t mind taking a spin in her glass slippers.

4) Did you have a crush on one of the princes when you were younger? Has this changed after writing about them? 

Well, hands down my biggest DISNEY prince crush is Eric from “The Little Mermaid.” Don’t need to think twice about that! And he actually bears a striking resemblance to my husband, come to think of it ;)

But in keeping true to Hans Christian Andersen’s original Little Mermaid tale, the maritime princess most people know as Ariel is no longer with us when the Desperately Ever After series begins … but she is mentioned. Unfortunately, that prince drove the title character to plunge a dagger into her own heart because he married the wrong woman. So my feelings toward him changed quite a bit!

5) For anyone who is new to your writing, how would you describe it? What do you expect your readers to feel while reading your books? 

Great question, and I think it picks up right where your second question left off. Let me start by saying that the Rapunzel in my story is like a flaming martini mixed in Samantha Jones’s favorite NYC nightclub. Cinderella is far more Lynette Scavo than Charles Perrault. Belle is a nod to every literary heroine who started out making female readers cringe but steadily grew into an example of feminine strength. The primary feeling of the Desperately Ever After books is FUN. So often, writing these scenes felt like sitting down with a bottle of wine and a group of my best friends. Sure, some readers will have a hard time accepting anything other than the Disney version of these centuries-old fairy tales, but anyone with an open mind will get past that and come to love these characters in a different light—in many ways a more relatable, more humorous, more human light.

Thank you so much Laura for answering all my bookish questions. I'm already looking forward to reading the final chapter of the Desperately Ever After Series.

Connect with Laura and learn more about her books here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/laura_kenyon

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

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2elUrbS

Website: https://laurakenyon.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LauraKenyon

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lkwrites/desperately-ever-after/

Email list: http://bit.ly/1i8K0YW

About the book:

Title: Skipping Midnight (Desperately Ever After #3)

Author: Laura Kenyon

Published: November 16th 2016

Amazon | Amazon UK

For the women of Marestam, “happily ever after" has always come with a grain of salt. Be it infidelity or aging, deferred dreams or lost love, or even the pressures of raising a family, they have always seen each other through life’s trials with laughter, wine, and a brand new take on old-fashioned chivalry. But when rage and treachery take over, everything they hold dear comes under attack. 

Suddenly, the monarchies are crumbling, Cinderella is missing, Belle is harboring the secret of all secrets, Rapunzel is facing the one dilemma she spent her whole life trying to avoid, and Dawn could lose everything she’s finally learned to love. In order to save everyone and unmask the wolf in their midst, this iconic group of friends must follow a dogmatic fairy no one trusts, invoke a magic no one understands, and face a past they thought they had buried long ago.

Rapunzel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the rest of Marestam’s favorite females return in this third and final novel in Laura Kenyon's Desperately Ever After series, which takes a whimsical look at our most beloved fairy tale princesses several years after true love’s kiss. 

At heart, it’s a tale of ordinary women coming to terms with how their lives have turned out. They just happen to live in castles.

***

The final chapter in the Amazon #1 bestselling Desperately Ever After series (women’s fiction fantasy, women’s fiction humor, and paranormal fantasy). Says New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Evanovich: “Laura Kenyon makes happily ever after desperately delicious!"

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for Lisa Dickenson's latest book. Full of romance and festive magic, Mistletoe on 34th Street is the funniest and most charming love story you will read this Christmas!

Title: Mistletoe on 34th Street 

Author: Lisa Dickenson

Published: November 3rd 2016 by Sphere

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Olivia has never experienced a snow-covered, 'traditional' Christmas before. Having grown up in a family that chose winter sun over decking the halls, she's not sure what all the fuss is about. So when she and her co-workers are stranded in New York after a work trip, Olivia is perfectly happy spending the holiday season in The Big Apple.

John, Olivia's friend, on the other hand is so upset and is desperate to get home in time for his big family get-together. Nevertheless, determined to make the best out of the situation he sets out to show Olivia how enchanting Christmas in New York can be. And when she adds handsome New Yorker Elijah into the mix, could the magic of the season finally be working its charm on Olivia? As December 25th draws closer, Olivia suddenly finds herself with a decision to make: who does she really want to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas?

Review: I've read and loved everything that Lisa Dickenson has written, especially her first Christmas book, The 12 Dates of Christmas, so when she announced she was writing a new Christmas story for this year, I was over the moon. I couldn't wait to go back to her super fun stories, with so many lol moment and her smart and fast paced writing. Basically, my expectations for this book were high... but guess what? Mistletoe on 34th Street was everything I expected and them some. I'm 99,9% sure already that it'll be my Christmas book of the year. I had such a blast reading it that I am actually sad that it's over.

