The Canal Boat Café Christmas: Port Out by Cressida Maclaughin - November 1st

A Christmas special continuing the charming and heart-warming story of The Canal Boat Café, the runaway bestseller.

Summer and Mason take their upbeat and feelgood Canal Boat Café to London for Christmas, with unexpected results.

Port Out – Summer is so in love with her boyfriend Mason and dreams of taking the next step with him, but is Mason ready too? When her friend Claire offers Summer a chance to come to London with her canal boat, Summer thinks this will give them a chance to find out, and they embark on a magical journey on the canal all the way to the scenic beauty of Little Venice. But will it be plain sailing all the way?

Why so excited: I really enjoyed The Canal Boat Café last year, so I cannot wait to catch up with these characters and see what they are up to. Plus, I love canal boats, so books set in them are always a treat.

Order it now!

Sweetpea by C.J. Skuse - November 2nd

The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead…

I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once.

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret.

Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list.

A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge.

Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…

Why so excited: I discovered S.J. Skuse last year with The Deviants and I was fascinated with her clever writing and dark setting, and this one sounds just as good.

Order it now!

Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell - November 2nd

Almost Midnight by Rainbow Rowell is a beautiful gift edition containing two wintery short stories, decorated throughout for the first time with gorgeous black and white illustrations by Simini Blocker.

Midnights is the story of Noel and Mags, who meet at the same New Year's Eve party every year and fall a little more in love each time...

Kindred Spirits is about Elena, who decides to queue to see the new Star Wars movie and meets Gabe, a fellow fan.

Midnights was previously published as part of the My True Love Gave to Me anthology, edited by Stephanie Perkins and Kindred Spirits was previously published as a World Book Day title.

Why so excited: two reasons: first, decorated with illustrations and second, glittery cover. This would certainly make a gorgeous Christmas present... for myself :)

Order it now!

A Christmas Wedding by Paige Toon - November 16th

The short story eBook sequel to Thirteen Weddings, from bestselling author Paige Toon. 

Four years ago, following that fated thirteenth wedding, Bronte fled the UK and has been happily burying her head in the sand ever since. But when an email lands in her inbox from Alex, it seems her past might be about to catch up with her right here in Sydney. Is it time for Bronte to finally face her demons?

With links to The Last Piece of My Heart, Lucy in the Sky and One Perfect Summer, this short story ebook sequel to Thirteen Weddings is a must for all fans of Paige Toon.

Get ready for Christmas with a heartwarming short story from Paige Toon, perfect for fans of Giovanna Fletcher and Adele Parks.

Why so excited: I love Paige Toon's books, so a story with links to several of her books is the best news I could get. I especially want to find out how Bronte is doing, as the ending of Thirteen Weddings has always had me a bit in two minds.

Order it now!

Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher - November 16th

When the love of your life says you're not The One, who are you?

Lizzy and Ian have been a couple since the first week of university. Now, after celebrating a decade together, everyone thinks they're about to get engaged.

Instead, a romantic escape to Dubai leaves Lizzy with no ring, no fiancé and no future.

Lizzy is heartbroken - but through the tears, she sees an opportunity. This is her moment to discover what she's been missing while playing Ian's ideal 'better half'.

But how much has Ian changed her, and who should she be without him?

Determined to discover who she is at heart, Lizzy sets out to rediscover the girl she was before - and, in the meantime, have a little fun...

Why so excited: I've slowly fallen in love with Giovanna Fletcher's writing and this one sounds like the perfect fun and warm story to curl up this autumn!

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The Place We Met by Isabelle Broom - November 30th 

Heartbreak, humour and romance set in Italy's beautiful and dramatic Lake Como. Under dazzling New Year's Eve fireworks, two women hope for new beginnings... 

'Utterly romantic' Adele Parks, bestselling author of The Image of You

Taggie is only a few months into her job as a tour guide in Lake Como. She's rushed off her feet, but distraction is what she needs to forget why she left England.

Lucy arrives at Lake Como with her perfect new boyfriend, Pete. Falling fast in love, she's sure that life is about to start for her, it feels so right with him.

But as New Year's Eve approaches and the women meet by chance, it becomes clear this isn't the perfect place of new beginnings. While Lucy is willing to do anything to keep hold of Pete, the past Taggie so desperately wanted to escape is catching up with her...

Why so excited: Isabelle Broom's books are the perfect getaway, I've discovered and fallen in love  with a beautiful island in Greece, Prague and the south of Spain already with her stories and I am so looking forward to discovering Lake Como this time! 

