Today's review is for Rachael Lucas' latest book, Wildflower Bay. It was firstly published as a 3-part serialised enovel and the paperback of the whole story has just been published. I had read and enjoyed both Rachael Lucas' previous books (especially her debut), so I was really excited to discover her latest story. Here's what I thought about it:

Title: Wildflower Bay

Author: Rachael Lucas

Published: August 11th 2016 by Pan

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Wildflower Bay is a stunning, romantic summer read by Rachael Lucas.

This little island has some big secrets...

Isla's got her dream job as head stylist at the most exclusive salon in Edinburgh. The fact that she's been so single-minded in her career that she's forgotten to have a life has completely passed her by - until disaster strikes.

Out of options, she heads to the remote island of Auchenmor to help out her aunt who is in desperate need of an extra pair of scissors at her salon.

A native to the island, Finn is thirty-five and reality has just hit him hard. His best friends are about to have a baby and everything is changing. When into his life walks Isla...

Review: In her latest book, Rachael Lucas takes us back to the island of Auchenmor. If you read her debut, Sealed with a Kiss, you'll remember this little island and one of the characters, Finn. I did, so I was really excited to be back as I had really good memories of this place. If you didn't, then you are in for a treat: discovering this stunning island with lots of secrets and a charming little community!

But the story starts in Edinburgh with Isla. She had quite a difficult childhood and never fitted in, but as an adult she has become a very successful and driven stylist. She finally has the perfect clothes, the perfect car and the perfect job... until she loses it. Getting to know Isla was very interesting. She projected herself as this super woman, confident, fashionable and strong but under this facade, she still was that little girl who had no friends. I could tell that life in Auchenmor would bring a new side of her out and we'd discover even more about her. And I was not wrong, I really enjoyed her flourishing, making friends and getting passionate about things outside of work.

The star of the story for me was not Isla though but Ruth. I first thought that this lovely old lady was just going to be a minor secondary character but the author surprised me making her one of the main characters. She became a real good friend to Isla but she also had her own story. I was really intrigued by her story and it surprised me more than once. It even brought some tears to my eyes. Ruth will be one of those characters difficult to forget, so wise and generous. 

When I first picked this book (and after reading the blurb), I thought the love story would play quite a big part but it actually doesn't. You can tell that both Isla and Finn are interested in each other but their relationship grows really slowly and they share very few pages together. I mean, they both have many things to worry about apart from a possible relationship but I would have loved to see more scenes of them together. The same with the high school reunion Isla attends. She spends half the book worrying about it, getting ready for it, dreading it. And then in a couple of pages it's done. 

But all in all, even if the story didn't turn out to be exactly as I expected, I enjoyed it immensely. Who doesn't love some surprises? It was great to catch up with old friends from Sealed with a Kiss but also discover these new characters. As I said, Ruth was a real gem and I'm sure her story will touch many hearts. 

Rating: 4 stars

Fall in love with the gorgeous seaside town of White Cliff Bay this summer and enjoy long sunny days, beautiful beaches and… a little romance. 

Darcy Davenport is ready for a fresh start. Determined to leave a string of disastrous jobs and relationships behind her, she can’t wait to explore White Cliff Bay and meet the locals. 

When Darcy swims in the crystal clear waters of the bay, she discovers the charming Rose Island Lighthouse. But it’s not just the beautiful building that she finds so intriguing… 

Riley Eddison doesn’t want change. Desperate to escape the memories of his past, he lives a life of solitude in the lighthouse. Yet he can’t help but notice the gorgeous woman who swims out to his island one day. 

Darcy is drawn to the mysterious and sexy Riley, but when it seems the town is trying to demolish his home, she soon finds herself having to pick sides. 

She’s fallen in love with White Cliff Bay. But is that all Darcy’s fallen for? 

Pull up a deck chair, sink back with a bowl of strawberry ice cream and pick up the summer read you won’t be able to put down.

Why so excited: If you know me, you'll know that I love Holly Martin's stories. Plus, back in December, we discovered the beautiful seaside twon of White Cliff during Christmas, so I can't wait to be back during summer this time.

The One We Fell In Love With by Paige Toon - May 19th

Phoebe is caught between a rock and a hard place. Settle down and get married, or return to the French Alps to pursue her passion? 

Eliza is in love with someone who is no longer hers. In fact, he probably never was… And her dream of becoming a successful musician seems to be vanishing before her eyes. 

Rose is out of a job and out of a boyfriend. To make matters worse, she’s been forced to move back in with her mother… 

But these very different girls have one thing in common. Angus. The one they fell in love with…

Why so excited: Paige Toon is one of my auto-buy authors. Her stories are always so unique and engaging. Plus, I had the pleasure of meeting her in March and hearing her talk about this book and its story, I can assure you that this one is going to be an amazing read. 

Wildflower Bay: Part 1 by Rachael Lucas - May 19th 

Isla's got the designer clothes and dream job as head stylist at the most exclusive salon in Edinburgh. The fact that she's been so single-minded in this quest that she's forgotten to have a life has completely passed her by - until disaster strikes.

With her flaky flat mate AWOL and even her reliable old dad a bit distracted, Isla is out of options.

Forced into a corner, she heads to the remote island of Auchenmor to help out her aunt who is in desperate need of an extra pair of hands at her salon.

Finn is thirty-five and reality has just hit him hard. Now his best friends are about to have a baby and everything is changing. When into his life walks Isla...

Why so excited: I've loved Rachael Lucas' previous books so when she announced she was releasing a serialised novel this spring, I was over the moon. Even more when I found out that the story is set in the beautiful Island of Auchenmor, as Sealed With a Kiss! Plus, you can get this first part free here. 

Remember My Name by Abbey Clancy - May 19th

From the moment Liverpool teenager Jess stars in the school musical, she knows that she’s GOT to be a star. Fast forward a few years and the closest the now 22 year old Jessica has got to stardom is as a children’s entertainer – which is where she meets Jack , uncle to the spoiled 5 year old birthday princess who spots Jessica’s talent and offers her a job with a record label. But that means that she’ll have to leave her family and her home and move to London – where she quickly finds that the streets aren’t quite paved with gold. And as she spends her days making tea for bitchy PR girls and her night in a mouldy studio flat, Jessica wonders if leaving Liverpool for London has been a terrible mistake.

Attending an industry party – unfortunately only to serve canapes – Jessica’s fortunes suddenly change when Vogue, the singer due to perform at the event drops out. Before she knows it, Jessica volunteers to stand in and takes centre stage. After a dazzling performance, she is surrounded by people wondering who this amazing new talent is. What’s more, her star turn has been captured by the press and she has become an overnight sensation.

Plunged into the crazy world of glitz and glamour, Jessica’s life is transformed but as her star rises, she loses touch with her roots. Jessica’s teenage dreams of stardom may have come true, but at what cost?

Why so excited: Remember My Name is model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy's debut and it sounds just like my kind of read, as I love going behind the scenes of the crazy world of glitz and glamour. I've got an advance review copy of this one, so I can't wait to get started.

Play Dead (D.I. Kim Stone #4) by Angela Marsons - May 20th

The dead don’t tell secrets… unless you listen. 

The girl’s smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess. 

Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A ‘body farm’ investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime. 

Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It’s clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work – but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next? 

As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer’s secrets – but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim…?

Why so excited: Kim Stone is back! If you haven't picked this series yet, you are missing out. I have read and loved the first three books and I am so looking forward to picking the fourth! 

Blurb: Would-be gardener Daisy can’t believe her luck when her parents announce they’re off on a midlife crisis gap year, leaving her in charge of their gorgeous garden. After a turbulent few months, a spot of quiet in the countryside is just what she needs.

A shoulder to cry on wouldn't go amiss either - so when Daisy comes across Elaine and Jo, she breathes a sigh of relief. But her new friends are dealing with dramas of their own…

As Daisy wrestles the garden into something resembling order, her feelings for handsome Irishman George begin to take root. Daisy’s heart’s desire − her parent’s garden − is under threat, and Daisy's forced to confront nosey neighbours and fight greedy developers. Village life is turning out to be far from peaceful.

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: I loved Rachael Lucas' first book, Sealed with a Kiss, so I was over the moon the get an early review copy of Coming Up Roses. And with that cover! Don't you just love it? I'm happy to say that the story lived up to my expectations. Coming Up Roses turned out to be a lovely read with stunning descriptions of gardening and a beautiful picture of village life.

Daisy, our heroine, arrives at her parents place after a horrible break up and when she has just finished a gardening course. So the opportunity to make her parents beautiful but forgotten garden come back to life while they are away is the perfect project to immerse herself and forget about everything else. At first, she doesn't want to get into the village dynamics. But soon enough she meets the lovely Thomas, an old retired gardener, who becomes a friend and a confident for her. I really liked Thomas and enjoyed a lot reading his interactions with Daisy. He is usually the voice of reason but also loves causing a bit of mischief. I think Rachael Lucas found a winner with Thomas as I'm sure everyone will love him while reading this novel.