Not only does Lisa Dickenson takes us to New York during Christmas, but she takes us with Olivia. She was like a breath of fresh air, always talking too much, especially during awkward situations, and just being awesome. I totally want to be like her when I grow up, or at least, her best friend. She had an amazing job, not because it was all glam but because I loved the idea behind the organization she worked for (and gave all her life to), helping girls being the best version of themselves, giving them opportunities and showing them how amazing women can be. I think this story managed to get a very important message through and I hope that every girl and woman that reads it feels as inspired as I felt.

And then, there was the whole christmassy aspect of the story. Olivia and her team cannot fly back to the UK because of a snow blizzard and they are stuck in New York the week before Christmas. Olivia herself is not a big fan of Christmas but her friend John decides to show her the best of the city during this time of the year. So thanks to them we get to visit some of the most magical locations on the city that never sleeps and basically daydream non-stop about just taking a plane and fly to NY asap. 

There's not a single thing I didn't love about this story. The love story was just perfect, with the perfect ending and the perfect touch of magic. After finishing it, I feel so Christmassy that I'm already putting the Christmas decorations up and planning my Christmas shopping. 

Also, I'm already planning on re-reading this story again during the holidays and I'm sure that I'm going to enjoy it even more than the first time. Mistletoe on 34th Street is a real Christmas treat, don't miss it! 

Rating: 

Today I review We Were on a Break, Lindsey Kelk's latest book. As you probably know by now (basically because I repeat myself a lot), Lindsey Kelk is one of my top three favourite authors ever so the expectations are always high with her books. Here's what I thought about this one: 

Title: We Were on a Break

Author: Lindsey Kelk

Published: October 6th 2016 by Harper

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Is it a break? Or is it a blip? 'You've just had a holiday,' I pointed out, trying not to yawn. 'Wasn't that enough of a break?' 'I don't mean that kind of break.' There's nothing worse than the last day of holiday. Oh wait, there is. When what should have been a proposal turns into a break, Liv and Adam find themselves on opposite sides of the life they had mapped out. Friends and family all think they're crazy; Liv throws herself into work - animals are so much simpler than humans - and Adam tries to get himself out of the hole he's dug. But as the short break becomes a chasm, can they find a way back to each other? Most importantly, do they want to?

Review: Lindsey Kelk is one of my favourite authors ever, so every time she publishes a new book I have the same thought, what if I'm not going to like this one? And then, I read it and think, why did I worry? Of course I loved it! So this is basically what happened with this one too. Plus, it has a Friends reference in the title, so she had already won me only with that. 

But seriously, We Were on a Break is such a fun book. I've never been on a break myself but I think that Lindsey Kelk made a great job of describing all the worries, contradictions and doubts a couple must go through during such a confusing time. Also, I found it really interesting that we could read Adam's point of view, so we always knew where both characters stood. This also helped me to really connect with them both and care for them. And not take parts... well... almost... I was totally team Liv, who am I kidding? But I did care for Adam too. And wanted the best for both of them.

And then, there were the secondary characters. That was an interesting bunch. I think there were quite a few of relationships there that were not really healthy... I mean, what kind of brother makes it his life mission to remind his little brother what a waste of space he is? Adam's brother was definitely a character difficult to like. Well, impossible to like. But I have to admit that I have a friend who is a bit like him so I might have warmed a tiny bit to him too.

I always love stories that go one step farther with relationships. Most love stories are about how the couple meets and falls in love but I'm always left wondering if they would even survive the first 6 moths together. We Were on a Break presents us with a couple that has been together for a few years already and tells us the truth: no relationship is easy. There always blips, some minor, some insurmountable. And it does this with a great sense of humour and many warm moments. A very clever read, I'd say. 

Rating: 5 stars

I'm a bit late this month with my posts but I've finally had a moment to have a look at what I did last month. It was quite a busy month personally, so I didn't have that much time to read. I read 3 physical books and 4 ebooks, so quite a low total:

What I read:

5 stars:

Christmas Under a Starlit Sky by Holly Martin

The Deviants by C.J. Skuse

Comfort and Joy by Cathy Bramley 

The Silence between Breaths by Cath Staincliffe 

4 stars:

Searching for a Silver Lining by Miranda Dickinson

The Singalong Society of Singletons by Katey Lovell

Miracle on 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan

3 stars:

Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz

To Be Reviewed:

The Last Night by Cesca Major

We Were on a Break by Lindsey Kelk

What I was up to:

At the beginning of October, Husband had a two-week vacation so we decided to drive to the north of Italy. Our first stop was Venice, which was fantastic. This is such a magical place, it looks like it belongs to a movie set! We were really lucky with the weather and could sit on terraces to just enjoy people watching. Next, we went to Verona, which has a really well preserved medieval old town and you can visit the home of the Capulletos!

After Verona, the plan was to visit Milan but I got a call from the job interview I had done just before leaving and they offered me the job! So we had to cut the trip short and go back to Munich. So for the last three weeks, I've been working as a Catalan translator and project manager and enjoying every minute. 

October 25th was my birthday! Husband was on a business trip though... but my new colleagues took me out for a few beers. When he came back, we celebrated with friends. I was really happy with my presents, which obviously included books and other fantastic bits. 

What I blogged about: 

RECIPES

Pumpkin Pasties inspired by Harry Potter

TRAVEL

Discovering Austria: Salzburg

GUEST POSTS AND AUTHOR INTERVIEWS

Guest Post by Catherine Law: Early Influences

Author Interview with Katey Lovell

Today I'm really excited to welcome one of my favourite writers to the blog, Miranda Dickinson. She has just published her latest book, Searching for a Silver Lining, and to celebrate, she stops by today to talk a very special road trip: 

Searching for a Silver Lining Locations - #3: The Road Trip 

At the heart of Searching for a Silver Lining is an incredible journey that vintage shop owner Mattie Bell, former 1950s star Reenie Silver and club owner Gil Kendrick embark upon to try to reunite a once-famous singing group for a final gig. When I started to write the story, this epic adventure was what I was most looking forward to portraying – so I asked my lovely Twitter followers where they thought the road trip should visit. The answers took me to the four corners of Great Britain! 

Alnwick in Northumberland is the trip’s first destination, to meet Reenie’s former Silver Five colleague, Tommy Mullins. I have family living in the town and several of my followers wanted to see part of the story set there. Plus, Alnwick has a fabulous bookshop in the old railway station, so it was the perfect venue for Reenie and Tommy to be reunited. Alnwick also the setting for one of Reenie’s most outrageous scenes – you’ll have to read the story to find out what happens there! 

Next, the road trip visits Cambridge, which was suggested by one of my lovely Twitter followers and is somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s the home of June Knight, Reenie’s nemesis in the group, who always believed she should have been lead singer. It’s the setting for a battle I hope you’ll remember for a long time, plus a whole lot more… 

In the beautiful city of Bath, home of Johnny ‘Chuck’ Powell, the three road trip members discover more about each other. It was a hugely popular location amongst my Twitter followers, so a natural choice for the road trip’s next stop. There’s a truly magical scene here that was inspired by a wonderful weekend I spent in the city with my husband Bob for my 40th birthday. 

The last member of The Silver Five to be visited is Alys Davis, who after the break-up of the band became a national treasure in Wales. She now lives in Llangynidr, a lovely village near Crickhowell in Powys. This is a very personal choice because my sister and her family live there! The road trippers (who now include young hitchhikers Kelvin and Pru) stay at a hotel in Crickhowell, overlooking the river – it’s a lovely town and also has a fantastic bookshop! 

Thanks so much for reading this blog exclusive! For more, follow my Searching for a Silver Lining blog tour. I really hope you enjoy reading the story!

About the Book:

Can you believe it's November already? This year is flying by... but! New month means new books, so today I'm sharing the new releases I am most excited about this November. I'm so happy to see such beautiful and christmassy covers together. Have a look yourself:

Christmas at the Star and Sixpence by Holly Hepburn - November 1st

A perfect Christmas novella for all fans of Cathy Bramley and Scarlett Bailey and the final part of the Star and Sixpence series.

As snow falls over Little Monkham, and carols echo around the green, with the village choir preparing for their biggest event of the year, it's time to return to the Star and Sixpence for a suitably festive drink. 

Nessie and Sam are racking up success after success at the Star and Sixpence pub, but their personal lives leave something to be desired. Sam's gorgeous actor boyfriend is far away filming, and Nessie has an unwanted neighbour arrive in the form of Owen's ex-mother-in-law.

With several spanners in the works, can Nessie and Sam pull off a Christmas miracle and get their happy-ever-after…?

Why so excited: it's the final installment of the Star and Sixpence Series, which I have loved so far! And it's already out, so get ordering :)

Order it now!

The Last Night by Cesca Major - November 3rd

In a quiet coastal village, Irina spends her days restoring furniture, passing the time in peace and hiding away from the world. A family secret, long held and never discussed, casts a dark shadow and Irina chooses to withdraw into her work. When an antique bureau is sent to her workshop, the owner anonymous, Irina senses a history to the object that makes her uneasy. As Irina begins to investigate the origins of the piece, she unearths the secrets it holds within...

Decades earlier in the 1950s, another young woman kept secrets. Her name was Abigail. Over the course of one summer, she fell in love, and dreamed of the future. But Abigail could not know that a catastrophe loomed, and this event would change the course of many lives for ever...

Why so excited: I've already read this one and I cannot recommend it enough. Amazing story, so intriguing and well crafted. Definitely a candidate to book of the year for me. 

Order it now! 

A Year and a Day by Isabelle Broom - November 17th

Welcome to a city where wishes are everywhere

For Megan, a winter escape to Prague with her friend Ollie is a chance to find some inspiration for her upcoming photography exhibition. But she's determined to keep their friendship from becoming anything more. Because if Megan lets Ollie find out about her past, she risks losing everything - and she won't let that happen again . . .

For Hope, the trip is a surprise treat from Charlie, her new partner. But she's struggling to enjoy the beauty of the city when she knows how angry her daughter is back home. And that it's all her fault . . .

For Sophie, the city has always been a magical place. This time she can't stop counting down the moments until her boyfriend Robin joins her. But in historic Prague you can never escape the past . . .

Three different women.

Three intertwining love stories.

One unforgettable, timeless city.

Why so excited: I adored Isabelle Broom's debut earlier this year so I was over the moon to get a review copy, which I'm planning to read this weekend. It looks and sounds amazing! 

Order it now!

Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain - November 17th

Christmas has arrived in the town of Wynbridge and it promises mince pies, mistletoe and a whole host of seasonal joy.

Ruby has finished with university and is heading home for the holidays to save up for her trip around the world in January. Against her father’s wishes, she takes on a stall at the local market, and sets about making it the best Christmas market stall ever. There’ll be bunting and mistletoe and maybe even a bit of mulled wine.

But with a new retail park just opened on their doorstep, the market is under threat. So together with all the other stallholders, Ruby devises a plan to make sure that Wynbridge is the first port of call for everyone’s Christmas shopping needs.

The only thing standing in her way is Ruby’s ex, Steve. It’s pretty hard to concentrate on saving the world when he works on the stall opposite, especially when she realises that her feelings for him are still there…

This Christmas make time for some winter sparkle – and see who might be under the mistletoe this year…

Why so excited: First, doesn't this looks stunning? And second, I love Heidi Swain's style and her cosines so I'm sure this story will be the perfect Christmas treat. 

Order it now!

The Other Sister by Rowan Coleman - November 17th

Every family has its secrets...

Willow and Holly are identical twins, as close as two sisters can be. But while Holly has gone through life being the ‘good twin’, Willow has always been the less than perfect one. Holly is happily married, Willow is divorced and almost twice her twin’s size. And while she puts on a brave face to the world, Willow knows she’s been hiding her unhappiness for far too long.

So when the past catches up with her, Willow realises it’s finally time for her to face her fears, and – with her sister’s help – finally deal with the secrets of their childhood before it’s too late.

Why so excited: I love Rowan Coleman's stories. I have read only a few of her books but the ones I've read by her have stolen my heart completely so I can't wait to enjoy more of her writing.

Order it now! 

And an extra one (I already talked about this one last month but the paperback is out this month and I'm REALLY excited):

Mistletoe on 34th Street by Lisa Dickenson - November 3rd 

'A perfect Christmas treat' Miranda Dickinson

A sparklingly festive and romantic story set in New York at Christmastime, Mistletoe on 34th Street is readers' favourite Lisa Dickenson at her side-splitting, funniest best! Perfect for fans of Giovanna Fletcher and Claudia Carroll.

Olivia has never experienced a snow-covered, 'traditional' Christmas before. Having grown up in a family that chose winter sun over decking the halls, she's not sure what all the fuss is about. So when she and her colleagues are stranded in New York after a work trip, Olivia is perfectly happy spending the holiday season in the Big Apple.

Jon, Olivia's friend, on the other hand is desperate to get home in time for his big family get-together. Nevertheless, determined to make the best out of the situation, he sets out to show Olivia how enchanting Christmas in New York can be. And when handsome New Yorker Elijah is added to the mix, could the magic of the season finally be working its charm on Olivia? As 25 December draws closer, Olivia suddenly finds herself with a decision to make: who does she really want to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas?

Full of romance and festive magic, Mistletoe on 34th Street is the funniest and most charming love story you will read this Christmas!

Why so excited: Lisa Dickenson has a new book out! How couldn't I be excited? I absolutely love her books and I can't wait to be back in her world. The ebook was out in October 3rd and the paperback on November 4th. 

Order it now!