Order it now!

Today I am reviewing the YA thriller S.T.A.G.S, the debut novel by author M.A. Bennett. A twisting thriller for fans of One of Us Is Lying and Pretty Little Liars.

Title: S.T.A.G.S.

Author: M.A. Bennett

Published: August 10th 2017 by Hot Key Books

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Nine students. Three bloodsports. One deadly weekend.

It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into the sixth form at the exclusive St. Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as S.T.A.G.S. Just when she despairs of making friends Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon on it: huntin' shootin' fishin'. When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at S.T.A.G.S., she is as surprised as she is flattered.

But when Greer joins the other chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, she realises that Henry's parents are not at home; the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their capricious host, and, over the next three days, as the three bloodsports - hunting, shooting and fishing - become increasingly dark and twisted, Greer comes to the horrifying realisation that those being hunted are not wild game, but the very misfits Henry has brought with him from school...

Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this story, it's clever, fast-paced and dark, everything I love in a thriller. It also had a few surprises in store for us, which made me wonder, more than once, how this story was going to end.

Another thing I enjoyed too was getting to know the different characters. I really liked the main character, Greer. You could feel how lonely she felt in this new and posh school, she was the outsider and her schoolmates reminded her of that constantly. It was completely understandable that she was so excited to finally be invited in a social event, especially one as important as the huntin' shootin' fishin' weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular guy in the school. 

Henry de Warlencourt himself was a completely different matter. He seemed quite the charmer, giving all his attention to Geer and I was wondering all the time when we would get to see his real demeanor. I was certainly fascinated by this character, as we got to know him through Geer's eyes and she herself was not sure about him and his nature. 

The whole story had a dark humorous tone that really gave this book a unique touch. Geer turned out to be an excellent narrator and I found her insights and ironic comments very clever. The story also made you think about society nowadays, and the obsession we have now with being "connected" to the world, especially teenagers who see the world through their phone screens. 

This is definitely a story to check if you enjoy thrillers, as it hits all the spots and gives you that feeling of unease that makes you keep reading to find out more until the early hours of the night. 

Rating: 4 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today I am over the moon to share with you my review for Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson. This is the third installment in the series, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite series ever. And this story is a real treat:

Title: Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe (Comfort Food Café #3)

Author: Debbie Johnson

Published: October 7th by HarperImpulse

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: ‘Full of quirky characters, friendship and humour, you will devour this engaging and heartwarming novel in one sitting’ – Sunday Express

Come home to the Comfort Food Café and cosy up with a mug of hot chocolate and an extra sprinkle of romance!

When Zoe’s best friend Kate dies of breast cancer, her whole world is turned upside down. Within hours, she goes from being the wacky neighbour who can barely keep a houseplant alive to a whole new world of responsibility when she realises she’s guardian to Kate’s 15-year-old daughter, Martha.

Moving to the little village of Budbury, Zoe hopes the fresh Dorset sea breeze and the gentle pace of life will help them heal.

Luckily for them both, the friendly community at the Comfort Food Cafe provide listening ears, sage advice, shoulders to cry on, and some truly excellent carrot cake. And when Martha’s enigmatic, absent father suddenly turns up, confusing not only Martha but Zoe too, the love and friendship of their new friends is the best present they could have asked for…

Review: last year I had the pleasure of reading Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe and Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe and I fell completely in love with this cafe and its lively community. So when Debbie Johnson announced she was writing another full novel set in the cafe, I was over the moon. This time the story has a new cast of characters joining the regulars so if you haven't read the previous parts (why haven't you? They are amazing!), you can easily read this one as it has its own stand-alone story. 

First of all, let me say this, as I didn't think it was possible... but Coming Home to the Comfort Food Cafe is even better than its predecessors. It's a story full of heart and delivers so much more than you expect. New characters Zoe and Martha are not your conventional family and they have been in a very dark place for a few months, but when they arrive at Budbury, the locals welcome them with open arms and open hearts. 

The more we got to know Zoe and Martha, the more I liked them. They reminded me a bit of the original cast Laura and her moody teen daughter Lizzie and they actually soon became a great support for them. Their story was touching and very sad at times (I might haves shed a few tears while reading about them) but author Debbie Johnson balanced the sadness with the humour perfectly. The story was full of hilarious moments and little by little you could see these two opening up to their new community. A real joy to read. 

There's nothing I didn't like... no wait, scratch that, there's nothing I didn't love in this story. Catching up with this bunch was a treat but getting to know the new characters was even better. I hadn't read a story that had left me with such a great feeling of joy and a such a warm heart in a long while. Debbie Johnson fans, this is her best yet, you cannot miss it! And if you are not familiar with her books, then you have to rectify that. Fast. Pick this up asap!

The setting around Christmas made this story even more magical but I'd say this is a story that can be enjoyed at any time. Even better with a nice hot chocolate to go with. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series (yes, there'll be one next spring *excited face*).

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Today's review is for Moonlight over Manhattan, the third book on Sarah Morgan's latest trilogy, set in New York. It can be easily read as a stand alone but I'd recommend reading the first two, to get to know the characters better and because they are fantastic stories too. Here are my thought on this one:

Title: Moonlinght over Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love #6)

Author: Sarah Morgan

Published: October 5th 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle… 

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list—dealing with Madi's temporary dog sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry. 

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi—how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple—he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide twenty-four-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel. 

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all—letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas? 

Review: After reading the first two books in this trilogy, I already knew a bit about our main character here, Harriet Knight. She's quite a shy girl who doesn't like going out of her comfort zone. Up until now, her big brother and her twin sister have always protected and cocooned her, so she has never challenged herself. But with both her siblings happily living with their partners, it's time for Challenge Harriet.

Thanks to Challenge Harriet, the story starts in quite a hilarious way, with Harriet jumping from a toilet window to avoid an online dating disaster. This jumping though, leads her to sexy doctor Ethan. And this being a Sarah Morgan book, you can already guess that the sparks fly between these two. 

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, New York, Actually, but the second one, Holiday in the Hamptons, fell a bit short for me. I am happy to say though, that the magic Morgan touch is back in full force with this one. I loved both main characters and I really enjoyed catching up with some old ones. The story line was fresh, compelling and unpredictable enough to make me keep wondering what was going to happen next.

Harriet is a really nice and interesting character to get to know. At the beginning of the story we meet quite a shy and two-dimensional character but as the story progresses, we soon discover a very intelligent, lively and brave woman in her. You can really see how she evolves and the role Ethan plays in it. She certainly managed to surprise me several times and I had a great time following her, especially reading about her amazing culinary skills. Someone please give me chocolate chip cookies right now!

I also found the new characters, like Ethan's colleague, to be the perfect addition to this story. They added something quite special and balanced the main romantic storyline perfectly. 

Even if the book is set around Christmas, I wouldn't say it is a extremely festive read. It is, though, a very magical and wintery read and one I enjoyed immensely. Perfect to escape for a few hours and forget about everything else. Even better with a hot chocolate and something sweet to go with. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

This is my first book by Patrick Ness, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I had read quite a few ravishing reviews though so I was really curious to discover more. Here are my thoughts:

Title: Release

Author: Patrick Ness

Published: May 4th by Walker Books

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Inspired by Mrs Dalloway and Judy Blume's Forever, Release is one day in the life of Adam Thorn, 17. It's a big day. Things go wrong. It's intense, and all the while, weirdness approaches...

Adam Thorn is having what will turn out to be the most unsettling, difficult day of his life, with relationships fracturing, a harrowing incident at work, and a showdown between this gay teen and his preacher father that changes everything. It's a day of confrontation, running, sex, love, heartbreak, and maybe, just maybe, hope. He won't come out of it unchanged. And all the while, lurking at the edges of the story, something extraordinary and unsettling is on a collision course. 

Review: My first thought after finishing this book was wow... what has just happened? A few days after finishing Release, I am still thinking about it non-stop. It has the perfect touch of weirdness to make it absolutely brilliant. And although the whole story happens in the time frame of a single day, so many things happen that you feel like you've been with these characters way longer.

Although I haven't read Mrs Dalloway nor Forever, if this story is inspired by these books, then I need to change this fast. The more I read about Adam Thorn the more I wanted to read about him. It was fascinating to be in his head in such an eventful day, you could really feel his struggles with his religious family and also his broken heart. At the end of the day you felt like he had taken a little piece of your heart with him.

Adam Thorn wasn't the only interesting character though. His friend Angela was like a breath of fresh air. The perfect brighter yin to his darker yang. I really enjoyed the scenes they had together and how they really got each other. 

As I said, I'm still not sure what happened with the more magical plot... but it somehow perfectly worked with the main storyline and I was certainly very curious about the queen and her loyal follower. 

All in all, a fascinating read. 

Rating: 4,5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Today I am delighted to welcome author A.F. Brady to the blog for my stop on the blog tour for The Blind. This psychological thriller was published last week and today the author has stopped by for a Q&A:

Hello! A little bit about me: I’m a 35-year-old New Yorker, and I work as a psychotherapist in my own private practice. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University and two master’s degrees from Teachers College at Columbia University in psychological counseling. The Blind is my first novel, and I am hard at work on my second. I live in New York with my husband, our son and our dog.

The Blind is your debut novel and the first reviews are saying that it is not only a very compelling story but also very twisted and dark, where did your inspiration for it come from?

The inspiration behind The Blind came from my years working in various mental health facilities throughout New York. The financial collapse in 2008 was disastrous for mental health care, the facility I was working at was suffering from extreme setbacks. It felt very difficult to maintain high levels of mental well-being during such trying times, and I felt like we must be crazy to work there, and think we could make a difference without enough clinicians, without enough time, and without enough financial support. From these thoughts, a story about a psychologist suffering from her own mental dysfunction was born. It was important for me to show a wider audience that no one has it all together, and we are all some combination of well and unwell.

You are a Mental Health Counsellor, how has your own job and experience influenced the main character, psychiatrist Sam James?

Aside from my experiences serving as the original inspiration for the character of Sam James, my years of working with patients helped to lend authenticity and clinical insight to the book. Although none of the patients featured in The Blind are real, many of the issues they’re suffering with are based in real problems I encountered in my career, so these are the issues that Sam is seen working with in her career as well. 

What do you expect your readers to feel while reading The Blind?

I expect the readers will experience a host of emotions while reading. Fear, confusion, disappointment, sadness, excitement, satisfaction and joy. It’s a bit of a roller-coaster ride Sam is going on, and I hope the reader will jump in the seat next to her. I think people will be able to identify with her flaws and her struggles. 

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

They are everywhere, and I think it’s because readers really like them! The Blind is different because it’s written by a psychotherapist, and the book is informed so much by reality. 

Finally, can you tell us a bit on what we can expect from your next?

A small teaser into the next book: It’s another psychological suspense, and it follows a cutthroat Manhattan defense attorney named Peter Caine. He is in the middle of some huge transitions, and the reader will follow as he tries to make the change from a cold and uncaring brute, to a sympathetic family man. Only when he is accused of murder will we find out if people really do have the capacity to change their nature. 

About the book:

Title: The Blind

Author: A.F. Brady

Published: October 5th 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

C.L. Taylor, the the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thriller The Escape, is releasing her first Young Adult story. Is The Treatment as good as her previous books? Here are my thoughts on it:

Title: The Treatment

Author: C.L. Taylor

Published: October 19th 2017 by HQ Young Adult

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: You have to help me. We’re not being reformed. We’re being brainwashed.

All sixteen year old Drew Finch wants is to be left alone. She's not interested in spending time with her mum and stepdad and when her disruptive fifteen year old brother Mason is expelled from school for the third time and sent to a residential reform academy she's almost relieved.

Everything changes when she's followed home from school by the mysterious Dr Cobey, who claims to have a message from Mason. There is something sinister about the ‘treatment’ he is undergoing. The school is changing people.

Determined to help her brother, Drew must infiltrate the Academy and unearth its deepest, darkest secrets.

Before it’s too late. 

Review: I am a big fan of C.L. Taylor's psychological thrillers. I have to admit though that when she said she was working on a YA book this time I got a bit worried. What if her clever and absorbing style didn't translate well to the new genre? But people, worry no more. The Treatment is an amazing YA novel. Actually it is an amazing novel. Full Stop. Perfect for both new and old fans of Taylor's.

The story is told from Drew's point of view, a sixteen-year-old girl. After a cry for help from her brother, who is in a reform academy for problematic teenagers, she decides to go to the academy herself, but what awaits there for her is like nothing she could have imagined. Teenagers are not being reformed at all... but brainwashed. From the moment she realizes what it going on, it's a race against time. She needs to do something, quick. 

The pace of the story is certainly fast, you don't even have time to breath while you follow Drew in this new dangerous environment. She is a clever girl though and soon comes up with different plans to escape. But, as you can imagine, they don't make it easy for her...

The Treatment is not only an action-filled thriller though, but also a really clever and thought-provoking read. C.L. Taylor presents us with a near future that could very much be real, which makes it even more terrifying. Think how "well" a brainwashed society would work... I am pretty sure this story will leave no one indifferent. 

Not only that, C.L. Taylor has quite a few surprises in store for us. I was definitely gripped with this story and I found Drew and the rest of characters really interesting and engaging. I was fascinated by all the thoughts Drew had during her stay in the academy.

