THE QUEEN OF FEEL-GOOD FICTION!

The brand new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew - a gorgeous read full of warmth and heartfelt emotion.

Title: My One True North

Author: Milly Johnson

Published: March 5th 2020 by Simon & Schuster

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Laurie and Pete should never have met.

But fate has pushed them together for a reason. 

 

Six months ago, on the same night, Laurie and Pete both lost their partners. Struggling to manage the grief, they join the same counselling group – and meet each other.

 

From their sadness, Pete and Laurie find happiness growing and they sense a fresh new beginning. Except, the more they talk, the more they begin to spot the strange parallels in their stories. Then Pete discovers a truth that changes everything.

 

But, as surely as a compass points north, some people cannot be kept apart. 

 

My One True North is a story of friendship and what love means, of secrets uncovered, teashops on corners and the northern lights.

Review: Milly Johnson has stolen my heart again with her new book, My One True North, an outstanding and heartfelt story about grief, friendship and love. This story tells the story of two lost souls, Laurie and Pete. They have both lost their partners and don't know how to keep going forward. As a last recourse, they join a very special support group and from their first encounter, you can feel a  unique connection between them.

I loved getting to know both main characters, but also all the secondary ones. I especially loved the other members of the support group, they had such lovely and warm stories to tell too. I think Milly Johnson made a wonderful job creating layered and easy to connect with characters. 

I am big fan of Milly's warm and humorous writing, but with My One True North she has surpassed herself, this is definitely my new favourite book by her. It has a special magic and serendipity that make this story very special, and as a reader, you feel privileged to be part of Laurie and Pete's life.

I would completely recommend this book for anyone looking for an emotional but uplifting story. It made me cry, it made me laugh, but above all, it made me fall in love. Perfect escapism. 

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.

With only a few days left of 2019, it is time to share with you the 10 books that have stolen my heart this year. Although it has not been a great reading year for me in the sense that I have not read as much as I would have liked, I have read some really special books that have completely transported me to stunning locations, fascinating eras and have allowed me to forget to forget about reality for a few hours. And for that I am so thankful! In no particular order, here are the 10 most special books I've read:

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

What it is about: Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. 

Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash.

Their friends think they're crazy, but it's the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy's at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.

But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly-imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven't met yet, they're about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window...

Why I loved it: I only read this one a couple of weeks ago and I am still wondering why it took me so long to pick it up as I had been hearing great things about it for months. The concept is very unique and original but above all, I think that it is very well executed. Although they share the same bed, it takes a long time for Tiffy and Leon to actually meet. However, thanks to sharing the same space for months and to their post-it exchanges they already know a lot about each other. 

I had a great time following their exchanges and I kept wondering how and when they were going to meet. In the meantime, I loved getting to know them as individuals and I think both of them were great complex characters. The actual meeting didn't disappoint at all and it had me laughing for a good ten minutes. This is a very warm and uplifting story that also touched on more serious topics. Definitely one book that I will be re-reading pretty soon to enjoy all the little details again.

A Million Dreams by Dani Atkins 

What it is about: Beth Brandon always dreamed of owning a florist, but today the bouquets of peonies and bright spring flowers are failing to calm her nerves. Because today, Beth has a life-changing decision to share with her husband.

Izzy Vaughan thought she and her husband would stay together forever, but sometime last year, their love began to fade. They both find such joy in their young son Noah – but is he enough to keep them together?

Eight years ago, something happened to these two women. Something that is about to bring them together in a way no-one thought possible...

Why I loved it: A Million Dreams is absolutely gorgeous. The story is narrated by two women: Beth and Izzy and at the beginning it is not clear how their stories are going to relate to each other. Thanks to this dual narrative, I got to really know these two characters and I felt really connected to them, I understood what they were going through and how it affected them. So when I discovered how they were linked, it shocked me to the core. Their story really brought up so many emotions!

I think the plot for this story was really original and surprising. It made me wonder a lot about what I would do in their situations and question what is right and what is wrong. Definitely a very thought-provoking story. I really didn't know how the story was going to unfold but I think the author made a magnificent job with it. I closed the last page with tears in my eyes but a huge smile in my face. A highly recommended read from me. 