But Thomas is not the only new friend for Daisy. She starts hanging out with her new neighbour, Elaine, a successful lifestyle blogger that posts everything from her perfect and posh life, house, husband and food on her blog, and Jo, a single mother and counselor. I found it very interesting how these very different women developed such a strong friendship during the story. They really were there for each other when they needed it the most and both Elaine's and Jo's stories took an important role too. Soon I found myself caring for them too and wishing the best for both of them when their lives turned out to be not so perfect.

During the story there's also a romantic story line, as a dashing Irishman asks Daisy out after bumping into her a few times. He is a total charmer and they start seeing each other. But I liked that this romantic line takes more of a secondary role in the story. The real star of the story is the garden. Daisy finds refuge working in the garden and as we see it flourish, we also see her opening up to new adventures and finding herself again. And with the detailed and generous descriptions, you can really picture all the colours and the smells.

Coming Up Roses is a beautiful novel about finding your place in the world and fighting for it. Also, if you enjoy a bit of gardening, you'll love reading about Daisy's work and the lovely village of Steeple St John, where life is not as quiet and peaceful as you might think.

Rating: 

Blurb: The first part in this hilarious four-part romantic comedy, from the author of You Had Me at Merlot and The Twelve Dates of Christmas - winner of the Novelicious Debut of the Year award.

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 glitz, 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 extremely delicious man. WARNING: reading Catch Me If You Cannes may result in embarrassing outbursts of belly-aching laughter on public transport.

Why so excited? I love Lisa Dickenson and her fresh and fun style and she is back with a four parts serialized novel that sounds amazing! I have actually started reading it already and I can tell you it's fantastic! 

Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk - May 9th

Why so excited? Because it's Lindsey! This woman has not written a word I haven't loved. 

The Sun in her Eyes by Paige Toon - May 21st

Why so excited? Paige Toon's stories are always special and unique, she always goes a bit farther than you expect and The Sun in Her Eyes sounds pretty special too. 

Coming Up Roses by Rachael Lucas - May 21st

Why so excited? I've just read Rachael's first novel, Sealed with a Kiss, and loved every page. I actually have an arc of this one so it won't be long till I dive in and I couldn't be happier.

We Are All Made of Stars by Rowan Coleman - May 21st

Why so excited? Can't you believe that I still haven't read any of Rowan Coleman's books? I know... I don't know how this happened but I'm rectifying this soon and I think that with We Are All Made of Stars sounds like quite a good way to discover this great lady. 

***

It looks like May 21st is going to be one of those fantastic publication days, full of bookish gorgeousness. I certainly cannot wait to discover all these new titles. What May books are you excited about? 

Island life has no room for secrets, but prickly Roddy's keeping something to himself. When his demanding ex girlfriend appears back on the island, Kate's budding friendship with her new boss comes to an abrupt end. What is Fiona planning - and can she be stopped before it's too late?

This funny, big-hearted novel is the perfect read for fans of Carole Matthews, Trisha Ashley and Katie Fforde.

Review: I can't believe it took me so long to finally read Sealed with a Kiss. What a beautiful story! But what I think stole my heart completely was the setting. All I want to do now is leave everything behind and live in a Scottish island with views to the sea and seals as my friends. Well, and if there's a gorgeous Laird too around, I wouldn't mind at all.

Kate is 26, jobless, homeless and boyfriendless (and a bit lost too) so when she reads an ad to be a Girl Friday in a remote island she takes it, even if she has no idea what a Girl Friday is supposed to do. Which doesn't impress her new boss at the slightest. But as the story unfolds, we see how Kate starts feeling a bit less lost and more at home at the island. She gains self-confidence and starts showing what she is capable of. She is such a lovely girl and I really enjoyed reading about her progress. 

But apart from the Laird himself, the island is full of fun, quirky characters that need to know everything about everyone but that also make Kate part of their big family. They were all so friendly. Well almost all, there was some bitchiness in the air too to make the story more interesting. But all in all, I think all the characters were believable and well developed and Rachael gave us snippets of their individual stories so they felt like old friends to me.

Sealed with a Kiss is a lovely and sweet story about finding your place in the world (in the most unexpected way), and believing in yourself and in love. A real feel-gooey-inside read with a stunning setting. I can't wait to read more by Rachael Lucas now. 

Rating: