Alba in bookland: Lisa Dickenson

Lisa Dickenson's new book is a feel-good, kick-ass novel about sisterhood and second chances. I love her her hilarious remarks and her strong and relatable characters so I am very excited today to share my review for her latest release:

Title: My Sisters And Me

Author: Lisa Dickenson

Published: August 23rd 2018 by Little Brown

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: They're fixing up their childhood home. It's going to get messy.

When Willow Lake asks her daughters for help renovating the family home, each has a reason to hesitate about returning to Maplewood...

For quiet and bookish Emmy going back to the town that ridiculed her fills her with dread.

The youngest Noelle is perfectly comfortable in herself now, but once wanted to fit in so badly that she walked away from her first love. A first love who still lives in Maplewood.

And outspoken Rae is painfully aware of how much the townspeople hurt her little sisters growing up. She didn't protect them then, but there's no way she'll let history repeat itself.

The sisters agree to go home and make the best of it. After all if they've changed over the years, it's possible the townspeople have too... isn't it?

Review: The story revolves around three sisters, Rae, Emmy and Noelle. They didn't have the easiest of childhoods in their small village of Mapplewood, as they were bullied for being different. So since moving out to start their adult lives, they haven't been back that often. But when their mother asks them to re-do the whole house while she is away, they all agree to go back for three months. As you can imagine, when they arrive, they are not ready yet to face their past demons, but they soon realize that it is about time to show Mapplewood they are kick-ass women who don't care any more about what others think. Or do they?

I really loved the whole message in the story, how we need to embrace our own selves and be proud of who we are. It's not an easy task, but every little step forward counts. The sisters were always supportive of each other and had a very special bond. Eldest sister Rae was also very protective of her two younger sisters and was always on fight-mode, ready to defend them. It was great to see her character develop and how her sisters made her understand fight or flight are not always the only options.

In general, I think there was a very clear evolution in the main three characters. We really got to know them and we were able to understand them: we knew about their fears and their doubts but also about their strengths and their dreams. Also, there wasn't only hostility waiting for them in Mapplewood, some old flames and old friendships were also back in the village, ready to turn the sisters' lives upside-down. So we got to know some new sides of them because of that.

If you have read Lisa Dickenson's previous books, you will know about her hilarious sense of humour. Maybe this story is not as funny as her previous ones, but there were some great moments that added the perfect fun spark to the more serious tone of this book. They had me giggling repeatedly and I had such a great team down memory-lane with the sisters. There were many nineties references and as I am the same age as youngest sister Noelle, I loved reminiscing with them about the best of the decade.

My Sisters And Me has a very autumnal and cosy feeling, it even has a Halloween party. So I would definitely recommend picking it up and spend a few evenings reading it with a nice blanket and a hot drink. Best cure for the colder months!

Rating: 4 stars

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

With no holidays planned until October, this month I am really looking forward to discovering new places through books, like California or Sri Lanka. Plus, some favorite authors of mine have novels out in the next few weeks, so August looks like is going to be a great reading month:

Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow by Siobhan Curham - August 2nd

An uplifting story of friendship, unity and hope that highlights the important and topical issues surrounding young carers and young refugees.

Fourteen-year-old Stevie lives in Lewes with her beloved vinyl collection, her mum ... and her mum's depression. When Stevie's mum's disability benefits are cut, Stevie and her mother are plunged into a life of poverty. But irrepressible Stevie is determined not to be beaten and she takes inspiration from the lyrics of her father's 1980s record collection and dreams of a life as a musician. Then she meets Hafiz, a talented footballer and a Syrian refugee. Hafiz's parents gave their life savings to buy Hafiz a safe passage to Europe; his journey has been anything but easy. Then he meets Stevie...

As Stevie and Hafiz's friendship grows, they encourage each other to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

Why so excited: last year I read Siobhan Curham's The Moonlight Dreamers series and really loved those inspirational and heart-warming stories. Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow sounds just as special and I am already looking forward to meeting these new characters.

Order it now!

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber - August 2nd

Reiko loves the endless sky and electric colours of the Californian desert. It is a refuge from an increasingly claustrophobic life of family pressures and her own secrets. Then she meets Seth, a boy who shares a love of the desert and her yearning for a different kind of life. But Reiko and Seth both want something the other can’t give them. As summer ends, things begin to fall apart. But the end of love can sometimes be the beginning of you...