I have read a lot of YA lately and The Treatment is definitely one my top reads. But I'm sure too that its gripping and twisted plot will also appeal the adult audience.

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

The Lemon Tree Café was first released as a serialised enovel, but I always wait for the whole paperback to come up because one, I need to read it all at once, and two, how beautiful and colourful are Cathy Bramley's covers? Here are my thoughts on this one:

Title: The Lemon Tree Café 

Author: Cathy Bramley

Published: August 24th 2017 by Corgi

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: The Lemon Tree Cafe was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

When Rosie Featherstone finds herself unexpectedly jobless, the offer to help her beloved Italian grandmother out at the Lemon Tree Cafe – a little slice of Italy nestled in the rolling hills of Derbyshire – feels like the perfect way to keep busy.

Surrounded by the rich scent of espresso, delicious biscotti and juicy village gossip, Rosie soon finds herself falling for her new way of life. But she is haunted by a terrible secret, one that even the appearance of a handsome new face can't quite help her move on from. 

Then disaster looms and the cafe’s fortunes are threatened... and Rosie discovers that her nonna has been hiding a dark past of her own. With surprises, betrayal and more than one secret brewing, can she find a way to save the Lemon Tree Cafe and help both herself and Nonna achieve the happy endings they deserve?

Review: A new book by Cathy Bramley is always a highlight in my year. I love her uplifting and inspiring stories and I can already tell you that I absolutely loved The Lemon Tree Café. Especially it is not the first time that we read about Rosie Featherstone, she was a friend of the lovely Veritiy in The Plumberry School of Comfort Food. So I was very.  excited to find out more about her and her story.

Rosie is a hardworking and business driven strong woman who has focused on her career and forgot about relationships for many years. So when she starts helping her nonna in the café, she discovers a completely new rhythm of life. The small and cosy café couldn't be more different that her latest workplace. Soon though, she becomes attuned to it and doesn't miss her old life any more. I especially enjoyed seeing how Rosie adapted to this new challenge and used her strength in the café. 

The star of the story though is her nonna. At seventy five she stills runs the café single-handly and is as stubborn as sweet. I was really intrigued with her past. We know she came to England when she had her daughter but nothing else. I kept trying to guess how her story would unfold but I was surprised at every turn! 

Rosie though is not the only familiar character in this story. A lovely family moves to the village too and makes Rosie's life definitely more interesting. I have to say that in The Lemon Tree Café we get to meet such a lovely and fun bunch of characters! I loved how everyone was so supportive of each other and the whole small village atmosphere. 

The Lemon Tree Café is a charming and heart-warming story that will make you laugh but that will surprise you too. Definitely the perfect read for a crispy weekend, to be enjoyed with a good Italian coffee and a big piece of lemon cake. 

Rating: 5 stars

October has come already and has caught me quite by surprise! A few days late this month, but I wanted to share the new releases I am excited about because there are a few that have SO SO excited. Here they are: 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Illustrated Edition - October 3rd

An extraordinary creative achievement by an extraordinary talent, Jim Kay's inspired reimagining of J.K. Rowling's classic series has captured a devoted following worldwide. This stunning new fully illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban brings more breathtaking scenes and unforgettable characters - including Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Professor Trelawney. With paint, pencil and pixels, Kay conjures the wizarding world as we have never seen it before. Fizzing with magic and brimming with humour, this full-colour edition will captivate fans and new readers alike as Harry, now in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, faces Dementors, death omens and - of course - danger.

Why so excited: I am absolutely loving this illustrated editions and I cannot wait for the next one. I have ordered my copy and waiting for it! Jim Cay is creating such beautiful and magical images that I feel like I am discovering this beloved world all over again. 

Order it now!

Moonlight Over Manhattan by Sarah Morgan - October 5th

She'll risk everything for her own Christmas miracle…

Determined to conquer a lifetime of shyness, Harriet Knight challenges herself to do one thing a day in December that scares her, including celebrating Christmas without her family. But when dog-walker Harriet meets her newest client, exuberant spaniel Madi, she adds an extra challenge to her list – dealing with Madi's temporary dog-sitter, gruff doctor Ethan Black, and their very unexpected chemistry.

Ethan thought he was used to chaos, until he met Madi – how can one tiny dog cause such mayhem? To Ethan, the solution is simple – he will pay Harriet to share his New York apartment and provide 24-hour care. But there's nothing simple about how Harriet makes him feel.

Ethan's kisses make Harriet shine brighter than the stars over moonlit Manhattan. But when his dog-sitting duties are over, and Harriet returns to her own home, will she dare to take the biggest challenge of all – letting Ethan know he has her heart for life, not just for Christmas?

Why so excited: Well, it is a Christmas book by Sarah Morgan, the queen of Christmas, what else can I tell you? Ah yes! It's set in NYC! Who wouldn't be excited with this?

Order it now!

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R.M. Romero - October 5th

A timeless fantasy set in the Second World War that weaves together magic, folklore and history, perfect for fans of The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Goodnight Mister Tom. 

One night a little doll named Karolina comes to life in a toyshop in Krakow, Poland, in 1939 and changes the life of the gruff, broken-hearted Dollmaker. And when the darkness of the Nazi occupation sweeps over the city, Karolina and the Dollmaker must bravely use their magic to save their Jewish friends from a terrible danger, no matter what the risks. This powerful story is about finding friendship in the darkest of places and the importance of love in times of great pain.

Why so excited: I received this one already and I cannot even start to describe how beautiful this book is. I am really curious to find out more about this story but it certainly sounds like my kind of book. 

Order it now!

Coming Home to the Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson - October 8th

Welcome to the cosy Comfort Food Café, where there's kindness in every cup of hot chocolate and the menu is sprinkled with love and happiness…

Moving to the little village of Budbury, Zoe hopes the crisp Dorset sea breeze and gentle pace of life will be a fresh start for her and her goddaughter, Martha.

Luckily for them both, the friendly community at the café provide listening ears, sage advice, shoulders to cry on, and some truly excellent carrot cake. And when Martha's enigmatic, absent father suddenly turns up, confusing not only Martha but Zoe too, the love and support of their new-found friends is the best present they could ask for.

Have Zoe and Martha truly found their home at the Comfort Food Café?

Why so excited: I fell in love with the Comfor Food Café and its characters last year already so I am over the moon to have the opportunity to revisit this magical place during the most magical season of the year. 

Order it now!

The Treatment by C.L. Taylor - October 19th

“You have to help me. We’re not being reformed. We’re being brainwashed.”

All sixteen year old Drew Finch wants is to be left alone. She's not interested in spending time with her mum and stepdad and when her disruptive fifteen year old brother Mason is expelled from school for the third time and sent to a residential reform academy she's almost relieved.

Everything changes when she's followed home from school by the mysterious Dr Cobey, who claims to have a message from Mason. There is something sinister about the ‘treatment’ he is undergoing. The school is changing people.

Determined to help her brother, Drew must infiltrate the Academy and unearth its deepest, darkest secrets.

Before it’s too late.

Why so excited: this is C.L. Taylor's first YA story and it is SO good. I have loved all her previous books but this one is one of the most addictive, tense and clever books I have read in a while. Review coming very soon!

Order it now!

Christmas in St Ives by Miranda Dickinson - October 19th

A wonderfully festive ebook short that will get you excited for the Christmas season, by the author of the bestselling Fairytale of New York.

'This is Miranda at her sparkliest best. Christmas In St Ives is Christmassy perfection; brimming with romance, warmth and magic. But it’s not just a novella, it’s a tantalizing prequel to Somewhere Beyond The Sea and I can’t wait to read that!' Cathy Bramley, author of The Lemon Tree Cafe.

Heartbroken Cerrie Austin is doing her best to hold it together in the run up to Christmas. Not easy when her cheating ex works in the same school and everyone’s eyes are on her. The last thing she needs is a new teacher meddling in her beloved nativity play, even if he is charming, handsome and a talented musician. The Christmas performance is her pride and joy, and she won’t be undermined.

Seren McArthur has recently returned to her Cornish hometown and is enjoying being close to her family and her oldest friends again. St Ives is at its most magical at Christmas, with fairy lights and tinsel in every shop window, tempting locals and holidaymakers alike as they pick up gifts. But an exciting opportunity is just around the corner: will she stay or will she go? 

Meanwhile, the St Ives Christmas celebrations are in crisis: plans for a giant lantern parade through the starlit streets have ground to a halt. As the snow starts to fall, can Cerrie, Seren and their friends Kieran and Aggie rally around in time to save the big day? 

Christmas in St Ives is a charming novella that introduces you to the characters from Miranda Dickinson’s upcoming novel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. Available for preorder now!

Why so excited: I love Miranda Dickinson's books and this year she is releasing this festive novella as a prequel before we get a new full novel next year and I couldn't be any happier! I cannot wait to discover this new set of characters.

Order it now!