What it is about: When her daughter Beth dies suddenly, Peggy Andrews is left to pick up the pieces and take care of her granddaughter Flo. But sorting through Beth’s things reveals a secret never told: Beth was sick, with the same genetic condition that claimed her father’s life, and now Peggy must decide whether to keep the secret or risk destroying her granddaughter’s world.

Five years later, Flo is engaged and ready to pack up her life and move to New York with her high-flying fiancé. Peggy never told Flo what she discovered, but with Flo looking towards her future, Peggy realises it’s time to come clean and reveal that her granddaughter’s life might also be at risk.

As Flo struggles to decide her own path, she is faced with the same life-altering questions her mother asked herself years before: If a test could decide your future, would you take it?

Why I loved it: the main character, Flo, was such a fascinating and interesting character, it was impossible not to root for her. I loved getting to know her and she really inspired me to value life more and to challenge myself. Although I really don't know what I would do in her shoes, it was a real pleasure to share this journey with her and learn more about Huntington's and how it affects people and their family and friends. I really cannot imagine how hard it must be to live with it but I do think that this book shows us a fair portrayal of it and I'm sure that it will raise awareness on this disease.

Flo was not the only special character in this story though. I had a great team hanging out with Flo's granny Peggy and thanks to her old diaries, with Flo's mum too. The friendship between Peggy and her neighbour was definitely a highlight of the story for me, such a touching relationship. And the rest of the characters were pretty great too. 

If You Were Here is truly amazing, an unforgettable story that will pull at your heart-strings. Definitely one not to miss.

The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin

What it is about: Baking fanatic, Charlie Quilter, is surprised when her late uncle bequeaths his vintage bus to her in his will. Keen to give the bus a new lease of life, Charlie thinks it will be the perfect mobile café for afternoon tea, and when her friend, Juliette, suggests Charlie comes to stay with her in the picturesque Cornish village of Porthgolow, she’s thrilled at the chance of a new start.

Charlie and her cute dog, Marmite, make new friends wherever their bus stops – except for the sexy but reclusive owner of the posh spa up on the hill, Daniel Harper, who isn’t very pleased that her bus is parked outside his lovely hotel.

Has Charlie’s Cornish dream developed a soggy bottom? Or can she convince Daniel that her bus could be the start of something wonderful for the little village – and for them.

Why I loved it: I absolutely loved this story. It is such a feel-good book set in the stunning setting of Cornwall. The small town community was a delight to read and I could picture their gatherings perfectly in my head. I would highly recommend this story for anyone looking for a touching, up-lifting and charming story!

It had a good dash of romance, with a love triangle going on, which kept me intrigued and very satisfied with the ending. But what really stole my heart were two things: the descriptions of the stunning Cornish coast and of the delicious food Charlie was preparing.

One Winter Morning by Isabelle Broom

What it is about: Genie isn't feeling very festive this December.

The frosty mornings and twinkling fairy lights only remind her it's been a whole year since she lost her adoptive mother, who took her in as a baby and raised her as her own.

She's never felt more alone - until she discovers her birth mother's identity.

And where to find her: New Zealand, half the world away.

Travelling there could be her one chance to meet the woman who gave her up.

But will she find the answers she has been looking for? Or something she could never have expected?

Why I loved it: A new Isabelle Broom book has become a highlight in my reading year and with One Winter Morning she completely surpassed all my (high!) expectations. This is a beautiful touching story set in a stunning location that stole my heart. 

I found the characters in this story very interesting and I loved getting to know them. The story unfolds quite slowly so you don't really know how they are connected until you are totally immersed in their world. I think this worked very well here because it gave me time to connect with them and understand what they were going through. 

I especially enjoyed reading about New Zealand. Locals Tui and Kit were the perfect guides for Genie in this foreign land and they made such a great job that not only did she fall in love with the this beautiful country but so did I. The perfect story to escape to this winter!

The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey

What it is about: Selina Lennox is a Bright Young Thing. Her life is a whirl of parties and drinking, pursued by the press and staying just the right side of scandal.

Lawrence Weston is a penniless painter who stumbles into Selina's orbit one night and can never let her go.

Spanning two decades and a seismic shift in British history as World War II approaches, this is an epic novel of passion, heartache and loss. 