From the author of the acclaimed Wing Jones comes a 'break-up' book about a Japanese-American teenager, set in the Palm Springs desert, California. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon's Everything, Everything and Sara Barnard's Beautiful Broken Things.

Why so excited: Katherine Webber is another author I discovered last year with the amazing Wing Jones and I've heard a lot about this story on Twitter, especially as Walker Books even organized a prom dance to celebrate it. I would have loved to attend it!

Order it now!

In Bloom (Sweetpea 2) by CJ Skuse - August 9th

Makes Hannibal Lecter look like Mary Poppins… this is going to give me a serious book hangover’ John Marrs, author of The One

If only they knew the real truth. It should be my face on those front pages. My headlines. I did those things, not him. I just want to stand on that doorstep and scream it: IT WAS ME. ME. ME. ME. ME!

Rhiannon Lewis has successfully fooled the world and framed her cheating fiancé Craig for the depraved and bloody killing spree she committed. She should be ecstatic that she’s free.

Except for one small problem. She’s pregnant with her ex lover’s child. The ex-lover she only recently chopped up and buried in her in-laws garden. And as much as Rhiannon wants to continue making her way through her kill lists, a small voice inside is trying to make her stop.

But can a killer’s urges ever really be curbed?

Why so excited: Rhianon is back. I read Sweetpea last year and she is probably the most shocking and the darkest character I have ever met. But her dark humor and brutal honesty turned out to be highly entertaining. I am really looking forward to discovering her new life, now that she is with baby.

Order it now!

The Book Ninja by Ali Berg and Michelle Klaus - August 9th

**Could you find your perfect man by looking at his book shelf?**

'Frankie, think about it. Literature is your life. You've been trawling Tinder looking for well-read intellectuals, but it's not working. Let's shake things up! Just use your favourite books to find a man.'

Frankie Rose is desperate for love. Or a relationship. Or just a date with a semi-normal person. It’s not that she hasn’t tried – Frankie is the queen of online dating. But she has had enough.

With the help of her best friend and colleague Cat, Frankie decides to embark on the ultimate dating experiment. Inspired by her surroundings at The Little Brunswick Bookshop where she works, Frankie places her hope in her favourite books to find her the perfect man… Secretly planting copies on trains, trams and buses, Frankie hopes to find the man of her dreams through a mutual love of good books. The only flaw to the plan? That she may never get her books back!

But that turns out to be the least of her worries... In between crazy dates and writing them up on her blog, Frankie stumbles upon her perfect man. There's just one problem...Frankie is strictly a Jane Austen kind of woman and Sunny is really into Young Adult. Seriously, obsessively into it...

Can Frankie overcome her book snobbery for the man of her dreams? Or will she be left searching the trains for her modern-day Mr Darcy forever?

Why so excited: this sounds like a bookworm's perfect story: literary references aplenty and finding love through books. I am really curious to see how the concepts translates to the page.

Order it now!

Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes? By Holly Hebpurn - August 9th

Welcome to Camp Reset, a summer camp with a difference.

A place offering a shot at 'normality' for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for her new friends, who are all dealing with their own battles.

But as Olive settles in, she starts to wonder - maybe it's this messed up world that needs fixing, and not them. And so she comes up with a plan. Because together, snowflakes can form avalanches...

A trailblazing and painfully honest novel about mental health, friendship and making this crazy world a kinder place.

Why so excited: I only discovered Holly Bourne's YA books earlier this year, but I absolutely love them. I wish I could have read her stories, full of feminism discussions and great friendships, when I was a teenager myself. But no matter what age you are, hers are very important and special stories and this one sounds just as good.

Order it now!

The House of Birds and Butterflies by Cressida McLaughlin - August 9th

Abby Field loves every inch of Meadowsweet Nature Reserve on the idyllic Suffolk coast where she lives and works. Especially Swallowtail House, the rambling but empty country house that seems to look out at her each time she passes it’s shut-up windows.

When a TV wildlife programme choses a rival location for their new series, Meadowsweet is under threat – unless Abby can whip up a plan to keep the visitors flocking. But she finds herself distracted by the arrival of a brooding – and annoyingly handsome new neighbour… bad-boy novelist, Jack Westcoat.

With the pressure on, Abby and her cute rescue huskie, Raffle, must pull something special out of the bag. But with Jack in need of a good friend – and Abby feeling the pull of attraction, she can sense her resolve fluttering away…

Why so excited: Cressida Maclaughlin's stories are very feel-good and cosy and perfect to disconnect for a while from your busy life. I am definitely planning on reading this one by the pool and forgetting about everything else.

Order it now!

My Sisters and Me by Lisa Dickenson - August 23rd

They're fixing up their childhood home. It's going to get messy.

When Willow Lake asks her daughters for help renovating the family home, each has a reason to hesitate about returning to Maplewood...

For quiet and bookish Emmy going back to the town that ridiculed her fills her with dread.

The youngest Noelle is perfectly comfortable in herself now, but once wanted to fit in so badly that she walked away from her first love. A first love who still lives in Maplewood.

And outspoken Rae is painfully aware of how much the townspeople hurt her little sisters growing up. She didn't protect them then, but there's no way she'll let history repeat itself.

The sisters agree to go home and make the best of it. After all if they've changed over the years, it's possible the townspeople have too . . . isn't it?

The BRAND NEW feel-good, kick-ass novel about sisterhood and second chances. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk, Mhairi McFarlane and Anna Bell.

Why so excited: It's been too long since Lisa Dickenson published a story. I am so looking forward to her hilarious remarks and her strong and relatable characters! This will be such a treat.

Order it now!

One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom - August 23rd

One spark will light up both their lives

Alice is settling down. It might not be the adventurous life she once imagined, but more than anything she wants to make everyone happy - her steady boyfriend, her over-protective mother - even if it means a little part of her will always feel stifled.

Max is shaking things up. After a devastating injury, he is determined to prove himself. To find the man beyond the disability, to escape his smothering family and go on an adventure.

A trip to Sri Lanka is Alice's last hurrah - her chance to throw herself into the heat, chaos and colour of a place thousands of miles from home.

It's also the moment she meets Max.

Alice doesn't know it yet, but her whole life is about to change.

Max doesn't know it yet, but he's the one who's going to change it.

Why so excited: Isabelle Broom is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Her stories are getting better and better with each new book and she always takes us readers to the most wonderful places. I cannot wait to discover our next destination, Sri Lanka.

Order it now!

While I Was Sleeping by Dani Atkins - August 23rd

A brand new and brilliant emotional family drama for fans of Jojo Moyes and Dorothy Koomson, from the bestselling author of Fractured.

I don't remember what happened or what has changed.

I can still hear your voices but you can't seem to hear me.

I was about to be married and had everything to look forward to.

Now I have to find a way back - to you, to our family, to us.

Why so excited: I've already read this one and wow. I ugly-cried, I laughed out loud and I am still missing these characters. A stunning story and highly recommended. I'll share my review this month, so don't miss it!

Order it now!

I first read Catch Me If You Cannes when it was released as a serialised enovel a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved it. Now it's just been published as a paperback and I couldn't resist as re-visit to the glamorous Cannes.

Title: Catch Me If You Cannes

Author: Lisa Dickenson

Published: May 4th 2017 by Sphere

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: WARNING: reading Catch Me If You Cannes may result in embarrassing outbursts of belly-aching laughter on public transport. Romantic, funny and full of Cannes Film Festival magic, it's perfect for fans of Giovanna Fletcher, Paige Toon and Mhairi McFarlane.

Jess has decided it's time to get out of her comfort zone and live a little. So when her best friend Bryony, a journalist on a gossip magazine, is sent to cover the Cannes Film Festival, Jess decides to seize the day and go along for the ride. Two weeks of sun, glamour and exclusive entry into celeb-filled parties is just the kind of adventure Jess needs.

Reality soon bites though when Jess and Bryony find they're staying in a dingy hotel far away from all the action and Bryony's expenses budget barely covers a glass of local wine. Undeterred, the two women are determined to live like the elite and enjoy one fancy night out to begin their holiday. So what if they have to tell a few white lies along the way? It's just this once. No harm done . . . right?

Full of hilarious one-liners, sparkling blue seas and plenty of romantic moments, Catch Me If You Cannes is the story of two friends, a few white lies and one very sticky situation...

Review: Lisa Dickenson's Catch Me If You Cannes is finally out in paperback and I couldn't be more excited. I loved Lisa's previous books and completely fell in love with her witty and fresh style where the laughs are guaranteed and Catch Me If You Cannes is no different. In this story we meet Jess and Bryony, two very different but close friends who are gonna stay for two weeks in Cannes while Bryony covers the famous festival for her magazine.

Jess, as Bryony says, is a ray of sunshine, and I liked her from page one. Tired of never leaving her small village, she has decided this trip is gonna be full of adventures. And what adventures! Soon the two friends find themselves surrounded by A-listers, oysters and yachts. All this in the beautiful setting of Cannes, with its sunshine and azure sea waters.

During their adventures, Jess meets gorgeous Leo. He seems like the perfect match for Jess, they really connect and I loved reading about their interactions. They were really cute together. But Lisa Dickenson is full of surprises and soon you realise Leo might not be that lovely. While reading this story, I couldn't stop thinking about what was going on and what was going to happen next.

Lisa created a great story that made me want to forget about everything else. I felt like I was in Cannes with them. And we also got to go to Monaco. Montecarlo sounded so glamorous and movie like. I can't wait to visit for myself!

All in all, I think this story will be a summer hit: laughs, beach, cocktails, sunshine and Cannes (oh! and Nutella!!). What a perfect combination for a lazy afternoon by the pool. And now that the paperback is out, you have no excuses for not getting it and devouring it.

Take my advice, put some Lisa Dickenson sunshine in your life this summer, you won't regret it!

Rating: 5 stars

About the author:

Lisa Dickenson is the pseudonym for Beyoncé. OK, FINE, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

Lisa lives by the Devon seaside, stuffing cream teas in the gobs of anyone who comes to visit, and writing stuff down that she hopes is funny. Her first novel was the copyright-infringing Sweet Valley Twins: The Twins Holiday Horror, which she wrote in primary school and gave up on after five pages. Twenty-ish years later Lisa went on to be a *real author* and wrote the Novelicious Debut of the Year, The Twelve Dates of Christmas.

Other titles by Lisa Dickenson:

You Had Me at Merlot

Mistletoe on 34th Street

Follow the Blog Tour for more reviews and content:

New month means new books, right? As usual, I'm sharing my top new releases for this month. It's looking like it's going to be a very interesting month with releases by some of my favourite authors!

Catch Me If You Cannes by Lisa Dickenson - April 3rd

WARNING: reading Catch Me If You Cannes may result in embarrassing outbursts of belly-aching laughter on public transport. Romantic, funny and full of Cannes Film Festival magic, it's perfect for fans of Giovanna Fletcher, Paige Toon and Mhairi McFarlane.

Full of hilarious one-liners, sparkling blue seas and plenty of romantic moments, Catch Me If You Cannes is the story of two friends, a few white lies and one very sticky situation...

Why so excited: I had the pleasure of reading this story when it was first released as a serialised enovel and I loved every single page! It's now out as a whole novel, in ebook format today and paperback next month. Don't miss it!

Pre-order now!

The Choir on Hope Street by Annie Lyons - April 6th

The best things in life happen when you least expect them.

Nat’s husband has just said the five words no one wants to hear – ‘I don’t love you anymore’.

Picture-perfect Caroline has to welcome her estranged mother into her house after she was forced out of an exclusive nursing home.

Living on the same street these two women couldn’t be more different. Until the local community centre is threatened, galvanising Caroline and the people of Hope Street into action. But when the only way to save the centre is to form a community choir – no one, least of all Nat, expects the results…

This spring, hope is coming!

Why so excited: I have really enjoyed Annie Lyons' previous books so I was over the moon to get a review copy of her new one. It's my current read and I'm having so much fun reading it. Keep an eye for my review later this week.

Pre-order now!

Spring at Blueberry Bay by Holly Martin - April 7th

Welcome to beautiful Hope Island where the sea sparkles, the daffodils are blooming and a blossoming romance is just around the corner…
Bella has always had a sunny outlook and caring nature, despite recently falling on hard times. When she finds a handsome homeless man on her doorstep, her kind heart tells her she must help him. So, she invites Isaac into her cottage and into her life in ways she could never have imagined…

But Isaac is not what he seems. He’s keeping a huge secret from Bella, yet he never expected to fall for this open, generous and charming woman.

Bella can’t ignore the chemistry between her and Isaac, but she’s had her trust badly broken in her past. Will she run when she learns the truth about Isaac, or will he be the one man who can help Bella believe in love again?

A gorgeously romantic and heartwarming story to completely lose yourself in. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jane Costello and Miranda Dickinson.
Why so excited: A new Holly Martin book! How can I not be excited? She never disappoints and her magical stories are always full of surprises and romances. I'll be part of the Blog Tour next week.

Pre-order now!

Then. Now. Always. by Isabelle Broom - April 20th

Hannah can't believe it when she's offered a trip to sunny Spain with her best friend and dreamy boss..1 what's the catch?

Twenty-eight year old Hannah is ready for an adventure. She and her colleagues are in Spain for a month to film a documentary, and it's a dream come true. Not least because Hannah will get to spend long summer days with Theo, her boss (and crush). If only Tom (Hannah's best friend and cameramen) and Claudette (the presenter) would stop getting in the way...

Then things become even more complicated when Nancy, Hannah's half-sister arrives. What on earth is she doing here?

For once in her life, can't Hannah just have one perfect summer, free of any drama?

Why so excited: After loving Isabelle Broom's previous two novels, how can I not be excited for a new story? This one is set in the south of Spain and I'm sure it'll become my next holiday destination!

Pre-order now!

The Woman at Number 24 by Juliet Ashton - April 20th

Meet the residents of number 24 in the warm, witty and wonderful new novel from bestselling author Juliet Ashton.

When your marriage falls apart, the last place you'd want your husband to move to is downstairs. Unfortunately for Sarah, up in the eaves at number 24, her ex-husband now lives one floor beneath her with his new wife. Their happiness floats up through the floorboards, taunting her.

A child psychologist, Sarah has picked up great sadness from the little girl, Una, who lives with her careworn mother three floors below, but is Sarah emotionally equipped to reach out?

The Spring brings a new couple to the house. Jane and Tom's zest for life revives the flagging spirits, and Sarah can't deny the instant attraction to handsome Tom. Having seen at first hand what infidelity does to people, she'll never act on it ... but the air fizzes with potential.

The sunshine doesn't reach every corner of number 24, however. Elderly Mavis, tucked away in the basement, has kept the world at bay for decades. She's about to find out that she can't hide forever.

Juliet Ashton weaves a story of love, friendship and community that will move you to laughter and to tears. Think Cold Feet meets David Nicholls, with a dash of the joy of Jill Mansell added for good measure.

Why so excited: I only discovered Juliet Ashton last year but I fell instantly in love with her writing so when I first heard about this one, it immediately entered my wish list. I really cannot wait to read this one, it sound exactly like my kind of read.

Pre-order now!

The A-Z of Everything by Debbie Johnson - April 20th

P is for Paris where it all began. J is for Jealousy where it all came undone. But the most important letter is F. F is for Forgiveness, the hardest of all.

Sisters Poppy and Rose used to be as close as two sisters could be, but it’s been over a decade since they last spoke. Until they both receive a call that tells them their mother has gone – without ever having the chance to see her daughters reunited.

Andrea, though, wasn’t the kind of woman to let a little thing like death stand in the way of her plans. Knowing her daughters better than they know themselves, she has left behind one very special last gift – the A-Z of Everything.

Why so excited: Debbie Johnson is also an author I discovered last year and became a firm favourite of mine. I've read already some great reviews for this story and I couldn't be more excited to read it myself.

Pre-order now!

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:

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

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.

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I usually pick the five books I am most excited about but this month it was just impossible to pick only 5, so it's going to be a top 8 instead! So many of my favourite authors have books out this month: Lisa Dickenson, Lindsey Kelk, Miranda Dickenson, Cathy Bramley, Holly Martin... Plus, many festive reads (which I love) are being releases this month! So have a look at my picks for this month exciting new releases:

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

'A perfect Christmas treat' Miranda Dickinson

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 is out in October 3rd and the paperback on November 4th.

Order it now!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, illustrated edition by Jim Kay - October 4th

Prepare to be spellbound by Jim Kay's dazzling full-colour illustrations in this stunning new edition of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Breathtaking scenes, dark themes and unforgettable characters - including Dobby and Gilderoy Lockhart - await inside this fully illustrated edition. With paint, pencil and pixels, award-winning illustrator Jim Kay conjures the wizarding world as we have never seen it before. Fizzing with magic and brimming with humour, this inspired reimagining will captivate fans and new readers alike, as Harry and his friends, now in their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, seek out a legendary chamber and the deadly secret that lies at its heart .

Why so excited: I absolutely adored Jim Kay's illustrations for the first Harry Potter so I'm really looking forward to discovering his new illustrations.

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We Were on a Break by Lindsey Kelk - October 6th

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?

Why so excited: A Lindsey Kelk book and a Friends reference? What could be better?

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The Singalong Society for Singletons by Katey Lovell - October 6th

A charming, feel good novel about the healing powers of friendship…and Frozen!

Monique and Issy are teachers, housemates and lovers of musicals! Their Friday night routine consists of snacks, wine and the Frozen DVD. So when Monique’s boyfriend moves to America for a year and her sister Hope moves in because of her own relationship woes, Friday nights get a new name… ‘The Singalong Society for Singletons’!

It’s a chance to get together, sing along to their favourite tracks from the best-loved West End shows, and forget the worries of work, relationships and love (or lack of it). But when Issy shares the details of their little group further afield, they get some unexpected new members who might just change their opinions on singledom for good….

Why so excited: Katey Lovell's debut novel sounds really original and so much fun! I'm on the Blog Tour for this one, so I can't wait to share my review and an interview with you!

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Comfort and Joy by Cathy Bramley - October 13th

Curl up with this feel-good short story, full of romance, surprises and a sprinkling of Christmas magic…!

It’s been a busy year for Verity Bloom at the Plumberry School of Comfort Food, but Christmas Eve is finally here. With delicious treats all wrapped up and the ingredients packed away, Verity is looking forward to a relaxing few days with her new boyfriend.

Good food, family and friends – it’s a simple recipe for true comfort and joy, and all Verity’s friends in the village are full of excitement about the holidays too.

But the weather has other plans in store… Relentless rain leads to a power cut that spells disaster for many of Plumberry’s residents. It’s starting to look like this year’s celebrations could be a total washout.

With dreams of a perfect Christmas dashed, will the last of the festive cheer be swept away in the downpour? Or can the cookery school create a Christmas miracle for everyone Verity holds dear?

Why so excited: I loved The Plumberry School of Comfort Food earlier this year so when Cathy Bramley announced a Christmas novella set there, I was over the moon!

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Christmas under a Starlit Sky by Holly Martin - October 19th

Step inside a beautiful winter wonderland where love, laughter and cosy nights by the fire will make this Christmas one to remember.

Neve Whitaker loves managing the Stardust Lake hotel. She gets to work alongside her wonderful family and she’s spending Christmas on the most enchanting, snow-covered island in Scotland. So why is her heart so heavy this festive season?

It might have something to do with the gorgeous actor Oakley Rey, the man she finished with before he left for California and the man she loves more than anything. With Oakley’s career in Hollywood soaring, Neve is convinced she’d only hold him back. She had to end it with him – at least that’s what she keeps telling herself.

But now she has a secret she’s struggling to keep, and when Oakley arrives on Juniper Island determined to win her back, Neve is thrown off balance. Will Neve’s fear of having her heart broken again push Oakley away for good, or is it time for her to take a leap of faith?

Get swept away by this deliciously sweet and heartwarming tale, and spend an unforgettable Christmas on Juniper Island.

Whys so excited: Last month I loved Christmas under a Cranberry Sky, so I can't wait to go back to a town called Christmas and have lots of Christmas fun!

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Miracle on 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan - October 20th

Hopeless romantic Eva Jordan loves everything about Christmas. Even if she is spending it alone housesitting a spectacular Fifth Avenue apartment. What she didn’t expect was to find the penthouse still occupied by its gorgeous–and mysterious–owner.

Bestselling crime writer Lucas Blade is having the nightmare before Christmas. With a deadline and the anniversary of his wife’s death looming, he’s isolated himself in his penthouse with only his grief for company. But when the blizzard of the century leaves Eva snowbound in his apartment, Lucas starts to open up to the magic she brings…This Christmas, is Lucas finally ready to trust that happily-ever-afters do exist?

Why so excited: I've actually read this one already and it's just lovely. So romantic and magical! I love books set in New York during Christmas!

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Searching for a Silver Lining by Miranda Dickenson - October 22nd

It began with a promise...

Matilda Bell is left heartbroken when she falls out with her beloved grandfather just before he dies. Haunted by regret, she makes a promise that will soon change everything . . .

When spirited former singing star Reenie Silver enters her life, Mattie seizes the opportunity to make amends. Together, Mattie and Reenie embark on an incredible journey that will find lost friends, uncover secrets from the glamorous 1950s and put right a sixty-year wrong.

Touchingly funny, warm and life-affirming, this is a sparkling story of second chances. Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern, Searching for a Silver Lining will take you on a trip you'll never forget.

Why so excited: I was lucky enough to get an advance proof copy of this one and I read it as soon as it arrived. Such a beautiful and special story! I can't wait to share my review with you soon.

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