Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey. An epic love story that made me cry a lot (in public places). This will probably be the debut of the year for me, so beautifully written and such a moving story. Also, it would make such a fantastic movie.

Blurb: A festive treat from the author of the bestselling I HEART series

First Tess was a girl with a plan.

Then she was a girl with a dream.

Now she’s a girl who’s come back to earth with a bump.

When the opportunity arises to join her best friend, Amy, in New York for Christmas, Tess jumps at the chance. The only fly in ointment is that Nick, the man who broke her heart, lives there. And Charlie, the man she turned down, has just started talking to her again. And she has just four days to take a photo for a competition that could save her career.

But aside from that, everything is going to be great: it’ll be the best Christmas ever. Won’t it?

Review: A Girl's Best Friend was one of my most expected books of the year. I absolutely love Lindsey Kelk's books, every one she publishes is even better that her last one and this one didn't disappoint at all. After leaving us with a huge cliffhanger in What a Girl Wants, Tess is back with her crazy adventures and her indecisive love life. This time we travel with her to New York! For Christmas! Could this get any better? YES! Actually, it does. Who lives in New York? The one an only Angela Clark and her best friend (I wish she was my best friend too) Jenny Lopez! Yes, people, these fantastic characters from the I Heart Series make an appearance in the book!

It's a fact that the I Heart Series is my all time favourite series (it's actually a draw with The Shopaholic Series) but! There might be a new contender. This series started really well with About a Girl but it has just escalated so much that it has become a new favourite. Everything I love in a book is in A Girl's Best Friend. Everything!

Also, I really enjoy that Lindsey writes a prologue with an scene from the story that is supposed to happen a lot later. You start reading and you are like, what? How is this happening? Which make me want to read non-stop until I know more. In fact, I devoured this book in a day and was left with a huge book hangover. For days I couldn't stop thinking about Tess and Nick, and Tess and Charlie, and Amy and Al and Kepipi (#TeamKepipi forever). This is a book I will re read again very soon (probably this Holidays) to enjoy again all the details and basically because I'm not ready to say good-bye to my friends...

A Girl's Best Friend is the equivalent to a delicious hot chocolate with lots of cream and marshmallows in bookish form. One not to miss this Christmas.

Rating: It goes directly to my list of favourite reads of the year.

Blurb: Freya Moorcroft has wild red hair, mischievous green eyes, a warm smile and a heart of gold. She’s been happy working at the café round the corner from Ivy Lane allotments and her romance with her new boyfriend is going well, she thinks, but a part of her still misses the beautiful rolling hills of her Cumbrian childhood home: Appleby Farm.

Then a phone call out of the blue and a desperate plea for help change everything…

The farm is in financial trouble, and it’s taking its toll on the aunt and uncle who raised Freya. Heading home to lend a hand, Freya quickly learns that things are worse than she first thought. As she summons up all her creativity and determination to turn things around, Freya is surprised as her own dreams for the future begin to take shape.

Love makes the world go round, according to Freya. Not money. But will saving Appleby Farm and following her heart come at a price?

Review: Is it just me or are Cathy Bramley's books just getting better and better? God, I really did enjoy Ivy Lane at the beginning of the year (it's on my top ten of books for the first half of the year) but let me tell you, I enjoyed Appleby Farm even more! Cathy has the ability to create such homely and stunning surroundings that they just make you feel part of the story. In this case, we go to Appleby Farm by the hand of lovely and lively Freya Moorcroft. A character we already met in Ivy Lane, even if briefly. Appleby Farm really stole my heart in this story. I could easily picture those fields bathed by the sun with the lazy heard rummaging around. *Sighs* I want a vacation in the Lake District right now.

And Freya couldn't be a better leading role. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm were contagious and I soon found myself cheering for her and her big ideas. Plus, her uncle and aunt were the cutest old couple ever. They were going through really tough times to keep the farm afloat but their love for it and farming in general never faltered. 