Why I loved it: Iona Grey already made me fell in love with her writing with her acclaimed debut, Letters to the Lost, but I think that The Glittering Hour is in a whole new level. The writing really transports you back in time and the characters feel like part of your family. 

The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew by Milly Johnson 

What it is about: Sophie Mayhew looks like she has the perfect life. Wife of rising political star John F Mayhew, a man who is one step away from the top job in the government, her glamour matches his looks, power, breeding and money. But John has made some stupid mistakes along the way, some of which are threatening to emerge. Still, all this can still be swept under the carpet as long as Sophie 'the trophy' plays her part in front of the cameras.

But the words that come out of Sophie’s mouth one morning on the doorstep of their country house are not the words the spin doctors put in there.  Bursting out of the restrictive mould she has been in since birth, Sophie flees to a place that was special to her as a child, a small village on the coast where she intends to be alone.

But once there, she finds she becomes part of a community that warms her soul and makes her feel as if she is breathing properly for the first time. Sophie knows she won't be left in peace for long. Now she must decide: where does her real future lie? 

Why I loved it: The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew is a delightful story. I had such a great time reading it that I completely forgot about anything else! And once I finished it, I actually had to remind myself a couple of times that Sophie and all the other characters were not real and that I would not find their latest adventures in the newspaper.

This book reminded me that no dream is too small or too big, you just need to go for it. Plus, Milly Johnson's writing is a joy a to read, engaging and with the perfect dash of drama and magic. Definitely a story that will leave you with a warm heart and a very positive vibe.  

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter by Hazel Gaynor

What it is about: 1838: Northumberland, England. Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her twenty-two years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England, the subject of poems, ballads, and plays. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and a visiting artist. Just as George Emmerson captures Grace with his brushes, she in turn captures his heart.

1938: Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen-years-old and pregnant, Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history. As a deadly hurricane approaches, two women, living a century apart, will be linked forever by their instinctive acts of courage and love.

Why I loved it: Hazel Gaynor is one of my favourite Historical Fiction authors, so I know that her stories are always special, but The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter surpassed all my expectations. With two timelines set a hundred years apart, this story completely stole my heart.

Title: The Magnificient Mrs Mayhew 

Author: Milly Johnson

Published: March 7th 2019 by Simon & Schuster

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Behind every successful man is a woman.

Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

Sophie Mayhew looks like she has the perfect life. Wife of rising political star John F Mayhew, a man who is one step away from the top job in the government, her glamour matches his looks, power, breeding and money. But John has made some stupid mistakes along the way, some of which are threatening to emerge. Still, all this can still be swept under the carpet as long as Sophie 'the trophy' plays her part in front of the cameras.

But the words that come out of Sophie’s mouth one morning on the doorstep of their country house are not the words the spin doctors put in there. Bursting out of the restrictive mould she has been in since birth, Sophie flees to a place that was special to her as a child, a small village on the coast where she intends to be alone.

But once there, she finds she becomes part of a community that warms her soul and makes her feel as if she is breathing properly for the first time. Sophie knows she won't be left in peace for long. Now she must decide: where does her real future lie?

Review: The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew is a delightful story. I had such a great time reading it that I completely forgot about anything else! And once I finished it, I actually had to remind myself a couple of times that Sophie and all the other characters were not real and that I would not find their latest adventures in the newspaper.

Sophie Mayhew is a fantastic, multi-layered and intriguing character. I loved getting to know her both in the present time and through the flashbacks to her school days in the cold and rigid boarding school, St Bathsheba. Her upbringing and her family had taught her to be a good and dutiful wife to a powerful man, but deep down, she knew that something was not right with her life. It was very inspiring to read about her journey of self-discovery.

This is a story of contrasts, we go from the cold and target-oriented world of politics, in which everyone has a hidden agenda, to the warm and supportive community of the village of Little Loste. I think these opposite settings complement each other really well and make for a very interesting story, with plenty of twists and fascinating insights to both worlds.

I loved this story, it reminded me that no dream is too small or too big, you just need to go for it. Plus, Milly Johnson's writing is a joy a to read, engaging and with the perfect dash of drama and magic. Definitely a story that will leave you with a warm heart and a very positive vibe.  

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

About the Author:

Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. As well as being an author of 16 published novels, 2 short story books and 2 novellas, she is also a copywriter for the greetings card industry, a poem and joke-writer, a columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.

She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016 and the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015.

She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.

Her latest book - 'The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew' deals with a woman who has been conditioned since a child to be little more than a support for an important man. But there is much more to Mrs Mayhew than anyone who knows her - even her own family - could ever believe.

February is going to be quite an eventful month for me as we are moving to a new place in the next few days. All my books are in boxes already and I don't know when I will be able to "rescue" them as I'm planning to get bigger bookshelves for the new place. BUT! February is here with lots of new titles I want to read and I wanted to share them with you:

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella - February 8th

NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR Sophie Kinsella's emotionally charged, witty new standalone novel about love and long-term relationship survival - and how those we think we know best can sometimes surprise us the most . . .

After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other's sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it's casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years... and panic sets in.

They quickly decide to create little surprises for each other, to keep their relationship fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me - anything from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to photo shoots - mishaps arise with disastrous and comical results. 

Gradually, the surprises turn to shocking discoveries. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all...

Why so excited: A new Sophie Kinsella book is always a highlight in my bookish world. She is one of my auto-buy authors and I absolutely love her latest, My Not So Perfect Life. So I have great expectations for this one!

Order it now!

Sunflowers in February by Phyllida Shrimpton - February 8th

This funny yet heartbreaking novel movingly explores what happens when Lily dies in a car accident. The trouble is, Lily is really not sure at all if she wants to 'move on' . . . For fans of John Green and The Lovely Bones

Lily wakes up one crisp Sunday morning on the side of the road. 

She has no idea how she got there. It is all very peaceful. And very beautiful. It is only when the police car, and then the ambulance, arrive and she sees her own body that she realises that she is in fact... dead. 

But what is she supposed do now? 

Lily has no option but to follow her body and sees her family - her parents and her twin brother - start falling apart. And then her twin brother Ben gives her a once in a deathtime opportunity - to use his own body for a while. But will Lily give Ben his body back? She is beginning to have a rather good time . . .

A moving, startlingly funny yet achingly sad debut novel from a stunning new talent.

Why so excited: I love discovering new author and this debut sounds like my kind story. I think the concept sounds very intriguing and I'm sure this will touch many hearts. 

Order it now!

Best Practice by Penny Parkes - February 22nd

THE BRAND NEW BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF OUT OF PRACTICE

Love and laughter with the residents of Larkford is exactly what the doctor ordered!

Dr Alice Walker has become accomplished at presenting a façade to the world – to anyone watching, she is the epitome of style, composure and professionalism. But perhaps it was to be expected that the cracks might begin to show at some point. Thankfully Grace is on hand to offer both friendship and support when it’s needed most.

Meanwhile, Dr Holly Graham has her hands full both professionally and personally. Planning a wedding with Taffy Jones is challenging enough, even before some surprising news changes everything. At least beloved Larkford resident, Elsie, still has a few tricks left up her sleeve!

Dr Dan Carter, on the other hand, has decided to throw himself into his career – the best antidote he’s found to unrequited love. When tragedy strikes in the heart of Larkford, Dan makes it his mission to help the community.

Why so excited: And we are back in Larkford! I've loved the previous two books set in this lovely village, with the practice in its centre and I am really looking forward to catching up with this characters, especially with a wedding in the horizon! 

Order it now!

Villa of Secrets by Patricia Wilson - February 22nd

If you love The Island and Cartes Postales from Greece by Victoria Hislop, you will love this perfect summer read from the author of Island of Secrets.

Rebecca Neumanner has spent years trying to conceive a child. Her fragile marriage is on the brink of collapse, and her desire to become a mother is becoming an obsession. Then she receives news from her estranged family in Rhodes, and Rebecca's world is turned upside down.

Drawn to the beautiful island of her birth, she finds herself looking at the elderly lady in front of her and realising how little she knows of the grandmother she's eluded for over a decade. A freedom fighter in the Second World War, her Bubba harbours secrets that she has intended to take to the grave. But those secrets affect everyone, and perhaps they are not hers to keep. With Rebecca's arrival, the time has come to tell the truth...

Why so excited: how intriguing does this story sound? I cannot wait to discover all the secrets that await us in the beautiful island of Rhodes. Plus, for my stop in the Blog Tour, Patricia Wilson will stop by and answer all my bookish questions! 

Order it now!

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson - February 22nd

The brand new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Queen of Wishful Thinking - a gorgeous read full of love, life and laughter.

Marnie Salt has made so many mistakes in her life that she fears she will never get on the right track. But when she ‘meets’ an old lady on a baking chatroom and begins confiding in her, little does she know how her life will change.

Arranging to see each other for lunch, Marnie discovers that Lilian is every bit as mad and delightful as she’d hoped – and that she owns a whole village in the Yorkshire Dales, which has been passed down through generations. And when Marnie needs a refuge after a crisis, she ups sticks and heads for Wychwell – a temporary measure, so she thinks.

But soon Marnie finds that Wychwell has claimed her as its own and she is duty bound not to leave. Even if what she has to do makes her as unpopular as a force 12 gale in a confetti factory! But everyone has imperfections, as Marnie comes to realise, and that is not such a bad thing – after all, your flaws are perfect for the heart that is meant to love you.

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman is the heart-warming and hilarious new novel from the queen of feel-good fiction – a novel of family, secrets, love and redemption … and broken hearts mended and made all the stronger for it. 

Why so excited: I haven't read a Milly Johnson book for far too long and it's about time to change that. Her books always make you feel better with yourself and the world and this is exactly what we need now!

Order it now!

The Year that Changed Everything by Cathy Kelly (22/2)

Treat yourself to the wonderfully life-affirming new novel from Number 1 bestselling author Cathy Kelly

Three women celebrate their birthdays... 30. 40. 50. But their milestone birthdays mark the start of a year that will change everything...

Ginger isn't spending her 30th the way she would have planned. Tonight might be the first night of the rest of her life - or a total disaster.

Sam is finally pregnant after years of trying. When her waters break on the morning of her 40th birthday, she panics: forget labour, how is she going to be a mother?

Callie is celebrating her 50th at a big party in her Dublin home. Then a knock at the door mid-party turns her perfect life upside down...

Full of warmth and wisdom, this is a story about finding happiness on your own terms from international bestseller Cathy Kelly.

Why so excited: Surprisingly, I haven't read any books by Cathy Kelly yet but I have heard great things about them. This one caught my attention because this year I am turning 30 myself and I also feel like it could be the year that changes everything.

Order it now!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. And who doesn't love a good list?

Wenn du mich fragst, sag ich für immer by Holly Martin. This is the German edition of One Hundred Proposals, which is an amazing love story. 

And a couple of ebooks: 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I haven't read anything by Rainbow Rowell yet and I am planning on rectifying it very soon. 

On March 17th I had the pleasure of going to the first Spring Blogger Evening organised by the lovely team of Books and the City. When I got my invite I was over the moon and started planning the trip and  counting the days until the date. Finally, the time arrived and I flew to London to enjoy some days at the city and go to the event. 

When I arrived at the event, there were some fellow book bloggers I know from twitter waiting and we started chatting. It was so lovely to meet them in person. 

Then the wonderful Sarah Jade, from Books and the City, came and welcomed us to the event. While we waited for everyone to arrive we were offered tea and coffee and some chocolates and sweets. And then, it was time to go to the conference room and take our seats. The five authors on the panel were Jane Costello, Iona Grey, Milly Johnson, Andy Jones and Heidi Swain. 

Clare Hey, who is the editor of these fantastic authors, introduced them and was in charge of chatting with them and asking questions about their books: 

The first one to talk was Jane Costello. She told us all about her new book, The Love Shack, that will be published next month. Then she read an extract that had us all in stitches. It sounds like a fantastic read, and for the first time, Jane wrote some of the chapters from the male character's point of view. I cannot wait to get my hands on this one!

Heidi Swain was next. Her debut, The Cherry Tree Cafe, will be released as a digital exclusive in July and it sounds just like my cup of tea. After hearing an extract and some bits she told us and learning that the heroine loves crafting (which I do too), I am really looking forward to this one.