Also, how cool was it to catch up again with some of our beloved character from Ivy Lane? Fantastic dot com Gemma, her mum, the lovely Tilly and gorgeous Aidan, they all had their guest appearances! A real treat for us readers. And let's not forget Charlie, the fireman! He is Freya's boyfriend when we start the story and they share some really special moments together. Although I have to admit that I never was a big fan of Charlie in Ivy Lane. He was a bit like a big (spoiled) child. Here, we see him in a whole new light and I think the role he plays in Freya's life is very supportive and mature. He still has his childish moments though. 

Appleby Farm is a great read that has a really positive vibe around it. I was grinning non-stop during the whole book and it left me with a content heart. Well, I have to admit that Cathy made me suffer a bit with Appleby Farm's future. There was so much drama surrounding the farm and its inhabitants! I really had no idea how it was going to end (I certainly didn't expect how it was resolved at the end) but with Freya's optimism and efforts and a bit of help of chatty Lizzie (loved her, by the way) and gorgeous Harry, I was sure we could have the perfect happy ending, and boy did we! Just perfect.

Another hit from Cathy Bramley, Appleby Farm is a beautiful story about family, finding one self and love. It goes directly to my list of favourite reads of the year, next to Ivy Lane. I can't wait to start Cathy's latest serialised novel, Wickham Hall, right now. 

This is my grandmother, Mary’s, recipe. She used to make these when she had her ladies’ coffee evenings and she always seemed to have a box of them in the fridge whenever I went round to visit her. They are absolutely delicious but very rich so cut them into small squares.

You will need . . .

225g dark chocolate

125g glace cherries

125g sultanas (or mixed fruit if that’s what you’ve got)

Follow the Blog Tour: 

Blurb: Rule 1: Never ask him on a first date. Rule 2: Laugh admiringly at all his jokes. Rule 3: Always leave him wanting more.

. . . wtf?!

Have you heard of The Rules of Engagement? It's a book that promises to teach you to find the man of your dreams in ten easy steps. Unsurprisingly, I don't own a copy. What is it, 1892?

But I'm a journalist, and I've promised to follow it to the letter and write about the results. Nevermind that my friends think I'm insane, I'm stalking men all over town and can't keep my mouth shut at the best of times.

My name is Cat Buchanan. I'm thirty-six years old and live with my daughter in Glasgow. I've been single for six years, but that's about to change. After all, I'm on a deadline.

I Followed the Rules and this is what happened.

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

Rating: 

I can’t believe it’s already the end of June, where have these months gone? 2015 is certainly flying by. I have just checked Goodreads and I have read 70 books already. I have to say that 2015 has been amazing year, bookswise. I have read so many amazing books! This is why I wanted the share with you my top ten for the first half of the year. I don’t even know how I managed to narrow it down to 10 only but here they are:

Ivy Lane by Cathy Brambley. Who could have though life in an allotment could be so entertaining? As the seasons pass by, the community of Ivy Lane grow closer and new loves and friendships flourish. I loved how easily Cathy made me feel part of the community too and all the descriptions of gardening.  

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson. Lucy’s talent just keeps surprising us. With her latest book, she fooled us all and took our breath away. A clever story with a twist you won’t forget in a long time.

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey. An epic love story that made me cry a lot (in public places). This will probably be the debut of the year for me, so beautifully written and such a moving story. Also, it would make such a fantastic movie.

The Vintage Guide of Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood. Funniest book I’ve read in a long while. I loved Jessica Beam and her adventures following her grandma’s vintage guides. If you are in need of cheering up, definitely go for this one, genius!

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella. If anyone is worried about Sophie writing her  first YA novel, then you shouldn’t. It totally exceed my expectations. Audrey is a character I won’t forget in a long time and Sophie handles mental health issues with tact and resposability.

Catch Me If You Cannes by Lisa Dickenson. The Summer Read for me! It has all the ingredients: sunshine, stunning setting, romance and Nutella! What else can you ask for? Perfect for an afternoon on the beach with some cocktails to go with!

Mobile Library by David Whitehouse. David takes us on a magic road trip on a mobile library. The story is beautifully written with a unique narrative and a mixture of adventure, fantasy, love and friendship but also with some darker details. A real gem of a book.

Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk. This is Lindsey’s first stand-alone novel in a long time and I wish, with all my heart, that is was actually a series, so we could go back to Maddie’s world again. Certainly one of her best books, Always the Bridesmaid will make you giggle non-stop!

The Silent Hours by Cerca Major. Set in France during the Second World War and based on a historical event, it tells a powerful and moving story about life during war. With different points of views, I felt like I was part of the story too.

So this are the best books I've read so far this year. I don't know how I'm going to pick my top ten at the end of the year if the books continue being so amazingly good. Not that I'm complaining! What are the best books you've read so far?

Blurb: Maddie Fraser has never been anything other than the girl in the background: golden boy Dan’s little sister, crazy Shona’s minion, workaholic Sebastian’s ex and now she’s also the girl in the middle of her warring best friends.

Lauren has announced she’s getting married – just as Sarah’s husband asks her for a divorce. Nothing in Maddie’s career in event organising has prepared her for this particular combo of planning and real pain. The news that her ex is also tying the knot is the final straw. While the magazines say she should be leaning in, all she wants to do is sleep in. But whether she likes it or not, everything is about to change for Maddie. For better or worse, this grown-up bridesmaid is taking centre stage…

Review: I think by now you already know that I love Lindsey Kelk. She hasn't written a single page I haven't loved. So when she announced that she was releasing a stand-alone novel this year, I was over the moon. I was also very curious to discover a brand new heroine by this fantastic author. Would I love her as much as I love Angela from the I Heart Series or Tess from the A Girl Series? The answer is a resounding yes!

Lindsey Kelk is the master of the first person narrative. She always manages to make me love a character within the first two pages. In Always the Bridesmaid, Maddie Fraser is writing a Bridesmaid journal as she has been asked to be one for her best friend's wedding. As she is an events organiser, she is also helping (doing everything) with the planning of the wedding. But this is not the only task at her hands, she is opting for a promotion at work and has to prove herself working extra hard and her other best friend is getting divorced so she needs a shoulder to cry on. Multitasking or what? Oh, and there might be a new love interest in Maddie's life!

The Bridesmaid journal entries are just hilarious. Maddie unloads all her worries and stress in its pages with a hint of irony that had me giggling non-stop through its pages. It's incredible how this girl manages to find herself in the most absurd situations. And her crazy clients at work do not help to the cause. You don't want to miss the lengths she goes to to make them happy.

Maddie's life is a case of if it can go wrong, it'll go wrong. But soon you realise that she is a strong enough woman to handle it all with grace (well... let's leave it at handle it all with more or less grace). But this only makes you love her more and root for her. She really is one of those characters you would like to meet in real life and hug.

Lindsey Kelk at her best, Always the Bridesmaid will not disappoint old fans and I am sure that if you are new to this fantastic author, you'll fall in love with her hilarious and witty style. I hope that this is not the last we hear from Maddie as I am sure she still has more adventures to share with us! 

Rating: 

Blurb: Jessica Beam is a girl who knows how to party. Only lately she's been forgetting to turn up for work on time. Or in clean clothes. Down on her luck, out of a job and homeless, Jess seeks the help of her long-lost grandmother.

Things aren't going well for Matilda Beam, either. Her 1950s Good Woman guide books are out of print, her mortgage repayments are staggering and her granddaughter wears neon Wonderbras!

When a lifeline from a London publisher arrives, the pair have an opportunity to secure the roof over their heads – by invigorating the Good Woman guides and transforming modern, rebellious Jess into a demure vintage lady.

The true test of their make-over will be to capture the heart of notorious London playboy Leo Frost and prove that Matilda’s guides still work. It's going to take commitment, nerves of steel and one seriously pointy bra to pull this off...

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

Review: The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance is the book everyone is talking about, the book everyone is loving unconditionally. And now I know why. Do you want to know why too? Well, because it is da bomb! If you want to laugh uncontrollably for hours and fall in love with a book, a story, all its characters and its author, go get it immediately. By the end of this book all you'll be able to do is wish and pray to all gods that Jessica Beam was your best friend and maybe that you grandma was as ladylike and cool at the same time as Matilda Beam too. 

Jessica Beam is nothing like your regular Chick Lit heroine (which I think makes you love her even more). She's a party animal and doesn't know the meaning of the word responsibilities. So, when she loses her job and consequently her home (as she was working for her best friend and roommate) it's not hard to imagine all her friends (already married and with kids and very fond of the word responsibilities) turning their backs to her. So she ends up tracking down a long lost grandmother. 

Matilda Beam was every woman's (and man's) dream in the fifties. So she wrote a series of Good Woman guides to help women be ladylike and land a good husband and she became quite the celebrity. But now she has come down in the world and all she has left is a mountain of debts and a very naive but cute assistant. 

As you can imagine, if you mix together these two the result can only be a hilarious tale full of heart, corsets and some pointy bras that will capture you. I think there was not a thing in this book I didn't love. Also, every chapter started with a small piece written by Matilda in the fifties that relates to the chapter following. I found this detail genius as it also made you understand her better and see how different society was back then. 

I can't end this review though without mentioning the male characters (yes, plural, with Jessica, what did you expect?). Ok, mentioned. (To know more, read the book, you won't be disappointed).

The Vintage Guide of Love and Romance is like a breath of fresh air. Unexpected, quirky and hilarious, I am sure it'll be one of the books of the year (it'll certainly be one of mine). And Kirsty Greenwood will now have the privilege of being one of my favourite authors of all time. 

And the best thing is that there's more Jessica Beam to come! (Not as good is that we have to wait one year... but I'm sure it'll be totally worth it).

Rating: 

Author: Cathy Bramley

Published:  February 26th 2015 by Transworld Books

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Tilly Parker needs a fresh start, fresh air and a fresh attitude if she is ever to leave the past behind and move on with her life. As she seeks out peace and quiet in a new town, taking on a plot at Ivy Lane allotments seems like the perfect solution.

But the friendly Ivy Lane community has other ideas and gradually draw Tilly in to their cosy, comforting world of planting seedlings, organizing bake sales and planning seasonal parties.

As the seasons pass, will Tilly learn to stop hiding amongst the sweetpeas and let people back into her life – and her heart? 

Review: Ivy Lane was first released as a 4 parts serialized novel last year. Back then people started falling in love with this sweet story centered in the community of the allotments of Ivy Lane, with the lovely Tilly as the main character. When this year it was finally released as a complete novel I couldn't wait long enough to get my hands in a copy and I couldn't be happier than I did. Actually, it was the lovely Laura from Laura's Little Book Blog who got me a copy as part of the Ninja Book Swap. I think I did a happy dance when I saw this beauty in the parcel.

When I started reading I instantly liked Tilly, who after a horrible life experience has decided to move to a new place and start gardening and cultivating in an allotment. She thought that it would be the perfect quiet place where she could get on with her life and no one would bother her. We all knew though that this was not going to be the case. On her first visit to the allotment, she meets the lovely fireman Charlie (a fireman!) and soon enough she starts meeting the rest of this lively community who have no intention of letting her get on with her life quietly. From the talkative Gemma (who becomes a real friend to Tilly) and her active and persuasive mother to the sweet old Alf (who make me shade more than one tear), they all accepted Tilly as part of their big fun family and we had the privilege to see as she flourishes in time with her crops.

A real tale of friendship, love and family, Ivy Lane is a heart-warming novel that you cannot miss. I have always lived in a flat, so I've never had a garden (except for a year when I lived in a cute little house in England, but we had a gardener so I didn't get my hands dirty). But I've always wanted one and Ivy Lane has just reinforced my desire. Also, I wouldn't mind having an allotment if I get to meet such wonderful people and gorgeous men (yes, plural! Charlie is not the only one wandering around).

If you still haven't picked this sweet read, I don't know what you are waiting for. I am totally adding it to my favourite reads of the year. Also, I love it when books come with extras, in this case, Cathy has shared some recipes from food mentioned during the story with us. I cannot wait to try them all myself.

Rating: